by B. W. Catt
Elin continued to speak about what he had seen below as Sebial followed behind. Their hands following the walls for guidance down the pitch-black stairwell.
“But why are there no more dwarves if they won the war?”
“They vanished one day. It was before my time. Some remain, but the dwarven kingdoms all disappeared, leaving ruins like these now.”
“I see. So there is no chance of joining forces with them.”
Elin stopped walking, Sebial slammed into his back. He turned around to face her. His tone stern. “You do not wish to deal with dwarves. They are selfish. The few who I have met are greedy with no morals, and they would gladly take a woman like you to please their desires.”
Sebial began to breathe in shallow breaths. Fear taking hold. “I do not understand. Why would they become so vulgar?”
“Creatures, no matter the race, will change without a master. The dark powers of this world will take hold.” Elin grabbed Sebial’s hand. “Enough of this talk, though. We have more pressing matters to deal with. About twenty more stairs, and we will be there.”
Sebial remained silent as he tightly held onto Elin’s hands. His words still bothering her. Such an amazing race became vulgar. How many others have changed? How come Woldiniar never told me?
“You think loudly, Sebial,” Elin whispered.
“You can hear my thoughts?” Sebial swallowed.
“Not fully. But some here and there. When your emotions are laced with your thoughts, you project your thoughts outwards. I know you are upset and scared. There is no need to be. You are powerful, and you have us to help and protect you.”
Sebial smiled and gripped his hand tighter. “Thank you, Elin. And I will try to control my thoughts. I do not wish for you to hear everything.”
He laughed. “We will see about that princess.”
The lights from the corridor below illuminated the last few stairs. Elin released Sebial’s hand. He crept ahead and peeked around the wall into the hall. Four guards stood at the end of the hall before the cross hall.
He stepped back into the darkness of the stairs. “It looks like we will have to fight before we can go further. There are four about one hundred feet from us. There is no chance of a surprise attack.”
“I can use my magic. I can use ice darts. They fly fast, and as long as I hit each one in the neck, they won't make a sound.” Sebial’s eyes turned blue. Her dress flashed a flame blue before revealing her armor.
Elin smiled. “Your transformation is beautiful as always. I do not wish for you to shed the first blood, though.”
Sebial placed her hand on his shoulder. “We have no choice. You are only skilled in healing magic.”
She stepped around him and looked into the hallway. She covered her hands, within eight small blue darts formed. She uncovered her hand. Using her right hand, she rotated in a circular motion as her palm faced the up. The blue darts lifted off from her left hand and floated in front of her. Sebial took a slow breath in as she aimed two darts at each man's neck. She moved her arms back while her fingers slightly covered her palms. She quickly opened her hand as she exhaled. The darts flew through the air. Elin held his breath as he watched the darts fly.
The darts pierced the men in the sides of their necks. They dropped to the ground, grabbing at the pointed shards that had shredded their arteries. Blood spurted to the ground. One of the men attempted to let out a scream, but the blood filled his mouth before he could.
Elin smiled. “That was impressive. Let us hope there weren’t guards in the other halls that witnessed that. So we shall stay here for a moment. It gives us the best cover.”
“No, we will move forward. I have only felt magic like Woldiniar’s a few times in my life. He is fighting and not for just fun. It could be Nalenero.”
Elin tightened his fists. “So be it. But we do not know the way.”
“Let us go left first. It just feels right.” Sebial smiled and walked ahead of him.
“So be it. We will follow your gut.”
They stepped over the bodies, careful not to step in the blood and leave tracks. Elin looked behind from time to time to check for any guards.
Twenty
“So let me see here,” Woldiniar smiled. He pointed at a dark figure floating near him, its body draped in black cloth, its face a black mist. “I will take you on first.”
The creature flew at him. Woldiniar smiled and whistled. The creature erupted from within, flames shot through the opening of its hood. A pile of cloth fell to the floor.
“That was easy enough. I guess you lot are weaker than I thought. I will just finish you, odd creatures, at once and then work my way to the rest.” Woldiniar said aloud to the group within the room.
