by Ryan Attard
I smiled. This was a fitting end.
The last thing Crowley saw before crumbling into dust was the symbol for serenity that I had burned into my talisman. How poetic.
Serenity: Tenzin.
I hope it gets branded into Crowley as he burns in hell.
His remains crumbled into ash and the wind swept them away. I bent down to pull out Djinn, but it held fast. I no longer had the strength to pull my own sword from the ground. Now that magic no longer nourished my body, I felt the accumulated exhaustion of using such power. I couldn’t take it. My body needed rest and forced it onto me.
My mind went blank and the last thing I felt was the cold hard sensation of the ground against my face.
Chapter 42
Now
Sun Tzu’s hands had been clenched throughout my story. “What happened afterwards?” he asked.
His grip relaxed by a fraction.
“I woke up two days later buried in snow,” I replied.
My hand snaked around the two empty whiskey bottles and grabbed a half-finished third. For a second, I considered forgoing the use of a glass—I had drunk half of our supply by myself.
But I poured more liquid courage into the glass anyway out of courtesy to Sun Tzu.
“Turns out my healing power needed some time to recharge,” I continued. The liquid didn’t even burn as it descended down my throat. “So, two days in a coma and I was good as new.” I poured another shot. “I was so freaked out by the whole experience. I saw myself become something I couldn’t describe. I mean, I get it, you know. We use magic, we create stuff that’s not ordinary. We manipulate science. I get that. But when I felt that connection…” I paused and tried not to freak out too much.
It had been years since I had thought about that day. I mean, yeah, it had always been there, like a sore spot at the back of my head, but I’d never brought it to the spotlight.
“That was more power than any person should have,” I said. “So, after I came to, I tried feeling out for that power again. I thought it was the forest but I found nothing. Now, I’m starting to think that whatever’s inside of me triggered it.”
“Yeah, you’re just about right.” Amaymon was in human form again, with his legs propped up on the table and a bottle of Jager all to himself. “Ain’t no forest got no power. When people say they feel a particular place has got a certain aura, they’re talkin’ about a Nexus. But when you went all He-Man, that wasn’t a Nexus. You pulled on the plane’s power. This entire universe, this entire plane of existence, was pumpin’ you up.”
“So that’s my secret ability?” I asked incredulously. “Leech off the damn planet?”
“Not quite,” Sun Tzu said. “I believe that Crowley might have given you the answers which you seek.”
“Oh, this should be good.”
Sun Tzu ignored me. “I believe he mentioned Prime, did he not?”
“Yes.”
“I am led to believe that he was referring to Chi, the energy of life,” he said. “That is your ability.”
“I’m confused.”
“Ain’t that a surprise,” Amaymon remarked. “Listen up. This thing called Prime, it goes by many names. Prime, Core, Spark, Chi, whatever. Even Life magic. It all refers to the same thing. It’s the energy that created the universe and keeps it spinning. It’s what links the dimensions and planes together. It creates bonds between different planes, between man and magic.”
I stared at Amaymon, trying to comprehend what he had just said.
“So, in essence, I control the fabric of life?” I asked.
“From what I heard, it controls you,” he said with a smirk.
“You get what the hell you’re suggesting?” I asked. “I can’t even light a damn candle without rolling in pain-”
“Which is often hilarious.”
“-so how is it possible that I control Life magic or Prime or whatever it’s called? It’s just insane.”
“But a link definitely exists,” Sun Tzu said.
“A link to what?” My voice grew hysterical. “It’s a power that exists only in mythology.”
“And you live in a world where mythology and reality often intersect,” Sun Tzu said. His voice was stern, like a headmaster reprimanding a child. “Tenzin told you to accept who you are. Honor him and heed his advice.”
I shut up and listened. Talking about Tenzin had been hard enough. Now, Sun Tzu was using that against me. Well, it may have been for my own good, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.
“Okay, so I have this power,” I said with a self-defeated tone. “Now what?”
Sun Tzu’s eyes softened. “You must understand the nature of your power. When lost, one must retrace one’s steps and start the journey anew. You must learn who you are again.”
“You got the power,” Amaymon said. “Once you understand it, you can control it.”
“And how do I do that?” I asked.
“Call me when you find out,” he said as he raised his shoulders.
I sighed.
Basically, I had to understand a power I knew nothing about, without any outside help or clues of any kind.
Oh, and I had to solve it quickly, because according to Amaymon and Mephisto, without this power, we had no chance against the Sins.
Hold my calls, this might take a while.
“Perhaps you could ask your sibling for advice,” Sun Tzu said. “I am certain that, as your twin, she must be experiencing a similar flux of power herself. Remember, this power affects both of you.”
“I’m not exactly on the best of terms with her,” I replied. “This discussion might just send us back to hating each other’s guts.”
“But you must look past your differences,” he insisted. “This is no time for petty squabbles. The fate of the universe is at stake.”
“Geez, okay, okay,” I said, taken back. “I’ll talk to her.”
Sun Tzu calmed down. Not that he had moved or indicated any change in his serene composure. It was the aura around him—it went from calm, to highly aggressive, to peaceful again.
