Detarru Island_The Gates of Hell

by Mickey Deymon

  “This territory is my home. Look what you’ve done, you’ve destroyed it. Many innocent people have lost their lives because of you,” I said, furious.

  “I’ll take full responsibility for my actions. However, my demons haven’t killed anyone yet.”

  I glanced at her, surprised to hear the good news.

  “They still injured a lot of people, Lola.”

  “Like I said, I’ll take full responsibility for my actions. Right now, you have to come with me.”

  I paced back and forth, thinking about my options. Should I trust her?

  “Okay, on one condition and one condition only,” I finally answered.

  “What are your terms?”

  “When this is over, you’ll answer to my superiors.” I didn’t even know who my superiors were, but I wanted her to know I wasn’t alone.

  She agreed.

  Chapter 15

  “What happened to him?” Kate shouted, worried, as soon as she heard the news about Erick.

  “It’s our fault,” Bruce said disappointed. “We shouldn’t have left him alone.”

  “It’s nobody’s fault,” Matheus said. “It happened too fast, and no one saw it coming.”

  “It’s crucial that we find him. Isn’t there a way for you to track him?” Harris asked Matheus.

  “I can’t. She flew off with him.”

  “What about our powers, Harris? They’ve been gone since our last battle on Detarru Island,” Jimmy added.

  “I know. The Creator took them away, for reasons I do not understand. Yet, I do not question him and I do not doubt for one second that he is helping us carry out this task as we speak. I know you will get your powers back when the time is right.”

  Everyone stood there silent, trying to come up with any ideas.

  Kate was really concerned about Erick. She only had met him that morning, and she was already fond of him. She loved his personality and his willpower. She loved the way he handled himself, his kindness and caring for others, and his good spirit. She also felt sorry for him though, since he had such an enormous responsibility.

  “Which way did she go?” Kate asked, breaking the silence.

  “That way,” Bruce said, pointing north.

  Kate was deep in thought.

  “Why would she kidnap him now? It doesn’t make any sense.” She was talking to herself. She looked up at the guys.

  “We need to go north,” she suggested.

  “But he could be anywhere,” Larry said.

  “It’s impossible to find him without our powers,” Luis also said.

  “We need to try,” Kate said with a firm voice. “You guys were chosen to protect The Order, right? Standing around like idiots, waiting for something to happen, is not helping Erick or any of us. Your powers were taken away, yes, but that doesn’t make you handicapped. Erick is the youngest of this group, and look how far he’s gotten on this mission without any powers. Why can’t you? He’s been following his instincts, and so far he has done an amazing job at it. Archangels or not, maybe it’s time for you to start applying those skills and be human for once.”

  Those were strong words, but Kate did have a point, and they all acknowledged her for that.

  It was a lesson learned.

  “She’s right,” Jimmy exclaimed and turned to the guys. “You heard the lady. Let’s get moving, this fight is not over yet.”

  Larry walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you,” he said smiling, which threw her off a bit. She wasn’t expecting that from her grumpy older brother. Knowing she was helping them filled her up with joy.

  “Craig is on his way to Erick’s parents,” Harris spoke. “We’ll know about Plan B once they get here. For now, we need to focus on our mission. We all have a job to do and right now, Erick is our number one priority.”

  Everyone agreed.

  6:10pm

  The Hawker arrived at the private airport. Clara and Jack both got out of the plane and met with Craig, who was outside waiting for them by his Bell helicopter.

  “Craig? Have you heard from him?” Clara called. Craig glanced at them as they waited desperately for an answer.

  “He was with me, about an hour ago and—”

  “Where is he? Is he alright?” Jack asked, concerned.

  “I don’t know, I—”

  “What happened, Craig? Where is he?” Clara asked.

  “We were going to come get you, but we got separated when he went back to get his friends.”

  “His friends?” she asked.

  “Yes, a couple of kids, around his age.”

  Clara looked at Jack and smiled. “He finally found The Others! Was my father with him?”

  “Your father? I thought he passed away. Please explain to me what the hell is going on here?”

  “It’s a long story. My father and The Others should be searching for Erick now. Can you take us there?”

  “Sure, come on.”

  As they both turned to get in the helicopter, they saw Matt get out.

  “Matt, are you coming?” Craig asked.

  “I’m heading back,” he said.

  “Where?”

  “The island. I need to find Milo.” He went back inside and Rebecca and Nathan came out of the plane. Craig glanced at them, puzzled.

  "You brought them here?"

  “I guess you heard,” Jack said.

  “Yes, Erick told me everything, including how he put a gun to his head and forced him into the underworld.”

  “We couldn’t just leave them back on the island, Craig,” Clara said.

  “Well, they are not coming with us now.”

  Nathan overheard Craig’s comments. He walked up to them with Rebecca. “Sorry to interrupt, but we need to talk.”

  “We already talked about this, Nathan,” Jack replied.

  “You need to hear me out, Jack. Please, let me join you.”

