“You piece of shit,” William said, fueled by a ceaseless rage. He grabbed the man’s neck and squeezed, maneuvering his other hand and landing a lucky punch right on his right eye. The gun left his hand and William soon after retrieved it.
“William, we need to get out of here. Your brother is bleeding pretty badly.”
Shaking and drenched with rain, William blended in with the night like an apparition. He took a step forward and pointed the gun at the degenerate. Only a small thread was keeping him from pulling the trigger.
“Whoa whoa, I’m sorry, alright. I’m off my meds, and I really needed the money. Let me help you take him to the ER.”
William lowered the gun and backed away towards his brother. Trevor held the boy’s head up as he gasped for air. “William, help me stop the bleeding. I’m gonna call 911.”
Forgetting the thug, William tended to his brother; something, however, felt off and he looked up at the right second, watching as the man prepared to slice at him with a knife. A deep cut appeared on his leg and a swift punch staggered William. The thug tried to grab him by the neck, but he was faster. He pushed him to the cold, damp ground. Grabbing the gun, he pointed it back at him. Like a blazing fire, the pain in his leg kept him from standing straight. Fear was in the thief’s eyes, but he felt no mercy. Knowing that there was no other option, he held the gun steady.
With an otherworldly look in his eyes, William pulled the trigger, launching round after round into the man until the clip was empty. Blood gushed out of his mouth as the bullet had torn through his jaw and cheek. The others hit the man’s chest and groin. William dropped the gun and stared aimlessly into the night.
“William, you killed him?” Trevor said in a quiet tone.
William turned and saw his brother’s blood all over the ground. The bullet might have grazed an internal organ. His mind went blank.
“William, snap of it. Your brother needs help,” Trevor said, flipping his wrist and pressing a few buttons on his phone. “Hello? Yes, we need an ambulance. My friend’s brother was just shot. We’re in the construction yard at 5th and Bronson. Hurry!”
William suddenly felt an unbearable weight in his heart, and the floor below him disintegrated. Images passed with such swiftness that he couldn’t concentrate and felt his head burn. For a brief moment, he saw Anya in front of him. All around him, an endless void.
She approached and grasped his hand. He shook as the stress from the shooting still rattled his mind.
“William, I know it took a lot for you to tell me what you did. It will take some time for me to accept it as best as I can.”
The emptiness was soon gone as the university suddenly popped into existence; the oak tree nearby had their campus mascot carved into it. The sun warmed his skin, making him flinch.
“You protected the ones you cared about, but you didn’t need to kill him; at least not like that.”
It was as if his mouth couldn’t move. The environment shifted again into a dark dorm room. Various liquor bottles littered the cream-colored floor.
“You’re a good person, Will. Even if you don’t want to accept it. Drinking your pain away won’t make you feel better. I won’t let you destroy yourself like this.”
William tried to reach out to hold her, but like before, the room turned to white and another ache filled his heart. Anya disappeared, and he was alone. The illusionary world vanished. He saw her again, but this time he realized, it wasn’t with his own blue eyes.
Coming to, he sensed that something was wrong. It was as if a beast inside him was analyzing his memories, making him relive the pain he had stuffed away deep inside. Clouds fogged his mind as he peered around the bright, open church building. Rows and rows of seats littered the area, and stained-glass windows let the light filter in through the frames of colorful angels and priests. Breathing came harshly as if each breath he took shoved a blade deeper inside of him. Cody, I can’t believe it’s been five years since that day. I couldn’t save you. I’m useless.
A voice in his mind hissed like an open wound bathed in salt. “You are aware that there was nothing you could have done?”
“You have no right to make that conclusion. You’re an abomination.”
William’s chest tightened, and he rose his right hand to ease the pain, but only felt the chill of the metal gauntlet as it pressed on his bare skin.
“I can, and I will, William Dante. You gave your life to me, and I alone get to use you as I please,” said Dazshra.
William wiped away the sweat accumulating on his forehead and took a deep breath; the burning persisting as he gulped the air. “I wasn’t going to die there. Not yet. I still have so much I need to do and people I need to protect.”
“What a righteous motive. You realize everyone you love will eventually cast you out. Everyone you trust will eventually betray you.”
“I won’t let you hurt any of them, you hear me?” William said, barring his teeth.
William suddenly felt his right arm lift. The weight of the weapon on his wrist bore down on his aching muscles. He stared at his palm rose in front of him, beginning to panic as it stopped at Anya.
“What is your goal here, Connor? Why would you hurt anyone here? Is this all for your daughter?”
“Don’t you dare call me that or I’ll shoot her where she stands; I am no longer the old Connor that everyone trampled on. You have no idea what these humans did to me. I was stricken with any opportunity to help anyone, and now all I want is to see them perish, and my daughter safe.”
William continued to prod the mind of the psychotic spirit to distract him away from Anya, and the crowd of people. “What did they do to your daughter?”
“Those who struck me down kidnapped her and wiped her mind so she could never find me again. They changed her appearance as well, but I know she’s with them.”
