Diabolical - Chapter 11

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Arthur found himself standing in the hallway, feeling distressed. “I don’t think this is a good idea, Mr. Nelson.” He said, barely managing to stop his voice from trembling. He surreptitiously glanced around, trying to see if there was anyone or anything nearby --- there wasn’t. It was a small relief that he didn’t see any mirrors, because he was sure they were purposed for surveillance.

The tutor scoffed. “Come now, young man --- I’m sure your mother is eager to meet you after your lesson. You don’t want to keep her waiting, do you?” He asked rhetorically. In reality, he wasn’t paying much attention to Arthur --- he was deciding which path he would take. ‘What do you think, Nabu?’ He asked inside his mind.

The spirit replied immediately. ‘THAT FOUL PRESENCE LIES NORTH --- DO NOT PERTURB IT.’ It commanded stoically.

Kent made up his mind. ‘To the south it is, then.’ He thought, strengthening his grip on the boy’s shoulder before turning and walking down the hallway. He didn’t intend to drag the youth into danger --- he really was only planning to look around. After all, it was impossible for him to do anything when he didn’t know what he was up against.

Meanwhile, Arthur was feeling faint. He didn’t understand why this fellow was being so insistent. ‘Is he looking to steal something?’ He thought, but then he dismissed it. It wouldn’t be sensible to drag him along, if that was his plot. ‘I was going to look around, at some point, when the damnable butler wasn’t with me. Now is as good a time as any.’ He decided, yet he couldn’t help but be afraid.

They walked in silence, for a time. Arthur hadn’t a clue where they were --- after breakfast concluded, the butler had led them through an unusual door. He was certain he’d never seen this part of the mansion. His goal remained the same --- he wanted to know where the library was. However, he wasn’t sure how to go about finding it. ‘Damn, I really don’t have a clue. The only thing I can do right now is keep an eye out.’ He thought sourly.

Eventually, Kent spoke, after they’d been walking for few minutes. “To inherit a place like this --- some people have all the luck!” He remarked good-naturedly. It sounded like an innocuous comment, but, in reality, he was fishing for information. ‘This boy should be normal --- if he wasn’t, Nabu would’ve mentioned it. However, it’s possible he knows something.’ He thought to himself.

Arthur fought to keep his expression neutral. ‘Some people have all the luck, indeed --- the only problem is, it’s the wrong sort!’ He thought despairingly. However, he didn’t voice his misgivings. “Haha, I guess I am lucky.” He said, laughing dryly. He didn’t know how else to respond.

Kent smiled plainly, but thoughts were swirling behind his eyes. The blue-bloods were notoriously interested in archeological relics, and they frequently sponsored digs and expeditions. Thusly, he’d been exposed the high-society youth. Compared to them, Arthur was decidedly odd. “I believe you said something about only arriving yesterday…?” He asked casually. Of course, he hadn’t missed that tidbit. If the child had indeed not grown up in this environment, then his lackluster response was even more interesting.

Arthur felt this guy’s questioning was a bit suspicious, but he had nothing to hide. “That’s right. I grew up in Dublin.” He said quietly. The manor’s grand, endless hallways had a heavy atmosphere that made him lower his voice instinctively.

The scholar’s eyes flashed. It was all very strange. “That’s interesting. Do you mind telling me about it?” He asked. It seemed like the kid barely knew more than he did. However, this was his only lead, so he had no choice but to follow it.

Arthur was silent for a moment, but in the end, he spoke up. It wasn’t some big secret anyway. “My mother and I were living under hard times, so she decided it was best if we returned to the family estate.” He said simply. He didn’t think Jane would mind if he shared this much --- he didn’t say anything about their personal problems.

Kent hummed to himself. “They are hard times, aren’t they; fortunately, your situation improved. Ah, but I apologize for prying into personal matters.” He said, giving Arthur’s shoulder a squeeze. ‘That’s even more remarkable --- he came from a poor background, yet he seems unfazed by it all.’ He thought, sweeping the grandiose decorations with his eyes.

