The Chimera (Legends of the Dark Creatures Book 2)
Chapter Twelve: The Seventh Seal

Ashley’s body was still resting in Ethan’s arms even as her mind replayed what had just happened. That black scythe Vladimir had made... Ashley was sure she was a goner when she saw it slash at her. But then... one moment she was on the ground facing death and the next thing she knew, she was lying in Ethan’s arms, shaking to her bones.

“Do you think you can stand?” Ethan asked, his sharp dark eyes still fixed on Vladimir.

“Yeah,” Ashley replied in a shaky whisper.

Ethan lowered her down and when her feet touched the ground he began walking ahead. Richard was lying some meters away from Ashley. To his far right was Arius whose entire body was still enveloped in a bright white armor made of air and gusts of wind blew around him. Arius let Sara and Mr. Anderson go and walked next to Vladimir who was standing next to Richard.

After fighting Edorina and Arius in his Hadan form, Richard was depleted of most of his strength and couldn’t even move. Ashley’s eyes burnt with tears as she wished she could run to him.

“As I live and breathe... Or wait, I am already dead,” Arius said. “Could it be that this truly is the Chimera... a child?”

When he was some meters away from Vladimir and Arius, Ethan stopped, looked at Richard, and said, “The Hadan... To awaken such power, I am honestly quite impressed little brother.”

“What are you doing here, Ethan?” Richard asked. He tried raising his body using his hand but fell back on the ground.

“Don’t strain yourself too much, brother...”

“Hey!” shouted Arius, catching Ethan’s attention.

“The god of the sky and the lord of the shadows," Ethan said. “Arius, you certainly live up to your reputation, and Vladimir... To kill your comrade just like that, truly no one is more deserving of the title you possess.”

“Do you dare mock me, boy?” Vladimir said.

The air and ground vibrated, responding to Vladimir’s eerie aura. Ashley felt like her bones would melt in fear. Spencer, Sara, and Mr. Anderson slowly walked over to her. Ashley had never felt more useless in her life. She was strong but Arius and Vladimir were on a totally different level. All she could do for now was watch.

“I was merely paying you a compliment,” Ethan replied. “However, something doesn’t still make sense to me... Perhaps you would be so kind as to enlighten me, Lord Vladimir.”

“A dying man’s last request... Why not?” Vladimir said, crossing his arm on his chest.

“Earlier, you mentioned something about you being an absolute being... having absolute power.”

“And what about it?” Vladimir asked.

Holding his chin as if lost in thought, Ethan began to speak.

“It’s strange. Why would an absolute being spend the last fifty thousand years trying to replace an insignificant creature such as myself? Why would he need to even demonstrate his power if he was so confident in it, to begin with? Why would he bring his captives to an underground cavern like this instead of showing his power to the people of this town... of this world? Why doesn’t he just take over the world? These questions, including many others, confound me, my lord.”

Vladimir gritted his teeth in anger and his eyes became blood red.

“How dare you...”

“I’ll tell you why,” Ethan said.

Almost everyone, including Vladimir, was taken aback by Ethan’s change in tone. His eyes narrowed; mirroring the intensity and viciousness of his voice.

“Dark creatures, gods, celestial beings, supreme beings... As great as their power is, it is far from absolute. Gods need people to worship them... dark creatures need the blood of the living to sustain them... celestial beings practically live off the power and instructions of supreme beings and even supreme beings themselves answer to higher powers. No power is absolute Vlad, and to declare yours as such just proves that your long existence in the darkness ended up making you senile and delusional. You bring shame upon all dark creatures.”

Vladimir’s entire body was shaking with fury. He looked as if he would do something but halted when Arius suddenly stepped forward, clapping his hands.

“Well, that was a nice lesson,” he said. “Me... I don’t give a damn about all this absoluteness and stuff. I have but one desire; to fight those considered strong. You, Chimera, have been said to be one of the strongest creatures in all the realms. The most beautiful warrior in all creation... Ah... how I would love to see exactly why someone carries such a title.”

Ethan remained silent for a while.

