The Hellhound's Secret

Thunder Strangers, Part III

Kali stumbled as Hunter shoved her ahead of him and Blake. They were trailing through the forest, somewhere in Blue Bay Harbour, but far enough from civilisation. In a way, Kali was glad there was no one around, it meant fewer people to get hurt; but, on the flip side, it meant that she was alone with two brothers who wanted her dead.

"When we get to the cavern," said Hunter. "We'll use the Gem to take control of the Hellhound. Then we'll open the gate, find Mum and Dad, and bring them back."

"What if we can't?" Blake asked. "Bring them back, I mean."

"She's the Hellhound, she can do it."

Kali stopped and turned to face the brothers. "Is that why you want me?" she asked. "To resurrect your parents?"

"Don't look so surprised," Hunter said. "You've done it before."

"I've raised the gates before, but never resurrected anyone," Kali said.

"Those two terrors were dead - Itassis and Matoombo - you brought them back," said Blake.

Kali shook her head. "You know, for two people who claim to know their mystical history, you're completely stupid," she snapped. "The Hellhound cannot resurrect any spirits. My sole responsibility is to protect them and stop them from escaping back into this world."

"But the terrors -" Blake started.

"You need a Vampire Queen to bring back the dead," said Kali. "We dethroned her two months ago. I'm sorry that Alroy is dead, but he did it protecting his home."

"NO!" Hunter yelled. "He died protecting you. The Hellhound. I remember what he said to me the night he left - 'look after your brother. I'll be home soon.' - but he never came back. Neither of them did." He shoved her back, causing her to trip.

Kali hissed as she hit the ground. Pain spasmed up her spinal cord and she blood pooled across her mouth as she bit her tongue.

"Easy, bro," said Blake. "She's no good to us dead."

Hunter grunted and pulled Kali back to her feet, turned her to face forward and shoved her to get her walking. "You helped bring back the dead before, you can do it again," he said. "I don't care what it costs."

Ignoring the jolts of pain as she walked, Kali looked towards the skies and sighed inwardly. If someone can hear me. I need help, she thought.

~X~

"Where are we?" Dustin asked whilst looking around the immediate area. The forest he was in was nothing like Blue Bay Harbour. It was dark and dingy looking, and the air seemed thicker than normal.

"You're in the thick of the Mystic Realm," Sensei explained from Cam's shoulder. "We are here seeking help on how to find Kali."

"I've never been to the Mystic Realm before," said Tori.

"Is it always this eerie?" Shane asked. He looked around as the hair on the back of his neck stood on end.

Tori rolled her eyes. "Still a baby, I see," she teased.

"Like you don't feel it."

"What you feel is magic," said Sensei. "It's all around us. The deeper into the forest you go, the thicker the magic seems. We're almost there."

"Almost where?" Dustin asked.

"The Mystics call it Root core," Sensei answered. "Now, enough with the questions. There will be time for that later."

They walked a few more steps in silence. Turning a large oak tree, the group stopped at the sight of a giant dragon standing guard next to a dragon-shaped tree stump.