Rainbows and Blood - Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine1

“Rainbows and Blood”2

Scimitar ran out against sword. Anfel summoned all his strength, all his experience. This was it. Do or die for the cause. Matthew was already hard pressed to defend, locked in a corner. Plus he held the book, and could no longer keep two hands on the sword. The two blades met again and again, with the elf holding the advantage this time through sheer determination. Anfel finally sliced through Matthew’s expert defenses, cutting into his shoulder. Just a flesh wound, but it gave the elf hope that the guardian wasn't unbeatable after all.3

Matthew looked at his shoulder, then stared at the elf. It seemed like he had come to the same conclusion. Suddenly he jumped up into the air, impossibly high, landing on the kitchen table. Anfel turned. “Hey, that's cheating.”4

“I'm just using my powers.” 5

The elf followed the boy up to the table. Their blades crossed once more on top of it. Both of them had to take extra care, so not to fall off. Neither had the advantage anymore. Concentration shone off of Matthew’s face, while sweat was beginning to drip down his brow. Anfel felt the wound on his arm as a mildly distracting presence. 6

Finally he broke through the boy's defenses a second time, managing to push him hard, sending him flying off the table. Matthew got up … then he ran towards the kitchen door leading to the outside and opened it. Anfel followed, just in time to see Matthew stop, completely frozen. “What the …”7

The elf could see what the boy was referring to. He walked outside. All the houses, everything, as far as the eye could see, was gone. All that remained was Matthew’s house, even the street was gone. The house stood alone in a giant field of grass. Anfel turned to Matthew. “Looks like your time has run out, boy. You better give me the book now.”8

The boy just stared. “What's happening?”9

“Magic. Your house just become the focal point for a war that has reigned since forever.”10

“What do you mean?” As they spoke, the white clouds above suddenly darkened ahead. A shadow fell across both their faces. The clouds become dark enough to make it appear like night. Anfel walked around the house and Matthew followed. On the other side of it, the clouds dissolved and bright sunlight bathed the meadow. A clear rainbow shone in the air despite there being no rain.11

Anfel turned to Matthew. “If you don't want this green grass to turn red, I suggest you give me the book.”12

“Why? What's gonna happen?”13

Anfel pointed. “Look.” Beyond the rainbow, tiny figures approached in the distance. Tiny figures filling the horizon. The elf turned, and Matthew did the same. In the other direction, entering from the darkness, another massive army approached. The elf grabbed the boy's shoulders. “These two armies are gonna meet here. And both of them, will be after the books. Your death, at this point, is certain.”14

Matthew’s eyes were open wide. “We can … we can run to the good side.”15

“I can't. And that's not gonna stop this fight from happening. Not to mention that girl inside, she's going to die too. Her death will be on your conscience. Ask yourself, is it really worth it? You're powerful yes, but you’ll be hunted for the rest of your life. The antagonized hero in a story? Is that what you want to be? Or do you want to live a normal life? With all your friends, your family, safe? This could all be over – just a nightmare, right now, or,” Anfel turned to the approaching Blood army, “you’ll witness carnage, death, and blood – some it perhaps your own.”16

Matthew looked at him for a moment, then he quietly extended the book in Anfel’s direction. Anfel took it, and nodded. “Wise choice.” Then he promptly ran inside the house. He took the Rainbows book he kept on him, and went straight to the gas stove. The elf turned on the gas, and then the burner. He put both books together. Matthew had followed him inside, and stood by the elf. Screams echoed in the distance, both armies were getting closer. It wouldn’t be long until they clashed.17

Anfel pushed both books into the flames and held them there. Nothing seemed to happen, the books stayed exactly as they were. The pages didn't curdle, the covers didn't melt. The elf removed the books from the flames, inspecting them for damage. Nothing. They weren't even hot. He stared at Matthew. “You said fire would work.”18

“I told you! There was more text. I didn't get a chance to read it before you attacked me!”19

“Fine.” Anfel thrust the Blood book into his hands. “Read it. And be quick.” He went to the window. The first creatures were almost upon then. “Really quick.”20

