Chapter 3: Blood Moon Rising
Part 1:
The morning following their performance at Betty’s Grill, which was interrupted by a Pharmwellian Space Pig; who escaped from the Piggly Wiggly freezer, where Dingo had trapped it; Wüden was faced with a new foe, fixing the Space Camaro. Being stranded on Earth was last thing Daddy Cat wanted to do, and with his other vehicles out of order in orbit, it would be quite some time before he would get home; plus the shipping costs for the parts he needed were astronomical. The Dingo was feeling a bit stressed as well, faced with the conundrum of getting across Nashville, in morning traffic, in a heatwave; sure, people do it all the time, but not with a Forest Troll or Alien Cat in tow. “When was the last time you saw someone like Zopi on the bus.” Dingo imposed. “Hey man, #beaksnotfreaks .” Scufflemöss retorted. “Yeah, you get what I mean. Either way we’re going to have to get to McDougall’s place sooner than later.” Dingo said. “And what about my ride, man.” DC implored, “in case you forgot...” he waved his paws in the air, “I’m an alien, your government doesn’t take kindly to my type.” “You didn’t seem to care about that when you were getting a slice of pizza in public.” Dingo bit back. DC raised his eyebrow at Dingo. “That was Pizza worth risking imprisonment.” “Yeah, I’d do it for bun too.” Scufflemöss added. Dingo put his fingers on his temples and rubbed them, “I’m going, if anyone wants to follow me, I’m heading to the bus stop.” He stated. “I go.” Scufflemöss volunteered. “We’ve done this before. Remember.” “I go as well.” Zopi offered. “I am no good with car, but I have lived in this city for several months. It is like, third home. Also, DC tried to put out a catnip joint on my arm; it not feel good.” “Roast Bird.” DC sneered. “I’m staying with DC, my vision’s kinda shitty, and I’ve had the runs all night. I need a bucket or something.” Flurpis said. “You do that.” Scufflemöss nodded and patted Flurpis shoulder. Dingo, Zopi, and Scufflemöss then set off into the humid morning heat; leaving DC and Flurpis stranded outside Betty’s Grill with the over heated Space Camaro... |
Part 2:
The morning humidity mixed with the rising heatwave in the heart of Metropolitan Nashville made the group’s trek across town nearly unbearable. It had taken them over an hour and a half to reach their destination, Nashville MTA on Charlotte Ave; Dingo’s plan was to catch a bus down to the Donelson area and find McDougall’s home by landmarks from there; just two hours and one transfer and they could have the answers they desperately wanted from his magical acquaintance. But Scufflemöss was not making the journey an easy one, his fascination with riding a bus for the first time was making him stand out like a sore thumb in the morning commute. They were getting weird looks from everywhere: some were friendly, while others were more hostile; specifically towards Zopi and his facial beak. “Just keep eyes forward, do not make problem, there not be problem.” Zopi muttered under his breath. The adventure he had been on since he had met up with the Troll and Shamen had been exceptionally tiresome; even in the circus Zopi was given time to rest after performances, but in recent memory he had only had two nights of real sleep in months. Zopi was starting to feel the weight of sleep deprivation in the back of his head, a constant swirling that was making him dizzy; but no, he had stay vigilant, he was finally a part of something and he didn’t want to miss one second of it. Zopi slumped into his bus seat, he thought back to being alone on the streets of Nashville with only his pawn shop guitar to earn him his meal for the night. He remembered the smell of the hot dog venders on Broadway. *SNAP* Zopi was jolted awake, he had fallen asleep on the bus. “Time to go, Bird.” Dingo was standing in front of him, “we need to catch another bus.” Zopi rubbed his eyes, “My apologies. I am more tired than I realize.” “It okay Zopi, Scufflemöss understand. But we have to go or we’ll miss our stop.” Scufflemöss helped Zopi up. “Just another couple of hours, Fruend. Then you sleep güt.” Zopi pulled himself together and followed his companions off of the bus and back out into the humid, city heat; suddenly he was missing the air conditioning in DC’s Space Camaro. |
Part 3:
