Book 2: Chapter 5: The Dark Lord

Book 2: Chapter 5: The Dark Lord

5. The Dark Lord.

Meanwhile on Earth...

One of the nicer things about using dark magic to keep customers away from the failing fast-food restaurant I liked hanging out at, was the space it gave me. I enjoyed being alone, with plenty of time to sit and dwell on the things I considered important in life. Namely, myself, my past, my future, anything to with me, really. I could be accused of self-obsession and not take offense over it. Well, not much offense.

A woman I once held dear, left my life in anger, disappointed she couldnt change me. It was partly my fault, because I encouraged her to believe she could. Shed be furious over some small thing I may or may not have done, and proclaim I was irredeemable, and must be stopped before it was too late. After she said that, Id let my lower lip tremble just a bit and turn away, as though unable to meet her steady, righteous gaze.

Id then huskily say: Youre right. Ive gone too far. I cant be saved. Just go! Go before I drag you down with me...

And then Id let a single tear fall down my cheek. Next, shed try to comfort me. Shed say there was still good in me, she could see it, and Id reply with a straight face, always with a straight face, that she was the only one who could. Then wed embrace, which would lead to a passionate kiss, which then led to some extremely memorable sex in front of the fireplace.

Athletic sex, too. She was a paladin; all that sword training and the heavy armor she wore, did wonders for her stamina. I could barely keep up! It was a thrill too, because when we really got the pace going, shed start moaning hymnals and invoking the magic of her noble goddess of light; magic that seared the wicked with holy fire.

The pleasure of having her, combined with the elements of pain and fear? And the feeling that her patron goddess was in the room watching us go at it?

Spicy.

She wasnt stupid, though. She eventually caught on and smote me through a stone wall. Then another one. Thenokay, she smashed a tower over my head. Brought the whole thing crashing down. it was probably therapeutic for her. Not much fun for me, though.

Just before leaving for the final time, she called me a selfish, narcissistic bastard whod never love anyone but myself. Then, she flipped her white cloak behind her and left me in the rubble that had been my tower, as well as the figurative rubble of our former relationship.

I still miss her. She made me feel seen.

No! NO! Oh, God, please! Please! Pleeeeease!

Oh, look at that. Someone had tried to enter the Burger Trough, and hed gotten as far as the entryway. He looked like a homeless guy, judging from the state of his clothes, and the overstuffed duffle bag that lay beside him, as he writhed and screamed on the sidewalk. That was kind of interesting. Kind of sad, too.

You see, the hex Id cast over the place operated in three stages. The first one caused you to feel uneasy with a vague sense of doom if you pulled into the parking lot. The second triggered a sensation comparable to intense arachnophobia, if your foot touched the parking lot. It was a feeling like being surrounded by something you found frightening and loathsome. It was usually enough to get the job done. The third effect triggered if you touched the glass entryway. It made you

COLLINS! Oh, my God! Why?! I thought you were one of them! I thought you were one of them! Why?! Why didnt you say something?! No, no, no, hang in there! Medic! Please! Medic!

Wow, rude. Anyway, the third stage forced you to experience the worst thing youd ever done. I guess this guy had once aimed left when he should have aimed right. He must have been a good man to be so tormented by his mistake. Ive taken out a few of my side with friendly fire before. Friendly fireballs, anyway. It was embarrassing for sure, but you couldnt let past mistakes hold you back. It was better instead to deny you made any mistakes at all. Or you could just devalue the lives of your loyal servants so much that when they died, you barely noticed. Making them all wear helmets that covered their faces, helped.

No one cared when a Stormtrooper was killed. Stormtroopers all looked the same.

Im sorry! Im so sorry! Take me instead! TAKE ME INSTEAD!

Well, this guy looked like he was going to be there for a while, and his broken pleas for a redemption that would never come had already gotten stale. Id told Anthony not to leave his office util closing time and he was too big for Holly to carry. Hell, Id have to take down the hex for an ambulance to come collect him, and that was more work than I felt like doing

I guess it was time to go home.

Bye, Holly.

That looked like some trip you were having, I said, as I slouched down in my seat.

Huh?

"Collins! Collins! A friend of yours, I take it?

What? Oh, yeah. Yeah. He was my best friend over there.

Over where?

Uh, I dont want to say. No place I ever want to think about, again.

I get it. Some places we carry in our hearts. Others in our scars.

Yeah.

You hungry?

Yeah.

Better places to eat than that shithole.

Got no money for them, though.

Check your pocket.

He reached into his jeans and found a wad of bills Id willed into existence.

Uh, are you sure? About this? Are you sure?

Its nothing to me. Not much is.

Thank you.

Dont be grateful. If you spend it putting needles in your arm, then I probably made your life worse.

I dont do that shit, man.

Cool.

I really dont.

Cool.

The bus arrived a few minutes later. We parted without further words.