by Jack Crosby
As he closed in, I channeled my power into my scythe and as his head got into range, I swung with my full power. Leviathan came into contact with the wolf, first ripping through his face, into the head and stopping at the neck. Brain matter covered me along with wolf blood and other weird fluids.
“Holy shit! Master are you okay?” Roxanne was back up and moving. “Damnit, it smells like shit over here!”
I walked back out of the mess, wiping my face off. The wolf was dead, but so was my horse. I felt incomplete, no longer a Horseman. “He didn’t make it out.”
Roxanne looked around and it hit her. Tears formed in her eyes and despite the slime and smell, ran over and wrapped me up in a hug. My ears burned with regret, this was the second time in a very short time I wasn’t able to save someone I cared about.
“Almighty, what is wrong with you two?”
The words sent a chill down my spine. It came from behind me, the direction Roxanne was facing. “Is that who I think it is?”
I felt her grip loosen on me followed by a very loud screech in my ear. “Khloros!! You’re alive!!!”
“Barely, thanks to you two. Could you not have waited so long?”
I turned around and made eye contact with my friend. Sure enough, the big dumb horse was standing right there. “I reached out for your soul and it was gone! I’m the master of death, I can’t be fooled?!”
He shook his head, tossing his mane around. “I cannot answer that. I remember very little of what happened from the time the ground collapsed on me until I came to.”
I didn’t care how it happened, but I was thankful that he was still here. “We can figure that out later. The job is done, let’s get the hell out of here!”
“I second that! This place is bad for my hair.”
I had no idea what Roxanne was talking about, but I decided to just go with it. “Dante said they would know when the wolves were dead. I guess we hang out here waiting for the rift to open back.”
“I hope they do not take too long. It will only be a matter of time before…”
Khloros didn’t finish the sentence. A wave of dread so bad washed over me that for a moment I was stuck in place. The same thing happened to both of them too. It passed as quickly as it came, but we all knew what that was the herald too.
“Guys, I think it’s time to go.”
Without another word, the three of us began moving, fast. Abaddon had found us.
Chapter 28 – Run Death, Run!
I was in the best shape of the three of us, but you’re only as good as your weakest link. In our case, Khloros and Roxanne were both in rough shape and not moving as fast as they could or we needed too. Help me Dante-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope!
While I was cursing my brother and the angel for not having the rift open, I also was trying to think of a way to get out of this. Then it hit me. “Khloros, can you transform back into the car?”
My suggestion caught him unprepared. “I have no idea! I have never tried that trick anywhere besides Earth.”
“Well it’d be a great time to try!”
We’d just exited the western part of the forest and back onto the barren landscape of Tartarus. The crunching noise of Abaddon and his pack was still in the distance, but closing quickly. Khloros stopped suddenly; luckily I was paying attention and did the same.
His eyes were closed, probably trying to channel his power. Under my breath, “Come on buddy, you can do this!”
Roxanne’s eyes kept darting from Khloros back to the forest. “We need to hurry, Abaddon comes!”
Shit. “We can try again later!”
I was getting ready to start running when a small flash flickered. Where Khloros had been standing was now the Ford Taurus, engine revving. Roxanne and I hopped in and we took off.
“Nice job man! This should keep us going for awhile!”
Behind us, an explosion came from the forest. Looking in the rearview mirror, I saw the horribleness that was Abaddon and his pack. It looked like someone had raided a zoo exhibit and turned all the animals into monstrous forms of themselves.
Sitting on top of what could only be described as a two headed bear with a shark’s fin was Abaddon. He looked like a Roman centurion down to the helmet and giant spatha sword in his hand. His eyes were like burning embers, their rage pointed at us.
His voice echoed across the way, clear and full of contempt. “You cannot escape Horseman! I will catch you and I will make you suffer!”
Jeez, this wasn’t my day. “Khloros keep driving as fast as you can!”
“You do not have to tell me what I already know!”
We were moving much faster this way, but Abaddon and his pack were keeping up. In fact, slowly they were closing in. I closed my eyes, reaching out to the Almighty for help. Maybe he could speed up Dante and Conquest.
Then the noise no driver ever wants to hear happened. The distinct sound of a blown tire made me cringe. “Tell me that’s just a sound effect you added to scare the shit out of me!”
“No!! We are in serious trouble!” The car started swerving to the left; probably the back driver’s tire blew. “I do not know how long I can keep us going!”
Even though I knew it was a bad idea, I looked back. Abaddon had put the sword away and had a bow in his hand. The bastard had shot our tire out! Unfortunately it worked, we were slowing down and they were catching up rapidly.
“Master, the rift is opening!”
I looked back to the front and sure enough, the white glow of the rift was taking shape in front of us. The question became would we make it in time before Abaddon caught us. Those damn creatures were getting really close.
Just when it couldn’t get worse, it did. “Damnit, tell me that’s not another tire?!”
“We have been hit again. I do not know that we will make it to the rift before they take us over.”
“How the fuck are you so calm?!” I was losing my shit. Even with my powers returning, I wouldn’t be able to protect us. “We’re so screwed!”