“Well, the Gravity Compression System is shot.” Daddy Cat brushed off his paws and shook his head. “I can probably repair it with some scraps from Earth cars; but it won’t be easy and I’ll be Earthbound for a while, but at least we’ll be mobile.” Flurpis and Daddy Cat stayed behind at Betty’s Grill, where the Space Camaro had broken down. “What kinda scraps are you lookin’ for?” Flurpis asked. “Well, the transducer hoses melted, going to need some small metal bits to solder closed some old holes, a pump, and hopefully a radiator.” DC listed, counting on his claws. “I don’t know what any of that is,” Flurpis shrugged, “but I heard some metal sounds down the street. Think maybe we can get some metal from there to soldier your transpooper pipes or whatever.” DC had his paw over his mouth in contemplation, “Which direction did that ‘metal’ sound coming from?” “Uhh...” Flurpis clenched his face holes and thought deeply; he tried to tone out all of the surrounding city noises and focus only on the ‘metal’ sound. There was a faint scraping to his rear left, it wasn’t as loud as before but it had that ‘metal’ sound. “Over there.” He pointed. “Let’s go.” DC ushered Flurpis along. “And it’s pronounced Trans-deuce-er.” “It’s still a deuce.” Flurpis followed. They walked several yards until an old auto scrap yard came into view. There didn’t appear to be anyone around however, so they began approaching the front gate. “Good ears, Flurpis, this place will have exactly what I need. The gate is closed though...” DC removed his battle jacket, “I’ve got an idea. Hold my jacket for a second and keep watch.” “I’ll ‘see’ what I can do about that.” Flurpis chuckled and pointed at his face holes. “You know what I mean.” DC groaned and started climbing the fence. |
Part 4:
“Alright, if this is Donelson Public Library, then we are getting close.” Dingo reassured his half of Wüden Boi. “Just about 6 more blocks south and 3 east. We’ll probably get there before 5.” Zopi’s exhaustion was really starting to show now; between the humid heat, his lack of sleep, and his now growling stomach, Zopi didn’t think he was going to make it the full 9 blocks. “Hey, Zopi, do you need a break, man?” Dingo called back, “We can stop, if you need a break.” “Yeas, I know I could go for bun und water, right about now. Und old Troll legs could use a sit down too.” Scufflemöss winked at his beaked ‘Fruend’. Zopi looked both of his traveling companions over, he wasn’t used to being treated this way, like a friend or an equal. “Should we not keep going? We need to meet with McDougall.” He tried reasoning, “We can make better time if we do not shtop.” His broken English was becoming slurred as he continued to speak. “True,” Scufflemöss stopped walking and put his hands on Zopi’s shoulders to force him to a stop. “But if we don’t take break, there might not be a you to make it to McDougall’s.” Zopi looked the Troll in the eyes and nodded. “You are correct, Scufflemöss. I yield. We break.” “There’s usually a taco truck posted up at the next gas station. Pretty good street tacos too.” Dingo announced. “Tacos! Oh Scufflemöss love tacos.” The Troll waved his arms about, “Is like bun, but deconstruct. Und it come in more flavor too! There’s steak, ground beef, chicken, shrimp...” “Yes, I get it, friend.” Zopi interrupted the Troll, “I am already hungry as it is. There is no need to make Zopi salivate further.” He chuckled and pushed forward, with promise of a rest and a filling meal. |
Part 5
Finally over the junk yard fence, Daddy Cat browsed the lot for spare parts he could use to fix the Space Camaro. It wasn’t a large junk yard, but they had accumulated a fair collection of junked vehicles: some decades old, others newer but totaled beyond use, and several others were like rusted over treasure chests, filled decent spare engine parts. DC spent an hour going through his options, and got to work stripping the cars and trucks of the components he needed; he found several hoses in the same gauge as his transducer, and a like new fuel pump that would work for the plasma shifter, and even a working thermostat to fix the overheating issue. All DC needed was some scrap metal, that couldn’t be too hard in a junk yard. On the other side of the fence, Flurpis waited patiently, keeping “watch” was his bestowed duty and he still chuckled to him about the absurdity of watching without eyes. But that made him wonder, in the past there had been times when it felt like he was seeing, being blind meant that his other senses were particularly heightened and sometimes his ears would work like eyes. He thought back to the time in the forest when Wüden was searching for The Hollow Tree; he had caught DC and Zopi with some weird sense that he had. What if he were to try it again, he had the time to kill so why not? Flurpis felt for the curb and sat down, he clenched his face holes like before and listened to alleyway; a mental picture started to form in his head, but if he looked from right to left it got darker. He looked towards the concentration of noise to his right, he “saw” blurred flashes of light passing each other quickly on the street, echoing down the alleyway and painting the buildings around him in a bright white light that faded as the sound passed on. He tried to focus on the direction of the Space Camaro in the alleyway across from Betty’s; the vehicle lit up in his mind just like the walls as the sound waves passed over it. Hurried footsteps came from behind him, followed by the clinking of chain link fence; he turned to see Daddy Cat lit in his mental picture. “We gotta go, I’ve been seen.” DC said, his arms full of scrap parts… |
