“Filchner, use Puppeteer,” Repa said, taking a few steps back. Filchner jumped down from the edge of the crater where he’d been overseeing the fight and enjoying the break. He dashed across the arena to a mixed, scattered and select assortment cries, cheers and jeers from the audience. He cast Puppeteer on Jael and manipulated his body with a scorning, mocking laugh.
“Wow, this kid’s heavy!” Filchner said. “You can release your spell now. He is under my control.” He jerked Jael’s arms above his head, wiggling his body around. “Should we give the ladies a show this time?” He forced Jael’s butt out at a humorous angle, and the women in the crowd all laughed to see this handsome young man held hostage by the same spells.
“I think I’ll have a little fun this time,” Repa said, and stalked towards Jael with a cold smile. Repa began to batter Jael, left to right, jabbing and striking him with numerous blows all around his body. Jael cried out, but his hands were pinned above his head by Filchner’s unwavering spell and he could do nothing against Repa’s increasing rain of abuse. “What’s it going to take to me you surrender?” He struck Jael’s nose. “A blow to your pretty face?” He smacked Jael’s face, and his lip split. He could barely focus now, Repa’s form ahead of him a wavering haze of smoke. Blood spilled thick and heavy from his nose, iron taste in his mouth. “You know, Filcher, I think he likes it!”
The blood ran hot and heavy throughout his body, burning underneath his skin. Jael’s stamina was long since depleted and the combination of the relentless torture and taunts had driven him into a downright delirious, ferocious state. Thick red flames bound throughout his veins like magma churning deep within the earth, erupted from his weary flesh, an unusual thick red flame covering his worn out body. Jael’s eyes burned with glowing heat and his new spell charged with a mighty power from somewhere deep within. Immediately they severed the invisible Puppeteer strands and Jael strode towards Repa, who shirked back from the unusually intense heat that began to melt away his garments. The air around him rippled in a bubble of furious flame!
“This can’t be. His power is growing even stronger!” Repa exclaimed.
Filchner manipulated the surrounding grounds and seized debris, clumps, anything loose and hurled it toward Jael. But before it even reached Jael, it vaporised.
“What intense heat!” Filchner said, shocked. Jael suddenly cast Rokka and flew up into the air, jumping toward Repa with an intense Explosion spell.
At the very brink of the attack, Filchner yanked Repa out of Jael’s path. The spell roared through the grounds, ripping and melting a flaming crater into the centre. Repa immediately cast one of his strongest spells: Gravitational Arc. Gravity fluctuated at a rapid pace, and Jael got caught up in the spell, his internal organs given the rattling of a lifetime. The last thing Jael felt was the urge to vomit up everything, afloat, then he smashed to the ground. For a second he blacked out. Eyes flicked open. He tried once more to speak, and again the spell slammed his body against the burning ground, continuous until his eyes no longer tried to open and he welcomed that sweet embrace of darkness freeing him from the pain.
When Jael came back to, he was in a nearby recovery station, and mystos were being applied for his myriad of injuries. “Congratulations to Jael for showing his heart and strength on this triad fight. We salute his bravery,” the announcer called. The final showdown for first prize was beginning. Everybody in the crowd cheered, “Jael! Jael! Jael!”
“And now we are down to two. Repa and Filchner! Who will win this triad battle? Who will reign supreme? Stay tuned, ladies and gentlemen!”
Repa immediately cancelled his anti-gravity spell on Filchner.
“I do not wish to fight you,” Filchner said. “Let’s give the crowd a show,” Repa answered.
“Okay then,” Filchner replied, and Repa resumed his spell. Just like Jael when caught in the clutches of a gravity mage, Filchner battled against the sudden morbidity of his own body. Repa came in with a laugh and began to punch him; Filchner thought quickly for any way he might counter Repa’s gravitational magick. But Repa was on a whole different level of magickal ability, and Filchner had no desire for the humiliation to continue at his own expense.
“You really are a master of gravity magick.” Filchner said, and he waved his hand, announcing his defeat.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, this year’s Salamanka Grand Race champion, Repa Riveris!” The crowd shouted and chanted in response, and he held up his arms in victory. “Now, here’s the queen to formally announce the end of the race!”
