The Necromancer Intro to Chapter 1

THE NECROMANCER




         Kara woke up sweating, her lungs laboring to take in breath. She could feel her heart racing in her chest; an audible "thud-thud" that was the only sound she could hear in the night. For a moment she had to fight down the urge to scream. Slowly, she forced her muscles to unclench and her breathing to slow down. She could not recall the details of the nightmare, but it had been enough to wake her up in a state of terror.
         From her left came a soft caress along her arm; a startling reminder of in whose company she lay. In the dark, Kara could just barely make out the Succubus's form. A sharply chiseled, heart-shaped face stared back at her with violet eyes. Even now, after days in the demoness' company, those eyes still shook her. Filled with open lust and promise, they unashamedly invited things she could never have asked for herself.
         Unconsciously, Kara let her eyes stray over the Succubus's body. With skin a shade of red, she was undeniably infernal - and unquestionably beautiful. Short black hair framed a neckline that plummeted down to ample breasts. Breasts that Kara was still surprised to remember kissing. Large, always erect nipples moved with every indrawn breath in a way that almost seemed to ask to be licked. Her stomach had just the right amount of curve to it, lending perfectly to rounded hips and long legs. Everything about the demoness spoke of sensuality in a way that made something inside of Kara reflexively tighten. Memories of running her hands over that body, begging to be touched back, forced Kara to look away. Despite what she had done in the last few days, a very strong part of her still clung to her shamed sense of morality.
         On her right, Kara could clearly see him; the Necromancer. Something about the man would never allow himself to be obscured, as if even the darkness was afraid to come too close. He was the reason she still lived, the reason she lay next to a demoness, and the reason all she had once thought she knew she now doubted. She was still not sure if she was grateful to the man or resentful, but she was very sure she was afraid of him. For more than one reason.
         Reaching out a hand that still trembled slightly, Kara brushed her fingertips along his exposed chest. Instantly, a warm tingle ran up her arm to her body. The sensation was indescribable; like being on the verge of death but somehow fighting your way back to life. It was exhilarating, frightening, and pleasurable in a way she had never known before. It was the addiction you knew would one day kill you, but made life seem so empty without. It lasted only for a moment before subsiding into a background hum against her palm. Awake, she knew he could have killed her with that sensation alone. Asleep, it only made her remember what his touch felt like.
         She craved that touch. She craved the feeling of his hands running along her body in that feather-light way he used, sending that electric sensation through every inch of her skin. She craved his lips against her neck, her shoulders, her breasts. She craved having him inside of her; making her feel as if she was truly dieing and being reborn over and over again. She craved it all, and was ashamed of that craving. It made her feel weak and helpless. Feelings she had not felt since she had been a little girl.
         Kara sat up, spilling the make-shift covers from her chest. Crossing her arms over her breasts out of modesty as much as the cold, she stared out the glass window at the night sky. From this high up the view would have been breathtaking, if she could have seen anything through the oppressing darkness. The Necromancer had chosen this particular building out of the hundreds of others, stating that no life had passed through its ruined walls in years. She had come to trust his judgment these last few days. She knew she could have never made it this far without him and his demonic servant. No matter how much she felt that they were slowly eroding away her morality, she did owe them that much.
         In truth, she would have died five nights ago had she not stumbled upon his resting tomb. Hounded by cenobite demons, Kara had run blindly into that ancient graveyard. Unable to shake their pursuit, she had dove into the first sepulcher she had been able to get the door opened too. She had flung herself blindly down those endless rows of stairs until finally they had ended at the grave room. She had hoped to find a place she could make a last, desperate stand at. Instead, she had found a succubus lying across the enshrouded body of a man. Those violet eyes had held no lust then; only infinite sorrow.
         The gentle clawing of nails along her back shook Kara out of the memory. It was the Succubus prompting her to return to bed, and once again lay in those seductive arms. It took more than Kara liked to admit to resist that invitation, parts of her body reacting instantly to the demoness' touch. Kara had never heard the Succubus utter even a single word, but she did not have too. Her form of communication was purely sexual, and it spoke to parts of Kara that she did not even know had existed before. Even way back at that first meeting, she had felt the attraction.
         She had only had a moment to be surprised; a succubus mourning a dead human having been the last thing she had expected to see in that tomb. The cenobites had been upon her too fast to have allowed anything else. The pain was instant and unbelievably intense as their hook-shaped claws rent into her flesh. For a moment all she had been able to do was scream, the pain too much to even fight back against. Every movement brought even more pain as they piled on top of her, sinking even more hooks into her body. For what seemed like an eternity all she had known was pain and leering demon faces hanging over her. Then, suddenly, the faces were gone.
