"Do you think it will be enough?" Lara asked.
Warrick stopped and gazed at the wall, his expression distant, as if he were working through a thousand thoughts at once. "I honestly have no idea, but it's the best plan we have."
He instructed them on how to craft a teleportation spell. Nadia had always thought it would be a quick process, but it actually required a few minutes. That meant you could not use teleportation to escape any dangerous situation. Crafting a teleportation spell required you to stay in the same place for at least a few minutes. You could prepare one ahead of time, as Warrick had before Nadia and Markus had come to kill him months ago.
They were about to teleport to the fortress, but then Nadia remembered that Rik and Klint were still elsewhere in the temple. Warrick explained that he would grab each of them separately and teleport them to Luminia, where they would wait for everyone else.
After Warrick finished explaining, they prepared the spell. Nadia closed her eyes, visualizing the chamber within the fortress where the stones were located. At first, nothing came to her, but then she felt the spell tugging at the corners of her consciousness.
She focused on that tugging, and the image gradually crystallized in her mind. A few minutes passed as the scene became clearer and clearer. At last, she felt the spell growing stronger, nearing completion.
Warrick placed a hand on her shoulder. "Raise your right hand into the air as you would on a teleportation platform."
She flinched away from his touch and did as he'd instructed. A moment later, everything swirled around her. Her feet left the ground, and air whooshed by her. The next thing she knew, she stood on solid ground again. She opened her eyes to see that she'd gone where she'd intended. The fortress appeared deserted now, but it had remained intact despite crashing.
In front of her were the three stones sitting in the slots within the console. She couldn't grab any of them, so she waited for the others to arrive. Markus came first, followed by Lara, then by Warrick a while later. Once they were all there, Markus claimed the Stone of Restoration, and Warrick grabbed the Stone of Creation. He held the two Stones of Creation side by side, smiling faintly.
"Do you feel any more power?" Lara asked.
"I do, but I'm not sure it's enough."
They all prepared their next teleportation spells, which took them to the entrance of the Tower of Light. Some places like the Tower of Light had magical wards that didn't allow people to teleport to locations within them. The Floating Fortress had probably held similar protections, but when it had crashed, those protections must have failed.
Now they stood on the bright streets of Luminia, the Tower of Light looming tall and ominous ahead of them. Something felt wrong, though. Nadia expected to see Imperial Guards standing outside, but none were present.
Rik and Klint stood near the entrance to the Tower of Light, their expressions wary. Markus rushed forward to hug Rik, and Nadia felt a pang of longing as she wondered where Kara was and what had happened to her.
Warrick frowned as he took a few steps toward the tower. "Something has happened."
They entered the tower, finding it mysteriously empty. No Imperial Guards. No sorcerers. No signs of life at all. An eerie silence hung in the air.
"I don't like this," Markus said, glancing around hurriedly.
"Where do you think everyone has gone?" Lara asked.
Warrick took a few more steps into the lobby, scrutinizing his surroundings with a discerning expression. "I have no idea."
He closed his eyes as if reading the Webs of Fate, but the Webs of Fate no longer existed. Still, Warrick appeared to be focusing on something. They let him do so in peace.
At last, he opened his eyes. "I was just sensing if there was any strange magic about, and I detected a very unusual disturbance. A gateway of sorts."
"A gateway?" Nadia said. "To where?"
"I have no idea."
"Should we go on and get immortality?" Lara asked.
Warrick nodded. "Let's take you down to the Light Temple."
He led the way as they passed beneath the main floor of the tower. Soon they stood in darker corridors. Again, Nadia expected to see guards, but none were present.
Warrick gestured toward a door at the end of a short corridor. "Go inside."
"We'll just wait here," Rik said, swaying nervously as he glanced at Klint.
Nadia's stomach churned as she walked along the corridor. Despite all the time she'd spent gaining magic, she'd never expected to reach this point. Much like Markus, she hadn't given much thought to immortality either. On the surface, it sounded like a good idea, but there had to be a few drawbacks.
How would she feel when people she cared about died while she didn't age at all? Would she grow bored of life once she'd lived long enough?
Pushing these concerns aside, she made her way to the end of the corridor and opened the door. Markus and Lara followed her into the chamber beyond. It was the brightest place Nadia had ever seen, and she had to close her eyes against the glare.
Gradually, she adjusted to the brightness. She opened her eyes bit by bit while Markus and Lara walked beside her. In the center of the chamber, a round crystal gave off the brightest of the light. The crystal sat atop a small round pedestal.
"I guess we touch it," Nadia said. She, Markus, and Lara all reached out at the same time, placing their hands on the bright white crystal. At first, Nadia felt nothing and almost removed her hand. But then the crystal glowed brighter than ever.
She closed her eyes, the brightness leaving afterimages behind her eyelids. Then the energy coursed through them. It was hot, but it didn't burn them, didn't cause pain at all. Then it became cold, but again without any pain. The entire world seemed to tremble. Every hair on her body stood on end as magical vibrations ran through her.
Then it all stopped. She pulled away from the crystal, surprised to find she felt the same as she had before touching it.
