“Crystal,” Ethan said, gesturing to Faith, “don’t push this.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Shadow said, noticing Faith’s growing discomfort at the line of questioning. “It’s just lucky that she can, because if she couldn’t, then we would be stuck here.” He turned to Faith. “Would you read it for us…please?”
Faith gave a small smile and nodded. She went over to the door, and stopped short a few inches away from its surface. She leaned in closer and read:
“The clouds are my castle; the wind is my guide.
“The colored bow is my bed; the Earth where I fall to hide.”
“So it’s a riddle,” Ethan said. “I’m guessing we have to figure out the answer before we will be permitted to enter.”
“Interesting,” Shadow said, his face screwing up in thought. He wasn’t much for riddles, or any kind of puzzle, for that matter. “Does anyone have any ideas?”
Crystal stared off into space for a moment and then smiled. “I know what it is!”
Shadow blinked. “What is it?”
“The answer to the riddle!”
“I know that.” Shadow sighed. “I meant, what is the answer?”
“Oh,” Crystal replied, “it’s me. I’m the answer to the riddle.”
“Does anyone have an intelligent answer?” Shadow rolled his eyes.
“Let’s think about this thoroughly,” Ethan said, taking his own turn to examine the riddle. “I think it wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination to assume this temple was built centuries ago. By that logic, the answer would be something that was around back then and is still around to this day.”
“Well, what about something like the seasons or whatever?” Tristan asked.
Faith smiled. “You may be onto something, Tris.” She looked at Shadow. “It was a good suggestion, right?”
Shadow half-shrugged. “No complaints here.” He made his way closer to the door and went through the different names of seasons. Nothing happened. “I guess that wasn’t it. Nice try, though, Tristan.”
“Thanks.”
“Well, what else has been around for centuries?” Ryan asked. “Maybe it’s referring to something natural. like the sea, or maybe plants, or maybe–“
“Or maybe we should forget the stupid artifact and go to the mall instead,” Crystal said.
“Or maybe you could actually add something worthwhile to the conversation for once?” Kay spat, before Ethan could chastise Crystal.
Kay, don’t…” Isaac said, tugging on her shirt.
Crystal stood up and faced Kay. “Excuse me? Do you want to say that again?”
Kay smiled unpleasantly. “I think I was clear the first time. But if you’d like me to continue the thought: you’re annoying. And if you can’t contribute to the proceedings in a helpful way, maybe you shouldn’t be here at all.”
Crystal put her hands on her hips. “I don’t recall asking for your opinion, Kay.”
“You didn’t need to ask for it, Crystal, consider it a gift.”
Crystal took a step forward, practically pushing her chest into the other girl. “Well maybe I don’t want a gift from you.”
Shadow whistled loudly. “Guys, stop! You’re acting ridiculous.”
“Rain…” Tereya muttered, brushing his hand against the writing.
“What?” Ellie asked.
“I asked them to stop acting ridiculous,” Shadow replied, shaking his head. “I just need them to go one mission without ripping each other to shreds, is that so much to ask–”
“No, not you, Shadow,” Ellie said, rolling her eyes. “Reya said something.”
“Oh. What’s up, Reya?”
Kay sneered. “Well, maybe we would have heard what he said if Crystal could keep her big fat mouth shut for more than a second at a time.”
“Oh, no, she didn’t!” Ryan exclaimed, snapping his fingers in a “z” formation.
“Did you just call me fat?” Crystal asked, narrowing her eyes. “Because, I swear, you won’t have to worry about being killed by evil, because I’ll do it mysel–”
“Rain!” Tereya yelled loudly, interrupting Crystal. His eyes widened as everyone turned their gaze to him. He blushed and looked away. “The answer to the riddle…is it Rain?” When the words left his lips a second time, the eye that was embedded in the door flashed red and spun around in its socket. After a few seconds, it closed and vanished.
Shadow watched with mild amusement as a large crack appeared in the center of the door. With a loud grinding noise, it split in half, and both halves separated to provide them entry. “Nice one, Reya.”
