Dancing In The Void

Constantine flung his dagger towards the wooden dummy, and his eyelids closed, awaiting the fading of the world around him.

A second passed. Then another. Something was wrong. The sharp breeze of today’s weather still beat against his cheek. The silence of Uriel, Nathaniel, and Insect watching him only made the situation more embarrassing. Wordlessly, he did a quick jog to pick up his weapon. He ran back to his starting spot, made a quick one-finger sign to his onlookers, and tried again. With brilliant flair and finesse, he shot the dagger from his hand, hitting the hay head of the dummy. He shut his eyes again, not changing his position, and focused intently. But once again, the dim morning sunlight shone through his eyelids.

“What the hell…?” He said.

“Is something wrong Constantine?” Uriel was first to ask him, noticing very quickly that something was off.

“Maybe he has performance jitters?” Nathaniel chuckled, trying to lighten the awkward atmosphere.

“No… no. Keehh. I’m just... confused?” Constantine sighed, flexing the fingers on his hand. “Ever since I first did this thing, I was able to do it pretty consistently. I don’t know why I’m having difficulties all of a sudden.”

“What ‘thing’ exactly?” Nate asked.

“Well, I can… teleport. I throw the dagger, or let go of it somehow, and then BAM. Everything around me fades, everything except the dagger. When I touch it again, my body is now where the dagger flew to. Also I see a weird… after-image of myself but that's not that important.”

Nathaniel looked at Constantine from a distance, his mind clearly ruminating on the new information. He scratched his beard as he leaned back in his wheelchair.

“On the contrary, son. I think that might be the most important detail to why you’re not able to perform currently.”

“Go on?”

“This is pure speculation on my part, but I believe that what you’re seeing is a fragment of your soul. An anchor that allows you to exist in multiple worlds. The dagger’s holy power allows your soul to pierce the veil into another dimension, from which you can reemerge elsewhere.”

Constantine stared at him, biting his lower lip with a confused expression on his face. “Alright, I can buy that. So why can’t I do it now?”

“Let me ask you something.” He said, rolling his chair closer so he didn’t have to talk as loudly. Uriel and Insect followed closely behind. “How many times have you done… this maneuver?”

“About… four or five times now?” Constantine answered after thinking for a quick second.

“And in all of these times, was it during moments of high-stress and intensity? Perhaps a life or death situation?” Nathaniel asked, although from the sombre tone of his voice, it was clear he knew the answer.

“Yes. Especially in Gausville… I felt like it was a lot easier for me to do so. As if…”

“The veil between realities in Gausville was shattered. No?” Uriel finished the thought for him. “Nikolai’s fire did not just destroy everything physically. I could feel my very soul ache as I breathed in that poisonous air. That's why both me and Nikolai could see you, Constantine. A phantom, while the other time I saw only a blur.”

A phantom? He thought. Not sure if I like the sound of that.

“That’s exactly what she said as well. She said she used Nikolai to merge our reality and hers so she can act. You don’t think…” Constantine’s eyes went wide at the sudden realization. ”That's the same world I dive into every time I use my dagger do you?”

“Whose world, son? Who are you talking about?” Nathaniel asked. He noticed a sudden posture change in Insect. He peered his eyes, had she realized who they were talking about?

“Lady Death.” Uriel said with a soft, defeated voice. “She was there, she saved me from Baphomet.”

“Saved…? Well you had it better than I did.” Constantine said with a grim determination in his eyes. “She was not as kind to me, I'll tell you that.”

Nathaniel’s unusual expression betrayed his concern. His usual cheerful smile was absent, replaced by a furrowed gaze. “This might be more worrisome than I had anticipated. Demons and beasts are one thing but… Death itself…” He said.

“You know of her, Nate?” Constantine asked.

“I’ve… heard of such a being. My old mentor, may he rest in peace, showed me a very ancient religious text decades ago. I recall very little, except for the fact that I was filled with unimaginable dread. I still remember that feeling all these years later.”

That's… reassuring.

“Constantine, you must listen to me. If your weapon truly allows you to pass into Death’s realm, you must do so with utmost care. Perhaps you’ve been lucky so far, perhaps there is more at hand here that no one present knows about, but the danger of losing yourself and ending up dead… or worse… is very real. Do you understand me?”

