As if replying to the mage’s thoughts, three massive explosions erupted throughout the area. In the far distance, a giant mushroom-shaped cloud tinged with enormous flecks of flame climbed into the sky, startling everybody, Tyler included. He didn’t expect the fiery explosion to be so gigantic.
I must have overcharged the spell, the mage thought as he continued to look at the sky.
While Tyler sat, his eyes watching the billowing cloud cover the horizon, the mage suddenly felt a surge of enormous power following the scrying tendril back to him. The energy quickly latched on to his mind. He blacked out for a moment, and as he came to, Tyler immediately knew it was the doing of a deity. A dark, powerful, and angry Aztecah god.
Chapter Lore:
Skita – Norse, meaning “shit.”
Chakram – An ancient Indian weapon. Variations are found in Asia – for example, among the Malays and Tibetans. The Mongols were reported to have used a spiked version. During the time of the British Empire, soldiers who experienced being on the receiving end of these throwing discs called them “quoits.” Today, the weapon is still in use, having its martial art, as well as being a ceremonial and cultural icon.
Chapter Eleven
Huitzilopochtli and Bob
Rattled by the unexpected turn of events, Tyler took a step back, and when he did, awareness of his surroundings crashed into him. He was in a middle of a dark plain, lit by an eldritch greenish illumination. The sky was black. No stars winked their luminous eyes at him. A cold wind whipped across the open ground, the chill seeping past the rent in his armor.
A large oval was opening in the sky, and soundless lightning bolts slammed into the edges of the phenomenon, forcing it wider. Within the strange circle, greenish-black mists roiled and twisted. Unconsciously, his fingers tightly gripped the staff he held in his right hand, and the mage instinctively examined the strength of his shields. To his surprise, Tyler found that the power of the barriers as well as X’s reflecting protection had tripled. The mage felt that his magical energy level had risen, though he was physically exhausted. His muscles have started showing some warning pain and a rubbery feeling was plaguing his joints – the price of non-stop spell casting.
“GUYS! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?” he shouted.
“It appears we have been drawn into a dimensional pocket. Your consciousness that is, your body remains back in the physical realm,” replied Hal. “Considering we are part of your mind for now, though separate and subordinate aspects, we also have been drawn to this space. It could do with more lighting, I suppose.”
“And who brought us here? How? And why are my power levels so high?”
“We have no answers to your first two questions, Elder. But we believe the next few minutes will reveal the who, why, and how. About the energy levels, it seems this dimensional area was formed out of magical energy drawn from Adar. The ambient energy field around us powers our existing shields. With no physical impediments to absorption, no wonder they have vastly increased in strength. The same goes for our magical reserves. It is refilling itself from pure magical energy. But I doubt if your captor knows that. Your nature and capabilities are… unique.”
Suddenly, a sizeable incandescent sphere came through the display in the atmosphere and rapidly descended to the barren plain. It gently landed on the ground several feet away from the mage and just as quickly vanished, leaving in its place a very tall being – ten-feet tall, clad only in the loincloth and cotton-and-iron breastplate ordinary Aztecah warriors use. Its headgear was a simple green headwrap. But the right hand held a massive version of the quintessential Aztecah weapon, the macuahuitl.
A warrior deity, thought Tyler. And he looked pissed-off to the max.
“YOU! So, you’re the mortal guilty of destroying my artifact! One of my primary reservoirs of power!” the newcomer bellowed, pointing at Tyler, the macuahuitl having been effortlessly tossed to its left hand. The left arm swung the gigantic weapon around as the deity yelled, as though it was just a toy.
A magical toy, observed Tyler. The tell-tale green and black flashes swirling around the obsidian blades arranged in a serrated fashion on the edges of its hardwood base was evident to the mage.
“Excuse me? What artifact?” he replied. At that point, the mage was at a loss for words. The suddenness of the transition, the instant accusation, and the weirdness of the dimension were making it difficult for Tyler to think quickly. He knew he had to stall for time to get his bearings, and hopefully get a grip on what was happening. The mage knew the chances were very high that the situation would erupt in a magical and physical fight. Against a deity, a major one if Tyler factored in the ability to create the dimensional pocket, the mage knew it would be a difficult battle. He again felt that all-too-familiar tightness in his gut.
