Thelwynn spoke for the first time, “I am of no import!” he whispered, “Let the thing do as it will, do not allow it to use my life as leverage, Dunbar.”
Jared could not let his feelings show now. “Do be quiet, beast,” he said, dismissively, waving his hand to further prove his disinterest. “I have enough to contend with without your interruptions.”
Turning his attention back to his enemy, his expression changed to a snarl, “Now, return my brother to me.”
His enemy began to quiver. Black smoke poured from it, drifting across the floor and forming a murky pool. Thelwynn took the opportunity to speak again, “The boy…” he whispered hoarsely, “… he has the crown. I can offer no aid, I must obey its commands!”
Jared shook his head and held up his hand to both silence, and reassure Thelwynn. The entity began to look more and more like his brother as the pool took a form of its own. Jared stared hard. A face was forming, slightly disfigured, but somehow familiar to him. He could now see Karrak clearly as he fell heavily to the ground. He took a step toward him, but the entity moved swiftly between them.
“I have delivered my side of the bargain, mortal,” it hissed. “Now, return what is mine,” it ordered, stretching out an ethereal arm.
“Jared don’t give it to her!” Karrak pleaded urgently. “She is Felludar! Her purpose is to bring silence, once she has the Heart and Soul she will destroy all life to bring peace to the world!”
Felludar let out a scream of outrage as she turned to face Karrak. Jared backed away and raised his staff. “Face me!” he roared.
She paused momentarily and turned slowly, “You agreed,” she said slowly.
“She cannot take it from you, Jared. It must be given willingly, to take it by force would destroy it,” added Karrak.
Jared smiled, almost leering at Felludar, “It seems we have reached an impass, Felludar. You cannot take the Heart from me and I am unwilling to hand it to you. What would you suggest we do now?”
Felludar retreated slightly, “You will give it to me,” she said calmly. “Or do I have to take something of yours?” She whirled around, her manic gaze falling on Karrak. There was a flash. Karrak had expected it, but in his weakened state his attempt at a protection spell proved mostly ineffective. He was blasted twenty feet across the cave floor, rolling many times before his body lay motionless.
Jared roared and thrust his staff forward. Fireballs and bolts of ice flew from it, a few managing to strike Felludar before she could defend herself. Reeling back and finding her balance, she began to fight back. She was not allowed to attack Jared in order to take the Heart of Ziniphar, however, she was allowed to defend herself from his attacks.
Their battle continued, but neither could gain the upper hand. Spells that were cast were either deflected or completely nullified. Suddenly it dawned on Jared that, only when he cast a spell, was Felludar able to retaliate. Testing his theory, he lowered his staff. His heart leapt as, in the distance, Karrak was starting to stir. He was still alive! If he could somehow instruct his brother without Felludar realising, they may gain the upper hand if they were to attack her simultaneously.
“You have strong magic, Felludar,” he said, feigning admiration. “Perhaps if there were two of me, I could defeat you. It seems we are destined to be here some time.”
“You cannot defeat me,” said Felludar, confidently. “The outcome will be the same, whatever steps you take. It has been foretold since the beginning of time.”
“Foretold!” said Jared, questioningly. “By whom? You were the first, were you not? Why would it take another to prophesy the outcome of your endeavours?”
Karrak was now on his feet, stealthily approaching Felludar from the rear. He was a little unsteady but nodded at Jared to let him know he was ready to play his part in Felludar’s annihilation.
Jared raised his staff slowly, admiring the Heart of Ziniphar that Felludar so yearned for as her prize. He smiled at her, “Shall we try again?” he asked.
“Do you not feel anything for me, Jared?” asked Felludar, her voice taking on a pleading tone, “I brought you into this world, as I did your brother. We should stand together.”
Jared paused, “What do you mean, you brought us into this world?”
The entity lowered its arms. Its appearance altered as it took a solid form.
Jared’s expression changed, as a look of horrified confusion swept across his face, “No!” he said quietly, “You can’t be! It’s not possible.”
Felludar smiled at him, “No, Jared, you are wrong… I am your mother!
