Midknight, p.27
Midknight, page 27
They carried on their way, lending a hand where it was needed and offering support and comfort to those who looked like they could use it. With Michael walking between Lauren and Beau, he held onto their hands and giggled as they swung him back and forth. It was the little moments like these that made this new reality worth fighting for. Despite the gloom and doom that surrounded them, there was still hope for a brighter tomorrow.
On Perdisius, in the capital city of Dis of the Pandemonium Realm ruled by Apollyon, several figures were huddled together around a massive stone table in a great curving amphitheater. The meeting hall had a large domed ceiling lit by burning chandeliers that illuminated the stone structure. At the head of the table sat Apollyon himself, the ruler supreme of all Perdisius. A fiery crown burned brightly on his head as plans and preparations were made for the coming Gathering. His patience had been wearing thin with the constant delays, but Murmur had assured him that all those required would soon be in attendance for the ceremony.
To his right sat the colossal Mellis, the mountain troll leader of the Beestial Realm and beside Mellis sat Horid, a lycan, the ruler of the Wildemonn region. On Apollyon's left was Skurj, the amphibious king of the water realm, Phorsydes. Beside him was Stryfe, with his gigantic leathery wings, the ruler of the Fuerie Realm and king of the skies in Perdisius. The chair beside him reserved for Schadowe sat empty.
There was an uncomfortable tension that filled the air of the amphitheater. Besides the gathered Knights of the Apocalypse that were present, several hundred dignitaries and officials were also in attendance. The ceremony was to have started almost two hours ago and patience was starting to wear thin as those gathered wondered what the delay was. Murmur had arranged everything for the Gathering that was to take place today, but he was strangely absent. A messenger had been dispatched over an hour ago to find the whereabouts of Murmur and Schadowe and there was still no word from either of them. Apollyon used the time to discuss other matters of concern while they waited, but it was evident that even he was growing impatient. A great feast had been prepared to celebrate after the Gathering ceremony had taken place, but there was now some concern over the food preparations if this delay was going to take much longer. With their patience wearing thin, many of the attendees began to raise their voices and grumbled loudly. It soon grew hostile as the confined seating began to stir up the bitter feuds that existed between the different realms.
Just when it appeared that all order had been lost, the enormous wooden doors leading into the hall burst open and the messenger made his way to where Apollyon and the others sat. The messenger bowed before each of the leaders of their respective realms and then nervously addressed Apollyon.
“My Lord, I regret to inform you that Murmur has failed. The Gathering cannot take place as planned.”
“Failed? How so? Where is he now?”
“Murmur is dead, my Lord.”
“And what of Schadowe?”
“I can't say for certain, my Lord. The human appears to be still in control of him.”
“How can that be?”
“I'm not certain, but our sources have informed us that Murmur died by Schadowe’s hand.”
Apollyon rose from his seat and angrily paced back and forth behind the stone table. Derogatory remarks concerning Schadowe and the realm of the wraiths erupted from those gathered and it appeared that things were about to get out of hand when Apollyon hammered a flaming fist into the stone table.
“Enough!” the ruler of Perdisius roared as fiery fragments of the table were scattered everywhere. “This is inexcusable! Intolerable.... but we will persevere! The Gathering will take place and the Key will be retrieved. Elysius will pay for what they have done to us. If Murmur has indeed failed us, then we will find another way to summon Schadowe. If he is not willing to come to Perdisius on his own, then we will find a way to bring him here! Of that, you can be assured!”
Here ends Book One of The Midknight Trilogy. Book Two, Into Hell and Back, will continue on with Midknight’s efforts to save those he loves and the world around us from the Forsaken.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Special thanks to Gwyneth Gulbraa for editing and proofreading my latest story, Midknight: The Possession. Thank you to Thejan at Ambient Studios for another amazing looking book cover. Also, thank you to Draft2Digital for making the self-publishing process possible and allowing the stories that exist in the dark recesses of my twisted little mind to see the light of day.
Thank you again to my kids for their continued support and being the best part of this life as I know it now.
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About the Author
Edwin J. Stokirmas continues to use his writing as a therapeutic means to help him deal with the demons within. He writes when time allows as he works at his regular job by day and lives in Canada.
Read more at Edwin J. Stokirmas’s site.
Edwin J. Stokirmas, Midknight
