Demon Lord VII: Dark Domain

By T C Southwell

The Demon Lord must face three dark gods, possibly four, in order to keep the child goddess Kayos has awakened safe. At the same time, he is beset by the people whose domain Sherinias now rules, who do not believe in gods. They know all about evil, and have been trying to fight it for centuries, with dire consequences. Their attempts hamper Bane, however, and place him in additional danger.

While most try to kill or capture him, others are persuaded that Bane is not a destroyer and take his side. Sherinias’ world is still in a great deal of trouble, falling into darkness as its people destroy it with their careless plunder, and not even Kayos can save it.

The city the people have built in the God Realm just outside the realm gate makes it difficult to close the portal, which they strive to keep open, but if it is not closed all manner of gods may enter and put this dark domain and its child goddess in even greater peril....

• Language: English
• Publisher: T C Southwell
• Release date: Jun 2, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476212005

T C Southwell

T. C. Southwell was born in Sri Lanka and moved to the Seychelles when she was a baby. She spent her formative years exploring the islands – mostly alone. Naturally, her imagination flourished and she developed a keen love of other worlds. The family travelled through Europe and Africa and, after the death of her father, settled in South Africa.T. C. Southwell has written over thirty fantasy and science fiction novels, as well as five screenplays. Her hobbies include motorcycling, horse riding and art, and she is now a full-time writer.

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Demon Lord VII

Dark Domain

T C Southwell

Published by T C Southwell at Smashwords

Copyright © 2012 T C Southwell

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Prologue

When the Demon Lord and his companions arrive at a domain with a godless modern society whose creator was slain centuries ago, they discover an unborn goddess in her birthing chamber and the realm gate standing open. Kayos awakens Sherinias, who sets about rectifying the disarray in her domain. Then Bane discovers that there are three, possibly four dark gods residing in Sherinias’ world, and plans to cast them down before they can capture and enslave the young goddess. The people, however, believe him and the light gods to be destroyers and do their utmost to kill them or drive them out, and they have powerful weapons.

The realm gate must be closed to keep the domain and Sherinias safe, but the people have built a city outside, and want it left open, not realising the calamity that could result. Bane sends the commander of the ship that captured him to deliver a warning to the outer city’s governor of the gate’s impending closure, but she is imprisoned and almost executed. Bane rescues her and leaves her with the rest of the people he has saved, out in the Wastes, before making his way back to the domain. Sherinias, however, does not know what Bane is….

Table of Contents

Chapter One – Dark God

Chapter Two – Stealth Ship

Chapter Three – Destroyer

Chapter Four – Beast God

Chapter Five – Saviour

Chapter Six – Rescue

Chapter Seven – Recovery

Chapter Eight – Friendship

Chapter Nine – Attack

Chapter Ten – Dark Domain

Chapter Eleven – Favour

Chapter Twelve – Demon Gods

Chapter Thirteen – Demon Deal

Chapter Fourteen – Eternal Flame

Chapter One

Dark God

Sherinias hesitated in front of the realm gate, caught between uncertainty and curiosity, with a healthy dose of stubborn pride mixed in. Kayos had left with Drevarin on some errand a short time ago, and she had become bored with watching the foolish mortals in her Eye. She longed to know what Bane was doing outside in the God Realm. It ate at her. He fascinated her, and Kayos’ refusal to answer her questions about him only added to her curiosity. What was all the secrecy about? Why did her father defer to him and demand that she treat him as a superior when he was clearly inferior?

As a mere mortal god, he was almost powerless, and the fact that he was older did not entitle him to such deference. She was a thousand times more powerful than him. Her dread of the darkness held her feet to the floor, but Bane was out there, as were the people in the city, so how dangerous could it be? When he had left, Bane had assured her that there were no dark gods outside, and surely he would not have gone out if there were. Perhaps that was the special power of which Kayos had spoken: the ability to sense dark gods from afar. If so, it was valuable indeed, and the Oracle had not heard of anyone possessing it.

Either way, if it was safe for him to venture out, it must be safe for her, and she wanted to know what he was doing. Why had he demanded that she open the realm gate? His arrogance in activating the lock that kept it open had angered her, but she had been unable to object, since Kayos had not. Why did Kayos allow Bane to do as he pleased, and worse, expect her to obey him?

