Continuing Saga----Life After Deep Dark
Chapter 11
As the sun rose over Toronto, Henry took his first breath of the day. With that one action, the gravity of the situation hit him like a ton of bricks. All of the fear, anger, frustration and anticipation of the battle to come swept over him just as a wave surges towards the shore. He could not control it. He looked around the room and gathered his thoughts. Tonight he would face Astorath, hopefully for the last time. Winner would take all. Was he strong enough to beat him? Would he be willing to do whatever it took to send him back to Hell? A resounding YES bellowed from within him. Tonight it would the hunter that prevailed and Astorath would be his prey.
Henry finished dressing and then called to check in with Betty and Coreen. They had done all that he had instructed. Next he called Augustus to see what progress he had made in getting the exorcist.
“Augustus, it’s Henry. Did you find our man?”
“Yes, but we will be cutting it close to get him here before 11:00pm. The council was able to persuade the Vatican to send Cardinal Rorberto Moncello, especially after they explained the gravity of the situation.”
Henry had heard rumors of the reputation that Cardinal Moncello possessed. He had fought the evil of the demon world many times in his life, and had been highly successful. If anyone could rid this world of Astorath, than it was him.
“When is he scheduled to be here?”
“The last report that I have stated that he was expected on the 9:35pm plane from Rome.”
Henry glanced down at his watch. It was 7:53pm.
“Well let’s just pray that will be enough time. Get him to the church that is around the corner from Norman’s as soon as you can.”
Henry hurried out of his building and headed towards Vicki’s to meet the others. When he arrived, he could tell by the voices buzzing in the air that everyone was assembled. As he entered the office, Betty crossed the room and gave him a reassuring smile.
“So, everything taken care of?”
Henry gave her a half crooked smile in return. “Yes, the Cardinal’s plane should arrive at 9:35pm and then Augustus is going to bring him directly to the chur…..”
Mike interrupted.
“Cutting it a little close don’t ya think?”
“Don’t worry Mike, he will be there.”
“He sure as Hell better be there. This is Vicki’s life were talking about. If this little plan of your goes south, then it’s your head Fitzroy.”
“Mike, don’t make idle threats that you know you can’t keep.”
“I’m not. I have a stake sharpened with you name on it.”
Both men were eye to eye at this point, chest puffed, venomous and ready to strike. Coreen finally jumped between them.
“FOCUS, guys. Your bickering is not going to save Vicki. Gess, how she deals with the two of you is beyond me.”
With the testosterone in the room beginning to settle, they made the last preparations for their plan tonight.
Once they had arrived at the church, Henry immediately made his way up to the front to light some candles and pray for GOD’s intervention, as well as, protection for Vicki. At this point, he didn’t care anymore about what happened to him, as long as she was safe. Slowly Henry rose, crossing himself and kissing the crucifix around his neck. He heard the car pull up in front of the church and knew that Augustus had arrived.
Cardinal Moncello entered the building with all of the authority and dignified demeanor that he was known for. Confidence exuded from every pore. He was a man on a mission and tonight that mission was to put this demon back in Hell where he belonged. Henry approached the Cardinal, bowing his head and bending to kiss his ring.
“Your excellence, thank you for coming. I wish that you were visiting our fair city on better circumstances.”
The Cardinal simply nodded to acknowledge his warm welcome.
Mike being his normal gruff self piped up.
“Enough with the chit chat. We have a demon to deal with if you haven’t forgotten.”
Cardinal Moncello gave Mike a harsh glare that spoke volumes. He was not accustom to being treated rudely.
“Very well then, let’s get to the business at hand. Please afford me the opportunity for a moment of reflection and pray so that I might ready myself for the confrontation.”
Mike whispered to Henry “Is this guy for real?” Of course, Henry simply shook his head.
After several minutes, the Cardinal rose from his kneeling positioned and began to place the garments on, as well as, the various rosaries around his neck, each having its own significance. Finally he looked up at the others and said: “Are we ready?”
As they approached Norman’s building, Henry could feel the dark energy. It surged from every pore of the building. He also could sense Vicki. She was afraid and in pain. This made his heart quicken and pushed a knot up into his throat. He kept uttering his simple plea:
“God please protect her, please.”
