“No response, young wizard? Nothing to say for yourself?” Darvin started approaching. He drew his sword and shield.
“Perhaps I should beat it out of you?” Darvin laughed and started running forward. Alrion skilfully leapt off the horse, holding his footing. He stepped forward, his eyes focused on Darvin. The Blight General leaned in with a giant swing. Instead of fighting back, Alrion merely stepped to the side. Darvin continued by slamming his shield at Alrion. The young wizard held out a palm and blocked the strike. A ripple seemed to roll through Alrion.
“That’s odd, I didn’t realise he could enhance his body like that,” Alyx said.
“I haven’t seen that either. I know he can enhance himself with the Soul Power, but he’s never really demonstrated it.” Lara looked concerned. Celes crept further, looking like she had noticed something.
“I need a closer look,” she said, creeping forward again. Darvin attacked, again and again, Alrion just dodged and blocked where required. The movements were simple but skilful and completely efficient.
I’ve never seen him move so well.
“We have a problem. I’m sure of it now.” Celes turned back and looked at Lara and Alyx.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t think that’s the real Darvin. Vincent cracked his shield when they fought. Now there’s no sign of it.”
“Couldn’t he have just fixed it?”
“A shield like that? I don’t think you can. Vincent did something strange to it, drawing on his Soul Power.” Celes looked like she was thinking it through. “I bet it’s not him and that’s a lookalike shield. If I’m right, Alyx should slice right through it.”
“I’m up for that. For some reason, Alrion isn’t fighting back either.” Alyx strode forward, preparing to draw her blade. Again, Darvin was pressing the attack, and again Alrion was dodging around. He didn’t make a single offensive move.
“Time for me to show you how it’s done.” Alyx drew her sword and launched into a wide arcing strike. Alrion retreated, and Darvin threw up his shield. Just as Celes had predicted Alyx sliced through without issue.
It felt even less resistance than the stone. This is not the same.
“You’re not Darvin, are you?” Alyx said. Darvin laughed.
“Of course I’m Darvin, my dear. I remember all about you. It’s just, well how do I put this, I’m not the original.” Darvin threw her a cackling laugh and retreated into the mass of Blight.
“Good work, Alyx,” Celes said as she approached. She was about to speak again when Alrion dropped to his knees. He was in intense concentration.
“Let it go, Certan.” Alyx watched as Alrion’s features flickered and disappeared. Certan was there, kneeling before them.
“What?” Celes said. Lara too looked shocked. Certan rose, taking a deep breath.
“I apologise for the subterfuge, it was at Alrion’s request. He did not expect Darvin to fight fair, so he thought he shouldn’t either. I guess he was right.”
“If Darvin isn’t here, then he must be waiting for Alrion. With his entire strength and who knows what else.” Lara looked panicked. Alyx felt the feeling too. It was a dread realisation in the pit of her stomach.
Alrion is alone behind enemy lines, and the enemy commander is likely preparing an ambush.
“He needs backup, but we’re in even more trouble here now that we don’t have him to help thin them out.” Alyx was in two minds about where to go. But Lara had no such hesitation.
“I’m not a front-line fighter, please do your best here.” Lara dashed away at speed, threading her way through friendly forces. Alyx looked to the enemy.
I can do a lot of good here, but I feel like Alrion needs me.
Just as she felt herself leaning towards joining Lara, she saw a shape emerging from the crowd.
It can’t be.
The creature was wearing exactly the same twisted grin. It was like no time had passed at all.
“The Skull King is mine,” Alyx said as she began to advance.
46
A False Battle
Alrion stumbled through the undergrowth, not seeing one of the tree roots. It was so hard concentrating on his spell, and he was so tired. All night he had worked with Certan to perfect the illusion spell in a way that Certan could maintain it. Now he was keeping himself invisible and masking as much noise as possible.
But he was weary. The effort was taking its toll, slowly but surely.
Maybe I’m far enough away from the armies to relax a bit.
