Chapter Three: To See The Light

    One more day until I left this realm of existence. I knew there was still so much to do, but this had to be done. Driving through the Spirit Layer, the dusty air was at least warmer here than home, schools of spirits went on by in a moan of angry screaming. Reminds me of my youth.

    It was times like this that made me feel content, but like in a bad way. Oh, I feel at peace, but that just means when something bad happens, reality is brought to the foregrounds and you must turn into the monster that you always were. Or in my case demon.

Did you not know? Demon blood runs through my veins, from a choice that cannot be undone. The Demon Slayer, that's what the demons call me now. They whisper of the being that defeated one of their greatest, and stole away with his body. And I used it in a ritual that turned me immortal, and gave me abilities that most would find unholy. Chaos, darkness, fire. All were elements of Magmaw, the Two Faced.

The Dark Layer too has their superstitions, like anyone else. The Demon Slayer is one of the few that actually puts fear into those who walk within that fiery hell. Which makes me wonder why it's called the Dark Layer.

I'm kinda like a myth down there, it's hilarious. Many who saw the battle claim I wielded a power that does not exist, that I already made a deal with the devil to do what I did. Those who hear the tale refuse to believe it, and end up paying for it when they come face to face with me.

How did I do it?

Doesn't matter. I revved my motorcycle forward, faster and faster. Off in the distance, one could almost make out something in the colorless horizon. Just barely poking out of the landscape.....

I turned the cycle, and the image was gone, with nothing more than dusty dunes being churned by ghosts and dry wind.

It took some time, but I eventually opened a portal, and was driving through into a blizzard. Kingston, New York was being buried by a shit ton of snow, and the small town was barely visible through it. I summoned some ghosts, told them where to go, and followed their trail to the destination I needed.

After one more very dangerous drive, I rolled into a driveway in a human suburban neighborhood. Shivering and rubbing my arms, I ran to the front door and rang the bell. What's with a bell? That's got to be the dumbest human invention. What, can you not hear knocking, or are you all to lazy to even do that?

The door opened, and I was looking down at a child witch. She was holding a stuffed unicorn, looking at me with bright eyes. "Hello?"

"Hi there. Is your mother home?" I asked looking past her into the house. "Because I'm freezing."

A voice called out, and the girl backed away as her mother appeared. "Ditto! This is a surprise."

"Hey Sally, can I please come in?"

She blinked, then let me in. I quickly went past her into the calm home. It was a typical human attire, family portraits, no carpet, but instead wooden floors. I followed Sally Black into her messy living room, toys being played with by the same girl and a smaller, chubby boy. Sally herself was wearing a sweatshirt with a few stains, jeans, and glasses. She sat down, motioning to a comforter, which I eagerly sat in.

The witch picked up the boy, who shook a rattle playfully. "Wanna say hi, Jake?"

The boy ignored me, instead grabbing his mother's long black hair. She smiled, bouncing him on her knee. "He's still learning. What brings you here, Ditto?"

The girl - I believe named Kiley - walked over with a plastic practice wand. She said a spell at me, which turned my black jacket red. "I did it, it's fixed."

"Sure did," I said nicely, watching her run and join her mother on the couch. The boy growled, obviously taking after the father, a shifter. "I need some medicine."

Sally let Kiley take Jake back onto the floor, and taunted him with her wand. She didn't look at me, opting to watch her children. "Ditto, you know I don't practice medicine anymore. We live with the humans now, they don't use magic. I haven't had to in years."

"I know. I know. But this is important. I'm.....I'm going to the Light Layer for a while, and I won't have time to get anything down there, or here for that matter." God, my head was pounding. The last few weeks, well, have been killer. Literally. The dreams getting worse. And I was frightened. "Sally, you were the best medic student back home in college. Lord, people use to murmur you could bring the dead back. That one kid, who you saved after he jumped into the lava fall on campus, made even the professor of medicine humble. I just need a small favor. You owe me."

In my adventures, people always need things. If you know how to play the game right, it usually comes up in your favor. Sally wasn't happy, but maybe that was just from being tired. "Yes, and I thank you for acquiring that body for me. And the jar of storm. But that was years ago. You were barely an adult. I was just getting out on my legs. It's not the same now."

"Listen, I don't drive out in a raging blizzard for anyone. I need the best. You are the best." I pointed at her, confidence in my position. "What I need is you and your talents, for a simple request."