Constantine looked at Nathaniel and thought about it with heavy, determined eyes. “I’m sorry Nathaniel. I’m going to use everything I possibly can to protect those I care about.” He ran to the dummy, and picked up his dagger from the wood. He inspected its crimson blade, the runic marks on its hilt shifting before his eyes. “I do not fear death.” His body arched back, and then shot itself forward, the holy dagger slicing through the air with a red flash. The blade pierced through the wood with such sheer force that the dummy’s head burst into a shower of wood and hay. The dagger embedded itself in the ground, a good distance behind the dummy.

“Interesting. Not what I was going for but it’ll do I suppose.” Constantine muttered to himself. He turned around and revelled in his onlooker’s impressed faces. He was met by Nathaniel who was distracted by his thoughts, Uriel who already knew what he was capable of, and Insect, who seemed bored at his display of power.

Constantine sighed. “Its your turn Uriel.”

The two of them walked towards each other, with Uriel pausing once she reached him and whispering in his ear:

“I thought you were very impressive, don’t worry.” She smiled at him. Constantine couldn’t help but smile as he made his way to where she stood earlier.

“We might wanna take a step back, guys.” Constantine warned them. Nate and Insect nodded, and walked back to where they were previously before nodding at Uriel.

The angel nodded back before she stretched out her arms, and took a deep breath. Constantine watched as the light of the sun shone down upon her pale skin. The rays of light slowly coiled around her wrists, spinning as they took the form of two glowing circlets. Uriel opened her eyes, alight with holy flame, before she spread out her wings and a powerful gust of air that radiated out like a shockwave of wind.

She then lunged forward a short distance, flinging out her arms, and causing a volley of ethereal swords to materialize around her. The swords then pierced forward, rushing towards what was left of the dummy. As Uriel twirled her arms and spun her body in a ballet-like dance, the swords sliced and cut and shredded the wood to bits, soon turning the dummy to nothing more than debris on the arena.

“Marvelous!” Nathaniel cheered, clapping his hands. Constantine couldn't help but pout and clap as well to not come off as jealous. “I’ve never seen anything quite like this in my life, demon or beast or otherwise. Can you create anything else or just swords?”

Uriel looked at Nathaniel with an embarrassed look on her face. “N-not as far as I know of? I have not tried, I must admit.”

“Perhaps that can be something we can see about trying out with your training, yes. Speaking of, have you had any more luck with your soul-sight?”

“No…” She said with disappointment in her echo. “I tried some more but I’ve felt… stuck. Like my mind won’t willingly go back to that last memory. I don’t know why…”

“Hmm, in that case…” Nathaniel began. “...We can continue our training for today later. Your mentioning of this ‘Lady Death’ has me worried. I’m thinking we go see Madame instead. Perhaps she can help us, both with that matter, and Uriel’s ability.”

“Madame?” Constantine asked. “Madame Léstrava you said, right?”

“Indeed. She’s one of our more spiritual residents. While I’ve never been too far from the word of God, I could never display the same connections she could.” He answered.

“So she’s like a medium?”

“Much more than that.” He grinned.

I don’t like that smile Nate. Constantine thought as he brushed some sweat out of his hair. “Alright then. Should we get going then?”

“Insect, could you be a dear and get our car and bring it around the back?” Nathaniel said, wheeling his wheelchair to face her.

“We’ll be needing the car?” Uriel said, the echo of her voice revealing her inquisitive tone.

“Utmost secrecy, remember?” He said with a joyous laughter.

Uriel’s hand lit up with golden sparks of light. She flexed her fingers, trying to bring the shape together into a proper form. Her holy energy flowed through her hand, but it just could not concentrate enough. Her actions did not go unnoticed, as Constantine, who was sitting next to her in the back of the roof-less car, turned to her.

“Trying out what Nate said earlier?” He asked.

“Yes.” Her voice echoed gently. “I’m attempting to create something that is not a sword or a barrier.”

“What’re you trying to make?”

“A little leaf.” She said quietly, her mind remembering the dream she had not so long ago.

The rest of the car ride was silent. Uriel noticed how deep in contemplation Constantine was regarding his dagger. Whenever she turned to look at him, the crimson glint of its blade shone from his chest holster. It almost called out to her, beckoned for her, whispering undecipherable words into her mind. She shook off the sentiment, chalking it up to fatigue, or an anxious mind.

