Pyramid of the Dead: A Zombie Novel

by John McCuaig

  This sound gave Minco some renewed energy. He screamed at his men as his axe felled yet another one of the undead. “Get back to the pyramid! Move it- run as fast as you can!”

  *****

  Inguill, Pizarro, and the last of their party inched in through the gates and made their way through the deserted streets as they listened to the distant sound of gunfire. None of Supay’s army was anywhere to be seen; they all must have gone off in the pursuit of Minco and his men. At first, Inguill was happy at this thought, almost excited with the way things were sounding. But when all of the gun fire had stopped, they stopped and listened in a tense silence. No more shots were fired and she and Pizarro shared a terrible, knowing look.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, not unsympathetically, “but we need to continue. We must ensure they their deaths are not going to be in vain.”

  “No, you’re wrong,” she said. “It could be quiet for any number of reasons.” She looked frantically around as if searching for something. She paused to give Pizarro a strange and stubborn little smile. “I will not be giving up on him- not yet.” With that, she darted around the corner of a building and out of sight.

  “Get back here, woman!” Pizarro shouted after her, his voice as loud as he dared. “Don’t be a damned fool!”

  She ignored him and kept on running. In a frustrated rage, Pizarro yanked the hat off his head and threw it to the ground. He kicked a tattered old barrel that was standing nearby, spilling its rotted contents out onto the street. He took a breath to steady himself and turning to face his men, he pointed at the massive black building less than a hundred yards away. “Get over there and secure the doors to the pyramid. I’ll get the woman and join you there.” His broke into a run, his tired legs protesting as he set off after the High Priestess.

  Inguill knew the courtyard had to be close. Everything else in this dark, evil city had matched what was back home at Cuzco and she prayed that this would be no exception. She was soon glad to be proven right. As she rounded another corner, there it was, in the middle of everything- a small bell tower. She ran to it and grabbed the thick and dusty rope, pulling at it with all her weight until it began to ring.

  “Inguill...stop...Inguill!” Pizarro shouted as he came upon the square himself. She could barely hear his call over the deafening sound of the bell but she chose to ignore him again anyway, she was determined not to give up on her last hope of saving Minco.

  As the heavy bell tolled, she felt a hand on her shoulder. “Leave me be Spaniard,” she shouted. “Please just give me a moment more. Let me make sure he’s heard the signal and then I’ll be away from here.” There was something odd about that touch. It was not the thick, warm hand of Pizarro. She glanced back and froze as she saw it was not the grim Spaniard’s hand but that of a decade’s old corpse.

  Pizarro had been trying to warn her.

  The monster groaned as its grip tightened and pulled Inguill closer to its putrid, rotting jaws. It had not fed on flesh for years and this sweet, young thing that it held in its hand must have felt like heaven, or is that hell. But before it could sink its teeth into her, Pizarro tackled the creature to the ground. Even in his advanced age, Pizarro managed to rise before the beast and with an indignant roar, he brought his heavy boot onto the undead creature’s face. A sickening crackle and squelch reminded Inguill of large beetles being crushed and she fought back the urge to gag.

  The creature twitched on the stone; but Pizarro was not finished. He stamped down on its neck, producing the sharp, dry crack of a twig being broken. He rained blow upon blow from the sole of his boot down upon the monster until all that was left of its head was a dark, viscous mess.

  “Enough,” Inguill shouted at the Spaniard. “It is dead. Let’s get to the pyramid while we still can.”

  Pizarro spun around to face her. There was blind rage in his face but Inguill’s sharp eye did not miss the presence of tears dampening his cheeks. He gave her a single nod as she gently took his arm, leading him away.

  “You saved my life, Spaniard,” she said. “I’m sorry for what I said earlier. Please, accept my thanks for what you just did.”

  All he did in return was grunt.

  *****

  Minco and his men headed straight for the sound of the bells but it was a deadly fight, every single step of the way. The soldiers of Huacas were desperate to get a taste of their flesh and they appeared to have no fear of their swords and axes as they swarmed around the invaders.