Jared fell to his knees. Faint memories of his mother flashed through his mind as he fought to hold back the tears.
“I have missed you both, my sons,” continued Felludar, “To bring peace to the world is the reason why I brought you into it.”
Jared weakly held up his staff, “That is a lie,” he whispered, “Our mother was a gentle soul, she could never commit the atrocities that you are guilty of.”
“The person whose body I occupied died long before you were born, Jared. I gave birth to both you and Karrak. Every childhood memory you hold dear is a memory of our time together.”
Jared’s mind was in turmoil. He looked from the face of his mother to his limping brother. Did Felludar speak the truth, or was it just another ploy to get him to lower his guard? He couldn’t decide as he knelt there shaking his head in disbelief. Furthermore, regardless of the answer, could he destroy the one who now wore his mother’s features?
Felludar walked slowly toward him, “Give me the Heart, Jared,” she cooed softly, “End this torment, end your pain and join with me.”
Jared lowered the staff and ran his thumb across the Heart of Ziniphar. He was tired. So many had died, friends had been lost, perhaps it was time for the turmoil to cease. He sighed as he wrapped his hand around the Heart. He would tear it from its setting and hand it to Felludar, believing that it was the only way that it could end.
“No, Dunbar,” roared Thelwynn, “You cannot, she will kill you all.”
Jared smiled at him, “I know,” he said quietly, “But at least we will be at peace.”
Thelwynn began to struggle against his magical bindings. Felludar laughed loudly as he writhed in a bid to free himself. But her laughter stopped abruptly as suddenly one of the tethers snapped!
Thelwynn had found a new strength. Bit by bit he was breaking free!
“No!” screeched Felludar, “This cannot be!”
Jared shook his head as if waking from a dream. He saw the golden dragon tearing free and climbing to its feet, its breath illuminating the cavern.
Huge chunks of rock fell from the roof as a thunderous booming began. Daylight shone through as large cracks appeared and through them could be seen Thelwynn’s kin.
The dragons had come home!
Jared rose to his feet, shaking off the enchantment with which Felludar had been so cleverly ensnaring him. Deep inside, he knew that Felludar had been telling the truth about being their mother, he also knew that she was inherently evil and must be destroyed!
Fireballs flew once more. Felludar defended herself easily with an invisible forcefield that nothing seemed able to pierce, but her confidence was to be her downfall. She had paid no mind to Karrak as she focussed on the Heart of Ziniphar. His hands raised, he conjured an ice spike in mid-air. Biding his time, he released it. As it struck Felludar, her shield fell, allowing the last few fireballs to strike her full force.
“It seems that you can defeat me after all,” she said quietly. There was no anger or disappointment in her voice, just resignation that she had lost the battle. She swayed slightly as life left her, the Elixian Soul falling from her chest and rolling across the floor toward Jared. Then, she too, collapsed to the floor.
Dragons began to land heavily all around them and familiar voices could be heard.
“’e alright?”
“Just wait a minute… honestly!” exclaimed another.
Gentle arms wrapped around him, “Are you hurt?” asked Faylore urgently.
“I’m fine,” sighed Jared. “Is Karrak alright?”
“Yes!” exclaimed Hannock as he loaded a golden bolt into his crossbow, “But not for long.”
“No!” cried Jared, “You don’t understand. It wasn’t him!”
Jared hurried to his brother and crouched beside him. Taking his hand, he looked into his eyes lovingly, “Brother, you are free,” he assured him. “Evil no longer has a hold on you, you can return home with Father and I and we can rebuild Borell together. All of this will fade, and we can revert to our old lives.”
Karrak smiled, “Well, we can’t have that, can we?” he said, his expression changing.
Without warning, Jared was hit full in the chest by a spell. He flew into the air, only stopping when he struck the cave wall. Karrak grabbed his staff from the ground and blasted the companions. They were still mid-flight as he snatched up the Elixian Soul. Throwing up his arms, a forcefield similar to Felludar’s now protected him. Two dragons roared and open their jaws, but neither fire nor ice could penetrate the shield. Faylore’s arrows and Hannock’s bolt bounced off and even Lodren’s hammer was ineffective.
