Draiks and Angels: Survivor

9 - Pinned

Satiya turned her head away. No matter how thirsty she was, she was not going to drink what Yom Cimil's men were offering her. She may not be able to use her magic, and she may not be able to get Husani to use his, but she could do this. It would only take a few days. If she could just hold out.

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Selim met Ava and Tadeas in the library the next morning. There were tables and stools in a wide circle around the room, which he gestured for them to choose one to sit at. Ava chose the one farthest from the door to keep from being eavesdropped on.

"So, what can you tell me about this 'being' you are searching for information on?" Selim started. "If I have any ideas of where to look, that will speed things up."

Ava fiddled with her own notebook that she brought to write in, "I have to admit that I only learned about it recently, but it is apparently a well-known evil to the Primary Aerie. They call them the Shadows."

Selim nodded for her to continue.

"Personally, we have seen that they hold the shape of a man, though maybe ten feet tall; they can summon minions that look like blobs seemingly anywhere they want; they can teleport people against their will; and they have an insatiable desire to steal others' magic."

"'Personally' meaning there is a specific one you are investigating?"

"Well, while I guess it wouldn't hurt to look into that one specifically, we are also looking for any information we can get in general."

"Who, or what, is the one you have encountered?"

"I have been told that they don't actually have names. Or at least they have never given anyone their names. Mortals have called them various things and the Shadows never correct them," Ava answered.

"The one we are dealing with is called Yom Cimil, the Maya Lord of Death," Tadeas added. "At least so we can talk about it without dancing around."

"I had also been told that a different Shadow existed over 4000 years ago, and so this area would be a good place to look father back."

Selim raised his eyebrows, "You want information from over 4000 years ago? That will not be in the library, but in the archives."

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The archives were in climate-controlled rooms below the Aerie. Ava was a little surprised at how modern they were.

"I don't know if this is what you are looking for, but there are some writings about 'The Children of Moloch' which sound somewhat similar to what you describe," Selim said, gesturing for them to take a seat at a table outside the special chambers.

He returned wearing cotton gloves and carrying a rolled papyrus. It had many pieces missing, but as he gently unrolled it, Ava could see why he would think it was something they would like to see. There was a drawing of three black men at the top. They appeared to be coming out of the mouth of another, large man that was floating in the air. This man was not black, but was almost transparent.

"It says the Children of Moloch come from Moloch's will and pleasure. Moloch gives them a body, which they cannot have on their own, and power. But Moloch is jealous and does not share power easily, so the Children will consume whatever they can. And here's the kicker, it says the Children of Moloch have no names."

Ava gaped and looked at Tadeas. Tadeas looked back, unsure why she was so shocked.

"It sounds just like them!" Ava whispered.