Time of Change (Emerilia Book 7)
Page 47
What is he doing? He took off all of his armor—it was the only thing stopping Kiona from cutting him apart!
Alkao looked at the large Orc. He was about six and a half feet tall, with tribal blue tattoos that looked like waves, from calm to raging tsunamis, across his body.
These different designs glowed with blue Mana as magical circles appeared around Iswul as he applied buffs directly to himself.
Kiona unleashed attacks on him as Iswul turned into a blue and green shadow.
He weaved through the attacks. His blade swung out and slammed into the weak Air barrier around Kiona.
Without his armor, his speed had risen by nearly twenty percent. Where he had taken hits on his armor before, now he moved through Kiona’s attacks with ease.
She pushed him back with a wall of blades and Air lances. It took time for her to call on more of the spells, which Iswul used to close in once again and strike out at her barrier.
The sound of raging wind and Iswul’s sword impacting on Kiona’s defenses rang out through the arena. Kiona started moving from her first spot, trying to create distance from Iswul.
As her image blurred, Iswul seemed to become faster! Hounding her again and again, his sword smashed against her Air barrier relentlessly.
Kiona’s face turned from indifference to one of focus as she bit her lower lip, constantly creating and unleashing spells at Iswul. If just one of them landed on his bare body, then the fight would be hers!
Though, Iswul’s uncanny dodging ability and the strength of his blows was making her go all out with chain casting spells. Even with her large Mana pool and regeneration, her face was starting to pale as Mana fatigue closed in on her. She dissolved her bow and grabbed her staff; the speed which she could make her Air attacks increased.
Iswul still hounded her again and again, a cold smile on his face as he started to laugh happily.
To viewers, it looked as if Iswul were playing a mad game, facing Mother Nature herself.
He had indeed clashed with a powerful goddess who rained down attack after attack down on him. Here, this was where he came alive.
Alkao and the members of the Stone Raiders were all watching the match with intense eyes.
The line that Iswul walked—between victory and defeat, between death and survival—it was a situation that they had all been in. It was a situation that these gamers came for: to feel alive, to feel the thrill of winning against the odds.
These were two impossible and powerful forces clashing with everything on the line.
Iswul’s Mana surged as his attacks hit harder and harder.
The barrier, which had been also serving the function of pulling wind to Kiona in order to make it easier for her to cast more powerful spells, failed in a burst of wind.
Iswul was pushed back a few steps but he rushed to the side. As Kiona whistled, a bird seemed to form in the air. It was two dimensional and hard to see unless one was looking from above or below.
The bird tore through the air, making Iswul, who dodged the attack, spit out blood from the massive pressure wave that followed it.
Kiona twirled her staff, a cyclone forming in front of it.
The debris under Iswul’s feet turned to dust. He seemed to disappear under his great speed.
Alkao’s eyes weren’t fast enough to catch Iswul’s movements, only seeing his destination.
Iswul was behind Kiona, his large arm on her neck while his sword made her back arch as it poked her lightly in the back.
Immediately, Kiona’s attack dissipated.
Alkao looked at the two combatants, whose chests were moving rapidly as they panted from their exertions.
The stage that had held their fight was a pile of rubble and dust. The strength of their attacks had torn it apart.
Finally the announcer came to his senses. “Iswul is the winner of the Dwarven tournament!”
The crowd took a moment before they cheered.
Iswul released Kiona and lowered his sword.
No matter who the crowd had been hoping to win from the beginning, now they all stood and cheered till their lungs burned.
The fight was something that they would tell their grandchildren. The abilities displayed showed off the true fighting abilities of both parties. The match had been hard and at any moment one of them could have fallen.
Even Alkao, who was usually a rather restrained man, cheered the two competitors.
Epilogue
Kol tapped Dave’s side, pulling his attention from the two fighters in the middle of the arena.
“What is it?” Dave yelled. The cheers had died down somewhat, but it was still incredibly loud.
“We’ve got work to do.” Kol handed Dave a potion.
Dave recognized the potion that would clear someone’s mind. It was commonly used to cure hangovers or to sober up quickly.
Dave drank the potion without hesitation. The other members of the Council of Anvil and Fire were also taking the potions. Their exuberant cheering from a moment ago was replaced by solemn smiles.
Kol led the way out of the box.
Dave waved to Deia.
She gave him a questioning look.
Dave raised his shoulders and hands in a shrug before waving to her, indicating that he didn’t know what was going on but he’d catch up with her later.
The Dwarven Master Smiths were greeted by Dwarven shield bearers; they moved around them as protection. Even in the halls under the arena they could hear the wild cheering.
They were quickly escorted out of the arena and into the actual mountain, where only Dwarves stayed.
