EPILOGUE: BENEATH BURNING SKIES
...you will never find it. Never!
"Painful."
This was the first thought that passed through Corporal Harlan's head when he woke up. He was lying on the rocky ground, feeling alive and now quite aware that passing through a nearly closed Gate was a rather unpleasant experience. A sudden gasp nearby told him that Major Boyd was alive too, trying to clear his mind after the harsh ride through several hundred light years of emptiness. Strewn before his eyes was a sight that was calming and, at the same time, quite disturbing.
The reddish sky of an unknown alien planet hung above his head, reminding him of everything that happened before the two marines dove into the boiling chaos of a collapsing dimensional passage. He was lying on the surface of the world he had sought so desperately. The one that housed a major demonic colony. The one where the Gatekeeper, aided by a surviving fragment of Baphomet's consciousness, would once again attempt to enter the Elder Worlds and claim the cursed Runes that seemed to have caused nothing but trouble since they were first created.
He was on the same chase, only this time on a planet even farther away from Earth.
"Major Boyd, are you feeling well?"
"I am just fine, Harlan... Aaargh, feels just like the first days at the Military Academy!"
"I know," Kyle murmured in response.
Half an hour later, they had already gotten up and were about to explore their surroundings. They stood on the top of a high hill that was very close to a large lake. They could still not fully understand in their surroundings, yet they had a general idea what they had to do. Harlan told the Major everything he saw while he held the demon's hand. They reasoned that their task would be to discover the temple of stone and claim the Essences of Life. Then, it was logical to assume that the tomes, the Essences of Death, would be hidden in the hi-tech storage facility. If they could take away and hide these artifacts, the Gatekeeper would not be able to open any portals to the Elder Worlds, even though he now possessed the Spear of Destiny.
"The problem here is that we are alone," the Major said, "I am not sure if Boaventura would be able to find us and send some reinforcements our way."
"We can hope that the eggheads can figure some way to use Stalker's machine that can track Gates and locate us... a squad of marines would be exactly what we would need right now."
"True, Harlan. Well, we still have our weapons, a decent supply of ammo, and these gadgets you got from the electronics lab."
"Hmmm yes... I should try to find out what these helmets can do. Before we came here, you mentioned something about a Lieutenant..."
"I certainly did," the Major exclaimed, "Be sure that you are promoted – you certainly deserve it."
A handshake was the only confirmation from Kyle's side. The marine was ready to follow his companions into any danger that might await them. They collected their gear and decided to go down by the lake's shore before they start thinking about their new situation...
With the shining Spear of Destiny clutched in his hand, the Gatekeeper walked down the grand hall of the palace, heading straight for the throne room. He saw Barons of Hell and Imps, and they all looked with surprise at first, then knelt to show their loyalty. Not only did they recognize his status as a Gatekeeper, but they also clearly felt that there was something more to him... a small piece of his being emanated something that mesmerized them, as they felt the presence of their great Master so close.
The heavy twin doors opened to reveal the enormous and richly ornamented throne room. Many demons had already gathered there – Hell Knights, Barons of Hell, Mancubi, a few Arch Viles that followed every move he made... and even five Cyberdemons that stood close to the great throne in the back. Upon it, the last of Hell's Spider Masterminds looked in disbelief as the Gatekeeper approached, followed closely by the Ice Revenant itself. The artifact that the demon carried was not as surprising as the eerie presence that everyone felt in the Gatekeeper's soul. He finally reached the throne and stopped right in front of it, throwing a scrutinizing look at the Mastermind.
Then, he turned around and faced the many demons that had gathered. He looked at them and raised the Spear above his head so that everyone could see it. Then, he shouted:
"I have returned."
The Cyberdemons were the first to kneel to the ground, bowing heir heads as a sign of full and undisputed obedience. All other demons, including the Mastermind, followed them, and bowed, having recognized their Lord and Master. The Spider then rose and spoke:
"We are yours to command, great Lord. We are overjoyed to see that our wait is finally over, and our outpost is to serve its purpose, which was determined ages ago."
