by Lana Axe
The army’s arrival had not gone unnoticed. Fell creatures gathered in droves, awaiting the prey that had walked so willingly into their land. Howls rang out as the creatures taunted the invaders. A single, piercing shriek cut through the humans and elves, who focused their attention to the sky, where riders perched atop massive wyverns circled.
“Looks like Ulda’s been busy these past thirty years,” Mel commented. He had not encountered such creatures in the last battle against Ulda.
Telorithan let out a low unnerving laugh. Summoning the fire within, his eyes flashed red as he released a wide burst of fire in the monsters’ direction. The creatures scattered, some of them crying out in pain as the fireball exploded in their midst.
“That’s the best he can create?” Telorithan asked, laughing once more.
“His creatures might not be a threat to you,” River began, “but he certainly is.”
Lifting his hand to throw a second fireball, Telorithan’s eyes flashed red. River reached up, grabbing the sorcerer’s arm, a cloud of steam rising between them. “We’re here to save these people if we can, not kill as many as possible.”
“You can’t be serious,” Telorithan replied.
River stared into his eyes, his expression severe.
Shaking his head, Telorithan said, “I know what it would require to release all these bound souls.” He paused a moment to look at the creatures. “It would take an immense sacrifice.”
“I’m aware of that,” River replied. “We have to try. The people trapped inside those monsters are innocent.”
Without any argument, Telorithan shrugged. If River, Mel, and Kaiya planned to sacrifice themselves to save these people, so be it.
Reaching into his bag, River produced the red gem and handed it to the fire sorcerer. Telorithan’s eyes blazed red as he gazed upon it, its warmth searing his hand. His mind swam with all the possibilities, and the unlimited powers this stone could bestow upon him. With this gem, he could realize his ultimate dream—to hold the power of a god.
Seeing the lust in Telorithan’s eyes, River said, “Lorith, I can see that you are weary.” Reaching out, he placed a hand on the sorcerer’s shoulder. “We are both weary,” he said. “Our time in this world is ending.” With his mind, he projected his thoughts to Telorithan’s mind, reminding him of the gravity of the situation. If Ulda succeeded, he would control the world, and he would take Telorithan’s power for his own. The fire sorcerer knew he could not stand alone against the power of the fifth element. Even the gemstone would not protect him.
Slowly, Telorithan’s red eyes returned to blue. “Lorith is weary,” he whispered. “Ulda must be stopped.”
To Mel, it appeared that River had cast a spell over the sorcerer, but he knew River to be incapable of manipulation. He attempted to glimpse inside Telorithan’s mind, but the duality he saw there only left him confused. There was great strength inside him, but there was also a feeling of exhaustion—of an ancient soul prepared to rest.
“We must be on our way,” River said. Turning to Rykon, he added, “Your army must fight on, no matter what monsters appear before you. The four of us must get to Ulda as quickly as possible. We won’t be able to assist you.”
“And we mustn’t be interrupted once we reach the tower,” Kaiya added.
“I understand,” Rykon replied. “Do as you must. My army will stop these creatures from reaching you.”
To his companions, River said, “We must make our way to the tower, regardless of what occurs behind us. Ignore everything you see. Focus only on reaching the tower.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Kaiya said. Her eyes sparkling silver, she blasted a path between the waiting creatures, knocking them to the ground.
Taking advantage of his enemies as they scrambled to their feet, Rykon sounded the charge. The Na’zorans raced forward, trampling and slashing at the monsters before them. The elves followed close behind, engaging the enemy on foot.
Mel watched in amazement as the creatures fell, surrounded by a yellow glow. When the monsters rose from death, he could scarcely believe his eyes. “Ulda’s raising the dead!” he shouted.
“There’s nothing we can do about it,” River said, his own eyes taking in the spectacle. Fear ran through his body, but it would not stop him. His destination was clear, and his mission was not yet complete. “Come on!” he shouted.
