Katie

The icy water glistened in the darkness of the moonlight sky. The waves crashed against the rocks upon the shore line. A small fishing boat slowly crawled through the depths of the Baltic Sea toward the shores of the mighty Soviet Union. At its Wheel an old sea Captain smoked his pipe steering the vessel away from the frightening sharp rocks. In front of him a priest waited for the boat to dock. Alick was a tall muscular man, unusual for a man of the cloth. He wore a long trench coat to fight off the artic chill. The light from the harbour gradually became brighter and brighter as they prepared to dock.
The dock was empty, only a few other fishing boats kept this small town in business. Its residents were tucked away from the icy chill. The captain slowed the engine until it came to a stop and the boat rocked to a steady halt. He threw a rope onto the dock and tied his vessel. Alick followed and climbed up on the wooden platform.
“Take care of the boy” Alick said to the Captain. He referred to his son who was asleep in the cabin. The Captain didn’t speak he just nodded his head.
Alick walked along the creaky wooden planks. Underneath the waves quietly swept around the rustic supports. At the end of the harbour another priest waited in a horse drawn carriage. Alick was not hear for a friendly chat, he was here to find the last part of the Jericho Manuscript an ancient scripture that once read together could help prevent the return of Legion the Lord of the Underworld. Father Michael opened the door to welcome Alick.
“Good morning Alick it is good of you to join us” Michael helped him into the carriage.
“The pleasures mine Father” Alick met the welcome with a gracious smile.
The driver whipped his horses into motion; they galloped from the waterfront and out into the countryside to a nearby village. The village was dark and quiet, no-one yet awake as the sun just broke through the horizon. The houses were built from solid oak wood and thick thatched roofs perfect protection from the arctic cold. They came to a halt at the top of the village in front of a church. This unlike the rest of the buildings was made from stone, and had been standing for hundred years. The stain glass windows shone brightly in the glaze of the morning sun. Both Michael and Alick climbed from the carriage. Next to the church was Michaels home similar to the rest of the village.
“Please Alick do come in” Michael held the door open for Alick.
Inside the room was very basic, there sat a couch next to a wood burning stove and an old discoloured rug. The kitchen stove was stood opposite; a housekeeper was boiling the kettle preparing a hot drink for the visitor. The housekeeper placed the kettle on a tray and sat it on the table accompanied with several mugs. Alick and Michael took a seat each at the table as a drink was poured for each of them.
“Quite a cute little village you have here Michael” Alick uttered.
“Thanks not too much similar to the one we grew up in” Michael chuckled.
“Well take away the snow and ice and the wintery blast I would say so. It has been a while old friend, you should come back and visit once in a while, or have the commies trapped you here.”
“Not quite, I cannot leave these people they need me. A demon lurks the nearby woods no one can escape, several villagers and workers at the docks have met untimely ends.”
Alick sat up with a serious look “how do you know it is a demon and not just a feral animal searching for food.
“The marks left…” Michael stopped mid-sentence with Alick’s interruption.
“Marks, what sort of marks” Alick asked.
“Similar to those of the beast and his daughter like the ones we saw in Germany” Michael was referring to the signs they both found during the war and the invasion of Germany. The sign represented the army of Legion; it was the letter L and K embroiled together with a swastika drew in the middle. The K was for Legion’s daughter Katie.
“Are you sure that was the symbol you found?” Alick was still unsure.
“Yes I am not mistaken trust me it was the symbol of the beast.”
“This is not good” Alick stood up and walked over to the frosted window. “Samael, the demon is Samael I know it. He must be here for the script as well.”
“The script, how can you be sure he knows where it is.”
“That I am unsure about, he doesn’t know where it is, there must be something else as well. When I was told about the scripts I was told I would meet a young girl who would help unravel the scripts secrets.”
“You mean the myth about Katie, Alick she is a false prophecy” Michael was very stern with his words about Katie.
“Michael I do not know of a myth, I was never told it would be her.”
“Alick she is Legions daughter do not believe what you have heard about her, she did not turn her back on her father. Her soul will always contain evil.”
“Michael I was told the girl I meet is our hope to fight evil, if it is Katie then I do believe she will help us, why else would Yahweh have trusted her.”