Amaymon tutted. Sun Tzu shot him a look, and the demon’s eyes clearly indicated that he had discovered some insight as to Sun Tzu’s nature but intended on keeping it to himself.
“Speaking of ice,” Amaymon said, breaking the sudden tension. “What happened once you thawed out? How’d you make it down the mountain?”
I nodded. That was the hint: change the subject before things get too bad. And I did not want to mess with Sun Tzu. Never, ever, screw around with old kung-fu guys. It rarely ends well.
“Same way I got there,” I said. “I walked.”
***
Approximately 8 years ago
I did not stop by the mansion on my way back to the city. I had seen enough pain and destruction and had no desire to see any more. Gil had made it clear that I wasn’t welcome there—not that I would have returned.
I wanted to get out of that forest. I wanted—no, I needed—to detach myself from that power.
Never again, I thought.
I would never experience that again, so long as I got the hell away from Trinity and Gil, the mansion, and the whole can of worms.
I would go back to the city and start fresh.
Tenzin had inspired me to do what he did. I could wander around helping others. There were plenty of monsters so I might as well use my power for some good. God knows there were better Warlocks than me, but they all did it for profit.
No, I decided, I will not be like that. I will not be a Warlock. I will be my own person, just a guy with some magic and a shiny sword. And I won’t make money my priority. I will carry out Tenzin’s legacy instead.
Doing kindness for the sake of kindness.
Heck, someone had to be the good guy, and I didn’t see anyone else stepping up. Someone had to protect the underdog.
I could fight for them, make sure that monsters didn’t take away their lives and families like Crowley and Dad did mine.
I was power
ful, and I could choose to do the right thing.
Not a lot of sixteen-year-olds say that. But as I said before, I didn’t fall into the ‘normal’ category. It felt good to come to that conclusion, it felt right.
This was my calling, and I accepted it.
The opportunity came about two weeks later. Call it whatever you want: divine intervention, luck, probability.
I called it catching a break.
He was the owner of several clubs around the city. I distinctly remember him from my night escapades when I used to sneak out for a bit of fun.
This particular club was more of a lounge, and a crappy one at that. The place was a mess and a half, with termite-ridden furniture, cracked walls, and a paint job from World War One.
He told me it hadn’t been used in years, decades even. He had inherited it, like he had with the other clubs, but it was too far from populated areas and just too damn small. The owner was in a ton of debt already, so he couldn’t afford to upgrade it. Two clubs were enough, he had said.
So he was looking to get rid of the place. He said it would make a nice office, if my standards weren’t too high. Only problem was, he couldn’t get rid of the place yet.
Not when a family of poltergeists had taken up residence.
And that was where I came into the picture. I had told him I’d take care of it. He wanted to call Child Protective Services. I showed him Djinn. He told me all about the place and left me to my devices.
Turns out, I didn’t need a friendly magical dog—I had a glowing magic sword.
I’m not going to recount every single detail of the event, but the gist of it was I won and the poltergeists lost. Not that they had presented much of a challenge. Some of them tried to fight; most just panicked.
The worst part was the noise. Why is it that guys who can’t handle themselves always yell the loudest?
By the time I was finished with them, only an antique boom box remained, which had MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This” looping through it. I’m not one for rap music, but after the second “Stop! Hammer time,” I began to appreciate that eighty’s classic.
Besides, it drowned the poltergeists’ incessant yelling, which was a bonus.
I later find out that the guy who hired me had been in league with the damn things all along. He had no money to pay me with, as he never expected me to make it out in one piece. So, I pinned him down, did a light show with Djinn, and demanded he change his ways or I’d come find him.
The guy wet himself.
Then I asked for payment. He had none. But he was a businessman, so he cut me a deal.
“Take the place,” he had said. “It’s yours.”
I remember looking around and wrinkling my nose. This place was a dump. But then again, I needed a place to stay, and nothing would ever be as glamorous as the mansion.
I looked at it again with new eyes. This place was well suited for me. Like me, it needed to start over.
It’s amazing what a little bit of perspective does.
“I’ll take it,” I had said as I threw him out.
I remember spending half an hour just staring at the place, until I no longer saw a piece of crap, but the opportunity for a future.
A base of operations, I thought. For the first time in weeks, a genuine smile stretched on my lips.
Welcome home, Erik.
Chapter 43
Now
The twinkle in Sun Tzu’s eyes was evident.
“Doing good for the sake of it,” he said. Even from his seated position, he managed a slight bow. “My friend, you have earned even more of my respect today. I am proud of you, as I am sure Tenzin is in the afterlife.”
A lump formed in my throat, and I felt my cheeks flush. Damn old man was going to make me cry.
The ever-empathic Amaymon, completely oblivious to our moment of sentiment, jumped up and down in his chair like a hyperactive five-year-old.
“Oh, oh,” he hollered. “My turn, my turn. Tell him about when your sister brought me over for the first time.” He chuckled and leaned over to Sun Tzu.
