Legends of Amacia Attack on Tartarus

Call of Grimm’s Mask

Forty-five minutes after leaving Selina and Leila in his quarters, Hannibal moved through the corridors of the Red Tower heading to the portal chamber. Deadly intent filled his stride. An ancient power called to his mind, urgently bidding him to come. The call felt familiar, but he couldn’t exactly place its source. His mind was whirling with a cacophony of thoughts and speculations about the mission to Kartoom. When the call of this vaguely familiar ancient force rose over the noise of his other thoughts, it put him on edge without knowing exactly why. As he turned a corner, Master Kusanagi appeared like a ghost out of the shadows, startling Hannibal.

Before Kusanagi could blink, Hannibal pounced on him, putting him in a chokehold with his forearm and pushing him against the wall roughly. When Hannibal realized whom he was choking, horror filled his face and he immediately released Kusanagi. “Oh, god, I’m so sorry, Master Kusanagi,” he apologized, straightening out Kusanagi’s kimono. “Geeze, you came out of nowhere and surprised me. Didn’t anyone tell you how dangerous that is?”

Kusanagi coughed, recovering his breath. “No, milord,” he wheezed, slowly recovering, “...no one told me of this; though the prophecies did say you would act like this. I’m sorry I snuck up on you. It won’t happen again. You can count on that.” Seeing the mix of angst and grief on Hannibal’s face, Kusanagi added, “You must be really distracted if I was able to sneak up on you like this. Not much can do that. What’s troubling you, son?”

“This whole operation,” Hannibal admitted. “We’re going on what may very well be a suicide mission to destroy Kartoom by overloading its power plant. I’m not at all sure any of us will be coming back from this, but it has to be done. If we don’t stop the Emperor’s manufacturing base, no one will stop him.”

“I see,” Kusanagi murmured, patting Hannibal on his armored shoulder. “You’re worried this operation may fail, am I right?”

“Yes,” Hannibal stated. “And what’s worse, I haven’t received any insight on it from the Almighty. He’s been very silent concerning this whole thing. It would make me feel better if I knew He wanted this done. As of now, I’m not sure if this is what we should be doing.”

“Ah,” Kusanagi replied softly, “I see. You doubt this is the will of the Almighty.”

“Exactly,” Hannibal stated. “But from the standpoint of logic and logistics, taking out Kartoom is a strategic necessity. Without Kartoom, the Emperor will be hamstrung in his ability to overrun the planet.”

Kusanagi put both his hands on Hannibal’s shoulders, looking him in the eye. “Son; do not doubt yourself or the Almighty,” he exhorted. “That’s the way unto death. Did it ever occur to you that this may be the Almighty testing you?”

Hannibal’s eyes grew wide as he saw the truth Kusanagi was imparting. “Of course,” he breathed. “The Almighty is keeping quiet about this to test my faith in Him. I know down to the core of my soul that He pushed me to start preparing for this. The inspiration for the operation came from Him; I know it. However, He didn’t tell me how to do it. It’s just like me going unprepared into Ezra’s Tower. He wants to see what I will do, whether I would....”

Hannibal’s face suddenly knitted with anger, his brow furrowing. “Shit, it is a test!” he snapped. “I’ve been fearful of it since we began planning it. And since we lost Morpheus in Ezra’s Tower, that fear has blossomed. Now, it’s trying to stop me from doing it. A damned spirit of fear snuck in when I wasn’t looking. How could I have let that happen? Shit!”

Kusanagi touched Hannibal on the crown of his head, saying, “In the name and power of the Almighty Ancient of Days, come out of him you spirit of fear and never enter again. You have no power over him. Leave and return to the Abyss where you belong, in the name of the Almighty Ancient of Days.”

“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,” Hannibal prayed at the same time Kusanagi prayed, “...come out, you damnable spirit of fear. Go back to the Abyss and never torment me again in the name above all names, the name of Jesus, the most holy son of the Almighty Ancient of Days; amen.” A dark shadow flickered across Hannibal’s face in the brilliantly lit corridor before evaporating. Peace filled Hannibal’s being and a relieved sigh escaped his lips. “Thank you, my friend,” he said gratefully, hugging Kusanagi. “I felt the vile spirit when it left. Apparently, it’s been interfering with my link to the Lord. It may have been a leftover from when I expelled Gorogoth at the Bastion. I feel much better now that this is the right path.”

“You’re most welcome,” Kusanagi chimed pleasantly. “I’m glad I could help. After all, the Almighty sent me to see you. He said you were hesitating about the mission. Now we know why.”

“Indeed we do,” Hannibal agreed. “But there’s more, isn’t there? What else did the Lord say?”

“Come with me, and I will show you,” Kusanagi stated. “Quickly now; time is short.”

Not willing to argue with Kusanagi, Hannibal followed him to the storeroom where Hreidmar Casim’s shrine had been set up with his armor and weapons. Upon entering, Hannibal immediately noticed Grimm’s Mask glowing softly on the pedestal. A gasp escaped his lips as the intelligence behind Grimm’s Mask reached out to Hannibal as they stopped before the shrine. In that moment, he realized the ancient force that had been prodding him telepathically was Grimm’s Mask.

