by C. J. Strong
Just as Andrum kicked the castle door open, Styir stood in the middle of the hallway waiting for him. He sat Yuralia down, and prepared for his inevitable battle against evil. “Where’s the book?!” Andrum shouted out as Styir turned around to face him. He was holding a glass of what Andrum could only guess was wine, and in no way looked to be ready for a fight. He knew that Styir was a master tactician, and must have had something in store for him but he didn’t know what. He maintained his aura both around Yuralia and himself, something that drained his magik heavily.
“Andrum, my friend, how nice of you to join me,” Styir said as he sipped from his glass. “Ahh I see your woman seems to be in some pain there. You think this book can help you do you?”
“The book. Now. Or else—“
“Or else you’ll what? I hold all the cards here. This is my book. This is my city, and I am the Head of Magniffs, you are here because I let you be here, simple as that,” Styir said as he summoned the magik book into his hand.
“Your city? Styir what has become of you…” Andrum began before Yuralia let out another moan. Andrum had to act fast, if their baby was going to be born then it was going to be born soon, and he wasn’t going to be able to protect the both of them and fight Styir at the same time.
Andrum looked back at Yuralia for an instant before relinquishing the barrier he had on the both of them and rushing Styir full force. He was able to land the perfect blow on Styir’s smug face, knocking him out almost instantly. Andrum grabbed the book and dashed back to Yuralia’s side before anyone could hurt her. He looked back and to his surprise the Nifflarians outside were just standing there mindlessly, as if waiting for an order. Andrum didn’t care about them, as long as Yuralia and the baby were safe. He held the book in one hand and threw Yuralia over his shoulder and started up the stairs of the castle. If they could just get to the podium room in time, then maybe, just maybe they could open a portal and give their baby a new life somewhere safe. That was the plan of course, but things had almost seemed too easy so far. It was like they were playing right into Zorm’s hands, and sure enough they were.
By the time Andrum reached the podium room, Benry the Soul Slayer was waiting for them. Only, he wasn’t the innocent golden retriever they had known before. No, he had somehow transformed into some sort of enormous demon.
“Ah, my two masters have come at last,” the demon dog said as they entered the room.
Again, Andrum gently layed Yuralia back down on the ground, and her stomach stretched nearly out of her body glowing a bright yellow before settling back down. Yuralia, who had nearly lost consciousness started to whisper, “It’s time.”
Andrum quickly opened the book that Xurion had given him, and it spun and it spun until settling on a page. It radiated beautiful magik which filled the room, and Andrum began to read. To his surprise, half of the page was still unwritten. The last time he had opened the book it had taken him into some sort of vision, but this time it was as if it was allowing him to write time itself. Regardless of the repercussions, Andrum was prepared to do just that.
Benry charged at Andrum, attempting to stop him, but as soon as his fingers touched the page in front of him, the demon dog froze in time. Andrum then walked over to the podium and sat the book down, but before he could begin to write, Yuralia started to give birth.
He looked up from the book just in time to witness the birth of their child. The yellow glow burst out from Yuralia’s stomach as she screamed, and a white orb appeared floating in the air from it. The orb spun and spun until eventually forming into the shape of a child. It then gently floated down from the air and into Yuralia’s arms as the hole in her stomach began to close. “It’s a boy!” she cried as she hugged him tight. A conjuring book appeared within the baby boy’s hands, letting it be known that he too had been blessed with magik.
Tears dripped from Andrum’s face and onto Xurion’s book, but as he watched his beautiful newborn baby, Zorm’s demon dog started to unfreeze. Benry was slowly breaking free, and took half a step towards Yuralia and the baby, startling the both of them. Andrum quickly reacted and tried to use the books powers again, but they no longer worked. When he attempted to use the book, he couldn’t help but notice that the rest of the page was still blank. The newborn baby boy’s existence had yet to be written. Andrum couldn’t tell if this was a good thing or bad thing, but knew that they needed to send him away before it was too late. “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked as Yuralia cradled the newborn who was holding his book.