“Her beauty speaks volumes she manipulates man far too easily, say what you will if I find her I will make sure she cannot walk this earth anymore.”
“I guess I shall I have to find her first” Alick winked at Michael.
There was a knock at the door which helped break the increasing tension between these two men of God. Michael opened the door and invited the guest inside. Leon walked inside; he was Michael’s apprentice, a young skinny boy desperate to learn Michael’s trade.
“Good morning gentlemen, ah you must be Alick” Leon greeted Alick.
“Good morning” Alick replied.
“Michael tells me you have come to retrieve the last script.”
“Indeed I have; has he also told you where we are headed to get it?” Alick was interested to see how much this young boy knew.
“Only that the script is hidden away in the fifth and final Church of Jericho but as of yet we do not know the location of the church.”
“Well this is where I am needed” Alick pulled out a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and unfolded it onto the table. “On here you will see the location of our destination.” Alick pointed out a cave just located outside of the village.
Michael took a look at the map “That cave is not far from here, if we take a couple of horses we can make it by mid-afternoon.”
“Michael are you sure you want to come, if Samael is here he will not hold back he will try to kill you. I have fought him before I know what he is capable of.”
“Do not worry for our safety we will be fine, I must see this church for myself I was told the churches of Jericho hold great beauty.”
“If you do wish to come make sure your arm yourself, if Samael is there at least give yourself a fighting chance, the same goes for you Leon. “
Together all three of them head to the stables to the rear of Michael’s home. Michael only had two horses, they were magnificent stallions. “Leon ride with me” Michael jumped onto his horse and held a hand out for Leon to join him.
Alick walked around his horse inspecting it. He wanted to make sure the mare could make a hastily escape if necessary. Pleased with his horse he mounted and steadied his steed. With the two of them ready Michael led the way out of the village.
Michael and Alick arrived at the entrance to the cave. It was at the bottom of a tall mountainous cliff face. The two mile journey was extended by the vastness of the forestation and the endless streams separating the pathway. The sun pierced through the cold thin air, but no matter how much sun light there was no ounce of light would displace the darkness of the cavern.
Alick was the first to dismount, he was too eager to enter and find the last Script. Michael soon followed with Leon. Michael had with him two lanterns, one of which he gave to Alick, Leon would have to walk in darkness. Above the entrance written in what Leon hoped wasn’t blood was a wooden sign nailed with the symbol of Legion and Katie. Alick knew this would be no easy get; none of the other churches had this symbol they was an easy get in and go, this time Alick would have to fight for the treasure.
In single file they walked into the cave, instantly hit by the smell of fire and brimstone. Inside the cave there was no glimpse of the end, there was just infinite darkness. Once the light from the opening had disappeared, they were alone in the obscurity. Michael walked in front; there he heard the faint sound a something eating. The sound became more recognisable the closer they got. Alick leaped ahead of Michael and halted the party. He held out the lamp at arm’s length, this enlightened a dog ravaging on a corpse. This was no ordinary dog, its skin was burned and blistered, and the dog looked up and snarled at them to leave. Alick discreetly drew his sword from his coat and gently approached the animal. This time it did not take a second glimpse with some of the corpse’s rotten flesh in its jaw it launched at Alick. With one swoop Alick sliced through the gut of the dog, both parts of the animal slid across the floor as its body drained of life.
“Alick why do you carry such a sword as a man of god, surely that cannot be allowed” Leon was quick to judge Alick for his heroism.
“It is not a sin to protect one’s self. Besides this sword has the blessing of Yahweh it is a great aid when in the presence of evil. Leon you should always carry something to defend yourself you can never tell when you will need it. Now let’s carry on” Alick continued further through the darkness.
Another ten minutes lapsed as the cave opened up to into a great cavern hundreds of feet wide. The burning flame from the lamps reflected from diamonds embedded into the walls, this minimal light helped them see a little further ahead. A few more steps forward revealed a wooden rope bridge heading into the darkness. Below a cliff disappeared into infinite. Alick was the first to inspect the bridge, it seemed strong or at least Alick hoped it was. He took his first step and there was a loud creek that echoed throughout the cavern.
Michael grasped Alick’s arm “You’re not going to cross are you; we don’t even know what’s on the other side?”
