Elektra jumped up and down, clapping her hands in excitement. “You did it, you did it Zack!”
Chance didn’t look impressed. He folded his arms across his chest and a hint of jealousy flashed in his dark brown eyes.
Chapter 3
Shapeshifters
A chattering sound woke Ash with a start. Sitting bolt upright in bed he swung his legs over the side and sprang to his feet. Instinctively he grabbed his sword.
“Chance… Zack… wake up!”
“What’s that sound?” Chance said as he rubbed his eyes into focus.
The guttering candles wavered eerily, casting elongated shadows around the scant room.
“Ghouls.” Ash sidled up to the window and swept the covering aside as he peered out. “It’s coming from the temple.”
Zack jumped out of bed, tugging his clothes on hastily. “What the hell…”
“How did they get into the city?” Chance shrieked.
“Keep your voice down,” said Zack.
Shadowy figures flitted past the window. “The warriors… We must help them,” Ash said.
Ash flung the door open and sprinted toward the temple. The quartered moon lit the way, illuminating the sandy road. Chance and Zack shadowed him, falling into place behind him.
They neared the temple and slid into position behind the warriors. At least fifty Ghouls circled around the front – the beasts had shapeshifted into hideous hyenas. Their powerful jaws gnashed at the air, warning the warriors to keep their distance. Their cackling broke the silence of the static night air. The Hajaran warriors closed in, scimitar swords raised above their heads, ready for attack. The curved blades glinted in the translucent moonlight.
Out of the temple’s door burst an enormous Ghoul. Clutched in its inhuman hands was the Book of Elements. Maksimos emerged soon after with a look of shock on his face.
The Ghoul’s head was in the shape of a hyena, but its twisted, malformed body resembled that of a dead man with rigor mortis. Drool dangled from its yellowed, decaying teeth and its red eyes pierced the very soul of the living. Raising its snout upward, the beast howled at the moon. Then, in a fluid motion, it lurched off the temple’s stone steps, joining the pack. The bottom half of its body finished shapeshifting into a hyena and it grabbed the book between its powerful jaws.
“Attack!” commanded Zahir.
Ash surged forward with the warriors, blocking the path of the pack. The warriors swung their weapons, slashing their blades into the stripy, coarse hide of the hyenas. Savage jaws snapped back, retaliating. The hyenas circled their leader, protecting him and his trophy, the book.
Ash lifted his sword and lunged at an enormous hyena. Putrid spittle flew from its mouth and Ash brought his sword down across the hyena’s neck. Dark, red blood spread over its body. The hyena sprang forward fearlessly, but Ash thrust his sword deeper and the beast dropped to the ground with a thud. His blade had cut through its jugular vein. Its massive body quivered and its shapeshifting guise disappeared, revealing a macabre monster beneath.
Ash jumped back in fright and shuddered. He had heard about the monsters but this was the first time he had seen one.
“Block the doorway,” Zahir shouted. “The beasts have opened it…”
Ash spun around and watched as a hyena pounced on a warrior, mangling the man’s body beneath its rock-solid jaws. Unable to save him, Ash turned his attention to the doorway and sprinted in that direction. Once he reached the doorway, he joined the others guarding it, but rapid thoughts fired through his mind. How had the Ghouls got in and opened the stone door? Perhaps someone inside had helped them?
The pack bunched tighter around their leader, then they charged. The warriors tried desperately to blockade the opening, but the huge hyenas rammed into them, splitting the warriors’ barricade in two. Squealing erupted and thirteen more hyenas dropped dead. Ash watched in horror as the remaining hyenas and their leader vanished into the deep gorge and out into the desert wasteland.
The book disappeared along with them.
Zahir stood before the three Guardians in the temple and the Hajaran warriors waited outside for further instructions. Ash thought the pedestal looked oddly empty; the book had found its home here in the last few weeks during his mentoring, except when it was under the watchful eye of Maksimos.
“We can follow them at first light. Ghouls aren’t clever enough to conceal their tracks,” Zahir confirmed. “When checking the perimeters daily we often see that they’ve been prowling around during the night.”
