by C J Preece
When she was back out on the street she looked up to the top of the building, which was now truly ablaze. Even as she watched the flames changed from orange to green and she knew that the second Terminal had cracked open and spilled out whatever made it work to aid the blaze. Thankfully the fire seemed to be confined to the roof, and since Rapunzel was nearly five flights down, practically at ground level, she didn’t think they had to worry about setting the whole building on fire. The smoke was now a navy blue, with tinges of the royal purple still infusing it. It rose above the rest of the fires in the city, marking out the building for anyone to see. She checked her shotgun was loaded and settled down to wait behind an overturned car, hoping that her friends would arrive before any of the monsters that must still have been roaming.
*
“Red?”
It was the voice she had been waiting to hear, hoping that she was okay and having no way of knowing. All of the dead upstairs had given her cause to doubt, but she should have known that Adam and Belle would never let any harm come to her. Goldilocks appeared out of the gloom and raced towards her with absolute abandon, unconcerned for anything else in the world. Red stood from behind her cover and put her shotgun to one side so she could catch her lover and spin her up into the air, kissing her right in the middle of the street as the fires died down to embers. The rain had returned, but now no longer forceful and hard. It was as though nature herself was finally on their side, working to put out the worst of the fires.
“We saw your signal,” Cheveyo said after she had finally put Goldie down. “Thought we should come along before anything else got a mind to.”
“Savitri’s wounded,” she said before anyone else could interrupt. “’Zel says badly but not fatal. Someone needs to go check on her.”
One of the witch doctors immediately muscled his way to the front and hurried inside, his face grim and his hands still covered in blood stains he had clearly tried to clean off, but there was too much.
“How many?” Belle asked.
“Three definitely, maybe two more. Hansel, Gretel, Ash, Lucy and Zhurong.”
“The Lady Zhurong taken down by anything less than a god? Pah.”
“I should have known.” Red nodded as Lady Zhurong emerged from the ranks of the Pure before her.
“I found them while I was leading the Corrupted away,” Zhurong said. “I hoped that Rapunzel and the rest could hold the fort, obviously I was wrong.”
“Not entirely wrong. Rapunzel’s still alive. But she’s the only one left now.”
“And you I see,” Adam finally came forward and held her close for a moment. “Does the Wolf lie dead?”
She nodded. “He won’t trouble us anymore. Only the Witch remains.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Toma said. “We have as many as we will ever muster. We must at once to the Witch’s castle and lay siege to her walls.”
They all looked to Belle, but she was nodding. “He’s right. If we give her any time now then she can escape, or formulate another plan or defence. But now, with her army in ruins and her plan in pieces we can still hope to surprise her.” She raised her voice and stepped up onto the car Red had been using for cover. “I know you are all tired, beyond tired. I know you have given more of yourselves these last hours and days than you have ever given before. I know that it seems here is no hope with a city in ruins and so many dead in her streets.
“But there is always hope, as long as we remain Pure of heart and keep faith in ourselves then we can fight back any odds. The Witch lies not far from here, thinking herself safe behind the old walls of her castle. But we will prove her wrong in more ways than she can imagine. We will storm the castle and strike her dead in her own chambers. Who’s with me!” And every voice there raised in a resounding cheer.
*
On the back of her bike, Goldilocks arms around her waist, it felt like being back in time again. But so many things were different this time from the Ogre Wars. She was older, and hopefully wiser than she had been then. The fight with the Wolf had changed her, how much she still wasn’t sure. Everything had been changing so quickly for the last week and there had been no time to let it settle, but this was still something that she understood, and liked. The bike thrummed beneath her, Goldie’s arms were tight around her body, and they finally had a purpose.
With the ruin of the old castle in sight Adam brought the lead jeep to a halt, and the rest of the vehicles followed suit. Finding the fuel for so many had been a bit of a challenge, but it was made easier with the battle in Ateer over. The Corrupted had been mostly locked inside Charming’s arena, and without the Pure to incense them into rage they would hopefully sink into stupor until the Witch could be destroyed, and her influence ended. The fact that most of the city’s population now fit into one arena was worrying though. The toll of the war was great.
The Pure got out and lined up on the top of the hill, looking down at the fields in front of the Witch’s castle. Red dismounted as well, and she and Goldilocks walked over to join their comrades. It felt like years since they had found Rumpelstiltskin in its dungeon.
An army stood between them and the Witch’s door. Ogres and trolls and giants and goblins. A hundred thousand creeping sliming things weaved in amongst the legs of their larger comrades. Twisted, Corrupted humans were among their ranks, and many of the animals from the Farm had joined them. In the shadows were dark and formless things. Ancient creatures that seemed to have been born from a time before shape and form truly existed. A million gnashing teeth and glowing eyes and grasping talons reached for them. Behind the assembled hordes they could see the Witch’s castle. The very first castle in which she had plotted to kill Snow White and set every fateful event into motion.
“This isn’t going to be easy,” Philip said.
“This is no true army,” Belle said. “They will do more harm to themselves in the rush to attack us. If we keep together, and keep straight, we will survive.”
