by Ben Hale
She discarded the axe and turned on Toron. He regained his feet and lunged. Elsin retreated to avoid his sword, but shadows flowed off the blade and turned into a knife. The dark blade flew from the end of the sword and plunged into Elsin’s shoulder.
She cried out in surprise and pain, and yanked the blade from her shoulder. “Toron,” she hissed, “You’ll pay for that.”
“Not this time,” he said, and charged.
He drove his sword for her gut. She shifted and caught the spine of the sword as it passed close to her, and the blade morphed into a steel snake that turned on Toron. It snapped at his face but he tossed it away. She used the moment to channel another lightning strike, and aimed it at his chest.
Too late to avoid it, Toron charged as the lightning spear struck. His hand closed a hairsbreadth from Elsin’s throat as the blast knocked him backward, charring a gaping hole in the Paladin.
He tumbled away, the Paladin spinning through a wall and into the building beyond. For an instant his vision flashed to the Requiem, and he feared the Paladin had been destroyed. Then his sight returned and the war machine recovered.
Toron groaned as he pulled himself out from under the rubble and pushed a beam out of the way. As he climbed out of the fallen home he watched Elsin send a tornado charm into Winter. The woman flew fifty feet in the air, her scream echoing over the din of battle. Toron scrambled free and sprinted to her. Reaching a semi intact structure, he caught the roof and scaled up. Then he sprinted for the edge and leapt, catching Winter before she struck the ground. He landed in the street, cracking the stones and falling to his knee.
Gasping for breath, Winter stumbled to the ground. “I thought I was dead,” she breathed.
“I wouldn’t let that happen,” he said.
She grinned and kissed the Paladin on the cheek. “You have my gratitude.”
“I’d like the same gratitude when I’m not in a Paladin,” he said.
She smirked. “As you order.”
A rumble of wood and stone signaled Galathon’s arrival, and the troll stepped free of the building. His face was a mask of blood and dirt, as was his chest and one arm. His broken armor had been discarded. But his scowl was more anger than pain.
“Elsin is headed to Dawnskeep.”
“Why didn’t she kill us?” Winter asked, now back on her feet.
“She’s going for the Requiems,” Toron realized. “If she can take them down, we’ll be helpless.”
“She’s going alone?” Winter asked.
“Our defenses are mostly in the city,” Toron said, gesturing towards the sounds of battle in the darkness. “If she can reach the Requiems, she can destroy our greatest strength with a single blow.”
“Not if we kill her first,” Galathon rumbled.
Toron spotted his sword, which had returned to being a weapon. As he picked it up, Winter shouted to Lorth, ordering him to take her place commanding the west watch. Lorth’s Paladin nodded and he turned to the other surviving Paladins, barking orders for them to assemble.
“Watch the flank!” he shouted.
Toron accelerated towards the castle. His suspicions were confirmed when he found the dead rebellion soldiers on the walls. Then he heard shouts of alarm from beneath the fortress, indicating Elsin was already inside.
“She’s too strong to kill,” Toron said. “We’ll have to be smart.”
“You have a plan?” Winter asked.
Toron nodded. “But our timing will have to be flawless.”
As he laid out his plan the others nodded, and they hurried into the fortress. But as Toron descended through the fortress he frowned. Elsin was clearly leading the army, but a noticeable figure was absent.
Where was Teriah?
Chapter 45: Battle Mage
Alydian picked her way through the devastated canyon. The last two guardians were of stone, and the two great panthers lay shattered at her feet. Alydian’s body burned with fatigue and she took a moment to survey the city of Verisith.
Red and Jester were both in good spirits, even though their Paladins had suffered enormous damage. The aquaflesh was rent and cracked, the armor scorched, but they exulted in what it was like to use the war machines in battle. Alydian tried not to listen, the romantic undertones to their conversation sending pains into her chest.
A plunging gorge cut through the mountain, its depth steeped in darkness. Alydian had used that very darkness to escape on her last visit, the failed attempt to prove the Verinai’s traitorous schemes.
