Danger in the Mist

PART VIII

A shadow casted upon the castle walls of Gummadoon. Walking slowly and silently down the corridor's, not even a breath could be heard drawn from the shadow as it stopped in the middle of the corridor at a particular door, and grasping the door handle, found it locked. Stepping back the shadow began to transform and became a white mist, lingering in the corridor it began to drift, and slowly make it's way to the keyhole of the door, the only place that wasn't blocked.

Through the keyhole, leaving no trace of mist or anything suspicious behind in the passageway, the shadow floated around the room, blowing out any signs of light, even the small dimly lit candlelight that flickered by Cammi's bedside. Hanging in the air, the atmosphere darkened, casting more shadows around the room, and the air became very humid.

Cammi breathed heavily, his mouth locked open gasping for air, his chest rising and dropping every few seconds, his eyes screwed shut concentrating on the pain he felt tightening with every breathe he took, as his heart continued to thump wildly in his chest.

The mist then fell around it's destination round Cammi, and wrapping itself around him and nothing else, almost as if it was embracing him. Crawling up his bed sheets and up his body, the mist rested round Cammi's face. Observing Cammi's face he looked deathly pale, almost making him appear dead, as the mist drifted under Cammi's nose, wanting him to pick up the scent, that someone else was in the room with him and that he was not alone.

Cammi grouchily woke up from his slumber, smelling something very humid and foul under his nose. Taking another breath and smelling it, his eye's immediately snapped open, and were as wide as saucers, sensing that Altanion's presence nearby. But before he could lash out or do anything, the mist, which lingered round his nose, shot into his mouth, as quick as lightening and entered his system. Holding his breath, he felt the power of sleep consume him again, and with all his strength he tried to fight it, to stay awake but it was useless, as his eyes drooped shut, much to his dismay, and he went unconscious.

Even though Cammi was unconscious it didn't stop him feel the side effects, as he felt everyone of his muscle being pulled and strung tight, the pain within him becoming unbearable. His form began to shake violently, though his mouth remained open screaming out in agony, even though he was unconscious, but no sound passed between his lips, his vocal chords were silenced. Tears leaked out from Cammi's eyes and fell down his cheek, as his body shook again, but mainly through a coughing fit, as his hand instantly flew up, halting his silent screams.

For a brief few seconds, Cammi became conscious again, his senses returning to him, as he felt a strange metallic taste in his mouth, as his coughing fit ceased.

Then opening his eyes slightly, he pulled back his hand to reveal blood upon his hand, his blood. But it didn't leave him long to puzzle over it as another dose of pain shot through him. His hand fell back down to his side again, his eyes drifted close and the shaking subsiding, his heart beat reducing to just a few mere beats, his breathing to almost nothing and his pulse extremely slow, almost gone.

***

In Cammi's mind

Cold, everything he felt and sensed was cold, where was everyone?

A question entered his mind also, where was he?

He felt himself ache all over, what was happening to him? Was he dead?

It certainly felt like it to him with the headache he had, or was it just natural.

Even though it pained him, he had to do it, to know what was going on around him as he struggled to open his eyes, and succeeded, opening his eyes to what he presumed the real world, was completely the wrong answer.

Darkness and emptiness was what Cammi could see that filled this realm, and nothing else except for a strange mystical fog, black of course, though it was combined with a few streams of dark purple, contained with strong magical powers. Something triggered in Cammi's mind and he immediately knew where he was, now realising he was in the dream world again, and that Altanion had called for him, and all he could do was prepare for the worst, and keep his wits about him. Dropping into fighting stances, he awaited for his enemy's approach, but he never seemed to come. Then moments later, what felt like hours to Cammi, a sudden cold, bone chilling, empty voice spoke up, breaking the silence, and putting Cammi's guard and alertness up to maximum.

"So good of you of you to join me again, Cammi"

"Oh, it's you, what do you want?" replied Cammi, clearly bored and wanting none of it.

"A request" replied Altanion.

"Oh really, and what request would that be?" replied Cammi sarcastically.

Altanion's death glare at Cammi would be enough to halt an army, and freeze their blood, but it seemed ineffective on him, so Cammi continued on with his sarcastic comments.

