Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2008 07:59:03 +0000
From: Draiodoir Draiodoir <darkdraiodoir666@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Gatekeeper: Stigmatized/ Chapter 2

All rights reserved. Copyright by Fritz D. Ilagan s. 2007

Chapter Two: Unpleasant Turn

	After an hour or so, the sky began to show signs of the approaching
dusk. Angelina collected their papers so that she can assess them and point
out weaknesses and strengths. Then, Mr. Brine called out for everyone and
Osiris saw that he was accompanied by two younger students, each holding a
large tray of sandwiches. Mr. Brine's clutching two jugs of orange juice.

	"I think we need to have a little break before we conclude,"
Mr. Brine said as he and the younger boys placed the sandwiches and drinks
to the table in front of the room. "Okay guys, eat as many as you want, or
as many as there is. If you give me more than two first prizes at the
Division Press Conference, I will give you more than free sandwiches and
juice next time, I promise."

	The students cheered as they approached the snacks. Os noticed that
Angelina hadn't left her chair, engrossed to one of the features she was
reading.

	"Here you go," said Osiris, extending a cup of juice.

	"Thank you," Angelina accepted the drink and took a sip. "It's
delicious."

	"Does Mr. Brine always give free snacks?" asked Osiris watching
their adviser and ignoring the butterflies in his stomach for finally
having the nerve to talk to Angelina.

	"Well, not really always," said Angelina who was also looking. "As
you know, teachers don't have much of a paycheck even though they are the
shaper of society. He just does it occasionally, treating us if he has
something to give."

	Osiris looked at Angelina and was proud of himself for engaging her
in a conversation where he didn't make a fool of himself. Angelina took
another drink of her juice and told Os, "You're rather good for a
beginner."

	"Huh?"

	"Your feature. It's good. The emotions are real. What course do you
want to take up in college? Mass Communication?"

	"Um... no. Well, I was thinking I would take up education. Become a
teacher," said Osiris timidly. He wasn't really sure yet what to do with
his life as many of his mates and even some of his teachers thinks he was
far too brilliant to be a teacher. They think it's a soft option.

	Angelina gave him a dazzling smile. "Really? Me too. I think
teaching is the most important profession; even more than becoming the
president of a country or an engineer. Just like Aristotle said, `Teachers
who educated children deserved more honor than parents who merely gave them
birth--"

	"--for bare life is furnished by the one, the other ensures a
good life," continued Osiris, smilingly.

	Angelina giggled. "I guess I'm not the only one who knows that huh?
Sorry for the `words of wisdom' all of a sudden. I tend to do it so
often. Quotations are good for writing features, you see."

	Osiris smiled and offered to get more juice when he noticed
Angelina's cup was empty. But half way across the room, Osiris heard a loud
grumbling noise outside. Then suddenly, strong winds blasted through the
windows almost knocking Osiris off his feet.

	"What's happening?" ask Angelina who rushed beside Os, looking
stunned.

	Suddenly, a band of men, at least more than a dozen, appeared to
have descended from above. Half of them were in black leather jackets,
carrying guns, their faces hidden behind dark tinted shades. The other half
were rather odd as Osiris noticed they wore long black sweeping robes. This
group got their faces hidden under the hoods.

	Many of the students tried to get outside to have a better look. Os
noticed that the bursts of wind were coming from a helicopter which was
hovering in mid air.

	"Who are they?" Osiris heard Dominic Lapuz asked in awe.

	When the leather jacket lot raised their guns and started to walk
towards the room, Mr. Brine shouted to everyone, "Get inside. Don't let
them in!" He then ran to the doors and closed it behind him.

	All the windows suddenly shut on their accord, making everyone
jump. No one dared to move as they heard shouting and explosions from
outside. Osiris looked shocked but he was not the only one; half the room
stood frozen in surprise like mannequins. Then a powerful blast from the
exterior finally shook them to their senses, Angelina and Osiris led the
others to barricade the doors with chairs as the chaos from outside
continued. Some of the younger students started to grow scared and the
girls started crying. Osiris noticed Angelina moving around, trying to
comfort the other students.

	"I don't understand," said Angelina while holding Christine Marco,
a first year student who looked rather pale. "Os, what is happening?"

