Chapter 3 of the Shards of Avalon [Supernatural Fantasy, 4461 words]
I would love to have some feedback on pacing. I have tried slowing it down, but I would like to kow if anyone else feels like the pacing is too fast, or if the amount of reveals is too close together. This is a supernatural fantasy (wow, I did not realize this chapter was that long). For reference, the story starts with Dupree doing normal work stuff. He goes to a bar and ends up running from a debt collector named Charlie, and his right hand man, Krieg. After Dupree runs, he injures himself and Charlie finds him in an alleyway. At this point, we realize Dupree and Charlie are a little more familiar with each other than first thought. Charlie and Krieg bring Dupree to an animal hospital to get patched up. The girl working at the animal hospital is Luce, Charlies daughter. There is some tension, and she is mad at Charlie, blaming him for allowing Dupree to get into debt with a bad guy named Shay, she also admonishes Krieg (who is hurt by her admonishment). Charlie pretty much works for Shay, but they are also rivals. Chapter 3 starts with Krieg exiting the animal hospital to catch up with Charlie.
Chapter 3:
Krieg stepped outside. He looked up. Dark clouds churned over the city. The winds shifted sharply, stinging the side of his face.
Shay!
Across the street, Charlie stood on the curb, cane planted hard against the pavement. He was talking to the one man he reviled most in this world.
Sheamus “Shay” Mallone.
There, another figure stood behind Shay.
Lisa… His face twitched.
Charlie seemed more tense than normal. His face was tight, and his hand clenched his cane. Krieg stepped forward to hear the conversations.
“I’m done here Charlie,” Shay said. “I’m leaving this gutter of a city for good.”
“And?” Charlie replied. “Should I send you a postcard?”
Shay cracked a chuckle, but was clearly annoyed with Charlie's insolence.
“Do you know why I came here, Charlie?”
Boom.
The sky flashed, and the air vibrated.
Shay’s eyes lifted to the dark swirl of clouds above. Lisa's head followed just the same.
Krieg looked up. What are they looking at?
Charlie’s eyes flashed up for a brief moment and then back to Shay.
“I came here for a simple mission,” Shay continued. “A dull one. Pointless, really. Watch. Wait. Keep the people under the suppression of my thumb, but you–you resisted me at every turn.”
“The point?”
“The point?” Shay repeated with clenched teeth. He huffed, hidden by a laugh and shook his finger at Charlie. “The point is. I don’t need this place anymore.”
“See,” Shay looked at his hands. His eyes grew wide. “I found something, Charlie…
“Something old,” he said. “Older than this city. Older than Hell’s little war.” He leaned closer, his voice dropping. “Something that can bring heaven to its knees.”
The wind whistled through the streets.
Charlie’s cane scraped against the pavement.
Shay’s eyes brightened with terrible excitement. “Why waste my eternity ruling alleys and rats when I can kill God himself?”
Krieg gulped hard. K-kill God?
Charlie's eyes constricted briefly, but he always kept his composure. “Don’t care bout’ your holy war,” Charlie said. “Long as you leave my city be.”
Shay cast a genuine smile that crossed his whole face. “Your city? Right, Before I leave, I wanted to clean up a few–loose ends…”
Charlie clenched his cane, but said nothing.
They both stared at each other.
Shay looked at the animal hospital. “You’ve kept those kids of yours safe for so long.” He cocked his head to the side. “But why the boy? It’s not like he’s blood.”
“Ain’t gotta be blood to be family.”
Charlie’s statement was simple, but Krieg felt it to the depths of his soul. He nearly shed a tear. That’s right, this whole city is like family to Charlie…
Shay stared hard at the animal hospital across the street. “That’s cute,” he said with a dismissive tone.
Charlie clenched his jaw. “Tread carefully Shay,” he said through gritted teeth.
Shay looked back to Charlie. “This time, Charlie, I’ll make that scar even bigger, and gut those fucking brats of yours.”
“Krieg!” Charlie yelled as he reared back and swung his cane strong and hard.
It connected with Shay’s face. The cane glowed, it was as if rune symbols had been etched upon it. When it connected, Shay’s face sizzled and smoke wafted. In that same moment, a force of energy from the top ornament burst out. Lisa's body was slammed back into the brick building, cracking the bricks with her body.
