The Archives of Metaphysical Warfare: Once Upon a Time in Detroit...

By Charity Gaff

The Archives of Metaphysical Warfare are a comprehensive collection of detailed accounts, artifacts, information, and evidence as pertaining to the war for ultimate possession of the earth plane of existence. Based on legendary, mythical, historical, and theological research, we are the keepers of all which lies on the hidden edges of wo

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charity Gaff
• Release date: Sep 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9781736478936

Book preview

1

Hope woke up in what seemed like a very low budget motel. It was the kind of motel that might get paid by the hour and host unsavory business ventures. The room smelled like cheap air freshener and chlorine, even though the pool was nowhere near the room. For now, she was alone in the room or at least she had thought she was alone. She found out how wrong she was when she suddenly was bounced into the air, almost falling off the bed, by a large invisible creature upon his realization that she was now awake. Hope groaned. She hurt all over, as if her veins were on fire and numb at the same time. The invisible pup nudged her a few times, realizing that she was still hurt and would not be getting up, the creature snuggled up next to her. His warmth was comforting against her side. She looked down at the arm that had been scratched by the scorpion man’s stinger. Her whole arm was one large bruise, the veins from the wound were still black, but it was no longer spreading. She wasn't sure what had happened since she passed out or how she'd gotten here, but at least the progression of the venom seemed to have been contained. Now that she focused on the wound, she suddenly needed a bucket, as the urge to vomit began to overwhelm her. Her eyes searched the area and fell on an ice bucket that seemed like it might have already been used for this very purpose. She grabbed it quickly and heaved black sludge from her body. After several minutes of holding the bucket, she felt confident that the need to expel the muck was once again quelled. She took a deep breath and fell back onto the bed, exhausted and shaking from the sickness.

Just as she was about to fall asleep again, curling up next to the warm invisible mass, the mechanical noise of a key card opening the door from the outside caught the attention of both Hope and her newly acquired guard dog. The individual that walked into the room was certainly not who she had assumed would walk through the door.

As always, Asmodeus's stature seemed very regal, though his attire said otherwise. He was once again wearing casual clothes, destroyed jeans and a Radio Company t-shirt. On his head was a backward cap. His hair always seemed to have a perfect wave to it, curled around the edges of his hat. When he saw she was awake, he gave her a soft smile. Somehow, coming from him, a smile always seemed as if there were ulterior motives behind it.

It's about time, Dulcedo. He brought in a paper bag with something in it. She could smell that it was food as soon as he had opened the door. I was concerned that this soup might have gone to waste like the others.

The others? Hope's voice was quiet and raspy, still very weak and in need of much more recovery.

You've been here for almost a week; I have brought you a soup each day since I learned of your condition. He set the paper bag on the end table and moved toward her. One would be surprised just how many types of soup there are in the world. He reached out a hand to feel her forehead. It feels as if your fever has broken. That is a very good sign.

Where are Sam and Leo? Hope asked, flinching a bit to distance herself from his touch.

Leonardo has locked himself away in order to write down the knowledge he learned from your vacation at the Hotel California. Asmodeus pulled up a chair beside the bed and sat backward on it. Samael has been gathering and recruiting the Tum’ah Dām and learning what he can about the Hiys'tor'yah, Dvry Ymy Hvr. Dues studied her condition and watched her expressions. Yhidrial and I have taken shifts to stay with you since you returned. It was a bit touch and go for a while. Hope wasn't sure how she felt about being watched by powerful entities that she barely knew, but she didn't have the energy to protest.

Da Vinci has told me that you made a new friend? He referred to the creature that was now snoring beside her. He was also intentionally changing the subject. You should really give him a name, you know. Every creature deserves a name.

His name is… She stopped, turning on her supernatural vision so she could see the baby Hellhound clearly. His name is Revenant. To this Asmodeus nodded in approval.

That's a strong name, it suits him. He replied. Hope narrowed her eyes.

You can see him? She asked, confused.

