User blog:Nocte Dragon/A New World Ch 8

Welcome to Ch 8 of A New World. Thank you again for your continuing support on this story. I could always use advises, ideas and even tips on how to make this story better, Even new character ideas are welcomed or if not a simple comment will be fine. If you have questions about anything don’t be afraid to ask, I will reply. Thanks again

Question to my readers. I’m thinking of adding links of music that could express certain scenes in my story but I want to ask if you think this is a good idea or should I just keep my stories as they are?

Also a special shout out thank you to Munchydragon for allowing me to use his characters and helping me with some of the Ideas for this chapter once more.

 Chapter 8: Undead Secret 

After an hour of waiting outside Kara finally walks out of the house carrying her packed things. Drake could see it in her eyes that she was used to moving around and wasn't bothered but for Galen and John It was hitting them hard but they refuse to show it.

 

“Are we good or do you need more time?” Kara kindly asked

“No (Sighs) if we stay here longer it’ll just be harder to leave” John Replied “Besides sooner that we get this done the sooner we can come home again….right Galen?”

Galen nods her head “Yeah (Takes a deep breath) go ahead John lead the way.”

After we’d Left Luna Lake my friends stopped for a moment looking back at their home remembering the good moments that they had there.

(Sara notices that Drake clenched his fist) “It’s not your fault Drake. (Smiled Sara taking Drakes hand) Everything happens for a reason.”

Drake paused for a moment as her words begin echoing in my mind.

(Flashback begins showing Drake support carrying Kayla as she limps) “THIS SUCKS!” growled Kayla “Stupid hunters. They need to learn to leave markings warning others about their traps.”

“Yeah (Drake chuckles) but everything happens for a reason I mean if you didn’t step into that trap we’ve would of walked right into that Mamono trap. Plus on the bright side your leg isn’t broken, and were not too far from town.”

“Drake you’re too optimistic it scares me at times.” Smiled Kayla

“Hey if you don’t look at the bright side of things then you’ll always be miserable.” Drake replied smiling.

“Drake….Drake…..HEY DRAKE!” Shouted Galen (snapping Drake out of the flashback)

“Yes Galen?” Drake replied in a hurry

“Are you okay you've been quiet ever since we left?” Replied Galen

“Sorry I’ve just….having a hard time taking this all in. Here I am trying to repay you for your kindness but instead I ended up dragging you down with me…I feel bad about it.”

“Drake it wasn’t your actions that brought us here. We were asked by the Elder to leave in order to help prevent a vision come to past.” Replied Kara “How much further John?”

“Well since we’re heading to the Immortal woods it’ll be about half of the day’s travel there or about three to four more days if we go around it.” Replied John looking over the map

Kara interrupts John “We’re going through it.”

“Kara I know your hunting skills are good but we’re talking about the Immortal Woods. It’s not a place where we could simply hike through.”

“What’s the Immortal Woods” Drake asked

“The Immortal Woods was said to be around since the fall of paradise. It was said that these Woods can never die, never be cut, and whatever dies within these woods never stay dead. Some say this is the place where Necromancy started and this is where the undead first came to be in this world. The woods are within neutral territory meaning No Order soldiers or Demon Lord Mamonos can occupy it.”  Replied Galen as she begins sitting down

“Galen we must keep moving.” Said John as he tries to help her up

“John, I suggest we rest here because if we go into those woods unrested and end up coming across undead or worse than we won’t make it out of there alive.” Replied Galen as she holds Johns hand “Plus you should find a good road for us to take. Those woods are known to get people lost easily.”

“I agree (Kara sits down) besides since we haven’t run into any Hunters or Mamono lately it wouldn’t hurt for us to rest up a bit.

“Okay (Drake takes a seat near a tree) How long will we be resting?” Drake asked

“We’ll be moving within an hour.” Replied John folds up the map

While Drake sat there he started to doze letting the sleep take him. Drake didn’t dream like he did before but instead he began hearing voices calling out to him. At first he couldn’t make out what they’re saying and it gave him an uneasy feeling. After a while one of the voices clearly called out to Him

“HUNT….FEED…..DESTROY!” the voice shouted to Drake before a hand grabbed his shoulder.

“AAHH!” Drake cried out drenched in sweat. He begins notice that the hand that he felt on his shoulder was in fact Kara’s.

“Are you alright? You were having a bad dream.” Asked Kara as she hands Drake a canteen

 

“Yeah (sigh of relief) though I won’t consider this one a dream.” Drake replied before grabbing the canteen from Kara. As Drake finished taking sips from the canteen he notices Kara concern emerald green eyes staring

right into his.

