Your Grandfathers words echo from the recorder. His voice is a rich, steady baritone, made rough by years of cigars and hard living-but he sounds younger here, at least by a year. It feels comforting to you.
"Rich. My boy...I've got be quick. We're about to seal the box up more or less permanently-once it closes, we won't be able to open it back up without attracting the Hand...Hell, he's probably on his way here now...he moves fast once he's got a fix on it.
(There's a scuffling in the background. You can make out muffled curses.)
If you're hearing this...this seal is now broken. You're not losing your mind, by the way. What you just experienced was courtesy of an especially gifted friend of mine in the Agency. Not what you're thinking of, but close enough. It was the only way I could think of letting you know the stakes. Don't bother reminding of this tape-he's scrubbing my memory after we're done, so the Hand can't use it against us.
But if you're listening to his, something had gone wrong. And I can't risk you going up against the Hand unprepared. It'll come for you Rich. It wants the Crystal. Don't let him have it. No matter what he promises you.
The place you'll be going to-it's the start of closing Aza (for the Love of God, don't say his real name out loud) back in his cage, him and his Hand. I put this box in your case the last time you left-the seal is getting weaker, and when it breaks, he's coming for me. Forces have begun to move in opposition of us. It's better if you have it on you, it will buy us some tme...
(Talking in the background. It sounds...nervous. Rich makes out the faint words "Contact sighted...")
I'll hold him off as long as I can-though it might be hard to figure a way to do that without killing it enough to make it invincible. Eventually, it will get me, or learn I don't have the Crystal. Then it will be coming for you. You're asking yourself why I left this in your lap. Well, I did alot of good in my time. I helped people. But I left alot of messes, as well. Ones that, I hate to say, I'm too damn old to clean up. It's going to be up to you, boy...I intend to tell you all of this one day. The Seal. The Hand. About that Woman...but honestly, I'm not sure if I'll make it this time.
(There's a long pause, but you can hear him breathing.)
If I don't, you'll meet a friend of mine. Her name is Kathryn Devere. She's a nice looking redhead, looks like a lawyer. I knew her mother...She's as tough as nails, and she's got gifts like you wouldn't believe-she can make the little show you just saw look like a cheap made-for-tv movie. She'll find you. Just make sure it's her. Ask how much I bet on Spitting Fire. She should say $22. Then ask her what I did with the money. If she laughs, you know it's her. The Hand can impersonate, it can mock, it can even steal memories...but it can't replicate real emotions. You'll figure it out for yourself, I hope.
It's cliched, but trust no one you meet from now on, at first sight-especially old friends, or women you were close to. The softer you are for someone, the more likely it is to pick up on that. Test them first. Watch for the signs. I know that's a recipe for insanity, but it's the only way to stay alive.
(You hear a loud sound over the tape-possibly a gunshot. Your Grandfather talks a little quicker)
...That's it. I could tell more...but it'll have to wait. Just stay safe, Rich-if you see the hand, kill it and drive it back. It's not hard, not at first. I killed it damn near three dozen times before we sealed the crytsal in that box-that's what kept it from finding us till now, but that doesn't matter anymore. Once this seal is broken, it's not going to be fixed-Our little trick here will only buy a year or so....It shouldn't still be resistant to those methods I used on it by the time you hear this, except maybe the sword I first pierced it with, for a laugh. I get the feeling it will enjoy starting the game over again.
As for methods, I suggest you do so in an imaginative way, since it'll only get harder next time.
I can only hope I'll have trained you well enough when the day comes. But you've got Dockson blood-I know you'll do your best. I love you, son. Keep the torch lit. Don't let him have it. I know, you'll be thinking this is too big for you-an End of the World deal-you'll be thinking maybe it's not real at all.
I thought the same when my Grandfather told me. I didn't believe him...and someone I cared very much for was lost to me. Don't let the same happen to you, son."
*fwip fwip fwip*
The tape runs silents, then cuts out.
Author
Topic: Hunters of Fortune-Play Thread/Act 2: Gotterdammerung (Read 30741 times)