My Demonic Ghost #3: Hunters and Creators (26 page)

Chapter Forty-Seven:

Silence. Heat. Blinding colours. I remained frozen to the ground, too scared to move.
Why is this happening? Why?
Weakness kept me from panicking. I opened my eyes, peering through the dark veil, the sloppy warmth oozing down my neck.  I twisted around so I was on my stomach. The air was thick with heavy fog. Moving was awkward because my legs felt extremely tender - or maybe I should start calling it my tail as it curled in beneath me. When all seven of my arms lifted up at the same time I nearly shrieked! It felt so surreal, the bones moved from the different joints along my torso as they branched off from my spine. I couldn’t imagine what my insides looked like; all I knew was that they felt like a bony knots in the centre of my body. The fence lined trees and pasty glaze of mist felt too familiar, this must be the land of Sloth.

As I rose, the lazy Sin greeted me by the trees, she lounged on her stomach with her hands clasped underneath her chin. She was on a thick branch above my head, her long knotted hair dangling over the side. She said nothing, but watched me cautiously with a hint of fearful respect. As usual, her eyes were a maelstrom of stormy blues and greys shone like beacons through the gloom. The last time I had been with Sloth, she tried to drown me into unconsciousness.
Was this my life now? Surviving as Mother, becoming the new Gate Way to the Seven Sins? How did this even happen?

“Rachael?” I twisted around as another spirit stepped forward. Her blue cloak blended well with the moonlight that spilled from above, hiding her completely among the haze. I went to speak, but the words tangled in my throat. “How nice of you to visit. I see you’ve bought Mother.”

I remember you, you’re the Blue Spirit! You have to help me!
I begged to her telepathically.
Why is this happening?

“You’ve been marked. She must’ve planted a small part of herself inside of you a long time ago. Did she ever touch you or scratch you?” The Blue spirit paused to let me ponder. She had scratched me years ago; she left a scar on my ankle. The Blue Spirit continued on, “How clever of her! I must’ve ruined her plans, though, when I put you back in your body all those years ago.”

Mother was counting on me to die? Don’t tell me she has been inside me the whole time?

“She’s been quite patient. You have her stunning black eyes…” She cooed.

Black eyes…
I squeezed my eyes shut;
I don’t want to be the new Mother.

“You’re not the new Mother; Mother still exists only she exists within you. Soon your mind will start to divide as you melt into her. As long Mother is by your side, the Sins will be at your command. Imagine what that type of power would feel like! Imagine if you could control the Seven Temptations.”

A thought bloomed within me.
I would be able to control the Sins… Does that mean I could use them to fight?

The Blue Spirit smiled with a brisk nod of her head, “The war could change, the Reapers and Banished will not have to suffer anymore. But it would come at a price. The longer you remain with Mother the harder it’ll be to remove her from you. I can take her out now, and you’ll go back to the Third Realm to remain eternally with the boy you love, or you can wait and risk being consumed by her forever.”

I gulped slowly. My mind raced, but I couldn’t think. I thought I had already made my noble sacrifice. I thought for sure that I was at my happy ending, only to have it stripped from me. To remain as Mother forever was unimaginable, but letting thousands of people die was even more unforgiveable. Even if I returned to the third realm, I would spend the rest of my time knowing I had condemned millions to slaughter.
Banished… Reapers… Jordon, Gargoyle and Evan. Did I even have a choice?
  I hoisted myself up onto my tail’s hump. It had grown longer; my skin was turning into scales and the colours faded into a swampy green. Anything human left in me was disappearing.

              To stop Miira’s corruption; to save the Reapers and Banished and rescue humanity; to free Evan from his banishment … I will do this.

I looked up at the Blue Spirit to find she wasn’t smiling anymore. She understood my sacrifice as much as I did, and she mourned my loss. I turned to her with one last plea.
Destroy me before I become her. I want to die as Rachael.
With all my strength, I pulled myself up onto my tail and hoisted myself into a stand. I was taller and stronger than I was before. As fast as my strength grew, my ability to think faded.

