Here is the track music list for this chapter: "Destiny's Force" (Extended) – from the first "Kingdom Hearts" game – "Aboard the Star Forge" – from the first "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" game – and "Sacrament of Tears", composed by Adrian von Ziegler – the first theme music for the upcoming Dark Creatures. These tracks can be found on my second music playlist for this story.


Chapter Thirty-Seven:

Underground Eclipse

Time was running out. He had to find the hobbit, Frodo Baggins. But where was he? If he took this hallway, he would reach a dead end… but if he came across another hallway, then…

"Anakin!" cried Frodo, chasing after the Jedi Knight. Turning the corner, Frodo called, "Anakin, wait! Anakin – stop! Please?" He was a few seconds too late, as he saw Anakin stop in front of an opening, where red flames brewed and hissed on the other side.

Anakin, after peering over the edge of the cliff, told Frodo, without looking back, "I am sorry, Frodo. This is the only way out-"

Approaching slowly, Frodo replied in concern, "You don't have to do this. You can come back to the Evenshire Camp with us." He paused. "What's holding you back?"

Glancing over his shoulder, Anakin said, "I know you want me to return to that Camp, but I cannot." Facing the opening again, Anakin said, "I must do this alone."

"You won't be alone," said Frodo, serious. "Why won't you come back?"

"You wouldn't understand," said Anakin.

Frodo pressed on. "Tell me anyway." He added, "Tell me what happened."

"I cannot," said Anakin, closing his eyes, hoping to shut out the pain and anger. "I'm a Jedi. I must do what I feel is right, as should you."

"I do, but… Anakin – don't!" cried Frodo. He called, as he ran towards the opening, "Anakin!"

Before Frodo reached the opening, Anakin leapt off the edge of the cliff. By the time Frodo looked over the ravine, he could see a small figure, wearing a black cloak and robes, run inside a stone hangar, vanishing from his sight in a few seconds…

Frodo…

Frodo froze for a few moments. Where did Sauron's voice come from? How did Sauron find him so fast? Not letting the thoughts sink in, Frodo stood up and bolted down the dimmed lit passage. He was seconds into turning the corner, when he spotted Sauron in the next tunnel. He took a few steps back, snuck across the opening, and fled down the same long tunnel. He was unaware for a few moments that Sauron was charging towards him.

Frodo barely had time to turn the next corner, when Sauron approached. Frodo watched Sauron look cautiously around, before vanishing into the shadows of the long narrow passage. Although relief swept over Frodo, he heard the walls crack and the ceiling move aggressively. Worried about a cave-in, Frodo rushed down the tunnel with all haste. Just as he came out of the tunnel, Frodo glanced back to see the tunnel relax and the ceiling return to its first position.

Looking around, Frodo saw he was inside a tall stone dungeon. The only barred windows – one that showed dusk on the horizon, at least a few miles above his head – in this room stood several feet above his head, close to the ceiling. The walls appeared ruined in some places, revealing wide holes that led to a dark dungeon chamber. As Frodo peered into one of the holes, he spotted what appeared to be a muscular-built scarred lion with bloodshot red eyes. The scarred lion turned his head fast towards Frodo, before leaping over a skeletal corpse and sticking its clawed paw through the hole. Frodo just narrowly dodged the blow, as he jumped back, startled and in fright.

In spite of becoming stunned, Frodo heard the same deep, dark, hollow voice from behind, telling him in a sinister manner, "You were wise to run from me, Frodo Baggins." Frodo spun around until he faced Sauron, who cackled softly under his breath. Sauron asked, curiously, "Did you not bring the girl? The girl from your dreams… Maia was her name. Was it not?"

Frodo replied, pretending as best he could, "Um… I'm not sure what you mean-"

Seeing past the act, Sauron sneered, "Do not toy with me, hobbit. I demand you show me this Maia."

Confused, Frodo asked, "What concern could she be to you?"

Sauron cracked a wicked grin. "Well… I finish her off. I take the advantage. And then, you would be left open to attack. Now doesn't that sound like a full-proof plan? I think it does."

Frodo shook his head. "You won't find her."

"Why not?" asked Sauron. "If she does not show up, then you will become a target either way."

Confused again, Frodo asked, "What? What are you-" He was cut off, when Sauron pulled out his mace.

