The Chimera (Legends of the Dark Creatures Book 2)
Chapter Thirty-Six: Ashley's Decision

Earth…

Less Than Two Hours Earlier…

“Looks like your girlfriend is waking up…”

“Ashley, Ashley…”

Ashley felt two gentle and soft arms holding her shoulder. She’d sunk into the embrace of these arms so many times to know that it was Richard holding her.

Slowly opening her eyes, Ashley was met by the gazes of familiar faces. To her far-right was Luke who, as usual, was standing next to Claire. Next to Claire was Samantha; her best friend who kept looking at her with teary eyes.

“Can you stand?” Richard asked. “I can carry you if that’s alright.”

Ashley missed staring into his caring blue eyes. She smiled. “It’s okay Richard. My body is a bit stiff but I’ll manage.”

Before standing, Ashley realized that she was now dressed in the blue dress she’d worn at the school dance; a few moments ago she’d been in the Underworld wearing the dusty black apparel Ethan had given her.

Richard helped Ashley stand.

As she was being guided to the living room, she threw a glance at where Ethan was lying and wondered how he was doing in the Underworld.

Taking a seat on the couch, Ashley looked at the curious eyes staring at her.

“You guys look like you’ve just seen a ghost,” Ashley joked, trying to relieve the tension that had built up.

“Well, you were kind of dead,” said Samantha, sitting next to her. Samantha laid her head on Ashley’s shoulder. “So, perhaps you’re not so far off.”

Ashley, Luke, Claire, and Samantha chuckled but Richard and Talya’s faces were marked by serious narrowed eyes.

“This may be early to ask… but what happened in there?” Claire asked.

A wide but sad smile formed on Ashley’s face. A hot sensation coursed through her eyes. She didn’t mind the tears starting to form. So many things had happened in the Underworld but there was one thing that gave her the greatest joy.

“Guys, I saw her,” Ashley said, beginning to sob.

“Who did you—“

Even before Samantha could finish that sentence, her eyes started becoming watery. She’d already figured out who Ashley was talking about. Claire came to where Ashley sat and both she and Samantha wrapped their arms around her.

“How was she? How was Alex?” Claire asked.

Buried in the embrace of her friends, Ashley wiped her wet eyes and replied, “Well, she did give me a painful head butt when she thought I had actually died. And she gave me one of her never-ending lecturers.”

“That definitely sounds like her,” Samantha replied with a slight giggle.

“I can’t even imagine being scolded by Alex for hours,” Claire commented.

Ashley looked at her red-haired friend and said, “Actually I spent over eight days with her.”

“Wait what? That long?”

Luke was the one who asked this time and his dark brown eyes were gleaming with excitement and curiosity.

Ashley nodded. “And during that time, I also found out that my father is alive.” Ashley proceeded to tell them everything about how she met Alex and the Dhalla and how they were able to know for a fact that her father was alive.

“Ashley, that’s incredible,” said Samantha.

There was a peaceful silence until Talya spoke.

“And the Chimera?” she asked. “Why does he remain in the Underworld while you are out here?”

Ashley secretly curled her hand into a fist. She was trying her best to not bring up Ethan in the conversation and was hoping that he would wake up any moment. Time was something she needed to buy for him. But looking at the stern expression on Richard’s face, Ashley wondered how long it would take for everyone to realize that she was no longer physically linked to him.

“Ashley? What’s wrong?” Samantha asked. “What happened to Ethan?”

“Is there something you’re hiding from us, Half-breed?” Talya added.

Standing up, Ashley walked past Richard and went near Ethan.

“When Ethan and I reached Hades Palace, we found a Hunter waiting for us. He had set a trap and when he attacked, Ethan saved my life.

“I assure you, it wasn’t out of the kindness of his heart,” Richard said. “He was protecting himself, nothing more. If you had died, he too would have perished.”

“It wasn’t the first time he protected me down there, Richard,” Ashley quickly responded. She was shocked at how much anger was in her voice but she didn’t let it subside. “Ethan protected me countless times; enduring pain that would have broken me had I experienced it. Even when his soul was being torn apart he still put his life in harm’s way for my sake.”

“What do you mean his soul was being ripped apart?” Samantha asked.

Ashley didn’t know how to best answer that. She knew that Samantha was developing feelings for Ethan but how could she tell her that she was probably the one responsible for what was happening to him?