“I’ll take you to them.” The Blue Spirit floated to my side and took me by an elbow. As soundless as shifting shadows, we stepped through the portal of the Sin realm and into the sombre chilly night of the streets outside. I tilted my head up at my human sky as if I had been apart from it for too long. I could feel the world and the people crying, and it was heartbreaking.

“You will have to act fast, summon the Sins, and take Miira from her throne. Only then will I take you from this body…” The Blue Spirit whispered.

Won’t you stay and help?
I pleaded, but she shook her head.

“I will only do my job. That is all.” She smiled gently before disappearing.

Devastation plagued the cities as a bushfire scorches its way through forests. Buildings had snapped and crumpled to ruins, the roads were splintered like veins, and the skies were clouded by storms and smoke. People evacuated with nowhere to go, others just hid inside their basements, praying for a saviour.

I still didn’t know how to control my new found body, its movement awkward.  No longer able to walk, I had to shift my weight from side to side like a counterbalance. It was easier to pull myself around on my arms though, so I opted to do that.  I was at the base of a multi-level parking lot where I caught the scent, like pollen tickling my nose, the small band of Reapers hidden in one of the levels closer to the roof. The block was deserted and completely doused in shadows. I faded into the shadow; and as if walking through a dark straight hallway, I ran my hands along the walls blinded, till I stepped out onto the other side. Jordon and some of the other Reapers were here, but were wracked with exhaustion. Above their heads, raining down in the distance, more and more Hunters dropped from above like shooting stars. If I hadn’t know what they were, I would’ve said it was a beautiful sight, their colourful descent created an aurora that etched greens and purples through blackened sky.

Jordon’s arms cradled his chest as he watched on hopelessly. As silent as a breeze, I stepped out from the darkness. Only the Goons took notice of my presence. They turned their attention towards me, ears pointed and their feathers ruffled. Jordon noticed Raix’s alert stance, and glanced over his shoulder before stumbling back.

“What?” He had to take two steps closer, “No way…M-Mother?” I slumped back so I sat on the coil of my tail. All the Reapers turned around astonished.

“Did you just say Mother?”

“Wait… over there!”

“It’s actually her?”

“Mother’s alive? I don’t believe it!”

They all flocked to me like birds swoop to bread crumbs, but not close enough that I could touch them. I felt massive in comparison as I towered over them, as though my shadow might smother them in their sleep. There were roughly five Reapers, Jordon, Elliot, Teresa and two others; but there weren’t any Banished. 

“Mother…”  Jordon stepped up to me bravely. I could feel Mother’s presence in the back of my mind as her tongue slithered her clicks against my ear. I’m not Mother… not yet. I shook my head in response to him,
it’s me,
Rachael.

I leaned down toward him and the Reapers jumped forward to haul him out of my reach. Their sudden movement startled me, and I accidently lashed my tail out while one of my arms punched the concrete wall in reflex, causing it to crack. Then I held my palms open, trying to express my friendliness
. Not Mother, Rachael!
I eased my hands down before I ran them up my face to lift my hair, trying to lift the goo upwards. Beneath the liquid, my human face appeared; but only enough to show my mouth and nose before a new layer covered it again. The hair landed on the ground in soft mounds by my tail. It stained the concrete black for a couple of seconds before disappearing.

This gave me an idea! I ran my hand through my hair before painting across the floor. They all shuffled forward to read what I had written.
Rachael. I am Rachael.
 

“Rachael?” Jordon whispered, flicking his gaze back up. His face went slack in shock, his silver eyes wide and his eyebrows hitting his hairline. I touched my chest then nodded again.
Rachael
. The rest of the Reapers gasped and stepped backwards, not believing what they saw. They all turned to each other, almost speechless.

I leant forward again, re-dipping my hand into my hair.
Rachael now, but not for long. Soon I will become Mother only.

“How did this even happen Rachael? How can we…” Jordon walked forward.  I quickly shook my head, quickly writing,
No time,
before tapping the ground twice to indicate my urgency.

