Chapter 11
Swords clash and sparks fly in the open field outside Settonburg in the pre-dawn 2
hours of an early autumn morning. An unseen battle rages. It is an intense struggle between the 3
forces of good and evil.4
“Give up, Moloch! You can’t win and you know it!” The Archangel Michael shouted at 5
his demon foe as they both went at each other with an incalculable fury. Punches and kicks were6
thrown between stikes of metal and waves of angelic and demonic energy. Minute by minute as 7
the ethereal carnage waged on Michael gained the upper hand of the battle.8
“Damn you Michael!” Moloch snarled at its great adversary and began to look for a way 9
to escape. It spotted a young child walking out of the nearby farmhouse. Smiling viciously, it 10
turned to Michael. 11
“Okay, Archangel, you got me. But how can you take me out and save that kid from my 12
imp minions ripping him to shreds?”, it then said to Michael with a devilish grin on his face. It 13
was a look of pure hatred and evil.14
Michael turned to go rescue the boy. Moving at the speed of thought, he instantly got 15
between the boy and the imps. The archangel drew his flaming sword and with one mighty 16
swing slashed one of the imps in half. With a move as swift and fluid as running water, he had 17
sheathed the sword and vaporized the other imps with holy energy. The young child went on 18
about his business with no knowledge of the peril he was in as Michael slew the last of Moloch’s 19
imp minions.20
When Michael finished mopping up the last of the imps, he turned his attention back 21
toward his demon foe Moloch. But by this time Moloch had run away. 22
“Man, that creep is slipperier than a wet barracuda in water.” Michael said to himself 23
aloud.24
“Yeah and the fish is more cuddly!” came a voice from behind. With a smile, Michael 25
turned to greet his comrade in arms, the Archangel Raphael.26
“How’s it hangin’, Raph?” he said to his friend in a calm yet happy voice.27
“Fine, just fine, Mike!” Raphael replied. Michael’s facial expressions suddenly changed 28
to a look of disgust and grim realization. 29
“Moloch got away again!” Michael gritted angrily through his teeth.30
“But,” Raphael responded, “It was severely injured in your confrontation. It doesn’t 31
have the strength or power to get too far away.”32
“Your right!” Michael exclaimed.33
“So it probably went to hide in the nearby town!” Raphael added.34
“But,” Michael interrupted, “we both know how it regenerates his power by having 35
children sacrificed to him- “36
”-So it can drain the energy from their souls!” Raphael finished, “So if it did go to that 37
town, and in all likelihood it did, then it’s probably going to look for a way to get the children of 38
the town sacrificed to itself!”39
“So we’ll go and watch over the town, er, Settonburg I believe it’s called!” Michael then 40
decided. The two Archangels then turned toward the town and started to walk out of the field.41
“Oh,” Michael then piped up, “I almost forgot to ask, What business do you have here, 42
Raph?”43
With a sly grin he replied, “Two young men named Johnny Waters and Brendan Davis 44
are about to die . . . ” as they vanished into the Predawn morning.45
Chapter 246
“Johnny, it’s time to get up! The new neighbor’s daughter will be here any time now for a 47
ride to school.” Mrs. Waters spoke through the door of her son’s bedroom. 48
“All right Ma’!” came the muffled reply.49
“Johnny!” Mrs. Waters screamed through the door even louder. Inside the room, Johnny 50
stirred about sluggishly, using every bit of his will to keep his bloodshot eyes open and focused. 51
“Damn! It’s morning already.” he thought to himself as he drug himself out of bed. 52
Johnny stumbled on piles of clothing placed erratically throughout his bedroom as he made his 53
way to his bathroom. 54
“Johnny! Hurry up!” his mother called again from outside his door, “The new neighbors 55
daughter is here for a ride to school.”56
Johnny quietly went through his usual morning routine of shit, shower, and shaving 57
before quickly getting dressed for school. Within fifteen minutes he was ready and downstairs 58
with the rest of his family at the dining room table for breakfast. 59
He started to complain about breakfast being cold when he first noticed the beautiful 60
blonde girl standing out on the porch through the window. The doorbell rang. Johnny was up 61
and over to the front door before his mother could say, “I’ll get it.”62
“Hi!” Johnny exclaimed to the girl as he opened the door. He found himself staring into 63
piercing ice blue eyes.64
“H-Hello.” She replied timidly, “I’m Beth. Beth Hankison”65
“ I’m Johnny. Nice to meet you, Beth!” He went on, trying to hide his nervousness, “I 66
guess you’re the one I’m suppose to show around school.”67
“I guess.” She responded quietly. He then led her into the dining room where the family 68
was just finishing breakfast. 69
“Family, this is Beth.” He introduced her to them and vice versa, “Beth, this is my 70
family.” Pointing at his dad, he said, “This is my old man.” Then turning to his mother he told 71
her, “This is my mom.” And then looking at his little sister Katie he told her, “And this is the rug 72
-rat!”73
“Hey!” Katie shouted as Johnny laughed.74
“ It’s nice to meet you all.” Beth said shyly.75
“Well, we gotta get going if we’re gonna get to school on time! Later family!” Johnny 76
then exclaimed as he ushered Beth toward the door. The two went outside to Johnny’s truck and 77
climbed in.78
Once they were in He turned to her and said, “I have to pick up my best friend Brendan 79
on the way to school.”80
“Okay.” she simply replied. Johnny started the engine and slowly backed out of the 81
driveway. 82
A couple of minutes later they were pulling into a driveway three blocks over. The name 83
on the mailbox said “Davis”. A young man about the same age as Johnny and Beth came up to 84
the truck.85
“ Mornin, B!” Johnny exclaimed. 86
“What’s up, J” Brendan responded as he climbed into truck cab, “ Who is this pretty 87
lady?”88
“Beth, meet my best friend, Brendan Davis.” Johnny said as he threw the truck into 89
reverse, “B, meet my new neighbor, Beth Hankison.”90
“Tis a pleasure to meet such a beautiful lady.” Brendan told Beth as Johnny finished 91
backing out of the driveway. The trio drove off into the morning sun toward school...92
Chapter 393
“Damn I hate that Michael!” Moloch snarled as it pounded its scaly, clawed fist into the 94
table in the abandoned warehouse it was hiding in. “At this rate I’ll never regain full strength 95
before I can escape that accursed Archangel.” It roared in disgust.96
All of a sudden the vile creature started grinning a most sinister and evil grin. “I know!” 97
it cackled in a sly tone as it summoned some imp minions.98
It turned to the small demons and told them, “Find me a human who is willing to do 99
anything for power and bring them before me.” 100
As the imps left to do their master’s bidding, Moloch thought to itself, “ I’ll get a 101
human to sacrifice some children to me and quickly regain my power and strength.” And as it 102
thought on it more, the demon became giddy with excitement and began to laugh a most hideous 103
and unholy laugh.104
Chapter 4105
As Johnny and Brendan led Beth to the lunchroom at school, the trio came across the 106
local bullies Mary Wilson and Butch and Sam Robeson. They were up to there usual antics of 107
picking on freshmen and stealing their lunch money.108
“Can’t you assholes find something better to do than pick on kids!” Johnny shouted at 109
them.110
“Yeah, ya’ jackasses, leave em’ alone!” Brendan added.111
With a foul look on their faces the trio of bullies turned toward the two challengers and 112
said, “Well look who we have here.”113
“We’re warning you three, back off the kids!” Brendan and Johnny repeated again.114
“I think these three need a lesson in pain.” Mary exclaimed as Sam and Butch rushed 115
Johnny and Brendan. She then set her sights on Beth and started walking slowly toward her.116
“Mistake!” Johnny exclaimed as a sly smirk came across his face. The two quickly 117
dropped into a martial arts stance . The two idiots running at them had no chance.118
In moves as fluid as water, Johnny and Brendan flipped and threw the two attackers 119
hard across the hall, slamming them into the lockers built in the wall. Then they turned their 120
attention to go protect Beth. But when they saw her deck Mary, figured she had it under control.121
After all was said and done, The three walked on to lunch, laughing and carrying on. As 122
they walked away, the three bullies regrouped and with malice in their minds stared intensely at 123
the three.124
“We’ll get you sons of bitches for this, no matter what!” the three whispered under their 125
breath.126
In the shadows another creature heard this threat.127
“Those three are willing to do anything for revenge.” The Imp thought to himself, “They 128
will serve the master nicely!” on his vile face a cracked evil grin spread.129
Chapter 5130
After school, Brendan, Johnny and Beth drove to the local hangout spot, Mama’s Café. 131
As they walked in, they were greeted by the diner’s owner, the old woman everyone 132
referred to as Mama.133
“Johnny boy! Brendan! I ain’t seen ya’ll in a dog’s age! Howsa ya’ll been doin’!” The old 134
woman asked excitedly.135
“We’re doin’ good, Mama!” Johnny replied in a happy voice.136
“Dat’s good. Dat’s good.” Mama continued, “Who’s yo’ new fren’, dere wit ya’s?”137
“Mama, this is Beth.” Brendan introduced Beth to the old woman, “She’s a new neighbor 138
of Johnny’s!”139
Johnny turned to Beth and said, “Beth, this is mama. She’s the best Cajun cook in these 140
parts!”141
“I’s de only Cajun cook in dese pawts!” Mama retorted and laughed. “Okay, okay. Wut 142
can I geet fer yuse chillen’s teday?” she then asked.143
Johnny spoke up and said, “Mama, we’ll take an order of today’s special and three tall 144
glasses of your famous iced tea!”145
“Awright.” Mama then said, “Yo food wi be owt in a few minutz. Jus’ sit tite ya’ll.” 146
With that ,the old woman turned and walked back into the kitchen.147
As Johnny and his friends carried on their conversation, two strangers walked into the 148
diner and sat at the counter.149
“So those are the two young men who are about to die?” Michael asked Raphael.150
“Yes.” came the response.151
“So why not send a normal angel to lead them to heaven?” Michael then asked.152
“What do you mean?” came the next reply.153
“Come on. You think the Master would send one of his Archangels to lead a couple of 154
kids to heaven? What gives?” Michael said to Raphael. 155
“I don’t know anything about that. I am just following orders.” Raphael replied. The two 156
then disappeared as the mama came back out with three glasses of iced tea.157
Chapter 6158
Across town in the decaying industrial district, Butch and Sam Robeson were also going 159
to a hangout of sorts. The two of them had found strange notes in their lockers telling them of 160
the place. They had searched for over an hour before the duo finally found the place. A small 161
abandoned warehouse that was beginning to disintegrate loomed ominously before them.162
“Man this place is shitty!” Sam said to Butch with a sneer.163
“Yeah, I know. Who the hell would wanna hangout in this dump?” replied Butch.164
“Enter, enter!” came a voice out of the shadows of the building, “Meet my master, the 165
great god Moloch!” Cautiously the two boys crept into the shadow filled building. Butch notice 166
a slight fluctuation and rise in temperature as the they entered the building.167
“Welcome young ones!” an unearthly deep voice boomed out of the shadows, “I am 168
Moloch, the great god of power and strength.”169
“Well what do you want with us?” Butch asked sarcastically.170
“I have need of your assistance.” the crafty demon replied, “If you will serve me and do 171
my bidding, I will make you two the most powerful people on earth.”172
“Bullshit!” Sam snapped.173