The Verinai had carved a shelf on one side of the canyon, making room for a city. Lit with enchanted lights, the city of Verisith was the heart of the Guild, an impenetrable fortress that commoners spoke of with fear. But now it was largely empty.
Alydian spotted knots of Verinai in the streets and in the doors to their homes. They were the old and the infirm, the sick and the young, those not deemed capable of fighting for the Empire. The guild had built mighty defenses for the city and thought it impregnable. Now Alydian had shattered those defenses and stood on their doorstep.
“I can see dozens of chained guardians,” Jester said, using his sword to point into the city.
“Elsin didn’t expect us to come,” Red said. “There are few soldiers.”
“Perhaps,” Alydian said, “But stay on your guard. The two of you can’t take much more damage and I can’t watch my own back.”
They nodded, and the trio made their way down to the right. The road split, with two paths descending to the gorge. The city had once had two entrances, but Alydian had destroyed the southern bridge in her escape and it had yet to be rebuilt, likely for the same reason the city lay empty.
They crossed the northern bridge and came to the aquaglass gate. Most of the soldiers had fled and regrouped at the wall, and the company of battlemages shifted in fear. Without their army of entities and guardians, they knew they were vulnerable.
“Lower your gate and surrender,” Alydian said, “and you shall not be harmed.”
They had a whispered conversation and the captain shook his head. “I cannot,” he growled.
“Your defenses have been breached,” Jester said, swishing his sword. “Yet you would continue the fight?”
“Your magic is impressive, Oracle Alydian,” the man replied. “But we have our orders. To surrender now would leave us open to execution.”
“Then join us,” Alydian said, “and abandon your Empire.”
The man’s expression hardened. “You think we don’t know the state of the war? Our forces will extinguish the vestiges of your army this very night. We would be fools to join you in the last hours of your rebellion.”
Alydian exchanged a look with Jester and then inclined her head. “So be it.”
But just as she raised her hands the captain called out. Glancing behind the wall, he smirked and bowed his head. “It appears my orders just changed. You are welcome to enter . . . if you dare.”
With that cryptic remark he signaled his lieutenant and the woman opened the gate. The aquaglass door lowered into the ground but Alydian did not advance. Four individuals stood in the shadows of the tunnel, three on their knees.
“Teriah,” Alydian said, her stomach gripping with fear.
“Alydian,” Teriah said. “You are clever, but your life has come to its end.”
Her voice was distorted, the dark timbre sending a shiver down Alydian’s spine. Her skin glowed with a reddish tint, and the shadow to her eyes made Alydian’s skin crawl. Red lightning sparked across Teriah’s flesh, extending to create the shackles that bound Marrow, Raiden, and Devkin.
“What happened to you?” Alydian asked.
Teriah’s eyes flared as she smirked. “Do you not recognize it? I discovered how you escaped your cell, but I never imagined the true power . . . of the magic of rage.”
Horrified, Alydian stared at Teriah. Alydian had used the magic to escape, and only a true friend had helped her end the carnage. But Teriah had embraced the power, yield
ing her will to it, until she was even mightier than Alydian.
Teriah’s eyes glowed with triumph. “Its voice is like the mightiest of thunder, and drives me to slaughter you all, but I want to relish this moment, the moment you knew death was upon you.”
“Teriah,” Alydian said. “You do not need to harm my friends.”
Teriah’s expression lit up with excitement. “Oh, but I want to. After all they have done, I yearn to listen to their screams—to watch your face as they perish.”
“It’s me you want,” Alydian said. “Not them.”
“I want it all,” she said. She held a hand aloft and marveled at the red lightning sparking across her arm. “I deserve it all.”
“You have to fight the rage,” Alydian said. “You can’t let it control you.”
“Why?” Teriah asked. “Elsin has killed Meressa and once you are dead, I will have all the power.”
“You know about Meressa?”
“She was weak,” Teriah said. “She doubted my plans and deserved her fate. Elsin is ambitious but I will teach her to follow. If not, I’ll kill her.” She smiled, the expression causing all present to shudder. “First I have you, and I do wish to see you suffer . . .”
