Into the Red

By: S. Michael Frost & Blake Payan

Chapter One - The Chase

A look washed over her porcelain features. It was the kind of look that could only come when one reaches the dire realization that death is just around the corner. It bit at her, the thought, so much so it blocked out all other senses, even the gnawing chill of a long hard winter. From a full sprint she slowed, brushed her long black hair to the side then pulled the folds of her cloak tightly against her neck. Her breath hung in the air, now visible under a veil of moonlight; she shivered in a vain attempt to shake off the chill. Clouds rolled past, dimming her view down the narrow alley. Ahead metal warehouses gave way to an older stone industrial park. The chilling breeze subsided as tapered walls blocked its path. Moving further into the darkness, she kept a hurried pace. The alley was nearly pitch black now save the ambient light emitted by the sleek, incandescent spirit animal pacing at her side. She glanced down at the white leopard and flashed a look of satisfaction, her attention inspiring her companions light to glow tenfold brighter. Dark grey bricks came into view, lining either side of the endless corridor. The leopard stopped abruptly, then looked back down the alleyway. Its tufted ears perked at the sight of movement as it sounded a low snarl. The woman turned back, petrified, searching in the darkness for what her spirit pet sensed. A dull green glow materialized in the distance. It hung there for a brief moment before charging with tremendous speed. They turned to run but were too slow as the bright green ball of energy exploded at their feet sending them flying against opposite alley walls. A horrifying screech of pain brought her back to this plane. Her eyelids bore the weight of the world as she struggled to see. A green glow filled her blurred vision, jolting her awake as

she hunkered down, hands over her head, shielding her from what she imagined would be an impending onslaught. To her relief, only silence accompanied the fading green glow. She lowered her arms, revealing a toxic pool of molten green asphalt surrounded by an ashen ring. Her clothing was charred; thick red blood pooled, dripping down her wrists from cuts on her palms. Pulling her sleeves to rub the dirt from her cuts, she winced with pain. Only the low gargling moan from a dimly pulsing heap of white light against the far wall pulled her from her pain. Her heart dropped as she looked upon her unrecognizable spirit animal. In a weak voice she called out, Snowflake. As if on cue, bluish-white light rippled throughout the corpus as it rose. Its form was no longer that of the sleek snow leopard, but now an igneous, stone-like spine leading down to a pool of melted light. The masss jagged-boney skull swiveled slowly on its axis; from deep within the skull, two piercing white eyes met her gaze and together master and familiar began to levitate. They hovered on either side of the molten green pool, eyes locked. The familiar lunged, engulfing her in a sheath of white energy. Sparks flew as the cocoon tightened. Instantly everything went black, save the dying remnants of the molten green pool. Silence was broken by shuffling feet in the distance. Just as before, the green orb formed, igniting a panicked surge of adrenaline through her body. As if that werent bad enough, the orb divided in a menacing act of mitosis, making for a dual set of lethal foes. Closing her eyes for a brief moment, she summoned her own piercing white orb from her chest; it discharging she sent a tidal wave of energy caroming down the stone corridor. The wall of light extinguished the green orbs and overwhelmed the two figures behind, sending them flying back into the shadows.

Short of breath the woman managed, Thank you, Snowflake. She looked down and examined her palms. The blood was now dry and she rubbed her hands together and proceeded to wipe them on her pants. Cautiously, she flicked her wrists; beckoning small orbs to form in either palm. Using their light, she surveyed the damage, sighing in relief when all she saw were the small pink remnants of scars. She sat there but for a moment, rubbing her hands soothing the tingling sensations. A piercing howl echoed down the alley. Spinning around, she searched the darkness for the sounds origin. She watched as two green orbs formed once more; then, in a flurry, she turned and took off sprinting. Her white orbs congealed into a solitary form as they zoomed along in her wake. In a flurry, she turned and took off down the alley, her white orb zooming along behind.

A choice lay ahead as they approached a node in the industrial maze. Looking to her left another endless alley leading to nowhere continued on into darkness. She spun around, gave the new path a glance then proceeded in a sprint. A clock tower stood in the distance, silhouetted against the violet ring which encircled the planet, framing twin moons brightly gleaming against an obsidian sky. Thigh-high weeds and scratching brambles littered the unkempt earth of an unused patch of land buried deep within the labyrinth. Running through the field, she waved her palm towards the ground on either side of her. In her wake, roots emerged as worms in a storm, wiggling, binding and layering the ground in an erratic web.

