Fates and Balances

1998/2002/2003 short story by Jonathan Hicks and Mark Newbold

Five hundred thousand years before Episode IV – A New Hope

Bennaren the Hellion looked over the edge into the vast abyss and drew his deepest breath. Beneath him the flames roared like a furnace and above the blue, blue skies shone upon him. So, which way to fly? Down to heaven, or up into hell?

He glanced over his shoulder.

“Armand,” he said to the tall figure behind him. “Help me to decide.”

“It is not for me to choose the direction for you.” Armand said, looking at his razor-sharp claws with more than a little irritation. The journey to this summit had been difficult. “If you head towards hell you may find your salvation. Returning to heaven may destroy you utterly.”

Therein lay Bennarens darkest choice. Which direction, ascent or descent? He stepped backwards, beside his partner behind him. Indecision wracked him. He could barely think for the heat and the light. He stepped forward once again.

“Perhaps hell would be the best choice.” He said. “If I return to heaven my Father will have me killed. If I return from hell with my brother he may forgive me my past sins.”

“Take my sword and swear to me that you will return.” Armand gripped his shoulder with passion. “I cannot bear to lose another nephew.”

A solitary tear began to well in Bennarens eye.

His sword, his fathers’ sword, lay heavy in his grasp, its handle worn by the excessive rigours of countless centuries of bloody warfare fought in his fathers’ name. He squared up to his uncle and smiled.

“Did I really ever have a choice?”

“It is the curse of our family to have our choices made by whatever god frowns upon us that day. If your father had renounced his immortality when he had the chance we would not be such a persecuted bloodline.”

“The gods are jealous.”

“Of everything.”

Benn nodded and opened his arms wide, the action bringing forth his sweeping wings.

“To hell, uncle.” With that he began his journey.

His uncle watched him disappear into the abyss. As he vanished into the fire, the Setninite stepped out into the harsh red light.

“Perfect,” he hissed between ragged teeth. “That just leaves his father to destroy. Good work Armand.”

He could barely catch his breath; so fierce were the flames that consumed him. His wings were singed, his tough leather skin sizzling a motley green, but Bennaren forged onward. Sailing past the seventh realm and into the deepest pits of the inferno, where he finally laid to rest.

It took him several minutes to catch his breath. When he finally began to rise he heard a mechanical click behind him.

“That’s far enough boy. Who the freck are you, and how did you get down here so deep?”

Bennaren turned around slowly and when he did the gleam of anger in his eyes was clear for all to see.

“I am the messenger, the winged avenger. I’m here to ruin your day,” and as he said his last word a flame of ice-cold fire spewed from his eyes and evaporated the guard.

All that remained of the unfortunate guard was his rapidly dissolving pistol.

So they choose to use the damned weapons of mortality, Benn thought. They will suffer for their folly. Looking around he noticed that the area he was standing in was markedly darker than any other part of hell he had visited before, darker than any realm of his homeworld Hellion. And oh yes, he had been here many times before. He had thought these flames of hell extinguished forever. And indeed they had been, if not for the Fallen who had left his fathers Kingdom and begun a foul reign down in the pit.

“If only the Wise Entall had been my father,” he said to himself. “Or maybe Rediarr the Benevolent. At least then I would have some form of spiritual guidance.“

“You’ll get no such guidance down here my lad.”

Benn recognised the voice immediately and turned with a wide smile. The man leaned closer.

“Benn?”

“That’s Mister Benn to you. How are you Vagra?” Bennaren laughed as he ran towards one of his most treasured lost souls. He embraced the squat Gamp with relish. It felt good to be close to his old mentor once again.

“How goes the war?” the Gamp asked.

“The war has been over since the Dark One had his mortal allies execute my brother. My father has been trying to fight back ever since, but the dark ones power grows greater as the mortals become more complacent.”

“Mortality,” the Gamp shook his head. “I always told your father that making copies of the gods would screw things up.”

Bennaren nodded.

