Floating down, Mulu dissipated his Demon form into a contagious fume and spread himself all through the city. He seeped into the lungs and bodies of each and every Hyenan in the city. The young and the old, the sick and the healthy. In minutes they all fell to the ground rolling in pain. Mulu had decided that Hyenan's weren't strong enough to be at his side. He liked his new Demon form and thought Demons would make much better warriors then Hyenans.
Once infected with Mulu's Demon essence, the Dogmen's bodies began to change. Their arms and legs grew longer into Demon appendages as their bodies expanded into gruesome and frightening dog like beast. Some grew leathery black wings while adapted a strange serpent like look. Some were bipedal while others grew multiple legs with almost insect parts. Mulu's laughter could be heard ringing all through the air.
"Rise my Demondogs!" He laughed. "Rise and meet your master!"
Like minions from some strange dark dimension Mulu's new Demondogs rose up off the ground. They flexed new wings and deadly appendages and licked claws and sharp teeth, then looked up to their master who stood high above them.
"First I will take Aspana and make it into my own private dark land." Mulu said. "Then I will take the world!! Now I want all of you to spread out and bring these Aspanian fools to their knees. Show them that Mulu is now in control."
Mulu slowly floated down to the ground to stand among his new Demon army. As he passed they all cringed at his power and shuffled to get out of his way. As he looked around at his cowering army he realized that changing their form was really not enough. He had given them strength, but deep down they were still the simple Hyenan Dogmen. He needed something more, something big. He could take a few of the Demondogs and create something new, but he didn't think he could warp anything into the level aggression and contempt that he wanted. Draidor had the madness he needed, but after stealing his body, Mulu could never trust him again. He would always be plotting something against him trying to win back his body. But then Draidor wasn't the only horror Mulu could pull from out of that dark dimension of Nightmares. There were other things down there that Mulu knew he could control. Big scary things that Extremus once used to haunt Nightmares with. If Mulu could draw a few out of their dark hidden corners, he could use them against Panthera and Tigaress. In fact they could help make him master of the world. But could he open a door into Nightmare big enough for what he wanted without being noticed? The Gods of Dreams and Nightmares were not known for their hospitality. For though he now possessed the body and powers of a full Demon, he did still have a soul, and that means he was still vulnerable to the will of the Gods.
As Mulu stared out at his city full of Demondogs, his hunger for power burned through his brain. He had taken many steps towards his high minded ambitions. Invaded many land and over thrown many kingdoms here in Aspana. Now he was contemplating an even more dangerous endeavor. He was going to trespass on the world of Nightmare and steal something dark that belonged to the gods. Extremus will not be happy when he learns of this transgression. But it can't be helped. In time, Mulu would have to face the mad god himself. He would just have to gain enough power to defeat him on his own.
As the Demondogs took off to spread themselves out through Aspana. Mulu made his way back to his house where he went to his throne room and took his place on his old throne. It felt small now since he had gone through the change to his Demon form. He would have to re make Mancoro once Aspana was in his control and make it more befitting the deity he was becoming. Mulu Amin, God of Evil. He liked the sound of that.
As he closed his eyes, Mulu cast his mind out into the dark depths of the Nightmare world. Here the sky was always dark with lightning and thunder that flashed and rattled the land. Dark winged things flew through the sky attacking each other. They forced each other down out of the sky to the ground where they ripped at each other tearing themselves to pieces. As Mulu looked around, he saw a grim world of chaos with ever monstrous thing ever dreamed. Deadly things with tentacles and pincers. Huge hulking creatures that looked like mad demented Orcs with great stingers extending from each shoulder. There were crazed Werewolves and bat like Vampires that would be used to scare Humans, Elves, and all the other human like races. He saw giant men dressed in the hides of Tigars, Lions and Hyena's with heads with dead eyes staring back. Mulu chuckled as he passed. His hand was extended as his magic kept the Nightmare things from attacking him.
"He must think I am weak if he thinks that will scare me."