“Keep her safe!” Charlie commanded quickly then turned to face Lisa as she gathered herself. Meanwhile, Shay regained his balance. They attacked simultaneously.
Krieg felt his body jump to action to help Charlie, but he stopped himself. He looked back at the animal hospital.
Luce…
As he turned back to the animal hospital, he saw Charlie swing forth another attack from his cane out the corner of his eye.
* * *
Dupree slowly stood up off the table. Luce put her arm around him to help him up so as not to tear the newly inserted stitches. Her hair fell across his face.
He could smell the faint sweet strawberry of her shampoo, still clinging to life even after a full day's work.
Ahh, he thought, still a kid at heart, using the same old children’s shampoo.
He subtly cleared his throat and shifted his face away from hers.
Don’t be creepy Dupree, he said to himself. You lost your chance years ago.
His eyes shifted, like a teenager trying to sneak a look at a high school crush. To his shock, eyes were locked on him. Their eyes met for a moment before both shying away.
Bang, ding-ding.
Dupree heard the front door of the animal hospital burst open followed by the chime of the bell. Krieg came rushing into the back.
“Lu–” he paused for a brief moment when he saw Luce holding Dupree.
Dupree and Luce quickly seperated as though they got caught doing something wrong.
“Luce,” Krieg continued as if he saw nothing. “You have to get out of here.” His voice was urgent. He pointed to the back entrance. “Go that way, take the back alleys and hide if you have to!”
“Wait Krieg,” Luce said. “What’s this all abou–”
“Dupree, get her the hell out of here. Now.” At this point, Krieg's voice was a command, but Dupree could hear the faint shudder in his voice.
He’s serious, Dupree thought. Something’s very wrong.
“Krie–” Dupree grabbed Luce by the arm before she could finish calling Krieg’s name.
“C’mon Luce.”
She looked at him in shock, but slowly decided to give in. Just as she started to turn and follow Dupree, they all heard the ding of a bell. It was the front door.
“K-rii-eeeg.” An unsettling female voice called out, almost singing his name.
Krieg, reached into his vest pockets and pulled out brass knuckles.
What are those symbols? Dupree asked himself as Krieg slid the knuckles onto his hands. Etched at the tip of the knuckles were strange rune symbols.
Dupree’s eyes went wide as the woman stalked into the back room with them. “Lisa?!”
“Huh?” Lisa’s face tilted. “Oh! Dupree. What a small, tiny–” her face distorted into the grotesque vision Dupree had of her earlier in the night– “world.”
His face fell. What is this sinking feeling in my heart?
Lisa squinted her eyes, dissecting Dupree. “Hmm, what’s the matter, Dupree? You look like you’ve seen a ghost?"
Dupree stepped back with wide eyes. He struggled to breathe. “You–your face…”
Krieg’s eyes went wide. “You can see her true form?”
Luce stood there with confusion in her eyes..
“Oh Dupree,” Lisa said. Her eyes glowed at him and her grin widened wickedly. “It will be so much fun to kill you.”
“Run.” Krieg yelled and thrust forward in a flash. Dupree saw a glow on the bottom of his shoes.
More symbols? Thought Dupree.
With a powerful swing of his fist, the knuckles connected with Lisa’s face. A crackling sizzle sound screeched out and her skin melted.
Dupree grabbed Luce and pulled her to the alleyway door. Luce gasped as if she saw something horrid. Looking back but for a second, he could see Lisa’s face distort once again as Krieg’s brass knuckles connected with her face. Dupree and Luce both cringed with pain, hearing the screech of misery from Lisa. Finally, they made it into the alley.
What the Hell is going on? He thought. That sounded like a creature. He felt his heart pound against his chest, the sweat rolled down his forehead. He could see the fear in Luce’s eyes.
They shook off their fear and hesitation then moved forward through the back alley. Dupree ran as fast as he could, limping behind Luce as he moved. His bandages were already stained with blood from his newly patched wound being ripped open again.
As soon as they got to the side alley that led to the street, Luce looked over.
