It had been a few more days…
It was now three in the morning, and there was no sign of Marco while Bain was set up in a multi-tented camp with light posts miles away from the plantation as they were waiting for their prisoner to return to the designated safe zone under Father Raphael's strict orders. The body camera that Marco was wearing showed no feed, and they lost all GPS contact six days ago.
Bain wasn't worried about the outcome as the prisoner could've died at the hands of whatever it was out there. He was still suspicious about Lord Caliber's assistance in dispatching the prisoner. Bain was very protective of his employer and felt this was a waste of time.
Sadly, Bain's intuition was right. It was a trap by Lord Caliber. More specifically, a prank. He knew about the plantation's lingering dark energy but not about Marco and her true heritage as a wiccan. For Lord Caliber, it was a long shot. He had to know himself somewhat of a long shot since he had pirated the live feed from Father Raphael. Alas, he had the same footage as everyone else did.
Bain came up with the conclusion in his tent, “and that’s the end of that...” He concluded.
Anti-climactic and boring, Father Raphael texted him about the outcome. He wasn't too pleased as he wanted to see something spectacular. Bain didn't bother texting him back as he went to the makeshift mess hall, another tent for their food and supplies. Then again, it was time for them to pack up and leave. As promised, he would have to pay that girl's best friend and baby a visit. But he would have to think about that in the morning. For now, he needed to get some fried chicken.
Entering the tent, the chicken was gone. All that was left was scattered chicken bones everywhere. To make matters worse, all the canned goods and packing supplies were opened and eaten out of.
"Shit!" Bain freaked out as he thought it was wolves or ferrets in the area. He immediately pulled out his gun and knife and left the tent. He whistled thrice to signal for everyone to meet him in the middle of the camp.
Nobody came...
He did the same thing but louder. This time, he waited for about 10 seconds.
Nobody came...
He heard something as he was about to whistle for the third time. But it was laughter. Female laughter. Echoing throughout the camp.
He grew nervous as he felt alone.
Then, the laughter became louder and louder as if it was mocking Bain.
"Come on out! I know you're out there!" Bain screamed out loud.
“Sir!” One of his subordinates came out but was needed with a paranoid Bain pointing his gun at him.
Bain was relieved but angry, “Schneider, where were you?”
Schneider only wore a green T-shirt, Army fatigue pants, and boots. "I was in the latrine, sir. Apologies, sir..." he answered truthfully, approaching him with his AR 15.
“Where are the others?” Bain demanded.
"Beats me. I heard your call. They should be here by now..." Schneider wondered himself.
“DO YOU NEED A GUN TO TAKE SOMEONE LIKE ME DOWN?” Marco’s voice loudly echoed throughout the camp.
Back to back, Bain and Schneider were pointing their guns in every direction.
Bain played it cool, "Well, you made it out alive! Congratulations!" He yelled.
“A GRAND VICTORY INDEED!” Marco’s voice loudly echoed throughout the camp.
Schneider was shaking like a leaf while Bain was sweating profusely.
“So, what is my reward, Bain?” Marco’s voice loudly echoed again throughout the camp. “I should get something in return for surviving his little game.”
Bain tried to buy time while figuring out a plan to take down the prisoner, “Well, let’s just say that is up to you! What do have in mind?”
Then, the power of the light posts turned off completely as it was pitch black in the camp.
“Oh, fuck me!” Schneider started freaking out.
“Quiet! Pull yourself together!” Bain reassures. “Follow my lead.”
Before setting it up, Bain drew out a camp map and knew his way around even in the dark. They set up a communications tent if they need any backup. Bain had at least 25 of his men stationed in this camp and only had Schneider to account for.
It took him a couple of minutes to reach the communications tent east of camp. With a portable flashlight, he started to work, "Schneider, cover me."
With his gun raised, Schneider stood at the tent entrance while Bain tried to power up the electric generator. With a few tries, he got it working. He tried to reach Father Raphael, but all he could get was scrambling signals.
"Damn it!" Bain curses, trying his best to get a signal from anybody. At this point, he was willing to call anybody, even the new Scotland Yard.
“Are you sure you saw nobody else, Schneider?” Bain wondered.
“No, I just came out!” Schneider answered.
“How long was your shit?” Bain is frustrated as he storms out of the tent with his flashlight.
He then heard women’s laughter again.
“It looks like somebody doesn’t have your back anymore!” Marco's voice loudly echoed throughout the camp. "Tell you what! Since I won this little game of his! I should get whatever I want! It's only fair!"
“And what’s that?!” Bain yelled.
“Want to take a wild guess?” Marco’s voice loudly echoed throughout the camp.
“Don’t try me, bitch...” Bain bellowed as he looked behind him, only to see nobody there. “Schneider?” He then went back into the tent to see if Schneider was hiding.
Nobody was there.
At that moment, he felt completely alone. He then heard something play in the background: a TV monitor. It was coming from his tent that was south of this camp. With his weapons ready, he used his abilities of superspeed while crossing the camp and less than half a second. Reaching the dissertation of his tent, he saw something that was revolting.
He saw his men having sex with young naked women at a bonfire in the forest.
