A loud, angry shriek tore through the room from the hallway behind the podium and he knew that was not the wind this time but the wraith he had been warned of. All of a sudden, all the torches within the temple flared to life, violent faces flickering within the flames.
Mark remembered the water bladder and cursed as he retrieved it from the floor. Nearly all of it had spilled upon the dusty stone, rendering it useless to him. Another vicious wail echoed around him and he almost ran for the freedom that outside offered. But he couldn’t - if he didn’t honor his promise, Josh would die. He shook the leather sack and hoped there would still be enough water for the task ahead.
He climbed up the raised platform and looked down the short, eerie hallway, the torches wavering in an non-existant breeze. He stepped forward and something crunched beneath his foot. He glanced down to see the bones of a long dead warrior, his armor all but rusted away. Mark dropped the long candelabra and picked up the warrior’s short sword. The blade was rusted and brittle and he doubted it would hold up if he had to strike anything solid but it felt better in his hand then the candle holder.
Mark entered the hallway and a warm burst of rotting air struck him and he almost retched as he covered his nose.
“Come into my domain, mortal,” a deep voice crackled from the room beyond, “if you dare...”
“You owe me, Josh.” He cursed moving further down the corridor to the room beyond, the open water in one hand the sword clutched fearfully in the other.
The air grew colder the closer he got and by the time he reached the opening he could see his own breath, but he could also see the diamond-encrusted altar he had come for. He peered into the room slowly but could see nothing of threat, yet his instincts told him differently. There was something evil in that room.
“I just need to run in, find the diamond, pry it free and run out - it’s that simple.” He told himself, fidgeting with the pouch of water in his hand.
Before he could even move, a twisted, clawed hand reached down from above the doorway and grabbed him, pulling him into the icy room. It threw him against the stone wall.
“You think you can come in here kill my minion, then steal from me mortal?” The wraith hissed violently. “Foolish mortal, you should not have come here!”
Mark gasped for air, desperately trying to rise to his feet; the impact had winded and disorientated him, he could hardly hear or see. He finally found his balance and stood, his eyes taking in the translucent, disfigured being that hovered before him.
His hand was wet and he looked down to see the bladder of water had burst as it had struck the wall and the warriors’ sword lay several feet away. He looked up just in time to see the wraith charge, he frozen in sheer terror knowing he was doomed.
The wraith’s twisted hand clutched his throat and lifted him from his feet, slamming him against the wall. Bright light exploded in front of his eyes and he thought his skull would split open. The creature’s grip was ice and he could feel his skin freezing beneath its unholy touch as it choked him. Desperate for air, Mark grabbed its arm; it howled in agony and released him as the water on his hand burned into its vaporous flesh.
Mark crashed to the floor once more, the horrid wails of the wraith was near maddening - he knew he would die here if he didn’t act fast. He scrambled across the stone and snatched up the rusty blade, the wraith’s crimson eyes seethed with bitter hatred as it came for him again. He swung the sword, but it passed through the fiend as it would air.
The wraith crackled with laughter. “You cannot harm me with mortal weapons.” It came at him again.
Mark threw himself to the side, barely avoiding a deadly swipe from its vicious clawed hand. He came up to his feet as the wraith attacked again. He stabbed the sword down into the leather bladder and slashed again.
The wraith shrieked in surprised agony as it flailed back, a furious light erupting from the open wound.” Impossible!” The wraith wailed.
“Or just lucky.” Mark growled, lunging forward, the dampened blade pierced through its misty form. It threw itself back against the wall in a desperate attempt to get away but Mark was relentless. The wraith’s wails of anguish were deafening, every blow of the sword ringing against bone and stone.
Finally, Mark stumbled back, a pile of broken bones and tattered rags rested upon the floor; they didn’t hold a spiritual glow the wraith had possessed any more. All that was left was the remains of the dead sister’s corpse. He went to the altar, his sight was disorientated and blurred his footing unstable as he found the brightest diamond and pried it out with the rusted sword.
