Seven; Trickster

Three individuals gathered in an old warehouse. The first of them, a middle aged man with a buzz cut and a business suit, had sat down on one of the crates. Another, much younger man, stood in the corner, typing on his phone. The last person, a woman, was leaning against some crates. Her right arm was gone, cut off below the shoulder. In her left hand, she held a pair of marbles, which she was rolling around in her palm.
“Hey, bad news Susumu,” the boy with the phone said. “A bunch of our guys were found dead in Hamarikyu Gardens. There was only one survivor, and he's been arrested.”
“Damn it!” The older man said. “Can you find anything about the cause of death?”
The boy looked through the article on his phone.
“Looks like they were electrocuted,” he said. “And people reported seeing red flashes in the area.”
The woman's hand froze. “Red flashes,” she muttered. “And electricity.... It couldn't be...”
“You know something?” the man asked.
“You wouldn't believe me if I tried to explain it,” she said.
“Well, of course he won't believe it if you don't demonstrate your power,” said a new voice.
All three of them drew pistols and aimed them into the darkness. Drahoslav stood there, with his hands in the air and a cocky grin on his face.
“Whoa, whoa,” he said. “I'm not here for trouble. I just came to talk.”
“Who are you!?” the man demanded.
“I am Drahoslav Abreu,” Drahoslav replied. “And you are Susumu Himura. The young man with his cell phone out is Nori Tsukuda, and you,” he turned to face the one-armed woman, “Are Celina Williams. It's an honor.”
Celina kept her gun trained on him.
“How do you know our names?” she demanded.
“You wouldn't believe me if I tried to explain it,” Drahoslav said, echoing her.
“What was he saying about demonstrating your power?” Susumu asked.
“Hasn't she told you?” Drahoslav asked. “Celina here is a former member of the Cult Of Cthulhu. She is a collector of arcane artifacts, and a damn good sorceress. As a matter of fact, she is one of the only two people on Earth who is able to use the Malice Lightning spell, which was what killed all of your cronies earlier.”
“Alright,” Susumu said, cocking his gun. “You're full of shit.”
“Show him,” Drahoslav said to Celina. “Show him what you can do.”
Celina returned her gun to its holster and retrieved her marbles from he pocket.
“What are you doing?” Nori asked her.
“Shut up for a minute,” she said. She whispered something to one of the marbles and then threw it into the air. It few a few feet before it changed course, accelerated, and flew out the window.
“What the hell?” Susumu asked. “What's going on?”
“Give it a minute,” Celina said. The marble she still had in her hand began glowing. “You boys ever played Portal?”
She threw the marble into the air, where it hovered for a moment before expanding into an oval shaped vortex. She jumped into it, and a few moments later a man was shoved through; the man who had been arrested earlier. Celina stepped through the portal after him, and it closed shut, becoming a marble again and returning to her hand. A few moments later, the other marble flew in through the window and she caught it.
“The Orbs Of Gleeth,” Drahoslav said. “Each one holds a portal. What goes in one comes out the other. I'm impressed.”
“So everything he said just now... was true?” Nori asked.
“Yeah, pretty much,” Celina said.
“How come you never told us?” Susumu asked.
“It's not something I like to bring up,” Celina said.
“So who's been killing our men?” Susumu asked Drahoslav.
“Well, as I mentioned, they were killed by the Malice Lightning spell,” Drahoslav said. “And there's only one person aside from Ms. Williams here who can use it.”
“Takumi Tachibana,” she said. “Last I heard, he was out looking for the Necronomicon.”
“So then,” Nori said. “If he's attacking our men, that that would mean that...”
“He thinks you have it,” Drahoslav finished for him. “If you ask me, you're all utterly screwed if he decides to come after you. Unless of course you get the right help.”
“What?” Susumu asked.
“Susumu Himura! Leader of the Silver Wolves!” Drahoslav said, bowing deeply, but maintaining eye contact with Susumu. He grinned wickedly as he spoke. “I have come here today to offer you my services.”
Susumu stared into Drahoslav's eyes for a while, without blinking. And then he spoke.
“What's your price?” he asked.
Drahoslav grinned even broader.
“I don't ask for much,” he said. “Only that you help me raise some hell.”