“I warned you, Brother!” screamed Karrak, “If you had only listened to me once, just once, you wouldn’t be lying there about to die! You look confused, let me explain. I told you about Felludar, I told you that she had to be given things willingly, and that includes fealty. She could never have possessed me if I hadn’t allowed her to. Unfortunately, that meant that I had to follow her agenda, whereas now, I am free to do as I please, now that I have the Heart and the Soul.”
Jared was still slightly stunned as he stared at Karrak, “You surrendered yourself to her? Why?”
“Because, just for once, I wanted to have all the best toys. You have no idea what it’s like to always be second best. But, we’ve had this conversation before so, if you don’t mind, I’m going to kill you now,” Karrak raised the staff.
“So you’re still a coward then,” laughed Hannock.
Karrak glared at him.
“You say you are the most powerful sorcerer to ever live, but you hide inside your bubble, too afraid to face anyone without the aid of your magic.”
“Well, what can I say, Hannock?” replied Karrak, “What’s the use of possessing the power if I have no intention of using it?”
Moments before, Karrak had not witnessed the subtle signal that Hannock had given to Lodren. The Nibby had indeed tried to break through the invisible barrier, but with his own hammer. Edging back, he now held the silver hammer. With Hannock playing for time, Lodren sneaked around behind Karrak. He could not recall having used as much force before as he struck the shield with all his might.
Karrak was startled as the shield began to spark and flicker, unsure of what had caused it, but the momentary glitch was all the time Jared needed to act. Knowing that his own magic would be enough to protect him, he launched himself at his brother, his fist striking him full in the face.
The companions sprang forward in a bid to follow their friend but were immediately repelled by the shield.
The sound of Karrak’s nose breaking echoed off the cave walls as he fell back in a heap, dropping both the Soul, and the staff. Jared dived on him, his fist raised for a knockout blow, but Karrak was quicker than he had expected and parried the blow. Clambering to their feet, they wrestled one another but, as he was much bigger, and far stronger, Karrak easily threw Jared to the ground once more, following up with a kick that caught Jared squarely in the jaw. Jared rolled away, feeling as if he had been kicked by a carthorse. He had only moments to compose himself. Glancing up he saw that Karrak was looking for the staff. He charged at his brother, thrusting his shoulder into Karrak’s midriff. They tustled on the ground but Karrak got the upper hand again, this time by headbutting Jared and returning the favour by breaking his nose. Ineffective punches were exchanged as they rolled around on the floor, covered in blood and trying to gain an advantage. Karrak caught Jared with an elbow to the temple and, while his older brother was disorientated, rolled away from him and made a grab for the staff.
Jared had to act quickly. The staff lay in a pool of blood, a pool to which both he and Karrak had contributed. The Elixian Soul was at his feet and, remembering the words from the Scroll, he kicked it perfectly and it came to rest next to the staff.
Karrak leered at him as he took both blood-soaked relics in his hands. “And now, Brother, it ends. You could never have defeated me.” He pointed the staff at Jared and jerked it slightly. Nothing happened! Karrak stared at it in disbelief as it began to shudder. Sparks suddenly erupted and began to arc between the staff and the Elixian Soul. Karrak shook as if he were being electrocuted and he let out a scream. The explosion that destroyed the staff threw him to the ground and he lay there, convulsing. The shield dropped, and Jared stepped forward, stooping to pick up the dull, black stone that lay on the ground.
The companions watched as he approached Karrak. Leaning forward he grabbed the front of his robes. “It looks as if you were wrong,” he snarled.
Karrak’s rasping breath could not hide his venom as he answered, “That is where you are wrong,” he hissed.
Jared’s eyes widened. He looked down as his brother grinned. The knife embedded in his chest was buried to the hilt, his blood already beginning to drip from the handle. Even in defeat, Karrak would not submit.
