First Chance
Allen had finished The Book of the Dead. He also finished three other books that taught him Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced Charter Marks. Allen decided to give his friends the Charter Books. He gave them the Charter and the Charter Marks on and in their body and soul. First Holly, one of the nicest. She had the mark of healing on her head. Second Kar, she was nice at times. Though she was always a friend and loyal to her friends. She had a mark of strength on her head. Last but certainly not least is Jeff. A friend Allen had known for a long time. He had a mark of destruction on his head.
They all had one class together. On a day, that was unusual for Arizona's heat, fog rose in the sky. They each knew the scent that was in the air. It smelled a metallic odor that if grew too strong it would make each of them through up. That scent was of Free Magic. This must have been raised by a Free Magic Scorer. Following the fog would be dead. This fog was meant to keep the dead out of the sun. This would be the first time he was able to prove himself. They locked the Spanish classroom door. Holly was first out with a warding spell. Jeff automatically drew his swords. Kar was holding the door. Allen threw off his cloak for the first time since he received his bells. Everyone looked at the brilliant shining silver keys. He saw people looking at The Book of the Dead. Allen drew his sword and the bell Kibeth.
Allen could since about 100 dead beyond the door. It would take a much larger bell to take them all down. The door didn't break before Holly spelled arrows and drew her sword. Kar also made it in time to use the spelled arrows against the dead. The first waves of dead were hands. Hands are slaved spirits that don't have minds and are always hungry for living spirits. The teacher screamed as she looked at one of the only Greater Dead. It had a mouth, if you could call it a mouth, which looked like a black hole. There was no jaw on that gruesome face. Its eyes were pits of black fire. Its decaying flesh was heading straight for the teacher. Allen put away Kibeth and drew Saraneth. He rang the bell in a commanding tone Allen said, "JERAL, I COMMAND YOU TO GO BEYOND THE NINTH GATE. NEVER LOOK BACK." With that said Jeral, the Greater Dead swam into Death knowing his time has finally come.
Allen found out that more and more dead keep coming back into life. Allen finally decided, "I need to go into Death. There's a Necromancer that keeps bringing the dead back to life. If I don't go we will be overwhelmed with the dead." Allen said clearly. Allen taught them a key note to keep the sound of Astarael out. The note Allen whistled sent all dead around them into death. Allen fought his way out the door. Then he set out into the blackness of the fog. The power was out. This would go away when the Free Magic fog goes away. Allen put away Saraneth and drew a more familiar bell. Astarael, the most powerful of the seven. Allen heard the note that he taught his friends. He rang a pure deep not that sent all the dead and Allen mournfully into Death.
Allen only went to the First Precinct but the Necromancer was waiting there. It, for this being taken by Free Magic, had a sword out. The sword was streaking with flames. As the Necromancer slashed down, Allen blocked with both his swords. Allen's swords were coursing with power of the Charter. The Necromancer's power was very limited. It was weaker than the Greater Dead. Allen broke the Necromancer's sword. What was left of it fell into the cold River of Death. Allen cut the Necromancer's chest. His body in life was destroyed. No blood came out of his chest. They were in Death already. The necromancer screamed as he tried to draw a bell. Fortunately Allen drew Saraneth and bound the Necromancer to Allen's will. "SIRENE, YOUR TIME HAS COME. DO NOT TARRY. NOW GO BEYOND THE NINTH GATE." After he killed the Necromancer, Allen came out of Death and touché his Bell Bandolier.