by Sergio Black
Nefarious closes both eyes and drowns out Winsor. Picturing everything as it was and feeling the energy shift, the ground rumbles loudly, the devastated vegetation begins to grow from the ground, green and healthy. The large pock in the earth begins to fill itself in as rocks and debris rise from the bottom of the crater and everything falls into place. The mountain face where Winsor’s former hideout had been begins trembling, the stones fractured surface begins to move and comes back together like a puzzle set. Winsor is baffled.
“Yes, you’re doing it!” Winsor jumps and chants. “C’mon! C’mon! C’mon! C’mon! Nefarious, you’re doing it!” Nefarious raises his arms high, straining against the dark forces that pull them down.
“Shut up! I could get this done faster if you would shut your mouth, old man.” Nefarious’ anger breaks his focus, the forest withers, grows mangy and everything dies. Winsor looks to Nefarious and to the ground and picks up a stone before hucking it at Nefarious’ head. The pebble smacks into the back of Nefarious’ skull with a loud pop. Nefarious turns his head to the side and looks over his shoulder. “You fool, do something like that again and I swear I will kill you…” Winsor stands his ground and tightens his fingers into a rock-hard fist.
“You’re an ungrateful heathen and a bully! Your anger has polluted the forest. Just look at it, it’s dying because of you! You think your slick like grease, let me tell you, Nefarious, I don’t care who you are! Don’t talk down to me!” Winsor heaves mightily then casually folds his arms. “You will respect me if you want my help.”
Nefarious is surprised by the old man’s outburst but hides it well. “Hmph. ‘Bout time you stood for something…” Winsor sputters his lips and fixes his spectacles.
“Finish what you’re doing. Then we will move onto greater things.” Nefarious raises both arms high and finishes restoring the forest to its former acclaim. Nefarious turns around to face Winsor and the Wolves.
“Happy?” Winsor looks at Nefarious, fascinated. “I have to teach you how to monitor the power within the eye. I want-” Nefarious interrupts Winsor before the sentence leaves his lips.
“No. No more demands. We had a deal. So, start talking.” Winsor sighs and takes the spectacles from his face.
“Okay, what is it you wish you know?” Nefarious stares at Winsor with reflection, deconstructing the words behind his eyes.
“First and foremost, that water pool that sired the Reaper Scythe... there was something about it I can’t quite understand. Something supernatural?”
Winsor stares at Nefarious and nods his head in agreement. “That, my good boy, was the Fountain of Youth! That fountain not only grants the chosen immortality but the fountain is one of several gateways to All Hell. Those corpses you saw floating on the surface… Those were men who tried to seize immortality and failed. The conquistadors from the height of the Spanish empire foolishly tried immersing themselves in its unforgiving waters to gain immortality. The Fountain of Youth is unique. It disappears and reappears randomly at will, revealing itself to those who are truly worthy of its everlasting life. Little did they know their lust for power bought themselves a one-way ticket to Hell. It’s not a surprise the Reaper Scythe found its home at the bottom of the Fountain, it is indeed a very unique weapon. It feeds off the darkness that burns within your soul. The Scythe is a living thing. There are a thousand ailing souls trapped within its makings. The souls could feel your pain and called to you from afar.”
Nefarious stares at Winsor, soaking in every word. “So, the water itself granted me immortality. And the Scythe chose me, but why?”
Winsor looks off into the setting sun. “Because you both share a common goal. You want vengeance on those who have wronged you. HE created both Scythes in Hell and forced those souls into the weapons. The Reaper Scythe was corrupted whereas its counterpart holds an essence of purity. I don’t know how, but it did. Maybe the souls were incorruptible. Either way, they are the most powerful weapons in the universe, once in the right hands. When both Scythes come together, there is practically nothing the user can’t do. But the Scythes must accept you as their master, unless you’re the individual who created the Scythes. And don’t ask me where the Heaven Scythe is. I have no clue to its whereabouts.”
Nefarious folds his arms across his chest and stands like a barrier. “Secondly, my parents. How are you connected?” Winsor lets a breath out from his lungs and starts speaking.
