Chapter Nine: Reasons
Lazarus walked out of Osiris's room and went to the veranda, scanning the great expanse of land around the house. The sun had already set and the trees that lined the perimeter of the Easter estate were engulfed in darkness. But Lazarus didn't need light to see the intruders; his senses clearly told him how many were there.
"How did you know?" Os asked Bree as they waited in the dining room for Lazarus to return.
"The house has additional protection around it, Os. Lazarus installed it after the phantoms attacked us," explained Bree,
"We cast an improved Vampire Enchantment so that no one can enter without an invitation, corporeal or ethereal. Then a minute ago the pyrite crystals had gone off, warning us that someone is trying to undo the enchantment from outside."
Osiris wrinkled his nose. "Pyrite crystals had gone off?"
Alicia explained, "Fools gold or pyrite crystals when enchanted give off vibrating tones if it senses negativity. We cast spells to some and surrounded the property with it so that they can act like a magical alarm system."
Lazarus came back inside. "I can sense five people around the house, all Mordigans, all doing the same spell."
"How long until they undo the enchantment?" Alicia asked giving her room a nervous glance.
"Don't worry Alicia, they won't even have a chance. Bree, you ready to whip some nosy Mordigans?" asked Lazarus.
Bree smiled. "Sure. I really need to let off some steam."
Osiris stared perplexed. "What are you two talking about?"
"We're going to teach those intruders outside that this is a private property," said Lazarus while going down stairs. Lazarus and Bree sounded as though they would be partying and not battling some powerful witches.
They all descended to the first floor of the house which was basically composed of a huge living room and a laundry room. Bree and Lazarus came out of the front doors into the darkness of the night, while Alicia, Carlo and Os stared through the windows.
"You mean they will fight the Heralds?" asked Osiris to Carlo who looked rather nervous.
"Of course. They need to stop the Mordigans or the enchantment will be broken. They are the ones who have active powers so they see it as their duty to fight," said Carlo then added quietly, "I would if only I have powers."
An explosion echoed somewhere near the clusters of hazel trees. Os debated to himself. He hadn't really used his powers to directly attack someone but he knew he had to help Lazarus and Bree. He started heading to the door but Alicia held his arm.
"Where are you going?" she asked, concern evident in her eyes.
Osiris stared at her determinedly. "I need to help Lazarus and Bree. I have powers too."
"But you're not yet adept in using your powers Os. Something might go wrong."
"I need to do this. Just think of it as pay back for the things all of you have done for me."
With that, Osiris broke Alicia's grip and opened the front door and marched to the shadows, using his telepathic senses to know if anyone was about to attack. Another explosion came to his left and he saw Lazarus and a Herald clashing.
The surrounding trees were on fire. He saw Lazarus raise his hands and waved it to the Herald's direction. The Herald staggered as his right arm exploded and blood showered to the ground. Os felt as though he was going to throw up. How did Lazarus do that?
Then a blast of bright orange light appeared out of nowhere and nearly hit Osiris but he miraculously lost his balance and fell to the ground. The light burst another tree trunk into flames.
"Nice of you to join us Os," said Bree smiling down to Osiris. "But next time, I won't save you."
"You made me fall to my butt and that's called saving?" asked Os indignantly.
Bree ducked as another mysterious light went soaring towards them. "Can we chitchat after we kicked their butts?"
"Okay," said Osiris running for cover behind a big oak tree. He saw Bree waved a hand and two Mordigans flew backwards a few yards, landing on the solid ground with a thud. Lazarus appeared to be battling another Mordigan who was incessant on throwing fireballs. A particularly big one soared to the air and nearly burned the High-priest but he made it explode just in time with a flick of his hands.
Osiris was still behind the tree when he saw Bree was getting in trouble. One Mordigan apparently cast a shield spell making Bree's telekinesis worthless, and then created lightning out of his hands and aimed it at Bree, who, just in time, deflected it to the other Mordigan who screamed in agony and dropped, unconscious to the ground. But Bree suddenly collapsed to the ground when a silver light caught her from behind. The first Mordigan that Lazarus disarmed, had returned to his feet and was pointing his remaining hand at Bree.
Frightened to death, Osiris went to stop the Mordigan.
"Hey, that's not the way to treat a lady!" shouted Os. 'Way to go Os! Can you think of any thing more original?' he told himself.
Both Mordigans charged Osiris who froze in fright. One conjured a green ghastly ball and threw it at Os, but suddenly he was enveloped in the bluish-white sphere of light that stopped the ball from melting his bones.
