CHAPTER 41: APOCALYPSE

Misty snakes slithered from the remaining figure’s cloak even as it screamed bloody murder. And the swarm of snakes began to crawl toward Vlad.

He could have fled then, he could have abandoned Suzanne and her friends for the sake of his own life. But he was brave, even as the recognition of impending doom stared at him in the face.

One of the misty snakes slithered up to Vlad and drove its fangs deep into his ankle. Immediately his skin seethed with pain as it began to rot to his bones. He tried to fight it off, but the dagger had gone up in flames and he had no tricks left to pull on this particular demon of the dark.

Then another snake came forward, and still another, until soon Vlad could no longer stand. He crumpled to the ground, his flesh rotting as a numb wave of a million daggers pierced his body and his head. With every breath he took, he heaved and coughed up blood.

He never stood a chance. The vampire from the ancient of times began to die as thunder rolled across the darkened sky.

“You are the scrouge of our kind,” the figure sneered and made its way to the mansion, leaving Vlad writing in pain.

He was cold, so cold. And for the first time in his life, he was afraid, of death.

***

The piercing howl let out by the hooded figure threw both Thomas and Marcelino off-guard. They had never heard such a scream before, it was filled with hatred and only hatred. Then a burst of lightning further confused them as the black mist suddenly seemed to become stronger.

From the corner of his eyes, Thomas saw the main door fling open and the cocoon of golden threads began to waver.

*No, not like this.*

The mist had sensed the weakening of the fortress too, for it suddenly abandoned its fight with Marcelino and Thomas. Gathering as one giant ball of mist, it started to smash its way through the fortress.

*They need more time!*

At the rate the mist was striking the barrier, Suzanne would not be able to gain full control of the portal. He saw Marcelino’s bear spirit clawing at the mist as the older man threw his last bottle of shimmery powder straight into the mist, slowing it down slightly. They each had only one bottle, save for Tom who had two.

Thomas took his out and threw it at the mist too, slowing down it’s raging movements even further.

But the mist was strong and the effects of the powder would not last long.

*I have to do something!*

Then he saw Marcelino running towards the mist at full speed only to be swept away by the tail of the mist. Marcelino landed many feet away with a loud sickening thud, half his body was scorched from having come into contact with the mist.

The mist’s strength was slowly but surely returning and it continued slamming itself against the barrier. Marcelino’s bear spirit tried to put up a fight, but without its master, it soon lost and was swallowed whole by the mist.

And at that very moment, Thomas knew what he had to do. Amidst the smothering thunderstorm, he could not see his friends, nevertheless, he turned towards the mansion and smiled.

*Remember me.*

Then he ran, as fast as his feet could carry him, with his horse spirit charging ahead. The horse jumped onto the mist, stomping it on its hooves with all its might even as the mist pulled at its mane and strangled it. Thomas fought his way to the front door with great difficulty, feeling his skin burn as he moved. The mist finally saw him, standing small, pale and very weak at the front door.

It charged at him, plunging deep into his body, but not before Thomas pulled out his little dagger. With the little strength that he had left, Thomas stabbed himself in his chest, just as the last of his consciousness ebbed into nothingness, taking down with him the great mist.

***

“Vlad.”

Vlad opened his eyes, his vision now a blur. He struggled to move but found that he could no longer do so.

He tried to open his mouth only to drown in the gurgle of his own blood. No, in the blood of his victims.

A gentle hand laid on his chest, “Hush, it’s me, brother.”

“You….came.” Spasms of pain rocked his body.

*How funny*, he thought, *the child of the serpent is dying from the venom of the mist.*

“Yes, rest. You will get well soon.”

His sister was a horrible liar, but her presence comforted him. At least she was here with him.

Vlad closed his eyes one last time. Then, he was no more.

His sister stroked his face and a bright red teardrop formed at the corner of her eye.

A loud explosion erupted from the mansion. She stood up, looked at it, eyes blazing with fury and walked towards the mansion.

***

Suzanne opened her eyes at the sound of the explosion and in her heart she knew, Thomas was dead. He had given up his life to protect theirs.

*I will not let you die in vain my friend.*

The twins had given up on the barrier and were now focusing on fighting the remaining mist. Thomas, bless his soul had taken out a great portion of the mist. But more was coming.

The twins were young but together, they were a formidable pair and they brought forth their spirit, a  powerful two-headed white snake to fight against the mist that came charging in. The snake attacked the black mist at every opportunity, mercilessly striking at it.

From within the circle, Suzanne opened her bloodied palm, and with all her strength, she quietly siphoned strands of the mist, dragging it like a string back into the dark portal. The mist was far too consumed by the attacks of the two-headed snake to notice.

And all would have gone according to plan if the hooded figure had not suddenly appeared at the door.

“Suzanne…” it called.