What was supposed to happen next was the extraction of Jesus’ life force into the amulet, pass through, and expel all the energy from the other side into Lucifer, giving him the greater balance of power between him and God. What actually happened was the narrow green light beam diffracted into a million tiny sparks, blasting Toomak and Lucifer thirty feet through the air to both land stunned at the feet of the angel who was now free from protecting Joseph and was closing in to help Jesus.
The professor ran out from the bushes and helped Jesus to his feet. Lowering his hands away from his burning chest, Jesus revealed the original amulet that the professor had previously taken from Tyler’s bag and thrown to his aid when the flash of Lucifer’s fireball blinded all around. Jesus carefully lifted the medallion from around his neck and returned it with gratitude.
With his great knowledge and quick thinking, Professor Appleyard had figured that the two amulets probably shared the same charge of negative energy and when brought together they would hopefully cancel each other out or possibly oppose each other, similar to the same repelling force shared by the matching poles of magnets when brought into close proximity. What he did not expect was the massive feedback caused by the superior power of the original that unbeknownst to him had been energised by the devil himself. Blasting the assailants twenty yards across the clearing.
Fearing for their master, the winged demons ceased the fight and flocked together around Lucifer as he recovered from the blast. As the evil duo wearily got to their feet, the angel had walked forwards into the clearing, spread his wings, and while chanting reached skywards. Another wider shaft of light now shone down from the heavens illuminating the two together in its radiant glow. Toomak cowered in terror then fascinated, watched as Lucifer angrily snatched up one of the demons, tore open its throat with his razor sharp teeth, and sprayed a line of blackened blood onto the dusty earth. Everyone now watched as the ground begin to tremble then along the line of the blood stain suddenly tear wide apart. Sand and dry grasses poured down its sides like a waterfall as the chasm opened and a fiery red glow emitted from the hidden depths tinting the sulphurous smoke that plumed high into the air. Without warning, Lucifer threw the deceased demon into the chasm then leaped directly from his position and disappeared straight into the abyss, followed by his flock of demons, swarming through the crack in the ground like sea birds diving into the surf to feed on shoals of fish. Toomak tried to follow, but as she ran and launched herself through the air the last demon dived through and the fissure clamped shut without leaving a single trace that it was there at all. Toomak fell heavily to the ground and as she recovered her senses, Balthazar grabbed the duffle bag from the professor’s hands, and limped towards her with the intention of covering her head to protect everyone from her hypnotic eyes. Toomak saw him coming and ducked as he lumbered in her direction, still hampered by the wound she had inflicted to his leg. While rolling out of the way, she spied her amulet lying half buried in the dirt, jumped up, ran over and picked it up. Time again seemed to slow down as Toomak took aim at Jesus and everyone ran to try to stop her. Expecting the attack, she whispered an incantation under her breath while holding aloft her free arm, stopping everyone in their tracks. Unable to move, the unusual assembly stared in horror as Toomak once again targeted Jesus standing impassionedly before her.
“I’ve waited such a long time for this and now my initial plans are ruined. But If I can’t give your soul to my master, at least I will have the pleasure of making your body my slave and watch as you turn your disciples into preachers of evil and hatred, creating an army of darkness that will one day rule the world.”
Toomak threw back her head and cackled as she finished her speech then settled her gaze back on Jesus as her cantillation began. Bereft of the power of speech, Jesus could only stand and stare as the emerald once again flashed a rhythmic glow in the centre of the amulet. Faster and faster it pulsed, like an excited heartbeat, and all anyone could do was watch and pray for Jesus’ fate. Toomak’s eyes widened in awe as a white aura expanded around her clenched hands, but instead of floating towards Jesus, the aura expanded until Toomak stood completely engulfed in its soft glow. In panic, she stopped her rhythmic chanting but it was already too late, the incantation was complete and the energy produced must find a home. What she had failed to notice when the first attempt at Jesus backfired, was a hairline fracture running through the emerald rendering it completely incapable of projecting the energy in which she now stood completely immersed. This was caused by its unsuitable foundation in the amulets imitation gold and the lack of a hollow outer ring that stabilises the force allowing it to be channelled in the desired direction. Toomak screamed as the veins under her skin lit up as the pure white light coursed through her body. Dropping the amulet as her fingernails turned into liquid, she fell to her knees as laser thin beams blasted from her fingertips and reflected repeatedly from the inner surface of the aura’s glowing outer shell. Free from her hex, everyone ran for cover as Toomak cowered in terror while her whole head pulsated and glowed, growing to four times its original size and projecting beams of energy through her eyeballs, ears, and open mouth. Grey smoke began to rise from her smouldering flesh as the fluid within her body began to boil. A blinding flash turned her robes into ash revealing her naked torso glowing as bright as the sun then every piece of soft flesh melted and dripped onto the earth leaving an animated skeleton writhing on the ground. Finally the blackened bones softened and folded before disintegrating into a pile of grey powder as the aura completely vanished. Balthazar was the first to return to the scene and inspect the residue. Ignoring the acrid stench, he carefully picked out the hot damaged amulet with Toomak’s dagger, then snorting deeply; he hacked up a plug of yellow sputum and expectorated into the glowing embers as a mark of disgust before turning his back on the sorry site. Jesus looked saddened by the spectacle as he shook his head silently then suddenly gasped for breath from the accumulation of his injuries and fell to the ground, close to death once more. The angel picked Jesus up and carried him back into the tomb followed painfully by Joseph who was aided to the entrance by Balthazar.