The four wizards ran forward, Isandra charging a few steps ahead of them. Wolfmen lay hidden in tall patches of spiky grass, ready to pounce as their prey moved closer. Leaping onto the path, they snarled and slashed with their claws. Kaiya maneuvered around Isandra, hurling energy blasts at the beasts.
Isandra noticed a striped creature running directly for her, and she raised her sword to the ready. It leapt at her, fangs bared, a low growl in its throat. Swinging with precision, she landed her sword directly where its neck should have been, but the cat was too agile. It twisted its lithe body, narrowly avoiding the sword and landing safely a few inches from the warrior.
Before she could swing again, Mel reached into the earth, calling to the animal portion of the hybridized beast. He could sense the tormented will of the bound elf but pushed it aside. Ulda’s hold on the elf was far too strong. The beast still had a primal instinct. Mel focused his mind to the animal, warning it that a danger had come that was too great to stand against. The tiger ran away from the battle, fleeing for its life.
River turned to Mel and nodded, acknowledging the earth master’s mercy.
Nearly halfway to the tower, the wyvern circled again, preparing to swoop on the invaders. Kaiya reacted quickly, her eyes flashing silver as she forced the wyvern to alter its course with a burst of air. The beast’s rider was ready, casting a quick spell to steady himself and the wyvern. Turning high in the air, he prepared for another attack.
Blasting another burst of air, Kaiya said, “We have to hurry. This isn’t going to hold him off for long.”
The group broke into a run, heading straight for the base of the tower. Thick vines of ivy covered the stonework, but Mel was quick to spot a single door. Gently moving the vines away, he said, “I hope this opens.”
A shriek of anger sounded from above as the wyvern dipped low in the sky. River cast a blue shield to protect his companions from the impending attack. Kaiya turned to the door, summoning an energy blast in her hands and hurling it toward the stone. The door glowed momentarily before a deep purple mist shrouded the frame. As the color grew deeper, it swirled and reached away from the tower, focusing its energy on the intruders.
“Move!” Kaiya shouted as she rolled to the side.
River’s shield dropped as he and the others threw themselves out of harm’s way. A thunderous crash ripped through the air, shaking the earth beneath their feet. Kaiya’s energy spell bounced back from the door, spinning wildly and hurling sparks in every direction.
Mel reacted quickly, digging deep into the earth with his mind. Lifting the sand to smother the spell, he slowed it down, but could not stop it.
River returned to his feet and focused his mind to the sand-covered ball of energy that was making its way toward Kaiya. His eyes flashed blue as he unleashed his magic, encompassing the rogue spell with the full strength of his element. It sputtered only a few seconds longer before dissolving into a heap of wet sand.
Telorithan was the only one watching as the wyvern once again focused on the group. It reared its reptilian head, baring its fangs as it dove at them. Holding his hand outward, a beam of orange light connected with the beast, and it screeched in pain. The sorcerer atop its back was no mere apprentice. He too was a master of fire and knew how to counter Telorithan’s spell. Projecting his own beam of red magic, he destabilized the spell that held his mount, sending him reeling high into the air.
Telorithan dropped briefly to one knee, a look of surprise on his face. Glancing at River, he said, “It looks like I underestimated my opponent.” He would never accept that he was, indeed, beginning to weaken.
Instead, he chose to believe that his years of solitude had diminished his skills in wizard’s duels. It had been too long since he encountered any other being of magical design. Assuming them all to be below him in their skills, he hadn’t bothered to assess the strength of Ulda or his followers.
As she watched the wyvern circling back, Kaiya said, “Someone is going to have to lead him off. We need time to get this door open!” Growing impatient with the constant interruptions, she was ready to rip the beast’s head off, either with magic or with her bare hands.
“I will,” Isandra declared, her sword still held at the ready.
River felt an ache in his heart but withheld the fatherly lecture. Though it pained him to put his child in such grave danger, he could not risk harm coming to Mel, Kaiya, or Telorithan. Without them, there was no hope of stopping Ulda. He swallowed hard, feeling a tightness in his throat. With a deep breath, he reminded himself that his daughter was among the finest warriors present this day. He decided it was best to let her try. If anyone here could defeat the wyvern and its master, it was Isandra.
