Castle's Fall

Despite the rambunctious laughter stomping about Cassius sat in a corner nursing his drink. A frown stole his lips for a brief moment the whispers of the Defiler demanding his attention. Subtly waving them away, he brought himself back to reality before his mind could wonder. Taking a small sip, he couldn’t help but smirk seeing Kadija quickly approaching. Downing his drink, he got to his feet holding out his hand. Happily taking her hand, he allowed her to lead them to the others. “Come on Cass! Celebrate with us, it’s your party after all!” she playfully chided. Pushing him into the open seat she plopped down in his lap snatching up an unclaimed cup, “to Cassius Castle, the next champion of the Golem Gauntlet!” she cheered bringing the cup to his lips. Obliging he then took the cup as the other raised a toast to him.

“I gotta ask, what do you plan on doing with the winnings? It’s a lot of money.” Gunther asked snatching up another bottle, “I mean you can ‘retire’ after this or open up a school or something…” he trailed off emptying the bottle in a single breath. Doing the same with his cup Cass frowned.

“Use it to find Benny. Haven’t heard from him in months…” tapping Khadija’s lower back he waited until she left to leave his seat, “you guys can keep going, I’m heading to bed.” Handing the cup to her followed by a soft peck on the cheek he quietly left the room. Walking into his bedroom he sat down at his desk pulling out Benjamine’s latest letter. Reading over it for umpteenth time that day he tossed it down. Opening a drawer, he snatched out a bottle filled with black curly locks. Careful retrieving a few strands while producing a large canine figurine. Tossing it behind him he quickly tied the hair together giving it the same treatment. “Find him, if he’s alive stay if not…come back.” He quietly commanded quickly jumping out of his seat to open a window the tracking golem bolting out of the room. Changing and crawling into bed, he meekly glared at the ceiling. His gaze softening as against his will the sweet words of the Defiler gently invaded his ears. Luckily for him sleep snatched him away putting a stop to the insistent promises.

He knew it would take a few weeks for the golem to reach his brother but thankfully for him he had the competition to keep his mind occupied. Despite only having a day left to prepare Cassius sat in his workshop toiling away. Ignoring the door sliding open he continued stirring his current mixture, “Cass, have you seen Gunther? Need his help getting the rest of the stuff you asked for but I can’t find him.” walking over to him Khadija softly sat down a small sat pausing at the sight of the concoction sitting in front of him. Catching a whiff of something pleasant she leaned closer, happily discovering it can from the small cauldron, “so that’s why you needed all those herbs. C-can I get a taste of that before you add the clay?” without a second thought she scooped up the cleanest spoon within reach. Swiping a spoonful she greedily sucked it down only for a frown to tug on his lips, “you know I hate pork…” she trailed off sitting the spoon down.

“It’s not meant for eating and beside this is how you’re supposed to incorporate the muscles of creatures into golems. You think they can do all that with just clay and magic?” grabbing the sack he dumped it contents on the desk beside him, “hand me that jar on the top shelf, left side.” He said while inspecting the sack’s contents. Despite claiming to need Gunther’s aid she managed to get most of the requested items, “grab that mortar and pestle…”

Dumping the dried shells of multiple creatures inside he quickly pounded them into a foul-smelling powder. Pouring them into the separate pot, he did the same with the mimic extract a faint gnarly purple glow pulsing into sight as he mixed. Moving over to the premade clay he picked is up unceremoniously dumping it into the cauldron viciously stir until the concoction became a moist dough. “A lot of work goes into making golems, how did you even get into this?” Khadija quietly asked as Cassius kneaded the clay, “I know you told me you ‘went to school’ for this but the passion started somewhere.” She continued as the golemancer sprinkled in the glowing mixture.

“Our father worked for the kingdom during the war; he taught us a few tricks of the trade. It helped that he was also one of our instructors at the academy…” adding in the rest of mixture he begun the arduous task of sculpting the shimmering clay. Once the basic shape was done, he produced a small piece of paper followed by a paint brush and ink. Pricking his finger, he shed a few drops of blood onto the ink. Quickly mixing it around he meticulously and obsessively drawing a glyph. Once it was dry he neatly folded it before tying it close with a string dragged through the blook ink. Cutting a small cavity into the figure’s he stuffed it side before packing it shut, “our father is a man of few words but when he saw graduate at the top of our class for the first time my in life I heard say he was proud of me…guess you can say I’m still chasing that high…” finished he carefully picked it up just as carefully depositing it into an open flame. After a few moments he snatched it out sitting it on his desk.

“Wait, I thought you needed the other stuff on the list?” she asked fishing out the small piece of paper.

“Yeah, I needed the rest of that for something else. Don’t worry about it. I can get it after the competition…” kissing her forehead he grabbed her hand leaving his workshop.

