Chapter 522: Chaos in Jaretha

Chapter 522: Chaos in Jaretha

Burn-Saw began moving with urgency while whispering to his master.

Thundars stomach dropped.

Things were about to go to hell.

Literally.

Well, if youll excuse me ladies, he laughed. I gotta go and get my friends together for uha party.

Oooh, one of his admirers pouted. We were hoping youd show us another impression of the mighty Kaz-Mowang.

Of his stamina. The word dripped from the other female demons mouth.

Thundars brain felt like it was turning to mush, ready to explode with a mixture of feelings that were being highly encouraged by the mania-field.

But, one quick look at Burn-Saw, and a long deep breath, brought him back to reason.

The fact that succubi had a nasty habit of draining the life and soul from their mortal matesaccording to the last book on demonology hed readwas also enough to kill any spicy ideas that hed been starting to entertain.

Later, ladies, he lied, Cant disappoint the real Kaz-Mowang.

The minotaur quickly made his way to Guntile and Ezerak who were watching the commotion brewing between the newly arrived demon, and his guards.

Weve got a problem. Thundar whispered, taking the pair aside and nodding towards Burn-Saw murmuring to his increasingly incredulous master. See that scarred up guy over there? He knows Alex and he can probably sense him too. Were gonna get made. He adjusted his mask, making sure his face was covered should Burn-Saw catch sight of him.

Ezerak looked at Guntile.

Their eyes hardened.

Orders? the half-orc asked.

Thundar set his jaw, keeping his attention on Burn-Saw who was leading his master toward a door.

We follow em, flank em and kill em before they get to Alex and the others. Then

An earth shattering explosion stopped his words. The floor bucked like an enraged dragon, nearly throwing the trio to the ground. Shrieks cascaded through the ballroom.

The roar from an enormous beast seemed to shake the entire domain.

What is happening? the master of festivities cried. Are we under attack?

Mania sparked, running through the room in chaotic waves, violent festivities colliding with the growing emergency, meeting in a spike of wild emotions. Even the native demons began twitching with intense feelings; ranging from excitement, to fear, to rage and more.

An invader is among us! Burn-Saw shouted. Deep within this palace! We

Another explosion stopped his words, rocking the palace, sending screams rising beyond the walls.

Manic energy filled the chamber.

That came from outside! one of Kaz-Mowangs guard captains roared. To the maze walls! Secure the grounds!

The room erupted in chaos.

A section of Ezaliels palace walls exploded, raining rubble onto the city. Masses of stone, sparkling gems, and precious metals poured onto structures far below, crushing entire buildings in great clouds of dust.

Demons screamed, some laughed.

Fire erupted from windowsand smoke billowed from a cavernous hole in the palace.

And through that smoke?

A storm of violence raged.

Baelin floated in a tempest of force, flame, and lightning, calmly watching his summoned engeli shred demons with their blazing swords. Any fiend brave enough to try penetrating the archwizards barrier melted away, reduced to smog and sludge.

Baelin was now alone with the lean, bulbous, jackal-headed seneschal. The arrogant demon hovered helplessly before him, limbs taut, gripped by invisible chains.

Do you know how many decades I have aged listening to your ramblings? the chancellor snorted. A lifetime of bore and torment compressed into a handspan of minutes. So, as I often say, one good turn deserves another.

With a flick of his wrist, a portal opened in mid-air. Within the ragged hole, thousands of hungry weapons danced: spears, swords, axes, knives and maces crafted with serrated blades and hooks that curved like claws, gleamed.

The Living Armoury of Koza-Kas. Baelin grinned as the demons eyes widened. Worthless, you called my students lives. Well, let us see what your life is worth to the armoury. Let us see how quickly your candle is snuffed out. Though, I warn youthe armoury, though famisheddoes enjoy toying with its food.

With a wave of dismissal, he cast the screaming, long-winded demon through the portal, sealing it behind him.

Then abruptly uttered a word of power, erecting a layered barrier of force, deflecting a beam that had erupted from the rubble, sending it into the carpet of shattered glass scattered across the floor.

