My fellow Daemon’s and I just nodded glancing at one another. Robert continued.
“The reason you have all been summoned here is because one the prisoners has gotten free and is now somewhere rampaging and causing mischief across the planet. Our goal, is to find him, capture him, and get him back where he belongs before the supernatural realm is discovered to the living. I fear though, that we may be too late for some and those that succumb to Loki, will now have gone mad.”
The door opened with a crash at the back of the room, another spirit had entered. “Enter messenger!” Robert cried, “don’t bother to knock!”
The messenger looked worried. “I’m sorry sir, but we have news from the Realm of the Dead that another prisoner has gotten loose.”
Robert scowled. “Is it so hard to keep prisoners locked up nowadays? Who the hell is free now!?”
The messenger gulped. “Raikenji sir.”
“Raikenji?! Is he in the living realm yet?” Dr Harpen spoke.
“No sir, but he is causing havoc in our realm. He is trying to cross realms we believe sir.”
“Cross into which realm?” Robert whispered.
“Avdimi’s realm, sir.”
Robert clutched at his hair in annoyance. “Shit! He cannot be let free, he cannot!” He looked about hastily and his eyes landed upon me. “Sharon, I need you to return with me. Everyone else, spread out and search for Loki. GO GO!”
Robert grabbed my arm. I spun to face Alex, wide eyed, and he stared at me as Robert and I vanished.
We reappeared in Robert’s classroom. “Sir, please wait, why me?” Robert still had a hold of my arm as he dragged me out of the room and we headed up the stairs of the tower. “Where are we going?”
Robert spluttered out the words as we ran forwards. “Because firstly, you are the most unique of us here that I can’t manipulate. You may have a power that can keep Avdimi within his cell, which to answer your other question is where we are going now.”
“But I thought you said I might release him!?” I cried, my legs trying to keep up.
“True, true, but we currently have no choice. I will hold off anyone trying to break in. You must stop Avdimi from breaking out. Understand?”
“Yes, I think so.”
Robert nodded and we raced up so many stairs I soon lost count. How high is this place? I thought.
“Twenty-nine floors.”
“I really wish you wouldn’t read my mind!”
“Sorry, can’t help it. Your thoughts are open like a book.”
I suddenly remembered. “Wait, I don’t know how to shield myself! You said you would teach me how. All of us.”
Robert nodded. “I know I’m throwing you into the deep end here but I’m hoping we will have help arrive before either of us gets overwhelmed.”
We reached the top of the tower, and found ourselves face to face with a large, very tall man in some sort of armour. “A Guardian.” Robert explained.
“Just one?”
“That’s all we need. Luckily, we have him to help, so we are already not alone. He will enter the cell with you, I will stand watch here.” He motioned to the Guardian to go with me. It nodded and opened the door, and slowly, I walked through.”
The door shut solidly behind us, the room in front was huge, and all that was inside was one giant cell occupied by one being. It didn’t look threatening, it wasn’t even that big, and it had its back to us. I looked it over, but all I could see was its deathly dark, black robe. I kept my eyes fixed on it as I moved past it, the Guardian halted on the other side of the room watching, poised to strike at any time.
The figure moved slightly and I paused. It started to turn around slowly, laughing quietly as it did so. “Ahhhh visitors. Not something I get very often. Welcome to my domain, please pull up a chair.” His arms raised. “Ah, I forgot, there are no such luxuries up here.” He finally faced me, his head down, his hood drawn up over his head. “And who might you be young lady? I see you have a companion. I already have had the honour of being introduced to him.”
I glanced at the Guardian. So it is a he, then. I couldn’t tell. The figure chuckled behind the bars. I was confused then and before I could think, I spoke, “How come the bars hold you back? Surely you can just walk through them?”
The figure laughed, amused. “This is the Realm of the Dead, my dear. Objects are just as real here as they are in the living realm. Solid, see?” He tapped a bony finger against the metal. I took a step closer, trying to see inside his hood.
“You’re a curious little thing aren’t you?” he mused. “You really want to see me? Most flee from my sight.” I didn’t answer, not sure how to respond. I didn’t need to. The figure raised his head, the hood was still up, but there was nothing within.
“What are you?” I asked.
The figure laughed aloud, making the Guardian flinch in response. “Why Sharon, were you not told? I am death, destruction and desire, mixed into one!” I squinted at him then I saw what others saw.
Stars.
I stepped backwards, a memory suddenly springing to mind, of Michael talking to me in the kitchen. An intruder, a figure dressed in black, a face made of stars.
I shook my head. How could he have been in my kitchen? What’s going on? The figure laughed again. “Oh dear Sharon, I think you have stepped right into my little trap.” He flung himself at the bars, making them vibrate, and in the blink of an eye, his arm had pushed between the bars and latched on to my clothing. I felt a jolt rush through me, then I was knocked aside, as the Guardian flew at the prisoner causing it to release me. I felt suddenly sick. The dead don’t get sick do they? How is that possible? A pain ripped through me and I screamed, the prisoner laughing in response. I closed my eyes tightly. Robert flung open the door and rushed over to me, placing his hands upon my head, trying to read me. All he saw was blackness. The Guardian was standing still facing the prisoner who had now backed up further into his cell. The pain was too much, the blackness once again swamped my head and I fell into a deep sleep.
*****
I awoke surrounded by faces. Alex, Robert, Dr Harpen. “She awakes” the Dr pointed out.
Alex smiled at me. “Welcome back! How do you feel?”
I tried to sit up, Alex and Robert helped me either side. “Slowly now. You took some damage we believe.”
Touching my head, my vision swam momentarily then refocused. “I, I think I’m ok. What happened?”
Robert spoke. “We understand that Avdimi touched you. His touch is extremely painful, that is what destroys everything in its path. How you are still here, we can’t fathom. You should be dust!?”