“You can help us?” He asked, almost on the brink of tears. I nodded briskly, before writing,
Sins can fight. I can fight.
Jordon nodded, his lower lip stiffened as the other Reapers clutched at their chests, hope filling them.

“I’ll go get Evan and the others…” Jordon turned to leave, but I quickly grabbed his shirt. I touched my hair, running my fingers along the ground.
Evan must not know about me…. 
I lifted my hand to my lips,
Secret
.

“You don’t want him to know about you?” I nodded. “But Rachael…”

I shook my head;
Rachael’s nearly gone… soon only Mother left… Please, Jordon.

“We’ll fix you. We won’t let you become Mother. Elliot, go get the others. We can do this; we can drive the Hunters back!”

As all the Reapers jumped to their feet, the message of their attack quickly spread through the lines. Minutes later, more ghosts and Banished appeared by our flanks. Evan was among them, though he seemed to lack energy. Elliot said something to him and Evan wrenched his shoulder away, his head buried in his palms. He kept himself concealed in the darkness, tears staining his cheeks, all the fight and fire that once burned in his eyes - gone. I pressed myself further away into the back corner.

“Where’s Chaos?” Jordon called and Chaos appeared beside him.

“I’m here.”

“How’s Gargoyle holding up?”

Chaos nodded gently, “He’s ready to do whatever it takes.”

I looked out among the Banished, but Gargoyle was nowhere to be seen. That was until I realised I was looking for the wrong person. He was among the Banished, his skin just as pale and his hair a deep black. He had completely changed and his eyes bled wildfire. I wouldn’t have noticed him if it weren’t for the fact that he stood alone, away from the other Banished. 

“Everyone, I’ve called you here for our final strike against Miira. Mother has returned to us.” He pointed towards me while all the Banished murmured in fearful excitement. My attention was solely on Evan, who looked over at me, eyes burning in hatred. “And with her she brings the Sins. They have Creators, but we have the Temptations! Hunters are no match for us now! We can do this; we will win! Let’s go show them what’s it’s like to be the underdog!”

Excitement over the impending battle sent tingles through the pack of demons. Howls of rage lifted us upwards with unimaginable power. Like a tornado sweeps people off their feet, the power of the spirits behind me joined with mine, explosively thrusting me skyward.  Gusts of wind spiralled around us as bodies scattered into ash, Goons leapt into the shadows while we ascended the dark stairs into the night. Hunters landed on the ground, swords drawn, standing beside the Reapers that aided them; as the dark tidal wave of our arrival crashed down on top of them.

Chapter Forty-Eight:

I still couldn’t control Mother’s body well. I found myself slipping into dark holes and stumbling out where I didn’t mean to be. In the end, it was simply easier for me to travel on my stomach, my tail propelling me forward while I used my arms to steer. I couldn’t work out how to bring the Sins out from their shells, so I opted to fight with my own bare fists for now.

I reached at the bottom of a 9-story building and sprang upwards on my tail, clinging to the window frame. I scaled the building, using my arms like a spider and my tail whipping behind me. My seven limbs worked like the cogs in a pocket watch and I climbed much faster than I ever expected. When I reached the roof, the dance of white and dark smoke littered the space like the fall out after an explosion. I lurched forward and three more Hunters appeared to assist me. They all came to an abrupt halt, not expecting me to spring out from the shadows. I slapped one way, catapulting him off the roof, the other I ensnared by the collar and slammed him against the ground, and the third Hunter ran away.  The Banished that I had helped looked up at me panting hard, before nodding in his thanks.

I kept moving, following the white sparks and the shrills of battle. Each Hunter fled upon my approach, and my tail whipped the ones that couldn’t get away fast enough. I knocked down a Masked Reaper and its giant Goon pet jumped at me, grabbing my shoulder in its large jaw. Pain splintered through my body from the bite and I lassoed my tail around its midriff; easily hauling the beast off my shoulder and slamming it continuously against the concrete. The streets were littered with chaos of war, the living watched from apartment windows in absolute horror.