  One of the beasts caught a good hold of Minco’s arm as he swung his axe for what felt like the thousandth time. He tugged and pulled but could not break free of the inhumanly strong grip that had him. The soldier was one of the recently turned Spanish men and as it closed in to deliver a virulent bite, Minco slammed the top of his forehead into its face, smashing its nose and sending a thin slice of bone up and into its brain. In death, the creature released its steely grip and Minco was free again.

  As they entered the city square, only Minco and three others were left of the twelve that had created the diversion. They had certainly achieved their goal, for close to a hundred undead soldiers followed hot on their heels.

  “We’re nearly there,” Minco called to the last of his men. “Keep going, we just need to get over that bridge,” he said, pointing towards the other side of the square. If he had not felt so exhausted, Minco might have enjoyed the irony. Not long ago, he had been running towards another pyramid with the undead at his back. Whereas this city, so unlike the splendour of Cuzco, all derelict and overgrown, the memory still came rushing back.

  As they crested the rise of the bridge, the doors of the mighty pyramid at last came into view. But contrary to expectations, only the remains of the splintered and shattered wood remained. The damage was done when Taipi and his priests had broken through the barrier on their arrival.

  Minco knew they needed to find some way of keeping the horde outside while they found and destroyed the effigy of Supay. Pizarro, Inguill and the others were already there and it seemed that they had come to the exact same conclusion. A handful of men were perched atop the frame of the massive doors, trying to dig out the mighty V shaped keystone that gave it all its strength. Two others were digging out the bottom two stones on each side while the last few were lifting huge lengths of timber up to where the stones were being removed.

  Just as Minco and his men arrived, the five-foot high keystone came crashing to the ground before them, smashing into a hundred pieces. The timbers were quickly slotted into the gap and long lengths of rope dropped down from around them.

  “Everyone get inside and pull on the ropes,” Pizarro shouted as he saw Minco and the others arrive. “Pull as hard as you can!”

  Minco and Inguill shared a little smile as he joined the rest of the men, he too grabbing hold of the ropes. No words or further gestures were deemed necessary.

  They pulled with all their might but at first, the wood only creaked under the heavy strain. Just then, the great tidal wave of dead appeared over the ridge of the bridge and the sight of them renewed and must have doubled the strength of the pull.

  The savage horde was only a few yards away when at last the ancient stonework gave way under the strain. Heavy stone came crashing down and echoed like thunder onto the entrance, creating a huge cloud of dust. This engulfed both undead and human alike.

  The survivors of Cuzco were blinded and could see nothing for a few long and terrifying seconds, the lack of wind keeping the heavy dust hanging in the air. When it eventually began to settle and disperse, they peered through the thinning cloud and at last, this was a sight made that made them cheer fiercely. The large doorway was completely blocked by the rubble. They could hear the beasts snarling and groaning in clear fury and anguish.

  Pizarro was wearing his typical, grim face as he spoke and checked on their handiwork. “That won’t hold them back forever,” he said to both Minco and Inguill. “Let’s go, we need to get this nightmare over.”

  They all loo
ked at the pitch-black passage before them.

  18- Inside the Pyramid

  As they were working their way up the large, long passageway of the Pyramid, they knew they had to find the location of the main room, and to find that statue of Supay. And far more importantly, they did not have the time to waste, for Pizarro was as right as usual. Behind them, they could hear the myriad of beasts clawing and scraping away at the rubble that was blocking their entrance. Scores of hands would make light work of even that huge barrier. It would not be long before the undead army broke through.

  “Follow me,” Inguill whispered. She instinctively hushed the group with her own quiet voice and steps as they continued down the long, dark hall. “If the inside of this pyramid is also the same design as ours, then the room will be right up here.” Minco raced to her side. He would not let her out of his sight again until this was finished...or at the very least, they were.

  They did not slow down as they approached the huge statues of demons and devils that were lined up halfway down the hall. No one wished to linger any longer than was necessary under those glittering, jewelled eyes that seemed to follow their every step.

