“The way you will go will be completely underground and will not cross the underworld at any point. However, the entire route is being magically monitored. I have not been able to discover who is behind this, however I am sure it has to be something the guardians have put in the place. Since that is the case, the monitoring will not be as strict. If we move quietly and quickly, we may be able to use the element of surprise. The longer we can put off a confrontation with the guardians the better.” Tyrienwalker emphasized this last point. He wanted to make sure that they did not get too full of themselves too soon. The guardians were still more powerful than they were. After all, the council did banish and curse them once before.
The discussion continued for several hours and the sun set before they wrapped up their planning. A short time later the dark elf that had set about removing the traps approached the group to let them know that he had completed his task. Now all that was needed was to start the expedition. The wind had dropped the temperature several degrees and was making their continued presence in the open miserable.
“I do not know about the rest of you, but I think it is high time we get this party moving” offered the only female in the group. She was without doubt the most direct and vocal elf in the group. This is why Tyrienwalker had specifically asked that she join this expedition.
“Enough said…good luck and remember to keep me posted” replied Lord Tyrienwalker with a slight grin.
***
Xuzien shook his head slightly as he watched the dark elves stand on Laikra for several hours. He could not hear what was being said because of the interference from the wind, however, he could read lips. They were heading this way. They were also planning on using Kana…not that he was at all surprised by this information. He was a little proud of the unintentional compliment they paid him about his surveillance…as if the guardians would waste their time with such magical devices.
He sat on the floor just outside the chamber where orb was kept and drew a circle in the dirt. He pulled a water skin from over his shoulder and emptied its contents into the circle. He mumbled some incantations which turned the clear liquid a silvery color. The surface was like a still lake with barely a ripple. He muttered in a different language this time and the surface rippled intensely for a moment before Khalida appeared in the circle.
“My lady…it is good to see you” Xuzien began warmly. He did not care for most people; however, he was simply unable to dislike Khalida. She was so kind and pure…she made you want to be better just because of her presence.
“I did not think you capable of such flattery my friend” replied the elegant guardian to her biracial friend.
“You caught me at a good moment…I have news to report that you and Adair should find most interesting” Xuzien replied smoothly. The tunnel echoed his words as he sat cross legged outside the entrance to the magically protected, yet unadorned, vault room which contained the Orb of Nitesh.
“What information or news do you have for me?” She was getting hopeful at this point. In all the years she had known her friend she had not seen him like this…what was the word; hopeful.
“The Elilasnar have started an expedition to my location just now. They are starting at Laikra Island and should arrive in a couple of days. Master Aiden has not arrived yet with his reinforcements; however, he too should arrive in a day or two. I will harry the approaching devil walkers to make sure Aiden arrives before they do. I just wanted you to know that the dark elves plan on betraying Kana in the end. They will give her the orb; however, they will attempt to guide her in a way that would unwittingly unleash the hordes of the underworld, including the keeper.” Xuzien seemed pleased with the amount of information that he was able to pass along to Khalida.
“You have done very well my friend. This will surely help our plans. I will need to get this information to my master at once. Please be safe…there are people who care about what happens to you” Khalida said with a smile. Before Xuzien could reply the link was severed. The liquid turned to water once more and was absorbed into the ground.
***
The darks elves entered what was known as the cave of Ordell. Once they were within the darkness the sound from the wind and crashing waves immediately ceased. The only noise was the sound of water dripping down from the ceiling to the floor. Further down the path there was a slight sound of water rushing. There were intermittent times where the sound of fluttering wings could be heard above all else. These noises made the dark elves feel right at home.
The female elf lit the way with a purple light that floated ahead of them as they began their descent. The air was thick with moisture and the temperature was dropping rapidly. The elves were able to adapt quickly to compensate for this expected change. The air was clean and pure which was something that they had not anticipated. This was a welcome gift as it would make it possible for them to go longer with fewer stops. As the elves passed the magical watchers, which looked like a spider with a giant singular eye, they all pulled their hoods down further so they could not be identified easily.
“What are you afraid of?” piped up Tanison. She flashed a wicked smile for whoever was watching them.
“What is wrong with you? What part of concealing our approach or using all our stealth to reach our destination undetected did you not understand?” blasted the elf in the rear. His voice was barely audible; however, he made sure she heard him.
“You heard Lord Tyrienwalker…these are guardian artifices…they are too busy and too important to be watching these all the time. Besides, they think Kana is coming from the east to Mia Koda. Relax” patronized Tanison. She did not care for cautious behavior…it always did more harm than good.
“You are worth no more than your looks you…” the rear dark elf cut off abruptly. He had a deadly dagger against his throat.
“Seriously, we are all on the same side here. There is no need to get bent out of shape” Tanison said sharply. All humor and teasing was gone. She signaled to the elf that was holding the blade to lower it.