“Well, I don’t know what happened here but someone put a spell on Ethan that caused him unimaginable pain. If it wasn’t for him being tethered to me, he would have died long before I even returned.”

“There are only two witches here and even I don’t have the power to curse the mighty Chimera,” Talya said with a devious smile on her face and she glared at Samantha.

“So that means… I…” Samantha muttered.

“Sam, it wasn’t your fault,” Claire stated, holding Samantha’s hand. “Remember what we told you. You were not yourself. It was as if someone else had possessed you.”

“What do you mean?” Ashley tried to ask but Richard stepped in.

“How did you escape the Underworld?” he asked, his eyes still cold and studying Ashley carefully.

“Ethan gave me a vial with some glowing yellow liquid inside,” Ashley replied. “After drinking it found myself here.”

“Ethan was physically linked with you,” Richard added. “If you returned he was supposed to return also.”

“Unless he severed that physical link,” Talya stated, moving next to Richard. “Which means that right now… The Chimera can be destroyed.”

Ashley gritted her teeth in frustration.

“Is that true Ashley?” asked Richard.

Ashley remained silent; thinking carefully of what her next move would be.

“Oh, not only is it true," Talya said with a smirk. "She has been trying to buy time, haven’t you half-breed?”

Ashley had seen Richard angry before but not like this. His face had no angry lines but she could sense it in his aura. Anger, distrust, and the hope that what Talya was saying wasn’t true. Richard was so furious that he couldn’t even control his aura.

“Listen,” Ashley said, addressing not only Richard but everyone. “Ethan is not who you think he is. He is not some monster hell-bent on destruction. On the contrary, everything he’s done up to now has been to protect one person. And as slim as the chance is, I believe that person is Samantha.”

“Me? What are you talking about?” asked Samantha, her eyes wide with shock.

“It’s had to explain but all I can say for now is that whatever is happening to you, Ethan might have an idea of how to fix it.”

Ashley looked at Richard.

“I am sorry, Richard but because of this I can’t let you kill your brother.”

Richard’s fingers bent into a fist and Ashley could see blood dripping from his hands. She felt an ache in her heart for what she was doing but she believed that it was the right thing to do.

“Tell me something, Ashley. If I killed your mom and sister, would there be anything that would stop you from seeking revenge?”

“Richard!” Luke shouted, standing furiously from his seat. “Are you threatening, Ashley?”

“All he did was ask the half-breed a reasonable question,” Talya interjected. “Ethan killed both of Richard’s parents, he put a curse on Richard that prevents him from ever returning to his home...” Talya gestured her hand towards Ashley. “Yet, here she stands trying to defend the very monster that took everything away from him. How do you think he feels?”

Luke couldn’t answer. Instead, he looked at Ashley, who was doing her best to keep her composure after what Richard had said to her. How dare he bring her family into this?

But even with the anger raging inside her, Talya's words gave Ashley a glimpse of what Richard was feeling. Though, she didn’t say it she knew what her answer would have been. She couldn’t picture a scenario where she would have been able to forgive anyone who hurt her family or her friends. She understood that Richard felt the same way and yet…

“Richard, Talya,” she said. “You guys are the oldest people in this room. Richard, you are over fifty thousand years old and Talya has been alive for over nine centuries.”

“Technically, we are both dead,” Talya commented, running a hand through her long dark hair. “But I fail to see the point you’re trying to make here, half-breed.”

“I just want to ask you guys... In all the years, you’ve lived… has any one of you ever heard a lie come out of Ethan’s mouth?”

“I still see no point to this," Talya answered but Ashley gave her a stern look that made her smirk. "But since you asked… No. It's one of his so called rule. The Chimera never lies and he never goes back on his word."

Ashley recalled what Ethan had said in the Underworld when she asked him why he cursed Richard.

“Sometimes we may hurt the ones we love in order to protect them.”

Ethan never lies, Ashley thought. She didn’t need Talya or Richard to confirm it but hearing that fact come out of the mouths of one of Ethan’s worst enemies made it all the more concrete.

“I am trusting you, little mermaid.”

A warm feeling of relief coursed through Ashley’s body when she remembered Ethan saying those words.

