Demon Singer (34 page)

31 SURPRISE

Lyric sang a brief phrase that allowed Cadence and him to land lightly on their feet a few hundred feet from the tree line.  He strode confidently and openly toward the trees. He wanted them to see him coming.  He wanted them to see he was unafraid and completely in control.

Listening closely to the song of creation he hummed along with it, developing a variation on a familiar theme he'd concocted after his experience in the diner.  As before, anyone who approached was repelled violently, but his rewrite also caused any deadly missiles hurled at them to turn into brightly colored Gerber daisies.  He kept the Song low key, saving his voice and strength for what may lie ahead.  

It took little time for the enemy to see their efforts to kill or even slow the Singer and his companion to be pointless.  Before long, Lyric and Cadence were striding into the enemy camp, completely surrounded, but unmolested.  Without hesitation, he headed for a small simple black tent.  Rondeaux was standing in front of it, muscular arms crossed comfortably.

"A pleasure to see you again, Mr. something.  And Cadence," his eyes flashed with a hungry gleam as he regarded Lyric's silent protector, "you didn't say goodbye."

Cadence smiled as she flipped him off.  Rondeaux didn't even blink as he turned his attention back to the Singer.

"General Rondeaux, I'm here to offer you an opportunity to surrender and save innocent lives."  Lyric paid close attention to the sounds around him as he spoke.  Something was off.  There was a sourness in the air that had become all too familiar.   

Rondeaux cocked an eyebrow.

"How generous.  I appreciate the offer but must respectfully decline.  I'm here to accomplish a purpose and see no reason to adjust my course.  I'm certain you agree."

Lyric had been preparing himself since Acheron brought him out of Rondeaux's thrall the last time.  He'd begun fashioning an experimental shield to protect him from Rondeaux's influence.  He sang it into being and strengthened it daily, striving to make it self-sustaining.  It didn't last long, but he'd managed to build its lifetime to an hour after he stopped singing.  He started the Song when he leapt from the wall.  After his walk into the enemy camp, he had about forty-five minutes left.  He was grateful because the Keylac's wine didn't seem to be very effective.  He could feel Rondeaux pushing on his shield.  He smiled at the general.

"I was impressed by a sense of decency I picked up from you when we met the first time, General.  Why the thirst for blood and senseless death?  You can't win, you must know that."

A brief frown flashed across Rondeaux's face.  It appeared he could sense Lyric's resistance to his thrall.

"Sir, I've been a soldier since I was a boy.  I've discovered that when one man tells another that he can't win, often he's speaking aloud his own fears.  Allow me to make you a counter offer.  Surrender to me now and I will see to it your kings are treated with respect, and your people left unmolested."

Lyric smiled slightly as he felt the pressure on his shield increase.  You wouldn't know it to look at him, but Rondeaux was sweating.

The Singer began to reply, but froze as the sour feeling in the air intensified.  Mentally scrambling to prepare for what he feared was to come he focused on Rondeaux.  The general's face exhibited something akin to concern.  He seemed about to speak again when Lyric finally responded.

"I must respectfully decline.  I have a purpose as well, and it goes beyond petty politics or crazy zealots.  If you refuse to surrender, I see no reason to continue this conversation.  I'll see you in battle."

"I'll look for you," Rondeaux smiled.

Lyric nodded and turned to make his way out of the camp.  The sourness intensified as he neared the edge of the encampment.  Several yards ahead, he saw a shimmer in the air.  As soon as he noticed it, the shimmer split apart and Keith Normvy stepped out of it with his enormous yellow troll.

* * *

"Let's kill him, sir, now while he's not expecting it."

Rondeaux's lieutenant exhibited the excitement of youth and the dignity of a slug.

"Mr. Lot, we don't attack our enemy's backs like cowards.  We face them as men, giving them the opportunity to defend themselves.  Let the Singer pass, and pray the goddess shows us favor when we face him in honorable combat."

Connor Lot shut his mouth, seething at the missed opportunity.  Skulking away, he beckoned to some of his men.

* * *

"Master Normvy, what an unexpected surprise."

The older man glowered at Lyric, waiting for him to approach.  Lyric stopped within a few feet of Normvy and prepared himself.  

"Your demon can't save you from me, boy."  Stepping closer to Lyric, he jabbed a finger in the younger singer's chest.  "Prepare for your final lesson."

"The demoness Acheron isn't here, Master.  I fear I must face you alone."  Lyric's concentration was broken by Cadence punching his shoulder.  His volunteer bodyguard stepped around him and placed herself between him and Normvy and his troll.

