08-27-2014, 05:18 PM
The speedometer on the brand new Tahoe is buried as I race time, trying to catch Air Darkness One before it takes off for wherever the hell Sebastian is headed. I need to be fast, but I also need to be in stealth mode. I can't exactly let my target know that I'm right behind him.
As much as I admire Sebastian, it is my unfortunate duty to end his life. He never was much of a spendthrift and I scoffed when he bought this jumbo jet. I never thought it would ever be very useful, and as such, spending a rather substantial fortune on a large jet seemed completely ridiculous and completely unlike Sebastian. However, today I think differently. As I near the airfield, I'm delighted to see that the large door for the cargo bay of the plane is opened entirely. The top of the door lies on the tarmac.
I park the Tahoe in the woods just across the road from the airfield and hope the low fence and walk nonchalantly toward the plane. It's pretty much a straight shot and I can plainly see Sebastian steer his Tahoe up into the belly of the plane. No one else is nearby so that tells me two things: One is that this trip he's taking was unplanned; and two, I have time to get onto the plane before the cargo hold is closed up. It'll take him a few minutes to make his way to the passenger compartment and order the door shut for take off.
Within just a minute or two I'm walking up the cargo door and into the belly of the gigantic beast of an aircraft. Resting ahead of me, is the blacked out 2015 Chevy Tahoe Sebastian drives. 2015's aren't even out on the market yet, however he used his connections to score a few just a little early for the Illuminatus.
I open the rear door of the truck and lay down between his baggage and the back of the rear seat. I lay quietly. Behind the SUV, I hear the cargo door closing. Moments later, I hear the four large engines starting to wind up. Within just a few more minutes, the plane is in motion and picking up speed. Before long, Air Darkness One is airborne, carrying the King of Darkness on his last ride.
It wasn't particularly that long of a flight. Of course I'm only estimating since I've only woken up once I felt the wheels of the landing gear impact the runway. Once the jet is taxied to its resting location, the cargo door is opened immediately. I fear being discovered. In my near 30 years on this planet, Sebastian Duke is the one and only man I have ever truly feared. If he caught me here, I'm really not sure how he would react or what he would do. The man has an intuition like no other. No matter what you throw at him, he's already predicted you'd do it. He always has a counter.
The cabin lights of the Tahoe illuminate and I'm relieved to feel the shutter of the vehicle as the large frame of the King of Darkness enters the drivers seat. We're in motion quickly and within just a couple of minutes, we're entering what I believe to be an interstate. It only takes a few seconds before I realize that is accurate. Interstate 75 North, to be exact, evidenced by the red, white and blue sign on the other side of the highway. It's actually the same way I just figured out we've just left Kentucky and entered Ohio. Looking out through the rear window, on the south bound side of the interstate is a large “Kentucky Welcomes You” sign.
He drives for about three hours. I realize Madness is in Columbus this week, but it's much too early for him to be headed there for the event. Not only that, but he's driven much farther and much longer than it would have taken to go from the Cincinnati area to Columbus. No. Something is up. But what it is exactly, is anyones guess.
Finally the Tahoe comes to a stop and the engine is killed. Sebastian doesn't even hesitate. He's out of the SUV and I've finally learned his current destination. Now ours.
Sebastian enters through the large doors at the front of the church. I follow him quickly and quietly and slip in just before the door closes behind him. The church is quite dark. The only light comes from burning candles upon the altar. I dip into a darkened pew and take a seat. The King of Darkness walks the aisle slowly. The priest and a trio of altar boys are in prayer and Sebastian stops, seemingly not wanting to interrupt.
I noticed the sign out front. This must be Father Angelo Moretti.
The prayer ends and the boys and the priest acknowledge Sebastians presence.
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “You boys tend to the clean up. Your parents owe God a debt of gratitude for giving them such great young men.”
Christ.
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “Sebastian, right?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Yes, Father.”
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “You're a little late.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I apologize. I'll try to be quick.”
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “Heavens no. It's quite alright, my son. I was just attempting to be humorous.
“Would you like to sit in the open? Or would you like to sit in the confessional booth?”
Initially I wondered why we came to Toledo, but by now I think it's obvious. Sebastian Duke has found himself some Catholic targets.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “The open is fine, Father. I have no secrets.”
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “I find that hard to believe. Coming from a man calling me at such a late hour last night to request a confession. Not to mention one so late at night.
“Those boys have school in the morning.
“Luckily, their parents care more about God than the education of their children.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “It's only a secret to you, since everyone where I'm from already knows.”
The priest takes a seat in the front pew.
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “Please, sit.”
He motions for Sebastian to take a seat, and he does as requested.
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “Tell me, son. What is on your mind?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “The Catholic Church is what's on my mind.”
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “Well, that's a wonderful thing. It's always great to hear when someone holds the Church so close to their heart.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Yeah? How do you feel about steel blades being held close to yours?”
