*-*-*-*-*-*SlightlyEvilMagnusUniverse*-*-*-*-*-*
Chapter 10-Exactly HOW Hard Did I Hit My Head?
Chapter Complete!Magnus researches,
Alec wonders exactly how hard he hit his head,
Notes:
You know the drill, no time to proof will at work, yadda, yadda…
*~********~*~********~* Magnus-Magnus-Magnus-Magnus-Magnus *~********~*~********~*"Hey Mags, what about this?" Raphael asked, holding up one of the spell books, Magnus slipped over by him, quickly glancing over it, shaking his head,
"No, the markings mentioned the harvest moon…this says during the summer solstice, it's not the same, closer, but we must find the exact spell so we know what we are dealing with.
The markings are in Iaith-wrth, if that's the case then the spell itself may be in it as well."
Raphael nodded faintly
"I can't read Iaith-wrth, So i can't really be much help with that. Maybe I'll go back over and see if I can find the spell Raj used to summon the 'angel' that could give us something…
Oh and I looked into the records in family services, their security is crap, I only found one case from six years ago where the names Raj and Divya came up-
Their last name is Nadim; the parents died in a car crash, Raj took custody of Divya-
She now attends Sun Crest High School. He has a decent job as an accountant at Genentech, some fancy kind of tech company, he's been there for four years now. I have their address, it is over on 40th street, in the sweet water Apartment complex.
Magnus gave him an impressed smile, nodding faintly,
"Very good darling- I really am quite glad you've taken an interest in this hacking thing…comes in quite handy."
He shrugged
"Eh, it's interesting and challenging and you can do it at any time of the day so it keeps me busy in the summer when I can't leave the apartment for nearly eighteen hour of the day-"
Magnus nodded,
"Dear that's not the only option, you know all you have to do it give me a call and I can open a portal for you to here."
Raphael chuckled,
"Yeah I know, and thanks Mags, you know how much I appreciate the spell- even if it's almost unnervingly powerful and kind of gives me a headache if I stop to think about it for too long- but hiding out in your lair isn't much different than the apartment…plus you have High Warlock business and I don't want to feel like I'm constantly underfoot."
Magnus rolled his eyes
"Sweetheart you know you never are, and there are three floors and more rooms that I can keep track of. It's not as if there's exactly a lack of space."
He nodded faintly, turning back to the stack of books about Echocian, idly flipping through another of them, looking for anything that jumped out,
"That's true enough, I j…
Hey isn't this the symbol Raj was drawing…or like the one he was drawing?" he paused, holding the book out to Magnus,
He slipped closer, tilting his head, looking over the page, eyes sparking in interest, slowly nodding."
"Yes…that's it!" he gasped, eyes widening,
"And I see what he did- the curves around the edge of the third symbol, if you invert them it forms the Iaith-wrth symbols Awydd barus
It's used to summon a Hanfod lladrata, it's subtle but it changes everything.
This is how he called the demon."
Raphael looked it over, quickly reading the spell,
"So…the demon, it's bound to Raj now…is it controlling him?" he asked, glancing over at Magnus,
He sighed tilting his head, giving a faint shrug,
"That is the question, isn't it? It cannot fully take possession of him but it does hold a great deal of sway over him. It could compel him…and if Raj is under the impression that the being he is working with is in fact an angel, he may be convinced what he's doing is just- the will of the angels…
I-if that's the case, if he thinks that he's on some divine mission lead by an angelic being…
Combined with its sway over him…it is quite possible that the poor man truly believes what he is doing is for the good of Mankind." He trailed off, with a faint shrug,
Raphael shook his head, eyes wide,
"Dios…that is creepy as hell."
Magnus nodded in agreement,
"I cannot agree more…all the man wanted to do is protect his baby sister after she was attacked by a ferocious monster, one slip of a mark and he accidently summons a demon into this world and comes under its power, not even realizing what it is, convinced it's an angelic being that answered his prayers…I do feel for the man…
Hopefully we can get this dealt with in a way that somewhat preserves the poor man's sanity…
Ironically Divya getting stung may be the only saving grace to that. The venom gave her powers, changed her…technically she is a supernatural, much like when a human is bit and becomes a Vampire or Werewolf, their mind transforms just as much as any physical change, morphing to be able to handle the supernatural knowledge…
Within the first two weeks of the transformation they produce a kind of chemical that affects those they come into contact with most…those closest to the newly changed person, altering their brain patterns as well, allowing them to process the supernatural without breaking.
