by S E Brower
One by one, the demons were absorbed into the crystal ball. Spewing curses, they were drawn into their spherical glass prison. The now confined demon mists thrashed and swirled with hostile energy, the orb taking on an eerie crimson glow.
Celeste’s parlor returned to normal. The siblings looked on in amazed relief behind Jordondey. When it was over, Drummondax nodded. “Thank you, my brother, for your assistance.” Jordondey, saying nothing, lifted the mighty blade over his head. Sliding the sword over his shoulder, letting go, it vanished once again. Acknowledging Drummondax with a nod, he faded from view.
Looking at Jessie, Travis asked, “You all right?”
“Yeah, are you?”
“That makes two of us,” he gestured towards Celeste, still slumped over, crying, when Drummondax issued a harsh warning to them all.
“This comes of delving into the realm of spirits. Are you listening Travis John?” squinting as he continued, “both evil and good live there. You know now, the danger.” Turning his attention back to Celeste, “You would do well to reconsider this path, you have chosen.” Still gripping the glowing angry red crystal, he admonished the siblings, “You must not speak of this. Return to the place where I left you last. I will follow, when I am able.”
Jessie couldn’t help asking, “What are you going to do with that? It’s not like you can just throw it away, right?”
“That is just what I will do,” he said, disappearing into another realm, taking the crystal with him.
Travis and Jessie didn’t know what he meant and turned their attention to poor Celeste. “Are you all right?” Jessie asked her.
“I think so,” her voice was weak.
“Is there anything we can do for you, before we leave?”
She looked up at them shaking her head no, her cheeks still wet with tears. Travis handed her a tissue, as he tugged on Jessie’s arm to get her to move, “Come on, Jess. Let’s go.”
Jessie hated leaving her like that, but time was of the essence, they should do as Drummondax had told them. Slipping a one hundred-dollar bill onto the table, Jessie started towards the door.
Behind them, they heard a soft, “Thank you.”
Jessie paused, looking over her shoulder, “You should thank Drummondax.”
Celeste stared back at her, then said, “Kendal, my real name is Kendal Williams.”
Travis and Jessie returned to the TV station, as Drummondax requested, not saying a word the whole way back. Far away, in the celestial realm, Drummondax hurled the demon filled crystal into Earth’s nearest star, the Sun.
Chapter 14
Intercession
Arriving back at the TV station, Jessie and Travis passed Arista’s desk, the secretary looked up and noticed the burnt sleeve on Travis’ shoulder.
“What the heck happened to you?” she stared, her mouth agape.
“Don’t ask,” Travis grumbled, pushing the door to his office open, “hold all my calls, please.” Nudging Jessie through, he locked it behind them.
Exhausted, Jessie dropped into a chair. “So, what do we do now?”
“We wait, I guess,” Travis shrugged his shoulders, as he slipped off the burnt tee-shirt, tossing it into his trashcan. Opening the closet door, pulling out another, he yanked it over his head.
“How many of those do you have, anyway?” she laughed.
“Not enough, and you, (he pointed at her), owe me a tee-shirt.”
“Like heck, I do!” Scrunching up her nose in protest.
Travis checked the back pocket of his jeans for the card he grabbed before they left, relieved it was still in there, safe and sound. “Good, still got it,” he said, when Jessie jumped up, snagging the card from his hand.
“What’s the deal with this card, anyway?” She looked at it as she sat back down. “Prayer to St. Michael,” she read aloud, sounding surprised.
Travis leaned on his desk, “We did a segment on Police Stations a while back. Almost all of them had a card with St. Michael’s Prayer on it. I asked if I could take one, as a souvenir,” shaking his head, “souvenir, man was I a fool. Anyway, I thought since we were going to see a psychic, it couldn’t hurt, coz you know…”
“Coz, you know what?”
“Coz, now I believe in Angels,” winking at her, he snatched it back out of her hand, slipping it into his pocket.
“Hey!” Jessie protested, when suddenly, she remembered Garret was still with them.
