Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait everyone! Just finished my midterms and a lot of homework! I'm actually really excited to post this chapter, I always enjoy writing and hearing your responses. I appreciate the reviews you guys are leaving and don't worry, this is a story I will love to continue. Anyway, on to the new chapter of Bane of my Blood!
Disclaimer: I don't anything besides any original characters mentioned in the story!
Chapter 2 – There is always a Price
The green twisted realm was unsettling. Her mission, though completed, still left an ominous and horrendous feeling that loomed over the world of the dead. The others that roamed the land were no longer in sight, fleeing from the dark horizon that was soon approaching. Though a ghost, she felt sickly, filled to the brim with anxiety. She flew, twisting and turning through the realm, trying to reach her destination. Fear was still watching her, close by like a shadow.
She tried to fly faster, trying to forget the worries. Clockwork chose her do this task, so all should be well shouldn't it? The being of time itself would reassure her worries, right? Again, her anxiety became fuel for her speed. She couldn't help but move faster and faster from the jolt of energy. Eventually, she saw Clockwork's dwelling and couldn't help, but smile.
She reached her hand out early, ready to reach the door.
"Where do you think you're going Funrahiik?" A voice said, almost hissing.
She spun around and saw a small group of corrupted shades, armed with Viking like armor and weapons. There aura was literally engulfed in a black mist and all that stood in their place were skeletons with glowing red eyes.
Funrahiik tried to flee, but was quickly grabbed and chained down by the shades. She looked in disgust as she was pinned. Shades were worse than any ghost in the realm. They gave there afterlives away, just for power.
"What…what do you want? The book? Well, it is gone! Out of your reach!"
They began to laugh, as there jaw bones chattered, "Let's just say our boss wants a few words from you. You know? To ease his mind from all the trouble you caused…"
"And don't worry," another shade replied, "We'll find the Book and the Phantom kid before you know it."
Again, she tried to escape, but at this point, it was useless. Complete shock overfilled her mind and she was left almost in a paralyzed state. They lifted her up from the ground where she was pinned and dragged her away into the dark corners of the ghost zone.
"Am I really unable to do anything?" Clockwork stood inside his dwelling observing the incident from his screens, that displayed all around him, monitoring all the different events in time.
"You have already altered this timeline enough! She was destined for one thing! It is completed now, and for that she is of no use." Shouted one of the observant.
"You always put others at such low proportions." Clockwork mumbled in anger.
"To your emotional ties, we understand how he feel. But it will be her sacrifice that saves us all. If she did not deliver the Book to the ghost child, both our worlds would cease to exist by now."
"Yes, I know," Clockwork slowly shifted his appearance into a young child and vanished from the conference that was displayed on his screens, "I always know."
"Sorry for all the surprised visits, but I just love to stop by and visit my acquaintances from time to time." Vlad reached over for his glass of tea and took a small sip, sitting comfortably in the home of the Fenton's.
"No problem V-Man! You're always welcomed in this home!" Jack said, oblivious to the current relationship. Vlad rolled his eyes, ignoring his old college friend. His hatred for Jack never seemed to fade, even with time. The buffoon had everything that he had ever wanted. Even with all his money and power, he still had nothing.
"Yes…of course," Maddie mumbled in disagreement, "I'll be right back."
"Where are you off too?" Vlad asked, not wanting to be left with Jack.
She turned around before walking up the stairs, "I'm just bringing some Advil to Danny. My poor baby came home early with a fever."
"Really?" Vlad asked with a mysterious smirk.
"Yeah. He got up this morning like he didn't get a wink of sleep and then his teacher called saying he ran out of the class in a panic…"
"Worried are we?"
"I always am." She slowly turned around, almost as if she was carrying a guilt, ashamed of others to see.
"Don't worry about Danny! He'll be fine! Probably just caught a small bug from school!" Jack exclaimed, trying to cut the tension in the room.
"Let me at least help." Vlad offered.
"Oh, that's ok." Maddie said trying to be polite.
"I insist. I came in unannounced. It's the least I can do."