*Meanwhile*

Alan blocked a large burst of flames with Akro Tirio's shield form.
“Damn it,” Alan muttered. “I freaking hate fire.”
Akro Tirio shifted into his gun form and Alan fired at Jarmil. An armor of stone and crystal coated Jarmil's torso, protecting him.
“This looks familiar,” Alan said. Let me guess, Dygra, right?”
“You're good at this game,” Jarmil said, as him armor crumbled. “Let's keep playing. Which god am I now!?”
Jarmil's body began glowing again, and he charged at Alan. Alan sidestepped the attack and Jarmil zipped by him. Jarmil turned around and ran back to Alan, stopping just short of him and launching a side kick. Alan dodged it, and Jarmil attacked three more times, the last kick hitting its mark on Alan's ribcage and winding him. Alan swung his cane quickly, hitting the back of Jarmil's knees, and they both went down. Jarmil's body stopped glowing, and they both took a moment to catch their breath.
“Okay,” Alan said. “I'm guessing that was Iod, right?”
“Yeah,” Jarmil said, wiping some sweat from his brow. “The Light Hunter.”
“I see,” Alan said, pulling his sharpie from his pocket and drawing a triangle on the sidewalk, with a circle at each corner. Jarmil didn't seem to notice. “I think I've figured your power out.”
“Oh really?” Jarmil asked, as Alan drew a marking resembling a modified symbol of Shub-Nigurath in one of the circles.
“Yeah,” Alan said. “Iod moves at the speed of light. I could still see you and track your movements, which means you were only moving at a fraction of that speed.”
Alan quickly drew a symbol in the next circle, resembling a cross inside of a crescent moon.
“So you've noticed, Jarmil said, rising to his feet. Alan rose as well, putting his drawing on hold in order to avoid drawing any attention to it.
“Yeah,” Alan said. “You can use the Old One's powers, but you're nowhere near as powerful as them.”
“That may be so,” Jarmil said, conjuring a fireball. “But I can use what power I do have pretty efficiently.”
Jarmil threw the ball of fire at Alan, who dodged it. Akro Tirio switched into his hammer form as Jarmil threw another fireball. Alan smacked the ball of flames with the hammer, sending it back at Jarmil. The blast hit him in the chest and knocked him over. Alan took the chance to kneel down and draw a symbol in the last circle; a heart with an eye on it.
“How long have we been at it?” Jarmil asked, getting back up as if the blast hadn't harmed him. The skin on his chest hadn't gotten somewhat red, though.
“About half an hour, give or take,” Alan said. “Why? You getting tired?”
“A little fatigued, maybe,” Jarmil said.
Aro Tirio reverted to his cloak form and draped himself over Alan's shoulders.
“Well, let's cool things off a little, shall we?” Alan asked, raising a fist into the air. “See if that helps.”
“Wait a minute...,” Jarmil said, raisng a hand in front of him, toward the symbol on the ground. “That symbol...”
“Hey! Ithaqua!” Alan shouted. “How about lending a hand!”
“Oh, shit,” Jarmil said.
“Itinius Maltiore!” Alan cried, slamming his fist into the middle of the triangle.
Ithaqua answered the request immediately. Divine power flowed through the pattern on the ground and expanded rapidly outward, coating the ground in a layer of ice. Frost began forming on Jarmil's bare skin. Alan rose to his feet and struck Jarmil. Jarmil stepped backward, his movements difficult because of the cold, and he was barely able to block Alan's next few attacks.
“You know, taking off your shirt may give you some mobility, but it's not as good when it's cold out,” Alan commented.
“Maybe not,” Jarmil said. “But I've still got a few tricks.”
Jarmil's muscles glowed red beneath his skin, and the frost melted off of him.
“Say hello to Juk-Shab's power!” he said, throwing a punch at Alan. Alan stepped back just in time to avoid it and grinned.
“Finally,” he said. “You're getting serious.”