Jake waddled over with his rattle, making scary faces. What a force of nature. "What does he shift to?"

"A grin grin," Sally said proudly. A grin grin, a Hidden creature, is like a hyena, except it has laughing gas infused within it's fur, that can basically paralyze anything that is affected once it's emitted. "Though he can't stay shifted for long. He's still too young."

"Doesn't take after his father, huh."

She shook her head, but not that sadly. "No. But Kent is patient."

"I can pay, Sally. It's nothing that you can't do. Please. One more elixir, for me."

The witch fumbled with her hair, trying to make a decision. Though I must admit, I'm pretty hard to say no to. With my big puppy eyes. "Fine. I'll do it for free, since I do owe you. You've always been a good friend."

Score. Thank the lord too, I don't think I could have handled another week without some help. Sally said a spell, turning my coat back to it's original color, and took me to her kitchen. "Now, what exactly do you want a remedy to?"

"Headaches. Something to stop headaches, and clear the mind to focus."

She nodded, then held up a finger. "Wait here. I need to get some stuff."

She left, leaving me alone with her children. Jake again waddled over, growling adorably. I couldn't help but smile. Some people get all the luck. To follow your dreams with two hands, to not be told no, to find what it is you're looking for. In the world, what's more important than dreams? Goals, but those aren't fun, now are they?

The witch returned with multiple briefcases and bags. She started to remove things on the counter, answering silent questions to herself. Taking out a few vials and beakers, she shoved me out of her way. "Always blocking my path, just like in college. How can I get anything  done?"

"By working like a crazed student." She chuckled, then started filling beakers with water. Magic elixirs weren't particularly time consuming to make. Soon she was using her wand to heat up two beakers, while mixing a concoction with a spoon. Dumping powder into a heated beaker, saying magic words into another, she took out a big pot, and poured everything into it.

"Just a finishing touch," she said. She spun the elixir with her wand, giving that extra magic. Then, she floated the soup out of the pot, and with a flick of the wrist, the potion turned into a lot of liquid gel pills. They fell into a plastic container she had ready, and twisted the cap on. "Here. Take one a day, every morning at breakfast, and this should help with your problem."

I took the bottle. "Thanks, Doc. I really need this."

She barely grinned, instead looking me over like a mom at a niece or nephew. "My, when did we get so old?"

"Beats me. Probably when you had kids."

"And I regret nothing."

"Same," I said, clutching at the bottle. "Same. Thanks for the help. If you ever need anything, just call."

"Can you babysit?" Sally took me to the door, pulling her jacket closer. As though warmth was what was missing. "I really need a date night."

"Sorry. But Imma be busy for a few months. And I could be dead by the end of it," I quickly added, opening the door into the blizzard. "But don't worry! We can get lunch if I do survive!"

Whatever it was she said, became lost to the blizzard. I opened a portal, and left for what was the start of total oblivion.

  XXXX

    The streets were freezing. Blistering. Intense. The blizzard was too thick, to overwhelming. The wind wasn't letting up. The snow wasn't ceasing. I don't know why I thought it was a good idea to get drunk during this. Now I was out, not sure where I was, and could barely walk straight.

I fumbled along, my legs hardly responding, either from the cold or the alcohol. I squinted. There appeared to be something, but I couldn't make it out. It looked tall, but it wasn't moving. What the hell? What was that thing?

My legs were still working, so I went over, though I couldn't feel my hands anymore. Was that the bottle of vodka talking, or the snow? I didn't care. I pushed through the ankle-deep, but rising, blanket, making my way closer. Ever closer.

It took a while. I fell, many times, seeing only white and the dark sky. My foot stubbed on something, but I kept going. I was determined to figure out what this was.

There was a bright orange light, emitting from the object. What the hell? It was glowing? I was almost there, stumbling until my head hit the object. I dropped, hearing a metallic noise.

Looking up, the sky was fading, the light going away, and darkness appeared.

I heard laughter.

"What a fucking idiot." The voice spoke in angelic brilliance. "Now, ask the question."

XXXX

The sun rose and I couldn't see it from my spot on the front porch. But I saw the beams, saw the thing that all things on this miserable rock relied on every day. I held one of Sally's pills between my forefinger and thumb. Popping into my mouth, I dry swallowed and quickly ate a granola bar. The dreams wouldn't get better, but at least this would make my head stop feeling like flaming garbage.

