Origin of Evil

By Sinistral

 

 

Part Two: Dark Nexus

 

Chapter Three: The Black Union

 

 

Menas followed Lord Tartarus and his young son Erebus up a steep spiral staircase that led towards what he imagined was a high tower room. Deathanox was an even gloomier place than the Nethershrine. For a start there was no lighting within the fortress, which meant that for most of the time they were in total darkness. As Menas followed the dark lord through the pitch-blackness he could occasionally see his bright yellow eyes glowing in the dark as he looked back at his guest.

 

“Is not this darkness rather inhibiting?” asked Menas.

 

“Darkness nurtures us well,” said Erebus. “Darkness harbours malice and deception.”

 

It was the first time that Erebus had spoken. His voice was much lighter than his father’s but still emitted a sinister tone, one that was somehow fitting in the murky depths of the Netherworld. 

 

“We behemoths have very powerful eyes so to us this does not seem dark at all,” continued Tartarus. “Real darkness is much darker than this. However, for your convenience I shall oblige.”

 

Suddenly Menas could see again. In the light he could see the castle interior more clearly. It was an undeniably foul place. Everything seemed to be made of a dark lime green stone and there were few windows. Statues and carvings of ghastly beasts adorned the walls. The floors and walls were covered in some kind of thick red fluid whose identity was best not pondered upon. Then there was the stench. And the gruesome screams and roars that echoed about the walls of the godforsaken place.

 

As they continued Menas noticed a pair of behemoths descending the stairs, coming towards them. One was of a similar appearance to Erebus, except this one was much bulkier and slightly darker. The other was a slight creature with long dark green hair that fell to her waist. Both of them registered Menas silently.

 

“My nephew Ghirofelgo and his wife Sheol,” said Lord Tartarus. “Sheol assists Emalgar in her wicked work. Ghirofelgo works for me, although I suspect that he is rather angry with me for not needing his assistance of late. I must concentrate on the teaching of Erebus. I taught Ghirofelgo all he knows.”

 

“And I am grateful uncle,” said Ghirofelgo, looking at Menas. “And this would be the great Lord Menas. Much we have heard of you. My mother forever speaks your name, in connection with greatness.”

 

Menas smiled awkwardly. Ghirofelgo and Sheol continued down the stairs and out of sight. Before they disappeared entirely Menas noticed Sheol look back at him with a smile. He did his best to regain a sense of purpose. All the pleasantries had almost distracted him from his real reason for being in the Netherworld.

 

“You may go with them Erebus,” said Tartarus. “I would speak with Lord Menas and your aunt alone. Come now Menas, let us ascend to the tower.”  

 

Erebus walked off in the direction of his cousins and Tartarus and Menas continued to follow the spiral stairs. Menas could finally see a door at the top of the stairs. When they reached it Tartarus shouted and beat the door with his webbed fist.

 

“Emalgar! Come out you old crone!” he hollered.

 

A horrible cackling sound could be heard from the other side of the door. Menas could hear slow footsteps approaching it. When it opened he saw the occupant of the tower chamber. It was a short haggard old woman. She wore a black cloak with a cowl so that Menas could only see a rather large pointy nose peaking out from under the hood.

 

“Look who I have with me,” said Tartarus.

 

The old woman looked at Menas and leapt in excitement. As she looked up Menas could see her face. It was light purple and incredibly wrinkled. Sharp twisted teeth stuck out of the open mouth and one eye was missing. Menas was repulsed and was even more so as he watched a withered hand race towards his face. He leapt back instinctively.

 

“So this is the one who has haunted my mystic pool,” said the witch in a surprisingly warm voice. “Welcome Menas. I have been watching you for a long time. Get out of here Styx, you miserable wretch!”

 

Menas suddenly noticed a young female behemoth standing to the right of the tower doorway. Her face was beautiful, despite of her large pointed ears and protruding horns. She looked desolate, as if existence had no purpose for her at all. Menas almost pitied the girl as he watched her slip out of the room in anxious silence.

 

“My miserable daughter Styx,” continued the witch. “She is a useless daydreamer. She never does anything as it should be done. Forever I need to scold the little brat. At least I gained a worthy daughter when my Ghirofelgo married Sheol.”

