Odder The Demon Hunter - The Blood Curse
Chapter 28: THE IN BETWEEN

His throat, heart, and limbs burned as if fire coursed through his veins. He coughed and pushed himself up to a sitting position.

Aimma handed him a cup of water. “Take small sips. It’ll help calm the healing potion.”

Odder grabbed the cup and downed the whole liquid.

“Laddy, I thought we lost you,” said Finkle.

“My hand, it hurts.” Odder held up his severed arm. His faced conveyed horror. “No!”

“Be calm. You’ll have the sensation that you still have that part of your body even though it’s gone.” Aimma poured more water into his cup. “It’s a common occurrence in these cases.”

Odder felt beaten. His hopes shattered. “Where’s Serra and Karzan?” he asked.

Aimma pointed north in a clearing behind some trees. Serra rested on her knees with her head bowed over a mound of fresh dirt. Corbin stooped over her in silence.

Odder pounded his fist into the ground. “This is my fault.”

“Stop it, laddy,” Finkle said. “Our quest isn’t completed.”

“There’s no hope. I don’t have an arm, we don’t have the guidance of Karzan, I found out that Destin is the true Champion, and I’ve lost the Maha’De. It was foolish to think we could stand up to an army of Goblins.”

Aimma and Finkle sat on the ground next to Odder. Their heads bowed.

“So there really is no hope,” Finkle said, with a sigh.

Serra stood and brushed the dirt off her legs then walked with Corbin back to the group.

Odder looked up with sadness in his eyes. His spirit broken.

“Oh, get over your bash of pity,” said Serra.

Odder and the others jolted at her response.

“We have work to do.”

“There’s nothing left,” said Aimma.

Corbin knelt next to Odder. He gripped his chest, pulling at his ribcage.

“What are you doing?” Odder questioned.

Corbin growled as his metals ribs spread apart.

Aimma reached for him, but Serra pulled her back. “Don’t worry,” Serra said.

Corbin reached in and squeezed his heart until his lifeblood spilled onto his hand. He grabbed Odder’s severed arm and poured the blood on the wound. He pushed his chest closed, then pulled back a golden plate at his elbow, and twisted his forearm until it released.

“No Corbin,” said Odder. “If you’re doing what I think you are, then I can’t accept it.”

“Karzan must not die in vain,” Corbin said, as he placed his arm on Odder’s severed limb.

Odder felt as though he stuck his arm in a vat of electric eels. The initial pain, almost made him pass out. He lifted his hand and tightened his fist. “I can feel every part as if it were my own flesh.”

“It’s the magic lifeblood of the golems,” Serra said. “Now let’s talk about the plan.”

Aimma and Finkle looked at each other with mixed expressions of cheer and heartbreak.

“I must examine it,” insisted Aimma, opening her satchel.

“It’s big. Can you move it?” Finkle asked.

Odder lifted the arm above his head, moved the fingers, and slapped Finkle on the back. “It’s remarkably light and strong.”

“I’ll say,” said Finkle, rubbing his back.

Everyone gathered around the fire to discuss the plan.

Odder addressed the group. “There is something I have to say before we start.”

“Of course,” said Aimma.

“I am not the Champion just a dying elf. My markings were fake, created with demon’s blood. Destin showed me the same markings. He is the true Champion.”

Serra cleared the ground. “Sit down Odder. Destin is evil and evil lies. He will tell you anything to give you doubts. Remember your encounters with the demons? Rise above your uncertainties and let’s focus on what we need to do. Does anyone have a clear idea of Skyger’s layout and the location of the portal?”

The group remained silent.

“I do,” Corbin said.

“Well, aren’t you full of surprises,” said Finkle.

Corbin helped Serra recreate the island of Skyger, its township and castle, and the location of the portal in the dirt.

“Skyger is in the Seth-Gath mountain ridge, surrounded by water.” Corbin pointed around the island. “The township was built on the sides of this dead volcano, but not in the center where the portal is located. This is considered sacred ground.”

“How do we enter?” asked Aimma.

“We fly in, or we use the celestial bridge. A bridge made from pure magic energy and vanishes during attacks.”

“So we should assume there is no bridge?” Odder questioned.

“Yes,” replied Corbin. “Here is the Onyx steeple where we’ll rendezvous with Drugan.”

They discussed possible scenarios and consequences to formulate their plan.

