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Hey there

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to tonight's story.

1:20

Johnny Masterson stalked up the stairs

1:22

of the Basilica. He had arrived

1:24

back at Ostia Antica only yesterday.

1:28

The priests there had flapped about him, demanding

1:31

he rest and try to bind his many

1:33

wounds. But he had thrust them

1:35

away, heading straight for the road of sorrow.

1:38

He had walked through the long night, not stopping

1:40

to rest, eat, or drink, his mind

1:43

buzzing with fury. He was at the door

1:45

of the Sistine Chapel, his entire

1:47

body thrumming with energy. He kicked

1:50

open the door and drew his sword, which immediately burst

1:52

into flames as if reacting to its master's

1:54

fury. The Archangel Raphael

1:56

stood by the candle-lit altar.

1:59

of Johnny's approach. He

2:02

turned his face impassive.

2:04

Huh, Johnny, he said.

2:07

You have finally returned. At

2:10

the sound of the angel's voice, Johnny howled and

2:12

charged. Raphael, taken completely off guard,

2:14

stumbled backwards, losing his balance, but

2:16

only for a second.

2:18

As Johnny's sword came whistling down, he moved

2:20

in a blur of motion. Still, Johnny's wild

2:23

swing caught his side, and his golden blood

2:25

began to flow as he howled in pain.

2:28

Johnny, sensing blood, swung about.

2:31

I'm about to cut your fucking head off, he

2:33

growled. Go ahead then, Raphael

2:36

said, standing straighter, clutching

2:38

his bleeding side. Make sure

2:40

you are doing it for the right reasons.

2:43

Oh, I know what you did, Johnny spat.

2:46

The seed of doubt had already been sown in his mind,

2:49

and he stayed his hand for now.

2:51

You made a

2:53

deal with the other side. You betrayed God

2:55

and all of mankind. You made a

2:58

deal with the devil. Actually…

3:02

I didn't,

3:04

Raphael replied, keeping a wary eye

3:06

on Johnny's sword hand. Nothing

3:08

so grand.

3:10

Not the devil, but a

3:12

demon. A crown prince

3:14

of hell, actually.

3:16

You admit it then, Johnny growled.

3:19

His rage bubbled back to the surface. I

3:22

do, but you have to ask

3:24

yourself why I did it. Have

3:26

you ever stopped to think that, or are you too

3:29

consumed with your own petulant

3:31

rage? Be careful, Raphael.

3:34

Be very careful how you speak to me right

3:37

now. Explain this to me and make it quick.

3:41

Suddenly, the angel's eyes burned with rage.

3:44

In quick as lightning, he grabbed the blade of Johnny's

3:46

sword, which shattered into a hundred

3:48

pieces before backhanding him savagely

3:50

across the face, setting him flying across

3:52

the room in an explosion of splintered pews,

3:55

and hot wax candles.

3:58

Instantly, the angel was upon him. grabbing

4:00

him up by the throat, his legs kicking as he

4:02

choked and gagged. "'I

4:05

should kill you now,' Raphael

4:07

hissed, rubbing his own blood across

4:09

Johnny's face. But even

4:12

in heaven, you are protected.

4:14

God himself has put you under his

4:16

protection. I've asked for

4:18

your death many times, Johnny.

4:22

You're arrogant, petulant, and

4:24

worst of all,

4:26

disobedient. But he

4:28

tells me, be patient with you. He

4:31

demands that you live, and so,'

4:34

he said, dumping Johnny unceremoniously

4:37

onto the hardstone floor. "'Your

4:39

life is yours, for now. I've

4:43

never disobeyed my God, Johnny,

4:45

not in an eternity of lifetimes.

4:48

But if you ever bleed me again, I shall

4:52

rip you apart and

4:54

consequence be damned.' "'God,

4:59

be damned. Now

5:01

get up and listen to what I have to tell you, for

5:04

I keep his press-ups and hold my feet

5:06

from every evil way, in

5:09

order to keep thy word.'

5:12

"'I do not turn aside from thy ordinance,'

5:15

Johnny finished for him, and he

5:17

stood straight, massaging his bruised

5:19

and battered

5:20

throat. "'Very good, Johnny.'

5:24

"'Now take a seat,' the angel said,

5:27

straightening a nearby pew. Johnny

5:30

did as he was bid, and turned to face the waiting

5:33

angel, who sighed, knowing he still

5:35

had much explaining to do.

5:39

"'We are losing this war. The

5:41

whole world belongs to Hell's

5:43

Legion. Oh, yes, we

5:46

are taking it back one scrap of land

5:48

at a time, but it is a mere drop

5:50

in a vast ocean of shit.'

5:53

"'What we need is an ace in the hole,

5:55

a trump card. You're

5:58

playing a game, Johnny. A- huge

6:00

hand of poker for the entire

6:02

world, perhaps even for the realms

6:05

both above and below it. We

6:07

need power,

6:08

and I know where to get it, or at least…

6:12

I know someone who claims to know. Cut

6:15

the crap, Raphael, and get to the

6:17

point. Very well, Raphael

6:20

replied. You're going on a quest.

6:22

A quest far from

6:24

here, just like Arthur and the Knights of the Round

6:27

Table. Quest for what,

6:29

Johnny asked?

6:31

The Spear of Destiny, the angel

6:33

smiled, bathing Johnny in a warm

6:36

glow. The very

6:38

spear that pierced Christ's side.

6:42

But first, you're going to demon

6:44

land to meet a crown prince

6:46

of hell.

