he Dragonai that was earth bound ordered a priest to the hospital and that priest rode off in his truck to conduct business for the order. a priest that was convinced, from the horrific events in June town that Christ was on his way. whatever decree came from the church would be a personal obligation placed on himself, to ensure his seat in the kingdom of God.
Parking the truck, he snatched the cross etched vinyl brief case from the backseat and walked into the hospital. At the front desk he asked for her by name.
“Emma Marie Cavanaugh, needed to see me “
The lady at the desk signed him in and let him through.
knocking on her door, he pushed it unlatched the door stop with his foot to keep it open. her sleeping face pressed into the white pillow that was wedged against the guard rails of the bed.
The priest put his case on the countertop to open it, refraining from making too much noise. pulling the syringe from its padded casing and sticking the needle deep into a vial of sleep sedative filling the syringe. A tap at the door forced him to stick the entire thing into his pocket
“Oh, she fell asleep “
The priest looked at Emma still against the pillow.
“In the middle of prayer” he smiled briefly
“That’s too bad were gonna have to wake her up for dinner.
I'll be back with it , just make sure you sign out, ok?”
“Will do “
The nurse left but her footsteps seemed to slowly wake Emma. and the syringe immediately came out of his pocket. Rushing over to cover her mouth before she could shout, he inserted the needle into her writhing neck and injected her until she was asleep again.
He drove her to Sagebrook to what was left of the Hoky advocate. where the Dragonai waited for the girl in the best-standing church its structure still standing from the fire, with barely a roof, thin walls, charred pews, charred altar. The final reservoir of the Orders Armies, imported into the state days ago. had arrived at this very location, white masked marksman, swordsman, ready to die. Filling the entire inside and entirely surrounding the outside of the church. They brought Emma inside through the ranks of the silent army, in so much pain without her medication, still clothed in a hospital gown.
HIM!”
“It is with great joy I announce that Our Dragonai is up there among the stars, calling our lord to finish on his promise. to come back and open the ramparts of judgement on this city and on this vile earth!”
In unison, every masked soldier held up a blade and let the Dragonai speak.
“Over this past week alone is enough to show us the raw power of the dark angel here on earth. and it had taken the shape of a boy! … Our master will come down to a clean earth. master will not find a single heathen amongst our races and he will reclaim his place among man once more! “
Under the moon. his knees were staged on the asphalt in front of the queen. and the trees swayed away from him on the breeze. Imagining Her agony and sadness consumed him. it’s all he could dwell on.
“I would say your ambitions to provide for your family, have given you the focus you need. to stay on the path to permanent recovery”
The red surges of power that came off of his trembling body, sparked a gentle fire on top of a tree in the parking lot. and as his memories came, so did a series of red lightning. the waving trees froze slowly in one direction then moved towards the suction pull of his power. and they ignited, one by one to the red force that thundered off his body. as he stood, the fire only grew more immense until the trees in his path on the parking lot and in front of the hospital were full on ablaze.
Looking up to the queen, she was perfect, as if nothing had happened. In here his next target would reside. he knew this was some kind of illusion world, but he didn’t fear to go further.
The doors were wide open, and the facility looked empty. Stepping through, the only thing he could hear was the rush of flames outside. his steps were cautious, alert.
The fire ceased and the sunlight cast a ray through the roofs square glass dome.
The doors behind him were now closed. and the cloudless sky was potent with sunshine. “Adonis, come with me “
Adonis turned to Jacob’s voice, and watched himself go with his old therapist. A memory… Emma came back from breakfast, on her way across the female side of the main floor. she returned Adonis’s long gaze while Marthus put his keys in the door. the flirtatious stare was broken when Jacob pushed open the door. On the main floor, for the last year male and females were able to gather around the same table. Playing cards together with other males. from time to time, she would look at him over her deck.
“His anger is out of control. he thinks he’s better without the medication, and he hates it when I recommend something”
Marthus handed Jacob an ice bag for his head. Looking over at Adonis, who was forced to the ground by other admin. forcing his restraint suit on him for the first time.
“Do you think I’m wrong Marthus? Look at him!”
