Empyreal, Book 1

Chapter 9

The burial grounds were still and quiet, except for the clanging of swords as Max and Kai dueled. Max's face was pinched in concentration, while Kai wore his usual carefree grin.

"Come on, lighten up!" Kai laughed as their blades collided. "Even the dead could use some entertainment."

Max's only reply was a grunt as he parried Kai's strikes. His focus never wavered. Kai's nonchalance in a place meant for solemnity irked him, but he wouldn't give his new friend the satisfaction of knowing.

As they trained the air filled with an unearthly roar that reverberated through the grounds. Kai dropped his sword with a start as he searched the perimeter. Max's eyes widened as the roar came again, it was closer now. Something big...and hungry.

The boys exchanged an uneasy glance. The hairs on Max's neck prickled as he scanned the area. Shadows seemed to creep between the graves, concealing the source of that bonechilling cry. He wiped his slick palm and tightened his grip on the hilt.

Kai's joking demeanor vanished, and he edged closer to Max. "What was that?" he muttered.

Max shook his head grimly. The roar sounded once more, so close it seemed just over their shoulders. They spun around, backs together, eyes darting wildly over the graves. Max's heart hammered against his ribs. The creature—whatever it was—lurked just out of sight, toying with them.

"We should go," Max whispered.

Kai shook his head. "It's between us and the gate."

They had to stand their ground. Max slowed his breathing as he thought of all the training he had done so far.

"I don't like this, mate. That thing sounds nasty," Max whispered as he scanned the graves.

The creature roared again, the sound rippling through the burial grounds. It was close now, very close. Too close. Kai realized they had let it corner them against the crumbling mausoleums at the rear of the grounds. They were trapped.

He met Max's frightened gaze. "The crypts. Get inside one."

They sprinted for the nearest tomb, the creature crashing after them as stone cracked under its weight. Max wrenched open an iron door and shoved Kai through. He squeezed in after and slammed it shut.

The crypt plunged into darkness. Max's pulse roared in his ears. He could hear the creature snuffling outside, its claws scraping the door. They were trapped. But at least they were together.

Max's voice trembled in the blackness. "What now?"

Kai steadied his breathing. "We wait."

The creature howled in frustration, the stone cracking under its assault.

Max let out a nervous laugh, though his voice still shook. "Well, this is another fine mess you've gotten us into. Remind me why I let you drag me out to these creepy old grounds again?" Despite their dire situation, Kai couldn't help but smile in the darkness at his friend's attempt at levity. "You were weak," Kai stated plainly. "No one said this would be a safe haven."

"Yeah, well...next time I suggest adventure," Max muttered.

The creature slammed against the crypt door again, this time the stones grinding together under the impact. Dust rained down on them as Max tightened his grip on his sword.

The crypt fell eerily silent as Max and Kai peered into the darkness. A faint voice echoed off the stone walls, calling their names.

"Help me, please!" the voice cried out. It was a young girl, her words dripping with desperation.