Drean wailed like an infant until he blacked out.
Chapter 34
Eliza beamed as she dressed for a night of dancing. Her latest piece, the cause of her elation, was on her easel: Gerald gripping the wrists of the purple demoness from his past and pushing them away from him with determination on his face.
Eliza knew he had survived his encounter with Shrazz, and she knew he did not want the demoness: he had surmounted all of his most dire struggles. It was time to celebrate.
She wore a black tube top and a royal purple lacy skirt which had layers of black lace beneath the purple. She put her hair up and decided to go without make up: she didn’t need it to impress the crowd anyway.
When she made it outside she noticed it was much colder than usual. Like winter had suddenly pushed summer aside to try to claim another season for herself. She briskly walked to the club.
“Hey, Eliza,” the bouncer said and let her slip by. Cries of protest rang up from the line of people waiting to get in.
“There’s not that many of them, Frankie,” Eliza said. “You should let them in. It’s freezing out here.”
“Yeah. Alright.”
Eliza made her way onto the dance floor. Some clubbers recognized her and gave her high fives, nods and smiles.
After dancing for several minutes she felt much warmer and after three songs she needed a break. She put her balls next to her. Their glow ceased when her hands left their cords. Someone dropped a bottle of water in her tip hat.
“Lookin’ especially good tonight, Eliza,” Bob, the club manager, said. He wore a black and white Rage Against the Machine t-shirt and jeans.
“You shaved your head, Bob!”
“Ehh, needed a change. I’ll bring you some more water later, babe.”
“Thanks.”
He waved and walked on. Eliza saw a man hobbling toward him from the crowd, blood seeped from a wound on his neck. Bob walked straight through the man. The wounded man neared Eliza.
“Are... you alright?”
The man hissed at her, and scratched her arm.
Instinctively she grabbed a ball and swung at him. It connected with his head. He moaned and held a hand on the spot; spidery light crept across his skin from the area. His angry wrinkled face smiled at Eliza before it shattered as if he were made of glass. The shards that were his remains vanished. Eliza blinked and looked around: no one else had noticed.
Her poi balls’ usual prismatic glow swirled, brightened and pulsed. An acute ache racked her brain, but quickly subsided and left a sense of contentedness behind. She could only compare the feeling to how she felt after having Gerald over for dinner: solace.
Throughout the evening as she danced, more strange people assaulted her. As before she fended them off with her poi balls and watched their smiling faces deteriorate before her.
At first she felt terrified, but after the third attack she came to enjoy it: the rush of the fight and the warm feeling her victories gave her.
She concluded they were spirits drawn to her as Gerald had been, and changed as he had been.
By the end of the evening she had accumulated more cash than ever before. She noticed she hadn’t broken a sweat since her first break. Her body felt warm, and as familiar faces came up to her to congratulate her with hugs and kind words, her contentment turned to ecstasy. She knew it had something to do with the poi balls and the spirits, but at that point she did not care. She sat, enjoyed her body high and wished Gerald were with her.
Chapter 35
Riell woke in the forest and wondered what had happened. The last thing she remembered was Shrazz’s open maw above her, a violent explosion and Drean’s scream.
“Drean!”
She felt for him, soared into the air to fly for him and regretted it when she opened her wings. Her tendons cramped and locked up. She cried out and almost spiraled into a tree before she caught herself.
“Still weak,” she muttered.
She saw a fresh crater. Trees were strewn about several yards around it. She saw Drean not far from it and landed.
He didn’t respond when she tried to wake him, but he was breathing: he would make it.
Riell yelled for Gerald several times and felt a blip of his Inner. She ran for it and called for him.
“Yeah...” Gerald whispered, his voice hoarse. “Over here.”
Riell found Gerald against a fallen tree. His left arm was twisted in an awkward position and hung loose at his side. Dried blood covered his chin and chest. His wings were tattered.
Riell put Gerald’s good arm around her neck and helped him to his feet.
“Let me take you out there in the open where I can lay you down.”
“Leoran? Where is he?” Gerald asked.
Gerald coughed and spat blood.
“Gone. Shrazz was about to make a snack of me and there was an explosion. I guess you don’t know what happened either?”
“No. I was out the whole time. I don’t think they’re dead though. We have to assume they’re on their way to Hell,” Gerald said.
“What are we supposed to do now?” Riell said. “I barely made it over here. Flying is out of the question for me.”
“We just have to get to my old pal Grizaltus,” Gerald said. “Then you guys can get to Hell. I’m about finished.”
“Don’t say that,” Riell said, and put her hair up. “Let me get Inner in you, and then we can worry about getting to whoever we need to get to.”
“You don’t understand. If you guys can get there he can teleport you to Hell himself. Don’t waste time with me. Just get there.”
“Gerald, don’t make me knock you out. Just relax.”
He sighed and laid flat on the ground.
Riell put her hands on his head and tried transferring Inner into him to assist his healing.
“I can’t do it, Gerald. It’s been forever since I’ve tried this technique. I barely have any left as it is.”
“Try it on Drean. Get him up. He may have enough left if you can teach him.”
