CHAPTER XXV: THE HOLY LANCE
...the Spear of Destiny - a weapon that was enchanted in a way that bestowed great power unto any who wielded it...
The feeling of holding the legendary weapon was that of sublime excitement, such as Kyle had never experienced in his life. Having witnessed the horrors of Hell, having faced innumerable dangers and foes, he now felt calm, purified and rejuvenated while he stared at the mesmerizing glow of the golden blade. It felt as if the very material of the Spear emanated an aura of strength and eternal glory. Major Boyd and Private Boaventura were staring at it too, feeling a mystical sensation of fulfillment. They fully realized that for the moment they had won – it was their privilege to take some rest and enjoy their victory. The still functional screens showed them that the marine survivors throughout the base were already free and directing the civilian personnel to the medical sector, where they were to be properly taken care of.
Everything seemed very clear after Stalker's final secret was uncovered – the Spear was the tool that allowed him to finalize his work on the mutants. It also helped him work on his project unnoticed – protected by its power. Securing the Spear was a major victory against him and his Elder God ally. The scientist had said that the Spear was a key, and the marine was quite satisfied that the enemy would not be able to use it.
"Quite a trophy you have there, Harlan," Major Boyd giggled, "I am relieved to see that you are still here – I have heard legends that he who touches the Spear would instantly fall into the burning maw of Hell."
"I heard these too," Kyle replied, "But I also heard that the demon that was responsible for these abductions was slain by a human who proved to be too tough for Hell to contain. Just like us."
"Ha, are you relatives? Anyway... for now there are no functional Gates at the base, so we should probably not worry about Stalker and his cybernetic friends coming back. And I see that the system automatically restored normal power distribution to the entire base. Excellent."
"We are back in business," Shade added, "And I can smell a promotion on the horizon."
"Shut up... Corporal," Major Boyd ordered. Shade only saluted and assumed the pose of a heroic statue. Now he definitely had some good news for the boys back home.
"As for you, Harlan. You did an amazing job. Rarely has humanity witnessed such bravery, skill... and crazy good luck. I can see the word Lieutenant floating on the horizon – what do you think?"
"I think that we should have some rest before the brass comes in to investigate, and the corporate bigwigs start whining about the havoc that we caused around here," Kyle replied, "And then, we should think about our common friend, Doctor Stalker, and what we can do to ensure he would never threaten us again."
"Agreed... my friend. Now, shall we inspect what the other marines are doing?"
The marines were about to leave the laboratory with their unexpected prize, when a noise attracted their attention. A tall figure walked out of the shadows, where it had stood for the whole duration of the conversation. The Gatekeeper approached the marines, ominous sparks dancing in his eyes. Corporal Harlan gave Shade a sign not to shoot. The young soldier seemed stunned with surprise from the unexpected visitor at any rate.
"Once again, I am deeply impressed, humans. For eons, I have seen you as a weak and inferior race that was only good for mindless servitude. Marine, for the second time you have proved me wrong. For now, you have survived the thunder... but you have not yet quelled the storm. The Spear of Destiny could have considerably facilitated the schemes of the Makron – but it never was absolutely necessary for them. By capturing it, you have gained a small but very valuable respite. But make no mistake – you have only delayed his plans, not foiled them altogether."
"And what are your plans, demon?" Kyle asked. Some vague suspicions arose in his mind.
"I must leave you now and travel to the last demonic colony in this universe. Once there, we shall look for survivors in Hell and try to reestablish some order in the shattered realm"
Kyle frowned. The Gatekeeper had helped them, no doubt about it, but the marine still suspected that once he joined his brethren, the great demon would work to exact vengeance upon humanity. He also had some worries about the demon's dealings with mystic artifacts, which, as he already knew, could possess terrifying powers.
"We helped you obtain your Essences of Death or whatever they are. I would expect that you won't backstab us in some way..." Kyle started.
"You humans are always preoccupied with your irrational fears. In light of the greater trials that stand before us, it should be apparent that I do not intend to waste my time with your race any more. The Ice Weasel and I will be leaving now... I assume you will never see us again... although, somehow, I cannot be certain about this. Uncertainty has always disturbed me."
With a bright flash, the Ice Revenant teleported into the room. He nodded to the Gatekeeper and stepped back. That had to be the sign that they were ready to go. The great demon made a complex gesture in the air, and started chanting something that sounded like a very sad song. With the crackling sound of energy, a swirling vortex appeared in the air, and a Gate formed. Unlike the one that Stalker built, this portal seemed more stable, and the chaotic shapes within it moved and flowed more smoothly. When Kyle stared into it, he could see the blurred and strangely twisted image of what could be a landscape from the planet that drove him to come to Io in the first place – he had looked for its location for so long, and now the entrance for it was only a few steps away.
The Ice Revenant walked through the Gate and disappeared from their sight. A cunning smile bended the Gatekeeper's lips.