“Why would they be after the book?” Ash questioned. None of this made any sense to him. What would a Ghoul want with an ancient spellbook? It was of no use to them.
“I can’t fathom that either,” said Kyros. “How’d they even know it was here or what it means to us?”
“Drakon could have something to do with this,” Maksimos assumed.
“How could he? We left him behind in the Third Realm,” Ash said. “Unless he followed us somehow.”
Zahir pointed out, “We’ve guarded the vortex this side day and night – we’d have known if someone had slipped through.”
Kyros shook his head vigorously. “There’s no way he could have. After the landslide in the ravine, the vortex was inaccessible from the other side.”
“These monsters are on a mission of their own,” Zahir said.
“Gather your best warriors, Zahir,” Maksimos instructed. “And I want Ash and Zack to accompany you.”
Zahir bowed in acknowledgement. His deep brown eyes glinted at the thought of slaying the shapeshifters.
“Could Elektra accompany us too?” Ash directed his question at Kyros. “We could put her archery skills to good use.”
Kyros nodded in affirmation. “There’s only a few hours left until daylight. Get as much rest as you can before you all head out.”
“You’re all aware that you have to be back before sunset – so make sure that you are. Once it’s dark those Ghouls will be out and about looking for a meal.” Maksimos’s face looked strained. “We have to step up our security… but that’s another matter I’ll deal with later. I believe those shapeshifters snuck in with the dust cloud yesterday afternoon.”
“As snakes…” Zahir confirmed. “They slither on their bellies for a reason… evil creatures.”
At first light, the horses trotted out in single file through the doorway and headed into the narrow gorge – safe in the knowledge that the shapeshifters couldn’t attack them during daylight. The rose-red sandstone cliffs loomed above them, shading them from the violent sun that was rising.
“Their lair’s to the north…” Zahir indicated, “…in an underground grotto with one entrance.”
“That doesn’t sound promising,” Ash remarked.
Ash’s seventeen-hand stallion ambled alongside Zahir’s fifteen-hand, chestnut Arabian mare. They’d loaned Ash their largest horse because of his height. Ash rode comfortably, but Elektra seated gracefully on Azraq, looked the most relaxed of the friends.
“Will they be in Ghoul form?” Elektra’s shoulders shuddered.
“Yes… they rest in their original shape,” Rania confirmed. “We’ve only ever know them to shapeshift into two types of creatures: hyenas and snakes.”
“They use their hyena form to fight, as you’ve experienced. It’s their strongest shifted form,” Zahir informed them.
“Do they… do they eat people?” Elektra asked.
Zack who was riding behind Elektra laughed aloud.
Rania adjusted her shemagh further over her face, preventing the sun from burning her skin. Her hazel, almond-shaped eyes caught Elektra’s eyes. “We don’t want to scare you now…”
“Ha… when we arrived in your Realm, Elektra thought you were savages,” Ash scoffed.
Elektra snorted. “I wouldn’t talk if I was you – you asked Kyros if they were cannibals!”
Zahir shook his head and clicked his tongue disbelievingly.
“You looked sc
ary,” Elektra pointed out. “You can’t blame us for thinking that.”
Zahir twisted around and made sure his warriors were still tailing them. He lifted his hand into the air and whistled. They, in turn, whistled back, signalling that all was good.
The wind gradually picked up as they trekked further north and the swirling sand stung the horses’ legs. The heat was stifling. Ash was thankful for his borrowed layered cotton clothing and striped shemagh. Without it, the desert sun would be a killer.
They reached a large dune where they stopped for a short break, taking shelter on the lee side away from the stinging sand. The horses drank sparingly – they couldn’t carry too much as their load needed to be light for their return before sunset.
When refreshed, they mounted their horses and trudged onwards. Not long after that, they came across a charred tree. Within sight, a rocky outcrop reared its jagged head, breaking the continuous undulating skyline.
“That’s their lair,” Zahir confirmed as they dismounted and tethered their horses to the dead tree.
Elektra gazed at the tree in wonder. Ash plonked himself down on one of the branches and emptied the sand from his leather boots. The sand crept in everywhere and there was no escaping it.
