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Chapter Fourteen: Hell's Light
It was cold, but there was a strange warmth in the air. The air itself felt singed by a flame...a flame of death. Rita and Phil woke up in a cornfield, and stood up to see the sky a blood red. Nothing was left. No life, no sound...nothing stirred. They were the only ones alive...or so they thought. The smoldering remains of the Shadow Fire could be seen about four hundred yards away. Rita inspected the corn...it was all withered, dead. Michelle had left the world dead...
Rita felt herself getting weaker, and stumbled into Phil's arms. He picked her up, and carried her back to the Shadow Fire. A dark aura emanated from his palms...he was healing Rita...rebuilding the Shadow Fire. Although you'd think the Dark Adept was built to kill...he saved Rita at whim. He carried her into the healed aircraft, and laid her on a bed. He looked out the front window, and started the ship. They were flying in seconds. Rita was still silent. She was conscious, but didn't want to move. She was in pain all over...and now matter how powerful the healing Phil had administered was, she would still ache from the impact.
Michelle, miles away, was standing atop a tall mountain, looking down upon her creation, a ruined world. But there was still more to conquer, still more to destroy... She hated the fact she wasn't quite powerful enough yet. After expending most of her energy, she grew tired...the sun was setting in the darkened sky. She found repose at the summit of the mountain, in a small cave. Skeletons of the dead filled the cave, it was obvious that this was a 'shelter' during her attacks. Futile, their efforts were. She kicked aside a skull and laid down in an alcove in the wall.
The night sky was a crimson black, the moon shrouded from ashes scattered by the wind. The Shadow Fire flew through the haze, overlooking the world beneath it. Civilization on this side of the Weyard was at a standstill. Cities were smoldering, and the once great lighthouse created by Babi was still standing. Phil cursed under his breath. It was ironic how a symbol of greed was still standing tall, even now. Phil slammed his fist on the desk where papers were scattered about. A small picture of Jenna was among the papers, its glass cover broken. Phil grimaced in internal pain. Memories of Garet flooded back to him... his leader, his friend, even if he had been a jerk to him at points.
Rita stretched out on the bed, turning over once or twice. She wanted to get up... but something inside kept her there. She knew, somehow, that something was going to happen... but what, exactly? There could be nothing that could surpass the cataclysm that had occurred that day. She turned, and caugh a glimpse of of a shadow passing in the hallway. Somebody, not Phil, was onboard. She sat up and pressed her back against the wall. Her forehead flashed in a heated pain, and she passed out.
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Chapter Fourteen: Hell's Light
It was cold, but there was a strange warmth in the air. The air itself felt singed by a flame...a flame of death. Rita and Phil woke up in a cornfield, and stood up to see the sky a blood red. Nothing was left. No life, no sound...nothing stirred. They were the only ones alive...or so they thought. The smoldering remains of the Shadow Fire could be seen about four hundred yards away. Rita inspected the corn...it was all withered, dead. Michelle had left the world dead...
Rita felt herself getting weaker, and stumbled into Phil's arms. He picked her up, and carried her back to the Shadow Fire. A dark aura emanated from his palms...he was healing Rita...rebuilding the Shadow Fire. Although you'd think the Dark Adept was built to kill...he saved Rita at whim. He carried her into the healed aircraft, and laid her on a bed. He looked out the front window, and started the ship. They were flying in seconds. Rita was still silent. She was conscious, but didn't want to move. She was in pain all over...and now matter how powerful the healing Phil had administered was, she would still ache from the impact.
Michelle, miles away, was standing atop a tall mountain, looking down upon her creation, a ruined world. But there was still more to conquer, still more to destroy... She hated the fact she wasn't quite powerful enough yet. After expending most of her energy, she grew tired...the sun was setting in the darkened sky. She found repose at the summit of the mountain, in a small cave. Skeletons of the dead filled the cave, it was obvious that this was a 'shelter' during her attacks. Futile, their efforts were. She kicked aside a skull and laid down in an alcove in the wall.
The night sky was a crimson black, the moon shrouded from ashes scattered by the wind. The Shadow Fire flew through the haze, overlooking the world beneath it. Civilization on this side of the Weyard was at a standstill. Cities were smoldering, and the once great lighthouse created by Babi was still standing. Phil cursed under his breath. It was ironic how a symbol of greed was still standing tall, even now. Phil slammed his fist on the desk where papers were scattered about. A small picture of Jenna was among the papers, its glass cover broken. Phil grimaced in internal pain. Memories of Garet flooded back to him... his leader, his friend, even if he had been a jerk to him at points.
Rita stretched out on the bed, turning over once or twice. She wanted to get up... but something inside kept her there. She knew, somehow, that something was going to happen... but what, exactly? There could be nothing that could surpass the cataclysm that had occurred that day. She turned, and caugh a glimpse of of a shadow passing in the hallway. Somebody, not Phil, was onboard. She sat up and pressed her back against the wall. Her forehead flashed in a heated pain, and she passed out.
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