My brow creased. “Lucky me?”
“Understatement of eternity!” Alex replied. I laughed. “I think she’s fine folks. Somehow.” Alex helped me stand with the aid of Robert.
“What about Raikenji? Isn’t he coming to break Avdimi out?” I asked, worried.
Robert shook his head. “Thankfully not, though the bad news is Raikenji has broken free into the living realm as well, so we now have two prisoners on the loose.”
I looked to Alex, then at Dr Harpen and Robert. “Is Raikenji as bad as Loki?”
Dr Harpen grimaced. “They are both bad, Sharon. Loki, wields mischief and confusion, Raikenji controls the air, the wind, he is basically a storm elemental.”
“And Earth doesn’t have enough problems with Mother Nature doing its worst as it is?” I mused.
Dr Harpen shook his head again. “The fact is, we have two beings on the loose that could cause the utmost chaos. If they meet, then who knows what might happen?”
“They’ve never met?” I asked.
“No. None of the high prisoners have met before. Most are from different beliefs, cultures and ages. I can’t even imagine the possibilities if they did meet.” Robert scratched his head. “Anyway, we had better get moving, if you feel ok now Sharon?” I nodded and turned to Alex.
“Why are you here anyway?” I asked him.
“I thought we left you on Earth?”
He nodded. “You did, but….. I felt your pain earlier, I came as fast as I could.”
I frowned. “You felt my pain?”
Alex nodded. “That is one of my gifts. Anyone I feel close too, I sense, no matter how far away. We are linked, you and I.”
I felt suddenly embarrassed, but smiled instead. “Well I’m glad, I think. It’s like having a guardian angel!”
Alex laughed. “Something like that.” He smiled. Taking my arm, we headed off to the door. “Let’s get back.”
As we left with Dr Harpen, Robert stayed behind. Once out of view he stopped in the middle of the room and listened. A voice whispered inside his head.
The deed is done. The girl has no idea that part of me is within her now .My plans are coming to fruition, and soon I will be completely free of this cell, this realm, free with my old and new powers. I will rule over all as was meant to be!
“I look forward to that day Master.” Robert spoke. “Please don’t underestimate her though” he added.
Fool! You dare feel the need to speak to me like a child? You are my servant, remember that!
“Sorry Master. I did not mean to speak out of line. I’m just concerned.”
The voice laughed. Then you concern is noted. However, I have felt this girl’s power, and it speaks to me like no other. She is life, she is death, and she is everything and nothing. I will control her, she will be mine, and she holds the key to setting me free, to raise me up. Everyone will fear me, everyone will bow to me.
For, I am the Reaper. I am Death Incarnate!
The voice vanished from Robert’s mind as quickly as it came. Hurriedly he returned to the living realm and appeared back at Mi5.
I was standing in the corridor with Alex when Robert appeared beside us. “Ah you are here. Good. Let’s go inside and go over the plan once more.”
Robert led us inside, Alex behind him, me bringing up the rear. The other Daemon’s looked at me and smiled, welcoming me back. However one did not. It was Myra, staring at me wide eyed. As I stepped into the room, Myra pushed passed the other beings and headed straight for me. She was a blur, grabbing my hand with hers she closed her eyes in concentration. Our skin jolted against each other and she screamed, flinging her head back, eyes wide. I pulled away, frightened and she stared at me.
“I knew you were wrong!” she blurted out in front of everyone. She leaned into me scowling, her voice quiet. “You taste of death itself.” Her dark eyes shimmered as she backed away from me. The others were staring in shock at the scene unfolding before them.
I sudden jolt of senses struck through my brain, and I grabbed my head. It felt as though it might explode, there was too much happening. What’s going on? I shook my head trying to free myself of the sudden surge of thoughts until I was jolted into focus by the shocked intakes of fake breath, of small whimpers and screams. I looked up to see the other Daemon’s fleeing through the door. “What’s happening?!” I screamed as the pain flew from my brain down my body. My eyes bulged, I thought I was going to be sick again, then everything stopped. The pain vanished, my vision changed, but the people around me were screaming around me, running from the room. The only person left was Alex, who just stared at me in shock.
“Sharon?! Sharon?! Stay with me!” he grabbed my arm, holding my hand. “Don’t let it out!” He looked frantic, I panicked.
“Alex?” I cried, “I don’t know what’s happening. Tell me!”
“Stay with me Sharon, focus on me!” he sounded desperate. “Don’t change, please don’t!”
Change? I screamed, my head flinging backwards as the pain ripped my body to shreds from the inside. I felt myself change within, a darkness filled with stars. I fell to the floor, and curled up, Alex knelt beside me. “Sharon? You still with me?”
I looked up, my eyes wide. Alex let go of me and backed away. “No, Sharon. Come back!” I looked at him.
“Alex? What’s wrong?” I asked.
Alex shook his head. “That monster did something to you! The pain was immense; and now…. now….” Alex moved closer to me and stared into my eyes. “Now, all I see is oblivion inside you.”
I blinked. “I don’t understand. What do you mean?”
Alex sat. “There is a prophecy of sorts. One that I didn’t believe would come around for a very long time. But the recent events have caused a stir.”
“Tell me Alex!” I demanded, my voice deeper than normal, rougher.
He shifted nervously. “The prophecy calls it by different names; the End of Time, World Breaker…. Oblivion…..” I stopped moving. “Oblivion, like what I see and feel in you. Forever. It is said that it will come through a unique being, one who can hold multiple and unending power, for only that person can wield oblivion, can store it. It is All, it is Nothing, and it is Death.”
I gulped.
“It is you.”
**************
To be continued in book two: All Hope Lost: Oblivion by Samantha Dorrell
All Hope Lost Page 16
