Book 3: Chapter 22: Devils and Dragons

Book 3: Chapter 22: Devils and Dragons

Somebody tell me what's going on! Heather demanded her panic from the narrow escape fresh in her mind.

You look different, Frank said as he looked her up and down.

What do you mean I look different? Im just wearing a crown.

No, you're not, Breanne said as she leaned in closer.

Heather felt around her head to pull the thing off and throw it at them to discover it was nowhere to be found. She reached behind, finding the horns and tugged away only to pull her skull with it.

What?!?!?, she cried in alarm.

Are we sure this is Heather? Quinny asked with concern apparent in her voice.

Frank narrowed his eyes then looked for Webster to find him crawling nearby.

Webster, is that Heather? he asked. The spider bounced on its furry legs in a yes, settling the matter.

Why are you asking him that? Of course, it's me!

You look very different, Breanne said.

Heather was growing tired of their cryptic comments and turned to use the portal for a mirror.

Of course, she sighed to see it reverted to the stone carving of the woman with horns.

She looks like the image, Quinny said, nodding to the mural.

Hathlisora! Umtha cried, pointing first to the image and then to Heather.

What is that supposed to mean? Heather demanded, as her patience wore thin.

I think she is trying to say you and the image on the wall are the same person, Frank said.

That's ridiculous, Heather remarked and tugged on the horns again. Ohhh, I need a mirror!

Mirror, this way! Umtha said gleefully and trotted down the hall they had come from.

Why won't this come off? Heather groaned as she tugged, pulling her head around awkwardly.

Heather, you're not wearing a crown, Frank insisted. Those are growing right out of your skull.

Heather stamped a foot and put her arms down, glaring back at him with a faint green light in her eyes. They cant be, she insisted.

Well, they are, Quinny said.

No! I am wearing a crown! she growled and yanked harder.

What happened in there? Breanne asked as Heather nearly pulled herself over.

Heather took a moment to collect her thoughts and articulate what happened. She described the strange glass-like islands floating over oblivion and how the crown was sitting on a kneeling statue. She explained, picking it up and how everything started to break, falling into the void below. She couldn't carry Webster, the crown, and her scythe, so she did the only thing that made sense and put the crown on her head.

The next part was harder to describe because it didn't make sense, even to her. She tried to articulate how she escaped a crumbling rock by appearing on the other side.They listened intently to the story as Breanne stepped closer.

May I? she asked.

Heather nodded and lowered her head so that the woman could reach it. Breanne reached a hand up, pulling Heather's hair aside and traced where the horns connected.

Well, there is no crown now. The horns look like they are nailed into your head. Your skin is bunched around them like it was pushed aside.

Then how do I get it off?

Breanne stepped back and shook her head. I dont know that you can get it off.

Great! she grumbled. Let's catch up to Umtha. I want to see what it looks like.

They ran after the goblin queen catching up just before they entered the underground village. When Heather walked into the open space, goblins began shouting and pointing. Some even threw coins, apples, and goblin jewelry at her feet.

Why are they throwing things at me?

Not at you, to you, Frank said. I think these are gifts.

Why? She asked as they climbed the steps to the largest hut.

They must think you are this Hathlisora, and whoever that is must be very important to them.

They followed Umtha into the largest hut to find a single room stuffed floor to ceiling with plunder. Heather recognized some of it as things stolen from Moon's village, while others looked like gear from adventurers. Umtha waved her forward and pointed to the back corner where stood a tall mirror on a stand. Heather went to the mirror, her hands touching her face in disbelief at what she saw.

What happened to me? she asked as she ran a finger down her face. I look undead.

You're definitely not undead, Breanne said.

Then why is my skin so pale and my lips blue, its like I froze to death.

I can see the aura of the living when I am close, Breanne replied. You still have one, but it is different.

Different how? Heather asked as she pulled her hair apart to look at the horns.

There is a fire in your aura now.

Heather looked into the mirror, her eyes looking to Breanne in the reflection to see the concerned look on her face.

