From the depths of the ruined castle the trio of Ghostbusters captured the last of the ghosts who had lent their own energy to feed power to Vigo. Dozens upon dozens of ghosts had been isolated and snagged by the proton streams. As each ghost was gathered and bound in numbers of at least three into the numerous traps wisely gathered by Hank and Ray, the overall power surging throughout the ruins began to diminish.
"Last one!" Hank called out as he dragged the struggling specter from the shadows and toward the final vacant trap resting beside Ray. "Make way!"
"Bring it over!" John encouraged as he wrangled two ghosts in his own proton stream. "Let's turn this duo into a trio!"
Ray stepped back and watched proudly as his two allies easily ensnared the three ghosts into a single stream and lowered them into the final trap. As the writhing, angry ghosts were placed just inches above the top of the trap Ray stepped down on the trigger and watched as the final ghosts were sealed away inside the small, portable prison.
"Got 'em!" Ray stomped down on the trigger and watched as the doors slammed shut. Picking up the smoking trap by the cable he held it out proudly for his friends to admire. "This is easily the biggest ghost haul I've ever been apart of."
"I have to admit," John nudged a trap by his foot with the edge of his boot. "this is pretty impressive. I don't think we've snagged so many so quickly."
Hank sheathed his thrower before proudly boasting the official number. "Thirty-three ghosts. Three Ghostbusters. Seems fitting, doesn't it?"
"I love symbolism." Ray agreed happily and he motioned to the PKE meter clipped to Hank's belt. "If this didn't drain Vigo of his power then this," he reached back with one hand and patted the slime-blower on his back. "will have to do."
John smiled approvingly as Hank took a fresh scan of the castle.
"We just made a nice little dent." Hank confirmed as he recorded the data and replaced the meter to his belt. "The reading is now at one-fourth of its original power level. We may just have the advantage now."
John stood up a little straighter with pride at his colleague's positive disposition. "That's all I needed to hear." Pushing the traps aside with his boot he turned and led the way down the lengthy stone corridor. "Let's keep moving, we'll gather the traps on the way out."
"It's time to finish this." Hank decided as he followed closely behind John.
Ray didn't have anything to say about the situation. Knowing that both John and Hank had a heavy burden to bear with the deaths of their friends still weighing heavily on their minds and hearts, all he could do was venture forward and support his allies during their darkest hour.
"Keep low." John cautioned as he crouched down and pressed his hand against the stone surface of the corridor. "The ceiling has dropped down from the collapse, watch your head."
The glows of the proton packs and slime-blower cast eerie shadows along the surface of the dark corridor as the three Ghostbusters neared the heart of the castle and Vigo's stronghold.
Hank began to tremble as the haunting memory of being nearly crushed to death, almost being buried alive made his heart race.
Ray could see Hank was fighting to keep moving forward and put his hand on Hank's shoulder. "How much further John?"
"A few yards." John confirmed somberly. Walking through the corridor four times, each time carrying the body of a fallen colleague, had burned the route permanently into John's own memory. "On the other side we'll be in a large courtyard and beyond that we'll find Vigo."
Hank managed to calm his nerves by breathing deeply and slowly. His training as a police officer was proving invaluable during the nerve wracking endeavor.
Light began to emerge from the end of the corridor. Hundreds of red candles were burning throughout the perimeter of the expansive courtyard that once played host to a losing confrontation between the Ghostbusters and Vigo. Unfortunately it was the Ghostbusters who had lost the battle, and their lives.
"Here." John exited the corridor and tentatively set foot on the crater that was once a stone floor of the castle courtyard. Jagged rocks, charred walls and bloodied sand served as the macabre reminder of the failed battle. "We're almost there." John swallowed his grief as he looked upward toward the open sky to avoid looking at the dried blood of the fallen. "Vigo is waiting. I'll scout ahead."
Hank paused and stared with a blankness reserved only for the dead as took in the sight of the former battleground.
Ray stood at Hank's side and watched John crossed the courtyard and climbed up a short bastion to reach the large metal door waiting on the other side.
"This is where is all happened, isn't it?" Ray dared to ask despite already knowing the answer.
"Yeah." Hank motioned to a large pile of massive broken stones. "I was buried over there. I don't know how John found the strength to move those rocks and dig me out, but I'm glad he did."
"It's amazing what strength you can muster when someone you really care about needs you." Ray reminded Hank thoughtfully. "I remember when Vigo almost overtook my mind and my team didn't hesitate to react."
"Vigo possessed you?" Hank inquired curiously. "For how long?"
"Only a few seconds. The positively charged slime forced him out of my mind before he could do any permanent damage. I'm grateful for their quick thinking, they really saved my life that night."
"Glad to see you pulled through." Hank stared at the blood stains and surrounding piles of shattered stone. "Wish my friends were as lucky as you."
John turned to see Hank and Ray lagging behind. "Yo!" He shouted out and waved the two men over. "Don't split up, it's too dangerous."
"He's right." Hank boldly took a step forward and dared to cross the every ground that he had nearly died on. "We can't let Vigo mess with our minds."
Ray gave Hank a small grin of approval and pride as he watched his courageous friend overcome his lingering doubts and fear to finish the mission and stop Vigo from destroying the city, if not the entire world.
Hank marched up the nearby staircase with Ray following his footsteps. Joining John, who stood dauntlessly before the massive metal door. The door appeared medieval in design, large double doors that rounded off at the top. Cold, blood red metal, dotted with rust and laced with sharp spikes provided an appropriate gateway for the resurrected tyrant's stronghold.
"Once we step inside we can't leave until Vigo has been destroyed." John urged in a valiant tone of assurance. "Everyone is depending on us. Are you ready?"
Hank locked his eyes on the door and unsheathed his thrower. Powering the energy to its maximum level he stared angrily at the door, eager to open fire on the vengful demigod. "Let's rid the world of this freak; let's do it for Joel, for Rachel, for Mason and for ourselves."
Ray turned on the slime-blower and held the massive hose with both hands. "It's time to knock this wanna-be King off his throne."
John nodded and turned his attention to the door. Bracing himself firmly he hefted one strong kick on the center of where the two doors met and forced the metal doorway to burst open in an impressive display of strength.
Inside Vigo's dark chamber a circle of red candles burning with black flames outlined a massive altar that held a single throne composed of aged skulls and bones. Behind the throne, hanging against the stone wall was the very painting that had once housed the spirit of Vigo as he remained in patient silence, waiting inside the storage room of the art museum for an opportunity to return.
Sitting in the throne was the body of the museum curator of whom Vigo was using as his vessel. The figure seemed to be sleeping. His head was bowed down toward his chest, completely motionless.
"Vigo, tonight your reign comes to an end!" John challenged as he fearlessly stepped into the center of the chamber. "You have to the count of three to return to your painting or be destroyed." Aiming his thrower John lowered his voice into a menacing growl. "Choose wisely."
Hank stood at John's side and aimed his thrower accordingly. "Personally I choose the latter, if you won't decide then we'll decide for you." Moving in unison Hank and John stepped apart to surround the throne on either side. "Please let us decide for you."
Ray stood his ground near the middle just inside the door. Struggling to peer through the darkness Ray was able to just barely make out the features of the curator who had been possessed by Vigo.
"It is you." Ray entered the room and aimed the hose of the slime-blower at the curator and upped the strength of the blower to ensure he didn't harm the body, only the unwanted spirit hiding within. "Hey, can you hear me? Dr. Janosz Poha?"
...to be continued...