Zupher clenched his jaw.
“Are you kidding me?! You'd be content with burning all of them alive?”
“The smoke will kill them before the fire does any serious damage, plus, they're pretty much dead already from what the vampires did to them. It is justice, in my eyes, to kill them. The state they’re in is irreversible from what I've heard.”
“The least we can do is to inform the nearby villagers that this prison is holding people, as Muriel said. What happens if the local village shaman, for instance, has a means of helping these prisoners out?”
Racer laughed.
“There's no way lad. If a mage from the Arcane Society can't help them, then no one can! Don't doubt me.”
Zupher looked over to Earl and Bellona.
“What do you guys think about this?”
“I honestly don't know. This whole argument is making me feel uneasy,” Earl said.
“They may be brain-dead, however, they still have souls and spirit. In all due respect, it isn't our right to decide on whether they should live or die. The villages or loved ones of the prisoners should make that decision,” Bellona said.
“Alright, alright. Let’s get going now. We'll decide on a person to inform the villages when we’re back at the sanctuary.”
Chapter 23
Lucius
Muriel and Lucius were walking in a tulip field, towards their village.
“This place never fails to impress me during spring. Absolutely enchanting,” Lucius said, with moist eyes and an unfocused gaze.
Muriel picked a yellow and red tulip. She handed the red one over to Lucius.
“These were the colours we had always favoured back when we used to come here often.”
Muriel and Lucius continued onwards for the next few moments in silence.
“Lucius, do you mind telling me what happened?” Muriel asked, slightly hesitant.
Lucius's nostalgic mood dimmed.
“I headed over to the cliff one day, to clear my mind and be alone. It was new moon that night and the stars were on full display. I lay down near the edge and started to stargaze when suddenly I heard footsteps approaching me. I stood up and saw four vampires before me. They asked me if I was from the Arcane Society. I replied saying that I'm not a part of it, but they didn't buy it. They attacked me. I managed to kill one of them, but I was ultimately unable to defend myself against their combined forces. They then took me to their prison, and started to interrogate me. I was beaten every day, starved numerous times and suffocated regularly for nearly a month. They kept on asking me the same questions, all relating to the Arcane Society; where it was, how many members it had, who the Archmage was, and so on. I kept on telling them I had nothing to do with the Society, but they persistently kept on torturing me. You know, if you guys hadn't come today, I don't think I would have lasted another night there.”
Muriel leant over to Lucius and put her arm on his shoulder.
“All that matters now is you're safe. That means the world to me.”
Muriel and Lucius entered their village parameter and headed towards Elsje's hut.
Muriel knocked on the door.
“Who is it?”
“Muriel and I,” Lucius said.
“Lucius?!”
Moments later Elsje swung open the door. As soon as she set her eyes on Lucius, they started gleaming and her chin started trembling. She threw herself over at him and hugged him immensely.
“You're back! You're finally back! Please come in!”
Muriel and Lucius entered Elsje's hut and sat next to each other by the fireplace. Lucius then explained to Elsje what happened.
“My goodness. How dreadful. Thank the divine that Muriel was able to come over and rescue you!”
“I couldn't of done it without Zupher and the three other Arcane Society mages.”
Elsje then broke eye contact with Muriel for a few moments. Zupher had gone against her word and had helped Muriel join the Arcane Society. But now since Lucius was here before her very eyes, present within her hut, she couldn't help but feel delighted.
“Aye, I was about to ask where Zupher was, before I remembered how strict the Society is with regards to undertaking personal ventures during missions. How long are they going to allow you to stay here for?”
“I'm going to leave early tomorrow morning.”
“Well, make yourself at home dear, for what it’s worth. I'll go and get you guys some tea now!”
Elsje stood up and retired into her kitchen.
Muriel looked over at Lucius and kept her gaze fixed on him. She wanted to experience his raw presence, for as long as she could.
“You never taught me where you learnt your magical skills, you know.”
“I know.”
“What will I have to do in order for you to tell me?”
“You have already done more than enough. I was initially waiting until you got a little older. However, after what you did to rescue me, I know without a doubt the time is right.”
Lucius stared into the fire.
“You probably don't remember much about mum and dad. They were very spiritual people, especially dad. He had an particular interest in psychedelic plants. One day when I was thirteen, he told me to follow him. I asked him where we were heading to, but he told me it was a surprise. We ended up walking into the Great Forest and he led me to an old tree stump. I looked around in confusion and raised up my hands in doubt. He then started brushing away the leaves on top of the stump, and after a minute or two, I could see a trapdoor. He pulled out a black key from his pocket and unlocked the door, opened it and climbed down a ladder.
“Come on in!” I could hear him calling from within.
I walked over to the trapdoor and looked down. It was pitch black.
“You'll be okay. Trust me!” He said.
