Chapter 11: The Mastermind of Cursed Water

Chapter 11: The Mastermind of Cursed Water

Back with the heroes at the waterfall.

The heroes look up the great waterfall. The water falls from the top with great force. It blasts against stone on the way down until it crashes into the river below.

“This is it,” Zeth says. “We’d better start climbing.”

“At least it’s not a very difficult climb,” Emily notes, seeing that there are plenty of stones sticking out of the side for them to grip and climb.

With no time to waste, they start climbing up the waterfall. It does not take long before they reach the top. Once they all finish pulling themselves up, they see three other figures not far off.

Sasha stares at the figures, unease gripping her body. “I see three people over there and they certainly don’t look human.”

Zeth furrows his brows. “Then we found our culprits.”

The three demons turn around to notice the four heroes.

Demon Group Leader – Drought.

Drought is a 6-foot-tall male demon that looks human with the exception that his skin is made of dark scales. His flat, black hair has an oily shine to it. His pointy ears have ends that seem sharp.

Drought takes notice of the heroes and groans. “Such a shame, I thought Smog would handle any overly interested humans.”

Joe grits his teeth. “I assume that big, bulky monster was your friend? Kurt will handle him and be back to help us.”

Drought lets out a quick laugh. “Smog will kill any weak humans. Your friend is probably already dead.”

Zeth points his index finger at Drought, his anger rising. “Kurt will kick his ass!”

Drought sighs. “Humans can be so stupid. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Drought, and I am the leader of this group of demons you see here.”

“I don’t care who you are!” Zeth yells. “Turn this water back to normal, now!”

Drought stares back at Zeth with a disapproving glare. “As the mastermind of this grand plan, I have no such plans to turn the water back to normal.”

A drop of sweat falls from Sasha’s forehead, still feeling uneasy. “What is your plan?”

Drought chuckles lowly at first before bursting out into full laughter. “Hahaha! Knowing won’t help you stop us, but fine. The water contains a poison that was created by the Dark Goddess. Any human who is weak will die upon drinking it, and any strong human who drinks it will become indoctrinated and follow the ways of the Dark Goddess. By morning, it will look like ordinary water.”

Zeth opens his eyes wider, his mouth slightly agape in his surprise. “THE Dark Goddess? What the hell do you mean that it was created by the Dark Goddess!?”

“As I said, it does not matter as you all die here.”

Zeth angrily charges at Drought, readying his fist for a strong punch. However, as Zeth closes in, Drought zaps him with some kind of dark magic, fully enveloping him in it.

“You appear to be the strongest of you four, so how about I send you away for a bit while we deal with your friends?”

Sasha opens her eyes and mouth as wide as possible in despair as she screams. “Nooo!!!!!!”

She sprints forward and grabs onto Zeth to try to help him, but it only gets her sent away too, as they both vanish completely.

Emily steps forward, shock etched into her face. “Where did they go?!”

“That is of no concern to you,” Drought replies. “My two assistants here are about to kill you two humans.”

He turns to his assistants. One is a 7-foot-tall male demon, who is skinny in comparison to the other demons. His bald, scaly head has a dark shine to it, and his dark, scaly skin forms diamond-like shapes. His ears are unmistakably long and pointy.

Drought’s Minion – Tar

The other demon stands much shorter at only 5 feet tall. However, this demon has a much larger frame with significant body fat. Like Tar, he is also bald with dark, scaly skin. His ears slightly differ by being much shorter, but still pointy.

Drought’s Minion – Sludge

Drought turns around, walking away with a quick sway of his right arm. “Deal with them. I have business to attend to.”

He walks into a rocky cave behind a smaller waterfall.

Tar grins with excitement. “Excellent! Now, we get to have some fun.”

“Indeed,” Sludge responds, also grinning.

Emily pumps her right fist into her left hand and grits her teeth. “Don’t take us lightly!”

“We’re not afraid of you!” Joe adds, his voice getting louder.

“You will be by the time we’re done with you,” Tar replies, amused.

***

Back with Kurt and Smog.

Kurt and Smog continue their battle. Smog dashes toward Kurt, holding out his large claw.

“Your pain amuses me,” Smog says as he runs.

Smog lands a big hit with his claw, slashing across Kurt’s abdomen. Blood drips out of the wound.

Kurt holds onto the new wound on his abdomen, wincing in pain. He quickly gets over the pain and starts shouting with determination. “How about this attack?! Blazing Aura Eruption!”

Kurt’s aura takes on a molten look. A big molten wave blast erupts from his aura and blasts everywhere. Smog attempts to dodge, but there is nowhere for him to go, resulting in the molten wave burning him.

Smog opens his eyes wide. “This attack… it burns me? My skin should be able to withstand it!”

The heroes now know who they have to defeat to stop this plot! What is the extent of the demons’ power?!

Chapter 11 END

To Be Continued in Chapter 12: He Who Consumes