Tales Of Earthem: P.O.T.S

Verse 18- The Red Room

Whilst Tristine accompanied the giant to its tower a certain event took place somewhere else deep across the land. “Come on Madison get a move on… we don’t have much time” Johnny stated as he hastily rode Boanerges through the valley, “so this was your big plan Johnny … horses?” said Madison who trailed behind the boy on Tristines stead . The two kids rode through the garden and made it to the ruined plain where they last saw their friends, “JYRO... TRISH, is anybody out there” Johnny continued to holler for the names of his missing friends but received no response, Boanerges suddenly begun to become troubled and lifted itself up making Johnny fall off him. The horse then darted away into the distance, “Oi come back here” he yelped, he then sprinted off after the fleeing horse. After chasing the horse for more than half a mile the out of breath Johnny finally caught up to it as Boanerges suddenly came to a halt, when Johnny arrived he looked at what grabbed the horses attention and looked down to see tiny pieces of stone in a pile on the floor, he inspected the pile a bit closer and saw what looked like bandage wrapping inside the pile. So the boy quickly dug through the pile and took out the wrappings, “this…. This is Jyros “he gasped as he looked around in concern to no sight of the giant.

“Get up… can you hear me…. I said Get Up!” A voice said, Jyro suddenly gasped as he awoke from his slumber, he arose and saw Leo sitting beside him. “What the….where are we are we dead?” he asked, “take a look around you” replied Leo, Jyro analysed his surroundings and realised he was in a dark Forrest. The sky above them was dark with the moon above being the only light that shone, but as Jyros senses slowly came to him he then begun to feel like he’d been in this Forrest before “ how did we get here Leo” he asked curiously , “ no idea I woke up and found myself here” Leo replied , “ wait a sec… I think I’ve been here before it was the first night I moved to Canta academy” Jyro explained but he still was alarmed at how he got back here all of a sudden, “oi look what’s that over there “ Leo pointed into the distance at what looked like a large mirror sitting in the middle of the Forrest. The two boys approached the peculiar object, at the top of the mirror a bust of a bronze dragons head was fixed to it with two ruby jewels as its eyes and Jyro immediately recognised that it was the same mirror from the book Tristine and Johnny showed him. Jyro suddenly begun to be consumed with fear as he frantically looked around his surroundings trying to understand what was going on, Leo moved closer to it and placed his hands onto the glass “whoa … my hand went straight through” he said, Jyro suddenly felt a horrible feeling inside his stomach, “come on Jyro I think it leads somewhere”, “Leo Stop.. I think we need to get out of here something doesn’t seem right” Jyro stressed, Leo ignored his pleas and begun to slowly walk through the impassable glass and Jyro followed suite.

When Jyro passed through the mirror he suddenly found himself in a spacious scarlet room. The room was unfurnished with only a window and a huge black door ahead of him, the curtains were velvet red, the floor was made out of red glass and the walls were all red also. Leo and Jyro slowly walked inside the peculiar place bewildered and confused at where they was. The sounds of light piano keys were suddenly heard throughout the room, but the boys didn’t see anything nothing else or anyone else was in the room, but the noise remained, “Jyro… I don’t like the look of this” said Leo as he slowly gripped his swords hilt , moments later the rooms lights begun to flicker then momentarily turning off, seconds later when the lights came back on a figure dressed in a black hooded robe stood in front of them. “Welcome guests it’s a pleasure to welcome you both and I must say I’ve been getting rather bored in waiting so please to be of your acquaintance” spoke the cloaked individual. The individuals voice was deep but with an elegant dialect to his speech, “what is this place and what do you mean by you’ve been waiting who are you” demanded Leo, “Now now we have all the time in the world why spoil the party so soon, actually I lied time is of the essence so ill introduce myself my name is Ammon “spoke the cloaked figure. “ And I have a question for the both of you… have you ever heard of the Underworld” he asked, the two boys looked at one another and slowly shook their heads “really? Mmmm one wonders what they teach you in school then for all those years… anyway the underworld is known as the edge of Hell or you could call it Limbo” , “ Limbo” Jyro repeated curiously remembering the script he read from Merlins book “ why are you asking us about something like that” he added, “ ho oh you finally spoke Mr Thomas I’ve been waiting to meet you the most well now you see behind this door leads to … how should I put this the underworld lies behind this door” the figure explained. Jyro and Leo suddenly gasped in fear,“W...what are you going on about” murmured Jyro, Leo drew his long sword and pointed it towards the cloaked figure “Jyro, don’t bother and prepare to fight this guy’s evil can’t you see it I knew it the moment he appeared” Leo stated “Evil? That’s a tad much after just meeting me Mr Blackstorm” Leo’s anger suddenly rose and in a flash he dashed towards the cloaked man and swung his sword wildly at him. Just as the huge