“And there you have it! Cassius Castle, the newest champion of the Golem Gauntlet!” the announcer roared as Cassius’s golem stood triumphant over a pile of rubble. Much like his creation he stood in triumph, his friends crowding around him cheering on his victory. Quickly leaving and claiming his winnings he recalled his golem putting it back inside his padded satchel. Returning home he marched into his workshop pausing at the sight of a woman sitting on his desk.

“I can help you find him…” she giggled causing Cassius’s threat to die in his throat, “Benjamine Castle, a golemancer that fell in with the wrong crowd. And now he’s missing…” she smirked lazy swinging her foot.

Glaring at her the human cautiously approached, “begone Defiler, you know you hold no dominion here!” he shouted but was only meet with a hearty chuckle and a sweet smile.

“Are you sure? You’re parents would say otherwise, you have to know by now that’s why Deniece always wears a scarf…” hopping down she strolled over to the scowling mortal looking up at him with mirth in her eyes, “you have the desire to find your brother and I can help you but if you want to struggle and possibly never find him…” she trailed off shrugging. Before he could spit a curse, a firm knock on his door snatched his attention. Glancing at it, a curse fell from his lips seeing the Defiler vanish. Opening the door, he bristled at the sight of his mother at the door her teal scarf present as always, “please let her help you, Cassy! It would make me and your father so proud!” the mocking voice of the Defiler pleaded. Slamming the door shut, he sat down at his desk and yanking open a drawer. Roughly pulling out a metal blindfold he slapped on his face the glyphs lining the inside sparking to life. Vision consumed by darkness he drew a symbol in the air. The darkness immediately ebbing away replaced by the blurred sight of trees whizzing by. He knew it was only a day since he sent but he couldn’t help himself, “you know you don’t have to do that if you just let me help.” Waving off her honeyed words he continued to watch the golem make its journey to the west.

“I refuse to let you take advantage of my desperation! I’ll find him myself…and if I need to avenge him…” the rest of his words became a lump in his throat. Snatching the blindfold off he threw it across the room cursing himself for not searching for him when Benjamine first went silent. He stiffened feeling a pair of hands slither up his back and rest on his shoulders.

“Such turmoil that can easily be avoided. Just let me help, isn’t your brother important to you? What if he needs you right now and you refuse to come to his aid…” wiping the tear from his eye he pushed her off taking a deep breath.

“N-no, I can’t, I seen what you did to my mother, I…I can’t let that happen to me. She would never want that to happen to me…” he shuddered more tears fighting for freedom.

“Your mother tried to renege on our deal and that’s why she’s the mess she is now! But if you abide by ours, I swear I’ll help you find your brother…” reclaiming her spot she hugged from behind resting her head on his broad back, “and achieve any other goal lit a flame by your desires and ambitions.” She smirked giving him a light squeeze, her smirk widening to a smug conniving smile feeling a hand gently lay atop hers.

“…what are your demands?” he quietly asked allowing her to sit him down. Before he even knew what happened he found himself holding her like a long-lost lover, her clawed fingers playing in his hair.

“Something simple really, just that you’ll come when I call…” she hummed a hand reaching down to caress his cheek, “what do you say? Do we have a deal?”

A long stretch of silence claimed the room before Cassius’s meek words broke through, “…okay, just help me find him please…” grinning from ear to ear she left his embrace taking his left hand and planting a feather light kiss on the bare ring finger.

“It’s a deal!” she quietly cackled vanishing from sight leaving the sobbing Cassius alone. A soft yet urgent knock on the door quickly brought him back to reality. Before he even more it opened revealing his concerned friends.

“Cass, buddy, we heard some shouting…you good?” Gunther asked cautiously stepping closer. Glancing to missing portion o his lower arm Cassius just mutely nodded, “I don’t think you are…” as his word faded away Cassius stupidly blinked his eyes. The past conversation finally registering. Pitifully he glanced at his finger. A wry chuckle oozing out clearly seeing the ring of runes staining his skin. Doing his best to subtly hide it he tossed the large sack of gold to the brawny man.

“…thanks, but I won’t be needing this. I’m…going away for a while. I’ll see you when I see you…” making his way to the door he paused going back to his desk retrieving a large box. Shoving it into Gunther’s arm he frowned, “as promised…look after the place…” taking a deep breath he ignored their swarm of questions instead he just merely strolled into the darkness. His echoing footsteps were instantly drowned out but the far too pleased snickering of his familial patron.

“Oh, you would rather leave things like this than telling them about us? You’re not a very good friend.” Her nagging laughter continued to conquer his hearing, “so, shall we go after your brother now or do you need to waste more time?”

