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Alright, next chapter out!

Read on and critique if you wish. However, if for some reason any of these scenes you happen to find a little dark or violent (which I hope aren’t), please share your thoughts on them. Thanks and enjoy!

 

CHAPTER TEN:

The maze was a grand, rather outrageous, stone tunnel with at least a hundred rooms and dead ends. Nevertheless, Chloe understood, she must prevail in the following tournament. Forcing down her fear, she raised her chin and clenched her fists.

The Nameless Daughters emerged from the shadows. The bright illumination of lanterns revealed smiles lingering on their lips.

Chloe stiffened and averted her gaze.

“We meet once again!” Drama Queen declared in a rather dramatic manner. “You dare enter the maze? Then endure to the end! Acts of cowardice are forbidden!”

“I was born a warrior and blessed with a lack of cowardice, imbecile,” Aurelio Jaspal spoke, an intense glint in his round amber eyes. “Your statement was rather… ludicrous.”

Drama Queen giggled at his unusual words, raising delicate fingers to her lips. “Aaah, such a repulsive insult! I love it! I love it!”

Chloe cringed at her laughter. You are so weird…

Lochlain Meredith frowned.  “The Nameless Daughters are fond of teasing, Little Aurelio. Just accept that they’re idiots, alright?”

Aurelio straightened his azure coat and sneered.

“Yes, an unremarkable fact.” Zoe admired her dagger, the blade vibrant as blood. “But can’t we chitchat later? Each moment this game hasn’t begun I become more impatient.”

Chloe glanced at her sister, her voice rather tense as she spoke, “This is no game.”

“Please, don’t babble ridiculous words.” Zoe shrugged her shoulders, indifferent. She smirked at the Nameless Daughters. “Anyway, can the game begin now?”

Drama Queen smirked. “I don’t see why not. But I sense, however, that one of you are missing.” She paused, her gaze wandering in the distance. “Oh! I had forgotten. Sarah Janson remains absent at this moment.”

“Yes, she escaped. Along with a prisoner. I believe his name was Eric Diego.” Red Lips chuckled, murder and darkness reflecting in her toxic gaze. “Meanwhile, the escapees are free. But I dare state, those foolish humans shan’t remain in such wild freedom for long. I expect to find this night the imbeciles mourning in their cells.”

Chloe paused and narrowed her eyes.

Sarah Janson and Eric Diego, her ever awesome friends, escaped Nicholas’s dungeons? Fantastic! Those particular individuals deserved freedom. She bit her lip, cocking her head. B-but wasn’t Eric… dead? Well, apparently, he remained alive. All the more excellent!

She resisted a sudden mocking smile. Well, Red Lips, prepare for disappointment then. Sarah and Eric ain’t ever visitin’ the pretty little dungeons again.

Little Trouble curled a strand of vivid red hair in her bony fingers. “As a result of the escape, in his utter wrath, Nicholas sentenced Ichabod, the one responsible for the prisoners, to a cruel fate! The executioner was the Dark Knight. And Ichabod was the beheaded. Oh, dare I mention his beautiful and gorgeous blood.”

“Yes, the best part!” Stormy Girl clapped her hands in glee. “As our ancestors claimed, the loveliest sight on earth is blood. A famous quote I claim must be centuries old.”

Chloe blinked. Her lips curled in disgust.

“Quite morbid…,” Zoe’s dull voice indicated boredom. “But let us begin the tournament. Now.”

“Please, don’t be demanding,” Drama Queen snapped. “The rules must be explained. Alright?”

Zoe scoffed. “Whatever.”

Drama Queen ignored her entirely. “Rule Number One: Don’t die. Simple.”

“Wow.” Chloe clapped her palms, a bit sarcastic. “We are awed and impressed.”

“Oh thanks, darling.” Drama Queen giggled. “Alright, Rule Number Two: You shall each be separated. Failure to accept this rule shall result in immediate disqualification and execution.”

“Well, isn’t that a little extreme?” Zoe chuckled. “I mean, I don’t have a problem with executions, but… whatever.”

Chloe gaped at her sister. Don’t have a problem with executions? You’re a terrible person.