	Seeing the terror in Angelina's eyes, Osiris only gaped at her. He
couldn't answer. Nothing made sense. Their school was in a middle of a
city, why would bandits try and take over? And what's with the cloaked men?

	A series thunderous blasts came from outside, rattling the doors to
its hinges. Cries of pain followed, more shouting, curses and strange words
Osiris can't discern. The students huddled together, as far away from the
doors as possible.

	"There are Mordigans in here!" someone shouted from outside.

	"Get the mark! We need the target!" another said.

	Everyone screamed as the door exploded into shreds. Four cloaked
men entered, two of them remained just by the door as though standing guard
while the other two went in, looking around as though trying to find
something. One of the two stared to Os, and then lowered his hood. He saw a
middle aged man with short brown hair, cold black eyes and pale skin,
looking threatening.

	"Are you a warlock?" said the man, pointing to Osiris. His voice
gave everyone a sudden shiver.

	"What?" stuttered Osiris.

	The other robed man also lowered his hood. He was much older than
the first, with graying hair and much paler skin. He said, "Just take
him. He's the only one in here." The younger man nodded then started
towards Os.

	"Hey! Who are you!" shouted Osiris as he dashed away from the man,
going behind armchairs and desks. "What do you want from me?"

	The man scowled when Osiris tried to throw a hardbound book to
him. Before the book hit the man though, it burst into flames and turned to
ashes. All the students gasped. Osiris's eyes widen in shock.

	"Just get it over with," grunted the older man impatiently as
another bang echoed from outside. "More Mordigans might arrive any minute
now."

	The younger man waved his hand and the desks between him and Osiris
parted, making a clear path. The man moved so fast that Osiris did have
time to react when his arm got grabbed and the robed man dragged him. Os
tried to get out of the man's grip but it was impossible.

	"Leave him alone!" Angelina bellowed. She was holding a broom from
the cleaning cabinet, waving it threateningly.

	The younger man stopped then turned sneering to Angelina. "That's
not the right use of a broom, young lady."

	"Let's go Seth," curtly said by the older man, who replaced his
hood.

	Seth grasped Osiris more painfully but the pain only made Os
struggle more.

	"Don't stop and I will kill all your friends," Seth whispered to
his ear. Osiris stood still and looked at the man's eyes; the man was
deadly serious.

	Angelina moved forward. "Release Osiris now! I don't want to hurt
you but I will if it is necessary."

	Seth leered. "What will you do? Sweep me off my feet?"

	With these words, Angelina just held the broom more firmly and in
an agile move, she ran towards Osiris and the man named Seth. The older man
must have grown impatient as he waved his hand and Angelina rocketed
towards the other part of the room. She hit a shelf of books and dropped to
the floor; the broom flew out of her hands.

	"Angelina!" shouted Osiris. The other students only stared, too
afraid to make any move.

	"Aw, Djinn," said Seth while restraining Os. "You didn't have to be
too harsh." But he said this with a smile and sardonic tone. Osiris stared
to Angelina; she was struggling to stand up.

	"I don't know how you did that," said Angelina. "But you're going
to pay." She picked up the broom again and Os got a glimpse of her face. It
was dead-serious.

	"No Angelina, stay put!" shouted Osiris but he barely finished when
he saw that Angelina has already sprinting towards his direction. She was
about to strike the hand holding Osiris when a blast of light from Seth's
other hand, like electricity, strike the broom handle she was holding.

	It disintegrated, turning to ash but the light didn't stop to the
broom. It hit Angelina's hands and she howled in pain. Os stared horrified
as the skin on Angelina's hands peeled, exposing the burning her
flesh. Blood sprayed everywhere, staining the tiled floors and white walls
of the room. The girl tried to get away from the light but Seth pointed his
hand purposefully.

	Angelina collapsed to the floor, shrieking from the pain; the sound
coming from her was pure horror. Seth continued until Angelina fell silent
suddenly.

	The room was covered in smoke and the smell made Osiris's stomach
roll over, like rotting eggs. The scene cleared up, he stood still, like a
statue, peering at Angelina's mangled body. It was unrecognizable; as
though the corpse was not human. White objects that looked like bones parts
lay dejected in a stump of blood and flesh.