Her eyes drifted further upwards, seeing the lines of Constantine’s face from the side. His eyes peered away in the distance, watching the buildings of Venandis pass by. The streets were void of people, but the windows were alive with light. The same feeling of unease kept building within her heart as she stared at him. But she pushed it away, swelling with the joy of her love for him.

“Something wrong?” He asked, finally noticing her gaze.

“Oh, no sorry. I was just… thinking.”

“Mm, about what?”

“You don’t smile as much anymore.” Uriel blurted, possibly without realizing the deeper meaning.

“Uh… I’m sorry I guess? It’s been a rough time. I’m worried about Evan, and Mephy and Wrath too. I can’t deny that. But soon. Soon you’ll find out where they are, and we’ll be able to go save them from whatever slimy bastard’s caught them. Yeah?”

“Yes!” She nodded with determination. “How much longer until we get to Madame’s place?”

“We’re coming up to her place in about a minute actually.” Nathaniel responded from in front. “Since we’re here, I suppose I must warn you. Madame Léstrava is somewhat of a rowdy soul. To put it, hah, nicely.” He then said, unable to contain his laughter.

Not all that much different from you then. Uriel smirked to herself.

A short time later, the group found themselves in a spacious and empty field littered with decrepit trees and decaying shrubs. They were on the outskirts of the grand valley of Venandis. Before them lay a tall, dark black house covered in numerous yellowed sheets of paper with strange markings on them. As she approached, Uriel noted they were a myriad of charms, talismans and symbols that adorned the house.

Her mechanical leg made a light whirring as she stepped forward to the house. Her footing was still slightly wobbly and unsure, but slowly, with use, she grew more accustomed to the prosthetic. Her hand then reached to one of the sigils on the guardrail, it was a strange swirl with four eyes positioned like a compass. Insect quickly grabbed her arm, pulling it away. Startled, Uriel turned and saw Insect next to her, shaking her head.

“Bad idea.” She quickly wrote down on her notebook. Uriel nodded understandingly.

Insect then winced in pain, noticing a strange sensation in her palm. Her hand was a deep pulsing red, as if she had been burnt. The pain quickly intensified, and Insect gasped.

“Its a warding sign.” Nathaniel answered Uriel’s unasked question. “Did you touch it, Insect?”

“N-no, it was me Nathaniel.” Uriel apologized. “My body has an… effect on demonic or unholy beings. Katherine burned herself pretty badly in a similar way in the past. I’m sorry, Insect.”

“Paah, no worries.” Nathaniel accepted her apology instead of Insect with a smile. “Insect’s been through worse, I’m sure Madame has some ointments. We should get inside.”

Uriel held back for a step, feeling uneasy about hurting her friend. But also, the house itself gave off a strange air that caused her discomfort. She looked up at the windows, boarded up with wood from the outside. Despite this, she felt the sensation of someone staring at her. A startling hand on her back reassured her, once she realized it was Constantine leading her inside. His confident gaze filled her with a similar confidence, and the two then followed Nathaniel and Insect into the vestibule.

“Hellooo!” Nathaniel called out with a gleeful shout. “Madame? Erika you there? We’ve arrived.”

“She still doesn’t want to see you, you know that right?” A youthful girly voice called from a nearby room.

“Greetings Matilda. I take it that the old gypsy hasn’t changed her mind since yesterday?”

“Nope. She didn’t even want me to let you guys in the house. You’re lucky I like you. Hi Insect!” A little girl excitedly stepped forward, hugging Insect and Nathaniel with her short, spindly arms. She appeared to be around ten years old, with poofy, curly black hair. She had a toothy grin and striking pallid green eyes. Her outfit was very loose, slippers, a plain shirt, and an orange-and-black robe with a strange word-like embroidery over it. Uriel presumed it might be handmade. “Insect, how'd you hurt yourself? Did you touch the seals again? My mom has some lotion in the kitchen, second drawer.” She said after a high-pitched gasp.

“May we come inside Matilda?” Nathaniel asked.

“Hm? Yeah sure, sure come in. Mom made some tea, so help yourself. Oh. You must be the angel and hunter I heard about?” She said, turning to the two strangers in her path.