“Let’s get one thing very clear…the mission comes first. This is a mission where we need to arrive in one piece and at full strength. It would not do to kill one or two of you just because you like the sound of your own voice” interjected Darken. He was the leader of this special force and he knew that these professionals needed some leeway to get pent up feelings or aggression out. He could not tolerate idiocy so he stepped in.
“Fine, you are right…I will play by the rules” Tanison said with a wink and a smile. She twirled about and continued forward as if nothing happened.
“You need to tighten the leash on that…” spat the offended dark elf from the rear. He did not finish his insult as he lost the ability to speak. In what were mere moments, the elf with the dagger had grabbed his tongue and cut it off in one single stroke. Dark blood gushed out of his mouth.
“Are you going to keep your mouth shut or are you content to bleed out?” Darken looked at the elf with no emotion whatsoever. He did not care one bit whether or not this soldier lived or died. He might be better without the insolent jerk.
The bleeding elf spat blood at his leader and moaned in laughter. There was a flash in the purple light and then contact. Darken had taken his long sword out and swung upward starting at the point between the elf’s legs. He then jerked hard upward until the blade hit the sternum. There was a crack as the elven expedition leader pulled up once more. It reached a point, about halfway up the rib cage, where he could no longer exert enough force to continue.
Darken swept the legs out from under the elf. The body hit the ground and blood and gore spilled out everywhere. With his right foot he pried his blade free. The sword caught fire for a few moments and then it extinguished itself. He then replaced it over his left shoulder. He did not look anyone in the eye and he returned to his place in line behind Tanison.
“Lead on…I believe we have a schedule to keep” offered Darken smoothly. No one was offended or surprised by the
outcome. Apparently this is how dissension among the ranks was dealt with. Teasing and good natured ribbing was acceptable; however, blatant slander was not acceptable…at least in the field.
Vida Cavern
The cave walls were rough and full of minerals that reflected light at odd angles. The ceiling was no higher than the average giant. The entrance to the Vida Cavern was only big enough for an average sized man or elf to pass through. There were no other entrances or exits into this room. What remained unseen were the extremely tough magical barriers within the walls. It would be more difficult for a magic wielder to enter Cashlin Castle in the east than to attempt entry here.
As a tall figure paced outside the entrance, footsteps of the expected party broke the dense silence. Master Aiden had finally arrived with the aid of Lord Keb. The earthen lord had provided a way for the allied force to gain entry where none existed. The group had traveled several days above the ground while skirting the northern edge of the Mia Koda mountain range. They were able to move quicker than the dark elves that were fast approaching from the west.
“I am afraid that pleasantries will have to wait, they are here” spoke Xuzien quickly.
One elven mage went down with an arrow through his eye. The team quickly went into defense mode. The dark elves were using conventional means for the moment until they were able to ascertain what magic was being used outside the cavern to dissuade their forceful entry. They were well hidden by the shadows and their dark abilities. The ground in front of Xuzien opened and a hell hound burst forth. The beast was not quick enough to avoid the blades of Master Aiden who quickly cut down the demonic beast.
“You are going to have to do much better than that!” shot Xuzien at the hidden dark elves. He was eager to engage the enemy, however, he would be patient for the right opening.
“Bring it you ugly bastard” taunted Tanison from the shadows near the entrance to the cavern. She was inching her way slowly toward the goal, however, she could not pass up the chance to exchange pleasantries.
“As you wish” replied Xuzien with a deadly edge to his voice.
The walls came to life and encased the nine member team of Elilasnar. They were momentarily stunned by this attack; however, they did recover quickly. They started to burst forth from their earthen prison mere moments after being snared. Unfortunately they were not fast enough to avoid the magical attacks from the elven mages. Their numbers were quickly cut down to six. The atmosphere turned deadly as the two parties squared off.
“This is not going to end well for you at all…I have been watching your approach since Laikra. Do you honestly think I am not prepared for you?” Xuzien offered seriously. He was not a blood thirsty person by nature…as a matter of fact; he abhorred the loss of life. This was easily overcome with the knowledge of what these fiends had done to the giants and then to the people of Belva…the one place he was welcome and thought of as his home.
“You use a lot of words for someone who is a cruel joke of nature” retorted a dark elf heatedly. A moment later the tip of an elven sword emerged through the chest cavity of the one who had just spoke. Blood sprayed forth spectacularly and then the dead Elilasnar fell to the ground. There were elves behind them.
“Ilosiden vie galtroth!” shouted Darken as he swung his blade at the elves behind him. Tanison sprung from the shadows and severed the head off of the shoulders of one elf before being engaged.
The walls shook as the battle went to the next level. Magic was flying everywhere and the air was full chaotic shouts. There was no direction being given at this point. There was no room to maneuver and it made for a quick fight. Though there were small numbers, the action was intense. The blades of Master Aiden were a blur of death and destruction.
Blood splayed the walls, the ground, and the ceiling. After some more intense moments, each side took a moment to rest and regroup. The elves behind the dark elves had been decimated within minutes of the all-out fight. The dark elves only had three left…Darken, Tanison and the elf that had threatened his comrade with a dagger earlier in their journey. They were panting from the effort of the fight and the drain that their magic use had.