Marthus sighed.
“No Jacob, I just think it’s more than a chemical imbalance, think about his father and his school records. He is confused “
“You’re defending him… I’ve done this longer than you’ve been a therapist I know damn well what he needs. “
Adonis sat in a chair before Marthus and his old therapist.
this was when he was discussing the legal action, he had convinced his mother to take for Emma’s adoption.
“A week ago, you assaulted me what makes you think your fit to take on such a responsibility?”
Marthus defended him.
“that’s enough why do I always have to remind you about your tone Jacob it’s not going to get through to him “
The psychiatrist resigned after the fact. not only was the workplace less toxic but Marthus began to see significant improvements. even when he thought Emma’s discharge would affect him, instead, he took the responsibility to serve his extra time.
Finding his way back to the world outside was a strong driving force. that proved to be what Adonis needed to control his aggression. and soon it came naturally. Adonis would be like a role model to the others, the last of his friends were inspired. and discharged shortly after while he waited his next chance to finally leave.
The day had faded back to darkness once again. Back in the present moment a feeling of dread fell over him.
“You once held a future… as clear as you can visualize your past “
Adonis stood in the foyer looking up at the glass dome above, and every floor of the empty facility.
“You aim for freedom and acceptance. but what if you truly don’t know what you want? and you find that I alone bested you because your path was unclear!”
“don’t be deceived, believe in us” the creature within him said.
Adonis unsheathed his sword and held it ready.
“it’s a shame your life didn’t work, but mine must continue. as it has for a millenia”
The back doors lock near the stairwell clunked free and its doors opened. In och’ s guard, his right elbow drawn back with the hilt close to his temple, and his right hand closest to the weapons guard. his left hand under neath it close to the pommel of the weapon. Walking away from the foyer to the male's side of the square. The rain had started, it was hard hitting rain and thunder now. His eyes fixed on the open exit down the hallway. Reaching it and stepping out to the back of the facility he was greeted with a flash of lightning… that froze in time. The night lit with bright streaks of veiny lightning in the sky. even the raindrops seemed to cease in their fall.
Passing the basketball courtyard, he maintained his ochs guard, through the halted beads of rain this night. that was oddly illuminated by natural forces in the dark sky. Up there, lightning forks still frozen still.
The condensation had masked the translucent panels of the glass house, that were showing a warmer color because of the light inside.
The raindrops still wet his skin passing through them, his blade separating them as he glide through. Making it to the door of the greenhouse, four long corridors of green and floral life sat under a heating lamp. Adonis reached out to touch one of the leaf petals, admiring the innocent life at his hand. The thunderclap and blinding light were at last resounding, and with it the rain was unleashed…
Zachariah appeared at the end of the greenhouse. He looked at his formal wear, ragged and ruined, wearing a single dress shoe.
“Her death is still on his hands… bleed the holy slayer, let death not be his judicator! For you have his sword “
Adonis changed both hands to alter the weapon into a wrath guard. The blades edge resting on his shoulder, his hands placed as if he were winding the sword back for an immense killing swing. Holding the guard, he took a few cautious steps forward, but the mighty Dragonia took a step back.
“Wait…”
Adonis quit his approach but held his guard.
“Before I was anointed the High patriarch of the legendary dragon order, I was a boy who took an oath to survive. The Catholic Church always helped my brother who needed it most. His medication was as important as getting food on the table for my wife and I. The money was there, after every mission the high patriarch sent me on at the time, and I got comfortable. I found myself far deeper in the order than I wanted, instead of helping others we started looking more and more for signs of Christ’s coming. Neglecting our original oaths to the people, and then came the final act of the patriarch in office. endless service became mandatory to those who were already in highs seats, abandonment or disobedience meant our families would be taken, forced to live in offshore countries where the slave trade Is still legal.”
“I tire of these lies. Of all the deceit. he represents nothing but death! No matter how hard he pleas he is still guilty! KILL HIM!”
His grip tightened around the blade's hilt and his consciousness started to fade. Adonis dropped the sword to reach for the crystal vial in his pocket. it was the only solution to prevent the creature from taking over again. With both his hands free in panic he plucked the cork off and went to drink the solution. but a clarity came over him. He likened the vial to his medication, and hesitation turned into absolute defiance.