“Roxanne, Death, please buckle up and hold on.”
I looked at Roxanne, confused. If she was, she wasn’t showing and she quickly threw her seatbelt on. Deciding it was in my best interest to follow suit, I did. Just in time too.
I heard a clicking noise come from the back of the car and was about to ask what that was. I got the answer without even asking; followed by the clicking was the roar of a jet engine.
“Khloros, what the fuck is that??”
“This is what Azrael installed under my bumper.”
Trying to turn as the car accelerated to see what was happening, I could barely make out a streak of white. The pack had to turn out of the way, with the few of the demonic animals who didn’t getting vaporized. Khloros kept going and thankfully we went through the rift.
As we left Tartarus, I could feel the shake of the land from the fury of Abaddon. We’d made a very powerful enemy today. As the tires hit the street, I realized we were back on Earth.
I slammed my foot on the brakes, skidding Khloros to a stop. The burn marks of the road went for about a half mile. Both Roxanne and I sat there motionless; I think she was just as relieved to be back as I was.
“Death, Khloros, are you okay?”
Conquest and Dante were running towards us. I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the car. “Yeah, we’re fine. Khloros has some external damage, but I think everything’s going to be okay.”
Roxanne got out too, no longer in her more demonic form. “Can we never do that again?”
I started laughing, “I second that motion.”
As Dante closed in, he actually seemed somewhat happy. “It appears you accomplished your goal along with mine. I thank you Horseman Death.”
“I couldn’t have done it without Khloros and Roxanne. I think they deserve something for this too.”
The angel stiffened up at the mention of my favorite Lust demon, but continued. “I will see what I can do. I make no promises though.”
“Fair enough. The wolves are dead and Abaddon is royally pissed off. Good luck with whatever it is you hope to do.” Again, thank the Almighty that my part in this is over.
“Before I leave, I give you another piece of the puzzle. The axe is no longer where you believed it to be. Yuri and Veronica moved it last night on Michael’s orders.”
“Wait what?” Why would they move it from the Oval Office? More importantly, how the hell did they get in to move it?
Dante went on, “Against my better judgment, it was decided the axe was best being kept on the move. I do not like it and so I tell you. They wished for you not to know, but call this insurance.”
“Thank you Dante for telling me.”
He reached out and shook my hand. “It is time for me to return. Much as my brethren disagree, it will be you who saves Earth from Beelzebub. May the Father be with you.”
Chapter 29 – The Plan comes Together
Conquest left very shortly after Dante, saying his job had been finished. It looked like it was back to just the three of us. Khloros was in the garage and I was currently working on repairs. There was an auto parts store not too far from us, so Roxanne and I walked down to get a couple of tires and some other maintenance parts.
So while Roxanne was cooking, I was working on the car. “Let me know if this is tight enough.” I turned the wrench a little more on the wheel.
“That is perfect.”
I’d already replaced the other tire, so all that was left was to change a few spark plugs out. “So, just what the hell did Azrael put on you?”
“If I tell you, you agree never to say a word to anyone.”
I popped the hood while he was talking. “Yeah, sure?”
“Azrael fit me with some of his celestial fire. The device under the bumper contains five shots – well now four.”
“Whoa.” Even celestial being has their own way to manipulate the celestial fire. Mine forms as chains, Conquest forms his into extra deadly arrows, and so on. However, the rules state the only you may use your power. To transfer it to another being is not good.
“Azrael told me he is risking much but thinks we will need it more than he. As usual, he was right.”
As I replaced the spark plugs, I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t imagine giving someone part of my power, especially since returning to me. I’d forgotten just how much a part of me it was.
I finished up the work and said good night to Khloros. “Thanks for keeping our asses out of danger today.”
He scoffed, or at least I think he did. “You mean like every other day?”
“You’re an ass.” I shut the door to the garage before he could get the last word in. Amazing smells hit me and I followed them into the kitchen. Roxanne was just putting the finishing touches on what looked like a hamburger buffet.
“Master…”
“You mean Derrick. You really need to break that habit.”
“Right, Derrick, dinner is ready! I hope it is to your liking!”
I couldn’t tell which looked better, Roxanne or the burgers. She had changed back into her normal sexy attire – tight black pants, a low cut shirt, and heels that most strippers would have difficulty walking in. On the counter behind her was a tray full of perfectly cooked burger-y goodness complete with cheese on top.
“You’ve really outdone yourself.”
She sauntered over to me, shaking her hips the entire time. “Those will be warm for quite awhile. I am hungry too, for you.”
She put her finger up to my lip. I stopped moving and let her take over. She proceeded to deliver one of the most passionate kisses I’d ever gotten. Literally, I could feel heat coming off her lips.
As we kissed, she made short work on my clothing. My pants were on the floor with my shirt landing on top. Roxanne slowly guided me to the floor where we continued to kiss. With expert hands and not missing a beat, her shirt joined mine. I was amazed to see she wasn’t even wearing a bra. Her breasts were so full and perky that they just held up on their own.
