by Greg Ballan
Erik and Martin followed the two beings and their captive. The chains had some mystical quality. They continually glowed reddish orange and had a debilitating effect on the female. She could barely walk and at times her captors dragged her limp body behind them. Erik struggled to suppress his rage and burning desire to attack the creatures and avenge the indignation suffered by one of the Esper race.
"They're turning off the road, away from the ships."
Martin nodded. "And into that shop."
Erik stared for a long minute watching the tentacled beings as they hovered over their prize. The Esper female struggled but was too weak. She was fitted with some type of device and then led deeper into the shop out of view. Erik looked over at Martin his eyes, hard. "Let's get to the ships but we're coming back this way, Counselor. I'm not done here yet."
Martin nodded silently as they followed the trail of the Ruby Crucifix.
The two men walked an hour in silence. Erik would periodically pause, reach out into the air and then walk down a different winding road. The market was a maze of streets with no rhyme or reason as to how they connected. Martin walked silently behind.
"Erik, I'm hopelessly lost."
Erik paused, and turned toward his friend. "We've covered about four miles. Do you need to stop for a bit?" Erik looked around. "I'm not sure we could buy a cup of coffee here and I don't think they take Visa, MasterCard or human currency."
Denton nodded then pointed toward a small area that had tables filled with a variety of occupants eating and drinking. "We could ask. Maybe pick up some intel so we're not going in blind. Molec shook this place up. Somebody has to know something and people eating and drinking are more likely to chat."
Erik nodded. "That's actually not a bad idea. And I need to get my head screwed back on. I was ready to come to blows for that girl. An Esper. I think she was a cleric, I could feel her presence inside my mind. She was terrified, Martin. She was absolutely terrified. I knew she could feel my presence. Maybe she was hoping I'd do something."
"Erik, I don't know what to say. I can't imagine what you went through or what seeing that woman triggered. I know you're an Esper Warrior. I know you could probably lay waste to this entire realm if you put your mind to it, but we can't come in here guns blazing." Denton walked toward the crowd. "I see an empty table. I'll see if I can buy us a drink so we can take a break and try and gather some intel."
Erik nodded. "We can't linger. We'll ask a few questions then move on. Our friends say Molec is on a very tight time table here and we don't want to miss him."
They sat at the small table drawing several stares. Erik could hear hushed whispers but the language was unknown. The feelings, however, were quite clear. They were unwelcome.
"We're not wanted, Martin. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea."
A small orange woman approached them. "Humans. She inhaled deeply and stared at Erik. Her eyes widened and she took a step backward. "Not so much human but a warrior of Light. You really don't belong here. The Ocherons will come for you both eventually." Her face grew sly. "Are you here to buy souls? For twenty credits I'll tell you the best merchants with the sweetest treasures from all the known galaxies. Most vendors carry alien souls, but only a rare few have the souls of human children or those that have passed tragically."
"What about Esper souls?"
She laughed. "There aren't enough Espers left and their souls are practically worthless—no depravity or immorality. A few have gone to feed the nosferatu. They thrive on devouring purity, but others like a soul seasoned with debauchery and corruption."
"So there are Espers alive? I thought they all perished during the Great War."
The woman laughed aloud. "Yes the two warring species. God and Lucifer using more puppet races. The Seelak didn't kill all their Esper prisoners. Some were brought here and sold as slaves. We just had one purchased earlier. It is a rarity but there are a few of them around functioning as servants."
Denton took a fifty dollar bill from his wallet. "Will this work here?"
She nodded. "Human currency is discounted at twenty percent."
"Will this buy us two drinks and a few answers to some questions?" Denton pulled another fifty from his wallet.
The woman frowned. "Two glasses of amber meade and two questions. Meade is about the only thing here you humans could stomach. Do we have an arrangement?" She reached for the two bills, her hand pausing slightly.
Denton nodded. "Done."
The woman pocketed the currency and shouted her order across the courtyard as she took a chair from the nearby table. "Two questions."
Martin leaned over the table so his voice wouldn't carry. "We're looking for a being called Molec. We know he came through here not too long ago and caused some damage in his passing. We were told he's hiding inside an interdimensional craft." Denton pointed toward the dark monolith. "Can you give us any idea where to start looking once we get there?"