 

“This is Emalgar,” interrupted Tartarus, looking at Menas. “She is my oracle and the most powerful sorceress in this land. She believed in you when I did not. It seems that I was foolish to ignore those around me who spoke the truth.”

 

“I’m also your sister, or had you forgotten?” spat Emalgar, indignantly. “My brother can be awfully narrow-minded at times, much like my son. That ridiculous ordeal he put you through, highly unnecessary. Nefari and even that petty conjuror Rosencrantz were certain of your destiny Menas, but not my brother, the great Lord Tartarus. He knew that the one who carried the Dark Destiny sword would defeat him. But he never would admit to such a thing.”

 

“Peace sister,” said Tartarus. “Lord Menas has not come all this way to hear us exchange insults.”

 

“No, that’s quite alright,” said Menas in a sarcastic tone. “At least I can keep my mind focussed on my mission even while those around me squabble like children. By the way, there aren’t any more members of your extend family to meet are there?”

 

At that Tartarus and Emalgar both went silent and looked at Menas thoughtfully. Menas began to wonder whether that had been a wise move. After a few seconds Lord Tartarus spoke again.

 

“Show Lord Menas what you can see in the mystic pool Emalgar.”

 

Emalgar beckoned to Menas to join her at the side of her pool. Menas looked into its waters. The bubbling liquid subsided to reveal images. They were images that Menas knew all to well. It was the White Citadel back in the Spirit World. Osiris and Thoth were in deep discussion in the northwest tower. Menas’s blood boiled at the sight of his older brother.

 

“What is happening?” asked Menas. “All they ever do is talk.”

 

“Several weeks have passed since you were banished,” answered Emalgar. “They are discussing the punishment of your brother Armon.”

 

Menas turned back to pool and listened carefully.

 

 

 

 

“He cannot stay locked up forever,” said Osiris.

 

“What would you suggest we do with him?” asked Thoth. “I hope you are not considering forgiving him after he attacked Isis and Anubis and was instrumental in the poisoning of our beloved Charmian.”

 

Thoth lowered his head at this. Osiris put an arm on his shoulder to steady his usually even-tempered younger brother. The grim reality of Charmian’s fatal condition had only began to sink in and Menas’s subtle treachery seemed worse as the days went by.

 

“Courage brother. We must stay strong for Charmian’s sake. She grows weaker by the day. I do not believe that bite will ever heal. I believe that she is dying.”

 

“And she is pregnant as well! If only I could get my hands on that devil Menas. I would cut out his heart!”

 

“Menas has no heart,” said Osiris, frowning. “He has been sent to a place from which he can never return. Be contented with the fact that we shall never see him again.”

 

“But Charmian. And there is truly nothing we can do to help her?”

 

“I know. We must not let Charmian see that we are despairing, even though all is lost.”

 

“Yes, I do understand,” Thoth said, nodding. “I would like to be strong at a time like this but unfortunately we have other problems. The people of Earth demand that they have a mortal Pharaoh, one who will be there to listen to their needs. If we do not comply they have threatened to abandon allegiance to the Gods.”

 

“By the hand of Ra!” cried the King of the Spirit World. “If only there was some way we could appease them.”

 

All of a sudden Osiris was struck with a thought. He quickly glanced at Thoth as if he expected his brother to read his thoughts. Thoth looked at Osiris with mild surprise. He was aware that it was usually he that envisioned the good ideas.

 

“Perhaps we can provide the people of Earth with a mortal ruler and at the same time deal with our other problem.”

 

Thoth followed what his brother was saying and was suddenly hit by the meaning of his words.

 

“You surely don’t mean Armon?”

 

“Exactly. We can send Armon to Earth to be the first mortal Pharaoh. That will be the punishment for his betrayal, to live and die as a human. At the same time the people of Earth will honour us for listening to their demands.

 

“An excellent idea my lord,” spoke the proverbial voice from behind.

