The Second Book of the Alienbutt Saga. The Rise of Mr Fluffy. Part 75.

The chamber was a large cavernous area, far wider than it was high. Strange beams of red and green lights lit up small areas, and smoke drifted around large square blocks towards the back. Alienbutt stood in the entrance carefully looking around, the light from his headlamp lighting up the darkness.
As he finally walked into the hall, he saw a figure walk up between the strange square blocks. The red and green lights threw strange shadows, silhouetting him. The figure was dressed in a long robe and wearing a wide-brimmed hat. As Alienbutt watched, a further two figures also appeared through the smoke. Stopping his advance, Alienbutt went to bring his rifle to bear, but his robot arm refused to move. He tried to wiggle his fingers but to no avail. Looking back to where the figures stood, he saw more appearing through the smoke of other lights around the chamber. Over twenty now stood unmoving in the billowing smoke, watching him, their eyes glowing red.
“So would any of you know the way to the temple of Wantooaninyougo?” Alienbutt asked, letting the rifle fall to the floor and placing his good hand on the handle of his holstered pistol. He didn’t know what had gone wrong with his arm, but the timing couldn’t have been worse.
“You seek the Exalted Grand Master, the anointed Wantooaninyougo, defender of the void?” a voice shouted in reply. “You have found him. Here is the last exit of those lost.”
“If he’s the boss, I’d like a quick word. Sounds like I’m in the wrong place,” Alienbutt said, moving his hand to curl his fingers around the pistol’s handle.
One of the figures stepped forward, his steps slow and deliberate. Alienbutt again tried to move the fingers of his robotic arm, but it still remained useless.
“I am the anointed Lucifus, High Priest of the ancient temple of Wantooaninyougo. We guide the lost to the last exit from this universe. If you are not lost, then state your reason for defiling our temple with your presence.” The figure said, coming to stand before Alienbutt, his glowing eyes yellow.

Alienbutt realised this was down to some sort of eyewear, partially hidden beneath his worn and scruffy looking hat. Looking closer, Alienbutt noticed the cloak was equally battered, the black colour partially covered in a strange white powder. The trousers and boots beneath were also covered in the same strange powder and made of some kind of leather that had been patched many times.
“You don’t look much like a priest,” Alienbutt observed.
“And you don’t look like you stand any chance of drawing that weapon before my followers shoot you, so remove your hand,” Lucifus replied with a chilling smile.
“I just seek passage to the gateway. Let me through and no one gets hurt,” Alienbutt said, looking past Lucifus to where the others stood half-hidden in the billowing smoke. Alienbutt felt movement behind him, but he responded too late as something struck him across the back of his helmet. Falling to his knees, the world began to spin as more blows rained down on him.
“You will get to see what you seek, but as for no one getting hurt, I can’t promise that,” Lucifus said quietly, bending down, then in a louder voice he announced: “We have an extra sacrifice, prepare the altar.”
Alienbutt felt his arms dragged behind his back and restrained before being roughly dragged to his feet, his helmet ripped from his head. As he was being prepared to be taken away, a priest came rushing over.
“My Lord High Priest, another item has come through the void,” he said breathlessly, holding out what looked like a bottle. “It hit Ebil on the back of the head as she was lighting the candles of perdition.”
The High Priest looked at the item in the newcomer’s hand. “Karaxeem, calm your excitement.” He held out his hand and took the bottle, inspecting it.
Alienbutt saw the bottle and grinned. “Last chance Lucifus. You really don’t want to get in my way,” Alienbutt said, recognising the bottle of Hardstool single malt and knowing that beyond the gateway his friends waited.

To be continued.
All images are mine.