"Are we immortal now?" Markus asked.
"I think so," Nadia said.
"I don't feel like anything has changed," Lara said.
They all agreed on that point as they made their way toward the exit, where Rik, Klint and Warrick were waiting for them. Warrick examined them with his keen gaze, and after a few moments, he nodded. "You are now immortal. You probably don't feel any different. I didn't."
"I feel exactly the same," Nadia said.
"You won't really notice any difference until you face challenges that would normally kill you. I must warn you that you will still feel pain, but your immortality will make that pain not quite as bad. You will retain injuries for a short period of time before they heal. In that way, you can still succumb to physical attacks. People will often use such tactics to escape from you."
"In other words," Nadia said, "we can't be reckless."
Warrick nodded. "Precisely."
"What're we gonna do now?" Markus asked.
"While you were in there, I focused on that strange gateway I felt. It was opened here in the tower itself. I suspect that Krinir passed through that gateway. If we hope to defeat him, I think we should follow him."
"Don't you think we should plan?" Nadia asked. She still hated doing anything without a solid plan, and she had thought Warrick would feel the same way.
"I don't like it either," Warrick said, "but I have no idea where this gateway leads. There is no real way for us to plan."
"Then maybe we should wait till Krinir returns," Markus said.
"No, we should go after him," Warrick said. "If Krinir took all his sorcerers and guards through this gateway, then he's planning something big. This could be his first big step toward destroying the world. We have to take the risk. We have to stop him."
Nadia hated to admit it, but Warrick was right.
"Makes sense to me," Rik said. Klint nodded his agreement, though his face looked abnormally pale and his expression was tight with apprehension.
"Let's do it," Nadia said.
&nb
sp; Warrick led them up to the main floor again, and then they entered one of the corridors, where they stepped into a large room whose door was open. On the inside, they found the gateway. It shimmered with many colors swirling about within it. Through the colors, Nadia could see a shattered and barren landscape filled with black rock and rivers of lava.
"You think that leads to another world?" Lara asked.
"Most likely," Warrick said. He turned to the five of them. "Ready?"
They all nodded. Warrick stepped through the portal, and they followed.
Chapter 67: The Final Battle
Theo stood upon the shattered landscape, black rock stretching all around him. Rivers of lava cut a path through the ruined world. Theo didn't know what he was doing here or what help he could possibly be.
He had no magic, and his best fighting days were long behind him, but when Marlon had led an army of sorcerers through the gateway, Theo had followed without question.
Kara and Rador were somewhere within the fortress that sat ahead of them, its tan-colored walls adorned with countless cracks, just like the land around it. But there were others here as well, an entire army of sorcerers that stood between Marlon's forces and the fortress.
Krinir stood at the front of this army. For the moment, they were not attacking, but how long would that last? Theo's chest felt tight as he waited for the inevitable.
He could not survive a confrontation with Krinir and his sorcerers. It wasn't too late to return to his world. He glanced back at the shimmering gateway, seeing the building they'd left through it. All he had to do was take a few steps and he'd be safe.
But he wasn't going to run away. His intuition told him this was the day that would determine the fate of the world, and he was not going to sit by and let it play out without him.
The armies faced each other, tension hanging in the air between them. Just when Theo thought he couldn't grow any more terrified, Krinir strode forward from his army. He marched across the cracked landscape, his steps forming a menacing rhythm.
Marlon stepped forward as well, while the rest of his army remained behind, ready to unleash spells should the need arise. Theo stood toward the back of the group, feeling as if his sword were a mere toy. Against the likes of Krinir, he stood no chance.
Once more, he glanced at the gateway, longing to return home.
But he was no coward. Not anymore.
Krinir stopped a good distance away from Marlon, but close enough that they could speak to each other without straining.
"Do you think this pathetic army can oppose me?" Krinir asked.
Marlon's stance was fierce. "We'll do our best."
Krinir tossed a small stone in the air. There was a casual deadliness to the way he tossed it, and Theo had a feeling he knew the identity of that stone. It was the Stone of Destruction. Marlon had told them that Krinir would likely have it in his possession, and it would only make his powers as the Destroyer more powerful.
"All I have to do is channel my magic through this stone," Krinir said, "and I will wipe your army out with one spell. Is that what you desire?"
"You seek to destroy the world," Marlon said. "We have to stop you."
Krinir let out a theatrical sigh, loud enough that everyone could hear it. "Oh, more of this destruction of the world foolishness. Don't you understand? It's not about destroying the world. Yes, that is my nature, but Destruction is just as much a part of the world as everything else. In order to start anew, you must destroy what already exists, and it would be a shame to start anew with so many good sorcerers lying dead."
"You're not fooling me with your words," Marlon said. "Nor are you fooling my sorcerers."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Krinir said. He looked past Marlon, to the many sorcerers assembled on the plateau, all of whom had wary expressions. "I've already convinced many sorcerers to join my side. You should join us as well. This new world will be a place where we can achieve new levels of enlightenment. I will destroy the world we have, and with the help of Darien Warrick, I will create a new world. A better world."
Marlon turned back to his army. "Don't trust anything he says."
