Chosen Chapter 5: Witch Wars, Survivor Island
Part 2
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Violet Morgan screamed as she ran through the jungle. She looked over her shoulder and saw a swarm of demons chasing after her. Large and ugly demons with leather hoods over their faces, that growled inhumanly as they got closer. As she ran through some thick branches, a twig swept across her cheek like a whip and a moment later, she felt a painfully burning cut and blood on her face. She wondered how she ended up in this nightmare.
Before the demons had found her, she had woken up in a patch of grass in the middle of the jungle, wearing clothes that she had never seen before. A blue tank top and brown shorts, not to mention some very ugly boots. Since she could not remember how she got there, she instantly panicked and screamed for the others, which led the demons straight to her. The last thing she remembered was Mikelle sending her and the others after a demon and getting separated in an alley.
Violet saw a fallen tree coming up that blocked the path, however, there was a small space underneath just barely large enough to fit through. She halted for a moment, the demons were right behind her, and so she ran and dove down in the mud to slide under the tree. The demons crashed against the tree and started screaming furiously and throwing fire balls at it. On the other side, Violet got up and continued running, though she had hurt her leg and it hurt. At this rate, the demons would quickly catch her.
As she continued running, she looked over her shoulder once more to see the demons were almost past the tree. When she looked forward, she suddenly saw the ground disappearing. She screamed as she came to halt and balanced on the edge of a cliff, with a waterfall and a wild river down below. Just as she was about to fall, someone grabbed her and pulled her away.
When she looked up, Violet saw Arthur lying in the dirt with her. A huge relief washed over her and she was glad to see him, even though she barely knew him. At least she knew he was good, since he was a teacher at Magic School. His sudden appearance suddenly triggered a lost memory.
Violet, Billie and Duncan walked across the grand hall of Magic School with Arthur, who was dressed in his magic school robe, his arms filled with books.
"So were wondering if you could help us identify this demon." Billie said. "It is unlike anything we've ever seen before."
"Well, how would I know it?" Arthur asked. "I am a history teacher, not a demon expert."
"We figured you might have come across something like this before." Violet replied. "We could really use your help."
"Alright." Arthur said after a moment of hesitation. "I will meet you after school where it was last seen. Perhaps I might be able to find out what you're after."
As the memory ended, Violet felt bad, knowing that the only reason Arthur was here was probably because he was helping them out. Meanwhile, Arthur helped her up and she noticed he was dressed in similar clothes to hers and they were both covered in mud. Then she suddenly realised he had just saved her life.
"Thanks." Violet said with a slight blush.
"You're welcome." Arthur replied with a smile.
"Oh no, the demons!" Violet suddenly called out. "They are right behind me."
She looked back and saw the demons in the distance breaking through the tree and charging at them. They needed to run. Violet grabbed Arthur by the arm and wanted to run, though Arthur stopped her and instead pulled her in close, wrapping an arm around her.
"Stay perfectly still." Arthur whispered.
Arthur waved his hand and the air rippled around them. Before them, an illusion appeared and made the abyss and the river beneath it disappear, replacing it with jungle and solid ground. A fake version of Arthur and herself appeared next to them and started running into the distance. The demons growled as they came closer and ran after the illusions, running right past the real them. When the demons reached the cliff, the illusion suddenly disappeared and the demons fell screaming into the depth. Violet let out a sigh of relief and smiled at Arthur.
"That was amazing." Violet said.
"It's nothing." Arthur replied.
Violet stared at him and felt herself blushing again as he looked back at her with a smile. She suddenly became aware of the arm he had wrapped around her and she felt embarrassed. At the same time, Arthur seemed to realize the same thing and quickly let her go.
"Sorry." Arthur said as she scratched the back of his head.
"It's okay." Violet said awkwardly. "I am sorry you got dragged into all of this. It is our fault you're here. Do you have any idea what is going on?"
"My memory is a bit of a blur." Arthur admitted. "I remember you meeting me at the school and asking me for help. However, when I showed up at the alley, you were all gone. Then everything goes black. Next thing I know, I wake up here and I hear you screaming."
"We have to find the others, they might be in danger." Violet replied.
"I know. I already tried teleporting, but something is holding me back." Arthur said. "You're a psychic, can you get a premonition or something?"
"I'm sorry, I can't control it." Violet replied sadly. "And usually I need to touch something to get a premonition."
"It's okay, then we'll have to find them the old fashioned way." Arthur said. "Any idea how we can cross this river?"
"Not really." Violet replied. "Guess we have to go around it."
"Are you sure you will be able to walk, your leg looks pretty hurt. And you're bleeding." Arthur said as he placed a hand on her cheek to check the cut.
"I'll be fine, it's just a scratch." Violet replied softly.
"It could get infected." Arthur replied. "I took some classes in magical herbs, perhaps I can find something here to treat your cuts."
"Okay." Violet replied.
