The Sixth Entry

Kanav was a barren place, a city of abandoned streets and starved creatures. Magic lanterns lit our path, purple in hue, and our carriage quietly brought us to the belly of the city. Halgrim was silent through the trip, I felt no fear emanating from him, though troubled in thought. Where were the residents of Kanav? I wondered.

The carriage slowed as it neared a gated mansion, standing purple lanterns dotted the premises and highlighted the grim grey stone of the structure. The mansion was three stories, dotted in windows that had only shadows in their view. The mansion was the center of the city, all roads leading from and to it – as if the city sprouted from it.

“We are here.” Halgrim said as the carriage came to a stop.

Halgrim got out of the carriage, his muddied boots thudding against the stone, and he walked to the gate. I stepped down from the carriage and followed behind him, my mechanical armor echoing against the silence of the city. With each step, however, I could feel light tremors beneath the ground, as if something were moving beneath us.

Halgrim approached the black metal gate and cleared his throat.

“My home is now your home.” He spiritedly said.

A purple energy rippled through the gate, and slowly it opened. Halgrim proceeded through, and I followed. Bushes of dead flowers dotted the mansion, while hedges blocked most of the view from the street. Two paths intersected from the entrance and rounded towards the right and left of the Mansion, perhaps paths to other sections.

As we approached, one of the shadows in the windows moved and Halgrim stood before the door. Intricate designs laid upon the wood doorway, before purple energies opened them.

The mansion entry small compared to what I had imagined. Its entry was a tightly packed area, several racks for clothing and accessories lined both walls – which Halgrim utilized kicking off his muddy cloak and shoes and switching into a cleaner pair.  I had only seen such places a few times in my travels, the memories returning, it reminded me of a hotel rather than a mansion.

A set of stairs lay before us, and beside it another hallway further into the mansion. To our right was a large dining area, and perhaps a kitchen. To our left a large empty room set, a ballroom perhaps, now only covered in dust and dark. Further along beside the stairs the hallway was dotted in closed doors, rooms that were either empty or full of absent residence.

Halgrim turned to me, his plump face seeming to relax in the comfort of his own home, and forced a smile.

“I do not wish to be pushy, but perhaps we can discuss what must be done now. Once we have finished, you can retire for the night. If you would please join me in the dining room.” Halgrim said softly while gesturing to his left, towards the dining room.

I proceeded through the opening, taking a seat at the closest wooden chair – which appeared well kept compared to the rest of the home. Halgrim took a seat close by, slowly plopping himself down and massaging a scruffy beard – his tired expression returning.

“Let me introduce myself again. I am Halgrim and I was once Mayor of Kanav, though perhaps Mayor is but a humble title. Kanav is the only city on this planet, and this mansion was once the only home.” Halgrim pressed his hands together and continued, “When I was a younger man, I traveled the galaxy seeking a better life, and when I discovered this planet it was full of rich resources. Yet, the ground would bear no plants. Without plants, there was no harvest nor food. I tried everything our technology could offer, but all failed. I grew desperate, hungry for fortune, and sought refuge through the occult. My plea was answered, and the planet bore fruit. I brought my family here, and it grew larger. So too then did the city, many seeing this as a place to find a new start.”

Halgrim paused curling his fingers in his palms.

“The price for this fortune was steep, and only grew with each passing day. At first, I was only required to sacrifice material things – watches, implants, technology that seemed otherwise useless in the grand scheme. As our population grew, however, I felt an uneasiness. Like I was being watched. The price became flesh.” Halgrim’s tone became harsh, his nails digging into his own hands, “It asked for my own blood. I sacrificed my first born, believing it would end the pact. Yet, it asked for more. I could not sacrifice more of my own blood, so instead I began to sacrifice others. It became a ritual amongst us, several would offer their lives for the many. They agreed, of course, but such kindness could not last forever. Eventually, we would force many to be sacrificed, more and more. I sacrificed my friends who helped. My last two remaining sons, and my own wife. Now, I am all that remains.”

Silence filled the room as Halgrim appeared to choose his words carefully.

“This pact I made with your master must be fulfilled soon. There is time before the next payment, a few weeks, but I must ask you begin immediately.” Halgrim said his eyes locked upon me.

I processed what he said, and Halgrim appeared to grow impatient of my silence.

“There is no pact between us.” I said finally, understanding what The Failed had done.

“Of course not, I made one with your master. You destroy the creature as the pact has said.” Halgrim said gruffly.

“I do not answer to the creature you made a pact with.”

“I don’t understand. Then who are you? What are you doing here?” Halgrim asked standing from his chair, his face reddening.

“Our paths have crossed for a reason. I do seek something promised to me by the one you made a pact with. This creature you wished destroyed – may have what I seek.” I said.

Halgrim smiled widely, his anger subsiding quickly.

“Then you will destroy the creature?!” He asked, almost yelling.

“If it has what I seek.”

“Then a new pact is made! You will destroy the creature, and we will both get what we want!” Halgrim said joyously.

Footsteps approached from behind, the wooden floors doing little to disguise the movement.

“Ah, Mira, please show our guest to his room.”

Mira stepped into the room; her black hair tied back into a bun. Her black dress was tidy and neat, but not lavish – it appeared more appropriate for one of common status. Her brown eyes looked upon me, as if unable to see me – devoid of emotion.

“Very well, if you will follow me.” Mira said with a tinge of impatience.

I stood and followed her up the stairs, Halgrim mumbled unintelligibly to himself.

We did not go far, Mira directed us to the room just after stairs, an entire hallway of rooms to choose from. It was larger than I expected, a study with a master bed, a crackling fire had already been made with two comfortable looking chairs over an old but kept rug. I walked further in, but Mira stood at the door with her hands tightly together in front of her. Her eyes lingered before moving away as I looked upon her.

“My father’s room is the furthest down the hallway, with my own beside it. If you should need anything, please ask.” Mira asked.

She waited, as if expecting something, before leaving and closing the door behind her.

I noticed then, remembering her being, her shaking and fear. Could she have felt my presence? If so, she was more aware than Halgrim, her father.

Mira had avoided my detection, which made this even more interesting. There was more to Kanav, and this story.