“You were holding back almost all your power when you fought my brother,” Ethan finally said. “However, you helped him see that he has a long way to go before he can ever think of challenging me... for that, you have my gratitude. And to show my appreciation, I am going to forget all this ever happened if you just turn back and leave this town. Not that I care about it but I have some rather important business to take care of here and you two being here greatly delay my plans... I would much rather avoid senseless killing.”

Arius’ face was flooding with expressions of shock. He held his hand over his mouth and while shaking his head he said, “No... It can’t be... Perhaps I didn’t hear you right. Did you... did you just offer to spare our lives?”

Ashley couldn’t believe her eyes. It was true; Ethan was telling the truth when he said that Arius was holding back his power. The air around Arius blew even faster and blue electric sparks began to emanate from his armor. Loud cracks of lightning echoed in the cavern. The ground below Arius split open and even Vladimir had to step away from him. Arius was floating in the air when his legs folded into a tail and large fins spouted out of his back. Sharp crescent blades of lightning formed at the tips of his long hair and his eyes glowed blue. A compact armor covered his entire body and long, sharp claws of the same appeared on his hands.

"Rodakan... The wind god’s true form,” Ethan said with a smile. “It’s been ages since I saw it.”

Ashley had to narrow her eyes just to look at Arius. In all honesty, he was beautiful but the aura he was projecting made Ashley sick to her stomach. She heard a thud behind and saw that Mr. Anderson had suddenly collapsed. Both she and Sara rushed over to him.

“He’s alright,” Spencer said. “No ordinary human can be able to stand the atmosphere building up in here for too long.”

Ashley looked into Sara’s eyes. She was probably feeling the same thing Ashley was. Both of them were unable to do anything.

“Vlad!” Arius said in a loud thunderous voice. “I am sorry but it seems like I’ll be taking the glory of defeating the Chimera. I wanted to savor every moment fighting you, Chimera but I’m afraid I will be finishing this in one attack. With this complete form, I possess both god-like strength and speed... A true god of the sky... Are you ready CHIMERA?!”

“Why don’t you come and replace out?” Ethan bluntly said.

Arius vanished and the only light in the cavern was that which came from the flames of the lit torches. Everything went dead silent and Ashley’s eyes searched for Arius.

“Arius,” Ethan suddenly said.

Ashley’s body shook as an electric chill went up to her spine. It happened so fast that Ashley didn’t see everything that happened. Arius had appeared below Ethan and was ready to launch an attack when Ethan slammed the back of his fist into Arius’ back, shuttering through his armor of lightning. pounding Arius into the ground below him. The shockwave that came from where Arius fell spread throughout the cave causing some of the rocky bridges above to collapse. Ashley had to press her feet into the ground just to prevent her body from being flung into the air.

When everything quieted down, Ashley looked at where Ethan was standing. Her hand shook even as she raised it up to her mouth.

“My God,” Spencer uttered.

Lying below Ethan was Arius. Broken bones were sticking out of his bareback and there was a large hole of torn flesh below the back of his neck. Ashley’s eyes flew toward Ethan’s right hand. It was covered in red blood and his fingers were curled around... a heart; Arius’ heart. Ashley didn’t even know how Ethan could have ripped it out without her noticing it.

Ethan’s face still held no emotion even as he dropped Arius’ heart.

Arius coughed as thick red blood was gashed out of his mouth.

“B-Beautiful,” he said. “I... I just wish I was strong enough... to last just a little bit longer.”

Arius drew his last breath. From his tail to his head, Arius’ body began to fade away, turning into the wind. Ashley remembered how Sebastian’s body had transformed into the sand after he died. Whenever an Element Master died, their bodies turned into the element they wielded.

Eventually, all that was left of Arius was his now tattered robe. Cool air blew throughout the cavern and after a while, a deafening silence lingered.

“Such a waste,” Vladimir said, wiping dust off his black suit. “As terribly annoying as he was, the god of the sky did have interesting ways of providing me with entertainment.”

Ethan looked at Vladimir and said, “You can’t hide the sorrow of losing someone you cared for like a brother, Vlad.”