“Alright,” said Finkle. “So not only do we have to fly in, once there, we have some bigger problems, Queen Sorren, Prince Destin, the dragon, the shadow reapers, and not to mention the tens of thousands of goblins.”

“Yes,” agreed Odder. “I see your point.” He pulled at his chin. I can take Queen Sorren.”

“And I’ll take out the Prince, gladly,” said Serra. “The reapers can’t cross water so let’s hope they’re absent.”

“That leaves the dragon and goblins for us.” Finkle elbowed Aimma.

She gave him a cold stare then spoke to the group. “I was talking with a Rigan guard before Serra found me. His name was Ostasis. He was looking for you, Odder. He said he wanted to apologize for not helping and that your words moved him.”

“Perhaps, then, he will provide us with his warriors,” said Odder. His sprits rising once more. “With Drugan’s reinforcements and Rigan’s warriors, we may have our army. Where can we replace Ostasis?”

“He’s meeting us here in an hour,” Aimma said.

“Our plan might just come together.”

“In the meantime, you should practice conjuring magic with your new arm,” Serra said.

“Good point.” Odder stood and followed Serra, but stopped and looked back at Corbin who rested near a tree. He walked up to the golem and held out his golden hand. Corbin grasped it with his right hand. “Thank you, Corbin. I will replace a way to return your gift.”

Corbin whistled and nodded.

Odder met Serra in a clearing.

She threw him a rock. “Let’s see how strong you are.”

He crushed it. Dust blew from in between his fingers.

“Impressive.” She threw him a larger rock. One that he could hardly wrap his fingers around.

“The first was easy. I’m sure this will be the same.” He squeezed and grunted. He turned the rock and studied it then squeezed it again. “Grrr.” He tossed it to the ground.

“There are limitations to your strength. This is good to know.” Now try conjuring a fireball with your left hand.

Odder focused, and one appeared in his palm. He launched it at Serra’s feet.

She shielded her eyes from the dirt that flung into her face from the explosion. “Now your showing off.”

They practiced many other spells and Odder’s new arm exceeded every challenge.

“Odder and Serra,” yelled Aimma. “Ostasis is approaching.”

They ran back to the group. Odder was anxious to see the army Ostasis brought, but when he arrived, he stood alone.

“Where’re your warriors?” Odder asked.

Ostasis fixed his gaze on Odder’s golden arm. “What happened?”

Prince Destin has sided with evil. He attacked us, killed Karzan, severed my arm, and took the Maha’De.

“Perhaps you need more than an army.”

“The odds are against us, and we might lose,” Odder said. “but if we don’t try, then death is certain.”

Ostasis pursed his lips. “You are wise above your years, and what you told me earlier is true, so I will help. I can only spare one hundred elves as well as transport to Skyger.”

“We need five thousand,” Finkle interrupted.

“It’s better than nothing,” said Odder. “Can we make it there by morning?”

“Without a doubt.” Ostasis waved his hand over his head several times. A fireball launched into the sky from the top of Rigan.

Moments later, the group spotted giant birds flying in from behind of the volcano.

“Ten Rigan Falcons,” Ostasis said, with pride, “carrying arks with eight elves each plus two saddled on the birds.”

The falcons swooped down and dropped off the arks then stood to the side of them. The arks looked like small flat-bottom wooden boats with giant crossbows mounted on each side.

“Each fighter is armed with silq tipped arrows as well as their Rigan fire sticks.”

“Now that is impressive,” said Serra.

For the next hour, the group discussed their plan with Ostasis.

“It’s settled. We’ll have a scout fly up ahead to see if the goblins are waiting on the lake shore or have already taken the island. We’ll rendezvous at the Onyx steeple.” Ostasis signaled one of the falcons to depart with an ark.

The group boarded the ark, and as they flew through the sky, Aimma turned to Odder and whispered, “Let’s pray that Drugan comes through with reinforcements.”

After spotting the onyx steeple just above the pine, the falcons descended toward a clearing.

“No sign of Drugan,” Finkle said.

“Have faith,” said Odder. “He may be on his way or cloaked.”

“Odder,” Serra interrupted and pointed toward smoky writing in the air.

Odder, we are east of the steeple under a cloaking spell. ~ Drugan

Odder notified Ostasis who directed the elves to land at the base of the Onyx steeple.

Once on the ground, Drugan stepped out of the cloak.

“Thank the Celestines,” said Finkle.

Odder ran and shook Drugan’s hand. “I almost lost faith in you.”