Part 6:
“Onah reetkah doe day Vitki.” Dingo recited while reaching for another fresh carne asada taco, they were feasting ravenously on their first meal of the day. “Really that’s it? That’s all it takes to summon an ancient Viking Sorcerer, just those words?!” Scufflemöss said in disbelief. “Scufflemöss follow the book last time und still he summon evil Loa spirit.” “No see,” Dingo took a bite of his taco. “Yew haf tu fey et.” *munch gulp* “with purpose.” “Ya, I guess Scufflemöss was just trying to show off for his fruends. He just wanted them to be impress.” Scufflemöss poked the solitary squeezed lime on his paper plate. “What better way than to summon a spirit, huh?” “Pretty reckless honestly. Listen, what you needed was a benevolent summoning, like the Vitki, let me tell you about his legend...” Dingo cleared his throat. “In the days of old... When the earth was young, and mankind shared dominion with powerful spirit forces, there existed those folk who dedicated their lives to ensuring that there was a safe bridge between the Sacred and the Profane. These folk were mysterious and mystical, working in ancient magic that acted as threads in an elaborate web known as Wyrd.” “Dwelling outside of the comfort of society, they served the inhabitants of structured communities with their sacred craft. They were the Vitki's; Rune masters who mastered the art of manipulating destinies and fates. In dark times like these, the Vitki would come to the aid of those who called on them.” Scufflemöss’s mouth was gapped. “Wow... neat!” The Troll nodded and flapped his wrists. “Seems simple. Donna Ricky doodoo Mickey.” Dingo sat back and sighed. “No... that wasn’t even close. It’s ‘Onah reetkah doe day Vitki’.” “Uh... Moana retcon Donut hicky!” The Troll said again louder, flapping his hands wildly. “Stop... Stop, before you summon a terrible 90’s Disney sitcom.” Dingo shook his head. “We’ll work on it on the way to McDougall’s, just might need an extra ally someday.” Meanwhile, Zopi now mostly recharged with the $20 worth of street tacos he had eaten, was waiting in line for the port-a-potty; because grilled onions go right through you. |
Part 7:
Daddy Cat and Flurpis sprinted down the Betty’s Grill alleyway to the Space Camaro, with automotive loot in hand. “So what saw you?!” Flurpis huffed, he was doing his best to listen for DC’s feet and follow him closely. “I’ll tell you once we’re on the road. Here, take this pump, man.” DC slowed his run as they approached his vehicle. Flurpis held out his hands, “You got yer parts!” “Yeah, man.” DC huffed. “I found the parts, we can get the Space Camaro rolling I gotta change this hose, and then we need to get out of here.” “Alright, well what saw you.” Flurpis repeated, “It was one of those “Ring” cameras. There wasn’t anyone there, but they blew an alarm at me, said they called the cops, man, I don’t want to go to Area 51.” DC popped the hod on the vehicle, and began replacing the melted hose. “Flurpis, get in the driver seat, and when I tell you, press the button that says IGNITION” Flurpis felt along the side of the Space Camaro for a handle, and opened the door. He sat down and remembered he couldn’t read, he didn’t know where the button was, he was as blind as he always was. He snapped his fingers in frustration, and a little white ripple appeared in the black of his mind. He got an idea, Flurpis snapped his fingers again and he saw the sound waves ripple white through the black, he did it again and again and repeated snapping on both fingers, the interior of the Space Camaro was lit up in white pulses in his “vision”. Flurpis could see, kind of, but it was just enough to see a large button beside the drivers wheel. “Do you see the button, Flurpis?” DC called from the engine. Pleased with himself, Flurpis cheered, “Yup.” He smiled and snapped his finger in front of the dashboard. “I see it.” “How?” DC questioned, “I was half expecting you to say, ‘I can’t see shit’”. He mimicked and walked away from the engine. “Alright, press it.” Flurpis pushed the button and the craft rumbled to life. He focused on the sound of the motor with his face holes, the shape of the cockpit came into his mind, Flurpis wasn’t as impaired as he thought. DC shut the hood and walked along to the driver side, “Move on over,” he tapped Flurpis shoulder, “Let’s roll.” |
Part 8:
