The Lady and the Hound- Divination

by A M Nixon

  Thoughts of Flea, Chance and Kit sprang to Mary’s mind and she worried for them again. She couldn’t wait to get the Dark Spirit back to his world so she could return to Maryland.

  They went by the Gauley river on their way back to the stones. It was the long way around, but Mary wanted to see the famous river her father had white water rafted down. As they approached a dirt road, they heard metal crashing into the side of an embankment. Two boys were getting out of an old model T Ford that had the back cut out of it to make a truck bed. There were several cases of liquor bottles in the back of it. One of the boys looked to be 18 and the other 13.

  “They were a couple of moonshiners. They crashed here in 1919. They were trying to make money for their families hauling the moonshine and lost control.” Joseph said.

  Mary had sympathy for the boys and asked them if they would help. They were very curious and awestruck. “Have we been here 100 years?” the 18 year old said, shaking his head.

  “can I ask what you did every day for so many years?” Mary asked.

  “It was if we were alive and reliving the same day of the accident, but we had no pain and we’d be out of the truck, standing on the shore, cussing and screaming that we were gonna get whooped by our pa for breaking all them bottles and not making our delivery. Something didn’t feel right though.”

  The 13 year old spoke up, “Next thing we’d be back at the still loading the truck again.”

  “It didn’t stop til you all showed up.” The older boy said.

  “The Angel of Death’s presence can stop the repeat of the last day. Some humans are slow to realize their dead at first, and when you don’t realize you’re dead, you can’t ask for help. If you’re without belief, you get stuck on Earth in a death dance.” Joseph said.

  “Our pa was adamant there weren’t no God, and he was sure as hell hoping there weren’t no hell.” the older boy said.

  “Didn’t you both see a light?” Mary asked.

  The boys looked at each other. The younger boy looked to the trees, “I saw somethin’, but I didn’t know what it was. We went and hid behind a tree ‘til it was gone.” She looked at the boys and asked in her mind if they were ready. They each said yes and joined the others.

  Mary could feel the strength of the spirits inside of her, her aura nearly bright white. She imagined the sensation was what a God might feel. She knew she was stronger than the last time she was at the stones. She would need to wait for Isadore to get back. She would know if Mary was strong enough to stop the Dark Spirit.

  Chapter Eleven

  Isadore and the Otherworld

  Isadore was standing in the cavern, with the full light of the moon shining on her. She read the parchment. It was written in Enochian, the angel language, but Isadore read it out loud, in English. “I call the Archangel Haneal, bringer of light in the darkness. I need your protective aura that brings lower energies into the light, to guide and shield me in the Otherworld.”

  A large white figure, with a white glow that matched the light of the full moon, flowed like a cloud through the cavern opening. The Archangel wrapped herself around Isadore and they teleported to the Otherworld.

  The Otherworld is not what one might think. It looks like any other land, with vast mountain ranges and every kind of evergreen and oak. It has rivers and streams and not one fire pit in sight. It does, however, have a castle, aged to a blackened rust color, as if it were made of cast iron. That is where Isadore needed to be in order to reach the seer named Mother Endor. She resided in an open cell of the dungeon in the castle. It wasn’t there to lock anyone in. It was there as a symbol to the brethren, the disciples of the Dark Spirit, that they will always be free if they remained in the Otherworld. Since the evil in man’s hearts created the Dark Spirit on Earth, he needed a place to rule. He chose the Otherworld as his domain. Man created the Otherworld; it didn’t exist until religion became common in humanity. Their books and teachings of a place where evil men go formed its foundation. The Dark Spirit took the opportunity to be with those of like mind.

