The Realm of the Hollow King

Chapter 1 The Girl down Hallows Boulevard.

An old brick building stood amidst a dark October night. At the base of its stone steps was a lone street lamp, underneath a boy staring straight ahead. Leaves of red and orange rustled in the trees and blew about an empty street. A chill wind brushed around his brown ragged jacked. The door creaked. The boy pulled tight one of his fingerless gloves, with a sigh he brushed his hair back and began to ascend. As he grew closer he could hear movement and voices inside. He felt sick for a moment. Then with a growl he slammed his hand onto the door and swung it open! He stepped in before he could give it any thought. It was near completely black save for the light creeping in from the streetlamp. “Hello?” he called out..

A door creaked open in the distance. Then came faint footsteps that grew louder with every moment. A figure came into view yet looked more as a shadow in the dim hallway. The boy took a step back thinking to run. Then his courage swelled and he stepped forward calling out to the shadow, “HEY!” A bright light flashed causing both arms to come up and shield his eyes leaving the heavy door to slam behind him..

“Oh sorry Daniel!” A lady's voice rang out. Danny lowered his arms to see the night class teacher standing before him with a flashlight now lowered out of his face.

“What the heck Mrs. Crawford!” Danny began, “Why you creepin up on me like that? An why ain't the lights on?!

A patient smile breaks out on Mrs. Crawford’s old face, “Sorry Daniel I was trying to get the flashlight on. The power went out, but Frank will turn on the generator and we can begin class in a moment.” She reaches out a hand and ruffles Danny’s shaggy hair. Danny began walking next to her toward the classroom with an annoyed look on his face.

“I dont get why I gotta be here.” Danny shrugged, “nightclass is for dumb kids and weirdos.”

“Now Daniel, we will have no such talk here.” Mrs. Crawford began her voice calm but firm, “Some children just need a little help and they are all plenty nice to everyone.”

“I don't need no help,” Danny argued.

The lights shot on throughout all the school right as they got to the classroom door. Mrs. Crawford turned off the flashlight and opened the door, “Go pick a seat anywhere,” she said, then waited for Danny to step in. The kids still had their flashlights on and some were waving them all around the room. Two kids in the back were pretending to sword fight with the light beams. One boy up front had put the flashlight in his mouth and turned it on, lighting up his cheeks like a lantern. Danny looks up at Mrs. Crawford, both hands raised toward the class, “See.. Weirdos,” he says, then points to a girl sitting on a window ledge next to a black cat. “Why does she have a friggin 'cat in here?”

“Enough Daniel.” Mrs Crawford sternly states, “they are just having a bit of fun and that is the homeschooled girl. Her cat makes her feel more comfortable here. You can sit at her table and see for yourself that she and her cat are plenty nice.”

Danny shrugs, “whatever,” and walks over taking a seat. Mrs. Crawford rounds up all the flashlights, gets the kids seated, then passes out the laptops. Danny opens his and to his horror the subject is… Math! “O common,” he mumbled under his breath. Danny’s brain hurt just thinking about trying to do it.

“You need some help?” the girl with the black cat asked.

Danny shrugged, “sure.” Her hair was long and black with a contrasting white streak down her bangs. She then started to explain the assignment, but in moments Danny had stopped listening, his mind drifting off in thought. What was up with that white streak in her hair? If she is homeschooled, why is she here? Why is that cat staring at me?

“That's Aidon by the way,” the girl's voice brings Danny back to reality, “and I’m Diana.”

“Oh.. I’m Danny,” Danny states awkwardly.

“Do you like Cats?” Diana asks and with that the black cat jumps up onto her table. He then Steps in front of her and locks his yellow eyes on Danny.

Danny leans slightly away from the cat. “More of a dog person myself,” he shrugs. The cat's mouth opens in shock. He then turns away flicking Danny with his tail pausing a moment to look over his shoulder. His eyes narrow. His chin raises then with a pounce he was off the table and strutting away. Danny looks at Diana with a smirk, “he's a bit dramatic isn't he?”

