The Mirror

Chapter 5 [2/3]

But their hope is still an empty hope. They can find nobody in the forest. It is midnight when finally Bonhwa, Minsook and Kichul find a clear space between the dark trees to build their tent. Minsook cast a spell to build the tent faster while Bonhwa already made a small bonfire.

"Minsook, come, you should eat," said Bonhwa as he prepared a noodle cup for Minsook.

The three of them sit in front of the bonfire to warm their bodies. Darcy Country is such a cold country that all of its ground is covered by snow.

"I think I should leave now," said Kichul, "I should finish up the project I've been working on so I can come back tomorrow evening."

"I also need to sign an important document and attend meetings... see you again Minsook on the third day morning and... Kichul tomorrow evening?"

"Take care everyone!" said Minsook.

"Stay safe, Minsook," said Kichul then pats Minsook's shoulder.

In the next minute, Minsook sees two of his friends get sucked into the mirror. He smiled while putting their mirror into the backpack. He isn't sure if he should sleep or keep guarding all night long, because he will easily get attacked if he is sleeping. He is sitting under a big tree, leaning his back against the big trunk, in front of him is the bonfire made by Bonhwa's eternal fire which can keep him warm all night long, and not far from it is the tent he made. He insists on staying awake. He needs to stay awake. But his eyes are getting heavier... will he be okay? He doesn't know what happened, but he can feel his body getting trapped. He can feel cold arms around his legs and pinned him to the cold ground. But he still has his arms, right? He tries to move his arms... but more hands are holding on his arms and pinned it too. What should he do? How to get his staff if he is pinned like this? Then he used all of his might to sit. He quickly held his staff while looking around cautiously. He doesn't get pinned to the ground. There are no cold hands around his body. The bonfire is still in front of him, it's still dark around him and he is still alone.

"Maybe that's only a dream... I might fall asleep."

But how if that's not a dream, another voice inside him said clearly, how if that's a prophecy? Minsook stood up while holding his staff in front of him. Now he can hear steps behind the trees. He turned around and stepped back closer to the fire. Whatever it is, it's not only one. He can hear the sound of bush being cut open, more steps getting closer... until he can see what is that. He doesn't need to ask anyone about what they are because he sees them often in a movie: zombies. Minsook quickly scans the zombies, there are seven of them.

"It's time to check, are the zombies actually fast or slow," said Minsook while holding his spell book, "I can eliminate them using holy spells... Oh, right. Let's just use the usual spell."

He used to fight ghosts and blood maidens, including some devils before so he remembered clearly how to cast the holy spell. He mumbles the spell then a magic goblet appears at the head of one of the zombies then golden water flowing out of the goblet to its head. The zombie groans in anger. But instead of melting (like the ghosts or blood maidens), it suddenly runs towards Minsook followed by the other zombies.

"Damn it, I just make them angry! I need stronger spells..."

Minsook quickly scans his spell book again while stepping back carefully until he is in front of the tent.

"Sanctus Clamor!" said Minsook clearly while raising up his staff.

A big trumpet appears on top of Minsook's head and there is a loud scream - not clear what words or language are used in the scream - sound from it. Minsook can see a wave of wind blowing to 5 of the zombies in the middle and blowing them a few meters away. The other two zombies are still chasing Minsook and Minsook chooses to run while occasionally turning back to cast the "holy shout" spell. The three zombies who were attacked by him before already start to chase him too, but they have been wounded in many parts of their body.