“Dad!”
Looking over, he and Luce saw Charlie on the side walk across from the animal hospital entrance. She cut into the side alley without any notice and ran towards the street.
“Luce,” Dupree reached out to grab her, but it was too late. He missed her arm. With the softness of her knitted sweater just brushing his finger, he nearly fell over.
He propped himself against the garbage bin to catch his breath. C’mon Dupree, he said to himself. You have to stay with her.
Boom.
The distant thunder echoed in the sky. A faint flash accompanied it.
In the street, Dupree saw something unimaginable. It was “Shay” Mallon, the only man Charlie feared. At his feet, Charlie, in his hand…
The Hell? Dupree’s eyes grew wide. Is his hand on fire?
He could see it all. Luce desperately running to her beaten and bloodied father, Charlie staring at Shay in defiance, and Shay–swinging down his hand of hellfire.
“Noooo!” Luce wailed in pain as her father’s body burst into flames.
Dupree froze. A tear formed in his eye. The searing screams from Charlie stabbed his eardrums so sharply, all Dupree could hear after was the ringing.
He saw Shay's head slowly creep around to see Luce on her knees in the middle of the street. One hand reached out to her father’s half-burned body while another covered her mouth. The tears washed over her face.
The smell of burnt flesh wafted through the streets. The glow of runes on Charlie's cane faded as it fell out of his hand, it rolled into the street.
An evil grin formed on Shay’s face. “Ahh, the daughter,” he took a step forward. “So innocent, so sweet.”
The thunder cracked again, louder, the air itself vibrated and the flash in the cloudy sky seemed brighter.
Luce crawled slowly across the street reaching desperately for her father. Shay began to cackle. His arrogant laugh echoed through the streets.
Dupree looked to his left at the alleyway. Run Dupree, don’t get yourself killed. Then he looked back to Luce. N–no, I can’t leave her.
He opened his mouth and tried to call out, to tell her to come back, but no words came out.
His breathing became even more ragged. No, I can’t. I’m no hero. I have to save myself.
He was still gripping the dumpster for balance. He gripped so hard, his knuckles were white. Goddammit, why can’t I move?
Finally, he took a step. What? No. No, my body–you’re going the wrong way!
His mind told him to run, to save himself, but his body decided differently. He stepped towards Luce. She was crying, reaching out for help.
Boom. Boom.
The thunder crashed rapidly, louder, brighter.
His eyes looked at the heavens. Ah, fuck, alright. I get it already… He focused, and tried to steel his mind. Maybe I can at least save her.
Shay met Luce in the middle of the street.
She saw him stalk closer. She reached for her father’s cane, which had rolled near her side. Shay kicked her in the stomach as she was crawling. He kicked her so hard, her body lifted up off the ground. She was flipped over on her back, blood splattered out of her mouth.
He stalked.
He stood above her.
Dupree moved his body, racing as fast as he could.
“Fuck you,” she said. Her lips curled with pain, her eyes burned with rage. She spit her blood into Shay’s face.
He smiled as he wiped the blood from his face and reached his hand up. Fire formed around it.
“No!” Dupree charged, he moved so fast he even surprised himself, throwing himself at Shay with everything he had.
Shay didn’t move.
“Guhk!”
Dupree’s eyes flew wide as Shay’s foot drove into his stomach, stopping him cold. The air burst from his lungs, followed by a wet spray of blood. Through the haze of pain, he looked up and saw Shay’s contemptuous smile.
Only then did Dupree look down.
Shay’s boot was buried in his gut, holding him there like he weighed nothing.
Shay dropped his foot. Dupree fell to the ground. At that point, Lisa stalked out the front door of the animal hospital. Drenched in red, she licked some blood off her fingers.
“Oh,” said Shay. “looks like Krieg didn’t make it either.”
Dupree looked towards her, hope fading.
“So, you’re Dupree?” Shay asked. “You owe me a lot of money.” He looked over at Charlie’s burnt corps. “Poor Charlie. His potential was wasted, trying to save this worthless city.”
Shay stepped over and grabbed Charlie’s cane.
“He may have succeeded if he wasn’t so focused on sheltering his daughter, and protecting a worthless drunk like you.”