Diana chuckles, “yah, but he keeps me safe while I'm out of the house” Danny looks at the small cat wondering how such a small thing could keep her safe from anything. Throughout class Danny struggled to keep his attention on what was being taught. Though Diana happily guided him through the steps. For once class seemed to zoom by and it was quickly time to go home. Mrs. Crawford brought the kids to the front door waiting for parents to come pick up the children. Within a half an hour all but Danny and Diana had been picked up.

Mrs. Crawford looks to them both concerned, “Do your parents know when night class ends?”

Danny shrugs, “Doubt they even care Mrs. C. I walked here, I can just walk back.”

Diana jumps in the conversation, “I can walk too, hallows boulevard isn't far.”

Mrs. Crawford frowns and crosses her arms, “Very well but I will be speaking to both your parents before the start of next week. It is too late for children to be wandering about.”

With that Danny didn't hesitate, quickly walking out the door and jumping down the steps. Once he got to the lone streetlamp he stopped and sighed. He thought of going home and his stomach hurt. A heavy tug came from the back of his jacket. A moment of fear shot through him. He instinctively pulled himself away and spun around. Diana stood there smiling, “sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.” she giggled. Aidon jumps in front of her, hissing a warning to Danny. Diana puts both hands on her hips as she looks down to the black cat. “It's fine Aidon,” she said then looked back at Danny, “I was just wondering if we are walking the same way, maybe we could walk together.”

“Sure I’ll walk with you,” Danny shrugged. Aidon now sitting looks up at Diana shaking his head left to right. Diana doesn't seem to notice, “sweet! I'll lead.” Diana states enthusiastically and begins marching up the dark street. Aidons ears flatten and he smacks a paw onto his annoyed face. His paw slides down and with a sigh he begins following them. Once the two turn onto Hallows Boulevard Diana breaks the silence “So what is your family like?” She asks.

Danny shrugs “I ain't got no family. Just people I’m stuck livin with.” He looks at the many extravagant houses. A smirk grows on his face, “Fancy houses like this must come with some sweet birthday parties?”

Diana’s smile grows wider, “I heard about birthday parties!” She exclaims as she jumps in the air. “They sound so fun, are you having one soon?”

Danny grew frustrated, “never do, why your dad not throw you one? He clearly got the money?”

Diana’s smile fades slightly, “I never met my dad and my mom died when I was born.” Aidon perked up at the statement. The black cat trots quickly to Danny’s side, out of his sight. Then hops up on two legs and shakes his head at Diana. Not noticing, Diana continues, “My uncle is very nice but all we do is train and study.” Aidens chin furls up as he angrily slashes his paw back and forth in front of his neck attempting to get her to stop talking. Yet Diana’s eyes were now focused on the ground in front of her.

“Your dad dip out on you?” Danny asked softly.

Diana sighed, “No he-” Aidon jumps in front of both of them still on two legs. “Kick some kitty litter over it girly!” he hollers, puffing out his chest. He points one paw at Diana with the other pulled tight to his side, “are you just gonna blab everything to this dog loving rabble-rouser.” Danny froze, not scared but completely lost for words. “Canines aren't so cool now huh boyo!” Aidon proudly proclaims, happy to finally be able to speak.

Diana opens her mouth wide pretending to be surprised, “you can talk!?”

“O please like you weren't gonna get to blabbing that eventually.” Aidon crosses his arms.

Danny’s face contorts in confusion, “how is he?”

Aidon raises a paw toward Danny, “just go with it kid, it's just easier on everyone involved. I’m the neighborhood's friendly talking feline, no questions, no autographs.” Suddenly the wind blew harshly for a moment causing all three to flinch under the breeze. When they looked up, a tall pale man in a tan trenchcoat now stood behind Aidon. The brim of his hat masked half of his face in shadow.

Chapter 2 The Guardian of the Girl

Aidon gave his fur a shake, “jeez did a griffon just fly by?” He asked with a smirk, unaware of the newcomer.

The Tall man’s voice was deep and calm, “I assume it was you who signed her up for the night class.” Aidons hair spiked out at the sound of the man’s voice. He slowly turned around facing the man. With an awkward smile Aidon shrugged his shoulders and let out a small, “meow?”

“Hey uncle.” Diana sighed.

“Aidon, take Diana back to the house.” Uncle commanded. He then stepped forward ignoring Diana as she walked past, focusing his attention on Danny. “Go home,” he stated plainly.