Drugan gripped Odder’s shoulder. “It’s far better you have faith in the Celestines than me.” He spotted Odder’s golden arm. “Where did you get that extraordinary gauntlet?”

“We were attacked by Prince Destin. He took the Maha’De, severed my hand, and…” Odder paused.

“The Maha’De is with the enemy!” Drugan bared his teeth. “And what else. Speak up.” Drugan looked around. “Where’s Karzan?”

Everyone lowered their heads.

Drugan took a deep breath and held it for several moments before exhaling slowly. He squeezed his hands until his knuckles turned white. “The potion master and I have had many differences over the centuries, but I respected him. He was a great wizard.”

He cleared his throat. “Our priority is to get the Maha’De back. Without it, our world is doomed.”

“I’m sorry Drugan,” said Odder, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I failed.”

“Head up lad. You haven’t failed yet. Tell me what happened and what you have learned.”

The group explained the details of the attack and what transpired afterward.

Drugan focused back on Odder’s arm. “So this isn’t a gift from Karzan?”

“A gift yes but from Corbin.” Odder bent his arm while moving his fingers.”

Drugan knocked on the hard metal. “Amazing. Solid as elven steel but moves like flesh.”

He then wrapped his hands around Serra’s shoulders and brought her in close. “Destin violated you in the vilest way a Xenduri can be.” He looked into her eyes and then examined her markings. “Do you know our history?”

“No,” Serra answered.

“We were once the Eighth House with our magic affinity toward earth and the warm glow of Ophelia. After a millennia of wars against the goblins, our King discovered that the devastation of fighting, death, and disease created a byproduct of discarded spoiled magic. He conjured a spell to exchange his affinity to Ophelia for the putridness of this rancid magic in hopes to make his people powerful enough to defeat the goblins.” Drugan held out his arms. His markings danced in various patterns across his skin. “Unfortunately, the rancid magic corrupted his people and darkened our land.”

“Then it’s true,” Aimma said. “Evil does flow through your veins.”

“Yes, it is our curse, forever to be tempted by evil, but we do have a choice. We have free will to choose good.” Drugan met eyes with Serra. “The Prince used this against you. On your next encounter, remember you have a choice.”

Serra gripped her dagger. “I will.”

Drugan glanced up at the Eye of Adeit. “We haven’t much time. The Eye has nearly merged with Ophelia, and Kellas will soon join them.”

Odder waved for Ostasis to approach. “This is Ostasis, leader of the Rigan warriors.”

“Ostasis.” Drugan bowed his head.

“Drugan.” Ostasis acknowledged. “I’m sorry for the loss of your king.”

“Thank you and for yours as well.”

“We have a hundred warriors and ten falcons at your command. We are waiting for my scout to return with an enemy report.”

“A hundred elves armed with your famous Rigan fire sticks?” Drugan asked.

“Yes my lord.”

“Perfect.” Drugan waved his hand and uncloaked his spell revealing Veselus with an army behind him. “It wasn’t easy, but I gathered a thousand elves. Some from Elestus, some from Villamari, and even some Xenduri from various camps. However, I failed to communicate with the other Houses.”

“My lord,” interrupted a Rigan warrior. “Your scout has returned.”

“Thank you. I’ll return shortly with the news.”

“Do you think the falcons will be a match for the dragon?” Odder asked Drugan.

“It’s hard to say, ten against one, but the dragon is formidable. Luckily, we may not have to fight it. We spotted him burrowed into the castle ruins.”

“That aligns with what Destin told me,” Odder uttered. “He said the Divine Oracle plans on possessing the basalt dragon.”

Drugan tapped his lips. “We have missed something. There is a greater evil happening.”

“What do you mean?” asked Odder.

Drugan pounded his fist into his palm. “First, we must focus on this battle.”

Ostasis returned. “My scout confirmed the goblin army has taken the city.”

“But how did they cross the lake,” Aimma questioned.

“From the west side, they built two bridges made from trees, boulders, and their dead bodies. Apparently, the more goblins the Skyger warriors killed, the more corpses were thrown into the bridge.”

“We should fly in from the east then,” Odder added.

“Agreed,” Ostasis said. “My warriors will go first.”

“We’ll need your warriors for hand to hand combat.” Drugan summoned a Xenduri warrior. “We should send in the Xenduri to take out the goblin lookouts. They will be harder to detect with their dark blood. Then we’ll have archers lineup on the crest on the west side to draw in the goblins so we can enter the ground on the east.”