'Extend your arms,' Osiris heard the well-known voice in his mind.
'You again! Who are you?'
'Do it if you don't want to die!' the voice urged him.
The Heralds were continuously throwing greenish balls at the barrier which appeared to be rippling due to the attacks.
Osiris did what he was told and the sphere grew until it caught the two Mordigans and hurled them into the air. They landed fifteen meters away, out cold. He grinned for his achievement but he felt the nausea start.
'Why can't you teach me a trick that won't make me queasy,' Osiris asked the voice but no longer got an answer.
Unexpectedly, someone sprung and tackled him from behind. The man pinned Osiris's body to the ground, took a silver dagger from his belt and raised it to plunge it to Osiris's chest but a fast brownish object swooped to the Mordigan, rolling him off.
Anubis gnawed the hand holding the dagger making the Mordigan howl in pain. He hurled a hex at the familiar with his other hand but Anubis jumped out of harms way, released the Herald's hand and snarled; the sound was so intense it blasted the knife out of the man's hand. Then the dog's fur turned to spikes that he launched at the disarmed witch. They pierced the Mordigan's robes pinning him to the ground, unable to move.
"Thanks," said Osiris to Anubis as he got to his feet. They saw the Mordigan that Bree was fighting fly, hit a boulder and get knocked out. Lazarus was interrogating his opponent, who was bound by silver ropes obviously conjured by the Devas High-priest to restrain the enemy.
Bree, Os and Anubis approached Lazarus who was just starting to ask questions.
"Why are you here?" asked Lazarus looking intently at the Mordigan who remained silent. By experience, Osiris knew that the Mordigan wouldn't crack; Heralds were just too stubborn or well trained.
Lazarus looked up at Bree who nodded and summoned the discarded dagger on the grass. It flew to her hand which she then handed to Lazarus. What occurred next happened so fast Os didn't even catch it; he just saw the Mordigan's head suddenly snap to the right as though someone slapped him hard, a great slash was on his left cheek which was bleeding furiously. Lazarus held the blood stained dagger and pointed it to the Mordigan's neck.
"I'll ask you for the last time," Lazarus said coldly, "There are still four others that I can question. Don't answer and you'll be the first to die. Why are you here?"
The Mordigan glared to Lazarus but kept his mouth shut. Yet Osiris felt the Mordigan's fear as Lazarus's hand held the dagger steadily to the man's throat. The High-priest blinked then said, "Okay then," then drew his hand, the dagger flashed as Lazarus moved to stab the captive. But before it could hit its target, the dagger flew out of the High-priest's hand.
"Bree what are you doing?" Lazarus asked Bree, who looked surprised.
"I didn't do that," she answered indignantly.
"I did it," said Osiris. Lazarus stared at him inquiringly.
"Why?"
"You don't have to kill him. I know why their here. I heard his thoughts," Osiris said looking unnerved by Lazarus's actions. He started to walk back to the house, Anubis right behind him.
Osiris sat by the living room shaking. Alicia gave him a worried look while Carlo continued to look outside the window. A few minutes passed then Bree and Lazarus came back to the house and saw Alicia, Carlo and Os sitting silently. Anubis was lying on the floor as usual.
"Os—" Lazarus started but the look on Os' face stopped him.
"What did you do? Where are the Mordigans now?"
"They're gone," Bree answered, "Lazarus healed them and made them leave. Os, what Lazarus did was—"
"Wrong," Osiris said. "We already defeated them. Was it really necessary to torture them into talking?"
Lazarus sat down to an easy chair. "What I did was necessary Os. We needed to know why they were here."
"But was it needed that we become murderers?"
"I wouldn't have killed that man. I just wanted to afflict some pain to make him talk. I can heal the damages or wounds that I can do to him," said Lazarus frowning heavily.
"But you couldn't have made him forget the pain that those wounds have caused," Osiris argued. "Even if you have the power to undo the damages that you have done, it doesn't give you the right to do it."
Carlo apparently lost his patience. "Why are you giving Lazarus a hard time? Those men tried to come in here probably wanting to get you and kill us. Lazarus just did what he had to do to protect us so, what's your problem?"
Osiris stared back to Carlo who was glaring at him. "I don't know... But you're right, they came for me and they would have killed everyone. I just thought that we shouldn't stoop as low as our enemies." He went to his room, Anubis on his heels, while the others remained in the living room looking dejected.
Bree tried to give Lazarus a comforting smile. "He'll understand in time."
Lazarus rubbed his eyes as he said, "Os was right. I shouldn't have done it."
