by Leo Romero
“Go faster!” Zane yelled.
“Go boy!” I shouted at Pegasus and he went into a stampede. That shadow hanging over us intensified like a solar eclipse. Everything happened in slo-mo. The foot continued on its crushing descent as Pegasus pumped his legs harder. I clenched my teeth, my heart hammering like never before.
Come on, Peggsy! Don’t let us down!
A burst of light spilled over us and a puff of wind from behind pushed us forward. A ground-shaking crash rocked the ground behind us, the aftershocks spreading out through the forest. If we’d hung around a moment longer, we’d have been squashed like bugs. I swung my head back. A giant foot was planted on the ground. I counted six toes covered in green fur, nails at the end of them brown and chipped. And I knew what it was. A forest giant. I nodded to myself. There’s always a bigger fish. Oh man, did I just quote The Phantom Menace? I feel dirty.
Just when I thought we were about to make a clean escape, a colossal groan shattered the air. A humungous hand dived in behind us like a torpedo. The brown fingernails at the ends of the fingers penetrated the ground like ploughs, rupturing the surrounding earth with minimal effort. The ground around us shook and trembled. Pegasus neighed and staggered but managed to keep his balance. “Keep going, boy!” I urged, hoping to outrun that hand. Instead, it dug through the ground below us like giant earthworms. The ground directly below us rumbled hard and I knew it was hopeless. There was a sharp tear of earth as the giant scooped up the ground we were galloping along, taking us with it. My stomach shot upward as we rose into the air. The giant’s fingertips jutted up ahead of us, soil and clumps of earth falling down between them. Pegasus pulled up. He gazed left and right for an escape, but all around us was air and we were rising at a rapid pace.
“Whoa!” I shouted as we rose higher and higher, the tops of the trees surrounding us soon coming into view. The giant’s hand trembled and shook as he raised it up. I looked behind me and I watched in dizzy bewilderment as his body went by, a flash of mountainous green, a rotund belly and saggy man boobs covered in green moss. A pierced nipple had been adorned with a massive bone, which was small in comparison to the giant. His shoulders were mottled with moss, odd trees growing out of them like random hairs. I caught a glimpse of Zane still clutching Aurora tight. His face was a scrawl of terror. Aurora just stared back at me, agape, her eyes brimming with fear.
I looked ahead of us and that inky sky stared back at me like a velvet blanket. My head swam with vertigo. Like an idiot, I looked down. The forest canopy stared back at me from miles below, a green carpet. It was surreal like a dream or a nightmare or both. We rose higher and higher and my head went fuzzy, cold air flowing through my nostrils and burning my lungs. I craned my neck back as we reached the thing’s neck. Then his head came into view. A jutting chin, rotten teeth like weathered crags of chalk poking out from beneath cracked, green lips. His nose was covered in meteor-like warts.
I watched on in total bemusement as he brought us up to his eyes to study us. Two massive bloodshot baubles with green irises.
He pulled us in closer to his face. Zane screamed like a schoolgirl.
“What’s all the noise about?” the giant’s dumb, heavy voice boomed, bringing with it a noxious cloud of mead breath. “I was trying to take a nap.” His glazed, drunken eyes zoned in and out on us, his massive pupils like two black holes to oblivion. Great, that’s all we needed, a blotto forest giant.
“Why don’t you mind your own business, you old drunk?” I shouted back at him.
“I don’t think it’s wise to upset it, Mr. Stone!” Zane jabbered.
My face pinched. “Like he hasn’t upset me?”
“You’re a rude little thing!” the giant said. “Let’s see if you can fly.”
The next thing I knew, he began to lower us until we were level with his mouth. He sucked in a big breath and panic almost split me in two. “Oh no!” I uttered to myself, terror usurping my anger. “Hey, I was only kidding about calling you a drunk!” I blurted.
But it was too late. He wasn’t listening.
“Hold on!” I shouted at the other two. I closed my eyes and gripped Pegasus tight, making him squeal in discomfort.
And then it came. The giant blew us off his hand like we were an annoying fly that had landed on his palm. A massive gust of warm wind pushed against us, picking us up like a giant invisible hand. It propelled us up and out into the air like we were a kite caught in a hurricane. We shot through the sky like a godly chariot, all of us gripping onto Pegasus for our lives. Pegasus kicked out frantic legs, trying to get purchase on the air, but his magic was no good over Monster Island. He panicked and wavered as much as the rest of us.