Alrion leaned against a tree trunk, taking a moment to catch his breath. He decided to push on a little further. He could rest soon once he saw the cave. Once he entered, that would be it.
I hope the plan worked. If Darvin thinks I took the bait, I might be able to get in and finish the spell before he can intervene. If I’m incredibly lucky.
It was a lot to ask for, but it was worth a shot. He almost tripped again and swore.
Time to let the invisibility go. It’s not worth it anymore.
Alrion let the spell go, feeling a huge weight lifting from his shoulders. There were a few ways to create and maintain an invisibility spell. He had chosen one with a strong Will component. He didn’t want to burn too much of his Spark too soon.
Noises of the conflict reached him from afar, but he tried not to think too much about it. That battle was important, but not what he had come here for. His battle would be entirely different. Alrion saw a clearing ahead and charged towards it. Maybe he was closer than he realised.
The cave looked exactly as he expected. A rather ordinary looking entrance flanked by rough rocks. The grass didn’t grow on it, the ground above was dry and lifeless, and the rest of the stone was free from any greenery. But there was a feature he had not anticipated. Darvin was standing in front of the entrance.
“Come out, Alrion, no need to be shy.” Darvin grinned and beckoned into the distance. Alrion stepped out of the trees into the clearing.
“This is a surprise and not a welcome one.” Alrion looked Darvin in the eyes.
“I would say almost the same thing. All reports were that you were heading up the attack force. But you see, I wasn’t worried about that. I wanted to make sure if you made your way here, we could have a little conversation. And here we are.” Darvin stepped a few paces closer then stopped.
“I have other business to attend to. What do you want?” Alrion made himself sound wearied and disinterested, which was quite easy to draw upon. He was weary of games, and Darvin no doubt had another.
“Your business is my business if you don’t mind. You know, my orders are to let you through. Collectively, we think that you’ll help us, not hinder us. But I’m not so trusting. There’s no way I’m letting you in there until you become infected.” Darvin drew his sword and shield and took up a ready stance.
“I see. In this situation, it’s not in my interests to kill you when I can save you. But I’ll do whatever I need to in order to get inside and fulfil my quest. It’s best you step aside now. Wait it out, and you’ll be free from these burdens in no time.”
“That’s a matter of perspective. In my eyes, the burdens will be brought by you!” Darvin took another step forward.
“It’s a fight then?” Alrion drew his Runesteel sword. He glanced at the diamond and it was shining brightly.
Maybe I can wear him down without using too much Spark. I don’t want to be in a position where I can’t perform the spell.
Alrion started a standard form, warming himself up. Darvin seemed to know it well, he moved at the same pace and anticipated each strike, blocking or parrying with ease. Alrion did notice that Darvin’s shield seemed especially strong. He expected his Runesteel to do more to it than it did. If Darvin wasn’t so able with the sword, Alrion would have believed that Darvin just relied on the shield.
After a few exchanges, Alrion realised that Darvin was just too good. Even as Alrion got faster and more involved, Darvin just upped the tempo and w
as always one step ahead.
I’m not a sword fighter, how can I beat him this way? I can’t ignore my talents.
Alrion dismissed the option of using his Soul Power. He needed to conserve it as much as possible. There was no knowing how much he would need to perform the spell. That left his Spark. He was a wizard, after all, he’d have to win this fight like one.
Alrion stepped back and sheathed his sword.
“Giving up already? We’ve barely started!”
“I know where this is going. At my best, I couldn’t really trouble you with the sword, not for more than an instant.”
“Very wise, you have good instincts.” Darvin sized Alrion up. “What are you going to do now?”
“This.” Alrion focused his Spark into a quick release fireball that hurtled towards Darvin. He held up his shield and the spell fizzled into nothing. Darvin laughed.
“Did your encounter with the Skull Queen teach you nothing? You thought you could just waltz in here and blow me away?” Darvin’s laughter turned into cackling. Alrion was furious.
