“We’d end up tripping over each other since it’s a six on one fight. The Baron doesn’t have that weakness,” Delvin states, nodding his head in thought. Pacing from one side of the workplace to the other, he has to go around Nyx as she hops around and smacks at her numb legs. “Maybe the fact that this is the end is getting to us. I know I want to finish the fight as quickly as possible, which makes me consider how I would end it. Still, I’m thinking of various combinations that could put the Baron down. That’s more because of my training and experience as a mercenary. The rest of you have operated more often as loners, but we’ve managed to make it work so far.”
Nyx sends a charge through her legs to get her circulation back to normal and steps in front of the pacing warrior. Her arms wrap around his waist as she puts her head against his chest, the embrace preventing him from moving. Touching her pointy ears and stroking her hair, Delvin lets himself enjoy the moment and forget about the coming battle. Feeling curious eyes watching them, the warrior tries not to blush, but fails when he spots three of the kids hiding behind a table and peeking. Realizing they have been seen, the children run away laughing and making kissing noises to everyone they pass.
“That didn’t work out for us,” Nyx whispers, her body shaking from restrained laughter. She steps away and waves her hand to float the statue to her, the large figure perfect for wearing the armor. “I hope you realize the important part of what you said. While Timoran is able to follow orders without a problem, the rest of us are definitely more adventurer than soldier. Even my big brother had a period of wandering and depending only on his own strength and wit. You’ve always had a team and that’s where your strength lies. Friendship really suits you, Delvin. Not sure how any of that solves this new problem.”
“Because I’m the one who needs to make sure we act as a team,” the warrior replies while helping to put the armor on the statue. Finding spikes on the arms and a part that resembles a club-like tail, he wonders what type of creature would need such a suit. “We all work to our strengths, but mine isn’t fount powers or swordplay like I’ve been depending on more than I should. It’s knowing all of my friends and coming up with battle plans. I keep thinking about how Luke has lost himself while I’m doing the same thing, but in a quieter and more internal way. Is this what you were trying to tell me?”
“I just wanted your help in telling the others to stop being greedy with the glory.”
“Oh . . . Guess I’ll do both.”
Delvin smiles when Nyx pats him on the cheek and hands him an old notebook from his bottomless bag. He flips it open to find a collection of tactics that the champions can use against certain enemies. Diagrams of where to stand in order to deliver certain attacks are on every other page with explanations hastily written in either his or Timoran’s handwriting. One note is nothing more than a reminder to let Luke be himself and always factor in his impulsiveness or risk fighting with a headache. Warnings about pushing Dariana too much and letting Sari steal if she wants are scattered about the later pages. Looking up to thank his fiancée, Delvin sees that she is walking towards one of the shorter exit tunnels. He is about to follow when she snaps her fingers and the newly born golem steps into his path. Taking the unsubtle hint, the warrior goes back to his notes and loses himself in creating fresher strategies.
*****
As his saber slices off the zombie’s head, Luke frowns at the lack of reaction from the Ring of Uli. Having lost its leaves with the coming of winter, the wood-like band is easily overlooked unless one knows of the power it holds. For days, the half-elf has sensed that something is wrong with the artifact, but it is only now that he has found some time and the method to prove his fears are true. Instead of releasing the pink energy that can kill most undead in a single blow, the ring remains silent. There is no hint of warmth flowing into his finger as he continues to destroy the zombies that have gathered outside the caves. With a half-hearted swipe, he beheads the final creature and kicks the falling body away.
“Doesn’t help that I never figured out exactly how it turned on in the first place,” Luke says to himself. He wipes down his blades, the blood reeking of decay and already hardening. “I always wondered how it would help against the Baron, who isn’t undead. Figured it would react like I swear it did when I cut Stephen. Maybe immortals who live for a certain amount of time count as undead or something. Why can’t I get back to where I was before?”
“Because you still fear your enemy,” a voice answers from inside one of his sabers.