Unsure what to do next, the gathering waited patiently outside until the familiar green glowing disc appeared on the earth and the portal opened before them. As promised, appeared the Guardian who listened intently as Balthazar explained what had happened then handed the Guardian the damaged amulet.
Satisfied with the explanation, the Guardian allowed Balthazar to go and he limped into the tomb weeping openly at the sight of his little prince dying for a second time. Jesus had meant to sacrifice himself for all to see and then prove to be the Son of God by returning from the dead to carry on his mission to unite mankind to live in peace and harmony. However the battle had taken its toll and he no longer possessed the strength to fulfil his wish.
Jesus looked at the injury to Balthazar’s leg and placed his own hand over the wound. He closed his eyes in concentration but tears still found their way through and rolled down his cheeks until the bleeding stopped and the wound completely healed. He then reached out for Josephs’ hand and gripped it tight. In an instant his broken bones healed, relieving Joseph from his physical pain.
“As I no longer possess the strength to return from the dead, I have two requests before I die. One is for my earthly body to be removed and buried in an unmarked grave. I do not wish this tomb to be a place of pilgrimage but for my spirit to be within everyone. The second is for my disciples to meet once more where my spirit will appear and ask them to spread the word of God.”
These were the last words of Jesus, and as requested, Joseph carried his nephew’s body from the tomb then watched as Balthazar rolled the giant boulder back across the entrance, sealing the tomb for the night. He was ready return the next morning to remove it once more when the myrrhbearers come to anoint the body. This would signify that Jesus had risen from the dead and they must go and spread the word.
The Guardian ushered the gathering b
ack through the portal and as the last one passed through, it closed, leaving the group in total darkness. They were all soon back in the boat and the gathering sat silently, alone with their thoughts as the angel powered craft sailed soundlessly through the mist. The professor retrieved the amulet from his bag to give it back to Tyler when he noticed a change to its design.
“Well would you look at that, the pentagram has reverted back to its original position.”
Everyone turned to look at the amulet as it revolved on the chain. Even the Guardian raised an eyebrow but he kept his opinions to himself. Eventually the boat stopped and everyone climbed out. This time the angel waited for the Guardian as he addressed the group before allowing anyone to disembark.
“I hope you are all satisfied with your assist in the defeat of Toomak. Your meddlesome experimentation into the afterlife nearly caused the end of humanity, almost tipping the balance of power into the hands of Satan himself. However, if you are all expecting my gratitude for your efforts, then you will be sorely disappointed. You have all been extremely fortunate to come back unscathed and when you return to your own time I forbid you to interfere any further.”
The Guardian once again gave each member of the group a token to pay for the journey and after they had all climbed out of the craft, the Guardian turned his back on the stunned group and reopened a portal back into their own time. When everyone had passed through and without another word, the Guardian immediately closed the portal behind them.
CHAPTER FIFTY
Tired and weary the gang headed for the exit when they heard the upper door slam shut and the familiar figure of Dean Sutherland descended the stairs with Gillian Taylor-Smith in close attendance. The gathering stood shell-shocked and weary, unable to offer any defence as the smug looking dean reached the bottom and faced the group.
“My my, what have we here?”
The dean began as he dramatically furrowed his eyebrows and stroked an imaginary beard between his thumb and index finger of his right hand.
“I thought that I might find Mr Jackson and one or two of his friends with the stolen laboratory equipment, but apparently I see that my associate Mr Earnest Appleyard embroiled in the whole sordid affair.”
