3 The gargoyles

"Lia! The gargoyles are moving!" iris looked at me with panic in her eyes.

"They are moving, Lia!" she repeated as if I don't have my own set of eyes the gods have provided me with.

We have to get out of here, where was the door? I took her hand in mine, the other hand wet with my own blood.

"Iris, calm down and have your magic ready," I whispered to her as we ran,

"Do you remember where the door is?" I asked to which she shook her head, fear gripped me we have to find the door quickly.

The gargoyles had become fully alive now, there is no way they will be able to get out of here alive once they get their hands on us.

Am I going to die here in this dark crypt? The thought made me accelerate, searching for the damned door, my heart was pounding, and sweat breaking out. There was only one thought in my head, I will kill that bastard once I make it out of here.

Then in a corner, there was something, the wall had carvings on it just like the ones that I have seen on the outside, it has to be the door, I prayed to the gods to let it be the door.

We ran towards it, and with my bloodied hand I touched the wall expecting it to push me out of there, as it pulled me inside.

But it was not what happened, instead, a shock ran down my arm that made me jerk my hand away from the wall. It seemed like my magic was reaching out to it.

A roar sounded behind me and it was Iris who dragged me this time.

"It is not the door; we have to find it!"

I have heard stories about the gargoyles and their vicious attacks since I was a child, but nothing could have prepared me for the fear that overtook me as they rapidly closed the distance between us. Their stone features contorted into menacing snarls.

We ran blindly, almost falling down in the darkness, Iris made a big fireball and threw it at the gargoyles, they were not even fazed by it, easily dodging.

The gargoyles were too fast. their heavy wings beating the air as they closed in on us. There were only three of them behind, where did the fourth one go?

I was too late to realize that it was in the front, as we collided into it.

I could feel my heart racing as the gargoyles surrounded us, their sharp claws and fangs glinting in the dim light I made.

As the first gargoyle lunged at me, I felt a wave of panic wash over me, I cast a protective spell around us before it could attack me, the impact of it made me shudder as I held the shield. My hand trembled with the effort.

I turned my head to see Iris also holding up a shield of magic as well as two of the gargoyles attacking her.

Its eyes blazed as it attacked again and again, roaring at me. The other one joined the first, their attacks relentless and unyielding.

I held on but I could feel my energy draining faster than it should, what is happening to me? I was no match for their strength and speed.

Even though Iris's shield was still up my shield flickered, completely going out, I fell down as my knees gave out, barely any energy left in me.

The gargoyle's claws raked across my skin; a scream ripped out of me as its sharp claws left deep gashes. My gown was soaked in blood.

In that moment, I realized that I might not survive this fight. We were alone cornered by the gargoyles with no way out. I am going to die here. I could not even talk to my parents before I die here.

The gargoyle raised its hand, his claws glinting as they made their way to me, ready to tear my skin, its eyes glowed with a malevolent red light, and its jaws opened to reveal sharp, jagged teeth. I closed my eyes accepting my death. I sent a last prayer to the gods.

There was an explosion. It made my ears ring, as the rubble flew everywhere. Iris was on top of me with a shield around us as the gargoyles staggered back.

A blinding light came from the place of the explosion.

My heart beating wildly, and I could not believe I was alive.

I hugged her as tears of happiness streamed down my cheeks. I should not be celebrating just now. What if it is just another monster?

The gargoyles roared looking at each other as they flew toward the light. They seem to forget about us as if we do not matter in front of the danger that appears.

There from the light came out a silhouette, as the smoke from the rubble cleared a boy around 18 or 19 stood there with a confused expression on his face. He looked at the four gargoyles that flew to him without a hint of fear in his eyes.

He stood his ground as the gargoyles lunged toward him, their stone bodies creaking with the effort of movement. The air around him charged with magic, I could see tendrils of colors around him as defending from their attacks with ease.

The gargoyles were relentless, swooping down from the shadows and attacking him with fierce abandon.

They slashed at him with their claws and snapped their jaws in his direction, but the boy remained focused and agile, dodging and weaving with practiced ease, a maniacal smile on his face as he fought them, there was a madness in his eyes that was sent shivers through my spine.

He was enjoying this fight.

He summoned a wall of flame that engulfed the gargoyles, causing them to screech and howl in pain. But they did not relent, continuing to attack him with deadly intent.

The boy's eyes seem to glow, there was something about him that had my eyes glued to him.

When he laughed coldly, the ground trembled beneath us, then he unleashed a ball of pure light that crackled through the air and struck the gargoyles with deadly precision.

There was a deafening explosion, as their stone bodies shattered and crumbled, sending shards flying in every direction., the gargoyles were gone, reduced to nothing more than dust and rubble. The boy stood there, without a hint of exhaustion in his eyes.

Without even looking at us he walked toward the wall, and it parted for him like it was afraid of him, and he made his way out of the crypt.