“Okay … okay.” Matthew opened the book. “How do I destroy you?” Anfel readied his sword. At the same time as a werewolf launched himself through the window, the elf stuck the sword forward, letting it impale itself. The boy stared at the brown beast stuck half through the window. 21

Anfel removed his sword. “Let me handle our guests. Just read!”22

Matthew nodded, looking at the words forming on the page. A pixie removed the glass from the other kitchen window with a spell and fluttered inside. It threw magic dust at Anfel – ordinarily he would fall asleep instantly – but the book protected him. But as he moved to slash the childlike creature, he hesitated. What elf was still left in him revolted at the idea.23

The pixie came at him, vicious claws ready – lesser known fact about pixies was that when pressed, they were quite lethal – so Anfel was forced to slash it down with his scimitar. He was given no time to mourn or reflect. A ghostly pale and sharp-teethed ghoul broke through the kitchen door. It's ears were pointed, and it had no hair. Anfel ran it through the head with his sword, but two vampires used the opening and slipped through. Removing the blade from the ghoul’s skull robbed him of precious time. He only had time to behead one of them, knowing the other would close in.24

Just when he expected to feel teeth sink into his neck, he instead he saw a pan flying at it, hitting it in the head. The vampire was distracted long enough for Anfel to dispatch of it. He glanced first at Matthew, but he looked completely sunken into his book, oblivious to what was going on. Instead Sellie stood there, still in a throwing position. She relaxed her body and looked around, finally centering on Anfel. “I can see it's a bit busy right now, but you're so going to pay for knocking me over the head later.”25

Before Anfel could respond, Matthew shouted, “I got it! I know what we did wrong. We need to join the books. Only a guardian can do it. But once we do, anything, fire, swords, will work.”26

“Good.” Sounds of the battle outside echoed through the house. Anfel glanced out the window. It looked like they were too busy fighting each other to mind the house for the moment. He threw the Rainbows book to Matthew. “Join them.”27

“No, wait.” Sellie thought for a moment. “Make Anfel human first.”28

“No!” Anfel screamed. “Join them!”29

Sellie looked pleadingly at Matthew. “Please. Do it.”30

“We haven't got time. Join them.”31

Matthew gave Sellie an apologetic look. “Sorry.” Then he took both books and put them together, their spines facing away from each other. As soon as he did a bright white light filled the kitchen. Anfel had to avert his eyes. When it died away, Matthew was holding something much bigger than both the small books of Rainbows and Blood put together. It could hardly be called a book, because it had two spines, and no way to open it. But he could still make out the pages within. The elaborate design on the cover interwove black and white.32

The book no longer shone – but Matthew’s eyes did. Light blasted out of them. “Matthew?” said Sellie uncertainly.33

Matthew spoke, but his voice … it was different somehow. “I can see it. I can see everything. All stories must end, and so will this one. I know what must happen.” 34

Anfel held his hand out. “Good. I'll end it. Gimme the book.”35

Matthew raised his hand. A flash of light and the elf was thrown backwards. He felt strange somehow. But he wasn't about to stop now, so close to his goal. He got up and ripped the book from Matthew’s hands, this time he didn't try to stop him. Anfel threw it on the ground, and lifted his scimitar.36

“No! You'll …” cried Sellie, but the elf paid it no heed. He stabbed the blade down. The moment it pierced the book, the world filled with white light. When it was gone Anfel found himself hunched over nothing in the kitchen. The book was gone, and so was his scimitar. 37

Anfel’s eyes widened. “No … no no no no.” He rushed to the windows. The houses, the streets, everything was back. No sign of either the Rainbows or the Blood. He had succeeded – but why wasn't he gone too? There was only one explanation. He turned to Matthew. “You made me human.”38

“And naked,” Matthew remarked.39

Anfel looked down at his unclothed body, his eyes widening. Of course, they had been made by elves so destroying the book destroyed them too. He put his hands over his most private parts. “Damn.”40