Chapter 53
Two adventurers slowly made their way through a dense forest. Overgrown and wild, the forest presented no easy paths for a weary traveler. The two climbed over felled trees and pushed through thickets of brush and tall grass. After some time, the man stopped suddenly and lifted both of his hands as if he felt an invisible presence. The woman sat down behind him. She patiently waited, playing gently with the leaves on a small plant.
"Have you located some sign?" She asked.
"I am uncertain at the present, My Life. It will be necessary to search for a while longer."
"Search away, My Breath," she smiled. "There is still much time."
She watched as a pale green energy flowed through the forest and moved around the trees causing the leaves to dance. She always felt a quiet peace at this sight. She laid down on her back to fully appreciate the view. Laying on the forest floor, she began to ponder their journey.
"Ventus," she called to him again. "Do you ever fear we have chosen an impossible task?"
The man continued moving his hands slowly with the breeze, "The Elders certainly thought so. However, they never truly understood. When wind and nature are together, they achieve the impossible every day." He dropped his hands quickly and smiled, "Come along, Folain. We must hasten our steps. The end is in sight."
***
Luna kept herself and her opponent wrapped in darkness until she knew the others were well beyond the doorway of the room. She refused to allow her opponent to interfere with the success of their mission.
"A paltry darkness like this would not have stopped me," the young girl finally spoke. Sensing Luna's confusion, she clarified, "That was your plan wasn't it? You attempted to cage me in order to keep me from attacking the others." She shook her head, "I am Kowa: Queen of the Underworld. This darkness is not even a hindrance for eyes like mine. I stayed simply because I only needed to detain one of you."
Luna nodded as she followed the girl's logic, then waved her hands dropping her energy from their surroundings. "I see, Kowa: Queen of the Underworld. Then, I will not insult you by continuing to use it." She raised her fists, "I hope you will not think me rude, but my people are in danger. Move from my path, please madam."
"On the contrary, let's have a contest to decide who is the true ruler of the night."
Kowa raised her hands as well. A malevolent black mist spread into the air from each of them. The two clouds flowed forward, then slowly spread to the ground taking form. Two dark skeletons with glowing white eyes emerged in front of Luna. In their hands they held large axes in the shape of halberds.
The monsters charged forward slashing their weapons at the small warrior. Dodging one ax, Luna caught the other above her head. She viciously struck one skeleton in the ribs with her elbow causing the black mist to fall away. With one left, the difference between their speed led to an obvious outcome. Luna crushed the remaining skeleton with her bare hands.
"You summon the dead?" She asked her mysterious opponent.
"Naturally. I am the Queen of the Underworld after all."
"Yes, I understand. Hearing it repeatedly adds to my clarity." Her response held an odd emotion, Luna seemed to be on edge. "I believe we have a different understanding of darkness. I do not deal in death." Her expression lost all gentleness. Visibly angry, Luna assumed a more aggressive posture.
She attempted to attack but couldn't move her feet. She looked down to see that the mist had not disappeared. Instead, it had changed form. She had been distracted by her disgust. Kowa used the opportunity to mold the dark fog into an unnatural root system. It grew around Luna's feet and into the ground.
Incapable of moving a single step, her hands glowed with her dark energy. This time the energy seemed to burn like a purple fire down her arms.
"Very impressive," her opponent smiled. "Though, I'm afraid you will fail. Darkness without death is at a clear disadvantage." With those words, the roots spread to Luna's arms pulling her down. Her energy faded into the blackness of the girl's trap.
Kowa giggled and nodded her head at seeing the situation work out the way she wanted. She waved her hands through the air dragging a heavy black fog behind them. Continuing the process, the girl's energy grew and spread throughout the entire room. Then, abruptly, she knelt and thrust her hands to the ground. The darkness around the room followed her movements. It shot to the ground and rose slowly to form more dark figures. Although, this time their energy felt stronger weighing on Luna, and she couldn't count their number. They filled the room completely.
"Now there is no hope for you," she informed her captured opponent. "This is the power of the underworld." Then, she turned her attention to her creations, "Kill her!" Nothing happened. She looked around, confused, "Attack! Kill her!" The monsters didn't move, and she began to feel an unbearable pressure on her body. She looked at her creations. They were shaking. Realization struck her; they were trying to move, but they couldn't. Her frantic gaze met Luna's dark purple eyes. Suddenly, terror swept over her. Brief as it was, she knew it was very real. However, she also knew that she couldn't allow her opponent to intimidate her. She hurriedly got her thoughts together to formulate a plan.
Before her enemy could respond, Luna burst with power ripping the dark roots to pieces. Waves of darkness emanated from her body. Energy coursed through the air and covered her in dark flames. Holding her hands to the sides she clenched her fists tightly. When they closed, her power mimicked her hands and seemingly contracted on each soul in the room. The evil creations collapsed into nothingness, and the dark mist fled from the room.
"Your evil holds no sway over me!" She rushed forward with a powerful glowing fist.