My Demonic Ghost #3: Hunters and Creators

by Maree, Jacinta

  “Evan!” I pulled him back to me, shaking my head. I had seen the destruction; I had seen the Hunters and the power at Miira’s control. “You won’t come back if you leave.”

  He shook his head unfazed, “I’ll come back. No matter what.”

  He let my hands go and turned away. Darkness blanketed the skies and I felt myself tear up. Remorse was a giant lump in my throat that I just couldn’t swallow. Thunder boomed from above, and sunlight vanished as gloomy blue smoke rose from the soil beneath our feet. Evan hesitated and he glanced up at the abrupt change. All the spirits scattered in fear. Creators emerged from their animal forms, encircling me.

  I brought my hand to my eyes and discovered my tears were black and thick. “W-What?” I whispered. Evan quickly returned.

  “Rachael are you okay? What’s wrong?” He then tilted my chin, “Your eyes are black again…”

  That’s right.... I had dark eyes. The first time I died I turned into a Banished with black eyes. It happened so long ago I had forgotten about it. Thunder crashed across the land once more as the enraged Creators stalked closer.

  “Wh-what’s going on?” I stuttered as Evan glanced around frantically. The Creators arched their backs, threatened by my presence. Black tears kept escaping my eyes and I suddenly clutched my stomach and vomited. More black liquid escaped my body as I choked on my breaths.

  “No…No you can’t do this…” Evan put himself in front of me, barring the Creators from my body. “Get back! Get back! Just leave her alone!”

  “E-Evan?” He turned around in time to watch more darkness dribble from my nose and ears, and excruciating pain started to tremble from the base of my spine. It moved upwards, causing goose bumps to rise to the top of my pale skin and my muscles to clench. I could feel my bones breaking. My lungs filled with the darkness. I couldn’t spit it out and the black goo dripped down my forehead from my hair follicles. Panicking, I kept wiping my mouth to clear my airways, but I couldn’t breathe. The Creators shoved Evan aside easily as they raced up to me.

  Evan’s distant howls of, ‘No! No! Leave her alone!’ were lost when the Creators shoved me backward and out of their realm.

  “Evan?” I gurgled as I disappeared from their world and landed harshly on my back.

  Chapter Forty-Six:

  I groaned and turned over. Wiping my face clear I saw a quiet, dense forest with a gentle layer of fog shimmering on top of the grass. The trees were crooked and seemed to stretch forever in an unnatural silence. Not even the gentle hum of bugs lived in this jungle. It didn’t feel right; it was like a photo had been stretched up in front of me. The goo that wept continuously from my hair smelled of rotten fish, I had to tilt my head back to stop it from smothering me. Pain anchored me to the ground, my muscles knotted in pain. The fall must’ve paralysed me, because I couldn’t lift my knees or wiggle my toes.

  I didn’t know ghosts could be harmed or feel pain, but here I was in a bed of leaves feeling every ache pulsate through me. What the hell is happening to me? I didn’t understand why I had been exiled from the one place meant to welcome all types of spirits, or why darkness was leeching out of my body like play dough being pushed through a strainer. There was a low hum against my ear drums, like a revving purr coming from inside my head. I tried to rattle it out, but the weeping darkness kept clogging my throat.

  Through the mess, I could hear Evan’s echoing cry off in the distance. “Rachael?”

  I froze as all my muscles locked. My ribs shattered and I screamed, only to be suffocated by the black, syrupy goo. I hoisted myself up into a tree, so I sat awkwardly, and peered down at my legs. It took me two seconds to comprehend what was happening to my body. My skin all along my legs had started to melt and fuse together. I watched, helplessly, as my flesh melted into puddles on the ground, which had me bending over and vomiting again.

  No! No! No! No! Stop it! Stop it! I desperately tried to force my legs apart, but the sticky tar forming between each thigh refused to separate. Every time I pulled, strings kept them attached, drawing them back in so my knees knocked together. The worst part was when my bones fused together and formed a thick stumpy tail.

