Speeding from the Sator’s chamber Duke knew time was of the essence, as the great Empyrean Reaper Tasha would not have given such a task lightly it emphasized its importance in his mind. As he left he felt there were more to her words however… such a task could be easily accomplished by his Sator; her energy must have been focused elsewhere. On what he was not sure, only that she relied on him not to fail in this mission. As admirable as it may have been, his concern for her could not take precedence over the timely task she entrusted him with.
His first stops lead him to the holy Libraries of Tranquility, where he hoped to acquire as much knowledge about the journey before him as possible. It seemed like hours he searched through ancient texts relating to the Ethereal Hold when frustration took hold. Scroll after scroll he read finding only mystical references to its power, but nothing on what it was or how to overcome such an obstacle. Suddenly a familiar voice rang from a distant bookshelf, a voice from which he could never forget. “Still looking for prevailing wisdom in those old scrolls? Hmm old friend?”
As he came from around the bookshelf the sound of his aggravated limp, a wound he had received many years before, Duke knew it was him, “Dethcar!” he shouted. “Ah, you still remember me I see, Supremus Duke.” he replied with a soft chuckle. As they shook hands they recollected the fierce battle in which he received his lasting wound from the Prime Evil himself, during the second scourge from Hell’s Gate. At the time, Dethcar was a fierce champion of the Angel Knights which held back the wrath of the scourge, but with great cost both Angel and Demon alike. Duke was only a Principality under his command at that time, during which he had pulled him to safety as both sides retreated from the carnage. Duke explained the task that had been set before him in hopes Dethcar’s his years of experience would yield vital information.
“Ah… the Ethereal Hold you say, I see… a powerful spell to be sure, one which can only be cast by the Sators themselves.” He said as he pulled an ancient scroll from a distant shelf then unveiling on the desk before Duke. Dethcar sighed profoundly as he rested in a chair, “I’m afraid what you are looking for cannot be obtained by you, me, or any other spiritual being for that matter, Supremus Duke.” He tapped the scroll in front of Duke, “This spell was specifically designed to stop any of us, Angel or Demon, from the ability to interact with it. The manuscript itself would have to be obtained by a mortal but the scripture itself cannot be seen by mortal eyes.” Duke’s eyes closed with concern as his heart raced for answers. “There was must be a way to find, obtain, and translate this manuscript Dethcar… Empyrean Reaper Tasha would not have assigned such a task without knowing it could be done.”
“Worse yet Supremus Duke, if what you have told me is true, I fear the combined strengths of Sator Tasha and her Arches are being focused in hopes to prevent another breach of Hell’s Gate. Whatever she has sent you to find in that chest must be pivotal to its success, mostly likely the Scroll of Divine Balance.” They sat for a while pondering scenarios until an idea stuck Duke that seemed farfetched but possible. “What if I were to become mortal Dethcar? Would that allow me to interact with the manuscript?” He looked to Dethcar for confirmation as his eyes moved left to right, “Yes, in theory it would Duke… but it would leave you weak in the mortal realm, subject to thirst, hunger, fatigue… the journey would not be easy.”
“I understand the risks my old friend, but I must do this; I cannot fail Sator Tasha.” Duke exclaimed as he stood readying his satchel. “Hold!” Dethcar said placing his hand on my forearm, “You will need this old friend” he said pulling a flat green cracked gem from an incision in his armor. He held it to the light looking through it at me “This is the Crystal of Vigil which will unveil the openings to the ruins where the chest is located… but be warned Supremus Duke, for it has been damaged over the years and no longer possesses the full power to show you the proper path. The Prime Evil is known for his deceit and trickery, so only the true door will allow you to enter where the others will consume your soul. You MUST choose carefully for even the chest may decei…”
“That is where I come in wayward Angel.” An angelic voice rang from behind them half way through his sentence. As Dethcar and Duke turned a glowing aura of light filled the room as Archangel Cassandra of the Wisdom Line entered their presence. Duke bowed his head with a subtle smile, “Greetings, Arch Cass. I know now what I must do, why I must do it, and understand that time is of the essence. An evil scourge cannot be allowed again into the mortal realm.” Archangel Cassandra offered a subtle smile in return as she walked to the table sliding a ring off one of her fingers handing it to him, “This is the Seal of Wisdom Supremus Duke, it will allow you to see what is unseen, but you will have to be the one who deciphers what you see. Blessings upon you Duke; may the Sator watch over you in your journey. But remember that although your brightness will be guarded in our Sanctuary it WILL fade if you die in the mortal realm.”
