by Jeff Inlo
The draevol sensed the conflict within the wizard and took great satisfaction in creating the dilemma.
"I told you there were other options. Life is filled with difficult decisions. Which choice will you make?"
Enin's disgust for the demon grew. He had not yet determined what to do about Heteera, but his doubts about the demon dissolved. He closed both hands tightly into fists and brought them together at the knuckles. The white energy within him poured into a spell of sheer fury, and then two circles of magical force. They flew from his hands and wrapped around the demon. The draevol screeched, but only for an instant. The rings closed around the fiend and eventually strangled it completely out of existence.
"That wasn't difficult," Enin acknowledged with no sympathy for the demon or guilt over destroying it. It earned its fate. The difficult decision, however, still remained.
The annihilation of the draevol did not end its plague spell. The casting was complete and the powerful sickness rested entirely in the body of the sorceress, a woman he believed had already died.
Of that, he was certain. He had watched her break apart the barrier, and she allowed the magic to sweep her essence away. She had saved Jure in doing so. It was her choice. Enin still wasn't sure it was the right one. He had wanted to try and save them both, but she wouldn't let him. Still, it was a brave deed and it deserved respect. He wanted to accept it, but he just kept looking into that blank expression and wondering if he was being offered an opportunity.
Yes, it was a vacant stare, but a stare he recognized. That made it so much harder.
"Heteera?" he called.
No answer. Just a hollow gaze into nothingness.
The wizard looked down on the rocky ground. He wiped the empty expression from his mind. He locked his thoughts on the last moments of Heteera's life.
It's better than magic!
That was the message she left him before she died, and she had died. She found her way out of isolation, freed herself from the magic she saw as a curse. That was her choice, which meant it was already made. He would not attempt to use the magic to bring her back. He would honor her memory and make certain that no one was harmed.
Rather than cling to an empty memory of a woman who tried to escape, Enin decided to validate her final selfless decision with the certainty of unbridled magical force. He threw his hands together and cast another spell of pure power. It lacked the fury he used against the demon, but it carried the same efficiency. Two rings of magic took hold of Heteera's body and swept it entirely out of existence.
Enin sighed. He said nothing, not even a goodbye. He knew Heteera was already gone. He turned his attention to the space within the magical chamber he created. He inspected every iota of magical energy to ensure there was no sign of the plague. It was painstaking work, but he had to be absolutely certain. The magic in the tunnel was pure, the plague spell had been completely obliterated with Heteera's body.
He dissolved the magical chamber and exited the tunnel. Once out into the open air, he looked to the east. The sun had not yet risen, but the horizon was filled with the glow of dawn.
Chapter 29
Finding the inferns was easy. Deciding how to fight them was not.
The moment Ryson hit the streets he smelled the smoke from various fires and saw the flames burning across Ashlan. Thankfully, the bright orange and white glow didn't engulf the entire city, just select points. Still, the number of blazes brought despair to his delver heart. Fire as a weapon generated terror by stoking fears of helplessness and signaling belligerent, even wanton, destruction. It was a callous foe, as unfeeling as it was unrelenting. The unpredictable nature of the flames, the choking haze of smoke, the unimaginable pain of searing heat; all served to inspire dread and panic.
It didn't require great reasoning to determine the intent of the inferns. With numerous points of flaming devastation spread across the city, the creatures had decided to fan out to complete their task as efficiently as possible. Rather than cluster together and form one single wall of fire, they picked strategic points throughout the city and fueled numerous flashpoints. Over time, the individual blazes would unite into larger infernos and Ashlan would be consumed, not by a single rushing wave but by a convergence of multiple firestorms
Pressing the thoughts of devastation from his mind, Ryson grasped the only strategy that seemed remotely plausible. He couldn't stop all the inferns at once, so he focused on defeating them one by one. As for the existing blazes, he would worry about them after the sources had been eliminated. After all, what good did it do to put out a fire if another one was going to start a block away?
Before rushing to confront the first infern, he made one quick dash around the center of the city. He steered away from the nearest blaze, as he didn't wish to reveal his presence. He couldn't see each individual monster, but he counted over a dozen separate blazes lighting up the night. Drawing on his memories of the city streets, he set a path of attack.
Deciding to head east first, Ryson raced to the far edge of the city. He would start there and work his way inward. He spotted one infern at the edge of a main road that led out into the surrounding farmlands. He knew of the demon's quickness, its ability to fly, and its capacity to cast demon fire, but the spectacle before him revealed another quality of the half-demons.
Like a small dragon, the infern bent slightly forward and opened its mouth wide. It belched flames from its mouth in giant streaming waves. The fire latched onto anything it touched and immediately sparked infernos of intense magnitude. The creature focused on a single building, and though the structure caught fire in an instant, the half-demon continued to spit flames into the center of the blaze.
The half-demon was no longer simply igniting a fire, but rather feeding the heat, raising it to unbelievable temperatures. The flames burned white hot and roared like a great beast. As the infern continued to breathe its demon fire onto the blaze, the building where the fire ignited collapsed inward, as if swallowed by a flaming hunger. When the debris dropped into the heart of the blaze, the fire flashed brighter and neighboring buildings immediately burst into flames.
