Chapter 4: The Demon and the Goddess

Tolgion draped a blanket around Aiden’s shoulders. Aiden’s eyes were glued to the dagger, which had found a new look since the past few days, but it was a look of genuine fear. Kelindril noted this delightfully, but also noticed a new look in Victor’s eyes; a look that Kelindril didn’t like one bit… 1

Tolgion fished through his rucksack until he found a large, leather-bound book. Aiden noticed the title before Tolgion laid the book on the ground and started thumbing though the old, weathered pages, The Legend of the Eagle.2

After a few minutes, Tolgion finally stopped thumbing through the book. “Here it is,” he muttered. Tolgion held his hand over the book, closed his eyes, and muttered a short string of arcane words. The image on the page seemed to leap out of the book in a lifelike three-dimensional model of itself. Aiden recoiled in disgust at the creature.3

The creature had dark red skin, the skin seeming to ooze off of its body. Aiden almost vomited when he realized that there was no skin covering its well-muscled body, but a thick layer of blood that continuously oozed off of its body. Aiden also noticed the six, greatly muscled arms protruding from its sides; the middle set of arms had pincers instead of hands, and the other two sets of arms having hands. In three of hands, there were giant double-edged swords, the remaining hand carrying a great whip.4

On its back was pair of great, leathery, bat-like wings. Aiden did not see how those thin wings would be able to support such a gigantic beast. A great tail, with a sharp point on end of it gave the creature an even more dangerous look. 5

What frightened Aiden though, was the creature’s face. Two great bull-like horns protruded from the side of its head. The creature had eight eyes, four in the front, and four in the back of its head, each red, soulless eye having a deadly, ominous glow to it, like the rubies on the dagger’s hilt Aiden noticed. In its mouth were large, sharp, dangerous fangs that looked as if they could slice through anything it came across with ease, like a hot knife through butter.6

Aiden and Kelindril shivered at the sight of the great beast. No one caught the word that Victor mouthed at the sight of the creature, his eyes wide with an unknown emotion.7

Tolgion shivered. “This is U’groth Jon Balog, the most powerful and dangerous demon to have ever walked on the face of Farlonia.”8

“What does this have to do with anything?” Aiden asked, though he had a feeling in the pit of his stomach he already knew.9

Tolgion looked at Jamsig, who nodded. “The soul of U’groth Jon Balog is imbued into that dagger,” he said.10

Aiden’s eyes widened with shock. The soul of one of the most powerful demon to walk Farlonia was imbued in the blade that his own father had given him? Did his father know? He started shaking with the fear that coursed through his veins. It was a demon communicating with him?11

“But, I don’t understand. How did that demon’s soul get imbued into that dagger?” Aiden asked.12

Jamsig answered. “Because of your claymore.”13

“What do you mean?”14

Tolgion turned the page. The breath flew from Aiden and Kelindril’s bodies as they gazed upon the most beautiful woman they had ever seen. Her hair was long, and silver, shining as if being bathed in moonlight. The flowing, silver dress covered her feet and ankles, her skin having a soft look to it. The thing Aiden couldn’t take his eyes off of was her two brilliant eyes. They were a shade of blue he had never seen in his life, so pure and bright. They glowed softly, like two sapphires.15

Tolgion looked them over, his eyes resting on Victor, who had a slight snarl on his face as he gazed at the woman. Tolgion noticed his eyes, seemingly glazed over, but not like Aiden’s had been. It was different…16

“Tolgion. Tolgion! Who is she?” Aiden yelled, Tolgion snapping out of his trance.17

“Oh, sorry. That is the Moon Goddess, Anaiya. She was U’groth’s greatest enemy.” Tolgion looked Aiden in the eye. “Her soul is imbued in your claymore.”18

Aiden’s eyes almost popped out of his head when heard this new development. A goddess, in his claymore? He pulled the claymore from its sheath; the sapphire eyes were glowing softly. He stared in amazement at the weapon. He could not grasp that in his hands he held the soul of a goddess.19

“It is good that you now know the truth of the dagger and about me. I could not communicate with you about the danger of the dagger because of the strong bond it had already developed with you.” The serene voice of the goddess filled his mind. “You may call me by my name, Anaiya. I am glad to have you as my master.”20

To Aiden, that didn’t seem so bad.21

“Tolgion, how did their souls get bound to the dagger and the claymore?” Aiden asked.22

“Ah, it’s a good story, one of the best to ever have been passed through the ages in my opinion, but unfortunately, there aren’t many people who remember the story.” Tolgion winked at the group. “But lucky for you, you have a friend that is one of the best bards in all of Farlonia!”23

