Chapter 5 – The Secret Chamber
The dragons climbed up the decrepit clock tower, content that they are out of the underground after a few hours. The hallways were decorated with ancient paintings, sculptures, and even suits of armour lined up accordingly. Tattered curtains gave the hallways a more spooky appearance.
Cynder turned to her friends. "We must be getting close," she said. I don't remember the castle having this section, though."
"It's probably not visible in foggy conditions," said Torden.
Jakkin felt something unusual. "Stay frosty, partners," he said. "I have a feeling there might be more to this hallway than what meets the eye."
Lily looked around the hallway. "It looks perfectly harmless to me," she said. "What makes you say that?"
"How about the fact that one of the armour suits just disappeared?" exclaimed Jakkin as he pointed at a suddenly empty spot where an armour suit used to stand.
"Where did it go?" wondered the dragons, unaware that the armour suit is advancing on them from behind, wielding a lethal spear and about to strike. Percival was the first to notice it when he sensed something coming closer. "Look out!" he screamed. At the last moment, the dragons avoided the walking armour's axe.
"But – but that's impossible!" spluttered Cynder. "There's no way that thing can be able on its own!"
"Well, with all that crazy stuff we've encountered in this castle earlier on, it seemed like anything is possible!" exclaimed Draco.
"We're going to have to take out the armour!" declared Cynder, and she bravely battled the armour. It swung its spear as it tried to stab her, but she dodged the attacks quickly and then she delivered a swift kick which sent the armour hurtling to the wall. For a moment, it seemed that they were safe, but then the armour got up, and more of the armours lined up came to life and readied their weapons. The six dragons knew that they cannot beat them as they'll relentlessly get up no matter how many times they'll try to knock them out. Torden was suddenly trembling, showing fear for the first time.
"It's no use," said Cynder. "Let's make a run for it and quickly!"
The dragons raced for their lives through the hallways, and up ahead, Cynder saw an open door that is slowly closing. "There's the exit!" she cried. "Hurry before we get trapped!"
Faster they ran, and they barely got through the door before it closed completely. The living armours were unable to reach them, but their attention was turned to the Pyre Squad who rushed right inside the hallway.
"I think we've lost that creature," panted Ciara. "But I swore I heard those dragons."
"Could they be after the treasure?" asked a tired Scorcher.
"They better not be," said Ciara. "Even if they are, we can nab it from them."
"Well, that's the least of our problems," said Cronk as he pointed to the direction they were heading. "Look ahead!"
Ciara and Scorcher turned around and saw the platoon of living armours marching towards them with their spears poised at them. The Pyre Squad gulped, realising that they cannot fight against them, so they turned around to head back, but to their dismay, the creature that stalked them in the dungeons came ambling up the stairs. It was a gigantic beast with two large yellow eyes, a mouthful of sharp teeth, and a ferocious temperament. The Pyre Squad were surrounded.
"This stinks," said Scorcher, feeling very frightened. "What are we going to do now?"
"I have no idea," replied Ciara.
Cronk glared at Ciara "This is entirely your fault!" he snapped. "If you hadn't insulted that monster, we wouldn't have been in this predicament!"
"That thing sneaked up on me!" protested Ciara. "I hate it when I get stalked by hideous deformities!"
"Since we pretty much failed to obtain the treasure, it will be your turn to report to the Dark Queen," said Scorcher.
"Absolutely not!" screamed Ciara.
"Too bad, cause you brought us into this mess," said Cronk.
"Oh shut up, you idiot," fumed Ciara as the living armours and the beast closed in on them to deliver a brutal beating before leading them out of the castle.
Outside the hallway door, the dragons were catching their breath after so much running.
"Phew, that was too close," said Percival.
"At least we made it out in one piece," said Jakkin as he adjusted his hat. "Much as I hate to say it, I told you so that there was something not right about those walking armours."
"Yes, we finally believe you, Jakkin," said a miffed Torden.
"Oh, Torden," began Jakkin as grinned cheekily. "Did I catch you being afraid of those things?"
"Me afraid?" snorted Torden. "You've got to be kidding!"
"I saw you with my own two eyes," teased Jakkin.
"I wasn't afraid of those living armours!" shouted Torden.
"Enough, you two!" said Cynder impatiently. "Look now, we're already near the top of the castle!"
Sure enough, the dragons saw that they have reached the top floor of the clock tower. Its hands have indicated that it has passed three o'clock in the morning. At the other side of the tower was a bridge to what is presumably Dracula's chamber.
"We've only got a couple more hours before dawn," said Cynder. "Let's get moving quickly and find the hidden treasure."
Soon after crossing the bridge and encountering a few more surprises on the way, the dragons have finally entered Dracula's chamber. Inside they saw nothing but a large coffin and a series of torches that circle around the interior. Cynder and her friends looked around, but found nothing of interest.
"Looks like there's nothing," said Torden.
"It must be somewhere," replied Cynder.
"Do you think it could be inside that coffin?" asked Percival.
"Hardly," said Jakkin. "I never heard of anyone putting loot inside one."
As they kept searching, Lily accidentally pushed a certain brick, which caused a wall to open. Curiously, the dragons checked to see a chest inside. It glowed brightly.
"Guys," smiled Cynder. "I believe we have found the treasure."
"We did it!" exclaimed Draco. "Now all we need to do now is escape the castle."
The dragons carried the chest out of its compartment, unaware that the coffin has been opened. Just when they were about to exit the chamber, the door closed in front of them. Shocked, Draco hurried and tried to open the door, only to find that they're locked in yet again.
"Wherefore do thou think ye be taking my precious hoard?" said a voice.
At that moment, the dragons remembered that voice as the one that taunted them when they were first trapped in the castle. When they turned around, they saw standing in front of them a tall, thin, grey-faced, dark-haired man dressed in black. Two sharp fangs protruded from his mouth.
"It can't be…" said Cynder. "You're a – a…"
"A vampire!" screamed Draco with fright.
"Quite right thou art," said the vampire in a sinister tone of voice. "I am Count Dracula, lord of thy darkness, demon of thy night, and thou must have been brave enough to come this far."
"You must have been the one who trapped us here," said Cynder. "We need this treasure and now we need to get out."
Count Dracula sneered. "I'm afraid I cannot do that," he said. "The time has cometh for you to confront me in a duel if ye plan to escape!"
Author's Note: The battle for the treasure and freedom is at hand! Let's hope they succeed in the next chapter!