The group agreed and with the elven warriors, prepared for battle.

Drugan approached Serra, held out his palm, and pulled a dagger from his belt. He sliced it across his palm and smeared the black blood on his face. “It is our tradition when we go into battle.”

Without hesitation, Serra cut her palm and smeared her blood across her forehead and down her cheeks. She then opened her portal bag, pulled out handfuls of stilettos, and attached them to holsters on her thighs.

Finkle practiced swinging his hammer and Aimma polished her wand.

Drugan cloaked a falcon and an ark loaded with ten Xenduri. “Signal me with fire jays when we are clear.”

Odder climbed into an empty ark, his moist hands clasped, waiting for the signal. He glanced at the merging Eye, Kellas, and Ophelia. His heart pounded in his chest. “We are out of time. We have to go now!”

“Be calm and patient lad,” whispered Drugan. “Our time will come. Until then you need to show the elves you are the Champion who will lead them to victory. They are here because they believe in you.”

Odder pondered on Drugan’s words. He stepped out the ark and climbed onto the falcon.

“Odder, what are you doing?” asked Finkle.

“My destiny.” He stood tall and addressed the elves. “Today, we fight against great odds.”

The warriors started to mumble between themselves.

“Most of us may not see the next passing of light, but we fight for the lives of all our kind. We were Seven Houses divided, we were elves and Xenduri, noble and servant, but now, we are Elven, and we are united against a great evil. With all that is good within us and the blessing of the Celestines, we will prevail. When the blood flows at your feet, and you see death circling, have faith. When death has a hold of your heart and must make a choice between you or your enemy, look at it in the face and claim victory. It’s not enough to survive. Have faith.”

A sudden flock of fire jays flew into the air from the island.

“The signal!” Odder lifted his golden arm. “To victory!”

The elves repeated, “To victory,” and roared as they took flight.

The falcons swooped in low, soared along the edge of the volcano, and dropped off the archers on the west side below the crest. The archers took aim and shot into the shallow crater attempting to draw the attention of the goblins.

Meanwhile, the other falcons made trips back and forth to the east side. The warriors gathered and hid under the volcano’s crest.

“We need a warrior to look over the crest and give us an assessment,” Drugan said.

“I can,” replied Finkle. He scurried up the hill like a mouse climbing a pile of wheat. A few minutes later he returned. “The good news is there are fewer goblins than I thought. The bad news, I’m guessing, around ten thousand.” He wiped his forehead. “No sign of the dragon, but the Queen is standing at the portal with the Prince at her side. Also, eight reapers are kneeling with chains binding them to the portal.”

“What about the archers?” asked Serra.

“The plan’s working. They have blackened the sky with their arrows and are drawing the goblins west, but we still have thousands of goblins on this side.”

“Did you see the Maha’De?” Odder asked. “Was it in his hand?”

“Yes. The Prince held it to his side, but it didn’t have the radiance as it did with you.”

Odder’s eyes sparkled as he felt a sense of hope growing deep inside.

“This is good news,” said Drugan. “We will surround Odder and advance to the Maha’De like a wedge into a log. Ostasis, lead half your warriors to the east and keep the goblins from returning.”

Ostasis approached Odder. “You need a weapon. Here is my personal sword. Like our fire sticks, the elven steel will glow red from the intense heat. To unlock the sword’s magic, you must feel the heat of passion within you and utter the words, incendium.”

Odder repeated the word, and the sword blazed amber.

Drugan gave Odder a stern look. “It’s time to lead your elves.”

Odder lifted his golden arm and waved the warriors forward. They stopped just at the edge. He looked over then quickly sat back and turned to Finkle. “You didn’t say there were goblins riding trolls.”

Finkle winced and shrugged.

Serra peeked over. “Yes. Hard to miss the trolls. Worst of all, they are naturally resistant to magic attacks.” She then slapped Finkle’s back. “We’ll just have to use our blades. Come on gnomie. Who wants to live forever anyway.” She jumped the edge, slid down the gravel, and launched a barrage of stilettos at the enemy.

“Wait Serra.” Odder reached for her but missed. “Ah! Here we go.”

He jumped with Drugan, Finkle, Aimma, and Corbin right behind. The rest of the warriors followed while the falcons took flight carrying the arks with crossbowmen firing into the crowds of goblins and trolls.

