Battle of the Soul

by Carl Alves

  She shook her head.

  “Kate’s calling me, just like I told her to. Now we have to find her.”

  Monsignor Curran folded his arms. “But how? Visibility is non-existent.”

  “I can hear her. Kate will lead me to her.” In his head, he asked, Where are you?

  Kate replied, I can’t see much. Too dark.

  Andy told her to keep calling him.

  “How will we get there?” Monsignor Curran asked. “This terrain seems impassable.”

  “I can hook us up with a sweet ride.” Andy thought for a moment of what would work best in this situation. What came into his head was a hovercraft that he had seen in a sci-fi movie. With that kind of vehicle, they could cover distances quickly and not have to go on the swampy surface. Andy played through some scenes from the movie in his head, focusing on the hovercraft. After a minute, it materialized. He smiled. A near perfect replica.

  Lucas nodded. “This should do the job.”

  “Sure will.” Andy motioned to the hovercraft. “Get inside. We need to find Kate ASAP.”

  This seemed to spark Holly, who was the first to climb aboard.

  “Hey, Lucas, you mind taking the wheel?” Andy asked.

  Lucas frowned. “I can’t say as I’ve ever flown anything remotely resembling this.”

  “No worries. The controls are easy. I have a steering wheel, accelerator and brakes, and a lever for altitude control. I’ve never flown a plane or helicopter or anything so I keep it as simple as possible.”

  Lucas climbed into the cockpit and waited until everybody was situated. “Let’s fly this thing.”

  The hovercraft gave a massive jolt as Lucas took off.

  Andy continued to hear Kate in his head, but her voice was growing fainter. “Turn around. We need to go the other direction.”

  Lucas made a sharp turn.

  After a minute, Kate’s voice was getting louder in his head. “Go faster. She sounds like she’s in trouble.”

  Holly frowned. “What is it? What’s going on?”

  “Hard to say,” Andy replied. “She sounds scared. Worse than last time. I don’t like it.”

  They hardly spoke for the next few minutes as Lucas took the hovercraft to faster velocities, tearing through the swamp.

  Monsignor Curran’s eyes went wide. “What’s that?”

  Through the heavy mist, a massive formation of red and orange colors as well as blazing heat loomed. Something in the distance appeared to be flying.

  Monsignor Curran pointed outward. “Is that a dragon?”

  “Think so,” Andy replied.

  “Now what?” Lucas asked.

  Andy said, “Just keep going.”

  Lucas nodded and continued to accelerate through the mist toward the dragon. The dragon flew toward them and breathed a massive burst of fire.

  “Get down!” Andy rotated his arms in a circular motino to create a wave of air, then thrust his hands forward at the dragon. His air formation clashed with the fire and sent it spiraling sideways from the hovercraft. He thrust his hands in a chopping motion, sending his own fiery bursts at the dragon, but the dragon repelled them.

  The hovercraft dipped underneath the dragon, and it flew after them. Andy decided to try a different tactic. He conjured a thick metal net in his hands, then twirled the net. As he did so, it grew in size. As he flung the net in the direction of the dragon, the net continued to grow exponentially. When it finally landed on top of the dragon, the net was half the dragon’s size. The dragon became entangled and sank to the swampy surface.

  “That should keep it off our asses,” Andy said.

  Lucas continued to steer the hovercraft. At several points, he had to elevate to avoid hills.

  Kate’s calls grew louder. His head nearly split from a piercing scream. Andy reached out and clutched Lucas’s shoulder. “Land this thing.”

  “Have we reached my daughter?” Holly asked.

  Andy nodded.

  Lucas pressed the brakes, and they slowed until they were hovering off the surface. He lowered the vehicle until it touched the ground.

  Andy was the first one out. He helped Holly and Monsignor Curran out of the vehicle. Peering forward, Andy tried to find Kate. Visibility was better here. Although he did not see Kate, he did spot the unholy trio advancing upon them.

  Chapter XXXVII

  The unholy trio walked toward them, still off in the distance.

  This gave Andy enough time to give his friends instructions. He turned to them. “You guys are going to need weapons. Any of you know how to use any hand-to-hand weapons?”

