Though the torches had gone out in Liana’s energy surge, pale-blue light from her outstretched palm offered enough light for Cole to see by. They were slowly making their way up the tunnel and back to the main cavern where the worst of the battle was taking place. Cole hadn’t realized how far he’d run to rescue Liana until now; no sound of life reached his ears, giving the sense of isolation in this long, pitch-black corridor. He tried not to stare ahead too much and imagine malignant shapes lying in wait for them. Making up imaginary monsters would do nothing to help him fight the real ones. He wished they could just run as fast as they could to escape this choking darkness, but for Liana’s sake he kept his pace slow and careful. Despite her insistence on gaining extra energy, she looked as if she would faint at any moment. “Blood Star knew.” Her voice made him jump; she’d spoken again in a strained tone. “She figured it out somehow before I did. Why I can break chains and mind-bend so well. What my power really is. Because I’m like them.” She took a shuddering breath. “Why? I don’t want to be like them. I hate them.” Cole regarded her for a minute before responding. “You’re not like them. They’re werecats. You’re human. Their power is different.” He spoke thoughtfully. “We ran into a human sorcerer a while back, named Clouse. I think it’s kinda like Elemental Masters—some of us are just born with special abilities. It’s how our world works.” He added teasingly, “So technically, I’d say you’re more like Matilda than Blood Star.” That made her snort and laugh. “That’s the best compliment I’ve gotten in my life.” “I could give you more, if you like.” She laughed again and leaned against him. “Maybe after this is over.” They trudged on through the darkness. The horror of Raven Frost’s death still clung to them like something dirty and sinister, but pieces of the feeling seemed to fall away at the sound of Liana’s laughter. He added a chuckle of his own before they both fell into silence again. “Thanks for coming for me,” Liana said. He curled an arm around her waist and gave her a weak half-hug. “I’ll always come back for you, little witch.” She stiffened. “Sorry, too soon?” “No, it’s not you. I— I thought I heard something.” They stopped. Pulse picking up, Cole tried to peer past the blue glow into the gloom, as if seeing more would help him hear. With abated breath they stood and listened. Somewhere far away, water could be heard dripping slowly. Drip. Drip. Drip. Beyond that Cole thought he could catch the faintest echo of a human cry—or a clash of metal. They must be getting close to the battle. “It could just be coming from the big cave,” he murmured at last. “No.” She was whispering. “It came from behind us.” His mouth went dry. Slowly, so as not to alarm her, he craned his head back and scanned the area.
The tunnel yawned behind them like a dragon’s throat. He searched the shadows for any sign of movement, but nothing stirred. Naught but the sound of unseen water. Drip. Drip. Drip. “See anything?” “No.” He hated the agonizing wait. “Let’s keep going.” They continued on in softer steps now. Cole’s grasp on Liana tightened, though he tried to be gentle, and he wished they could hurry. He didn’t like this feeling of being hunted. He felt sick of playing this grisly game of cat and mouse. Drip. Drip. Drip. “I heard it again,” she whispered. “Behind us?” “Yeah. A pebble moved.” They stopped and Cole turned his head once more. This time his blood ran cold. Two moonlike orbs glowed through the gloom. Like demonic eyes they stared unblinkingly, blazing into his mind. He stared back, unable to move. Unable to breathe. Drip. Drip. Drip. “Cole?” “Get behind—” Drip. Sunlight blazed and blinded him. With a cry he fell to his knees and covered his face. When nothing touched him, he looked up and gaped. It was Ninjago City, but everything was covered in a thin sheet of ice. Rubble from broken buildings littered the streets and smoke rose to the sky. “What the…?” He got to his feet and started forward. His foot kicked something and metal skidded across the street. He looked down at the object and froze. A shattered piece of Zane’s face—a corner of his mouth and one eye—stared back at him. His old face. From his original, humanoid body. A hand of ice seemed to clutch his heart and squeeze. He staggered back, away from the scrap of his friend. He flung his arms over his head, blocking out the sight of the ravaged city and the ice coating everything. Dark Sleep trick. “No!” he yelled out loud. “Stupid magic—! Get out of my head!” He grabbed himself by the hair and concentrated, told himself what he was seeing was only a memory, that it wasn’t real. It’s not real it’s not real it’s not real it’s not real it’s not real—! Ninjago City and the ice vanished and darkness shrouded around him once more; he was back in the tunnel beneath the mountain. He found himself staggering against the wall and gasping for breath. Shaking his head, he looked up. A flash of Liana’s power lit up the corridor. A dark shape fell back with an angry yowl and got up, whisking her forked tails back and forth. “Liana!” Cole cried. “Are you—?” “Look out, it’s Blood Star!” she interjected, voice shaking. The massive nekomata snarled. “So you’ve unlocked your true potential. How convenient. Too bad your friends are losing the battle.” “If we’re losing, how come you’re running away?” Cole challenged as he flexed his wrists. “Oh, I’m not running away. Merely tying up loose ends.” Her teeth flashed, but instead of charging them, Blood Star summoned a ball of fire between her paws. It barreled down the corridor.
