by JW Baccaro
“You three come here, why?” The dragon ignored the question.
“To destroy the sorcerer,” Darshun quickly answered. “Yet our business is our own.”
The Dragon gazed steadily at Darshun’s necklace and greatly widened his eyes. He stood up, bringing his face next to Darshun’s.
He could feel the Dragon’s hot breath and only the bars of the cell were keeping him from singeing his face.
Then the Dragon bowed. “At long last, Guardian arrives.”
“You—know of me?”
“It is Dragon, boy. Of course it knows. The Second Great War continues. It now sees why you have come here. In order to pass through Asgoth and enter the dark land Syngothra, one must vanquish the Throne.”
“Correct indeed. But before we attempt that, I want to free you. Tell me how.”
“Wretched Valnar can only do that. He must release his spell or be destroyed.”
“Then he will be destroyed!”
“Beware, the wretched is no common sorcerer, neither Human, but an Atharraich.”
“A—what?”
“Atharraich, a creature of the Dark from the depths of sea, whose nature is to torment others in mind, lead them to insanity, enslavement or self-inflicted death.”
Sounds like the Dark Queen, Darshun thought.
“If Guardian has a dark past then be careful when approaching him. He may convert your mind to darkness.”
“So, at long last this is Valnar’s true nature,” Caelestias noted.
“The wretched sorcerer is secretive. Few know his existence, or his true being.” At that moment Minevara walked in; the Dragon lifted his head, raising an eyebrow. “Ah, a female Wizard-Man,” the Dragon said. "How exotic, how beautiful. Never seen female."
She jumped back in terror at the sight.
“It’s okay,” Darshun soothed. “He’s on our side.”
“Oh?” she asked with a gasping breath, slowly approaching her brother. “Well, there is another strange creature in the western door too. He has the lower body of a brown horse, and the upper body of a man, with wild auburn hair, like a stallion! If I remember correctly that is a—”
“Centaur!” Caelestias gasped. “I have not seen one in years. Is he alive?”
“He is, but unconscious.”
“Favonius his name,” the Dragon said. “He lies in prison with another Wizard-Man.”
“Another—Nasharin?” Darshun asked.
Then Nayland entered. Unlike the others, he didn’t seem startled or shocked upon witnessing the Dragon. Just another earthly creature to him.
The Dragon glared him in the eye, studying his presence. “Ah yes, the brother of he."
Brother? "You speak of Kaylis!” Nayland exclaimed.
“Indeed it does. However, brother is taken to the highest peak of the tower.”
“How do I reach the top?”
“It cannot help you there, it is sorry.”
“What good are you, then dragon?” His eyes flashed and he drew his axe. “I will find the seventh layer myself. Stay here to rot, all of you.”
“Please do not go off on your own again,” Minevara begged.
“Leave me alone woman, I do not need your company anymore. It was a waste to begin with!” He turned around and stormed out of the room.
“If I could only have my way with him he would never speak such disrespect again!” she said, whipping her hair out of her face.
“He is not well,” Mirabel reminded her.
"Do not let angry Wizard-Man approach wretched Valnar," the Dragon warned. "That one's life is dreadful—see it in his eyes. He may lose will, become slave. Too much darkness gives enemy power."
Darshun chased after him and found him standing within the circle of doors. “Nayland, please come back with me to the others. Let us not rush this.”
“I do not need their help Darshun, or yours! Leave my presence.”
“We are in this together. Besides, you have already asked for my help. Remember?”
Before Nayland could respond the circular room shook, sounds of steel wheels screeched beyond the rock walls, and the platform began to move upward. They had no time to pass back into the hallway and the others were still beyond the southern door.
“What is happening?” Darshun asked.
“This room appears to be some type of lift or transport, and we are ascending. Good. It will save me the trouble of finding another way.” He clenched fists.
Oh no, Darshun thought, fearing the worst if they confronted Valnar. With the way things were looking they just might, and soon. He would have to strike fast, cutting the sorcerer down. Though he’d never faced an Atharraich. Would it be difficult? Nah, not in Ascension form.
