Odder The Demon Hunter - The Blood Curse
Chapter 19: FORMETEU, FEAR

“The water protects us,” said Corbin.

“Not for long. They won’t stop. We can’t stay here,” Serra said

“We should seal the fountain,” Aimma said.

“Great idea healer,” said Serra. “I need a stone large enough to cover the surface.”

The group looked around for stones scattered throughout the area.

“This soil’s been turned,” Finkle said, poking the ground with a piece of dead wood.

“Is it a boneyard?” questioned Aimma.

“I know this place.” Serra steadied her hands and exhaled. “Those stones are tombstones, and this is a Xenduri cemetery. The same one where I buried my parents.”

“I’m sorry Serra,” Odder said. “Isn’t this place far from your camp?”

“How do you know where my camp was?”

“Karzan shared some of your background.”

She grunted. “It’s none of your business.”

“You’re right, but I’m glad I know. We’ve both grew up with tragedies.”

Serra pinched the bridge of her nose. “Yes, sorry. This was the only land given to us as a burial site.”

“This one’s big enough,” said Finkle, kicking a stone.

Serra held down her head. “I found and quarried that headstone myself. It’s large because both my parents are buried there.”

Finkle blushed and slammed his foot to the ground.

“Then forget it,” said Aimma. “We’ll replace another.”

“No, my parents sacrificed their lives for freedom.” Serra paused. “I think it would make them happy to know that they could help one more time.”

Odder motioned to Corbin. Corbin lifted the large stone and placed it on top of the fountain. Serra chanted a spell, sending a blue energy to seal the stone.

“Thank you, mother and father,” Serra said, in a small, hushed voice.

After a moment of silence, Odder spoke, “Lead the way, Corbin.”

The group trudged through the forest until twilight.

“I’m exhausted,” said Finkle, falling to the ground.

“How much further?” Odder asked.

Corbin pointed to a group of dead trees, their roots overturned to form a path. “We are close.”

“We have no business going that route,” said Finkle. “Unless we’re looking for a slow death.”

“I have to agree with the gnome,” Aimma said.

“Is this the only way?” asked Serra.

“Yes,” answered Corbin.

“Then let’s not waste time,” said Odder. “It’s getting dark.”

Ophelia’s light cast frightening blue shadows through the roots. Serra held out her daggers and used their magic to illuminate the way.

“Those daggers are magnificent,” said Odder.

“Thank you. My grandfather was a magicsmith. It took him just over five hundred years to give the daggers their magic properties.”

“Amazing. I wonder who and how long it took to make the Maha’De?”

“The power to kill demons, ten thousand years I bet,” Finkle said.

“And probably created by a Celestine,” Aimma added.

Odder rolled his eyes.

“Come on, laddy.” Finkle elbowed his leg. “After all that you’ve seen, you are still doubting?”

“True, I’ve seen demons but where were the Celestines during all this? If they are the messengers of good, then why aren’t they protecting us from the goblins, shadow reapers, or this scorpion Queen? Serra, you certainly don’t believe in this myth.”

“I believe there can’t be one without the other. There can’t be darkness without light, and there can’t be evil without goodness.”

Odder threw his hands in the air.

“Forget it, for now, Odder,” said Aimma. “We have bigger battles.”

“Shh,” said Serra. She crouched low to the ground and waved the others to do the same.

Bushes just north of their trail shifted.

“Somethings hiding in the shadows,” Serra whispered.

Corbin held his hand up and cast a bright light that rested on his palm. Spider-like creatures scattered back into the shadows.

Odder could see their long hairy legs protruding from their hiding spots. “Tell me those aren’t spiders.”

“Indeed, laddy.” Finkle grinned. “Your favorite.”

“Stay close,” Serra whispered. “There are vile beasts that only hunt during the light of Ophelia.”

They traveled further ahead, passing strange creatures that lurked just out of site.

“Odder,” a voice said, like the wind blowing through the trees.

“Did you hear that?” asked Odder.

“Hear what?” questioned Aimma.

“Odder.”

“Odder.”

“Odderhh.”

“Three of them.” Odder pulled at Serra’s cloak.

She held out her daggers. “I don’t hear anything.”

“The lack of sleep must be getting to you,” said Finkle.

“No, I heard it.”

Corbin circled his light around which reflected off three figures.

“There, you see them now,” said Odder.

Three females dressed in scanty clothing, wearing the skulls of horned beast on their head, revealed themselves. They stayed on the other side of the trail just out of reach from the rooted path.

“What are they, goblins, elves?” asked Aimma.

