Here another fantastic sketch by Gill Pearce of Hellion’s Art brings to life a dramatic fight in The Last Seal.

The avatars had reached Ben, and as the leading three circled round to his right, the other three flew by on his left, threatening to surround him. Sweating with fear, his pulse racing, he wondered if he could manage to use the Words again, for he felt exhausted; he was also afraid of what the effect on him might be. If he used all his energy now, he would have nothing left with which to face the demon.

Another scream shrilled out from the within the force field encircling the Last Seal, and was cut off, gurgling to silence as Dantalion pounced again. How many was that, Ben wondered: five or six? Too many at any rate, it was time to act – he had to risk it, but how? The lightning bolts he had used had knocked the avatars down and partially disabled them, but it was only temporary; had not destroyed them. Perhaps the loathsome creatures had some protection or defence against it. So, should he conjure fire against them? But no; having seen the delight the pair of avatars had taken in the flames just before they had entered the Guild Hall, they were clearly impervious to that element. What, then? Ben thought hard. Ice? Yes … maybe ice would do it.

He brought his hands together so that his thumbs touched. Then he extended his arms towards the approaching creatures, summoned his strength and shouted: “Kώνος, jää, décharge!”

Read more in The Last Seal – historical Fantasy in 1666

The nature of demons

All races have stories of powerful and terrifying creatures which are said to be immortal and almost invincible. These ‘demons’ in some form or other pervade our folklore, enter our legends and also find their place in our religions. To the Christian church they are fallen angels; once servants of the almighty who fought a war against him but finally lost and were then banished to the underworld where they remain as supernatural, malevolent spirits plotting the downfall of man and the destruction of heaven.

Hindu myths also speak of ‘Asuras’ or demons who are evil spirits forever battling against the divinities. In Islamic legends we read of the Jinn, creatures made of fire just as we men are made of clay. Some Jinn are not evil and many are benevolent but like the fallen angels of Christianity others rejected Allah and like them were banished to dark places from which they can tempt, torment and mislead humanity.

The Babylonians, Persians, Chinese and many others have such fables about demons, deva, daimons or some other name for this type of creature. Is this coincidence or is there perhaps something behind it all? Is there some memory in our oldest traditions of terrifying encounters with creatures beyond our comprehension and certainly beyond our powers?

But if this is true, if these creatures did exist how were we able to overcome them? How could mere mortal men even hope to oppose them much less defeat them. Such things are forgotten now as the ages pass, and perhaps this is for the best: for there was indeed a time when these immortal demons walked the same earth our ancestors inhabited. They wielded immense powers and could have been seen to be gods. Indeed many men certainly treated them as gods and through their service gained power and dominion over others.

But they were not gods as others of our ancestors knew. They set themselves to the task of trying to fight against the demons futile though it might seem with merely flint and spear, fire and rock but try they did and the first great warriors of our race were born. Some though reasoned that only through power could power be defeated and became dedicated to learning all that could be learned of arcane knowledge and sorcery and so in time the first wizards and warlocks came to be.

The wars were ferocious and brutal but through the strength of our arms, the powers of our minds and the resilience of our spirits we defeated the Great Enemy, banishing them to the void beyond the world and were at last free to rule ourselves. The demons though were not content to live an immortal existence in that dark wilderness and through the endless millennia have endeavoured to find a way back. And through these endless millennia there have been those who have strived to help them and gain for themselves – just like their ancestor’s before them – their share of power and glory.

Excerpt from the Journal of Cornelius Silver
The fourth day of April in the IVth Year of King Richard II

Cornelius Silver imprisoned the Demon Dantalion at the start of The Last Seal. Read how here:

http://www.richarddenning.co.uk/thelastseal.html

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