Gloom Rising (The Book Wielder Saga 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Lewis unloaded the entire Sanctium clip into the creature’s head until it was nothing more than mush.
    "Eat that," Lewis said sternly as he regained his composure.
    "Cliché. Very, very cliché," Winston said, relieved that the ordeal was over.
    "Hey, shut up. You saved my life so I won't slap you this time," Lewis chuckled.
    The rest of the Demon's body melted into a pool of black slosh. Lewis leaned over and started sniffing.
    "What the hell are you doing?" asked Winston.
    "Come here. Does 'Sanctium' smell like bleach to you, or kitchen cleaner, or some kind of soap?"
    "It smells like dead Demon, and no, I'm not sniffing it. Trying to work out the secret recipe?"
    "Yeah. This might help my theories. The Trinity say examined Sanctium rounds are rendered inert to prevent anyone else getting the formula, but that won't apply to spent rounds, will it? I'll gather some of this prick's remains and you search for the Artefact."
    The Demon Overlord's remains fizzled into nothingness and the room began to spin with a sickening speed. Both Book Wielders held their hands to their mouths and fell to their knees as the fabric of the Gloom was altered around them.
    Suddenly they were on the top floor of a derelict looking World G.O.V.T building with murky window panes, and dusty desks sporting rusty old typewriters in lieu of computers. The whole place was lit by a glowing white feathered quill that fell into Winston's hand; it was the artefact.
           "Looks like those theories are going to have to wait for another time," said Winston as he walked towards the remains of his predecessor that were now slumped ungracefully on a desk top.
    "Yeah," sighed Lewis. “Well, mission accomplished. Now let's get out of here. Don't forget about the energy potion." Lewis retrieved his vial and downed the contents in one hit.
    "One second." Winston struck his lighter and cremated the old Book Wielder's remains as he drunk his potion. It tasted sweet and sugary, and put the spark back to his worn out body and mind.
    Using the quill as a source of illumination, the two Book Wielders left the building via the staircase, as the enchanted elevator had also vanished when the Demon Overlord had died. All other evidence of Demon habitation was also gone; the Overlord had woven all of what they had seen previously into existence. The building looked just like all of the others in the Gloom. Even all of the damage caused before and after their arrival was no longer evident. They travelled in silence until they reached the grisly statues where they had first met.
    "Well, hope your boss is pleased with the quill," Lewis said. "Don’t forget to put a good word in for me."
    "Don't worry, I won't. It was good working with you." He reached out and shook his hand. "I'll see you at the Hotel Noir soon."
    "Make sure their bar is fucking well stocked for me," he laughed, and walked away.
    Winston walked back to Olex, who did a happy dance on his four legs when he saw him. "It's good to see you too. Now can you take me back to the hotel please?"
    The Spidercar chirped and whistled steam in a pleased acknowledgement. Winston climbed aboard and soon they were on their way.
    He didn't know if it was the thrill of battle, the energy potion, the fact he had succeeded in his almost suicidal mission, or a combination of all three, but he was feeling fantastic.
    Olex brought him to the hotel where the Mayor was waiting for them both.
    "Winston, my boy! You made it out alive!"
    "Yes Mr Mayor, it's good to see you again." He exited the passenger section of Olex and was immediately set upon by the Mayor, who gave him a friendly hug that almost squeezed the life out of him.
    "I take it you have the artefact? It is very powerful, very powerful indeed!"
    Winston held the quill up so that the Mayor could get a good look. "Yeah, I managed to get it from the Demon Overlord, and now that I have it I'll be on my way. Thank you again for allowing me passage of your city."
    "Before