Doors and Windows

There are many doors in the city, they all lead somewhere. We pass them everyday, oblivious to the mysteries behind each. Gable knew which door he was looking for and where it would lead. He walked briskly through the snow, as the quiet city began to wake, as the early morning light permeated through the darkness cloaking the streets.

Gable walked past the offices, shops and restaurants that clustered the city. He wondered through alley ways and trod through the snow covering the canal path. He passed many doors, they all lead somewhere. Gable finally arrived at his door, a warehouse on the outskirts of the city.

However, this door did not lead to the warehouse; its purpose was to blend in. It was hidden within the city, to keep it safe. Gable approached the large metal door, he drew a circular symbol with his finger around the cold metal strips, the lock released and he entered into the realm of the Muse.

…

“A’h, young Sir. Such a pleasure to meet you, and right on time I see. The young Master is expecting you. I believe he has just finished a meeting with some revolutionary with a head full of dreams, can’t quite remember the name though. Anyway no matter, if you please, follow me.”

The elderly man gestured Gable toward a large corridor, and then turned to lead the way. He was tall and skinny, dressed exquisitely in a dark pinstriped suit, finished off with a black tie and a small brass pocket watch. He was clean shaven, with light grey hair slicked back neatly. Gable noticed something odd about the elderly man, although the wrinkles around his eyes made it hard to tell, he had one blue eye and one green.

“Please don’t procrastinate, young Sir. Follow me this way…”

“Sorry, my name is Gable. Who are you?”

“A’h, my apologies. Master Gable, how rude of me not to introduce myself.” Replied the elderly man. “I am Thomas Jean-Renė Venables, but Uncle Thom will do just fine.”

“Thank you, Thom. Sorry if I kept you waiting.” Gable uttered, as he followed down the large corridor to a set of court doors.

“After you, Master Gable.” Thomas said, as he pulled one of the court doors ajar.

Gable stepped through the door, entering into a vast room. Inside, the room was decorated grandly. The floor was polished marble, large columns supported a high ceiling which was covered in a beautiful Mosaic. The walls adorned many fine paintings and display cabinets stood visible, containing many strange artefacts.

The room was softly lit, by torchiere lamps. In the centre of the room stood a large table surrounded by many chairs, an ornate candelabrum sat on the middle of the table burning gently. Bookcases stood around a large oak desk in the corner of the room, where a figure sat silently engaged in some activity.

Thomas closed the court door behind them. On hearing the sound, the figure at the desk stood up and walked toward the source of sound. Gable watched intently, and slowly the figure came into focus as it moved closer toward the doors.

Gable could now see that it was the figure of a young man dressed in a grey cloak, as the youth walked closer, Gable noticed his gingery brown hair and the blank expression on his adolescent face. The young man stopped in front of Gable, and starred at him with large brown eyes. A hazy light emanated faintly from the strange marking on his left hand.

“You are Gable, I have been expecting you. I can tell by your eyes, they are windows...” Spoke the youth, in a slight robotic tone.

“Master Gable, may I please introduce you to my young Master; The forty-sixth incarnation of the great Heraldic Muse, and keeper of this Realm.” Thomas interrupted, as he stepped back towards the court door.

“Thomas, the revolutionary is lost in the realm. Would you find and escort him?” Replied the Muse.

“Certainly young Master, I shall also bring some wine. There is the most perfect bottle of red in the cellar. A present from Poe I believe, and an 1842 vintage. Well I shall depart; I understand there is much to be discussed.” Thomas uttered, as he excused himself from the room.

Gable watched as Thomas left the room, closing the door gently behind him. The Muse’s Realm was a mysterious place, and one that held many answers. Gable had been looking for answers; however he had never thought they would be found behind such a mundane warehouse door. He took a moment to take in all the strange little intricacies that made up the room, and then took a seat at the table with the Muse.

“Your eyes tell me that there is much troubling you, there is much you wish to know.” Spoke the Muse, in his mystifying tone.

“Yes, Râmiėl told me to find you; he said you would be able to help me.” Gable replied.

“I am aware your mentor visited you, and that he directed you here. I possess the answers you seek.”

“But, why was I bought back? It has been five days; I remember nothing from before…”

“He bought you back as a Guardian. Your eyes are a window to your Anima, it has suffered, but it is virtuous. This is why you return.” The Muse interrupted.

“I do not understand. Why can’t I remember anything from before?” Gable uttered, angered and worried by his lack of memory from before the Rebirth.

“It is not wise for a Guardian to remember, you are neither Herald nor Mortal. Thus you can exist in both Realms.” The Muse replied, “There is a ceaseless war between Herald and Demon, Guardians must protect the Mortals from corruption.”

“I…I never asked for this, I had a family, I know …what happened to me?” Gable voiced, showing signs he had succumbed to his feelings of stress and anger.

“He would not approve of this, but I will show you a memory.” Spoke the Muse, as a blinding light engulfed the room from the strange marking on his left hand.

Gable felt the light overwhelm him; the room and the Muse vanished into the brightness. He tried to shield his eyes, but could not resist as he collapsed onto the marble floor, he looked up momentarily before losing consciousness…

Gabe your never home…Just work, work, work that’s all you ever do…What would Elle think? She’s growing up without…Daddy, Daddy. Not now, I’m… GET OUT OF MY HOUSE! No, No you Bastards… Don’t move, or we’ll shoot your… Daddy, Daddy, please wake up, please wake up…

“Arh’ Get out of my house!” Gable yelled, as his eyes opened and the Muse stood over him. “What did you do to me?”

