“We do it together...” said Robin.
He briefly placed his hand on Magenta’s shoulder, then turned, signalling behind to Grimtale, who immediately began the final assault. It was one last effort to thwart the Count as he planted his cumbersome cane against the ground and directed a purple stream of electrical energy towards the enemy, married with the turquoise stream of energy pulsating from Robin’s wand.
Each came together, one after the other until there was a rainbow of colour crossing the cliff like a sea of hungry serpents, converging on the Count, who had turned his gaze back to the Phoenix before attempting to repel the oncoming threats.
But his wand made easy work of the serpent-like heads, slicing the streams as they neared, rendering them useless and allowing time to identify Robin’s wand, and meet his assault with a powerful rope of red energy which soared from his wand, clashing against the turquoise stream and holding as the two warriors tightened their grip, Robin now with a second hand held firmly around the handle of his wand.
“Disengage, Robin!” yelled Magenta, watching as the streams pressed against one another.
“I can’t!” replied Robin, trying to pull his wand away to break the connection. However, with each attempt, the counts grip tightened and yanked him forward.
“The core! He’s going to pirate your core!” warned Grimtale, sheltering his eyes from the stark white light which began to erupt between the multi coloured streams.
Robin continued to try and pull his wand away as a final act of desperation, knowing everything Yuri entrusted him with was now under threat. He could feel the virus-like energy vibrating beneath his finger tips, squirming inside the body of his wand, attempting to breach the core and drain it of all its secrets. Even Grimtale and Magenta’s defenses proved ineffective as they cast their disruptive waves, hoping to distract the Count long enough for Robin to break free of his clutches - instead, it enhanced his focus. His piercing yellow eyes narrowed and Robin’s heart skipped a beat as the reality of the situation clobbered him firmly against the chest. The Count was powerful, and it was clear that he was capable of taking whatever he so desired. But while the two wands remained connected by the cores, in a moment of madness Robin realised, he may be able to take something too... The Count would never expect that of him, he thought, then he closed his eyes and listened closely beyond the snaps of electrical energy, beyond the cry of the Phoenix as it struggled against the magical binds around its body. Then as the door of reality began to close, beyond that was a peaceful balance where his own focus resided, and it was enough to guide him safely to the enemy core, without raising the Counts attention, which was already well spent.
The Core of his wand was like a beating heart, a deep blood red that was shifting with every passing second in an organic motion. As Robin’s body seemed frozen in reality, his consciousness roamed free within the dark heart, searching for a means of turning the tides, pulling at every string of curiosity in hope of accidentally flicking an off switch - or so to speak.
Meanwhile the Count held firm, entirely oblivious as he impatiently extracted the defensive charm from Robin’s wand, while watching eagerly over his shoulder towards the binding energy around the Phoenix that had began to lose its strength, fading between matter. It was a moment away from escaping, he could feel his grasp loosening as Silverstein’s wand made one final effort to breath, reigniting the rope-like energy which suddenly intensified, casting a blinding light in to the eyes of the Morient protectors, buying the Count a crucial moment to integrate the pirated charm with his wand and break the connection, the force of it threw Robin backwards against the dirt.
His vision blurred, and his ears rang with the sound of grinding metal on gravel. As he laid there, everything around him had fallen silent. He was oblivious of how far the energy had propelled him as he quickly attempted to pick himself up, peering towards the Count as the piercing light in the sky once again began to dim. Only this time, it had run its course.
Robin’s eyes narrowed from behind the golden helm as he watched the bonds break apart from around the Phoenix’s body. It then began a frantic flap of its enormous wings in hope of escape as the Counts attention turned to Silverstein’s wand. The white core had finally gone cold, and the light that had once burned at its centre was no longer ignited.
The pale hands holding tight to the carcass gave one final clench, then the body collapsed, shattering in its entirety to ash, which fell sharply beside the Count's feet.
The final remains of what Magenta believed to be the real Leonard Silverstein, the man she had fallen in love with, was gone. And the Count seemed somewhat relieved, no longer suffocating behind the tools and skin of what he considered an insignificant other.
He chuckled to himself as he glanced to the fearful protectors, each battling an inner demon of their own as they stood wearily with their wands directed towards him.
“Go! Get out of here!” cried Sachester as she caught sight of the Phoenix suddenly making for the clouds.
The Count's eyes widened, his body turned with his wand raised as he watched its mystical blue stardust fading away behind the dark night sky.
Then Magenta’s bombardment continued, followed by Robin’s and Grimtale’s. A flurry of coloured orbs bolted from their wands and against the Counts back, knocking him forward, face first towards the cliff edge, kicking up a trail of dust in tow as his body came to a halt, his head hanging limp over the vast deep pit that resided below.
Magenta spared a moment for the dirt to settle, taking the first step forward, exchanging nervous glances to the others as she approached the Count.
“Wait there, Sachester,” ordered Grimtale, as he followed behind Magenta with Robin at his side.
They took cautious steps forward as their vision remained hindered by the lack of light and clouds of dirt. But there was a defined outline of the Counts body, it was still and lifeless, yet no one believed it to be over just yet, it had been all too easy - unless the Count had underestimated his opposition. Yet they anticipated retaliation, as his body finally began to move.