“Now now,” Moloch said to the two in his most reassuring voice, “don’t rush to 174
judgement on my generous offer. Take your time to think about it and come back later with your 175
decision!”176
At once the voice disappeared and the temperature returned to normal. The two brothers 177
sat there in the darkened warehouse, contemplating what they had just witnessed.178
Chapter 7179
After finishing the food they had ordered and paying, Johnny and Brendan escorted Beth 180
to her home. After leaving the girl, the two decided to take the long way back into town to work 181
at the grocery store.182
Johnny turned the truck down the old industrial road and drove into the industrial district. 183
They drove past the only modern place in the area, Ranier Chemical co. The large plant was 184
busy at work. 185
“So B, What ya think about Beth?” Johnny asked point blankly.186
“She seemed alright to me, Jay. Why do ya ask?” Brendan replied. By this time the 187
truck had entered the oldest section in the whole district. The roadway was lined on both sides 188
with warehouses, some collapsed and some still on the verge of collapsing.189
“Well I was thinking of asking her out on a date.” Johnny answered, his mind starting to 190
wander a little. He began to look toward the warehouses on the lefthand side of the road.191
“Go for it dude!” Brendan then said, “She’s nice. And definitely hot!” Johnny laughed at 192
that remark.193
“What? I ain’t lying!” Brendan said in response to Johnny’s laugh.194
“I know. Its just that- OH SHIT!” Johnny exclaimed and slammed on the brakes. He 195
narrowly avoided hitting the Robeson brothers, who had just ran wildly out of one of the older 196
warehouses.197
“What the hell are you idiots doin’ in da middle of the damn street!” Johnny screamed 198
furiously at them. They ignored what he said and jumped into the bed of his truck. They each 199
were white as a sheet.200
“GO! GO! GO!” Butch screamed at Johnny and Brendan.201
“We got to get the hell outta here now!” Sam chimed in. When Johnny saw the look of 202
terror on their faces, He immediately threw the truck into gear and sped away from the area as 203
fast as legally possible.The two brothers looked back in holy terror. Johnny checked his rearview 204
mirror and saw for an instant what appeared to be a black mass following his truck.205
“Hey Jay. Why are we helping these assholes?” Brendan asked, snapping Johnny back to 206
reality.207
“Because B, I’m the last person whose going to try and ditch someone having a panic 208
attack. Even if they are assholes.” He replied to Brendan and smirked.209
When they had finally drove far enough away from the industrial district, Johnny pulled 210
off the road. He wanted to know what had happened in the warehouse that had spooked these 211
two so much.212
After a few minutes of attempting to calm them down out of hysterics, Johnny and 213
Brendan had finally calmed Butch down enough to tell what was going on. 214
“Well, it all started just after you two embarassed us at school today.” Butch elated to the 215
two, “We both found these strange notes in our lockers. I don’t think Mary got one. Anyways, 216
the note said ‘If you seek revenge, come to this warehouse after school!’ Since we were both still 217
pretty sore about how you two had humiliated us, we came out here. When we got there, there 218
were voices all around us. One particularly deep voice claimed to be the great god Moloch. The 219
voice claimed that if we served it, we would become the most powerful beings on earth.” 220
“Well?” Brendan prodded.221
Butch continued, “ Well, we pretty much pissed it off by rejecting the offer and telling it 222
that it was full of shit!”223
“Nice! So did you get a good look at it?” Johnny asked with a smirk.224
“Yes.” Butch then told them solemnly, “It was a massive group of what I can only 225
describe as demons.”226
“Demons?” Brendan queried with a puzzled look.227
“Yes. When I saw their appearance, what I saw were the most vile and foul creatures of 228
my worst nightmares. They had to be demons!”229
“Your absolutely sure of what you saw?” Johnny then asked.230
“Your damn right I’m sure!” Butch then stated.231
Johnny and Brendan looked at each other with puzzled looks. There was no way the 232
two of them were going to talk Butch and Sam out of what they saw. 233
After a minute of thinking, Johnny told Butch “Okay. So why don’t we give you two a 234
ride to your home.”235
Butch climbed back into the bed of the truck with his brother. Johnny and Brendan 236
slowly climbed into the cab. Johnny put the truck in drive and pulled back onto the road slowly.237
“Jay. Can you believe that stuff they’re selling us? Demons. Hah!” Brendan said to 238
Johnny.239
“Yeah I can, B. They weren’t selling anything. I think that they just might have seen 240
what they claim.” Johnny retorted.241
“How so?” Brendan asked.242
“Well for one they are scared shitless!” Johnny replied.243
“And?” Brendan then asked.244
“For two, as we were speeding away from the area, when I checked the rearview mirror 245
we were being chased down by what appeared to be a floating black mass.” Johnny responded. 246
“Your kidding me?” came Brendan’s reply.247
“Fraid’ not B.” Johnny told his friend.248
“Well, what can we do about it?” Brendan then asked. Johnny got a smirk across his 249
face.250
“I Don’t know. Call a priest to perform an exorcism?” he said sarcastically. Brendan 251
laughed as Johnny pulled back out onto the road to drive the brothers home.252
Chapter 8253
Shortly after Sam and Butch ran for their lives out of the crumbling warehouse, another 254
person walked in. She had been hiding in the shadows outside the decrepit building, listening to 255
the entire conversation between the two boys and the demons.256
“Hey, Moloch!”, she cried out in an arrogant tone, “That deal stand for anyone?”257
“Why yes. Yes it does, my dear little witch.”, The inhuman entity slyly replied, trying to 258
hide its annoyance over the girl’s arrogance.259
“Make me the most powerful sorceress on the planet and I will do anything you wish, 260
Moloch!” the girl then told the demon.261
“Really.” it responded.262
“Yes.” she retorted indignantly. Moloch was silent. The girl was indeed arrogant it 263
thought, but it liked her style and she was willing to serve it.264
“So do we have a deal or not, Moloch?” the girl queried audaciously.265
Grinning evilly, the demon simply answered “It’s a deal.” Standing up from its makeshift 266
throne, raised its massive arms. Pointing one at the witch and one at the recently recovered 267
halves of the imp Michael had hacked down. The girl knelt down before Moloch. 268
With a surge of demonic power, Moloch transferred what was left of the fallen imp’s 269
demonic aura and life force into the witch, tranforming the girl into a halfling. When all was 270
done, the girl stood. Her eyes glowed like burning coals.271
“What do you bid of me, master?” The halfling asked.272
Moloch commanded her, “Go and sacrifice some young ones to me, that I may regain my 273
full power.”274
“It will be done, my master.” She solemnly replied and left the building on her macabre 275
mission.276
Chapter 9277
After dropping off the Robeson brothers, Johnny and Brendan rode on to the Water’s 278
grocery store in town. When they pulled into the parking lot, Johnny saw his mother surrounded 279
by Katie and a small army of her friends. He tried to throw the truck into reverse and drive away, 280
but was spotted by his mother first.281
“Johnny, over here!” She shouted to her son over the throng of children. Sighing, he put 282
the truck into park and got out.283
“Yeah mom. What’s up?” he replied to her as he walked toward the entourage.284
“Would you do me a-“ Mrs. Waters began to speak.285
“Don’t go there, mom!” Johnny said sarcastically.286
“-a big favor for-“ she continued.287
“Don’t do it!” Johnny kept with his warning.288
“-for work tonight.” She went on.289
“Don’t you do it!” He retorted again.290
“Would you please take your sister and her friends to the movies for me.” She finished.291
“Crap! You done went and did it!” He exclaimed.292
Mrs. Waters laughed and told Johnny, “Go clock in and get back here!”293
“Okay! But I still have to go pick up Mary and bring her back here first.” Johnny laughed 294
with her and walked on inside the small store. A couple of minutes later, Johnny reappeared.295
“Alright. Let me go pick up Mary and bring her back.” he said to his mother. 296
“Go get her and hurry up.” his mother replied with a hint of edge. Brendan had joined the 297
group by this time.298
“Go ahead and clock in, Brendan.” she ordered him.299
“Yes ma’am, Mrs. Waters.” He acknowledged and walked on inside. Johnny walked on 300
back to his truck. Slowly he climbed into his cab and started the ignition. He put the truck in 301
reverse and backed out.302
He left the store and within minutes was at the Wilson residence. Mary was waiting for 303
him on the porch.304
“Your late.” she uttered viciously as she climbed into the cab.305
“Hello Mary. Nice to see you too.” he returned with the same edge. The two of them 306
used to be an inseparable item until her mother was killed in a mugging a few years before. 307
Something changed in her and now they can’t stand each other very much, if at all. It is why she 308
hangs out with the Robeson brothers.309
“What’s buggin’ you?” she snapped. 310
“Well, other than the charming company I’m with now and having to babysit a bunch of 311
brats tonight, life is peachy. You?” he sent right back at her.312
“Just drop it!” she then retorted. The rest of the trip back to the store was silent.313
When they got back, Johnny was in a completely foul mood. His mother saw the look on 314
both their faces and knew right away that the two of them had been arguing again. Thinking 315
quickly, she called Brendan over.316
“Brendan.” She said.317
“Ma’am?” he asked.318
“Why don’t you go with Johnny tonight? Help keep him out of trouble.” She told him.319
“Yes ma’am.” he answered and took off his work apron. He walked over to where 320
Johnny was brooding.321
“Come on, J. Lets take these rugrats on over to the movies.” Brendan told him. Johnny 322
let out a big sigh and walked out the door. Outside his mother was loading the kids into the van. 323
Brendan followed. Johnny walked over to his mother.324
“Here you are Johnny.” she said and handed him the keys.325
“Gee, Thanks!” he replied sarcastically.326
“Don’t take that tone with me young man! I brought you into this world, and I can take 327
you out.” She retorted with even more sarcasm. Johnny laughed and hugged his mom.328
“Later ma’!” He exclaimed and climbed in the drivers seat of the van. 329
“Later Johnny. Later Brendan.” She responded.330
“Later Mrs. Waters.” Brendan answered while climbing into the van’s front passenger 331
side.332
Johnny started the van and packed out of the parking place. He pulled up next to where 333
his mom was standing. He had a smirk on his face as he rolled down his window to talk at her.334
“You know, ma’. B and I should be getting hazard pay for this.” He told her and pulled 335
out of the parking lot. Mrs. Waters laughed and turned to go inside.336
Chapter 10337
After a quick stop at Mcdonald’s and the adjacent gas station, the throng in the van pulled 338
into the movie theater parking lot. Johnny and Brendan had all the kids line up single file at the 339
box office. The two of them walked up to the box office window to pay for all the tickets.340
“Hi Johnny! Hi Brendan!” Came the same shy voice from earlier in the day. They were 341
shocked to see Beth ringing up the tickets.342
“Why hello there, Beth. What are you up to?” Brendan replied, trying his best to imitate 343
Lando Calrissian.344
“Heya Beth. What you doin’ here?” Johnny inquired. He began to turn a little red and 345
fidget around.346
“My family owns the place, so I work here.” she answered then asked, “So how many you 347
want?”348
“Oh, uh let me see 1, 2, 3, 4...7 tickets please.” Johnny answered, snapping back to 349