*Meanwhile*

“So we're lost?” Artur said.
“I never said that!” Jaxson exclaimed defensively. “I just said that I'm unsure of the exact direction we are supposed to be going in at the moment.”
“Which roughly translates into 'We're lost',” Artur said.
“Tokyo's a big place!” Jaxson said. “I can't be expected to know where everything is!”
“I have an idea,” Artur said, pointing across the street, where Asuka and Ayako were walking by on their way home. “Let's ask those two girls for directions.”
“Um, no,” Jaxson said. “I'm an American. I don't ask for directions.”
“Yeah, well, I'm Czech,” Artur retorted. “And I do ask for directions. Now come on.”
They crossed the street and caught up to Asuka and Ayako.
“Shitsurei!” Jaxson called to them. They both stopped and turned to them. Asuka immediately positioned herself behind Ayako to keep her scars hidden.
“Ask them if they know where the band member's apartments are,” Artur said.
“Yeah, I know,” Jaxson said.
He began to asked the question in Japanese, but Ayako interrupted him by saying “We speak English.”
“Oh,” Jaxson said, taking a step back. “Well now I feel useless.”
“I'm sorry to bother you,” Artur said. “My name is Artur, and this is my friend Jax-”
“Song!” Jaxson interrupted. “My name is Song. Song Breaker.”
“Um... right,” Artur said. “We're looking to the members of a band called Emerarudo Karasu. I don't suppose you could help, could you?”
“Um, I think the bass player lives a few blocks from here,” Ayako said.
“Um, Artur?” Jaxson said. “I think you should-”
“Hold that thought,” Artur said. “Do you think you could give an address or something to help narrow it down?”
“Well, I might be able to give to some street names to check out,” Ayako said, reaching into her purse. “Just let me get a pen.”
“Artur, seriously, you should-” Jaxson began.
“Not now!” Artur hissed at him. “Give me a minute.”
Ayako got out a pen and paper and quickly jotted down some street names for him.
“Here you go,” she said. “Hope that helps.”
“Artur!” Jaxson shouted, startling all of them.
“What!?” Artur shouted back.
“Deep Ones!” Jaxson said, pointing past them.
Everyone turned to where he was pointing to see 30 or so humanoid fish creatures charging toward them from a few blocks away.
“Oh shit!” Artur said, reaching into his jacket pocket and drawing a pair of chopsticks. He pointed them forward and they immediately extended at lightning speed, reaching the Deep Ones and impaling two of them through their hearts before retracting to their original length.
“Are those... magical extending chopsticks?” Ayako asked.
“Don't look at me,” Jaxson said. “I have no idea how they work either.”
The Deep Ones were gaining on them. Ayako pulled a can of pepper spray out of her purse, and Asuka drew a switchblade from her pocket. Artur extended his chopsticks again, batting the closest of the Deep Ones away.
“Cool kinfe,” Jaxson said to Asuka, as he cranked up his MP3 player and stepped forward. His eyes shifted to green. “Artur, I'll hold them off, you keep the ladies safe.”
“How are you gonna-” Ayako began to ask, but she didn't get a chance to finish her question before Jaxson darted forward, punching the head of one of the Deep Ones. He continued to tear through them, shouting words as he did so. Asuka listened in to try and hear what he was saying.
“He's... singing?” she said.
Sure enough, Jaxson was singing along to his music as he made mincemeat of every Deep One he came across.
“Waiting!” he sang, punching clean through one of their torsos. “For your modern messiah!” He proceeded to tear the limbs off of another. “To take away all the hatred!” He tripped one with his foot, then ax kicked its spine with enough force to break its back like a twig. “That Darkens the light in your eyes!” He ripped the head from one of them and threw it at some others, sending them flying away like bowling pins. He positioned himself in a fighting stance as more of them began charging toward him. “Still Awaiting, I!”
He continued pulverizing every Deep One that got close enough to him, but one of the Deep Ones in the back row hoisted a large javelin above its head and hurled it at him. The spear flew at him from behind, embedding itself in his back and coming out through the other side.
“Oh my god!” Ayako cried out.
“Song!” Asuka yelled.
“Oh god!” Jaxson said, falling to his side on the pavement. “Impalement!”
The surrounding Deep Ones jumped at him, ready to tear him apart, but Artur raised his chopsticks, with extended and retracted at rapid speed, hitting the Deep Ones over and over again, like bullets from a Gatling gun. They started backing off, and Artur ran to try and help Jaxson.
“They brought spears,” Jaxson said, lifting himself to his feet, with the javelin still stuck through his torso. “I hate when they bring spears.”
The Deep Ones began stalking forward again, raising more spears pointed at Artur and Jaxson.
“Oh god,” Asuka said, clutching her knife. “What are we gonna do. Without warning, a figure dressed in tattered yellow clothing and a gold mask passed her from behind and approached the Deep Ones casually.
“What the... who are you!?” Ayako asked.
The Gold King ignored her and stopped a few feet from the gathering of Deep Ones. He glared at them from behind his mask. They had all frozen, looking in horror at the man who now stood before them.
“What the hell are you fiends doing here?” the Gold King demanded.

