“I don’t know what you’re trying to achieve here. This barrier you have created will not last long,” Wraith said.
“It will last long enough. Then Alrion can deal with you.”
“No. I don’t buy this at all. He may be able to do something, but he can’t cure me. Not when he’s just cured himself. I don’t know exactly what he’s going to try, but it’s pointless.”
“Then why the big rush to take me out?” Alrion said.
“I’m sick of your games. One lucky break in the temple and I’ve had to chase you across the world. All the while, trying to build up my forces. No more running. You will join me today, one way or another. And we will crush our enemies.”
“Never. I’ll stop you, as I have before. And you won’t be able to hurt anyone else. You won’t be able to create more monsters like yourself. Your time is over.” Alrion couldn’t understand Wraith’s obsession with him. He clearly had worked with other wizards, although none of them seemed as powerful or as capable as Wraith. But Alrion didn’t think he was that different. Not in ways that would be useful to Wraith.
“I can feel this barrier weakening already. It’s just a matter of time. And you won’t have enough for whatever it is you’re trying. Just accept that it’s going to happen.” Wraith struggled more in the barrier. And Alrion could see Wraith’s fingers moving a little. Time was definitely moving against them.
“Grandmother, how long do we have?” Alrion said quietly.
“Almost enough,” she said. “Now’s the time to speed things up.”
“Sure.” Alrion knew what she meant. He had to try and accelerate the absorption of the Soul power. He took his hand and slowly dipped it into the water. The rush of power was a shock, but he quickly adjusted.
Alrion focused carefully. He slowed the flow of Soul power to help direct it better. As he felt more comfortable, he relaxed his control and let it flow faster. It was an exhilarating feeling, like he was being carried down river rapids. But he also sensed the danger at the end.
“You’re running out of time,” Wraith said. He had some movement in his arms now.
“How did you let yourself become such an abomination?” Jovana said.
“We’re all only one difficult choice away from this. I had to accept this form, or accept death.”
“I know which one I would have taken,” Jovana said.
“You’re old, you’ve lived a full life. I have things yet to be achieved. I have wrongs that must be set right. I couldn’t let death take me, so I did what needed to be done. And it’s opened my eyes to much more. You’ll all thank me when we’re done here.” Wraith sounded serious. But Alrion couldn’t imagine a time in which he would thank that cursed man. He had been tormenting Alrion for as long as he had been a wizard. The very thought caused Alrion’s blood to boil. He could feel his anger rising. It had been contained, but Wraith’s presence and his insistence on being right was just too much.
I can’t let him get away with this.
Alrion immediately started to consider using his Spark. If the barrier holding Wraith let spells through, he could potentially end the monster now.
“What are you doing?” Jovana said. She was giving Alrion a cold and distasteful look. His anger rose again, annoyed at her judgement. But then it suddenly dropped away. She was right. Everyone had sacrificed so much for this, and him getting angry could jeopardise it all.
“I’m sorry. He just has a way of making me so angry. I hate him,” Alrion said. Wraith laughed. Jovana’s eyes softened a little.
“He’s not worth it. The more you become accustomed to your Soul power, the more you will understand how your emotions affect your body, and your energy. You may have used your anger as a tool in the past, but it’s destructive. You need to leave it behind.” Jovana went back into lecture mode. But Alrion knew she was right.
“Don’t listen to that nonsense, use every tool at your disposal. You need it,” Wraith said. Alrion looked at the creature. Wraith was an illustration of what could go wrong. He had taken the desperate options, he had kindled his rage. And he had been transformed into something obscene. And still didn’t understand the extent of what he had done to himself, or was still finding a way to justify it.
“What made you like this? Why are you so intent on doing this at any cost?” Alrion said.
“Why do you care?” Wraith said. He looked wary.
“I don’t understand why you could think this is acceptable. And you really seem to be obsessed with my family. Why?” Alrion genuinely wanted to know. He had to understand why Wraith had been so fixated on him this whole time.
