The Adventures of Theophilus Thistle

by David Partelow

  Good luck, Theophilus. I am here with you, said Digus.

  Wasting no more words, Theophilus rushed forward. As he did, he took Digus into his hands, making his way toward the Fireborn Citadel. Nothing stood in his way of Norrex other than height and distance. This did not daunt the weed, for his mind and heart were already made up.

  As Theophilus neared his enemy’s fortress, he held Digus before him with his right hand, willing his power and intention into the wand. With the tip aimed upon the ground, the full strength of Digus unleashed a white bolt of pure, unrelenting, mystic light. As this magic ravaged the rock below, the force of it vaulted Theophilus skyward. The little weed held on fiercely as he was pulled upward.

  Together, the weed and wand propelled higher and higher. Theophilus gritted his teeth at the strain of both commanding Digus and holding on against the force, yet he would not relent. They easily soared past the citadel as the rock before them blurred. Nearing their destination, Theophilus relinquished the spell. As they eclipsed the ledge, Digus fell silent and Theophilus landed in a crouch before setting his gaze upon his enemy.

  “Norrex!” thundered the little weed. At his word, the chanting minions under Norrex’s rule turned their focus upon him.

  Approaching, Theophilus trained Digus forward, bracing himself as he produced a savage stream of magic from the wand. Harnessing the magical stream, he moved it back and forth across the span of the ledge. A mystic barrier protected Norrex and the altar, but the same could not be said for his minions. The rushing magic struck every minion, either knocking them out or sending them hurling from the ledge completely.

  With the rest of his enemies bested, Theophilus placed his full intent on Norrex. Gripping tightly to Digus, bracing himself so that he was not propelled from the ledge, the little weed harnessed all his power upon his foe. The mystic shield that protected Norrex held up, yet it was apparent to continue the defense was a strain and distraction to the pantheryn. Seeing the pantheryn wane, Theophilus pressed more strongly than before screaming now at the strain such an attack placed upon him.

  With his back still to the Theophilus, Norrex waved a dismissive hand. “I’ve no time to deal with you, weed! You know not what you do, even now. Yet you have not found me unprepared,” he spat as he continued his workings.

  Theophilus, as focused as he was upon Norrex, saw the shadow from the corner of his eye too late. As he turned his head, his face was struck by a vengeful fist. Falling to his side, Theophilus lost hold of Digus as the wand fell upon the rocky ledge. Theophilus rolled, trying to collect himself as the momentum of the strike sent him almost completely over the ledge. Drawing his daggers, the little weed struck them upon the rock, stopping his fall just as his legs and body went over the side.

  Recovering, the little weed looked up at his attacker. There walking confidently toward him was a boastful snapdragon flower. At the sight of Lennix, Theophilus rumbled his frustration. This action merely made Lennix smile more deeply as he drew his sword. The flower was clearly relishing his impending victory as he loomed closer to his quarry.

  "I must confess," started Lennix, hovering over Theophilus, "despite the consequences of my failure, I am relieved that the waters did not claim you. Now I have the pleasure all to myself." The flower then raised his sword over his head for a massive, downward strike.

  "You didn't get the pleasure then, and you will not have it now," said Theophilus as he prepared for a blow that he would not be able to parry.

  Having amassed as much satisfaction as he could, Lennix brought his blade down upon Theophilus. At the last moment, the little weed pulled the blade in his right hand from the rock, allowing his body to swing to the left. The maneuver moved him out of Lennix's strike as he placed his blade upon the ledge once more. The then removed the blade in his left hand from the ledge as he came full turn with both blades upon the ledge again. As Lennix pulled his sword from where Theophilus's head once rested, the little weed pulled himself upon the ledge and squared off against Lennix.

  Gripping his sword with both hands, Lennix readied the blade. "You should have just taken the swift course and fall, weed. Now your end will be infinitely more painful," said the flower.

  Theophilus motioned for Lennix to attack. "You should have held on to your heart when you had the chance, Lennix. Without it, you will never prevail over me."

  "We shall see," said Lennix as he rushed forward.