“Heard about?” Constantine asked, the tone of his voice brimming with annoyance. “Something, something, secrecy, right Nate?” He said with a leer in his direction.

“Oh don’t worry about Nate.” The girl intervened. ”My mom knew you guys would be coming long before Nathan even met you I bet.”

“You mother, Madame, seems very interesting. I cannot wait to meet her. My name is Uriel Fladium, Matilda right?” Uriel said anxiously, almost reaching out for a handshake, but thinking twice about it.

“Nice to meet you Uriel, you’re so much… prettier than my mom described you!”

W-what does that mean? Uriel sulked.

“Goodness, where are my manners!” Nathaniel exclaimed, wheeling his chair back. “Matilda, this is Uriel, as you’ve just found out, and this is-”

“Constantine. My name’s Constantine Sancthos. Nice to meet ya kid.”

A better first impression. Uriel smiled to herself. Maybe this one won't be as scared of you as Jacob is, hehe.

“That he is.” Nathaniel smugly smiled under his mustache, before reaching over and patting the girl on her frizzy head. “This lovely young lady here, is Matilda Léstrava, Madame’s joyous little progeny.”

“Pleasure to meet you guys.” Matilda said politely. “My mom made you two sound like some sort of monstrous abominations, but you seem alright.”

“Did she now? Where is this Madame? I’d like to meet her finally.” Constantine said.

“She’s in her library in the back, but good luck. She said she ain’t comin out until you both leave.”

“Seems a bit rude to treat guests you have not even met yet like this.” Constantine continued, his frustrations becoming more visible. “Any explanation as to why?”

“Not really.” Matilda said plainly, frowning afterwards. “She’s usually eager to share her visions with me, she likes when I help decipher them, but not much about this.”

Constantine stormed through the room towards one of the other hallways of the house. Uriel, suspecting something, quickly rushed after him.

“This way to the library?” He asked. Matilda nodded in his direction.

“Son, you best not cause any trouble. We’re guests here.” Nathaniel intervened, his tone more somber than usual.

“Of course not Nate, I’m just gonna knock on her door. Maybe she hasn't heard us.” He said, smirking.

Uriel lingered behind him, wishing to say something, but she just sighed quietly and slumped against the doorframe. Insect then walked back into the room, having bandaged her hand in the kitchen. She turned to go after Constantine with a sharp step, but Nate stopped her, sensing that Uriel had the right idea and waiting for what was about to unfold.

All four of them watched quietly from the living room as Constantine made his way down the corridor. He knocked loudly on the door at the end. There was no response. After a quick glance back at the group he knocked again, this time his fist pounded against the door, making Matilda jump.

“I believe I’ve made it abundantly clear I do not wish to see you two!” A hoarse voice came from behind the door.

“Ah, apologies Madame.” Constantine began, his eyes lighting up. ”We were just making sure you’re alive and nothing happened to you.” He lied.

“Do not play coy with me Little Imp. Everyone here knows what you want. My answer is no. You may not come in. Do not attempt to come in this room anymore. Leave, now! Take your angel friend and get the hell out of my house.”

“Look ma’am. I can’t accept that response. If you know who I am, you know why I’m here, then you damn well know I’m not just going to leave. I need your help to rescue my friends and I’m not going to give up on saving them because some bitch I’ve never met says so. So please, I’m asking you nicely, open this god-forsaken door before I break it down.” Constantine barked, slamming his fist into the door one final time.

“That’s enough Constantine.” Uriel called out but was promptly ignored.

“I will forgive your rudeness, if you just leave, now. Constantine, this is for your sake. Listen to your friend. Do not pursue this path. If you set foot inside this room, only hell awaits you.”

There was only silence. Even Insect, who was making her way towards him, stopped in the doorframe of the living room, waiting for his response. Finally, after some time Constantine’s fist slowly slid down the door. His head hung low as he slowly turned around and began walking towards the group. There was a collective sigh of relief once the distance between him and the door was large enough.

He looked up, locking eyes with Uriel for one instant, and she immediately realized what he wanted to do. In one swift move, he pulled his dagger from his chest, spun around, and shot the blade out of his hand straight through the door. The weapon sliced through the air like a red flash of blood, passing through the door without a trace. Soon after, the lingering after-image of Constantine’s own body faded into nothingness.