A mocking laugh came from behind him. It was Lisa. “Dupree, don’t work too late. Dupree, get some rest. Dupree, you’re such a funny guy…”
She grabbed him by what little hair he had. “I despised every second having to keep tabs on you. But Shay insisted you and that little bitch were the best leverage to keep Charlie in check.”
“Wh–why are you doing this?” She asked.
“Oh?” Lisa glared at Luce. “Would it have hurt you more?” Lisa asked, her forked tongue slid up Dupree’s cheek. “If I’d made him love me first?”
Dupree gritted his teeth and closed his eyes tight. Luce looked away in disgust.
“Aha,” Lisa cackled. “Ah ha ha ha!”
BOOM!
The thunder rang out so loud, the buildings shook. The windows on the buildings bowed under the concussive force. Lisa released Dupree and shot to her feet.
Shay’s face distorted as he looked up. His face was grotesque, like Lisa's but his seemed far more sinister.
Shooting a look back down to Dupree, “ehh? Oh, you can see through the veil. I did not expect that.” He bent forward, face to face with Dupree. “Does my true face scare you?”
Luce looked from Shay to Dupree in confusion as Dupree swallowed hard and inched backwards.
“Well then,” Shay's voice changed from human to demonic. “I will let you both bask in my true form before you die.”
His face twisted and stretched, the skin flushing a deep, unnatural red as his features sharpened into something bat-like and monstrous. A large horn-like feature grew on the left side of his head, but just on the left side. His hands followed, fingers lengthening into clawed points, the nails blackening as they became sharp and pointed.
Shay raised Charlie's cane high into the air above Luce. “Why, you ask? It matters not anymore.”
Loud concussive crashes of thunder once again rocked the city. Dupree’s body trembled in fear of Shay, but also from the concussion of the thunder.
Luce flinched under the ear shattering sound and blinding flash of light.
Shay looked into the clouds as they churned and cackled, more thunder crashed. The air pressure weighed down, making it hard to breathe.
BOOM!
A silent moment passed in slow motion after the last deafening boom.
Then, Shay stabbed.
He stabbed the cane down.
Dupree moved as fast as he could. He saw it all in slow motion. He tried desperately to jump in front of Luce–
A squelch and crack was heard.
“Ahhh!” He screamed, he could see the cane protruding from his right shoulder.
It’s fine, he thought. Luce is–
“Luce!”
He barely made it in time, but to no avail. Under his body was Luce. The cane had pierced all the way through Dupree’s shoulder, and into her heart.
“Luce!” he cried out again, but she did not answer. Her eyes stared out into the nothingness as her breathing became faint.
Dupree struggled, he wiggled and tore his wound open even more as he forced the cane up and out of both their bodies.
He grabbed her and held her head, while pressing on the gaping wound in her chest. He felt the warm splats of blood hit his face as she coughed, gasping for air. Finally, her eyes met his. She tried to say something, then she took her final breath.
Instead of having time to mourn, his body quickly left his control.
He felt someone grab him from behind and his body was thrown like a ragdoll to the other side of the street. No time to grieve, no time to take stock of his current situation. He felt his body crash and tumble, but felt nothing at the same time.
“C’mon, boss,” Lisa said as she stalked towards Dupree. “Let me kill this one.”
Three claps of thunder came in rapid succession. Lisa stopped in her tracks, her and Shay looked up.
Finally, Shay’s contemptuous face changed. From cool to that of terror. Dupree could see for the first time their fear.
Out of the corner of his bloodied eye, Dupree saw–
A meteor.
It all happened too fast. Before Dupree understood what was happening, the meteor crashed right in the middle of the street.
The blast knocked him unconscious. After a few moments, he regained consciousness, barely. He flopped around on the ground in an attempt to stand. Between the ringing in his ears and his double vision, he felt like he was under water.
The car alarms were honking. There was building debris everywhere. He coughed as the smoke and dust entered his lungs. It was like a battle scene in the middle of Bloomfield City.
As he regained some sense, he saw Lisa’s body beside him. It was torn nearly in half from the explosion.
Dead, he thought. Please be dead.