"Oh, come on already, thought you wanted to make a request, not sit here all day, keeping me waiting, that would be impolite. But then again, I suppose you don't know what manners are anyway, that's probably why your so alone, right?" replied Cammi, crossing his arms over his chest, and a satisfied grin on his face stretching from ear to ear.

Though little did Cammi know that his body was suffering immensely, and dying, slowly having all his mental energy drained from him, which kept him alive.

Altanion was pleased with the way Cammi acted, it was a brilliant distraction for him, and knew for sure that once Cammi felt himself dying, he'll be at his feet begging to join so he may live. Allowing Cammi to do the majority of the talking with his sarcastic and insulting comments, he began to circle around him, though Cammi's eyes were still on him, watching his every movement.

Cammi felt the pain within him, decrease slightly, how that was possible he had no idea, but one thing that bugged him, why was Altanion so confident? What was he missing?

"This is your last chance, Cammi, join me?" asked Altanion, anger quite clear in his tone, and a light of some unknown emotion shining through his eyes.

"Never" replied Cammi, locking eyes with Altanion so he could show he could keep eye contact and that he was not afraid of him.

Cammi however now stood his ground, his muscles tensed, his senses sharpening, expecting Altanion to be angry and lash out at him, and blab on his speech, fully prepared of course, though it fell on deaf ears. Cammi felt it a waste of time listening to Altanion's speeches, otherwise if he listened he thought he probably end up on the floor fast asleep, dead bored of Altanion's speech. Now waiting for Altanion to call him a fool and start to attack him, he almost had a heart attack when Altanion did something that Cammi thought he was unable to accomplish, in a life time. He smiled.

Though it was no ordinary smile, it was a true smile, course it looked evil and hideous, that Cammi thought that if Altanion's smile was to get any wider or uglier that his face might crack. But still he wasn't going to take chances, and let a smile from his enemy bug him, as he posed a disgusted look at Altanion, thinking it was repulsive that he had even tried to accomplish such a task as smiling. Then Cammi saw something flicker in Altanion's eyes.

They were dark, a fire breaching and rising within them, burning what looked like with a passion mixed with hunger to Cammi, but he could clearly see what it was, having experienced it several times himself, though his wasn't quite as dark, it was pleasure, and joy.

"So be it" was all Altanion said before his left hand shot out in front of him, his fingers bent, and swiftly forming into a fist. A few words chanted and a violet light soon engulfed his hand, for only a moment before disappearing, and leaving a smug looking Altanion behind, clearly satisfied about something.

Then silence befallen them both, though Cammi's eyes searched the realm, thinking that Altanion might have called for help, and called upon his minions to appear when he least expected it. Finding and hearing nothing except for his steady breathing, he then suddenly found that the pain, inside him was significantly decreasing, making him somewhat stronger and lighter.

Cammi observed himself, completely confused, before realisation struck him and his head snapped up. Concerned and bewildered eyes met cruel and cold eyes mixed with a hint of amusement, as Cammi understood now what was happening to him.

Every time the pain inside him should decrease, the quicker he would die, having all his mental energy drained from him by Altanion. Cammi's eyes became dazed, concern changing into happiness, as tears formed in his eyes, though they did not fall.

A smile touched his lips, a rare smile he didn't often give nor was it usually saw by anyone, it was a smile from the heart. His clenched fist now in front of his chest, his head raised high looking into what he thought and imagined to be the midnight charcoal black sky. Could this finally be it? Could he be free?

Altanion however looked completely baffled and confused, and was partically looking at Cammi. What was Cammi smiling at, what was he so happy about? Why wasn't he concerned or worried anymore? It just didn't make sense to him.

"Altanion"

Altanion head snapped up, their eyes meeting again, though he was surprised to hear Cammi use his first name, as him and his pathetic family of his, usually preferred to him as the 'Spirit'. Though there was still a grim and sour look to his face, as his eyes hardened, and bore into Cammi's eyes.

"WHAT?" he replied, clearly frustrated and annoyed, trying to figure out exactly why his plan wasn't working.

"I thank thee"

Altanion muttered something to himself, and repeated silently to himself and in his mind what Cammi had just said and wondered what on earth he was on about.

