by Lola StVil
That was not the way I wanted things to go between Bex and me. I wanted to be kind and understanding. How did I end up being pissed off and bitchy?
Pry, you can worry about that later. Right now, you have to go to the park and meet some evil twins, who will most likely try to kill you and your team just for the fun of it.
I take off into the air and head for the outskirts of Central Park, where my team waits for me. There are about two dozen Paras guarding the humans around us in case the Brothers try to harm them. I call Aaden forward and have him turn away from me. I place my thumb on the patterned patch behind his skull. The glow that had once seeped out of the Noru’s body now reenters him. Aaden’s wings are back and so are his powers.
I signal to the Paras, and they take their various positions. It’s early in the morning, so thankfully the park isn’t too crowded.
“Okay, now we’re ready,” I inform them as I look around in search of the Brothers.
“Where are they?” Swoop asks.
“Knowing the Brothers, you won’t have to find them. They don’t make small entrances. Believe me, once they arrive, you’ll know,” Aaden says.
He’s right; a few minutes later Kalamity and Kontrol pull up to us in a red and black luxury car.
“Nice car…” Randy says, salivating.
“Randy, calling a Lamborghini Veneno Roadster ‘a car’ is like calling an Alexander McQueen creation ‘a dress’ or ‘a shoe,’” Swoop says, shaking her head.
“She’s right. That baby has 750 horsepower and can go from zero to sixty in under three seconds,” Key replies.
“That’s common angel knowledge?” Randy asks her.
“Our dad is obsessed with human transportation, namely cars. So we know more than we should about them. Actually, more than anyone should,” Key explains.
“I’m more of a Batmobile kind of guy,” Randy says to Key in his defense.
“Here they come,” East says with bated breath.
“Shouldn’t we have the Paras come closer to guard us in case the Brothers try something?” Randy asks.
“No, we’ve cost the Paras enough for now,” I reply.
“Pry, it might be better for them to surround the Brothers and protect us,” Key says.
“We can handle ourselves. They know that. They are more likely to go after the humans and use them against us. I’d rather the Paras focus on what’s important: keeping humans alive.”
“So we won’t get killed out here?” Randy asks.
“Not without some kind of sideshow or display. The Brothers are known for finding the ‘glamour’ in murder. They don’t get their hands dirty. Even if they did, they would never just take us out here in the park. They might send someone to kill us in other more artistic ways, like displaying our insides and leaving it in a storefront or something,” Diana replies.
“Why do I ask? I am always sorry I asked!” Randy says, scolding himself.
“Here they come,” East says.
The Brothers exit the car. They are identical. They are six feet tall, with spiky black hair and silver highlights. They have pale faces, rosy pink lips, and dark eye shadow. Both of them wear top hats, one gold and one black. They take “old world” steampunk fashion to new levels of chic.
“I told Kalamity traffic would be intolerable at this time, but he insisted we drive here. And now we are late. How very rude of us,” the brother in the black top hat says.
“You are not angry with me because we are late, you are vexed because I am right,” Kontrol reminds his brother.
“You are wrong!”
“No, dear brother, I am very much in the right,” Kontrol counters.
“Fine, we will find another being to settle this issue. Someone who can shed some light into this deep dark mystery for us,” Kalamity says as he looks towards Randy.
“Human, my twin and I have been debating this issue for some time now. We would like you to clear it up for us,” Kontrol adds.
“Um…okay,” Randy says, uncertain.
Randy looks at the object in Kalamity’s hand.
“It’s a weapon of some kind,” Kontrol says.
“No! It’s a communication device,” Kalamity replies.
“Well, human, what is it?” they ask at the same time.
“Um…yeah, that’s a Slinky,” Randy says awkwardly.
“Yes, but what does it do?” Kontrol asks.
“Nothing. It’s just for fun,” Randy says, shrugging his shoulders.
“Do you see why we kill your kind?” the Brothers reply, shaking their heads in disgust.
“We’re not here to discuss your views on the toy industry. Where the hell did you assholes put my Layu vial after you stole it?” East demands.
“Why are you upset with us? We are the ones who should be upset with you,” they say, again in unison.
“What the hell are you talking about?” I ask.
“Do you have any idea how boring it is to live forever? We have to do what we can to entertain ourselves. We went to great lengths to steal the vial and have the Demon world come after you. It was supposed to be a fun little event that would be broadcasted throughout the Angel and Demon world,” Kontrol says.
“You stole East’s powers so you could sit back and watch as we try to get them back! You want us to die,” I shout.
“Oh well, darling, everyone dies, but what we are offering you is a chance to die with style! A chance to have your deaths remembered!” Kalamity says proudly.
“Yes, and how do you thank us for our gift? You call on the Paras and they stop our show! None of the demons can get to you. Now that’s not fair,” Kontrol rants.
“So, since the demons can’t come to you, you will have to go to them,” Kalamity concludes.
“You may not be able to die, but that doesn’t mean we can’t inflict pain on you. Give us the damn vial or you will spend eternity trying to put your body back together,” I vow.
