Chapter 20: The Inner Sanctum

We stood at the top of the stairs, gazing into the dark depths below. Despite the candles lining the wall, it was impossible to see what lay at the bottom of the steps. The Shadow had given up when we burst through the door, but I knew it was waiting for another chance to strike. That's why we were all hesitant to move from our position. Finally, Daniel broke the eerie silence.

"I know you don't want to, but we have to keep moving. We're almost to Alexander!" He added, trying to sound hopeful. Isabelle cast a quick glance at the man before taking a step down the stairs. She tensed up, as if expecting the Shadow to roar angrily in the distance, but everything remained hushed. She was about three steps down before I began to follow, soon accompanied by Daniel. The atmosphere remained apprehensive, each of us listening for any sounds that meant danger was imminent.

"I think it's all good-," Isabelle's voice was lost when the ground shook violently, the Shadow's roar shrill and adjacent. We didn't hesitate further, instantly bolting down the stairs and into the shadowy depths. The ground trembled and quaked, signaling that the invisible Guardian was giving chase.

"There, through the door!" Daniel shrieked. We sprinted through an open archway and into a room with four pillars. On one of the pillars was a lever, and Isabelle pulled it down sharply. A door slid from the archway, stopping the Shadow in its path. The cosmic beast let out a cry of frustration, shaking the castle pugnaciously, but quieted down after a few moments.

"T-that was close…" Daniel panted, staring at the lever. I paused, taking a moment to view my new surroundings. There was a large, strangely decorated door to our front. To my right and left were new doors, but they hadn't been there before. They must've opened when Isabelle pulled the lever… I guess that's where we have to go. That large door looks far too heavy to open. I nudged Daniel before sauntering over to the left, but hesitated slightly in the doorway. There was a table lined against the wall, books and paper scattered across in one big mess. To the right was what looked like an altar. A small "table" with strange carvings above it stood in the center. Half-melted candles lined the stone, but in the center was what looked like a spike. Below the spike was a miniscule hole, and I knew instantly that it was meant to hold blood.

"Hey, Daniel?" I called out, "Do you know what this is for?"

"Hmm?" He walked over to my side, narrowing his emerald eyes to examine the device. "I'm not entirely sure. But I guess it has something to do with that marking on the ground."

"What marking?" I inquired. He grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the opposite side of the room. On the ground was an abnormal drawing, but above it was something stranger. What looked like a circle was carved into the pale stone, strange lines and other peculiar things etched inside.

"Where's Isabelle?" I asked, "Maybe she can figure out what to do."

"No, I don't think we need her." Daniel said flatly, his attention focused on the strange carvings engraved into all the walls and above the altar, "I think we have to give blood."

"Really?" I questioned. I wasn't too fond of that idea, but it seemed like the only reasonable thought at the moment. Daniel stalked over to the "table" with the melted candle, quickly cutting his finger on the spike. His blood started dripping into the cavity, and he started to stagger. After a few moments of trying regaining balance, Daniel clumsily walked over to the marking on the ground. I watched in silence as he stood in the center, and soon, the carvings above the "table" started to glow a dim red.

"Is that it?" I asked, watching the man carefully.

"I think you have to do the same." He replied.

I didn't protest, but only repeated Daniel's actions, wincing slightly as the spike pricked my finger.

"Now stand on the marking." Daniel ordered. I obeyed, staggering over to the abnormal drawing and stood in place for a few seconds.

"I-is that all…?" I asked, voice quivering.

"Yeah, I think so." The man replied quietly, "But we need to make sure Isabelle did the same." We found the woman in the opposite room, admiring the architecture with curious eyes. She didn't notice when we entered the room, and when Daniel spoke, she nearly fainted.

"Don't sneak up on me like that!" She snapped, the fear slowly fading from her aqua eyes. I couldn't help but grin at her reaction, but it quickly dwindled. Daniel went to work, explaining to the angry woman about the blood offering and the strange markings. She listened intently, eyes widening with slight anxiety when he mentioned the spike, but didn't protest when Daniel guided her over to the altar. I stood in the doorway, watching silently as she went through with the strange ritual.

"Hey, Felix? We have to do it again in here," Daniel stated with a sigh. We repeated our actions, all three of us scrambling to stand on the marking. It took a few minutes for the stone to turn its dim red.

"Okay, Isabelle." I stated, "You have to go into the other room and do the same things. Then, if what Daniel said is correct, that big fancy door should open." The woman nodded vaguely before leaving the room. I turned to Daniel, but froze when I saw him lurch forward, almost falling face-first onto the stone ground.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I questioned, concern lacing my tone.

"I-I think I gave too much blood," he stammered before propping himself against the wall, "But I should be fine in a few minutes. Just let me sit down… You should go see if Isabelle is d-done."