*Meanwhile*

Jarmil flew toward Alan, a pair of giant emaciated wings sprouting from his back. Alan dodged the attack, with Akro Tirio carrying him through the air on his wings. Jarmil spun around and swung a roundhouse kick at Alan, who blocked it and sent a front kick into Jarmil's chest, pushing him away.
“Alright, you got me,” Alan said. “Which Old One is this?”
“Yegg-Ha,” Jarmil said., charging again and attempting a hay-maker.
“Oh, the tall faceless guy with the wings,” Alan said, blocking it and jabbing at Jarmil's solar plexus. “Wasn't he torn to pieces?”
“Yeah,” Jarmil said, as he flew back enough to evade Alan's attack. “Made it really easy to steal his power.”
“I see,” Alan said, flying up close to Jarmil and striking him in the chest with his palm.
“That was a little weak,” Jarmil commented.
“Kazmararra,” Alan said calmly.
“Shit!” Jarmil exclaimed, just as the pulse of cosmic energy sent him crashing to the ground.
Alan landed a short distance away from him.
“You know, this fight has been going on an awfully long time,” Alan said.
“Yes it has,” Jarmil said, rising to his feet as his wings fused back into his back. “What do you say we make this simple for both of us.”
“I'm listening,” Alan said.
“Let's both fire our strongest attacks at each other at the same time and whoever is still standing wins,” Jarmil said.
“Can we call the names of our attacks while we do it?” Alan asked.
“Wouldn't be any fun if we didn't,” Jarmil said, smiling.
“Alright,” Alan said. “Let's go!”
Jarmil raised a hand into the air and black mist began to seep from beneath his skin. Alan reached to his belt and drew one of his bullets, while Akro shifted into his gun form. The mist became denser, and surrounded his forearm like a glove of darkness. Alan flipped the bullet into the air and caught it as it came back down. Akro cracked open like a rifle, and Alan shoved the bullet into the chamber.
“Get ready,” Jarmil said, prepared to unleash all the dark power he had just built up.
“Ready when you are,” Alan said, taking aim.
“Tma Pistole!” Jarmil shouted, firing the mass of blackness straight at Alan.
“Venix Shell!” Alan cried, pulling the trigger.
When Alan had used the power transfer spell on the C'hagian seed, he had produced 12 bullets. He had already tested one of them out in a secluded junkyard, so he knew exactly how powerful they were.
The fiery bullet flew through the air, and as it did, it changed form into a giant flaming creature, similar in shape to a bird, but without the legs, and with a serpentine tail. The creature collided with Jarmil's blast of dark energy, and both exploded. Flames and shadows expanded rapidly outward, sweeping both Jarmil and Alan off of their feet and sending them flying. Akro quickly shifted into his winged form, and grabbed Alan with one of his tentacles. He grabbed a streetlamps pole as the flew by, stopping him from being sent even further.
The flame dispersed, followed by what remained of the black mist. Jarmil lay sprawled on the pavement a block away. Alan and Akro flew over to him and stood above him. Jarmil signed and rested a hand over his eyes.
“You wanna go grab a beer?” he asked.
“I don't drink,” Alan said. “But I could totally go for a diet coke right now.”
Jarmil chuckled. “Diet coke. Of course.” He raised one of his hands into the air. “Help me up?”
Alan smiled and grabbed Jarmil's hand.