Vladimir raised a brow and crossed his arms. “What did you say? Care for like a brother? It seems you, Chimera, are the one growing senile. Arius was nothing but a pawn; one I could sacrifice any time I willed. Just now he helped me see a display of the Chimera’s strength. He served his purpose.”

“Your psychic defenses are breaking, Vladimir,” Ethan responded. “Emotions have a funny way of manifesting themselves, don’t they?”

Vladimir unfolded his arms and Ashley saw that they were shaking. Fists formed in both his hands as he stared at them.

“Friendship... brotherhood,” Vladimir muttered. He sounded lost and confused, continually tilting his head. “Is this then what they call pain... Sorrow...” He looked at Ethan. It was as if Vladimir was gazing upon him for the first time.

“You,” he said. “What have you done to me? Why am I seeing these things? This isn’t the first time we’ve met is it?”

“Memories may be forgotten but never lost,” Ethan said. “Seventy thousand years ago, an uncommon friendship blossomed between a human and a merman. Back then contact between humans and merfolk was strictly forbidden and the two friends had no choice but to leave the earth realm. And they ended up in...”

“The cosmopolitan realm which is now called Lideth,” Vladimir finished. “Arius and I, together with our wives and children, settled there. We lived in the same house, ate the same food, and for a while, we all seemed happy until...”

“Until I killed both your families,” Ethan said. “I personally held no hatred for them but the one who hired me wanted to see them suffer. So, I was told to burn the house with all of you inside. But somehow you and Arius managed to survive.”

A lump rose in Ashley’s throat. When Ethan spoke... He spoke neither as someone who enjoyed what he had done nor regretted it. There was no emotion in his voice. Like what had happened was of no meaning to him.

“It can’t be,” Vladimir said, his lips shaking. “Why are you lying to me?! You were never even born back then... The one who killed my family... No... That coat you wear... The dark color of blood...”

Dark shadows of smoke began to emanate from Vladimir’s body.

“The Red Demon,” Vladimir finally said. “It was you all this time. After that day, Arius went back to earth and had himself turned into a dark air merman while I...”

“You did the unimaginable and went to the shadow realm and there you made a deal with darkness, turning you into what you are now...”

“We searched for the Red Demon,” said Vladimir. He walked a bit closer to Ethan. “But after twenty thousand years of searching, Arius and I parted ways and soon we forgot... Forgot who we were... Why we had given ourselves to the darkness...”

“Vlad, you have been obsessed with replaceing the Chimera all these years, why? Surely you already must know that they are other, more powerful beings than I am. You are driven by instinct. Perhaps it was a description you heard or maybe it was something else but hearing about me must have triggered something...”

“So back then, you were just a petty assassin?”

“I was many things back then,” Ethan said.

So much was happening that Ashley realized that she hadn’t been paying much attention to Richard. He had crawled his way towards the walls of the cavern and leaned there. Ashley quickly darted her eyes away from Richard when she saw that none of his clothes remained after using his ultimate form as a Fire Demon.

“So, I have deluded myself all this time,” Vladimir said, once again stealing Ashley’s attention from Richard. “But Chimera... Now it means I have one more reason to kill you.”

“Before that, I would like to ask you something...”

Ethan started speaking in a language that Ashley couldn’t identify. Vladimir smiled at Ethan and responded with words whose pronunciations matched the ones Ethan uttered. It sounded like a to-and-fro verbal battle. Ethan stopped talking and began patting his thumb against his lips thoughtfully after Vladimir said something.

“I guess I just have to pry the answer out of you,” Ethan said, a smirk curving its way across his face.

“Your insolence shall be your downfall, Chimera,” Vladimir said.

“Hunter,” Ethan said, looking directly at Sara. Sara’s eyes narrowed a bit as she formed a defensive stance. She was in pain. There was a purple bruise around her neck and Ashley wondered how much of her body was actually hurting.

“Don’t worry, Hunter,” Ethan said in a reassuring tone. “All I want you to do is use the Threshold Technique. There’s a large tunnel behind you. Create a threshold at the entrance.”

