The War of All Wars Read online

  “Always have been,” she stated while securing her body on his—he took off at top speed.

  Ten minutes later, in which they had witnessed hundreds of fireballs and explosions during this timeframe, they reached yet another waterfall, but this waterfall had an astonishing drop of five thousand feet!

  It was then that Nemis stepped down back to her feet, before standing to his left side at the cliff’s edge, so that she too could take a close look at what lay beyond, and far below. Even with her elfish eyes, which are twice as good as human eyes, she could easily see a whopping distance of one thousand miles. Neither was Baltor human either, and so he had a maximum visibility range of four thousand miles.

  Here are all of the “necessary-to-mention things” they observed—but definitely not in the same order.

  Once the river water had reached the base of the waterfall, it continued to flow at a rapid pace as it chaotically zigzagged its way all around this charred wasteland/hellish battlefield for a grand total of eighty miles. Until finally, every last drop of water somehow poured through a very large metallic grate—at the base and in the middle—of a glowing-blue “force field,” which force field possessed the shape of a dome that was one hundred miles in diameter—the size of at least a dozen cities.

  Whenever a flying fireball struck this “impenetrable wall of energy,” which happened every other minute as fireballs were continuously being shot from everywhere and to everywhere, the dome would dissipate for a split second, and the dark silhouettes from hundreds of thousands of buildings of all shapes and sizes could be seen inside—the Capital City of Bastion.

  Regarding the nonstop battling occurring around the city—thousands of miles in nearly all directions but Baltor and Nemis’ direction—it appeared to be “impossibly dangerous!”

  Not just because of the hundreds of large catapults that launched those high-explosive fireballs every other minute—yet more-so because of all the swarms battling on land…and in the air! Legions of red devils armed with pitchforks versus legions and legions of demons bearing a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes and weapons.

  Of course, it did not take Baltor and Nemis too long to note perhaps the worst danger of all! Flying above and all around the city itself were six dragons without any flesh at all, except for their purple glowing eyes…massive creatures with thousand-foot long bodies, but nowhere were they close in size to that worm.

  Only seconds after Baltor began to pay closer attention to the dragons, wondering if he could mentally control them with his powers, yet another skeleton dragon with five heads joined them, after exiting out the very top of the sphere—it was five times bigger than the rest!

  Guessing his thoughts by looks alone, she said, I will not say the name of that particular dragon, at least forthright, due to their keen magical abilities. In reverse, I can safely say that this creature’s name is pronounced, ‘Inavakam.’

  Baltor nodded, as his head had interpreted the name to sounding like, “Makavani.” Also using telepathy, he asked, What’s the Arch’s name in reverse?

  Nemis answered, laeeB droL-liveD-emerpuS!

  “Gotcha,” he said aloud. For, in his mind, he had translated it to be “Supreme-Devil-Lord Beeal.”

  Only a few quiet seconds later, he asked, So, Nemis, do you have any ideas how best to get to this city, get inside, find this Arch, and kill him so we can go to the next plane of hell?

  Both eyebrows rose for a few moments as she sucked in a deep breath, before answering, Yes, I think we should swim the river until we reach the city, so as to avoid all those creatures out there. In my arsenal I have a spell called “transformation,” which will allow me to transform the both of us into any normal creature for three hours, and I was thinking maybe I could turn us both into bull sharks as they can be incredibly fast in the water, and can swim in salt or fresh water. I even have another powerful spell called “speed,” so as to make us both all that much faster. If we’re not able to make it to the city by the time we turn back into humans, I figured you would let me ride on your back until we arrive, as you’ve proven yourself ‘exceptionally quick.’ As well, strong and intelligent. What do you think?

  After sucking in a deep breath through just his nose, Baltor answered, Well, as I am an immortal, I don’t need air to breathe and I am quite fast in any terrain, including swimming underwater. So how about you cast the speed spell first on the both of us, and then you transform just yourself into a shark?

  Nemis said happily, Okay, but before I begin casting, let me say congratulations!

  Congratulations…for what?

  Why—you have succeeded where most have failed, no matter how hard they tried, including me…immortality. How did you accomplish this quest of quests, Baltor Elysian?

  As I’ve been sworn to secrecy, Nemis, I can’t answer that question for you, but what I can say is the rest of the plan. Should you turn back into a human before we arrive at the city, let me know telepathically, so that I can swim back to your position. Once I’m there, grab a hold of me around my shoulders, and I’ll get us the rest of way by dog-paddling at a speedy pace…and once we arrive at our destination—the metallic grate at the base of the dome—I should be strong enough to move it, so that we can enter. If not, one of us will have to teleport the both of us inside—you. Any other questions?

  Nope.

  Baltor said, Okay, start your spell casting.

  “Okay,” she breathed out, just before she closed her eyes and began to chant aloud. Once she had concluded, thirty seconds later, he did not see or feel anything happen, but then again, his mind realized that his body had not tried to move either.

  Moving as fast as lightning, Nemis bolted into the middle of the river itself forty feet away—only took her one second!