He looked to the street. Luce. Where’s Luce?
Looking for Luce, he focused towards the middle of the street. There was a blinding blue light in the center around where Luce’s body should have been.
That glow. What is it?
As he hobbled closer to the blue light, his energy started to come back. He felt better, but his wounds were still there.
How? How can I move in this state? My brain fog is lifting.
As he approached he saw it. The light, it was a blue glow. He finally realized, beneath the glow was a body, white as snow, with giant feathered wings.
What is that? It–it can’t be what I think it is…
Then, a few feet in front of the glowing body was Luce’s body. It was burned beyond recognition. Dupree looked around. He tried to think, but he couldn’t. His vision swam. He looked around, but all he could see was death and destruction. The buildings, the cars, the street.
He fell to his knees not knowing what else to do. He reached out to Luce as if she could still be alive.
He was in shock.
“Dupree Callahan.”
Hearing his name should have caused him fear, but the sound of the voice was calming and warm. Even though he knew the pain of what was happening was still hiding deep within him. He shook his head, and the shock started to wear off.
Dupree looked at the glowing man with wide eyes. He could see the glowing man’s eyes. They looked down towards Luce.
“She–hrk–was special to you?” A rhetorical question from a unique being. “I can help you save her.”
He raised his shaking hand. Dupree could see silver leaking from his body.
Is that his blood? He–he’s dying…
“Come forth.”
Dupree moved his foot to take a step, but hesitated.
“While I am not able to revive her, I–kh–offer you a path to save her, to save–Heaven itself.”
Heaven? Dupree was shocked.
“Come forth Dupree, I must deem you worthy in God’s eye.”
Dupree, hesitantly stepped forward. “But, what if I don’t believe in God?”
The angel chuckled. “Look before you my child, do you–hhk–do you still not believe?”
“Heh,” Dupree chuckled his trepidness away and continued forward.
The angel held out his palm in front of Dupree’s forehead. A glow shined, an eye inside a triangle formed in his palm. “Yes,” the angel said after a moment.
Dupree watched as the eye burned away into smoke.
“Dupree Callahan, I had my doubts, but your actions this night, you have been found worthy in God’s eye.”
“M–me? Really?”
“Yes, there is righteousness inside you. Look how you tried to save Lucy from Maelmon…”
Dupree stared at the angel. Who the Hell is Maelmon?
“Oh, right,” said the angel. “You call him Shay.”
“So, Shay’s real–”
“There’s not much time left.” The angel interrupted. “Dupree Callahan, I have a holy mission for you. There is a war between Heaven and Hell. If we do not do something drastic, Heaven will lose.”
The angel groaned in pain and coughed up silver, sparkling blood.
“If you accept this mission, you can save her too.” The angel looked Dupree in the eyes. Dupree felt as if he was burning a hole in his soul.
Dupree looked at Luce's corps. Luce, I failed you this time.
He looked to the angel and stared right back at him. They both looked into each other's eyes. The angel and Dupree both nodded to each other. An understanding among men.
I won’t fail you again, Luce.
“Ok. what’s the mission?”
The angel smiled, silver sparkled blood in his teeth, he raised his hands. He began to form hand gestures and make writing movements in this air. Traces of magical runes appeared, similar to what Dupree saw on Krieg’s knuckles and shoes.
The angel pushed forward, a buzzing sound stirred and a vibrant blue glow enveloped Dupree. His wounds began to heal, the toxins in his body dissipated. It was the most clarity his mind and body has had for years.
“This spell will send you back in time ten years before now. All of my knowledge will be implanted into your mind.”
“What is your name?” Dupree asked.
“Oh, right,” the ange replied. “Where are my manners? My name is Sariel.”
A rumbling could be heard behind Sariel. Building debris to the side where Charlie’s body lay exploded.
Dupree was stuck inside the shell, his body immobile while the spell began to activate.
Shit, all I can do now is watch.
“Maelmon,” said Sariel.
“Sariel?!” Maelmon struggled to stand. Half his demon body was scorched from Sariel’s crushing arrival. He looked up at Dupree, static inside the blue glowing shell. A purple crackle slithered and sparked around the blue shell. The pressure around them dropped hard.