“Greetings to everyone. It has been a tenacious competition and fight for each and every mage who joined this competition. We all have learnt a valuable lesson. Because of the labyrinth, we learned to use our intelligence first before acting. Strategy comes before strength! In Terrania, we learned that companionship and trust is a key factor to one’s victory. And in this tournament, we have learned that your magickal skills will enhance as you progress in your lives. We witnessed new spells, new elements and new people. Congratulations to everyone!” Queen Jeannah delivered her speech. The award ceremony began.
Vaan, Frekkis and Izabelle rushed to Jael after the queen’s speech. Vaan looked wonderfully pleased to see Jael standing steadily on both feet. “Jael! It’s nice to see you upright after what you suffered from Repa.”
“Thanks to the committee,” Jael said. “They have some extremely powerful healing magick here. I healed a lot faster than expected. I sensed an enormous magickal power coming from Repa when I fought him earlier. He had a peculiar kind of magick. He clearly is on a different level than us. That Filchner fellow is just a tricky one.”
“Well, yeah. We all saw everything that happened. Repa really is a powerful mage,” Vaan replied.
“Hey guys, the awarding will start soon. Chat later and let Jael get his prize,” said Izabelle, and they walked out of the recovery station.
On their way, Jael and the others came across Repa. “Hey Jael, you were pretty tough. I admire your willpower to continue. I haven’t faced an opponent such as you for a very long time. It was an honour to fight you,” Repa stated.
“Thank you for teaching me new strategies. An honour for me as well,” Jael replied, and they smiled and shook hands.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the top three mages of Salamanka Grand Race!” Piorus Lavesque announced and the three mages came to the centre stage to receive their respective prizes. “In third place, Jael, who showed us bravery and willpower! In second place, Filchner, who showed us to quit when you’re ahead! And our Salamanka Mage of the Year, Repa Riveris, the one who showed us the greatest skill, strength and strategy!” The crowd went crazy. “Jael will receive 1000 gold coins and three months free of training at the Demijia. Filchner will receive 2000 gold coins and a one year privilege on all valkyrie rides, and Repa will receive 3000 gold coins, a rare mysto and of course the Salamanka Cup.”
Fireworks immediately went off, blue, green and red flares exploding and sparks raining down all above them. The crowd began to disperse into celebrations, everyone having the time of their lives in the wake of the festival, when suddenly rain began to fall. People screamed and laughed and began to run for shelter, hiding underneath sheds and overhangs.
Vaan glanced over and began to say, “This rain really came out of nowhere–”
An announcement rolled like thunder across the arena and the streets, preceded by an earsplitting, attention-getting shriek. “Everyone, flee to your houses! This is not a drill. Everyone, flee to your houses!” and it repeated, over and over again, and suddenly there was chaos.
Jael and his party hurried over to Repa, whose team was still nearby after receiving first place. “What’s happening?” Jael asked. “Do you know?”
“It’s Malevolentiam–one of their Titans is attacking the city!
This heavy rain, it must be the water Titan!” “It’s the Tiamat,” Julia said. “Tiamat?” Vaan asked.
“The Tiamat is one of the Fo
ur Titans. Chollo Nugash, the leader of Tiamat, is a water mage. He travels by sea and can cause
heavy rain anywhere he goes. He is one dreadfully powerful mage,” Julia replied and Izabelle trembled in shock, staring in silent petrification and fear.
“Are you all right, Izabelle?” Vaan asked. “Izabelle, don’t be scared. You’re safe with us.” But she didn’t budge, her lip trembling and chest heaving in anxiety and dread.
“We must be ready for anything that comes.” Jael said. “Is it really him? Is it Chollo?” Izabelle murmured.
Outside Belthasar, the enormous ship of Chollo Nugash settled into place and its cannons unfolded. There was a moment of silence, like everyone was holding their breath, and then the first cannon volley was unleashed. Ball after ball of heavy lead assaulted the city’s seaside outskirts. Buildings crumbled and citizens ran in panic as the wave of assault continued. Still at the stage, Piorus Lavesque rushed to the defence of the city to set up a counterattack. Buildings started to crumble, the citizens ran for their lives.
