The Flower Chronicles

Chapter 4: It's Magic!

Aaron Warren

The pool room is in shambles and the blood is everywhere. One by one everyone is dying in some slow and terrible way: burning up and melting. Their skin is peeling off their bodies like hot rubber. Their eyes have caught flame and hair turned ablaze. The horrible animal screams are the only semblance of life left in my friends. Somehow I am untouched by this madness.

Rising far above the steam clouds of what was the pool, Kelly, or rather the monster inside her, laughed wickedly. She... I mean it... Is enjoying this death show. I want to leave, to run away and never look back, but I cannot move. My feet are glued to the floor. I am forced to watch in horror the blood and twisted flesh bubble out the party goers. It's staring at me now with a bored look. The monster snaps its fingers angrily. Instantly, the remaining mess of bodies explode violently. The loud KABOOM still rings in ear and I am splattered in the bloodily guts and ragged tears of clothes. I am so white and light headed that I could faint. The monster descends a bit closer and gives a sly wink. I can feel my stomach boil with a sharp pain. I am next, aren't I?

Then suddenly, a flash of light shown from behind me. I don't know what it is. I cannot turn to see its source. It is bright and yellow. The monster shrieks and struggles to turn away, but appears trapped in the light's beam. I don't know to be relieved or what. I didn't believe much of the supernatural before today. I guess there's no denying it now. If demons are real, maybe angels are too.

A figure slowly walks past me. I cannot make out the person's features because of the light's glare. I think it's a man, an elderly man. He's carrying a kind of staff. He looks familiar. Is that... "Mr. Williams?"

"Williams? Oh I suppose that's me, but please... call me Eulin," the man says as he points his staff towards my demented girlfriend. The yellow light focuses around the crystal tip of the ornate wooden pole. The beam burns intensely on Kelly's body. The impact seems to disintegrate her flesh upon contact and her she slowly burns a bright white. The monster cries in anguish and shakes wildly.

At last, the creature raged with anger and the thick black veins across her body turned a faint red. A surge of energy pushes us back, disrupting the beam's ray. From its small hands instantly grow these grotesque claws. Each delicate finger became one thick and wretched spike of rotten cartilage. A red aura pulsed around the beast as it rushes furiously towards the teacher. He resists the attack with his staff, but struggles. He's a frail man against the enraged supernatural creature.

Suddenly, I realize I can leave. My feet are free. I can run away, but I still don't know it's safe. I don't know if I want to leave. Some part of me wants to see the end of this, even if this is my only chance at escape. I watch curiously as the monster claws and screams near Mr. William's face... or Eulin. This is unreal. Everything I know about the world has changed now. It's different now. It's magic.

Amidst the panic of the monster, Eulin closes his eyes and takes a calming breath. He whispers some words I cannot make out.

Eulin

Ahh I think I still got got... I... yeah I definitely still got it! A little elemental frost magic should do the trick. Ooooh boy! Look at those demon claws freeze up baby! Very cool! I knew this collector's edition Lazoo Staff was worth the nasty New Garia mark up. Now for a decent kick. HIYAHH! As I figured, those claws snapped off the fiend's body and shattered from the staff. Looks like it's taking a dive down that lava pool. Guess we'll meet again.

Ha! I am so doing my victory dance! I need a theme song to go with it. Da da ta YA! Haha poor kid over there must think I am a weirdo. I suppose I am. "Mr. Williams? Who are you? What's going on," the kid asks.

I don't have time to explain, but I suppose I should humor him. He is a liability, if I leave him be like this. I guess the Order could use new recruits after it was destroyed and all. "First of all", I say "call me Eulin. Mr. Williams was just a cover name I started when I got here. I guess the demon kept the gag going. Second of all, it's not exactly safe to talk here or very sanitary. You need a bath kid. You're covered in guts and you smell like crap. Did you crap yourself earlier? Don't answer that. You're coming with me."