Over the millennia Calvin had been associated with many people like Greg. The words might change, the setting might differ, but it was all the same. Where once mortals whispered the secret names of unfathomable things in shadowy temples or sacred grottos, they now did so at invitation-only brunches or casual pool parties. Most people who wanted to touch the unknown were drawn to it like moths to a bug zapper. They didn’t know why, and they weren’t usually smart enough to wonder about it until it was too late.
But Greg believed. He was that rare breed of human capable of understanding a vast universe in which he was just a mote of dust, and not being driven into a deep depression or raving lunacy by that knowledge. It helped that he had a direct pipeline to something bigger than his tiny universe, but even in this Greg wasn’t fooling himself. He didn’t believe that Fenris cared about him or that, when the time came, the monster-god chasing the moon would even notice him. He only wanted to get what he could from Fenris while he could get it, and it wasn’t greed or fear that compelled him. It was the belief that this was the best a mortal could hope for, and that it was his duty to share that information with his fellow specks of dust and help as many as he could, because he was a humanitarian. And Calvin wasn’t so certain he disagreed.
Greg’s intentions were noble, and he was merely using the tools of his time to spread the word. Calvin still didn’t like him, and he was looking forward to the cataclysm. Even if whatever waited for Calvin beyond wasn’t worth going to, at least he could avoid these brunches.
He sat at the big table in front of the audience, meaning he had to at least pretend to be listening. It was fortunate Sharon was there to prod him every time he appeared bored.
“Hey,” said Greg to his listeners, “do you want to be the best you you can be? Of course you do! We all do!”
He smiled. His teeth were so perfect and white that they made him look like an artificial being designed specifically for the purpose of smiling, like a toothpaste-pushing robot residing on the precipice of the uncanny valley.
“My friends, a change is coming. A change to this world, a primal revelation, is about to unfold, and believe me, in the new world, how much money you have won’t matter. Civilization is an illusion, a delicate gossamer fantasy that will not stand.”
Calvin slouched in his chair. He’d heard the speech dozens of times, had every nuance committed to memory. He even had a habit of mouthing silently along without realizing it.
Sharon nudged him with her elbow under the table. They conversed in a series of quick glances. It wasn’t telepathic. They’d just had the exchange so many times that saying it aloud was unnecessary.
She pursed her lips, nodded toward the audience.
Sharon’s face went b. He hated that. He also hated that she was right. Greg didn’t ask for much, and in return he gave Calvin a nice place to live, money, and Sharon to take care of all of life’s little annoyances. Calvin didn’t need these things, but while he was trapped in this world they certainly made his life easier. He’d spent the Dark Ages hiding in a cave. Time had just dragged on and on and on. Video games, movies, books, and other distractions helped to pass the time at least.
He straightened. Smiling, she adjusted his collar.
“The end is coming,” said Greg. “Sooner than anyone thinks. But it isn’t an end. It’s really a beginning, and each of you here has the chance to be a part of it.”
He sprang thirty feet across the room, landing on a table with a silent catlike grace. The audience gasped, and a smattering of applause filled the banquet hall.
“No, please, please.” He waved away the clapping. “What I just did, there’s nothing special about it. I’ve merely unlocked the potential within myself, the potential within all of us. In the new world, power, real physical power, is what will decide where you stand and who you stand with.”
He backflipped into a handstand. He shifted his weight, balancing on one hand.
“You’re here because we believe that you have a place with us, because when the time comes we will be the new power to shepherd in the new age. We will be ready. And you will be ready with us.”
Greg dismounted from the table. He loosened his tie and strode back to the front of the room with a slow, easy grace. The walk had just a hint of confident swagger. He stopped in a feigned spontaneous moment and touched an old man on the shoulder.
“Come with me, Mr. Francis. I have something wonderful to share with you.”
Greg led Francis to the front of the room.
“How would you like to feel better than you have in years? Better, in fact, than you have ever felt in your life?”
He hesitated just long enough to give Francis the chance to reply, but interrupted just as he opened his mouth.
“Of course you would. We all would. There is a secret buried in these bones of yours, and it is a secret we are about to unleash.”
He nodded toward Calvin.
“That’s my cue,” mumbled Calvin, pushing away from the table.
Sharon winked. “Knock ’em dead.”
“Mr. Francis, I’d like you to meet a very special person,” said Greg. “Don’t let his appearance fool you. Our friend Calvin is nothing less than a god, and his merest touch will reveal the glorious future awaiting all of us in this room.”
Calvin forced a smile. Not too big. He was supposed to be inscrutable, an unknowable force. He extended his hand. Francis took it. A charge passed from Calvin to the gray-haired man. Francis clapsed in a twitching heap on the stage. The crowd gasped.
That wasn’t supposed to happen.
Greg didn’t miss a beat. “Relax, friends. This is perfectly usual. Weakness leaves the body reluctantly, but in a moment, you’ll see a wonderful change in Mr. Francis.”
He glanced at Calvin, who shrugged.
Greg helped Francis to his feet. “Can we get some water for our friend here?” He chuckled. “Can you feel it? Can you sense the power within?”
Francis’s wild eyes rattled around in his head, and he gnashed his teeth. He pulled away from Greg, and confusion and rage fell across his face. He was a wild animal, disoriented and baffled by the world around him. A low growl escaped his throat, and he coiled in preparation to spring on Greg.
Greg remained calm. In different circumstances he would’ve just punched Francis until dominance was established. This crowd wasn’t ready for that. They needed to dip their feet into the savage future, one toe at a time.
With his back to the audience, Greg furrowed his brow and bared his teeth. His eyes went a bright red and glinted with barely concealed savage fury. His teeth grew into fangs. He allowed the wicked claws to extend from one hand, hidden from the crowd. He snarled and took a single threatening step toward Francis.
It was risky. It was possible that Francis would meet the challenge for alpha status head-on. While Greg had nothing to fear if challenged, the crowd would’ve probably lost interest in what he had to offer. That wouldn’t make much difference, but Greg would be disappointed.
Francis proved to be all bark. He cowered before Greg, and the animal within retreated. When Greg held out his hand, Francis took it and stood.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“It’s fine. Everything is just fine.” Greg chuckled, patted Francis on the back. “So tell me. How do you feel now?”
“Much better.” Francis bounced on his toes. “Better than I have felt in years, actually.” He stretched. “And my back… it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“Wonderful, isn’t it?”
One of Greg’s minions sneaked up and knelt behind Francis. Greg planted both hands on Francis’s chest.
“It gets better.”
