Chapter 109: Demon promises are shit

Chapter 109: Demon promises are shit

Belanger narrowed his eyes. Even from this distance James could tell he was a striking man; his face was dramatic, with deeply carved cheeks and a hawk-like nose, his eyes gleaming from under bristling brows, his skin heavily wrinkled like a paper bag that had been crumpled over then smoothed over his skull. Yet for all that he burned with a youthful vitality, and his presence was searing.

Sacrifice all of humanity? Belangers words were a sneer. You think me far more important than I am.

You dont hold the Light Eternal right there?

Belanger considered the gem. Why, so I do.

Then surely you had some role in whats happened.

That I have. But a middling role, unimportant, everything considered. I suppose youre just as ignorant as the last lot.

Scorn slid into Belangers voice, and James could feel the man distancing himself, growing aloof, reaching for superiority.

He had to keep him on his heels.

Yeah, Im pretty ignorant. Wont deny it. I was homeless till this all kicked off. Could probably have used some help, but there wasnt any at hand. Not for the likes of me. Still, even at my worst, when I was lost in the bottom of a bottle and with no hope for a better tomorrow, I doubt Id have agreed to have my dead wife back as a demon.

Your wife is dead?

Wife and both girls. They were killed in our family home while I was at work. Nearly broke me, when I found out. I guess it did. But still. James stopped walking, placed his hands on his hips and stared across at Belanger. Still Id never have accepted a fake version back.

Belangers upper lip lifted from his yellowed teeth. Thats because youve yet to learn the fine art of acceptance, Kelly. Youre young. You think you had it rough? You dont know what youre talking about. This thing here? He patted the gem. Its a curse. It turns you into Job out of the Old Testament. Everything you touch turns to ash. Everyone you love dies. Every attempt at self-improvement becomes a mockery. And why? Because its one big fucking test. To see if you can resist long enough to hand it on. But fuck that. I finally understood after running from the truth my whole life.

Understood what, Belanger?

That were all alone in this world. The old man leaned forward, eyes blazing. That youre born alone and youll die alone, that nobody can change, that nobody cares about anything more than themselves, that its a crapsack world full of idiots and fools, and the greatest fools are those who think otherwise. And you know why they think that way? Because they need to. They need the world to be better so they can get up in the morning, so they can brush their teeth and look themselves in the mirror. Without that faith theyd curl up and die.

Belanger sat back. Not me. Im done lying. I accept that Im weak. That Im old. That soon Ill die alone. Ive no illusions as to Jane being more than a manipulative succubus whos manipulating me, making me dance to her strings. But while I live I might as well get to finally enjoy the best life has to offer. You wouldnt understand. Youve no idea what the demons can do to us, to our brains, our minds, the worlds they can create, the sheer fucking pleasure they can drown us in. And why shouldnt I? My whole lifes been shit. Why shouldnt I get to enjoy my last final years before it all goes literally to hell?

It sounded like a rhetorical question, but Belanger watched James with avid interest, as if defying him to contradict his words.

Well. James rubbed his beard. Thats a hell of a life philosophy. Hard to argue with you when you admit youre a selfish piece of shit whod rather get your rocks off with some demon magic than save the billions of men, women, and children out there who never did nothing to you.

Belanger went to sneer but James spoke over him.

Thing is, while youre sitting here on this throne of yours getting demon head, Ive been fighting on the streets of New York. Ive seen countless good people lay down their lives to help each other out. Ive seen my share of idiocy and greed, too. Now I know Im far from perfect, so I dont want to be a hypocrite and preach perfection here, but I do know the demons are worth fighting. And you know why?

No, said Belanger, staring down his nose at Kelly. Why?

Because fuck these guys. James grinned and resumed walking. Fuck these guys if they think they can come into our house and kick over shit. If they think they can make us jump through hoops like circus dogs while laughing at us. Fuck them for thinking were not worth taking seriously.

But were not, smiled Belanger. Were little more than monkeys with the capacity to think for a few minutes before going back to planning how where and what to fuck.

Nah, were more than that. They wouldnt have given us that Light Eternal if we were just glorified chimps, would they?

Belanger frowned down at the gem.

What is that thing, anyways? James tried to keep his tone careless. Since were just chatting here. You said it gets passed on?