Mulu was in some kind of cemetery. There were headstones and broken down mausoleums everywhere. The ground was covered in dead grass with old dead trees scattered all around. The sound of screams could be heard from somewhere off in the distance. He saw Tigarens and Hyenans being chased by some kind of wild looking Antelope man thing with a huge axe. The grounds were littered with the bodies of his catch. This was indeed the land of Nightmare.
As he pushed the cemetery gate open and stepped in, a long slimy tentacle slithered out to grab at his leg. He kicked out dislodging it then sneered at the squid thing that had crept in on him radiating a wave of pure hate to keep it away. Moving quickly, Mulu went on. He passed a lake of fire where strange black birds dived in and out nipping it a screaming Mermaid that was caught trying to dive over a dam made of logs. Every time she fell back into the flames, the birds would be on her and she would scream out in pain. On the shore of the lake there grew a row of trees like nothing Mulu had ever seen before. They looked like willows. They were tall with long branches that hung down like the hair of a giant. There was nothing like this in all of Aspana. Curious, Mulu walked down towards the grove of trees. As the wind blew through the leaves, he heard soft music drifting through the air. It soothed and calmed Mulu with every step he took. He shook his head trying to clear his mind. Peace wasn't an emotion he was use too. He needed his rage to keep his powers strong.
As he walked through the grove, he noticed a smell. It was a sickly sweet smell that aided the music to relax him.
"No!" he yelled out. This was all wrong. He reached up and smacked his face hard. He needed the pain to bring his anger back to fuel his rage. As he opened his eyes again. Something rubbed against his leg. Then wrapped itself all around his thigh and pulled him off his feet. The leaves of the trees had suddenly become like tentacles and started wrapping themselves around him and pulling him towards the trees. As Mulu struggled to free himself, a great mouth opened in the trunk of one of the trees. He was being pulled towards it. If he couldn't free himself, he would die here in this world of Nightmare.
As his fear grew, his anger took over. He reached down and grabbed the tentacle and focused his mind on that anger. As he pulled at the tentacles, his power flared up in his hands and pulsed out. The tree screamed as Demon fire flowed into it and burned into the trunk. As the tree released him, Mulu leaped to his feet blasted at each tree as he ran out of the grove.
As he ran through the dark cemetery, huge frogs in the trees spread their wings and took to the skies after him. Like stinging bees the frogs attacked zipping down to sting and bite at him. Mulu batted them away smacking them from the skies as he ran feeling the burning pain of their slimy stingers.
By the time the frogs were gone, Mulu had ran out of the cemetery and into the ruins of an old city. All the buildings here were made of brick and mortar. The streets were paved with broken stones. There was garbage and old bones everywhere he looked. Mulu thought the city looked very familiar. The wall, the mortar buildings, the pit in the center of town. If it wasn't for the ash gray sky, he would swear this was Mancoro.
It was quiet and still as Mulu made his way through the ruined reflection of Mancoro. There were no Hyenans here for him to control. No Tigarens to hunt and no Pantherens to battle. He looked down into the pit almost expecting to find Msia Duma still down there fighting to get out. What he did find was a lot of bones scattered almost knee deep all through the pit. As he stared down he remembered Msia in the pit in Mancoro fighting to get free. Mulu would question him and send warriors down to fight him. But Msia never gave in. He never revealed any indication that he knew where the Star of Hekima was or if he knew anything about it. After all the years of questions, Mulu had really started to doubt if he was the chosen one at all. Maybe the bones and the crystals he had read were wrong. It could be that Sakura was destined to get the Star and not his father.
But right now it didn't matter. He was here in Nightmare to find something that would help him to defeat the armies of his enemies. He had seen many things here that could bring them fear, but nothing so far that could turn the tide of war to his side.
Mulu stared down at the cave, then turned and started away. As he turned, he heard something. It was a snort or some kind of growl from in the chest. He turned back and walked out to the edge of the pit and looked down. Smoke seeped out from the cave. There was something in there. Mulu could feel the waves of hate and contempt emanating from the cave. It warmed his cold heart that something could hate as much as he could.
