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Welcome To Hell




Chapter Six: Welcome to Hell

XXXX

    "There's a spot over there."

    "Yeah, I see it. I can only go so fast."

    "Well, hurry up. This entire day is going to suck, and I don't want to waste it finding parking," I said, getting annoyed by how filled the parking lot was at the Washington A.C. City Planar Portals. Cars were everywhere. Why are there so many goddamn people travelling back and forth between these two shitty layers?

    "Alright. I made it before grandma," Halina said, glaring at the witch who just drove off, the old woman barely looking over her steering wheel. "Yeah bitch, get out of here."

    "Chill. We still have a long ways to go before we get any real progress." I got out of the car, stretching my legs, feeling their popping. The huge air-port looking building had all sort of antennas and shit on top of it, even though they were probably unnecessary. Just for show, like most things.

Halina got out too, leaning over the roof to eye me. "What are those things?"

She pointed to the light posts, where each one had a hedron bolted to the side. A green glow could just be seen. I laughed. "Those are the security systems. Emotion Detectors. They are finely tuned for specific emotions that would be deemed dangerous for other travellers. Emotions like what you feel when you want to cause harm, nervousness, other things I don't know about because their etchings are top secret."

"Huh. That's an.......odd way of going about it."

"Better than security guards. You don't even make it into the building if you plan on doing bad shit. You are stopped here. Keeps even the most calm crazies out."

Halina opened the trunk, and we removed our bags. I only had three. My Expand backpack, and two Expand duffel bags. Halina had two backpacks, and two suitcases, both with wheels, rolling like a boss. Once we got our stuff situated, and she locked the car with a resounding beep, we were heading for the portals.

But since we were so far away, we had a decent walk first. So we talked.

"I'm just saying, fools are everywhere," I said. "It's a given that no matter where you are, the fools will appear, and nothing can be done to stop them."

"Ah, but the fools can only be recognized by other fools. Which means you admit to being a fool."

"Of course I do!" I am no fool, after all. "You're looking at the biggest one. But what then does that make those who can't find the fools? Idiots? Or ignorance?"

"More like fools dot lite. A trial run, to weed out the weak. A fool can only be spotted by other fools, but even those fools are likely to be found out in their lies."

"Hmph. Interesting notion. I find that though, even in a world of fools, the lies and deceits are given by all, not just those who are foolish."

"Now you corner yourself," Halina retorted. "Foolishness and fools are two different things."

"Ah, yes of course. I slip in my ways."

"No, the lies and deceits are believed by the fools, who then look to their leaders for approval," Halina continued, trying to hold everything without dropping anything. "They find a leader who acts like them, but is not them."

"A king of fools, perhaps?"

"Yes, but who is said king? I wonder."

"'Not I', said the fool." We found the entrance, and went into the security and main terminal. People were bustling about, trying to catch their trip before they were late. Planar Portals weren't like their smaller relatives. They had schedules, and if you were late, well, tough luck until the next flight. "Not I."

Halina looked in awe, not for the first time at everything around her. Different Hidden were talking and walking and doing whatever it was that needed to be done before travel. Again, think of an airport. We Hidden basically invent this shit for you guys.

Now I too was scanning the room, but for something entirely different. Let's see, we got what looks like businessmen and women, tourists, normal looking people........

Ah, there we are. I snapped my fingers in Halina's face. "Come on. One pre-step before real step. Then the shit show will begin."

She followed, confused as ever. I headed straight for a group of five. The magi's talking came to an end as I stopped before them. "Hello there."

"Uh, hello?" one girl said, confused as well. She looked at her friends. "Can I help you?"

"Yes. You can. You guys are students? Correct?"

They all had similar colors on, and one had a jacket with a pendant of a shield, with unicorn in the middle. Remember kids, if you've been around the block, nothing gets by you.

"Er, yeah. From the University of Kal'en," a boy said. Kal'en. That suits my needs. So Jak'rou it is. "Um, may I ask who you are?"

"No. But who wants to make ten thousand kelo's each?"

That got some attention. All their eyes went wide, colors getting brighter. Ah, yes, this might work. I waited a moment, making sure none of them would just run off. They stayed, which means commitment. Good. Flakers are bad for inside jobs.

I took of my backpack, and found a small velvet bag. I took out five small objects. "These are ancient coins from the treasure Han Kath'ol, the Stealer from the Tiny Age." Yes, I know I've done this before. But I took a lot of his plunder. "Each worth two thousand five hundred kelo's. I'm going to give you instructions, then for the time moment, you each get one."

No one said anything. And they listen. Perfect.

"Alright. I need you all to do this for me. I take it you are all going back to the University now?" They nodded. "I need you to find a biology professor, director of science, whoever, and tell them that a man is wanting to bring a rare species through the Portal, at Jak'rou. And if they want said man to bring the creature there for scientific purposes, I suggest they send people to convince the Processing Council to let us go to the city. Everyone got that?"

They again nodded, each looking more eager as the seconds passed by. I took out my number on a piece of paper. "Who thinks they can do this?"

