Fall Foretold

Intermission

He sat there, glancing at his wristwatch, sporadically. He had gotten an unexpected call from Stan Ashwood. David was taken another risk of trust, showing up alone, with nothing but a recording device.

He was about to place a call when Stan finally appeared in a black coat and an hat, hiding his face. He walked hastily to David.

"You called me. What's the problem?", David asked.

"There's a lot. I'm sorry for suspending you but there's something big now", Stan rushed his words, sweating profusely. "I need you to come back to Planet News"

"No way, man. I already rejected that offer. No turning back, now"

"Please... A lot of things will happen soon. When they do, it will be too late to undo them. This is not about me alone"

"If you needed me there, why did you send some guys to kill me?", David said confidently, folding his arms. "Didn't you?"

"Yes, I did", Stan replied, without any reluctance. "I did, David because it was either you or me. Albert Romero asked me to get rid of you. It's because of the stories and Shadowmask. Whoever he is, he is against me and my clique. Now, my clique is against me"

"I don't understand you. What do you need me to do?"

"See, I'm in trouble", Stan replied, restively. "First, I need you to understand me. You wanted to know the secret. There's something called the beast lock"

"The beast lock?"

"Yes... It's at the dead end of a tunnel, beneath Sterling City", Stan said, silently, breathing heavily, and looking around, like some predator would show up anytime. "There is going to be an Unchaining. It's set to happen, many years from now, and when it happens, everyone will be subjected to the power of the beast. Then, the reign of the Antichrist will begin. A group was formed under Lucifer to lead the Unchaining. When Lucifer abandoned the group, his daughter brought back the group. If we would live a free life after the Unchaining, someone has to unlock the beast before the appointed time for the Unchaining comes. Whoever unlocks the beast has accessed an almost infinite power to control the beast, after the Unchaining, while others are subjected to the powers of the beast."

"If only one person has the power over the beast, why is there a group? I mean, if-"

"It's not just a group. We sold our souls to the Devil's daughter. She became stronger and capable of unlocking the beast. When she unlocks the beast, she has the souls of every member in her hand so we also have a share in the power to control the beast."

"When the Shadowmask showed up for the first time, he was asking for a key. You never addressed that. What was he talking about?"

"He was talking of the key to the beast lock. Without the key, no one can unlock the beast. I he beast remains in it's chains till the Unchaining happens, naturally"

"So what has happened? Why am I here?"

"The thing is, the devil's daughter is probably not ready for the Unchaining so she keeps the key with one of the clique members till she's ready to unlock the beast. So she sent Cyrus Martinez to give the key to me"

"Cyrus Martinez is part of the clique?"

"No, he works for us. He sold his soul to Albert Romero so he also has a chance after the Unchaining"

"If the key is with you, then you can just unlock the beast and lead the Unchaining, yourself, right?"

"Not just like that. Holding the key requires strength. Only a few people have the knowledge of how to unlock the beast. If you can unlock the beast, you have to do it, as quick as you can. If you are not ready to unlock the beast, you have to be strong enough to control the key, or else, it will control you. If you can't unlock the beast and can't hold the key, then you would have to throw it out"

"Where is the key?"

"I threw it out. Now, they are after me", Davis said. "I need you to get this story out there. I can't escape this"

"Calm your nerves. I'll get the police and the Shadowmask on this", David said and picked up his phone.

"It's too late for me. The devil's daughter is the threat we have, now. If we don't take care of it, we might have to deal with the end of the world"....

TWO DAYS EARLIER

"What's that in your hands?", she asked her husband. There had been a lot of questions on her mind about his impulsive fidgeting and restive states.

Stan remained there, staring at the key. He looked petrified, as the golden key kept glowing brighter. His wife wasn't sure of what she thought but she suspected he was up to something big and scary. She had no idea of what the key was for but it remained eerie to her, as long as her husband wouldn't say anything about the key. "What is that key for? It's definitely too big to be a car key, neither can it be an house key. What have you been doing that makes you sweat so much? Why have you been fidgeting? What is your secret, Stan?!"

"Get out of my head", Stan yelled, dropped the key, and held his head. He was already sweating. "Leave me alone, Lana. It's not your business"

"Really? It's not my business, uhn?", she carried her little daughter. "Whatever it is that worries you, it should remain wherever it's coming for. I'll stay away so your business should stay far away, too"

She turned, walking away with her daughter in her arms.

"Come back here", Stan's thick distorted voice stopped her, as he grabbed a knife from the cutlery stand and threw it at her. The knife flew past her neck, almost cutting her by the throat.

She turned and looked at him, horrified. His eyes glowed, as he staggered back and ran out with the key.

He ran into the streets and threw the key, with enough strength to get it far from his family.

................

"Hi. It's my son's birthday. What can I get him?", a young lady asked a drink vendor, as she purchased a milkshake.

The eighth year old boy felt something hit his back. He turned around and found a glowing key. He tapped his mom.

"I really want to visit you, someday", the vendor flirted with the lady who was already enjoying it. The boy stopped tapping, picked the key and dipped it in his pocket.

"And what would be your excuse for visiting?"

"I'll just say, I came to greet your cute little boy, happy birthday in arrears"

"Even on his birthday, the milkshake is not free. Make sure you come with gifts, then...."

★

Davis stared, timidly, at the abducted girl. Monaco had walked out, already. The Shadowmask had told him he would receive a call. He was yet to receive the call. Even the Shadowmask was captured, already.

Laura had stopped pleading to be free. She only stared back at one of her kidnappers, wondering how he looked so innocent.

"Hey!", Davis said. He didn't expect a reply, neither did he get it. "You'll be out of here, soon", he whispered. "I promise, ok?"