6:58

That night, Johnny stood outside the Castel Sant'Angelo, staring

7:02

noodle across the night-shrouded river. He

7:05

walked down the Villa della Concilieazon, but

7:08

was left of it anyway. The place

7:11

had once been a thriving, bustling street, a

7:14

tourist hotbed built between 1936 and 1950. It connected St. Peter's

7:16

Square to the Castel Sant'Angelo.

7:22

Now it lay in ruin. Its fine

7:24

shops and elegant cafes nothing more than

7:26

burnt out empty shelves, haunted

7:28

by the night winds and the souls of the lost.

7:31

If Johnny closed his eyes, he could almost hear the screams

7:34

of the dying, the

7:35

choking smell of fire, the terrible

7:37

roar of demons as they

7:40

slaughtered everything in their path, wading

7:42

through rivers of blood as they charged the

7:44

last stronghold of humanity, the

7:47

Vatican itself.

7:49

Johnny had forgotten many things in his life. Some

7:52

had even purposefully blanked from his mind, yet

7:55

he remembered every moment of that day. How

7:58

he stood in St. Peter's Square.

8:00

A mere man amongst angels with flaming

8:03

swords, watching in terror as

8:05

the hordes of hell scrambled

8:07

and scuttled towards them, yet holding fast,

8:10

shallowing his fear determined

8:13

to do his duty. The

8:15

first wave had hit the narrow entryway to St.

8:17

Peter's in a mass of whirling claws

8:19

and chomping teeth, only to be sent

8:21

reeling back as their vile bodies burst

8:23

into flames, consumed by holy

8:26

fire. Screaming, they had turned

8:28

back, fleeing into their mass ranks,

8:31

spreading the fire that jumped from demon to

8:33

demon with terrifying speed. The

8:35

angels, sensing the turning tide, charged

8:38

the word of God upon their lips.

8:40

They cut into the howling ranks, cutting

8:43

them down with their flaming swords, jotting

8:46

amongst them his silver sword

8:48

flashing.

8:50

He was imbued with the power of God, his

8:53

arm tireless, his joy

8:55

of the slaughter almost overwhelming

8:57

as he screamed his hatred, bathing

9:00

in the loathsome blood of his enemies until they

9:02

had fled howling back into the darkness

9:05

from whence they came.

9:08

You are smiling, Johnny, thinking

9:11

of better days. Johnny gave a small

9:13

start and quickly opened his eyes, cursing

9:15

himself for being caught off guard so easily. There

9:19

was a woman standing before him. She

9:22

was a small petite brunette with

9:24

short-cropped hair and piercing green eyes.

9:28

She was naked and unashamed, the

9:31

moonlight turning her curvaceous flesh silver.

9:34

Terra, Johnny sculled. He

9:37

vanished just after we escaped the island. He

9:40

was the envoy I was supposed to meet,

9:43

he said, trying to keep his voice neutral.

9:46

I was told we'd meet on the other side of the bridge. I

9:50

was waiting for you. When

9:52

you did not cross, I came to collect you, for

9:54

the hour was getting late and my master does

9:56

not like to be kept waiting. Besides.

10:00

He's most eager to meet you, Johnny. You

10:02

have quite the reputation in the rim. Mothers

10:06

tell their children that you'll come for them if

10:08

they do not get right to sleep." Johnny

10:11

ignored this. If you were a master

10:14

so eager to see me, then why didn't he

10:16

come himself?

10:18

The girl scowled at that. "...You

10:21

know my master cannot cross the river. How

10:24

very clever of your priests to bless

10:26

the waters." So he

10:28

sent you instead. One

10:30

of their pet humans. If

10:34

the girl was offended by this, she

10:36

gave no sign, but slinked closer,

10:38

placing a hand on Johnny's chest. "...Tell

10:41

me, Johnny," she whispered into his

10:43

face. "...Before we go any

10:45

further, are

10:47

you carrying

10:48

any weapons or holy objects?

10:52

Any tiny little silver trinkets we

10:54

should know about? How about

10:56

bones, Johnny?" She said, her

10:58

hand sinking lower. "...Do

11:00

you have the bone of a saint hidden in your pants?"

11:03

Angrily, Johnny shoved her away. "...Keep your

11:05

hands to yourself, whore. Agreements

11:08

have been made by both parties. I carry no

11:10

weapons or holy objects."

11:13

"...So you say," she spat. "...But

11:16

your words mean nothing to me, killer.

11:19

If I let you in the presence of my master armed,

11:22

you will kill me in ways you cannot even begin to

11:24

imagine. You would be surprised

11:26

what I can imagine." Johnny smiled.

11:29

"...Let's get one thing clear. I

11:32

care nothing about your life, even less

11:34

about how and when you die. You're

11:37

a traitor to humanity, and even worse, to God,

11:39

to all those others that

11:41

choose to live amongst the unclean. You'd

11:44

better lead the way.

11:45

Like you said, your master doesn't like to be kept waiting,

11:48

and my patience is wearing thin."

11:54

For a moment the girl stood there, her tiny fists

11:56

clenched by her side, and

11:58

her shoulders The others slumped. "'Farewell,'

12:02

she said, turning away.

12:04

"'Follow, then. Let's hope you don't do

12:06

anything stupid enough to get us both killed.'

12:10

Johnny said nothing but followed on behind her, trying

12:12

not to watch the hypnotic swaying of her hips,

12:15

and wishing he had learned to walk with his eyes

12:17

closed. They

12:20

had just stepped off the end of the bridge when the girl suddenly

12:22

collapsed like a marionette puppet with its strings

12:24

cut, wrapping her head smartly

12:26

on the concrete. She rushed over and knelt

12:29

by her, fumbling for a pulse.

