13 April 2012
Paranormal agent James Takata of the Talamasca sensed that the assassins were coming, and that there would be more than one; he could not discern, however, precisely what form they would take, or the exact time of their arrival. Whenever evil made an incursion into the material plane, however, the Talamasca would be there to push back as their representatives had done for thousands of years.
Takata did not have to wait long. As he opened the door of his townhouse apartment the next morning, he beheld a rancid black ooze on the doorstep. At his presence the tar-like substance expanded and flowed upwards, gradually assuming the height of a man. The demonic presence was anything but human, however, fixing the gaze of two red eyes on Takata. He had encountered this entity before, as well as its kin.
"Hello, Flopsy!," Takata greeted the creature. "How the hell are you?," he asked darkly. In response, the abomination opened a slash of a mouth, revealing a wicked set of teeth and roaring at Takata.
Takata backpedaled to avoid a swipe that the thing suddenly made at him, knowing that its touch was caustic. The creature would try to wrap around him and burn him in its acidic grip. It was useless to try and slay the monster with his katana, since the blade would part the ooze only to have it flow together again. The substance of its body was similar to petrochemicals, however, and it was possible that it might burn.
Resolving to try this theory, Takata angled a low swipe of his katana across the flagstone where the demon stood, the steel of his blade sparking as it glanced across the rough surface. The black ooze ignited, and soon the thing called "Flopsy" was burning merrily. Takata stepped back to watch the blaze as the creature, a ball of flame, shrieked as its body mass was consumed. Within a few minutes there was nothing left of the oily monster except for a stinking, smoking core.
"Give my regards to Hell, Flopsy!," spat Takata at his defeated enemy. He would have little time to celebrate his victory, however, as the monstrous brother of Flopsy was already taking shape before him...
The Gang Of Three • Opuss № I