The transport elevated for a long while and then stopped at two doors, shining chrome like the one on the second level. They began to open, letting loose a loud screeching sound.
Nayland grabbed Darshun’s arm and they both disappeared with Nayland using his ability to be in shadow.
Just then, a large number of Bugbears came into the Transport. Their smell rancid, like the transport turned into a trench of rotting carcasses and spoiled fruit, hideous! Once again, the platform ascended. Who might be controlling the movement remained a mystery. Finally, it stopped at a single door. The Bugbears opened it and passed through—thankfully, their smell nearly caused the Nasharins to vomit.
The two Nasharins reappeared and Nayland let go of his arm.
“Thank you for helping me,” Darshun whispered.
“Far be it from 'helping' you.” Nayland scowled. “I merely want no interference disrupting my hunt with Valnar. And I prefer finding the vile before he finds me. Now come, it’s this way.”
“How can you be sure we are at the seventh layer?”
“I am sure! Now either come with me or stay behind. I don’t really care.”
"As you wish." Upon first contact with Valnar, transform yourself Darshun. Be ready. Nayland will be infuriated that I strike him down first, but it’s worth his rage rather than see him fall to enslavement.
Cautiously, they passed through the doorway and entered into another hallway having a long corner. Around the bend, they saw a faint blue light and—felt a presence of great evil. They crept forward, the light becoming brighter, and voices traveled their way—the Bugbears! They crouched down and listened.
“Your command, my lord?” one of the Bugbears asked.
“We have visitors,” said a crackling, eerie voice. “The trees have informed me that a large number of Light Elves lie hidden within the forest across the bridge. I want you to gather six hundred soldiers, cross over casually, then attack them without warning. Leave a few alive. I must know why they have come, and how they were able to get past the Eye. Go now, destroy.”
“As you command, my lord.”
The Bugbears started back toward the transport, marching right at Darshun and Nayland.
“The Elves!” Darshun warned. “We must not let these foes pass. So much for the element of surprise on Valnar.”
Without warning, Nayland transformed and charged forward like a shadow of lightning.
The Bugbears were startled and shocked, scattering aimlessly. Before they could attack or make sense of the situation, the enraged Nayland cut them down in fury.
Never before did Darshun see him take out such a large number of enemies—single handedly! Darshun hadn’t the chance to even make one kill.
His axe did indeed feast on Bugbears this day. Bloody dismembered parts lie everywhere. Then Nayland turned to him, eyes still fierce, and raised his weapon as though he too were an enemy.
“Nayland?” Darshun called, confused and a little scared.
Nayland then threw the axe at Darshun’s head—so Darshun thought, but it whizzed by a mere inch away, striking one last Bugbear who’d been creeping up from behind, holding a knife, attempting to slit Darshun's throat. “Phew,” Darshun said, letting out a sigh of relief. “For a second, I wondered whose side
you are really on.”
"My own," he said, retrieving his axe from the fallen Bugbear’s skull.
“So you claim. Very well. Let us continue, but be careful, it is obvious Valnar already knows we’re here—"
Ignoring him, Nayland ran forward as though his life depended on it.
"Ah, great," Darshun mumbled and chased after him.
Running into Valnar’s lair they discovered the source of the light…a great cauldron of blue shining liquid. Looking into it, they saw the color fade, revealing landscapes of Asgoth, even Castle Volborg. In fact, Darshun could have sworn he saw Queen Talvenya exiting the castle. This pool must be where the Throne transmits its gaze. Valnar, however, was nowhere to be seen, at least not out in the open. Most of the lair remained in shadow.
“Valnar!” Nayland shouted. “Show yourself!!”
“So, you’ve come,” the crackling voice spoke from within the darkness.
"I know that is you. Show yourself!"