Ryan smirked and patted Tereya on the shoulder. “Good going, kid.”
Tereya blushed. “I just got lucky, or something.”
“Nonsense. You were brilliant,” Isaac said.
“But I bet he got inspired by me,” Ryan said. “After all, I was the one who suggested that it was something natural, like water. So I deserve partial credit.”
“Not how that works,” Ellie said. “Reya solved the riddle, so Reya gets the cookie.”
Shadow shook his head. He went over to the entrance and peered inside. All that could be seen inside was a long hallway. He didn’t know what was ahead, but…“Let’s go, guys. I hope–” He stopped short as a loud, roaring sound pierced the silence. He opened his mouth to continue, but the floor beneath his feet shook violently as if the ground was about to split open. “Damn!”
“I'm guessing that the event is starting without us, eh?” Ryan said.
“Apparently.” Shadow bit his lip. “We’ve got to hurry. Tristan, lead the way.”
“Why me?” Tristan protested.
“Because you can light the way.”
“Yeah, Rudolph,” Ryan replied.
Shadow slapped Ryan on the back of his head. “Shut it, Ryan.” He turned to Tristan. “The next action you take better be doing what I ask, or I’ll hit you harder than I just hit him.”
Tristan led the way. A bright red aura of heat surrounded him, lighting the path. Everyone followed him along the route, down some stairs, and through sloping hallways. After ten or so minutes passed, he looked over his shoulder beseechingly to Shadow.
“What is it, Tristan?”
“How long do you think it’ll be until we get there?”
Shadow shrugged. “I don’t know, I’m not psychic.”
“What do you think, Faith?” Ethan asked.
Faith closed her eyes for a second. Then, as if she'd been doused with cold water, her eyes jolted open. “Not much further.”
“Good, because I can’t keep this up forever,” Tristan said. “I’m getting tired.”
“You just wait a little longer,” Shadow said. “And if you don’t complain, I’ll take you guys out for some fast food when we’re done.”
Ryan moaned as a look of pure bliss covered his face. “Whatever place it is, please make sure they have cheeseburgers there.”
“Cheeseburgers? Ryan, you’ve got to be kidding,” Crystal said, sticking her tongue out in disgust.
“What’s wrong with cheeseburgers?” Ryan frowned. “They’re tasty, and I like them.”
“And a cheeseburger does sound nice,” Ellie admitted.
“They’re so nasty and fattening. All meat is,” Crystal replied.
“Whatever,” Ryan said. “All I know is, I want a cheeseburger, and I’m getting one.”
Shadow ignored their banter, because all he could think about was the mission ahead. Not to mention the new revelation that Faith could read Demonic weighed heavy on his mind. He didn’t know much about it, but he knew it was old and even lesser demons couldn’t read it. So why could Faith? It was a mystery. He knew it was something he’d have to talk to her about eventually. He only hoped the answer wasn’t a bad one.
Shadow held up his hand to signal the others behind him to stop. The path they followed had come to an end, and in their way was a tall door. He felt a strange sense of foreboding pass over him like light rai
n. There was something bad on the other side of the door, he just knew it. But whatever it was, there was no avoiding it. Whatever it was, they would fight, save the dragon and the artifact it guarded. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open.
Shadow stepped into the room and a chill swept over him. The smell of death permeated in the air like a damp, suffocating mist. His enhanced sight was able to cut through the darkness and he let out an involuntary gasp, as his gaze fell upon what could only be the King of Dragons – sprawled out on the ground, eviscerated and clearly dead. “Oh no….”
“What’s that smell?” Kay asked.
Shadow ignored her. “Tristan,” he called out behind him, “See the braziers on the walls? Light them. Quickly.”
“Right,” Tristan replied. He raised his hand, and tiny flames sprouted from his fingertips. The flames shot out from his fingers like bullets and ignited the braziers in a row until the entire room was bathed in light.
“Oh my god,” Faith breathed, her gaze falling on the deceased dragon.
Ellie gasped and put her hands to her mouth. “What happened?”
