Legends (To Absolve the Fallen Book 3)

by Aaron Babbitt

  Salmar shouted, “Sara, he’s a friend.”

  She looked around, and, indeed, everyone was calmly observing the situation. Now, the two on the floor were rising to a sitting position and laughing.

  John looked around, saw Garrett and Dylan, and nodded to them. “What brings the demon hunters to Kingstone?”

  Gregor looked bemused. “We have reason to believe that there are demons here.”

  John put on a display of mock confusion. “Haven’t seen any.” Then, remembering his recent project added, “Mr. Higgins, would you mind seeing to the safe return of the gentleman upstairs to his home? He’s just a petty drug dealer and shouldn’t give you any problems.”

  Higgins nodded and called for two of his mercenaries to escort Walter.

  “As much fun as it looks like the two of you are having,” Garrett told Gregor and John, “we have a lot to do, and the fiends already have the advantage of preparation.” To the Elder Prophets he said, “We have come to propose an alliance, one that we hope will benefit everyone.”

  ***

  Matt stood next to Alex and Elizabeth for the remainder of the concert. The two songs he had listened to from here had really gotten the crowd in a frenzy. As Alex had predicted, Matt could feel a slight pull on his consciousness periodically. Every time that happened, Alex would refocus his mind to shield his friends. It was only slightly harder to block Nisus’s effects for three people than two.

  Matt could distinctly feel the two other presences in his mind. Before, Nisus had evidently slipped in unnoticed. What Alex was doing now was appreciated, but it made Matt more uncomfortable at the same time. He didn’t like being in his own mind, and he certainly didn’t want anyone else in there.

  Then, the music stopped. Alex relaxed his shield around the prophets’ minds. He was getting better at it now and was sure that he could reestablish it quickly if needed.

  Lonny waited patiently and soundlessly behind the microphone; he waited for the crowd to become utterly quiet. Eventually, the entire auditorium fell silent. People around the prophets did not even dare to move. Indeed, the crowd had even moved away from the stage at least twenty feet, almost as if instructed to give Lonny some room to work.

  “My friends,” he said finally, “we live in very turbulent times. Wars rage on all around us. Countries stockpile nuclear ammunition that could destroy all life on the planet. Genocide is a regular occurrence. And to top it all off, it would seem that some nightmares do come true. What I’m about to say is completely serious, and I’m well aware that there will be repercussions for what I do here today.”

  He took a deep, dramatic breath before continuing. The crowd was spellbound.

  “There are creatures that live among us. I don’t know what they are, exactly, but they’re evil. There are prophets in Las Vegas and Missouri who plan to make a stand against these creatures they call demons.

  “The federal government has denounced the prophets’ claims and called them ‘cult-like’ because they know that the prophets speak the truth, and it terrifies them. It’s possible that these evil creatures even exert some influence over our leaders.

  “I know it’s hard to believe all this. And I can’t tell you if these things are aliens, monsters, or even biblical-style demons. But I can tell you that I have seen them with my own eyes. One tried to kill me. Those prophets need all the help they can get. They need our help.

  “Nisus has decided to help support the prophets, even though each member is an atheist. We are not going to coerce our fans into following us down this road, only to be careful. These creatures may attack Las Vegas to get at the prophets. They may, eventually, seek dominion over us all. As always, be strong, and fight anyone who would oppress you. Also know: Nisus fights with you.”

  “Was that last part directed at us?” Alex asked the others.

  “I don’t know,” Matt said, “but it sure sounded like it.”

  Nisus made a direct transition into their last song of the evening, “Secular.” The lead guitar played soothingly.

  Lonny sang softly, “It was finally in my grasp.”

  The rest of the band also performed their parts quietly. The audience really had to strain to hear what was going on. Even if they hadn’t heard Nisus, the crowd probably knew the words to the song by heart as well as exactly what the different instruments were doing. They were still enthralled by the speech Lonny had given just before, though, so they took in every sound.

  “And we could finally leave these...shells.”

