by Dean Lorey
Edward smiled. “I do. Thank you.”
“You can kill him, if you like,” Barakkas said dismissively. “Now that you are summoned, we have no more use for him.”
She turned slowly to Barakkas. “I can kill him? How very kind of you to give me permission, Fire. How very generous of you.”
Barakkas seemed to grow distinctly uncomfortable. “I didn’t mean it that way. You, of course, rule us all, and I would never think to suggest that—”
With the slightest, most subtle flick of her top right hand, Barakkas was consumed in an inferno of flame. It burned so brightly and so hotly that the rock beneath him melted. Moments later, the fire disappeared, leaving behind what looked like a statue of Barakkas made entirely of ash.
The Fifth pursed her lips and blew on it.
The ashen statue collapsed, blooming outward, filling the lair with a thick, choking cloud of smoke. And, just like that, Barakkas, the First Named Lord of the Nether, born of Fire, was gone.
Slagguron and Tyrannus stepped back, shocked.
“Pearl loves all her children,” the Fifth said with a hint of a smile. “But sometimes children need to be punished.”
Charlie couldn’t believe his eyes. Even Pinch seemed stunned by the casual suddenness of Barakkas’s fiery death.
“We would never oppose you,” Slagguron said gravely, head bowed. “Not now—not until the end of time.”
“Oh, I know you wouldn’t,” the Fifth replied with exaggerated earnestness, as if nothing in the world were more important to her than soothing Slagguron’s concerns. “At least not intentionally. The problem, of course, is that you simply cannot help yourselves. It is—how should I say?—in your natures to seek dominance and control. It’s what you were born to do. That’s why you naughty boys haven’t always played nicely with one another.”
“Please,” Slagguron said. “You must believe me. You have my word that we would never—”
But, before he could finish, she flicked a finger at him from her lower left hand. His gray skin instantly turned to stone, and he froze where he stood. Then, with another flick of her finger, he shattered as if struck by an earthquake and tumbled to the ground in a great tidal wave of sand.
It took less than three seconds for Slagguron, the Third Named Lord of the Nether, born of Earth, to lie dead.
The Fifth turned to Tyrannus.
“Hello,” Tyrannus said, a nervous smile creeping across his face. “Tyrannus is so glad you—removed—those naughty Named. Like you say, they were bad boys, both of them, and they deserved their icky end!”
“Did they?” she asked mildly.
“Of course!” Tyrannus roared. “In fact, you were too kind to them! They were liars and thieves! They wanted to plunder your power!”
“But you don’t?”
“Tyrannus? No! Old Tyrannus has no desire for power! He lives to serve. He wants only to be of use! Tyrannus loves his master!” The great beast grinned hopefully—it was a terrifying sight. “Does master love her Tyrannus?”
“Of course she does,” the Fifth replied sweetly. “She loves all her boys equally.”
“Equally?” Tyrannus repeated.
“Yes. Equal treatment for all of them.”
In a frenzy of flapping wings, Tyrannus suddenly rose into the air and tried to escape through the hole in the cavern ceiling.
He didn’t make it.
With a twitch of the Fifth’s bottom right hand, a tornado appeared around Tyrannus, engulfing him. He struggled against the ferocious winds, but there was simply no fighting the fury of her creation. The unnatural funnel grew in intensity until Charlie could no longer see Tyrannus inside it—he had been completely consumed. Then, with the slightest of nods from the Fifth, the tornado disappeared, taking Tyrannus with it to a place from which he could not return.
Just like that, Tyrannus, the Fourth Named Lord of the Nether, born of Air, was no more.
Charlie was stunned.
It had taken all the resources of the Nightmare Division over twenty years, plus an enormous amount of luck, as well as the work of three Double-Threats, to take down just one of the Named. But now, in the space of what seemed like no more than a few heartbeats, the Fifth had utterly destroyed the remaining three.
And it didn’t even seem like it required any effort.
She turned to Pinch.
“My boy. Do you love your sweet Pearl?”
“I do.”