"Allowing a woman to fight your battles for you, Lyric?"  Normvy jeered.  "I've never taken you for a coward."

A flash of steel and Cadence was on the attack.   Unfortunately, Normvy was absent.  Lyric looked around for the telltale shimmer, cursing himself for forgetting the man favored misdirection in battle.

The huge yellow troll moved much faster than he should have, and engaged Cadence in his Singer's place.  The small woman dodged its blows easily and sliced at it with her knives.  The brute showed no sign it even felt the gashes she opened on its yellow skin.  It relentlessly pressed forward, seeking to crush her.  Lyric couldn't help feeling nervous for his companion, but there was a homicidal Master Singer nearby who demanded his attention.

Lyric closed his eyes, listening to creation, trying to discern Normvy's whereabouts.  The sourness intensified to his left and he opened his eyes just in time to see several fire bolts flying straight at his face.  With no time to counter he simply allowed his knees to buckle and the bolts passed over his head.  The smell of burnt hair told him how close he came to dying.

Rolling to his feet, Lyric assumed his attack posture and flew into the choreographed movements drilled into him by Master Storn.  His body locked into the rhythm of the song already on his lips, he went on the offense and sang a fire song.  Huge gouts of flame leapt from his hands and feet, covering the area from which Normvy had struck.  The Master Singer stepped out of the inferno unharmed, a wicked smile on his face.

"Foolish to fight fire with fire boy."

Normvy began singing quietly and Lyric felt the sourness return. All at once, he realized what it was and hope blossomed inside of him.  His mind raced as he carefully wove his song into the music of Creation.  Satisfied his foundation was secure, he shouted to Normvy.

"You're out of tune with the Score Keith!"   The older man shrugged his indifference and kept singing, building up his attack.  "Which means I can do this!"

Lyric sang out a brief credenza and a large hole opened beneath Normvy's feet.  Gravity shoved him in the hole and Lyric released his will, allowing the ground to close back up around Normvy.

Lyric stopped abruptly, not quite able to believe it was over so soon, nor so easily.  He stared at the patch of earth, waiting for his former instructor to reappear.  

Nothing.

Still uneasy, but unable to sense the sourness of Normvy's song, he turned his attention to Cadence.  The troll was gone, his protector had a slight limp, but otherwise appeared unharmed.   She waited for him at the edge of the trees, her eyes locked on the group of men from Rondeaux's camp who had been attracted to the brief fight.  

Lyric turned his attention on the spectators and faced them squarely.  Something in his expression must have hinted at what might happen if they were foolish enough to attack.  Quickly they dispersed and Lyric turned to walk with Cadence back to the castle.

* * *

Acheron left Logi Condeve in a crumpled heap, shuddering in agony and bliss.  She had restored a lot of strength and healed fairly well, but still felt weak and sore.  She needed to get back to Lyric. The familiar scent returned and Acheron tensed.

"Hello little sister." Lisian spoke from behind her.

32 REVELATION

"Lisian, come to surrender?" Acheron asked lightly.

"No sweetie, I've come to give you an opportunity.  Help me kill your Singer and I'll break your tie so you aren't dragged to Judgment."  Lisian offered a hand to her sister.  Acheron accepted the help up and hugged Lisian.

"I'd love to, but I actually have a different plan.  I'd take you with me but I don't think you're really cut out for it.  Give my regards to Trytohn though."

"Acheron, I will soon be the queen of hell. Trytohn will be no threat to any of us anymore when I'm done."  Acheron's shock must have showed because Lisian laughed. "I have plans too, little sister, and you can be part of them."

"Lisian, all of us together cannot stand against Trytohn."

"I can," Lisian's confidence was unnerving. "I'm offering you the opportunity."

"I respectfully decline," Acheron stretched and cracked her neck preparing for the fight to come. Lisian smiled.

"Not today dear, I have somewhere to be. We'll have our moment later." Lisian smoked out.

* * *

Lyric, Cadence and Acheron sat together in Lyric's room.  The Milleytes Lux was deployed in full force repelling the invaders.  Lyric knew it was a numbers game.  Eventually the unbeaten legion would grow tired and slip up.  He was determined to be ready to step into the gap.

"It's time to dig in, Acheron.  All of my training and battle experience over the last few years have barely gotten me through the last few weeks.  And if it wasn't for you and Cadence, I'd be dead anyway.  I need to learn the eighth measure."

Acheron didn't react as he spoke.  He waited patiently, trying to make sense of the signals coming from their tie. There was the normal mix of rage and lust and hatred, but the current of sadness that was normally muted now overpowered everything else.  Finally, the demoness turned to face him, her perfect features revealing none of the torrent of emotion he felt surging inside.