 

The brothers turned around, recognizing the voice of the Book of Creation. Despite the peculiarity of its appearance, the Book had served them well. It had alerted Osiris just in time to rescue the Citadel from the wayward Menas. But with that in mind, Osiris was still conscious of the fact that the Book had failed to warn him in time to save Charmian. A new scepticism of the Book’s wisdom was beginning to enter his mind. 

 

“In his position as Pharaoh he will have to mend his ways or the people will rise up and destroy him,” continued the Book. “It is a fate that befits him after the crimes he has committed. May he rule well.”

 

“Then it is agreed,” said Osiris. “Call in the others Thoth.”

 

Thoth left the chamber and returned a couple of minutes later with Isis and Anubis. They both looked incredibly disconsolate, particularly Isis, who showed signs of absolute exhaustion. What with the duties of being a mother and having to tend to her fatally ill sister, Isis was at the end of her strength. Gone was the proud look of the Queen of the Spirit World.

 

Osiris greeted them with a forced smile and began to tell them of what he had decided to do in terms of Armon. Isis and Anubis nodded with little enthusiasm. Anubis then registered what he had been told.

 

“Armon with sole responsibility over the Earth? Are you sure that is a wise decision Osiris?”

 

“The Book of Creation agreed with my proposal. I see no reason why it should fail. Armon has always yearned for power.”

 

“Well now he will get it,” continued Thoth. “Only it will come at a price, his status as a deity. He will be mortal and die as one. He will never make the final journey to the Duat. He lost the right to after he joined forces with that wretch Menas.”

 

At the mention of their banished brother Isis lowered her head and Anubis snarled.

 

“Because of him our beautiful sister will die,” cried Anubis. “She was the sweetest, purest thing I ever knew. Menas was her husband. He was supposed to protect her from harm not harm her himself. I see her suffering. She is carrying the monster’s children.”

 

“And it is our duty to guard and protect those children so that they will never become anything like their father,” started Isis suddenly. “Ra forbid that!”

 

“Yes,” added Osiris. “It is our duty to Charmian to make sure that her children never stray to the path of evil as Menas did. That is the least we can do for her.”

 

The siblings all nodded to this and Osiris walked towards the doors that lead out of the chamber.

 

“I will bring the traitor here so that judgement may be passed over him.”

 

Osiris left the chamber and was out of sight. The others stood there in silence. Since the events of the past month they had lost all cause for cheerfulness. There was nothing for them to be cheerful about. It was a sad time for the Gods of the Spirit World.

 

Fifteen minutes later Osiris returned dragging the wretched Armon behind him. The siblings moved to separate corners of the room. Osiris threw Armon into the centre of the chamber. He fell to the floor and lay there in a crumpled heap. There was a look of unmistakable defiance on his face. He glanced at his brothers and Isis and spat.

 

“Curse you all for this. I am your brother. I never harmed any of you and this is the way you treat me. Menas was right. You are all self-righteous prigs!”

 

“You filthy little liar!” yelled Anubis.

 

Anubis flew at Armon but Osiris and Thoth were there to hold him back.

 

“He’s not worth it Anubis,” said Isis. “And no Armon you are not our brother. You stopped being our brother long ago. Ever since you returned from your journey to Seraphina. And yes, I know about that. What did the poor seraphs have to do with all this?”

 

“That was the business of Menas and Noxious,” stammered Armon.

 

“Noxious? Oh, your serpent friend. On first name terms with the Asp of Darkness are you?” mocked Anubis. “That creature certainly got what was coming to it.”

 

“I did not address the fool, I addressed his sister,” said Armon sardonically.

 

Anubis struggled to get to is younger brother but Osiris and Thoth’s grip was too strong.

 

“One day we shall meet and I will make you pay,” warned Anubis. “It doesn’t matter where or when, just remember that.”

 

Anubis then backed away and was comforted by Isis. Osiris and Thoth looked down at Armon.

 

“Armon, we are here to discuss what we should do with you,” said Osiris. “You can no longer stay here. You are no longer our brother.”

 

“What? Are you going to send me where you sent Menas?”

 

“No. We have found a better solution. You will not be sent to the Demon Realm. You will be sent to Earth. You are to be the first mortal Pharaoh of the world of men. No more shall the divine walk upon the Earth. You shall live and die as a mortal.”

