#10 - Swords and Sorcery, Part Two

By Barry Reese

THE SANCTUM SANCTORUM

"I hate magic."

Dr. Stephen Strange, Earth's Sorcerer Supreme, cracked a wry smile at that. "Really, Dane -- I'd think that you'd have developed a tolerance for sorcery by now. You've spent the better part of your adult life surrounded by it, after all."

Dane Whitman stood in his Black Knight armor, sans helmet, in the center of Strange's study. A worried crease in his forward spoke of the depression which had fallen over him. In the next room lay his former friend Sean Dolan -- currently the demonic Bloodwraith, a victim of the Ebony Blade's dark curse. "It doesn't matter, Stephen. I'm a man of science at hard -- I'm most comfortable in a laboratory, not in the middle of a seance."

Strange sighed, taking a long sip of tea. He was used to Dane's mood swings -- sometimes angry, sometimes brooding, often happy. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to them, so Strange merely accepted them and anticipated their passing. "It's not quite a seance that we're planning, Dane -- but I can see your point nonetheless." Strange set his tea aside and stood, his slender form gliding across the room to Dane's side. "I promise that I'll do everything I can to free Sean's spirit, Dane."

Dane turned and stared into Stephen's eyes,his foul mood lightening slightly. "I know you will. But I don't want to just free Sean...I want to end the curse of the Ebony Blade forever. Too many people that I love have been hurt by that...that thing."

Dr. Strange nodded, knowing the depth of Dane Whitman's sorrow. But the task before them would be a harrowing one, indeed...

GARRETT CASTLE, ENGLAND

Sersi pulled her long black hair back into a ponytail and slipped her old Avengers jacket over her black-and-red costume. She knew that Dane wanted her to play nursemaid to Karla in his absence, but she had little interest in doing that. Since moving in with Dane*, she'd found him slowly but steadily pushing himself away from her. First he went and visited that psychic without her** and now he'd refused her help in the Bloodwraith affair...

(*In issue seven. **See issue eight for Dane's meeting with Abby Rose.)

Sersi stepped over to the window and launched herself into the air. The breeze felt nice and she allowed the sensations of flying to push away the doubt that had been nagging at her insides. Did Dane truly love her? When in the throes of passion, he certainly seemed to...but outside the bedroom there lay problems. Perhaps Sersi had lost him forever when she'd forced the Gann-Josin bond on him...perhaps his heart had belonged forever to Crystal before that.

The beautiful Eternal flew towards London, her mind far away from the sights and sounds about her. And so it could possibly be forgiven that she didn't notice the figure moving through the air behind her. He was tall and elegant, dressed in a dark purple costume. A dramatic cape swept behind him, his mutant powers holding him aloft in the chill London air.

"Sweet little Eternal...so worried about Eobar aren't you? Of course, he goes by Dane these days, does he not?"

The voice sent a chill down Sersi's back, as recognition washed over her. "No..." She turned to face her foe, a sneer on her features and energy begin to leak out in a steady stream from her eyes and hands. "Not now..."

She turned to face Exodus* but barely had time to register him in her field of vision before a powerful mental blast caused all of her synapses to fire at once. With a groan, the powerful Eternal fell forward into the mutant's grasp.

(*The two first met in the Black Knight : Exodus oneshot, though Exodus visited Garrett Castle without Sersi's knowledge in BK # 7.)

He held her gently, as a lover would. "Sersi...I'm sorry to have hurt you so. But it's for the best, you'll see... It might not be clear to you at first, but my taking you from Dane's grasp might be the only thing that saves your life..."

THE SANCTUM SANCTORUM

Bloodwraith pulled at the mystic bonds which held him tightly to the table. The Ebony Blade floated before him, tantalizing in its closeness -- but it might as well have been a mile away. It was encased in a mystic shield created by Dr. Strange, a final bit of protection in case Bloodwraith managed to free himself.

Bloodwraith turned to face the Black Knight and Dr. Strange, who were standing at the foot of the table. Strange held a large mystic tome in his right hand, making arcane symbols in the air with his left. The Knight stood quiet and solemn at his side, keeping his eyes on Bloodwraith's form. "I hope you're happy, Dane Whitman -- for it is by your sins that I have come to be here! Lied and abused by you, tossed aside when no longer needed...You are the source of all my torment!"

