Chapter 26

-EVAN-

My training was intense and excruciating. Baby and Duke trained me nonstop for a couple of days. I can't say if I became any stronger within such a short time. But the next time I have to face my brother and father, I'll know then.

Becky, James, and Micah also did not stop looking for portals around the Clock. Most of them were small, not big enough to allow our group to progress.

Some of them were weak, and they only stayed open for a short couple of minutes. Long enough to release a few small demons. They worked hard but went through a lot of misses with no hits.

Duke came up with a plan that might work. We were running out of time, and Kaysi's essence began slowly fading. I believed we still had enough to make the journey.

There is a region known as the Gate of Hell. Some gave it this name because they thought evil spirits overtook the area. There have been supernatural and paranormal phenomena that have occurred there.

He figured the portals that open there may be bigger and more frequent. It was planned that we were going to make the journey. The location was at the bottom of a cavern by the lake underground of a cave. We headed out close to the stroke of midnight when demons were much more likely to emerge at that hour.

How do you think things are coming along? Becky asked, trying to make small talk as we walked.

At least I'll manage, I shrugged. I was not very confident at this moment. Once we get into the barrier, it'll be difficult when I'm alone.

I haven't been able to test my strength against a demon. It's just been a lot of training. Your guardian Baby worked me to the Bone!

That's nothing. You should see some of the tactics she used to get us ready for the battles at hand when Micah couldn't get her powers to release. She provoked her by attacking us, and somehow, instincts of protection helped unlock our weapons.

Oh, really. The same must have been true when Micah wasn't able to use her weapon. It had to have been because she wasn't attempting to protect anyone from attacking a regular human.

So, is it not the same for you? How are you able to draw your sword?

No, not exactly because, in a way, I am protecting someone, but mine is more like a sense of justice and wanting to rid the world of all the evil demons.

I see. Do you have a reason why you became a waymaker, then? Mine was just to protect my friends and family. Since I now know the truth of demons, I felt obligated.

Yes, I do have a motive. My mother accidentally called a demon, which ultimately murdered her. Her life was taken because she was tampering with things she shouldn't have been. My brother was just a year older than me, so he didn't know much about what was going on at the time, but she pleaded with a demon for help when I was a baby, only a few days old, and very ill.

My father told me the story before I left home, but my brother didn't know why the demon killed my mother.

Oh wow, you and your brother have gone through quite a bit.

Yes, sometimes I think my brother, like my father, blames me because my father sent me off with one of the maids. After all, he couldn't stand to look at me, so we never got to talk things over.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

You see, the reason why my father keeps trying to summon demons and join a cult is to try to take back control of his life through the dark arts. He is attempting to try to get my mother back. He thinks he can bring her back from hell itself.

I don't think that's possible, is it?

Well, we are going after your friend, but she seems to be in limbo—unlike my mother, who has been gone for many years. I don't see her being in the same place; I fear it's far too late for her.

I see we still really don't know what he wants with Kaysi.

I agree that makes sense. Also, I think you're right! There should be some connection between demonology and the information he could use with Micah. And it still doesn't make sense since there's nothing that he could gain from Kaysi.

Transition

Limbo the Abyss

Father, I brought you the girl that you've been asking for.

Indeed, I told you I needed her alive, but it looks as though you barely managed to accomplish that.

What can I say? She's a bit of a handful. This is the same girl who took my arm out.

The same girl that you refused to regenerate your arm until you saw her again. In hopes of messing with her.

You were a stubborn fool, going around for several months without an arm when you could regrow it. That was ignorant of you. I do hope you don't plan on doing that again anytime soon.

No, the gig is up she knows my whole identity so that won't be a problem.

You idiot! It wasn't time for that to happen; I already told you to stop being so reckless. You need to plan for what is to come in your future. How will you ever show your face again at school? You just made my job harder.

Yes, father, I understand, but she was getting the better of me. I didn't want to take the chance of her cutting off another limb, or worse, she wanted to take my head.

Well, at least maybe then, after your head grows back, you might have a better brain. I wish she had taken it off. I'm so angry with you that I might do it myself.

Father, calm down. You have a hold of her now. So just go do your little science experiment. Go test your precious subject and forget about everything.

By the way, what's so special about this girl? Why did you need her other than to run your tests? Don't you want to be able to produce demons? Wouldn't it make more sense to go after her teammate, the other girl with the light brown hair? "Micah"; I think her name was?

I have been studying demonology for quite some time. I know just about everything there is to it, except for how the spirit is bound to the human body. I need to test a subject—a way maker, preferably a pure-hearted human.

I'm not able to work on her in this condition. As it could further damage her body, I will take her to my lab beyond the barrier. Once there, I will place her in the hyperbolic chamber so she can heal up a bit. "So I can start the experiment process," he said, his voice as cold and emotionless as ever.

Yes, Father, right away, I will see to it.

(Has Josh walked back to the lab on the barrier; something unexpected happened to Kaysi)

Father, hurry, come quick, Josh shouted, how do you expect me to handle this?

Fascinating, tell me what happened, boy?

When I went through the barrier, for some odd reason, these wings sprung out from her back.

This may be a defense mechanism; the light in her pure body acts like an immune system.

This may be because of the darkness within the barrier. The wings act as though they are shields protecting her. Is it due to her injuries?

It makes me wonder if she's immune to being possessed that she has this much light dwelling within her.

Well, whether you are still taking her to the pod or not, this may be a temporary effect.

I will have to conduct further experiments. Trying to understand the soul of a waymaker is the priority and the way a waymaker works.

If I can better understand how way makers work, surely I can understand a demon for the more.

What nonsense are you talking about, old man?

Don't you see if she's pure of light to the point that she is unable to be possessed? We may be able to make a demon of opposite effect that can possess others and cannot be released.

Way makers can remove demons by exercising them while keeping the human Spirit still intact.

They somehow managed to allow this "Micah girl" to continue living as a demon. Until she's able to fully separate from it, which is currently temporarily bound to her spirit, or move, it could harm her.

It might be possible for me to make removing a demon impossible. This would allow them to take full control and release full power within the human vessel.

No more limits; I already started this somewhat ability within you. Except that you don't have a demon attached to you. You just have the essence of a demon that allows you to use their power.

I think I'm OK just as I am, but it's whatever makes you happy, I guess.