 

Armon was taken aback by what he heard and could not find the words to make any sort of reply. Osiris picked up the Book of Creation and the others watched in amazement as it transformed into the glittering Supernova blade.

 

“The time has come Armon.”

 

“Wait,” cried Armon, laying his head in his hands and weeping. “I understand that there is no way back but at least let me say these last words to you all. I must say that I am deeply sorry for what I have done. I always looked up to Menas while I was growing up. He was my role model, my idol. I wanted to be just like him. I now realise that he was truly evil and I was a fool to believe in him. I apologize again for the wrong I have done you, especially to Charmian. I hope that I may redeem myself in some small way by trying to listen to needs of my people on Earth. Sorry, all of you. I do not blame you if you can never see any good in me. At least I will try.”

 

“Prove me wrong Armon,” said Osiris, as he pointed the Supernova sword at his youngest brother. “Sword of light, reveal your might and send this traitor out of sight. To distant Earth he shall be sent until his mortal days are spent.”

 

Bright white light was emitted from the sword’s blade and engulfed Armon. The light became too bright to look at. After it had passed Armon was gone.

 

 

 

 

Menas turned away from Emalgar’s pool in disgust.

 

“Fool. I knew he would betray me. The little wretch has begged for mercy. And now they give him sole responsibility over the Earth. Armon could not look after himself let alone an entire world full of people. But the King has spoken.”

 

“But Armon will be a good ruler,” said Emalgar. “Through his descendants will come your chance to spread your evil throughout the world of men as well as depose your older brother.”

 

“How will that happen?”

 

“I cannot say. I see things that will come to pass but how they come to pass remains a mystery. It is the one limitation of the gift of prophecy.”

 

Menas looked at Emalgar and then turned to Lord Tartarus. The dark lord had remained silent while Menas and Emalgar had conversed.

 

“My lord I must leave this place and return to the Demon Realm,” said Menas. “I have much to discuss with Rosencrantz.”

 

“Rosencrantz!” cried Emalgar. “Whatever magic he possess I possess tenfold! I could tell you all you wish to know.”

 

“No, he must leave if he needs to,” said Tartarus. “Menas, if ever you need our powers you have only to contact us.”

 

“I will not forget. I shall see myself out.”

 

Menas left the tower chamber and headed back down the stairs towards the room that contained the Miroirnoir. After Menas’s departure Tartarus turned to his sister.

 

“He may prove most useful Emalgar. I have never faced one of such evil before. He is truly an exceptional person.”

 

“If only he possessed wisdom. I fear that Lord Menas may be heading towards another fall.”

 

“Only time will tell.”

 

Menas reached the Black Mirror and decided to simply walk through the glass. He touched the mirror. His hand disappeared through the glass as if he was dipping his hand into water. He pulled it out quickly and decided to plunge himself through the portal. He closed his eyes and jumped. He felt himself floating again, floating through the darkness towards a distant light. He braced himself for the arrival.

 

A moment later he found himself back in the portal chamber of the Nethershrine. The room was deserted except for two of the dark disciples. Menas nodded at them. They did not move. They remained still, as if they were in another world, oblivious to all around them.

 

Menas walked along the dark passage towards the main audience chamber. As he entered he saw more shrouded guards but no sign of the Netherwitch. The throne on the dais was empty. He walked towards it. He had not noticed the intricate designs carved into the wood. There were images of wizards casting spells, monstrous beasts and their helpless victims.

 

“Lord Menas.”

 

Menas whirled around to find Lady Nefari standing behind him; looking as if she was ready for anything he might ask her. Menas studied the beautiful sorceress more carefully. Indeed she was lovely, lovelier even than his former wife Charmian. Menas was intoxicated by her beauty and wished for nothing more than to have her for himself. At that moment he was willing to forget all his plans of vengeance and domination. All he could see was Nefari, Nefari as his Queen, and Nefari as his love. A thought began to develop in his mind. He saw himself bring Lord Tartarus to his knees, smashing the Treaty of Sin and claiming Nefari. But would she return his love? Menas had not considered her feelings at all.

 

“Surely she could learn to. She cannot really love that coarse devil?”

