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One Flew over the
Cuckoo's Nest
1. BORN of FIRE
Iblis flew across the war-struck land. Her stone-blue skin soaking up the
warmth of the flames she'd been born from. Like an endless cycle, the
Gremynian demon would repeat her life. Born of flames, relishing in strife
only to die by the blade of a hero. Peace would return and Iblis would
have to wait in the dark again until her presence was invoked another
time.
Once the demon had been a protector of the heavens, but time and religion
had changed her duties. But some of her old mannerisms remained as Iblis
looked longingly at the skies. She'd always preferred the bright blue of a
summer day. But now she'd usually only see a grey sky, filled with the
smoke of the fires that summoned her. Though suddenly, the bright blue she
so loved drew her attention down.
Iblis ventured forth, floating across rubble, broken furniture and burned
remains. To the demon the lives lost didn't mean much. There would always
be humans, there would always be cattle and pets. There would always be
innocent beings sacrificed to her flames.
And yet, here was one that still clung to life. A baby boy, wrapped in a
bright blue blanket, carefully sheltered in a basket. His mother lay
beside him, exhausted but still conscious. By the look of it the woman was
near dead and Iblis approached her without worry.
The woman's eyes opened and she looked upon Iblis, clearly frightened but
also somehow relieved.
"Great one." the woman whispered, "I give you my soul if
you only bring my child to Ninurta, goddess of motherhood."
"Your soul is mine anyways." Iblis replied, "And Ninurta is
not such a kind goddess anymore."
The woman's mouth quivered, then firmed, "There are still those who
worship the old deities. I offer you all my faith and what's left of my
power."
Then she closed her eyes and went still. Iblis received a rush of power.
The demon had known some still worshipped the old gods. The officials called
them witches now. Though she had not made the deal official, she had
gotten the promised reward and the task was not a difficult one.
Iblis took up the babe, her hands carefully stroking the blue fabric. The
witch must have known it would draw her attention. A smile curved the
demon's lips and she added the blanket to her payment. After all, the blue
of the sky was hers.
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2.
SHELTERED IN STONE AND ICE
Ninurta roamed beneath the fields she'd once blessed. She could venture
topside but the cold that radiated unconsciously out of her being usually
caused crops to die or hibernate where once they'd flourished under her
touch. Icy destruction was the ability she'd been left with and it too had
it's uses. The dark-skinned demon had felt the pull of war before, had
felt the fires that would call forth Iblis, but she'd stayed below ground.
Most humans did not need her, hardly any invoked her presence as they
waged war. Times had been different, but farmers knew better than to call
upon her as she was now.
"Ninurta!" the stony voice of Iblis called and a surge of power
reached her.
"It seems there was plenty of fire to nourish you." Ninurta
replied as she uncloaked her presence so Iblis could reach her.
"I was paid for a deal." Iblis supplied, "And so here I am
to bring you what I was tasked to bring."
The winged demon held out a small bundle. A muffled cry sounded from it
and immediately Ninurta knew what she was being given.
"I can't." the war demon cried, "Just my touch will kill
the babe."
Pain tore through her chest as she very much wanted to cradle the new
life. Once her blessing had been worth something and people had asked for
it readily. A tear froze on her cheek as want and dread warred inside of
her.
"Now that's a problem." Iblis replied, "I'm certain his
mother wanted you to raise him."
"His mother handed him to you?" Ninurta asked, wondering why she
would give up her child.
"She was dieing and gave up everything she had to make me bring him
to you."
Ninurta longingly looked at the babe. The boy's eyes opened, revealing his
brown eyes to the underworld. He gurgled and sighed, snuggling closer to
Iblis. The demon of the heavens had never been a motherly sort, but she
was softened by this vulnerable being.
"How about I help?" she offered, "It's not like I'll have
to go up anytime soon anyway."
Ninurta wondered if it was a good idea to raise a child in the
underworld... but the promise of his love was enough to sway her to
indulge her selfishness.
"What should we call him?" Ninurta asked.
"Oh right, he needs a name." Iblis said, "You name
him."
"Elir." Ninurta decided.
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3. RAISED
WITH CARE
Elir slid his hand against the wall for guidance. He could see decently
enough, but some of the hallways in the underground were darker than
others. In truth the young man knew he shouldn't be wandering around. But
what could happen? He wasn't exactly doing anything wrong. The dungeon was
just so vast and he only knew a small part of it. His young mind thirsted
to know more.
Elir had been told he was just about 15. Years didn't mean much
belowground as neither Iblis nor Ninurta could share their age so Elir had
not taken much note of the number and what it meant. He did remember
playing with dolls and toys made from wood and cloth. He'd played hide and
seek with Ibilis who somehow always knew where he was and had been told
bedtime stories by Ninurta who had taught him about the importance of
family.
