Elio captured. Talia in hospital, and Shinji nowhere to be found…
You can find more information, including our full cast list and transcripts, at DesperadoRadio.com.
Credits:
Written and produced by Samy Souissi.
- Elio – Samy Souissi
- Shinji – Tibet Boyer
- Talia – Tami Ige
- Samar – Kawtar Morchadi
- Joan – Emma Blacklay-Piech
- Asher – Patrick Hutchinson
Additional voice work by Sarah Passos and Caroline Mincks.
Soundtrack:
- Warlock – Ansia Orchestra Aurora – Relaxing Space
- Ambient music to Meditate or Sleep Emotional Mystic Flute Type Pop R&B Hip Hop Beat Instrumental – JUST BE
- Tense Cinematic Instrumental Ambient Music – Free Music by Argsound
- Druids of The Witchwood – By Morgan Nichol
Transcript
Please be advised the content of this podcast contains violence, murder, blood, smoking, alcohol, mentions of suicide and driving sound effects. Please avoid listening to this in a car. We also swear… a whole lot. So… there’s that.
SHINJI
When I had come down to where I was supposed to meet Elio, he wasn’t there. And between the music, the people, losing my friends, not knowing what was going on I felt a panic attack creeping on me. Especially in a space like that where I couldn’t deploy my wings, I needed= some air but I had to find Elio, he was probably gonna show up, any minute now, just hold on a little longer, it’ll all be fine- it’ll all be fine- No. He wouldn’t be late for something like that, I had to reach him.
I ran back to the rooftop, so certain he wouldn’t answer, that something terrible had happened… That’s why I yelled when you picked up. But after the call I thought — Well, they have it under control, I don’t have to do my number tonight – I could use a drink. Just one- I always wanted to go out at the belltower anyway, so might as well! I walked up to the bar and while my mind said 5 shots of Tequila, I just got a cider. I took my wallet out, and as I was about to pay…
ASHER
…Would you mind if I got that?
SHINJI
I’m sorry what?
ASHER
Can I buy you that drink?
SHINJI
Fuck he was handsome. Wavy, messy hair, but intentionally you know, like clean cut messy. And the kind of face that is just- unfair. And you immediately don’t trust those people because it’s like – They know what they look like, and surely they’ve learned how to use it, so what are they trying to get from me? Where’s the pyramid scheme? And I already had a bill in hand, when that guy accosted me, so the bartender just snapped it from my fingers- He had other people to serve- And I panicked, I replied…
“Why do you want my drink?”
ASHER
No… Okay, sorry to bother you, I just thought- Nevermind.
SHINJI
Wait were you…?
ASHER
Yeah. Yeah, I was.
SHINJI
Oh.
ASHER
You’re just… really cute, I wanted to say hi.
SHINJI
Yeah Hi! I’m… Callum.
ASHER
Callum! Nice to meet you, I’m Asher.
SHINJI
Pleasure.
ASHER
Are you here with friends or?
SHINJI
I was, they just left. One of them got really drunk and they had to leave but- I thought I’d have one last drink before I go.
ASHER
Very glad you did.
SHINJI
Really? That’s a bit early to say.
ASHER
What do you mean?
SHINJI
I might be a dickhead.
ASHER
…Is that a joke or a red flag?
SHINJI
Only one way to find out. And I took a sip of my drink, as he smiled back at me. He knew I was playing, but he seemed game.
ASHER
Where’s your accent from?
SHINJI
Oh all over the place- So, I’m a professional dancer-
ASHER
Oh.
SHINJI
Yeah- And the troupe I perform with travels a lot, so that’s where it comes from.
ASHER
Do you speak any other languages?
SHINJI
Yeah, Japanese and some Spanish.
And I signed that sentence at the same time, with a big proud smile on my face. Gotta make the most of all these lessons Marcus put me through.
ASHER
So four total? Not bad.
SHINJI
Not bad?
ASHER
Yeah, I got eleven.
SHINJI
Oh-kay, how did that happen?
ASHER
It’s part of the job, I’m a researcher.
SHINJI
Researcher in what?
ASHER
Well…
ASHER AND SHINJI
Languages.
ASHER
Yeah.
SHINJI
…Right- should have seen that one coming.
ASHER
It’s okay, at least you’re pretty.