  The castle was organized in its luxury and depravity. It was not a place of darkness and dirt, but of extravagance to the nth degree. With nothing but the best in luxury items from large in-ground whirlpools with steam rising out of them, to the ornate tapestries on the 3x3 granite blocks that lined the walls. The furnishings familiar to the French Provincial era. Over-the-top with its gold gilded everything. The wood tables were carved with the faces of Greek gods. Tapestries of peasant scenes throughout the large castle. Only those that lived in the Otherworld could see the castle. Unless one was an undead visitor. The only items that seemed fitting for the Dark Spirits lair, were the gothic metal two tiered chandeliers. Each had skulls, fitted around large perpetual candles and used as ornaments on the top and the center. The drapery had a Dark Spirit vibe, with its dark Mexican-red velvet, with muted gold patterns embroidered through it. They were at home in the Otherworld.

  Isadore wasted no time in getting to the dungeon. She had lived there for centuries and knew every square foot of the castle. She was responsible for some of the furnishings in it. The spirits that were within the castle walls, didn’t notice Isadore’s presence. The protection of Archangel Haneal’s aura took care of that. As Isadore rounded another corridor to the Dungeon, there was the aroma of fire and burning feathers. When she walked into the lair of Mother Endor, the walls were lined with skeletal remains of animals and humans. The bookshelves had remnants of burning candles of every color. The ancient woman had waist-length grey hair perfectly groomed with waves flowing down the length of it. Her dress, although worn, was of the finest taffeta, and she was adorned with jeweled amulets and beads. She was a beautiful woman; her face not revealing multiple centuries of life. But she was ancient, and her hands refused to lie for her. There were knots on many of her knuckles, and large veins could be seen through her translucent skin. Her eyes were gone, but she moved around the room confidently, as if she had sight.

  Mother Endor knew it was Isadore as soon as she entered the chamber. “I know what you came here for. I had the fire channel you, and it showed you leaving the cavern on your way here. I am making a candle, one with the blood of the bat, and of the Dark Spirit. I must mix both essences to get the calling spell to work. It must only be used at the stones. If you burn it before you get there, the spell will not work, and you will have wasted Archangel Haneal’s light.”

  Isadore walked over to her, “I know what to do and I wouldn’t be foolish enough to waste her light or the candle on any other nonsense Mother. You won’t be harming yourself by helping me will you?”

  “I am taking orders from the Queen. No matter where you reside, that is still your title. The Dark Spirit cannot disagree. Why would I leave? I have everything I want or need in the Otherworld. I am free to do what I want and kill whatever I want.” Mother Endor screeched an evil cackle, exposing her gnarled teeth, the sign of her true being, born in the Otherworld. “I need something of his to add to the wax.” Mother said.

  Isadore had his essence. It was on the finger bone of Major kemp. She collected it after their failed attempt to send the Dark Spirit back. When he came to the stones, and created the vortex, he left a residue, or essence behind. She knew she needed the flesh and bone of a follower, and Major kemp was the perfect specimen.

  “This should be all you need.” Isadore said, handing her the finger. Mother Endor took a knife and scraped the flesh and bits of the bone from the finger and placed it in the pot with the wax. She stirred it with an iron ladle and muttered under her breath. The flame below the melting wax shot up, as if adding emphasis to her muttered words. Mother Endor poured the wax mixture into the mold. When it hardened, Isadore took the candle and made her way back to the cavern to meet Mary.

  Chapter Twelve

  The Chariot-Continued

  When Isadore arrived at the cavern, Mary was dutifully waiting. The Archangel Haneal rose from her body and went out through the cavern openin
g. Isadore took Mary’s hand. She wanted to gauge how strong the spirits were that Mary collected.

  “Horses? How brilliant. We have never used them before.”

  “Do I need to read from the parchment again? Mary asked.

  “No, once was enough. I only need to place the crystal pendulum around my neck when we get to the stones and transform into an orb while there. I will light the candle and we will see if Mother Endor’s calling spell will work. That’s all we can do for now.” Isadore said, as she and Mary teleported to the stones.

  Mary and Isadore met with Famous, Joseph and the rest of the disciples at the stones. Syx, who’s spirit was always with Mary was also in attendance. The body of Major Kemp, remained in the center of the stones, dead and less one finger. Isadore took the candle and used a knife to cut a small hole in his chest to place the candle in. She used a glass cylinder to keep the flame from burning out before the Dark Spirit arrived. They stood back far enough to stay within the stones. Isadore placed the gold chain that held the crystal pendulum around her neck and transformed into a white glowing orb. She entered Mary’s body and the pendulum again, appeared around Mary’s neck.

