Order of the Golden Dawn (Neophyte Series 2)

CHAPTER 22 : DEATH BE NOT PROUD

    'Meric, when you arrive back on earth, do not seek the obvious. I'll see you on the other side mate.' whispered Dr. McKinnon as he stepped out of the shadows and walked toward Leviathan. Before I could attempt to stop him, I realized that because he was an innocent, if he were harmed here in Hell, he would be instantly taken by God. At least I hoped.

    'Good day, ladies and gentleman.' Baal ceased to move or even turn his head to acknowledge him but Leviathan was quick to address the mortal man.

    'You! Where is Crowley?'

    'Your guess is as good as mine. I am, however, reluctant to say that I've grown rather tired of your overbearingly boring company. So, if you don't mind, I think I shall be on my way.'

    'Do not play me for a fool McKinnon. You and Crowley both lack the ability to escape the dungeons much less kill two minions. Who is with you?'

    'I fear you underestimate Mr. Crowley.' he replied. 'Perhaps if you'd bothered to study your prisoners better, you would have foreseen his escape. Something tells me you're not quite the scholar. Can you even read, you ignorant wretch?'

    'Maybe if I run you through fast enough, the maker won't have enough time to take you.'

    'Come now, you vomitous mass, you sickly excuse for a creature; we both know you're not quicker than God himself. Perhaps it was that mentality that got you here in the first place, mate.' he winked.

    'Take him from my presence.' Baal instructed as the vibrations from his voice startled me yet again. He rose to his feet, suddenly halting as if he had just realized something. Leviathan paused in turned, looked back to Baal and spoke.

    'My Lord?'

    Baal stood still, but his head slightly turned in my direction, a slight grin forming under the shadow of his hood.

    'No! Leave him be. It seems you were correct in your assumptions, Leviathan; there is another in our midst.'

    'Ariel, the menacing traitor?' Leviathan inquired, but although Baal's back was to me I could see him sniffing through the air like an animal sniffing out his prey.

    'The Bishop boy.' With the mention of my name, I quivered somewhat in the shadows. 'The prodigal son returns. Step forth, child; for you are no enemy of mine.'

    'Don't listen to him, Meric. You've seen the army he has bred. He is an enemy of all that is good and honorable in our world.' Dr. McKinnon shouted. Leviathan leapt toward him and with a bright flash of white light he disappeared into nothingness. It was just as we had thought; he'd been taken by the hand of his maker.

    Swallowing my fear, I rose to my feet and emerged from the shadows. Baal stepped down from his sickening throne, grasped the silver coffin in his hand and held it close before he turned to greet me. The towering Demon Lord's face was entirely engulfed by shadow but his piercing, reptilian gaze met my human eyes.

    'What is the purpose of your return, child?'

    'I need the spear.' I tried the honest approach first.

    'For what purpose?' Leviathan intervened. Now, with a full look at her, she sickened me to the core.

    'I need to get back home. Please.' Leviathan laughed with her morbidly multiple voices, but Baal did nothing but keep his gaze.

    'An honest demon; that's a first. But I feel there is more to your agenda.' he prodded.

    'I just want to go home.'