Spreading his arms, Mulu lifted himself up and gently sailed down and into the pit. Smoke still flowed as if there was some thing burning in the cave. As he touched down, something roared in the the cave. It was so loud it rattled the roof and sent debris flying everywhere. Mulu took a step back and prepared himself to face the Nightmare in the cave.
"Come Nightmare." He called out. "Come out and face me and see who is the master!"
The sound of thunderous footsteps rang out as the Nightmare roared its challenge out at Mulu.
[Who dares to trespass on the dreamscape of Brimstone, the Dragon of Nightmare!!]
"I dare!" Mulu shouted as he took a fighting stand. "Come out and face your new master"
[Master?]" Brimstone laughed as he came out to stand before Mulu in his majestic form. Brimstone had needle like sharp teeth and a forked tongue. He had black soulless eyes that would send any normal mortal running to hide. [Do not make me laugh little demon. I have lived thousands of years in this Nightmare realm. I have haunted and scared millions to death in their dreams. You are nothing but a speck in the reality of chaos. You would dare to challenge me!!!]
Brimstone stomped his colossal foot and fire erupted from fissures all around Mulu. Raising his hands, Mulu extinguished the flame geysers with a flick of his wrist.
"You may be ancient Worm." Mulu laughed. "You may have the power of fire and brimstone at your command, but I am a fully powered Demon with power you can not comprehend at my command and I want you to bow to me!!"
Mulu rose up into the air and struck out at Brimstone thrusting a beam of energy out like a bullwhip. It snapped out and wrapped around the dragons neck and he pulled it toward him. Brimstone roared out in pain and humiliation with flames choking out from his mouth and nostrils. The dragon reared up and shook as he tried to pull himself free. Mulu swung out with a second whip striking Brimstone again and again as he tried to pull the dragon into control. He arms strained with effort as his muscles bulged tightly in the fight for control.
As Brimstone howled, his wings opened and started to beat lifting him up and off the ground. He fought furiously to break free, but the spell Mulu was using was slowly sapping his strength. He couldn't believe that after all the centuries. All the knights and battles, all the castles and witches and warlocks. He was going to die here in Nightmare, in front of his own cave at the hands of some over confident, self righteous Demon. As he fought, Brimstone got weaker and weaker. All his energy was being slowly siphoned off and sent through the energy beam back to the Demon. Mulu laughed as he pulled and struck out at Brimstone. Long welts appeared on the dragons face and everywhere else the energy whip hit him. Brimstone didn't know how much more he could take. His only chance now for survival was to give in to the Demon and accept him as his master. Maybe sometime in the future, the Demon would make a mistake and Brimstone would find a way to be free and take his revenge.
Dropping down, Brimstone folded his wings to his back and bowed his head at the Demons feet. As Mulu stared down at the dragon, it looked up into his eyes then shifted into the form of a Hyenan like Mulu only smaller and with horns.
"You win." Brimstone said with blazing eyes. "I will serve you. I know what it is that you are searching for. It is to late, the star is now beyond your reach. But I know where there are others"
"And you will take me to it?"
"I live only to serve the great Mulu Aim." Brimstone bowed with an evil glint in his dragon eye. "There is one problem. I am a citizen of Nightmare." Brimstone said as he stood up to face Mulu. "I can only exist in dreams. I don't have the power to leave here without the lord of Nightmares permission. Unless of course you are planning on killing him and setting me free from here."
"Your Nightmare god means nothing to me." Mulu sneered. "If I want you free from this dark place, I will bring you out. Stand back."
Mulu turned and walked out away from Brimstone then turned back to him and raised his hands.
FROM NIGHTMARE TO DREAM.
FROM DARK INTO LIGHT.
WITH POWER EXTREME.
I MAKE YOU MY KNIGHT.
RISE UP FROM THIS PLACE.
AND ANSWER MY CALL
FROM HERE TO MY SPACE.
TO MAKE MY ENEMIES FALL.
