On the Evil Scale: Keeper of La Tecla (The Key) Book Two

Gunmen Derek and Caleb provided extra firepower, in between fierce swings of their machetes and swords. Awkwardly, without losing a hand or arm, shoving the barrels of the shotguns and pistols into the mouths or wounds, they blasted brains and clots of flesh spewing across the area. Once the creatures fell, they shook their guns toward the ground, dislodging the residual pieces and chunks.

“That’s disgusting.” Caleb muttered, wiping the blood off his pants.

“Be thankful it’s not you.” Derek grumbled nearby.

The Wraiths used their speed and teleportation, confusing the beasts that could only focus upon one figure at a time from their poor sight. Knowing the Boar-wolves lost their momentary focus, both Nick and Caleb stabbed at the creatures in their sides, necks and under bellies with their daggers, swords or axes, spewing their intestines across the stone floor, making the ground much more difficult to balance on. Nick used his large metal shield deflecting the weight as one of the large beasts lunged forward, then with his axe held tight in hand, he swept it upward, slicing the blade across the Boar-wolves stomach. As the bulk fell, squealing moments before it died, Caleb sped forward, after losing his guns and machete, decapitating the creature with his bare hands.

“You okay?” he hissed, helping Nick from the ground.

“Yeah!” Nick huffed, then pushed Caleb out of the way, throwing the axe toward another beast that lunged toward them; the blade sunk deeply between the beast’s eyes into its brain.

Jonathan and Erik used their magic to hold them back, pushing them away with such force, some slammed against the wall or fell into the pit, creating an unsettling splash. Jonathan, having the keen ability to communicate with animals attempted to control a few but these were not natural creatures so his efforts failed, seeming to rile them up more; Erik too, blast his magic fiercely, crushing skulls or breaking bones, making the final kill much easier. And with their magic, their colored energy flashed, making the environment look as if we were in a rave with the flashing party lights of various colors.

The brightness blinded the creatures, making it difficult to pounce upon the figures that brutally attacked them.

Leonus, of course, filled with rage, swung his double-bladed axe with all his strength through the air, powerfully throwing the Boar-wolves across the cavern; he could hear their bones breaking and shattering from the impact as they hit hard against the jagged rock walls. As he looked around, leering with his red eyes, he growled, before shouting loudly, continuing to swing his axe like the Viking warrior that he was.

Even Derek, Nathan and Anthony released their Lycynian rage as the three Lycynians swiped their clawed hands toward the creatures and their faces, gouging out their eyes, or their throats. Growling deeply, and viciously, they snarled their fangs, but controlled their rage long enough to fight the shift because that’s not what needed to happen.

I found it more difficult because I wasn’t used to fighting creatures like this, or yielded the years of experience like the fellow warriors in our party, I knew my limits, despite the training I had gone through with Shung-Lee. Swinging my sword, stabbing at their sides and necks, I managed to catch brief glimpses of how the others gained success in their kills from crushing skulls or decapitation, or even blasting them from within using magic. Pushing aside my own fears, I fought fiercely, throwing many of the large boulders, crushing Boar-wolves as they rushed toward me or the others that fought around me. Hearing their bones crush from the impact of the boulders, it was unsettling. Everything was unsettling! Even my Aura didn’t seem to affect their thick hides, but managing to burn their eyes or aiming it toward their gaping mouths, the squeals on top of others having been thrown against the walls, released debris from their place along the roof that was already weak from the bats’ disturbance. Shields that I created were short lived, because of the constant pressure from the bombardment of the Boar-wolves and their bulks. Screaming, I released the barrier outward, throwing back the creatures then as I stretched out my arms, I released razor-like blades of my Aura that sliced through the beasts, cutting them in half. Falling to my knees, gasping heavily, that was something knew.

“Yzavela?!” Anthony shouted, trying to make his way toward her.

“Anthony?!” I shouted in reply, looking for him through the masses of thick bulks and flashing lights of magic, then glanced toward the tunnel where the Boar-wolves kept pouring out, one after another, like ants running from their hill.

The mortals, Luke and Jeremy unfortunately were killed, having been stabbed and skewered in their lower abdomens from the Boar-wolves’ tusks, they were brave nonetheless and would be given an honorable remembrance.