“Where’s your faith Michael, the Church is there it has to be” Alick attempted to reassure Michael.
“But how can you be sure?”
“Belief” Alick replied with only one word.
This time Michael did not argue he saw the belief in Alick’s eyes and followed him across. Leon kept quiet and followed his elders. With each step the bridge groaned and swayed gently side to side. Half way across and it seemed to weaken and the groans increased. Alick picked up the pace to reach the other side.
Alick was astounded at what lay ahead; the bridge lay attached to what he could only assume was a floating island. There seemed to be nothing keeping it a float. Alick and Michael both reached the end, but before Leon go there one of the planks gave way and he lost his footing. He fell against the ropes and his body slid through the gap. Leon panicked and assumed the worst until Alick stepped in and pulled him up.
“Mind your step” Alick tried to make like of the situation.
“Thank you” Leon’s heart raced.
The floating island was only small, in the middle bore the Church Alick had been searching for. As they walked from the bridge stood two large marble pillars with gargoyles rested on top. This increased the anxiety amongst the group. The Church itself brought more unease; it was an old stone medieval building. There were dark stained windows and several more gargoyles. They walked to the foot of the staircase that led into the church. Alick found an old torch on floor; he dusted it off and tried to light it with his lamp by dripping some of the oil onto the tip.
“Leon take this torch, I want you to stay outside. If you see or hear anything that seems unusual then call us.”
“Unusual, we’re standing on a floating Island all of this seems unusual” Leon took the torch from Alick.
“I take you response as a yes, Michael come with me” Alick marched up the stairs. He pushed the tall heavy oak door open. Inside was very different from the outside. It was lathered with gold and silver vases, pictures and other valuables. There were two rows of pews, but to Alick’s disgusted they were littered with rotten corpses, they were almost mummified. Alick could not tell how long they had lay there; Michael soon entered the room and was taken aback just as much from the sight of the souls that rested in what had become their tomb.
Alick approached the rear of the room. There was a great golden cross nailed to the back wall. Below scattered across the floor were dozens of papers. He called Michael over to help sift through the papers to see if the script was amongst them. Alick knew he had to find a piece that was written in Aramaic the same as the rest of the manuscript.
Towards the right of the cross Alick saw a staircase descending beneath the church. He did not question what danger could lie down there, he just walked straight down. It was a crypt, there were several stone coffins, who could have possible have been sent to these tombs. The ceiling was low so he could not stand straight. The viability was poor the only light came from Alick, however unlike upstairs the room was roasting. In the far corner was a tomb different to the others, it was slightly bigger and was made from marble, this coffin had to be important. Alick crept to the tomb, the lid was already ajar. Alick tried to push the lid further but the sheer weight made it impossible to move one handed. He placed his lamp on the ground and with both hands he slowly moved it, given the weight Alick only managed to move it slightly more, but this created enough space to see what was inside.
He picked up the lamp to have a look inside. It was filled with bones but not just from one person but it looked like there were several people. Alick did not take care of the bones he sieved through them with numerous bones breaking up. Amongst the silence of the darkness Alick heard tiny footsteps of a child with a gentle giggle. His thoughts instantly turned to Katie, was it her walking up to him. He rapidly turned around but to his bewilderment there was nobody just the empty darkness. When he turned back to the coffin a small leather case was sat on top. Alick was even more confused, what was going on.
He blew the mountain of dust from the case. He untied the straps and pulled out what was inside. There was only a single sheet of stained torn paper. One glace and Alick new straight away this was the final piece, he had now found the complete Jericho Manuscript. He left the case on the coffin and folded the paper into his pocket.
“Michael time to leave” Alick told Michael as he made his way back into the church. Before Michael could reply they both heard the coffins beneath move. “Michael go now” He raised his voice.
Two beasts jumped out from the tomb below. They were two small minions too similar to ones Alick had fought before; he knew how to handle these fowl creatures. Both crawled along the walls circling Alick and Michael denying exit from the Church. They focused most of their attention on Michael first they knew he would not be able to handle himself and Alick knew that. From his coat Alick pulled out his sword and prepared for battle. The first minion launched itself it the air and lunged at Michael, this left the second one to Alick. It had hardened elbows to help withstand the coming blows from Alick’s continuous attacks. Dummying an attack Alick seized its arm and threw it across the room and it crashed into several pews. Alick ran over to help Michael, with one clean swoop he cut the Minions arm from it body and with another swing he carved through its gut.
