“Did we take a wrong turn somewhere?” Drotonic looks around.
“I don’t think so. Go look over there. See if you can spot a path, while I look over here,” Erryn suggests as he searches left along the lava bank. Erryn back-tracks and discovers a path where bushes have overgrown. They’ve hidden the turn off.
“Hey, Drotonic. Come over here,” she yells.
“What’d you find?” he asks as she points. Drotonic nods and increases his pace, following the path leading to a fire spring.
“How pretty.” Erryn walks to the shore as a black platform rises to the surface. She turns to tell Drotonic, but he has disappeared. “Drotonic?” she calls out.
“Hm. I’m right here. Damn roots.” He says, dusting himself off. “Stupid robe.”
“I think this might take us to his tower,” she says.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” He walks up, touching it with his toe.
“Huh? Would you rather stay here? We can’t get any more lost than we already are.” Erryn steps onto the platform and offers him her hand. He takes her hand, and she notices his grip to be stronger than usual. The platform rises above the trees, revealing the giant tower across the lava river as it carries them to it.
The platform spirals up and around the tall spiked tower while lava falls empty into the river. The platform floats along the lava fall, approaching the shore. They step off before it crumbles. The walls of the tower look charred and bare.
“So, what now? With no way back and no door to enter, how’re we supposed to do anything? Some fire god,” he says.
“Hm, I don’t know,” she shrugs, questioning his remarks. She wanders closer to the wall, where she discovers faded etched markings.
“I wouldn’t touch that if I were you,” he warns, but she touches it anyway. Nothing happens.
“Oh, come on. You invited us here. What gives?”
“Maybe you have to pray or something,” Drotonic says.
She bows her head and repeats the prayer to Zaravarn she learned at Nija. Nothing. In frustration, she stands back and yells at the tower, “I’m the summoner, and I demand entrance.”
Putting her hand on the marks, Erryn pushes. An archway of vibrant fiery luminesce melts the wall away, creating an entrance.
“I think I found the entrance,” she smiles as she turns to him, realizing his new staff was missing.
“Wouldn’t you know? Normally those that touch that wall explode,” he says.
“Really? Maybe because I’m special. But hey, where’s your new staff, Drotonic?” she asks.
“Come on in, Erryn,” Zaravarn welcomes her.
“I must’ve dropped it somewhere. I’m not worried. I’ll get another piece of crap later,” he shrugs. Somethings not right, Erryn thinks, remembering how excited and proud he was to show her this morning. Upon entering, golden stairs ascend along the walls, leading to a small room before Zaravarn’s room.
“I’m pleased you managed to make your way here. I do hope you enjoy exploring my home, and that my heat wasn’t too much,” Zaravarn says as they enter the small room.
“Who was that?” Drotonic asks.
“Zaravarn, the fire god, remember? We came here to visit him. He’s been speaking to us on our way here,” Erryn reminds him.
“Oh, right, sorry. I’m not used to hearing a pathetic god’s voice who’s been absent all these years. Powerless,” he says.
“Drotonic.” Erryn covers her mouth in shock.
“How dare you?! A Nijan speaking such sacrilegious views!” Zaravarn rages, channeling a blazing fire wall around him while producing intense flames hot enough to burn him to death.
“Wait, please. I’m sure it’s just the heat getting to him. You can’t do this to him. He’s my only and dearest friend. I promise he won’t speak another word towards you,” Erryn begs.
“Very well, Summoner. However, heed my warning. If he speaks like that again…,” Zaravarn says.
“Understood,” She bows her head out of respect. Turning to Drotonic, she says, “You probably should wait here.”
“Fine, just hurry it up,” he sighs. Erryn walks into Zaravarn’s room as an orange barrier fills the archway.
“You know that’s not the real Drotonic, right?” Zaravarn asks.
“I had my suspicions, but it can be just the heat effecting him, right?” Erryn turns to look back.
“Look through. Don’t worry; he can’t see us.” Zaravarn assures her with his orange barrier that fills the entryway. She looks through the archway. Not only does it not look like Drotonic, but it resembles a Black Razor.