Jonathan, in a moment of having no weapons in hand, had two of the beasts slowly stalking toward him. Frowning, he began squeezing his hands into tight, firm fists beginning to break their bones; his wide blue eyes watched as the Boar-wolves twitched in place while walking, feeling their bones crushing from inside, squealing loudly in pain. As he glanced to his right, watching as their squeals attracted their kin, he grunted lowering his hands then managed to turn his body as one of the beasts lunged forward, sweeping him within its tusks, tossing him against the wall.

“Jonathan?!” voices shouted his name.

Laying on the hard stone that pressed against his back, he managed to turn over, grunting deeply, watching as three of the beasts hovered above him with their drooling mouths gaping wide and moments before they could snap their jaws, Jonathan again, squeezed his hands pulling them forward; the creatures skid their feet across the stone as they felt an energy pulling them forward moments before they were thrown across the cavern when the pureblood threw his hands that glowed fiercely, outward as if throwing something away. Leaning his head back momentarily, trying to catch his breath, he groaned as he pushed himself to his feet, knowing he needed to continue.

The men gathered around Yzavela, trying to protect her, but they all had their own battle to fight against the creatures.

Thomas struggled for he was the only mortal left, swinging his sword and machete at the beasts, cutting at their legs that weakened their balance long enough for him to strike at their necks and under their ribs. Just as he yanked his blades from the carcass, he turned, only to be thrown by one of the creatures’ tusks down one of the tunnels.

“Thomas!” Anthony shouted. Growling, yelling in rage, he struck the creature in front of him, the lept over of the body, rushing toward his brother, “Thomas?!”

“I’m all right, just…” he panted, pushing himself against the wall, “I can’t do this much longer, I can’t.” he moaned in discomfort, feeling a few broken ribs.

Anthony patted his brother’s shoulders then turned, looking at all of the other warriors, then he stood in worry, for he didn’t see Yzavela anywhere among the fighting men and beasts.

“Thomas, go…” Thomas urged, “go!”

Anthony nodded then lunged forward, continuing to fight through.

Everyone managed to work together as a team, keeping Yzavela in the center to attack any Boar-wolf that managed to get past them.

Focusing on one heading right toward Anthony from the left, I quickly lept in front of him, blocking the creatures’ path, and just as it lept, I moved my hands as if gathering energy from my feet upward, releasing a blast of my fiery Aura that blew a hole through its large, protruding rib cage. As the creature fell, with its pieces splattering all over the walls and ground, I panted stumbling into Anthony’s arms.

“Yzavela?” he worried, glancing down at her.

“I’m all right.” I panted, looking up at him, “I’m fine.” I managed to offer him a brief grin, then I looked around, “I lost my sword.” my hand felt empty, “Where’s my sword?” I was defenseless.

“Here!” Derek tossed her one of his machetes.

In between swipes of the blade, I continued releasing blasts or Aura, becoming intoxicating as I enjoyed the feeling of the demonic powers.

Leonus, catching the glimpses between swings and strikes of his axe, remembered the day in the study when she had used her magic upon him. Grunting, he turned away, continuing his fight.

Proceeding to stab, and lunge toward the Boar-wolves, this time the situation was reversed as Anthony and I fought near one another; one of the injured Boar-wolves lunged toward us and as we backed away, Erik lept forward standing in front of us.

“Erik!” I shouted, trying to pull him back, “What are you doing?!”

Erik said nothing, pushing her back with a force of his magic, then as the beast jumped off the mounds of its kin, lunging toward him with its mouth agape and drooling tusks, the Demon grabbed hold of its upper and lower jaw with an invisible force that didn’t require actual physical contact. Pulling his hands apart, slowly ripping the jaw, the beast squealed in agonizing pain as he continued yanking the bones from their sockets, then with one strong pull outward, he tore it two pieces, splattering blood onto his clothing and face as he threw the head away to one side, and the jaw to the other. Its body fell at his feet. Huffing, he glanced over his shoulder, nodding toward Anthony and Yzavela who gripped his shoulder in appreciation.

Jonathan scampered toward Erik, Yzavela and Anthony, panting with blood soaked in his red hair, when another Boar-wolf lunged from his right. Quickly, he turned, kneeling down beneath the bulk, and as he raised his hands gripping daggers tightly, he plunged them upward, deeply impaling the creature; its dark blood oozed down his hands and upper arms. Using his strength, throwing the lifeless bulk aside, it was sickening to hear as it fell to the ground.