“Oh, my goodness. Garret, can you hear me?”
The blue mist emerging from Travis’ chest, floated up in front of her, his voice drenched with melancholy, “I hear you, Jessie.”
“Are you okay, Garret?” she asked.
“I guess not.… I’m dead. So, nothing’s okay, anymore.”
Jessie didn’t know what to say to him. “I wish I could tell you everything will be all right, but that wouldn’t be true, would it?” Jessie frowned.
“No, it wouldn’t,” Garret answered. It was odd, but he liked that Jessie told him the unvarnished truth, and he felt connected to her.
“Garret, is there anything I can do for you?” She wanted to help him. But she didn’t know how.
“Yeah… if you don’t mind, I’d like to tell you my life’s story,” he said, sounding perkier at the prospect.
“I would be honored to hear your story, Garret,” and as the words left her lips, Garret’s blue mist whooshed into Jessie’s body, making her eyes fly open wide. She drew in a great, deep breath.
Travis smirked, “Feels weird, doesn’t it?”
Jessie, brushing it off replied, “He just wanted better housing, is all.” Garret imparted the details of the last 18 years into Jessie’s consciousness. He told her of the loss of his mother and father, of his twin brother Evan, and everything until he arrived at the séance. It was a lot of information for her to digest. When he finished, his spirit left her once again, floating between the siblings.
“I am so sorry about your brother, Garret,” Jessie told him, “we will do whatever we can to help you find Evan. I’m sorry this happened to you. You’ve been through a lot, so thank you for sharing what you know.”
Garret swirled around the room. “I want to find my brother, and free the Rogue Souls.”
“Me too,” she said.
Travis shot a questioning glance her way. But Jessie shook her head, “Not now, I’ll tell you later. Okay?” She was sensing Drummondax was near and wondering what happened while he was at the Library.
She would have asked him earlier, but he was angry, and busy disposing of demons. This time, Travis too, sensed the slight atmospheric change, as the light inside the office softened, the Angel’s arrival imminent. When Drummondax appeared, his expression was grave, making Jessie worry.
“What did you find out?” she blurted out, as soon as she saw him, skipping formalities eager to know, yet fearing his answer. Drummondax recounted the story, corroborating with Garret’s.
Jessie looked over at Travis. His face had ‘What?’ written all over it and so she explained everything that was happening. When she was through, she added, “I was right, you know.”
“Right about what?”
“The dog’s name was Raven, not Star.”
“Hmm… point taken,” Travis smiled. But he worried, understanding the seriousness of what they were facing.
“So, what does this mean, Dax? What are we supposed to do now?” Jessie looked up at him.
“We must stop Lucifer and The Author from completing their plan. If we are unsuccessful, the consequences will be catastrophic.” Travis listened, still leaning on the front of his desk.
“Look Dax, I know we might have gotten off on the wrong foot, but I want you to know, we are on the same team. I will do whatever is necessary to help. What would happen if they succeeded? What kind of catastrophe are we talking about?”
“The fate of humanity would be bleak, Travis John. It would destroy free will, facilitating human enslavement under Lucifer’s rule.”
Garret’s blue mist sparked in agitation, “Yes, they are both right. I escaped Hell, but just barely. It took everything I had to stay sane. If they succeed, it would be Hell on Earth.”
“There is another problem,” Drummondax looked towards the ceiling, “Lucifer has discovered a way to intercept prayer. We cannot ask for help from The Father or any other Heavenly factions without alerting Lucifer.”
“I know,” Jessie hung her head, “Garret told me, we are only free to speak inside a church, but I think I kind of knew that already.”
All the discussion confused Travis. “Time out, we’re talking about this now, and in case you haven’t noticed, we’re not in a church.”
“You are correct, Travis John,” Drummondax answered. “However, this building’s original foundation supported a church constructed of wood. They resurrected it in stone after it burned to the ground long ago. It is possible some of its protections may still exist. Whatever the means Lucifer is using to intercept prayer, the building is keeping us from being heard.”
