Jass words rang out over the snow.
The scene was subtly different from the last ti hed been here, so two or so months in the future. Then the place had looked abandoned, desolate. But now there were still signs of life.
The work station out to the side of the yard was tidy and the sawhorse table had been cleared of snow. Freshly chopped logs were stacked against the side of the cabin. An old and much abused snowmobile was parked beside them, a bright blue tarp half blown off it.
All that and golden yellow light stread from cracks between the curtains and oily blue smoke disappeared from the top of the chimney into the night sky.
Belanger! Jas walked till he was so five yards from the porch. Co on out. Youre not in trouble. I want to talk.
There was a chance the guy would slip out the back, but Jas thought it minimal. This was still two weeks before the demon symbol would appear above Belangers cabin, two weeks before hed race into Old Crow to make his mangled report about an imminent demon invasion.
This was the guys house. Hed not abandon it so quickly. Jas vaguely recalled sothing in Belangers file where he was under suspicion for killing loggers or the like whod trespassed against his ho in another Canadian remote spot.
No. It was much more likely that Belanger would just shoot him.
A curtain twitched. Jas caught a flash of a lean, weathered face, then it was gone.
A mont later the door opened and Belanger erged, a shotgun hanging by his side. He wasnt nearly as far gone as when Jas had t him, underground with his demonic wife. Lean, yes, deep lines carved around his mouth and with white stubble along his jaw, his eyes set in a perpetual squint, his white hair shorn to little more than a crew cut. But he looked hardy and tough, like well worn leather. His clothing was clean, and his porcelain blue eyes were sharp.
What do you want? Belangers tone was low and intense. He scrutinized Jas then gazed past him to the tree line. No doubt noting his lack of transport. Who are you?
Jas raised his hands. Just a friend. Dont laugh, I know you aint had many.
Belanger frowned. You lost? You lose your mind? What are you doing out here without proper gear?
Right, said Jas, looking down at his long sleeved shirt and canvas pants. Yeah, I can see how this would look strange. But look. Theres no way to say this smoothly, so Ill just co out with why Im here. I know about the Light Eternal. I know about Jane, and the demons that are trying to break your mind. Im here to help.
Belangers eyes widened and he snatched the shotgun up so that while it shook it was still mostly pointed at his face. I dont know what youre talking about. Now get off my property before I blow your damn head off.
Jas raised his hands, more to reassure Belanger than anything else. Easy. In a little over four weeks a huge demon symbols gonna appear in the sky above your hostead. The demons will have worn you down by then. I bet youve noticed theyre amping up the pressure already. But a couple of days after you give in, the real invasion will start. I dont want that to happen. Again.
Belanger adjusted his grip on his shotgun in a futile attempt to stop it shaking. Again? What the fuck you talking about?
Jas laughed mirthlessly. Im from the future, man. I already lived through the invasion once. It didnt go well. Ive co back here to take the Light Eternal from you and make sure it doesnt happen again.
Belanger just stared.
Yeah, I know. But how else would I know all these things?
Pah, spat Belanger. You think the demons havent tried to trick like this before? Fuck you. Get out of here. I wont deal with you. I wont give up the Light Eternal. Its my sacred trust. Fuck off.
Jas grimaced. Yeah, I would, but I know you change your tune in two weeks ti. So I cant do that.
Belanger raised the shotgun and set the butt to his shoulder. One.
Jas blew out his cheeks. How to prove Im not a demon. I guess any supernatural powers could just look demonic. Flight, invisibility, all of that.
Two.
And I cant just take it. You need to give it to of your own free will.
Belanger scowled. I warned you, ya dumb bastard. Three.
And he fired the shotgun.
A hail of buckshot flashed around Jas, pinging off his Circle of Protection which hed attuned to all incoming damage, not just demonic. The buckshot flew off in every direction.
Jas lowered his hands.
Belangers eyes widened all over again as he lowered his gun.
Im here to talk, buddy. But Im glad you got that out of your system. You ready to hear my story? How about I start from the beginning.
The demons usually disappear when I shoot them, whispered the old man. Its understood as a no. They laugh and promise to co back. They always co back.
Yeah. Theyll keep coming back. In fact Jas frowned and turned in a slow circle, extending his senses.
Spiritual Exaltation made him uniquely attuned to the substrate and its fluctuations. Nothing was in the clearing, but there.
Jas frowned up into the night sky. So five hundred yards up, barely a speck, sothing invisible was watching them.
Here, hold on, said Jas quietly, and he opened a portal.
A second later he erged high above the cabin, flight kicking in to keep him aloft, and right beside the hidden being.
A demon, he realized. A Monitor.
It went to teleport away, but Jas activated Dinsional Anchor and locked the area down.
The invisible Monitor panicked. Jas felt it dumping Infernum fruitlessly into the substrate, its confusion becoming terror, but before it could pull out any further tricks Jas activated Forced Humility.
The sheer weight of his 50,000 Arete crushed the Monitors resistance like a paper cup under a tank tread. Jass authority washed over the demon and he felt its mind smooth out, its resistance and fear and hatred evaporate to be replaced by total obedience.