“Richard, I would never ask you to forgive the one who killed your parents. Just like wouldn’t ask you to spare his life right now. That’s a choice only you can make. Just like I have made mine.”

“And what decision have you made?” asked Richard, moving slightly closer to her.

Both Richard and Talya’s eyes flew wide open, when Ashley bowed her head slightly, raised her right hand, pressed the tips of her little finger and ring finger on her palm, and rested her hand on her chest.

Richard’s eyes glowed orange and his fangs extended. Flames burst out and covered his hands.

“Do you even know what that symbol is?” he snared.

“The little wench has completely fallen for the Chimera’s seduction,” Talya added, her eyes glowing purple and her sharp fangs almost biting into her lower lip. “That’s the sign the Chimera has always used when facing some of his greatest foes.”

“You’re wrong, Talya,” Ashley said. “My mother once told me stories about this sign. It was the symbol of the kingdom of Arianis. Ethan is probably the last Arianan alive. A warrior using this sign was said to be showing great respect for their opponent and this symbol signified many other things depending on how it was used.”

“Love, Protect, and Hope. The three raised fingers symbolize the three principles most cherished by the people of Arianis. To love one another, to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves, and to have hope even in the darkest of times.”

“Ashley… You said that it was used as a show of respect for the opponent,” Richard said. “Does it mean you consider us your enemies now?”

“I would never think that, Richard,” said Ashley. “However, I know that in order to protect Ethan, I will have to fight you.”

“And do you really think you can win?” This time a deadly smirk appeared across Richard’s face. “You do realize that I am the one who taught everything you know about being a Water Element Master right?”

Is he sure he taught us everything?

When Ashley heard that voice in her head she was startled for a while but eventually calmed down.

Who are you? she thought to herself.

“I am you,” the voice replied. “Well, at least the part of you that you would rather keep hidden from others. However, you know deep inside that you have always needed me and the power I can give you.”

What power?

Ashley felt her own lips curl into a smile. She raised both her arms and suddenly Richard’s body stiffened and everyone could see his veins showing across his skin. She was controlling the blood in his body.

“Taught me everything you say,” Ashley heard herself say. She was losing control of her body. It was just like what happened back in the Underworld.

“How interesting?” Talya said. “However…”

Ashley felt a wave of power emanate out of Richard’s body and the grip she had over his blood was broken. Whatever was controlling Ashley’s body stopped. Ashley moved her fingers and breathed in deeply.

“So while you were in the Underworld, Ethan showed you a few tricks. That power you just displayed can only be used by dark Water Element Masters. I guess there are many things I don’t know about you. Still, whatever newfound resolve you have… It won’t be enough to stop me.”

“Not alone it won’t”

Luke was the one who spoke and together with Claire and Samantha they came and stood next to Ashley.

“You know, I have to admit. I have never really understood some of the things Ashley does,” Luke said. “But I know for a fact that her actions are never based on greed, hatred, or selfishness. If she says that Ethan has to be protected, then I stand with her.”

“And so do we,” Samantha stated, holding Ashley and Claire’s hands.

Talya burst into gales of laughter.

“By the gods!” she laughed. “I can’t believe it. The Chimera yet again has managed to turn Richard’s friends into foes.”

“Please don’t make me the villain here, Ashley,” Richard pleaded. “You don’t understand what it’s like to watch your parents murdered before your very own eyes. What it’s like to lose everything in a blink of an eye.”

Ashley couldn’t stop her tears from flowing but she still stood by what she had said.

“I have made my decision, Richard,” she stated. “Ethan has to live.”

Richard took in a deep breath. “Then I have no choice. I will destroy the Chimera. And anyone who tries getting in my way will meet the same fate.” He looked intensely at Ashley. “Anyone.”

“Guys, I love you for stepping up for me,” Ashley whispered to her friends, though she knew Richard could hear them. “But please leave the rest to me and don’t try to fight Richard.”

“But what are going to do?” Claire asked. “Richard is too powerful and forgive me but he’s right… You can’t stop him.”

“That’s the thing,” said Ashley. “I don’t plan on fighting him.”

“Um… Is there water leaking?” Samantha asked while rubbing off some water that had dropped on the side of her cheek.

Everything was already in place, Ashley thought. As she was talking earlier, she was trying to sense where the water system of the mansion was and she eventually felt the water running through the network of pipes around the manor.