*Meanwhile*

The Gold King stared down the Deep Ones before him. One by one, they seemed to get over their fear and take stances. One of them let out a battle cry, and they all charged at him.
It was hopeless.
The Gold King didn't flinch, or even move at all. The Deep Ones began falling apart as they ran, as if they were being cut up by invisible blades. They lost arms, legs, and even heads. In a matter of moments, they were all dead.
And the whole time, the Gold King just stood there and watched them fall to pieces.
He then turned to the girls and looked them over. His eyes hovered on Asuka's face for a few seconds before he spoke.
“You're Asuka Tsukino, aren't you?” he asked.
“Um... yes,” she said nervously.
He approached her, drawing a photograph from one of his pockets as he did. He handed it to her. She glanced down at it to see a picture of a young schoolgirl.
“If you or anyone you know sees this girl, have Alan contact me,” he said.
Asuka looked up at his eyes, then gasped in shock when she noticed a bloody javelin flying through the air at the back of his head. Before it could hit him, it simply froze in midair, a few inches away. He turned to look at it, then lowered his gaze to see Jaxson, standing up, with a hand clutched to the now open wound from the spear. He had ripped it out of his own body to throw at the Gold King.
“Fuck you, Hastur!” Jaxson hissed.
“Oh, it's you,” the Gold King said calmly. “Are you okay, Song Breaker? You seem to be bleeding.”
“Go to hell!” Jaxson said.
“Fine, I didn't care anyway,” the Gold King said, vanishing.
“Holy shit!” Ayako said, rushing over to Jaxson. “Come on, my mom owns a hospital, we'll get you help.”
“That won't be necessary,” he said, backing away. “I'm fine.”
“Like hell you are!” Ayako said. “You were just impaled! And what were you thinking, pulling it out! You're gonna bleed faster now!”
“I'm fine,” he insisted.
“No you're not, you-!” Ayako shouted.
“Look!” he interrupted, lifting up his shirt to expose his flawless stomach. The wound was gone. “I'm fine,” he repeated.
“But- how...” she stuttered.
“I don't want to talk about it,” he said. “I'm sorry for the trouble we caused. I have to go get cleaned up. Thanks for the street names.”
Ayako stood there stunned as he and Artur walked away. Artur leaned in to speak to Jaxson as they walked.
“Hastur mentioned Alan to those girls,” he said. “Think they know him?”
“Seems likely,” Jaxson said. “Should we keep track of them?”
“Already taken care of,” Artur said. “I placed a tracking spell on the pink haired one while you were argueing with her.”
“You crafty bastard,” Jaxson chuckled.
Meanwhile, Ayako walked back over to Asuka.
“What the hell is that guy?” she asked.
“I don't know,” Asuka said. “With the masked guy, the Deep Ones, and that Nightgaunt the other night, I'm not sure what's going on any more.”
“Well, I bet I know who does,” Ayako said.
“Alan,” Asuka asked.
“Mr. Goldylockes mentioned him, so I bet they know each other somehow,” Ayako said. “And he took out the Nightgaunt, so he's obviously used to this supernatural crap. I'm sure he knows more than he lets on.”
“Should we call him?” Asuka asked.
“I don't have his number,” Ayako said.
“I, um,” Asuka mumbled, drawing out her phone. “He, um, gave it to me earlier...”
“He gave you his number?” Ayako asked. She burst out laughing.
“What's so funny?” Asuka asked.
“Nothing, nothing,” Ayako said. “Anyway, we'd better get a hold of-”
She was cut off when her phone started ringing. She pulled it from her pocket.
“It's Mom,” she said. “I'd better take this.”

