The Skull Warrior by Yajat Sharma (popular books to read txt) 📕

awakened your Elemental Powers... And now I will be the one who will take it away.

Before anyone could understand what was happening, Aronicle swiftly moved and placed his hand on Matt’s head, who was standing nearest to him.

At once, searing pain shot through Matt’s body. He crumpled to the ground, dizzy, his vision blurred.

The very next moment, Aronicle moved and placed his hand over Archer’s head, and Archer crumpled too.

James and Daniel backed away.

Now, don’t run. Make my job easier.

Aronicle lunged in the blink of an eye and touched James on his head. James fell to the ground.

Daniel tried to run, but Aronicle reached him and put his hand on his head. Daniel felt himself fainting...

... And then, all of a sudden, Aronicle dropped to the ground, unconscious. The Scavenger was standing behind Aronicle with a wooden log in his hand.

“Thanks,” Daniel said.

The Scavenger kneeled beside the others and waved a hand. “No mention.”

5

It didn’t take long for the other children to regain consciousness.

“I’m feeling empty,” James said at once.

“What do you mean by empty?” the Scavenger asked.

James said falteringly, “Like something is missing from my body. I feel like something has been taken away from me, something without which my body feels incomplete.”

Daniel snorted. “What do you mean by that? Do you mean to say that some organ is missing?”

Archer laughed. “Yeah!” He mocked James’ voice. “Somebody help! My brain is missing!”

The Scavenger scratched his head. “I don’t understand.”

James rolled his eyes and looked to the sky. “Ugggggghhhhh... Stupid people...” He groaned. “Never mind.”

“But why did Aronicle attack us like that?” Daniel asked.

“That’s obvious,” James said. “Someone was controlling Aronicle; that’s why his eyes were red.”

“You’re right,” the Scavenger said. “I am not sure if Aronicle is still under the control of someone. Before he regains consciousness, it will be a good idea if we all move out from here.”

The Scavenger released the scroll, and it started moving. They all followed. After a few miles, they entered a large village bustling with activity. Demons and monsters scuttled around. Their eyes fluttered here and there, examining their surroundings suspiciously.

The Scavenger stopped behind some bushes and turned to the children. “We need to devise a plan. If we follow the scroll, then the enemy will see us. We need a plan that -”

“I think your plan has already failed,” James said, pointing at the scroll.

The Scavenger turned to see that the scroll was already amid the creatures. Some demons had already begun snatching and running after it. The scroll was waving about in the air to escape the jumping demons.

The Scavenger pulled out his sword. “Forget the plan! Let’s go!”

He burst out from the bushes and ran after the scroll, the children following him.

The five of them passed unnoticed for barely a few seconds before a demon pointed at them and yelled, “Intruders!”

There was commotion all over. The Scavenger kept his focus on the scroll, trying to catch it.

The scroll suddenly turned around a corner and went out of view.

The Scavenger followed and halted around the corner. There was a wall up ahead.

And a demon too.

It was just a child, about four feet tall, with a tail. It had long blue hair hanging down to his ankles. Dressed in black rags, he clutched the scroll in his hand.

The Scavenger walked towards him, sword slashing around.

The demon cried and backed away as the blade almost cut him. He raised his hand. “Wait! I am here to help you.”

The Scavenger stopped. “What do you mean by that?”

“Please... there is no time. You have to trust me. Come on. Here.”

The demon placed his hand on the sidewall, and a doorway appeared on it. He gestured towards it. “Go.”

The Scavenger was about to say something when the children barged past him and followed the demon into the doorway.

The Scavenger sighed and followed them, whispering to himself, “How many times have I told them not to trust anyone like that?”

They emerged on a quiet street. The demon quickly closed the door and turned to the others. “My name is Urrax. Don’t worry. You are now in a safe place. Demons can’t come here.”

“Thanks, but why did you help us?” the Scavenger asked.

Urrax shook his head. “I will tell you later. I had a vision. Trust me. I am your friend. For now, please take your scroll.” The Scavenger tried to take the scroll from Urrax, but it didn’t budge.

“Urrax,” the Scavenger said, “leave the scroll.”

Urrax was sweating. “I am trying,” he said nervously. “It is not leaving my hand!”

The Scavenger pulled it hard again, but the scroll did not move.

Urrax was in tears. “OW! That hurts.”

The Scavenger glanced at the scroll. “It’s strange. It looks like some kind of magic is at work. I am sure Lynx can help. Let’s go to him.”

The Scavenger plunged his sword into the ground below his feet. A blue portal appeared.

The Scavenger ordered everyone to jump into the portal.

The portal opened in Lynx’s cave.

“Please remove the scroll from my hand,” Urrax pleaded. “I don’t want this to stick to my hand forever.”

“Don’t worry; it won’t,” the Scavenger assured him. “I am sure Lynx will know what to do.”

As if on cue, a voice spoke behind them. “Oh! Yes, I do. But the method is risky. It can kill the demon child.”

“Oh! Isn’t there any other way by which we can save the demon child and free the scroll as well?” the Scavenger asked.

“I am afraid not. The risk that the demon child might die in the process of removing the scroll is high.” Lynx nodded.

“Would you stop discussing me as if I am not here?” Urrax said. “And please don’t call me demon child.”

“Sorry, demon child,” the Scavenger said.

Lynx continued, “The scroll is a dangerous thing. It would not only lead you to the Warhead, but it will be beneficial in tackling him as well. You do not know that the Warhead is not a human but a monster, an entity of darkness,