(Kara thinking to herself) “He’s just like me…alone and tormented…could he be….”  Kara gets interrupted

“HEY YOU TWO HURRY UP WERE LEAVING!” Shouted Sara waves her arms around

“OKAY JUST A MINUTE!” replied Kara “We should get moving. The sooner we get through those woods the sooner we can get our answers.”

(Drake Thinking to himself) “Why did those eyes look familiar? Every time I looked into her eyes I feel like I’ve seen them once before. The longer I stare into her eyes the more I want to be with her, to protect her, to die for her, even clam her….Why am I thinking such things?.....SHE…IS…. (Drake thoughts get interrupted by a voice)”

“DRAKE WERE LEAVING LETS MOVE!” shouted John

“Alright alright I’m moving” I replied slowly getting off the ground.

Shaking off his confused emotions for Kara he begins traveling again. It was at least three hours of walking before he noticed the warm summer air slowly becoming colder and the sky filling up with dark clouds. Looking around Drake noticed the once beautiful fields turning darker and the leaves on the trees become shriveled and dead. It was like the closer to the woods he got the more lifeless things were around him as if life was slowly being drained away from them.

That’s when John called out to everyone. “Everyone we’re here. (Shudders) Well this is our last chance either we turn back now so either we go through take the now or long route.”

“John we both know that we have to go through here. Turning back is not an option.” Sighed Galen patting John on the back before walking closer to the woods noticing a robe woman sitting on a boulder.

“Heads up we’re not alone.” Galen said quietly as she pulls out her dagger. “Everyone be on guard”

As the group slowly approached the robed women everything went silent.

“'''AH! '''You travelers dare pass through the Immortal Woods?” Asked the Women

Galen stepped closer to the women “We dare pass through. Are you here to stop us?”

 

“'''HAHAHA! '''Silly elf I can’t force you not to enter these woods nor can I force you to enter them.” The women laughed “I’m just here to drop off the departed (jumps off bolder and pulls out notebook) besides it’s not your time yet. If I end you here before your time my master will end my existence.”

“What are you talking about?” asked Kara

The women began laughing again “Still clueless? Well maybe this will give you a hint (Holds out her hand and summons a Scythe) Okay this isn’t much of a hint but you still got the idea.”

“So even Reapers come here.” Said Galen as she tightens her grip on her dagger

“You can say it’s a pilgrimage for since we only come here once every 100 years. We come by to drop off lost souls and then find souls that’s ready to be taken to the afterlife.” Replied the Reaper as she begins looking through her notebook.

“Galen let’s keep going, If this reaper isn’t after us then we shouldn’t be bothering it” Kara Whispered

As the group begins walking pass the Reaper to enter the woods the Reaper suddenly grabbed Drake by the arm and pulls him close to her only inches away from her face. Any closer and she would be literally kissing Drake.

“Interesting.” smiled the Reaper as she stares right into Drake’s eyes “I thought they didn’t exist anymore (chuckles) and with the eyes too…very rare. You can put your weapon away girl I was just merely observing him up close.”

“If you don’t let him go you’ll be observing my blade going through your throat.” Growled Kara presses her blade against the back of the reaper’s neck.

The Reaper slowly loosens her grip on Drake and turns to face Kara. “A mortal blade against a Reaper? Not a wise choice.”

“Take a closer look.” Replied Kara

 

The Reaper eye’s begins glowing red as she observes Kara’s blade. After a minute the Reaper’s smirking face turned into pure anger “WHERE DID YOU GET THAT BLADE!?”

“I have my ways. (Starts backing up) We’re leaving now but if you follow…your master will be the least of your worries.” Kara Glared

As Drake’s group rushes into the Immortal woods the Reaper begins giggling.

“One of seven still alive and a weapon of the first war resurfaced…if only… (Thinks for a moment) It’s about time…. (Turns to first page in notebook)

Ancient hunter of shadows Awoken…

 Winged Twilight Beauty Released….

Being of Unknown Madness … 

 All born of flesh both…

 United under the Moons of silver, Violet and blood…

Death, Madness or Life none shall know till one remains…

The battle of Twilight will end…

The Old world shall crumble, The New World rising from ashes…

The New Era has begun….

“This should make my job a lot more interesting.” Smiled the Reaper before disappearing.

After getting away from the insane Reaper the group continued following the path through the woods. Images of the Reaper’s eyes staring at Drake’s gave him a very uneasy feeling. It was like she was looking into his soul….No more like past his soul as if there was something else that she was trying to see.

“Hold up.” said John as he starts looking at his map from different angles. “We have a problem.”

“What’s wrong John?” questioned Galen as she rushes up to him.

