Chapter 11: Uncertainty

Rein. A powerful woman. Through will and strength, she climbed her way to where she was now. But everything she had worked for was at risk. Goosebumps covered her as the pressure of Dipp's gaze weighed on her shoulders. The unfitting voice from Dipp left her in a state of complete fear, unable to move or speak she clenches her fist tight. A crackling shock flies from her fingertips into her palm. The sharp pain soars through her arm, bringing her back to reality.

'Theirs no way such a small weakling can beat me' Rein thinks to her self, sending out quick blasts of lightning to still Dipp. The blood on the floor pools around Dipp's feet, before the crackling attack, lands the blood rises, like a sturdy wall it blocks the attack. The blood wall crashes to the floor, revealing an unaffected Dipp his deathly gaze staring deep into Rein.

"How the hell did he do that!" She yells out in confusion. She lets out a quick gasp as a bloody needle flies towards her from the floor. 'The entire bloody floor in under his control?!' she thinks to herself as she looks at the blood filling the room. With a light foot, she dodges the impending needle, a smirk on her face.

'As long as I'm careful, I can avoid those spikes, and when I get close, he won't stand a chance.' Rein thinks to her self, the smirk on her face becoming broader. A crackle at her feet she dashes towards Dipp. Bloody spikes fly towards her rapidly, each one missing their target. Her broad smile now covering the majority of her face, she lets out a witch-like cackle. Her arm reaches out as she neared Dipp.

"Did I say you could touch me?" Dipp says in a low voice. Her hand inches from him, no matter how hard she tried, her hand wouldn't go further. Sweat dripped from her forehead. Her smile gone, replaced with fearful confusion. With a slow turn, she looks to her shoulder. A spike pierced through her shoulder.

"When did you.." She says in a quiet voice, before letting out an agonising yell. Blood spikes pierced through her legs, unable to stand she crumbles to the floor. Desperate, she crawls, her blood seeping out, joining into the dead's around her. "I CAN'T DIE ISEN ASKED ME TO DO THIS, I CAN'T FAIL, I CAN'T!" she wails, punching the floor in frustration. Blood like cage slowly forms around her, stopping her last-ditch effort crawl. One after other tiny needles covered the inside of the cage. In one deadly swoop, the deathly cage fell, crashing into the struggling Rein, ending her.

Rein deceased, Dipp shakes his head. A groggy and hazy feeling filled his head to the brim. His vision blurry He staggers forward, struggling to stand on his feet.

"Master Dipp, are you alright?" Oliver asks, gripping his shoulder tight, he staggers over to his master, ignoring the searing pain from his wound, he holds up his master.

"Yeah... I think so" Dipp says in a soft voice barely audible by the ear. Staring at the blood on the floor, he begins to think deeply. He wasn't sure why but he could tell he was slowly beginning to understand his powers. With a deep breath and closed eyes, Dipp held out his, focusing hard. Steadily the blood in the room started to swirl around the room, making it's way to Dipp. Faster and Faster the vortex of blood spun around Dipp, Oliver watching in awe as quickly rose from the floor, eventually forming in a spiralling bloody orb above Dipp's hand.

"Master Dipp, To have such control over your abilities after so little practice you truly are amazing". Oliver says, ignoring his pain as he praises his master. Eyes now open Dipp smiles, looking at the floating orb in his palm. His eyes wide as he saw the injured Pallas, his breathing erratic and his focus gone the blood orb crashes to the floor as Dipp rushes over to his unmoving companion. With a heavy thud, he kneels on the floor, the blood staining his fur he looks over his companion.

"Please! Please wake up!" Dipp shouts, tears welling up around his eyes. Frantically he shook the lifeless Pallas. Like a broken dam, his tears pour down his cheeks, his heart beating faster and faster as he desperately shook the motionless Pallas. With a slow sob, Dipp presses his face against Pallas thick fur, hiding the stream of tears pouring down his face. Dipp lifted his head, an eerily familiar sound echoed around him. A faint ghostly heartbeat deep within Pallas slowly began to beat. Each beat the heart became louder. Instantly Dipp recognised the unmistakeable beating, determined he closes his eye's, listening to the sound of the ghostly heartbeat carefully. Each beat the heart let outflows through Dipp. With a delicate touch, he held his hand against Pallas' chest.

Uncertain but determined Dipp focuses on the heartbeat. The blood around littering the floor slowly beginning spirals around Dipp. Unburdened by gravity, the blood starts to climb up Dipp, like a snake, it slithered along his arm onto Pallas. The blood slowly seeps into Pallas, leaving without a trace. A loud gasp fills the room as Pallas propels himself forward, sweat pouring down his forehead. Frantically he looks over himself, his hands shaking.

"you... you're lich... I can't believe it..." Pallas says in a soft voice, still struggling to come to terms with his newfound life. Slowly he looks over the room, catching his breath as he rubs his forehead, trying to processes now being undead.

" that would explain Master Dipp's abilities, but how are you certain he's a lich?" Oliver asks curiously.

"I'm not sure, but while I was um... dead, I was in a pitch-black place. But this nasty looking creature appeared and spoke to me. I didn't even realise I was what had happened until it told me, it asked why a living creature was willing to befriend a Lich. but before I get any answers, you brought me back." Pallas says in a serious tone as he shakes his head. Faking a smile, he staggers to his feet, standing on his own.

"I don't care what I am as long as I don't have to lose friends, now lets urry out of here," Dipp says, looking over the room in disgust as he heads towards the door. Carefully they step over the bodies on the floor heading out of the blood-stained room.

"PLEASE NO!" a girl shrieks as they enter the room, hidden away in the corner of the room three Forrest folk women tremble in fear. Olive carefully holds his hands up.

"Young ladies, don't worry. Your capturers are gone. You're free to go." Oliver says in a polite voice. His words fall on dead ears as they still keep their distance, his words seeming to make no difference.

"It's true. We know a place where Forrest folk like you can go and be safe. Come with us" Dipp says in a gentle voice, holding out his small hand's towards them. A Forrest folk with little rabbit-like nose and ears creep forward, gently wiggling her nose before making her way over to Dipp. One after another, they slowly made their way over.

"Don't worry, the place we're going is super friendly to Forrest folk. You'll love it" Pallas says wit ha smile as they make their way out of the death filled den.