Granted, she was young, but so was Bane, since a mortal god did not live for more than a thousand years. While being only a day old was a disadvantage, the Oracle had granted her knowledge, and the intense curiosity of her youth longed for satisfaction. Kayos had not said that she could not leave the domain. She created an Eye and sought Bane within it, and an image formed of him standing not far from the gate. He appeared to be lost in thought, and she made up her mind. Dismissing the Eye, she rose into the air and flew out of the gate.

Bane stood a short distance from the cliff, out of sight of the city, facing away from the gate. From here, he could walk back to the gate once he ran out of power, for he wanted to try an experiment. Torvaran’s method of armouring himself with metal intrigued him. If he could do something similar, it would greatly reduce his injuries in the future battles. Forming shields of dark power a short distance away was relatively easy, but could he clad himself in them as Torvaran had done with metal? When he had created a construct to fight Arkonen, he had used a similar tactic, only the construct had been mostly dust and metal.

Using metal was an option he could employ in a mid or dark realm, but its weight would slow him, which would be a disadvantage when fighting a lightning-fast opponent. The black fire weighed nothing, but he had not tried to make a solid shield close to his skin. Summoning the power from his bones, he fashioned a shield in his hand, which was easy. Letting it dissipate in a fall of shadows, he looked down at his chest, willing the dark power to form a body-hugging shield over it.

Darkness oozed from him and swirled in front of his chest, chilling it, but refused to become solid. He increased his willpower, and it began to coalesce, then icy needles prickled his skin and he jumped back with a curse, brushing the shield away. It dispersed, and he pondered the problem. He could not form a solid shield in the air. It had to be grounded, either in the earth, or in his hand. Since his hands held the ultimate control, forming one in them was easy, but how did he do it on another part of him?

Making another hand shield, he moulded it to the right size and shape, then held it against his chest. Its chill bit into his skin, for when the dark power was so intense, so was its cold. He could not hold a shield in place during a battle, yet he could make objects float in the air, so why not the shield? He took hold of the shield with his mind, and it hovered over his chest for a moment, then dispersed.

Bane cursed. If he formed it on his skin, its cold would freeze it. If he caused a shield to spring up from the ground close to him, it would not move with him. It only stayed between him and his opponent if his opponent moved. Useful, but armour would be more so. It seemed that his experiment was a failure. He could not armour himself with shields of dark power. His body shields, which formed within his flesh, were too permeable to stop sharp-edged or pointed weapons, and now he knew why they only protected him from fire and the blows of blunt objects.

Damn, he muttered.

What are you doing?

Bane froze as a familiar voice spoke behind him, his blood chilling. Leashing the dark power, he swung around. Sherinias stood just beyond his sphere of influence, regarding him with curious eyes. At that distance, she could not sense his power, and perhaps the unwanted confrontation could be averted.

Sherinias. How bold of you to venture out. Go back inside the domain.

No. She pouted, gazing around. There can be no danger here, else you would not be here.

It is very dangerous out here for you, now go back.

How can it be dangerous for me, but not for you? You have no power.

The darkness within Bane surged at her words, hating them. It thrust a hot assertion that he did indeed have power, and lots of it, onto his tongue, but he bit back the words and replaced them with his own. As a creature of light, you are a beacon to dark gods, now go back.

You said that there are no dark gods here. I do not understand why Father ordered me to obey you and show you deference. You are clearly inferior to me, so I shall not.

The dark power surged again, strained at the bonds of his willpower and urged him to strike out and enslave or kill her. Such insolence from a light goddess was a potent goad to it, and no light god had ever treated him with such disdain when he had his power. Fortunately, he was not carrying a lot of it, but even so, its desire for her pain sickened him.

He drew in a deep breath. One day you will know, but not now. Do as I say.

Tell me why first. The mystery irks me. Then perhaps I shall return.

Bane’s temper frayed under the double irritation of her impudence and the dark power’s longing for retaliation, which grated on his nerves. No.

Why will you not tell me? She stepped closer.

Bane retreated, keeping her out of his sphere of influence. Because you are too young.

I have been taught by my Oracle. I know more than you.

Emotionally, you are too young.

What has emotion to do with it? Do you think it will sadden me? Or perhaps I shall find it amusing? Are you afraid that I will laugh at you, Brother? Will that upset you? Her smile was a little disdainful. I would not insult you so, rest assured. You may tell me your secret.

