“Do you have curses here?” Josh asked Blake.

Grabbing onto Elijah’s arm, the jock backed away from the potentially trapped portrait. The rest of the group had now surrounded the large portrait.

“Curses are nasty business” Blake answered “They do exist but there shouldn't be any here. This place wasn't meant to hold anything worth protecting”

“There's a key hole on the side,” Elijah noted, pointing to the right side of the portrait.

“Too bad we don’t have a key” Mickey said quickly “Maybe we should just leave it alone”

“Mickey were you aware of this passage?” Blake asked directly

“Hell no” Mickey said angrily “but I’m not getting my ass killed because you're paranoid”

“I’m not paranoid!” Blake snapped, stepping towards Mickey “You’re not even supposed to be here. You can leave whenever you want”

“Guys!” Josh intervened, physically stepping between the two “We’re here for my team’s investigation. If anyone is taking a risk it will be us”

“I’ll try a skeleton key” Eve said, pulling the bone key out of her pocket

“Skeleton key?” Blake questioned

“Magic item from another world” Josh explained “Suppose to unlock almost any lock”

Eve stepped forward without hesitation. Locating the keyhole, Eve slid the skeleton key in and turned it to the side. To everyone's surprise an audible click sound. Suddenly the portrait began to vibrate softly.

“Is that normal?” Eve asked, stepping back from the portrait

“I’m not sure” Blake began to say but cut off as the portrait suddenly stopped vibrating.

The portrait began to fall apart, pieces turning to dust as they disconnected from the rest. The skeleton key also turned to dust as the piece fell apart. Soon the portrait was nothing but a pile of ash resting in front of a tunnel leading down.

“Was that a curse?” Josh questioned

“No I don't think so” Blake answered

“We’ve lost our only Skeleton Key” Eve noted

“Told you we would take care of it,” Josh said, turning to talk with Mickey. Josh found no one. The man had disappeared in thin air.

“Mickey!” Josh called

“Did he turn to dust like the portrait?” Skye questioned

“There's no other piles” Elijah noted

Blake let out a curse “I knew he knew something”

“Could he have gotten scared and ran away?” Josh defended

“Possibly” Blake said “He might be running to get Brooke. Let’s finish your investigation before he gets back”

“Shouldn’t we at least look for him first?” Josh argured

“We don’t want to waste that time” Blake said “He’s gone now. Let's finish what we started”

Josh looked ready to argue further but didn’t speak on it.

“Let's get this over with” He said finally.

“I still can’t see down there” Elijah said from the opening

“We’ll just have to find out the old fashion way” Skye said cheerfully

"Then by all means" Elijah said with a sarcastic wave of his hand "lead the way"

Skye gave the psyche force user a snarky smile before striding forward.

"Maybe we should check for traps first," Josh suggested.

Skye gave an amused snort as an answer and continued down the tunnel.

"She's confident" Blake noted

"I suppose she's earned it" Josh sighed "Skye is the strongest person here"

Josh grabbed Elijah's elbow, ignoring his complaints and led the way after Skye. Louie and Crystal came in next with Eve and Blake behind.

The tunnel gently sloped downwards leading the team deep underground. Eve and Blake pulled out flashlights, bringing some light into the otherwise pitch black tunnel.

Skye stopped after a few moments of travel

"There's a sign up here" she called

Flashlights swiveled towards the small wooden hanging from the ceiling.

Now leaving Concealed Roots

"What does this mean?" Josh questioned

"It's a warning" Blake said "after we pass that sign we're no longer protected by the treaty. Going farther means forfeiting our safety"

"We can't go back now" Josh said with determination "Everyone get your weapons in hand and be ready for a fight"

They continued past the sign weapons in hand. The cave didn't change as they travelled, remaining a steadily descending passage. Skye soon alerted everyone of a large chamber ahead of them. They entered silently, flashlights illuminated pockets of the large cavern.

All the light in the room suddenly vanished, at the same moment everyone in the room froze in place. Josh felt a numbing fear take over his body, every muscle froze in place. His mind went blank as the panic overtook him. Everyone around him was in the same state, except for one.

Skye barked out a laugh. Her body had tensed for a moment before breaking out of the fear.

“I haven’t felt fear like that in years'' she said gleefully “Feels good! Feels like a challenge”

“Demon” Blake said through gritted teeth, the only other person showing control.

A sinister laugh filled the room, suddenly lights flashed across the room. White stones were shining from high on the ceiling, illuminating the room fully. The cave was bare except for a simple yet elegant cabinet with gold trimming sitting against the far wall.

An oily voice spoke from above “You show great bravery for one so young”

Above the group sticking to the ceiling was a reptilian creature with glowing purple eyes. The demon was lanky, its body and limbs unnaturally long and thin. His hands had five long fingers ending in a sharp claw.