He may be able to handle this…"
Raphael sighed, shaking his head faintly,
"I don't know…I hope so…but as he's being unknowingly manipulated, possibly controlled and who knows what else by a demon disguised as an angel into providing sacrifices, helping the demon cross over, AND basically opening the gates of hell…
That might be a bit much.
Compared to that being killed and clawing your way back out of your own grave sounds almost pleasant."
Magnus gave a slight huffing not quite laugh
"You are right about that my dear. We really need to find the spell he's using a…
Wait…
The spell isn't from this world…Raj knows nothing of what he's doing he's just following the demons orders…the demon is from Calon tywyll, the spell must be from there as well…
A book from Calon tywyll…that has knowledge of the human world, the moon phases…seven sacrifices, six at the points one in the center…and the brands…they mention those strong, brave and pure of heart…Selfless people…those that would give their lives in protection of others.
All of that…
I can only think of one book that would pertain to all of it…
The Cyfaint y gwacter."
"And that means?"
"The Volume Of the Void." He adds distractedly quickly making his way to the large table in the center of the room, snapping his fingers a large, leather bound ancient looking book appearing on the table,
"Well, that doesn't sound ominous as hell or anything…so the spells here?" he asked, looking curiously at the huge volume…
"Please tell me there's a table of contents or something and we don't have to actually search through this page by page…it has to be over three thousand pages…we do not have that time…
Not if the markings mentioned the Harvest moon…that's tonight, we do not have days to peruse an ancient book."
Magnus glanced over at him quirking his eyebrow
"Sweetheart, sometimes I think you forget just who you're talking to." He held his hand up, snapping his fingers the book flipping open, pages fluttering faster than even his eyes could follow settling on a page about three hundred pages from the back, the worlds shimmering.
Raphael huffed out a laugh, shaking his head,
"No I don't…I always remember who you are… the biggest show off in existence."
Magnus chuckles,
"Now my dear it's not showing off…it just seems like that because I am so very impressive."
Raphael rolled his eyes,
"And so modest too…"
"I know...I really am the whole package." He smirked, winking playfully, before turning back to the book,
"Hmm...
The ridica valul vraja…
The spell must be completed under the light of the Harvest moon when it is fully risen, as the first stars began to appear. The last sacrifice must be made at the center of the pentagram…the number six is a theme…the more surrounding the location the more powerful the spell will be.
Oh…"
Raphael tilted his head, leaning closer looking over the page, but it was irrelevant as he couldn't read the language.
"What is it?" he asked, leaning closer to the page out of habit,
Magnus shook his head,
"The first six sacrifices the victims are drained of their essences, their souls, whatever you want to call it. That is what the demon absorbs to gain it's power, but when it's done in these locations it has two uses. The power boosts the demon, getting it closer to crossing over, but it also marks the victims as sacrifices for the spell to open Calon tywyll…
But the last one…the one in the center?
It's an actual blood sacrifice. The victim must be brave, strong and pure of heart, a 'selfless protector of the people'…someone who would give their lives in the defense of others."
Raphael swallowed, shaking his head,
"So…this demon is going to find probably the best person in the city and bleed them dry…
Magnus…we cannot let that happen."
He nodded
"We really cannot. We need to see what has a theme of six in the center of the city."