Jared rocked back and fell cross-legged, still trying to fathom how he had allowed himself to be so easily duped. As he stared at his brother, his eyes remained open long enough to witness the golden bolt pierce the sorcerer’s temple.
He fell backwards, and all went black.
EPILOGUE
Hannock admired himself in the mirror. His uniform was pressed, his armour was gleaming and he was most impressed with his new haircut. “I must say, Lodren, there’s nothing like a clean uniform to make a man feel new again.”
“You virtually are a new man!” exclaimed Lodren, “Although, what you did was a bit of a cheek, if you ask me. No pun intended.”
“You’re just jealous,” snorted Hannock, finding it hard to leave the mirror.
“Jealous? I don’t think so,” laughed Lodren. “Don’t you think it’s about time you went and saw the king?”
“There’s no rush, he won’t have woken up yet.”
“I still think you should go and check,” Lodren said, pushing Hannock toward the door.
“Alright, alright, I’m going. Don’t crease the tunic,” he said, tugging at it.
Making his way through the castle, he passed Grubb, “Good morning, Grubb,” he said cheerily. “Back to our old smiling self, are we?”
Grubb looked him up and down briefly, “Ye look like a bloody peacock with them feathers in yer ‘at,” he mumbled. “Oh, and get stuffed ye sarky git.”
Entering the king’s chambers, Hannock stood to attention, “Time to rise, Your Majesty. Things to do and all that.”
The king opened his eyes, “Hannock!” he exclaimed, “What happened to your face?”
“Nothing sire,” replied Hannock with a smile, “Just as handsome as ever.”
“But, your eye, your cheek? Just a minute, how the hell did I get here?”
“Take a breath, Sire, I’ll explain.”
“Explain!” came the shrieked response. “I was dead! Karrak killed me! I know he did!”
“Calm down, Jared. You weren’t dead! You were only… nearly dead. You’re fine now, good as new, well better than new.”
“I was in a cave, Karrak…” he paused, trying to remember, “… the bolt! You killed Karrak!”
“Yes, Jared, I know. But not before he seriously wounded you. Luckily, the dragon saved you.”
“But that’s the thing, Hannock, it didn’t!”
“It did!” exclaimed Hannock, “Well, it didn’t stop you from being wounded, but it did stop you from dying.”
“Necromancy! Hannock…
did the dragon…”
“No, Jared it did not use necromancy,” sighed Hannock, “It’s a bit like what Grubb can do when he heals someone, only far stronger. It’s called The Dragon’s Sigh. Even if the subject is on death’s doorstep they can bring them back by breathing on them. Oh, and it can be used to heal old injuries as well,” he added stroking his cheek.
“So they saved my life and then you asked them to heal you as well?”
“No, not really. I just happened to be holding you at the time,” replied Hannock.
“Yeah, and that weren’t no accident was it?” said Grubb as he barged into the room. “Cryin’ like a big babby ‘e was. Thought ye might like some breakfast, Jared,” he added, placing a tray next to the king. “The others are lookin’ forward to seeing ye, they’re all waitin’ downstairs.” He scowled at Hannock as he left the room.
“Everyone is here?” asked Jared, tentatively.
“Except for the wizards,” replied Hannock. “They took the Darkness to hide it. They don’t think it’s wise to keep it around, far too much temptation.”
“The Darkness?”
“That stone you picked up after your battle with Karrak,” replied Hannock, “Before it was split, it was called The Darkness.”
“I might regret asking this,” said Jared, “But why is it called The Darkness?”
“From what I can gather,” replied Hannock, “It’s because that is its purpose, to bring Darkness. Without light there’s no life and ultimately, peace.”
Jared nodded, “And Karrak?” he asked, solemnly.
“Bullseye!” replied Hannock. “Strangely though, his body vanished!”
Jared sighed, “We’ve seen some awful things, Hannock, let us hope that we can now live in peace.”
“Absolutely,” agreed Hannock. “However, there is still one thing I don’t understand. I mean not fully anyway.”
Jared raised his eyebrows, “Which is?” he asked.
The Cessation of Karrak_Ascension III Page 32