  Gentle, pulsing lights flashed across the bottom of the stage, keeping time with the soft beat of the drums. The bass guitar had also joined in by this point. A warm feeling overtook the crowd, and the masses began swaying back and forth to the rhythm.

  “Then, we could float to an ethereal state—as our essence.”

  Many in the crowd had already begun singing along with Lonny, as they had through the entirety of the concert. Now, however, everyone knew the song, and most people were following as he led into the chorus:

  “Never it seems...

  Never it seems to scream at me

  From the distant cries of the tarnished

  Denied elation reigns free

  I am falling into oblivion.”

  “Do you think we should try to see him after the show?” Alex asked.

  “I think we need to know where he actually stands,” replied Matt after a moment of thought. “There’s no telling what he meant by all that.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “Agreed. Besides, I’m going to want them to autograph a t-shirt.”

  “Branded earthly,” Lonny sang, “and left to contemplate this form.

  Let the celestial save us and make us...

  once again full, once again complete.

  Once again the pang’s abated...”

  Jacob Blackwell broke into an impressive guitar solo as Lonny whispered lyrics into the microphone, barely audible:

  “...As you look into me

  and whisper to my spirit

  something so pure.

  And how I’ve longed to hear it.”

  Lonny looked intense as he approached the ledge of the stage, microphone in hand. He put it to his mouth, closed his eyes, and a brief wave of despair swept the crowd as he returned to his normal volume.

  “But it’s too late for this.

  Time has made a fool of me.

  Left me empty: this merciless fate.”

  The instruments picked up tempo and strength. The fans were ready. They knew that this was the signal to belt out the chorus one last time. There was an audible intake of breath as almost everyone in the auditorium prepared to help Lonny finish this one:

  “Never it seems...

  Never it seems to scream at me

  From the distant cries of the tarnished

  Denied elation reigns free.”

  Following the last word, Lonny screamed, and a series of explosions resounded on stage. Smoke and fire engulfed everyone in the band, but the instruments continued. By the time they stopped, the smoke cleared enough to reveal that the stage was completely empty and without scorches. With the exception of the smoke and the lights that still flashed slowly across the stage, it looked how it would have if no band had been present at all.

  The crowd roared.

  ***

  The Elder Prophets, demon hunters, miscellaneous prophets, and even Alex’s parents sat around the kitchen table, listening to Garrett as he explained the current plight of the demon hunters.

  “There are fewer hunters now than at any other time in recorded history. We have never quite recovered from the havoc Malachi wrought on us. Between his efforts and those of Metatron, only our strongest still fight.” He motioned to Dylan and said, “We take apprentices, but we can’t hope to make up the numbers we lost any time soon.

  “Throughout time, demon hunters have fought to keep the world safe for those of you who do the work of higher powers, whatever you may believe them or it to be. We have alw
ays watched over you as you’ve shepherded, cared for, and edified humanity. You spread compassion and enlightenment, and we make sure no fell beasts stop you. This is what the League of Hunters was founded upon, a precept that is at the heart of everything we do.

  “Now, I’m afraid, we are in the embarrassing position of having to ask for your help in doing our jobs. As you are well aware, demons are encircling you. Our place is at your side. We would have preferred to carry out our directives without putting you in more danger, but that option is no longer available to us.”

  “How may we be of service?” Salmar volunteered.

  “I hope that my call will be answered in a timely fashion by any demon hunter who is not preoccupied. I suspect that we will see a few more in Kingstone by tomorrow night. After that, I think we should begin forming hunting parties of hunters and prophets. We can protect more ground that way. When more demon hunters arrive, we can put them to work. Until then, we will have to make do with however many hunters we have.”

  “The Elder Prophets are not novices to fighting demons,” Zeng Wei added. “We could form more hunting parties by each leading one of our own.”

  The other Elder Prophets nodded their agreement.

  “Hold on,” Nathan objected. “Since I’m part of your little club now, I think I should get a say.”

  Sophie rolled her eyes. “Here it comes.”