My hands roamed over them, washing away the terrible memories of Abaddon and Tartarus, and replacing them with these orbs of goodness. Her nipples were just right, allowing me to flick them.
Roxanne giggled, “I see someone is enjoying my breasts again.”
“Sometimes I need a reminder of how awesome they are.”
She lowered them closer, letting them rub against me. Oh man did that get me going. She leaned in and kissed me, he crotch rubbing up against mine.
“I can’t even tell you how right this feels. Never has sex been so enjoyable for me.” She whispered the words in my ear, finishing with her tongue dragging over it.
“It’s really good for me too.”
She reached down and undid her pants. She slid them down far enough to free herself and let it tease my hardened muscle. It was just out of reach, but the warmth was tingling.
“Please don’t tease me like this.”
“The servant has become the master again. I should make you wait, but I don’t know if I could either.” With that, she quickly brought herself down. The slick opening devoured me, and her muscles began contracting. The pulsing was overwhelming.
Not wanting to be a dead fish, I raised my hips a bit and lifted her off the ground. I used what little leverage I had to push myself as deep as I could go. She squealed in delight as I arched myself up.
“My little sex demon likes that, doesn’t she?”
She moaned in satisfaction and began to really work me over. The gyration of her hips started picking up and before I knew it, she was orgasming.
“Ohhh… I’m sorry… ohhhhh, yes yes YES!!!”
I wasn’t quite ready yet and as she finished, I picked up the pace. She must’ve been super sensitive as each thrust brought squeals and moans. “Please… please don’t hold back. Fill me up good!”
Her begging did it, driving me to climax and I held on tight to her hips as I made sure she felt everything. With both of us now sweating and close to exhaustion, she fell on top of me and I held her.
Even breathing hard, “So we’re going to cuddle this time?”
“Sure, I think I can handle that.”
“Mas- I mean Derrick, are we advancing our relationship?”
Huh? I hadn’t really thought of it. “I guess we are. Funny, I never would’ve guessed this.”
She gave me that coy smile. “You were right, in the beginning anyways. I just was using you for protection. I figured if I found a big enough badass to take me in, that maybe Beelzebub would leave me alone.”
“That plan failed. Speaking of, we need to stop fooling around and come up with one to take out the Vice President. Hell, I even forget his name.”
She looked surprised. “The Greed demon is calling himself John Keen. That is a rather important fact.”
Hey, what can you do? I went to get up and put my pants back on. I also grabbed myself a hamburger and started to think. “Ughh, I wish I was more like Washington. There was a guy who could come up with all sorts of crazy shit and have it work.”
Roxanne grabbed a burger as well. “You mean your old human friend George Washington?”
“The very same. What I wouldn’t give to pick his brain right now. I tell you Roxanne, the guy was a genius and a hell of a warrior.”
“Do you think the angels would help?”
Ha! They wouldn’t even give me any cool weapons or gadgets, but then us Horsemen and the angels had a bit of a rivalry. “Even if they could, I wouldn’t ask. I’m already in too deep with Yuri.”
We finished our burgers and went into the living room. Cuddling on the couch while some silly TV game show was on, I dozed off.
****
“Hey, wake up you old buffoon.”
Someone was poking me in the head. It sure was annoying. “Go away; I’ve had a long day.”
“Is that anyway to talk to someone who came here to help?” He gave me another prod on the side of the head.
; Hmmm, that voice did sound familiar. “I’m waking up. Quit poking me.” I opened my eyes and sweet mercy, “George?! What the bloody hell are you doing here?”
The very imposing form of George Washington was hovering over me. Large for a human during his lifetime, he held out his frying pan for a hand and gave me a boost up. “You asked to speak to me. The Almighty saw reason in your wishes and allowed me to visit you here.”
The Big Guy upstairs was on top of everything. “Where exactly are we? I’ve been around literally forever and never had a visitor in my dreams.”
“Think of this as a war room set aside for us to use.” It looked like the living room I’d just fallen asleep in. “So, you are in need of a battle strategy Master Weems?”
Even as he said it, his knowing eyes twinkled. “Sorry that I never told you who I really was.”
“Do you think I’d believe that? I would have had you committed or worse!”
Fair point, given the times and the superstitions of the new land. “To answer your question, yes I need help coming up with a plan to take out a demon pretending to be the Vice President.”
“What about that awful Darius creature? I would see him as more of a problem.”
“On top of things as always George.” This is why the guy was so loved. “One problem at a time though.”
He crossed his fingers together. “I think you will find both problems are intertwined. You need to cut the head off the beast. Without a brain, the body will fall.”
“You want me to go after Beelzebub?”
“Does that not make sense? What he seeks is no longer in its proper home. The situation is fluid Parson and you need to adapt. That is why you failed the first time.”
I’m sure I was pouting. “What do you suggest then George? I’m all ears.”
He gestured me to the couch. “Sit down and listen to my words. The teacher is about to become the student.”
Chapter 30 – Clues for Five Hundred Please
“Are you sure about this Derrick? How do you know it was really this Washington talking to you?”