And on and on. Belangers voice grew quiet, almost inaudible. Ostensibly. Once we developed the capacity to destroy ourselves utterly the demons finally took notice and gave this gem to our species. As long as its bearer could resist their offers, humanity was safe. The old man looked up and his smile was terrible. But they knew we wouldnt last long. And they were right.

The capacity to destroy ourselves? You mean atomic bombs?

Precisely. Its the milestone they watch for, the natural culmination of our species evolution.

James frowned. But the messages said 60,000 years.

Belanger waved a hand. Whos keeping track? Roughly 60,000, yes, since we were gifted with the ability to tell stories. But is it exactly so? Who knows? Who cares?

Wait, what? Stories?

Patrick stared at him, eyes glazed. You dont mean that.

Sure I do. James frowned at the bloody woman next to him. Tell this demon to kill me already. Ive never been much of a fanatic, but if it means giving our species a fighting chance, Ill die for the cause. Go on Patrick. Tell her.

Youre bluffing, said Patrick. Or youre mad.

You know Im not crazy. James smiled tiredly. Youve seen crazy. Im just tired and old. Cmon. Lets do this. Youve wanted to shut me up since I started making you uncomfortable. Ill happily die if it means you realize theres still some genuine people out there, and if that realization shocks you out of your doom spiral. Kill me and give my friends the gem. Everybody wins.

Shut up, hissed Jane, closing her fingers around Jamess neck and nearly crushing his throat.

The sound of a scuffle broke out behind them. It sounded like several people struggling.

Patrick leaned forward, eyes bulging. Fuck you.

Sure, hissed James. Didnt come here. To be friends. Quit being an asshole. Kill. Me.

Patrick rubbed his face then lurched to his feet. He gripped the Light Eternal in his fist and stared at it. I made a deal with them! I swore!

Dont mean. Nothing. Jane was almost crushing his throat, and though he felt her desire to do so, she held back, waiting for Patricks order. Demon promises. Are. Shit.

Patrick was coming apart at the seams. His whole body was shuddering, arms trembling, his face having gone pale. Hurt him!

Jane laughed huskily, placed her bare foot against Jamess knee, and jerked her foot down.

Jamess knee snapped and bent the wrong way.

The pain was tremendous, overwhelming, but his impossible Stamina made it feel more like a lightning strike on the far side of a mountain than an immediate blow. James gasped, staggered, then placed a hand on Janes slick shoulder as she released his neck.

Mind if I borrow your shoulder? he smiled. Thanks, hon.

Now? Now do you change your mind? shouted Patrick.

Oh, come on, said James. Of course not.

Patrick dug his nails into his face and scratched down his cheeks leaving crimson trails in his own flesh. Youre not real! Youre not real!

Fuck, sighed James. His whole leg felt like it was bathed in magma, his knee joint as big as a house and all pure agony. Its not fair expecting me to reason with him if hes crazy, he said to Jane.

Who glared at him, hatred in her brown eyes.

I never wanted this, shouted Patrick, glaring at the gem. I never wanted any of this! This world, this fucking world!

Then give it to me! James shouted back, losing his patience. End this shit! Just give it up and see if you get into heaven already. Anythings gotta be better than this!

Better than this, said Belanger quietly. Yes. Youre right. This this is worse than anything else. Knowing I could end it and never doing so. Thats the real torture. Just end it.

My love, called Jane. Were not done with our games. Our fun. There is so much still to teach you. Tell me to finish this man and we can resume our pleasure.

End it! shouted James. Now!

Patrick stared at the gem in his hand. It trembled so that the gem bounced in his palm, and with terrible effort he tilted his palm, slowly, awkwardly, so that the burning blue gem trembled and slid and then fell free to the floor.

There, said Belanger. It is done.

Oh fuck, said Jane in annoyance. Enough of these games. She grabbed James by the throat and lifted him off the ground. You cant collect the Light Eternal if youre dead, can you?

James grasped at her wrist as her talons sank into his flesh.

Wait! croaked Belanger as he sagged against his throne. Ive passed on the gem. Stop!

Shut the fuck up, Patrick, snapped Jane. And focus on dying. I, on the other hand, am going to do what I do best. She grinned up at James, revealing a row of fangs in her mouth that would have done a white shark proud. And murder everyone else.