Sixty-Three: The Fool Succeeds

Legan spoke in a language I could not understand, as if praying to his fallen brothers or perhaps mourning the Archon.

Just then, someone said, "Kingslayer, come closer."

I felt a chill run down my spine. The voice evoked a sense of impending doom; it came from the desiccated corpse.

Legan seemed to transform into a boy on his first battlefield, hesitant and fearful, yet he did as the corpse commanded.

We were able to examine the mummy closely. He was still a child, at least at the time of his death, yet he was clearly alive. He made me feel as if I were standing before Abel.

Legan asked, "Ancestor, who are you exactly?"

The corpse replied, "I do not remember my name, but I remember that I am ancient—very ancient. When I was still mortal, stones could speak and stars would bleed."

We were both rendered speechless, an uncontrollable sense of awe and terror rising within us. It was not magic, but human instinct; we are born to fear the unfathomable gods.

The corpse continued, "I watched you kill the king. I could have stopped it, but I sensed you were more worthy of my power than he."

He added, "You chose not to consume Missouri's soul. Your noble heart saved you; had you done so, Missouri would have destroyed you instead, draining your blood dry. He was skilled at such arts, but you are not."

I thought to myself, *That was a close call.*

Suddenly, the black knight statues on both sides began to stir. Their armor crumbled away, revealing two mummies wrapped in bandages. One of them extended a hand toward Legan, and Legan did not resist.

The corpse said, "I grant you the power of life and death. From this moment on, you may command my servants to execute any enemy within the Black Coffin. Even the five Elders might not escape such a fate. When you decide to act, simply drip your blood into my mouth, and the doors to this hall shall always be open to you."

Legan said, "I have no one left to kill, Ancestor. My vendetta has reached its end."

The corpse replied, "The threat of death is greater than death itself. All the Elders already know you have obtained this authority; they will fear you and respect you. Use it wisely, and you will surpass Missouri."

Legan said, "I do not seek the power of the Archon."

The corpse said, "You need not, but choose your followers with caution. Do not repeat the mistakes of the past. Your every choice will determine the fate of this place. Speak, name the one you wish to promote, and I shall make it reality."

Legan replied without hesitation, "Michael Tiado."

I could not help but laugh. "Michael? Are you trying to turn the Black Coffin into an amusement park?"

Legan answered, "Why not?"

The corpse said, "It is decided. I will make Missouri’s death known to all the Elders and ensure Michael becomes the successor. Wait here a moment; I shall let the three of you leave."

We rested on a nearby sofa. Legan and Tanchi drank red wine, but the scent was off and the color too deep, so I kept my distance.

I found Tanchi surprisingly easy to talk to, so I asked him about Bella and Ix. Tanchi sighed, "We are demons."

I said, "That’s a lazy answer. Don't you think I can tell?"

Tanchi said, "Fine, I’ll tell you some shocking insider info—though it is only my speculation. Within an hour of the solar catastrophe, the alternate dimension and the real world overlapped. Humans who were not integrated transformed into various types of demons. They escaped the solar infection, but the price was their sanity; they lost their humanity and souls forever."

I couldn't help but say, "I’ve heard that! Those demons swarming the wasteland are all transformed humans."

Tanchi replied, "But I am different. Over two hundred years ago, I was possessed by a demon. My constitution is unique; I am a descendant of demons..."

I pointed out, "A Nephalem?"

Tanchi laughed. "Correct. A Nephalem. People like us can master special abilities without losing ourselves—by becoming vampires, being possessed by demons, or becoming living masses of flesh. However, the evil spirit pretending to be Ix is different."

Legan said, "She could match three vampire elders. Bella could never have done that alone."

Tanchi said, "The demon that possessed me knew the one that possessed Bella. They were both fallen angels who fought against Heaven and were defeated."

I said, "This is getting even more ridiculous!" Of course, the ancient legends of the vampires were already heavy enough, but when it involved demons and angels, I had to suspect that Tanchi was losing his mind.

Tanchi said, "Bella—the Ix evil spirit—is named Belphegor. She and the one within me, Forsagum, were comrades long ago. After their defeat, the angels were banished to Hell by the Creator—whether you call him the Western 'Jehovah' or the Egyptian 'Ra'."

"Back in the days of the Angelic War, Belphegor had already become incredibly cruel and vicious. She wasn't just a fallen angel; she was a true butcher and killer. She slaughtered her own kind and enjoyed the process of torture."

"She was summoned back to this world by humans, perhaps thousands of years ago when human civilization was still in its infancy. She arrived long before me, and she is far more insane."

"When she escaped Hell, she possessed an ordinary primitive tribal girl. Belphegor was a very powerful fallen angel—or demon—and a mortal body could not sustain her. The Creator’s curse tortured her, and the body began to rot. So, she went on a killing spree, devouring human souls to sustain her life."

"But that could not last. The body she inhabited died. Fortunately for her, she found a Mayan pyramid with a sacrificial stone slab, and she fused her soul into it. That slab happened to be the altar of the Goddess Ix."

Legan asked, "You demons can possess objects?"