“If it’s your favorite story, then get on with it,” Jamsig said, becoming quite annoyed with Tolgion’s rambling.24

Tolgion rolled his eyes. “Okay, okay, no need to get bossy my friend.” Tolgion cleared his throat and he began his tale.25

* * *26

The Age of Legends as it is called today was a time of change on the continent of Farlonia. The Age of Legends occurred after the Dark Knight Pontorius was overthrown when a great company of all the goodly races of Farlonia banded together to fight his oppression. When they had breached the Pontorius’s fortress walls and taken the keep, the great knight Sir Dorgan the Brave slew Pontorius. With the defeat of Pontorius, wizards and scholars began unearthing ancient tomes and texts that Pontorius had hidden away at the time. These texts and tomes contained knowledge that many had thought lost, and it became an age of discovery.27

It was one young wizard, Isaac, Mage of the West as he was called, who found an old tome. The tome taught the reader how to summon creatures from another plane of existence that nobody had ever seen before. Isaac took the tome in secret, not wanting any other scholar or wizard to attempt that which he wanted to attempt: to summon a demon.28

Isaac remained shut in his tower at the old Arcane University, which resided in the ancient city of Numinor, for weeks studying the ancient text. He learned that he had to make a Circle of Power that would allow him to control whatever creature he was able to summon. The day he drew the circle, he drew it very carefully, drawing the arcane runes from the text exactly. When he had finished, he crossed his legs and sat on the floor. He was nervous, more nervous than he had ever been in his life. He didn’t know what would appear, but cowards did not have their names written down in history, and he wanted eternal glory…29

Isaac closed his eyes and concentrated, chanting a long string of arcane words that would open a gateway to a new plane of existence. He chanted for what seemed like the longest time and when he stopped, he heard nothing. He opened his eyes, thinking that the incantation had not worked. His eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw the creature in front of him.30

The creature was small, only about three feet tall. It had small leathery wings and a long whip-like with a sharp point on it. Its face resembled that of a canine, its snout-like mouth grinning, small dagger-like teeth showing.31

Isaac studied the creature carefully, noting every detail of its small, well-built frame. The creature’s beady little black eyes eyed Isaac up and down, studying the man that had summoned him.32

Isaac finally got the courage to communicate with the creature. “What are you?” he asked.33

The creature laughed, a smoky, guttural laugh. “I am Sha’rabe, an imp from the Plane of the Abyss,” it replied in a guttural language that Isaac had difficulty translating.34

The imp seemed to mean no harm, and that gave Isaac courage to continue conversing with it. “So, you are an imp from the Plane of the Abyss?”35

Sha’rabe laughed. “Yes, I am from the Plane of the Abyss, not you would know what the Abyss it. It has been so long since I have walked on this plane of existence; I forget how simpleminded you humans are.” It continued to laugh. After a few minutes, it regained its composure. “I know why you summoned me, but if it is power that you want, I regret to inform you that I cannot give you eternal glory.”36

Isaac was startled by the imp’s statement. How did it know that he wanted eternal glory? By the startled expression on Isaac’s face, the imp knew that its guess had been correct, for no one summoned a demon to just talk, even if no one had attempted to communicate with a creature from Abyss for the longest time. It meant to make the most of its time while it was here. Besides, its master needed a fool who would believe anything…37

“If you wish to have eternal glory, a mere imp like myself, I am sad to say, will not bring you glory.” The imp’s voice became excited. “If you wish to have eternal glory, send me back to the Abyss, and call forth my master. He will bring you the glory that you desire so much!”38

Isaac wet his lips to the thought of eternal glory. The imp stared at Isaac in satisfaction. This mere human did not know what he would be calling forth, and that was fine with Sha’rabe. His master would be pleased.39

“Yes! I do want eternal glory!” Isaac’s eyes shone with greed. “Tell me how to summon your master!”40

The imp cackled. How easy it was to influence humans! The imp could not help but say a prayer to its god for giving him such an easily influenced human. The imp locked gazes with Isaac. “If you wish to summon my master, send me back to the Abyss. When I am gone, say the same incantation you said that brought me here, but at the end, say my master’s name.”41

“What is your master’s name?” Isaac asked, growing tired of the imp stalling.42

The evil grin that Sha’rabe gave Isaac chilled the marrow in his bones. “U’groth Jon Balog!”43

The name sent a chill down Isaac’s spine. But he didn’t care. His name would go down in the books like he wanted, the name Isaac, Mage of the West, wait, no, Isaac, Tamer of Demons, would go down in history. “You are dismissed,” he said to the imp.44

