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

The fog quickly swept away as if sucked into a void, allowing all of the soldiers glimpses of the continuous cobblestone paths that were obstructed from sight. Delano-Dakari glanced over his shoulder, then gave the order to light flares that hung off their belts. Once lit, filling the tunnel with a red hue and smoke, the men moved forward until they came across another gate that lay broken, rusted and old.

The Captain threw his flare aside, checking his GP navigator but it had no signal or battery. Frowning, he shoved it back in his pocket as he knelt down, examining the cobblestone that missed several chunks along the path. Raising his gaze ahead, and around him, he groaned then stood slowly, continuing to scan the area through the thin fog.

“Keep a look out, something’s not right here!” he ordered firmly over his shoulder toward the men gathered around and behind him.

“Yes, Sir…” multiple voices answered.

Suddenly, the men jumped, hearing the sound of rattling chains echo behind them and quickly turning around, aiming their rifles and the flares outward, they watched the outer gate seemed to have renewed itself, slamming its large points deep into the ground with no chance of an escape.

“I thought it was b-broken?” Basil complained, “It was though, right?”

“I saw it…” Eustace, observed, “we all did, Captain we have to go.” he pleaded, “There’s magic here, very powerful magic!”

“Nothing we can’t handle!” Faron added smugly.

“Captain, look!” Jack pointed ahead, “There, look!”

Turning around, focusing his eyes toward the direction of which the soldier pointed, shapes begun forming themselves into solid figures or structures, ruins of the island’s past inhabitants perhaps, the men didn’t know, but all the soldiers and their Captain wanted to do, was get in and out, before their lives like those reported lost before them, would be added to those missing numbers.

“Move…” Delano-Dakari ordered, shuffling forward, keeping a firm grip on his rifle.

There were more iron metal gates spewed across the ground as they approached what looked to be an empty fountain filled with dirt and weeds rapidly growing out of control, as they crept up a statue that had been broken in half. Ahead, there was a larger structure looming above them, and as their heavy boots echoed along the cobblestone path, the men’s eyes grew wide with surprise by the discovery.

“Is that a…bloody castle?” one of the soldiers pondered, shining his flare ahead. Gazing at the sight, taking in the ruins that stood with one of its tall towers crumbling along the top, but still standing, the walls were smashed with gaping holes, and the front doors lay inside shattered and splintered. Continuing to move forward, he suddenly heard rustling coming from inside the structure, and backing away, he aimed h is rifle then tossed the flare outward. Watching as it had landed on the ground, he grew startled when a nest of bats and flock of Ravens squawked and shrieked form their intrusion, firing off one round from his rifle, alerting the other men in his company.

Delano-Dakari rushed forward, gripping the man’s rifle, lowering it quickly.

“What the f*ck are you doing, save your rounds!” he barked firmly.

“Sorry, Captain.” the man huffed in relief, then knelt forward, taking a deep breath before standing straight, holding his rifle at the ready.

“Captain, it’s too quiet.” Eustace observed, “I don’t like this, there is something wrong about this place.” he looked around.

Delano-Dakari frowned, then turned, throwing his extinguished flare away, hearing it land nearby on the ground among debris and rubble.

“Listen to me now…” he ordered, watching as the soldier gathered in a closer circle, “spread out in three directions around the area, if you find something, blow your whistles.” he reached around his neck toward the small thin whistle hanging around his neck, “And if you find nothing, return here and whistle three times, but be cautious.” he nodded affirmatively, “And make sure your comrades are your comrades alongside you.” he glanced around once more.

“Meaning what, Captain?” Faron questioned.

“This place is alive with magic, and it will play tricks on you. Go…” Delano-Dakari nodded once more then turned, disappearing into the fog with his group, while the other men parted into two groups, each going in opposite directions.

Men and women in the dwellings, stood at the windows watching as men with rifles strolled across the estate, inspecting the island. They gasped in fear, closing the curtains then turned, hushing one another as the men grew closer, aiming their rifles before stepping through the front door as if it were never there.

Everyone on the island knew how the mirrored effect worked, but nonetheless, it frightened them as the armed men walked through the lounges, unaware of their presence.

