29 The Crimson Prince (2/2)
The never ending flood of wraiths continued on, testing Will's limits. He was just one person while decades of preparing for this exact moment, the wraiths seemed to be unlimited. Within moments, Will felt yet another burning sensation coming from his pocket. As he continued his onslaught of the enemy, Will could feel the flame of Bianca funneling into him, as well as the burning sensation coming from his uncle's cross. In moments he felt a huge surge of energy within his sword.
Pointing the sword at the horde of creatures, Will went back to the basics. The first thing he learned to do as he practiced the flame with Maya. At the tip of the blade, a ball of fire erupted forth. Holding it there, the wraiths faltered. A few got close to the ball only to be disintegrated by the pure light emitted. Will condensed the flame allowing the ball to shrink slightly yet compress the explosion. Looking at the wraiths one final time, he released the ball into the horde of darkness.
Shrieks followed the flames path as each and every one of the dark creatures were caught by the ball of pure light. The ones too far back caught the flame from those who had already received it. Within moments, the shrieks of terror slowly subsided. Will watched as the blindingly bright flame burned away all of the darkness, leaving nothing behind but ash. In mere moments, the last people that were in the dungeon were Will and Bianca.
As soon as the wraiths shrieks of pure terror had subsided, Will went to Bianca's side. Her body was limp within the chains and sweat covered her brow. Checking for a pulse, Will was relieved to find a pulse within his girlfriend.
Taking his sword to the chain which held her to the wall, it gave way easily as he caught the falling unconscious girl. Will looked around only for an instant before reconnecting his sword to the chain on his neck. As soon as it turned back to the pendant, he released it and grabbed his phone. Channeling his need within the device, Will found himself yet again within the confines of the manor.
Without breaking a stride, Will brought Bianca to her bed to rest. He knew what it felt like to be chained up and how long it would take for her to come around. Opening the door to her room, Will placed her on her bed. The sweat had subsided a little, and he could see the color returning to her face. ”Take as much time as you need, Bianca,” he said as he went to the door. Taking one more look at her, he shut it and took out his phone again. Inserting a flame, he located Leo. ”I want you to post guard on Bianca's room until she wakes up.” Will looked at the screen long enough to see his friend nod.
Putting his phone away, Will went to his uncle's room. As he walked in, he noticed the man standing at the window, his hands folded behind his back. With the usual business suit donned, the man looked like he was going to a meeting instead of having just avoided death's cold touch. When Will closed the door, Michael turned to him. ”William,” he said with a smile of relief. ”I take it you were able to get Bianca back?” Will only nodded toward his uncle.
Taking out the pendant, Will looked at it for a time. ”This pendant was part of the reason I got out of that situation alive,” he said as he gave it back to his uncle. ”I don't know how I used it, but it seemed like I was drawing its strength in order to fight the impossible.” Michael waved his hand, telling Will to keep it. ”If it reacted to you, it's probably better off in your hands,” he said as he took a step toward the door. ”You did really well, William, your father would be proud.” With that, he took his leave allowing Will the space to think.
Don't think this is over, Crimson Prince, a voice rang out in his mind. We are growing stronger every day. Soon, we shall have what's rightfully ours. Will closed his eyes for a moment and saw a shocking sight.
Within a cobblestone room, Jake stood over a body of which looked familiar. Placing a black flamed hand on the corpse of Maya, he allowed his darkness to spread throughout the figure. As the flames seemed to catch the body, the icy chill of death surrounded her. Instead of burning, the flame produced a shriek. The sound was so unnerving that the body itself reacted. In moments, a pale Maya stood to greet Jake. The young man looked out into nothing while holding the girl's hand. ”Your fate has been sealed, Crimson Prince,” he said in a voice that was not his own. ”You will come to us of your own accord,” he placed a kiss on Maya's cold lips.
Will opened his eyes in terror, his friend had turned corrupt. Jake had so easily turned to the darkness that Will had to think back to the man's true intentions when he first met him. He had thought to give the man his trust and so easily was it taken away. Now with Maya at his side, he knew Will wouldn't be able to resist the call. Will couldn't believe that Jake could've ever been capable of such evil. Though the more he thought about it, the more he realized that it wasn't Jake's voice that rang from him. It was the voice of the corrupt flame, the darkness that had taken his mother from him.
Looking out the window of his uncle's estate, Will made a silent vow that he would find Jake and Maya. He would drag them back to the manor even if against their will, and purge the madness that had taken over them. He would cleanse the darkness to allow their freedom. He would not lose Maya to corruption again.
Will clutched a hand over his own pendant, allowing his flame to burst forward. Holding his gold and silver sword, he made a vow. ”Darkness will not take any more from me,” he said as his flames burned brighter. He had made his promise, and now it was time to take the responsibility. He was the Crimson Prince, and it was about time he and his father will have a reunion.