“Neither,” replied Serra. “They are Salvat’s witches. They’ll leave us alone as long as we stay off their land.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Finkle.

“We are close,” said Corbin, pointing toward a tarnished metal gate covered in vines and thorns.

The witches, among other creatures, followed alongside as the group walked ahead.

Odder kept a close eye on them. He could still hear them call his name. No one else can hear them. They must be mind whispering to me. How do they know who I am?

Corbin cleared the ground just north of the gate. “We wait here.”

Finkle gathered some nearby wood. “I’ll start a fire.”

“How long do we wait?” asked Aimma.

“Until Karzan arrives,” Serra responded.

Finkle ignited the small camp fire. “And what if he – “

“He will,” Serra said in a firm tone. “Let’s get some rest before sunrise. I’ll take the first shift with Corbin.”

As Odder cleared an area to lay, Aimma sat next to him. “I haven’t had a chance to examine your markings.”

“It’s painful still.”

“Well, it’s looking much better.” She pressed her finger on the final demon marking. “My healing spell helped, maybe we can try some conjuring tomorrow.”

Odder recalled the healing and warm feeling that flowed through him, but his grin turned into a frown. “With the looking glass destroyed, will there be another way for me to defeat the final demon?”

Aimma shrugged.

“Keep it down you two,” Finkle said. “Get some sleep.”

“Odder, wake up.”

“Wha…” Odder sat up, rubbing his eyes.

Serra nudged him. “It’s Karzan. He’s here.”

Odder sprung to his feet.

“Hi lad,” said Karzan.

“You made it.” Odder grabbed his hand and gave it a robust shaking.

“Glad to see you too.”

“Did Martha…”

“She’s safe. Back home cleaning the mess.”

“How did you get away from the shadow reapers?” asked Serra.

Finkle and Aimma woke and sat up.

“Once Odder left, they lost interest in us and pursued him.” Karzan looked at Finkle and Aimma. “Good morning you two.”

Finkle stretched his arm out wide and gave a big yawn.

“It’s good to see you,” Aimma said, with a large smile.

Karzan nodded. “Serra, I believe this is yours.” He handed her a brown satchel.”

“Yes!” Serra gripped her satchel tight and hugged it against her face.

“How about food?” Finkle asked. “I’m starving.”

“I figured you might be.” He reached for a burlap bag. “Fresh bread and potatoes.”

They gathered around the fire, ate, shared the story of their escape, spiders, and Salvat’s witches.

“If it wasn’t for Corbin,” Odder said, “We wouldn’t be here.”

“He is a brave giant.” Karzan gave him a nod. Corbin whistled back. “The shadow reapers are menacing, but water can slow them down.”

“It has something to do with the magic properties of water,” added Serra.

After Odder had his fill of food, he asked Karzan about the looking glass. “Is all lost or is there another way?”

“That is why we are here,” Karzan answered. “Salvat possesses another looking glass.”

“He placed the curse on me, why would he help me break it?”

“So the demon said, but remember they are liars. Besides with the goblin siege that threatens all our lands, I don’t think it’ll take much convincing.”

Odder felt reassured. “Alright, do we just walk through the gates?”

“Oh no. It’s not that easy?” Karzan stood and walked up to the gate. The vines quivered, then multiplied, and intertwined together like a tapestry. “The vines instantly grow back when cut. Even an army wouldn’t be able to cut fast enough to penetrate the thorny hedge.”

“So how do we meet Salvat?”

“We wait for an invitation.”

“For how long?” asked Finkle. “We can’t stay out here forever.”

“Can we ask the witches?” questioned Aimma?

“He already knows we’re here,” answered Karzan. “There’s nothing we can do but wait.”

“In that case, I’ll gather some berries and roots for our morning meal. Care to join me, Serra?” Finkle winked.

“Ah not really, but what else is there to do. Fine.”

“Woohoo.” Finkle hopped around like a gerbbit.

“Let’s go you silly little creature.” Serra led the way into the forest.

“I’ll get some firewood,” Aimma said.

Odder rested on a trunk of an uprooted oak, staring at the witches as the others went about their business. Kellas climbed over the distance, casting long shadows. They look much less frightening in the light, he thought.

“Odder,” spoke one of the witches. “Odder come here.”

Odder’s eyes became narrow. He focused fully on the witches while the others in his group faded into the background. He stood and walked up to the vines at the gate. They parted, and the gate opened.

“Odder,” yelled Karzan, but he didn’t turn.