What does that mean? Heather asked.

It means you are an infernal somehow, Breanne said.

She cant be, Frank said. She is chosen and has already locked her race in as human.

I am only telling you what I see, Breanne said. Normal races like humans have a white ring about them. Magical races have a purple one. Demons have a black one, and Infernals have a red one. There is no mistaking it. She is an infernal.

I dont want to be an infernal, Heather said as she turned about. There must be some way to get this thing off.

No! Umtha cried. Hathlisora must stay!

Heather's mouth fell open as she turned to face Umtha. Why hadn't she thought to ask the goblin queen how to get it off?

Umtha, How do I take the crown off? she asked.

No! Must stay!

Umtha, Heather repeated. How?

The goblin womans ears dropped as her shoulders sank. She began to fiddle with her hands as she looked about the room in sadness.

Heather must bathe in the moonlight. Crown will appear when you do, but you not touch, other must take off. You will not want crown removed when they try.

I will take it off, Frank said immediately. I can paralyze her if I have to.

No! the goblin pleaded. She Hathlisora!

Who is Hathlisora? Heather asked.

You are, the goblin said. You are maker of gateways.

What is that supposed to mean?

Hathlisora make gates, go other places.

Heather nodded her head and then looked past the goblin to the others. I have no idea what she's talking about. Why would I make gates?

To go home, The goblin woman added. Hathlisora trying to go home.

Is this the twilight zone? Heather asked. Am I dreaming? She stumbled away from the mirror, thinking of how she wanted to go home. This world was too strange, but she was honestly trying to like it and live in it. She had almost forgotten how badly she wanted out, and now this happens. She turned to the mirror again and looked into her glowing green eyes. She still resembled herself in every way except for the horns and the color of her skin and lips. It was a close approximation of the woman in the mural or the statue in the upper temple, but it wasn't her, was it? None of this makes any sense, Heather said with a shake of her head.

The ground under their feet shook, and dust drifted down from the ceiling as they were reminded there was an angry dragon knight above.

Heather nodded her head in agreement. In truth, she was terrified of the idea, as if somehow the person who came back wouldn't really be her. She tried to put on a strong face, but her steps felt weak as she drew closer to the hidden door.

I don't see another option, she said at last. If we run away, the goblins pay for it. If I face him, there is some chance I can do something.

You may be fireproof, but the rest of us aren't, Frank replied.

Heather nodded and tightened her grip on the scythe. The rest of you will stay in the tunnel. I am the only one he wants anyway.

Im not going to let you fight him alone.

Heather smiled and turned to Frank to put a hand to his cheek.

You really should have been a knight of some kind. Your my best friend in this world and the one real one.

Ow, friend-zoned, Quinny remarked.

Nobody has ever stuck by my side like you have, especially when I am so mean to them sometimes, Heather finished, ignoring Quinny's remarks.

You're upset because things are out of your control, especially since you never wanted to be here in the first place, Frank replied.

And you always understand, Heather nodded. Now understand this. I have to get over my silly fear of dying, and I have to face him alone. Maybe he will go away, or maybe I will accomplish both tasks and wake up in the tower. Either way, this gets resolved. Frank nodded his head as she took her hand away. Also, your skin feels like wet rubber.

Im a ghoul, what is it supposed to feel like?

Heather shrugged and took hold of her scythe with both hands walking the final distance to the hidden doorway. From this side of the hall, the door was obvious, with metal wheels and a counterweight hanging from a chain. There was a lever by one of the wheels that she pulled down, and the wall began to shift.

Wish me luck, she said as the door opened.

The air from outside was hot and smelled of smoke as she stepped through the doorway into a very different place. The temple was a ruin, its once-grand entrance broken and thrown down in chunks. The roof was blasted away near the front, and the whole area drenched in flames. Only the statue remained untouched, the woman that looked so much like her.

She walked to stand before the image gazing on the face and wondering how this could be happening.

So youre Hathlisora, Heather said aloud. I hope you dont mind my borrowing your crown.