The participants' moaning and cries of pleasure made Bain sick, “Holy mother of God, what is this--?”
Then he felt someone kicking one of his knees out from under him. Grabbing him by his hair and stretching his neck out, the assailant bit down on his neck. Growling like a ravenous animal, ripping his flesh with her teeth.
Bain screamed in fear and pain as he flailed his arms around, trying to fight her off. Eventually, she let go of the bite, leaving him immensely bleeding.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Then the TV turned to static.
"HOW DID THAT FEEL? DID I MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD?!" Marco’s voice loudly echoed throughout the camp.
He wasn't safe anymore as he had to leave the tent. His whole team was compromised, Schneider was gone, and he was severely wounded.
Wandering aimlessly and writhing in pain, Bain still held out hope for the last person in camp, “Schneider?”
Nothing. Not even the air.
“Schneider, stop hiding!” Bain admonished as it would get his attention. “Sch-Schneider?”
Miraculously, the lights turned on as the pole lights illuminated the camp again. He was relieved to see the lights on. He would turn around to see a makeshift holy cross that his men built so they could prey under. It was 11 feet tall and 6 feet wide, and... Schneider was disemboweled and crucified.
“SCHNEIDER!” Bain screamed in bloodied murder at the sight of his dead subordinate.
Only to be met by a shotgun blast to the back, which brought Bain down instantly. Miraculously, he didn't die, but he was bleeding out fast. He dared not to turn around, but he knew who had shot him. It's not like he had a choice as the gunman threw down her gun and picked up Bain's knife that he dropped on the ground.
Marco kicked him over on his back, losing blood as Bain was coughing up blood. Then he saw the true rage and scorn of a naked blonde-haired woman whose mouth was blood-covered as her eyes were glowing. With his knife, she would get her vengeance and whatever she needed from him. Bain would try to fight her off, but it was inevitable as he was dying from his gunshot wound. All he can do is scream, cry, and pray for God to forgive him.
~~~
It had been two days, and Father Raphael was in his mansion, worrying himself sick. He even started biting his nails, which cost a fortune. This is indeed serious, as he would've called. Even when the live streaming of the prisoner was botched, Bain would've called him immediately or picked up the phone.
He couldn’t let the other horseman or, even worse, the Holy Mother. And sure as hell, he doesn't want Lord Caliber to get any more ammunition. He needs to find this prisoner fast while still kicking himself for not beating a name out of her.
Then suddenly, one of his young maids sporting a black eye cautiously approached him, “M-my Lord, a man named Bain is here to see you--”
Father Raphael wasted no time pushing the young maid out of the way to meet with him downstairs.
Bain entered Father Raphael’s living quarters. Father Raphael was still wearing the same black trench coat from the nights before.
The man in black was seen dragging a supposed female with a burlap bag over her head. Of course, he plopped it over at Father Raphael's feet in too much amazement.
On a bent knee, Bain swore his allegiance. “Father Raphael, we have found the prisoner that escaped us recently.”
Then Father Raphael gently poked the witch with his shoe, “Is she dead?”
Bain smiled as he rose to his feet, “Barely.”
“I heard there was another woman who had a daughter... Was she dealt with?” Father Raphael asked with more wonderment and curiosity.
“Yes.” Bain bluntly answered.
Father Raphael shrugged, “Well, I guess one is better than none...” Then Father Raphael snapped his fingers as his bodyguards carried her away. “We will make the proper arrangements for the ceremony. Did you at least do your research on her?”
"Do you mean if we fucked her, then no? We would know if she were a virgin when we do the ceremony," Bain answered.
"Well, I guess you didn't beat it out of her, did you?" Father Raphael joyfully deadpans. "No matter, come to my chambers." He flirtatiously beckons.
Bain followed Father Raphael upstairs and down the hall to his right as they entered his spacious bedroom.
It had everything a ‘man of faith’ wanted: a fireplace, a king-size bed, a working table, a walk-in closet, hardwood floors with expensive rugs, plush furniture, and, of course, soundproof walls for any ... screaming that takes place inside these chambers. It was all paid for by his Holy Mother.
As Bain closed the door behind him, they were met by two incredibly buff male bodyguards searching for weapons. And, of course, Bain was carrying two 9 mm pistols. Father Raphael removed his robe to reveal his slim yet muscular physique as he wore a tight white skirt and a sleeveless button-down blue shirt with matching slippers.
"I heard you went back and torched that whole town to find that prisoner again. How many were in that town, to begin with?" Father Raphael said with such curiosity.
"253. At least 53 were female; the rest were male. Of those, 53 women were only 20 adults," Bain answered.
“And I bet you enjoyed every single one of them...” Father Raphael teased with a sinful smile.
"Now you know why I'm here, Father. I have a few confessions," Bain deadpans as Father Raphael giggles.
"Whoever said that enjoying such spoils of war was sinful, to begin with?" Father Raphael contradicted his beliefs. "Many would say it is your God-given right to take what is rightfully yours! Out of those 53 girls, only one potential wiccan remained among them, according to our research. They are getting good at hiding from us..." Father Raphael fretted.
"What do you want with one? Besides having her all to herself?" Bain asked.
