Into the Void (The Godhunter, Book 10)

by Amy Sumida

  “Of course you didn't,” I sighed. “These are human fears, aren't they?”

  “Take a look,” Cid pointed to the various cells. “We have all the heads; Pinhead, Pumpkinhead, and Pyramid Head. There's the regular guys gone bad; Jason, Freddy, Dr. Frankenstein, and Mr. Hyde. Then the ones with the word man in their name who really aren't men at all, like Gill Man, the Wolf Man, and Pale Man from that messed up movie Pan's Labyrinth. You know, the guy with eyes in his hands. Man that's just wrong. You gotta hold up your hands whenever you want to see? Stupid and wrong. We also have monsters of all shapes and sizes from gremlins and ghoulies to Godzilla, King Kong, and the Blob. There's Count Dracula of course, along with Frankenstein's monster, the Rancor, the Terminator, and the Leprechaun. There are normal things made huge like giant spiders, giant centipedes, giant sharks, and just plain giants. Oh, and my personal favorite, Graboids. Every nightmare ever conceived by the human mind is welcome here and the greatest part is, I didn't have to think any of it up. I mean really,” he shivered dramatically. “How do you people come up with this shit?”

  “I guess we're just really creative,” I swallowed hard.

  My gaze had been caught and held by Pinhead and my stomach clenched. The look in his eyes spoke of all the horrible things he'd like to be doing to me. It was the kind of look that could make people go insane and he didn't even have to touch you. This was evil brilliance. Everyone expected Hell to be a giant lake of fire where souls burned forever but this was far worse. Here they let you determine your own fate, your own punishment. They simply pulled your deepest fears out of your mind and maybe added a little appropriate twist to it, like with the pedophile.

  Pinhead gave me a grim smile, devious and full of dark knowledge, and then he went back to work.

  “Holy shit,” I whispered shakily.

  “Hey, like I said,” Cid shook his head. “I didn't come up with this. You think I want to torture people in a giant ice cube all day? Hell no, and I'd rather not look like this either but I have to keep up appearances, especially when I'm on the job. I guess you could call it my uniform. A really ugly uniform.”

  “Wait,” I pulled my eyes away from the mess Pinhead was making. “You mean you get to change shape? This is just an illusion?”

  “Yeah,” Cid glanced at Azrael like he wasn't sure if I was testing him. “I'm actually an angel, you know. But it's not an illusion, both my forms are real.”

  “No, I did know that. I'm just surprised to hear you complain about it because I know faeries who have bodies that most people would find horrifying to look upon and they never get to be anything but what they are,” I looked him over. “And I've never heard them whine about it either. Count your blessings, demon.”

  “Fuck me,” Cid barked in laughter as Azrael just groaned. “I think that's the first time anyone has ever told me to count my blessings but yeah, I get it. Grass is always greener yada yada. Alright, Mistress of Death, I'll try to remember that.”

  “Good,” I nodded and then my eyes went wide as they took in the cell behind him. “Are those pencils?”

  “It's weird what some people are afraid of,” Cid nodded as he cocked his head to look up at the cell I was staring at.

  A man was in a sea of pencils, screaming his head off as he floundered about. The pencils were extremely sharp and his movements only ended up harming him more. He was already impaled by several of the writing implements and yet he just kept on flailing.

  “Why doesn't he just stop moving?” I looked over to Azrael.

  “Fear has no reason,” Azrael said sadly.

  “No kidding,” I knew that all too well. When I'd come into contact with the Darkness, it had left a taint of fear in my soul and I could barely think while under its influence. I'd turned into a shadow of myself.

  “Well, it's been lovely to see you,” Azrael smiled brightly at his friend, “but we really should get along to see Dad now.”

  “Oh okay,” Cid said jovially. “It was nice to meet you, Vervain. Come by again sometime, we'll have a barbeque.”

  “Sure, that sounds great,” I smiled, though it felt a little brittle, and then Az led me out of the Ice Blocks and into a mountain pass.

  “You still okay?” Azrael looked me over critically.

  “I'm fine,” I took a deep breath. “I have to admit that's one of the most terrifying things I've ever seen though, and you know I've seen some doozies.”