He’s getting under your skin. Just think carefully.
Alrion could see that the direct spell was dispelled by the shield. He did remember that the Skull Queen had done something similar with that sword she had wielded.
Direct attacks won’t work. But other things will. And my Will should still be effective.
Before Alrion could plan another attack, Darvin was on the move. He launched into a flurry of strikes, weaving his shield into the attack pattern. Alrion used his Runesteel sword to block and parry, but he was losing ground quickly. And the exertion on his already tired body was worrying. He stumbled back, and Darvin used that as inspiration for another string of attacks.
Alrion acted on instinct. He raised a chunk of earth, upsetting Darvin’s footing and using the distraction to roll away. He drew in deep breaths, taking the time to recover.
“So now you’re thinking like a wizard. About time.” Darvin grinned.
Is he enjoying this? Probably. He’s been consistent in that. Taunting and such the whole way through. Maybe I can unsettle him, maybe that will turn the tide.
Alrion had a few glimmers of a plan, but it hadn’t quite formed. In the meantime, he had to keep Darvin busy.
“I can’t target you with my spells, but I can have some fun myself.” Alrion sent multiple waves of rippling earth at Darvin, all from different directions. The Blight General stepped aside, dodging some and using his shield to deflect the rest. He looked inconvenienced, but not concerned about the attack.
At least his shield didn’t completely negate the attacks. I can work with this.
Unfortunately, Alrion couldn’t use the approach he had done with the Skull Queen. He had no backup and he needed to conserve his Soul Power. But there had to be a way he could wear down Darvin using his magic.
Before Darvin could start up a new attack, Alrion was already preparing his next. He lifted chunks of stone out of the ground and hurled them at Darvin.
“You’ll have to do better than that.” Darvin sneered at Alrion then spun around, slicing two of the large stones and battering another away with his shield. Alrion wasn’t using too much Spark, but it was adding up and he wasn’t really damaging Darvin at all.
I need something better. Can I use my Will to influence the environment more?
Alrion had an idea, but it was going to be hard to do. He took in a deep breath and steeled himself. He started building up his spark and preparing a visualisation. Darvin started approaching.
“Why are we fighting like this, Alrion. Surely you know what you’re up against.” Darvin kept approaching, his shield and sword in a relaxed position by his sides. “Why are you so insistent on completing this quest? The Blight can be a tool for your use. Join us and influence us from within. Together we can make the world a better place.”
“No. I’ve already had a taste of that, and it sickens me.” Alrion kept his concentration. Darvin came closer still. Time was running out. Alrion reached down and slapped the ground with his hand. It wasn’t necessarily required, but it was an easy focal point for him. At that moment, he enacted a change in the area’s gravity. Darvin started to stoop slightly and moved a lot slower. He started to raise his arms. Outside the area of influence, Alrion was building stone spears from the ground. More and more and more. Soon he had ten, twenty, fifty spears. Each honed to a razor point.
Consider this my thanks and acknowledgement of you, Branthor. Alrion lifted them all into the air, all aimed directly at Darvin. The Blight General was still lifting his shield and sword to protect himself. Alrion sent his stone spikes in, and at the last moment changed the space around him. Suddenly, everything moved incredibly quickly. It didn’t last long, but it was enough to have an enormous impact.
Almost instantaneously the array of spikes appeared next to Darvin, on a collision course. There was no way he could block or strike them all. But then he did something unexpected. He tapped his shield and it expanded its size. Much faster than Alrion could track. And as the spikes impacted, Alrion heard a giant clang sound, like an ominous bell.
Once the dust settled, Alrion saw that Darvin was not there. Instead, his shield was spread out like a small dome.
“Are you under that?” Alrion said, incredulously.
“Of course. Did you think I would let you hit me with all that?” Darvin’s voice echoed from within the shield dome, sounding harsher and more unusual than ever before. Alrion looked around, seeing the broken bits of stone spikes all over the ground.
