Ethereal Ascendant

by Luke DeSalvo

  Suzette eyed him with cool gray eyes. “I feel an eerie presence here,” She said at last. “I don't know what's happening, but it makes me wish we would have stayed back with the others.”

  “What!?” Codiac snapped. He could feel his nerves twitching with the sheer thoughts of his lost companions.

  “There's a disaster nearby,” Suzette retorted. “I can feel it.”

  The sounds of wails and screams started bursting through the eardrums, forcing Codiac to swallow and continue slowly.

  It was never to safe traversing in a guild war.

  The thoughts of his tormented friends, strangling to death, hit the young man's mind with full force. He had to save them and tell the guardian this, he decided, but when he turned to Suzette the next time, her finger was out in pause. She placed her tracing finger on his lips.

  “I know,” She mused.

  Codiac maneuvered away from her hand and made his way for a kiss, passionate, and heart felt.

  They parted and continued, without a word, onward to the battle taking place at a stone etched building was before them now. Already, the pair were surrounded, with a stone structure serving as the main war fountain.

  “Hopefully I'll find a general in there!” Codiac shouted.

  The two leaped into action and dove for the building head first, cutting their way to the miniature castle. The house was on fire, but they spilled into it regardless with the Amethyst trailing behind.

  Once inside, they were greeted with a blast wave of heat and the sound of swords clashing. There were dead bodies everywhere.

  Two guild mates from Golden Hearts were recognizable fighting on stairs, with the high ground. It was Frosty, a wood elf druid squad mate, who fought with a long staff. On he staircase was the beloved Toston “Two Hands”, in the presence, fending off five guards at once.

  Codiac greedily faced the remaining opponents, with Suzette at the door, fighting off the reinforcements.

  “Toston!” Codiac screamed, taking down an enemy.

  The big nord, shouted his own battle cry in return and hacked off the shoulder of an Amethyst Divine agent.

  The reunited companions went into a frantic frenzy, their moves all complementing each other, dodging and attacking in blurred sweeps, with Suzette struggling alone.

  Codiac tripped on a corpse, to reveal Gonzo, his old dwarf companion dead on the floor.

  He stopped shortly, tears welded in his eyes. He wiped his eyes, then instincts took place as he turned his attention on the oncoming warriors that all screamed louder, attacking with Suzette in unison until none were standing but the Guardian and the Golden Hearts trio.

  Exhausted Suzette and Codiac laid spiraled out on the floor together, breathing heavily with a small army dead at their feet.

  “I'm sorry honey,” Codiac gasped a deep breath of air. “I just want this war between the Divine and Golden to end.” He breathed again. “Too many slaughtered, he turned his direction to a panting giant known as Toston.

  “We couldn't have done it without you, kiddo,” Toston said, leaning on his ax.

  Codiac went up to his feet. “It's good to see you alive and well, sir.”

  “Well?” The giant boomed. “I'm doing grand on the day of our revenge!”

  “Frosty?” Codiac managed “How are you holding up? Are you injured?”

  “Not bad,” the druid replied. “I'll manage awhile longer, captain.”

  “What of the latest news?” Toston asked. “Like how did you get in here without an army? How did you know where to find us? And who the hell is this sexy woman behind you!?”

  Suzette stood to her feet, armor coated in blood. “I am Suzette Monroe, a Guardian of Thyne. How do you do?” She performed a curtsy.

  “The daughter of Adama!?” Toston gasped.

  The nord reached forth and grabbed her hand, shook ferociously and thought better of it and hugged her instead.

  “Welcome to Golden Hearts!” He pronounced. “We'll have this place cleared out in no time. We have enough left, equipped and doing well. That ought to do the trick, eh captain?”

  The response was so nonchalant that it sent Suzette in a fit of giggles.

  “Toston, there's something that needs to be said,” Codiac stated.

  Just then a shrill roar shook the building, leaving fire and ash to splatter in their faces. It continued as an earthquake and all the party members quickly exited the battle site. They were terrified of the sheer weight of the roar the continued off, echoing in the distance. Behind them, the church fell in scattered stone and flames.

