Chapter Four

The museum had undergone a transformation in the following weeks. From what was once an appealing and lovely place, it was now like a fort. The front doors had bars placed on them, as well as all the windows. Every possible way of entry beside the bursts of flame, which still occurred daily with a single Totem appearing and getting quickly dispatched. The group knew this was simply Sutaketh's way of letting them know he was still around.

Then one afternoon, there was a knocking on the front door. This normally wouldn't raise any alarms, but after the signs on the road leading to the museum now read "We are renovating and will be closed until the Spring. Thank you!" most people got the idea. If someone was that persistent to get in, there was something not normal about that.

Approaching the door, Jake walked up with a smile…and two daggers stashed in the back of his jeans waist.

"Can I help you?" he asked the man dressed in a silky black suit.

"Yes, I'm looking for Rick Myers." He said, offering his own smile.

"I'm sorry, but my father is away on business at the moment. Can I help you?"

The man's expression changed slightly as if noticing something for the first time, but he quickly regained his composure and smile.

"This may seem hard to believe, but I've come quite a way away to see him, but yes, I think you could help me. My name is Sanjay Muffad and I am the historian for the Museum of Antiquities in Egypt. It is quite imperative that I speak with you."

The word "Egypt" seemed to get Jake's attention as his eyes widened slightly and the rustling of tiny feet behind the door caused Sanjay to look down.

"Exactly what is it you need?" asked Jake, his hands reaching behind his back as if clasping them together.

Reaching down, Sanjay picked up his briefcase and opened it, revealing a set of parchment that had been laminated so as not to ruin it.

Holding it up, he said, "Have you ever heard of anyone discussing a formula that would animate the inanimate?"

As he asked the question, something in the way he looked at Jake seemed to already know the answer.

Shaking his head, Jake replied, "Only in bad science fiction and horror movies."

Sighing, Sanjay placed the parchment back into the briefcase and then folded his arms across his chest.

"Mr. Myers. I think we both know you are lying. I've done my research on your father and know for a fact that he is or was in possession of several puppets that move around by their own accord. I've hired private investigators in the past to watch every movement Rick Myers made, which included some photos and video of what appeared to be, according to one detective, 'little robots that followed him around' and I think we both know they weren't robots."

Removing one dagger, Jake held it to his side so Sanjay would see it.

"I think it would be a good idea if you were to leave." He suggested.

"I don't think that is a good idea at all." Replied Sanjay who remained where he was, "Considering who I am and how I can help you with what is to come."

Jake studied him for a moment before asking, "Okay, you've peaked my curiosity. Who are you? I mean besides Sanjay Muffad?"

Slowly, Sanjay began to unbutton the front of his shirt until he parted it to reveal an intriquate tattoo on his chest.

"My mother's married name is Muffad, but my ancestors can be traced back to an Egyptian you might be familiar with. His name was Afzel and he was a sorcerer who angered a demon lord. According to my family history, Afzel fled from Egypt when the demon Sutekh sent his minions after him. He had no desire to see his wife and unborn child come to harm, so he left. From what I have found out later, he met a puppeteer named Andre Toulon and gave him the secret of the Elixir of Life. Then committed suicide. Any of this sound familiar now?"

There was faint whispering behind the door as Jake looked down from the corner of his eye and then back up at Sanjay.

"What if it does? How can you help?"

Beginning to button his shirt up, he said, "My family has since been dedicated to stopping those who would use the formula for the wrong reasons. Do not get me wrong, I am not saying you have done such a thing, however, I do believe you are in trouble now. I was in mediation in my home when a vision appeared to me. One of a demon lord here at this place. I saw a man fighting him clad in golden armor, though I could not see his face because he was wearing a helmet. This man told the demon, "I shall vanquish you because it is destined to be. I have been chosen to do this!" and then he entered into battle, but his armor was not enough. The demon burned away the armor, leaving him defenseless as his band of creatures attacked and devoured the man. "

Jake's eyes widened as he described the vision as Sanjay continued, "I awoke from my vision and went to consult the scrolls from our family records. There was mention of one who would be chosen to do battle with a demon lord and that he would indeed vanquish him, but something told me I needed to find this chosen person and give them any assistance I could. So, I did my research and ended up here. I have spoken with several people in my town. They are known to be wise men who can communicate with those in the Underworld. I was told of a man named Myers who fought against a demon named Sutekh and defeated him who aroused the anger of one named Sutaketh who has vowed vengeance against him and the man named Toulon. So, I am here to assist you."

"Give me a moment." Jake said as he shut the door to consult with the others.

Several moments passed as the door opened and the barred door opened and Jake motioned him inside.