  “I'm so sorry,” Azrael pulled me into his side as we walked. “Unfortunately, there's only one path through Hell, Dad didn't want to have to guard several walkways and tracing in is impossible. I could have brought you through the other gate but that's general admissions, it's even less pleasant and we'd still have to go through the Ice Blocks and down this path.”

  “It's okay, I'm the one who asked you to bring me here.” I stopped walking as my voice echoed off the mountains and came back to me, only it wasn't the same words I'd just said. “Azrael?”

  “The Mountains of Madness,” he nodded, “pay no attention to them.”

  “But did it just say-”

  “Yes, it said Odin is here and being tortured,” Azrael turned me toward him and took my face in his hands. “The mountains, like Hell itself, are made to find what you fear the most and use it against you. You're afraid for Odin, afraid that he's being tortured somewhere, and the mountains picked up on it.”

  “And they echoed back my fears to me with my own voice,” I lowered my voice so hopefully the mountains would stop. “That's devious.”

  “Yes, it makes it seem like you're convincing yourself of these fears,” Azrael nodded, “but it's not true. Come on, let's get out of here.”

  “Alright,” I closed my ears to the echoes that were still circling even though I was no longer speaking, and followed Az out into open land. Then I stopped once more and stared at the manor that rose up before us.

  I think manor was the proper word. It definitely wasn't a castle, though it was big enough to be labeled one. No, this looked like something out of a Gothic novel, complete with a stormy sky raging above it, in direct contrast to the burning skies we'd just left behind. It soared up three stories and spread out in a rambling mixture of steeple roofs, spires, and flat tops. There were mullioned windows framed in iron and stained glass windows portraying bloody biblical scenes. Towers were at both ends and bats hung under the eaves. There were even gargoyles perched on the roof. Though I didn't think the gargoyles were made from stone. They looked...

  “Are the gargoyles real?” I asked Az.

  “Yes,” he steered me straight to the front door. “Don't make eye contact or they'll think your challenging them.”

  “Right, don't make eye contact with the gargoyles.”

  Before Azrael could knock, the door burst open and there stood the Devil, red skin highlighted by the fire that raged behind him and smoke billowing around him. He had black cloven hooves for feet and where he stepped, the earth steamed. His tail whipped back and forth violently, the barbed tip of it looking for something to strike, and the black horns on his head curved gracefully at his temples, their tips sharp enough to draw blood by accident. He grinned, exposing double rows of jagged teeth and a thick black tongue that lolled out to moisten his leathery lips. I don't even want to describe how frightening his package was. I tried not to look but it was like a train wreck. He held a clawed hand out to me and spoke.

  “Welcome to Hell, Godhunter.”

  “Dad,” Azrael groaned before I could say anything. “Cut it out, I hate it when you do this.”

  “Fine,” Satan growled and dropped his claw. “Just ruin all my fun. It's not like I get a lot of chances to show off.”

  “If you want to shock people, why don't you go to a rave or something?” I suggested after I got over my initial surprise. Really, after the Ice Blocks and the Mountains of Madness, it was more the way Satan suddenly appeared that startled me, rather than his actual physical appearance.

  “A rave, huh?” He thou
ght it over. “You don't think I'd end up giving those kids heart attacks?”

  “Huh,” I considered it. “Yeah, you're probably right. Better go scare some mobsters instead.”

  “Ah, nice one,” he nodded. “I like her,” he said to Azrael.

  “Great, Dad,” Az huffed. “Maybe you can change back now?”

  “What?” Satan blinked and then shook himself. “Oh, right, sorry bout that.”

  He shimmered, the red of his skin sparkling for a second before it toned down and left him looking just like Azrael. He was practically Azrael's twin, except his hair was even shorter than Az's and his build was a little leaner. He probably didn't work out as much, all that soul carrying can do wonders for the physique. Oh, and he had diamond wings to match his eyes. I know it sounds crazy, they were definitely made of feathers and not actual diamonds but they sparkled like the cut stones, glittering with all the colors in the rainbow and shooting glimmers everywhere. In the dark entryway, he shone like purity itself. Now this was why they called him the Morning Star.