They compare the road we’re on with the map for a while. “The trail is completely gone. Like there was never a road here to begin with.”

“Sara could you climb a tree and tell us what you see.” Asked Kara

Without hesitation the Little Lamia begins to slither her way up a tree.

“John, Galen even without a trail could we still get through these woods?” Drake asked

“It’s not impossible (sighs) it’s just going to be ten times more difficult than it would’ve been if we had the road to follow.”

A few minutes later Sara arrived back to us with more dire news. I’m beginning to wonder if this was a set up from the start.

“Sara did you see anything?” The concerned Kara asked

I knew it was bad news when I saw the poor little Lamia trembling as if she was about to break down and cry [5]

“Sis…I….(Tears start running down her face) I’M SCARED KARA (Jumps into Kara’s Arms) I CLIMBED THE

TREE AND LOOKED AROUND AS YOU ASKED BUT I SAW NOTHING….ITS ALL DARKNESS AROUND US….NO SKY….NO MOUNTAINS….JUST FOREST AS FAR AS MY EYES CAN SEE!”

“I’ll take a look.” Drake exclaimed removing his armor.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Growled Kara “If Sara didn’t see anything than what makes it different for you?”

“I have to try Kara. (Starts climbing a tree) It beats sitting around doing nothing. Besides two pairs of eyes are better than one”

“YOUR STUBBORN YOU KNOW THAT! JUST DON’T CRY TO ME WHEN YOU FALL AND BREAK YOU’RE LEG! (Thinking to herself self slowly smiling) this journey is going to be exciting.

“I’ve should a picked a different tree to climb this one was a pain, branches kept breaking, spiders as big as my fist kept hissing and trying to bite me and a centipede went down the back of my shirt.” Drake thought to himself

After reaching the top of the tree and getting the centipede out of his shirt Drake took a hard long look around. “Sara was right there was no sky to speak of, and the woods went on for miles.”

“IDIOT! Look closely” shouted a voice in Drake’s head. Straining his eyes trying to see what the voice meant. Then the voice ranged in his head again. “There.”

Suddenly the black sky begins cracking as if was made of glass and within minutes the darkness completely shattered away revealing a normal night sky and the edge of the Immortal woods. Sadly we still had a ways to go before leaving this cursed place.

As Drake begins climbing back down the dreadful tree. A Spider jumps on Drake’s face causing him to lose balance. While trying to regain balance Drake grab a branch that breaks causing him to fall all the way to the ground.

 

“AAHH, ARG!” Drake yelled hitting several branches in the process before hitting the ground “aaahhh (slowly moving on the ground) freaking…Spider.” He groaned seeing Galen and Kara running towards me

“DRAKE ARE YOU ALRIGHT!” Yelled Kara “WHAT HAPPEN?”

“Freaking spider attacked me. (Groans trying to roll over) I think I have broken something (Rolls over to his side hearing a crunch) tell me Galen how bad is it?”

“Well you did break something (picks something off the ground and shows Drake) you broke this poor spider.”

“aarrgg….serves it right for attacking me. Ouch Did I break any bones?” Drake groaned as he lays on his back

“Not that I can tell. Bruised but surprisingly not broken.” Replied Galen

“YOU POOR THING!” yelled Sara rushing past to us to the crunched spider and proceeds to poke at it.

“Oh yeah poor spider. Don’t worry about Drake it’s not like he fell 15 feet off a tree or anything. I swear that girl likes nature more than anything…OH! Did you see anything Drake?” Kara asked helping Drake sit up.

“Yeah (Groans while sitting up) if we continue west will be out of these woods within hours.” I replied

“That’s weird Sara said she couldn’t see anything….Did you hit your head or something?” questioned Galen.

“Well besides getting attacked by a big spider and falling 15 feet from a tree OH COURSE I HIT MY HEAD!(Takes deep breath) But no my mind is clear and when I was up there I noticed a road leading a forest to the west. Even if it doesn’t lead us to the pass of Dagon it’s still better than here.”

“Well we can go west (looks behind her) but we must be careful. If we lose direction or get distracted along the way we may never get another to find our way out like this again.” Replied Galen as she helps Drake stand up.

“Then we should…Arrgg…get started then.” Drake groaned holding his ribs “You sure I didn’t break anything?”

“Yes I’m sure. Stop whining and walk it off.” Replied Galen as she walks back to John.

“You lead the way Drake.” Said Kara as she pats my shoulder and walks up to Galen and John.

“Why do I get the feeling this going to come back to haunt me later.” Drake mumbled before walking up to the rest of the group. “Alright everyone this way.”

As Drake begins leading his group west a pair of eyes glowed in the distance.

