Tartarus Beckons by Edmund Batara (reading an ebook .TXT) 📕

to a world where magic still existed. Intrigued, while possessing another mortal body, the demon passed through one of the gates between the two worlds, intending to return to the First World after his exploration. Only to find out later that such gates opened only in one direction, and there was no way for Asag to return as he lacked the power and the knowledge to open such a portal.

His first years among humans in Adar was more of his usual business – encouraging and creating mayhem and destruction though in a way carefully planned and calculated to avoid notice and attention. His existence was sustained by the belief of mortals that he existed, and for that, Asag smilingly credited the heroic poems and stories which immortalized the battle between him and Ninurta. Some good came out of it, after all, the demon commented. It was during the second generation of humans on Adar that Asag discovered he had an enormous problem. Those born on the Adar had the world’s magic in their bones, and for some reason, such mutation prevented Asag from taking possession of a body.

“How about animals?” The question just came out from Tyler.

“As if I would stoop to such a demeaning act!” exclaimed Asag. After a few seconds, the demon slumped back in his chair and, with a despondent look, stared at the ceiling. “Who am I kidding? I tried that several times. Even with a blasted bird! But noooooo… every living thing on this spitball had a speck of such magic in them.”

“Do other demons from the First World have the same problem?” continued Tyler.

“First World. Quite a proper description. Apparently, my untrustworthy brethren have the same issue. The few I was on talking terms with confirmed they have the same problem. As for the rest of the crowd, we’d rather fight than talk.”

As Asag continued his tale, it appeared that the demon must have gone mad or madder for a while. Avoiding the Mesopotamian cultures, he came upon new and unfamiliar pantheons building their own civilizations and kingdoms. There, far from the Mesopotamian pantheon, the demon openly engaged in wanton acts of destruction, disturbances which finally led to Asag fighting his lonely and insane battle against the pantheons of Hellas and Skaney. The pantheon of Kemet appeared too disturbingly similar to the Mesopotamian one that the demon gave it a wide berth.

Despite what Asag had been saying earlier, Ninurta must have really done a number on him for the demon to be that traumatized about facing deities who appear to be remotely Mesopotamian, observed Tyler.

The one-sided struggle saw the weakened Asag fleeing first the Greeks, and then the deities of Skaney. Magically exhausted, he tried to hide in the mountains of the Dokkalfr Range, and there, Loki found him. The Trickster God found him easy to deal with and magically bound him. Asag was already severely wounded in the form he had adopted, so Loki didn’t find him a challenge. The demon was so weakened that even a pebble wouldn’t obey his command. After being nearly beaten to non-existence, attended by copious servings of insults, Asag’s physical form and spirit was in hellish agony as it appeared that the Trickster God was not averse to using torture on beaten opponents. Then Loki offered Asag his life in exchange for a measure of the demon’s power.

“You can do that? I mean give another deity part of your power?” inquired Tyler with astonishment. He knew mortals can be granted such might, and with the infusion of Elder magic, such power or even emanations of a certain level could even gain sentience as shown by the existence of his wards within the staff.

“Of course! But only a few gods or demons would willingly do such a thing. The transfer, freely given, result in a permanent loss in the level of power of the giver. The bargain is between magical beings, unlike in instances when mortals are allegedly given power. For mortals, that might is, in truth, merely lent. It can be taken back or returns to the grantor when the mortal finally reaches the end of its usually short life.”

At that point, Tyler abruptly became conscious of the fact that before him was a vital source of knowledge about matters magical and historical events which might have a significant impact on his existing and future problems. For starters, he now had a sinking suspicion why Loki bragged that he was now more powerful than Odin and Zeus combined. That boast of having incredible power apparently rested on a multitude of magical sources, Asag’s included.

That son of a bitch! Loki wasn’t joking when he said he had been planning the clusterfuck on the surface for a long time. But I do have to make a decision now, and it appears to be a hard choice driven by my needs. And my companions must be worried to death by now. Let’s test what this demon knows.

“Say, Asag, sorry to digress again, but before I forget, have you been to Banna?”

“That sulfur-ridden, mountainous piece of property I wish Ninurta got as his reward? What would you want with such a place filled with reptilian and other non-human civilizations?” replied Asag with derision.

“Been there?” continued the mage, ignoring the outburst.

“I did a bit of exploring when I arrived and found Banna to be one of the few places which I should avoid. Weird magic in that island, yet it was fortunately or unfortunately spared the enormous upheavals brought by those stupid Divine Wars. Considering the time which had passed, I am willing to bet that their magical expertise had grown. You’d be food there, even if you’re a First Mage,” answered Asag.

Shit. I guess I have no choice but to take that nanny job. I desperately need a guide, not only for what lore and history this world has, but also for any scrap of magical knowledge I could get. But one final question.

Suddenly, the mage felt a strong magical sensation. Tyler looked at Labiru. The old