	Seth tugged Osiris' hand and got surprised when Osiris knocked him
at the face. Os punched, kicked; hit any part of the body he could
reach. He was shouting every curse, every foul word he could think of to
the man who killed Angelina.

	Osiris's other hand got released through the struggle but before he
can use it, he got lifted from his feet and got slammed to the wall by an
unknown force. He nearly fainted due to the impact. But he didn't care. He
felt numb. Osiris staggered back to his feet, preparing to attack again
when he choked with no apparent reason; he felt his throat twisting.

	"Stop! You can't kill him yet or the Advocatus will kill you!" said
the man called Djinn to Seth, forcing him to lower his hand. "Just knock
him out and let's go. We've already wasted time here."

	Osiris could not believe these people. They just wasted
time... killing Angelina is just a waste of their time!  Osiris's breathing
eased as Seth waved his hand away. The chaos outside the room was still as
intense as ever but Osiris could have cared less. He kneeled, in disbelief,
barely noticing that Seth walked toward him. Os raised his face to look at
Angelina's killer with empty, cold eyes.

	"This is for the punch," Seth said quietly then knocked Os on the
side of his head with the back of his hand.  Osiris felt a sharp pain, then
blackness and knew no more.

						* * *

	New Valley High School was often empty after 6 pm but today was an
exception. Mysterious balls of light drifted all around, illuminating the
scene of destruction that the battle had left. Some of the classrooms near
the newspaper office were damaged, their windows blasted, their walls in
pieces. Plants remains, shreds of posters and pieces of wooden benches
littered the ground; some were still smoking. People were all around,
investigating the scene.

	Caleb Brine ushered his students, giving them water to drink to
calm them. Some girls fainted in shock and when they woke, it took nearly
thirty minutes to convince them that they were now safe. Caleb was just
giving Cynthia another cup when someone called him from behind.

	"Caleb... Herald Alexis Raven, Ryu Hsu and Penelope Nite are now
here," said a young man holding a camera.  Caleb Brine nodded and saw a
beautiful woman approaching his way. She was in a business suit accompanied
by two more people who dressed like her.

	"Caleb, are you all right? What happened?" asked the woman with a
slightly curly blond hair and striking blue eyes. She looked as old as
Caleb.

	"What happened?" said Caleb trying not to shout but he sounded
incredulous. "You're asking me Alexis? Where were you and your division
when the Hand attacked us earlier? You were supposed to be watching the
Sergeant's moves!"

	"We were!" snapped Alexis, apparently she didn't like getting
yelled at. "We were watching Iblis in the southern part of the city. He
was--"

	"You were watching one while I battled four!" Caleb shouted, unable
to restrain himself anymore. "If it wasn't for Hawthorn's and Cecilia's
help, I would have died with the rest of these children!"

	Alexis closed her eyes and opened them again. "The other four were
here?" she said in disbelief.

	"Yes and more. Armed men were with them, probably the Hand's
private army probably Roster Five. They were using bullets as well as
disintegrating spells," said Caleb, his tone softening, evidently tired
because of the fight.

	Ryu Hsu looked around and said, "Caleb, were any of the children
harmed?"

	Caleb put his face to his hands as he sat on a bench that
miraculously survived the wreckage of the battle. "One got killed; the
others are alright but got traumatized. I gave them spiked water to make
them forget what happened." He then looked up and said, "They got Osiris."

	The three stood very still. Penelope Nite sounded worried as she
said, "Has the High-priestess been notified yet?"

	"Of course Penny," said Caleb. "I send Hawthorn to High-priestess
Verdandi at once, after the Hand escaped. I expect she is on her way. Then
Cecilia went to gather any available Mordigan that are in the area. So here
we are."

	The students were escorted out of the school as night had
fallen. Caleb, as the one of the four senior Mordigans in the area,
facilitated this, while Alexis and the two other Heralds, Ryu and Penelope,
led the repair of the damages. The students waved goodbye to their adviser
as though they never saw a schoolmate die. The potion in the water worked
perfectly.

