Death and Howls Part Twenty-Three: An Odd Ride!

Darwin:

A black ball floated in front of me, the ominous feeling oozing from it striking a nerve. Poking it, a blast of dark energy whipped me onto a chugging train. Flickering lights and decaying cars spoke of the dreaded Nightmare Train, a shadowy form swirling into view. His robe floated up, his fingers snapping. Abnormal respect plastered me in my spot, my mind coursing through what to do. Floating through the door, a steady stream of curse words flooded from my lips. Sprinting towards the door, one yank ripped it open. Crossing the threshold, the color drained from my cheeks upon returning to the center of the car. Fuck, this couldn't be solved by running away. How typical!

“All aboard!” His voice thundered mischievously, the door opening. Mortimus spun on, a devious grin spreading ear to ear. Tapping the floor, various corpses rose up around us. Was he real or an illusion? Stabbing in my gut, blood dribbled onto my boots. Shit, he was real! Brandishing my scythe, a swing through his body went right through him. Grimacing bitterly, my blood spraying his face the second he yanked his scythe out of my stomach. Poking at the wound, a thin layer in inky blackness glittered on the tips of my fingers. Why did everything come with me dying? Was death what I feared? No, it was losing everyone that I loved.

“Face your trauma and fears if you want to live.” That bastard’s voice barked hotly, Mortimus’ lips conveying the words. “A good commander needs to work past the cracks opening in your heart.” Pulling out Helios’ wing, every breath grew shorter. Dangling it precariously, a tremble claimed my weakening body. Damn, that was too freaking far.

“What are you going to do?” He asked sadistically, every breath quickening.  “You were the one that couldn’t protect your dragon.” Shifting into Acer’s form, a cruel grin darkened his features. Dusting off his golden armor, the car began to spin around me. Any attempts to heal myself failed, a scroll appearing in his palm.  Tossing it in my direction, the rules of the game were simple. Face any trauma and fears before bleeding out, the game would be won. Clearing my throat, the scene shifted to a sea of my friend and family’s corpses. Silent tears dribbled off my chin, the capital had been destroyed beyond recognition. Spinning into his true form, his bones creaked as he leaned forward. Frustration brewed in his eyes, a new twinkle causing me to shrink back. Healing my wound, the old contract burned up. What was his game, I pondered bitterly to myself.

“I can’t break into your trauma. That damn god must have kicked me out.” He growled while tossing me a quill. “Survive this world for a day and I will let you go. Fix that trauma before it drowns you. Good luck!” Ash floated in front of the sun, a deep sorrow mixing with fear. Clutching my scythe close to my chest, one last look at my blood soaked friends and family placed me into a bad spot. Shadows darted around me, a haggard Felina ran up to me with the twins on her back. Crouching down to her level, her arms draped around my neck. Happy to have something familiar, the idiot put himself at a disadvantage.

“I thought you died!” She sobbed uncontrollably into my neck, my own corpse a couple of feet sending chills up my spine. Cupping her cheek, she didn’t need to see that. Catching her lantern necklace, the memories would be stored there. Snatching her hand, no protests were met as I whisked her into the last standing building. Cutting my palm, one drop created a golden glowing dome. 

“Do you mind?” I huffed between sniffles, this experience leading to more trauma. “He must hate me if he is foregoing his original mission. The trauma healer isn’t supposed to induce more of that bullshit on you.” Confusion twisted her features, a sincere apology tumbled from my lips. Tapping her lantern twice, my hand covered her eyes. Mortimus swooped in, a single wave of decay killing everyone. Cursing under my breath, a clammy sweat drenched my skin. Raising the dead, Felina worked hard to cut everyone down. Burying her into a bear hug, the scene flickered out. Fists banged on the dome,  a poke of my head out the door shattered me. Gray claimed Acer’s skin, maggots squirmed underneath his skin. Closing the door slowly in an attempt to ignore it, a plan had to be made. Even if this world was fake, they still needed rescuing. Wondering if Lottie would be proud, Fel whipped me out of my train of thought.

“Moritimus sits on the throne, his creepy monsters are hiding Rose’s kid.” She informed me numbly, her body shuddering in my arms. A choice had presented itself, survive the day or save his kid. Choosing his kid, Fel needed to be saved. Scooting over to the door, Fel smashed into my legs. Scooping her up, my lips brushed against her forehead. Holding her to comfort myself, the anxiety attack had been avoided. 