The group of masked creatures charged forward. Woldiniar smiled. With a loud whistle, their bodies burned and fell into heaps of cloth on the floor.
Woldiniar looked over to the woman chained to the floor. “Do not worry, darling. I will help you soon.”
He turned his gaze to the remaining ten who stood within the room. He pointed to the man wearing the red cape. “You will be last. I have a feeling I will enjoy seeing who you are, but first, I have some others to deal with.” Woldiniar winked.
Three men wearing gray robes began to chant as they approached Woldiniar. A glowing white orb appeared between them. Sparks shot out from within it.
“So it takes three to make something that small?” Woldiniar laughed. “Weak mages. Go on, try to hit me.”
They ignored his words. They continued their chanting until they were within a few feet of Woldiniar.
The one in the center yelled out in an unknown tongue. They released the orb. It flew towards Woldiniar.
Woldiniar reached his hand out and grabbed it. He looked down at the orb and smiled. “My turn.”
He took in a deep breath and exhaled. White smoke left his mouth, it swirled around the orb of electricity. Quickly intensifying in size. The mages backed away in fear.
“Where do you three think you are going? I have to repay your kindness!” Woldiniar released the orb. It stopped just before hitting the mages. They let out a sigh of relief. Woldiniar shook his finger. “Tsk tsk tsk. It isn’t done yet.”
With a quick whistle from Woldiniar, the orb exploded. Bolts of lightning shot through the mages. They screamed out in pain as their bodies flew back, hitting a table covered in random vials of unknown liquids. Woldiniar snapped his fingers, bolts shot forth, hitting the mages in the forehead. They seized any sound.
Woldiniar looked towards four men standing near the man in the red cape. The men stood tall, their muscles bulging from beneath the fabric. Their eyes glowed a deep yellow. “You four are not human... anymore. I will release you from your sufferings. It appears you have been experimented on with the beasts of old. It will be a painful death since it is not just your soul I will be destroying. It will also be the soul of the ones you have been forced to join with.”
One of the men stepped forward. His eyes bloodshot. He squeezed his fists. “You will not harm our master. We wished for this to happen. We need this strength to stop evil like you!”
The man charged at Woldiniar, his fist held high. He swung his arm at Woldiniar.
Woldiniar stepped to the side. The man's fist narrowly missing Woldiniar’s face.
Woldiniar raised his hand and grabbed the man’s forearm. Squeezing tightly until he heard bones snapping. The man yelled out in pain. He looked over at his arm in Woldiniar’s grasp. He tried to tug his arm free while grunting in pain. Woldiniar didn’t budge.
“You think that is enough to subdue me!?” The man yelled out. He tugged harder but to no avail. He yanked again, this time tearing the tendons and skin apart on his shoulder. He let out a bloodcurdling scream as blood began to pour from his shoulder.
Woldiniar glanced down at the detached arm in his hand. “I guess I don’t need that anymore.” He threw it to the side. Woldiniar used his cape to wipe the blood off his hand. �
�Shall we continue? Or will you collapse from blood loss? There is a main artery there, in case you were wondering.”
The man stumbled for a moment while holding his gushing shoulder. His eyes flashed a bright yellow. Tightening his grip on his shoulder, he charged towards Woldiniar. His head slamming into Woldiniar’s stomach.
“That tickles,” Woldiniar stated as he looked at the large man pushing against his stomach. “I think we need to stop this though. I have had this robe for years if you cannot tell by how worn it is. I would hate to bloody it further. And right now, it is getting very bloody.”
The man didn’t listen as he continued pushing. Woldiniar sighed. He opened his hand, black smoke formed between his fingers. Woldiniar placed his hand on the man’s neck. His smoke-covered fingers reaching into the skin. Woldiniar tightened his grip with a hard yank, he removed the man's vertebrae. The man collapsed to the floor. The smoke disappeared from his hand, he dropped the few vertebrae on the man's back.
Woldiniar looked at the others. “So, who's next?”