12:32

But there was none. Cursing

12:35

he began CPR, starting compressions

12:37

on her chest. He listened for a heartbeat,

12:42

but there was still none. Pinching

12:45

her nose, he brought his mouth down upon hers, forming

12:48

a seal that he tried to breathe life back into

12:50

her body. Just then, her legs wrapped around his

12:52

body, and her tongue plunged into his mouth as

12:54

she kissed him deeply. With a cry, Johnny

12:56

reared back and looked into a face straight from

12:58

hell. The girl's eyes had turned a glowing

13:01

crimson in her tongue. Wish she had read

13:03

it over her bow-shaped lips. Was

13:06

long and forked.

13:07

Johnny staggered to his feet, the girl's legs still

13:09

wrapped around him, and grabbed her hips, meaning

13:12

to slam her hard into the ground, but she leapt free,

13:14

landing some distance away as nimbly as

13:17

a cat. "'Now, now,'

13:19

the thing said as Johnny, who stood there,

13:22

head down, breathing hard like a bull,

13:24

ready to charge. "'Let's

13:27

not get carried away over one little

13:29

kiss,' it giggled. Besides,

13:32

you would only be hurting the girl. Tara

13:35

likes it rough, but I think what you

13:37

have in mind may be a little too much for

13:39

even her tastes. We both know

13:41

I can tear you apart if I wished.

13:44

I may be clothed in flesh, but

13:47

I can drive it far beyond the limits of normal

13:49

human endurance. Want

13:51

to see?' It said, its

13:54

eyes glowing dangerously as it approached. Johnny

13:57

took two careful steps backwards onto the bridge, and

13:59

the creature stopped. stopped. The

14:02

creature hissed, the great Johnny

14:04

Masterson, running

14:06

away. I picked

14:08

my battles in my own time, Johnny

14:10

said, back in control now. I

14:13

take it you're the real envoy I was supposed

14:15

to meet. Of course, my

14:17

master went out and sent a mere human to greet

14:20

such an… auspicious

14:22

guest. Terra agreed

14:24

to be my meat suit for the evening. I

14:26

sent her to come and get you when you didn't cross the bridge,

14:29

and now her dawdling has cost us much

14:31

time. I'm afraid she'll have to

14:33

be punished, it said, burning

14:36

a hand suggestively over the girl's naked breast.

14:38

You can watch if you like.

14:41

Maybe even join in. My master

14:43

has many joys for those who have faith

14:46

in him. I'm sure. Let's

14:48

go meet this master of yours then. I

14:51

grew tired of these games. Just

14:54

one thing before we go, Johnny said, stepping

14:56

off the bridge. You know my

14:58

name. But what's

15:00

your name? Demon.

15:03

I don't think

15:05

so, Johnny. Words have

15:07

power, as you well know. I'll

15:10

tell you nothing, but if you must

15:12

give me a name, you can call me

15:14

Jesus. Fuck you. We'll

15:17

see who fucks whom before the night's through,

15:20

the creature snarled. But if you insist,

15:23

you can call me by the girl's name, Tara. One

15:26

name is as good as the next, but

15:28

for now, best be on our way.

15:39

The

15:39

rim, once known as Via de

15:41

Coronari, was a long,

15:44

narrow, cobblestone street with

15:46

high stone buildings, hidden courtyards,

15:49

and leaning arches. As a

15:51

thriving hub for tourists, the place

15:53

had sunken to deprivation, long

15:55

gone were the antique shops with their fine

15:57

ornaments and plate glass windows.

16:00

No longer did people sip fine aromatic

16:02

coffees from awning covered cafes

16:05

or walk arm in arm on a

16:07

balmy summer night, the happy

16:09

sound of milling people all about them, the

16:12

rich smell of Italian cuisine and the sharp

16:14

tang of wine assaulting

16:16

the senses. Now the

16:18

street was a shadow of its former self,

16:21

the buildings burned and crumbling. The

16:24

fine cafes turned into bawdy houses,

16:26

with dregs of humanity frolicked with

16:29

the denizens of hell. The

16:31

streets were lined with flame-eyed prostitutes

16:33

willing to show you all the pleasures of hell

16:36

for a sip of your blood, a lick

16:38

of your sweat, or a taste

16:41

of your soul.

16:43

Cut throats lurked in the shadows, for

16:45

there was no law

16:47

in the rim, only

16:49

the hell on earth it had become. Screams

16:53

of pain and pleasure cut through the air. All

16:56

about him was the smell of decaying flesh-fire

16:58

sex and the obnoxious stink

17:01

of burning fuel from the many generators

17:03

that powered the flashing lights and ear-shattering

17:06

music. Yet Johnny felt in

17:08

little danger for wherever

17:10

Terra was turning her gaze. Eyes

17:13

immediately turned to the ground and words

17:15

died on lips.

17:18

Johnny was just about to ask how much further

17:20

when Terra came to a halt outside a heavy rusted

17:22

metal gate that led to what looked

17:24

like a small courtyard. A

17:27

large bald man stood guarding the entrance.

17:30

His silver eyes did not turn away. A Terra's

17:32

approach would glare at her naked flesh greedily.

17:35

Johnny took in the man's pale skin and

17:38

bulging mouth.