“Are you afraid of me?”
“Yes.”
She nodded. “Good. I treasure honesty above all things—it is all that Pearl demands of her babies. That, and total obedience.”
“I understand.”
She walked to him then on her long, scarlet legs. Nearly twice Pinch’s height, she towered over him, holding his gaze steadily. “You have a choice now. You can join me and seek revenge on a world that has shunned you, or you can return to that world.”
“You would let me leave?” Pinch asked.
She nodded. “Of course. Pearl doesn’t want any children here against their will. Their unhappiness would make her unhappy. However”—she smiled gently—“Pearl has glorious things in store for little babies who want to stay and demonstrate their love and devotion. To those that join her, Earth is a treasure chest, overflowing with meaty treats—and Pearl’s little helpers can take as much as they want.”
“Yes,” Pinch said, staring into her jewel-like eyes. “That’s what I want. I want it all.”
“I know you do.” She stroked his head with her four, long-fingered hands. It made Charlie shudder with revulsion. “Now, will you help Pearl by opening a portal to the Inner Circle? She has many children there that she has not seen in a long time.”
“Yes.”
Pinch closed his eyes and opened a giant portal to the Inner Circle of the Nether.
Charlie had seen it before. In fact, he’d opened portals to it himself in the past—much to everyone’s dismay—but this was a different view entirely. He was looking into a vast courtyard, filled with Class-5 monsters busily weaving their way around twisted statuary that celebrated each of the Lords of the Nether. In all four corners stood a palace, one for every Named. The sky above was a churning cauldron of red.
The monsters in the courtyard slowly stopped what they were doing as they noticed the immense purple portal.
“Come, my babies,” the Fifth said soothingly, beckoning the creatures of the Nether forward. “Come to Earth. Come to Pearl.”
They raced toward her, rushing through the portal and leaving the Nether behind. Soon, she was surrounded by them, as playful as puppies, and she stroked their monstrous faces gently, with affection.
“Pearl loves her children. Pearl wants to give her babies the world.”
As she cooed to them, hundreds more poured out of the palaces of the Named and rushed through the portal, flooding the lair. There were Netherstalkers and Ectobogs, Darklings and Hags, Dangeroos and Acidspitters, as well as many creatures that Charlie had not yet seen or even heard of.
“Come!” the Fifth said happily. “Earth is ours for the taking, babies! All are welcome!” She turned to where Charlie was hidden. “Even you are welcome, Charlie Benjamin.”
Charlie froze.
“Come out, child. You won’t be harmed.”
Charlie stepped out from the rock he hid behind and entered the massive cavern. Within seconds, he found himself surrounded by monsters. They turned to him like rockets homing in on a target.
“Don’t crowd him, children,” the Fifth said pleasantly. Instantly, the Nethercreatures backed away, giving him plenty of room. Charlie was astonished at how quickly and completely they followed her every word. “Edward, I think you know our guest.”
“Indeed,” Pinch said, and Charlie knew that he was not wanted here—not by Pinch, at least.
“Would you like to join Edward and me?” she asked sweetly. “The world has enough tasty riches for us all.”
“I don’t think so,” C
harlie said.
“No?” She seemed only mildly upset, as if Charlie had simply passed on second helpings of a meal she had prepared. “No matter. You may leave, then, and let everyone know—let the world know—that what they have seen so far is just a tiny taste, just the slightest little bite of the doom that is about to descend upon them from Pearl and her sweet babies.”
Is she messing with me, Charlie wondered, or does she really plan to let me go?
“With all humility,” Pinch said, “Benjamin is quite powerful. He’ll be the strongest foe we ever face.”
We. Charlie was darkly amused by the man’s choice of words—apparently, Pinch had decided that he was now an official creature of the Nether.
The Fifth seemed surprised. “Really? He’s that strong, is he?” She turned to Charlie. “Are you sure you won’t join us, child? Pearl’s heart is large—it can contain multitudes.”
“I won’t join you,” Charlie replied. “Never.”
