Chapter 13: Reunion

The stench was horrible, and it only worsened as Isabelle and I descended down the ladder that lead further into the Sewer. When I reached the end, I jumped off and landed in the filthy water with a loud splash. Waiting patiently for Isabelle, I turned around to examine the new area. It was difficult to see, for the green fumes of the poisonous fungi clouded the air. It's a good thing we got that vaccine before coming here… I stated mentally. Isabelle, who had joined me in the water, latched onto my arm before we set off down the passage. I winced at each splash we made while trekking through the channel, knowing that some sort of monstrosity was probably down here. And I was right, unfortunately.

When we were a few meters away from the ladder, the familiar unearthly wail sounded from our front. Isabelle and I froze, glanced at each other, and then bolted for the ladder. The sudden splashes from our fleeing footsteps caught the attention of the beast, for I could hear it charging towards our location. Luckily, Isabelle and I were at the top of the ladder when it reached the base.

"Ha, try and get us up here!" I taunted, suddenly feeling mischievous. I could barely see the silhouette of the horrific monster, for the toxic fumes clouded my vision.

"Felix, if you mock the thing, it's not going to leave…" Isabelle scolded, nudging my arm.

"I'm sorry, but when am I ever going to get another chance?" I retorted, averting my gaze from the demon. Isabelle stared at me, eyes intense and demanding. With a sigh, I stopped my jeering and waited patiently for the monster to lose interest. After several grating minutes, I heard the fiend splash away and vanish into the haze.

Isabelle tentatively climbed down the ladder, and when all was clear, she gestured for me to follow. We were cautious as we made our way down the channel, keeping a close eye out for anything dangerous. Finally, the narrow passage opened into a much larger room. To the front was what looked like some machine. It was spinning with lethal speed, but I could see there was an area beyond the deathtrap. To our left was another passage, same with the right. We decided to go right, for a reason I did not know.

After a few moments, the silence was disrupted when the sound of trickling water came into earshot. I jogged over, trying to pinpoint the source. I was surprised to see a pipe protruding from the slime-covered wall, broken in the middle. Isabelle said that we might need it, but I was uncertain. Why would we need a pipe? But then again, things hadn't made much sense lately.

Without further protesting, I broke off the pipe and handed it to Isabelle. We explored the passage for a few more minutes, but nothing had caught our interest. We soon made our way back to the large room with the dangerous machine and then headed down the only other channel.

The passage twisted and turned, making me feel like I was caught in a labyrinth. We passed by two doors, one blocked off by a rock fall. The other had a ladder attached to the wall, but it was broken halfway and unreachable. We kept walking until our path cut directly to the left, leading up a staircase. We followed doubtfully, but my hesitation was erased when I heard the familiar noises of working machinery. Isabelle pushed open the door, and it was revealed that the new room was quite small. There were large, rusty pipes protruding from the walls, and in the corner, was some sort of mechanism.

On the machine were two levers in the far corners. Below the levers was some sort of pattern. It looked like gears. I bet this is what stops that spinning device.

Silently, Isabelle and I went to work, arranging the levers in different positions until the sound of machinery quieted.

"I think we did it!" Isabelle exclaimed. I smiled in triumph before turning to leave the room. Isabelle followed quietly as we sauntered down the staircase, back towards the filthy sewage water. We were about halfway down the passage when the air filled with the sound of metallic clicks and scraping. Isabelle and I paused, wondering faintly what the source of the noise was. Our thoughts were answered when a sudden growl sounded from behind us. Oh no, not now! We're wide out in the open! I thought, grabbing Isabelle's hand before rushing forward. Our sudden movements alerted the monstrosity, for I heard it giving chase.

We winded through the maze of channels until the ladder that lead to safety was in view. We're gonna make it! We're gonna- My thoughts were cut off when Isabelle lurched forward, falling face-first into the soiled water. I didn't have time to slow or react when my foot caught under some sort of vine, shattering my balance. I joined my friend in the water, desperately trying to free myself.

"Felix!" The woman cried, "I'm stuck! My foot is stuck under something!" She was on the verge of tears. I didn't reply, but only gasped when the monster erupted out of the green haze. When it saw that its prey was trapped, the demon slowed to a walk. I turned away and gave up my desperate attempt to free myself. Isabelle started sobbing hysterically, but her cries were interrupted when the monster started bellowing in agony. Immediately, I turned to see what was happening.

The beast's head was disintegrating! I could see acid dripping from its sickly green skin, falling into the water below. The demon staggered back, frantically clawing at its face in a futile attempt to save itself. After a few moments, it dropped into the water, obviously dead.

But who had saved us?

I was more surprised when Daniel peered around the corner, holding an empty jar in his hands. He threw the jar away and rushed over to us, fervently helping us from our entrapment. Finally, my foot was free and I climbed out of the water. Daniel took a few steps back, uncertain about our feelings toward him.

"T-thank you…" I stammered. "We'd be dead if you hadn't come along." Daniel smiled in acknowledgement before turning his gaze toward Isabelle. I noticed that she had remained silent. Oh great, she hasn't gotten over the memory, has she?

"Thanks…" The woman said sheepishly.

"I couldn't stand by and watch my friends get slaughtered," He admitted, casting a glance at the dead monster.

"Maybe we should put our feelings behind us and stay together," I suggested, "It's not very wise to be split up." I looked at Isabelle, hoping she'd agree. I was thankful when the woman nodded, and I spotted the ecstatic gleam in Daniel's eyes.