“Fly, little buzzy buzzy bee, fly!” the giant’s voice thundered through the air behind us as we did just that. We flew through the air on the back of his typhoon-like breath. The world whooshed by, my mind fizzing with terror. We’re doomed! Doomed!
I teetered dangerously on Pegasus’ back. I got a glimpse of the forest below as it raced past at a million miles an hour, the wind whistling past me. Once the gust of the giant’s breath petered out, we’d fall to our doom. And then it did. The windy blast of the giant’s breath began to die down, making us heavy. It died out into nothing and we began to drop, albeit at a forward angle.
My heart leaped up into my mouth. I wrapped my arms around Pegasus’ neck and squeezed tight. Aurora wrapped hers around my waist and clamped. We were plummeting hard, but at an angle, the momentum of the giant’s breath still pushing us forward. My mind reeled. We were going to hit the ground somewhere far below and become a splat in the Netherworld. I released a roar of anger and desperation, all the while falling through the air like a plane that had just run out of fuel.
Below, the forest ended and a wide sea came into view as we hurtled toward it on our spiral to oblivion.
From nowhere, a hum started up below me. It fast became a buzz, a magical vibration. Pegasus lifted up his head and his wings flared out, majestic feathered sheets of glory. That hum intensified and I could feel it. Magic. It hummed and buzzed all around Pegasus. My body clamped down on his back like he was magnetic and I was made of metal. Behind me, Aurora and Zane did the same. Pegasus let out a determined neigh and flapped his wings. We shot back up into the sky, the sea below drawing away. My stomach dropped, my mind whirling like a spinning top. Pegasus glided through the air with grace and poise, riding the air with the elegance of an Olympic ice skater. Hope swelled in my heart and a laugh burst from my chest as I realized what had happened. We’d been propelled away from Monster Island and magic had kicked in again.
A huge grin broke out on my face. Pegasus began pumping his legs and flapping his wings. He raced through the sky in triumph, finally free and able to express himself. The Netherworld Sea raced by below as Pegasus’ swooped and floated with effortless precision. Exhilaration sprinted through my veins as the cool air rushed by. I was terrified, excited, and euphoric all at once. But I felt safe. I knew I wouldn’t fall nor would Pegasus allow me to fall. It was a weird sensation, like riding inside a protective bubble.
I looked back over my shoulder and the other two were sitting comfortably, gazing at the strange world around them in awe. I faced the front again and gave Pegasus a hearty pat. He let out a happy neigh and galloped harder through the sky. I raised my face upward and relished the feel of the wind whistling by. “Wooh! Go, Peggsy!” I shouted and Aurora’s laughter filled my ears.
It was the best fairground ride I’d ever been on, sweeping through the Netherworld sky on a badass flying horse.
Alas, we couldn’t waste more time. We had work to do. “Okay, Peggsy,” I said. “Playtime’s over. Land us somewhere safe.” It was time to go back home and kick some gargoyle ass.
Chapter 11
We strode through Aurora’s portal from the Netherworld to the backstreet leading up to the Guild like the Man With No Name riding into town. I sat imperious on the back of Pegasus, tired, dirty, battered,
but alive and kicking and with a total kick-ass weapon now in my arsenal. Pegasus’ hooves clacked along the sidewalk as we approached the Guild. But something was wrong. The others were huddled around someone lying prone on the sidewalk. They all buzzed with concern and uncertainty. Standing behind them was Rabid; even he looked anxious.
My eyes fell on the blood on the sidewalk, stark, vivid deep-scarlet against the light gray and my heart began to beat harder.
As Pegasus drew closer, a couple of heads turned our way. Jerome saw us and his withdrawn eyes lit up. “Gabriel!” he said with a gasp. He gazed upon Pegasus and his eyes filled with tears. “My oh my, you did it!” A joyful grin spread across his cheeks.
I nodded down at him. “Yeah. We did. What’s going on?”
Jerome’s smile faded. “It’s Jordan,” he said with a shake of his head. “The gargoyle came back while you were gone. Rabid managed to scare it off, but not before it attacked Jordan.”
“Is he okay?” I asked, trying to get a better look.
