Stacked Deck - Chapter 4: Cult of Darkness
"What?" The blue-eyed man didn't sound pleased. He was sitting at a table outside a coffee shop. A laptop was resting on the table in front of him and a briefcase was at his feet. Another man was sitting across from him looking smug.
"Relax, Dæmien. It shouldn't have been so much of a surprise. Had you not decided to ignore the questions posed by the Angel's behavior, you'd have found out sooner. It really is your fault you were left in the dark." The brown-eyed man was laughing slightly, thoroughly enjoying the utter despondency on his partner's face.
"You're right, Xavier. One thing, though. If you suspected, why didn't you say anything?"
"It took you this long to believe that Takeru Ishida was the Angel of Hope, how much longer would it have taken for you to believe that he was the Child, too? Assuming that the information was coming from me, of course."
* * *
"Can you tell who the other Angels are, Kari?"
"Yes, but it won't do you any good. The other Angels don't really like you..."
"Why not? If I'm the one who's going to save their asses, why would they not like me?
"TK, as the Angel and Child of Hope, that makes you so much more powerful than them, and you were already the most powerful Angel to begin with. It's tradition, TK. They hate you on principal, not personality." Kari giggled. "Don't feel bad. They wouldn't like me either."
"Why?"
"When you need to know the answer to that question, TK, you'll understand." She stood up and left the cafeteria before I could say anything to stop her.
I sighed. Looking around the room I noticed that I was completely alone. I reached into my backpack and took out the package I'd received that morning. I idly reflected on what could be in such a light package when...
:Takeru. Open it not.:
This time the voice didn't catch me off guard as much. Without really considering the reasons why, I decided to answer.
:Who are you?:
The was silence for a few moments, almost as if the entity I was speaking to couldn't believe I'd spoke back. I couldn't really believe it either. Maybe I was going crazy, after all, wasn't hearing voices one sign of insanity, and answering another?
:Silly, Takeru. I am glad you are learning your powers. We have a long way to go yet, but first things first. Get rid of the package, it contains naught but trouble.:
Standing I took the package to a trash bin. Giving it one last curious glance I dropped it into the bin. I felt better. Maybe the package had been causing the unease I'd been feeling... Maybe...
