Devils Own ( Steampunk and Mystic ) 5.1

Part 5

The Gateway

5.1

Kassius placed his hand on the metal ring and noted the delicate finishing on the Angels. He traced his fingers on the writings. It was engraved in deep, and ancient from the feel of his fingers. There were nine angels on it, and each one was different in looks as if they were engraved based on some real figures.

“There are nine rankings among the servant of God. They are placed in the hierarchy with the Angels the lowest in rank. Above them were the Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Archangels, Principalities and Angels. The lowest is the messenger with God and the humans on this level. They are the most caring and loving among the above, but they are also the first line of troopers.” Thaddeus explained to Kassius. “They are notable on Runes engravings but above it all, the Angels were truly the Guardians of the Gateway between dimensions. We all believed that when the Runes were in danger, the Angels will descend and removed the threat.”

“If that was the belief, why have the Crescent of the Swords to be the Guardian?”

“We are the hired hands. More to it, someone had to camouflage from the obvious.” Thaddeus grinned at the trio before he stepped back. “Can we move on?”

“Why the rush, Thaddeus?” Irina asked.

“There may be a rush, when the signs said that on the sounding of the Horn, chaos was to come. We have reports that the troopers are massing at the boundary. Your presence may have attracted them. Or it was just the signs foretelling the truth. Hopefully, I am right on the later.”

“So get us on the way.” Irina added in her sarcasm. “And we will not be the cause of your battle. If there was any cause to start with.”

Senior Thaddeus expression frowned up before he lay forth his terms.

“The new dimension unlike ours, and more to it, King Richard had established a reign there too. He knew that the Ark had moved there, but he could not locate it. The only difference is that he could not move those from there here”, Thaddeus looked at the Horn. “He needed an artifact of which he had none.”

“Seek the Bastion. Find the key that will open the Vault.” Thaddeus told them. “Then do what is needed. I am not sure what is really needed as I have never sought the Vault.”

Thaddeus then looked at them.

“All of you are not dressed to face to face the new dimension. Assassin, I have a set of your uniform. Be yourself, and you may survive.” Thaddeus looked to the sword. “The Sword of Mars would be a valued companion, but your familiar tools are also needed.”

“Irina of the Guild, I knew your father well. He had once told me that his biggest achievement was having loved your mother. She was a wonderful lady and like you, an innovative inventor. He had left with me a gift which I will pass onto you.”

Thaddeus motioned to his aide to bring in the gift. It was an invention of Irina; the flame shooter of her’. It was an earlier model, which worked but held only a small volume of content.

“I had improved on it. You will find that even Merlin had a hand on it. Both of us were intrigued by it and with our tinkering, you may find it more appealing.” Thaddeus smiled. “There is the fire you seen used by Man, and there from it, the flames that slipped out to burn your hands. But behold these fires as it’s not the same fire used by man. This fire is of magical properties. It will not burn, but will torment on whoever it was inflicted on. It’s unquenchable by water, but on its own time will it dispersed. Use it to repel the dark ones.”

Thaddeus then turned to Derreen.

“The daughter of Merlin needs nothing from me, but only her own faith. She needs to hold high her learning and apply it when needed. Merlin had taught you well. Trust in his magic. And yours.”

“Once I opened the dimension, I want only one thing in return. I want the Horn in bargain.”

“The Horn? Why the Horn?” Kassius asked.

“I want to stop anyone else from using that. The Horn was one of the few remaining artifacts that could open the gateway. We have the others, and this one remained the last. We have to eliminate all the means to it.”

“Was that why you have been bargaining for artifacts?” Irina asked. She was told that Thaddeus was colleting those and had been pressing for the Horn before.

“Can you get going before I forget my reason for inviting you?” Thaddeus replied. He had seen the Horn on Irina and prompted the invitation. It was Derreen who brought the subject back to their quest.

“Can we get to the Ark and stop the madness? Is that the way.” Derreen approached Irina. She reached for the Horn.

“What do we need to do?”

“I have spoken all that is. Get ready yourselves for the quest. I will open the gate when you are ready.” Thaddeus then left the Hall to the trio who stood there. Another aide brought in the uniform of the assassin and its array of weapons.

It was Kassius who did the first move.

*************

Thaddeus placed the Horn on his lips and blew it. He blew it not once but thrice, and then the metal ring began to vibrate. Form within the ring, a bluish aura appeared and then it spread to cover the while ring like an orb.

“Step into it.” Thaddeus told them. “And be careful of the N~”

The warning of Thaddeus was lost to the trio when they stepped in.