He could feel unconsciousness weighing down on him and knew he had to get back to the city.
Mark was dragging his feet as he re-entered the ruined city, the diamond clutched so hard within his hand that it hurt. He found everyone waiting for him within the garden alcove.
Jessica cried out in surprise and ran to him as he stumbled down the mossy, chipped stairs. “Mark what happened to you? Are you okay?” She helped him up onto his knees. Dried blood caked under his nose and ears, his eyes were bloodshot and almost seemed to be seeing a different world entirely.
“Holy shit dude.” Josh said regarding his friend. “What happened to him?” He looked to the three women fear in his own eyes.
Kassandra kneeled in front of him and took his chin in her hands and lifted his eyes to hers. “He fought the wraith, and has survived.”
“The what?” Dustin asked concerned.
Mark held out his hand and dropped the diamond into Kassandra’s. “And I beat the bitch.” He mumbled with a weak smile before he collapsed face first into the dirt.
“Mark!” Jessica rolled him onto his back. “What is a matter with him?”
“The shriek of a wraith is a powerful thing against mortal beings.” Kassandra explained. “He will be drawn into the shadow world where he will neither know life nor death without quick aid.”
“What?” They all said at once.
“You have to help him!” Jessica cried.
Callisto reached down and helped Jessica bring Mark to his feet. “Help me bring him to the healing house, I will see to his tending.”
Jessica nodded fretfully as they carried him off.
“No one said anything about his life being in danger!” Dustin said, watching his friend being dragged off.
“The weight of saving a life sometimes comes with the sacrifice of one’s own.” Kassandra told him, emotionless eyes meeting his.
Josh turned to face the two women his face lined with worry. “And what the hell do I have to face?”
“Your task holds equal threat.” Kassandra admitted.
Josh ran his hand through his hair nervously. “So tell me again how risking my life now was worth saving it last night?”
“You claim defeat before you course is revealed or attempt made.” Alcina remarked with a soft scoff.
“You’re right.” He forced himself to say. “Mark made it so can I... let’s do this.”
Mark lay naked and unconscious on the same stone table in the healing house that Josh had been. A light fragrance of juniper hung in the air from several incense sticks that burned in the corners of the room. His body trembled as if frozen yet was hot to the touch and his body grew pale.
“He is going to be alright isn’t he?” Jessica asked fearfully.
Callisto poured two goblets full of a crimson liquid from a crystal jug and looked at her. “The wraith’s damage is great. Do you care for your friend’s life?”
“Of course I do.”
“Would you do anything to save him?”
Jessica felt uneasiness grip her. “Of course I would, even if I too must make a promise to your god to save him.”
Callisto handed her one of the goblets. “No promises are needed from you for this. He fulfilled his word and shall be rewarded for it. But you are needed for the task of bringing back from the world he slips to, drink and do as I say.” Slowly she began pouring the other be
tween Mark’s ashen lips.
Jessica looked within the cup at the dark red liquid and then back at Mark. He would do whatever it took to save her as he did Josh and so she drank. The liquid was thick and bitter and when she was done she could feel a queer prickling course through her entire body.
Callisto slipped from her silks and they fell away leaving her flawless form naked. “Undress.” She instructed.
Jessica’s eyes widened as she took in the smooth curves of the woman, an inner stirring warming her as it had once with their guide. “But why?”
Callisto brushed a lock of hair behind Jessica’s ear. “We must purge the wraith’s poison in his body with our bodies the only way a woman can.”
Jessica glanced down at Mark’s naked form, a hidden desire suddenly springing up behind her eyes. Her clothes fell away.
“We must coax him back to the light of this world gently.” Callisto stepped behind Jess kissing her neck and shoulder, her fingers tracing patterns along her skin.