He snapped back to reality. Go! Go! Go! he hissed. Down the hall!

Kaz-Mowang barked orders. Guards! Stay here! Let no one cross this threshold! His footsteps were replaced by the beating of massive wings.

Shit, go! Alex hissed.

The trio rushed down the hall on silent feet, reaching a corner as Kaz-Mowang flew from the hall of his trophy room, wings cutting the air.

Zonon-In followedthrowing a subtle glance in either directionand behind her, came the gaggle of fiends and cultists thatthe bull-headed greater demon had led into the chamber. Theyflew along the hallway, heading in the opposite direction to where Alex and the two mercenaries hid, making their way to the ballroom in the quaking palace.

The young wizard watched them go, recognising what was happening.

Baelins started his attack, he thought. Nows our chance.

This is our opportunity, Alex whispered. Theyre not going to be looking for the Troupe of the Gargoyle in all this chaos. Lets grab what we came for and get out. He nodded down the hall. It seems he left the two guards by the entrance, though. Well have to take care of them. And fast. Kyembe, can your ring do the trick?

With one stroke, the Spirit Killer promised. I can strike both down.

Good, then lets go, you blast them and we keep moving.

Aye, lets get the bastards, then, Ripp agreed.

Hold. Kyembe mused. A thought occurs. Remove my invisibility cover.

What? Alex demanded. Are you crazy?

Perhaps, but I have an idea, my friend. One that will bear fruit. Probably.

Probably? the young wizard raised an invisible eyebrow.

I cannot guarantee it, since what are guarantees in life? But we waste time, remove my invisibility

Alex frowned. Was this the prelude to betrayal?

Maybe thiswas an opportunity in disguise.

Fine, but keep in mind that I cant put you back together if those two giants rip you apart. Alex raised his staff, removing the invisibility magic from Kyembe.

The Spirit Killer slowly materialised, pulling off his mask. Wish me luck, friends.

His face immediately twisted into an expression of utter terror, as he began rushing toward Kaz-Mowangs trophy hall.

Alex followed in silence. Ripp, if he makes any wrong moves or says anything suspicious to those demons, I want you to put enough holes in him to turn him into a sieve.

Got it boss, Ripp hissed.

Help! Help! Kyembe shouted from ahead, approaching the hall. Were all going to die! Demon lords are invading! Our souls will be swallowed up! Help!

He ran along the hallway, making his way to the trophy room, sighing with exaggerated relief when he neared the guards. You! Oh, by the stars, I am saved!

Kyembe staggered forward, disappearing from view.

Alex and Ripp stopped a short distance from the hall, crouching and pressing themselves against a thick column. They peeked around it, spotting another golden statue of Kaz-Mowang positioned across from the hall leading to their prize. A shield was raised in triumph; its golden surface gleaming like polished glass and acting as a mirror, allowing Alex to see into the trophy rooms hall while keeping a distance.

The staggering Spirit Killer was reflected in it; a frightened, dazed man for all the world to see. The demon guards glowered down at the mortal, many eyes appraising him while others scanned the halls for more intruders.

Alex prayed to the Traveller that they wouldn't look at the shield too closely and spot him and the invisible Swiftling beside him.

All around, the palace rumbled.

Thundar picked himself up off the floor, shaking his head as demons and mortals panicked, surrendering to mania.

Guntile and Ezerak flanked him back to back, ready to act if the fiends erupted into violence.

Holy hells, we were nearly trampled. The minotaur groaned, glancing at Burn-Saw.

His breath caught.

The tiashivawas leading his master through a door that would take them deeper into the palace. The scarred demon was shouting a nameHannar-Cim.

Hannar-Cim! Hannar-Cim! Hannar-Cim! It was as clear as crystal.

Shit, we gotta go after them! Thundar bounded forward, the two mercenaries were right behind.

In their rush, no one noticed that a dangerous member of Kaz-Mowangs party was nowhere in sight.

Yantrahpretayethe machine-like greater demonwas gone.