They made their way up the stairs. There was not need for the element of surprise. Henry knew that Astorath had already sensed their presence. Coreen and Betty stay outside and began the process of dosing the building with holy water. They had cleverly obtained an old fashioned fire house pump and had the Cardinal bless the water that had been placed inside. After they had finished with this, they begin to chant the binding spell that Betty had found in an old manuscript. If it was successful, then Astorath would not be able to leave the room marked by his pentagram. It would give the Cardinal time to perform the exorcism without the demon fleeing.
When the men entered the room, Henry looked at Raymond, his eyes glowing red. He hoped that they would be able to save him from the destructive powers of Astorath. Then he scanned the room for Vicki. She was tied in the center of the pentagram, wearing a red flowing gown. Her wrists were glowing and she was barely conscious. Henry could hear her heartbeat, which was slow and steady, so he knew that she was still alive for now.
Looking back at Raymond, he said with a growl:
“What have you done to her?”
Raymond just looked at him and laughed. Then glanced over to the Cardinal and snarled,
“So you thought that you would bring this man of GOD to try and stop me. Let’s hope that his resolve his much stronger than your last attempt for sanctification. Although I am going to enjoy adding to my numbers.”
At that moment, Cardinal Monticello stepped forward placing the Superpelliceo et stola violacea indutus around his neck. The alb and a purple stole shown in great contract against the blackness and burning flames that were surging from the center of the room. He then begin to recite the "Ecce crucem domine, fúgite partes advérsae,” all while making the sign of the cross directly in front of Raymond’s body. The Cardinal continued his prayers while Henry, Mike and Augustus scattered the religious relics around the room. Astorath was fighting like a caged animal, lashing out at anyone that came within arms length of him. The ritual was beginning to break down his defenses, but he still had a few tricks up his sleeve. Just then Vicki’s body began to writhe with pain. She was gritting her teeth and gasping for air. Henry wanted to run to her, but the Cardinal sharply told him “No”. The demon had planted part of himself in her. This was the risk of the exorcism, once the demon was plucked from Raymond, it would have the opportunity to transfer to Vicki if they were not careful.
The Cardinal could feel Astorath’s will fighting back. He took out the Blessed Sacrament in a Pyx and placed it around his neck for further protection and then he began to chant more forcefully, shooting streams of holy water onto the body and Raymond and then Vicki. As he continued, he took out a medal of Saint Benedict and rushed towards Raymond. Talons rose out of his fingers and struck the Cardinal. The life and death struggle began. Henry could feel the evil power begin to grow strong. He immediately rushed to the Cardinal and grabbed for the medal. With all of his might, he plunged the razor sharp shaft deep into Raymond’s chest. Gasping for air, Raymond’s eyes were transformed from red to almost a normal tone. Arising to a standing position the Cardinal delivered the final blow. He drove the Medal of the Immaculate Conception of Mary directly through Raymond’s heart. With a final desperate gasp, the struggle was over. Astorath rose from his body and tried to flee to Vicki. Before he could reach her, Henry grabbed the remaining holy water and drenched him. Astorath began to scream as his flesh burned and essence faded. The Cardinal retorted a final prayer and with that the demon was gone. The entire house started to shake; the walls were coming down around them. Henry ran to Vicki and took her in his arms. They barely had time to clear the door when the remains of the building collapsed.
Henry lay on the ground gently rocking Vicki in his arms. She was slowly regaining consciousness. As he glanced over her body to ensure that she was not harmed, he noticed that her marks were gone. The ritual had purified her.
“OH, what happened?” She sounded groggy, like coming out of a drunken stopper.
Henry just smiled at her tenderly, and then gently kissed her forehead.
“It’s over. Astorath is back in Hell where he belongs.”
With a relieved look on her face, Vicki glanced up at this man that once again had saved her life. She had so many feeling running through her that she did not know where to begin. The only words that she could utter were “Take me home.”
Henry’s brow lowered, “Are you sure that’s such a good idea? I don’t think that you should be alone tonight.”
Vicki smiled with a devilish look and responded “Who said anything about being alone?”
“Since you put it that way my lady, let me lead the way, but I think that I could make you much more comfortable at my home.”
“If you insist!” She put her arms around Henry’s neck and softly laid her head on his chest. She thought to herself that tonight would be the night that she finally let go of all her fears. Henry would hear the truth about her feelings. She was going to convince him to stay in Toronto, one way or the other.
TBC