He stepped through the gate which closed behind him. The thorn-ridden hedges intertwined sealing the exit.

A blue light circled Odder, then a flash. Moments later, he stood in a chamber of some kind. The walls were tall and made of an earthy stone, and the floors large black granite tiles. The ceiling must have been several hundred feet up, shimmered, and moved fluid like. Up ahead he could see someone sitting on a throne, dressed in a scarlet cloak, and wearing the skull of a horned beast.

“Are you the wizard Salvat?” Odder asked with a shaky voice.

“I am. You may come near, but I caution you – do not get too close to the looking glasses.”

Odder counted ten mirrors on each side as he approached. He grimaced at the horrid images of vile creatures within them.

“Demons,” Salvat said.

Odder pondered if Salvat was evil himself and planned to unleash the creatures on Arcaina.

“You don’t have to be frightened of me or the demons.”

“Why?” Odder asked.

“They are imprisoned. Occasionally, a demon possesses an elf as a way to enter our world and spread its wickedness. I hunt them.”

Uncertainty lingered in Odder, but he decided his only option was to pay his respect and see how this meeting with Salvat played out. He took a knee in front of the wizard, bowed his head and carefully searched for an exit.

“How can I help you,” Salvat asked.

“Great wizard, I am Odder.” He looked up. “Elestus has fallen to the goblins, and they seek to control the portal during the Great Tetrad. I think…” Odder cleared his throat. “I am the one who must stop them.”

Salvat rose from his chair and approached. Odder felt his blood pressure climb. He gripped his sword.

“I know who you are. I’ve known for quite a while.”

The heaviness of his stare, made Odder’s breathing heavy and shallow.

“How did you learn about the curse?” Salvat’s voice faded.

Odder tilted his head. Salvat had walked over to one of the mirrors. A serpent-like demon with six arms and large hands clawed at the glass from the other side.

“From a sorceress healer in Elestus. She then told me to go the Divine Oracle for the cure.”

“Did the Oracle say your magic would return if you broke the curse?”

“Yes, but not entirely until I made a sacrifice to the Tetrad.”

“What was the sacrifice?”

Odder lowered his head, “Someone close to me, but I won’t.”

“You must, in order to save your life, make an offering to the Tetrad in exchange for spiritual power.”

“Yes I know, but I won’t do it. If I have to kill anyone it’ll be the Queen.”

“Perhaps.”

“The Divine Oracle said I’ll have most of magic ability. Will it be enough?” Odder asked.

“The Divine Oracle as you call it is the most wicked of all the demons.”

“Demon!” Odder’s jaw dropped. Why didn’t I realize this before?

“Yes, he was the first to enter our realm.”

“Why isn’t he trapped like these?”

“He’s already imprisoned. His magic essence and spirit split, existing in two realms.”

“Why would the elves trust his predictions?”

“Arrogance, greed, the House of Elestus has become very powerful due to the Oracle’s prophecies. Besides, the demon is a slave to the elves until he can reunite with his spirit.” Salvat turned back facing Odder. “I fear he has manipulated the truth as well as the elves over the millennia to conform to his agenda.”

“What agenda is that?”

Salvat remained silent.

Odder climbed to his feet. “I defeated a demon that said you were the one who placed the curse on me.”

“Your center marking, the symbol of the Champion, is made from demon blood. If you enter the portal, you will create a bridge from this world to their demon spirit realm. Their minions will overtake and destroy everything you care about. I placed a powerful curse on you to prevent that from happening.”

“Who put demon blood into me?”

“The demons have many allies,” said Salvat.

“What’s worse, having this demon blood or your curse that’s poisoning me.”

“An unintended consequence.” He pointed at the looking glasses. “Controlling demonic creatures is not without its risks.”

“Why not just kill me then.”

“It was one option, but I opposed it.” Salvat paused and stared keenly at Odder. “The blood needs a host. If you are killed, then the blood will replace someone else. We can keep track of you by keeping you alive.”

“Opposed my murder, from who? Were there others?”

“It’s not important.”

“So what is?”

“It seems that one cannot control the fates. You are destined to meet the demons at the portal, and this is what’s important.” Salvat raised his hand to the ceiling. The surface rippled like small waves in a pond. Blue energy pulsed from a point near the center, and the ceiling released an object that floated to the ground.

“Another looking glass?” Odder frowned.

“Your looking glass,” Salvat said. “The one you’ll need to defeat your curse.”

Odder stepped back. “How do I know you won’t trap me like these demons.”

Fire engulfed the wizard. His crimson cloak ripped around him like a wild storm. “If I wanted you trapped or dead, you would not be standing here questioning me.”

