The Sentinels: Interview With A Demon
Interview with a Demon - Story Arc #4
Interview with a Demon
Flar watched Guardian leave, then looked towards Nathan. “She’s got spirit, I’ll give her that. As for you, Nathan is it? Well Nathan old buddy, I haven’t the slightest idea where the heaven I am. All I know is that the fabric of magic here is much weaker than I’m used to. Can’t seem to get a hold of it. Well, at least I’ve got my cigars and a light.”
Flar’s fingertip bursts into flame and he relit his cigar. “So Aidan and Nathan, where am I? Assuming you know and where can I find the bad guys so I can start building my power up so I can get out of here and back to the little miss, not that you guys are all that bad company mind you but she is the best and I happen to love her too!”
“You are currently on the planet Earth,” Aidan replied. The holographic projector on the table sprang to life and the image of Aidan’s face appeared. “Your statements on interdimensional travel seem valid, however on this world, true interdimensional travel has yet to be fully documented.”
“Nathan,” Flar said, looking at the mage. “So, where did you learn that type of magic? Can he do anything cool like summon a storm, volcano, tidal wave or maybe an extra dimensional gate.”
Nathan just looked at Flar dumbfounded. Can I do what??? “My magic is… more limited than that, although what you are asking about sounds dangerously like Chaos magic.”
“Oh, and Aidan. Can you relay a message to Guardian telling her that there are no hard feelings from my part. That was a pretty decent punch and if she knows where some of the bad guys are and would like to go kick some butt I’m up for… Oh and it’s alright if you hate me cause I’m a tough guy, I can handle the pressure, but Flar Demon crusader from hell will ride into the darkness and chaos and kick some butt with you. I’ll trust you at my back and maybe I can show you a thing or two about kicking chaos butt.”
The image nodded. “I will do so.”
“So Nath old bean, are there anymore people in your little country club of heroes or are you the only one? Maybe you can tell me over some grub interdimensional travel always makes me hungry” Flar put his arm and wing around him and smiled broadly.
Flar waited for a moment, the sighed heavily and sat down on the edge of the table.
“So Nathan. Are you a freelancer or part of some group?”
“I’m part of a group… We’re called The Sentinels,” Nathan replied.
“Where exactly on Earth am I,” Flar asked.
“You are in the city of York,” Aidan replied. “It is the capital of the province of Ontario, Canada.”
“Aidan, do you have some files I could read about the world with stories about the other parabeings you have on this world?”1
The image of Aidan nodded. “They will be made available to you.”
“So Aidan, are you a real shy guy or are you some kind of Robbie the robot thing?” Flar grinned.
“I can assure you that I am neither shy nor a robot,” Aidan answered. “Circumstances dictate that I interact with Nathan and the others through a variety of audio and visual interfaces, rather than in person.”
“Is there anything old Flar needs to know specifically about your Earth here?”
“What is it that you feel you need to know,” Aidan asked Flar in return.
“So is there anything that you need done or should I just wander outside and become a wandering knight in red armour?”
“If I’m going to go out there on my own could I please do it on a full stomach,” Flar said. “Fighting makes me hungry.”
“I will have some food brought here in a moment,” Aidan answered. “While you are waiting, the files you asked for can be accessed on this computer monitor.” A placemat sized piece of the tabletop slid back. A keyboard and monitor angled up and into a usable position.
Flar sat down at the table, almost dwarfing the chair he was sitting in, and began to read through the files. After a short while, the door to the conference room opened and very obvious robot rolled in carrying a tray filled with food. It placed it on the table next to the demon and left the room as silently as it had entered.
“The mummy from the Andes and the earthquakes in Peru are related,” Flar announced when he was finished reading. “So send the mummy back and I suggest you watch for natural occurences that coincide with the earthquakes such as tides and moon status. Also check out the number of days between quakes.”
“Perhaps the fire was not just an accident. Perhaps the drug that is in LA is here now. I’m thinking this new drug “Super Juice” grants super powers and first time users can’t control the powers. If one developed fire powers perhaps he lost control”
“That what was stolen from the various places I think may be magical in nature or that maybe the thief is using the things stolen as his way of getting in, maybe Nathan you might like to look into it.”