	Just then, Caleb noticed a familiar black limousine parking in
front of the school gates. A lady with breathtaking beauty got out and
walked towards the school entrance. The security guard opened his mouth
intending to stop the lady from getting in as it was obviously after-hours.

	The lady smiled to the guard who appeared to be struck dumb as his
expression changed from stern to dreamy. He invited the lady in, opening
the gates for her and bidding her a go stay. Caleb just smiled.

	"High-priestess Verdandi," said Caleb giving the lady a short bow.

	"Thank you Caleb," said Verdandi giving Caleb a bow in
response. Both walked to back to the other side of the school. Caleb
thought it was odd that Verdandi used a limousine upon getting there which
was very uncharacteristic of her.

	As though reading his mind, Verdandi glance to Caleb and said with
a smile, "I just got from the MacFacius Pharmaceuticals. Henri wasn't there
but I guess he won't dare use the company in connection to the Hand's
activities."

	Caleb knew that it was rude to stare but even though how many times
he sees his High-priestess, he couldn't quite satisfy himself. Verdandi
looked incredibly beautiful and graceful in a flowing navy blue gown and
many would have been unconvinced that she was a High-priestess, the leader
of a powerful coven. She looked young and appeared as old as Caleb but the
young man knew well that she was double his age.

	They walked slowly and after a while the reconstructions of the
other Mordigans could be seen. Verdandi watched silently and even closed
her eyes as though she was listening to music only she could hear. When she
reopened them, Caleb saw a determination that he had only seen once from
her.

	"We need to get Osiris back Caleb," said Verdandi, authority
ringing from her voice. "Our survival depends on it. I want you to stay at
your quarters and wait for the Trackers' update. I've already notified all
of them to abandon temporarily their duties. They are now looking for
Osiris or any members of the Hand that can lead us to him. If any word
comes up, I give you the responsibility to take action to get Osiris
back. I will be on the Mansion and update the Congress of Elders."

	Caleb nodded his acceptance of the responsibility. "I'll do my best
High-priestess. What would you think we should do if Osiris is recovered?"

	"The Hand's attack tonight is very aberrant," said Verdandi
frowning a little. "I think it would be best to take care of Osiris once
and for all... before the Advocatus Diaboli use him against us. Take him to
your quarters. You'll know what to do then."

						* * *


	Dimness greeted Osiris's eyes when he came around. He felt cold
metal against his back as he noticed his shirt was gone. And by the look of
the room he was in, Os guessed he was in a hospital or a clinic and lying
on an operating table. The cool feeling on his hands and ankles that
inhibited his movement only meant metal shackles.

	'I'm on a table where they do autopsy and stuff!' Osiris thought,
cold sweat running from his brow. I'm so screwed.

	A ray of light was coming from the outside as the door was slightly
open; Os could even hear slight pieces of conversations from without. He
was shaking from head to foot in combination of cold and fear then the door
suddenly slammed open, nearly making his heart jump to his throat.

	Overhead lights turned on, blinding Osiris from his
surroundings. Sounds of movement flooded the room. After a moment, Os
squinted a little and when his eyes adjusted enough, and saw five people
was with him in the room. A dreadful feeling washed over him as to what
might happen next.

	Everyone who walked in wore robes a little differently from each
other. One was a woman, petite and young, wearing dark violet robes that
reaches just above her knees. She has black hair and a sharp stare even
though she appeared to be bored. She positioned herself near the operating
table, at Osiris's right. Something inside Os told him he didn't want to be
alone with this woman.

	Two were wearing black robes, long enough to brush the floor, their
faces hidden by their hoods. They were walking around, handing saws and
razors to each other as though preparing to butcher someone.

	The remaining two were men holding staffs long enough to reach
their shoulders, the black crystal on top glittered ominously. They were
wearing blood red robes though not as long as the black clad ones, and
stood near the doors like sentinels.  The black robed men continued to move
around, picking up metal instruments, whispering instructions to each other
yet quietly enough that Osiris couldn't distinguish the words. His heart
thumping faster by the minute, Os noticed that the metal things were used
by doctors in operation procedures.

	What the hell are they gonna do to me? he thought as his throat
constrict in fright. Are they going to experiment on me or something?

