Chapter 162: Technically we haven’t met yet.

Chapter 162: Technically we haven’t met yet.

Jamess words rang out over the snow.

The scene was subtly different from the last time hed been here, some two or so months in the future. Then the place had looked abandoned, desolate. But now there were still signs of life.

The work station out to the side of the yard was tidy and the sawhorse table had been cleared of snow. Freshly chopped logs were stacked against the side of the cabin. An old and much abused snowmobile was parked beside them, a bright blue tarp half blown off it.

All that and golden yellow light streamed from cracks between the curtains and oily blue smoke disappeared from the top of the chimney into the night sky.

Belanger! James walked till he was some five yards from the porch. Come on out. Youre not in trouble. I want to talk.

There was a chance the guy would slip out the back, but James thought it minimal. This was still two weeks before the demon symbol would appear above Belangers cabin, two weeks before hed race into Old Crow to make his mangled report about an imminent demon invasion.

This was the guys house. Hed not abandon it so quickly. James vaguely recalled something in Belangers file where he was under suspicion for killing loggers or the like whod trespassed against his home in another Canadian remote spot.

No. It was much more likely that Belanger would just shoot him.

A curtain twitched. James caught a flash of a lean, weathered face, then it was gone.

A moment later the door opened and Belanger emerged, a shotgun hanging by his side. He wasnt nearly as far gone as when James had met him, underground with his demonic wife. Lean, yes, deep lines carved around his mouth and with white stubble along his jaw, his eyes set in a perpetual squint, his white hair shorn to little more than a crew cut. But he looked hardy and tough, like well worn leather. His clothing was clean, and his porcelain blue eyes were sharp.The initial posting of this chapter occurred via Ñøv€l-B!n.

What do you want? Belangers tone was low and intense. He scrutinized James then gazed past him to the tree line. No doubt noting his lack of transport. Who are you?

James raised his hands. Just a friend. Dont laugh, I know you aint had many.

Belanger frowned. You lost? You lose your mind? What are you doing out here without proper gear?

Right, said James, looking down at his long sleeved shirt and canvas pants. Yeah, I can see how this would look strange. But look. Theres no way to say this smoothly, so Ill just come out with why Im here. I know about the Light Eternal. I know about Jane, and the demons that are trying to break your mind. Im here to help.

Belangers eyes widened and he snatched the shotgun up so that while it shook it was still mostly pointed at his face. I dont know what youre talking about. Now get off my property before I blow your damn head off.

James raised his hands, more to reassure Belanger than anything else. Easy. In a little over four weeks a huge demon symbols gonna appear in the sky above your homestead. The demons will have worn you down by then. I bet youve noticed theyre amping up the pressure already. But a couple of days after you give in, the real invasion will start. I dont want that to happen. Again.

Belanger adjusted his grip on his shotgun in a futile attempt to stop it shaking. Again? What the fuck you talking about?

James laughed mirthlessly. Im from the future, man. I already lived through the invasion once. It didnt go well. Ive come back here to take the Light Eternal from you and make sure it doesnt happen again.

Belanger just stared.

Yeah, I know. But how else would I know all these things?

Pah, spat Belanger. You think the demons havent tried to trick me like this before? Fuck you. Get out of here. I wont deal with you. I wont give up the Light Eternal. Its my sacred trust. Fuck off.

James grimaced. Yeah, I would, but I know you change your tune in two weeks time. So I cant do that.

Belanger raised the shotgun and set the butt to his shoulder. One.

James blew out his cheeks. How to prove Im not a demon. I guess any supernatural powers could just look demonic. Flight, invisibility, all of that.

Two.

And I cant just take it. You need to give it to me of your own free will.

Belanger scowled. I warned you, ya dumb bastard. Three.

And he fired the shotgun.

A hail of buckshot flashed around James, pinging off his Circle of Protection which hed attuned to all incoming damage, not just demonic. The buckshot flew off in every direction.

James lowered his hands.

Belangers eyes widened all over again as he lowered his gun.

Im here to talk, buddy. But Im glad you got that out of your system. You ready to hear my story? How about I start from the beginning.

The demons usually disappear when I shoot them, whispered the old man. Its understood as a no. They laugh and promise to come back. They always come back.

Yeah. Theyll keep coming back. In fact James frowned and turned in a slow circle, extending his senses.

Spiritual Exaltation made him uniquely attuned to the substrate and its fluctuations. Nothing was in the clearing, but there.

James frowned up into the night sky. Some five hundred yards up, barely a speck, something invisible was watching them.

Here, hold on, said James quietly, and he opened a portal.

A second later he emerged high above the cabin, flight kicking in to keep him aloft, and right beside the hidden being.