17:40

You

17:40

were one of the first wave, Johnny said,

17:43

drawing closer. A vampire,

17:46

a demon masquerading as one of man's worst

17:48

fears, said in those early

17:50

days to terrify and sow

17:53

discord, to make way for

17:55

your master Lucifer. The

17:57

big man smiled, revealing teeth a wolf would

17:59

be proud of him. of.

18:01

"'What do you know of us, little man?'

18:04

he laughed,

18:05

drawing closer, a strange hunger

18:07

in his eyes. "'I know you're trapped

18:09

by the form you chose,'

18:11

Johnny said, holding his ground. "'You

18:14

may have all the strength of the creature you've chosen,

18:16

but now… now you

18:18

have all of its weaknesses, too, I know,'

18:21

Johnny said, looking the big man up

18:23

and down. "'We're in Italy.

18:26

"'Let's order a garlic pizza, you son

18:28

of a bitch,' the big man growled, reaching

18:30

for Johnny with sharp talon-like hands. But

18:33

Terra was already there, striking the big man

18:35

across the cheek, setting him crashing to the ground. Instantly,

18:38

he was on his feet, backing away and rubbing the red

18:40

welt forming across his face. "'You

18:43

protect humans now?' he snarled.

18:45

"'This human happens to be our master's

18:48

property, and he's under his protection

18:50

until he says otherwise.' Johnny

18:53

wanted to argue that, but decided that now

18:56

was not the best time. "'Of

18:58

course, you could always bring it up with him, if

19:00

you disagree,' Terra continued.

19:03

"'I'm sure he'd be very interested to hear your opinion.'

19:07

The big man turned even paler, if that

19:09

was at all possible, and mumbled something to

19:11

himself slinging off into the night. "'Well,'

19:14

Terra said, turning with a grin, wasn't

19:16

that fun. "'Sentino's

19:19

always a little too full of himself, and

19:21

why do vampires always give them such fruity-sounding

19:24

names? I mean, Sentino, shh, yeah

19:26

right. They're nothing more than pond

19:29

slime, only little better than those

19:31

poor wretches that possesses the flesh

19:33

to keep themselves from the pit.'

19:36

"'As you're doing now?' Johnny said.

19:39

"'Only because I want to,' Terra frowned. "'Not

19:42

because I have to.'

19:44

Remember that, Johnny. "'You're not dealing

19:46

with second-class citizens anymore. You've

19:49

reached the big time now, boy. My

19:51

master is more powerful

19:53

than you could ever imagine. Bullshit.

19:57

No demon of any significance could dwell so close to the sky.'

19:59

to the Vatican, not even here on the rim,

20:02

only flesh-huggers and their psychophants dwell here.

20:05

"'We shall see, Johnny. We

20:08

shall see. Come,' she

20:10

said, pushing through the doorway.

20:13

Let's go see the master." The

20:16

building they entered had once been a prestigious

20:18

hotel with a fine marble floor and

20:21

a large open foyer, all

20:23

dark woods, brass, and leather sofas.

20:25

A large dusty-looking fireplace lay

20:28

against a back wall and Johnny noticed

20:30

blackened bones and a dusty

20:33

skull grinning up at him.

20:35

Together they moved down the corridor past

20:37

closed doors, their tarnished brass

20:39

numbers glowing sadly in the flickering lights.

20:42

Johnny began to hear noises. The noises

20:44

grew as they came to a set of large double doors

20:47

with a bronze plaque saying, "'Sola

20:49

del Fonzione'', or Function

20:51

Room in English."

20:53

Smiling, Tara threw open the Function Room

20:55

doors with a grand sweeping gesture revealing

20:58

the chaos within.

21:00

The room was large, a perfect

21:03

square with a high-raised daze running through

21:05

the middle. On either side of

21:07

the daze, hundreds of bodies contorted

21:09

and twined, a mass orgy

21:11

of pain and pleasure. Johnny

21:14

watched on in horror as a man bit into

21:16

a woman's throat. Blood sprayed

21:18

everywhere, the surrounding participants groaning

21:21

in pleasure as the blood covered their naked flesh,

21:24

the air reeked of sex, blood,

21:26

and sweat. The smell turned

21:28

Johnny's stomach as they entered the room

21:30

more

21:30

fully. Tara,

21:33

sensing Johnny's discomfort, smiled

21:35

and caressed, thrusting buttocks as

21:37

they passed.

21:39

At her touch, the squirming bodies moved to

21:41

one side and Johnny realized

21:43

in horror that they were

21:45

not dealing with a group of lust-crazed individuals.

21:49

But with one writhing mass

21:52

of fused flesh and bone, "'Good

21:56

God,' he groaned, "'What

21:58

have you done?'" We

22:01

have done nothing," Terra said, climbing

22:04

onto the days. They're victims

22:06

of their own sin. "'Then

22:08

what sin would that be?' Johnny

22:11

said, following on behind her. Trusting

22:14

demons? No!' A

22:16

voice exclaimed from the back of the room. "'Their

22:20

sin is lust, Johnny.'

22:23

Terra quickly moved to one side, revealing the

22:25

back of the room. A man sat upon

22:27

a large chair that could only be described

22:30

as a throne.

22:31

He was decked out in a full tuxedo,

22:33

and his skin glowed black like an ebony

22:35

jewel. Only his eyes shone

22:37

like red lamps from his face, where

22:40

they studied Johnny, who stood pinned

22:42

in place, feeling the waves

22:44

of power emanating from the creature before

22:46

him.

