Tales from the Club Room
Episode 79: Ascension
For Lance who believed.
Chapel Hill Mall
The skeletal figure in the deep red cloak strolled amongst the corpses of consumer whores. From the food court the smell of rotten pork and singed hair wafted through the climate controlled breeze and everywhere there were signs of chaos. A voice spoke next to him, hoarse and liquid.
"Master, is it our time, has the one I seek arrived." The voice said.
"Soon Kuchiki, soon enough." The Crimson King pulled a piece of rotten flesh out his ribcage and put it in his mouth. He looked at his partner in crime. His body was covered in thin membrane, bones were visible but the tendons used to connect them were not attached. Veins and capillaries crisscrossed the membrane, making him look like a child in the womb. His eyes were still the deep set and maddening ones his victims faced years ago. He had made a deal with Manabu Kuchiki when they both were suffering in the dark realm, a deal which would both satisfy their need for revenge. It was the Kindle that did it, no doubts about it. The soul sliver, he had placed inside the name of his favorite character, Edward Cullen, was enough to bring him back. But of course his body was no longer flesh. Bound by dark realm, his flesh on this plane was becoming putrid. Foul smelling chunks slid off his body, all this while his brother was making his way slowly to the mall, where the nightmare would reach its peak. He looked at the Party Bus advertisement at the customer service kiosk and smiled.
"Care to see my powers at work?" he asked Kuchiki. The sub-human demon smiled and watched as the ad lost its focus. "Soon, very, soon"
State Route 261
Steve and LJ walked along the desolate road with a sense of confusion. None of their team mates were paying attention; none of them knew anything was going on.
"Where the fuck are the crazies?" Steve said.
"I know, from what we saw in Kent, there should be shitloads of them. Didn't King have a shitload of them in 'Cell'?" LJ said. They looked around, the highway was clear, no wrecked cars, no corpses, and no loonies. It was a surreal sight, more odd than the person slamming his head into the fetid fryer at Rosie's. Meanwhile up front, Tilden and Lance were having a similar conversation. The two were quite interested in Stephen King, having read a lot of his books while they were younger. Lance had encountered King like situations before. His friends had been trapped in some nightmarish recreations of his novels a year ago, this however was different.
"Maybe he's lost some steam?" Tilden said as he adjusted his pack.
"Not so sure, I mean I have faced a lot of odd shit since I started living in the land of the rising sun but this crimson king thing just confuses me." Lance said. It was then he slammed into the party bus with audible "Oof" Lance looked around. "How the fuck did this get here?" Lance said.
"Uh, UFO's from Uranus?" D's Hand said. He clenched his fingers around its mouth.
"It could be from you know who?" Yuki said.
"Likely possibility, quite likely, he must have an ulterior motive for this I am sure of it." Steve said.
"Like" Charlotte said.
"Like getting us there faster." LJ said
"Whelp," Tilden said, "Our mamma always said never look a gift horse in the mouth, so let's get the show on the road." Tilden said climbing aboard the bus. Taking the driver's seat, Lance looked at him.
"You know how to drive one of these?" He said.
"I have my CDL dumbass!" The brother replied as Lance sat down. The bus came to life and moved down the road to the destination, with its passengers fears rising.
Waldenbooks, Chapel Hill Mall
Madarame was walking aimlessly through the Graphic Novel section of the store looking for some tentacle porn. Today was a day for tentacle porn, and maybe some lolicon, but definitely tentacles. His anger grew as each shrink wrapped Manga he picked up featured two "pretty boys" in some kind of romantic posturing; making his way to the bottom shelf he saw nothing but American books.
"I fucking hate this goddamn country!" Madarame shouted.
"Give your dick a rest for a few nights Madarame," Oguie said, "Your wrists will thank you."
"I am so fucking horny I will rape anything that moves!" He continued to shout.
"Will you shut the bloody fuck up," Angela said, "Nobody gives a shit about your depraved emotions! I am sure there is a Victoria's Secret somewhere for you to go feel up the mannequins and spill your seed all over them!" Angela said rubbing her temples. Kasukabe was wandering through the magazine aisle looking at fashion tips, hoping something in them would suit her. She had he comi-fest costume picked out, she was going to be Maka Albarn while Kousaka was going to be Soul. It would be his first time cosplaying and she wondered how he would feel. They had been together since 2007 so a little over 4 years, she wondered about marriage and kids the most. How would she deal with it, how would she react? Kousaka told her to talk it over with Lance, which would be the best thing to do since he did have a master's in psychology. Looking at him resting on a box of incoming liquidated books she sighed. She had wondered how she had wound up in a situation like what had been happening for the past 3 years. Things of an odd and scary nature were becoming the norm around the Genshiken club room, she and others acquired powers that were beyond normal, and everywhere you looked there was this sense of menace. She could see Angela was growing tired of Madarame's shouting their eyes met and Kasukabe beckoned her to come to the magazine section.