The woman shook her head. "Molec, that accursed idiot. He brought a holy object here." She pointed toward a nearby demon. Its skin was horribly scarred. "That one was close by when he materialized. He was lucky. Many in the vicinity were simply vaporized and others have scars covering their entire body. Such a thing cannot be here. It contaminates us all." She pointed toward the monolith. "The more advanced races with better ships are berthed closer to the main port. Molec would be there. Lesser beings would be too fearful to have any dealings with such a being or would even comprehend the value and danger of what the archdemon has in his possession. There are rarely more than a handful of highly advanced craft with beings willing to associate with higher demonic forces or possessing the type of technology needed to assist him." She smiled. "That's one."
Denton looked toward Erik. "Your turn."
"Are any more of Molec's forces here? When he fled, many of his underlings were right behind him. If we're forced to engage Molec, will he have aid? Does he have allies here that will fight on his behalf?"
She grinned wickedly. "Any alliances he made here were forfeit when he brought that cursed thing among us. His minions came here and are dispersed throughout the market, hiding and hoping Lucifer's agents won't bother to track them down. Keep in mind, hybrid … yes I know who and what you are. Your aura stinks of it. The only reason I'm helping you is because you're the lesser of the two plagues right now. Be warned. Lucifer also has agents hunting Molec. You may encounter them or our own enforcers. I strongly suggest you tread lightly, or as light as possible for you. The market is strictly for barter and commerce. Though we are considered evil, we have become more interested in commerce over conflict. Keep your wars in your own plane and leave us to our business."
Erik nodded. "You steal souls and sell them in a market place, you sell slaves and who knows what else, and your little enterprise was set up by the leader of one of the primary warring factions. How can you not be involved?"
The woman's smile turned deathly cold. "You didn't pay for three questions."
The drinks arrived and their host stood abruptly. "Enjoy your drinks, gentlemen, it was a pleasure doing business with you."
Martin raised his glass and nodded. He looked at Erik. "Well that was somewhat useful, at least we know where to look when we get there."
Denton took a cautious sip from his tall mug. His eyes popped open. "Well now! This is delicious."
After five minutes they began their walk toward the dark monolith. Erik did his best to ignore the surreal environment and to keep his mind focused. The desperate plea from the Esper female echoed in the back of his mind. The sensation of the Ruby Crucifix was stronger now, and he could sense the lingering presence of Molec. "We're getting close, Martin." Erik pointed ahead. The towering black monolith loomed over them, casting a dark shadow over nearby buildings. Several beings moved back and forth between the structure. Small vehicles wended their way among the assorted alien craft.
"Reminds me of an airport." Denton stood beside him as they studied the area.
Erik focused his senses, trying to pinpoint the strongest essence of Molec and the cross. "This way. The lady at the bar was correct. The general direction is toward those three large vessels berthed directly under the structure. Let's hope we can get there without causing a ruckus. I have no idea what comprises security in this place."
"Maybe I should have bought more questions."
Erik looked over at his friend. "Counselor, we could spend a million dollars asking questions and never figure this place out. We stick out like weeds in a rose garden here. These things can smell us like bloodhounds the same way I can sense Molec and the cross. We'll just have to do the best we can and hope the forces here are as against Molec as we're led to believe."
Erik took point and moved quickly toward the three ships, his Esper senses guiding him forward. The trail led directly to a 'U' shaped craft with an odd asymmetrical bulge on the far side. "There's the ship. The trail ends here." They approached, slowly walking by a large craft, ignored by its crew and the beings tending to the ship.
Erik's senses buzzed a warning. He dove toward Martin, tackling him, as a red lance of energy grazed his shoulder. Erik continued to roll, knowing the burning lance of power was still chasing them. "Dome!"
The Sentient Staff flowed from its concealment, covering both men in a silver cocoon. The beam's energy washed over the staff but had no effect on the Esper weapon.
"Martin, are you okay?"
Denton groaned. 'What the hell just happened?"
"We were attacked. We're inside a protective blister right now, but we're going to have to move." Another blast of energy struck the protective dome. The staff moaned slightly as the alien energy sizzled against its metallic shell.
"Molec?"
Erik shook his head as another blast hit. "I think he made some friends. We have to move. We can't let ourselves be pinned down like this. They're buying time for that bastard." A second, longer blast hit emphasizing his point.
"I assume you have a plan?"
