Chapter 108: Belanger

Chapter 108: Belanger

James fell the fifteen yards and landed solidly on the rock floor below. Before, a jump like that would have fractured both his legs, shattering his bones and driving the shards into his pelvic cradle.

Now he just sank into a crouch, skeggox propped over one shoulder and slowly rose to standing. Jelly floated down as the others leaped down after him, landing in an arc around him. Yadriel carried Miriam, whose stats werent yet up to snuff, but otherwise they fell silently and oriented on the huge portcullis.

What are we dealing with here? asked Denzel softly. The Pits?

Nah, said James. This is something unique to Belanger. Im sure of it. The real Pits will be a sight bigger, Im sure.

The darkness beyond the bars shifted and smoldered. It was clearly magical, the kind that wreathed the hives. Kerim pushed his spectacles up his nose and stepped forward. The tunnel continues for a short way beyond the bars then curves out of sight to the right.

Gotcha, said James, moving up to the bars. Let me know if something appears. He grabbed the rough iron in both hands, crouched, then locked his arms and started to rise. Strength 54 was prodigious. On many levels James didnt yet fully understand what he was capable of, but now he saw the direct results.

The huge portcullis rose with him. James felt the muscles writhe along his arms, felt his hamstrings snarl, felt his quads strain with effort. Up he lifted the huge barrier, pushing it back into the slot carved into the ceiling.

Serenity, he grunted. Skeggox.

She grabbed his axe, placed it upright beneath the bars, and James relaxed. The portcullis caught against the axe and remained a yard above the ground.

Everybody hurried under. James went last, passing through the shimmering darkness. The tunnel beyond was just a Kerim had described it, roughhewn and with flickering illumination coming from beyond the curve. For a moment James considered grabbing his skeggox, but then decided the ability to make a quick exit was more important.

Together they walked forward, listening intently. Jelly flitted ahead, disappearing around the curve.

Large room beyond. Two corpses. Jaywicks men. Looks like they shot each other. Another pit in the center of the room. Goes down aways.

James rounded the curve and saw what Jelly had described. Burning torches were set in metal scones affixed to the stone walls. The effect was positively medieval. The two men lay where theyd fallen, bullpup machine guns loosely cradled, their fronts torn up by gunfire.

What the hell? asked Jason as he moved forward warily. They just have a falling out?

No telling, said Kerim. We had best be careful. We have no ability to protect against possession or curses.

Thats no comfort, said Denzel.

James approached the pit. Great runes were carved around its perimeter. As he drew closer they began to burn a filthy green, and a wave of slushy frozen horror flowed into him. It was a primal sensation. His pace slowed and then he stopped altogether.

There was no obvious threat, but he was paralyzed with fear. His chest began to heave, his throat to close, his thoughts to whirl. Flickering images of a nauseating tenor rushed through his mind, nothing substantive but enough to turn his stomach.

The others also slowed, one by one, as they entered the runes radius of effect.

Fuck, grunted Yadriel. Why am I suddenly feeling like a little bitch?

We are brave, said Kimmie, her voice shaking. Nothing can stop us.

Her power washed over James, nullifying some of the abject terror, and he managed another couple of steps before slowing again.

Miriam finally spoke up. We we have nothing to fear here. We we can press on.

She didnt sound like she believed it, but her Benediction blazed forth, warming James in a more profound manner than Kimmies Inspiration. The terror withdrew, his chest unlocked, and he sucked in a deep gulp of breath as the green runes faded and went dark.

God damn, hissed Serenity. Ive not felt that way since grade school.

James met Miriams gaze and nodded his approval. She looked guilty for having taken so long, but James waited till she returned his nod and stepped to the pits edge.

Whatevers down there they really dont want us getting to it, said Denzel. Fuck. Another jump?

More unnatural darkness. Kerim peered down. The falls not bad. Just ten yards. But there are a number of spikes. You land wrong youll get impaled.

Great, said Jason. Can you do anything to get rid of the darkness?

No. But I can tell you where to jump. Here. If you take a small step forward and just drop, youll land in a clear space. One at a time.