reality. Beth printed up the tickets and tore them.350
“What do we owe, pretty lady?” Brendan asked, making her blush.351
“It’s on the house.” she replied and handed them the tickets, which had no charge printed 352
on them.353
“Wh- Thanks.” Johnny stuttered, stunned. He and Brendan ushered the entourage of 354
Katie and her friends into the building. Beth stopped the two of them from the box door inside. 355
“Stop in and say hello to my parents before you leave.” she instucted them. 356
“Will do.” Johnny replied, his usual charisma and cockiness now returned.357
“You bet ya.” Brendan answered. He went over to the snack bar where Katie and her 358
friends were giving the concession attendant a terrible time. Johnny hung around the box.359
“What is it, Johnny?” Beth asked after he didn’t walk over with Brendan. Johnny turned 360
beet red.361
“Oh, uh nothing.” he quickly stated and ran to catch up with Brendan, who was herding 362
the kids into the auditorium. Beth smiled and turned to get back to work.363
Unkown to Johnny and Brendan, they had been followed from shadows since they left the 364
grocery store. Outside the theater, the mysterious stalker watched all that had transpired from 365
afar.366
“So, you like her now, do you! You will pay for this Johnny Waters! You will wish you 367
had never betrayed me!” The mysterious stalker raged in silence. Moving from shadow to 368
shadow, the person came up behind the minivan. With one quick swipe of a razor, the stalker 369
slashed the back left tire of the minivan and disappeared once more into the shadows.370
As she ran from the scene, she thought to herself, “Now to hunt for Moloch!”371
Chapter 11372
Down the road at Settonburg Middle school, the school’s valentine’s day dance was 373
beginning to let out. Groups of kids were walking to their respective homes nearby. From the 374
shadows, the evil halfling watched the kids, looking for a chance to snag one as a sacrifice. As 375
one particular group walked by, she saw her opportunity in a young girl whom was straggling 376
behind the others. 377
“There’s my sacrifice!” she thought with evil glee. Quietly the vile succubus crept closer 378
to the crowd, anticipating the moment when she would strike. Suddenly the girl dropped her 379
purse.380
“Now!” the sorceress thought and sprang into action. Moving swiftly and silently, the 381
predator struck. The poor girl didn’t see her abductor coming, nor did her friends notice she had 382
disappeared from the crowd until it was too late. The girl fainted in her captors arms as she ran 383
away from the scene.384
A short while later the girl awoke in a confined and darkened room. The girl was bound 385
and laid out upon a table. The table was marked all over with strange and archaic symbols.386
Looking around, the girl saw a small light flickering in the corner. Focusing in on it, she 387
realized it was the flame of a candle. The light started to close in on the unfortunate girl. All of 388
a sudden whole room lit up.389
The girl could see that the arcane symbols were not only on the table she was on, but 390
marked the entire room. Ceiling, walls, floor, everywhere was covered. There was a person 391
holding the initial candle she had seen. The person sat the candle on an ornamental stand and 392
drew out a gilded dagger from inside the robes it was wearing.393
Extreme fear encapsulated the girl. She struggled to free herself of her binds, but to no 394
avail. The person in the robes began to circle the table, chanting an ancient incantation in a dead 395
language. 396
“Please don’t do this!” the girl pleaded, but the figure in the robes does not listen. After 397
two complete circuits around the makeshift altar, the robed figure stopped and turned toward the 398
girl. The witch halfling raised the gilded dagger above the girls chest.399
“Master Moloch! Please accept your humble servant’s sacrifice!” she said aloud and 400
plunged the dagger into girl’s heart. After a few moments, the girl let out a small sigh and died.401
At that point Moloch appeared. It walked over to the makeshift altar. With a scaled claw 402
it reached into the deceased girl’s lifeless corpse and drew out her soul. In one coarse gesture the 403
demon swallowed the soul and drained the remaining life and spirit energies out of the body. 404
“Master Moloch,” the sorceress asked, “How shall I dispose of the body?”405
“Eat it.” It commanded. The witch responded with a puzzled look, so Moloch explained, 406
“Eat it. If you do, your demonic power will grow exponentially.” The witch smiled.407
“Yes. Your will be done, Master.” She said to her demon lord. Moloch then turned to 408
leave.409
Looking back, it said, “Keep up the good work witch!” It then disappeared. The witch 410
had already started in on the corpse. 411
After decapitating the body and sitting the head aside, the halfling began to devour the 412
still warm body. With an overwhelming eagerness to her demonic and occult powers, the 413
sorceress feasted upon the lifeless body until all that was left was the girl’s bones and head.414
She looked at what was left of the girl and was going to discard it when an idea came to 415
her mind. A very twisted idea. The witch quickly gathered a few of the bones and the head of the 416
girl and left the archaic temple for the night.417
Chapter 12418
Back at the movie theater, Brendan and Johnny were keeping an eye on Katie and her 419
friends. The two of them had never known how much they hated a certain yellow sponge or 420
David Hasselhoff until they had to watch them on the big screen.421
“I can’t believe they like this stupid shit!” Brendan whispered to Johnny.422
“I know what you mean, B. When we get back , I’m demanding hazard pay from my 423
parents for both of us!” came the reply in a hushed tone.424
“Thanks, bro. So did you ask her out, J?” Brendan inquired.425
“No. I froze.” He responded. Brendan gave him a smart ass look.426
“Whaaat? I got nervous.” Johnny told him.427
“Pussy!” Brendan picked on Johnny.428
“Shut up!” He retorted.429
“Do I have to do everything myself?” Brendan said as he stood up.430
“Where are you goin’?” Johnny asked.431
“I’m goin’ to set you up on a date with our lovely friend out there.” answered Brendan 432
with a smirk.433
“Don’t you do it!” Johnny warned.434
“Then you go ahead and ask her out like you said.” Brendan then told Johnny, “Because 435
you know I will set you up with her in a heartbeat!”436
“Fine. I’ll go ask her out.” Johnny said to Brendan and stood. Brendan sat back down as 437
Johnny made his way down the row to the aisle. Johnny walked up the aisle and out into the 438
front lobby of the theater. Beth was still sitting in the door to the box.439
“Hey Beth.” he called to her.440
“Johnny. Hi.” She replied with coy.441
“What are you up to?” He queried.442
“Not much. Can I help you with something Johnny?” She returned.443
“Na, just had to get out of that stupid movie.” He replied then asked her, “So, you like it 444
here in Settonburg?” 445
“Yeah. I like it a lot here.” she answered.446
“You want go out tomorrow after school?” He blurted. They both seemed to turn red. 447
An awkward period of time managed to pass. Looking at the two, you wouldn’t know who was 448
more shocked.449
She finally answered “Yes.”450
“Really?” He responded.451
“Yes.” she quietly replied again. The two smiled goofily at one another. Then something 452
caught Johnny’s eye. A shadow passed from behind the minivan outside.453
“What the hell was that?” he said to himself aloud.454
“What was what?” Beth queried.455
“Oh. Uh... I thought I saw a figure running away from the back of my parent’s van.” He 456
answered.457
“Are you sure?” She asked.458
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure. I’ll be right back. I’m goin’ to check it out.” He then told Beth. 459
Johnny turned and walked out to the minivan. After close inspection, he found the back left tire 460
slashed.461
“Shit!” He swore aloud. 462
“What’s wrong?” Beth asked as she walked out to join Johnny.463
“Someone slashed the tire.” he replied, then queried, “Do you have a phone I could 464
borrow?”465
“Sure. Come on in.” She answered. The two walked in and she led Johnny to the office 466
phone. 467
Johnny first dialed the grocery store. He got a busy signal. So he called his parent’s cell 468
phone. No one answered. A few calls later and he gave up in disgust.469
“Guess I’ll have to walk to the store to pick up my truck and tools.” He thought to 470
himself.471
“Could you get up with anybody?” Beth pried.472
“No. I’m gonna have to walk to the store and pick up my tools.” He returned.473
“Can I help you in any way?” She then inquired.474
“Would you mind keeping an eye on the rugrats until Brendan and I return?” he asked 475
her.476
“No problem.” she responded. 477
“Thanks.” Johnny then told her and gave her a peck on the cheek. She blushed. He 478
walked into the theater and tapped Brendan on the shoulder.479
“Whats up, J? Did you ask her out?” Brendan implored.480
“Yeah, but right now I need you to come with me.” Johnny answered. 481
“What’s wrong, bro?” Brendan responded.482
“Someone slashed a tire on the van.” came the reply.483
“Oh shit!” Brendan swore.484
“Thats what I said.” Johnny retorted then said, “Beth is going to watch the rugrats while 485
you and I go get my truck to change the tire.” Brendan smiled and shed a small tear. 486
“What’s wrong with you?” Johnny asked, puzzled.487
“Thank you. You got me out of that stupid movie.” Brendan smarted off. Both laughed 488
and walked out of the theater.489
Chapter 13490
Johnny and Brendan walked from the theater to the grocery store in about 20 minutes. 491
The store looked as if it had been ransacked. The front doors hung wildly from their hinges and 492
the windows were shattered. In the parking lot, there were large archaic symbols painted in 493
blood. Johnny’s truck was missing from the lot.494
“What the Fuck?!” Brendan exclaimed in shock and horror.495
“Where’s my truck?” Johnny then asked aloud.496
“Your truck? What happened to your parents?” Brendan corrected.497
“No B. My truck. My parents are old enough to take care of themselves. My truck 498
isn’t.” Johnny retorted. Brendan laughed.499
“Okay, J. Let’s go check on everyone.” he then said. The two ran in the store building. 500
His father lay unconcious next to checkout stand.501
“Dad! Dad! DAD!” Johnny hollered at his father as the two tried to revive him. Brendan 502
slapped his face. The old man grunted. They kept up the assault. A minute or so later and the 503
old man grunted again loudly and opened his eyes. He focused in on the two boys.504
“Johnny? Brendan? What’s going on? Aren’t you two supposed to be at the theater with 505
Katie and her army of delinquints?” His father asked as he rubbed his eyes. 506
“The people that own the theater are looking after her.” Johnny explained, “ We came 507
because someone slashed the back tire of the van. Where’s my truck? I need my tools to change 508
the tire.” 509
“Someone slashed the tire? Did you get a look at the person?” His father then inquired.510
“No. All I saw was a shadowy figure of the s.o.b. running away. The jerkoff.” johnny 511
responded.512
“Well your mother has the truck, delivering a load of groceries to the Bakers. She should 513
be back anytime.” The old man told the two as they helped him from the ground. The three of 514
them then looked around for Mary. But she was nowhere to be found. Nor could they find what 515
had caused all the damage.516
A few minutes later Mrs. Waters returned in the truck. And after explaining the situation 517
they were in, she told why she was late in returning from the Baker residence. 518
“There was a massive search going on in the area surrounding the middle school.” She 519
explained, “Apparently a young girl went missing earlier in the evening. Well that’s what 520
Marshal Wilson was saying.”521
“That sucks. We don’t know where Mary is either, Mom. We need to go fix the tire on 522
the van.” Johnny then told his mother. 523