Travis smiled. “Yeah, makes sense. We send out a lot of signals every day. Guess it’s making a kind of faraday cage against demon espionage.”
Jessie stood up, looking through the office window at the busy city street below, bustling with people, unaware their fate rests on the abilities of such an unlikely group. “We have to put a stop to it, but how, Dax?” she turned to face him.
“By ascending to the Guardian Library and turning The Author away from Lucifer to help us.”
“Yeah right, that will happen,” Jessie muttered.
“The Father forgives,” he told her, “we must grant The Author the chance to repent and cooperate with us.”
“What if he won’t?” Travis asked, as Jordondey interjected.
“There are other ways to secure his help.”
“Meaning?” Travis hoped his Guardian had something special in mind.
“If he will not comply,” Jordondey began, “we shall bind him with Isaac’s Lariat, and drag him before The Father.”
Jessie’s eyes were wide, “You mean ‘The Isaac’, right? Bound for sacrifice?” her entire face a question mark.
Drummondax smiled at her, “Yes Jessica, you are correct. The Father halted the sacrifice. He sent an Angel to retrieve the Lariat, and with a single touch, The Father imbued it with great strength capable of binding evil, rendering it harmless.”
“How do we even get such a thing?” she wanted to know.
“It is housed in the Relic Room,” Drummondax replied, “I saw it, when last I was at the Library.”
“Garret told me about the Relic Room, he said it’s the safest place in the Library because of all the holy artifacts.”
“Yes, it is,” Drummondax agreed, “which is why we must ascend to the Library.” Travis and Jessie exchanged worried looks.
“What do you mean by we, do you mean me and Jess?” Travis asked, “how do we do that, without you know… dying?”
“It is possible, by forming a ‘Ring of Solidarity’,” Drummondax explained, “if correctly performed, you will not die, Travis John. You and your sister will ascend with us to the Library.”
“And if incorrectly performed, then what?” Travis was skeptical. The Warrior and Guardian Angels shared a silent exchange, which did nothing to bolster his confidence in this plan.
“Okay, have either of you ever formed a ‘Ring of Solidarity’?” Jessie asked, not comforted by their explanation.
“I have not,” Drummondax replied.
Jordondey added, “It was completed many lifetimes ago with great success.”
“And,” she pressed him.
“I did not take part.”
“Right,” her uncertainty turned to panic, “let’s say we go up there in one piece and make it to this Relic Room. What happens then?”
It was Jordondey who responded, “We pick up Isaac’s Lariat, seek The Author’s aid to find the Rogue Souls, freeing them so they may progress, and stop Lucifer’s plan. It will be perilous.”
Jessie frowned, “An understatement, don’t you think?” Looking up she noticed Garret’s spirit hovering in the corner of the office. “Dax, we need to find Evan. He is Garret’s brother, and they took him into Hell. The Father spoke to Garret just before they murdered him, telling him to follow Lucifer to Hell and find his brother. He went, and searched for him, but he couldn’t find Evan. We need to help him find his brother.” Drummondax nodded in agreement.
Travis added, “It will be difficult, but I want to help. Where do I figure into this?”
“You are an old soul,” Jordondey said, as he pointed to the symbol on Travis’s arm, “Holy Dragon Warriors respect and protect mankind from evil forces,” Jordoney told him.
“Rings perfect for a super hero Tee-shirt logo,” Travis laughed, his lips curling into a grin. The Dragon Warrior Angel stared at him not finding the comment amusing. This was no laughing matter. “I’m serious,” Travis added, “when I was 18, how did I know to pick that particular tattoo?”
“You have much to learn, Travis John,” Jordondey told him, “it has always been within you. By order of The Father, I blessed you at your birth. Your destiny is that of a Holy Dragon Warrior. You are of an ancient order. Your dragon mark symbolizes the fight against satanic evil serpents. Of The Father’s warriors, the Dragon Warriors are among the most fearless and relentless forces. Unyielding, even with their dying breath they continue to fight. You must never give up, Travis John.” Jordondey reached behind his back, once again drawing the magnificent, gleaming blade from thin air.