“Who are you?” Skye asked bluntly

The demon let out another laugh “So bold, do you not value your life?”

“My life isn’t on the line” Skye said smugly “Now do you have a name or should i just call you gecko?”

“So defiant” The demon mused “My name is Naga Kurgo, the maker of kings. The only demon capable of releasing a human’s true potential!”

“Never heard of you” Skye said flatly

Naga Kurgo scoffed “The world has never been fair to geniuses. My siblings saw humans as pests or snacks but I alone saw the truth. I saw the shackles crippling humans and I learned how to break them. What was my reward? My own siblings turning on me and leaving me for the demon hunters!”

“That’s exactly why I’m happy to be an only child” Skye said

“Do not patronize me” Naga Kurgo warned “I’ve not come this close to freedom to be mocked by you”

“If you’re so interested in freedom why are you still here?” Skye questioned

“My captors were clever” Naga Kurgo explained “Even though I escaped the quiet box I am unable to cross the boundary into the preserve. I was waiting for those under my influence to reach the preserve but you have been kind enough to speed up my plans”

“So you are the one behind the mask” Skye said “no pun intended”

Naga Kurgo laughed “That’s right! Channeling through the mask weakens my power but makes it so much easier to corrupt their minds. I’m glad someone is recognizing my genius”

“That’s all I needed to hear,” Skye said before vanishing.

She reappeared directly in front of Naga Kurgo, slamming her first into the reptilian demon’s face. The demon fell to the ground hard, Skye floated down slowly after him.

“You insolent mortal” Naga Kurgo hissed, placing a hand on his head

“Now I see why you need human soldiers” Skye said in a disappointed tone “You’re weak and cant fight on your own”

“I am not weak!” Naga Kurgo growled “I am the only being capable of unleashing a human’s true potential! If I hadn’t been imprisoned I would be leading the greatest army the world has ever seen!”

“But you’re on your own now” Skye said sounding bored “If you can’t protect yourself whatever potential you have is worthless”

“Ah” the demon hissed “but I am not alone”

“Backup is right on time” a voice called from the tunnel

Mickey stepped out of the shadowy tunnel, behind him twenty corpses shuffled behind him. The zombies appeared just like typical corpses, some had missing limbs.

“What the hell is this?” Skye asked moving quickly to place herself between her team and the zombies.

“Some insurance left behind” Mickey answered “You should have just left when I said to”

“So you’re going full traitor now” Skye asked “Do you really think that’s going to end well for you?”

“In case you haven’t noticed” Mickey said motioning around the room “You’re outnumbered and have six people frozen you need to protect. I don’t see this ending well for you.”

“Whatever” Skye said nonchalantly “Do the corpses follow you or the demon?

“I am in control of the zombies” Mickey answered “Don’t bother begging for mercy. You’ve seen too much already”

“Oh I just needed to know who was going to call them while i’m kicking their ass” Skye grinned

The teen streaked forward to Mickey, using both hands she shoved the man back. Mickey went flying over the heads of his zombie entourage back into the shadowy tunnel. The zombies turned around slowly and began shuffling back into the tunnel.

“You guys handle the demon” Skye said and chased after Mickey.

Leaving her immobile team mates alone with Naga Kurgo.

“What a mindless creature” Naga Kurgo purred “Leaving me six potential soldiers behind”

The demon approached the frozen group, towering over them with his seven foot frame. His gaze shifted from Blake to Josh before landing on Louie.

“You would be perfect for my first soldier” Naga Kurgo purred, running one of his long fingers across the teen’s short hair.

“I can see you have committed the ultimate betrayal already. How did it feel? To take the life of one who made you”

The demon let out a pained cry pulling his arm back quickly. Louie sneered at the demon, black blood covering some of her teeth. Naga Kurgo looked at his bleeding finger, the tip now missing.

“How dare you” He growled and swiped the immopile teen. Louie went flying into the nearby wall. Landing on the ground

“Louie” Eve croaked, drawing the demon’s attention.

“Now you are unique” Naga Kurgo purred at Eve “Your history is blank. No mutations or evolution from your ancestors.”

“I have no ancestors” Eve answered steadily “I was created by a God directly”

“What a treat” Naga Kurgo cheered “Do you consider yourself a true human?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Eve asked with confidence “I am human”

“What defines a human to you?” Naga Kurgo laughed “You have no family, no ancestry. No country that raised you. No history to learn from. You’re nothing more than a doll made to look human”

“I am human” Eve said definitely “I may have came to life in an unorthodox method but that does not rob me of my humanity”

“I suppose that really isn’t what makes a human” Naga Kurgo teased “Do you have the one thing every human has? Something no other creature possess

“The genetic constraint?” Eve asked.