Five hands shot up. I gave my number to one, then each a coin. "You all get three more coins when I get to the University. I won't be hard to find, trust me. Now, get going. If I don't see professors from your school tomorrow at the meeting, then no more coins."

They ran off, nearly pushing each other out of the way to get to their portal. Halina kinda just stood there, grasping at nothing. "Uh, what?"

"I need to have backers to enter the Light Layer. Well, not enter, because we'll enter today. But to stay. The Processing Council will meet us at Jak'rou." I began walking again, fast paced, to a security box and ticket seller. The magi behind the glass box was looking rather happy until I got up there. She stared me straight in the eyes. Guessing something's wrong, but not sure what.

"Hello there. I'd like to purchase two tickets to Jak'rou," I said nicely.

"Uh, that will be one hundred kelo's," she said. "Unless you are paying with American currency. Then one fifty."

"Cool. I also have some paper work here, since I'm sure I'd never get past the guards to the terminal." I slid over the documents, and I knew that not only a headache but a growing fear was forming in the woman. She shook, then hit a button.

Soon about ten guards were surrounding us, each magi in top notch condition. Their magic was primed, ready to kill. I sighed. How sad.

A man pushed through them, a balding magi with a clipboard, mumbling to himself. "Alright, I got an alert. A high level security risk. What the hell is going on?"

The woman handed him my papers, which he glanced over in an instant. Again, more fear-filled reactions. I couldn't help but laugh softly. The Necromancer and Hidden TSA are probably the worst nightmare one could think of.

"Ditto......Ditto Night. The Last Necromancer," the magi said. The security even got hints of fear. Oh, I smelled them all. Fucking pussies.

"Yeah. That's me. Last Necromancer. I want into the Light Layer." I waved a hand, making a few flinch. "Come on, chop chop I know how this works. You check our bags, give me some talk. Look, where's the big guy who runs this place?"

The magi was sweating, as though this was the first time he'd ever have to deal something real, here on his post. He looked at the guards, then me. "Stand down, but don't leave. Keep on him. I need to take him to Ross. This is far past my clearance."

"Uh, Ditto?" Halina asked, while we were being taken past the front into the back rooms, where the offices and security holdings were. I saw interest perk up from other magi. "What is going on?"

"Oh, this? Well, you see, being the whole 'last Necromancer' and all, the Pillar deemed it necessary to make sure that I never enter the Light Layer. But, granted, they are only part monsters. So, they gave me some documents, and told me that if I wanted in, I'd have to take a damn chance. So, here we are."

"Seems like a good way to mock you."

"It is. But I like a challenge." We were put into what I'm pretty sure was an interrogation room, from the lack of windows and blank grey walls. We sat down in the only seats, waiting for the boss to show up. "I'm gonna to need you to play it cool, Halina. Sometimes magi lose their shit around me."

"So, do the magi speak English?" Halina fondled one of her backpacks. Where comfort can be found. "That seems strange."

"Huh? Oh, no. There are what we call Talkers and Readers all over this building. They translate spoken and written word. Makes basically life easier for anyone travelling. The magi's common language is called Henish, after one of the first cities built by the magi. But I'll give you a Talker to keep with you later."

She nodded, leaning back cautiously. "Ditto, what's to stop them from kicking us out right now? Or tossing us in jail?"

"Tossing us out? Nothing. Doesn't mean I won't try again though," I said. Okay, Ditto, don't let the girl freak out or whatever. You need her at her best. "As for jail, they're going to need more grounds to do that. And magi. I'm no walk in the park to handle."

"Even these trained magi?"

I laughed. "Halina, here's the thing about the magi. They are born with either one or two types of magic. Usually Light based. And they rarely, rarely train in any other type of magic. Where I have studied magic all over the world, in both Light and Dark. Once a magi uses their magic, I know what's up. They don't know with me."

Halina was still cradling her pack. I tried to smile, but it felt forced. "Don't worry. The boss will be here, send us to the Light Layer to deal with the Processing Council, and life will be good. Unless they decide to not do that. But I doubt that."

"God, you are such an annoying man."

"King of Fools Halina," I said, not wanting to think about the future of this world. "A king among fools."

She grinned. "And again you show your flaws."

XXXX

    Whom I assumed was Ross walked in. Yuck, he smelled of strength magic. Trying to intimidate, I see. Well the big man who looked like he ate horses for breakfast sat down a chair and gave me a weird face.

    "Hey. I need to get going soon. Come on let's do this," I said.

    "Got some balls on you. I like that," Ross replied, his mustached lip curling in what I thought was a smile, but could just be gas. "You come in my Planar Portal, act like you own the place, and think I'm just going to bend to your will?"

    "Uhhhhhhhh......"

    "Yeah, that's what I though," he said. Ha, got him. Ross pulled up my papers, slamming them on the desk. I suppose he read them, but when it comes to beefcakes like this, I'm never sure.
"These say that you wish to see the Processing Council to enter the Light Layer."

    "That's what they're saying about me? I'm offended by these baseless rumors."

"So you don't want into the Light Layer?"

"No, I want in. I just don't like rumors."

