Part X: Death takes a vacation
Chapter 1: The Serpent’s Embrace
Timeline: AO 300
It was deep into the winter that marked the beginning of AO 300 and I knew I was floundering. The winter doldrums were getting me down. It was cold and dreary up at The Cauldron and even the blackened skies of TerrVerde had lost their appeal. Even toying around with Hacktor and his people had lost its charms for me.
Quite frankly, I needed a vacation. And where’s the best place to escape winter’s icy grip? Why, the south, of course!
So I decided to drop in on a friend—well, not really a friend—more of a ‘frenemy,’ my fellow lumenarc Inanna. Last I heard, she had set herself up as the Queen of the South down in the continent of Ramos. It was time I checked in on her to see what she’d been up to so I packed an extra black robe, made sure I had both The Eye and The Shard, put a few souls in a bottle to snack on during the trip, and then headed south for greener pastures.
Little did I know, my vacation would give me more than I bargained for…
The journey to Ramos was instantaneous – I am a god after all. Plus I had The Shard of Varysha and that made things easier on me.
And so it was that I stood at the edge of the jungle of Ramos, with a dense canopy stretched out before me like a sea of green. The humid air wrapped around me, a heavy cloak of heat and life, so different from the chill I’d left behind.
“Perhaps this black cape wasn’t the best choice.” I lamented as the incredible humidity made my robes stick to my skeletal frame in a most uncomfortable manner. But what could I do? It wasn’t like I had much choice – my backup clothes were just another ebon robe. Oh well.
I tried taking my mind off things by looking at my surroundings. I knew Ramos was a land of ancient power, a place where the wild ruled supreme. Although the continent likely had a few Mylar stragglers who never went beyond the wall, and there were pockets of Amorosi, most of the humans here were descendants of Kane’s sons Derk and Drokka who continued their journey south [instead of settling in Gor with the rest of the clan]. Over the centuries they became the people of Ramos – developing their own mighty culture – only to see themselves later subjected to the rule of the lumenarc Inanna when she decided to make this place her home.
And at the region’s center was the city of Thulsa – land of the serpent worshippers. I’d been there and done that in the past and I wasn’t looking to get stuck in the middle of the jungle this time and Inanna wasn’t living there any more, so I took myself to the southeast coast – to Karkemesh, the jungle metropolis where Inanna, or as she now called herself, Sindra, had turned into her new seat of power…
The sound of rushing water filled my ears as I neared the city. The great Oro River, the lifeblood of Ramos, surged through the jungle’s heart with unstoppable force, its mighty current carving through the land before cascading over the edge of a massive waterfall into the Southern Seas below. And there, at the river’s mouth, sprawled Karkemesh, gleaming like a jewel amid the green.
The city was a marvel, a testament to Inanna’s vision and ambition. Dual palaces flanked the river’s edge, their white marble walls catching the sunlight, their towers crowned with golden domes. These palaces, known as the Serpent’s Embrace, were more than just symbols of power; they were pleasure domes, where the elite of Ramos indulged in their darkest desires. The sounds of music, laughter, and cries of ecstasy echoed through the air as I made my way through the bustling streets.
Everywhere I looked, the city flaunted its decadence and beauty. The humans here had never been subjected to Baal’s Curse like the Derkka and they were a far cry from the dwarfish Drokka (whose bodies had changed from centuries spent underground). Instead the humans of Ramos – who lived in the southern sun – had blossomed into a higher breed of the race. From the lowest slave to the highest elite – all were the picture of beauty and Karkemesh showcased the apex of their people.
Silk-clad courtesans danced in the streets, their bodies adorned with gold and jewels; merchants hawked rare spices, intoxicating herbs, and forbidden relics; and the scent of exotic perfumes and incense filled the air, mingling with the sweet, metallic tang of blood.
At the gates of the Serpent’s Embrace, I was met by a retinue of Inanna’s servants, their eyes downcast in reverence—and fear. They led me through the opulent halls of the palace, where the walls were adorned with intricate mosaics depicting serpents coiled around their prey, their eyes gleaming with malice and desire. The palace itself was a labyrinth of pleasure, with hidden alcoves and secret chambers where the elite of Ramos indulged in their wildest fantasies.
In the heart of the palace, I found her. Inanna, or should I say Sindra, reclined on a throne of black jade, her body draped in shimmering gold and emerald silks that clung to her curves like a second skin. Like all lumenarcs, Sindra had the choice as to what form she appeared as in your world – as the self-styled Goddess of Lust, Sindra’s form was the embodiment of sensual allure and dangerous beauty. Her presence commanded attention, and every aspect of her appearance was designed to captivate, seduce, and intimidate.