“You’re a damned fool, Constantine Sancthos.” Erika Léstrava called out to him when he materialized on the other side of her door. Constantine noted the strange sadness and disappointment in her voice. “I tried to warn you… I hoped I could save you from this fate.”

“I must admit: I do not believe in fate.” He began, while putting his dagger inside his holster. As the world around him faded back into clear view, Constantine inspected the library around him. Shelves of strange books and tomes littered each wall except the one furthest away, where the presumed Madame sat. There were many tables in this chamber each adorned with a few chairs, but the one in front of her was the largest one. Constantine walked slowly forward, noticing similar trinkets and baubles to those that he saw in Nathaniel’s office. Most striking of all however, were the candles that lit the room, no other lights of any kind.

When he got closer, he saw Erika resting her chin on her long, thin fingers. She looked at her with pale green eyes that seemed to shine in the gloomy atmosphere of the room. Similar robes adorned her body, although they could not fully envelop her broad chest, leaving a noticeable cleavage visible. In that area was also a colorful stringy necklace that housed lots of small shining jewels. Her curly black hair was much wilder and puffier than Matilda’s. Aside from that and the noticeable height and age difference, the two were truly mother and daughter.

“I believe you must be Madame Erika Léstrava then. I’d introduce myself, but we both seem to know each other at this point.”

“You’re correct. On both accounts. I am Erika, Madame, Great Seer, Tarot-Reader, Gypsy, ‘that old cunt’. You’re welcome to call me what you’d like Imp.” She spoke, her voice deep, yet with a noticeable coarseness.

“Let's stick with Madame for now, can I sit?” He said, touching the fine wooden chair in front of her table.

“Don’t you want to invite your angel friend in first before we get started?”

“You changed your mind? You going to let her in now?”

“No, you forced me to change my mind. There’s no point in keeping her out now. The path has been stepped on, no turning back now. But only her, dear Nathaniel and Insect have no business being privy to our talk.”

“Very well then.” Constantine said with a nod, before he made his way back to the door. When he opened it he almost got smacked by Uriel who had rushed on over. He quickly explained the situation before letting Uriel inside and shutting the door behind him.

“Why do you have to be so reckless?” She said, her tone echoing with anger.

“I couldn’t just let her keep us from saving Evan and Wrath, Uriel. You know this.”

“We can’t really force her to help us can we? I could just… figure out this soul-seeing shit on my own can’t I?” Uriel said, disappointed. “Or do you not trust me enough to?”

“It’s not that, its about time. Every moment we waste is another moment where they could be…”

“We’re way past that point now Dear.” Madame intervened. “No need to worry about your friend here, or your friends in other places.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” They both asked, suddenly very concerned.

“Don’t misunderstand me, I merely referred to the current situation, not your friends. I do not know the status of their well-being, I cannot know that. Please, both of you, sit.”

“Hello, my name is-” The angel began immediately after sitting down, but was quickly interrupted.

“Uriel Fladium, yes. I know you all too well, worry not.” Erika said, with an unusual expression on her face.

Is she… afraid? Constantine pondered to himself.

“Even as you sit here before me, I do not believe it to be truthful. Your dark wings melt into the shadows that flicker in the candlelight. I’m certain I’m still having one of my visions and yet... “ She continued, while her dexterous hands shuffled a deck of cards. She pulled out one and held it up in her fingers. All three of them looked at it and read its title: Justice XI. “... I’ve done this three times since you arrived, every time its the same cards. No matter how hard anyone tries, we are all slaves to our destiny. And of course, the opposite card is always the same as well.” Erika then pulled the card out of her deck, revealing to her guests the card titled Death XIII.

“My apologies Madame Léstrava, but I am not familiar with the meaning of card-reading.” Uriel interrupted her. Her pale eyes were drawn

“Yeah, me neither. Can you explain to us?” Constantine said as well.

“Perhaps not, there are many ways for these cards to be interpreted, and I do not wish to cloud your minds with unnecessary energies. Besides, this is not even a proper reading.”

“I do insist.” Uriel said.

“Very well, these two most frequently tell me futures of truth and of change.”

“What is this… ability of yours? You can read the future in signs such as these cards?” Uriel asked once more, her fascination and awe growing with each passing moment.

