The Wandering Shadow: Chapter Fifteen
15 Sargent Mirza Alim stood outside Cairo's M.E.L.D. precinct, watching the last rays of the setting sun. It was symbolic to him, in a way. The light was fading from the world and so too was a darkness falling upon the city. It touched him--chilled him really--straight to his core. He no longer felt safe within the city he had known his whole life. He could only imagine how fearful the civilians must be. He could almost see them, clutching their children close, or whispering in hushed tones, as though worried some evil spirit were coming for them, to take them away in the night. Hell, he wanted to be at home, holding his own wife and children close, assuring them that all would be well. At least they were moderately safe for now, confined to their homes by a city wide curfew. He heaved a heavy sigh. Such worrying will do no good, he told himself. He inclined his head and uttered a single prayer, hoping that they would all be watched over in the days that lay ahead. When he raised his head again he scowled. Walking down the street toward the precinct were the American Lieutenant, his British friend, and the white wolf that was so very out of place. He didn't like them. He hadn't liked them from the moment he had met them at the Museum. Granted, were it not for them, the city's police and M.E.L.D. officers wouldn't likely know the depth of the threat they were facing, but Mirza couldn't bring himself to like them. The British one was self centered, and the Lieutenant--while clearly interested in the protection of the city--simply rubbed Mirza the wrong way. He wasn't quite sure what it was he disliked in the Lieutenant, he just knew it was there. Perhaps it was that he didn't trust him. While he carried himself like an officer, and acted like one--perhaps even to excess--it seemed odd to Mirza that an officer would be so far from home, not to mention dressed so oddly, and in equally odd company. No, something about the Lieutenant didn't quite add up, of that he was sure. But his suspicions would have to wait until the dangers threatening his home had safely passed. For now, he would have to accept this outside help, if only to protect the things he held dear. As the trio approached, Mirza saluted the Lieutenant, who returned the gesture in a halfhearted fashion. When they stopped before him Mirza asked, "Any new information for us sir?" Will shook his head. "Not a damn bit. I was hoping you might have something new for me Sargent." Mirza shook his head. "No sir, not yet. All the patrols have returned empty handed or with nothing to show for it but another corpse." Will swore. "How many dead are we up to?" "Since you last checked in we've come across two more." He swore again. "Nine. Nine people already lost, and that's assuming we've found all of them. Plus the guard who's still missing." Will ran a hand down his face, as though wiping away sweat. "This is maddening." Mirza nodded. "I would have to agree sir. I fear for how things will progress if left unchecked." Will let out a long, slow breath, trying to calm himself. "Don't worry. We'll find them eventually Sargent. They can't hide forever." "I sincerely hope that you are correct s--" He never finished though, as all of their attentions were drawn by a single bright red light shooting into the sky from the general vicinity of downtown Cairo. Each search party combing the city had been given one of these devices as a means of immediately alerting anyone in the vicinity that their targets had been found. Will and Mirza exchanged a glance, nodded to each other, and both took off running toward the source of the flare. David didn't move though. He had already dealt with a vampire once, and he wasn't keen to repeat the experience. He wasn't given much choice though when Jenna roughly bumped him from behind, the jerked her head for him to follow after them. David scoffed. "Forgive the phrase, but you're barking. I'm not going into that shit." Jenna growled and gave him her best 'do what I want or I'll bite you' look. He stared her down for a moment then sighed. "Fine dammit! I'll go!" Thus David--reluctantly, and keeping one eye trained on her--went running after Will and Mirza. Jenna laughed her snuffling growling laugh as she watched him go for a moment then took off after them all, thinking, There are a few rare occasions when this form is useful. Being on four legs as she was, she easily caught up with them, slowing to keep their pace and not race out ahead of them. Following the line of smoke in the sky that lingered even after the light of the flare faded, they were able to move quickly through the emptied streets to reach the source of the signal. For a few tense moments the only sounds were the rhythm of their footsteps falling on the pavement and the huffs and puffs of their increasingly labored breaths. As they approached the source of the flare signal they began to hear other sounds. Gunshots. Shouting and screams. Just ahead the gap between buildings opened up into the far wider area that they recognized as Tahrir Square. The sight that greeted them there was like something from a nightmare. There were a number of other officers--around fifteen or so, Will guessed from a quick count--all fighting...something. Whatever it was, it was no vampire; Will knew at least that much. Their view of the antagonist was partially blocked, making it difficult to distinguish any features, with the exception that it was about the size of a human and was pitch black in color. For but a brief moment it seemed as though the officers converging on it would be successful; then came the blast wave. It emanated from the body of the creature, and consisted of a single concussive blast of shadowy energy, knocking back the charging officers, most by several yards. When the energy faded the assailant