Bane longed to cast out the black fire, but she might sense it if he did. His patience wore thin. Go back inside now, before you anger me, Sherinias.

I am not afraid of you.

You should be. The words tripped off his tongue before he could stop them, only part of the dark power’s vicious assertion.

Why should I?

I am your brother. You should respect me.

I do, but I am not afraid of you. I am happy to have a brother, and I wish to know you better.

No, you do not. Bane grimaced and looked down, hating himself and the malevolence he harboured. When he looked up again, she had taken two steps closer. He backed away, toying with the idea of walking off and hoping that she could not catch up. Except she would fly.

Of course I do. Her smile widened and her eyes sparkled. Why do you run away? Surely you are not afraid of me? I will not hurt you.

He gritted his teeth. Sherinias, you do not want to find out the truth about me. Not now, so go back inside.

But I do. Why would I not?

Because it will terrify you, he longed to say, and you might make the fatal mistake of Moving in the God Realm. As I said, you are not ready. You were only born yesterday.

What difference does that make? Her brows drew together. My youth is not your concern, Brother. Do not harp upon it.

You dare to disobey Kayos and be impertinent to me?

Are you going to run to him with the tale, like a foolish mortal? Being a god should at least grant you some nobility.

Bane bit his tongue again as the darkness strained at its bonds, giving him a headache. He clenched his hands and bowed his head, leashing it. He could control it even under the worst provocation, but it cost him, and its black rage nibbled at his mind.

Sherinias said, I am quite prepared to treat you as an equal, since you are older, but... She gasped, and he glanced up to find her wide-eyed, her hands clutched to her breast.

Bane whipped around, raising his hands to defend them from whatever threat she had perceived, but there was nothing there. He spun back, measuring the distance between them. She had entered his sphere of influence and sensed his power. He was the monster that frightened her. Slowly, he raised his eyes to her face. Her hands had crept up to her mouth, and she breathed in short, jerky gasps. He spread his hands towards her in an appeasing gesture, then realised that that was the worst thing he could do and hid them behind his back. The darkness ebbed within him, contented by her terror.

Sherinias, it is all right. I will not harm you.

She shook her head, gulping.

This is what we were hiding from you, and this is why. Whatever you do, do not Move. Go back inside now. Realising that what he had said did not make much sense, he added, When I say Move, I mean translocate. If you Move out here, you will not go where you wish. You will become lost in the God Realm. Do you understand?

Her eyes remained riveted to his, like a rabbit mesmerised by a snake, and her gasps had grown louder. Bane cursed under his breath. She was a child of the light confronted by a dark god, and she was frozen with terror. If she knew that her only hope of escaping him was to Move, and did so out of sheer panic, despite his warning, it would be disastrous.

Again, he toyed with the idea of walking away, but it might be his presence that prevented her from Moving. He was not sure if she was able to listen to him, or if she was too terrified even to do that. Perhaps the solution would be to capture her, thereby preventing her from Moving, or at least from doing so alone. He wondered how much power such a young light goddess possessed. The answer came from the dark power, which told him that she was defenceless, unable even to use the white fire to slay him as adult light gods could. If he captured her, however, he would only frighten her more, and she looked ready to faint from terror already. Did light goddesses faint?

Sherinias, I am your brother. I would never harm you. Do you think Kayos would trust me if I would?

She blinked. You are -

A dark god, yes, I know, believe it or not. But I am tar’merin. Do you know what that is?

Her head jerked from side to side, and he cursed again, racking his brains. It means I am not evil. Close your eyes and look at my soul.

She hardly dared to blink, he thought angrily. She was not going to close her eyes when faced with a dark god, a liar.

Of course, you do not believe me, he muttered. But I am telling you the truth. Just go back into the domain, find Kayos and ask him about me. I will not follow you or stop you.

A movement beyond her caught his eye. A grey-clad man flew towards them in a familiar upright posture, his legs slightly bent. Bane relaxed. Here is Father. Stay where you are.

Kayos landed beside her and raked Bane with hard eyes.

Sherinias flung her arms around him. Father! Do not let him hurt me!

Hush child. It is all right. He patted her shoulder, letting her cling to his shimmering jacket.

Bane swung away, running a hand through his hair.

Bane, stay, Kayos said.

He turned back. Why? She is terrified of me.

