The Warriors of Light
Chapter 18

Gregory took a few steps back on the weak platform causing the rest of us to tilt over. His head was shaking and he was muttering something unfamiliar to me. "Gregory what are you..." My eyes widened but I had no time to ask what the hell was wrong with him. I leaped into action, pushing Gregory off the weak platform and onto solid ground, dodging a huge rock thrown by the Imp.

I, now, looked at Gregory ready to slap him to break him out of whatever trance he was in. His eyes glazed over as he stared back at me in fear. "I'm so sorry...Please forgive me...." He chanted grabbing my shirt tightly. I only looked confused at him. I opened my mouth to ask questions, but another throw from the Imps was heading our way and, again, I had to push Gregory out of the way.

"You need to snap out of this, Gregory, now!" I yelled, shaking him.

He grabbed my shoulders shaking his head. "I led you to your death. Your brother is doing everything in his power to save you even risking his own life—but, really, I know it's my fault." I pushed Gregory off of me realizing he wasn't talking to me anymore. The guilt in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. I knew, deep down, the only reason Gregory agreed for me to come along was that he was guilt-ridden about Brad. What I didn't know is that he truly blamed himself for his death, that he truly believed Brad's death was his doing.

Gregory had shown himself to be a sorta tough love kind of guy. The fact that Brad's death moved him so much, was baffling to me. Perhaps, he and Brad were closer than I realized. Perhaps, Gregory was the brother Brad always deserved. There was no time for doubts as the weak platform was about to fall with Serene and Johnny on it.

I didn't take into account they were under the Imps' spell, also, as I ran back to help them. The foundation cracked and the vines, holding the bottom to the cliff, started to tear. I had to act fast if I wanted all of us to survive this horrific journey. I shot the Imp with my gun to capture its attention. It worked, as plan A was now down. Now, my brain had to think of what to do next. Their footsteps thudding straight for me created a loud sound in the earth's core when they walked. I shot, only for my bullets to deflect off their hard, rock skin. Obviously, it was too late for me to panic. I took several steps back from them leading them away from the group. The Imps' huge boulder arm punched down threatening to crush me. I moved, barrel rolling past them to get to Serene and Johnny. Luckily, for me, the huge hug was really slow.

"Serene!" I screamed for her, but she only held onto the platform, eyes averted downward. After some grunting, she squatted muttering words I didn't understand. If the Imps got to her, there would be no hope of us surviving now. Johnny was catatonic, shaking, frozen in place by the demons that haunted him. I'm sure his visions were vastly terrifying.

I cursed under my breath, now, realizing I was alone in this fight with no clue how to win against them. To make matters worse, there was a cold chill in the air. The feeling that someone was watching me from behind. Agares's voice never left my head. He was close by, too.

"One enemy at a time," was my mindset. I grabbed Gregory's sword that he dropped, combining it with mine to stop the Imps, hopefully in time to save my comrades. They pounded on the ground, again, nearly cracking the earth. My movements, this time, didn't save me as I went spiraling into several trees. The wind knocked out of me as I struggled to stand.

Another boulder was rolling its way towards me before I knew it. The only thing I could think to do was hold both swords out in hopes of saving myself. The boulder was really thick, though, so my hope had died. This would surely be the end for me. My eyes closed awaiting impact. "Open your eyes, Ray."

I did as the voice commanded and a wash of relief spread through my body. Serene stood there with her wrists lighting up from her metal bracelets. The rocks were now in pieces on the ground in front of me. Confusion donned my face as I glanced over at Gregory, still enthralled, and Johnny, who Serene placed next to him. "How did you..."

She smirked already knowing what I was going to ask. "I already conquered my demons." She replied, confidently snatching the sword out of my hand with her working one. She pointed to the Imps with the sharp end of the sword. "See that glow in their belly?" I stared hard, but I did see a faint green glow coming from the massive Imps' rock belly. "It's the source of their power. We break it, they will be free."

I took a deep breath. I didn't wait for her to command me to do anything. I ran full speed towards the Imps. As reckless as that was, I glanced to my right to see Serene running beside me, then outrunning me as she leaped into the air. Twirling her sword like a baton, she cut through the Imps' arm first. They protected their stomach, shielding it with their arms. I went for the legs, a clean-cut that left me proud but panting. It took everything within me to slice through. Their other foot slammed down in means to try to squish me again, but I was moved out of the way. I rolled through the grass, feeling the soft, warm body of Serene's pressed against mine. For just a moment, I looked into her eyes, falling hard. I raised up to kiss her as if in a trance- but she stopped me, slapping me hard as I looked shocked. I opened my mouth to object, but she pulled me, dragging my ass out of the way of the one-armed and one-legged large Imp. Another boulder came our way. Serene flipped, slicing the boulder in half before it could touch

us.

"Can you get your head out of your ass and fight?" She yelled at me while running to attack again.

I grabbed the sword that was lying beside me and ran alongside her. She was the distraction as I sliced the core right in their stomach, shattering the rock-hard skin. While thrusting the sword into the core, the Imps screamed as they started to fall off the huge assembly, one by one. I watched all of them scatter, sword still up just in case they decided to attack, but none of them did. I looked over to Gregory to check on him.

He was facing a tree not looking at anyone like he was in time out. Whatever these Imps did to him, surely took a toll on his psyche. Gently touching his shoulder, I turned Gregory to face me as he looked at me shocked and dazed. "Ray?"

Serene walked over, holding her wrist, with Johnny. "What happened to you?" I asked him but, of course, he dismissed me.

"Let's not talk about this, now."

I wanted to protest, but clouds suddenly crashed together in a mean swirl like a tornado. The air became thick and the wind picked up nearly blowing us apart. I grabbed Serene while she held on to Johnny and we all held on to the sturdy tree. The earth underneath started to fall and crumble into pieces as the tree started to lean and fall back with us on it.