“Alright. I’m going with you two. Then I can be sure the children get home safely.” Mrs. 524
Waters declared.525
“Okay, Mom. C’mon B.” Johnny responded. The three walked out to the truck. Mrs. 526
Waters then noticed the large archaic symbols in blood.527
“What the hell are those?” she exclaimed.528
“Oh.Those. Those are Canaanite circles of protection. Very old witchcraft. Wouldn’t 529
you agree, B.” Johnny blurted out.530
“Oh absolutely, J. Definitely Canaanite magic. At least four thousand years old.” 531
Brendan concurred with him. Mrs. Waters jaw dropped.532
“How the hell do you two know that?” she screamed. At that point their jaws dropped. 533
They didn’t know how they knew what the symbols were, they just knew. In the distance 534
Michael and Raphael watch the situation with a new interest in the two boys.535
Chapter 14536
“Did I just hear them correctly, Raphael?” Michael asked his compatriot.537
“Yes you did. They were both able to read the Canaanite symbols like a book in their 538
own language.” The other replied.539
“But how is that possible when-“ Michael started.540
“-when anyone else on the planet who could have read it has been dead for five thousand 541
years?” Raphael finished.542
“Yeah.” the former stated.543
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” Raphael answered. The two Archangels 544
immediately vanished from the scene at the store.545
******************************************************************************546
On the other side of town, the parents of the poor girl sacrificed to Moloch pulled into the 547
driveway of their home.548
“I don’t know where else to look, honey.” the girl’s father spoke solemnly to his wife as 549
they exited their vehicle.550
“I don’t know either. It’s just that-“ the wife started to say but broke when she noticed a 551
strange package sitting on the porch. It was a small box wrapped in paper that said “Jesus loves 552
the little children” and had a bow with a card sitting on top. 553
The father picked up the card and opened it. A small electronic chip inside the card 554
started playing “He’s got the whole world in his hands”. The father read the grisly message 555
aloud as his wife opened the box: “We have no further use of your daughter. You can have her 556
back.” 557
The woman screamed and fainted. The father looked down into the box. Staring back at 558
him was the bloody severed head of his daughter. The man felt his stomach drop. He turned 559
away from the box and threw up all over. When he finished spewing, the man dropped to his 560
knees and began to cry out uncontrollably. From the shadows, The witch watched with 561
malicious delight.562
She vile enchantress ran from the scene, laughing the entire way.563
Chapter 15564
The next mornings headlines read: “SLAYING IN SETTONBURG: Head of missing 565
child left on parent’s doorstep!” A few paragraphs down had the second story: “Marshal’s 566
Daughter Missing!” Johnny looked at the paper in disgust. Sure he didn’t get along with Mary, 567
but he didn’t wish what happened to the child on her.568
“Sick fucks!” he thought to himself as he read the headlines over and over again. There 569
was a knock at his bedroom door.570
“Johnny, you have visitors.” Mrs. Waters spoke through the door to his bedroom.571
“Give me a minute, ma!” he answered back. He heard footsteps walking away from his 572
door. 573
The sounds of two pairs of footsteps returned a few moments later.574
“Yo, J! What are you doin’ in there? Playin’ with your pecker.” Brendan hollered 575
sarcastically through the door, “Well put it up cause me and the love of your young life are 576
comin’ in!” Johnny laughed and opened the door to Brendan and Beth.577
“Yo, B! Whats that you were sayin’? You like to play with peckers!” Johnny retorted.578
“Nope. I said we’re coming in!” Brendan responded. Then both laughed. Bethg stood 579
quietly to the side, seemingly nervous. The two of them saw this and quickly changed the 580
subject.581
“So, B. Did you see the newspaper this morning? How about you Beth?” Johnny 582
inquired of both of them.583
Beth quietly replied, “No.”584
“What are you talking about?” Brendan queried in response. Johnny handed him the 585
newspaper. He quietly read it as Johnny pulled a shirt on over his head. By the time he had 586
finished, Brendan had thrown down the newspaper.587
“ Ugh! Thats some sick shit, man!” Brendan shouted.588
“Tell me about it. And Mary is missing as well.” Johnny responded.589
“What about her?” Brendan edged up. 590
“Well, even if we don’t get along, I wouldn’t wish what happened to the girl on her if she 591
was my worst enemy.” Johnny exclaimed.592
“Dude!” Brendan responded. He walked away shaking his head.593
“I don’t get it, Johnny. What do you two have against this Mary?” Beth chimed in. 594
Johnny turned his head away and walked over to a corner, not wanting to discuss the issue 595
further.596
“The Mary we’re talking about is the same one you decked yesterday. She works with us 597
at the grocery store, or she did until yesterday.” Brendan explained, “She and Johnny used to be 598
really close. Then her mother died and she dumped him. Not only that she constantly bites his 599
head off over any little thing.”600
“Just drop the subject.” Johnny fumed.601
“No. You were messed up real bad when she pulled that shit on you! And now your 602
defending her like it all forgotten. How do you know she isn’t the one that killed the girl?” 603
Brendan yelled. He then stormed out of the room.604
“Maybe I should go.” Beth said timidly. She turned to walk out. Johnny stood in the 605
corner with his head hung low.606
“Don’t go. He spoke quietly to the girl.607
“Well, I didn’t come over to get into the middle of a fight between you two. I came over 608
because you and I are suppose to have a date today after school, and because I needed a ride to 609
school.” She told him. Johnny lifted his head. He had a smirk on his face.610
“He’s right, you know.” he said to Beth, “I do keep trying to defend her, even though she 611
treats me like shit. But she and I had been friends for a long time before we ever went out. She 612
was friends with him,as well. The three of us used to hang out like the we did yesterday. When 613
her mother first died and she turned on us, we both did everything we could to try and help her. 614
She kept going at us, though. Finally Brendan got tired of it and told her, ‘Fuck it! We have 615
tried to be there for you and all, because it hurt us when your mother died as well. But all your 616
self centered little mind can focus on is trying to hurt us. No fucking more! Bitch, you are on 617
your own.”618
“He didn’t want to give up hope on her, but I guess he got a belly full of her poor pitiful 619
me antics and then getting his head bit off for trying to help.” Johnny finished.620
“That’s really sad.” Beth lamented, “To get to a point where you feel there is nothing else 621
you can do for a person and cut them off. But I don’t think he’s mad at you for just your wanting 622
to help your old friend. He sees you like a brother and wants to protect you like a brother.”623
At that point, Brendan returned to the room. A smart ass look was on his face.624
“Now you two quit your he-in’ and she-in’ and lets go to school.” He said with a laugh. 625
The others broke out laughing.626
Downstairs, Mrs. Waters heard the commotion and smiled. It had been a long time since 627
she had heard laughter like that.628
The trio raced down the stairs and out the door. They ran and jumped into the truck. 629
Within seconds, the truck had backed out of the driveway left for school.630
Chapter 16631
“Master, how were those mortals able to read the Canaanite script?” Michael asked God 632
as he and Raphael stood before the Great White Throne in Heaven.633
“Because I gave them the ability, My servants. No need to worry. It’s all part of My 634
plan for them.” a giant voice boomed from reaches unseen, “Now go. Get thee down to earth. 635
Keep an eye on the two of them until the time is right for my plan. And don’t be alarmed, for a 636
few more ‘abilities’ are about to manifest in them.”637
“Yes, Master.” Michael replied.638
“Aye, Your Highness.” Raphael answered. The two Archangels vanished from before the 639
Throne. They reappeared just inside the gates of Heaven. The gates, made of the finest pearl in 640
existence, glistened in the light. The two met up with Peter, the gatekeeper.641
“Mikey, Raph! Whats goin’ on guys?” He greeted them.642
“Not much. How you been, Pete?” Michael saluted back.643
“ Ello’ Pete.” Raphael hailed him as he walked up to them.644
“Can’t complain. You two headed back to earth already eh?” Peter queried.645
“Yup.” Michael answered.646
“Aye.” Raphael responded.647
“Well, then I won’t hold you guys up from your jobs with my jabberin’. It was good 648
seein’ ya again.” he then told the Archangels. 649
“Same to you, Pete.” Michael and Raphael said in unison. Peter turned and opened the 650
gates for them. The two walked out the gate and disappeared. 651
As Peter closed the gates, he thought to himself, “There must be something big goin’ 652
down if the Master is sending down both Archangels on the same assignment.” He then turned 653
to wait on the next human soul to appear.654
Chapter 17655
The three teenagers went their separate ways once they got to school. Johnny went to his 656
science class and Brendan and Beth to English class. 657
“I wonder what the other two are up to?” Johnny thought as he daydreamed through first 658
period.659
“Well, for one I’m bored out of my skull, J. This English class blows! But Beth seems 660
alright, though.” Brendan replied, “What about you?”661
“Yeah, B. Chemistry is dull! It really sucks!” Johnny responded aloud. Sudden 662
realization came over them when both of their teachers asked who they were talking to.663
“Well, Mr. Smithson,” Johnny began, “I was just talking to my best friend Br- Uh I think 664
I need to lie down.” He quietly got up and walked out of class. At the other end of the building, 665
Brendan was going through the same ordeal.666
“I was just talking to J. Whats the- Oh shit!” Brendan said aloud.667
“Brendan! We’ll have none of that kind of language in here.” the Teacher gasped.668
“Sorry Mrs. Henry.” he retorted cynically then continued, “I think I should go see 669
someone, like an exorcist!” The kids in class busted out laughing. Brendan got up and walked 670
out of class.671
Outside the room, Johnny waited for him in the hall.672
“Let me guess. You heard me talking to you, didn’t you?” Johnny queried.673
“By your question I assume that you heard me as well, J.” Brendan answered.674
“Right on all accounts, B.” came the response. 675
“What the hell is going on, J? Last night we were reading five thousand year old spells 676
that nobody on this planet should have been able to comprehend, and now we’re communicating 677
with each other from opposite ends of the building, without any kind of modern equipment. I 678
heard you like you were right beside me.” Brendan exclaimed.679
“I know, B. I don’t know what’s going on, and right this second, I’m not sure I want to 680
know.” Johnny told his friend. The two walked down past the library. A group of cheerleaders 681
were walking out.682
“Ooh, these two are sure cute.” The two boys heard one say.683
“Why thank you, ladies!” Brendan exclaimed. The girls looked at him funny.684
“Thank us for what?” The captain of the squad asked.685
“Didn’t you just compliment us?” Johnny answered with a question of his own. The girls 686
blushed and walked away, giggling.687
“Oh, this is just perfect. Now not only are we reading five thousand year old script and 688
talking to each other through our minds, but now we hear what others are thinking as well! Shit!” 689
Brendan shouted after the girls were out of earshot.690
“This just keeps getting better and better!” Johnny laughed.691
J, Just what is happening to us?!” Brendan asked. Down the hall, Michael kept 692
watch with Raphael. 693