The monsters were creeping closer, stalking them in the final moments before the pounce. Adam turned to Red. “It has been the greatest honour of my life to teach you.”
For the first time since she had met him she finally felt like she could admit how much he had always meant to her. “You have been the greatest father I could ever have hoped to know.”
They were almost in range now. The other Pure were saying their own goodbyes. There was no way all of them could survive the coming onslaught. Red looked to Che, who was securing the scarf on his forearm as he had done so many times before. When he was done he saluted her, as formally as he had ever saluted Belle. She returned it without hint of irony. The two of them would never need anything more. At last she looked to Goldilocks, who was at her side and smiling. As ahead of them the horde broke into a charge they kissed one last time, then followed as Adam led them forwards, his war hammer outstretched and a war cry on his lips.
They met in a whirl of blood and claws. The beasts broke upon them and every one of the fighters found themselves facing at least three foes. Guns roared and steel sang as they cut a swathe through the army before them, a dozen enemies dropping with every swing of Adam’s hammer, or Toma’s lance. Despite their wounds, despite the constant days of fighting, they summoned all of their strength for the final push, and for a moment the tide turned in their favour and every enemy was beaten back.
From above there came the piercing wail of the dragon, a scream that stunned the field and cast a chill over them all. The beat of leathery wings in the air and a dark shape came into view, undulating through the sky and spewing fire, red eyes glowing. The Pure broke apart as it swooped low to them, talons scratching furrows from the earth. The army took advantage of the distraction, jumping forwards again. And separated the Pure suffered. Red saw an arm disappear behind a horde of goblins, forcing whoever it was to the ground. Three ogres came for her, and she was forced backwards as she tried to keep out of reach of their clubs.
&nbs
p; Toma stepped into the open, holding up his sword and yelling wordlessly into the sky. Above, the dragon cartwheeled in the air and fixed him with eyes that burned, twisting and heading straight for him. It didn’t stop, crashing heavily on the ground and smashing half a dozen of its own allies into the dirt, one mighty sweep of its tail cleared the path ahead, and the Pure took advantage of it, pouring towards the castle as fast as they could.
“Toma, come on!” Belle shouted.
“You go,” he called back. “I killed you once,” he said to the dragon. “And I’ll do it again.”
There was no time. They were almost at the gates, and now the strongest grabbed it and lifted for all they were worth, succeeding in raising the rusted metal a bare few feet off the ground. The smaller and more agile slipped under the gap, but that still left the biggest outside.
“The chain’s broken,” Rapunzel said, pointing to the shattered mechanism. “What do we do?”
“There has to be some way to lift it.” Belle looked around for anything to prop it open. “Look.”
An arrow thudded into the Great Bear Warrior’s back, then another. He fell to his knees, then to the side. Even as he fell Adam let out an animal roar and lifted the entire gate straight up above his head, raising it enough for the others to sprint through. More arrows were flying now as he stepped to the other side and let it drop.
“How?” Philip asked in amazement.
“I don’t know,” Adam’s face was grey and he was shaking with exertion. “I’m done.”
“Not yet,” Belle said, placing an arm on his chest. He seemed to draw strength from it, standing straighter and gripping his hammer again. “The keep.”
Those who were left, barely a dozen now, made for the door as the army outside battered at the gates. The rusted iron wouldn’t hold them long, and even as they reached the oak doorway metal snapped and a dozen goblins came through, sprinting for them. Red took half of them with a single shotgun blast, while Zhurong took the rest with her cannon. The door was open, and they dropped back into an opulent entrance hall.
Belle surveyed the area as they got the door closed and Cheveyo helped Philip drag a bench in front of it. “The army will be on us in minutes if we leave this place undefended.” There wasn’t enough left in the room to build a barricade. The castle had been abandoned for decades. Anything left was rotten and broken. Red took a quick look at those left. Goldilocks had made it, as well as Cheveyo and Adam. Philip, Simão, Zhurong and Luke. Rapunzel of course had made it, but the only others were Kay and Greta. They had come with nearly twenty still alive, their numbers were dwindling.
“Just go,” Philip said. “I’ll hold them here.”
“That’s insane,” Belle said. “You can’t hold this door alone.”
“He won’t be alone.” Zhurong stepped forwards. “This is not my witch. I have no desire to see her.”
“I’ll fight with you,” Simão said. “For all the good my sword will do.”
“And I,” Luke said. “Between the four of us, in this narrow corridor, we can pile them as high as the ceilings.”
“There’s no time to argue,” Philip said. “Just go.”
Belle hesitated only a moment longer, then nodded and turned away, striding deeper into the castle. The others followed her, Red giving one last nod to Philip before she left. He looked surprised, but with a grin he gave her a mock-salute, and for a moment she felt like returning it with a very real one.
Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Wicked Witch
They ascended the castle, heading for the tallest tower still standing. If the Witch was anywhere she would be there. From below they could hear the crash as the door burst open, then the crack of rifles and the thump of Zhurong’s cannon. Through the windows and holes in the castle walls they could see the dragon still in the sky, but also, on his chest, the figure of Toma, battering at his chest.
“We must end this,” Cheveyo said.