The imp cackled as the gate to the Abyss opened. The bait had been set. U’groth Jon Balog would conquer this plane of existence, but that pitiful human would not realize that until it was too late. How easy it was to manipulate humans. Besides, the circle of power was drawn incorrectly…45

Isaac immediately stated concentrating as soon as Sha’rabe left. He recited the incantation carefully, not wanting to mess up. As he neared the end of the incantation, butterflies began to fill his stomach.46

“…come forth to me, U’groth Jon Balog!” he finished in a loud shout. 47

The tower began to shake uncontrollably. Isaac watched in awe as the gate to the Abyss opened before him. He felt his body shaking uncontrollably, but he was not sure if it was from the intense shaking of the tower, or from the fear that was welling inside him. The gate shifted and warped; Isaac stared in horror as four great arms reached through the gateway and opened the gate wider so it could fit its great bulk through the gate. Its gigantic feet stepped out slowly, ominously. The terror that he felt became indescribable as the great, red, soulless eyes stared at him; the evil grin it was giving Isaac made him wet himself. As the demon pulled its bulk from the gate, Isaac noticed the three sword scabbards, two on its back, and one on its left hip. What caught Isaac’s eye was the giant whip that resided on its right hip. He could only imagine the terror the beast could inflict with that whip.48

As the demon finished stepping from the portal, the ground tower stopped shaking, although Isaac was afraid that the floor would give in under the tremendous weight of the demon. The demon stretched to its full height, almost twelve feet tall, and grinned maliciously as its gaze fell over the fool who summoned it. Isaac trembled as he watched the demon’s skin drip from its flesh, his eyes widening in disgust as he realized what it truly was. The demon stretched out its long, disgusting arms and cracked his knuckles, which sounded like thunder.49

“So,” it began, in a deep, smoky, guttural, booming voice, “Sha’rabe was right. You are fool enough to summon a demon.” The great demon reared back its head and gave a great, booming laugh that shook the tower once more. “You should have known, foolish human, what you were getting into before you summoned me. Eternal glory… Ha! Sha’rabe has gotten many fools with that same line, and every one of them has fallen for it!” The demon’s eyes narrowed. “I am U’groth Jon Balog, and I cannot be controlled by someone of so little power as you, or any of the other fools that summoned me.” A great, evil grin came to its face. “Let me show you what happened to those before you who summoned me…”50

A great hand reached for the whip on its hip. Isaac knew he should have run, but when he tried to stand, he fell right back down, his legs shaking uncontrollably and not able to support his weight. He watched in horror as the demon stepped from the circle of power, uncoiling the whip ever so slowly to accentuate its point. Isaac screamed as the demon lifted him effortlessly from the ground; U’groth began wrapping whip around the unfortunate wizard’s body, Isaac screaming in agony as the whip tightened like that of a great snake. 51

The demon muttered an arcane command that Isaac could not hear, and watched in pure terror as thousands of small spiders crawled out of the whip, all of them crawling towards him. As the first spiders reached the unfortunate wizard, they immediately began to bite. Isaac screamed louder in more pain than he had ever experienced in his life. He looked down as one of the spiders bit an exposed finger, bone immediately showing as acid in the spider’s fangs ate through his skin and muscle. He could only imagine that was what was happening to the rest of his body as the spider’s bit down. 52

U’groth was enjoying the spectacle; he had not inflicted so much torture in centuries, and he missed it so dearly. He called the spiders off with another arcane command, enjoying the sight of Isaac gasping for breath, bone showing on his face where the spider’s venom had eaten through him. 53

“I’m sorry, but I have more important things to do right now than this. I did enjoy our little fun we had thought, didn’t you? No? Well, I can’t say I am not surprised. Wait, I just had an idea.” Isaac did not like the tone of U’groth’s voice. U’groth lifted Isaac high in the air, and dropped the whip, hanging on tight to the handle. Isaac tumbled in circles as he fell. There was a sharp pinch in his back, but Isaac hardly felt it. As Isaac reached the floor, U’groth jerked sharply up on the whip. An intense and fiery pain shot through Isaac’s body as the little skin he had left was ripped from his body and he landed heavily on the ground. The demon laughed as he gazed at Isaac; he was lying in a pool of blood, all of his muscle tissue and bone was all that was left of him. 54

Isaac was hardly breathing, but breathing never the less. The demon’s grin grew even wider when he realized this.55