 GABRIEL POV 

The castle of the Queen of Hearts is silent as a grave. All of the servants had left for the day, but the castle was not empty. In the throne room, Gabriel and the QoH were sitting in a circle with two other cloaked figures.

 

One, of the figures, extended its arm and offered a purple card Gabriel. Gabriel accepted the card, and gazed at it briefly. He then offers two cards to the QoH. She grabbed one of the cards and tossed it along with another card in her hand on the floor.

The remaining card in Gabriel’s hand exploded into several purple chains that quickly bind Gabriel pinning him to the wall of the throne room.

“Gabriel you were a fool to think that you could trick me.” Said the queen as she taps her foot warping all of the cards on the floor started to into arrows.

The QoH snaps her fingers plunging the arrows into Gabriel’s body. The Queen stares at Gabriel, as the two figures remove their cloaks revealing two Cheshire cats that looked quite a bit like Gabriel.

“Alison, Madison it is time.” The Queen announced

Alison nods “Papa you’ve lost, so now you have to pay the price. It is our duty as your daughters to take you down.”

Gabriel smiled as Alison extended her paw and launch chains from her feet piercing Gabriel’s chest.

“Papa do you surrender?’ Madison asked.

Gabriel thought to himself for a minute.

“I give up.” Smiled Gabriel

“Yataaaaaaaa!” Madison shouted stretching her limbs and tail before vanishing and reappeared at the ceiling of the throne room.

The chains holding Gabriel vanish and he falls to his knees.

“That’s the 10th game of Madness Maid, you’ve lost today Papa. I did not think it was possible to lose that many times in a row. So can we play again Papa?” said Madison as she falls from the ceiling and lands on her feet.

“Yeah Papa let’s do it again.” Said Alison

Gabriel smiled. “Of course we can Cocette, but should you and Alison be eating cake at this hour?” Alison and Madison blush as their bodies start to shrink.

In seconds two little girls were standing were Alison and Madison was a moment ago.

“The queen said it would more dramatic, if we looked like grownups” Alison

“Oh it was more dramatic, my dear, but you are only nine dear. You don’t have to worry about making an impact yet. Kuhuhuhu” Gabriel chuckled.

The QoH sits on her throne. “As much as I love seeing your Papa, lose a game of Madness Maid, I have business to discuss with him, so if yo……” Before the QoH could finish her sentence Alison and Madison vanish.

 

“Your daughters are certainly something Gabriel” the QoH sighs

“They take after their mother just as much me. Kuhuhuhu. One day they will become greater than anything I could ever dream of. When that day comes, the day you seize your Mother’s throne won’t be far behind.”

“I know they are capable of great things but I believe that we should talk about a more pressing issue” the QoH says.

“Ah yes what is this business that you wanted to discuss” Gabriel asks

“It’s about Blair.” Qoh says

“What about her?” Gabriel asks.

“Someone was able to capture her.” The QoH says

“Even, I am unable to catch her if she does not want me to. Who could have done it?” Gabriel asks.

“Yoru” Said the Queen

“Oh so after all these years he is finally making his move. Hmm, I need to contact Lucian. So where is Blair now?” Gabriel asks.

“She is currently looking for more information on the New World prophecy.” the Queen replied.

 BLAIR POV 

Soon as Blair appears in the Immortal woods she begins hearing voices echoing in the woods but is having a difficult time trying to locate the sound.

“Now where is that coming from?” Blair mumbled as she tilts her head slightly attempting to equalize the sound in her ears.

A voice called out to Blair from the darkness “Are you from Wonderland?”

“Oui.” Replied Blair as she attempts to locate the voice

“Why are you here?” the voice asked

“Several reasons.” Blair called to the voice

“Oh…well be careful there’s magic here where life and death doesn’t exist.”

“Like the Skeleton about to grab you on your right?” Blair called out trying to get a reaction from the unknown voice in attempts to find where it’s coming from

The Laughter started echoing around Blair “That’s why I prefer the trees. Plus the undead doesn't bother the living too much us less she demands it

Blair glances up a tree noticing a werebat hanging from it “So that’s where you’ve been hiding.”

“I wasn’t hiding it was more like hanging around” the werebat giggled “Your senses are good but these woods can still cause you trouble.

“You’re cute aren’t you.” Blair purred “What’s your name dear?”

The werebat giggles “Thank you. My name is Evelina Nacht and sorry in advance but this girl is already promised to another.”

“Oh it’s a pleasure to meet you Evelina” replied Blair as she curtsied “My name is Blair (Letting out a bright smile).”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I must advise any lustful thoughts…it stirs the dead and makes them rise.” Said Evelina “So you want to stir the dead then?” asked Blair



“No thank you they would be too much to handle if you arouse them (Flies to another tree grabbing an apple) you’re looking for someone (slowly starts turning human soon as she started eating the apple).”