Father Moretti looks on with a confused look.
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “I don't believe I'm following you.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “You wanted my confession, right?”
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “Of course my son, that's why we've gathered here tonight.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “If I were to mention the Illuminati, what would you think?”
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “I'd suggest that perhaps you spend too much time reading Dan Brown and not enough time reading the Good Book.
“The Illuminati is a work of fiction, dear boy. Nothing more.”
Well, if Sebastian Duke dies tonight, I may as well experience death by his hands for the final time.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “And if I were to tell you, that you're dead wrong, what would you say?”
Father Moretti doesn't answer.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “The Catholic Church and the powers that be within the Vatican know for a fact that the Illuminati is alive and well. What do you think about that?”
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “I'd question your sources.
“Look, it is starting to get late. Perhaps we should get to your confession so I may release those boys to their homes.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Father, I am the King of the Illuminatus.”
Sort of.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Did you know that Pope Benedict the sixteenth set a man to infiltrate my organization with the intention to cripple it and kill both me and my father?”
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “I think you have quite an imagination. The Catholic Church preaches love and tolerance of others.”
Now THAT is funny!
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “If you are what you say, then why are you here?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “That's a good question.
“The answer there, is that ever since I forced the resignation of Pope Benedict...”
The priest lets out a laugh.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I've vowed to systematically destroy the Catholic Church. One by one. At the end of the day, Father, my Illuminatus will reign supreme within the heart if Catholicism. We will occupy Vatican City.”
FATHER ANGELO MORETTI: “I think its time for you to leave.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “On the contrary, Father...”
The sharp sound of the daggers ejecting from their sheaths is still one of my favorite sounds.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I think its time for you to leave...”
Without a warning, Sebastian grabs the priest by the back of his head with his left hand and drives the dagger deep into the priests chest. Father Moretti has his eyes open wide. Most likely instant shock as the dagger plows through his heart.
Sebastian retrieves the blade from his chest and drops the priest to the floor. He stands up and makes his way through the doors that the three altar boys exited through earlier. Quickly and silently, I follow.
Through the doors is a stairwell that is dimly lit. I descend them to the bottom. At the bottom is one door on the left. I look through the window at what appears to be a recreation room and Sebastian has already laid waste to one of the boys and is working on the second. The third looks on motionless, scared for his own life.
He drops the second boy to the floor and sets his eyes on the third. The third gives zero fight and is ended with lightning quickness. I retreat into the darkness as Sebastian bursts through the door. I watch as he slowly ascends the stairs and back through the doors.
Quickly, I ascend. At the top, I peer through the window and I don't see Sebastian anywhere. It is at this moment, I feel the blood soaked blade as its pressed against my throat.
How the FUCK did he get behind me.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I can't say I'm surprised to see you, Jake.”
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “For what its worth...
“I am.”
I had no intention of letting him know I was here. Even when I killed him, I intended to make sure it was a way that he didn't see me. I didn't want him to die knowing I was the one to do it.
He forces me through the doors and into the altar.
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “How did you get behind me? I watched you walk through the doors.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Jake, I've taught you everything you know.”
Very true statement.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Don't think for even a second that I taught you everything I know.”
Another very true statement.
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “So... here we are.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I assume my father sent you to kill me.”
How the hell does he always know everything!?
He releases me. Surprisingly.
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Why'd you let me go?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Because if my father ordered you to kill me, and if I were to die at the hands of the Illuminatus, then I'd want it to be you that did it.”
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Sebastian, I...
“I just don't know what to do.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “It's simple. Either kill me, or don't.”
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Then I risk backlash from your father.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “He only has you. There is no other calculated killer within our ranks.
“The others look up to you Jake. If you defy him, and remain on my side, the others will follow.
“Asmodeus will have no choice but to fall in line.”
My phone starts to ring.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “My father?”
I nod.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Put it on speaker.”
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Yes father?”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Has it been done?”
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Not yet.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “What's the hold up? I want him dead by midnight.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “There's only one problem with that scenario.”
Silence.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: You're shocked, I know.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Shocked isn't the word I'd use.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “It seems your plans to kill me, have been exposed.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “I suspect Jacob had nothing to do with that.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I did what I always do, Asmodeus. I found him before he found me.
“From this moment on, Asmodeus, you are nothing more than a priest. I'm the King, and I plan to remain that way until the day I die.”
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “I'm sorry, Father.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I guess that begs the question, Dad.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “What's that?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What kind of punishment will be bestowed upon your head for treason against the crown of the Illuminatus?”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Pardon?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Whether you like it or not, you installed me as King. Its not something you can just take away because you don't like what I'm doing. Your actions are treasonous. We've killed in the name of treason before, Asmodeus. I want you to think about that.”
Father Asmodeus ends the call.
Sebastian starts to walk out of the church and I follow him. This is not a situation I'm excited about. We're much stronger united than divided. As Abraham Lincoln once said, a house divided can not stand.