finally came into view. None of them had ever seen anything quite like it before. The creature walked on two legs ending in digitigrade, paw like feet. While the creature's arms weren't particularly extraordinary themselves, the shadow thing's hands--while retaining the nimble human form--ended each finger with a long, curved claw. The black energy that constituted its body held the likeness of fur one moment--including a rather oddly fluffy looking tail--and fire the next, ever changing between the two states, giving the beast a demonic presence. Atop it all, the creature's head resembled that of a jackal in most every respect, save for that its eyes were more angular and glowed red as burning coals. It was David who spoke first when faced with this unknown creature, asking--in not so many words--the question on all of their minds. "What the bloody hell is that?!" Will drew his gun, leveling it at the creature, staring down the barrel with the sight aimed right at its head. "I have a hunch, that that thing is the 'Shadow of Anubis'." The creature turned to face them, canting its head to one side. Then there came a sound like amused laughter, though they heard it not with their ears, but with their minds. Your hunch is correct, human. They all recoiled slightly, Mirza in particular looking quite pale and frightened by the voice echoing in all of their minds. The voice had an almost refined quality to it, as though it belonged to someone of noble blood. Yet even calling it a voice was inaccurate. It was more like somehow their own thoughts had been changed, as though this thing was thinking inside each of their heads. Looking around, Will could see that many of the other officers were exhibiting the same level of fear--and in some cases more so--than Mirza. Perhaps they're inexperienced, he thought, or maybe it was just a cultural thing. That wasn't important though. Not when faced with such a clearly powerful entity. Will walked forward at an even pace, keeping his pistol aimed at the self admitted Shadow of Anubis. The Shadow watched him curiously but it made no move to stop him. When the space between them had been reduced to no more than a few yards Will stopped, eyeing the creature carefully. Then--with the most authoritative tone he could muster--he said, "As an officer of M.E.L.D., I'm ordering you to surrender yourself for arrest." The Shadow seemed almost amused, and in fact it rather was. A simple little human, ordering it around like that? Well, even if it was insolent, the Shadow figured it could have a bit of fun with the situation. Oh of course officer, but what may I ask are the charges? Will scowled. It didn't take a genius to tell that the creature was toying with him. Still, all he could do now was follow through. "You're going to be taken in as the prime suspect in the murders of no fewer than nine people, as well as the disappearance of at least one other." The Shadow tilted its head, feigning confusion. Only nine? So you haven't found the other three yet? Will fought the urge to pull the trigger then and there, though he couldn't say why. There was no way this thing could be put on trial, but at the same time he felt it would be wrong to take it upon himself to execute it. "No. But when we do, their bodies will serve as all the more evidence of your guilt." Tell me officer, how can I be guilty of murder when I am not human? "I...what?" It's quite simple really. You don't imprison your kind for the killing of creatures like cows--lesser creatures than yourselves--so why should I be punished for the deaths of my source of sustenance? If anything, I should be punishing you lesser creatures for daring to stand up to me, as you would an unruly animal. I believe I will do just that. I must teach you to behave. Will pulled back the hammer on his pistol. "I don't think so. You're going to--" He didn't finish that sentence though, for the Shadow's own inky black shadow suddenly took on a life of its own, forming several tentacle like appendages. Two of them--the largest of the bunch--struck like vipers, hitting Will in the chest and throwing him back to hit the ground with no small amount of pain radiating through his body. The other officers in the Square--seeming to have finally gained the willpower to do something other than stare--all opened fire on the Shadow. There was an almost bored look in its eyes as several of the tentacles flowed together to form a shield, blocking the bullets entirely. You humans with your toys. They may do well against other humans, but I do believe I am a bit much for them. Still, you must learn obedience, even if your weapons harm me no more than the bite of a toothless cat would harm one of you. I won't have my future subjects be so ill mannered. More tentacles formed, enough for there to be one for each officer present. They shot out from the Shadow's body, each with one intended target. Unlike the ones that had hit Will though, these ones sharpened to razor points. The officers all tried to avoid being impaled upon these pitch black protrusions, but each was a swift as a rushing river, and each time one hit its mark another officer would cry out in pain. Most were merely incapacitated by the attack, their arms or legs bleeding profusely. There were three though who received far worse. When those unlucky few were impaled, the tentacles didn't withdraw from their bodies, but instead dug in deeper, hooking into the flesh, seeping into and filling their bodies, and covering their bones with cracks, like those that vines make in the foundation of a house. Each of the three would have screamed in pain and terror were their bodies not totally immobilized by the invading appendages. Sparks of hot white energy began to run along the tentacles, going from the victims' bodies along the length of the umbral arms to reach the Shadow's