To Ryson, the intention of the infern was immediately clear. It wanted to do more than spread fire across the city. It wished to burn scars into the land, to create blazes so hot they would leave nothing behind but black soot. The infern let loose its desire without conscience or concern. It would leave a lasting memory for those that watched Ashlan destroyed. The city at the center of the Great Valleys would become a glowing torch that lit up the land like a seething volcano.
Ignoring the heat of the blaze, Ryson placed his focus on the infern. He wasn't sure how to successfully defeat the half-demon, but he knew he didn't have many options. He immediately discarded any thought of trying to distract the creature. There were too many fires burning around the city. He needed to do more than disrupt the monster's actions or keep it occupied. If he couldn't stop it, the other half-demons actively engaging Ashlan would reduce the city to ashes before dawn.
To be effective, he needed to totally subdue all of the inferns as quickly as possible. He doubted he could make them retreat or somehow knock them unconscious. Tying them up was a ridiculous notion. He resigned himself to dispatching them completely.
His respect for life was deep, but he couldn't allow that to blur the truth. Creatures that invoked desolation brought misfortune on to themselves. Even if they had to die at his hands, it was their own actions that placed them in the path of a grave.
He didn't know if he could kill a half-demon, didn't even know if they were really alive. He wasn't even sure what weapons would be effective against them, not that he had much of a choice. He never replaced his war blades. He had a dagger and the Sword of Decree, and the dagger would probably melt in his hand. The magical blade was his only hope.
Considering the enchantments of the long sword, he wondered how much jeopardy he would face holding a magical weapon that might attract the attention from inferns all acr
oss the city. Would demon fire suddenly ignite the air around him? It was not a pleasant thought, and one he discarded quickly. He had already dealt with that fear, fought the battle and won. Allowing it to creep back into his thoughts would only serve to hamper his efforts.
Rather than concern himself with any danger, he considered the advantages of the sword's many enchantments. It was a blade forged by elves, but in his hands, the sword earned its place in the legends. It reflected and magnified natural light, it burned the soul of any creature it even slightly pierced, and at times, it offered enlightenment and lived up to the significance of its name.
Ryson didn't expect any great insight when he removed the blade from its sheath across his back. He grasped the jeweled handle firmly in one hand as he held it aloft. The light from the blade burned as bright as the fire in front of him, and as he guessed, there was no message, no clear direction of what to do. He already knew. He had to fight the inferns and defeat them.
Hoping to dispose of the half-demon as quickly as possible, Ryson raced forward before the infern noticed him. The attack was swift, lightning fast. The delver jabbed at the infern's upper chest just below the shoulder, cutting through a weak joint in its black armor. Ryson wanted to wound it severely enough to put the creature out of action.
The blade cut deep, and Ryson felt the handle of the sword warm instantly. He knew the enchantment of the blade was working its way into the half-demon's essence. The infern recoiled from the blow. The demon fire ceased erupting from its mouth, but surprisingly, the glow surrounding the infern increased dramatically. The creature doubled over. As it did, its body pulled away from the blade and broke contact with the sword. The sudden burst of light died at the same instant.
Ryson knew the wound was not severe enough to stop the infern and that it would attack him within moments, but the delver also realized something else. The full flash of brilliance that surrounded the infern did not simply come from the half-demon. It also did not come from his sword. The burst of light came from the blaze that was devouring the buildings behind him.
Not allowing the infern a chance to press the attack, the delver swiftly cut around the back of the half-demon and pierced the back of its leg just above the knee. He made certain that he moved with the infern to ensure the blade remained connected. It was not the wound that would stop the creature, it was the reaction between its own burning core and the magical properties of his sword.
Ryson knew the enchanted blade would burn the infern's essence, but what he also began to realize was that it raised the heat of the infern's core to an incredible level. The demon fire within the creature blazed with such intensity that it attracted not only the heat from the surrounding fires, but the flames as well.
Just as the fire sorcerer Brenn had cast a spell of flaming fury that erupted into firestorms, the Sword of Decree actually brought the essence of the infern to an even higher intensity. The tremendous concentration of severe heat drew in every burning flame. A stream of fire roared through the air and coursed over the infern's body. The flames engulfed the black armor until they entered through the gash in the infern's chest or through the half-demon's mouth.
In but an instant, the fires that had raged across several buildings were no longer visible. They had not been extinguished, but rather displaced, taken from the city and forced back into the half-demon.
When the last flame disappeared into the infern's body, the creature's face grew bright white, blurring out all of its features until even its red eyes were no longer apparent. The black armor began to melt away and was consumed by the blazing core. When there was nothing left to burn, the essence of the infern flashed once and then disappeared as if blown out by some powerful gust of wind.
The ground was charred where the infern had stood, but nothing of the creature remained. The black armor, the red hot javelin, the very body of the half-demon had all been consumed by the compressed inferno. The delver couldn't even recognize a lingering scent of the half-demon. Everything had burned away.