         The pain remained, but subsided greatly as her assailants were removed from over her. Distantly, she could hear their frightened screams overlain by a male voice. Eventually the cenobite's screams stopped, until finally the only sound that remained was her own crying. Through clenched eyes she could just barely see a man standing naked in front of her, the succubus curled around his legs in a pose of adoration. It was the man she had mistaken for dead. None of it made sense, but the constant pain fogged any thought. Even his words did not seem to make sense then.
         "Your coming death has awakened me. For that, I thank you. It seems to me a shame to let you pass. Beauty is too rare a thing. So, as they took your life, and I took theirs... so their life will return yours. Drink of their essence, and live."
         Life that had slowly been slipping away from her, suddenly filled her to bursting. Kara could feel her wounds closing instantly, and her weak heartbeat gaining strength with each passing second. The feeling was so close to ecstasy as to be painful. She knew she had been about to die; had even welcomed it as a rescue from the suffering; but now she felt as alive as she ever had. Her voice was ripped from her throat in a guttural moan, as her body shook uncontrollably. Slowly, the intensity of it all faded away until she felt 'normal' again. All that remained to remind her of what had happened was a deep, throbbing ache where the cenobite's hooks had sunk in. It was a small thing when compared to what they had felt like before.
         "Cenobite wounds are designed to hurt for a long time." His voice was strong and confidant. With eyes that seemed suddenly too focused, Kara took her first good look at him. Muscular, tall, and overtly assured, he seemed regally posed even in his nakedness. "This is not something I can help with. But... my companion here can."
         With those words, Kara suddenly found herself wrapped in the arms and wings of the Succubus. Shock and fear were quickly replaced with soothing pleasure. The demoness' touch was light, gentle, and teasingly pleasing. Everywhere those red lips touched the pain the cenobite's had left behind was chased away. Distantly, she knew she should fight to get away; that to give in to a demoness was wrong. But after everything else, it was all Kara could do just to lay there and let the Succubus please her. She did not have the strength to fight it or even reciprocate. Later, though, she would return the affection willingly.
         Shaking herself to be rid of the memories, Kara finally gave in to the persistent beckoning of the Succubus. With a mixture of excitement and shame, she lied down next to the demoness close enough that their bodies just touched. Warm hands upon her neck were instantly pulling her in close. Kara could not help but shiver as deep red lips brushed lightly back and forth against her mouth. Eagerly she opened up, returning the kiss. A tingling warmth spread out from that kiss, easing the last of the tension and fear from her body. It was always that way when she gave in to the Succubus. Like the release of a heavy weight or the giving in to a deep desire.
         Affectionate nibbles upon her lips followed the kiss. Despite the pleasure, Kara could not help but wonder how different would the situation be if the Necromancer was not there. She did not believe the Succubus held any true affection towards her. It was not the way of demon's to hold affection for anyone. Her whole life, Kara had been taught to fear and hate them. They were the things of nightmares; the beasts that would devour your body and soul. She had been trained from an early age to hunt and kill them. Now she lay willingly in the arms of one.
         Kara knew it was all because of the Necromancer. Somehow, the man had managed to enrapture a succubus. So much so, that she had seen the demoness kill her own kind to protect him. He was a thing of legend to Kara's own people. Tales from ages ago spoke of him; sometimes as if he were a savior and other times as if he were a demon himself. From what she had seen, Kara knew he was capable of being both. He had slept; death-like; for hundreds of years. Slowly fading from the memories of the world. Until she had awakened him.
         Basking in the attentions of the Succubus, Kara wondered if it was a blessing or a curse that he had awakened again. They had struck a bargain, the two of them. For some reason, he seemed genuinely interested in the state of human-kind upon the world. As dire as things were, it was a fact that she was grateful for. He had agreed to see her safely to St. Peter's Haven. What she was to give in return, he had not yet said. Anything short of her soul she would give willingly, if only a merger with the people of St. Peter's Haven could be struck.
         Warm kisses on the underside of her breasts brought weak moans to Kara's throat. Smooth hands ran down her sides in a long caress, causing chills to course up her spine. A wet tongue flicked across her excited nipples, making her arch her back in pleasure. It was all done with a patient skill designed to wake up every nerve in her body. Slowly, Kara could feel the Succubus's lips trace a line down her stomach before stopping right below her naval. Violet eyes, filled with passion and lust, stared up at her from between her legs as if asking for permission.
         "Oh, god, yes. Please, yes!"