“Still breathing, eh? Well that is good; otherwise you would miss me doing this.” The demon plucked Isaac’s skin from the sharp point that had appeared on the whip. He grinned down at Isaac, and threw the skin into its mouth. 56

Isaac’s mutilated body shivered, how, he did not know. The demon wiped its mouth. Isaac watched as the demon bent down, the blood skin dripping on his body. U’groth stared at Isaac’s body, and watched as U’groth bent down ripped Isaac’s slowly beating heart from his body. Being in so much pain already, he didn’t feel his heart being ripped out of his body. Isaac’s eyes began to cloud over in death; the last thing he saw was U’groth toss his heart in the air and catch it in his mouth, hearing one last time, that evil laugh. So passed Isaac, Mage of the West.57

U’groth stared at the corpse of the man fool enough to summon him. He soon realized the knocking on the door and the shouting on the other side. He bent down and ripped the door from its hinges, four older wizards staring in horror at the great demon and the corpse of their old colleague. One wizard quickly found his composure, and began to cast a spell. The other three wizards gazed in horror as a great whip cracked, creating a sound like that of thunder, and the head of the other wizards flew into the air, landing in one of their hands, the face still in deep concentration; the corpse of the headless wizard fell to the floor with a dull thud.58

The three wizards ran, the one with the head dropping it. As they neared the stairs that would take them down the tower, the whip shot out, catching the wizard in the back by the ankle. The poor wizard has hauled back screaming, clawing at the ground hoping it would slow his inevitable demise; it didn’t. All it did was leave a trail of blood from where his fingernails had been torn off on the rough stone floor. The two wizards ran, hearing their friend scream, and listening to the sickening crunch as the demon began to eat him.59

U’groth stared around the top of the tower, growing tired of it. “I think it needs a little touch up,” it chuckled. Three arms reached for their respected swords, and with a great sweep of its wings, U’groth was flying through the roof of the tower. Citizens below screamed as U’groth ripped the ceiling off of the tallest tower of the Arcane University. Through a window, it saw the two wizards he had seen earlier. It chuckled as the whip cracked and killed the two wizards. No one ever escaped the might of U’groth Jon Balog. 60

At the top of the tower, the portal to the Abyss remained open. U’groth grinned wickedly and flew to the portal. He looked inside; demons were lined up at the portal, not daring to come out unless their master beckoned them to come.61

“Come my minions, let us have some fun!”62

Demons poured from the portal to the Abyss; monstrous creatures that were created specifically to kill and wreak havoc. U’groth laughed as all of his minions flew, crawled, walked, and ran through the portal, howling with glee and excitement. U’groth looked over the top of the wall that had once held the roof, watching with glee as demons jumped from the top of the tower into the city of Numinor. Sha’rabe landed on U’groth’s shoulder, watching the carnage below as the demons had their fun. Screams erupted from every corner of the city; some of the guards had managed to form some kind of resistance, shooting arrows into the ranks of oncoming demons; their ranks were quickly decimated by the continuing waves of creatures.63

Sha’rabe chuckled. “Is it not wonderful, Master?”64

U’groth chuckled. “It is wonderful Sha’rabe. You have done well.”65

The imp bowed its head. “I live only to serve you,” it replied.66

“Shall we go and torment our friends down there?” U’groth said casually, watching as a flying demon dropped a large boulder on an unsuspecting group of people who were to busy being cornered by another demon to notice the giant boulder flying down towards them.67

U’groth nodded his approval of the demon that dropped the boulder, basking in the satisfying sound of the boulder smashing the people and the spray of blood that followed.68

Sha’rabe laughed at the people’s unfortunate demise. “Yes, I think I would like to join the fray,” it replied, still chuckling.69

“Then let us go,” U’groth replied, spreading its wings. Sha’rabe remained attached to U’groth’s shoulder as the two plunged into the city.70

By the end of the day, the city of Numinor was completely destroyed. Mutilated corpses littered the ground throughout the city, building were leveled, fires ravaging the rest of the city. Demons fed on the corpses, enjoying their victory over the city of Numinor. U’groth strolled through the city, inhaling the rotten stench of burnt corpses with pleasure. Sha’rabe relaxed lazily on U’groth’s shoulder, its tail swishing back and forth.71

“We did good, didn’t we Master?” Sha’rabe asked.72

U’groth nodded. “Very good. An entire city taken in half a day is a real accomplishment. The next city probably will not be as easy as word has probably already spread about demons walking the Material Plane.” The demon stopped and looked thoughtful. “Of course, maybe word hasn’t spread. There hasn’t been a demon to walk the Material Plane in so long a time, maybe they won’t know what happened.”73