I took his word for it and started climbing down. Once I reached the bottom, I still couldn't see a thing, besides clusters of glowing orange mushrooms around the space. Dad soon lit a few candles around and I figured that we were in a sort of secret underground cave. Dad beckoned me to come by him. Upon reaching his side, he pointed towards a cluster of mushrooms and said.
“These mushrooms have been passed down from generation to generation in our family. They are exotic to Elsira, and are native to the Western Lands. My great grandfather and his brothers set out on an adventure into the Western Lands to look for new territory and resources in their youth. It is said that deep into the labyrinth of the Western Lands they came across this very mushroom you see before your eyes. Wary at first, my great grandfather and his kin waited around the proximity of the mushrooms to see if any animals reacted to them. He noticed that fauns would eat them and would soon after fly away into the heavens. He then brought as many clusters of the mushroom as he could back with him and started cultivating it in the very lair where we're now.”
“I was shocked at what I'd heard. I never thought that fauns actually existed and hearing that this mushroom gave one the ability to fly, got me really curious. Dad then picked two mushrooms and told me that we'll eat them together at the same time. Fifteen seconds after I had swallowed mine, I felt as if my body had launched into the air at electric speed. It was not my physical body, however, but my astral body that had been released. I then found myself in a higher realm or dimension. Dad said he had been visiting this realm ever since his father told him about the mushrooms, and that he comes here to receive training from certain entities. I then had my first lesson that day on the basic philosophy and practice of magic, and trained with dad every week since, for the next two years.”
“So you used a special kind of mushroom to enter a higher realm from which you learnt your magical skill?” Muriel asked.
“Indeed.”
“I know this will be going a little off topic, but since you mentioned mum and dad earlier, do you mind telling me what happened to them?”
“When I was fifteen, I think you were three years old. Dad came
home one night, unusually lethargic. In the middle of the night mum woke me up and urgently rushed me towards dad, who was lying down on his bed, shaking and sweating profusely. Mum said that she had no idea what was wrong with him and asked me if there was anything I could do to help him. I too was clueless on his condition. His affliction ended up killing him that night, and to this day, I haven't figured out what the problem was. Dad's death hit mum really hard. She became heavily depressed. The following week she disappeared and never returned. I fear she committed suicide.”
Muriel and Lucius sat in silence for the next few minutes.
“It pains me to hear that, but I am relieved that I at least know the truth now,” Muriel said, raising her chin. Lucius gave Muriel a hug.
“Could I maybe try using the mushroom?” Muriel asked.
“It is a strict family secret, and now that you're part of the Arcane Society, that secret may be under threat.”
“What is up with you and the Arcane Society? Why do you seem so against it?”
“Committing myself to an order is not in my interest. I want to be free and unrestricted. I also don't trust them. How they go about magic seems a little suspicious to me. I won’t protest you being there, however, there are certain things in life, which we ought to learn and experience ourselves.
Elsje returned from the kitchen humming, with a sparkle in her eyes.
“Here's your tea guys. It warms my heart to see you two together again.”
Muriel and Lucius nodded and had their tea.
Chapter 24
Android Attack
Lord Auberon was sitting down by his table, feeding on a young baby, when his lead scientist came rushing into his room.
“My lord, I think he has been located!”
“What do you mean 'think'. I want you to be certain.”
“The android has declared that it has found its target, so I am in fact adamant that it his him. You better come over to the lab and see for yourself; you're definitely going to find this interesting.
Lord Auberon got up and went down to the longhouse basement with his scientist.
“Now let me just turn on this screen...”
After pressing a button on a control panel, a wide screen lit up that displayed the entire vision of the android in first person.
“Where is it now exactly?” Lord Auberon asked.
“It is a few miles south from the canyon. It is currently hiding in a bush.”
“Where is Zupher?”
The scientist walked over to the control panel and started typing in instructions. The android then shifted its position and focused on four persons.
“The person on the far left is Zupher. The android has matched him perfectly to the strand of hair that was provided.”
“I wonder who those other three people are? No matter. Command the android to kill them. After they are disposed of, I want to see the android bring Zupher back to me.”
“As you wish my lord.”
The scientist went over to the control panel and gave the android the go-ahead. It sprung out of the bush and landed in front of Zupher, Racer, Bellona and Earl.
“Ha! We have him now. There's no escape for him!” Lord Auberon laughed.
“What do we have here?” Racer said, looking over at the android.
“Could only be from one of the cities. Don't worry guys, I'm well enough now to handle this,” Bellona said. The android dashed towards Bellona, and reached out with its razor sharp metallic hands only to be rapidly blown away.
The screen that Lord Auberon was watching on started to glitch and crackle.
“What the hell was that?! Did you see what happened?”
“No, my lord.”
The android got up and the sight it beheld shocked Lord Auberon like never before. Earl had summoned a destruction fairy.
“Is that a summoned creature? Those are mages! He must have joined the Arcane Society. I want you to command the android to retreat immediately!”
“Retreat to where?”
“Safely away from the mages you fool!”
The scientist went back to the control panel and instructed the android to flee.