“Is that…?” she asks.
“That vile ruler of yours, Vladimir, has engineered a voluntarily small unit to his ranks. He’s calling them Divine Razors. Unfortunately, right now they are capable of stronger magics you can’t counter, including not being able to detect his true self. However, there’s a residual aura on him that’s concerning.” Zaravarn studies the Razor.
Erryn pauses, struggling to fathom any reason to undergo such trauma. People are volunteering for his experiments?
“What aura?”
“It’s the same when I had detected you due to your bloodline on your arrival to Nija. Although, this one seems to be applied by a more sinister being.”
“Well he’s one of the Vladimir’s men. It doesn’t surprise me you’re sensing such a vibe.”
“No, it feels more ancient.”
“Ancient? Who could be more atrocious than Vladimir?”
The air goes quiet as she waits for an answer. Could there really be someone more terrifying than him? Erryn thinks to herself as she waits patiently.
After a moment of silence, she questions his attendance. “Zaravarn, are you still there?”
“I’m still here, apologies. You see, this monster has such a power that its capable of making Vladimir seem like child’s play.”
“Really?” Erryn pauses, searching her memories of all the people who could have such power from within the castle. No one comes to mind. “But it was quite the process just for me to even get here. How is he able to? Did you let him in?”
“I would never let mortals of his kind into my home. There is a temple near Vladimir though which he could have forced himself.”
“How? The temple in Dragonar is in ruins. Vladimir doesn’t have technology that can do it, or at least that I know of,” Erryn says.
“Belial’s temple is destroyed?” Zaravarn’s voice becomes angered. Who’s Belial? Is that another god, perhaps a dragon god? Erryn wonders, remembering the draconic gargoyles which decorated the castle halls.
“I refuse to have miscreants in my domain who aim only to defile it as they have to my brother’s. Be right back.”
“Wait!” Erryn shouts, but no answer. She looks around, lost in what should be done next. Looking out the door, something changes about the room. Steam vents from the walls as the imposter begins to sweat. Then, Erryn begins to hear an echo outside the room of someone climbing the stairs.
“Who else is there?” Erryn wonders but quickly answers her own question. There is only one-person of whom is unaccounted. “Drotonic!” She steps closer to the door, noticing flames dancing around the room and growing fast. That must be ‘his’ doing. As the sounds of what she suspects is Drotonic running up the stairs echo off the walls of the small room, the room begins radiating heat faster and faster.
“Zaravarn!” Erryn shouts, but again nothing. A burb from the above flames gain the imposter’s attention, almost touching his sweltering head. The lines on the wall grow brighter as Drotonic’s footfalls approach closer. Drotonic will be dust if I can’t get Zaravarn’s attention, Erryn panics and proceeds back into the roasting room.
“What the hell is this?” the imposter asks.
“I don’t know. Are you okay?” Erryn steps back into the small room, pretending to not know his identity. In moments, her worries are lifted as the heat dwindles.
He carefully watche
s it until sight of the flames disperse completely. “What’s taking so long?”
“Something required his attention,” Erryn says.
“Gods. Maybe if he hadn’t been so absent, he would be more on top of things,” he crosses his arms with disgust.
“Curious of what’s with this sudden hate towards Zaravarn?” she asks.
“Cause while sitting on their throne doing nothing, we suffer. If they aren’t going to do anything with their powers, they shouldn’t have them or exist,” the imposter says.
“This isn’t like you, Drotonic. Has the heat gotten to you? Did something happen when we were transporting to his realm?” Erryn pries, hoping to learn something of his coming.
“I guess it could’ve been. I’ll be fine once we return through that rip of space.” The imposture wipes his forehead. A rift in space, but we traveled through a lava tubed portal, she notes. However, she stands across from while waiting. Erryn, meanwhile, sees behind the imposter a rip in midair. Black smoke falls out of it.
“Well, I’m glad I’m not an imposter,” Erryn says as her eyes grow wide, taking a step back.