“I gave you the answers you were looking for, nothing more.” The Muse answered.

“I…I…I had a daughter and a wife? They broke in didn’t they? And…” Gable uttered.

“I gave you the answers you were looking for Guardian. No more, no less. However, there are your duties to discuss. You must guard Lillian Cane from the Demon’s corruption.” The Muse replied.

“I understand…The vision; at least I know there was something before…before this.” Gable spoke.

“He will not be happy Guardian, though your memory was what you sought.” The Muse replied. “Follow me; you do not have much time left to find Lillian Cane.”

Gable followed the Muse to the desk in the corner, where a small plate full of a clear liquid sat, with a few strange objects surrounding it. The Muse sat down, and the light from the marking on his hand once again started to dimly emanate.

“Do not worry Guardian; this is not your memory. This Rune has been passed down through the incarnations; it shows the past and the present. Look into the liquid…look into Lillian Cane.” Spoke the Muse

…

Lillian sits on the faded carpet of a dingy city apartment. She wears grubby Jeans and a dirty beige tube top, which looks as if it had been white some time before. The apartment is empty, apart from a mattress and an old stereo system. There is also a bathroom and a small kitchen, with a cluttered counter-top covered in suspicious medical equipment.

A shady middle-aged man stands by the counter, with a dirty spoon in his hand. He tips the substance from the spoon into a hypodermic needle. He places the needle on a small plate, and walks back into the main room, where Lillian and another female sit waiting.

“Al’rite girls. I have here the finest Speedball for your enjoyment. All’ way from London, for you two little ladies. Now then that will be, what with that other thing as well, let’s say fifty, ok? The shady man says, with a devious grin on his face.

“Yeah, is that ‘k wiv’ you Lil’?” The other woman on the carpet responds.

“That’s fine Gina; you have to pay a bit for the best, right?” Lillian answers, pushing her bleached-blonde hair away from her tired pale face.

“Clever girlies, that’s why I like uwt’oo, know how to do business, don’t cha. Never any trouble, that’s how ar’ like it ladies, no trouble.” The shady man says, whilst walking towards the kitchen. “I got a drop to make, want me to whack a tune on for ya’ well I’m out?”

“Ok Paul, what shall we have on G’? Something trippy?” Lillian replies.

“Ar’ don’t care Lil’, how ‘bout some Garage or something like that?” Gina answers, while tying a cord round her skinny arm.

“No, not where I wanna be G’? It’s too much on this stuff. Paul do you have any of the Doors? Nah’ actually Paul, do you have any Beatles?” Lillian says, whilst watching her friend pick up the needle.

“Garage, Doors or Beatles, hey? Well I don’t fancy walkin’ back into a fackin’ rave. So, the Beatles it is then. I’ll stick the Tour on for ya’, as I am the fackin’ Walrus ladies!” Paul chuckled to himself, as he loaded the disk into the stereo, and left the apartment with a battered rucksack.

Lillian watches her friend inject the grimy substance into her arm. Then her friend leans back, and her eyes glaze over. Lillian knows she will soon join her, as Paul has left her a needle in the kitchen to enjoy. The music plays in the room as Lillian gets up and walks into the kitchen.

…

“That is Lillian Cane, Guardian. That is the corruption; the Demons of Lust and Gluttony are draining her Anima. Your duty is to protect her Guardian.” The Muse utters, as Gable’s gaze falls away from the plate, as the vision comes to an end.

“I understand. I know where to find her now. The vision showed me more than I expected, this is no coincidence, I’m sure?” Gable replies.

“You sought answers, Guardian. Now you have found them… Before you leave this realm, see the Construct below this room, it has a few things to teach you.” The Muse speaks, as he walks back toward the table.

“Sorry, what of the future? What awaits me in my duties?” Gable asks.

“The Rune can see the Past and the Present, Guardian. It can only predict the Future, it is not written in stone. It can change Guardian, our realms are always changing. He controls this to some extent, but we all play a part, and the future is…a chaotic element.” The Muse answers.

“But what if I…” Gable utters.

“Goodbye, Guardian. We will meet again, in the…Future. Thomas will escort you to the Construct.” The Muse turns; the Rune on his hand glows and engulfs him. The light subsides and he is gone.

Gable walks to the door where Thomas awaits him. He is lead out of the room and to a staircase back in the large corridor. Thomas stops by the staircase, and smiles at Gable. His multi-coloured eyes strike Gable as mysterious, but he does not think it right to ask about them.

“A’h, Master Gable. Hope the meeting went well. The young Master can be a bit too much for some of the guests, if you pardon me in saying. Well then, down the stairs and to the Construct. Told that old Golem you were coming, when I went to get that wine. It is the most perfect bottle indeed.’ Thomas rambled, as he stood by the staircase.

“Thank you, Thom. What is the Construct going to teach me?” Gable replied.

“Well, Master Gable. That I can’t quite say. You see, Mortals can do things and Heralds can do things. Guardians too, there will be things that you were unable to do before you were Reborn. That old Golem will teach you the basics, but I am half sure that these skills will grow as you will. Thomas said, still smiling warmly.

“I understand, Thom. You have been a great host and I thank you.” Gable answered.

“Well, the pleasure is most certainly mine, Master Gable. I wish you all the best in your journeys, and if you need anything, you’ll know where to find us.” Thomas says, whilst waving as Gable descends the staircase.

There is always work to be done, Gable thinks to himself as he descends. And mine is just beginning…