“Am I looking for someone?” questioned Blair before thinking to herself “Those apples appear to have some shape shifting ability or at least an illusion potential…Interesting”

Evelina turns her head sideways “Or Something?”

“Or something” replied Blair as she turns and starts walking away but stops and turns back “Thank you for the information.” Blair called out before continuing to walk away

“There were others that passed by here. Two men, three women and a shadow.” Evelina called back

“Never heard of them, but thank you” replied Blair as she continues to walk not stopping once.

Evelina jumps into another tree watching Blair walking away “I guess I must tell the mistress then” Evelina turns back into her bat form and flies off.

Blair’s ears prick picking up what Evelina said. “So she is reporting to a mistress…Interesting” Blair Thought to herself.

Blair starts to wander deeper through the woods sniffing around “It should be around here somewhere.” Blair mumbled

Meanwhile

Evelina is flying towards a cemetery where there’s a woman mediating.

“My lady you have guest.” Bowed Evelina

“Very well I’ll go deal with them. Good work Evelina.” Sighed the women as she walks through a green portal.”

SOMEWHERE IN THE IMMORTAL WOODS

As Blair continues walking she begins hearing a male voice in the distance. Ignoring the voices Blair continues to keep sniffing around in attempts to locate something.

Off in a small distance away from Blair somewhere in the woods Drake and John are disputing about where they need to go.

“We need to go this way (Points South).” Said John

“South just takes us deeper into the woods we have to go west.” Replied Drake trying to be patient with John

“We’re lost now so let’s just keep going straight will get out eventually.” Sighed Kara

Little ways away Blair looks towards the direction of the voices and soy’s the three figures “Oh if it isn’t Drake and Kara and someone who… (Sniffs in the air) smells like an elf.” Mumbled Blair before Disappearing and reappearing behind them and begins staring at Kara.

“Whatever the decision we need to tread lightly. The dead can be easily awoken.” Said Galen

While Blair is observing the Queen of Heart’s voice begins echoing in Blair’s memory “Remember stay out of sight from Drake and Kara for now. It’s not time yet for them to meet you. Your mission is to find out why and how the hunters attacked Lake Luna and report back.”

After remembering the Queens words Blair begins to port throughout the forest. Suddenly Blair notices a pair of dolls sitting on a floor “Oh I found them.” As Blair begins to reach for them a voice stops her.

“HALT CAT!” Shouted a woman carrying an ebony staff “Those dolls should not be touched by human or Mamono hands.”

“And why is that?” replied Blair before thinking to herself “These are my daughters dolls what is she thinking.”

“They are deceivers, Cursed to appear as one’s heart’s desire in order in order to be removed from the seal. If removed, the dead will be the least of our worries.” Replied the women

“What seal exactly? Asked Blair “(Thinking to herself) the dolls were sown with madness installed in them, could she be referring the Maios?”

 

"I don’t know. They have been longer than me or my teacher. Rumor has it that they were here after the great fall. Believe me I studied a lot of magic and still found no answers but I can sense great madness upon them.” Said the women as she begins to sit on the ground staring at the dolls.

Blair pulls out two identical dolls “I have sewn plenty of these dolls and filled them with madness. Those dolls before you just happen to be my daughters’ favorite.”

“These were made with much hatred. Hatred that’s greater than the current and previous Demon Lord’s.” Replied the women

“You’re not listening are you? I created these dolls. You must be mistaking them for something else.” Blair replied.

The women begin holding her amulet tightly “I wish that was true.”

Suddenly chains burst from the ground and binding the women tightly and starts to inject her soul with madness

“I’m sorry but you have to either join me or die, I can’t be seen.” Said Blair.

Voices begins echoing in the woods.

“They’re a noisy bunch.” Said the women as she turns the chains to ashes and summons a green orb revealing Galen and John arguing. “This is not good. They’re getting too close to the others.” Mumbled the women as she gets up and begins walking.

“Your secret is safe as long as you keep mine.” The women Glared “The name is Arcana by the way.”

Blair disappears in a flash of purple light not noticing the seal under the Dolls being to Crack. Later reappearing somewhere in the woods

“Alright my lesser goals are done, let’s start the Queens request.” Mumbled Blair as she begins disappearing once more while placing an object into her bag.

Blair appears in front of a build seeing a figure walking inside. “Who is he?” Mumbled Blair as she begins following the figure inside.

Once Blair was inside the building voices begins echoing around her “Kill the women…free us from her evil.”