“The skull you destroyed, dumb animal!” the visitor shouted again. “And you have done more harm than just release those pets of mine!”
This guy is really mad, Tyler observed. If he were human, he’d be frothing at the mouth right now. And starting on the insults. Probably attack when he loses it. Well, back to delaying and play the moron card he gave me.
“Guys, better start on the pre-battle assessment of this fellow. A major Aztecah deity, I believe. Prepare accordingly. When the fight starts, you’re weapons-free. Though I wonder why he didn’t attack immediately?”
“Already preparing, Elder. As to why he didn’t strike you as soon as he arrived may have something to do with the destruction of the artifact. The barrier protecting it was quite powerful, and the skull was also protected. Against a High Mage’s assault, the arrangements would have more than sufficed. But your unique spell, together with its innate power, was one no deity in this world could have expected. Well, except probably for Viracocha,” came X’s response.
“It’s just a skull. Prettily decorated. Why those mages worshiped it, I have no idea. No need to get mad over such a trifle,” Tyler told the deity. Playing dumb and being insulting at the same time. I am learning.
“JUST A SKULL? PRETTILY DECORATED? A TRIFLE?” the loud, unbelieving response came, the words echoing across the plain.
“Well, it was on a nice-looking podium made of stone. Fine artistry on those engravings, by the way. But there was nothing to give it away as an artifact of the power of a deity, which I guess you are.”
I could almost see the fumes coming out of his ears and mouth, thought Tyler as he saw the deity looking at the sky, clearly exasperated at the idiotic answers he was getting. He must have expected a different sort of mortal mage. LOL.
“We lost a battle with other gods, stupid mage! That artifact was not only a means to control those beasts. It enabled me to use some of their anti-magic traits! With the protection suddenly gone, our foes easily pushed through our defenses.! Our ranks were decimated as we beat a hasty retreat! Not to mention the efforts I had to go through and favors I had to grant to gain the knowledge of control and transference. And you are to blame for it!
Touche, thought Tyler. But I expected some serious breast-thumping and a declaration on who he is with a how-mighty-I am on the side.
“Elder. His power levels are very low, though it is now slowly but steadily being replenished. That battle must have drained more from the Aztec pantheon than they expected. They were already greatly weakened by the destruction of their temples.”
“Ssshhh. No need to give out that information. What do you suggest?”
“Strike while he’s weak. We doubt he knows what your spells are. From his words, this deity doesn’t even care who you are. Didn’t ask your name, if you noticed. To him, you’re an ordinary mage accompanying the Inkan force who managed to destroy that group of mages and the skull.”
“Suggestions?” asked Tyler who watched warily as the Aztecah deity started to saunter towards him, the enormous macuahuitl being tossed from one hand to the other. The mage took several steps back, both as a precaution and to maintain the image of a scared mage.
“A combined Elder force blast spiced with elements from your other offensive spells,” answered X. “The three of us join our energies and reserves in a massively powerful release. His shield protection is almost non-existent. Must be damaged from the battle he mentioned.”
“But he’s made of energy. And a freaking deity. Wouldn’t that lessen the damage we could inflict?” asked the mage, still watching the approaching deity who was now wearing a cruel, expectant smile on his face.
“Your spells are unique, as we said,” Hal replied. “The power to create had started to awaken in you. Remember the dark cataclysmic tornado inadvertently let loose in Skaney? That was the power of destruction. Though at your level, the new knowledge is a nascent one. But you bring into being real flame and lightning, not mere magical copies. Admittedly, they’re still heavily tinged with magical energy.”
“Huh? And you tell me this now?”
“You didn’t ask, Elder. We also thought it was fairly obvious. The peculiar characteristics of your flame spell should have given you notice,” replied X.
“We’re going to talk about this, you know. But later. We’ve got a very furious deity intent on making mashed potato out of yours truly. I don’t even know who he is!”