“It appears we are too late,” Ethan replied, his voice soft. “The dragon king is dead.”
“Indeed,” Shadow said, “And the Dragon’s Eye….” His voice trailed as he gestured to an empty pedestal behind where the dragon’s body was. “It’s gone.”
Crystal sighed. “Great, we came all this way for nothing. Awesome!”
“Crystal, please,” Ethan said, and there was a strange hardness to his voice. He kneeled down and touched a finger to a large, bleeding gash on the dead dragon’s neck. “This blood is still flowing – meaning the assailant couldn’t have gotten too far away.”
“But where?” Ellie asked. “There was only one path in here, right?”
“We can’t be certain…all that I know is we can’t let them get away with the Dragon’s Eye.”
Shadow opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, the dragon’s carcass exploded as a large creature emerged from within. “Everyone get back, now!”
The creature was made like a bodybuilder. Its skin was a sick, pale green, with red markings across its body. Its head resembled a snake, with red eyes on the side of its head and thick fangs protruded from its mouth. A large black tongue flicked in and out of its mouth. “New victimsss…you’ll be deliciousss.”
“What the heck is that?!” Isaac asked.
“It’s…a Neseptra demon,” Shadow replied.
“I'm guessing Neseptra is a code word for ugly snake creature, right?” Ryan asked.
“Yeah,” Shadow said. “That about sums it up.”
Ethan held out his hand and a pillar of light formed in his grasp. “Unfortunately for it, killing demons is my specialty.” He took the light in his hand, and it solidified as he drew it back over his head. He sent it hurtling forward toward the demon like a lance.
The Neseptra caught the attack in one of its claws and shattered the lance into pieces. It turned to Ethan and hissed at him.
“Impossible,” Ethan said, his eyes going wide. “No demons can withstand the light’s power.” He held his hand out to launch another attack, but had to jump back to avoid a series of furious swipes from the demon’s claws.
“Ethan!” Crystal cried.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help him!” Tristan shouted. He waved his hand and sent a pillar of flames straight at the demon.
The Neseptra turned to face the wave of flames and opened its mouth wide. It began to inhale rapidly and consumed the flames until there was nothing left. “Tasssty…I love a good ssssnack.”
Tristan’s mouth went agape. “What the–” Before he could finish his statement, he was suddenly staring into the face of the demon. He went to make a move, but was backhanded and sent flying across the floor.
The Neseptra rushed forward, preparing to finish its assault. It brought one claw down to pierce Tristan’s stomach, but was stopped in mid attack by a sword blocking its arm.
“Sorry, he’s off the menu,” Shadow said. “But don’t worry, I’m told I’m a good cook.” He held out his free hand and a ball of shadows formed into his palm. Before he could release his attack, the demon suddenly broke away; it spun around and slammed its tail into him and he went flying. Before he could make impact, he was caught by a silver shield bubble and landed safely within it.
Crystal, who had created the shield, stepped forward and faced the Neseptra demon. “You don't get to attack my friends!”
The Neseptra turned toward her and regurgitated a large ball of fire, which it launched at its new target.
Crystal waved her hand, and another shield appeared. The fireball made impact, but it disintegrated against her shield.
The Neseptra growled. Its chest expanded slightly, and it produced an even larger ball of fire, the size of a boulder, and sent it hurtling at Crystal.
Crystal summoned another shield. But this fireball was too strong; her shield broke under the impact, and the force sent her soaring backwards. She smashed into a wall and lay unmoving on the ground, bleeding out of a fresh cut on her head.
“Crystal!” Ethan yelled, rushing over to where she’d fallen.
Isaac stepped forward, but Kay put her hand on his shoulder. “Stay out of it,” she muttered.
“But they’re in trouble,” Isaac replied. “If we don’t do something now, they could get killed!”
“You can’t do anything for them but get hurt. Just stay out of this one, Isaac.”
“Kay–”
“This isn’t up for discussion. I’m telling you, do not get involved.” Kay said adamantly. “I refuse to let anything happen to you. So don’t argue.”
Isaac looked mutinous for a moment but he nodded. “Fine.”
