Redemption or Damnation: Tales from the Darkest Desert

“I reckon this town ain’t got much longer. The demons have been more rowdy these past few months. Nearly lost you, girl.”

Riley Roswell, nineteen years old, brushes his loyal steed, Cassie. Her beautiful chestnut brown hair shimmers in the moonlight. His black leather vest practically in tatters now, the same red shirt that was burned nearly half a year ago drapes over his shoulders, and his black hat now riddled with a few more holes.

Cassie’s saddle is a walking armory. A rifle now has an extra-long barrel to increase its accuracy hangs off. The shotgun he took from the sheriff’s office has been sawed off so it fits in his new side arm holster.

On his own person, Riley keeps all his weapons on the holsters he has on him or the ones he fixed to his knapsack. He has his side arm holster for his trusty six-shooter. On his other side are three new notches, one for his other holster that carries the sawed-off shotgun, one for his hunting knife, and the last one for his small quiver of arrows that holds standard arrows as well as some that have rags soaked in oil tied to the heads. His bag has two long arm holsters fixed to either side. One carries the rifle and the other his brand new long bow he spent several weeks carving and stringing until the arrows fired from it could pierce an ox’s hide.

Strapped across Riley’s chest so they make a big “X” are two dark brown bandoliers. They hold his ammo for his shotgun, rifle and pistol. He will never be caught unprepared again. Losing Becca taught him that. If he was quicker, braver, and more armed maybe he could’ve saved her and everyone else in the Old Miller Mine that night.

But he wasn’t.

Riley looks down at his bare hands. What was once simply burned flesh now has a blackened hue as it creeps up his arm like a fungus.

“I reckon it won’t be much longer, girl. The next time I use that power stolen from the Devil himself will be my last time. A human soul can only take so much damnation.”

A rustling comes from over by the smoldering campfire flickering away the late night hours. Samuel Slater, a solicitor in his late twenties, rises from his bed roll and looks at the full moon high in the sky. His usual tan two-piece linen suit has multiple wrinkles, and tears sewn back together crudely with black thread.

Samuel stares at the moon as he says “That’s where you’re wrong, Riley. Every atrocious act of violence you’ve committed to wage this war as its sole soldier will be seen as an act of redemption. Maybe even heroism.”

Riley scoffs as he says “So says the man of the law now turned outlaw ever since you stuck yer neck out fer me during The Cleansing. Tell me, is this where you saw yerself when you moved out to Starlit Mirage from the big city?”

Samuel replies “Not any more than you saw yourself armed to the teeth fighting demons in the dead of night for the past six months.”

Riley lets out an uncharacteristic laugh as he says “No I guess yer right, Sam. But why did ya leave yerself out of the story? Shouldn’t both our ‘atrocious acts of violence” be seen as redemption in the eyes of God?”

Samuel looks over at Riley bewildered and says “No, Riley. History will not be so kind to me. I thought I’d never use the medical knowledge my wretched father passed to me, but here I am using it to torture, maim and create untold horrors out of living creatures. Hell waits for me.”

Riley finishes brushing Cassie, turns to Samuel and says “If it weren’t fer that there cursed knowledge of…whatdja call it? Shadow of something or other?

Samuel corrects “It is a place called the City of Shadows. A place where all the darkest thoughts, spirits and abominations that have no place in our world are kept captive. So says my deranged father, Isiah Anderson.”

Riley throws if knife into the sand defiantly and says “Right. If it wasn’t fer that fancy knowledge ya got in yer noggin, then I would’ve never a figured out how to kill these demons.”

Samuel looks down in shame and says remorsefully “I know. The only way to fight these demons from the City of Shadows is to give them physical form here in our world.”

Samuel gets lost in thought as he continues “These demons can infect or possess anything with a conscious mind while in their shadow state. But when they inhabit a body, their lives become tangible. Real enough to kill.”

Samuel gets up starts to put out the campfire as he says “It’s just a shame that the torso must always be human. I wonder why?’

Riley fixes up his knapsack, throws it over his shoulders and says “Well I reckon that’s the one thing I do know about these demons that you don’t, doc.”

“I’m not a doctor” says Samuel rather curtly.

“Right. But these demons have to have a human heart to give them full power. Only us humans are capable of the most evil things in this here world.” Riley clasps Samuel on the shoulder in solidarity.

Samuel clasps Riley’s shoulder back and says “We both agree on that.”

The two men give each other a knowing nod.

Riley says “Now let’s go finish this war! Back where it all began. The Old Miller Mine.”

Both their heads turn in response to an ear piercing scream that echoes in their minds.

“Sounds like someone else already killed Big Betty near the new mine entrance. None of the other puppets would give off this kind of psychic death shriek!” Samuel runs over to Cassie and sits towards the back of the saddle.