SHINJI
(snickering)
Fuck off.
Asher laughs softly, then goes for the kill:
ASHER
You are though. You really are.
(A beat.)
SHINJI
And as he said that, he moved a little closer, one hand on the counter, almost touching my arm, and the other just waiting for my hip. And I thought why not- Honestly why not! – I could have a night off for once- And you know, feeling someone’s hand on you for the first time really never gets old. And he… gently pressed me against him and uh…
(Quickly)
Yeah. We kissed, it was great.
(Back to normal speech)
And when I pulled back – The way he was… looking at me, devouring me I – I couldn’t contain a – very- nervous laugh, which he said was cute, which didn’t help! And the rest of the evening was just- We talked! About very mundane stuff! Which was great because I never get to talk about that! It’s always blood and swords and wings and- He asked about me? Me! It wasn’t just about where I came from, or what I could do or what I had to offer… There was something so… childlike, about his excitement to meet someone new! He just wanted to know what I liked…
What I didn’t, what made me laugh and what made me care and… that’s it. For someone raised in a family that cared more about what they wanted for me, rather than getting to know me… It was petrifying to try and let myself be… Seen. Because that never turned out well! But even in those instances, when he saw me retreat from his attention, he carried the conversation.
Guiding it to an easier subject or asking more details about something I got excited about. And it’s hard to explain the difference but, in those moments he talked for me, not at me. And it meant it was okay if there was some stuff I didn’t like talking about, if there were gaps and
ELIO (CONT’D)
shadows between us. He still wanted my company. And in the end I kept apologizing for talking too much about stuff that didn’t matter but… It did. It mattered to him. I mean yeah, I hate to say it in front of you guys but I had a great night. At least not until, say a couple hours later, when he asked me-
ASHER
Do you have anywhere to be, later tonight?
SHINJI
…Uh, not really, I was just gonna head home, check on my friend.
ASHER
You know what I’m asking, right?
(A beat.)
SHINJI
… Where do you live?
ASHER
About 15 minutes away?
SHINJI
Yeah- that’s- That works.
ASHER
Great.
SHINJI
Just, oh let me send a text first.
ASHER
Sure.
ELIO
I still have that message by the way- you want me to read it?
SHINJI
Sure.
ELIO
Hey, still at the club, lmk if you need me.
SHINJI
Short and sweet.
ELIO
Yeah this was nothing.
TALIA
It’s nice to know how much your wellbeing matters to your friends.
SHINJI
Elio said you were fine! And I was… I knew what your incident meant, okay?
I knew Marcus couldn’t risk Nova’s safety for us. We’d have to leave, and walk away from the only place I’ve ever felt good about calling home! So is it so bad, that I wanted the night to be a little longer. That this, was a good thing, and I hadn’t had enough of those to just – Be better and pull away.
ASHER
You got your jacket?
SHINJI
Yeah, are we taking the tube?
ASHER
Oh, no, this way.
SHINJI
He walked me towards the edge of the rooftop, which got me very confused until… I saw a glider rise from the street, and answer his call. The same kind of wooden vehicle that Joanne had used month ago. Asher was a warlock. Worse, Asher was somehow, S.C.U.
ASHER
I hope you’re not afraid of heights!
SHINJI
And he smiled at me again.
When I met you two, the spirit in me sensed Death. It told me to keep an eye on you, that you had killed before, and you will again. Same thing with Samar, Leo, and even Marcus. But with Asher- there was none of that. It just felt right. And I could blame it on the alcohol, I could pretend I had deeper motives to learn more about the S.C.U, or I could just say I was thinking with my pants and I thought I could get away with it… but it’s not true. I just wanted to spend more time with him. So when he offered me a hand, I took it. And part of me regrets it to this day.
SHINJI
London is beautiful from above. Especially at night. I held on to Asher as we flew above this maze of lights, and I had to stop myself from just… Letting go, and drift away in the wind.
ASHER
How’s the view?
SHINJI
…I missed it.
ASHER
…You’ve done this before?
SHINJI
Uh- Not like that no, but I’ve been on… the London eye, y’know.
ASHER
Oh yeah- cuz that’s like, the same thing.
SHINJI
I mean the eye is heated, but this is fine too.
ASHER
Sure, should I drop you off right now
SHINJI
(skeptical)
Would you?