Maddie finally agreed and handed the containment of medicine to Vlad and pointed to where Danny's room was, "I'll start on dinner than. Hopefully Danny will join us."
The millionaire nodded and began walking up the stairs. Danny's room was a little hard to miss. His door was covered with stars, of course showing his love for space. A large sign hung saying "Danny's Bedroom" and was also decorated with planetary images.
He went and knocked on the door.
"Jazz! For the hundredth time, I'm fine!" Vlad couldn't help, but smile at the boy's aberration.
Slowly he saw the door open to reveal his gothic girlfriend at the door. She looked at Vlad and without hesitating, closed the door.
"Danny, um..."
Danny read Sam's face and rolled over, making sure the book was hidden, and slowly hiding back under his sheets, "Vlad, I'm not in the mood for a fight. Bug me some other time."
"I figured, my dear boy. I just came to drop off your mother's medicine," Danny peeked out from under his blanket, "Now are you going to take it? Or play turtle the whole time I'm here?"
"Uh, we can give it to him. Being his archenemy and all, it's probably best that we take it from here." Tucker commented, uncomfortably angry.
Vlad shrugged his shoulders as the venom in Daniel's friend was completely ignored. He slowly began to walk out of the room.
"Wait…" Danny slowly sat up and stared into Vlad's skeptical eyes, "Why did you come up here?"
"To drop off the medicine. You know Daniel, you're not helping my perspective of your intelligence."
Danny let out a low groan and his eyes slowly gave off a green hue, "Knowing how much of a crazed fruit loop you are, I know there is something you want."
"Why would you think that Daniel? Even with our differences, I'm not all that terrible."
"Right…" Danny replied sarcastically.
"Well since I'm here, I do have a quick question." Vlad slowly pulled out a picture of a ghost in his lab. She had long blonde hair and dressed in a poor, medieval style clothing and was carrying an ancient book. She carried scars up and down her arms and she wore a blue bandana that wrapped around her neck
Funrahiik!
"I was just curious, since your heroic attitudes tends to get you mixed up in business that isn't yours. If you have seen this ghost? Or more importantly the book she has?"
Danny, pretended to study the image and looked back at Vlad, "I've never seen her before."
"Are you sure Daniel? She was being chased by a group of strange, skeletal ghosts that I have never seen before, into Amity Park. I followed her and noticed she went to your high school. I'm sure your 'ghost sense' must have reacted." It was obvious Vlad was mocking Danny's terminology as he slowly made air quotes around the foreign words.
"I told you, I haven't see her before. If you stole something again that's going to get us in trouble…"
Vlad sighed. He knew the game Danny was playing. He was trying to avoid the question, "Alright…I'm just going to say it straight. I saw you fight those goons, Daniel! I know you helped the little thief, now, where is the book?"
Sam and Tucker stood in silence, almost in shock as well as in fear. They weren't alone, since Danny carried the same expression, but tried playing it off.
Again, the tension was thick in the air, almost making it difficult to breath. Danny tried to seem more intimidating by not replying to Vlad's statement, but it was no use. "Fine, I helped her, but I know nothing about a book. She disappeared after I took care of those ghosts." Danny wasn't lying for the most part, just lacking information.
"I understand your lack of trust in mean Daniel, but this is important. Very important. If my knowledge is correct that book-"
Suddenly, Danny felt himself freeze while Vlad continued talking. His vision began to blur in and our again and sweat began to cover his forehead. His heart began racing and his ears almost went deaf. He could barely see Vlad talking, but he began to hear the voice again.
"Dreh ni fun mok naan…" (don't tell him anything)
I…I won't
"Dreh ni fun mok naan…"
I said I won't!
Danny placed his hands over his hears on instinct. He knew the voice was entering his mind, but it was all he could do. He was trying to completely shut out all his all senses in order to make the pain disappear.
"Daniel? Are you ignoring me? Kind of childish, don't you think?" Vlad questioned as he began tapping his right foot in annoyance.