  Simultaneously, both Minco and Pizarro realised that it was not only the statues eyes that were on them. Twenty dead soldiers slowly, but purposely emerged from their hiding places behind the thick stone pillars that served as the statues’ bases.

  “Form a square!” Pizarro shouted. His men quickly formed a tight defensive formation in the middle of the path. In the dark, narrow passageway, there was no room to manoeuvre and no way to put any distance between themselves and the oncoming horde.

  “Don’t fire yet. Let them get a little closer first,” Pizarro ordered as his troops stood with their weapons pointing into the gloomy surroundings. The urge to shoot at the beasts was strong, far too strong for one of his men. The young man fired into the darkness and they all heard the small lead ball hit the stonewall with a crack. “Fool,” Pizarro muttered under his breath, “Now reload boy and wait for my order this time.”

  As the undead monsters came out of the foreboding shadows, the flickering flames from the torches lit up their snarling faces. Slowly they edged their way closer, their expressions were filled with more than a mindless desire to feed. Anger was somehow etched on their faces as well; these marionettes of Supay mirrored his outrage upon discovering his temple was breeched.

  “Pizarro,” Minco whispered, “when are you going to fire, the beasts are getting closer.” He could hear his own heart rattling against his ribcage. “Anytime now would be good.”

  The Spaniard just concentrated on the closing positions of the undead soldiers. His eyes darted back and forth, as he chose the closest targets. When they were less than four yards away, he gave the order.

  “Fire!” Pizarro roared at the top of his voice.

  The muskets thundered and blinding lights from the muzzles lit the whole of the passageway. The soldiers dropped their guns in favour of sharp swords and axes as soon as they fired. There would be no chance to try to reload. As their nostrils filled with the sulphur and their pupils adjusted back to the darkness, all the group of Cuzco’s survivors could do was wait.

  Indignant screams signalled that the last of the undead had arrived. The numbers on both sides were close to even now that the muskets had thinned out the horde. After so many battles, the humans had lost a little of their fear and terror. For the first time, they took the fight to the undead en-masse.

  “Kill them,” Pizarro shouted as he strode deep into the horde. “Kill them all!” His sword flashed and stabbed and he made weapons of his booted feet. He punched with his free hand, thick fingers curled into a formidable fist. His men joined in on the attack along with Minco and the last of his Incan warriors.

  Therefore, it was, for the first time since this unholy war between the living and the dead had begun, the beasts were on the defence. A few even stepped back, as if trying to get away from the fight. At long last, a single, human emotion fought its way into their rotten bodies and touched their souls; it was fear.

  Pizarro was well and truly on the warpath. It just was not enough for him to end the miserable half-life of these beasts. He needed to destroy them, to annihilate them, to grind their remains deep into the dirt. To be fair, he had gone and done a damn good job of it. Even Minco, the great warrior that he was, could not keep up with Pizarro’s killing frenzy. He got a handful of them himself but it seemed to all that most of the beasts had fallen under the wrath of the Spanish leader.

  As the movement around them slowed, then ceased, they realised they had at last, won a major battle. They had lost three more of their men, but the survivors still numbered a dozen.

  “Minco,” Inguill sobbed out loud, “They got me.” Deep scratches spanned the length of her forearm and blood patted slowly in fat droplets onto the dry, stone floor as tears ran down her cheeks, leaving dusty trails on their travels.

  Minco gently grabbed a hold of her arm, examining the wounds as Pizarro came over to join them.

  The Spaniard took one look at the wound then stepped back, shaking his head grimly. “Kill her,” he said, his voice sounding grim. “Do her a favour, Protector, do it now before she turns.”

  Minco spared him a baleful glance before his eyes searched out his beloved once more.

  “If you can’t do it,” Pizarro continued from a safe distance, his sword still tight in his hand. “I’ll be more than happy to do it for you.”

  “Keep the hell back,” Minco screamed at him. “If you come anywhere near her, then you’ll be the one who dies.”

  “She’ll be one of them in a matter of minutes,” Pizarro said quietly before retreating over to join his men. They all watched Minco and Inguill in a solemn, almost reverence silence.