  “Rachael?” Evan called again, his voice venturing closer and closer. I panicked; using my arms, I heaved myself through the thick trees and shrubs. Blinded and scared, I pulled myself forward on my stomach, my nails digging into the dirt as the weight behind me held me to an incredibly slow pace. I hit a ditch and tumbled down, landing on my back again, wheezing. Pockets opened in my torso, pushing aside what I could only imagine to be bone and muscle; and five more arms sprouted. I could hear the orchestra of bones snapping and popping into place. The pain was so intense I couldn’t stand it any longer. I wanted to scream, but the fluid choked me, forcing me to just grit my teeth and bear it. Seven arms, weeping hair, and a tail. This could only mean one thing. Am I turning into Mother? Angry, I thrashed; my new tail whipped out and cut through a tree, toppling it over.

  “Rachael?” Evan called to me as he rushed towards my direction. I didn’t want him to see me like this. I didn’t want anyone to see me. Rachael… A female voice echoed through the woods in a hot whisper. Evan got closer, his shouts closing in on my location. I didn’t know how to move with this new tail and my body felt so heavy. I convulsed like a fish flops out of water.

  Rachael… The gentle voice called again, Pick up the mask.

  “Rachael? Rachael! Can you hear me?”

  Don’t come any closer! I don’t want you to see! I shrieked, but only clicks escaped my mouth. I was completely blind now, no matter how much I wiped my face the goo wasn’t clearing.

  Take the mask!

  Where’s the mask? Where is it?

  My eyes adjusted to the dark and I found my vision behind the veil of muck starting to change. It was slow and subtle, but soon I was able to see objects and sense presences that I hadn’t before. Even with my human eyes, I’d never seen as clearly as I did now looking through the curtain of Mother’s hair. My tail had grown long and thick and damp green scales climbed up my torso. My arms snapped and cracked into place before I awkwardly pulled myself into a seated position. My back seemed to move sinuously, like a ripple bouncing back and forth against a wall. There were masks in my palms that I hadn’t even realised I had been holding. Seven arms for seven masks; even though the marks looked distorted, each one emitted a unique colour and smell. Each type of pheromone I could recognise. Vanity, Lust… I inhaled deeply, Gluttony, Greed and Wrath…

  There was one mask in particular that drew me towards it; its foreign aroma didn’t belong to a Sin, but to something far more powerful. Twigs snapped overhead as I brought the mask up to my face, remembering how Mother used to control the power. I clasped it in place just as Evan leapt into view. I was swallowed into the mask before he could say anything, I wasn’t even sure if he knew it was me beneath the darkness.

  Chapter Forty-Seven:

  Silence. Heat. Blinding colours. I remained frozen to the ground, too scared to move. Why is this happening? Why? Weakness kept me from panicking. I opened my eyes, peering through the dark veil, the sloppy warmth oozing down my neck. I twisted around so I was on my stomach. The air was thick with heavy fog. Moving was awkward because my legs felt extremely tender - or maybe I should start calling it my tail as it curled in beneath me. When all seven of my arms lifted up at the same time I nearly shrieked! It felt so surreal, the bones moved from the different joints along my torso as they branched off from my spine. I couldn’t imagine what my insides looked like; all I knew was that they felt like a bony knots in the centre of my body. The fence lined trees and pasty glaze of mist felt too familiar, this must be the land of Sloth.

  As I rose, the lazy Sin greeted me by the trees, she lounged on her stomach with her hands clasped underneath her chin. She was on a thick branch above my head, her long knotted hair dangling over the side. She said nothing, but watched me cautiously with a hint of fearful respect. As usual, her eyes were a maelstrom of
stormy blues and greys shone like beacons through the gloom. The last time I had been with Sloth, she tried to drown me into unconsciousness. Was this my life now? Surviving as Mother, becoming the new Gate Way to the Seven Sins? How did this even happen?

  “Rachael?” I twisted around as another spirit stepped forward. Her blue cloak blended well with the moonlight that spilled from above, hiding her completely among the haze. I went to speak, but the words tangled in my throat. “How nice of you to visit. I see you’ve bought Mother.”

  I remember you, you’re the Blue Spirit! You have to help me! I begged to her telepathically. Why is this happening?