They found a winding staircase and began to climb, catching occasional glimpses of Toma’s struggle through the windows. The sight urged them on, but it was impossible to tell who was winning, if anyone was. They were nearly at the top when a scream came from outside, and they looked out to see the dragon plummeting to the ground, fire spewing from its throat and its wings working fruitlessly to keep it aloft.
“What about Toma?” Rapunzel asked as it crashed upon the ground, flame igniting the bare earth all around.
There was no sign of the knight’s body, and as they watched the dragon began to melt in on itself, the intense heat of its flame no longer kept inside. If Toma had survived the crash, there was no way he could walk away from that. One more dead, and still the Witch to fight.
“Move,” Belle said, her voice cold and harsh. “This isn’t over.” And she led them on until they came to a heavy oak door that looked at odds with the ruins of the building. “Break it down.”
Adam and Cheveyo put their shoulders to it, heaving against the wood again and again. Red took the opportunity to reload and smile to Goldilocks, who returned it weakly. The door began to break down and they looked forwards again, ready for whatever awaited them. With a final heave the door crashed open. Adam and Che spilled into the room, followed closely by Red and Belle. They saw the Witch immediately, standing in the centre of the room holding a small metal box.
“Give it up,” Adam shouted. “The Wolf is dead, your dragon is downed, and the Troll lies broken in the river.”
“Congratulations. Such glorious victories which kept you distracted.”
“Distracted?”
“What better way to distract you? The deaths of thousands of innocents would sit heavy on the conscience of the Pure. So I brought back my monsters to keep you far from this place until I was ready for you.”
Rapunzel stepped forwards and raised her rifle. “And you think you’re powerful enough to kill all of us?”
The Witch drew back deeper into the room, heading towards a desk laden with books. “I could. I imagine it would be a glorious fight. But why would I need to kill you when I can destroy you by other means?”
Che and Adam continued to advance, sweeping their guns to cover the room as much as possible. Red stayed near the door, keeping the Witch covered with her rifle. Goldilocks followed Belle, who was keeping to the middle of the room, Rapunzel in front of them checking for traps. Outside the sound of Philip and the others fighting still reached them. The Witch was far too calm. Red kept a close watch on her hands, making sure there were no spells brewing.
“What can you possibly use to destroy us?” Belle asked. “The Corruption has failed, the Dreamscape is dying. All your minions and soldiers are long dead. All you have left is a broken castle and the rags you stand in.”
“And this.” The Witch took a small box out of her robes.
“Well that’s just terrifying,” Goldilocks said.
“It should be.” The Witch held it high in the light so they could all see it. “Don’t you recognise it?”
“That’s-” Che grabbed for an inside pocket, but found it empty. “How?”
“Twenty years in the making. I overlooked nothing.”
She stepped up onto a small plinth, drawing her robes around herself and straightening as much as she could. she cracked open the tinderbox and three gigantic dogs leaped out, one with eyes the size of saucers, another the size of dinner plates, and a third the size of wagon wheels. They crashed heavily to the floor, cracking the flagstones beneath their feet. The dogs rose up to their full height, the smallest of them as tall as Adam, the tallest scraping the ceiling. The Pure retreated to the door, but the dogs weren’t interested in them, standing stock still in the centre of the room.
Che tightened his grip on his sword and stepped forwards. “What is this?” He demanded. “Those are my dogs.”
“You forget. I'm the one who sent you into that hole. I always knew I would need the magic found in these dogs.” The Witch waved her hand and the
dogs merged into one gigantic hound, jet black with eyes blazing red and teeth the size of a man. The dog hunched low and begin to sink through the floor, howling as it went. The Witch muttered something and stepped away from the plinth, throwing her head back and crowing with laughter. “One last spell. My essence, everything I have poured into one last chance to destroy you all.”
“Nothing is that powerful.”
“Not alone, no.” The Witch reached into her robe and drew out a vial. “But I haven’t been alone.”
“All your minions are dead,” Red shouted. “I killed the Wolf, the giants are all scattered, the ogres and trolls as well.”
“They were always going to die,” the Witch said off-handedly. “But they achieved their goals.” Her lips pulled back into a hideous smile. “Didn’t you wonder why you found the Wolf in your own hideout? What reason would he have to fight you in your own home?”
Red eyed the vial, wondering what it could be, and why it was connected to her.
“A lock of hair. A single petal from a long dead rose. A splinter of wood from a boy made flesh. Scales that were once in the place of legs. Some of it I got willingly, some of it by force, some by treachery.”
“Pieces of us,” Adam growled, stepping forwards and raising his pistol. “You stole us.”
The Witch cackled in genuine glee. The sound sent chills through the room. “A rotten apple with a single bite taken from it. A fragment of a house made from sweets.” It was a chant, a dark prayer. “A broken sword stained in dragon’s blood. A fragment of ice-glass. A scrap from a little girl’s red cloak.”
Red raised her gun and fired, the bullet striking the vial and blasting it to pieces. “Whatever that was for, it’s finished.”
“Fool,” the Witch said. “Did you think I would hold the method for your destruction in front of you?”