  With their past, the two plants held nothing back in their vicious exchange. Lennix came after Theophilus with killing stroke after killing stroke only to be deflected at every turn. Despite the tenacity of these attacks, Theophilus gave the flower no ground, refusing to retreat even a step. This angered Lennix further who fueled his swings with even more fury. But even to this, Theophilus refused to budge.

  Keeping up his savage pace, Lennix then knelt as he drove his shoulder into his enemy's midsection before lifting him off the ground. Theophilus went with the motion, flipping and landing behind Lennix. Instinctively, the weed ducked as Lennix pivoted and spun with his sword at the ready. Theophilus then grabbed at Lennix and rolled to his back, kicking Lennix over him. The flower fell on his side, grunting pain and frustration as he clamored to his feet.

  "This ends now, weed," spat Lennix angrily.

  "I couldn't have said it better myself," replied Theophilus as they both charged once more.

  The two plants again fought ferociously upon the rocky ledge. Lennix allowed himself to become more reckless and violent with each sword strike. Theophilus kept pace with the flower somehow, using his thorn daggers to stay just ahead of the attacks meant to end him. Lennix then spun, offering a mighty blow with his sword that Theophilus barely parried with both of his blades. Locked together, the two plants tried to overpower one another, both harnessing their strength for one last, deadly encounter.

  "You were a fool to think you could change the fates," said Lennix through gritted teeth, still straining for dominance. "You are nothing but an insignificant weed, trying to stop the inevitable. You will never be more than that."

  Theophilus faintly shook his head, holding his position with Lennix. "I am none of those things. And I am only what I chose to be," he countered.

  "Which is?" Lennix asked.

  Trying to use his question as a distraction, Lennix pushed at Theophilus and continued with a diagonal, downward slash. Theophilus moved his body, barely avoiding the attack as he spun on his heel. Still in motion, the weed came around fully, driving his blade into Lennix's back. The flower cried out as he dropped his sword.

  "Enough," answered Theophilus as he removed his dagger. Lennix fell to his knees before collapsing onto the rocky ledge.

  Putting his blades away, Theophilus caught his breath before he walked back to Digus. Procuring the wand once more, the weed focused as he fired another torrent of magic upon the barrier that protected Norrex. The pantheryn snarled his displeasure, knowing without turning that his lackey had failed. Theophilus focuses his entire will into his assault, wanting nothing more than being enough to stop his enemy.

  At this most recent disturbance, Norrex did turn his head. His usually emerald eyes bore a haunting, crimson glow as he bared his fangs at Theophilus. "You think you have made headway? You think yourself still holding to a chance? Well let me offer you more of the power that shall crush you in the end," he hissed as he aimed a magic-infused hand at Lennix.

  Dark, chaotic magic poured forth from Norrex then, streaming over to Lennix and enveloping his body. Soon his wounds were healed as new life was breathed into the snapdragon flower. Lennix rose to his feet, smiling maniacally as he swelled in size and strength. His petals darkened as the foul magic channeled unrestrained through every fiber of his being. Restored and reinforced through dark means, Lennix turned his gaze to his sworn enemy once more.

  "Theophilus!" he roared, charging blindly.

  Theophilus, watch yourself, said Digus.

  Turning his head, Theophilus saw an augmented Len
nix rushing at him. He twisted quickly, training his magical blast from Digus upon his enemy, but it was not enough. Still bolstered by dark magic, Lennix took this assault upon his being as he charged, crashing into Theophilus and knocking the wand from his grasp as both rolled about the rocky ledge. Theophilus immediately struggled with Lennix, only to find that his strength was now no match for the flower.

  Still gripping to his enemy, Lennix brought himself to a knee before he hurled his foe against the magical barrier covering the altar. Theophilus grimaced in pain as the impact stole his breath and the magical energies ravaged his little body before he fell upon the ledge. Trying to regain his breath, he looked up to see Lennix coming for him. Pulling himself up, Theophilus hurled all his thorns upon the flower. To his surprise, the piercings nor the sleeping agent had any effect on Lennix. Theophilus rolled out of the way as Lennix lunged for him, coming to his feet again before drawing his blades.

