Quantum Heights: Book one of the Dead Path Chronicles

by Richard A. Valicek

  ***

  Lydia began the ritual. Words of devil worship were spoken. From within Lydia came great power. The claymore of power began to glow brightly. There were great electrical shocks from the sword of power. The shocks transferred to Lydia and to Titanis Clore. The basement hall lit up in great light. Clore’s body began to draw energy. The power of the claymore intensified. Clore’s body began to twitch, as if coming to life. Lydia began to feel weak. She could not give out her power anymore, and she stopped. The entire basement went dark. There was silence. Suddenly, Caprius drew a light from his claymore. The hall lit up. Lydia began to feel sick. She put her hand to her chest. She gasped for air. Her face began to show a blue color. Her hands changed to blue. There were bright blue veins on her hands and face. She struggled to stay focused. Then, she let out a last utter and fell to the floor dead.

  ***

  With Lydia’s death, as Melina stood holding the empty glass, she suddenly felt light headed and dropped the glass. The glass shattered on the floor. She felt a sudden up lift, as she felt the weight upon her mind lift. The vampires’ connection to her had vanished. Her mind was clear of who she was. “Caprius,” she said smiling.

  ***

  The Goncool looked down at Lydia. He then looked at Titanis Clore, who was lifeless. Suddenly, arrows shot across the room striking the vampires through the heads. The large Droge beside Caprius was confused. “Doesn’t that bring tears to your eyes,” Caprius said to the Droge. Caprius swiftly drove his sword through the Droges jaw and into its brain. He dislodged his sword, and the Droge fell dead. Calista was free from the vampires and retrieved her sword of power. She ran toward Caprius. At the doorway stood Cynthia holding Calista’s bow and arrow. The Goncool lay on the floor dead with an arrow through his skull. The Droges were dead and the vampires destroyed. “We have to get out somehow. The fire is spreading,” said Cynthia.

  “Up we go,” said Caprius. The knights ran up the stairs. They came to the lobby to take the circular stairs up, and the train exploded, sending fire and steel fragments into the air. Just as the fire came up the staircase, they jumped, landing on the second level. They found another set of stairs leading to the next floor. The fire spread hungrily, following the path of the stairs behind them.

  “Up the staircase!” Caprius said to Calista and Cynthia. They ran up the staircase, setting the stairs beneath them on fire. Extending over the whole front façade of hotel were giant French windows. When they arrived on the fourteenth floor, three vampire creatures appeared at the top of the staircase and began to come down to meet the three knights. Caprius sliced the first one through its middle, and the two parts tumbled down the stairs and crashed into the wall. Calista decapitated the second vampire. The head tumbled lightly down the stairs, but its body was heavy and smashed into Calista, causing her to step back and nearly lose her balance before she was able to shove the body away and down the stairs. Now that she and Caprius had reached the fifteenth floor, there were no staircases. Cynthia was surprised by two vampires, and drew both her small swords, slaughtering them. They ran through the hall, and vampires approached them by dozens. As they passed through the hall, Caprius and Calista set the walls ablaze, creating a tunnel of fire. The vampires attacked ceaselessly, and the three knights came at them swinging. They sliced off head after head and sent body parts every which way. At one vampire, Calista swung but missed, and the vampire leaned in and shoved her against the wall. He came to her and held her aloft against the wall by her neck. She still had her sword and jabbed it into the creature’s side, channeling her powers and setting the creature on fire. Though it was engulfed in flames and melting, the disintegrating creature held on to her as it screamed in pain mere centimeters away from her face. She grimaced and blindly swung her sword, slicing off the creature’s hand from its wrist. She fell to the floor beside the remains of the vampire, it smoldering and stinking as it turned into a pool of vampire flesh. Calista ran to Caprius. He was hacking away at a vampire, and she got in the way of his sword. Her reflexes saved her as her blade met with a clang. “Watch where you’re swinging that thing!” she said. They had no time to share in the joke, though, as they each had to contend with yet another vampire. They swung their swords in tandem, decapitating them simultaneously. “Why don’t we just run right through them!” said Calista. So they did. With their claymores outstretched, they bolted down the hall, slicing at any vampire who came to close. Soon, the clutch of creatures was behind them, seething and snarling like rabid animals. With some distance separating the knights from the creatures, Caprius and Calista turned around to face a mass of them, channeled their powers, and threw large flames from their swords at the group, engulfing the creatures with fire. The hall burned like an inferno. Caprius, Calista, and Cynthia turned and ran. At the end of the hall, they came to another set of stairs. They ran up several floors to come to a staircase leading to the twenty-third floor.