  “He’s right,” Inguill said. “Please my love, I don’t want to turn into one of those things.” She took his hand and gently placed it back on the handle of his axe.

  He pulled his hand away from the axe and grabbed her by the shoulders, pulling her to him and crushing her body against his as he felt tears threatening to spill over the rims of his eyes. “No, Inguill.” Behind them, he heard the men starting to reload their muskets. He ignored them, holding her back at arm’s length again, forcing her to look into his eyes. “We can destroy the effigy before you turn.” He studied her wounds once more. “It’s just small scratches, my love. We have time.”

  Minco started towards the main chamber with Inguill’s hand firmly held in his. He threw Pizarro a threatening look over his shoulder, silently telling him to keep his distance.

  The Spaniard followed not more than a few seconds behind, whispering the command amongst his men that they were to watch the girl very closely. When she began to turn, she was to be shot- Minco too if he got in their way.

  19- The Statue of Supay

  The lovers managed to keep well ahead of the others. As soon as they entered the main chamber, they saw it.

  “There it is,” Minco whispered to Inguill, “just a little bit further now and we’ll be there.” Perched atop of a long, black marble altar was the golden statue of Supay; it seemed so small, such an insignificant thing to cause so much harm. But an evil, red glow emanated from its eyes and as they approached it, the air around them was filled with devilish, high pitched screaming. It seemed to come from both nowhere and everywhere at once, from out of the darkness, the High Priest Taipi slowly emerged.

  His naked, blood-soaked body moved to stand directly, protectively in front of the statue. Minco knew they would have to get through him if they were ever to end this nightmare. There was no other option.

  Minco gently leaned Inguill against a tall stone pillar. “You have to wait here for a moment,” he said. “I will kill Taipi and we’ll be able to reach the statue together.” Inguill made no reply. Minco’s heart dropped as he pulled up her chin to look at her face. Taipi transfixed her eyes and his deadly song and her body began gently rocking from side to side.

&
nbsp; “Inguill,” he shouted, shaking her by the shoulders. “Stay with me. I need you to hold on for just a little bit longer.” She blinked rapidly and then her dark eyes found his. Fear ignited behind the dark irises and she burst into tears. “I could hear him,” she cried. “He was calling for me.”

  Minco did not waste another single moment. He turned and strode away without another word and marched right towards the leader of the army of Ukhu Pacha. He drew both his axe and truncheon but Taipi was ready and waiting for him.

  The eyes of the statue had begun to pulse and the High Priest seemed to grow, to draw power from the little stone effigy. Supay himself, it seemed, would not gladly suffer the loss of his General.

  Swinging both his weapons at once, Minco aimed for the crown of Taipi’s head. However, the leader of the beasts had become too quick, even for Minco. In a flash, the Taipi creature ducked away from his attack and as Minco passed by, it’s bony arms pushed the already off-balance human. The Protector flew across the floor and landed in a crumpled heap against the far wall.

  Pizarro and his men entered the vast chamber just in time to see Minco hurled across the room. One of the soldiers raised his musket and took his aim directly at Taipi’s head. Pizarro put out a hand and quickly pushed the man’s weapon back down.

  “Just wait a little while,” he said, a grin spreading across his face. “I want to see how this thing plays out.”

  He could see that Inguill had sunk to her knees. The infection was already beginning to claim her. Soon, she would only be another one of the walking dead. Wincing, Minco slowly regained his footing but as he glanced up, Taipi was already rushing towards him again.

  The Incan warrior may have been winded but he was far from beaten just yet. Using the wall behind him for leverage, he jumped and pushed his legs straight out, connecting with the charging monster and knocking it off balance. Before it could steady itself, Minco swung a powerful punch at its head. His attack was quick and strong but still, it had little effect on Supay’s champion. Taipi levelled a heavy blow to the chest of Minco that sent the warrior sprawling once more, clutching at his heart. As Minco struggled to catch his breath again, Taipi wrapped the long fingers of his only hand tightly around Minco’s throat and lifted him high up into the air with ease.