“Quite the mouths those two have, eh Raph?” Michael chuckled to his companion.694
“No more than yours was when you first got it, Mikey.” Raphael retorted. The two 695
laughed and disappeared. Johnny and Brendan heard the laugh and turned just after the two 696
Archangels disappeared.697
“Great. Now we’re hearing things that aren’t even there!” Brendan quipped.698
“B, I’m not so sure we shouldn’t go see that exorcist you were talking about!” Johnny 699
replied. The two laughed wearily and walked on out of the school.700
Chapter 18701
Brendan and Johnny drove to Mama’s diner from the school. The small restaurant’s 702
parking lot was filled with bikes. As the two entered, they saw a group of bikers sitting in one 703
corner. A couple of girls were with them, but thet didn’t look like they were having too good of 704
a time.705
“Johnny boy! Brendan! Wut yu tuse doin out da skoo so uly?” Mama saluted.706
“Hey Mama!” Brendan stated.707
Hey there Mama!” Johnny greeted and explained, “We’re here because weird stuff has 708
been happening to us in the last twenty four hours or so. We figured you might be able to help us 709
out.”710
“Plus,”Brendan added, “Your cookin’ is a heck of a lot better than cafeteria food!” The 711
old woman laughed.712
“Dat’s true! I gives ya dat one!” The old woman replied. One of the girls with the bikers 713
yelled.714
“Why don’t you jackasses leave us alone?” The other girl stated. Johnny and Brendan 715
lost their tempers. The two of them walked over to the corner the bikers were lodged in.716
“Hey guys. Now why you gonna go and hurt two beautiful ladies.” Johnny told the leader 717
with a smirk.718
“Yeah guys! What did these two ever do to you?” Brendan chimed in, “besides state the 719
obvious?” He winked at the one that called them jackasses. The bikers stood up and surrounded 720
the two.721
“Well, well. I suppose you two must knights in shining armor.” the leader snapped. 722
“Nope. But it shouldn’t be that difficult to whoop yer asses.” Johnny replied 723
sarcastically.724
“Pussies!” Brendan exclaimed. The girls giggled. This infuriated the leader of the gang.725
“Boys get these two assholes!” He barked the order. The gang began to close in on 726
Johnny and Brendan.727
“Hold it!” Johnny shouted. The gang stopped for a second.728
“What’s up, J?” Brendan inquired.729
“We should take this outside. We don’t want to mess up Mama’s diner.” he replied.730
“I dun care. Ise can geet mo dishes an chairs.” Mama piped up. The old woman smiled 731
at the two.732
“You heard the lady!” Brendan said to Johnny733
“Yup!” Came the reply. The two boys dove into the throng of bikers and began to beat 734
them down. After a few minutes of furious fighting, the bikers all ran for their lives. Johnny and 735
Brendan chased after them. The leader rounded a corner and ran into an alley way. Johnny 736
followed him as Brendan chased down a couple of others down another alley. The biker leader 737
drew out a gun. He fired wildly behind himself as he turned the next corner of the alleyway. 738
Johnny ran point blank into the path of the bullet.739
Chapter 19740
Across town, a young cub scout was walking home from the den meeting. The sun was 741
casting shadows on everything. As he walked along, he began to notice a certain shadow ahead 742
of him seemed to be rising from the sidewalk. He began to feel afraid and turned to walk back to 743
the den leaders house.744
Suddenly the shadow rushed him, appearing as a blur of black. In the next instant they 745
were both gone. The witch had claimed another sacrifice. 746
A few hours later in the makeshift temple to Moloch, the young cub scout awoke, bound 747
and gagged. The dim flames of a candle danced wildly across the arcane symbols on the walls. 748
The appearance made a creepy chill travel down his spine. The boy struggled to get free of the 749
bonds holding him.750
Suddenly the entire room lit up brightly, temporarily blinding the kid. He heard someone 751
start a strange chant. When his eyes focused in again, he found a mysterious robed figure 752
circling whatever he was laying upon.753
After the two circuits around the makeshift altar, the robed figure stopped and turned 754
toward him. 755
It raised a gilded dagger above him and shouted, “Mater Moloch, Please accept your 756
humble servant’s sacrifice!” and plunged the dagger into his heart.757
The boy felt an excruciating pain in his chest. The pain was so intense that the gasped for 758
air and began choking up blood. His heartbeat began to slow and breathing became increasingly 759
difficult. 760
Suddenly, the pain disappeared. It seemed easy for him to breathe again. A monster 761
appeared before him. The boy felt the monster pick him up with a scaly claw. The last he saw 762
was his body laying upon a table as the vile creature swallowed him whole. 763
*************************************************************764
After Moloch had devoured the boy’s soul and energies, he truned to the witch.765
“A few more and I’ll be back to full power and you’ll be the most powerful sorceress on 766
earth!” Moloch roared in appreciation.767
“Yes, my master!” the halfling witch answered. At that, the demon disappeared. The 768
halfling witch began to cannibalize the boy’s corpse, again eating eveything except the head and 769
bones. She had another idea for this one.770
Chapter 20771
Johnny froze. The bullet had passed straight through his heart. He felt as if 772
he was paralyzed in that particular moment in time. He tried to scream, but nothing came out of 773
his mouth. He saw his life pass before his eyes.774
And then the pain appeared. Excruciating pain traveled throughout his body. He felt his 775
knees go weak and give out beneath him. Johnny dropped to his knees and fell face first to the 776
pavement. He felt his nose break as face planted. Johnny Waters, age 16. Dead of a gunshot 777
wound.778
“But I can’t be dead!” he thought as he lay there in agony, “The dead shouldn’t be able to 779
feel the excruciating pain I feel. And the dead shouldn’t be stuck to the earth, as I am.”780
Johnny began to pray, “Lord, forgive my sins and many mistakes. Save me and keep me.” 781
He prayed it over and over for what seemed like an eternity. All at once the pain went away. He 782
heard footsteps approaching him.783
“Get up boy! You ain’t hurt anymore!” A gruff voice spoke. Johnny looked up. A man 784
appeared to be standing over him. The man had on what looked like old fashioned battle armor, 785
though his looked as if he had just put it on for the first time.786
“Who are you?” Johnny asked as he pulled himself up.787
“My name is Raphael. You are to come with me at once.” The man with the gruff voice 788
ordered.789
“What?” Johnny spoke.790
“The Master wants to see you at once.” Raphael replied. He held his hand out to Johnny 791
as if to shake hands. Johnny, puzzled, returned the favor. The two of them vanished.792
***************************************************************793
Brendan was beating down one of the bikers when heard the gunshot.794
“Oh shit!” he thought to himself. The biker he was fighting noticed the distraction and 795
pulled a knife. The Biker shoved the blade into Brendan’s stomach and twisted. 796
Brendan’s eyes bulged. His grip on the biker loosened. The biker smiled and laughed. 797
He pulled the knife roughly out of Brendan. 798
“Not so tough now, eh pussy?” the biker gloated. Brendan lost his temper and with the 799
last of his strength palm struck his assailant in the ribcage above his heart. The bikers heart 800
exploded and the unfortunate asshole dropped dead. 801
“Tough enough to take your ass with me, pussy.” Brendan spoke at the corpse as he 802
dragged himself over to the nearby wall. There with all the strength he could muster, he propped 803
himself up and prayed.804
“God, I know I haven’t been the perfect angel. I have many sins on my conscience, and 805
have made many mistakes.” he began, pausing long enough to spit up some blood, “Maybe if 806
your not too busy, you could forgive me and save me.” 807
Instantly the pain from the knife wound was gone. A man in gleaming armor walked up 808
to him.809
“Stand up, young man.” the Man told him, “My name is Michael, and I’m here to take 810
you to see the Master.” Confused, Brendan blindly obeyed and the two transported away 811
instantly.812
Chapter 21813
Marshal Andy Wilson sat alone in his office. His desk was covered with files and 814
folders. On top sat three new ones. The girl whose head had been found on her parent’s 815
doorstep, his own daughter was missing, and now a young boy had disappeared. He was 816
contemplating his next move when a deputy walked into the room.817
“Marshal, we just got a call in about a triple homicide down near the jewelry store.” The 818
deputy told him solemnly. He looked up at the deputy with strained, bloodshot eyes.819
“Alright. Thank you Sam.” He replied in a tired voice. The old man wearily stood up 820
from his chair. Slowly he walked over to a clothing rack on the wall and grabbed a beaten and 821
weather worn ten gallon hat. A tin badge on the front of it said “Settonburg Town Marshal.”822
“Marshal, are you all right?” the deputy asked, concerned.823
“I am. I was just thinking.” Marshal Wilson replied.824
“About what?” the deputy queried as he accompanied the Marshal out to one of the 825
department’s cars. 826
“For thirty years this town has had almost no crime whatsoever.” the Marshal answered as 827
the two of them climbed into the car, “Then five years ago just after I was elected Town Marshal, 828
my wife was killed in a mugging. Now we have some sick som bitch killing children, and my 829
daughters missing, and now a triple homicide.”830
“Yes sir.” the deputy answered, “Kinda makes you think.” The deputy put the car in 831
reverse. The car slowly backed out of the parking place on the side of the street. He then put it 832
into gear and drove off toward the crime scene.833
“Yes Sam.” Marshal Wilson continued, “Kinda makes you think that we were blessed to 834
have thirty years of peace.”835
“Yes sir. “ the deputy replied, “ but then, I don’t think the previous Marshals of this town 836
could be handling this shit any differently than the way you are now, especially since it hit you all 837
at once.” He cocked a smirk on his face. Marshal Wilson saw it and laughed. 838
They pulled up to the scene about five minutes later. A couple of deputies were already 839
there, putting up yellow tape around the whole area.840
“Marshal, we’ve secured the area and are waiting for the meat wagon to arrive.” One of 841
the deputies on the scene told the Marshal as he climbed out of the car.842
“Okay. Do we have any ID on the victims?” he replied. The deputy looked toward the 843
ground. Solemnly he spoke.844
“The first vic is a John Doe. But the other two are kids from town, Johnny Waters and 845
Brendan Davis.” he quickly told Marshal Wilson.846
“No. Not Johnny and Brendan. Where were they found?” The old man gasped in horror.847
“Johnny was found over here.” the deputy pointed down the first alley. Johnny’s body 848
still lay where it fell. He walked with the deputy over to other end of the alley. Brendan’s body 849
sat partially upright against the jewlry store wall. A few feet away the bikers body lay where it 850
fell after Brendan heart punched him.851
“Brendan it looks like fell next to to this guy, then somehow managed to pull himself 852
over to the wall and prop himself up.” the deputy continued.853
“So, you think they went down fighting, eh Chris?” Marshal Wilson then asked the 854
deputy.855
“No doubt in my mind, sir.” The deputy answered. The Marshal smiled.856
“Thats my boys!” he said aloud. The deputy looked at him funny.857
“Sir?” he queried. 858
“These two used to be friends with my daughter. And my daughter works at the Water’s 859
Grocery store with them.” The old man answered. 860
“Should I notify their families, sir?” The deputy then asked. The ambulance from the 861