“You’re gonna love this one, Gramps,” he said gleefully, completely ignoring the uncomfortable look Sun Tzu was giving him. “I star in this one.”
“No, you don’t,” I shot back.
“Yeah, I do.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Yeah! I do!”
“You don’t!”
“I do,” he insisted.
“Dude, I’m a freakin’ adult,” I said. “Are we really doing this?”
“Just tell the damn story.”
***
Approximately 8 years ago
The place was still in shambles when Gil showed up. I had just put up a new door and started a paint job.
Money had become a problem.
I did favors and jobs for people around the area. It seemed monsters and horrors were aplenty in this town. Sometimes, I traded my services for supplies, other times I earned enough money to buy what I needed.
Word soon spread about some kid who took care of supernatural problems. Most of the time, it was superstitious idiots who wanted a light show or just to challenge me. I got money up front whenever I could, especially if I thought they were trying to con me.
The place was still barren, with not even so much as a picture or a stick of furniture. I’d bought a mattress for eight bucks and put it in whichever room or corner the paint fumes didn’t reach. I lived off two sandwiches a day and in complete solitude.
But I was happy. This situation was only temporary. I never lost sight of the big picture—this was my new home. For once, I was in control of what I did. From here on out I would call my own shots.
So, you can imagine how thrilled I was when I thought I’d gotten my first client at the door.
The doorbell, freshly bought a couple of days before, rang, and I skipped through planks of wood and cans of paint to answer it. My very first client. This was officially the start of my business. I opened the door to reveal my sister standing in the afternoon sun, holding a black cat in her arms.
“Hello, brother.”
My enthusiasm died faster than you could say ‘let down’.
“Ah, hell.”
“Happy housewarming.” She lifted the cat and literally threw it at me. The feline latched onto my arms and let out a sad meow.
“You bought me a cat?” I asked, confused, as I tried to keep the cat from tearing my shirt to shreds. It calmed down and seemed content with just curling in my arms like an infant. “What’s her name?”
“I’m a guy, dude.”
Gil wasn’t the one who answered me. I looked down at the cat. There was something about that voice, that cockiness. Where had I heard it before?
I remembered the wooden carving of a cat, remarkably similar to the one in my arms.
“Amaymon?”
“S’up,” he said as he licked his paw.
I held the cat in my outstretched hands. “You brought me a demon?” I asked Gil exasperatedly.
She shrugged, hiding a grin. “You remember our deal with Mephisto? I can’t have two demons running amuck in one house, Erik. Besides, that thing’s a menace,” she said, glaring at the cat.
“Meow,” the cat cutely replied.
Gil glared some more. “Is that all you have to say for yourself?”
Amaymon meowed again and a vein on Gil’s neck throbbed. I had to admit, the cat was scoring points like mad.
“If you don’t want him, Erik,” she said, “I can always throw him in the nearest pool and leave him to drown. We technically upheld our end of the bargain with Mephisto. What happens to Amaymon after his release is not our concern.”
Amaymon shook violently and managed to wrap himself around my arm. I let go in shock, but he clung to my shoulder in despair.
“Please. I’ll behave, I’ll behave, I swear,” he begged. “Just get me away from the psycho broad.”
Gil tutted and that vein throbbed again. She searched in
her pocket and extracted a silver pendant with a ruby.
“Your call, Erik,” she said, dangling the pendant like a hypnotist’s pocket watch.
Judging by the power I felt from that thing, it was probably the key to this demon’s powers. Whoever controlled that controlled the demon himself.
I snatched it from her. “I’ll keep him.”
Possibilities were already going through my head. A demon familiar, particularly one who owed me a huge favor, would be extremely helpful. That is, if I could keep him in check. At the very least, I’ll stop talking to myself.
I invited Gil in. She wrinkled her nose at the smell of paint but said nothing. She didn’t even complain when I sat her on a cardboard box and took another as my seat while using a third to hold our coffee mugs. Amaymon had found a bag of Doritos and ripped it open.
“Nice place,” she said. I heard the sarcasm emanating from her voice.
“I know,” I shot back.
Her eyes narrowed. “Rumor has it that a superhero has appeared in Eureka. Some teenager with a glowing blue sword and a Ghostbusters act.”
“I tried to get Spiderman but the flights from New York are a bitch,” I replied.
“What the hell are you doing, Erik?” she asked seriously.
“Oh, you know, just the usual,” I replied nonchalantly. “Started a business, killed some monsters, saved the day. Just your run-of-the-mill superhero stuff. Minus the spandex and the cape.”
I leaned forward.
“Why the questions, Gil? You got a problem with my newfound independence?” I asked darkly.
“I don’t give a damn what you do, Erik,” she said coolly. “It’s not like you’ll be interfering with my business ventures.” Her eyes darkened. “They, however, may not share my opinion.”
“They?”
“Yes. They. The authorities. The big guns. The ones truly in control.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
She let out a chuckle. “Listen up, brother, because I am only going to say this once. I may even be killed for revealing their existence but I suppose you have earned the right to know. Think of it as a peace offering.”