13: Charged-Up

He saw a glowing set of dark eyes appear, then greyish-red skin.

"Lepi Flixus, dravu... Loptica tu fukoos beokona leli." The vampire said, in its unknown language.

"It means: 'I'm Flixus, you see... I'm hungry for flesh right now.'" Edrek translated for Nick.

With a loud wail, Nick found himself on the floor, the vampire feeding on his flesh.

He screamed, as its fangs

dug into his neck.

The pearl, which was his only hope fell off, rolling to the feet of the Duke of Hell, who picked it up, and left.

*****

No!

"Fancy thinking you could keep this forever,"

Mario scoffed, shaking his head as he walked away, examining the pearl.

Nick's vision was blurry as Flixus drank more blood from his body.

He screamed, not able to bear the pain of the vampire's sharp fangs.

"That's enough for lunch, Flixus. Leave some for your mate." Mario ordered, turning back to scrutinize the scene.

"Pleco, cam feri blü...(Please, some more blood...)" Flixus pleaded with his master as Lukas rounded the corner and pounced on Nick, drinking to his fill.

Lukas screamed as he felt the blood burn his insides, just like acid.

This also began with Flixus.

They both howled in pain.

"Draxi drevu parani! (The lad is sacred!) " They announced, scampering to another part of the tunnel.

Nick felt adrenaline pump through him as Mario got closer. He felt so queasy and weak, but, he had to try and get back the pearl.

"I have a plan, Nick. I will possess one of the dead bodies around and try getting the pearl without Mario noticing because that is the only thing that can keep you alive." Edrek told Nick as his vision blurred more and more.

Mario came, bending down to give his parting words.

"Funny thinking you could match up with me. You've got a strong spirit, but not as strong as mine, " he said, a sinister smirk playing at his lips.

"Goodbye, Nick, for a while. I shall be back soon... " Edrek said as his spirit left Nick and entered the body of a dead human— or, maybe... Demon?

Mario chuckled as he left but received a huge blow to his guts from an unknown source.

He clutched his side as he fell and felt his grip on the pearl loosen.

Mario knew the blow was from a mighty supernatural source because a mere mortal can't do that to him.

Edrek got the pearl and set a dynamic orb blasting on Mario.

It felt so good finally getting to use his powers after a very long while— but strange, in a different unclean body. But he had no choice but to enjoy the moment. So, no need to blame him for that extra blast.

The orb blasted, sending shimmering peices of shattered crystal around.

Mario groaned in pain as he felt the heat and superior force of positive magic envelope him.

Edrek reached Nick and found out he was already unconscious.

He gently placed the pearl on Nick's chest as he summoned the spirits of his ancestors to revive Nick.

The bright blue light of the pearl enveloped Nick, outlining his body in a silver-blue halo.

Nick's wound on his side gradually covered up as the bite marks of Lukas and Flixus healed and disappeared.

He felt his heart bubble back to life and start its on-off beat in a unique rhythmic way.

Nick suddenly sprang up to his feet as he looked around, admiring his new supernatural look.

He felt renewed, like he was drained and charged up again with pure surreal energy.

He felt the power in his blood, running up his arteries and down his veins.

He felt pain no longer and felt like every breath he took in had great energy although he was somewhere in hell.

He felt strong as he bounced his way over to Mario, for a war, he could fight now.

He just felt different, and knew exactly what he was meant to do.

Mario looked up at him, so confused on the irony that happened in a matter of minutes.

He thought he was the one, standing high and mighty, with his dark magic charged blood red halo around him, looking down at Nick, thinking he had got control over everything.

Mario just stared, keeping a blank and straight face letting no emotions show.

Well, do demons have emotions?

We would all vote for a no, right?

"Are you noticing the irony, yet, Dr. Mario Mc'Vida, the so called Duke of hell?" Nick said in a bored tone, rolling his eyes.

"Let's call for a truce, Nicholas," Mario said, in a serious tone, ignoring Nick's question, "You give me the pearl, and I shall stop tormenting you forever."

"Fancy saying that when crouched down on the floor in pain," Nick paused, chuckling, "I told you I am ready to risk my life for this fight because that pearl is going no where near your possession. You want to use it to bring hell and earth together, but I wouldn't let that happen."

"I'm ready for war, Mario. It's no more play time."