Summoners: The Forbidden Ritual

Chapter 24: Gate Keepers

Walking down the basement steps of the Abraxas Club, Lyle, Aryna and their company discuss through whispers what outcomes might be revealed once they attempt to vanquish Belial.

Azazel led them through the staircase, and on that floor, cabinets and wardrobes filled with weapons and treasures.

"Do you know why the Holy Maker cast me down from his paradise? Because I taught men how to fight on their own. To make sure they don't need help from a spirit that isn't always there, but instead hold a sword that is real and true." Azazel sighs.

He continued on his story, "I taught men how to swing a blade, fire a cannon, shoot a gun. But it was their fault for using it so unwise. It is not mine, but of course, blame the mentor."

Aryna looked around in awe, seeing the hundreds of blades, spears, and bows that can be used, both holy and unholy. She asks Azazel, "What are all these weapons for?" Azazel laughs, "Trophies, gifts, offerings, you name it.
Every single kind of weapon made in Earth I have it. But this is my most prized stash, these hold even the blade of angels."

He looks to Lyle and continues, "And by the way, that's what you need to use to kill Belial. Simple, stab him in his heart, exactly his heart."

Lyle asked then "And what if I can't stab his heart?" "Then you can't kill him. Like me, Lyle, He's a greater demon, a prince of hell. It is no simple task to kill someone with that power. Not even beheading him will vanquish him permanently." Veronica joined the conversation, "So, what blade will we be using exactly?"

Azazel chuckles, he opens a large glass case with a long sword in it, sharp and gleaming with shine. It had a jewel in the center of its hilt, and runes on it's blade.

He presented it to Lyle, "My angel blade, the one I used to fight against demons in my time as a servant of God."

Lyle holds the hilt of the blade and grasps the power that flowed through from the blade to his arm. Going up to his heart and mind, he snapped out of the power drive and placed the sword on a table.

Azazel scoffed "What immense power, is it not? Sadly I cannot hold that blade anymore. I'll leave it to your care."

Michael grew impatient, "So, when will we pass through to Tyrahel?" Azazel then remembered, "Ah of course." he clapped his hands and placed his palms on the blank white wall near the corner of the room.

He whispered unto the wall, "receperint me ad infernum." The wall started to show cracks, then it broke open, a hollow black portal appeared. He looked to the company, "Shall we?"

One by one, with Azazel in the lead, they passed through the rift and arrived at the gates of Tyrahel. It was not the stereotypical fiery canyon-like hell you see in Biblical scriptures and manuscript. It was a desert, brightly lit by the scorching sun.

At the gates was a hooded figure, it was only him that guarded the gates of Tyrahel. No one has ever stepped foot in Tyrahel other than the demon princes and their minions, it was the first time a Summoner had entered after the one incident of Valerius accepting the Demon King's gift.

The figure floated through the air and stopped Azazel's party from taking a step nearer to the gate. "Azazel, kozi ya ken pili tusiran?" Azazel chuckled, "I'm sorry but you must speak the tongue of men for my company cannot understand you but me."

The figure grunts "Must I speak this insufferable language of pestinence? Why are you here, Azazel? Why, in all levels of Tyrahel, you walk into Belial's?"

Azazel answered, "Is this not the level where even live souls are kept? Mortal men, imprisoned? I simply wish to bring these people to the man they seek." "You know very well that once imprisoned they cannot be released." "I know." The figure basked in silence for a few moments, until he realized what Azazel's intentions really were.