The Six Crystals 1: Failed

Autor: GatoCebolleto
Ambientación: The Six Crystals (foro de rol)

Close night covering everything and inking all sights with a deep dark blue and silver sparks on the surface of the water. Wind howling against the windscreen of my Mercedes SLK. Fleeting lights on the rear-view mirrors while I was driving fast through the highway. Everything around me looked like a fatal premonition of what was going to happen when I arrived at my destination: my lord’s great mansion.

It was a bit further than I remembered (I hadn’t been there for a long time), away from the limits of Zion. Away from the people, from the curious eyes and, of course, from the angels…

The old great house was at the end of a dusty path, and shot one kilometer apart from the road. When I arrived at the doorway, a bald man with blood-shot red eyes and white skin opened the car door, and accompanied me inside.

When I entered the wonderful hall, I realized there was a masked ball. My guide asked me to follow him to the garden, where there were a lot of long tables with all type of the most exquisite food and drink that I had ever seen. All was lit by candles, and, obviously, everybody, (all of them demons, dark angels and abysm creatures like me) were wearing masks hiding their faces.

Everyone, but not me… Perhaps because of that, or perhaps because the news of my coming had already spread like gunpowder, eventually all voices went tensely silent. I walked until I arrived at the main table, where my lord, one of the Seven Great Demons, was waiting for me. His name was Astaroth, and he was called “The Wrath Demon”.

“Oh, what a surprise!” said the long fire red- haired demon, sitting in the middle of the table, between two beautiful and sensual women. “Geasser himself has come from Hell’s dark shadows to enjoy the feast, hasn’t he?”, the demon smiled and lifted his wine glass.

“I wouldn’t have come if I hadn’t heard your calling, my lord Astaroth”, I replied with all the tranquility that I could show at that moment.

“Sure…” he said, and I could see a white sharp fang beginning to show between his lips when he noticed his evil smile. “Don’t you have anything to tell me, my dear Geasser?”

I lifted one eyebrow, without understanding what he really meant. I stared at his yellow eyes, those of a snake. But I was still confused by his comment.

“I don’t know what you are talking about”, I finally said.

“Slightly related to the last mission that I entrusted you, maybe…?”, my lord’s ironic tone was changing second by second into an irate intention.

“I thought the mission was a success” I replied, carefully. “I did what you commanded, my lord”.

“Oh, really? I don’t think so…”, my lord’s face suddenly changed, looking like a furious beast wanting my head on a silver salver. “Are you fucking kidding me, piece of black-feathered shit?!” he screamed, so angry…

“Of course not, my lord!” I said, even if I was really afraid. “I murdered one of Belial’s prisoners! I stabbed his heart at once, like you advised me, and he fell dead onto the ground! I saw him bleeding to death with my own eyes!”

“LIAR!” he roared. “If what you are saying is true, then why haven’t I received the victim’s spirit yet?” Astaroth scratched the tablecloth with his claws.

“I… I don’t know…” I finally admitted. Honestly, I didn’t know what had happened. I was sure, I killed the man and nobody had seen or followed me. So, why doesn’t the prisoner’s soul belong to my lord now…?

“Is that your alibi? You really disappoint me, Geasser…”

“No. I had no excuse for this mistake. It was my fault.” I knelt in front of Astaroth, and bent my head as a submission sign. “Please, my lord. Allow me to amend what I did wrong. I will bring you that soul, at any cost…”

Astaroth calmed down and pressed his lips, turning is face into a thoughtful mask… In the end he sighed, and said:

“You have a week.” He sentenced. “I expect you won’t disappoint me again, Geasser, or there won’t be any Heaven which can save you. Is it clear?!”

“Crystal, my lord…” I answered with low voice.

“Now get out of my sight…” the order was clear.

I turned back and walked quickly across the garden and the ball, and through the gates. I felt my heart beating so quickly, and I had to stop for a moment to breath normally again. Shit, I could have lost my head. Astaroth was not precisely a sensitive guy…

I looked for my car, and a few seconds later, I was driving again, going away from the mansion. While I was looking at the road, I was wondering what had happened to my victim, and who could steal a human soul like that… I had to investigate and find this spirit.

Surely, if I failed, Astaroth would take great care in fulfilling his threat. But fortunately, I knew someone who could help me with my little problem…