Author's Preface
As the convoy of carriages and knights traveled through Elyndor, it came to a stop before a massive mountain range. One knight yelled, "We will rest here."
Everyone stepped out from the carriages. Ryan donned his mask and stepped out and stretched. "This where we are resting, huh? But it isn't even nightfall yet."
Samuel tapped his shoulder and pointed to the mountain. "It's not safe to travel through the mountains at night. They say evil spirits and demons come out from the mountain at night."
Ryan looked at the mountain. "So more children's tales."
The knight captain walked up. "It is no mere child's tale. What lives in those mountains are elves who gave their souls away to demons. Black magic, taboo magic. Now they are demons themselves." The knight looked at Prince Samuel. "Sir, we will have your tent ready and food will be done before nightfall. Please tell us if you need anything."
Ryan looked at Samuel as the knight walked away. "They seem to respect you. Better than most knights respect royalty, at least."
"I treat them kindly. My mother was a knight. I spent most of my childhood around these men. They are like family to me." Samuel sat down on the ground and leaned against the wheel of the carriage. "You're welcome to join me for dinner. But, you are also free to do as you wish, so long as you return before the sun rises."
A wicked grin crossed Ryan's face. Samuel noticed. "Please, do not go into the mountains. As tempting as it sounds, just stay away from them."
"Of course, Prince. I'll heed your warning." Ryan turned and walked off into the woods.
Samuel turned to Thirty-Seven. "He's going to the mountain, isn't he?"
"Mmmhrmmm." Thirty-Seven nodded her head. Samuel sighed and called for the knight captain.
In the woods, Ryan walked toward the base of the mountains. Their peaks were covered in a black mist. "Maybe I'll just scout it out. Children's tales are always blown out of proportion and meant to scare kids straight right? Although, Krampus still gives me the heebie-jeebies." Ryan shook his body as a chill ran down. He snapped his fingers and Fido hopped out of his shadow. He didn't face Ryan like he normally did this time. Instead, he stood beside Ryan facing back toward the carriages. Then Ryan heard it.
"Who's a good boy? Yes you are, such a good dog."
Ryan turned and his leg lifted in the air as his arms covered his face. "Son of a bitch! Thirty-Seven, what are you doing here?"
She turned her head toward Ryan. The happy expression she just had petting Fido was gone and back to a deadpan look. "The prince was going to follow you with the knight captain. I told him I would go instead. So here I am." She turned her head back to Fido, who was now on his back and wagging his tail as Thirty-Seven smiled and patted his tummy.
Ryan gathered himself and pulled his cloak tight around him. "So you like dogs, huh?"
"I do. Is that a problem?"
"Of course not. I just didn't know you liked anything."
Her hand stopped patting Fido immediately. She stood and stared at Ryan.
"Shit, I didn't mean it li-"
She interrupted him. "We should go to the mountain, Mr. Kade, if that is your plan. Night doesn't last forever." Fido stood next to Thirty-Seven whimpering. She looked down at him and rubbed his head.
"She stole my summon." Ryan thought to himself as he turned toward the mountain and started walking.
They reached the first peak of the mountain after an hour of walking. "So what do you know of those stories the knight captain told us?"
"Nothing more than what I heard as a child. A demon lives in the mountains. Summoned by elves who used forbidden magic. Now the demon feeds on anyone who steps into his domain and turns them into demons."
"You don't actually believe that nonsense, do you?"
"Six months ago I would've said no, Mr. Kade." She pointed at Fido, who was already halfway up the next peak, scouting. "Now, I don't know what to believe."
"Are you saying?"
"Yes." Thirty-Seven said bluntly, and she jumped down and headed down into the valley that led to the next peak. The three of them climbed peak after peak with no signs of demons or elves. Ryan looked at Thirty-Seven. "So your name, is it Thirty-Seven?"
"It is what I am called."
"That's not what I fucking asked!"
Thirty-Seven shrugged her shoulders and continued on.
Ryan stayed a little behind her, thinking as he walked. "I can't get a read on her. She's obviously strong. She has a name but refuses to give it and seems content with the position she's in. But she's so monotone and deadpan all the time, except when she's with Fido."
That moment, Fido's voice entered Ryan's thoughts. "Boss, there is something here. Grrrrrr."
Ryan ran past Thirty-Seven and summoned the rest of his team as he ran to Fido. They were halfway up the next peak, standing at the entrance of a deep cave.
Veyra turned to Thirty-Seven and stared at her for a moment, then back to Ryan. "She would make a good shadow."
"What, no!" Ryan said as he looked back at Thirty-Seven and mouthed, "I'm sorry."
Fido growled again as Bubba stood at the entrance. "Master, whatever is in here... is unlike anything I've ever felt. Are you sure you want to go?"
Meatloaf turned. "Master... run... shadows... fight."
"No, Meatloaf, you aren't fighting on your own, you big oaf. And yes, we are going in. If it gets dicey, we will retreat."
Ryan led his team through the dark cave. Every twist and turn, the air became more dense. The magic in the cave started to weigh them down, until they came to a clearing. At the far end of the massive room sat a being that was painted black from head to toe. It wore massive plated armor and had a greatsword leaned against the log it sat on. The fire lit up its face as it lifted its head and grinned wide at Ryan and his team.
Bubba moved first as the being sat still on the log. Bubba swung his warhammer and the being caught it with one hand. Fido rushed from behind. The being simply tilted his head to avoid his fangs. Meatloaf rushed next as the being stood and lifted his leg and kicked a hole through Meatloaf's shield and into his chest, sending him skidding back on the ground toward Ryan. Ryan stared at the being who ripped the shield in half as it hung from its leg. Veyra stood beside Ryan and fired two arrows in quick succession. Both had shadow wind magic wrapped around them. The being stuck out both hands and caught each arrow with two fingers. It turned toward Bubba and Fido and flung the arrows, piercing both of them. Thimble sat on Ryan's head. "M-m-master, we can't win."
"I know." Ryan summoned his ten tendrils around the being. With a flick of his wrist, they smacked down one by one, over and over again. The being spun around in one smooth motion and grabbed all ten tendrils and ripped them from the shadows. The tendrils dissipated in his hands. Ryan snapped his fingers and recalled all of his summons into his shadow and took a step in front of Thirty-Seven. The being looked at Ryan for a moment, then laughed and sat back down on his log and grabbed a stick of meat off the fire.
"What the fuck is happening?" Ryan looked back at Thirty-Seven wh shrugged her shoulders without a care in the world.