Dane flinched slightly but didn't respond. He'd had many of those same thoughts in recent weeks...What mistakes had he made? What things could have done differently?

Strange noticed his friend's discomfort but pressed on. The words that spilled off his tongue were old and strong -- spells that had long since been forgotten by all but the most powerful of mages. He waved a hand towards the Ebony Blade and said the final components of the spell.

The sword seemed to shriek in agony, its metal form elongating, seeming to stretch long past the point of breaking. A rift appeared in space, moving out and swallowing both Dr. Strange and the Black Knight.

"Stephen! What are you doing?!" Dane's voice sounded strained as he fought to gain his bearings. All around him was inky blackness -- the only source of light in the entire realm being the Sword of Light that he had drawn. It seemed to cleave through the darkness.

Strange sent the book back to his study and turned to face the Knight. "When I was in Limbo recently, I came face-to-face with a demon that claimed to be Victoria Bentley*. The demon claimed that it was possible for the souls inside the blade to eventually travel to other areas of the Nether Realms. I'm still not sure if I believe that -- but I do believe that not all the souls that are absorbed into the blade remain inside...but Sean Dolan's undoubtedly does. We are now inside the Blade itself, Dane -- and we must find Sean's soul and free it forever."

(*See Dr. Strange # 95 for the full details)

The Black Knight, defender of Avalon, gripped the Sword of Light in his hand. Inside the Ebony Blade...the very thought chilled his blood and made it freeze in his veins. But he had faced the Fomor, the horrors of the Crusades, and evils of an untold number of villains...he wouldn't give into the fear. "Just tell me what to do, Stephen..."

Strange nodded briskly, his magical senses attuned to any possible threat. He could sense numerous spirits moving in the darkness about them -- some of malevolent intent. He moved forward into the darkness, followed closely by the Black Knight.

Karla Whitman settled the helmet over her face, hefting her laser sword in one hand. She was in the dank basement of Garrett Castle, but in her mind's eye she was back home in 2099... facing Doom for what seemed like the millionth time. She stepped forward, swinging her sword in a graceful arc. It connected with Doom's armor, causing sparks to fly into the air.

In her fantasy, she wasn't afraid or tentative. She was just as bold as her ancestor Dane Whitman had ever been. And this time she won instead of fleeing like a coward, jumping onto Doom's restored Time Machine... It was all the more insulting that Doom hadn't come after her. To him, he was but an annoyance.

Karla switched off the sword and realized that she was panting. A thin sheen of sweat covered her body... How long had she been down here, fighting imaginary foes?

She felt a rush of embarrassment creep over herself. It was a good thing that Dane wasn't around to see this... He probably already thought she was a poor descendant. Karla set the sword down and removed her helmet, revealing her pretty -- if somewhat plain -- features. She ran a hand through her hair and gave a little start as she heard someone coming down the stairs to the basement. Most likely one of the servants, or Sersi...

But the figure who stepped into view was not anyone she had ever seen before. He wore green and purple, a short beard on a handsome face. He was ethereal and Karla immediately knew that he wasn't really there at all -- he was some sort of projection. He paused when he saw her and smiled. "Karla Whitman. Active as the Black Knight from February 2099 to July 2099. I have records of you."

Karla's hand reached slowly towards the laser sword. Whoever this guy was, he certainly wasn't anyone who was supposed to be in the castle... "Who are you? If you're looking for Dane, he's not home."

The figure laughed. "I am Immortus -- and as for your erstwhile ancestor, I'm not looking for him...I know exactly where he is. On this date and at this time he's inside the Ebony Blade... I am, however, intrigued by your presence here. I didn't include you in any of my plans... Indeed, according to my records, you die a most ignominious death at the hands of Dr. Doom. How did you come to be here and why did I not know of it?" Immortus's smile was obviously false now and Karla got the feeling that this was someone to whom surprises were very unusual indeed.

Karla considered screaming for Sersi -- all those talk of her own death was leaving her unnerved -- but she drew up her own courage instead. "You're an uninvited guest here -- and I think you should leave." She suddenly snatched up her sword and ignited it. It hummed to life dangerously.

