by Jaymin Eve
He formally greeted his Princeps with the Walker handshake, before speaking rapidly in a heavy accent. “The men are waiting near the entrance. We encountered a type of barrier halfway along that we have not been able to penetrate. At this stage we have no idea what awaits us beyond that.”
“Well, let’s find out together,” Josian said, taking the first step toward the darkness.
I hesitated, sucking in a few deep breaths. I could taste the dust and death in the air. Don’t ask me exactly what that tasted like, but it wasn’t pleasant. Ever since I’d had that dream of the dark mountains, the ominous feeling regarding this place had only grown stronger. The imbalance here was impossible to ignore now. It was too widespread.
The dead plants crumbled under my boots as we strode across the plane, black ash covering us as we carved a path through. Since we’d initially stood about a mile out of the main entrance, it took us ten minutes to cross the distance. If the Walkers were impatient with this slow pace it never showed on their features.
Everyone fell silent as we closed in on the entrance: a large black hole in the side of the mountain. We paused at the edge of the darkness, waiting for our eyes to adjust. In the dull lighting I noticed that the strain on Lucy’s face had increased. Her left hand cradled her forehead as her thumb rubbed back and forth. Her eyes squinted and a permanent grimace adorned her features.
“Are you okay?” I asked again in a low voice.
She laughed, the sound harsh and grating. “We shouldn’t be here, Abbs. Very bad things are going to happen.”
“What have you seen?” Josian snapped out.
Lucy opened one eye wide enough to send a glare in his direction. “I haven’t seen anything yet, nothing but the same random images.” She shook her head. “It’s more the feelings I have, and they’re only intensifying as we move closer. Something is both drawing us in and warning us away.”
I wondered if it was the Bracentine drawing me toward it. My heart rate accelerated as I sensed its cold power. It was here somewhere, buried under millions of tons of rock. The ache to have Brace back increased along with the fear and panic. What was I going to do if this plan didn’t work? Could I really risk everyone to save him? No, I had to believe I wouldn’t trade our happiness at the detriment of others but what really drew me to the Bracentine’s offer was how non-violent and simple it seemed. My reasoning made it easy to ignore that small part of me, deep down, that protested my choice.
As we stepped over the threshold between the outside and the inner sanctum of the mountain a shudder ran through our group.
“There is some type of field or electro-magnetic force on this doorway,” Lanthorne explained.
“I’d say that it’s a warning system for intruders,” Josian said. As we moved further inside the darkness closed in on us so he sent out a small energy light, illuminating our surroundings. “Stay alert and keep eyes out for anything strange, including odd shadows.”
Seriously?
Everything looked like odd shadows, especially with just one small light ball reflecting off the surfaces. Josian led the way, one of his hands tangled with Lallielle’s. Talina, Lucy and I moved closer together and followed them with Fury and Dune right behind us. Lanthorne was at the back providing protection. As we moved along the wide entrance started to narrow. Eventually the Walkers and Dune had to crouch so as not to hit their heads on the stone ceiling. The trail continued into the mountain.
“There are no other paths that we could find; it’s just this one narrow corridor all the way to the barrier.” Lanthorne’s voice drifted forward to us.
“We seem to have spent a lot of time buried in caves lately,” Lucy muttered. “We should head back to Spurn for some sun and relaxation.”
Talina snorted. “I don’t think your last visit there was very relaxing.”
“That wasn’t our fault. We didn’t break Spurn. Those sea-monsters and crazy Walkers were already there when we arrived,” Lucy said.
The three of us chuckled; it echoed around the caves in an overly loud resonance. But as our laughter died away I realized there were other noises adding to the clatter. The Walkers were just ahead of us.
“Josian,” one of them said as he stepped away from the group to greet his Princeps. “We have created a small incision in the field, but a strange whining noise resulted so we halted progress until you arrived to advise us.”
A dozen Reds were scattered along the narrow tunnel, right up to the solid wall blocking the path ahead. We moved as close as we could, but with so many Walkers around, we were far from the barrier.
“Wait here. I’ll barge my way through and see what we have blocking the path.” Josian kissed Lallielle on the cheek, then true to his word forced his way through, his broad shoulders knocking his men into the walls.
I was getting antsy now. I knew Brace was close by and my soul was straining to connect, to fill the void that was slowly chipping away at my psyche. I closed my eyes and breathed in a few deep breaths, all to stop myself from barreling through everyone and having a crack at two-foot-kicking the barrier down. Yeah, I know I had energy balls and that, but how cool would it be to kick down the wall?
“You look like crap,” Lucy said, interrupting my breakdown.
I opened my eyes to glare at her. Instead, snorts of laughter burst from me.
“Maybe you should have a quick look in the mirror before commenting on my appearance. You look like you’ve not only fallen onto the crazy train, but are the driver.”
She barely had her eyes open, squinting at me through her parted fingers. Suddenly she gasped. Her blue eyes almost rolled back into her head.
“The zombies are back,” she spat out.
Before I could force more information from her the barrier fell. I shuddered as a chill ran along my spine; I noticed the others had similar reactions.
“Josian?” Lallielle called out.
