Heaven's Darkness (Book 2)

Chapter 13 - Ashura

Red was the first to react. "How are you awake? You're supposed to be sleeping for at least another hour!"

Jeriah pounced on him, clamping a hand over the mind wizard's mouth. "Shut the hell up if you know what's good for you!" he hissed.

Terra's eyeballs began completely transforming into swirling pits of black ink through her rage. "I'm going to make you two wish you were never born with tongues!"

"No, Terra! No!" the two boys simultaneously pleaded, much to each other's displeasure.

"Quiet!" I screamed. "All of you!"

An uncomfortable silence followed my explosion, the entire train cabin responding to my reaction. None of that bothered me, though. I had a massive migraine from the archer's attack, as well as a fundamental frustration with the entire trip. Having my comrades yell at each other relentlessly only accomplished making everything more painful and tense.

"We have a day and a half left of this ride," I reminded. "I don't want to see anybody fighting for the rest of the time. Do I make myself clear?"

I was surprised to see Quint shake his head, a distant look in his blue eyes. "I'm afraid that wish may not be fulfilled. I have a problem that I need help with."

"A problem?" Red inquired.

Quint nodded. "It's the spirit realm. I need some outside help with eliminating a massive threat. It's the strongest magical presence I have ever seen, which worries me. I have no idea what it may be able to do to the spirit realm with that level of power, and I have no idea how difficult of a situation this may be. I need the power of Legendaries and common wizards to aid me in this. I apologize for this inconvenience."

We stared at him in silence. This was the deadliest, most random situation to ever arise.

"What the actual fuck?" Terra exclaimed, running a hand through her black-streaked hair.

Red was next to snap out of it. He pressed a finger to his temple and hung his head. "I have no recollection of anybody ever bringing outsiders into the spirit realm to resolve a threat. What kind of situation is this, Quint?"

Said wizard stared at his dry hands as he spoke, the slightest quiver in his voice. "This is like nothing I've ever felt before. Considering my history of having to take care of outrageous situations, I think I'm qualified enough to make a call like this. I need Ashura and Red to come with me."

Jeriah jumped up in protest. "You can't just take two of us. You need all of us to help you with this threat! Wouldn't it be better to bring more support than not enough?"

Quint wiggled his fingers, almost like he was making calculations in his mind. "No. The spirit realm is very sensitive to outsiders. Bringing even two wizards could be detrimental if handled improperly. And, as we all know, in order for our world to survive, we need the spirit and shadow realms in equilibrium."

I decided not to mention how I didn't know that.

"But why those two?" Jeriah continued.

"Because they have specific skill sets that I require. Bringing a parchment wizard would only be effective in a tangible environment, so that magic cannot be used in the spirit realm. Your shadow magic would collide with the spirit realm, and you would be treated as if you were a virus. The spirits would completely destroy you in there."

"Then command them to leave me alone! I'm coming with you guys."

Quint shot him a stern, callous look. "You fail to understand the meaning of equilibrium, sprite."