“It’s complicated. But I will say this. I lost my wife because of your father, and grandfather.”
“How?” Vincent said. He was slowly staggering over. Wraith struggled more against the barrier. He was a bit more successful, but was still being held properly. Jovana stumbled, but managed to stand back up. Alrion could see the toll it was taking on her.
“It was my first assignment as a wizard. I was tasked with following and observing a young man who had run away. My wife was an accomplished archer and woodworker and decided to come with me.” Wraith looked at Vincent with a look of intense hatred. Vincent stopped walking suddenly.
“Wait a minute,” he said.
“Yes, you’re getting the picture now. The young man was captured by some infected. My wife and I covered his escape by holding off a horde of Blighters and Tainted. But we were both infected in the process.”
“Your wife lived then? When Granthion cured everyone?” Vincent said.
“No. She made me take her life. In order that she wouldn’t get turned. It was her greatest fear, to lose control of her life. She opted to die with dignity.” Wraith spoke the words with such venom Alrion could scarcely believe it. He watched his father look over in horror.
“What’s going on?” Alrion said. He could see the intense toll this had taken on Wraith. But now his father was somehow involved.
“I was that young man. I ran from my father, to forge my own path. He had sent a wizard after me. Which must have been Branthor. And I assume the reason Branthor hates us so much, is because nobody told him that the Blight could be cured. So, his wife died for nothing, and Branthor was forced to live with that.” Vincent’s voice was quiet and almost breaking. Alrion could suddenly see what had happened. Branthor’s life had been destroyed by his devotion to Granthion.
“You got it in one. Do you understand now? Or do we have to keep going over it again and again?” Wraith shouted at them. He renewed his struggling with additional purpose. Jovana collapsed down to her knees. Vincent continued staggering over, until he was next to Alrion.
“Your pain is my fault. Leave my son out of this,” Vincent said.
“No. Never. I need his power. And I want you to suffer. It’s the only way.”
“You will never have him while I am still breathing,” Vincent said.
“I’m only too happy to help you with that,” Wraith roared. He lashed out with all his limbs at once, and the white barrier shattered. Sparing only a moment to ensure he was free, Wraith dashed forward aiming straight at Alrion.
Vincent held his ground, holding his sword out in front.
“I’ll cut you down,” Vincent said. He had a fierce determination in his eyes. Alrion had to think quickly. He wasn’t ready, he could feel it. And he couldn’t speed up at all. His grandmother was slowly getting up. She looked completely spent. He realised he had to do something himself. To buy them some time so he could finish things. Curing Wraith was the only way to stop him; that was certain. But Alrion realised that he couldn’t keep passively waiting.
He noticed Lara by his side.
“Don’t do it. Let us fight for you,” she said. Alrion could see the exhaustion in her eyes. But there was still a steely glimmer of determination.
“Not at the cost of your lives. Not when I can do something.”
“You must endure the pain of this fight, so that
you can end it for good. Trust us.” Lara had a tear in her eye and she quickly wiped it away.
“I can’t lose you.” Alrion reached out with his free hand and touched her cheek where the tear had fallen. Lara closed her eyes and leaned into his hand.
“You won’t. Just stop him for good.” She took his hand away and stood in front of him, her Runesteel dagger at the ready. With a crash Wraith and Vincent collided. Vincent swung hard and fast, but Wraith was too strong. He knocked the sword away and punished Vincent with a blow of force at close range. Vincent flew back and crashed against the wall again. He crumpled, and stayed down.
“No!” Alrion shouted. Wraith laughed again, and resumed his approach. Lara was next. Alrion furiously tested his Soul power. It wasn’t there. He knew he couldn’t risk attacking without having it all there. It was too risky. He had to make sure that the cure worked. But he was out of time.
