Radiant World: The Underworld

Chapter 1: Strange World

Dark, crimson leaves fell onto the ground as the two of them walked into downtown Trenton. The street was lined with simple brick stores, such as the Hardware store up ahead. On the right was a library with a concrete roof. A line of bushes rimmed the edge. In front of them was a crosswalk, though it was at least one-hundred feet in front of them still.

A slight chill hit Sophia's back. Why are you here!? She thought, glancing back at her grandmother Juliana, who had started following her for no apparent reason. A leaf crunched below her feet. The air was cold, and so was Sophia.

For some time, Sophia had despised her grandmother, although it was quite dumb of her. The only reason they moved to Trenton was because of her grandmother's incoming dementia. She had previously lived in Terre Haute, Illinois, where she left her friends.

"How are you doing in school Sophia?" Juliana suddenly asked.

"Ok..." Sophia sighed.

"That's good to know. I was wondering when you were going to come visit again, it's been a while." Juliana asked.

"Soon...?" Sophia said reluctantly.

"Oh great! Just tell me when you're coming on the phone, and I'll be sure to make some cookies," Juliana replied cheerfully.

What then? The ground started rumbling. Sophia whipped around to make sure her grandmother was all right. Looking at her, she was surprised. Her eyes were wide, and her fists were gripped. Before she could open her mouth to speak a crack formed in the street and missed Sophia by an inch. It ripped through the yellow lines and expressed a substance that could not be mistaken – lava.

A hand appeared from the crack, grasping the asphalt tightly. Sophia stepped back, hitting the window of the hardware store behind her. Dark red with ballooned boils rolling over its acrid skin, it arose from the ground towering above Juliana and Sophia. Juliana stumbled back, leaning against the brick. Its silver armor shimmered in the midday heat. Juliana gasped in fear, terrified of its gargantuan form. It looked down at both of them with hellish eyes. Juliana tried to step forward, but her knees gave way.

"What- what is that?" Sophia trembled as she spoke.

"Sophia!" Her grandmother called out for her.

Sophia looked over quickly to see her grandmother helpless on the floor. She stepped over quickly, grabbing her shoulder. Sophia pulled her grandmother off of the ground. Leaning on a brick pillar, separating the stores behind them.

Sophia looked back up at the monster, and it had changed its target. The beast stomped through the road, leaving large craters in its path as it headed for a group of teenagers that Sophia recognized.

John, Remi, and Paul. Sophia watched them quiver in fear as the monster stepped towards them.

"Sophia... Grab the wand out of my pocket, quickly!" Juliana commanded.

Sophia put her hands into Juliana's jacket pocket and pulled out a winding, engraved stick. One of its ends was carved to hold a small, clear, marble. She gave it to Juliana quickly.

"Tele Ilba Jinba." Juliana spoke in an ancient language.

"What-." Sophia cut herself off as she watched runes emerge on her grandmother's arm. They glowed a shade of yellow. An aura came from her hand, which was sucked into the stick. At once, the stick transformed into a staff.

Juliana gripped it and spoke once more. "So Qui Ha'galos Booldar."

I hope this works... Juliana thought after speaking in the foreign language. Juliana suddenly felt a surge of power flow into her. She felt as if magic seeped into her every crevice. Her legs and arms suddenly sprung to life, her bones felt strong, and her vision improved.