“What’s our plan of action?” Zack inquired, unplugging his water canister. He swished the water around thoughtfully before lifting it to his mouth.
“We’re going to smoke them out,” Zahir informed them, “and ambush them on either side of the outcrop.”
Rania had brought along the dried reeds. Zahir dug around in his saddlebag and retrieved a chunk of iron pyrite and a worn-out piece of steel.
Ash frowned.
“Curtesy of Master Maksimos.” Zahir winked at Ash.
“You mean to say you couldn’t make a fire before he came here?” Zack asked flabbergasted.
Rania stifled a laugh. “We could… but it was a complicated process. This made it easier for us.” She took the pyrite and steel from Zahir’s hand and struck them together. Sparks flew skyward and a sweet, burning smell tainted the hot air.
“Once the fire’s going,” Zahir said, “then it’s all yours Zack.”
They slunk closer to the lair which was about sixty feet away. Rania zigzagged cautiously down the rocky incline and arranged the reeds near the opening. As she struck the pyrite, her shoulders jerked – luckily no beasts awoke due to the noise before the smoke had done its trick. Holding her breath, she struck the objects again – clunk, clunk. The reeds caught alight and quickly roared into a fire. Smoke billowed around the opening before pouring into the lair.
Rania sprang away and darted into position next to Armaan. Zahir and Ash waited together for the Ghouls to vacate their den. Elektra held her bow at the ready, bracing herself on a huge boulder overhanging the opening. The other warriors and Zack crouched on the rocky incline, hidden from view.
The cackling sounds preceded the beasts. But, as they tumbled out of the opening to escape the choking smoke, the bright sunlight blinded them.
The warriors waited for Zahir’s command. “Forward!” he boomed.
Surging forward, the warriors formed a crescent around the blinded Ghouls, blocking their escape. Elektra raised her bow and withdrew an arrow from the quiver on her back. She steadied her legs, took aim and released. The arrow whooshed toward the nearest beast, twirling in the air and striking it directly between its white, glazed eyes.
The Ghouls around it shrieked and pandemonium broke out. They charged blindly toward the warriors, lashing out with their sharp claws. The warriors brought them down one by one – the creatures were unable to shapeshift into their fighting form during daylight.
Zack balanced on a jutting outcrop nearby and rolled his fingers in the air. The flames danced and shot heavenward. A Ghoul staggered around and Zack commanded the fire to explode. The beast squealed and thrashed when the blast burnt its sinewy buttocks. Zack watched in amusement as it ran in circles unable to extinguish the blaze on its rear end. Elektra released an arrow and ended the hideous beast’s misery.
Ash scouted the entrance and it appeared to be clear of both Ghouls and smoke. He nodded to Zahir who took the lead into the lair. The pungent smell of faeces knocked Ash’s breath right out of his lungs, suffocating him. He gagged and blocked his mouth with the back of his hand but the putrid smell still permeated his senses.
A graveyard of bones lay scattered across the urine-soaked sand. Ash pressed on behind Zahir scanning every nook and cranny for the book. The fire crackled in the distance and the deeper they went, the more the light faded into a murky darkness.
Without warning Zahir stopped abruptly and Ash collided with him. Up ahead, a figure appeared. The figure wavered and flickered into a fiery phantom. Ash did a double-take. In front of them was no monster, but nor was it a man.
Chapter 4
The Infernal Phantom
Ash had never seen anything like it before. For a moment, fear coursed through his veins and an uncontrollable panic consumed him. He had the urge to bolt for the exit but he remained motionless, intrigued by the phantom in front of him.
“What… what is it?” he asked in a shaky voice.
Zahir remained silent and raised his hand. He didn’t move forward, but instead stepped backward to stand alongside Ash.
The creature’s clawed hands grasped the book and its huge, fiery wings flickered clearly in the dark.
“We didn’t know that you occupied the lair with the beasts,” said Zahir apologetically.
The phantom wavered.
“No harm will be done to you – no magic will be cast.” Zahir tried to reassure the creature.
“Why do your people have this book?” the creature hissed.