We stood in front of the spinning machine, but this time it was moving much slower. Isabelle pulled out the pipe that we had found earlier and jammed it in the corner, stopping it completely. We now had access to the channel beyond, but something about it seemed more ominous.

Daniel had remained silent, and I knew he was nervous being in our presence. I can't blame him, really. After what happened in the Prison, I'm still shocked that he'd save us…

We crawled through the metal rotators, carefully making our way into the new passage. When we reached the other side, I realized that there was only one way to go: forward. But I wasn't so keen on doing so, for the poisonous haze was too thick. It's almost acting as darkness, the fumes. I thought as we cautiously wandered into the narrow passage. I knew I shouldn't feel so apprehensive, seeing how Daniel had killed one of the monsters, but something about this place set me off.

We were halfway down the channel when it came to a dead end. The passage was blocked by iron bars. The only place we could go now was up the staircase to our right. Stairs are never good… I thought incredulously as we neared the door at the top. But when we opened it, I recoiled.

The room was almost entirely covered in what looked like red slime. But when I saw a dead demon on the floor, I became intrigued. It looked like the jaw monster from back in the Prison, but it was cut cleanly in half. Daniel looked away, somewhat disgusted. I took a step forward, but my foot landed in the red slime.

"Okay, what is this stuff? It looks like the flesh that blocked the Refinery." I exclaimed, turning towards my friends. A sudden seriousness flashed in Daniel's pale green eyes.

"I was going to tell both of you eventually, but I guess now is the time," Daniel started, "The 'slime' is the residue from a thing called the Shadow. It's a living nightmare, trust me, and it's been hunting me down ever since my expedition to Algeria. The Shadow is a Guardian of a relic called the Orb. The Orb has immense power, and can be used for anything, really. Ever since I had come in contact with the relic, the Shadow has been after me. Unfortunately, since you two are traveling alongside me, it's after you as well."

Isabelle and I sat in stunned silence, soaking in everything Daniel had explained. So, this Shadow thing is hunting us down, just because Daniel touched an Orb? Yeah, seems fair. I thought sarcastically.

"Well, it's nice to have things cleared up." Isabelle stated, "Now, there is nothing in here so let's just keep moving on." I wondered how she could act so calmly after learning something that important, but I didn't say a word.

We were almost to the bottom of the staircase when a loud crash broke the silence. Something had broken through the iron bars! The familiar metallic clicks and scrapes sounded from the foot of the stairs, signaling the arrival of a well-known foe. The three of us didn't hesitate in bolting for the door.

That's when I saw there was nowhere to hide in the room with the Shadow residue. I could hear the metallic monster growing closer, and in panic, I bolted into the back room. There was a corridor that must've lead somewhere, but a rock fall had blocked the only way through. Daniel and Isabelle followed me into the hall and we hid behind one of the rocks. Just in time, too, for the monster started slashing its way through the door.

I held my breath as the demon entered the small area. It's going to find us! It's going to find us… I thought, terror lacing my mind. After a few petrifying moments, the thing strolled away, leaving us alone.

Daniel stood up, examined the room, and then told us it was clear. I crawled out of my hiding spot, thankful to leave the cramped area.

"That was too close," Isabelle muttered, brushing dirt and dust off of her crimson dress. "But at least the monster opened another path for us."

"Let's hurry before it comes back," I whimpered before sprinting out of the room. I couldn't stand to be in it any longer. I re-entered the filthy water and headed down the path the beast had opened. It was unsettling to see how easily it had broken through the iron bars, but I shrugged that qualm aside.

"Is it ever going to move?" Isabelle hissed with frustration, watching the demon with eyes of ire. We were almost out of the Sewers, I could tell, but another monster was standing in front of the way. We had been hiding for several minutes now, hoping that it would lose interest and leave, but luck was not on our side today.

"Someone is going to have to distract it," Daniel said bleakly.

"There's no way any of us are going to go and distract it. That's certain death!" I retorted, "The beast is swift."

"Then what do you suggest, Felix?" Daniel asked, raising a brow. I took a moment to examine the area, searching for anything that could act as a distraction.

"How about we throw a rock?" I proposed, "The splash might attract the thing's attention." Isabelle and Daniel agreed with my plan.

Isabelle climbed down into the water and began searching for a rock, remaining as quiet as possible. She found one resting against the stone wall, and she picked it up gingerly.

"You two, get ready to run." She whispered. The woman made her way toward the monster before throwing the rock as far as possible. It landed a few meters from the beast, catching its attention instantly.

That's when we ran.

We reached the stairs that the beast was guarding, but by that time, it was aware that it had been fooled. More furious than ever, the monster charged after us. We bolted down the hall, slamming open the first door that came into view. The livid monster broke through the door in one swing of its blade, bellowing in frustration as we made it to the last door. Daniel threw it open, letting Isabelle and I in, then slammed it shut. Isabelle went up the ladder first, surprising me with her sudden burst of speed. Daniel insisted that I go next, shoving me towards the ladder. I didn't protest, but followed Isabelle up the ladder and towards safety. Daniel wasn't far behind, but when he let out a scream, I looked down.

The monster had entered the room, growling in rage. Blood dripped from its long, fierce blade. Daniel's face was contorted in pain, but he kept climbing.

"It got me in the leg!" He gasped.

"A-are you okay? Is it deep?" I replied, stopping my ascent up the ladder.

"Keep moving! I'm fine!" He snapped. I knew the man was lying, but I obeyed and followed Isabelle. But when we were halfway towards safety, a familiar roar sounded in the distance, and the ladder began to break.