  “You’ve been marked. She must’ve planted a small part of herself inside of you a long time ago. Did she ever touch you or scratch you?” The Blue spirit paused to let me ponder. She had scratched me years ago; she left a scar on my ankle. The Blue Spirit continued on, “How clever of her! I must’ve ruined her plans, though, when I put you back in your body all those years ago.”

  Mother was counting on me to die? Don’t tell me she has been inside me the whole time?

  “She’s been quite patient. You have her stunning black eyes…” She cooed.

  Black eyes… I squeezed my eyes shut; I don’t want to be the new Mother.

  “You’re not the new Mother; Mother still exists only she exists within you. Soon your mind will start to divide as you melt into her. As long Mother is by your side, the Sins will be at your command. Imagine what that type of power would feel like! Imagine if you could control the Seven Temptations.”

  A thought bloomed within me. I would be able to control the Sins… Does that mean I could use them to fight?

  The Blue Spirit smiled with a brisk nod of her head, “The war could change, the Reapers and Banished will not have to suffer anymore. But it would come at a price. The longer you remain with Mother the harder it’ll be to remove her from you. I can take her out now, and you’ll go back to the Third Realm to remain eternally with the boy you love, or you can wait and risk being consumed by her forever.”

  I gulped slowly. My mind raced, but I couldn’t think. I thought I had already made my noble sacrifice. I thought for sure that I was at my happy ending, only to have it stripped from me. To remain as Mother forever was unimaginable, but letting thousands of people die was even more unforgiveable. Even if I returned to the third realm, I would spend the rest of my time knowing I had condemned millions to slaughter. Banished… Reapers… Jordon, Gargoyle and Evan. Did I even have a choice? I hoisted myself up onto my tail’s hump. It had grown longer; my skin was turning into scales and the colours faded into a swampy green. Anything human left in me was disappearing.

  To stop Miira’s corruption; to save the Reapers and Banished and rescue humanity; to free Evan from his banishment … I will do this.

  I looked up at the Blue Spirit to find she wasn’t smiling anymore. She understood my sacrifice as much as I did, and she mourned my loss. I turned to her with one last plea. Destroy me before I become her. I want to die as Rachael. With all my strength, I pulled myself up onto my tail and hoisted myself into a stand. I was taller and stronger than I was before. As fast as my strength grew, my ability to think faded.

  “I’ll take you to them.” The Blue Spirit floated to my side and took me by an elbow. As soundless as shifting shadows, we stepped through the portal of the Sin realm and into the sombre chilly night of the streets outside. I tilted my head up at my human sky as if I had been apart from it for too long. I could feel the world and the people crying, and it was heartbreaking.

  “You will have to act fast, summon the Sins, and take Miira from her throne. Only then will I take you from this body…” The Blue Spirit whispered.

  Won’t you stay and help? I pleaded, but she shook her head.

  “I will only do my job. That is all.” She smiled gently before disappearing.

  Devastation plagued the cities as a bushfire scorches its way through forests. Buildings had snapped and crumpled to ruins, the roads were splintered like veins, and the skies were clouded by storms and smoke. People evacuated with nowhere to go, others just hid inside their basements, praying for a saviour.

  I still didn’t know how to control my new found body, its movement awkward. No longer able to walk, I had to shift my weight from side to side like a counterbalance. It was easier to pull myself around on my arms though, so I opted to do that. I was at the base of a multi-level parking lot where I caught the scent, like pollen tickling my nose, the small band of Reapers hidden in one of the levels closer to the roof. The block was deserted and completely doused in shadows. I faded into the shadow; and as if walking through a dark straight hallway, I ran my hands along the walls blinded, till I stepped out onto the other side. Jordon and some of the other Reapers were here, but were wracked with exhaustion. Above their heads, raining down in the distance, more and more Hunters dropped from above like shooting stars. If I hadn’t know what they were, I would’ve said it was a beautiful sight, their colourful descent created an aurora that etched greens and purples through blackened sky.

  Jordon’s arms cradled his chest as he watched on hopelessly. As silent as a breeze, I stepped out from the darkness. Only the Goons took notice of my presence. They turned their attention towards me, ears pointed and their feathers ruffled. Jordon noticed Raix’s alert stance, and glanced over his shoulder before stumbling back.