Raphael nodded rolling out the map, looking at the circle they'd drawn in the center of the pentagram…
It covered about two square miles, and had, literally over a hundred locations in it…there had to be a way to narrow it down…
Maybe the c-
He's cut off by Magnus's phone chiming. Magnus sighed, snapping his fingers, summoning it, looking over the number, tilting his head,
"Oh, it's Simon…perhaps he's found something that will help us narrow it down…" he trailed off, lifting it to his ear,
"Hello darling I-"
"Magnus no time. I think Alec's in trouble. He called me and apologized and said that he's been really off because of you and I know that's not your fault and I'm sure there's a really good reason you couldn't tell him what you saw in the marks and I don't even care what it is right now cause some guy named Raj called Alec and told him they have information on you and the case and how you're involved in the case and I really don't think you are cause If you were why would you be helping us at all so they're lying only I think their lying about a hell of a lot more and I think it's a trap and I don't know what's going on or what's involved in this case but if they knew enough to know Alec was suspicious of you and angry about you then they had to have been watching him and if they are then they're after him and it like just occurred to me this minute that Alec is, like exactly the same type as the victims and this all just seems way too much and I really don't know what to do cause I think they got Alec a-and…
I-I…oh god Magnus I don't know what to do and I'm freaking out cause the call was over an hour ago and he said he'd call when he left and let me know what he found out and he hasn't and he thinks I was ignoring him cause he yelled at me and I wasn't I totally wasn't I just forgot to turn my phone back on...and…and…." he trailed off breath fast and erratic, Raphael could hear his heart pounding over the phone,
He'd moved to Magnus's side the moment the man started talking, he could hear the fear in his voice, the terror,
Oh man this was bad…Alec…
A 'selfless protector of the people' he couldn't think of anyone that described better than the detective…
Magnus was standing ramrod straight, eyes sharp, power flickering and surging, it kicked up the second Simon had mentioned Alec was taken…
Raphael almost felt the need to take a step back; he knew that look…it spoke of destruction and violence…that was the look that always reminded Raphael exactly who Magnus was, who his Father was…
It was a look that reminded him that, whatever else Magnus might be, he was half demon…and when he needed to he could be more terrifying than any demon in this world…
Magnus took a deep breath, pulling his powers back a bit, trying to get himself under control. He tilted his head, shifting the phone,
"Simon sweetheart, calm down, breathe…it is okay…we have time…just breathe for a second, nothing's going to happen for at least another hour…
It's okay we have time…
Breathe sweetheart." He said, voice, soft and soothing, oddly melodic."
Raphael saw the power flicker, Magnus's eyes shimmering softly, him making a few graceful gestures with his free hand,
On the other end of the phone he could hear Simons breath evening out, heart rate slipping to a more normal pace.
"Are you better sweetheart?" Magnus asked softly,
"Y-yeah…I think so…thank you…an hour?" he asked voice still not quite steady,
"Yes…I found out what is going on; it's a spell…well…the person behind it believes it is a spell… I do believe they are quite deranged…seeing monsters and demons everywhere…
They need one more sacrifice for the spell, it would be at the center of the hexagram, and must be done under the harvest moon, when it is fully risen, that is not until between six thirty and seven tonight…
The sacrifice must be made then or it will not work, not that it will anyways, but if they're trying to follow the spell they will be following it step by step.
Did Alec mention where he was meeting Raj?"
"Y-yeah, at the old Brentwood Manufacturing building."
Raphael's eyes widened, nodding quickly, Magnus inhaled sharply meeting his eyes, nodding back,
"Six stories right in the center of Brooklyn."
"Right in the center of the Hexagram." Simon added hollowly,
God, he never wanted to hear that hopeless tone in the guys voice, Simon should never sound hopeless…
Never…
Okay, they need to go get this demon and this Raj… and he feels for the guy but if he won't stay out of the way he will go right through him…he's made a lot of hard decisions in his lifetime…what's one more?
"I know darling. We have time…we'll get him back…" Magnus added, trailing off, voice rather unsure, looking over at Raphael not sure how to explain to the younger detective,
He shrugged rather at a loss,
Magnus gave a faint huff, turning back to the conversation,
Umm…I…t-"
"Magnus, let's not do this…I'm not Alec…I know you were lying about not recognizing the marks, I know you probably know a hell of a lot more about this than I do, hell than I ever will…
I don't know what you're into, what you're capable of or anything else, but I know you're not just a club owner…Alec's not the only one that can pick up on things.
But right now I don't care. I don't care how dangerous you are or what you do or how you do it or whatever else.
My partner is in trouble, someone wants to sacrifice him to a demon…
I do not care what has to happen or HOW it has to happen to prevent that…it just needs to happen.
