The Preternatural Shadows

Chapter X

"SISTERS! KILL THEM ALL!" Agnes roared. A coven from above immediately flew right at us with their broomsticks, preparing to attack us.

The tension was visible in the air. The acrid smell of stale blood enveloped my nasal cavities and that was when I knew the war had officially started. As I looked around, all I could see was people swishing by with their weapons. It was the sound of our nightmares in this battle; the screeching of the witches and the rageful scream from the preternatural shadows broke out or vice versa. Some howled in pain clutching their grievous wounds, some cheered in victory and in defeat. I tried reading their faces, but they were unreadable. 

When it came to fighting, I was always helpless and couldn't make myself any useful. Indiana blasted out sparks of electricity here and there, zapping and paralysing the hags to death. Meanwhile Tori made good use of her power, smashing the enemies with objects she could find around her. It was Axel's action that took the witches by surprise. He had transformed into a gorilla-sized black panther, expanding his ribs and projecting a roar deep within his body. In one fluid movement, he sprang off his feet and threw himself at his attackers, tearing their limbs apart. Menadora's act was the most exciting to watch. She did a somersault and leaped, kicked her right leg out to her opponents and landed elegantly on both feet. Later, she moved so swiftly that I almost didn't see her do it, teleported behind a bony witch, who was about to attack her with a wand. To my astonishment, Brielle also took part of this war seriously by throwing Shurikens. She flipped her Shurikens twice in the air before she flung it across the room like a boomerang. Her skilled movements were far too fast to catch up till I lost count of how many witches she had beheaded. In that frozen second, I noticed that we were highly outnumbered. 

Then at the corner of my eyes, a figure dived at me, ready to charge any minute. I shuffled to the side and awaited in attack. Someone behind me rushed forward and knocked me down to a fetal position to the ground. An invisible shield surrounded me, as he reached behind him and drew a long sword from his shoulder. He pushed the witch roughly to the wall and raised his sword and thrusted through her heart. Black blood sprayed as he slid off his sword. The sword that once gleamed in the cool moonlight was now stained with blood. The guy grabbed me by the arm and I tried very hard to shake myself free. 

"Stop fidgeting! Chloe Rose, it's me!" shouted the guy, who I realised was Arrow. Who else would call me Chloe Rose, but him? He pulled me back up from the ground and I could see sweat glistened in his gaunt features. He was breathing as if he had been running and there was something about that gaze of his that showed me the fear in his eyes, even though the light was low. 

"Take her back to the estate," Professor Lovecraft commanded Arrow, before he fired his gun at a nearby witch. The shot thundered across the room, traumatising a few witches. The preternatural shadows took this as an advantage to attack. 

Just as the invisible shield disappeared around us, Dorothy charged towards us out of nowhere. Her speed couldn't compare to Arrow's agile movement. He was quick enough to dodge to the side in one fluid and swift move, but I was more unfortunate. She seized my arms, trapping them to my side. Arrow pulled her away from me, his balled fist collided with her cheekbone and broke through the skin below her eye socket. But we underestimated Dorothy's strength, she grabbed hold of Arrow's arm violently and flung him across the floor. Arrow skidded and tumbled along the ground uncontrollably. A sudden gush of pain jolted throughout his body, making him fall flat on his stomach. To my horror, I saw his tongue was soaked in the taste of blood. 

"NO! ARROW!" I yelled so loud my throat hurt. 

Waves of heat coursed through my blood while I ran to the other side of the room, zigzagging around the epic and messed up crowd, who barely noticed me. Arrow's eyes were sunken and his skin was sallow, as he moaned in pain. I heard the sound of breaking glass, blades clashing and people crying in pain, but I didn't glance back. More screaming. More running. When will this ever stop? My skin shuddered and my brain started to defocus. I glanced around the room wildly, thinking of a way to stop this mess.