The Dark Monolith: Heroes of Ravenford Book 3

by F. P. Spirit

  Aksel spun his head and saw Lloyd standing beside him, the warrior’s star metal sword held firmly in both hands. Lloyd lifted the black blade high up into the air, and brought it down in a sweeping motion, cutting through the arm that still held him in place. Aksel, suddenly free, stepped swiftly backward, almost falling off the platform. He teetered there on the edge for a moment, but finally regained his balance.

  “Th—Thanks, Lloyd,” Aksel stammered.

  Lloyd gave him a grim nod, but any reply he may have had, was abruptly drowned out by a cry from Seth.

  “Watch out!”

  Aksel whirled around to a terrifying sight—the skeleton had risen out of its chair, its empty eye sockets fixed directly on him. Aksel shrank back in terror, but Lloyd’s tall form was suddenly there, interposing itself between him and the murderous creature. The tall warrior’s black blade sailed over Aksel’s head as he swung it in a sweeping arc, the blade not stopping until it had wrapped all the way around Lloyd’s other side.

  Aksel watched with fascination as a skeletal head flew out from behind the tall warrior, landing on the golem’s scalp a short distance away. The head bounced twice and came to a stop, but unfortunately, the crown popped off and kept rolling. Aksel took off after the crown, frantically trying to catch it before it rolled off the edge, but was too late. The little cleric watched in dismay as the crown sailed over the edge, barely stopping before he too would have fallen.

  Aksel held his breath as the object of his desire bounced away, apparently headed toward its inevitable demise some seventy feet below. Just when it appeared that all was lost, the crown took a large hop off the golem’s head and hit the curved walkway, rolling swiftly along the circular path, till it finally came to stop, right in front of Elladan’s feet.

  Elladan watched with fascination as the crown bounced down the side of the colossal stone head, landed on the walkway, and rolled to a stop right in front of him. Donnie, Glo, and Elistra stood beside the bard, all staring in wonder at this odd turn of events.

  “I always thought of you as a prince among elves, but that’s just ridiculous,” Donnie quipped.

  Elladan gave Donnie a sour look, while Elistra and Glo audibly groaned. The bard shifted his attention back to the crown at his feet. He knelt down and picked it up, scrutinizing the crown intently. It appeared to be a rather plain circlet, with eight peaks protruding at regular intervals around the ring. There were no fancy carvings, or jewels inlaid around its circumference, but it did appear to be made of solid gold. He was interrupted from any further examination, as Aksel’s voice rang out from above.

  “Can you bring that back up here?”

  Elladan stood and peered upward—Aksel stared down from atop the colossal head, his eyes fixated on Elladan. Lloyd and Seth stood to either side of the little cleric, their expressions filled with clear concern.

  “Sure!” Elladan called back up to Aksel in a placating tone. He gave Glo and Elistra a sidelong glance. “Do you think it’s safe to give to him?” he asked underneath his breath.

  Glo gazed back at him and shrugged. Elistra, however, closed her eyes, her brow knitted with concentration. After a few moments, her eyes snapped open and she responded in a soft voice. “I can detect nothing from it. I do not believe it is inherently evil.”

  “I still think it’s a gnome thing,” Donnie whispered. “Stone is kind of in their blood.”

  “Hey! Are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to bring me my crown!” Aksel cried down once more.

  “His crown, he says,” Elladan muttered. “I’m telling you, something is definitely wrong here.”

  “Better to just humor him for now,” Elistra whispered. “Perhaps Donnie is right, or maybe it is something else entirely. But we won’t know for certain unless we see this through.”

  Elladan shook his head as he ascended the stairs. “I just hope you’re right.”

  Seth watched Aksel with growing concern. The little gnome had been acting strangely since he first caught sight of the crown atop the colossus. Aksel rarely showed any kind of emotion—the only time Seth had ever seen him lose control was when dealing with the bigots from Dunwynn. Yet now, Aksel seemed obsessed with that crown.

