El Tigre: Redemption
"You know what they say, no therapy like wandering across a haunted wasteland for a year or two."
-Ulrich "Blitz" von Krieger
Chapter 9
"So here we are."
"Yup."
Frida and Blitz looked up at the colossal structure that was the Black Shrine. It's construction was similar to that of a European cathedral in the world of the living.
Blitz glanced at Frida. "So what are we looking for again?"
"Some sort of crown thing."
"Ah."
They approached the massive doors, which slowly opened on their own volition.
"Creepy," Frida whispered. "You think it's haunted?"
"We're in the Land of the Dead, dummkopf."
"Oh, yeah, right."
The pair stepped inside. Once again, the interior was much like a cathedral, vast and beautiful, yet calming. Everything was lined with candles, which provided the only light, giving off a creepy vibe. Plates of food and other valuables were also set about, offerings to the dead from the living.
Blitz stopped dead in his tracks, holding his hand out to Frida. "Wait a minute."
Frida rolled her eyes. "What is it now?"
"This place is supposed to be a link between worlds, where spirits gather to accept offerings."
"Yeah, so?"
"So why are we the only ones here? Why is it empty?"
Frida looked around again, realizing that Blitz was right.
"Maybe be we should get out of here…"
Frida turned to leave, but the massive doors slammed door with a deafening BOOM.
"I thought I made it clear to all," a voice rang out, "that this is my domain now. All that is here, belongs TO ME!"
A figure stepped into the candlelight. Frida gasped.
The thing was twisted, misshapen, monstrous, and barely human. Frida wouldn't have even recognized it, had she not seen the same sight a year before.
"My God, it's Diego Luxe!
"What?" Blitz's eye sockets widened. "This is Luxe? What the hell happened to him?"
"Something to do with the book demon guy," Frida shrugged.
Luxe squinted, or, at least, it looked like he squinted. One could not tell with his deformities.
"Wait…I know you, little girl…yes, it was some time ago, but I know you. You were his friend…he, who left me to die!" Luxe advanced upon Frida, who drew back. Blitz stepped between them, putting a gun to what appeared to be Luxe's forehead.
"Not gonna let you do that, Diego."
A wave of realization swept over Luxe's twisted face.
"Ulrich? Ulrich von Krieger? It's been a while, hasn't it? Last I remember, I hired you to kill El Tigre, a child, and before I met my end, he still lived. Have you come to tell me that you have completed the contract?" Luxe seemed to swell and pulse. "Otherwise, I would have to become very, very sore."
"I'm dead , in case you haven't noticed, and as far as I know, El Tigre lives." Blitz said simply, cocking his gun. "Now I'm going to have to ask you to take a step back."
Luxe gave a crooked grin. "Since when did you become so noble, Ulrich?"
"You know what they say, no therapy like wandering across a haunted wasteland for a year or two."
Frida stepped forward, summoning up her bravery. "Why have you crashed this place? Why are you hording all this stuff?"
"Because everything was taken from me in the world above!" Luxe hissed. "So I shall take everything back down here! I deserve this! All of it!"
Blitz cursed. "It's like talking to a three-year-old."
He pulled the trigger. Demon-juice sprayed everywhere as Luxe staggered back, head lolling. The monster stopped, and readjusted its head, neck cracking, as the bullet wound healed itself.
"Fool," Luxe growled. "Don't you know you can't kill what's already dead?"
"Yes, I do," said Blitz, "but it was fun shooting you anyway. I've always wanted to do that, Luxe."
"I will tear you limb from limb!" Luxe roared.
"Go ahead." Blitz smirked. "You said it yourself; you can't kill me."
Frida grinned as her hands flared up and wings spread. "I smell a fight!"
Luxe charged up an energy burst. "Prepare to suffer…"
Suddenly, the doors burst open, with an equally deafening BOOM. A chill wind gusted through the Shrine, extinguishing every last candle. Luxe immediately shrank back from Blitz and Frida, his energy dissipating.
"No, not him…not again…"
"What the hell?" Blitz wondered. Dark mist rushed into the Shrine, gathering above their heads, swirling like a miniature hurricane. Faces could be made out in the mist, twisting, howling.
Frida shivered. "It's cold."
Luxe held his head and whimpered. "Please…leave me alone! Haven't you taken enough from me?"
Blitz was jittery, pointing his gun into the mist, then at Luxe's cowering form, then back up into the mist. "What are you babbling about? What the hell is going on here?"
Frida gulped. "I said it before, and I'll say it again; maybe we should get out of here.
Blitz took one last look at Luxe and the black mist. "I think that's a good idea."
Frida and Blitz turned tail and ran, not stopping until they were well away from the Black Shrine. Breathing heavily, they glanced back, only to see that the Shrine was now completely obscured by the dark mist.
"I think we should look elsewhere for your crown," Blitz stated.
"Yeah." Frida agreed.