“I’ll break through eventually; your shield isn’t perfect. Look, it even has a crack in it.” Alrion noticed the crack and his hope increased. But the more he looked at it, the stranger it appeared. It had to be older than just now, and it didn’t look like his stone spears had done the damage. It was too clean.
“Yes, but not by your hand. I can last long enough to bring more pain to you, mark my words.”
“Fine, I’ll just walk by you.” Alrion stopped walking but he heard Darvin’s laughter and stopped.
“Be my guest. When you least expect it, I’ll be there, interrupting your plans and forcing you to our side.” Darvin kept laughing.
I didn’t expect this. He obviously did. He had this stalemate as a fall-back.
“This is what you get for sneaking off without me,” a voice said from behind. Alrion whirled around. It was Lara. She did not look impressed.
It’s good to see her.
“Impeccable timing. I have a cowardly Blight General to deal with.” Alrion pointed at the shield.
“I know, I’ve been watching this fight. You had us fooled for a while, I didn’t expect that. Nice trick with Certan.” Lara glared at him, but he could see some small amount of surprise and respect in there.
“It was necessary. Unfortunately, Darvin had plans too.”
“He sure did. Certan was fighting another Darvin before I headed over.”
“Another one?” Alrion glanced back at the shield. Nothing had changed.
“Yes, it didn’t elaborate. But we figured out it was not the original.” Lara walked past Alrion and pointed at the crack in the shield. “And I know how that shield was damaged.”
“How?”
“Your father used some sort of strike that used Soul Power. Have a think about it.” Lara looked at Alrion then at his sword. Then she pointed at the crack. He nodded.
She’s not speaking additional detail out loud.
“That’s all well and good, but I can’t waste Soul Power on this. I don’t know how I could break that shield.” Alrion said the words for Darvin’s benefit, but quietly drew his sword.
If my father could enhance his blade with Soul Power, I can too. He tried pushing some through his hand into the blade. It felt strange, but it began to work.
“I can likely only create the opening, you need to complete the job,” Alrion whispered to Lara. She nodded.
“Maybe you have some sort of potion that wil
l damage the shield?” Alrion said to Lara. She winked at him and started rummaging through her things, retrieving her Runesteel dagger and holding it ready.
“Oh, perhaps. Let me look.” Alrion smiled back at her and focused on his sword. He could spare a bit of Soul Power, enough to work on that crack that was already there.
“Take your time, I don’t think he can actually bring any help here.” Alrion advanced slowly, nodding at Lara. She followed too. He hoped that their conversation would distract Darvin, or at least invite him to focus on communicating with others. Once they were close, Alrion made himself stable.
Here goes.
Alrion focused the Soul Power in his blade towards the tip, and it seemed to collect more there. Next, he leaned back and thrust forward as hard as possible. The Runesteel impacted with the shield with a great crash but didn’t bounce off. It found space within the crack and started to press further. Lara stood at the ready. As the shield started to give way, it started transforming.
Oh no, he’s changing his stance. I’ll probably miss completely.
Darvin rose as his shield reverted to its normal size. The transformation threw Alrion’s strike off, and he lost his balance. Darvin started cackling. He dropped his sword and withdrew a black dagger with a thick inky substance dripping off the blade. As he prepared to attack Alrion, he suddenly dropped to his knees.
Lara stepped back, admiring her handiwork. She had circled around Darvin and thrust the Runesteel dagger into the creature’s heart, from behind.
“This cannot be,” Darvin muttered, before falling face down into the ground. He started transforming once again, a black dust flaking into the air. His body was returning to what it once was, before the Blight.
“I’m sorry that I couldn’t save you,” Alrion said.
47
A Lonely Path
Lara drew Alrion aside, and they walked away from both the cave entrance and Darvin’s body. She sat him down on some rocks in a nearby glade. They hadn’t spoken at all since the fight.
Soul of Light (The Hidden Wizard Book 4) Page 34