The moment I took my eyes off the Goon its Reaper hauled a long blade from his belt and ran at me, sword raised over his head, ready to drive it through my abdomen. At the last second, as a Banished torpedoed into the Reaper in a feral frenzy, its body moving fog as he managed to crush the Reaper into the road. The evil Reaper disappeared instantly, melting the Goon in my tail with it. I turned back to the Banished and his green eyes burned into mine.

“What did you do to her?” Evan wiped his wrist across his mouth, his eyes darkened to an enraged and unforgiving green.  I flinched backwards. He marched up to me, hands fisted and his face scrunched into a maddening scowl. “Where’s Rachael?”

I took off as fast as I could. I ripped open the shadows and pulled myself through, reappearing at the end of the street in between two buildings. In front of me more Hunters and Banished brawled, so I dragged myself towards them; easily flinging the Hunters against the walls. A group of them jumped up to bombard me, but I easily slapped them away, my body spinning on its arms and using my tail as a whip.  A blurred darkness went straight at my face as white heat scorched along my chest. I shoved the darkness off only to realise it was Evan again who had followed me.  Mother’s presence behind my eyelids screeched in anger and I quickly retreated through the shadows, trying to create as much distance between Evan and myself as possible. Mother wasn’t as forgiving or understanding as I was, and fearfully I felt her temper surge and control grew thin with Evan’s interference.

I really needed a minute to concentrate, but Evan wasn’t giving me a moment’s peace. Every jump I made he followed relentlessly. Even if there were Hunters nearby, he immediately attacked me, asking the same thing repeatedly, “Where is she? Where is she?” He really gave me no choice. I jumped once more and spun around, waiting for the moment attacked me so I could whip him with my tail, striking as hard and launching him as far away as I could, sending him tumbling across the road. Once I knocked him down, I hid in the shadows again, dragging myself blindingly through the darkness, before appearing in an empty shopping mall. There were windows directly above my head allowing the blue moonlight to wash downwards, but otherwise the mall was an eerie ink black.

There was no way he’d be able to track me now, so I took time to catch my breath and properly think. That was when I heard distinctive yelling, the sound of stampeding feet and the crashing of fists knocking together overhead. I hoisted myself up and dragged myself up the wall with my arms till I reached the windows, which I smashed to give myself enough space to wiggle through.

Sure enough, Chaos and Gargoyle were tag teaming. They took on four Reapers and two other Hunters. Beside them was Teresa, but she was badly wounded and tending to the gash that ran up her arm, while her Goon loomed protectively over her. I felt small against their numbers. I managed to snatch the attacking snake Goon by its tail and haul it towards me before it lunged for Gargoyle. The serpent turned to strike at me, but I lifted three of my fists and drove punches into its head, knocking it unconscious. It was incredibly useful having multiple arms and a strong tail to whip people with.

Gargoyle and Chaos both looked over in relief just as something hit me from behind. I turned around to find Evan panting heavily on the other side of the rooftop.
WHAT? No way! How on earth does he keep finding me?
He kept firing fist sized bullets, throwing disc after disc of dark matter. I panicked when I couldn’t deflect them all. Mother’s presence surged forward, her rage outweighing my panic.

For a split second, I lost control and Mother ran at him, arms held above her head and tail slamming against the ground. Evan didn’t falter, his glare only grew more fierce as he prepared to fire another round into her face. Before she could land her punch, I took control over my body again, just missing Evan’s head as he landed a blow into my stomach. The pain wasn’t as bad as I had expected, but it was enough to cause me to wobble. A moment later, Gargoyle tackled Evan to the ground and out of my reach.

“What are you doing? She’s on our side!”

With my back turned, the opposing Goons leapt at me, pulling on my arms so my bones trembled in their sockets as they were pulled in different angles, stretching me out. Blinded with pain as I thrashed, trying desperately to tear them off me. It was like being attacked by a flock of black crows, they just kept swooping at me, so that I didn’t have the slightest chance to turn my head in order to see where they came from. I took blow after blow.  When I managed to knock one off, two more latched on. The Goons were also bombarding me and I could feel Mother’s panic start rise uncontrollably. Between them and Evan, I felt completely overwhelmed.

