Psycho Gem

Chapter 8: Xynysus

Present Day...

I prepared the ritual to contact Xynysus. I had done it many times before, so it wasn't hard. We had to do it in the living room because I didn't feel like cleaning up to make room in the study. I had Rohnson scour the net looking up anything he could find on Malcolm. There wasn't much to find other than legends and folklore. You'd think that a guy who has such a bad reputation would have actually done bad things, but there wasn't much on the net other than vague stories about how sick he was. It was like he barely even existed. I noticed Tracks was sitting on the edge of the couch with his hands on his forehead. I saw the look on his face, I could tell that he was going through what I call "illusion breakage". It's when you learn that everything you've ever known or believed in is a complete lie. Your perception of everything is forever altered as you try your hardest to maintain any sense of familiarity. I went through the exact same thing on that night in Azdrea. I didn't know why I felt so sorry for this little brat, but I did.

"Are you doing alright over there, kid?" I asked, trying to help in some way.

He noticed me watching and tried to compose himself as fast and as best he could. "Yeah... I'm alright." he lied while clearing his throat.

I got back on task and pulled out a large square yoga mat and rolled it out on the floor. Tracks noticed and walked over. There was a giant symbol painted on the mat, which was much more convenient than having to draw it every time. I pulled out some candles and put them on the outside of the circle.

"So how's this gonna work?"

"The two of us are going to sit in this circle and clear our minds. Once we're calm enough, the spell will activate."

Tracks and I sat down cross legged, facing each other. Tracks started taking deep breaths while I simply closed my eyes and waited. I had become so good at this that it took barely any effort at all. I could hear Tracks' breathing, my own smooth breaths, the faint whirring noise of the air conditioner, the sound of Tracks shuffling around where he was sitting. 'This is taking too long.' I thought to myself.

"You sure you're alright over there, bud?" I asked, getting a little impatient. "Remember, you need to be completely calm."

"I'm cool as a cucumber. I mean it's not like I just learned my dad's a literal monster and my whole life's been a lie. I'm fuckin' peachy, mate." he snapped back, clearly shaken by what we just went through.

"He might not be." I lied to try to calm him down. "He could have been wrong or lying."

"No, he is my father. I had a feeling right when he said it. I just know he was telling the truth, but I'm fine. Let's get on with this." he said, visibly frustrated.

'Oh well. Time for plan B.' I thought to myself as I pulled my special zippo lighter from one of my pockets. I flick it open and light it. The flame was glowing magenta, letting off a very nice, strong smell.

I held it up to Tracks. "Inhale this." he leaned up close to the flame, to which I immediately pushed him back. "Not so close! You're fresh with this stuff. Just a small breath in, from this distance. It's practically harmless stuff but I don't want you asleep for the next five days." I said, holding the lighter half a foot away from his face.

He took a small breath through his nose and his eyes almost instantly became drowsy.

"Cor blimey..." he whispered as his head was swaying back and forth.

"Yeah, it's called 'Lusaris fire'. It's a form of anaesthesia you won't find on any normal earth, used for stress relief... among other things." I said before taking a big, long whiff of it right under my nose.