Blair ignores the voices and turns invisible and continues walking forward. After a while of walking Blair drops down on all fours and begins running at full speed.

Within minutes Blair goes inside a large room where the figure is standing.

“How interesting?” Whispered Blair.

“Interesting indeed.” the figure replied

“I would be grateful if you could just tell me who you are and what you want? That way I could leave, I really don’t have time for this.” Asked Blair

“All in due time but for now enjoy the show.” Replied the figure as he sits on the ground and summons a sphere revealing the undead being attacked by adult size and child size living dolls.

“I really would rather not. Sighed Blair “What show exactly?”

The figure begins laughing “The death of the Immortal woods. These woods hold so many secrets and house many ancient creatures. It’s going to be fun seeing these old creatures loose again. For some, these woods are a new life but for others a prison. These Demon Lords and their daughters are nothing but an annoyance. Not like my Master he ruled with an Iron fist and lead monsters to absolute victory against the humans.”

“Oh will you?” Blair nods while thinking to herself “If only every fool was this open, we would not need actual spies.”

“But that age has passed long ago and now I serve no master. (Looks at sphere seeing Drake getting swarmed by the children dolls) HMM what a disgrace.” The figure sighed.

"His form is sloppy, and he is controlled by his emotions, you can't expect much from him" sighed Blair "May I borrow a few of those dolls kind sir?"

The figure burst out Laughing “So you do know him. Now the question is how much?” Suddenly a bone sword stabs the figure through the back by a skeleton “Oh that really hurts (Laughs ignoring the sword) I can’t control the dolls no matter how much I want to.”

“Not that much really, I see no refinement to his movements, and he has an emotional stench to his aura. It is often associated with lack of control." Blair replied

“True but there are many that would pay nicely for that little bit of info” The figure smiled as he turns the skeleton into ashes instantly without even flinching.

“What need do I have for money?" Questioned Blair

The figure shrugged “No clue but for me it can help find True Names.”

Blair stared at the figure for a bit. “True names only apply to those that recognize them."

“I'm talking about names that can release ones true power or control another.” The figure Grinned.

"Like this “Blair mumbled a few words "Leviathan kneel"

The figure switches to a kneeling position and begins laughing “That would work if that was my true name. (Pulls out watch) I must leave my dear but I will see you again. Oh and tell Gabriel I'll be meeting with him later.”

"I thought that would work but I guess I will take my leave" Blair teleports out of the room to Wonderland. Blair’s log (Gabriel you were right. Leviathan was a false name he planted ages ago. So that means that his true name is….)

 DRAKE POV 

“ENOUGH! Galen, John please keep it down. Kara? Drake yelled before looking at Kara.

“I’m staying out of this one Drake.” Shrugged Kara.

While John and Galen continue arguing Drake begins to hear laughter in the distance “Guys….Hey Guys…..QUIET!...Listen. “Drake yelled.

Suddenly Galen gets slashed in the back of her leg. “AARRRGGG!” Galen Screamed falling to the ground.

The laughter of children begins echoing throughout the woods. While John tries rushing to Galen he hears Laughter behind him. In a Split second John turns around swinging his Warhammer hitting nothing behind him but within a second John suddenly gets a deep gash across his chest.

“WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON!?” Yelled Kara turning around to see Drake rushing at her with his sword drawn. Without hesitating Kara dodges Drakes Blade “What are you D…..(A child size doll falls in front of her slit in half).”

“These dolls are not Mamonos…Their constructs.” Drake replied quickly turning around slicing another one in half. “Most likely made for war purposes.”

Kara hears laughter coming from the ground. Looking towards the ground Kara see’s the split doll putting itself back together. “NO YOU DON’T!” yelled Kara as she slices the doll into four more pieces only to notice it still trying to pull itself back together.

“KARA! Don’t bother they keep putting themselves together and scattering the pieces doesn’t work. Every time I try they just come back like their magnetized.” Drake Shouted as he tries fighting the increasing number of dolls.”

Kara begins looking around “It’s the woods. (Turns around and freezes a doll) These dolls are draining the immortal woods somehow. That’s what’s keeping them alive.”

Drake turns to face Kara only to have an arrow fly inches away from his face. “Kara’s right look around.” Galen groaned. “Every time we break these thing the trees start rotting away.”

Kara starts looking around frantically “WHERES SARA?!”

“I lost sight of her.” Drake replied before blocking an adult size dolls mace. “CRAP THEY’VE GOTTEN BIGGER!”

Suddenly the dolls start changing into a more deadly form causing them to fall on the grown immobile.

“NOWS OUR CHANCE RUN!” Drake yelled as everyone starts running

As the group continues to fight their way through the dolls and run Kara lets out a yell “SARA!”