"Yes, my Lover, the time is now.  Give me the book."

Lyric handed her the book of the eighth measure that he'd examined fruitlessly at length.  Cadence quietly left the room.

Opening it, Acheron began reading, a single finger tapping out a steady beat. Lyric easily discerned the time signature as twelve eight.  He waited patiently, wondering how an entire book amounted to a single measure.  On the other hand, it had taken him months to learn the seventh measure.

Eventually Acheron closed the book and looked sadly at Lyric.  Without comment she opened her mouth and sang a simple melody on a neutral syllable.

The soul singer blinked in confusion.

"That can't be it."  He protested.  Acheron shrugged.

"The eighth measure is different for each Singer.  That one is yours."  She paused, then spoke again, choosing her words carefully.  "The power we've toyed with so far should give you an idea of what is possible for us.  That power flowing through this measure and into your soul song will unlock everything we can do.  It will also reveal to you secrets that I'm unable to speak of."  Lyric's heart began pounding as the demoness' eyes welled up with genuine tears.  The flood of sorrow coming from their tie took his breath away.  He felt physically sick at the overwhelming emotion.  Acheron continued.  "You will learn and experience things you should never have to know.  And I can't tell you how sorry I am for that."

Lyric didn't know how to respond to Acheron's words so he sat in silence considering the best way to proceed.  The demoness spoke again, her voice steady and strong.  

"You
are
ready for this, Lyric, you proved that on the battlements.  You had complete control over me, the only thing you lacked was the measure."  The sadness coming across their tie mellowed a bit, tempered by a quiet calm and sense of resignation. "When you're ready, sing the measure and then your discernment song.  Time will likely slow down for you, but the whole process won't take more than a few minutes.  The understanding of it will take considerably longer."

Lyric paused to pray for strength and guidance then sang the melody Acheron demonstrated.  Immediately the discord he'd become familiar with turned into a shriek that felt like it was ripping apart his head.  The spot in his stomach that he associated with the tie burned as though he'd been stabbed by a fire poker.  Brain reeling and nerve endings screaming Lyric noticed the ceiling had been painted a lovely shade of green before his senses shut down and he lapsed into unconsciousness.

Lyric came to lying on the couch of his room.  Not sure which hurt more, his head or his stomach, he sat up gingerly.  Acheron sat in the easy chair nearby watching him with a closed off expression.  He accessed the tie and immediately felt the burning again.  He shut down, but not before a whimper of pain reached his ears.  Looking around he saw Cadence lying asleep on his bed.  He realized she was the source of the whimper. Everything clicked and his suspicions seemed ludicrously accurate.  Looking at Acheron, he said,

"I thought we couldn't lie to each other."

"We can't."

"You said you didn't know if Cadence was a Verger."

"I said I honestly couldn't tell you."

"Why couldn't you tell me?"

"I still can't."

"Why?"

"The day you cast into Hell I encountered another on your soul tie.  Your pet, although she looked nothing like she does now.  We fought each other and I won.  The thing is she fought like a demon, all strength and skill and death.  I've battled thousands of enemies and never encountered the likes of her.  I'm still not convinced she's a Verger.  I honestly don't know what she is."

Lyric took this in thoughtfully.

"So I'm tied to her as well?"

Acheron nodded.

"So you can't lie, but you don't have to tell the truth?"

"I'm a demoness, Lyric, if there's a loophole not only will I find it I will exploit it. I have been completely honest.  I have my suspicions of what she is but I don't know and I see no benefit in telling you what they are."

"The benefit is earning my trust."

Acheron laughed.

"That's one of the great things about humans, your ability to deceive yourselves. I know better my pretty Singer, you will not trust me."

Lyric looked over at Cadence.

"What's wrong with her?"

Acheron sighed.

"Remember how I told you the fallen carry hell with us?"  Lyric nodded.  "The reason you've never experienced it in our Soul tie is because I've been shunting it off to her.  Every time you draw power from me, it pulls more of hell’s torment with it.  You're not meant to experience that so I've protected you from it."

"She's not meant to experience it either!"  Lyric shouted furiously.

"I told you she's not human.  Your pet can take a tremendous amount of punishment.  She almost passed out at Errol's house, and then again on the battlements.  It looks like the eighth measure opened the floodgates and she got a dose of my complete reality."

Lyric stared at Acheron in horror.

"You are a monster!"

"Yes.  Though I did not expect this to happen.  I assumed you would discern the truth, not open her to my torment."

"I hate you."