“He’s either Tezcatlipoca or Huitzilopochtli, their primary war god. But our guess would be Huitzilopochtli. Too hot-headed and unthinking in his actions. Tezcatlipoca is also a war god but careful and more calculating. Huitzilopochtli, on the other hand, is a lesser deity elevated to his present status by the priest-mages back in the First World. The difference is quite distinct. You’re facing a major deity with a lesser god mentality and thinking. Bizarrely, the darkness of this pocket dimension is one of Huitzilopochtli’s traits. He is worshipped as the defender of the Aztecah against the eternal night. And he is also known as a deity of flaming weapons.”
On cue, the deity’s weapon abruptly blazed. A wave of flame exploded from its tip, stridently piercing the darkness as it roared towards the night sky.
“Shit,” said Tyler. Huitzilopochtli was getting nearer though his target kept on walking backward.
“Just be thankful he’s using that macuahuitl. His usual personal weapon is Xiuhcoatl, a fire serpent or deity used as an atlatl. He must have lost it before he passed through the portal and presently lacks the power to manifest it. On the other hand, that fiery display ate into his energy reserves. The defensive level of the force shield protecting him had dropped a notch or two. Not that it was at full power to begin with,” added X.
“I am ready to give him his shower. You guys prepared?”
“We are, Elder.”
“One of you direct the blast. Accuracy is your forte. I’ll release mine, but it’s up to you to join your power to it and focus it on where it will do the most good. But don’t drain your reserves,” said Tyler. The Aztecah had already lifted up his weapon, ready for a charge, but the posture also left Huitzilopochtli wide open.
“On the count of three,” the mage told the AIs.
A dazzling white beam suddenly lanced out from Tyler. The destructive energy formed a few inches in front of him, out of thin air as soon as he created the deadly spell in his mind, forcibly brought into existence by the mage’s will and knowledge. As the luminous beam erupted towards the approaching arrogant deity, Tyler could see the energy stream instantly increase in size and intensity as his AIs quickly combined their rays with it. The mage felt Hal take control of the massive surge of power. It was already easily a foot in diameter. Curiously, as the beam unerringly raced against Huitzilopochtli, Tyler could also sense that it was taking more energy from their surroundings. Its brilliance had grown enough to dispel the darkness of the small dimensional pocket.
How? the query flashed across his mind. He didn’t expect that the spell could take on additional energy as it sped towards its target. A small opaque shield abruptly appeared before his eyes.
“Protection,” said X simply, just as their attack struck the deity’s head. The brightness of the spell was already leaving afterimages in Tyler’s eyes.
Ouch, came Tyler’s reaction. He was expecting a body mass strike. Huitzilopochtli had tried to move to one side and create a blocking spell when the beam started to fly towards him.
The Elder beam crashed through the early phase of the deity’s barrier spell as if it was made of gauze, savagely hitting Huitzilopochtli’s face. As Tyler watch the strike through his enhanced eyesight, he saw surprise and fear replace the smug countenance of Huitzilopochtli. The attack smashed the deity’s features like a sledgehammer hitting putty. Waves of energy splattered away from the face. But the beam didn’t decapitate the Aztecah god.
Damn. Freaking major assholes are hard to kill. Fucking roaches, reacted Tyler. A feeling of anxiety, tinged with a modicum of panic, started to come over him. As the thought of dismay crossed his mind, two more beams launched themselves at Huitzilopochtli, surprising the mage. His AIs evidently agreed with his observation. Though smaller in size than the first, Tyler could again sense that the streams added energy to themselves as they struck. One hit the deity in the chest while the other repeated the attack on its face.
If the first attack staggered Huitzilopochtli, the succeeding strikes violently threw him back several feet. As the deity flew backward, Tyler flung a huge force blade at him. Mindful of the affinity of the god to fire, he didn’t add flame to the spell. Then a lightning blast and a confusion spell followed. The coruscation given out by the attacks again illuminated their surroundings. Tyler observed that the walls of the dimensional pocket seemed less stable, he could discern outlines through the partitions enclosing the space – images of where he was before Huitzilopochtli took him.
