Shift - 02

by M. R. Merrick

  Salvatore laughed, and it was pure evil, cackling around me. “I love your ambition, but let us be realistic. Ithreal commands an army larger than all the gods combined. Not to mention, the very sight of his true form would reduce even you, a hunter of the Circle, to a pile of ash. I’ve been forced into this pitiful shell for you. Your weak eyes cannot handle even my purity!”

  “We did it once. We can do it again.”

  Salvatore frowned and floated towards the dagger. “I’ve spoken to no one in hundreds of years, and somehow, you manage to bore me. On with the trials.”

  “What trials?”

  “Surely, you don’t expect to just take the dagger. You must first complete the trials of Ithreal.” Salvatore grabbed the double-sided blade and spun it in his hand. “For thousands of years, the most powerful of creatures have come in search of this. Those who were lucky enough to find it are dead, which brings us to you.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “You ask as though you have a choice. You have made it this far, and as such, you’re options are limited. You do the trials and die. Or you refuse, and I kill you.” Salvatore chuckled and placed his hand back in the light, releasing the blade to float in the golden rays. “This temple, with its winding halls and mysterious doors, is unique for each who enters it, as are the trials. Let’s take a look at what’s in store for you, shall we?”

  His cloaked form glided towards me and power latched onto me. I tried to step away, but I was paralyzed. Salvatore’s hands slipped from the cloak, his skin vanishing and turning into streams of black smoke. He reached towards me and the tendrils shot into my body. My back arched as pain rippled through my insides like someone took a chainsaw to my soul. His hands twisted and my elements came to life; all four pushed through my body, trying to balance the pain with magic.

  Salvatore shredded through my insides and pulled himself from my chest, the slate gray color coming back and reforming his hands and fingers. He smiled, wiping his hand down the front of his cloak. “You are lucky. Your trials are quite simple. For you, there are only two.”

  Salvatore snapped his fingers, and a tornado of black smoke swirled into the room. The stench of decaying flesh was thick as the wind picked up, spinning with the smoke until it hit the floor. A pureblood demon with jet black eyes stared at me and I recognized it immediately: vampire.

  Its hair was ratty and gray with patches of bald spots throughout its scabby scalp. A clear, slimy armor covered its dark gray skin, except for a small white spot on the front of its throat that looked like a scar. Different sizes of fangs filled its mouth, and long, scrawny arms hung down around its knees. The gangly claws that jutted from its fingers dragged along the ground leaving white scratches on the stone floor, and small teeth-like bones stuck from its jaw and forehead.

  I grimaced as the beast slapped its lips together and a thin black tongue slipped between them. It roared the most horrific sound and charged towards me, moving faster than I could follow.

  Talons tore into my back and launched me across the cave. My body spun and I felt the wall break beneath me as I hit it. Pain ripped through my body at the force, leaving rocks and dust to shower me. The vampire grunted from across the cave, and I pulled a throwing knife from my sheath.

  I jumped to my feet and the demon roared its primordial sound, standing patiently while I charged him. I snapped my wrist, sending the dagger flying, but the vampire’s claws cut through the air, deflecting it to the floor. The demon grunted and swung towards me. I tried to block, but talons tore through my shirt and split the skin, splattering blood across the floor. The burning sensation was instant and so was the pain.

  I leapt towards the vampire, tackling him to the ground. His hands slammed against me from one side to the other as I fought to pin him down. His skin was cold and slimy, forcing my hands to slip off. A knee came up and hit me from behind with strength I’d never felt and I flipped over his body. Dust wafted around me as I hit the floor, and I tried to roll to my feet, but the demon was too fast.

  His claws rained down on me, one swipe after another. Blood spilled from my arm, then my chest, and finally my face. Black dots filled my vision and adrenaline exploded through me. The air element came to the surface and blasted him back, sending him to the ground. I knew I couldn’t kill him with my power, but that didn’t stop me from holding it back.

  I brought fire up next and cast a small circle around the demon. Blue flames crackled against the ground and the demon’s roar resonated off the walls. He swiped at the fire and the strangest of looks crossed his distorted features, one I imagined was a smile. He walked slowly and stepped through the flame, unaffected by the power.