“Of course I am, is everything ready?” Yuralia asked as she stood up.
Andrum nodded his head and started writing in the book with his finger. He wrote and he wrote, hopeful that their plan would work. If the Sacred Scroll could summon forth a portal and cure The Infection, then this book should be able to summon a portal to another world. After a few sentences down, Benry’s left arm broke free and he attempted to grab at Yuralia but she easily slipped away. Andrum could feel the pressure and he was starting the sweat. He couldn’t just erase Benry from existence, that would have far too many consequences, but maybe he could send him somewhere else while he concentrated. No, that was too risky as well. He just had to take the opportunity he was given and write out the rest in order to open up a portal for his son. After a few more scribbles, he was done. Andrum closed the book and the entire castle started to shake.
Andrum managed to make his way over to Yuralia and the baby but the ground was shaking so much it was difficult to stand. Yuralia gave Andrum his son and he held him in his arms for the very first time. It was the single greatest moment in Andrum’s life. A beacon of light in an otherwise dismal day. Andrum was truly happy in that moment, and felt truly complete. He kissed the baby on the forehead before taking the babies conjuring book from him. He linked the conjuring book’s magik with his own, and then it disappeared into thin air. As he had written, Andrum gave his son his old conjuring book that he had previously sacrificed instead. At least this way his child would always have something to remember him by and Andrum could instead use his newborns’ conjuring book.
A bright light flashed in the room, and then again. It completely blinded Andrum and the baby let out his first cry. By the time Andrum had opened his eyes, an enormous portal had opened up behind them. Beautiful colors shined from it and the sheer force nearly tore the room apart. As the spherical spectrum spun around and around, it sucked everything into it.
“Do it, do it now!” Yuralia screamed as she struggled to hold on.
Andrum looked at his newborn child for the final time before letting him go. The baby gracefully floated through the air while holding Andrum’s book before sinking directly into the portal. Andrum held out his hand as if to wave goodbye, but he was gone. The violent shaking of the room started to subside as the portal closed, and Andrum fell to his knees. He was overwhelmed by both sadness and joy, but he knew that they had made the right decision.
As tears rolled down Andrum’s face, he looked up at Yuralia who smiled at him. He reached out his hand and she grabbed it, and they interlaced fingers. But as soon as he started to wipe his tears away, he heard a gut wrenching sound and blood splattered against his face. The hand that he held fell limp, and he opened his eyes in horror. Benry had broken free, and Yuralia was his first victim. He dug his monstrous arm straight through Yuralia’s chest, and held her in mid air. Andrum just watched as Benry threw her across the room. Benry grabbed him by the throat and pressed him up against the wall. His mind went into shock. It was as if he was falling into an endless void, but he didn’t care enough to get out. He just took it as Benry tossed him around like a rag doll. He had no reason to fight any longer. Both his lover and child were gone, taken from him due to Zorm’s evil. The link between Yuralia and him had been severed, as was the ones between Uriella and Ashurd, and he could no longer feel at all. The only thing that saved him was a voice. A voice that told Benry to stop.
Chapter 29
Valdar, Mol
dur, Omna, Valden and Babah all returned safely from their journey and Gallagher was anxious to hear about what transpired. He wondered most about the man that they brought with him, but all Valdar told him was that he was an old friend. Gallagher debriefed Valdar about everything that had happened since he had left, including the death of Rogan and some of the troops. Valdar seemed unphased by the news, and called another meeting to discuss their next moves.
“Alright soldiers, listen up!” Valdar began. “Our goal is simple, attack the Nifflarian city and lower the gates so that Wulder and Guldar’s troops can enter. I expect that they are about a day behind us right now which gives us little time to accomplish our mission.”
Gallagher looked around in the meeting before eventually making his way over to the newcomer. He was more interested in the mystery man than the speech, and zoned out for awhile before finally nudging the man’s arm.
“Hey, my names Gallagher, what’s yours?” he asked.