He was back at her side in a matter of seconds.
“None of us could penetrate the barrier; it dropped on its own. Which I’m sure we all agree is in no way suspicious.” Josian grinned before stretching to his full height, his head almost brushing the stone ceiling. “Nothing to do now but continue along the path.”
The Reds started to move through in single file; it was too narrow for anything else. We waited patiently for the path to clear.
“What happens if that barrier closes behind us? We don’t want to be trapped under a cave system with no way to get out.” Fury had her hands on her hips, refusing to move.
“Walkers are never trapped anywhere,” Josian said.
His confidence was a welcome help to keep the panic at bay.
Fury glared at him, but didn’t comment again. Shuffling forward, we moved with the group until we reached the previously barred area. As I stepped through I almost dropped to my knees. The other side felt different, the air thick and cloying. And that sick feeling was back in my stomach, the one I got when I was overloaded on negative energy.
Lucy let out a strangled shriek. I spun around just in time to catch her as she collapsed. Josian’s light floated above our heads, allowing me to examine her face closely. She was completely out, her breathing swift and eyelids flickering in rapid motions. I tried to read her thoughts but as usual she was blocked. I snorted out my frustration.
“Lucy!” I said in a demanding tone. “Luce!”
Her eyelids almost opened, but I only got a glimpse of white, as if her eyes were rolled back in her head.
“What’s wrong with her?” I looked up at Josian and Lallielle, who were crouching over me.
“It looks as if her system was overloaded,” Lallielle said, taking one of Lucy’s limp hands, “the psychic energy is very strong here.”
“She’s unconscious; why can’t I enter her mind?” I bit out.
“Soothsayers have special securities surrounding their thoughts. I should have guessed from the start when I also could not read her,” Josian said. “There are very few beings wh
o could keep me out, and especially no Earthling.”
“She’s untrained, Jos.” Lallielle turned to Josian, her eyes crinkling as she gripped Lucy’s hand tighter. “Who knows the overload she’s been trying to deal with?”
Josian reached down and lifted Lucy gently into his arms. She looked like a tiny doll cradled by a giant.
“Let’s hope your sister turns up soon,” he said, “because I have no idea how to train a soothsayer.”
I kept one worried eye on Lucy, although she seemed to have relaxed in Josian’s arms. I hoped she’d wake up soon and put my fears to rest, and most importantly that by continuing through the tunnels we weren’t doing her any further damage. The Reds were a fair way in front of us at this stage, so at least we’d have plenty of warning about any danger ahead. Unless they were all dead, of course.
Josian gave me a brief grin. “The men are waiting for us; they said there is a large space up ahead with many channels branching off.”
He must have caught my morbid thought. I’d been distracted and let my energy slip. We reached the Reds and they weren’t kidding about the channels. The room was circular with at least a dozen dark entrances visible.
“We have to split up.” I recognized the speaking Walker as Red four. “There’s no other way to determine what’s along these paths.”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” Lallielle’s voice was shaky, her worry clear.
I gasped as she dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face, her hands pulling at her long hair. I exchanged panic-filled looks with Josian.
What’s wrong with Mom?
Fear suddenly flooded through my system. My mind filled with darkness, the black tendrils streaking in and coating everything inside. There were all of these images infiltrating; I couldn’t tell what was real anymore. Death, blood and burning surrounded me. I choked back bile as it rose unwillingly to my throat. I knew we couldn’t move or everyone would die.
Josian rose up before me. I stared at my father. Screams fell from my throat as his skull was split in two by an unseen force, blood and brains dripping down his features. My hysterical screams increased as the life fled his body. How was this happening? I knew something was wrong, but I couldn’t calm my thoughts long enough to figure it out.
“Aribella! Fight this. You’re stronger than the witchery here.” Josian held me tightly with one hand.
“You’re dead,” I shrieked over and over.
“Baby girl, listen to my voice: I’m fine. No one is dead.”
Finally his voice and words infiltrated my mind, allowing me a moment to silence my screams. Despite my clarity, the vision before me still alternated between Josian whole and healthy and Josian with his blood and brains coating my boots.
Closing my eyes, I started to chant, “Not real, not real, not real.”
I also took my power, wrapping it tightly around myself, expelling whatever negative energy was manipulating my thoughts. I hesitated before opening my eyes again; the fog that had clouded my vision was gone and I could finally see the reality before me.
“Are you back with me, baby girl?” Josian asked.
His features hardened as he cast worried glances toward the rest of our group. I took in the spine-tingling horror myself. Our friends and family were on the ground, hysterically screaming or crawling into each other and the rock walls.
Josian’s words snapped my attention back to him. “I need your help to break this energy chain.”
“Two questions.” I held up my index and middle finger. “What the hell just happened? And why were you not affected?”
His words were short and sharp. “It’s a trap, cleverly designed to incapacitate anyone who makes it this far into this cavern. And I’m too old and powerful to be manipulated like this.”
“So what happens after they have everyone incapacitated?”
As soon as the words left my mouth the answer crept out of the darkness.
“Oh, holy shitballs.” My jaw dropped open as the disbelief colored my words.