  He was wearing worn jeans, just like Azrael liked to do, with boots and a blue T-shirt that read Root of All Evil and had an arrow pointing down to his crotch. I liked him immediately.

  “Oh, sugar,” he swore and rushed back inside. “I forgot to put my game on pause.”

  “Sugar?” I looked at Azrael with wide eyes.

  “Dad's not a big curser,” Az shrugged and led me into the house.

  Gone was all the fire and smoke. In its place was a classy foyer with a large Persian rug, tasteful artwork, and a carved wood staircase that curved up to the second floor. Lucifer had disappeared into the doorway on the right and we followed him in there.

  He was standing before a gigantic flat screen TV mounted to the pristine cream wall above a white marble fireplace. The couch directly behind him was a light peach cotton and overstuffed. The other furniture was delicate looking, carved tables inlaid with mother of pearl, spindly legged chairs upholstered in cream peach tapestry, and tall lamps with silk shades in that same shade of peach. It looked like Martha Stewart had decorated. There were freaking doilies on the tables. Doilies! It was almost as scary as the Ice Blocks.

  “Darn it,” Lucifer pounded on the game controller as his avatar got pummeled. Finally, he seemed to reach a point where he could pause the game safely and did. “There we go, phew, I thought I was going to lose a life.”

  “What are you playing?” I came around the couch and took a seat.

  “Diablo three,” he grinned and sat next to me.

  “Of course,” I shook my head. “How did I not guess that?”

  “It's so fun,” he looked at me hopefully. “Do you want to play?”

  “No thanks,” I laughed at his disappointed expression. “I'm not that into video games.”

  “I take it back,” Lucifer declared as he looked over to Azrael, who had taken a seat in a chair on my right. “I don't think this relationship of yours is going to work after all.”

  “Dad, please,” Azrael rolled his eyes.

  “I'm just joking. Sheesh,” Lucifer held a hand out to me. “I'm Luke.”

  “Vervain,” I shook his hand, “nice to meet you.”

  “Nice to meet you as well.”

  “Is that Luc with a C like the French spell it or Luke with a KE like Americans do?”

  “Does it really matter?” Lucifer cocked his head.

  “Yes, I'll see it in my head,” I nodded with all seriousness.

  “Oh, well in that case,” he brightened, “Luke, KE, American all the way.”

  “Excellent choice,” I nodded with approval.

  “Yes, they make the best video games,” Luke with a KE nodded sagely. “Are you two staying for supper? We're having Shepherd's Pie with real shepherds in it.”

  “Oh I give up,” Azrael moaned as I laughed.

  Chapter Six

  We didn't really have Shepherd's Pie for dinner. Instead there were beautiful Porterhouse steaks, green beans, and baked potatoes washed down with a very good Cabernet. I'm telling you, I was really liking Luke. He did all the cooking himself, confessing to being an avid watcher of the Network, and took great pride in presenting hand-made gelato for dessert.

  “It's very nice to finally meet you,” Luke said as he poured me some coffee. “I was so glad when Azrael finally found someone.”

  “He's pretty amazing,” I shot Az a grin.

  “Yes, he gets that from me,” Luke chuckled. “Sometimes I wish I'd found him a job that requires less effort. He barely makes any time for himself.”

  “You did as best you could,” Azrael waved it away. “You know I'm happy doing what I do but I actually brought Vervain here because she wanted to talk to you about that book you wrote.”

  “Treatise of Territories?” Luke looked pleasantly surprised. “You've read it?”

  “Yes,” now that I was faced with Azrael's Dad, I wasn't sure how to talk about wanting to bring back another of my lovers. Can you say awkward? “I've recently lost someone and I want to bring him back to life. He brought me back once and I feel that I have to try to do the same for him.”

  “Odin,” Luke nodded, “Azrael told me about how he died to save your life.”

  “Yes, Odin,” I sighed and gave Az a grateful glance. “I have the spellbook he used to bring me out of Hvergelmir but Odin's not in the well.”