Sara tilted her head in confusion. Ashley was about to ask Ethan why he had given Sara such an order but she held of her question when she heard Richard speak.

“Just do as he says, Sara,” Richard said.

“You should join them too, brother,” Ethan said to Richard.

Richard didn’t reply but gave Ethan a vicious gaze.

“As you wish,” Ethan said.

Spencer carried Mr. Anderson. Ashley helped Sara walk to the tunnel that Ethan had spoken of. Immediately they passed the entrance, Sara stopped walking at stood facing Ethan, and gestured for Ashley to stand behind her. She interlocked both her hands and made a strange symbol with her fingers.

“You know how dark creatures can’t enter a place where living beings live,” Spencer suddenly said.

Ashley looked at him. “Um... Yes...”

“Well, living things unconsciously release small amounts of power. Call it aura, chi, chakra, or ki... For humans, the energy they release takes form into the thresholds found in homes. But that only happens when the human really considers that place to be their home. That’s why dark creatures can enter most public places like shops. When a human invites anyone into their home, that natural threshold recognizes the invited guest as a friend of that household.”

“What does it have to do with what Sara is doing now?” Ashley asked. Even though Spencer was a vampire, there was certain gentleness about him. Ashley could see why Sara fell for this guy.

“Hunters are trained to harness their inner energy and use it to the fullest,” Spencer answered. “We’re trained to see in the dark, move with speed surpassing even vampires... or we can create our own thresholds.”

“You mean Sara is making a threshold at the entrance of this cave?”

Spencer nodded.

“But why?”

“Thresholds, apart from protecting living beings from dark creatures, serve another purpose; they prevent evil auras from entering homes. Oh, Mr. Anderson is gaining consciousness.”

Spencer laid Mr. Anderson on the hard ground.

“And why do you think Ethan wants us inside a barrier?” Ashley asked.

“The answer to that is quite simple,” Ethan said. “Vladimir here has spent quite some time wishing he could fight me. Since he is about to give me something, I thought it courteous to give him something in return. I am going to release one of my seals.”

That last sentence made Ashley’s skin crawl. One of his seals... What did Ethan mean?

Ethan’s face became serious. “The threshold the hunter is creating will shield you from the aura that my body will release, otherwise, you would die the instant you felt it. And you know I can’t have that right now, half-breed.”

Vladimir turned his old, wrinkled face towards Ashley.

“Reading her aura isn’t going to be as easy with that threshold surrounding them,” Ethan said to Vladimir.

“Her blood gave Richard enough power to activate the Hadan just after using his Kadan,” Vladimir said. “What kind of half-breed is she? You seem quite protective of her, Chimera.”

“Everyone has their uses,” Ethan said.

Ashley looked at Sara. Her friend was breathing heavily and like electricity coursing through her body, Ashley felt an immersed amount of power flowing out of Sara. Ethan walked to the entrance of the tunnel and raised his right palm.

“It isn’t perfect but I suppose it will suffice,” he said.

Ashley ran for Sara and grabbed her friend when she almost fell.

“Only dark creatures can feel this threshold,” Ethan said and he walked back to Vladimir. “Vladimir Drathvir, as you are well aware the power of ten creatures resides within my body. For reason I would rather keep to myself, I have sealed the power of each creature inside, and as I said before, I will give you the honor of releasing one of those seals... The seventh seal to be precise.”

“Why not release all of them?” Vladimir asked, taking off his jacket. For an old guy, he looked quite well-built.

A deadly grin formed on Ethan’s face. “That’s another reason I would prefer keeping to myself. However, you have my word that just one seal released will provide you with more than enough contentment.”

“Rumors say the Chimera never breaks his word,” Vladimir said. “Do you have any final words before you meet your end?”

From where Ashley was she could only see the sides of Ethan and Vladimir’s bodies. Still holding Sara in her arms, Ashley watched as a deep black smoke covered Vladimir. When it dissipated Vladimir’s body had transformed. Large bat-like wings had grown out of his back. His body increased at least three times in size and deadly sharp claws extended from his monstrous fingers. His head was like that of a serpent and his eyes glowed bright red.