“Grimm’s Mask has once again awakened from its slumber,” Kusanagi stated. “It calls to you to use its power once again, milord.”

“This is the other thing the Almighty told you, isn’t it?” Hannibal asked softly, a tiny tremor on his voice. “I can feel it calling me again like that day we saved your people at the Bastion. In fact, I heard it just before you surprised me in the corridor. That’s part of the reason you surprised me. Its call had me distracted.”

“I see,” Kusanagi stated. “And yes, this is the other thing. The Almighty alerted me about a half hour ago to come here. When I entered, I felt the Mask’s telepathic call for you. The Almighty told me you must wear the Mask into Kartoom if you and your teams are to survive the mission. You will need its power to face the Darkness infesting that infernal place. It’s time for you to face your destiny, Milord Hannibal.”

“I hoped I’d never have to don this Mask again,” Hannibal admitted. “It’s power is too great for any human to control.”

“But you’re not just any human, milord,” Kusanagi stated bluntly. “You’ve been the only human to ever have used Grimm’s Mask and lived to tell the tale. It has consistently killed everyone else who dared to put it on. But you not only put it on, you tapped its power to save us at the Bastion. The Mask knows when it is needed. It calls to you even now. I can feel it just as I felt it that first time we met. Grimm’s Mask is part of your destiny, milord. Embrace it and the Mask’s call. It’s decreed from on High that you use it now. You’re going to need its power to penetrate the Darkness of Kartoom and defeat it.”

Hannibal stared at the glowing Grimm’s Mask with its six hellish red eyes and shining arcane markings. The alien nature of the Mask revolted Hannibal, but he knew it wouldn’t harm him. Furthermore, he couldn’t ignore the call as he stared at the ancient helmet. Its telepathic call was impossible to ignore, almost screaming at him. “Okay, you win,” Hannibal conceded softly, raising his hands in a surrender pose. “If the Almighty wants me to use the Mask again, I will. I’m not going to kick against the pricks again. I know better now.” The moment he spoke those words, peace fell over his mind and soul. Grimm’s Mask also responded by stop glowing. A tense chuckle erupted from Hannibal when he saw the Mask stop glowing. “It appears the Mask heard me. It stopped glowing and the telepathic call I heard from it has subsided to a whisper. It’s no longer screaming at me. Elegant proof of intelligence, isn’t it?”

“It is,” Kusanagi agreed, picking up Grimm’s Mask. “For all my life, this Mask never stirred or called out like it’s done here in the last couple of weeks. In fact, not since the shrine was set up after the passing of Hreidmar Casim has the Mask been so active. It just reinforces that you are the Last Caverias of the prophecies, milord. Now take the Mask and strike terror into the heart of our enemy.” He offered the Mask to Hannibal.

“Not now,” Hannibal declared, “...not here; I want everyone to see you giving me the Mask just like the last time. I don’t want anyone to think I’m using the Mask of my own will. Let them see you, the last prophet of this land, handing it to me in the portal chamber. Do you understand what I’m asking?”

“I certainly do,” Kusanagi stated with a grunt. “You needn’t say another word. Help me put it in the bag, if you will.”

“Certainly,” Hannibal stated, leaning the Scepter of Shadizar Kahn against the shrine. He picked up the silken bag used to carry Grimm’s Mask and held it open while Kusanagi placed it inside the bag. Hannibal then handed the bag to Kusanagi, saying, “Let’s get moving. The teams should already be gathered in the portal chamber.”

“Yes, milord,” Kusanagi answered, carefully tying the bag shut.

“Please, call me Hannibal,” Hannibal insisted, getting slightly irritated at the term milord.

“Not so, milord,” Kusanagi answered bluntly. “We’re in a war situation and you’re our king. It’s impolite to call you by your name in these circumstances. You must be reminded who you are and by calling you milord, I’m doing just that, son. Remember, the Almighty has made you king over us in order to combat the Darkness of the Emperor. Please embrace the title, milord. I know when it’s proper to call you by your name, Hannibal.”

Hannibal shook his head, smiling wryly as he picked up the Scepter. “You got me, Kusanagi,” he admitted. “Thank you for reminding me of my obligation.”

“It’s my pleasure, milord,” Kusanagi answered with a smile, touching Hannibal on the shoulder. “Now, don’t you think it’s time we go and rip off Grendel’s arm, Beowulf?”

Hannibal’s eyes grew wide with surprise. “How do you know of that story?” he asked.

Kusanagi smiled mischievously. “Now is not the time for that discussion and you know it,” he stated with a chuckle. “For now, let’s just say a little cat told me.”

“You’ve been talking to Selina, haven’t you?” Hannibal queried with a smile.

“Yes,” Kusanagi stated. “But we can talk about that later, milord. Your warriors await you in the portal chamber.”

“Right,” Hannibal agreed. “The time to strike is now. Come, my friend. We have much work to do.”

“After you, milord,” Kusanagi stated following Hannibal out of the shrine room carrying Grimm’s Mask in its silken bag.