“Stolen What?? What are you talking about??” Nathan’s curiousity overrode his unease around Flar. Nathan moved over to where Flar was going over Aidan’s reports, and tried to identify what he’s talking about. He saw the print out of the news story about the “Break Out Thief”.
Flar looked over at the image of Aidan. “Can I get a map of York and directions to Renwith Park? I want to see if I can find your group member Boreas. She seems to know how to track down criminals in a park. I want to go after this Rosedale Rapist so I can catch him and drag his dark soul screaming into the endless abyss…” Flar grinned at Nathan. “Just kidding.”
Nathan just rolled his eyes. This is going to be … interesting..
“I will contact Boreas and see if she is avalable,” Aidan offered.
“Then with your permission. I’ll go,” Flar finished.
“Flar,” Aidan said suddenly. “Unless you have the ability to alter your appearance, I do not recommend you go out in public without some kind of disguise. I am unaware of the status and commonality of parabeings and Harbiners in your world, but beings with powers, especially those looking as you do, will cause no amount of fear and ill sentiment among the normal populace.”
“Lot’s of yelling, screaming, you know the sort of thing… exactly what we need when were trying to keep a low profile..” Nathan looked at Flar.
**********
Melissa was just dozing off in front of the tv when a chime sounded from the computer behind her, causing her to start awake.
“Melissa, do you feel up to a patrol tonight?” Aidan’s voice came from the speakers. “A suggestion has been made to go after the Rosedale Rapist.”
Weary-eyed, Melissa looked around to see where the voice was coming from, afraid that someone had snuck into her place. Then she realized it was only Aidan coming over the computer speakers.
“Aidan, we got to do something about these little announcements in the futurrraaaahhhhh…” She yawned as she stretched out on the couch. Looking around it was just getting dark outside.
“The Rosedale Rapist is it?” She got up and headed over to the computer. “I guess I am up for a patrol before the meeting tonight. Got any hot leads?”
“Not really,” Aidan replied. “But the newest possible member of the Sentinels wants to meet you and go after that criminal. It is safe to assume that Nathan and Guardian will be accompanying him, and they will meet you at the north entrance to the park.”
“Like Pulling out the gig guns eh? I’m five by five with ya big A!” Melissa turned and headed to the washroom where she started the shower. Over the noise of the rushing water she shouted back, “Listen I am gonna take a shower first, suit up, then head on out. So inform the guys that I’ll meet them in about forty-five, kay.”
“I will pass along the message,” Aidan replied.
**********
“I have spoken with Boreas,” Adian announced to Flar and Nathan. “She will be meeting you at the north entrance to the park in forty-five minutes.”
“Have you given any thought as to how you are going to get to the Park,” Aidan asked the assembled heroes. “I would recommend using one of the vehicles in the vehicle bay. Guardian will meet you there.”
“Sounds like a good suggestion,” Nathan replied.
When Nathan and Flar arrived at the lower most level of the base, Guardian was there, waiting next to the van. “The vehicle has been started and we are ready to depart. I would recommend that you drive, Nathan.”
Well, she is at least being civil… Nathan thought to himself.
She climbed into the back of the van, and the others could see that it had been reinforced to be able to handle much heavier weights without hindering performance. “To exit the base, follow that tunnel,” she said, indicating one to the left of the van. “It will take us to the surface a distance from the base. The most efficient route to the park will appear on the viewscreen.”
Nathan tried to hide a boyish grin. Wow… neat toys Aidan…this would be a definite asset if we needed to getaway from somewhere… quickly.. On the way out, Nathan played with the steering, trying to find out how responsive the van was. The van swerved suddenly, and Nathan narrowly avoided smashing the vehicle into the wall of the tunnel.
Once the group was underway, Flar looked over at Nathan. “Nathan, I can see that your universe here is a little bit low on the knowledge of magic. You believe that the spells I talked about sounded like Chaos magic. Now you are starting to sound like Guardian. You immediately class things as Chaos magic.
“I’ve been studying magic off and on since the beginning of creation. Magic is everywhere it is part of everything it is a free floating moving unconfined force in the universe it is the universe and the universe is it. When beings such as yourself and myself direct it to do a specific thing for that time it is ordered. Magic is chaos it does as it will destroys as it will, creates as it will. It allows people to control it to their ends.