The statue was silent and unmoving even as more of the roof collapsed behind her. She sighed and walked into the room, avoiding the broken blocks and made her way forward.

I will tear this mountain down around your heads! the voice called from outside as she neared the fire. Her heart began to beat faster, and her mind implored her to stop. Everything she understood about fire said she would burn painfully if she got any closer. As her steps carried her forward, she had to struggle to keep going and finally entered the flames.

Around her, the world shimmered in a haze of rising heat. It was almost like looking through flowing water and could see the dark form of the knight outside. His dragon flew in the sky above; its shadow occasionally passing over the temple as she made her way forward. She held up her hands and turned them over, fire dancing between her fingers as it reached for the heavens. Frank was right; the flames couldn't harm her. She was fully encased in the fire, and it felt no more threatening than a warm summer's breeze.

Come out! a course voice shouted.

Heather's head turned as her eyes glowed brighter. Her anger at being pushed around and driven into situations she had no control over boiled up. Even more, she thought of Frank and the others, trapped because they were her friends. She put everyone she cared about in danger, no matter how remote they were like the goblins. Something inside welled up and pushed toward the top of her head. Her eyes filled with green fire as a third eye opened over her forehead, and a voice began to whisper in her ear.

The dragon knight growled in annoyance that he was so close, and yet his target had chosen to hide within the lower halls. He could probably take them by himself, but much of his power was tied to the dragon that landed behind him.

She will not come, the dragon said in a cold, emotionless voice.

We're not leaving here without our answers, he replied. To much is at stake.

Then you will have to drag her out by her hair, the dragon hissed.

She will come to us because I demand it. I will bury her alive in this hill if she doesnt

What gives you the right to demand anything of me? said a shrill voice that echoed with power. The dark image of a woman formed in the flames, shimmering in the terrible heat. He squinted to see clearly as a woman with pale, almost gray skin walked out. Slowly and methodically, her three green eyes fixed on him, and a wicked smile curled on her face.

You! he said and took a step back.

You asked me to come out, well here I am, Hathlisora said as she stepped free of the fire.

Youre dead, he stammered.

Does anybody ever stay dead in this world? she asked. Now tell me, why are you going to all this trouble to lure me out?

The man raised his sword and pointed it her way. His red eyes fixed on her as the fire over his armor faded away.

It doesn't matter if you found a way to reclaim a portion of your power. I can see through your disguise. You know what we're after, he said. Where have you hidden the dragon?

The dragon? Hathlisora replied, a smile coming to her lips. She began to pace to the left, casting him a sideways glance as if he was unimportant. I don't seem to recall what you mean.

Don't play games with me, he replied with a voice that dripped with threat. You were helping them from the start, and you are the one who hid it.

She turned to smile at him, her hands tracing a path over her hips as she swayed slightly.

And what is the information worth to you? she asked.

What is she doing? Frank asked.

Is she flirting with him? Breanne added.

She really is a succubus, Quinny laughed and was immediately swatted.

Your charms won't work on me, the knight said, his eyes never leaving her. I didn't come here to barter with trash. You will tell me where it's hidden, or I will cut those horns from your head.

Three eyes narrowed as lips curled back to reveal her fangs. Her fingers tightened over the handle of the scythe until her knuckles turned white.

So be it, he said and charged forward his sword leading the way.

Move away from the door, Breanne commanded as took out a silver handle, a bow rapidly forming in the air.

Hathlisora raced to meet him the scythe swinging through the air, leaving a trail of black smoke in its wake. The two weapons collided in a shower of red sparks and embers as the combatants pushed into one another. She found her footing unstable and was driven back by the greater strength of the Dragon knight.

We killed you once before, he said as she took another swipe. We will do it again.

She ducked under his next swipe and used the hooked blade to sweep his legs, toppling him to the ground. She swung over her head to bury the point through his chest, but a gout of fire blasted her face. The flames did little, but the dragon's breath was strong enough to throw her from her feet. She tumbled back, rolling to the temple steps before looking up with rage burning in her green eyes.