This led to some easiness between the two because Bain didn't care much about the holy circle's machinations and personal goals. But Bain and Raphael were good friends before he even took the holy cloth, so he trusts him.
“As I read, every wiccan has to make a deal. To give a part of himself to their supposed God-- who, let's just put it out there, is the devil. Is there nothing special or cool about any of them? The devil is supposed to deceive the weak minds of others because they feel they have nowhere to belong. But they do, Bain. Everyone deserves to live and have a purpose. As hypocritical as it sounds, these people no longer have lives, as they have sold their souls to the devil. They are beyond saving and should be dispatched on sight and dealt with at a moment's notice. And these so-called fakes? They deserve to die just like the real ones. We don't have time to wait out the weeds. They made their choice." Father Raphael explains.
Bain nodded in agreement, "So killing a wiccan is a true testament to your holy path. I understand. Have you ever seen one up close or dealt with one?"
Father Raphael knew better not to lie, "Unfortunately, no. But this is my first time tonight. And that is why I wanted one. I want her to summon her maker if you will. Looking right in the eye and destroy him with my holy light." He declared as he clenched his fist, emitting white flames.
Bain smiled at him as if he were proud, "Do you know their abilities? Besides, I've dealt with many before."
Father Raphael’s eyebrow raised as he was intrigued, “Go ahead, tell me.” Wanting to be comfortable, he sat in one of the chairs as Bain spoke.
"First of all, forget about what you heard in the media. TV, books, video games, movies... As it's all junk. And you are right about one thing, especially in this mission: there is at least a 50 to 1 chance for you ever to encounter wiccan. They are elusive; they are self-preservative; they are cunning."
“Indeed they are...” Father Raphael agrees.
"Not all wiccans are built differently. That includes mental, physical, and even emotional. All three attributes coincide and help mold the wiccan into what she will become and evolve.”
Father Raphael’s eyes grew large, “Wow! Go on!” him getting into it.
“As this splinters off, it follows the same set of rules.” Bain continued, “When they are born and how to obtain such power. According to traditional astrology months, being born in a certain month means controlling an element. Air, water, wind, and earth. The same components made from the aether give the wiccan their power, as they are from the aether. But also, their powers come from the nether as well. With such a constant struggle to keep the balance holds a great responsibility. And I stress the word, responsibility."
Bain's lecture about the wiccan was a bit intriguing yet detailed. Maybe it's because he has claimed to kill many wiccans before, but he was never the person to share such information, even up to this point.
"Why don't we have a drink, Bain? Are you thirsty?" Father Raphael offered.
"No, my lord," Bain denied as he gingerly walked towards Father Raphael. "My Lord, wiccans can tap into various sources of knowledge and power resources, just like living on a Maryland coast. Even know what you're doing, there's a great chance you will never starve to death or go without thirst. There is always something to hunt and catch out of the wild. And that is their jungle, my Lord; everywhere can be a source of knowledge."
Then, the two bodyguards blocked off Bain as they also felt uneasy. Getting the hint, Bain took a few steps back, and so did the bodyguards.
However, Bain just smiled as he concluded his lecture, "I'm trying to say is, my Lord, how can you judge something if you haven't seen it yourself? Especially someone who claimed to kill so many wiccans only to inflate his supposed ego, to make himself and you feel better about what bullshit you are trying to accomplish--!"
Father Raphael rose from his chair and backed away, "I-- What the hell's going on, Bain?! Are you working with-?!"
Before Father Raphael could get another word out, Bain unsheathed a hidden blade in his sleeve and sliced the heads off the two bodyguards in less than a second. Blood spewed like a faucet as the two bodyguards fell to the ground.
He looked at his next victim, Father Raphael, with that same smile.
He pulled a retractable cross from his back pocket as he was about to read a spell. But Bain was too quick. He was always faster than Raphael. And stronger as he grabbed him by the throat and pinned them against the wall. He grabbed his wrist and twisted it to drop the cross on the ground.
And the coup de grace of everything, he snapped his fingers and chanted, “auferat!”
Then, a glowing red magical symbol appeared on Father Raphael's forehead as he felt his body cold. And then the circle seeped into his skin as it disappeared.
"What did you do to me?" Father Raphael would find out soon enough as he tried to throw a punch. At least he could try to fight back, but he couldn't. His punches were incredibly weak. Even though Bain was stronger than him, but still... He could make him at least bleed. But his punches had no energy and no power behind them. He could not use any of his Aethereal abilities as they were locked away by chaos magic.
Bain couldn’t by giving Father Raphael a hard punch in the gut, making him cough.
The teary-eyed Father Raphael was enraged by his betrayal, "You! After everything I've done for you! After everything we have been together! Why? Why now?!"
Bain smiled, "Man, I could keep this up all day. Unfortunately, I have things to do. EXIMO!”
Then, Bain's head had a glowing white magical symbol on his four heads as his eyes glowed silverish-white, and his short black hair started to grow down to his back while turning silverish-white. The rugged complexion but Bain started to fade away as it revealed a heart-shaped face. His body became smaller as he stood six feet tall but lost several inches.