“What I suspect you really mean is that it sounds like magic that will harm people or things. Magic is not evil or good by nature it just is. The same magic can be channeled to harm or to heal. It is a matter of knowledge as perceived by the user and intent by the user. A storm though destructive also helps by bringing rain, a bolt of lightning that may cause damage also has the potential to run a cities power supplies for weeks. The winds spread seeds to expand the growth of things. It is part of the natural order of the universe that you perceive here. A forest fire though destructive at the time ultimately in time the forest renews itself as good if not better. Though a volcano may destroy many things even kill people but there are benefits to it.
“First off look at scientists who will study it so that perhaps in the future they will be able to predict when a volcano will occur and save lives. A volcano at seed can create a new island that in time will become a habitat for birds, reptiles maybe even animals.
“Humans have a tendency to view anything that is destructive as being bad and yes in the short term that may well be the case. However, when something is destroyed that does open the door to many other things to be created. People may use magic in your world to harm and that is wrong. It infringes on others rights to live and grow the way they want. Each person should have the choice. People like this Rosedale Rapist may be part of CHAOS or they just might be human.
“Mankind’s greatest strength has always been his ability through free choice, stubborness, and adaptibility to overcome anything that they must fight. With one exception he always loses to himself this Rosedale Rapist is an example of man losing to itself. Mankind can make the choice to do harm or heal, to do good or evil. It is up to man how magic is used. I asked you what type of magic you could cast leading up to the dimensional gate, something that would let me go home. I guess however your not powerful enough. You know I do miss home and Andaella most of all.” Flar got a somewhat far off look on his face
“So what about you Nath…you got an old ball and chain at home?” Flar grinned broadly as he summoned up a cigar and lit it. “How about you Guardian? Anybody you play tentacles with?”
Nathan kept his eyes on the traffic and the displayed map. “Not in a long, long time Flar.” He paused for a few moments before continuing. “Flar, I only commented that those sounded like Chaos magic… I am an apprentice mage… nothing more.. I know that there is still plenty to learn… I have no hubris…. at least not anymore….”
“We may have forgotten more than we know, and perhaps your arrival is a chance for us to remember long forgotten lore.”
“I would appreciate it,” Guardian said in a cool voice. “If you would not mention anything you saw back at the base. As the public would run screaming in terror at your appearance, they would want to try and kill me, should they learn of my true nature.” She looked down at herself. “That is why Aidan fashioned this… ’shell’ for me to use.”
Nathan glanced back at Guardian in the rear-view mirror. “You need not worry about that… your secret rests safe with me, although I do think that you should inform the rest of the team about this sooner, rather than later…. and under a little bit more controlled fashion than how I learned of it.”
Nathan glanced back once again, and smiled sympathetically at Guardian.
**********
About 40 minutes after leaving the base, the van pulled into a parking spot near the north entrance to Renwith Park. At this time of day, there were more people leaving than entering the park.
After a few moments, Boreas skated up to the gate and stopped with a twirl. She looked around and spotted a large van painted in primer gray, recognising it as the van she had seen parked in the base.
Flar sat patiently in the car smoking his cigar, and he called up a Bloody Mary, which he began to sip. “Well, I guess this is yours and Guardian’s show, so lead on McDuffs.”
Boreas skated over to the van in lazy circles with her hands behind her back. She seemed to leave behind a trail of fog, kind of like what you’d see when you breath out on a cold night. She peered in the window to see just who had been sent to help out.
One of the back windows rolled down and Boreas could see a huge demonic head poke out.
“Are you Boreas,” the demon asked. Boreas could only nod, her voice refusing to work.
“I’m Flar. Pleasure to meet you.” He extended his hand out the window with a smile. “Demon Prince at large.”
All Boreas could see were the huge fangs in that in that ghastly grin as the clawed hand reached out towards her. As she backed away from the van she couldn’t quite make out the words in her shock, something about being “being pleased to eat her.” The ambient air temperature dropped noticeably as out of reflex to protect herself Boreas drew in the more energy about her.
Eyes still focused on the hideous hellspawn she gathered her courage in and said, “Stay…Away…From Me!” She paused to look around to see that there were no innocents nearby all the while wondering what had befallen her comrades who were supposed to be in the van.
