Claxton 2: The Curse of Poseidon

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Devil's Heir

Song: "The Lord of Chaos" - Peter Crowley

        Ash kneeled to Silvey. He put his shield down and looked into her white pupils, "Stay here, Silvey. You'll be safe. I need to figure out what those screeches are so we can get out of here." Silvey gave him a worried, telepathic message, and Ash nodded, "I will. I hope so too." With that, he next put his sword down and pulled her into a tight hug. Silvey hugged back with her feelers. Letting go, the young fairy rubbed her paw and added with, "Promise me you won't come out until I say the coast is clear. Wish me luck, girl." Silvey did, and Ash gave her one last hug. He loved this fairy dog. He wanted to make sure nothing terrible happened to her. After hugging, he carefully picked up his weapons, and Silvey watched as he hopped over the rock into the fray and called, "I'll be all right. Don't worry." Would he though? He was suffering from a concussion and permanent brain injury.

        Eighteen-year-old Ash saw something in the shadows – a pair of glowing yellow eyes. Whatever was there was protecting the river's largest pool. That pool was the only way in and out of the tunnel. Though he was nervous, Ash stayed brave. He knew he made the right decision bringing some weapons. From the shadows, a growl was heard as well as the prancing of huge feet. The Wizard Fairy loosened his grip on his weapons and waited for his target – for whatever was guarding the exit. What he saw was a creature he's never seen before! It was a terrifying, yet beautiful beast! It stepped out of the shadows and headed towards Ash. He took one step back, and then he planted his feet. Silvey frightfully looked up from the rock she was hiding behind. This was terrifying! She didn't know if her friend could fight. His head obviously was hurting him again.

        The beast facing looked like the Devil. In fact, it was called the Devil's Heir. It stood on two, iron-cladded legs, and its large body above them was red. Two horns stuck out behind its head, and two smaller ones adorned its chin. Its left hand sported sharp claws, but its right one looked like a human hand, just with beefier fingers. It definitely was a sight for sore eyes. Legend had it that the Devil's Heir could slice a steel beam in two with one swipe of its claws. They also knew psychic magic. Psychic monsters were insanely hard to defeat because they could easily throw their enemies, but it was possible. Even the Octopus Man and Kraken were harder than the Heir. Stories of it replanted themselves in Ash's brain, but he stayed brave. He had his weapons, his magic, and his confidence. He was ready. Not bearing to watch, Silvey slipped behind the rock again and buried her head in a pile of dirt.

        The monster soon roared in Ash's face, and the battle officially began. It swiped its claws at the young man, but he protected himself with his shield. The force of each strike caused him to stumble backwards, but he didn't fall. Young Ash acted out a backflip and smacked the Heir's human hand with his shield. While it cringed in pain, he rolled under it and appeared from behind. He had to find this creature's weak point. The young man put his shield and sword up and next drew his bow and arrow. He ran up a tall, rocky ledge and aimed his arrow towards its left eye. It wasn't long until the Heir lowered its hand, and it hurried towards him. Ash though shot his arrow, and it stabbed it right in the eye he wanted! Crying out, the creature stumbled and fell right towards the ledge he was on. The young man put his bow and arrow on his back again and next drew his glider. He used it to glide out of the path the monster fell towards. When he landed, he stuffed it back into his bag and next tried a spell. Ash pointed his hand at the creature and concentrated. An array of vines launched out of the ground and wrapped around its legs, causing it to fall. This was the perfect opportunity to deliver a few strikes. The young fairy hurried to the monster and slashed it a few times with his broadsword. This was the strategy he had to use in order to defeat it. Those few strikes though didn't it hurt as much yet because it was so big, and it wasn't long until it broke free of the vines. As angry as a hornet, the Heir smacked Ash's shield with its claws, which caused him to fly back and hit the ground...hard. Silvey, who had unburied her head from the dirt and was watching, gasped and took a few steps back.