body. It was draining their energy, feeding off their very lives. No one who was still able to seemed willing to move. They couldn't help but be paralyzed--whether with fear or simple shock--at what was happening before them. A moment or two passed in silence then the Shadow--with rather uncharacteristic care--lowered the three bodies to the ground, having fully satisfied its hunger. It looked around, an amused glint in its bright red eyes as it withdrew the tentacles, the appendages melting back into its form. Let that serve as a lesson to you all. Should any of you interfere with me again, you will more than likely become little more than a meal to me. Now then, I must be off. If you'll excuse-- All of their attention was drawn from the Shadow when David--seeming to be the only one brave enough or foolish enough to move--approached the fell creature. The Shadow eyed him with amusement as the illusionist picked up a fallen gun and pointed it at the entity. And what do you plan to do? Do you have a death wish? David scoffed. "Nah. See, the way I figure it, I've got a better chance of takin' you down than these sods. Unlike them, I've got some powers of my own. I'm not really the heroic type, but seems I haven't got much choice here, now do I? Honestly, I'm scared out of my mind right now...and damned if I wouldn't normally run away with my tail between my legs...but I know evil when I see it. I'm no saint--that's for sure, no point denying it--but a creature like you needs to be wiped off the face of the earth." The Shadow laughed. Very well then, human. Why don't you test yourself against me? "You asked for it." David smiled his usual slick smile, and for the briefest of instants nothing happened, then the Shadow flinched and David-- Fell to his knees with his head in his hands, shouting in pain. The Shadow threw back its head and howled with laughter. Ah, this is a rare treat. People who can manipulate minds are ever so entertaining. They think themselves above other humans, and they forget how weak they really are. The Shadow's eyes narrowed. They forget that an entity like myself is no mere human. Trying to reach into my mind--to distort my perceptions--such an attempt was foolishness in its essence. I'll commend you for the attempt, but compared to me, you are no stronger than any of the rest of your kind. I would kill you, but I think you've learned your own weakness. Now, as I was saying before you ever so rudely interrupted me, I'll be off. I have an important matter to attend to. The Shadow turned its back on them all without fear of retaliation--and why should it have any fear of them?--walking across Tahrir Square toward the Museum at a quite leisurely pace. Once it was a good distance away, Will dared to roll himself onto his feet and--with Jenna quickly falling into stride beside him--they ran to where David knelt, still holding his head in his hands. Will knelt beside him and placed a hand on David's shaking shoulder. "David? Are you alright? What happened?" Will wasn't prepared for the look in David's eyes when he turned his head to look up at him. It was a look of fear--no, complete terror--that he had never have though he would see in the illusionist's eyes. Gone were any traces of confidence or lighthearted temperament. When he spoke, David's voice shook as much as his body. "Will...th-that...thing. I-it...it's so much worse than you...c-could imagine. I...I told you before yeah? My power...I have to work on my target's mind. And I have to be cleverer than they are...if it'll work well. I can tell a lot about them when I touch their minds. What kind of..." He stopped for a moment, gulped in a few breaths, and continued. "What kind of people they are. How they think. I have to do it all in a matter of seconds. When I touched that thing's mind...a few seconds was far too much. It...it's as twisted as can be. And its mind...it was like hearing a hundred tortured...screaming voices all at once. I think...I think every person that it's ever...shit. Every person that it's ever...eaten...they're still...still alive somehow. Living on...as part of that thing's mind. They're in pain." David paused for the briefest of moments then added, "The Shadow of Anubis...it needs to be destroyed. Cause if it isn't...I get the feeling that...that we're all right fucked." Will waited for a moment or two, but stepped away when David didn't seem inclined toward saying anything else. He looked around, seeing many of the other officers were in about the same state as David, all terrified beyond comprehension. It occurred to Will then that few--or perhaps even none of them--had ever actually dealt with any kind of dark creature or evil entity before. That wasn't particularly surprising though. Most M.E.L.D. officers hadn't. It didn't exactly come up very often. Hell, by M.E.L.D standards, he was pretty experienced, and even he had only two previous instances under his belt--specifically Silas's cult and the vampire aboard the ship. None of them were ready for what they were facing. How could they be? Will's attention was taken by Mirza walking toward him, a venomous look in his eyes. "I want answers Lieutenant. What happened to your friend? What is going on? And what is that thing?" Will shook his head. "Weren't you paying any attention? That creature is exactly what we've been trying to find. The dark force contained within the stolen amulet. As for what happened to David..." Will looked back over his shoulder at the still cowering illusionist. "He tried to touch the creature's mind. Suffice to say, he was unprepared for what he encountered." Mirza shook his head. "This is all...too much. How do we even deal with a creature like that?" "I don't know," Will admitted. "I've never seen anything like it either. What we do need to do though, is gather up as many officers as we can. More