by J E Mueller
I was not about to argue with her on this one. Still, was the fire creature actually Marella?
Yes, this is me in front of you. I can secure the way behind you. Idiot demons and angels forget that they aren’t almighty.
Good enough for me. I wasn’t going to question my escape route and started heading toward the unexplored part of the tunnel. Just another day with the weird magic world purgatory thing. No big deal. Just going to mosy my spirit-self somewhere safer and less chaotic. I felt like I was either losing my mind bit by bit or just fully accepting the madness of this horrorland.
I kept going without looking back, not doubting that Marella could handle things, but still concerned about the light. Finally, I reached a dead end. My hands felt nothing but wall around me, and since we were far enough away from the evil light, I couldn’t see anything.
I tripped on something and the floor gave out under me, sending me sliding down quickly and dropping me ungracefully into the tunnel below.
As I rubbed my sore bottom, I took in my surroundings. I had no idea where in the tunnel I landed or how to get in touch with Asher. I glanced at the chunk of amber in my hands. Was this Key?
No new voice came to me, but none of the others chimed in either. Maybe they were distracted and reuniting? Either way, I needed to figure out my situation first and pocketed the jewel away. I quickly remembered my vision and looked around. I could see someone to the far right of me and decided to chance getting up and calling out.
“Asher!” I yelled as loud as I dared. I summoned my bow when I heard running, just in case it wasn’t actually him.
Thankfully, after a few moments, I could clearly see him. Relief spread on his face.
“You’re not hurt! I wasn’t sure you’d make it.” It hurt that he was right. I almost didn’t make it.
“I’ll be fine. Just some minor cuts and bruising. It was… more intense than I was expecting.”
“What happened?”
I frowned at the question and motioned for us to continue on back. “They have more than a little strength.” I explained exactly what had happened, and with Marella too.
“I wonder how she could do that…” Asher was more concerned than grateful.
I could do that because they were my kind. I harnessed the magic they were using against you and linked onto that, pulling up a fragment of my true form. They were then surprised and cut off from the flow of magic and didn’t have time to figure a way around it before you were gone.
That was wonderfully impressive to me. I parroted it back to Asher who just grew more concerned.
“Why does a demon want to help?”
I could actually feel Marella being annoyed by this question. Maybe I don’t really want to destroy every last place I come across. There is a way to balance things, even if most of my kind is terrible at it.
I shook my head at him. “She has her reasons. It’s not as if Marella is some brainless creature. She understands that destroying every realm is not a good thing. She wants balance. It’s just that most of her kind are greedy and terrible at holding themselves accountable.”
“If you think so.” He shook his head, choosing not to say anymore as we walked on. I could understand not trusting the demons, but Marella was known as a Creator, not her other status. Shouldn’t that give her some credit? Instead of arguing, I focused on the area ahead. The last thing I wanted was to encounter a surprise Nightwing, or worse, spiders.
Getting through the basement wasn’t that much trouble. There weren’t that many spiders to navigate around. I could only guess that Benz, Melly, and the Watch just crushed their way through them all. I was grateful for missing that action, but now I wasn’t sure where to go next. I hesitated at the top of the stairs.
“I guess we should have figured out a meet up point.”
“Yes, I thought it wasn’t discussed since one was already in place.” Asher nodded. “I suppose the house is different though. There’re even different alliances often fighting each other for no reason.”
“Yep, I don’t get that last part either.” I opened the door and stepped out onto the first floor. “I think the best bet would be to head to the third floor since that is where we were meeting last.”
Asher nodded and as we started down the hall, we heard an ear-shattering scream coming from the opposite direction. We stopped and turned toward the sound.
“Or I suppose we can investigate…” I mumbled following the noise. Asher didn’t say a word as he stayed close to my side.
Quickly, we jogged down the hall and around the corner to find something I was not expecting. It was two people from the Silverwell that I remember seeing several times in the common room fighting. Blood speckled both of their cheeks.
Staff and sword clashed, and they turned to glance our way.
“Which side are you?” sword girl demanded.
Staff girl tried to free herself, but to no use.
“What is even going on?” I demanded back.
“Are you for Clove or are you a traitor?” sword girl demanded.
I summoned my bow. “I’m pro-Creator if that’s what you’re asking.”
The girl with the sword shoved the other girl aside and charged at me. Quickly, I aimed and shot her in the shoulder, her sword just barely missing my arrow. The hit sent her off course enough to make her trip and fall back.
“What is going on?” I demanded once more, aiming another arrow at her. Asher stood quietly, ready with his sword.
“You fool. We’ll take over this world without your help.” Her eyes glowed an olive green.
That explained enough. Before she could stand I shot her between the eyes.
“Tha-thanks…” The girl with the staff sobbed as she stood properly. “I can’t find where the others went.”
“Are there more people possessed?” I asked her before adding, “What others?”
The girl halfway nodded and shrugged. “I don’t know what exactly happened… it was… We’re not safe here. We shouldn’t talk in the halls like this.”
I sighed but felt pushing her wasn’t the right idea. “That’s fine. What’s your name and where is somewhere safe?”
