Dread Night (2)

--Gatix--

It took a few seconds to break free from the tendrils, after which I aimed the weapon at the yellow cloud. With Scythe set to quarter power, the walls between us were irrelevant.

BANG.

Both walls caved in as the yellow cloud gave a jerk to the side. Which surprised me I aimed where its head should be. Moving without a head would be difficult, so I guessed the bullet was deflected a bit.

Up close and personal, then, I thought as I stepped onto the rubble. “Short range shots, Nev. Turn off the enemy tracker.”

“Acknowledged.” I spared a thought for any potential ideas the roof might have had about collapsing, but my eyes never left the scope's view. The main square came into view bit by bit, but I couldn't yet see the alchemist.

“Incoming!”

Three tendrils broke through the ground, one wrapping around each arm as the third curled around my chest before yanking me off the ground and slamming me through the roof. A twist sent me crashing through another wall, the shock tearing Scythe away from my hand. Two more tendrils burst through the wall before the combined force of all five slammed me into the ground. Red lights decorated the inside of my visor.

“I expected you to come.” The tendrils raised me into the air, bringing me face to face with the alchemist. “The speed which you tore through my minions was most impressive.”

Not being thrashed around allowed me to look at the scenery. What I saw made my stomach churl. At least eight large tendrils featured were spread out in a circle in the middle of the square, with its tip pierced through the corpse of a parasol. A newly made bonfire featured in the center, except its creator didn't use wood as kindling. “You... sick... bastard...”

“Hush, Gatix. Your voice grows tiresome and your words mean little.” The alchemist rolled his eyes, but the pain was visible on his face. I could see blood seeping through the fingers clenched over my right shoulder. “Your survival may have a use. Where is the old man?”

“I'd worry more about what I have in store for you after I break free.”

He sighed. “I had a feeling that might be the case. Kom na my...” Shadowy tendrils formed over his hand as he swept it through the air, more than a dozen black pillars rising behind him. “Go, find the old man and bring him here.” The pillars dissipated to summon several newly formed fake knights, each disappearing into the town with a screech of acknowledgment.

“As for you, rank spies!” A tendril exploded from the ground behind him, one with a tip that could rival a stiletto for sharpness.

“Agent, your suit won't survive a blow like that.”

The alchemist grinned as I gave several tugs against my captors. Oddly, the command to attack never came. Of everything he could have done, he turned his head, seemingly looking for something over his shoulder. “This might be a problem.” He turned his attention back to me. “We will meet again, Gatix.”

What on Earth...

He took out an object resembling a black stone after reaching into his robe, which he dropped to the ground. A flash of light nearly blinded me when it touched the ground, with the alchemist gone when it subsided.

“Nev, any idea what's goi-” A fiery explosion burst from the tendril over my right hand, the flames enveloping it but breaking it free at the same time. I could already feel the heat in my hand as I used it to punch the tendril immobilizing my other hand. With both arms free, it wasn't long before I landed on the ground with a soft thud.

Scythe, Scythe... I felt a pang of desperation as I looked around the weapon. The audio sensors were already picking up the charging footsteps of the fake knights, along with the occasional screech. Where did I...

“Here.” A voice to my right broke through my thoughts, one of the parasols holding Scythe towards me coming into view when I turned my head.

“Wondered whether you survived.” The parasol stumbled a tiny step backward when I took the weapon. “Thanks.”

“It won't do you much good.”

“Why?”

“Did you not hear the sounds? The town is infested. You will be overwhelmed in seconds.”

“I've been through worse.”

“I doubt. Go to the house you stayed in last night. You'll find the old man there. He'll know what to do.”

“The old man is still alive?”

“Not unless you hurry.”

“And what about you?”

“I've also been through worse. Now go.”

“Don't blame me if they start hacking you apart.”

“Don't act surprised when we meet again.” The parasol chuckled as it walked past me, allowing me to catch sight of something swinging within. Something I've seen only once but made such an impression I'll never forget it again. Should have realized it earlier, I thought with a chuckle.

“Hey!” I took a few backward steps. The parasol lady didn't turn around, but our eyes did meet for a second. “Didn't keep you waiting, did I?” I didn't hear a response as I turned around and started running, but still, I was sure I knew the grin that would be underneath her hood.

***

The pile of dead fake knights at the door gave cause for hope. “Old man!” I nearly tore the door off its hinges when I burst through, only to recoil when something exploded from the frame. “Whoa, whoa, whoa!”

“Gatix?” The elder lowered the staff he was holding. “Is that you?”

“I'll ask the obvious questions later. We need to go.”

“Yes. Leave the door and get over here.” He kept his eyes on the door as he waved me closer. “What took you so long?”

“Had a run-in with the alchemist.”

“Is he still dead?”

“No. He teleported before I could list my grievances.”

“Damn it.” The elder shook his head as he stepped closer. “Stand still, it's been a few years. Kanaliseer...” A green light in the staff's crystal brightened up the room as a similar colored circle rapidly grew around our feet.

I've seen this enough times to know what he was casting. “You're teleporting us out of here?”

“Yes.”

“You'll lose everything.”

“Young Gatix, have you seen what that woman is capable of at full power?”

“Wait, you know-?” A thunderous clap drew our attention to the door, through which we could see a gigantic orange pillar stretching into the sky. I could feel the shock wave shooting through the ground, the force strong enough to throw several trinkets off the elder cupboards.

“Oh no.”

“What?”

“This is going to be close.” The circles started to spin as the pillar grew larger. The door angrily started banging against the wall as the torrent of winds grew stronger. Several trinkets crashed around us, yet the elder kept his eyes closed as he focused.

C’mon… I watched as the pillar grew, the neighbor's house exploding when it came close.

“Agent, I am preparing the teleporter.”

“No! We're out of time, old man!”

“Almost there...” The torrent of winds turned into a full-blown tempest.

The porch exploded when the pillar touched it, tongues of flame already licking at the door frame.

“Old man!”

“Aan-”

“Now!”

“Beweeg!”