After two hours of traveling in the lonely night, the Queen became impatient. “Slave, are we almost there yet?” she asked, a growl in her tone.
Adeleric stopped. “We have already arrived.”
“Have we?” Talvenya climbed down from the horse and raised her hands to the sky. “Be light made,” she said and a host of fiery stars two feet in diameter circled the grounds before them.
They’d come to a cemetery, an ancient sacred cemetery bearing the graves of Elves, Dwarves and Men of the Second Age, an alliance forged from a war long and forgotten. Gargoyles of angelic beings stood everywhere, some on top of gravestones, others upon the ground.
Talvenya stared at one in particular, a male Angel placing its hand over top a little child’s head as though he were her Guardian. The image of the child was of her taking a step forward. Talvenya’s eyes flashed and she released a type of force, shattering the statues to pieces. “There are no more Angels,” she whispered, fighting to retain certain memories. Glancing aside to her puppet who seemed to stare off into the dark of the night, she spoke loudly, “Slave! Where are the crystals?”
“This way.” He led her about halfway across the cemetery.
Talvenya never cared whose graves she mindlessly trampled over, or a poor rodent that just happened to cross her path which she quickly stomped onto with her boot. The poor thing let out a squeak, then knew life no more, at least in this world. She grinded it into the ground with the sole of her leather boot, a mass of intestines and brain matter smeared across the dirt.
Just a little farther Adeleric stopped at a tombstone with an inscription too faded to read. “There.” He pointed down.
“How stealthily of them.” She closed her eyes and concentrated a great deal of power. The wind picked up, her long raven hair swayed; a mist of purple surrounded her presence.
Then it happened; the perimeter around the grave trembled like a monstrosity awakening underground. The stone cracked to pieces, chunks of earth—grass and dirt rose rapidly into the air leaving behind a large hole, and a coffin levitated out of it.
Talvenya pointed to her feet and the coffin landed beside them and burst open. Whether someone lay in this coffin at one time or it’d been made to look like a grave did not matter, for she found what she’d been looking for, the crystals—both Water and Earth, glistening from the fiery lights in the air. She faced Adeleric with a grin, then reached into the pockets under her cloak and took out six black candles as well as a black rose. She set the candles down and rubbed the tips of the rose pedals with her long dark fingernails while chanting a demonic melody.
The flower began to glow a deep purple and a strange dust-like substance formed onto the petals.
“Come here my servant.”
He obeyed, kneeling down before her.
“You know, Adeleric, at one time you begged me to kill you, so you could be with your wife—whom I also killed. Remember? I turned her to stone and then broke her apart before your very eyes.” She grinned. “Never did I witness a man weep so dearly. Admittedly, it touched me. So tonight my dear, I shall grant a monk’s request and end your suffering, reuniting husband to wife. You have served your Goddess well. I release you from my presence. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.”
At that moment the King came out of hypnosis and fell back, terrified.
She put the rose to her lips and blew the dust off the petals.
The particles covered him completely, eating away at his skin like acid, causing almost the entirety of his boiling blood to gush out and spread across the ground. The remnants of the particles continued melting his every organ and disintegrating all bone.
There seemed to be nothing but a pile of ashes and dust left at her feet. “All hail the King,” she purred mockingly, licking her lips. She took the six candles, placed them around her, forming a circle, set aflame, burning with black and blue fires. She picked up the crystals, grasping them tightly against her chest. “It is time.”
The flames of the candles flickered creating a spiral of thick black smoke and she disappeared.
CHAPTER TWO
Of Giants and Titans
After his departure from Zithel, and then grabbing Avis—who seemed thrilled to come—Olchemy and the little Gnome traveled almost nonstop, passing through many woodlands, across great lakes and over long stretches of deserts—after abandoning Adeleric's horse of course. The deserts were so dry, so brutal had he not been a master Fire Wizard he would have surely died like many do every day. He could go without water for a long time…one of the reasons he desired the company of Avis, she also used water sparingly.