“Shielz-ignite!”
Robin looked to Grimtale and Magenta who had been silent upon approach. Then suddenly there was a burst of red energy that engulfed the Counts body, transforming the leftover fabric of Silverstein’s jacket in to a dark metallic armour which concealed his devilish form, giving him extra protection, similar to Robin’s; however, the Count had also acquired a pair of bat-like wings, which rose high over his head as he effortlessly climbed to his feet. His face was also concealed like Robin’s, although this newly formed helmet had taken a long, rigid form with tall, sharp ears, opposed to the beak like structure that Robin’s possessed.
The armour glistened as moonlight fell upon it. His yellow eyes were now staring back across the cliff, through the tiny gaps in the metal. Then they were gone as he took to the skies, following the direction the Phoenix had already taken, and disappearing behind the clouds.
Robin knew that every second was now even more precious than before as he imagined the Phoenix making a desperate flight for freedom, with the Count hot on its tail. He desperately needed a plan. And plans, as he stood amongst his fellow Morient protectors, were few and far between...
CHAPTER 18
The Volcanic Duel
“What just happened?” exclaimed Sachester as she and Lillian met with the others,
throwing her arms around Grimtale and holding tight to the battered coat that hung heavy from his shoulders.
“There’s no time to re-evaluate. We need to act, and I have a plan - but it’s a risk,” explained Robin, as all eyes turned to him, stood at the cliff edge.
“I have a hunch - I think the Phoenix will be heading for the Institute, it’s the next safest place and its life is under threat. If the Count can’t capture it, he’s going to kill it.”
“No,” replied Grimtale, “ - he might have blood on his hands, but he’d never take the life of the Phoenix. There’s a
lways another option with him.”
“It will do everything in its power to remain free of the Count's clutches. I’m certain it’s going home to the dungeons where I raised it.”
Magenta scowled at Robin.
“You remember that?”
“I don’t, but it seemed a good story - and that’s all this will ever be if we fail. A tale of how good was overturned. You four need to return to the Institute and warn the others.”
Lillian stepped forward, visibly shaken as she clutched her wand.
“W-what do we say?” Her voice trembled as her thoughts remained tormented by visions of the Count and the devastating power he had left in his wake.
“We warn them of the Counts imminent arrival, and to arm themselves. Deep down they knew this was coming, it will come as no surprise,” said Grimtale, resting his weight on his cane as he addressed those around him, “ - the Count always wanted a war. We might not be able to give him that, but we can most certainly deny him the simple transaction he expects. Even if it means the permanent closure of the Vinemoore Institute.”
“I think education is the last of people’s concerns, now,” Remarked Robin as he approached Sachester, “I’m gonna need Edmund, and possibly Magenta, I might need the back up. I’ll pursue him, I’ll buy you some time before side stepping to the Institute,” he added, trading confirmation with Magenta as he spoke, knowing her rage would only be wasted elsewhere - at his side, she may find the justice she sought.
Sachester drew a breath then pressed her index fingers against her bottom lip. She blew firmly and suddenly - her piercing whistle echoed about the vastness of the surrounding area, riding the gentle breeze and reaching the barn, where an alert Slitherback suddenly rose its head, stark and tall as it climbed to its cumbersome feet.
“Danger - danger,” sounded the metallic tones of Coggo, the copper tin man as he moved between the gates, blocking the pack of Slitherbacks’ as they attempted to race to Sachester’s aid.
“There will only be fatalities.” Coggo added, warning off the creatures which had already began to cower and back away, while watching in the distance as Edmund, already galloping away from the old wooden barn, headed straight for Sachester, at the cliff edge of Shoulders Heath.
* * *
Robin watched towards the horizon, waiting impatiently as Edmund’s silhouette suddenly appeared, racing over the frosty mountain that sat between them, galloping through the twilight glow, and on to the frozen path that stooped and climbed before the cliff.
“There he is,” Robin smiled, beginning to feel a companionship with that one particular Slitherback. He was overjoyed to see him, certain he’d improve their chances of catching the Count, who was already a great distance away, but moving at a slower pace than that of a Slitherback.
“Grimtale, you guys need to go. I’ll see you at the Institute.”
Robin reached for Grimtale’s hand and pulled him in, giving him a firm pat on the back for luck.
“I’ll hold you to that,” he replied, remaining unusually stern behind his black wiry beard. No one was used to seeing this side to Grimtale. They were all so used to his positive, relaxed temperament. But where his fear did nothing for the team's morale, Robin’s versatile attitude lifted spirits, and revitalised the energy around them to carry on fighting.
Reminded of everything they had to lose, they began their final move, knowing the Institute would be the final battle ground between good and evil, where failure would certainly result in many fatalities to young and old, rich and poor. There was no segregation, not in the eyes of Munder Mortal as he fulfilled the reputation that came with the feared title of the Count.