The Sword of Decree remained intact. The enchanted blade somehow resisted the severe heat, but it glowed red hot at the tip. Ryson was able to maintain his grip on the handle but it had warmed substantially. He sunk the blade into the dirt to disperse some of the heat into the ground.
Looking back to the buildings behind him, he was relieved to see the fire extinguished. Optimism filled him. He had found a way to defeat both the inferns and the blazes they created. All he had to do was reach them before the city burned away, but he was a delver and speed was his gift.
Moving to the next closest blaze, Ryson attacked in a similar manner. He never gave the infern an opportunity. He dashed at his target and stabbed at any opening in the armor he could find. Once the blade made contact, he used his agility to keep the sword in place.
Again, the temperature within the infern swelled and the heat created a firestorm within the black armor. The burning power of Ryson's sword magnified the blazing core of the half-demon and it pulled in every flame spawned by demon fire. Ryson had to dodge the incoming stream of fire, but he was always prepared to move. A second infern disintegrated in a burst of white hot plasma and another fire was extinguished.
One after another, the inferns fell. Ryson cut up and down the roads of Ashlan making his way from the eastern edge of the city back to its center. He disposed of eight inferns and extinguished fires across the entire eastern half of the city. His success surprised him, but it was short-lived.
After passing through the plaza at the heart of the city, Ryson approached the largest of the blazes he had yet encountered. While he moved with both speed and stealth, he found the infern responsible for the inferno standing in the center of a wide street... waiting for him.
"I'm very happy you returned," the infern snarled.
It was the same half-demon that had confronted Ryson outside the tavern during the delver's first trip to Ashlan, the infern that ordered his capture and then tried to have him incinerated by using the beacon stones.
"I knew you were back," the creature boasted. "I told you I searched you. I know your taste."
"I'm really not worried about your twisted abilities anymore," Ryson announced without bluster, but in a determined display of self-assurance. Not only had he defeated his fear of the inferns, but he had faced the half-demons in battle and emerged victorious.
The infern stared deep into the delver's face. It couldn't discount the truth in Ryson's words. The tone carried more than confidence, it delivered a rebuke. The delver did not hate or despise the creature, but he didn't succumb to any outright fear of its supernatural abilities, either. There was but one small fraction of concern in the recesses of Ryson's being, and the infern wondered if it could capitalize on it.
"You still fear the demon fire," the infern noted.
Ryson eradicated the attempt with pure logic.
"Of course I do. It would be foolish not to, but I'm not holding a beacon stone anymore."
"I don't need the stones."
"No? Somehow, I know that's not true. Oh, you can still cast demon fire, but you don't have some link to exploit, not anymore. It's just your speed against mine. I'm more than willing to see who's faster."
"But what about the fear? Any fear can be exploited."
"That's probably true, but only to a point. I reached that point a while back. You weren't around, but trust me, I dealt with it. I'm a delver, that means I need to explore. Exploring means not being afraid of the path I have to travel or the answers I might find. It also means not being afraid of what's inside. That's why I'm holding this sword."
"You think the enchantment will save you?"
"No, I think the enchantment will destroy you. If anyone has anything to fear, it's you."
The infern glared at the delver with a growing hatred of its own. It had discovered it could not build Ryson's concern into anything more than sensible respect. Any advantage it hoped to garner slipped through its fingers. Still, it did not ap
preciate being deemed inconsequential.
"I told you before I didn't like your overconfidence."
"Tell it to your friends... the ones I've already disposed of."
"They were not prepared for you."
"And you are?"
"You have not caught me by surprise."
"You think I have to surprise you?" Ryson scoffed. "I don't. I just have to outmaneuver you. I've already proven I can do that, even when you had the advantage."
"You were lucky when you escaped last time, but this time escape will not be so easy."
"I have no intention of escaping. I'm going to eliminate you and then finish off your friends."
"You seem to forget just how close to death you were."
"Different situation. I was trying to outrun the magic the last time. It's hard to outrun something that's a part of you. I'm not worrying about that this time." All of that was true, but Ryson glanced about at the spreading fires. He had made his point, but it was time to end the dangers to Ashlan. "Look, we're wasting time. You're no different than the rest. If you think you can just incinerate me, then do it. Do it now."
The infern snarled, but initially resisted the challenge.
"I'll do it when the time is right."
"Your time is just about up," Ryson stated. "The truth of the matter is we both know you can't do it."
The half-demon nearly exploded with rage. It kept just enough composure to hide its assault. The infern did not move, but its red eyes flared ever so slightly.
Ryson smelled the scent of demon fire. With a quick dodge, he bolted to his left and then came to an abrupt halt. While he didn't look over at the flash of white flame, he knew it would have engulfed him had he not moved, but he had moved and was never in any true danger. His speed was superior. He kept his eyes on the infern and pointed out that simple fact.
"That wasn't even close. Holli was right. You needed the beacon stones to link to me. Without them, you're firing wild. You want to try again?"