“I understand my Arch; I have faith that with my wisdom, your teachings, and the blessing of our Holy Sator we will prevail!” Duke looked to Dethcar and nodded moving to help him from his chair, “HA!” He shouted, “We?... No I’m sorry my old friend, but my days of glory and adventure are over… this task is one I can only help to guide you. We’ll discuss it upon your return over a drink.” Dethcar sharply rolled a map of the mortal world open and swiftly jabbed a jeweled dart into a city called Giza. “Through the ancient texts I found that still exist this city of mortals is as close as I can get you to the chamber holding the chest… you will need to track its true whereabouts any way you can Supremus Duke. It is protected by powerful spells so I cannot pinpoint its location, and beware of its defenses as they are not only physical in nature. The flames of the Prime Evil will not the only hurdle you will face.”
Duke turned to Archangel Cassandra for a final blessing before his departure into the mortal realm. She reminded me of the dangers he would face as a mortal as she placed a blessing of protection on his soul. “Are you sure ready Supremus Duke? This journey will test your will more than any trial you have ever faced.” Duke nodded with confidence, “Very well.” She replied motioning me over to the transformation platform. “Focus your thoughts Duke, the transformation and the journey to the mortal realm will be disorientating” she said as Duke positioned himself with crossed arms ready to bear what he must.
Archangel Cassandra positioned herself between Duke and the jeweled dart jabbed, raised a hand to each and her power began to flow. Duke watched as her eyes glowed with furious brightness as lightning shot from her hands to the dart and into his body. Duke’s head jerked back as pain surged through his chest into his wings and he suddenly felt movement faster than he ever thought possible; an intense beam of light carried him across the planes of existence. Fighting the searing pain of his wings burning off his body Duke looked below to see the Earth growing larger and larger until he was only several inches off the ground; he landed in a plume of smoke. He had made it… in pain and disoriented but alive as any mortal could be.
As he gained his bearings he looked around clenching his chest as he felt the reminder of his wings peel from his back. Duke reached into his satchel and covered himself with a cloak and set out for the closest sign of civilization he could see with his wayward eyes. Within two hours of walking Duke came upon a quiet village filled with the hustle and bustle of mortal life. He could feel the aches of hunger and thirst setting in… a feeling he had almost forgotten since transcending into Angelhood. Shortly after Duke stumbled upon an Inn where he sat to rest his weary muscles where he bartered a large jug of water and 2 loaves of bread for 3 slabs of copper. As he sat with food and drink he heard a man talking of an ancient tale of a demon in the sands of the desert surrounded by darkness. As he listened closer the man continued on about a mystical demon hauling a golden coffer in the desert night somewhere near the Great Sphinx. After speaking with a few other villagers, Duke was able to pinpoint the location mentioned in the mythical fable to a place known as the Tomb of Queen Khentkawes. Once his thirst was quenched and his hunger satisfied Duke was given directions to this unholy place which no villager would dare venture.
As Duke traveled to his destination his mind was plagued with thoughts of what power this manuscript must hold to be hidden and protected so secretively. His mind wondered for hours when it suddenly occurred to him that the landscape had not changed… He stopped, looked to the ground seeing footprints leading off as far as he could see when it struck him… these were his footprints. As a despairing thought took hold in his mind a deep demonic laughter was heard and he knew the battle of wits had begun. As the wind howled and the sand struck his face he dropped to his knee and opened his satchel retrieving the Crystal of Vigil. Placing the crystal to his eye he looked around and saw a difference in landscape which revealed a path to the south. Continuing to use the crystal, he followed the path until it lead him down a gorge into the Earth where 3 tombs appeared before him. Three distinct doorways stood out from the stone, each looking exactly like the other with nothing distinguishable between them.
As he looked left, right, and straight ahead at the hidden entrances he recalled Dethcar’s words that only one would allow him to pass where the others would kill him. The diminished power of the Crystal of Vigil did not allow him to see what lay beyond each door; he knew he must choose wisely or be killed. Duke pondered his course of action carefully then retrieved the Seal of Wisdom from his satchel. He recalled Archangel Cassandra’s words hoping it would reveal his path, but knew it would be his own wisdom that would lead him to the prize. As he placed the Seal on his finger he saw though the crystal the magical barriers guarding each door, which again were undistinguishable except for a single small rune positioned at the center of each stone slab. With mortal eyes he could not understand the runes meanings by sight... it would have to be made from memory. Duke them dropped to his knees and began to pray and meditate into deep thought to access the memories of his training as an Angel.