“No matter what the cost, protect Odder,” shouted Drugan, racing down the hill. “He must be the one to wield the Maha’De and stop the Queen.”

The goblins swarmed like a ravenous colony of ants. The larger Guriquars, wielding saw throwers, attacked the falcons while the smaller Skags attacked the elves with swords, clubs, axes, and spears. Only the Dekans mounted the trolls, controlling them from a basket located behind their heads, and using chains attached to rings in their nostrils to direct them. They swung large clubs with spikes, bashing away both elves and goblins.

Finkle crushed some goblins and launched others into the air using Valsar, his war hammer. Aimma launched fireballs and performed spot healing to the elves close to her. Corbin used his brute strength to pound goblins. Serra, Drugan, and the Rigan warriors sliced a path for Odder as they progressed forward toward the portal.

Fire, lighting, explosions, and energy bursts covered the landscape. While the pungent odor of flesh blood and sulfur drifted in the air.

A rampaging troll with a dead Dekan dangling from its basket broke the line and stomped toward Odder. Serra climbed its back and stabbed it repeatedly between the shoulders with no effect. Drugan launched fireballs at its eyes blinding the troll. Corbin intercepted and with his one strong arm, gripped its neck and held him away from Odder. Then several Rigan warriors leaped onto the troll and sliced at it until it finally fell and died.

“There’re dozens of these trolls,” Drugan said. “We won’t be able to take them all down.”

The elves continued to press forward, protecting Odder, but dwindling in numbers. The defensive line to the east broke, and a rush of goblins fast approached.

Odder looked around the carnage. Time seemed to slow down like movements in a dream. He spotted Finkle swinging his hammer, knocking away dozens of goblins at a time. Aimma and Drugan launched fireball after fireball, Corbin held a lifeless skag in his hand and used it as a club, but Serra wasn’t fighting. She stood upright with her dagger in her hand.

Odder screamed, “Serra!” She did not response.

A blurred figure casually moved through the combatants and approached Serra.

“Serra!” He screamed again.

The distortion cleared into Destin. Odder gasped. His heart pumped adrenaline into his veins, and he sprinted toward her.

She lifted her arms to him in a daze. Her eyes darkened and her markings twisted on her skin like a violent storm. Destin embraced her and turned her back toward Odder. The sewn up mouth on Destin’s morbid mask bowed up. Until now, the mask looked lifeless and inanimate.

The mask provoked and taunted Odder as he struggled to Serra’s location. Two goblin’s jumped in front of him. “I don’t have time for you.” Odder struck one with his sword and incinerated the other with magic fire.

Destin lifted a dagger behind her, the same dagger Serra lost to the shadow reaper.

What can I do? Odder thought. If I shoot a fireball, it will harm Serra too. He threw his sword and guided it with magic. The sword whistled past elves and goblins but then a troll intercepted it with its head. Odder dropped to his knees. “No.”

He watched Destin raise the dagger and anticipated its quick plunge into Serra’s back, but instead the dagger fell from Destin’s hand, and he collapsed.

Odder jumped up and ran to her. She stood over Destin’s motionless body. Her dagger fixed into his chest. He grabbed her arm. “Serra?”

She took a deep breath. “I was powerless against it. The smell intoxicating, the evil alluring. I felt the darkness in every part of me. I believed in its promises. I surrendered and for a moment I was gone, but something brought me back. I can’t describe it, a feeling, a warmth. Then I was given enough strength to lift my dagger. I pierced his heart.”

The other’s soon arrived.

“Serra, are you injured?” asked Finkle.

Aimma examined her. “She’ll be alright. Just in shock.”

Drugan placed his hands on her forehead and chanted a spell. He pulled his hands away, pulling at a screeching black mist, and then threw it into the air.

Serra snapped her head back and came to her senses. She looked down at Destin’s body and quickly retrieved her two daggers. “Welcome home.”

The hordes of goblins from the east arrived and surrounded the remaining couple hundred elves and forced them into a circular defensive formation. The Maha’De gleamed in Destin’s belt. Odder seized it and held it above his head. The sword flashed and caught everyone’s attention.

“Odder, look above,” said Drugan.

A sudden silent eruption of red, purple, and blue lightning surrounded the union of Kellas, Ophelia, and the Eye of Adeit. A beam of energy discharged to Arcaina, removing the color from the skies causing everything to gray, and then continuing to the portal. The solid stone center shattered like glass then imploded, making a thunderous sound. The battle froze as everyone stood in wonderment.