Meanwhile, Arthur felt like he wanted to smack the man over the head. ‘If it seems like such a great deal, maybe he should ask to be adopted!’ He thought angrily. If it’d been up to him, he would never have accepted this ‘inheritance’!

While they were talking, the two arrived in front of a large doorway; it was familiar to Arthur. He and the butler hadn’t come this way, but he’d discovered what this type of door represented from observing the manor --- a threshold between wings.

Kent’s expression was one of bafflement. “Goodness, it really is difficult to find your way in here. If only a few of the doors were left open --- that way we’d be able to identify the rooms.” He said, gripping the brass doorknobs with both hands before turning them.

Arthur watched as the large, wooden panels were pushed apart. Through the gap between them, he saw the next area. It wasn’t what he’d expected --- a marble archway stretched onwards, connecting to a different part of the mansion. It was a bridge-like structure with exquisitely detailed railings. A similar pair of doors sat at the other end.

Kent whistled involuntarily. “Would you look at that --- your ancestors sure hired one hell of an architect.” He said, sounding impressed. He’d been all over the world --- what hadn’t he seen? Yet, the look of the white, engraved marble took his breath away. ‘Keeping it from discoloring must be a headache.’ He thought to himself. However, he suddenly realized that it was probably some kind of enchantment.

Arthur was similarly dumbstruck. He only regained his composure when Kent patted him on the back. “Let’s go --- if we look over the edge, we should be able to see the garden.” He said, steering the lad towards the entrance.

The two carefully made their way onto the bridge. It was enclosed; sporadic pillars supported the sloping roof. The only thing they could see through the gap between the ceiling and the railing was mist --- it was the same gloomy weather as yesterday.

Kent was frustrated. ‘I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the estate’s grounds, but this fog isn’t letting up.’ He lamented.

Abruptly, Nabu spoke inside his mind. ‘IT IS AN ARTIFICIAL CONCEALMENT --- THIS DEMESNE HAS MANY UNKNOWN PROPERTIES.’ It said, sounding vaguely peeved.

The scholar felt a frown tugging at his lips. He took the statement for what it was --- an admission of ignorance. Nabu’s spotty memory was something that grieved them both; it wasn’t the first time he’d been stumped in the face of a novel sorcery --- it didn’t happen frequently, but when it did, it wasn’t a good sign. ‘What are you suggesting?’ He asked uneasily. All his confidence came from the ancient spirit --- over the years, he’d become used to it having all the answers.

It only took a moment for Nabu to reply. ‘…I FIND YOUR LACK OF FAITH DISTURBING, NELSON. PALTRY TRICKS WILL NOT SUBDUE A LORD OF ORDER.’ It said with a voice like steel.

Kent didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The being’s pridefulness was both a boon and a curse --- the reason for the latter was because it would never retreat, not even when the odds were stacked against it, although they seldom were.

The man’s gaze unconsciously flicked to the boy walking next to him. ‘…but that would be difficult, unless I were willing to leave him behind.’ He deliberated. He knew himself well --- he wouldn’t be able to do it. ‘Have you detected anything odd about the boy, Nabu?’ He asked internally. He’d assumed the child was normal, but the spirit’s silence wasn’t necessarily a confirmation.

‘…A FOREIGN PRESENCE HAS INFILTRATED HIS BEING. HOWEVER, IT IS CURRENTLY DORMANT.’ It said, after a short pause.

The archaeologist was barely able to reign in his anger. The predation of children was something he’d forever be unable to stomach --- from the boy’s own ‘family’, no less! However, he knew his perpetual companion didn’t share his views. If it had, he wouldn’t have been ‘hired’ for this position.

Meanwhile, Arthur was equally disappointed by the poor visibility. Mapping the area was an objective that proved continually elusive. “I suppose we’ll just have to keep looking around.” He said quietly.

Kent hummed in affirmation, but didn’t say anything else.

The man and the boy walked in silence. The act of crossing the archway was somehow surreal --- it was like walking over an old bridge, one that had been forgotten long ago. The only audible sound was that of their heels clicking against the stone.

