Eleanor's stomach dropped as twisted visions swirled within the orb - Shane bound by black iron chains as demonic jailers approached, wicked instruments glinting.
No! She cannot see him endure torment...I must do something!
Schooling her features, Eleanor met the Dread Queen's pitiless gaze. "Your power is indeed great, my lady. I apologize for doubting your wisdom." She lowered her eyes, the image of supplication. "If you would permit me to glimpse but a fraction more of the dark arts you command..."
The Queen searched her face shrewdly before banishing the orb in a wisp of smoke. "You begin to see reason at last. Swear yourself to me and no harm shall befall your companion."
Bowing her head, Eleanor murmured, "I require but a small demonstration first, to witness the depths of sorcery you offer." She hesitated, hating herself. "The life of my dearest friend compels me...surely you understand."
"Hmmm... Very well." The Queen traced an intricate symbol with one needle-like nail. "Behold but a sampling of the primordial powers at my command!"
She gestured and the dark well in the chamber's center began swirling violently. Eleanor watched, cold apprehension crawling up her spine as a great clawed hand erupted from the vortex, followed by a horned behemoth straight out of nightmare.
The demonic creature towered twice the height of any man, its fanged jaw dripping sulfurous drool. The Dread Queen smiled indulgently as Eleanor shrank back in dismay.
"Magnificent is he not?" the crone purred. "He shall lead my wraith battalions forth to scour the land of wretched human vermin...once I unlock the Nether Gates."
Eleanor mastered her terror as the monster's molten eyes found hers, intelligence glinting within its hellish glare. God help them all...she had to warn Vincent somehow!
"Your powers humble me, Dark Queen," Eleanor breathed carefully. "I shall...consider your offer further."
The crone's lip curled in cold amusement. "See that you do..."
Eleanor's knees nearly buckled with relief when the demonic colossus vanished back through the swirling vortex at a negligent wave of the Queen's taloned hand. Just knowing that freakin' thing existed was enough nightmare fuel for a lifetime...
Controlling her facial features, Eleanor inclined her head deferentially. "Most impressive, my queen. Clearly your dominion over forces beyond mortal beings is absolute. I confess myself awed."
Let the old corpse bat feed her ego a bit, Eleanor thought bleakly. Anything to keep her monologuing versus hurting Shane more...or realizing Eleanor was absolutely not gonna swear any freaky blood oaths to her psycho self.
"Naturally, child. The fates themselves saw fit to gift me alone the keys to worlds unseen." The queen settled her spidery frame back on top of the obsidian throne with a creak of bones.
"All bow before the Dread Queen of Shadowfell, utterer of darkness, Bone Mother of the grave itself!" She clearly relished her bombastic titles, skeletal hands clenching.
Then that mist-shrouded gaze fixated back on Eleanor. "But enough frivolity. What say you, ice-touched Eleanor of Eldoria, to joining my dark flock?" Yellowed nails tapped the throne arm impatiently. "The hours dwindle till I lose interest in your continued health."
Crap...gotta keep stringing her along somehow! Eleanor inwardly cringed at what she said next through gritted teeth. "Your offer is most generous, Exalted One. I do desire the chance to further witness your incredible powers firsthand."
Eleanor lowered her eyes, the picture of vulnerable temptation. "Might I humbly request...three days consideration before accepting the honored role as your disciple?"
There was a weighty pause. Shoot dang it, you took the bait, Eleanor pleaded silently, scarcely daring to breathe. Don't screw me over now you corpse-faced horror...
Finally the queen waved a dismissive hand. "I shall permit three days grace to make your choice. But no longer!" She leaned forward, rotten incisors bared. "The cripple's fate hangs on your next words to me, make no mistake."
"You are most beneficent, Dark Majesty," Eleanor intoned respectfully. "I swear to meditate thoroughly on accepting thine generous tutelage."
Inside she cringed at the ice-hag's scrutiny but managed a credibly steady gaze until dismissal. As the guards dragged Eleanor back toward her clammy cell, she whispered a fervent prayer.
Hang in there Shane! Somehow I'll get us the hell out of this freakish circus. Maybe that weird wizard guy Talis can help? Whatever happens buddy, don't you even freaking think about giving up...I'm coming for you!
And once we all bust out, I'm so setting Vincent's vampiric ass on Yo Majesty the corpse queen. We'll see how smug you feel with his sword through your chest, you decrepit old goat!
***
Creeping through the shadowed halls with stolen jailer keys, Shane crept towards the faint sounds of Eleanor's voice. He had to reach her before the Dread Queen realized that he had escaped!
Dodging patrolling wraith guards, Shane descended crumbling stairs into the icy dungeon bloc, relying on his monocle's spectral imaging to avoid confrontation and traps. The wayward prisoner magician Talis had etched a map to the lower detention levels before Shane left him.
At last Shane located a heavily warded iron door emitting traces of Eleanor's magical signature. With agonizing care he bypassed the blood warded locks and wrenched it open, heart in his throat.
There knelt Eleanor, regal even in chains, looking up with an expression of sheer disbelief. "Shane?! What...how did you get free?"
"No time to explain!" Shane hurried over and examined her cursed shackles, mechanisms spinning in his mind. "We need to move, like five minutes ago..."
From his wrist compartment Shane produced his last vial of 'liberated' acid. Eleanor held very still, cautious hope dawning on her face as she recognized the potion.
Shadows danced ominously as Shane worked, etching away magical wards suffusing the manacles. Eventually they cracked open with wisps of malevolent energy.
"Yes!" Shane exclaimed. "Now give me just a sec to finesse this cell door."
He froze as the heavy barrier suddenly swung open. Heart lurching, Shane pivoted to find the Dread Queen framed in the entryway, flanked by her demonic honor guard.
"Well now...this is a surprise," the witch crooned in mock wonder. "However did my wayward guest slip free?"
"Stay the hell back!" Shane warned, aiming his wrist gauntlet at her cadaverous face and interposing himself in front of Eleanor. His mind whirled desperately. Crap...now what?!
"Your concern for the girl is quite touching," the witch said almost gently. Then her tone turned razor sharp. "Seize them both!"
The fiends charged, claws outstretched. With a savage cry, Shane triggered every chaos device and diversion tool on his bandolier. The cell erupted with flashes and explosions in the narrow space.
Grabbing Eleanor's wrist mid-chaos, Shane bolted down the opposite passageway from whence he came. Heavy footfalls pounded in pursuit. They careened through gloomy corridors, taking turns at random.
"We...can't keep...this pace!" Eleanor gasped beside him. Shane clenched his jaw. He had gotten them this far somehow. Failure was not damn well optional.
"Just...little...longer!" he wheezed. Somewhere ahead lay escape from this nightmare. There simply was no alternative Shane's soul could accept. And he sure as hell wasn't leaving without his queen.