	When the men in black appeared to be finish preparing, one of them
said, "We are ready." His voice sounded old and tired, as though he was
someone's grandfather.

	The woman looked down to Osiris and gave him a seductive smile that
was more of a leer. Osiris gulped when she said, looking to his eyes, "Okay
then. Start the operation. I want his heart fresh and preserved."

	"Preserved?" croaked Os. "What... what are you going to do?"

	"We're going to cut up your chest, take out your heart and put it
in the freezer, Mr. Rites," the woman talked as though it was something she
did as a hobby; Osiris's eyes nearly pop out.

	"Why would you do that?" tears came running to Osiris's cheeks.

	"Oh don't cry," said the woman. "Be a tough little warlock that you
are. Your heart will be very valuable. As you know, or probably don't, a
human heart is the nexus of life. It is the center of being, making it
magically powerful. Many believe that the brain is the superior part of the
body but we know better. Plus, you're such a strong warlock, which makes
your heart much coveted."

	The shackles jingled as Osiris's body shook in fear. "What are you
talking about? I'm not a warlock."

	The woman paused a little. "Callow huh? Just like what we
needed. Do it," she said to the black robed man nearest to the table.

	Os closed his eyes, thinking with all his might that this was not
real... that he will wake up any second now from this nightmare. But when
he opened his eyes, the room didn't dissolve. A man in black was already
pointing a scalpel to his chest.
	Osiris stared at the man and saw two eyes just within the shadows
of the hood. He pleaded with his eyes.

	'Please don't do it. I don't want to die.' The blade was inches
from his skin.

	The man halted.

	"What is it?" said the woman impatiently. "Why did you stop?"

	The man raised his head and said, "This is not right. I will not do
this."

	As though she just got slapped in both sides, the woman said, "What
did you say?"

	"I cannot do this. This is not right."

	Scoffing, she pointed her index finger. The man flew to the wall
and turned to stone, like a perfectly carve statue. Osiris's head snapped
to the statue then to the woman who looked unperturbed.

	"Since when did Alchemists develop a conscience?" She pointed to
the remaining Alchemist and she said, "You do it."

	But the man refused too. "He is just a child."

	The woman rolled her eyes. "What the devil is happening to you
all?" She turned him into stone too.

	"Fine," she said, walking around the operating table then picked up
the scalpel. "If no one will do it, Lilith will."

	She was raising the blade when Os shouted to the two men by the
door, "Please! Help me!"

	The blade flew from the woman's hand by a flash of light. She
rounded to the men and shouted, "How dare you!"

	"Leave him alone!" one growled. Lilith was about to blast the man
when she suddenly stop. She looked around and studied Osiris, shirtless and
lying on the metal table, then stared to the two men pointing their staffs
to her. The woman gave a dismissive laugh.

	"You're doing this, aren't you!?" she pointed to Osiris accusingly.

	Os gaped at her, horrified than ever. "What?"

	"You're making them do your will," she chuckled. "You're a
telepath." She faced Osiris fully then flicked her fingers. Both men behind
her, together with their staffs, disintegrated into ashes as flames
consumed them and vanished.

	"This would be fun. No wonder Advocatus Diaboli is so anxious to
get a hold of your heart. Now I will pluck it off your body with my bare
hands."

	She extended her left hand to Osiris's chest, her long black nails
scratching his skin and the pain made Os shout at the top of his lungs.

	"NO!"

	The room exploded by an unseen force. The woman got tossed to the
cemented wall and out of the room. Walls blew apart, fluorescent tubes
shattered and the ceiling caved in due to the outburst. The shackles
holding Osiris's hands and ankles broke free as though they were made of
clay. Astounded and stunned, he got off the table and ran through a big
hole in the wall.

	He rounded a corner, praying not to see any robed people. To
Osiris's surprise and relief, the building appeared to be deserted. He went
down to a flight of stairs and ran as fast as his feet could carry
him. When he got to the ground floor, he noticed that it was a hospital
lobby and the front doors were conveniently locked shut.