Stepping forward Eve spread her arms wide “Why don’t you tell me?”

Naga Kurgo laughed and slid forward, reaching an elongated finger towards Eve. An unseen wave of power flowed from the demon, forcing Josh into the unlocked mode. Laughing, the demon placed his claw onto Eve’s forehead. The young woman jerked, her eyes growing wide and unfocused.

“You are!” the demon cried in joy “You are a human!”

“Not just human” Eve said, suddenly grabbing onto Naga Kurgo’s arm. Immediately frost began to grow on the scaly arm.

“How?” the demon croaked trying to pull back his arm.

Eve pulled back and proved the stronger of the two. Naga Kurgo stepped forward unbalanced, Eve took the opportunity and grabbed the demon’s neck. Ice grew immediately and quickly began to spread. Naga Jurgo punched Eve but the young woman didn’t loosen her grip. The cold only grew stronger. Ice crept from the floor surrounding the two.

Naga Kurgo locked eyes with Eve, the ice covering his jaw.

Instantly everyone was freed from the crippling fear. Elijah fell to the ground, panting as he regained control of his body. A regal voice sounded in the heads of the team members.

Bonus Mission Completed, Defeat the demon Naga Kurgo. Rewarded 3000 points and C rank reward to each participating member

“That was awesome!” Skye cheered running up and hugging Eve, removing her from the demonic ice statue. Skye quickly released the young woman.

“Wow you’re cold” Skye said, rubbing her arms.

Eve didn’t respond but gave a small smile.

“Is he dead?” Elijah wheezed from the ground

“No he’s not” Blake said “Demons are tricky to kill”

“The zombies?” Josh asked

Skye gave a mocking laugh “Those guys were nothing. I tore them apart like paper and got points for doing it! 300 points for taking out that trash.”

“What about Mickey?” Blake asked

Suddenly Mickey appeared behind Crystal, grabbing her arms and holding a knife to her neck.

“Stay back” Mickey shouted “I’ll kill her”

“Mickey that's enough” Blake said “You’ve lost. Don’t make this worse”

“I haven’t lost!” Mickey denied “The Sphinx promised I would be safe. Once I’m out of here he’ll take care of me”

Mickey was so focused on his denial that he failed to notice a nine foot tall teal giant appearing behind him. The giant reached down and placed its large hand over Mickey’s head. The shock of being grabbed causing the traitor to drop his knife. The Hitotsu-Me Giant lifted Mickey off the ground and tossed him into the cave wall. Mickey struck the wall head first with a sickening crunch.

“Oh shit” Crystal said in shock

“That didn’t sound good” Josh lamented

“It wasn’t” Crystal confirmed “I got a reward for killing him”

“You got points for that?” Skye asked

“Yeah fifty points for killing the SES agent” Crystal said

“Why didn’t you kill him earlier?” Elijah turned to Skye

“I thought we could interrogate him” Skye shrugged “I didn’t think he would do something so idiotic”

“SES?” Josh asked but Crystal only shrugged

“The Society of the Evening Star” Blake answered “An organization that abuses magical creatures and tries to destroy preserves. I can't believe Mickey was part of them"

"Why couldn't any of us move?" Elijah asked

"Magical fear" Blake answered "Some creatures radiate an aura of fear that paralyzes anyone around them. Usually seen in undead or dragons but clearly Naga Kurgo could do it too"

“What’s with the box?” Crystal asked. Pointing at the elegant cabinet in the back of the cave

“A quiet box” Blake explained “They’re one person prisons, usually holding some of the most dangerous creatures in existence. It’s impossible to escape without having someone from the outside replacing the current occupant”

Skye and Josh stepped over to where Louie landed, finding her spasming on the ground.

“What’s happening?” Josh asked

“I think she’s unlocking,” Skye said, putting a hand to the teen’s forehead.

“Why isn’t she fine like Eve?” Josh questioned

“I don’t know” Skye admitted

An obnoxious ringing filled the room, causing several team members to jump. The ringing came from Josh’s pocket. Pulling out his communicator Josh was relieved to hear Lance’s voice on the other side.

“Lance” Josh greeted “Good timing, we just finished with the demon”

“Josh” Lance began, his voice heavy and serious “I’m glad you finished already. We need anyone who can travel to start returning to Woodsboro”

“What’s going on?” Josh asked

“The killers went farther than I expected” Lance said “Over a hundred people were killed last night. We’ve lost every newbie here except for Dale”

“No” Josh said in disbelief

“We need to finish this movie soon” Lance continued “Once you return we will launch a full hunt to wipe out the killers. There’s a flight at eleven tonight to a city an hour away from Woodsboro. Do whatever you have to to get on that flight”