“Michael get Leon and get out of here, I’ll deal with this last foul creature” Alick ordered Michael to leave.
Michael ran outside “Leon” he shouted “Leon where are you?” Leon had disappeared he was not waiting outside as Alick had asked.
Alick walked to Michael after he had decapitated the minion. “Where is Leon?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Quick we have to get out of here; Leon may have run ahead, the other minion is still in there.”
The two of them ran towards the bridge, as they approached a dark shadowy figure appeared at the foot of the bridge. It walked into the light of Michael’s lamp; it had Leon in its grasp. The figure was Samael, a demon that had been haunting the village waiting for Alick’s arrival. He was seven foot tall with hind legs, he enclosed his bat like wings and large sharp fangs with red piercing eyes; he was the main demon to grace Earth. Samael flung Leon across the floor, he had come for Alick.
“Do you think you can put up a better fight this time Alick” Samael growled, as he pulled his sword from his back.
“One on one this time Samael are you sure you do not need you little cretins” Alick mocked Samael.
Samael responded with an evil smile and lunged with his weapon. Alick was quick to respond he defended Samael’s move with his own sword, they continued to exchange swipes at each other. Samael threw a powerful attack that forced Alick to the ground. He did his best to stop the blade slicing his neck. Alick used all his energy and tossed Samael into the air and through the side wall of the church.
“Com’on lets go” Alick led Michael and Leon across the bridge as they quickly made their exodus.
Samael picked himself up and dusted of some of the rubble from his huge shoulders. “Hey” he shouted to the minion, “stop them.” The minion did not reply it simply ran after Alick and the others. Samael came to the bridge, he saw the minion disappear into the darkness. He used his sword to hack the rope keeping the bridge attached the ground. With one last slice the bridge gave way and collapsed.
Alick felt the vibrations of the falling bridge and jumped to the other side, Michael managed to grab a hold of the edge of the cliff face. Alick helped Michael up onto safety, Leon was not so lucky. Too far behind he held onto the ropes as it smashed against the cliff. The bridge came to a standstill as it hung from the edge. The minion also grabbed onto the ropes, it though did not stay still, and it quickly climbed to Leon.
“Help” Leon shouted.
“Climb up Leon I’ll grab you” Michael replied.
Leon started to climb up the wrecked bridge, but the minion grasped his foot. Michael saw the struggle Leon was in so leant over to try and grab him.
“Help me Father” Leon became frightened.
“Leon reach my hand” Michael yelled back.
All three of them heard Samael roar from the other side of the cavern. “Michael we really need to leave. You must let go of Leon, Yahweh will take care of him now.”
“No I cannot leave him, we cannot let him die” Michael tried to fight of Alick.
“Michael Samael will kill us both if we do not leave now, Leon will be safe.”
The minion’s hold got stronger and stronger before Leon realised his fate and looked up to Michael “let go, save yourself you cannot help me now” Leon released his hold and fell with the minion into the darkness of the cannon.
“Forgive me” Michael cried. He climbed to his feet and punched Alick.
Alick did not retaliate “I am sorry for you loss but we need to go.”
Samael roared again, this time the ground began to shake and rocks feel from the ceiling. The cavern had started to collapse. Alick and Michael ran through the cave to escape the impending cave in. The ground rumbled all the way up to the surface, every so often Alick could hear the same laughter from before but again there was no sign of where it was coming from.
They emerged from the darkness and gasped for the freshness of the evening air. The horses were still stood waiting for their master’s return. Alick and Michael both galloped back to the village. When they arrived they were greeted by a deathly silence. The further they cantered into the village they saw more and more bodies scattered across the icy ground. Each corpse battered and bruised covered with the redness of death. Every villager had been slaughtered only Michael and Alick remained. The girl’s voice again echoed around the village, Alick could not pin point the direction of the voice until they arrived back at Michael’s church. At the entrance of the church stood a little girl, she must have been five at best, stood in a scraggy dress, knotted dark hair. Alick was quick to jump from his horse he knew she was Katie as he had been told.
