The Third Key (GUARDING THE LIGHT)

by Ramsey, V. K.

  “What is going on … sweet Lord …. I thought I had seen everything.” The monstrous form in front of him could be described as a humanoid snake … or a reptile in human form. This was one of the ugliest looking demonic forms of a body –the two legs and arms of this creature remained in the same clothes, but its shoes blew apart due to enormous, newly grown feet. Added to Quabil’s reptilian eyes, the scene was totally grotesque. There was no time for exploring much disgust or anger – the reptilian humanoid monster attacked Jason with full power.

  The demon did not move his body – it just stood there - but Jason felt the blast of attack more than ever. He could even see the venomous energy that attacked him, hitting him on major pressure points, paralyzing him. The effect of the venomous attacks was immediate, as if a rain of snakes were biting him. There was nothing to be blocked, avoided or counterattacked … he couldn’t move or use his mental power! In that helpless state, he tried to move, tried to protect himself and when nothing else worked, he tried to escape. But he was unable to do anything about now even more painful ‘rain of attacking venom’ blasting all over his body.

  The last thing he could remember was the shape of that face. Yellow eyes with a line in the middle, and sharp teeth in a big open mouth, the monster stared straight into his eyes… before everything went black he could only hear the horrific sound of his laugh.

  Pain. Sharp pain all over his body brought him back to consciousness. Opening his eyes was a great struggle, as if lifting the eyelids was a painful experience. His vision was blurred and it took him a while to start recognizing objects around him. First, he understood his inability to move – his body paralyzed, lying on a floor of some dark room with his back leaning against a stone wall. The pain was so intense that it occupied his full attention. He was aware of who he was, and he knew it was not where he needed to be. Clearer thoughts began to trickle through:

  “There has to be a reason why I am still alive.” He tried to detach his mind, and focus away from pain.

  His surroundings looked familiar. He recognized the oval walls of the Ritual Room hidden in the corridors below the main Temple. As his vision cleared, he saw a good part of the room and the shape of the altar, with shadows moving in front of the altar. The stone blocks on the floor below the altar had been removed and scattered, and the figure of a demon hunched over the uneven floor.

  Ridiculing words spoken by the humanoid serpent were easy to understand:

  “Welcome back, human. You made a mess here. You always make a mess.” The monster’s twisted face bore an expression of superiority. Jason could see it well, because it was standing very close above him.

  “I hope you enjoy the pain. I have more, much more of that for you but we have work to do…” Saying that, the demon turned towards the altar and pointed to the metal structure of the ancient Alchemical sanctuary.

  “Your conclusion is correct. I may need you. If not, you will receive special honor and become the first human to witness the beginning of the new era of human development…” These words were spoken slowly and with attention.

  The reptilian form of Quabil stepped in the direction of the massive metal altar. In front of the altar’s table, the three Keys were placed next to each other. The metal surface mixed with diamonds was shining even in that weak light – maybe because the contrast of the dark velvet surface beneath them. They looked stunningly beautiful. But the fact that they were in possession of demons was most disturbing. In that moment, Jason understood that it was only a question of minutes until the Gate would be opened. It would be really impossible to watch demonic forces entering this dimension. He would rather die than be there, helpless to do anything! But, he couldn’t move an inch. He could only watch that ugly humanoid reptile preparing to connect the keys right there on the spot to open wide the Gate doors.

  “He needs me … for what?” Jason tried to think of an answer through his fog of pain, but nothing was coming to him. But, he was alive and he knew there had to be a higher plan and a meaning behind it. (At least, he was trying to believe that.)

  “You should feel honored, O fallen Guardian”, the demon mocked. “I hope you feel anything besides the weakness. You don’t look your best, you know.” The transformation of his body hadn’t changed his wicked nature.

  Jason did not care about the ridicule or the pain. But being helpless and watching the defeat without a chance to do anything did threaten to tear his heart apart!

  Having gained the knowledge on how to join the Key, Quabil began the process, exactly like the last time, but without hesitation. His long reptilian fingers helped him to join the Keys even faster. The oval-shaped Ritual Room exploded with bright light, creating the same sphere of energy as in St. Peter’s church in Essex. However, in this time and dark space, the glow of this energy was so strong that vision was difficult. The monster had to squeeze his yellow eyes nearly shut, but Jason could see his reptilian face smiling. Quabil was happily looking at the magic of the Diamond Gate. It had started to manifest in the middle of the Ritual Room, below the Temple of Tyn.

  XXVIII.

  The spherical energy of the Three Keys formed a Vortex that began to float around the room, slowly as if checking the space. Jason knew exactly what was going on - hope and desperation mixed inside his mind. The Energy Vortex was searching for the spot marked by the force of higher intelligence that had created the Keys and the passage between worlds – the Diamond Gate. The Energy Vortex refreshed Jason’s mind but devastated him at the same time, knowing that the Key was in control of demons – years of self-discipline alone kept him from screaming. Thinking about the fact that the end was near made him try one more time, one more attempt to stop the demonic invasion. He gathered all of his power of mind and body, but he just met with pain even bigger than before.