… I ran a finger down his back, and felt him shiver.
ASHER
…Maybe not yet.
SHINJI
Thought so.
He laughed, but then glanced over his shoulder. And whatever he saw grounded him from his fluster. He looked at me for a little too long, and I leaned back instinctively.
ASHER
You’re not even nervous.
SHINJI
…Uh, I’ve been hit on before.
ASHER
No- We’re hundreds of feet up in the air with like- no seatbelt, nothing. And you’re barely holding on to me. You’re not scared at all.
SHINJI
…Would you like to know why?
ASHER
You absolute lightweight- Have you not sobered up?
SHINJI
Little bit.
I knocked on the glider and asked “So… Just to check… S.C.U right?”
ASHER
Yep! For 2 years now!
SHINJI
He said it so proudly… I mean why wouldn’t he after all, they were the kingdom’s protectors. I bet every little kid wanted to be one of the flying guardians one day. So I followed with:
“And how is it?”
ASHER
It’s… A lot, yeah. There’s so few of us to keep watch over the country and- the situation in the Americas is getting worse, but- Hey, it’s my first night off in ages. You mind if we talk about something else? Cuz this is depressing.
SHINJI
Wanna tell me how you’re flying this thing instead?
ASHER
Uh – How much do you like Maths?
SHINJI
I can pretend.
ASHER
Okay- Short version, there’s about a hundred different spells and equations inter-twined on a glider’s frame. They define its shape, weight, maximum altitude, speed, wind resistance- Everything. And it has to be spelled out and carved so clearly it takes months, sometimes years to build a proper glider. Every step of the process you have to infuse your own will into these words otherwise it just won’t fly.
SHINJI
So you’re not just… levitating it?
ASHER
No that would be exhausting- This thing is running on the years of will I’ve put into it at the academy. I barely have to think about it.
SHINJI
Could anyone build one of those?
ASHER
Absolutely not. Their blueprints is a state secret.
SHINJI
According to what you said, their blueprint is under my ass right now.
ASHER
(laugh)
You’re sitting on a solution, you have no idea what problem it solves.
SHINJI
Why would I need the problem?
ASHER
To know what keeps you from bursting in flame – And how to keep it that way. I mean theoretically, someone with the right knowledge of both witchcraft and aeronautics could reverse-engineer one of those but- The only way to learn how, is through the academy. Are you asleep yet?
SHINJI
No- not at all.
ASHER
Good- cuz this is home.
SHINJI
Of course it was a loft. The kind of bachelor pad designed like a car store, literal glass houses with no inside walls. Asher gently brought the glider to the ground and I hopped off.
ASHER
Door’s open.
SHINJI
And it was exactly what I expected. The sparkling clean, minimalist home of someone who’s never there. Just a place to crash in between shifts, with a cleaner that comes twice a week. Behind me, Asher closed the door then came up behind me and almost… Almost kissed my neck. But as he had pressed his body against mine, I felt him tense. Then freeze. And he felt me do the same. The gun. I still had the gun, I still had the gun!
SFX: wing slash.
The rest all happened in less than a second. I almost heard crackling in the air as tension rose. Asher hadn’t even said a word yet but the world all around was brought to life.
His embrace had turned into a hold and I… was an idiot… Because the only reason Asher hadn’t spoken, is that my wings deployed as soon as I felt the danger. They tore through the back of my shirt and then recoiled on themselves. And as surely as he held me, my wings held him. 6 barbs were now pressed against both sides of his neck, shoulders and kidneys.
And so neither of us moved.
Don’t say a word. Please, don’t say a word.
I adjusted the pressure of my blades against his shoulders, and felt one of my wing tip collect a drop of blood.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
ELIO
Well that took a turn.
SHINJI
Yeah, not the fun night you guys kept thinking I had.
ELIO
Between that, Talia in A and E, and me getting caught, it’s nice to think we always struggle together.
SHINJI
“Nice?”
TALIA
Oh bring us back to speed, Elio. By the way, Shinji’s a few hours ahead on that evening.
ELIO
Right…
After that warlock had taken Talia, his colleague just silently watched over me, as we waited for a police car to show. Because he certainly wasn’t gonna take me on a romantic flight above London. There was- nothing to do in that moment. So I didn’t say a word, not even a prayer.