"You had better be telling the truth for your sake." Said a woman's voice as he turned and saw Tabitha standing there, her laser pistol in her hand.

Looking to the floor, Sanjay saw Decapitron, Jester, Trickster, Tunneler and Blade all watching him with their cold, emotionless eyes.

Sanjay nodded before walking over to the couch and sitting.

Locking the doors, Jake went to stand beside Tabitha near the fireplace and then looking over at the newcomer.

"So, how can you help?" she asked.

Opening the briefcase once more, Sanjay removed a roll of parchment, but this one was not laminated as he handled it very carefully.

"This might be of assistance to you." He said, getting up and then rolling it out onto the table across from him.

"It is a contract between an unknown person and the demon they are dealing with. All you need to do is fill in the correct names and once that is done and the agreement is reached, the demon cannot undo this contract."

"What does it say and how the hell do you get a demon to sign anything?" Jake asked and arching a brow.

Sanjay grinned, "It isn't exactly as easy as signing. You see once, you make a verbal agreement and are in possession of this contract, it acts as their signature on the form and will appear there. This particular contract states that in exchange for the soul of one person, their family, including all relatives, will be free from any demon's wrath. So in other words, one soul for countless others. If you can get this Sutaketh to agree to this, your family will be safe."

Tabitha became unglued emotionally as she yelled out, "You want my fiancé to give up his soul just like that without a fight?"

She stormed over to Sanjay as she slammed her hands into his chest, knocking him onto the floor, "How dare you even suggest such a thing?"

Jake quickly rushed over and pulled her back, "Easy Tabby." The stress, lack of sleep and changes in hormones was starting to take a toll on Tabby's mood.

Sanjay scooted back on the floor as he stammered, "I-I thought you understood what had to happen."

"What do you mean has to happen?" she asked, her face still contorted in anger. She refused to lose any more family.

"There has to be a sacrifice or Sutaketh will continue to plague your family for generations to come until; he gets what he wants. You cannot defeat him using conventional methods. He is immortal and wields untold power. There is nothing you can do to stop him from taking those you care about until you are left with nothing and no other alternative than to give yourself to him. But unless you have this contract, then all of their suffering and anguish will be for nothing as he will keep their souls as well."

Tabitha looked over and found Jake already staring at her as she shook her head, "No. Don't you dare even THINK about doing what I think you are thinking about. I'm not about to lose you after all of this. I don't care what he says, there has to be a way of fighting him. From what Andre has told me, he managed to always stay one step ahead of those demons and we can as well."

"Is that what you want?" Jake asked, trying to convince her of something, "To always be running away? Always afraid of where or when Sutaketh will appear next? What kind of life is that for us? For our child?"

"I'm not going to just let you get yourself killed. I agreed to marry you so we could be together forever and I'm not going to lose you!" she screamed in frustration, tears beginning to run down her cheeks. She felt so helpless in all of this.

Blade poked his leg and Jake looked down to see all of the puppet shaking their heads no, as Jester's head swiveled to reveal his sad face.

Holding his hands in the air, Jake said, "I never said I was going to do it! All I said was that we need to consider every option, no matter how bad it is."

"Well," Rick said, "That isn't an option, so forget it. I'd rather burn in hell for eternity than to have you sacrifice yourself to him."

As if Rick's comment had been a catalyst, a burst of flames around the room suddenly erupted as Three Wheelers and two Totems appeared.

One Wheeler was beside Sanjay as the Egyptian's face was in shock for a moment before he reached into his jacket pocket and removed a small dagger and his face changed to one of anger.

"You shall not harm him!" as shouted as he scrambled to his feet and charged.

The Wheeler easily avoided Sanjay's swipe of the dagger as its mouth sneered at him, mockingly.

Another swipe and another dodge by the Wheeler. It was laughing now at his poor attempt to harm him.

"Descendant of Afzel, you will be most welcomed by Sutaketh." Said the Wheeler as it began to get closer.

"Tell him he will have a long wait." Replied Sanjay as he began to slash out with the dagger toward the Wheeler's neck. However, as it moved through the air, the Wheeler reeled back its head to avoid the small blade as it had done. To its surprise, however, the blade suddenly extended out to the length of a sword as the cool metal sliced through the bone and flesh, leaving the head to continue moving back without its attachment to the body, rolling on the floor as its body collapsed.

Across the room, the puppets had begun to attack in a pattern that they had been following lately. With practiced quickness they broke into three teams to attack. Jester and Tunneler moved to intercept the first Totem coming toward them while Blade and Trickster moved to intercept the other. Decapitron, who had taken to wearing his Electro-head full time had started firing on one of the remaining Wheelers. Jake and Tabitha had already begun their own attack on the last Wheeler.