They finally came to the underground tunnel leading to Mt. Flame. A tunnel created long ago by Dwarves and Men as a means to cross the scorching plains without ending their journey in death. And this was where he was going. Not only that, Olchemy had to take the tunnels now.
For it is known, halfway between the last forests of the east and Mt. Flame, Giants along with Titans were constantly at war amongst one another while trying to gain possession of the Southern Deserts. These two races, besides perhaps Trolls and Ettins were the last of the great-sized races to exist. But they’d taken well to the south adapting themselves to the overly hot climate and could live nowhere else. That is why they cared little or none at all about the rest of the world or her affairs. They’d long forgotten about Wizards, Elves, Men, legends of the past, and the threat of the Dark now taking place. Neither did they like intruders and would slay them on sight, crushing them to mush with their ridiculously large hammers—unleashing a frenzy of giant spears, arrows and boulders into the sky if one tried crossing by flight.
Otherwise, Olchemy may have fetched a ride on a great eagle. He knew better, there could be no way of telling where a great-sized creature might attack from. The safest route would be by going underneath.
The entrance to the tunnel dwelt in a valley furthest west of the desert…No way of forgetting it as long ago a big battle took place there between Barbarians and Loreladians. The Loreladians, being led by Mirabel, slaughtered the enemy controlling this valley, then took the tunnels to Mt. Flame, where the last battle would be fought.
Now Olchemy climbed down a ravine and entered the beginning tunnels, bypassing a family of coyotes, memories from those dreadful days came to mind, the days when he’d been evil, or at least not so good. Many souls did he slay, even among these tunnels which were dark and dry with a hollow wind. Rather than lapse into self-pity, he focused on the journey underground, using the green flame atop his staff for vision.
Avis thought it fun going down the ravine, sometimes sliding over loose stone on purpose, following after her master.
Olchemy wasn’t worried. He’d grown used to this behavior.
It seemed to be her nature to constantly play, wander and explore—like a curious animal. She seemed busy inspecting nearly everything, rocks, cactuses, between cracks in the ground; who knows what kind of objects there might be? She’d already found a small rusty dagger a few miles back and on the ravine a bracelet made of citrine. The stones allied along the band lost their sparkle but she knew ways of polishing them up and could not wait to go back home and add it to her collection. Whenever realizing how far behind she’d fallen, she’d simply transport or ‘puff’ herself closer to Olchemy.
However, once entering the cave that ended, there would be no fooling around in the dark basement of the desert, where possible enemies may dwell or who knows what else? Although, it didn’t keep her eyes from staring down every nook and cranny amongst the walls. It is a shame what people toss away, or purposely leave behind. But she rejoiced for this wasteful trait it is what stocked her collection.
After two days of traveling they came to a section where they heard a loud rumbling noise from above, like rushing water. It could be possible after all it seldom rains in the desert. When it does, especially in a dry valley it’s usually a torrential downpour causing a flash flood.
Olchemy soon realized though,
this didn’t seem to be a natural occurrence. The rumbling continued, lasting over thirty minutes and he heard cries of despair and then explosions. Could he be underneath a great battle between Giants and Titans? No, it couldn’t have been. This seemed too much. Like magic. Magic! He closed his eyes and concentrated then, almost lost his breath at what—who he felt could be causing this destruction.
Avis felt it too, and visibly trembled all over while tightly clinging to his side. “He here, right? It’s him?” she asked, teeth clattering.
Olchemy knew full well who she meant.
Suddenly the ground above opened up as an earthquake spawned. Rocks and boulders came crashing in along with a river of water. Swift-like Olchemy levitated Avis and himself into the air, just missing the rushing water as it ran down the tunnel.
Next…in plunged a large lifeless body apparently burnt beyond recognition. The newly made river quickly carried the corpse away; a few seconds later fell two additional charcoaled bodies. They’d been struck by lightning—unnatural lightning. The earthquake, no act of nature either.
