TRIPPLE ON

Three Guardians

The bat The Batter is wielding pierces through the Elsen with ease, burning it to white. It's gone off to heaven, clean and pure again. It must've been the Sun, watching over The Batter through the thick tar black clouds. The Judge's ears prick up in amazement, having witnessed the power of a Savior.

"That was remarkable! And I thought you were a mere madman gone to kill yourself in the midst of this city. You can now light the rest of the way with that gleaming bat of yours. We're almost there, Batter. It's just around that corner." The two continue down the street and spot a building that stands out from the rest. It has red neon lights outlining its windows, and a large sign saying:

"Le Theatre de coeur. It's a fancy place isn't it. Compared to the rest of Jerusha that is. Its a bar and lounge, fit for anyone who consider themselves wealthy and above all men. Our friend inside is the host of the top floor, drinking and telling stories to the wealthiest in need of an even greater service. Let's hurry now, standing on the streets changes you." The Judge pounces onto the buildings porch and scratches the door vigorously. The Batter walks forth and knocks on it.

"Who goes there? Any invitation?" a voice calls out from behind the main door. The Batter picks The Judge up and brings him close to the door.

"I've no invitation but a broken heart to fix." The cat meows loudly and the door clicks open.

"Pablo! It's been a long while. Found someone in your life already?"

"Not quite. I live with my brother now. His safety is all of my concern."

"I see, and this man carrying you? He looks so bizarre."

"I'm helping him with something confidential. I must meet Zacharie, is he available?" The tall man who opened the door shakes his head and leans down to them.

"He's tending 'them'. They've been upstairs for a long while now, I'm a little worried."

"Who's 'them'?" The Batter abruptly asks, breaking his silence. The Judge chooses not to respond and wriggles out of The Batter's grasp.

"We'll come back another day, thank you for your time." Just as The Judge begins to leave, The Batter pushes the doorman aside and enters the building. It's a dim lit corridor with seats around the sides. Elsen and other people sit patiently for their turns inside their corresponding rooms. As he walks down the corridor, an elevator door stands tall and waits for anything to pull it up to the other floors. Small pattering is heard as The Judge runs after The Batter. "Don't do this, Batter. You don't know what you're going to find up there!" But The Batter enters the elevator and presses the button for the top floor. The Judge sneaks in and sits next to his feet. There's music playing inside the elevator, a slow and cold tone. It almosts matches his own heartbeat. Slow and steady. A chime rings quietly and the doors slide open to present a rather odd scene. Two men and a bird yell and chirp loudly after being told a joke, and a thin and fair figure sits in the middle of them, drinking from a thin glass. The music heard from the elevator is louder here, and the lazy heartbeats no longer match that of The Batters. These three creatures are laughing and screaming. Laughing among men and women. The tall figure stops and looks at the open elevator, suddenly screeching in rage.

"Wait your fucking turn you scum! Can't you see we're all busy here?!" He walks towards the two inside the elevator and examines them close, holding the doors from closing. "Name your business. You won't get out of this easily now."

"My name is Pablo, I was a regular here, sir," The Judge purrs nervously. "My friend here urgently needs Zacharies words. You see, he's alone and walks the streets unaware of it's beautiful effects. Jerusha is a city of acceptance and comfort! Yes, it is. And he must find a partner to live the rest of his life with." The Batter looks at The Judge with a slightly confused look. Jerusha isn't a 'beautiful' place. There is nothing 'comfortable' about it. It must be purified. To set everyone free.

"I'm pretty sure he can wai-"

"Bring him in. We can all have a free session." The figure in the shadows commands, raising his glass briefly before a servant enters from a different door and pours a substance into the glass.

"Consider it something new and fun, Dedan!" The Bird chirps, clearly drunk. "We can learn and help the man! Like, teach him how to have fun. And stuff!" The Judge guides The Batter forward, seating him besides the large man sitting quietly to the left of the figure. The small cat then leaps in front of the silhouette and sits down.

"Zacharie, it has been some time."

"It has, little friend. I'm surprised you came back after a long absence! I would continue to speak in length and useful dialogue but it'll spoil our team session. I will explain this to your friend later along the lines. For now, what breaks your heart, new guest?"

"I strongly suggest you don't ask him anything until after, Zacharie. His response will be a nasty one."

"I say let him talk! No need to hide secrets!" The bird sings, flopping over to the ground. Dedan shrugs his shoulders and sighs.

"Japhet needs to go home. Enoch, please tell me your head is out of the fucking clouds to take him away... Enoch... Fucking hell." The big man called Enoch stares blankly at a wall, a small grin on his face. There's a piece of rolled paper in between his lips, releasing a thin stream of smoke. Zacharie stands up from his seat and walks toward the slumbering giant, removing the joint and waking Enoch up.

"What's going on? What did you want, Dedan?"

"Take Japhet home, you moron."

"Oh! Yes. How about you? Are you coming home too?"

"Fine. Thank you for your time." Dedan thanks Zacharie and helps Enoch with the lousy Japhet, all crawling out of the room and into the elevator. How were they able to fit in such compact space? There is no answer.

They walk in three. They share in three. It's only natural that they fit in three.

The Batter stands and stares at Zacharie, a masked man with rather simple or boring attire. He's wearing a T-Shirt with a black heart in the middle, dark pants, and dark shoes. The toad-like face on his mask almost looks like it's staring right back at him. "Zacharie," The Judge interrupts. "we need to know how to enter the Grand Factory."

"Ending the story so soon?" Zacharie asks, pulling his mask enough to try out the weird cigarette. "I'll talk to your friend first before giving you two the switch."

"My friend would like the explanation, why this building is what it is. Who 'they' are."

"Well, let's start with introductions. You should know by now that my name is Zacharie. I create a medium of escape from Jerusha's smoke. Yes, the air here is breathable and clean. If you want to have a good time, just enter any room and think. Dream what you couldn't. Feel what you couldn't. Because without the smoke, you are free, even if its temporary."

"I'm The Batter. And I'm here to purify Jerusha. I will give everyone permanent freedom." The Judge's ears twitch wildly. He faces Zacharie who's emotions were well hidden behind the toad mask.

"If you believe in yourself, then sure you can try that. Are you capable of purifying things at all?" Zacharie says with a skeptical attitude. Is there ever such thing as complete freedom?

"Yes, I am. I've released an Elsen from his suffering outside." The Batter takes a step closer to Zacharie, the small cat who was once sitting now pounces in between the two men.

"That is indeed true," The Judge adds. "he has a shining bat. One sent to him by the Sun itself." The Batter presents the bright weapon to Zacharie, who nods slowly.

"If there is such thing as hope, then first you must know about the Three Guardians. You know their names: Dedan, Enoch, and Japhet. They guard the Grand Factory's switches. The ones you need to activate the cleansing process of the smoke shafts. It's no easy battle. You have to fight all three at the same time. Take a seat over there. Pablo, can you give us a moment?" Zacharie points at the adorned chair he sat at before The Judge and Batter entered the room. The Judge laughs and crawls away to a door located to the right of the room.

"Make sure you don't leave out any details. I doubt he'll bend easily, my friend." The Judge meows before he's out of sight. Once The Batter is seated, Zacharie stands in front of him and raises his arms.

"I'll tell you everything you need to know. Just try to keep up." The masked man hums while he starts to hold on to his mask, removing it slowly, and revealing the human hiding behind it.