Lara moved much faster than Alrion thought possible, given her exhaustion and her previous fighting. She evaded Wraith’s strikes, and managed to sneak into a good position to strike at its heart. But Wraith had seen it coming. A burst of fire from his hands made Lara duck and roll. Wraith followed up with a cascade of stone, and the rising floor pummelled Lara over and over until she settled yards away. She just lay on the ground.
“And now, it’s just you. Are you going to continue to sit there and wait for your fate?” Wraith said. He had a satisfied smile on his face. Alrion was torn. He needed more time, but he wouldn’t go down without a fight. He debated what to do. He needed to do something. But what?”
“You really are a monster. It’s time you were put down for good!” Celes shouted. Wraith turned just in time to see a vial hurtling towards him. He shielded himself with his arm, the contact smashing the vial and unleashing an explosion of epic proportions. Alrion ducked down behind the water fountain and felt the heat wash over him.
“I’m here Alrion, as promised. Let’s finish this,” Celes said.
33
THE PRICE OF LIGHT
Alrion stood and surveyed the scene. His mother was standing there, readying another explosive vial. Wraith stood there looking confused but was otherwise unhurt. Nobody else seemed to be injured by the blast, but they were all already in bad shape.
“Nice trick, won’t work again, so don’t even bother,” Wraith said. He turned to Alrion.
“No more delays. You’re mine.” Wraith didn’t wait around, and leapt forward once more. Alrion was trapped. He couldn’t leave the water fountain, and he couldn’t fight back. His time was out, but he wasn’t ready. It hadn’t worked. He froze.
Wraith continued forward, a wicked grin on his face. He discarded his staff and reached out with his hand. Alrion knew what was coming. But he couldn’t act. Wraith reached him and grabbed his shoulder. Alrion could feel the claw-like hand trying to burrow within. He could feel the injection of the Blight. A piercing scream shocked him out of his state.
Alyx was writhing around. And she started to change colour.
“Oh no,” Alrion whispered. It was happening. She was finally turning. He was too late.
“Watch her transform. You will be next,” Wraith said. Alrion looked on in horror. Alyx’s body contorted in every direction, her skin hardening and becoming like black stone. She was turning into a Shade. One final unearthly scream and it was over. Alyx looked around in confusion then sped out of the room.
“It’s quite a traumatic experience, I’m afraid to say. But you will be with her soon,” Wraith said. He had an intense look of concentration on his face.
Alrion didn’t know what to do. Alyx had turned, Marla and Jovana were spent. His father and Lara were knocked out or too injured. It was just him, and he was being infected again.
There has to be a way.
Then Alrion had a realisation. His body was fighting the infection. And he was still taking on Soul power from the well.
Maybe I can fight back, he thought. He reached for his Spark. It was a strange sensation now, with the Soul power in the mix. He grabbed his Spark and sent out a wave of force.
Wraith didn’t expect it and was knocked back. He looked at Alrion suspiciously. Alrion inspected his wound, and it was already healing.
The Soul power, he thought. It was protecting him, and he was refilling it at a high rate. He threw out another wave of force. Wraith swatted it away with minimal effort. But Alrion noticed something strange. He enhanced his eyes with Soul power and sent another wave of force. And then a small wave of fire. Wraith was more annoyed than anything else and not hurt. But that’s not what Alrion was trying to do.
His eyes confirmed what he was feeling. Each time he drew and used his Spark, Soul power mixed in at the same time. He couldn’t seem to create a spell without using both.
“Soul power is the key to curing him. Mystics can’t use it outside their body, well not ordinarily. But I can with my Spark. I have a chance.” Alrion came up with a plan.
“I was using a light touch, like last time. But since that’s not working you’re going to get the full treatment,” Wraith said. He held up his hand and it started to transform. His fingers turned into razor-sharp claws, and they started dripping with a thick, black substance.
“You won’t resist this.” Wraith laughed and started to close in.
Alrion saw the Shade Wizard approaching and he thought back to one of his earlier encounters with a Shade. How he had created a ball of fire so hot it could penetrate the skin of the Shade. With a bit of tweaking, that could do the trick.