Of course, I can, I am born of the depths and the power of the Abyss, unlike you, I see all that comes from my realm without the ability to turn it off. I assume it is like this for the other side, as well. Regardless, you were chosen by an exemplary animal, he will be a great protector someday. He has not once left your side. He seemed to be considering something for a moment. You truly do not understand the power you wield. That is clear by the fight you were in with Lord Yue Malik. He took a deep breath. I understand you have had no training, but you have been given the blessing of all three worlds. You have the ability to see all that is hidden. I cannot see that which those of Earth or Zion hide from me. Yhidrial cannot see what we hide from her or that of your home world which is hidden. Leonardo, though he has detailed what he has been shown in depth, he cannot see what is hidden from him. You do not have those limitations. You can see all, if you so choose. He gave Revenant a pat, before adding one last comment. You also have the spiritual abilities of each as well.

What do you mean, spiritual abilities? Hope thought about it for a moment, she could take a guess, just as she did a majority of the time when her new acquaintances told her something that was beyond her scope of understanding, but while he was explaining things, she figured she might as well get him to give her more details.

You understand what I mean. He looked at her with suspicion in his eyes. You ask many questions, you try to show the world the facade of an individual that is below average intelligence, but that is merely a survival trait. He slowly shook his head. We all see this. We see through the mask you wear; you do not have to wear it any longer. Your skills and intelligence are valued here, you do not have to lower yourself before us, as you do with other humans.

I… Hope began to protest, but stopped, thinking back on her life, her personality, and her experiences. She blinked as a revelation fell over her. He was right. Through her life, she had learned that standing out caused her pain, so in order to be accepted by others, she had hidden her true self. She had hidden her intelligence, her eccentricities, she had hidden who she was to fit into a world that had never truly shown her much acceptance. You’re right. She looked toward him; her tired eyes fixed on his as she continued to speak. "I know what I have. I always have. I feel the blood in my veins. I have always felt it. I didn’t know what it was before, but I have always been different. I’ve always felt different. She looked down at the floor, seeming to space out as she continued. Now I feel the new spiritual energies. They are separate, but somehow one inside of me. She focused on those energies for a moment, all of them at once. She didn’t single out one energy, she forced them to merge into one. Her eyes lit up a bright violet and the symbols on her collar lit up, both with their individual colors, causing the purple energy to swirl around her. However, the surge of energy didn’t last long. In her current condition, she couldn’t hold it. It caused her to collapse backward, falling on the sleeping puppy. It woke him and he moved around slightly to get comfortable once more. Hope’s breath was heavy, trying to make up for the energy she had used. Through labored words, she finished her thought, staring at the ceiling. I...don’t know what...I am capable of...but I accept the responsibility...to try."

The show of spiritual power took Dues aback. He knew she would end up a powerful creature. Whereas up until this point the Chimaera had been only a legend and a theoretical mystery, it had been forbidden and when she was made this way it threw the rules of balance out of the window. It was clear she had no idea what she had become. Seeing this confirmed to the demon that he had chosen well. Though she did not know how to control these new abilities, he knew that they all had to protect her until she could.

Get some sleep, carissimi unum. You will need it to heal. He helped to move Hope into a more comfortable position, considering she was too tired to resist. We will help to heal you, but you must also heal yourself. Healing can only take place with rest. After making sure that she was comfortable, Dues moved across the room and pulled two foam bowls out of the paper bag. One he sat to the side on the table, adding to it a spoon and a napkin that had been at the bottom of the bag. Taking the second foam bowl, he snapped the fingers of his opposite hand, an action which turned the TV on. The volume was low enough that it didn’t keep Hope awake and she once more drifted off to sleep.

2

Yesterday: Asmodeus had been conflicted with the decision of sending Hope to the deep. He had known the architect and knew what he was capable of, and even though they had thought he was oblivious to the gifts Gabriel had bestowed upon them, he could sense a difference. He also knew Hope, not personally as much as he should have known her to align himself with the girl, but he could sense the untapped potential within her. After they had stepped through the portal, he’d caught himself wandering off into thought, hopeful that the help he had offered them had in fact turned out well. He didn’t have many allies in the pit any longer, but those he did have, he tended to feel were of solid foundation...unless they weren’t. One could never truly count on those who mainly served themselves. He, himself, most of the time did as well, which made him an understandably unpredictable ally, even in his own opinion.

