30 Chapter 30 Forest Fight

In a dark cave, under massive tree roots, two figures were busy tying a child to a table. He squirmed, jerking his arms away, kicked out, scratched and bit to try and escape, but none of it worked.

The cries of other children echoed off the cave walls as they finally finished. Stepping back to survey their handiwork, torch light glistened off their red skin and black demon horns.

"Brother, the dragonfly was a huge success."

"Let's try lion,

"Let's try bat,

"Let's try porcupine,

"Let's try rat!"

"Wonderful ideas!" cried the smaller of the two, turning towards a row of cages against one wall.

Animals of all kinds stared out at him as he approached. Many were too weak to fight back, as he began to gather them up.

"Here's a bat; nice specimen really; tiny little fangs. Here's a rat. It's a nasty thing; has a horrid smell."

He carried the porcupine by the throat, choking it, to keep it from flailing too much from the lack of air. It's chest barely moved when he set it down, to show that it still lived.

As he approached the cage holding a lion, it snarled at him. He chuckled, grabbing the club leaning against the wall. The lion only managed one loud roar before a blow to the head knocked it out.

"You'll be perfect for the brat," he muttered, hoisting the big cat over his shoulder.

As he lay it on the table, next to the boy, it gave a slight growl and the boy tried to pull away with newfound energy. The demon only laughed some more, as he secured the feline in place, then turned to his brother.

"To the lab we now go,

"Making new monsters for our foe,

"Pouring and mixing new concoctions,

"Lots of lightning is always an option.

"Magic is a must,

"Stupid sparkly dust."

They stepped past the tables to a dim area where long stone tables held bubbling liquids in various glass cylinders and jars. With complete confidence, the two moved back and forth, mixing the liquids and muttering to themselves, one always in rhyme.

After several moments, they reappeared holding glowing vials that they threw over each pair. Lightening began to flash as the larger of the two demons began to chant. Magic flowed and laughter could be heard from both demons as all of the children began to scream. Then there was a large explosion.

XxxxX

"Are you sure this is the way to the demons?" asked Grey, looking around at the lush and vibrant forest they were currently walking through.

Before Argen could reply, they stepped through some brush, to expose the remains of a destroyed tower. It didn't take a genius to realize it had exploded. Debris was scattered all around the tower foundation.

"This must be where the dragonfly hybrid came from," said Guit.

"It stinks of black magic," said Airow, wrinkling his nose in disgust.

Grey sniffed, but had a hard time smelling anything beyond the thick smell of plants that they had just broken through.

"The demons are still in the area," said Argen, looking around cautiously.

Cherry paused by the edge of the tower, and peeked over the destroyed wall. Without saying a word, she pointed down, and the others approached to see as well.

Boom!

They were all thrown back into the thick bushes, mostly unhurt as dirt was shot straight up into the air. A loud screech could be heard, and as they climbed to their feet, they saw a huge bat rise into the sky. It flapped twice as it looked over the surrounding landscape, then spied them and dived with another ear-piercing scream.

The flesh of its wings were brilliant red while the rest of its body was covered in thick black fur. Its ears flickered back and forth as they all dived to the side, to dodge it, and it opened its mouth exposing huge sharp teeth as it swooped over them, screaming again.

Grey drew her sword and taking a breath, activated her new move. The blade of her sword became sheathed in black flames. As the bat swooped in to attack again. She swung her sword, cutting it down the length of its body. The flames seemed to cling to the bat, and it shrieked in pain and fell heavily to the ground, writhing as the flames consumed it.

Grey fell to her knees, dropping her sword. The new ability took too much effort, but seemed to do the trick. She was tired, but smiled happily. If she could build up her stamina, this could be a game changer in future fights.

A chittering behind her, distracted them all from their victory. A giant rat, that had climbed up to the top of the broken wall of the tower, jumped at her, pinning her to the ground. Guit, who was closest to her, jumped at the rat, screaming in rage, and transformed into his real form. They rolled across the ground, throwing dirt and mud into the air, and making it incredibly hard for anyone to help.

They rolled away from each other, the rat breathing hard and bleeding from its back. Guit snarled at it, exposing his own set of sharp teeth, and raising a huge scorpion tail over his back. His wings spread wide, and his claws looking sharper than ever before, he charged at the rat.

It flicked its tail out, wrapping it around his ankle, and jerked him off his feet. As he flew past it, he swiped with his claws, catching it along the shoulder, and opening it up to the bone.

Airow took advantage of Guit being out of the way, to release the bolts he had been charging, blowing the rat back against a tree, where it slumped to the ground dead. The wounds on its shoulder and back bleeding black as the toxic poison from Guit's attack killed it.

Argen gave a shout of warning, as a third creature emerged from the hole, breathing hard as it hauled itself over the wall. Huge spikes hung from its back, rattling with each movement it made.

Cherry stepped up, raising her hands and sending her pink aura shooting at it. The pink cloud wrapped around it, seeming to hug it, and they all watched as the red-eyed, evil creation fell to the ground huffing and chortling in laughter.

"That's what you get! A good tickle!" she said, stomping her foot as the thing rolled and rolled, trying to get away from the pink cloud that clung to it like bubblegum.