“Get down!” Cole rammed into Liana and yanked her to the ground. The flames flew over their heads and evaporated into the opposite wall. He sat up with a surge of fresh rage. “Kai’s power! You, too?” “Why do you sound surprised?” she responded mockingly. “It is not as if he’s here to use it.” Yelling in rage, he leapt to his feet and charged; with balled fists he turned his rage upon his sister. Green eyes flashed in the dark. She got up on her hind legs and blocked his blows. Still yelling he shoved himself forward, fists swinging toward her face and furry chest in a blur. She blocked each of them, even in her feline body. Bam, bam, whack, bam. Her face, her collarbone, her forepaws, her head—he could not reach them but neither could she find an opportunity to strike back. Her claws raked his arms and hands but he hardly noticed them. He only saw her; her mocking eyes, her bared teeth, the unearthly glow in her eyes and coming from her paws— “Cole, get down!” Liana cried. He didn’t think. He dropped to the floor in the blink of an eye and rolled onto his back, out of Blood Star’s reach. A burst of light came from Liana. Multitudes of glowing violet shapes flew down the tunnel; they looked like spindly knives. The magical shards fell upon Blood Star like a vicious rainfall and it was all the cat could do to scurry this way and that to avoid them all. The needle-like knives sank into the ground and walls and stayed there, quivering and glowing. Blood Star began to sneer, “Oh, you’re just full of wonderful new tricks, aren’t—?” More violet knives shot toward her in a flurry. This time the cat hopped onto her hind legs again and waved one paw in a half-circular motion. A green sphere appeared around her and the knives bounced off of it as if it were a rubber ball. Cole yelped and scrambled out of the way as they bounced toward him; one nearly got him in the ear. “Cole!” Liana’s face was twisted in a determined snarl, and a glowing blue knife materialized into her hand. “The ground, beneath her!” A trickle of her energy seeped into his head, and he got the message. “On it!” Balling his fists again, he braced himself and slammed them into the floor. With a deep rumble that shook the tunnel, the rock floor trembled and cracked in half where Blood Star stood. She yowled in distress as she stumbled and fell, and the force field flickered. “Keep going!” With a loud shout, Liana threw herself at the green sphere and stabbed it. The shape flickered, and she stabbed it again several times, yelling all the while. Cole continued molding the earth around Blood Star. He attempted to make it open and close around her so that she would be trapped in the ground. The huge cat thrashed against the rocks and soil angrily. Finally she seemed to summon a resistance spell, as he felt the rocks stiffen in place and he couldn’t move them.
The force field finally cracked and evaporated into thin air, and Liana fell upon Blood Star with an angry scream. The magic knife flew for her throat, but Blood Star reached up and slapped the knife away. Then she shoved herself up and snatched Liana’s remaining gauntlet by the teeth and yanked on it. Liana was thrown to the side and against the wall, giving Blood Star time to get out of the hole. She fell upon Liana with a rumbling caterwaul—before stopping with a choke. “Not so fast, sis!” Cole had thrown himself atop Blood Star and wrapped his arms tightly around her furry neck. He used his weight to yank her backwards and away from Liana. With a furious gargle, Blood Star thrashed around in a circle. He hung on, though she attempted to shove him off by ramming her body into the wall several times. The impact bruised his sides and arms, yet he gripped her fur tightly between his fingers and didn’t let go. The world spun around him as Blood Star yowled. He risked releasing one arm to reach for his belt and grab a tekko-kagi claw. In one fluid motion he raised the claw up over Blood Star’s head and raked it down the side of her face. Screeching in pain, Blood Star rolled onto her back. The impact stunned Cole and he let go; her body squashed him momentarily before rolling away. He lay there for a moment, gasping for breath. Liana swept in; blindness did not stop her from falling upon Blood Star with a well-targeted kick to the face. With a grunt the nekomata arched her back. As Liana charged for her again, Blood Star lunged and leapt in the air for her head. “Raauuugh!” As if sensing the coming impact, glowing knives appeared in Liana’s knives again and she chucked them at Blood Star’s face mid-air. One knife flew past her whiskers; the other missed her face and plunged into a hind leg. Blood Star fell into Liana and they both fell rolling. As soon as she felt the ground Liana was kicking and scratching with her fingernails. Huffing, Blood Star shoved her off and stood up. Wincing, she flicked her hind paw and the knife clattered to the ground. Liana and Cole got up and attacked her at the same time; he with tekko-cagi claws, she with magic. Violet fire swept over Blood Star’s head while steel claws slashed at her back. Growling, Blood Star scurried back. They let her retreat a pace before advancing; side by side they walked, sharing the same long-burning rage against a common enemy. “Surrender,” Liana spat. “You’re not getting any other chances,” Cole added, flexing his claws. Blood Star stood there glaring at them both. They stiffened when she transformed into her human body and wearily she leaned against the wall. It was only by the glow of Liana’s power that Cole could see his sister’s twisted expression of hatred standing out against the gloom. “You’ll have to destroy me nine times first,” she hissed. “Fine by me.” Cole led the charge.