“This is the Holy Dragon Sword, ‘Intercession’. It helped to defeat Lucifer’s dragons, ending the human carnage, and destruction of the villages in Europe and Asia many, many centuries ago.”
Travis still couldn’t wrap his brain around the fact that the sword just appeared, and Jordondey understood his confusion. “Things are not always as they appear to be, Travis John. Lesson number one, is ‘Awareness’. Once you are aware, it will be at your disposal. Do you understand?”
“I think so,” Travis shook his head.
“Good, it is time to fulfill your destiny, Holy Dragon Warrior. You will need a weapon, and you will find this one will serve you well.” Jordondey, dropping to one knee, held the sword in front of him, bowing his head. “I present to you, Travis John, ‘Intercession’. Take this sword, in the name of The Father. Use it to vanquish evil and protect those who cannot protect themselves.”
Travis couldn’t believe it. His heart raced, and his mind was a blur. “Was this happening?” He was dizzy and couldn’t feel his hands or anything else. His whole body felt as if it had turned to stone. It took all his might, to force himself to reach for the sword. Inhaling, he spoke the words with reverence, “I accept this sword, ‘Intercession’, in the name of The Father.” Grasping the hilt, he raised the sword in front of him, watching as Jordondey rose.
When they stood face-to-face, Travis had doubts. “You are handing me a lot of responsibility, I’m not sure I’m your guy. I have no experience with going up against a celestial. What if I screw up? You know, make a mistake. I’m just here to help my sister, like any big brother would do.”
Jordondey knew Travis had what it took but lacked the confidence. “Your passion to protect family extends to include the family of man. Search your soul, Travis John. You will know this to be true. However, the decision to fulfill your destiny is yours, and yours alone.”
Travis gave Drummondax a quick nod, who smiled back at him for the first time. Travis turned his attention to Jessie. She was the reason he was standing there with a sword in his hand. He would always protect his sister, no matter what. For him, this would always be about Jessie, and she needed his help.
“I’m in,” he replied, “bring it.”
Chapter 15
The Ring of Solidarity
With Drummondax and Jordondey occupied in quiet conversation, Travis made a call to his wife. Putting his cell phone back in his pocket, he looked at Jessie. “Yeah, Carrie said, Dad will drop the kids off at my place. I think he’s annoyed with us, but I don’t know how long we will be.”
Jessie gave him an 'Uh-Oh' look, “Okay, well, I guess not that Dad’s mad, but at least that’s one less thing we have to worry about,” Jessie sighed, “are you sure about this? Sometimes, I think I shouldn’t have involved you.”
Travis stared at her, and reached behind his back, pulling ‘Intercession’ into visible existence. “Sword,” he said, with a stupid grin, placing it back into the nothingness from whence it came.
Jessie laughed, “Yeah okay, you’re enjoying that way too much.”
Travis and Jessie looked over at the Angels. The hushed, solemn tone of their voices made them both feel on edge.
“So, how do we make this ‘Ring of Solidarity’ you were telling us about?” Travis called over to them, breaking the awkward tension in the room. The Angels moved towards them.
“Faith creates the ‘Ring of Solidarity’,” Drummondax answered.
“You mean prayer, don’t you, Dax?” Jessie asked. Drummondax nodded in her direction.
Travis looked worried, “I thought you would say that. I was never much for prayer,” he looked down at the floor. “How will I know what to say?”
“Prayer is the most powerful tool there is, and you will know, Travis John, when the time comes,” Drummondax reassured him.
“Dax, how do we get through this building?” Jessie had serious doubts. “I mean, the building has been protection, but won’t it block us from making the ‘Ring’?” Looking up at the ceiling, she wondered how this could even work. “If we break through the building, prayers are being intercepted, aren’t they? The Author will know we are coming.”