The Crypt:
"....Above all, we must aim to control the good." Thundered the fly-lord, who had chosen not to manifest physically in this session at this time. It made no difference if they could see him or not, as the vileness of his aura still permeated the sinister crypt. His oppressive commands and demands also filled the chamber with a creepy stillness that saturated the dense atmosphere.
"For if we control the good, then it ceases to be effectively good." The master continued emphatically. "When good is least effective, it gives way to bad. And then it will in itself eventually leak its power, ability and elements to be good." The six monitors nodded their hooded heads in meditative silence. Creating along with the flickering flame from the single candle, bobbing silhouettes on the echoing cryptic walls.
"And how about the bad?" Asked Xitus the second monitor, responsible for human relations. "Do we loosen our hold and influence on it, since it does our bidding anyway? That is, in order to focus on reining in the good." He had his head still lowered the whole time he spoke. And all that could be seen in the almost visible portion of his hood, were two straight glints enveloped by pitch blackness.
"Have you spent so much time with these mortals in relationship and not know the answer to that?" Boomed the 'fly-lord' in irritation.
"The bad you have certainly at your bidding, loosened hold or not. So you need not grasp further for what you already have and hold. But what you do not have that is greater and capable of destroying you, you must strive to control and eventually destroy for your survival."
The hush in the crypt was as deafening as it was drowning. Even the occasional spitting of grey and dancing smoke from the lone light provider, ceased its supple sway.
"The good you must always go after. It becomes incredibly resourceful, when good becomes bad." The fly-lord finished. At that final statement, the six monitors lifted their hooded heads in unison and began to chant. Conversing in a disturbing language known only to the them and their master. The candle's flame fluttered one last time and then died instantly. Plunging the crypt into its familiar state of darkness. As the chants rose in magnifying volume, the walls began to vibrate. Sending in a harsh gust of wind from one end of the chamber to the other.
Who or what 'dunnit'?:
The wizard pulled on graying beard, that did not seem to be completely the product of aging. Most of his face was shrouded with hair. And he had red chalk markings, running across it. He knew his customer wanted him to state the obvious. But what the young man intended to do with the results, was still not clear to the sorcerer. In his nearly 30 years in the business of dark and demonic craft. He had never really seen anything quite like this before. Personally, he was not averse to the hideous or treacherous. It was not only his predisposition by occupation, it was also in his blood line. He was the proud descendant of dark worshipers, ritualist and cultists to name a few. But even with a heritage so endowed, he also knew there were just some things beyond his explanation and manipulation. And it appeared, that this situation was gearing up to be one of them.
"It is barely human what she carries. If it lasts any longer, it will drain the very life from her. She needs to be rescued, if she must live." His job was to lay out the facts as he saw and knew them, not to decide a course of action for his clients.
"And what is this rescue you speak off?" Asked the young man, brows deeply furrowed in worry. "She must be delivered of it as soon as possible." Supplied the wizard quickly. "If she must live, then she must be freed from the creature, that dwells in her." The young man seemed lost in his thoughts for a moment, before he finally spoke.
"Can you deliver her of it, without letting her know what it was?"
"We can, if she is put to sleep temporarily. And if you pay extra, we can alter her memory of there ever being a situation in the first place."
The young man nodded thoughtfully and agreeably. "That sounds like a good Idea, name your price." "Very good then, seems we are on the same page." Announced the satisfied sorcerer. "One more thing though," he began again. "For the purposes of knowing what we might be dealing with here, what is she to you?"
The young man tensed. Longing as he did, to untie the imaginary knot that now constricted his throat. Realizing that the sorcerer was still watching and waiting for an answer. He decided to end the intense scrutiny by responding as quickly as possible.
"What do you mean? And why do you ask?"
The wizard chuckled. "It makes sense that we know who or what put her this way. We may be dealing with a very dangerous demon here. Or at most, a partly human one. Happens a lot these days. These women and men give themselves over to entities and realms of which they know nothing about. And then in the process of promiscuity, there is rampant, unrestricted and unidentifiable transference."
"Would a sorcerer now promote the course of moral and commendable
conduct?" Retorted the young man angrily and defensively.
"Not at all," responded the wizard with another barely audible chuckle. "Not at all. That would put me out of business and it is not in my mission to pursue such. However, if I tamper with the seed of an entity that chooses to procreate among the human race. It might fiercely come after me. I am only a medium between the realm of darkness and this world. I am not the end product. I cannot interfere with their mission. Darkness cannot hinder darkness. Plus, I must answer to the one that empowers me."
The young man sighed and then slowly walked over to the other end of the small coven. Reaching there, his back turned towards the waiting sorcerer. He paused for a few seconds before turning around to face his host.
"Can we just focus on delivering her for now." Was all he said.
"Certainly." Agreed the wizard. "Now will you be present while this procedure is being carried out?"
"No I cannot be around. I have a major responsibility at my work place and have already exhausted so much time. But my mother will be here."
"Very well then," finished the wizard now smiling broadly. Flashing scant, crooked and blackened teeth as he did.