"As you desire." Valnar stepped into the blue light revealing his form. Just as Nayland remembered, he, or it, stood a towering twelve, maybe fifteen feet—his freakish head alone taking up one third of his body. He wore a long black leather garment covering the majority of his body, his skin bluish-white. His face resembled a creature of the sea having six long tentacles hanging under its white glaring eyes, with an oily substance constantly dripping from them. “I was expecting you, but not the Elves.” His tentacles flung up and down when he spoke. “Yes, your brother’s mind revealed much to me about you, Nayland Winveil.”
There was just no getting used to that crackling eerie tone.
“I remember you,” Nayland snarled. “I can never forget your name, sorcerer. You were the one who killed my father.”
With a look of surprise he gasped. “Killed? I think what you mean to say is that I was the one who defeated him, twisted his mind to darkness, just as I am doing to your brother’s. I will show you.” He raised his hand and blue light lit the wall above. There, Kaylis hung against the stone, some thirty feet high bound by glowing white rings around his hands and feet. “This boy has such amazing sleeping powers, capable of immense destruction. I have seen for myself. But too much good flows within him, so my corruption is taking a bit of time. Once accomplished, he will be my prize possession of a slave.”
Slave. No! Now it would be Darshun’s time to act. He transformed, raising his power so much the red flames scattered everywhere.
* * *
Nayland not seeing his Transformation since he last did battle with him, prior to Shajin Island, stood amazed.
Valnar’s eyes flashed, and as it appeared, three shining blue-violet rings, the first having a perimeter of three feet, the second two feet and the last a foot—each following after the other—sprung forth out of the sorcerer’s head and struck Darshun. Like a candle they went ‘out’ or disappeared.
Darshun felt an excruciating pain in his skull, fell to his knees, and then onto the floor. He held his head thrashing back and forth, twitching and turning.
“Even a Nasharin as mighty as he is helpless against my mind blast,” Valnar announced.
“Stop it!” Nayland shouted.
Valnar’s eyes flashed again and this time Nayland’s mind was struck, but with something different, no rings, no rays of light—something within. Dark memories flooded his mind, painful memories of his once forgotten tragedy, coming to life more vivid than even what the Witch brought. He swore he could have spat on Valnar as a twelve year old teen. Then he witnessed his father slain, a sword piercing his chest, then the sounds of his mother raped, his brother captured and worst of all, over fifty teens his age—all befriended to him, each one considered a suspect, a possible Darshun, the child ‘stolen’ from the High Cullach of Arman, the sacrifice unfinished; were lined up and gutted like swine. Hate and vengeance burned through him like a wildfire while he desperately tried to block the visions, knowing where his mind would lead.
“Your mind is strong, very strong,” Valnar observed. “But there is no reason to resist. I am not your enemy. It is that Nasharin whom you despise. He is the reason your father died, why your village was destroyed. Your anger burns against him like a storm. I can see it within your mind. Why fight it?”
Memories of his father’s words, everything he’d told him about Mirabel, the betrayer, the arrogant one, murderer of Aunt Viliah, Nephew Asiel and the rest of the Ackarda, came to mind. Then especially, the sole purpose for the destruction of his village—Darshun Luthais. He is the reason for so much death. Nayland’s legs trembled and he fell to his knees, glaring over at Darshun.
“Yes yes, kill him!” Valnar prompted. “Satisfy your vengeance.”
He stood up and took a step toward Darshun, raising his axe.
“Nayland fight him,” Darshun pleaded, still moaning in agony. “You’re not like this, not anymore. The Dark is your enemy. Not I. It is he who deceives you, Valnar! Do not let him prevail, the coward he is.”
Valnar struck Darshun again with another blast of blue-violet rings.
Darshun shouted with pain and his groaning continued.
“I have not deceived you,” Valnar defended. “It is he who is your enemy. I have merely awakened your just hatred toward him, and have given you the strength to accomplish what you truly desire. Now finish him!”
Nayland struggled to step away from Darshun, but the vengeance within his heart became too powerful and he moved even closer, his black flaming axe hung just above Darshun’s chest.
“Do it!” Valnar shouted.
“Look into my eyes,” Darshun urged, trying his best to fight the pain which bound him. “We are brothers, Nasharins! And inside your heart you know what is Truth. Obey whatever she tells you. Truth is no deceiver.”