“Stay here.” I wept brokenly, my attempt to stay strong failing each time. “If you die on me, I don’t know what I would do. Please listen to me, just this once. I vow to make this nightmare end. Keep your chin up, Fel” Hopping down, she shrank back into the corner. Strengthening my spell on the way out, a swift swing cut down Acer. Catching his torso in my arms, laying him on the other side of the fence stung like hell. Wishing a peaceful rest, a couple of minutes passed before my composure returned. Remembering Fel and the twins, something was worth fighting for. Cutting my way up to the castle, a hideous dark green marble twisting into the sky. Lightning crackled up my arm, a couple of helmeted monsters sent me dashing into the closest shadows. Shutting down my lightning, that poor child needed to be found first. Rose gasped at the sight of me, her ragged gown swaying with every step away from me. Mouthing the words help me please, a single nod granted her a bit of solace. Waiting until they were out of my line of view, lightning crackled up my arm. Closing my eyes, his energy leaked from the throne room a couple of doors down. Charging in would be stupid, an idea coming to mind. Climbing up the stairs, his rotten stench grew closer. Digging at the floor, a key magic point had to be somewhere. Slamming the tip of my scythe into the tiny ball of magic, a darkness claimed the smash. Grinning sadistically, this guy was going to get it. Raising my boot behind my head, the force of my heel meeting the polished floor shattering it to pieces. Pushing off the wall, a spin created a ball of lightning around me. A wave of decay swelled behind him, the bone throne cracking as he rose to his feet. Wiping the fresh blood off of his boots onto a nearby skull, his blade rising to the ready. 

“Isn’t this a nightmare thing? Why would you risk dying to save a world that doesn’t exist?” He interrogated me with a curious smirk, the words not coming to my lips. “Is this a pride thing or out of love for a survivor here?” Releasing his wave, the release of my lightning dissolved the attack into steam. Nice try, you fool!

“Funny. Why can’t I get the real version of you to be like this?” I retorted with a wicked chuckle, the release going to feel so great. “Do you know what you have done? Death and decay lies all around you. Forgive me for fucking caring about the people you spared to serve your ass. Is this really what you want in life? I do not appreciate seeing my fucking corpse.” Rage seethed in his eyes, his jet black engraved suit began to decay. Noting that he had a limit, a potential end could be him melting himself out of existence. Lightning joined golden flames, another wave towering over him. Releasing my ball of powers at the same time, steam allowed me to move closer to him. Pushing off the cracking floor, a flip off the top of his throne had me above his head. Sparks danced aimlessly with his block, his skin beginning to bubble. Kicking me in my stomach, a spray of blood splattered his face. Smashing into a thick column of marble, the slide down damaged more of my organs. Iron dominated my taste buds, a river of black dribbling from the corner of my lips.  

“You do know that evil lives within me.” I wheezed darkly, the black marks in my eyes growing bigger. “Kind of a big deal for a little kid to do. Lottie took me in and she couldn’t handle anymore power. That is what family does. Bring it on!” A darkness consumed my lightning and flames, his strikes barely making a dent. Black dyed my veins, the final swing taking out his heart. However, that blow came at a cost. His blade pierced my heart, ruby tears pouring from the corner of his eyes. 

“Why?” He choked out between sobs, his hands clawing at my face. “Why risk your life for anything?” Smiling tiredly in his direction, a yank by me ripped his blade from my stomach. Hot blood pooled at my feet, a cry in the doorway snapping me out of it. Fel sprinted in, a loud scream bursting from her lips. Catching him in my arms as I sank to my knees, his breathing slowed to nothing. Vomiting up another stream of blood, my fingertips closed his eyes. Lowering his head onto the floor, my arms opened up for Fel. Smashing into my chest, her sobs broke my heart. 

“You said you wouldn’t leave me!” She screamed into my shoulder, her fists pounding away. “Why are you leaving me?” Sorrow stained our cheeks, her wet eyes meeting mine. Flashing her my real smile, my trembling thumbs wiped away her tears. 

“If dying meant you had freedom, then I would pay the price all over again.” I coughed, my hand shielding her from the blood. “Go save Rose and Fae. Do that for me, please. I love you and always will.” Squirming out of my arms, her peck on my cheek stung. Sprinting away, the room began to spin. Remembering everyone’s smiles, the last one was Fel and Luna’s. Falling forward, shadowy arms caught me. Snapping his fingers, the train car faded back into view. Too traumatized to contemplate my body healing, the back of his hand smacked the back of my head. 

“What the fuck!” I spat hotly, still soaking in the shock of what happened. “You are supposed to cure trauma, not give me more! Of all the fucking things I have have ever done, that was far more dam-” Smacking the back of my head once more, a shadow hand clamped itself over my mouth. 

“Are you going to listen or am I going to have to crush you into tiny freaking pieces!” He bellowed venomously, his robes floating around in an increasing speed. “What the hell is wrong with you? You made it two hours and that was all you could do. Jesus Christ, you save the world in that version, as well. Due to risking your life, this ride is up.” Removing the hand off of my mouth, a fit of laughter burst from my lips. 

