03 Atavism of the Ifrit Read online

  With that, Zagan’s presence vanished.

  “Pleasant fellow.” Grumbled Ethan.

  Love, newly recognized, smiled while pinching the bridge of her nose.

  “Ah, our first arrival.” Alerted Ethan as he felt his barrier ripple to allow a keyed individual in. Several others were likewise admitted so long as they touched the one allowed.

  Far out to sea seemed a small island growing larger, but was in fact the Titan Gaia’s head above the surface doing the breast stroke with her enormous four arms. Dark black hair lay flat from the water holding it down. Skin like bronze glistened wet as mossy green eyes were larger than a man is tall. Upon her brow was a gold circlet suppressor to maintain her aura. Riding on her naked back were a half dozen minions. As a Titan, she was taller than even the largest of Redwoods, but very beautiful as far as Titan’s go. Large waves were left in her wake as she swam ever closer.

  Then when she got to where she could stand on the ocean floor, her minions moved to her shoulders and in her hair as she put her feet down and stood. She gave a genuine pleasant smile while approaching and cleared the reef in a single stride before kneeling and sitting in the surf that was little more than a ripple for her. Due to sheer size being a Titan, the Good Mother was buck naked. Clothes would rip at the seams by gravity’s pull and it wasn’t easy not to stare at her ample bosom that could feed a city it’s daily need for dairy. Her voice was soft, but loud. As expected of someone so monolithic. “My word! Young Master, you are a handsome Ifrit! You are all I’ve hoped to find and so much more. Come, Minions.” She held her four palms out and the six Demons hopped on till she carefully transferred so they could be placed on the beach. As soon as they landed they all bowed deeply and moved to the outskirts.

  Two male Sirens, blue skin men Ethan was reminded of Abe from Hell Boy, dove into the water and disappeared beneath the surface since they were water Demons. Two hairy Goblins in shiny gold armor moved to the tree line and were easily camouflaged. And the last two were short yellow skinned Elves with bows and arrows strapped to their torso’s, stood nearest their mistress between Ethan, Kanade and Panther.

  “It is good to see a friendly face as well.” Ethan said in his deep voice.

  “And Young Mistress, you are even more radiant than I ever could have expected.”

  Kanade pinched her dress and curtsied. “Thank you, Gaia.”

  “Oh, more come!” Ethan said and pointed.

  Sarimee, a nine tailed Kitsune, came in on a flowery boat she created with her powers over plants. She still had a white chest like the tips of her tails, but had soft red fur everywhere else. She was a vixen, a sleek and beautiful fox wearing a flowery silk dress. Rowing her boat were ten guards with two Harpies flying as soon as they came through the barrier. Six of her guards were multi-tailed Kitsune as well, but none had more than seven. The remaining four were an Arachne, Elf, Incubus and a Banshee.

  From below the ocean surface erupted Dileep, a red eyed, saber fanged Kelpie. Flanking him were four more horses who could breathe underwater with six male and female Sirens. None were as large as Dileep who was just as, if not larger than Pegasus. They were all swift and Dileep and his brethren made landfall with a swift gallop.

  Almost at the same time arrived the fully armored Odin and Pegasus who flew in with Floa. Methrom a moment later soared in from the west. Methrom’s bright red bulk came only with a single Elf Shaman. The bulky Dragon landed heavily in the sand and walked over, his long neck arched.

  Before greetings could go around a mild chill swept in with the tropical wind and heads turned due south as a runway of ice froze the water. It was clear Kyoko arrived as they walked on the ice itself. She came with a reasonable entourage of seven behind her. She wore a lovely cherry blossom kimono with a powder blue sash. Her snow white hair was perfectly kept and finely decorated. Delicate paleness stood out in the light, but not as much as the eyes. All Yuki-onna eyes look like unique snowflakes, powder white on azure. She was regally breathtaking even among the finest snow women. At her side was her best friend and Elf Shaman Dallare. Behind strutted the gold skinned Succubus Shigure with an Incubus. Four guards were heavily muscled Yuki-onna samurai in traditional garb. The last was an eight tailed Kitsune, a male in wooden armor.