  Did anyone else hear that terrible wail? Codiac reported on his mic when the screeching stopped. Reactive to the sheer force.

  It's the dragon, stupid! Ildarachi's voice sounded this time.

  “Xyl'thos has awoken,” Suzette whispered in a tremor.

  “I know that cry anywhere,” Toston agreed, coming up to her and looking at the pale blue skies.

  Codiac turned to the nord. “We have to get you out of here-”

  The roar started off again, shading the sky to dark red. The dragon fear crept in, and all found their faces towards the ground.

  Codiac, Ildarachi, others... it was Xerrast's voice this time.

  Avilya stands before us on Loctis tower. We could really use your help.

  “Dammit!” Codiac cursed, exchanging glances with Suzette.

  Toston and Frosty stood solemnly, unaware of the telepathic communication. “What’s going on?” The big man asked, pulling his axe behind his back. “We want to help,” He added with a nodding Frosty behind him.

  Hold on, we'll be right there, Suzette replied through her device.

  Codiac nodded then turned to his giant companion.

  “Avilya is near,” He began. “And we're going to end her life, you'll see. I need you to escape from here Toston and with the others. There's a bomb planted at the center of this base. We don't have much longer. It's time to evacuate our guild from this fight.”

  Toston nodded and placed his hand on the young knight captain's shoulder.

  “I was informed. You sure you’ll make it?” the giant asked clumsily scratching the back of his head.

  “Bring our troops back home, commander,” Codiac replied.

  “Aye, captain.”

  Codiac left the big man and smiled at Suzette. “Come on, let's stop dicking around. We have a world to save.” He teased at her.

  She laughed out loud and the began to track backwards, back to the tower of Loctis with Codiac running silently behind.

  Chapter 37

  “I once saw a bumblebee, swimming in the ocean, the creature’s death bed. He was lapping at the sea’s deadly fumes. His dying elixir. He managed to fly out, staggering, a wounded soldier, a holy protector of Systralas fading. It was suffocating and fell to the sandy shore. That’s when a crab consumed it, ending the poor creature’s pain and suffering. A hero’s death.”

  Kaeltrys Zalanga

  Archmagician of Golden Hearts

  Aurora Bendix breathed in a deep gulp of air, swift and cool, bringing instant revival, as if awakening from a breathless sleep. Satisfaction came at the sheer grip of the powerful breath, that left her gasping for more, but something deeper, in her gut, gave a sharp cramp. A reminder of a powerful being in the womb. It brought tears to Aurora's eyes, life glowing inside her, beckoning her to stay alive.

  It was strange, she noticed a slight weight gain, extremely late menstruation cycle, constant mood swings, the list went on. The summoner was wondering if that were why her clothes were so damn tight. The elvish leather was gripping tightly to her hips, more than usual, but it was Ildarachi's eyes that gleamed mercy, grabbing at her in just as powerful way.

  Her first breath out of the unconscious.

  Kaeltrys stood before her now, sweating profusely, the life drained out of his face. He was pale, eyes clouded, but burning with a heat of seriousness.

  It was then when Aurora saw what Kaeltrys suspected. The archm
agician generously gave the last of his spirit to save theirs. A life for two, and the mage was showing no signs of remorse. Instead he just stood staring before giving a nod of approval.

  It was only a matter of time.

  “You two shall thrive,” He said, gasping for air shortly after.

  “Aurora,” Ildarachi called.

  She blinked twice sharply.

  “You're alive,” He started. “Kaeltrys brought you back to me. Oh please, babe, don't have us worrying like that,”

  “I knew I wouldn't be away from your side for long,” She replied, beaming up towards him.

  They kissed, sharply, sweetly and quick, before Jason helped the Aurora stand.

  “We must check up on Cringe,” Kaeltrys stated, he seemed too weak to even walk, as if he could feint at any moment's notice. “I want to let you know that I'm very proud of you,” He continued. “To see Avilya and survive is already a good sign for luck.”

  He began hobbling off, limping on one leg towards the center of the treasure vault.