The young hybrid couldn't hear him or respond. His head began pounding as if trying to connect, trying to understand. His heart raced faster and faster, almost as if he was in a battle that held his life on the line.
Please…the pain…make it stop.
"Danny! Just breathe! You're ok!" Sam ran over and tried to comfort Danny. She knew immediately what was happening. Vlad slightly step make in surprised, but also stayed because of curiosity.
"Lig Daniel, gir wah zey…" (Please Daniel, listen to me…)
Danny quickly got out of his bed, grabbing the Advil sitting on his night stand and running to his window, opening it and trying to get fresh air.
"Zu'u fen gir! Nunon vuth daar faaz!" (I will listen, just stop the pain!) Daniel exclaimed. Again, the pain subsided and his heart beat went back to normal. His eyes began to clear and he could hear his own rapid breathing again.
Tucker ran over and handed the glass of water to Danny. Without thinking, the young halfa quickly took the medicine and gulped down his entire glass of water.
"Not again…I think…I'm definitely losing my mind," Danny mumbled.
Danny looked up and saw Vlad, his unpleasant smile was surprisingly gone and was replaced by confusion, "What was that Daniel!?"
"Why do you care? Just leave me alone!" Danny shouted in annoyance. He bent down a bit and rubbed the sides of his head, almost massaging it.
"Why do I care? You were just speaking some archaic language! At least try to be more sensitive about your present situation."
"Right…" Danny slowly fell onto his bed. Feeling light headed again, readjusting from the incident. So many questions spiraled around his mind. There was a voice in his head, trying to communicate with him. Was it from the book? What is the origin and power behind the book?
Vlad sighed and looked at distraught boy. "Daniel, it's obvious now that you have the book, no point in lying. And I understand the lack of trust you have toward me, but like I said this is a matter of life and death for everyone. There is something of pure darkness coming our way."
"Danny…" Sam watched patiently, waiting for a response.
Danny locked eyes with the older hybrid, "I'll trade: what I know for what you know, Vlad."
"Oh?"
Danny sighed again, not really wanting to give in to the older hybrid. "What darkness? What is this war that I'm hearing about? What is going on?"
"Haven't you noticed the increase in ghost activities? They are fleeing again, just like with Pariah except they are running from something much worse."
"Worse?"
Vlad nodded. "Even I lack the knowledge about what 'it' is. Whatever it is, it seems to be upset that this Book is missing and it is making a move. A move that could destroy everything."
The young hybrid almost shivered by the thought, "What is so important about this Book?"
"From what I read in the ancient library, the Book is named Vul Strin, it is believed to be the key to a hidden past and a darkness that should never be released. When I saw the young ghost girl with the book, I knew I had seen it before. It was in an old text that the ghosts believed to be nothing more than a conspiracy. Though the belief in a hidden unknown past does seem far-fetched."
"Why were you reading these old books anyway?"
"I don't spend all my time 'acting sinister'. I've spent many of my years, not only to strengthen my skills, but improving on my knowledge. Now, I believe a trade is in order correct?"
Danny reached under his pillow, pulling out the legendary book. Vlad slowly reached down and picked up the ancient text and opened it in seconds. He flipped through the pages, trying to uncover what was so important.
"Gah-this language is too obscure. It isn't in any known language I've ever seen!"
The ghost boy's shoulders slumped in a minor defeat, "Not you too…"
"Hm? What is it my boy?"
"I can…" Danny was hesitate at first, but there were more important matters on the line, "I can understand the dumb book. But I could have sworn it was a ghost language or something…"
"Wait, you can understand it? That could be trouble…"
"Trouble? I didn't ask to know how to read it!"
"The language looks related to the draconic language that was used by the ancestors of Aragon. However it was long forgotten due evolution in the language."
"Isn't Aragon that crazy ghost who can turn into a dragon?"
"Don't remind me." Sam mumbled in disgust.
"Well it makes since a bit, the book talks about three dragon gods that lived a long time ago." Danny exclaimed, hoping to connect the dots.
"Wait, what else did you read?"