The hellwith magical exhaustion. Better exhausted than dead, thought Tyler as he added a rain of chakri to the mix. As he cast the last spell, the mage could already feel fatigue assaulting his tired joints and muscles on top of a massive migraine. Unexpectedly, all the pain was immediately reduced to a throbbing sensation.
“I took remedial measures, Elder. But you can’t cast any more spells for a while,” said X.
“But that bastard is still alive!” protested Tyler. “He’s down but still dangerous! Look, he’s trying to get up.”
Huitzilopochtli was indeed trying to stand. His face was rebuilding itself though the drain on the deity’s defenses and energy reserves was visible – it was a mangled and battered visage. A sizeable blasted hole could also be seen in his torso, but the wound was also slowly fixing itself.
Fuck this! How hard is it to kill a major deity? thought the exasperated mage. Unbidden, the words of Dionysus came to his mind – Deities are made of pure magical energy. Except for those with mortal blood in them, like me. Beating them black and blue, even inflicting normally fatal injuries wouldn’t kill them. Disable them, yes. Demigods, on the other hand, are but a level or two above mortals and therefore can be sent to their private heaven or hell. Same principle applies to minor gods.
Oh, shit! Panic wormed its way to his tired brain. What do I do now?
While he stood there, his staff suddenly moved of its own accord and slammed twice on the ground. Its magical blade appeared, larger than the last time Tyler saw it, its color a churning mix of hues. The mage looked at the weapon with astonishment. He could feel the steadily increasing vibration of enormous power awakened within it. Eira’s gift had grown much more powerful. Yet Tyler sensed a strange new chord in the chaotic mix of powerful blessings various deities had given the staff.
What the hell? A freaking day of surprises! he thought as yet another shocked stream of disbelief danced its merry, chaotic, and tumultuous way through his mind. He gripped the spear staff tighter, raised it, and quickly looked at Huitzilopochtli. The deity was already half off the ground, his right hand pushing himself up, and his legs were moving to gain the leverage to stand up. The face was still distorted, and the hole in his chest had stopped closing.
A human form you took in this dimension, and as a m
ortal shape you must act, bitch, thought Tyler, remembering what Dionysus told him. Must be taking all his magical energy just to hang on. Even the rich ambient power in this dimension is not enough. Or did the blasts and my spells deplete what was available?
A surge of energy filled him, flowing from the staff. Tyler instinctively lifted the weapon and flung it at the deity. It was a sudden action on his part, and as he threw the spear, the mage realized too late that he didn’t know how to throw the magical blade properly. And he only aimed in the general direction of the body of the deity.
Stupid! the word roared in Tyler’s mind as his hand let go of the spear shaft, realizing his error as a sudden cold wave of apprehension washed over him.
The spear flashed brightly for a second as it left the mage’s hand, corrected slightly, and buried itself in Huitzilopochtli’s throat. As it did so, an explosive blast erupted from the deity’s location. The dimension started to fade.
“Who are you?” a weak voice demanded, a demand accompanied by magical compulsion. But the power accompanying the order was too feeble. To the mage, it was as if a large yet frail cobweb was thrown over him. He shrugged it off.
“You… you are not an ordinary mage. Favored of gods, that I could sense. But I will find you. I will flay your flesh and eat your heart for this insult!” declared the voice. It was intended to be a shout, but apparently, the deity was too weak even for such an effort.
“Just go away, asshole. If you really want to know, call me Bob,” wearily answered Tyler.
“Hal! This guy’s not dead?” the mage asked Hal.
“Apparently not, Elder. Very weak, though. We believe he spent his last reserves in making a hasty departure the moment your spear buried itself in his throat. The deity Dionysus was right in saying how difficult it is to dispose of a major deity. We recommend a total dispersion of its energy matrix or as in Supay’s example, remove all energy from the form. Though in the latter instance, we need Elder energy for the appropriate spell.”
The Accidental Archmage Page 12