She did not know if it would work or not, but if she could get a small bit of Inner into Drean it could be enough to snap him out of his somnolence.
She connected herself with his mind and tried to transfer Inner into him, but still she could not do it. Instead she tried to massage his consciousness with kind emotions. He stirred and woke.
“Hey,” he said with a smile.
“Can you help Gerald?”
Drean knelt over Gerald and examined him.
“What can I do?”
“Connect yourself with his mind. Try to transfer your Inner into him. It might help if you put your hands over him.”
Drean did so and tried to transfer his Inner. His forehead’s center glowed white, as did his tattoo. White light moved from his forehead, down into his arms and into Gerald whose veins glowed with the energy.
Riell heard a rustle and a twig snap. She looked around and saw nothing, but she could smell enchantment in the air. It was a subtle smell only enhanced senses could detect: a scent like burning oil.
“We have company. Humans are around,” Riell said.
Gerald’s wounds responded.
“Whoa,” he said. “How are you healing me?”
“What do you mean?” Drean asked. “I’m just giving you Inner.”
“Your Inner is healing him,” Riell said. “Watch it as it moves through his body. See! When the light washes over his wounds they are affected right away.”
“I guess that’s just how my Inner works.” Drean smiled and continued to heal Gerald until his wounds were no more.
Drean fell into Gerald. The Inner usage had drained him. He caught himself before he hit the ground, rolled over and took deep breaths.
“Here, I’m going to give you the location of Grizaltus’ place,” Gerald said to Riell. “Just teleport us there.”
“I don’t think I can manage that in my state. I’m nearly out of Inner as well,” Riell said and gave Drean
a concerned look. “Get down. Those humans are around. I can sense them.” She glanced about her to pinpoint them. “They must be under some kind of invisibility enchantment.” she muttered.
The three of them knelt down.
“Do you remember what happened, Drean? Did Shrazz and Leoran escape?”
“Yes,” he growled. “For now.”
Drean’s fury startled Riell and left her speechless.
“You caused that explosion didn’t you?” she asked.
“Yes. I did. I don’t know how. But it doesn’t matter. It wasn’t enough.”
“Damn it, I can’t even get the image in my mind.” Gerald swore. “We have to get out of here, humans or no humans. Help me carry him.”
She helped Gerald hoist Drean to his feet, and they balanced him between them both.
“I can stand on my own,” Drean snapped. He took deep breaths.
“You sure?” Riell asked. “You look pale.”
He nodded.
“Don’t take your anger out on me, Drean,” Riell said. “We tried our best.”
“I know. I just despise him. He almost killed you both.”
“We’ll get him, kid,” Gerald said. “Try to focus. Anger will make you sloppy.”
“My apologies to you both,” Drean said.
“Where are we going, Gerald?” Riell asked, ignoring Drean.
“He’s at an estate out in the desert.” Gerald cried out as his body convulsed, and he fell to the ground. He laughed at himself. “I guess I’m still in pretty bad shape. You’ll have to carry me.”
Drean and Riell did their best to keep him on his feet.
“Hey wait. Don’t forget my clothes!”
“Can you fly us there?” Drean asked Riell.
“I won’t be able to carry you both.”
“My trench coat and shirt at least!” Gerald tried to pull away from them to find them.
“Can you teleport us then?” Drean asked.
“Drean. Help me find my clothes,” Gerald said.
“I would if I could, Drean. Now shut up a minute so I can think,” she snapped, talking more to Gerald than Drean.
How can we get there without killing ourselves? There has to be some way. She heard rustling to her right, and glared in that direction. Damn humans.
“Fine.” Drean said and sighed. He looked at Gerald and nodded at him. “I’m going to get his shirt and coat.” When Riell glared at him he remained unabashed. “Keep walking, I’ll catch up.”
“Fine.” She hoisted Gerald’s arm over her shoulder and walked down the trail.
Drean ran back to retrieve Gerald’s clothing.
“My car should still be around, but I forget where I parked it,” Gerald coughed out.
“Do we really have time to drive there?” Riell asked.
I guess we have no other choice at this point, she thought to herself.
“Ok, it’s this way.” Gerald pointed down a walkway. “Let’s go.”
I can’t believe Shrazz out did me, Gerald thought. I was overconfident. All I can do now is try to help these kids stop Leoran before he reaches Satan. No sense in dwelling on what’s already happened. I need to move on.
Shrazz... Riell thought. I tried to steer you away from this downfall but I failed. Maybe if we can stop Leoran I can get you back or at least have another chance to finish what I started.
“We’re almost there now,” Gerald said, as a parking lot came into view. “It’s that white Volkswagen over there.”
“Alright. At least it’s a fast car,” Riell said as she spotted it.
“The keys should be in my left pants pocket,” Gerald said.
Riell reached to retrieve the keys and was surprised when she touched Gerald’s thigh instead of cloth.
“Ooo, if you wanted to get naughty you could have just...” Riell cut Gerald short with a punch to his gut.
“The pocket is gone,” Riell said. She smirked as the Domination tried to catch his breath.
“Yeah.” Gerald groaned. “Looks that way.”