The construct was larger than it seemed --- it took them about thirty seconds to make it to the other side. Before Kent opened the two doors, he gave the bridge one last look. ‘It really is a magnificent structure.’ He thought. While he pondered, Nabu scanned the room behind the doors for anything anomalous. After the scholar had received confirmation that it was safe, he entered, with Arthur trailing behind him.

His first impression of the new area was, well… he didn’t really have one. It was so dark inside that he couldn’t see a thing! “Goodness, but it’s as black as pitch in here.” He whispered. “It’s a shot in the dark, if you’ll pardon the pun, but I don’t suppose you have any matches on you? We might at least be able to open a window, while the flame lasts.” He said to Arthur.

There was no reply.

Kent frowned inwardly. “Arthur, buddy, if you don’t speak up, I’m going to think you’re dead.” He said half-jokingly.

It was a different voice that replied. ‘THE CHILD IS NOT HERE.’ Said Nabu, in a tone that sounded grave.

The archaeologist was confused. ‘I could’ve sworn he was behind me. Is he still outside?’ He asked inside his mind.

‘THERE WAS A SPATIAL DISTORTION. I DID NOT DETECT IT INITIALLY, BUT I’VE BECOME CERTAIN --- THESE DOORS ARE DISJUNCTING. THEIR OUTCOMES ARE UNDEFINED.’ The spirit said with certainty.

Kent was alarmed. Nabu had caught on to the trick the second time, but the fact that this place had managed to fool him once was already beyond imagining. ‘Do you mean to say that Arthur and I were sent to different locations?’ He asked.

Nabu didn’t reply, but the thirty-year-old sensed the spirit wasn’t interested in spelling things out for him. ‘I’ll take that as a yes, then.’ He said, feeling peeved. However, his companion’s rudeness was the least of his concerns --- there was a possibility that the separation was a magical fluke, but Kent didn’t buy it. He got the feeling that they were suspicious of him --- in retrospect, his decision to snoop around on the first day may have been a bit hasty.

‘This kind of work really doesn’t suit me.’ He thought and not for the first time. He preferred a more direct approach --- Nabu was the same. Neither of them had an aptitude for undercover work; he’d have been glad to contract a helper-or-two, but the spirit didn’t play well with others. It was also notoriously awful at avoiding collateral damage.

‘A low-light sorcery would be useful right now.’ He commented pointedly. Immediately, the blackness cleared away --- it was replaced by a barren room, cast in different sepia hues. Kent would’ve preferred to avoid magic, but he couldn’t take the chance. Who knew what lurked in the darkness? Of course, Nabu didn’t need light to perceive, but Kent didn’t want to leave the spirit to his own devices. Two heads were better than one, after all.

He gave the place a quick looking-over; it was a barren, square space, surrounded by four stone walls. They looked weathered and old and were unpainted. It only had a single door --- Kent glanced over his shoulder and, as he’d suspected, the entrance behind him had disappeared. He’d experienced all sorts of oddities since he’d taken the role of Dr. Fate, so he didn’t panic. ‘I have no choice but to check that door. There’s nothing else in here.’ He decided before walking over to the exit.

He tuned the rusty, old handle, but it was locked. ‘Damn!’ He said, swearing inwardly. They definitely tossed him in here on purpose! He had no way of escape, aside from sorcery. However, if he did use that method, they would know he wasn’t an ordinary scholar. ‘It’s a simple strategy, but undeniably effective. What the hell am I supposed to do now?’ He wondered. He didn’t ask Nabu for advice --- he anticipated an answer along the lines of ‘WE HAVE WASTED ENOUGH TIME.’ before it melted the door into glowing slag.

However, to Kent’s surprise, Nabu defied his expectations.

‘FOOL, HAVE I NOT MADE IT CLEAR ALREADY? THE PRESENCE WITHIN THIS REALM MUST NOT BE AGITATED.’ It said scoldingly.

The archaeologist felt shock and fear! Was there really something here that could challenge Nabu? The moment he had that thought, he sensed a simmering anger, coming from his companion.

