The Necromancer

8 Days Later

By the time the circus had reached Dailan City, the Capital City of Dailan, Xala had absorbed much of what this world was all about. There were tales of ancient wars faught between goblins and elves, and then the tales of the ancient human civilization that had been completely wiped out for unknown causes.

This circus was to set up in the Palace Courtyard, which set Xala off almost immediately. He did not find it very pleasing that Dailan was a monarchy. Though, he held his tongue and watched as they drove through the main entrance to the walled city. Large and small buildings, lazily put next to each other for the first ten minutes. As they moved past the buzz of commoners, they got to great, beautifully structured marble homes and castles where the richest of the rich lived. Finally, the biggest structure of them all, who's spires reached high into the sky like spears ready for battle.

When the caravan got to the main gates, which was an enormous network of steel and wood to create an intimidating image, they opened to reveal a massive, lush, green courtyard with a dais at every corner of the hexagonal space. Each dais was sprinkled with chairs and tables, along with very rich noblemen and women.

The caravan began placing their carts and carriages and cages full of bizarre animals all over the courtyard, creating a very lively display as they strung up eels that gave off a pleasant glow. These eels were incapacitated, so their heads were hidden from children and adults and got fed through tubes.

"How...interesting." Xala said as he looked into the creature's half-dead eyes. "And to think, they dared to confront me about my ethics when this exists."

Everybody was outside and worked tirelessly to set up the circus. Small and large tents were scattered across the Courtyard, until the whole area was shrouded from the sun that had been burning hotter than usual the past three days.

Xala stepped outside, his snake as still as stone. He had to admit, it was strange feeding it, since it had to relearn how to. However, it had become noticeably stronger in the past few days.

"Xala," Ivan said as he jogged up to The Necromancer, his new name. "Wouldya like a tour?"

"Sure." He said, Ivan eager to show him around.

The Strong-Man started with Xala's cabin, simply pointing behind The Necromancer. He then led the short wizard around to the contortionists, lion-tamers, jugglers, sword-eaters, fire-breathers, and all the other pleasant commodities. Xala took a special interest in the exotic animals, his frown intense as he cooly stared into the feral eyes of a rampaging chimpanzee.

Ivan finished by showing Xala where he would perform. It was a dais that had been cleaned so that magic could be practiced. It was the largest of them all, and seemed to be where a King would give speeches. He thought that, until he saw the balcony above the double doors that led into the palace from said dais.

"So, what's gonna be yur' first act?"

He stared around the large space, and then grinned. "It'll be a surprise."

"Okee dokee!" He exclaimed right as Frederick took the center of the Courtyard. "GET READY, THE CIRCUS IS ABOUT TO OPEN UP FOR THE PUBLIC!"

The entertainers clapped and cheered, whooping and horraying as they waited eagerly for viewers.

After about an hour, a single family of five kids walked in. They were noticeably excited, especially the children once they saw the exotic animals exhibit. As they walked in, everybody began performing their act, hoping it would not deter potential customers. They danced and sang and did amazing feats for this family who had probably never seen anything like it.

Then, they got to Xala. He was rocking back and forth in a rocking chair. He was meant to be the last attraction.

"MOM! CAN WE GO BACK TO THE MONKEYS!?" All five kids were chirping.

The other entertainers paused their acts, beginning to narrow their eyes at Xala. He...sat there. Calmly, and completely impassively as the family began walking back to the animals.

Xala held up his hand, and the sound of wings flapping could be heard. Above the family, five ravens as black as the night sky beyond hovered above them. The ravens began to fly back to The Necromancer, where they vanished into dark, abyssal portals that led to endless darkness.

"Don't you want to see my act?" He asked politely.

The family looked at each other, the father almost frightened to death. "Uhm...honey, can we uh-"

"Yeah!" The kids ran forward, and stared in awe at Xala.

The Necromancer then held up his hand, and the snake around his arm suddenly came to life and slid down his arm and flew into the air, flying around the circus until it circled back onto the ground in front of the children.

With a few hand motions, the snake suddenly duplicated. The snake continued to multiply and multiply, the father of the family in complete utter terror while his wife watched in cautious awe.

The snakes began to slither in a hypnotic way, as if they were dancing. It became more obvious as they began slithering over each other like a bunch of knitted clothes. More snakes slithered under the net and then carried it over to the children.

The snakes then busted out of their tangled states and formed militaristic lines of them biting their tongues and spinning like "Eternal Serpent"s.

Xala then held up his hand, and closed it into a fist.

The snakes all merged back into a single snake. However, the snake was much larger. Its body extended for at least 20 feet and it had to have weighed a ton, with a body that was 18 inches in diameter. It seemed like it was able to swallow all five children whole in a single go.

Then, it opened its mouth towards the children.

Out popped a bright pink raven. Atop of the raven's head was a fluffy white fur hat. The hat then floated towards the youngest girl, and it grew as it did. Until it settled on her head loosely, able to be grown into.

The children and parents began clapping joyously. The little girl went to her mother and jumped up and down in absolute delight.

Xala rested back in his chair. The gigantic snake slid across the ground like a great giant, shrinking as it got closer to Xala. It then slid up the leg and armrest, and made its jewelry-like appearance on his arm again.

He smiled at the family, his eyes full of admiration.

When they left, the whole circus suddenly went wild, even some of the exotic animals were making cheerful noises.

Ivan walked over, and patted Xala on the shoulder, "Goddamn, that was a terrific show! You'll bring in so many people!"