Matrix Code - A Merging of Worlds

Sorry this is so short, but it's better than nothing, right? I promise I'll update more often (at least I hope I will).

Chapter 12

Up in the sky the sun danced with moon as it battled for control of the day. In a whirlwind of light and dark, then sun tossed the darkness back from where it came, and its rays broke over the horizon and galloped across the landscape. Like neighing lightning fast horses they shot over the fields and mountains, heedless of any obstructions in their path.

Eventually they broke over a hill...in the distance could be seen the ruins of a once busy Denny's. Without taking a pause the light horses tore across the distacne between them, closing the gap in a fraction of a heartbeat, breaking into the cold and dank darkness that was enveloping the Denny's, colliding with the still steadily burning fire that the wizened old man sat around.

The shafts of light hit John Hankle's eyes and continued on their path as his eyelids slowly fluttered open to the piercing daybreak that shone through the shattered windows that still smelled of demon smoke.

Letting go a hug yawn, John sat up in his booth to see the rest of their motley little crew sitting up as well, greeting the day with yawns, angry looks, and suppressed rage, with the latter coming from Blade.

Gandalf extinguished the fire with a few taps from his staff, then turned to face the rest of the group. He spoke calmly, yet with great authority. John was instantly at attention. "So. You all want to travel to the Lair."

"Aren't you the smart one?" Blade retorted. "I'm glad we have the 'wizard' with us to help us with these confusing little fucking details."

Aragorn's eyes blazed, but being a Ranger, he knew when to keep his calm and when to let the angry go without rebuke. Telling Blade (rightfully so) to shut up would only cause more animosity, and that was something that they did not need, especially considering where they were headed.

Constantine, however, believed otherwise. He shook his head at the vampire hunter. "Can you just shut your mouth for once? If you spent half as much time thinking as you did bull shitting we'd be done with our quest by now."

"Hey, Exor-prick, did I - "

"Silence!" Gandalf boomed, the calm gone. He shook his head. "I would have more ease dealing with a class of 3-year olds than with you two. Now, if you'll let me continue." He wrapped his cloak closer around themselves. The morning rays of the sun, though they had brough a bit of heat, were now dissipating, and the cold of the dawn was setting in. "The Lair is located North, as our good friend Blade pointed out to us yesterday. I cannot help you anymore than I am bound to. And I cannot explain why, either. It is....the rules of engagement." He glanced briefly outside, slightly nervously, then ploughed on. "You must travel due north for the rest of the day. You will encounter numerous perils. Tragedy will strike." He looked at Ted quickly, then looked away. The clueless surfer didn't notice anything, but John felt a growing unease. Gandalf continued to speak. "You will come to an underground complex....that is where...that is where you will go next. That is all I can say."

"Thanks for nothing," Blade muttered, but he didn't say it loud enough for anyone to hear.

"Thank you for your help, my friend," Aragorn said, giving Gandalf a great big hug.

"It was my pleasure," Gandalf said, returning the hug. "And now I must leave you." Two seconds later Shadowfax had appeared at the doorway to Denny's like of of the light horses. Gandalf walked over and mounted the horse. He was just about to ride off when he looked straight at John. He tossed him a piece of cloth in which was wrapped something very light. With a steely gaze and a stone cold voice, Gandalf muttered, "Onna kuune. Loome qualme." Then he rode off into the distance until he was nothing more than a white dot on the horizon. In a flash, he was gone.