Chapter 25 - Burden Of Intent

  Greenery blurs past Corvus as he uses his bird-form guise to stay aloft and avoid the reaching vines. The plant-beasts couldn’t do him real harm, but avoiding an annoyance still has value. The more worrying issue is the discordant pressure that started building when he parted ways with Alex. The constraints of the Deal were being tested.

  Corvus hardens his focus, mentally locking his resolve that he was maintaining his part of the bargain. Alex had allowed for his deviation, the brief time apart would allow Alex to grow more, and he would return to provide further guidance. His focused intent was enough to satiate the Deal-bond for now. Breaking a Deal might need the intent to do so, but choices that would result in the Deal being abandoned counted as that intent. Corvus’s focused intention to fulfill it would only work for so long.

  With that in mind, the crow-demon pours on the speed, using an apex form of the Intent-movement. It functions more like line-of-sight teleportation, unbound by distance. Miles of jungle encrusted tunnel are traversed in mere blinks. Then the jungle opens up into an immense spherical hollow. Perfectly round, and easily 5 miles across. Even from the vantage of Corvus’s aerial perspective, the sloping sides of the space disappear into a green-tinted haze.

  The destination hangs suspended in the center. An inverted pyramid of obsidian-black stone hangs in the air, the triangular lower faces catch the ambient light glimmering in unnatural ways. Corvus flies over it, then swoops down into the manicured and beautifully landscaped garden courtyard spanning the entire top surface. Right before landing, his guise unravels, returning him to his natural state.

  Taking a moment to smooth down several feathers, Corvus takes in the garden. Decorative planter beds line pathways paved with stone tiles made of the same obsidian-black stone. Swirls of color greet his vision in every direction, vibrant with the flowering blooms. The pathways meet at a central water-feature, a fountain pool of crystal-clear water sending jets of droplets arching through the air. Stunningly magnificent.

  Corvus doesn’t have to wait long, his presence was likely noticed before he even landed. An elemental demon composed of wood and vines rises out of one of the planters, using its own foliage to mimic the appearance of a well tailored suit. It bows to Corvus, then uses an undulation of leaves and vines to rub and rasp, producing voice.

  “We bid you welcome, Carrion Lord.” The words are soft, like the wind through a forest being used to speak. “The Master of the house will be with you in a moment. May we offer you refreshment?” The vine-demon rises from the bow, assuming an attentive posture. Its entire body is composed of entwined creeper-vines and leaves, including its face and head. The demon uses a few more delicate vine tendrils to make a facsimile of a face.

  Corvus lifts a hand. “That will not be necessary. Although I do have a question. Are you by chance called Varrith?” Corvus asks, tipping his head to the side slightly.

  The other demon’s form writhes for a moment before settling back down. “Yes, that is my name. How did you know it?” The demon asks, the surprise evident in the tone.

  The Carrion Lord lets out a soft chuckle before replying. “When last I visited this garden, you were but a bud. Your father had such high hopes for you. I see those desires were not misplaced.” Corvus reaches a hand towards the other demon. “It is a pleasure to properly meet you.”

  Varrith tentatively takes the crow-demon’s offered hand to shake. “The pleasure is mine, Lord Corvus.” The vine-demon is about to say more when the sound of footsteps and the clack of a cane on the tiled path interrupts their discussion. “Ah, that would be the Master.” The tangled mass of vines steps back with another bow, gesturing to the approaching figure.

  “Corvus, you old bird! Keeping me waiting like this, you should be ashamed!” The figure calls out. Corvus turns, offering a polite bow of greeting. “How long’s it been? Ah, no matter. You’re here now.”

  This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  The ‘master’ is a rather portly individual, appearing mostly human. Dark skinned with burning blue eyes, he wouldn’t be an imposing figure by any means. That is, if it weren’t for the palpable aura radiating from him. He’s dressed simply in a set of canvas overalls, with a green shirt, and his cane is reminiscent of a gardener’s mattock. But despite appearances, Corvus knows this is no human, not anymore.