“Yes, ever since I was a young girl I had an affinity for occult materials and powers. My great grandmother taught me how to divine the past and the future, and I’ve honed my skill over many years.”

“So you’re a fortune-teller?” Constantine said with mild disappointment in his voice. His expression however, quickly changed after a second of thought. “My initial reaction was not a good one just saying. But after everything that’s happened in my life, and considering the fact that Nate out there vouched for you, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you’re not one of those bullshitters that scam people for money, right?”

“People do that?” Uriel asked quietly.

“Yes, Little Imp. I have no incentive to scam you out of what little valuables you have on you. I’ve met Nathaniel in our youth, and I’ve assisted him and many of the people in this town against the unholy forces that linger in our world. Forces that, your friend had a hand in empowering, did she not?” Erika smirked, while leaning back and shuffling the two cards back into her deck. “I am referring to Katherine, to be clear. Not the other one…”

“You know about them?” Constantine began, his hand curling into a fist.

“I know a great deal of things, Constantine. But even I do not know everything. I am not omniscient, but such acts of cruelty by both sisters… such terrible deeds, such death. It would have been shameful of me to not see them both.”

Uriel placed her hand on Constantine’s fist. She peered deep into his eyes when he turned to her. There was a moment of understanding between them, and he relaxed, taking a deep breath.

“You two are here seeking assistance in finding your friends, correct?” Said Madame, changing the subject.

“Yes.” Constantine replied, his voice less simmering with anger.

“Before we do that, I would like to suggest we do a proper reading. As I said, I’ve seen a possible fate for you both, and by entering this room, Constantine has begun walking that path. Despite this, I want to try a reading with you present, perhaps the stars align differently this time and the future is altered?”

“I told you already Madame, I do not believe in fate.”

“Certainly, but maybe this will also reveal more of your clouded future, and help you both in finding your friends. I cannot find them for you directly, I have no connection to them of any kind, physical or spiritual. Therefore it is purely Uriel’s task to find them. Consider this divination an entryway into our future lessons.”

“I think we should give it a try, Constantine.” Uriel told him, firmly grasping his hand.

“Very well. What do we need to do?”

“May I ask you to hand me the tome on the shelf behind you, the one titled… um, nevermind that, the second shelf from the top, fifth from the left.”

Constantine obliged, quickly rushing up and pulling out the massive dusty book from the rack. It was inscribed in bright red runes and marks, and the cover was uneven, and had a rough leathery texture.

“I sincerely hope, this is not bound with skin nor written with blood.” He commented as he handed it over.

Erika shot him a wide-eyed look and chuckled to herself. “What do you take me for? I’m not some demonic witch. Frankly, I find that sort of attitude highly offensive, Little Imp. Even though you’re right, it is.”

“WHAT?” He shouted.

“Hah, just kidding, just kidding. Trying to lighten the mood a bit.” She cackled at her own joke before adding another comment. “In truth however, they do say that this book comes from one of the deepest caverns of hell. From a place so-called ‘Library of All Knowledge’”. Uriel smiled nervously and Constantine felt sweat dripping down his back.

I really hope you’re just joking lady.

“And… you just… happen to have it?” Constantine blurted out, confused.

“And you have a shard of Death’s Scythe in your jacket do you not? There’s countless powerful artefacts in this world. You shouldn’t be surprised if you keep stumbling onto more and more over time.”

“Touché, I guess.”

“Now then, we shall begin.” The seer reached forward, placing a skull in the middle of the table. Embedded into it was a knife. She slowly pushed the skull until it was on Constantine and Uriel’s side of the table.

“Now I’m seriously doubting that was just a joke earlier.” He said.

Erika ignored the comment, instead she began talking, her tone of voice even more serious than previously. “From now on, put aside whatever egos you might have, and listen exactly to my every command. There are no evil spirits or beings that can enter in this purified house, in this purified room...”

Constantine noticed Uriel jump slightly at the mention of evil spirits, but he presumed it was just an odd reaction from her and nothing more.

“...However, this does not mean these sort of rituals are without danger. So please, listen to my commands exactly, alright?”

“Of course.” Said Uriel.

“Mmhmm.” Said Constantine.

“Very well then. Please place your non-dominant hands on the dagger handle and do not remove them until I tell you to.”