By the time, Richard realized what Ashley was doing it was too late. She gestured her hands together and water began to splash from all over the manor. Without hesitating, Ashley ran to where Ethan was and picked him up. She controlled a large wave of water that engulfed both her and Ethan; throwing both of them through the door that led to the back of the manor.

Ashley let her instincts take over. Luckily, Ethan’s body was not as heavy as she’d imagined so she managed to carry him on her left shoulder while using her other hand to control the water. Ashley slid over the water as if she was riding a skateboard. She saw Richard coming behind her. Wings of flames had burst out of his back and he was quickly closing the distance between them.

“Ashley, stop this madness!” he shouted.

Without responding, Ashley slid into the forest that surrounded Ethan’s manor. It was still in the early hours of the morning so Ashley heightened her vision in order to navigate through the dark forest.

She needed to get to the ocean. If she could at least get into the ocean’s water then Richard wouldn’t be able to follow her which would at least buy some time before—

Reflectively, Ashley manipulated the water she was sliding on to her right and barely dodged a blast of fire that was aimed at her. She took a quick glance at Richard and her eyes flew open. Even though he was a considerable distance away, Ashley was see and sense the intent to kill in his eyes. However, she refused to let that deter her from her goal. A multitude of flames came at her again and she did her best to dodge all of them but one of the blasts scrapped the side of her right shoulder.

I don’t blame you, Richard, she thought, biting her lip and pursuing them together in pain. I won’t hate you for this and neither will I hate myself.

When Ashley had decided she was going to protect Ethan she was well aware of the consequences. Yet, she went through with that decision because she believed it was the right path.

So she bit her lower lip, endured the pain, and kept going. She increased the speed at which the water was moving. Small branches tore through her dress and leaves whipped her face. Ashley became so fast that she made it to the other side of the forest in a matter of minutes. Richard wasn’t so far behind but that didn’t matter when her feet touched the ocean water.

Richard landed with a thud on the ground; he couldn’t fly anymore. He had used his Kadan form which gave him great power and speed but would only last for less than five minutes. However, Richard had pursued Ashley through the forest for almost ten minutes and only now was he reaching his limit.

Standing on the shores of the beach, Richard called out to Ashley.

“You will regret this, Ashley!” Richard shouted. “You will regret making an enemy out of me.”

Ashley was breathing heavily and her throat stung with every breath she sucked in. She almost couldn’t feel her arms and her legs were about to give out.

After dropping Ethan into the water, Ashley walked over to Richard. She stood at a distance in the water where she could talk to him clearly but couldn’t be reached by him.

“I hope you can forgive me someday, Richard,” Ashley said as small waves hit her legs.

Richard was panting heavily too but his gaze was as powerful as ever.

“Ethan has always had a way of drawing out the darkness in people,” he said. “But I never thought he would get to you, Ashley.”

“You’re right about that,” Ashley replied. “But at the same time, you’re wrong about something. Ethan didn’t draw out the darkness in me. He just made me realize that I had it. Do you even know why I went to the Underworld with him?”

“Wasn’t it to replace out about your father?”

“At first that was my only thought. But I later saw another opportunity. You see, Adrian currently believes that Ethan was the one who killed his uncle. You and I both know that it was Sara who did and I have been afraid of what he might do when he replaces out the truth. So when I was with Ethan in the Underworld I saw it as an opportunity to make a deal with him. A deal that would have made him have Adrian convinced that Ethan was indeed the one who killed his uncle.”

“But the more time I spent with Ethan, the more I realized that while Ethan would never lie… He is also someone hell-bent on making people think the worst of him. I honestly don’t know why but part of me thinks that it’s to protect those he cares about; to protect them from himself.”

“Ethan has no love in his heart, Ashley,” stated Richard. “All the lives he took, all the families he has destroyed… That monster has destroyed realms, Ashley. And you dare defend him?! Perhaps Talya was right. You really did just fall for his seduction”

Ashley had enough. She was willing to take any insults from Richard but there was something she wouldn’t condone.

“And what about you Richard?” she said in a low voice. “How many innocent lives have you taken in your quest to destroy Ethan? How many families have you destroyed? And how many have sort vengeance for what you did to them?”