Riley jumps onto Cassie as well as he takes up the reins.

He says “Good. That means the rest of the demons will come right to us sensing the danger to their precious gate. Let’s go hunt some demons!”

***

Virgil Cooper, an old man of the cloth, rises from his knees still holding onto his earth angel’s hand. God has finally shown him the true path of righteousness.

Trisha Moore, a beautiful blonde woman twenty years old dressed in fine white dress, pulls her hand back after a moment. She looks down at Virgil Cooper, who is looking down at the ground, with both hate and joy. The name Cooper means more to her than it ever will to Virgil. She could end the cycle of never ending bloodshed and war over the gates right here and now.

But then Caspian’s words of caution echo in her mind.

Remember Trisha, the powers we are using to win this war are the same powers that corrupted our enemies. If we start thinking we can change any of our destinies then we risk losing ourselves to that same darkness. The more you try and alter the course of destiny, the more destiny will fight back. Seek not redemption for the sake of others or it may very well lead to your damnation.

“Virgil Cooper. Why do you think I’m an angel sent to guide you?”

Virgil looks up at his golden angel and says faithfully “For I was lost in the dark, and when I prayed for salvation it was you that showed up. When I struggled against the demon, it was your words of wisdom that delivered me from evil!”

Trisha looks concerned as her brow furrows at Virgil’s words.

She thinks to herself. If this Cooper is any way related to the Coopers of my era then this could very well be the start of their evangelical obsession. Was I always fated to be here and meet this man? How connected are our families?

Trisha wants to correct Virgil’s misunderstanding, but that would mean explaining everything to him, and she doesn’t have that kind of time. She must find the gate and attempt to close it before Isaac Anderson’s shadow finds it. If that happens then one more world will fall to the shadows. For now any help is better than being on her own now that she knows Faceless have followed her here.

“We need to find a way into the mine. I think the gate is in there somewhere. I must close it at all costs. Even my life. If we succeed then my friends far away will be able to kill our greatest enemy!” Trisha looks down the dark man-made tunnel crudely, and hastily carved into the rock of the canyon.

“If my memory serves right this is about where the center of the mine would be down there. Someone else must have wanted inside again. Let us hope they, like us, are on God’s side.” Virgil finishes praying, picks up his torch, lights its flame anew, and starts walking down the dark tunnel towards the glimmer of light.

Off in the not so distant horizon, the sand trembles. A dust cloud races towards the mines leaving all it treaded on shredded to ribbons. The scratching of sharp talons dig into the sand. The arms and legs of very large sand foxes, torso of a human, and the heads pure smooth, faceless shadow. Dozens of them cut through the Darkest Desert towards their prey.

***

Riley and Samuel race towards the new mine entrance they’ve spent the past month carving out of the rock. Cassie skates across the sand as her hooves carve their own path towards her master’s final goal. She must be the fastest she’s ever been for her master’s enemies pursue them.

A large dust cloud a few hundred feet behind Riley and Samuel glides over the Darkest Desert, quickly gaining ground on them.

“Why was she even awake? Big Betty was left at the Lightwell house for a reason. Even you thought you might struggle against a demon possessing her.” Samuel asks Riley as he swiftly steers Cassie through the darkness.

“I thought the gate was the only way demons could get into our world, but something else must have gotten through somewhere else” Samuel concludes.

“If that’s the case. Then whatever did was probably chasing whatever killed it. I can feel a strong pull in my gut. Like some fella tugging at my heart. My throat burns like I drank bad whiskey.” Riley clears his throat. Samuel could swear he sensed fear coming from Riley.

“The last time I felt stuff like this was in the mine six months ago when I was standing right next to Becca and the demon that possessed her.” Riley urges Cassie forward even faster.

***

Trisha walks out into a large cave the mine ends at. It expands out like a gaping maw of a large shark with stalactites and stalagmites for teeth.

“Well, that’s gotta be the natural gate Caspian was talking about. But with no computer or any kind of terminal I have no clue how to close this thing! What even powers it? How does it turn on?” Trisha paces back and forth in a frustrated manner.

“Really left me up a creek here, Caspian. Now what do I do?”

Virgil walks up before he can speak he feels something grasp at his brain. He freezes for a moment then watches his body begin to move again, but he isn’t controlling it.

His voice speaks “Riley Roswell told the Sheriff that this place froze in time at 1:11 in the morning. Maybe we have to wait for that time.”

“Froze in time? That’s the first time I’ve heard that kind of power. Natural gates sure are intense.” Trisha scratches at her head. She has to think of something.

Virgil eyes watch Trisha pace back and forth for the next ten minutes. Staring down at that strange thing on her wrist she calls and apple watch, but it is no apple Virgil has ever seen.