Both had told him that he had a family outside, but neither of them knew
how to contact his 'real' family since his mother had died before she'd
been able to divulge this information. Elir didn't feel much for this
mother he'd only heard about. His family were Ninurta and Iblis, the only
other beings he'd ever seen. He knew from the way they talked that their
were others. Many others in fact. But apparently not here.
So there was no harm in exploring the halls. Elir knew better than to trip
and fall. And he would just explore a couple of rooms and head back.
No-one would ever know. And then maybe later he could explore a bit
further, and then some more after that. Maybe he could even draw a map.
Some of the stories he'd been told had featured maps. Though nothing in
his lessons had prepared him to know how to make one. Were they drawings?
Or riddled text? He'd gathered there was some variety.
Distracted by his thoughts on maps, Elir did not notice just how far he
was actually straying from his safe room... It was only by luck that he
even noticed the voices before they were upon him. Elir pushed himself
against the wall and held his breath. He was a bit frightened, but also
excited. Who would he meet?
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4. CALAMITY
in the DUNGEONS
"Are you afraid to close a deal?" Phenex the Demon of Deception
and once a poet asked.
"I know better than to trust you. You're about as trustworthy as a venereal
disease with a low infection rate." Buer, a former healing deity who
had been warped to a Demon of Disease muttered.
The red bulky demon and the white thin one didn't like each other but
somehow found themselves in each other's company quite often. This led to
many arguments, disputes and the occasional gamble, the latter ones mostly
originating from the Marquis' side. Phenex had a way with words and he
loved to sneak poetry and clever word games into his conversations. This
in turn annoyed the analytical President-rank Buer who thrived on clear
and concise wording.
"I know better than to expect fun from you and still I try."
Phenex replied.
"Hush." Buer said as he froze, "I sense something."
"Maybe you're finally growing the necessary equipment to receive that
venereal disease." Phenex offered suggestively.
That earned the red demon a death glare. But Phenex did sense it too,
something tantalising in the air. Like magic waiting to be released. Buer
took a deep breath and then rushed to catch his prey. The white demon was
deceptively small and weak-looking when in fact he was fast and strong. He
definitely had no trouble containing the young human.
"Speak. Who are you?" Buer commanded.
Phenex slowly stepped closer, his large frame suddenly full of elegance.
His body remembering a time long ago when he'd been a musician. Though his
mind relished in the play with words, his body yearned for other things.
Having a human nearby brought the demon of deception gloriously close to
having both his desires fulfilled.
"Come now Buer, don't scare the boy. Can't you see his young? He
probably doesn't even know how he got here."
Elir tensed and remained quiet. The words sounded soft and gentle but
somehow they'd managed to raise all the hairs on his body. His heart was
pounding and it was hard to breathe. Elir felt weak and tired.
"Intruders should be punished." Buer insisted, "and made to
suffer."
Disease was already spreading into the boy. A slow and painful death
awaited those who dared to ventured in their domain.
"Now now, don't be hasty. Some of us have uses for a human."
Phenex argued.
His power rested largely on how many people he could corrupt. And such a
clean soul would be a hefty power source.
While the two demons were discussing the fate of Elir so, Iblis happened
upon them. Being of higher rank than either of them, she wasted no time in
unhanding them of Elir.
"Who told you you could lay your hands on what is mine?" she
hissed.
"He was strolling in the hall, making him fair game." Phenex
argued.
"You shouldn't bring a human down here." Buer chided.
Iblis could feel that Elir was close to dead. Buer had undone his curse
but the damage was done. The young man was barely holding on to life.
Death was something all of them knew but would never attain. It was
something beautiful and dreadful alike. A pang of loss clenched Iblis'
insides in a most uncomfortable manner and her thoughts went out to
Ninurta who had been her partner in raising Elir.
As if summoned by thoughts of her, Ninurta then rounded the corner and
happened on the scene. Stricken with grief, the once goddess of fertility
cradled the only son she'd ever known to her chest, nearly ending his life
with her cold. Eyelids fluttering, Elir was drifting away toward his
eternal rest.
"I can't let this happen." Ninurta said in a daze and she ran
toward the only being who would be able to fix this.
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5. The
DRAGON in the LIBRARY
Belial, a Demon King of Despair and Darkness was leisurely and quietly
spending his time when he was interrupted by the grieving demoness
carrying the frozen remains of a human. It took time to get the story out,
but as more demons entered his quarters the pieces of the puzzle fell into
place.
"You should not have taken in a human child." Belial admonished
Ninurta, "I'm surprised you were able to keep him hidden for all
these years."
"He would never disobey us." Ninurta vouched.
"It is true, he was very well behaved." Iblis added.
Belial wondered just what he needed to do with this situation. He was
feeling a bit weary of punishing. He'd never been into that to start with.
Becoming King was just a numbers game and his domain lent itself pretty
well to gaining followers. People would always wish to crush their
adversaries. So if he wasn't punishing, would that mean he was helping? He
could still do nothing. But nothingness was not very interesting either.