I'm leaving the precinct now but it's over a twenty minute drive and that's without traffic, I'm hoping you're closer. I'll get there when I can, if you get there first don't bother waiting for me, just get my partner out.
I don't care about anything else right now. I just want my partner alive and safe…nothing else matters.
Just protect Alec."
Raphael stared wide eyed,
Wow… who knew the cute, sweet adorable detective could reach that level of forcefulness
Okay not gonna lie…it was kind of thrilling…
Not really the right time for that…
But still…
Woah…
Magnus tilted his head, eyes flashing bright, a sharp, deadly smile gracing his lips, he made a soft, odd sound, almost a purring, growling thing…
Uh oh… Raphael knew that sound…
This demon stood all the chances of a snowball in hell…
He couldn't quite tramp down a bit of a reckless thrill, it was a hunt. He was civilized, had control of his baser instincts, more so then most actually…but still, he was a Vampire, a predator…
And this was a hunt…
He looked up meeting Magnus's eyes, he saw he had the same buzzing thrill, he tilted his head, power flickering, eyes flashing,
"That, my dear is an order I am more than willing to take."
"Thank you Magnus." Simon said relieved,
Magnus got that smile, the one that always seemed like it should be accompanied by lightening or thunder, a look that could make the bravest, strongest, stupidest creatures turn tale and run for the hills,
"Of course dear…I just met Alexander, I am in no way ready to say good bye…If this Raj so much as harms one hair on his head…
Mmm…
He is going to need a hell of a lot more than a demon for protection." He clicked the button, disconnecting the call, putting the phone back in his pocket,
Waving his hand, power surging up, filling the room, crackling and snapping. The shimmering violet portal opened, Magnus turned to him, quirking his eyebrow in that reckless, deadly way, giving that smile,
Raphael returned the look, giving a sharp nod, leaping through the portal; Magnus close behind, giving a reckless, terrifying laugh.
Oh…that poor demon…
*~********~*~********~* Alec-Alec-Alec-Alec-Alec *~********~*~********~*Ugh what the hell?
How much did he have last night?
Alec groaned faintly, his head was pounding and he felt kind of stiff.
Man, what a crazy dream...D-did he fall asleep sitting up?
That's odd, he never did that. He tried shifting, but froze when he felt resistance. Okay, something most definitely wasn't right, the alarms in his head began going, overshadowing the throbbing in his head...
He subtly tries moving his arms only to once again encounter resistance. Something's around his wrists, over his shoulders and chest, and about his ankles...
It's almost like he's...
Oh crap...
It wasn't a dream.
Memories of the day come flooding back; meeting Magnus this morning, going to Izzy's, her warning, the oddness of Magnus with the body, realizing he lied, his anger, blowing up at him, then Simon...
The call, going to meet this Raj, the red flags...
He lied about knowing about Magnus... he knew nothing about the guy, not even his name...
Realizing it was a trap, that...that this Raj was disturbed...was likely the killer...or at least one of them...pulling his gun...
The guy'd been nervous, eyes wide, began to raise his hands...
T-then...what?
He remembers a sudden jarring sensation, pain, and then everything went dark.
Hesitantly he blinked his eyes open, feeling a faint wave of dizziness wash over him, vision swimming…
Oookay…
So...he's been lured into a trap by whoever is behind the branding murders…he's tied to a chair…and he probably has a concussion…
And thanks to his losing his temper and yelling at Simon he probably hasn't even listened to his message, probably thinking he just called to yell at him some more…
Which means he probably won't even listen to it until someone realizes he's missing…
And that's if he didn't just flat out delete it…
In which case no one knows where he is or who he was meeting and he is totally on his own…
Likely concussed, bound, and pretty much out of options.
Yeah…t-this…
This is really bad…
Damn it!
How could he be so stupid, agreeing to meet with some shady stranger at an abandoned building without even giving it a second thought? Yeah, he was pissed at Magnus but this was a major lapse in judgment.