Josian spun around.
Zombies. Excellent, because the day just couldn’t get any worse.
“Well, this is unexpected,” Josian said, before facing me again.
He was still holding Lucy. He gently lowered her to the ground. Once his arms were free he reached for his wife. Lallielle had been face down on the dirty floor, clawing her way in circles around his legs. Gripping either side of her face, he shot a beam of blue energy into her. She blinked rapidly a few times before coughing and recognition reappeared in her dazed eyes. His blast of power had awoken her.
“I need you to help me, Aribella. Send light energy in to free their minds from the fear and darkness. Keep the emotions happy and guide them to do the same.” Josian had already moved on to Talina.
Having no idea what I was doing, I stepped toward Fury. She was screaming and head-butting the wall in front of her. Blood ran in rivulets down her face from the large gash she’d opened on her forehead. It would just start to heal and then she would smash it again. And the entire time she screamed in a high-pitched tone of fear. As soon as I got within arm’s reach she lashed out, her arm catching my right cheek and knocking my face into the wall.
“Oh, for crap’s sake,” I bit out.
I definitely needed to work on my cursing, but come on: this day was not going to be the right time to start. And I probably should have seen that hit coming; my reflexes were leaving a lot to be desired.
Stepping back again, I shook off the disorientation and moved in for attempt two to capture her. I managed to get a hand on either side of her face, wrenching her around. She was strong as she fought to free herself, thrashing against me.
I grabbed at my energy, careful to siphon off the lighter white at the top and staying far from the darkness lower down; that was a place I’d always been too afraid to explore. I shot the stream straight into Fury’s face. It slapped at her features before being absorbed in.
I continued the stream.
Using my extra senses I watched as the black tendrils which had been encasing her thoughts started to dissipate. Finally her screams ceased. Her face fell for a moment before realization crossed it and I had to dodge another bitch-slap coming my way. I reached out to capture her swinging arm.
“Get your hands off me, superstar,” she hissed at me.
“You got one as a freebie because you weren’t in your right mind. The next time you hit me I will hit back,” I growled, squeezing her forearm before flinging it away.
She opened her mouth to reply, but I spun around before she had a chance.
The creatures across the way caught my attention again. I’d forgotten about the horrifying scene that was slowly advancing in our direction. Lucy had been right when she’d dreamed of the walking dead, and I needed to move it and free everyone before the zombies reached us.
Fury had crawled her way over to Dune, but had to remain outside his reach. He was all fists of fire at the moment. His hands were burning red and he was spinning in rapid circles.
“What’s wrong with him?” Fury screamed as she dodged his attacks.
“Everyone’s been influenced with negative energy; it’s bringing our nightmares to life. He can’t tell what reality is.”
“This is so those zombie creatures can attack while we are defenseless?” Fury clearly had not missed the lurching group heading our way.
“Exactly. Now distract Dune so I can get a hold of him?”
Fury burst into flames, illuminating the underground cavern until it was almost as bright as the outside. The heat coming from her was intense, and she could now step forward and grab onto Dune’s hands without being burnt.
“Hurry,” she said, her voice deep and more gravelly.
Dune was so much stronger than she was and she was struggling just to stay in contact with him.
I came in from behind, careful not to get too close to Fury’s flames. I reached up to clutch the back of Dune’s white hair, se
nding energy in with more force than I’d used on Fury.
I knew we were running out of time.
I could smell the decay heading in our direction, a stomach-churning aroma of rotted meat masked by a strange chemical smell.
“Come on, Dune,” I snapped. “Wake the hell up, fire man.”
He was strong as he fought against my hold. Fury growled at him before launching herself forward and slamming her lips into his. His head fell back and I was thrown to the ground. Glancing up through a mass of messy red curls, I watched as he absorbed her blue fire, and then he was back. The glow in his hands faded out as he clutched Fury close to him.
“I don’t know what just happened, but damn,” he said as he pushed her white hair off her face, “you’re leaving me with no doubt; you’re as hot as hell, tresorina.”
A rare smile broke across Fury’s face. Pure joy shone, and as their lips met again I picked myself up and turned away.
“No thanks required and get a damn room,” I muttered, mild jealousy tainting my words.
I was suddenly spun around as a hand clutched at my bicep. It was icy cold even through my jacket. I threw myself back as I sucked in air, facing the nightmare before me. Yep, it was a freaking zombie. I’d knocked it back a few steps when I’d fallen but it was lurching at me again. I was pretty sure it had been a woman before its death. There were sparse strands of long matted blond hair scattered over its head. The eyes were light blue but with a white sheen coating the top. Chunks of rotted flesh were hanging off its face and body, and every time it moved it shed bits of its body. It was a zombie in the classic sense but there was intelligence in its eyes and it definitely wasn’t blind as it focused and came straight at me, clenched hands out front and teeth bared, growling and hissing as it lurched.
“If you’re not too busy, Dad, let me know what I’m supposed to do about the zombies?” I called out, not taking my eyes off the creature before me.
I kicked out, hitting it in the stomach. My foot squished in, not finding much substance in its decayed mid-section. But at least it shot back a few yards.