  At the top, two vampires stood waiting for them. Goncools. These Goncools had consumed Makoor’s blood. Caprius and Calista slowly walked up, their swords dripping with vampire blood. The Goncools gazed down at them. “Careful, you’re dripping,” Caprius nodded to Calista’s sword. “We really should try not to make such a mess,” he said, trying to keep a straight face.

  “Right, we don’t want to damage the hotel. Mr. Pinkles wouldn’t like that,” said Calista.

  “Enough of your stupid banter. I’m going to enjoy watching you die,” said one of the Goncools. “And, I’m going to make your death as unpleasant as I can, Calista. You killed our dear brothers. And, for that, you will pay,” said the Goncool. “You may think it’s easy to destroy us; after all, you bested our forces in Jethro, but those were merely inexperienced members of the undead. We are Goncools. Masters at swordplay. You will feel our wrath.”

  “Stop squawking. Why don’t you show us what you’ve got,” said Caprius. Caprius and Calista looked at each other, then ran up the stairs to meet them head on. The four of them swung their swords. Down from another hallway, vampires approached.

  “I’ll take care of these guys,” said Cynthia. She slowly walked the hall to meet them.

  With every swift stroke Caprius took, the Goncool was quick in defense. They clashed swords with every swing. The Goncool put his hairy, sweaty face right up in Caprius’ face when their swords crisscrossed each other. He pushed Caprius, who had to hop down a few steps. Cynthia swiftly swung two swords a sliced the vampires. “You know, I’m just toying with you,” said Caprius to the Goncool, who looked like he was enjoying the fight and feeling confident he would soon best the Seaton.

  “Your skills are no match for me,” laughed the Goncool.

  Caprius spryly hopped back up the top steps to resume their fight. They swung and blocked each others’ swings. Again and again. Calista was fighting fiercely, as if she was gaining power the longer they fought, similar to her inaugural vampire battle as knight master. The Goncool was growing weary and was backing up from the fury of her swings. They came to where the staircase curved, into the landing, in front of the large French windows. Through the windows, a reflection of them swinging swords was cast upon the glass. Calista lunged around the corner but missed, and the Goncool swung but only managed to knick her armor-covered thigh. The Goncool leaned in. “Why not join us?” he said shyly. “The Goncools could use you. You must realize your father belongs to us, which means you are destined to follow him down the dark path of immortality.”

  Calista shrugged and smiled apologetically. “I don’t listen very well,” she said.

  “One day, you will realize that you are only prolonging the inevitable. Let me stop your tormented mind. You may not see it, but I can open your eyes. Only when you have tasted the blood of Makoor will you know that I was only trying to help you. Lower your sword. Come to me, Calista. All it takes is one bite. And, you will see that my word is true,” said the Goncool.

  Caprius glanced over and could see Calista’s intensity falter. “Don’t
listen to him, Calista!” said Caprius raising his voice.

  “Never fear, Caprius. Bite this, Goncool!” she said as she jammed the claymore toward his face. The Goncool was fast, and he blocked the sword and pushed her off. Their fight took on a new ferocity. They struck at one another’s’ swords, swinging again and again, neither backing down. Beside her, Caprius swung his sword, and the Goncool tried to back away. But, he was not fast enough. Caprius’ blade went clearly into the Goncool’s stomach. The Goncool looked down, touched the blade, and looked at Caprius. He began to laugh. He stared Caprius in the eyes, then jammed the blade deeper into his own abdomen.