Catrina belongs to another continent entirely, and she had already given me all the help she could, so what was the point… And-either you’ve seen the blue lights coming for you before or you haven’t. I can tell you my heart was pounding, my legs were shaking, my brain was replaying every previous event that led me to this fucking situation-
You know I can describe it. I can’t make you feel it.
I got into the car and we drove off. It took less than fifteen minutes to get to the ward and it was…cozier than expected. Inside its grey walls it smelled of amber and clementine,witches and warlocks in uniform went about with less zeal than outside, even when dragging person handcuffed suspects,they smiled and shattered amongst each other with a casualness that felt so…alien. I was ready to beg for my life while they discussed their weekends.
And they carried with them a crushing aura of power. They were used to being in control, they were certain of their abilities-They were everything I wanted to be- Part of something greater, efficient, confident…They were just born right. Someone ushered me into a room to take my mugshot, but…we got interrupted. Another officer whispered something to the one that has captured me-and they both escorted me out of the room. Their hands holding my arms tighter than before. Vish was completely unnecessary because my hands were still encased in stone from the pavement.
They took me to an elevator, pressed a button, and down we went.
Down, down, down, way deeper than I expected. When it reopened it was to reveal a dark hallway with a dozen double-plated doors on each side.The vaults of a fucking dungeon. From the size of the doors you’d think they kept bears in there. We stepped under the ghostly lights and one of the officers whispered something under his breath…The nearest vault opened, and I was thrown in. Behind me I heard the elevator doors opened again, and someone step out.
JOAN
Thank you, gentlemen. I’ll take it from here.
JOAN
…I have to admit, assault and battery is not why I thought you’d be brought in.
ELIO
She flashed me a smile, then walked past me,and whispered something under her breathe. I felt a shockwave course through the floor and walls, as Joan’s will took control of the earth around us. She lifted a finger and a block of granite emerged from the ground, along with a stool beachside.
JOAN
Sit down.
ELIO
Marcus had trained us well. Despite wanting to throw at her all the frustration, rage and despair I felt, despite my desire to unleash the blood-shield and crush her body against the walls of this cell…I stayed still. I crafted a sorry, harmless expression on my face- And I heard myself say:
I can explain.
JOAN
Of course you can, so- How does a circus act knocks out two warlocks without breaking a sweat?
ELIO
I was a qualified MMA instructor before Marcus scouted me.
JOAN
(Taking notes)
Qualified, MMA… Mr Garcia, are you familiar with the term Dawn Witch.
ELIO
No.
JOAN
Here we commonly refer to the earliest schools of witchcraft as the Dawn knowledge. Our
predecessors were not strong enough to reach the world around them, so they altered the only thing they could control. Themselves. A Dawn Witch is faster, stronger and simply better. A Dawn Witch can’t be shackled by no fetter.
ELIO
I recoiled instinctively. Joan’s last two sentences rung differently. Power echoed in her voice and the world stood still in response, waiting for orders. Witchcraft worked exactly like Samar and Marcus had described it. All a witch had to do was make a rhyme, and be deranged enough to believe in it. And I felt, more than I saw, Joan’s body become incredibly heavy, her gaze sharper, even her voice carried easier.
JOAN
A Dawn Witch can do this.
ELIO
Joan slammed one of her arms against the table and the entire block almost fell apart, its surface streaked with cracks. Honestly, I had seen it coming.
Maybe I should have leaned into my role a bit more and fake surprise and fear, but- And I think it’s tied with being possessed- but we don’t like when someone is trying to be intimidating.
TALIA
Oh completely, there’s a “How dare you” element to it.
SHINJI
“Do you know who I am?”
TALIA
Literally! Like, I’m basically a God, who are you?
ELIO
Yeah! Gods are prideful, and whether we like it or not, it rubs off on us. So Joan’s little demonstration had the opposite effect.
I felt calm again, the avatar of a god wasn’t gonna lose face like that, and the least I could do as a student of Marcus is to try and talk my way out of trouble.
JOAN
Now, Mr Garcia, when a Dawn Witch fails to graduate the academy, what other jobs do you believe they qualify for?
ELIO
I’m sure they make very coveted bodyguards or bouncers… But that’s if you let them speak.