“We are both hypocrites Richard. The only reason you want Ethan dead is to satisfy your own thirst for revenge and you don’t care for any lives saved or lost in the process. I am a hypocrite because I say I keep secrets to protect my friends when in reality I just want to protect myself. I lied to Adrian countless times thinking that it was to protect you or Sara but all I was afraid of was that he would leave me and never speak to me again. And to make things worse, when he began distancing himself from me I was so lost and confused that I decided to cling to the closest person to me; you.”

“But Ethan is different,” Ashley said. “For someone with so much power, he never uses it for his own selfish gains. He never lies and always keeps his word. Between the three of us, I think Ethan is the most honorable.” Ashley looked at Ethan lying in the water. She smiled and said, “Perhaps his greatest shortcoming is that he never sees the light within himself.”

Ashley watched as Richard sighed and calmed down.

“’ He never sees the light within himself,” Richard said as if quoting someone else. “You know, Lenora once said the exact same thing about him. What is it that you people see in him that I don’t?”

“From how you and Ethan speak about her, I can tell that Lenora was a kind-hearted and courageous girl,” replied Ashley. “Perhaps she and I just like to see the best in people; even people like Ethan. But unlike her, I sometimes fail to see the best in myself.”

“You two do have a lot in common,” Richard said. “Just like Lenora, you are also both naïve and predictable.”

“What are you doing?”

Ashley watched as Richard walked into the water. She could see him clenching his jaw and tightening his fists in pain. Smoke began to rise from his feet and his trousers burst into flames. He knelt into the water and this time his hands too fell inside.

“Richard stop this!” Ashley shouted.

“I am willing to do anything to see the Chimera destroyed,” Richard said through his teeth. “But, are you willing to see me die in order to protect him?”

Richard’s body was getting engulfed in flames. Ashley manipulated a tendril of water and tried smacking him out to the shore but Richard blasted a flame from his hand and vaporized the tendril.

“Okay fine!” Ashley cried and she controlled the water away from where Richard stood.

Breathing heavily, Richard waited for his burns to heal. After that, he stood and began to walk towards Ethan. Ashley cleared a path so that Richard couldn’t get burnt again.

“See, predictable,” Richard said to her just as he passed her.

Everything was going to plan, Ashley thought. She had accounted for Richard pulling a stunt like this and also knew how she would act. The first thing was to let him think he’d won by paving the way for Ethan. After he had lowed his guard, Ashley proceeded to the next step. She secretly controlled some water into her hand and formed it into a sharp shard of ice. It wouldn’t kill him but she was that if she stabbed him with it, Richard would be incapacitated for a while; as long as she didn’t stab his heart.

But just as before she could stab him from behind, Talya materialized out of thin air, and floating above her were Luke, Claire, and Samantha. They were all conscious but all had scared expressions in their eyes.

“Try to stop Richard and your friends die,” Talya said with a smirk.

Ashley threw a gaze at Richard. She was holding the ice shard in one hand and using the other to keep the ocean’s water away from him.

“Richard, you can’t possibly be threatening my friends… our friends,” she said.

“You chose your side, Ashley,” answered Richard.

This time Ashley had no idea of what to do. Richard was getting closer to Ethan and her friends were being held hostage.

“Richard, please,” pleaded Ashley.

“You waste your tears for him, Ashley,” said Richard without looking back at her. “I don’t really know what happened between the two of you in the Underworld but for your sake alone, I will make sure he doesn’t suffer.”

Ashley looked at Samantha, Claire, and Luke hovering in the air, under the influence of Talya’s power. Samantha’s eyes were watery but she still kept a smile on her face; as if telling Ashley she had done her best.

Save Ethan or lose her friends? Had she been faced with such a decision the day she met Ethan, Ashley wouldn’t have hesitated to save her friends. Hell, she probably would have helped whoever was trying to kill Ethan. But things were different now she thought. She desperately wanted to save both her friends and Ethan but had no idea how to do it. That was of course until what happened next.

Ashley didn’t know how but a small back arrow landed near the place Talya stood. Talya noticed it too late. The arrow exploded throwing Talya sideways into the water near Ashley.

Suddenly, out of the woods came a large black wolf and Ashley narrowed her eyes and smiled when she saw Sara riding on top of it. The wolf was probably Spencer. Samantha, Claire, and Luke fell to the ground but it didn’t look like they were seriously hurt.