  I reached for the throwing knives and grabbed a handful, snapping them all towards him. Blades bounced off his armor and tinked against the floor unsuccessfully. I dodged his next strike and jumped back, pulling the last remaining throwing knife from my leg sheath. I arched back and thrust it forward. The silver glinted as it turned end over end, cutting through the air. It made its last rotation and the tip began to pierce the soft spot in his neck before the vampire's hand shot out and stopped it. He gave me a toothy snarl and threw it to the ground.

  The vampire stalked towards me and I ducked his onslaught of talons. Blood dripped from my arms, back, chest, and face. I couldn't afford to get hit again. I leaned back from his next strike and the claws barely missed my throat. I swung my arm forward and cracked my fist off his slimy face. His head snapped to the side, but with unnatural reflexes he came back, striking me with the back of his hand. The force was incredible and my body spun in the air before I hit the floor. Black and white dots swarmed my vision, and the sound of wet, slimy feet slapped against the floor before powerful hands grabbed me. Each hand wrapped around my body and lifted it with ease. Air whipped over my face and body when his arms snapped and threw me across the cave. Blue and gray rocks swirled around me while my body spun, stopping against the rock wall. I felt my daggers slide from their sheath and heard a soft tink before I hit the floor.

  The demon stood above me before I could react. He crawled over my body, letting scrawny, yet powerful legs straddle me. He lowered himself, pushing his face against mine and rubbing his slime over me. A black tongue slipped from his lips and it slid from my neck to my jaw. I tried to pull away, but there was nowhere to go. His hot breath rolled over my flesh and a wheezing sound escaped his throat. The death on his breath rolled over my face and saliva ran down my neck. He pulled his head back and locked his eyes with mine. The lifeless orbs were filled with death and his power crashed into me.

  Visions of my friends filled my mind, their bodies torn apart piece by piece and remade as vampires. Each of them stalked towards me, a part of the undead. Long fangs hung in each of their mouths and they all exploded in unison with a primal roar. Saliva poured from their lips as long claws reached out for me. Fear exploded inside me when Salvatore’s voice shattered the vision.

  “Finish him!” Salvatore commanded.

  The demon tore his power out of my mind. He slapped his lips together and opened his mouth, letting all his teeth descend. They were covered with green and black spots as the fangs extended and drool trickled from his mouth. I pulled the air element up and tried to push him back, but he was too strong and I was exhausted. He fought the magic, making his way closer to me. His eyes filled with satisfaction at the meal he was about to receive and he broke my power down inch by inch.

  I stretched my arms out, feeling along the ground. I searched for anything I could use. My pulse sped as scarred fingers wrapped around the base of my dagger lying amongst the rubble. I gripped it tight in my hand and used all the energy I had left. The last of my magic snapped and the vampire's fangs dropped to my throat, but I was already there.

  Long teeth hit my neck and broke the skin. Blood ran over my skin, but the fangs didn't go further. His body stopped against mine, hot breath panting in waves, but the wheezing was gone, replaced by a gurgle.


  He pulled his head up, feeling around his throat. My blade had gone through, piercing the only weak spot on his body. The demon stopped and looked confused. His long fingers wrapped around the leather grip and adrenaline surged through me. My blade was the only thing preventing me from getting covered in his blood. I didn't want to be beneath him when he pulled it out.

  My arms felt heavy, but I pulled them off the floor and pushed the demon to the side in a panic. He reached up and drew the dagger from his throat and dropped it on the ground. Bright blue blood followed the blade and the demon’s skin steamed as the armor melted away.

  I struggled to my feet and fed the adrenaline into my soul. I unleashed my fire and blue flames coursed through the air. The demon screamed as fire washed over him and his slimy skin ignited.

  The flames snapped against the vampire’s skin and he roared, making a final attempt towards me. He lunged through the air, but as the last few flames swallowed him, his body exploded in an array of orange and yellow embers.

