The Legend of the Firewalker, Book #1

Chapter 21.4

The first energy ball hit Lauren in the back, causing her to falter. She spun around and knocked the second energy ball away with her hand. She grabbed Leah and tossed her to the ground.

One of the Shadow Guards who were now encircling them reached down and took Leah by the neck, bringing her to her feet. The Shadow Guard drew his long double-edged sword and Angela screamed.

Nathan felt the burn again throughout his entire body. He exhaled deeply as he glowered at Lauren, then at the priests, and then at the Shadow Guards.

"How did you do that?" protested Lauren, staring at the bits of rope and ash beneath his feet. "How did you get through your bonds?"   

"Like this!" shouted Nathan and he released the energy that was burning inside of him.

Out of his hand emerged a blue flame and he aimed it at the Shadow Guard. The guard screeched in gut-wrenching pain until he dissolved into a fine sprinkle of white ash. His sword hit the ground and so did Leah.

Lauren gasped. "That's impossible!"

Nathan took a hold of the rope around Jonas's wrist and watched as it burned a bright blue, eventually turning into ash.

"Lookout behind you!" Jonas yelled.

Nathan turned around just in time to release an energy ball directly into Steve's chest, hurling him into one of the archway pillars and knocking him unconscious. He turned back around to find Jonas smiling at him.

"Do what you can," Nathan said, patting Jonas on the back. "And try to release the others."

"Nathan!" screamed Angela. He spun around to find two Shadow Guards, swords drawn, closing in on him. Nathan ducked as one of them took a swipe at his head. He kept an eye on Jonas as two of the priests tried to subdue him. Nathan raised his hand to throw an energy ball at them, but suddenly, he was off his feet and dangling in the air.

"You!" screeched Lauren, while holding him up by his shirt. Her menacing face quickly melted into deadly resolve. "I've had enough of you. Your life ends here!"

She tossed him into the air like a rag doll. Nathan hit the ground hard, landing in the graveyard below. His head throbbed again, as he opened his eyes to a clear view of the stone steps that led up to the memorial plaza. Blood trickled down from the crest of his head and he tried to wipe it from his eyes with his hand. The two Shadow Guards that had attacked him stared at him from atop the stairs, and on the staircase and approaching fast was the Scarlet Priest with the crescent-shaped medallion.

Nathan felt a sense of déjà vu and tried to get up, but fell back to the ground. He was dizzy and couldn't gain his balance. He remembered what happened next in his dream and started to panic. Any second he expected Lafonda to appear, followed by the Shadow Guards with their swords. "I have to try and prevent this," he mumbled.

Nathan's mind was racing. He rolled to his side, and in a last-ditch effort, cast an energy ball at the approaching priest. Pius smirked as the energy ball passed him by several inches. The medallion around Pius's neck glowed.

Nathan tried to get to his feet again, and that's when he saw her. She emerged from behind the same tomb where he thought he'd seen a small black shape earlier.

"No!" he yelled, reaching out frantically, trying to wave her away.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a series of blue energy balls hurling towards him. Quickly, Lafonda dove to the ground and tried to move him. When she realized it was too late, she shielded him with her body.

Lafonda rolled over, and Nathan had a clear view of the pink-and-gray sneakers on her feet and the shiny gold locket around her neck. He also caught a glimpse of the dissipating purple energy shield that surrounded them. Lafonda attempted to help Nathan to his feet. She looked amazed.

"Did that come from me?" she asked. 

Nathan quickly looked around, and just like in his dream, Pius lay slumped against the staircase, knocked down by a rebounded energy ball. Nathan gasped. He looked up towards the plaza and the two Shadow Guards were gone. "Lafonda!" he yelled, while trying to push her out of the way. "You have to get out of here!"

Lafonda looked confused, but continued to help him. Behind her, a Shadow Guard appeared, revealing his long silver sword. Nathan was able to force her out of the way but then another one appeared. The two guards raised their swords, and in a blue blur they were gone, nothing left but their swords, smoke, and ashes.

"Are you two okay?" asked a familiar voice. 

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