  “Greetings old friend. Thomas delivered your message, and I hope my gift reached you in turn.” Corvus says. “From the method of delivery, I must assume that you are still having difficulty integrating all three of your Titles?” Corvus says, sharpening his focus. As he looks at the other powerful man, three sigils of power distort reality behind the man’s head. And a fourth nascent one settles in the middle. “Oh. Oh I see. Now I understand the caution.”

  Corvus shifts to his human-like guise, making his stature closer to that of the other. “You are attempting something quite ambitious.” He says, the more expressive human face conveying the awe even he feels. “And quite dangerous.”

  The other man beams with pride. “Don’t I know it. This is my fifth attempt. The first three went so poorly that I crumbled my construct and had to remake this whole blasted thing.” He says, thumping the end of the garden-tool-turned-cane against the tile. “And that’s why I wanted to enlist your aid. The fourth attempt showed me a potential solution, but I don’t think I can manage it alone. I would ask for your guidance.”

  Corvus sighs. “What you ask for is not common guidance, nor information that can be shared lightly. There will be a cost.” He says, giving the other an apologetic shrug. “But I suspect you were already quite aware of such.”

  The gardener nods. “I am. For your assistance, I am prepared to offer the equivalent of the tenth threshold. As well as a comparable favor of your choosing for the future.” The man offers without even batting an eye.

  That offer is enough to give Corvus pause. Nearly sixty-thousand Animus is no small sum. But the favor, that is a prize indeed. Corvus extends a hand. “Agreed.” The other man reaches to clasp hands, the deal is struck.

  Corvus’s presence drenches the area in myriad esoteric pathways extending off into infinity. He keeps his grip on the other’s hand, watching as some of the paths die and crumble away while others begin to glow with vibrant potential. Then one branch stands above the others, pulsing with the might of impending certainty.

  Speaking with a tone of utmost assurance, Corvus speaks. “In order to accomplish the task you are attempting, you must discard all doubts and fears of failure. Only conviction and certainty will see you through. But the most important step you can take will be the most harrowing for you.” He pauses to take a breath, quite conscious of the ashen pallor that had fallen over the other man’s face.

  “You must accept your name, speak it once more. And you must face the storm that will come. Your old enemies will notice, they will come, and you must weather the storm. And you must do so alone.” Corvus says as the other man begins to shudder in terror.

  As the expression of Corvus’s ‘The Guide’ Title fades, he feels the influx of Animus from the Deal being fulfilled. Their hands drop and the other man steps back, drenched in sweat. “No. No no no…” He mutters, eyes wild. “I can’t do that. They’ll torture me. I’ve only lasted this long because they can’t find me! Corvus, there’s gotta be another way.” He pleads, rocking unsteadily on his feet.

  “I’m afraid there is not.” Corvus answers, clasping his hands behind his back. “You are clever. You are resourceful. Unfortunately, you are also a coward. You need to overcome that impulse if you wish to grow stronger.” He says calmly. “That is the only guidance I can give you.”

  The man swallows hard, takes a deep breath and nods slowly. “I see. I’ll…” He trails off. It takes him a few heartbeats to speak again. “I’ll take my chances. You’re right. I’ve always been a coward. Conflict isn’t in my nature. But, I have to face this.” He swallows again, then nods to Varrith. “Make the preparations.”

  The vine-demon withdraws back into the planter-bed with a bow, sinking into the well-tended soil to disappear from view. Corvus steps in and rests a hand on the man’s shoulder. “If you succeed, I look forward to you being able to announce yourself at Pinnacle Tower. Find me there.” Without another word, Corvus returns to his bird form guise and launches into the air.

  It takes him a few moments to orient himself, then he rockets back down the tunnel he’d come from, retreating from the floating citadel known only as The Burden Of Intent with its nameless keeper. His deal-bond with Alex had been strained too far already, and Corvus is quite unwilling to breach it. As soon as he’s moving back towards his charge, the impending pressure starts to abate.