Both Anthony and Erik pulled him to his feet.

“I don’t know how much more we can take.” I complained.

“Same here.” Erik groaned.

“Yeah.” Jonathan shook his head.

“We have to get out of here.” Anthony growled, then glanced toward Thomas who struggled to fight against another injured Boar-wolf but managed to stab his broken sword through its thick neck, “Thomas!” he worried, then glanced down at Yzavela, feeling torn between who to stand by.

“Go…” I urged, “he’s your brother, go!”

“We got her!” Erik affirmed protectively.

Nodding, he turned to her, kissing her quickly, then rushed toward his brother but just before he could make it, one of the creatures had swept him up in its large tusks, scampering down the left tunnel.

“Anthony!” I screamed, running forward.

“Yza, no…” Erik wrapped his arms around her waist, “no!”

“Erik, let go of me!” I argued, trying to pull away, “Anthony!”

Hearing her voice calling out his name, Thomas turned watching as a Boar-wolf disappeared down the tunnel, carrying Anthony tangled in its tusks.

“Tony!” he limped forward, carefully climbing over the dead bodies.

Anthony grunted, trying to pull away from the creatures’ tusks while it thumped down the tunnel, retreating to its lair. Listening to its loud squeals and snorts, he removed a hunting knife from his boot, piercing the creature in the eyes, endlessly stabbing until its bulk had begun stumbling forward, tripping over the large chunks of rock that lay along the ground. Falling forward, he was thrown from its tusks, rolling a few feet from the dead Boar-wolf. Laying there momentarily, making sure it was dead, he closed his eyes panting, then grunted as he felt a sharp cramp along his right leg. Sitting upward, leaning his back against the wall, his paranormal vision could see a deep gash that ran down his thigh to his knee, and as he gasped, pressing firmly against the wound, his breathing ceased as he held his breath, hearing a loud and guttural squeal coming from his left down the tunnel. As he turned his head, squinting with fatigue, he could see a faint, but massive outline of something beginning to crawl its way through; its silhouette creeped along the wall as it grew closer.

“Anthony!” voices shouted his name.

Turning his head to the right, Anthony turned, holding onto the wall for support as he pulled himself to his feet. Limping quickly, pushing aside the stabbing pains, he approached the dead creatures, removing the hunting knife from its skull, then continued hobbling back down the tunnel toward the pit.

“Tony?!” Thomas shouted worriedly.

“Anthony?!” I feared greatly, praying softly, “Please no…please.”

“Thomas…Yzavela…” an Italian voice answered.

Both Thomas and I momentarily smiled, sighing in relief, then we rushed into the tunnel, walking on either side of him, helping him out of the tunnel and toward a niche away from the fight that still continued behind us.

“Are you all right?” Thomas questioned.

“Not really, no…” Anthony grunted.

“Oh my god…” I pondered, seeing the deep wound on his leg, “not again.” I looked at him. Quickly removing my belt, I manged to tie it around his leg, stopping the bleeding for the time being, “I really need to stop being your Doctor.” I teased, pulling it tightly around his leg, “That should last for now.”

“Little Yza…” Anthony grabbed her wrists gently but firmly, “I’ll be fine, you need to finish helping the others.” he urged, gently stroking her dirty cheek, “Go…”

“I’ll stay with him.” Thomas reassured, “I’m done.” he raised his left arm that was injured from a dislocated shoulder.

Nodding, offering a brief smile, I grabbed a nearby axe, then turned, joining the others that continued the fight that must have lasted for an hour or more, it was difficult to estimate.

“Thomas…” Anthony groaned, “we need to move.”

“Wh-why?” Thomas looked around, “We’re fine right here.”

“We won’t be.”

“I don’t understand.” Thomas frowned.

“Thomas…” Anthony growled, flashing his yellow eyes, “I’m telling you we need to move and we need to move NOW, there’s something coming down that tunnel and I don’t want to be in its way.”

“Wh-what do you mean something is coming down that tunnel?” and before he could listen to Anthony’s ranting, he turned, hearing a deep growl vibrating off the walls nearby, followed by loud squeals.