Blood Star’s feline eyes flashed in the dark. Cole pummeled her with his claws and she responded with a swift kick to the stomach. Liana was next, earning a blast of fire to the face. She ducked the tongue of green flames and flung her nunchucks. The heavy black handles found their targets three times; on Blood Star’s elbow, her hip, and her thigh. Then Liana stumbled; Blood Star had dodged the forth blow, only to lean forward and snatch her by the wrist. Her other hand served to deliver a punch, and Liana staggered off to the side. Yet Cole was up again, roaring with the flash of steel. Both their fists flew at one another and he drove her down the tunnel. Then his blood ran cold. An all-too familiar presence made its way into his head and a great heaviness seemed to weigh upon his conscience. “Sleep!” Blood Star taunted as he stumbled. Gritting his teeth he fought the urge to close his eyes. The heaviness clung to him like giant fingers, pulling his brain and twisting the world around him. As he fought the sinister sleepiness, he could just barely see Liana starting toward Blood Star. “Fire is not the only power I’ve drunk, little brother.” Blood Star’s voice taunted over Cole’s head. “Remember what else I’ve absorbed?” Horror dawned through the haze in Cole’s mind. Groaning he got onto his hands and knees and reached for his sister. “You little—” Grinning nastily, Blood Star held her arms out, and a now-familiar orange glow made its way in a jagged pattern from her wrists to her elbows. Before Liana could reach her, she leapt into the air and slammed her fists into the ground. The ground shuddered. Then the walls. It was like being in a dragon’s rumbling belly; the world shifted and groaned around Cole, tossing him around. Dust and rocks rained down before chunks of the ceiling did. A fresh wave of shock swept away the sleepiness, and Cole scrambled this way and that trying to avoid falling rocks while the floor trembled and turned beneath his feet. Nearby Liana shrieked and fell; the pale blue glow flickered like a weak flashlight. Cole tried to reach her through the rain of dust and rocks. A boulder slammed down in front of him, nearly squishing him. Stones bounced painfully off his head. Another boulder rolled and smashed into his back, bruising his spine. A wild cackle brought his attention back to Blood Star. She stood down the tunnel, out of where the floor and walls churned and spewed flying rubble. She met his gaze—and rose her fists up again. “No!” Cole cried. Everything seemed to explode. He felt himself blasted off his feet as the tunnel caved in on itself. He tried to summon his power, tried to regain control. A rock smashed into his face, then more. He tumbled head over heels, feeling stones smash his body, tossing him around like a rag-doll. He tried to shout but earth filled his mouth and he gagged.
