Catalyst(31)

I cleaned everything up, hurrying as best I could. I had already used too much time in preparation. The salty smell of the potion still lingered in the room, but I hoped it would dissipate in time.

I took the potion and rushed out of the garden, heading straight to the practice room. The practice room was a lot more ominous when I was by myself in the dark. The torches were out, to simulate nightfall outside. The Nexus of the White Mountain almost felt like a ghost. It was hard to deny its presence. Like Master Stradus had told me, magic was a lot more powerful here. I had to remember that, lest the ritual get out of control.

I grabbed some of the candles that were lying around the room. I created a candle-composed circle big enough for me to sit in, and used my magic to light them. The circle of fire swayed when I stepped inside.

I sat cross-legged and re-read the ritual one last time. I practiced the motions before checking with the book to see if I was right. I had spent my punishment time last year reading Master Stradus stories of the things that could go wrong if you didn’t perform a ritual perfectly. I didn't want to end up entombed in the rock floor or with my head twisted backwards.

I ignored the loud thumping in my chest and took a deep breath, trying hard to calm myself. It was time to begin.

I latched onto the necessary mana, which was a dash of each, and then in the ancient language of Caleea said, “Being of the other plane, I call you forth. Being of the other plane, I call you forth. Heed my words. I seek a maleika to come into this world and be my ears and eyes. Come, oh maleika.” I drank the potion and spat the horrible, salty stuff out. I winced. “Come, maleika, and obey me!”

The potion moved and vibrated in the places where I spat. The puddles moved faster and faster. Wisps of sour aroma seeped into my nose. The pieces of potion solidified and came together, floating above the ground. A ghastly, foggy, ghost-like face appeared. It had no nose and a wicked grin. Its right eye stared malevolently at me. There was a scar where the left one should have been.

The creature's voice sounded like rocks grating together. “Who dared to summon me?”

“I did.”

“And who might you be?” Its eye pierced me. It said something in a language I had never heard before.

“I am Hellsfire.”

Its hollow laughter numbed my ears. “I’ve never heard of you. What is it you want?”

“I want you to go to a town called Sedah and check on my mother. She lives in a longhouse on the outskirts of town.”

Nothing happened. It floated there, in my circle. A bit of irritation showed on its transparent face, if such a thing were possible.

I concentrated, picturing the forest I used to romp in and the home I was raised in. I saw my mother’s warm, smiling face and the hot corn bread she used to bake. The apple cider we made for Winter Solstice was clear in my mind. I recalled the animated stories she used to tell about the strange creatures in the Burning Sands she called camels.

“I see it now.” The maleika fizzled and disappeared.

A terrible pain hit me in the stomach. It churned and roared. I clutched my aching belly. Something was wrong. I wasn't sure what. It could have been the potion, but the ritual had worked. I was tempted to look in the book, but knew to stay focused on the ritual.

The maleika shimmered back in front of me. “I have done as you asked, Hellsfire,” it said.

“My mother, how is she?”

The maleika's ghostly form faded and rippled, much like a pond when a rock was thrown into it. My mother appeared. She was bent over the stove, cooking. Next to her was one of our neighbors. My mother smiled, and laughed at something the other woman said. I reached out to touch my mother. The vision disappeared, replaced by the one-eyed maleika.

“Satisfied?”

I wasn't. I missed her. I wiped tears from the corners of my eyes.

“Would you like to see something more interesting? How about a girl or an enemy?” The maleika had a slight grin on its ghastly face.

“No, I wouldn’t.” Sweat trickled from my forehead, splattering on the ground. I breathed more deeply, but I felt like I couldn’t get enough air.

“Is there anything else you wish, then?”

“No. Maleika I summoned thee. Now I banish thee.” It didn’t move. It floated there with its one eye and crooked smile.

I summoned more mana. “I said, I banish thee!”

“How dare you try to get rid of me! I have done you this favor and now you must do something for me.”

It came closer, and even though I sweated, a chill overcame me. My skin froze in response. I traced the hardness of my arm with my fingertips.

“You haven't any choice,” it said, floating closer.