“Too bad.” She turned to the creatures of the Nether then, many of whom were still pouring through Pinch’s portal:
“Children—destroy him.”
It happened so fast that it was over before Charlie even realized it had started.
A wave of monsters rushed toward him, jaws snapping, pincers raised. At exactly the same moment, he opened a portal and leaped toward it. The deadly creatures washed over him in a deadly flood—
But, by then, it was too late—he was already gone.
He had escaped to the Nether.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
In the ruins of the High Council Chamber of the Nightmare Division, Director Reginald Drake addressed the surviving Nethermancers and Banishers. The Headmaster was not present—neither were Rex, Tabitha, Charlie, Violet, or Theodore—but William, his General, stood silently by his side.
“I wish, with all my heart, that I had been wrong,” Director Drake said solemnly. “I wish I could stand in front of you today, with the evil of the Named and their terrible minions a distant memory, and say to you all that I had misjudged the Double-Threats—that Edward Pinch, Headmaster Brazenhope, and Charlie Benjamin had nothing but our best interests at heart.
“Sadly, I cannot.
“We have been betrayed, ladies and gentlemen—heinously, maliciously betrayed. Why did Charlie Benjamin poison the Guardian? Was it out of ego? Greed? We may never know. We do know, however, that he was the only one alone with that gentle creature, and that it died soon after it came into contact with him. How much did it suffer after being exposed to his poisonous human touch? Did it cry out in pain? Did it scream?
“Again, we may never know.
“And Edward Pinch? Did he intentionally lead us all to slaughter? It appears that he did. We now know that he has sided with the monsters of the Nether, and we must assume that he was in league with them all along. Why? Because he, like the other Double-Threats, seeks power above all else—and he must have felt that joining the Named was the best way to achieve it.
“Which brings us to the Headmaster.
“Who trained the Double-Threats? Who fought for them when all the voices of reason rose up in opposition to their evil ways? Who assigned them their missions and then protected them even in grave failure? Do I even need to say her name? Headmaster Brazenhope, of course—the architect of their infamy.
“These three—Edward Pinch, Headmaster Brazenhope, and Charlie Benjamin—have led us down a dark and desperate path.
“The Fifth has been summoned, and the Army of the Nether mobilizes even as we speak here today. It is too late for regrets, and the time has passed for second chances. We can now only look to the future with clear heads and stout hearts. We must face down the terrible monsters that used to be contained—safely, if not soundly—in our nightmares.
“With thoughts of our fallen brothers and sisters forever burned into my soul and with firm resolve and strong determination, I offer myself—and General Dagget—to lead the way to a brighter future.”
The Director turned to William then, who stared silently at the crowd as if lost in thought.
“General Dagget?” the Director gently prodded. “Is there anything you would like to add?”
William didn’t move.
“William?”
“No,” he said finally, his voice hoarse and cracking. “I think you’ve said it all.”
The Director turned back to the crowded room.
“The age of the Double-Threat has passed, and we welcome the dawning of a bright and shining era of logic and reason. As we rebuild this great facility, I ask you to follow me, Banishers and Nethermancers—follow us”—he nodded to William—“as we face off against the army of the Nether and turn our backs on those who have sought to destroy us, those whom we now send into exile, those we call…the ‘Double-Threats.’”
There was silence, followed by the sound of applause. Starting small, it soon became a thunderous roar, echoing across the great chamber. Within moments, all the surviving Banishers and Nethermancers stood, clapping furiously, showing their support for the Director—whom they had clearly so terribly misjudged—and their defiance of Charlie Benjamin and his friends.
“What does exile mean?” Theodore asked as he, Charlie, and Violet pitched shells off the top of the Nightmare Academy. The day was clear and the sky was a brilliant, cloudless blue, although there was a hint of chill in the air. Charlie knew it was just winter coming, but his mind crazily tried to make a connection between the loss of warmth and the death of the Guardian, which now left the Academy unprotected against the monsters of the Nether.