A demon, he realized. A Monitor.

It went to teleport away, but James activated Dimensional Anchor and locked the area down.

The invisible Monitor panicked. James felt it dumping Infernum fruitlessly into the substrate, its confusion becoming terror, but before it could pull out any further tricks James activated Forced Humility.

The sheer weight of his 50,000 Arete crushed the Monitors resistance like a paper cup under a tank tread. Jamess authority washed over the demon and he felt its mind smooth out, its resistance and fear and hatred evaporate to be replaced by total obedience.

Drop the invisibility, said James.

Jane appeared in the air before him. Lank blonde hair hung past her bony shoulders, and her expression was one of wonder and awe.

Youre not the Jane I fought, said James. I was under the impression that demon was summoned a reward for Belangers capitulation. Youre just a Monitor.

I I dont know of what you speak, whispered the demon.

James stepped back outside into the night and gave him his privacy.

Ten minutes later the weeping ended. Belanger emerged. He had the Light Eternal in hand.

Here, he whispered. Take it. Take it far, far away. Youre a better man than I am, James. I hope it doesnt bring you the misery its brought me.

Ive been dealing with these demons for just about three months. Youve been wrangling with them for I dont know how many years. And without any powers. Dont be hard on yourself. Nobody knows what you went through.

Belanger stared down at the Light Eternal, a band appearing and disappearing over the joint of his jaw, then gave a curt nod and held his hands out.

James took the raw hunk of sapphire. As before, it was multifaceted and bound in golden wires, with some of its faces cloudy, others polished to a clear gloss.

You have acquired the Light Eternal.

Do you wish to become its Guardian?

Dont be hasty now.

James willed his assent.

You are now the Guardian of the Light Eternal.

You have gained the ability to use the Light Eternal.

You are now immune to Curses, Fear, Possession, and Illusions.

No locks, doors, or portals can bar your way.

For as long as you refuse to bestow the Light Eternal upon a demon,

Mankind shall remain safe from the instigation of the System.

Id suggest taking that part seriously.

James exhaled. There it is.

Belanger was panting. He staggered to one side, leaned against the doorframe, and pressed his hand to his brow. Its its gone. I cant believe it. Its no longer mine.

James bounced the Light Eternal in his palm. Youre a free man, Belanger. Congrats.

No, thank you. This feels like a dream. I just hope I never wake up. Thank you, James.

They shook hands. Belangers grip was firm.

Ill be heading out now. James descended the steps to the moonlit snow. Take care of yourself.

You too, James. You too.

James gave the old man a two-fingered salute, and with the sapphire in his fist opened a portal back to Brooklyn.

The white flames appeared in an oval and he stepped through.

To emerge, smooth as can be, into a dark alleyway. The portal snapped closed behind him, and he cast around till he saw a bottle lying on the floor, still wrapped in its brown paper bag. He pulled the wrinkled bag free, dropped the Light Eternal inside, then wrapped it up.

That done, he stepped out into the street and raked his still damp hair back from his eyes.

Across from him was Hermans Bar. The Passenger by Iggy Pop and the Stooges blared out from the open door at the bottom of the flight of stairs.

Chest tight, throat knotted up, James crossed the street, descended to the open door and stepped inside.

The place was packed. Cigarette smoke hung heavily in the air. Overhead spotlights reflecting off beveled glasses and the waxen bar. People were shouting and leaning into each other, faces flushed, drinks in hand. TV screens played muted MTV Music videos. The jukebox glowed bright, the air was warm, and the whole place felt like home.

James stood in the doorway, Light Eternal gripped in one fist, and scanned the crowd. He was about to give up when he saw her.

Seated at the bar, a drink with a tiny umbrella in it, Serenity was laughing with unabashed glee at something the guy next to her had just said. She wore a pink feather boa around her neck, and was dressed all in black, her make-up heavily done, her hair frizzed out into an 80s mane.

She must have felt his stare because she looked over her shoulder right at him and froze.

She couldnt possibly remember him. But her eyes widened regardless. Spooked, she turned away and raised her hand for another drink.

James waited till the seat next to her opened and slipped through the bar to take it.

Serenity turned to study him.

Her face was so familiar.

He smiled.

Do I know you? she asked, half wary, half wondering.

Technically we havent met yet. Im James. James Kelly.

James Kelly? Like Ned Kelly from the Kelly Gang.

Or Clyde Barrow.

Clyde? She leaned over and propped her chin on the base of her palm, eyes burning bright as she grinned at him. That means youre missing a Bonnie.

Warmth flooded through James. He set the brown paper bag on the bar and signaled to Herman. The old bartender gave him an up-nod and began making his way over. Not any more Im not. Not any more.

THE END