importantly--" Will was cut short by an explosive sound from opposite side of the Square. They all looked to see smoke rising from the front entrance of the Museum. It appeared that the Shadow hadn't been content with the existing entrance into the building, instead making one of its own. Will was even more worried now. "What could that thing possibly want from the Museum? What could be in there that's so important to it?" "While a valid concern, you humans should be focusing on how you'll destroy the Shadow." Will, Jenna and Mirza all turned around, facing the source of the--quite condescending--voice. Standing before them was a man in a high collared black coat and a wide brimmed black hat that was tilted down to cover the upper half of his face. What could bee seen of his skin was porcelain white, and just as smooth, except on the right side, where just the slightest hint of what was a likely a rather sizeable scar could bee seen peeking out from under the hat. While his appearance was unfamiliar, his voice was all too familiar. Will brought his gun up to point at the 'man'. "You. You're the vampire. The one from the ship." Logan smiled. "Why yes, yes I am. And tell me now, William Keller, what do you plan to do with that information?" Will was too surprised at Logan's knowledge of his name to even begin to form a response. How did this creature know him? Why did it know him? He didn't get long to consider it though, for Logan waited for no more than a few seconds before he continued. "You must decide here and now. Will you kill me? Bring me to justice for the crimes you perceive me as having committed? Or, shall you spare me now, in order to learn how to destroy a greater threat?" Will's eyes narrowed. "The Shadow of Anubis? Why would you know how to destroy it? Why would you want to?" "It's really quite simple. It told me how, when I awakened it--" "So then it's your fault in the first place. Why should I let you live again?" Logan rolled his eyes, though Will couldn't see the action. "Control your temper. I awakened it at the behest of my creator, who wished to know what power the amulet held and--if possible--control it. However, after watching the creature through my eyes, my master believes that the creature is...too dangerous to be allowed to exist--" "And yet they created you." Logan sighed. "Yes, but I more loyal and manageable by far. Now please stop interrupting. Since the Shadow is beyond my creator's ability to control, and it poses as much threat to them as anyone else, I have been tasked with informing you on how to slay the beast." Will gritted his teeth. It seemed too easy, and entirely too suspicious...but he didn't see much choice. "Why not have you do it then? If you know how to destroy the Shadow?" "You don't understand what the Shadow really is, do you? Don't answer, I know you don't. The Shadow of Anubis is--in a word--knowledge. It was created to transfer knowledge from one person to another. At some point though it developed a taste for life energy, becoming what it is now. That doesn't change its purpose though. It can read the mind of anyone it touches--or devours. And it knows how dangerous knowledge can be. Thus, it knows--and most certainly remembers--that it let it slip. It told me--quite by accident--the secret to its destruction. And now I shall tell you." Will still wasn't convinced though. "And what price do we pay for this knowledge?" Logan shook his head. "None. Simply let me walk away with my life, and be sure to destroy the creature. Now then, do you want to know, or do you wish to charge in blind, and risk more lives?" Will felt disgusted at the thought of letting him go free. But he didn't have much choice. "Alright then you have a de--" "You can't be seriously taking this creature's offer, can you?" Mirza asked, aghast. "This vampire is as dangerous as the Shadow!" Will shook his head. "I don't believe so. Dangerous yes, but he is the lesser danger." "But--" "Be quiet Sargent. That's an order." Turning away from a venomously glaring Mirza and back to Logan, Will asked, "How do we destroy it?" Logan smiled most darkly. "Excellent. The key to the Shadow's destruction lies with the amulet. Destroy the relic, and the Shadow goes with it." "That's it? Well then where is that amulet?" "Hmm...now that's where the challenge comes in. The amulet is around the neck of the Shadow's host--that is to say. The Shadow currently possesses the body of one of the Museum's security guards. So, the amulet travels with the Shadow, right in the middle of its 'chest'. You will need to break through the layer of energy covering it in order to destroy the amulet." Again, Will found himself to surprised to answer. The riddle of the missing guard solved. It was anticlimactic, yet at the same time, horrible. An innocent man, serving as a vessel for that awful creature. Yet another crime of the Shadow. Turning back to Mirza he said, "Alright Sargent, we know what to do now. Gather up as many officers as you can and have them set up barricades outside the Museum. Don't let the Shadow get out. We're fortunate that the Shadow has chosen to go into a building that should be empty of people." Mirza licked his lips nervously. "Actually Lieutenant...the Museum may not be totally empty." "What? Who's in there? I thought everyone in the city had been ordered to stay in their homes." "All except for one. The old archaeologist you were with earlier. He claimed to be an expert in magical artifacts. So, we requested that he go through the Museums files, and search the texts--both ancient and contemporary--to find any information on the amulet. It's purpose. It's creation. Anything we needed to know about it besides what he had already told us." Will was on the verge of a rage filled outburst, but was beat to it by David, who had overheard everything. The illusionist