Chapter 8
Mark knew he had to do something. He scanned DeathBringer’s card with his eyes, desperately looking for some sort of clue.
Then he had an idea. Mark stood up, holding DeathBringer’s card. “Not so fast!” he said. “I have one more weapon to cast.”
“No weapon will save your warrior now, mortal,” DeathBringer said through a laugh.
“Oh, yeah?” Mark said. “I cast Demon Dagger!” He tapped DeathBringer’s card, summoning a green dagger that had a one-hundred-point attack power bonus against demons.
The magical weapon appeared in DeathBringer’s hand. It was jagged and glowed with a demonic red energy.
DeathBringer laughed. “You fool!” he said. “Did you think my special weapon would help this weak human warrior? He cannot equip this dagger. Only I can!”
With that, the demon threw the dagger into the ground. It stuck into the ground only feet from Mark and Alex, making them leap back in fear.
The demon growled fiercely as he turned back to face AngerHeart.
DeathBringer raised his weapon over his head and prepared to bring it down on the unconscious warrior.
Mark smiled. You’re wrong, DeathBringer, Mark thought. He reached down and grabbed the dagger by the hilt.
Mark felt its power flow through him, making him feel super-strong, fast, and confident. I played your card, Mark thought. That means I, too, can use this dagger! He ran toward the demon.
DeathBringer brought his weapon down with fearsome force. Just as the morning star was about to slam into AngerHeart’s head, Mark dug the dagger deep into DeathBringer’s armored back. The glowing dagger split the demon’s armor like a pocket knife through marshmallow.
Mark’s blow made the demon’s morning star shift. It hit the ground just inches from AngerHeart’s skull.
“No!” DeathBringer cried out.
Mark raised the dagger high over his head. He brought it down into the back of the demon’s helm, lodging it into DeathBringer’s skull.
DeathBringer screamed in pain. Silver light burst from the weapon, throwing Mark from the demon’s back. He landed on the grass with a hard thud.
Alex hobbled over to him, and the boys watched as the sliver of light grew. Soon the demon was surrounded by a ball of silver light. Then it vanished — and so did DeathBringer.
Mark pulled out DeathBringer’s card. It was blank, just a thin sheet of dull metal.
“He’s gone,” Mark whispered.
Tired, AngerHeart climbed to his feet. He walked toward the boys and placed his armored gloves on their shoulders. “You have done well,” he said.
Mark and Alex smiled at each other. “The demon is defeated,” AngerHeart said. His voice was tired and hoarse, and his armor was blackened and dented. “Your world is safe — for now.”
“What about you?” Alex asked. “I still have your card.” He held it up for AngerHeart to see.
AngerHeart smiled at Alex. “I have fought countless battles with you, Alex,” AngerHeart said. “But I have grown tired of fighting. My time must come to an end now.”
“What?” Alex cried. “You saved us! You can’t just . . .”
“I can,” AngerHeart said. His proud head was hung low, as if he were admitting defeat. “And I must. Besides, other, stronger warriors will take my place in the next expansion pack.”
AngerHeart backed away from the two boys. “Rip the card in half,” he pleaded. “And end my suffering.”
Mark’s shoulders sank. He could tell the warrior had made his decision. He looked over to Alex and his friend nodded. Reluctantly, Mark lifted AngerHeart’s card and held it between his hands by the fingers. “Goodbye,” Mark said. “And thank you.”
Mark ripped the card in half . . . but nothing happened. Mark and Alex stared up at AngerHeart, confused.
Just then, lightning streaked across the sky, crackling over and over above the town of Ravens Pass. Thunder shook the ground. The air seemed to be electrified.
AngerHeart leaned in close to Mark. The foul stench of his breath invaded Mark’s nostrils. AngerHeart’s eyes grew red, glowing so devilishly that they seemed to dig into Mark’s skull.
“No,” AngerHeart said, grabbing Mark and Alex with his metal fists. “Thank you for helping me get rid of the competition.”