There were three elven mages, Xuzien, and Master Aiden left to protect the orb. They were not as tired, though that did not mean they were unaffected. As they waited for the fight to resume the air around them seemed to constrict. They sensed something different or some change. They did not have to wait long to know what their unease was about. Behind the dark elves appeared another ten of their brethren. They all took a deep breath and prepared to go out fighting.
“It’s time for you to leave” said one of the elves behind Aiden and Xuzien.
“What?” was all that Xuzien could utter. What was this elf talking about?
“The guardians need you still and you must leave now.” A portal of swirling mist appeared behind the group. Without delay, Aiden and Xuzien, a little more reluctantly, left. There was a faint popping noise and the mist dissipated.
“What a disappointment…I was hoping to cross blades with Aiden” spoke one of the newly arrived dark elves. A moment later he was struck with a deadly ice dart that protruded from his throat.
The battle recommenced and the three remaining elven mages summoned deadly creatures to aid them. An earthen Gollum and two wood sprites came into being. These magical creatures wreaked havoc while the elves moved in to put an end to anyone in their reach. Two of the elves went down after the fresh assault. The Gollum and one sprite vanished when their masters died. The remaining elf and sprite backed to the entrance of the cavern. The sprite then winked out of existence and the elf stood erect.
“What…you were expecting some epic speech or some statement that would be remembered by our peoples for generations to come…I do not think so!” laughed the last standing elf. The mage went transparent and then there was nothing but dirt, blood, and body parts everywhere. The tunnel had exploded and the dark elves were unprepared for all the unseen artifices that activated all at once.
After several moments the ground stopped shaking and the area outside the untouched cavern was silent. A dark elf emerged from the rubble and looked lucky to be alive. He took in the altered surroundings and did a quick assessment on any dangers that remained. After he determined that the worst was over he started to move around to see if anyone had survived. To save time, he reached out with his magic to see if there was another magical being present.
“I am here” the weak voice of Tanison was barely audible. She coughed and then went quiet.
“Where are you exactly?” asked Darken quickly.
“I am holding the door open for you as it were” she replied in a raspy voice. The chuckling that followed sounded full of fluid and sent the dark elf into a coughing fit.
Darken reached the entry to the Vida Cavern and saw what she had meant. She had apparently dashed for the entrance and used all of her considerable power to breach the barrier. She used her own body as a way to keep the crack open. She smiled weakly at her approaching friend. She held on long enough to say goodbye.
“This is not goodbye…you will be with the keeper soon and he will have use of you on the other side” Darken said. He was trying to sound confident; however, his voice trembled and broke as he looked at the broken form of Tanison.
“You know that I do not believe in love, so I will say this…we had some good times” she said in her imitation of a sultry voice. The light then left her eyes and her body went rigid. The barrier began to push on her body in an effort to close the breach.
“Yes we did” replied Darken quietly. He then used his power to widen the breach enough for him to crawl over his fallen lover. Once he was inside the cavern, the body of Tanison was severed in two by the magical wall.
As he approached the mound that held the orb he felt the resistance of an unseen force. It felt like a gigantic hand wrapping its fingers around him. He was then bodily lifted into the air slightly and all movement was restricted. Several fragments
tore from the walls and flew at Darken with great accuracy. The blows did little more than irritate the already spent dark elf. He shrugged off the debris that clung to his face. After a brief moment of waiting, he had enough strength back to try to break free. He had no luck and remained where he was. He reached out as far as he could with a magical web in search of a life force to steal energy from.
He sensed that one of the elves was still breathing and still had energy to take. He sucked the life force right out of him and used the boost to break free. Without delay he grabbed the orb and the world around him stopped. It was as though time stood still. He stared into the swirling portents and was lost for quite some time before coming back to the reality of where he was.
He stretched forth his right hand that held the orb and he willed the orb to show him its power. Immediately the image of the guardian appeared before him. It looked like Adair knew something had gone horribly wrong and he also knew that he was being watched. He then snapped his head toward the view point that Darken was using to look at him. The dark elf could not help but laugh.
***
Adair had arrived at Tarisdell once he had talked with Khalida about the ever changing events. The threat to the elves was more deadly than what any other race faced at the moment. The dark elves were proving even more deadly than they did in the past. It was clear that Kana had removed the curse and that they are getting considerable help from the keeper. They should have anticipated the dark tide, however, that was in the past and the issue had to be dealt with now.
“Thank you for meeting with me King Ciel…I came as soon as I could” Adair said warmly. He had warmed to the monarch over the past couple months…he now felt that he could rely on the monarch to be strong and consistent.
“I appreciate your concern for the elves and our plight” replied the king graciously. They were alone in the king’s private library. The room was made to feel cozy because of all the books, scrolls, and maps. There was a fire place on one wall opposite the massive black oak desk.
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