  Sarimee’s boat reached shore minutes before Kyoko and like all the others, they bowed down to Ethan, before approaching. She said “Greetings, Young Master.”

  “Hello Sarimee.”

  “Odin. Pegasus.” She replied stiffly.

  The old Viking grunted a few yards from Ethan, Kanade and Panther who stood tall and statue still. Only his swift gaze showed any life.

  “Hello, Ethan-sama.” Kyoko bowed as soon as she reached a respectable distance and most of her guard went off like the others and secured the area. Only Dallare stayed glued to her mistress’s hip.

  “You made good time. All of you did. Thank you for coming.”

  “Let us begin.” Methrom gravelly rumbled as he sat in the cool sand and crossed thick arms.

  “Seconded.” Gaia as record keeper said, still sitting in the surf with her legs crossed, knee barely peeking above the surface.

  “Ethan-sama,” Kyoko began after making a chair out of ice and sat comfortably. “how is it you’ve evolved so suddenly when a week ago your horns barely showed? Even the claws tipped on your wings hadn’t erupted. And why too has your mistress changed so much?”

  “Right to it then.” He sighed. “Allow me to give you my memory.”

  “Proceed.” Dileep allowed.

  When none bothered to interrupt, each of the five Demon Lords, like Odin had, mentally got their answers only something was fundamentally different. Giving information to these powerhouse Demons were easier and he accidentally learned that each one were of a royal caste and what they were forced to do just to come to Earth. They each gave up the bulk of their own celestial power willingly. The five sat with their eyes closed, reliving his experiences of the past day in half the time it had taken Odin. Kanade too mentally watched as she hadn’t left his mind once since getting him back. Sometimes she shuddered as it was still fresh on her mind as well.

  In less than a half hour Ethan said “And there you have it.”

  Dileep shook his still slightly moist mane and whinnied a laugh, eerie red eyes glistening with tears from laughing. “You did all that! HA! Armid deserved it for meddling with what he didn’t understand. So the prophecy is true. You’ve finally arrived and kicked the bastard’s flank.”

  Methrom’s crimson scales glistened as he too shook from mirth. His deep growl could be felt rather than heard. “Well done, Hatchling. So why have you summoned us?”

  Kanade took her man’s large hand and smiled in a way that meant ‘You can do this.’ So he said “You also read what Zagan said. I’m to be his heir.”

  “As is common.” Kyoko said it as if he said the ocean tasted salty.

  “Well I’ve got concerns and need information. Kanade’s studies aren’t very clear on what we’ll be expected to see there. I’ve only known about all this insanity not even a full year after I was first killed. I know squat about Demon World. But before I go, I need to know if I can bring my things? Will technology work there or is it all incorporeal and no physical things are there? Will I even be able to take my possessions?”

  Gaia uncrossed her arms and leaned forward. “Just as you touched my mind I touched yours, Young Master. I saw you still think more scientifically than mystically so this might help. Think of Demon World as my left arm.” She held out one of them. “My right shall be Spirit World. And this one” her other right arm came between the two closed fists. “is the mortal one. We are in between two infinite dimensions, as your scientists would say. In Spirit World, things rarely die. In this one, being killed and reborn is normal as physical beings are used for fuel. But in Demon World” She shook the outer right fist “the laws of physics fluctuate constantly. Change is constant. It is how we can shift from physical, to not, easily an
d why Order needs to build bodies to take physical form. Our realm’s laws are harsh, but is most certainly physical.” Bright green eyes bore down on them. “But as you know, unlike Pixie portals that lead to Spirit World where you can just go without preparation, Demon World requires a form of payment. Lesser demons can come and go easily, but those like us with tremendous Demonic Energies must weaken ourselves to a manageable level so we may slip home. There is no other way. It is difficult and weakening ourselves also will mean we are vulnerable to be attacked by enemies. But your great power means a lot more must be taken from you and will make you an easier target. It is why I came so swiftly, Young Master. I pledge myself and all my minions to safeguard you while you ready and prepare.”