         The rest of the night went much as the nights before had. In a blur of pleasure and pleasing. Through it all, the occasional thought of just what the Necromancer desired in return for his help kept reoccurring to Kara. A very large part of her feared to know. A growing part of her already knew that no matter what it was, she would almost certainly give it. Perhaps, even her soul. Perhaps, she already had.

-{*}-

         "Do you think we can make it?"
         "Through that? Not without a fight." The Necromancer's words were calm and off-handed; as if the idea of a fight bothered him not at all. Standing several stories high upon the roof of a building, Kara looked down at the mass of demons below and was not as confident.
         They had traveled for days through the ruined expanse of the ancient city; dodging demons as they went; to finally arrive here. Below them about a block away down the street rested the large cathedral of St. Peter's Haven. It was the destination Kara had risked so much to reach. It was very likely the last chance her people had. It was also completely surrounded by a virtual army of the demonic.
         "Where are the Angels? There were supposed to be Angels here!" Kara looked up at the sky, blinking back at the harsh red light of the sun. The only forms that dotted the air above the cathedral were those of winged demons. A deep despair had begun to build up inside of her. If the stories had been false; if the people of St. Peter's Haven did not have Divine protection; then everything had been for naught.
         "Don't worry. They are there. I would know their tasteless essence anywhere."
                "But... then why the demons? Why aren't they slaying them?"
                "You don't kill the wardens of a jail, min aenlic." Laughter tinged the Necromancer's words. With closed eyes, he stood straight up with his hands outstretched before him. Kara had seen the pose before. It was the way he looked when he was sensing the life around him. "You do that, and all the little lambs scurry from the slaughter house."
                "You mean the Angels leave the demons outside on purpose? But... but why?"
                "That should be obvious." The Necromancer lowered his arms and opened his eyes. The mirth that had been there before was gone; replaced with a deep seriousness. It was his way to switch so quickly between emotions, but it still left Kara off-guard sometimes. "Three-hundred and thirty five humans inside; if you count the children; and eighty three demons of various sorts outside. A small feat for you and I to clear out, but barely an exercise for the twelve Angels within. That is, if they really wanted to."
                Kara turned around to stare at the cathedral once more. It was massive; a giant structure perhaps not as tall as those surrounding it but definitely twice as wide. It could house the three-hundred people the Necromancer said were inside, but not comfortably. And certainly not with room to spare for gardens, rain cisterns, or any other such structures. The people inside would have to depend upon the Angels for everything; food, water, protection, and all of the basic elements of life.
                "They are using the demons to keep the people inside dependent on them. To make it so if they ever leave, the people inside will die." The realization was a cold one. It did not fit with the things she had been taught as a girl. So few things did these days, ever since she had met the Necromancer.
                "No. Just to make it look that way. The Angels need those inside as much as the reverse. They would never actually abandon them. But they would certainly use the threat of it". With a flourish, the Necromancer sat down upon the roof edge lotus-style. Everything about the man spoke of elegance; from his clothing to his movement. "You sure you still want their help?"
                Kara hesitated only for a moment. Things may not have been exactly as she had expected, but the people within the cathedral were still alive. They were not being constantly tortured and killed by the demons outside. They did not have to continuously fight a loosing battle, just to survive. They also had the promise of a better afterlife. She had come too far now just to let his words force her to doubt her actions.
                "Yes. It is our only choice. If we can find a way in."
                "There are always more choices, min aenlic. But so be it. Our way in will be right through the front door." The Necromancer closed his eyes and once again stretched out his hands. As if by some unspoken word, the Succubus instantly took up a protective pose behind him. This was a new trick Kara had yet to see. Fear and interest fought for dominance inside of her. "Kill one of them for me. Which doesn't matter. I will handle the ones on the ground, but those in the air are yours."
                Quickly stringing her bow, Kara knocked an arrow and took aim at one of the demons scampering about the ground below. It was by no coincidence that the creature she chose was a cenobite. For most of her adult life, she had practiced with the bow in her hands. She had excelled at it until she had become the best archer amongst her own conclave. All of her people knew how to use a weapon; they had to in order to survive; but the bow to her was different. To her, it was an art-form. With zen-like patience she waited for just the right moment. When she finally released, the arrow whisked through the air to plunge into its target - the throat of the cenobite.
                The demon fell with a gurgled screech, its arms flailing wildly as it died. The hook-claws on the end of its hands tore into its own flesh as it flailed. Kara's pleasure at the sight was short lived. Many of the other demons had taken notice of the cenobite's fall, and were actively searching for the cause. Up high on the roof of the building, she suddenly felt far too exposed.
                "If you're going to do something, do it fast!"