22:47

Johnny had only felt such power once before,

22:49

and he had fled in terror before

22:52

it, as the sky had rained brimstone

22:54

and sulfur. Now he stood

22:56

before it again, and

22:58

it marched over his body like biting

23:00

insects, making his bladder feel

23:02

hot and heavy. Taking up deep

23:05

breath, he swallowed his fear,

23:08

and slowly approached. The

23:11

creature on the throne raised one razor-thin

23:13

eyebrow, and nodded knowingly as

23:16

Johnny stopped before it. The

23:18

girl, by his side, immediately dropped to

23:20

her knees, a look of crazed adoration

23:22

on her face. As

23:25

promised, I've delivered the messenger

23:27

unto you safe and sound master. The

23:30

thing on the throne ignored the girl and leaned forward,

23:33

its face almost touching Johnny's chest as

23:35

it breathed him in. "'You

23:38

stink

23:38

of fear, Johnny,' fit

23:41

said, its eyes running about

23:43

his face.

23:44

And yet, you do not

23:47

run." "'That

23:49

is good. A man can only

23:51

truly be brave when he is afraid.' "'You,'

23:56

it said, turning to the kneeling girl.

23:59

Take care of that.' to her room and then find yourself

24:01

another flesh to inhabit. Tell

24:04

the girl to stay there until I call for her."

24:06

"'Yes, Master,'

24:08

it replied, and quickly moved away." "'Alone

24:14

at last, eh? Better

24:17

that way, we have much to

24:19

discuss.' Johnny said

24:21

nothing, but looked about him at the

24:23

withering figures below. Them?'

24:26

the creature laughed. "'I

24:29

suppose you are right they do make quite

24:31

the noise, don't they?' That

24:33

said, the creature clicked his fingers and the whole

24:35

writhing mass was suddenly enveloped in searing

24:37

flame. They had one instant to

24:39

let out a scream of anguish, but they

24:41

are nothing more than smoking ash."

24:44

Johnny was silent, his face impassive.

24:48

If he showed remorse or anger, the

24:50

demon would only taunt him with it. They

24:53

were creatures of pure evil, the

24:55

abominations in the eyes of God, and

24:58

fed upon man's misery and disgust. He

25:01

would give the creature nothing.

25:03

He had been ordered here by Raphael to find

25:05

out what this creature knew of the

25:08

spear and its whereabouts. He

25:10

intended to do just that,

25:11

then hurry back to the safety of the Vatican.

25:14

He felt helpless, almost naked, without

25:17

his weapons, and completely at the mercy

25:19

of the creature before him. Only

25:21

Raphael's absolute reassurance that

25:24

he would not be harmed in any way, in

25:26

his own morbid curiosity, had convinced

25:28

him to come in the first place.

25:31

"'What are you thinking, Johnny?'

25:33

the creature asked, leading back into

25:35

its throne. "'I

25:38

want to know who you are, and how a creature

25:40

obviously as powerful as yourself could

25:42

reside so close to the Seat of God.'" "'The

25:45

Seat of God.'

25:48

Is that what you call that Boy Scout club of yours?"

25:52

"'If the Vatican was a seat, God

25:55

would be shitting on it.' "'Tell

25:59

me how long do you...' people think you can survive

26:01

in there. A year? Maybe

26:03

two? If disease doesn't

26:05

get you, famine will.

26:09

We've managed this long, Johnny

26:11

Shrug. But you did not answer

26:13

my question. What question was

26:15

that? You asked two. Your

26:17

name? Tell me your name. And

26:20

what would you do with that? You

26:23

can't exercise me like the rest, Johnny.

26:26

The flesh you see before you is my

26:28

own. Even

26:30

the scars on my neck where

26:32

my wings were torn from me by

26:35

my own

26:36

brothers just before they cast me into the

26:39

pit. Your wings,

26:41

Johnny gasped. Who

26:44

are you? My

26:47

name is Asmodeus, mortal.

26:51

I was once an angel. Raphael and

26:53

I were brothers before I was cast

26:55

down. Now I am

26:58

one of the seven crowned

27:00

princes of hell.

27:03

Lust, Johnny gasped. It

27:06

all falling into place. The naked

27:08

girl, the withering mass of naked, biting

27:10

flesh. You're the master

27:13

of lust.

27:14

Very good, Johnny. Get a gold

27:16

star. Go to the front of the class.

27:21

That's how you're doing it. That's how you

27:23

can stay so close to the Vatican. Your followers are

27:25

shielding you, feeding you with their power, their

27:27

life essence. Yeah, you

27:29

could say I'm fucking

27:32

them to death. But

27:34

not to worry. Once our business is

27:37

concluded here, I'll be on my way. I

27:40

am needed elsewhere and still

27:42

have much to do. And

27:44

what is our business? Johnny asked,

27:47

his head reeling. Have a seat,

27:50

Johnny, Asmodeus said. Once

27:52

again, he clicked his fingers and a small wooden chair appeared

27:55

directly behind Johnny. Johnny

27:57

took the offered seat and said nothing, waiting

27:59

for the demon.

27:59

to begin. So

28:02

tell me, Johnny, tell

28:04

me what my brother Raphael has told you. Not

28:08

much, he said with a shrug. Why

28:10

don't you tell me what you know first, then we can

28:12

go from here. As Modia

28:15

shook his head sadly. So…

28:18

untrusting.

28:21

Don't you know we are to be allies

28:23

in this venture?

28:25

Sure. You go first,

28:28

ally. The demon laughed uproariously

28:31

and clapped his knee. I see why

28:34

my brother likes you. You

28:36

have spirit. I have made

28:38

saints and angels piss their pants

28:41

and there you sit asking questions barking

28:43

commands.

