Chapter 43 - Escape From The Demon Castle
It's time for Ewan and his friends to go home
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Anna was in tears when Monkey returned with Lian. He’d laid Ewan at Anna’s feet and Mac had stood guard over them whilst Monkey with Dylan’s help had gone back to fetch his brother.
Together they laid Lian next to his son and Monkey proceeded to rip up a section of his shirt to make a padded bandage, he pressed the bandage on to Lian’s chest and told Anna to apply pressure. She nodded and moved over, “will he be ok?”, she asked, “that looks serious.”
“It is, have you got any of that potion left?”
Anna shook her head, “Dylan poured the last of it in Ewan’s mouth.”
Monkey sighed, “that’s not good, Lian’s going to need some medical help and quickly.”
“What about Ewan, is he going to be ok, what’s the matter with him?” She asked.
“I’ve no idea,” replied Monkey, “I’ve never seen anyone channel so much power like that, especially at such a young age and with no training.”
“Where’s Bai?” Dylan asked, “Ewan was holding him before he did that hadouken thing, no I can’t see him anywhere?”
Monkey pointed towards Ewan’s chest, “look closer.”
Dylan looked down and gasped when he saw Ewan’s chest, where before his friends chest had been flat and pale there was now definite signs of toned muscle crisscrossing beneath the skin. But the most striking change was the presence of a fresh, large stylised dragon tattoo curling around the left hand side of his chest over Ewan’s heart.
Looking closer Dylan could see the design perfectly matched the pattern on the lid of Bai’s box, “is that Bai?” He asked.
Monkey nodded, “Once the spirit has merged with the host then it leaves a mark, but I’ve never known a host to be selected at such a young age.”
Mac walked over from where he’d been standing guard at the mouth of the tunnel, “I think there’s something you ought to see.” He said to Monkey.
Monkey stood up and quietly place a hand on Lian’s head and uttered a silent prayer before walking back to the tunnel entrance with Mac and Dylan leaving Anna to care for her uncle and his son.
The arena was silent, all of the demons in the gallery were sat in silence no one dared move or utter a sound. Monkey looked up at the crowd but no one seemed to dare make eye contact with him, he looked around the arena, at the aftermath of the battle, the dead guards and the headless corpse of Dong Shen and wondered how they were ever going to get out of this in one piece.
After a few moments Monkey noticed a small demon standing by the tunnel entrance on the far side of the arena. Not knowing what else to do Monkey strode into the arena and beckoned the creature forward.
The creature nodded obligingly and took a couple of small steps forward.
“Lord Wu, I am Mong, you have emerged from the arena as the victor. You have vanquished your foe and restored honour to your family name.”
“Err, thank you, I suppose.”
“No my Lord, no thanks are necessary, you fought bravely and with honour.” Mong paused and looked up at the crowd before continuing, “Since the dawn of our existence we have served at the whim of chaos for it is our nature. We do however acknowledge respect for our customs and admire bravery and courage even amongst our enemies.” The small demon cleared his throat before continuing. “You and your family have shown great bravery and respect where our previous master showed you none. He perverted our ideals and subjugated my brethren in pursuit of his own aims, seeking to bend chaos to his control.”
Monkey was shocked, this was the last thing he expected, “Err, ok, so now what?” He asked.
“Nothing”, replied the creature, “We have no quarrel with you and you have done us a service. You are free to leave, but once beyond our walls you are on your own, such is the will of chaos.”
“Oh, ok, Err thanks, I don’t suppose I could trouble you for some medical aid, for my brother before we go?”
The creature thought for a while, “we shall consider your request but in return you must give us your bond that you’ll not interfere again in our affairs.”
Monkey nodded, “Agreed, but what about him.” He pointed to Dong Shen’s corpse.
The creature looked up again at the gallery as if in silent communication with one of the audience, “he has been killed by the cursed blade and it has captured his soul. He cannot return to the essence until his soul is united with his body and he is made whole again.” Mong paused, “this, we do not want.”
Monkey looked at Mong curiously, “so,” he began, “what is it you do want?”
“We know of your previous role in keeping the relic hidden and thus we return it to your charge. You will ensure the security and containment of its contents and this shall be your life debt. In exchange we shall provide safe passage and aid as requested.”
Monkey turned and looked at Lian and Ewan and then looked across at Dong Shen, “Agreed, and I shall also take his head to ensure that it is never again allowed to rejoin his body.”
Mong nodded, “Agreed, the blood pact is made.”
Monkey felt a short stabbing pain in the palm of his hand and when he looked down at it he could see a new mark had appeared. It looked like it had been recently carved in to the palm of his hand by the tip of a sharp knife. “The blood pact is accepted.” He replied completing the demon ritual that would act as a reminder and a retribution should it ever be broken.
As Mong turned and walked out of the arena two other short demons entered and proceeded to carry out the bodies, being careful to leave Dong Shen’s head and his sword. Mong returned shortly with a small package which he handed to Monkey whilst bowing, “the potion contained within will aid your wounded brother, as for your nephew there is nothing we can do.”
Monkey accepted the gift and returned the bow, “what about passage, will you provide a guide?”
Mong turned and walked out of the arena but as he did he stopped and addressed Monkey once more, “look to the skies and call your cloud,” with that he left and Monkey realised that they were alone in the arena, he hadn’t noticed at what point the crowd has also left.
Monkey hurried back to the tunnel entrance and opened the box that Mong had given him, inside was a single bottle that contained a thick red liquid that seemed to sparkle and glow with an inner light.
“What is that stuff?” Anna asked.
“I don’t know,” replied Monkey, “but it’s the only chance he’s got. Hold his head steady.”
Anna did as she was told and Monkey uncorked the bottle and gave it a tentative sniff, “what ever it is, it’s strong stuff.” He replied, “oh well, here goes nothing.”
Carefully Monkey tipped a few drops of the red liquid on to Lian’s wound and began to massage it in. There was a faint fizzing where the liquid touched the wound and straight away the bleeding seemed to slow down. He then proceeded to pull Lian’s mouth open and poured the rest of the bottle down his throat, “demon medicine usually works from both directions at the same time.” He said in response to Anna’s quizzical look.
“Will he be alright?” She asked.
Monkey shrugged his shoulders, “I’ve done all I can, it’s in his hands now.” He said gesturing towards his brother, “now we need to get out of here before the demon’s change their mind. Dylan, you and Anna bring Ewan in to the middle of the arena. Mac, you and I shall carry my brother.”
The others did as they were asked and Monkey quickly collected up the remaining relics which he carefully wrapped in the red cloth. He then stepped in to the middle of the group and looked up.
Above them he could see stars sparkling in the night sky and realised that the top of the arena was open. Raising his staff above his head he twirled it round and round building the speed to a blur, he then slammed the end down into the stone floor where the iron cap raised a shower of sparks.
Monkey stood perfectly still holding the staff upright, around him a gentle mist began to form swirling out around the floor until it was completely covered.
The mist began to thicken and fold in on itself until once more they were all encased in a cloud.
Dylan sank to his knees as they all began to rise towards the night sky. Anna anxiously looked down for Ewan and Lian and was relieved to see them both peacefully resting on top of the cloud. Mac was standing next to her and as she reached out her hand he took hold of it and gave it a little squeeze, “I think they’re going to be fine,” he said, “I think we’re all going to be fine.”
Anna shivered a little as the cloud lifted up out of the arena and in to the cold fresh night air.