“That.” Anthony moaned, as he pushed himself onto his feet, trying to shuffle away toward another niche along the walls behind a cluster of boulders away from the fight, “Thomas!” he called out to him.

Thomas rushed after his brother, hiding quietly in the shadows.

Everyone, except for the Wraiths, were beginning to feel strained, but after awhile the number of Boar-wolves pouring from the tunnel dwindled. Carcasses lay piled everywhere, making it difficult to stand our ground and keep steady footing, but also provided higher ground and a better advantage against the beasts that continued their vicious defense of their home.

Retreating behind a pile of corpses pierced with holes from all of the bladed weapons and bullets, or magical blasts, I panted closing my eyes. Quickly glancing down at myself covered in blood and dirt from head-to-foot and everything in between, it looked as if I bathed in the pit itself. With my hands shaking violently, I clenched them. I peeked over the carcasses watching as the men swiped their weapons, then suddenly heard the roars and howls of a wolf and dragon. As I turned, leaning forward to peek over the pile on the other side, there they were, entering the cavern scampering down the tunnel.

Zanzabarr revealed his true hellhound nature as he lept across the pit without struggle, toward a Boar-wolf with his jaws stretched widely in an unnatural gape. Grabbing onto the creatures’ neck, his canine fangs sunk deeply through the tough hide, piercing through, causing its thick blood to ooze from the wound. His sleek black fur looked as if it were aflame down his spine from between his ears, down to his tail, while the rest of his fur spat embers that diminished quickly. His massive paws sizzled against the rock, leaving hidden, obscure footprints. After killing the beast that was ten time larger, he panted, releasing a hot breath that bellowed from within, similar to that of a dragon. His rib cage appeared to protrude but not in a skeletal way, perhaps it gave him the leaner frame and agility he needed.

Abraxas too, shifted quickly into one of the Boar-wolves with many different features. Having large tusks and massive claws that pierced the hides, latching tightly, he released blasts of fire that burned the creatures down to their bones in less than a matter of seconds and as he turned, he released large spikes from his back, stabbing every inch of the beasts that lunged toward him. He continued blasting streams of fire into the open, gaping mouths, burning them from within.

Thomas, Yzavela and Anthony, from their hiding places, watched in amazement, for the power of the both the wolf and dragon were undeniable.

“Did you know they could do that?” Thomas looked at Anthony.

“No.” he shrugged, “Yza told me they grew but…I had no idea.” he frowned, flinching from the stabbing pains.

Among the chaos, Nick lost his shield; it was thrown from his grasp, shattering beneath the hooves of the creatures that bombarded him and his companions. However, he maintained his grip on his axe then removed another from his belt, slashing out, hissing in the process. The adorable, fun-loving Wraith became the vicious supernatural his nature intended, as was Caleb, who had lost his guns in the chaos.

Unexpectedly, Erik was swept up in the tucks of an injured creature, thrown across the cavern, landing hard on the ground nearby where Thomas and Anthony inconspicuously hid.

“Erik!” I shouted, watching the occurrence, pushing aside the awe for my supernatural companions. Making my way through the maze of bulky corpses, climbing over some of them, I startled both Thomas and Anthony as I fell nearby, tripping over one of the large tusks that shook the limp head that was attached, “Is he all right?!” I wondered, worrying about Erik.

Peeking around the boulder, Anthony watched as the young man lay still, but breathing. However, the Boar-wolf then turned, beginning to charge toward the unconscious Demon.

“He’s still alive.” he turned to her, “But the Boar-wolf is heading…” and before he could finish, he watched as she grabbed the sword, “what are you doing, Yza what are you doing?!” he reached for her, but she had lept over the corpses, jumping off their bulks, landing on the back of the pouncing Boar-wolf, “Yzavela!”

“She’s crazy!” Thomas observed.

Positioned between its spikes that were surprisingly soft, I held on as it attempted jumping, and shaking me off its back like a bull trying to rid itself of the rider. Managing to raise the sword, I pierced its neck, moving the blade back and forth in slicing actions, digging it deeply through its tough hide.

Squealing loudly, it slowed its place stumbling in place, before it fell forward, throwing the figure off its back before its bulk slid across the ground in a unsettling scraping sound.