As the spirit inside him continued talking, William was suddenly able to move his arm down to the floor. Without much resistance, it sprang back up; the crosshairs, this time, aligned with another. He squinted and saw a prominent man with broad shoulders and a dark black suit. Beside him were soldiers with full-body armor and rifles at the ready.
“Is that the man that took Isabella away from you?”
“I gave you no permission to dive into my head,” Dazshra said, screaming like a banshee into William’s mind.
As the adrenaline pumped through this system, William grabbed hold of the gauntlet and tore it away from the crowd. He stood up and bolted the other direction. The muscle deterioration made him misjudge his footing, and he toppled over, crashing into a flowing stream. Pools of water entered his mouth, making him choke.
“How does this feel, Dante? I’ll let you drown, and then I’ll bring you back. I can do this again and again until you learn to obey. You will never mention her name or my human name or any of the sort to me ever again.” His head met the muck and dirt at the bottom; the water enveloping him once again.
As the world, around him faded to black, he felt a part of himself vanish. His consciousness ceased to exist. An eternity, separated from time and space, passed and soon a voice returned. With malice, the spirit laughed, and William’s' heart started beating once again.
His head splashed out from under the water, and he began to panic as his sight didn’t return. Out of his control, his body started to move. Moments later, his senses came to him. The next thing he saw were his own two arms climbing up the side of the church as the man below spoke with words he couldn’t hear. His body went still right above a window.
“Are you going to kill everyone down there using my body?”
“Not just yet. I want to hear what he has to say and analyze the best course of action.”
“Please, at least tell me what you are. You seem to know everything about me.”
“I was once a doctor and one of the first individuals to touch down on this planet. That man took everything from me when I found out his true motives. He cast me aside like a pile
of trash and stole away the only person I cared about. I will have retribution, and tonight he will know what it feels like to have everything ripped away from him like a carcass.”
“Will you let my friends live? We had nothing to do with what happened to you.”
“If you get in my way, I will guarantee they die by your own hands.” Dazshra went silent and patiently watched as Actavian continued speaking.
William, while still recovering, could now see his friends, Trevor and his twin sister, Brenda, and also his girlfriend, Anya. His heart pounded like a loud drum below his ribs as he thought of the possibility that she could die. I won’t let that happen. I’ll be by her side once I purge this creature away.
“I would love to see you try,” Dazshra said as he made William punch his own stomach.
In a daze, William tried to calm his mind in fear of further retaliation and listened as the large man below them spoke with a passionate voice like that of any leader or politician he had seen on the TV. He paced back and forth in front of the sanctuary. The podium where the pastor would have usually stood was occupied by what looked like a cybernetic robot. To its side was a blazing red laser pistol.
“Every last one of you is a shining example of our perseverance as a species. Through every type of danger, from the Delta Plague spawned by the Dante Rebellion, to the perilous journey to find a new land in this endless galaxy, I commend all of you on your good work towards the flourishment of the human race. We landed on Teracia over 250 years ago, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. The Teracians have allowed us to share their culture, utilize their resources, and honor their desire for peace, but that age of peace might be coming to an end. Two days ago, our way of life was tested by an enemy we thought long gone, Dazshra. Dazshra and his Therak’tow are returning, but do not worry as there is still hope. While our alliances with the Teracians may lessen over the course of this conflict, let me assure you that we have yet to lose faith. Hope in the future from the far distant past. We have in this room, three brave students from an Earth unchanged by the Quantum War, to take on the fight against this monster that all of us could never forget.”
With no resistance, Dazshra forced William to jump down through the open window and vanish into the shadows. He could feel the creature inside of him thirst for blood, and it made him all the more angry that he had accepted life when so many could die. Dazshra stopped at the edge of a large wooden door in the storage room and waited for his chance to strike. William felt his core begin to heat up as if he had just climbed into an oven. Dazshra raised his hand at Actavian, but suddenly halted and peered around.
“I knew I smelled a Teracian here. There is one very close by, and I can sense a hatred inside. I am fascinated by what he may do. We might be able to use the confusion to our advantage if he plans on attacking the group.”
“Aren’t the Teracians a peaceful race? How can you sense one in here?” William said, trying not to reveal the pain he felt.
“Only three have the capabilities of human-like emotions, and one is here now. I was once the third; an abnormality.”
William stared at Anya as she stood next to Brenda on the far-right corner of the church. The look on her face screamed for a release. As if by fate, her look changed and she peered over to the crate where he stood, and they locked eyes. For several seconds, she stared in his direction, but he wasn’t sure if she could see him.
Actavian continued his speech. “These three, as well as one other, are able to use the gauntlets that we are incapable of using. They are pure of heart, body, and soul; from a time before the advancements that we take for granted each and every day. We will once and for all be rid of that chaotic evil with the power of the Teracian crystals. We have our pure human champions who can use this great power to vanquish Dazshra once and for all!”
The crowd around William’s friends cheered, and many of them smiled and shook their hands. The synthetic church burst with excitement. As Actavian started to speak once more, a swirling energy blast ripped above the crowd and struck him in the chest, causing him to crash off of the stage and onto a row of pews.
