Frostbite

Chapter 5

It only took a quick peek through the church doors to confirm his theory. A fountain teared through the floor, engulfing the room in darkness. It was still as beautiful as ever. The shadows leaking through the stained glass, curling like fog over the floor, and slowly creeping out the door. It was only when it seeped around his legs did he snap out of it, slamming the door shut. No matter, he would get to see it again soon.

With the fountain open, he knew they were busy trying to close it. It left him free to act as he wished. It bought him time. And that was exactly what he needed. As long as they didn't catch up to him, he would be fine. He hand tightly gripped the knife in his pocket in anticipation. Soon everything would be over.

His first stop was the graveyard. He remembered something about a hammer being buried with Gerson's grave, and hoped that would come into play in the dark world. If other elements from their world leeched in, why wouldn't this? And why not give this mighty hammer to the final boss?

Pulling the knife from his pocket, he raised the dagger above his head and plunged it into the earth before the grave. It cut through with ease. Not into the earth, but the very fabric between realities, as if that was what it was made for. Darkness pushed through the perfect tear, wrapping around his hands and arms delicately, like it was embracing its knight, while the rest shot up violently into the sky. This time he didn't pull away from the darkness. He had a second step to his plan.

He needed to warn the ruler. Tell them of the bloodthirsty killers that were after the. That letting them close the fountain will kill them all. And to be extra cautious of a deer girl, the Angel of death. He doubted she would show up, but he couldn't be too careful. He told them to not reveal his appearance, only refer to him as the Knight, and give no more detail. And then he left. Back out the portal the way he came, darkness pushing him up like a gust of wind. It felt nice under his feathers.

And thus the process repeats, picking locations and opening fountains. The creepy bunker, the lakeside, the alley, and so on. Running from location to location, not slowing down. The rulers seemed to notice the strain he was putting himself under. Insisting he should sit, stay a while. It was an honor to be graced with the knights presence, they'd say, with an underlying concern in their voice. They'd notice the shiver that ran through his body, the shake of his hand that gripped the knife. Their worry only slowed him down.

"Berdly!?" Susie's voice cut through the chaos. He was near the middle of town, knife frozen midair. "Berdly, why are you doing this?". Her voice was strained, almost winded from chasing him down. They must of bypassed closing his some of fountains to get to him first.

He made eye contact with her, expression unmoving, and ripped open the earth.

This fountain was different. Cracks spread from its center. It didn't billow like smoke, it gushed out violently into the sky and spread, drops falling to the ground in small patches. The dark world leaked into the Lightners domain. His plan was working, he was so close. He just...

Stuffing the knife into his pocket, he reached into the fountain, closing his eyes tightly until he felt something solid, and ripped it out. The halberd, his halberd, rested heavily in his hand. He pointed it towards Kris. And the battle began

"How does it feel to be replaced, Kris?"