Chapter 36

Jim took a step back when a tunnel opened itself in the chamber wall, spilling daylight into the dark room. Everyone squinted or shielded their eyes from the sudden and drastic change. Jim leaped back instinctively, narrowly avoiding Evelyn's lethal strike.

Wendigo was the first to have his eyes adjust to the new light, and he witnessed Evelyn, in all her rage and fury, lashing out again and again at Jim, who could only just barely see enough to avoid her blades. The yeti roared and charged at Evelyn. The dark lady took a step back and braced herself for the oncoming storm. Wendy slashed and mauled at Evelyn with unbridled fury, like a mother protecting her cubs. While the strikes did nothing to actually damage Evelyn, the force with which they were delivered did drive the woman away from Jim.

The boy rose to his feet and watched, mesmerized at the onslaught the furry beast unleashed upon the wicked woman. When Jim sensed someone behind him, he reflexively prepared to lash out, but saw it was Shaw. "You really gotta stop attacking teammates, kid. Come on!"

Shaw lead the group out the tunnel Evelyn created. But a thought occurred to Jim. The moment Wendigo turned his back on Evelyn, he was dead, and without the yeti to give the White Hawk flight, they were trapped here. Something had to be done. Jim turned around and readied the shard as a weapon again.

"Don't." a voice whispered into his ear. "Protect the sisters. They need you." Go passed the group passively. He exchanged a meaningful glance with Lenore, which did not go unnoticed by Lucy. Go turned to Lucy and handed her the remaining bit of shifting stone he carried and left.

He entered the flesh consuming room where Wendigo battled Evelyn. The beast had backed her into a corner and was not letting up for an instant. In that time, Go had regained a measure of his strength, and used it. Wendigo watched as the woman began involuntarily fusing with the wall behind her. Thinking this some trick or trap, Wendigo leapt back.

"Fear not, friend." Go whispered to Wendigo. "I'll handle this. Take your friends and leave, immediately." Wendigo nodded and escaped out the tunnel.

Cecil, who had an impeccable sense of direction, even in a fortress with shifting walls, knew that the impromptu tunnel Evelyn created offered them a short cut to the landing platform where the White Hawk sits. He navigated while Shaw took the lead. They weren't in the clear yet, so they were cautious not to be caught.

Meanwhile, Go just stared at Evelyn. "What have you become?" He wondered aloud. "What did you do to yourself? Is there any part you that's still human? that still feels?"

While the party waited for a patrol to pass by so they'd get a clear shot to the White Hawk, Lucy trailed behind to witness Go's fate.

Evelyn reached out with an enormous hand from the wall and gripped Go like a toy. Despite the agony his body felt, Go's mind was able to prevent him from crying out as his flesh was converted to the black stone.

Lucy cried out. "NO!" which got the attention of the guards. The party took cover as flying stars spun through the air after them. In her emotional state, she took control of the stars and killed the guards that released them.

Lucy and Lenore exchanged a glance and nodded, then they both sealed the walls behind them as they made a speedy retreat to the White Hawk.

Originally posted on 7/23/13 at empowernetwork (dit) com/leewhittaker/?p=151

For a sneak peak at the next chapter, go to empowernetwork (dit) com/leewhittaker/?p=153