  The little gnome fidgeted nervously as Elladan climbed the stairs, practically ripping the crown from the bard’s hands when he finally reached the top. Without a word, Aksel spun around and headed straight for the throne. Elladan stared after him wide-eyed, his gaze shifting to Lloyd and Seth. Seth responded with a quick shrug, then took off after Aksel.

  Aksel now sat on the throne, the crown still in his hands. Seth, Lloyd and Elladan stood before him as he slowly lifted it and placed it on his head. The little gnome let out a deep sigh. “Phew. That’s better.”

  Seth eyed Aksel intently, wondering what effect the crown would have on his friend now that he wore it. Aksel, finally realizing that they were there, swept his eyes around, his gaze coming to rest on Seth. He paused a moment, then lifted a hand, waving them off. “You may go now.”

  The little gnome then turned his gaze forward, and appeared to go into a trance. Seth exchanged a worried glance with Elladan and Lloyd. The bard backed away a few paces, motioning for the two of them to follow. They huddled together there, and Elladan whispered, “We can’t just leave him here like this.”

  Seth wasn’t about to leave Aksel alone with that crown. The little cleric was the closest thing he had to a brother in this world, and Seth wasn’t about to let some stupid artifact take over his mind. Still, if they all continued to hover over him, it might just agitate Aksel further. Seth gazed from Lloyd to Elladan, and spoke in a hushed voice. “You two go. I’ll keep an eye on him.”

  Lloyd peered behind them at Aksel, then looked back at Seth and gave him a nod. Elladan cocked his head to one side, eyeing Seth carefully. “You sure about this?”

  Seth responded with a curt nod. Elladan glanced at Lloyd, then shrugged. “Okay. I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

  Lloyd gave him a hopeful look, then the duo headed to the stairs, soon disappearing out of sight. Once they were gone, Seth spun around and headed back to Aksel’s side, silently wondering if he had done the right thing.

  Elladan and Lloyd descended the stairs, leaving Seth to look after Aksel. Donnie, Glo, and Elistra met them at the bottom, the trio practically bursting with curiousity. Elladan briefly explained what had happened with the crown, finishing with, “…he’s definitely not himself.”

  Before anyone else could utter a word, the walkway suddenly lurched. Everyone scrambled to stay on their feet, Elladan grasping the nearby rail. Donnie ended up next to him, the slight elf pointing over the railing. “Look!”

  Elladan peered over the side, his eyes going wide as a giant stone arm rose up from the depths below.

  Seth stood a short distance from Aksel, keeping an intense watch on his silent friend. Suddenly, Aksel’s eyes snapped open. The little cleric sat straight up and slowly lifted his right arm. At the same moment, Seth felt the colossus lurch. He ran over to the edge of the huge scalp and peered over the side, his eyes locking on a giant stone arm that rose up from the depths. Seth spun his head and stared at Aksel—it was the same arm!

  The halfling did a double take, but there was no doubt about it. The colossal golem was mimicking Aksel’s movements. A silent smirk spread across Seth’s lips. His friend wasn’t going crazy after all. The crown was obviously the control mechanism for the colossus, and Aksel seemed to instinctively know it. Somehow he had recognized the crown for what it was—something neither magical or psionic, but that allowed the Golem Master to control even magically immune constructs. Maybe Aksel’s experience with the Boulder, another of Larketh’s creations, had given him the foresight to spot the crown for what it was. Either way, Seth was impressed. A sudden shout interrupted his thoughts.

  “Incom
ing!”

  Seth peered down and saw Alana, still halfway across the walkway, with sword and shield in hand. Ruka stood beside her, with her blades drawn as well, both women facing the other end of the cavern. Seth followed their gaze to the alcove at the other end of the walkway. There, in the entranceway, stood four giant serpents, one larger than the rest, accompanied by four robed figures in black. Hovering above them all, her bat-like wings keeping her aloft, was the demonic succubus. Giggling manically, the creature’s voice echoed across the cavern, “I told you you hadn’t seen the last of me!”

  “It’s that witch and the Serpent Cult!” Elladan’s voice drifted up from below. Seth peered down and saw Lloyd and Donnie already on the move, weapons drawn as they raced across the walkway to join their comrades. Glo, Elladan, and Elistra were not far behind.