She nodded, unsure of what to say. Monaco could walk into the room, anytime soon.

"Your boyfriend is already out there. He's here to save you. Just stay calm"

"I don't have a boyfriend", she said, wondering who he was talking about. "Who's out there?"

"The Shadowmask. He has been captured but he has a team and a plan. No one else knows about this so stay silent".

"The Shadowmask?", Laura asked, curious. "Who is-...?"

"Damn! The man is here!", they could hear Cyrus yelling, from where he stayed. "Hey, you! Get back in there. Comport yourselves, idiots"

"Shut up, man", the Shadowmask said. "You're yelling"

Cyrus didn't reply. He kept his eyes on the tv, as the cameras he had placed showed Albert Romero approaching him, with his henchmen.

"You're still alive, only because he doesn't want you dead yet",. Cyrus said to him. "Once he gives the order, trust me, you're gone"

Albert Romero and three men barged in, charismatically. Everyone bowed their heads, remaining silent.

"Good job, Martinez", Albert said, taking off his jacket. He handed it over to one of his bodyguards. "You really are getting less worse"

Cyrus smiled. There was no response to that. He hated the statement and everything Albert Romero had ever said. ? What was he thinking when he sold his soul to that man? ?

"So this is the Shadowmask who has been disturbing the peace of Sterling City", he said and sat down. "Who do you think you are?!"

The Shadowmask only stared back. They weren't aware of Albert Romero's visitation. They might not stop him, that day, but next time, they would be ready.

"Wait", he turned, like he just realized something. "Since when have you captured him?"

"Last dusk, sir", Cyrus replied, hoping to get another commendation. "We put him down with the XREP"

"To damn with your Taser guns!", Albert erupted. "You've captured him for over six hours and you never had the thought of taking off his mask?"

"Actually, we tried to", Cyrus said.

"What did you say?", Albert yelled at him.

"We tried to. We can't get the mask off his face"

Monaco stared at them, from the room where they held Laura hostage. Davis and Laura remained still, like they hadn't been conversing.

"Who's that?", Laura asked, as Albert kept yelling out orders and complaints.

"Shut up", Monaco said. Davis remained silent and winked at her.

Albert called three of Cyrus' boys to get the mask off the face of the Shadowmask.

"Stop pulling my face. It's tickling", Joe said.

"So you speak", Albert said and stood up to him. "Leave the mask... I was wondering why you said nothing since I entered. I almost thought you were dumb"

"I understand you weren't thinking straight", Joe replied.

Albert faked a smile and grabbed a gun. He shot the Shadowmask's foot.

"Ouch!", Joe pretended and held his foot. "I would have passed the ball back if it were bigger"

"Son of a-....", Albert muttered and turned to his guards. "Suit"

They wore his suit on him and walked after him. "I don't know how you'll do it. Make sure he's dead before night falls. Find his weakness. Kill him"

Albert Romero left the building, quickly with his guards.

Davis' phone beeped. He had been expecting a call from whoever was coming with the Shadowmask. Monaco was with him. He had to be careful not to arouse suspicion. He turned, quickly, and buttstroked Monaco, knocking him out, instantly. "Hey",he whispered. "What's your name?"

"My n-... Laura"

"Okay, Laura. I've taken a risk, now, so you have to stay quiet till this plan works. If it fails, I'll die and you might die, too. I'm not sure but I think your boyfriend isn't safe, either. Keep quiet, okay?"

"Okay", she nodded.

Endless gunshots deafened them, as Cyrus ordered his men to kill the Shadowmask.

"They are shooting him, already", Davis said. "This plan has to work or we'll lose him"

"Stop!", Cyrus ordered, as the Shadowmask began to laugh. "You have already tried this once. I have sent the bullets into the ground, for if Man stands firm in his Faith, he can command death on an endless journey by the power of the Covenant to live..."

Cyrus picked up the Taser X12 and shot another bolt of electricity at the Shadowmask, stunning him again.

"Sir... Sir", one of his men called him.

"What?"

"I think something's wrong with the cameras."

The tv had lost it's signal. The cameras had been disconnected. John Cage had hacked the system.

Sounds of gunshots could be heard, from where they stood. They pulled out their weapons, focused on the only entrance to the room

"Cyrus?", a voice called from the back. The Shadowmask had broken the chains. Sparks of electricity could be seen on his body, like he absorbed the bolt.

Cyrus was about to shoot another bolt but the Shadowmask threw a punch at him, throwing him off his feet.

Everyone turned, again, shooting at the Shadowmask. The windows smashed open, as Cedric Vladimir swung in on a rope, with a Kalashnikov and a bullet proof vest.

He rained bullets on Cyrus'men, rapidly. A hugely built man caught up with him, hitting the gun from him hands. While Cedric dealt with the giant, another giant caught up with the Shadowmask. Joe threw a ball of electricity, mixed with fire, throwing the giant through the glass windows, down the building.

Cedric held the huge hands of the giant, twisting it, easily as the hand of a kid. Then, he kicked the giant down, almost falling off the building. He walked closer and lifted the half stunned giant and threw him down.

Davis untied Laura and they walked out, slowly. John Cage and other officers also walked in, through the entrance.

"Is there anyone left in the building?", John asked Davis.

"I don't think so. You'll meet most of them, at the entrance. Then, in here. You already took them down. The one with me is knocked out already"

"What if he stands up?", John asked, and Davis led them to where they had stayed. There was someone else in the room.

"Hello, people", Madrid said, sitting on the ground, with Monaco on his laps, still stunned. "He woke up. I knocked him out, again”

"He's not one of them", Davis said, pushing John's gun down. "I know him"