He blanked. Ross then took out a pen. "Alright. Necromancer, this isn't some game."

"Obviously. Because I'm not having fun," I said, giving a pout. "You got any board games?"

"Don't mess with me Necromancer. You doing anything depends on my permission." He leaned forward. How cute. "So, if you want to meet the council, I suggest you listen carefully."

"You do know those papers say that you are just the middleman right? The council is to decide whether I stay or go. Now, send me on through to Jak'rou."

"I don't have to listen to the papers," he said with a glare. "They're papers."

"Yeah, but you're a bureaucrat. I'm not exactly what I would call a quiet voice. You want to deal with me bitching outside your office all day?"

"Don't threaten me." Ross held up the papers with a light touch. "I can rip these up, and no one will ever believe you again."

"Dude, I have copies. I'm not an idiot. Now, for the love of all things holy, send me through. The council will take at least a day to gather, and I don't have the time." Fucking idiot. While they can't all be winners, they can at least push you on to your next goal. I don't need people slowing me down. "Now, send me on my way."

"You don't give orders. I'm in charge here!" he bellowed. "Now, you do as I say--"

"--Hahaha! You fucking moron. I don't give a shit about your authority. I need to get somewhere. I have the money to pay. I'm following the rules." Spreading my arms, I leaned back, as opposed to Ross's stance. "That's me being generous. Do you want me to be selfish? Come on, test me bro. I'm very patient."

Ross clearly wasn't having it. But I saw something in his eyes. Not defeat. Just......not caring. "I've been doing this job for a long time. I've never messed up. I've followed the rules to the letter. Fine. Whatever. I don't want to deal with this nightmare. You can go on through. I'll call the council. They can deal with you."

"Ah. A wise move. Let others have headaches. Let them deal with me and my bullshit. I like that Ross. Not everyone has that mentality."

The magi shrugged, his huge muscles barely being contained in his tight shirt. He stood up quickly, going for the door. "Don't care. Have fun with harder magi than I."

He opened the door and called down the hallway. Two other magi walked in. "Take them to Jak'rou. You have your orders."

Time for another test. The screening of our stuff. We went to where they screen your things before the portals. Again, like airport screenings. The only difference is equipment. They took us to a relatively cleared line, and began their search.

They started with Halina's items. Two magi looked over her bags, digging through her clothing, shining things under the blue-lights. When nothing magical popped up, they gave her the all clear, though one guy did hold up a piece of lacy underwear in admiration. Halina blushed. "Never know what you'll need."

"Ha!" I barked.

Now, came for my things. First the backpack. They found my satchel, journals, all my other items I carry with me at most times. Nothing bad appeared from the blue lights, just minor glows, not worth noting from most.

Then they went over my duffel bag with clothes. Again, nothing that I was worried about. Though the same guy muttered about maybe buying a different color. But that's not important. Once they tossed that bag down the table, then came my weapons bag. And since, unlike the humans, we are all walking weapons, these type of things are normal. The woman flipped my bag, and a pile of swords, knives, and lone gun case with boxes of bullets fell out.

"My, got quite the arsenal, don't we?"

I said nothing. Stay calm, stay calm. They put the blue-light over each thing, seeing no illegal magic or objects. The guy held up a basic looking sword, then huffed. "Not exactly a nice thing, is it?"

"I make do."

"Well, I'd trade it in for a better model. Something cleaner. Prettier." He unsheathed Ever Heart. "Like this beauty. What even is this? I'd never seen anything like it."

"Found it in a yard sale. Ten bucks. I'm pretty sure I got the better end of the deal." The magi raised a brow, nodding in appreciation. He set that one down and picked up Stonework. "That one I found in a cave over in Afghanistan. I was hanging with the locals, and they let me explore some of their land. We found so much cool shit."

"Yeah. I don't really care," he said, throwing everything back into my bag. "They were just cool swords. Impressive for a necromancer."

"Oh." And I thought someone else had just an appreciation for swords as I. "Everything looking good?"

"Yep. Nothing I could see." The two slid our bags over, and told the guards we were clean. Thank God. That just means one more step.

Halina seemed uncomfortable from the constant watch of the guards. I budged her. "Don't worry. This part will only last one more day."

"One more day? This is sucking, Ditto. I don't like this attention, or being surrounded by these big burly men."

A magi grunted. "We still have ears."

Halina blushed again. "See? I don't like this."

"Just hang in there a little bit more. Once they send us into the Light Layer, we'll be closer to our goal."

She frowned. But looked forward, and we entered the Planar Portal terminal. The enormous portals were being turned on and off, tons, thousands of tons, of magic coursing through their veins. The magi that ran them were doing their best to contain any loose magic, straining with pressure of it. I wanted to hurl.

"Ditto, are you okay?" Halina touched my shoulder. "You look pale."

"Yeah, I'm....I'm good. Too much Light magic. Hurts my stomach." I took a pill real quick. For the hives I get from the magic. Lord, the smell alone was making me sick.

We got to the portal for Jak'rou. There was another activation in half an hour.

"Get prepared Halina. Because in thirty minutes, everything is going to change."

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