  Seth cast a quick glance at Aksel. The little cleric’s brow was creased with concentration as he returned Seth’s gaze. “Go! I’ve got this.”

  Seth gave his friend a quick nod, then turned invisible, and launched himself over the side of the colossus.

  Glo sped across the walkway behind Lloyd and Donnie, his mind racing, his body tense with apprehension. Four serpents and four casters, just like my dream. The black-robed figures had begun spells that were surely aimed their way. Unbeknownst to them, Glo and the others were safe inside the antimagic field, yet Alana and Ruka were not. Worse, they were still too far away to be reached in time. Glo yelled ahead to the duo, “Back up and you’ll be safe!”

  Ruka cast a quick glance back over her shoulder. “I can’t!” she cried in protest.

  “Why not?” Donnie shouted as they barreled down the walkway.

  “Because... I can’t!” Ruka practically screamed. Without warning, the teen spun around and shoved Alana. Caught off-guard, the lady knight went flying backward, clattering onto the walkway nearly three feet away. “Sorry!” Ruka yelled, as her form swiftly shimmered into the white-tailed hawk. A moment later, the winged creature hovered where the teen had been.

  A split-second later, two red-hot glowing orbs left the hands of the dark mages. Ruka responded with a huge flap of her wings, launching herself off the walkway, and swiftly spiraling down underneath. Just as she vanished from sight, the flaming balls reached their destination, expanding out and exploding into huge fiery spheres. The eruptions swept across the walkway, but died out not a yard from where Alana lay prone. A moment later, two arcs of electricity flashed past the erupting fire balls, but thankfully winked out as they hit the invisible field. Glo exhaled with relief. “Phew, that was way too close.”

  Lloyd and Donnie arrived at Alana’s side, and helped the lady knight to her feet. Donnie shook his head, gazing at Alana with concern. “I don’t know what’s come over her.” He spun his head and screamed with frustration, “Ruka!”

  Alana grasped his cheek with a gauntleted hand, turning his face back toward her. “It’s alright, Donnie, she saved my life.”

  Glo had drawn up next to the others. Across the way, the black mages were regrouping. It wouldn’t be long before they attacked again. “We can’t worry about her now,” Glo said stepping around the others. “Stay back in the field. I’ll handle these mages.” Before anyone could stop him, the elven wizard reached into his pouch and stepped out of the anti-magic field.

  The Truth About Ruka

  The giant serpent that had fallen from the walkway now hovered in mid-air far above them!

  Glolindir stepped out of the anti-magic field, his eyes locked on the black-robed figures, his hand already weaving an intricate pattern through the air. Too much of his dream had already come true, and he was not going to take any further chances with his friends’ lives. Before the dark mages could react, he brought his hands together and uttered a single word.

  “Augue.”

  A ball of fire shot away from Glo’s outstretched arms, rocketing across the cavern toward the unprepared mages. It flew over the four serpents who had slithered onto the walkway and hurtled into the alcove beyond. The black-robed figures cringed as the angry red ball exploded in their midst. The ensuing storm of flame swept across the alcove, engulfing all four mages inside. Screams of pain echoed across the cavern then abruptly stopped. A few short seconds later, the flames winked out. Glo swiftly surveyed the aftermath of his spell. Two charred bodies lay on the ground where the mages had been moments before. However, two black-robed figures still stood, smoke rising from their otherwise untouched robes.

  “Kill him, you fools!” came a shrill cry from above.

  A determined smile crossed Glo’s lips, as he smoothly grabbed another pinch of sulfur. The demoness, hovering far above, stayed out of reach while the serpents slithered closer—yet neither were important at that moment. He needed to take out these last two casters. Only when they were gone would he feel safe letting Lloyd and the others jump in. Glo was already weaving the intricate pattern in the air, but now so were the two remaining mages. The race was on! He wove his spell with practiced experience, ending the pattern a split second before the others. A bright red ball of light came to life between his palms, and he uttered the word once more.

  “Augue.”