seemed to have cast his terror aside in favor of anger. He rushed past Will and grabbed Mirza by the collar, getting right in the Sargent's face. "Are you telling me, that Max is in there with that god forsaken thing?! Alone?! Well?!" Mirza gulped, and nodded. David's face contorted into a snarl, and for a brief moment Will could swear that the illusionist was going to punch Mirza. He was thus surprised when David simply gave the Sargent a rough shove, sending him staggering back a few paces. David turned to Will, rage and something akin to desperation burning in his eyes. "We need to get in their right now and end that thing. Right bloody now. We know how to destroy it, so let's go." Will nodded. For once, he and David seemed to be on the same page. Will looked to Mirza and said, "He's right Sargent. Get to officers together. Now. Go!" Mirza nodded, still a bit shaken, and ran off. Will looked to Logan next, but the vampire had vanished. Will swore under his breath. He was hoping he might have been able to get another answer or two out of him. It didn't matter anymore though. All that mattered at that moment was the Shadow. That...and one other thing for Will. He knelt down, placing a hand on Jenna's fur covered shoulder. "Jen, I know you're not going to like this, but I want you to stay here. I don't want you getting hurt." She growled, shaking her head in fierce defiance. If he thinks I'm going to let him throw himself in harms way, while I stay here cowering, he's got another thing coming! Will sighed. "I know you hate it, but I'm trained for these kinds of things. And don't I always come back?" She gave a begrudging nod in response, but kept on growling. Even is she could speak she wouldn't have said what popped into her head then. Taylor always came back too...until he didn't. She felt bad thinking it, but it didn't make it any less true. She shook her head again. I don't want you going dammit! Will clenched his teeth tight--almost to the point of it hurting--trying to fight back the growing anger. The last thing he wanted to do was get angry with her. "Jenna, I have to go. This is my job. Someone has to put a stop to this...and I feel it should be me. In a way...this is my--our--fault. I'm pretty sure the vampire followed us here--god only knows why--but I'm sure he did. Which means none of this would have happened if we hadn't come here. So now, we should be the ones to fix it. But I'm not about to let you risk yourself. I...thought I had lost you when you changed...but even knowing how much that hurt...I don't want to know what it's like to truly lose you. Please stay here." She almost considered it for a moment, then shook her head again, and opened her mouth, reclosing her jaws gently--but firmly--on his arm. I'm not about to lose you either. If one of us goes, we both do. I don't plan to live without you. Will stared her down for a moment, dark brown eyes locked with brilliant green. Even if he could see into her thoughts, he wouldn't need to do so to know what she was thinking. Those eyes, so fierce, yet ever so beautiful--the eyes he had first fallen in love with half a decade before--said it all. She wasn't taking no for an answer. No matter what. Will sighed and shook his head. "God damn you're stubborn. Fine then. But you will stay behind me the whole time, and if I tell you to run and hide, you run and hide. Clear?" She nodded reluctantly. It's better than nothing. "Good." Will stood and turned back to David, who was tapping his foot impatiently. "Alright, no more delays. We're going. But...you're going to need this." Will held out his gun, intending for David to take it. He eyed the weapon, taking it cautiously. "Not that I don't appreciate it, but honestly, what'll this do against the Shadow? Bullets don't seem to harm it." Will placed a hand on David's shoulder. "It doesn't fire bullets. It fires bolts of lightning." Will removed his hand, and he and Jenna walked past David, who now looked quite confused. He turned and looked at their retreating forms for a moment, then said, "Wait...it fires what?!"
Max had been awoken by the sound of the explosion, rocking the museum. He had drifted off to sleep in his office on the second floor while reading through--or trying to read through--the various ancient texts that were laid out on his desk. They were texts from the same time period and/or location as the amulet, and he had hoped that on closer inspection, one might provide some clues about the artifact. Now though they had been abandoned as he cautiously approached the door to his office. He opened it just a crack, seeing a layer of dust floating in the air. A result of the explosion, he assumed. His first though was of the relics that may have been damaged. They were all nigh on irreplaceable, after all. He stepped out, ever so cautiously. Whatever had caused the explosion couldn't be pleasant. That much he knew. He let the door drift open behind him, not bothering to close or lock it. Perhaps it would be wise to lock myself in my office, he thought. Certainly he couldn't handle any intruder or terrorist or...whatever was destroying the museum on his own. No, it would be safer to retreat to his office. He turned around and made for the door, but stopped when a vice entered his mind. Come now Professor...you study the ancient world all your life...and then you run away when living relic enters your domain? Tsk tsk. Max turned, and was surprised to see a form coming out of the dust. It resolved into an image of nightmare. A bipedal black jackal, seemingly made of energy, eyes glowing like fire. He had never seen anything like it. It was both terrifying and awe inspiring to him. "Wh-what do you mean...living relic?" Why I, am the Shadow of Anubis. I am the reason you never tampered with the amulet. You feared my release. The Shadow chuckled. I can see