Everything was dark, yet the world was still alive and moving. Through the fresh bursts of pain, there was the sensation of falling through open space. A boulder on his chest was dislodged, and he had enough breath to cry out. He fell—fell, kept falling through open air. He hit water. He sank and rocks sank with him. He could feel them around him, still threatening to smash him into tiny pieces. He could heard them in the water, plunging heavily. He opened his eyes but everything was dark. Pitch-black. He tried to breathe and realized he was underwater. Though his limbs throbbed he kicked and pushed himself up. Something heavy and hard grazed his shoulder and threatened to drag him back down. He kicked and pushed himself away, then thrust himself up again. Then—air. He gasped and hacked up water and mud. Thankfully he gulped on air before scanning the area. Nothing. He could see absolutely nothing. All that he knew was that he was in some body of water, deep enough that he couldn’t touch the bottom, and in the remains of the cave-in. There were still the sounds of clattering, but otherwise the world had fallen still and it was quiet. Too quiet. His heart skipped a beat. “Liana!” He tread water and pushed himself forward, hoping to find the shore, or a boulder to stand on—anything. “Liana, where are you?” Something brushed against his feet. He jumped, but it was only the ground; he’d found the end of this underground lake, and he dragged himself out of it wearily. He heard water dripping on sand and pebbles scrunched beneath his waterlogged boots. A soft crunch alerted him to the presence of some weed—were there plants in this cavern? Something caught his eye. A flicker at first, but it became a now-familiar glow that strengthened. It was coming from several yards away, at the foot of the landslide. The glow helped him see that he was standing in a massive cavern with a large, dark pool of water gathered in the middle. A gap in the wall opposite where he was standing yawned like a massive dark mouth; it’d been where the cave-in started. Boulders and soil lay together in a huge heap below the hole and stretched out into the pond and either side of the room. Cole did not pay attention to the sight of the landslide, however. His attention was immediately drawn to the source of the magical glow. “Liana!” He ran, stumbling here and there over stones. As he neared he finally saw her, and he felt his stomach drop. She lay sprawled out on her back at the foot of the landslide. A boulder sat atop her torso. The glow came from both of her hands. She didn’t move. “Oh, no…!” Cole came and immediately used his powers to lift the boulder gently. As it lifted into the air, she voiced a low whimper. He tossed it away and fell to his knees beside her. “Liana!” He tried to help her sit up, but this elicited a stronger cry. She gasped, “The— m— my chest… don’t move me, please. I can— can’t breathe…”
Indeed, her breath was coming out short and shallow. It was as if it pained her too much to take deep breaths. Cole brushed the hair out of her face and tried to think. “Where are you hurt?” “M— I can’t… no, my ribs. I can’t breathe…” With shaking hands he loosed her belt and opened up the gi, but there was no sign of any wounds around her ribcage. Is it under her shirt…? No, then the shirt would be ripped if something had scratched her there… He suppressed his rising panic, though he could feel his head spinning. One of a kind, is the death of the blind! Kohuru’s voice taunted in his head. Shut up! Just shut up! Leave me alone. He turned his attention back to her face and he took one of her hands into his own. “Hey. It’s gonna be OK.” Her grip tightened around his. “Don’t go.” “I won’t. I’m here now.” His mouth was dry and he swallowed. He didn’t know what to do. “Are you feeling better?” She shook her head ever so slightly. Her face looked twisted with pain. “I can’t breathe,” she said again. Panic threatened to overtake him. This felt too much like Eagle Talon...! “You’re gonna be fine. You’re gonna be fine!” His voice quivered, but he kept going. “We’re— we’re going to get out of here, and we’re going to get back at Blood Star for everything. Yeah. Yeah, and then everyone’ll be OK, and we’ll get Kai back. And you’ll become a ninja, like us!” A small smile appeared on her bloodied face. “Whoever heard of a witch ninja?” “Why not? We’ve already got a nindroid, and I was a ghost ninja!” Gently he cradled her head into his lap. He wished so badly that he could take away her pain in an instant. “Matilda will train you, and you’ll become the first-ever witch ninja. It’ll be awesome, won’t it?” “Yeah… I’d l— like that. I’d—” She coughed and something dark dribbled down her chin. Horror washed over Cole. It’s internal! Something was crushed, and I can’t fix it! No, no, she’s gonna be fine… I just, need somebody to come… “Help!” he cried out into the darkness. “Somebody help, please!” His voice echoed back at him tauntingly. “Please, she’s hurt! We need— we need…” “Cole.” He looked back down at her. “Stay there. I’m gonna go and find help—find Matilda. She’ll fix you up, she’ll heal you—” “C— Cole…” “You’ve got to stay here, understand?!” he roared. “I just lost my brother and Lloyd and Kai! It’s too soon! I can’t lose you, too! That’s not fair!” “My pocket,” she murmured. Her voice was so quiet. “Look… in my pocket.” He did, as softly as he could without moving her. His fingers found something small and hard. With a gulp he pulled out a band of familiar iron rings bound together. The ring he’d given her just days ago. “Happy birthday,” she said. His vision blurred. “Stay with me. Please.” “It— it’s OK… I just…” She gulped and whispered, “Thank you for giving me a purpose.” “Don’t go.” Her lips quivered. “I love you.”
He hadn’t been aware of his tears until they were dripping onto her face. He wiped them away with his thumb. “I… I love you, too.” He leaned down and kissed her, brief and gently. When he looked again her eyes were glistening. “I’m not scared anymore,” she said. “Good.” He wiped her tears. “I’m right here.” Her eyes rose up and for a minute he thought she could see him. Those pupils seemed to stare into his and hold his gaze comfortingly. Even when she choked quietly and shuddered she held his gaze. Even as pain overtook her, his hands gripped hers iron-tight, the ring between them. Even as her body twitched, he held her close and stroked her hair. Even as her last breath left her body, she smiled. Then her eyes truly saw nothing, and the glow faded away, leaving Cole in darkness. Something broke within him, sharp and cold and cruel. He cradled her to his chest and wept. He barely remembered the tears—only that awful, cold feeling settling back into his chest and stabbing his heart. His outsides felt hot but his insides felt cold. He stayed there and shared his grief with the heartless boulders in that soul-sucking, pitch-black world he’d come to despise.
