Battle Lines (The Ethereal War Book 2)

by Greg Ballan

  The forces of light stood in silence, staring at each other. Erik felt the blond warrior's gaze weighing on him. "So where's this market?"

  "The portal migrates from place to place. Its next location is an abandoned farmhouse in Connecticut. I will teach you password, though it's more of a physical gesture as well as a phrase. You must be exact or you cannot gain entrance. Go there, find Molec if he hasn't already fled and force him back to Earth. If he has minions there, he won't hesitate to unleash them on you. Bartholomew was correct; there are powerful forces there that keep the peace. They are formidable opponents from distant, alien worlds. If Molec unleashes forces, withdraw. The enforcers of the market will deal with any aggression."

  "Can you give me any more information about this market?"

  The soldier looked over at Erik and smiled wryly. "As you humans are fond of saying, Google it."

  In a flash of light, the ethereal forces vanished leaving the two stunned men behind. Erik's head tingled. The information and password had been placed in his mind.

  ◆◆◆

  Erik and Martin sat in the small booth at the Uber Café in Mendon both trying to grasp the events that occurred just minutes earlier.

  "We can sleep at the house and head out first thing in the morning. It's about a two hour drive to get to the farmhouse." Erik's finger traced a small road on a map. "The last leg of the trip is all farm roads so we'll have to take my truck instead of your Lincoln. I hope you don't mind the rougher ride."

  Martin didn't respond. The old man just sipped his iced coffee watching the beautiful young women at the counter laugh with the customers.

  Erik tapped his hand. "Counselor, are you in there?"

  Denton flinched, coming back to reality. "Sorry, my mind was wandering." He gazed back at the girls. "So young and innocent. They have no idea what's going on around them, how close they are to oblivion. What we do or don't do will impact their lives."

  Erik turned his gaze and took a moment to consider his friend's observation. "You're right. Let's hope we can fix this mess. Not just for their sake but for all our sakes."

  Denton took another sip of his coffee. "How did you find this place? This stuff is really good."

  Erik took a large sip from his coffee and nodded. "Shanda found it. We've been here a few times and the atmosphere just seemed right." Erik sighed. "It feels tranquil. I can't put it into words, so I come here and think, drink coffee and have lunch when I need to get away."

  The old man smiled and nodded. "Anderson knew you'd find it."

  Erik shrugged. "I'm not following you."

  "Remember back at Madame's in DC? What Anderson told us? I was so busy eating that I really didn't pay it all that much heed. He said there would be another oasis to replace Jeff's, I think you found it, or Shanda did."

  Erik looked around. "Maybe. But right now we need to focus on tomorrow."

  Denton hesitated for a moment. Erik saw his friend balk. "What's the problem, Counselor?"

  Denton scowled. "We'll talk at your place. Too many ears here and voices carry."

  ◆◆◆

  Erik spent several minutes on the phone talking with Shanda and EJ. The detective was relieved that both were relaxing and enjoying Vatican hospitality. The Ethereals were keeping their promise regarding his family. Erik said a final goodbye to Shanda as he tossed Martin a cold beer and grabbed an RC Cola for himself. Denton took a large swig from the bottle as his eyes focused on his laptop's screen.

  "Good Lord! There are actual websites discussing the Soul Market and the kinds of demon merchants that go there."

  Erik leaned over, studying the screen. "Being buried within a Dungeons and Dragons forum takes it off anyone's radar screen. Again, the forces of Dark are clearly the more clever. They're using technology and fantasy lore to their advantage." Erik took a deep drink from his bottle. "Our friends don't seem to be as steeped into human culture."

  Denton scrolled through several images of hideous demonic entities, reading description and power capabilities. "I wonder how real this is."

  "My gut tells me it's a veritable guide to the marketplace." Erik pointed toward a map icon. "Click on that gif. Let's get a lay of the land."

  The gif map provided a detailed listing of merchants, the types of products sold, and the costs in gold bars or credit. Erik pointed toward the map's far corner. "There. This area seems to be a sort of alien space ship parking lot. If Molec is taking refuge in a craft, he'd be here, somewhere."