  The monster felt his pain, turned his head toward him for a moment and smiled. It was obvious that his power entirely controlled him – no human reactions were left. The pain doubled in intensity and Jason had to do something. Instinctively he started channeling the pain out by screaming in a particular sound and tonality. His face was a painful mask, and Quabil’s pleasure deepened. When Quabil took that long look of the enjoyment, he opened the doors for Jason’s mental abilities. Despite the pain, and beyond Quabil’s powers, Jason finally understood why he was being kept alive.

  The Vortex of bright light suddenly stopped floating right above the center of the oval room, probably where the altar had stood originally. When the location of Diamond Gate was matched by the Vortex of the Keys, a second explosion of light occurred. Keys were joined and began to levitate right there between Quabil and the place where Jason helplessly leaned onto a wall. He understood that the Key of a Gate was ‘searching’ for a carrier – someone who could open the doors. That was why Jason had not been vaporized on the spot.

  Quabil was not sure if he would be eligible for this ‘tiny’ part of the task. He lifted a hand of grey rough skin and reached for the Key, now joined into a full circle that rotated slowly in the Vortex. When his long bony fingers touched the key, Jason saw the effect that happens anytime a godless demonic energy comes in contact with a source of spiritualized energy. Those are the opposing ends of this universe. They fight each other, from time immemorial – always have and always will. The moment when Quabil’s hand reached the Key, his reptilian demonic body was smashed into the opposing wall with great force.

  This blast weakened the venomous power that was keeping Jason paralyzed, just a bit. This tiny window of opportunity would be all that he got. Despite terrible pain, he threw himself in the direction of the Light, trying to get ahold of the Keys. Only one hand reached it, and Jason was hit by the enormous power of the keys. Shock! The power was overwhelming, but for those devoted to goodness and spirituality, this energy is the utmost source of protection and strength. Jason felt recharged. For a moment, he was free from pain.

  But Quabil had already regrouped, and furiously attacked him from behind. Horri
ble sharp pain and suffering returned now, multiplied in intensity. Jason fell down on his knees but managed to keep his hand on the Keys, the only thing that kept him alive. His whole body now became a meeting point of two opposing forces, blasting at him from two sides. One force was giving him life and strength, and the other wanted to annihilate him.

  XXIX.

  Quabil moved, grabbing Jason’s head with both hands. He had to get in possession of his mind entirely before the moment of death, so that he could use him for opening the doors of the Gate. That plan was now delayed because of his demonic mentality and arrogance. The serpent in humanoid form was roaring and raging in fury; he was investing all his powers to detach Jason from the surface of the Keys that gave him power to resist! His monstrous form began to expand in size and a green glow around it became visible, like a fog in early winter morning. Quabil (or what was left of him) was backed up by the full powers of the Demonic Alliance. The stones below his feet began to melt. Jason’s body slowly started to lean toward the monster, away from the Keys and the Vortex of light.

  The pain was becoming impossible to tolerate. Jason was getting away from the source of life-giving force, touching the Keys with only two fingers, hanging on to them for dear life. The pain grew stronger and stronger - he could feel his mind power evaporating – but Jason knew that if this were an impossible task he would never have been placed in this situation!

  “Is this the end? What else I can do?” was the only thought in his mind.

  He was giving all he could to resist, but Quabil, channeling the power of all the lower planetary systems, their advanced technology, millions of their black magicians and this bloodthirsty, demonic creature ... all were backing him up. The struggle seems to near its end. The two fingers that were hanging on became one finger, and then the last one just gave up. All connection to the Vortex and Keys disconnected. Jason was entirely overpowered by the raging anger of the demon. He was now just like a puppet in the hands of a puppeteer, exactly as Quabil had planned. Once his mind and body were under the spell of demonic forces, he could use Jason to get what he wanted, just like using a glove to open the hot doors of an oven.

  Hope of stopping the Demonic Alliance army entering and killing all that moved - was dead. Everything was lost and all chances were dead …if, just if Jason would forget the final lesson he had gotten on Kailash instead of the Armor and Weapons of Light. But he did not forget– nothing else was left. He entirely and selflessly surrendered to the higher power. He did all he could; he gave it all up to the will of destiny!

  He was entirely under the grip of Quabil’s demonic power - that much he was able to understand. Despite his mental screams, he watched his arms move beyond his control. Quabil got ahold of his wrists, and just like using a tool, he moved towards the Key rotating in front of his face. On the other side of the Diamond Gate, the lined-up soldiers of the Demonic Alliance already could see the movement in ether and the sphere of light forming in front of them. There on a demonic planet Rahu, millions of bloodthirsty soldiers were lined up and ready to move.