Mist drifts out of the blade and takes the form of an armored woman, her chocolate brown hair tucked behind her pointy ears. Uli the Elven Warrior Goddess bows to the champion, one of her arms going across her stomach while the other rises behind her. She takes in the sight of the defeated zombies and wrinkles her nose at the smell. Walking away from the area, she waves for Luke to follow her down the hill for a few silent minutes. Seeing the perfect spot for their conversation, she heads for a cleared patch of earth that is dotted with exposed roots. The goddess draws her longsword and carves a large circle in the dirt, the edge shimmering with a golden light. Stepping inside, the pair become hidden from the demons and undead that are prowling the landscape.
“I felt that it would not be right for you to enter your greatest battle without a visit from your favored goddess,” Uli explains while picking up a rock. She turns it in her hands, the edges crumbling until it has become a perfect orb. “As for your concerns, it is because you are still afraid of your enemy. This causes you to hold back and resist the impulses that have allowed you to survive for so long. You are not like the other champions who work best when they plan out their actions. It is instinct that drives you, but fear can easily dull that strength. Whatever you are trying to do will not happen unless you regain your full courage.”
Luke nods his head before asking, “So, the Ring of Uli is powered by courage?”
“My what?” the goddess replies, confused for a moment. She runs a finger along her angular jaw while she tries to remember what the mortal was talking about before her arrival. “Oh, you mean that heirloom that your family named in my honor. Yes, that artifact reacts to the bravery of the warrior who wears it. The reason other Callindors could not activate it is because they focused too much on getting it to work. You must let it happen naturally or the ring and your power will remain dormant.”
“That doesn’t make a lot of sense,” the half-elf admits, forgetting that he is talking to a goddess. Spotting another group of zombies, he is about to attack when they burst into flames and retreat. “Guess they can’t get very close to your magic. I’ll try to listen to my instincts and get over my fear. To be honest, this is fairly new to me. I’ve always had faith in my own abilities, but now I keep thinking I’m going to crumble when I see the Baron. My friends have helped me get over some of it in spite of me being a jerk. Only I can take that final step and it has to be alone, which isn’t very easy to accept.”
“I assume it is not, but it must be done.”
“Do gods ever have this problem?”
“Those who were once mortal can fall into crises of confidence.”
“So, you don’t understand what I’m feeling.”
“That is why you should speak to your friends. I am merely here to wish you good luck.”
Luke is about to ask a question when Nyx walks into the circle, the channeler waving away some of the threads of magic that stick to her face. Having unwittingly crossed the minor barrier, she does not watch where she is going and nearly crashes into Uli. The ancient deity steps to the side before they make contact and wonders if the half-elf is in a trance because of the potent energy she has unwittingly tasted. The possibility seems more likely when Nyx gathers some of the strands in her hands and examines them, her tongue flicking out to lick her lips. Amused by the powerful champion’s intrusion, the goddess holds back the temptation to cast her away and merely snaps her fingers in the woman’s face.
“Oh, sor
ry to interrupt,” Nyx calmly replies, taking a step back. Bowing to the goddess, she rubs her amethyst necklace and struggles to speak. “Luke wandered off and I wanted to check on him since it’s dangerous out here. I can come back if you need more time.”
“We were just finishing our chat since I cannot do any more to help him,” Uli replies, removing the circle with a swing of her sword. Smiling at the channeler, she leans in closer to find that the mortal does not give ground like before. “It is interesting that neither of you have been in awe of my arrival. Why is that?”
“I think we’ve been visited by so many gods and goddesses that we’re used to it,” Luke admits, a smirk appearing on his face. Seeing a flicker of irritation on the woman’s face, he clears his throat and bows his head in apology. “Not that you aren’t impressive to meet in person, Uli. There is still some awe, but not enough to make us freeze up. Although, I’ve always been comfortable with these meetings. It meant that an adventure was coming my way, so I’m more excited than anxious.”
“I usually take them as a sign of disaster,” Nyx says, her voice trailing off. She cringes when the goddess vanishes in a puff of smoke that dissipates on a vanilla-scented breeze. “I didn’t mean to insult you! Just that I only get visited when I’ve lost someone, become traumatized, or a friend is in trouble. You came for Luke, which means this isn’t my business. I’m just shouting at the sky at this point. So, what’s going on out here?”