Carlo appeared angrier. "Yeah, the newbie's always right! He's more special than the rest of Devas because his more powerful than we are," he said tersely. Everyone looked at him surprised of his sudden dislike of Osiris.
"Carlo what are you talking about?" asked Lazarus.
"I'm talking about the fact that ever since that Osiris got here, you changed all of a sudden," burst Carlo. "You always put him first in your priorities but now that you saved his neck for the second time, he even gets angry with you because you didn't do it to his satisfaction." Carlo was panting when he finished, then he stormed out of the room and ran upstairs.
"What was that about?" Lazarus asked as Alicia went after Carlo. Bree giggled a little that made Lazarus shoot her an annoyed look.
"You think this is funny?" he asked. "My coven is falling apart and you think this is funny?"
"Don't you get it? Carlo is just threatened. Don't worry," said Bree relaxing on the sofa Alicia just vacated.
Lazarus raised an eyebrow, confused. "Why would he be threatened?"
Bree sighed. "You know, I often wonder why I suggested that you become our High-priest. It's like this: You are the alpha-male, the master of the house. Carlo was the guy that you have always depended on in the past and whenever you are too busy with something you asked for his help. But when Osiris got into the scene, Carlo thinks that his position as the beta-male of the household might get replaced by Os because you appear to be more... fond of Os." Bree smiled. "It's just that annoying innate territorial trait of the male species. Carlo will get over it after you explain to him what is really happening."
"Easy for you to say," said Lazarus as exhaustion started to sink in. "You're not the one who kept a secret for all your life."
"Carlo will understand and it wasn't really a secret to him. As for Os, I'll be the one to explain to him about your actions," Bree grinned. Lazarus sent her a venomous glare.
"If you ever—"
"There's no need to threaten your best friend Lazarus," said Bree soothingly standing up. "I might have a big mouth but it doesn't mean I don't know how to shut it. So goodnight," she said while walking up the stairs.
Lazarus closed his eyes as he lay back on the chair. "Goodnight," he muttered sleepily.
A few days after the Mordigan attack, the Devas household became a silent battle ground of pride. Carlo's attitude changed so suddenly towards Osiris and Lazarus that he wouldn't even stay in the same room except for meals. He just went to his room or the garden tending his herbs to have a reason not to talk to any of them.
Os, on the other hand, was back to talking to everybody, yet still obviously upset. He was not prepared for everything that was happening. He was not prepared to willfully attack another person in the name of survival... however he knew he had no choice but to do it.
"Hey, you alright?" asked Bree to Osiris, who was washing his clothes at the laundry room.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" said Osiris, dropping underwear to the washing machine.
"Os, I just want to explain to you what happened that night Lazarus interrogated the Mordigan," said Bree.
"It's okay. I understand his reasons now. Carlo was right, Lazarus did what he was supposed to do or the Mordigans would've killed us."
"But?" Bree said. Osiris looked at her and continued.
"But... I don't know... was it the only choice left? I mean, wouldn't we be like them if we do what they do to us? You know..." Osiris trailed off.
Bree gave Os an empathic look. "I know, Os. In a way, you are right. But not all people will listen and understand this. A good defense is a good offense and we need to protect ourselves or we will be killed."
He nodded but Bree knew Osiris didn't like the idea of survival of the fittest. Bree didn't like it either but what choice did they really have. Then suddenly, Carlo appeared by the door.
"Osiris, a cat is here to talk to you," he said coldly. He had used Os' whole name ever since the argument started. Bree and Osiris stared at Carlo.
"A cat?" asked Os trying to be sure that he heard Carlo correctly.
"Did I stutter?" snapped Carlo viciously. "She said her name's Luna. Anubis let her in."
Osiris went to the living room and there he saw Caleb's ocelot, sitting imperiously on the couch. Luna moved her triangular head to look at Os and the others as they entered the room.
"Osiris, it's good to see you again," said Luna's serene voice.
"Good to see you too," answered Os as he and Bree sat down. "Why are you here?" Carlo decided to remain standing while looking warily at the familiar.
"I've been sent to deliver a message from Roland and Caleb. Caleb had quit the Mordigan Witches. He's no longer a Herald."
"What? When did it happen?"
"Caleb renounced his position after you escaped," answered Luna while Bree and Carlo watch her lick herself. "He said the Elders changed. They didn't even give any reason behind the order to capture you, the first time valuable information like that has been withheld. Caleb sent me to give you this," Luna raised her furry neck and Osiris noticed a scroll tied to her collar. He retrieved it and saw that it was a letter from Roland.
