Euphoria Blake: Infernally Divine

  Chapter Eight: Trouble In Paradise

Euphoria shot the bears from a blind spot, but they seemed tougher. Arrows weren't damaging the bears as much as they should have. Once the bears realized where the arrows came from, they roared loudly to break the arrows.

"Didn't want to do this... Nightmare tendrils level three..." Huge tentacle like shadows appeared from out of nowhere! They smacked the bears off the ground effortlessly, smacking them mid air with prejudice.

They seemed to be hurt... Until they all wailed in unison, fusing together as  a hailmary. The body mass allowed them to become five times as large! The tendrils no longer effective... the beast had caught it with its teeth and bashed repeatedly on the ground.

The other tendrils weren't strong enough to cause enough damage to kill it. "Fire that burns divines, scorch that which radiates and shines.... Fires of Damnation, Atramentous Inferno!"

The shadows dispersed from their shroud and tendril forms. Instantly turning itself into black fire, burning the beast alive! As it thrashed towards the water, it would not disappear. Euphoria turned away, and headed to check up on Vincent.

"That took you longer than expected, what happened?" "Nothing, just... I killed it." "There was more than one you know." "They fused together, it made a bit tougher." Vincent looked at her compassionately, she was feeling uneasy about what she had done.

"Listen, it had to be done. Once they're gone, they're gone. We just have to find your panther now and go home..." She sinked into the shadows, teleporting from place to place.
She looked high and low for her, but could not find shadow.

Vincent was still limping about while he searched, his body still weak from the spell. He knew Euphoria would not find shadow first, her rash decisions make it hard for her to pick up on small things. Like her paw prints on the ground, she seemed injured by the pattern of her tracks.

"Shit!" He hurried as fast as possible towards where the tracks were leading. They were headed the opposite direction of home, and he knew why. Euphoria was too far from him, vincent couldnt reach her in time. He needed to rescue Shadow by himself.

It was getting darker and he heard her roar. Shadow was near, and so were they. Biting his thumb to make it bleed, he swiped it on the tattoo on his palm. A summoning circle, Sun warrior weaponry. Using a low level light spell, he threw the tiny ball of light upwards as hard as he could.

Maybe euphoria will see it and come towards them, he pinned all his hopes on it. Pulling out a burning rapier from his hand, he limped towards their camps. Six tamers were chanting at shadow trying to brainwash her with a spell. Shadow was trying to resist, but the hooded figures were just too powerful.

Vincent had no choice, he threw his last fireball at them, and brandished his sword. The moon shined through the trees, making him feel lethargic. "SHADOW RUN!" Just then one of the hooded tamers threw an axe at Vincent!

"Argh!" Vincent raised his sword to defend himself, but the hooded figure took an arrow to the back of his neck. Clink! Euphoria had shot the axe mid air, deviating it from its course. Still nearly hitting vincent, but at least he wasnt hurt.

Shadow ran home but was slowed by her previous injuries. "TRY TO TAKE MY BEST FRIEND? I'LL SHOW YOU THE TRUE MEANING OF HELL!" Euphoria shot their legs, and disarmed them. She used small tendrils and tied them up. "Just kill them, anything else is crossing the line."

"Hell No! They tried to take her, they are not going out that easy!" He watched as she punched and kicked them, he wanted to advert his eyes... However these were half goblins, evil creatures. "I'll leave you to die a slow painful death."

He sighed in relief. Euphoria was on the edge of no return, as she walked away she whispered. "Atramentous inferno." He didnt notice them burning alive, Euphoria had the tendrils cover their mouths.

Vincent had begun to walk home after his small moment of relief, content of how karma would treat those vile creatures overnight. Euphoria matched pace with vincent, joining him on his silent walk home.

He looked at Euphoria, and though she was tired, she was still beautiful. Her eyes under the moonlight seemed like beautiful amethysts. He never knew her eyes were a beautiful shade of purple...

Euphoria shyed away from his glance, she started to feel remorse for her previous actions. Feeling such a cruel act makes her unworthy of having someone to love her.

"You know... We should really go check on shadow..." Vincent applied a band aid on his thumb, thinking of how crafty humans are. "I'm out of healing magic for the day, there should be a small section in my book about it." When they got to the cabin they saw shadow tearing the raw meat of a rabit that wondered off the bunny trail.

Vincent dropped onto his make shift bed, while Euphoria sat down at the table. She read about Healing Magic, the mercy of the gods, etc. Appearently, not all gods heal all ilnesses and wounds. There was no need if their champion could resist the illness, but Euphoria was no one's champion.

She read of Hetreca, Goddess of women kind. Hetreca was known for her compassion and rage. Greek mythology thought medusa to be cursed by one of their Goddesses, but it's wrong. Hetreca cursed her for blasphemy, she was never to set foot in any other temple but hers!

Euphoria read and read, finally learning one spell before she passed out. "All hail hetreca, Goddess of women. Honor thy servant with your merciful hand, let those who lie lame, stand. For your glory we rise, give those traitorous bastards a nasty surprise!"- Not exactly traditional.

Euphoria dreamt of her father in a world filled with fire and smoke. Spikes of black steel coming from the ground, demons bowing at her feet. Her father welcoming her in an embrace... They couldn't have known about her contract with Antares! Why would demons bow if not for fear? She couldn't breathe, her lungs filled with smoke. Her body was becoming warmer than usual... She woke up to a blaze! Shadow had gone outside with Vincent, she was trapped inside the fire!

Thunk! Vincent kicked the door open and rushed in, grabbing her by the hand. "We have to go!" He led her to the back door, dodging bullets. Shadow had hidden in the woods, knowing she stood no chance in the open field.

Euphoria grabbed her things quickly and followed vincent to the backdoor. Hearing gunfire and bullets breaking everything they hit. vincent threw a small black bag before they exited the cabin, and within seconds... BOOM!