Stopping dead his tracks he glowered at the cold stone making up the street, “Haras…just take me to him…” he growled coaxing a small chuckle from the forsaken goddess, “and give us at least a week before you drag me off somewhere!” he quickly added noticing the runes coming to life. Practically pulled through the portal opening before him he quickly found himself standing across the street from the Bungle Barn. Just like any other night it was jam packed with many gamblers and even more loan sharks.

Simply walking in he rolled his eyes at a group of guards roughing someone up. Doing his best to pay it no mind, he made his way to the bar barely able to find an empty seat. Ordering a glass of water, he took the chance to look around. Drowning out the cacophony of hooping and hollering he focused his gaze on the lone table on the fourth floor. Unlike the others, this one only held four people all looking important but one looked the definition of shady. In loud silk robes he loudly laughed at something one of the others said, the toothpick he was gnawing on nearly flying out of his mouth. Fixing his hair with a quick swipe of his hand he paused, catching sight of Cassius staring at him. Quirking an amused brow, he snapped his jewel encrusted fingers calling over a trembling young woman. Returning his attention to the glass sitting in front of him, he took a small sip. Not realizing how dry his throat was until now. Before he could take another the same woman from before quietly grabbed his attention with an unsure tap on the shoulder, “i-if you would please follow me sir…” she squeaked avoiding his gaze.

Following her up stair he bit back several curses for both the guards and Haras the guards frisking him five separate times. Reaching the table, he was sat down by a very imposing guard. Grinning at their new addition the gaudy man leaned back in his chair, “you look familiar…you wouldn’t be related to my new toy, would you?” he asked his grin growing wider and lopsided, “don’t get me wrong I don’t mind completing a set but I wanna be sure…”

“Don’t entertain him! He’s claimed by Ainam!” Haras hissed in his ear, but he mentally waved her off giving the man his full attention.

“That depends on who he is, we don’t all look alike…” Cass spat back the man feigning hurt.

“Claims his name is Benjamine Castle but-“ his words hurried shifted into surprised strangling as Cassius leap across the table with a speed he didn’t even know he possessed. His strong hands throttling the man.

“Listen here! You’re going to release him without further harm, or I swear to Arbil I will rain down-“ a quick smack from a guard’s cudgel swiftly ended his tirade and freeing the man from his clutches. Vision dazed, room spinning, and head violently throbbing he struggled to climb to his feet. Luckily for him a pair of guards did the work for him easily hauling him up.

“Want us to toss him outside or what?” a guard asked but Leopold shook his head rubbing his neck.

“No, take him to Hearst. A few minutes inside should set him straight.” Groaning he sat down, hand still caressing the abused flesh. A faint grimace painting his companions faces already spying a bruise forming.

With every blink the blurred room changed, the young golemancer soon found himself in a cold damp room. The entire space left bare except for a single cloak left in a pile on the other side of the room. Tossing him inside the guards fell over each other as they rushed out of the room. Crawling to a wall and propping himself up he clutched his aching head. Groaning and grimacing, he sent a hand into his satchel, pleasantly surprised that they left the figure inside. Dumping it out he smiled to himself hearing it activate, “help with this…” he huffed the golem wordlessly knelt down resting a metallic over his head. Suddenly a faint and soft angelic hum rang out a warm verdant light flowing over his head, in a matter of seconds he was as good as new.

Softly shaking his head, he sluggishly got to his feet inspecting the room. His gaze instantly homing in on the lone cloak Haras’s voice suddenly fluttering into his ears, “that’s the pet Ainam hands out to those fools he calls ‘worshipers’, honestly I understand why he’s a defiler god but why do I have to be lumped in with him?” ignoring her for the moment Cassius tried the door unsurprised that it was locked. Turning to his golem nodded to the wall beside the statue stomping over, “I swear, you help someone commit genocide one time and now you’re being lump in with idiots!” still ignoring her complaining he ventured over to the cloak nudging it with his foot. But nothing happened much to his relief.

“Haras shut up and actually take me to Benny! Coercing me to make a pact with you and you can’t even keep up your end…useless!” he spat watching the golem the pounding away at the wall.

“Actually, I did, he’s trapped in ‘Hearst’. And besides the deal was I take you to him not help you free him…” her smug riddled retort ringing through his ears.

Grumbling and waving her off, he picked up Hearst harshly inspecting the pitch-black void inside. It’ll be quick just and out. A quick twenty-minute jaunt through an unknown void. He knew Benny would do the same for him. Or at least that’s what he told himself the void happily staring back at him. Taking a deep breath, he draped the cloak over himself the darkness ecstatically embracing him leaving the mute cloak in its wake. Opening his eyes he found himself back home cold, alone, and with a half empty glass in hand.