The Seventh Age: Dawn

by Rick Heinz

  “So you finally woke up to the world around you!” Mike shouted. “Welcome, people of the Twin Cities, to the reality of your lives. The police, the firemen, the government are not coming for you. They will ignore you tonight because of this!” Mike thrust out the demon.

  The crowd fell silent as Mike began his speech. “They are trying to end the world as you know it by harvesting these creatures for their own greedy, sycophant needs. They fight a secret war, but you still pay the price. To them, you are nothing more than people who will serve them. Your needs are not significant or important beyond your abilities to wash their feet.” Mike smiled as he saw the old ladies standing in the back with their mouths open.

  He continued. “The American dream is a lie, and they fucked it up. Hell, the whole damn world we all live in has been a lie. And they fucked it up.” Mike hopped off the van and moved among the crowd, showing them his fangs and the demon before resuming his post near the van.

  “They fucked up because they got greedy like fat pigs at a trough. They summoned more of these things than they could contain in this world. Area Fifty-One. Roswell. Raiders of the Ark. These are legends that have truth to them. They have managed to lure the populace of the world into a state of ignorance where such things are fantasy.” Mike leaned back on one foot and kicked the van, sending it flying over the crowd and rolling into a burning building. An explosion added more weight to his words.

  The crowd listened with a mixture of fear and awe. “These monsters are now ready to come into the world and claim it as their own. Your elected officials are in on the game, along with every other bastard who had enough to buy their ticket to immortality. But there is hope!” Mike punched through the demon’s chest and ripped out its heart. In a plume of sulfur, the comical demon became a pile of dust, leaving only his blackened heart in Mike’s hand.

  “These were the rarest things on earth, the secret to the power of the world. We have one night to claim this power for ourselves, because on December 21 at dawn, their objective is complete, and it won’t matter anymore. It won’t matter how hard you’ve worked or what you’ve done or how good you were to your fellow man. You will be washing the feet of Charles Walsh and the rest of the royals that have been harvesting this power.” Mike raised the demon’s heart up above his head.

  “That’s right, everyone. Charles Walsh, the one who built your low-cost housing, the darling of this city, and the richest son of a bitch here. He has an entire building dedicated to giving out these hearts to his elite friends. Walsh Tower is where they are summoning forth these creatures in hordes. That is why there are no cops or firemen to come help you and your homes.” Mike ripped the heart into a bunch of smaller pieces and passed a handful of them to Akira.

  The girl in the coffeehouse uniform looked around and spoke up. “So what are we supposed to do? If it’s filled with Bram Stoker wannabes like you, we can’t do anything.”

  “You can save yourselves. I’m going to give you the choice to protest. I’m going to let those of you who wish to voice your names together in unison as the Sons and Daughters of the Twin Cities. This is the heart of the demon that burned down your homes. I offer you a sense of retribution and rebirth. That choice is yours. Do you let Walsh and his cronies run you down? Do you let them deny you the chance to protect your family? Or do you march, let your voices be heard, and show them strength in numbers?” Mike shouted.

  The coffee-shop worker stepped forward in front of the crowd. “Why should we believe you? You guys are clearly monsters yourselves. How do we know you aren’t lying?” she asked. The crowd behind her seemed furious and ready to riot, but this little dance needed to be carefully orchestrated or Mike could lose them all.

  “You’re right. I’m a vampire now. I was just like you only a few weeks ago. I did this same kind of thing in Chicago. I’m kinda famous for it now. Granted they keep trying to cut my video down, but it keeps popping up all over. Pull out your phone and search for Sons and Daughters.” Mike held out his hand.

  A few people pulled out their phones and began to look him up. A moment later the first person hobbled up with a focused look. “I saw these creatures in Iraq years ago! I was discharged when no one believed me!” he shouted. He grabbed a piece of heart and ate it. He was the kind of person who looked like he had nothing to lose, filled with scars and injury. The power of the Internet and viral journalism. Only moments after he ate the first piece of heart, the veteran’s war wounds healed.

  “It shouldn’t surprise any of you that the theater of war was a place where soldiers would see things like this. You’ve heard conspiracy theories your entire lives. Now is your chance to blow one wide open.”

  With each passing minute, Mike listened to the sounds of video clips playing on phones, often preluded by a movie announcer or followed by a “Coming soon to a theater near you.” He chuckled at the idea of Unification-paid movie producers spinning his battle as an action flick.

  “Hey, do you think we get to be extras?” an attendee asked her friend.

  “No way. This shit’s real. That’s him!”

  “This is just viral marketing. Don’t you follow See Phoebe Ride on Twitter?”

  “Whatever. This sounds fun.”

  Others in the crowd drew their own conclusions. Some exclaimed that there was clearly something going on in this city. They shared stories about clips they had seen of small strange dogs or insects swarming in other cities. The effect was the same. More people started to come up to Mike and Akira to accept parts of the demon heart.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Sons and Daughters. Let’s start fanning the fires of rebellion. There are more demons out there for you to see with your own eyes before we march on Walsh Tower. Follow me, and I will show you how to change your world,” Mike said.