Odder shielded his face and cowered back.

The flames died, and Salvat’s cloak drifted back onto his body. In a calm voice, he said, “The fear you just felt will be ten times stronger when you face Formeteu, the demon of fear. Prepare your feelings.” He stepped up to Odder. “Show me the Maha’De.”

He hesitated.

“Your sword,” Salvat said, with force.

Odder held it up but tightly gripped the handle.

Salvat grinned, his teeth unsoiled. Not at all what Odder expected from someone wearing a skull on their head.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” said Salvat. “Only one Champion in four thousand years is chosen to wield its greatness.” He met eyes with Odder. “Formeteu will attack you not only physically but also emotionally. Without a doubt, your fear will overtake you, but you have an ally.” He gripped the wooden blade. “Your passion ignites its flame. Feel its spirit and it will give you courage.”

Odder held up the sword. A warm blue light emitted from the word, Spirit, and traveled down his arm and into his chest. He felt a sense of calm and courage.

Salvat rubbed his palms together. “Are you ready.”

“Yes,” replied Odder.

The wizard waved his hand in front of the looking glass and chanted several words. A murky liquid exploded outward, then collapsed back into the mirror.

“All I see is black,” Odder said. “I could see the demons lair in the other two looking glasses.”

“Some say fear is what you see when you turn away from the light,” said Salvat.

“There are many fears. Fear of death, fear of fire, fear of monsters, what can I expect?”

“That is between you and your demon, but I can promise it won’t be pleasant.”

Odder inhaled, closed his eyes, and exhaled slowly. “Alright, let’s do this.” He placed his palms against the darkness.

“Remember to trust in the sword’s spirit,” Salvat whispered. “It will guide and protect you.”

Odder pushed, the mirror resisted but then gave way. He fell through the glass, tumbling head first until he hit water. He sank several feet, and tried to swim up, but continued to descend. He struggled to breathe for a moment but found himself not needing to in this realm.

The cool water pressed against his skin, but he could only see darkness surrounding him. He glanced up and watched the faded light get smaller until it nearly disappeared. Treading water didn’t help, so he allowed himself to drift. Odder’s heart pounded like a quick drum. He could feel panic creeping in. Stay calm, he thought. Am I in a large lake or ocean? He tasted salt. Must be the ocean. If it is the ocean, then there must be sea creatures. His heart beat faster. Sea monsters! He tried to swim forward but in the darkness, he couldn’t tell if he was even moving. He drifted once more. He felt his heart beating like a beacon calling out to whatever was out there, hiding.

The demon must be nearby but how do I defeat something I can’t see, and the monsters? What’s lurking in the deep? He thought he could see shadows moving all around him, or maybe the isolation playing tricks on his mind.

Odder held his hand up to his face. He waved, but he saw nothing, only feeling the warmth of his skin. I have to replace a way out of here. He swayed in the current feeling it’s loneliness.

Then he felt it. A large presence lurking in the dark, in front of him, or to the side, or behind him. He listened but only heard the ambient noise from the large body of water muffling in his ears. Odder’s breathing raced, his hands trembled. He thought his heart would stop.

Something was close. He sensed it. Unsheathing my sword would reveal what was there, but I’m scared to see it. Then he remembered the wizard’s words, “Trust the sword’s spirit.” Odder pulled out his sword. Flames ignited and delivered light to the surrounding area.

He found himself floating in front of a large eye, nearly ten times his size, that reflected the orange from the flames. The immensity of it made him gasp, and the eye was only a small part of an enormous squid-like creature.

The monster began to shake and exposed its massive beak.

Odder panicked and jabbed his sword into its eye. The eye burst into flames. The monster let out a silent but fierce cry that pushed Odder back. Foam and bubbles engulfed the area. It then propelled backward disappearing into the darkness. Odder held his sword over his head. Help me, he pleaded. A glowing blue mist surrounded Odder, and the sword shot upward, through the water, until it broke the surface.

Somewhat disoriented, Odder searched for safety. Off in the distance, he spotted a small island with a single mountain. “That’s our destination.”

The glowing blue mist surrounded Odder once again and pulled him toward the island. He crawled onto the shore and fell onto the sand, relieved to be out of the water. That was horrifying. He caught his breath and stood. What’s this? He separated a white stringy substance between his palm and fingers. Sticky. I hope it’s not… It is – spider webs.

