Goddess In Training

Chapter 7- Captive in Hades

 

We waited there tensely, just listening with weapons poised to strike. 

Another shudder jarred the tunnel and the lights flickered uncertainly. I could hear the tramping of boots further down the passage, but would the backup get here on time? 

Dylan ran up behind me, "What's happening?"

His eyes were stern. This is why he was my second in command. He always kept a calm head. 

I shook my head, "I don't know..." 

Crashes of metal and a thunder of vibrations shook the tunnel. I grabbed at Dylan's shoulder to keep from loosing my balance and he pulled me closer. 

"Berlin, you realize we may not come out of this alive." 

I nodded, "Yes. Yes, I know. I don't have much to loose anyways."

He looked down at me obviously confused. 

"I'm afraid I don't have the time to tell you Dylan. But I do have time for this."

Gently I reached up and caressed his cheek. With one small movement I pressed our lips together, Dylan's arms circled my waist as I draped my arms around him. At that moment nothing else mattered, it was just us. I kissed him one last time.

"I love you..." I whispered and a single tear rolled down my cheek. 

"I loved you first." He whispered back with a small grin, but his eyes revealed sadness.

I choked down a sob, gave him a parting kiss on the cheek and unholstered the 22 from my hip. 

CRASH!

In one swift movement the door to the sewer came crashing down and the light of the tunnel sputtered out completely. Blackness. All I could see was a never ending abyss of empty space. I heard nothing but the panting of my own breath and the thuds resounding from inside my chest. It was almost as if I were deaf. I reached my hand out for Dylan's strong frame, he was gone.

"Dylan?" I ventured. 

A laugh pierced the darkness; a dark, devilish laugh rumbling deep within a creatures soul. I couldn't move. My skin was cold as ice. 

"Dylan!" I tried again, this time more desperate. 

"Berlin!" I heard faintly. 

My breaths quickened. 

"Dylan I can't find anyone! Please, look-" A foul smelling hand was clamped roughly over my mouth.

I writhed in rebellion, my captor unknown. 

"Turn the light back on scum!" A deep demonized voice barked above me. 

A chorus of similar voices agreed to the command.

"If you so much as utter a syllable, I will make sure your blood stains the morning sky!"  the creature hissed in my ear. It grabbed my waist tightly as I felt a cold, sharp blade pressed against my throat. My breast heaved up and down rapidly as I gave a breath of defiance. The creatures hold on my waist only tightened causing me to let out a gasp. 

The battle was still raging when the lights flickered back on. That's when I saw them; several dozen ink black creatures. They were nearly 8ft tall, ebony veins covered their bodies and their black skin oozed a tar like substance. These creatures were what I was to become. These creatures were the humans who had been marked and claimed before me.  

My soldiers were covered with blood. They looked around in surprise and terror as they saw the enemy before them, while I was trapped.

"Humans!" commanded the gravely voice above me. "Lay down your weapons now or you can mark this hour the one she dies!" for extra effect he squeezed my waist even tighter, making me gasp for air. I looked weak and helpless. Some Commander I was.