steel was about to slice through, the cloaked figure in a blink of an eye unsheathed his sword and parried away the huge chunk of steel. Leo along with his sword were flung back much to his surprise to how a sword of an inferior size pushed him back like that, the cloaked figure pointed his sword towards the boy “that’s rude Mr Blackstorm now you’ve done gone and cracked your sword” Leo looked at his sword and saw the man wasn’t lying a small crack ran across the steel. “N…. no way… How did you” muttered Leo in astonishment, the boy looked closely at the sword that the man was holding and gasped “JYRO! GET OUT OF HERE NOW!” he screamed, Jyro didn’t understand Leo’s sudden words and attempted to ask why “DON’T THINK ABOUT IT, JUST RUN ….. That sword …. It’s not normal” Leo explained,” oh so you recognise this blade huh, well I’m not surprised Mr Blackstorm I heard you’re a descended from the legendary clan of sword masters. “But yeah you should run when you come across one of these, you see this wonderful looking blade is part of the 12 holy swords the winter Series ‘Peters Honest December”, the swords hilt covered most of the blade, its hilt was dark blue with small black fletching’s coming out a small piece of rope hung loosely with a small steel ring on the end. “You kids couldn’t possibly understand the tribulations I had to go through to get me one of these” the man said, whilst the Cloaked man continued to speak Leo slowly retreated back to Jyro “JYRO NOW… RUN!” Leo bellowed the two boys suddenly spun around and darted towards the mirror in an attempt to flee, “oh dear, we can’t have that now” spoke the figure who then begun to clap his hands, flames suddenly rose up and surrounded the boys and trapping them. “I haven’t finished asking my questions… ahem now Mr Thomas I’ve been watching you for a very long time now, waiting for this moment you’re quite the crafty boy aren’t ya, I mean constantly lying to your friends and keeping that big secret of yours to yourself….. It must get lonely” spoke the cloaked man, Jyros heart suddenly skipped a beat to hearing the man’s words, “so it’s you you’re the one who’s been following us you’re the one who ripped those pages and sent that letter…. Your one of them aren’t you one of the dark followers” Jyro said, the cloaked individual suddenly burst into laughter “correct Mr Thomas you are indeed correct on all accounts” replied the man. “So which leads me to my final question of the night before we begin this party…. WHO AM I Mr Thomas, which face do you know lies under this cloak of mine, who has been so close to you every time but you still couldn’t sense my malice” he spoke, Jyro didn’t know what to say he couldn’t think of anyone he’s made an enemy out of and he didn’t even think Valko was capable of doing this, “I don’t know” Jyro responded. “Pfffft you don’t know why your just as gullible as when I first met you in that dark Forrest Mr Thomas” Jyro suddenly froze in fear “ the dark forest? Who are you” he asked, the man then slowly undone his cloak and removed his hood. Leo and Jyros eyes widened in shock as the hood came off and Liam, Mongoleys nephew stood in front of them, “seriously you? But why?” Jyro yelped, “But why, it’s simple Jyro it’s my duty …. Don’t you remember that story I told you 13 years ago the day the hells gate opened my village was raided and attacked, but not by demons by our own people…. humans. They slaughtered and stole from the little we had and my parents were killed in this massacre, but boohoo life goes on right? I agree but then things got worse food didn’t touch my lips for days almost weeks, why? Just because my own people decided to take and steal from me to pry from my litter fingers the little I already had, so the day I lay on deaths bed a special person appeared to me and offered me a way out of the pain, money, power, all these things were promised to me if I followed them, ahh yes this is all for him” Liam said. Jyro and Leo stared in bewilderment “you sold your soul to who” questioned Leo, “oh don’t you worry now in time it will all be revealed, yes soon the biggest party the world has seen will erupt” he said, Liam smirked menacingly and showed the two boys a symbol on his left arm “it’s called the mark of the beast” he said, Jyro looked on at the his arm and it bore 3 numbers forming a triangle with a snake entwined between them. “So that time in the Forrest when we first met you wasn’t really in trouble then” stated Jyro, “ Bingo Mr Thomas I let the goblins in to lure you out you see oh wait you still don’t know do you” responded Liam , “ well I’ve wasted enough time already and sire won’t be too happy with me yes now we best get this door opened then shall we” he said, “ wait Liam this all doesn’t make sense why would you want to open that door don’t you understand their only using you if you do this humanity will fall” said Jyro , “ Mr Thomas you still fail to understand the bitterness and pain of this world, but don’t you worry once I open this door to limbo ill recreate the hells gate tragedy and simply sit back and watch humanity kill itself in terror”. Jyros heart grew anxious as he remembered everything he read in Merlin Alberts Book, the disaster that will destroy the world Liam was going to evoke it. “You see Mr Thomas unfortunately I don’t possess the power to open up the actual Gates of hell so you could call this a pseudo gate if you will and with this I’ll be able to recreate it” stated Liam, “I don’t understand, you