Dark Realm 57
“Shit, shit, shit.” Brinley chanted. The restaurant was shrouded by a dense fog. Inside the vapor, the echo of snarling beasts grew louder. Snapping twigs made her press her back against the bark. Brinley slowed her breathing. “Here go. One… Two… Three.” Brinley tried to burst from her hiding place, weapon ready, but instead, she was yanked up into the branches of the trees. “What the hell?” Brinley raised her blade to the throat of her attacker.
“Whoa.” Emerson held up her hands.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Brinley hugged the young imp. “I thought you were dead.”
“Nope, I’m not dead. I’m here to help you kill Asher.”
“I’m glad to see you.” Brinley smiled in relief. “Where have you been?”
“If we live, I’ll tell you everything.” Emerson flashed a weak smile.
Brinley scoffed.
“What’s the plan?” Emerson asked.
“There’s something out there,” Brinley whispered pointing to the unnatural cloud growing beneath their feet.
“Yeah, no shit, the fog is full of werewolves.”
“Shit, really?” Brinley stared at the thick soup.
“Yep,”
“Joy and the rest of our warriors are hiding in the fog, if we don’t warn them, they will all die.”
Emerson whistled. Soon the night sky was full of small lights. Emerson whispered. “The sprites will warn them. What’s next?”
“I need to go inside.”
“You mean ‘we’ need to get inside.”
“Emerson, please.”
“No, no more advice. I’m going inside with or without you.”
Brinley changed the subject. “How would you get past the werewolves?”
“You’re asking me?” Emerson raised her brows.
“Yep.” Brinley stared down into the void.
“We should use the most powerful weapon we have.”
“What the hell is that?”
“You… duh. We can divide and conquer. We should split up the pack.”
Brinley nodded, creating balls of lightning that she tossed into thickness. Wounded howls echoed in the night. “You ready for this?” Brinley nodded at Emerson.
Emerson clapped her hands. “Let’s do it.” Emerson jumped to the ground.
Brinley followed Emerson to the ground. As the mist faded the demons became clear. “Fight toward the door,” Brinley yelled out. Emerson turned to her to give Brinley a slight nod. Brinley ran into the melee. She noticed Brax surrounded by werewolves. Brinley threw an orb scattering the wolves. Brax turned to smile at Brinley. From the darkness, two wolves pounced on Brinley slamming her to the ground with a thud. Under the weight of beasts, Brinley struggled to take a breath. She wailed as sharp fangs pierced her thigh. Brinley turned to face a small burning fire. Flint yelled as he tackled the wolves pressing Brinley on the ground. Once the pressure was relieved Brinley gasped. Her mouth was dry, and her eyes burned, but she struggled to her feet. Blood ran down her leg. Brinley tore a piece from her shirt to form a tourniquet.
“Hey.” Flint shook Brinley’s shoulders. “Brinley.”
“I’m sorry. I tried.”
“Don’t give up now. I can clear you a path.”
“How?”
“With these.” Flint showed Brinley a bag full of mini bombs.
“You’re alive.” Hugo appeared. “That’s good.” He patted his brother’s shoulder.
“Same to you, my brother.” Flint wiped his hand down his face.
“I have you seen Joy or Brax?” Brinley asked.
“I haven’t seen them in a while.” Hugo coughed.
“Find them. Make sure we attack Asher on all sides.” Brinley nodded.
“We stay in formation. Push them back so we can give Brinley a chance to slip into the restaurant.” Flint rallied the troops.
Brinley turned to make her way into the restaurant.
“Where are you going?” Hugo asked.
“I’m off to kill a wendigo.” Brinley raced inside the building.