The Dragon's Descent Read Online Free PDF Page A

caught a black mist disappearing back into the wall, and a different shadow drifted down the path above him. Its green eyes illuminated the horrific faces of the gargoyles as it passed. Nowhere was safe. Vero leaped to his feet and ran deeper down the path.
    The faster he ran, the more shadows appeared and pursued him. Soon, the path behind Vero became a sea of burning green eyes and dark apparitions. Vero was already badly outnumbered, and he realized that running only made it worse. He came to an abrupt stop, taking the shadows by surprise. They too stopped, malevolent eyes watching for his next move. Vero closed his eyes, and instantly his sword sprung forth from the palm of his hand. He grabbed it by the hilt and swung the blade at the dark entities, slicing one from head to bottom. Vero’s eyes widened when he realized that his blade had passed right through it, the entity unharmed. A sinister laugh echoed through the hallway. His sword was useless against these things. His weapon disappeared back into his palm as he momentarily considered his options. There weren’t any, so he turned and ran again.
    His level of fear rose as the number of shadows continued to grow. The swarming mass of black chased him, pushing him deeper into the maze. Vero’s heart skipped when he saw the original lone shadow standing a few feet ahead of him, blocking his way forward. He was trapped, in front and behind. Sweat ran down his flushed face as he turned to the tangled mass of black clouds and green eyes. He was sick of these creepy shadows. He realized he was powerless and could run no farther. The thought made him angry, and that anger spurred a moment of courage. Vero stood tall before the charging mass and bravely faced them. As an angry pair of glowing green orbs darted at his face, Vero refused to blink. The shadow stopped and inched away, staring deep into Vero’s unwavering eyes.
    â€œWhat?” Vero screamed. “C’mon . . . let’s see what you got! Do it . . . I’m not afraid!” For a split second, the brooding green eyes gave a look of surprise, and then, poof! —the dark entities all disintegrated and disappeared.
    Vero turned. The lone creature was also gone. Vero let out a sigh of relief and looked up at the gargoyles. No black shadows clouded their faces. As he headed down the path encased by walls and towering gargoyles, Vero wondered what had caused all the shadows to vanish. The thought of the solitary black figure sent a shudder through his body. As he looked down the path, he once again saw a pair of the green eyes staring menacingly at him. “Oh, man! Not again!” Vero yelled.
    Vero turned and ran back the way he had come. He glanced over his shoulder. The figure slowly and methodically followed him, as if it knew Vero could not escape and so there was no need to rush. Vero’s fear spiked. Suddenly, scores of the black shadow creatures streamed from the mouths of the gargoyles. He ran even faster. What had made them vanish before? Vero wondered. Had they just been messing with me?
    But then a thought occurred to him. They had disappeared the moment he stood his ground—when he stood tall, and his fear had vanished. And they had reappeared when his fright had returned. Was it his own panic and lack of confidence that drew the black shadows to him?
    Vero looked every which way for an out—every single inch of the narrow path was dark with the entities and their glowing eyes. And then one grabbed Vero around his neck with both hands and lifted him off the ground. Vero gagged as he struggled for air. An angry mob began to swarm beneath him, clawing at him, each one trying to take a piece of him away. As the hands around his neck tightened, Vero eyed the shadow creature. Once again, his fear gave way to anger. His defiant resolve returned, and Vero spat at the creature. “Get off of me . . . now,” he said calmly and firmly. His fear abated, Vero again