28:45

All right, I'll humor

28:47

you then. My brother's

28:49

told me he wishes to acquire the Spear

28:51

of Destiny to strengthen

28:54

his power and to protect your people.

28:57

The only thing he does not know is

29:00

where it is. I,

29:02

however, do. And

29:05

so, he sent you to retrieve the

29:07

information for him, sent a mortal

29:10

to travel where he dare not. Why

29:14

would you give him this information, Johnny

29:16

asked? Why would a demon, a crown

29:19

prince of hell no less, and

29:21

a sworn enemy of heaven help an angel?

29:24

I'm not helping him. I'm

29:27

helping you. Me.

29:30

Why would you help me? Not

29:33

just you, Johnny. But

29:35

your kind humanity.

29:40

And why would you do that? I

29:43

have my reasons.

29:45

As Modius waved the question away, my

29:48

reasons are my own. Agreements

29:53

have been made in a bargain struck. The

29:56

spear you seek is

29:58

in England.

29:59

Well, what's

30:02

left of it, anyway? Where? Johnny

30:05

asked, leaning eagerly forward despite

30:07

himself, where is the spear that struck the

30:09

sight of Christ? At

30:12

the name Christ, the demon winced and

30:14

shifted nervously. Be

30:16

careful how you use such words of power,

30:19

Johnny.

30:20

Such names should not be

30:22

uttered with such casual

30:25

ease. But

30:28

in answer to your question, Cornwall,

30:31

the spear is in Cornwall, in

30:34

Mavagesi, to be precise. At

30:37

the name of the village, Johnny's face grew pale, and

30:40

his eyes, glazed as images of

30:42

fire and death, flitted through his mind.

30:46

Ah,

30:47

I see you remember Cornwall

30:49

well, as Moteus chuckled. I

30:52

believe you met my brother, Mamun,

30:55

there, right at the beginning, before the

30:57

true fun began. He

30:59

wiped out an entire village just

31:01

to get your attention. How

31:03

the people died there, most horribly.

31:06

Again, images rocketed through Johnny's

31:09

mind.

31:10

A quayside. The roaring sea.

31:12

A pile of bodies. The missing

31:15

villagers. Hundreds of them. Thousands

31:17

of them. Piled up into a rotting

31:19

mountain of

31:21

flesh. Sat

31:24

atop a small girl. A girl

31:26

who grew into a raging inferno with black

31:28

wings. Its breath was

31:30

a sulfur stink, and it screamed

31:33

its message, and vile threats

31:35

after a fleeing Johnny. Threats

31:37

that all came true as humanity fell under

31:39

the onslaught of hell.

31:43

Why there, Johnny asked, pulling

31:46

himself from the past. Why

31:49

that god forsaken place. It

31:53

has always been there, as

31:55

Moteus replied. It

31:57

was taken there by two little-known iris.

32:00

Saint-Meva, Saint-Isi,

32:04

for which the village is named, placed

32:06

upon a high shelf inside a tidal

32:09

cave. Still rests there

32:11

to this very day, thousands, eh,

32:14

millions have walked above it, never

32:17

knowing a true relic of Christendom

32:20

laid just beneath their feet.

32:24

So where's the cave? Johnny

32:26

asked, eager now. But Asmodeus only

32:28

shook his head mockingly. Oh, I don't

32:31

think so. You'll only

32:33

get the last part of the puzzle when

32:35

you reach Mavigas. For

32:37

now, you have enough to get started.

32:40

Wait! Johnny was just about to question the demon

32:42

further when Asmodeus quickly rose to his feet. Get

32:45

yourself gone from here, Johnny, he

32:47

said, turning his back. And tell my brother

32:50

all that I've told you.

32:52

Take the rest of your insufferable questions

32:54

to him. He'll give you the answers you seek

32:56

now. Farewell.

33:01

And just like that,

33:02

he vanished into the shadows.

33:05

For a moment, only his glowing eyes remained.

33:09

And then, he

33:12

was gone. The

33:16

long walk back was uneventful. The

33:19

sky was starting to lighten now, and most

33:21

of the denizens of the rim had withdrawn

33:24

to their hovels, or whatever nefarious

33:26

place they called home.

33:28

A few stragglers remained, but they gave Johnny

33:30

no trouble. He passed through, not

33:33

really seeing them, as he walked

33:35

on, his mind reeling with all he

33:37

had learned until he walked over the flowing waters

33:39

of the Tiber and back into the land

33:41

of God.

33:44

The next day, Johnny was standing in the doorway of

33:46

the Pope's study, deep inside the Apostleithic

33:49

Palace. At

33:51

first, he had returned to the Sistine Chapel,

33:53

but Raphael was no longer there.

33:56

Funny how dismal the place looked now that the angels

33:58

had departed.

33:59

looked up at the ceiling, at

34:01

the faces of the angels looking down upon him.

34:04

Compared to the real thing, they were the scribblings

34:07

of a child, and held no fascination

34:09

for him anymore.

34:12

Quickly he hurried on, wondering where to look

34:14

next. He was just about to question

34:16

a passing cardinal, all dressed in red and

34:19

puffed up with his own importance. When a

34:21

small white feather drifted down

34:23

from the ceiling and hovered before Johnny's eyes, Johnny

34:26

reached out to touch it, but the feather drifted away to his

34:28

right. When he did not

34:30

follow, it floated back and brushed his face.