The man however, did not respond and Valdar continued to address the crowd. “I’m not sure yet if Salitar and his serpents have begun their invasion by sea yet, but it matters not. This war will be won by heroes and heroes alone, not by number of soldiers nor even clever tactics. The question for all of you is, will you be a hero today?” Valdar finished and the entire crowd cheered.
As people started to disperse, the man remained and Gallagher was finally able to get his attention. “Hey, what’s your deal man?”
The man took a moment before answering Gallagher as if he was debating on what he should say. “My deal? My deal is that my entire people have been corrupted by the most evil and wretched scum in the world.”
Gallagher was a bit taken back by this response. Up until this point, everybody loved his charm, but this guy seemed different. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend.”
“It’s not you’re fault. I’m just a little on edge. After fifteen long years, I will finally have my revenge,” the mystery man said before walking away.
Gallagher turned his attention away from the mystery man as Moldur, Omna, Valden, and Babah joined him after the meeting. “Hey guys, long time no see. How was your trip to the city?”
“It was… interesting,” Omna answered. “We had to be on high alert not to get caught, but we were able to accomplish our mission.”
“That place gave me the creeps,” Valden said.
“What was your mission by the way?” Gallagher asked.
“To rescue him,” Moldur responded.
“Why is he so important?” Gallagher said.
“Apparently he was the former Head of the Nifflarian people, and can help us when we invade the city,” Omna said as Valdar and the newcomer joined the group.
“Are all of you ready?” Valdar asked.
One by one each of them nodded their heads and picked up their bags, prepared for the battle to come.
“Alright, our soldiers will attack the front lines while we sneak in from the side and unlock the gates for them.”
“But won’t countless men die?” Gallagher asked.
“They knew what they were signing up for. It will be a glorious death, and for a good cause,” Valdar said.
“But what about that speech you just made?” Gallagher asked once more.
“Every great leader has to give an epic speech before charging to war,” Valdar said. “Andrum here knows a way we can safely get in, while we use our army as cannon fodder.”
“It all seems pretty messed up to me,” Gallagher said.
“We must all do what has to be done in order to save my people,” Andrum said.
The argument was settled, and the group of heroes abandoned their outpost at Rezhul’s Memorial and led the charge towards Ulteria, with a Tilturian army marching close behind. Gallagher was anxious to showcase his new skills, and it wasn’t long before he and gang met opposition just outside the city limits. Valdar and Moldur transformed, while the rest of the heroes watched as they tore through the ranks of countless Zormite scouting parties and guards.
What Omna, Valden, and Babah lacked in power, they made up for it with strategic support. Andrum and Gallagher however, sat back and conjured weapons before slaying the stragglers that the Tilturians left behind. “You can use a book just like me?” Gallagher asked as the battle raged on.
“It seems as though I am not the only conjuring Nifflarian left after all,” Andrum said as he slashed through another Ghoul. “Where do you come from, boy?”
Gallagher continued his attack before responding, “No where you’ve ever heard of.”
“—Over there! That’s who is controlling them,” Omna said as she pointed to a Spellbinder nearby, who was blending in with a crowd of Ghouls.
“Got it. Thanks,” Gallagher said as he rushed towards the monster. Valdar and Moldur covered him, dispatching any and all Ghouls that attempted to stop the young hero.
Gallagher made his way to the leader, with Andrum not far behind. As soon as they arrived though, it was revealed to them that not one, but three Spellbinders were behind the Zormite forces. “If we can kill them, then our armies will be free to attack the city walls,” Valdar roared.
Andrum and Gallagher turned to each other and nodded, summoning dual swords to use against the Spellbinders. The opposition hovered into the air and circled the two heroes, surrounding them before conjuring weapons of their own. One wielded a scythe, another a battle axe, and lastly a bow and arrow. “They are single minded entities, so watch out!” Andrum said.
“No problem,” Gallagher said as he ducked an arrow fired by one of the three.