Danny grew frustrated at the command and threw his arms out to the sides in rebellion. “I said I was gonna walk with her so that's what I'm gonna do!”

Uncle got down on one knee and removed his hat. His black hair was combed back. His chin and cheeks were pointy and his eyes were bright orange. His voice was calm yet firm. “It's nothing personal, young man. I doubt you have yet to pick a side. Even still I do not trust you. Therefore you must go home.”

“It's fine Danny,” Diana called out waving back at him, “it was fun.”

Uncle Stood up, nodded to Danny and put his hat back on. Then followed Diana up the walkway and into the house. Danny didn't move watching them til the door closed behind them.Then right as he was about to leave he noticed a purple flash of light from the side of the house. Danny’s eyebrow shot up, he had to see what it was. Ducking slightly and watching the windows he scrambled across the front yard. Danny peaked around the corner to see a small green creature with big pointed ears and a wide mouth full of pointy teeth. It waved a short stick with a purple rock in the air then a flash of purple light ripped open, making a portal. Two more jumped out cackling loudly. The first one bopped them on the head then put a finger to its mouth commanding them to be quiet. The portal closed and the three goblins scurried into the back yard.

Danny hesitated at first but then grew angry at himself for being afraid. He took a breath and snuck up as quietly as he could. The goblins now stood at the backdoor. One hung from the door handle swinging side to side. “Tings locked!” he squeaked. “Da window?” one asked. “Yah da window” nodded the others. They jumped onto the wall and began climbing up it like spiders.

Danny turned and ran for the front door pounding on it! Uncle opened the door, “Young man y-” “There are green monsters climbing your house!” Danny yelled, cutting him off. The wind began to blow harshly again. Purple lightning cracked down from the sky. It struck the street and ripped open another portal, this one nearly as large as the house itself. Uncle's eyes glow as he reaches his hand back and a metal staff comes flying into his hand, “Get inside now!” He commanded. Danny stumbled past him into the house. Energy tore around its edges cracking the concrete. Skeletons began piling out toward the house. Uncle stepped outside and began floating in the air, “Aidon, get to Diana!” He called back.

The black cat smacked Danny’s leg, “follow me kid” then ran up the stairs. Danny could barely keep up his legs were shaking so bad. They burst into Diana’s room. Diana was looking out the window, “what is going on?” She asked. Before Aidon could answer the window shattered and in jumped the three goblins. One pounced right on Diana. The one with the wand stood in the window aiming it at Aidon, “Its da mastas pet!” Purple energy blasted out of the wand. Aidon leaped over it front flipping and kicking the goblin right back out the window. Danny rushed over to Diana pulling the goblin off her and throwing it across the room. The third goblin ran at Danny, its large mouth snapping wildly at his legs. Danny stumbled back and fell down. The goblin jumped at his face but was struck by an orange blast of energy and fell to the ground unconscious. Danny looked to where the energy came from to see Diana holding a staff of her own with an orange crystal glowing at the end.

“Good shot there Girly” Aidon called out as he pounced on the goblin Danny had thrown earlier. He picked it up and easily threw it out the window, dusting off his paws after. Diana snatched a small pointed hat off her dresser and Danny ran to the window to look outside.

Uncle shot bolts of lightning that bounced from skeleton to skeleton dropping several with every blast. Then floating armor with ghostly bodies inside began coming out of the portal as well. The lightning sizzled when it struck but did nothing to them. Energy burst from Uncle's eyes as he flew down into the center of them and smashed his staff on the ground. An explosive wave crashed outward throwing the metal men back. Uncle stood up straight breathing heavily. A rumbling roar now came from the portal. A massive scaled claw reached through.Then came its horned head, the portal cracked and popped. Behind them came its wings buffeting gusts of wind. The dragon's scales were black yet reflected any light that touched it. Its mouth opened wide and purple flame rolled out. Uncle swings his staff and creates a massive gust of wind that pushes the flames away from him. The dragon angrily swipes its claw but Uncle leaps and flies up over it.

He points his staff to the three at the window, “find Ren!” He yells. Then a portal snaps open in front of them and pulls Aidon, Danny, and Diana inside.