The Coming Darkness

by

JamesPicard_007

Chapter 11

Stonehenge

            Ness had seen the vision. He had seen it as clearly as Paula had. The darkened skies covered the lands while thunder boomed ominously and lightning flashed almost every second. A foul wind blew and it chilled Ness to the bone despite the fact that this was a dream that had yet to pass. And there towering over all was a dark shadow that held the shape of a demon.

            Then Ness' eyes caught something moving at the shadow's feet. There was another figure only this one was in the shape of a man. He was kneeling at the demon's feet. Not so much as bowing to the demon, but as if he had been beaten down in battle. Ness struggled to see the identity of the fallen man more clearly, but every time he got close to him the figure became clouded.

            Then something happened. Something that Paula had not described in the vision she saw. This was something new. The figure slowly stood up, its chest heaving greatly. Its arms hung to its side and in its right hand Ness saw it grasping a sword. The air suddenly began to grow warm and then something happened that frightened Ness to the core.

            The figure had sprouted wings. Not normal feathered wings, but terrible tattered wings of fire. Ness feel to his back and tried as hard as he could to back away, but everything started to glow brighter. Soon the light engulfed everything and Ness found himself back on the cold Stonehenge floor. He looked up to see a tall man towering over him.

            "Are you all right?" The tall man asked.

            "I think I'll live" Ness replied as he stood up out here.

            "What happened out here? It looks like a war zone out here. Has there been a battle?"

            "Yeah. There was."

            "Well we heard a commotion out here, but for some reason the door was jammed."

            "Hmm."

            "Hey! What are kids like yourselves doing down here? This isn't exactly a reputable place for folks like you to be running around in."

            "We're looking for Frank."

            "Frank? Now what would you want with him?"

            "We think that he might have information that'll help us."

            "Are you sure? Frank can be a dangerous person."

            "This is important to us."

            "Alright. Don't say I didn't warn you."

            Ness walked over to his friends and revived them with a little PSI and checked their wounds. When he was satisfied with their condition the tall man lead them to the chamber with all the glass tubes where Dr. Andounts and other had been held during the War Against Giygas. The tall man approached a thick metal door on the other side. He knocked loudly and a small slot in the door opened.

            "What was it?" A gruff voice asked.

            "Seems there was a battle out there. I've got some kids here who want to see Frank." The tall man said.

            "What? Now why would they want to see Frank?"

            "They say they wanna talk to him."

            "All right" The voice said after a few seconds passed.

            The slot in the door closed and sounds of bolts being moved could be heard from behind. The door creaked open with a loud groan and a hand waved the group inside.  Inside the room was quite dim. There were only small bits of light shining upon the men that sat in the room. Ness couldn't see their faces very well, but he could tell one was smoking a cigar.

            "So… what is it that you wanted to ask me kiddies?" The cigar smoker asked.

            "We're looking for someone." Ness said.

            "That is quite vague. I believe if I am to be of any help you need to be more specific."

            "We're looking for a… a mercenary."

            "A mercenary? Why ever should you want to be looking for a mercenary?"

            "Hey Frank! Take a look at the girl!" A man holding cards said.

            "Hmm. Yes. You're Ms. Polestar aren't you?" Frank asked curiously.

            "Yes…" Paula said.

            "Now I am definitely intrigued. Why would you be looking for a mercenary?"

            "Do you think we should tell him?" Ness thought.

            "I don't see why not. They probably wouldn't believe us anyways." Paula responded telepathically.

            "We believe… we believe that a mercenary may play a critical role in an event that will decide the fate of the future."

            "Interesting. And pray tell who this mercenary is?" Frank replied.

            "We don't know who he is. We only have a rough description." Paula said.

            "Then describe this mercenary as best as you can to me and I shall help you as best I am able."

            "He wears black clothing…"

            "As do many mercenaries."

            "And he carries a sword." Jeff said.

            "A sword you say? Now that's really cutting the list down. Jimmy, who do we know that uses a sword?" Frank asked.

            "Well there's Swordsman of course. Ash, Blank, Wedge…" Jimmy started.

            "Don't forget about Black." Cards said.

            "Black does not operate within the guild."

            "Wait a minute. Who's Black?" Ness asked.

            "Allen Black. A mercenary who happens to fit your description." Frank answered.

            "What do you mean by "does not operate within the guild"?"

            "Most mercenaries adhere to a guild for… insurance reasons. Allen Black is not a member of any guild." Cards replied.

            "So he works for himself?" Poo asked.

            "Yes. Although this practice is frowned upon in our circles." Frank said.

            "Why?" Jeff said.

            "Mercenaries contribute a small portion of their earnings to help the guild. It is this portion which helps the guild support the mercenaries. However in the case of Black all the money he makes goes to himself."

            "So you lose some money. Why is this a problem?" Ness said   

            "As much as we hate to admit it Black is very good at what he does."

            "What do you mean?"

            "Usually it is a policy of guild mercenaries to eliminate freelancers to eliminate competition. We have sent fifteen of our best members after Black."

            "So?"

            "At once."

            "Oh."

            "Only one of those men ever return and that was basically to mock us at the attempt."

            "Black would most likely be your man. All of our sword-carrying men are on disability." Cards said.

            "Why's that?" Jeff asked.

            "Black."

            "Ok then. So is there any way we can get ahold of him?" Ness asked.

            "None that we know of and we have no clue of his whereabouts." Frank said.

            "Ok. Well thank you for your time."

            "Wait a minute. Surely you don't think that this information is free."

            "Uhhh."

            "That will be ten thousand dollars."

            "Ten thousand!? Do you take debit?"

            "As long as it clears."

            Cards picked up a small device and walked over to Ness who was digging through his pockets. When he found his ATM card he slid it through the card reader Cards was holding. A few seconds later a small ding sounded and Ness confirmed the ten thousand dollar transfer.

            "Thank you for your business. I hope you can find who you are looking for." Frank said.

            "Yeah. Thanks." Ness said as he led the group out.

            "Follow them." Frank said after the group had left.

            "Boss?" Cards asked.

            "They are going to look for Black. They are going to lead us to Black and when they find him we shall kill him for what he has done to me."

            Frank leaned forward into the light revealing on the left side of his face a long, thin, hideous scar.