stole the pages of the book to build the dragons mirror just so you could open up a fake door!, Liam this is insane… come on its not too late to stop this friend” pleaded Jyro , “ HOLD YOUR DAMN TONGUE!” shouted Liam, “ you… you pitiful boy don’t you dare tell me what to do, I don’t need to listen to any of you, your all the same and you all shall suffer and cry out to your gods, haha I’ll make history with this don’t you think” spoke Liam with a fowl tone. The two boys were still trapped in the inferno blaze that circled around them and they tried to think up a solution to escape , “listen Jyro we can’t let him open that door no matter what, so follow my lead I’ll lure him and you attack” said Leo, “but… but Leo he’s my” muttered Jyro, “JYRO! Get a hold of yourself look around and realise this situation he’s insane and we need to stop him at all costs, I don’t know if he’s bluffing but I’m not willing to take the risk and find out” said a distressed Leo who glanced at the crack that ran across his blade. Leo gripped his sword tightly and readied himself for attack, meanwhile Jyro still stood uncertain at what to do. “That’s an interesting expression you have their Leo, shall we play again? Mm, I mean I’m no sword master but you sure your big chunk of steel is up to it, is it up to crossing swords with a holy blade” Liam said mockingly which seemed to make Leo hesitate, “ I don’t care… as long as we stop you I’ll let my life be the price any day” Leos words suddenly woke up Jyro, and at that moment Young Jyro realised Leo was ready to give up his life to stop Liams plans, in the next moments Leo charged towards Liam gripping his sword and roaring with an war cry. Liam clapped his hands and a sudden walls of inferno surrounded him “LEO LOOK OUT” screamed Jyro but it was too late the inferno had already trapped the boy inside, “now that distractions out of the way….. Ahem Mr Thomas I’ll be needing the help of that arm of yours” voiced Liam, “my …. My arm how do you know about my arm” insisted Jyro worryingly, “ohhh that reaction is to be expected given that nobody told you anything, don’t you know anything Jyro …those professors are truly cruel to keep you in the dark like this…it’s truly a saddening tale when you think about it, even the one you trust the most the one who lead you to this academy he’s the cruellest one of them all” Liam stated. Jyro didn’t understand what Liam meant but didn’t dwell on asking him about it he almost felt too scared to even consider Jack and the professors have been lying to him, “Mr Thomas do you still not remember anything about that day 13 years ago, it was the day you got that cursed arm the same day the gates of hell opened”, Jyro gasped in shock as flashes of images begun appearing in his mind, people running, crying and blood, blood was everywhere and there was flames so much fire, the thoughts suddenly sent Jyro crashing to the ground holding his head in pain. “Aww there-there Mr Thomas one wouldn’t want to re-live such an event I understand so let me fill in the blanks for you….. That arm of yours is very special it’s the same hide of one of the 7 princes of Hell…. the demon prince called…” just as Liam was about to speak a loud rumble was heard from the black door. “It seems my legions are desperate to escape. Jyro looked intently whilst Liam spoke and even though the boy had no recollection of these events he somehow knew they was true, “ A knight called Eros fought with a beast 13 years ago and managed to defeat it but the cost was great, he was practically left like a living corpse having taken considerable damage , so Eros decided to use his last ounce of strength and close the gate, ahh but this is where things get interesting Mr Thomas because when Eros got to the gates location he found a desolate village in ruins, flames and inferno everywhere , everyone was dead except for one person, a little toddler crying in fear missing one of its arms and that’s when you obtained that arm Mr Thomas, you were that crying boy dying in that village. Jyro didn’t know how to take all that he had heard and his brain seemed to hurt even more, “please… please stop this Liam” he said, “your still spouting such nonsense, you of all people should understand me, this world is cruel and it always will be, look… look what they did to you they cursed you, Think about why you haven’t told a soul your secret, it’s because you know right…. They’ll all reject you if they found out” Liam voiced. Jyro knew Liam’s words bore some truth in them and couldn’t muster a response and only softly muttered the same words from his mouth “ pl…please Liam stop this now” he quietly said, Liam grew angry and grabbed the boy by his throat, “you’re as dumb and gullible as I thought you were you stupid boy why can’t you see your future doesn’t exist with these people” stated Liam whilst slowly letting go off Jyros Throat. “Forgive me I seemed to lose my temper there…. You understand you have no choice in the matter Mr Thomas because you’ll be the one to open this door you bear the hide of one of the princes of hell it’s your duty to do this” Liam stated angrily , “I’ll never do such a thing” Jyro hastily responded, “oh you surely will my boy this whole party was for you Mr Thomas the return of the prince, since you possess his hide he now lives in you don’t you understand that” stated Liam ,Jyros expression suddenly filled with fear as he glanced at his arm and tried to not face the truth “ your lying… you’ve