                The Necromancer sat quietly in his lotus position as if he had not heard her. No motion disturbed his body; not even breathing. Kara was about to shout at him again when movement down below caught her eye. Amazingly, the cenobite she had just killed was standing up. It seemed to take the other demons by surprise as well; many of them moving closer to get a better look. Kara began to wonder if maybe she had just wounded the demon, before it all became clear.
              With amazing ferocity, the cenobite suddenly turned on the nearest demon to it. Its hook-claws dug mercilessly into the other demon's flesh, ripping out long strips. The cenobite tore down the first demon in a matter of seconds before moving onto the next. The other demons hesitated in confusion for a moment, before realizing it was either take out their former comrade or have it take them out. It was not until the thing was torn literally to pieces did it finally stop its rampage. Soon after, one of the demons the cenobite had slaughtered stood up, and the cycle began again.
              Kara watched with amazed horror. The Necromancer was using the demon's dead against them. As long as the reanimated dead managed to kill one other, the cycle could not be broken. It was not long before the living demons turned on the other living, ripping them apart rather than take any chances that the other would turn on them first. The scene was terrifying and brutal. It was almost too much for Kara to watch. Finally she looked away; unable to see any more; just in time to see a flock of the flying demons headed right for her. Engrossed in the sight below, she had forgotten about them.
              "Shit!"
              Quickly, she brought up her bow and let loose with an arrow. The screeching demon; looking like little more than a head with clawed feet and wings; went spiraling down with an arrow sticking from its eye. Kara knocked another as quickly as she could, and sent it flying into a second demon. The third was upon her too quickly for her to even reach for her quiver.
              Bird-like claws wrapped around her throat cutting off her air. A head too similar to that of a child screeched into her face, its eyes radiating hate. Fighting to loosen the demon's grip enough for her to draw a breath, Kara could see the Succubus moving frantically to keep the other flying demons away from the Necromancer. Motionless, he stayed sitting with his eyes closed as if nothing was happening.
              Giving up on trying to pry the demon's claws from her throat, Kara reached behind her and pulled out an arrow. Already she could feel herself losing the sensation of touch as the demon slowly choked her to death. With as much strength as she could muster, she stabbed the demon with the tip of the arrow. Surprised, it let go and flew away with a screech.
              Kara quickly started making her way to the Necromancer on wobbly knees. She could see the Succubus attempting to pull off several of the demons that had latched onto her arms and legs. There were just too many for Kara to fight them all off by herself. She knew she needed to wake the Necromancer, and soon. She made it as far as a step or two away from him before the flying demon struck her again.
              This time the creature landed upon her back, once again wrapping its hands around her throat. Already weak from before, Kara could not gather the strength to reach for it. With horror, she suddenly realized it was dragging her towards the edge of the roof. It would not waste the effort to choke her this time. It was just going to drop her to her death. She attempted to scream through the vice grip upon her throat, but could make no more than a whimper. Her feet scrambled upon the roof-top trying to gain purchase and halt the progress towards the ledge. She did not know when she started, but she was suddenly aware of tears falling down her cheeks. She did not want to die. Not this close to her goal.
              "Help. Help." The words were almost too quiet for even her to hear. Her vision was beginning to grow dim and her limbs numb. Pulling against the demon's grip was only helping to choking the life from her. Every second, though, brought her closer to the fall. Distantly, she wondered which she would die from first; the fall or the lack of air. The answer came a second later when the incessant dragging towards the edge suddenly stopped.
            With a loud screech, the demon let go of Kara's throat. She collapsed to the ground, unable to hold herself up any more. Rolling over to look up, she could see the Necromancer standing above her with that mirthful look on his face again. Wiggling wildly, the demon was held in his hands by its wings. Its bird-like legs kept reaching behind it trying to claw the Necromancer's arm. Never once did the man flinch, even when it did manage to scratch a bit of his wrist.
              "Naughty, naughty. You hurt min aenlic, demon. Now I am going to have to take your essence to heal her." With frightening speed, the demon began to age. Its skin darkened, wrinkled, and then flaked away as if centuries had passed it by. Its wings withered until they were just bones. Childish eyes shrank into empty sockets; sockets that poured out dust as its insides crumbled away. It was a horrendous way to die. More horrendous than anything Kara had seen before. The demon screeched the entire time, until finally it was little more than dust that blew away in the wind.