Ashley faced Ethan. His hands were in the pockets of his leather jeans and his expressions remained calm and composed.

Suddenly, glowing yellow markings began to form on the side of Ethan’s face. The markings were different and they spread all the way to Ethan’s hands. There was a fiery red glow in both his irises and the tips of his hair lit up in red flames. Claws extended out of his fingers and a tail, made of a combination of fire and cracking lightning shot out the back of his waist and split into nine others.

“The nine-tailed Kitsune,” Spencer said.

“Kitsune?” Ashley asked. “As in... Fox spirit...”

Spencer nodded. “I have heard legends about them but I have never seen any in all my two hundred years. It’s said that only the most powerful of Kitsune gain nine tails.”

Ethan began walking towards Vladimir. A black shadowy spike came out of the ground behind Ethan, aiming for his back. At first, it looked like the spike had pierced Ethan but Ashley soon realized that it was just his afterimage when she saw him standing sideways on the wall. Ethan was on all fours, like an animal, and it appeared gravity had no effect on him.

Vladimir angrily lashed his claws but Ethan raised his hand and deflected the huge arm as if it were nothing. Despite his size, Vladimir’s attacks were so fast that Ashley couldn’t follow most of them. Ethan, however, dodged each attack, jumping, ducking, and blocking all of them. Ethan’s movements were fluid and full of grace. It was like he could see his opponent’s attacks before he made them.

Beautiful... The thought left Ashley’s mind as quickly as it came. Arius had called Ethan the most beautiful warrior in all creation. Ashley had thought back then that it maybe had something to do with Ethan’s looks but seeing his form, speed, and agility... Ashley couldn’t think of a more perfect description.

Lying at the end of one side of the cave was Richard. His emotionless eyes were studying this battle like those of an analyst.

An angry growl came from Vladimir and flapped his large wings and launched himself at Ethan. Ethan dove into the air and a large burst of blue lightning shot out of the black emptiness above the cavern and landed on Vladimir’s large head.

Vladimir fell on his back and the whole cavern shook.

Ethan’s boots and hands touched the ground. He flashed his sharp white fangs at Ashley. A shiver ran down Ashley’s spine as a black oil-like liquid began to flow out of the side of Vladimir’s monstrous face. So, this was what this was, she thought. When she first met Ethan, Ashley had sworn that she would permanently defeat the Chimera, and right now, Ethan was showing her just what it meant when people called him the Chimera.

The black shadows emanating from Vladimir took humanoid shapes and attacked Ethan from all sides.

“No more games, Vladimir,” Ethan said and one of his tails lengthened and slashed away all the shadows.

The ground shook as Vladimir pounded his fist in it and leaped into the air.

Ethan suddenly moved so fast that it looked like he had vanished and reappeared right on top of Vladimir. A loud cry came from Vladimir’s beastly mouth when Ethan whipped all nine of his tails across Vladimir’s back. Vladimir was sent flying across the cavern, crashing into a wall and falling back on the ground. Electric blue sparks appeared in Ethan’s hand and Ashley had to look away when Ethan grabbed one of Vladimir’s large wings. Though she had turned away, she still heard the sound of breaking bones and tearing flesh. Ashley looked and saw Ethan throwing Vladimir’s severed wing; a wing that turned into an arm the moment it hit the ground.

Vladimir reverted to his normal form and this time, one of his arms was missing. Ethan grabbed Vladimir by his neck and threw him into the air. Continuous blasts of fire and lightning hit Vladimir, sending him crashing right back into the ground.

The yellow symbols around Ethan’s body disappeared and so did his tails.

“I must say, I was expecting you to last much longer Vlad,” Ethan said, speaking without a single slip in the rhythm of his breathing.

Vladimir was breathing heavily and gritting his teeth in pain as dark blood flowed from his side.

“Now then,” Ethan said. “Are you going to give me an answer to what I asked you earlier?”

As painful as it looked, Vladimir managed to sit upright. His clothes were tattered, and covered in blood.