JOAN
Dawn witches on private contracts are ordered to maintain their enhancements throughout their shifts, the spell they need should already be cast.
ELIO
Do you believe a reject from the academy could sustain such effort for 8 hours?
JOAN
No, absolutely not, but why would a civilian make the same assumption?
ELIO
I’m a fighter, madam. Everything I know I had to learn the hard way.
JOAN
What else have you learned, Mr Garcia?
ELIO
I’m not sure I understand, could you rephrase your question?
JOAN
The files Marcus submitted on your behalf a few months ago clearly state you have no ability for witchcraft. Yet one of my lieutenants witnessed something very different tonight.
ELIO
…What did he witness?
JOAN
His statement says you summoned a “unidentified bubble” around you, with enough momentum to throw a poor woman against a wall. He added that in both texture and pattern, it behaved like a water shield, which, if true, makes you a warlock and quite a skillful one at that.
But there’s one element that still puzzles me. Where would you have drawn the water from?
ELIO
Is it my word against your lieutenant’s, madam? Is it why you’re still asking questions, because you have no case?
JOAN
What is your word then, Mr Garcia?
ELIO
I’m a tall stranger in a country at war. I get stared at in the street, I get followed in shops, I get asked for my papers if I walk alone for too long. This city has tried to bring me to you, in this room, ever since we arrived. What am I being accused of here? Because even if it was the case, if this was, hypothetically, an actual mistake on my work visa, I don’t believe it is a punishable offense.
JOAN
My men do not make mistakes, Mr Garcia. And you’re being detained for suspicion of devotion – so unless you can tell me where that water came from, you’re not getting out of here.
ELIO
I believe I have the right to a phonecall.
JOAN
(chuckle)
Goodness- I don’t think you understand the situation you’re in, Mr Garcia. I’ve enjoyed your little quips but I’m no constable and this isn’t a regular holding cell, if you hadn’t noticed.
There’s no phonecall, no lawyer. Just me…
Now let’s talk about your tattoo.
Oh! That got a reaction- Yeah, I also have mention of a glowing tattoo here, would you be so kind as to roll up your sleeves for me?
ELIO
I froze.
JOAN
Mr Garcia? I would like your cooperation but if you won’t then I’ll be forced to-
ELIO
And the blood shield deployed. I had… no choice. I wasn’t gonna sit there and try to honorably defense myself against a rigged system. If the only way is through, then you can’t let anyone stand in it. The shockwave scattered debris of the table and stools across the room, and Joan crashed against the opposite wall. I felt my body turn cold and my heart stutter, but I remained standing… And to my dismay… So did Joan. She simply brushed off the dust off her uniform, rolled a shoulder, and smiled at me. A shock like that should have crushed every bone in her body… instead she had dented the wall, with barely a scratch on her skin.
JOAN
…Fascinating…
ELIO
I blinked and she was onto me, her hand on my throat. One hand was enough for her to lift me off the floor. And with the other she tore my shirt from my body, as her eyes widened.
JOAN
…You’re a host!
ELIO
And in her excitement I guess she forgot to let me go– And I blacked out.
(beat)
TALIA
Elio blacked out as I woke up. I sat upon my hospital bed in sweats, eyes wide open like after a nightmare.I brought my arms to my face, felt my own heart thumping against my chest and immediately my eyes started swelling up. I was mine. The events of earlier overflowed my mind and rippled through my body. Constricting my throat, scratching my skin- Each drop of sweat in my hair felt like a vile stain left behind by Samedi.
I felt a howl rise from my throat, I had to let the aching out, some of it at least… But before I could, a hand muzzled my lips.
SAMAR
Shhh… It’s okay. It’s okay, it’s over. I got you. Shhh… I’m sorry. I’m sorry but we need to be quiet, okay?
TALIA
I tried to control my breathing, and nodded slowly. Samar let her hand drop, and opened her arm. I clung to her like at a life raft, and I… Wept. But even for that, I had to be muffled. Even the thrashing and raging, the yelling and breaking, was taken away from me… This world wouldn’t allow it. Samar and I had to contain it all. She didn’t budge. She kept my debris together and didn’t let go until I could hold them myself.
SAMAR
Shh… I’m here. I’m here. I got you.
TALIA
I’m so… sorry…
SAMAR
No, no-no-no. We were supposed to protect you.