Kai danced in an unsteady circle as fire bloomed out of his blackened hands. The hot tongues licked at the ring of soldiers who’d gathered around him and they scurried back. Kai turned again to blast another flame at some more encroaching soldiers. Like a dizzying dance he kept spinning. Though his strength had been drained beyond the point of using Spinjitzu, he could still move fast if he must. “Take him down!” a man cried. Something shot out of the crowd toward Kai’s head. He ducked and the spear clattered against the gatehouse wall behind him. More spears followed. It was all he could do to duck out of the way and kick some of the projectiles away. His shoulder throbbed hotly, but he couldn’t stop moving. More men threw their spears at him, gathering their courage again. A slice of pain at his thigh and another at his bicep were signs that their aims were getting better and Kai’s agility was getting worse. He kept spinning and shooting fire in a circle and dodging the spears, but it wouldn’t be long until— A force tore through one of his leather tassets and he felt himself jerked back. The spear attached to the tasset sank into between the cobblestone wall, and Kai found himself stuck along with it. Desperately he shot another wide wave of fire at his enemies. “We’ve got him now!” the commander jeered. “Quickly, get—” His sentence cut off with a yelp of pain and he tumbled to the ground. The platoon of soldiers hesitated, uncertain. With a roaring battle cry of multitudes brought their attention to the open drawbridge; like a dark sea a wave of armed people burst into the courtyard. Some could be heard chanting, “For our country! For our queen! For our freedom!” Riding a galloping pony was Tinny Bird and he wielded a large crossbow. When he saw Kai he roared, “For our Fire Mage!” Relief blossomed in Kai’s chest, and he stood up, grinning broadly. The wave of rebels swept in and crashed into the platoon. Bird led the charge and immediately took out two men with his crossbow. The rest followed viciously, and within seconds the castle courtyard became the ruthless bath between red-clad soldiers and motley rebel warriors of both human and half-canine. The rebels spread out and drove the Pingousers in one direction. “Kai!” Jukeni appeared out of the brawl, closely followed by Kaeden. Kai laughed and exclaimed, “Boy, you guys know how to make an entrance!” The boys came and Kaeden yanked the spear expertly out of the wall and freed Kai. “We should. We have been planning this for a long time,” he said solemnly. Kai inspected them. They were both clad in armor, though only Jukeni wore a helmet. He proudly brandished a polearm while Kaeden bore a massive club in one hand. They looked virtually unscathed and jubilant. “You two are looking good,” he said wryly.
“And you look like something the cat dragged—” Jukeni’s teasing gaze fell upon Kai’s hands and he looked horrified. “Good Star Guards, what in the world happened to your hands—?!” “It’s fine!” Kai interjected impatiently. “I’m fine, I can still fight!” Kaeden’s eyes had darkened with concern, almost puppy-like. “That looks very serious. We can get you out—” “I’m not leaving!” Kai snapped. “Lord Hälogen’s in this castle somewhere, right? I need to find him!” “You’re still going on about that?” Kaeden exchanged a look with Jukeni. “What do you want him for?” “He’s dangerous, Kai!” Jukeni protested. “He can use magic, and he—!” “And he may know how to transport me back to my own world! I have to get back!” Kai snapped. “All my friends are in danger, I just know it! Those cat-people are bad news, and I’m gonna stop them!” Kaeden and Jukeni exchanged a long look. At last Kaeden sighed and shook his head. “Very well. We will help you.” “You will?” Kaeden gave him a kind smile. “Of course. It is the least we can do in return for your assistance, and for what you’ve suffered.” “Also if you could somehow get rid of Hälogen using your magic powers that’d be excellent, too, but, like, no pressure,” Jukeni deadpanned. “So, where do we go?” Kai’s gaze landed on one of the doors lining the interior of the courtyard. “Follow me!” The three of them jostled their way past the battling warriors in the middle of the courtyard; metal glinted by their faces, bodies moved and turned while the groans of the wounded and the cries of the defiant blared in their ears. Kai tried to drown out the sounds of the suffering as they reached the door. Kaeden kicked it open and they entered the keep. No one was downstairs. Jukeni led the way and started up the first flight of stairs they saw. “So you guys know where Lord Hälogen is?” Kai gasped as they ascended. “Stars, no,” said Jukeni. “But if I had to guess, a rich lord trapped in his fancy castle would hide in a tower.” “Or use a secret passage underground to escape the grounds entirely,” Kaeden pointed out. “Ugh, I hope not. Then all this running would be for nothing.” They reached the top of the stairs and found themselves in a large, lavishly-furnished corridor. Every chair, table and candelabra decorating the carpeted hall seemed to be lined with gold, even some of the tapestries. What really caught the boys’ attention, however, were the half-dozen guards who stiffened at the sight of the young intruders. “Halt!” one man barked. “Who goes there?” “Your worst nightmare, egg-head!” With that Kai leapt forward and sent a fiery blast at the guards. They cried out in shock and scurried back. “Ha-ha, take that!” Kai crowed. “Not so tough now, are you?” “Uhh, Kai…?” Jukeni interjected. “On your left.”