  “What?” He had to take two steps closer, “No way…M-Mother?” I slumped back so I sat on the coil of my tail. All the Reapers turned around astonished.

  “Did you just say Mother?”

  “Wait… over there!”

  “It’s actually her?”

  “Mother’s alive? I don’t believe it!”

  They all flocked to me like birds swoop to bread crumbs, but not close enough that I could touch them. I felt massive in comparison as I towered over them, as though my shadow might smother them in their sleep. There were roughly five Reapers, Jordon, Elliot, Teresa and two others; but there weren’t any Banished.

  “Mother…” Jordon stepped up to me bravely. I could feel Mother’s presence in the back of my mind as her tongue slithered her clicks against my ear. I’m not Mother… not yet. I shook my head in response to him, it’s me, Rachael.

  I leaned down toward him and the Reapers jumped forward to haul him out of my reach. Their sudden movement startled me, and I accidently lashed my tail out while one of my arms punched the concrete wall in reflex, causing it to crack. Then I held my palms open, trying to express my friendliness. Not Mother, Rachael! I eased my hands down before I ran them up my face to lift my hair, trying to lift the goo upwards. Beneath the liquid, my human face appeared; but only enough to show my mouth and nose before a new layer covered it again. The hair landed on the ground in soft mounds by my tail. It stained the concrete black for a couple of seconds before disappearing.

  This gave me an idea! I ran my hand through my hair before painting across the floor. They all shuffled forward to read what I had written. Rachael. I am Rachael.

  “Rachael?” Jordon whispered, flicking his gaze back up. His face went slack in shock, his silver eyes wide and his eyebrows hitting his hairline. I touched my chest then nodded again. Rachael. The rest of the Reapers gasped and stepped backwards, not believing what they saw. They all turned to each other, almost speechless.

  I leant forward again, re-dipping my hand into my hair. Rachael now, but not for long. Soon I will become Mother only.

  “How did this even happen Rachael? How can we…” Jordon walked forward. I quickly shook my head, quickly writing, No time, before tapping the ground twice to indicate my urgency.

  “You can help us?” He asked, almost on the brink of tears. I nodded briskly, before writing, Sins can fight. I can fight. Jordon nodded, his lower lip stiffened as the other Reapers clutched at their chests, hope filling them.

  “I’ll go get Evan and the others…” Jordon turned to leave, but I quickly grabbed his shirt. I touched my hair, runnin
g my fingers along the ground. Evan must not know about me…. I lifted my hand to my lips, Secret.

  “You don’t want him to know about you?” I nodded. “But Rachael…”

  I shook my head; Rachael’s nearly gone… soon only Mother left… Please, Jordon.

  “We’ll fix you. We won’t let you become Mother. Elliot, go get the others. We can do this; we can drive the Hunters back!”

  As all the Reapers jumped to their feet, the message of their attack quickly spread through the lines. Minutes later, more ghosts and Banished appeared by our flanks. Evan was among them, though he seemed to lack energy. Elliot said something to him and Evan wrenched his shoulder away, his head buried in his palms. He kept himself concealed in the darkness, tears staining his cheeks, all the fight and fire that once burned in his eyes - gone. I pressed myself further away into the back corner.

  “Where’s Chaos?” Jordon called and Chaos appeared beside him.

  “I’m here.”

  “How’s Gargoyle holding up?”

  Chaos nodded gently, “He’s ready to do whatever it takes.”

  I looked out among the Banished, but Gargoyle was nowhere to be seen. That was until I realised I was looking for the wrong person. He was among the Banished, his skin just as pale and his hair a deep black. He had completely changed and his eyes bled wildfire. I wouldn’t have noticed him if it weren’t for the fact that he stood alone, away from the other Banished.

  “Everyone, I’ve called you here for our final strike against Miira. Mother has returned to us.” He pointed towards me while all the Banished murmured in fearful excitement. My attention was solely on Evan, who looked over at me, eyes burning in hatred. “And with her she brings the Sins. They have Creators, but we have the Temptations! Hunters are no match for us now! We can do this; we will win! Let’s go show them what’s it’s like to be the underdog!”