TALIA
I can’t stay, Samar. I can’t stay. He’s still here. They… There were voices. I heard prayers Samar. I heard my people feed him- I can’t fight it.
SAMAR
Then we’ll get him out.
TALIA
…You… You can?
SAMAR
The chances you’d survive the ritual are slim, and even if you did…
TALIA
Samar…
SAMAR
Yes. I can. But it’ll be our last resort. Right now we just need a bit more time, and I can give you that.
TALIA
Samar took out her gloves and rolled up her sleeve, revealing the intricate henna she adorned her skin with.
TALIA
How much…
SAMAR
A few days. A week at best. Henna is only a solution against minor spirits, but Samedi is weak now. It will take him some time to break through.
TALIA
How long do we have?
SAMAR
Basim works quick, but not here. Where are the others? (A beat.) Talia?
TALIA
They…They’re not at Nova?
ELIO
It felt like I just blinked… but almost a minute had passed before I woke up..
I was still in the vault, my body now held by a weird structure, an upright stone ring that encased my hands and feet, and made me look like a sick copy of the Vitruvian man. Only when the cold air got to me did I realize I was just as naked. An officer was drawing a chalk circle on the ground around me, as Joan stepped back into my field of vision.
JOAN
Yeah that looks right.
WARLOCK
Almost two meters. Pretty big shield.
JOAN
I’m sure he can do better than that. We’re in the presence of an Old God, sergeant.
ELIO
With the blood loss and the black out I was barely conscious, so when Joan poked at my chest, I couldn’t have resisted if I tried.
JOAN
Can you read this?
WARLOCK
Where?
JOAN
You see that?- There’s words laced in those patterns. Spanish?
WARLOCK
…Huh. I’m not sure.
JOAN
Can you get Thompson down?
WARLOCK
Thompson is on leave, chief.
JOAN
Not anymore, he’s not.
SFX: phone ringing
ASHER
Callum…
(Pained grunt)
SHINJI
Don’t-! Don’t. Okay… I’m gonna ask you a question- One tap means yes, two means no. Got it?
[One tap.]
SHINJI (CONT’D)
Did it work?
[One tap.]
Will they call again?
[One tap.]
How many times? I mean
[Tap. Tap. Tap.]
Three times.
[One tap.]
And then they’ll come?
[One tap.]
Fuck…Fuck… Let me go!
Asher released his arm and I turned to face him, readjusting my wings in a split second.
SFX: ring, ring, riiiing
One word! Just one word answers, tell them you’re coming… please.
Asher nodded, then slowly reached for his phone, his eyes locked onto mine.
ASHER
(over phone)
Thompson… Yeah. Okay. On my way.
SHINJI
…Thank you.
I didn’t want any of this I just… I liked you. And this –
SFX: Gun click.
SHINJI (CONT’D)
… I wish I could just throw it away but I don’t look like you. I’m not safe here.
Asher slowly raised his hand, palm open, then brought one above the other and formed a letter T.
“Time out?”
He shook his head no, and with his finger he tracer the letter in the air this time, then pointed at my hands. I frowned, and signed a T back to him, with the proper spelling. He nodded and then he asked for three more letters, before tapping his chest.
All that to say:
Trust me.
(Scoff, then deadpan)
…Sure, yeah. I guess you won’t tell. I can just- I can just go, right? — You know what? Go ahead, talk! SAY SOMETHING…
But he didn’t. And I couldn’t do it. I thought about it you know- If I went back I would have led them all to Nova if I tried to hide. Well, I mean, look at me. Even if I killed him, at least a dozen people had seen us together at the bar and… I just couldn’t.
So… I let down my wings.
In a corner of my mind I did think… well, maybe he’ll try something now. And then I’ll have no choice you know- Then it’ll just be self-defense. Asher didn’t even move. He stayed right where he was, looking at me. And then he extended a hand. I took a step-back, I didn’t understand, I couldn’t understand, it had to be a trap somehow. So I said: You can talk. I know what power feels like.
ASHER
…You’re not from here, are you?
SHINJI
No.
ASHER
…Hard times for believers.
SHINJI
You make it so.
ASHER
Who told you that?
SHINJI
Are they wrong?
ASHER
…Do you know how many of us there are, in the force?
SHINJI
Why does it matter?