How c-
Okay, you know what? he can berate himself about his stupidity later…assuming he HAS a later…
He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, once more trying to open his eyes. His vision blurred, and spun for a second, he just tried to breathe through it, swallowing back the faint wave of queasiness…
Yeah, definite concussion
Also can wait till later…focus on the biggest problem first.
Tied to a chair by a deranged murderer.
He took a few more deep breaths until his vision steadied and cleared, slowly looking around, trying to get some idea of his surroundings, and almost wished he hadn't.
He's in the very center of a bare room, some kind of open space, probably an office of some kind at one point but anything that had been in it had long since been cleared out. the walls were high and bare, dingy red brick. A rather large window sets dead center in the wall he's facing, at the very corner of it he can see a small part of one of the angel statues…so he's on the very top floor of the building. Out the window he can see the sun is setting, the bright orange giving way to violet fading to blue, the lights of the city flickering on as the natural light fades.
It'd be quite a breathtaking view in most other circumstances, but something about it sets him on edge. The floors are hardwood, a light, sun bleached color. It stands out in stark contrast to the bold, harsh black and red same marks as the brands on the bodies.
The room has a faint smell of wood smoke and something unidentifiable that sets his teeth on edge and sends a shiver down his spine, whatever created the brands on the bodies was also used to sear the marks into the wooden floor…only there were so many more than on the bodies. There are hundreds of them, covering almost every last bit of the floorboards, flowing, ebbing and swirling together in some bizarre, concentric, sinuous pattern that is simultaneously strangely beautiful and bone chillingly terrifying.
The sigils- he realizes that's what they are, much like the summoning sigils and the enchantment runes- seem to go from nearly a foot in length around the outer edge of the room becoming smaller the closer they got to him, the closest to him appearing maybe two inches at most. They all seem to flow into the thick, black line about six feet around him. As he's bound he can only see about half of it, but he knows exactly what it is…
He's seen them repeating in this case again and again.
The chair he's in is situated exactly in the center of the hexagram, the point in front of him perfectly aligned with the window.
Ooohhh…T-this…
Yeah…he's…
Oh god damn it, he'd gonna be sacrificed by some madman trying to summon a demon.
Alright…he's a detective…his job is dangerous…he's always known there was a possibility he could lose his life on the job; from a stray bullet, a dangerous perp, even an accident during a chase…
But…
Gotta admit…
He did not see 'demon sacrifice' as a possibility.
He moved, struggling against the binds frantically, trying to get some kind of slack in them.
"Oh…you're awake…" A soft voice said from behind him,
He startled, jerking around, trying to see,
"Raj?! What the hell do you think you're doing? You kidnapped a Detective, do you have any idea how much trouble you're gonna get for this? You will have every cop in the city gunning for you- have a target on your back for the rest of your life…
You will never get away with this-"
"I know! I don't want to do this…I never wanted any of this…I never wanted to hurt anyone, I HATE this, it makes me sick…but there's no other way…it's the only way…
I don't have a choice…" he gave a shuttering whimper…
"I don't want to do this…" he said again voice so sad, near broken…
Alec shook his head, trying to turn, to get a visual…
"Then don't…just stop; stop trying to summon whatever demon y-"
"Demon! I-I'm not trying to summon a demon, I don't want to bring more evil into this world…the demons are already here…I'm trying to send them away…"
Huh?
"Raj…no you're not…you're using summoning sigils a friend told m-"
"The monster told you that…I saw you guys…saw him find the marks…no one was supposed to be able to find the marks…the angel said they couldn't that they were masked but he did…how did he find them?
The monsters aren't supposed to be able to find them…how did he?"
Umm…what?
He's the one with the concussion…shouldn't he be spouting nonsense?
"Raj…w-what are you talking about?"
"The monster you're working with! Who's helping you with the case, the terrifying one with the scary eyes and power! How did he find the Angels mark when none of the other monsters could find them?!" he demanded, coming around to face Alec,
His eyes were wide and agitated, hair mussed as if he'd been raking his fingers through it, he was buzzing with nervous energy,
But what drew Alec's attention more than any of that was the viciously sharp obsidian blade clutched in his erratically gesturing hand
Alec swallowed, trying to steady himself,
"I-I don't know how he did…" Alec said quietly, looking up, meeting his eyes,
"I don't know about him…r-remember? That's why I wanted to meet you, to find out more…he seems really suspicious…really dangerous…"
Raj scoffed, shaking his head quickly,
"Oh you have no idea…"
Alec nodded trying to maintain eye contact, to establish a connection with him.