Every mage who entered the Salamanka Grand Race rushed to Chollo’s ship to aid in the defence, and Jael’s group went to Piorus. Piorus said to them, “Repa, Jael, we have a request to make of you. As some of the top three mages in this city, can you go to the queen and protect her from threats?”
“Yes, sir!” Jael and Repa replied.
Jael, Repa and the others went to the queen’s aid, quickly joining in to aid with her personal knights, among whom they only recognised Helena. The queen was brought to her personal valkyrie, and they stayed outside, on guard. Chollo’s alarmingly deep and raspy voice rang throughout the whole city, “Surrender your queen and we will stop the attack. I am Chollo, the titan of water. I am the Tiamat!”
“We cannot leave the city yet. The situation is unclear, and the invaders might attack this valkyrie if we try to escape,” Helena said.
“Then we are in agreement. I refuse to leave the city in the clutches of our enemies. I will not leave my people,” Queen Jeannah said.
“My queen, our priority is your safety. If you fall, all of Bristal falls!” Helena replied.
“We will protect you with our lives!” Jael said.
Everyone on the queen’s valkyrie waited: would they receive the signal and take off? Suddenly a loud crunch reverberated throughout the entire machine, and the nose crunched, shattered, and the entire valkyrie began to tip. “Get out!” Helena ordered and waved everyone out one after the other in an orderly evacuation of the valkyrie. But outside, a large army stood in wait, Chollo at the head of the group.
“My queen…” Chollo said, and he bowed in sarcasm. “Your situation is hopeless. Surrender to your betters.”
Helena butted in and said, “Be gone, you bandit lowlife terrorist scum.”
“Terrorists? Not at all. We only wish to... reform this kingdom,” Chollo replied.
“Liar. You just want to take Bristal as yours. Your wish shall never be granted,” Helena answered.
“Helena, that’s enough.” Queen Jeannah, but at the same time, a shout came from the back.
“Chollo! That’s enough!” Izabelle shouted.
Chollo’s head turned and swivelled, eyes scanning the crowd, then he lit upon Izabelle’s face. “Izabelle? What are you doing here?” His eyes widened in shock and recognition.
“When I turned ten, I left home and went in search for you. Nobody knew what had become of you. Our mother and father loved you dearly. What have you become, oh brother?” she said and tears sprung from her eyes. She clutched her hands to her heart.
“Izabelle, stay out of this. This is my choice,” Chollo replied, his face set hard and unreadable once more.
She went and stood, her arms held out from side to side in front of the queen and said, “If you want the queen, you have to kill me.”
“Izabelle, don’t do this! Listen, come with me and you will earn your rank,” Chollo replied.
“Never! We were not raised to be thieves and murderers. We were not raised to be evil!” Izabelle shouted and sobbed. “Don’t do this!”
“I said, stay away!” Chollo shouted, and he raised his hand, summoning up a whip of water magick.
“Don’t do this,” Izabelle said and in that moment he slapped her away with his water magick, throwing her down to the ground in a burst of enormous power.
“My queen, let me accompany you to Piorus,” Helena whispered.
The queen agreed and asked Jael and the others to stave off Chollo. Her Highness and the royal knights ran off, and Repa immediately shouted “Gravidium!” Chollo and his army were halted, seized up under the great gravity of Repa. Faced with Repa’s own grand power, and the imminent escape of the queen, Chollo immediately called for retreat.
“This is just a warning of the Titans’ strength. My name is Chollo Nugash, the Tiamat!” Chollo said as he and his army vanished in a thick fog. The ship turned and left the city, vanishing into the dark ocean mist under the cover of summoned rain.
“It’s just as well they’ve gone,” Repa said. “I fear that we would not emerge victorious from a battle with such a mighty force.”
“What a relief,” Vaan said.
Jael and the others assembled with Piorus and met back up with the queen. “The Tiamat left. We are safe for now,” Piorus stated. “But we need to get ready to defend ourselves from incoming attacks. It looks as if the titans are poised to take over the whole kingdom.”