“Ethan,” Shadow called. “How’s Crystal?”
Ethan kneeled down by Crystal's side and pulled her into his lap, checking her pulse. “She's still alive, but the bleeding must stop,” he said. “Faith, please…heal her.”
Faith nodded and started toward them, but the demon moved into her path. “Move, or be moved!” she yelled.
“I don't think sssso. You sssshall not be healing anyone!”
“How does this demon know so much about us…about our powers and abilities?” Shadow wondered. “Besides that, Neseptra demons are supposed to be strong but not this powerful. Something doesn’t add up about this….” Whatever the case, it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t allow any of them to get hurt. Not while he was there. He picked his sword off the ground and strode forward, moving in between Faith and the Neseptra.
The Neseptra glared. “Back for more already?”
“What can I say? I eat my Wheaties,” Shadow replied. “Now, you tell me something. How do you know so much about us? And how are you so powerful?”
“My masssster keepssss me well-informed!” the Neseptra said. “For my power you can alssso thank my masssster.” It took a few steps toward him. “Now you will die.”
Shadow smirked. “You think so, huh?” He wasn’t sure how he was going to deal with the demon in front of him, especially with its power boost. But he had to think of a solution, and fast. If the demon began another assault with Crystal out of commission, it would be a simple matter of picking them off one by one. And he couldn’t let that happen.
Shadow scanned the demon and looked for any signs of weakness or something he could use to his advantage. His gaze fell onto the demon’s hand, which it had suspiciously not used in any of its attacks. A thought formed in his mind, followed by the beginnings of a plan. It was a gamble, but if it worked, it would pay off. “You know, I don’t think your strength is just from your master,” he said. “In fact, I’ve noticed that you have only attacked using one hand. I wonder why that is.”
“I’ve only usssed one hand becaussse it’sss all I need to deal with you weaklingsss.”
Shadow shrugged. “Sure, that’s a possibility…but I put it to you that what you just said was a bunch of bullcrap. I believe
that you’re holding the Dragon’s Eye and that’s where you’re getting all this extra power from. Isn’t it?”
The Neseptra growled. “You’re sssso ssssure?”
“More than sure. I’m positive.”
“Well you won’t be when you’re dead!”
“Well see,” Shadow said. He reached deep within himself and pulled the very depths of his power to the surface. The torchlight of the room flickered as it rose inside him. “Faith, ignore him. Just go heal Crystal. I’ll guard you.”
Faith nodded and rushed over to Crystal. She held her arms over Crystal’s body, and waves of lavender energy poured into the young girl’s body. After a few seconds, she pulled her hands back and breathed a sigh of relief. “She’s still breathing. She’s going to be fine.”
Ethan let out a breath. “Thank God.”
“Good,” Shadow replied. He held out his sword straight ahead so the point was lined up with the demon’s heart. “As for you…your time here is finished. I’m going to send you back to hell where you belong.” His eyes turned black, and he ambled toward the demon.
The Neseptra hissed at him. “You won’t kill me!” It rushed forward and aimed a swipe of its claws at Shadow’s face.
Shadow stepped to the right, catching the demon’s arm with his free hand. As the demon was caught off-guard, Shadow brought his blade down and severed the demon’s other arm. Blood erupted out of the hole where the arm used to be.
The demon screamed in agony as its arm flew off and flopped lifeless onto the ground. “My arm! How dare you! I’ll make you pay!”
Shadow spun around and planted a roundhouse kick into the demon’s chest, sending it flying from him. He walked over to where the severed limb was. The fingers were still closed into a fist, but he knelt down and saw a glimmering red stone in-between the demon’s fingers. “Hmm, well, I’ll be…the Dragon’s Eye. I guess my theory was correct.” He turned his attention back to the demon. “I think you’ll be more than easy to deal with now. But before I do, tell me about this master of yours.”
“I'll never tell you anything!” the demon spat as it coughed up blood. “What you can do to me is nothing compared to what sssshe’ll do if I fail her!”
The Descending Darkness Page 6