  The ball rocketed away from him just as the other mages finished their patterns. Without warning, two strong arms wrapped themselves around his waist, yanking him backwards just as the mages released their spells.

  “Whaaaa...” The cry exploded from Glo’s mouth at the same moment a bolt of lightning shot across the cavern. It came so fast that he didn’t even have time to blink. The blinding bolt nearly seared his eyes, winking out of existence not a foot from his face. Nothing was left but a shadowy trail across his field of vision. Glo barely had time to gasp for air when his own spell exploded across the way. He only caught a glimpse—a second red ball came streaking at him and erupted less than a yard away. Hot flames leapt forward, threatening to engulf him, but thankfully stopped, instead arcing around himself and his savior. Not even the heat penetrated the bubble they were in. A few seconds later, the flames abruptly winked out.

  “Phew, that was close,” Lloyd’s voice sounded behind him.

  “Thanks,” Glo said simply, pushing the young man’s arms away. Lloyd had just saved his life, but he would thank him properly later. Right now, his sole concern was those mages. Across the cavern, three charred figures now lay on the ground. One black-robed figure still stood, its robes smoking more than before, hot embers showing at the edges here and there. The serpents were only a few yards away, but Glo was determined to take one last shot at the mage.

  “Glo, don’t!” Elistra cried as he started forward.

  Across the way, the last mage glared at him. Suddenly, the figure spun around and bolted for the stairwell, quickly disappearing from sight.

  “Get back here, you coward!” came a shrill shriek from above.

  “Ha! You better run!” Elladan cried out from behind him.

  Glo’s mouth fell open in sheer astonishment. He had never expected the mage to cut and run. Peering upward he saw the succubus still hovering there. Abruptly, she pivoted in mid-air, and with a great flap of her wings, launched herself toward the alcove. As Glo stared after her, he felt a strong arm push him to the side.

  “Nice job, Glo, but now it’s our turn,” Lloyd said with a grin, stepping past the wizard. The young warrior’s countenance turned grim as he exited the field, his swords swiftly igniting, red hot flames racing up the blades. Alana and Donnie followed close behind him, the lady knight’s sword glowing brilliantly. Glo let out a deep sigh as he watched the threesome march forward to meet the giant serpents. He nearly started as a pair of gentle arms slid around his waist.

  “I’m glad to see you are still in one piece,” Elistra cooed in his ear. “You do realize just how stupid that was?” she added in an admonishing tone.

  Glo let out a soft chuckle and gave her a short
nod. “Perhaps, but necessary nonetheless.”

  Further conversation was cut short, as their three comrades engaged the serpents.

  Donatello, rapier in one hand, short sword in the other, followed Lloyd and Alana toward the impending battle. Thankfully, the walkway was only wide enough for two serpents at a time. Two of the “smaller” serpents had lined up in front, leaving no room for the third, nor the largest one, to get past. Unfortunately, that also left no room for him either. Ever the gentleman, Donnie had tried to move up in front of Alana. The lady knight, however, had barred his way.

  “Back me up,” she told him firmly.

  It was against his nature to stay behind when others fought. He had nearly railed against her comment, but then thought better of it.

  “As you wish,” was all he replied.

  The tall warrior and lady knight now engaged the frontmost serpents. The large creatures were near twins of the ones they had fought back at Ravenford Keep a mere week ago. Huge, yellow, glowing eyes were inset into massive reptilian heads, covered with mottled, green-scaled skin. Long snouts with huge gaping jaws protruded outward, their open maws exposing long dripping fangs with forked tongues that darted in and out. The massive, snake-like bodies, easily as thick as Lloyd, were also green-scaled, except for the undersides, which were a pale yellow in color.

  It was a daunting sight that should have worried him, but his mind was not wholeheartedly on the battle. He was still trying to fathom Ruka’s disappearance. Her apparent “fear” of the colossus was totally out of character. She had indeed saved Alana, and shifting and dodging the mages’ spells was smart, but where was she now? The Ruka he had come to know would never miss a fight like this. His stray thoughts were abruptly cut short, as a frantic cry rang out behind him.