  “No, Odin's in the Void,” Luke's face settled into serious lines. “I've been there and I'll tell you how to travel there yourself but I think you should know that most souls are happy in the Void. It's a place of rest and recuperation. It's very peaceful and when they feel ready, the soul has the opportunity to be reborn.”

  “Reincarnation?” I gaped at him. “I was told that's a fairy tale.”

  “By who?” Luke frowned.

  “By the High King of the Faeries actually,” I laughed.

  “Well what the hell would he know about it?” Luke scoffed with a little chuckle.

  “Nothing I guess,” I nodded. “So I was right when I told Odin I'd be reborn. If he had just let me go, I would have come back on my own.”

  “Well not exactly,” Luke squished up his face. “Azrael told me your family back in your previous life, prayed for him to intercede and take you to Heaven. If Odin hadn't asked Azrael to put you in Hvergelmir, you would have stayed in Heaven. Although there is a Guf in the Seventh Heaven, a treasury of souls like Hvergelmir, the souls are funneled in through the Tree of Souls which is connected to the Void, as I'm sure Hvergelmir is as well. Souls are not reincarnated in Heaven and so you would have remained there, just like any other afterlife the gods provide. If Azrael had not interceded, you would have gone to the Void, in which case, yes, you would have had the chance to come back.”

  “Huh,” I tried to process it all, “So it's good Odin did what he did.”

  “Yes,” Luke nodded, “On so many levels,” he shared a smile with his son. “If Odin hadn't asked Azrael to put you in the well, he never would have formed an attachment with you. Also, even if you had gone through the Void and been reborn, you may never have found Odin again. Your soul would be refreshed, all memories washed clean, and although you would still be you, there would be no outward sign of who you had been.”

  “So even if Odin gets reborn,” I concluded, “I'll probably never see him again.”

  “The chances are slim,” Luke nodded. “Humans romanticize reincarnation. They think things like true love will bind souls together and bring them back to one another. As much as I'd like to think that was true, I've seen no evidence of it.”

  “The well,” I mused, “you said Hvergelmir was attached to the Guf. Could I use it as a way into the Void?”

  “I wouldn't recommend that,” Luke shook his head. “I don't know what the Guf would do to a living body.”

  “Then will you tell me how to bring him back?”

  “I never said I knew how to bring a soul back from the Void,” Luke held up a restraining hand and my
heart plummeted. “I can tell you how to get into the Void safely but as far as bringing a soul out with you? I don't know if it can even be done. First of all, where would you put it? You'd need a body for the soul to go into and I doubt you have an extra one just lying around.”

  “Wow,” I fell back in my chair with a thud. “I guess I haven't thought this through enough.”

  “Dad's right,” Azrael put a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Odin put you into a fetus before another soul had a chance to enter it. Somehow I don't think you'd want to do that with him.”

  “No,” an image of Samantha ran through my mind.

  She was pregnant with Fallon's child and I'd already formed a connection with the baby since it was my magic that gave it power to become Intare. The thought of taking the chance for life away from that soul and replacing it with Odin's made me sick to my stomach. Even if the fetus hadn't received it's soul yet, it still felt like theft and I couldn't do that, not even for Odin.

  “Say we do find a body,” Azrael startled me by asking. “What then?”

  “Where would we find a body?” I looked at Az, a little horrified.

  “There are people on life support in hospitals, in comas or in vegetative states. I could verify that the soul is gone and maybe we could use the shell for Odin.”

  “Steal someone's loved one out of a hospital?” I blinked at him. “I don't think I could do that either.”

  “I'm the Angel of Death, Carus,” he chided me. “I'd know the moment the family decides to end life support and I could be there to claim the body when it's still fresh.”

  “Still fresh,” I swallowed hard. “This is getting morbid.”

  “Well, he is dead,” Luke lifted his brows at me. “This is a morbid conversation by default.”

  “Point taken,” I nodded. “Okay, let's talk about the body details later. What do I have to do to get into the Void?”

  “First, you have to be able to alter energy,” Luke took a thoughtful sip of his coffee. “You have your own territory in the God Realm, right?”

  “Yes,” I was a little confused by what he meant by alter energy. “I inherited it from Nyavirezi.”