044 - Sky Beyond Sky

Pete stayed rooted to his seat. From up the path came the many huntsmen, slowing and standing by the cart. Not a single man dared approach, they only watched as Gordianus raised his right hand.

Bang! A crash of sparks. From the clear blue sky came a single bolt of lightning. In the fat Alchemists hands was a crackling thunderbolt, formed from distinct blue electric threads. It vibrated through the air, growing longer and taking the form of a sword.

"Magnus, you have been judged and found guilty. Surrender yourself at once. Immediate surrender will lessen your punishment significantly. If you do not comply then you will be taken by force."

"..."

"Your sentence is death." Gordianus raised the electric sword and advanced on Magnus, from his other hand shot two blue strands like two deadly serpents flying through the air and wrapping around the entirely still Magnus.

Magnus skin burst, a multitude of black veins erupted out, covering his entire body. His hand a black claw, Magnus tore at the Alchemists blue strands.

Gordianus advanced, another blue strand shooting out, and another. They slammed into Magnus, one caught him on the shoulder and smashed against the black skin with such enormous force that the shock wave from the impact sent the cart hurtling away. The many trees shook, branches and leaves flew from the tree tops and whirled through the air.

Magnus stamped his foot, not moving an inch. His clothes ripped from his body, a chunk of flesh torn from his shoulder. Gordianus snarled, raising his thunderbolt sword above his head. Magnus made no effort to dodge or retreat.

The Alchemists thunderbolt sword crackled through the air, a trail of blue electric sparks. In his other hand Gordianus nimbly wove a sigil, several concentric circles linked like chain.

The sword came smashing down, Magnus raised both arms to block.

Bang!

The sound of thunder, a mass of electric sparks burst out, covering Magnus. The black skin on his arms ruptured, his flesh breaking off in black and red chunks.

At the same time he bought the thunderbolt down, Gordianus thrust out his left hand, the blue chain whipped around Magnus legs. The Alchemist yanked, sending Magnus sprawling to the ground.

Magnus fell in the dirt, attempting to roll to the side of the path. But Gordianus lashed out again, the blue sigil chain wrapping around Magnus throat. Gordianus pulled, dragging Magnus back into the centre of the path. He raised the thunderbolt sword once more, holding it against the smooth black skin of Magnus chest.

"Surrender. One word. Put yourself at the mercy of the Alchemists." Gordianus declared resolutely.

"..."

Magnus clawed at the blue chains around his neck, eyes bulging. He kicked the earth, twisting and rolling, and finally lashing out and kicking Gordianus on the ankle. The Alchemist winced, almost falling back.

"So be it."

Gordianus thrust the thunderbolt into Magnus chest. The black skin splintered, cracking apart in a hundred ways, a foul yellow pus mixed with blood shot out. His blood instantly boiled turning to red vapor, the black skin breaking and peeling,

Magnus bled from every orifice, his eyes bulged and popped, his ribs snapping and turning black.

The air around Magnus and Gordianus shook, an incredible force building up along the length of the thunderbolt sword. With a rumble and a second massive BANG, Magnus exploded. His arms and legs and torso made into burnt chunks of flesh, his head caving in and brains splattering over the path.

Gordianus watched all this with a passive expression. The thunderbolt sword vanished, the chain of blue threads dissipated, returning to his hands. He sighed deeply, shaking his head and turning to face Pete and the many hunters.

"Thus is the fate of all who go against the laws of Alchemy."

***

"And done." Kujata snapped shut her notebook and peered out of the shrine window. "Magnus?"

Magnus blinked, the world slowly coming into focus. "Big sis! I did it! Just like you said!" There were no black lines on his skin, no blisters or pus.

"Not bad, not bad. Stay where you are, in the middle of the formation, legs crossed. Remember, that is lotus position, very important for maintaining focus and meditation."

"Right!" Magnus straightened his back, closing his eyes once more. "Um, big sis? One thing . . well, I sorta, you know, mighta have . ."

Kujata uncorked a cask of wine and swallowed a mouthful. "Yeah, what?"

"Well, I might have, you know, well . . the Alchemist sort of had Lars with him, and I thought . ."

Kujata rubbed her forehead and sighed. "Sif!"

"Awoo!" The great white wolf sat to attention.

"Sif, a loose end. Go deal."

"Big sis! No! Please, he's innocent!"

"He is a witness Magnus! He is how the Alchemist found you! Hells . . . how do ya think you're going to survive if you can't be ruthless? Is Lars your best buddy? Have you known him all your life?"

"No . . no, he's just a kid . . he was looking for his father in the swamp and . . ."

"Alright. Fine. Sif, go find the kid. Where is he Magnus?"

"Where my body thingy exploded, in the woods."

Kujata snapped her fingers and Sif ran out into the woods. "Another headache . . out of all my five disciples, you are the one who gives me the most worries . ."

Half an hour later Sif came bounding back into the shrine courtyard dropping a drool covered boy next to the back window.

"Lars! Lars! It's me! Remember me!" Magnus shook the boy's body.

Kujata sighed, examining Lars and touching his wrist. "Pupils non responsive, shallow breathing . . heartbeat erratic . . oh. Oh no. That ain't good."

"What? What's wrong? Is he sick?"

"No, nothing like that. Sorry Magnus, your pal here is good as dead." Kujata let Lars limp wrist go. "If I'm right, he has been soul scoured. That's how they must have found you, a bleeding soul scouring!"

Magnus held Lars eye open, pinching the boy's cheeks and prodding his chest. "Is there nothing we can do?"

"No, not me. But there is something you can do."

"I can save him? Big sis! Tell me how!"

"Not save. Eat."