  It was quiet now, the alarms somehow managing to be disarmed. Cringe stood silently awaiting them.

  “Are you alright, Miss Aurora?” He asked as they approached.

  She stopped in front of him and smiled. “I'm doing better among the living, but I have this creeping feeling that I've done this before,” She said at last.

  “Aye,” The magician responded. “The beginning of the end,” Kaeltrys moved swiftly to a golden chair and sat hunched over.

  A muffled voice entered their brains.

  Please sign in, the muffling stopped to reveal Suzette's voice.

  Aurora gasped and clicked onto her own ear bud.

  I'm fine, she called

  Thank God, Sleet's voice.

  Ildarachi smiled and then looked serious and pressed onto his own magical telepathic device.

  We saw her ma'am, He stated.

  “And we have to find her,” The arch magician wheezed.

  As a progress report, we have finally established the bombs. It should take one full hour down here, Cringe.

  Excellent, Xerrast replied.

  Cringe, the scion sounded.

  We're headed to Loctis tower overlooking the portal. Please meet us there in twenty minutes.

  Roger, Cringe responded.

  Kaeltrys stood to his feet then slouched back down to the chair in on fell motion. What was happening? He thought. Lulali?

  It was then when the archmagician’s head snapped up with determination and the alert of intruders. “They're more coming,” He said at last.

  The dark elf eyed the archmagician apprehensively as if seeing a ghost in the form of his old ally.

  “There's an air duct located in the back of this room,” Cringe muttered. “Use it to find Avilya, and I'll deal with these.”

  “But Cringe I-” Kaeltrys began.

  “Go!” The dark elf commanded. “You all have far more important missions to fulfill.”

  Kaeltrys nodded and placed his hand on the necromancer's shoulder.

  “Thanks brother,” He said.

  “Go!” the dark elf repeated.

  The shouts grew louder in their ears. Ildarachi stood back, knowing something was amiss. Finally, when he could not bear the feeling any longer, he grabbed Aurora's hand.

  “Come on,” He whispered.

  They both took off in the opposite direction of the sound, deeper in the treasure chamber. Kaeltrys gave one last nod to Cringe, who simply smiled in return, before heading off in the same direction, forcing his body to maintain a solid pace.

  The party found the air shaft with ease, just when the battle began. The sounds of cackling and flame went off in their ears, that made them shudder before entering the safe passage.

  They were crawling now, to safety they presumed, but never knowing, they made their escape quick.

  The tunnel turned about in every direction and the sense of claustrophobia pressured them to move faster. That, and enemies could soon be upon them. It would not take long for Amethyst Divine to find them and they all knew it.

  The valiant sacrifice for time was thought of with dwelling concern now.

  Will it all be worth it? Crossed the archmagician's mind. Deep down he knew in his gut that he too was spent. With two members down already, what were their hopes on survival?

  Tired of clinging to the walls, the party found a shaft to exit and dropped low to inspect it. Ildarachi began tinkering with the shaft, fidgeting it to open, once done so, Aurora spoke out loud.

  “You know,” She said quietly. “I'm going to marry you one day.”

  “I know,” Jason managed a response before diving in headfirst to the unfamiliar room.

  Wrong room.

  There was a battle between the last surviving members of Golden Hearts and the treacherous Amethyst Divine.

  Swords clashed, spells were cast in a major battlefield of twenty on twenty. It was a brawl, in a dining room, with tables and chairs being sliced to pieces as the attacks became missed regards to vital organs.

  Fire burned from flame spells, heating up the entire vicinity to unbearable conditions. The scent of blood filled their nostrils.

  “Kaeltrys is back!” said Vyia, the elf mage from Codiac's platoon.

  Without hesitation, the crew leapt into action. Aurora began to chant, putting a member of Amethyst to a deep slumber. Ildarachi, reached for his dagger and met sword in a single attack. Kaeltrys, revived from the looks of his companions, flung his own fireballs into action, taking on several members of the evil guild.

  It was then when a roar sounded, that shook the entire dining area and rocks came down from the ceiling.

