“No?” Riku and Sylvia asked simultaneously.

"We won’t help you. You trapped us here against our will.”

“We were le--!” Riku began before Sylvia cut him off.

“Honorable spirits, what my companion is trying to say is, we have exhausted all possible options before requesting your help.”

“Did you try teleporting?” the spirits asked.

“It wouldn’t work in this situation because I have never visited any human city. I need to have a destination to teleport safely,” Sylvia replied.

“That has nothing to do with us. Release us, elfling. Let us roam freely once more.”

Resigned, Sylvia reached down to break the circle. When her hand was about to remove a rock, Riku’s hand grabbed hers.

Startled, she raised her head, glared at Riku, and asked, “What are you doing?”

“No, what are YOU doing?” Riku asked.

“I’m freeing the spirits and letting them roam free again.”

“We aren’t going to do that.”

“Why?”

“You said it before. The world is at an impasse. Humans and elves aren’t the only ones affected. Everyone is. The spirits must have a reason why they won’t help us. Perhaps they are scared?”

“Human, we changed our minds. Release us this instant and we will make your death as painless as possible!”

“See, Sylvia, something is scaring them.”

“WE ARE NEVER SCARED! HUMAN, RELEASE US!”

“No,” Riku said.

“Dragic, have you sensed what is making the spirits so disagreeable?”

“No. Spirits are more susceptible to the inner workings of the world. Their current behavior is indicative that evil is stirring and making its mark on this world.”

“Okay?”

“Dumbass. Do I have to spell everything out for you? The demons who once terrorized the world are stirring. As the demons awaken, they require nourishment in the form of spirits or worse—human sacrifices. “

“Oh.”

“Kid, I know you and the girl wish to reenter civilization as fast as possible. Blackmailing the spirits won’t work.”

“Then what will?”

“Let me talk to them. Perhaps I can convince them to show you two the way out.”

“Okay.”

Riku shuddered when Dragic took over. Alarmed, Sylvia caught him before he hit the ground.

“Riku?”

“I’m fine, don’t worry.”

“Haha! Human, we knew you couldn’t keep up that false bravado. See, you are trembling in our presence. Now be a good boy and release us,” the spirits goaded.

“No.” Riku raised his head and growled.

“Human, you are messing with forces you cannot possibly imagine.”

“I can take you on and win.”

“You are pushing it. Boy, be careful of what you say next.”

“Why should I? You’re in there and I’m here. You can’t move a muscle without our permission.”

“Argh!” the spirits collectively cried in pain when lightning shocked them.

“See, you should be bargaining with us. Not demanding us to release you.”

“Why you impudent bast---!” the spirits stopped what they were saying when Riku raised his hand.

“If you say something I don’t like, I will shock you. Worst case scenario is we leave you here; ready to be absorbed by a demon at any time,” Riku said.

“Ugh. We will show you the way out, human.”

“No. Since you were uncooperative earlier, the deal has changed. We will release you on one condition.”

“You greedy human. Fine, what do you want? Be careful what you wish for.”

“My companion and I have set our eyes on killing Lord Mazark and putting an end to his evil. What we want is for all free spirits to help us along the way.”

“We do not speak for all spirits.”

“What one spirit hears or experiences is conveyed to every other spirit. All spirits have means of communicating with each other internally.”

“You are somehow knowledgeable of our inner workings human.”

“Don’t change the subject. Do you agree to our condition?”

“We want to know whether you are lying or not. Let us sift through your memories.”

“Do you think I’m that stupid? The moment I let you sift through my memories, you take over my body. I’ll give you 5 seconds to convey our message and give me an answer. If your answer is unsatisfactory, I will leave you here as easy prey.”

“Wait!”

“5!”

“Can’t w-.”

“4!”

“Please don’t.”

“3!”

“2!”

“You’re bluffing!”

Riku turned around and began walking away.

“1!”

“Fine, all the remaining free spirits agree to your proposition. We will help you on your journey to slay Mazark. You must promise us one thing.”

“What?”

“You seal any demons you see along the way.”

“Deal.”

“Release the spirits now, Sylvia.”

Sylvia reached down, removed a rock, and broke the formation. The spirits rushed out in glee—circling around nearby trees, enjoying their freedom. After a while, they settled down, consolidated their form, and began leading the way out of the forest.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Mazark, welcome back.”

“Milord, why have you summoned me today?”

“The boy has recruited the spirits to help him. To counteract this, I need more human sacrifices. We need to throw the world into greater disarray.”

“Yes, Milord. If there’s greater disarray, will there be more demons awakening?”

“Yes, that is a likely outcome.”

“Will it awaken Pol?”

“Pol has always been awake. His power is currently sealed in a forgotten cave that the boy stumbled across. If the boy continues to elude us, the only way to find his location is by awakening all the other demons. Together we can rewrite history and unseal Pol even without knowing his location. When Pol is unsealed, you and I will be granted seats of honor at his table and unlimited power.”

“Mwahaha!”