Adonis paused, the vein was rising from his forehead and the red lining around his honey-colored eyes was starting to fill in. he remembered how worthy he was of the facilities release and they still found a way to deny him, when he for the longest time thought himself inadequate for a relationship with Emma. when he for the longest time thought he would never have a normal life outside those walls. It changed him, slowly he regained more and more consciousness, fighting back its urge to take control.
“We can help her; you have to stay in control!” Zachariah shouted
Adonis dropped the crystal vial, it shattered. and going with it was the easy way out of this power struggle.
The creature Reached for the sword, but Adonis held it back , his face straining from the amount of willpower and thought he had to put into resisting.
“Show it another way! “Zachariah pleaded
Adonis kicked the sword and backed away from it, taking a knee. holding his trembling hand with the other.
“Even when he is responsible for her death, you show him mercy. …So then… I show them …mercy?”
Adonis could feel the hatred inside him subside… and a feeling of warmth and calm washed over his mind.
Zachariah made a steady approach to him, walking around the large blade. to Adonis still on his knee with his eyes in a different direction.
“I’m sorry “he said
Adonis didn’t look at him, he remained kneeling.
“I hate you. “
“Why do you spare me then?”
Adonis reached out for his sword and held it close, running his fingers along the spellbound engravings on the silver-colored metal.
“Because I’ve had enough of this, I’m ready to move on “
Adonis stood, sheathing his sword to his back. Before looking at the Dragonai in his eyes.
“Aren’t you?”
“…I am. But there is something you need to know….”
Adonis turned his body to face Zachariah.
“The council is coming to June; they are planning another inquisition. They are convinced that I will come back with the messiah. They will not uphold any government laws to see that the land is clean”
“Clean?”
“Yes, you heard me “
“Then we have to hurry and find the Guardian, he is the only way out “
Adonis turned around, the rain had ceased again, and the sky was lit with another bolt. but what followed was something else, pounding on the infrastructure of the facility. it shook the earth with each blow, so much so that they ran out of the greenhouse in fear of its collapse. With the next blow the top of the building exploded outward, then the left side and then the right.
“What the fuck is that?!”
Zachariah shouted over the falling debris, over the pounding that persisted following the collapse of the entire building. it not only collapsed but was swallowed by the earth sucked down brick by brick. liquifying the once solid shape and impressive structure into nothing but dirt, brick and debris. It happened quickly and in the end it left just a gaping void where the Queen once stood. “That’s terrifying, don’t tell me we have to go down there”
Adonis unsheathed his sword.
“Isn’t it obvious”
He led the way and peered over the black chasm, scars in the earth, rocks still tumbled down free into the dark pit. A pit deep enough to swallow a building of that size was nothing an ordinary man could even try to survive. But Adonis realized something and turned to Zachariah.
“it’s a simulation.”
Adonis grabbed Zachariah by the collar and threw themselves both into the bottomless pit.
A dusty wooden table collapsed under the force of his fall. Zachariah’s screamed on the way down landing and rolling on his shoulder but not as hard as he thought he should.
He used his sword to stand up again. a teal light pulsating from strange fleshy tentacle-like arms covering the walls. It throbbed and writhed. When the light would pulsate, it would show the inner workings of these arms. A liquid, flowing quickly through the living vast channel.
“Get up”
Adonis said, holding his sword close. Zachariah’s back touched his and together they studied the odd landscape that was the facility, but not in so many strange ways.
“What the hell did you get us into? “
“it’s the only way out”
“Alright then, are you up for suggestions?”
“Hit me with it”
Zachariah took a second to think, following the glowing arms to the stairwell. comparing other doors that were just blocked off by the growth entirely.
“It would only make sense to go up and seeing that the door is laying there flat on the staircase, I say we go up”
Adonis let Zachariah lead, pushing tables and large broken panes of plastic out of their way.but what was strangest is that here, there was only a gaping hole plugged with earth, where he should have been able to see every floor and the glass dome ceiling.