Moments after Frodo pulled out his sword Sting, Sauron swung his mace once at a great speed. At the same time, Sauron cast a bright fireball spell in his freed hand, which he then used to shatter Frodo's sword Sting's blade. The force of the swing sent Frodo hurtling backwards. Already cut from the blade's broken pieces, Frodo was thrown back-first against a wall, where he collided hard against the stone surface. He collapsed on the dirt, stone floor seconds later, still clutching onto Sting's hilt. Now bruised and slightly injured, Frodo peered up once at Sauron, who seemed ready to finish him off. Without warning, Frodo blacked out…


Opening her eyes, Coral instantly felt bruised, weak, and injured. She knew right then and there the battle between her and her elder sister, Lara-Belle, had only begun. She was curious about her eldest sister Melena, and whether she could help her solve her current issues. Would Melena believe her story, even after she joined Lara-Belle, when they were cubs? She hoped Melena was still at the Animal Headquarters, so she could reconcile with her. However, Melena was one tough nut to crack. She knew there must be a way…

Edmund cried out, in relief, "Coral, you're awake. How do you feel?"

"Bruised… and weak," said Coral.

"Do you remember anything?" asked Edmund, hoping his questions would help Coral's memory. "Do you know me, or my name?"

Confused for a brief moment, Coral told him, flat, "Yeah. You're Edmund Pevensie. You have a brother named Peter and two sisters, Susan and Lucy. We're part of a company, made up of eight heroes and one scarred lioness… me."

"Do you recall what happened, before you were knocked unconscious?" asked Edmund.

Coral thought hard for another few moments. As she did, the pain swelled inside her skull. Then she remembered images of her and her sister, Lara-Belle, but also some of the conversation between them. "Yeah, I do. The last I recall, Gurgi met with me and Kovu. Then Lara-Belle, my sister, showed up and we fought… She knocked me against this tombstone and I blacked out. It must have been a good while, since you weren't here…"

Stunned, Edmund replied, "All right. Do you know why we've come to Merswold? Merswold Camp?"

Coral drew a blank for a short while. Then, as Edmund explained, images returned to Coral's mind. These images showed her and her companions during their quest to Merswold: from their trek through the Silent Forest, to when she first saved Frodo Baggins from the scarred lionesses and scarred lions, to their time spent at the Terrabay Camp, the journey across the Harburg Plains to the village of Prevale, and the battle that took place with Frodo being captured. When Coral remembered her trek through the caves of Merswold, with Kovu at her side, she jerked to a standing position. Her mindset was now fixed on finding Frodo.

Facing the boy king, Coral told him, with a bewildered look in her eyes, "Edmund, we have to find Frodo. He could be in danger."

"Wait – we don't have a clue where he is! Coral, where are you going?" called Edmund, confused and concerned.

Approaching the nearest tunnel, Coral gestured with her head to the opening, as she said, "Come on, Edmund! I know he's here. I can smell him from a mile away."

"You can?" asked Edmund, catching up to her. Confused, he asked, "How?"

"When you're a scarred lioness, instincts become your primary tracker. Besides, my sense of smell can already detect he's close," said Coral. When she saw Edmund reach her, Coral dashed inside the dark tunnel, telling Edmund as her voice echoed, "Well, come on!"

"Are you sure you know where you're going?" asked Edmund.

"Of course I do. I've been down these hallways and tunnels a thousand times," said Coral, metaphorically speaking. She waited until Edmund was a foot away, before she bolted down the next tunnel passage.


Nearing the end of the lit hallway, Kovu slowed to a halt. Shortly after letting Mumble and Gurgi dismount from his back, Kovu sniffed the foul air. The hairs along his back, tail, and mane stood up. He felt uneasy and on edge. Something in the air made him feel sick to his stomach, as if a silent, but dead presence was near.

Noticing his own nervousness, as well as Gurgi's, Mumble asked the two, "Um… so, what's coming for us?" Turning to the dark-furred lion, Mumble asked, "Kovu?"

Kovu shushed him. "Do you smell that?"

Mumble sniffed the air, but immediately sneezed in disgust.

"Oh… Gurgi does not like this one bit," said Gurgi, trembling fiercely. "No…"

Kovu shushed him and Mumble this time.

"Kovu, what?" asked Mumble, confused and a little agitated.

Kovu whispered to the two, "I think the Dark Creatures are here."

"What Dark Creatures? What does Kovu mean?" asked Gurgi, confused.