it on your simple human face. You don't understand how I could know that. I was imprisoned in the amulet. Asleep...but not. I could not act, but I was conscious of all that went on around me. For so many millennia I waited...hoping for freedom. And just when I though I had it...what happened? I was taken from one tomb...and placed in another. I exchanged stone and sand for glass and velvet, but both were tombs. In both I was meant to stay sealed away for eternity. And the funniest part is...you were the one who entombed me the second time...so I likely would have hunted you down, even if the witch didn't want you dead. The Shadow strode toward Max with the grace of a hunting predator. When it stood but a foot away, it leaned forward, putting their faces just a few inches apart. Tell me Maxwell...what does it feel like, to stare death in the face? Does it make you feel fear...of courage? Will you lie down and die, or will you defy me until your last breath? Max shook his head. "I've spent my whole life studying history. I've never been afraid to become a part of it." But, only the greatest heroes and villains of history are remembered by name. I doubt that a millennia form now, anyone will know your name. You will be part of history, but will you be remembered? Will anyone care that you were here? "I don't know. I simply don't know. I don't know if there is life after death...I don't know if I will simply die...and nothing more. I don't know if I will be remembered...or become a name lost to times arrow. But I was here. I was alive. And that's more than you can say, I would wager. You...you're just energy. No better than a fire. It may move. It may consume things thrown in its path. But it isn't alive. You--" The words died in Max's throat as the Shadow plunged one clawed hand straight into the old man's chest, tearing flesh and crunching through bone. The Shadow smiled as Max reached up to grip its wrist in a weak attempt to remove the invading appendage. Before I kill you completely, I don't want you to think of this as an act of anger. I was simply tired of hearing you prattle on. Max looked down, seeing his life blood start to flow down his chest, seeping out around the Shadow's hand. His mind was already clouding, and he could feel his many years weighing upon him all at once. So many...yet too few. He felt a twinge of regret, as he realized all the things his life had been missing. No wife. No children or grandchildren. Really, no legacy. But perhaps the worst regret was that he hadn't had a better relationship with David. David was the only family he had known for so long...and yet they barely knew each other at all. But even that feeling passed after a moment or two. He began to feel his link to the waking world fade. He whispered, "I'm sorry brother." With his final ounce of strength he looked up to the Shadow's eyes and said, "I hope that when you stare death in the face...you remember your question...about whether you will be remembered." He blacked out then, being spared the pain of suffering as the Shadow drained him of his life energy. He was also drained of all the knowledge he held, his mind essentially melding with that of the Shadow. A moment of almost reverent silence passed, then the Shadow released his hold, Max's body falling heavily to the floor with a sickening thump and the crunching of old bones. The Shadow licked the blood from its fingers then laughed. So much knowledge. For one confined to the short life of a human, you learned much. And now, it will all benefit me. Who know, perhaps something you knew will allow me to-- The Shadow's train of though was broken by a cry of anguish from behind. It turned and looked, seeing Will, David, and Jenna, all staring in shock at Max's prone form, a pool of blood beneath his remains. None seemed more distressed than David, who had fallen to his knees for the second time now in the Shadow's presence. The Shadow smiled cruelly. William. David. I see you've come to face me once more. Hmm...strange...the old Professor though rather highly of you both. You both entered his thoughts as he died. So did the wolf girl. Curious that you should all be here...the only ones he cared for at the end of his life--aside from his relics--and you've all shown up for his moment of departure from this world. It's almost...poetic. David staggered to his feet, pointing Will's gun at the Shadow. "You...bloody...monster. I'm going to make you regret this." Oh? How then? With that shiny metal toy? I showed how little those can do against me. Or perhaps you want to try touching my mind again. Who knows, perhaps you'll even manage to feel the last bits of your precious Max-- The Shadow stopped, its eyes widening when a single bolt of green/white energy shot past it, missing by less than an inch, blasting a chunk out of the wall behind it. The Shadow's eyes narrowed. I see. Without but a split second's warning, the Shadow formed two tentacles that shot at lightning quick and knocked all three of them from their feet, faster than David could shoot or Will could draw his sword. The Shadow laughed. Even with your advantages, I'm too much for you. I suggest you don't get back up. Before any of them had the chance to stop it--momentarily stunned as they were--the Shadow glided out of the room past them, making for the stairway down to the floor below. They all staggered to their feet over the course of the next few moments, all breathing heavily. David looked over to Max's body, and had to fight to keep tears from spilling down his cheeks. Now wasn't the time to mourn. He--they--had to put a stop to the Shadow. He looked over to Will--who was checking Jenna for injuries--and asked, "Do you have a plan? Cause I sure as hell don't." After a moment Will stepped back from Jenna, rising back to his full height. "I may have one plan...but it's not likely to work. And even if it does...one or more of us may die." "Out with it then. We don't have time to waste."As Will began to explain, none of them noticed the lightning fast shadow that stole into Max's open office, grabbing the various ancient texts on the desk, and dodging out again, just as invisibly.