We have to get to Satan before Leoran does, Drean thought, as he ran back down the trail for the parking lot. I need to do it for my Father and for Riell, so I can continue to live my life with her and so everyone else can live their lives peacefully.
He slowed down as he came up behind Gerald and Riell and saw Gerald’s car. His eyes played over the sleek curves of the GTI in front of them.
I wonder if I’ll get to drive Gerald’s car?
“Do you remember what the key looks like?” Riell asked.
“Hey I found the clothes,” Drean said. Riell gave him an annoyed side-glance at the interruption.
“Yeah, are you going to try to fabricate it?” Gerald asked. “Thanks, kid. Hold on to them for now.”
“I was going to try it,” Riell said. “Keys are difficult though, especially when I’m low on Inner.”
“If you can get us in the car there should be a spare key that will get it started,” Gerald said. “I’m sure the real key has a microchip in it or something that prevents replicas from starting the car.”
“Yeah, that would probably be a bit too complicated at this point.” Riell placed her hands on Gerald’s head. “Relax and get a firm image of the key in your mind.”
“I’m tryin’.” Gerald did his best to recall every facet of the key. “Ok, I think that’s it.”
She removed her hands from Gerald’s head and unlocked the door with the newly formed key.
“Got it.”
“Great,” Gerald said. “Now the spare should be in the glove box somewhere.”
Riell decided to try the key she fabricated before she searched for a spare. She turned the ignition and the car hummed to life.
“Well, I’m glad the key works,” Gerald said.
Riell just stared at him from the driver’s seat.
“Are you guys coming?” Riell asked.
“I would like to drive, missy, it is my car,” Gerald said.
“You’re in no shape.” She looked at Drean. “Drean, take him to the back and let him lay down.”
“Can I drive, Riell?” Drean asked when he opened the driver’s side cabin door and laid Gerald down.
“Let me have those clothes Drean.” Gerald took the jacket and shirt from him, stretched out in the back and laid his head on them.
“Drean, now is not the time. You of all people should know.” She closed the driver’s door and buckled her seat belt.
“I know. I just want to try it once,” he said. “You alright, Gerald?”
The domination didn’t answer.
“Maybe after we stop Leoran,” Riell said.
“I understand.” Drean closed the back door of the car and walked over to the passenger side.
“This seat is a little too high.” Riell ran her left hand down the side of the seat to find a lever or button to adjust it. “Ah there they are. Now this button should move the seat down and back.” She pushed the button and positioned the seat.
Drean opened the passenger side door, sat down in it and watched Riell.
“Shouldn’t we be on our way?” he asked her.
She didn’t answer. She twisted the rear view mirror to her liking and worked on her side view mirrors.
“Riell?” Drean asked again.
“If anyone should be driving it should be me.” Gerald grumbled as he tried to get comfortable.
“Perfect,” she said. “Yeah we’re going to leave right now, Drean. I just had to make sure the settings were the way I need them.”
Drean nodded and leaned back into his chair.
“Where am I going, Gerald?” Riell asked.
“This is why I should have been driving,” Gerald said.
Riell connected with Gerald’s mind.
“Forget it, I just sapped the info from you,” she said, and checked everything one more time before putting the car in reverse.
“You could have asked,” he protested. “You took advantage of me in my weaken
ed state.”
Drean gave Riell’s reflection a look of disappointment.
She glanced at Drean.
“We don’t have time for this!” she said. “Any other time I would have but we have to go, now!”
Riell made sure it was clear, and the tires squealed as they sped out of the parking lot.
Drean gripped the armrest and the door handle as the buildings along the road became a blur.
“Drean hold on to that handle above you,” she warned.
Drean did as he was told. She smiled and pushed the car to its limits.
“Riell, do you want to kill us?!” Gerald yelled.
“This place is like an hour away if we go the speed limit,” Riell said. “Just hang on to something.”
“Well we don’t need to be going over two hund... whoa!”
Riell slammed on the brakes and took a sharp left turn into an alley. Gerald gripped the door handle with one hand and pushed against Drean’s seat with the other to try to keep himself from flying into it.
“Riell where the hell are you going?!” Gerald yelled.
“Gerald, rest, and shut up. There was a cop not far ahead and I don’t feel like wasting even more time by getting into a car chase.”
“Fine.” Gerald relented. “Just don’t mess the car up.”
Riell crashed through stacks of wooden crates at the end of the alley and turned onto the street beyond.
“Much.”
Gerald frowned.
“Gerald this is the last time I’m going to say it. Shut up! I need to concentrate on getting us there,” she said.
Gerald slumped down in response.
“There’s no need to be so abrasive, Riell,” Drean remarked.
Riell drove.
“Alright I-70 is coming up,” she said after fifteen minutes. “We should be home free,”
The on-ramp to I-70 east was close. Riell made no attempt to slow down.
“Hang on. This ramp is pretty tight.” Riell jerked on the steering wheel and pulled up on the hand brake to put the car in a power slide. She slid the car perfectly along the loop and as the road straightened out the car rose on its side.
From Heaven To Earth (The Faith of the Fallen) Page 25