“Kalynn, and I think they were moving to the other safe zone, but I don’t know where that is.”
“That’s actually easy enough. We’re halfway there.” I motioned for her to follow me. “I guess we can see if everyone’s there. Can you tell us what happened while we walk?”
Kalynn hesitated, but after a few moments of silence and walking quickly she seemed to loosen up. “It was weird, and hard to believe…”
“We’re trapped in a world that shouldn’t exist after death, suddenly with magical abilities, and creatures that are straight from nightmares. I could honestly believe just about anything right now,” I freely admitted.
Kalynn gave a small laugh. “I mean, I guess you’re right there. Ummm…” She hesitated for a moment, banishing and summoning her staff as she thought. “I guess it was just surprise timing. Clove had called us all together for a meeting. We had all been so scattered lately, trying to work on training and different magics – really it’s been great. I thought we were all coming together more.”
Kaylynn shook her head tiredly for a moment before continuing. “And then Clove declared it was time for us to abandon the Creators, that they had doomed us all to rot here.”
She moved to be closer between Asher and me as she continued. “At that moment, Mare walked in with Sans and a few others and I had never seen that look Clove gave her. She looked completely livid, and even went so far as declaring Mare a traitor who was working to give the Creators more power.”
I gave her a knowing look, not surprised that was how things went down. Encouraged, Kaylnn prattled on. “Mare didn’t stand for it, in fact, she just laughed. She admitted she was helping bring the Creators back so things would be less chaotic and terrible here. Mare was even bold enough to say it was because of Clove, that they went missing in the first place.”
/> Kaylnn paused and slowed her pace. We copied her, curious to see what she’d say next. “I wasn’t expecting Clove to take credit, but she did. She said she found a way to control the realm and any who opposed her would die.”
“Wow, that is a lot of nutty-ness,” I admitted. While I wasn’t surprised Clove owned up to it, I wasn’t expecting her to do so right off the bat.
“It’s been years since I’ve seen Clove. She’s certainly saltier than the sea now.” Asher clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “So, did everyone scatter next?”
“Clove called for those who wanted to survive and grow in power to come to her side while the rest of us would be marked for death,” Kalynn continued. “Mare just laughed again and said whoever didn’t want to be a part of any of this, including Clove, were free to come with her. The group behind her helped us get going, but we had to split up, and that’s where I got lost.”
“Well, we missed more than I expected.” We stopped at the very trashed outer area of the Steel Oath secure zone. “Though, I’m not sure if it’s going to be safe here, either.” I looked around the area for hints of who could have won.
“Do you think it’ll be okay to enter it?” Kalynn whispered.
There was really only one way to find out. I stared at the painting I knew would feel like thick and sticky jam. “I have no idea.” I shook my head, making up my mind. “If it turns out not to be, Asher, take her to the third floor and find the library. There’s a mean spirit guarding it, but if you say my name she’ll let you pass.”
That’s not a nice way to talk about Estella, Marella interrupted.
I would have rolled my eyes at her if I could. That particular spirit liked to rip off faces, so of course she was considered mean to most!
Asher frowned. “If you think that’s best. I’m certain we can manage.”
“With your skills, I’m sure you can,” I stated as I went ahead and crossed into the painting, hating every feeling of it.
On the other side things were a mess, but there was a group there. We all stared at one another, unsure what to do next.
“Is that… Remi?” I heard Gretta finally ask.
I hardly knew her, but I was glad to have now. This seemed like exactly the right place. “It is. Is this team Creator? Because I don’t think I can win this fight.”
The group’s tension faded as everyone started to laugh and quiet conversation began once more.
“Where have you been?”
“It’s a long story, but let me grab the others,” I replied as I headed back out of the painting.
To my surprise, as I exited the painting once more, Benz was there with the entirety of the others from the Watch, Melly included.
“We’re looking for anyone who could have gotten separated,” Benz said, calling me over.
I nodded. “Kalynn, everything is safe.” Kalynn breathed a sigh of relief and headed through the painting without further prompting.
“Gretta got things locked down?” Benz double checked with me.
“It seems like it. They all look ready for a fight,” I replied, hoping against all odds a fight wouldn’t come to them.
He nodded. “We need to continue looking for anyone separated and find Mare. She’s got the rest of the Creators.”
“Oh fantastic.” It was something I was hoping to hear.
“She’s being possessed by Tella,” Benz added.
“I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing.” I wasn’t even sure how to react to that.
“We’ll find out when we find her.” Benz motioned for us to follow before stopping. “We should probably have some stay and guard this area.”
Asher spoke up. “We can guard this area and patrol the nearby halls.”
Melly shook her head. “I’ll come with.”
I wanted to argue with her, but I honestly didn’t know what was more dangerous anymore. “Just please be careful,” I pleaded.
“I’m more careful than you.” Melly snorted. To be honest, it was true.
“Off we go, then?” I sighed, glancing over at Benz who just smirked.
“She probably is more careful than you,” Benz agreed as we headed off.