Gallagher scraped his two swords together and smiled, before racing towards the Spellbinder archer. Again it fired an arrow, and he jumped and spun into the air, avoiding the attack. Just as he was airborne, another Spellbinder swung its battle axe at him. Gallagher was barely able to react in time, using both of his swords to block his body while the force of the blow drug him from the air down to the ground.
Andrum rushed to his aid, and defended him from strikes while he recovered. Gallagher sat up from the ground, with one eye a crystal blue and the other shining a brilliant red. He sprinted past the axe wielder that was attacking Andrum and sliced it in the back with one of his swords, and the Spellbinder disappeared instantly. “There, now it’s an even 2 versus 2.”
“Impressive,” Andrum said as he himself began to power up. His eyes shot forth beams of blue light and his demeanor changed. The scythe wielding Spellbinder took this as an opportunity to strike, and glided through the air swinging its blade at Andrum from behind. Andrum dropped one of his swords, and before it could touch the ground he had already turned towards the Spellbinder and caught the scythe’s blade.
Gallagher watched as Andrum broke the conjured weapon in half with his bare hand and then pulled the Spellbinder in from its weapon and struck it through the chest with his other sword. “The last one is mine,” Gallagher said as the scythe wielder disappeared.
Valdar, who had just dug his sharp claws into on the head of a Ghoul at the time, decided to join the duel by releasing his opponent and darting after the archer Spellbinder. Before it could fire another shot at Gallagher, Valdar slashed the Zormite from the side, piercing its armor and destroying it instantly.
“Awh man, come on! I called that one,” Gallagher said as the surrounding Ghouls dissipated into the air.
“This isn’t a game kid,” Valdar said.
“Come on, the sewers are this way,” Andrum said before powering down and making his way east of the Ulteria city walls.
“Sewers…?” Gallagher said as his body started to shiver.
Chapter 30
Andrum was intrigued by Valdar’s group of warriors, especially the young Nifflarian, but they had a city to save. He led the band through woods just outside the city, until coming to a small stream which caused a clearing. He then followed the stream a bit, while Gallagher and his friends lagged behind. Just like Andrum thought, the current took them to a large s
ewage entrance that was connected to the city walls.
“Be very quiet, and come with me,” Andrum told the others as he crouched down and approached the sewer.
“It stinks sooo bad!” Gallagher said as he plugged his nose.
Valdar smacked him upside the head, and Valden’s pet began to whimper. “Come on Babah, it won’t be so bad,” Valden said as Andrum bent back the bars of the sewer entrance with his magik.
They slowly entered the cesspool and Andrum used his book to conjure a torch to light the way. As they plotted through the muck, Andrum studied the turns that they took carefully. “We’re almost there,” he said.
“God I sure hope so,” Gallagher said.
“Quit complaining,” Moldur said as he brushed past him.
After nearly an hour of trotting through the trenches of the sewer, Andrum had found the ladder leading to the city above. Valdar was the first to climb up, using his strength to lift the manhole cover.
“Is it clear?” Andrum asked, but Valdar’s response was unclear.
One by one, each climbed up, with Andrum being the last. Once he had taken his final steps to the surface, it was revealed to him that it had not been clear after all. Guards had already surrounded the group, and were ordering Andrum to climb out of the sewage hole. He slowly crawled out with his hands up, looked around and realizing how outnumbered they were.
A Guard with his eyes lit red shoved Andrum to the ground and ordered him to place the manhole cover back over the sewage entrance and Andrum agreed. He struggled to lift the cover up, and then brought it over. But just before it was ready to be placed, he tossed the cover a few inches, dropping it on the guard’s toes and dashing back down the ladder and into the sewers.
“After him!” the guard shouted as he pulled his feet from underneath the heavy metal.
Andrum slid down the ladder, and dove into the wretched sewer water. He swam with the current, and before long he could no longer spot the guards that gave chase. Andrum had escaped, but the rest of his allies weren’t as lucky. I’ve got to find a way to save them, he thought. But first I have to rescue Uriella and Ashurd.