  Did anyone else hear that terrible wail? Codiac reported on his mic when the dust began to settle.

  Irritated Ildarachi escaped his pursuer and called in.

  It's the dragon, stupid! He snapped.

  “Xyl'thos has risen!” A member of Amethyst exclaimed.

  Another wail reached the room that threatened to tear it down into pieces.

  People began murmuring among themselves in sheer terror of the dragon's awakening. It came to past, where the fighting was over, and all was too concerned with the dragon fear, penetrating their nerves to a stall. Finally, Kaeltrys came to attention.

  “Run now!” He exclaimed. “Get out of here, Vyia and cherished brothers. Only we can fulfill the prophecy now. You’ve done your duty!”

  With frightful screams, the members of Amethyst and Golden Hearts fled out of the room, swords abandoned and gracefully left the area, leaving the three stranded companions to their own wills.

  Their hearts were beating soundly, from the yell of the dragon.

  Codiac, Ildarachi, others... Xerrast said telepathically.

  Avilya stands before us on Loctis tower. We could really use your help.

  Kaeltrys fell to the ground exhausted beyond belief. Aurora came running to inspect for injuries only to find a panting mage, sweating still and collapsed on the ground.

  Hold on, we'll be right there. Suzette said through their minds.

  Ildarachi and Aurora gave looks of concern to each other. The arch magician looked that he could be of no further use. Walking even sounded out of the question. Instead of panicking, Ildarachi reached for the failing mage and brought him on his feet, leaving him to hang on his shoulder.

  We're right behind you, Ildarachi sounded.

  * * *

  Cringe stood wounded over the centered bomb, his own blood coating it with a darkened oozed kiss.

  The instrument read forty minutes until detonation.

  Slouching down next to the object, semi satisfied, he rested his arm against it and whispered:

  “Good night.”

  Around the necromancer was a mountain of corpses spread throughout the treasure vault. There must have been fifty of them, all dead, with no longer stories to be told. His own ending very shortly, he added.

  The necromancer strained to open his eyes, knowin
g full well if sleep took him, it would be everlasting.

  His robes were in tatters from many sword wounds. An arrow pieced his leg, barely missing an artery. With a cry he pulled the arrow and laid down motionless with many gasps.

  He wondered, how many he truly killed to protect this device? The bodies were too numerous for him to count.

  He also wondered, if any more of the deadly Amethyst Divine agents would follow. With this much time allowed, he was hopeful that the guild was coming to its final ruin. With the thoughts on his allies in his mind and the mission coming to an end, Cringe slowly closed his eyes.

  Chapter 38

  “The lover’s touch was too much. The sings of blades, all the same. Recourse of a drowning shame.”

  Clairvona Aya, Sleet

  Scion of Systralas

  Xerrast muttered a curse as he glared upon the love of his life, and menacing Danielle Avilya. She was clutching her katana in a threatening stance seeming unbothered with their impending duel, in fact, almost as if she was expecting it. Even now, with her fiery hair flowing in the wind, she still looked beautiful to Xerrast, like a diamond in the night.

  The urge to kill came back with dread suddenly, leaving a sour taste in his mouth. It all came back to him, the moment of exchange of their first kiss on a summer's hot day. They were so young then, naive heroes, he remembered proposing to her after a long battle against a giant in the frigid snow lands of Haiton. She, his sister and him had been so happy that night and as the decades have passed it came down to this, guns loaded, and steel removed from sheath. A bitter end to one that he used to be so much at ease with. Memories flashed again, full of the laughter, stares and warm embraces and now Xerrast, ex member of Amethyst Divine, staggered at the choice to come. His sister or his beloved?

  The blood ran thick.

  The scion could feel the compassion as well, her memories went alongside the two and she remembered Avilya constantly in her brother's arms. The commander of the evil guild used to be regarded as a sister to Sleet for many long years, but deep down she knew that it would always come down to this. Avilya would create the portal and be consumed along with it. Now was the time for this painful chapter to come to close and a new age of Systralas to flourish.