Chapter 2: Awakening
"So, why is Doctor Slattery just sitting there and staring blankly at the castle?" Xanatos asked.
"He's doing some kind of astral perception. Something about seeing things from the astral plane- it's a magic thing, which means it's Liquidator stuff." Auger answered.
Just then, Liquidator turned around and faced Xanatos.
"It's not haunted per se. But there's six big astral signatures that correspond to the gargoyle statues in the keep-"
"Thank you, Doctor Slattery. You and your friends have been a big help thus far."
Auger raised his hand.
"And now for the million dollar question- how'd you get all these work crews to agree to moving an old and potentially haunted castle?"
"Mister Augutter, there's an old saying my father told me once: Pay a man enough, and he'll walk barefoot into Hell."
Sandra and Bright nodded in agreement as the sounds of the work crews filled the air.
NEW YORK- THREE MONTHS LATER:
"Can't believe you called us back here just to see the reconstructed castle." Herc muttered as the elevator ascended to the top of the Eyrie Building.
"Doctor Armstrong, this is something you and your friends are going to want to see."
A short-lived mechanical whine filled the elevator.
"Sorry- just adjusting my legs!" Sabre Jet piped up.
"Liz, couldn't you wait until we're there? I was just thinking-" Bombardier began.
"Thought I smelled smoke." came the retort.
Just then, the elevator dinged and Xanatos and company exited.
"Nice sunset." Liquidator piped up as the nine stepped into the castle courtyard.
Assuming the old texts were right, it'll be any second now. Xanatos thought.
Out of the corner of his eye, Bombardier noticed small cracks forming on one of the gargoyle statues.
"Um, Liquidator? Are you seeing this?" he asked.
Liquidator nodded as the other statues began to crack.
"Mister Xanatos, what's going on?" Sandra asked.
Just then, the first statue shattered, revealing a purple-skinned gargoyle in its place.
"Just as I thought." Xanatos muttered to nobody in particular.
Before anyone could say anything else, the other statues shattered to bits, revealing gargoyles of various physiques and colors.
"It is over! The spell is broken, and we live again!" the purple gargoyle proclaimed.
There was a round of applause from Earth Corps.
"How long-" one of the gargoyles began.
Xanatos approached the purple-skinned gargoyle.
"You are the one called Goliath, are you not?" he asked.
The gargoyle nodded.
"Would you and your friends kindly follow me inside?" Xanatos asked.
"What for?" Goliath asked, his baritone voice sending shudders down the nonet's spines.
"My associates and I wish to catch you up to speed on what has happened since you were locked into stone."