  There, at a very speedy and high-pitched tone of voice, she began chanting aloud her second spell. Upon completion, not even ten seconds later, her clothes and possessions disappeared and her body transformed into that of a ten-foot-long bull shark—before the transformation was complete, she was already caught up in the river and hurled over the waterfall’s edge!

  Without hesitation, Baltor head-dived after her into the waterfall…nearly thirty seconds later, he splashed deep into the waters below! Once he had leveled his body out at twenty feet deep, in which the river’s bottom was no deeper than thirty feet, he mentally called out, Nemis, are you okay?

  Yes, Baltor. I feel great!

  Great—follow me.

  Baltor began to zoom underwater at a whopping speed of thirty mph, thanks to Nemis’ speed spell that doubled his top swimming speed.

  A few seconds after having begun swimming, his sonar-senses revealed that Nemis could swim at a top speed of twenty-eight mph, so he purposefully slowed his pace to match hers.

  Thirty minutes and fourteen miles later, the speed spell wore off for the both of them…still they did not stop, but continued to swim underwater at fourteen mph, which was her quickest speed.

  Three hours later, they had three-quartered the distance to the city. It was then and there that Nemis began to feel that transformation occur—right away she called out, Baltor…I’m turning back into a human right now!

  By the time she had finished saying her sentence, the transformation back was already complete, and a split second later, her black robes were on her elfish body as she waded in the water, with just her head poking above the surface.

  Only a handful of moments had to pass before Baltor was already at her position, having swum underwater. After poking his head above the waters, he observed that she hid under a large piece of volcanic rock that jutted two feet out over the river’s edge.

  He said, Climb aboard.

  She saddled her arms around his neck—without delay he began to dog-paddle down the river, but discovered that he could go no faster than six mph, because of the sounds of the rushing waves that would surge whenever going any faster. After all, they had to keep quiet…so they would not be heard, seen, and di
scovered.

  Thankfully, there were only seven times along the way that they had to stop and hide under large pieces of overhanging rocks—as devils and demons battled each other nearby! Even better, neither group fought inside-or-over the river itself—once that particular mini-battle was over, which sometimes lasted as long as thirty minutes, the two swam on. Inevitably, it took them four hours before they arrived at the grate.

  Cocking his head back over his right shoulder, Baltor said, Let go of me.

  After Nemis had released her hold, he began to inspect the large rectangular grate—still above the level of the water—to see how it could be opened, if possible, and especially to see if it was booby-trapped.

  No booby-traps were discovered—what he did discover was a sliver of a gap that existed between the grate and the walls of the sphere, which sliver gave Baltor the theory that this “grated-door” might be lifted open from the bottom.

  Therefore, after diving below the water’s surface, he discovered that the river here was six feet deep, that the bottom half of the grate touched the river’s floor, and most importantly, that there were no booby traps. His theory about this grate being able to open had multiplied, but only lifting it would prove or disprove his theory.

  He thus proceeded to secure his feet solid onto the river’s floor, grip the bottom of the grate with his hands, and lift it…all the while using his superhuman strength.

  Not only did the grate open, yet it opened quite easily. Only seconds later, it had already lifted five feet up, precisely one foot below the water’s surface, but no further would it budge.

  Nemis had not stuck around, yet dove under the water before proceed to swim to the other side.

  Once he knew she was on the other side, he twisted his head to the side, lowered his body and shifted around until on the other side—all the while, he kept his hands that were holding the grate up. While remaining underwater, he slowly lowered the grate back down, so that it slid down without any noise.

  Once so, he turned around, noting then that Nemis was next to him and swimming underwater only a few feet away—he jabbed his thumb straight up into the air. She nodded.

  As soon as their heads had broken the plane of water, slowly and quietly, in which the river’s surface inside the city was surprisingly smooth and calm, they began scanning their horizons for guards, demons, devils, monsters, or whatever evil enemies that might in the vicinity. Even more surprising was the fact that no one was around this part of the city, yet.

  At the same time, Baltor’s eyes had already observed that the nearest alley was about sixty feet away, thirty of that feet being a perpendicular street—this narrow alley existed between two palace fences that stood at fifty feet tall. After pointing his index finger toward that alleyway but a handful of seconds later, he dove underwater that same direction and swam fast. Nemis followed right behind.

  A handful of seconds later, he arrived at his destination, hiding against the fence made entirely of osmium, a bluish crystalline metal from the platinum family—she joined him shortly thereafter on the other side. Once hidden, they both commenced to take a good look around outside of the alley. Here are the necessary-to-mention things they discovered, although not in the same order.

  One, the river itself continued to flow straight through the middle of the city and all the way to other side.

  Two, dozens of bridges made of rhodium, another member of the platinum family but with a smooth, shiny surface, had been mounted over this river—the only link between the “south side” and the “north side.” Each bridge was positioned exactly one half-mile apart from the next—the streets were made of the same material as the bridge.

  Three, tens of thousands of those osmium (still another type of smooth platinum) palaces of all shapes and sizes were spread throughout the entire city.

  Four, various-sized groups of inhabitants roamed about from here to there, ranging from red devils of all sizes and shapes, to black-robed figures of all sizes and shapes, to all sorts of monsters! Some walked while others flew. Not too surprisingly, there were no demons, daemons, or any of those snake-men to be found in this city.

