Descent Into Darkness (Book 2) (38 page)

Auz. Name is Auz.

"Fine,
Auz
is telling me I have to stay close to it."

Zin walked back over to stare at the sphere. "Maybe it's got attachment issues. Or maybe Azalea has already rubbed off on it."

"Go and rot, you stupid imp!" Azalea lunged for him, but Zin was too quick. He leapt away from Azalea and right into the side of the hound. That earned the imp a growl and he moved away, finally ending at the path back out of the mine. When Azalea made to lunge again, Ean rose and stood in front of her, cutting her off. He expected to have to struggle to rise, but he felt surprising strong now.

"Enough. I have enough to deal with right now without having to keep the two of you from each other's throats."

"Fine." They both said in unison, and then shot each other similar dark looks.

"Good. Now, I'm going into town. I'll be right back."

Cannot go.

"I'll be right back, Auz."

Ean turned and began walking away, passing Zin and moving further out of the mine.

CANNOT GO.

Ignoring the booming voice in his head, Ean continued on. Until he hit a wall. At least that's what it felt like, his nose pressing against his face, his knee smacking up painfully against some invisible barrier. Raising his hands, Ean could actually feel a smooth surface preventing him from going further. It covered the entire opening, effectively blocking off the only way out of the mine. Making it impossible to leave.

Spinning around, he stormed back to where everyone was gathered.

"Did you do that?" It felt somewhat weird yelling at a small floating orb, but it also made him feel better.

Cannot go.

Throwing his hands in the air, Ean began to pace around. Almost killed, ripped apart, and then brought back. Naked. A Yulari that was afraid of people, an imp that had given him the gift of immortality without knowing any of the details, and a hound that listened when it felt like it. And now a sentient orb with a control problem. Rounding on the orb, and feeling stupid for what he was about to do, Ean glared at it while pointing a finger.

"You can't keep me here. I need clothes, food, I want to see..." Well, he had no one really to see in the village except Old Cleff. "I can't stay down here."

Not Auz fault. Is rule.

"What rule? What are you talking about?" He didn't care anymore how stupid he looked arguing naked with the sphere.

Rule five.

"And what is rule five?"

Master can go as far as connection allows.

That didn't sound promising. "And will the connection allow me to go further?"

“When Auz grows, connection grows.”

"And when will that be?"

When Auz grows.

Giving up, Ean collapsed to the ground. He immediately regretted the dramatic move as his bare bottom smacked against the cold, hard, and not so smooth mine floor. Placing his chin in his hands, he let out an exasperated sigh.

"So I'm stuck here, with nothing".

"Well, not exactly," Zin said, moving next to him. "Azalea?"

The Yulari moved over to the side of the mine and picked up a pack that had been sitting there. Untying the string that kept it closed, she opened the bag and dumped its entire contents on the ground. The Carnslugs, over a dozen of them, hit the floor with a squishing sound and then immediately began to crawl around.

"See?" Zin said, "Not a completely horrible start. At least we have an unlimited supply of food now."

Without making a sound, Ean buried his face in his hands. Immortality was going to be a long and painful experience.

JAMES VERNON
was born and lives in eastern Pennsylvania. He enjoys reading, writing, most types of music, and anything in the fantasy and sci-fi realm. Often stuck in long commutes for his job, James’s imagination was free to create new worlds and stories. Through the assistance of family, friends, and some generous backers, James has been able to pursue his dream to spread his stories to more then just his own mind.

For more information about James and the Three Moons Realm, visit us at jamesrvernon.com!

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