The Fire Inside

38. A Disappearance in the Mist

They walked through the door and were met with a scene that was unfamiliar to them all—all except one. Isadora looked around the room and began to visibly shake.

"T-This is where I fought Casper..."

"Don't worry Izzy. Everything will be alright. You were alone then. We're here with you this time. And he has his mind on me, not you," Jimin assured the shaking girl.

"R-Right."

Jimin looked at the room. It was shaped like an arena but was significantly smaller and there was no room for viewers or onlookers. The walls gleamed with fake golden flakes as Jimin could clearly see cracks and red chipped walls behind them. The ceiling was high enough and littered with hanging lights and chains that looped from one end to the other as if waiting to lash out at someone or something. There were arches towards the center of the arena that created a sense of a labyrinth. She didn't realize it at first but she soon noticed the metallic smell in the air. The thought of what could've happened here sent chills down her spine.

"C'mon. We need to get moving," Jimin said quickly, wanting to get away from the scene.

Walking around the outer end of the arena, Jimin found a small door that led them to another corridor.

The corridor was dimly lit and narrow, but wide enough for them to walk in twos somewhat comfortably. The walls had framed paintings of many young individuals with their names inscribed underneath. Jimin glanced at all the faces before she got to the last one—an empty frame. Underneath was a name that read: Casper.

"Guys! Check this out!" Jimin hissed back.

Julien and Emmalynn were the first to come forward.

"That's creepy," Emmalynn said, scowling at the empty yet crystal-clear glass. The glass showed a stark difference from the musty walls around it.

"Boo!"

Emmalynn shrieked and Julien punched behind him hitting Maria in the gut.

"Don't ever do that again," Julien growled.

"Hold your man back before he rips out my eyes," Maria chuckled.

Jimin rolled her eyes at Maria and smiled as she turned away. The group walked through the darkening corridor and saw similar frames with empty nameplates.

"How much do you bet this is for the inheritance of the hell fire?" Varun whispered.

"Ugh. I don't wanna think about it. That's just sickening," Heiwa shuddered.

"Maybe we can destroy these frames to prevent it..." Riley began.

Before she could finish, Varun whipped his nunchucks at a frame. It visibly cracked, but a small glow sowed it back together making it seem like it had never been hit before.

"Nevermind. Lets keep going." Riley said, quickening her pace.

They found a grey metal door with intricate vines twisting around the door handle. Jimin grabbed it and attempted to twist it open.

"It won't budge!"

Heiwa put her hand on Jimin's shoulder.

"Let me try."

She positioned her hand near the hole. Closing her eyes, she pulled her hand away, water flowing out behind it.

"Wait—what?!" Maria watched in total confusion.

She's too damn smart! That's my job!" Varun complained, "Of course there was something locking it, but how'd you know it was water?" He asked again.

"To be honest, I didn't. I guessed," Heiwa shrugged.

Varun pushes her aside and slowly approached the door. He swung it open and found a neatly kept black metal room.

"This is seriously ominous. I don't trust this at all..." Emmalynn said grimacing at the room.

"Did you come here expecting everything to be sunshine and rainbows?" Julien asked raising an eyebrow.

Emmalynn rolled her eyes before walking in. The rest followed suit.

Just as Riley entered through the door, the black door bolted shut. The girls pulled out there weapons as the boys yelped before doing the same.

"Wuss," Maria smirked.

"Shut up," Varun retorted.

"Bad timing guys. Really bad timing," Heiwa said before whacking Maria and Varun's heads with her bow.

A black mist swirled around the room with a gentle hiss.

"Don't breathe!" Jimin hollered.

"What are you..."

Julien shut Isadora's mouth as the mist shrouded the group. They could feel the mist eat away at every particle of their body. The mist soon devoured them, leaving the room empty.

~~~~~

"They'll be here soon. And when they are, I'll finally get to see the great and ever so powerful flame of life on the floor begging for mercy," Casper said.

He was dressed in a black suit matched with a blood red tie. His hair was styled nicely by the shadows that occupied his empty castle. He looked at his reflection through the glass case on the wall with pictures of Jimin. He kept her picture next to his bed so he could wake up to know that his ultimate goal was to destroy her flame. He smiled to himself. The party was about to get started and he wanted to look his best.

"Ah~ My predecessors. Unlike them, I won't fall for the fire's power. It has no control over me. Jimin...a girl. Does she truly believe she can defeat me? A fighter. A warrior! I've had years of training and despite my weak childhood, I found her first! I found the flame of life before it could bloom into a powerful dragon. I cut it before it could blossom. There's no way she can defeat me!"

"Sir. They've arrived..."

Casper flung his hand, summoning a sword. He swung it behind him, beheading a servant, turning him to mist.

"Ah...there goes another. Whoops?"

He dusted his coat and fixed his tie before making his way through the corridor. He flung open the door with great pomp and came to a halt.

"What the...Where are the kids?! I swear they were here a second ago! Where is the stupid flame of life?!"