Immortus didn't seem to feel threatened in the least. He did, however, take a step backwards. "This is very troubling, indeed. I need the Black Knight for my plans to come to fruition. Years of planning have gone into this and now I find that there wild cards in the mix. Someone is tampering." He glanced up at Karla. "Good-bye for now, Ms. Whitman. We'll meet again, I'm sure."

With that, he was gone. Karla let out a long sigh but kept her sword at the ready. She suddenly wished that Dane would return home -- the sooner, the better.

There were hands everywhere, reaching out from the darkness. They clutched at Dane Whitman's arms and legs as he passed, pleading with him to end their torment. He forced himself to move on, trying to block out their pleas...If he was successful in ending the curse, perhaps that would help them... "Stephen -- how many souls are trapped in the blade?"

"Do you truly want to know? Thousands. You yourself slew many in the Crusades, Dane. But most of the ones here are too weak-willed to do more than whisper to us. Only the truly strong will able to interact with --"

"Dane? Is that really you?"

The woman's voice brought Dane to a stop. He closed his eyes and wished suddenly that he could be anywhere but here. When he opened them again, he saw Victoria Bentley before him. She appeared whole and substantial, though Dane knew that she was nothing more than a wraith. "Vicki?"

Victoria rushed into his arms, embracing him. Strange was nearby, glad to see Victoria (even in this wretched place) but also aware that dangers lurked about.

"What are you doing here? You didn't get...killed...did you?"

The Black Knight shook his head. "No -- I've come with Stephen to end the curse and free your souls. You'll be able to move on, Vicki..."

Victoria looked away sadly. "I knew there was no way for me to return to life, but I'd hoped." When she glanced back, her eyes were hard and full of strength. "How can I help? I want to end this, too."

Strange stepped forward. "There are numerous souls in this void, Victoria...and an entire landscape that is invisible to both Dane and I -- since we are not truly a part of the Blade, there is much that we cannot see. Where is the heart of the Blade -- the spiritual center? Do you know?"

"Yes...but it's a dark place. It's so corrupt. Marrina and I tried to make it to the center once but --"

"Namor's wife*?" The Black Knight frowned. He should have thought about this more -- and prepared himself better. To see friends of his own and the family members of those he considered allies... "What's at the core, Vicki?"

(*She was shown inside the Ebony Blade in Namor # 61.)

"The curse itself. It IS the Ebony Blade now, Dane. There's no telling where the Blade starts and where the curse ends."

Dane frowned. If that were true, then the only way to end the curse would be to completely destroy the Blade. He's suspected as much, but had hoped for another alternative. A part of him still craved its power, its seductive touch in his hand... He squeezed Victoria's hand. "I promise you -- one way or another, it ends today. I'm so sorry that I failed you before, Vicki."

Victoria shook her head. "You didn't. Don't torture yourself so much, Dane -- start relaxing and live your life without all this guilt. You don't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, no matter how much you like to think you do."

Dr. Strange touched Dane's shoulder. "Come -- our time grows short. I cannot keep us here much longer..."

Reluctantly, the Black Knight bid a farewell to Victoria and moved on. He hoped that he wouldn't have to face any more familiar faces -- but Victoria's words still rang in his ear. Maybe she was right -- maybe he'd been brooding his life away the past few years. That would have to change.

The heart of the Ebony Blade was a wet, dark thing. As they approached, Dane felt his feet sinking into a swirling muck that seemed to move with a life of its own. The voices here were colder and much more forlorn -- the more recent victims perhaps? Dane didn't know and preferred to keep it that way.

He held the Sword of Light before him and squinted into the distance. Just ahead lay a small pool of red light -- with a strange altar in the center. Upon its surface lay Sean Dolan, his eyes closed and his flesh a lifeless gray. "Sean...?"

Dr. Strange held up a warning hand. "Remember that everything you see from this point on is merely your mind's attempt at reconciling the unknown. Before us we see the symbolic enslavement of Sean Dolan..."

A man-sized portion of the darkness stepped forward, slowing taking shape. He wore an ancient, battered suit of armor and bore what appeared to be the Ebony Blade itself. The being spoke with a cold, evil voice. "And I am the symbolic representation of the Blade itself. I have no desire to see the curse removed, Dane Whitman...it is a part of me now. I am it, it is me."

The Black Knight roared, raising the Sword of Light. Representation or not, he understood this well enough. Before him stood the Curse -- and that was what he was wanting to destroy. The Sword of Light clashed down against the Curse's blade, sparking alighting in the darkness.