“The Ring of Uli isn’t working,” Luke states, holding out his hand. Letting the channeler examine the artifact, he keeps an eye out for enemies. “I tested it on some zombies and nothing happened. Uli said I’m still too afraid for it to work. My instincts are being dulled or something like that. Did you come out here to check on me?”
Unable to find anything wrong with the ring, the young woman releases him and leads the way back to the caves. “Of course, little brother, since this isn’t a good place to go wandering off. I also thought that this could be our last chance to talk. No more distractions or breaks once we get inside the castle. Our last conversation was brief and awkward since you had been an idiot and were still apologizing.”
“This time doesn’t seem to be going any better,” the forest tracker points out before leaning away from the expected swing. Stopping at the mouth of the tunnel, the half-elves sit on a boulder and watch the eternal storm send lightning across the cloudy sky. “I’m still sorry about all of that and worry that I’m not entirely forgiven. Everyone has saved my life at one time or another. You more than anyone else, so what I said and did was uncalled for. Being scared and depressed is no excuse.”
“Nope, but we don’t have the luxury of time.”
“What are you talking about?”
Nyx reaches out to attract a bolt of lightning and compresses it into a tight ball that is no bigger than her palm. The electricity makes her hair rise into a wide fan shape, so she tosses the energy back into the clouds. Not knowing what else to do while she thinks of an answer, the channeler tries to dispel that storm. The centuries old weather pattern resists her and grows a large face that howls in her direction. A blistering wind rips across the landscape, the gale’s power nearly enough to tear flesh from bone. With a small cough, the half-elf counters the blast and prevents it from reaching the mountain. Not wanting to create any problems for their upcoming assault, she leaves the storm alone and faces her best friend.
“I don’t want to stay angry at you, little brother,” Nyx claims while wiping some dirt off his cheek. Lifting her shirt enough to show her belly, the channeler removes an illusion that is hiding a puncture scar. “Not sure if I showed you this or if you ever noticed, but it’s from when I was shot by the Hellfire Elf. You left me with Timoran before we really knew him, but then came back for me. I messed up so much that day. I lied to you about how badly I was injured and then I cast the genocide spell. Yet, you never got angry or annoyed with me. I was given some of your blood in order to survive and you tried to stay by my side no matter what Aedyn said. That time . . . That was when you became more than a new friend and adventuring partner. You became my little brother and I can’t think of you as anything else.”
“Don’t be mad, but I’m not sure when I reached that point,” Luke says as his friend fixes her shirt. Wracking his brain for an answer, he considers everything they went through during their first adventure together. “We started off pretty badly with a fight, a few arguments, and you nearly getting me killed with a griffin ride. Respect came during that arena challenge, but I can’t figure out when I got so protective of you. Hero’s Gate was me feeling responsible since the Hellfire Elf was my enemy and then guilt for leaving you undefended. If I had to explain it, my bond with you grew in steps and the final one was in Freedom.”
“I did save your life, so I can understand that,” the channeler claims, feeling a little annoyed at the winding answer.
Taking her hand, Luke smiles like he is about to get into mischief, an impish quality that does not erase the worry from his eyes. “It wasn’t that. When I locked myself in the room and was having trouble with what Nimby did. You stopped by many times a day even though I never let you in. Didn’t matter if I cursed, remained silent, or threw things at the door. You stayed out there and refused to leave unless you had something urgent to do. Why are we admitting this stuff now?”
“Because we’ve been together on this road longer than the others,” Nyx replies, putting an arm around the other half-elf’s shoulder. Leading him back into the tunnel, they move slowly to avoid tripping or ending their conversation too soon. “It feels weird that we’re almost at the end of it all. Once the Baron is dead, the two of us move on to new lives. We won’t see each other every day since I’ll be ruling Spellstream and you will probably be in Bor’daruk. I won’t wake up and see you at breakfast or know that you’ll show up at some point before dinner. Feels like you’re the one who will be the furthest away from me and I really don’t like that. Call me silly and stubborn, but I’m not ready to live a life without my little brother driving me nuts every day.”