34:33

Instantly the smell of vanilla and cinnamon filled his nostrils,

34:36

followed by a flash of Raphael's smiling face

34:38

in his mind. He blinked, and

34:40

the image was gone.

34:42

Yet the message was understood.

34:44

He turned and followed the feather towards the apostolithic

34:46

palace. Now

34:48

he was here, and so was the angel, sat

34:51

behind the pope's large ornate carved desk,

34:54

looking at him with questioning eyes. Do

34:58

come in, Johnny, and have a seat.

35:01

He said, gesturing to a simple wooden chair on the

35:03

opposite side of the desk.

35:05

I am eager to hear all you have learned. Johnny

35:08

did it to his bid, but said nothing, his

35:11

eyes searching Raphael's face. As

35:13

for the angel, he leaned back in his chair, a

35:16

small smile on his lips, and Johnny

35:18

understood that he had infinite patience. Would

35:21

happily sit there, with that shady grin

35:23

on his face, until hell froze over if that

35:25

was the way Johnny wanted to play it.

35:28

Alright, Johnny said, losing patience.

35:32

I want to know what's going on here. Why

35:34

are we consorting with demons now, and

35:36

not just any demon, but the crown prince of hell

35:38

no less? Right here

35:41

on our own doorstep. I want some

35:43

answers, Raphael, and I want them now. Told

35:47

you who he was, did he? And

35:49

after I gave him strict instructions not

35:51

to. Raphael,

35:53

that's demons for you.

35:56

Always playing their silly games.

35:59

What games are you playing? Play," Johnny asked, leaning

36:01

closer. I want some answers

36:03

before this goes any further. First,

36:07

tell me," Raphael said, standing

36:09

and starting to pace about the room. What

36:12

did the demon tell you? He

36:15

told me that the spear was in Cornwall,

36:18

in a cave beneath the village of Mavagizzie.

36:21

What cave? Where is its exact

36:24

location? He wouldn't

36:26

say. He told me that was enough

36:28

information to be going on with, and we'd

36:30

learn more when we get to the village.

36:33

Learn more,

36:36

Raphael said, stopping his pacing

36:38

and drawing closer to Johnny.

36:40

And how are we supposed to do that?

36:43

I have no idea. That's all that he would

36:45

say on the matter. Now I have some questions of my

36:47

own.

36:49

I have no time for your bothersome questions,

36:51

the angel said, seating himself back behind

36:53

the desk.

36:54

I have preparations to make for your immediate departure

36:56

to Ostia and Tyca, and from there, by

36:59

seat of Cornwall. Go get some rest. A

37:01

good meal. Gather your equipment. You'll

37:04

be on the road of sorrow by first light tomorrow

37:06

morning. Goodbye Johnny. No!

37:09

I'm going nowhere until you answer my questions!

37:13

Immediately the angel was on his feet, his wings spread, hands

37:15

slamming on the table, his blue eyes blazing

37:18

as he loomed above Johnny. Johnny

37:20

also jumped to his feet, leaning aggressively forward

37:22

until their noses were almost touching.

37:25

I told you I'm not going anywhere you son of a bitch.

37:27

You can kill me, banish me, do whatever

37:30

the hell you please, but you can't

37:32

make me go. God gave us something you

37:34

don't have, free will, and I'm

37:36

telling you, unless you tell me what

37:38

the fuck is going on between you and

37:40

the godforsaken black-hearted bastard demon that

37:42

I'm not stepping one foot outside

37:45

the walls of Vatican.

37:49

For a moment the angel seemed to grow bigger,

37:52

the muscles in his arms bunching and Johnny was

37:54

sure his time had come but

37:58

then Raphael let out a shuddering sigh. and

38:00

suddenly dropped back down into his chair, rubbing

38:03

the sides of his head like he was in the grip of some

38:05

terrible migraine.

38:09

You vex me, Johnny. You

38:12

vex me a lot. If

38:15

your mentor, Father Matthew, was still alive, I

38:17

would banish you to the rim and send

38:20

him in your place. And he probably

38:22

would have done a better job. But he's gone.

38:25

And I'm all you have left. Yes,

38:29

Raphael said. Unfortunately,

38:31

you are.

38:36

So tell me, Johnny said, what's

38:39

going on between you and this demon and why are

38:41

we making deals with devils? Devils,

38:44

indeed. Or, in this case, just one.

38:48

Lucifer. I'm

38:50

not talking about Lucifer. I'm talking

38:52

about Asmodeus. But Raphael

38:54

held up a restraining hand. If

38:57

you wanted answers, then you'll close your mouth and

38:59

listen, for he who has the wisdom

39:01

to keep silent will inherit the wisdom of ages.

39:05

Lucifer, did

39:07

you ever wonder where he is? When

39:10

Johnny did not answer, the angel

39:13

went on. Where

39:15

he is in all this, in all

39:18

the battles you fought, did

39:20

you ever see him leading the hordes of hell?

39:23

No,

39:23

you didn't. And do you know why?

39:26

You did not

39:28

see him because he was not there.

39:32

Everything was going according to plan. The

39:34

gates of hell had opened. As

39:36

it is written by revelations, the hordes

39:39

of hell

39:40

invaded the earth. Gabriel blew

39:42

his trumpet and the dead rose. All

39:45

was going according to plan, except the

39:47

Lord of hell never showed up.

39:49

Lucifer himself, missing

39:52

from the final confrontation. M-I-A,

39:55

Johnny.

39:57

He fucked up the entire prophecy.