Oh … Damn!! Flar!! Nathan quickly rolled down his window. “M… Boreas, its Nathan!! Get in the van!! We can make introductions then.” Nathan turned to look at Flar. As he rolled up his window, his exasperation with the “Friendly Demon” clearly visible.
Boreas looked at the van, a little wary. “Nathan, do you realize what’s in the van with you?” She frantically pointed at the demonic head, but made no further motion towards the van.
“Could you possibly be a little more discrete?? As I said before, people are not going to take to kindly to your appearance… your kind doesn’t exactly have the best PR.”
Why do I get the sinking feeling that helping him is going to be almost a penance for the rest of us?? Nathan held back a sigh of frustration.
Nathan audibly sighed. “Not really, but I’m learning quickly… It’s okay, I’m here with Guardian, and he’s … well, mostly harmless….. I think”
Guardian reached over and pulled Flar back in to the van, closing the window. “You must learn restraint Demon. Or I will have to teach it to you.” Guardian’s voice had a hard edge to it with a hint of uneasiness.
Flar will look at Guardian “Oh you touched me. Now I feel all tingly. I love it when a woman threatens me with bodily harm. It makes me feel loved.” Flar took a puff on his cigar.
“Till I can access enough energy to change forms,” he replied to Nathan. “There is not much I can do about the way I look, and if we want to go anyplace I don’t think a trenchcoat an fedora are going to hide my natural charms. It might work for a turtle but it won’t work for me.” Flar sat back and rested his head in his hand.
Nathan turned to look at Flar quizzically. “Energy?? What kind of Energy??”
Guardian looked at Flar. “Why would it not work for you? It is what everybody were’s when they are trying to hide their appearences.” With that Guardian reached behind her an pulled out a huge trench coat and a fedora with a pair of black aviator sunglasses and put them on.
Boreas noticed that Guardian was also in the van with the demonic creature. A flood of questions. Was there some kind of trouble here? Was THAT the Rosedale Rapist they had caught? It was hard to believe that no one got a good look at it, but perhaps they kept that information out of the papers so as to not cause a panic. Regardless she was going to have to find out what was up with her newfound friends and if they were in any sort of danger here.
Overcoming her initial fright, she skated back towards the van ready for just about anything.
Beneath the pale yellow lights illuminating the park entrance, Boreas cautiously approached the driver side door where Nathan was apparently seated. Her breath visible in the cold night air. She was visibly tense and ready to bolt at a moments notice.
“Would someone please explain to me what’s going on here?”
Nathan noted Boreas skating towards the van, and opened up the passenger side door for her.
“Boreas, this might take a few minutes, so hop in, and we will try to answer your questions.” And probably give you a few more to think about as well, Nathan thought wryly.
Flar looked at Guaridan. “So Guardian, have you ever had an original thought? One that wasn’t bred into to you?”
“I have had many original thoughts demon, and they are mine,” Guardian replied in her usual cold voice.
Boreas cautiously entered the van, noting the new figure seated in the back. With a nod and slight wave she meekly spoke, “Uhm, hi…I’m Boreas.” Turning to Nathan, “So you were gonna explain what this is all about?”
“The Demon is a member of our group….Supposedly sent by your god to redeem himself.” Guardian replied in an even colder then normal tone fixing her sunglasses on her face. “Are we all ready to……Investigate?”
Boreas Looked incredulously at the figures in the van. “D…D…Demon?” She said and noting Guardian’s tone took a cautious step back. “Are you guys crazy?” Her expression gave no hint of sarcasm.
Guardian was about to make a comment when she saw a large, well-built man dressed in dark clothing cross the street about 60 feet away and head into the park. There was something about the man that disturbed her. Perhaps it was the way he walked or the way he carried himself. Whatever it was, it didn’t seem right.
Nathan just smiled at Boreas “Probably, but that has nothing to due with Flar.”
Guardian abruptly opened the door of the van and stepped out, quickly adjusting her trench coat, black aviator glasses and fedora. Guardian then moved towards park.