The dragon went to lunge forward, but a silver streak sailed by and buried in its neck. Another rapidly followed it as Breanne fired arrows from the shelter of the temple. The dragon twisted it's head away as the arrows continued buying Hathlisora some time.

I see you havent forgotten any of your tricks, the dragon knight said as he stood.

She got to her feet to meet him and readied her weapon as he lifted a single glowing hand. The fire around her formed into chains that wrapped about her body. When he closed his hand into a fist, they constricted, tightly pinning her arms and dragging her to her knees. She screamed in defiance to be brought down as he stalked slowly toward her. He lifted his hand again, and a shield of flames went up behind her, catching the arrows that Breanne now fired at him.

You cant get away, and your friends cant help you, he said as he closed the last few steps.

I will burn you all, she hissed in a voice that echoed with rage.

He leaned over and pressed the tip of the sword between the chains until she felt its vile sting on her skin.

Last chance, he said. Where have you hidden the dragon?

She looked into his eyes, her voice coming out in a scream of rage as her central green eye began to glow brightly. There was a flash of smoke, the chains falling away as she appeared out of the air just behind him. Her scythe cut out, tearing his armor and stumbling him forward. His sword slashed out in a wide arc, neatly cleaving the air where only a puff of smoke remained. She appeared an instant later before him, lashing out again, but his armor absorbed this blow. Before she could dance away, a plated fist swung in a mighty backhand. She tried to blink away, but the attack was too sudden. Her jaw went numb as her lips split, the blow throwing her head back. She staggered away, cupping her bleeding face as he swung around, his sword coming in.

She flashed away, appearing well behind him, frantically mumbling her healing spell. The pulse of healing began to tick as he raced after her. She stood and took a step back before realizing the cliff to the canyon was right behind.

You have reclaimed only a fraction of your power, he cried. Youre no match for me.

Hathlisora narrowed her three eyes as bleeding lips knit back together. She hissed in rage and vanished in a flash of smoke. He sliced the air right before himself as he charged ahead, but she appeared on her hands and knees at his feet. Ribs broke as his plated legs collided with her chest, kicking her from the ground as he toppled over. She groaned in pain, staggering to get up, her heal spell knitting the new injuries. She struggled to get her feet moving, running at him as he recovered. Every step was agony, grinding broken bones and flexing bruised muscles as she closed on him rapidly.

He was up in an instant his sword going high to cleave her in two, but she dived tackling him and driving them over the cliff.

Give my regards to the others, she said in her unnerving voice as the green eye in her forehead began to glow brightly.

He plummeted through a puff of smoke, to the rocky crevice below as Hathlisora appeared out of thin air, collapsing on the ledge above. She put a hand to her side, groaning under the pain as a growl filled her ears.

She looked up to stare into the eyes of the dragon as they blazed with anger. It was so close she could reach out and touch it. It opened its great maw to reveal rows of terrible teeth that looked more like curved knives and felt it's breath, hot on her skin, pouring from a mouth that could swallow her whole.

She lay there, panting unable to fight, as the beast took a single sniff of air. It jerked back, eyes narrowing as if uncertain what it was doing. It watched her for nearly a full minute before finally choosing to speak.

So, it has begun, the dragon said in a rumbling voice. I look forward to your proper return, dear sister, but do not long carry the taint of that one. She betrayed you once before.

The dragon spread its wings and took to the air flying north as she lay panting on the cliff side. She watched it go as her heart finally began to settle. Inside something struggled, and she started to scream the third eye blazing in brilliant light before turning to green fire and vanishing.

Heather collapsed her mind filled with vague images of dragons and fire and a mountain where the sky reached down to touch the peak in a pillar of light. She didn't even notice when Frank picked her up and carried her off. All her mind could see was the mountain as if a long lost memory was crying out to be recalled. Her world faded into the still calm of darkness as she collapsed under the strain. Whatever the day's events meant they could wait until she awoke from dreams filled with fire.

End of Book 3.