"Then tell me, what is he?" he asked softly
Raj blinked, gesturing erratically, the knife waving about,
"I TOLD you he's a monster! He's a monster…I know you can't see them, humans can't, I couldn't- it was much better when I couldn't but now I can and they're everywhere…everywhere! They hide among us and they look like normal people, they look like us, but they're not…they're monsters…
Monsters with fangs, and claws, and terrifying glowing eyes and powers a-and god knows what else and their everywhere…there's SO many, we're surrounded, we're always surrounded, but we don't know it…
But I do…
I do and I can fix it…
The angel said I could…
That I'm the only one who can; can make them safe, make her safe…
I don't want to do it…I don't…
I wish there was another way…but there's not and t-they have to be stopped, they have to…it's the only way…The only way to stop them…to protect all the humans. I'm sorry, I really am…I told the others I didn't want to…I didn't want them to be hurt…
I just want to be safe…want everyone safe…
Want my sister safe…
b-but that can't happen. Not with the creatures around. They have to be vanquished…" he paused, looking up meeting Alec's eyes, gaze so very remorseful, utterly tortured, desperate, he shook his head, grip on the blade shaking,
"I-I don't want to do it…but it's the only way." He stepped closer, shakily raising the blade,
"WAIT-wait…no, Raj, please…just wait…don't do this." He pleaded,
Raj startled, shaking his head, whimpering, taking a shuddering breath,
"I have to! I'm sorry, I'm SO sorry! I wish there was another way, I really, really do. B-but there's not…
It's the only way…
The Angel said."
Alec shook his head quickly, swallowing. Thinking trying to buy time, hoping against hope that Simon got his message.
"What Angel? Raj you need to explain what's happening to me…if you're going to murder me I at least deserve to know why? I've never hurt you; I've never done anything to hurt anyone; WHY are you doing this to me?
Those other people you killed? They didn't deserve it, none of them. They were good, kind, compassionate, caring people. They went out of their way to help and protect others.
They had families, friends, loved ones; you destroyed so many lives…
If you're gonna do the same thing to me I damn well deserve to know why, you owe me that much."
Raj blinked, shaking his head quickly, eyes wide,
"I-I didn't…I didn't kill them…t-the angel needed them…needed their energy for the spell…to protect humanity. H-he said they were good, that they were protectors…that they would give their lives for others, to protect others…
T-that if they knew…that their sacrifices would save humanity…
That they would understand…
They would want to protect their families, their loved ones. T-their sacrifices were necessary for the survival of humanity.
It's seven lives for the guaranteed survival of the entire human race…
I-it is the only way…
t-the only way…" he trailed off, swallowing, again stepping towards Alec,
"What 'Angel' Raj? You keep saying the angel told you all this…
What Angel? Why do you think an angel is telling you to do these things?"
"B-because I called it…I…" he sniffed, shaking his head, crossing his arms over himself,
"I…my sister was attacked and…and a bunch of weird things started to happen and t-the thing that attacked her…i-it shouldn't exist…and I…all I wanted to do is help her…to make it better…I'm the big brother…I'm supposed to be able to do that.
O-only…I…I don't know about any of this stuff and I didn't understand it…a-and I got to thinking that if that thing that attacked her existed then maybe other things do too…and…and I thought maybe an angel could fix it…and I tried praying but that didn't seem to fix anything and everyone does that and so I started to research…I've always been really good at that…and I came across the echocian…and I thought maybe I could call one that way.
I never thought it would work but I tried it one night, I drew the symbol from the book and…
And there was an amazing light and a shimmering being appeared and said that they were here to help me. It worked…
It did…
And I explained about Divya and what happened and it sighed and shook it's head and said that the thing that attacked her was a monster…that our world was infested with them, they were everywhere, hiding in plain sight.
