Shadow Bands

IV. Antumbra

Draven looked back as the transport passed the threshold of Nashherux. His leg couldn't help but bounce on the floor. He was leaving the Underworld on different terms, wondering why Kel chose him for the job when there were plenty of suitable candidates. His hand brushed against the bastard sword that Namon gave him, nothing impressive but he knew it could get the job done.

    He couldn't help but look at Arna. Draven knew she was a succubus, a perfect duo for diplomacy, he thought. Arna's gaze fell upon him, catching him staring at her. The angle of her shoulders now faced him and the corners of her mouth curved up to a smile. Draven shook his head and quickly cast his look downward.

A chuckle escaped her mouth.

    "You're an unusual escort," she finally said. "Usually they're. . ." Her eyes scanned him from head to toe. "Bigger."

    "I'm only here to fulfill a Cardinal Order." He forced out of himself. His hands gripped tightly onto his pants in hopes he wouldn't lose bearings.

    "Such a noble man."

    He could feel his blood get warmer, his heartbeat now pounding in his head. Her words were like poison to his thoughts.

    "That's enough!" A deep, muffled voice spoke as if it were in a can. Draven looked to the side of him from the corner of his eye. A suit of armor sat silently but sternly with a light blue flame burning where a head should be. A helmet sat on its lap secured by an arm. Draven recognized him as Apollyon, the Eleventh demon general. "Let the boy do his job."

    "Oh, Polly," Arna said softly. Draven noticed the flame grew more intense and hellish red at the nickname. "I just wanna make sure he can fulfill his order."

    "I-I promise to get you back safely!" He felt the palms of his hands get sweaty.

    "Don't make a promise you can't keep."

    The carriage suddenly jolted, making Draven hold on to his seat. Apollyon got out of his seat, helmet in hand, to see where they were. Draven now understood how colossal Apollyon really was.

    "We have arrived at the Eastern Theatre. Stay on alert." Apollyon put the helmet where a head should be and rested his hand on the pommel of his sword.

    Draven looked out again and saw that the red skies had changed to gray and the soil was war torn. Not even an animal to graze the grass after all these peaceful years. There was a stale film that floated in the air, making the lands feel stale yet stoic. Life had abandoned these plains, only the lingering of smoke and death traversed these lands. The silence felt so loud. Though he has experienced the death of others the sight of it will always unsettle his nerves.

    A stone fortress, built by both kingdoms, stood tall in front of them. A grim reminder of what's to come if any blood is shed during the armistice. Near the entrance stood a drawbridge that lowered once they approached. The guardsmen greeted them and announced their presence. Draven looked in amazement at the courtyard for it was the first time he's been to one. Its center had a fountain and decoration that corresponded to each kingdom. There was a clear line that was not to be crossed or even tampered with.

    The carriage stopped and Draven stepped out first. His eyes darted around and only felt dread and malice. He heard a human scoff at them as they made their patrol. When Apollyon stepped off the carriage, rocking it with every step, the humans straightened their spines and readied themselves the best they could.

    Draven heard horses clop into the fort and he tried to peek his head around the carriage. Apollyon's massive body walked into his line of sight and stood like a wall. He knew there was no way to see around him unless he went out of his way which would raise suspicion so he decided to wait to see who it was. Arna stepped out of the carriage and all the humans, even some of the demons, lowered their guard but not because she wasn't viewed as a threat but rather by what she is. From the corner of his eye he saw someone exit the other carriage and two girls followed. A girl with long blond hair and the other with fiery red hair. The girl with red hair turned towards him and he recognized her and his head snapped back facing forward in hopes she didn't recognize him.