  “As do I.” Sarimee seconded.

  “Hold one damn minute!” Odin stepped forward. “He’s not going anywhere with you bastards. If he needs protection, my House will be the one to do it.”

  Methrom’s talons curled and stomped on the ground as he growled threateningly. “Order is responsible for the threat that near made our young master prey! No Demon Lord here will allow you self-righteous egg-breakers to come close to causing harm ever again. I cannot trust after all I witnessed.”

  “Nor can I.” Kyoko said without rising from her ice throne that glistened in the sunlight like glass. “Yes you incorporate some demons in your ranks, but when given an order by Fate, Spirit King or one of your so-called leaders, they will pursue our master relentlessly by any means necessary. Unlike you, demons have no need to deceive. We are clear by what we want and take it. And unlike your kinds, when a lord such as we gives their minions an order, they have no choice other than to comply. Ethan-sama’s very existence is too great to leave to chance. Just because you have a soul doesn’t mean you are good. Actually, it makes it all the more easier for you to murder so no, you get no say in our master’s very life we will give ours for should he need or even ask. If I were to tell Dallare here” Kyoko’s pale hand gestured to the small she-Elf beside her. “to die. Her loyalty would make her existence to immediately end. She would cease. Can all your minions not hesitate? Can you prove to us in any way that your masters won’t come and order you to hurt, poison or maim Ethan-sama?” Odin’s jaw twitched but he held rigidly still. “Thought not.”

  Dileep tacked on just for spite “Unlike you, we embrace change. It is inevitable. Had Ethan been a weak colt, I would eat him. The strong survive, the weak do not. Ifrit are the epitome of strong. To not be prey, we serve. This is our way. Our way is pure. Uncorrupted.”

  Ethan held quiet, but in a sick, twisted way… it made sense. It was pure. From the corner of his eye he caught Kanade nod without anyone else catching it. But before the pulsing vein in Odin’s forehead would blow Ethan said “We’ve left the subject of the discussion. I mainly wanted to know if I can still bring my comics to Demon World. Can electricity work so I can watch movies? Is Demon World like the stone age where…”

  Gaia let out a chuckle. “Yes, and I’m sorry for diverting the subject, Young Master. Minions who serve me have returned with successful news on bringing electrical power to Demon World. But only the higher castes horde the entertainment. It is a privilege. The domain of the Fire King in particular enjoy human technology. Many demons want this world to keep innovating so we may steal it and bring it to our world. As the prince, you may send your minions here to get anything you desire. Be it weapons, women, or technology. You merely but ask and you will be served. If you want to start a war, many will eagerly and faithfully serve. We are Chaos incarnate. And we serve the strong. It is our nature. Same as if you ask any of us.”

  “You really aren’t kidding are you?” That level of power was easily corruptible and scared the living shit out of Ethan. Kanade squeezed his hand in agreement.

  Odin caught Ethan’s shiver and his eye shone with pride, but it was surprisingly Sarimee who spoke up. “Your word alone holds as much power as you do. But remember, not all minions will serve. Not all will belong to you. Bind a Demon Lord like us, and our minions will fall in line. To rule absolute is to bring enemies under your heel. We willingly serve our master and extended the same to his heir. You. Others will covet, hunger and strive to take what you do. You must always be strong. Enemies are everywhere unless you make an example of them.”

  “Shit, that’s a lot of responsibility. How… how big is the Fire King’s territory?”

  This question stumped the Demon Lords of Chaos and allowed Ethan a moment to catch his breath. Panther though supplied a rough estimate “About the size of fifty galaxies multiplied together. Not added. Your ancestor controls all of the great wastelands, Forest of the Fox, Windswept Mountains, Everglow Forest where many young are sent to survive, Swamp of Stink, roughly a third of the Frozen Tundra,” Kyoko had a lovingly look of nostalgia at this. “a quarter of the Bottomless Ocean and many more areas. The other lesser kings and queens are constantly at war to extend our territory. But no territory is as great as ours.”