40:00

And so it was left to his lieutenants to take

40:02

over, seven of them. The

40:04

seven crowned princes of hell to lead

40:06

the charge, who with Lucifer missing,

40:08

the prophecy could not be fulfilled.

40:14

We fought ourselves to a bloody

40:17

stalemate, and now we wait

40:19

here in this purgatory for

40:21

someone to take action, and that's

40:23

what I'm trying to do. I

40:25

want to end this conflict once and for

40:27

all, and with the spear, I can

40:30

do it. The princes

40:32

are impervious to any kind of weapon, and

40:34

even I cannot destroy them alone, but

40:37

if I have the spear anointed with the blood of Christ,

40:40

the blood of God made flesh, then

40:42

I could destroy them once and for all, and not just

40:45

for us. But

40:46

for you, Johnny, for all of

40:48

mankind, you will be able to take

40:50

back your world and rebuild it, learn

40:53

from the past mistakes, make a new

40:55

Eden for yourselves. But

40:57

only if you help me. Will

41:01

you? Will you

41:03

help me? Okay, Johnny

41:05

said, convinced. But I have two

41:08

questions first.

41:09

Okay. Ask your

41:11

questions, then. The demon. Why

41:14

is it helping us? What's in it for him? He

41:16

sure as shit ain't doing it out of the goodness of his heart. That's

41:20

right. He's

41:22

doing it to survive. Johnny

41:25

was just about to interrupt, but Raphael waved

41:27

his next question away with an impatient hand

41:29

before going on. Asmodeus's

41:32

sphere of influence lusts, if

41:34

humanity is wiped out, he will wither

41:36

and die. He has

41:38

been severely weakened by the loss of so

41:40

many human lives.

41:42

He's in his best interest to see humanity flourish

41:45

once again, so he can reign much of his

41:47

former power. I'm sorry,

41:49

Johnny interrupted, but I don't understand. Why

41:52

does he need humanity? Why not feed off his fellow

41:54

demons or the hordes of hell? They

41:57

sure as shit are a lot more of a lustful bunch.

42:00

Yes, they are, Raphael sighed,

42:02

seemingly tired now. But

42:05

it's the wrong kind of lust. Demon

42:07

lusts after power, blood, pain,

42:10

but not sex. Oh yes,

42:12

they'll use it to degrade and manipulate, but in the

42:14

end, it's a fallacy. All they

42:16

truly desire is power and blood.

42:19

Only humans can give Mamun what he

42:21

needs, what he feeds

42:24

upon. Without

42:26

your kind, he starves. And

42:29

that's why he's helping us. And

42:32

you trust him? Johnny laughed.

42:35

No, never. But

42:37

I trust his motivations and keen sense

42:39

of self-preservation. Besides,

42:42

we need all the allies we can muster. The

42:45

endgame is upon us. The wretched

42:47

stalemate cannot last.

42:50

Like all good games, there must

42:52

be a winner and a loser.

42:55

Is this all this is to you?

42:57

One kind of fucking game?

42:59

Oh yes, the angel

43:01

smiled. Yes, indeed,

43:03

it's a high stakes poker game, and

43:06

right now, we are bluffing.

43:08

But the spear, Johnny, the spear could

43:11

be the ace up our sleeve.

43:15

Now your questions have been answered. You

43:18

should get some rest. You're going to need it. After

43:21

all, tomorrow is

43:23

another day.

43:32

Johnny spent the rest of the day gathering equipment.

43:36

First he went to the armory. He had

43:38

weapons of his own, of course. His own

43:40

trusty sword, acid-edged and

43:42

silver-tipped, blessed by the Pope

43:44

himself. But he was going

43:46

into demon land.

43:48

He was going to need the extra firepower.

43:51

By the time he arrived back at the barracks and

43:53

stowed his gear, the sun was already setting.

43:57

Johnny sat by his window and smoked one of his rare

43:59

cigarettes.

44:01

The setting sun burned red across

44:04

St. Peter's Square.

44:06

A woman wept in despair.

44:09

The baby cried out in hunger.

44:11

Johnny

44:14

Masterson crushed out a cigarette and

44:17

fell into his bunk. He

44:21

dreamed of children burning and

44:25

wept in his sleep.

44:33

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45:21

who's supporting me over on Patreon. You guys

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are the real MVPs, you guys keep things going, especially

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while things have been nuts for

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me over the past

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couple of months and things have been getting crazier

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and crazier as time goes on.

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You guys are the ones who are keeping me sane, and I

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mean that with all sincerity that

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you guys have helped me immensely.

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So in my personal life and my professional

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life, I want to give a very big thank you to...

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Jordan Alexander Sanchez, Jacob Bensky, Chad Burnet, Diana Krauss,

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Lekayla Canazales, Mr. P. Foster, Pestlezer, Kattis, Joseph Colorado,

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Wudabee, Don Tacon Cane, Foxhound803, Mephistopheles,

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CursePox Primark, Bastion Beefcake, Jeff Atollis, Cultist, LoveUMM,

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InsanityGamerX, Jesus Gornayo, Yargul, Amber Clark, Jay

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Cairns, Rainbow Jerry, Sam Ahai,

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to everyone on this list, everyone in the description, and

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of course anyone who could

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support

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even just $1. Thank you all so much for

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making my life significantly easier

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with this. If you guys would like to be able to join

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any of the names that you see here or down there

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or anything at all, head over to

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patreon.com slash Mr. Creepypasta.

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And with that, I wish you all a very,

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very pleasant night and

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sweet dreams.

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