He then said something that Ashley didn’t expect. “Only if you promise to spare my life”

Even Ethan tilted his head in astonishment.

“Spare your life?” Ethan asked. “Surely you jest, Vladimir. But if that’s the only thing you want in return, then so be it.”

“Gi-Give me your word, Chimera,” said Vladimir, his breaths becoming slower and deeper.

Ethan looked at him for a while and said, “I will not take your life... you have my word.”

That wasn’t good enough, Ashley thought and Vladimir seemed to have caught on.

“Chimera,” Vladimir said with a smile.

“Neither I nor anyone currently present in this place will take your life or prevent you from leaving this place,” Ethan said. “You have my word.”

Vladimir picked up the black sword he had liberated from Spencer earlier and rose to his feet. He also picked his severed arm and just after fixing it on his shoulder, the arm healed and he moved his fingers. He then began to speak in the same language Ashley had heard when he spoke with Ethan before.

“And you’re sure that’s where it shall be?” Ethan asked after they spoke for a few minutes.

“You have my word, Chimera,” replied Vladimir. “You have bested me but rest assured I will be coming back for you. Now then, I shall be taking my leave.”

No, he isn’t, Ashley thought. When Ethan and Ashley spoke last night he had mentioned that he didn’t want anyone knowing that she was a half-breed. Just a few moments ago Ethan had referred to Ashley as a half-breed and whether Vladimir understood what he meant or not, Ashley knew that Ethan didn’t intend to let Vladimir leave this place alive.

“Wait,” Ethan said, raising his arm. “I might have forgotten to mention something.”

“What?” Vladimir asked.

Ethan smirked and chanted some words in a language that Ashley could only describe as ancient.

A spiral of black flames appeared around the ground below Ethan and eventually, something came out of the flames. He had skin as pale as wintery snow with strange black symbols across his face. His tail was long, thin, and had a piercingly sharp end and his ears resembled those of a human.

Upon seeing Ethan, the creature fell on one knee and bowed his head.

“You summoned me, master,” the creature said.

Vladimir was shaking in fear. In the deal he had made, Ethan had clearly said that no one present would take Vladimir’s life. But this creature wasn’t around back then.

“No, please,” Vladimir begged, stepping back and his face became even paler with fear.

“Dymora,” Ethan said, facing the creature. Ethan wasn’t someone who would easily call people by their names so Ashley was sure Dymora referred to what the creature was.

The Dymora couldn’t even raise his face to Ethan as he stood up and began walking towards Vladimir.

“You were born of the shadows, Vlad,” Ethan said. “And by the shadows, you will meet your end.”

The creature Ethan had called Dymora dashed and grabbed Vladimir by his neck.

“W-Wait!” Vladimir screeched.

Ethan raised his hand and the Dymora halted his attack.

“Just grant me this,” Vladimir said. “The one who assigned you to kill my family... What became of them?”

“Omitting all the details, let me just say that he suffered a worse fate than you are about to experience.”

The Dymora’s tail moved and a loud animalistic cry came out of Vladimir’s mouth when the tail sliced through Vladimir’s chest. Black flames burst out of Vladimir’s chest and he began running around the cavern, screaming. He fell to the ground and his body burnt until nothing, not even ashes remained.

“Have I pleased you master?” the Dymora asked, bowing his head and looking at Ethan as if seeking approval.

Ethan faced the Dymora and said, “Leave.”

“Yes, master,” the Dymora said. A spirally black portal appeared on the ground and as the Dymora was being slowly sucked inside it, he looked at Ashley. That was when Ashley saw four deep scars like claw marks on the other side of his face. The Dymora vanished into the black abyss and the portal closed.

A weary sigh made its way out of Ethan’s mouth. “And so ends the Dark Trinity. Now that that’s concluded...”

He began walking over to where Ashley was. As he was just about to enter the cave, Ethan stopped and it looked as if he had bumped into some invisible wall at the entrance.

“Kractapus,” he said as if cursing. “I forgot... Hunter would you be so kind as to...”

