Simon and Hazel made their way to Worcester up the old M5 Motorway; it was six o’clock in the morning and hardly any traffic on the road. They were very weary of other vehicles and the people driving them. The occasional patrol car would pass them after tailing for a few miles; then sped off into the distance.

“What’s going on here?” Hazel asked winding down her window at the Police woman.

“We are just clearing the wreckage from a smash last night, some ram war apparently. Its where one two gangs or armies face each other on the fast lane and joust with scaffolding poles at high speed with fatal results. Over fifty people died last night on this stretch alone,” the police woman replied.

They waited for nearly half an hour before they could get going again and were approaching Worcester Cathedral within an hour and a half.

They saw Jeremy’s bike parked just inside the gates of the Bishop’s Palace and six other cars nearby. Hazel turned in pulling up alongside Jeremy’s bike then got out with Simon. They were greeted by Jeremy and another woman that they vaguely recognised.

“Hi Simon, Hazel, this is Angelique, she comes from the hills yonder towards the South west. Come and join us and the others, the bishop has set up some refreshments.” Jeremy said with a smile, glad to see his old friend again.

Simon noticed a change in Jeremy, he had a growth of beard, and his hair was longer and had put on some weight. This wasn’t the slim and shy man he knew from the archery club, but a cheerful, confident and more mature approach and he appeared stronger. Simon and Hazel were introduced to the Bishop Thomas Baron, who they both recognised from times past over hundreds of years.

They sat at a long table, the seats and places had been set for the exact twelve with the Bishop included. They all discussed the bible, the book of Genesis and old battles of the Magna Carter and other more recent including Afghanistan. One question was how much to do, what they were fighting against, how many and what help they would get if any.

Finally after their supper, Bishop stood up holding his goblet high and made a toast then said “We must all go down to the crypt now, it is time to get the blessing for the final fight against evil.”

The Cathedral choir sang as the Immortals made their way towards the door which led to the crypt. It was guarded by Monks wearing white robes. Bishop Thomas went first followed by the others in single file down the stone, windy and dark stairway.

No one said a word as the singing changed to the more celebratory tone of Handle’s “Messiah”.

When the twelve arrived in the crypt under the Cathedral, there was a goblet and some plates on the Alter and a throne at the corner with bowl of water at the side.

The Twelve began to pray with Bishop Thomas, The torches began to flicker on the walls. The Singing stopped above and there was a dead silence. The door opened on its own and two of the Monks entered with a misty shroud following.

None of the twelve dared to look up or speak to each other but they seemed to know exactly what to do as this mist or spirit sat at the throne. Bishop Thomas led the way as others followed in turn they took communion then had their feet washed by the spirit which they believed to be holy. As they went in turn, it spoke to each of them, blessing their spirits before they went into battle.

The Twelve moved cautiously to the main city centre, they noticed a sense of panic amongst the crowds of shoppers getting their last purchases before darkness closed in. For after dark, anyone who walked the streets this could be their last night.

The Immortals stopped for a drink at a backstreet Inn called the “Sturgeon”. They thought it was time to make plans and get to know each other for they knew it was going to be a long night.

“Tyron” the landlord knew the area well, recalled how he saw over ten years previous how times were changing for the worst

“I remember, the year was 1999 and my wife Lynn and I, went shopping just down the road from here in the main high street. It was late afternoon, just before the shops closed. There was a gathering of youths, and although many seemed innocent there were many just warming up for a night of trouble. I sensed this at the time and decided it was time to get out of here, then there were the sound of ambulance, fire engine and police sirens and I wondered then what it was going to be like in a few years from then.”

“That’s why Lyn and I decided not to start a family because we just knew the future was so unstable with radical races pushing for power and Judges giving out lenient sentences. Such people like Paedophiles, murderers, rapist were rehabilitated into society only to re-offend. There was evidence of corruption in the courtroom as well as in Parliament itself and any judges who attempted to clamp down were mysteriously found dead. Gradually every scumbag started reproducing causing an infestation of Ferrell kids who have become gang leaders and you will soon find out for yourselves if you don’t get out of town, so you had better drink up if you want to see tomorrow, it’s getting dark. The tribes will be on the warpath soon and they are getting more and more demonic with some horrific incidents occurring recently”

Tyrone flicked a switch above the spirits and shutters began to cover the windows outside.

The Immortals drank the remainder of their drinks. The Sun was going down behind the hills leaving a glimmer of light. The street lamps flickered as pedestrians and shoppers made their way back to their cars.