“Ashley! Save Ethan!” Samantha shouted.

Ashley turned in the direction of Richard. He was already near Ethan, kneeling on one knee beside him and his right— which was engulfed in flames— was raised in the air and began to drop; aiming for Ethan’s chest.

I am not going to make it, Ashley thought as her legs involuntarily began running towards Richard. She could clearly see his movements. His fingers had extended into fiery claws and they were almost on Ethan’s chest.

I am not going to make it…

I won’t be able to save him…

I am sorry… Ethan.

But the next words she didn’t just say in her mind. Ashley screamed the words with all her might, hoping he would listen… hoping for a miracle. After their battle with Sebastian, Ashley received a thought from him and it consisted of three words she didn’t understand back then, and though she had no idea why, Ashley felt that it was the best moment to say them. So with every ounce of strength, she had left, she screamed…

“Haro Thirek Milarka… Ethan!”

A bright white light emanated from Ethan’s unconscious and the force from the blast that came next was so powerful that it tossed Richard, Ashley, and Talya out of the water and onto the shores of the beach. Ashley’s back was slammed on the sand and a painful cough shot out of her mouth. She lay on the ground for a while, quite unsure of what had just happened.

Hot air blew from where the blast had come from and as Ashley’s vision cleared she faced in the same direction. Her heart raced even faster and her eyes lit up with both shock and excitement when she saw a fiery red portal open up behind Ethan’s body. Suddenly, the body began to disintegrate into flames that rose and flew inside the portal. It was after this that he stepped out of the portal.

A dark red coat, deep red trousers, and boots, slightly long dark hair with a bit of a red shine in someplace,s and eyes as dark as midnight; it was Ethan.

He gracefully stepped out of the portal and his boots landed in the water. As glad as Ashley was to him, she noticed him staring intensely over her right shoulder. Her burn had not yet healed which was strange considering that she healed faster ever since her mermaid side was fully awakened.

Ethan began to walk towards the beach.

“Friends become adversaries, adversaries become allies,” said Ethan. “Time and again I have seen this happen but I never expected you to go this far, little brother. Is my destruction so important you’d risk everything you have built here?”

“Shut up you monster!” Richard snarled. “You are the cause of all this… You probably wanted this to happen. I should never have allowed Ashley to go into the Underworld with you.”

“It wasn’t your choice to make, little brother,” Ethan replied. “But what you just did here… I am afraid you only have your blind rage to blame.”

“How do you even manage to escape?” Talya asked, grunting as she stood. “The portal to the Underworld was closed the moment the half-breed returned.”

“Let’s just say I used the oldest trick in the book; I paid my dues to the Ferryman” answered Ethan. “My body should have disintegrated and materialized at the entrance to the Underworld but instead the little mermaid summoned me here.” Ethan looked at Ashley. “I only gave that spell to those I trusted the most. It can summon me anywhere. Sebastian must have given it to you before he was destroyed.”

“I am glad it worked,” Ashley said.

However, Ashley’s short moment of celebration ceased when someone else suddenly appeared. It was Deimos. Covered in the same sackcloth he always wore, he looked at Ashley and said, “You disappoint me, child. To think your resolve could easily be shaken.”

Ashley saw Ethan begin to run towards the beach but he couldn’t have made it. All Ashley heard was loud electric crackling, like lightning, and she heard Deimos shout to Ethan saying, “You know where to replace us.”

There was a bright flash and sure she’d only blinked, Ashley was surprised when she found herself standing on a shiny white marble floor. However, she could neither move nor speak. She tried to force some action but the best she could do was move her eyelids and lips a little.

“Is everything ready, Lord Deimos?” Ashley heard Talya say behind her.

“It is… But using some of my uncle’s power greatly weakened my hold on this world.” Deimos was the one now speaking. “I fear that if I return to the Spirit Realm, I might never return.”

“Zeus’ power certainly had a great toll on you,” Talya said. “Don’t worry, my lord. Soon you will wield the power of all the twelve Olympians… And with such power, not only will you be able to transcend out of this dimensional plane but the Chimera will be nothing but an insect compared to you.”

“Let’s begin the ritual,” Richard said, almost commanding. “We may be on the other side of the world but Ethan could be here within minutes. Luckily, this place has no leylines so he cannot use a portal to get here.