“Rule Number Three: Don’t be stupid.” Drama Queen smirked. “In the maze plenteous death traps abound. So, uh, do me a favor. Don’t be stupid! Human stupidity might very well result in death. This is Rule Number Three out of the Thirteen Rules―”

“Silence!” Zoe hollered, and clenched her teeth. “These rules are useless and, dare I proclaim, this babble is wasting our time. Don’t make me have a temper tantrum again… These daggers don’t have a pretty reputation! I ain’t frightened at coating ‘em in blood either!”

Her exclamation was met with blank stares.

Shaking her head, Chloe raised a hand to her brow.

What. Happened. To. Her. Sister?

Red Lips smirked. “Humans are creatures of impatience. Sister, proceed in explaining these rules. Please.”

Zoe directed her nose in the air.

Drama Queen smiled. “Yes, Rule Number Four: Don’t die.”

“But that was Rule Number One,” Chloe corrected, folding her arms.

“I don’t like these so-called rules. Are you makin’ ‘em up on purpose?” Zoe arched a brow. “I sense your deception.”

“Well…” Drama Queen hesitated. “Fine, fine, I admit that to be correct.”

Aurelio and Lochlain shared a glance, rolling their eyes.

Chloe clasped her palms together, standing hidden in the shadows. Forsaken stars! What sadists these Nameless Daughters are!

“Seriously? Whatever! You are idiots,” Zoe declared with a scoff. “The most idiotic of idiots, in fact.”

The Nameless Daughters smirked in unison.

“You share a closer resemblance with your mother than your twin,” Red Lips changed the topic. “Much too ambitious. Much too blind. You nickname us idiots, but fail to understand our true intentions?”

Chloe paused and frowned. Red Lips, watch your little red-lipped mouth.

“Hey, I understand your intentions. Oh, and those ‘rules,’ they aren’t even real rules! What is wrong with you?” Zoe exclaimed, her cheeks burning red. “Also, I might contradict your delusional mind, but my mother was a wise and loving woman. She never―”

“Alright, this argument is completely unnecessary.”

“Shut it, Aurelio!” She glared menacingly. “I shall stand firm in defending my mother’s reputation!”

An awkward silence followed her bellow of outrage.

Chloe withdrew farther in the shadows.

Little Trouble grinned, a glint of mischief sparkling in her devious eyes.

“That statement concerning your mother remains incorrect,” Little Trouble stated, emotionless. “The truth is rather unpleasant; she was infamous and repulsive as the ugliest Juancarlos.”

Chloe gaped at her disrespect. How dare that Nameless Daughter insult her mother.

“Nevertheless, in the grave she lies,” Little Trouble spoke with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Chloe clenched her fists at her sides, lips slid downward in a frown.

“Your mother was a parasite. Nicholas disposed of her.” Little Trouble chuckled. “And us, the Nameless Daughters, celebrated the incident. How does that make you feel?”

Crossly, Zoe averted her gaze with a frown. “If ya’ll don’t shut it… if ya’ll make it longer till the tournament… well, I’m gonna strangle ya’ll. That’s how I feel.”

A burst of laughter broke out.

Chloe raised a hand to her heart.

What? The Nameless Daughters celebrated her mother’s death? Her nostrils flared. She clenched her teeth, boiling in anger.

“And everyone lived happily ever after!” Drama Queen exclaimed. “The end!!!”

Each word spoken was toxic and poisonous. Agonizing. Like there was a tormented and roaring monster entrapped within her.

A tear slid down her cheek.

“I love it! I love it!” Drama Queen laughed. “Aaaah, I love the tale of Stephany Juancarlos’s downfall!”

Her heart cracked in shards of glass. A tear splattered at her feet. Anger and despair clutched her drooping shoulders. All her remaining saneness withered―and she flashed her teeth in a seething, violent, enraged smile.

“You dare utter those words! You shall be punished!” Chloe stormed from the shadows. “You shall each be punished!”

She twisted Drama Queen’s thick brown hair in her grasp and jerked. Drama Queen cried out as she was struck in the face and shoved against the wall.

Chloe spun and collided with Little Trouble. She planted a kick in her abdomen.  Little Trouble gasped and tumbled to the ground.

Red Lips smirked pleased. “Well, well, behold the little brat.”

Chloe stood her ground. Her lips shriveled in contempt. A strange madness seared in her gaze, sour and crooked. She lurched at Red Lips, gnashing her teeth.

“Die!” a bloodcurdling scream pierced the air.

Flexible strong fingers wrapped around her neck and squeezed. Chloe thrashed, escaping the Nameless Daughter’s iron grip. She plunged downward. Her face collided with solid ground.