Drop the invisibility, said Jas.
Jane appeared in the air before him. Lank blonde hair hung past her bony shoulders, and her expression was one of wonder and awe.
Youre not the Jane I fought, said Jas. I was under the impression that demon was summoned a reward for Belangers capitulation. Youre just a Monitor.
I I dont know of what you speak, whispered the demon.
Doesnt matter. Follow .
Jas dropped like a rock, the Monitor just behind him. They both alighted on the snow. Belanger was gaping, his mouth working.
Now watch, said Jas. You. Drop the disguise.
Jane didnt even argue. Her loyalty was total. In a second the image of a thin, blonde woman disappeared to be replaced by the Monitors horrific self.
Twelve feet tall, it was spindly and emaciated, sexless and with the visage of a desiccated mummy. No nose, lips shriveled back from her teeth, ears little more than nubs, but with a full head of black hair that hung in a great cloud to its waist, shifting and stirring of its own accord.
Fuck! scread Belanger, scrambling back and falling onto his ass.
Now tell him, said Jas. Tell him whats going on.
The Monitor turned its burning gaze upon Belanger. We are seeking to break your will so as to acquire control over the Light Eternal. Upon doing that we shall begin the System invasion. We are close, we can sense it. Your defiance has grown febrile, unconvincing.
Am I on your side?
The Monitor appraised Jas again with confusion, wonder, and no small amount of terror. No, human. I know not who you are, or from where you co. So other world, assuredly, or perhaps you are a delegate of another alien species co here to interfere. Regardless. You are powerful beyond my understanding.
See? Jas looked back at Belanger who was staring in horror and fascination. Im not with them.
Belanger said nothing.
I guess this is a bit much. You, Monitor. If I acquire the Light Eternal will you guys start pestering like you are him?
We we have no choice. We shall seek to convince you, to but I can tell it will be futile, your ntal Dominion it is so high. You are a Void Emperor Absolute. Unheard of. How can this be?
Long story. And without the Light Eternal you cant start the System?
Correct. We have labored since we arrived to corrupt the Bearer, and only now do we co close. But with you here
Yeah, your plans just been ruined. Belanger? Hey, Belanger!
The old man blinked and tore his eyes away from the spindly demon. Ah yes?
Im going to kill it, all right? You shouldnt have Monitors hanging around your house. Unsanitary. More will co, but even one less is a good thing.
Belangers eyes widened. You you can kill them?
There is no need, I shall depart. I will not instigate the final conversion -
Jas raised his palm and activated Death Attack.
The Monitor took 62 trillion damage. For a split second it glowed gold and then it burst into dust that sparkled as it, too, burned away.
Faster than Jas could blink it was gone.
There, said Jas, smacking his hands together. Youre free of their attention for little while.
Yes, whispered Belanger, blinking. For the first ti in so very long I can feel a weight lifted from my soul. You youre from the future?
Ill tell you all about it. But first what do you say to my having a shower? Been on the streets for a bit. You got any coffee?
Belanger picked himself off the floor. Sure.
Make a cup and Ill start from the beginning.
Belanger put the shotgun up against his shoulder and studied Jas. Slowly, grudgingly, he nodded. Co on in then, stranger. Be welco.
Thanks. Jas made his way up to the porch. Nas Jas Kelly.
Patrick Belanger. But I guess you already knew that.
Jas clapped the old man on the shoulder as he followed him inside. Nice to et you like this, Patrick. Cant tell you how much of an improvent it is.
* * *
Belanger gave Jas a towel and a clean set of clothing and pointed out the bathroom door. When Jas erged, drying off his beard, two cups of coffee were set out, steam rising from them both. Jas sat and took a sip. Bitter and strong. Caffeine no longer had any effect on him, but the taste was welco, and without any preamble he launched right into the tale.
And it worked, Jas said at last. It was the wildest gamble of my life, but the System had gone sufficiently rogue that it allowed access to the root nu. I activated the power and woke up in Brooklyn, just where Id been two weeks before this all went down. I still had a boatload of points, so I repurchased my powers and ca right here.
Belanger had listened, rapt, to the entire tale. It had taken almost an hour to recount, and each ti Jas had tried to skip ahead his companion would stop him with a series of sharp questions.
And then you ca here. Belanger shook his head in wonder. I believe you. It sounds mad, but my whole life thats what Ive felt. Mad. Nobody but Jane believed , and when she died, they turned her into a source of unending pain. Belanger began to shake. And now youre here. He raised his hands to his face, then abruptly rose and stalked away to face the wall. For a long minute he just stood thus, face covered, shoulders trembling.
Jas looked down at his mug.
Finally Belanger dropped his hands and looked back over his shoulder. I was about to give it up. I didnt even admit it to myself. But these past few months Id started to lose the why of it all. Why bother shaving? Brushing my teeth? Why bother fixing up the house or going into town for supplies? All roads led back to them. To what theyd made of Jane. To their taunts. Their lies. Their laughter. I swore that Id never be weak, but its been so long. Every ti I tried to explain what I was going through people called crazy. I even tried showing folks how I could open any locked door and they just thought it was a party trick. When I finally convinced them it werent, they got mad and locked up.
