Team Seven oif Heroes III Chapter 32 to 33

32. 

“The Elixir is in the vault and yes, I left it there once more if you were to ask.” Lucifer looked at the entourage of guests he was to take there. None showed any emotions to his statement. “Well, it was the rightful place anyway.”

“Thank you for the revelation but pray tell us how are we to get there? Another rough trekking towards the mountain?” Mycroft asked. He was informed that the Vault was there by Van Helsing. “I do fancy a dirigible but you have brought them to the ground.”

“Cheer up, mate. There are many entrances to the Vault and the one Van Helsing mentioned was one.” Lucifer attended to the question. “Like the gateway to Hades or Hell if you prefer that name, or in my preference …Sanctuary, we retained several entrances. Odysseus entered by the river Acheron at Greece; naturally he was Greek. Orpheus travelled by the cave at Taenarum; he was not Greek though. The Romans believed it to be by Pluto’s Gate or Plutonion by the Greeks. You may recall the river Styx or the Cocytus. The Sicilian have their own at Mount Edna. Well, there are a few but none was simpler than mine.”

“I can see we have un-attentive audience today. But do let me indulge in my speech.” Lucifer cringed his face and then smiled. “Like Hades, there are more than one way in, and out. You need not die to get in. You could ask me for the tour. Behold the one we are to go in.”

Lucifer raised his arms and then called on his lips the words that he was most familiar with. It sounded across like gibberish mutterings but to the alchemist, it was the words of opening the gateway. The ground before them parted to reveal a staircase leading to the inside of the ground. The width of the staircase was wide enough for four persons in a row but the steps were seen uneven with some higher and lower on some.

“We had labour issues then so pardon the shoddy works. Before we ventured in, let me tell you that I am no more the master of the Sanctuary. Lilith had taken over and pardon me saying this, she can be bitchy on trespassers. Not all of you may survive the journey below, and to lose your undead soul here is … how may I placed it, painful.” Lucifer looked at the assembled. “Volunteers to stay back please. Don’t be shy, we won’t promise to keep your place there when you do die.”

No one moved then, and the incumbent person who was the Emperor of the West took the lead. He was the first to step towards the stairs.

“Wow! We have the first believer.” Lucifer laughed. “Please proceed my children and don’t rush.”

The stairs leading down was tedious to step over, with the uneven surface but the other thing that made it eventful was the sides of the wall held an evolving scene of souls clamouring to reach but yet their touches were hampered by the wall like a fish in an aquarium. It was both scary and distressing that almost everyone travelled in pairs and avoided the wall surface.

“While we take the descent, pardon my expression, I will tell you who Lilith took on my Sanctuary. I was once the Master; and for Lilith, we had our moments. It was more than a few more times I was involved with Lilith soon after she was spurned by Adam who went for Eve, who was once attracted to Gabriel but Michael was also…. Opps, I was out of line. Who cares of them but I was involved with Lilith. We took the plunge towards here then and refused to go back. We fought the others, me and the other Fallen’s and as you may had heard we lost the war. We were offered clemency or banishment. I opted for the second and with my lover then. However, I was also given the chance to rule Sanctuary for the misled souls which was attributed to my involvement …. The bottom line…” Lucifer laughed once more. “Bottom line, I loved that line. I was to rule Sanctuary and in there, we kept some artefacts…. To you, they were artefacts but to me, they were unaccounted for inventory of items. We kept them for … safe keeping. After all, we are the bad guys and there is almost much we can share.”

Lucifer laughed again and then he took the lead when they reached the first plateau of their descent. It was a huge cavern where many souls were seen massing there. They were either individuals or in groups, and in various creeds. mass of souls saw the arrivals and some started moving in but they soon hesitated when they saw Lucifer in the lead. They then retreated to their previous location and it was then the group of five that looked like guards arrived to take an assessment of the situation. The guards were dressed in the dark leathers and wore a hideous looking head piece that resembled an inverted pot.

“Master Lucifer, we were not expecting you.” One of the guards sounded out. The figure looked like man-like with the four limbs but the proportion was different. The upper limbs were thin and frail while the lower limbs were of double the dimension right down to the huge feet and toes with the shape of an inverted mushroom shape.

“No, you were not and drop the pretence. I no longer in charge and you need not be glad to see me at all.” Lucifer replied. He then pushed his way past them. The guard who spoke had then reached out to grab Lucifer by the left shoulder.

“We have …” Lucifer grabbed the frail upper limb of the guard and snapped it backwards. The movement caused the other to cry out in pain. The other four guards retreated on the action while Lucifer moved on. He then turned to look at the ensembled and explained the cavern.

 “The first level; the place where we sort out the souls. It takes time to do it although here we have endless time, but we are short on manpower.” It was then the guard that he had snapped the wrist was tossed into Lucifer’s path. It did not look good for there were more injuries on the frame. Lucifer looked back and then hollered out.

“Do me a favour. Take your fights elsewhere.” The fight had begun behind with the so named guards and three other groups who have taken offence to each other. “I am still Lucifer.”

