They pull into the dusty parking lot in the midst of chaos. Narcissus’s demon hoard against Lilith’s minion menagerie. Neither Eric nor Old Hank can determine which side is winning.
“I’ll hunt down Lilith, you take care of Narc.” Eric takes command.
“Why do I have to fight the demons?”
“Because Lilith’s girls would distract you and then KILL you! That’s why.”
“Hmm. You’re probably right.” Sighs Hank. “Would have been a good way to go though.”
Hank musters up all his best alien ugliness and plunges into the fray.
Eric reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small piece of parchment. His incantation is short and sweet.
“Apérripse me ti̱n epifýlaxi̱!!” [(Greek)Dismissed with Prejudice]
The parchment magically grows to its full size and Eric’s entire guise changes from 21st century civilian to ancient, Greek, warrior, God. Now stands the Expeller of Olympus.
The rising shrieks are deafening to anyone within a mile of the battlefield. Eric and Hank both falter for mere moments as their ears fail and their heads pound in agony. One by one Narcissus’ demons and Lilith’s minion warriors disappear in bright flashes of light as they are expelled from this world and returned to the Mythik realms from whence they came.
-MRC
28
Jun
The dripping water was just a small leak from somewhere above. It created dankness in the already still darkness. As my eyes adjusted I could see a faint light source further ahead. I am not sure how far I had traveled but it was lass than a mile.
Then, suddenly, I heard voices. Mixed voices calling out to each other; some loud and hurried. Now, I am not stupid. I didn’t race towards the sounds. This tunnel system could not be known above ground. I would know about it. I slowed my already slow pace and crept ahead.
The light source grew brighter but never too bright that it hurt my eyes. It could only be a few candles. It was barely enough to inform my direction. Fortunately there was a corner before what I assumed was a larger room. I could pause long enough to build courage. There were some voices still coming from there but these voices were quite subdued and quiet.
I paused before daring a peek. When I did venture a look, I could not believe what I was seeing.
There, in a lowly lit room were 4 crates; large enough to fit a human if he was crouched. And coming from those crates were the voices. To my horror I realized a terrible truth. There were people in them.
-MRC
25
Jun
In the waning minutes of what was a beautiful day, darkness began its slow creep. It filled the crevices and holes. Gardens once bathed in light fell victim to shadow and fear. Blooms recoiled. Birds stifled their songs abruptly. Fishermen’s nets were left unattended, their knots left for morning unraveling.
Scorpius’ host began to sweat. That was bad. It was imperative that he remain calm and focused. His master was hungry and it was his duty to feed and protect his master.
“Leave no trace.”
He had explicit orders from the very beginning. He would have to shower and scrub and shave.
“Leave no eyelash, no fingernail, no follicle, no nothing.”
The orders were clear and beautiful.
“Take the girl and then release her for she requires sweet relief.”
“His will be done.”
This night would one to remember and cherish.
-MRC
24
Jun
The trip to Reunion Island was mostly uneventful. Jeannie took some time to get familiar with her surroundings. She found she was actually hungry. She stopped a crewman.
“Excuse me? Is the galley open?”
“For you, it is always open Miss.” He continued on his way.
“For me?” She wondered aloud. “Why would it be open specifically for me?”
She worked her way down a deck and she could smell something wonder full wafting through the cramped hallway. She followed it and when she got to the galley she could see the cook working away over a hot stove.
“What’ll it be, Miss?” He seemed to be waiting for her.
“You aren’t open just for me are you?”
He laughed heartily. “Whatever gave you THAT impression?”
She blushed. “Sorry. Something a crewman said. Never mind. Do you make biscuits and gravy?”
He stopped what he was doing and motioned her closer.
“Honey, I make the BEST biscuits and gravy this side of the equator. Have a seat. It’ll be up in a jiffy.”
-MRC
Eric and Old Hank can see smoke up ahead. Clearly there is trouble in Otis.
“You may not be the only one looking for Lilith, I think.” Hank said the obvious.