  “I’ve trained with knives, swords, staffs, bow and arrow,” Lucas said. “You name it; I’ve probably trained with it at some point.”

  “I don’t suppose either of you have used any kind of weapon like that?” Andy asked.

  Both Holly and Monsignor Curran shook their head.

  Andy produced a crystalline sword that he gave to Lucas. “You may have used a sword before, but I doubt you’ve ever used one like this. This is super lightweight and incredibly sharp.”

  Andy took a deep breath. What could he give to Holly and Monsignor Curran, seeing as they had no weapon experience? Something idiot proof that they could use with no training. A gun would be of little value once the fight got in close. They would need something that they could use in close and at a distance.

  He thought of just the thing. In each of his hands appeared a staff. He gave them to Holly and Monsignor Curran. “You can shoot blasts of energy from the top of this thing. Just give it a good tilt forward.” He demonstrated, and a thick, black bolt shot in front of the unholy trio, still making their way toward Andy. “You can also use it for in close fighting. Just smash them with it like you would use a stick or a baseball bat. I’m going to do most of the fighting. If you can provide a little diversion for me, that should be enough to tip things in our favor.”

  Drawing nearer, Malachai shouted, “You really think they can help you? Andrew, you’re more foolish then I thought.”

  Asmodeus cackled. “Your father is so great, yet you are so pathetic. I guess the apple fell far from the tree.”

  He glanced back at Holly and Lucas to see if they had any reaction to this talk about his father, but their faces seemed impassive.

  Malachai stood in front of his demonic compatriots. “I’m glad you brought some lambs to the slaughter.”

  “Where’s Kate?” Andy called out.

  Malachai rubbed his palms together. “No need to worry. Your pretty little friend is in good hands.”

  Andy gritted his teeth. “Where is she?”

  “Since you asked,” Malachai responded.

  The other demons began to laugh as Andy waited with cold dread.

  “What have they done with Kate?” Holly asked.

  “I don’t know,” Andy replied. “But this isn’t going to be good. You need to be ready.”

  Holly swallowed hard and nodded.

  Malachai clasped his hands. “We realized we had a flaw in our last encounter against you. You were able to fully concentrate on us. Perhaps a little distraction would be in order.”

  Holly gasped. “No!”

  Andy’s father wheeled in a large, wooden platform. Kate was strapped to a board on the platform. A fire burned just underneath her as she cried hysterically.

  Holly ran forward. “Kate!”

  Andy intercepted her. Trying to run through this trio of demons and his father was suicide. He held Holly back. “We’re going to need to kill the demons first. That’s the only way. Are you guys ready?”

  Lucas nodded.

  Monsignor Curran said, “I will put my trust in the Lord and fight with reckless abandon.”

  “Holly, stick with me. Lucas and Monsignor Curran, spread out, but make sure you’re close enough that you can still see me through the mist. I’ll help you if you need it. Baphomet’s the one that looks like he just came out of a nuclear reactor. He’s incredibly strong. Don’t get too
close to him. Malachai is the naked, blue demon. He likes to talk, but he’s not to be underestimated. Asmodeus is super-fast, super-agile, and vicious. Watch out for his claws. Don’t even think of going for the one holding Kate. He’s mine.”

  “I want Baphomet,” Lucas said. “I think I have a few tricks for him.”

  Monsignor Curran smiled. “Then I will tangle with Malachai. He likes to converse. Perhaps I can talk some sense into him.”

  Andy turned to face his foes. “All right. Let’s do this.”

  He charged after Asmodeus, who ran and did a somersault over him. He unleashed his claws and took a swipe at him. Andy pivoted and gave Asmodeus a side kick to his back that sent him flying forward. Asmodeus got on all fours and snarled like an animal. He jumped at Andy with a suddenness that was too quick for him to react, slashing at Andy’s chest with his claws, tearing his flesh.

  Andy roared with pain, but Asmodeus did not stay on top of him for long as Holly blasted him with her staff. The shot landed below the ribs. Andy seized the advantage by grabbing Asmodeus by the neck. He squeezed hard, trying to choke the life out of the demon. Asmodeus’s face turned green. Andy let go, knowing he couldn’t choke him to death. Instead, he punched him repeatedly in the face. Before long, Asmodeus’s yellow blood covered Andy’s fists.