Approaching the tight stairwell with the help of the slow strobing teal light, following the growth that led up the stairs.
A narrow and long way up to the top. Adonis followed being mindful of their rear, listening, waiting on edge.
At the top finally Adonis stopped him, he could hear a rhythmic thumping unsure of its origin.
“Do you hear that?” Zachariah asked
“It’s coming from the next floor up “
Adonis led Zachariah through the hallway and back through another set of stairs at the end of the hallway.
Reaching the next floor the heart like thumping was felt in their ears, bringing an awareness to their own heart thumping with anxiety.
The door that once was a bedroom for a patient was held open by a cluster of fatty quivering growth. It quivered to the thumping in the room, coming from the locker in the corner. The desk caved in on one side, and the bed was flipped over against the wall with veiny tentacles wrapping around it. A single arm wrapped around the locker's door handles like a chain.
“Cut it “
Zachariah said keeping an eye on the hallway by the door, while Adonis made his move toward cutting the locker open.
A clean cut through the tentacle resulted in an electrical pop startling them both, when nothing else happened he pulled open the locker, one door at a time. And there, a candle lit shrine with pictures of him and his mom at different ages. a pulsating bright teal mass that thumped like a heart, in a corner of the locker.
Adonis picked up a picture of him and his mother, on the side lines of a skating rink when they used to live in Florida state.
A rip down the middle of the disfigured heart, allowed it to part itself open to him. shining daylight in his eyes.
Music, strobing lights, girls and boys on the wood roller rink .
Taking their laps around while they talked or raced one another.
“Adonis, are you laced up?”
His mother rolled towards him and grabbed his hand, pulling him up out of his seat to the skate floor.
“Come on what are you waiting for “
Smiling nervously, he held his mom's hand. trying to get an understanding of his wheels. eventually he was rolling on his own. ahead of him she crouched down to his level, encouraging him to keep taking steps.
Zachariah was trying desperately to pull the sword from his grasp, his eyes entranced by the beautiful shimmering replica of sunlight. in a motionless trance like state while the tentacles around him had begun gnawing at his body. trying to burrow their way inside. Behind Zachariah, the same ones were slithering towards him.
Prying the heavy sword free, Zachariah stabbed the open organ straight through its rays, a high-pitched squeal came from the growth itself. The lights projecting onto Adonis’s still open eyes faded in and out until Adonis could blink again.
The sword was too heavy for Zachariah to swing so he stomped at the tentacles coming his way. Adonis snatched the sword and helped him cut a path to the door. Zachariah ran out the room, leading them up another flight of stairs while the floor below them collapsed in on itself. the higher they climbed the closer they came to another heartbeat.
“What did you see, in that light?”
Zachariah stopped midway near the top of the stairs ,looking down at Adonis who seemed to be far into his head.
“Mom…”
A howling shriek brought their eyes to the top of the stairwell, Zachariah crept slower to the top and peered around the corner. It was just an empty corridor, the teal light calmly pulsated, from dark to light, over and over again. he noticed movement on the roof A head popped up, with thick flat horns protruding sideways. framing an eyeless face. and it snarled, before laying its head back down. There were three, maybe five more like it living on the roof.
From the look on Zachariah’s face, Adonis took point and walked in that very direction. trying his hardest to not make noise but a few steps in and Zachariah pops a blister on the floor. its wet and loud enough for them to hear.
The teal lights faded but they didn’t return. Zachariah swore under his breath while they stood there in the dark.
Screaming a ray of daylight at Zachariah’s face, Adonis was quickly to cut the head off the small horned creature. grabbing him snd making a run down the hallway that erupted in a mass of light by the mouths of those things hanging from the walls. Instinctively, Adonis shielded his face with his blade and the the lights faded.
The teal strobe had returned, and he opened his eyes to see that the creatures had become statues. their foreheads searing hot, with the markings on his blade. looking like they would always remain that way.
“If we see our past, what would they have seen that’s caused them to freeze like that?” Adonis thought out loud.
Adonis pushed forward, keeping his sword close with both hands, and both eyes on the walls.
“What past could they have possibly had?”