              With a slow gentleness, the Necromancer bent over Kara until his eyes stared directly into hers. His breath was warm and spicy smelling; like cinnamon. In those blue eyes the only thing she could see was her own reflection, as if what was behind would forever be beyond her reach. As he placed his hands upon her neck, her breathing began to come easier. She could feel that same rush of life filling her that she had felt at their first meeting, only this time it was far more subdued. He finally took his hands away with a slight caress along her cheek. His touch was electric as always, but surprisingly tender. To Kara it seemed greatly at odds with the pleasure she had seen him take from ending the demon's life. The man was an enigma to her even still.
              At some point the other flying demons had either been killed or had flown away. As she picked herself gingerly up from the ground, Kara could not see any sign of them anywhere. Only her, the Succubus and the Necromancer remained. Even the horde of demons that had been surrounding the cathedral were now gone. Most of them lay in bloody pieces upon the road, a testament to the power of the Necromancer.
              "You possessed the dead demons?"
              "Yes." With the same gentle touch, the Necromancer ran his hands along the Succubus's body. Kara watched as all the little cuts and scratches healed instantly beneath his palm. The Succubus trembled slightly the entire time; her eyes closed and her bottom lip caught between her teeth. Kara knew it was not fear that made the demoness tremble like that. Her violet eyes held something far too close to love when she looked at the Necromancer to be afraid of him. It was another revelation that fit uncomfortably with Kara; that demons might love. "In time, when I have gathered back enough strength, I will not need them to be dead to possess them."
              The thought was an appalling one to Kara. To be possessed while she still lived; to be forced to act upon his will instead of her own. Looking down at the carnage spread across the road, she felt a chill go up her spine. Not for the first time, she wondered if it would have been better for the man to have remained asleep.
              "You are a scary person."
              "I know." The mirthful smile was back on the Necromancer's face. With easy grace, he picked up Kara's bow and handed it back to her. She could feel the hairs on her arm standing on end just from being close to him. With a start, she realized his eyes had gone an even deeper shade of blue since a few minutes ago. The death all around had seemed to do him good. "Ready to go meet your saviors?"
              "You are going with me?" Kara looked at the Necromancer. His clothing seemed alien and strange to her; mostly consisting of flowing fabric decorated in strange symbols. It was all far different than the practical clothing she was used to seeing people wear. Past that, though, there was nothing to differentiate him from any other human. The Succubus, on the other hand, was a far different story. Red skin, infernal wings, and a body that screamed sexuality; there was no way she could be mistaken for anything other than what she was.
              "You are not ashamed of us, now are you, min aenlic?" The words would have worried Kara, if they had not been accompanied by the Necromancer's mirthful smile.
              "Oh, never. I'm just thinking, unless the doorman is blind, that knocking on their door with a demon on my arm is a sure way to get it locked."
              "Blind or dead. Oh, do not look so shocked, min aenlic. I was only joking. Anyway, you need not worry about her. She is a Succubus after all. They will let her in."
              "I really don't think stripping for them will work either." That same mirthful smile was all the reply Kara got to her words. She knew he had another trick up his sleeve; he always seemed to have another. She just was not sure what. It turned out to be the Succubus who had the trick this time.
            With growing surprise, Kara watched as the Succubus's form began to change. Her six foot frame started to shorten to somewhere more around Kara's height. Her short black hair turned an auburn color, growing out another three to four inches in length. Her large, pert breasts went down a size or two, while her skin tone turned from red to a deep bronze. The wings shrank until finally disappearing, along with all of the other demonic features that had made her seem so exotic. In the end, the demoness looked like nothing more than a normal human; a very attractive one, but still just normal. It was with a start that Kara realized a lot of the Succubus's features resembled her own. She was not completely sure if it was a compliment.
            "Alright... I am impressed. Cloths?" As much as the Succubus's naked form pleased her to look at; a strange thought to her considering she had never really found the female body that attractive before; she knew it definitely would not be appropriate within.
            "That we will have to hope to find in one of these buildings." The Necromancer had already begun to walk towards the stairs leading down the building. His walk was as confident as ever. Nothing ever seemed to phase him for more than a moment. Kara, on the other hand, was still not completely sure they could get in. It was not a guarantee that the people inside would open the door for anyone; much less three strangers. "I am sure there will be something appropriate around here."
            "In these buildings? They must have been deserted since, what? The Apocalypse? Anything in there will be rotten."
            "Leave that to me. I am feeling quite well after that little show of death. Nowhere near what I once was, but enough so that a little rot should be no bother." The Succubus pressed up close to her and licked Kara's lips; as if to say not to worry. It was difficult, but she finally managed to push down her growing fears. So much counted on this meeting going well. Her people could not continue on as they had been doing. They needed this merger to survive. "Just follow me, min aenlic. It's time to meet your so-called 'Saviors'".