04. Smell

Pandemonium. This was the word that rang alarm bells in Shandra's mind as she ran desperately through the dank and dingy underground corridors of the dreadful place.

 

She heard the distinctive noise of a tremor; strong vibrations that seemed to come from the ceiling. An earthquake? No. Probably some kind of riot. Could it really be that a fantastic battle was going on?

 

She wanted to ask Sam something, anything so she could get more situated about what was waiting for her when they got out of that hellish maze of stairs and doors leading to empty, forgotten rooms, but she didn't ask.

 

The escape was more important.

 

Eluna also seemed to desperately want to talk to Sam, her eyes bright and tear-filled. How long had she dreamed of this?

 

The girl didn't want to, but seeing all that joy on the face of Sam's former fiancée made her truly jealous.

 

They walked up a flight of stairs so quickly and ungracefully that the girl tripped over a step. Before she actually lost her balance, however, Sam's hand held her steady, helping her up in a matter of seconds.

 

The demon winked at her in mid-run; a pronounced dimple appeared on his cheek, giving away his satisfied smile.

 

As they ran, she noticed that Eluna's expression, which had previously overflowed with joy, began to turn to concern. Her bright eyes now reflected fear and uncertainty. Shandra realized that perhaps Eluna was also beginning to understand the gravity of the situation.

 

Sam led the group with determination, guiding them through the winding corridors. He seemed to know this place better than anyone, as if he had already explored every dark corner in search of an escape route.

 

Of course, this was due to what they had already discovered about sharing magic thanks to Blood Fusion.

In a moment of quick pause to catch her breath, Shandra finally found the courage to ask Sam about what was going on. Her dry lips opened to formulate the words, but before she could speak, Sam raised his hand, silencing her.

 

"Not now, Shandra," he said, his voice laden with urgency. "Let's concentrate on getting out of here alive.

 

Then we'll have time to talk, okay?"

 

The girl felt a mixture of frustration and understanding as she heard the demon's response. She knew he was right. At that moment, the priority was to escape from that dangerous and unknown place. There would be time for clarification later.

 

However, it could be because of the suspicion she was feeling about Eluna's true emotions; or because of the difficulty they both felt in saying goodbye to each other when it was time to take up their positions in the rescue: the point was that Shandra was absolutely in need of his affection, his love.

 

As they continued their frantic run, the sense of chaos and danger increased with each second. The tremor in the ceiling intensified, causing pieces of rubble to start falling around them. The place seemed on the verge of collapse.

 

Eluna stood next to Sam, her eyes now filled with fear. Shandra realized that, despite all the enchantment

Eluna felt for Sam, as much as nothing had been proven yet, the current situation united them in a common goal: survival.

 

As they ran down yet another dark corridor, they spotted a door ajar ahead. Sam pointed to it, indicating that it was the exit. Without hesitation, the trio approached and went through the door, emerging into a narrow alley.

 

The cool night air welcomed Shandra as she finally emerged from that stifling environment. They were outside, in an unknown area, but at least they were free from that underground maze.

 

They seemed to be far from the Tenebris mountain range, although a quick glance at their surroundings indicated that all that separated them from there was a little less than three miles away.

 

Sam looked around, quickly assessing the new location. He took the lead once again and indicated the way forward. It still wasn't safe, but at least they were out of the immediate range of danger.

 

"What about Julian?", Shandra finally opened her mouth after the demon's small rebuke.

 

Sam looked at Shandra for a brief moment, her eyes expressing concern.

 

"Julian is taking care of an important part of the plan," Sam replied, his voice laden with tension. "He is helping the werewolves contain most of the fallen angels. The other creatures are fighting the incubus and succubus we've encountered. We were able to make a small alliance."

 

"So Marcus was finally able to come to us?"

 

"Yes, and he not only brought the number of wolves we were expecting, but also a good portion of the clan soldiers he promised to help. When everything is finished, Julian will come to meet us, don't worry."

 

"You left him behind? And alone!?", it is Eluna who asks, sounding a little more than just annoyed.

It was the first time she had spoken directly to Sam. Shandra watched the scene in silence, not daring to pry.

 

The exiled crown prince of Hell looked at Eluna, his expression serious, but with a touch of sadness in his eyes. He understood her concern , even more so because he was her beloved.

 

"I trust Julian," Sam replied calmly. "He's skilled and brave. He can take care of himself and do his part in the plan. Besides, we have to think of the greater good, the safety of all of us. Do you trust him?"

 

She nods positively, though a little hesitantly.

 

"So. It's all right, you'll see."

 

Eluna looked at Sam for a moment, her face expressing a mixture of anger and concern.

 

"I just hope he's okay," Eluna murmured, her words laden with concern.

 

Sam placed her hand on Eluna's shoulder, offering a comforting gesture. Shandra once again feels the jealousy wanting to erupt, and wisely stays quiet and still.

 

"I understand your concern, Eluna. But right now we need to focus on moving forward. Julian knows what is at stake, and he will do whatever it takes to stay safe and fulfill his part of the plan."

 

"How did you manage to find me? I thought I would never see the light of day again..."

 

"It's a long story, which we'll tell once this is all over, okay?"

 

Again Sam's betrothed nods her head positively.

 

When the three finally start walking toward whatever that meeting place was, however, the girl suddenly stops walking.

 

""Something wrong?" asks Shandra.

 

"Julian will be fine, Eluna, I promise," Sam says.

 

"That's not what I want to talk about."

 

The coppery-eyed man snorts.

 

"Please, we can't stay here, I said we'll talk better in the camp."

 

"I don't want to talk in the camp!"

 

Eluna's nervousness surprises both Shandra and Sam, who frown at such irritation.

 

She crosses her arms and asks softly, but with a threatening tone in her voice:

 

"Why are you both smelling the same?!"