Violet stood still as Arthur still had his hand on her cheek and checked her cut with his finger. She did not know what to do, so she just stood there and looked at him. He was sweet to be so concerned about her injuries. She had never been so close to him before. When Arthur looked at her, their eyes met and Violet suddenly felt uncomfortable again. She never knew how to act in these situations.
"We should probably get moving." Arthur said as he noticed her awkward stance. "There could be more demons on the way."
"Of course." Violet replied with a nod.
Arthur let go of her face and offered her a hand to help her walk on her painful leg. Together, they made their way away from the cliff and back into the jungle. In the trees above them, a metallic sphere quietly flew after with, with a red light zooming in on their hands holding each other.
Xxx
Across the jungle, Billie was getting tired of walking through the endless bushes. The temperature was tropical and she was sweating and dirty, with her clothes sticking to her body. She was also getting thirsty. Meanwhile, lieutenant witch hunter had declared himself leader of their little expedition was leading them further and further into what seemed like an endless jungle. All they needed was a polar bear and a strange smoke monster and the adventure would be complete.
"Alright enough." Billie eventually called out and stopped. "You are leading us nowhere."
"I am leading us to the centre of the island, so we can find out what is going on!" Jake replied annoyed as he turned around and walked toward her.
"Well, that is a stupid idea." Billie replied. "We should get back to the beach, so we can circle the island and find the others."
"We just got from the beach!" Jake said. "There was nothing there but demons."
"And for all we know here are bigger and badder demons further down." Billie snapped. "You could be leading us to our doom."
"I didn't hear you complaining when I saved your life!" Jake remarked.
Billie and Jake were now standing right across from each other and their faces were only an inch apart, their eyes locked in a furious glare. Neither of them was willing to admit the other was right, but it was more than that. Billie did not know if it was just the tropical heat or something else, but the temperature was definitely rising between them.
"So what do you suggest?" Jake after a moment.
"We need water if we're going to survive." Billie replied. "Demons are not the only threat on this island."
"Agreed." Jake said. "But that still leaves the question which way we should go. Do we push forward or head back?"
"I don't think there is a going back." Billie replied, though she did not know whether she was referring to the island or something else entirely. "Guess we should just push forward."
"And then what?" Jake asked.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get there." Billie said.
"Alright, after you." Jake remarked sarcastically as he stepped aside and waved his hand.
"Gladly." Billie replied with a glare.
Billie stepped forward and pressed Jake aside a little as she continued her path. She heard Jake following behind her while mumbling to himself in an annoyed tone, even though she could not understand it, she knew he was mocking her. She decided to ignore it and step forward.
"Look out!" Jake suddenly yelled.
Before Billie could take another step, Jake grabbed her arm, but it was too late. Billie set her foot and triggered a trap. A huge net of thick rope sprang up from the ground and lifted them up in the air, letting them dangle from a tree, trapped like rats. Billie cursed herself for falling for such a cliché and was even more annoyed that she was pressed tightly against Jake in the small net. From all around them, the demons with leather masks appeared and Billie realized they were screwed.
Xxx
On another part of the island, Duncan and Mikelle had stopped to take a rest at a stream connected to a small waterfall and a wall of rocks. Duncan stood in the middle of the stream while drinking some of the fresh water. Meanwhile, Mikelle was further down in the stream near the waterfall washing herself and her clothes, since she had been completely covered in mud after almost dying in the muddy quicksand before. In order to give Mikelle some privacy, Duncan looked the other way and sat down on a rock besides the stream. To find the others, they had decided to head to the centre of the island, hoping the others would do the same.
"God, I wish we could find some food." Mikelle said as she sat down next to him.
Duncan turned around thinking Mikelle was done cleaning, though when he looked, he saw she was still in just the brown shorts and a black bra, while her tank top was lying on another rock to dry in the sun.
"Mikelle, what are you doing?" Duncan called out.
"Oh, please. It's not like you care." Mikelle replied. "How else am I going to dry my clothes?"
"It's still a little weird." Duncan said.
"What? I've seen you naked after you turned into a Wendigo." Mikelle replied with a shrug.
"I thought you were not looking." Duncan replied annoyed and a little embarrassed.
"I lied." Mikelle said with a smile.
"We should get moving soon." Duncan said. "We need to find the others and we still have no idea what is going on. We have no idea what is on this island."
"The others can take care of themselves." Mikelle said. "Have a little faith."
"What about Violet? She can't defend herself." Duncan called out.
"She is not as innocent and fragile as you think." Mikelle replied.
"I know that, I mean she has no active powers to defend herself." Duncan said.
"Oh right." Mikelle said. "Then I guess we should go find her."
Mikelle stood up and checked on her tank top, which had dried in the tropical sun. She then put it on and sat back down to put her boots on. Duncan was slightly annoyed at her attitude, sometimes it seemed like she did not even care.
"Sometimes I really don't get you." Duncan said. "How did you even get to be a Whitelighter?"
"I died." Mikelle remarked. "Darklighter arrows, it hurt."
"That is not what I mean and you know it." Duncan replied. "A whitelighter is supposed to offer guidance and protection, and you are just… you. You don't seem to take it seriously at all."