"How about Roland?" asked Osiris.
"He's still in the Mansion. Caleb's back in his old residence at Bumpville. I must go back. Be well, Osiris Rites. May we see each other again some time."
Luna got off the couch and went out the open door, marched a little to the front lawn and dematerialized into sparks of light and she was gone.
"That was so cool," said Bree after watching the familiar teleport. Then she and Osiris sat down to discuss what Luna just said. "What was that all about Os?"
Alicia just descended from the stairs, holding Randolph, as Osiris unrolled the letter and read aloud.
Dear Osiris,
I hope you are alright. I can't believe what just happened. Verdandi tried to make the Trackers follow you but they couldn't open the golden door. Caleb quit before they can do anything. He said the Elders were trying to hide something and he can no longer be a part of the Mordigans if they won't explain why they tried to capture you.
But I think I have a theory about that.
I did some more reading on Atropos' Book of Shadows and I translated the passage in Demotic and found out that the Mordigan Sisters tricked and stole Gerald Rouman's powers because they thought that he would be consumed with it and ultimately become evil. Gerald, of course, tried to fight off the sisters but with no powers, he died.
Yet before his last breath, Gerald cursed the Mordigans, vowing that one day, a descendant of his will have powers much stronger than the sisters and shall reclaim what has been stolen from him and ultimately become the key to the Mordigans destruction.
I'm not sure if this is the Elders' reason Os, but this might give an explanation of why the Hand and the Elders became so eager to get you. They think that your Gerald's descendant that shall destroy the whole Mordigan Witches. I'm going to try and find more information. I would have quit too but Caleb wanted me to stay. I would have emailed this to you but the internet connection at the Mansion has been disconnected.
Take care and be careful always.
Roland
Osiris stared, stunned. What's this suppose to mean?
Just then, Lazarus entered the house, carrying two boxes of pizza, apparently in a good mood.
"Oh, good you're all here," he said smilingly, "I bought munchies. I just aced my exam, so I think we should celeb—" Lazarus just put the box on the coffee table in front of everyone when he noticed the tension around him. Carlo was frowning, Bree had a hand on her mouth and Alicia appeared distressed. Osiris's head was bowed, holding and staring at the letter.
"OK. What happened?" asked Lazarus immediately. "What's wrong?"
"We finally know who this guy is," said Carlo roughly, pointing to Osiris, "He's the angel of death."
"Carlo!" said Alicia. "We don't know that. For all we know this letter has been tampered with."
"What letter? What are you all talking about?" Lazarus asked urgently. Carlo walked to Os and snatched the letter from his hand then handed it to Lazarus.
"Here. Read it yourself. Now we know why everyone wants to kill Mr. Rites," Carlo sneered. Lazarus took the letter and read it carefully. After doing so, his face was looking very grim.
"This doesn't mean anything," Lazarus said making Carlo open his mouth.
"Doesn't mean anything? Osiris is the descendant of a warlock that cursed the Mordigan Witches. He is the key for the damnation of the greatest coven ever founded and now you're telling me it doesn't mean anything?"
"We don't know that!" snapped Lazarus, glaring to Carlo. "We don't even know if this letter had really been sent by this Roland."
"The letter's real and... Gerald Rouman was my ancestor," said Osiris quietly.
Carlo gave everyone a satisfied look. "See? Even he admits it."
"So you knew all along?" asked Alicia.
Osiris knew that everyone was looking at him but he avoided their stare. "I know that Gerald was my ancestor but I didn't know anything about his curse—"
"Yeah right," Carlo said sarcastically. "How convenient! Lazarus, don't tell me you're not going to do anything about this?"
Lazarus looked at him sharply. "What do you expect me to do?"
"You're just going to let him stay here? He has a dark warlock for an ancestor and for all we know, he's here to kill all of us."
"Oh don't be paranoid Carlo. We can't know that Osiris's ancestor was a dark warlock," argue Bree looking to Carlo in disbelief.
"A warlock that battled the Mordigan Witches can only mean one thing. He's evil and that's the reason they needed to stop him."
"The Mordigan Witches aren't really pure at heart," said Osiris, "Or don't you remember that they were the ones who attacked us a few days ago."
"I wasn't talking to you, Lucifer! And may I remind you that you're the reason why they attacked. Not including the phantoms."
Osiris stood up, mouth hanging open. "What the hell is your real problem?"
Carlo looked furious. "My problem is I can't believe you still have the decency to stay here after you nearly got all of us killed! Twice!"
