LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 5: Entering Easlum
"Whoa!"
Death Dealer chuckled and commented, "I saw that coming big fella."
"How?" I said sarcastically.
Death Dealer rolled his eyes. "Well, my magical powers are mostly magic. But this time I was able to sense the magic drain from Lucifer right before he exploded." He grinned, clearly enjoying having the upper hand in this vision. He turned saying, "I'm going to leave you now."
Poof, he was gone.
"I love messing with him," I muttered. "Of course, I know how."
I returned to the cavern, walked straight through the Easlum portal. I was a bit surprised that it closed the moment I stepped through. My guard went up. I glanced around, it looked as though I had stepped into the future. Yet, looking back on this from 2,000 years into the future, I knew exactly what everything was. The ceiling was at least 1,000 feet high.
However, before I could notice anything else, a man walked up to me, put his index finger on the center of my forehead and before I could blink, a wave of knowledge flooded into my mind. In fact, it was very similar to the experience I had with Lucifer on the day I was born. I am gaining knowledge left and right, yet, seventy plus years have passed while not aging a day.
I quickly took a look around before the man could talk. The room was 1,000 feet high, wide, and long. A waterfall paradise filled the back corner area. Lush green plants, purple, pink and white orchids dotted the 1,000-foot walls in a literal sea of greenery, flanked by rock formations which strategically direct the flow of the crystal-clear water down the 800-foot ledge and pooling into a square reflection pool.
There were about 150 floors, staggered to accommodate the water feature overlooking this expansive lobby area. I could see three people looking over the railings. One on the tenth, eighty-sixth, and one on the 134th floor.
The presence of the man that had gave me new knowledge had disrupted my reflections. I glanced over at him. He was of average height perhaps five feet ten inches, thick dark dirty blonde hair parted in the middle reaching the tipof his earlobes. His intelligent emerald, green eyes sparkled.
"Hello Draven, I am a Reaplum."
"A what?" I asked confused.
"A Reaplum." He said it casually like I should have known what he was.
"Sorry. I heard what you said, I'm just not following." I paused, glanced over at a white orchid hanging about 40-feet from the garden wall, then added, "what is a Reaplum, exactly."
"You know, the ones who gather souls. I'm basically a reaper but an Easlum version. My purpose is to gather the vampire souls, the souls of your followers and any humans that you want to come here instead of via the old way where they drift to Purgatory, Heaven or Hell. I redirect them here. Well the vampires only went to Purgatory and rarely humans."
"Oh, I understand, that makes sense."
"My name is Ian; I'm honored to be your Head Reaplum. In essence Easlum is the ultimate Paradise for the souls I just mentioned. It will automatically expand to accommodate the ever-growing population of souls entering."
"I like that plan, especially the automatic expansion." Ian nodded; this initial presentation was going smoothly.
He continued. "When you die, you enter into this reception hall, you are assigned a small luxurious suite. In order to make your suite larger or add little Worlds that are your own, you must pay for each add-on." Ian crossed his arms across this barreled chest and waited.
"Pay?"
"It's all quite simple really. In order to get money, you can get a job at a market or any of the other available shops or industries that we have here in Easlum.
The alternative option which in all honestly most guests would probably choose if not all is to entertain people by participating in a sanctioned sporting event battle to the death in one of our arenas or participate in a sporting event with a chance of death. It's a way to keep order, everyone wants a goal."
My head shot up. "Die? Here?"
"Yes, there is nothing that can sustain people from taking zero injuries in any world." Ian said casually. "In Easlum when you die you resurrect in your bed in your suite in about twelve hours." Ian explained further, "for the battle arena, the participants can be organized into kingdoms or a free for all frenzy. You are paid based on how long you survive and the number of people you kill."
A form appeared next to me. He came into total focus. Handsome. Dark black hair pushed off to one side. Dark clothes, no cloak and pants. He was holding a black half-moon-shaped serrated metal staff. It looked like a weaponized pickaxe.
The newcomer said, "hi, Draven."
"Who are you? I'm quite certain that I've never seen you before."
The newcomer replied, "I am the Lead Demon in Hell. My name is Alexander, but you may call me Lander. I was the very first human to become a demon. The stories that humans know are missing pieces."
Ian's face contracted in anger. When Easlum was in the early stages this demon would constantly make fun of him. Now he had the great honor of presenting Easlum to his new master but this demon was going to steal his throne. He had to try and fight back.
