The Quest

The Demon

A few days had past and Timothy still couldn't manifest the sword for long. Everytime he tried he would have a very basic shape but it would dissapear before he could finish. He would practice everytime they stopped for a break but he couldn't get the physical sword.

The fields and flat plains gave way to a thick forest. The path slowly deteriorated into nothing. A few hours into the forest Timothy spoke up.

"We're lost aren't we?"

"No, I know exactly where we are and where we're going." Pendleton replied.

"I think I've seen that tree before." Sonia chimed in.

"Look I'll prove you guys wrong." He pulled his sword off his back and sliced into the thick trunk of a tree. "If we see this again then we know we are going in circles."

He continued walking and an hour later in front of him was the tree.

"See. We were going in circles." Sonia said.

"Well you got me." He pointed through the forest. "Let's go this way this time"

An hour later they were at the tree again.

"This doesn't make any sense. We went the exact opposite direction and still found this tree. This time we walk in a straight line and don't turn for anything."

He stomped off into the forest again. An hour later they returned to the tree. After chopping at the tree in anger for a few minutes Pendleton calmed down.

"What could be the cause of this?" Asked Timothy.

"There must be some kind of enchantment or spell at play that traps travellers in the forest." Pendleton responeded.

"So we're stuck here forever?"

"No these types of spells are weak. They cover such a large area that they can be easily broken if you know what to do. I don't have any real experience with them, mostly cause I don't mess with magic but I have learned a few things from others."

"So how do we break the spell?"

"Spells like these are like locks. They may seem complicated but with a little finesse they can be broken open. Now wait here for me. Sonia keep an eye on out hero here."

He stood up and melted into the forest.

"Looks like I'm in charge." Sonia noted.

"I don't think so. I definetly have seniority." Timothy replied.

She sat by the tree and patted beside her to invite Timothy over. He walked over and sat with a thump.

"You know this was a lot to take in. You, him, Rusteel. I just got swept up in it all. How much do you actually belive about what he says."

Timothy thought about this. He hadn't considered what it must be like for an outside observer to thier adventure.

"I belive it all. You saw what happened in the temple and when Rusteel summoned the sword. Do you really have doubts about this all?"

"I don't know what to believe any more Tim. A few weeks ago all I knew was I hated pirates and the kingdom was in fine shape. No demons, zombies, magic rings with swords inside them." She sighed. "I just wish I could go back to the old days, you and me as kids playing fields around town. Those were the best days, when we had nothing to worry about."

"I do wish things could be normal again but we are important pieces in this. We would have died had you not helped us back there on the South Sea."

"Tim I-"

Branches snapped as demon crashed through the underbrush. It was colored like wet dirt with five arms sprouting out of it at different places. Four at each cardinal direction and one out the top of its head. It's face was sunken into its body. It's teeth glowed bright white against the dark skin. It had four stubby legs to match it's arms.

Timothy leaped up ready to fight. One of its arms slapped him like a fly. He flew through the air and hit a tree. The demon lumbered over and loomed over him. Timothy looked up with blurry vision. Arrows bounced off its back. It slowly turned to look at Sonia. She was hanging from tree branches with her cross bow in hand.

"Get over here fatty!"

It growled in anger and lumbered toward her. She launched another volley of arrows that bounced off like those before them.

"Sonia...no...dont." Timothy could barely understand what was going on. His vision was slowly fading.

The demon reached her. By now she was in the top of the tree. The hand on the top of the demon grabbed her and pulled her put of the tree. It threw her onto the ground. It picked her back up and lumbered away breaking tree branches and trees in general.

"Sonia...come back...demon..." Timothy finally faded into darkness.