There was a feeling of terror amongst many as storm clouds formed from the South and youths gathered in the main shopping area. Distant thunder and flickering of lightning threatened the night with evil.

Suddenly a large group of men and boys ran past at speed, followed by armed guards.

Shots were fired and fire bombs lit up the night sky and all the remaining shoppers dived for cover hiding in door and alleyways, watching gangs in tribal conflicts with police troops.

Simon and Hazel dived through an open door by the rail station, “Are we late or are the city tribes out early?” Hazel whispered.

Simon put his hand over her mouth and told her to be quiet because they didn’t know who they would be able to trust as there were still more innocent shoppers trapped in the city.

The Police troops and sirens disappeared into the distance. This gave a false indication that all was safe and to come out of hiding.

The group of immortals had reformed not knowing what was ahead, who would they be fighting? What forces would they have and how many?

Suddenly they were disturbed by screaming and shouting and laughter from a street nearby. The Immortals walked cautiously around the corner where to their horror saw a group of approximately thirty men and youths fifty meters down the road, stripping an elderly couple of their shopping and clothes and tying them to a lamppost. The youths beat them with sticks, then one of the men started to sexually assault the woman who screamed, her poor husband struggled sobbing, helplessly to reach for her. Simon and the others were sickened by this act of barbaric torture.

Simon and Jeremy looked at each other and knew they didn’t have time to waste and quickly made their plan. Simon picked up an old coat that was in a doorway, there was a squeal as a big rat jumped from one of the sleeves and ran for cover, Simon kicked out at it but missed unfortunately it was now raining and rumbles of thunder and lightning filled the night sky. Everything was wet and they needed something to start a fire for their rescue plan. They found an abandoned Pick-up truck, luckily it had petrol in it and, so while one of the other immortals watched out Simon tore a strip off the coat, threaded it down into the tank until it was soaked in petrol.

Now they were ready Bishop Thomas crept with some of the immortals along one side of the street Jeremy, took the others the other side unnoticed by the tribe.

“Hazel you drive and I will set fire to the bundle of rag then on my cue start the engine and pick me up.” Simon said laying the bundle at the corner of the street.

“Right you Bastards, you are going to pay for this.”

One of the youths saw the flames silhouette on the walls of the buildings and showed his chief, who was about thirty years old, six feet, with only a few teeth remaining. He had long hair in dreadlocks with pigeon feathers tied in. He wore a biker’s jacket with anti-racial slogans written all over including Hell’s Angels.

He then gave the order for his followers whose ages ranged from as young as ten years to Mid-thirties. “Hey look everyone, let’s get some fire and burn the old urns.”

A few ran on while the chief held back waiting and tormenting the old couple.

“Go!” Simon called as he jumped in the back of the pick-up.

Hazel put the vehicle into gear and headed straight for the youths, who jumped out of the way.

Suddenly an arrow landed with a thud in the back of the rapist, the laughing and cheering of the youths was silenced and the chink of steel against the lamp post cut the old man down.

The immortals were out-numbered as more of the tribe approached and knew that they had to get out fast. Simon and Hazel helped the man and woman into the pick-up, ordering the old man to drive out of the area.

All of a sudden the Chief jumped out with a machine gun but the old man headed straight for him and knocked him over causing him to pull the trigger and spraying bullets all over the place killing many of his own tribe until the magazine ran out. He lay dead and motionless as the Pick-up disappeared into the distance.

Then Hazel returned to help the others, killing the men and knocking the smaller boys out of the way until they heard a whistle, the tribe disappeared.

Bishop Thomas looked over one of the men. He had a Mohican style hair cut, denim jacket and jeans and bovver boots. As he turned the body on its back Thomas stood aghast noticing the demonic features. “The Demons are here!” He said to the others quietly.

The gunfire alerted another tribe from the old arcade nearby. The tribe was larger; there were a hundred of older and stronger youths and men between twenty to forty years old. They approached from both directions their faces painted and all with Mohican style hair with different colours. This lot were more regimented, wearing military uniforms after raiding the local army surplus stores.

The Immortals formed a circle as the tribe approached until visibly, the leader came forward Simon could see clearly that this wasn’t any ordinary tribe but Demons, Bishop Thomas was right.

The leader whose face was gaunt, his eyes black and lifeless, his ears were pointed and his teeth pointed and bloody. His skin was pale and flaky but he was bigger built and taller that the rest.

There was something about this demon that Simon recognised from a previous time and Hazel also recognized him and knew that it was Katsbia an evil demon from the underworld.