Ian said, "what are you doing —"
"Lucifer told me that I would be conducting the tour from now on."
Ian sputtered in anger, "but —"
"You've done enough Ian; I will take the reigns from here." He paused, "Unless you've got a problem." Lander finished with a sinister smile.
Ian froze after he saw this sinister smile. This is the smile that would be plastered to his face before he would do something horrible. He did not want to push him more.
"No," Ian turned toward me. "See you later, Draven." Then disappeared.
Lander spoke, "Lucifer wants me to show you something."
"What?" I asked curiously. I thought this afterlife was what my dad wanted to show me.
"You'll see. Follow me."
Lander moved toward an arched opening that was to the right of the waterfall. I followed. We entered an area which bore a prominent sign which said: ROYALS VIP ONLY. Above the sign there was a symbol, a black and red face, open mouth with fangs. The symbol of the vampires.
Beneath the sign were two streamlined Metro looking train cars. During this time, I had no knowledge of what a Metro was. Well I had the basic knowledge of what Ian gave me so I got the gist. Lander spoke, "after you."
The car was level with the marble floor of the building. I stepped straight into the train car and glanced around. No expense had been spared. It screamed luxury. Large deep cushioned sofas lined the wide aisle. Buffet trays filled with meats, vegetables, cheeses, desserts sat on intricately carved servings tables with stretched the entire length of the car.
I purposely sat down on a sofa that had a throne design. I had to smile, there was my name, "Draven" painted on the wall above the back cushion. Above my name was the same black and red face, open mouth with fangs symbol.
Lander sat on one of the lined-up sofas across from my throne. The doors closed. I felt the train lift upward, then in sequence, felt the forward thrust as we blasted forward into a tunnel. The floor started to open simultaneously — "What's happening?"
Lander could not suppress a smirk and answered. "We're standing on glass. I'm surprised you didn't notice."
"Well, obviously, that fact totally escaped me." I shot him a cold stare.
Lander continued, "The middle-glassed portion underneath was designed to allow the travelers an unobstructed view."
I nodded in approval. We blasted out of the tunnel. Beneath our feet was a panoramic view of an enormous gladiator stadium. Two figures clad in leather were fighting with long battle swords. There were a few people scattered about the stadium; I counted six.
Lander rubbed the palms of his hands together. A huge smile spread across his normally guarded expressions. "Let the Games begin!" He exclaimed. "Some humans have already arrived after dying on Earth."
I looked around. "How do you know that?" I asked.
He stared at me like I was stupid. "Did you not see the people down there? He asked with an annoyed expression. "Look up, "Lander answered.
I followed his gaze. Hanging from the train car's ceiling was a small screen. It read Population 2,163. "Over 2,000 already!" I gasped aloud. "How?"
"Quite simple," Lander responded lazily. "A huge group of vampires challenged WAR in a fight about 1 hour ago. Also the afterlife has been opened for a week now. Early access basically."
"What a great idea," I said with sarcasm dripping from my words. "Not!" and I laughed.
"Obviously War won," Lander looked down into the arena again.
Our train moved through another tunnel. Within five seconds we emerged. I knew to look down through the glass floor. Below I witnessed a chariot, but no one had any weapons that I could detect. I asked aloud, "is this what Ian meant by a sport?"
"Correct."
"Ian also said something about a Sport with a chance of death."
Lander's smile got bigger and then he responded to my question, "after this tunnel."
We sped through yet another tunnel, five seconds later we exited. I looked down and locked onto another chariot race but not before noticing that there were many more people in this audience.
Lander directed, "watch closely."
I nodded and followed the racing chariot. A lone figurdressed in leather much like a Roman Gladiator was standing on the narrow rim of his chariot holding a sword, in the blink of an eye he jumped to his left in an impressive front flip formation dismount. While in the air he swung his sword and decapitated the driver of the chariot next to him causing his body to fall off of the chariot. He landed solidly on his feet.
I watched as the driverless chariot swerved to the right and crashed into a column. I could hear the shrieking of the frightened horses, tangled in their harnesses penned to the ground by the heavy chariot.
We entered another tunnel. My excitement was mounting.
I was looking forward to the next scene! 20 seconds later we emerged again and I
looked down. Nothing was there except the ground.
Lander announced. "We're here."
*****
The first 5 chapters has been uploaded.
1-3 chapters will be posted by February 7, 2025.