Kai looked; several more Pingous soldiers were appearing from an adjoining hallway. A low growl from Kaeden alerted him to even more soldiers running in from the hallway on their right. Within moments Kai and the Pawrelesers were surrounded. “What’s your master plan now, Sir Ninja?” Jukeni muttered as he glared at their captor, gripping his polearm with both hands. “Uhh…” Kai couldn’t help feeling uncertain scanning their situation. There had to be at least fifty soldiers in all. “I’m not sure I can blast all of these guys away at once…” “What about your Spinjitzu?” Kaeden asked sharply. Kai laughed wearily. “I wish I could, but I’ve used so much of my strength already. I might end up smashing myself into the wall or—” “But you can still shoot fire?” “Of course I can. I’m not that useless!” “Very well.” Without warning, Kaeden stooped and snatched Kai by the ankles. “Whoa, what the heck—?!” “Fire, now!” Kaeden roared. “What’re you—? Auuugghh!” With a startled shout Kai was yanked off his feet and slung around Kaeden’s head like a potato sack. With a grunt Kaeden spun around in a circle and wielded Kai like a stick. “Now, Kai!” Kai finally got the idea; once more he flexed his wrists and summoned fire. It bloomed in a fierce wave over the soldiers. As Kaeden spun Kai around in a circle of fire followed, creating a vicious ring that scathed the Pingousers. As the burns spread and their clothes caught aflame the men scurried back, panicking. “Keep going!” Occasionally slashing his polearm at anyone who got too close, Jukeni advanced down the main corridor and Kaeden followed with Kai, still spinning. The Pingousers had no choice but to let the intruders get through, for fear of being burned alive. “I’m—getting—dizzy…!” Kai groaned. How can Kaeden keep spinning me around like this for so long?! Kaeden responded dryly. “Just a little longer. You make an excellent weapon.” “And there’s another staircase up ahead!” Jukeni cried. “I think it leads to one of the main towers!” As soon as they reached the doorway, Kaeden slung Kai over one shoulder and barreled past Jukeni and up the stairs. Kai felt himself behind jolted around heavily as Kaeden took un-human bounds up the staircase. Through his dizziness he could see Kaeden’s tail beneath his face. At one point he thought he heard Jukeni cry out, but Kai could see him catching up. The angry roar of men pursued them up the staircase. The occasional spear was thrown at the intruders only to clatter harmlessly against the wall. Up and up they went in a constant circle. Kai closed his eyes to shut out the dizzying sight, but that only made his head spin even more. The sound of wood smashing made him jump; Kaeden had reached the stop of the staircase and had shoved the locked door open with superhuman strength. They found themselves in another large corridor, this one less lavish than the first.