  Kate’s screams stopped him from pounding Asmodeus into oblivion. Looking up, Andy witnessed his father slice Kate’s face with a silver dagger. He trembled with fear and struggled mightily to keep his emotions in check as blood spilled down her cheek.

  Holly ran forward.

  Andy let go of Asmodeus and nearly tackled Holly. “Don’t. I know it’s hard to bear, but you have to trust me. He would kill you in seconds, then you would be of no help to Kate. We have to take these three out first. Stick to the plan.”

  Andy screamed in agony as an intensely sharp pain ripped through his body. He turned to see Asmodeus standing behind him, his claws digging into Andy’s back. Removing his claws from Andy’s flesh, Asmodeus took a backhand swipe at Holly, which sent her reeling.

  Andy jumped on the demon’s back and pounded the back of his head. Asmodeus crashed into the misty swampland, a big splash following in his wake. Burying the demon’s head in the murky water, Andy attempted to suffocate him. Asmodeus tried to fight him off, but could only manage to flail his arms. Andy let go long of enough to step on Asmodeus’s neck until the demon stopped thrashing. Contemplating what to do next, he was distracted by Monsignor Curran, who was getting the worst of it against Malachai.

  “Keep an eye on him.” Andy bolted after the blue demon, produced a spear, and threw it full force. The spear whizzed through the air and planted into Malachai’s chest. He screamed in agony. Monsignor Curran got up from his knees and smashed Malachai in the face with his staff.

  “You okay?” Andy asked.

  Monsignor Curran’s bloody face looked like it had lost a battle with a blender. His lip was split open and his nose was twisted in an unnatural angle.

  “I’ve been better,” Monsignor Curran said.

  “So has he.” Andy motioned to Malachai, who was on his knees. “Don’t worry. You’re doing great.”

  Andy kneed Malachai in the face. He produced a rope and wrapped it around Malachai’s neck. Monsignor Curran then smashed the demon with his staff.

  Andy turned to check on Holly. She was about to use her staff on Asmodeus, when the demon jumped, and grabbed her throat.

  “Damn!” He released Malachai and ran after Asmodeus.

  The demon tossed Holly to the ground. He grabbed a large stone and bashed her head with it.

  Andy released a loud roar from deep within him. He tackled Asmodeus from behind. With uncontrolled rage, he twisted Asmodeus’s neck. A low choking sound came from the demon. Andy continued to twist his neck until the demon’s face was staring at him.

  “You’re done, Asmodeus.” With newfound strength, he tore the demon’s head off his shoulders.

  Andy dropped Asmodeus’s head, and it rolled slowly on the ground. He had just vanquished the demon.

  His elation quickly dissipated upon hearing Kate screaming. Andy looked up and found his father thrusting a stick with hot coals into Kate’s abdomen.

  “Aren’t you going to save her, my son? How can you stand there and watch me abuse her?” He stroked Kate’s face with his massive hand.

  Andy shook his head. He could only save Kate if he killed these demons first. If he tried to attack his father, his friends would have to fight Baphomet and Malachai on their own, and they wouldn’t stand a chance. He had to stay disciplined and stick to the plan.

  Andy grabbed Holly’s arm and pulled her away. “Come with me. Malachai’s next.”

  “But Kate…”

  “It has to be this way. He won’t kill her. Trust me.”

  “How do you know?” Holly asked.

  Andy sighed. “You have to trust me.”

  How could Andy explain that he could almost sense his father’s thoughts. It was like he was sending messages subliminally to Andy.

  Andy wasted no more time arguing, and dragged her with him. Malachai was in the process of impaling Monsignor Curran with a spear.

  Andy produced a circular disc with a sharp edge and threw it at the demon. Malachai turned in time to see it slice into his neck. Blood gushed from Malachai’s open wound, and he fell to his knees. Marching forward, Andy gave him a soccer style kick to the head, then stomped the demon with heavy boots. Every time he stomped on Malachai, he heard the crunching of bones.

  He lifted Malachai and launched him into the air. As he soared upward, Andy took a flying leap and connected with a kick to Malachai’s head as he descended. The shot snapped the demon’s head backward.