She jerked the lightning in her hands and all three cried out. Marrow whimpered as the red lightning touched her flesh, empowering the anti-magic shackles that bound her wrists. Raiden flinched and looked to Alydian.
“Perhaps we’ll start with your beloved,” Teriah said with a smile.
“No,” Alydian cried. “I do not deny my love for Raiden, but you’ll hurt me more by sparing his life.”
“Oh?” she asked, and cocked her head to the side. “Please, tell me the nature of your greatest agony.”
“He is not a mage,” Alydian said, tears wetting her cheeks. “We cannot be joined, and can never have a child.”
Teriah began to laugh, the sound causing all present to shudder. “How delicious,” she said. “You are right, leaving him to witness your death will be all the sweeter.”
Teriah conjured a spear of red lightning and plunged it into the stone, binding her captives to the earth. Then she glided forward, her entire form sparking with power. Alydian called on the fading light and cast a golem, but Teriah struck it a casual blow, sending the shards into the abyss.
“NO!” Alydian cried as Jester and Red darted forward.
Teriah ducked Jester’s swing and cast a sword of red lightning. Then she spun, the blade shattering Red’s sword and cutting both Paladins in two. But she wasn’t satisfied to destroy the armor, she wanted to kill the bearers. Leaping into the air, Teriah caught the Paladins at their throats and pulsed her power through the armor’s mental link, striking at Jester and Red all the way at Dawnskeep. They screamed in agony.
Alydian roared and closed the gap, and punched Teriah with her enchanted arm, the blow smashing into her face. Teriah released the Paladins and stumbled back, touching the blood on her lip in surprise. Then her eyes glowed and she reared back, gathering flames about her body.
“Your mother was famous for her phoenix charm,” she said. “I think it’s only fitting you die by one.”
Red lightning turned to fire and molded into flesh and wings, lifting her off the ground as the enormous body took shape. In the fading light the red phoenix shimmered, bathing the city in red light. Alydian retreated and sought to call her magic, but knew the effort was futile . . .
***
“Marrow!” Raiden shouted, desperate as he watched Teriah become a phoenix. “We must help Alydian!” He struggled against the bonds but that only made the lightning cut deeper, and blood streaked his arms.
“It hurts,” she whimpered.
“I know,” Devkin said, his voice somehow calm. “But if she can help us get out, it won’t hurt. And I promise you we’ll find you some cheese.”
“You will?” Marrow asked, turning tear-streaked eyes at Devkin.
“Yes,” Raiden said, struggling to remain calm. “Please?”
“It’s filthy magic,” Marrow said. “She doesn’t want to touch it.”
“Then breaking the bonds is like cleaning,” Devkin said. “Clean the magic, Marrow.”
Marrow’s eyes widened and she managed a smile. “Really?”
“Yes,” Raiden said desperately. “Clean the magic.”
Marrow winced and nodded, and then a pure white seeped from her skin. Wherever it touched, the red lightning scurried away like a frightened animal, retreating to the spear that held them. Her expression disgusted, Marrow gagged as she pulled free and then reached out to Raiden and Devkin, pulling them free.
One of the guards on the wall noticed and shouted a warning, but Raiden was already in motion. He leapt to the stairs with Devkin and the two of them charged the Verinai. Most were focused on Teriah’s phoenix, and their lack of attention cost them their lives. When the last had fallen Raiden dropped to the courtyard and sprinted towards the Canyon of Mages.
Devkin caught his arm and brought him to a halt. “You think an anti-magic sword will stop Teriah?” he growled. “We need something more.”
“What do you expect me to do?” he snapped. “I don’t have Marrow’s power.”
Marrow giggled. “I can change that.”
Raiden turned to growl—and Marrow slapped him. The blow rocked him back, nearly to the ground. He’d been hit by trolls and dwarves, but never did a blow land so hard. Devkin helped him stay on his feet but his vision swam.
“What was that for?” he demanded.