He knew who loomed up there. “He’s looking for me. But how could he know? I do hope nothing has happened to the others, least of all Darshun.”
“Me scared—me scared!” Avis mumbled. “Master, want to go home—he’ll kill us, kill us both.”
“Shhh,” he cooed, caressing her back his touch gently soothing her spirit. Though Avis would be right to be terrified, no one should desire to come face to face with the one lurking above. If he is on my trail then that means—that means I will most definitely encounter him. Probably at Mt. Flame, for he doesn’t seem to know about the tunnel, otherwise. I must do something to avoid confrontation. I won’t last one minute against his might. Wait—that’s it! He levitated both he and Avis over to a stable section of rock and set foot onto it. “Avis, stay here, I’m going to investigate.”
“No, please no!” She clutched his sleeve tightly. “He’ll kill you, he’ll get us both. Please?”
“Listen to me…he’s not going to find us, least of all you. Just stay put and don’t make a sound. I promise to return. Okay?”
She stared long and hard at him, those big hazel eyes filling with tears. “Okay. Me stay here.” She sat down crossing her legs, took out her dagger and bracelet to keep her company, excessively rubbing her fingers over them. Every so often, she would gaze at the water below, which now slowed its pace.
Carefully, Olchemy climbed over the jagged rocks and to the surface, stealthily creeping around boulders and mounds of sand. It seemed dark and cold, but the full moon lit up the landscape before him, revealing devastation.
Bodies of Giants and Titans lay everywhere impaled through jagged rocks, drowned from the flash flood, or blackened from lightning. Their weapons were scattered across the valley and other additional places. Their axes stuck halfway into the foreheads of Giants. Titans were impaled through the chest by long swords and war hammers rested atop of mounds of bloody mush. It appeared the two races were having an all out war before he showed up. There was no doubt some saw him passing over and lunged a javelin or two.
Such fools! Now they were all dead. Nevertheless, Olchemy needed to find just the right spot for what he would try to do. He needed high ground to call upon energy from the woodlands, to begin the Spirit Shield, an ability that might save him. He needed to draw as much energy as nature would allow from all living things among the forest for protection, perhaps the most difficult thing an Earth Wizard could do. Once accomplished he must act fast with such a high amount of power sealed within him, if not released in three days his body would collapse.
Suddenly, he heard a great pounding of steel coming from above. He slid off a large rock he’d been climbing over and landed in a trench to hide. Then a warm liquid fell like rain, except it was dark red. Looking to the top of the valley, he saw what he first mistook for a falling boulder, plunging straight toward him. Hurriedly, he darted out of the way and the ‘boulder’ hit crashing to and fro of the surrounding rocks, landing back into the gully. Once still, Olchemy knew it to be no boulder, but the head of a Giant. Its big brown eyes stared at him with curved cheeks making a dopey looking face, then went still.
Blood filled the trench and Olchemy got out of there—and in the nick of time, for the axe which must’ve chopped off the Giant’s head crashed into the spot Olchemy just abandoned. Were the Titans still alive after all? When he looked across the valley, he soon found out.
Yes, they were and so were the Giants, all coming out of hiding while the flood passed. It would be easy to tell them apart. Giants always stood between twelve to fifteen feet tall, wore simple ragged garments, and looked either grumpy or slow-to-wit. Titans stood fifteen to twenty-five feet, wore beautiful, clean loose clothing and carried a look of nobility…Though this same nobility seemed to have been lost over the years, being replaced by rage. In fact, both races were once said to be peaceful, caring and possessing of magic, especially the Titans.
It is told this grace fell during the end of the Second Age and their hearts began to slip, driving them into madness. No one could remember why. Some say they disliked the changes of the world and others said the Dark put a curse on them. Whatever the reason, one thing seemed sure, this happened the same time the Wizard Crystals and their Guardians disappeared—leaving not a trace. An era shrouded in mystery indeed.
While Olchemy waited for another battle to erupt, he soon noticed theses two opposing races were not fighting anymore, but working together, focusing on something else—something from above.