ASHER
About five thousand. To watch over an entire country. To put it in perspective, there’s almost ten times that many police officers in London alone. So, when we go to investigate a devotion claim– in a remote village somewhere, and we find a local druid or whatever that grows medicinal plants delivers babies when the hospitals are too far away… What do you think we do?
SHINJI
…I don’t know
ASHER
Yeah you don’t. We put them on a list, we give them a license for “alternative witchcraft” and more often than not we thank them for the cup of tea. Because we don’t have resources to waste on every funny-acting old man with a wizard beard. And because we’re not fucking crusaders. We’re here to help.
SHINJI
… What the fuck was I still doing there. I knew I wasn’t going to kill him, I knew I couldn’t just ask him if he had ropes lying around, and I certainly wasn’t gonna search the cupboards in a warlock’s house, I… I panicked. And there was nothing to calm me down this time, no way to resist the other mind as it answered my dread. Of course I could just fly away! There was nothing faster than me in this world, and nothing to fear in the sky…
And I would find a place to hide, I would figure it out! I always did! So… I tried. I even made it outside and soared a couple meters high but… The change happened in a split second. Something around me felt different, the air pressure changed, the temperature dropped… And suddenly a gust of wind knocked me back on the ground. I felt- honestly I heard like 3 of my ribs crack. And as I clung to consciousness, I heard only one thing.
ASHER
I’m sorry.
ELIO
The rest of the night… I don’t quite remember. Once they noticed I had woken up they injected me with some sort of tranquilizer and took down the stone structure. They laid me down on- some sort of operation table… And… Faces. Dozens and dozens of faces went by and left, scrutinizing me, taking notes, pictures… and Joan’s voice, always in the background.
Eventually the flow of people stopped. But I still felt someone’s hand on me, inspecting me. In a corner of my mind I remember I couldn’t stop thinking about… Fish. On their ice bed at the market. Cuz this is how it felt.
JOAN
So…? Can you read this?
ASHER
…It’s more of a puzzle. You see those pictograms?
JOAN
Yeah?
ASHER
They’re… basically hieroglyphs, it’s one of the oldest form of Nahuatl.
JOAN
Na-what?
ASHER
Aztec language.
JOAN
Got it.
ASHER
Now what you spotted here, those words… That’s mexicano. Still Nahuat, but using the latin alphabet- And this dialect here, seems heavily influenced by Spanish. Which brings me to this. In the roses right here- you see it?
JOAN
Oh. Good eye.
ASHER
Yeah, that’s just Spanish.
JOAN
What does it say?
ASHER
… It says “I love you, my son.”
JOAN
Huh…
ASHER
Yeah.
JOAN
How long will the rest take you?
ASHER
A couple hours, maybe more, I just need my notes.
JOAN
Get to it then.
TALIA
Samar locked us both inside a hospital bathroom, then reached for her necklace. I left my clothes on the ground, as she said:
SAMAR
(in arabic)
Basim? Do your best.
TALIA
Mist poured under Samar’s jacket and spiraled in the air. I never got to see Basim’s face, but dozens of tiny smoky hands appeared around me, theirs claws dipped in ink. It tickled. And the mist felt warm and fuzzy. Genies are sweet.
SAMAR
Oh he’s showing off a bit, look at this.
TALIA
I raised my arm to get a closer look, but a tiny hand slapped my wrist. The movement had messed up his line work. I muttered an apology, as Samar tried to contain a laugh. She left me a change of clothes – long sleeves- then told me to join her once Basim was done. As soon as his little hands connected the final mark, I felt like- a burning needle pierced through my skull. In and out. I gritted my teeth as the pain resorbed, but… Something else remained.
TALIA (CONT’D)
A sort of weight all around me, the air seemed heavier, my clothes thicker, my lungs… smaller. I was… Weak. Human. I started second-guessing each of my movements, shivering for no reason.
I tried to shove it all down like usual- I told myself just open the door and get going but… I couldn’t move. The ground felt too hard, the room too cold, the world too big… I had to venture outside knowing that… A bad fall could just break me? And that’s supposed to be fine? That’s how things are? …How do other people do anything?
…I suddenly felt another scratch on the back of my hand- And in the state I was in, it almost got a scream out of me. I looked down, and saw a last wisp of haze melt in the air. A smile. He had drawn a smile on my hand. I took a deep breathe, and stepped out of the bathroom.
