Summoners: The Forbidden Ritual

Chapter 23: Post Mortem

Upon learning the history of her parents, Aryna weeps to her father, smiling as she said "Did mom really defend us like that?" Henry chuckled as he wrapped Aryna in his arms, "You know I can't make that up."

Lyle and the others silently let Aryna cry her sadness away. But Lyle was interrogative, "So, if The Oracle is dead, where can the orb be now?" Henry inhaled sharply, "It can be destroyed, given how it killed my wife and Xylion, it's quite impossible that the Orb has not taken damage."

Michael intruded, "Since the Oracle is gone and no known location of the Orb. What alternative do we have?" They all stared and basked in silence, Lyle realized, "Siv. He might know something, but we have to find him first." "Any ideas?" Henry chuckles "I have an idea where he might be."

In the courtyard, a great rune was inscribed on the cement ground. They simply believed that it was design and decoration, but once Henry told Aryna to walk into the center and inhaled to focus her mana, the rune started to glow.

Falion asked, "What's happening?" Henry answered "This rune enhances mana and can be used as a conduit for portals. If Aryna can track even a faint whisper of his spirit I can conjure as a portal to get there." They stepped back to witness Aryna's power come to life.

An aura wrapped her, glowing brighter and bigger, she holds Siv's ring that signified his friendship with Henry. Henry tried to coach Aryna through it, "Remeber Siv's voice and focus on that, filter the sounds that pass through your soul."

Visions and flashes through the society, hearing the laughter, cries, screams and whispers of each and every life force.

Aryna tried to focus on finding Siv's, until the flashes became grim, dark, the open space became crampped, screams were heard. She snapped out of the incantation, gasping for air.

Lyle rushed in to hold her as she almost fainted, he asks her, "Are you alright?" Aryna was barely conscious, she looks up and sees Lyle, "Yeah, i'm just a bit dizzy." Henry walked up and asked, "Did you hear him?"

"No. But I saw this dark and rocky place, no light, no air, but I can hear screams." Henry thinks and concludes, "But that's impossible, that would mean he's in the Realm of Tyrahel, or better known as the underworld."

Lyle immediately walked to the armory to fetch his sword, "Then we're getting him out of there." Henry stopped him, "Hold on, Lyle. Getting into Tyrahel isn't as easy as you think."

Aryna grabbed her strength and stood up "Then how can we get there?" Michael suggests, "Tyrahel is the land of demons and dark forces, it's either you become one or be with one."

Veronica continued "And it's hard to trust a demon and for a demon to trust us." Aryna asked further "Well where can we find a demon?" Lyle chuckled, "That's easy, Abraxas Club." "What's Abraxas Club?"

Later that night, the whole group readied themselves, weapons, clothes and equipment. Lyle was in his chambers, sharpening and placing runes in his QuickBlade.

Aryna knocks on his door, causing Lyle to stand up and open it. Aryna greeted him, "Good evening." Lyle greeted back, "Good evening, what's up?"

"I just wanted to check on you, you just woke up yesterday and now you're going on field work." "I'll be fine, thanks." He tried to close the door but Aryna stopped him, "Maybe, you shouldn't go." Lyle then asked, "Why? What's wrong?" "Nothing.. I just thought.." Lyle then reassured her, "Like I said, i'll be fine."

He closed the door and Aryna felt embarrassed, as if rejected. She let out a deep sigh and walked back to her room. She sat on her bed and began to think about what might happen tonight, she was worried not only for Lyle but for the whole company.

They gathered outside and Henry conjured a portal, Lyle, Aryna, Michael and Veronica passed through and arrived outside Abraxas Club. Aryna looked around, it was a simple nightclub outfit.

Motorbikes parked outside with its bikers smoking and talking around, at the entrance was a large bouncer, checking on everyone who comes inside.

Lyle walks up to the brute, "Axor, it's been a while." The bouncer chuckles, "Lyle Dawnspell, and a few other Summones and Scouts, state your business." "We need to talk to your boss." Axor smiles and opens the door, "Goodluck."

They cautiously entered, the loud electronic dance music shook the floor as they stepped inside. Neon lights matched with laser pointers and spotlights made it an enigmatic scene. People partying inside and out of the dance floor, unique blood red lights illuminating the bar.

Aryna then commented, "This doesn't seem like a demonic club." Michael chuckles, "Because that's what you see." Lyle held Aryna's hand and chanted an incantation to improve her vision, letting her see through physical forms and into astral vision.

The jolly and party-going scene became malevolent, the beautiful women became monstrous sirens, fangs and claws appeared as the drinks became blood with the men and their yellow sinister eyes glare into the group. Aryna suddenly felt uneasy, frightened by the horrors inside this seemingly innocent nightclub.

Lyle looked into Aryna's eyes, "Don't worry, they won't harm you unless their boss says so. It's Demon law, imagine if there even is one."

Aryna gulped in her fears and trekked along, she grabbed Lyle's hand as they walk through the crowd. She could hear the whispers of the demons as they pass through

"This one looks tasty." "Pretty girl, why don't you party with us." "I smell virgin meat." The comments continued until they succeeded in reaching the other side of the club, where the VIPs get their private lounges.

Lyle confronts the security at the most secure lounge, "Is your boss there?" "Get lost, Summoner, we don't want no mortal flesh running around unless they wanna get inside our stomach."

A shout was heard from the inside however, "Let them in." The security guard scoffs and opens the lounge door for them, inside was a man sitting on his long couch with three naked women, while he, half-naked. He greeted them, "Welcome, Summoners. What is it? Is it important?"

Lyle answered, "We need a favor from you." The man looks to his women and tells them to exit the room, he grabs a robe and serves a glass of scotch, "And what is this favor?" "We need you to grant us entry into Tyrahel."

He immediately replies "Absolutely not!" Michael intruded, "You owe us that much at least." "For what? Not killing me? You simply prolonged my useless existence why should I owe you for that?"

Lyle began to threaten him, "You're going to grant us that entry or else." "Or else what? Remember Dawnspell, you're in my house."

Aryna was confused, "I'm sorry who is he?" the man began to laugh, "Surely you jest, you haven't heard of me? Azazel, Iblis, the Scapegoat, one of the seven fallen angels or depends on what you believe in. And you are?"

Lyle went in between them, "None of your business." "Then that concludes our discussion, you may leave." Aryna rushed in, "I'm Aryna Allbourne."

Azazel looked shocked and sat down, "An Allbourne, how fascinating. I have reconsidered your request, for a condition." Lyle asked "What?" "Simple, you kill my brother, Belial."

Veronica jumped in the conversation, "The Lord of Lies? Ruler of one of the seven levels of Tyrahel? The Master of Deception?" "Correct, you see everytime I would step inside Tyrahel he would always see to it that I get kicked out, because I threaten his rule. Well know you have to kick him out, so I may rule."

Lyle denied, "Nevermind, we'll find another way." "I'm the only one who can grant you entry you know it, all the demons here are lessers, they cannot pass through the gate without me. You wish to linger in the world of fire, well you need me, and as long as Belial is there, I cannot help you."

They all looked at each other, deciding through glares and nods. Azazel grew impatient, "So Summoners and Scouts, do we have a deal?" he offers his hand to shake on the proposition.

Lyle approaches and shakes it, "Fine. As long as you tell us how to kill him." "Oh I won't disappoint you, after all I showed you humans how warfare is done."