BEYOND THE RAINBOW

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE - UHOH! THE SERPENT OF THE BEAST

The Gaia ring's cloaking spell successfully got them out of the Den, but once into the denser negativity outside, the cloaking was unreliable and the use of rainbow power was still risky. But Belina, it transpired, knew every back alley in Hades intimately, and despite the chaos in the streets Touie reached the Gothic Cathedral without mishap. It was at the end of a gloomy cul de sac off the wider square, where Debasement Diablo's flashing red lights proclaimed the Devil's playground to be open and doing a roaring trade. To Touie's amazement, there was rollicking, honky tonk music and the gaiety was drawing, compared to the dark, lurking evil in the streets. Vying with the screaming panic in the poorer part of Hades, and the roars of the Demon for Touie's blood, it seemed like a haven of joy. Diabolical! Touie's lips tightened as she saw scantily clad women and men, displaying their wares in the windows, or on swing seats. Scenes of open debauchery met her eyes through other open windows and it was obvious both the prostitutes and the clientele were either drunk or high on drugs. The area appeared to be exempt from the Beast's reaping carnage. No one challenged them in the darkness beyond the brothel's red-light field as they slipped around the corner.

"There it is, Majesty."Belina pointed ahead to the dark edifice looming against the grey sky.

The towering spires and ornate appearance of the ancient building was impressive. The stonework was partially covered in lichen moss, but otherwise in surprisingly good condition. The fanned, stone steps graduated upwards, funnelling into a colonnaded entry of peaked archways, and the massive doors beyond were conveniently open. It was completely unguarded, save for the fearsome gargoyles jutting out of the stonework at intervals, particularly at the entry portals. Belina cast a leery eye in their direction. With both her weapons drawn she balked before the first step and put out a protective arm to stop Touie from rushing forward.

"The damned do not set foot on these steps. I cannot go with you. Are you sure you will not burn by entering this place?"

"I will not." Touie calmly pushed under Belina's arm and set her feet firmly onto the first step. She reached out and tapped the Gaia ring on one of the blue hands holding a fierce samurai sword, at the ready to defend her Queen, even though mortal weapons were little defence against the immortal ghouls en masse. Belina could only hope to shred so many before numbers overcame her. Then she, too, would be a soul adrift in the bleak Vortex of Hell. The dauntless courage of her new warrior made Touie smile "And neither will you, dear one. You are not damned," Touie informed her. "I claim you for the light. Should your body be lost your soul will be taken home to the Great Rowan tree of your people and you will never know Hell again." Touie tapped the swords in turn. "From this moment on your swords are those of a light being. They will burn evil and their light will shield you. I have cloaked them, but if it comes to combat with demons, we must both risk the gas pockets and use every means we have to complete the mission. All you have to do to accept these gifts is to believe you can. Ask what you need and the light will serve you. Now trust me, step up."

Belina didn't hesitate, nor was her heartfelt sigh of relief on her own behalf "Well that is good. Then I can go where you go." She stepped to Touie's side without taking her eyes off the shadowy alleys around them. Red eyes were stalking them from the darkness. A lot of red eyes. And they were cutting off any escape other than into the church."I do not want you alone in this place, Majesty. I fear we have walked into a trap and you have no weapons."

"That is not so, but for the moment I won't have, until the dark Serpent is rejoined to the light. They are real Gargoyles! " Touie could see them now, ugly caricatures of bug eyed lions and other beasts. All fanged creatures with horns and devil's tails. Of course ! They are guardians of the Cathedral! No wonder no one ventures into this area. "You're right, they think they have us trapped, but we will worry about them, later. Quickly into the church! Let's hope they can't cross the threshold, either."