The master spy or Puss in the boot adventures

Back to the prison cells, Part 31

As guards escorted the battered Mer-Mer and Shadow-cat back to their cell, the implications of Senator Mark Anthony's revelations and demands swirled in their heads.

"A portal to other worlds," Shadow-cat muttered , her eyes crinkling with thought. "And part of the Compass of Time, hidden beyond, guarded from unknown horrors. This is our chance, Mer-Mer, but the risk is great."

Mer-Mer nodded grimly, reeling from his wounds.

"We have no choice. If we refuse, the Senator will surely kill us. At least this way we have a chance at freedom - and to get one step closer to home."

In their cell, they tended to their wounds as best they could, and discussed their plans in hushed whispers.

"We'll have to train harder than ever," Shadow-cat said. "To hone our skills, to strengthen our bodies and minds. Whatever awaits us through this portal, we must be ready."

"And we will need allies," Mer-Mer added. "Spartacus, certainly. And perhaps some of the others who are tormented by their bonds. If we're to have any hope of success, we can't go it alone." 

"I want to confess something to you, though. You remember I told you I was working for someone. Although I can't reveal his identity yet, I can only say that he sent me... to protect you."

"Your mission... is to protect me!", Mer-Mer jumped in.

"The game is much more complicated than you can imagine. And you can't even imagine how central you are to the game. You're not a small pawn, you're the queen who can checkmate!"

"Really?"

"And for that it's time ...to meet my teacher... Shadow Dragon Smugg...He will teach you feats you can't imagine in your wildest dreams..."

"Can you give an example of some shadow skills"...

"Shadow spells are very powerful, and if you master them, there will be no one to beat you. Some of the main shadow spells are : illusion, and void. When you progress you will be able to learn shadow and transformation. And from the advanced skills are chaos control, super transformation. At legendary level you can summon shadow dragon and soul drink. But for that the dragon will teach you itself. We don't have much time , but if nothing else at least you will learn some of the basic skills or manipulate shadows and create illusions."

"Would you explain them in more detail?"

"Sure, Shadow-cat nodded his head and added. "An illusion is the ability to manipulate shadows and control light in such a way as to create illusions. Transformation, it's the skill of becoming a shadow. But for that you need a shadow crystal. Chaos control, you can control time and space...Super transformation- becoming a super shadow. For that you need a super shadow crystal. Void, creates a dense shadow that engulfs your opponent and he can't use magic against you.... "

"if I can learn some of these skills.. jumped up enthusiastically Mer-Mer."I could become very powerful. "

"I think it's time for you to meet the Shadow Dragon Smugg. "Shadow-cat unzipped her leather jacket and pulled out... a small figurine. The figurine was a ferocious dragon that had opened its mouth as if to swallow some...Shadow-cat poured a powder into its mouth...and whispered something in an unintelligible language...Suddenly, the dragon's eyes lit up and he stirred... the cell began to fill with a strange mist...When Mer-mer's eyes finally managed to adjust to the strange mist, he saw that he was in a vast cave.

"Who called me?" came a fierce voice ... and Mer-mer saw before him the terrible shadowy dragon. 

Was the dragon going to teach him its skills as Shadow-cat had promised, or... was it just going to eat him? Time would tell...