Erik nodded. "Yeah I'm going to form a large round shield, big enough to allow you to retreat, then I'm going to move in. If I can rush them, maybe they'll panic. At least I'll buy you enough time to get out of harm's way." Erik placed a hand on his staff projecting his wishes directly to the weapon. "Okay Martin, the staff knows what I want. When I form the shield, you run like a bat outta hell and find cover."
Denton nodded, terror etched in the old man's face.
"Now! Shield!"
The dome warped and morphed into a flattened disc four feet in diameter. Erik held the makeshift barrier high, providing ample cover for Martin's retreat. Denton fled in a perfect line behind the shield, finding cover against a nearby alien craft. Alarms blared and beings shrieked in various tones and languages. The cacophony of noise was deafening. Erik pushed forward as more red beams impacted against his shield.
"I can play offense too!" Agitated photons formed a burning plasma surrounding his arm. Erik lifted his left arm raising the shield and fired a searing blast of energy with his other arm. The blast ate through the alien hull, burning clean through the entire vessel. The ship shrieked in agony, a wailing scream of pain that echoed off walls and other ships. A hatch flowed open and several frail looking gray creatures fled on flying devices. The alien vessel sagged, then fell over. Its collapse shook the entire hangar. Red ichor hemorrhaged from the gaping hole Erik made. The area around the craft was awash in a pool of alien blood. Erik walked toward the crippled ship and placed a hand on the alien hull. It wasn't metal. His stomach churned. It was a hard shell covering flesh. The ship was alive!
"No, no, no, no!" Erik swore. "Oh God, I didn't know."
The ship began to shift and change. The craft became more like a gigantic armored whale with massive fins and antennae easily forty feet in length. The beast moaned softly, slowly writhing in pain.
Martin came up behind, staring at the creature in disbelief. "This was the ship that fired on us?"
Erik turned. "Yeah, the pilots took off in some smaller craft. They're gone. I can only assume Molec got what he wanted and is gone as well."
Several aliens approached. Erik readied his staff.
"We don't want any trouble. We can help the Space Mariner."
Erik took a step back, letting the strange beings work.
Several minutes had passed and the creature was attached to several glowing pods with filaments touching its flesh. The workers had placed some type of organic bandage over the gaping wound. Erik watched helplessly as the creature moaned, sounding exactly like a whale in distress. Only this whale was easily ten times the size of an Earth mammal.
"The creature needs energy. I fear we don't have enough to revitalize it. The crew that captured it had depleted most if its organic reserves. Forcing it to attack, exhausted it." The being looked up at Erik. "And your blast will likely finish it off."
Erik shook his head. "How much energy can this thing absorb?"
The tiny alien shrugged. "A great deal more than we can provide. I fear its internal systems will shut down soon and parts of the creature will begin dying."
"Is this a naturally evolved creature? I mean it was a ship when it attacked us." Martin looked at the beast with awe.
"They are a combination of natural and synthetic evolution—a process planned by their species over a million and a half years. Its heart is an organic thermal reactor. Arteries and veins have become synthetic power conduits. The brain and other tissues are still organic but enhanced by nanotechnology. This creature is a marvel of the known universe. Sadly this one was captured, tortured, and enslaved while still young."
Erik was silent, staring at the sky. His hands reached outward fingers tensed. "There's enough ambient energy in the air to feed our friend." A bolt of orange energy stuck his outstretched arm from the purple sky. Erik gently lay his other hand upon the wounded being, slowly passing the energy along. The Space Mariner's large tail shuddered as its body hungrily absorbed the power.
MORE, PLEASE, I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT FOOD FOR SO LONG. PLEASE NO MORE PAIN.
The voice in Erik's mind was soft and haunting. The sound of a being terrified of being hurt again.
I WON'T HURT YOU ANYMORE, I PROMISE, I DIDN'T KNOW, I SWEAR TO YOU I DIDN'T KNOW. Erik gently pushed more energy into the creature.
The massive entity stood upright on powerful fins and began to hover several feet above the ground, antenna gently swaying back and forth. Erik stopped drawing the power and took several steps backward. The massive being looked down at him.
YOU HAVE MADE ME WHOLE. AFTER THOUSANDS OF YEARS I AM RID OF MY CAPTORS! WHAT IS YOUR PRICE FOR MY HEALTH AND FREEDOM?
Erik and Martin looked up at the massive being. Its skin was almost translucent radiating the full spectrum of color. Its eyes sparkled, brilliant white orbs burning with a wisdom that transcended any being in the galaxy.