  Denton slid his mouse cursor over the area and clicked. More detailed data about the "Parking Area" filled the screen. "These ships can only stay berthed for two cycles—whatever a cycle is. So if Molec has limited time and the fact that his little trophy is sending out some really toxic holy radiation only serves to shorten the amount of time our dark friend has to hide in the shadows. We may not have enough time. He may have to leave before we can get there to force him out. Maybe the relic will do our job for us?"

  Erik frowned. "I don't think Molec will be driven out unless he's forced. He's looking for a containment vessel, and I believe he'll acquire something to house his prize. Maybe it won't be the perfect thing but our demonic friend isn't going to walk away and leave his prize. He's gonna find something. If the Ruby Crucifix is exposed and freed, his advantage is over. He can't touch it. He can't be near it. He'll have lost his only advantage." Erik went back and sat on the sofa.

  Denton studied the scale on the lower corner of the map. "Good God this place is huge. It's nearly the size of Manhattan. There's no way we can cover all that ground in one day."

  Erik rubbed the stubble on his cheek. "I can feel the relic, Martin. We'll have to hope that wherever we happen to pop into this happy little Hell hole, we'll be reasonably close and I can get some kind of a fix. We're going to need some luck, of that I have no doubt."

  Erik felt the weight of Denton's gaze as the old man shut down his computer. "You have something on your mind. Fire away."

  Denton nodded. "I just have to ask, did you fully intend to take on that ethereal earlier or was that just a bluff?"

  Erik smiled. "I had no intention of starting a fight there. I was pissed off a bit at the way they just took our prisoner and I wanted to remind our friends that they're not the only beings capable of inhuman feats. We need to be taken seriously and I don't think they have a whole lot of respect or regard for you, me, or any human possibly with the exception of EJ." Erik drained his bottle and placed it on the coffee table. "If I launched a plasma bolt, that whole place goes up like a roman candle, and Hopedale is off the map, literally. I won't have that on my conscience. Our ethereal friend wasn't sure, but I could feel him poking and probing my mind. I was able to block him, and the fact that I wasn't letting him feel my anger pretty much let him know it was a show."

  "Well you scared the shit outta me and our other allies."

  "Sorry about that. It was a strategic bluff. Sadly, I don't think it bought us any respect or credibility with these beings. I don't think they're capable of feeling intimidation or fear. I wonder if they simply aren't capable of those emotions."

  Denton frowned. "We're pawns, Erik. That's the impression I get. As far as emotions, your blond friend seemed pretty pissed off about having to cut a deal back there. He didn't like the orders he had to follow. That much was clear." Denton leaned forward. "We're dealing with beings that can pop in and out of our reality in an instant—no portal, no technology of any kind—just seemingly by sheer force of will. They're as far above us on the evolutionary ladder as we are above a tree frog or toad. It's a wonder they're dealing with us at all. I don't think they have a need to be intimidated or respect us. Use us like pawns, yes, appreciate anything we do, no."

  "They're only dealing with us for one reason: EJ." Erik picked up the empty bottle. Walking toward the kitchen, he raised his voice. "The other thing I found disturbing. They're going to heal that creature so they can begin an interrogation process. I wonder what's involved in a divine interr
ogation. I can't imagine it would be pleasant for a being of demonic nature."

  "Does it make me a bad person for not really feeling any pity?"

  Erik chuckled as he tossed the empty bottle. "I'm not losing any sleep over it either. But we should probably turn in ourselves. I have the feeling tomorrow is going to be a day full of surprises."

  Chapter 7: The Soul Market

  Erik followed the dirt road over four miles. The maze of turns seemed endless as they drove around a sea of corn stalks. "There! That farm house. It's just like the image in my head. We're here."

  Martin nodded. "Finally! I don't think my backside could take any more of this bumpy pathway."

  Erik parked and both men approached the farmhouse. An old man sat by a bench with a wheelbarrow full of freshly picked corn.

  "Whose gonna come all the way out here to buy corn?" Martin grumbled.

  "Are you fellas lost? Or are you looking for some sweet corn?"