"You sure…?" I pressed, unsure if I should leave the unsteady man alone. He nodded slowly, wincing as if the small gesture had hurt. Reluctantly, I followed after Isabelle, pausing when I found her sitting by the table with the mess of papers.

"F-Felix? Is that you?" She asked, turning around. When I saw the tears swimming in her aqua eyes, I instantly grew worried.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" I fretted, but she shook her head.

"I think you should take a look at this…" The woman held up a wrinkled piece of paper, and I gingerly reached for it. As I began to read, I quickly realized that Daniel had written this. Anger was clear in his printing, and it talked about how he was manipulated by Alexander into murdering innocents and how he was forced into facing the Shadow alone.

"We have to forgive him, Felix…" Isabelle whispered, and I knew she was mentioning our torture. I nodded absently, attention focused on the livid note, but it was soon directed elsewhere when a large crash sounded from the main room. What was th- my thoughts were cut off abruptly when I heard Daniel's scream. But it wasn't a scream of agony; it was more like a scream of pure terror. Bewildered, stunned, and horrified, I bolted into the main room, only to freeze as I realized it had been completely overrun by the Shadow's residue. Isabelle was at my side in an instant, a gasp escaping her mouth as she surveyed the scene.

But I instantly snapped out of my daze when I saw Daniel lying in an abnormally large pile of fleshy residue, his arms and legs almost completely submerged in the slime. My eyes widened, and my blood ran cold. Isabelle and I bolted over to the man, who was passed out, and grasped onto a limb.

"Felix, we have to get him out now! T-the Shadow will kill him if we don't!" The woman barked, throwing a frantic glance in my direction. Her voice awoke the man, who let out a scream when he realized where he was. Daniel's emerald eyes were a collage of emotions: frustration, shock, fear, and pain. I began pulling on his leg in a desperate attempt to loosen it from the residue's iron grip.

"G-get me out! Get me o-out now!" He begged, voice rising with terror. Isabelle and I pulled harder, but our attempts were vain: he wasn't going anywhere.

"I-Isabelle! He's impossible to get out!" I gasped, eyes darting from the man, to the slime, and then to Isabelle.

"Please, please keep tryi-," Daniel's voice was cut off when he let out a yelp, a sudden splotch of blood appearing on his vest. I paused for a moment, bewildered, but then instantly realized what was going on: the Shadow was beginning to attack.

I grabbed onto his leg again and gave a violent tug, loosening the limb slightly. The movement angered the Guardian, for more and more cuts began appearing on the man's vulnerable body. He started writhing in the fleshy pile, teeth clenched from the pain. Concern pricked at my heart as the trapped man let out another hiss of pain, blood dripping from a cut on his face.

That's when he screamed.

His sudden loud, horrifying shriek echoed throughout the area, causing Isabelle and I to pull harder. His shirt tore open, a massive laceration revealing itself. Blood poured from the wound quickly, spilling all over the ground and staining the man's clothes further. At that moment, though, Isabelle had managed to pull his left arm from the residue's grip. Despite his weakened state, Daniel used his free arm to try and pry his other limbs from the flesh. He's almost out!

I didn't know whether to be confused or scared when a large cut unexpectedly appeared on my arm, a think trickle of scarlet liquid dripping from it. When I looked over, Isabelle had a similar injury on her cheek. It's attacking us!

I wanted to run, but I couldn't leave Daniel. He had released his other arm, but the man was bleeding heavily from several deep wounds. I kept working at his leg, panting when exhaustion began to creep into my body. The man kept screaming and yelling, and I didn't stop until I almost had the limb free.

I stopped instantly when a large, stinging wound tore open on my back. I stumbled backward, caught off guard by the sudden surge of agony lancing up my spine.

At that point, Daniel was able to drag himself toward safety, but not after the Shadow landed one more horrific wound on his body. He collapsed onto the clear ground, shaking violently and coughing up more blood. Daniel was horrifically injured, deep wounds on almost every inch of his body. His emerald eyes were glazed over in misery, his form giving an occasional twitch. Isabelle went to work, tearing off some of her dress to use as bandages. I watched silently as she patched the man up, wincing as the wound on my back began to sting more. When Isabelle was done, she carefully set the injured Daniel against the wall where he could rest.

"Felix?" She called out, sauntering over to me, "We can't go anywhere until Daniel is fit enough to move."

"I know that…" I replied tiredly, casting a quick glance in our companion's direction. He was still, almost lifeless, but I could see the faint rise and fall of his chest.

"We could all use a rest anyway."

I wasn't sure how long we had been lying on the ground, but all I know is that Isabelle's gentle touch snapped me out of my daze. She helped me to my feet, both of us wincing as the sudden movement aggravated our injuries.