Dwarves had deep looks of respect as they moved out of the way of the group, nodding their heads in greeting as the Dwarven Master Smiths passed through and reached a bank of elevators. They dropped down deep within the mountain, exiting one elevator to get on another.
They entered a large facility that was carved into the mountain. There were Dwarven guards all over the place. Their auras were powerful—not as strong as Kiona’s or Iswul’s but if three or four of them grouped together, the two champions might have issues with trying to defeat them.
They entered the facility. The shield bearers who had brought them down turned and left as the Dwarven Master Smiths were checked and verified by guards no less than three times as they made it through different checkpoints.
Finally they reached a massive vault door.
As Dave looked at it, he was stunned. His Touch of the Land spell didn’t penetrate this door or the surrounding walls. It was like a black hole in his senses.
Hidden Dwarven masters stood on either side of the door, with others nearby if they were needed.
These individuals were as strong, if not stronger, than Ondae. All of them wore gear that was many times better than the simple armor and sword Ondae had used.
There were even a few who held Weapons of Power.
Dave continued to stare at the door as Kol came over.
“Within this vault, Weapons of Power from all over Emerilia are stored,” Kol said.
“Why do we need a vault for them? There can’t be that many,” Dave said.
Kol looked to Dave with a crooked eyebrow. “There have been thousands of Dwarven Master Smiths on Emerilia, each having made a handful of Weapons of Power. There are also weapons that come from Creatures of Power, or the Pantheon, or are made by people other than the Dwarves. While they weren’t Weapons of Power, their strength is comparable. Once these weapons are recovered, then the Dwarven Master Smiths imprint these weapons, increasing their power but also adding in the safeguard that is their Willpower, changing them into Weapons of Power.”
Dave’s eyes went wide as he shook his head.
The Dwarven Master Smiths knew that their weapons were meant to cause destruction. Though it could be said that their true abilities didn’t come out until they were creating a Weapon of Power.
This was because even if their weapon was passed around, it would only unleash its full power
and strength when held by those who were accepted by the thread of the Dwarven master’s soul.
Dave looked at the door with newfound respect.
The Dwarven Master Smiths’ excited tones from earlier had dimmed somewhat as they stood outside the massive vault that held multiple Weapons of Power. The usually rambunctious group was much quieter than normal.
After some time, a large group of people were escorted into the facility and before the Dwarven Master Smiths. These people came from all manner of backgrounds. They had been fighters within the Dwarven tournament who had passed through the war council and the Council of Anvil and Fire’s testing.
They might not have been the strongest of the fighters but they were people who had proved themselves in the eyes of these two groups.
These fighters, filled with excitable energy, showed deep respect when in front of these Dwarven Master Smiths. Their eyes flickered to the two hidden Dwarf masters who stood beside the vault door.
Iswul and Kiona, who were in the crowd, also looked to these masters with interest. These two hidden masters were much stronger than the people in this room, and used at least one Weapon of Power.
The room was tense as the Dwarven Master Smiths looked over the contestants and those who had been elected to take a Weapon of Power.
Endur stepped forward. In his position as head of the Council of Anvil and Fire, he had shown an inner steel that he had usually hidden with sarcastic remarks and flippant remarks.
All of the Dwarven Master Smiths stood behind him.
The contestants looked to Endur with questions in their eyes.
“My name is Endur. I am the head of the Council of Anvil and Fire. The reason you have been brought here is that you have tested your abilities in the arena and passed the tests of my own council and the Dwarven war council.” Endur’s voice rolled through the large hall. No one dared to make a noise.
“In a few weeks or months, the event known as ‘Of Myths and Legends’ will begin. This event is of the likes of which has not been seen in the history of Emerilia. This contest was made to not only see who the strongest people were in Emerilia. It was also to see which of you would help to lead Emerilia out of this event. Each of you has shown incredible fighting abilities, a strong heart, and a strong mind. While the gods have their own champions, so, too, does Emerilia need hers.
“I’m not saying that you’re the best of people on Emerilia. Though I do say that when creatures start being released across this world, you will hurry to attack them, whether this be for fame, wealth, or a sense of duty.”
The people in front of Endur seemed to relax. Some of them might be good people, but most of them had come to search for glory and riches. This kind of motivation was enough for the Dwarven Master Smiths as long as that person had a moral code that would make them search for those riches and power out in the light of day instead of killing their enemies and friends from behind.
“To this end, we will support you in your path.” Endur looked to the two hidden masters.
They bowed their heads slightly before turning to the door.
They made a number of motions with their hands before cutting their fingers and pressing their blood to the door.
Locks started to release. The deep and powerful sound of these locks made everyone look at the door in shock. Even the Dwarven Master Smiths had a reverence in their eyes as the doors opened.
