“The contest is to the death or, in August’s case, extinction,” Miss Gee said. “You are afforded one weapon. I see Berhanu has his. August?”
“This is the second time you have shorted me a blade,” August claimed. “But this time I’m prepared.” August opened his claws, and each of the four talons increased in size. “Eight daggers.”
“Father Simon, please let me represent myself. August, I will concede if you let the others go,” Arnold offered.
“Too late, I have the taste for pious blood,” August said and lunged at the priest.
Father Simon dove and rolled out of the way. He jumped to his feet and drew Sariel’s dagger. He kept his eyes open and regretted the lack of anything to give him higher ground.
August picked himself up and turned. He moved forward, morphing his body to compact any vital areas. His talons grew as did his teeth. He moved quickly and swiped at the priest with his right talons. Father Simon responded with his sword, cutting three inches off the claws. August countered with his left hand. Father Simon ducked and rolled out of the way. August turned and regrew his talons.
“It doesn’t quite seem fair,” August taunted Father Simon. “You can’t defeat me. Not even with your little dagger.”
Father Simon didn’t speak. He studied the creature which constantly morphed. But two areas stayed constant, the head and the center of what would be a human chest. Mia had defeated her negative elemental by stabbing into the center of the mass. Murphy had told Father Santos that sparks flew before the beast became human again. “I expected a beast like you to be beating your chest like an ape,” Father Simon said.
“Would that please you, little man?” August asked as the two circled around and around, looking for an opening to pounce.
“I’m not here for pleasure. Augusto Borgia, if you kneel down and repent your sins, I will pray for your soul.”
“My soul. What does that get me?”
“A place in Purgatory. If you truly repent, then I will let the light decide.”
“You would? What arrogance!” The angry elemental leapt, expanding its body to cover the entire summoning circle.
Father Simon kept steady, and as the mass of darkness fell, he held the dagger up with both hands. He was either going to kill this thing or die. He prayed to God that his aim would be true.
The observers and the participants watched as the mass rose off the fallen priest.
“All is lost,” Faye cried.
“Wait,” Murphy said, seeing the first spark.
“His aim was dead on,” Jesse said, his eyes still closed.
“Holy Father, shield the priest from harm,” Daniel prayed.
The elemental grabbed for the dagger but found nothing but a wound that refused to close. Sparks from small explosions burned August’s claws. He looked down at the priest who lay, with his eyes squeezed shut, flat on the floor, still holding the dagger in both hands.
Cid ran over and dragged Father Simon backwards. Only when he had felt the heat of Cid’s hands did he open his eyes. Before him August was on fire. It wasn’t quick, and it looked painful.
Father Santos held up a cross and said, “You may choose to exist in this hellfire or pray for forgiveness and walk for eternity, not in pain, but never in the company of others.”
August, still arrogant, pointed to Miss Gee and said, “I choose hellfire, and when I get there, I will be bringing you down with me. We will burn side by side.”
Miss Gee shook her head. “Silly man, hellfire is just a name. It doesn’t come from Hell. Where you’re going, there is no redemption and no one to cry foul to.”
The west side of the building disappeared, and darkness rushed in. Father Simon got to his feet and pushed Cid behind him. He held his crucifix out, shielding Cid from harm.
Jesse saw what he once thought of as stars in a dark sky. The closer the darkness came, the more distinct the lights became. Each mistaken star was a body burning forever.
“Welcome to the Hellfire Galaxy, August,” Miss Gee said.
The burning man struggled, but the pull was too much, and the blazing humanoid was pulled into the vastness. He opened his mouth to scream, but it was lost in the vastness of space. The darkness receded and the wall resumed.
Faye moved to join the others, but Daniel held her back, hissing in her ear, “Not all the bad guys have been dealt with.”
“He should have read his contract,” Miss Gee said. She pulled out a rolled parchment, let the document open, and tapped a line near the bottom. “Right here is the Hellfire Clause.”
Cid turned his head and asked Father Santos, “Is that real?”
“I’ve never dealt with a heritage demon before,” Father Santos said. “Miss Gee, will you allow me to release the souls into the light now?”
“Why?” Miss Gee asked. “I’m sure one of you will need to feed on them.”
“Gadus, no!” Arnold said.
“You’ll thank me when it’s over. You’ll live long and be strong. Think of all the good that’s left to be accomplished!”
“I’m tired. Let me go,” Arnold said.
She ignored him and walked over to Bridgeton. “What about you? Do you want to live forever? All you have to do is sign here.”
Bridgeton, still a bit ill from what he had witnessed, looked at the demon and asked, “What do I have to do besides sign? I don’t want to mate with you.”
Miss Gee colored. “It will be a business arrangement. I get the souls of your dead and