Eric is clearly worried. “I hope there were no civilians involved.”
“Civilians are chattel buddy. Why sweat em?”
“Because it is my duty. Myths are not supposed to interfere with this world and it is my job to keep the peace.”
“Just you?” Hank has had this conversation with Eric many times. Why Eric takes the entire burden is beyond him.
“Why doesn’t anyone assign you a helper? Or two?
Eric guffaws. “They gave me Vee.”
“Hah Ha ha. That’s rich.”
“Be careful. Vee can hear us. Besides, I got you to help me” Eric smiles sheepishly. “Honestly, I don’t know what to expect. This could be nasty.”
Hank isn’t worried. “Oh I hope so. I’m bored.”
They got closer to the scene.
“I don’t think you will be bored for long my friend.”
-MRC
21
Jun
Johnny’s ears perked up. After all the silence, his ears were now well trained to even the smallest noise. These new noises were not small, however. The voices nearly exploded in his head.
“What? NO!! I didn’t send anyone down there! Why?” Someone was shouting to someone else, somewhere else.
“Huh? Hang on, let me check.” The disembodied voice ran in a distant direction.
Another voice, almost a whisper.
“Is someone else here?”
Johnny had not heard this voice before. It sounded frightened and young. He ventured a sound of his own.
“Yes, who are you? Do you know where we are?”
“I’m Tom. I don’t know where I am. Who are you?”
“I’m Johnny. I don’t know where we are either. I do know we had better not get caught talking. He might be back any second.”
The voice whimpered. “I wanna go home. . . .”
“Me too Tom, me too.”
-MRC
As the remaining patrons clear out in a hurry, Lilly and Narcissus remain focused entirely on killing each other. But not everyone in the club leaves. All of Lily’s dancers transform into their natural selves. Lilith’s Demon Hoard transcends on the unsuspecting Narcissus.
At that very same moment a loud rumbling from outside the club shakes the very foundation of the old building. Lights from several two wheeled vehicles invade the windows of the club and distract the female demon hoard.
Narcissus stands triumphantly with an evil, toothy smile.
“You are not the only one with minions at the ready, whore!!”
All at once several leather clad, half man, half animal, warriors crash through the windows and doors of Lily’s now defunct nightclub.
“You are as good as ever Narc. “ Lily purred. “I truly wish we had met a millennium ago. You might have made a fun plaything.”
-MRC
14
Jun
I should explain that while I was well aware that I could be walking into danger, this was before the advent of certain police procedures such as calling for backup. As a night spy I had a certain amount of autonomy in my investigations. That being said, I would have preferred another body between me and the intense blackness that lay ahead of me.
My candle torch was nearly useless as only a few feet in front of me were illuminated. I looked at the walls of the narrow passageway. Tool marks were clearly visible. This was not a naturally occurring cave.
“Someone dug this out.” I said aloud.
It was also clear that the work had been done rather recently. Not in the last few days or anything, but it wasn’t years old. This was done for some purpose. Some nefarious purpose.
“But to what end, and by whom?”
-MRC
11
Jun
His hunger had never been more pronounced nor had it occurred so quickly after a recent hunt.
He had seen her many times before. She had made her mark on him and he was prepared to give her his full force and then provide her with relief.
Relief came in the form of release.
It had been a decade since he had provided his prey with release.
The Keeper would definitely raise the game after this. His host may meet an end and Scorpius would have to move on, but for her, it would be worth it.
“Oh yes, worth every moment.”
-MRC
10
Jun
Agnes was pacing by the phone when it finally rang.
“TOM!? What took you so long? I was worried.”
She listened intently.
“Good. Keep it that way. She can’t know who you are or we are screwed. Just keep your nose clean, son. Get them there in one piece and keep me apprised.”
She listened again.
“No. Absolutely NOT. Under no circumstances can you reveal who you are or why you are there. Not when we are this close. So close.” She closed her eyes as if dreaming.
“His treasure is nearly in our grasp. We must remain patient.”
-MRC