*Meanwhile*

Alan cracked open his soda and took a deep swig.
“Wow,” he said. “Japanese soda is like, ten times better than American soda.”
“I'll tae your word for it,” Jarmil said, taking a drink from his beer can.
“So, what did you learn about me?” Alan asked.
“I learned not to piss you off, that's what I learned,” Jarmil said. “Other than that, you seem like a decent enough guy. That's what really worries me.”
“What do you mean?” Alan asked.
“Ever hear of a man named Drahoslav Abreu?” Jarmil asked.
“Can't say that I have,” Alan admitted.
“He was a cultist,” Jarmil explained. “Two years ago, he got himself trapped in R'lyeh.”
“R'lyeh?” Alan asked. “You mean Cthulhu's prison?”
“No,” Jarmil said sarcastically. “I was talking about the other R'lyeh, with the ice cream and the sunflowers. Anyway, he managed to escape, and he's up to something.”
“So what does this have to do with me?” Alan asked.
“I heard that you play a big role in his plans, whatever they are,” Jarmil said. “If you weren't such a good guy, it would make this a lot simpler.”
“How so?” Alan asked.
“Drahoslav is a manipulative bastard,” Jarmil said. “If you were a bad guy, it'd be easy to figure out what he has planned for you. But there's no telling how a good guy will fit into his plans. Be careful. I have no idea what he's up to.”
“How do you know so much about him?” Alan asked.
Jarmil stopped in his tracks and fiddled with the can he was holding.
“Drahoslav... is my cousin,” Jarmil confessed.
Alan stopped too, but before he could say anything to Jarmil, his phone went off.
“Great fucking timing,” he muttered, pulling it from his pocket. “What's up?”
“Alan?” Asuka said from the other end. “Ms. Minami called us a minute ago. She needs help at the hospital. Ayako and I are heading other there now. Do you think you can meet us there?”
“Yeah, sure,” Alan said.
“Like, soon?” she asked.
“Okay,” Alan said.
“Alan's got a girlfriend,” Jarmil said mockingly.
“Shut up,” Alan hissed at him, then turned his attention back to the phone. “I'll be there soon.”
“Oka,” Asuka said. “Um, also, do you know a man in a gold mask?”
Alan's heart skipped a beat.
“A gold masked?” he asked.
“Yes,” she confirmed. “And he has long blonde hair and tattered clothes. Do you know him?”
“I know oOF him,” Alan admitted. “I'll talk about it once I'm at the hosptial. What's going on over there, anyway?”
“A little girl was shot in the parking lot,” Asuka said.
“Shit!” Alan muttered. “I'll get there as fast as I can.”
He hung up and turned to Jarmil.
“Trouble?” Jarmil asked.
“You have no idea,” Alan said. “A little girl was shot outside the hospital.”
“There's only one guy I know who's that sadistic,” Jarmil said. “I'm coming with you. I need to find out for sure.”
“It gets worse,” Alan said.
“How so?” Jarmil asked.
“Hastur's in town,” Alan said.
“Oh,” Jarmil said. “Fuck.”


Kzed Report 16

Rituals are all about symbolism. When you draw the markings used for ritual magic, they have to mean something. For this entry, I will be using the Itinius Maltiore spell as an example.
The markings for this spell consist of a triangle with a circle at each point. Symbols must be drawn inside of the circles.
The first symbol is the symbol of the Old One you are trying to connect with. You do not need to draw the Old One's official symbol. You must simply draw a symbol that you associate with them. You do not need to draw it perfectly, but you must believe in the meaning it represents. This symbol serves as a conduit, which allows the Old One to lend its power to the spell. This symbol must be drawn in the first circle you drew.
The second symbol is the symbol for the spell itself. The symbol resembles a cross, with two thirds of a circle surrounding it, much like a crescent moon. Again, it does not have to be drawn perfectly, but the meaning must be there. This symbol links the ritual to the atmosphere, allowing to divine power lent by the Old One to affect the world around it. It must be drawn in the second circle you drew.
The third symbol can be a drawing of anything the caster finds sentimental or important to them. I always draw a pentacle. I learned about their meaning in high school, and I've always found them symbolic. This symbol binds the caster to the spell, allowing them to control its power. It must be drawn in the last circle you drew.
Upon completing the ritual, the caster must call out to the god, and place a part of there body (usually the hands), in the center of the triangle. If the god if kind, they will add their power to the spell so that it may take effect.