 SARA POV 

Sara awakens to a pounding noise echoing in the hallway. Sara begins getting up off the ground when she sees a group of zombies and skeletons about 5 feet from her. Sara was about to run but doesn’t as she watches the undead walking past her and continues towards the pounding sound.

Looking around Sara notices a pile of destroyed dolls around her “Where am I? How did I get here?” Sara Mumbled Before hearing a woman’s voice echoing in the hall.

Sara being slithering towards the sound hoping not to be heard. After sneaking for a while Sara comes across a room with strange books, glass jars, doctor tools and seals painted in the middle of the floor with a woman standing there talking to 2 green spirits in front of her.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY’VE AWOKEN?!” shouted Arcana

The spirits bow their head before one of them replied “As we said once before the Children awoken and the seal is broken.”

“The undead is being hunted and the woods that once kept them alive is now dying. Once the woods die the undead will be like be weakened and all we’ve stride to prevent will be undone.” Sighed the other spirit.

“NO! My master and her master before made sure that seal won’t be released.” Replied Arcana before realizing something “IT WAS HER!”

“Mistress?”

“I came across a woman that was trying to grab one of the objects used for the seal. They turned into dolls that she seek. There’s no other explanation the other group that past by wasn’t even close to them.”

“Are you sure mistress?” questioned one of the spirits

“Yes, the youngest in the group was endangered when the dolls attacked so I took the opportunity not only to rescue her but also extract information from her.” Arcana answered with a harsh stare

“Even so How? An ordinary woman would be able to remove them from the seal it’s not poss…” replied the Spirit before being interrupted by Arcana stabs her staff on the ground

“SHE WASN’T HUMAN YOU FOOL! She was a Cheshire from wonderland.”

“Do you think the Queen of Heart wanted this?” Asked the Spirit

“I won’t know until I go there and talk with her. Regardless these woods are doomed and whoever releases its ancient secrets….I don’t want to think about what she just unleashed. These dolls cannot be destroyed as long as they keep draining the essence of the forest and in order to stop it the forest must be destroyed…We’re in a lose-lose situation.”

“What about the child.” Asked the spirit “Yes, what shall be done with her?” asked the other one.

“Nothing she is under my protection until Evelina returns. Once she returns I’m getting the child out of these woods, if those dolls get here they’ll use her blood to free their master.” Arcana Sighed “3 dangerous creatures are sealed here and I failed to keep them sealed….Go find whatever spirit, Undead, or creature that lives in these woods and bring them here. I’m saving what I can.”

The two spirits bow before speaking in unison “Yes Master.”

As Sara is about to sneak away Arcana calls out to her. “Don't worry little one you’re safe here the dolls can't cross the barrier. What’s your name?”

“I..I’m Sara….Wh..Where am I?”

“You’re in the catacombs my dear where it’s safe for now.” Sighed Arcana before pulling a chair for her before sitting down. “It’s a shame the undead are starting to lose power and the woods will be dead in day’s releasing something worse than these dolls. I remember begin your age and playing in these woods.”

“How I get here?” Sara asked

Arcana closed her eyes for a moment avoiding eye contact “I saved you when your group was under attack. It happened so fast…as soon as your friends got overwhelmed the dolls had already knocked you out and try dragging you away.” Arcana summons a green orb “At least your friends are still alive…They’re so close of leaving the woods but they won’t (Smiles and looks at Sara) they’re looking for you.”

“What are you going to do?” Sara Asked with a sad look on her face

Arcana stands up and hands Sara two stuff Cheshire dolls. “You know whenever I got scared at your age I always trusted my friends to help me. I would give you my old voodoo doll toy when I was little but these ones are probably more to your liking. (Smiles) These originally belong to someone else but I think they won’t mind if you hang onto them until then.”

“Thank you. I’ll take really good care of them until I find who they belong to (Hugs them closely)”

“You’re an interesting Lamia little one. I can tell you’ve got an important future coming to you and I have a feeling that the owners of those dolls will be the ones that will help you.” Chuckled Arcana

“MISTRESS!” Shouted Evelina rushing into the room “Mistress... (Takes deep breath) We saved as many as we could but sadly their as still many out there that I couldn’t reach.”

“You did all you can. (Walks up and pats Evelina renewing her energy) Now I have one task for the both of you.” Said Arcana “Sara When Evelina drops you off outside of the woods I need you to call your friends names into this green gem (Hands her a green gem as big as her hand). This will help lead them out of the woods. As For Evelina…”

“Yes mistress I will get her safely out of these woods and return right away to help prepare the ritual.” Replied Evelina

“Good be safe little one.” Arcana Waved as Evelina picks Sara up and flies through a portal. Arcana begins feeling a tear rolling down her face. “She looks so much like her… (Looks at the sky) D@mn you…He will pass judgment on you once more and when he does I’ll be right there beside him waiting to curse you for all eternity.”