“Nooo!” he screamed, hands shaking violently, fighting the evil with all his strength.
Darshun wanted to weep for him, knowing the pain went beyond what even he was experiencing. “Please Nayland, my brother, fight!”
“Nooo!” he shouted again, a moment away from losing control.
Then the crystal star around Darshun’s neck shined and a flash of golden light struck Nayland. Time seemed to stand still for a moment, as Nayland seemed caught in a daze. Immediately, he faced Valnar with the most vicious look he’d ever displayed. Beyond insanity, he began walking toward him. The steps were hard, as if he moved against a great windstorm, due to the Mind Control. Nevertheless, he pushed on through, caring not whether he lived or died.
“It is not possible!” Valnar gasped, growing anxious. His eyes flashed and he struck him with the same blast he’d already been casting on Darshun.
It had no effect, not even a flinch and Nayland continued forward, holding his axe in the air.
In a panic, Valnar struck him over and over again, having the same failed results.
“Hiding behind mind powers is all you know, heathen,” Nayland hissed. “Like my father, I am a true Nasharin warrior, and you are nothing but a freak of nature, a mistake—a vile fabrication who already died five years ago when you took my father’s life!” He roared so loudly, releasing a mighty surge of energy that it disoriented Valnar’s magic. Then, with all his might Nayland charged, leapt high, and with one clean strike of the shadow enflamed axe he chopped Valnar in two, from head to groin.
An expression of awe remained across the sorcerer’s face until his body split apart and disintegrated, leaving nothing behind except a blue fading mist.
The rings around Kaylis disappeared and he helplessly fell but Nayland dove in between him and the floor, shielding his fall.
Then the forbidden pool shot out a blue energy that pierced through the ceiling following a great explosion on the roof, the destruction of the Eye. Part of the lair began to collapse.
Darshun pushed them out of the way from the falling rocks, nearly getting crushed himself. “Are you all right?”
“I believe so,” Nayland answered, still trembling from wounds in his mind. "Are
you?"
"My head is throbbing. I’ll live."
"Kaylis is unconscious, but is okay. Is it over Darshun?”
“Yeah my friend, the Eye has been vanquished, sent back to wherever it came from. And Valnar is dead. What you did was courageous. You really pulled through.”
For the first time in his life, Nayland looked at Darshun and smiled, truly smiled. Though celebrations were not for the taking yet, the clatter of soldiers rushing down the corridor leading to the tower’s roof could easily be heard. “I would have thought all upon the seventh level to be dead,” Nayland mused.
“Apparently not. They must have been spread out everywhere.”
“Oh no, the rocks that fell from the ceiling have blocked our way out of here.”
“Eh, I can blast through them but there’s no telling what else might happen to the tower, not to mention the numerous foes we would face going down. Better to go to up. Believe it or not that’s probably the safest place for our condition.”
“Are you not forgetting something Darshun? Listen to the enemies rushing down the hall! We have to get past them first. Half my strength is gone already.”
“All I need you to do is to create a windstorm, the greatest one you can. Then, I will fuse fire with your element and we shall attack together. The tunnel shall aid our attack until it reaches the top.”
“Will that be enough to defeat such a horde of Cullach and Bugbears? Listen to them all, there must be a hundred!”
Darshun smirked. “Oh yeah, it will.” In a blinding flash of light his red aura changed to dark blue flames, hair and eyes burned blue, his skin glistened sapphire, and he’d grown in size. “It shall be more than enough friend.”
Astonished, Nayland could feel Darshun’s energy surging through him, nearly taking his breath away. "So it’s true!" He gasped, gazing at his Nasharin comrade, like he’d never seen him before now. "…You have reached—Ascension. Incredible!"
The enemies were almost to them.
“We must hurry,” Darshun urged.
Nayland focused his energy, forming a great whirlwind and held it into the air.
Then Darshun created two massive streams of blue flames and carefully fused it into the wind. The ‘blue storm’ hovered above them, both struggling to keep it still.