During his trance Duke recalled seeing the first symbol and recognized it as “Fate”, the second became clear as “Destiny” and the third and final he recalled as “Reality”. As Duke kneeled he pondered which symbol would lead to his glory and which would lead to his death. He knew the holy Sator Tasha had selected him for this task for a specific reason; something about his character must be the key. It dawn on him that his Line was Wisdom, his knowledge profound, his devotion waivered. The answer had become clear… Fate and Reality were the only two of the three symbols that could not be influenced by an outside force, they simply were. Destiny on the other hand could be shaped and molded by the actions of moral and immoral thoughts. The future was not set so he understood Fate could only be in past tense. Reality only explained the present; he knew there was nothing he could change about reality. Duke closed his eyes and raised his hand to the last symbol and said, “Our Destiny… is timeless… and is what shapes our very future through the actions of the Wise”.
Duke felt a small tremble under his hand as the stone slab slowly moved away from him and as he opened his eyes the chamber before him was open. As his heart raced and the wind whistled through the chamber he saw a golden chest upon a pedestal before him. Duke moved cautiously into the chamber knowing his task would not be so easy to complete. He placed his hand in front of him as he moved slowly toward the chest but felt unholy warmth on his palm; he paused and raised the crystal to his eye revealing a maze of red fire before him. As he turned to open his satchel a scrap of his flowing cloak instantly incinerated as it touched the dark flames. He realized if he had stepped even one foot closer his Fate would have been sealed. Duke retrieved the vial given to him by the holy Sator and slowly navigated the maze until the chest lay before him surrounded by the unseen dark flames. He recalled the Sator’s words that this vile would only alleviate such flames which could not be extinguished.
Duke wrapped his hands and forearms in strips of cloth from his cloak and soaked them both in water for he know obtaining this chest would not be pleasant. His heart pounded harder as he prepared for the searing pain as he readied the vile removing its cork. Duke solicited one last prayer in his mind, “Sator give me strength” and he filled his lungs with a deep breath. He sharply threw the contents of the vile at the flames watching them dull her intensity and he thrust his arms inward grabbing the coffer and pulling it to his chest. Duke screamed in agony as the flames seared his skin through the cloth; a small price to pay his though prominently in his mind. As he fell to the floor with the coffer in hand still warm from its slumber the dark flames subsided into the ground and only vents of steam remained.
Just as the great Sator had said the chest contained no hinges, no locks, no edges that could be seen, only a solid appearance as if it were frozen in time. Duke raised the Crystal of Vigil to his eye but nothing appeared different about its state. He studied the coffer thoroughly but found no runes, symbols, or markings of any kind. He placed the Seal of Wisdom carefully on his singed finger but still could not see anything useful upon the chest. “Please…” Duke pleaded lowering his head, “there must be a way”. Feeling fatigue starting to work its way into his aching muscles he sat down next to the chest and placed his hand on top of it hearing the clink of metal as the Seal of Wisdom touched it. He briefly closed his eyes simultaneously and saw himself in another place. He jerked his hand away from the chest from surprise. Reluctantly Duke placed his hand back on the coffer letting the Seal of Wisdom lay against its golden surface, and the steam from the vents inside the chamber slowly until they were frozen in time.