Lady D and Katrina stood in front of the crowd that scampered to the stairs, holding onto weapons or pottery from the kitchen, ready to defend themselves and their home, if necessary. Lady D moaned, listening to the sound of the men’s boots stomping across the room, and seeing their large unsettling rifles, reminded her of the escape of the Great City, trying to avoid the Enforcers that searched the streets, dressed in the very same uniforms and boots, and carried the lethal, and powerful rifles.

Scanning the area in front of them, the soldiers took sight of another cluster of ruins that might have been a house or stables, they didn’t know but as they retreated, before it collapsed from their intrusion, they paused, swearing they heard a woman’s whimper. Slowly turning around, the men scanned the ruins and as they approached where the staircase might have been if visible, they searched intensely but found nothing, although their mortal and Shayd senses knew something was not right about this island and the structures on it.

Suddenly, a small feline ran past the men’s feet, meowing and hissing, attracting their attention as the animal scampered outside.

Lady D held her breath, wanting to chase after Freya but felt Katrina holding her back. Glancing at the woman, receiving a quick shake of her heard, Lady D knew that Freya would return. Sighing softly, she turned, watching as the soldiers left the dwelling, speaking softly to one another before venturing around the structure.

“All right, go…” she turned, whispering softly, gesturing everyone up the stairs, “to your rooms, go.” but she wouldn’t feel safe until her daughter and feline were safe.

“Lady D…” Katrina’s voice urged the woman softly, “come now.”

In that moment, the two women put aside their differences.

Lady D nodded, accepting the offer of joining Katrina and her two daughters in their room until her own daughter came home.

“She will be fine…” Katrina referred to Yzavela, “she’s resourceful.” she nodded, having nothing but respect for the mother’s love for her child. Offering a brief grin, she walked with the woman, helping her up the stairs slowly, but kept glancing back, making sure the soldiers wouldn’t return.

Examining the ground beneath their feet, following the old cracked cobblestone pathways, they either led the soldiers nowhere or other structures that were burnt, revealing nothing worthy of inspection. All that greeted them and their unwanted arrival, were cats and bats, or rats and birds, scattering from their hiding places or nests in the ruins. Growing disappointed that there was nothing at this location that held such interest for the Lord of the Great City, the soldiers then began hearing eerie hisses and growls, or whistles from each and every direction around them. Thinking maybe it might have been the men returning to their last position, Delano-Dakari shouted loudly to group, then blew the whistle per his instructions.

“Regroup…regroup into formation NOW, regroup!”

The men regathered upon the man’s orders, continuing to hear all of the menacing sounds around them in the fog that swept and swirled around them. Gathered in a circular formation, the men made sure their rifles were loaded and ready to fire, but rattled from trembling nerves. Scanning the area around them, seeing nothing at first, only the ruins through the fog could be seen.

“I know you’re there!” Delano-Dakari shouted, “In the name of, and from the authority of Lord Drakuul Lexus of the Great City, you’re commanded to reveal yourself at once, and surrender NOW!” his dark eyes continued scanning through the fog, “Try anything and we will shoot and kill on sight!”

“There!” Faron pointed ahead, “Captain, there!”

Delano-Dakari fixed his eyes forward, watching as silhouettes began walking toward them, growing closer with each steps. As he and the men gathered around and behind him aimed their rifles, he shouted in command, taking a single step forward,

“Halt, stop where you are or I will shoot! Halt…” he shot a round at their feet but they didn’t seem phased by his warning, “I said halt!”

“You have two options…” a woman’s voice spoke to the mortals and Shayds telepathically, “leave with your lives intact and heads on your shoulders, or die here, never to be found.” she chuckled with a chorus of laughter behind and around her, all telepathically taunting them, “Your choice but if I were you, I’d take option two because it’s not looking good for you.” her voice was followed by a guttural, and deep growl.

“I will not say it again, surrender now!” the Captain ordered, firing a second round, ignoring her words but lowering his weapon, he felt an uneasiness in the air as the Shayds in his company began muttering their complaints and observations.