county coroner’s office pulled up next to the scene. A couple of men piled out of the cab of the 862
vehicle.863
“No, I’ll notify them personally. I owe these boys and their families at least that much.” 864
Marshal Wilson told the deputy and then hollered over to the deputy that drove him over to the 865
scene, “Sam, come on. We have to ride over to the Water’s grocery store. And to the Davis 866
residence.” He then walked over to the squad car he had arrived at the scene in and climbed in. 867
Deputy Sam followed suit. As the two drove off toward the Water’s grocery store, Everything 868
that had been happening the past couple of days hit Marshal Wilson like a sack of potatoes. He 869
began to cry inconsolably.870
Chapter 22871
At the Water’s grocery store, Beth had walked in looking for Johnny and Brendan. Mr. 872
and Mrs. Waters told her that they had not seen them since the three of them had left for school 873
earlier that morning. 874
Mr. Waters was about to go out and look for them when Marshal Wilson pulled into the 875
parking lot. Teary-eyed, he got out and related the bad news to the family. Mrs. Waters and beth 876
broke down and began to cry. Mr. Waters held his composure but was still deeply disturbed by 877
the news.878
With a quivering lip he asked, “How did they die?” A tear streamed down his cheek.879
“They died protecting mama and a couple of girls who were being harassed by a biker 880
gang from out of town. They-” the Marshal said, getting choked up for a second, “they went 881
down fighting.” 882
Outside in the shadows, another listened in on the conversation. The halfling, full of 883
anger thought of the bar on the outskirts of town. There had been a biker gang hanging out there 884
recently.885
“So bikers killed them, huh?” The vile sorceress thought, “Well I’ll just pay the sons of 886
bitches a visit!” In an instant she was gone, headed toward the City Limits Saloon on the edge of 887
town.888
Running at unnatural lightning fast speeds, the halfling witch arrived at the small old strip 889
mall that housed the bar within a few minutes. Slowly the demoness walked through the front 890
door of the bar. A few of the bikers looked to see who had walked in. At the back of the smoke 891
filled room, a group of bikers were all sitting around a table dimly lit by a light fixture hanging 892
off the wall. 893
The bikers were all talking about how two brats who had humiliated them in town were 894
probably wishing they hadn’t. The witch walked up to the throng. The leader looked up.895
“Can I help yuse wit somtin toots?” he asked her.896
“Oh I was just wondering if you were the big guys at the diner earlier?” She asked coyly.897
“Who wants to know?” The leader responded.898
“You killed my friends earlier tonight.” The witch answered.899
“They shouldn’ta messed wit us!” the leader snapped and laughed. The halfling’s eyes 900
began to glow red. Her hands transformed from the petite hands of a young girl to the bony 901
claws of a demon. 902
A look of terror fell across the gang leader’s visage. A few of the others swore out 903
loudly. The halfling began to claw her way through the entire gang, slashing anyone in her 904
sights. Many screams came out of the bar that night.905
Chapter 23906
Johnny stood before the Gates of Heaven. He was more than a little confused. A small 907
line of people stood ahead of him. A black haired man stood at the gate, letting some in and 908
turning some away.909
“Yo J.” A voice called from behind. He turned to meet Brendan.910
“B. Whats going on? You died too?” he inquired. 911
“Yeah, J. I took a knife in the gut. How bout you?” Brendan replied.912
“Gunshot to the chest. Last thing I remember is this guy in this weird armor walking up 913
to me and then I was here and you came up behind me.” Johnny told Brendan.914
“Same thing happened to me. This guy in armor came up as I sat there.”Brendan 915
explained, “Said his name was Michael and said the Master wanted to see me at once. I didn’t 916
know what he was talking about, but he reached down and offered to help me up from the 917
ground. I reached for his hand and the next thign I know, I’m running up to you in this line.”918
By this time the two boys had reached Peter at the gate. The old gatekeeper looked at the 919
both of them with a wary eye.920
“State your names please.” He requested of the Johnny and Brendan.921
“Johnny Waters, sir.” The former replied.922
“Brendan Davis.” came the latter’s answer.923
“From Settonburg?” Peter then asked as he scrolled down to their names on the scrolls of 924
life.925
“Yes, sir.” the two of them answered simultaneously. Quickly he rolled up the scroll in 926
his hand and opened the gate. The old gatekeeper ushered the two of them in hurriedly.927
“The master wants a word with you two right away.” he told them as they walked into 928
Heaven. On the other side of the gate they were met by Michael and Raphael. 929
“You two.” Johnny exclaimed.930
“Come with us, both of you.” Michael spoke. The two archangels grabbed the two boys 931
and they all instantly transported to beneath the great white throne. The area surrounding the 932
throne was filled with tables of the most delicious foods imaginable. Angelic chiors sung praises 933
to God in all languages, ranging from contemporary music to songs that seemed ancient. 934
“The Master will see you two shortly.” Raphael told them, “In the meantime, feel free to 935
look around.” With that the two Archangels vanished. 936
Johnny and Brendan survey all of the paradise they could see. Green fields as far as the 937
eye can see. Groves of trees with some of the plumpest, best looking fruit in existence. Streets 938
paved of pure gold and mansions built of pure silver and embedded with the finest gemstones in 939
the universe.940
“It’s a very beautiful place, isn’t it?” a voice inquired from behind the two. Johnny and 941
Brendan spun around to find themselve face to face with a simply dressed yet somewhat built 942
man. The man smiled at the both of them.943
“Yes it is.” Johnny answered politely.944
“So why are you two just standing around doing nothing?” the man then asked.945
“We were told the Master wanted to speak with us, so we waited.” Brendan responded.946
“Well then Johnny and Brendan, I think we should take a little walk.” The man then 947
stated. He gestured with a hand to walk with him down a street of gold. The man’s hand was 948
scarred, as if something had at one time been driven through it. It finally dawned on them who 949
“the man” actually was. 950
“Jesus?” Brendan asked. The man simply smiled and beckoned the two to follow him. 951
After they had walked some distance, Jesus turned to the boys.952
“I have a little job for you two, if you’re up for it.” He declared.953
“What is the job?” Johnny asked. 954
“Yeah, Master.” Brendan chimed.955
“Well boys,” Jesus began, “I need Raphael and Michael up here training my army. So 956
I’ve chosen you two to take their place. If you choose to accept this assignment, I will be sending 957
you two back to earth as protectors. Warriors of God, so to speak.”958
“Will you take up this mission?” He finished by asking. The two boys talked amongst 959
themselves for a short time after hearing Him. Finally they turned back to him.960
“Master, what do we have to do?” they replied in unison.961
“Lucifer’s demonic hordes are scattered throughout the earth.” He explained, “Your 962
mission as protectors are to thwart them from harming or destroying human life.” 963
“Yes Master, we accept the mission.” They replied. The two boys knelt before Jesus. 964
He extended His arms over the boys heads and placed His hands upon their shoulders. Holy fire 965
and light surrounded the three of them. An immediate transfiguration took place. The boys 966
became clad in the gleaming armor that Raphael and Michael wore. At their sides were swords 967
sheathed in gold sheaths. When all was said and done, Jesus removed his hands from Johnny and 968
Brendan and took a step back. Michael and Raphael reappeared.969
“Rise, Johnny and Brendan.” Jesus commanded. The two stood up.970
“From henceforth, you two are Archangels, charged as Warriors of God and given the 971
unending mission to protect mankind from the forces of evil.” He then stated, “Michael and 972
Raphael shall give you a quick course on how to use your new abilities.”973
“Come on, you two.” Raphael spoke, “First lesson, speed of thought travel. Think about 974
standing at the Gates of Heaven.” The two boys coplied and all four vanished from Jesus’ side.975
They immediately reappeared at the Gates of Heaven. Peter was there waiting.976
“Hey guys! Off to save the world again?” the old gatekeeper asked.977
“You know it!” Michael responded. The old keeper opened the gates and let the four pass 978
out. Once they had passed out, the old keeper closed the gate again.979
“Catch you on the return trip.” Raphael said to Peter then turned to Brendan and Johnny 980
and ordered, “Think of the largest farm field outside Settonburg!” The four all pictured the place 981
and vanished. In a flash the four were back on earth just outside Settonburg.982
Chapter 24983
“Whoa! We’re back!” Brendan exclaimed as the four Archangels materialized on earth.984
“Yes.” Michael told them, “Thought travel will take you anywhere in the universe. It is a 985
great ability to have when tracking down the Morning Star’s minions.” He then turned to Raphael 986
who had his sword of flame drawn.987
“Now to teach you two how to fight!” Raphael said to the Johnny and Brendan and 988
swung at them. On pure instinct the boys drew their own swords of flame and parried Raphaels 989
attack. 990
The three of them engaged in a fierce and speedy battle. Not one gained an advantage as 991
every sword blow was blocked and punches and kicks were deflected. This lasted for an hour 992
before Michael finally stepped in.993
“Thats enough! We don’t have the time for you three to spar for a millenia.” He ordered 994
them. The three stopped, still as full of energy as when they had started. This fascinated Johnny.995
“With as much as we did in the past hour, how come we’re not completely worn out?” 996
He inquired.997
Raphael laughed and replied, “Thats the thing with us Archangels, me boy. Our power 998
comes directly from the Master, so we don’t run out of energy.” The answer satisfied Johnny’s 999
curiosity. Michael stepped forward.1000
“This is the last we have to teach you. How to use holy energy.” He stated and raised his 1001
hand toward the sky. At once he fired a massive wave of pure holy energy. He turned back to 1002
Johnny and Brendan.1003
“Now you two try.” He instructed. The boys aimed their hands toward the sky and 1004
focused. They felt a surge of power begin to travel through their bodies, building in their 1005
outstretched hands. When the power had built to great enough strength, they released it and two 1006
waves of pure energy flew harmlessly into outer space. 1007
“You now know the basics. We have nothing else to teach.” Michael announced once the 1008
two had fired the energy waves. At once another angel appeared .1009
“Hey guys!” The newcomer greeted.1010
“Whats up Gabe?” Raphael responded. Michael said the same.1011
“Orders, fresh from the man upstairs!” Gabe replied then inquired, “Who are the new 1012
guys?”1013
“Oh. Johnny. Brendan. Meet the Archangel/ holy messenger Gabriel” Michael said to the 1014
boys and then told Gabriel, “Gabe, this is Johnny Waters and Brendan Davis. They are taking 1015
mine and Raph’s place as protectors so we can go start training the army.”1016
“Cool.” Gabriel returned and greeted the two, “Nice to meet ya guys. I’m Gabriel, but you 1017
can call me Gabe.”1018
“Hey Gabe.” Johnny saluted, “I’m Johnny, but Brendan calls me J. You can too.” 1019
Brendan stuck out his hand to shake.1020
“I’m Brendan, but you can call me B.” He said to Gabriel. The Archangels shook hands. 1021
Then Gabriel got down to business.1022
“Mike, Raph. Here are your new orders. You are to help from the sidelines if these two 1023