I had to get in here somehow, a voice said.
“Marrow?” he demanded, shocked.
Nope, the voice said. Just me. I must say your mind is more ordered, but it smells like feet.
“Feet?” he growled. “How can a mind smell like feet?”
“Raiden?” Devkin asked uncertainly. “What are you talking about?”
“She gave me her mind,” Raiden said, stabbing a finger at Marrow. “She gave me her!”
I don’t like what you’re insinuating, she said with a mental growl. I thought you wanted help and Marrow was kind enough to send me over, but no, you have to berate me like I’m a disobedient child, like I’m . . .
The voice continued to speak, the words an incessant hum that made Raiden scrunch his face and try to argue. Then he noticed there was a hand on his arm and looked to Marrow. Her face calmer than he’d ever seen, the girl smiled.
“It’s hard, at first,” Marrow said. “But she’s young. I find it best to speak to her like a child—a very volatile, erratic, powerful child.”
Raiden wanted to argue, to fight the insanity of the situation, but Devkin was right. He needed power. Drawing in a breath, he spoke to her.
“I’m sorry,” he said aloud. “I didn’t mean to offend.”
The voice sniffed. Apology accepted. Now do you want to save Alydian? Teriah will tire of her game soon enough. I like Alydian too, you know, and I don’t want to see her dead.
“Neither do I,” Raiden said fervently.
Then let’s fight, she said, her anger and petulance switching to excitement.
“How do we do that?” Raiden asked, looking to his sword.
How should I know? she asked. I’m not the Soldier.
“Just try something,” Marrow advised with a knowing smile. “Then hang on.”
“Teriah is in the air,” Devkin said. “You might need wings.”
“You really think she can give me wings?” Raiden asked dubiously, an image of an eagle flashing through his mind.
Enormous eagle wings sprouted from his back, bursting through his armor and spreading wide. He cried out in surprise, but they were already flapping, carrying him into the air. As Marrow and Devkin shrank, she shouted up, laughing.
“Like I said! Hang on!”
Chapter 46: Transfer
Toron used the hole in the courtyard to descend while Galathon and Winter raced down the stairs. All arrived in the training hall to find Elsin nearly at the Requiems.
The rebellion had sent everyone to the city, so the cavern was empty. Light glowed from the Requiem spheres, illuminating Elsin’s advance.
“Elsin!” Toron shouted.
She rotated and snorted in disbelief. “What will it require for you to learn defeat?”
“Death,” Galathon snarled.
“If that is the fate you desire, I will gladly oblige,” Elsin said.
The rock troll snorted and started forward, twirling his axe. “You cannot kill us all.”
“I killed Severon,” she said, her expression turning malicious.
“Wait!” Toron shouted, but it was too late.
The troll surged forward, crossing the gap with shocking speed. She stomped the floor and the stone cracked all the way to Toron and Winter. Galathon dodged the gaps and reached Elsin. Feinting high right, he swung a full circle, bringing his axe at Elsin’s side.
She ducked the blow and clenched her fist, bringing a pillar of stone down from the ceiling, the spike plunging into the floor, narrowly missing Galathon as he spun away. Then she clenched her fist, dropping seven more pillars, all slamming into the floor.
Galathon growled but could not reach Elsin as the pillars closed off his path. Just as Toron and Winter reached the pillars they began to bend and shift, revealing they weren’t spikes, they were legs.
The segmented body ripped free of the ceiling, the huge spider snapping its mandibles. Toron skidded to a halt and dived to the side, just missing losing his Paladin’s head. The huge entity should have required a dozen skilled mages to cast, but Elsin had summoned it on her own, and the amplious glowed with power. Then the spider aimed at Winter and breathed fire, the flames filling the air with smoke and cinders.
Winter summoned the moisture from the air into a shield, parting the fire in a burst of steam. Then she cast her own fire, striking at one of the spider’s legs, drawing its attention while Toron ducked under the legs. Beneath the giant spider he swung his sword with all the Paladin’s strength, slicing the spider legs and making it topple to the floor.