Something snapped and Mother took control. Suddenly I was moving faster, hitting harder, feeling so much more powerful and angry that I ended up killing all the Goons that were attacking me instead of just wounding them. I wasn’t in control anymore. I couldn’t think. I just punched vigorously. I ended up smashing one Goon as I coiled my tail around him and squeezed without restraint.

“Evan! STOP IT!” Evan jumped at me again. I swung my arm outwards, trying to bat the last Goon off when I hit him instead. My entire body clenched when my knuckle landed against his face. The strike was heavy and I heard his body crunch when he hit the brick wall. For a moment he just lay there motionlessly, and my entire world stopped.
No… no what have I done? What have I done?
I held my breath until he suddenly coughed and rolled over onto his stomach. He pushed himself back up into a standing wobbly, and propped himself up against the wall, cupping his swollen cheek. I admit it, I was impressed. He definitely could take a hit.

For a moment he was silent, and Gargoyle and Chaos rushed to his side. Teresa looked up from where she rested, shaking her head gently.

“Evan? What are you doing?” Gargoyle helped Evan to rise, but he quickly pushed him aside.

He growled between winces, “It… took… Rachael!”

Gargoyle looked over at me briefly, “What are you talking about?”

“I saw it! Rachael… was up in the third realm… then IT took her!” He jutted his finger in my direction.

“That’s impossible!” Teresa argued.

“I saw it happen!” Evan barked as he limped over, “Where did you take her? Is she in one of the realms? Huh? Answer me!” He shouted as Gargoyle pulled him back.

“Rachael is in the third Realm, she’s safe now…”

“Didn’t you just hear what I said?” 

Teresa growled and rolled her eyes, “Don’t listen to him, Mother didn’t take Rachael-”

“How do you know? You weren’t there!” Evan snapped.

“Because…”

“Because why?”

“Because Mother is Rachael!” Her voice spiralled upwards. Evan and Gargoyle fell deadly still, as if they were frozen to the ground. They both looked at me, trying to see some sort of similarity between the old me and what I had become. Chaos lowered his head as if he couldn’t stand to look.

“What?” Gargoyle scrunched his face up.

Teresa sighed, motioning out towards the fighting “We don’t have time for this!”

“It’s true…” Chaos confirmed, “Jordon told us not to tell, though.” He shot Teresa a disapproving frown. She puffed out her chest in reply.

“This is idiotic, why are we having this conversation now? Evan had to know the truth!”

“Rachael…?” Evan pushed himself forward as he limped his way towards me. I lowered my head before very gently nodding. His eyes were shiny and dilated in shock. I didn’t want to look at him. In all honesty, I was scared of what he would think of me…I was scared he would be repulsed. I dared a second’s glance to find his face was tight in horror and disgust. I fell silent, I didn’t know what to say.

“Watch out!” Gargoyle yelped as a large missile of white magic hit the rooftop, no doubt aimed at me. I was able to leap out of the way when blinding white ball exploded on impact, flinging everything loose over the wall railings and plummeting the three-story drop.  I clung to the walls, able to shield myself from the blast, but Evan and Chaos were caught in the rubble. Panicked, I slithered back over to where they were sprawled out. Evan was unconscious and limp.  Gargoyle quickly rushed over, scooping Chaos up.

“Chaos? CHAOS!” He shrieked as he placed his hand underneath Chaos’ neck, propping him up. White smoke was subtlety escaping Chaos’ pores, as if he was slowly breaking apart. Gargoyle gently rested his palm against Chaos’ temple then closed his eyes in concentration, “Heal, damn it! HEAL!” 

Pain of heartache pulsated from Gargoyle’s chest, especially when he realised his hands could no longer heal like they could when he was a Hunter. Evan was similar, except for the white smoke; ash oozed out of his pores and filling the space above us. I reached out to run my finger along Evan’s cheek, only to find my human hands were moulded into greyish leather with long, sharpened nails. I retracted my hand back instantly for fear I would cut him. Above our heads, Hunters continued their assault, raining and ever increasing number of missiles that struck the ground within inches of our bodies.