The return trip home aboard the Brigand's Revenge was again a long one, but one filled with a feeling of elation as the long sought after goal was finally coming to fruition. The Book of Truth was in his hands. Perhaps now she would be pleased.
Like a wraith, the shadow crossed the gangplank and the sun-baked sandy beach to disappear into the shadows of the jungle to a little shack amongst the trees and ferns. Fumbling with the latch, the Shadow opened the secret passage and descended into the cool caverns below.
The Lady had proven most difficult to please. Flowers withered at her icy touch, a touch that still sent shivers up his back. Bright gems didn't compare to her cold beauty. Treasures beyond price didn't satisfy her though they had been provided beyond measure. With a single-mindedness of purpose, she set seemingly impossible challenge after impossible challenge, but each had been overcome. Surely now this latest treasure, the Book of Truth itself would appease her and earn him his just reward.
In the rough-hewn passages cobwebs dangled in the faintly moving air, he moved closer to his home. The Lady surely awaited him there. Turning a last corner, a faint light shone ahead welcoming The Shadow to his journey's end.
Within the house, The Lady sensed the return of her plaything. Quickly covering the mirror in the bedroom, she descended the stairs to meet him at the door. One more... just one more she smiled to herself.
As he approached the door, it opened and there she stood smiling... a smile that sent a cold fire through him. Quietly, she turned and led him up the stairs to the bedroom past the covered mirror, but she did not stop and continued further up to the 3rd floor. At the top of the stairs, he noticed that many of the treasures were piled haphazardly off to the side of the room. On a central table lay the Candle of Love, the Bell of Courage, and two more empty spaces. Taking the Book of Truth from him, she carefully placed it upon the table.
"Only one more, love." said The Lady. "One more and our dreams will become reality. We'll have the power to rule worlds and more. All we need now is a world-gem. Lord Blackthorn will know where one is. Perhaps the Meer or Wisps may know of one as well. You must hurry for all must be ready before the next eclipse. Time is running out."
Quickly, the Shadow was ushered out of his own house and sent on his way back the the awaiting ship.
Inside the house again, The Lady returned to the bedroom and removed the cloth from the mirror. Deep inside the glass a small flicker of flame and the shadow of smoke could be seen. Taking up a small dagger, The Lady pricked her finger and smeared a drop of blood across the surface of the Mirror. The image within swirled and a grim demonic face appeared.
"Who dares to summon the Greater Demon Arcadion?" roared the image within with such force that The Lady's hair fluttered from the breeze coming out of the mirror. Seeing The Lady before him, the Demon smiled showing charred fangs. "Do you make an offering of this Blood? Or is this another trick to command my favors?"
The Lady smiled in return and knelt before the image of the Great Demon. "My Lord Arcadion, all is almost ready. Within a fortnight I will have all that is needed to set you free so that we can rule the shattered worlds together."
"Then rise lovely lady and let us discuss in detail what remains to be done. If you succeed, I shall insure that the beauty that I have given you becomes everlasting and will grant you immortality that you may serve me forever."
After a long conversation, the Great Demon's image faded within the mirror leaving only a reflection of The Lady. A Reflection that showed the fangs and horns of her true self.
Like a wraith, the shadow crossed the gangplank and the sun-baked sandy beach to disappear into the shadows of the jungle to a little shack amongst the trees and ferns. Fumbling with the latch, the Shadow opened the secret passage and descended into the cool caverns below.
The Lady had proven most difficult to please. Flowers withered at her icy touch, a touch that still sent shivers up his back. Bright gems didn't compare to her cold beauty. Treasures beyond price didn't satisfy her though they had been provided beyond measure. With a single-mindedness of purpose, she set seemingly impossible challenge after impossible challenge, but each had been overcome. Surely now this latest treasure, the Book of Truth itself would appease her and earn him his just reward.
In the rough-hewn passages cobwebs dangled in the faintly moving air, he moved closer to his home. The Lady surely awaited him there. Turning a last corner, a faint light shone ahead welcoming The Shadow to his journey's end.
Within the house, The Lady sensed the return of her plaything. Quickly covering the mirror in the bedroom, she descended the stairs to meet him at the door. One more... just one more she smiled to herself.
As he approached the door, it opened and there she stood smiling... a smile that sent a cold fire through him. Quietly, she turned and led him up the stairs to the bedroom past the covered mirror, but she did not stop and continued further up to the 3rd floor. At the top of the stairs, he noticed that many of the treasures were piled haphazardly off to the side of the room. On a central table lay the Candle of Love, the Bell of Courage, and two more empty spaces. Taking the Book of Truth from him, she carefully placed it upon the table.
"Only one more, love." said The Lady. "One more and our dreams will become reality. We'll have the power to rule worlds and more. All we need now is a world-gem. Lord Blackthorn will know where one is. Perhaps the Meer or Wisps may know of one as well. You must hurry for all must be ready before the next eclipse. Time is running out."
Quickly, the Shadow was ushered out of his own house and sent on his way back the the awaiting ship.
Inside the house again, The Lady returned to the bedroom and removed the cloth from the mirror. Deep inside the glass a small flicker of flame and the shadow of smoke could be seen. Taking up a small dagger, The Lady pricked her finger and smeared a drop of blood across the surface of the Mirror. The image within swirled and a grim demonic face appeared.
"Who dares to summon the Greater Demon Arcadion?" roared the image within with such force that The Lady's hair fluttered from the breeze coming out of the mirror. Seeing The Lady before him, the Demon smiled showing charred fangs. "Do you make an offering of this Blood? Or is this another trick to command my favors?"
The Lady smiled in return and knelt before the image of the Great Demon. "My Lord Arcadion, all is almost ready. Within a fortnight I will have all that is needed to set you free so that we can rule the shattered worlds together."
"Then rise lovely lady and let us discuss in detail what remains to be done. If you succeed, I shall insure that the beauty that I have given you becomes everlasting and will grant you immortality that you may serve me forever."
After a long conversation, the Great Demon's image faded within the mirror leaving only a reflection of The Lady. A Reflection that showed the fangs and horns of her true self.