Speaking of flaming garbage, it was the day I left for the home of those who slaughtered my people. Why am I tortured like this? What did I do?

No one answer that. I've done plenty.

We had packed last night, stuffing Halina's car to the brim. Well, not quite that full. But we are gonna need a decent amount of shit to last however long we're down there. Who knows what will happen. Daring escapades, lovely (not really) men and women, trying adventures. Oh what fun it will be.

I eyed the many tall metal poles I also planted in my yard, circling the entire house. They each had long, complex etchings that I could smell from here. Yuck, gross. But it won't get better. Because it never does.

A car rolled in, a fancy looking convertible but the top was up. It parked, and Nicki got out. It's very rare I ever tell others where to find this place. But might as well with this one exception.

"Why in the hell are you two leaving so early?" Nicki asked, looking cold and miserable. And tired. Ha! "Isn't there a better time?"

"No. I can't waste any moment. This is more important than life itself." I motioned at the door. "Halina's inside, changing. We leave in an hour, so make it quick."

Maybe it was my face, or my tone of voice, but Nicki nodded seriously, not making any stupid comments or jokes. She went in, back straight, but thoughts not.

Not a bad woman. Better than most. Yet the humans still have much to learn in the ways of truth and lies. Maybe one day I would be the one to teach them those lessons, in a bloody, violent escapade. Or over like a cup of coffee or something.

I still stood on the porch when fifteen minutes later I watched a group of people round the house and walk up the wooden steps, all looking weepy. Sasha stepped up. "My my, what a sight to see. A man who for once has a plan that isn't idiotic."

Buddy grunted. "More like one who looks like he believes that."

"But in reality he is a numbskull that can't truly see." I gave Buddy a hug, feeling his tender embrace. "We can't always get what we want, now can we?"

"A notion for children, nothing more," he responded, letting me go.

Paul didn't look happy, almost on the verge of tears. "Please."

"Ah, come here you," I said, grasping him firmly. The vampire relaxed in my arms. And when he let go, he wiped at his face. "Come now, Paul. I won't be gone forever."

"I hope not," said Fina. She punched my arm, then hugged me as well. "Fucking moron. You won't last a day down there without us."

"I'd never dream of it."

She let go, and stepped aside for Jamie Geddy, who held up a necklace. It was a black heart, set in gold, on a silver chain. He put it in my hands. "A black onyx heart, for a black hearted man. Surrounded in gold." He let go of my hands, leaving me alone with the gift. "Happy birthday Ditto."

Was today really December 10th? Am I really twenty-eight? Nothing felt real anymore. I looked at the gift, then at Jamie's speckled face, blue eyes shining with hope. I smiled. "Thank you. I absolutely love it." I put it around my neck, letting it hang there with a solemn arrogance. "I don't even remember the last gift I was given."

"Something to latch on to, when you're at your worst," he said, adjusting it slightly. "Looks good on you."

How can a man be more heart-broken? How can others care for one such as me? "I'll keep it close. Forever."

He blushed, then walked away, waving a hand. Heading for a better place. "Good. See you when you get back."

Sasha shook her head. "You oaf. Stop doing this to me."

"Sorry. The world stops for nothing."

She smiled, finally hugging me tight. "What a bull-headed man. Please, don't die. I--I can't lose you. He--I need you. My oldest friend."

"Trust me. There's nothing to worry about," I whispered, as though speaking to a delicate flower. "Not even the magi can bring me down."

"But they'll try."

"And they'll fail." Because when is the hero ever supposed to fail? "Light means nothing without dark. And I have enough to go around."

She broke away. "Do come back. I can't do this without you."

I frowned. "Then let's pretend faith is real, and I am worth believing in. I will come back, either in blood or defeat. Or in the cuffs lead by magi. It doesn't matter, really."

She nodded, then looked at the poles. "I'll turn on the immobile shield once you're gone. You have nothing to worry about."

"Thank you. Truly, Sasha."

We all paused as Halina came out, looking broken like the others. Nicki held her hand. I nodded calmly. "Then let's go."

My friends watched me leave, every single one too good for me and my selfish ways.

The car started, and we were heading for Statue City, the nearest place with a Light Portal that would let cars through.