The remaining SAS soldier wheeled around as a woman appeared by his side. She was naked, her body glistening with blood. Her lank blonde hair hung down past her shoulders, and her expression was alive with amusement and delight. She reached out and took hold of the soldier as he opened fire point blank into her gut, his gun burning bright with the silvery light of Smite. For a second he just poured endless rounds into her gut, and then she tore him apart.

One hand holding his left shoulder, the fingers of her right digging into his abdomen to clutch at the rim of his pelvis, she simply ripped him in half. His scream cut off abruptly as gore fountained everywhere, bathing the woman anew. She released both halves and they fell with wet thumps to the ground.

Fuck! Jaywick reeled back and in doing so caught sight of James and his crew. Kelly! Get her, get her while shes visible -

But then she wasnt. Quick as a blink she was gone.

Get her? asked Belanger, voice pricked with pique. Get her? You would harm my wife?

No, of course not mate, I merely meant -

The woman appeared behind Jaywick. There was nothing demonic about her, nothing overtly terrifying, but that in and of itself made her ghastlier. She reached forth just as an Anima came buzzing down from the darkness that cloaked the cavern roof. Its bladed arms blurred as it slammed into her back, only to bounce off, blades bent. Jaywick screamed and silver lightning blasted down from the roof to strike the woman, immolate them both.

But to no avail. She wrapped one arm around his chest, a hand around his chin, and tore his head clean off.

Blood geysered up as she released the body. The flare of Heavenly Assault died away. Her body was unmarked by the attack. For a second she considered the head in her hands. Jaywicks lips moved for a second, and then she tossed the head away and looked over her shoulder at James.

For a second their eyes met. Her face ran with blood, her hair hung heavy and lank with it, but still she smiled, a wicked, enticing smile, as if she were espying him from across the room at a party and deciding in that moment to have her way with him.

Then she was gone.

Belanger sighed and shifted on his throne. You lot. You want the Light Eternal. You want to convince me to give it to you.

Thats right, James called back.

Its right here, said Belanger, and he placed a burning sapphire gem the size of his fist upon the thrones arm. It was enmeshed in golden wires and looked just like a heavenly treasure. Reach my throne and Ill give it to you.

James looked at the scattered corpses that littered the cavern floor. That easy.

For the first time Belanger smiled. The expression was haunted. That easy.

We could go as a team, said Serenity. Circle of Protection, Shields up, Martyrs Cry to keep us going.

Dont bother trying to kill her, Belanger called out. Janes more powerful than a Monitor now. Your best bet is to just get the fuck out of here. But if you insist? He patted the gem. Start walking.

James licked his lips, considered, then squared his shoulders. You lot wait for me here.

What the fuck? hissed Serenity. Wait for you here?

Theres only one way across, said James. Its not a physical ordeal. This is a psychological labyrinth. Ill try the odds alone.

Olaf put a hand on Jamess shoulder. If you insist. But we will be ready. If this Jane appears, we will act.

Fine. James held Serenitys gaze till she looked away with a scowl, then turned to face the cavern. Fifty yards separated him from Belanger. A few precipitous drops, a few sharp climbs. He could run the distance in seconds, but for sure that would trigger Jane. He didnt know why, but he believed Belanger when he said she was more powerful than a Monitor.

Whatever theyd done to placate him, to get him to sit on that throne, it had to have been worth damning the whole species. The demons wouldnt have expended a lowly Nem on the deal.

James hopped off their ledge, fell a couple of yards onto a smooth expanse of rock, and began to walk forward slowly. Patrick Belanger?

The old man studied James, eyes narrowing at the casual tone. The same.

My names James Kelly. Mind if we chat as I cross?

I expected nothing less. You need to convince me to keep Jane at bay. Move too fast and Ill release her. Annoy me, insult me, bore me, and Ill do the same. The old man paused and then an unhinged smile crossed his face. I hope for your sake youre more interesting than those last fools.

One way to find out, said James, and stuck his hands in his parka pockets. Slow walk work for you?

The old man nodded, again narrowing his eyes at Jamess chill tone.

Cool. James began to advance cautiously. So tell me. Whyd you decide to sacrifice all of humanity for this shitty existence in a hole?