Chapter 38
A million thoughts spun through Garretts mind, but chief among them was fear. Viper and the flower ghouls were far away, deep under the city in the crypts, and in the predawn darkness the entire inn slept soundly. He could sense the terrible agitation of the Dream Flowers that lined the hallway as they sensed his terror, but there was nothing they could do to someone of Henricks strength. Despite the fact that they would be throwing themselves into certain death if they pressed forward, Garrett could sense that they intended to. Instead, he commanded them to retreat as he pulled on something that had remained buried deep in his unconscious.
Like ice water running through his veins, Garrett felt the influence of his memories from Earth surging to the front of his mind, overriding his fear and beginning to calculate how to give himself the largest chance to survive. Even as his mind worked, he had to admit that hed been outmaneuvered. Henrick had been the one point of weakness in the defensive web he wove around himself, and whatever monster he now faced had exploited it perfectly.
He had no idea how the great ruler had managed to take control of Henricks mind, but he should have seen the signs of it sooner. Now, staring at the telltale crimson eye through the crack in the doorway, Garrett had few options. If the nightmare had come after him in the Dream, he could have used the Dreamers Throne to keep himself safe, but clearly his enemy was too smart to make the same mistake more than once. The throne he sat on was incalculably powerful, as evidenced by the way it had burned away the Crimson Eye of Shalmoroths influence, but its light was unable to reach into the real world.
With a spine-chilling creak, the door widened slightly and more of Henricks face became visible. Both of his eyes had transformed, turning vertically on his face and glowing with a deep crimson light. Whatever ritual Henrick had completed had allowed the nightmare to possess his body in the real world, and the strange eyes were a sign of that. His lips were twisted and spread wide in an abnormal smile that had ripped his skin, causing blood to dribble down his sharpened teeth and chin.
From the top of his head, his hair had gathered into clumps that writhed around like worms, reminding Garrett of the Chosen of Shalmoroth hed seen hunting for him at the soap factory. Taking a deep breath, Garrett shook himself free of the monsters oppressive influence and put the candle he was holding down on the table. Physically he was no match for Henrick, and the monster seemed to know it. With excruciating slowness, the door opened to reveal Henrick in his entirety. In his right hand was his cleaver, still dripping blood, while his other hand had transformed into a single hooked claw.
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The foot that was about to enter Garretts room paused slightly, as if the monster was surprised that Garrett could even speak. With a cold whisper that seemed to slither around the room, the monster asked a question of his own.
Arent you afraid?
Of course. But some things are more important than fear. Are you the Crimson Eye of Shalmoroth? No, you cant be. Youre the Crimson Eyes servant.
You are correct. I caress what the master sees, transforming all into sacrifices for her greatness.
What are you doing here?
The master likes your eyes. They are the eyes of the determined, the Chosen said, taking another small step forward. Foolish, but determined. She enjoys those eyes the best. You have stolen away her eyes, so she will take yours. Mmm, I can see your fear, and it is delicious.
What do you mean, eyes? I only killed one. Shall I offer her one of mine in return?
Picking up a letter opener that sat on his table, Garrett held it up to his left eye, resting it at the edge of his eye socket without blinking. A hissing laughter filled the room as the Chosen took another step forward, seeming to crouch slightly as if he wanted to look straight into Garretts eyes. Locking gazes with the crimson orbs that rotated in the monsters eyes, Garrett could feel the corrosive influence that had seeped into him before trying to slip into his mind. The first time hed encountered it there had been nothing he could do to stop it, and he had only realized what was happening too late.
This time, however, he could feel the intrusion as it was happening and was able to fortify his mind to resist it. Garretts mental power was bounds above where it had been, but even that didnt seem to be entirely effective. With a short breath, he focused as much attention as he could spare to lock down the bloody energy trying to creep through his eyes into his mind. Again, the hissing laugh echoed around the room, nearly shaking Garretts concentration.