  “If you expect me to walk around doing something dangerous with a bunch of crazies, I want to know what’s in it for me.”

  Salmar smiled patiently at Nathan. “If you don’t wish to come, then don’t. However, I hardly think it would be dangerous for one who doesn’t believe in demons.”

  “I could get mugged,” Nathan protested. “And I’ll bet there are bears in those woods. The world is not a safe place, and I’m not going out in it unless I have to. Besides, it’s cold.”

  “All right,” Salmar concluded, “the rest of us will support you, Garrett.”

  “As you wish,” Garrett replied. “Tomorrow night, we will begin the hunt.”

  ***

  Security took one look at the VIP badges that Alex, Elizabeth, and Matt wore and quickly opened the door for the three prophets. Matt and Elizabeth, who were used to this kind of treatment, continued wordlessly and confidently walking toward their destination. Alex nodded as he passed the big men and mumbled, “Thanks.”

  They walked down a long corridor, and Alex could see a line of people standing, waiting. At the end of the hallway was a door flanked on either side by another set of security guards. These had guns and looked a lot more serious. Standing next to the closed door, these sentinels looked more like the security Alex was used to seeing at the safe house in Kingstone and Jeremiah’s mansion than they looked like security he typically saw at concerts.

  Nevertheless, following Matt’s lead, the three prophets walked past the line and right up to one of the guys with a gun who, to Alex’s complete surprise, saluted.

  “At ease,” Matt ordered. “We have business with the band that shouldn’t take too long.”

  Without waiting for further instructions, the man slid over and opened the door for them, closing it again after the prophets were safely inside. The room they were in looked almost like the recreation room at Jeremiah’s mansion. The band members were stretched out across sofas, in a recliner, and Lonny lay on the tile floor. They didn’t seem particularly surprised that their peace had been disturbed.

  “What’s up?” Lonny asked from the floor.

  “You guys played great,” Alex noted with less enthusiasm than he probably would have if he’d not known about their use of powers on their fans.

  “Excellent,” the lead singer replied. “Elizabeth, right?” he asked, propping his head up to look at her.

  “Right,” she concurred with a smile.

  “What did you think?”

  Still smiling, Liz retorted, “I agree with Alex: you guys played great. But I think I’m going to look at your style a little differently from now on.”

  Lonny immediately sat up, looking wounded. “Something displeased you?”

  After taking a moment to consider what she would say, Liz answered, “Your music was very moving. Perhaps it was a little too moving.”

  He smiled. Elizabeth thought it was remarkable how much like Alex’s smile Lonny’s was. It strove to melt her heart, to make her like him. And she did, but she wondered if there was as much compassion behind Lonny’s smile as there was behind Alex’s.

  Lonny got up off the ground and dusted himself off. “That isn’t normally our style. I mean, our music is naturally enhanced by our own special abilities, but not like that. Actually, it was our previous conversation that made me think of it.”

  “What do you mean?” Alex asked.

  “You wanted an answer,” Jacob Blackwell responded from one of the couches. His eyes were closed, and his arms were crossed behind his head. “You wanted us to choose, so we did.”

  “We thought you’d be happy,” Adrian added. “I thought Lonny made it pretty clear that we’re on your side.”

  “That still doesn’t explain the mass manipulation,” Matt contended. “You didn’t have to do that to your fans. They would have done anything you told them to do.”

  Lonny nodded in agreement. “You’re right. They would, and we adore our fans. But you told us that demons were coming here. We thought our fans had a right to know that. If we hadn’t helped that message, they would have taken it less seriously.

  “Bands are always alleging crazy, ludicrous things, purposefully to mess with anyone who would believe them. We didn’t want our serious fans to laugh it off as another wacky Nisus stunt. Many of those people who were there tonight will believe what we said, whether they want to or not. If that gets them out of Las Vegas, or at least prepared for what’s in store, then I stand by my choices.”

  Alex was still skeptical. “I had to fight you off the whole concert,” he said. “Is all of your music like that? Has it always been?”

