Chapter Fourteen: Nearing Fate
It had been a week or so since the events in St. Louis. Amy and I had continued to walk through St. Louis until we found a new truck on the very outskirts of town. It was white with a double cab, but I still slouched in the bed. Amy had been more focused in her driving, and we were nearing our destination.
Amy seemed to take Serenity's possible abduction and Jason's death at my hands pretty well; she hadn't talked about it at all. Maybe it's just because we've been busy on the road, maybe it's because I sleep in the bed of the truck, but she didn't talk about it.
We had arrived in North Carolina, near Kitty Hawk. I could smell the ocean breeze from my special seat. I opened my eyes and looked out at the dunes and ocean. It was a beautiful sight, complimented by a blue sky with wispy clouds. I could see one of the Appalachian Mountains in the distance.
I knew this pristine sight would not last, as the Order was still after us. I enjoyed the beautiful sight, understanding what was to come. We would have to fight some more.
It came too soon… the next storm. As I stared out at the perfect sight before me (wishing I had a camera of some sort), the truck was overturned before I knew what happened. I hopped out of the bed after the truck had been turned upside down, landing gracefully in the soft sands. I saw Amy jump out of the cab and roll a few times before coming to a complete stop.
I stood up and brushed the sand off of my pants and shook the sand off of my coat, then looked ahead, knowing someone would be there. Sure enough, I could faintly see a woman in a green coat through a swirling sandstorm.
Amy had recovered by now, and stood facing the raging sandstorm with me. "That's one of the Order of Light, isn't it?" she asked me.
"No doubt." I replied simply, pulling out my Buster Sword. "I think she has power over Earth. The last element. This won't be an easy fight." "Is it ever easy?" she asked me, unsheathing her Sakaboto. I held my Buster Sword with both hands as we walked slowly toward the sandstorm. As we did so, the woman hiding just behind it became clearer. She had an olive complexion and black hair. She stepped out of the sandstorm as we approached the edge of the whirling vortex.
"Well, Dark Boy, let's not waste our time or breath. I am Ereshkigal, Earth Master of the Order of Light. You, and your companion, if she so wishes, will do battle with me." she stated outright.
"I'm not fighting you yet. I have a question I wish to ask of you." I told her. I truly did want to ask her something.
"It better be quick." Ereshkigal replied. I sensed she was anxious to start and finish the battle.
"Did you take a girl named Serenity when Brenton attacked us last week?" I asked her.
"Roy! You know…" Amy started, but I interrupted her.
"I have to know!" I shouted back.
"A girl… maybe we have her, maybe we don't. Beat me, and I'll tell you." Ereshkigal answered, a sinister tone in her voice.
"So be it."
I rushed at Ereshkigal with my Buster Sword in a horizontal position, Amy at my side. As we reached her, Ereshkigal jumped back into the swirling sandstorm and small needles of sand came flying out at us. I dodged them all, but Amy took a hit in her left shoulder, making her arm brieflygo limp.
We ran through the sandstorm, and stood facing the strongest member of the Order. She had raised the ground in crags, and was on an earthen pillar about 100 feet high. Amy and I looked up, a steely resolve in both our hearts, and began jumping up the crags toward her.
Allow me to show you your ultimate destiny…