“I don’t know what they mean by exile,” Charlie answered. “That we’re not wanted at the Division, for sure. Whether it means something more serious, like they want to arrest us or Reduce us or something…I have no idea. The Headmaster could probably tell us, but she’s…” He shrugged and sighed heavily. “You know.”
“She still hasn’t woken up?” Violet asked.
Charlie shook his head. “Mama Rose is taking care of her in the infirmary, but her wounds were pretty serious. No one will tell me how serious.”
“I never saw anyone fight so many monsters at once,” Theodore said. “She’s totally unbelievable.”
“She really is,” Violet added. “I mean, how could anyone think that she, or you”—she nodded to Charlie—“would ever want to kill the Guardian?”
Charlie shrugged. “I don’t know, but they definitely blame me. I never touched him, though.”
“I believe you.”
“So do I,” Theodore added, staring off into the jungle. A bird screeched from somewhere far below. “Because I know who the real murderer is.”
Charlie and Violet turned to him, shocked.
“You do?” Charlie asked.
Theodore nodded. Charlie desperately wanted to ask who, but he waited so that Theodore could tell them when he was ready. Finally, Theodore looked at them:
“My father.”
“No,” Charlie said. “That can’t be. He’s the General—he’s trying to protect the Division, not destroy it!”
“It’s true,” Theodore said quietly. “I caught him red-handed. He was holding the Guardian, laying it on the ice, dead.”
“Maybe you didn’t see what you think you saw,” Violet suggested. “I mean, everyone thinks Charlie did it and they’re wrong about that.”
Theodore shook his head. “I know what I saw, and what I saw is that my father is a monster.”
Monster. The word hung there in the air.
“How did you escape?” Charlie asked after a moment.
“I portaled us out—me, my father, and the Director.”
“And did you talk to him afterward?” Violet asked. “Your father, I mean. Maybe he has some other explanation for—”
Theodore cut her off. “I’m never talking to him again. Far as I’m concerned, I don’t have a father.”
Charlie wasn’t sure what to say, but Viole
t spoke eloquently just by laying her head on Theodore’s shoulder.
“Hi, guys.”
Charlie glanced down to see Brooke on a platform below them, walking with her boyfriend, Geoff.
“Hey, Brooke,” Charlie called back. “You guys doing all right?”
“Yeah. We’re off to hang out with some friends.”
“Oh. Well, have fun.”
“Bye, Brooke,” Violet said. “And thanks again for that portal back in the lair—you saved my life.”
“Well, I wouldn’t have been able to make it to begin with if you hadn’t kept those monsters off me, so you saved mine, too.” She smiled warmly, then she and Geoff walked off.
“What does she see in that guy?” Theodore moaned.
“I don’t know,” Violet replied. “He’s kind of good-looking, I guess.”
“Him? Are you serious? Yeah, I guess he’s good-looking if you like them big and muscle-y and blond!” He snorted with laughter as if the very idea were ridiculous.
“He’s uncomplicated,” Charlie said. “Simple. Maybe that’s just what she wants right now.”
“I’m simple!” Theodore shot back. “I mean, who’s more simple than me? I’m like a one-piece jigsaw puzzle!”
Charlie and Violet stared at him for a second, then burst into laughter.
“What?”
They kept laughing until Theodore finally joined them. It didn’t get rid of all the tension, but it was a welcome break.
“I just want to say,” Charlie said after they all quieted down, “that I wouldn’t have made it this far without you guys. I can’t explain it, exactly, but you guys mean, well, everything to me.”
“I think that explains it pretty well,” Violet said. “And, for the record, I feel the same way about you guys.”
“Me, too,” Theodore added.
Charlie turned to look out over the vast ocean.
“I don’t know. Every time I try to do something good, it seems like it always turns out bad. We got the milk to save the Guardian, but that just ended up allowing Pinch to get his power back and summon the Fifth. We rescued that little kid on the 5th Ring, but that just let Slagguron escape from the Nether. We brought the Guardian to Earth, but that just ended up getting half the Nethermancers and Banishers in the Nightmare Division killed.”
