Exotica's Onslaught

Dark energy began to swirl around Exotica. "I shall teach you!"

"Enough talk! Its clobbering time!" Diana yelled, leaping forward in a fighting stance but the dark energy swirling around Exotica coalesced and morphed into a single wave and surged forward to knock Diana clear across the corridor. She landed hard and tried to climb to her knees but collapsed again grunting in pain. Sofia and Imelda screamed.

"Everyone dies!" Exotica exulted, outstretching her hand to send the dark energy toward them, sending them flying. The black surging waves crackled across the room to swirl around Exotica again. "Pack your bags for a one way trip to Hell!! Kya-haha!!"

"Exotica, dont do it!" Fred commanded, stepping between her and the girls. "Dont you see, this isnt like you at all! Snap out of it! Please!!"

"That's right, plead and beg for mercy!" Exotica laughed, sheer hatred laced in her words. "The thread of your life is about to snap! What's the matter? Draw your sword! Attempt to defend your pathetic existence!"

"I shall not bear arms against you, Princess. I would sooner forfeit my own life."

"Then do so!" Exotica growled, forming the dark energy into a spear and sending it hurtling toward Fred, who tried to step aside but was a second too late. It grazed across his shoulder and sent him spinning. Exotica stood laughing amidst her victims as they cried out and writhed in pain.

"How pathetic." Exotica chuckled lightly, cupping her face in her hands and exhaling contemptuously. "Is this the best my stepfather has to send? Soon I shall kill the doddering old fool and reign in his place. My blood - Okayashian blood - shall course through the veins of all future Talarian kings! Nya-hahahaha!"

She paused in mid-laugh, suddenly whipping her head about to stare at something further down the corridor. She sniffed the air. "No - something isnt right. I shouldnt be here. Where are they!! Damn you! I wont be stopped so easily. I'll catch the little rats, I'll string them up by their little necks! They'll all learn to fear me."

She strode away, the torchlight glistening from her sweat-soaked naked form. Soon her footfalls faded and Diana opened her eyes.

Fred was struggling to stand and the Sofia and Imelda were whimpering in the corner. "Okay, the Allarian princess is now officially more trouble than she is worth," Diana said, helping Fred stand up, the two of them limping over to the others.

"She has proceeded deeper into the temple," Fred said grimly. "She is now in terrible danger."

"What? I thought whatever was in the temple was supposed to help her."

Sofia and Imelda clung to the hem of Diana's robes and cried. Fred placed his hand on Sofia's head reassuringly and spoke "We must follow her. Do not be afraid. The answer to all our questions is at the end of this corridor."

"Is it?" Diana queried. "Or will it just lead to more questions?"

"That, I cannot answer. But we cannot go back, for there our enemies await. We have no choice but to continue onward."

1. They continue onward into the corridor of black stone, following Exotica's footprints on the ancient dust.
2. The dark knight Wayndaimlyon appears on the opposite end of the hallway. "I must find my lover," he spoke in a voice like a crypt grinding open. "None shall stand in my way."
3. Exotica suddenly re-emerged from the shadowed hallway, a perplexed expression on her face.

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