“Aww…c’mon time. Move faster! Ugh…at this rate my time will run out before I can even see how a natural gate works.” Trisha stomps her feet.

“What do you mean run out of time?” Virgil’s voice inquires.

“Oh never mind about that! Pure angel stuff. You wouldn’t get it.” Trisha scrambles to cover up her blunder.

Virgil can feel whatever is controlling him take a moment to look around him.

“Tell me Miss Moore. Are you a woman of faith?”

Trisha can sense something dark has grown inside Virgil. She says “I believe in the power of my comrades, and in the light I’ve been given by someone I love a lot.”

Virgil’s body takes a step towards Trisha.

“Now Virgil. Don’t go doing anything you can’t take back. I don’ want to hurt you, but I will if you try to interfere with my mission.”

Virgil’s body lunges for Trisha.

In an instant everything changed.

As this happens, a sliver of the full moon light casts itself into the center of the cave. It lights up a stone with strange rune-like engravings on it. The runes begin to glow a pulsating indigo color.

Trisha looks back and sees Virgil frozen in mid-air.

Hmm…his soul wasn’t strong enough to remain here with us. Lucky you, Miss Moore.

A bass filled raspy voice echoes in Trisha’s mind.

“Isaac. How did you manage to follow me?

Follow you? Foolish girl. You followed me. And right into my trap.

Just then Trisha feels an arrow dig into her shoulder. She looks into the dark tunnel and sees another arrow coming at her head just in time to duck.

“Stay back Sam! The big demon is here and it’s possessing that girl just like it did Becca! But I won’t hesitate this time! This time it dies!” Riley Roswell steps into the glowing orange-red light of Virgil’s torch.

“No wait! I’m not your enemy! That thing is!” Trisha shouts

Riley’s ears, now with the same blackened hue that infected his arm, twitch as they hear Trisha’s voice shout “Now die! I am your enemy!” Then bellow out a demonic laugh.

Riley ignites a fire arrow, and fires it at Trisha. She ducks it again, and three more as they come raining from Riley’s bow.

I got no choice. I have to put this man down before I can deal with Isaac’s shadow.

Riley takes up his torch, ignites it and tosses it at Trisha’s feet. The oil he soaked the tarp she is standing on lightly covered with dirt instantly catches fire. Trisha’s white aura surrounds her body instinctively to protect her from the flames.

Thank you Mr. Roswell. For both drawing out the power I needed from that woman, and for bringing back the piece of my soul I left you.

Riley’s whole body begins to burn. His lungs feel like they are breathing pure fire with each breath. His muscles feel like they are tearing themselves apart as his veins turn a deep indigo-black color.

Riley’s body begins to move on its own. His hands reach out against his will. They seem to be drawing the white aura from the woman.

Riley! No! You are stronger than this!

Becca’s voice rings in Riley’s ears one last time. He can feel control over his body returning to him.

“I really screwed up. I’m sorry everyone. Lydia, I’ll leave the rest to you. Sigurd. My love. Goodbye.” Trisha looks up at Riley. Her eyes glow a brilliant prismatic light.

“Use that power I can sense in you. Cast us both into the gate. I can’t close it from this side without a computer. Please!”

Riley hears the woman’s true voice now. In the distance he can hear the terrified screams of Samuel. The demon horde they made must be in the tunnel now.

Tears stream down Riley’s face. He has been being used by the demons the whole time. His whole crusade a lie. He has been helping the demon’s win this war he knows nothing about.

And now he has damned the one person that could’ve ended the whole war to an eternity of hell.

“You can’t possibly survive in there! You’re askin’ me to kill ya!”

“I have friends that are very strong, but very far away. But I trust they will save me before it’s too late. It’s okay Riley. For once choose your own redemption and soul! Damn me and this son of a bitch to Hell!”

Riley reaches deep within himself and feels the same righteous indignation that stirred within him that night in the mine. He reaches out to Trisha, and gives her a solid shove as her white aura clings onto his black aura. When the two auras mix in the center of the cave’s maw a beautiful yet terrifying energy erupts from it.

He watches Trisha’s whole body become a ray of prismatic light that wraps itself around the shadow controlling Riley. She pulls it into the gate. It swells and surges then in one loud thud it disappears.

Riley falls to his hands and knees. Exhausted but still alive.

“I didn’t have a choice. Right?” Riley says to himself as Samuel arrives.

“I didn’t have a choice. She asked me to do it. So why does it feel like we lost?”

“I didn’t have a choice. I’m sorry.”

Riley and Samuel wander back to town only to find everyone dead on the ground. Their souls taken from their bodies.

***

Starlit Mirage and all its citizens perished May 23, 1870. History books say it was wiped out from disease and famine. But some still say you can see a man dressed in black wander the Darkest Desert.