The two was ready to kill each other; Carlo was baring his teeth while Osiris was looking livid and if it wasn't for Anubis getting between them, growling loudly, the two might had broken each other's jaws.
"Separate you two!" snarled Lazarus. "Don't force me to use magic to split you apart!"
Randolph started crying and the sound of the baby must have brought back Carlo and Osiris to their senses. Alicia went upstairs to calm her son. Lazarus gave Carlo a glare that could have stopped a lion on its tracks. Carlo gulped nervously; the last time he saw Lazarus look this way one year ago, he exploded three members of the Hand by a flick of his wrist.
"Sit," said Lazarus, his voice deadly. Carlo sat immediately like a well trained dog. Lazarus glared to Osiris too, who sat without waiting to be told.
"I don't know what the hell got into the two of you, but whatever issues you have with each other, you better deal with it immediately. No one will leave this house until everything's sorted out, so you better stop thinking about it Osiris. As for this letter, let's identify first the factors before we point any fingers." Lazarus looked at the letter again. "So, Atropos, Lachesis and Clotho Mordigan battled Gerald Rouman, Os' ancestor..."
"How did you know the Mordigan sisters' names?" asked Osiris.
"I do read books Os," answered Lazarus curtly. "It's better to use your common sense first before asking these kinds of questions."
Osiris stared down to his lap like a little boy getting scolded. Bree smiled secretly behind him as Lazarus sighed and continued.
"I read about the Roumanic Curse before. It states that a descendant of the Rouman line will destroy the Mordigan Witches. I think its redundant now because Gerald used it for the sisters and seeing that they're already dead... even if Os is the bearer of the curse, he can't do anything because he's four hundred years late," said Lazarus.
"So why are the Mordigans so threatened of him then?" argued Carlo, his anger obviously returning. "And why's the Hand after him if they don't really think Osiris has the power to destroy the Mordigans, their mortal enemy? You know very well that the Mordigans act as the world's protector against evil; if their coven gets annihilated, we might as well throw this world to hell. And Gerald cursed the Mordigans Lazarus, not just the sisters."
Lazarus remained silent for a while as Carlo continued to fume on an armchair. Osiris sat quietly as he started to have a headache. Bree offered her opinion.
"So what if Os does have the power to destroy the Mordigans?" she said, "It doesn't mean he will destroy them; it doesn't mean he will join the Hand and destroy the world." The three lads looked at her and Bree stared back to Osiris. "At the end of the day, Os' heart will decide."
"But it won't stop the Hand or the Mordigans from going after us because he's here! Are you really willing to gamble your lives or Randolph's?" snapped Carlo.
Bree rolled her eyes to Carlo. "Oh, is it really about us or is it about you and your stupid ego Carlo?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Stop using us as your excuse and get over your stupid insecurities already," said Bree, "Lazarus doesn't think Osiris is better than you, okay. Lazarus is just in lo—"
BANG!
Bree stopped talking as the bookshelf on Lazarus' right exploded sending torn pages and pieces of wood everywhere. Carlo and Osiris stared flabbergasted, first at the ruined shelf, then to Lazarus and then to Bree, who also appeared taken aback.
"Bree shut up," said Lazarus, who looked more frightening than ever before, his right hand extended to the direction of the shelf. Carlo blinked then turned and thundered up the stairs. Lazarus glared at Bree who cowered at his stare.
"We'll talk later," Lazarus said venomously as he walked after Carlo. Sighing, Bree knelt to clean up Lazarus' mess.
"What was that about?" asked Osiris as he joined Bree, picking up pieces of the wooden shelf, torn pages and covers of books. "I never saw Lazarus so... scary."
"I nearly broke a promise," said Bree. "Don't worry about it."
Osiris placed the trash in the waste basket when he suddenly said, "Do you really think I'm the devil incarnate?"
Bree raised her eyebrows then smiled a little. "Devil incarnate? Where did that came from?"
"Well, if Carlo was right and I'm destined to destroy the Mordigans and help the Hand destroy the world, who else would I be?"
"Os that would be your choice. Not mine or anybody else's. If you'll choose to advocate the Devil then I guess we're doomed," said Bree as she continued to pick up the ruins of the shelf. "Will you?"
To be continued... (Please read the author's note. Please!)
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:
Yehey! Another chapter posted! well, I'm just thankful I'm still alive after a hectic week of exams. But can you believe I have to take my finals in two weeks time?! I don't know how my brain would handle this semes-nightmare.
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Until next chapter, Fritz D. Ilagan