Chapter 69: Unexpected Battle
Irwin had his back pressed against a narrow ledge, listening to the screams coming from the castle. It reminded him slightly of the portal-world of the Galubs. There were a few differences, though, and the one that had him stare at Daubutim with wide-open eyes were the shouts of young, terrified voices.
Are there children there? he thought as he looked at the others.
Hutch's eyes were narrowed, his lips narrowed in a thin line, while the others were looking around as confused as Irwin felt.
A sudden thunderous explosion came from further away.
"Now," Hutch snapped as he rose and jumped to the edge of the ledge.
Irwin licked his lips, then followed after, pulling himself up onto a cold, rocky area. A thin layer of snow had turned to ice, the rest blown up against the thick white wall that sat a dozen feet before them. Hutch rushed forward, quickly followed by the others.
As he reached the wall, Irwin felt a waft of icy cold, and he almost triggered his Coperion Body. The sounds of battle came, muted by the walls and distance, still indicating a massive fight was ensuing. Another set of high-pitched screams of fright came from somewhere.
"Am I going crazy, or am I hearing chi-" Lous hissed.
"Quiet," Hutch snapped, staring at him. "We all hear it, but we can't do anything about that now. And what if there are? Every single thing in there is a demon! Remember what they did!"
Lous' eyes clouded as he glared at Hutch, while Irwin swallowed at the callousness in Hutch's voice.
"You might have a rare card, guard, but I'm not here to butcher children," Lous snarled softly.
"Neither am I," Hutch snapped back. "But we don't have time for this! We are here to do a job, so let's do it! Or do you want to explain to Basil why we didn't enter the portals? Our brothers and sisters are dying out there to give us a chance to close them!"