Jo Mccarthy

I was drenched in sweat, my hardened breath heavy and continuous. My legs ached with numbness, as I stumbled into a clearing, collapsing to the ground in exhaustion.

Neptune comes into the clearing next and slumps against the bark of a Towering Tree.

Abrina, at last joins us, choosing to lie in a field of tropical wondrous flowers, letting its aroma tingle her senses.

Neptune takes a stick from beside the tree and plants it into the soil, as she begins to sketch in the soil wet with rain.

"The General and her men have had a minor setback, but will be back onto our trail momentarily. We have put a fair distance between us and them, but we must keep going. So we rest here for 5 and then we go" She states, throwing away her ladylike, pretentious manner and adopting a more commanding, authoritative attitude, that resembled the attributes of a natural born leader.

"Where exactly are we heading?" I ask, trying to gain a better understanding of Neptune's plan.

"There's a village just North of here, with someone that might be able to help."

"Who?" I ask eagerly, with a look of lost hope in my eyes.

"Well, he's what people call a Good Demon..."

"A Good Demon! You can't have such a thing. The word Good contradicts the very definition of a Demon!" Abrina interjects, scoffing at what to her was such a slanderous statement.

I pull myself up of the damp soaked ground and wander over to the field of vibrant, exotic and luscious flowers. I relax beside Abrina, acting as an anchor of support, for her breaking heart.

"The legend states that a demonic species known as the Salamanders, kidnapped hatchlings, of a variety of different species and bred them in a realm of darkness. Their only aim was  to pass their tortuous ways onto the next generation. Many conformed, but 6 fought to keep their love intact. Once free, they spread across the world and became known today as the Good Demons."

"Blukus is the name of the Good Demon, that operates in our region. He was originally born a Seear, so as well as the transforming abilities of a Salamander, he can foresee glimpses of a pre-set future..."

Neptune continues to further speak in detail about the Demonic ways of the Salamanders and the heroism of this Good Demon Blukus.

However, I no longer hear her words, instead zoning out, letting the name Blukus flow silently through my mind.

His earlier words ring through out my ears, as I recall the enigmatic riddle that he softly spoke to me, as if he was a father, Singing a lullaby to his own infant child.

"For the stranger of Kingdom's, a path of choice must be taken. There are three doors of choice on the horizon. The door of the Coward, The door of the Bystander and The door of the Hero, only one can be taken."

He had spoken to me, when me and my team were snuggled comfortably in a cave, laughing our heads of, as we played Truth or Dare, a game custom to my home planet, Earth.

I think back to that earlier moment, where I sat, lost in thought, reflecting on Blukus's words and what it was that they potentially meant.

Once deciphered, I root inside my brain, for an answer, as to why, I a man of nothing, was so significant here.

I didn't find that hopeful answer, but instead a paragraph of knowledge, that was like an extract taken from a historical textbook.

"The Tri-Endis Stone is one of the few surviving artefacts from the Pre- Meledarian Era. The word Tri-Endis enmantes from the Letanis words Tri, meaning time and Endis, meaning end. The Tri-Endis Stone operates as a one way portal to the realm of Frozen Time."

I knew there was more to learn about this greatly powerful stone, but I push it aside, as I become suddenly aware of a slimy brush against my leg.

I hurriedly jolt into a seated position, where I look down at my leg, only to see some form of snake slithering up through my trousers.

Now, I was not afraid, but neither was I confident, that if I moved, the snake would not attack.

There are two possible outcomes to this snake slithering all over my body. The first being it is relatively harmless and once its done, it will slither away, as if it was just any other day. The second was much more deadly, it opening up my mind to death. The second possibility included the notion, that the snake was in fact highly venomous.

I chose to decidedly lay as still as humanely possible, not willing to take the risk of my latter theory coming true.

Neptune slowly arises from underneath the comfort of the Tree. She stretches her back and her legs, before then calling us, to assemble for our journey ahead.

Abrina wakes with a slight childish groan, before then wandering over to where I lay.

In order for Abrina to reach Neptune, she would have to step over me. But, it's clear she's afraid that she might step on me, so instead she waits for me to move.

But, I continue to remain as still as a statue.

Neptune has come over to join us now and she looks down at me with a look of growing impatience.

I give them a slight nod, which systematically prompts them to look down at my leg, where they soon lock sight on the Green, Scaly, Crystallized snake, currently working its way around my body.

Neptune's face, suddenly burns with alarming worry, as she panickily whispers "Oh Great Heavens, may the Gods have mercy on you."

My stomach collapses inwards, at the thought, that this Warrior Princess, now stood over me, paralysed with fear.

"How bad is it?" I croakily whisper, in a voice led both by bravado and anxiety.

"Well, strictly speaking the creature itself is harmless, only attacking when they feel threatened." Neptune replies, with a sense of memory recollection, that seems to blacken away her heart.

"What you have on you, is a Monty Pythos, a pacifist snake, that only attacks in the considered form of Self-Defence. However, despite this creatures innocence, they are still considered one of the top most deadly creatures on the planet. The reason for this being the fact, that circulating around it's mouth, is a highly toxic chemical, known as Chremo'teele."

"Also, Monty Pythos's are in fact widely known for their inability to see. They therefore, heavily rely on their sense of touch and smell to guide them. This unfortunately means they have no real idea whether something was an accidental or purposeful attack. Monty Pythos's are known to have claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent people..." Neptune trails of into a mumble, as she begins to cry, as she recalls this mentally scarring memory, that is once again plaguing her mind."

"Did you loose someone you loved to these creatures?" I ask, in a respectable attempt at understanding her pain.

She doesn't speak, just simply nods. 

I give her an apologetic smile, before then shutting my eyes, as an attempt to block out the growing fear, I had with each moment longer I spent in this creatures presence. 

"Is there anything we can do?" Abrina quizzes.

Neptune who had gotten lost in her emotions, suddenly snaps back into her role as she shouts "Punedantis Fruit!"

Me and Abrina, look up at her, with one question running through our minds, 'What?'

And as if she was a fortune teller, she clears her throat and incessantly rambles on.

"Punedantis Fruit is adored by the Monty Pythos and the fact that it's so odorous means it can easily be used, as a way to lure the Monty Pythos of Jo. I think, I saw some on our way in, so I will head back and pick some up. In the meantime, Jo, you need to remain perfectly still and..."

But, before Neptune could finish her sentence, a sudden shot blasts through the air. It causes all of our hearts to burst out of our chests. I felt my body twitch in a responsive manner of shock.

Now, while Neptune and Abrina settled their nerves, mine still remained, as I frantically scanned the area around me for this Serpent of Death. 

I soon spot it, fallen in the grass, coiled into a spiral, it's head just inches away from my neck.

I close my eyes, sensing my end was drawing near.

I could see the light, drawing me forward.

I could feel my soul being lifted from my body.

This was the end.

Or was it?