Kovu explained, only briefly, "When I grew up at the Outlands, I remember my sister Vitani tell me these stories about ghosts of past lions and lionesses. Well, in one of those stories, she told me about these creatures. They looked Human, in a way, but they also looked dead and bony. They had muscles still attached, but…"

"Kovu, please!" cried Mumble. He whispered, soon after Kovu shushed him, "Gurgi and I don't need to know that much detail."

"Anyway, these creatures have…"

Gurgi interrupted, as he pointed an index finger at something creeping out from the darkness, "Look Mumble, Kovu! Look! Is that it? Is that a Dark Creature?"

"There's one, alright," said Kovu, nervously.

Indeed, the sound of a low, deep bellow gave the still-living skeletal creature away. This skeletal creature, called by many animals as a Dark Creature, wore a loose but tattered black cloak, tunic, vest, breeches, and worn-down black boots. The skeletal figure almost seemed nomadic in a way. However, this skeletal creature's teeth were sharpened enough to make him almost appear as a meat-eater, a cannibal of sorts. His bloodshot red eyes proved he was hungry with vengeance.

Trembling even worse, Gurgi stuttered, "Uh K-K-Kovu, c-c-can w-w-we l-leave now?"

"I agree with Gurgi, Kovu. Let's leave this hallway," said Mumble, slightly nervous but able to speak.

Kovu nodded. "Climb on my back, but slowly." He watched the Dark Creature cautiously, as the skeletal figure walked towards him and his two companions.

Once Mumble sat in front of Gurgi, Kovu waited until Gurgi attempted to climb on his back before charging down the hallway at top speed. Gurgi ended up falling from Kovu's back, leaving Mumble to glance back with a worried expression across his face.

Brushing himself off, Gurgi peered up and around once, only to hear the Dark Creature rushing towards him. Scared out of his wits, Gurgi ran for his life down the lit hallway. As the Dark Creature passed by each torch, the torch's light turned a sickly green color, before blowing out completely. Fortunately for Gurgi, he fled behind a wall, just as the Dark Creature charged on at an even faster speed than Kovu. Noticing the hallway was still dark, Gurgi poked his head out from his hiding spot. Noticing no one coming for him, but seeing his companions was nowhere in sight – probably attempting to avoid being snatched by the one Dark Creature, Gurgi stepped out into the hallway.

Sighing in relief, Gurgi looked around as he spoke to himself, "Now where does Gurgi find his companions in this dark hallway – oh no, Gurgi does not like this. Gurgi will think badly if his friends are captured by vicious Dark Creatures and-"

Gurgi's heart stopped for a moment, upon hearing a deep bellow.

Bumping into a second Dark Creature's boot, Gurgi glanced up in fright when he saw a pair of menacing bloodshot red eyes look at him in a hungry manner. Trembling once again, Gurgi bolted down the dark passage. Although he could not see where he was headed, Gurgi's instincts picked up right away. He had to find Kovu and Mumble, and fast, before one of those creatures…

Gurgi bumped hard onto the worn leather boots of a third Dark Creature. Landing back-first on the stone floor, Gurgi crawled backwards as the third Dark Creature turned slowly to face him. Gurgi yelped as he stood up and made a dash in the same direction he had just left. The group of Dark Creatures followed him in a slow stance, using any manner to capture the furry grey-and-white creature. Gurgi ducked, dodged, and ran past several Dark Creatures before finding an exit on a lit, winding stairwell. He noticed the skeletal figures slowly give chase, as the lights dimmed out from below. Gurgi pressed on and did not stop running, even after he reached a long chamber.


Entering the next passage, Harry cried, "Frodo!" Pressing his hand against a wall, Harry peered into the nearest dark tunnel, calling once more, "Frodo?"

Coming up to Harry from behind, Jack Sparrow asked, "Looking for Frodo Baggins?"

Harry turned around, startled. Calming down somewhat, Harry asked in return, "What are you doing here? I thought you had left to find your ship, the Black Pearl?"

"I could have," said Jack, confused by the question.

"But you didn't," answered Harry, sternly.

Grinning, Jack told him, "Son, did I not fail to mention: I'm a pirate. As such, I have obligations to attend to. One, to make sure that hobbit finds the information we need. Second, to find the Evenshire Camp and return to me ship, before Barbossa bloody steals it again."

"That still does not explain why you decided to help us find the source of the stars falling," said Harry.

Jack explained again, "Why don't we settle on finding Frodo first, and then we can discuss how you get you back to your friends. Savvy?"