got to be lying” he said, “ still in denial mmm let me show you then” Liam grabbed Jyro and dragged him across towards the black door. When Jyro knelt at the door he looked up and saw the symbol of 3 creatures etched onto the front, he suddenly begun to hear whispers coming from it, the whispers suddenly grew louder till his head was filled with unknown speech, he suddenly hissed in pain as a burning sensation suddenly rose from his arm. The pain was almost unbearable, he lay on the ground clutching at his arm and groaning in pain, “now you see Mr Thomas my mouth bears no lie, because the reason you’re in so much pain is because your arm is reacting to the doors calling, my dear boy you’re the Key I’ve been waiting for and you’ll be helping me destroy humanity. Liam forcefully grabbed Jyros cursed arm and placed it on the door, Jyro screamed in agony as the touch with the door felt like his hand was being placed in acid, “ you see now Mr Thomas you are the key to destruction”. Red veins suddenly formed all over the boys cursed arm and a light begun to shine from it and Jyros conscious slowly begun to fade. Just when he was about to black out his left hand slowly reached towards his waist and touched onto the hilt of a sword, he felt the dagger that Mongoley gave him and grabbed on to it. At this time Liam was too busy focusing on the door in front of him and paid no attention to Jyro, so the young boy saw this and slowly drew the blade from its sheath, seconds later he plunged the blade into Liam’s bosom. Liam bore down at the blade stuck in his chest and grinned menacingly at Jyro, “Humph you think this weapon will kill me… me the great Paimon JR!” he declared the moment he stopped his talk a sudden dark matter begun spreading itself around Liams body, he gasped in pain and clutched his chest. “What……. What is this? This dagger it’s burning me alive” he screeched, Jyro quickly removed his hand from the door and retreated backwards. He stood afar and watched Liam cry in agony whilst the dark matter spread across his whole body, Liam slowly crumbled to the floor and lay down motionless. Jyro slowly approached him and removed the dagger from his chest, Liam looked up at the boy standing over him and began to mutter something, “… you think me dying will stop it... look it’s already too late” Jyro looked towards the black door and saw numerous symbols and texts appear on its front, the hinges begun to shake violently and the whole red room shook in a mighty quake , Jyro watched in despair as the whole room suddenly shook Violently and the door in front of him slowly begun to open. The boy’s heart grew faint as he saw thousands of red eyes bearing through the darkness behind the door. Just when all hope seemed lost a bright gold light begun to shine brightly from the sword that lay on the ground, he approached the sword and realised it was the holy sword that Liam was wielding. Jyro slowly reached towards it and picked it up he looked at the door in front of him and the dark shadows were almost breaking loose. He suddenly gripped the sword tightly and dashed forwards towards the door and drove the sword into the shadows, the golden light expanded and the black door shook again violently, screeching noises and cries from the demons could be heard from the other side and Jyro looked in awe as the shining swords light engulfed the door. But the golden light didn’t last very long and the darkness soon begun to overpower the light. Jyro slowly approached back in fear as the numerous dark shadows multiplied before his eyes,he then suddenly felt a warm touch on his shoulders, “you’ve done well kid I’ll take it from here” said a voice, Jyro turned around and saw a tall red bearded fellow standing behind him, the man was in dark reddish robes with a golden medallion of a four winged bird pinned on his chest. Jyro stared up at the man in bewilderment “who are you” he asked, “ha-ha wow you’ve grown big… last time I saw you, you was a tiny guy and my name is Tobi by the way” he replied, “Tobi?” Jyro repeated to himself he somehow felt the name was nostalgic to him but couldn’t’ understand why. “Luckily my sword over there released itself or I wouldn’t have made it in time” the tall fellow suddenly turned his attention towards Jyro, “listen to me well Jyro we haven’t got much time when you and your friend cross back over the mirror I need you to destroy it as soon as you can, you can do that for me yes” Jyro nodded his head in confirmation. “Alright lets gets this over with……’advenio’” he said, the sword that was plunged through the door suddenly reappeared in his hands, the man raised it above him then swung it around him, the wind from the slash extinguished the inferno blaze that surrounded the room and Leo lay on the ground unconscious as Jyro quickly ran to his aid, “Go now Jyro take your friend and get out of here…. And when you get back make sure you find the book of magic you must find that book at all cost” said Tobi .BOOOM! , the black door flung open and a think black smog quickly filled the room, Jyro carried Leo towards the Mirror and looked behind him and saw the dark matter that filled the room, 100s of eyes peered through the door and a giant devilish hand slowly emerged out of the darkness, “JYROO… GET OUT OF HERE NOW” screamed Tobi at the observing boy, “but... But what about you “hollered Jyro, but the man simply smirked towards the boy and waved him farewell “Go” he said before being engulfed by the dark shadows.