Focusing her laser on the legs of the Wheeler, Tabitha tried to bring the creature down, leaving itself open to a fatal head shot, but this Wheeler was fast. One of the fastest she had seen thus far. Jake had run and picked up both daggers and each time it approached he slashed out, trying to slice into its flesh.

On their end, Jester and Tunneler had been having problems with their Totem. As with its Wheeler counterpart, the Totems seemed to have gained extra speed as it moved around them, slashing out with its claws in an attempt to cut them.

Jester slashed out with his own little dagger as Tunneler started to chase the Totem with his drill top spinning madly. Jester decided to use himself as bait as he ran toward the other room as the Totem followed, quickly pursued by Tunneler.

As he turned the corner, Jester jumped up, grabbing the cord connected to the lamp on the edge of a table. His weight caused the lamp to tumble off onto the floor as the Totem slowed to avoid hitting it. As it did, this gave Tunneler a chance to finally catch up with him as his drill embedded itself in the Totem's back. The creature screamed out in pain as it slumped forward onto the lamp.

Jester's head swiveled into his angry face but then quickly switched to his astonished face as the Totem suddenly rose up again, its arm backhanding Tunneler to the wall, its wounds beginning to heal themselves.

Quickly Jester rushed and began to stab the Totem in the chest as his face and chest were covered in the creature's blood amidst the screaming of it.

Each time the small dagger would penetrate into the Totem's chest, it would begin to heal as the tiny puppet continued to stab at it to keep it at bay.

Blade and Trickster were having problems with their own Totem. They too had discovered that the Totems now seemed to have an uncanny ability to heal themselves. As Blade continued to stab the creature in the chest, Trickster began to tug at the belt he was now wearing as a seemingly silky thread began to unravel. Quickly, the brightly colored puppet wrapped it around the Totem's neck and tossed one end of the wire to Blade. Stopping his stabbing, Blade wrapped his hook hand around the wire and began to pull to the left while Trickster began to move to the right.

The Totem began to stand as the wire began to tighten around its neck. Reaching its claws up, it tried to get one claw underneath the thread and succeeded only to have the claw sliced off by the piano wire that continued on and sliced through the Totem's neck, decapitating it as its body slumped to the floor. Quickly, Trickster and Blade grabbed the body and began to drag it to the fireplace and tossed it inside. Reaching to the side, Trickster ignited one of the matches in as it slid underneath the creature's body which had already began to stir.

Moving back, Trickster aimed his squirting flower to the fireplace and squirted out the fluid that caused the entire grate to become engulfed in flames.

As Jester continued to stab at his own Totem, Tunneler had reappeared, beginning to work on the creature's legs. With one fluid movement, the Totem's right hand was brought up, wrapping around Jester's neck as its right leg caught Tunneler. The two puppets began to struggle against its hold as Blade and Trickster began to hurry over.

Feet away, there was a burst of flame as the Totem, Tunneler and Jester all disappeared in the aftermath. Stopping, the two looked at one another before turning and heading back to assist with the Wheelers.

By now, Jake was holding onto the back of the Wheeler, his arms wrapped around its neck, a dagger clutched in his right hand, as the small bony protrusions on its back continued to scrape Jake's chest and legs. Tabitha pulled her laser pistol, trying to fire on the thing without hitting Jake. Continuing to try and move the dagger into position, the occasional laser shot would streak past his head as he became thankful she wasn't a good shot.

Finally, one shot struck the left leg of the Wheeler as it tumbled to the floor, throwing Jake off its back as he slammed the dagger into its neck as he was thrown.

Fumbling with its Wheels, it continued to try and pry the dagger hilt from its neck which was now gushing out a black substance.

"Kill it!" yelled Sanjay who came running over with the odd sword in his hand as he sliced it through the air, connecting with its neck as the head went tumbling off into the fireplace where it too was consumed by the flames.

Gasping for breath it took a moment for Jake to call out. "Everyone okay?"

Tabitha nodded from the couch, slumped down trying to get her breath as well. Her body was still not used to this time of extreme energy use. Sanjay gave Jake a sharp nod. Blade, Trickster and Decaprion walked over to where Jake was standing.

"Jester?" Jake called. Where was his childhood friend? He thought looking around the floor.

"Tunnler?" Tabitha called noticing another family member missing. It took only a moment before her eyes went wide. She glanced at Jake and he read her very thoughts.

Jester and Tunnler were gone.

He had lost more of the family…who would be next?