"I don't know how much longer of being cooped up in here I can take." Angela said.
"A lot of people here would say the same damn thing; I haven't seen one of those things though so they may be gone." Kasukabe said.
"Should we venture outside? I mean just the two of us?" She said the blond haired girl looked around.
"Sounds good to me, I saw a back entrance that leads to a security hallway." Kasukabe said and wandered past the group, who were either bickering or sleeping" Stepping out into the hallway they softly closed the door behind them and relaxed.
"Heloooooo, Ladies" A familiar voice said, the two girls spun around.
"No," Kasukabe shouted, "Not you again!"
"Oh yes me again, and I have someone who wants to meet you." Kuchiki said, The Crimson King appeared, his flesh sliding off of him in steaming slabs.
"MMM, how sweet, fresh meat." He said and stuck out his putrid tongue licking Kasukabe's cheek.
"You sick bastard, when my husband comes here, he will…" Angela said, but the King waved his hands in front of their faces and put them to sleep.
"Take them to Game Stop; I want to greet my brother when he arrives.
Parking lot
Tilden pulled the bus to the entrance of the Mall, The doors hissed open letting in the oppressive heat that Mother Nature had brought to Ohio. Steve stepped out and adjusted his Katana strapped to his back.
"I can feel him, he's awfully close." Steve said.
"How close?" Lance said.
"He may be just inside. I suggest we get our weapons ready just in case. "He said. The group made its way towards the door and felt the cool blast of re-circulated air chill them. The scent of cooked flesh and coagulated blood filled the air. Limbs were strewn about the food court like confetti. A line of glistening pink intestine wrapped around the carousel. Kagura noticed a young man in the back of a restaurant with his penis in an onion slicer. Gristle and tissue hung from the blades and a bloody lump of meat was found in a prep pan. She shielded her eyes. Tilden rubbed her shoulder blades as a gesture of comfort and affection. It was then she heard the slick sound of flesh hitting the floor.
"Greetings and Salutations KPS and guests, I hope you are enjoying this display of wonderful art!" she spun around.
"He's over there!" She shouted. Crimson King stood there and held his hand up, a gesture of pause.
"Well there you are you son of a bitch I thought you died?" Steve said.
"I suggest your friends leave this area and go looking for their own. This is between you and me dearest brother. He said.
"No way in hell, CK, you face us or nothing." Steve said.
"I am afraid Mr. Ryan has more of an issue outside of this area than you do." The Crimson King said. Kuchiki's voice came over the PA of the mall.
"Attention all Chapel Hill Customers, There will be a live show at Game Stop in promotion for the eroge sale this week. Angela Ryan and Saki Kasukabe will be performing their new erotic snake charming dance. Warning, this is for those of a mature age and may contain sexual content. ID's will be checked!" Lance's phone beeped; looking at the screen he saw Kasukabe and Angela. Their wrists cuffed to the ceiling dressed in only their undergarments. He grasped the phone like vise.
"You son of a bitch! If you hurt them, so help me god-"Lance said, the Crimson King stopped him.
"Your problem is with my associate, not me. I suggest you hurry, those dimensional beasts can get randy!" The Crimson King said. Steve turned to Lance.
"Go, take the team with you, I can handle this." Steve said. Lance grimly nodded and ushered the team out of the food court in a sprint.
Kuchiki sat next to the PlayStation Three aisle as the watched the glowing bit of light fill the back of the wall. Angela and Kasukabe wriggled in their bonds. The first monster came out, a slimy pink octopus type thing with glowing red eyes and beaked mouth. Its appendages slithered down the carpet making contact with Angela's thigh. She let out an anguished scream. The monster made its way up to her bra attempting to pull it down to expose her breasts. Her crying grew more fierce and distraught. Kuchiki shouted at the monster.
"Plug her mouth up, she getting on my nerves!" The appendage slithered toward her mouth trying to push her jaw open. She darted her head back and forth, the beast grew angry and wrapped itself around her throat. In her gasping attempts it made its way in.