Zachariah shrugged and continued walking beside him. none of the doors were open. if they weren’t blocked, they were locked from the inside. and there were too many to try all at once.
“It’s coming from the stairwell “
Zachariah said having walked ahead of Adonis, holding his eyes to something that seemed to excite him.
Adonis saw it too now, the stairwell candle lit in both directions. down, spiraling down going up and spiraling up. A mirror at the bottom stair seemed to project an exit to a normal looking world outside, cars passing on the road, people walking on the sidewalk walking with their phones in hand.
“You see that?”
Zachariah pointed to the mirror and began to walk down the stairs until Adonis stopped him. “What do you think your doing?”
Zachariah seemed confused.
“You must be blind there’s a way out “
“That’s not real “
Adonis broke off one of the horns from the creature on the wall and threw it hard at the mirror, it shattered. Zachariah could now see the ray of light projected towards the frame on the wall and then the light faded. Adonis thought that was the end of it, but a baritone Huff and growl came from down there.
“Oh shit”
A multi legged creature sprinted around the corner on the wall and stared eye to eye with them unhinging its wide insect like jaws and teeth. It lunged, and Adonis kicked it back down the stair well, into the wall. bursting open the liquid spore on the wall. “Find the other heart!”
Adonis shouted tossing the hilt of the blade at Zachariah who barely caught the weapon struggling to get it upright in his hand. he watched at the middle of the stairwell while the horror made its ascent toward Adonis.
“Go Godamnit!” Adonis shouted back at him, in that instant the creature lunged at him.
Running up the stairs as fast as he could, Zachariah followed the rhythmic thumping that seemed to get closer. when he got to the top the door was covered in growth. stabbing the living tissue away from the doors hinges until he was able to pull the damn thing open. The creature Adonis battled below roared still, he had not beaten it yet.
Running through the door, he was stopped mid sprint to a figure, a thing shaped like a man with the tendrils attached to the walls. stretching away from him further and further the closer it came to Zachariah. He could tell it was the nightmarish ecosystem working together to shape this figure but what, who were they trying to take shape?
“I am so proud of you “it said
Zachariah saw that it was his brother, and then… it was like nothing else existed in the moment. The smile on his brothers face reminded Zachariah of the last time they met. Thanksgiving dinner. A smile you never forget, especially when it’s all you can think about while you're with the Church for years at a time.
“the order has given us everything, you don’t want to risk losing me… I can show you the way out. just promise me you’ll come home.”
Zachariah nodded.
“That means obeying orders, can you remember your last?”
Zachariah lifted the sword a little and thought about the man that had given it to him when he needed it most. giving him a chance to survive, even when he himself had been charged with killing his mother.
His brother was stronger than to tell him to obey orders. he knew what love and true honor felt like, He had not felt it in so long. not since the old dragonai was in office. not since the old ways. But here and now he felt it with his enemy's sword in hand. it wasn’t a trophy, but an offering from his nemesis.
Before Zachariah could attack the thing in front of him, it opened its mouth. Zachariah deflected it, and it’s body solidified from the top down to stone. Zachariah winded the sword back with both hands and swung it. hacking the stone head clean off. Releasing his anger, Zachariah also cast the silver blade down through the hole where its head had been. through the spine and collar bones, right through the final beating heart of the eastern guardian. Zachariah could see the red glow of the exit at the end of the hallways and walked over to it, the building began to quake once more.
Adonis was tossed up the stairs through the door to Zachariah’s level and into the back wall.
“Here!”
Zachariah tossed the sword against the floor, so it slid to Adonis. who struggled to get back onto his feet. the creature near death, staggered-desperately behind him. Climbing the stairs to his enemy with one limb and half of what was its insect-like face. Adonis created some distance from it, limping towards Zachariah, using his sword to help him walk. Zachariah knew he was not about to make it. he wasn’t healing fast enough. He ran towards Adonis, putting his arm around him, he helped him run faster from the abomination behind them.
The building collapsing on top of it, while Zachariah dragged them to the end of the hallway. and what should have been a fire escape was the stone iridescent gate leading back to Aethoriah, with a red exit sign above it.