Dean Sutherland turned smugly to face Gillian who looked as if she was about to explode with excitement as she jumped lightly up and down on the spot, clapping her hands at the same time.
“Let them go, they had nothing to do with this, it was all my idea, they just followed my instructions.”
Professor Appleyard announced, pushing his way to the front of the group.
“Extremely noble of you my good fellow, but I have been waiting to rid this fine establishment of certain impurities that sully its reputation.”
As he spoke he stared directly at Henry who leaned forwards ready to retaliate, but before he could take a step, Carl lunged at the surprised dean and grabbed him by the throat. Gillian squealed as Tyler and George managed to prise Carl’s fingers away from the dean’s neck before he got himself into any more trouble. Red faced and choking, the dean sat back on the edge of a table while he regained his composure.
“You’ll pay for that, attempted murder, you are all witnesses.”
The dean rasped through his sore throat as he waved a pointed finger at the astonished faces. As everything calmed down, Henry walked back to collect his shoulder bag and returned with a bottle of water for the dean.
“I’m not touching it if your lips have been round it.”
The dean sneered, but remarkably Henry remained calm and shrugged his shoulders as he returned the bottle to his bag. Regaining his composure, the dean straightened up and made his demands.
“Professor Appleyard, I want your resignation on my desk, first thing in the morning. Carl Barker, your drug dealing days here are now over. I want you, your houseboat, and this tart who seems very attached to you, off the campus within the next twenty-four hours.”
Chelsea stamped her foot and huffed as Carl placed a comforting arm across her shoulders.
“George Harding, Tyler Morgan and Mary Callaghan, you are all expelled with immediate effect.”
Stunned and silent, the gathering watched the dean point his finger at Marion and continue his speech.
“I don’t know who this young filly is, but I assume she is attached to someone and therefore banned from the university grounds.”
Marion glared at the dean, disgusted at the filly reference, but George firmly squeezed her hand and she remained silent.
“Finally we come to Mr Henry Jackson. I have waited a long time for this moment and finally it has arrived. You are expelled from the university with immediate effect and will be charged with the theft of university property along with everybody else here present.”
Everyone gasped at the killer blow, but the smile on the dean’s face told them that this was not the end of it.
“I am a reasonable man and therefore I will offer Mr Jackson a deal. I will drop all the charges of theft against your colleagues if you take responsibility for your friend’s attempt on my life.”
Gillian clapped her hands at the dean’s Machiavellian twist to the plot as all the others talked at once in protest at the offer. Again, Henry appeared not to be paying attention, aggravating the dean’s patience.
“Are you listening to me boy?”
The dean shouted and Henry finally lifted his head revealing a board smile.
“Everything you said Dean Sutherland, but on behalf of everyone involved, I refuse your offer and politely request that you turn around, walk away and I will say no more about it.”
The dean’s face flushed with rage at Henry’s insolence and spittle flew from his mouth as he began to yell.
“How dare you talk to me like that? Do you have any idea, how much trouble you and all your friends are in? I have control over all your futures and I...”
The dean stopped mid-sentence as the sound of his own voice coming from inside Henry’s shoulder bag.
“Gillian Taylor-Smith, you’ve been a very naughty girl. Report to Dean Sutherland’s office for a good spanking.”
Everyone stared at Henry’s bag, and then at Henry, who beamed the biggest smile back at his friends at the sound of the dean’s voice. Gillian’s face flushed crimson, and sobbing with embarrassment she turned and ran up the stairs.
The dean’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water as the sound of Gillian’s voice replaced his own.
“Dean Sutherland, I hope you have a licence for that, big boy.”
The gathering laughed more out of relief than humour with the realisation that the dean was completely beaten and he hung his head in his own chagrin. Henry lifted his pocket recorder out of his bag and stopped the tape as the sexual content grew stronger, sparing the group from hearing any more than they cared for.
The tired gathering chuckled as they collected their coats, and one by one filed passed the dean who just stared at the floor while they climbed the stairs and walked out of the building to savour the tranquil fresh air and watery autumn sunshine.
EPILOGUE
The Guardian stood at the end of the wooden jetty, patiently waiting for the arrival of one very special guest. As usual a tiny speck of light appeared in the distance and steadily grew into the familiar shape of the faceless angel powered craft as it serenely approached its destination. On board was not the usual eclectic mix of lost souls taking their final journey, but a group of ten angels surrounding one passenger who stared defiantly when she caught the Guardian’s eye.
The craft drew silently to a halt and the ten angels stood up, removed a wing feather to pay for the journey, and then carefully placed it on the bench where they had just been seated.
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