An ancient and powerful aura spread out from within.
“Follow your senses and if you pass the weapon’s test, then you may take the Weapon of Power that chooses you.” Endur waved for them to enter the vault.
Someone stepped forward; the others followed as they walked silently into the room.
Dave’s face was dark as he looked over these powerful people as they entered the vault.
Weapon-filled racks, neatly stacked and displayed: it made any smith look in awe while a warrior would feel their hand itch to hold these weapons.
Dave sighed as he saw those weapons. The event that they had prepared for so long was finally coming near. Worries and fears rose to the surface.
He had prepared as much as possible for what was to come. If he just had more time, he could produce machines and weapons to protect Emerilia, not only from the creatures that were being released but from the Jukal Empire.
However, his time was running out. Although he could hope about using his different creations to save Emerilia and the people on it, he simply wouldn’t be able to.
Dave took a deep breath, determination hardening his features.
He would persevere and see that Emerilia survived: for Deia, for his unborn child, for his friends and family.
***
Somewhere in Heval
A flash of light filled the cave, revealing a five-foot-tall metal spire that descended into the ground.
Runes covered the spire as a green screen appeared, facing out in every direction.
The screen read:
Spawn Point
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
20
23
59
59
Emerilia will be continued in Beyond All Expectations.
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Thanks again for reading!
Continue on for Character Sheet!
In Alphabetical order
Ankol
Dwarf
Dwarven Master Smith. Smithing Art: Metal Spinner. Lives in Grorart Mountain.
Boran-Al
Lich
One of the Dark Lord’s Champions. Works directly under the Dark Lord. Creates Creatures of Power and carry’s out the Dark Lord’s orders. His Citadel was destroyed.
Alastair Montgoa
Arch Lich aka former Lord Vailyn. Gave up his fellow Aleph to have everlasting life; used the centuries to build strength and knowledge
Barry
Dwarf
Dwarven Master Smith. Smithing Art-Unknown. Wandering smith.
Cassie
Elf/Human Halfling
Holy warrior. Leader of the Golden Sabres. In a relationship with Josh Giles.
Dark Lord
God
Embodiment of the Dark affinity. Created Demons. Normally an ally with the Earth Lord. Always looking a way to tip the power balance of Emerilia in his favor.
Dasano
Dwarf
Dwarven Master Smith. Smithing Art: Metal Press. Lives in Grorart Mountain.
Akatol Dracul
Dragon
Water Mage. Was the second Dragon, Denur’s husband. Went mad and started a genocide, disappeared.
Denur Dracul
Dragon
Fire Mage Hailed as ‘Mother of Dragons’. First of her race, a creature of power created by the Lady of Fire. Seen as her daughter. Sister to Oson’ Deia.
Gelimah Dracul
Dragon
Dark Mage. Brother to Induca, Louna and Malsour
Fornau Dracul
Dragon
Earth Mage. Quindar's mate Malsour and Induca’s grandnephew.
Induca Dracul
Dragon
Fire Mage. One of the youngest from the first generation of Dragons
. Sister to Malsour, daughter of Denur, aunt to Quindar, great aunt to Fornau. Member of the Stone Raiders and Party Zero.
Kinal Dracul
Dragon
Louna Dracul
Dragon
Induca, Gelimah and Malsour’s sister.
Malsour Dracul
Dragon
Dark Mage. One of the oldest Dragons in existence, first born of Denur. Deia and Induca’s Guardian, Stone Raider and Party Zero member. Brother to Induca. Great Uncle to Fornau Dracul and Uncle to Quindar Dracul.
Quindar Dracul
Dragon
Wind Mage, wife to Fornau, Niece to Induca and Malsour.
Wokui Dracul
Dragon
Water Mage
Xednai Dracul
Dragon
One of the first Dragons, had several Dragons. Her son is Fornau.
Gorpal Dunsk
Dwarf
Dwarven Master Smith, lives in Aldamire Mountain, created 3 Weapons of Power - Mace of Fury, Tower Shield, Boots of Smash. Smithing Art: Paint Copy
Earth Lord
God
Embodiment of the Dark affinity. Created Earth Sprites.
Edmur
Dwarf
Dwarven Master Smith. Had been in the Dwarven War Bands as a Shield Bearer. Former pupil of Quino's Brother to Endur. Smithing Art: Metal’s Song
Edwards
Human. Military scientist within the Deq’ual System. Friend of Sato’s
Edwin
Beast Kin. Beast Kin representative on ruling council.
Endur
Dwarf
Dwarven Master Smith. Had been in the Dwarven War Bands as a Shield Bearer. Former pupil of Quino's, brother to Edmur, lives in Zolu Mountain. Smithing Art Hammer Blows