Riley's Box

Part 65

Jason swivelled around to look at me with interest in his gaze, as he anticipated my explanation of what I knew about the Sins so far. 

"Alright, so Nether magic- I don't know if that's what it's called, but that's what I'm going to call it anyway. Nether magic is innate to all Hell beings, which means that it is innate to both good and bad beings of Hell...I can't believe I just said that. the point is that the shadow spirits, those dark scary guys that I'm helping the Sins send back, can use magic, too. Ira informed me earlier that they are capable of sacrificing a human to go to Hell in their place. It's the only other way that balance can be restored in the universe," I explained. 

Jason swallowed. 

"I suppose we know what the price of using magic is, then. It's this. If the shadow spirit sends another spirit back, then who knows what they could do next? They were sent to Hell for a reason...they might try to repeat their previous actions in a new body," he said. 

My expression became rather grave before I spoke again. 

"It's more than likely that they will," I said. 

At that comment, Jason nodded his head with understanding. 

"This can cause serious danger to the humankind, let alone the whole planet, Jason. We cannot let the shadow spirit succeed with this," I said emphatically. "You, the Sins and I are going to need to go looking for that dog. I think that's our best plan A. If that doesn't work...then we'll keep looking. The point is that the Sins can use their magic and abilities to fight back against the shadow spirits, but in using their own magic and having magic used against them, they can become weaker. It's not only them that are going to need to fight in this battle. We'll need to be prepared, too, Jason," I told him. 

At the end of my small speech, Jason's eyes widened slightly. 

"We really need to send them back. My question is this- how did they even get here in the first place?" he asked. 

"It's not easily done," Avidicci said, as he wandered over to us from the closet. He must have overheard our conversation. 

Jason wasn't the only one that was looking for answers. I wanted some of them, too. 

"Travelling to Earth isn't successfully done by all beings, but the Sins are strong. Don't let Prida know that I said that- she likes to brag about it. The point is that some of the shadow spirits are able to get to Earth. They shouldn't be able to...not really...In fact, many of them burn up in the process. However, the same rule does not apply to all. Some of the more determined shadow spirits among them can use magic and spells and dark rituals or whatever else they need to get here. They will stop at nothing to get what they want and that is what makes them so dangerous." 

Avidicci's expression was so sombre for a couple of moments then that I thought my heart might beat too quickly out of anxiety, but a small smile soon graced his features again. 

"There's a few things that stand in the way of the shadow spirits, though," he said. "For one thing, we do," he continued. "And now, we have you. Both of you." 

I felt myself smile at Avidicci's words. 

He smiled right on back at the two of us, before he glanced between Jason and I with a more thoughtful expression. 

"The two of you should get some sleep. You do have school tomorrow, don't you?" he asked. 

Don't remind me, I thought to myself. I still needed to find a way to get an A+ in math and I had a feeling it wasn't going to be easy, but I had to try. 

~*~**~*~

A few hours later, I found myself seated in my math class again next to Eric, whose muscles appeared to have grown a little larger between now and the last time that I had seen him. I wasn't entirely sure how that was even possible, but apparently it was. 

I wondered if he took protein powder. 

Eric looked fairly stylish in all black again. He was wearing a black button-down shirt and jeans and the colours complemented each other well. When he wore black like this, he really was the image of power. 

It helped that he had grown well above six foot, too, I supposed. 

"Stop looking at me, Riley," Eric said. 

Even now, his voice was perfectly authoritative. 

It was as if he was always in head boy mode, but I expected that he was. 

"You said you used to be rebellious, right? I'm going to rebel against you telling me what to do. I like your shirt, by the way," I said. 

His lips twitched at that, but he didn't respond to the comment. 

Oh, how mysterious...

Fortunately the rest of math class went by fairly quickly and I managed to achieve a B+ on the quick quiz that we did. I was making slow, but steady, progress and that was what really mattered! 

 When I walked out into the hall, Eric turned to me. 

"Good work, Riley," he said, as he nodded towards the test paper in my hands. 

"Thank you," I said. 

"What's happening?" another familiar voice spoke and I turned to see that Whit was stood beside me. 

Eric's ears grew a little pinker. 

I could imagine that things were still a little awkward between Whit and him, but Whit didn't seem to mind his presence. 

"Riley- we're going to have a meeting later this week. Don't be late," he told me. His tone was perfectly authoritative, too. I presumed that he had learnt from the best. "Besides, you tend to bring a lot of good ideas to the table, so it would be great to see you there." 

"I'll be there," I promised. 

"Great!" he said with a kind smile. "I'll see you then." 

Before Whit could turn to leave, I quickly spoke again. 

"Uh...I might be a little late. I need to catch up with a few friends first," I told him. 

"Of course, I understand. Just don't be too late," he said. 

I smiled. Score.