Episode 7: Knee Deep In The Dead - Part 1

Memory File: 0016

Time: 5:49 P.M.

          After several more minutes of elaboration from young Meryle and Ms. Walker, I was slowly introduced into a conflict that had apparently been waging for the better part of a century. As it turned out, there were other monsters that existed in this world. Well, to be fair it seems that they are more visitors if anything. If Ms. Walker’s description of these “Primerans” was accurate, then even one of them was worth ten of the Grim. It also made a great deal of sense to me that Jacob Cain would concoct soldiers that somewhat mimicked these creatures, seeing as how he apparently was chummy with one for who knows how many centuries. But despite the cautious fear that Ms. Walker has for them, it was Meryle’s childlike astonishment that made me want to meet one, especially the one called “Animal” that she spoke so fondly of. On the other hand, the one called “Monster” sounds like a complete asshole, not to mention the fact that he finished off Jacob Cain before I could get a chance to figure out what has happened to me. This Monster that Ms. Walker tells me of was defeated by Animal, but it appears that he did not die as they had hoped. Meryle’s story of helping the red dragon in the forest is enough proof in Ms. Walker's eyes that he remains alive.

          I decided to lead Ms. Walker and Meryle back towards the city to bring Meryle home. But I’m not incompetent enough to take the main road. The “Bat” and “Spider” from the bar could be tailing us and I would rather not draw the attention of civilians any more than I already have. I encouraged the ladies to follow me through the graveyard behind the church, as it wasn’t far from the main town after that... Strange, seems like it would be lighter out. I know we're not in daylight savings time, but there should still be plenty of light... No, this isn’t normal, the air even feels heavy and even smells like something is rotting nearby... I’ll have to talk with Ms. Walker, she may know what this is.

Ms. Walker? Any idea why the sky is so dark? It’s not even six, and that smell.

Oh, so because I play housekeeper to a talking wolf and a paraplegic ghost I suddenly know what the hell’s going on? Meryle. Never say “hell” okay?

Kay

I’m serious; you know more about what’s happening in this town than anyone. I just want to make sure that we are not in any danger.

Look, thanks for the concern, Galahad, but if this is a problem I’m sure Wraith and Animal are on the case. Just leave the weird shit to the weirdos. Don’t say “shit” either, kid.

Kay, but what is “sh- AAAAAAAH!

          I turn to see Meryle being grappled on her ankle by a skeletal hand protruding from the ground beneath her. Ms. Walker immediately lifts her up and runs to my side, places Meryle down behind me, and removes a pistol from her jacket. As we stare at the spectacle we are all speechless, except for Meryle, who is continually asking for us to get rid of it through an array of tears and snot filled snorts. Ms. Walker jabs my side with her elbow to get my attention and points across the graveyard. From beneath and within every pristine, faded, and time tested stone, tomb, and crypt they came. As if being regurgitated by the ground, they are pouring onto the landscape. It feels like there is no more room left in the bowels of the earth for the rotten and the dead. Comprehending this nightmare is pointless. I’ll do what I must to keep them safe... I notice that Ms. Walker has turned around and is gazing at a recently constructed stone monument, freshly sealed, perhaps no more than a few months ago, the name WALKER, etched boldly into the stone. Perched above the monument, a figure, clothed in tattered, green robes motions bony hands and clawed fingers that emit an emerald colored mist, and like a conductor, motions to the dead around us and leads them ever closer. Before I can utter a word, Ms. Walker speaks, and so does the figure.

You have some stones to be standing on my father’s grave, freak...

So you were sired by this mortal fool? This... human, who hindered my vengeance for so long? Then it brings me great pleasure to tell you that his soul is begging me to not unleash his corpse upon your flesh.

Who are you!? Why are you doing this!?

I say it once human, I am Ghast, apprentice to the Black Heart Mammon, and I know that the traitor cowers in your care... You will tell me where he is... or I will choke your filthy human settlement with its own dead.

With a twist of its skeletal hand, the crowd of corpses all turn in unison towards the town of Kingston Heights in the distance, howling hungrily into the night.

What traitor!? The the hell are you going on about anyway!?

The dog... That filthy crimson haired mongrel that deserves nothing more than to see all he holds dear rot before I remove his heart with my own hands!

Ms. Walker looks terrified; she seems to know what the creature wants. I won’t allow this; I can’t allow this to happen to the city. There is too much at risk here.

ENFORCE IT! (The change is instant.)

I see that even humans have made some... Improvements. Never-the-less, what is your will little blue bug?

If I can help it I’d rather not see anyone get hurt, so I decided to try and stop this myself. You’re not hurting these people or anyone else.

Such declarations... But I don’t intend to heed them.

Didn’t ask you to. (I bring my hands together, electricity sparks from them, light fades from my palms, space and air swirl between until a ball of reverberating darkness shakes violently in my grasp.)

Is that for me little bug?

You and your friends... Want to try it?

Hmm... Something that you foolishly believe will defeat me, no?

WALKER, MERYLE, HOLD ON TO ME NOW!

(I throw the ball high over the creature’s head, and using my hands, I control its magnitude, its power. The dead around us are sucked helplessly towards the black sphere, crashing into one another, their lifeless forms are compressed together into a solid mass that shatters and implodes... But as I rid the scene of the dead around us, I can clearly see that the creature remains standing atop the tomb, his lower limbs emanating a golden light that appears to bind him to the stone. I increase the power.)

STOP YOU IDIOT! ITS NOT WORKING ON HIM! YOU’LL KILL US!

(Walker is right, I have to stop)

Impressive, but the centuries have taught me well enough that braggarts should be dealt with caution, even if they are little more than talk... Now then, before I summon more of your dead to assist me, tell me, where is Styx?