"Yess, "Kuchiki hissed maniacally, "Love it, make my pet happy!" It was then a loud and sickening squee was heard. The appendage dropped from her mouth.
"What the fuck!" Kuchiki shouted.
"Sorry Kuchiki," Lance said, "Tentacle porn is where I draw the line!" The beast slunk back into the portal, a trail of viscous blood and mucus behind it.
"So, you have returned Lance-san, I have waited for this day. The day where I would consume your flesh and become whole again, the day I would leave this wretched state!"
"Fat Chance, buddy!" Kouga said.
"Pipe down you mangy cur, I have more pressing matters to deal with." Kuchiki said.
"Deal with this." Tilden said and snapped his fingers. The bright red flame appeared between them, Kuchiki was mesmerized and confused, then watched as with a blow from Tilden's lips, the flame reached him and covered his half formed body. Kuchiki danced around, the membranes melted like sheets of plastic, his organs fell with a sickening plop. Once the flames extinguished themselves the remains sunk deep into the carpet. Lance raced over to Angela and untied her, while Miroku untied Kasukabe.
"Are you okay, I mean, like normal." Lance said.
"I think I should stop being so gung ho on these adventures." Angela said.
"Also," Kasukabe said, "Could you tell this guy to quit grabbing my tits." Miroku squeezed them gently. Ayame picked up a PlayStation 3 box and slammed it on his head. With Miroku over Ayame's shoulder, the group made its way to the Waldenbooks.
JC Penny
"You aren't fighting me, why is that?" Steve asked the Crimson King as they walked into The JC Penny.
"I am growing weak dear brother; our last encounter has left me a shell. As you can see my flesh is weak." He said.
"But why do all this? Why the destruction of humanity once again? Why do it, what drives you?" Steve said.
"This is why I need you; I need you more than anything in the world. You are my hope for salvation." The Crimson King said his voice now a hoarse whisper.
"How? What are you talking about?" He said.
"I never wanted to be this; I was forced into it by illusions of decadence. Our father tricked me, into believing that this life, this curse was the answer. I see now, I see this way is nothing but a one way ticket to the gates of damnation. A pain the dark realm cannot facilitate. Please dear brother, end my suffering." The King said.
"What must I do?" Steve said.
"The cross around your neck, give it to me." The King said. Steve's hand clutched the disciples cross Lance had given him, filled with fear he looked into the King's sallow eyes.
"Are you sure?" He said.
"Please." The King said. Pulling the leather strap off his head, The Crimson King slid it on his bony frame. Silently he began to pray in a foreign tongue:
" Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum, Veniat regnum tuum fiat voluntas tua sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie et dimitte nobis tresspassers sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo quia tuum est regnum et potestas et gloria, amen." White light radiated from his body, slowly his flesh melted and pooled onto the tile floor. Levitating he kept on repeating the prayer. Then his voice stopped and he looked at his brother and smiled.
"Gratias tibi, frater carissime" He said. His body exploded with a thunderous roar. Suddenly things began to move backwards, people rose and moved in reverse their limbs and blood flowing into them. The speed increased, blinding light filled the store and Steve felt as if he was being pulled by gravity. The force relented and soon he found himself in the day room of the KPS. Lance and his gang were eating sandwiches Yuki had made in the kitchen and sipping Dr. Peppers. Tilden was challenging LJ to a game of Street Fighter, and the three Spirit Realm emissaries were typing on their tablets, status reports.
"Time vortexes are fun ain't they Steve?" Mier said.
"What day is it?" He asked.
"Sunday, you've traveled a whole 24 hours into the future. Pretty kick ass huh?" The Vampire said.
"How, how did I do that?" He said.
"Well let's look at it this way, when your brother ascended he sort of caused a rip in the fabric of time so, the big skull masked guy fixed it. Of course you were the only casualty. We all got here normally." Mier said.
"The plane is ready Mr. Ryan." Pleasance said.
"Thank you Sam and I would like to let all of you know that Shinigami-sama has evaluated you all based on your teamwork and you have passed with flying colors!" Lance said. The group cheered loudly."
"Rest for a bit group," Stein said, "You may never know when we'll have a case."
"Yes Dr. Stein." The group said in unison.
Somewhere in the Maximum security wing of the Arcanum an alarm went off, a bad one
TBC