  When the wind started to rise in strength, she removed the crystal pendulum and held it as tight as she could. The Dark Spirit spoke in Mary’s mind, with the deepest male voice.

  “You Mary, are not so innocent. I can read your thoughts. I can see your past. Your drunken nights, the men, the drugs, I see it all. Who are you to send me back? The thoughts you had when those men killed your beloved cat Prince. You wanted to kill them. You imagined scenarios where you carried out the deed. That’s what brought me to this world; the thoughts. The negative, vile, destructive thoughts and actions of many on this planet. I was born into that evil; it’s why I exist. I was created for this purpose. To absorb the negative energy that called me, carrying those souls to my world. Your actions of late make you a perfect specimen for the Otherworld, should you so choose to join me.”

  Isadore spoke through Mary. “As always, we must let humanity attempt to conquer the dark energy on their own first. Many humans were coming to enlightenment, much more than at any time you have been here before. As was the last time we were here, you again, acted in haste, without patience to wait for your true calling. You arrived before your time.”

  The Dark Spirit spoke, “How can you say such a thing when people are begging for sanctuary and being ignored because of the color of their skin. I will welcome them into the Otherworld, then where will humanity be? When the dark energy, created by those similar hateful deeds, gets to a point of no return, I am summoned. Activated if you will. That has been done and cannot be undone. It is written in the covenant I have with the Divine One’s. I must commence with the collection of souls that are of like mind and take them to the Otherworld. I will send an asteroid to destroy those souls who remain and send them to Oapuzi. Once that is complete, the Otherworld will take over the Earth. Since humanity wants to be evil, we shall make it so. The divine experiment has failed and, as written, it will finally be my turn to rule.”

  Isadore didn’t have much of an argument against the Dark Spirit. All of what he said was true. But the Dark Spirit did act in haste, and he wouldn’t realize that before destroying humanity.

  Mary wasn’t going to let the Dark Spirit have the Earth as his playground. Mary’s memory was returning, and the words she had spoken centuries earlier, appeared in her mind. “I call the Dark Spirit into the crystal of Oapuzi, I call the Dark Spirit into the crystal of Oapuzi.” Repeating one more time for each of the bell tolls she heard before Famous spoke to her the first time.

  “I command you to enter the crystal now.” Mary said. The crystal pendulum swung wide and fast.

  The Dark Spirits force rose as the winds became stronger and the debris whipped within the stones creating a larger vortex than before. “I command the spirits within to show themselves and send the Dark Spirit into the crystal of Oapuzi.” At once, Mary’s aura became pure white light. Too bright for a human to see without being blinded. The spirits within were showing their full force. They were eager to go home. The Dark Spirit sent bolts of lightning at Mary, but she was shielded by the pure light of the spirits. They began sending white flowing energy from Mary to the crystal pendulum and out to each stone in the circle. Isadore, from within, increased the spirits light and their power. The souls the Dark Spirit had collected began to leave him, one by one, and enter the crystal pendulum.

  Mary could see the Dark Spirits energy getting weaker as the vortex and the lightning began to wane.

  Mary was holding the pendulum as tight as she could as more of the spirits entered it. She looked to her side as Syx appeared, holding Isadore’s coffin. It seemed the vortex of the Dark Spirit was never going to end, that’s when Isadore left Mary’s body.

  “Since you will not see reason, I will make a covenant with you.” Isadore said. The Dark Spirit stopped the vortex and the leaves and brush fell to the Earth as it did before.

  “I am weak, but I am still here. I have so many dark souls at my beckon call. I can collect them and defeat you completely. But I am willing to listen to my Queen.” The Dark Spirit said.

  “I will give you my bones to keep in the Otherworld. But not the crystal pendulum of Oapuzi. I will go with you, but I must be free to live in both worlds.” Isadore said.