Katsbia didn’t recognise them but laughed and mimicked the twelve Immortals saying “You haven’t a chance against us, you might as well cut your own throats to save your pain from what my men and women will do to your bodies when they get hold of you.” Katsbia said with more tribal members joining.

These were more of a demonic appearance, with lifeless eyes and scaly dead skin and sharp teeth. They were also larger than the human formed tribal members, who hustled for their right to a part of the twelve who stood ready to face them.

Peter appeared with other spirits behind the tribe on top of the buildings as the immortals raised their swords. Simon spotted Peter raise his bow and put his arm out to halt his Immortals for a moment while the tribe approached slowly.

Katsbia laughed at first thinking that they had easy prey until he saw that his tribe were collapsing with arrows raining down on them. Some of the tribe began to charge with the Immortals cutting them down and further flights of arrows cutting down the rest. Katsbia could only look in dismay and made a hasty and cowardly retreat into the darkness.

Peter and Avensis joined Simon and the others with the remains of the tribe lying lifeless at their feet, many of the demons had disintegrated in a pile of dust then slime as the wet absorbed what was left, others disappeared with Katsbia. With just the sound of pouring rain and the distant sound of Thunder and flashes of lightning, a voice then called from one of the buildings

“Don’t think you have seen the last of me. I know who and what you are and I will return with the army of Satan by my side.” Katsbia called then laughed fading into the darkness of the night.

“Who was that?” Bishop Thomas asked Avensis weary of the force he had.

“That was the evil Katsbia an Immortal like you but sold himself to the Devil.

He has been away for a long time since the saints banished him from the Middle Eastern Deserts in the last century, where he caused chaos, death, and corruption

Before that, he held out in the Himalayan Mountains where it is impossible to find anyone. However it looks as though Satan has brought him back to create Hell on earth as one of his many disciples. We must be weary of him, we do not know what he will do or where he will come from next and what he will bring with him. As soon as he is aware of who we are and what we are he will know how to take us out.”

The clouds began to clear with the storm clouds dispersing the dawn sun began to rise across the horizon, the dead bodies lay motionless. The Immortals left to Bishop Thomas’s Palace, while Peter, Avensis and the other spirits disappeared into the cathedral.

The Police arrived, after being diverted by another riot on the other side of town.

The local Mercian Chief Detective, Colin Townsend turned up shortly after to see what had happened with dead bodies lying on the road. He picked up a feather and an arrow close by he was confused. “Take this to forensics Sergeant, there appears something about this resembling an incident at Avon-mouth last year. I think there’s a Detective Chief Andrew Turner, Paul Chambers and Sheila Stefano; see if you can chase them up please.” His sergeant nodded and passed on the arrow and feathers.

Avensis, Peter and the other spirits made their way back to the Cathedral, “We may have Immortals Peter, but I think w e need to get some more live humans to influence the good. It looks as though more are corrupt with less faith in Christianity and it disturbs me.” Avensis said as the noise of the city and police sirens filled the morning surrounds.

“The faith as well as the Catholic faith had been diminishing since the turn of the century with corruption within the church itself before that. It was inevitable that the following would diminish in some way. What we need is someone to lead from the Human form itself.” Peter replied with the same concerns.

“Even with the resurrection of Christ himself in the human form would take a lot to convince people that he did exist.” Avensis went on saying “We must rest and be guided by the higher spirits.”

Peter thought on for a while and knew that the only salvation would be to show the Human forms of Christians would be to create miracles with something to give them faith and a leader to influence them to fight the evil existence of Satan. Peter then put his head down and rested, waiting for later that day when he would propose his plan to Avensis and the high spirits.

Simon and Hazel had put their sexual feeling aside for the time being, while staying in the house of God, but slept in the same room as a couple. Hazel lay in his arms asleep while Simon looked over at the Hills yonder where there was an accumulation of dark cloud. They had slept most of the day, he could hear the occasional vehicle passing and he wondered how they could rid one of the closest disciples of Satan and their enemy, before Katsbia could recognise them. Simon, Jeremy and Hazel knew that Katsbia would order members of his tribe of Demons to try to behead any of the Immortals.

“We must think of something quick, the clouds are forming again.” Hazel said looking at Simon as though she had been reading his mind.

There was a knock on the door; a cleric brought them in a cup of tea. He then said “I hope you slept well, Bishop Thomas wishes you all to assemble in the crypt in ten minutes.”

THE END