He lifted his head and scanned the beach. Dead, half eaten corpses and white silk riddled the area. He continued and stepped over a decomposing torso. It started to pulsate, and its skin moved in ripples. He jumped clear just as the trunk ruptured. Thousands of tiny spiders flew out in all directions. Odder’s skin crawled and a shiver shot down his spine. He swung his flaming sword and charred the nasty creatures. This time, he made sure to avoid the dead things as he walked to the mountain.

He came up to the rock face and found a crevice which that appeared to be the only entry. It was small. He bent down to peer inside. You got to be kidding. It was a tunnel lined with webbing just big enough for him to crawl into. He pictured himself getting stuck, then having his innards liquefied and sucked out by a giant spider.

He slapped his face. Knock it off. There’s nothing to fear. He fell to his knees but hesitated to move forward. I can’t do it. He stood back up and wiped his face. The demon marking illuminated on his forearm, then he heard a splat noise from behind. His eyes sprung open, and he quickly turned. Several more splats. The rotting bodies and their parts exploded, sending spiders flying everywhere.

Odder gasped. Alright, second thought, maybe I can do this. He fell to his knees, held his sword in front of him and touched the webbing. He hesitated and peered over his shoulder. The sand became black as thousands of spiders crept toward him. He shuffled in the web tubing. It curved around the rocks edges. His breathing quickened. This is the worst idea.

He sensed something gaining on him. He looked back under his arm. It was a widow spider with legs covering its entire body. Odder shrieked. His heart jumped, and he scrambled as fast as he could. He made it to the other side but the spider latched onto his foot with several legs. He swung the Maha’De and severed the legs. The spider screeched. Odder stabbed its body, and it burst into flames along with the webbed tunnel. He jumped to his feet and wiped off his arms. He felt like spiders were crawling under his skin.

Odder took a deep breath. “Alright, calm down.”

His blood pressure dropped. He looked around and found himself in a chamber which resembled an underground cave with stalactites and stalagmites. Dead rotting bodies decorated the room like a goblin slaughter house. Above, the ceiling faded into a deep darkness like the others. A revolting sour aroma that Odder could almost taste filled the air.

He heard a clicking noise up ahead behind some fallen rocks. Holding the Maha’De, he inched forward. “Formeteu, show yourself.”

A creature, similar to what he saw in his dreams, slipped into view. The insect-like demon stood around twelve feet on four spider legs. Four more legs reached around from its back, and six small arms with claws protruded from its side. The demon had different layers to its body much like a horned war beetle. Two large tusks on its face, tapped together making different combinations of clicking sounds.

Odder stepped closer. “Demon, I am not afraid.”

It moved forward, clicking its tusks faster. A gold ring around the demon’s neck fastened it to a pillar with a golden chain.

“It’s time to set you free.”

The demon laughed. “Do you think destroying me in this realm will get rid of me?”

The flame on Odder’s sword enlarged.

“Have you forgotten your past? Killing me will only make me stronger. I will be back to devour everyone you care about.” Its chest opened, revealing a large mouth with hundreds of jagged teeth. Tiny appendages with small, boney hooks swayed as if ready to snare its prey and feed it into the orifice.

Odder swung his sword, but a web snagged his arm. As he tried to break free, the demon hurried over to him like a spider to its newly trapped meal. Odder fell, dropping his sword. The demon climbed on top and held him down with its six limbs. Dozens of appendages darted out of its mouth and stabbed Odder’s legs.

He went numb, and he felt the cold poison traveling up his body.

“I will savor every part of you.” The appendages pulled Odder’s feet into the demon’s mouth. Its jagged teeth reached out to get a firm grip.

Odder’s body went limp. The poison paralyzed him from movement, but he felt every bit of the pain as the creature pulled him into its mouth inch by inch.

Formeteu looked into Odder’s eyes and clicked its tusks. “Your fear is delicious.” The demon swallowed Odder up to his thighs. Odder could do nothing, except wait for death.

A small tear fell from his eye. Salvat help. Somebody help.

“No one can help you. You will experience what it’s like to be digested for a thousand ye…”

A bright blue light flashed, and Formeteu’s head fell to the ground, severed from its body. It burst into ashes then dissipated into the dark void in the ceiling. A dull clicking noise echoed as it departed.

The Maha’De floated over Odder. He felt his strength returning. He moved his fingers at first then his arms. The cave began to tremble and quake. Rocks and debris fell from the sides.

A looking glass appeared. To my hand Maha’De. The sword’s handle fell into Odder’s palm. He gripped it. Now through the looking glass. A blue mist engulfed Odder, and the sword pulled him through the mirror.