This is not as I planned it, but now that it has happened, we must deal with it. Kayos looked down at the girl, then back at Bane. This is very bad for you, I know.

Bad for me? Yes, it is. First, she was impertinent, and the darkness wanted her dead. Now she treats me like a monster, like so many others. Do not make it worse.

I will try not to, but she must learn to trust you now, or the damage will be irreparable. How did she get here?

You think I brought her?

Kayos shook his head. No. Of course not. It is my fault. I was not watching her.

So how do you intend to solve this?

The Grey God released Sherinias, prised her arms from his chest and clasped her hands. She cast Bane a terror-stricken glance, and Kayos cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. Sherinias, Bane is tar’merin. He will not harm you.

I already tried that, Bane said.

But you are -

A liar, of course. Bane flung up his hands.

Yes, you are.

You are right, I am.

You are making this harder.

Bane folded his arms. Carry on then.

Kayos said to Sherinias, Listen to me, child, and listen well. Bane, your brother, is not like other dark gods. He fights for the light; for us. He will not harm you.

She shivered. He is the darkness.

Bane snorted. She cannot seem to get past that.

Kayos ignored him. No... He frowned. Yes, he is, yet he is not. Look at his soul.

Sherinias closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she appeared confused, but no less afraid. It-It must be a trick, Father. Let us flee, seek shelter in the domain and close the gate.

Wonderful idea, Bane muttered.

Kayos sighed. All right, we will have to do this the hard way. Sherinias. He took hold of her shoulders and gave her a little shake, jerking her attention from Bane. You are my daughter. I would not put you in danger, would I?

No, Father.

You have sworn to obey me, have you not?

Yes, Father.

Kayos nodded. Now I hold you to that oath. In this, you will obey me without question or hesitation.

Fly back to the domain?

No. Kayos released her and looked at Bane, who paced up and down. Bane, stand still.

The Demon Lord stopped and sighed, gazing into the distance.

Kayos said to the child goddess, You will do as I say. You will go to Bane and take his hand.

Bane’s head jerked around. That is asking a bit much.

It is the best way.

That is like telling her to put her hand into a basket of snakes.

Yes, Kayos said, and when she finds that they do not bite, her fear goes away.

Your method of teaching children leaves a lot to be desired.

I have raised twenty-seven children, and she is a goddess.

She is a child, Bane said. She is only one day old.

Will you stop interfering?

Fine. You can clean up the mess.

Kayos faced Sherinias again. Obey me.

Am I to be his slave, Father? she asked in a trembling voice. Is that why he does not harm you? Have you given me to him in return for your freedom?

Do you really think I would do such a thing, Sherinias?

She looked stricken, shaking her head. But I would understand it, and I would be honoured to sacrifice myself for you.

I have told you that he will not harm you.

The darkness lies, Father. He has deceived you.

I understand your fear, so do it because I tell you to, and for no other reason.

Sherinias stared at Bane with flinching, horror-filled eyes, and Kayos gave her a push towards him. She took a step and halted, frozen again.

Bane flung Kayos an angry look. If you want to frighten her to death, do not use me.

Do I have a choice?

Yes, leave me alone. Bane strode away.

Bane!

The Demon Lord walked on for several strides, then slowed, raising his fists with a growl of frustration as he stopped and swung to face the Grey God, who glared at him. Bane marched back, flicking the edges of his cloak over his shoulders. I do not enjoy frightening little girls.

I understand. This is hard for you.

It is a lot worse for her.

Do you want her to be afraid of you?

No.

Then do as I say, Kayos advised. I know what I am doing. Do you remember how your power reacted to her insolence?

Yes.

Then harden your heart. You are too soft.

Tell her that, Bane said.

At this juncture, words will not convince her. Have you heard that actions speak louder?

Of course. Then come with her.

The Grey God shook his head. Then she will fear you when I am absent.

I do not want to do this.

You must. Kayos looked at Sherinias once more. Go and take your brother’s hand.

Why did you call him back when he was leaving? she asked. I do not understand.

I did it because you must do as I say. He will not harm you.

Sherinias cast Bane a despairing glance and walked towards him with stiff, jerky steps. He was unable to meet her desperate, pleading gaze, which begged for his mercy.

Once, he had revelled in the terror he inspired, and the darkness sought to twist his self-loathing into contempt. The dark