The remaining giant men ran for him. One shouted out. “We can take him out together!”
Woldinair rolled his eyes. “Boring.” He let out a whistle. Snapping and screams came from the three men as their femurs broke.
“Come on. Get me!” Woldiniar taunted as he approached the men groaning on the floor.
They tried to stand, their eyes filled with rage.
“How adorable. Your eyes seem so determined, yet I can see the tears lurking on the cusp of pouring. You three are nothing. No beast or man can defeat me!” Woldiniar squatted in front of them. “Let me tell you this, you should feel honored to die at my hands. I am merciful.” Woldiniar laughed. “Maybe not so merciful, but I like to think I am. This was nice, though. It's hard to find young men so enamored by their masters. Maybe he will give you a great burial?” Woldiniar glanced over to the man in the red cape. The man backed away towards the side room. “Hmm, maybe not. He seems to be a coward. Oh well.”
Woldiniar stood up and fixed his robe, tightening the belt. He rubbed his hands together. Woldiniar distanced his arms and turned his palms down. A force of wind pressed down on the men. Sounds of bones crushing and fluids squeezing out filled the room.
“That makes seven. I have a few more to go.” Woldiniar yelled into the next room. “Do not worry, Red, you are next! I hope you don’t mind that I named you Red! It seems fitting given you are the only one here wearing red!”
Twenty-One
“Which way do I go?” Raqee panicky flew between two halls. “If only I can ask one of these guards' directions.” Raqee stared at the guards dressed in all black, their faces covered with a black mask. He laughs to himself. “Yeah, asking the enemy. This bug life has truly ruined me. Curse you, Woldiniar.”
“What was that noise?!” A guard spoke to the other one. They drew their swords and looked down a long hall.
“It sounds like a fight.” The other guard stated. “Should we go?”
“No, let us stand here ready for whatever might come.” He stood tall with a firm grip on his sword.
Raqee flew in the direction of the noise the guards spoke of. “They have incredible hearing. I heard nothing. Maybe that is due to being a bug? Or maybe I’m too anxious.” He shook his body and flew towards the noise the guards spoke of.
He quickly flew down a long hall and around the corner to see three guards lying on the ground. Their bodies were wrapped in flaming blue ropes. Standing above them was Sebial, her body covered in flames, her eyes a glistening blue. Her hair moved as if it was in water. Raqee shivered from her overwhelming presence. She smirked as she pulled on the rope in her hand. The guards cringed from the tightening ropes.
Sebial leaned towards the guards. “Now, which one of you will tell me where to go? Or do I have to burn you one by one?” She smiled.
Raqee’s attention broke from her as he noticed fighting behind her. Elin had his sword drawn and was fighting two guards. Their bodies were cut in various places. Elin went to lunge with his sword pointed at the guard on the left. His foot slid on blood covering the floor. He jumped, using his back foot to stabilize himself before stabbing the guard in the shoulder with a downward motion. The guard dropped his sword, the blade clinked on the ground. He squeezed his shoulder as blood poured from the wound. The guard stared at Elin with fear and pain in his eyes.
Elin brushed him off. He stepped to the side, his sword ready for the next guard. The guard yelled and charged forward. A slight grin appeared on Elin’s face. He dropped down low. He aimed his sword upwards, spearing the guard in the stomach. The guard let out a bloodcurdling scream. He began to frantically swing his sword, trying to hit Elin.
Elin quickly ripped the sword from the guard and stepped back. The guard collapsed, his body convulsing as blood pooled around him.
“Sebial, did they say anything?” Elin asked with thready words as he tried to catch his breath.
“Nothing yet, Elin.” She smiled at him. “But it won't be that way for long.” Sebial tugged the ropes again. Burn marks appeared on the guards. Their cries were muffled by the binding on their mouths.
“Should I approach them?” Raqee asked as he watched in fear. “Woldiniar didn’t mention anything about this. They are beasts. There is nothing human about her. She has no soul. And that elf, he is dark. His eyes show no emotion. What type of people did I get myself involved with?”