Ethan’s face fell when he saw Sara lying unconscious in Ashley’s arms.

“Ethan”

Ashley heard Richard’s voice and saw him coming towards Ethan. Again, she looked away.

“I see your sense of decency is still that of an infant, little brother,” Ashley heard Ethan say.

“I asked this before and I will ask again,” Richard retorted. “Why are you here?”

“Proper etiquette dictates that you greet elders you haven’t seen in a long time... I thought I taught you better, brother. But since you wish to know I will tell you. I was here for two reasons; you and your half-breed.”

Despite knowing that Richard wasn’t covered in anything, Ashley’s head rose, and faced Ethan.

“What do you want with, Ashley?” Richard asked.

“For today let me just sum it up in one word; observation. Her blood alone was able to awaken the Hadan within you... As you know, Fire Demons are killed at birth, and very few exist. Those that strive for power go as far as awakening their Kadan form but you Richard...”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Richard interjected.

“As I already explained to the half-breed last night; her blood is special and many creatures will be after it. If you think, the Dark Trinity is the last of your troubles you are greatly mistaken. This is why...”

Ethan gestured his hands, telling Ashley to come out of the cave. Resistance would have been suicide and from the looks of things, it didn’t seem like Ethan was going to hurt anyone else.

After gently laying Sara in Spencer’s arms, Ashley walked on the other side of the entrance and stood in front of Ethan.

“Now that you have seen what you’re up against, I hope you will reconsider my offer,” Ethan said. He then moved so close to Ashley that there was barely any space between them. Ashley felt his palms rest on her temples. Richard was about to move towards the scene but stopped when Ashley lifted her right hand; assuring him that she would be alright. She could feel Ethan’s warm breath brushing against her skin as he chanted a few words. She didn’t feel anything but also didn’t realize then that something had changed within her.

Pulling away from her, Ethan said, “If it so happens that you change your mind about our deal... You will know where to replace me. Oh, and unless you expect me to chauffeur your sleep-talking friend, I suggest that you follow me.”

“Wait... Sleep-talking... What are you talking about?” Ashley asked.

Ethan raised a brow.

Realization struck Ashley. “Do you mean you came with Samantha?”

Sara was still unconscious but Mr. Anderson’s eyes were open and he slowly rose to his feet.

“Here,” he said, handing Richard his brown coat.

Richard wore the coat and Spencer lifted Sara. Ethan walked around the cavern as if searching for something. He stopped, place his palm on the ground below, and looked at Ashley.

“How about a simple test? Stand over here,” he said.

Ashley obeyed and Richard was right beside her.

“Raise your right hand, and chant these two words; Fuverk Tharan.”

Ashley did as Ethan ordered and she immediately stepped back when a fiery orange portal appeared right before her eyes.

Ethan smiled at her, nodded his head, and walked inside the portal.

“You will be of great use to me.”

Ever since Ethan had said these words Ashley couldn’t get them out of her mind. She was just a tool he planned on using someday. He had come into this cavern just to make sure she wasn’t harmed or rather... perhaps her encounter with the Dark Trinity was something he had foreseen and he probably wanted to see for himself the extent of her abilities.

Ashley, together with everyone else walked through the portal and found themselves standing by the beach. It was already dark. The ground was wet but it wasn’t raining and Ethan was already waiting for them, standing next to his car. Ashley ran when she saw Samantha trying to get out. The girl looked confused and was banging her fists against the glass.

Ethan unlocked the doors and Samantha came out. Ashley reached near Sam and wrapped her arms around her friend.

“W-What happened?” Samantha cried, tears dropping from her eyes. She looked at Ethan. “Who is this guy?”

“Ethan Thane,” said Ethan, opening the door to the driver’s seat. “Half-breed, I don’t usually do things for free but consider my actions today as a show of goodwill. The next time... No... to be honest, I sincerely hope there won’t be one.”

Ethan entered his car and drove off.

“You guys have a lot of explaining to do,” Mr. Anderson said. “But for today, rest... God knows we all need it.”

There was something Ashley needed to do and she couldn’t brush it off no matter how hard she tried. She felt she had to do it that very night.

