Fall Foretold

Pilot 2: The Beginning

Like he was able to get into the heads of everyone around, they all seemed to understand him. Eyes stared, through the windows, at Npama and the old white bearded man, who was throwing colored keys around.

"The devil's daughter is back", Npama yelled. "She wants to put everyone of us under her command. There is a beacon in the tunnels, under the grounds you stand on. The entrance to the tunnel is in the hall; the hall of the devil's daughter. The tunnel leads to a door, called the Beast lock. Once she has the key, she can open the Beast lock, and once she opens the Beast lock, she will unleash doom upon Sterling City and control our souls. It is the beginning of the rise of the Antichrist"

He had drawn a lot of attention, too easily, like he had their minds controlled. Many people had gathered around, picking up the colored keys and wondering what to do with it. "This man offers you salvation. The Master Key!", Npama continued. "The devil's daughter is ignorant of the existence of the master keys. With one of the keys you are staring at, you can unlock the Beast before the devil's daughter makes her move. If you unlock the Beast, you have the power to control the Beast. You will have the power to tame the Beast and save a lot of lives. If we waste our time, the devil's daughter will take advantage and we will be ruined"

While the multitude bent down, rushing to get one of the master keys, one man remained standing. Whatever mind control Npama was using on the people, it was probably not working on the man or he was able to resist it. "Obviously, the only purpose of unlocking the Beast is for evil; to put others in b*****e. Why don't we move into the hall and lynch the devil's daughter to death? If one of us succeeds in unlocking the Beast, how can we trust his plans for us? What if he refuses to tame the Beast? Let us kill the devil's daughter!"

"She will always sense an attack coming and it would no longer be called lynching. It would be a m******e. Take your key, rush in while she relaxes and she won't be able to stop everyone. The more time we waste gives her more time to get the key"

The bearded old man threw the keys around, carelessly, smiling. "Take the key to salvation! Take the key to salvation! key to salvation!..."

The other man who confronted Npama, slowly bent down and picked a key. He ran, heading for the hall, as many others followed. Some others had their phones up, making live videos of what was happening.

PHENOMENON: STERLING CITIZENS RUN WILD, AS STRANGE MEN ACCUSE THE DEVIL'S DAUGHTER OF A SUPERNATURAL PLOT TO e*****e.

David McMidday and his colleagues stared, through the glasses of the Planet News building, while some others watched the live videos on their phones.

He was already aware of the story and, now that everyone's aware of the darkness around them, Stan Ashwood might return.

"Is it true?", Jonas asked. "I've only heard of such in movies"

"Well, there's a lot, too absurd to understand and too fascinating to explain. I don't know what's coming but it seems pretty bad.."

******

"Melissa will kill them!", John said. "This is a bad idea!"

"No, she won't", Lucifer said. "She won't take the risk. She already has the key with her"

"The key!?!", they chorused.

"I was thinking it would take a while", Cedric said. "The prophecy?"

"The prophecy is just beginning. You all have been thinking of it, the wrong way", Lucifer replied.

"What's going to happen, now?", Cedric asked. "When Melissa unlocks the Beast, what will be our fate?"

"It's in your hands. Tell the Shadowmask he's got work, now".

★

There was rage in her eyes, as the serpents from her cleavage bit into Albert's neck. He shook violently, unable to fight back, as the giant smoky arms held him up. The serpents bit his neck, repeatedly, till they chopped off his head, completely. His head thudded on the ground of the tunnel, oozing out blood.

"Master key, uhn?", Melissa smiled, evilly. "Challenge accepted. Bring it on". She kept the golden key in her pocket and headed back to the hall.

The stamping feet and the war cry was enough to draw attention. Titus stared out. He didn't know what they were coming for but he knew they were heading for the hall. He felt it. Whatever they were coming for, it was definitely violent. He didn't have to be told. He walked out and lifted his arms up, muttering silent spells.

A portal opened in the hall and Npama walked out of it, with a sack in hand. He smiled, as he saw the crowd approaching. His plan had worked. He was able to help the Shadowmask and the people of Zulu.

He walked, silently, picking items and throwing them in the sack. "Zuluan powder... Split pills", he muttered to himself, as he packed each of them. "The shield. Ok, that's it"

"Stop right there!", Melissa howled, as she walked up, out of the tunnel.