  Erik smiled as they approached the farmer. "Good morning. We have another kind of business in a different kind of market."

  The farmer's eyes grew shrewd and narrowed. "You're in the wrong place. I sell corn."

  Erik's left hand performed a slow series of complicated gestures and he pronounced the phrase as best he could. The farmer tilted his head and pointed toward the dilapidated farmhouse.

  "Through those doors, gentlemen. Everything is up for sale at the Soul Market, including your lives. Hold on to your souls. You two are like sheep going to a wolf's farmer's market."

  Erik nodded as they walked toward the barn. Both men paused. The barn seemed abandoned and perfectly harmless. Erik looked over at his friend. "Here goes nothing." He pushed the door open and there was a slight sensation of stumbling forward.

  "My God!" Martin gasped.

  Erik felt his jaw drop as he studied the endless sea of alien beings walking up and down titanic streets with large merchant shops on either side. The sky fluctuated between a dull purple and blood red. Erik studied the skyline looking for the source of the light but there was no sun or other celestial object providing the illumination.

  "Remember where this spot is, Counselor. It's our only ticket home."

  Denton nodded absently as his eyes strained to take in the hideous wonder. "Remember that Star Wars bar scene? Now I know where they go the idea."

  Erik chuckled as they moved warily toward the nearest street. Outdoor vendors had carts filled with glass globes similar to the one they'd seen at the abandoned factory. The souls were all different shapes, sizes and colors. Erik recognized some English and a few phrases in Latin, but the other languages were unknown and undoubtedly not of his world.

  "The map and this place don't tie together." The detective stopped and spun his head back and forth. The map showed roads in parallel, almost grid like. These venues are haphazardly scattered about intersecting every which way." He shook his head, frustrated. "It's like driving through Boston after some major construction. Everything is ass backwards."

  "You there!" A voice cried out in broken English. A large being with crooked teeth and purple flesh placed his seven-fingered hand on Erik's chest. "It is! A cross bred soul! I could smell it across the street!" The being took a step back producing an electronic tablet from the very air. "I'll write you a credit voucher right now if I can have your soul upon the moment of your death. I'm willing to offer you two million in credit. Three million if you sell me your soul right now. You can live like a king for the rest of your natural life."

  Erik gently but firmly took the man's hand off his chest. "I appreciate the generous offer but I'm rather fond of my soul and prefer to keep it where it is."

  The being spun toward Martin. "And you! An old human soul, not worth nearly as much, say twenty five thousand now for your soul upon your death?"

  Martin took a step back shaking his head. "Uhm, no, no thank you." The being took another step closer, its hand glowing red. "Come human, give me your soul." Its voice had a cold edge as it placed its hand back on Martin's chest.

  Erik saw his friend's eyes blank and kicked the legs of the being out from under him. The being fell to the ground with a heavy thud. Before it could recover, Erik had his hands around its throat and he squeezed just enough to block the windpipe. "That's not very friendly. We have a saying on Earth. 'NO means NO!' Maybe I'll rip your throat out and see what kind of nasty thing will come for your soul. Better yet, I'll kill you in front of a nosferatu. I'm sure a warped soul like yours will tantalize such a creature's demented appetites."

  The being struggled but Erik held it firm.

  "Erik, remember we can't raise a ruckus here. Dial it down."

  "Please, my friends," it croaked gasping for air. "This was all just a misunderstanding."

  Erik hefted the creature over his head and held it up with one arm. "I'm gonna put you down now, but you pull that hocus pocus crap, I'll tear you head off, am I clear?"

  The terrified being nodded and Erik roughly tossed it on the alien pavement.

  "Before you slink back under your rock," Denton hissed, "we're looking for a demon—a very annoying demon named Molec. We know he's here and we know he's very desperate to buy some protective materials to shield an object he's stolen."

  The being studied Erik carefully and looked down at his hand. "Hybrid, the tales are true. You do exist and you do serve the Lords of Light. I gather no one has claimed the bounty on your bastard child?"

  Erik took a step forward and the being flinched. "Violence isn't allowed here and you shouldn't even be here. How did you come to be here Esper Warrior?"