Sha’rabe grinned. “Should I tell rest of the demons to move out?” it asked hopefully.74

U’groth nodded. “We move out at dawn.”75

* * *76

Tolgion paused to look at his audience. Aiden and Kelindril were staring at the halfling through wide eyes, Jamsig and Dodmic looked grim, but what caught his eye was Victor. He seemed to be enjoying the story… a little too much. Tolgion decided he needed to keep an eye on Victor while he told the next part of the story.77

“That…that demon…is a monster,” Aiden whispered.78

Tolgion nodded. “U’groth was the worst thing to ever walk on the Material Plane. Many ancient cities such as Numinor were completely wiped out from the history of Farlonia. Millions of people died at the hands of U’groth and his minions, some races were eventually wiped out completely.”79

Kelindril shook his head. “I cannot believe the foolishness of some people.”80

Tolgion nodded. “Greed and the promise of eternal glory and power can corrupt even the noblest of heroes. It has been proven time and time again.”81

“What happened after that Tolgion,” Aiden asked.82

Tolgion looked at Aiden. “The largest war that has ever occurred on Farlonia. A war between a goddess, and a demon…”83

* * *84

It had been almost four months since U’groth and his demons had emerged from the portal in the Arcane University in Numinor. In those four months, U’groth had wiped out numerous cities, killed millions of people, and had wiped out almost three races of Farlonians. Within the first few days of the demons emerging, word had spread about demons walking the continent of Farlonia. At first, the major rulers dismissed the fact, thinking that those who were to be affected by the invasion would be able to handle everything.85

All of that changed when the Jaguarnians, an ancient race of militaristic cat people, were completely wiped out by the demon invasion. The Jaguarnians were supposedly some of the best warriors in Farlonia, and when rulers found out that they had been annihilated, people began to worry. Most people fled by ship to far off lands, but many stayed, not wanting to leave their lands.86

An alliance was formed between all of the remaining peoples of Farlonia. Elves, dwarves, halflings, humans, the Istar, a race of lizard people, and many other races put aside any differences that they might have towards each other in order to put a stop to the demon invasion.87

Anaiya, Goddess of the Moon, watched from the Plane of the Immortals, a plane of existence where the gods of Farlonia dwelt. Her long, silver hair hung over her shoulder, her piercing blue eyes staring through her scrying mirror at the chaos that U’groth was causing. Anger flared through her body, quite unusual for her as she always kept a level head in even the direst situations. But for some reason, this was different, and she didn’t quite know why…88

She winced as she watched U’groth skewer four small children with one of his great blades. A great silver eagle was perched on a pedestal near her whom she called Celeb, which meant silver in Elvish; its eyes were locked onto the scrying mirror, watching the carnage also.89

“We must do something,” she whispered. Celeb nodded its agreement and gave a great screech. “What do you think that we should do?” she asked.90

“We must go to war with the demon,” Celeb imparted to Anaiya telepathically. 91

Anaiya nodded her head thoughtfully. Something would have to be done, and as much as she hated violence, she knew it would eventually boil down to war. There was a loud screech from above. Anaiya looked up as a great golden eagle landed on a second perch near her.92

She called the golden eagle Malthen, which meant golden in the old tongue. Malthen was Anaiya’s spy on the Material Plane and also her trusted advisor in times of war. He came every once in a while to relay to her news from the world of mortals. He had been coming more recently though because of the demon invasion, relaying news to her.93

“How are things on the Material Plane?” Anaiya asked anxiously, her gaze falling back to the scrying mirror, wincing as yet another demon slaughtered an innocent child.94

The eagle shook its head. “Things are very bad, Lady Anaiya. U’groth’s forces move through Farlonia with ease, completely annihilating all those that dare to fight.” The eagle’s sharp, piercing gaze met Anaiya’s. “If we do not act soon, U’groth will destroy that entire plane of existence.” The eagle’s telepathic voice was suddenly filled with anger. “Why have we not helped them? Do you think that those mortals can take on demons when there is not one person who has seen a demon in centuries? With all respect my Lady, we must act now!”95

Her gaze fell to the scrying glass. She watched as the claws of the imp Sha’rabe, ripped a beautiful little girl’s throat out, in front of her parents who soon followed her to the grave. Tears welled in her eyes. Why had she not acted sooner? An iron hard look of pure hate filled her blue eyes, as an image of U’groth appeared in the mirror. She turned to Malthen and Celeb. “Celeb, get my armor, blade, and spear and prepare the troops. Malthen, prepare the Eyries for battle. We leave as soon as we possibly can.”96

