Mom

I waited just outside of town, like Tony sad. I could see a large cloud approaching from a distance, and a small light binking in the center of it. That must have been the signal. I teeprted into the sky above the clouds. I could see the Tantalus sailing in the middle of it all. I used the Godsway again, reappearing jus a few feet above the deck. It's starting to scare me how easily I can do that. It doesn't even hurt any more.

Tony ran up to me when I came on board.
"Hey, man," he said. "Been a while."
"Yeah," I said. "So this ship can create fog?"
"It's how the Wooden Girl sailed around unnoticed when she was captain," Tony said.
"I see," I said. "So where's Kelterry?"
"Right here," Kelterry said, coming up from bellow deck.
"So would you mind explaining to me why the fuck you brought my mom on board?" I asked.
"I wanted answers," he said. "And she had them. You should go talk to her. You'll wanna hear what she has to say."

He led me below deck, where she was waiting, with my little half brother, Tyler. I don't think I've mentioned him on the blog before. Cute kid. He looks kind of like I used to. We both take after our mother.

"Been a while," I said.
"Yeah," my mom said.

Akward silence. I believe I explained in the post titled "Backstory" that my parents divorced when I was six. I don't see much of her anymore. Every now and then she and Tyler visit, but it's been a couple years since the last time.

Is it true you have powers?" Tyler said, finally reaking the silence.
"Sure do," I said. "Wanna see?"
"Yeah!" he said.
"Okay," I said, turning to Kelterry. "Would you mind getting your son?"
"I don't think he wants to be desturbed right now," Kelterry said.
"Please?" I said, smiling. As I did, my aura shifted a bit, evenloping the whole room.
"Okay," he replied, leaving.
"What was that?" my mom asked.
"The Unnamed Child's power," I said. "I pull an aura. Charm people. Not a power I like to use much, but I can get some people to do exactly what I want them to, if their guard is down."
Next, I set my hand on fire. My mom and Tyler jump back a bit.
"Took me awhile to get the hang of pyrokinesis," I said. "Cryo and electro kinesis were a lot easier."
A few moments later, Hideaki walked in.
"What did you want with me?" he asked.
"I just need to demonstrate something," I said, grabbing his arm.

My consciousness flowed into him. My body faded away, and my mind enveloped his own. I was seeing through his eyes. Using his body.

"The Dying Man's power," I said. "Possession."

I left his body quickly. I've used possession once before. If I stay in someone elses body for too long, they grow weak. Decay. I didn't want that to happen to Hideaki. Besides, possession is just plain exhausting.

"Geez," Hideaki said, shaking a bit. "Warn a guy next time!"
"Sorry," I said.
"One more!" Tyler said excitedly.
"Okay, but just one," I said.

I thought for a moment, trying to decide which one. And it came to me pretty easy. I'd hit her with a power she deserved to witness. I closed my eyes and focused. More of them appeared. On every wall, chair, the floor, the ceiling, everything. Eyes. Some large as eggs, some tiny as soy beans. And I could see everywhere. All around me. No blind spots.

Everyone in the room drew back, struck by a sensation I knew all to well. They were being forced to see their darkest moments. All of their life's regrets playing out before them. I opened my eyes again, and the other eyes vanished without a trace.

"What was that?" My mom asked.
"Guilt inducement," I said. Then I added "They also make great security cameras."
"I... I see," she said. She knew exactly why I did that.

Anyway, there was no more time for games. Time to get down to business. I turned on the Black Dog's power. My eyes turned red. They would let me know if she told a lie. I made sure to brush my bangs in front of my face so she wouldn't notice.

"Kelterry says you can tell me a bit about my powers," I said. "They were supposed to have faded away generations ago. Why did I get them back?"

"Do you remember 4 years ago?" she asked.
"Vaguely," I said.

That was two visits ago. I really don't remember muchof it. I think we went to Inn-In-Out. Or maybe it was Sizzlers... I get visits mixxed up sometimes.

"While I was visiting you, I saw something," she said. "Well, multiple things. There was a man in a gas mask, watching you from a distance."
"The Archangel," I said.
"I didn't think much of it at first," she said. "But I saw him again. Then, there was this woman wearing a wedding dress. When I looked at her a second time, she was gone, and there were only fireflies."
"The Burning Bride," I said.
"And I kept seeing others," she said. "A tall bald man in a suit, an old man with a book, a wooden mannequin that seemed to move, a large dog with red eyes. After I left again, I met a man. He said the things I saw were called Fears, and that they were after you."
"He was right," I said. I had no idea they were watching me all the way back to four years ago. Exactly how long have the Fears been involved with my life?
"I didn't believe him at first," she said. "But then he showed me something."
"What did he show you?" I asked.
"His hand," she said.

Jack. My mother met the Jack Of All, four years ago. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. But the Black Dog's eyes were still active. She was telling the truth.

"It was inhuman," he said. "He even did magic with it. Real magic, not that sleight of hand BS."
"So what did you do?" I asked.
"He said you had power sleeping inside you," she said. "Power that could protect you."
"Go on," I said, scared of what might come next.
"He said he could awaken that power," she said. "All I had to do was-"
"Shake his hand," I finished for her.
"Yes," she said.
"And you did?" I asked.
"I wanted you to be safe," she said. "I know I'm not always there for you, but your my son! I don't want anything to happen to you."
"What was the catch?" I asked. "The Jack Of All... he doesn't make these kinds of deals without some kind of twist or price or something."
"He did say something," she said. "He said that in the near future, you would be forced to part with something dear to you."
"I need some time alone," I said.
"Okay," she replied.

I went to my cabin and sat on the bed. My mom made a deal with Jack four years ago. That's why I'm a Devil Killer. But what did I part with? Or have I not parted with it yet? Just what the hell was the price for Jack's deal?


.....
Kelterry just knocked on the door. He said we'll be heading off to Veratis Kalohella soon. I'd better wrap this post up and get ready.