Stormy Girl folded jutted out her chin. “Yeah, take that!”

Chloe grimaced. Her skull throbbed and ached. Blotches obscured her vision. Images around her blurred…

And then all was dark.

 

“Chimp, fetch me a wine,” Nicholas commanded, fingers outstretched in a magical flourish. “Your master’s thirst must be quenched.”

The chimpanzee, then, offered a delightful goblet of deep red liquid. Blood wine. Nicholas slid gnarled fingers around smooth glass, raising the beauteous goblet to his wrinkled lips. He drank a little and arched an eyebrow.

“Excellent!” Nicholas bellowed, casting a slab of venison in the air. “Excellent! Excellent indeed!”

Seizing the prized meat, the unpredictable chimpanzee vanished. Scampering, as well as screaming, down the turquoise hall.

Nicholas scratched his wild beard and smirked at the strange animal.

Humans, recalling experiences in his past, possessed a strong dislike of instruction, pettiness, and illogical, unrealistic judgement. Animals proved to be much finer companions. One remarkable example was a peculiar fox.

Adrik…

Nicholas let the goblet dangle between his fingers. Indeed, Adrik was a wondrous companion.

That particular canine was a beast of adventure and intrigue and, well, sheer adorability. The fox loved Nicholas and he, in return, loved the fox. It might sound ridiculous, but no one ever favored Nicholas as much as that simple but delightful animal.

Nevertheless, before encountering the fox, an incident occurred.

All the Shadow Reapers loathed serving the King. Their desire for unlimited power and freedom resulted in rebellion. Therefore, the King cast out the “crooked-hearted” ones from His perfect kingdom.

Nicholas, descending from above, crashed against the earth. From then on he was unwelcome in the kingdom. He was cursed.

But that wasn’t the end…

It was not long until the first battle on earth began. The Shadow Reapers, enraged at the King’s rejection, sought vengeance and attempted disposing of His little beloved people. But the Golden Knights, servants―no, slaves―of the King, swore to protect the human race. The Shadow Reapers lost the battle, defeated, as a result.

Nicholas was rather disappointed. But his little companion, Adrik, brightened his sullen mood at all times.

A shimmer of moonlight in the night darkness revealed a beast roaming the woodlands. A distinct and crimson beast. He smirked and ambled forth.

Voices echoed in the distance. Nicholas paused, shaking dark hair from his brow.

The fox dashed around an oak and leapt over a stream of sparkling liquid.

His brow crinkled. I wonder where Adrik is venturing to…

He crept through the bushes. Thorns scraped his dark silk. He clenched his fists and dashed forth.

Adrik ascended an enormous hill. His crimson, white-tipped tail vanished from sight.

The peculiar sound of voices, as well as animals, became louder each passing moment.

Nicholas jerked to a halt atop the hill. A little farm spread out before him. Figures chatted around a fire. Smoke clawed at the sky, fading within the dark of night.

“Humans,” Nicholas muttered.

Silent, he crouched low, observing the fox wandering in a barn. Rushing down the hill, he crept forth and glanced in each direction. He forced the door open and snuck past the entrance of his destination.

“Hey, Adrik,” Nicholas spoke in a hushed tone. “What’re you doin’ here?”

The fox met his gaze. “Exploring the unknown.”

Nicholas rubbed his brow. Communicating―magically communicating―with animals remained utterly exhausting… Each time he spoke to an animal, and the animal spoke in return, it required magic. Forming words, unfortunately, wasn’t a natural talent for animals, so…

“Exploring the unknown, huh? Well, this is a human residence.” He chuckled softly. “Humans have been known to trap foxes and with their vibrant fur invent horrible creations.”

“I am aware,” the fox replied.

“Uh… alright…” Nicholas glanced a horse asleep in the distance. “But don’t make a racket. Humans, but fortunately not all, generally, have marvelous hearing.”

“Trust me, I am the cleverest of the beasts. The humans shan’t hear a thing.” The fox advanced, soundless, glancing at several white-and-black cows asleep in a pen. “I love adventures. But I never have been to a farm before. The domestic animals here are intriguing. The cats are quite agile and the chickens are, well, distinctly tasty. I have discovered pens full of sheep, goats, donkeys, llamas, alpacas… Are there hogs or geese here, somehow?”