“I have known your father for two millenniums. Killian is without a doubt one of the strongest Superiors the world has ever known. He never faltered or showed any signs of regression. If anything, he seemed to grow stronger with time. In his warring days he could topple and crush countries out of existence. Your father wasn’t born until after the great superior war; his origins are a bit of a mystery to me, he just seemed to come out of nowhere.”
Winsor stares at Nefarious, trying to desist his racing thoughts and decides not to tell him the full truth, for fear it could plunge him into further torment. “Your father was essentially immortal. He was by every sense of the word pure energy in different forms. His death baffles me to this day. The only people on this earth who could’ve killed him would’ve been the Devil’s Immortals or even just as fearsome, the Legendary Swordsmen, and I suspect that rodent of a coward cooperated with them to take him down. Right before you were brought into being, your mother and father sought me out in a panic, if you will. They seemed very worried. They both looked really tired, like a great weight was riding over them. I sensed something was amiss but they assured me everything was okay. They were the only people on this earth who I trusted to know my whereabouts at all times. They entrusted me as your Superior Keepers.”
Nefarious looks away from Winsor as the word ‘keepers’ runs through his head. Nefarious pulls the Reaper Scythe from his back and pushes it into Winsor’s face. The Wolves now hunch lowly and growl with terrifying depth. “You said Keepers, which implies more than one.”
Winsor leans his head back. “Guys, settle down. No need to spill blood…” Winsor stares down at the Scythe and slowly pushes the blades away from his face. “Nefarious, you have a sister. You were separated at the moment of fathering. If the Devil’s Immortals had killed one of you, the other would have lived and the beacon of hope wouldn’t have ended in one act of atrocity.” Nefarious lowers the Reaper Scythe, and looks to the forest around him.
“Where is she?” Winsor doesn’t quite know how to answer the question without upsetting Nefarious.
“She works for the N.S.W.P…”
Nefarious’ confusion gives way to anger. “Then she is no better than mankind. If I find her, I’ll personally wet her blood with this blade.” Winsor holds up his arms and pleads with Nefarious.
“Nefarious, if you kill her, you will have killed the last thing inside of you that is good. You must not. Your sister is a future Superior Knight. These wolves belong to her, I am just borrowing them.”
Nefarious looks to each of the wolves and lets a small smile linger on his lips. “I guess that means I kill them first.” Winsor throws out both arms and uses his body like a wall.
“Nefarious, holster that Scythe right now! I cannot let you take vengeance on the things that matter in this world! They had nothing to do with this! Killing them doesn’t bring your parents back, and it doesn’t fix anything!” Nefarious shifts his eyes downward and gets in Winsor’s face.
“What’s her name?” Winsor returns Nefarious’ bold gaze.
“I don’t know! And even if I did, I could not tell you until I knew you were not going to murder her. She’s safe for now. That’s all you need to know. You want retribution? Fine, I have a list of targets that need to be dealt with. It needs to be handled in a specific order though. Once that has been done, we need to bring the Saviors together. Then afterwards, we will go about finding the other Instruments of Fate. The book will lead us to their locations once we have retrieved the other pages. Nefarious, these events that have happened put the wheels in
motion to a much larger scheme. The man known as HIM seeks to rise again from the shadows of chaos. Most importantly, he wants back so badly what was taken away from him. Your body in so many ways resembles HIS. It took the full force of earth’s Seven great legions and the aid of the world’s mightiest Superiors to strip HIM from his true form and seal away his original vessel in the seeds of the world’s deepest trenches.
“Many people don’t know this tidbit; it was never disclosed in the book nor the tableaus. But your grandmother, Damora, was a formidable witch and a crucial element in winning the First Superior War. No one mentioned her, though the Order never knew of her existence, we felt there was no need to put a Savior at risk. She helped Harry Houdini concoct a spellbinding curse completely made up of divine magic. The price was the eventual life of two for the downfall of one. But the objective was a success. You see, the man known as HIM couldn’t wage war with the planet even if he wanted to. Without his body he could never be restored to his finer nobility. But now that the star has resurfaced and you have ascended, he will come for you when the time is right.