That name stopped the fight momentarily with all the participants looking towards Lucifer.

“Do proceed. We are getting overcrowded.” Lucifer then turned to the ensembled. “Shall we go on?”

The ensembled moved on while the fight behind spread with more groups joining in then. Lucifer took on the lead and then he stopped when he saw a bespectacled figure approaching them. The figure was man like dressed in tweeds and was half their height but he carried a huge book on his arms.

“Master Lucifer, I did not expect you here.” The bespectacled figure looked up at the other. “Are you looking to go down? We could accommodate you.”

“Mr. Magoo, I am glad to see you once more. Your new look does add some seriousness to your silly facial expression.” The bespectacled figure had not listened to Lucifer but looked to the rear of the so named Master and then to the chaos of souls at the far rear. It sighed and then looked back at Lucifer.

“I believed what you are here for is the Elixir of Life.” The bespectacled figure looked at Lucifer while flipping the pages on the book he held. “I will get you there on the fast entries but I need their names. We cannot have un-registered souls in.”

“Look here, balmy Recorder. I am here with the undead.” Lucifer looked back to the ensembled. “And you will assist or it’s the last record you will ever update.”

“Undead? No wonder they reeked of life.” The recorder looked at the ensembled and then at Lucifer. “You do realize that it’s an infringement to have undead here. It’s under the scrolls recorded at ….”

“Spare me the lessons. I wrote those scrolls.” Lucifer snapped back. “Take me the Elixir or where Lilith had it stored.”

“Master Lucifer, you do realize that Mistress Lilith have enhanced the level and you are not…”

“Welcome? I know that long time ago but Lilith and myself have an ongoing understanding, I will be fine.”

“Whatever you say, Master, I am just the recorder. And these glasses looked great perched on my nose.” The bespectacled figure then led them all to the designated area where a gateway was seen. “I have to caution you the Wolves are the appointed custodian of that level.”

“Dead wolves make good floor carpet with their pelts.” Lucifer laughed.

33.

The gateway that was presented to the team was a huge face figurine with a wide mouth. It towered over them at three times their height with twice the width. The expression was that of a bawling look, with both eyes closed. The surface of the gateway looked glassy and like the stairs wall, there were some forms floating beneath it.

“Are we at the Vault?” Sir Fleming spoke up.

“Ah…my ensembled could speak. I was wondering if any of you were still alive following me. Your silence gnawed at my conscience that you might have joined the others here.” Lucifer laughed. “Can’t say for the expression here? All of you are…. un-interesting.”

They all ignored the demonic looking Angle and looked at the assumed gateway where Lucifer stepped towards it. He touched surface and then withdrew his hand. He lowered his head and sighed before turning towards the others.

“The gateway set the needed levies for it to open.” Without a warning, Lucifer pulled at two of the operatives of Sergeant Matt, and then tossed them at the surface. Sergeant Matt reached out to assist but was stopped by Sir Fleming. The two operatives tossed at was swallowed by the wall, and then their pained expression was seen on the surface.

“Sir, I protest…” Sergeant Matt was cut off by Sir Fleming.

“We have no choice. We are in his domain. Stay focussed.” Sir Fleming looked at Lucifer. “Next round, do let us decide first.”

“Sufferance of the petty nature. Nevertheless, viola the gate is open.” The gateway did open but instead of the group moving forward, they found the entrance guarded by a single figure there. It was an old crone dressed in the hunting drabs for it was in tatters then and she was astride a huge dark hound.

“Mallt-y-Nos, my gracious lady of the realm.” Lucifer greeted the crone. “I see that you…”

“Pardon my new alliance but the gift of the hunt was too great to refuse.” Mallt-y-Nos was once a noblewoman who loved hunting that she once swore at the Gods that “if she can’t hunt in heaven, she would rather not go.”

“Aye, the ladies do rally together.” Lucifer frowned his expression. “Pray tell me you are to stop me here or let me whizz past you unharmed.”

“I am assigned to hunt you. The Mistress is aware of your return. She will have not you here.” The crone replied and then the kicked at the hound to leap at the others. Lucifer jumped aside with the others scattering but the hound was better. Its’ front paws clawed at Sergeant Matt who have levelled the rifle to fire at it. The bullets were not effective on the hound and the Sergeant saw the gaping jaws with the fangs at his face. It was his last image of anything living. The other four members of the team rushed to assist their leader but were no match for the raging hounds. Blood and flesh were soon splattered onto the ground with the hound killing them. The scent of blood and the sight of the fresh kills attracted the other souls there which were then approaching the gateway.

“Get into the gateway.” Lucifer called out before he rushed at the hound. He leapt high and landed on the hound’s head facing the old crone. “Your mistake is my gain.”

Lucifer grabbed the crone and pulled her up. He tossed her into the approaching souls screaming her head off. The hound in response to her wails, rushed at the gathered souls by the crone. Lucifer had then leaped off and landed at the gateway. He looked at the stunned group who was to leave then.

