The Banners of Hell

By Michael John Weber

The plan to attack the Obelisk of Yfel is set, and the assault soon begins.
While the Headmistress of the Maggirdym faces a greater conundrum, the students resume their training under the ever-watchful eye of their new Commander.
But, the banners of the King of Hell advance, and Darkness once more attempts to dim the Realm, while the Goddess of Hope is away.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael John Weber
• Release date: Nov 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005754105

Michael John Weber

I live at the Sungoma Arts Centre, on Vancouver Island. It's quiet and peaceful, and surprisingly comfortable, especially in the forgiving winters, here. There, I write novels, short stories, screenplays, and essays; I make music as well, under the moniker DJ Stoa, which I publish all over the Internets; I also design board-games, card-games, and pen & paper role-playing games, for children and adults alike.

Book preview

Chapter One

In the southern-most reaches of the Maggirdym, Kita and Nozomi idly wander along the winding cobblestone road what bisects the sun-soaked Forest, the warm air broken by the call of songbirds, and the screech of the few turkey vultures who circle and soar, high overhead. Walking side-by-side, the two long-lost friends chatter and laugh as they go, and soon do they see the first of many streetlights what line the road, ahead, marking the last stretch of their journey to the School's grounds. Encountering scores of students along the way, most going in groups, some travelling alone, the passing Magirai bow and curtsy, and make their happy hellos, before returning to their training, while horse-drawn stagecoaches rattle and rush by, delivering students to and from the cities and towns to the north.

Soon seeing the wrought-iron gate, at the end of that road, what serves as entrance to the School's grounds, Nozomi casts a shy look her friend's way, and blushing, admits: We don't have to do this if you don't want; I know it's kind of a silly thing for me to suggest.

It's not kind of silly, giggles Kita, "it is silly. And, that's why I think we should do it."

With a fast shrug, Nozomi replies: It probably won't be as exciting as I imagine it will be.

Kita interlocks her arm with Nozomi's, and chuckles: Oh, stop your worrying, and let's go.

Pulling the diminutive Headmistress by the arm, Kita moves their feet to rushing, crossing the short distance to the tall gate set in the massive wall of megalithic stone what girds the School's grounds. Beyond, scores of buildings dot the slope of a wide, terraced hill, set upon narrow lane-ways flanked with blooming cherry trees, and beds of broad-blooming flowers. Of those many structures about the grounds of that vast estate, those smallest seem all clustered together about open plazas upon a lower plateau, while high upon the crest of that great slope, a series of tall, ivy-covered buildings loom large against the cloudless sky. Hand-in-hand, the two set to slowly climbing the broad staircase what ascends the School's grounds, it flanked by blooming cherry trees, and beds of brightly-coloured flowers. Moving along with the flow of students who enter and exit that lone gate, armed and armoured, who prepare to embark upon their trials, or else returning – dirty and injured – from the same, all make their respectful greetings to their Headmistress, and quondam Seneschal, as they pass.

Okay – so, first observation, murmurs Kita, leaning Nozomi's way, the last time you and I made this walking tour of the School, we were the only ones in the whole Realm.

Mm, nods Nozomi, smiling and twiddling her fingers in hello, at the passing students, this place hums with activity nearly every hour of the day, now.

Herself waving at the passing students, Kita observes: I'm seeing a lot of emerald blazers.

After the Days of Darkness, Nozomi explains, we had to make room for nearly five-thousand new students. It's the largest wave of freshmen the Realm has ever seen; it has made life on campus rather lively, to say the least.

Five thousand?, repeats Kita, brow furrowing with her surprise. That seems kind of high. I recall us averaging one or two new students, per moon, back when I was training here. Did the Days of Darkness last so long as that?

With a shrug, the azure-haired girl replies: The best I can ascertain, they lasted between six-hundred, and a thousand sunsets.

And – five thousand Souls arrived here in that time?, asks Kita, aiming a frown her friend's way.

Well, the number of Souls who arrive here seems to fluctuate, over the sunsets, explains Nozomi, pausing to smile and wave at a passing group of students. Sometimes, hundreds of days go by, before the School sees a new Soul arrive; other times, they arrive on the Beach, daily.

Still, Kita insists, "five thousand is way above average, isn't