Malthen nodded and flew off to ready the Eyries. Celeb flew to Anaiya’s armory and grabbed her armor and arms. Anaiya pulled the light chainmail over her head. The chainmail was made from adamantite, the most resilient form of metal found on any plane of existence. On the front of the chainmail was her symbol, an eagle that was half gold and half silver. She looked at her war helmet, polished silver, a small figurine of an eagle in mid-flight on the front of her helmet. She put the helmet on, perfectly fitting her head. She buckled her sword onto her belt, slinging her spear over her shoulder by the strap that was attached to it. 97

She watched as Malthen flew over her head and landed next to her. “Lady Anaiya, the troops are ready. Your chariot awaits,” Malthen imparted as she landed on the other side of Anaiya.98

Anaiya nodded. Anaiya took a deep breath. She knew what would have to be done to stop the demon and its hordes, but she did not want her advisors to know; they would not like what would have to be done…99

Anaiya turned to view her troops. Every soldier in her army was one of her chosen people, the Eyries. The Eyries were a race of bird people that she had created. Each had the face of an eagle, their beaks sharp, and their brown eyes piercing. Each wore a helmet on their feathered heads, sporting chainmail armor with the symbol of Anaiya. In their feathered hands, they each held a spear and a wooden buckler. On their belts there were a pair of swords, each one finely crafted.100

As her gazed fell over her force of loyal soldiers, they each bowed to her, ready to serve her to the death. She felt a rush of pride for her soldiers, knowing that many of them would not return. She turned to her chariot, a gift that she had received from Kantar, the dwarven god of war, centuries ago, finely crafted from silver, and trimmed with gold. A team of two giant red-tailed hawks, ready to fulfill their duty and go to war were harnessed to the chariot.101

She stepped lightly onto the chariot, Celeb and Malthen landing on the sides of the chariot. She turned to face her soldiers once more. “Are you ready? Are you ready to risk your lives to save those on the Material Plane? Are you ready to fight the demon scourge and prove your bravery? Are you ready for victory?” A loud cheer erupted from the ranks. She felt pride in her soldiers, soldiers who would die for her and for people that was of no concern to them. “Then let us go into battle! To glory! To victory!” The cheer grew louder. The Eyries began beating their spears on their shields. Yes, they were ready.102

Anaiya concentrated. A portal to the material plane opened, she gazed at the battle that ensued. The demons were in the city of Tolgoa. Tolgoa was once a city of culture, its inhabitants a variety of culture: humans, elves, and dwarves, even halflings. She watched as one of the fabled Knights of the White Stallion fought off three imps at once. He had great skill as he slew two of them; the third grabbed the man’s dagger at his hip and drove the blade home through the heavy plate metal into his chest.103

“Are you ready, my lady?” Malthen asked, anxious to get into the fray.104

She turned to her soldiers. “Forward! Through the portal! As soon as you land, form ranks and we will banish this scourge!”105

The ground shook as the Eyries raced through the portal to the Material Plane. Time seemed to slow down as she watched the Eyries, running with all of their might, spears at the ready, yelling her praises. She closed her eyes.106

With a sudden start, she opened her eyes, fire raging in them. She yelled at he top of her lungs and charged through the portal after their soldiers. She felt a rush of wind as she traversed the planes of existence. Landing on the Material Plane, she watched as the Eyries quickly formed ranks, boosting the morale of the Tolgoa’s knights. The elves recognized their goddess of the moon and her company of Eyries and began to fight with renewed vigor. Tolgoa might just survive the onslaught…107

Anaiya quickly dismounted from her chariot. Anaiya’s armor gleamed in the sun; her spear was poised for battle. Three imps saw the Elven goddess and charged in, thinking that they could overwhelm her with greater numbers. They were sadly mistaken. The first imp that began its attack on Anaiya was clutched its throat as her spear point slashed across its throat. Not stopping her momentum, she grabbed a second imp by the tail and drove her boot into the back of its head and drove the butt end of her spear into its neck. Using the imp’s corpse, she threw it with all of her might at the third imp, the momentum of the throw slamming it into a wall, breaking its spine.108

Anaiya did not let up her assault. More demons crowded around her, each one falling to her spear. She finally had to draw her sword when her spear snapped in half as she skewered the demons left and right. Twirling her sword in magnificent patterns, she hacked her way through the onslaught of demons. She winced as a demon’s claws slashed her sword arm, blood streaming from the slash. Ignoring the pain, she kept on fighting, much to the dismay of the demon spawn.109