need it, then once this whole Moloch mess is taken care of, report to the Paradise recruit training 1024
center and begin training the army.” Gabriel told them. Then he turned to Johnny and Brendan.1025
“J, B. You first assignment is to stop Moloch, which is the demon causing all the trouble 1026
in your former hometown.” He told the two boys. After a quick see ya, Gabriel vanished from 1027
the four. 1028
“Well guys, its up to you now.” Michael then stated, “We will be here if you need us!” 1029
At that point, he and Raphael vanished.1030
“Well, B. Looks like we have a job to do.” Johnny declared.1031
“Yep, J. We might as well get to work on it. I wonder how long we’ve been gone from 1032
here?” Brendan replied. The two turned toward the town and vanished.1033
Chapter 251034
Brendan and Johnny materialize outside of Mama’s Diner. Johnny looked on the 1035
newspaper on the front of the dispenser. He couldn’t believe what he saw.1036
“Hey, B! Get a load of this! We’ve been gone for six weeks!” He exclaimed.1037
“No Way!” Brendan responded. But he read the paper too. There was no mistake. They 1038
had been dead and in heaven for six weeks, though to them it was only a matter of hours. It was 1039
a great amount for the two of them to take in.1040
“Well, J” Brendan inquired, “What do you want to do first?”1041
“Let’s get some of Mama’s home cookin’!” Johnny replied.1042
“What?” Brendan queried, puzzled.1043
“Yeah, we haven’t had it in six weeks. Let’s have some.” Johnny answered.1044
“You want to walk into Mama’s diner and order some food when we’ve been dead for six 1045
weeks to them. And whats more, we’re wearing Archangel armor. How do you think the people 1046
inside are going to react?” Brendan argued.1047
“Good point. Well taken.” Johnny answered him. He sat on the sidewalk to ponder the 1048
situation. “I wish I had some street clothes. And maybe a trenchcoat.” he thought aloud. At 1049
once his armor began to transfigure. It changed completely into a set of street clothes with a 1050
trenchcoat. 1051
“Hey, B. You were saying about the armor?” Johnny retored.1052
“Alright on the armor, but what about your face?” Brendan rebutted. Johnny stared at his 1053
reflection in the mirror.1054
“Oh, Yeah. I bet if we thought about it, we can change our appearance to look like 1055
someone else.” Johnny exclaimed. He quickly thought of a bearded man with green eyes and a 1056
small scar on his cheek. Almost instantly his appearnace changed to match that of what he had 1057
thought of.1058
“Okay. You win, J.” Brendan laughed and changed his appearance as well. The two 1059
walked in the diner. The two made their way to one of the corner booths. At the other end of the 1060
building, Beth sat with the Robeson brothers. All three seemed to be crying. Mama came 1061
walking over toward them.1062
“Can I take yuse orda’s, gennelmen?” the old woman asked.1063
“Yes, Ma’am. I want the daliy special and a tall glass of iced tea.” Johnny ordered.1064
“Make that two orders, ma’am.” Brendan added.1065
“It’ll be a few minutes gennelmen.” The old woman replied and walked into the back. 1066
The two of them continued to converse about their mission until the Mama returned with their 1067
food. She overheard the two talking about their mission as she walked up to the table.1068
“I don’t believe I’ve ever seen yuse two befo’.” the old woman stated, “Are yuse new ta 1069
town?” Johnny quickly thought of a cover story.1070
“Yes, Ma’am. We’re here to investigate the recent child slayings.” He told her.1071
“Tank goodness yuse finly comes. Lawd knows wes needed sum help on this awful mess 1072
for sum time nows!” Mama declared then asked, “So, may Ise asks wut departmeent yuse twos 1073
wuk fo?”1074
“We’re uh, private investigators from a higher power.” Brendan responded. Johnny 1075
nodded in agreement.1076
“Oh. Ukay.” The old woman replied and walked away. The two quietly finished their 1077
meals and got up to leave. As they walked toward the counter, they overheard Butch and Sam 1078
trying to console Beth.1079
“B, would you mind going to pay for the meal?” Johnny asked.1080
“What?” came the response. But Johnny had already walked over to the table where Beth 1081
and the Robesons were sitting.1082
“May I ask what is wrong?” He inquired politely of the three. 1083
“Some friends of ours were killed a few weeks ago. She was really close to the two of 1084
them and has taken it hard.” Butch explained, “We have been trying to console her since the day 1085
of the funerals, with no success. But we keep on trying.”1086
“Well, don’t worry. I’m positive they’re kicking butt and taking names in the afterlife as 1087
well as they did here, if not at a higher level.” Johnny comforted the trio. He turned and went 1088
over to where Brendan was waiting. The two finished paying and walked out the door.1089
“So, what’d you tell em’?” Brendan asked as the two began walking down the sidewalk.1090
“I just told em’ that we’re kicking butt and taking names on a whole level.” Johnny 1091
responded with a smirk.1092
“True that. True that.” Brendan replied. The two laughed as they vanished from sight.1093
Chapter 261094
“Master Moloch, I await your command.” The halfling spoke as she entered the darkened 1095
warehouse that housed the small arcane temple. Moloch appeared to the halfling.1096
With an evil smile across its face, the vile creature declared, “ One more sacrifice will 1097
bring me to full power.”1098
“Then I shall go and find one last sacrifice, my master.” the demoness replied. The 1099
halfling then walked out of the old building. Outside, a platoon of zombies loyal to the witch 1100
waited for her. She had created most of them from the bikers she had slain. One walked to her 1101
and knelt down.1102
“Mistress, how may we serve you?” It spoke in gutteral tones.1103
“Find me a sacrifice. Also bring me Katie Waters.” The succubus instructed the unholy 1104
creatures. At once the zombies left on their grisly mission.1105
The monsters found Katie Waters an hour later with a group of friends from church. The 1106
Monsters grabbed her and another girl as the rest of their friends ran for their lives. The lead 1107
zombie grabbed one more kid.1108
“Listen, Kid.” the creature snapped, “Tell Beth Hankison and the Robeson Brothers if 1109
they want to save the girls, they’d better come to the abandoned warehouse in a hurry.”1110
It finished by telling the kid that if he didn’t do as it instructed, the it would come after 1111
him. The Zombie leader let the kid go and turned with its comrades to go back to the Temple at 1112
the warehouse.1113
The zombies returned to the darkened warehouse. The halfling appeared at the door with 1114
a sadistic look across her face.1115
“Mistress, we have done as you commanded!” The lead zombie exclaimed as it knelt 1116
before her.1117
“Excellent my servants.” she responded with malicious enthusiasm, “Bring me the 1118
sacrifice and hold Katie Waters prisoner out front.” The monsters obeyed and the demoness took 1119
the other girl from Katie’s Sunday school group into the arcane temple. The zombies meanwhile 1120
tied Katie to a rusty bar jutting from the ground.1121
Inside the temple, the succubus had already began the incantation. She had the girl laid 1122
out upon the makeshift altar. The girl screamed and begged for her life. The girl went unheeded 1123
and like so many before her, died at the end of the gilded dagger. From outside, Katie Waters 1124
winced at the sounds of the girls final moments.1125
Chapter 271126
The boy whom the zombie had told to find Beth and the Robesons ran screaming and 1127
crying down the street. He almost ran out into traffic when he was caught by Brendan and 1128
Johnny. He screamed even more, thinking that the monster had come for him.1129
“Whoa, take it easy Sammy!” Johnny said, trying to calm him down.1130
“Yeah kid, Whats scaring you?” Brendan inquired. The boy calmed a little. When he1131
saw the two who had caught him looked human, he struggled to get free.1132
“Lemme go. Lemme go or their gonna kill Katie and Sarah.” He yelled as he struggled 1133
to get free. Johnny let go of the kid and he ran for it. Brendan put a quick end to it by 1134
transporting in front of the boy and catching him. 1135
“Whoa. How did you do that?” the kid asked in amazement.1136
Smiling, Brendan responded, “I’ll show you if you promise not to run.” The boy agreed. 1137
Brendan set the boy down and took him by the hand. Instantly they transported back down the 1138
street to Johnny. 1139
“Now. You were saying something about they’re gonna kill Katie and Sarah?” Johnny 1140
inquired as the two of them returned.1141
“Yeah these monsters came out of nowhere and grabbed Katie and Sarah.” the boy 1142
explained, “then one grabbed me and told me to get Beth Hankison and the Robeson brothers and 1143
tell em’ to go to this old warehouse if they wanted to see the girls alive again, then threatened it 1144
would come after me if I didn’t.”1145
“Okay Sammy.” Brendan then said to the boy, “Your safe now. You go on home. We’ll 1146
take care of the monsters.” The two smiled at the boy and turned to go.1147
“Hey misters, how come you know who I am?” Sammy queried. Turning around, the two 1148
showed him their real faces then vanished before his eyes. Sammy ran off again, claiming that 1149
Johnny and Brendan were back to kick the butts of the monsters attacking the town.1150
The two of them appeared in front of the warehouse. The zombie slaves were waiting 1151
with Katie. The lead zombie stepped up to the intrusion.1152
“Who the hell are you two?” it snarled. Johnny just stood there with a smirk on his face. 1153
This infuriated the walking corpse. 1154
“Boys. It looks like we have a couple of uninvited guests.” the lead zombie snapped. The 1155
entire platoon of zombies began to surround Johnny and Brendan. The two Archangels ditched 1156
their disguises and now stood in the midst of the monsters in full battle armor.1157
“Ready for round two, B?” Johnny asked.1158
“You know it, J.” Brendan replied. The two drew their swords of flame and charged into 1159
throng, slashing through one zombie after the other.1160
Inside, Moloch had just finished devouring the soul of the final child and the halfling had 1161
began to consume the girl’s body. All of a sudden, one of the Zombies burst through the door of 1162
the temple.1163
“Master, Mistress! There are two warriors of extreme strength and power outside. The 1164
cutting through us like nothing!” He exclaimed.1165
“Oh shit!” Moloch growled.1166
“Master, what is wrong?” The halfling inquired.1167
“The forces of Heaven have caught on to us, my dear.” it hissed.1168
“What shall we do, my master?” the succubus then asked.1169
“Delay them from following me.” Moloch instructed, “I shall go into town and raise my 1170
army to defeat these accursed Archangels.”1171
“It will be done, Master.” the demoness replied. Moloch vanished from the temple and 1172
the witch turned to go face the intruders.1173
Chapter 281174
Outside the abandoned warehouse, Johnny and Brendan were finishing off the last of the 1175
zombies. The two of them suddenly heard an explosion coming from the direction of town. 1176
They quickly untied Katie and sent her running.1177
“Is that the last of them?” Brendan queried.1178
“Nope. There’s one more.” Johnny replied with grim realization. Turning to the shadow 1179
filled entrance of the warehouse, he called out, “Come on out, Mary.” The halfling appeared in 1180
the doorway.1181
“So how long have you known, Johnny.” The vile sorceress asked.1182
“Since the night you disappeared.” He replied. Brendan looked on with disgust.1183
“How could you do that, Mary?” Brendan yelled. The vile witch smiled evilly at the two.1184
“Mary hasn’t been around for some time.” The demoness stated.1185
“Then who are you?” Johnny queried.1186
“Marin. My name is Marin Teaolos.” The succubus replied. This shocked Johnny as he 1187
immediately recalled the name.1188
