18: Deadly Hollow

Here I was standing in the middle of a dark clearing with the lost boy who led me here nowhere in sight. Why did I forget to use my brain?

I wished I had my bow and arrows with me, but only had time to grab my dagger before being dragged out of the camp. The terrain was unknown and darkness was the only thing I could sense. 

"Whoever you are, come out and face me!" I called out with confidence.

A twig snapped to my right and I darted my head towards the sound. I peered into the darkness cast by the trees holding my breath. I wasn't prepared for what happened next. 

I was knocked off my feet by an unseen force. I swung my dagger through the air hoping to make contact with my assailant. I quickly scampered to my feet, "Where's Sam."

"Sam is dead," a wispy voice responded.

It was grating to the ear and my eyes wavered at the thought.

"He and his little friends were such tasty little morsels. Their youthful screams and the way the life in their eyes faded as I turned them into a perfect masterpiece for my master." The voice said alighted. 

Hearing this made me grind my teeth, "How dare you! You'll pay for that. Show yourself, you coward."

My hand went to my cheek as a trickle of blood flowed down from a fresh cut. I barely even registered what had happened.

"You taste so sweet," The voice taunted, "Much sweeter than those three."

The voice paused, "The blood of the Annamay Tribe,"

The mention of the Annamay Tribe made me harden my gaze. The voice seemed to have shifted from light taunts to murderous. Across from me, a creature formed. It wasn't human or animal. dark smoke emanated from its body. Looking at it drained me of my energy. Never had I felt a greater evil than the being standing in front of me. Even Peter wasn't this bad.

"Your head would send a lovely message from my master," The entity said.

"Your master?" I narrowed my eyes, "Just who is that?"

I didn't get an answer as it went on the attack. it managed to land a kick to my stomach. I stopped myself just short of Dreamshade bushes. I rolled to the side as a blade of shadows embedded itself in the ground where I once lay. Its message was clear, it wanted my death.

It continued its onslaught of attacks forcing me on the defensive. Its skill was unmatched. Its movements were so quick I struggled to find an opening. Our little arena felt like it was closing in on me. 

My movements were growing sluggish from exhaustion. If I had any hopes of making it out of here alive, I had to attack. Without hesitation, I lunged forward. I impaled the creature where I believed its neck to be. It hollered out in pain. Its cry was loud and to my horror, more of its brethren appeared. They surrounded me all wielding their weapons. 

"Too afraid to fight me one on one?" I taunted it, "How cowardly."

This provoked one of them enough to attack. I gracefully sent it colliding with its ally, "There's more where that came from!"

I knew I was being too cocky, but if it bought me time to think, then it was worth it.

"Who are you?" I glared at the leader.

I received no answer so I decided to find a way out of there. My head whipped around the clearing for any openings. I didn't know where any of them led, but I had to take the risk. I climbed a tree before swinging across a vine to create distance between myself and them. 

I couldn't lead them to the camp, I thought as I ran, They would annihilate the camp.

When I came out through the trees, I was back where I started. The leader faced me smugly, "You cannot run for all roads lead to here. The endless cycle endures and it won't break until your dying breath."

Panic started to set in. Peter surely must have noticed my absence from camp by now. He must be on his way.

"I remember my master that very day," The leader spoke in awe, "The bloodshed and screams of innocent men, women and children. The cries of those foolish enough to challenge us. It fills me with excitement even now as I remember the way their life left their eyes. And their leader..."

The entity paused and then grinned wickedly through the smoke, "Such a strong soul to face me in battle. A mere mortal blessed by the spirits of the island. He was no match for me. His people watched his fall. His son watched him fall."

My eyes widened as I realized just who he was talking about. The leader was recounting the fateful battle that Tinker Bell described to me. It was the one in which my grandfather lost. It is because of the malevolent spirit and those who felt threatened by Peter. 

"The Blight," The leader continued, "Such a wonderful title for my masterpiece. It shall always find a way to return to finish what it started."

The event caused a shudder to run down my spine. I had witnessed its devastation. I could see how it left a mental scar on those who were around. 

"What better way to breathe life into it than to let history repeat itself? Your blood will set the stage for the stage of ruin."

"Not if I can help it," I growled back.

While it was preoccupied with its monologue, I was gathering my energy. Now that I was ready, I bravely charged forward. The leader fell to the ground as its underlings dissipated into thin air. I buried my dagger into its heart. It grunted in pain and I let out a heavy breath. 

"I won't let the Blight happen again," I declared. 

I didn't move my dagger from the enemy's chest. I wanted to watch the life fade from its eyes as it did with the fallen. To my horror, I was met with a chuckle. Its chest rumbled as its laughter grew more unhinged. I let out a yelp as I was thrown off of its body and landed hard on the ground. 