“Hey, Alick take a look around this is your fault you are to blame for all the death” Michael shouted at Alick.
“Michael now is not the time Samael is on his way, come with me to England” Alick tried to calm Michael down.
Michael looked over Alick’s shoulder and saw the girl. He too knew she was Katie. “Ok Alick sorry for my reaction I will accompany you.”
“Thank you” Alick smiled and relaxed.
Michael used this as an opportunity to put Alick to the floor. Alick continued to walk to Katie; Michael found a broken blank of wood on the floor and crept up to Alick. He thumped Alick over the head with the wood and knocked Alick unconscious. Michael ran to the girl and took her inside the church.
Alick opened his eyes with a throbbing headache. The icy chill of the night sky has woken him; he had been lying there for over an hour. Alick got to his feet and scanned for Michael, but the only source of light came from the church. Michael must have taken Katie with him. Alick darted to the door but Michael had barricaded himself in. Alick heard the screams of Katie, “Michael” Alick yelled. There was no response just the continued screams from Katie.
Alick hurried around the church but there was no other enterance. He found a large rock on the floor light enough to pick up but heavy enough to cause some damage. He took a few steps back and propelled the rock through the panels of the wooden door; it only took one throw to create a big enough hole to crawl through.
Inside Alick found Katie tied to a cross; Michael was on his knees praying. “Michael you do not need to do this.” There was no response from Michael he did not distract himself from his actions. “Michael she is not evil, she is our hope.” Again there was no answer. Alick placed his hand upon Michael’s shoulder.
Michael looked up “You brought the beast to my village; you have brought death to my people.” Michael stared at Alick.
“Michael I do not want to fight” Alick tried to calm the situation.
Michael did not calm down instead he attacked Alick again, but this time Alick did react and returned a couple of punches himself. The doors of the church were blown from their hinges. This quickly halted their fight. Samael had caught up with them; although Samael could not enter the House of God.
“What’s the matter, can’t you come in” Michael chuckled at Samael.
“Laugh now priest” Samael smiled back.
Alick used this distraction to seize Katie from the cross. He knew the only way he could escape now was to distract Samael and Michael even further. Alick used his lighter to set fire to the cloth that lay across the pews. The cloth and wooden pews quickly engulfed in flames the perfect camouflage. The cross also caught fire and relinquished Yahweh’s presence in the church. Samael saw this and decided to shut Michael up by entering the church.
“Still laughing” Samael laughed.
Michael tried to run from Samael but he was too quick for him. Samael lifted Michael in the air with his powerful arms. He ripped Michael’s torso with his other hand, he did not take his time in dissembling Michael’s body. With one last breath Samael crushed his skull. Samael threw away Michael’s mutilated corpse and looked around for Alick. He saw Alick at the entrance of the church with Katie.
“Alick” he roared.
Alick stopped and looked Samael in the eyes with fear that he would not escape. The roof above Samael crumbled and fell in on Samael. He was consumed by the falling debris. Finally Alick could make his escape. He jumped back onto his horse with Katie in his grasp and galloped back to the docks to return to England.
Samael had already been here too, there were dead bodies scattered across the marina. Alick saw the body of his Captain with his heart removed from his chest. Happily Alick’s son had escaped the fury of Samael and appeared from the cabin of their boat. He was a few years older than Katie, mature for his age with the sights he had saw accompanying his father.
“Dallas set sail we are to leave immediately” Alick shouted. He did not question what had happened he already knew this was the work of Samael. “Dallas this is Katie we are to take care of her.”
“Hi I’m Dallas” he politely greeted Katie.
Katie didn’t say anything she just smiled back; she was too overcome with the whole situation, it was a lot to take in for a young girl like her.
Alick started the boats engines and it crawled from the harbour. The clouds soon dispersed and they were greeted with a full moon that shone across the artic Baltic Sea. Dallas grabbed a jacket from the cabin and placed it over the shoulders of a shivering Katie. He then joined his father in the cabin to escape the chill of the wintry air.
Katie stood at the rear of the boat and stared at the distancing harbour. She caught the sight of Samael and his striking red eyes. She did not frown nor scream but smiled, she looked like the portrait of innocence but the picture of evil.