The portal sucked in several objects and two nearby goblins which incinerated into dust as soon as they hit the portal’s boundary.

The reapers dug their feet into the ground and pulled at their chains resisting the portals pull.

The goblin army parted, leaving an opening to the Queen. She stood halfway between Odder and the portal.

The Queen, in her half scorpion body, held a spear in one hand and motioned with her other. “Come to me Odder and fulfill your destiny.”

Odder commanded the others to stay. “This is as far as you go. Defeat the goblins and trolls, and leave her to me.”

His friends nodded and gave reassuring smiles.

“Have faith good friend,” Finkle said. “You are the Champion, plus you have the greatest sword in history.”

Odder took a long breath, turned, and walked toward Queen Sorren. He stopped several yards from her. “Here I am.” He held up the Maha’De. “I will take vengeance on the many deaths you’ve taken including Prince Destin’s.”

The Queen laughed. “Destin was a fool. Look at your arm. He thought by simply cutting it off would be enough to open the portal to the demon realm. Your demon blood is not just in your arm. It’s in every part of you.”

She pulled his severed arm from a satchel around her waist and threw it into the portal. It fell in like a rock thrown into a pond. “However naive Destin’s motives, his plan did get you here. Now fulfill your destiny and enter the portal.”

“You’re insane.” Odder raised the Maha’De. “I will kill you.” He charged, jumped in the air with both hands on his sword, and swung at the Queen’s head.

She blocked the attack with her spear knocking Odder to the ground.

He scrambled back and climbed to his feet. The Maha’De should have sliced right through her weapon.

“Look around Skyger. Do you see any high wizards? I killed them all so that your sword would never be blessed. It’s useless.”

“No!” Odder charged again, this time summoning an onslaught of lightning bolts.

She blocked the attack with a magic shield.

Odder stabbed the sword into her chest. Only its tip pierced. She swung her spear and knocked him to the ground. Her wound healed.

“You’re mislead,” said Queen Sorren. “Do you think you’re on the right side? The demons will put order to this world. You’ve seen how the Seven Houses use silq to control this world. They don’t care about you or the elves.”

“Serra, I need help.” Odder mind whispered. “The Maha’De is no good without being blessed.”

Odder remembered Salvat’s words about the demon blood. He stood holding his palm out. “You need me alive, or the demon blood won’t be of any use.” He peered back and saw the others fighting their way to him. “What’s in it for me?”

“Once you walk through the portal, you will become a god with unlimited power in the demon world.”

I have to stall, Odder thought. “Yes, yes. All my life I have wanted to wield magic and now I can become a god.”

The Queen smiled. “Yes, enter the portal.”

Odder walked past her keeping his distance. He neared the reapers.

“Odder.” Serra pointed. “The reapers, they are holding the portal open.”

He sprinted behind one, plunged his sword into its back, then kicked it to the ground. The portal sucked the reaper in and turned it into dust.

The Queen cried out. Odder ran toward another reaper.

“Stop or I will send the healer into the portal and kill the Xenduri.”

Odder stopped. The Queen enclosed Aimma with a magic net, pushing her toward the portal, while firing a continuous blast of magic energy at Serra.

Serra countered back with her magic energy but was losing ground. “I can’t hold it much longer,” she said, her voice trembling.

Finkle and Drugan stood back to back as trolls closed in on them. Goblins snared Corbin to the ground and attempted to dismantle him with their swords and spears.

“You can’t save them all,” said the Queen, “but if you make the ultimate sacrifice, then I promise to spare their lives.”

Odder’s stomach churned, and his breathing constricted. A severe pain struck his heart as if something pierced it with a flaming spear. He grabbed his chest. The poison, it finally reached my heart. He tightened his grip on the Maha’De and closed his eyes. “Celestines, if you are truly there and protect us, please help me.”

He remained silent, listening, but no answers came to him.

“Your sacrifice,” the Queen repeated.

The Queen’s magic energy inched closer to Serra. Her defenses weakened, and her arms trembled. A red glow discharged from Serra’s eyes and mouth as she screamed.

‘Your sacrifice’ resonated in his thoughts. His mind cleared. That’s the answer. His body relaxed. I do have a choice. Odder drove his sword into the volcanic ground and sprinted toward the Queen’s magic energy.

“Serra,” Odder mind whispered. “I know what I have to do. I can’t explain it. It’s just a feeling.”