“It could have been worse. My father could have been the Bantha god. Then we’d all be in trouble. Lucky that the gods chose emissaries like us from each inhabited world to represent those populations here on the spirit plane.” His looked around once more. “Listen Vagra. I can’t stand here talking to ghouls like you all day. I have a soul to save myself. Come with me.”

Vagra grinned up at his young apprentice.

“Alright youngblood. You were always good in a fight.”

“We’d best move swiftly. It has been almost a century since my brother was killed and the planets are due to come into alignment. If I can free his soul and return him home, my father may forgive me. And return the state of balance.”

“What did you do to anger him so?” The Gamp caught his arm as he began to walk away and held his gaze with his own.

“Borrowed his speeder without his permission.”

Vagra didn’t blink an eye. Clearly not a bad enough vehicle to make it down this far.

“I ran, Vagra.” Bennaren turned to once again face the firefalls into the abyss. “I ran away from all who loved and cared for me because I couldn’t stand the guilt of what I’d done. Or rather, what I hadn’t.”

“I can’t believe you’re still carrying that around with you.” Vagra slapped his knee, hard enough to make Benn turn. “Why not do yourself a favour and cut it the freck loose?”

“Too much has happened since that time.” Benn said. “Too much has happened because of what I chose. And the memories are still fresh.”

Vagra smiled wanly and leaned back on his rock.

“I was once like you. Had so much torment and torture in my life that it almost drove me insane. But I fought it. Just like you’re gonna have to. Besides, it’s bad for your health. Stunts your growth.”

Bennaren grinned.

“Come now. There may still be time for me to undo my mistake. If I can release my brother, then maybe I can return things to their proper place. Maybe even you.”

Bennaren ran off towards the Dark Tower and Vagra followed as best he could.

“There’s something you don’t know about your brother Benn,” Vagra gasped as he followed as close as he could. “When they captured him after the battle his wings had almost been completely severed.” Benn stopped running and turned around. Vagra continued. “After the battle,” Vagra said in a near whisper, “your brother was tortured. Humiliated. The made him breed with the daemons of the pit, even with mortals.” Benn wilted visibly at the thought. “Benn, they nailed him to the wall. Literally. And when the Dark One had finished with him, he took your brother to the most secure hold in the Dark Tower. But his wings are still nailed to the wall.”

Then I shall fly for the both of us,” said Bennaren through gritted teeth.

It took the pair several hours to reach the tower. Benn noticed there was a lack of guards, and Vagra pointed out why.

“The daemons are paused by the gateways, waiting for the signal to spew onto the mortal plane when the planets line up. The Dark One doesn’t think anything could be a threat to him now, here at the end of all things. It should be easy to get inside. And I still have my trusty slug thrower.”

“I fear nothing or no one. And the Dark One doesn’t know I’m here. I didn’t sign the guest book at the gates of hell.”

Vagra smiled.

“Let’s kick hells butt, boy.”

They continued up the gore-ridden path towards the entrance.

The four daemons came from nowhere; they fell screaming from the highest towers, their bright flaming swords dancing with power and their wings flapping furiously as they landed.

Benn brandished his sword.

"It's a trap!" he screamed.

"You’re right about that, boy."

Benn felt the barrel of Vagra's blaster nudge him in the back, and he turned slowly in shock. The gamp held the old weapon uneasily, levelling it at Benn's head.

"There's a new order coming, lad. You can either benefit from it or be a problem. Don't be a problem."

"Vagra, why? Why?" Benn's voice was hoarse with frustration.

"I'm not the only one to see the change coming. Your uncle sees it, too. But we've got the sense to join it and not oppose it. We knew you would cause trouble, but we couldn't get you anywhere else, you had too many allies, so we had to wait until you came down here. Now we have you."

"But my brother? What of his soul?"

Vagra laughed a phlegmy laugh.

"Gabe? You really think he gives a freck? He's been with The Dark One since he got here. Gabe sold out for a new pair of wings. Makes good use of them too." Vagra levelled the blaster at the top of Benn's back where his own wings joined his body. "Actually, I could do with a pair myself. A bit singed, but I think that'll come out in the wash."

