Døllmaker | Cyan

(twenty-øne)

While the majority of the tunnels flowed straight from one to another without any barricades, many years ago Judas put in the effort to place a large door between the first and second tunnel. He and Rush were strong enough to evade the poltergeist, should he have wondered into their home, but if he continued back there's no telling whether or not other residents of the tunnels would fair so well. They already knew what happened to the humans who found their way into the creature's lair. 

"Stay here." Judas told his father, "I'll go in." 

"Are you sure? You know the scent of a demon upsets him." The Collector replied.

"I'm aware, but due to the fact that you haven't visited him in so long, he'll be more welcoming to me than you. I use the word 'welcoming' lightly." He explained.

The grand door, styled after ancient dwarven gates, was the entire width and height of the tunnel. It was massive. The metal designs on the front were inscribed with a lost spell. One of which only a demon like Judas would be capable of knowing. His father took several steps back and watched worriedly. Judas placed his hand upon the door, reciting a poem spoken in lost tongues. 

The runic symbols lit up and the doors cracked open. He slipped through the entrance they provided and they shut behind him. The gate's purpose was to stay closed whenever possible, meaning it only opened for very short incriminates of time. On the other side, a tunnel that felt far narrower than the others was lined with bones. Cobwebs and scratch marks cluttered the walls. It was far darker in here than any of the others, as well. 

He didn't dare call the spirit's name, knowing how much he hated loud noises. Judas walked as quietly as he could, minding his steps. It seems to get darker with each step. Even his eyes couldn't see through this kind of darkness. The shadows moving closer and closer indicated that the poltergeist knew he was here. Judas picked a spot in the darkness and hoped he was looking into the creature's eyes.

"I apologize I've disturbed you. May we speak?" He whispered. 

A rushing wind swept past him. He tried his best not to flinch. The darkness was pushed back, allowing him to see the being before him. A pale face that was chipping away like a doll was hidden beneath long black hair and a hood. The tattered cloak floated a few inches off the ground. Underneath, it seemed as if there was only shadows. To this day, they still had yet to know if he had a body under there. 

"Hello, Angelo." Judas calmly addressed the spirit, maintaining eye contact. "Have you been well?" 

"I've been lonely." His soft voice responded.

"I know, and that's my fault. I'm sorry. I've been busy, taking care of the baby, and trying to get rid of a bad man. That is the reason for my visit, unfortunately. I wish it could be for a happy reason. Ryan went after him and got himself in some trouble. He needs us to come rescue him, but we have no idea where he is. Will you help us?" 

The spirit was hesitant. He stared into Judas' eyes, wondering how they could look so brilliantly green yet so sadistic. "I want to see Chris." 

"That can be arranged. Anything else?"

"Lullabies." He mused, "I miss lullabies." 

Judas couldn't tell him the truth, that the songs he used to hear belonged to a prisoner long dead. Somewhere in these tunnels, among all the tortured souls, there must be one that can sing. Even if there wasn't, he'd go to the surface and drag one down if he had to.

"I will return to bringing angels to sing for you each night if that is what you want." 

"That is our deal." Angelo murmured.

He lowered his head, the shadow of his hood casting over his eyes. When he fell silent like this, it could often be a very bad thing. Judas held his breath. He suddenly felt a set a claws plunge into his wrist. Angelo had grabbed him and was draining out his last memory of Ryan as a refresher. Once again having the dollmaker's scent, face, and magic in his mind, he was able to use his own abilities to locate him. 

A pulse of energy emitted from the spirit and hit the walls. Glowing images suddenly appeared on the stone, looking almost like a map. Judas glanced over at them. When he looked forward again to thank Angelo, he was gone. The demon looked down to his arm to see it was in fact bleeding. Angelo was unusually cooperative today, but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. 

He looked to the map, instantly recognizing where it was. Anyone else would probably need hours, days even to figure out where that land formation was. Being that it was a very well known supernatural location, Judas barely needed any time to think about it. He hurried back outside to inform his father and to get away from these shadows. They were training, even for an evil like him.

"That was quick." The Collector commented upon seeing him exit.

"I'm not complaining." Judas responded, "They're in the Dancing Forest. I hope you're not rusty on your teleportation spells, because it's the only way we're getting there in time."

"Go retrieve your brother and meet me in my chambers." He said.

Judas nodded and hurried off. He bolted through a door so off to the side, most people would overlook it. It was originally built for tunnel maintenance back when the tracks were actually operational. Now, they only use it as an alternative way of getting through the tunnels. A red smoke twirled up under him until it consumed him, turning him into a darting ball of light. 

The spell helped him to travel significantly faster for short term use like this. However, he could never use it to get all the way to the Dancing Forest. What is known to humans as a tourist destination in Russia serves as a war sight to supernatural creatures. It was on those hallow grounds that many magic users once lost their lives, several centuries ago. The amount of death in the soul was fuel for people like Veera. 

Upon reaching the train car Ryan called home, Judas could still sense Rush nearby. He quietly entered the train, hoping not to wake Chris. What he found inside wasn't what he was expecting, but he wasn't shocked either. Chris was already awake and crying, and Rush was trying his best to comfort him. Ghost stood to the side helplessly. He wanted to help, but he also wasn't looking to get too close to a demon. Ricky wasn't either and that's why he stayed even farther back.

Judas ignored the two human-doll hybrids, carefully approaching his brother and nephew. Rush shook his head sporadically, muttering, "He knows. He- He knows, he knows." 

He sighed, "The older he gets, the stronger their connection becomes. I should've known he'd sense it." Judas leaned down and grasped Chris' hand strongly yet gently. "It's okay. We're going to bring him home. We promise." 

"Do you mind if we ask, what's going on?" Ghost inquired softly. 

Judas stood up straight again, answering, "Ryan is very good at what he does, but no matter how strong you are, there will always be someone out there who's stronger. He took on someone who he was not capable of defeating and paid the price, but there's no need to worry. No matter how awful Ryan may treat us, he is still our brother. Anyone who dares to hurt our family will be punished." 

Rush ran his hand over Chris' hair, lulling him as best he could. "Shh, shh, shh. Sleep, sleep, sleep. We'll make it okay, okay?" 

"We found where he is. Father is waiting on us." Judas replied.

He twitched his head. "We can't- We can't leave him like this." 

"You're right. I don't feel comfortable leaving him here with no protection, either." He looked to Ghost, asking, "Do you know how to get to Kuza's cove?"

"I do." Ricky said.

"Good. Take him there. It's much more secure down there. Though I doubt you'd have any problems while we're gone, it gives me peace of mind to know he's in the care of creatures that can protect him. We'll try out best to return as fast as we're able." 

Rush reluctantly parted from Chris. The young one pulled on his blonde hair, not wanting him to leave. It broke his heart to have to step away, though he knew he was leaving for a good cause. Judas and Rush left the train, disappearing almost instantly. Ricky and Ghost were left there with a crying child, wandering what the fuck just happened.