  Malachai collapsed onto the marshy ground, his body prone. It was time to finish him. Andy produced a gleaming sword. With one downward swing, he decapitated the demon, and Malachai was no longer.

  He walked over to Monsignor Curran, who lay motionless on the ground. He knelt and felt numb, sure Monsignor Curran was dead until he saw his hand move. He was still alive. Relief flooded through Andy.

  He reached up and touched Andy’s face. “Save Kate.”

  Andy held back tears. “I will. Asmodeus and Malachai are already out of the picture.”

  Monsignor Curran tried to smile. “Good. Finish this.”

  Andy nodded. The battle was still raging. Kate was his priority. He had to save her. That meant helping Lucas with Baphomet.

  “Holly, stay with him. This is almost over. I need you to stay strong for a little longer.”

  Holly had a dazed look on her face, no doubt still feeling the effects of Asmodeus smashing her with a stone. That shot topside would have killed her. She went to Monsignor Curran, knelt, and held his hand.

  Conjuring a sword, he ran to Lucas. He and Baphomet were engaged in a fierce duel. Lucas used the sword Andy had given him, and Baphomet wielded his trusted axe. Andy was amazed that Lucas was holding his own against the demon. Sure he had a half dozen cuts on his face, was covered in mud, his shirt was torn, and his chest had a large gash, but damn, Baphomet also had a bunch of wounds.

  “Need some help?” Andy asked.

  Lucas glanced over after parrying a blow from Baphomet’s axe. “What took you so long?”

  “I’ve been busy.”

  “Better late than never,” Lucas said.

  Andy swung his silver sword at the demon. Baphomet blocked it with his axe but couldn’t fend off Lucas’s slash to his side. Baphomet groaned but kept fighting. The next swipe of his axe nearly clipped Andy’s chin. Baphomet twirled his weapon and caught Lucas in the shoulder, causing him to go down.

  Baphomet raised his axe and was about to strike Lucas, when Andy sprung forward and kicked the demon’s back. The momentum of the blow sent Baphomet flying forward.

  Andy grabbed Lucas’s hand and lifted him to his feet. “How bad is it?”

  “Just a scratch,” Lucas replied.

  Bap
homet was back on his feet facing them.

  Lucas hefted his sword and got into a fighting stance. Keeping his distance from Lucas, Andy did likewise.

  “You know. I could get used to this world of the soul thing. I’ve never felt this strong and agile.” To prove his point, Lucas did a somersault flip and landed past Baphomet.

  Andy took a flying leap at Baphomet. The demon swung at him with his axe. At the same time, Andy lowered his sword. Their weapons clashed in mid-air. Once more, Lucas took advantage of the situation and drove his sword into the demon’s thick hide.

  Landing on his feet like a cat, Andy swept Baphomet’s legs from under him. The back of the demon’s head smashed against the muddy surface. Lucas then plunged his sword into Baphomet’s chest.

  Andy raised his sword but stopped at the sound of thunderous clapping. He turned and found his father approaching. Kate was no longer strapped onto the wooden platform. Instead she was at his father’s side, looking dazed and disoriented.

  “Well done, my son. You have truly made me proud today. Not because of your courage or your incredible battle prowess, but today you have shown a viciousness that is truly worthy of my heir.”

  “Let go of her,” Andy said.

  “As you wish.” His father thrust Kate to the ground.

  Holly ran forward, scooped up Kate, and held her in her arms. They both began to cry.

  “Now finish him,” his father said. “Kill him. Savor the moment. Enjoy the kill. There’s nothing as sweet as taking another life.”

  Andy glared at his father. He didn’t know what kind of mind games he was playing and didn’t care. With full force, he thrust his sword into Baphomet’s neck. Blood spurt out of the wound. Andy continued to dig his sword in the demon’s neck until he bled out. He could not deny the satisfaction he felt watching the big demon die.

  Almost instantaneously, the mist that had been so pervasive since they landed began to lift. Rays of light broke through the mist. The swamp around them started to dry up. Where there had been reeds and tall grass, bushes, trees, shrubs, and flowers replaced them. Andy looked around in amazement. How was this possible? Sure they had killed the unholy trio, but his father remained. Andy turned to look at him, but he was no longer there.