There was someone who could help. Though the outcome might not be what
Ninurta would want, it would definitely alleviate some boredom.
"Follow me." Belial said without much explanation.
He led the group of demons to the library, the best place to look for
solutions - and the demon who had the power to raise the dead.
Bune knew people had entered her domain immediately. But she was a busy
demon and those seeking council should be patient. She returned to her
work and only remembered the visitors a few hours later. She swished her
green tail but made certain it would not knock something over. She threw a
shawl with embroidered constellations over her shoulder for added flair
and turned to the ante room where she found rendering of chaos. Three
demons were bickering while a fourth cradled a dead human. Bune turned her
eyes to the highest in rank, Belial who was casually observing it all with
an air of indifference.
"What have you brought me now sire?" Bune asked.
Belial would not disguise the small smirk at being addressed so formally
while at the same time being put in his place.
"I've brought you someone to raise."
"My spells and chants don't come cheap. A demon's got to live."
Bune stated.
"Will supplying you with magic be enough of a reward?"
Bune considered. The combined magic of six demons - herself included -
would be phenomenal. She could raise the puny human and then try out a
couple of other spells she'd been wanting to do. But never one to tip
others of her hand, the dragonesque demon replied:
"I suppose if I must."
And then Bune set to work. The demon of Knowledge lived for this stage and
she made a show of preparing ingredients and ancient tomes. She knew all
the spells by heart but it was often better to let people think she needed
her books. Shortly after her display, Bune breathed life and magic
back into the human. If she'd seen to him faster she might have been able
to revert the damage but in his current state he'd been tainted enough for
that option to be out of the window. But her basic power to corrupt power
would carry him back to a new life. He'd just be slightly more than
human...
"Henceforth he shall be known as Eligor." Belial declared as he
caught on the exact moment that Bune created the new demon.
Eligor opened his now darker eyes and was amazed by how well he could see.
He saw his mother with a tear-streaked face. he saw his mother Iblis
arguing with the two demons that had found him. And most of all he saw the
Demon of Witchcraft craft a spell. And he knew what was going to happen.
"Hang on." he was barely able to say as everyone in the library
was transported through time and space to a world far away.
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6. A
MEETING of MOTHERS
Ninurta opened her eyes and felt the marvel of seeing her son move again.
He was different but she could still feel his kindness through the taint
that had taken hold of him. Iblis helped her up as she was completely
drained from the grief and teleportation. Ninurta was a demon without
title after all and she'd barely had any magic to give. Looking around the
other demons had faired much better. Even Elir... Eligor was up and about.
The way Belial looked at him, Ninurta feared her King had plans for her
son. Plans she'd probably not like.
But before she could try to shield her son from the bad of the Gremynian
underworld, a person appeared.
"Welcome to the Abstract Destiny." they said, looking very much underwhelmed
by the sudden appearance of mystical beings, "Please follow me for
the screening process."
The aide opened a door that had been so well hidden in the wall that none
of the demons had known it was there. The demons were not a scared bunch
so they followed. Eligor who had not been a demon long enough to feel
confident in his powers was still a curious teenager and he would not have
missed what was to follow for the world. The aide led them to a large
room. Inside a curious being waited. Silver-skinned with too many heads to
count - as they just kept moving.
"My name is Nairyg Na'carrah. Why would you
deserve a chance to meet my children?" she asked.
Bune was the first to reply. As a Demon of Knowledge she was quick on the
uptake and knew a good proposition when she saw it.
"It would be an honour to witness such an event. To see new life and
power come into the world."
Belial nodded. He remained quiet under the hath-hydra's gaze. He didn't
much care whether he'd be admitted to the clutch or not. His interest lay
into the spaces beyond this room. But he would not decline an invitation
by such a powerful beast if it were offered to him.
"Children should be cherished. Maybe us strangers shouldn't be around
them though I will give them as much of my blessing as I am able to
give." Ninurta offered. Having seen her son move and talk, she felt
lighter and more like her old self.
"I'm all for seeing people." Iblis offered, "Elir loved my
partytricks as a babe."
The winged grey demoness produced several flames and juggled them in
intricate patterns. Though she'd been ill-prepared to raise a child when
she'd first taken the boy in, she felt that she'd grown considerably in
her role as mother.
"It would be my pleasure to sing praise on your children, grand
lady." Phenex said with a flurried bow.
"I'll just make certain he doesn't do any harm." Buer sighed as
he reined the red demon in.
As silence descended, the silver dragoness fixed her gaze upon the newest
demon and repeated her question:
"Why would you deserve a chance to meet my children?"
Eligor shifted, opened his mouth and then said: "Because it is
something I'll never be able to experience again... Please."
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[STORY] -^^^-
[BELIAL] - [BUNE] - [IBLIS] -
[PHENEX] - [BUER] - [NINURTA]
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[ELIGOR]
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