You will regret your interference! the Chosen hissed in response.
With a terrible cry, the two men both attacked, their weapons sending sparks flying across the room. Already small, the room became deadly as the two weapons slashed and stabbed. Ducking his head, Garrett tried to get out of the room, but an errant kick clipped the back of his wheelchair and with a loud crack it was reduced to little more than splinters. Landing heavily, Garrett struggled to catch his breath. Staying in the room was a certain death sentence, and with a groan he pulled himself along the floor, trying to get out into the hallway.
Behind him, Gorn was cutting at Henrick with every ounce of his strength, but the combination of Henricks strength and skill was too much for him to overcome. Each of his attacks was blocked and the return attacks nearly took his life over and over again. Through his connection with the Dream Flower in Gorns body Garret could tell he was on the losing end of the fight, so he never stopped moving. Dragging himself forward as fast as he could, he pulled himself toward the end of the hallway. People had started to wake up, but Garrett shouted hoarsely for them to flee.
Run! Theres a monster! Clear the room!
Gasps followed and the stampede of feet as people took Garrett at his word and fled, quickly vanishing from view. Turning into the passage leading out to the great room, Garrett gritted his teeth as his bruised ribs dragged against the threshold. Ignoring the pain, he kept crawling as, behind him, the fight reached its climax. Gorn had always fancied himself Henricks match, but reality proved otherwise.
With every swing Henricks blade cut into Gorns defenses, chipping away at him until a dozen bleeding wounds graced his body. Fear had long filled Gorns heart as he tried to extricate himself from the fight, but somehow Henrick had gotten between him and the door, blocking his only avenue of escape. Worse yet, the gash hed left on Henricks arm was healing, the gaping wound knitting back together.
I told you you would regret interfering, the Chosen said, his crimson eyes glaring viciously at Gorn. Now die!
The monsters hooked claw shot out, forcing Gorn to block. Locked in a contest of strength, there was no way Gorn could break free as Henricks cleaver rose slowly into the air. Seeing it hovering above his head, Gorn could only whimper as it dropped, drawing a straight line down through his body. The sharp pain that stung Gorns face couldnt compare to the horror that filled his soul as he realized he was dead.
His mental energy began to escape from his body as his strength left him and he crumbled to the ground. Darkness swallowed his vision and he knew nothing else. Strangely, in that final moment, the last thing on his mind was a simple-looking watering can with a five-petaled flower on the side.
Out in the great room, Garrett was only twenty feet from the front door when he felt the sting of Gorns death. Clenching his teeth, he focused on nothing besides trying to get to the doorway. It opened a crack from the mad rush of people who retreated thanks to his yells, but as close as it was, it felt like it was impossibly far away. The clashing of steel fell silent as the battle in the room ended and was replaced with loud steps.
Each time Henricks boot hit the floorboards, Garret felt like it was a punch in his gut. Still, he kept going. The only thing on his mind seemed to be getting outside, and even when Henrick walked into the great room, Garrett didnt look around. Sneering, the monster strode forward, its footsteps like a solemn death knell. Having learned its lesson, the monster looked around cautiously as it approached Garrett. With only a few feet between him and the doorway, Garrett reached out and pulled, dragging his body close.
It was only an arms distance away when a heavy boot descended on one of his feet, stopping him from moving. From the sound, the bones right above his ankle had been broken, and for the first time since hed woken up in this world Garrett was glad he couldnt feel anything below his waist. Tugging, he couldnt get himself out from under Henricks boot, so he twisted himself around and looked up into the insane eyes of the Chosen.
You were so close too, the Chosen said, his voice a hissing whisper.
Close? What do you mean close? Youve lost.
Blinking in surprise, the monster stared at Garrett for a second, unsure if hed heard Garretts words correctly. While Henrick was frozen in confusion, Garrett reached out and pushed the front door open wide, allowing the soft morning sun to stream into the room.