  Even Akira was looking up at him and clapping. Mike leaned in to Akira and whispered, “Don’t tell them I gave almost the exact same speech on Wall Street, including how they were vampires. Little did I know then how right I was.”

  “Oh, how did that work out for you guys, then?” Akira asked as they walked.

  “Not good. We didn’t have demon hearts, and the police closed down our camps even though their pensions were being sold out from underneath them. Only the future looks kindly on protests. In the present, people hate protesters because the protests disrupt whatever creature comforts they currently have,” Mike said.

  “Hey, did you hear about that Twitter account?” Akira asked. “I’m totally going to follow that,” she said with a devilish grin.

  The crowd took a few minutes to marvel at how much better they felt, some of them began to display small hints of powers. We’re coming, Doc. Just needed to get more friends. They began their march, heading to a busy street now that they had finally gotten the “fire” Mike wanted to start. He had completed the first step of his plan. All he had to do was let the crowd get rolling into a full-blown riot, then get close enough to Walsh Tower to bust in while Vryce’s forces dealt with his own citizens. A riot full of blooded, near-immortal citizens. I think I’ve got my stride back.

  CHAPTER 48

  The ballroom boasted large windows to give a stunning view of the city on all sides. Each of the corners housed smaller televisions broadcasting news stories from around the world and local events within the city.

  Stories of chaos and riots in all cities were the norm as the talking heads tried to downplay events. Walsh shifted all the channels to a local feed displaying Auburn giving a speech outside a burning building. Throughout the ballroom, servants poured sweet demon blood in crystal goblets held by members of the society as they toasted to each other. Tiny clinking noises echoed in the room as they listened to the speech.

  “Not too shabby,” said Roger as he took a swig. “He’s a bit off the mark that we are hoarding it, though.”

  Walsh grabbed a glass himself and took a stance next to him. “And about me as well, and no, Roger, I’m not going to cry about it. I’m sav
ing the most people possible, regardless of their beliefs or what side they are on. Our crews are still out there fighting to keep people out of it. Plus, it’s not over yet anyway.”

  “Well, that guy has the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. Reminds me of the Occupy movement. Do you think this is dangerous?” Roger asked.

  “Nah, the first time they find a real demon, I bet half that crowd goes running. Pretty words only carry you so far.” Walsh chuckled at that thought.

  “Pot calling the kettle black,” said Roger.

  “Quiet, you. There is nothing we can do but watch.” Walsh fidgeted with his pocket watch.

  With each block they marched, they attracted more attention. People of the city would trickle in and join their riot as it fed upon itself. Every human in the world could tell deep down that something was wrong. No matter how much the Unification tried to cover it up, there were always leaks of information. Uprisings, market crashes, and cries of the End Times were just the start.

  Bad things happened when families in other cities had been killed by mysterious animal attacks or when someone saw something they could not comprehend and called their relatives. It had been stewing for too long, and all they needed was a spark to light their fire for protest. People often ignore what they think to be impossible, so demons coming forth in this world were easy to ignore. People see tragedy happen elsewhere, and if it doesn’t affect their local life, they move along. Unlike Chicago, where Mike brought it into the spotlight, the Twin Cities had few open encounters. The society had hunted down creatures far more effectively. Mike was damn sure it wasn’t out of a desire to keep things hidden, however.

  Mike ran at the front of the riots, carrying a parking meter, smashing it into the head of a vampire hiding in a police uniform. The riot had made it seven blocks. He lifted the head of the creature and showed the fangs to the rioters. “See! This isn’t a horror movie or Bigfoot!”

  The crowd cheered.

  Akira led part of the crowd into a nearby police station while Mike led people outside in the time-honored tradition of flipping cars. All legends are borne from human imagination. “There is a truth that you know deep within yourself. There is more to this world than a ball of dust that travels around the sun. Believe in something greater than yourselves.” Mike heard a priest chant as the riot descended upon a demon that was flushed out nearby.

  Mike supposed that was the entire plan of the Unification. As a group, with the power of collectivism, humankind achieved great things. He was glad to see the rioters taking the message to heart. Even if he hated the Unification’s means.

  In the ballroom above the city, the sorcerers continued to comment about the riots. They laughed at the crowd below. Walsh and Roger gave each other a more concerned look.

  “You should send out some other forces. Looks like they’re picking up more steam than you expected. With each demon they kill, they grow stronger,” Roger said.

  “Even worse, some divers made it through in Succubus Alley. Slade and Cael did make it back, however. When Vryce recharged the ritual, we thought everyone had been dealt with. Instead, the society has more challengers,” Walsh said. “I was okay, stepping to the side and buying you time. The Unification wasn’t perfect, and it was already happening elsewhere, but I will do everything I can to stop the bloodbath that is about to ensue when the society strikes back against this many.”

  “We are returning magic to the world by tearing open the Innocence that far. Of course you are going to see the proliferation of demons. Calm your tits and call some men. A show of force should break ’em.”

  “Don’t dismiss the severity of these riots. Arrogance doesn’t suit you. I’ll make some calls and ready more troops. Slade!” Walsh said, setting down his goblet.

