Chapter 52: Dark Realm 52

Brinley bolted upright as screams echoed down the hall. Quickly, she threw back to the covers and got dressed. Joy swung open the door. “What’s going on?” Brinley laced her shoes.

“I don’t know it sounds like a fuckin war out there.”

“Let’s go help.” Brinley raced down the hall toward the commotion. Joy followed Brinley into the fray. The pair froze as the horror around them became reality. Fires burned in the forest sending embers raining down on the ground.

“What the hell?” Joy squeezed the handle of her hatchet. “What do we do?”

“We fight.” Brinley raced into the melee. With no time to give in to her fears, she threw herself at the demons around her. “What is this?” Brinley glanced around.

“It’s the Alu.” Cillian stomped his hooves. “Don’t let them touch you.”

“Uh.” Brinley stared down at her hand. “I touched it.”

Cillian shook his head, his mane flowed around him. “Be careful.” Cillian released an arrow.

Brinley turned around. “Thank you.”

Cillian nodded. “Someone must protect the young ones.”

“I’ll do it.” Brinley glanced around. From across the battlefield, Glory was surrounded by two centaurs she remembered from their earlier introduction. Brinley fought her way toward Glory. From behind Brinley’s shoulder burned. She stared at the blood soaking her shirt. “Screw this.” Brinley pulled off her fingerless glove. She wiggled her fingers. “Hey, you,” Brinley yelled. “Eat this.” Brinley threw a ball of lightning at the Alu. The bright light dissolved the shadowy creatures.

“Do you know who’s doing this?” Glory shouted.

“I saw Maxwell over there.” Brinley pointed.

“I knew he was a traitor.” Glory groaned. “Thank you.” Glory nodded. “You’re bleeding.”

“I know. Cillian wanted someone to protect the young ones. Are you going to be, okay?”

Glory nodded. “Where is Cillian?”

“I’m not sure.”

Glory stared down at Brinley's ash-covered face. “Save as many as you can.” Glory gave Brinley a slight nod, then raced off to find Cillian.

Brinley stared at the chaos. Upon hearing the cries of the young centaurs Brinley rushed forward. From the darkness, an Alu pounced on Brinley’s shoulders. It stuck its talons deep under her skin. Brinley screamed in pain. The creature tore at her tender skin. Brinley fell to the ground. She rolled on the ground trying to get a hold of the thing killing her. The earth shook, and thunder rumbled in the distance. With both hands she reached back to grab the Alu by its throat, heat generated from her hands burned the creature. Ash mixed with black blood speckled her body. Brinley struggled to her feet. Her knees shook with each step. Around the corner, Brinley’s heart sank. Brinley bolted inside; she covered her mouth at the sight of all the carnage around her. By her feet were the bloody bodies of the young ones. Tears streamed down her face. Brinley put her head back and screamed. “Please, please, please.” Brinley fell to her knees, praying as she turned over each battered body hoping at least one of them survived.

“Help me.” A tiny voice whispered.

“I hear you. I’m coming.” Brinley went toward the sound. In the back of the house curled up in a corner was a tiny female centaur named Ren. “I’m here, Ren.” Brinley cradled Ren in her arms. “You’re going to be okay.” Brinley rocked her back and forth. “I’m here now. You’re safe.”

“They came in like a wisp of darkness. It started with Morgan. Something got inside him. He started attacking us. Morgan spat darkness into their mouths. They began ripping each other to shreds.”

“Who did this to you?”

Ren’s eyes fluttered. “Demons. Glory always said I am the best hider in the village.”

“Glory is right, Ren. You are the best at hiding. Did you see anyone else?”

“I saw Keir. He bashed Mara’s head in with his hoof.” Ren shook.

“It’s okay.” Brinley brushed her strawberry blonde hair away, revealing a large gash on her scalp. Deep inside, her anger burned. “I’m going to get you out of here. Can you walk?”

Ren coughed. “I can try.”

Brinley helped Ren to her hooves, and with great care, Brinley helped Ren outside.

“Everything is burning. Everyone is dead.” Ren cried.

“Try not to look. Let’s get to the caves.” Brinley tried her best to shield Ren through the crowd of the dead and dying. Ren squeezed her hand tight. “It’s okay, we’re going to make it.”

“We’re never going to make it.” Ren stared at Keir.

Brinley spun around to witness Keir release his arrow striking the young centaur in the chest. “No.” Brinley collapsed on the ground holding Ren. Brinley used her hands to try to stop the bleeding. “Come on.” Brinley rocked back and forth.

“Brinley.” Ren croaked.

Brinley wiped her face. “I’m sorry. I was sent to protect you and I’ve failed.”

“Don’t let my death be forgotten.” Ren squeaked.

“I will make sure of it.”

Blood dripped down from Ren’s trembling lips. “I’m glad I met you.” Ren closed her eyes, dying quietly in Brinley’s arms.

Brinley stared down at her bloody hands.

“Brinley come with me,” Keir commanded.

Brinley rose, she never stopped glaring at Keir. “Why would you kill the young ones?”

“What do you care? We are not your people.”

Brinley cleared her throat.

“It’s funny, here you are covered in the ash and blood of your new friends. You don’t know the weakness within this village. The dark has so much more to offer. Fire cleanses this wicked land. Look at you quiver in front of me. Why does everyone fear you? You are nothing but a flea.”

Brinley asked again. “If I’m a flea, come crush me, if you can.”

Keir sent a speeding arrow toward Brinley but with a flick of her hand, she sent the arrow flying to one side. Keir released another arrow, and again Brinley knocked the projectile from of the air. On her left, an Alu raced toward her. A bright light shot from her right palm to catching the entity in mid-stride, her lightening burned the Alu like an undeveloped picture.

“Did you kill the young ones?” Brinley never took her glowing eyes off Keir.

“Yes, I did. I killed each one of them.” Keir spat. “I am not afraid of you.”

“You fuckin should be.” Brinley clasped her fingers together and then pulled them apart, the motion ripped Keir in two pieces, and blood rained down on Brinley. “Why am I always covered in blood?” She glanced down at her body.

The night crackled with static. Brinley tried to slow her erratic beating heart. Joy’s scream jolted Brinley back to reality. Brinley turned around, racing forward. By the time Brinley found Joy, she was surrounded by ghouls.