Without turning back Guardian spoke in a quiet voice. “Bedw……Evil is here…”
Boreas looked a bit shocked as Guardian exited the van. In fact this whole situation seemed entirely improbable to her…Demons…God…Chaos magic? What had she gotten herself into with this bunch. And now Guardian was running off after who knows what?!? She looked over at Nathan, who seemed to be the only normal person around, but that wasn’t quite true now was it? He seemed caught up in this whole mess as well.
“Okay, next time…just drop the explanation. I don’t want to know?” She then looked over at the demon. “Just got one question for you buster…you’re not gonna, like, harm any of my friends are you?” She had a fire in her eyes that seemed to be in opposition to her nature.
“I’ll remember that…” Nathan replied.
Nathan adjusted his robes, and whispers. “Show time folks… Flar, Boreas, we’d better cover Guardian…. no knowing what she’s about to get us into…”
“How about a whole mess of trouble. I didn’t see that person too clearly, let’s just hope it’s not some dad returning home from work, or worse yet an undercover cop!” With a heavy sigh Boreas stepped out of the van. And here I thought to be the bait she mused to herself.
Flar leaped out of the van and followed Guardian. “Really? That’s cool. Let’s go see what you call evil,” he said with obvious doubt. Flar then continued after Guardian, looking around as he walked. He saw a man moving furtively through the shadows, and two young women jogging through the park away from where he was, wearing headphones.
Guardian briefly looked at Flar with a look of annoyance in her face and then turned back to follow her ‘prey’.
Nathan quietly eased the drivers door open, and after making sure he had the keys in his pocket, locked the door. After it closed with a quiet metallic ‘click’ he waited momentarily for Boreas then followed Guardian.
Guardian walked deeper into the park, following on the heels of the man she saw. Now that she had watched him for a while, he didn’t seem to be Bedwyr. That didn’t matter to her, because he must be about to do something illegal. Only criminals moved the way he did. After all, didn’t the murderer on Law & Order last night skulk through a park just like this one in the same manner?
As Nathan and the others caught up to Guardian, Nathan suddenly felt dizzy and stumbled. As the world spun around him, he saw a beautiful young woman in a black costume attacking him and his companions. His head began to clear and the vision vanished.
Boreas looked at Nathan with concern. “Are you all right?”
Nathan eased himself to the ground, and sat for a moment, summoning the memory of the vision once more.
Getting to his feet, Nathan looks at Boreas. “I just had the strangest experience… a vision that we being attacked by someone in a black costume… we should hurry up and alert Flar and Guardian.”
Flar continued along behind Guardian. “Did anyone else see that guy skulking around in the bushes and shadows over there?” Flar pointed with a hitch of his thumb.
Boreas looked over and saw the thermal image of a very large man movign through the trees.
Guardian looked at Flar with a scowl on her face. “Don’t talk so loud you will alert him to our presence. He is undoubtly after the two females running. Hu….People are so predictible.” Guardian’s mind went over several of the television shows she had watched that laied out in the same manner thinking to her self. Why is it if they can make television shows like this that they cannot prevent such predictible actions from happening? Guardian focused her attention on the man once more ready to take him down once he made his move. After all one must catch the criminal in the act of a crime to have them properly prosecuted.
Flar waited for a moment, then continued to follow Guardian deeper into the park. He was able to keep track of the figure in the shadows for a while, then it disappeared from sight.
Guardian crouched into the shadows, hiding herself quite well for having such a large frame, then became compleatly mothionless as she watched the man she followed into the park.
“Okay Guardian you go get him,” Flar whispered. “I’ll go apprehend the guy in the woods.” Flar stealthily moved towards where he last saw the man. As he passed Boreas and Nathan, he spoke to them quietly.
“I’m going to check out the other one I saw in the trees over there.” He pointed at the bushes.
“Hold Demon, Spawn of Hell!” A powerful young voice came booming from nearby. Everyone could see a young man dressed in crusader-style armour, wielding a sword along which white flames licked. “Prepare to be sent back to the Abyss from whence you came!”
Boreas looked at Flar with a grin. “Friend of yours Flar? Oh don’t worry…we’ll not interfere.”
Guardian turned to look at the newcomer frowning deeply at this intrusion.
“Oh, eeeek it’s a crusader. I AM SO SCARED.” Flar turned to look at Boreas.
