Demon Lord III - Grey God by T C Southwell

a
powerful light god, perhaps the most powerful of all, would be at
his side to help him allayed his concerns somewhat.
    Bane sighed,
gazing at the massive Gate. He was not eager to see what lay beyond
it, and waited for Kayos to bid his daughter a fond farewell. The
Grey God kissed her brow and stepped back, and Lyriasharin
approached Bane, laying a hand on his arm in a gesture of trust and
affection that he had always appreciated.
    "I will miss
you, Bane." She reached up to run her fingers down his cheek. "Be
careful. I fear the God Realm is a vast and terrifying place. I
would not like you to come to harm."
    "Nor would
I."
    The goddess
turned to Mirra. "Look after him, My Lady. He will need your wise
council and comfort. The path you have chosen, though a difficult
one, is brave and worthy."
    "Thank you,
Lady."
    Lyriasharin
smiled at Mithran and Grem, who bowed. "You are courageous men, and
I applaud you. Mithran, your son does you great honour, be proud of
him."
    "I am,
Lady."
    The goddess
stepped back, and Bane faced the Gate as Kayos took something from
his pocket that shone like a star and touched it to the mighty
portal. The Gate chimed, filling the air with sweet notes that
echoed around the vast hall. The sound chilled Bane's heart and
made his hackles rise, though he had no idea why. Mirra's hand
tightened on his, and Mithran and Grem tensed. The Gate glowed, its
chiming peals shivering the air, and Bane glanced at Lyriasharin,
who bit her lip. She flung him a tight smile when she noticed his
scrutiny, then her eyes flicked back to the Gate.
    The chimes
stopped, and the locks disengaged with a soft grating of stone in
the leaden silence that followed. The huge door swung inwards
slowly, revealing a yawning abyss of darkness beyond, which
swallowed the pale light of Eternity. Kayos stepped into it,
vanishing as if he had passed through a wall of darkness. After a
moment's hesitation, Bane followed with Mirra close beside him. He
found solid footing that sloped downwards, and advanced cautiously.
When it levelled off, he turned to look back at the Gate, which
appeared to be too far away, a small rectangle of brilliant light.
It narrowed and vanished with a faint boom, and he glanced down as
Mirra's grip on his hand tightened. She frowned, holding her
stomach, and Grem and Mithran also looked ill. Bane realised that
the dark power around them was intense, and extended the protective
shield that had automatically enveloped him in the presence of so
much dark power. The trio relaxed, Grem and Mithran looking
puzzled, while Mirra cast him a grateful smile.
    Lines of white
fire hissed across the Realm Gate, some extending from it for a
short distance, and Bane moved away, their power making his skin
prickle. He eyed the white wards that protected the Realm Gate,
making mental notes for future reference. Since Kayos had built
this domain, it stood to reason that these wards were stronger than
most. The white wards shimmered with blue as the dark power around
them warred with it, giving off a harsh light.
    Bane turned to
find a blue glow behind him and walked towards it. Kayos examined
the sand at his feet, the nimbus of blue fire that surrounded him
lighting the ground for a short distance in every direction. As
Bane moved away from the Realm Gate, the wards vanished, telling
him that it had been his presence so close to the portal that had
triggered them. Bane stopped beside the Grey God and glanced down
at the darkness at his own feet.
    "It seems you
have an advantage already."
    Kayos
straightened and turned to him. "It is my light that blinds you.
Without me, you would be able to see a great deal more than I can.
This is a dark place, better suited to you than me, but we will
soon journey into more neutral territory."
    Bane glanced
around. Mithran held Mirra's other hand and Grem gripped his wrist,
chaining themselves together in the darkness, which was complete
for them, he assumed. Although they looked uneasy, they