"I know Daniel isn't doing well at all but we have to get moving. I'm afraid of what'll happen if we stay here too long…" Isabelle said in a hushed tone. I glanced around the room, panicking when I didn't see the injured man anywhere. But my dread was short-lived, for I saw him propped up against a pillar. Isabelle and I sauntered over to him, carefully avoiding the vicious piles of residue. His eyes were closed, and I was afraid that he had died, but I could soon see the faint rise-and-fall of his chest. One of his emerald eyes opened when Isabelle and I stood to his front.

"Daniel?" The woman said quietly, "We need to start moving…" His only response was a groan.

"I know it's painful for you to move, but if we stay here any longer, the Shadow is going to catch up." I stated flatly. Instantly, the man attempted to climb to his feet, only to falter and fall back to the ground. Isabelle leaned forward and helped the injured man to his feet, carefully guiding him around the pulsating flesh. The door with the intricate designs had lifted, revealing a long hallway with many columns lining the walls. Unsteadily and uncertainly, we traveled through the dark corridor, pausing now and then to let Daniel catch his breath. His wounds had stopped bleeding, but each injury looked just as painful as they did earlier. He hasn't improved at all… I hope we're almost finished with our journey, because I doubt any of us can continue much longer.

Isabelle was stumbling with each step, exhaustion creeping into her movements. Daniel's eyes were barely open, and he whimpered as every stride sent pain coursing through his body. My old shoulder injury had slowly begun to ache, causing an uncomfortable but painless feeling.

When we reached the massive, decorative door at the end of the long hall, all of us froze up. This is it? Isn't it? Daniel and I exchanged worried glances before I reached out and rested my hand on the ingress. Taking a deep breath, I opened it.

We stood in the doorway, enthralled by the scene. Three massive stone pillars rose from the ground, surrounding some strange device in the center of the room. On top of the pillars were eccentric lavender lights that streamed toward the apparatus. At the back of the room was a wall of blue flame that encircled a platform. But what amazed me most were the floating rocks above us. They were slowly spinning in a circle, some moving faster than others. But my fascination was soon interrupted, for a very familiar voice shattered the silence.

"I was wondering if you were going to show up." Alexander said flatly, his deep voice echoing throughout the whole chamber. Instantly, our attention was focused on the man who was behind the wall of azure flame. I couldn't see well, but he looked blue.

"I see Agrippa convinced you to run some errands. Tell me, is everything nice and clear now? Am I the villain? Good and evil. Such comforting concepts- but hardly applicable."

"Daniel, what do we do…?" I whispered to the man, who seemed to be transfixed with Alexander's words.

"Are you so blind that you see no good in me? Or evil in Agrippa?" Alexander's voice trailed off, and I nudged Daniel. He let out a small hiss of pain, and I threw him an apologetic glance. Turning around, I saw that Isabelle's aqua gaze was focused on the pillars, examining them with intensity. Why won't someone do something? We can't just stand around! My thoughts suddenly became more frantic, pondering the outcomes of any possible decisions.

"Daniel?" I asked again, finally catching the injured man's attention, "What do we do?" He stared at me with drained eyes before opening his mouth to speak.

"I'm not sure… Agrippa wanted us to throw his head into the portal when it opens, so should we wait for that?" He answered, emerald eyes flickering around the room with curiosity. It sounds like a good idea, but how long do we have to wait? I'm not comfortable with just standing around! We need to act now.

"Any other options?" I pressed, trying to subdue my grim thoughts.

"We could knock down the pillars; they seem quite unsteady." Isabelle piped in, her voice causing me to jump slightly. "The lights on top of the columns seem to be what's opening the portal that Agrippa mentioned. If we can push them over, perhaps we can stop the process?"

"That's a brilliant plan, Isabelle!" I praised, eliciting a triumphant grin from the woman. Daniel didn't protest, but half the reason was because the man looked ready to fall over. I could see Alexander watching the three of us from behind the flame wall, face expressionless, as we positioned ourselves behind a pillar.

The floating rocks were beginning to spin faster and faster, causing one of the pillars to shudder. The portal is starting to open! We need to push these over now.

As if the man had heard my thoughts, Daniel gave a frantic shove, the pylon falling over with ease. It hit the ground with a loud crash, the lurid noise echoing in the chamber.

"No, don't do that!" Alexander snapped. Then get down here and stop us… I mocked silently, resting one hand on the dirty pillar. Isabelle was right: these were on the verge of falling over themselves.

I began to hesitate, wondering vaguely what would happen when we knocked down all three, but when my pillar gave a violent shudder, I didn't vacillate further. I watched, satisfied, as the pylon crashed onto the stone ground.