Jessica nodded, knowing what needed to be done. She took his cock in her hand and slowly began to massage it, relishing in the feeling as it stiffened and her pace increased. He groaned lightly and his eyes fluttered but still they did not open.
Callisto’s touch trailed down her back and over the smooth contours of her ass, her fingers slipping beneath and began rubbing the moist warmth between her thighs. “Use your mouth to rouse him from his darkened place, before he slips beyond even our reach.” She whispered as she nibbled the lobe of Jessica’s ear.
Jessica leaned down, her tongue teasing the head of his cock before she slipped it into her yearning mouth, her need to taste him strengthening each time his cock filled her mouth.
Mark groaned louder his hips shifting slightly and his eyes fluttered opened. “Jess?” He mumbled as if he were in a dream. “What’s going on?” He groaned again as she nearly took all of him.
“We are mending your wounded spirit.” Callisto’s fingers slid out of Jessica’s wet pussy. “She tastes so sweet.” She ran her fingers over his lips and pushed them into his mouth and he sucked them, savoring her taste.
Jessica climbed onto the ebony stone bed, placing rapacious kisses up Mark’s abs and chest. Her tongue ran up the length of his neck and flicked off the end of his chin, her eyes burning fiercely with need.
Mark was consumed by her greedy devouring, his own desirers taking control of his body. He pushed his hips up, his cock burying itself into her. She cried out in surprise and rapture digging, her nails into his chest as she bit down on her bottom lip.
She could feel his strength and vitality returning to him; every thrust was stronger and harder than the last. She felt Callisto climb up behind her and turn her head, their tongues clashing passionately.
“I have a gift for you.” She whispered into Jess’s ear. “Relax.”
Jessica felt something firm press against her ass and looked down to see a polished gold cock strapped around Callisto’s hips. She gasped excitedly as she felt the tip push into her. She cried out as an unknown satisfaction coursed through her as both Mark and Callisto were now within her fucking her vigorously, filling her completely as she had never known before.
Mark leaned up burying his face into her tits gently nipping at her nipples as his hips worked with growing rhythm matching Callisto’s avid thrusts from behind. He could feel a searing within himself as if something was being torn from his very soul. The pain was near unbearable, yet with each wild thrust it lessened, turning into feverish passion.
Jessica could feel her blood stirring in a whirlwind of euphoria as orgasms erupted through her again and again with fierce abandon. Her body burned with a new power all its own as she felt Mark fully return - their body’s movements became one, and her cries near matched the wails of the wraith.
Josh stood at the rusted wrought iron gates at the eastern end of the city, looking into the gloomy shadow cast necropolis beyond. Collapsed and twisted trees and headstones littered the barren grounds within. An eerie mist lingered throughout, cloaking the darkness and hiding anything that lurked within.
“This is the grove of Almas Esquecidas.” Kassandra said, her eyes staring in with a haunted anguish.
Josh swallowed back the edge of a growing fear. “And where is this dagger I need to find?”
“Buried within the truck of the great heart tree,” Alcina told him, “hidden within the world beyond the gates.”
He rolled his eyes. “Of course it’s hidden. What does the heart tree look like?”
“Like no other tree you have seen before - it radiates a power from centuries past , with the face of the lost guardian upon it.” Kassandra turned away from the gates. “You will know it when you lay eyes on its presence.”
“What dangers is he going to run into in there?” Dustin asked, fearing for his friend’s safety after seeing what happened to Mark, “any more wraiths to be worried about?”
“The nameless hound guards the realm within these gates.” Alcina told him.
Josh looked at them with confusion. “Nameless hound, what is that?”
“A cruel, undead beast that keeps the restless souls of the dead which have not passed on to the next life within their tombs, so they do not rise and flee before their time had come.”
“Of course,” Josh cursed, his mouth going dry, “and how can I defeat it?”
“The nameless hound is an immortal being and cannot be killed.” The redhead explained. “But its flesh can be marred and wounds inflicted can slow it, for a time.”