The door was white, beneath the collage of hand prints and strange symbols smeared in red; McDougall’s home was far from what Scufflemöss had expected, to the Troll it was almost sinister, but he didn’t know enough about human culture to judge one person from another. When they arrived at McDougall’s home, his half of Wüden Boi knocked on the ominous door and were promptly greeted by the Wizard McDougall, who seemed pleased to know they had arrived. They stepped outside the small corrugated steel building and spoke in the fading light of the evening. Dingo took the reins of the conversation while Scufflemöss and Zopi stood in silence taking in their surroundings; but the Troll’s attention was focused on the decorated door, there was something about it that made Scufflemöss’s Rööt shift in his torso, an uneasy feeling. Every so often the Troll would listen to Dingo’s conversation, and McDougall seemed the nice sort, but just like the door, there was something hidden behind his smile. “The Energy Well research persists, however the shifting of the Ley Lines has made it more difficult.” McDougall replied to Dingo’s inquiry. “Energy Wells?” Scufflemöss interrupted, “Dingo mentioned those earlier, but wouldn’t explain. What that mean Wizard-man?” McDougall flitted his eyes across those present, “You mean they don’t know?” Dingo shrugged, “Even I barely know, I work more with Nature so I was hoping you’d explain it to them.” “Well you see, Energy Wells are points along the Ley Lines or naturally occurring magical founts. Where Dingo draws power from Natural energy in living creatures, I and my... group... take our magick from the energy produced by the Ley Lines. An Energy Well appeared in Nashville a bit ago, and my job has been to study its stability.” “Oh like how I feel strong und happy after I eat bun!” The Troll exclaimed. “Sure? If by bun you mean arcane assimilation then, yes.” Replied the Wizard. “So, we need your help with a summoning; but we can’t seem to gather enough energy to do it right. I thought you could help us since you’ve been studying the Wells.” Said Dingo. “Summoning?” McDougall questioned, “Whom?” “It a Loa Spirit...”, replied Scufflemöss. |
Part 9:
“Where we going now, DC?” Flurpis asked while stretching his legs out on the backseat of the Space Camaro. “Well, first off, I’m not a taxi driver and this isn’t a taxi, so feet off the upholstery. Second, we should probably go looking for the other three. It’ll be dark soon, so we’ll have trouble finding them then.” Daddy Cat explained. DC brought the craft to a stop at the curb; after they left Betty’s Grill to escape probable incarceration, Daddy Cat and Flurpis drove for a few kilometers until they could decide on a plan. “But where did they go? Dingo said he was going to the bus station, but that was hours ago. They would be long gone by now.” Flurpis thought out loud. “I could try calling the Troll, the signal won't be very strong, but we might be able to triangulate their location using the satellite uplink in the Camaro console.” DC began tapping on a small screen in the dash. “I didn’t understand any of that. But you said we could call Scufflemöss.” Flurpis assessed. “Yeah, but he won’t be able to hear us, we’re just transmitting... er sending a signal from the Space Camaro to my Satellite in orbit and then back to Earth.” DC explained. “Worth a try, better to do something than sit here like a turd.” Flurpis chuckled. “Gross, man. But you’re right. Scufflemöss is the only one who has a phone.” DC continued tapping, “and he’s got an internet footprint.” He went quiet for a moment. “Hah ha! I’ve got a number. Now, just to do this. And this. And cross your fingers.” Flurpis crossed his fingers and clenched his face holes in anticipation. “Hallo? Anyone there?” Scufflemöss answered. “Good he picked up!” DC cheered. “Now just a few more seconds to locate his coordinates.” “Look if this is about some student loans, I didn’t go to school, I’m a Troll” Scufflemöss said on the other side. “3.” DC counted. “Okay, I hang up now, unless you’re selling bun.” “2.” “Bye.” “1.” *boop boop boop* “Got’em! We have our heading.” DC began typing on the screen. “They’re only about a half hour away from us.” “Great! We did it! Now I’m going to take a nap.” Flurpis said cozying up to the backseat. “Feet off the upholstery, Assface!” DC shouted and pulled the craft back into traffic. … |
Part 10:
“...And that is how we will summon your Loa spirit with the power of the Energy Wells.” McDougall dusted his hands in completion. “You know I may just know of a place where we can do it too! I’ll be right back.” The Wizard returned indoors leaving the group outside. “Did you catch any of that? I got lost after that telemarketer called.” Scufflemöss said, “Everything else, woosh!” The Troll waved a hand over his head. “Yeah, Energy Wells, it’s a whole new flavor of magick, not as gentle as dealing with nature, but it could work. Just replacing one source of power with another.” Dingo reassured. Scufflemöss looked at his watch, “Who takes a half hour to explain magical ground pools though, is so boring.” The Troll complained. “Magick, it’s difficult but simple, what can I say?” Dingo chuckled. Headlights fell over the group and drew