deadly night shade 11

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The Day of the Spirits
“Halloween,” Roy said as he sipped his coffee.
“Unfortunately it is,” Shade muttered.
“What are you dressing up as?” Rich asked.
“A warlock,” Shade said dryly.
“W-what’s wrong?” Roy asked.
“This is going to be yet another day of saving witches from demons,” Shade sighed.
“We don’t mind protecting the mistresses and the master,” Rich said with a grin.
“That’s good, because it won’t be an easy fight,” Shade said softly.
“What do you mean?” Rich inquired.
“You haven’t spoken to your familiars as of late?” Shade asked.
“No,” Roy shook his head.
“The Nexus Ring is missing from the Nether King’s chamber,” Shade said softly.
“The ring that grants absolute power to the wearer?” Roy asked, not believing his ears.
“Yes, so don’t eat too much candy,” Shade said as he stood.
Windfire smiled as she walked down the stairs. “Good morning,” she said happily.
“How was your last visit with Shade?” Shadowstorm asked.
“I slept through most of it,” Windfire said honestly.
“Ah, so it wasn’t that exciting,” Shadowstorm teased.
Windfire rolled her eyes, “Not that kind of exciting, but he did stay with me the entire time. You know, you waited a long while to question me about that.”
“I heard about the random ice dragon attack from Raven,” Shadowstorm said quietly.
“It’s Halloween,” Windfire said happily, looking at the calendar.
“I don’t think you should look forward to today as much as you do,” Frostgem said as she stepped into the room from the kitchen wielding a cup of coffee.
“I know, the spirits are active today,” Windfire said, rolling her eyes at the thought of the witch superstition.
“Muwahahahaha!” Ravenwater laughed as he ran down the stairs in full costume. He was dressed as a witch with a pointed hat and a broomstick to fly on.
“Wow,” Frostgem said, shaking her head.
“Very nice and definitely not expected,” Emberstrike likewise came in from the kitchen with a bowl of cereal. Emberstrike had a pair of rabbit ears on as well as normal clothing.
“You’re lacking on the costume! Why? This is our holiday!” Ravenwater said enthusiastically.
“I’m painting the face on after I eat,” Emberstrike muttered.
“I mean the others!” Ravenwater yelled happily.
“I just woke up and even with coffee’s blessing I could never be as ecstatic as you,” Windfire sighed.
“What are your costumes?” Ravenwater demanded.
“I’ll think of something,” Shadowstorm said as she dragged her feet into the kitchen to grab her morning cup of coffee.
“I have one lined up, don’t worry,” Windfire muttered.
“What is it?” Ravenwater bounced up and down happily.
“You’ll see when we start to pass out candy,” Windfire said, happy that coffee was a good reason to get out of the presence of her morning-person cousin.
“Don’t leave me alone with him!” Frostgem said as she followed the others into the kitchen.
“I’m not that bad,” Ravenwater pouted.
The large beast yawned as it approached the gate to the mortal plane. There his power would surely multiply by ten fold! He had the Nexus Ring and was a powerful Vehmaut, a large bull-like dinosaur with spikes and the breath of a dragon.
He could use the elements and his thick hide was nearly impenetrable with mortal weapons and most types of magic. His horns and weight were also his allies in battle.
He had no doubt in his mind that he could down anybody who stood in his way with his basic abilities alone, topped off with the most powerful demonic artifact that was given to him by the king of the Nethers.
He was to be the first to move to the mortal plane in the mighty king of the Nether’s armies of darkness. The mortal plane would be their new home as soon as all of the white witches that stood in the way of the dark forces were eliminated.
“What was that?” Roy asked, looking away from the television set.
Shade walked past the living room, “You’ve been a warlock for how many years and you still have to ask that question?” Shade asked.
“Uh, not again...” Roy said flatly, growing tired of the invading demons.
“Unfortunately, it is time,” Shade said, cracking his knuckles.
“All ready, Master,” Rich said from behind Shade.
The three men were teleported between two canyons, miles away from town. “Well, what do you say we get a good look at our weakling of an invader?” Shade asked as he plopped down onto the dusty ground.
“What do you think it is?” Roy asked.
“Probably a foolish demon like a troll, a goblin, an imp, a hell hound, fire starter…” Rich named a few of the smaller, weaker demons.
“Most likely,” Roy agreed.
Shade sat in silence with his arms crossed over his chest as he sat Indian style. He shook his head, “It’s bigger than that.”
“Perhaps a dragon or another vile serpent?” Rich suggested.
“Bigger,” Shade said quietly.
“What’s bigger than the dark reptiles?” Roy asked, swallowing hard.
“Ever hear the term Vehmaut?” Shade asked, frowning.
“That’s but a legend,” Roy said quickly, “Isn’t it?”
“No, it’s quite real. And it’s here,” Shade said just before the ground began quaking beneath the Vehmaut’s weight.
“Where’s our demon expert SWAT team?” Windfire asked, sensing the presence of a strong demon.
“We were already there,” Shade said from the kitchen’s doorway.
Windfire turned around and nearly died from embarrassment, “Roy! Rich! Shoo!” she hissed, covering herself with her robe.
“Apologies1” Rich shouted, turning away from her, bright red.
“I’m sorry!” Roy said, covering his eyes.
“Let’s discuss this when I’m decent,” Windfire suggested.
She came back down the stairs in a pair of jeans and in a blouse, her hair still unkempt. “Wow,” Roy blushed, looking away from her again.
“Huh?” Windfire asked.
“He’s easily abashed around beauty,” Shade explained.
“This isn’t even revealing,” Windfire said sheepishly.
“Doesn’t have to be,” Shade explained.
“You saw the demon already, but didn’t kill it?” Ravenwater asked.
“I would have if it were anything else,” Shade said quietly.
“W-what was it?” Emberstrike asked.
“Vehmaut,” Shade muttered.
“You can’t be serious,” Shadowstorm said after the long pause.
“I wish I were joking, but that’s what we’re facing,” Shade replied.
“You’re not expecting us to win, are you?” Windfire asked.
Shade turned toward her, “I sure as hell am not losing.”
“But we can’t do this,” Frostgem shoo her head.
“You’re not given a choice when you’re born into a witch coven,” Shade reminded her.
“You don’t have to help,” Shadowstorm said quietly.
“And die with a broken blood oath? I think not. Windy will be the death of me,” Shade said quickly.
“Me?”
“I’d only concede defeat to a better caster than myself,” Shade said softly.
“Enough of the lovey-dovey stuff,” Ravenwater complained.
“What the hell are you wearing by the way? That’s not a good way to act on discretion so the humans don’t know you’re a witch,” Roy said quickly.
“It’s Halloween…” Ravenwater muttered.
“You still dress up?” Rich asked in disbelief.
“I am the spirit of Halloween,” Ravenwater grinned happily.
Shade rolled his eyes, “Get dressed into your other witch clothes.”

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deadly night shade 13