Though no one touched her, Ashley felt a strong force pulling her and taking her to where Talya’s voice was coming from. She felt a wet and icy cold hand grab her by the neck. None of her muscles were responding and she bit the inside of her lip in frustration.

“Don’t bother half-breed,” Talya said and she came in front of Ashley. “The Paralysis Spell I have cast on you cannot be broken by sheer will alone.”

Talya pulled out a small vial from her the pocket of her drenched leather jacket. Ashley recognized that vial. It was the same as the one that contained the glowing yellow liquid that Ashley had drunk into to escape the Underworld.

“Looks like you recognize this,” said Talya. “While you and the Chimera were in the Underworld, Richard and I remained searching for this very vial; a vial that contains the blood of a god. You have no idea just how special this blood is, but you are about to replace out. Richard, take her to the altar.”

Ashley felt two hands lift her up and she saw Richard’s face. He wasn’t even looking at her as he carried her. Her lips could move slightly but her upper and lower jaw felt like they were glued together.

Richard lay Ashley on a white marble platform; one Talya had referred to as an altar. Ashley managed to tilt her head a little. There were large stone pillars with golden decorations everywhere. Outside was a large expanse of trees and grass that stretched as far as the eyes could see. She turned and faced the ceiling.

Olympus, she thought. This is where she must have been. There were six large golden statues on her right, six on her left and Ashley was on an altar in the center. They must have been statues of the twelve Olympians.

“Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia. Demeter, Hermes, my father Ares and my mother Aphrodite, Athena, Artemis, Apollo, and Hephaestus,” Deimos began to speak. “To the world, these were the almighty twelve Olympians but to me, they were family. When they disappeared and I didn’t, I knew it was because of my unfinished business with the Chimera.”

Talya walked up to Ashley and spilled the glowing yellow fluid on Ashley’s chest.

“But I learned something,” continued Deimos. “Even if my family left, their power remained; contained in the golden statues you see before you. And with your aid, I will attain that power.”

Deimos please don’t do this.

Ashley couldn’t speak so she thought those words.

“Some things are just inevitable, child,” he replied audibly.

Talya began to chant some words in an undiscernible language and Ashley gritted her teeth when she felt her chest burning. Ashley saw Talya pierce her hand into her chest but surprisingly there was no pain. Ashley still felt nothing when Talya pulled out her heart. Seeing her own beating heart, Ashley began to lose consciousness.

Was she dying, she thought.

“Don’t worry, you will not die,” Deimos said. “The heart of a creature who happens to be the only one of her kind; just like Prometheus’ Orb, this spell demands such a sacrifice. Yin and Yang, Balance and Chaos, Good and Evil, Spirit, and Flesh… The spell Talya is about to perform will return me to the Physical Realm.”

“There are always consequences to magic,” said Ashley in her mind.

“Like Richard here, I believe the Chimera’s destruction is worth any sacrifice,” Deimos stated.

Talya began the spell. A large glowing golden magic circle appeared in the ceiling above and gusts of winds began blowing viciously. Ashley saw her friends lying on the ground. Samantha, Claire, and Luke but Sara and Spencer weren't with them.

Lightning began crackling everywhere. Holding Ashley’s heart with one hand, Talya raised her other hand, and out of the glowing magic circle came a dark red mist that engulfed Ashley’s heart. The mist then made its way to Deimos and covered him. Deimos granted in anguish as the mist penetrated through his body and ripped him apart until he too became part of it. Together, the mist and Deimos formed a large cloud of black smoke that left and went into the magic circle. Beams of light came from all the statues; directed into the circle.

It was after this that Ashley sensed it.

Ethan…

He came flying through the building and grabbed Talya by her neck. Ashley opened her mouth but no words would come out. His face. It was the first time Ashley so Ethan with worried eyes.

“You’re too late, Chimera,” Richard said and Ethan let go of Talya when a thunderous thud came from behind him.

Ashley’s eyes widened when she saw Deimos in shiny light-weight golden armor. His body was almost twice the size of a normal human being and in his hand was a large and very sharp golden sword.

“Don’t worry, Chimera,” Deimos said, his voice resonant and powerful that it shook the building. “I will be sure to give you a quick death. I see you came prepared to fight. You have unlocked two of your seals; the seal of air and water. However—”

Deimos moved so fast that it was like he disappeared. He appeared near Ethan and pushed him so hard, he was sent crashing into the walls.