While the Knight attacked the root of the evil, Strange moved closer to Sean Dolan's soul. It was weak and heavily tainted -- even if Sean was freed, it would months -- if not years -- before he would be normal once more. "Sean...can you hear me? I can try to help you but you will have to aid me. I can't break your bonds unless you choose to throw off the curse..."

Sean opened his eyes weakly. While his physical form was back on the mortal plane, this was his very soul...and here there remained a small, thin thread of resistance. "Dr...Strange? Please, help me...I don't want to exist like this."

Strange nodded, calling upon the Elder Gods for assistance. "I will, Sean. You have my word."

"We've fought before, Dane! Many times, in fact -- every battle you've ever fought with the Bloodwraith was with me. I am the true Bloodwraith...And I know your fighting style better than you yourself know it. I was an extension of your own arm in battle, don't you remember?" The Curse parried every blow, fighting back savagely. "We can have that intimacy again, Dane...you and I. Remember the thrill of killing, of defeating your opponent? I offer it anew!"

"Any joy I took in the war came from your evil influence...I've watched you steal the lives from too many people to ever consider taking you back." The two blades connected again and again, the Curse backing away in surprise.

"You seem very confident, Dane Whitman...But in your heart you carry the same seeds that I have planted in Sean Dolan...You belong to me."

Dane felt a smile tug on his lips. "I only belong to one being, Curse...and it's not you." The Black Knight looked into the darkness and raised his Sword of Light high. "I call upon all the light of Avalon to help me cleanse this awful place!"

Strange looked up in surprise at that -- he knew little of Dane's new connection to Avalon, but what he did know was intriguing. Bright light flared around the Sword of Light, rushing out in all directions. It washed over both Strange and Sean as well...somewhere, in the distance, the Curse screamed in agony before the piercing purity that was Avalon.

Somewhere in Sean Dolan's mind, he felt a cold stream of water washing over his face. He stared up into the face of the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen -- so beautiful that he ached for her touch. It was the Lady of the Lake and he heard her voice, soft as a bubbling brook.

"Drink, Sean Dolan...and know peace."

Dane Whitman hefted the Ebony Blade in his hand. He was once more in Strange's Sanctum, the two having returned from the Ebony dimension. "It feels...lighter."

Strange nodded. "It should. Its mystical properties -- all of them -- appear to be gone. It's nothing more than a sword now."

"And the spirits?"

"Gone. To their various destinies in the Nether Realms." Strange returned Dane's satisfied smile and turned to the man who lay on the table before him. Gone was the Bloodwraith...in his place lay Sean Dolan. Dolan was ashen and still, but he breathed nonetheless.

Dane moved over and brushed some of Sean's hair out of his face. He noted the angelic smile on Sean's lips. "I'll pay for his hospitalization...maybe someday he'll come back to us."

"I'm sure he will, Dane...the hard part is over. Now all he needs is time and love. Of which you will offer plenty, I'm sure."

Written In Black

TJ Burns Wrote :

Hey Barry! Well, I really loved this latest issue of Black Knight! Karla seems like she is going to be a fun addition to the title. Strange's guest appearance was a nice touch. I hope to see the curse of the Ebony Blade dealt with once and for all soon. Sean needs cured. I actually think Namor would be interested in finding some way of freeing the souls trapped in the blade. Maybe he should guest-star soon. Ultimately, this is just another great issue! Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the comments, TJ! I share you sentiments about the Ebony Blade -- and that's why I decided to do this storyline. I wanted to put some closure to this chapter of the Black Knight's life and I hope I've succeeded.

Alex Maggi Wrote :

Hi Barry

I read BK 9 and I liked it a lot, as usual. Of course I paid a lot of care on Strange's apparition ... but I knew I wouldn't be disappointed :) But what I like the most in this issue was the portrayal of the Bloodwraith and the hints of future development for Karla Whitman. I'm really curious to see how you will manage the second part of this storyline.

Thanks, Alex. I hope that my portrayal of Doc Strange has continued to meet your approval. :-) For those who don't know, Alex writes the adventures of Dr. Strange here in MV1, as well as a plethora of other projects.
Keep sending me letters, folks -- they make this all worthwhile!