And What I Found There - Book Two

30. Like Nails On a Chalkboard

The Myx shakily climb to their feet, cobwebs dangle from their arms and ratty hair. They all turn their hideous heads to look at me but I anxiously avoid their eyes, desperate not to get subdued by their mind-compulsion. I tighten my grip on my scythe, my Thirst may be agonizing but it hasn't crippled me yet.

I don't know for how much longer I'll be able to fight through it though, I usually always end up passing out from the pain. I gotta make a move! I gotta escape! And fast.

I summon my control of air and swiftly conjure a powerful gust. I hurl the wind at Cruor and his army of Myx. They all go flying off their feet and smash into the mirror wall. The glass shatters and wispy bands of smoke stream up into the air from the crunched mirror.

The second Cruor's staff clatters to the ground and rolls out of his grasp, the flight of stairs behind me suddenly returns. I don't waste a second and wildly race up them as fast as I can manage.

The Myx are right behind me, rapidly closing the distance as they lope up the stairs on all fours. I just get to the door but before I pull it open the Myx swarm me. I scream as I wildly hack at them with my scythe, decaying hands and arms go flying through the air but even despite my crazed hacking, there's still too many of them! They're overwhelming me!

They drag me to the ground and wrench the scythe out of my hands. I shriek as I suddenly slip and now roll down the stairs. I crash-land at the bottom with a ragged cry.

Okay, something feels broken, but amazingly this agony disrupts my Thirst, and I can actually breathe again. Why is it that pain always brings me out of the Thirst?! What's the logic?!

Suddenly the swarm of Myx leap on top of me, savagely ripping my skin and pulling my hair. Blood goes flying into the air.

I desperately summon fire and a huge balloon of flames billows up from my hands. The Myx shriek with terror as they frantically hobble away.

"Magic-user!" Cruor gasps.

I hurl a fistful of fire at him. He yelps as he dives for cover behind the desk. It is swiftly engulfed by flames.

I struggle to my feet and limp as quickly as I can back to the stairs, forcing myself to climb them backwards so I can keep my ablaze hands facing the Myx. They growl as they slowly creep closer. My flames steadily get smaller and weaker as I go, and my head is spinning with fatigue. I feel numb with exhaustion from using so much magic. Am I about to have a powerdrop? Is my magic almost used up for the day?

I summon once last burst of strength and my hands blaze like a flame-thrower. The Myx frantically hiss and race down the stairs. Finally! I just bought myself a little window of time to escape. My fire instantly dies after that stunt and now I wildly wrench the door at the top of the stairs open, aware of the Myx savagely scrambling up the steps again.

"Don't let her escape!" The old man screeches.

I run as fast as my busted knee can take me and I finally make it back to the main room of the church. Lightning flashes and everything is washes in red again as the storm -and whatever army outside that is colliding- rages on.

I throw myself against the front doors and wildly wrench and pull on them, but they still refuse to budge! It's like this freaking church is alive and is purposely trying to keep me imprisoned here!

I frantically press myself against the doors as I face the Myx racing down the aisles towards me. There are dozens upon dozens of them! How am I going to survive this?!