It stood above me, its grin wide in what could only be described as inhumane. 

"Is that all?" It sneered, "Your mortal weapon does nothing to me."

I was grabbed from behind as its minions reappeared. Their laughter mockingly echoed each other. My dagger was forcibly tossed to the side. I thrashed about to try and break free, but was rendered immobile. Their leader grabbed my chin and forced me to look into its soulless eyes.

"Such spirit behind them," it mused, "Now how should I end your life to send the perfect message? Should I rip your tongue out of your throat? Cut off each of your fingers and leave them dangling. Deprive yourself of oxygen and watch as your corpse mirrors an expression of permanent terror. Carve into your body and have you on a stake? Oh, I know..."

 I was met with the tip of its blade in front of my neck. I swallowed unsure of how I could get myself out of this situation. 

"I know," It beamed with twisted joy, "I'm going give you a necklace."

It traced my neck with its blade. It didn't cut open my skin but left an indent.

"I'm going to give you a necklace that you'll never be able to take off." It decided, "Now hold her steady."

Realizing its intent and my situation, I closed my eyes letting the fear take over me, "Peter!"

The leader smiled, "Your dear Peter can't save you now!"

"You want to bet?" Peter's voice sounded angelic to my ears.

"Peter..." I whispered as I watched him shoot magic into the underlings holding me hostage. 

They let out shrieks of pain as their forms disappeared. The only difference from before was this time it was permanent. I was freed from their grasp and Peter pushed me behind him protectively. He gripped a machete in his hand and pointed towards the leader. 

"You threatened my Lost Girl and killed my boys," Peter seethed.

"Ah, Peter Pan," the leader laughed darkly, "What a touching reunion. I still remember the day we faced each other in battle. Sadly, I don't have time to fight with you, but rest assured, I will be seeing you soon and taking your little Lost Girl as a war trophy. I won't be sealed away forever."

With that, it disappeared leaving Peter and I silent. Peter burned daggers where it once stood, "How the hell were you able to seep through?"

At this time, the strength in my body was completely gone. I felt myself sway before my body crumpled to the ground. Peter was there in a second, catching me before I hit the ground.

"Jess," he let out relieved, "Thank god I got here just in time."

"Peter..." I let out tired breaths, "What was that?"

Peter opened his mouth to answer, but his voice was too faint to pick up on what he was saying. He was also becoming blurry in my vision. His green eyes were full of alarm as he frantically called out my name to no avail.

I woke up to Peter at my bedside like before. He was lying on my bed using his arms as a pillow. His slow breaths were calming and it was a rare moment I saw him at peace. 

"Peter?" I said dryly.

"Jess, you're awake," Peter lifted his head from the bed. 

His green eyes were full of nothing but concern for me, "I thought I lost you."

"Lost me?" I asked through my pounding headache.

"You were unconscious for three days," Peter held my hand as if he were afraid to let it go.

I squeezed it assuringly, "I'm not going anywhere."

My eyes travel to the tent noticing it looked different, "What happened? Where are we?"

"I relocated the camp," Peter answered, "As a precaution after what happened."

The memory of what the entity had said to me about the fate of the lost boys filled me with grief, "Sam..."

Peter confirmed my fears, "Unfortunately it got to them. The sight of what was left is something I'll never be able to forget for the rest of my life."

Peter bowed his head, "I broke my word to you that I would return before nightfall. If I had kept it, you wouldn't have been placed in such danger."

"It wasn't your fault," I shook my head, "I let myself be deceived by the hope that the brothers were still alive. I failed to realize I was being led into a trap."

Neither of us said anything until I broke the silence, "Peter, what exactly was that?"

He didn't answer me right away and I pleaded, "Please no more secrets. I have to know."

"That was part of Azruth, one of the spirits of Neverland," Peter finally answered, "The Annamay believed and worshiped the spirits of the island praying for peace and prosperity. Azruth was the only spirit they did not pray to. Its very name is fitting for one that oozes malice. It can easily sway those with weak hearts and set them on a path of destruction. Its very intent is to destroy all the realms, but millennia ago, someone bound it to Neverland. When it was first summoned, it could not draw on its full power. It could only appear as you saw it, a wisp of spirit that is still deadly. It still managed to create such destruction known as the Blight. the combined forces of the Annamay Tribe and the Lost Boys were able to defeat it. However, in its physical form, that power only becomes stronger. It feeds on life and revels in death. I managed to seal it away long ago, but the seal must have been weakened. If it escapes, that will be very bad."

"Then we have to make sure that doesn't happen," I sat up in the bed, looking at Peter, "We have to eradicate it once and for all."

 Peter gave me a weak smile and shook his head, "Not we, Jess, just me and my boys. I'm sending you back."

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