  “Absolutely not,” Craig interrupted.

  “Look, I did this. I know I screwed things up, but give me a chance to fix it, please.”

  “Okay, Nathan, I’m gonna give you the benefit of the doubt, just be very careful because if anything happens to Erick or anyone else gets hurt, I will personally take care of you myself,” Craig warned, then got in the helicopter. Clara followed.

  Jack stared at both Rebecca and Nathan in disappointment, then got in the helicopter too.

  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

  “There it is!” Lola said, pointing at a structure made out of bronze, similar to the one on the island. "This is the portal he’s using to let my demons into your world.”

  “There is a similar one on Detarru Island, which is how I got into Inferno.”

  “I know. I was the one who gave the orders to bring you in when you were in Purgatory,” she informed me. “Satu will be using these gates to have my demons spread globally.”

  “There has to be a way to stop this,” I said.

  “Precisely why I brought you here. I have a plan, but you might not like it.”

  “Okay? Shoot.”

  “Satu knows that if he captures you, your friends will come here looking for you.”

  “We can’t let him,” I said, worried. "We need to warn them.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “He asked me to bring you in myself. So, if I don’t, he will be suspicious of me and realize I’m helping you. I know he’s got an eye on me ever since I questioned him about The Others. He knows I’m on to him, and I can’t raise any more suspicion.”

  “So how are we supposed to stop him from getting to my friends and using them to destroy The Order?”

  “Like I said, you won’t like my idea, but you’re going to have to trust me, Ethasus, or it will be over before yo
u even know it.”

  I looked at her for a minute. She meant business. It was either that or losing this battle. I sure didn’t like the idea, but I didn’t want to see thousands of innocent people lose their lives because of me either. I had to rely on my instincts once more and make a decision. Of course, one of those decisions was going to turn out to be an inevitable oblivion.

  Which one? I’d have to find out myself.

  “Alright, tell me what you need me to do.”

  Downtown Manhattan

  “Look, guys! Look at that building over there!” Kate pointed at a massive building a few blocks away.

  “Wait, isn’t that The Metropolitan Museum of Art?” Jimmy asked.

  “It is!” Luis confirmed.

  “It hasn’t been touched yet, why?” Kate asked.

  “I kinda have the feeling Erick is in there,” Patrick said.

  “Me too,” Larry also said.

  “He is!” Matheus confirmed. He started sniffing the air. He could smell Erick from a mile away.

  “Good work, guys! Now let’s hurry and get him out of there,” Harris said.

  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

  My hands were tied up behind my back. Lola dragged me by the arm while we were walking down the long corridors of the museum. The artifacts, the arts, the sculptures and the paintings, were untouched.

  We made it through a few more rooms.

  I forgot how huge this place was. You’d end up lost in here if you didn’t have a tour map. Security was tight in here too.

  There were like 10 Satunians guarding the museum in every room. Lola kept dragging me a bit too harshly. That was her idea of making it look real.

  We had finally arrived in a large room with a gigantic dome on the ceiling. Sitting in front of us was this bald and pale guy. His eyes were shut. I thought he was taking a nap or something. He was also wearing a cape.

  Talk about ridiculous. Who would wear something like that?

  “Here! Just as you requested, Satu,” Lola said.

  That one moment when you start to twitch for no reason.

  He opened his eyes; they were silver gray, and he had an evil glare.

  It felt like he was staring right through me. I was trembling and in shock. My heart was beating so fast, I thought it was going to explode.

  Right in front of me was the enemy, and he was just a few feet away from killing me. The person I was supposed to fight for the second time in history, yet he didn’t look familiar to me at all. He looked tough though, and I’m not going to lie, I was SO FREAKING SCARED.

  He got up from his chair and walked towards me. He was muscular alright, with big hands. The type of hands you could just crush someone’s head with.

  Every step he took made my heart beat faster. I really regretted listening to Lola. I should’ve taken option 2. I should’ve just said no.

  “Ethasus! It is nice to see you again, alive and well,” he lied. Even his voice was scary. I really wanted to go home. I really started wishing I had no part in this fight whatsoever. Why couldn’t I just be a normal guy? Why did I have to fight this guy? Why me?

  He took a few more steps, trying to take a closer look at me.

  “Still look like that weak little boy I met once on the island. You haven’t changed a bit. I just don’t understand how someone like you could have possibly succeeded? I had you. I could’ve just stabbed you in the heart with my sword. Just could’ve done so many things to you. Yet, you still defeated me. You know what your biggest mistake was? The day you had me imprisoned in Purgatory thinking I would never get out, and hunt you down.”

  When he said those last words, he clenched his teeth, like dogs do ready to bite your face off. He reached out, grabbed my shirt, and with his grip, pulled me closer to his face.

  “I have been waiting far too long for this moment, Ethasus. The moment when you will witness your world crumble down in pieces. When you’ll witness your guardians dying before your eyes, and where I’ll watch the light leave your eyes once I kill you,” he snarled with a grin.

