Chapter 3: Warrior's Return
The slow, hypnotic, keyboard-drenched black metal with female lead vocals reverberated from the stage, under the darkening fogged sky. The bright stage lights were on, and it was very atmospheric, and very metal.
It seemed the cheat was on, or it was just the power of imagination that ruled here. Jo didn't feel exhausted so far at least. The hardest part had actually been to get the two guitars on her back in an X-formation, with also the wings in the way. But they were non-negotiable. What was the whole point of this otherwise?
She had sort of expected more of a reaction from the random onlookers, but possibly it was perfectly normal in here to see an angel carrying a barechested emo-goth in leather.
Ian had also been right. This way around was how it had to be, and Jo couldn't deny feeling warm inside. I've got you, she thought. Ian had endured so much uncertainty and outright terror, and not enough thanks for always being there, that he certainly deserved this now. He possibly also deserved some kind of theme. An emotional warrior's theme. Jo wasn't completely sure how it would go, but it would possibly be in the key of A minor. Am – Em – F – G. That was potentially something. But it needed to be refined later.
She also thought she wouldn't have wanted him hauling her around initially. That would have been heart-wrenching. Enough of that. Let his bridal carries be fun and pointless. Actually Jo could only think of one, the very end of their almost-Jack Bauer day. That was some shit you couldn't just make up. But back then there had been absolutely no cheats when she had, in turn, barely managed to drag him across the floor and up to the cabin bed.
Just then her thoughts were interrupted, as she happened to look to her right. She caught a glimpse of someone familiar in the crowd.
A heavily built, tall, blond-haired guy. Their gazes met for a second or two, and the man gave her a thumbs-up, possibly upon seeing the guitars. In the glare of the stage lights, Jo could see his arm was scarred.
Jo's heart jumped as she flashed back to one more memory.
The Christ Illusion tour, a few weeks into her "escape." Front row, banging like there was no tomorrow, the high-speed thrash helping her to forget the future which just then seemed hopelessly confused and uncertain.
Jeff starting the breakdown riff of "Angel of Death." Their gazes locking similarly for just an instant, and him lifting his hand off the fretboard to give the thumbs-up sign while playing the open low E-string. In retrospect, it was not sure whether it was especially for her, or for someone else in the crowd. But it didn't matter.
Returning to the present, Jo hurried to alert Ian. "Hey. I thought I saw –"
But when she looked up again, the legendary guitarist had vanished into the crowd.
…
It possibly was a bit much. But Ian could not help smiling to himself as he enjoyed the ride. He had been dozing on and off, so he wasn't sure if Jo had been trying to say something.
Right now, he began to think that the theme needed one more section. To display Jo's almost militaristic inner strength and determination. As he thought that it would likely be her who would find the way to exit this place to whatever came next, and to possibly reconnect with her father. She if anyone would deserve that happening, if it was possible at all.
The melody would descend to an A# major chord. Followed by Dm, C, A#, Dm…
It would need both a distorted guitar as well as a distorted bass.
Yes. It would be perfect.