Chapter 4: Rise of The Darkness

Black mist began seeping out of the sword in my hand. The thickness and speed it erupted from the sword forced Thorne and Mr. Cyningesleah to quickly back into their creepy butler and the blood splattered wolves, who just realized that there were other events to be concerned with. Like a little girl with a magic sword spewing out clouds of black.

It slowly gathered on the ground in front of me, slowly rising up and forming a vague gargoyle like figure. A demonic roar filled the room as everyone's eyes, including my own filled with fear.

"The Darkness has been summoned." Mr. Cyningesleah whispered. "The girl has summoned…"

Then The Darkness itself spoke. It's voice, I had only heard one other time: inside my head. Only this time, all innocence was gone. The Darkness was mad.

"You will depart from this place and never return to vex the summoner again." He snapped, his glowing red eyes full of demonic might. "If you do not…"

He didn't have to continue, everyone got the idea and began backing ever so cautiously out the door. Mr. Cyningesleah had this parting shot.

"You may have won this little struggle, but the Night World is everywhere and you're all alone. Enjoy what little time you have left."

They somehow shut the damaged door behind them and everyone seemed to relax. Everyone except Mel.

"OhmyGod, we are soo toast." She exclaimed jumping away from Bounday and began pacing back and forth in front of the shadowy figure that sprang from the sword in my hands. Red eyes followed her frantic pace.

She turned to me and roughly grasped me by my arms, "Tai, he's gonna kill us. He's gonna get this Night World to kill us."

"No, the vampire is going to have his enforcers in the Night World kill you and the strangely dressed man." The Darkness corrected. "He needs the summoner alive to pass on the blade."

Bounday opened his mouth to say something about the slight insult the shadow gave him but Melanie's scream cut him off.

"I'm gonna die!!!" her wild eyes fixed on me as she shook me, "I'm gonna die!"

Her grip was getting fiercer in her panic. Already I was feeling ten sharp nails digging into my flesh, her rough handling was beginning to give me a headache along with her shrill voice. Somehow sensing my dilemma, The Darkness floated over and slapped her hard enough across the face to send her flying into Bounday, both of them landing in a heap.

"What the heck did you do that for!" I screamed at the creature, everything suddenly flooding to the surface and finding a worth subject of this emotion I felt.

"It is my duty to protect the summoner." He replied matter-of-factly. "She was hurting you. I stopped her."

"That's all and well, my dim buddy." Bounday groaned climbing to his feet then helping up Melanie. "But dude leave the innocent bystanders outta it."

"I will attempt to do so." He replied solemnly.

"You had better." I snapped.

"You know for a old as dirt monster, you sure are kinda stupid. Smacking a freaked out teenager. You know you could have pried her hands off me." I added as I plopped down on the couch and shook my fist at him.

I got the impression he was smiling even though his silhouette only revealed eyes.

"What are we to do now, my summoner?" The Darkness inquired.

"He's right Tai tai, it's only a matter of time before foot soldiers come a-callin'" Bounday told me as him and Mel took a seat on either side of me.

The sword fell from my limp hands as I let out a sob and tears began to trail down my face. Hopeless misery welled up inside me. My parents were gone, brutally murdered in front of me. Soldiers were coming after me, arriving at any time to kill the only people I had left in the world. All for a stupid sword.

"I don't know." I whispered. "I'm just a kid."

The Darkness floated in front of me and sunk down lower so he was level with my face. His once demonic eyes filled with—pity? Sympathy?

"Kid or not." He told me stumbling over the unfamiliar word. "You are the Summoner, the wielder of the Sword of The Darkness. Mistress of one of the most dangerous creatures of the Night World to do with whatever you wish."

I began crying in earnest and Mel sent the Darkness a glare.

"You're not helping." She muttered.

"Tai." Bounday said softly as he lifted up my chin so he could look into my eyes, "The sword alone was a great responsibility for a girl to have, but I trusted that you knew what the right thing was."

I saw the hidden meaning inside my godfather's words. The powers of the sword of the Darkness was a great responsibility but he had faith and trusted me to make the right choices. And he would abide by my decision and follow me, wherever and whatever I did.

I took a deep fortifying breath and began the first steps of the adventure.