  As the hands of Jason were used for the worst thing he could ever imagine, the core of his heart and soul underwent the change that only lower souls go through. No one could have expected or planned for this. Being now in full harmony with the Higher Power of Light, in tune with the spiritual nature of his mind and soul, Jason’s body accepted the qualities and the nature of the ultimately powerful Energy of Light. That very moment his entire existence became spiritualized, and from that very second Quabil could no more touch the ‘flesh and bones’ of Jason’s body. Now he was in direct contact with the Power of Light, like iron in a fire becoming like the fire – and the reptilian humanoid became fully exposed. Because he was totally invested in the process of opening the Diamond Gate, he couldn’t have gotten away even if he had tried. Direct exposure to the Higher Power had a devastating effect on the demonic body and mind of Quabil. His body started to shake, tremble and in a few seconds he started to disintegrate. The entire devastation of Quabil lasted only a few seconds.

  When Jason understood that something unexpected was taking place, the reptilian body on his back was already half destroyed. All of a sudden, an indescribable feeling of freedom and bliss washed over Jason, now that he no longer was tied to a creature channeling the powers of the Demonic Alliance. Overwhelmed, he turned to see the snakelike body of the demon screaming in pain, and gradually falling apart. There was neither smoke nor fire, but it looked as if Quabil was being burned alive. That ‘burning’ without the fire looked more like evaporating due to the extreme temperature.

  As Jason turned back, the demon form was annihilated. Only silence was left, the pleasant energy of the Vortex and the levitating Keys of the Diamond Gate. Feelings of bliss were reinforced by the powerful emotion of gratitude that manifested deep within Jason’s heart. Taking the Keys into his hands, his bliss and inner enlightenment became complete. It hadn’t been so long ago when he had done it the last time – he disconnected the Keys respectfully and with care. The Vortex of bright light disappeared instantly and without a sound.

  On the lower planet Rahu, the light disappeared in front of the faces of the leaders of the Demonic Army. The roar of confusion sounded helpless and desperate, but there was nothing they could do now … the doors of the Diamond Gate would stay closed.

  Jason took all three parts of the Key, wrapped it in dark blue velvet cloth, and headed towards the corridor and exit.

  Part 10

  “If They Only Knew...”

  XXX.

  It was a sunny autumn morning in Prague, one of those that make people sit in gardens and benches in parks, enjoying the warmth before the winter and cold creep in. Birds were still chirping and flying around while people were walking on the streets, mostly going to work. Prague’s Old Town Square was waking up. Two friends were sitting in front of the Tyn Temple on a sunny part of the stairs. While looking at people who were passing by, both of them felt grateful and happy. Simply sitting there and looking at the world go by was a manifestation of the supreme Higher Power and its all-pervading presence.

  “If they only knew…” Gunnar’s face was very serious and his tone was filled with gratitude and compassion. Just now he was hearing all the answers he had asked from Jason, and those answers and explanations strongly resonated inside his mind.

  “…they would all live their lives differently. I wish, somehow, we could make the world aware of what the reality of this morning could have been…”

  Jason’s white T-shirt was dirty and his body was tired, but surprisingly, there was no serious wound or damage. Even his ribs did not feel broken anymore. He looked at the face of his friend and smiled. He understood his mind and knew there was no need to answer him. He looked in the direction of the street leading to Tyn’s Temple entrance. From there he could see Michael and the other members of his Team, busily running in and out to their cars still parked in front of the entrance. They were taking care of the mess left behind in the fight.

  “Let me take you home -” Gunnar’s voice changed and he sounded worried.

  “You must be exhausted …”.

  “Yes, let’s go … everything is arranged here anyway”, Jason agreed.

  His team was covering all the signs of activity in front the Temple, inside the corridors and the Ritual Room. Most importantly, all Three Parts of the Key were safe, in the shoulder bag close to his body.

  “All this is just the pure mercy of the Higher Power…” Still floating in a cloud of bliss and gratitude, through the car window he peacefully watched the streets of Prague already crowded with hundreds of tourists. The M5 tuned machine in their BMW X6 was growling peacefully, slowly advancing toward the Warrior Academy building and Jason’s house. As they drove through town, all of the buildings, streets and people on this bright sunny autumn morning looked simply beautiful.

  Seeing men and women, children on a playground and life going on just like yesterday felt fantastic.
Seeing people buying groceries with normal lines of worry on their faces, Jason remembered what Gunnar told him. When they approached the familiar neighborhood, those words received more weight and significance. The high walls of Matsumoto’s property were just in front of them and Jason’s heart started beating a quick tattoo, so fast and loud that he glanced at Gunnar to see if he had noticed anything.

  Gunnar raised his eyebrows:

  “What?” He couldn’t understand Jason’s look.

  They approached and stopped in front of the main gate of his house, waiting for a gate to open. Jason tried to stay calm but it was not an easy thing for him to do. He was hoping to see her soon. Acting as if he did not care, he turned slightly to the right. He could see a big part of the courtyard in front of a big Villa in Japanese style. When he saw the rear end of a black limousine parked there, his heart started beating like a drum, and he twisted around in his seat and then jumped out from the car. At last, he was just a few feet away! Sumiko was about to get into the limousine that drove her to school. Their eyes met and they both felt that indescribable pleasure and relief inside their minds and all over their bodies.

  “As you said my friend … if they only knew…”, Jason replied to Gunnar, still looking at those most beautiful black eyes, across the fence.