The Phantom Crystal

Entity in the Tunnel Part 1

‘There’s someone here,’ Phantom states, his voice low and crimson eyes flashing. ‘And they’re quite powerful.’

My mouth dries as Phantom speaks, pulling my hands from my pockets as my eyes flicker around the tunnel. The eerie silence is eating at me as I continue forward, the only outside noise being my footsteps and, to my ears, my breathing and frantic heartbeat. My walking falters as we reach a corner. I nervously glance at Phantom, his deep frown unnerving as he quietly scans our surroundings and I’m sure he can sense even more than what he’s telling me.

‘We need to keep walking,’ Phantom says, nudging me on. ‘We can’t linger for too long.’

My lips purse as I nod and start walking once more, quickening my pace as I quickly turn the corner. I instantly fall short as a shadow darts by to my right and Phantom snaps his arm out for me to stop. A heavy shiver courses through me as all the heat from the pipes vanishes and my breath is visible in the air. My heart nearly stops as lights start to flicker and dim and a large black mass morphs and molds in the center of the tunnel.

“You’ve been quite the elusive one, Phantom,” a deep, echoing voice ripples through the air as the black mass continues to grow. “I was starting to think you were avoiding me.”

A dark chuckle escapes Phantom as he floats further in front of me, a feral smile on his lips and crimson eyes flashing.

‘Ah, Lux, it’s certainly been a while, hasn’t it? When was the last time we saw one another? The 17th century?’

Dread washes over me as the mass finally takes form. A seven-foot-tall broad-shouldered entity stands with his back toward us. Long, shoulder-length shadow black hair flows freely around his head and shining black pieces of armor gleam in the flickering lights. Multiple guns are strapped to his thighs and twin swords are crisscrossed on his back. The entity turns and pure silver eyes gleam in the light, a bloodthirsty smirk lighting up the stark white skin. His tight fitting clothes ripple over large muscles that leave almost nothing to the imagination. There is a faint glow around him but he’s completely solid and whole. Not at all see-through like Phantom is.

“Phantom, who is that?” I whisper aloud, my hands shaking at my sides as Lux fixes his black leather gloves on his hands.

Lux laughs, sending slimy chills down my spine, tilting his head as he looks me up and down.

“Ah, Jack Baggins, son of the most well-known ghost hunters in the entire Ghost Dimension.” Lux’s heavy black boots thump heavily on the cement floor as he walks forward, cutting the distance in half before mock bowing. “What an honor. It’s not often those of living get to witness one of my hunts. Or,” Lux pauses as our eyes meet and my stomach hits the floor. “Even gets to be my main target.”

Air catches in my throat when Lux suddenly snatches a gun-like object from his hip and shoots at me and Phantom. A bright green net barrels out and expands as it sails through the air. Snarling, Phantom grabs the front of my jacket and throws me across the tunnel before vanishing right before the net would have hit me. I yelp as my shoulder slams into some of the exposed pipes. Phantom reappears next to me, crimson eyes flashing as he squats next to me. Lux chuckles and reloads his gun.

“Phantom, who is that? Why is he here?” I ask, my voice tinging on the side of panic as Lux eyes us like we’re a fresh piece of meat.

‘His name is Lux,’ Phantom explains through clenched teeth. ‘He’s a bounty hunter. And is the best in the entire Ghost Dimension. Most entities in the Ghost Dimension quiver at just the MENTION of his name because they KNOW if Lux is hunting, nobody is escaping. Well, almost nobody.’ A twisted smirk forms on the Phantom’s face as he practically drags me back to my feet.

“That’s Phantom’s nice way of saying HE’S the only one to ever escape my grasp,” Lux states as he takes aim again. “But what he ISN’T telling you is that all the other human hosts he’s had, I’ve KILLED.”

A strangled noise slips past my lips as Phantom yanks me out of the way of another net, throwing some ice toward it to stick it toward the wall.

Killed? Did he just say KILLED? Panic sends my head spinning as Phantom’s hand glows a light blue and he sends out a wave of ice toward Lux. He dances around the large ice shards, laughing as he pulls out his second gun.

‘Jack, you need to run,’ Phantom orders, his breathing already labored. ‘I can keep his busy for right now.’

My mouth waters harshly at the thought of leaving Phantom behind. Worry spikes in me as I stare at the ancient entity. He’s already breathing heavily and there is a slight hunch to his form.

“But—“

‘Jack,’ Phantom cuts me off harshly. ‘I don’t have a physical form, he can’t do more than just throw objects through me. You, on the other hand, have a physical form AND my crystal. If he catches you, it’s over for both of us.’

“But you can’t keep fighting like this,” I whisper harshly, trying to reach out for him but my hand slides through his arm, my fingers feeling like I just dipped my fingers into a bucket of ice-cold water. “I mean, look at you!”

‘I don’t plan on fighting him the entire time,’ Phantom snaps, eyes narrowing as he focuses on keeping Lux dancing around the tunnel. ‘Just long enough for you to get—‘

Phantom cuts off when a glowing lime green chain shoots between us. I stagger back, fearful of the energy radiating from the glowing chain. My mouth falls open as I stare at the claw embedded into the wall directly under some of the important pipes.

‘If this keeps up, he’s gonna destroy important piping! And I’M gonna be the one blamed for it,’ I think, clutching at the strap of my bag as I shoot Lux a look as he laughs. That’s when an idea hits me. I step closer to Phantom.

‘Jack...’ Phantom growls. I shake my head.

‘Possess me.’

Phantom tenses after he shoots another spray of ice and snow toward the other entity, sending Lux into another round of dark laughter that echos through the halls and sends shivers of unease and fear down my spine. Phantom shoots a dark look at me over his shoulder, his chest heaving with exhaustion.

‘Are you sure, darling?’ Phantom asks quietly, his eyes starting to glow. ‘Because I can’t guarantee how you’re going to feel afterward. Lux doesn’t hold back.’

My eyes flicker over to the large entity who appears to be having the time of his life as he fires at a piece of ice that is pining him to the wall. My mouth dries and I swallow thickly as Lux shoots Phantom and I a predatory grin.

‘I’m sure,’ I think back, heart hammering in my chest. ‘He’s not gonna stop and I can’t run forever. And who knows just how far he’s willing to chase us. I can’t risk other students.’ I square my shoulders. ‘And I can see you’re getting tired, Phantom. He has a physical body, why not give you access to mine? I’ve used some powers and maybe you can just feed from my energy long enough to get him to quit.’

Air catches in my throat when Phantom suddenly cups my face, my eyes widen as I stare up at the taller being. Phantom’s glowing eyes fill my vision as a predatory smirk appears on his face.

‘Then let’s not dilly-dally, darling.’ Phantom says before pressing his palm flat against my chest. The Crystal pulses, knocking the wind from me.

A chill flows and blankets me as the Phantom vanishes in a burst of icy blue light that shoots into the same spot where his crystal rests. I stagger but my body doesn’t move but I do. My eyes widen.

I’m outside of my body.