Ignoring the commentary, I went to the subject at hand. “How do we find Mare?”
I motioned to the gauntlet he was still wearing and my own artifacts. “Ask the other Creators if they can sense anything?”
I can, a voice I hadn’t heard before spoke up. I could only assume it was Key.
I can feel those who are possessed. I’m going to have to guess it’s the demon side though… It feels like that sound of nails on stone.
It was an easy sound to imagine.
I believe you’re correct there since I can feel that too, said Marella, joining the discussion.
“They just don’t talk to me,” Benz grumbled, pulling off the gauntlet and handing it to me.
Sighing, I put it on, mentally welcoming Emmyth to the party inside my head.
What party? he of course had to ask.
Trying to figure out where my cousin is, Lee explained. I had no idea Tella was his cousin. Odd. Though not the oddest new fact.
She’s not here within the current group and neither is Lydia, so mayhap they are together? Emmyth suggested. I can find Lydia through our previous Blessed connection.
What did that even mean?
Centuries ago, Lydia and myself were part of the Order of the Black Lillies. We were a group of demon hunters, Blessed by the angels to smite evil. Of course, as mentioned, things turned out to be more complicated than that, but still, we share that bond. Might as well use it.
Someday I’d have to hear that story, but for now, the tracking would work.
“Emmyth thinks he can find Lydia with his bond. Mare had the bracelet last, correct?” I asked.
Benz nodded. “As far as I know.”
We paused and watched someone run by, chasing after a group of hedgeish. Seeing they didn’t need any help, we continued. I mentally waited to see what information Emmyth could provide, while trying to keep an eye on things around us.
After several minutes of wandering he finally spoke up. She’s no longer inside the house.
“Of course… She’s not even inside right now.”
Benz cursed loudly as he changed direction. “All right, let’s just head outside like we don’t live there!”
Melly scoffed. “Outside just takes some cleverness over brawns, you thick skulled idiot.”
I snorted as Benz turned to walk backward a moment. “Always a jokester. Brawn was exactly the perfect skill for those spiders.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Now that is Melly through and through.”
“It’s not my fault if I can see the light through all your crabbiness.” Melly smirked.
Chapter 30
Getting to the backdoor wasn’t hard. No one and nothing seemed to be around. I had no doubts the recent excitement must have taken down most of the normal first floor creatures.
Once outside, I asked Emmyth again where Lydia could be.
You’re not going to like the direction they’re going, he replied.
“Freaking hate this place,” I groaned aloud while mentally asking for directions.
Emmyth supplied them and I headed off.
“What’s going on?” Benz asked, not liking the looks of the setting sun.
“They’re heading toward that freaking infested glowing light again,” I supplied.
“What glowing light?” Melly asked, as confused as Benz looked.
“Where the demons and angels are trapped. We’ve got to hurry.” I picked up the pace, not sure how far ahead they were from us.
“Why did things suddenly have to go so quickly down hill?” Benz complained as we rushed on.
“If I knew, I’d answer you.” I shook my head. “Think you can hide us while we run?”
“I’ll do my best,” Benz replied, casting his illusion magic over us.
“If it doesn’t w
ork, we’ll just kill whatever is in our way. We don’t have time for failure,” Melly pointed out, keeping pace like she hadn’t only recently arrived.
“Great plan,” I agreed with her. At least I knew which of us was more naturally athletic.
We only had to slay a handful of creatures. Melly knew exactly what to do, and Benz remembered quite a lot from the bit of reading he had done. I was happy to just go along with the plan and wondered what everyone else thought of the situation. The Creators, the ones that I had, were surprisingly silent throughout the journey.
Not that I blamed them, a lot was at stake, and we didn’t know for sure where everyone was. Finally, as we saw the jagged rocks that marked the top of the tunnel, I heard a loud blast and saw rocks scattering everywhere.
“I think we finally found them,” I stated, breathing heavily. Adrenaline could only power you through so much fast walking.
Benz and Melly weren’t looking any better.
“We need to think about how to approach them.” Benz slowed down his pace.
“Why? It’s not like everyone’s possessed.,” Melly grumbled, clearly done with running as well.
“I don’t even know what to do about that,” I agreed, following their pace.
Get close and we’ll come up with a plan once we can tell what magic is in effect, Marella stated as the others agreed.
“The Creators think we need to get close to see what’s up.”
“It’s a terrible idea, so it’s probably actually the only way,” Benz grumbled, moving on ahead without a second thought.
“Is there a way to end possession without that?” Melly retorted.
I waited for an answer.
If Mare willingly letting Tella come into control is different than if she took over, Marella calmly answered.
“I guess it depends on whether or not they were possessed with permission. If Clove is possessed by demons, it was probably with permission.” I hoped there was a simple answer for that one.
Kill her, Marella and Emmyth both agreed.
Well, it’s not like I wasn’t disappointed in that. She did try to permanently kill me. Still, I had not wanted that to be my first option.
“I’m guessing once we kill Clove, Tella will let Mare go back to normal,” I stated aloud and the voices inside my head agreed.