He stopped just before the beam and glanced at Aimma and Serra. Serra shook her head no.

“You can try and break the beam,” said Queen Sorren, “but you will sacrifice the healer.”

“I’m not planning on breaking the beam, but I will stop you.” With those words, Odder stepped into the magic energy.

Odder’s body shook as the energy overtook him. He tried to cry out, but his body failed to respond. The Queen and Serra stopped their magic attack, and Odder’s smoking body collapsed to the ground.

“No!” the Queen screamed, releasing Aimma.

The goblins stopped their attack and Serra, Aimma, Drugan, and Finkle ran to Odder’s limp body.

Odder found himself looking down at Aimma as she hunched over his body.

“Heal him,” Finkle said, hitting his hammer into the ground.

“I’m trying,” Aimma said. “Nothing’s working.”

“There must be something you can do?” Serra questioned.

Odder watched his friends huddled around his body with panic in their eyes. They’re trying to bring me back. My plan must have worked. Their movements seemed to slow until they came to an eventual halt. He looked around the battlefield. The goblins, trolls, and Queen also stood frozen like statues.

“Odder,” a gentle voice said.

He looked around but couldn’t identify where the voice came from. Then the portal caught his eye. Vivid colors glared out like tentacles of light.

“Here,” the voice said.

Odder moved in front of the portal. A ten-foot-tall, creature with three faces and six wings, appeared on the other side. Its translucent skin flashed a rainbow of bright colors like exploding stars. Surrounding him in the portal were swirls of golden light.

“Are you a demon?” asked Odder.

“I am Grigori, a Celestine assigned to watch over you.”

“Then I’m dead.”

“You are in between but your time is not yet. We have chosen you to be the Champion to protect your world from the demons.”

“Then why didn’t you help me defeat the Queen and her army?”

“We cannot yet be in physical form in your realm, but we do guide and watch over your world as we have many.”

“But at least one demon has entered here,” Odder said.

“Bahl-xolus entered through a fissure, a weak point between our realms, and now your arm with demon’s blood has created another fissure. Soon your world will be flooded by demons. You must hold them off until we arrive. Prepare your armies.”

“How do we fight demons?” Odder questioned.

“You have been given the Maha’De, and once the demons become part of your world, their powers will be reduced.”

Grigori pointed at Odder’s body. “Your healer is preparing a spell to bring you back.”

Odder turned to see Aimma chanting.

“Step forward and place your hand into the portal,” said Grigori.

Odder did as he said. His hand pushed through the threshold which gave resistance like pushing through tar.

The Celestine placed his palm against Odder’s. Energy surged and ignited every cell in his body.

“You are now blessed with the divine.”

“What do I do?”

“Even demons have free will. Use your powers for good.”

After a bright flash of light, Odder found himself standing over his body once more.

“There is a spell,” Aimma said. “The healing breath. My grandmother taught it to me and said one day I would know when to use it.”

“Looks like today’s that day,” Finkle said.

She nodded. “There’s no one more deserving.”

“Aimma,” Drugan said. “Are you aware of the consequences?”

She lowered her head. He patted her shoulder and stepped back.

With the knowledge given to Odder, he immediately recognized the spell. “No Aimma,” he yelled. “The consequence is your…”

She closed her eyes. A solemn tear leaked onto her cheek while she chanted. She reached into her chest and pulled out her magic essence and placed it into Odder’s chest. Aimma then leaned over his body. A glowing blue mist left her mouth and entered Odder’s. Her face and skin turned pale-blue, and her eyes whitened. She collapsed.

“Aimma!” Finkle and Serra cried out.

Odder felt himself being pulled back into his body and for a moment he saw Aimma’s spirit. She was beautiful and radiant like Kellas’s first light in the morning. She smiled at him.

Odder reached for her but then his eyes sprung open. He had a strange metallic taste in his mouth.

“By the love of the Celestines,” Finkle said, both hands on his face. “Odder you’re back.”

Odder felt the celestial energy build in his body. He looked at his hands and then his arms. His skin tingled and started to glow until it shined bright like the blue light of Ophelia. He climbed to his feet. Four well-endowed celestial wings sprouted from his back and pulsed with lightning.

The others, with surprised expressions, moved back.

His body grew to over seven feet, and he threw his ripped armor to the ground.

“Who are you?” Finkle questioned.

“Step away from him,” added Serra.

