They Called Me FIVE

LANCE

At the bottom of the spiral stairs, we can hear the howls of beasts. They're getting close. We look at each other. Magnus signed we keep going. I nod. The end is drawing near. There's a strange yellow light dancing at the top.

Magnus fired two or three questions to Seven, she didn't answer. Her voice was silent in our head. We take it, talking is done. Time to drill some action. I still can't get a clear grip about the new revelation she spoke to us.

Switching souls? My Dad didn't actually absorb my blessing? Then what was all that taunting Lista has done to me? Was it for his ego satisfaction to watch me suffer? Or to push me on edge so I'll go back getting stronger?

But one thing is for sure. Their betrayal is certain. What Seven said had only glazed their intentions. Shift the weight of their sin to this Dark Elf guy. Still, it didn't change anything. Magnus reached the top first and do a somersault to kick off the lid. 

The metal creak, the hinge came off and it's rattling at the top somewhere. He poke his head, searched the ground. He nudge us to follow him as he climb the last step up. I thought the surface was clear. 

I should've known. 

I helped Seven up. The moment I touch her hand I'm reminded of summer. Warm, mellow. Considering she has 'life blessing' I know its natural of her to have this laidback carefree aura. 

I could see the mossy walls grew tiny leaves. Literally. I stifle a smile. Looks like the person herself is unaware of it. A roar comes from behind me, loud, ear piercing, sinister roar unlike I'd ever heard before, followed by the sound of chains rattling, metal clunking against the chains until a gnashing tear came out. As if whatever is bound in those chains is let loose. 

A loud deafening bang snaps our attention to what's at front. The whole flock was there. Standing, the wind flipping their costumes. Their helmets barely hiding their hairless head. Except those with human face like Lista, everyone was god awful green and ugly they brought ghouls in movies to shame. 

Magnus tensed beside me. His eyes transfixed to the Dark Elf at the center. Their gaze met, and a spark of lightning cracked between them. Literally.

"Nice to meet you again, half breed Ranker." The Dark Elf greeted. His sunken black eyes didn't curve in humor together with his chapped white lips. The translucence of his skin struck me. I feel I'm staring face to face with a vampire who'd never seen the sun for thousand of years.

"Hey Magnus," I whispered.

"I sparred with him one time. Together with the Rank Elders and my fellow Rankers if you're wondering how we knew each other." He said. 

"I was gonna ask if you guys don't have sun in your realm, look at that dude. He badly needs sunbathing." 

Magnus chuckled. Seven spared me a glance, amusement dancing in her eyes. 

"We have. It's just the Dark Elves are home buddies and keep their selves locked up in their caveholes to mate." 

"Oh, how rude of me. I didn't notice my favorite toy is here." The Dark Elf turned his attention to me. I was gonna say eyeball but those shocked black sunken eyes don't have eyeballs to look at me so… attention it is, or head turning.

"How's faring with your blessing doing lately? Any improvements? I would love to hear some good news. Investing in you takes a lot of patience, and I'm not a patient man." 

I snort. "Oh, really? Where's my share? I'm entitled to have half of the profit your reaping if you're talking about ME being used as EXPERIMENT TOOL in this INVESTMENT of yours." 

The Dark Elf cocks his head. His eyes transform to those of a human eye. Only with slit pupils, same thing cats have. I don't know why but it sends saxophone mallet down to the deepest part of my gut. 

"Well, I stand corrected." His voice became smooth and rich, the friendly laidback tone disappeared. He's still smiling, and I'm getting creeps each time it stretch to his upper cheekbone. 

"I'm not in a hurry anyway, so you can take all the time in the world to develop your blessings. For the meantime, me and your half breed Seeker can venture out in the next location to find more Eklektos. Surely you won't mind do you, Five, Seven?" 

Seven was quick on her feet and summon thick branches from the ground to capture each one of the Faery minion behind the Dark Elf. Lista smack the coming branch with his sword. It grew two other swirling branch and knot itself on his feet. 

The Dark Elf chuckled. He raised his frail hand and the ten slithering branches melted in the shadow. Magnus ran straight to him. His hands clutching the hilt of cross swords he sheath from thin air. 

I shake my head. Seven stayed on her ground. Crimson eyes focused on every skully warriors and Aufs she's able to evaporize to dust. I train my eyes to Lista, standing beside him, I may not recognize the new vein popped face and leather wings outgrowing at his back… but I know.

I spent all my life under his shadow it's impossible I won't discern the beard under his chin, the laidback face that usually glowered at me every morning. Striking and batting me with a scabbard for my weakness. 

I smiled ironically. He noticed me.

"It's good to see you Dad." 

I clawed on my Mark, the shadows crawled its way from the ground. I call on the dead bodies I killed under the rumbles of this building. And to other ghosts or apparitions wandering aimlessly at the corridors. 

I whispered in their minds. Take full control of their will. To do my bidding. I raised my arms. My fingers shaking, each rise up from their slumber. Their feet stamping in below ground. Crawling to the staircase, to answer my calling. They're coming here. 

This is my secret technique. Raising the dead…back to life. 

They're not exactly zombies. Just skeleton warriors willing to fight for my cause. Another roar from that monstrous Beast cuts through the screams of pulverize Faeries. My blood turn cold. My warriors stop in confusion.

I lost my hold for a second. I shake my head. I pulled them towards me. All of them. One by one, they pour out of the tunnel hole and lined up like little kids crossing for pedestrian lane. My eyes are still trained to Lista, to Dad. 

No matter how I study Lista, I can't see the similarities he had with Magnus. Magnus is reckless, arrogant, egoistic, and hell of a piece of crackpot but he's never good at deception. I see that in the way he moves, in the way he acts, the way he speaks. 

Everything he do is for the sake of all of us. Unlike Lista who'd beautify his action behind self satisfactory, flowery words. 

At the far end of the fence, there's a wall with big crates, something was stuck inside, rattling against the wooden box. It's trying to come out of its prison, trying to break free. I paid it no attention. Lista saw me. Dad saw me. 

I commanded my skeletal warriors to march in their direction. They charged. Dad, with his green scaly talons, whacked the head of my zombies, sending it rolling across the floor. Lista picked up a sword somewhere, then started to smack and trip my warriors on their feet. 

Their bones shattered at the impact. He swirled his hand in a low arc. Flames erupted at his fingers. He grab one of my zombies and started to burn its chest, then it crawled up to his skull. Lista sneered at me. As if saying, 'Is this the best you got?'

Dad, catching glimpse of the burning skeletal warrior, he's struck with the idea to burn them too. I watch him flung my zombies in the air. Flying in a perfect arc and landing, at the fire Lista set ablaze. 

And they kept doing it…until my skeletal warriors are reduced to one. The last one standing made a dent to Lista's ribs. Piercing his side with a silver blade. I grinned. 

Lista scream, furious, he crack the skull using his knees. Before dumping the body to the blazing fire. He staggered, eyes leering at me with madness.

"Is that all you got sport? How disappointing." 

I undid my control over my warriors and set them free. My shadows sink back to me. Covering me with black waves the foolish skully warriors who dared to attack me back off. They knew. Take another step to my circle and they'll die.

I'm super pissed. My blood boils with rage. I'm gonna kill both of them tonight. Sure, I felt sorry for Magnus, but if he knew the truth, if he knew this is what becomes of the father he once admired, he'll also feel the anger that's driving me mad right now.

I'll spare him from that pain. I'll end both our father's life, right here, right now.