“I promise to visit a lot and without warning.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“Are you scared about fighting the Baron too, big sis?”
“You mean if some of us or even myself will die?”
“More or less.”
“I’m more terrified than I’ve ever been in my life.”
11
The demons roar at the sight of the emaciated dog that wanders over the hill, the animal sniffing in search of food. Gathered on the lowered drawbridge and along the battlements, the creatures throw rocks and daggers at the whimpering beast. None of the former taskmasters, guards, and factory workers know what else to do since the Baron left them behind. Anger and a sense of homesickness has brought them to the castle, which is beginning to crumble now that it no longer houses the ancient warlord. Forbidden from crossing back into the Chaos Void without permission, the demons lash out at everything that comes near the fortress, including the undead that once filled the dried up moat. Bones and body parts are scattered about the dusty ground, some of the rotting parts still twitching and flailing. Archers on the wall entertain themselves by shooting at the moving limbs, the one who hits first getting to choose a snack from a large barrel of squealing rats.
Their shouts and projectiles eventually startle the dog, which hurries behind a boulder and peeks out to bark in defiance. It is only after the animal continues for several minutes that any of the demons consider something is wrong. Those with sensitive noses sniff the air and pick up the scent of chaos elves, which is not alarming enough for them to investigate. Whispers for everyone to remain alert ripple through the intimidating army, but only those at the front of the bridge bother to draw their weapons. Disappearing from view, the dog continues barking until it switches to a long growl that goes on for much longer than the demons expect from a mortal creature. Curiosity gets the best of them and a squad is sent out to investigate the
noise as more warriors flow out of the castle to bolster the ranks.
High-pitched whistles from their flanks cause the demons to look in either direction, leaving them open to a barrage of fireballs from the front. The spells silently arch high in the air before abruptly diving at the drawbridge. Red and yellow streaks are left in the wake of the attacks as those who fear getting hit jump into the empty moat. At the last moment, the flames turn white and explode like two blooming flowers that burn every piece of flesh that they touch. Those on the battlements scream in terror and back away, but none dare to go down to check on their allies. With a loud crack, one of the muddy walls of the moat falls away and lets a flood of frigid water inside the trench. The demons inside are unable to escape and are easily dispatched by swarms of creatures made out of ice. A lilting song rises as a current shaped like a small whale swims around the moat and freezes everything in its wake. The surface is covered in spikes that are ready to greet anyone who falls off the wall.
Separated from their allies, the demons who went to investigate the dog can only watch as lightning pounds the walls. They watch as one of the gaping holes sends hundreds of cracks to the top of the battlement, which collapses into the central courtyard. Turning to a nearby hill, they spot Nyx stepping into the open and prepare to charge the spell-hurling channeler. As they come around the boulder, the sword-wielding creatures are attacked by Luke and three of them are dead before they realize the danger. Seeing that the rest of the army is regrouping, the surviving demons attempt to retreat from the aggressive forest tracker. They are halfway to the drawbridge when the ground to their right and left give way with a crash. Chaos elves pour out of the tunnels below and swarm their former torturers, killing them quickly before rushing the castle entrance.
Arrows and stones bounce off protective shields as the two armies collide, only the children staying back with their hulking golem. Whenever a projectile comes within five feet of its charges, the construct roars and hurls a large rock from its enchanted backpack. The boulders strike the wall and send archers tumbling onto the spikes below, the icy moat eventually developing a red tint. The children’s minor spells are not enough to directly kill any of the demons, but they remember their brief lessons on strategy from Delvin and Nyx. Aiming for faces and weapons, the small barrage of elemental spells make it difficult for the enemies to concentrate and gain ground. It is only when Lily orders the golem to throw a boulder and adds her lightning spell to the projectile that the kids realize they can do more than distract. Every rock that is thrown becomes coated in elemental magic and explodes with enough force to punch a hole in the wall.
Warlord of the Forgotten Age Page 20
