Myths and Gargoyles by Jamie Hawke (interesting books to read in english txt) 📕

back, right? Do you think there’s anything to what Sekhmet is looking into?”

“I hope so.”

He didn’t say anything more on the subject, but looked around at the light mist at the top of the trees. I looked too, noticing some little lights bouncing around up there—either fire flies or fairies. Having grown up in the city, both seemed equally magical.

“The mists… they’re expanding,” he said. “Not insignificant, that.”

“They’re linked to something?”

A nod. “The more the darkness expands on Earth, the more the mists take over here. They’re not bad, or evil, in themselves. But if they were to take over this world, well…”

“Yin and Yang,” I said, getting it. “It’s okay to have some darkness and some light, but all of one ruins the balance.”

“Essentially, yes. Which is why it’s important you finish your training so we can make our move soon.”

I stopped, the mists just ahead, and turned to him. “You knew this was more than just about leveling up, or increasing my stats, didn’t you?”

“There’s always more, Jack. We had a feeling you’d find something, and think you’re on the right track. Today’s the day.”

With a final nod of understanding, I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword, and made my way into the mists. They didn’t feel as wet or cold that day, even seeming to move out of my way as I progressed. For a long time, I focused on my breathing, on keeping the connection to that feeling of awareness that Pucky had left me with, and staying alert in case there was trouble.

Working through a valley that had some similarities to one I’d been in the day before, I made for the far end and was halfway across when I felt eyes on me. Nothing visible, but I kept my wits about me, eyes searching. A wave of mist moved ahead and I froze, but it was only a Shade stumbling along. It paused, turned toward me with the darkness floating around it, and then charged.

A side step and a thrust took care of it. Without issue.

Then the feeling of being watched was back, and I spun to see outstretched wings. The lion was there, at the top of the valley. It stared at me as I started working my way up toward it, mists blocking my vision before I’d even got half way. Just as I’d almost reached the top, I heard a roar and a screech, followed by more, as three Shades lunged for me. As I took care of the first one my eyes quickly noted that another dozen or so were on the ground, dead. The next shade hit me though, body lunging through the air so that it knocked me over and I fell, tumbling back down the hill.

Cursing as I tumbled, a rock nearly hitting my head, but I managed to catch hold of shrubbery three quarters of the way down and catch myself. The Shade had come to a stop a few paces ahead of me, at a crouch and was about to attack. My sword had fallen loose at its feet, but I used my Tempest ability to change the mists, have them swirl around him. Only a distraction, but it worked. He turned as if expecting the lion, instead only getting me charging from below, fist in his gut. Then I lunged for the sword, had it as he recovered, and sliced at his thigh. Contact. The shade collapsed to one leg, hissed, and then his neck gave way to my steel. My head spun, eyes scouring the mists for the others. Had they rolled down? Found footing above me, waiting to attack?

I cautiously made my way back up, only seeing sky through the mist above, nothing ahead. Pushing out with my powers, the mist gave way before me to reveal the answer to my question about the shades. Only, there were more than a few—there were at least twenty there, turning to me, black eyes boring into me.

They charged, catching me off guard. I refused to fall again, but at the detriment to my defense. Two got strikes in, others catching me, nearly taking me to the ground. For the first time in those mists, I started to worry as more piled on.

A flash of wings. The lion overhead.

It didn’t attack, but seeing it inspired something in me. I managed to wiggle out, to strike with my group attack, to absorb energy and push it back out, attacking those in the vicinity and creating room for myself to fight more sturdily.

Another sweep over by the lion, this time clear as day, its roar emitting a golden blast. I cringed, ready for it to hit me, even throwing up my shield. Only to my surprise, when the light hit me my chest surged with pride and confidence, my vigor and moral replenished.

In a matter of minutes, I’d taken out the last of the Shades, but saw no more sign of the lion. The mist was gone from this section of the fields by then, so that I was able to take in the green grass, a stream running into a larger lake. I wanted to catch my breath, to think over the attack and what I’d done wrong. Kneeling on the bank, I scooped up water to drink, and pulled out some of the crackers and dried meat Arthur had given me.

“Jack be nimble, Jack be quick,” a voice said, “Jack jump over here with your little dick.”

“Little?” I said, focusing on the wrong details, as I stood up, looking for the voice’s source.

Laughter. A bright glimmer on the water, and then she was there, dancing across the surface—only this time she was like a spirit of light, appearing as a nude woman prancing across the lake, eyeing me, growing larger as she approached.

“You’ve found yourself a spirit animal, I see.”

At first I frowned, then noticed a shadow, a gush of wings, and turned to see the lion there, approaching. Mane of gold,