Chapter 23


Arnold and Helga had walked through many halls and gone through many doors. When they were near exhaustion they found a stairway. "Oh great." Helga complained. But she had no reason to complain at that moment, for subsequently she discovered that there were one hundred steps to the top.

"You jinxed it." Arnold told her as the came up to a door with red writing on it. "I wonder what that says?"

"That must be Eurasian writing." Helga stepped forward and began to translate. Not knowing how she was doing it she read every word. "Beware of Drago. Lord of fire."

"That must be our next fight." Arnold said

"Doi." Helga answered.

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"Sunil will never get away with stealing my castle." The (new character) said.

"Are you sure you can beat the master of darkness?" her servant asked.

"Of course. Don't worry, you will be back home soon enough and the people of Eurasia can live happily."

"I believe in you." he smiled at her. "Well here we are."

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"Do you think Helga really is dead?" Phoebe asked

"No. And they will come to rescue us." Gerald comforted. Jake was meditating in the corner.

"Gerald?"

"Yes Phoebe?"

"Do you want to go home?"

"Yes, I do."

"Me too." She scooted next to him and he wrapped his arms around her. "Me too." She whispered into him.

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The door slowly opened, a blistering heat greeted them. Drago was nowhere to be seen, or so they thought, for the moment Helga took one step into the room a lizard man jumped out at her. He grabbed her and she could feel his hot breath on her skin. "All I have to do is get rid of you, girl." He hissed

"Let her go!" Arnold said as the metallic sound of his sword filled the air.

"Ah, it's a fight you want. Good. I have been locked up for two thousand years and I have been waiting for this day." He threw Helga roughly against a wall and blew fire coils at her. They wrapped tightly around her, keeping her strapped to the wall. "And you can watch as I kill your lover-boy."

"Arnold! Don't lose control!" she yelled. She could not help him if he lost it.

Arnold ran at Drago, but he was too fast, Arnold missed him. Arnold backed up, turned around, and tried again. He missed.

"Now it's my turn." Drago informed, "blazing firestorm!" he yelled and a fire tornado surrounded Arnold. Drag moved into the ring with him. "Now there is nowhere for you to go."

Arnold rushed at the lizard once more, and once again it failed. Arnold had to find a way to slow him down. He glanced at Helga who was watching with hopeful eyes. He was becoming very angry with himself. He did not want Helga to die because of him, again. Arnold, in an act of desperation, closed his eyes and let the power of the sword take over. It called to him 'believe in me. Hope will guide you.'

"Stop this nonsense." Drago said. "I see you are praying for your life."

Arnold looked up. "I'm not praying for my life." He said in a dark tone that made Helga shiver with fear. "You will die now." It was over in a flash, Helga had seen it and yet it eluded her, how fast was Arnold? Then the most important question came into her mind, how would Arnold maintain control of this power? He had already given in to it.

The fire died down and Arnold caught Helga before she hit the ground. "Let us get out of here." He said in his dark tone.

"Arnold?"

"What is it?"

"Are you okay?"

"Of course. I have to believe in the power. Worry not, it shall not take over." He said and with that they both headed for the last room.

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"They have been here." The NC (new character) said as she and the servant entered to room of the first battle. "We will be there in a few more moments."

"That is good."

"I will never allow Sunil unleash his plan. He will suffer for murdering my family."


I guess there is one angry NC. I wonder who she is. What is going on with Gerald and the others? Will Helga and Arnold have enough power to Kill Sunil? Or will they need a little help. So sad, the end is coming in about two more chapters.