“You had your chance.” the woman warned as the hisses and growls echoed, followed by figures sweeping by in swift breezes, or blurs in the fog around them.

“Fire!” Delano-Dakari exclaimed, “FIRE!” he pointed, firing his rifle; the gunfire echoed throughout the estate until their cartridges turned up empty, “HOLD, hold your fire!” he shouted, lowering his rifle. As he listened around him, there was nothing, nothing but silence.

For the longest time it lingered, before faint laughter once more, was heard around the soldiers.

“NOW!” a woman’s voice shouted.

Delano-Dakari and his soldiers watched as the fog completely faded out, with figures that held weapons in hand, lunging toward them in a swift advance but the Shayds in their company quickly created their barriers around them; their eyes watched as the figures gathered close around, poking at the dome menacingly with their weapons. As they looked around, the Captain watched as a young woman with Raven colored hair, approached, tapping the barrier with a finger, creating a shimmering disturbance among the magic. Taking steps forward, he glared down at her, then took sight of a large black wolf slathering its jaws as it stood alongside her.

“I gave you the option to leave…”she warned,, “but you didn’t take it, so now…” she held out her arms, gesturing behind her, where figures emerged, gathering around the large dome, “you’re dead.” she backed away with the wolf that adhered to her command then swiftly engulfed in a low red, fiery Aura.

“Ah….” Delano-Dakari grinned, removing the strap of his rifle from across his chest, “you must be the half-breed that we’ve heard about.” he tossed the rifle to the ground, “The Lord and General have been looking for you.” he tauntingly pointed at her, then down at her wolf, “And him too.” he cracked his knuckles, then glanced around her for her sensed the levels of purebloods, Wraiths and Lycynians present.

“Captain, what are you doing?!” Jack argued, but received no reply.

“Lower the barrier!” the Captain demanded loudly.

“What?!” Faron barked, “Are you crazy, Sir?”

“I said…” Delano-Dakari turned to the soldier, gripping him by the collar of his vest and jacket, “lower the barrier, don’t make me say it again solider, or I make sure you’re the first they kill, if they get out of this first.”

“Y-yes, Sir.” Faron nodded, then felt the Captain’s hands pull away, “Lower the barrier!” he reluctantly instructed the other Shayds.

Backing away, watching as the Shayds released the barrier, slowly and reluctantly lowering their hands that glowed faintly, I gripped the hilt of my sword tightly, then glanced to my left and right, nodding to a plan that was set in motion.

“Come on…” Delano-Dakari beckoned her forward, “let’s see what you’ve got, show me what makes my men so afraid of you, hmm?” he mocked her, but before he lunge forward, he heard some of his men yelp loudly before their screams echoed. As he turned, he watched as four men were dragged away by four Wraiths, disappearing in a swift blur, having their throats ripped open, or hearts torn from their chest cavities.

When Wraiths feed, they’re not a ghastly creature or ghost, but they do feed off the energy of their victim, both blood and essence within the soul, but NOT the soul itself. Wraiths are living supernaturals, requiring blood to survive yes, but when they feed, sinking both their fangs and nails deeply, they absorb the energy that resides within the blood, as well as feeding off of it. They are NOT like the Shadowed Ones that feed off souls, blood and energy alike.

Watching as the soldiers attempted fighting off the supernaturals, a physical bluish-white hue seemed to be drained from the victims, and when the soldiers were released, they fell at the feet of the Wraiths in piles of dry, loose skin like mummies. Fearing the supernaturals that rolled their shoulders and sneered with their red eyes, blood dripped off their nails and fingertips.

“You had your chance to surrender…” Delano-Dakari looked at the young woman, “but if it’s death you want little girl, death is exactly what you will get!” he clenched his fists that glowed a dark green as he lunged forward with the soldiers, both mortals and Shayds close behind.

It was official, war had come to the island that had never been sought after, or invaded by outsiders, but the Isle’s Demons, half-breed and Wraiths gave the intruders more than they bargained for, or expected.