“Perhaps.” Nicholas chuckled. “But do avoid the dog. The dog is, well, a little aggressive, I must claim.”

“I love aggressive.” Adrik nuzzled his master’s boots. “Shall we explore together, then? True friends explore… together.”

Nicholas chuckled and stroked Adrik’s brilliant crimson fur. His fox was quite peculiar.

“Of course, of course.” Nicholas smirked. “Let our adventure―”

“Excuse me, sir. You’re speaking to a fox. Are you insane?”

Nicholas froze, tense as steel. He arched an eyebrow.

“Sir?”

He raised his chin. “Yes?”

The human, despite his poor appearance and ragged clothes, was rather muscular. His eyes glinted pale blue in the moonlight, his hair slick and black. He appeared quite commanding and stern.

Grasping a hatchet, the human questioned, suspicious, “You aren’t here to steal, are you?”

Nicholas smirked. “No. I was led here as a result of a beloved fox. I demand that you leave my presence at once.”

“Leave?” He stiffened. “How dare you speak to me like that! I am Templeton. Templeton Juancarlos.”

“Templeton Juancarlos?” Nicholas fluttered his eyes. “That’s quite an interesting title. But I must break this to you. You are simple and worthless―ain’t even royal blood. I have the higher authority here. Leave.”

Templeton scoffed. “Never. I serve the King. I don’t serve thieves vandalizing this property,” he paused between his words, glancing at the fox, “and for your information, I don’t appreciate pests either.”

Adrik bared his teeth.

Nicholas smirked, becoming calmer. “Oh, Templeton, don’t be ignorant and foolish. You believe foxes are pests… well, think about it like this. Perhaps humans are the pests.”

“The humans?” Templeton paused, lowering his hatchet. “What do you call yourself, then? A pest?”

“No, a Shadow Reaper.” Nicholas scratched his chin. “I demand that you leave this instant. Your absence is required.”

Templeton narrowed his eyes. “A Shadow Reaper?”

“Correct.” Nicholas winked. “You have fantastic hearing.”

Templeton jutted out his chin in contempt. “You cursed monster of fate and destruction. I might be filth and rags, but the King shall be forever with me. As long as I roam the earth, no demons shall lurk upon this land!”

He swung his hatchet.

The motion was sudden as lightning.

Adrik whimpered and crumbled to the barn floor. Stepping over the bloodied corpse, Templeton raised his hatchet. Nicholas bolted forth, wrapping his fingers around Templeton’s throat.

His eyes blazed crimson. He became ginormous, hideous, monstrous―a dark, dark shadow.

Nicholas glared. “You humans are arrogant, greedy, and selfish. You claim to be a superior kind, and treat other creatures of equal importance with excessive disregard!” He gestured to the fox. “You shall die for that!”

Templeton paled, the hatchet clattering to the surface. Nicholas tightened his powerful grip, meeting his victim’s fearful eyes.

“Templeton Juancarlos,” he purred, revealing slick fangs, “what a grave, grave, grave mistake…”

He released his grip. Templeton collapsed, gasping for breath.

“Choking is a wondrous death, I have to admit.” Nicholas chuckled. “But I have in mind an exceptionally splendorous execution.”

He smirked with a blurred flourish of dark fingers.

From the darkness emerged a horse and a bull. Chickens and ducks, as well as fat pigs and a lone sheep, marched forth. Various domestic animals followed.

Templeton gasped, scrambling to his feet. “What foul magic is this? Wizards alone possess this kind of power!”

Nicholas paused, raising a clenched fist. The animals silenced.

“Indeed, a Shadow Reaper am I.” Nicholas smirked ever calmer. “But I am also a shapeshifter. Therefore, I can take whatever form I wish. Including a wizard.”

He kneeled and pressed a palm against his little companion’s smooth fur. Blood stained his ink dark fingers. He flinched, releasing a breath.

“Rest in peace, beloved critter.” Nicholas rose to his feet.

Sharply, he glanced at his foe. His lips crinkled in contempt. That despicable human being! What a little, annoying, nasty, foul pest…

He snapped a finger. “Charge.”

To his delight, the animals demonstrated obedience to his command.

The air erupted in noise. Roaring and screeching… Shredding and tearing… The dreaded screaming… Nicholas smirked and raised a hand to his chin.

He glanced at his slaughtered companion and averted his gaze. A burning, sorrowful tear slid down from his blazing eyes.