“Imposter?” He attempts to look clueless, but a smirk grows on his face. “Yeah, it took you long enough. You didn’t even notice before the platform, and he’s supposed to be your dearest friend,” He says, about to smack her as a skeletal finger taps his back. He stands stock still as he slowly turns, not knowing what could be behind him. Out of the smoke, a skeletal arm stretches out from a floating black baggy sleeve. The black fog mixes with a green swirling around its hand.
“No, not Abyss!” he screams, as the hand grabs him pulling him in. “Kosmos! Kosmos pull me out!” He begs before being pulled through as the rip closes. Drotonic races into the room.
“Erryn, are you okay? Where is he? He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Drotonic asks, chasing his breath.
“I’m okay. Trust me, you don’t need to worry about him anymore. Thanks to Zaravarn, I think,” she says.
“I’m so sorry,” Drotonic hugs her tight.
“Look, I’m fine; just relax. He’s likely waiting for us. Come on,” Erryn breaks his grappled hug and returns to Zaravarn’s room. Drotonic follows, and fire torches light around the room, illuminating the vast room with a massive throne on the other side.
“Oh, mighty Greatness Zaravarn. Forgive my insufficient actions. Thank you for protecting her. We’ve journeyed your realm seeking your legendary aid,” Drotonic bows down.
“Drotonic, it’s nice to finally meet you in the flesh. I suggest keeping a better eye on your summoner, for a divine sage isn’t much without a summoner. Can’t expect me to do your work all the time,” Zaravarn says.
“Yes, sir. I’ll do better, sir. I swear it,” Drotonic says.
“Now, you, little miss, are very bold for jumping out there. If I was a young godling, you would’ve for sure roasted along with him,” Zaravarn informs her.
“Are you saying I put too much faith in a god? From how I understand it, I’m as valuable to you as the Nijans.”
“Oh no, no, no. I’m not saying that at all. I just know in my younger experiences that, even being a god, I didn’t hold the control I have now. However, your importance stretches not only to me and Nija but all Arthro. Erryn, please. How have they enlightened you about becoming a summoner?” Zaravarn inquires.
“Let’s see. They mentioned a strain on magic that can only be lifted by me reinstating Arthro’s connection with the gods. But, it’s also been explained to me that this power could help save my sister.” Erryn says.
“Ah, yes; your sister. You’ve spoken much of her in your passing year. She must be very dear to you?”
“If you’ve ever had family, I would suspect that you would know. But you’re a god. Tell me, can you tell if she still lives?”
Zaravarn sighs. “I’m a god of chaos and destruction. Life is not known to me like it is to others. But I can assure you that a dark chaos plagues her. Your connection to her allows me this faint foresight.”
“Others? Who could help me then? I must be able to save her, no matter what.”
“I admire your conviction. It has promise. There are three you may come across if they choose to connect to you. One of a pure fire, another a calculated scholar, and the least likely is an Ice Queen. They, however, haven’t been sought out in hundreds of years. I do believe unifying a bond will strengthen you and your chances of saving her. Only time will ultimately tell.”
A sadness passes through Erryn. She faced the prospect of not being able to save Jet, but she wouldn’t give up. “I’ll end that tyrant, Vladimir, with this power if that’s what it takes to save her,” she vows.
“Yes, you could gain enough power to stop him. Although, restoring Arthro’s vitality will save the planet from dying due to suffocation,” Zaravarn says.
“Wait. The planet is actually dying?” Drotonic asks as Erryn and he look at each other.
“Yes, and Vladimir is only making it worse from an unforeseeable outside force,” Zaravarn says.
“He just has to destroy everything he touches. How do we start?” Erryn asks, eager to begin.
“Come forward,” Zaravarn says and vanishes, leaving ashes to fall on his throne. She walks forward as Drotonic waits at the center.
“Okay, now what?” she asks.
“Watch your footing?” Zaravarn says, as the floor around her detaches and recedes away. Once the floor finishes moving, a torrent of flames rage from below.
“Erryn!” shouts Drotonic.
“I’m fine. Drotonic,” Erryn yells. At least I think so, she hopes.
“Now, listen,” Zaravarn says.