The Shayds didn’t expect to come across such powerful Demons, for as their magic shot through the air like laser beams, it either bounced off shield and barriers, or made contact on their intended target. The sound was like fireworks going off as the pops and zaps continued back and forth. There were moments when a Demon or Shayd were left frozen in place, allowing either side to strike for the last kill; Telekinesis. Biokinesis, Electrokinesis and Thermokinesis were also used, among other arcane spells.

For the Lycynians however that were present, found it more difficult because they wanted to shift, as Derek threw his weapons away to the ground preparing to do so, he was intercepted as Anthony jumped in front of him, talking him down in between moments of striking the Shayds that threw balls of their arcane magic, but he deflected it with the blade of his sword, throwing it back toward the sender as if he were hitting a baseball. Watching as the magic left a deep hole in the man’s chest, the Italian then turned back to Derek.

“We can’t, not if you intend on killing everyone here!” he argued.

Huffing deeply, Derek released a low growl as his yellow eyes rapidly blinked, staring into the Italian’s own yellow eyes. Nodding agreeably, he retrieved his weapon then sprinted alongside Anthony who then lunged toward mortal soldiers that stood vulnerable, shooting off the rifles. Anthony and Derek moaned, feeling bullets embedding in their shoulder and torso, avoiding major arteries and organs, but the two Lycynians at this point, were used to the pain of bullet wounds. They growled, pushing the pain aside as they extracted their claws, quickly slashing at the men’s throats, splattering blood onto their hands that withdrew.

The men manning the ships above began hearing shouts and gunfire. As they glanced over the railing, their eyes caught the sight of magic being exchanged between their comrades and other Demons, maybe even Shayds. Muttering among themselves, the men watched as the fog around them thinned out, revealing figures upon the ledge of the wall that loomed below, figures that glowed in a pale green outline, whiles others were there one moment, only to disappear the next.

“Where did they go?!” one of the men searched, looking for the men that vanished, “Where did they go?!”

Scampering around, the soldiers grabbed their weapons, keeping their eyes fixed on their surroundings aboard the ships, scanning corners or behind the masts and barrels.

Delano-Dakari had just deflected the advances of three men charging at him, watching as they bounced off his shield that held, despite the constant friction. Groaning deeply, throwing the barrier outward like shattering glass, the warriors were thrown backwards to the ground, and just as he heard their bulks thrashing against the grass, he held out his hands, tightening them into firm fists; he listened as the men screamed and squirmed in place, feeling their blood boiling before their organs exploded from within. Lowering his hands, seeing blood leaking from their ears, eyes, mouths, and noses, their skin turned red as if blistered from intense heat. Breathing heavily, shaking his hands, he shouted watching as warriors around him continued their skirmish.

“Is this is?!” he mocked, “Demons and Vampyres?! Show yourself…” he looked around, “show yourself, you little b*tch…show me what you are!” but she was nowhere in sight at the moment, “Pathetic!”

Jonathan had just struck down one of the Shayds, growing the upper hand slicing the man’s throat with one of his daggers before he could mutter any arcane chant. Wiping the blade clean on the man’s leg, he roughly kicked him backwards, leaving him bleeding out with both his hands holding his throat, gasping for breath. Raising his gaze, the Australian observed the Captain glancing around for just a moment, and quietly approaching him from behind, his stealth was halted as a bullet struck his right, upper thigh. Jonathan released a loud moan in pains as he tripped to the ground, for he had never been shot.

Hearing a loud moan behind him, Delano-Dakari turned, spotting a young man on the grass a few inches away, holding onto an injured leg. Mocking, he eyed him, not in interest but disgust, and waste of power. Taking in a deep breath, catching the young man’s scent, he grew a faint grin then knelt before him, reaching behind his back for a large Hunter’s knife with a sharp, jagged blade.

Jonathan grunted, managing to create a barrier around him.

Studying the shimmer dome around the young man, Delano-Dakari ran the blade along the surface, leaving a bright streak in its path as he continued gliding his blade across the magic.

“You’re a powerful one.” he pointed the knife toward the young man, “Join us, hmm? If you do, I’ll let you live.” he offered, “The General could use someone like you.”

