Chapter 3
Apollo stepped in front of Artemis his blade out in defensive posture."You must be Delano haven't had the pleasure I'm afraid." Delano considered him for a moment frowning. "Where are you planning on going with Artemis? I'm sure she's told you that no one leaves this Manor. Well alive that is." He laughed, Apollo unsheathed his blade..the moonlight shining down on it. Delano's laughing ceased, "oh, and what are you planning on doing with that Apollo? Your not really thinking about using that on me are you?" Artemis watched silently. Apollo lifted his blade towards Delano. "I told you I am taking her with or without your approval it makes no difference to me, I have no problem running this blade through your black heart." Delano's smile was dark and dangerous as he lifted his blade. "Oh Apollo I've been waiting for this day to come, a day for someone to challenge me to a good fight. Are you that someone Apollo? Are you a worthy enough opponent for me hmm?" He taunted Apollo. Apollo just smiled and waited, Delano slowly walked down the staircase his eyes sparkling dangerously. He raised his blade and leaped up in the air blades clashed as he landed onto Apollo's blade. Delano grinned and flipped backwards landing on his feet. He lunged again this time Apollo dodged and punched him hard in the ribcage knocking Delano into the wall. He glared at Apollo and ran towards him Apollo was ready the sound of steel echoed as they fought. Delano slashed Apollo's shirt knocking him backwards. Apollo looked up as Delano came closer his blade readying for another attack, just then a gust of wind knocked the blade out of Delano's hand.
They both stilled, a light chanting drew their attention to Artemis. She had knelt on the floor a circle of red liquid surrounded her...her hair hid her face. Delano made a disgusted sound and attacked Apollo. Artemis opened he eyes..her black eyes pierced Delano..his body was lifted off of Apollo's and thrown hard slamming into the wall. Artemis got up and ran to Apollo she hurried him to his feet. "Apollo come! Hurry while he is down we must leave." They ran to the door and she stopped. "Artemis? Lets go." He tugged her hand, but she shook her head. "No I must stay for now Apollo I can not leave, if I do they will not have a chance to leave." He frowned. "Who?" Tears slid down her cheeks, he touched one with his fingertip. A low moan came from behind them. Artemis shoved him out the door, "one day I will go with you, but for now I will remain." She closed the door. Apollo tried to turn the knob, banging on the door whenhe heard her screams, but it was no use. He layed his forehead against the door, his hands clenching into fists. "Delano if you hurt her I swear I will kill you." He silently promised. Looking arounf he decided to investigate a bit.
Going back into the garden he walked around the fountain where the statue of the girl was, water came from a bowl she was carrying, roses surrounded the fountain. His head started to hurt again flashes hit him hard..a boy sat near the fountain holding a rose...the girl came up to him and kissed his cheek...the boy smiled and placed the rose in her hair...he breathed deeply as the vision went away. Opening his eyes slowly he sat on the bench where the two children had been. The sound of water calming him, "why now? Why these visions? What do they mean?" He whispered to himself....you will know in time, the priest had said. Yeah but how long will I have to wait. His thoughts went to Artemis, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever layed eyes on. She was a witch they said, he saw a few of her spells. There was something about her, although she tried to kill him..once in his arms he felt a need to comfort her, it was as if he had known her. He saw her loneliness...felt it, she was in pain he knew yet he was helpless to save her. That music box still puzzled him, was it a coincidence that it was the same tune his mother had sung to him? Screams brought him back to reality he turned around. The screams were coming from the other side of the Manor.
He ran across the yard rolling out of the way as a spike shot straight up from the ground almost hitting him. He whistled and patted himself, phew still intact. That must have been a trap for villagers and tourists, he looked around there was no telling what other traps were layed out for him. He walked on the road that led to an old building. He coughed, a smell came from underneath the door, the smell of rotten flesh. He blinked rotten flesh? Oh boy. He swallowed slowly and opened the door. His jaw dropped, bodies of dead villagers hung upside down some of them gutted and some of them decapitated. He gagged and slammed the door, bending over he sought air. The screams quieted he looked around he was near them but couldnt see anyone. He walked over to the side of the Manor there were small windows near the ground to which appeared to be the basement. He tried peering inside no good the windows had boards nailed to them from the inside. A moan made him turn around he let out a short scream. A girl with long black hair and a black dress held out her hands to him. Blood streamed down her face...blood filled the holes where her eyes had been. Blood dripped from her fingers, her arms and her legs..Apollo...come to me. Her words whispered through his mind, he got up and ran until he reached the garden.
He caught his breath and looked back, nothing..the Manor was silent again an eerie silence that he was determined to break. Turning around he headed for the village. It was time for the priest to confess.