  Caprius realized the Goncool not only felt no pain, but was also not in any way injured. That meant all this fighting was for nothing. Some of the Goncools were impervious to being killed. The Goncool snarled and growled at Caprius and swung his sword. But, Caprius ducked, grabbed the handle of his sword and pulled hard, throwing himself back and tumbling down the stairs. From the floor, Caprius looked up at the wounded Goncool. He had his hands on the gash and was healing himself, the open wound closing before Caprius’ eyes. Soon, he was completely revitalized. “Ha, you can’t destroy me. I have taken the blood extract from Makoor, himself. Can’t you see? It is useless. I’m a Goncool! The vim of Petoshine is no match for my powers. That is why you must understand, my friend, that the Dark Lord will soon control all of Alamptria.”

  “You are indeed full of surprises. But, now, it’s time to die Goncool.” Caprius channeled his powers to his claymore, and his eyes glowed white. The Goncool spread his arms, and with his sword in one hand, he swooped down, swinging his sword. As the Goncool came down, Caprius held out his sword; the Goncool lunged into the blade, and the blade pierced his chest. The Goncool gasped hunched over. Immediately, Caprius dislodged his sword from the Goncool’s chest, quickly swung over, severing the Goncool’s head. The head and body toppled down. Caprius observed the dead Goncool.

  Around them, Hotel Quantum Heights blazed, the firelight vibrant against the darkness of the night and the glow of the moon. The fire had spread more than half way up the hotel. Caprius ran up the stairs to help Calista. Cynthia had fallen behind fighting her own battles. Calista and the Goncool continued to fight. Caprius stepped in, making it two against one. They both swung their swords, and the Goncool had to decide which strike to block. He ended up missing both, and when he lurched from the momentum, Calista kicked his abdomen using such force, the Goncool crashed backwards through the giant window. Shattered glass flew everywhere. The Goncool plummeted through the earth, landing three stories down on top of a balcony. He hit the ground on his back and lay there in a daze. Just outside of the east wing of the burning hotel, Caprius’ friend, Nero Fergus, was also fighting off vampires with his sword. A skilful sword fighter himself, Nero decapitated one of the creatures and hooted in triumph as the head toppled, fell to the ground, and sank into the snow up to its grotesque eyeballs. Beside Nero, not too far away, stood the hot air balloon. Caprius and Calista, seeing how they could escape the hotel, leaped through the opening in the broken window and made it easily down to the balcony, with their swords of power cushioning their landing. The Goncool stood, and Caprius ran toward him to attack. As Caprius swung his sword and missed, the Goncool swung hitting Caprius’ jaw. As Caprius was falling back, he whisked his sword to cut the Goncools arm at his side. The Goncool immediately healed his wound, and Caprius fell to the concrete floor. The Goncool with his sword over his head, swung down, missing Caprius as he rolled. They looked at each other from a distance. Caprius was struck with an idea and reached for his Graffel gel tool, switched the button to electro shock, and shot a thread across, which wrapped around the Goncool’s body nine times, shocking him. The surge of electricity began to eat away at the Goncools body and flesh. The blue shocks sizzled and smoked, eating him away. The Goncool was in agonizing pain. But, with a sudden surge of power, the Goncool broke free of the thread, disengaging the shock. The Goncool ran toward Caprius. Caprius rose to his feet, only to be pushed against the balcony railing. The two pushed against each other with Caprius’ back at the railing. As they rolled, the Goncool now had his back against the railing. Pushing their swords against each other, the Goncool took his other hand, grabbing Caprius from below at his crouch. The Goncool swung him over his head, and Caprius was thrown over the side of the tower. Calista yelled “No!” Calista ran toward the Goncool swinging her sword. The two clashed their swords and fought. As Caprius was falling, with quick thinking, he reached for his Graffel gel tool and shot a thread that lassoed onto a stump on the rail of the balcony. The thread being gel-based, acted like an elastic band, tossing Caprius up. Caprius swung to the side, swinging on top onto the balcony railing. As he climbed over the railing, he ran toward Calista, who fought the Goncool. Caprius saw Nero, as he slew the last of the vampires. “Way to go, Nero; now get to your hot air balloon!” cried Caprius. “Now!” Nero, not at all surprised to see the knight covered in blood and floating down to the ground on magical powers, gave Caprius a thumbs up. But, in a moment of inattention, the slain vampire rose again and grabbed him. He drove his fist into Nero, gutting him in one fell swoop. Nero collapsed to the floor, his entrails spilling from his body. Caprius cried out, “No!” The Goncool who had gone through the upstairs window and was resting on the balcony floor got up as if nothing had happened and laughed. Enraged, Caprius and Calista swung their swords, but the Goncool fought back easily. Caprius had pushed the Goncool back hard to crack the railing of the balcony. They fought, the three of them, hard and long. Calista slashed the creature’s thigh at the artery, but he simply touched it and healed instantly. They resumed their fight, swords striking fiercely so fast and hard it was difficult to tell who’s sword was whose. The knights were losing steam, but they didn’t dare let up, for the Goncool wouldn’t stop until they were both dead; this much they knew. Then, without any warning, the Goncool made a horrific face and shrieked, then choked on his own blood coming up his throat. It took Caprius and Calista a moment to understand what was happening. They backed up and realized a sword had come out through the creature’s neck from the back. It was Nero. Nero collapsed onto the floor. He fell back, drained from his last heroic effort. Calista wasted no time. She drove her sword into the Goncool’s chest, channeling her powers. Caprius then drove his claymore of power into the Goncool’s face. Their swords burst out fire, and the Goncool was instantly set ablaze. They held their swords momentarily into its body, watching the fire engulf him. They retracted their swords and the Goncool ran screaming toward the end of the balcony. He broke through the loose railing and fell down the mountain side to his death.