That humans couldn't see them, just saw them as another normal person…I-it seemed crazy, and I didn't really want to believe it, but i-it did something…some flash thing, and touched my forehead and then…I don't know…
My eyes burned for a minute and I felt dizzy and sick and fuzzy and then it all seemed to go back to normal, but it wasn't. I-I look at a group of people and I can see the creatures now…and…
God…it was right.
They're everywhere…there's SO many of them, on the street, in the media, in our government, at your precinct
EVERYWHERE…They are everywhere, and we don't stand a chance." He paused, shaking his head,
"Alec…I…god, you have no idea how much I wish there was another way. I asked him, begged him to find another way. But there isn't. I'm sorry, but it's the only way to protect everyone…
The only way for me to make sure Divya is okay. I hate it so much, but it has to be fixed.
I really hope you understand." He said softly, beginning forward yet again,
Alec inhaled, nodding quickly, thinking he did have an idea what was going on here…
The angel thing seemed less sad…
"I do.
I think you're delusional."
Raj shook his head quickly,
"I'm NOT crazy! I-"
Alec sighed,
He hated having to point this out…if something was so bad that someone would make up this crazy story to distance themselves from it it had to be something pretty horrible…
He didn't think an Angel was behind it…but he didn't think this Raj was working alone either…Someone was manipulating this poor broken man into helping them in the murders…
This 'Angel' was the one they needed to catch…
He just needed more information…
But for that he needed to get Raj to face the truth, no matter how painful it may be.
"Raj…I'm not saying you are. I think something happened to your sister- maybe something really, really bad- and I think you had a mental break because you couldn't fix it.
I think you came up with this Angel delusion as a way to fix something that cannot be fixed. I think someone found out about it and is using it- using your pain and fear- to manipulate you into helping with the murders.
I am sorry Raj…I really am. I can't imagine what I'd do if something happened to one of my siblings…I'd probably be in the same boat.
But Raj? Really think about what you're saying; an Angel is making you murder people in an effort to save humanity.
Just take a step back, and think;
What seems more plausible?
A divine being using hexagrams, spells, sigils, and human sacrifices to 'protect humanity'.
Or,
You had a mental break because something in your life was too painful to deal with so you had to find a way to cope, and some corrupt bastard saw that and decided to use your pain for their own benefit?
I believe you didn't murder any of the others…so why now? Why have you kill a cop?
I think this was some twisted game by some psychopath that latched onto your delusion to pin their crimes on you…to set you up for seven murders.
Honestly, which seems more real?"
Raj swallowed, shaking his head,
"I-I…but…that's not…it's real…"
Alec sighed, looking up, meeting the man's eyes, seeing the flicker of doubt,
"Please Raj…just put the knife down…
Just put it down…let me go…
w-we'll get this sorted out…"
He blinked, taking a shuttering breath,
"W-we?"
Alec nodded
"Yes Raj. I'll help you however I can. I don't think you're a bad person; I think you're hurt, and you're scared and someone took advantage of that.
Please Raj?
I know you don't want to do this…
And you don't have to…
We can fix this.
Okay?"
Raj took a deep shuttering breath, giving a shaky nod
"A-alrig-"
"Oh…you're good detective…" an odd disembodied voice sounded, seemingly from everywhere.
The symbols begin to shimmer, an odd, black and blood orange vapor rising from them, condensing, seemingly solidifying, taking on a vaguely humanoid shape, before slowly dissipating. In the place there stood an odd, handsome, ethereally shimmering figure.
Alec gasped, blinking…
Oookay…so…
How hard did he hit his head earlier?
Raj looks over at Alec eyes wide,
"Y-you see it too right? You see him now?"
Alec nodded, shakily
"Y-yeah, Raj…I see him."
"So I'm not delusional…it's real i-…
It's all real." He trails off, glancing down at the blade in his hand, lightly running his thumb over the handle,
"I was really, really hoping it wasn't…" he said softly, looking back up at Alec, eyes full of pain,
"I really don't want to do it…" he said, pleadingly meeting Alec's eyes,
Alec took a deep breath, shaking his head
"Then don't Raj. Don't do it."
