Necromancer

Chapter 21

The obsidian steps clattered under me as I made my way up. I looked up and I still haven't passed the cloud barrier. It covered the whole sky like a black wave. It rippled back and forth hiding what was beyond it. I need to hurry and find that stupid stone and get out of here. Why did I even agree to do this? I've almost died 3 times! I still couldn't tell how long I've been here. It seemed as if time didn't apply to this strange underground world. I begin to focus on one step at a time. If I looked up now I would surely quit at the sheer number of steps before me. The banging behind me seemed to dwindle down the farther I went. I could almost push the whole dilemma from my mind. Stop it Nazul, pushing away your fears has never done anything for you. I tried not to think about what would happen if I saw my mother here. I wouldn't even be able to look at her... I still remembered the face of agony she had as she took her last breath; Her face still haunted me to this day. No matter how hard I tried, the events kept playing back in my head over and over. Of course I was young back then, so maybe my memory was a bit skewed. I pushed my thoughts out of my head as I began to cross the cloudy barrier. Everything inside was pitch black and I feel around making sure not to trip. I held my breath as I crossed into another world. Finally I passed through the cloud and saw a giant city. Every building was warm red that radiated light. The giant city had walls that formed a circle barrier around it. Inside the middle was a giant castle that reached all they way to the top of the ceiling. It was a mahogany red that seeped into your eyes gaining your attention. I couldn't help but be astounded at the sheer size of it. It was ten times the size of hadensburg. Buildings and shantytown for miles all crammed together. Smoke rose from the chimney but instead of a pure black it was a sickly green. It infected the entire city and made a ghastly sight to look at. This was the upper level of hell. It was a bit overwhelming taking all in. I remember Janshai told me to find the tree. From what I've saw trees didn't exist down here. Maybe Janshai was sending me on a wild goose chase after all. I can't  give up yet I got to get out of here alive. I came to the top of the stairs and a dark path led all the way to the city gates. The undead souls before me were already making the long trek.  I began setting down the path. Everything was dark down here. The only source of light was the glowing red city and bright blue flowers that glowed. I looked down at the patch of strange flowers and studied them intently.  They looked almost identical to daffodils. Except the glowed a ghostly blue. They reminded me of the candles at New Hanover. I heard a familiar croak behind me. "There called ethereal, quite magnificent arent they?" I spun around and brandished another energy sword. To my suprise it was the old blind beggar I met at New Hanover. "What the hell why are you here! Did you die?" The man looked at me with his milky white eyes, " There used to be thousands of them in this valley, but not most have died out." I began to clench my sword. "You didn't answer my question! Why are you following me!" The old man began shuffling over to a rock and sat down he laid his wooden walking stick on the ground. "You ask too many questions can't you let an old man rest." I put the sword to his throat, "I'm not playing around, tell me who you are and what you want or this blade is gonna be your last meal." The old man didn't even look dazed from the threat his smile turned to disdain. "Fine I'll answer you, I'm not a disgusting old beggar believe it or not.  I'm a sage." "What the crap does that mean! You know what I dont care I have somewhere to go." "The tree is well guarded Nazul, you won't be able  to get what your looking for."  "How do you know that." He touched his temple, "I can read minds one of the powers of a sage though it does tire me out."  I lowered my blade and sighed great another stalker following me. Not like I haven't got enough of those. "So what should I do I need that seer stone. The old man put his hand inside his raggedy cloak and took out a bright red stone. "I have a seerstone, I'll give it to you, but first I need to do something for me." My jaw dropped as I looked at the stone. The old man held it between his bony fingers. "Inside the city there is an old bar actually with some old friends of mine. I left my favorite book and I would surely like to get it back." I sword dissapeared in my hands, "Why can't you do it yourself. The old man hesitated before he replied, "afraid I'm not welcome there." Damn another thing I got to do, I need that  seer stone. I looked towards the city and the sickly green fog. Can't believe I'm going in there. "I'll find your book, but you have to promise me to give me the stone. The old mans frown went away "You have my word." I made my way towards the city. "Wait! You'll need this to get into the bar. The sage removed a crumpled peice of paper from his belt and unfolded it. I studied the strange picture on it. A picture of a skeleton with a tophat and a feather sticking out with big black letters that read "Marza Franco gentlemen club." I left the Sage sitting on the rock and made my way towards the city gates.