Alrion gathered his Spark and tried to limit the amount of Soul power that went into it. As Wraith approached Alrion created a small ball of red-hot fire. He pushed it forward straight at Wraith’s chest. The Shade Wizard didn’t even flinch and let it hit him.
As expected the ball of fire started to penetrate through Wraith’s skin. But he seemed more focused on getting his claws on Alrion.
I’ve got him.
Alrion could see a small trail of Soul power linking him and the ball of fire. This was his chance. He took one more influx of Soul power from the pool, then channelled everything he had into that ball of fire. Using his Spark as a conduit, the Soul power had a path to travel. And it surged along. Alrion could see it travel like a thick rope of golden fibres. The Soul power entered Wraith’s body. He stopped abruptly and looked down.
“What have you done?” he said. Alrion didn’t answer, but focused on the Soul power. He channelled it into the raging hot fireball, and smothered it. He converted the burning ball of fire within Wraith’s body into a ball of pulsing Soul power. Slowly but surely it grew and grew. Wraith dropped to his knees and clutched at his chest. Alrion remembered the struggle he had dealt with, forcing out that one big blockage of Blight. He couldn’t begin to understand what Wraith was now going through.
He probably deserves it, Alrion thought. But at the same time, he realised that there had to be a better way. He couldn’t do this for everyone else.
“This is not possible!” Wraith shouted. Again, Alrion didn’t respond. He just kept pouring more and more Soul power into Wraith. He had an established conduit now, and it wasn’t much more difficult than moving it around within his own body. He hadn’t reached his peak Soul power, but he had somehow managed to get enough into Wraith that he could keep adding to it and still keep Wraith at bay.
The Shade Wizard started to glow white. It was like the light from within was shining through his skin. The intensity increased, until Wraith was completely submerged in a cocoon of light. He screamed once more, then became quiet.
Alrion released the spell, and stopped the Soul power. His hand slipped out of the water and he slumped down to the ground. He felt so tired and drained. With great effort he dragged himself up and leaned on the fountain to look over at Wraith.
The light was subsiding now. Wraith was no more. Branthor lay naked on the ground, the black cloak acting like a blanket.
It worked.
He couldn’t believe it.
But there Branthor lay, living and breathing. There were no signs of the infection. Alrion used the little Soul power he had left to examine Branthor. He could not see any Blight left within the man.
“You’re cured,” Alrion said. Branthor opened his eyes and looked up. His face was a mixture of fear and wonder.
“I don’t believe it,” Branthor said. He seemed to jump a little at the sound of his voice, and he stared at his hands.
“There’s not a speck of Blight left within you. I think this is the part where you say thanks?”
“I feel so displaced. My mind. They were manipulating me too. Only a little, but enough. I can’t believe I didn’t see it,” Branthor said, muttering to himself. He looked back at Alrion.
“I am thankful. You have proven yourself to be far greater than I imagined. But you cannot understand the gravity of what you have just done.”
“What do you mean? I stopped you.”
“Yes, I was a thorn in your side and fixated on you. But that’s partially because they wanted it. I can see that now. I was never your greatest threat. I was standing between you and them. You’re no longer safe.”
“You were keeping me safe?” Alrion couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Now that I’m out of the picture, there’s nothing stopping them from coming for you.”
“Who’s they?”
“The generals. They’re rebuilding, and now you’ve shown how dangerous you are. They won’t rest until they have you. And now me. I can’t stay here, it’s too dangerous.” Branthor sat up and looked around.
“You’re not leaving until I’m ready for you to leave,” Alrion said. He needed to know more. He also didn’t trust Branthor. Who knew what he would do now?
“My Spark is intact. And I hold all the wisdom from the Pool of Knowledge. You cannot hold me here. I am sorry for what happened, it was more than I should have done. You now know why. But there was no other way. And I would still make the same choices.”
Spark of Truth (The Hidden Wizard Book 3) Page 26