"Fine, but stay close. I wouldn't want to see you deserting us again," said Harry, sharply. When he turned around, Harry noticed Jack following him, but not saying two words to him.


Frodo's mind travelled on in the darkness…

He felt as if he was falling again… falling…

He entered the white tower, which stood at the topmost point on the cliff. Inside the white-lit room, Frodo found the girl with the hazel blue-green eyes. She was beautiful to him, radiant beyond complexion. Her light blue-green dress only made her more stunning, at least in his eyes.

Approaching the girl, Frodo heard her ask him, "What is your name?"

"Frodo Baggins," said Frodo. "What is your name?"

"My name is Malinda Maura," said the girl, as she glided across the hall. "Occasionally, I call myself Maia." Standing in front of Frodo, allowing him to take in her fair but shy complexion, Malinda told him in a worried voice, "You have to stop Sauron, before he does something to me."

"Wait… I thought I was searching for you," said Frodo, unsure now.

"You will find me with time." Malinda then told him, sharply, "Now you must go. Your friends need you, Frodo."

"Where must I go to find you, Malinda?" asked Frodo, desperate.

Malinda paused. Then she said, kindly, "Seek out my mother, Melissa. She will inform you about me, if she hasn't already."

"Wait… couldn't we…" Before Frodo had a chance to touch Malinda's hand, Frodo was pulled back into the hazy, heavy, but silent darkness…

Frodo's eyelids snapped open. Recent memories flooded back as he stared at the wooden, elven-carved hilt of Sting. This was all that remained of his heart, and it broke him a little. He was not sure what his Uncle Bilbo would say if he knew that Sting was lost…

Frodo's thoughts detracted as Sauron forced him to lie on his back. Frodo struggled to break free of Sauron's strong grip, but he found himself weakened. Sauron, wallowing in his triumph, picked Frodo up and moved him back-first against the wall. Frodo was lifted at least five to six feet from the ground. He felt hope drain away, the moment he felt Sauron's sinister gaze on him.

As he struggled to break free of Sauron's grasp, Frodo heard two familiar voices from a nearby tunnel:

"I'm telling you, Edmund. He's here," Coral's voice echoed loudly.

"All right," said Edmund, following Coral out of the tunnel. "Whatever you say, I'll be-"

Edmund stopped stiff for a few moments. When he finally moved, Edmund heard Coral scream out "NO" a few times, hoping that would make Sauron release Frodo. Finding a crossbow, Edmund pulled out an arrow from Frodo's quiver and strung it onto the crossbow. He only fired one shot. Fortunately, that one arrow struck Sauron on his free hand, forcing the dark lord to writhe in pain. He let go of Frodo as he clutched his wrist, bolting out of the dungeon in seconds. Coral and Edmund immediately rushed towards Frodo with his pack and his quiver.

After taking the quiver and the pack from Edmund, Frodo told them both, "Thank you."

While Edmund tossed to Frodo his silver flask, still filled with the same liquid, Coral replied, directly to Frodo, "We guessed the villains had captured you. I nearly thought you were dead."

Frodo shook his head, soon after he drank from the silver flask. "No. That poison nearly slew me, but…"

"You mean you almost died?" asked Edmund, confused. "How-"

Returning to the task at hand, Coral asked the hobbit, "Frodo, you do have proof about the stars falling from the night sky?"

"Yes," said Frodo, nodding in agreement. He showed Coral and Edmund the rolled up stack of parchment papers.

Confused, Edmund asked, "Where did you find these?"

"They were lying on a desk, but…" Frodo glanced over, a few moments before Edmund and Coral, as Sauron came charging back into the room. Seeing Sauron pull the arrow straight out of his hand, while giving him an enraged look, Frodo told his two companions, "I think now is the best time to leave this encampment."

"I cannot argue with you there," said Coral.

"Um… wouldn't you betray your sister, if you left?" asked Frodo, a little nervous.

"I already did betray her," replied Coral, snappishly.

Coral briefly saw Frodo's confused look, seconds before witnessing Edmund pull out another arrow from Frodo's quiver and jab it into Sauron's left foot. Sauron writhed in pain once again, but this time glared fiercely at Frodo and his companions. Edmund told Frodo and Coral to move, which they did at a stumbling pace. As they ran, Sauron charged after them at a top speed. Frodo's cuts and bruises, meanwhile, continued to heal.