	"Help! Help! Anyone out there, help me!" Osiris screamed but no one
answered him. Turning around, his back to the grills of the door, he tried
to get pass his fear and think of any way on how to get out of the
building. But not much of a brainwave got to him. Os knew that the only
sure way to get out was through the front doors and to search for any other
exit might only prove fatal; he didn't know how many crazy people were in
the building. But his screams would have surely attracted attention and if
he didn't move fast, Osiris was sure he will not survive the night.

	He tried again to open the doors, shaking the thick glass and metal
handles but the locks won't give.

	"Stupid lock!" he muttered furiously, frustrated that he was
trapped in a building with a murderous psycho woman. "Will you just OPEN!?"

	To his shock, the lock clicked and he moved back as the doors
slowly opened. The light breeze of the night greeted Os, chilling his
bones. He hesitated for a second, thinking that someone or something might
be outside waiting for him to get out and bite his head off. But he argued
to himself that it would be much to his advantage if he got out to open
space and ran outside to escape and die fighting than stay and wait for
something to happen. He dash to the night.

	He recognized the area at once. It was an old commercial district
just beyond the city. Shivering, Osiris just noticed he didn't have his
shirt with him as goose bumps formed in his skin. Running away from the old
city hospital was exhausting, he could have been sprinting for at least
half an hour nonstop, but the fear of near death and the possibility of
getting caught fueled his aching legs. But when his muscles finally gave in
fatigue, Os decided to rest a bit, collapsing beside a payphone booth. He
crouched by the bushes in hope that it hides him from view.

	"What a night," he gasped.

						* * *

	The leader of the Hand of Atonement, known as the Advocatus Diaboli
stood by the wrecked operating room inspecting the damage. His tall figure
cast shadows to the room, his facial features looked noticeably impressed
and it was a surprise for his companions to see him smiling in a time like
this. The young warlock escaped but the Advocatus appeared to be pleased.

	"How did he escape?" a man known as Akvan asked Lilith, his
battle-toughen body leaning against the hallway wall outside the wreckage.

	Lilith told them about the Alchemists' refusal and the Sentries
attacking her and then the explosion. "It appeared he was a telepath and a
psychokinetic to boot," said the woman obviously disgruntled.

	Akvan sneered. "You got outwitted by a mere telepathic boy?"

	"Hey! It wasn't my fault that I hadn't been informed of his
powers. I thought he was a novice but no novice can do something as
powerful as this."

	"Your blunder took the Advocatus from a very important meeting with
clients that we had... persuaded in to selling their company to us,"
pointed a burly man standing behind Lilith.

	The Advocatus walked in the room, ignoring his minions
wrangling. His gray eyes absorbed his surroundings. He finally found what
he was looking for after thirteen years: Osiris Rites was the key and the
Advocatus can't contain his pleasure. He rounded to his six Sergeants.

	"Never mind the take over Oni. Osiris Rites is more important than
any of my businesses. Where is he now?" he asked Akvan.

	Akvan faced his boss. "He's being protected by the
Mordigans. They're in a safe house run by a Herald. It would be hard to
take him again, the Mordigans will anticipate an attack."

	"Don't worry. We won't attack... yet."

	"If you don't mind me asking sir," said a skinny man beside
Akvan. "Why do you appear to be... happy with his escape?"

	"Iblis, you are wrong," said his leader in a tone that made
everyone in the room cower in fear. But the next statement made the
sergeants relax again. "I am blissful even though we lost the boy," the
Advocatus continued, "He survived us and that means he is worth more than
his heart. Oh, this is much better than owning millions of tons of gold. I
have waited for him for thirteen years. What a gratifying wait indeed."

	Lilith walked forward and neeled in front of her leader, bowing
remorsefully and obviously shaking in dread.

	"I'm sorry Advocatus. I failed you and the world. I offer up my
life to you," she said shakily but in a tone of deepest loyalty.

	Holding up Lilith's chin with a long finger, the Advocatus smiled
at her. "Do not weep my sweet. You have done nothing wrong. At most, you
have given me and the world something so invaluable that I shall give you a
reward. And you are far more useful alive than dead."

	The other Sergeants stood confused and some, though they were quick
to hide it, looked jealous.

	"You shall be my right-hand man for now on and you will lead the
operation that shall grant our ultimate goal. Osiris is the answer for the
world's atonement. He will be the key to the Mordigan's demise."

To be Continued...