8

Erick was dreaming, when suddenly, a giant hole opened up, sucking him into it. His heart thumped in the familiar feeling. He closed his eyes, and then opened them, smelling a sweet fragrance,

"Bulfred, we had to meet at this inn, so at least respect the table."

Erick turned to a man. His eyes were gold and his hair dark. His scruff on his face was the result of not shaving for a day, and he was busy clawing at the table. Bulfred cleared his throat. "I'm missing a werewolf, and I am trying to find him."

Erick heard some I e else speak. "Yes, Matrix."

Bulfred turned to Erick's father. "How do you know his-"

"He put a knife to my throat, and was shot. An elf helped him return to normal, thanks to healing potions traded with us and the magic kingdom. He's fine, but he vanished...along with my son."

Wix sucked in a breath. He then exhaled, and spoke. "My little boy...too?"

"Wait, what do you mean 'My little boy too'?"

"Enough soft hearts people. We need to discuss the table." The woman next to Bulfred said. Judging by the fangs, it must have been a Vapor.

Drea nodded. "The sacred table was stolen. By an elf."

Everybody turned to Tarven. ""What? Elves don't steal, Drea. You must know that."

"Yes, well, from the accounts of witnesses, he had a magic smell to him."

Tarven's face turned on,e. "Magic? Impossible!"

A sky smile creeped onto Drea's face. Malifia looked nervous. As Drea was about to speak, an explosion happened, blackening Erick's vision.

Erick opened his eyes, and he was falling through the tunnel again. As he thought of the sequence of events, color flashed, and he was in another place.

"The meeting is being held at the Middle Inn."

"Matrix? How are we supposed to get there? It'll take at least-"

"Mabell, it won't."

Mabell's eyes filled with annoyance. She sighed, then turned away. Erick suddenly heard a voice in his head.

"What is wrong with those two?"

"What?" Erick said.

He watched as his selves eyes widened. "Who's there?"

"Erick, my name is Erick."

The other Erick looked around. "Who are you? We're are you? Your name is Erick? So is mine!"

Erick realized what was happening. The future him was hearing what he was speaking in his mind, and he was hearing what he thought in his mind. "Erick, um...you know how your a prophet?"

"You know way to much about me, and I'm not liking it."

"Do you remember ever having a conversation with yourself? Like, when your traveling?"

"No...why would I? Promotes sometimes forget certain dreams, so that must be it. Why?"

"Yes, I guess so, but the point is, I just finished talking with Malifia over the fact that I'm a prophet."

The other Erick licked his lips. He then noticed everyone looking at him. "Erick, why does your expression keep changing in odd ways?"

Erick sighed, then saw the world falling above him. He sighed, then opened his eyes again. This time, he was standing inside nothing. But, he could hear things. Mostly screams. Then, almost as if someone was speaking in their head, a vaporize spoke.

"Drea has me locked up in some sort of cell, though I'm not sure what kind. Loosing my sight has proven harder than I've imagined, and now, when I need it most, it's betrayed me."

"Who are you?"

Suddenly, an image of a girl appeared, however, it looked mor like a picture than anything. "Maria?" Erick heard a familiar voice say.

"Erick, why are your eyes like that? Did...did my mother do something to you?"

Erick realized this Maria girl was his cousin, Drea's daughter. Why did she care for Erick?

"Why do you care?" his future self said, as if mimicking his thoughts. "You tortured me, beat me, starved me. Why do you care Maria?"

There was a pause. Erick heard a heartbeat, and instantly knew it was Maria's. It was beating quickly. "I feel bad...I mean...I-" Maria's voice broke. Erick could hear water falling onto the ground. She was crying.

"Look, I don't know why your caring for me, but I need you to get me out of here, to stop your mother."

Erick heard the start of her voice before being sucked back down into the hole. When he hit the ground, he didn't wake up. He lay there, waiting. He was starting to get freaked out. Suddenly, the ground shook, and the part he lay on opened up, and he fell.

Erick was falling through a hole that was hotter and had a glowing red light from the bottom of it. Erick was sure he was going to die. He braced himself for impact, but was grabbed by something. Erick shot his eyes open. Matrix and Farrow were shaking him, and every so often crying out to wake up.

Erick wobbled in their arms, then fell out. He moaned once he hit the ground.

"Erick, you were spazzing out in your sleep! What happened?" Matrix asked.

Erick moaned. He was dizzy and light headed. He turned to look at a blade of grass. He watched a single dew drop slowly glide down the blade, and once it hit the ground, the grass shivered and then lay still, pleased with its sip.

"Erick!" Vladimir screamed. "Listen! Farrow says your sick. He's gonna try to fix you up."

Erick wondered what he meant. Farrow then started rummaging through a bag. "Your burning up, Erick. Is rather not have you burn up completely."

Erick wondered what that meant. Black spots started filling his vision, and before a farrow could start helping Erick, he blacked out again.

Erick was in the odd tunnel again. He looked around wildly. He saw ghosts waver between the holes in the side that appeared out of nowhere. He saw creatures with wicked smiles and many sharp teeth claw at him, scratching his sides. He heard wails from every corner. Was this what it was like to die? Erick felt his arms and legs go numb. He closed his eyes, awaiting the feeling of nothing.

Erick opened his eyes after about thirty minutes. He was in some sort of chamber, and it was decorated with fire and what looked like demon faces. Erick wondered what hey we're, when someone spoke.

"Erick, come here."

Erick turned around. Standing there was a man sitting on a throne, looking at him. Erick walked over, fear starting to spread through his body.

"Yes sir?" Erick said, trying to contain his nervousness.

"I am Heltic, leader of the hell creatures, or, Hell, if you must."

"Hell? Sir, why am I here? Did I die and now I am to stay here forever?"

Heltic shook his head. "No, you aren't ready to die yet, and you haven't done anything bad enough to be damned to Hell."

"Why am I here then?"

"As you know, I have a daughter."

"I'm sorry, sir, but I didn't know that."

Heltic ignored the comment. "She is a hybrid between a young ghost and I."

"A young ghost?"

"She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and she granted me my wonderful daughter. However, she had to go back to the ghost kingdom, for her mother was going to be sent away, as all ghosts eventually are. They are mostly sent to me because of the tricks they play on the living. We have very good relationship with them, though I disagree with his tactics though. Eternal death? Eternal death and punishment."

"So, what do you want me to do with your daughter?"

"Take her up with you, she needs to be able to help you."

"Sir?"

"Yes?"

"How am I to take her if I am asleep?"

"Not yet, Erick. Your heading toward the werewolf kingdom, hmm? Well, if you take a short detour into a cave, you'll know it because of a mark I'll leave for you, then you'll find the entrance to Hell."

"My friends won't go into it. Isn't it forbidden for living things to go into Hell?"

"Yes, well, I'm making an exception. Malifia, Woody, and Wix aren't the only ones that are hoping you defeat Drea, you know."

"Okay then, why would your daughter come with us then?"

"I'll force her, trust me."

Erick nodded. Heltic raised his hand. "Goodbye, Erick, see you soon..."

Heltic and the throne room dissolved, and Erick woke up in a cold sweat, lying in his bed.