Lost Souls (Archie Andrews)

Chapter Eleven- Red Paladin

Cally's POV

We all met up in the bunker once again to figure out what to do about Archie.

"It's a weird feeling. Knowing there's all these people, strangers, that wanna kill me" Archie said.

"It's the game, it makes people crazy" Betty said.

"As a matter of fact, those hardcore gamers are so obsessive, any message they receive from the Gargoyle King they take as gospel. Maybe we can harness it" Jughead said.

"Like when I became Gryphons Queen" Betty added.

"Right, we know the only way to complete Hiram's quest is to kill the Red Paladin. But who says the Gargoyle King can't add to his own quest, offer a different outcome"

Me, Archie and Betty shared a confused look.

Jughead stood.

"Do you guys remember in elementary school when it was snowing, and we played that game, King of the Mountain?" He asked.

"Yeah kind of" Archie smiled.

"Not really" me and Betty both said.

"Well you won every time, Archie. So we can play to your strengths. I'll write an addendum to the quest that says the Red Paladin will defend his mountaintop for 12 hours, dusk till dawn. Anyone that has the quest card can try and take you down. If they don't by the time the challenge ends, your mark of sacrifice is lifted" Jug explained.

"Let's do it" Archie said.

"Wait that sounds dangerous, Archie. You're only just recovering from that stab wound Ricky gave you. If we're gonna do this, no weapons. Hand to hand combat only, only one challenger at a time" I told them.

"Perfect, but we need a space. A mountain top that increases your chance of winning" Jug said.

"I think I know someone who can provide that. Get writing, Jug. Cal, I'll call you" Archie said, kissing my forehead then heading off out the bunker.

"We'll watch over him. I know it's risky but it's better to see them coming, right?"

"Right, better to see it coming"

I saw Betty looking nervous and my twintuition told me she was about to tell him about his mom.

"I better catch up with Archie" I said, leaving.

-

Archie called me and told me he found a place for our mission.

He picked me up and we drove over to an old boxing gym near Sweetwater River.

It was a decent space, the floors were a little messy and the walls had posters from decades ago but we'll manage.

"A quick clean and tidy about and this place should be fine" Archie said.

"Yeah, not bad" I replied.

Archie called Jughead to tell him we found a place and Jughead distributed the fake quest.

We spent the next few hours cleaning the gym and Archie was prepping for the fight.

Jughead and Betty arrived and we were waiting for dusk to approach and for the fighters to arrive.

Archie wore some red boxing shorts and a red robe.

"Fitting," I said, referring to the colour, "but you look great, for now at least"

He laughed.

"Maybe we didn't allow enough time for word to get around. Maybe they didn't believe that it actually came from the Gar-" Betty said, being cut off by the door opening.