A Falling World:Chapter 10 The Return

When Marcus and Luther walked through the doors they were mostly sober but still thankful they didn’t have to stumble to find the light switch. “I’m glad you two are taking your studies seriously and not compromising tomorrow’s lessons at all through an ill-gotten hangover.” They found themselves greeted by Henry and Saphielle.

“Did you two seriously stay up waiting for us? Are you going to lecture us?” Luther asked.

“No, I will not lecture you as tempting as that may be. But I will say that while there may be strongly regulated practices in place to keep this world purified from the influence of magic that does not mean there aren’t threats that can come inside. The last thing I do every night is set up security. If that is turned on while you are away you would be seriously injured when you tried to enter. To prevent this I would have to set something up to stop your entry entirely so you would be sleeping outside. I think the words you are looking for are thank you. Now, is David far behind you?”

“We lost track of him somewhere during the night. We were thinking he might be here already.”

“Of course he’s not behind you. In my twelve hundred years walking the lands of this world I have only seen this level of obstinance towards magic in the zealotry of those that equate it with evil. At least they have an excuse though. They were raised to believe that its practice would surrender their souls to the pits of hell. They were used like pawns with their ideas fostered by other forces. That foundation is something I can accept and know how to deal with. David though, he just does not care. You two, clean yourselves up and go to sleep. Lessons start an hour early today. I’ll stay here and continue waiting for David.”

“He might still be talking with that one group.” Marcus chimed in “It’s weird, David and I were able to see them but Luther couldn’t.”

“What can you tell me about them?”

“Only that there were four of them and David said that they have been watching the estate for a while. It’s the same people he told you about.”

“That’s unfortunate. I think I understand now but I wonder why they’re so determined to continue this investigation.” Henry found himself lost in thought is this world worth this level of aggravation? He was surprised when the two boys were still in front of him. “Go on I’ll take care of things.”

Henry sat there lost in thought about how events were unfolding. If he was doing what was necessary for the brightest future. Why did his sister have to entrust him with this burden?

The products produced by this world are useful but the people had much to be desired. Toss them a mild inconvenience and they would turn on each other in a heartbeat. He thought on the news he read about how soldiers and police were killing civilians, about the abuses suffered by migrants, political leaders killing those who inconvenienced them. He labored on how after so many centuries and failed governments this species still refused to learn. There have been so many societies and he could think of none that understood that unchecked power attracted those with foul natures. Or maybe they did understand and they still refused to put in the necessary checks to curb the harm. His most powerful memories told him that often the rot spread so far that anyone who could do something didn’t because of some inconvenience. Other times the want for change came too late when those foul creatures already infested the walls and they would sooner collapse the roof on everyone than allow anyone to make improvements. Most often they did it under the guise of victimhood and they would use patriots to shield the monsters. On other occasions they just didn’t think certain segments of the population were worthy of respect and dignity. In the end it always ended the same. Would I really be missing anything if this all went away and I left them to turn to dust? Henry didn’t have an answer.

For how long he contemplated the question he couldn’t say but when the lights flickered his attention wavered as an envelope stained in red appeared at the threshold of his domain. Inside there was a finger and a note. Within minutes he was out the door with a destination in mind and an order to Saphielle to collect the others until he returned.

David walked through the door with a pack of four behind him. “Follow me” he said as he turned left and opened a door. In the room behind him Richard could see a stairs leading down for just a moment before David slammed the door.

It was just an instant after but he heard a second door slam above him. “Shit” Richard spat as he opened the door to find the stairs missing and the lighting different. “He’s gone.”

“Well he did tell us that was what he was going to do. We should expect they know we’re coming” Holly said.

“We wouldn’t have to worry about that if someone could pull their weight. At least no one will understand what he’s saying.” Hastur retorted directly at Holly.

“Oh, I played my part. So much for demons being the embodiment of fear. You scared him so much he went back into the building without a gun! I can’t wait to spread that story around.”

“Split up. Holly you’re with Alphonse, Hastur you’re with me. Top priority is the girl with red hair. If anyone can’t recognize a Grimm capture them too. Open all the doors you encounter and don’t close any. This place transports you.”

David was upstairs, he knew that much but the floor and location escaped him. He had no idea how to move around in this building but that was probably a blessing. The more random his movements the less likely he would be to run into someone.

He could see the moon silently wandering the night sky from the window on his right as his attention wavered. David decided he shouldn’t walk through the same door he just came through, so he picked the one adjacent.

He stood bloody at the threshold staring in a room with six men all with the same face. Richard is what they called him. Everyone in the room looked just like Richard. They all wore different clothes and one entity had three of Richard’s face. The sight was so bizarre David found himself with his head cocked before closing the door and retreating into the hallway with a shout calling for him to stop.

Sarah caught a clear sight of David for only a moment before he left the room, but it was enough to keep her awake. She was suddenly very glad to have brought Adam’s shield with her just in case.

Xotarus followed him shouting that he would bring him back. After a few minutes passed his voice echoed through the estate “Grimm!” and David was chucked back into the room.

After he finished tumbling, he picked himself up and before he could leave the room again Saphielle grabbed him and put him in a chair with more effort than was required and started asking him question about what happened to him and what was going. However, his words were mangled an incomprehensible mesh of syllables which was only made worse when Saphielle pried open his mouth and looked inside.

At their angle Marcus and Olivia had a clear sight of David’s missing finger while Luther and Sarah saw the still wet blood on his face and shirt.

“Listen, David this might sound a little strange, but you need to not speak. Your tongue is barely attached right now.” Saphielle helped lift him up from the chair and guided him across the room “So I’m going to need you to do something for me.” She opened a door and pushed him into the closet “Just rest your eyes and wait for me to come get you.”

The shelves he hit as he fell to the floor again pressed against his back when he sat up. David leaned his head against the wall and felt how comfortable the support was before closing his eyes for just a moment.

“Right,” Saphielle said excitedly “now that he’s safely stowed away it’s time to focus on you four. Follow me we need to leave now!”