*** The Shadow would have hummed a merry tune to itself if it could. It was finally done with the witch's task. Now, with its promise kept, it was truly free. But where to start? Global domination as far too pedestrian. Too many would be conquerors had fallen prey to their own hubris. Not to say the Shadow was without pride, but it didn't intend to make the same mistakes as say, Alexander the Great, or Julius Caesar. Strange, it thought. How do I know those names? Ah yes, the Professor. His knowledge of history was quite impressive. So many things I've learned in so short a time. I really should acquire the knowledge of a few more like him...or at least a few more elderly humans. I'd forgotten just how much they can know! So many things to catch up, after all. A few millennia of sleep will put you a bit out of touch with the goings on of the world. I wonder if-- "Hey, slow down you great shadowy git!" The Shadow sighed. It was really growing tired of these constant interruptions. It turned to see David approaching, weaving his way through the various display cases. Back for more? You really do have a death wish, don't you? And where are William and...oh dear...what was the wolf girl's name? Ah well, it doesn't really matter. David glared at the Shadow, his voice dripping with venom when he spoke. "They stayed behind. They didn't want to risk their lives against you." Sensible. You should follow their example. "Nah. I'm more of the 'go my own way' type. Besides, I'm not about to let you get away without any punishment for what you've done" So dramatic. Very well then. Consider your death wish, granted. This time when the Shadow attacked with its umbral tentacle David was ready, dodging behind a near by display showing ancient currencies. God I really hope Will knows what he's doing, he thought. I hope you don't think these pitiful barriers will protect you. They'll do well enough, David thought as he leapt back to avoid being impaled on the tentacle that came piercing through the display case, scattering three-thousand year old coins across the floor. David stood to his full height and fired off two shots at the Shadow. One went wild, missing completely. The other though--more carefully aimed--grazed the Shadow's shoulder, slicing a gash in the dark energy. The Shadow scowled as it looked upon the tear. It too but an instant for the 'wound' to mend itself, but that didn't heal the wound on the Shadow's pride. Now I'll be certain to kill you slowly. To savor it. All David could manage in reply was "Oh shit" as he dropped to the ground to avoid the trio of tentacles that shot at him. Come on Will...any bloody time now. Can't do this forever. Hmm...so tenacious but I sense you're heart's not in it. Perhaps you do really want to die-- The Shadow stopped. It felt...something. A presence. Behind it. Half a second too late it turned to see David's light-bending variant of invisibility fading from Will's body as he drove his sword forward, aiming for the spot on the Shadow's 'back' that would correspond with the middle of its chest on the front. Even a second too late though, the Shadow was faster than Will could account for. It whipped two of its tentacles back to grab Will--one underneath each arm--and threw him over the Shadow's head to crash into one of the display cases, breaking the glass and destroying most of the artifacts within. Will slid off the broken case, staggering to his feet and ignoring the sharp pains in his chest, glass sliding off him and tinkling as it hit the floor. The Shadow chuckled. Was that it then? A pitiful attempt at an attack from behind. You know William, I may not have been meant to kill you...but now I think I may change that view. Will, not interested in talking, lunged forward, swinging his sword, only to be blocked by one of the Shadow's tentacle appendages. Again and again he tried, but each time he hit either a tentacle, or nothing at all. He was wearing himself out, and was no closer to breaching the Shadow's defenses. Swing. Jab. Feint. Thrust. It didn't matter what he did, nothing got through. The Shadow sighed, sounding almost bored. Really now...you've never even used that weapon before, have you? You move like an amateur. But then, it doesn't really matter. This... melodrama bores me. The Shadow struck back, lashing out with a tentacle to grip Will's right arm, breaking it with a snap and a cry of pain from Will as well as breaking his grip on the sword before whipping the sword itself to send it flying across the room, clattering to the ground several meters beyond Will's reach. Taking advantage of Will's exposure, the tentacle flicked upward and wrapped around Will's neck, pulling roughly to bring him before the Shadow. The creature smiled darkly. I don't think I'll kill you William. I think I'll put you to better use. My current host may be adequate, but-- "Let him go!" The Shadow looked to see David pointing Will's gun at it. He had been laying low for the last minute or two, not shooting to avoid hitting Will with the power of the Lightning Shots. Now that wasn't much on option anymore. "Put him down right now you--" Oh lovely, more melodrama. Let's stop that, shall we? Another tentacle formed and shot out at David, knocking him off his feet to crash on top of yet another display. The illusionist was still conscious--and more importantly still alive--but he wouldn't be moving very much for at least the next few minutes. One nuisance dealt with, the Shadow returned its attention to Will. As I was saying, you would be