“Mark my words, Nefarious, he will want your body as his own. The events that happen in the near future will determine the life of every living being on this planet and eventually the Universe. He will not stop until he is able to submit everything in existence to his cruelty. We need to go about this the right way if we are to stop what’s coming. But first, you must learn to master what you cannot utilize and you must be open minded to what I have to show you. The procreation of you and your sister is something special. Nefarious, she is your Yearling Twin, doubles who are Fraternal born exactly one year apart. The significance of your incarnations is irrefutable. You were created first on the blackest of nights. And she was conceived when the Sun shone on its brightest day. This has to do with balance. Ying and Yang who are absolute opposites but one cannot exist without the other. When the time is at hand, you will no longer be just Ying and Yang. Balance will be the seeker of both, then two shall become one and emerge inside the in-between known by Yiang. She, like your mother, will undoubtedly possess a very unique set of skills; if fortune finds our favor, she could possibly have inherited it, only if she's pure at heart and true to the light. Your sister could vanquish the dark forces on a whim, but she has not come into her talents yet. When she does, she will need our full support.”
Nefarious looks through Winsor with a heavy mind. “Enough talk of that treacherous traitor. If my mother could beat HIM, why did she die? Why sacrifice herself in vain?” Winsor looks down at the ground and thinks about his response wisely.
“Nefarious… She sacrificed herself so that you could fulfill the prophecy. Eden needed you to gain strength through pain and struggle, for the day you would finally meet HIM in what will be the greatest war ever waged. Your parents were good friends of mine and very magnificent. But they stood no chance against the man known as HIM, and the full force of the Order. But you do, Nefarious. Not now per se, but in the not so distant future. You will be forced to make your last stand.” Winsor stands silently and lets his words dance in the air. “You satisfied?” Nefarious looks away and reminisces about his happier days and ponders on his unknown sister’s existence.
“For now, old man. We wait to see what tomorrow brings.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
GOODBYES AREN’T FOREVER
Lisa Ann walks away with a heavy heart, stepping on broken twigs and wet leaves before looking back to her mother who sits on the ground, shuddering and sobbing uncontrollably. Lisa Ann knows this is the last time she will see her mother and hesitates momentarily then presses forward, disappearing into the forest edge that runs off the back of her yard. The Maned Wolves wait patiently with the Mad Doctor while Lisa Ann makes her peace. Lisa Ann looks toward the dimming sky that seems far and distant. For the first time in a long time, Lisa Ann sees the sky and feels nothing inside, like an empty and hollow shell. Right about now she really hates herself for being so gullible and naive. She grew up with the perfect life and truly didn’t understand how cruel the world was.
“C’mon guys, we are finished here.” Lisa Ann skulks past the Maned Wolves, making her way through the shady forest. The Maned Wolves trot behind their master like gallant warriors, proceeding with much caution after the turn of events that took place. Lisa Ann searches side to side and focuses herself on the Mad Doctor who hangs, but securely sleeps in the jaws of Balto. “Shake him, Balto. I need him awake.” Balto doesn’t give it a second thought and roughly shakes the Mad Doctor. The Mad Doctor starts yelling and Balto releases his locked jaws, hurling the Mad Doctor to the ground with unnecessary force. The Mad Doctor lies on his belly and looks around the forest floor, only to see the eyes which stare with stunning beauty. The Mad Doctor lets out a long groan.
“Uhhh, you stupid bitch, what do you what?” Lisa Ann walks over to the Mad Doctor and hauls him up by his collared peacock coat.
“I would really watch the way you speak to me!” The Mad Doctor laughs through bloody yellow teeth.
“Bitch, you don’t have what it takes to do me in. You’re not a killer, it isn’t in your genes. If it were Nefarious here, I would be scared, that guy eats metal and shits machetes, but you... You’re nothing! I created you!” Lisa Ann’s eyes flush with anger as she pulls the Doctor closer, now meeting face to face.
“You took everything from me!” Lisa Ann backhands the Mad Doctor in the same disrespectful manner he had her mother. The crack of her knuckles against his cheek echoes through the dimming forest. The Mad Doctor is sent reeling like a wild torpedo and slams into a large oak tree that resembles a tangled devil’s claw. Lisa Ann gives the Mad Doctor no time to react and closes the distance with inhuman quickness. The Mad Doctor wheezes loudly and coughs up spittle's of blood on his tattered and stained coat.
“You think this will bring back your dead father? Go ahead and club me. You can’t kill me, you fucking hussy. Make no mistake, you’re still that meek, spineless child I hired several months ago.” The Mad Doctor uses both hands and finds purchase on the forest soil then stands with much effort. “See, you can’t kill me. I am a survivor.”