‘…YOU ARE A LIVING EXAMPLE OF THE FALLIBILITY OF A LORD OF ORDER. I OFTEN FIND MYSELF QUESTIONING THE DECISION TO JOIN WITH YOU.’ Said it, in a derisive tone.

Kent didn’t understand. ‘What do you mean?’ He asked stupidly.

Nabu eventually spit out a sentence, after a few moments’ silence. ‘WHEN THE CAPTORS ARIVE, WE WILL OBSERVE THEM BEFORE DECIDING OUR NEXT COURSE OF ACTION.’ It commanded. After it’d said that, it went quiet and Kent wasn’t able to get anything else out of it.

Sighing, he put his back against the wall and sat down. ‘Was it the ‘collateral damage’ comment I made?’ He thought quietly, doing his best to keep his inner voice to himself. It wasn’t impossible. The entity could be very destructive, but Kent understood it was out of a hatred for evil. ‘…I’m probably thinking too hard about it.’ He decided.

Wearily, he stuck his hand into his pocket and pulled out a carton of cigarettes. It was hallway to his mouth before he realized he didn’t have a way to light it. With a snort, he stuffed it back into his jacket.

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“…Nelson? Mr. Nelson, are you there?” Arthur whispered, trying and failing to get a response from his tutor. He’d slipped in behind the guy, but the room was so dark that he couldn’t see his hand in front of his face. ‘Shit, I knew this was a bad idea!’ He thought, feeling the onset of panic. However, he couldn’t completely blame the man. Because of his own wants, he hadn’t tried very hard to dissuade him.

Trying his luck, he stuck out a hand, reaching for the doors that should’ve been behind him. He’d actually planned to hold them open, but they were weighted and, given how large they were, they slipped from his fingers and slammed shut before he could help it.

The only thing his fingertips touched was smooth wall --- predictably, there was nothing there. ‘In the future, when I have the ability, I’ll burn this place to the ground! If two bricks are left on top of each other, I won’t be satisfied!’ He swore to himself.

Arthur started feeling along the wall, seeing no other way. He wasn’t sure what’d happened to Mr. Nelson, but there was nothing he could do about it. The best thing was to get out of here as soon as possible. ‘I’ll come back for him once I’ve gotten my bearings.’ He said to himself, even though he knew it was a lie.

Eventually, he found a curtain and he hurriedly started pulling on it. However, he wasn’t able to accomplish anything. It was like when he woke up in the middle of the night, having entangled himself in the blankets --- no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get them right again.

‘Dammit, what’s going on here?’ He asked, cursing inwardly. He decided to feel around for the window --- if he got hold of the latch, he’d open it. Finally, he found it, but he wasn’t able to find the handle.

After a few frustrating minutes, he gave up. ‘This mansion was built to mess with me.’ He thought angrily. He decided to leave it be. Carefully, he shuffled forward, staying behind the curtain --- he doubted it would do much for him, but he liked the idea of having some concealment.

Suddenly, the tip of his shoe struck something. A loud noise followed, like a stack of pots and pans toppling over. Freezing in his tracks, Arthur felt his face contorting into a grimace. ‘Oh, come on!’ He thought. He didn’t believe for a second that the racket had gone unnoticed --- his luck was much too awful for that.

Indeed, the moment the last, clattering sound had faded, he heard a voice speaking from somewhere nearby! “Come out from behind the curtain.” It commanded. Its tone was dry and unpleasant, like a corpse recently exhumed.

Arthur recognized that voice --- it was one he was more afraid of than any other, given that it was the source of his trouble. He didn’t move a muscle --- he couldn’t, even if he tried.

Abruptly, the room lit up, as if by magic. The boy blinked rapidly --- the sudden change stung his eyes. Suddenly, the curtain was drawn aside --- the figure standing there had an appearance like a skeleton with faded, blonde hair that was almost grey.

Arthur was as still as a statue. It seemed to take an eternity for him to find his voice. When he did, he spoke. “Hello Grandmother.” He said, trying to sound as polite and repentant as possible.

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