Dreh ni fun mok naan…
"I…I can't say."
Dreh ni fun mok naan…
"Why not!" Vlad almost shouted in discontent.
"I just can't. Almost like I'm being forced to keep my mouth shut."
Suddenly, the four members in the room jumped after hearing a loud knock on the door. Danny quickly hid the book under his pillow and watched as his mother slowly opened the door, "Sorry! Don't mean to interrupt, but dinner is almost ready. Would you like to join us?"
"Of course my dear, dinner sounds delightful."
"We'll be down in a minute." Danny said, trying ignore Vlad's comment.
Maddie rolled her eyes, turned around, and walked down the steps. After her footsteps subsided, Vlad looked back at the other halfa.
"We'll need to finish our conversation soon. I fear we have to make a move soon or there will be serious consequences and you my boy, appear to have a more serious role in this than any of us can imagine."
Danny nodded, though deep down he didn't want to be in any major role in this war. Of course he wanted to help others, but he didn't want to be the cause or effect of this catastrophe.
The four eventually left the young boy's room and made their way downstairs to the living room. Sam and Tucker began heading to the front door, signaling to Danny to talk. Vlad watched in a cautious manner, but proceeded to the kitchen, trying not to look suspicious.
"Danny, we're going to head out and check out the library. Try to get more info about your book, you know?" Tucker said.
"Are you guys sure?"
"We'll be fine. We're your friends after all. I'm more worried about your archenemy trying to help us." Sam looked Danny in the eyes with sear anxiety, of course caring deeply for the halfa.
"Hm, I'll be fine Sam. I'm a lot stronger than you give me credit for!"
"That's not what I mean! Just…just be careful ok?"
Danny nodded in agreement and the friends finally split up. He watched out the window, seeing his friends turn the corner around his house, grabbing their mopeds and heading toward the town library. Eventually, he too headed to the kitchen where his sister was curled up in the chair, reading, and his mom helping set up the tables.
"How are you feeling sweetie?" Maddie asked.
"Somewhat better. Probably just a small cold."
Vlad looked down at the boy, seeing through the bluff, and trying to figure out how the boy understood such an ancient language. Was the book the cause of this boy's fever?
As the family sat around, preparing their dishes, Danny felt a cool wisp escaping from the sides of his mouth. He immediately stood up from his seat and started to walk back toward the stairs.
"Where are you going, Danny?" The boy's father asked.
"Just, uh, have to go to the bathroom really quick." Without stopping to hear a reply, he raced upstairs and flew open his door to see a small group of corrupted shades hovering around his room, searching for what he could only guess was the book. Quickly, the halfa transformed and dove for the book under his pillow and flew outside, trying to get them away from his family.
They're appearance almost made the ghost boy sick to his stomach. They're skeletal remains were as black as charcoal, and dried blood smeared across their Viking like armor. They began to surround the young Phantom and help their swords, ready to strike.
"Just come with us boy, and there will be a lot less at stake." Danny's green eyes locked with the red glows of where the pupils use to be.
Danny held onto the book even tighter, "I don't think so. I'm no fool to what you guys have in mind."
"So be it…" The shades took their stances as they floated over the Fenton's home, and prepared themselves for the fight.
Danny released one of his hands and let it glow with pure ectoplasmic power. Without waiting, he launched his attack, almost like he was throwing a grenade. The small explosion knocked of few of the shades to the ground, falling apart as their remains scattered on the street.
Some of them dodged and began to lunge at the boy. He hastily, jumped over their swords and launched himself higher into the atmosphere, again charging another attack. However, one of the corrupt shades jump behind him and tried to take a shot at the hybrid. He dodged, but lost focus when another flew from below and struck him in the abdomen with the blunt side of the sword. He flew back on instinct and wiped the ectoplasmic blood from his mouth and tried to return his breathing to normal.
The shades, however, never slowed down. Again, they went for the attack that was open for them. Danny quickly put up a plasma shield and was forced to the ground from the impact of their swords. After the shield went away, Danny felt tensed, but rose himself from the ground.