  "Hold still, you insufferable weed, so that I can crush you with my hands!" said Lennix hungrily.

  “With all due respect," said Theophilus, still trying to catch his breath, "I must happily decline." The little weed then waited for his enemy to assault him once more, looking once to see where Digus rested.

  The pause was indeed brief as Lennix lunged at him again. Sensing his desire, the flower stopped, positioning himself between the wand and the weed as he smiled in satisfaction. Theophilus kept his face like stone as he weighed his dwindling options. Behind his enemy, Norrex cackled as the stone slab upon the altar burst in a brilliant light.

  Now ready, Lennix brought is attack, swinging wildly at Theophilus. The little weed deftly dodged the incoming attacks, slicing and stabbing when he could. Despite many successful attacks, none of them slowed Lennix at all. The augmented flower pushed him back, still laughing at the weed's misfortune. Stopping himself from stumbling over the ledge, Theophilus ran and leaped at Lennix, driving both of his daggers into the flower's chest.

  And to this, Lennix smiled.

  Grabbing hold of Theophilus with both of his hands, the flower mercilessly slammed him into the stone. Lennix paid no mind to the daggers still in his chest as he repeated the assault two more times. Theophilus went limp after the third, robbed of all resistance. Lennix took a moment to savor the sight of his beaten enemy before he reached down and picked the weed up by his throat. Casually he walked over to the ledge and dangled Theophilus over it.

  Smiling, Lennix further relished his victory as he grinned. “I would have given my soul and loyalty to Moreg if only for this moment,” said the flower. “Where is your defiance now, Theophilus Thistle? Where is the light when you need it most?” he challenged.

  Theophilus somehow managed to look Lennix in the eye, struggling to respond through the grip on his throat. “Lennix, you talk as if they ever left me,” he countered.

  Lennix squeezed more. “Still defiant. Still foolish and misguided, even as you truly face the end.”

  “To the end it must be then,” said Theophilus as he suddenly swelled with vitality.

  Reaching forward, Theophilus grabbed one of the blades resting in Lennix. The weed then slashed across the insides of both arms of Lennix as the flower roared and felt his arms lose their strength. Still holding to the arms holding to him, Theophilus descended and slid between Lennix’s legs. Twisting and coming to stand behind the flower, Theophilus lifted upward on the plant’s arms, causing Lennix to flip forward and off the rocky ledge.

  “Theophilus!”

  Falling to his hands and knees, Theophilus could hear Lennix curse his name as he fell. The little weed fought to stay awake and endure the pain that ruled over his body. Dropping his blade, Theophilus pulled himself to his feet. He had little strength left and even less time.

  Digus, said Theophilus, calling out to the wand with his mind.

  I’m here, Theophilus, said the wand.

  I think I am all but spent here, said Theophilus as he grimaced at the pain caused by his movements.

  We don’t have enough strength to break that barrier, replied Digus. Norrex is too powerful.

  It doesn’t mean we are not going to try, replied Theophilus.

  Digus paused, understanding the weight of the weed’s words. Very well, he replied.

  Inching several painful steps, Theophilus recovered Digus. Holding the wand in his hand, he used it for support as he drew closer to the barrier, altar, and ultimately Norrex. The pantheryn was holding the creation brought from the slab of stone. In his hands was a smoldering mask and holding to it brought Norrex tremendous joy.

  Pausing from his celebration, Norrex grinned at the battered weed. “It is done, little whelp! You are too late, yet you get to live to see your failure. Soon you will perish, and I will claim you, and the incantation shall be at last complete!”

  At his words, Theophilus shook his head. “No,” he said.

  Norrex cackled, drunk on power and victory. “And how, pray tell, do you think you can stop me, weed?” he challenged.

  “Like this,” said Theophilus.

  Inverting the wand in his hands, Theophilus channeled his remaining strength into it. The tip glowed powerfully as the weed raised it with both hands. Driving the wand downward, Theophilus pierced the ledge before sending a surge of energy into it that shook the rock to its core. Norrex and the altar shuddered at the endeavor and the pantheryn had to steady himself upon the altar.