River embraced his daughter, holding her close to his chest. His robe offered little protection from the hardness of her plate armor, but he ignored his discomfort and clutched her tightly. With a soft kiss on her cheek, he released her, spreading blue enchantment over her armor. “It will protect you,” he said, his voice cracking slightly.
Mel and Kaiya focused energy to Isandra’s sword, and it glowed with a multitude of colors as she turned it over in her hand. Nodding her thanks, she turned back to her father. “I wish you luck,” she said. “We will meet again.” Her eyes portrayed her confidence that she would, indeed, survive this battle.
“You are the strength of our family now,” River said solemnly. “You will always have my love.” Placing his hand against her face, he added, “Fight well, my daughter.”
Isandra leaned in and kissed her father’s cheek with surprising softness. She understood his words completely. Fighting back the tears that insisted on welling in her eyes, she lifted her sword high in the air, pointing its tip at the circling wyvern. With a fierce cry, she charged toward the battle, her armor and sword leaving a trail of colored magic behind her. With these enchantments, the mounted sorcerer saw her as the most immediate threat to his master and changed his course to pursue.
River forced himself to turn his face away from Isandra as she fought. Mel and Kaiya set to work, attempting to blast open the door that would lead them to Ulda.
Noticing the look of distress on River’s face, Telorithan moved to his side “Soon we will both be free,” he said.
“We must do what is necessary,” River said in a whisper. His heart was in more turmoil with his daughter present. Though she was a fierce warrior, he worried for her safety, especially now. This enemy was greater than any she had faced. He must reach Ulda as quickly as possible, and end this once and for all.
Kaiya stepped away from the door, having done all she could do. Now it was Mel’s turn. She took the opportunity to approach Telorithan. “Just in case I don’t make it out of there,” she began, “I have to know what really convinced you to help us.”
A crooked smile appeared on the sorcerer’s lips. “Simple,” he said. “Ulda is an arrogant ass. He believes himself the greatest wizard who has ever lived. He’s wrong. I am the greatest wizard who ever lived.”
Kaiya couldn’t suppress a laugh. “Confident to the last,” she said, shaking her head.
“While we’re on the subject,” Telorithan added, “I still hate you.”
Kaiya shrugged, her smile not leaving her face. “I bested you, and you can’t stand it,” she said smugly.
“You caught me unaware,” he shot back. “I had already spent the vast majority of my magical stores, and you took advantage of that.”
“I could face you at full strength,” she said, staring him in the eye.
“I haven’t the energy to fight you if I’m going to face Ulda,” Telorithan replied. “I have to choose who deserves my wrath more. Ulda needs to be taken down a notch.” Narrowing his eyes, he added, “Besides, he is a more worthy opponent than you.”
Kaiya ignored the comment but peered into his mind. Finding it less protected than before, she felt as if he wanted her to see what he was thinking. A deep sense of respect was emanating from the sorcerer, and it caught her by surprise. She felt certain she was reading him correctly. Though the bitterness was still there, deep down, he respected Kaiya, and not only for the fact that she had beaten him. It was unfathomable that a woman could be more powerful than him, and the fact that the woman was a dwarf had added further insult. He had had time to contemplate their encounter, and he had come to marvel at her abilities. She was a thing unexpected, and he had thought about her many times over the years.
Backing out of his mind, Kaiya remained silent about what she had seen. Telorithan was not to be crossed, and she would not mock him. Seeing inside his thoughts had reminded her that he was, after all, still a person. He was far less a villain than he had been in his youth.
“Got it!” Mel announced, snapping Kaiya back to reality.
The four of them watched as the stone door swung open, revealing the spiral staircase within. Exchanging glances, they readied themselves for the challenge ahead.
River stepped inside first, peering inside the dimly lit corridor. At first glance, there was no sign of any resistance. That was sure to change once Ulda became aware they had entered. River stood to one side of the doorway, gesturing for his friends to follow.