There he was, just as Olchemy feared, the High Wizard Levieth, sitting upon his Wyvern. A fearful fifty foot long dragon creature, having a dark-brown and gray body, orange eyes, huge leathery wings with a long tail carrying a deadly stinger. Hovering in the air, it roared sounding like ten angry bulls.
The Giants and Titans let loose a storm of arrows and javelins, all racing toward the evil in the sky.
Levieth countered by thrusting his staff forward, casting a type of energy or spell invisible to the eye. Transparent, the weapons slowed their pace shining with bluish-white lights, and then changed course, plunging toward the attackers themselves, each one to its wielder.
They all ran for cover but it didn’t matter; the weapons were not free falling, Levieth controlled them by telekinesis. Wherever the Giants or Titans hid, the arrows and javelins found their ‘masters’ and slaughtered them.
Only one slipped away…A Titan, merely because he hadn't been among those who attacked. From the very beginning of making war against Levieth he’d been climbing the steep rocky valley and finally reached the top. He stood about twenty feet tall, with long coarse blonde hair and blazing blue eyes. A mighty warrior indeed, perhaps the King, wielding a great war hammer. He ran across the desert, causing sand to spray and scatter, then leapt high into the sky toward his enemy, attempting to crush the intruding evil.
Olchemy silently rooted him on, as it seemed the High Wizard did not take notice.
But another did, the Wyvern. Then just before the Titan could swing, the Wyvern swung its tail, stabbing the Titan through the stomach with its stinger.
He roared in absolute pain from the poison. His eyes bubbled and melted, his skin turned dark green. Then his body crumpled apart entirely, the decayed pieces blowing away in the wind. All seemed finished here—the Giants and Titans obliterated.
Olchemy got down low, forcing himself between clusters of rocks where a slight opening remained, so he could still watch Levieth.
The Wyvern flew a bit higher and Levieth cast yellow lights from his staff, down across the valley, between every crack and in every hole.
Did he search for more enemies, or did he sense Olchemy’s presence? Olchemy did not know. He may have sensed him when he used levitation to avoid the rushing water in the tunnel. How foolish I am! Olchemy thought, his heart racing. If I’m discovered it’s over. I stand no chance. Please let him not find me. Not yet. Please?
Levieth continued to search through the valley, shining his lights everywhere, even against the cluster of rocks Olchemy hid under. Sweat poured off Olchemy’s brow, his hands shaking excessively.
Unexpectedly, the beams went out like a candle flame. The High Wizard seemed to give up his search…Upon his Wyvern, he flew away, heading further south.
“Phew!” Olchemy sighed relief, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Now, to do what I began before he returns.” He made way back toward the underground, peeking his head in the crack, looking for the little Gnome. She wasn’t where he left her. “Avis?” There came no answer. Panic began to fill him. What if an arrow hit her? Or a javelin? “Avis?” he called a little louder, but not exactly shouting.
“Master?” she answered, clustered under some broken up rocks on the other side, her wide eyes peeping through.
“It is I, dear one. Everything’s all right. He left.”
“So—we go home now?”
“I need your help. It’ll save time. Please, come to me.”
“Hmm, okay.” She climbed out of her ‘hideout.’ How she’d been able to fit in there, or manage to avoid splitting open her skin from the extreme jagged stone would remain a mystery. “What need, master, what need? I want to go home.”
Olchemy already regretted bringing the little Gnome, but needed her if failure would befall him. “Can you transport me to the top of this valley? The walk itself would take possibly an hour, and is dangerously slippery. I must reach the highest point, and time is short, not to mention Levieth's possible return.
“Why, why master?”
“A spell I must conjure.”
She gave him a look of confusion. “Why so far away?”
“Just trust me. Trust your master.”
“Okay.” She hurried over.
He reached down, offering a hand and helped her out of the underground.
Once at his side, she pointed up. “There?”
Crossing Forbidden Lines (Guardian Series Book 2) Page 3