Jerome’s eyes fell down. “No. He’s not.”
I jumped off Pegasus and leaped over to Jordan’s body. I looked down and had to immediately look away, my hand going up to my mouth. Aurora followed up. I grabbed her and led her away. “Don’t look, kiddo.”
“That bad?”
I nodded. “Yeah.” I caught Zane grabbing a morbid look at Jordan and his face turned green. He whirled away and wafted his face. Yeah, looked like even big, bad necromancers were squeamish of blood. Anger exploded inside me. I wanted to take down that gargoyle so bad it hurt. Then it dawned on me that if I’d got back faster, Jordan might still be alive and I could’ve given that gargoyle the final nail in his coffin. He’d been one of the younger bounty hunters as well, which made it worse. Regret swarmed all over me like flies.
“What was he doing out here on his own?” I asked, my voice laced with anger.
“He went to get us food,” Olivia answered. “You know, that thing we need to stay alive. Wasn’t much of it in the Guild.”
I lowered my head. That made me feel shittier. I rubbed my forehead. “All right. From now on, no one leaves the Guild alone. When that bastard comes back, I’ll give chase and finish him once and for all. I’ve got Pegasus now so he can’t escape.”
I glanced back at Pegasus. Some of the half-angels were already around him, petting him, staring at him in awe. Pegasus lapped it up, his azure eyes gleaming with compassion. I prayed he’d be the difference between us defeating the gargoyle and death.
*****
We took Jordan’s body into the Guild and laid him out in one of the rooms out the back. We had a deal with a local mortician who disposed of half-angel bodies under the radar. That way we avoided any paperwork that involved demons or in this case, gargoyles. It also bypassed funeral arrangements if no immediate family were around. Which was the case with Jordan as he’d been an orphan.
Afterward, I sat at the bar, Jerome serving me Ambrosia. Everyone joined me as I toasted Jordan and wished him well in Purgatory.
We were all edgy, tired, downbeat. But something had given us hope. Pegasus. I bound him to the seven of diamonds where he was sent to the Void. I got Bam Bam loaded with blast slugs and set her on the surface of the bar, ready and waiting. I put Rabid back on the door and told him to tell us when the gargoyle came back.
The others were either catching forty winks or sitting there chewing their nails. I sat there contemplative, quietly determined to take out this gargoyle once and for all. Never knew they could be so tough. Never thought one gargoyle would be able to wipe out a big chunk of the Angel Guild. When I thought about it, it would’ve been a stroke of genius for Ming or Lobo to send this gargoyle after me. Son-of-a-bitch would make a great hitman. Wham bam thank you ma’am.
I rubbed my tired eyes and let out a sigh. Jerome poured me another shot of Ambrosia.
“Thanks.”
“It’s times like this that band us together,” Jerome said, recapping the bottle.
“That’ll be difficult if there’s no one left to band with.”
“We’ll beat the bastard before then, Gabriel.” Jerome spoke with a steely determination.
“I hope you’re right. I get the feeling people are counting on me.”
“Indeed they are. You’ve come a long way in a short time. If you keep coming up with the goods, people will gravitate toward you.”
“Yeah, but most of the time I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I’m just riding blind luck. What if it runs out?”
“Don’t underestimate yourself, Gabriel. You’re strong, and you’ve got smarts.” He tapped his head with his finger.
“What if it’s not enough?”
Jerome sighed. “Then Purgatory awaits.” A rueful grin spread across his face.
“Great.” I downed my Ambrosia. It wasn’t helping. Usually a shot or five of Ambrosia would leave me giddy, but it wasn’t even putting a dent in my negativity.
“I realize things must be a burden for you,” Jerome said, leaning on the bar. “I felt the same when I first became an Enforcer. Suddenly I had responsibility beyond just looking to bag the next bounty. All of a sudden, if something happened to a bounty hunter, I took it personally. It felt like my fault, like I wasn’t looking out for them or I hadn’t been there for them. It was my duty to make sure no harm came to anyone. It was a step up, one at first I didn’t like. I wondered why the higher ups had chosen me for such a responsibility. I didn’t feel I deserved it, nor did I want it. I’d long since given up on getting my wings back and just saw bounty hunting as a job I’d happily do for the rest of my days. Sure, it was always a good way to take out my inner rage on hellspawn and get paid for it. I was happy with that. And I realize now, that’s why they made me an Enforcer. To get me to change.”