Tanchi said, "It must be an object or place that holds human faith. In that way, one can absorb the power of faith from souls to sustain one's life and strength. Belphegor easily devoured the Goddess Ix—I suspect the goddess was merely a collective of human faith, not a true deity. After that, she began using the Ix cult to maintain and grow herself."

I said, "Like Missouri, she is a soul-eater skilled in deception. A pity they didn't finish each other off."

Tanchi said, "The three Ix sisters eventually discovered part of the truth and sealed Belphegor. After I—Forsagum—descended to the mortal realm, I began searching for my old comrades. By chance, I found the idol of the evil god Ix and sensed traces of Belphegor within it. But I also detected an unprecedented evil in her, far worse than when she was at war."

"I originally intended to release her, but that sense of unease grew. I observed her in secret and discovered she was using evil thoughts to lure humans into offering their lives to her. That was back at the museum, remember?"

I said, "Of course. I still get chills thinking about it."

Tanchi said, "I pretended to be her accomplice to pry her history from her, and it made my skin crawl. She has completely lost the dignity and nobility of an angel and has truly become a malevolent spirit."

I asked, "You're a demon yourself. Do you still care about justice and righteousness?"

Tanchi said, "We were just defeated and imprisoned. The angels of Heaven made the world believe we represent evil, but we still yearn for redemption and to reclaim our past glory. I am grateful to the human whose body I inhabit, so I want to do something for this world. First, I must find the whereabouts of the other two evil god idols and find a way to destroy her. But before that could happen, the solar catastrophe occurred."

Legan asked, "Those demons in the wasteland haven't been rotting away like Belphegor’s first host."

Tanchi said, "There are degrees of strength among fallen angels. Forsagum and Belphegor are among the strong. Most demons today are not; the human spirit cannot sustain their souls, though their bodies can."

"The strongest among us—the leader of our fallen angels, Lucifer the Morningstar—commands the Scarlet Legion. He... he is missed. I yearn to follow him once more."

I was startled and asked, "The Morningstar?"

Tanchi, not noticing my shock, nodded and continued, "After him are the six Archdukes of the Fallen: Asmodeus, King of Conspiracies, leader of the Silver Legion; Abaddon, the Devourer, leader of the Obsidian Legion; Dagon, the Assassin, leader of the Iron Legion; Azrael, Angel of Death, leader of the White Snow Legion; Belial, Beast of the Eternal Abyss, leader of the Crimson Legion; and Baal, the Usurper, leader of the Rebel Legion."

"These seven leaders once led us in the War of the Apocalypse, standing against the legions of Heaven in the fortress. Even though humanity has forgotten us, we held our ground for ninety full days..."

Legan listened intently, but I interrupted him. "That Morningstar—Lucifer—did he escape like you did?"

Tanchi said, "Memory is a strange thing. I am still searching for that ancient past. Some things have been forgotten, or the truth has become blurred. I only want to find him and ask him clearly."

I asked him about the whereabouts of the seven fallen angels and whether they were still in Hell. Tanchi could not give me a straight answer; in his memory, Hell had become an abstract and illusory concept.

What was I even struggling with? Perhaps this Tanchi was just a megalomaniac, and the Ix idol had triggered him to hallucinate these chaotic theories.

At that moment, the mysterious Ancestor said, "Now, you may depart. The six Elders have been waiting outside. Please bring Michael here."

I was filled with trepidation, though Legan and Tanchi appeared calm.

We appeared at the elevator on the Archon's floor. Typhon, Maxwell, Norris, Bochi, Meizong, and Michael were waiting for us. Michael had no idea what was happening; he was still in his pajamas.

He shouted, "It’s only an hour until dawn, my dear Elders. Please, forgive this humble man's small wish for sleep. My foster father has already punished me enough; I really don't want to work overtime."

Typhon smiled. "I saw long ago that you possess the talent of an emperor, Duke Michael."

Maxwell said, "Truly deep and hidden; such admirable intellect. I am willing to follow you."

Norris stated, "You have accomplished what we dared not imagine. I have long felt you were the most suitable."

Bochi pointed at Michael and said, "The gods have chosen you, and you will surely not disappoint us! Please accept my sincerest blessings!"

Meizong said, "Hurry up and take your succession. We are all tired."

Michael seemed to think this was some sort of terrible prank. He smiled bitterly. "Legan, Langi, tell me—is this joke going a bit too far...?"

I understood why the Elders held Michael in such high regard rather than dismissing him as a farce. Legan was absolutely right: first, the Archon was dead, and they had no intention of investigating the murderer. Second, sometimes choosing a kind-hearted fool for the throne is better than choosing an ambitious, sharp-edged tyrant.

Legan gave me a wink, and we stepped forward, grabbing Michael by the wrists.

Legan said, "When you become Archon, don't forget to pay me back."

I said, "Your first decree must be to allow me to retire from the Rangers and give me some capital so I can go into business."

Michael shouted, "My friends, even if I am incredibly clever, I haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about!"

Legan and I answered in unison, "Then you have much to learn, Lord Archon."

Then, we took large strides and led him into the Ancestor's hall.

————
Volume Complete