International Legends

Chapter 35 - Jasper

Leo had agreed to tell David to erase the children's memories of their mother. That much was a relief I guess. No woman deserves to be treated the way Lucifer treated her. Carelessly abandoning her to the platform in front of his castle. I learn quickly that this is where Lucifer showcases all his victims. All demons know to honor and respect his wishes so nobody touches her, but it's still enough to cause me worry.

I had many mixed emotions. I felt bad for Carmen's kids seeing their mother tortured, righteous anger about the situation we were in, and was ready to battle it out with Lucifer.

Antonio is with me, which I admire. He's not in love with Carmen anymore, but that level of loyalty to the woman who birthed your own children is a necessary thing. It gives me some comfort to see the way he watches over her day and night, eager to reunite her with her kids.

I was considering genuinely what to do about the situation, pacing back and forth, while Lucifer nor Lilith had made a reappearance. I was frustrated. We were all incredibly hungry. All that was left for us was stale bread.

Images flood my brain of tortured souls that cry out in rage at me and tear me apart. I give Carmen the largest bits of bread, and the tinier ones we split among Antonio and I.

"You know nothing, only of the childish games Wyorms play," said the voice. "We know methods of torture your minds cannot comprehend."

I sat down, holding my brain, aching.

"Imagine that you are able to dig your way into the computers of all the world," the voice continued. "Able to garner intelligence and program the actions of people all over the world. Now imagine you have that power all in your fingertips, able to execute the results in any moment."

It's too much. I wander away from the platform where Carmen and Antonio wait, heading out towards the woods. It's too much. He's in my head.

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I can destroy it all with a moment's notice," says the voice.

Suddenly I was able to see, hands on the nuclear codes, arms set to explode around the entirety of the planet.

That's when he appeared in front of me, the buzzing getting louder and the darkness that seemed to suck all light in.

"Yeah, it's getting real isn't it?"

I throw a punch his way but he seems to duck and then he holds me down. There is darkness that swells around my arms, causing me excruciating burning.

"What... is... your.... plan?" I ask, straining through gritted teeth.

"To take over," he says back. "Your God doesn't rule down here."

"I work alone," I say.

"Big mistake."

The cloud smoke crawls its way around Carmen, suddenly causing her to scream.

Antonio throws himself at the creature, but he's instantly chained to the ground. He's dragged along it, the chains piercing into his neck, getting close to suffocation. Bugs were eating at him, and I scythed at Lucifer instead, causing him to let go. I then grabbed Antonio from the demon pit Lucifer was taking him to.

Antonio's clothes are singed and he claws out of my arms. It was like trying to hold Claire in full demonic mode as he punched me saying "Get off."

Antonio was possessed, eyes glowing red, swinging at me with dark magic. He's laughing now.

I genuinely had no desire to fight Antonio and Satan would know that. I mean, Antonio probably hates me for the situation with the kids and Carmen, but he made it clear earlier he didn't desire this either. Antonio hit me in the head and I jumped on him, pinning Antonio's arms behind his back yelling "Snap out of it!"