  I stared at the pile of ash, breath catching in my throat. My heart beat so loud it vibrated inside me, and pain covered my body. Black smoke swirled through the air and Salvatore appeared; both arms were clasped behind his back.

  “Well, that was discouraging.”

  “Sorry to disappoint,” I said through heavy gasps.

  “No bother, I’d hoped you’d make it past the first trial anyway. I’m very excited for the next one.”

  I pulled the water element up from within and tried to close the gaping wounds on my body. The power whirled inside me and as the water touched the wounds, a burning pain shot through them. I muffled a scream between gritted teeth and tried to push past it, but there was only more pain. Not only were my powers useless against the vampire's armor, they couldn’t fix the damage it inflicted either. If it was possible, I think it was making things worse.

  Exhaustion tugged at me. I didn’t have enough control over my elements to be using them like this. If there was another fight ahead of me, I was already a few cards short of a full deck.

  “What’s the next trial?” My words were slurred as blood crept into my mouth and I spit it to the floor. I leaned against the wall, using it to hold myself up. My legs were weak and pain burned across my body.

  Salvatore watched me spit up the blood, and disgust covered his face. “You’ve dedicated your life to hunting demons. Recently you’ve changed your path and now, you only hunt the bad ones.” He laughed. “Since you killed one of those wonderful little creatures in your first trial, it only makes sense that you sacrifice something for your second.” The smile from Salvatore’s thin pink lips widened and a truly evil look crossed his face. “Are you ready for this? I thought this one up all on my own,” he said proudly.

  The pulse quickened in my throat and pain shot through my stomach, like someone beating me with a mallet from the inside. “What?”

  Salvatore’s magic filled the room with a thundering force and the cave shook. Rocks and dust fell around us, and the floor at one end of the cave collapsed. One wall moved up into the ceiling, revealing a dark hallway, and the hisses that followed stole all the hope I had for succeeding.

  Six Visceratti entered the cave. One at a time their thick gray bodies slithered out, leaving a glossy trail behind. Each of them pulled a rope, dragging one of my friends across the cave floor. As the last demon slid from the darkness, it had no rope. Instead, it clutched a small wire cage with Rai inside. I could see the magic surrounding the cage, black and red streams of power keeping the bird contained.

  “I told you you’d pay for our princessss,” the first snake hissed. “The queen is very angry.”

  Marcus, Rayna, Tiki, Vincent, Willy, and Rai were all inside the cave now. The Visceratti pulled them to their feet and broke the ropes with ease. They each chanted a strange passage and dark magic seeped into the room. The same black and red power that surrounded Rai formed around them, lingering on the air like a waft of smoke that wouldn’t fade.

  My friends’ eyes darted from wall to wall, panic and fear marring their faces.

  “I’m so sorry,” I said, letting my eyes move from face to face. “I’m sorry I got you all into this.”

  “They cannot answer you. I have silenced them. We don’t want anyone trying to be the hero, now do we?” Salvatore smiled. “Take me, no take me!” he mimicked their voices. “You should feel lucky. If not for me, the Visceratti would be having their way with your friends already. You should be thanking me.”

  My eyes found Salvatore and anger filled my body.

  A deep chuckle rushed from his lips, taunting me with his power. “Now, there are some rules. First, you must look them in the eye when you take their life. There will be no cowardly murders here. Secondly–”

  “I choose Vincent.”

  Salvatore sighed. “Secondly, you cannot kill the vampire; he’s just here for show.”

  “Why not?”

  “You’ve dedicated your life to killing creatures you hate. If you wish to lay claim to Ithreal's blade, you will sacrifice someone. Killing the vampire is hardly that.”

  “I've already sacrificed someone.” I spat the words at him.

  “Oh, yes, dear mummy. You didn't sacrifice her yourself though, did you? No, you let someone else kill her while you ran away.”

  Anger swelled inside me and I pushed myself off the wall, leaping toward Salvatore. His power wrapped around me, stopping me in mid-air and pushing me to the ground.