"You are very curious, are you not, human? You did fight for my cause, just as you did for yours. The least I can do is show you a glimpse from that planet – the one you wanted to discover all along. Come... hold my hand."
Kyle was confused and hesitant at first, but them he carefully approached the demon, who kept his arm stretched forward, waiting. The marine touched the demon's clawed hand – it was dry and very warm. The human felt a strange tingling, as if the demon's body was charged with an electric field of some sort. Reassured by the Major's look, Kyle held the inhuman hand firmly. Then, ethereal images invaded his mind, showing him places he had never seen or even imagined before...
His sight flew fast over a dark sea that stretched itself under a reddish sky that looked as if it was burning. He saw mountains, valleys, craters, strange formations, even the giant skeletons of long gone beasts... then it stopped for a while over three sites.
First, he saw a steep rocky island among the alien ocean. Bathing in the light of an unknown sun, the island towered above the raging waters like a titanic spire. Many structures could be seen on it, their windows lit by dancing lights. On the rocky spire's top rested a massive temple of grey stone. Kyle felt that a great power swirled within its confines. Somehow, his thoughts turned towards the four Essences of Life – could they be kept inside?
Then, he saw an isolated plateau, far into a shadowy wasteland, beyond vast canyons and deserts. There he saw numerous high technology facilities, where mysterious activities took place. In an area that appeared to be guarded most, a peculiar storage facility was built. Kyle felt that something important was to be kept inside soon. The images of the three Essences of Death came to his mind... that was the answer.
And then, Kyle beheld a great city that pulsated with unholy power. Demonic structures, gruesome factories, and black temples rose towards the reddish sky, as a whole nation of demons expanded their colony, intended to keep close watch over this universe and be ready for an attack should their master order so. The images started to fade...
Kyle found himself in the devastated laboratory once again. The Gatekeeper was staring at him with a gaze that somehow had something sad about it – almost like the shadow of regret over something that had happened... or was about to happen soon. The demon walked away and stood by his Gate, turning around to look at the humans one last time. Kyle returned to his companions.
"So, you are going away now... Farewell, and, well… thanks for everything you taught and showed me."
A strange grimace ran through the Gatekeeper's face. Then he spoke with an unusually icy voice:
"There is one more thing before I leave, mortal."
Kyle froze in place. Something was wrong – the Gatekeeper's voice sounded very different from usual... almost as if someone else was speaking. And it sounded strangely familiar. Where had he heard it before?
"Yes... what is it?"
The demon grinned, revealing a row of sharp fiendish teeth. His voice sounded deeper and more threatening than ever before.
"THIS IS MINE!"
As he finished the sentence, the clawed hand was stretched forward once again. An invisible force pulled the Spear of Destiny from Harlan's hands and delivered it right into the expecting claws of the demon. The three marines immediately raised their weapons and aimed them at the Gatekeeper.
"What treachery is this?" Major Boyd shouted, "You have no business with this artifact! Leave it to us and begone before we decide to return you to the land of the dead that you came from!"
Vile laughter echoed in response. The eyes of the demon started to burn like charcoals.
"Blind humans! Do you really think that I will bother with your petty desires when my entire plan is at stake! Your whole world is threatened with eternal damnation and destruction! Just how narrow-minded can your wretched species be? Even now, my mortal enemy works to infiltrate Hell and claim my most valuable possession. I have no other course but to intervene. Do not attempt to stop me!"
Kyle recognized the voice! It was weaker than the last time he heard it, and it sounded differently because it came through the Gatekeeper's body, but still – this voice could not be mistaken...
"Lord Baphomet!" Kyle exclaimed. He had no more doubts. It was the fallen lord of Hell!
"Good, good. The so-called Doom Marine – resourceful as always. The one who killed my physical form, the great Icon of Sin. Our curious partnership ends here. Farewell, little mortals. Do not attempt to follow me."
The voice of Baphomet faded away, and the real voice of the Gatekeeper emerged once again:
"That is the way it has to be. Our only chance to stop the forces that are rising against your race lies in the secrets of the Elder Worlds. And the survival of your race is critical for the survival of demonkind as well. I am sorry we had to part ways like that..."
The demon turned around and walked through the Gate – a slight hissing sound was the only indication that he had departed from Io. Still shocked by the sudden turn of events, Kyle turned to the Major and looked him in the eyes. The ominous spark he saw there was the indication that both marines had the same insane thought in their heads.
Kyle jumped up and frantically ran towards the Gate, immediately followed by Major Boyd. The portal had already begun to shrink, but both marines believed they could jump through it before it closed forever and follow the Gatekeeper to the demonic planet. Behind them, Shade tried to shout something, but they could not hear him anymore.
Running at full speed, the two men could almost feel the swirling Gate... just a few more meters. It was becoming smaller and smaller, ready to go out of existence at any moment.
"NOW!" Kyle yelled. Both he and Nicholas Boyd dove forward.
Private Boaventura saw the two men disappear into the dimensional portal a mere second before it closed. Then he remained all alone...