Accidental Demon Slayers: Experiments in Darkness pt. 21

Elizabeth dragged Ashtyn into the lab, plopping her next to her passed out friends.  As small as the girl was, she was still hard to move.  As she stood up she could feel the muscles in her back tense.  She was going to feel that burn tomorrow.

“You heard his call?”  Steven stepped into the doorway of the lab.

“Yes.”  She kept her distance from him.  Grath had told her what he had done to Nomi, and she wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to do the same to her.  Even though they were on the same side, power had a way of making one want to take out their competition.  “Did you get it?”

Steven nodded, holding up a clear, glass box.  It looked like a smaller version of the cage that had held Grath when he was still inhabiting Andrew’s old body.  Floating inside was a large, yellow spore.

“No others were infected.”  Steven started towards her, holding the box out in front.  “Nomi had cleared out the lab before the... specialists were brought in.”

Elizabeth glanced over at Megan.  She still looked human, except for her eyes.  The rest of her was unchanged.

She shuddered, unable to look away from the smooth skin where Megan’s eyes should have been.  No matter how many times she saw that, it still gave her the creeps.

“So, who do we give the spore to?”  Elizabeth looked back to Steven.  “You or me?”

“Neither.”  He laughed, lowering the glass box.  “We are not worthy.  At least, not yet.  No, if we were to be... joined with Grath now, we would just turn into one of those lumbering beasts. We must find him a worthy host.”

Elizabeth motioned with her head towards Megan.  “What about her?  She seems to be holding out so far.”

Steven shook his head.  “Come.  I unlocked the doors to the lab.”  He turned, not even waiting for her. “We must grow our numbers.  The name of Grath must be heard, and he must be given power.  Only then will his true host come forth.”

Elizabeth followed Steven.  She secretly hoped that she would never end up sounding like that.  Like some brain washed cult member.  She wasn’t in this for the glory of Grath.  She was in this for what he could give her.  At first she had just wanted Nomi’s job, but now... now she had a chance at some real power.

She just hoped she didn’t have to look like one of those things to get it.

Keeping her distance, she followed Steven out of the lab.

“For the glory of Grath.”  He pulled the box close to his chest.

“Sure,” she sighed, “for the glory of Grath.”

They quickly navigated the winding halls of the lab, and then made their way out the front door.  Whatever happened back at Yamada didn't concern them anymore.  They had a new mission, a new leader.

They would spread the name of Grath to all those who would listen, and destroy those who would get in his way.  They were his disciples.