SAMAR
How do you feel?
TALIA
I can walk.
We got out of the hospital without trouble. Nobody even took a second glance at me and I later learned why. Samar had showed up at the front desk with an S.C.U badge, courtesy of Basim.
“How did you find me?”
SAMAR
You have more friends than you think. When the S.C.U brings someone to a hospital- There’s always a nurse to notice. Calls get made, and luckily enough, Marcus is usually the first to know.
TALIA
There was a car waiting for us outside, I got in, and to my surprise, Samar closed the door after me. I said:
“You’re not coming?”
SAMAR
One out of three. My night is just starting.
TALIA
They’re probably waiting in a hideout somewhere. Right?
SAMAR
…When you get back to Nova, tell Marcus he’s an idiot.
SFX: car drives off
ASHER
Awaken, Mother. Bind us in your embrace. Of blood let-… No… Save?… And save the flesh of new with the blood of old. — I think that’s it. Each line is repeated, which reads like a chant or… Oh shit.
SFX: Frantic page-turning.
JOAN
…Thompson?
ASHER
…A spell, of course it’s a spell! Where’s my…?
JOAN
What are you looking for?
ASHER
Blood magic, blood magic… Hematurgy! There we go. Sightings… Alteration, manipulation… Power-source!
Mexico, 1846, blood as a power source. Unknown process of breaking down vital fluids to generate energy. Energy then converted by host into shockwaves or protective barriers.
JOAN
…hence the empty pouches.
ASHER
Drawing energy from blood… Are they talking about heat?
JOAN
Heat wouldn’t be enough, I haven’t been hit like that in a long time. It says the blood is broken down but… Look up something for me?
SFX: Phone taps
ASHER
Yeah?
JOAN
How many calories in a pint of blood?
ASHER
… Okay… Uh… 600, 650.
JOAN
600?
ASHER
…Yeah, why?
JOAN
… That’s… 2.5? 7? Almost 3 millions joules in one pint?
SFX: phone taps
ASHER
…2.7 yeah, you did that in your head?
JOAN
You said it’s also a barrier?
ASHER
…That’s what they wrote.
JOAN
… Blocking almost 3 millions joules means that thing could stop a truck on the highway- Is it any blood?
ASHER
No — It has to be sacrificed, or pledged. Dead bodies and believers, essentially. (A beat.) …Is everything okay?
JOAN
… Thompson I think we just won the war.
(Into walkie-talkie)
7-45B in Vault 3, I repeat 7-45B in Vault 3, 4 agents required. Thank you Thompson, you’ve been a tremendous help. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
ELIO
Code 7-45B, as I was about to learn, calls for an emergency containment. 7-45A is for demons and cryptids, it means immediate termination. 45-B, is for hosts, and means exorcism.
I didn’t hear the analyst leave the room nor the preparations being made around me. But I know that a standard ritual means that 5 witches traced a pentacle on the ground around me, and brought a red crystal the size of a fist into the room. A Kalsara.
The same type of stone that kept Basim alive, designed to contain a Spirit. When backed against a wall, expelled from their host… A god will be forced to chose the closest vessel available.
Whatever it is, as long as it can supply the energy they need. Imprisoned in a those crystals, a god is barely… Alive, anymore. Reduced to their primal essence, to pure power. They become tools, weapons. After the star was painted on the ground and the Kalsara placed on my chest, the witches stood at each points of the pentagram, and reached towards the center. Towards me.
And then came the chanting.
JOAN
In the dark I whisper,
To part, and shatter.
Undone by my hand,
To you I command,
Break your chain,
Purge the bane.
SFX: Chant repeats, different cadences, rising voices, overlapping. Mystical woosh. Lamentation.
ELIO
I don’t remember. I can’t tell you if I yelled or cried. Or if my heart went fast as they ripped her away from my body. It’s a blank, and of course it is- It was, looting. I kept only one thing, before the darkness came. A finale exhale after it was all over. The cold stone under me. The sweat on my skin. And the silence. The complete silence… My mind was just sitting still. There was no… further, to my thoughts. Nothing to explore, no one to remember, and no net to fall back on when everything goes wrong. I was… Alone.