The daemons laughed furiously, smoke belching from their mouths and noses. Benn screwed up his eyes and thought back, when his last mistake had cost the life of his loving brother... or so he had thought. Playing the part of betrayer that day now seemed like a good choice.

"I'm going to kill every last one of you," he said firmly as spittle ran from his quivering lips.

"I don't think so, lad," Vagra said, and pulled the trigger.

Benn leapt upwards, flapping his wings furiously and knocking down two of the daemons. Flying high and then swinging around, Benn snapped three stalactites from a low arch and flung them towards his attackers.

"You chose the wrong side Vagra, "yelled Bennaren as he dove down "You should have sided with me."

Vagra shook his head and motioned his guards to attack.

"Don't count on it kid. It'll be a short trip to hell for you when we kill ya."

As Benn hovered, two of the daemons leaped towards him with murderous intent. The first guard fell as Benn's eyes flashed with power, and as the second one approached he swung out with his sword. The headless body of the daemon fell to the ground, ploughing into Vagra who staggered back with a yell, and he inadvertently pulled the trigger of his blaster tight enough to discharge. The bolt penetrated the third guards skull and it fell, the look of bemusement etched into its face.

The fourth daemon looked around in confusion as it looked at its fallen comrades.

"Back off hellspawn," roared Benn, "this is a fight you can't win."

"No little brother, it's a fight you can't afford to lose."

Benn swung around in shock and confusion.

Surely not.

In place of tough leather he had steel wing. In place of dark skin and eyes like fire he had a metallic, almost robotic appearance.

“Gabearren..."

"Just give it up, Benn. Do you think any mortals care about a return of the gods, aligning planets, wars between heaven and hell? All they care about is bank balances, free love and holidays on Luronsa. They gave up on religion when they realised that relying on a god to help them out was only feeding the churches with money made from paranoid serfs who were more scared of damnation than their own future. The Book was a good story, and I played the part of gods heir well, but that's where it ends.” Gabearren narrowed his eyes and stared with intent at his brother. “We must go beyond spiritual guidance and take control of the world. It is the only way."

Benn shook his head.

"You babble brother. I here to save you. Father never forgave me for what happened all those years ago. I know I never forgave myself. But now, after all this time, when I finally find you, I see you've been as twisted by this sick place as much as any weak, vile and twisted soul ever was." Bennaren brandished his sword in front of him and waved it at his dark-souled brother. "Bring them on. I lust for battle."

"I have no need. The time is over. The planets are aligned and the gateways begin to open. You have failed."

Benn realised his mistake as he saw his brother's eyes flicker over his shoulder. He turned too late as the last daemon wrapped his great arms about him, forcing him to drop his sword and bringing him to the ground.

Vagra stepped forward, his left arm bleeding from his collision with the guard.

"Cut off his wings," he said to the devil. Benn screamed.

"No!"

"HOLD." Boomed a fierce voice from above. Benn looked upwards, hoping, praying for some form of salvation. For a Hellion to lose his wings. Without wings a Hellion was just another mortal. With those wings he transcends, serves his god with purpose. He prayed that this late arrival was his salvation.

He gazed upon The Dark One.

"WHAT IS THIS? WHAT GOES ON HERE?" The Dark One demanded. He gazed down at Benn, his slitted eyes squeezed tight by the multitude of horns sprouting from his skull. Benn was amazed by his sheer size.

"We are about to kill a troublemaker, my lord," Gabe said, bowing deeply to his master, "We are sorry to have disturbed you."

"IS THAT NOT BENNAREN, YOUR BROTHER? YOU WOULD KILL YOUR OWN BROTHER? WHAT HAVE YOU BECOME, GABEARREN?"

"What my lord wishes, a general of..."

"OF DEATH? THAT IS NOT MY PURPOSE HERE, AND I AM SADDENED BY YOUR CHOICE OF VICTIM. BENNAREN, WHY DO YOU WALK DOWN HERE? MY REALM IS A DANGEROUS PLACE."