“Guys, can you please go on without me?” she said. “There is something I need to take care of.”

Everyone eyed her suspiciously.

“The two cops that were killed...?” Mr. Anderson said.

“Don’t worry,” Spencer answered, still holding Sara in his arms. “The Hunters will help with that.”

“I’m sorry guys but I have to go,” Ashley said, and without saying another word she dashed across the road and into the woods. If she used this route then hopefully she would make it in time. Everything was blurring before her as she ran through the thickets and trees. She had adjusted her vision to see and her supernatural reflexes helped her to navigate through the forest.

After some minutes, Ashley began to see some headlights and she later saw the car she was after. She jumped into the air and landed on the road. The sound of rubber scratching the road pierced her ears as the car came to a halt. Luckily, for her, the driver inside was someone with far superior reflexes than she had.

The shiny black car stopped right a few centimeters away from her. The engine stopped roaring and the headlights turned off. The door opened and out came Ethan. He walked towards her with his hands in the pockets of his leather coat. Both of them stood on the side of the road.

“Don’t tell me you’ve already reconsidered my offer?” Ethan asked.

“No,” Ashley said, trying to catch her breath.

“Then I suppose you have a good reason for chasing me all the way here.”

Ashley took in a deep breath. She then bowed her head slightly, pressed the tips of her little finger and ring finger on her palms, and rested her arm on her chest.

“Thank you,” she said, bowing her head.

Ethan clearly wasn’t expecting that. He removed his hands from his pockets and at first looked at the ground then back at Ashley.

“Why the gesture of gratitude?” he asked.

Ashley raised her head. “You saved my life... You saved all of our lives... If it weren’t for you we’d all be dead so... Thank you, Ethan.”

“I thought I made it clear to you. I only did that...”

“I know,” Ashley interrupted. “The reason you came was that you believe I will be useful to you someday. Either way, I am alive right now because of you. Also thank you for helping Samantha... You didn’t have to but you did.”

Ethan tilted his head a little and narrowed his eyes. He was quiet for a while but finally gathered his words.

“Putting aside the unique nature of what you are, I must say... You indeed are a strange one, half-breed.”

“I have a name you know,” Ashley frowned. “It’s Ashley, Ashley Morgan.”

“Is thanking me really the only reason you came here?” Ethan asked.

“What other reason would I have?”

As she was, Ashley knew she had no chance of winning a battle against Ethan. However, as for the verbal battle that had just taken place, Ashley was the victor. Ethan was at a loss for words and he walked closer to Ashley.

Ashley’s chest was on fire as her heart was beating frantically. Ethan was slightly taller than her and his eyes, dark as midnight and as sharp as a blade, stared right into hers. Ashley held her gaze and stared right back at him. She was biting the inside of her lips the whole time.

Ethan pulled away with a smirk on his face.

“You have a strong resolve, little mermaid,” he said. “One I haven’t seen in a long time.”

He entered his car and started the engine.

“I told you,” Ashley shouted. “My name is...”

Wait... Ashley thought as Ethan drove away. Perhaps she didn’t hear him right. Not half-breed... He didn’t call her half-breed. Little Mermaid. Despite the lips that had uttered those words, Ashley still felt a warm delight course through her. Not that she accepted it but little mermaid sounded way better than half-breed. A wide smile crept its way onto the side of Ashley’s face and she stared at the starry sky.

Richard had said that in order to defeat Ethan they all had to get to know him. However, Ashley was beginning to realize that indeed...

Some things were easier said than done.

...

Another epic battle... makes one question just how powerful the Chimera is huh?

Some info:

Ethan has a total of ten seals...

1st... the seal of Air, 2nd... the seal of Water, 3rd... the seal of Earth... 4th the seal of Fire... 5th the seal of Fury, 6th... the seal of Blood... 7th... the seal of Illusion.... 8th... the seal of Torment... 9th... the seal of Magic... and 10th... the seal of the Dragon. He is able to use every ability individually or combined but releasing a seal means he can use the abilities he possesses to their fullest potential.