IV-The Grol

An attack at the foot of the mountain...

Ray didn�t vanish that evening. He guided Lea into a cave and taught her how to light a fire out of two tree branches.
-Feeling better?
-No.
Lea felt her heart ache with sorrow. She had known the master for ten years. After losing her parents, Master Keilen was a true father to her.
-Listen, I know how you�re feeling. But you must be strong!
-I don�t want to be strong! And I don�t want to fight the Lord of Shadows!
-Calm down Lea�
-I can�t!
She was crying painfully. Ray gazed sadly upon Lea. Her desperate face was drowning in mournful tears. The ghost could do nothing about this. �If only I could make her feel better!� he said to himself. Morning rose, and Ray was still sitting next to Lea, who had ended up falling asleep. He slowly approached his hand, hoping to touch her face�but his hand went right through it.
-What are you doing?
A familiar shivering feeling had awakened Lea.
-Nothing, I was trying to wake you up. We mustn�t waste time you know!
-And what are we going to do?
-Find the gateway out of the valley.
-Fine then, let�s go. I can�t stand remaining in this valley much longer!
She hung the master�s sword to her back, took her staff, walked out of the cave and went into the dense forest of the Secret Valley.
Lea and ray walked for hours under the heat of the sun. They traveled a long way in the forest, among the gigantic trees and bushes of the valley.
-Ray�why did you come back?
-Come back..?
-I mean, you..died..and came back!
-Actually I never left. I had a mission to accomplish, but I was killed by the Grols.
-Is that why stayed on Earth?
-When I tried to cross over, something held me back. I couldn�t cross! I understood that I still had to accomplish my mission before finding peace.
-What was your mission?
-My mission is your mission.
-No! I don�t want to fight the Lord of Shadows! Besides, I already told you that.
-Look, it�s not a coincidence that you can see me. I need your help!
She looked at the ghost in dismay.
-You are the only one who can defeat him�
The last words of Master Keilen rang in Lea�s ears� �You are the only one�.
-The only one� She whispered, sighing.
Ray stopped walking.
-Look!
She followed his finger that pointed at the peak of a mountain.
-We are at the foot of the Cursed Mountain. The gateway is located at the peak.
-We must climb it then!
Ray took a look at the sky for a moment.
-Not tonight. We�ll start climbing in the morning.
A full moon shone brightly that night. The stars spread abundantly through the dark sky, illuminating the Cursed Mountain. Ray kept guard while Lea was getting some rest. Suddenly, a loud crack broke the silence of the night.
-What was that?!
Lea was startled by the noise.
-Grab your sword and follow me.
Ray through quick glances around the forest to see what had caused this noise. Lea searched the place rapidly, grasping the sword with both hands. Something moved inside the bushes�
-Lea! To your left!
A red-hooded creature in black was running straight for Lea, pointing its electric spear at her.
-It�s a Grol!
She barely dodged the first stike, then aimed for the Grol�s chest with her sword and tried to hit�the creature moved away easily.
-Attack from the sides Lea!
She couldn�t do it. The Grol was so fast that she barely had enough time to slip out of the spear�s way!
-You have to let go of your defenses just once! You�ve got one chance!
She understood. At the very moment the Grol was aiming for her shoulder, she turned and thrust her sword into its chest. The Grol vanished into thin air, leaving no trace. The sword slipped out of Lea�s hand and hit the ground�the spear had reached her back and she screamed in pain, falling on her knees. She breathed heavily, her heart thumping madly.
-Are you okay Lea?
She couldn�t answer.
-The first time is always hard. You�ll get used to the Grol�s spear soon enough!