Lone Ranger Chapter 46

46.

Virgil known to Lance from his readings was a Roman poet that wrote the great piece; Aeneid and his influences on early Bible history. He was hailed by many for his works and even wanted his works burned upon his death but the then ruler Augustus halted the move. His works were parodied by others then and refer to it for their works to generate meaning in their works. Not all favored the poet but his influences were seen in the works of Silius and Statius. His works were entombed in the Middle Ages when it was associated with magic and prophecy. It was interpreted with the birth of Jesus. It was then his works were seen as having magical properties and were used for divination. The legend of Virgil in his Basket arose then empowered the disruptive force of female attractiveness on men.

“If you have finished with your mind-reading of us, then we can probably talk.” One of Virgil’s figures spoke to Lance before looking at Tonto.

“I doubt we could match up to your racehorse Virgil at the Dover docks but its prowess to sire two champions impressed us.”

Tonto let out a deep laugh at the other for having read his mind. His mind saw the amphitheater to the looks of the row of seats at the races.

“The Lone Ranger. We are impressed.” Another Virgil spoke up. “Please allow us to explain ourselves. We are one and yet all thirty-five of us are one. We are Virgil and Virgil we are.”

Lance was confused and Falstaff explained.

“Virgil has been with us since the beginning of the … Anyway, he has been around for too long, seen too many, and knew too much to hold into one. So he had his soul and body split into those many bodies there, and collectively, they hold all he ever knew or seen.”

“Yes, we have been around since the first arrival then. We were there during the sharing of the knowledge and also during the so-named Angel war.” One of the Virgil’ added in. “We did not partake in it but we were also banished. I guess been brothers means we are also to be blamed. Our banishment resulted in us wandering and soon we ended up in Hades. All of us do as part of the ritual.”

“So tell me, Lone Ranger, if you are who you claimed, tell us why you seek the Dark Portal?”

Lance looked at the assembled elderly men there and pondered. He was told to seek Virgil and then he had a trainload of them to speak to. He nodded to them and then one of them replied.

“There is no Dark Portal. Even if there was one, you are not ready for it.” 

That blank statement shook Lance but he was sure Michael will not let him on a goose chase here. He has to find Lucifer to end the quest and find his brother if the other was still alive.

“Michael was wrong. You can’t be the Lone Ranger.” That statement surprised Lance for he had not mentioned Michael's name at all. He was the new Lone Ranger. He was the new one that hunts demons, unlike the previous one who hunted outlaws. His concern was replied to him.

“Your mind betrayed you, Lance. In his dimension, your mind is the first they will tamper with or probed to know more. I cannot tell you more unless you have control of your mind. Your weakness is their strength. The last Lone Ranger failed because he failed there. He held long but he faltered in the end. You have not even been tried and yet you failed.”

“Our session ends now.” The Virgil who spoke stood up and followed by thirty-three others leaving one other seated. That one then spoke up.

“He is weak in his mind for now but he is the new Lone Ranger.” The odd Virgil then stepped away. “He may be our only hope to save Hades.”

The others all looked at the odd Virgil. Their expression was mostly dismay and some were surprised.

“We are Virgil, and all should be in concert in agreement.” One of the mass Virgil spoke up. “How can we be collective when we cannot agree to be one.”

“A collective mind does not mean total obedience. A mind may function as one but it does express its functions at times. The mind may dictate action, but a part of it may differ in that hence it may trigger the need to rethink that action. Like when we reach for a drink, a trigger may be set off when that part of the mind detects heat. As heat may hurt the flesh, it will initiate an alternative.”

“You are an odd one, Virgil.” The tone taken was cynical but the others sighed in consent. Another intervened to steer the discussion.

“A weak mind is not a mind to trifle with the Devil.” One of the thirty-three Virgil’ replied. “Of all creatures that breathe and move upon the earth, nothing ever bred that is weaker than Man.”

It was a quote from Iliad by Homer.

“Even a fool learns something once it hits him.” The odd Virgil replied. “Man is one unique creation that even defies its creator’s ambition but the follow up on the creation was more creative by the participant.”

Lance’s stifled his laugh on that. The odd Virgil stood apart and then faced the others.

“Lance could not do it himself but the mind of Man was professed to be creative; their diverse cohabitation modes were extensive. Lance needs a friend, or should I say the sidekick.” The odd Virgil laid it out directly. “Falstaff could be that sidekick. Besides the one, the Lone Ranger already had on his side.”

“Falstaff? He is …” Another one of the Virgil protested but the outspoken Virgil hit back.

“A laughable object by shape or by nature to the view of others? That is a conjecture or whimsy perception. Despite his rounded nature, Falstaff may assist the Lone Ranger far more than that. Just before you think I had decided, I require you to fulfill a task for me. It’s essential for Hades. I will not impose on you but you may judge it’s needed then. Falstaff will expand on it when needed.”

“Please….” Another dissenting Virgil was to express his view but the odd one snapped off the protest.

“Please do not antagonize me for I may forget my civil tongue.” The odd Virgil explained. “Hades needed the balance in the scale. The Lone Ranger may be that if he can tame the Devil. He is considered weak but his weakness could be strengthened by the others who lack his weakness. Combined that, and the foe may be toppled.”

“Hush your ramblings, Virgil. Hades is porous to the ill-spoken verses.” Another Virgil spoke up but Falstaff cut in.

“None to concern yourself with,” Falstaff spoke up. “The Devil may already know of his arrival. Just as I knew he knew, I am also familiar with the workings of Hades. I may know sections of the journey that they will need. Assuming I am there to guide them.”

“The infallible Falstaff. I am ever proud of you.” The odd Virgil spoke out. “Best you prepare your journey. The River Styx does have a tight schedule.”