Her tricks had never worked on me, of course, but to the mortals of your world, she was irresistible – which often led to their death, for Sindra harbored a hidden talent that her victims never discovered until it was too late – Sindra was a Soul Sucker!
What’s a Soul Sucker, you ask?
Recall that I was a Soul Hoarder – I stole them from mortals at their death and then kept them like a miser within the cavity of my being, always looking to grow my collection. Meanwhile Baal-Zebub – that evil wretch – was (and still is) a Soul Eater (and unfortunately for me he always robbed me of my collection whenever I was forced to visit Illusia to replenish by <hellfire>. Sindra too had a taste for souls, yet her methods for acquiring them were far more insidious – she lured her victims in with the promise of unparalleled pleasure, only to leave them as hollow husks, drained of their very life force.
Evil scientist that I was, I’d learned that Sindra’s power lay in her ability to tap into the primal desires of mortals, manipulating them until they were utterly consumed by their own lust. Her touch was intoxicating, her presence overwhelming, and once she had ensnared her prey, there was no escape.
The Soul Sucking act itself was a dark ritual, masked by the appearance of lovemaking but driven by a far more malevolent purpose. As she engaged with her victim, Inanna would draw them deeper into a state of rapture, heightening their senses, pushing them to the brink of madness with desire. And at the climax of their passion, when their defenses were at their weakest, she would strike.
It was at this moment that Sindra’s true power manifested. With a whispered incantation and a final, all-consuming kiss, she would siphon the soul of her victim, pulling it from their body as if she were drinking in the very essence of their being. The experience was euphoric for her, a rush of power that flooded her senses, each soul adding to her already formidable strength. For the victim, however, it was a moment of ultimate betrayal, their very life essence ripped away in what should have been a moment of union and fulfillment.
Yet the souls this Goddess of Lust stole were not simply consumed or stored away; instead they fed her beauty, keeping her eternally youthful, her allure ever potent, ensuring that she remained the irresistible force that she was.
As for Sindra’s victims, now soulless, they were left as empty shells, their bodies still functioning but devoid of any spark of life. Some became mindless thralls, serving her every whim without question, their only purpose to worship and obey their goddess. There were countless of them walking the palaces of Karkemesh. Meanwhile others simply withered away, their bodies unable to sustain themselves without the soul that once animated them. These were the unfortunate ones, discarded like broken toys, their lives snuffed out by the very thing they had once desired – their bones collected in the bowels of the city.
When she decided to make Ramos her kingdom, the people never had a chance (or choice). She dominated them and took control. As it stood now, her subjects worshipped her, feared her, adored her, but none truly knew her. She was a goddess, untouchable and unreachable, her very existence a paradox of beauty and terror, pleasure and pain, life and death and her Soul Sucking ability made that possible.
As I stood before her, I observed that Sindra’s skin was a flawless shade of rich, golden bronze, smooth as silk, and glowing with an inner warmth that seemed to radiate an almost hypnotic allure. It caught the light with a subtle sheen, enhancing her already otherworldly presence. Her figure was the epitome of feminine perfection, with curves that were both generous and graceful, her every movement a fluid, enticing dance. She exuded a natural confidence that bordered on arrogance, fully aware of the power her beauty held over others.
Sindra’s hair cascaded down her back in a waterfall of midnight black, so dark that it seemed to drink in the light around her. The long, luxurious waves were adorned with tiny, glittering jewels and gold serpentine clasps, catching the light as she moved, creating the illusion of stars trapped within the dark tresses. Her hair framed a face of ethereal beauty, with high cheekbones, a delicate jawline, and full, seductive lips that were always curved into a knowing, teasing smile.
Her eyes were perhaps her most captivating feature, deep pools of liquid amber that seemed to burn with a smoldering intensity like the waters of the River Oro at dusk. They were framed by long, dark lashes that cast shadows across her cheeks, adding to the mystery and allure. Her gaze was both penetrating and inviting, as if she could see into the deepest desires of those who dared to look into her eyes, drawing them into her web of temptation.
As always, she often adorned herself in garments that left little to the imagination, favoring silks and gossamer fabrics in deep reds, purples, and blacks. These garments clung to her form, revealing more than they concealed, the fabrics shimmering with every breath she took. Gold and emerald accents, serpentine in design, coiled around her wrists, neck, and ankles, further enhancing her association with serpents and the forbidden. She wore a diadem of black jade and emeralds atop her head, symbolizing her self-declared divinity and her dominion over the kingdom of Ramos.