Both of them obliged. Uriel placed her right hand on the dagger’s handle, while Constantine placed his left on the handle and pommel of the dagger, trying to give enough room for both.

“That works.” Erika nodded. “Now, your dominant hands face-down on the table. I shall make three decks of tarot cards. In turns, I will ask you to pick a card from your respective decks. I will interpret the meaning, and we shall write this starlit tale together, sound good?”

Both nodded.

Madame Léstrava then took a deep breath, and opened the book in front of her. She then placed a single deck of cards in the middle of the table between it and the skull. Her hands were clasped together in prayer. She enigmatically read an incantation from the book, and a powerful gust of wind picked up around them.

Uriel and Constantine watched with eyes wide open as Madame swiped the deck of cards across the table. All of the cards were lifted by the wind, spiraling around the table before spinning in a crown formation above her head. The cards began shuffling as she continued her prayer, and a growing murmur of strange voices and ghoulish sounds surrounded them, growing in intensity with each passing prayer.

Constantine could not see or sense anything around him, but the terrified expression on Uriel’s face made him just as worried. What did not help was that the skull they were grabbing onto began bleeding profusely from its eyes and face cavities, dripping down the table towards them.

“Be not afraid. They will not harm you. Surrender your minds to mine.” Madame’s voice boomed, echoing in a similar fashion to Uriel’s. Her eyes opened and her green eyes were now a pair of flaming white pearls.

The cards above her head separated into three spinning crowns. Each crown shuffled the cards, spinning them in abstract patterns before they all settled into three complete decks that slowly lowered on the table. The powerful loud thud of Erika closing the book matched the cards settling on the table and remaining motionless.

“I shall pull the first card. Just be aware, you don’t have to pull only the top card, but you must place the card as you see it, upside-down or otherwise.”

Both of them were silent, but their agreement was apparent. With a nod, Erika reached for the middle deck. The first card was drawn and placed in front of the respective deck.

“The Chariot VII. Upside down.” She said out loud. “First comes the flaming steeds, slaves to dark masters. Aggressive, yet bound. Uriel, may I ask you to draw the next card.”

The angel nodded. With a trembling hand she reached forward, cut the deck and pulled out another card, placing it down on the table.

“The Tower XVI. Right-side up.” The gypsy lady continued. “Next comes the dark tower, carved into a holy mountain. Magnificent in its wickedness, filled with disasters and regret. Constantine.”

He nodded, reaching for the top card on his deck. He looked at it, inspecting the exquisite style of drawing on the card. The image depicted filled him with a strange sense of dread however. It was ‘the lovers’ card, but the upside down drawing depicted was one of grotesque gore and suffering as the two depicted burned alive in a pit of fire.

“The Lovers VI. Upside down.” He said while placing the card down. Madame nodded.

“Disharmony, a break of duality. Prisoners of the pit. Your thoughts are racing Constantine are they not? What is this card’s meaning? You and Uriel? You and your dear Nikolai? Perhaps it does not refer to you at all.” Erika’s voice echoed as she pulled the next card from the bottom of her deck.

“I don’t know.” Constantine said plainly.

“The Empress III, upside down.” Her head snapped towards Uriel, sending a chill down the angel’s spine. “Royalty. Mother of Emptiness. Lurker of the deepest abyss. She will come for you both, like she has before. Especially you little angel. Do not be fooled into believing otherwise.”

Uriel stared into Madame’s glowing white eyes with defiance. Even so, she was not able to hide her fear. “My turn?” She asked, followed by a nod from Erika. Uriel then placed down a card depicting a red horned beast in a similar pit of fire as the card from earlier. But here, the flames did no harm.

“The Devil XV, right-side up.” Madame said, shaking her head. “Powerlessness and fear. The one waiting for you at the top of the tower. The one who broke the chariot, imprisoned the lovers and deceived the empress. And he will face…” She said, her index finger reaching in an arcing motion over the table, passing over Constantine and coming to a rest on the deck in front of him. Knowing what this meant, Constantine drew the final card and placed it in front of him.

“The Hanged Man XII, right-side up.” Her voice echoed the name of the card for the final time. “The damned soul, the martyr, the one who will come face to face with the emptiness. Will he succumb, or will their might and soul win out in the end? Remove your hands from the dagger.”