“You dare underestimate me, Chimera!” Deimos shouted. “Do you really believe that you can defeat me with only two of your seals alone?”

Talya walked to Ashley and made her sit up so that she could watch everything that was happening. She returned Ashley’s heart into her chest. The Paralysis Spell cast on her was still active and slowly, Ashley’s eyelids began to close.

“Fight me, Chimera!” Deimos shouted and grabbed Ethan by his neck. Ethan raised his hand and Ashley was surprised when sharp spikes of ice formed out of thin air and aimed at Deimos. The ice crumbled when it hit Deimos’ now impenetrable skin. Angry, Deimos smacked Ethan onto the ground.

“Let me show you how it’s done,” Deimos said. He too raised his right hand and out of nowhere a multitude of golden arrows with long pointed tips appeared. When Deimos closed his fist, the arrows all aimed at Ethan.

Ashley’s body could only tremble as Ethan’s body was mercilessly pierced by the arrows.

“Deimos please stop!” Ashley cried in her mind as tears flooded her eyes.

“You shed tears for this monster?” Deimos said.

A blast of lightning shot in the air and landed on Ethan, who clenched his teeth. His body was completely pulverized— soaked in his own red blood— and pierced with arrows. He was trying to move but it was like some force was keeping him on the floor.

Raising his hand, Deimos willed the arrows to disappear.

“Just get on with it,” Richard said. He quickly looked at Ashley and back at Deimos.

“For her sake, I see,” Deimos said. His eyes began to glow white and he grabbed Ethan by his neck. Deimos’ body reverted to that of an average human. “They say no one can rip out the heart of the Chimera. Let’s test that theory.”

“No!”

When Deimos plunged his hand into Ethan’s chest, Ashley heard Samantha’s voice. Richard went over to her and restrained Samantha to the ground. Ashley could do nothing but watch as Deimos pulled out Ethan’s heart. He held it in the air; as if displaying it to a large audience and crushed it.

Thunder rumbled in the sky and the wind blowing became so fierce Ashley almost felt like she could be blown away. Deimos dropped Ethan on the ground. Dark blood was gushing out of his chest and flowing out of his mouth.

“And so ends the reign of the Chimera,” Talya said but suddenly whispered in Ashley’s ear. “Or has it?”

Strange, I never thought anyone would ever mourn my destruction.

Ashley’s heart skipped a beat when she heard Ethan’s voice in her mind. Not only that she could also feel exactly how he was feeling. Perhaps, it was the residual effects of the physical link that had bound them in the Underworld. Ethan was in so much pain that it made Ashley’s heart ache and tears were flowing uncontrollably out of her eyes.

Even the little mermaid sheds tears for me. Did I not tell her how precious a mermaid’s tears are? She shouldn’t waste them… especially not for me.

Ashley heard his voice again.

Lightning blasted through the building and the weather was becoming more vicious.

Ethan slowly turned to face his brother, Richard.

My dear little brother. Ashley heard Ethan’s thoughts and felt his feelings. All he ever wanted to do was protect Richard; to protect him from himself and from enemies that would do anything to get his hands on him.

But that didn’t matter now.

“You should all flee from this place,” Ashley said. They were her words and at the same time, they were also Ethan’s.

She could feel it; darkness beyond what anyone could comprehend was awakening inside Ethan. She could feel it taking over him and as Ethan’s consciousness faded, Ashley’s eyes closed.

“Brother,” Ashley heard herself say. “Take everyone to the peak of Mount Olympus.”

“Ashley?” Richard said.

“This is impossible,” Talya gasped and Ashley could feel her walking away.

“If you don’t leave, you will all perish.”

Ashley could feel Ethan’s presence in her mind. He was trying to warn everyone. And these were the last words that came from her mouth.

“With creation came destruction, with life, death and with light, darkness… And out of that darkness, I, the Chimera, was born. And you will all witness that so long as darkness exists…”

“The Chimera will never be allowed to die.”

***

A battle between the Chimera who possess the power of ten of Earth’s most powerful dark creatures and a god who now wields the power of the twelve Olympians... Who do you think will win? Find out in the next chapter.

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