DRAKE POV

“JOHN ON

John turns and smashes three dolls with his war hammer “Persistent little B…”

Kara points upward “Galen Aim for the ones in the trees.”

“Got it.” Replied Galen as she shoots 5 dolls trying to jump on them

Drake Slashes three more only to watch them but themselves back together. “It’s no good. John, Galen, Kara get out of these woods I’ll find Sara.”

“DON’T BE STUPID YOU’LL BE TORN APART BEFORE YOU TAKE A STEP!” Shouted Galen

“THEN WHAT SHOULD YOU DO GALEN? LEAVE SARA BEHIND!” Drake growled

“OVER THERE!” shouted John

Drake turned to see what John was shouting about only to see a faint glowing green light

“RUN TO IT!” Shouted Kara

“ARE YOU INSANE WE DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT IS…IT COULD BE A TRAP!?” Shouted Galen

“IF WE STAY HERE WE’LL DIE OR WE CAN RUN TOWARDS THAT LIGHT AND PROBABLY SURVIVE!” Drakeyelled angrily

“THEN LET’S GO!” Shouted John as he grabs Galen and starts running

Without any delay Drake and Kara begins running after them. While running Drake glances over his shoulder only to notice many Dolls chasing after them.

Within moments we manage to make it outside of the woods. Drake turns around preparing for the dolls but noticed that they completely stopped refusing to leave the woods like they’re bound to it. We were safe…for now and a good thing too.

Everyone was tired and exhausted from the fighting but now that the dolls have stopped pursing us it gave us time to rest. Silence filled our group for a while before a voice rang out that cause Drake to forget all that happened.

“DRAKE, KARA, GALEN, JOHN YOUR SAFE!” Shouted Sara as she jumps into Kara’s open arms

“SARA (TEARFUL) I’M GLAD YOU MADE IT!” Replied Kara “how did you?”

“A woman and her friend saved me and brought me her (Pulls out green Gem) she gave me this and said it will help lead you out.” Smiled

“It looks like in the end you ended up saving us instead.” Drake laughed

Galen begins walking over to John and begins treating his chest wound. “Take this time to treat your wounds and rest. With those woods dying it’s just a matter of time before they start chasing us again.”

As we sat there in silence trying to catch our breath John begins chuckling “I told you we should of went around but NNOOOO! Never listen to the human he has TOO MUCH COMMON SENSE!" he Laughed

“Calm down before I tear your stitches open.” Galen giggled before being interrupted by a female voice.

“Avoiding trouble would have been wiser you know.” The voice Echoed

Everyone jumps to their feet in our fighting position trying to find where the sound came from.

“Great now we got a ghost after us.” Mumbled Kara as she looks around

“Avoiding trouble is better said than done. It’s just drawn to us like the plague” Drake answered

“THAT’S NO EXCUSE! And another thing I’m no ghost.” The voice Sighed “Okay first step find moi.”

As we begin looking around the voice continues to speak to us “Tick Tock, (Sighs) I really should have borrowed a pocket watch.”

“WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU WANT!?” shouted Kara

“And my problem just comes out and presents itself.” Blair appears before the group fully visible

“Wait a minute (Takes a closer look at Blair) your like Amelia.” I said

Kara turns to look at Drake surprised “How do you know about Amelia?”

Blair grins “You realize by that logic I can say you’re like John”

Drake bows his head in respect “I didn’t mean to sound rude.”

“STOP APOLOGIZING SO FAST! We don’t even know who she is or why she’s here” Kara Glared

Blair begins looking at Kara “I get the distinct impression you don't like me. Anyway why do you think I am here?"

“I apologize on their behalf. We just got recently attacked and are a little on edge. We're hoping to gain some ground before we rest for the night. Would you like to tag along?" Replied John

Galen walks up and smacks John “WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!?”

While John and Galen start arguing Sara slow approaches Blair.

Blair Smiles at the little Lamia “What’s your name little one?”

“I’m Sara, What’s your name?” Sara asked with curiosity

“My name is Blair. It’s a pleasure to meet you Sara.” Replied Blair bowing her head

Sara bows back smiling “Same here.”

“It never hurts to be polite, now since I doubt you can put two and two together at this point, I will just state my purpose. I’ve been sent by my mistress to fight you.” Said Blair with a cold stare as the group faces turned from a relax state into a concern look.”