  And five, there was no clear indication as to where the main palace might be located.

  Although Baltor fractionally suspected that this palace might be in the center of the city, he also realized that this was hell. Perhaps the palace might be under the city, he considered as a stronger option—no matter, he realized that his current attire would make him stick out like a sore thumb.

  Therefore, he asked, Do you perhaps have an extra cloak and hood, preferably black? I need to blend in around here.

  Actually, you’re so in luck, she replied with a wink of her eye, just before opening up the magical pocket from inside her robes and pulling out a black, wool cape with an attached hood.

  While handing it over, she added, Besides concealing your identity, my cape will protect you from extreme cold and hot temperatures…yes, it’s magically powerful.

  Although they never stopped using telepathy, Baltor sounded quite appreciative when he answered, Thank you.

  You’re welcome.

  By this time, he had already tied the cape’s string around his neck and was about to don the hoodie over his head. Meanwhile, his eyes noted that she was now taking off her own hoodie. He asked, What are you doing?

  Well, I’ve heard from a countless amount of men from nearly all species that I’m a ‘beauty queen amongst beauty queens.’ Let’s use it to our advantage and ask some male passerby if he knows the location of the Arch’s palace.

  “Okay,” Baltor said aloud. “This idea just popped into my head, but I think that we should only use telepathy when absolutely necessary for a while, so we don’t seem suspicious. I’m fairly sure that most of the citizens around here can hear telepathy anyway, but let’s not lose our advantage too soon…Correct?”

  “You’re most likely correct, so I concur.”

  In the next moment, they exited the alleyway, casually walking side-by-side down the street. Strangely, not a single person paid the slightest amount of attention to Baltor or Nemis…everyone was too involved in his, her, its, or their own affairs.

  Perhaps a minute later, a devilishly good-looking man happened to be walking the opposite direction on the same street—a man (mage or cleric) who was in his mid-forties and wearing reflectively shiny black robes.

  It was then that Nemis asked this man, “Excuse me, sir…do you perhaps know the route to the Arch-Devil’s palace? We have an important business appointment with him.”

  “But of course I do,” the man said with a slightly excited tone of voice, just before he stopped and turned to face them. Pointing with his index finger, he revealed, “It’s in the smack center of the city. Just keep going the direction you’re going for four hundred more blocks, make a right over the bridge, and go left. It’ll be the second building on the left…you can’t miss it.”

  “Thank you,” she answered, just before she and Baltor turned to go the direction that the man had pointed.

  “Now hold on, beautiful lady,” the man interjected with a wild wave of his hand. “May I not even have the privilege of your name?”

  After pivoting her entire body around to face him, she answered, “My name is Magus Nemis.”

  “Pleasure to meet your acquaintance, oh-so-beautiful Nemis…and who are you, evil sir?”

  Baltor cocked just his head over to look the man’s direction, answering, “I shall only answer that question if you possess the top-secret clearance papers that authorize you to know the details of my top-secret mission that includes learning my name, documents authorized by the Arch-Devil himself…nothing personal, evil sir.”

  “No, I do not carry such papers, and no, no offense taken—happens a lot around here from what I’ve heard. As I am not under any sort of restrictions like you, my name is Asst. Overlord Magus Wane Starly. Nice to meet both of you!”

  In response, they nodded. He walked closer.
r />   After stopping but a couple feet away, Wane only then added, “On my home planet of Alderia, I am second-in-command in my entire Order, consisting of twelve thousand other evil wizards of all skill levels. I was especially invited here to teach a two-hour class on the subject of ‘Elemental Fire Magic’ at the University of Hell by the Dean herself, in which the one prerequisite to this class is that you have to be Magus or above. I’m heading there right now, as a matter of fact. You should come along, Magus Nemis.”

  “Thanks, I would so love too,” she replied, sounding as sincere as she possible could, “but I’ve got my own mission to handle at the palace, which by the way, is not the same mission my boyfriend has…perhaps afterwards, if there’s enough time?”

  “Well, hopefully, my lady—you’re more than welcome to join us… Sir, have an evil day!”

  “You, as well,” Baltor said with a respectful nod.

  He and Nemis continued walking their way down the road, while the man continued going his way.

  Perhaps a minute after they had begun walking, she began donning the hood over her face. Baltor tried to stifle back a chuckle, but failed.

  “What are you laughing at, mister?”

  “Just at what Master Wane said,” Baltor said while shaking his head from side to side. What he did not reveal to her was the fact that he was “quite amused” because she had decided to cover her beauty back up, especially around here.

  It took a grand total of seven hours for them to arrive two blocks short from the palace, as they had never stopped walking at a normal pace.

  The one thing that set this cylindrical building different than all the others was that the outer walls were not only made of platinum, yet had encrusted jewels all over it that glowed…that, and the fact that there were hundreds of twenty-foot tall red devils patrolling the property both on the ground and in the sky!

  In the middle of the intersection, Baltor pointed using his left thumb for the both of them to turn left—they made that turn and began to walk at a normal pace down this block. A few seconds later, he whispered, “This isn’t going to be easy…at all.”