The Shadow that Lurks (III)

Finally after chasing it for several minutes we arrived at an open field on the outskirts of the city. On the perimeter some strange mounds of stones formed an almost circular formation, there is no way they are made by nature, however I don't have time to analyze it in detail.

The guy stopped in the middle of this place and so did we, keeping a certain distance from him, completely exhausted by so much running. I slowly approached in his direction catching my breath.

"Who are you? Why are you running away?"

Without answering me he stood with his back to us. His clothes are strange, a simple brown cloth covers his whole silhouette preventing us from seeing what he really looks like. Why so much secrecy? It's as if he were part of a cult.

"He's strange..." said Maria taking my arm.

"What do you mean? Is he a Spiritist?"

"No. He's not the same as the others, I don't know how to explain it but he's different..."

It seems that she can feel things that I can't. Is he a Seeker? That would be the worst case scenario. A normal person shouldn't have just run away to a deserted field with those creatures roaming around, he must be planning something.

I decided to prepare myself for whatever might happen and draw my katana.

"Welcome, young man" I suddenly heard a voice coming from the guy, he then turned around lifting the cloak on his head to reveal his face.

He is a man in his 40's, with short hair and a long ponytail in the back that reached his waist, with quite a beard that covered most of his chin. However the most striking thing and what stole my attention is a peculiar dagger he holds in his right hand, it looks very old and even rusty, with wear marks and other details that seem to be done on purpose.

"Answer, who are you?"

"You don't need to know, since this will be your resting place" he continued and then buried the tip of his weapon in his left arm.

"What are you doing!? Why are you hurting yourself!?" added Maria in surprise.

Blood began to flow from the edge of his knife, bathing it in a red colour. Finally a drop touched the ground and immediately strange reddish-coloured writings appeared and spread across the ground from the center of the site to the rock mounds.

"Damn! So that's what you're up to!"

I took Maria by the hand and we started to run away, although it was too late. A light emanated from each of those strange formations in unison and they rose up forming pillars of energy several meters high. These joined together to form a kind of transparent wall.

A barrier? I hit it but even though it was thin and I could see through it, it was solid enough and I couldn't break it. I unsheathed my sword putting the sheath in my belt and tried to cut it in vain, no matter how hard I hit it, not even a scratch could be seen.

What carelessness, it was all a trap and we fell right into it.

"Asriel..."

She was very scared, I put her behind me and pointed my weapon at the man.

"What do you intend to do to us!?"

"To us?" he said looking in detail. "Ah, you mean that little girl on your back. I have no business with her"

"In that case let us go, now!"

"I just need to deal with you, lord almighty. Your life will be of great use to me" he spoke pacing around.

I didn't stop aiming at him at any point, there's no doubt that he's dangerous.

"What the hell are you talking about!? You're not mistaking me for someone else?"

"Quiet, don't play innocent! I know the things you've done, consider me your executioner"

This guy is crazy, I doubt I can talk some sense into him.

"I have a bad feeling Asriel..."

"Me too. Back off Maria, I'll have to take care of him"

"A, alright"

The battle between us is inevitable. I don't know what he's capable of, I must go with caution. I can't rule out the possibility that he's a Seeker, maybe he's a Spiritist. What does he really intend to do?

"Personally is not my style, however I will do whatever it takes to achieve my goal. If I get rid of you in the process I'll hit 2 birds with one stone"

He then threw his dagger into the air, took off the glove he held in his right hand revealing a sort of magic circle engraved on it, decorated with various characters I don't know. The guy proclaimed a few words in a language I didn't recognize and then he kneeled down, placing his palm on the floor. The knife fell a few centimetres away and was buried halfway into the ground. The symbol on the back of his hand expanded and stuck in the ground.

"What the hell... is it magic?"

Does that really exist in this world? Really? That's just too much.

I guess after experiencing the events of the day of the Apocalypse like the arrival of the creatures, the Spiritist powers, the Objects and all that stuff... it's not that hard to believe. Surely there are still a lot of hidden mysteries in the world that I have yet to learn about.

The man walked away from the circle where it began to emanate a red light covered by a black aura. We watched the scene with a mixture of amazement and confusion. Finally that symbol opened and from it came out a dark fog, the air became heavy and cold from one moment to the next, the sky completely clouded but the brightness of the mounds managed to illuminate the area.

There is definitely something there, I don't know what it is. Maria squeezed my hand very tightly with hers, which was shaking all the time. It wasn't just her, the scenery in front of my eyes left me stunned and I could see how the tip of my katana was swaying as I tried to hold it up with all my will. Is this that I feel fear? Not understanding what is happening is filling me with panic? It's not as strong a presence as when I faced the Holder, although not counting that encounter this would be the greatest exponent of terror I have ever witnessed.

The subject began to advance and take the dagger, he raised it looking up, his face showing a bizarre smile.

"Excellent, it was a success! Now show yourself in front of your master. Follow the sound of my voice and come to this world, I summon you! Come, source of darkness, power of the ancients!"

As he finished his incantation a large silhouette rose from the center of the circle into the sky. I couldn't believe what I was looking at, a metallic black being, with a pair of wings, long tail, four legs and reddish eyes. It opened its snout and let out a roar that made my body completely shudder and paralyzed, I almost dropped my weapon of horror. This sensation is completely different from all the creatures I have seen so far. It's not one of them, it's impossible for it to be.

"That's... a dragon?"

There's no doubt, it's similar to the stereotype found in tales and legends. Where did it come from? Could it be true that he summoned it? And if so, from where?

"My name is Lavos, the beast tamer" said the man finally breaking the silence. "This dragon is the fruit of months of research, it took much preparation to bring it to this world and it takes a high source of energy to form a contract with it and tame it. You, the tyrant leader of this city will be of help to me with that"

"What the hell are you talking about!? I don't-"

"Silence! Finish him Shadow Dragon!" he shouted ignoring my words and then the beast lunged towards me.

I tried to move, but my muscles still felt numb and my legs didn't react.

"Body, move dammit!" I shouted as I thought to bury my sword in my left arm.

The sudden pain made me regain my mobility and I managed to push Maria away, just in time to avoid its claws.

With my katana I managed to receive the blow, although its force was too much and I ended up falling to my knees.

"Asriel!"

"Stay back, it's dangerous!"

Before he managed to crush me I turned to the side and gathering all the courage I had I stood up pointing my weapon at him.

So I have no choice, I'll have to find a way to defeat both this monster and its owner.

Will I be able to do it? No, don't think negatively. I must do it for her, I'll do it any way I can!