Robin gave Edmund a rub on his snout as he stood at his side, bound to his gaze as he saw no fear in his eye. The creature was selfless. It seemed to have an understanding of the dangers, yet it had still found its way after countless warnings from Coggo. Robin adjusted his helmet then mounted Edmund, reaching down to Magenta with his right hand as he turned back to the many faces that were staring up at him, as he overcame the fear that had sat dormant at the pit of his stomach for far too long. He had already stood eye to eye with the embodiment of evil.
Nothing would stop me now, he repeated to himself, silently. Lowering his shoulders and straightening his neck, the armour wasn’t the comfiest but he sure did look the part from Magenta’s view as she looked up at Robin.
“Just until we find him, then a little freestyle wouldn’t go amiss.”
Magenta nodded as she took his hand, climbing on the back of Edmund and holding tight around Robin’s stomach.
Grimtale, Sachester and Lillian had already dispersed through a Senteer charm, they must have been at the Institute already, Robin thought as he gave Edmund a pat on the neck and braced for launch.
There was one final slither of Edmund's snake-like tongue, then his head bowed and his legs pressed firm against the ground before taking to the cliff edge, the creature carrying the weight of its body and its Morient passengers with ease as it leapt over the bottomless pit below them, before pulling against the laws of gravity, slowly ascending towards the glow of the nights sky and leaving the Morient town of Shoulders Heath to the peace it deserved.
* * *
His speed was sluggish in comparison to the Phoenix, but his raw might carried his armoured body high as he pivoted his blade-like wings and descended back through the thicker clouds, with his eye on the Starlight Phoenix as it manoeuvred between the scattered clouds below him. It took a sudden dive to the left, then moved to the right to avoid the tips of the falling spearheads thrown by the Count in a desperate attempt to damage its wings and slow its momentum.
The skies were still dark and sunrise was far from due as the Count's eyes remained fixated on the turquoise sparkle breaking away from the phoenix’s feathers as it hurtled across the heavens, marking a path which only made it more difficult to shake the Count, who was hot on its tail.
After another series of ducking and weaving, Robin and Magenta were already catching, held on tight to Edmund who instead of moving around the clouds, shot straight down the centre, biting at the vapour like a playful puppy as they travelled blind, until re-emerging. They could now make out the faint turquoise sparkle and the flame tipped spearheads that the Count was conjuring from a bottomless quiver on his back - coated in the same dark metal that encased his body.
“There they are! Great work, Edmund!” said Robin, pointing towards the Count as more clouds breezed by.
“Should I jump off yet?” asked Magenta, squinting to make out the dark blur in the distance, she figured it had to be the Count.
“No, hold tight!” replied Robin, slowly making headway as the pursuit pressed on.
Where blurred lines became refined and moonlit armour shimmered, even beyond the heavy snow clouds that were stationary up ahead as Robin glared on like a hawk - one hungry for justice - he was back in reaching distance, but not long enough to deter the Count. The Phoenix performed a barrel roll manoeuvre, before swooping through a torn opening in the fabric of reality that led directly to the human realm. It was similar to a Senteer charm, however this magic was mind induced, by the sheer power that surged through the Phoenix’s feathers – making the shift easy. The tear was being held open by a cluster of minuscule orbs that shined as bright as stars, just enough so the Phoenix could fit. The Count followed closely behind, entering the realm before the tear came to an abrupt close, snapping together and shutting off Robin on his approach.
“Did you see that?” cried Magenta, pointing to where the passage had closed.
“It was a Senteer charm, but was it the Count’s?” asked Robin as he glanced over his shoulder at Magenta.
“Looked like the Phoenix’s to me. It was too precise. But did you see where they went?”
Robin shook his head as he turned back.
“It was the human realm - Shoulders Heath. I saw the Black mountain, they were right overhead.”
“Then that’s wher
e we need to be!”
Robin pulled out his wand from an armoured sheath around his waist and twisted the vine-like handle, pointing directly ahead of Edmund. Robin closed his eyes and began imagining the shape of the black mountain, while recollecting the land around it as he attempted to open the fissure. Magenta knew she could have done it quicker, but she respected Robin’s efforts as they suddenly found themselves amongst the crossfire of Reaper projectiles, landing them in the eye of the storm.
The cliff tops opposite the mountain were overrun with the Count's disciples as they jumped in to a series of Senteer charms that crossed them to the dark surface of the Black mountain. The ones that had already arrived were immediately aware of Robin as he dropped from the Morient world, through to the skies of the Human realm. The Reapers had been waiting for this moment, as the Count had warned, stood higher up the mountain, with the Phoenix back in its magical restraints, pulling against the energy that had once again entangled itself around its feathers.
Robin could hear the cries of the Phoenix as he helped Edmund negotiate his way through the bombardment of incantations that hurtled in their direction.
“I can buy you some time, I’ll hold off the Reapers while you deal with the Count,” said Magenta as Edmund began to climb the Mountain, averting its path to avoid the projectile threats that were never-ending.
“Just be careful! Use the craters, play a defensive game. If I can free the Phoenix, I’ll see you back at the Institute!”
“Be careful, Robin!”
The Professor and the Starlight Phoenix Page 20