 

“Whom are you referring to?”

 

Menas jumped. He had not realised that he was speaking out loud and that Nefari could hear him. Should he tell her of his feelings? No he could not. At least not yet. That would have to wait until another time. For now the main objective was to wait for the arrival of his sons and dethronement of the wretched Osiris. Menas smiled at the thought of his older brother’s head beneath his boot.

 

“Nothing dear lady, nothing,” he replied to Nefari, kissing her hand once again and bowing low.

 

“Is there anything I can do for you my lord?” asked Nefari, smiling. “You have spoken with my husband?”

 

“Yes, Lord Tartarus and I have settled our argument and are now close allies in evil.”

 

“I apologise for what he put you through. My husband can be very infuriating at times. In all honesty I feel nothing for him. Our marriage was one of convenience - the joining of two worlds, two powers. Rosencrantz has explained the terms of the Treaty of Sin to you. Love is unknown in his dominion but I am from the Demon Realm where such feelings are still common despite the evil that surrounds us.”

 

“Lady Nefari, your husband is a noble warrior and a powerful leader. I do not think it wise for you to speak so of him before me.”

 

Menas could have kicked himself after saying that. His tendancy to say the opposite of what he meant exasperated him to no ends.

 

“No, you are right. Was there anything else my lord?”

 

“I have a question about the Demon Realm,” asked Menas. “I know from what Rosencrantz has told me that it is a land with its own people. I see no such evidence to support his claim.”

 

“There is a simple answer to that,” replied Nefari. “This world once contained many people. There was no talk of magic and sorcery. There was no need for it and people began to forget that it even existed. Then came the time of the Archmages. These were men that still believed in the use of magic power. From the time of the first Archmage Astoroth, to that of the Archmage Durgen, the population began to decrease. This was due to the fact that the Archmages had renewed the status of magic as a common practice. Those who did not use magic in their lives eventually died out as the use of magic could grant unnatural long life. Soon there were very few people left in the Demon Realm at all. The demonite population was at a dangerous low.

 

“And the people of this world stopped reproducing?” questioned Menas.

 

“Yes. Those who used magic prospered while those who did not fell into despair and lost all interest in their lives to the extent that lineages died out completely. Then came the time of the Treaty of Sin. A decree passed at the time of the treaty stated that the use of sorcery was to be restricted to the post of Archmage and none other. Naturally this meant that only the Archmage could use magic. Eventually the Archmages were all that remained. I was one who believed in the use of magic and was willing to participate in the alliance between this world and the Netherworld. I was married off to Lord Tartarus and have never looked back.”

 

“Do any of the ‘non-believers’ still exist?”

 

“Yes. The Archmage Elixidor had them banished to a distant sector. They live in a settlement on the far side of this world, in a city called Recalcitrant and their leader is Elder Uraeus, a distant descendant of mine. I came from that city too but when the people were split over the subject of magic, I left along with several others. We believers stay away from the people of Recalcitrant and do not mix. It is said that a mighty leader will one day unite the peoples of this world under one evil banner. This individual will join the forces of Elder Uraeus with that of the Netherworld and magical forces of this realm.”

 

Nefari looked at Menas expectantly. Menas looked back with a flare in his eyes. Then another question came to his mind.

 

“What is the purpose of the Archmage in this realm?”

 

“The Archmages are spiritual leaders and once the non-believers were banished they became sole rulers of the Demon Realm. They were to rule up until the time when the true leader would arrive and…”

 

“But now that I am here their function must be somewhat redundant?” interrupted Menas. “And where, prey, is Rosencrantz’s heir?”

 

“The Archmage always had a dozen chief advisors but after the Treaty of Sin those advisors were handed to Tartarus, along with me. The station of Archmage has diminished over the centuries. Rosencrantz is to be the last Archmage as you have now arrived. He will act as your chief advisor as he possess great intelligence and wisdom.”

 

“Emalgar does not think so.”

 

“Do not take everything that hag says as the truth. She is biased against all non-behemoths, including me. My sister-in-law thinks she has the powers of second sight but Rosencrantz is far superior.”

