Virginia will not have time to complete her spell of return because the demon lord has raised a dead giant buried beside his castle. The giant stands higher than the highest tower. Dirt, mud and gravel rain from his skin, covered with phosphorescent fungi, while worms drip from his eye sockets. He steps into the courtyard, crushing demons, pulls the steeple from the small, stone building and reaches in for the Matucheks.
Meanwhile, Matuchek has had a realization:
"Let's go out fighting. Maybe our souls can escape.
"Souls!
"I grabbed Ginny by the shoulder and pushed her back to look at. 'We can send for help,' burst from me." (p. 275)
Although, in the present phase of the war between Heaven and Hell, neither side directly attacks the other's territory, there is nothing to prevent Virginia from seeking help elsewhere. By the mana of the signs that they bear, she calls on those beings who have known mankind and have been enemies of Chaos. She has opened a way from Earth even though it is as yet too frail for mortal bodies. The demons are routed and pursued by:
a helmeted, spear-wielding woman with an owl on her shoulder and a shield displaying a snake-haired face;
a large, feathered snake;
a cloaked, helmeted, red-bearded man in a goat-drawn chariot, his thrown hammer striking fire and returning to his hand.
The deanimated, falling giant demolishes a large part of the castle. The Matucheks not only rescue their daughter but capture her kidnapper.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I know the names of two of those beings and I can see why they would not like the Adversary. But I question the use of what seems to be an Aztec god. The horrible religion of the Aztecs, with its human sacrifices and cannibalism, would make the Aztec "gods" more likely to be SERVANTS of the Adversary.
Ad astra! Sean
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