Landing roughly, rolling and bumping against the stone, I moaned as I laid in place, feeling sharp aches from cuts, scrapes and bruises. If it weren’t for the heavy leather armor, I would have broken my back, or worse.

“Yzavela?!” Anthony worried, crawling forward but was kept back as Thomas pressed his hands against his chest, “Yza?!”

Opening my eyes, following the sound of his voice, I nodded, letting him know that I was all right, considering the circumstances. Lifting my head, I looked at the sword I still held in my hand, noticing that its blade broken in half, while the other piece was embedded deeply in the creatures neck that lay nearby.

“Erik!” Caleb shouted loudly.

“Yza!” Nick hissed, after slicing off the snout of one of the beasts.

“Get up!” Leonus barked loudly, swinging his large axe.

Throwing the hilt aside, I pushed myself onto my side then crawled toward Erik, who lay with his head to the side. Kneeling on the stone next to him, I shook him roughly, pleading loudly as I tried waking him.

“Erik, wake up…wake up!” but he wouldn’t wake, “Erik…” I loudly shouted, “Erik, wake up you arrogant jacka** come on!” I slapped him even, hoping it would work but nothing seemed to wake him, “Sh*t…” I looked toward Thomas and Anthony; their eyes widened, “wh-what is it?” I wondered.

“Behind you…” Anthony rasped, pointing behind her.

Suddenly, a shadow crept up the wall in front of me, reflecting from the glow sticks and flashlights that were scattered about, followed by a deep growl vibrating in my ears. Controlling my breathing, I felt a thick strand of drool landing on my shoulder, as the shadow stood in on its hind legs, prepared to lunge downward.

“Don’t move…” Thomas instructed.

“It’s too late for that, it knows she’s there!” Anthony growled as he tried crawling forward, but continued feeling Thomas hold him back, “Let go, if I don’t help her, she dies!” he pushed his brother’s hands away.

“So will you!” Thomas argued, then glanced back at Yzavela.

Glancing at Erik’s sword nearby, I quickly hunched forward, reaching for it then laid on my back, stabbing the large Boar-wolf deeply in its rib cage, slicing upward along its belly to its heart moments before it could pounce upon me. After releasing agonizing squeals and grunts, its body slid down the blade, landing on all fours inches above me. Its black blood poured from the wound onto my face and the upper parts of my body. Turning my head, avoiding the blood from getting into my mouth and eyes, my adrenaline pumped and before I could use my Telekinesis to push the bulk off my petite frame, I watched as hands gripped the tough hide, pulling it to the side. Blinking, there stood both Thomas and Anthony panting above me before they fell, helping me sit up. Leaning into Anthony’s comforting embrace, the squashy sound of the blood was unsettling.

“Sorry.” I looked at him.

“Don’t worry about it.” he grinned, then glanced behind him toward Erik, who began stirring in place.

“How is he?” I worried, watching as Thomas knelt alongside him.

“Erik?” the Italian gently shook his shoulders.

“Wh-what happened?” he answered softly, squinting his eyes.

“He’s all right.” Thomas looked at Yzavela, who sighed in relief.

“Good.” I held onto Anthony then as he stood, limping in place, I then frowned, feeling a sharp pain running down my left leg and as I glanced down, a large cut sliced its way across my upper thigh, “Ugh, look at that…matching scars.” I managed to tease Anthony quickly.

Thomas helped Erik from the ground, then the four of us shuffled in place, gathering near the wall, watching as the other men continued to fight, with Zanzabarr and Abraxas who then rushed toward me.

“Mother, are you harmed?” Abraxas roared with concern.

“Just banged up a little, otherwise I’m fine.” I replied bluntly.

“What are they doing here?!” Erik gestured at the wolf and dragon.

“Does it matter?!” I shouted over the background squeals and shouts.

“Are you done…over there?!” Leonus growled in a heavy huff, as he yanked his axe from the last Boar-wolf that emerged from the tunnel.

“Not yet…” Anthony muttered, “there’s another one, and it’s much bigger!”

“Bigger?!” I wondered.

“What do you mean bigger?!” Erik barked arrogantly.

“It’s coming…” Anthony pointed toward the tunnel where a series of loud grinding, and thumping, echoed against the stone as another massive creature approached, it was as if a T-Rex stomped heavily.