“Where are you?” she asks, looking into the flames.
“I’m right here with you. I’m the flames around you. I’ll guide you as your first summoning connection. You must focus on the magic flowing within you and feel it around you. Only after feeling this and believing in its existence as you do in mine. We can then overcome obstacles like saving your sister,” he says.
“Right,” she nods.
“However, I must impose an additional obstacle from us gods,” Zaravarn says.
“Oh?” Erryn asks.
“It deals with a great evil that is firmly rooted in our world, threatening it on a deeper level. You may encounter it as we heal restoring Arthro, and loosen his grip on the planet,” Zaravarn warns.
“Does this evil have a name?” she asks.
“Kosmos. He sometimes likes to cherish the heroic title King of the Gods,” Zaravarn says as she recalls the imposter pleading the same name.
“That’s the same name the imposter shouted before getting sucked into a rift. We’ll just have to help one another,” Erryn says as she digs deep within herself, activating her summoner power. Its activation causes a white aura to flourish about her, making the flames to tornado around her. Erryn’s eyes change into a glowing white light as gusts of wind swirl around her, lifting her hundreds of feet in the air.
Once suspended in the air, she hovers as the flames engulf her entire body. The flames hug her like a protective warm blanket, while a raw energy light beams and swirls around her until they travel straight through her mouth. The rays encase Erryn with their fiery light, compressing as they explode as they finalize their resting place inside her.
She descends until her feet touch the ground. A narrow passage forms, connecting back to Drotonic. Erryn attempts to walk, but her legs buckle under her and she falls, unable to catch herself.
“Erryn,” Drotonic hastens to her as Erryn’s entire body misses the passage. She’s at risk of falling into the void. “Here, take my hand.”
Erryn grasps his hand, and he begins to pull. She’s nearly over the edge when she loses her balance and slips again. “I don’t know if I can hold on.”
Then Drotonic grabs her forearm, “Gotcha.”
“Thank you, Tonic,” Erryn hangs, all her strength sapped, as he pulls her to the surface.
“No problem, Er
r-. Hey, wait a minute… Tonic?” he asks.
“It’s shorter,” she laughs.
“I guess. Let’s get you out of here.” He carries her on his back. After exiting the temple and stepping off another black platform, the atmosphere on the realm seems calmer with no breezes carrying a campfire heat to their faces. Critters didn’t make noises and there wasn’t anything big or scary lurking.
“Don’t you think things are a bit too quiet, Tonic?” Erryn asks.
“Yeah, a bit,” he says, continuing down the path to Nija’s portal. Almost there, Drotonic puts her down as she stretches her legs, waking her body.
“Look. The portal.” She points, running ahead.
“Hey, take it easy. Your body isn’t used to having raw power like that,” Drotonic chases after her as she disregards him. “At least be mindful to what could be lurk—,” he says as Erryn returns him a smile and runs right into a big creature.
“Geez, that hurts,” She rubs her head, falling backward.
“Erin, lookout. It’s a Fire Destroyer,” he shouts. The creature tries to attack with fire, but she rolls away. Drotonic pulls her back before another attack and stands in front of her, taking the full blunt of the damage.
“Drotonic, are you, all right?” Erryn cries out as he falls back.
Cough. “Yeah, I’m fine. Never better.” He smiles. Erryn looking back at the creature, realizes it’s gone—vanished.
“Where’d it go?” she asks, worried it might return.
“I don’t know. Let’s go, though, before it returns. I’m not ready to deal with one of those quite yet,” Drotonic says. They help each other up and make sure the coast is indeed clear. Now on their feet, they rush through the portal without a second thought.
Exiting out of the portal, they are thrown onto the floor and tumble to a stop.
“Not the most elegant of entrances.” Drotonic checks his robes for damages.
The bishop, who has been at prayers and waiting for their return, gets off his knees. “Is this true?” His eyes widened.
“We’ve returned, sir,” Drotonic says as the bishop walks over to Erryn to hold both her hands-. Even with delight written on his face, sizzling causes him to retract his hands from her.
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