A narrow roadway lay at the edge of the field, leading straight towards the clock tower. Slowing her pace, she continued into the depths of the alley, found a hiding spot, then turned back. Her glowing orb dimmed and they stood, staring across the field, watching and waiting. The gentle rustling of wind through bushes eerily set the tone. One of the green orbs shot forward. Stopping instantly, it surveyed its surroundings in a hurried fashion. It paused and moments passed as it hovered nearly motionless save a slight sway from the breeze. A large black figure stepped from the abyss and stood next to its orb. The second green orb emerged followed by a sprinting figure. They all convened at the far end of the field. Simultaneously, both green orbs began to pulse. As the pulses grew in frequency, the balls began to oscillate in form, growing and contorting into animalistic shapes. Two monstrous emerald wolves evolved, standing chest high to their shadowy counterparts, radiant light coursing through their translucent coats. Fixed on her position, they hunkered down, teeth bared, hackles up, ready to pounce. The imposing figures standing behind the wolves raised their arms. Their hands began to glow with a toxic green aura as they directed their aim toward her position.. As if guided by laser, the wolves leapt forward digging into the loose dirt with every stride. As a marionette to a puppet, she summoned the mesh of unearthed roots to rise, snapping at the charging beasts. Ensnaring their legs, the roots caused one to falter in its step and plow face first into the thick brush. The impact took its toll as light vapor spewed from the fumbling green mass. Still charging, the other wolf leapt over the briar patch, clearing all remaining obstacles and commenced its final assault.

Emitting white hot energy through her will, the orb floating at her side began to pulse. It grew, melding into its familiar state - the leopard dashed forward to meet its foe. A clash of jaws and claws sounded as the two spirit beasts ripped at each others spectral forms. Jules charged forward, just as the wolf sunk its crystalline fangs into her leopards neck. Pinning Snowflake down, the wolves back became exposed to the womans fury. Twin bolts of lightning shot from her finger tips impacting the canines unguarded neck. Convulsion caused the beast to clamp down vigorously before the shockwave sent it tumbling across the desolate earth. Her leopard let out a deafening cry of agony before dimming. She ran over, kneeling down at its side. Placing her hands on either side of the astral beasts broken neck, the leopard whimpered and wheezed. Delicately, she spoke; My turn, then a harmonious glow protruded down her arms and pulsed into the leopards translucent flesh. Strained glowing veins wound through her spirit pets neck, binding the celestial tendons and healing the creatures fragmented spine. A shattering sound of molten energy speeding towards them was all that preluded the explosion as a powerful spell impacted her side. The impact sent her toppling back, grinding into the gravel. Nearly comatose with an unearthly ringing in her ears, she lay there, staring upward at the dazzling night sky. She watched a second spell engulf her field of vision, blinding her as it passed dangerously close overhead. Its crackling mass brought her back to full alert. Writhing pain soon took hold, eating at her side. Moving slowly, she reached to her ribs, surveying the damage. Bringing her hand up revealed blood-laden trails of dripping green energy.

Snowflake pulled her, as a mother would her cub, retreating into the darkness of the alley. Bracing herself against a stone wall, she clambered to gain footing as she rose. There was no chance for retaliation as all her efforts were spent holding together her ravaged side. The agony of every retreating step unbearable. The clock tower loomed ahead, its massive hands now visible, standing upright against a faded grey face. The end of the alley was in sight as the warm glow of yellowed street lights beckoned. Wavering, she stumbled, falling against the wall. She pushed onward, leaving a bloody handprint as she staggered to the center of the alley. Maneuvering around a large rusted dumpster, she sought refuge in its shadow but faltered, careening head first into the nearby curb. Slumping, she sat there dazed, a thick red rivulet running from a gash just above her eyebrow. The last thing she recalled was a tugging at her arm and distant howling everything went black.

A swift kick to her broken ribs sent a scream of agony through her body. She curled into a ball holding her side. Straining to open her eyes, she saw two large figures standing over her, silhouetted against the green light of the pacing spirit wolves behind. Well, well, spoke a raspy males voice, looks like that did it. The second figure let out a single deep snicker. The first man kneeled. Reaching out, he took hold of her jaw. Twisting it, he brought her face into the light. You know, I wasnt sure at first, but now its clear. He pushed her head to the side, releasing her. He stood and continued, Now then, where is A piercing whistle echoed down the alley.