"You don't know anything about me." Mikelle replied annoyed.
"Then tell me. You barely talk about yourself." Duncan said. "We're supposed to be friends, yet we know almost nothing about you."
"Perhaps that's because I like to keep my past in the past." Mikelle called out. "I was not born in a rich family like you. I had a difficult life and I am glad I escaped it."
"Wait, you think my life was always fun and easy?!" Duncan snapped at her.
"Alright, I am sorry." Mikelle called out loudly. "Can we just drop it now?"
"No, we're going to talk about this!" Duncan replied equally loud.
Suddenly something rumbled in the distance and both Duncan and Mikelle froze. They exchanged concerned looks and stared at the source of the sound. It was almost like a screeching. From the jungle, three green creatures suddenly emerged and leaped onto some rocks across the stream from Duncan and Mikelle. They were reptile-like beings with dark green scales and yellow eyes.
"Oh, that is not good." Mikelle remarked.
"What the hell are they?" Duncan whispered as both of them slowly backed up.
"Stinger Demons." Mikelle replied. "Don't let their darts hit you, they are paralysing."
"Anything else I should know?" Duncan asked.
"Nothing much, except that they are cannibals. They like to eat their victims alive." Mikelle replied. "Let's start running on the count of three, okay?"
As Mikelle took a wrong step, a rock fell and one of the Stinger Demons fired a green energy dart from its wrist. Mikelle covered her face with her hands and disappeared in a swirl of orbs and the dart passed through her. She then reappeared on the exact same stop.
"Three!" Mikelle yelled as she started running.
Duncan looked at the demons and ran after Mikelle. When the other two fired their poisonous darts, Duncan quickly conjured a shield to block them and disappeared into the jungle after Mikelle. The three reptile demons screeched loudly and chased after them.
Xxx
In the modern and richly decorated penthouse, the demons and other evil beings cheered and groaned at the action on the screens. From a balcony overlooking the room, Bacarra observed the crowd and smiled amusedly. The betting had not yet even started and it was already becoming a big success. The demons were already cheering for the deaths of the witches and Bacarra would soon grant them what they desired. The betting would soon begin and these demons would offer up their powers and more to win.
"I assume the next part of your plan will begin shortly?" Klea asked as she appeared beside him and leaned against the glass frame.
"What makes you think there is a next part?" Bacarra asked. "What if all of this is just an elaborate show to get rid of the witches?"
"Because there is always a next part with you." Klea replied simply. "I thought we had already established we want the same thing. Just trust me."
"I know you too well to trust you, Klea." Bacarra replied. "Just like me, you always think ahead, making sure you're one step ahead of everyone else."
"So let's work together." Klea whispered as she moved a little closer and placed a hand on his arm. "Let me help you."
"Fine, follow me." Bacarra said reluctantly.
The warlock took the demon by the arm and guided her into another room. As they headed inside, Bacarra nodded at his guard to make sure nobody would disturb them. Once inside, the room was revealed to a luxurious bedroom. Klea walked around while Bacarra closed the door and grabbed them both a drink. As he handed her a drink, Klea sat down on the bed.
"So tell me about this master plan." Klea remarked as she took a sip.
"It is quite simple actually." Bacarra replied. "Aside from the dangers on the island, the witches will be forced to face certain other adversaries, who I will announce shortly. Once our hunters come into play, the betting will begin."
"And you ensure that the house always wins." Klea reasoned. "So you can take all the profit. Not very original."
"Why change the game when it is effective?" Bacarra replied. "The witches will be dead and the Brotherhood will rise in strength, various demons will be in debt to us and most importantly, the witches will be dead."
"And how will you ensure the house wins?" Klea asked.
"The same way I lured the witches into a trap in the first place." Bacarra said. "The island is home to a very powerful and very rare demonic beast, which I control. While everyone will place their bets on our contestants, our little beast will take them all out and claim the grand prize, the heads of the witches."
"So all bets will automatically go to the house, since everyone will bet on our hunters, ensuring none of them will win." Klea concluded. "So tell me, what is this mysterious beast?"
"That part I will keep secret just a little while longer." Bacarra replied. "Now let's go introduce out hunters to the crowd."
Bacarra put down his glass and held out a helping hand to Klea, lifting her off the bed. Together, they left the bedroom and headed back to the balcony overlooking the crowd. Bacarra nodded to one of his guards and the TV screens went black before the flaming athame appeared once more.
"Ladies and gentlemen." Bacarra spoke loudly. "It is time for the next phase of the game. Allow me to introduce out hunters, who will risk their lives to hunt the witches and claim victory. After that, the betting will begin."
Bacarra smiled and winked at Klea as the crowd clapped their hands. The doors of the penthouse opened and a small army of demons and other evil beings came charging in, each of them believing they had a shot at victory. It was such a simple plan, yet they were all falling for it. Soon the Chosen would be dead and the Brotherhood would claim power over all. Bacarra looked over to Klea and winked, while the demon smiled back at him seductively.
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