Chapter 12
Holly lay on an altar, unaware of the sacrifice rites taking place. Death the Grim Reaper chanted dark magic spells in the resurrection's honor. Scythe at hand, he started towards the altar. Holly's life was drawing to a close. Such a young and jubilant girl would soon bring back centuries-old darkness and chaos. Still she lay unconscious at the foot of Dracula's coffin. Death raised his deadly weapon high, and after a moments tension, he brought it down upon Holly.
The coffin trembled. Within the next second, the lid creaked open and Dracula arose slowly from his enforced sleep. The atmosphere's aliveness faded. Ortega felt a shadow creep over his heart and leech his own joy away. When one is in the presence of the dark lord, there is no life and joy to be had. It took Ortega only one look at him to realize that he was in the presence of something terribly powerful and sinister. The man-beast kept his composure, but inside he was sure that Death and Dracula could sense his fear.
Ada returned home as the sun was late into set. It was already dark enough for the village to start lighting candles in their houses and outside around the village. Ada's house was still dark, meaning that Holly hadn't returned yet. Ada started the job of lighting lanterns and candlelight to see by. It was then that she noticed Ortega standing in the corner of the room.
"I didn't see you there, Ortega. What brings you here? Cornell isn't back yet."
"I am not after Cornell right now. I am here to take you on a short journey. Come."
By the tone in Ortega's voice, she could tell that was a demand. Ada followed him out the door with uncertainty. Ortega stopped abruptly outside the entrance.
"Leave the pendant."
Ada grasped the jewel around her neck. "Why?"
Without warning, he grabbed the pendant from her and threw it to the ground himself. He glared at Ada.
"Just do as I say and follow."
Ada did as she was told. Ortega led her into the forest's edge in front of the village. They stood there for awhile and it soon became apparent to Ada that they were waiting on someone. Or something... The sun had set completely and from the top of the slope where they stood, the fairly large village looked dimly lit and the houses and empty streets were visible. The village stood out against the forest like a candle in the darkness. Ada sighed and sat on a rock nearby. How long would they have to stay there? An echo broke through the silence of the night. The odd sound sent chills through Ada's body.
YyAAaarrrroooOOOO!!
She got to attention and looked around.
"Don't move." Ortega ordered.
YyAAaaarrrrAaroooOOOO!!
Ada looked back to the village and drew back. Tens of black dogs scattered throughout the streets, some of them shooting flames from their mouths.
"What are those things?"
"Demon hounds." Ortega replied.
Demon was correct. She could see their bright red eyes glowing through the dark. The hounds ruined whatever they could get themselves to. They knocked over torches and destroyed barrels and crates that were left outside. The livestock ran franticly through the streets and were slaughtered. Houses began to catch fire, and the hounds attacked the doors, seeking to harm all inside. Ruthlessness ran thick in their blood. Some of them managed to leap on top of the houses and squirm their way down the chimney. It was an awful event for Ada to watch unfold before her.
Within minutes the village was in chaos! Screams rang through the air and unearthly howls drowned them out. Villagers ran out of burning and penetrated houses, some armed to fight and others to get away. The hounds took a lot of both types, killing them on the spot. The streets were in pandemonium with people and creatures running in every direction, most falling before they got too far. Battle and escape orders were yelled out, but didn't have too much of an effect. Gun fires and dog barks started to join the noise.
Ada stood stunned by the large mob of skeletons that had charged in the melee through the other side of the forest. They were possessed! The skeletons fought the villagers, giving the demons a large upper hand.
Ortega sat back against a tree with his arms crossed, watching the fight. It didn't seem to bother him.
"We have to do something, Ortega!!" Ada exclaimed looking down at the mess of people and demons. "Where did they all come from??"
"You will see." He grabbed her by the wrist and tugged her towards the dark castle in the distance.