  “You’re merely a peasant. You're no match for even a piece of Ithreal.” Salvatore floated around me, amusement in his eyes. “Now, where was I?” he asked, turning back to the Visceratti. “Oh, yes! The sacrifice.” Spotlights flashed above Marcus, Rayna, Tiki, and Willy. “These are the ones you care for the most. You will choose from them.”

  I struggled to my feet and glared at him. “And if I refuse?”

  The smile faded from Salvatore’s face. “Do you really need to ask?” He vanished and reappeared in front of Marcus, black wisps of smoke moving around his body. He moved back and forth in front of the quartet and smiled. “Pick one. You take their life in exchange for the dagger.”

  “I won’t do it. I will not choose.”

  “You will cooperate, or I will kill them all in the slowest, most painful manner I can fathom. I’ve been doing this a long time; you’d be surprised where my imagination can wander.” He smiled. “Once they are all dead, I’ll release the half vampire. If he agrees to kill you, I’ll grant him his freedom and send him home. Wouldn’t that be a way to go? Knowing that in refusing to sacrifice one, you killed them all?” Salvatore chuckled. “I really need to give myself a pat on the back. This is definitely one of my more clever trials.” He reached over his shoulder and patted himself on the back, his hollow black eyes watching me. “Now choose.”

  I looked over at my friends. They each watched me and they all looked nervous.

  “Do it!” Salvatore screamed. The walls of the cave rattled as power enveloped the room. “All you have to do is sacrifice one and you can stop this.”

  I looked over their faces and caught myself weighing the value of their lives. The thought made my chest tighten, and acid rose from my stomach, burning in my throat.

  “Do it now, or so help me Ithreal, I will.” He disappeared in a mist of shadows and reappeared behind Rayna. He grabbed both sides of her head and twisted it at an awkward angle. The black and red power holding her receded enough to let her cry slip through.

  “Fine!” I pulled the dagger from my sheath and stepped forward.

  Anger and hate filled me. I was tired of games, tired of trials, and tired of looking over my shoulder. I needed that dagger. I was ending this the only way I knew how.

  Salvatore looked surprised and released Rayna’s head. Wisps of smoke floated around him as he glided towards me.

  I looked back over each of my friends. Marcus’ expression was still, neutral, and told me with his eyes to take him. Tiki stood strong, caramel
flesh gleaming in the golden light. His stomach was tight, revealing each row of abs, and he lifted his chin proudly. Rayna’s eyes watched me, filled with fear, and I could see her beast throbbing beneath the surface. Willy’s skin changed, cycling through every color around him. Sweat dripped down his face and his body trembled.

  “I must admit, I’m impressed,” he said. “To watch the life slowly drain from the eyes of someone you care is a rare talent. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

  Anger burned in my eyes and expanded through my body. I grinded my teeth as I clutched the dagger, my knuckles turning white as though they might burst from their sockets.

  “I don’t.”

  Salvatore looked confused and I summoned every ounce of energy I could find. Letting anger propel me forward, I stuck the dagger deep in his chest, turning the blade and tearing open the wound. Thick red blood poured out of the hole with streams of black swirling throughout it. I conjured air and pushed it over his body. Salvatore’s eyes opened in surprise, and as he rose from the ground, I moved him with my mind and slammed him against the wall. Chunks of the cave collapsed with the impact and I continued the assault. His body broke the wall repeatedly before I released the magic and he dropped to the ground.

  Salvatore grunted in anger and I summoned fire. Anger thundered inside me and I poured white heat over his body, but this time he responded with his own power.

  “Insolent creature!” he screamed.

  Magic flooded the cave and my elements died, sucking themselves back into my soul. Salvatore pushed himself to his feet, his face a mess of wide gashes and stained with blood. A rhythm of power filled the room and all his wounds closed. He ripped the blade from his chest and stared at the silver weapon, now coated with red and black blood. He shook his head and screamed, but the sound didn’t belong to a human; it belonged to a beast.

  He threw the knife back towards me and he was too fast. It cut through the air and slid into my shoulder. I screamed as the metal tore through flesh and cut into my muscles. The blade stopped as the handle hit my body and the tip of it poked out the other side.