Chapter 6
Mark led the warrior and Alex to the Ravens Pass High School football stadium. It was still early on Saturday morning, so no one was around. The two boys and their armor-clad companion stood on the fifty-yard line.
“This battleground will be adequate,” AngerHeart said.
“Is this really necessary?” Alex asked. “I mean, can’t you just use your axe to cut the card to pieces?”
“Destroying the card while the demon lives,” AngerHeart replied, “would free him into your world. He would take over your nations and rule over all humans.”
AngerHeart leaned toward Mark, inches from his face. “Is that what you want?” he growled. His hot breath hit Mark’s face like a punch.
“No,” Mark said quickly.
“Exactly,” AngerHeart said. “So I must defeat him in battle. Only then will we bring an end to his evil for good.”
The warrior pulled the axe from its sheath on his back. He lifted his shield and held it across his chest. He was ready to fight.
“Summon the demon!” AngerHeart shouted. “Call forth DeathBringer!”
Mark blinked. Alex cleared his throat. The boys stared blankly at each other.
AngerHeart lowered his shield a few inches. “What are you waiting for, boy?” AngerHeart said. “Release the demon. I am ready.”
“Um,” Mark said, “how?”
AngerHeart sighed loudly. “How did you summon me?” he asked in an annoyed voice.
“I cast your special ability, Presence,” Alex said.
AngerHeart got into his battle stance again. “Then do it again,” he growled.
Mark quickly set up his decks. He placed his hand on his DeathBringer card and paused. He glanced up at AngerHeart. “Are you sure about this?” he asked. AngerHeart nodded.
As Mark tapped the card, he braced himself for the worst. “I cast ‘Presence’,” he said.
Immediately, heavy black clouds began to roll across the horizon. Lightning rippled across AngerHeart’s silver armor.
Thunder boomed so loudly that Alex and Mark fell to their knees and covered their ears.
A great crimson flame blasted upward from the center of the field. Alex and Mark shielded their faces, but couldn’t look away. As soon the flame died down, smoke that stank of sulfur and death settled on the grass. As it began to fade, they saw the shadow of a figure emerge.
On the scorched grass stood DeathBringer. His image on the card had been impressive — even a little creepy, if Mark was completely honest. But in person, DeathBringer was bigger than Mark had expected. He towered over even AngerHeart, making the gigantic knight look small.
The great demon threw down his weapon and shield. Then he let loose a violent roar.
Suddenly, his hands burst into flames. He brought his flaming, armor-covered, fists upward slowly, as if he were lifting an object off the ground. A ring of fire surrounded the stadium’s field, trapping them all inside the flames.
“Now,” DeathBringer’s voice boomed out. “Who has challenged me?!”