“Traumios is your name, right? I say we could be good friends.” I suggested while wiping away my tears, a clammy palm waiting for his slender fingers. “I learned something there. A limit exists. We can force him to decay himself.” His milky eyes expressed a series of emotions, his fingers massaging his forehead. 

“That is the first time defeat had landed at my feet. That truth bears weight.” He sighed with a spot of disbelief, his milky eyes meeting mine. “How the fuck did you figure out my name?” Shrugging my shoulders, the answer wasn’t good enough. Mumbling with his hand in front of his face, no fear haunted me as he leaned down to speak to me. Hovering inches from my face, his finger poked my forehead. 

“I will be your friend if you come for trauma training. Once a week, if you aren’t fighting in a battle.” He continued in a fatherly tone, his hand resting on the top of my head. “My father always said that someone like you would come along. How about some tea?” Eagerness glittered in his eyes, a gracious smile dancing across my lips. 

“Sounds great. It won’t be poisoned, right?” I teased with a bigger grin, unwarranted concern mixing with hurt. “I am joking. Poison doesn’t really affect me. You can thank the twins for that. Don’t pull that shit on me again. Might I recommend a memory pool or tools along that line? Don’t you think you go a little too hard?” Recognizing the potential solutions, another snap of his fingers had us sitting at a Gothic marble table. Tracing the rounded edges, a clear teapot rising from the center. Summoning a couple of matching tea cups, a pleasant conversation could be had. Waving his hand, the tea poured itself.  Lowering with another wave of his hand, curiosity had me tracking him pouring the tea into the black abyss of his face. Sipping at my tea, Lottie taught me to never ask. 

“If you must know, I digest things the same way as you.” He answered my internal questions, the train squealing to a stop. Drinking another bit of the sweet tea, the door clicked open. 

“See you next week.” He thundered with his palms pressed together, the chair groaning as I popped to my feet. “Cherish what you have and bring your biggest traumas to me. Darwin, I happen to like you.” Leaping out of the door, a soft smile lingered on my lips. Spinning on my heels to say goodbye, not one evidence of our meeting remained. A shadowy orb rolled to my feet, my new friend seemed ready to be at my rescue. Thanking the sky in the hopes that he received my message, a familiar voice relaxed my fraying nerves. Crouching down, a relieved Fel leapt into my open arms. Burying her into my embrace, not one part of me wanted to let go. Fluffiness tickled my neck, Acer skidding up to me. Taking in my bloody shirt, the poor king visibly recoiled at the black orb in my palm. 

“Traumios let you go?” He choked out in disbelief, my fingers rolling it into the secret compartment into my boot. “The search is off! Do you feel any better?” Asking Fel to grab Luna for me, privacy was ours. 

“We can get him to decay himself.” I babbled excitedly, my hands waving around. “He was too powerful in the worst case scenario.” Leaning in close, the evil marks in my eyes swelled for a second. Pressing his lips into a thin line, my brother didn’t need to hear what I had witnessed. 

“What is up with your eyes?” He inquired sternly, the marks shrinking back down. “What the fuck was that?” Parting my lips to speak several times, Fel and Luna called for me. Seconds from sprinting past him, a swift move had me pinned to the closest tree. Tears shimmered in his eyes, the deal I made all those years ago didn’t mean anything. 

“Evil resides in me. I took it on to save Lottie.” I explained calmly, his hand dropping to his side. “Good enough explanation for you?” Stepping back reluctantly, an official invitation for lunch fluttered in his palm. Hovering while checking me over, Rose yelling his name cut the awkward moment short. Sprinting in opposite directions, an eager Luna jumped into my open arms. Our twins babbled in the slings on her back, her scent bringing me from my dark place. Soaking in the moment, hope burned bright within my soul. Acer returned with Rose and Fae, a dull fear swirling in his aura. The flames of hope died down a bit, Rose whispering something into his ear. Fussing with her frilly rose pink ball gown, a wave of her hand summoned a glowing rose floating in a drop of glass. Vines weaved together to create a bracelet, her dainty fingers sliding it onto my wrist. Acer visibly relaxed, his fingers drumming on the pant legs of his silky light gold suit. Luna shot them an odd look, her low growl sending chills up my spine. The argument would have to occur at a later time, Rose yanking me down by the color of my usual blouse. 

“That rose will keep your evilness at bay. Worry not.” She assured me with a gentle smile, her eyes taking in Luna’s silver body hugging gown. “We won’t let what you saw happen. Traumios is a dark fae and my uncle. You better keep your weekly appointment, friendship is hard for him to come by.” Mouthing thank you, Fel tugged at my sleeve. Returning to Rose’s side, their spur of the moment invitation was my soul needed.