a far more...worthy vessel for me. Strong. Relatively intelligent. And I sense...a flow of magic through you. Underutilized to be sure, but I can change that. Hmm...and knowledge of so many useful things. Will struggled--rather futilely--to block the Shadow out of his mind as the creature searched through all the information it could find. I can see much now, without even taking your body. M.E.L.D.s various resources and capabilities. The relative strength of your weapons. Yes, this will all prove useful. I believe-- The Shadow--focused as it was on Will's mind--failed to notice Jenna charging at it from the left, her body cloaked in black and purple energy, fuelled by raw emotion. She leapt and clamped onto the tentacle holding Will, her dark energy blasting out from the bite just as it had against the bandit in France. Will's eyes widened at the sight of her. He had told her to stay on the second floor, where she might be safe. What the hell is she thinking?! The Shadow flinched, feeling something almost like pain. What it felt more though, was growing irritation at so many interruptions. It summoned forth two more of its tentacles, striking at Jenna's right side with their sharpened tips, breaking her grip, sending her flying to land on the ground several feet away, bleeding from two sizeable gashes. Will was horrified. She was still breathing, but she was badly hurt. Tears of rage formed in his eyes, rage that only intensified when the Shadow laughed. Foolish creature. What did she hope to accomplish? What could she possibly gain, for herself or for you? Will reached his left hand up and gripped the tentacle holding him tightly. "She gave me the opportunity to do this." Do wh-- The Shadow stopped cold, its eyes widening. It looked almost afraid. It was stricken--paralyzed even--both figuratively and literally. It locked its glowing red eyes with Will's. Its body began to flicker. Wh-what are you doing to me?! Will scowled, his lip curling into a snarl. "It's like you said, I have power of my own. And it is underused. But it can stop you. You're not the only one who can drain energy. And once I've got it, I can fire it right back at you." The Shadow's eyes widened with both understanding and something new: fear. You...you are a life wielder! Will nodded as his body began to glow with white light, flowing through him and concentrating itself in his right hand, which he raised with great effort from his broken right arm, placing it against the ever so slight bump on the Shadow's chest that denoted the location of the amulet. The Shadow knew in that instant that Will knew its weakness. It could see the knowledge in Will's mind, connected as they still were. "That's right. And I hate it. I hate my power. It scares me, honestly. I never wanted to really use it. But in your case...well, you're an exception. I'll do what I need to--to wipe you out." Whatever you need to? Because you know, that energy you're building up...it won't stop when it hits the amulet. It won't stop when it hits the energy of my form. It will blast right through my vessel as well! Are you really willing to sacrifice an innocent man? To take his life just to stop me? A moment passed before Will answered, considering what he would have to do. But then, it wasn't a simple thing. It would be the hardest thing he had ever done. "You know...Shadow of Anubis...if you had said that to most any other officer...to most any other person...they might have let you go. But I won't. I'll bear a burden of guilt for as long as I live. But I'll know that I've done it to save countless other lives." Will and the Shadow stared at each other for a moment, neither looking away. Then the Shadow began to laugh. So many millennia. So many people devoured...absorbed...observed...and in all that time...you may be the only one I have ever respected. The only human I've known willing to commit a dark act to stop even greater darkness. What wonderful nihilism. Will scowled. "I'm not interested in your respect or approval." The Shadow seemed almost sad when next it spoke. No, you wouldn't be. Very well then William, I submit my life to you. You, shall be my death. The last vestiges of glowing light flowed over Will's body, forming a crackling, almost blindingly bright layer of blue/white energy around his right hand. Focusing all his minds power on that energy, Will sent it surging forward, forming a thick, bright beam of that same blue/white energy, that blasted through the amulet--fracturing it into so many pieces--and through the body of the possessed guard, releasing him from the torment of the Shadow's control. And in that moment, even the Shadow itself felt almost released. As it felt the many consciousness's it had absorbed over the years slip away from it, it remembered a simpler time, when it was but a translator and guardian of knowledge. How far we fall, it thought. With its final thought, the Shadow remembered not but a few minutes ago, when it had taken Max's life, and heard the man's final words. It came far sooner than I expected--facing my own death...I wonder...will I be remembered? Then the Shadow was no more, its energies breaking apart and dissipating into the air, leaving only the once possessed guard behind. The man's body fell to the ground, most certainly dead, as evidenced by the smoking hole in his chest. Will failed to see any of this though, for he too was falling. Released from the Shadow's grip he fell to the ground, too exhausted from the effort of channeling so much energy through his body to stay standing. He had done it, but only just. He hit the ground hard, but barely registered the pain. His mind was cloudy, burnt out even, and after only a moment the effort of simply staying conscious had become too much and he embraced the darkness of dreamless sleep as he slipped away from the waking world.