“And have you?”
Jerome leaned in closer to me. “Do you know why I had my wings clipped?”
I frowned as I thought about it. “Actually, no, I don’t. Why were you kicked out?”
“I killed another angel,” Jerome said in a neutral tone, his expression matching his voice.
I recoiled. “Holy moly!”
Jerome gave me a grim nod. “Beyond an attempted coup on God, murder is the most serious of crimes.”
“Who was it?”
“Nicholas Brockman,” Jerome said, a distant gleam in his eye. “The man who murdered my son. Well, he didn’t exactly murder him. It was a hit and run. He was high on drugs when he drove into my boy. The cops soon caught him, but he got a light sentence due to his addiction. Justice was never served. I held that grudge against him until my dying day. Even though I was reunited with my son in the afterlife, I kept questioning why oh why would God allow Brockman to enter Heaven after what he’d done. I couldn’t accept that, wouldn’t allow it. I hunted him down and throttled him to death with my bare hands, consumed with vengeful intent beyond the love for my son. Something that shouldn’t have happened to an angel.”
He took a steadying breath.
“I was sent back down to Earth and told I had to hunt demons. Fine, I thought. Got nothing better to do. And I was quite good at it, so in the end I got my promotion. And as the years went by, do you know what I realized? I realized that the higher uppers weren’t giving me the opportunity to re-enter Heaven, no, they were giving me the chance to help others achieve peace. I stand behind this bar and I see people come and go all day and night, their faces riddled with anxiety, their bodies trembling with stress. And I ask myself what’s it all for? And then I realize, if not us, then who? Imagine if all the demons we’ve sent back to Hell hadn’t been taken out. Imagine they’d been left to roam Earth, imagine what they’d do to an unsuspecting and unarmed public. People like my son.”
I gave him a contemplative nod.
“It made me realize what a selfish ass I’ve been,” Jerome continued. “Here, I can do something to help, and that gives me worth, gives me value. It’s not all about me or him or you or her; it’s abo
ut us all, helping one another in the best way we can to make sure those evil sons-of-bitches don’t take over. And that’s just the way it is. We’ve all got our role to play.
“If that’s the case, why are you such a hardnose about filing paperwork and all that.”
“Look what happened when you shirked your responsibilities with those Z99s. You could’ve been on the gargoyle case sooner and maybe saved one or two lives.”
My eyes fell downward. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Besides that, it’s about respect. The higher uppers have got their reasons for doing things the way they do. They know stuff beyond us. If this is how they want stuff done, then who am I to argue? Who am I to say Brockman shouldn’t have been in Heaven? Maybe he repented, maybe he spent the rest of his days reliving the evil he’d done and that was punishment enough. Who knows?” He shrugged. “But it all got me thinking; maybe I’m just not ready for Heaven and what it means to be there for eternity. Maybe I still need more classes on Earth. Maybe I need to learn what it is to be part of a team and to understand my purpose and role within that team and accept it, warts and all. But one thing I do know is this: we either hang tight or we hang separate. It’s up to us.”
I gave him a solemn nod.
Jerome unscrewed the cap on an Ambrosia bottle. “Here, have another one.”
I let out a breath. “Yeah.” I went to pick up my glass when a rumble from outside echoed around us. Surrounding half-angels jumped up to their feet. Two loud growls filtered down the stairs into the Guild. Rabid. I met Jerome’s stare.
“He’s here!” said Jerome.
I grabbed Bam Bam and leaped to my feet. I pointed across the room at Zane and Aurora, who’d snapped out of their sleep. “You two stay here!” I ordered and raced for the exit. I jumped up the steps two at a time, my teeth clenched. This was the chance to finally take this bastard down and I wasn’t gonna miss it. I burst out into the street and Rabid was grappling with the gargoyle. The two of them were locked in a titanic tussle. Rabid was growling hard, the muscles across his back flexing, while the gargoyle wrestled back, his forked tongue darting in and out of his mouth. The gargoyle managed to get a strong punch into Rabid’s abs. It was like a cannon ball slamming into a slab of granite. The blow was enough to stagger Rabid, separating the two brawlers.