  “Found him a few blocks away. The Others should be here any minute now,” Lola interrupted.

  He looked at her perplexed for a moment. I think he was so fixed on me he had forgotten about her presence.

  “Good job! Is your army in place?” he asked, turning his attention back to me.

  “Affirmative. Waiting for your command.”

  She never mentioned she had a whole army of cyclops ready to ambush my friends.

  “What are you doing?” I asked her. "This was not—”

  She slapped me across the face really hard. That shut me up good.

  “What would you like me to do with him?” she asked quickly.

  Satu found her behavior really strange. He kept staring at both of us, and studying us.

  “Leave him here, with me.” He walked back to his chair.

  “Negative.”

  Satu turned and glared at her with such intensity.

  “You do remember our deal? Right?” she asked.

  “If I remember clearly, you wanted him alive in exchange for The Others,” he replied.

  “Exactly! I do not trust you alone with him. Not after what I just witnessed. So forgive me, but I think I should have the privilege to keep an eye on my price.”

  She sure saved me from this lunatic.

  “You are always ahead of your game, Lola. Very well then, do as you please, but he’s not allowed to leave this building.”

  “Of course,” she agreed, then grabbed me by the arm again, and dragged me away.

  The Detarrunians

  “This should be the place,” Craig announced, while hovering over the streets of Downtown Manhattan in his helicopter.

  “I don’t see them,” Jack said.

  “They must be looking for Erick,” Clara stated while they kept flying over the city. Craig noticed a massive crowd in black clothing standing around, waiting for something.

  “Who are these people?”

  “They must be the Satunians,” Rebecca broke in.

  “Why are the Satunians in New York?”

  “Looks like they know about Plan B.” Clara added, “Hurry, take us to Madison Square Garden!”

  “What about Erick?” Craig asked.

  “I trust my father will find him, but right now you need to take me to my mother.”

  “Your mother? Isn’t she in California?”

  "I lied about that too, Craig. She’s been in New York for a few years, preparing our Detarrunian Army.”

  “Well I’ll be damned! You guys are full of surprises. So what is plan A?”

  Jack and Clara looked at each other, not knowing who would answer the question first.

  “Plan A is Erick,” she answered.

  “What about him?”

  “He is The Chosen One.”

  “Get the hell out!? How come you guys didn’t mention this before?” He was awestruck.

  “I didn’t even know either, until two days ago,” Jack said. “I just also found out that Clara was a guardian.”

  “You guys got some serious explaining to do,” Craig said as he turned the helicopter around.

  The Search

  “Remember! We get Erick, and then we get the heck out of there. We don’t have our powers, so don’t try to be heroes,” Jimmy said as they all hid behind a big chunk of wall on the street. “If we get separated, we’ll meet back at the Midtown Tunnel, understand?”

  Everyone nodded and they strolled up a few stairs towards the museum’s front entrance.

  “Matheus? Let us know if it’s clear to go inside,” Harris instructed.

  Matheus sneaked inside the door, and surprisingly, it was open. There weren’t any Satunians or demons guarding it either. He came right back and signaled it w
as clear. They all cautiously sneaked inside.

  “Alright, this place is divided into two buildings. We’re going to have to split up,” Patrick suggested whispering.

  “Harris? You should stay out here with the girls,” Larry advised.

  “Then I’ll search building 1 with you, Larry,” Jimmy volunteered. “Matheus, you’re with us. Patrick, Luis, and Bruce, you’ll search Building 2.”

  “Are you sure you guys will be okay?” Kate asked, troubled.

  “We’ll be fine,” Larry responded confidently.

  They went separate ways, searching for Erick.

  Chapter 16

  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were going to ambush my friends?” I shouted, upset.

  Lola was in the room with me, supposedly holding me prisoner. This was the part of the museum where they kept mummified corpses and Egyptian replicas.

  I really hated mummies.

  “I did tell you,” she responded in dismay.

  “But you failed to tell me that you were planning to hurt them?”

  “I already told you, my cyclops won’t harm anyone unless I tell them to.”

  “What is Satu going to do to them?” I was not shutting up, and I think I was aggravating her for the first time.

  She actually rolled her eyes at me. She walked past me towards a window in the room.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to check up on your friends, and make sure Satu doesn’t hurt them, maybe then you’ll shut up for once”

  GEEZ.

  “Hey! Are you just going to leave me in here?” I was horrified at the thought of that. I sure didn’t want to be left alone in this place with psychopath Satu around.

  “Absolutely,” she responded flatly.

  “But what if he comes and tries to kill me again?”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll leave my pets to watch over you, just in case.” She flew off to I don’t know where, and left me there alone.

  “Her pets?” I said to myself.

  My worst nightmare crawled in from the same window Lola had flew off from. The same flesh-eating, blood-sucking creatures that tormented me for years in Inferno, and there were four of these things coming in the room.