Although they both hesitated, they both quickly removed their hands from the skull. The blood quickly faded, vanishing without leaving a trace. Madame Léstrava closed her eyes. Without looking, she gathered all the cards, shuffling them all back in a single deck. She placed the cards on top of her book and at that exact moment all the candles in the room were snuffed out.

Katherine peered through her binoculars at the road far in the distance. From the cliff she was on top of was quite the drop, but she stood on its very edge without fear. The sky was beginning to fade into a starless night making it difficult to see, but Katherine seemed unperturbed.

“Any sign of life yet?” Kaidan’s bored voice came from behind her. She promptly ignored him. He sighed. “Anyway, everyone’s in position. Soon as you give the order we ride down the mountainside and intercept them in front.” His words were accompanied by the clinking of the heavy red chains that were spiraled over his shoulder and down to his hip. In his hand was the head of the chain, a massive morningstar with an alternating pattern of holes.

“Good. Why are you here?” She growled.

“My ass hurts from sitting on the bike waiting. Pass the time with some chatter I suppose.”

“Not interested.”

“I’ll just talk to myself then.” He said, sitting down on the ground and leaning against a decrepit old log.

“Your voice… to me, is worse than rusty nails on chalkboard, Kaidan. I don’t want to hear a word from you.” Katherine spat with a cold and deathly voice.

“Why are you always in such a bitchy mood Katherine? What’ve I ever done to you?” He said, barely getting to finish his sentence before the hiss of Katherine’s halberd through the air sliced through the stillness of the night. It was followed by the loud scraack of it embedding itself in the mountainside behind him. Kaidan had a horrified expression on his face, as he checked with a trembling arm if his spiky strip of hair was still there.

“What a shame.” Katherine’s voice broke him out of his focus. She was now towering right besides him, her left leg on top of the log as she reached for her halberd. “I didn’t aim low enough to even cut your hair...” She looked down at Kaidan, and he looked back at her. Her face was hidden by darkness and shadows, but her eyes shone like two ghastly beacons filled with hatred. “Listen to me very carefully, Kaidan. I do not wish to be your friend. I do not care about anything you might have to say and thus, I do not want to hear it. You, and Sam, and Ronov, and every other demon here will die by my blade the instant I’m freed of this accursed mark. You are all abominations. I do not care if you have not wronged me, personally, for every breath you take is a sin that I intend to cleanse. Octavian put me in charge for this mission. Previously, you flaunted your petty power over me. Now, you have nothing. If you piss me off again, the next throw won't miss, and you’ll just be a casualty of the coming battle. Understood?” Her voice fell like a guillotine.

Despite how much he wanted to make some sort of sarcastic remark about inspiring soldier morale, Kaidan realized he was treading on some very thin ice. He simply nodded, and scurried away. Katherine lingered for a second, watching, unblinking, as he left her vicinity and walked down the mountain path. Her gaze turned slowly, until it landed upon her unholy motorcycle. The skull that adorned it seemed to follow her. Was it… watching her or just her imagination?

No… She thought. I know you’re watching.

Katherine turned back to the precipice, peering in the distance. A few moments later she noticed movement on the horizon. She watched the cars intently, waiting for the perfect opportunity. But fortune favored her, as they soon came to a stop.

Mmm, pausing for the night? A fatal error. This’ll make this so much easier. I’ll wait and make sure everyone’s asleep and then we can ambush them.

The night soon enveloped the sun, and as time passed, Katherine watched vigilantly from the cliff. Once enough hours passed, and she believed that all those down below were sufficiently asleep, she decided the time had arrived. She walked over to her infernal machine, placing the binoculars in one of the back compartments. One last look at the blade of her halberd. The crimson sheen of the edge was spotless.

You’ll feast on demon blood tonight. Free them from their unholy sins. Her prayer of death began.

As if spurred by her zeal, the heart of her demonic motorcycle howled to life. It echoed in the night with a terrifying sound, an amalgam of a horse’s neighing in agonizing pain and a mechanized engine roaring. The entire vehicle blazed with dark orange flames. Flames that seemed to avoid her body, leaving her unscathed. Katherine couldn’t help but crack a smirk. The beast seemed to like her.

Better not disappoint. She thought as she rode down the mountain like a fiery comet from the heavens.