"What do you mean?" asked Altanion.

"I know what you are trying to do to me, but let's just say, this is something I've always wanted" said Cammi.

Altanion's eyes suddenly widened as large as golf balls, and was sneering down at Cammi, a vein could be seen popping out his forehead, one could see that he was livid about something.

"This is what you've always wanted" he replied slowly, as to keep himself calm, and not give Cammi the satisfaction that he was ballistic with him.

In answer Cammi smiled, though secretly within was greatly upset that he wouldn't be able to see his family again, knowing that it would be hard for them to cope without him, if he was to leave this world, and let them deal with Altanion.

Let them deal with Altanion? What was he nuts?

No, he just couldn't simply leave them to deal with Altanion that would be impossible. Angry at himself, knowing it was incredibly stupid suggestion on his behalf, knowing full well that even with his ancient magic abilities, which surpasses practically almost everyone's, was unable to stop him, so what chance did his family have, almost slim to none existence.

A new surge of strength, determination and anger boost up within Cammi, and hit him full force, and felt like his mind was screaming, as he clenched his fists tighter so his claws dug slightly into the palm of his hand, and drew a tad bit of blood. Hope flickered in his eyes, the sparkliness and determination returning in them, his eyes no longer dull, but full of life, as he tried to link to his father, but without much success.

***

Silent, everywhere and anywhere, was silent. No sounds were made, except for the breeze of the wind, which swept by and rustled the curtains. Everyone except the knights were asleep, keeping guard to be sure no unexpected incidents may occur during the dead of night.

Meanwhile they did not know that one in particular gummi was not in bed.

Along the corridors where the cubs usually liked to play and hide, a loose tile could be heard grinding and squeaking slightly, as it was then lifted and carefully, though apparently looking at it, whoever it was, was struggling as they shifted it along the other tiles. Dropping the tile, as it made impact with the other marble tiles it gave off a loud WHAM.

Now revealing a pitch black hole in the floor of the corridor, a head then popped out, as they slowly began to make their way out of the hole.

Once out of the hole, the small cub then struggled to shift the loose tile back into place, and although it took her awhile she managed to succeed.

Indeed it was Isabelle, sneaking round Gummadoon, as she wiped her face off the grime and dirt, with the back of her hand, also using the sleeve of her tunic. Sure that her face was clean of the dirt and dust from travelling through the tunnels, she stood silent and still, apparent on alert, listening to see if anyone was up. Seeing that she was safe for now, she began to walk down the corridors back to her room, making sure that she also kept well hidden in the shadows as not to be seen, even though her room was only literally just round the corner.

Though whilst on her way, she passed Cammi's room. Stopping in her tracks as she passed the door to her brother's room, she turned slightly, and looked directly at the door. She hadn't seen her brother in a while since his downfall with the heart virus, as she reached her hand out and grasped the door, she found it locked. Sighing she placed her hand on the wooden door, and leaned her head against it, wishing that she could be by her brother's side again.

After a few minutes of standing there, in the dark, stone cold isolated corridor, she pulled away, but did not leave, instead she kneeled, and peered through the keyhole. Smiling seeing her brother one last time, before going back to bed, her smile soon turned to a look of pure worry and confusion, seeing her brother's deathly pale, an no movement what so ever about him. Standing back from the door, shocked and upset, her mind racing through several things, she felt her power within her increase dramatically.

Then her right arm shot out like lightening, her eyes concentrated on the door, tears began to prick in her eyes, as she closed her eyes to rid of the tears, feeling her mind screaming, she then heard the lock to the door open, and the door before flew open on it's hinges.

Forgetting completely that she had telekinesis, and abandoning her thoughts on everything else, she rushed to her brother. Jumping onto his bed, she began to shake him as violently as she could but received no response, then shouting at him, though not too loud to wake everyone else, she hoped that he would hear her. But slowly she began to realise that her nightmare was becoming true, as yet again Cammi did not respond. Her fingers then flew to his neck, doing something that she sometimes saw her father do, she found that he didn't have a pulse, hell was then let loose, as Isabelle shrieked as loud as she could, and filed out the room, she raced down the corridor screaming

"LILLI"

End of Part VIII

PART IX coming soon!