“I can live with that.” Josh replied nervously, looking around. “Give me a weapon.”
Kassandra shook her head. “You may only enter the Realm of the Forgotten with what you possess on you. What you find within, you may use at your disposal.”
“Tell me again why neither of your sisters can go and retrieve this knife?” Dustin asked. “You said you were forbidden to leave the city, but this is still within the city walls.”
Kassandra pushed her arm through the bars of the gate. Instantly her arm began to smolder and blister as if some unseen fire burned within. Her eyes welled with pain as she held firmly.
“Stop!” Dustin cried pulling her arm back. “I get it!”
“The Realm of the Forgotten is a poison to the sisters of our order; to enter is to die.” Kassandra explained all pain gone from her expression as her arm began to heal.
“Lovely…and what is going to happen to me when I enter?”
“No harm will come to you by merely entering, for you are not of our order.”
Josh pushed the gates open. “Anything else I should know?”
“Do not stare long into the eyes of the hound, for its eyes are what will trap you and you will be forever lost to the realm of the living.” Kassandra said.
“Good luck man,” Dustin clasped on his back, “try to come back in better shape than Mark, okay.”
Josh scowled at him. “Thanks for the reminder, dick.” He licked his lips apprehensively. “So if I am hurt, you will heal me again right?”
“Return with the dagger and honor your promise and know your flesh will be strong once more, should harm befall it.” Alcina assured him.
Josh stepped through the gates as a queer, otherworldly sensation prickled his flesh, causing him to shiver uneasily and the hairs on his neck stood stiffly. The sound of the rusting gates closing behind didn’t help his nerves. The air within the cemetery clung damply to him and left a foul thick rot taste upon his tongue.
There was no pathway of stone or worn ground for him to follow, merely desolate cracked earth, thorny shrubs, twisted trees, brittle grasses and ominous ancient headstones. The place was bleak and barren and reeked of death.
Josh moved along quickly. When he glanced behind him, he could no longer see the iron fence behind him, only the smothering fog. His eyes searched each tree he passed, hoping he would find the heart tree quickly. The deeper he went, the thicker the mist and gnarled trees became. Their b
ranches seemed to reach for him as he got closer, tugging at his clothing and nipping at his skin.
He stopped in his tracks as an ungodly howl filtered through the mist, seemingly coming from all directions at once. He cursed, searching around the contorted trees and graves for anything he could use as a weapon. He spied an old, tarnished, iron shovel resting forgotten against a mossy headstone.
Another howl bellowed out within the gloom, closer than the last. He gripped the shovel tightly as he continued scanning all around him frantically. Fear gripped him tighter with every haunting snarl and beastly wail.
A deafening growl came from behind and he swung around his eyes locking onto the huge, mangy beast before him. Its eyes burned a deep crimson and the flesh on its maw was nearly rotten and torn away, revealing bone and bare, dripping teeth.
Josh tried to stare the creature down, but the longer he looked the weaker he felt, as if some form of paralysis was setting in. Kassandra’s words echoed in his mind, do not stare into the beast’s eyes. He tried to tear his gaze away, but his head would not listen. He could feel his eyelids drooping and an uncanny calm settling over him. His fingers loosened their grip on the shovel and the blade landed on his foot. The sudden pain caused him to look down; instantly the spell was broken and fear and panic coursed through him once more.
Angered, the hound snarled and charged.
Josh snatched up the shovel and stepped back, bracing himself as the beast leapt. He swung the iron shovel with all his strength. A loud crack rang out as he struck the massive beast and it crashed into the ground, rolling back onto its feet unsteadily. It shook its head in alarm and Josh attacked again. He battered the mangy dog across its head and back relentlessly, until his arms and shoulders burned in angry protest.
He lowered the gore-splattered shovel and stepped back, his breathing hard and ragged. He looked down at the twisted form of the broken hound, satisfied that it was truly dead.
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