CHAPTER 1

HELLKEEPER

For generations, mages have summoned demons and siphoned their essence to be more powerful than the gods. We do not weep for the creatures, for their very existence is to cause pain and suffering. We simply shift their reason for being to benefit humanity. I have fought in wars waged by those who fear God’s wrath. I lived lifetimes longer than the average man, my wisdom absolute. I am the son of Dunwald; the father of magic  I am Hell's Keeper. I am The Flame of Albastia. I am Duladin.

The blood is thick and dark as it empties from the throat of a weak and starved fiend. I take my medallion and hold it under its wound to collect the blood. The demon shakes and squirms for a moment until it eventually lets out its final moan then goes limp. It hangs upside down; the blood draining out of its neck like a flowing river. It hits my medallion, its flame-like shape shimmers in the blood like a new coat of paint until it glows a bright red. The most valuable resource in all of Keir; Demon’s blood. I feel the overwhelming power seep into my very being. I would be a liar if I didn’t admit the feeling of this power was more rewarding than witnessing the birth of my child. I look to those around me all partaking in the feast. My devout followers wish to become as powerful as me one day. I know my place in this world. It is to be above the rest. I reach a hand down to those with no power to speak of and I raise them to become the world's strongest. From son to father it’s been this way, and from me to my kin, it will stay. 

“Archmage Duladin” pipes an older-looking gentleman, face wrinkled from years of battle. I know this man to be Elder Rakeith, a true hardass for every one of my ideas. He is wearing a dark red vest adorned with patterns of paisley. Holding in one hand is a wooden cane that loudly clacks against the cobblestone floor.

“Yes, Elder? Is something the matter?” I ask keeping my voice low so as to not cause a scene.

“Why yes, Archmage something is the matter.” he says mockingly “What’s this I hear about your usage of the summoning room?” 

“Nothing out of the ordinary Elder, just testing my strength,” I say dismissively

“By summoning a greater demon?” snaps the elder. “We can hardly contain a Medium level one. I will NOT allow it.” My followers have all stopped draining their demons to eavesdrop on the conversation. 

“But Elder Rakeith-”

“I will not! That is final!” He says storming off.

“Of course Elder, my mistake,” I say to his back. Elder Rakeith is forever a thorn in my side. Despite his disapproval, I plan to summon this demon. The foolish man believes his words are as golden as the minerals of Croxford. 

“Continue the feast, my brothers and sisters. All is well, nothing to fear." Most of them jump at my direct address, others with power on par with mine simply go back to their business. I get up from my chair, knees popping loud enough to catch a few glances; the downside of getting older. Walking through crowds of my people the smell of death is in the air, but it brings me joy in knowing trusted individuals like myself are in charge of leading the new generation toward a power they will soon come to understand. I make my way to the door leading out of the dining hall and exit to see siblings fighting over a talisman. Poor children I think to myself, knowing already that their mother and father have died in battle. The pair stop dead in their tracks after hearing the doors to the hall close behind me. “What’s the meaning of this,” I say using an illusion to make my voice thunderous. The boy on the left holds a wand with an orange crystal on the hilt. He trembles as I slowly walk toward him.

“N-nothing Great Flame, i-it’s just that mother left me with the stick but Marget wants to feed it-”

“Not true!” snaps the girl on the right. “Mother left ME with the stick, you just want to be like the Great Flame,” she says snatching the wand away from him

“Enough!” I say with my gut, rumbling the walls in the process. They are only children, they do not know the value which they have been given. I take the illusion away, “Your mother gave you something invaluable, people would kill to have what you have been given. You must protect it until her return. Is that understood?”

“Yes Great Flame,” they say in unison 

“Good, now off with you” The two run away and turn a corner. I breathe a heavy sigh as I continue to the summoning room. Walking the familiar halls I've known since birth I greet those I grew up with, those that have been by my side through wars, and those that have been loyal to the very end. Their remnants are now built into the castle’s walls, forever living within us. My followers believe these walls and those fallen protect them. I know the truth, I am their savior. I reach the summoning room, the large doors are covered in vines and blocked off to all those who wish to enter. All but me. 

I grab one of the leaves sprouting from the vine and gently whisper the phrase necessary “aperi mihi rex sum” The vines retract and the doors open to a staircase that descends into a large open room with golden illustrations of prophecies and battles long past. There are dark grey pillars that stretch from floor to ceiling lining the walls. On the opposite side of the room is the Keeper’s Tree, a pure white tree big enough to rival the size of a dragon. It carries pink leaves unlike any tree seen in all of Keir. Being in its presence again reminds me of a time I brought my lover a bundle of its flowers. Descending the stairs I think about what comes next. After this summoning, I will need to give my followers a new curriculum. Perhaps the Elder will be banished for daring to challenge my word. Wouldn’t that be a spectacle? I approach the Keeper’s Tree and place my hand upon it. The bark of the tree grows around my hand. I smile at the familiar touch.  Taking a deep breath I prepare to chant the words for summoning a monstrosity from the infernal plane. 

“Arbor magna dæmonium mitte mihi”

The tree's roots break through the floor and form a circle that expands to the room's walls. The demon is coming through. The first thing to appear at the gate is a large curved horn with a sharp tip that slashes the air around it. The head is that of a goat skull, its eyes hollow and empty, all except for a never-ending flame somewhere within. Its bare chest is scarred with slashes digging deep enough to see through the back of the beast. Its legs are covered in rough fur. Of which animal I know not. 

I remember what I am here for as I summon chains made of the hardest metals the earth has to offer and restrain the beast by its neck, hands, and feet. Getting a closer look I see it has long black hair that originates from the skull and flows to its shoulders.  I take out a small dagger and slash the creature’s hand. The spell makes it so the beast cannot move a muscle. It helplessly watches my process of collecting its soul purpose on this plane. I am able to take little blood before we hear it. More rumbling around the room. In the excitement of summoning a new demon, I failed to notice the gate was still open. I run to the tree as fast as my legs could carry me I know it is too late. I am too late. I see a large metal gauntlet grip the sides of the gate and pull itself up and out into our world.