A Guriquar launched a saw a blade at Odder. He stretched out his wing and vaporized it upon contact.

The goblins coward back and hissed.

“Attack him you fools!” roared the Queen.

Several goblins charged at him but Odder held out his hand, picked them up with magic, and launched them over the edge of the mountain. The goblins parted, and a large troll approached, hitting its palm with a club. He swung, but Odder caught the club and turned it and the troll into amber particles that dissipated in the air.

The panicked goblins shoved each other to escape. “He’s a Celestine,” cried many of them.

A spear flew over the hordes and nicked Odder’s face causing it to bleed. “You see,” said the Queen. “He is not immortal. Now kill him!”

The goblins rallied back with rage. Odder’s wings blocked their spears as he destroyed one goblin after another.

Serra held her hands to her face and shouted, “Odder needs a clear path to the Queen.”

The elves reassembled and pushed the goblins back enough to free Odder. The Queen launched fireballs, hitting Odder with no effect. He stepped closer. She launched a massive lightning ball, but Odder caught it with his golem hand, and threw it toward a troll, incinerating it. Odder continued, stepping closer. Determination in his eyes.

She pulled the two golden scorpions from her back and flicked them into swords.

Odder clapped his hands together, forming a fissure to form under the Queen. He then pulled his hands apart, opening the ground. As the Queen fell in, Odder slammed his hands together causing the fissure to close.

Moments later the ground erupted, and the Queen threw Odder into the air. She stabbed him in the arm with the one scorpion blade, while the other gouged his side.

Odder fell to the ground. Blue blood spilling from his wounds.

She jumped on top of him, detaining his body with her claws. “You don’t even know what you are. You are destined to rule by my side.”

“I know exactly what I am,” Odder snapped.

“You are what you despise the most. Your body is now a cocoon for what festers inside of you.”

“And what’s that?”

“You are Bahl. You are a demon.”

“No! Lies! The Celestines would not have chosen me.”

“Lies?” She grinned. “Look at your skin. See how the demon’s blood courses through your veins?”

Demon patterns and writing appeared on Odder’s entire body.

“The curse was never intended to keep the demon blood from spreading, rather to trap your demon blood.”

He gasped, but knew her words to be true. He felt the darkness and its power. Horns sprouted from his head, and the evil started to overtake him. Then he heard a whisper, a faint voice through the darkness. The Maha’De. It called to him. He grabbed the Queen’s throat and held his other hand toward the sword. The Maha’De launched into his grip, and he pierced her scaled body. He knocked her to the ground and stood over her. His wounds healed.

The Queen shrieked and she launched at him, knocking him and the sword to the ground. Her scorpion legs and body straddled him again. She held his hands down with her massive claws while her stinging tail ascended, ready to strike. “Bahl-xolus promised this world to me.”

She jabbed the stinger into Odder’s neck. The poison spiraled, stopped, and disappeared.

“No,” the Queen said, her voice trembling. “It cannot be. He promised.”

Odder ripped his hand from her claw. “I am no longer Odder the vekart I am Odder the demon hunter. Your reign is over.” His skin brightened, and a bright blue glow traveled from his hand, engulfing the Queens body. She shrieked and in a flash, her body turned into burnt ambers.

The goblins and trolls retreated in a frenzy, making them easy targets.

Odder used magic to lift the remaining shadow reapers into the air and propelled them into the portal. As the last one vaporized, the portal closed. His horns and markings hid back under his skin.

He ran to Aimma’s body with Serra and Finkle joining him.

“She’s gone,” said Serra.

Finkle knelt beside her pale body. “She sacrificed herself for you and all Arcaina, laddy.”

Odder started a spell.

“What are you doing?” Serra questioned. “She’s already dead.”

“You can’t do the healing breath spell,” said Finkle. “You’ll die.

“She’s not dead just in between,” Odder said. “Don’t worry friends. I know what I’m doing.”

Odder pulled the magic essence from his chest, split it in two, and placed one into Aimma’s chest and the other back into his. A bright blue mist traveled from Odder’s mouth to hers. His four celestial wings shriveled and blew away in the wind like falling leaves before winter. His size decreased, and his glowing star-like skin faded back to his flesh color.

Aimma gasped and sat up. She jerked her head back and forth. Beads of sweat fell from her forehead.

“It’s alright. It’s me Odder. I brought you back.”

Her eyes cleared, and she exhaled. She embraced him.