"I know. You always have.  Remember though, the tie operates both ways.  I can feel your hate, but it's no worse than what you've always felt for me.  On the other hand, you're sending something else across now and it's very clear.  You're grateful that I've protected you from the Hell fire, even though your pet pays the price."

Lyric recognized the truth in the demoness' words.  Wrestling with his anger he quietly told her.

"I want you to leave, Acheron.  Don't come back until I call for you."

"I'll go for now," the demoness stood up. "But pull your shit together, Lyric.  Markhato can fall for all I care, but your hurt feelings aren't going to stop all those who are looking to put your head on a stick.  You came here for a reason; perhaps you will find your answer.  Perhaps not.  But time right now is not your friend."  A swirl of lilac scented black fire and Lyric was alone with Cadence.

Standing slowly he waited for the wave of dizziness to pass, then made his way to her side.  Looking at her sleeping form you'd never know she was a mysterious warrior from another plane able to go toe to toe with one of hell's generals.

Gingerly he knelt next to her, closed his eyes and breathed a heartfelt prayer begging the Singer to heal his companion.  An hour passed. Two.  More. Lyric prayed on his knees the entire time.

* * *

Warmth and light bathed his face. Déjà vu struck him as he opened his eyes to a smiling face kneeling at the opposite side of the bed.

"Genesis."

The shining head shook.

"I am Revelation.  Your prayers have been heard, Lyric." The huge angel gently touched Cadence's brow with a single enormous finger.  A spark passed from him to the sleeping woman.  The spark multiplied and spread, traveling across her body from head to toe leaving a glow behind, except for her scar and violet streak.  When the sparks touched them they danced and grew but didn't cross the line.

Once the woman was aglow, the angel removed his finger.

"What about the scar?"

"I haven't been given the authority to heal that.  It may happen, in fact the odds are good, but ultimately it's not up to me." Revelation smiled kindly.  "I've been sent to help guide you."

"You'll tell me how to sever the Soul tie?"

"Your opportunity to do that will come in time.  For now, you are tied to the fallen one and to the giant for a reason."

"Giant?  What giant?  And what reason?"

Revelation looked pointedly at Cadence who slumbered on peacefully.  

Lyric stared at his companion, wondering what she was that an angel would refer to her as a giant. Then something clicked.

A prayer for a giant will be answered.  That day betrayal will destroy a family and heartbreak will lead to healing.  A Singer’s grief will split the mark, allowing Verger shackles to free the Soldier.  

"Joe's prophecy," he whispered.  Looking back at the angel, he saw Revelation was nodding as though reading his mind.  "Cadence is a giant?"

"She is a Nephilim.  Her father is actually a friend of mine, her mother was quite lovely for a human.  Cadence was one of the few Nephilim that didn't abuse her gifts.  In fact, she founded a business that specialized in protecting important people.  Michael himself trained her."  Lyric stared at the angel trying to process this flood of information.  Revelation smiled again.  "The Verge exists because of people like Cadence.  Grace isn't for her, but neither is hell. The Composer created the Verge for that woman laying there." Revelation paused to let his words sink in.  "She's the original Verger."

Lyric wondered briefly at what point he'd stop being surprised by the insane turns his life was taking.   Revelation waited patiently for the Singer to process.

"You said I'm tied to Acheron and Cadence for a reason.  What is it?"

"I can't reveal everything now, Lyric.  You must make your own choices.  Anything I tell you concerning the future will taint your free will.  I've told you enough for you to carry on from here, everything else you need to know is in the prophecy from Joe."

"Speaking of the prophecy, what about the traitor?"

"That Revelation is coming soon and I'm sorry, we all are.  We'd intervene, but free will belongs to her as well.  We must let this one play out."

The angel stood and Lyric feared his head would hit the ceiling, but the room seemed to expand to accommodate him.

"Can I sing the eighth measure without hurting Cadence?"

Revelation nodded.

"I've put a wall between Cadence and the hellfire, that's part of the healing you prayed for."  The angel's expression spoke of regret.  "There is nothing protecting you from it though.  I've pushed it back as far as I could, but anytime you sing the eighth measure it will burn you.  The pain will seem unbearable, but the Voice will strengthen you to endure."

"Why not remove the fire altogether?"

"It is to serve as a countermeasure to your pride.  This ensures you will never use the eighth measure without good reason.  It also ensures you will rely on the Singer and operate in his strength, not your own."

"Can Markhato be saved?"

"Not until you deal with the Fallen One."

"Why does that matter?"

"Because without all three of you, Markhato will fall."

Then he was gone.