Raj shook his head
"But t-"
"Raj I know what you said…what that thing said…I do…but you do not have to do anything you don't want to. Don't listen to it. Listen to yourself, your instincts…
You're a good person Raj; you don't want to hurt anyone…
As of yet you haven't.
Please Raj…you're stronger than that thing.
I know you are."
The angel chuckled, shaking its head, an odd indescribable something passing behind those ice blue eyes that sent a chill down Alec's spin, before looking over to Raj, expression becoming compassionate,
"Raj, he's trying to confuse you…he is frightened, it's more than understandable…he can't see them…he doesn't know…not really…if he understood, if he really understood, he would do it-
Give his life to protect humanity."
Alec took a deep breath, looking at Raj
"He's right, I would, but Raj? This? Something's really off here…I don't know what's going on, or what that thing is…but this isn't right,
And deep down you know it too.
Please Raj?
Don't do this…You are stronger than this…I know you are. You're better than this."
Raj seemed to hesitate again, more doubt appearing,
Alec ran at it,
"And think about it…whatever happens here, you're abandoning Divya…what's she going to do without you? You murder a cop, you're either going to prison for life or getting the death penalty…
Do you really want to put her through that? Her spending the rest of her life thinking her brother was a psychotic murderer?
Because Raj, you do this? That is ALL people will remember you for…that's all they'll see her as, the sister of a murderer…
She'll never live it down…
Do you really want to do that to her?"
A flicker of anger flashed over the Angels expression, a brief glare that sent terror through Alec like he'd never felt.
"Raj that will not happen…you will be a hero…a savior of humanity…Divya will be proud. She will be cured and happy and know that her brother singlehandedly saved humanity."
Raj looked back at Alec clearly having doubts,
"Will she though? Raj I don't know Divya- neither does he, you do…how do you think she'd feel about you murdering someone…someone bound and utterly helpless…
How will your baby sister feel knowing her brother killed someone in cold blood…Do you really think she'd be proud of that, regardless of what came from it?"
He shook his head, lowering the knife, looking hesitantly over at the angel,
"She would be ashamed…disgusted…she would not want this."
"She does not have a choice." The angel said sharply, voice at a near hiss, before pulling back,
"Raj you are being selfish…this is not just about you…it is not just about your sister…it is about all of humanity. If you do not do this you are dooming humanity."
Alec shook his head
"Raj d-"
The Angel made a faint growling sound, icy cold eyes fixing on him with a hateful glare,
"That's enough out of you." it snapped, reaching forward, hand going right for his throat, seemingly encompassing his entire neck.
The angel gave a pained, shocked scream, ripping its hand away, skin smoking and sizzling, and oddly familiar symbol blistered on its palm.
Oh…thank you Clary…
He is never taking this necklace off…
"W-what happened? What was that?" Raj asked, eyes wide, looking from the angel to Alec and back.
The angel glared, giving that growling noise again,
"He's working with the creatures; they're trying to protect him…they gave him a charm to protect him from angelic powers…
You must do it Raj
I cannot…
It's all up to you Raj…
You have to kill him Raj…now…if they have safeguarded him they're probably watching him. They'll be on their way.
You have to do it Raj,
In order to defeat the monsters you have to kill him
And you have to do it soon.
Do it Raj."
Alec shook his head,
"No Raj, don't."
*~********~*~********~* _End Of Chapter Notes_ *~********~*~********~*
Dun, dun, dun…
So…who will Raj listen to?
(By the way in this scene I kinda see Alec like the angel on your shoulder and the 'angel' and the devil on the other…I don't know why I find that so very entertaining, but I really do.
Awydd barus = Greedy-Desire
ridica valul vraja= Lift the Veil Spell
Random Thing-
Werewolves are actually different than other shifters…
Being a werewolf is transferred via bite, like…well…any other mythology involved with them.
Shifters are BORN with the ability to transform into their animal counterpart-
There ARE Wolf Shifters, (Blaidd-ddyn) but they're actually different from Werewolves…I'm thinking their might even be a bit of animosity or prejudice between the groups.
*-*-*-*-*-*SlightlyEvilMagnusUniverse*-*-*-*-*-*
* 38 *