21: Blight Among Us

I leapt off the ship as a stone pillar rose from the sea. It lifted me into the air as I visualized the path I would take. I jumped between pillars. It wasn't easy. The water made the stone wet and slippery. It took all of my strength to hold on. My destination was coming closer. I had one more jump to make.

I took a deep breath as I flew through the air. I cleared the gap and tumbled onto the ground. I grimaced, that would surely leave a bruise tomorrow.

I rose to my feet to witness the tip of the Jolly Roger vanish into the portal before it would've hit the rocks.

"Safe trip, Captain," I let my voice carry on in the wind, "I'll make sure there is an island to return to."

The forest ahead of me was littered with thorns of Dreamshade. Navigating through it wouldn't be easy. Luckily, I spotted a hidden entrance to the Tunnels. I entered one and descended underground.

The tunnels were expansive and easy to get lost in. With all the rain, there was also the possibility of them becoming flooded. Water was already forming a puddle beneath my feet. I had to move quickly. I heard chattering behind me and picked up my pace. In my hand, I gripped my dagger for protection.

I exited the tunnels and as I was about to place the cover back on, figures emerged from the tunnels. I screamed as I came face to face with what appeared to be a group of ravenous demonic rats.

Blood poured from their mouths and their soulless eyes gleamed with pure malice. Hints of shadows highlighted their figures denoting them as something inhumane. They hissed even louder as they approached.

With each step they took, the vegetation below their feet died as its life force was drained. One lunged for my neck and I grabbed the nearest stick to hit it back to the group. They're just baseballs, I told myself as I went about hitting each one that attacked, Big, grotesque, alive baseballs.

I unsheathed my dagger and as I hit them, I begged to stab them with my dagger.

"Stay down," I gritted my teeth, "And die."

As each one did so, I saw the spirits rise from them and disappear into thin air. I wasn't prepared for what came next. I was knocked off my feet by a beastly bear. It was bulky, heavy and bloodthirsty. Its hollowed-out eyes peered into my green ones. It roared in my face and I could smell flesh from its breath.

Just before the beast could sink its teeth into me, an arrow entered its eye. It unleashed an angered cry before falling to the ground. For extra measure, I stabbed it repeatedly until my hand was speckled in blood.

I whipped my head around to my rescuer to see Tinker Bell panting before with a crossbow in hand.

"Tink..." I let out, "You're okay."

"Okay is an understatement," She huffed, "Surviving is more accurate."

The ex-fairy kicked the demonic bear, "The dark spirit is sparing no expense to wreak havoc on Neverland. It's taken control of all the animals and turned them into twisted forms."

Sympathy flashed through her eyes for a moment as she stared at the dead bear at our feet.

"I got to find Peter!" I told her, "Have you seen him?"

Tinker Bell shook her head, "Azruth has been brought out in physical form. Since then, Peter seems to have vanished. I'm just about to head to their camp to investigate."

"What about Baelfire?" I cursed the traitor's name.

"Baelfire?" Tinker Bell was confused.

"He's the one responsible for this mess," I scowled, "He released Azruth on the island."

Tinker Bell's eyes widened in shock, "Did he?"

I nodded my head, "I saw it myself. he killed four of the Lost Boys to do it. I tried to warn Peter, but he wouldn't listen."

Another beastly cry snapped us out of our conversation. Something was tracking us and we both knew it wasn't safe to stay out in the open.

"Come on," Tinker Bell led me through the forest, "I know the quickest way to the camp."

"Sounds good," I nod my head.

We ran through the forest evading our pursuers. We emerged in front of a ravine and a rope bridge. Tinker Belle gritted her teeth, "The camp is across the bridge."

"Let's not dwell then," I shouted back to her. 

The two of us started to traverse the rope bridge when we heard a voice sneer, "Leaving so soon?"

Both Tinker Bell and I froze in place. Azruth materialized in front of us with a cruel smile, "I was looking for you everywhere, Jessica Mallory. I was deeply saddened to not feel your soul leave this world."

I narrowed my eyes, "I'd say I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'm not. I won't let you destroy the island."

"How unfortunate,"  The demonic spirit growled, "Your mother was much more agreeable. Even sowed the seeds to get rid of the pesky Annamay for me."

I clenched my jaw at the mention of my father's people who were wiped out by Peter in retaliation. In actuality, they were only puppets in the grand scheme of things. 

"A rope bridge suspended over a chasm," Azruth took a step forward, "Quite the predicament. Would be a shame if it snapped like so."

He chuckled darkly and vanished in a cloud of smoke. In his wake, Tinker Bell and I saw one of the ropes snap. This caused the rest of the bridge to lose its structure. I managed to grab hold of the rope with one hand and Tinker Bell with my other. My mind raced as I recalled the time I thought I lost Tinker Bell. I refused to let it happen again.

"Let me go, Jess!" Tinker Bell told me, "We both can't afford to die here."

I blinked away a tear that threatened to fall on my face, "No way, Tink. I almost lost you once already. I'm not going to let you fall again."

"Soon you won't have much of a choice!" Azruth's voice boomed. 

Almost immediately, a blast of dark magic struck our hands. Both of us cried out in pain and fear flooded through my body as I lost Tinker Bell's grip. 

"No!" I screamed.

Without hesitation, I let go of the rope and fell into the darkness after her. The demon's laughter grew fainter as darkness enveloped us in a cocoon. Was this the end?