Oh, how he hated nuisances! But the worst nuisances, well, that title belonged to the human race. The Prince of Darkness, his grand and marvelous mentor, properly educated the noble Shadow Reapers concerning parasitic beings.

Amidst the dark night, he beheld the animals and smirked. As a pest exterminator, he must be strict regarding human population. His core purpose in life was logical and concise: Preserve the earth, cast out vile humans polluting beautiful lands, be crowned king of a perfect kingdom.

He cast one last glance at his little beast. “Forever shall I remember this moment.”

From the barn window, he observed a bolt of lightning flashing across the clouds. A chill rushed down his spine.

The incident faded…

He drank his wine and smirked. “Aaah, millenniums and millenniums have I awaited. The war shall rage. The Juancarlos twins have I in a tournament―but the one that triumphs shall be mine, and the magical power of the Monster Stone therewith,” he spoke, chuckling to himself. “Yes indeed, yes indeed!”

“Your Majesty,” whispered an eerie voice, “Chloe has been punished, or disqualified, from the tournaments as a result of violent behavior directed toward your granddaughters.”

The words snatched Nicholas’s attention.

He glanced across the room at the Dark Knight. “Disqualified, huh? Her violent actions intrigue me. She is reckless, burning in rage. Is that not correct, Sir Deandre?”

“Correct,” the Dark Knight answered. “She remains locked in the foulest and darkest cell. She must be wishing she was in that room that, however boring and dull, I recall you chose specifically for her.”

“Hmmm, interesting.” Nicholas drummed his fingers against the turquoise table. “Without Chloe in the tournaments, Zoe remains bound to stand victorious.” He glowered. “How dare those Nameless Daughters spoil this plan. It was an intention of mine to have the twins compete against one another―compete against danger itself. Once one of the twins has won, I shall have knowledge about what sister the prophecy speaks concerning.”

“I don’t believe I am familiar with this prophecy,” Sir Deandre stated. “May I ask what it is about?”

“Well, allow me to explain.” Nicholas stroked his beard. “There once lived these entirely random twins, alright? Chloe and Zoe! As the prophecy claims, one shall be strangled in the corrupt nature of darkness. While the other shall receive extreme power, but upon the land create horrendous destruction.”

The Dark Knight flashed crooked teeth. “Interesting.”

Nicholas smirked. “I wholeheartedly agree.”

 

Her cell was built of stone and metal.

The flickering of torches vanished in the distance, abandoning her in utter darkness. She grimaced and clenched pale-knuckled fists.

Memories flooded her mind. Eric’s clever and little parties. Sarah’s amazing and wondrous pies. Allison and Dominic. But several moments in particular she treasured; frolicking in dazzling gardens―the exquisite flowers, sweet and delicate, sparkling in multiple varieties.

She collected the beauteous scarlet blossoms. Although, her twin proved less selective in her choices; gathering in her basket each flower she obtained. Once returning home, she and her sister created brilliant flower-decorated wreaths. Later their mother prepared a dinner, scrumptious and delightful.

Chloe blinked at the distant memories, massaging her temple.

What pleasant times, she mused. Oh, what pleasant, pleasant times…

She sighed and pursed her lips, taking in her pitch-dark surroundings.

A little rodent skulked past.

She froze, startled.

Dozens of squeaks rang in her ears. She crinkled her brow, making out bustling shapes in the dark. Grotesque tails and twinkling eyes.

Rats.

I believe these critters are Nicholas’s minions, Chloe assumed. Aaah, how interesting.

She hissed and snarled her lips.

“Be gone! Be gone!” she shrieked. “Be gone, putrid scoundrels!”

The rats dispersed and vanished in the shadows. Their excessive scratching and squeaking, as well as their other bothersome noises, ceased. All was silent.

“Well, that was odd,” she stated. “I was expecting a startled reaction, of course, but how those rats all disappeared at once was… abnormal.”

“Yes, rather abnormal. I must agree.”

She spun at the thunderous voice, tendrils of wild, dark hair dangling over her blue eyes. A golden light blazed and vanished from sight. A distinct, rather pale figure emerged. Although, in the eerie darkness, he remained visible; his glow-in-the-dark appearance proved bright and glamorous. She recognized him at once.

“Hello.” The Monster King winked a sparkling emerald-colored eye. “Miss me?”

Chloe peered out her cell bars, inspecting his marvelous golden crown and scarlet cloak. “No. Should I?”