  “What are you doing? You will destroy us both!” he cried.

  Theophilus knelt, clenching to the wand more tightly with both hands. “If that is what it takes, then so be it,” he replied.

  “No!” Norrex bellowed, conjuring a spell from within the barrier. More shadow fire burst from his hand, assailing Theophilus and Digus. Together, the weed and wand were able to deflect most of the incoming flame, but both started to slowly burn.

  Theophilus clenched his jaw, trying not to cry out from the strain and unrelenting pain. To give himself clarity, he focused all his thoughts and will upon Calla. It was all that he allowed himself to see in the eye of the storm. And despite the agony thrust upon him, the little weed smiled in love and acceptance.

  “Are you mad, weed? Stop! Stop I say,” said Norrex, increasing the intensity of his flame.

  To this, Theophilus said nothing, keeping his focus thoroughly upon Calla and the wand in his hand. He knew he had very little left to give, and so he channeled his will and his feelings into one last attempt. Drawing a deep breath, Theophilus focused all his spirit, all his love into the wand and exerted his will one last time.

  A powerful blast erupted within the ledge, bursting free from below. The ledge thundered its pain, relieving its hold upon the butte. Falling spectacularly, the ledge gave way completely, taking with it the altar, Norrex, Digus and Theophilus Thistle. The rocks gathered friends as they fell, colliding with the Fireborn Citadel below, and burying the fortress with its raw power.

  Soon, all was silent, save for the echoes of the fall and the creatures who had been disturbed by such a display.

  Long minutes passed before the battered remnants of the Fireborn Citadel. The dust and forest were both finally settling. Birds and fairy folk were resuming their songs. It was as if a great evil had been lifted from the forest. And though many of the forest creatures could not explain it, they were indeed grateful for the relief that had come to pass.

  Within the rubble, a lone rock trembled from exertion placed upon it. It took time and tremendous effort but that rock at last was moved away as a battered and broken weed gasped at the fresh forest air. Theophilus dragged himself mostly from the rubble before his head collapsed upon the rock. In his hands were the two broken pieces of Digus. In his wake was a trail of his green weed’s blood.

  “It…is done,” whispered the weed as he suddenly felt the weight of a world’s worth of exhaustion upon him.

  “Fool!” spat a furious voice.

  Theophilus turned his head in time to see a mound of rocks explode into pebbles. Now f
reed as well, Norrex pulled himself from the fallen rocks. The pantheryn was also battered and bloody, his robes a tattered shadow of their formal glory. Norrex still held to the mask, clasping it to his chest as he pointed a shaky finger and approached Theophilus.

  “You burdensome pest! You almost cost me everything! Yet look what you have done! Look what you have taken from me!”

  At this, the little weed smiled faintly, letting his head rest back down upon the rock. “I have done what was required. Your evil will haunt this forest no longer,” he breathed painfully.

  Norrex coughed at the dust that clung to his fur and lungs, still limping toward Theophilus. “You may have antagonized me today, but I am still moments away from my task. My master will not be failed,” he said as he held up the mask. “Know in your final moments that it was you that allowed me to complete my incantation,” he crowed.

  “Say what you will,” coughed Theophilus, still holding to his defiance. “But that is fear in your voice. And your fear speaks volumes of the fate you face at this failure.”

  “You know nothing,” spat Norrex as he pointed a clawed finger at his enemy. “I will enjoy these moments, that look in your eye as you chase the Dream, knowing that you have been crushed. Your torment will follow you in death. You will take it with you for eternity.”

  “Then you know me not at all,” replied Theophilus as more of if vitality leaked from his broken body. “I take nothing with me but love for my friends and the one who holds my heart.”

  “Which means nothing now, in the end,” offered Norrex as he resumed his steps to his quarry. “Your last sensation will be the searing pain offered within my clutches, fool.”

  “You will not touch him. Not now or ever again,” said an angry, bold voice.

  Vigor returned to Theophilus as he instantly recognized that voice and turned to face it. “Calla?”