Lisa Ann smiles. “Good, that means I can find pleasure in your suffering.” Lisa Ann curls her knuckles and socks the wind from the Mad Doctor’s stomach, forcing him to hold his gut while he doubles over with loud gasps.
“You’re not getting away this time. No more soldiers for you to hide behind.” The Mad Doctor cackles like a warlock.
“A lot of things can happen between here and where you are taking me, you little cunt. Don’t forget that! Soon, when the world knows I am missing, the forces of the Regime will scour this planet and kill everyone you hold dear, until I am safely returned.”
Lisa Ann nods her head agreeingly. “You’re right, they will come and at that time, I will be ready.” Lisa Ann looks back to Fang whose spots look all but nonexistent in the moonlight. “Fang, we need to get to where we are going quickly, can you help?”
Fang lets out three consecutive barks. The Maned Wolves that stand in a group disperse and give Fang a wide berth. Fang circles the forest in place like a dog chasing its tail and slowly morphs. Fang’s paws grow tremendously while shedding all his fur which is replaced with massive crimson scales and a tail that looks like a spiked wrecking ball. The transformation of Fang gives way to a fiendish dragon that rivals anything beyond Lisa Ann’s wildest fantasies. Lisa Ann looks to the Mad Doctor satisfactorily. The Mad Doctor is in disbelief, choking in his own breath. Lisa Ann looks back to her Maned Wolves, locking eyes with each of them.
“Come here, guys.” Lisa Ann stands proudly while each one of her protectors trots forward, licking her and whimpering, sensing what she will say next. “Look, we have to split up. Just temporarily though. I need to get the Mad Doctor back to where we are going. Sparky, you can get there before any of us, let Winsor know we are coming.” Sparky fulminates into raw electricity and zips through the forest, leaving behind nothing but
a trail of yellow luminescence. “The rest of you need to travel back together. Only at night though, don’t get seen. And please be safe.” Lisa Ann raises her hand and each of the Maned Wolves lowers their heads so she could scratch them before she and the Mad Doctor depart on Fang. “Okay guys, here we go. I will see you soon.” Lisa Ann grabs the Mad Doctor like a sack of trash and throws him over her shoulders. Lisa Ann walks forward, carrying the Mad Doctor over her shoulder who now rants in rage.
“You fucking fuck-whore, you can’t do this.” The Mad Doctor kicks and thrashes his frail limbs in protest. Lisa Ann ignores the Mad Doctor’s inconvenient wailing and jumps onto the back of Fang. Lisa Ann looks back at her Wolf gang and savors their goodbye. Once the Mad Doctor is securely in place, belly down over the back of Fang, Lisa Ann wraps her fingers through the Mad Doctor’s hair and smacks his head off Fang’s scaly sides, knocking him unconscious once more. Fang snorts loudly and flaps his wings, hovering in place like a chopper until he clears the forest trees before flapping off into the distant moonlight, leaving Balto, Winter, Monster, and Crimson to stand in the pale moonlit forest. Lisa Ann feels like a giddy child and smiles broadly for the first time since her departure from the N.S.W.P. The combination of stars and Fangs slow flapping wings give Lisa Ann a sense of reassuring calmness, like a slow-moving creek in the middle of nowhere that somehow brings inner peace. The polar night wind blows lightly across Lisa Ann’s face then through her hair. Lisa Ann laughs and smiles at the amazement she feels in that moment of serenity through the eye of a never-ending storm that became her life.
“My God. Fang, has anyone ever told you you’re magnificent?”
Fang snorts haughtily and lets out small puffs of visible air through his fist sized nostrils. Lisa Ann strokes Fang’s scaly side and is reminded of a leather skinned iguana. Fang responds to Lisa Ann’s touch then drops downward toward the earth before arcing up and back through the air, slicing through the array of never-ending clouds. Lisa Ann looks to the stars and is reminded of what her mother had said - just one word changed her world. ADOPTED. Lisa Ann rides in still silence the rest of the way to Mountain Park, Colorado, now fixated on who she was, and what she would become. But more importantly, who was the Mad Doctor speaking of when he said, “Wait until they get here.”