“I’ve always been a fan of yours. Anyone can lead a team, but you do it with so much panache,” Kontrol says.
“However, just because we like you doesn’t mean you get to take our fun away,” Kalamity says as he motions towards the center of the park.
A black beam of light emanates from Kalamity’s eyes. It carves a circle into the earth a few feet away. Kontrol then opens his palm and a platform rises from the ground. The humans run around screaming, believing that an earthquake is taking place. The Paras try to control the panicky crowd.
“Get on,” the Brothers demand.
“Not gonna happen,” Aaden assures them.
“How badly do you want your teammate to get his powers back?” Kontrol asks.
“We get on top of that thing and it will take us to the vial?” Key asks.
“We’re playing a game, dear. When you enter the first level, you will see a neon Port. If you can get to the Port, it will take you to the next level of the game. Once you reach the last level, level three, the vial will be on the Port,” Kontrol explains.
“We didn’t come here so we could play the demon version of Hunger Games. I want the damn vial now,” I demand.
“Then get on the platform and go get it,” the Brothers reply in sync.
“How do we know the vial is really there? How do we know we can trust you?” I reply.
“Well, of course you can’t trust us, dear, we’re demons,” the Brothers say as they share a laugh.
I call for the team to step away so we can gather in private.
“We don’t have to do this, Pry. We can find another way to get my powers back,” East says.
“If we plan to hunt down the last vial before Malakaro can get to it, we need you at full strength,” I remind him.
“Pry, we can’t trust them. What if we get to the third level and there’s nothing there?” Key says.
“To hell with it. Let’s go get the vial,” Swoop replies.
“I think that’s a bad idea. These guys are twisted, and it’s just like them to
make us endure hell and find there is nothing at the end of the game,” Aaden says.
We walk back over to the demented Brothers, and I tell them to suck it because we don’t trust them.
“Darling, this isn’t just some afternoon sporting event. This game will be televised across the Demon and Angel world. In addition to the major markets, we have viewers in Tel Aviv, Prague, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand. So you see, we need your team to participate. Your refusing to play would be very unsporting of you,” Kalamity insists.
“Go screw yourself,” I reply.
“I just…I can’t! I can’t work like this!” Kontrol says as he holds his middle finger against the center of his forehead, as if he’s having a major headache.
“It’s all right, brother. It’s all right,” Kalamity assures his twin.
“No, Kal, it’s not all right! Why must we always be forced to behave like…demons? Just once I would like to tell someone to do something that might get them killed, without me having to be a brute about it,” Kontrol counters.
“I agree but, brother, brutality works,” Kalamity says with regret.
“Oh, very well,” Kontrol replies as he waves his hand towards the sky.
That simple gesture turns the sky into a panoramic-like TV screen. There, in the sky, is my grandfather and his wife sleeping in bed. Standing over them is a room full of demons salivating at the chance to kill them both.
“No!” I rage as I tackle the Brothers.
They disappear and reappear on the other side of me. My team goes into attack mode, but the Brothers hold out their hands and create a barrier.
“You could try to rescue him, but I doubt you’d get there in time,” Kontrol informs me.
“Let them go or, I swear to Omnis, I will kill you!” I promise.
They signal for us to look at the image in the sky again. They are communicating with the demons on the screen. They whisper an order; the demon closest to my grandfather nods. He then takes out a blade and plunges it into him.
“Noooooooooooo!” I blare as the blood gushes out of him.
My grandfather wakes up screaming. My grandmother is jolted out of bed and horrified by the scene in front of her. The demons restrain her as she calls out for her husband.
“Oh dear, he’s still alive. Keep stabbing until that is no longer the case,” the Brothers call out to the screen. The demon raises his blade again…
Chapter Twenty:
Games
“Wait, please! Don’t kill him. He’s the only family I have on Earth,” I plead.
“Then get into the damn circle,” Kontrol demands.
I glare at them as the team and I head to the center of the circle.
“By the way, the only way to get out of any level is to take the Port we have supplied. However, that Port will only be active for three minutes. So when you see the Port blinking, it’s best you move quickly because that means you only have a few seconds remaining. If you don’t get on the Port in time, you will be stuck at the level you are in and die.”
“Also, don’t worry about the Paras interrupting the game. They’ll all be too busy trying to save the humans,” Kalamity informs me.
Kontrol waves his hand and summons a dark Powerball and hurls it into the crowd of already freaked-out humans. The Paras immediately set out to save the humans. The Brothers are right. They create so much panic and chaos the Paras are not able to help us.
We stand in the center of the circle, and it begins to sink into the Earth. As we go deeper and deeper underground, we hear the sound of a crowd cheering. It gets louder until it’s damn near deafening. The light grows dimmer with each passing moment. Firebug must be awake because she tries to brighten up the hole we have just been lowered into, but she doesn’t have much luck; this darkness is an unnatural one.
I instruct my team to stay together no matter what. When the platform stops moving, we find that we have been lowered into the center of a stadium full of demons. They stand atop large rock formations that serve as makeshift bleachers. They shout and scream with excitement as we stand in the middle, looking out at the savage crowd.