  Gaia seemed to find it funny.

  “Holy hell!” He breathed. “Give me a minute.”

  “Certainly.” Kyoko said. “Dallare-chan, please go and bring some refreshments. Have two of my Titan’s bring them.”

  “Right away, Kyoko-hime.” Dallare bowed. “With your permission of course, Prince Ethan.”

  “Ah, hold on a sec. Come here please.” The small yellow skinned woman came closer as he knelt. He looked carefully at her own flowery kimono covered in red runes of Chaos and said “Well I can’t add a spell with that one on.” He pointed to one that prevented her from being forcibly Translocated. “Panther, please find me three smooth stones she can hold.” The Balam’s form flickered for just a moment and in his hand were the request. Ethan’s fist turned lavender and imbued the stones with a special combination and held them on the pad of his index finger. Dallare took them reverently and looked at the unique creation etched into the rocks. “Take these like keys to come and go freely. I’ve put just enough power for a round trip. Hold one in your hand, away from your clothes or you will not be able to get back in. Give one to each Titan you bring as well and come back on the other side of the island’s beach so they don’t need to swim like Gaia had to.”

  “Thank you.” She bowed before disappearing in an instant.

  “Lad, we need to discuss your choice in friends.” Odin said in a hushed tone that nonetheless carried. Intentionally.

  Ethan waved him off. “Don’t get them started. I’ve already got an earful from Panther that none of them are my friends. They only respect my power. Nothing more.” He stood and stretched his wings some. Only Gaia seemed to wince at that.

  Kyoko got to her slipper clad feet and approached. “Kanade-chan, while we wait on Dallare, might I ask for a moment of your time. In private.” She added, looking up into Kanade’s confused expression.

  “I reckon.” She said and already Kyoko was on the move, heading down the beach as if she owned it.

  Sarimee and Gaia also stood and walked along with the other women.

  Not liking it one bit Ethan said “Panther, discretely keep an eye out for Kanade and make sure none of them do anything to her. I’d hate to roast any of them. Kanade’s shielded most of her mind from me.”

  “Right away.” Panther said and blurred away. Even when time seemed to slow for Ethan he still found it near impossible to follow the Balam’s crazy speed.

  Needing a distraction of his own he said “Methrom,” The hundred and forty foot long red Dragon blinked, already looking at him. “Can you tell me why my fire changed?”

  “How do you mean?” Came the growl.

  The Ifrit created a gray/silver flame shaped just like a Dragon, only twice as huge. “Like that. Originally when I learned to use my power my fire was orange, like a cheery campfire.” This caught Odin’s attention too since he, Kiroq and a few Gargoyles were the ones to find the extent of his powers and figure out how it worked. “Then as I grew it went red and slightly purple, like when I do mag
ic. But ever since the attack yesterday it has been this silver. And why can’t I turn off the sparks around my horns? As a fellow fire user I thought you would know best.”

  A sparkling stream of heat roared past Methrom’s leathery lips and destroyed the silver manipulation. Ethan let it happen and vanish. “Likely it is your soul’s influence. Mature Ifrit long ago had a deep red-blue flame. Their control of fire was unmatched. Only my race could withstand their heat. But unlike my kind, all Ifrit commanded magic. Your color is unique likely due you your soul. As for your horns, it is natural. Like breathing. It simply is. It separated Ifrit from imposters. No illusion can properly mimic Ifrit embers.”

  “Thanks.” Methrom dipped his head and closed his eyes, a Dragon’s version of a bow.

  Floa though struggled standing between Pegasus’ perked ears. By her longing to follow the girls, it was clear she’d been ordered to stay put near her husband’s reach should there be a threat. From her saddened expression, it was hard to stay.

  “I believe this will do.” Kyoko eventually said as she rounded on Kanade while smoothing out the cherry blossom kimono. “It will take time for Dallare and my minions to procure refreshments for us all. Do you know why I wished to speak with you, Kanade-chan?”