Several more shot out from the darkness but missed their target and broke through the church walls. Panic ensued, and all the Septunians ran for safe cover outside the church, smacking over candles and fragile vases. Septune Commander Gilbert led everyone to safety. In the midst of the chaos, a lone dark green Teracian rushed out from the shadows with wings in full bloom. His body was muscular, and the plate on his chest was an ever-changing kaleidoscope of color and light.
William felt his muscles tug and the heat in his chest grow in intensity. He opened the door and walked out into the chaos. With a sudden leap, the Teracian landed on one of the pews beneath, crushing it in half. A rush of energy rocked the building, and a solid oak tree smashed through the wall. William saw the young Teracian assailant sending waves of energy at the Septunian leader as if he were a ragdoll until finally his advances had been halted. Lieutenant Miller was suddenly on top the assassin, smashing his face onto the floor with a knife outstretched to his neck.
“Miller, don’t kill the Teracian. We could use him for questioning. Secure the area,” said Actavian as he rose from the floor with only a few streaks of burnt debris falling off of him.
“How did you survive? Those blasts were lethal. What are you?”
“You shut your mouth you, Teracian scum. I see your people finally had the guts to attack us. Major Sorehn, help me secure the area.”
Dazshra, seeing his opportunity, walked into the center of the room and clapped his hands with a striking loudness. “Ha, excellent show gentlemen. I’m glad to see you’re all still alive and in one place.”
“You finally showed yourself. You think you have an advantage over us, Connor? Stealing a kid’s body to even exist. How laughable,” said Miller as he held the knife firm to his prisoner.
Dazshra rose the black gauntlet on his wrist and pointed to Miller. “You’ll die first for your ignorance. I won’t let you exile me again.”
Dazshra’s finely made gauntlet lit up in the center with a fierce red glow, and a large trail of flames shot forward at the Lieutenant.
“Etzel, do it now,” Actavain said, shouting at the inquisitor as he pressed a button on his wrist.
Before it could hit the Lieutenant, a device sparked to life under the church with a bang that activated an electric force field. It engulfed Dazshra, halting the flames progress. He lowered his wrist and slammed his fist into the plasma barrier. William felt every ounce of pain as the spirit continued to rage. Several clouds of smoke materialized as the spirit inside William’s body tried to teleport out, but to no avail, he was trapped inside.
“Please, don’t hurt him. What are you people doing to William?” a voice rang out among the conflict.
“Anya, he isn’t your boyfriend anymore. This thing is the pure embodiment of insanity, and it’s using William as a host. It’s a parasite,” Sorehn said with his gun pointed towards him.
“He talked to me before we arrived here. I swear to you that he’s still there.”
“The major’s right, girl. Ever since that temple collapsed, this thing’s been living inside his body. There’s no way he’s alive.”
“You humans are wrong. He is still in there. I can sense it,” said the young Teracian.
Dazshra in a fit of rage blasted a ball of fire to the ground, incinerating the earth beneath him. “Let me out, and I’ll show all of you just what kind of parasite I am.”
“It’s over, Dazshra. We have you cornered,” said Actavian.
“That new body won’t last long when I have it in my grasp, Actavian. I will regain my other half from you after I discover where you really are.”
William saw the Septunian leader’s eyes narrow, and his fist started to shake.
Miller turned around, gazing at Actavian. “What’s he spoutin’ on about?”
“Disregard his insanity, Lieutenant. Nothing but lies leave his
putrid mouth.”
“Dazshra, I know you were betrayed by your people, but killing them won’t solve anything,”
“And who are you to be telling me this, Azek’zander? You’re the freak of your species. You and that girl, Taiyah, might as well be human. It’s a disgrace.”
“That is irrelevant now. I know you’re still inside him, William. I may have a way to bring you back to us.”
Azek’zander’s skin started to glow, and his wings rose high above him, causing Miller to be pushed aside. A definite sheen of hardened metal collected from every pore and covered his entire frame.
He walked over to William and placed his metallic hand on the force field.
The Lieutenant aimed his gun. “Permission to shoot, sir?”
“Lower your weapon immediately. I want to see if what he says is true,” said Actavian, standing next to Etzel, who stood in place like a statue, observing the Teracian’s every move.
“William, there is someone here who wants to talk to you. A wayward soul trapped in time.”
The Teracian’s stance changed, and his demeanor was that of a confused child. The plate covering the Teracian’s mouth disappeared. His soft white lips started to move, “What’s going on here? Why is brother acting like a monster?”
“What the hell?” said Miller, fidgeting with the gun in his hand.
Dazshra, seemingly bewildered, took a step back and lowered his guard, “What is this? Have you gone insane?”
“The alien isn’t here right now. Don’t you recognize my voice, William? It’s Cody.”
Dazshra grabbed ahold of his head and instantly fell to his knees. “Damnit, he’s too strong. I can’t hold him back any longer.”
Everyone stood in complete silence until Anya spoke up, “Cody?”
“Hey, Anya! Yea, I really don’t understand it either. I remember being with you and Trevor and then nothing. Did I die?”
“We lost you that day to a sick man with an even sicker mind. Do you remember anything after that?”
The Gauntlet of Possession (The Teracian Chronicles Book 1) Page 12