"I ask only that you accept my apology for wounding you." Erik looked up totally transfixed on the massive creature, too much in awe to project his thoughts. Its intellect and presence was almost too much to bear.
YOU ARE FREELY FORGIVEN. The massive creature studied him. YOU ARE A BEING OF LIGHT, A SERVANT OF THE FATHER. I MUST GIVE THANKS ONCE I AM BACK IN SPACE. HE HAS HEARD MY CALL AFTER SO MANY CENTURIES.
"The beings that held you captive, they were meeting with a demon—an archdemon—it is he who I'm hunting. Do you happen to know if the demon fled?"
The massive whale's mouth tensed, opening partially and revealing a row of foot-long sharp teeth. YOU ARE THE HYBRID MOLEC SPOKE OF. I HEAR ALL THAT ENTER. TAKE HEART, THE DEMON DID NOT GET WHAT HE WANTED, A SECTION OF MY ARMOR. MOLEC WAS BARGAINING WHEN YOUR PRESENSE WAS DETECTED. YOU PREVENTED HIM FROM ACQUIRING AN OBJECT THAT COULD TEMPORARILY SHIELD HIS STOLEN PRIZE, MY FLESH. HE DID HOWEVER ACQUIRE MORE TALITHUM SO HE COULD CONTINUE HOLDING HIS PRIZE. MY CAPTORS WERE ABLE TO PARTIALLY REVITALIZE HIS ECTOPLASMIC PRISON, BUT THE BARRIER STILL CRUMBLES AND WILL SOON WITHER. THE HOLY RELIC CANNOT BE CONTAINED.
"Did Molec say where was going before he teleported out?"
HE IS BOUND TO EARTH AS LONG AS HE HOLDS THE RELIC. THE SACRED CROSS IS TIED TO EARTHLY REALMS. HIS DEMON PRIDE REFUSES TO PART WITH HIS TROPHY, SO HE TOO IS TIED TO THAT TINY WORLD AND THE REALMS LINKED TO IT. THE DEMON HAS FLED BACK TO EARTH TO HIDE AGAIN AND SEARCH ANEW FOR A WAY TO KEEP THAT WHICH CANNOT BE KEPT. The massive being's face appeared to frown. A HIGHLY IRRATIONAL ACTION.
The great being looked around the market and its eyes hardened with disapproval. I HAVE NO LIKING FOR THIS SAVAGE PLACE. IT IS TIME FOR ME TO GO HOME. I WISH TO SWIM IN THE GREAT ABYSS THAT SWALLOWS LIGHT, TIME AND SPACE. I LONG TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE SPATIAL SEAS OF MY ANCESTORS, ACROSS THE COSMOS. Colored flesh changed to bright luminescent white as it rose higher into the sky. Its massive body turned and, like a whale speeding through the ocean depths, the great being swam off into the sky, vanishing in a stream of colored light.
Erik stared at the purple sky. Martin cleared his throat. "Well, there's something you don't see every day—a gigantic, talking, flying whale."
Erik tilted his head. "Just another mystery, Counselor." Erik turned toward his friend, clearly frustrated. "We missed our window. That bastard always manages to be one step ahead of us."
Martin placed a hand on Erik's shoulder. "My friend, this demon has hid from the forces of Light and Dark for how many centuries? I didn't think we'd just come in and grab him on our second try. But we're following our usual game plan. We're forcing the demon to move quickly and jump before he's ready. Right now he's making mistakes." Martin gestured back toward the marketplace. "Look at how many beings he's killed and maimed here. He's burnt this bridge completely. How quickly will word spread about this little episode? Molec's made enemies here today. We're pushing him. We forced him out of his warehouse stronghold and we forced him to flee the soul market empty handed. I don't think this prick has felt any pressure for eons and he's not used to it. Our demonic friend is desperate right about now. He's got a hot potato he can't carry and each time he tries to find a way to secure it, we're right there to counter his action. He's either gonna have to give up the relic or make a stand. Either way he loses. He won't show himself because both sides will drop on him like a boat anchor and if he flees, he loses his precious trinket and his grand scheme implodes. And for a creature like that, I'd imagine his ego is sizable and the aggravation you're causing must be driving him insane. Our objective was to push him back to Earth." Denton smiled raising his hand. "Mission accomplished."