Gabe looked in confusion at Vagra as Benn answered.

"I came here seeking answers..."

"You will address him as My Lord." Shouted Gabearren, attempting to regain some control of the situation.

"SILENCE. LET THE BOY SPEAK"

"I was at a crossroads. Should I risk all to save the long departed soul of my brother, or risk the wrath of my father by entering his kingdom once more? I realised that a choice had to be made. And make it I did. I regret that I was not better informed. But I would do no different if I had the same choice again.” He turned to Gabe. “I honoured you brother."

Gabriel spat on the floor in front of Bennaren.

"Honoured me? You came here to save me, but all you have done is insult me with your presence. I... “He could speak no further. He gripped his throat as an unseen force gripped him. He struggled for breath.

"I SAID SILENCE, WORM! I SHOULD HAVE HELD MY PROMISE A THOUSAND YEARS AGO AND RIPPED OUT YOUR TONGUE."

Benn saw his chance and took it. He dived for his sword and scooped it up, coming out of the roll with it held high. Lucifer looked upon him with mild confusion as he sheathed it at his side. "There’s been enough bloodshed. What are your intentions?"

"AS THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN. TO BE THE COUNTERPOINT, THE CHAOS, THE SHADES TO THE SUNLIGHTS. I ASK OF YOU, PROUD BENNAREN, SON OF MY MOST HATED ENEMY. WHAT ARE YOUR INTENTIONS?"

Bennaren pondered for a scant second before swooping away from Lucifer and hovering in front of his brother.

"My intentions are simple Lucifer. I intend to save my brothers soul by making him fight for it. If it is a soul worth losing then he should have the good grace to let me administer a swift death blow." With that he took a savage swing.

Gabearren leaped back and drew his own sword. He stared at Bennaren for a long time before a slow smile spread across his face. His eyes turned black.

"My dear brother. Allow me to save you the trouble."

With those words he threw himself upon his own blade, impaling himself deeply and spitting at all those around him in defiance. "If I cannot be allowed to make my own future, then I shall deny any here the right to make it for me!" he cried, and fell lifeless to the rocky ground.

Bennaren stared on, but his face betrayed no emotion. The Dark One started forward but Benn rounded on him.

"Leave him be. He made his choice. Find another General."

With that he beheaded the dead body of his beloved brother, allowing what good remained of his soul to begin its journey upwards. The Dark One howled in anguish and anger but did no more.

"DO YOU REALISE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, LITTLE ONE? YOU HAVE DESTROYED THE INTSTRUMENT OF MY RULE, THE CATALYST THAT WAS TO MAKE MY JOURNEY TO THE WORLD ABOVE POSSIBLE. WITHOUT THE ENERGY THAT HIS SOUL HELD I AM TRAPPED HERE FOR MILLENIA."

Before Benn could stop himself he began to laugh. It was a strange twisted laugh that echoed around the vast cavern and boomed from the walls. Vagra clutched his ears as the sound threatened to burst his brain.

"So my journey here has not been wasted. My brother's last act saved mortality, against everything you planned. Well, until you return I shall be watching you. I shall be watching."

The Dark One shook in impotent fury as Bennaren flew skyward, carrying the body of his brother, up towards the skies and if he was truly lucky, redemption.

Fates and Balances

1998/2002/2003 short story by Jonathan Hicks and Mark Newbold

Five hundred thousand years before Episode IV – A New Hope

Histories – Originally written in 1998 as a story about the battle between heaven and hell here on earth, this Mark Newbold and Jonathan Hicks story was written in one afternoon with each writer typing a sentence or a paragraph and then handing over to the other. Now refitted as a story of ancient Setnin history it tells of the original gods of the Setnin Sector as they fight to keep the forces of darkness at bay.

Cast of Characters

Bennaren

Armand

Gabearren

Wise Entall

Rediarr the Benevolent

Vagra

The Dark One