"Shut up and look out", Npama replied her, pointing outside at the crowd who seemed stuck in a position. "If they break through that barrier, they will unlock the Beast and you will be lynched to death. I came for Zulu"

Melissa stared, angrily, breathing heavily and thinking of what to do. Titus has already created an invisible barrier, with his magic, preventing the people from crossing over and attacking.

"The more time you waste standing there, the more time you give them to break the barrier. The Master Key is still throwing keys. More will come", Npama said to her, as he picked other items. "A gun? I'm taking you", he muttered to himself. "We'll replicate this".

Melissa ran back into the tunnel, heading straight for the Beast lock. She had to do it or it would be too late. She stood in front of the door and dipped the golden key in the hole. Some drawings appeared on the door and the door shifted back, vanishing. She couldn't see anything ahead; it was as dark as black.

"I have set you free. Come out to your master and bestow power", she said and glowing tattoos appeared on her body. Her eyes turned, fully black.

A loud thunder shook the whole of Sterling City. The crowd stopped pushing against the invisible barrier, as the earth shook. The skies darkened, as a thunderstorm began. Titus' eyes turned black, just like Melissa's eyes did.

"My mistress has done it", he said, staring at the strange tattoos, as they spread around his arms.

Cedric and John stood behind Lucifer, observing the dark clouds and the frightening tgunders.

"Has she done it?", John asked.

"What other sign could there be?", Lucifer replied.

"I'm scared", Cedric commented. "What's going to happen?"

"We're going to war", Lucifer said and stood up from his wheelchair, gallantly. He looked back at their surprised faces. "Close your mouths"

★

"Oh my God! What's happening?!", Charles said, from where he sat, beside the windows. He could see the dark clouds and the sporadic fork lightnings. "Is the world ending?"

The teacher had walked out of the class, already, while they were staring at the phenomenon,.

"Joe, is this it?", Jackson asked. "Has it happened?"

"Yes", Joe replied. "I think so. The devil's daughter has unlocked the Beast"

"How about the prophecy? Did we fail?", Felix asked

"I don't know", Joe replied and looked back at Laura who seemed to still be staring at him. "But I think I love Laura"

Joe stood up and walked to Laura. "Let's meet outside"

"Say what you want to say. They won't let us out"

"Does it look like they will let us in? Just come with me", he said, looking into her eyes and holding out his right hand.

She took the hand and smiled. "Ok", she stood up and followed him.

He could see the lightning strikes touching the ground but he didn't care. He was with his girl.

"So what were you going to say?"

"Everything. Everything you asked. Everything you wanted to hear... and everything I feel", Joseph said. "I love you... and"

She smiled. "And what?", she grabbed him and kissed his lips. It was his first kiss on the lips. Resting on the wall, she pulled him closer, as his hard chest pressed on her breast. "I love you too"

"And", he left her grip. "I am the Shadowmask", he said and transformed, halfway. His face remained, while his body was in the Shadowmask costume. "And I have a beef with my cousin."

His huge white and gold wings popped out, suddenly, and he carried her in his arms as he flew.

"What's happening?"

"I don't know yet... But I think I failed", Joe replied, still smiling. He dropped her in front of her house and flew away.

★

St Sylvester knelt before the altar, praying, as the strange thunderstorm continued on the outside. The doors slammed, noisily, from the heavy wind, but the priest stayed focused. He knew what was happening. “Our father, who hath in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven..”

The Shadowmask flew into the church. His large wings folded, as he flew through the door. He waited for the priest to complete his prayers.

“Give us this day, our daily bread”, St. Sylvester said and the Shadowmask joined in completing the prayer. “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation. Deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory”

“Good evening, my glorious angel. Why have you honoured me by your visit?”, St. Sylvester said, as he stood up.

“I’m not sure if my presence here is for Honor or Refuge”, the Shadowmask replied, staring at the sky.

“I know how hard it looks but you have more than enough to bring it down”

“You mean the prophecy is not over? I have not failed?”, the Shadowmask asked.

“Did you hear the prophecy?”, St. Sylvester said and walked closer to him. “The prophecy says; 'An angel will drop from the skies to Sterling City grounds and he will lead a fierce war which has begun already. And the Antichrist and it’s disciples shall fall'. Nothing can fall if it has not risen yet. This is just the beginning”