  “You are trading yourself for humanity? My love for you weakens me. Yes, I will enter that covenant with you, and take your bones. Should you break your vow, I will kill Mary, and end your ability to live a human life forever. I will pulverize your bones and scatter them into the universe and keep her soul in the Otherworld.”

  Mary stood stunned. She was sure the Dark Spirit meant what he said. Why was Isadore sacrificing herself? Perhaps she knew there would be a way, in the future, to change the covenant or break it. Isadore’s human soul was her soul. She wanted to know what would become of her life.

  “Mary will be free to live her life as it was before you arrived. That must also be agreed upon.” Isadore said.

  “She is not of the living now, but I know the Divine One’s made a covenant with her, so I will not intervene.” The Dark Spirit transformed into a man. He was tall with translucent silver hair, short and sleek, swept-back from his face. He exuded sophistication, polished and clean-shaven with deep brown eyes. To Mary, if he wasn’t the Dark Spirit, she would consider him handsome. His refinement carried over to his wardrobe, as he wore a tailored black button down shirt, black slacks, and the finest black leather shoes. He strode casually over to Isadore as he collected her pine coffin.

  “I would like to have your essence as well.” He said. Isadore removed a crystal from her dress and held it out for Mary to touch, then she touched it. The Dark Spirit took the crystal and placed it in the coffin. “This is my insurance that you will keep your word.” He said. He held his gaze at Isadore for several seconds, as if he wanted to kiss her, instead he stepped back and said. ”I’ll be waiting for you at the castle.” He transformed into his spirt form and a chasm of orange red light opened, and the Dark Spirit entered it. Once he was gone the portal disappeared.

  “Why did he need the crystal, and for us to touch it?”

  “Now he has our essence, given when we touched the stone, and with that he can find us or have Mother Endor create a potion or spell to do whatever he wants.” Isadore said, with her hands in the air.

  “Why did you make the sacrifice, when for centuries you’ve been trying to avoid going back.” Mary asked. Isadore turned to meet Mary’s eyes.

  “As bad as the negative energy is in the world today, I knew he had an unlimited supply of dark spirits to harvest. I know from the Divine One’s that life on this planet will change for the highest good if given a chance. More humans will care about humanity and the Earth. It will happen, so for me, the sacrifice was nothing.”

  “Can he come back?

  “When we were created, we knew someday we would be on opposite side
s. We enjoyed a life together in the Otherworld, until he was called the first time. When I was called to defeat him, I wanted to stay in this realm and joined your soul. It is my purpose to stop him when he arrives before his time.” Isadore said.

  She wanted Mary to stay in her life, their life. “We have much work to do together, and I’ve given us the time we need to pursue it. Besides, I’ve often longed for the Otherworld and my friends there. Have you ever questioned where you got your love of the supernatural and the strange. It was from my life in the Otherworld. I couldn’t enter your soul without leaving something behind. I am and always will be part of that world, where lost spirits reside. I walk in both worlds, that’s why I chose the spirit of the Bat. It reminds me of my past.” Isadore said.

  “Before I leave, there are some things you need to know,” Isadore waved for famous to come to her. He approached the two of them. Isadore touched his head, her hand emanating the white light, and Famous transformed into a man. Mary recognized him as the one on the throne in her dream. He stood humbly before her. “He is the Marquis Juan Diaz. You read about him.” Isadore said.

  “I know why my heart spoke for you. You were my kind and loving wife and I treated you horribly. It was many centuries ago, but I still live with my actions then. I have been granted a reprieve as the Angel of Death for vouching for you. I would like to stay and prove my worth.” Famous said, in the form of Juan Diaz.

  Mary didn’t know what to say. She doesn’t have her memory of that time, but she read the family book and knows that she was Elena. Mary knew everything now. Why she never wanted children. She wanted to hear what he had to say, and to learn more of her past life with him, but she had more important things to focus on for the time being.

  “He will be staying at Zropu until the Divine One’s decide if he will return to them or live a human life here.” Isadore said.