Duke found himself on the battlefield of the second undead scourge from many years before looking towards Dethcar just as the Prime Evil impaled his leg with an unholy lance of fire knocking him violently to the ground. “Noooo!!” Duke screamed as he jolted to Dethcar’s aid dodging the endless honors which took place on that dreadful battlefield. As he grew closer to Dethcar he looked into the sky as Sator Tasha flew down blasting the Prime Evil with holy arcs of light driving him back. Swiftly Duke grabbed Dethcar’s collar pulling him back from the ferocious carnage to safer ground. As he perched Dethcar up they both looked and saw an immense light radiated from Sator Tasha, a light which pulsated both sides away from one another. As Duke raised his hands to shield his eyes from the intense light he saw through his fingers a scroll in the great Sator’s hand before she slower drifted to the ground. Her Archangels came to her aiding her in falling back from the front lines as she fought to guard the scroll. An epiphany struck Duke as what his task has brought him to this place to find…
His realization was interrupted as Dethcar pulled on his armor looking Duke in the eye, trembling from the pain he received from his wound. As both sides withdrew from the horrific scene two champion Angels hoisted Dethcar up preparing to move him back but he resisted them saying one last sentence as Duke looked in his eyes still stunned. “Our Destiny Duke… is timeless… and is what shapes our very future. You will be a champion one day Principality Duke; it is the virtuous heart such as yours that makes us unconquerable”. As Duke closed his eyes the second epiphany struck him harder than that unholy lance of fire… the key to this coffer was not physical in nature by any means… it was the virtuous heart.
Duke was shocked away from the coffer as he snapped out of his vision of virtue; his heart pounding wildly. As he fought to catch his breath he looked to see the golden lining of the chest peeling away from its shell. He watched as the chest revealed itself to him and he realized why the Prime Evil could never use such an item and why he had gone so far to conceal it from Sator Tasha. As the top of the coffer opened Duke peered inside to find a scroll floating at its center. With his mortal hand singed from the flames he reached for the scroll through its Ethereal Hold and took it into his care and the chest faded into pieces before his eyes. Tears streamed down Duke’s face as he fell to the floor embracing the scroll in this injured arms as he trembled, finally understanding its true purpose.
As he lay on the floor he saw above him a beam of light begin showering over him followed by an immense pull into the sky; he knew he was heading home. Feeling his weight being pulled through the planes of existence once again Duke peered down at the scroll tightly held on his chest. The only visible markings he could see were in a language he could not understand in a mortal state which showed as “מגילת מ×זן ×לוהי”. As his journey home came to an end Duke found himself back huddled on the transformation platform. His eyes opened and adjusted to the bright light of Heaven’s realm as he looked around to see Dethcar and Archangel Cassandra helping him to his feet.
“Welcome back old friend… very well done! You’ll certainly have new stories to tell after today, I guarantee it” Dethcar’s voiced rang out giving Duke’s weary mind a comforting sigh of relief. “Did it work…? Can you see it Dethcar?” Duke asked anticipating his response and his tired muscles tensed in his neck from the journey. His gaze moved to Dethcar and Archangel Cassandra returned by both with subtle smile, “Yes Supremus Duke, we see it. Written in a language not commonly used by the mortal realm any longer, but still widely understood by these holy halls; the language of Hebrew” he explained as he surged through volumes of text on his shelves. Duke’s eyes turned to see the angels of his blessed choir and Archangel Cassandra who smiled and spoke with her soft voice “Rest now Supremus Duke, your journey has been a long one, your brightness will take time to reabsorb; the answers are coming”. Her voice faded gently as he drifted to a deep sleep, feeling a twitch from one of his wings comforted his mind as fatigue finally won the battle.
As his eyes opened slowly to a soft breeze against his lashes a consoling realization hit as he recognized the Sanctuary he called home. He felt the warm touch of a familiar hand as his gaze shifted and met his love’s sweet smile. “Welcome home my love” she said in an angelic voice as he smiled back at her kissing her hand. Rolling to his side he saw a neatly wrapped scroll with a messaged attached from Dethcar which read “Congratulations old friend, the Empyrean Reaper will be proud. But don’t think for a moment you’re off the hook for that drink!”. He chuckled under his breath and he unraveled the scroll seeing the translated version for the first time.
The Scroll of Divine Balance
“Since the beginning of time the Eternal Conflict has supervened,
one side forever eager to prevail over the other.
During the First Undead Scourge it became unequivocal,
that neither species could be permitted to conquer.
The balance must endure untainted in nature and for the good of mankind,
neither side possessing more supremacy over its rival.
An agreement was reached amid both sides succeeding the First Undead Scourge,
a vow that such loss would never again be tolerable to spill into the mortal realm.
The Ancient Sators created this scroll as a conduit to its lasting balance,
a spell which would be ordained as to purge not one but both sides.
The war counsels of both species lost their way,
so engrossed with extinguishing the other that mankind arose to pay the price.
In the any affair where the Eternal Conflict becomes imperious,
this scroll will serve as the indispensable guillotine to both species.
The doorways amid these domains shall never again influence the realm of man.”