The Golden Key

9. THE PEOPLE OF SHIRE (2)

Meddy's eyes widened as Kiara led her deeper into the woods, the trees growing taller and the path narrower. "Kiara, where are we going? This isn't the way to my house," Meddy said, her voice laced with unease.

Kiara's smile seemed to hide a sinister intent. "This road is faster, trust me." Her eyes gleamed with a knowing light, and her voice dripped with an otherworldly confidence.

Meddy's instincts screamed warning. "But you don't even know my house!" She tried to turn back, but Kiara's grip on her arm was like a vice.

Kiara's eyes glinted with a malevolent light. "I know everything, Meddy Klass." Her voice dropped to a menacing tone as she transformed into a demon, her body contorting and twisting until she stood before Meddy in a terrifying new form.

Meddy's heart raced. "Oh God, what are you?" She stumbled backward, tripping over roots and falling hard onto the forest floor.

"A demon of changelings," the demon hissed, its voice like a snake slithering through grass. "I possess the power to change into any creature or human I desire. And with each transformation, I absorb their memories." It raised a hand, and Meddy felt a strange sensation, as if her memories were being pulled from her mind.

Meddy's mind reeled. "You're not Kiara Sunshine!" She scrambled to her feet, but the demon was too quick.

The demon's laughter echoed through the woods, a cold, mirthless sound. "My master's plan was to use me to lure you to him. And now, you'll come with me willingly." It reached out a hand, and Meddy felt a dark energy wash over her.

Meddy grasped a nearby stone and hurled it at the demon, then fled, her heart pounding in her chest. She stumbled upon Klein, who was searching for her, his eyes scanning the trees frantically.

"Klein, it's a setup! Kiara's a demon!" Meddy gasped, out of breath.

Klein's eyes narrowed. "I know, Meddy. This is the real Kiara Sunshine." He gestured to a girl standing beside him, looking confused and scared.

As they spoke, a group of ancient-dressed individuals emerged from the trees, their eyes fixed on Meddy with an unnerving intensity. Their leader approached Klein, her voice dripping with malice.

"My name is Ana Cindy," she said, her eyes gleaming with a sinister light. "She must come with us."

Dalai's eyes widened in recognition. "The People of Shire...

Klein turned to Dalai. "Do you know them?"

Dalai's face darkened. "They are called the People of Shire, the living dead. They are liars, killers, and cannot be trusted."

Ana's smile grew. "We just want Meddy. Our lord will be delighted to see her."

Dalai's eyes narrowed. "You mean Cendrick Patterson is back?"

Ana's smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. "Oh, Dalai Lama, Cendrick Patterson is back!"
Klein's confusion deepened. "Who is he, Dalai?"

Dalai's face darkened, fear and fury etched on his features. "He's the leader, the king and lord of the People of Shire, a living dead!"

Ana's voice dripped with malice. "Now, dear Meddy, please come with us."

Klein stepped forward, his eyes blazing with protectiveness. "She won't come with you. You'll have to get through me first."

Ana sneered, her hand raised in command. "Fine, guards! Kill him!"

As the guards charged, an arrow pierced the air, striking Meddy's chest. She fell, gasping for breath. Ana's eyes widened, sensing the sudden arrival of creatures.

"Oh no, the creatures are here!" Ana exclaimed.

One of the guards whispered urgently, "Ana, we must leave! This isn't our fight."

But it was too late. Another arrow struck the guard, and he crumpled to the ground, his body twitching in agony.

Ana and the remaining guards fled with her, but not before one of the guards glanced back at Klein, a mix of fear and apology in his eyes.

Laura cowered behind a tree, her crew huddled around her. "What do we do, Dalai?"

Dalai's voice was laced with regret. "I'm sorry, Laura. I must leave now."

With that, he vanished, leaving them abandoned.

Laura pleaded with Klein, "Leave Meddy, protect yourself!"

But Klein refused, holding Meddy's limp form, his eyes frozen in shock.

Meddy's voice barely whispered, "Klein...pls go..." Her eyes fluttered closed, and her chest rose with a shallow breath. Klein's grip on her hand tightened, his eyes welling up with tears.

"No, Meddy, don't leave me!" Klein begged, his voice cracking. "Please, don't go!"

Meddy's eyes flickered open, and she gazed at Klein with a weak smile. "I'm...sorry, Klein...I didn't...mean to...leave you..."

Klein's tears fell onto Meddy's face as he whispered, "You'll never leave me, Meddy. You'll always be with me."

Meddy's gaze drifted away, her voice barely audible. "I...love...you, Klein..."

With those final words, Meddy's body went limp, her hand slipping from Klein's grasp. Klein's anguished cry echoed through the forest, his heart shattered into a million pieces.

"No!!!!!!!!!"

Suddenly, the creatures ceased their attack, gathering around Klein and Meddy's prone forms. One creature, identical to the demon Meddy had encountered earlier, raised its bow, arrow poised to strike.

A blue arrow, shrouded in mist, shot forth, striking the demon and turning it to dust. Another arrow followed, dispatching the remaining creatures.

Kiara emerged from their hiding place, her eyes wide with wonder. "Oh my God, what type of arrow is that?"

Laura searched the surrounding area, her voice filled with gratitude. "Who helped us?"

A fierce warrior emerged from the trees, her eyes locked on Klein. "Looking for me?"

Klein's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible!"

The warrior smiled proudly. "Possible, darling."

Laura's curiosity got the better of her. "Klein, do you know her?"

Klein's voice was still laced with shock. "She was my ex-girlfriend...Linder Silver."