Raqee went flying away from them but stopped. “If I leave, Woldiniar will keep me in this form. I can’t remain a bug.” He buzzed loudly.
Flying towards them, he shook from fear.
“Sebial, make them speak. Now. Time is of the essence.” Elin urged her as he sheathed his blood-covered sword. His hand gripped a slash on his arm.
Sebial let out a sigh. Her eyes filled with bloodlust. “I need answers. NOW!” She demanded. Blue flames shot from her body.
The guards didn’t move. She inhaled deeply before sending more flames down the rope. Elin stepped back from the ever-growing heat of her flames. The man closest to her screamed through the binds on his mouth as he burned, his body making sizzling and crackling noises as he turned into a pile of ash. Sebial looked to the other two guards. “Speak. If I do not like your answers, you will join him.”
Raqee buzzed between Sebial and Elin. “I can do this. I can.” Raqee looked between the two of them. He shivered when he saw the flames around Sebial’s body. He turned to Elin and approached.
Elin swatted him away. Raqee composed himself after being caught by the breeze from Elin’s hand. He flew back to Elin. He got near his ear and took a deep breath before yelling. “Elin! Sebial! Woldiniar sent me! He is near and needs your help!”
Elin froze as he listened to the yelling bug near his ear. He shook his head. “Sebial, stop for a moment. It seems we have a small friend with us.”
Her eyes flashed over to him. He stepped back. “She is fierce,” Raqee spoke into Elin’s ear.
“I am well aware little bug,” Elin whispered back.
“What is it, Elin?”
“Woldiniar delivered a message through this little bug. Let us end this and follow it.”
Sebial sighed and nodded reluctantly. She set fire the ropes, killing the guards instantly.
“Let us go.” She sighed again. Depressed by not having more fun.
Elin and Raqee shivered from her honest words. “Bug, lead us there.” Elin urged.
“My name is Raqee. I am not a bug.” He shook around. “It doesn’t matter. Let us hurry. Woldiniar probably broke his words. Which means he is fighting alone.”
Raqee flew ahead. Sebial and Elin quickly followed the tiny bug. Raqee stopped and turned to them. “There are two guards around this bend. After that, I didn’t see any, but that could have changed.”
“I don’t have time for this,” Sebial snarled. She ran around the corner, leaving Elin and Raqee.
Screams echoed from where she ran. They quickly rounded the corner to see h
er standing above two piles of ash. “Shall we continue?” Sebial said with a smile.
Elin swallowed. His eyes flashed from her to the ash. “Raqee, do not get on her bad side. I am glad she never came close to doing this to me.”
“I will not. Yet I fear Woldiniar more.” Raqee said while they ran behind her.
“Which way, bug?!” Sebial shouted back.
“Left and then a right. He will be in that hall.”
Sebial ran faster. Flames extended from her body. Scorch marks left on the wall to her left as she ran along it.
Elin and Raqee looked over at the wall, their eyes filled with fear but didn’t slow pace as Sebial left them behind.
Twenty-Two
Woldiniar leaned against the wall. He looked down at the woman still chained. “I can’t place my finger on it. But I swear I know you. Given, I might just be thinking about the last woman I enjoyed tied up.” Woldiniar raised his hands, palms forward. “I swear it was consensual. I would never bind a woman against her will.” He stopped to think. “Well, if they were bad, I would. But you do not appear to be bad, taking into consideration the surrounding circumstance. Anyways, enough of my ramblings. I must return to rescuing you.”
Two men quietly approached from either side of the room, swords drawn. Woldiniar smirked. “No need for stealth, boys. I am not blind.”
They looked towards each other with worried glances.
They nodded to each other. Their gazes went back at Woldiniar and charged. Woldiniar grabbed their hands wielding the swords and yanked them forward, causing them to stab each other in the chest. They collapsed at his feet.
“Now, that was pointless.” He laughed. “Get it? Pointless? The tips are gone! HAH! I crack myself up sometimes.” Woldiniar wiped a tear from his eye.