The Gatekeeper gave a wicked grin, as another pair of doors was opened to reveal a large balcony. It overlooked a ceremonial yard, which seemed prepared for a complex ritual. The resting places of the Seven Essences and the Spear were clearly marked. In the yard's center was a circle that marked the place where the Gate to the Elder Worlds would appear when the ritual was completed.
The demon knew very well that there was still time. He still needed to regain much of his lost power. This is why he would retreat for a while in the Dark Stronghold – built specifically as a sanctum for Gatekeepers, should they ever visit this outpost. He was sure that the humans would never dare follow him there...
The metallic gates opened without a noise, allowing the guest into the dark hall. Simon Stalker walked towards the raised dais that he could see in the gloom, while the half-organic half-machine guardians followed his every move with their unblinking eyes. They looked female, and that is why he called them "Iron Maidens." Their sharp metallic nails were as deadly as the rocket launchers that they had implanted onto their arms.
Doctor Stalker stood before the platform. The darkness did not allow him to clearly see the being that stood there, but this did not bother him. He knew very well what the Makron's cybernetic body looked like. A harsh metallic voice broke the brooding silence:
"You have returned successfully, Stalker... But I see you have not brought me the key that I desired."
"The plan went awry," Stalker replied, "Two bothersome humans intervened, aided by a Gatekeeper from Hell. Strange – I thought all thirteen of them were dead."
"This is most disturbing. I believed that they were all dead, alongside... Him. This turn of events is not conducive to our designs."
Stalker looked through the window on his left. Through its frame, he could see the great city of Cerberon, pulsating with the machine power of the civilization of Stroggos. A civilization more fit to survive and rule the Universe than the pathetic human race...
"What is our current situation, Stalker?" the metallic voice continued.
"My advanced tracking sensors that I left on Io reported that the Gatekeeper took the Spear and departed for the last known demonic outpost in that Universe – on the planet of Tei Tenga."
"A predictable move. In his arrogance, the Gatekeeper thinks he could oppose me... He is no danger to us. Still, he would expect us to attack him. Let us not disappoint our opponent – several scouting teams shall be dispatched to Tei Tenga. This should keep him distracted."
"And how would we proceed during this time?" Stalker asked.
"We shall proceed as we planned from the very beginning. I have already assembled an elite strike force. You, Stalker, shall lead these agents of Stroggos into Hell, where they will begin the excavations... If everything goes without disruptions, we shall reach our goal soon, even without the Spear of Destiny..."
Stalker's eyes sparkled when he heard that he would finally embark upon the task he had awaited for so long...
"I shall oversee the excavation personally. Before you can even notice, the source of power of Hell, the power of Lord Baphomet that he kept hidden... shall be yours."
"I would expect nothing less. With the Burning Core of Hell in my possession, nothing could stand in my way..."
Stalker looked through the window into the night once again. The Burning Core fueled the whole realm of Hell. It alone could give Stroggos and its master all the power they would ever need to tear down the dimensional barriers. They were very well aware of that power, and they were going to unravel it.
Only one thing worried him now – one final and unexpected factor that could disrupt the entire delicate equation. The Gatekeeper's shadow.
THE END!
TO BE CONTINUED IN:
Book III: Gatekeeper's Legacy
With the Spear of Destiny stolen, and the Gatekeeper escaping to the demonic colony of Tei Tenga, Corporal Harlan and Major Boyd find themselves in a hostile new world, desperately trying to find a way to stop the Gatekeeper before he breaks through The Shield and infiltrates the Elder Worlds. Simon Stalker and his ally are masterminding a dark plot, which threatens the lives and existence of both humans and demons... At the same time, a forgotten old foe from the Doom Marine's past will seek retribution at any cost. What will happen? Stay tuned – the adventure is not over yet!
(still unwritten, but who knows - 2023 may surprise us yet...)