“Yes.” He chuckled. “I have arrived to strike a deal.”

Chloe studied his unreadable expression. He possessed a rather mysterious aura.

“You wanna make a deal with me?” She glared. “Who are you? I mean, what’s your name?”

“Merubalos de Albiro, the Monster King,” he replied in eloquence. “Monarch of a distant realm.”

“And what about this deal?” she demanded.

“Patience,” Merubalos spoke, arching a sarcastic eyebrow. “This deal I offer requires a simple choice. Should I grant you freedom, would you serve along with me in this war against Nicholas?”

Her lips curled in aggression. “Look, I don’t mean to sound like Zoe, but I’d cut out Nicholas’s heart. So, uh, yeah, this deal I accept…”

She grimaced in pain and clutched the cell bars for support.

Merubalos extended a hand. “Are you well?”

“No! Do I look well?” She met his blank gaze. “I have been starving, then beaten until I was unconscious, and here I awake in a freezing, dark cell! This castle has driven me insane!” She groaned. “Oh and, uh, no wonder Zoe became a dagger collecting, violent assassin! Nicholas, imprisoning and deceiving her, must have resulted in her misfortune. Oh, that wizard couldn’t be worse.”

She bit her lip.

“Well, Nicholas has proven rather callous with lives.” Merubalos stared into the distance. “He views humans as overpopulated parasites infesting an earth he swore to preserve.”

Chloe opened her mouth. The Monster King silenced her raising his hand.

“Ages in the past, the King privileged humankind with magic. Unfortunately, the Dark One stole their magic and twisted it. Nicholas received magical powers from his evil master, allowing him to manipulate and communicate with beasts, resulting in his obsession with animals. From then on, Nicholas viewed animals as unique and peculiar creatures, however, unlike humans,” Merubalos spoke with a sigh. “Now, little child, hear this ancient tale.

“Once upon a time in the woodlands, Nicholas declared an intriguing fox his most wondrous friend. But one dark night a human exterminated his little fox. Furious, he clung to a bitter and angry grudge against humankind. It might sound a little dramatic―”

“Please, I don’t want to hear more about Nicholas,” Chloe interrupted, waving her fingers dismissively. “That imbecile, I have noticed, is a sadistic, psychotic, cranky, foolish, obnoxious, animal-obsessed wizard of a freak! He’s downright sickening!” She sucked in a breath. “Just unlock this cell. Alright?”

“Well, that was rude,” Merubalos stated. “I sensed that in your distress you desired an explanation concerning the dark origin of Nicholas, so I was providing you an explanation in an attempt to deliver clarity to your mentally disturbed, fatigued mind. Nevertheless, I shall release you.”

At his words, the metal door creaked open. She blinked and staggered from her cell.

“Let us depart,” Merubalos spoke, “to a land of monsters.”

She frowned, inspecting his oddly blank, rather robotic, expression.

“Well…” She clasped her hands against each other. “Well, uh, about that Monster Stone… Uh, where is it?”

He raised his chin, his gaze, however blank and emotionless, sharp and perceptive. “You mean this?”

Chloe froze at the stone in his palm, glinting in multiple vibrant colors.

“Yes.” She straightened her shoulders. “Uh, can I have it?”

“Not quite yet. Not quite yet,” he spoke, his voice stern. “You must demonstrate self-control and pureness of heart. You must defeat Nicholas. Although, without the Monster Stone.”

“What? You’re weird.” She gaped. “I can’t defeat Nicholas without the Monster Stone.”

“Incorrect,” he replied. “I chose you, Chloe, rather than Zoe. Although, you must prove loyal and valorous should I grant you the Monster Stone, as well as pass a certain test: Ending Nicholas’s reign.” He frowned. “I lack information on whether you have knowledge of this, but a dangerous prophecy, or foretelling, doeth concern me.”

She cocked her head and folded her arms.

“Huh. You don’t trust me having the Monster Stone―uh, no offense, but don’t be delusional. Oh, and speaking of prophecies…” She raised a hand to her lips, wide eyed. “Oh.”

It struck her in the heart.

Images fluttered through her mind. Nicholas seated at a stone table. The cards in his palm. Eldymartt aflame, burning in ashes and smoke.