“Warn every city. The Titans will attack from every possible direction. For now, I will go back to the main city, Erradia,” the queen said. Then, she and her ensemble of royal guards made way to return to Erradia, the capital city in which the queen’s castle was based.
Finally, the immediate threat gone, they settled down for dinner and Jael asked Izabelle about Chollo. Through her tears, she told everyone their story.
“We were siblings, born and raised in an island town called Frael. Chollo, from an early age, became addicted to water magick and wanted nothing more than to master water magick. He was very young when he learned to summon a water elemental and soon he learned to cast several water spells. After…” She sniffed and wiped her eyes. “After our parents died in a terrible storm, he left me with my aunt, unable to accept the tragedy. After my parents died, the town elders gifted me Osona and Polukka to help care for me. On his path of grief and anger, he met a dark mage. This man, I don’t know his name, he must have seen what I saw in my brother. Extreme potential. The last thing I knew about my brother was, he was accepted as an apprentice to this dark mage, and they were unlocking the ancient magick of the titans. I tried to search for him, but never got any further than rumours.”
“So, the fated reunion has finally come to pass,” Vaan said darkly, and finished up his sandwich.
They made their way through the busy streets. Panicked city dwellers ran around, frantically trying to locate loved ones. Some of them strapped possessions to horses and carts, obviously preparing to flee. The air was thick with cries and deafening yells, the atmosphere grim and heavy. The city was preparing for war.
Jael recalled his dream of Sanhera. There were a lot of circumstances that happened here in Belthasar. Maybe it’s about that, that… Shion. I need to find more explanations! Jael thought. “Vaan, is there any such magick as time travel that you know of? Or a magick of divination?”
“Well, time travel, dunno. But divination–not necessarily a magick spell. I have heard of a wise mage who can see the past…” Vaan replied.
“Who is this mage?” Jael asked.
“I don’t know. I said I heard of him, not that I knew him. I really don’t know where we might find him,” Vaan replied.
Jael wondered aloud, “Maybe the queen knows about this wise mage. After helping her today, I think we’re in a good position to ask her for a favour in return.”
“It’s worth a shot,” Vaan answered. “Let’s go to Erradia and ask the queen about this mage!”
After the appearance of
Chollo in Belthasar, terror quickly spread through the city. Responses ranged from immediate evacuation to homeowners literally barricading themselves in their homes. magick items of all types flew off of the shelves, and it was almost impossible to find good stock in mystos in the wake of the threat. Piorus declared a defensive stand against threats from the Four Titans. The news spread throughout the entire kingdom to every village, town and city.
Jael took out his map. “Mappa!” he said, activating its enchantment. The holographic overlay of their current area appeared, and he skimmed through the side to find Erradia. It was a distant city from Belthasar. There was no chance they would be walking there, something he might have assumed by the queen’s choice of ride. He had hoped perhaps she only rode her own personal valkyrie for show. “Another valkyrie flight?” he sighed. “Why does this journey have to be this expensive?”
“Good thing you placed third in the race,” Vaan stated.
Jael rubbed one of his hair spikes back into shape and groaned. There was nothing else for it; they would have to spend the money if he was going to carry on his quest. He turned to their incidental party member, and asked: “Izabelle, do you want to go with us to Erradia?”
“Yes, I must. This is my best chance to stop my brother from causing chaos in Bristal,” Izabelle replied.
Jael and the others searched throughout the town for any clues or information that might aid them in this battle against the Titans. They heard about a wise mage living secretly of Belthasar named Mikhal Vigarte. So then they asked about Mikhal, and found he was rumoured to be a mage who dealt in information, a knowledge broker or seer. Finally, after following the trail, they ran into a local who brought them to a tall building and claimed the mysterious mage dwelt within.
It was no standard residential district. Across the street was a restaurant, and a few retail establishments. On this side, Mikhal’s strange tall building stood odd and out of place. Beside it the block continued on into a couple of more standard looking houses. All of them had some signage or indication that they were a business of sorts–a hair dresser, a massage parlour, an alternative healing care centre.
Teliko Mageia: Curse of the Frozen Flame Page 12