“What do you want? An invite?” Lucifer reached out to Mycroft and pushed him in. The others started following behind and then there was only Lucifer standing there.  He saw the hound had saved the crone and with her astride on the back, she was in her element.

“Lucifer! I am coming for you.” Mallt-y-Nos kicked at the hound to attack Lucifer.

“I am your Master! Swore your allegiance or faced my wrath.” Lucifer roared out in anger and his figure form began evolving to five times its height and faced the cowering then hound with its mistress holding onto the dark form. “I am not to be trifle with by minions. Tell that to your mistress that I demand my throne back.”

Inside the gateway and out on the other end, Sherlock was last to step in had to hold his balance intact or risked over falling over. They have exited at the other side but were perched on a narrow ledge, with a gaping long fall if they were missed their footing.

“This way.” Van Helsing found the ledge was part of a walkway on the side of the sheer cliff. The walkway however narrow gave them space to move. He was not sure where it may lead to but it was sloping down. He reckoned that it was the only way to move forward. It was the Lucifer appeared at the rear. He followed behind until they reached a wider area. It was then Sherlock in turn asked Lucifer of their whereabouts.

“I believed we are getting close to the Vault. I know not where we are for this is the works of Lilith. She must had rearranged the levels.” Lucifer replied. He then looked to the bottom of the cliff and saw it was covered by the rocky terrain there within a huge cavern. He looked further out and saw the lone structure there which resembled a pyramid in design and yet it held eight sides.

“The Hexagram House.” Lucifer muttered out. “Lilith, you are truly a wonder.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, that is the Hexagram Level. Lilith have arranged us a challenge. We need to get there.”

“A challenge? What is this to you, Lucifer? A game that will soon have us soon all eliminated.” It was Watson who voiced out. “I am…”

“Patience, Doctor. I don’t own the place anymore. And Lilith have given us a task which I would had if I was the Master. The Hexagram House is the best place to explore when here.”

“I thought we were to go to the Vault? Why are we here in your domain then?” It was the turn of the sleuth to ask. “I read nothing of this in the scrolls.”

“Another voice which have sounded. Yes, we are here because this is the alternative route to the Vault. We are able to get there faster and to the correct level. If we took the …other way by the Mountain, we may not have reached there at all. It’s heavily guarded and more to it, it’s one route I am not familiar.”

“We are wasting time here.” Sir Fleming sighed. “We shall had gone …”

“Huish all of you. Lucifer is right. This is the best way. I … trust him.” Dracula then spoke up after watching the one he had once called his Master. “Master, we will take this route.”

With that Dracula proceeded downwards to the rocky terrain. Mycroft was to protest, but he kept his silence when the others followed the trail down. The walk was tedious with the narrow ledge space and the uneven surface. It was half way down when they heard the wailing noise. They all looked to the source and saw the danger.

“Harpies!” Dracula called out.

“Relative of yours?” Mycroft looked to Dracula who had then shook his head. Everyone leaned back on the wall and drew their weapons. The harpies were of female souls with wings and held an affinity for blood as their sustenance. They soared the skies like bats and with their talons on the lower limbs, they will carry their prey off. Sir Fleming aimed his gun and fired off a succession of rounds from it. He managed to shoot down two harpies but there were more flying towards them. Both the emperors have their own rifles and were taking down their targets, alongside Holmes and Watson. Nayland and Moriarty also their own guns to shoot. It was only Mr Hyde who had transformed into his hideous frame then had grabbed one of the harpies by the left lower limb, and then swung the winged creature like a bat against the others.

“We can’t fight them here. Move on.” Mycroft called out. The group moved on except for Dracula. He stood there watching the harpies and then leapt off the ledge. His fall was short when he grabbed at a descending harpy on the wings and swung himself astride on the back. He leaned down to bite into the harpy’s neck causing both of them to fall. Just before they crashed, Dracula was airborne once more allowing himself to be carried by another harpy. He kicked his legs up towards the harpy head before he swung up to embrace the harpy in reverse position. He punched his hands into the harpy ribs and pulled the innards out. The dying harpy screamed in pain while soaring up. Its call attracted the other harpies which flew to its aid. Dracula had then sighted another to ride on and was airborne. He was unlucky then when two harpies grabbed each of his arms and flew downwards. He was to be thrown down into the rocky terrain. It was then Mr Hyde jumped into the fray imitating Dracula but with his huge frame and weight, the harpy he caught fell with him towards the rocky terrain. Both Mr Hyde and the harpy crashed onto the rocky terrain but the huge frame monster was unharmed. He grabbed the dying harpy and swung it upwards. The thrown harpy clashed onto the harpy that was descending with Dracula on the right arm. During the impact, Dracula felt his right arm was jolted to its edge, but soon he was freed of the hold. He swung his legs up and kicked at the harpy holding his left arm. The harpy then released hold and Dracula was falling hard to the ground.

Dracula landed with his body doing a series of rolls. It hurts him but he was alive then. He looked up and saw the harpies retreating. He then looked at the approaching huge monster.

“Not your mates, huh?” My Hyde reached out with his right hand.