Episode 2.10: Balance

"I want to learn to summon specific entities," you answered, hoping to keep malevolent beings like the Kelpie at bay. "Not just throw a line and hope for the best."

"As I said earlier, you will need a focus," Jack elaborated. "A talisman, an artifact with resonance, can help filter that net you're casting. It may not guarantee the desired entity, but it can help keep unwanted ones at bay. For instance, a sword could attract a warrior spirit, a holy text an angelic being, and so on. What are you hoping to summon, anyway?"

"Something powerful enough to deal with the Freaks." You replied. The Freaks were the second-largest criminal gang in Annwyn City, and with the Droogs all but gone, they were consolidating power. "But willing to take orders from me."

"Powerful demons aren't usually in the habit of taking orders from a teenager," Jack observed, a wry smile playing on his lips. "You will have to make a trade between a demon's strength and its ease of control."

"Right, a balance," you nodded, mulling over his words. "I understand."

"No, I don't think you do," Jack's face twisted into a grimace. "It's easy for young, overconfident occultists to overstep. You might think you can control the summoned demon, but when it arrives, it's far stronger than anticipated… and innocents get killed because of your fuckup. I know this because I've been in your shoes."

"All right, I'll try to keep my summoning away from bystanders." You promised the Englishman, silently wondering if he had lost someone close to him because of his overconfidence.

Jack continued to provide tips on refining the summoning process. However, a summoned entity could only remain in your world for an hour, meaning Jack had to soon return to Liverpool.

"Can I have your phone number?" You hesitated. "Or maybe your email–"

"Hold up," Jack interrupted, rolling his eyes. "As I've made clear, I'm not your fairy godmother. You're already in my debt for tonight."

"I understand," you muttered, disappointment seeping into your voice. Jack noticed your dejected demeanor and his hardened façade softened a little.

"Listen, kid," he conceded, "You can summon me using my name if you're in a real bind. But don't bank on it becoming a regular occurrence."

"Okay, thanks for your help," you replied, a smile returning to your face. As Jack faded from sight, bound for Liverpool, you couldn't help but realize that beneath his gruff exterior, the occult detective may have a softer side than he cared to show.

Alone in the park, you contemplated your next steps. You decided you needed a talisman, a tool to summon an entity that was both powerful enough to deal with the Freaks and nice enough to follow your commands.

The Freaks were fewer in number compared to the Droogs, but they posed an equal, if not greater, threat. Their ranks were notorious for their extreme body modifications and voluntary cybernetic augmentations – they resembled supervillains more than common gangsters. Yet, they were blissfully ignorant of the storm that was brewing, ready to descend upon them.

The Freaks had no idea what was coming their way, did they?

[End of Episode 2]

Meta: Next Episode

We are done with Episode 2 aka The Training Episode. In Episode 3, Ciara should go after the Freaks. Write in your ideas for the third episode, general worldbuilding, what you want to see in this quest, etc.

[] Ciara commits mass murder… again.
[] The Freaks may or may not have hired a mercenary supervillain to deal with the super who took out the Droogs.
[] Ciara decides to get a costume using the drug money she stole from the Droogs.
[] Write-in.