  "Violence is forbidden but soul leeching is perfectly acceptable?" Erik folded his arms, growing impatient. "Answer the question or I'll break your leg this time and still feed you to the soul suckers."

  The purple being flinched. "Molec is here. He brought the cursed relic with him. It burnt and scarred the flesh of thousands before he made it to the place where the outsiders keep their interdimensional craft. If he's still here, he's hiding in one of those vessels trying to find a new ectoplasmic sphere."

  "If you'd be so kind as to point the way, we'll part company now." Erik took a menacing step forward.

  The purple being shuddered, pointing toward a dark structure at the horizon's edge, "The port is at the edge of the market. Follow that large monolith. The ships are all parked in that area." It stood slowly pointing toward Erik. "Molec won't leave willingly. You bring the Ethereal War here, you'll involve not just your planet, but hundreds of inhabited worlds across not only this Universe but all the ones lying tangent to this one. Walk softly here, Esper Warrior. There are things here that even one as powerful as you need to tread around carefully." Erik stood close to Martin, guiding the old man away from the being and toward their goal.

  Erik and Martin walked silently for several minutes, each man studying the dizzying array of life forms. Erik gently nudged his friend. "How you doing, Counselor?"

  Denton cleared his throat. "Aside from nearly having my soul sucked out of my body, I'm okay."

  Erik tilted his head. "Yeah, aside from that and this demon and alien nightmare we're walking through. I confess my mind is shrieking right now. Let's just keep pushing to the monolith and do our best to stay out of trouble."

  Denton chuckled. "Now I know we're in deep shit when you suggest staying out of trouble." The old man moved cautiously, never straying more than a few steps away from his companion.

  "I can feel the relic. We're on the right track." Erik pointed up another street. "The trail goes this way, right towards the area our purple goon pointed out." Erik grinned. "Maybe we'll catch our archdemon friend with his pants down this time. I'd like to wrap this up in a nice little bow and rub it in our smug allies' face."

  Erik placed his arm forcefully in front of Martin, stopping the old man cold. There was a commotion ahead. Both men slowly crossed the wide street. Three large demons were in an argument with two squid-like beings. Tentacles and claws were waving back and fo
rth in some dramatic disagreement. Trapped in between both parties was a beautiful young woman with silver flesh, and a slender ridge running from the top of her head down her bare back and dark blue glowing eyes. She was locked in heavy chains that glowed red and orange. Erik's skin tingled and something in his mind shouted. The prisoner was an Esper female! She was being tossed back and forth between the groups while the gathering crowd laughed and hissed with amusement.

  "My God, Erik! She looks like you when you change."

  Erik nodded. "I know. An Esper female. She may be the only one left. They didn't all perish on Earth!" Erik took two steps toward the crowd.

  Martin grabbed his shoulder. "What are you doing?"

  "I'm gonna free her! I can't let her be harmed!"

  "You interfere and who knows what kind of forces you'll bring down upon us!"

  Erik spun around. "What are you saying, Martin? I just leave her to be bartered like cattle or a side of beef? She could be the only Esper alive anywhere! I could learn more about my past and my heritage and maybe there's another Esper out there, looking for her. Maybe there's more like me in the galaxy."

  Martin nodded. "Maybe. But is it worth bringing down the wrath of whatever keeps the peace here, and possibly letting Molec escape. We're here to help save our planet and your son!" Denton took his hand off Erik's shoulder.

  Erik felt his stomach knot, his fists clenched with anger. His eyes burned fiery blue as energy crackled around his body. "I know. But…" his voice had a painful longing.

  "I know, son. I'm not heartless. But you can't engage all these beings without putting our mission and ourselves at risk. Bartholomew said there were powerful beings here. Do you want to have to fight your way back to the portal? Remember what you faced at the gym parking lot? What if there are worse things here?"

  Erik felt helpless. "You're right. Damn it to Hell but you're right."

  Denton pointed. "Look. The squid things are taking her in the direction we want to go. I'm going out on a limb and guessing that these creatures have a ship parked and are taking their purchase there. Let's tag along at a safe distance. We're going in that direction anyway."