It suddenly dawned on Ash – the phantom wanted the book, not the Ghouls.
“The spellbook won’t be used on you, Ifrit,” Zahir confirmed. “If you return it to its rightful owners – the Guardians of the City of Seraph – you’ll be free to go.”
The Ifrit shimmied closer, his muscular body rippling, a sly smile splayed across his flaming face. “I’ll exchange it for one thing.”
A knot clenched in Ash’s stomach. Whatever this Ifrit is about to demand it won’t be in our best interests.
“What’s your wish?” Zahir placed his hand on his scimitar sword.
The Ifrit cackled. “Your sword’s useless on me… as are all your—”
“What do you want?” Ash blurted out.
“So the young one has a voice? The question is what do you want? And… what will you give me in return?” The Ifrit juggled the book up and down, his face twisted in wicked mockery.
“Your cunning evades me,” Zahir remarked sarcastically, his confidence growing.
“The girl…” the Ifrit replied, “…the girl with the fire-hair.”
Uncontrollable anger boiled inside Ash; he clenched his fists as he tried to quash the burning sensation that surged into his palms.
“That’s not possible,” Zahir said. “The girl’s with us.”
“But… I’m the last of my kind. I want the—”
“Never!” Ash yelled and at that moment, the Ifrit glanced at Ash’s opened palms where two bright orbs nestled.
At the same time, frantic shouts from outside echoed into the lair.
The Ifrit threw his head back and guffawed.
Zahir caught Ash’s eye and, in that split second when the Ifrit was unaware, Zahir sprang forward. But the Ifrit sensed the attack and, as Zahir’s hand shot out to seize the book, both the Ifrit and the book vanished.
The shouting grew louder as they raced empty-handed out of the lair. The bright sunlight blinded Ash but when his vision cleared he focused on Elektra who stood on the overhang above. She was backing away from an approaching Ghoul. Nearby, Zack was desperately trying to restart the smouldering fire.
Ash sprinted in Elektra’s direction. He extracted his sword, holding it at the ready. At least five more Ghouls had snuck up behind Elektra where t
hey had circled around the outcrop, barricading her in. The quiver on her back was empty of arrows, but in her hand she carved her bow in a figure of eight through the air in front of her, keeping the Ghouls at bay.
The emerald eyes of her bronze snake bracelet blazed.
Before Ash reached her, the Ghoul lurched forward taking the full brunt of the end of Elektra’s bow. Dropping to the ground, the beast screeched and writhed in agony. Another hideous Ghoul swayed forward, using his injured mate’s body as a springboard to reach Elektra. Filthy claws slashed her across the cheek. Elektra bounded backward, but her foot slipped. She pedalled the air but the solid ground was no longer beneath her. Her eyes widened as she attempted to steady herself by grabbing onto the Ghoul’s wiry arm. The Ghoul shoved her away from him. Flailing helplessly, both she and the beast toppled over the edge.
A whooshing sound rushed past Ash’s face. An enormous shadow rose above him blocking out the sun. The Ghouls scattered in all directions, squealing in fright.
Elektra screamed, but the flying shadow dived gracefully beneath her and caught her moments before she plunged to her death. She landed unceremoniously on the creature’s back. The Ghoul splattered onto the rocks below.
The majestic creature soared through the sky, circling twice before approaching Ash. He recognised the exquisite golden coat which shimmered in the sun’s rays.
Ash’s mouth popped open as he uttered the name of the winged creature. “Pandora?”
Pandora beat her wings and slowly descended. Elektra rode upright on the horse’s back with a huge smile across her face.
Pandora landed directly in front of a stunned Ash.
Maksimos paced up and down outside the temple – small, dust clouds puffing out from beneath his sandaled feet. Zahir waited nearby. He had recounted his story about the battle with the Ghouls and their encounter with the Ifrit. Maksimos’s forehead creased deeply when he passed Pandora. He eyed the horse with interest.
“This was foretold in the prophecies… it’s unbelievable… but how’s it even possible?” Maksimos turned toward Kyros, half-expecting him to have the answer.
The Middle Realm Page 3