Belangers expression was haunted. Ive been so alone with this, Kelly. Its been eating up for years. I I couldnt take it no more. Even killing myself wasnt an option. That would be my abandoning it. Theyd snatch the Light Eternal up the mont I did.
Jas grimaced and gave a nod of understanding.
Belanger laughed, a terrified, helpless sound. I oh god. I didnt even realize how much I was weakening. I think Id have just snapped, one day to the next. I dont know. I guess they could sense it. Like sharks with blood in the water. Theyve been hounding night and day. Pushing . Promising whatever I wanted. Telling I was going to break eventually, so why not just get it over? And the worst part? I knew they were right.
Jas stood up. They were wrong. Im here. Im human. Im on your side. Ill take it off your hands. You need never think about it again. And once youre free of it, youll be able to start over, to do whatever you want.
Belanger just stared at him, incredulous, and then he started to cry.
Jas helped him to his bed. The man was wracked with sobs. His whole fra shook. It was like each sob was bucket lowered into a well of anguish and horror and brought up from the dark to be spilled out into the open.
Belanger turned to face the wall.
Jas stepped back outside into the night and gave him his privacy.
Ten minutes later the weeping ended. Belanger erged. He had the Light Eternal in hand.
Here, he whispered. Take it. Take it far, far away. Youre a better man than I am, Jas. I hope it doesnt bring you the misery its brought .
Ive been dealing with these demons for just about three months. Youve been wrangling with them for I dont know how many years. And without any powers. Dont be hard on yourself. Nobody knows what you went through.
Belanger stared down at the Light Eternal, a band appearing and disappearing over the joint of his jaw, then gave a curt nod and held his hands out.
Jas took the raw hunk of sapphire. As before, it was multifaceted and bound in golden wires, with so of its faces cloudy, others polished to a clear gloss.
You have acquired the Light Eternal.
Do you wish to beco its Guardian?
Dont be hasty now.
Jas willed his assent.
You are now the Guardian of the Light Eternal.
You have gained the ability to use the Light Eternal.
You are now immune to Curses, Fear, Possession, and Illusions.
No locks, doors, or portals can bar your way.
For as long as you refuse to bestow the Light Eternal upon a demon,
Mankind shall remain safe from the instigation of the System.
Id suggest taking that part seriously.
Jas exhaled. There it is.
Belanger was panting. He staggered to one side, leaned against the doorfra, and pressed his hand to his brow. Its its gone. I cant believe it. Its no longer mine.
Jas bounced the Light Eternal in his palm. Youre a free man, Belanger. Congrats.
No, thank you. This feels like a dream. I just hope I never wake up. Thank you, Jas.
They shook hands. Belangers grip was firm.
Ill be heading out now. Jas descended the steps to the moonlit snow. Take care of yourself.
You too, Jas. You too.
Jas gave the old man a two-fingered salute, and with the sapphire in his fist opened a portal back to Brooklyn.
The white flas appeared in an oval and he stepped through.
To erge, smooth as can be, into a dark alleyway. The portal snapped closed behind him, and he cast around till he saw a bottle lying on the floor, still wrapped in its brown paper bag. He pulled the wrinkled bag free, dropped the Light Eternal inside, then wrapped it up.
That done, he stepped out into the street and raked his still damp hair back from his eyes.
Across from him was Hermans Bar. The Passenger by Iggy Pop and the Stooges blared out from the open door at the bottom of the flight of stairs.
Chest tight, throat knotted up, Jas crossed the street, descended to the open door and stepped inside.
The place was packed. Cigarette smoke hung heavily in the air. Overhead spotlights reflecting off beveled glasses and the waxen bar. People were shouting and leaning into each other, faces flushed, drinks in hand. TV screens played muted MTV Music videos. The jukebox glowed bright, the air was warm, and the whole place felt like ho.
Jas stood in the doorway, Light Eternal gripped in one fist, and scanned the crowd. He was about to give up when he saw her.
Seated at the bar, a drink with a tiny umbrella in it, Serenity was laughing with unabashed glee at sothing the guy next to her had just said. She wore a pink feather boa around her neck, and was dressed all in black, her make-up heavily done, her hair frizzed out into an 80s mane.
She must have felt his stare because she looked over her shoulder right at him and froze.
She couldnt possibly rember him. But her eyes widened regardless. Spooked, she turned away and raised her hand for another drink.
Jas waited till the seat next to her opened and slipped through the bar to take it.
Serenity turned to study him.
Her face was so familiar.
He smiled.
Do I know you? she asked, half wary, half wondering.
Technically we havent t yet. Im Jas. Jas Kelly.
Jas Kelly? Like Ned Kelly from the Kelly Gang.
Or Clyde Barrow.
Clyde? She leaned over and propped her chin on the base of her palm, eyes burning bright as she grinned at him. That ans youre missing a Bonnie.
Warmth flooded through Jas. He set the brown paper bag on the bar and signaled to Herman. The old bartender gave him an up-nod and began making his way over. Not any more Im not. Not any more.
THE END
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