  “No. Like I said, that’s not our style. People may be a little more inclined to like our music because of our other abilities. And let’s not discount the music’s own merit. Tonight, though, we needed them to feel it more. We needed them to take our message with them because we plan to announce this as our last concert—until things get sorted out.”

  “Why?” Elizabeth asked with concern.

  “There are more important things at stake,” Lonny explained. “If we are going to help you, we’re going to become bigger targets than we already are.” He indicated the other members of the band. “They may have never seen demons, but I have. I know that it takes a great deal of Teacher’s time and attention to keep us safe. From time to time, he gets hurt too. More will come if we side with you, too many maybe. And I know that they will come for us eventually anyway. Teacher agrees with you there.”

  “We want you on our side,” Alex said, “but we can’t just use our powers anytime we want to, just because it fits our goals. Then, we won’t be any different than the demons.”

  “Ironic, Mr. Tanner,” a raspy voice preceded the appearance of a wispy figure materializing before him, “that you would judge our mind games after that incident in the mosh pit.”

  Fully formed, the figure was tall and completely robed. From the sound of the scratchy voice, Alex guessed that the person before him was male. To Alex, this person didn’t feel like a prophet or a demon, but he didn’t know of any other possibilities. Before anyone else even reacted, Matt was standing next to Alex, positioned to strike if need be.

  “Relax, Matthew,” the man with the raspy voice instructed. “I have no want to hurt an apprentice of my best and closest friend. You are all welcome here and in no danger from me.”

  “You must be Lonny’s Teacher,” Alex reasoned with an awkward bow. “I’m honored to meet you.”

  “Alexander Tanner,” Teacher replied with a harsh laugh. “I had begun to think you were a myth, a legend propagated and susta
ined by the Elder Prophet Council. Reliable sources told me that Abbie was espousing the belief that a new savior had arrived. I even wondered if she had been brainwashed or coerced to defend something so incredible. My sources tried very hard to find out who, when, and where, but the Elder Prophets had said all they were willing to say on the subject—for your own protection, I would guess.”

  “It was a secret to me too, until about a month ago.”

  Teacher chuckled. “Yes. About a month ago is when the Elder Prophets let it slip. They didn’t want to tell anyone until they had you safely under their protection. Abbie is, of course, very wise. Of the two of us, she would always be the one to win our master’s favor with her clever strategy and amazing charm. I miss those days.”

  Teacher must have noticed the look of surprise on the prophets’ faces, for he added, “What? She didn’t tell you? I suppose she was skeptical, as she should have been. Abbie and I were the last two students of one of the greatest and longest-living prophets of all time, Archimedes.”

  “The ancient Greek scientist?” Elizabeth asked, astounded.

  “The very same.”

  She looked like she had her doubts. “He was said to have died in Syracuse as the Romans were taking it over...more than two hundred years before the time of Christ.”

  “That’s what Plutarch and the people of Syracuse were led to believe,” Teacher answered without hesitation. “In truth, my master has been thought dead many times. He had so many fascinating stories to tell Abbie and me, how he’d escaped the clutches of death at the hands of some demon or a mob of frightened mortals. In the end, he was murdered by another prophet.

  “Ah, but I digress. You want to know the meaning of the message. You want to know why we would go to such lengths to impress this mass of people. The answer is simple: Mortals are tools. And I mean no offense when I say that. I do not mean to say that they are stupid or undeserving of autonomy, rather that they are often used by one side or the other, blissfully unaware that they are being used.

  “Up until recently, all sides agreed that there were some things that didn’t need to be revealed to the mortals, for everyone’s sake—that we existed, for instance. Some are bound to find out, but if they all knew...,” he paused for effect. “Well, we always thought there would be hysteria. All sides would stand to lose too much if mortals suddenly believed—truly believed—that there were prophets and demons walking among them. Riots and chaos would break out all over the world, and the governments would inevitably utilize everything in their power to use or eliminate any beings that weren’t like them. They do this with startling proficiency.