As Mulu's dark magic swirled and took hold of Brimstone, he roared and lifted up into the air then disappeared. Mulu howled out his insane laugh, crossed his arms and was gone. Seconds later there was a flash in Nightmare and a woman dressed in dark robes stood outside of Brimstone's cave. She walked to the entrance and called out to the dragon. There was no answer. She lifted her hand to her mouth and whistled. Out of the darkness, a lone bat flew down to perch on her shoulder.
"Where is Brimstone?"
The bat squealed and chattered something in her ear. It was one simple word. Demon.
"What Demon dared to come to Nightmare and steal from me?" The robed woman shouted. "Someone will pay for this transgression. No one steals from me!"
In a flash of light, Astan, Palas, Goren, and his warriors appeared in the forest of Starspeak. The Gorillas all fell to the ground dizzy and nauseous from the magical transport. As their stomachs settled and they looked up into the tree's, Palas gasped. There was smoke rising from the burned out forest.
"By Alee no!!" Palas cried as he leaped into the air and took off toward the burned out Aerie. Goren sat there dazed not quite understanding what had upset Palas. He looked around then stood up and took two careful steps.
"Where are we?" He asked as he rubbed his eyes to clear them. Astan came over and helped him over to where Beno lay.
"We're in the mountains of Ayss." He said. "You're feeling the affects of transports, It'll started to fade away in just a minute, but we don't have a lot of time. You have to organize your warriors to get us moving. Igoro could be here soon."
Goren shook his head then looked at Astan.
"I'm OK now." He got up and called his warriors over. One by one each warrior got up on his feet and staggered over to where Beno lay with Goren at his side. "Where would you suggest we go? With Palas gone, we have no where to go."
"Maybe I can find us some help." Astan said as he sat down and crossed his legs in a lotus position. "Palas and his people worshiped Alee, the sun god. Could be there's a temple somewhere near here and just maybe Alee might be in a mood to favor us today."
"Are you serious?" Goren laughed. "You really believe in that nonsense? Rimnar, Saila, Alee and Tyree? None of that is real. It was all made up by a bunch of ancient elders to keep us in line."
"Are you sure of that?" He looked Goren deep in his eyes. "There are a lot of things in Aspana that only the presence of a god can explain. Don't be so quick to rule out their presence, they could be our only chance at defeating Mulu and Igoro."
"Bah!!" Goren spit to the side. "Only a strong arm and a quick mind will win the day for us. No god is going to reach down and hand help us. Do not waste your time with prayers. It will not help us."
Just then there was a bright flash from over head. Astan and Goren looked up as a bank of clouds moved from in front of the sun and a single ray of sunlight shined down on Beno. As they sat there watching, a beautiful dove flew down to land next to Beno and shifted into a handsome man with golden blond hair and gold armor. Goren's mouth dropped open as he stared at the god of the sun. He reached over and put his hand on Beno's chest and filled him with his healing power. Beno groaned as his wounds sealed and knitted themselves back together. In seconds he was completely healed. Alee looked up at them and smiled.
"Don't be so quick to doubt those ancient elders." Alee said as he began to fade. "We are real and we are watching. All hope is not lost. Keep fighting, you can still win the day."
As Beno opened his eyes, Alee disappeared. He sat up and looked at Goren.
"Cousin? Where am I? What happened?"
"I'm not quite sure." The Gorilla said. He helped Beno up on his feet then asked to make sure he was well, then he walked over to where Astan was sitting.
"Was that real?" He asked. "Did we really just see the Fortisan god of the sun?"
"I believe we did." Astan stood up and brushed off the dirt from his pants. "You know what this means? It means there's still hope. Mulu and Igoro can still be beaten if we are careful. But we will have to all fight together. And that means all of Aspana must pull together."
Goren thought for a minute. There really wasn't any choice. Either he joined with Astan and the Avians or he could sit back and watch as his father gave his people over to that damned Hyenan. Then slavery would be the least of Aspana's problems.
"We will fight at your side." Goren said as he reached out to shake Astan's hand. "May the Gods be with us."
"With luck." Astan said. "I think they are. Now let's go find Palas and the rest of his people. They may need our help."