The men turned abruptly. At the end of the alley, another figure stepped out against the streets yellow light. The man standing over Jules leered, then continued in his raspy voice, Ah, there he is. The silhouetted figure outstretched its arms, aiming them directly at the men. A murky red glow formed around the figures hands. Energy siphoned from the surrounding atmosphere as they pulsed. The first man jutted his chin forward and the wolf at his side responded, dashing in a full sprint, followed closely by the second wolf. Snarling, they lunged. Dual crimson lasers, shot out at tremendous speed, meeting both beasts squarely in their chests. Brilliant explosions sent the beasts flailing back, harshly depositing them on the barren asphalt. Neither of the green masses moved as their forms slowly faded. From overhead, a piercing screech rang out. Blinded by a white flash, the woman moved to shield herself with her battered arms. The rippling light waves subsided as the two bodies slammed into the ground punctuated by two sickening thuds. The woman moved her arms from her face and saw her two pursuers lying in heaps. She stared at them, letting out a small sigh of relief before falling back into unconsciousness. The quick-paced sound of thick-soled boots on asphalt startled her awake. With a grunt, she fought to rise. Holding her side, she leaned sideways against the wall, starring at the approaching man. Her knees buckled and she fell back. Her fall was broken as a cushion of white energy enveloped her. The astral form soothed her pain. A tingling spread through her battered body as it began to heal.

The man stopped, standing over her. Weakly, she focused in on him and saw two bright blue eyes staring down at her. The glow of the soothing energy revealed the mans face and his expression of utter dismay at the sight of her. With a weak half-smile, the woman spoke, Took you long enough. Her eyes closed and she slumped back into unconsciousness.

Jules, Jules. The mans soothing voice and the cold touch of fingertips on her ribs brought her back from the darkness. This is bad, Jules. Hey, hey! Come on. He moved his cool fingertips to her check and caressed her, Come back to me. The man pulled back, taking her hand in his, as his white energy tilted her up till her dangling feet came to rest ever so gently on the ground. Her knees buckled slightly as she took on the burden of standing, his firm hold steadying her in her weakened state. She looked up into his blue eyes and stared passionately for a long moment then thrust him back nearly falling after him. Regaining her composure she queried with a tone of quiet intensity, Where were you? He scoffed and with a grin answered, I was following the plan. Raising her tone, she started, Oh really? Well A deep moan sounded from behind her and she spun around quickly, instantly sending coursing pain through her ribs. Her hands began to glow a deep blue and through gritted teeth, she cursed. Raising an arm, she focused her hand on the distant dumpster and the sound of tearing metal echoed through the alley as the metal side tore away. A shimmer of blue engulfed the heap of trash and sent it flying, coming to rest in two rancid piles atop her downed pursuers. She stood there panting as she lowered her arm and the aura faded.

Breathless, she spoke, That felt good. The man responded with a mocking headshake. She turned, wrapping her arms around her side, only just barely holding the pain at bay. Wryly she said, Dont get me started, with you. He forced a slight smile then looked down to her ribs and despair covered his face. I cant heal that, Jules. Youve been burned by magic. I know. She glanced down at her ripped clothes, barren ribcage exposed beneath a sickly green gash, The blood stopped; itll have to do for now. No he managed before she interrupted him. No. Stick to the mission, Jedidiah. She glared as she hobbled past. Standing there, watching her walk off towards the yellow haze emanating from the main street ahead, he sighed and shook his head. With a wave of his arm, the mass of white energy floating at his side raced off towards her. It snaked its way between her legs and coalesced into an animalistic form then finally into a blinding white tiger, lifting her onto its back. She glanced back at him, ready to resist: a thought that quickly faded as she noticed the concern on his face; she mustered a grateful smile. Jedidiah took one last look at the two mounds of garbage, the corner of his mouth turning up with satisfaction. As he turned to follow, his eye caught the fragmented reflections of the distant clock tower in stagnant puddles left over from a recent winter rain.

A full half hour passed as all lay still in the industrial complex. All was still in the industrial landscape as a full half hour passed.. The sound of the first strike resonated over the countryside as the hand of the clock tower fatefully announced Aalacho, the eleventh hour.

Without warning, the area immediately surrounding the clock tower imploded in a vacillating mirage of crimson plasma. The unexpected violence of the moment outstripped only by the ensuing explosion that obliterated the clock tower and engulfed the cityscape in a shockwave, traveling at supersonic speed in all directions. Just as instantaneously, the supernova subsided, leaving nothing but a massive smoldering crater.