“Well Boreas, you certainly had me fooled. Here I thought you were just sweet and innocent. Not to worry though I won’t let him send you back to hell.” He looked back at the young man. “Don’t you people have anything better to do? Why don’t you go take Jerusalem or something!”
“Scared you should be, evil creature,” the young man cried out. “For I am Acolyte and I have sent dozens of your kind back to the foul pits of Hell.” Acolyte pointed his sword and a ball of white flames flew at Flar, hitting him.
Flar felt like his very soul was being torn apart, leaving him stunned with the pain.
“Oh, I am sweet and innocent all right Flar, I mean from your perspective isn’t everyone?” Boreas said with a grin, then as the crusader lashed out at the demon her expression turned to one of shock.
She quickly got between the young man and Flar, “Excuse me, Sir Galahad, but would you kindly put that sword down and explain yourself?” She hoped that he had some modicum of chivalry.
Guardian looked at Flar and then looked at Nathan. It seemed for the first time since Nathan or Boreas had ever known Guardian that she seemed hesitant and unsure of what to do.
Acolyte took a step forward, the sword in his hands held with experience. “Young mistress, please move aside. The foul creature must have placed you under some kind of spell, else you would not be defending him.” He took up a defensive posture and waited.
Boreas couldn’t believe what she was witnessing this night. She had thought her life as a Harbinger strange, but now she had just stepped into some bizarro fairy-tale. She saw only one way to diffuse this situation quickly and that was to throw herself into the roll!
Throwing her arms around the brave knight, “Oh noble knight, I thank thee for thy aid, for tis true this foul beast didn’t mean to take my maidenly virtues.” I can’t believe I am saying this she thought to herself. “But now you have come along and saved me from that terrible plight. However I must implore thee not to harm this foul hellbeast. Show mercy sir knight, for it is the only means to aid other ensorcled friends of mine, and without it’s help, they may not be long for this world.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “I would beseech thee noble sir to release him to the care of that powerful mage over yonder who dids’t summon him to aid my friends.”
Shaking a little she added, “But I would appreciate an escort out of this forboding forest kind sir.”
Acolyte roughly pushed her away and Boreas could almost feel the power surging through him. “Foul witch,” he exclaimed, bringing his sword to bear on her. “You traffic with demon-summoners. Forgive what I am about to do, but it is for your own good.”
He suddenly lashed out with his sword, narrowly avoiding hitting Boreas with the flat of the blade.
Flar gets to his feet. “Alright panty waist, that was pretty good. Now I’m gonna rip your heart out,” he growled and his claws came up ready to fight.
“You threats do not scare me, evil monster!” Acolyte’s armor began to glow with the same fire that lit his sword.
Flar appeared in front of Boreas. “Stay behind me Boreas, he’ll have to go through me to get to you. This chivalrous moron needs a lesson in manners and I’m happy to oblige.” Flar cracked his knuckles and continued. “Manners 101 coming up, asshole!”
Boreas withdrew over towards Nathan and Guardian. “Well I gave it my best shot…so much for chivalry.” She said in mock exasperation. It did not appear that she was taking the conflict between Flar and the Acolyte all that seriously.
She leaned over towards Nathan, “So tell me the truth…this is your doing right?” She said with a half-grin
Acolyte charged, hitting Flar in the midsection with the flaming sword as Flar caught his attacker on the shoulder. Flar reeled backwards, stunned. The blow to his gut knocked the wind out of him, but the moment he touched Acolyte’s armor he felt like his hand was on fire and it spread like a wave through his body. He fell to the ground, white flames crawling along his body for a moment then fading. Acolyte turned and pointed his sword at Flar, a burst of white flame shooting out and enveloping their fallen comrade.
Guardian stood where she was watching the conflict. Perhaps there was more to this demon then she let herself believe. He had done what she herself was about to do and that was to protect Boreas. What do I do? Oh by the Anook why does this have to be so difficult?
Oh blast it Anook said he was a team mate and Boreas tried to help him, Gradsigs!
Boreas looked over at Nathan, concern evident in her eyes. “Uhm…I don’t get it. He seems to be a white hat…but then he was rather rude to me.” She started to move over to the armoured assailant again. “Okay, Acolyte stop right there!”
This story arc is incomplete, due characters leaving and loss of archived messages.
© Lisa Hartjes, 1999-2001.