  Mr. Bollard stalked behind the growing riot from the shadows. He watched Auburn from a distance with a hungry grin, feeding on the energy. “We’ve underestimated his strength, JJ,” he said to himself. No response came from within. Mr. Bollard would not be long for this world without a companion to possess. He needed another soul to mask his presence before an angel, demon lord, or simple sorcerer sensed him. The last thing he needed was for someone to rip out his heart and consume it for lunch.

  Stopped in an alleyway, Mr. Bollard finished the incantation to summon a series of rage demons. Creatures with one leg and one arm in this world and the other half trapped in hell. The souls of these creatures were damned to imprisonment for the crimes of wrath. Bollard would set them loose among the rioters. He hoped they would be consumed quickly and their power transferred to the crowd.

  He knew that the Sons and Daughters would never take him back after his betrayal. Feeding the riot with demons bought him time to process what happened, and to get used to JJ’s absence. They had known each other’s every single secret and desire. O’Neil had been the one to recommend JJ to the Unification as a helldiver years ago. Yet Mr. Bollard worked for older, more ancient forces, the death lords themselves. How old was O’Neil? For some reason, ever since the riots with Mike started, Bollard had a harder time remembering details about him.

  Shaking his head as he felt the heat from a Molotov cocktail exploding outside the alley, he pushed the thought out of his mind. He had time. JJ had been an exceptional host. Together, they had plans within plans. Yet he was still a human. Not a rakshasa. JJ was just an identity he wore like a suit. Their joint ownership of the same body made more sense to him now. Perhaps if I steal another one of Vryce’s fragments, I can find a new human to possess. He is the master of possession after all. It’s why it worked the first time, I wager.

  Yet now, standing in the shadows of the riots, lurking in the background, he felt . . . insignificant. The humans ripped his demons limb from limb and feasted on them for strength, all to fight other humans that challenged the very nature of the world. In their war, demons were but an insect under the boots of conviction. It wasn’t his defeat by Vryce, or his ill-gotten freedom, or the fires of the crowd that got him. It was the diminutive feeling of being irrelevant.

  Humans are so alien to me now. Look at them go. He finished opening one last portal. I want . . . He struggled to find the right word as he sunk into a nearby shadow. Purpose.

  Mike dashed in front of a hail of gunfire, taking the bullets from soldiers that were meant for the rioters. To Mike they were just as important as those anywhere else in the world. “If it takes everything I have to convince you of the truth, I’ll give it. The Unification stacks the deck! They make you believe you have more to lose by fighting for yourselves than being passive.”

  Akira darted forward with her super speed and collected the guns from the militarized police force. She blew them a kiss as they turned tail to run to the next fallback point.

  As Mike looked upon his flock, he saw them squeezing an imp, healing a man who had been shot by draining the blood out into him. Mike walked over and lifted the man off the ground, patting him on the back. “They keep people like you bloated with creature comforts. So when you see an injustice, fighting against the system would cost you everything.” The man lifted up his shirt and watched the bullet wound close. “Now they no longer have that power,” Mike added.

  Block by block and neighborhood by neighborhood, they lit fires, they rioted, and more people trickled in. They came in swaths as they found rogue demons running for their lives. They were hungry from the blood and hearts of the demons. This much was certain.

  Mike led from the front line, making every effort to protect them from any larger threats. Kicking a sewer lid into midair, he threw it like a Frisbee, shattering the skull of a cloven-hoofed demon. Ripping another parking meter out of the ground, Mike played baseball with the body of a hellhound. Behind him, he heard the chants. “Auburn! Auburn!” The more outlandish stunt he pulled off, the more cheers he received. It was intoxicating. He felt alive.

  After taking the heart out of a plague demon with a crowbar, Mike helped one of the first rioters off the ground, the gi
rl who worked at the coffee shop. “Hey, you okay?”

  She nodded and picked a scarab trying to burrow in her arm. Blood flowed from the wound like water, and her hands trembled.

  Mike ripped off a portion of his shirt and started wrapping her wound. “Listen, when your dream is at stake, even your own life, you rise to fight. You are doing a great job. You see how we fight back? They’ve been oppressing us forever. Keeping us in the dark. Together, we can get through this alive. Even if not . . . we set the stage for those who come next.”

  The impromptu bandage had turned red by the time he was done talking. She saluted him and ran off, back into the riot. Mike hoped he was able to get the crowd enough strength to fight back against the evil that resided within these walls. Even more, he wished it would spread to the rest of the world in time.

  Akira tapped Mike on the shoulder. “Hey, Boss, what’s up with those guys in the back?”

  A few people near the back were looking to the horizon. He saw the fresh bloodstains on their chins, and some were still eating a demon’s heart. He followed their gaze to the Lilith moon; its violet hue made their surroundings seem surreal. They are starting to see the magic hidden in the world.

  “They are becoming awakened, Akira. You are watching regular people have their illusions torn down around them,” Mike said.

  “You must be super charming, then,” she said.

  “I do what I can.” He smiled.

  CHAPTER 49

  Roger Queneco twirled his mustache in frustration. His own anxiety was beginning to spread to the celebration room as well. The monitors showed the riots fanning out to other parts of the city and slowly marching in. Thousands of people were making their way to them with violence in their hearts.