Most of the sorcerers nodded their agreement, but Theo could see doubt in the way some of them stood. He had the feeling it wasn't the power of Krinir's words alone. No, Krinir was using some kind of mind control on the crowd. Perhaps he couldn't influence too many at once, so only those more likely to support Krinir in the first place were affected.
"It's a pity to kill so many," Krinir said, "but you forced my hand."
The Stone of Destruction glowed in his hands, and a wave of darkness burst forth from him, heading toward the army. They all cast magical shields, but Theo knew it wouldn't be enough. He glanced again at the gateway, knowing he wouldn't have time to reach it.
* * * * *
Markus, Nadia, Lara, Rik, and Klint all followed Warrick across the desolate landscape. Warrick kept a quick pace, and Markus could see the reason why. Two armies stood opposite each other near a giant fortress. A representative from each army stood in the space between the two armies. Even from a distance, Markus recognized Krinir.
Krinir's mannerisms were growing angrier. It was only a matter of time until he unleashed destruction upon the opposing army. They had to hurry.
Warrick sprinted across the cracked landscape, and the others followed, struggling to keep pace with him. Markus's breath caught in his throat, but he continued running.
A great wave of darkness burst from Krinir's fingertips. Markus cast a shield instinctively, though the spell was not directed at him. Ahead of him, Warrick fixed his gaze on the army toward which the spell was advancing. He gripped one Stone of Creation with each hand, and Markus caught a faint shimmer in the air when he cast the shield.
The shield formed around the army moments before the wave of darkness struck. The spell washed over the shield, battering it from every direction. The people within were casting their own shields, adding to the strength of the spell, but Warrick was clearly doing most of the work. With two Stones of Creation, his magic was more powerful than ever.
Krinir continued funneling his powers through the Stone of Destruction he carried. The wave of darkness did not relent. Soon he switched to a different spell. Fire roared around the shield. Lightning crackled in the air. The ground trembled fiercely.
The sorcerers behind Krinir had stepped forward, unleashing their own spells at the opposing army. Many colors filled the air, which positively crackled with the energy of all the magic flying around.
Markus watched in awe, wondering how he could help. He couldn't stand here and do nothing. Before he knew it, he was rushing forward.
He unleashed a wave of fire, which he sent at Krinir, expecting to catch the god by surprise. However, Krinir turned his head just a little, noticed the spell, and let his fire spell die. With a simple hand motion, he conjured a shield. Markus's own fire spell surged all around Krinir but did not break through his shield.
Krinir's gaze traveled past Markus, landing on Warrick. "I should have known this was your doing, Darien. How did you break free from my control?"
Warrick did not respond. Instead, he sent a wave of fire at Krinir. Markus added his own fire spell to it while Nadia and Lara did the same behind him. Even Rik and Klint pointed their staffs at Krinir, trying to overwhelm him with the combined force of their magic.
Krinir's shield stopped all of it.
He barked a laugh. "Is that the best you can do?" He turned back to his army. "Take care of the other army. I'll handle Warrick and the others."
Markus's insides turned to water. They couldn't handle Krinir's undivided attention.
"Attack!" Warrick shouted.
Again, they unleashed all the spells they could throw at him. Fire and lightning danced in the air. Massive waves of water crashed into his shield but didn't wash him away. Great spikes of rock flew toward him. Boulders fell from the sky. His shield stopped everything they sent at him.
Markus realized the horrifying truth. In all their previous encounters with Krinir he'd been holding back. Now he was at his full strength, channeling his already immense powers through the Stone of Destruction.
Already, Markus was feeling exhausted, and the others were covered in sweat, doubled over, and breathing heavily. Even Warrick looked fatigued.
Krinir went on the offensive, launching a wave of darkness at them. Warrick cast a shield, but Markus wasn't sure how long it would hold. Bit by bit, the wave of darkness pressed against the shield.
"Attack him while I'm protecting us!" Warrick shouted.
Markus unleashed his own wave of darkness, drawing on the darkness magic he'd recently acquired. His spell was nothing compared to Krinir's. It raced toward the god. Alongside it were two fire spells, as well as some lightning.
It looked like they might hurt Krinir. After all, he was focused on his own attack spell. But then some of his sorcerers joined the fray, casting shields to protect him.
"We can't defeat him," Warrick said, straining to hold the shield.
"Then what can we do?" Nadia shouted.
No one had an answer.
* * * * *
As Kara made her way back through the fortress with Rador, she felt her new powers as a goddess. Initially, she'd felt the same, but now a great sense of power washed through her, telling her that her Sunweaving had become much stronger. But there was another power there as well, coming from a different source, from the fiery depths of the planet itself.
She had no idea what it meant, but now it seemed she could fill her reserves of magic even when the sun did not shine upon her. For the moment, it didn't matter because the sun was up.
"You think Krinir is here by now?" she asked.
Rador didn't even have to close his eyes to read the Webs of Fate. "He is here. The battle has already begun." Now he did close his eyes, stopping in the middle of a bright stone corridor. "I'm starting to see the path we need to take. It's not quite there, but I can see something."
World in Chains- The Complete Series Page 181
