Chapter 215: The Demon Ghast
The Guardian's Story
Perhaps due to his long isolation from humans, Alec was very reserved. He spoke haltingly and didn't seem particularly interested in Luke's questions.
"I can only tell you that everything was a choice of destiny. The forest needed a guardian, and I happened to fall into the swamp. That's just how it happened."
"And after that?"
Luke picked up an apple from a fruit bowl and took a bite. Finding the taste off, he put it down. "How did you end up being swallowed by the giant snake?"
"That is something I don't wish to answer."
A complex emotion flickered in Alec's eyes. He said slowly, "Thank you and your friends for rescuing me. I will have the forest guide you out shortly. Please leave."
The wooden bridge swiveled under Luke's feet, a clear gesture of dismissal. But Luke didn't move. He put down the half-eaten apple and said gravely,
"Professor Holland, we didn't come to the forest for you; we came for the cultists. You don't understand. They've already extended their claws to the White House, using eerie and unpredictable magic to strike a deal with certain high-ranking officials to manipulate the election and seize control of the country. Professor, you were once human. You must know the terrible consequences if they succeed."
Alec frowned. "You're with the government!"
"The FBI, to be precise."
Luke didn't hide anything, directly placing the blame on Jack Harvey's rival. "We were commissioned by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate President Joel Nash's collusion with the cult."
"The President?"
"Yes, exactly. The current President, Joel Nash."
Alec was completely stunned. After a long moment, he finally spoke.
"I take back what I said, but the few of you are simply not enough."
Luke chuckled. "Professor, you might be underestimating us."
Alec shook his head with a serious expression.
"The leader of the cult possesses the power of the demon Ghast. It is an ancient demon that has existed for untold ages, and its power is beyond imagination."
Luke froze. Ghast. The name sounded familiar. He remembered now: Abnegazar, Rath, and Ghast—the three rulers of the galaxy in ancient times, later defeated and imprisoned by the Timeless Ones family. The artifacts that sealed them were supposedly the Green Bell of Ysut, the Silver Wheel of Nayulaz, and the Red Jar of Calythos.
"Legend says that the demon Ghast was sealed in a strange-looking red canister. Anyone who sacrifices to the red canister can gain the demon Ghast's power. Initially, I didn't believe it, but then..."
Alec clenched his fist, and the green-covered skin on his cheek twitched violently. "Those people used some unknown method to create a woman who looked exactly like my wife and put a curse on her. By the time I realized it, it was too late. They held a sacrifice ritual in the forest, giving up thousands of lives to break the seal on the canister and obtain the power of the demon Ghast."
Alec painfully closed his eyes as he finished.
Luke chimed in. "And those people used Ghast's power to defeat you."
Alec nodded gently.
"Who is their leader?"
"I don't know."
"What about its abilities? I need to know what powers the demon Ghast possesses."
"Powerful physique, resilient soul, unimaginable magic, and mastery of various dark and fire magics. These are what you have to deal with. It has virtually no weaknesses. To defeat it, you need absolute hard power."
"Besides all that, you need to prepare for two more things." Alec held up two fingers. "Beware of Bad Luck and the Mask of Fate."
"What does that mean?"
"The demon Ghast commands the power of fate and can cast the Bad Luck Curse. The cursed person will be plagued by unimaginable misfortune. Nothing they attempt will succeed. Even a small stone could take your life," Alec sighed. "I was defeated by that very ability."
Luke frowned deeply. He continued, "And the Mask of Fate?"
"The Mask of Fate is information the forest gave me. I haven't witnessed him use it personally."
"So you don't know what the Mask of Fate is, either?"
"No."
Luke rubbed his chin, feeling that this was extremely troublesome. The information Alec provided was vital, but it also steered the situation toward a much worse predicament. He had thought it was just a typical cult conflict, but it turned out to involve a being on the level of the "Three Fiends."
Bad Luck Curse? Mask of Fate? Just the names suggested how difficult they would be to fight.
"Where is their lair?"
"There is a waterfall in the Swamp Forest. They are in the ruins beneath the waterfall. That site used to be a Native American ceremonial ground." He paused, picked up a wooden knife, and wrote a string of text on the table. "This is all the information I have about the cult. I've told you everything. If you are determined to fight, I am willing to help, but the result might not be what you want to see."
Luke memorized the text on the table and smiled. "I believe in our strength."
"I hope so. Do you have any other requests?"
Luke shook his head. He raised his hand, and a Hummingbird drone descended from the sky and landed on the table.
"We will launch our attack on the waterfall tomorrow morning. Please be prepared. If you have any questions, you can speak to the bird. It will inform me."
"Thank you for the apple, Professor. It was truly sweet."
With that, he rose and departed.
Reinforcements Arrive
Back on the hillside, the group immediately gathered around, asking for the result of the conversation. Luke shook his head, gesturing that they should discuss it back at the tavern.
The group left the swamp and returned the way they came. Alec curiously watched the metal Hummingbird. He couldn't resist reaching out his right hand, but the drone flew up with a cooing sound.
"Don't touch me! Don't touch me!"
Alec had to stop, but the curiosity on his face only deepened.
After returning to the town, Luke gathered everyone in the bedroom and relayed the information he had received from Alec. Learning that the person they were dealing with possessed the power of an ancient demon inevitably made everyone nervous.
"Bad Luck Curse? Mask of Fate?"
Roy ran a hand through his messy hair. "What kind of crazy abilities are those? Never heard of them."
Luke called Nelson outside and said bluntly, "Call your Director and tell him I need more people."
Nelson hesitated. "Shouldn't this many of us be enough?"
Luke shot him a cold glance.
"If you're tired of living, go fight the demon yourself. I'm still young, and I don't want to die this early."
"Fine."
Nelson gritted his teeth, nervously dialed Jack Harvey's number, and then immediately put the phone down. A hysterical roar came through the receiver. It was clear the old man was angry, extremely angry.
Once the shouting subsided, Nelson picked up the phone. After some explanation, he turned back to Luke.
"The boss said he's coming personally."
"Oh!"
Luke was genuinely surprised. The Director of the FBI was personally coming? The old man must be truly desperate.
"When will he arrive?"
"He's already left. He'll be here tonight."
"Good. I'll wait for him here."
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