Chapter 52
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Note: Renard, Vogel, and some of the other characters mentioned are from the classic cartoon "Gargoyles."
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Emily and Sharon moved to Antarctica. They told what they knew of Hell. In particular how many of those who joined the army of Hell, which also served as it's police force, weren't neccessarily evil, at first. They were desperate to give themselves and their loved one some degree of safety, some food, comfort. But it changed people, they became more ruthless over time. This did seem to fit with the idea that Evil was trying to keep them all trapped in Hell, keep everybody miserable and prevent them from doing good. Many of the alien refugees wanted to go to this world, and if possible rescue any of their loved ones who might still be trapped there. Sharon and Emily's escape proved it could be done, and they couldn't abandon them forever. Lucci and the others knew they could do it, but it taxed their abilities. How many they might be able to rescue was unclear. Many of the refugees weren't entirely certain which of their loved ones might be in Hell, and which might have made it into Heaven. Even if they could search, Hell was vast. Some might have been on the fence in the end. Renard remembered back to the destruction of his world. When it became clear that the darkness was coming, and they could only save a certain number of people, Renard used all of his financial and technological resources to open portans and evacuate as many as possible. Renard's son-in-law, David Xanatos, also helped evacuate as many refugees as they could. Human and gargoyle alike helped save people. But as the darkness came, Renard's right-hand, Vogel, suprised his boss. He had the golem brought to New York City. The Golem was from the city of Prague, an ancient mystical protector of the jewish people. Years ago Renard tried to inhabit this Golem to save his own life.
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Renard: I well remember this, how I tried to use this to save my own life, regrdless of the outcome.
Vogel: We all make mistakes sir.
Renard: I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you to betray your people like that.
Vogel: On the contrary, the Torah says we must make amends to those whom we have wronged. I committed a transgression against you, I have tried to make amends to the best of my ability.
Renard: And you have. But the Golem, I supposse these refugees will need someone to protect them in the new world.
Vogel: Indeed they will. But the Golem only does what it is ordered to do, it's not difficult to see it can be used for evil.
Renard: You feel it needs a human soul, or possibly a gargoyle one.
Vogel: Indeed. Good luck.
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Renard realized too late what Vogel had in mind. As the Golem was taken through the portal, Vogel did the incantation, and transferred Renard's soul into the Golem. Thus he saved Renard's life, at the cost of his own. As the fire came Vogel tried to remain his usual stoic self, but he was only human after all. Those who knew him would have noticed he seemed more nervous, although still more calm than most of the planet right now. Renard was indeed the Golem in Antarctica. He fulfilled the Golem's original purpose, protecting the most vulnerable. He liked to believe that Vogel had fully made amends, that his soul was in Heaven now. But, if there was any chance that his friend was trapped in Hell, Renard vowed to help him.