“But Marin Teaolos was a Canaanite witch who was killed when Israel first conquered 1189
the holy land some four thousand years ago!” He exclaimed.1190
“Then wheres Mary?” Brendan demanded. The sorceress began to look around aimlessly.1191
“Oh she’s in here, somewhere.” Marin answered and began to laugh. Another explosion 1192
occurred in the distance. Brendan drew his sword of flame.1193
“J, Go check on the town,” He commanded Johnny, “I’ll deal with this bitch personally.” 1194
Johnny sensed anger and sadness in the voice of his compatriot.1195
“She is all yours, B!” Johnny replied. He gave him his trademark smirk and vanished. 1196
The halfling drew a sword of darkness and charged Brendan. A fierce conflict ensued.1197
**********************************************************1198
Johnny rematerialized in downtown Settonburg. It looked as if the town center had been 1199
carpet bombed. He heard a scream coming from the circle at the center of town. He disappeared 1200
again.1201
At the circle, a demonic imp army had captured all the inhabitants of town, separating the 1202
children from the adults.1203
“Now this is more like it!” Moloch roared. The townspeople cowered in fear as the imp 1204
army began to close in on them.1205
“Boys, eat hardy!” Moloch oredered. The tiny demons charged the throng of people. 1206
They were almost on top of the townsfolk when a wave of pure holy energy wiped out fifty of the 1207
imps along the front of the mass. 1208
Johnny appeared in between the townspeople and the demonic army. He had his sword of 1209
flame drawn.1210
“Not so fast, Demon!” He exclaimed.1211
Chapter 291212
Brendan and Marin fought each other with deadly ferocity. Enormous sword blows sent 1213
sparks in all directions. Marin sent demonic energy waves at Brendan, who deflected them with 1214
ease and returned the favor with holy energy waves. And in between sword blows and energy 1215
attacks, the two contestants threw punches and kicks at phenomenal speeds. 1216
The amazing spectacle went on for over an hour, the two performing a graceful yet deadly 1217
dance of sword strikes, melee attacks, and energy blasts. At one point, the demoness lured 1218
Brendan into the temple, hoping to confine him with the arcane magic of the temple. He in turn 1219
destroyed the entire complex with a massive wave of holy energy.1220
After a half an hour more, Marin’s powers were completely exhausted. The vile halfling 1221
began to look for a means of escape.1222
“You wouldn’t dare destroy your friend’s body, would you?” the crafty demoness asked. 1223
Brendan responded with a massive energy wave the vaporized Marin completely. Before him 1224
two souls appeared, one light and one dark. Brendan sliced through the dark soul of Marin with 1225
his sword, sending the enchantress to hell. The light soul transfigured into that of Mary.1226
“Mary?” Brendan inquired softly.1227
“Hey, B.” She responded. A tear welled in Brendan’s eye.1228
“I’m so sorry for bailing on you all those years ago.” He told her, almost crying.1229
“Hey! You saved me.” She replied, “You freed me from that witch. Besides, I’ll see you 1230
again in Heaven.”1231
“She’s right, Brendan.” Michael declared as he materialized, “You saved her and you’ll see her 1232
again in Heaven.” Brendan dried his eye. 1233
“You here to take to heaven?” Brendan inquired.1234
“That I am.” Michael answered. He then turned to Mary’s soul and said “Its time to go 1235
home, m’lady.” Taking Mary by the hand, Michael turned to leave. “Oh yeah, Brendan. The Master 1236
asks that you don’t use that kind of language that much.” Michael then stated.1237
“Huh?” Brendan responded puzzled.1238
“The B word. The Master said not to use that kind of language so much.” Michael 1239
explained, “It makes for bad PR.” The older Archangel smiled. Brendan laughed as Michael and 1240
Mary vanished from sight.1241
*************************************************************1242
In town, Johnny had been joined by Raphael. The two Archangels had hacked and 1243
blasted their way through Moloch’s army. The demon scowled in anger.1244
“I must do something or these Archangels will destroy me!” it thought. Looking over at 1245
the crowd of people, it formulated an idea. Slithering as silently as a snake, the demon made its 1246
way to the crowd of children. 1247
It began ripping the souls out of the children and devouring them in a vain attempt to gain 1248
power. Johnny noticed the demon and began to hack his way toward the children. When 1249
Moloch saw him coming, it grabbed Beth and vanished. This changed matters, as the demon 1250
now had a hostage.1251
“Hey Raph. Can you handle the last of these imps?” Johnny called to his comrade.1252
“Aye, me boy.” Raphael replied. Johnny smirked and vanished, chasing after Moloch.1253
In the large field outside town, Moloch stood with its hostage. It stared upon the green 1254
wheat stalks with a troubled look.1255
“This. This is where this whole bothersome ordeal began.” It snarled in fury.1256
“And this is where it will end, demon!” Johnny exclaimed as he materailized on the open 1257
plane.1258
Chapter 301259
Johnny stood before Moloch in the open field, his sword of flame drawn. Moloch 1260
conjured a demonic sword and held it to Beth’s throat.1261
“One step closer and I’ll kill the girl, Archangel.” It snarled at Johnny. At once a small 1262
blast of holy energy hit the demon in the back of the head, knocking it to the ground. It released 1263
Beth who ran toward Johnny. Brendan stood behind the vile creature with his hand outstretched. 1264
Wafts of energy rose between his fingers like smoke. He vanished and reappeared next to 1265
Johnny.1266
“What up, J?” He asked.1267
“Not much, B. I assume you won your fight.” Johnny replied.1268
“You assume right, J.” Brendan then stated.1269
“Well, this one is mine, B.” Johnny declared.1270
“Works for me.” came the response. Beth at this point made it to the two Archangels. 1271
She recognized them right away.1272
“J-Johnny? Brendan?” she gasped. The two smiled at her.1273
“You were expecting maybe the Easter bunny.” Brendan retorted. Johnny laughed.1274
“But how?” Came her next question.1275
“Long story short,” Johnny stated, “We died and became Archangels with the mission of 1276
defend mankind from evil.” The demon had stood back up and was scowled at the two 1277
Archangels. “Excuse me.” Johnny then stated and vanished.1278
He reappeared face to face with Moloch. He had a smirk on his face. The demon roared 1279
in fury.1280
“I told you, Moloch. It ends here.” Johnny declared. 1281
“So true, Archangel. So true.” It hissed. The two flew into ferocious battle. Swinging 1282
their swords with all their might, the adversaries began to lift off the ground, neither giving an 1283
inch. The battle became aerial. Between sword blows, the two began to fire energy blasts at one 1284
another. The sword fight energy blasts continued for over an hour.1285
After one intense sword blow, the weapons fell like lightning to the ground. Johnny and 1286
Moloch began to pummel each other with a melee of puches and kicks all the while firing energy 1287
each other.1288
On and on the adversaries fought. The melee assault went on for over three hours. 1289
Johnny began to gain the upper hand as Moloch’s acquired powers began to give out. He flew in 1290
with a flurry of punches and kicks. The demon wasn’t able to protect itself.1291
“Damn you, Archangel!” It swore as it was hit with strike after strike from Johnny. It 1292
fired an energy blast at Johnny which he easily deflected and returned the favor. The intense 1293
struggle continued with no end in sight.1294
Suddenly Moloch stopped. It just floated there in the air. An evil grin formed across its 1295
face. It began to chant an arcane incantation. This lasted for several minutes.1296
Once the demon had finished the incantation, it said to Johnny, “Lets see what you can do 1297
against the power of an entire legion of demons rolled into one.” The demon began drawing in 1298
demonic energy.1299
Johnny smirked and in a move quicker than lightning, moved into range and punched 1300
Moloch square in the stomach and fired a massive wave of holy energy, leaving a gaping hole in 1301
the monster.1302
At once all the souls of the children who had been used to gain power were released. 1303
Those whose bodies were already in town returned to their bodies. Those who the witch had 1304
consumed appeared in new bodies. 1305
Moloch began to slowly descend toward the ground. Johnny raised his hand at the demon 1306
once more.1307
“I told you, your evil ends here, demon!” Johnny declared and released a massive wave of 1308
holy energy at Moloch. The demon was vaporized in a spectacular show until all that was left 1309
was ash. 1310
Johnny descended toward the ground. As he landed, Michael and Raphael appeared.1311
“Whats up guys?” he asked nonchalantly.1312
“Well we came to see if you two needed our help,” Michael replied, “but it seems that 1313
you handled the problem thoroughly enough yourselves.” At once Gabriel appeared.1314
“Hey all.” He greeted, “Good job, J and B.”1315
“Thanks.” Johnny and Brendan responded. Johnny stretched his hand toward his sword. 1316
The blade flew through the air and into his hand. He just as quickly sheathed it.1317
“Here are your new orders.”Gabriel then stated. He handed Michael a scroll stating for he 1318
and Raphael to return to train the army. The scroll he handed to Johnny and Brendan stated the 1319
duo’s next case on earth.1320
“Well guys, I guess we’ll catch you on the flip side.” Brendan said to Michael and 1321
Raphael. The older Archangels smiled and nodded. In an instant they vanished. 1322
“Well Gabe, I guess we should get goin’ too.” Johnny told Gabriel.1323
“Yeah, I gotta get back to work as well.” He replied, “Later, B. Later J.” He then 1324
vanished. Johnny and Brendan turned to leave.1325
“Wait!” Beth Shouted.1326
“What’s the matter Beth?” Johnny queried. He looked back at the girl who seemed to 1327
have tears welling in her eyes.1328
“It was you two, wasn’t it?” she inquired. The two men in the diner earlier, that was you 1329
two, wasn’t it?” Brendan smiled and Johnny gave her a smirk. The two ascended into the sky, 1330
vanishing in the first rays of the new dawn.1331
Epilogue1332
A full moon was casting shadows in the small city park in Denver, filling passers on the 1333
nearby street with dread. The silence of the night was suddenly shattered by the screams of a girl 1334
in trouble. The pleas for help emenated the most secluded section of the park, where two 1335
demons were attacking a teenage girl who had been reported as a runaway two days beforehand.1336
The vile creatures were about to rape and murder the poor girl when two mysterious 1337
figures appeared a few feet away.1338
“Hey B! You know what?” Johnny casually asked Brendan.1339
“What’s that, J?” came the reply.1340
“I could sure go for some of Mama’s cookin right now!” Johnny exclaimed.1341
“Yeah, I hear ya, J!” Brendan then responded, “But shouldn’t we send these two bozos 1342
back to hell first?” The demons turned their attention from the girl and focused at Johnny and 1343
Brendan. The air began to thicken with heat and fumes of sulfur and smoke.1344
“Yeah B, you’re right.” Johnny then said with his trademark smirk on his face, “But the 1345
retards always want to do things the hard way!” At that the demons lost their temper. They 1346
threw the girl to the ground and began to stomp furiously toward Johnny and Brendan.1347
Johnny then said, “See what I mean? Retards!”1348
“Yep. Retards!” Brendan replied. The two let out a small chuckle as the air thickened 1349
with extreme heat and sulfur fumes and smoke. The two demons charged at them. The two 1350
Archangels drew their swords of flame and rushed into battle.........1351
End of Act 11352
The Archangel Chronicles: Warriors of God
by jackcrowOn Jul 27 10:53 PMLast login September 10
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