The Realms Thereunder

4

The blue column was now looming over Daniel. He could see a stone staircase that led up it. The yfelgopes weren’t coming as fast now; the two had managed to create a little circle of protection around them, which the yfelgopes were reluctant to enter. Some had dived into the pool and were swimming across to try to meet them on the far side, but their weapons and scraps of armour made it hard for them.

They raced onwards. Ecgbryt dealt easily with the yfelgopes before them and then they had a clear stretch to the column. Sprinting as hard as they could across the tile floor, they sprang over the corner of the pool and made for the towering stone column at a dead run.

Daniel could feel something pushing him onwards-this must be how heroes felt when they were performing amazing deeds. There was no doubt inside of him; his thoughts were clear. He knew exactly what he had to do and how to do it, and as he reached the first of the stone steps, he knew that he would do what he came to do.

“Go, Daniel!” Ecgbryt shouted. “Get to the box!” He kicked an yfelgop that was climbing out of the pool back into it.

Daniel’s feet pounded up the steps, taking two at a time.

He arrived breathless at the top. The crystal box was nearly as big as he was. He could see something black fluttering around in it. There was a small doorway secured only by a latch. He flicked it open and peered inside.

In the box was a creature that had a bulbous, fleshy body, long spidery legs, and wide, flat insect wings. It had a stubby head and a long, pointed, needle-like mouth. It was jumping around like a fish out of water, banging into the sides of the box. Its legs weren’t strong enough to hold it, and it was too heavy to fly. Its fleshy abdomen pulsed steadily, like a heart-exactly like a heart. This was Gad’s heart-an ugly, black, fluttering thing. The sickness in Daniel’s stomach deepened when he opened his eyes and looked down from the high tower to see Ecgbryt fighting some distance below him.

This isn’t what heroes do, Daniel thought, pressing his lips firmly together. They don’t flinch at the last. He seized control of his emotions, tensed his muscles, and turned back to the box.

Heroes are strong. He forced his hand to grip the door’s latch.

Heroes fight against all odds. He sheathed his sword and drew the stone knife that Ealdstan had given him.

Heroes destroy anything that is evil. Without thinking about it any longer, he flipped open the door, spotted the fluttering heart thing, and plunged the knife into it.