Dragon Aster Trilogy

28: PURGATORY



Sybl wondered if purgatory was like this as she sat in an alleyway with her knees up to her chin. It was the closest place she could find where the city’s electrical wires wouldn’t try to kill her.

She looked up as the feeling that something was watching her had followed her here. With enough focus of her Sylvan energy, she could see the strange creatures phase in and out of the sunlight. Sybl looked back down at the ground as her thoughts changed to those of Kas. She remembered how he had told her that going to the city was impossible, and now she could see with her own eyes why. If he was scared of this place, then she didn’t have a chance out of Hell.

A voice entered her mind, and she closed her eyes and listened. It was Kas’. It was her song of death when they had taken the Atrum. She hummed along, as if it was a gift of prayer that would kill these things following her so she could find a way back to Aster. A screech went out from above, and Sybl scrambled to her feet as the Sentry took an entirely physical appearance for a moment before vanishing again. It was a terrifying insect-like creature at that. Sybl breathed faster as she feared that she had angered more than she could outrun this time. She walked out of the alleyway and into the street, with no destination in mind. But that was when one found her.

If there hadn’t been a dozen cars driving past it a minute, Sybl would have panicked at the sight of the stag standing in the middle of the busy downtown street. But the silver creature was unbothered by the vehicles as it waited for them to stop, before weaving through them and walking over to her.

“Don’t run.”

Sybl stopped mid-step in wanting to do that, fearing at first that it was some other form of a Sentry that had come to get her. Master Xirel?

“Damek is trying to force you to react violently against the Sentry. The Sentry cannot attack you unless you threaten them first, or reveal them from their camouflage, as you are still a human.” He stopped in front of her.

No more singing, got it.

Xirel nodded and then looked back to the street as several sirens raced past.

“I’m glad you’re here. I thought I was a goner.”

“We are both stuck in the same predicament, as there is no way back to Aster with the exception of Damek’s trap set on the last Gate. The Rift I used was shut by Aragmoth himself. Instead of having my somn pull me back, I chose to stay here.” He unsomned in a silver mist, and his tall, but thin physique stepped out of it.

“Thank you.”

“I know how scared you get when you are alone. I could not have that on my conscience. Now come, we must retrieve your festra.”

“It’s here? How?”

“I had Luna fly it in through the Ain Soph Aur,” Xirel explained plainly.

“You what!” Sybl felt terribly faint.

“It was the safest route to bring it here. Damek cannot endure the Aur’s intense aeri energy.”

Sybl chased after Xirel’s quick walking pace down the street. “Wouldn’t this ‘Luna’ burn up in that heat?”

“Her stone skin makes her immune to just about anything.”

She followed him as they turned at the next intersection and headed towards the park.

“She is a very bright and a long admirer of you, both in this life and your last,” Xirel said.

“What is she?” Sybl asked, and looked around the small clearing where they had stopped in the park. The sun had almost set, but with its remaining light she caught the glimpse of a winged, monkey-like creature sitting on a park bench. The stone statue was holding her festra. “Is that Luna?” Xirel nodded with a smile, and Sybl walked over to the gargoyle. Despite how ugly it was, she decided to keep those thoughts to herself. “Hello.”

One yellow eye opened and looked at her, and then another when Sybl didn’t jump in fright. She watched its stone skin fall away from her as the creature breathed in some air and expanded, revealing equally grey skin underneath. Then it suddenly held out her weapon to her. Sybl took it, and the creature stood up.

“I hope it wasn’t damaged,” Luna said.

Sybl felt the Threads around the weapon and quickly realized something was seriously wrong. All the Threaded names of the Eminor were gone.

“Uh oh.” Luna ducked in fear of being reprimanded.

“Well, at least we don’t have to worry about this being an army that Damek can use against us anymore. The aeri of the Soph Aur must have disintegrated all the names,” Sybl concluded.

“Damek only has his corrupted Sentry on this side of the world to aid him now,” Xirel added as he walked up to her side.

“So as long as I don’t make them angry, then it’s just me and him.”

Xirel nodded once. “His festra is as powerful as any weapon he wields against you. With it, I believe you can stop him.”

“Okay, so where do we find him?”

Xirel looked at Luna.

“I’ll ask around and be right back,” Luna said, then spread her wings and was off like a bat.

“Now I’ve seen everything,” Sybl said. “Is it just me or does she look a lot like the gargoyles on churches?”

“That was where she found me. There are a few fascinating creatures left on your world that have not become the dumb soullessness of animals. She was supposed to be your birthday present, but Master Kas disproved of her.” Xirel finished with a sigh.

“Well you picked an even better time to give her to me,” Sybl replied, then smiled when his purple eyes glowed a bit brighter.