“And can you put the god damn rear camera on. I know they are going to try something crafty.”
The android started to run.
Racer looked over at the fleeing android in confusion. “Why is it now fleeing? Seems really suspicious to me. Bellona, Earl, can you guys hit it with a ranged spell?”
“She is charging a spell. Don't let it hit our android, no matter what!” Lord Auberon said, keeping a sharp eye on the screen.
Bellona launched a fireball directly bound at the android.
“Duck!” Lord Auberon yelled.
The scientist typed in a string code as quickly as he could, which made the android duck and evade the fireball, with microseconds to spare.
“Well done, our android is well out of range now.”
Moments after speaking, the camera when black.
Lord Auberon slammed his hands on the control panel, enraged. “What happened to the transmission?!”
“I'm afraid our android has been destroyed.”
“Destroyed, how?!”
“My lord, I am afraid I don't...”
Lord Auberon wove his hand towards the scientist and forced him in the air. He then started draining his life-force. Each second that passed by, the scientist got paler and thinner. Lord Auberon then released the spell and the scientist’s body fell to the floor in a pile of ash.
One of Lord Auberon's servants rushed into the room.
“My lord, I heard shouting. Is everything ok..a...”
The servant halted in his speech at the sight of Lord Auberon's eyes. They were blood red and sent piercing feelings of fear directly to his heart.
“I thought I finally had a means of locating the Arcane Society. Our scientist here, unfortunately failed me,” Lord Auberon pointed to the pile of ash. “Let this be a personal warning to you that you'll suffer the same fate, if you ever disappoint me like that. Now, be gone!”
The servant rushed out of the basement and burst into tears soon after.
Chapter 25
Debrief
Zupher, Racer, Bellona and Earl were approaching the Arcane Society.
“That piece of junk didn't see it coming,” Zupher said, laughing.
“I haven't seen you summon that fairy before,” Bellona said.
Earl closed his eyes and grinned.
“Aye, it is a fairly new fairy that I was recently able to bind. Its wand has remarkably strong telekinesis abilities.”
“Are you sure we shouldn't have tried searching it?” Zupher asked.
“That tree came down on it pretty hard. Not to mention the sheer size of the tree. Totally crushed scrap metal won't prove to be so useful,” Racer said.
Upon entering the foyer, Zupher and the team found the rest of the mages seated in the lounge.
“Welcome back team! Come on over,” Archmage Aegeus said.
The team split up and Zupher went over to sit by Muriel.
“So tell me team, what happened? Were you successful?”
Racer stepped up and stood in the middle of the other mages, facing the Archmage.
“The so-called stronghold, turned out to be a prison. We encountered three vampires, and were able to kill all three. There were dozens of prisoners within that were being used as vampire cattle. They were in such a bad state that even Muriel's potions were helpless. We decided to leave them there at the prison, as we felt that it would be immoral to set them free into the dangerous world in their terribly vulnerable state. The nearby villagers should be informed of the prisoners, and they should send their own men to aid them.”
“Excellent Racer, I am glad you were able to deal with those wretched beasts! Well done to the rest of the team for collectively working to make the mission a success. It is sad beyond compare, to hear about the situation of the prisoners. I respect your final decision
with regards to them.”
The Archmage directed his gaze at Fae.
“Fae, tomorrow you and Najla are going to head over to Cliffside Village, Lakeside Village, and the Northeastern Village to inform them of this prison. Tell them if they have any missing persons, there is a strong chance that they are at the prison.” Fae and Najla nodded.
Xenos stepped forward into the centre.
“I have noticed a lot of gossip lately amongst you all, relating to a stone of unsullied magical power. Apparently it is a rumour from an explorer from Adlok, as you all know. I have spoken to the Archmage about this, and he agrees that it would be extremely detrimental to the Arcane Society if this rumour were to spread to the Royal Council. Any tool of extraordinary power that they might have could prove to be extremely harmful to our survival. We need to go and investigate the island that potentially holds this stone, before the Royal Council does. If anyone were to hold the stone, it ought to be us.”
“I highly agree with Xenos. We are going to send the same team towards the island tomorrow. Freya and Oriel will tag along to make it a team of seven.”
“Archmage Aegeus, do you realise that we'll have to enter Adlok in order to reach the northern coastline? There is a mountain range to the east and west of the Adlok parameter.”
“I am well aware of that Zupher. Do not worry. I have personally made some aura-muffling scrolls that will help you to tread the city limits, safe from potential vampire detection. Freya has also crafted some disguising scrolls that will help you blend in within the city. Thank you, you are all dismissed.” The Archmage wove the mages off and retired into his quarters.
Racer walked up to Zupher and Muriel.
“Muriel, do you know how to make an invisibility potion by any chance?”
“I do, yes. Why do you ask?”
“I reckon that it would do Zupher wonders if he were able to go invisible.”
“The ingredient I need to make the potion is rare. I have a small supply left. I'll only be able to make about two bottles.”
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