Hundreds of fireballs are launched in the air and headed straight for us. The rain of fire is swift and merciless. We move quickly to avoid getting hit. But the more fire that comes for us, the fewer places we have to hide. I spot a small rock formation where we might be able to take cover. I order the team to head straight for it while Aaden and I provide cover fire.
As soon as the team heads for the rock, the demons bombard them with fire. Aaden and I strike back, sending them catapulting into the air. The more demons we kill, the more they seem to come at us. I Pull their life forces swiftly, and Aaden sends out grey fireballs in rapid succession. We kill demon after demon, but they just keep coming.
Thankfully, the rest of the team makes it to the rock and are now safely behind it. Yet given the number of demons that surround us, safety is merely an illusion.
East lassos the demons three by three and drains them of power until they are nearly dead. Swoop then finishes the job by bashing in their skulls. Key holds out her palm and reduces the demons to drops of blood, making the cave look like a gruesome paintball tournament is taking place. Meanwhile, Diana stands in front of Randy, guarding him against the demons determined to get to the weakest member of our team. She opens her mouth and inhales their life forces, one by one.
“We can’t keep doing this much longer!” Swoop says.
“She’s right. We need to go!” Aaden says as he slams a demon to the ground and cracks his head open like a watermelon.
“I have good news and bad news,” East shouts as he tightens his lasso around three newly captured demons.
“Good news first,” Key says as the blood from the last demon she killed squirts onto her face.
“I see the Port that’s supposed to take us to level two,” East replies.
“And the bad news?” I ask as I Pull half a dozen demons, back to back.
“The only way to get to it is through the crowd.”
“We need to put Randy in a Holder,” Key shouts.
“I can’t move inside a Holder. You guys need to let me fight my way through this like everyone else,” Randy insists.
“I’d love to argue with you, but we don’t really have a choice,” Key says.
“We need to clear a path to the Port,” I instruct.
“Yeah, and we better do it now. Look!” Swoop says.
We follow her gaze and spot the Port just beyond the crowd. It’s blinking on and off. We have only a few seconds to get to it before it disappears, trapping us here forever.
“We’ll never make it over there in time. There’s just too many of them!” Key says.
“Silver, can you make a fireball big enough to take them all out?” East asks.
“Not without taking us out too,” Aaden replies.
“I have an idea,” Diana says. She leans in and whispers her plan to us. The hope is Sparks can magnify the light from the fireball to the point where it’s ubiquitous, allowing us to escape while the demons are temporarily blinded by the light. I remind her that the baby couldn’t light up the cave when we first got here.
“She was trying to do it on her own before. This time, she’ll have her father’s powers to help her,” Diana assures us.
We all agree and hope to Omnis it works, because we won’t have time to try anything else, and there is just no way we can keep the demons away for much longer.
“Sweetheart, do you want to play a game with Daddy?” Diana asks her daughter. What little light there is in the cave turns on and off.
“Good girl! Now, Daddy’s gonna make a ball, and when I touch you, make that ball glow as bright as you can, okay?” Aaden says.
Diana nods, signaling that her child is ready. Our very lives depend on Firebug’s ability to light our way past the first level. The team helps keep the demons at bay while Aaden concentrates on producing the largest fireball he can.
&
nbsp; “Okay, Sparks, remember, don’t make the ball hotter, make it brighter,” Aaden says as the fireball in his hands starts to grow.
East signals for me to look over at the Port; the light inside it is still blinking, but it’s fading, quickly. We are seconds from being out of time.
Please let this work…
Aaden’s fireball reaches its peak. He takes Diana’s hand in his.
“Sparks, now!” Aaden says.
Nothing happens.
Shit.
“Sparks, now!” Diana says.
Still nothing.
“Why isn’t she boosting the light?” East asks.
“I don’t know, but we won’t make it to the Port if she doesn’t,” Swoop says.
“Sparks, this is not a game. I need you to make the ball brighter!” Diana begs.
“That’s it! It’s a game!” Randy says.
“What?” I ask.
“I’ve been teaching Sparks some human games. She thinks we’re playing a human game right now!”
“What game?” Key asks.
“Her favorite one!” Randy says.
“If you have an idea, Randy, now is the time. I can’t hold the fire for long, and the Port is going dark,” Aaden screams.
“Sparks, Simon says light up the Powerball as bright as you can!”
The fireball in Aaden’s hand suddenly gives off a brilliant and all-consuming light; it blinds and repels the demons. The team would have been lost too had it not been for Diana taking Randy’s hand and guiding us across the cave.
Once we reach the Port, we hop on. We make it just in time because Firebug can no longer sustain the brightness. The cave is back to normal. The demons are now able to see and are headed straight for us. We are relieved to get to the Port, but there’s a problem: The Port is not moving.
“C’mon, c’mon, you piece of crap! Take us up!” I scream at the Port, as if it was an actual being.
The demons are only a few feet away from us, and their fireballs are even closer. We dodge the flaming orbs and strike back at the demons. We’re hoping the Port just needed a moment to get us up in the air, but that’s not the case. We’re still on the ground. East studies the surface of the Port.