their attention away from McDougall’s house. The Space Camaro pulled up to the curb; Daddy Cat and Flurpis climbed out and rejoined the group. “Got the Space Clunker moving, I see.” Dingo chided DC. “You flying home yet?" “Nah, man, we’re mobile, but almost got sent to Area 51 in the process. Still Earthbound til’ I can repair the Anti-grav pump.” DC explained, “Did you find your Wizard?” “Yah, he inside, whatever you do, don’t ask him about Energy Wells... He will ‘Ley’ into you about them!” Scufflemöss chimed in. “He think he know how to summon the Loa, Dingo think it sound okay.” “Groovy,” DC agreed, “Then let’s fight a Spirit.” McDougall came back out of his house. “Oh, who is this?” He asked. "Oh hey Wizard-man, I’m Flurpis and this is Daddy Cat, he’s an Alien.” “Don’t be telling people I’m an alien, man, freaking FBI and shit.” DC Scowled. “They are rest of group,” Zopi said, “We’re Wüden Boi!” |
Part 11:
Wüden was becoming increasingly more uncomfortable sitting in McDougall’s living room; he had invited them into his home while they waited on a “special guest” to arrive. The living room was dark and smelled of mildew, the walls were pasted with old wallpaper that was peeling itself off the wall, and in the darkest corner of the room was a feeling that someone or something was watching. In general, this place was spooky. “So... McDougall,” Scufflemöss attempted small talk to lighten the mood, “do you like musics?” “Oh yes, I do, in fact let me tell you about my favorite...” McDougall was cut off. “Is it as long as your explanation of Energy Wells?” Flurpis blurted. “Hmmm, longer I think.” McDougall said. A collective groan ran through the room and even seemed to echo in the darkest corner. “Well, I couldn’t tell you about them without starting at the beginning.” McDougall grumbled and the room was eerily silent again. Until Daddy Cat spoke up. “This guest we’re waiting on, can you tell us a little about him? And by a little, I mean like 4 complete sentences; not a novel.” “Um sure.” McDougall cleared his throat, “Well, his name is Has’Varan Rex, he is the leader of our... organization. Very few people know anything about him, or how he became the leader, just that he’s always been. For however long our organization has been around, Has’Varan Rex has always been a part of it. Any time I have seen him he’s always had a guard with him...” “Ah, shush,” DC halted McDougall, “that’s 4 sentences.” We’ll meet the guy when he gets here.” Silence revisited the room. “So uh... you likes musics?” Scufflemöss said again, but was met with another collective groan and smack to the head by Dingo. “Ow, jeez, I was going to tell McDougall that we’re a band too.” “Oh you are?” The Wizard mused. “That will make the ritual... more interesting. The Energy Wells react differently to the presence of music.” “Hush.” DC snapped. “Man, if you say Energy Wells one more time, I’ll leave a present in your shoes... an active thermal detonator.” There was a knock at the door, and before the Wizard could stand, it swung open and in walked the tall, bearded, Has’Varan Rex and his guard… |
“Ah yes, the ‘Loa Spirit’ you speak of does indeed have a name. Anq’coraj.”
The room was silent as everyone listened to Has’Varan Rex speak. “I am quite familiar with him, you see,” Has’Varan stroked his long red beard. “I wrote a series about ancient folklore. Actually, Scufflemöss, you are also familiar with the book, aren’t you?” “Ash Ort Historee: Ovcriptids?” Scufflemöss replied. “The very one, Ovcriptids is volume 8 in the series.” Has’Varan smirked. “How you know Scufflemöss have book?” The Troll said in disbelief. “You read it in public... at your Spawning day party this year.” Dingo prodded the Troll. “You read the story about the Anq’Ji and the Old God they worshipped.” “Oh yeah! I did do that” Scufflemöss responded. Has’Varan continued, “Anq’coraj is the spirit I have also been wanting to materialize as well, however we haven’t been able to gather enough energy to do so.” He paused and looked Wüden over. “Brother McDougall tells me that you are a band as well? Music, it seems has a special effect on Energy Wells...” Daddy Cat grunted and shifted in his seat, acting like he was stifling a cough. “It causes the energy to spike in a way, that I believe will be enough to summon Anq’coraj to the corporeal world.” “Und then we banish him.” Scufflemöss chimed. Has’Varan clenched his teeth, “yes, then we banish him. But first we need a ritual spot, and I have just the one.” His demeanor changed and he smirked. “The High Watt” “That is like generator, yes?” Zopi Asked. “The circus have Zopi operate generator. I have experience, Zopi be helpful.” Has’Varan’s smirk faded, “No, not a generator. A venue in Nashville.” Has’Varan’s guard whispered something in the High Priest’s ear and he stood up slowly. “Now, Wüden, If you’ll come with me. We can begin the ritual.” |