The Eyries were fairing well in the fight. Many demons fell to the combined might of the Eyries and the Knights of the White Stallion. The Tolgoan Knights of the White Stallion had regained their morale and were fighting like they had never fought before. The demons began to realize that they were losing far too many numbers. Some demons began to fly off that could, and those remaining fought for their lives.110

Then U’groth appeared.111

Anaiya gazed in awe at the great demon made its appearance. It gazed down at the god and goddess an evil grin spreading across its face. The Eyries and the Tolgoan Knights readied themselves. Sha’rabe stared down at the soldiers, grinning almost as evilly as U’groth.112

The grin on Sha’rabe’s face was soon wiped off of its face as it heard the shriek of two eagles. Celeb and Malthen swept out of the sky and each grabbed one of Sha’rabe’s arms. The imp squealed with fright as the eagles began flying in opposite directions, pain shooting through its body as it felt its arms being ripped apart.113

U’groth snarled at the eagles. He looked at Anaiya, and the grin on its face grew wider. He pointed one hand at his most loyal servant and the two eagles, muttered an arcane word, and a bolt of red energy shot out at the two eagles.114

Anaiya’s entire body went numb as she watched what took place. The eagles’ shrieks were shrieks of pure pain. She watched as their bodies began to stiffen and shrink. She watched as Malthen’s body began to shrink further when Celeb’s stopped shrinking. A small curved blade began to emerge from Malthen’s head, his eyes becoming hollow shells. A long blade erupted from Celeb’s head, her eyes also becoming hollow shells. Her body went numb as she realized that Celeb had been transformed into a beautiful claymore; Malthen a beautiful dagger.115

U’groth roared with laughter as the dagger, and claymore plummeted to the earth. Celeb landed, sword point buried in the ground, Malthen landing right next to Celeb. 116

“NOOOOOO!” Anaiya screamed as she gazed upon her closest friends. She rushed over to the weapons, but was repulsed by a wave of energy issued by U’groth as she neared them.117

All fighting had ceased as the event took place. Anaiya was on the ground, weeping; U’groth continuously roaring with laughter.118

Anaiya stood up slowly, a wild look in her eye. She pointed her sword at U’groth, and through a quivering voice, she called out to the demon. “You will pay for what you have done! I shall slay you, demon, and the last thing that you will ever see will be my face!”119

The demon continued to roar with laughter at the goddess’s proclamation. “You will not slay me, o Goddess of the Moon!” Its gaze darkened. “It will be I who slays you!”120

Anaiya fixed her gazed on the demon. It was ten feet taller than her, but she seemed not to notice. “Hand me your bow,” she whispered to an elf of the Knights of the White Stallion. The elf handed his bow and quiver over to Anaiya. She accepted the bow, but refused the arrows.121

She held the bow forward and muttered an arcane word. The bow transformed into a bow of pure light and it let off an intense glow of white light. Many had to shield their eyes from its glow. 122

U’groth shielded its eyes from its glow with one of its hands, another reaching for its whip. As it reached for its whip, a flash of pain shot through its body. U’groth looked down, his eyes widening with shock as its gaze fell across a smoldering hole in its hand. It looked at Anaiya; she was holding the bow in her hands, poised to shoot. The bow was drawn back; a bolt of lightning was in the place of the arrow.123

Her gaze was pure ice, her blue eyes shining with tears. She released the bolt of lightning, and quickly drew the string back, another bolt replacing the one she had shot. She fired it, and three more in quick succession. The lightning arrows pierced U’groth at the top of the arm that had reached for the whip, each burning a hole through its skin. As the arrows continued to rain upon U’groth, the magic arrows eventually severed the arm. 124

U’groth screamed in pain. He watched as his arm fall, but paid it little more heed after that; he had five left. Anaiya’s gaze did not alter when the great demon charged after her. She rained arrow upon arrow on U’groth, severing two more of its arms and leaving many holes in its chest; it just kept coming.125

She ran to her chariot, urging the hawks into motion as soon as she stepped onto the chariot. The hawks sped off into the sky. U’groth picked up three boulders with his remaining arms and hurled them at her. The agile hawks easily dodged the boulders. She aimed carefully with her bow, looking for a weak spot. It suddenly came to her. She aimed at its head, and fired four quick shots, each of the bolts hitting one of the four eyes on the front of its face.126

U’groth clutched at his face and screamed in agony. Anaiya’s eagles circled around to the other side of its head and she let off four more bolts, completely blinding the demon. She had the chariot land next to one of her Eyries who was a powerful wizard.127