Her voice was a low, velvety whisper that caressed the ears, dripping with honeyed promises and dark secrets. It had the power to seduce, to command, and to terrify, often all at once. When she spoke, her words seemed to linger in the air, drawing listeners closer, ensnaring them in her spell.
“Azazel,” she purred, her voice a silken whisper. “What a surprise. I wasn’t expecting visitors.”
I offered her a wry smile, inclining my head in a mock bow. “Sindra,” I replied, using her adopted name. “I couldn’t resist the allure of the south. The winter was proving too dull for my tastes, and I thought it was time I saw what you’ve been up to. It seems you’ve done quite well for yourself.”
She chuckled, rising from her throne with the grace of a serpent. She circled me, her fingers trailing lightly over my bony arm. “I’ve carved out a little paradise here, wouldn’t you agree? The jungle offers so many… opportunities for those who know how to seize them.”
I nodded, narrowing my eyes as I studied her. “Indeed. But I sense you’ve done more than just create a paradise. There’s something darker at work here, something that goes beyond mere pleasure.”
Her smile widened, and she leaned in close, her breath warm against my ear. “You’ve always been perceptive, Azazel. Yes, there is more. But I wonder, what is it you seek? Surely you didn’t come all this way just to bask in my glory.”
My smile faded, and I met her gaze with a serious expression. “I’m searching for Dagaal,” I admitted, my voice low. “The dagger that can kill even a lumenarc. I’ve followed whispers and rumors across half the world, and they’ve led me here, to Ramos.”
Her eyes glittered with interest as she stepped back, regarding me with a mixture of curiosity and caution. “Dagaal,” she repeated, the name rolling off her tongue like a forbidden secret. “That is indeed a prize worth seeking. But tell me, Azazel, why do you seek it? What do you hope to gain?”
I hesitated, my mind racing as I considered how much to reveal. Inanna was powerful, and dangerous in her own right. If she knew the full extent of my plan, she might try to turn it against me. But I also knew that without her help, I might never find the dagger.
“I seek it for power,” I said finally, my voice firm. “To ensure that I remain at the top of the game. And perhaps… to keep it out of the hands of those who would use it against us.”
Her lips curled into a smile, and she nodded slowly. “Very well, Azazel. I may have some information that could help you. But first, let us indulge in the pleasures of Karkemesh. After all, a guest in my palace should not leave unsatisfied.”
What followed was a night of indulgence and excess. I may be the God of Death, but I can have a bit of fun now and then and like I said, I was on vacation so I knew I needed the ‘simpler’ pleasures of life to take my mind off my troubles.
As such, I changed my form away from that of a skeleton and took on a physical body more appropriate to the situation. After that I allowed myself to be swept up in the hedonistic atmosphere of the Serpent’s Embrace, partaking in the many pleasures offered by Inanna’s palace. I danced with courtesans, drank rare wines, ate the jungle’s famous hypnotic herbs, and even engaged in some of the darker rituals that Inanna had introduced to the city.
But through it all, my mind remained sharp, ever focused on my true goal. As the night wore on, I found myself alone in one of the palace’s many chambers, the echoes of the festivities distant and muted. It was there that Inanna found me, her expression unreadable.
“I’ve decided to help you, Azazel,” she said quietly, her voice serious. “I already knew about your little bone dagger. I believe it’s a key, one that can unlock the way between the worlds perhaps, or unleash a curse that could destroy us all.”
Her words hung in the air, and I leaned forward, my gaze intense. “Where is it?”
She hesitated, then spoke in a hushed tone. “There is a temple, deep within the jungle, near Thulsa, where the ancient spirits of Ramos still dwell – those souls of the Fallen Angels who didn’t survive when Michael locked us within The Firmament. Perhaps our dead brothers and sisters trapped there may know something about Dagaal. But be warned, Azazel, the price for the dagger may be more than you are willing to pay.
My mind raced with the possibilities as her words sank in. Throughout the milennia of my time on the flat earth of Terra, I’d uncovered various locations where the souls of those lumenarcs murdered by Michael the Mighty had become trapped – often there were relics of great power with them. What Sindra said might be true and it was thus worth checking out. Yet I knew Sindra didn’t offer up the information for free. She’d be using her people and her powers to watch my ever move – I would need to tread carefully, for even the slightest misstep could spell my doom with her.
“Your pleasures were just what I needed for my vacation.” I quipped, before getting serious, “But your partnership is even more desirous.”
“We shall see.” She slithered in delight.
Sindra left me to return to the revelry. As I watched her sensual form walk away, I knew my vacation was about to get even more interesting…
The Apocrypha of Azazel 