  Caprius and Calista ran to Nero and knelt down. Caprius elevated Nero’s head on his knee. “Nero,” said Caprius humbly, “I cannot believe-”

  “That was just such a brave thing you did,” said Calista. “Standing up to that Goncool.”

  Nero tried to breath. “You’re, you’re out of danger,” Nero gasped.

  “Yes, thanks to you,” said Caprius.

  “Now, go my friends. Take the balloon and save yourselves.” The knights looked back at the hotel; the fire had spread throughout the whole building. Nero took his last breath, shuttered, and died. Caprius put his friends head down gently. He and Calista both stood up and gazed down at the poor lifeless Nero.

  “We have to get off this mountain and away from the hotel,” said Calista.

  “Yes, it’s what Nero wanted. He was such a good man. To the balloon, quickly!” said Caprius. They ran to it and climbed into the basket.

  “Can you fly this thing?” asked Calista.

  “I hope so. Now’s a good time to learn how, anyway,” said Caprius trying to figure out the leavers. Calista looked back behind them and felt the heat of the fire on her face.

  “Whatever you’ve got to do, do it faster!” she said.

  “I’m trying! I think I’ve got it!” said Caprius. The balloon slowly began to rise, but instead of taking th
em out of danger, it was drifting them directly toward the hotel. Caprius tried some other leavers, and the balloon lurched even closer to the fire.

  “Caprius!” Calista cried out. Caprius tried another combination of leavers and suddenly, gently, the balloon began to sail away from Hotel Quantum Heights. “Caprius! Look over there. It’s Cynthia.” And, indeed it was. She was trying to escape the towering inferno. Calista and Caprius cried out to Cynthia. They tossed her a rope, which hung from the basket. Cynthia ran toward the edge of the balcony. “Get under her, Caprius!” Cynthia jumped off the balcony edge and grabbed the rope. As Cynthia held on, she pulled herself up. The balloon drifted off. She climbed the rope onto the basket. Caprius and Calista helped her in. She was now safe.

  They gripped the railings, unsure of how the wind would carry them, but once they were a ways away from the hotel and gaining height, they relaxed. They turned around to look at the blazing inferno of Quantum Heights in the far distance, now just a dot of orange light against the dark mountains. “Poor Mr. Willy B. Pinkles. And, the treasury board isn’t going to like this either,” said Calista.

  “Yes, but now Mr. Pinkles has his own personal crematorium,” Caprius laughed. “And, here he was worried about my damage to the hotel, which,” he added a bit more soberly, “in the light of things, now seems fairly insignificant.” He quieted. “So many lives lost.”

  “You want to give me back my bow and arrows,” Calista said to Cynthia.

  “Cynthia, I feel like you are a part of this team. Would you like to come and live with us in Castle Elysium? You are welcome to stay with us.”

  Calista smiled. “Well, I’d like that very much. But, I have an adopted son back at Jethro,” said Cynthia.