"Why would you do that?!" Tinker Bell said to me as we fell deeper.

"I couldn't afford to lose you a second time," I shook my head.

As well descended into the darkness, I noticed specks of gold. Tinker Bell also saw this as a look of shock glossed over her face.

"Tink," I say slowly, "What is this?"

"Impossible..." Tinker Bell uttered out as we were blinded by a soft, golden light, "I thought this place was wiped out after the original Blight."

When it receded, my eyes opened to see myself surrounded by a golden forest. The light that filled the area soothed my skin. I sat up and faced a golden willow tree. Its branches twisted in a way that was so familiar to me. It was as if I had been here before.

"You have..." a soft, delicate voice said, "I have brought you here."

Tinker Bell and I both snapped our heads in the direction of the voice. Standing at its base admiring a golden branch was a woman. She had long blonde hair and a flowing gown. her golden wings were folded back and appeared to span from her back to the ground. Small golden specks flew around her. In front of her, she held a large staff in her hands. It appears to be made of wood and ends in a hollow set of rings comprising of wood and gold. 

Sensing that we were awake, the woman turned away from the tree to face us, "My name is Vidalia."

Tinker Bell widened her eyes, "One of the ancient spirits of the island."

Standing where I was, I could feel the power radiating off of the woman. She spoke tensely, "Azruth has been awakened. I feel the island and its inhabitants crying out in pain."

Her golden glow flickered and I looked at her, "Is there any way you can stop this?"

The queen frowned, "Unfortunately, Azruth's power is too great. I could only summon enough to save you from death."

"There must be a way to defeat him," I said.

Vidalia stared off into the distance. She tapped her staff to the ground, "There is a blessed weapon given long ago to your ancestors. With it, the Blight can be stopped."

A sinister laugh made the three freeze. Vidalia closed her eyes, "He is here."

"Vidalia," Azruth's dark voice greeted.

He approached the trio. Each step he took caused pixies to flee and the lively vegetation to die, "I thought I sensed your pesky presence. You finally came out of hiding, did you."

Vidalia lifted her chin to the malevolent spirit, "Azruth, your terror on this island must end."

"How cute that you believe that can stop me," Azruth said smugly, "Everyone capable of my downfall is standing right in front of me in one easy-to-kill swoop."

Vidalia's eyes flickered with fear as she came to a revelation, "You killed them..."

By then, I could only assume were the other spirits of the island.

Azruth flicked a piece of pixie dust off of his shoulder, "It was too easy. They all tried to stop me, but failed miserably as will you."

Azruth summon his powers and it struck Vidalia. Tinker Bell and I watched in horror as his spell was turning the woman to stone. Azruth vanished as the Blight closed in on Pixie Hollow. 

"My faithful pixies will take you where to go," Vidalia said upon her dying breath, summoning a spell, "Make haste and save those who are left before it is too late."

With that, the last good spirit was completely stone. To add insult to injury, the stone statue shattered into a million pieces. With her gone, Pixie Hollow was powerless to fight back against the Blight.

Vidalia's final spell teleported us back into the jungle. I glanced over at Tinker Bell, "We have to go back to the camp and check on everyone. There is no time to lose."

*****

The sentry post to the camp came into view. There weren't any Lost Boys present. We entered the camp, but no words could describe what we saw.

The camp was a mess. Supplies and broken weapons sprawled about the camp. What was even more horrifying was the state of the Lost Boys. Their bodies were bound to the surrounding trees. Each boy was unconscious but uninjured. I reached my hand out to try and wake one when Tinker Bell spoke, "It's no use, Jess. They won't wake up."

"What happened here?" My voice trembled, "Are they dead?"

Tinker Bell shook her head, "No, they're just unconscious. It was Pan's doing."

"Peter?"

The blonde nodded, "He must've sealed the Lost Boys into the trees to protect them from the impending threat. These trees have magical, protective properties that can guard against the Blight."

Felix was among them and we approached his body. The blonde second in command was as unconscious as the rest. It wasn't until my hand touched his body he stirred. His tired eyes opened to see me, "Jess."

"Felix," I looked at him horrified, "What happened here?"

"We were taken by surprise," Felix explained, "Azruth has awoken. He managed to kill some of our weaker boys before Pan sealed us in these trees to protect us against Azruth's dark magic. However, Pan was taken by the spirit."

"How can we get you out of here?" I asked him.

Felix shook his head, "No, Pan ensured we won't be able to escape until Azruth has fallen. Peter Pan never fails, but he won't be able to win this fight on his own. Not for a second time. I wish I could be of some help."

"Don't worry, Felix," I assured the Lost Boy, "I'll save Pan and the island."

Felix snorted, "Never thought I'd see the day where you would say that."

"That makes two of us," I mirrored his smile, "You lot must have grown on me. Tink, this you can stay here in case anything tries to hurt the boys?"

Tinker Bell frowned, "What about you?"

"I'm going to go track down Azruth, rescue Peter, and save the island," I declared.

Just then a small golden ball of light danced towards me. I held out my hand and a pixie landed on it. While its light was still present, I could see the visual exhaustion on its little face.

"And I think I found myself a little guide," I smile softly at the pixie, "Won't you lead the way?"

The pixie gave me a weak nod before flying into the air. It ventured towards the edge of the camp and I followed close behind.

"Jess," Tinker Bell called out to me before I was gone, "Be careful."

I gave her a mute nod and a promise, "I'll see you soon."

✧----✧----✦----✧----✧