 

Menas nodded and turned towards the opening that led to the exit.

 

“The time has come for me to return to Rosencrantz,” said Menas. “I have much to discuss with him. Thank you for your time my lady.”

 

He bowed again and walked out. Nefari looked on and sighed. Her existence had been so dull, so useless, and so painful. Now there seemed to be a definite change after the arrival of Lord Menas. She knew for certain that her destiny was to be intertwined with his. She was not sure how things would come to pass but she knew all the same.

 

 

 

 

Several months passed and Menas spent his time in Mageforce Castle, discussing the nature of prophecies and destinies and the outcomes of fate. Menas had taken the advise of the Netherwitch when it came to judging the usefulness of the Archmage Rosencrantz. The old wizard had seemed decrepit at first but Menas soon learnt over that period of time that the Archmage was much more than he let on.

 

One day, while Menas sat looking carefully at the blade of the Dark Destiny and admiring its intricate designs, the Archmage’s squire, Zaxx, entered the chamber.

 

“Yes Zaxx, what is it?” he asked idly.

 

“Rosencrantz would have you come to the throne room. There is a vision in his caldron that he thinks will interest you.”

 

“Vision?”

 

“One that involves your siblings. Your wife Charmian…”

 

Menas roared out of the chamber at lightning speed. He burst into Rosencrantz’s hall quite out of breath. The wizard greeted him with a smile.

 

“You’re just in time Menas. Your wife’s life force is incredibly low now, which means that your sons are about to be born.”

 

Menas looked into the bubbling cauldron. He was reminded of the time he watched the vision of Armon’s judgement in Emalgar’s mystic pool. A vision appeared in the waters. Charmian lay on her bed looking as if she was in intolerable pain. Isis was beside her. Charmian let out a cry and Isis called for Thoth, who was knowledgeable of such things, having delivered Isis’s twins.

 

Thoth entered and laid his hand over Charmian’s forehead. He spoke to Isis in a solemn voice.

 

“She is very weak. I fear that the end is very near. However, we can make sure that her children are brought to safety. I would call the others quickly if they wish to see Charmian for the last time.”

 

Isis burst into tears and raced out of the room. From the side of Rosencrantz’s cauldron Menas let out a small gasp. Rosencrantz heard it and smiled.

 

“You still feel something for her,” asked the wizard. “Remember that it was you who brought this upon her. It was your destiny to do so. It could not have been avoided and then the prophecy would have died.”

 

“I do not feel any compassion for any of my siblings. They are my enemies and shall be so until I wipe them all out.”

 

But somewhere in the shadows a small part of his heart went out to Charmian and a single tear made its way down his cheek. He continued to observe.

 

Charmian suddenly screamed. Thoth looked alarmed and raced to the other side of Charmian. A few moments later he had begun to deliver her children. For sons were born as was prophesied. Charmian then collapsed and did not stir again.

 

When the others arrived they found Charmian motionless on the bed and Thoth tending to the babies. Isis and Anubis rushed to help him. Osiris looked at the body of his youngest sister.

 

“Farewell my dear sister,” he said, quietly. “You go on to our father, who I hope will protect you until we meet again. And that we shall.”

 

The others looked around and saw Charmian’s body vanish from sight. She had made her final journey to the Duat.

 

Menas looked on in awe. He knew that the situation was inevitable but he was by no means prepared for it. The vision in the cauldron subsided and he walked over to the dais where Rosencrantz sat.

 

“The Unholy Quaternity have arrived,” said Rosencrantz. “We must now wait until their eighteenth year. Then we will begin the second phase. Behold.”

 

A new vision appeared in the cauldron and Menas moved back to look. Four young men were to be seen. They were all very similar in appearance. Each had wavy black hair and dark purple eyes. On each of their chests was the same insignia as was on Menas’s, the Menas-Rouge.

 

“They are your sons as they will be in their eighteenth year,” said Rosencrantz. “They are called Abydos, Anquat, Athothis and Arbchee. They are the Unholy Quaternity, or as they will become known in the later stages of the Earth, the Spirits of Evil and the harbingers of what will become known as the Ever-Living Source of Evil.”

 

Continued

 

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