“Sariel, what the hell is this?” His body trembled and he looked at Sariel with wide eyes.
“It’s too late–cough, hurk–
“It’s too late, demon.” Sariel said with a withered voice.
“Sariel,” Maelmon said with a nervous tick. “Even for demons, a spell like this is forbidden. How did you–”
“The tides of war will change.”
“Hmm,” Maelmon focused, “but will your God forgive you for this?”
“Oh, right.” Sariel replied. “My conviction flows deep, even if I am cast out of Heaven, I will still fight for it.”
“Enough bullshit,” said Maelmon, hellfire formed on his hand. “I cannot allow this magic to activate, and you are too weak to stop me.”
Maelmon took a step forward and slashed down, shooting the hellfire directly at Dupree.
Dupree’s eyes went wide, his heart began to flutter.
Inside the shell, Dupree could see the hellfire coming at him, but his body was stuck in a state of stasis. He could not move or react. As the flame came closer, a blinding purple light suddenly crashed into it. The flame was extinguished.
“Sariel!”
Sariel coughed and hacked. “I may be weak, but I need no powers to stop you.”
“Big words from a dead-wing.” Maelmon gritted his teeth and stretched out his arm.
A green glow slowly peeked from under his red skin. The rubble on the ground vibrated. A tip pierced through. It looked like a shard or rock, but it was attached by a golden twine to a large wooden stick.
As the relic slowly revealed itself into the glow of the night, Dupree could see the fear in Sariel’s eyes.
“No!” He yelled. “Th–that can’t be.”
Maelmon chuckled and grinned. “Not so tough now, are you?”
“A–Avalon…” The feigned confidence in Sariel’s voice faded.
Maelmon stood over a defenseless Sariel. Sariel tried to defend himself and launch a last second attack. However, Maelmon struck the spear down.
Crunch.
The life from Sariel’s wide eyes slowly faded. His body turned to a green dust and dissipated into the cold night’s air.
“Angels and demons have been battling above the city for months.” He looked at Dupree. “Now, I have the ability to end this war and sit atop the throne of Heaven."
“He, ha, ha, ha! To think, you were Heaven's last hope? It’s time to die, Dupree”
A moment passed as Dupree watched Maelmon lift his hand. The moment felt like hours.
Helpless, defenseless, I cannot even speak…
A tear fell down Dupree’s cheek as he closed his eyes. So, this is it? I failed them all. I failed Luce. I am–a failure.
“Ahhh!” A demonic scream bellowed out.
Dupree eyes were shocked back open. What he saw was nothing short of a miracle. Maelmeon was pinned down, it looked like he was experiencing intense pain.
His leg, Charlie’s cane was glowing and it had pierced his leg straight through, and anchored into the ground. The skin on Maelmon’s leg was sizzling, the smoke wafting up.
Charlie’s half burned, beaten body could be seen holding the cane. He was still alive, but just barely. Charlie had laid his last offensive, and grabbed Maelmon’s wrist, further preventing him from launching the spear at Dupree.
“Go kid, save her!” His raspy voice was alive and motivated.
“You bastard, let me go.” Maleon raged and thrashed, but Charlie, with every ounce of strength left, prevented him from moving forward.
Maelmon formed a fist of hellfire, but Charlie grabbed that wrist too, and refused to let go.
Dupree saw Maelmon look down at Charlie. Their eyes locked onto each other.
Charlie gritted his teeth. “You can’t have this one too.” Rage and contempt for Maelmon and Hell itself could be felt. It radiated from him, giving him almost super strength as he held Maelmon in place.
Dupree smiled, the buzzing became a hum. Louder and louder. Reality began to fade from his vision. His body was in a light blue dome, glowing ever brighter by the second.
At the last moment, Maelmon broke free and launched the spear.
Purple sparks of light started to pop around the glowing shell. They became rapid, they got bigger, like small bolts of lightning. The blue orb began to spin.
The last thing he saw was the tip of the green spear loosed towards him and tap the blue shell before it began to shrink
The scene in front of Dupree disappeared in an instant. The ball of light had shrunk into itself.