Realm 2

#3

Her feet pounded against the tarmac with all the grace of a sack of wet concrete, the springing graceful steps of 4 miles earlier had long since disappeared. Elizabeth's rasping throat was as parched, Ice cold rain now pounding on her and Blake. Her head bobbed loosely from side to side with each footfall and her eyes felt heavy in their sockets, feet aching from her ridiculous heels she had been forced to wear.

Blake on the other hand, relished the prospect of running. Even carrying Elizabeth's trunk didn't weigh him down in the slightness. Each step more graceful than the last. "Mr Williams!" She shouted, but Blake did not seem to hear her "Mr Williams! Blake!" He slowed glancing at her annoyed.

"Yes Miss Grey?"

"Is there any place where we may rest?" Coming to a stop. Her haggard expression, made his harsh gaze falter. Looking around they were now far from the winding streets of Blackpool, now into the Rutty lanes and muddy fields. Only few cattle, growth and a weathered shack could be seen for miles around. On that long trek through the country it was made all the worse by the mud. The thick brown paste was not cold enough to freeze, yet clung to their feet sapping what little heat they had. Icy brown water soaked through their shoes.

Blake's face softened, and Elizabeth's hopeful expression brightened "They can't possibly find us here, whoever they are. Please Blake" she pleaded, if they didn't rest now they both knew she would be the one to slow them down. With one swift nod, Blake began to make his way toward the field. "Come on then Sunshine" he said gesturing at the shack. Elizabeth blanched looking the dense mud then the death trap shoemakers called heels. "In case you did not realise Mr Williams, I am wearing four layers of heavy skirts and very bothersome heels. Yet you suggest that I should attempt to reach that shack in the congealed mud" she riled gazing intently at his expression.

"Well sunshine why didn't you ask?" an impish grin spread across his handsome features. Taking a couple of steps, spraying mud on her now sodden dress, then Blake swung Elizabeth up in his strong arms as if she was nothing more than a ragdoll. Elizabeth let out a shriek of surprise banging her fists into his back "Blake!" she screeched "Put me down this instant!" struggling and kicking she continued to yell.

"No can do Sunshine, you said you wanted a way to get across the mud. My gentleman like behavior should be appreciated not condemned" he interjected before she could continue.

They entered the shack, exhausted and drenched. Elizabeth collapsed on the wooden floor boards wrapping herself up in her arms. "So who are these Lamai demon people anyway?" she asked, staring up at Blake.

"Ever heard of Daemons? Angels?" he asked, sitting down onto a dusty arm chair. 

"Uhh yeah?" Elizabeth replied, more confused than she'd ever been before. 

"Well they exist" he stated bluntly. Wait that was it ? She thought, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Ookay." she replied. 

"I don't think it's settled in yet has it? Vampires we call Lamai daemons and Werewolves otherwise known as lukos in the underworld." 

"Wait a second. The underworld? So your telling me that there's like some supernatural universe and nobody knows about it? And if so why are you telling me? And what have I got to do with this? And who are you?" Elizabeth asked quickly before Blake could interrupt.

"Well lets start with the Underworld. The Underworld is sort of like an underground mass black market trading system in realm 3. I guess i should explain about the realms as well. Right, so the universe is split up into 12 realms on the ancient clock. Each realm contains different species, climate, land. They're all completely different. Right now we're in Realm 12 - the mortal realm. Realm 1 is Heavens Gate, the angelic realm. Realm 3 is The Underworld as you already know. 4 is Tundrah town where most pacers usually hang out. " 

"What's a pacer?" Elizabeth asked, trying to absorb as much information about this world.

"I was getting to that" Blake said laughing. 

"What?" Elizabeth replied indignantly.

"You don't seem at all concerned, about anything I'm telling you." he said, "Which makes me rather concerned about what's going on up there." he continued poking her head. Elizabeth whacked his hand away and rolled her eyes "Just continue."

"Anyway, pacers are what you could call travelers. They're sort of misfits that travel from realm to realm causing trouble and trading anything they can get there hands on. Realm 5 isn't very interesting I do have to say. Just some self obsessed dryads and overzealous nixies. Now realm 6, this is where things get interesting. Here is the Islathian forges, where this blade comes from."   Blake reached into his coat and drew a sword. 

The handle of the sword was bound with black leather, the hilt decorated yet understated, the blade was long and sort of graceful. Elizabeth knew little to nothing about swords, but she was certain that this was a very powerful rare one. "Fortis flamma, strong flame. Crafted by the Islathian elders millions of years ago. Not only do the forges occupy realm 6, but the ancient clock itself. Each hour on the clock is protected by an Islathian warrior. Each hour represents each realm. If one realm is attacked on that clock the entire realm would be affected, some can even be destroyed. Like realm 2." He continued, his face had grown ashen and misty, as if he was remembering something horrible. He snapped out of his memory and ignored Elizabeth's intent gaze.

"7 is the rune lands, practically a jungle. Most giants live there as well as the flying boats of pirates. In 8 there is the Elvish realm, few have ever been invited to visit, and it's probably going to stay that way. Elves are very self absorbed you know. Then 9 is the maze, a prison. A black void of tunnels and insanity. Home to one of the deadliest creatures on the planet; The Endarkened. Lets just say they manipulate anybody they can to do there bidding. Finally, you have the winter kingdom ruled by the royal git himself. King Mercipius. Then lastly Hell, as you probably already know the home of Lucifer. " He finished, he looked over at Elizabeth only to see her curled up on the sofa sleeping peacefully. Blake smiled softly before removing his jacket at placing on her. He sat down again, then slowly fellow into a deep dreamless sleep.

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A series of heavy thuds crashed around them. Elizabeth woke with a start leaping to her feet. Then there was stillness, on both sides of the wall the silence gnawed at her insides. Silence hung in the air like the suspended moment before a falling glass shattered on the ground. The silence was like a gaping void, needing to be filled with sounds, words, anything. Upon that instant, laughter echoed from all around them, a high cold  cackle, piercing the smoky air.

"Oh, Little Lizzie come out here

but I had to say it's time to go

And see the blood spurt everywhere.

blossoming out upward from the snow " a low voice rasped. Blake's eyes snapped open and rose to his feet drawing his sword.

"Elizabeth, here" he handed her a small dagger. It lay cold in her hands. It was short at four inches but so sharp even the most gentle of touches to flesh would result in a free bleeding cut. It's handle was carved mahogany and looked old, it made Elizabeth wonder if it had once belonged to another knife.

"Um what am I supposed to do with this." she asked, sheepishly.

Blake looked at me as if to ask her if she was serious. "Never used a knife before sunshine?" he asked smirking. Elizabeth scowled defiantly "I have. I just-" she looked up to see Blake raising an eyebrow. Elizabeth sighed defeatedly "Fineeeee. I haven't." Another loud crash from outside sent her into a panic. "OH MY GOD! BLAKE THERE'S LIKE A WHOLE HORDE OF DAEMONS AND I HAVE NEVER USED A KNIFE IN MY LIFE! MUCH LESS ANY WEAPON AND- " a hand clamped over her mouth. She looked at Blake eyes wide, he had one finger on his lips his gorgeous blue eyes staring deeply into hers as if to say be quiet. She blushed lightly realising that she had been rambling again. Suddenly she registered that everything was silent, no sudden crashes, no chatter or incessant roaring. It was just silent. Blake's sword began to shake, glowing really bright.

 Then all hell broke loose.