He tapped his pen rapidly on the desk, unconsciously his thoughts ran through scenarios of how things might have gone. If all had gone according to plan, they should be back at any time now. However, regardless of what world or dimension a person was in, there always seemed to be complications that arose. He knew there would likely be obstacles that the two would have to overcome on their trip to Hell, but he hoped that they would come through them unscathed. It really was a toss-up as to how their visit would go. He knew that Leonardo, having had the skill and experience to navigate other worlds alone, would likely have done fine. However, coupled with the Holy Princess, the chances of success were reduced greatly. She had received no training on her abilities, she was just curious and bold enough to get herself into trouble, and certainly stubborn enough for an entire army. He caught himself grinning at the thought of her. She intrigued him, as she seemed to do to the other male beings of the little mismatched group also. Deus hadn’t been this interested in a creature for quite some time, after so many years of life, all creatures had begun to look the same to him. Gender, race, culture, sentience, he’d been through his share of romances, none that lasted for longer than a single human lifetime, but then for someone such as he, this was essentially the blink of an eye.

He kept away from most humans, their menial every day experiences bored him and unless he needed something or was sent to influence, he kept to himself. Even the cosmic and supernatural entities within the world generally held very little of his attention these days, in most cases. However, a female chimera was another story entirely. He wasn’t sure if he would have felt the same way if she had been male, but for the moment he had been at least entertained by the notion of her.

Abruptly he was pulled from a very enticing daydream, back to reality, as a mortal realm spell ripped a portal through the wall that he had opened up the previous day. It didn’t surprise him when Leonardo barged through it...without Hope. Asmodeus stood up immediately, his chair falling back behind him, making a loud clatter on the floor.

Where is she? She’s not dead, I would have felt it. It took less than seconds for the demon Knight to be right up next to the human man, grabbing a fist full of his shirt, lifting him as if he were weightless. Leo did not seem shaken in the least, merely out of breath with an obstinate glare painted over his face.

"Your friends betrayed us. Leo shouted at the demon, seeming to pay little attention to the fact that obviously the Knight could have squashed him like a bug. Megaera handed the girl over to Lord Yue Malik and she certainly was no match for him at this juncture in her supernatural exposure." The angry look didn’t fade, even as Asmodeus sat the man down on his feet and stepped back a few paces. The Knight raised his hand to his forehead, seeming distracted for a few seconds, before regaining his composure.

Where is she? It was a single, straightforward question, with an easy answer.

The Detroit Gate, on the banks of the Lacus Ignis. She is being protected. Leo answered quickly.

By Death? Dues had never known Death to take involvement in such matters, the entity was generally a being all his own, created by God but truly serving no one, not even himself truly. Asmodeus had known he’d likely take them across the river, but he figured that would be where the assistance would end. Da Vinci shook his head. In a normal situation, were he not so concerned he might have rolled his eyes at the thought of the young Hellhound, but in this case he merely gave the demon an answer.

She made a friend. This was all Leonardo said, whereas if she’d named the creature, she hadn’t shared it with him at this point.

Go. Find Yhidrial, because of the nature of the girl’s situation, I may need the help of the light. Asmodeus walked back through the open portal, as soon as he saw a single nod from the man.

There she had been, crumpled up on the banks of the Lake of Fire, guarded by a small Hellhound. The creature quite ferociously protected the girl, even from the Knight, for such a young pup. However, when it was clear that Asmodeus was not going to harm his mistress and she was not going to wake up, the pup allowed the demon to go to her. A part of Asmodeus was truly concerned for her, which had been an odd feeling for the ancient man. He’d seen many deaths from Admon’s sting, both demon and otherwise. Even being a Knight, his power greater than many in the abyss, he was unsure if he could save her, especially considering the energies merged within her. He wasn’t sure if anyone could completely heal her, to be honest, there were so many uncertainties in the situation. His eyes searched the wound, tearing at the clothing she wore, until he found where the black, spidered veins were steadily creeping through her circulatory system. Within the few moments between Leonardo leaving her side and Dues getting to her, the veins had already spread up her arm, over her neck, and halfway across her chest. The pentagram at her collarbone and shoulder blade was beginning to ooze the black venom and seep through her shirt. He sat her up, placing a hand on either side of her body, focusing his energy on the ends of the spread. His hands began to radiate a deep red and he moved them over the areas that were affected by the venom, leaving behind a glowing trail dancing on