“Hurry!” Kaeden set Kai on the ground like a child setting down their doll. Through the feeling of lightheadedness Kai could make out Kaeden slamming the door shut. The original bar lay in splinters nearby, so he snatched Jukeni’s polearm and shoved it into the metal brackets. “That should hold them for a little while,” he grunted. Groaning, Kai forced himself to stand. “Where are we?” “Close, I think. Let’s go.” They started down the hall when Kaeden stopped. “Wait. Where’s Jukeni?” They turned back to the door. Jukeni was sitting and leaning against the wall with a sick expression on his face. “Jukeni!” They darted to his side with Kai snapping, “C’mon, man, we gotta go—!” He stopped with a gasp. A fresh wound grinned wickedly at them from a large rip in Jukeni’s tunic, just beneath the armpit between the plates of his armor. A dark stain was making its way down his pale tunic and pooling where he sat. “Must’ve snagged him on the stairs,” Kaeden murmured quietly. His canine eyes revealed shock. The boy looked up at them and smiled wanly. “Go on without me. I’ll catch up.” Kai felt sick to his stomach. First Garagan, now Jukeni…! “Heck no,” he snapped, trying not to look as scared as he felt. “You’re fine, right? We’re not leaving without you—” “Kai.” Kaeden tapped his shoulder. “We— we have company.” Kai stood up and turned; six soldiers appeared down the hall were stalking toward them. Instinctively he and Kaeden stood in front of Jukeni as a shield. Kaeden drew his club from his belt while Kai set his hands aflame. One of the soldiers took the lead bearing a handsome sword. As he stepped forward his face seemed to flicker with confusion, then recognition. “You!” “Huh?” Kai exchanged a perplexed look with Kaeden before pointing at himself. “Me?” The man’s face twisted into a look of disgust. “I should have expected you three to be a part of something like this. Pawreles scum.” Kai peered at the man’s face. The barred window at the opposite end of the corridor forced his eyes to adjust to the change of light, but when they did he at last recognized the chiseled jawline and blond hair peeking out beneath the helmet. “Gesber!” “You appear alarmed to see me, Spiky.” Gesber sneered and brandished his sword haughtily. “Is it surprising to see me leading Lord Hälogen’s royal guard?” Kai returned the sneer. “Nah, just surprising to see you’ve lived this long without tripping and hitting yourself on your own sword.” An ugly look crossed Gesber’s face. “I would hold my tongue if I were you. It is six against three—or really, two,” he added with a haughty look at Jukeni. “I like those odds. What do you say, Kaeden?” Kai smirked up at the half-canine. “Think we can make the time to kick these bozos’ butts?” Kaeden stared back at him with something like amused bewilderment. “Oh, I suppose it is only polite.”
The club went slinging and Kai’s fire went blasting. Kaeden caught two men at once and sent them flying into the wall with one powerful sweep. With another he smashed the club into another man’s helmet and sent him crashing into an ornate table. Meanwhile Kai burned another man in the face—it was not fatal, but painful. He crouched over screaming and staggered out of the way. Kai shot at his companion, but the other soldier scurried out of the way and began circling him. He chucked his spear at Kai, who dodged it neatly. The man’s face twisted in mingled fear and anger, and he unsheathed his sword. With a loud yell he lunged for Kai and swung at his head. Spinning around on one foot, Kai lashed his leg out and kicked the man’s forearm. The arm now stunned and numbed, the sword dropped, and Kai kicked again, this time into the man’s stomach. The soldier went reeling. Something moved out the corner of his eye. With a yelp Kai jumped just in time to nearly avoid Gesber’s blade—he felt a painful prick on one cheek. He tried to swivel around but was forced to retreat as the blade kept slashing at him in dangerously quick and methodical movements. Something bumped Kai’s back; a table. Gesber lunged for him and Kai ducked. Something shattered and shards of china rained on Kai’s head. Halfway on his knees, he saw Gesber bringing the sword down upon him. Kai jumped backwards and held his arms out to shoot fire. Abruptly Gesber was yanked off his feet and his sword fell. Kaeden had grabbed him by the collar of his breastplate and now held him up in midair; the young man’s boots dangled helplessly at least four feet above the floor. “Release me, you pathetic hound!” Gesber sputtered. He tried to swing and punch Kaeden, but the dog-man held him away like a bag of garbage. “Hold still, this will only hurt for a second.” Kaeden yanked Gesber’s helmet off. “Wait.” Shakily getting up, Kai demanded, “Where’s Lord Hälogen hiding? Is he in here?” Gesber glared at him. “Like I’d tell—!” “Upstairs, on the top floor of this tower. That is where his laboratory is,” a voice croaked. Kai looked to see one of the soldiers Kaeden had clubbed was sitting up tentatively; he’d been the one who had spoken. Wincing, he said, “We were sent to guard him. That is where he is.” “Wha—?” Gesber’s face colored angrily. “You traitor! Why would you tell them—?!” “Yeah, I’m actually wondering the same thing,” Kai snapped. “Why should we believe you?” The soldier coughed. “Not all of us in Pingous are on their side. Some of us have been secretly rooting for the freedom of our sister nation for a long time.” His eyes met Kai’s; there seemed to be no hint of deception or malice in them. “Go. Finish what you have started.” “You’ll be executed for this!” Gesber snarled.