"Guess I shouldn't be goofing off."
"No you shouldn't, I thought I taught you better than that." Danny turned around and saw Plasmius floating above him, with a sinister grin that stretched from ear to ear. He, too charged up an ectoplasmic attack and obliterated one of the shades in seconds.
"I didn't ask for you to teach me anything!" Danny stretched his shoulders a bit and began to breathe slowly to calm himself. He began to hover above the ground, letting his eyes glow blue. The deformed skeletons tried to surround them, but Danny unleashed beams of ice from his eyes, freezing many of them. As they fell, their remains scattered and their black mist disappeared into the earth.
"Exactly the problem." Plasmius duplicated himself, obviously to show off at this point, and rapidly created plasma swords that cut through the skeletons with ease. Finally, the remaining ones flew off, admitting defeat as they were too weak to take them.
"Wow! That was almost too easy!" Danny cheered.
"Yes, that was." Plasmius landed in the ground from the small fight and transformed back to Masters. Danny, of course followed suit, "A little too easy."
Danny walked over, and went to examine the bones, "Nasty…were they after the book as well? Is that why they wanted me to go with them?"
"A good guess, but I fear they were here for another purpose."
Before the young halfa could respond, he suddenly felt a burning sensation that engulfed him. He bent and noticed a clouded, onyx color star spreading across his abdomen, where the shade had jabbed him, "What…?"
It almost looked alive as its discolored shape began to cling, burning at his skin. Danny tried to remove it, but it was useless. The more he tugged, the tighter the being clung.
"Daniel! Are you alright?"
"Does…does it look like…I'm alright?" Danny question sarcastically in between breaths.
"No, you're right. Stupid question," Vlad bent down and noticed the boy wrapping himself with his arms, in a defense like position, "Let me see."
Danny, of course was stubborn at first, but looked away as he lifted up his shirt, "How bad does it look?"
Vlad was in shock and in disgust. The carcinogenic being glowed with a green hue and was spread out in a star-shaped appearance. It looked like it had fused with the boy during his fight, "Well for one, I was right about it being too easy of a fight..."
In the dark corners of the ghost zone, lied a mansion that looked as if built during the Victorian times. Built with high standards and expensive designs, the mansion itself was filled with a dark mist that engulfed it. No light source stood a chance to even blink near it.
Inside, the small group of shades that escaped from Danny and Plasmius flew at high speeds through the hallways, dodging every decorated statue, until they entered a large library decorated with black roses that stretched towards the ceiling and smoke that filled every open space.
One of the shades stood forward and bent down on one knee, facing a shadowed figured resting in a leather chair that was made from the highest quality wood and cotton.
"We did what you asked, they boy did receive the Mindok."
A grin on the shadowed figured shinned brightly in the darkened room. He removed his cigar from his mouth and walked near a large window that made his appearance look even scarier. His face, was similar to the shades, except his skeletal head was suddenly in a burst of fire and he dressed in almost a business attire.
"No! He is not the one you are looking for Vul Aar!"
His bones cracked as his jaw made an eerie grin at Funrahiik, his captive that lied chained up on the wall across from him. "Then why give him the book? Obviously the boy has some value. Why would Clockwork have you give him the book and risk your own afterlife? In time though, the Mindok will enter Phantom's mind expel the knowledge we seek or he'll wither away…who knows."
Funrahiik tried to move or better yet escaped from her prison, but she lacked the strength to fight, let alone escape. Vul Aar walked up and blew a puff of smoke at the imprisoned ghost in an insulting manner and watched as she struggled, "Now tell me, my young messenger, why give the boy the book? If you won't tell me, the boy will suffer a terrible fate and so will you…"
*Insert dramatic cliffhanger music here!* That's all for today! Of course I had to leave it at this part because I'm such a terrible person! Who is this Vul Aar, why does Danny have the book, and why can he read it? What is so important about that damn book? What's going to happen to are beloved hero? Stay tune for the next chapter my fellow DP fans!
~ DragonRider17