WORLD OF EYES

chapter 2

Cherry swallowed hard, trying to keep the fear from her voice. "I-I'm looking for something," she managed to say, her eyes darting around for an escape route.

Sal tilted his skull, the light from the silver moon glinting off the cracks in his bones. "Oh? And what might that be?" His grin grew wider, exposing the sharp edges of his teeth. "Let me guess, you're here to steal some of my father's magic, aren't you?"

"Too bad, though he's kind of dead."

Cherry looked at the skeletal creature before her, the name "Sal" echoing in her mind. The pieces clicked together - the explosion, the whispers of dark magic, and now, a skeleton with the surname Hallo. She took a deep breath, willing herself to stay calm. "Your father was Dr. Darlwin Hallo?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly.

Sal's grin grew even wider. "The one and only," he said, his eyes gleaming. "And what do you want with his magic?"

Cherry hesitated for a moment before deciding to be honest. "I seek immortality," she said, her voice low and urgent. "I need it to survive in this world of shadows and deceit."

Sal's grin grew sly. "Ah, are you after a Philosopher's Stone," he asked, his eyes lighting up with greed. "I don't think my dad had one of those, or it got blown up in the fire." He leaned closer, his skeletal form seemingly oblivious to the concept of personal space. "But tell me, what makes you think you can handle such power?"

Cherry took a deep breath, steeling herself. "I've seen enough of this world to know that strength is the only currency that matters," she replied, her voice steady. "And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get it."

Sal's grin grew even more skeletal. "Spoken like a true Hallo," he said, his voice a rasping chuckle. "But tell me, what If I help you? What's in it for me?"

Cherry's eyes narrowed, and she pulled out the lock of Lilith's hair. "I have something you might find interesting," she said, holding it out like a peace offering. "A piece of my sister, Lilith, hair. I know she's the key to unlocking the secrets of the old mage tower. If we work together, we could find the power we both crave."

Sal's eyes lit up with a greedy flame. "Your sister, the elf-mage?" He took the hair, his bony fingers wrapping around it tightly. "Now, that's something I can work with." He leaned closer, his breath a puff of cold air. "But I need more than just a lock of hair. I need her blood, her essence. Only then can I bring back my father and claim the power that is rightfully mine. Maybe even get a bit more enjoyment."

The idea of using Lilith for such a dark purpose made Cherry's stomach turn. She had always been envious of her sister's pure heart and natural magical abilities, but she had never wanted to harm her. Yet, the allure of eternal life was too strong to resist. "But why do you need to bring back your father?" she asked, stalling for time.

Sal's grin grew into a full-blown smile, his teeth clacking together. "Ah, that's the best part," he said, his eyes alight with madness. "My father was working on something incredible before he was killed in that explosion - something that would give him power over life and death itself. And I know he had it hidden in the mage tower before it was destroyed."

"Well I do think this is just a silly bedtime story. But despite my hatred for my old man, I did believe in his word."

Cherry's mind raced. If she could find a way to control Lilith without giving Sal what he truly wanted, she might be able to protect her sister and herself. "Alright," she said slowly, "I'll help you get into the mage tower. But I need something in return."

Sal's grin grew slayer. "Name it," he rasped.

Cherry took a deep breath, her eyes glinting in the moonlight. "I want you to give me something that will allow me to control Lilith," she said, her voice firm. "A way to ensure she does as I say without question."