“Id’ rather die, thank you!” Jonathan groaned, then thinking he had a chance to fight back against the Shayd, he released his barrier that for a moment, tossed the Captain backwards. Managing to kneel on one knee, he threw blasts of blue and green magic that were deflected by the Captain that created a shield of his own.

“Shame on you then, kid…” the Captain shouted, releasing his own magic and just as he switched the grip of the knife, handling it by the blade ready to throw it toward the young man, his upper body jerked forward as if something, or someone, struck him from behind. As he dropped the knife, reaching his hands over his shoulder, searching for the weapon, he turned to see another young woman with strands of her blonde hair hanging in her face, standing in an archer’s stance and her bow empty of an arrow. Frowning, realizing that she must have been the culprit that had struck him, he managed to glance over his shoulder, seeing the shaft of an arrow deeply embedded. As his vision began to blur, he focused back on the archer, watching as she string two arrows, swiftly releasing them. Grunting, feeling them penetrate through his thick vest and jacket, he fell to his knees, “Killed by a…” he gasped, “girl, pfft…” he chuckled then felt hands pull him back, and a blade slicing his throat.

Sarah ran forward, falling to her knees alongside Jonathan, laying her bow next to her. Reaching for his leg, she watched as he flinched and pushed her hands away.

“Are you all right?” she worried quickly.

“I’ve been shot, what do you think?” he barked, “But yeah, I guess. It didn’t hit anything vital.” he complained, “Great shot, always knew you were a great archer.” he attempted changing the subject, as he ran his hands over the wound, removing the bullet with his Telekinesis. Holding it in the palm of his hand, he studied the small bullet then threw it away, “Here…” he turned, reaching for the arrow embedded in the man’s body that lay on his side, “take these and go, I’ll be fine.”

“But what about you?” Sarah tried to argue.

“Sarah, god damn it…” he pushed the arrows into her hands, “go!”

Sarah frowned, then leaned in, giving him a quick kiss before turning away, with arrows in one hand, and reaching for her bow with the other. Sprinting off, she released the spare arrows toward mortal men that charged forward, managing to split the shot between the three, and as their bodies feel, she retrieved them once more.

Creating a barrier around him, Jonathan panted as he held his hands above the wound, healing it quickly, leaving a scar in its place. As he raised his gaze, watching as mortal soldier attempted shooting their bullets that bounced off the barrier, he pushed himself to his feet, and taking deep breaths, he released the barrier that pushed the men backwards into the grips of Wraiths that sped forward, ripping them apart.

The Wraiths sped through the men that were vulnerable and parted from their comrades, it didn’t matter if they were Shayds or mortals, they were in a frenzy, something that was dangerous for their kind. Suffering bullet wounds that pushed the bullets out and healed in a matter of seconds, they hissed as they continued sweeping through.

Zanzabarr and I released our hellish rage; the wolf morphed into his hellhound alter-ego that he projected in the Boar-wolf cave, while I released blasts of my fiery Aura which was something that the mortal men and Shayds didn’t expect for some of them were Pyrokinetics, but they weren’t capable of manipulating the fire blasting outward in their direction. I too, created shields that didn’t last long, for it was not as strong as the others but I relied on my Telekinesis throwing knifes that were dropped, or bullet casing that had already been fired, aiming them between eyes and or in other vulnerable areas on their bodies. There was a moment after kicking two men to the ground, I decapitated them with on swift turn; blood dripped from my sword as I turned, glancing toward the wall where the Jinn dealt with all of the Shadowed Ones and the Guardians dealt with the men that still lingered on the ships hovering above. Suddenly, I shouted as a bullet grazed my left side near my ribs. Switching me sword to my left hand, I reached for the deep graze with my right, seeing blood covering the tips of my fingers.

“Sh*t…” I moaned, “not again.” I frowned, then blocked it out as I turned my head, hearing Zanzabarr howl loudly as he pounced at two men from behind, tearing out their spines from their necks with one swift yank backwards of his head, “Good boy…” I admired his large, powerful bulk that stood panting, engulfed in an Aura like my own. Suddenly, I heard someone shouting my name, a voice that sounded like Anthony, “Anthony?!” I turned, looking for him.