“This is probably a bad time to ask this,” Mel said, looking up to the top of the spire, “but without my feet in direct contact with the earth, how am I supposed to cast earth magic spells?”
Kaiya sighed. “Yes, this is a bad time to ask,” she said. “You really should learn to think a few steps ahead. Even animals can do that.” She grinned at Mel, but he did not appear to appreciate her joke.
“You will have to dig deeper than usual,” River replied. “I have every confidence in you.”
Mel wasn’t so sure. He had never performed magic from high in the air. Ulda’s tower looked to be at least fifteen stories high.
Abandoning her attempts at humor, Kaiya placed a comforting hand on Mel’s arm. “I will manipulate the air, easing the resistance you’ll encounter while you try to tap into the earth,” she explained. “Once you’ve done so, River will have an easier time tapping into the water beneath the ground, and Telorithan can reach deeper into the fire.”
“We must work together if we are to succeed,” River added. “Each of us is essential.”
Mel nodded, acknowledging that he understood. Trying to ease his mounting anxiety, he slapped Kaiya gently on the shoulder. “Looks like you’re the most important person here,” he said.
Waving her hand dismissively, she said, “I’m just getting things started.”
Stepping inside the doorway, Mel wondered how they were going to keep Ulda under control long enough for everyone to cast the spells they needed to cast. Choosing not to ask for fear of the answer, he continued on in silence.
Before stepping inside, Kaiya turned her head back toward the battle. Her eyes landed on one of Ulda’s warriors who was lying on the ground surrounded by a yellow light. As she watched, he rose to his feet, readying his weapon to fight again. Her eyes widened as she turned back to her companions, still in disbelief that Ulda had mastered such dark magic.
River noticed her discomfort and motioned her to come inside. “There is only one way to help them,” he said. “We must complete our mission.”
Taking a deep breath, Kaiya stepped inside the corridor. Telorithan followed close behind her, the door slamming shut as he entered. A pale glow of silver light shone around its edges, sealing the door in place.
Chapter 23
Isandra led the wyvern away from her father’s location, the magic on her armor leaving a trail of colorful sparks for the creature to follow. Halfway between the tower a
nd the thick of battle, she halted, readying her sword. The decision to fight here was based purely on logic. She was close enough to her allies that her battle would not go unnoticed. Should she fall, another would likely pick up where she left off, stopping the creature from heading straight back to River and his companions. There was little else she could do for him.
As the wyvern approached, Isandra forced thoughts of her father from her mind. His words had sounded so final, and she knew he did not expect to survive his encounter with Ulda. All she could do was hope he was wrong—that he would live, and the two of them would spend many more days together.
Positioning her feet apart and bending slightly at the knees, Isandra steeled herself for the wyvern’s attack. The sorcerer atop the beast crouched low, bracing himself for an impact as well. Isandra knew what was coming. The beast lunged its weight forward, closing on her position. On instinct, she twisted her body, narrowly avoiding a collision.
She spun to watch as the wyvern made a tight circle, its sights once again set on her. Readying herself, she lifted her sword. This time, the creature flew inches from her body, the sorcerer sending out a blast of white sparks. Isandra was hit, the magic burning dark spots on her armor and diminishing the blue glow her father had placed over her. The sorcerer was trying to remove her magical defenses.
Despite its massive size, the creature was surprisingly agile. It glided on the wind, tilting its tail slightly to maneuver back into position. Isandra was ready. Holding her sword firmly, she poised to strike as soon as the wyvern was within reach. Before her eyes, the beast split in two, one attacking from her left, the other to her right. With no time to decide which was the bigger threat, Isandra swung her sword at the beast on the left. Her sword penetrated the image, and it disappeared before her. An illusion, she realized too late. The real wyvern crashed into her, bowling her over.
With her face pressed into the dirt, Isandra attempted to right herself. Swooping down, the wyvern grabbed her in its talons. She grabbed the hilt of her sword only an instant before she was hoisted into the air. The beast thrashed its leg, shaking the elf like a ragdoll. Isandra clung to the scaled leg, her head spinning from the motion.