"Stop, you are ruining it!" Alexander screeched, "We are so close, I beg you!" His pleas were soon lost when Isabelle's pillar fell.

"No, you fools! You killed us- you killed all of us!" He screamed, and I instantly believed him when something started pounding on the large door behind us. The Shadow's shrill cry filled the chamber, its residue overwhelming the entire room. Daniel let out a yelp of terror, trying desperately to avoid the massive piles of red tissue. Alexander started shrieking, fear and agony clear in his voice. I could see his form thrashing about, as if attempting to dislodge some invisible foe. The Shadow's attacking him!

Isabelle was standing on top of one of the fallen pillars, feverishly trying to avoid contact with the Guardian's fleshy piles. Daniel was cowering in the far corner, while I stood in the very center, watching in stunned silence as Alexander's form began to dissipate. His body vanished within seconds, leaving behind nothing but a wisp of smoke and an echo of his cries. I suddenly grew petrified, knowing that the Shadow was in the same room with us, and I waited mutely for it to start attacking. But, when the residue slowly withdrew from the room, my eye's widened in bewilderment, but also relief.

W-why is it leaving? Surely it would've killed us… I mean, we're right here! I thought, confusion gripping my mind. Did we do it? Is that it? Many thoughts were blossoming in my head, but one stood out the most: were we done?

I turned to my friends, who looked just as puzzled as I was. Daniel was still in the corner, shakily climbing to his feet. Isabelle jumped off of the fallen pylon, landing soundlessly on the stone ground. We exchange stunned glances, occasionally throwing a glance at the platform where Alexander once stood, as if expecting the man to reappear. Daniel opened his mouth, attempting to form words, but nothing came out. Seconds turned to minutes, and finally, one of us spoke.

"I-is that it? C-c-can we go home now…?" Isabelle asked, voice quivering excitably. Daniel's tired emerald eyes stared at the woman, clouded with an abundance of thoughts. That's when I noticed how beaten and worn the man was.

An assortment of wounds and bruises lined is exposed flesh, his vest torn from the Shadow's previous attacks. The claw marks on his arm and the deep gash on his leg had begun to bleed, crimson liquid dripping onto the floor. Both legs were slightly trembling, as if they could no longer support his weight, and I could almost feel the exhaustion radiating from his movements.

Isabelle looked no better: her dress was ripped near the bottom, dirt and dust staining the scarlet fabric. The lacerations on her arms looked ready to bleed, and the she had difficulty standing. She stumbled slightly, fatigue beginning to cripple the woman.

My shoulder was throbbing intensely, the old wound threatening to reopen. My head was pounding, and my vision was beginning to blur. I sure hope we're finished here… I've never been this exhausted… I doubt any of us can continue much longer.

"Y-yeah, we can go home…" Daniel said with a small smile.

The air was crisp and cold, the sky darkening as twilight descended over the forest. The three of us remained silent as we followed the stony trail that lead to the nearest town, refusing to look at the castle. We had to retrace our steps to leave the hellhole behind, passing through familiar places like the Sewers, the Cellar Archives (which was free of water demons) and the Entrance Hall. It didn't take long until we were standing in the cold breeze, lost in thought and too stunned to say a word. In fact, none of us had said anything since the Inner Sanctum, and I wondered vaguely what was going through my friends' heads.

I kept my eyes fixated on the trail, avoiding anyone's gaze. It was hard to look at my two companions, for I knew that once we reached the village, we would never see each other again. I guess I've grown attached… I thought with a small laugh. Who would've thought that I'd actually grow close to someone…?

The silence was interrupted when Daniel suddenly burst out: "Look, I can see the village from here!"

The three of us paused, staring at the twinkling lights and small moving figures. It was still a couple of miles, but we would make it in no time.

We gazed for a few more moments, all of us eager to get back home. Well, I knew my house was in that village, but I wasn't sure about my companions. I shook the thoughts aside and continued down the trail, hesitating now and then when I saw the forest shadows begin to dance. It's almost as creepy as Brennenburg… I thought grimly, focusing my whole attention on the distant town. I wonder how I'll say goodbye…

Isabelle was on the verge of tears as I broke away from her embrace, whispering a quick farewell. Daniel had already left, vanishing into the crowd of people within seconds. Isabelle had refused to leave so quickly, and as each moment dragged by, I was growing guiltier. I don't want to go… I doubt I'll see them again…

"F-Felix? We have to keep in touch, all three of us." The woman said with a sniff, and I nodded eagerly. We shared a few more words before Isabelle then turned and left, casting one last glance in my direction.

Just like that, both of my friends were gone.

Just like that, the only two people I cared about were out of my life.

And as I watched her vanish into the crowd, I couldn't help but think one simple thing: Am I still getting executed?

~End