His each taunting little word, cruel and dark… “The most beautiful part is that one of two daughters, Chloe and Zoe, will be gifted with the gift of power! One of two daughters, Chloe and Zoe, will bring great destruction! And one of two daughters, Chloe and Zoe, will side with the darkness!”

She shuddered at Nicholas’s nightmarish cackling, clutching her temples.

Her dream. The prophecy. This was all making sense.

“Child, I believe you are experiencing extreme distress. Nevertheless, do be logical and sensible. Alright? Meanwhile, let us depart,” the Monster King continued, “and abandon this castle of rot.”

A swirling circular, transparent portal materialized in midair.

“An entrance to the land of monsters,” Merubalos declared. “A grand kingdom indeed!”

Chloe furrowed her brow. She glanced from the stone to the Monster King, and to the stone again. An irresistible urge, almost like a voice, screamed in her ears, “Steal the stone!”

Steal the stone? But stealing was wrong. Chewing on her lip, she shook her head.

What other choice was there? She was a mere girl. How else was she to defeat Nicholas, the magical wizard of animals, a powerful Shadow Reaper roaming the earth since the Beginning? She couldn’t! She couldn’t defeat Nicholas without the stone!

“You coming along?” Merubalos admired the magical stone in his palms. “Time is limited. At once we must transport ourselves through the portal.”

“Alright, alright, alright…” Chloe gritted her teeth. “I’m coming.”

She sucked in a breath as she approached the portal, her subtle fingers outstretched. Her lips curled in a mischievous smile.

“Uh, Merubalos, before we, uh, enter the portal…,” She delivered a punch to his nose and snatched the Monster Stone. “Before we enter the portal, uh, well, I must thank you for this magical, uh, gift.”

Stunned, Merubalos grasped her wrist. His original expression transformed to one of steely anger. She glared in return, and squeezed her fingers tight around the stone. A blue spark descended from her fingertips, striking the Monster King in the heart.

He gasped and stumbled. His golden crown clattered against the stone floor.

“You devious serpent!” he hissed, a venomous glint in his eyes. “This wasn’t the deal!”

“No, I’m afraid not.” She raised her chin. “But I must protect the kingdom―and that requires this.”

She grinned and gestured to the magical stone.

“Look, I don’t wish to inflict further pain upon you. However, should you be a hindrance, I won’t hesitate to obliterate you,” she spoke with a flourish of her fingers. “Farewell!”

Chloe clenched the stone in her grasp. Strands of gold illuminated the darkness and enveloped her. The stone sparked, and in a flash of glorious bluish-white flames, she disappeared.

 

She emerged within a garden.

Lush grass and fragrant flowers spread out before her. Looming over her in beautiful vastness, she beheld wondrous and azure sky.

“Oh, I love this!” she squealed, hands in the air. “Freedom at last!”

She froze and glanced at her dress. The velvet fabric, no longer vibrant as it once was, was dreadfully hideous.

“Whatever!” She laughed, clenching the stone as magic swirled between her fingers.

Magical sparkles of gold and crimson rose in the air and, once surrounding her, clung onto her. At once increasing in size, the sparkles connected to create one dazzling formation: Her extravagant dress, vivid as flames.

Chloe raised the stone in the air. “Well, a purse for this might be nice. But what color? Perhaps I should choose gold.”

She snapped her fingers. A golden purse materialized from thin air.

“Ta-da!” She snatched her magical creation. “Perfect! Flawless!”

Concealing the Monster Stone within her beauteous purse, she smiled and marched forth.

Thrilled, she spun about dozens of roses, daisies, sunflowers, and daffodils. Golden sunlight flowed over a stone fountain of glistening liquid and waterlilies. She gasped and leaned over, consuming the refreshing water. Sighing in relief, she wiped at the liquid trickling down her chin.

A disturbing croak interrupted the silence. She froze, observing a well-camouflaged frog splashing within the fountain.

The mere amphibian unnerved her. Was that another minion of Nicholas? Of course it was… What else might it be?

She shuddered in the castle’s immense, uninviting shadow. Raising her chin, she clenched her fists and tightened her jaw.

With the Monster Stone, Chloe intended on curing her sister of the wizard’s mind poison―and their relationship would then be restored. During the process, however, she might perhaps dispose of Nicholas.

She admitted the idea was strange. And she was rather temperamental and insane. But she was determined to rescue her sister from the Shadow Reaper regardless of her circumstances.

Chloe crossed her arms and trudged forth. “Sister, I’m coming.”