The old man chuckled weakly. “Nothing ever stays the way it is, young man. By tonight Jëmlen may very well have a new lord. You could be the one being executed soon.” Before Gesber could muster a response, Kaeden casually chucked him away. “I shall stay here and look after Jukeni.” The sounds of the battle could be heard, if only faintly. Kai glanced around at the groaning men in the room. “You sure?” Kaeden gave a slight smile. “I do not know how to fight a wizard. You seem to know more about that than I do.” Something crashed downstairs. Men could be heard shouting orders and armor clattering. Kai hoped they were the good guys. “No, I mean—are you gonna be OK down here alone?” A loud banging from the door made them jump. A man outside shouted, “Open up in there! Now!” Brandishing his club, Kaeden went and stood over Jukeni. “I will be all right, for the sake of my friends. Go, Kai. Fulfill your destiny.” His smile widened, if somewhat wanly. “We shall celebrate and drink kimbachi juice once this is over.” Kai held his gaze. “Thank you.” The banging grew louder. Kaeden barked, “Go!” Nodding, Kai ran down the hall. Behind him he heard wood splintering and men’s voices growing louder. He did not look back. He turned a corner and saw yet another staircase spiraling up. There were no windows nor torches lit here, so he kept his eyes on the steps as he ascended. He forced himself not to think about Jukeni and Kaeden. He tried not to listen to the sounds of a struggle taking place in the hall behind him. As he ascended eventually the noise faded. The tower was tall and dark. The only light came from a dirty window somewhere above him. Limbs aching and lungs gasping, at last Kai reached the top floor. It was a short, bare hallway, where he found himself standing opposite an old wooden door. He stepped softly as he approached the door. A brass knocker stood out in the middle, which was elaborately carved into the face of an animal that looked similar to a dragon, although it had no horns, the shape of its mouth looked wrong, and it had four eyes. Kai stopped. I have no idea what this guy is like, he realized uncomfortably. Up until now Lord Hälogen had been naught but a distant story. The only threats Kai had ever faced in this world yet were the red-clad soldiers and unicorns. Now he found himself on the brink of confronting this faceless enemy. He knew he was a magic-user of some kind. What was magic like in this world? Perhaps being an Elemental Master would give him an advantage. Kai tried to imagine what this fearsome lord must look like; he sounded powerful, so perhaps a tall, hulking figure with a booming laugh and glowing eyes… Kai shook away the shiver running down his arms. I’m so close! I’m not about to be beaten by a wizard, no matter how powerful he is!
He took a long, deep breath—and kicked the door open. To his surprise, it swung open easily and banged against the wall. Kai ran in with his hands aflame. “Lord Hälogen! Your reign of terror is over!” There was no response. Holding his body at a loose fighting stance, Kai started down the room. “Your castle is surrounded and your army is beaten! Surrender, or face the consequences!” Nothing stirred in the room. It was dark and musty. Few candles provided light and showed Kai that he was standing in a spacious chamber. The ceiling rose to a point, alluding to the fact that he was in the highest floor of the tower. Several black curtains hinted at the presence of windows, but they were all drawn, thus shrouding the room in perpetual darkness. What caught Kai’s attention were the many tables and desks filling up the room in a haphazard pattern. Most were overflowing with objects covered in dust while others looked freshly used. It was like the lab for a scientist of a different dimension. There were vials of multi-colored liquids, wooden and steel boxes, and jars of what appeared to be varying degrees of slime, plants, liquids, and even animals and organs. Maps of solar systems and constellations lay strewn about the desks and floors on one side of the room along with tools for navigation. The wall to his right seemed dedicated entirely to weapons, which looked odd in this laboratory. From arrows to knives to chains to swords, grim weapons hung on brackets like trophies of honor. A massive sword and a black crossbow in particular caught Kai’s attention. He stared at them in admiration before realizing they were most likely used for nefarious purposes. He turned away from them. Evil-looking surgical tools glinted in the candlelight to Kai’s right as he walked further. Small dark shapes lined one clean-looking table. Curious, he took a candle and held it out over the shapes. What he saw made him gag. Small creatures had been cut open and operated upon in a professional fashion. It was bad enough seeing frogs and rodents splayed out on the table, but bile rose in Kai’s throat when he inspected the smaller shapes lying alongside the other animals. They resembled tiny people. Lifeless humanoid faces could be seen in the candlelight. He didn’t care to find out if these were pixies or fairies or whatever. He turned away and stifled another gag. That was when a glimmer of light caught his attention. Looking up, he saw at the opposite end of the room a large, elaborately-carved set of shelves bearing dusty boxes and unidentifiable artifacts. Among them, sitting proudly on the middle shelf, sat a crystal ball the size of Kai’s head. It lay in a velvet cushion and protected in a glass case. What struck him about it was that it glowed; faintly and in irregular flickers, but nonetheless the light was different from that of the candles. Tentatively Kai walked up to the glass case.