“It cannot be killed,” she said. “You must bind its soul.”128

“To what?” the Eyrie asked.129

“It does not matter!” she exclaimed. “We don’t have time! Even blinded, it can destroy everything in its path!”130

The Eyrie nodded. It focused its energy, feeling the magic within its body. He pointed a feathered hand at U’groth, and shouted aloud, “Kenya Dar Balog!”131

U’groth reared back in pain, feeling as if its very soul were being torn from its body. Suddenly, U’groth was looking at its body. Its eyesight had been restored, its arms grown back. U’groth watched in horror as its body crumpled; he looked at itself, only to find that it was a spirit. The Eyrie’s magic had worked; U’groth’s soul had been torn from its body. U’groth roared, but it felt as if it was not heard. It felt a strange tugging, and it finally realized what was happening; if it was to be bound to an object, it would be an object of its choosing…132

Its four front eyes caught a shimmer of gold on the ground, Malthen’s dagger-shaped body. U’groth laughed as it changed the flow of where its soul was heading to that of the dagger. 133

Something else caught its eye also: its whip. The whip was still attached to its waist, and his grin grew wider. If he was to be bound to an object, he would not be the only one…134

He withdrew the whip from its waist; the whip was a shadow of its former self, but that didn’t matter. He snapped the whip back.135

Anaiya watched as U’groth’s body tumbled to the ground with loud thud. The demons stared in horror as their leader fell. Silence spread throughout the battlefield. The Eyrie looked up, confusion on its face. Anaiya began to ask what had happened, when she felt a fierce and painful sting. She looked at the sky, her eyes wide with horror as her soul was stripped from her body.136

She heard U’groth’s maniacal laugh behind her. She watched, as her body seemed to hover in the air for a split second, before it collapsed to the ground. She turned to face the soul of the demon. 137

U’groth roared with laughter. “You did not think it would be that easy did you, moon goddess? Did you think you could so easily defeat U’groth Jon Balog, Lord of the Abyss?” U’groth laughed. Anaiya stared at U’groth, hatred in her eyes. U’groth roared with laughter as his soul was bound to the dagger that was once her most trusted commander.138

Anaiya looked around. No one could see her of course as her soul was separated from the Material Plane. She could not go back to her body; she knew that. There was only one place that she could go. She followed the gleam of silver that was Celeb. As she neared the claymore, she felt the tug as her soul was drawn to the weapon. She looked at her followers once more before blackness took over her sight.139

* * *140

Tolgion looked up as he finished the story. Aiden had tears streaming down his face, Kelindril’s eyes full of sadness. Jamsig and Dodmic nodded, their hearts full of sadness. Victor’s eyes were narrowed, seeming to be deep in thought.141

“Now you know,” Tolgion said. “That is the story of the moon goddess Anaiya and Lord of Demons, U’groth Jon Balog.”142

Tolgion shook his head. “No one knows. Soon after the three souls were bound, the demons were banished back into the Abyss by a final charge from the Eyries and the Knights of the White Stallion. The claymore and the dagger were given to the people of Tolgoa. The Eyries took the body of Anaiya back to the Plane of the Immortals where her body is said to still be preserved in the Hall of the Immortals. The weapons were said to be presented to two knights, the claymore and dagger to Sir Gram the Honorable and Sir Garrett the Brave when they retired from the Knights of the White Stallion, whose name was later changed to the Knight of the Golden Eagle in honor of Malthen.”143

Aiden’s eyes widened at the mention of his father. Sir Gram the Honorable? Aiden began to feel like he didn’t even know his father anymore. What else didn’t his father tell him?144

“What happened to Sir Garrett?” Kelindril asked.145

Tolgion shook his head once more. “No one knows. He traveled with Sir Gram for many years. Soon afterwards, Garrett split away from Gram and was never heard from again.”146

Silence settled in the group once more. Aiden gazed at the claymore, the blue sapphires glowing brightly and peacefully, just like Anaiya’s eyes as Tolgion had described them. 147

Jamsig looked into the night sky. “It’s late. We need to get some sleep; there is still a long journey ahead of us.”148

The group consented and they all lay down except for Dodmic who decided to take the first watch. As Aiden laid his head on his rucksack for a pillow, he heard the voice of Anaiya. “Aiden, I hope we can become good friends. I will help you in anyway possible and I will not take over your body unless you bid me to. Sleep peacefully and know that you are protected.”149

There was a screech above, like that of an eagle. Aiden closed his eyes and smiled, knowing that he was being watched. He like the thought of that…