by Taran, David
“What do you think it is? Not another creature like that blue beast from before? Even that didn’t have this effect on me," She said.
“No, I’m not even sure if this aura is alive at all. I can’t read anything from it, so most likely the source is an object, not a living being," Tyrus explained.
Instead of staying in place and waiting, Sarena started to move. Testing out each direction, she eventually decided on the one that made the weight around her increase. Her curiosity was winning out over her common sense. She wanted to find out what exactly this object was. The forest had been entirely monotonous for what felt like ages, and she longed for something to break the cycle. With Tyrus at her side she was more than confident that she could handle anything they found. Moving forward cautiously, the pressure on her body continued to increase even with no sign that there was anything besides more trees in front of her.
Suddenly, Sarena saw a sight she had almost forgotten existed. Just a few steps away the trees abruptly ended, their canopy extended slightly beyond that, but after that was open ground full of sunshine. It was so bright that she was blinded after so long in the darkness of the forest. Covering her eyes she turned away from the light, squinting and letting them adjust slowly before turning back. When she could see clearly enough to recognize what was past the tree line, her legs froze in place. A massive clearing stood in front of her, large enough that the entire Garland Keep could fit inside of it with room to spare. The trees formed a perfect circle around it, not a single one out of place, and brilliant green grass grew across the entire clearing. While that sight was impressive on its own, it paled in comparison to what inhabited the center of the clearing.
A massive creature slept in the middle, so big that even the blue beast that she had slain was dwarfed by it. Just one leg from this being would be enough to crush it. Scales covered its body, each one as large as Sarena was tall. Its body was at least as long as the great hall back home, with a tail that was even longer than that. Spikes protruded from its back, starting at the base of its neck and continuing all the way to the end of its tail, each one longer than her arm. A serpentine neck connected to a distinctly lizard-like head, its mouth would be large enough to swallow Sarena whole if it were open. The scales along its body gleamed a dull grey in the sunlight, seeming to be absorbing the light instead of reflecting it.
“Why are you standing-” Tyrus began to say, only to stop mid-sentence as Sarena stepped into the clearing. She ignored him as she stared at the majestic creature in front of her.
Chapter Six
A dragon. She thought. An actual dragon. It can’t be anything else. I always thought they were another myth created by the church, the same as the demons.
Before Sarena could recover from her shock, one of the dragon’s eyes opened, revealing an orb of black with small specks of light within. There was no pupil, but Sarena was positive it was staring right at her. She felt the power from Tyrus quickly drain away as an immense force pushed itself into her mind. Her attempts at stopping it were ignored as if they didn’t exist while the presence rooted around her memories. Almost as abruptly as it appeared, the presence was gone. A feeling of violation unlike anything she had ever felt washed through her. Suddenly her entire body felt weak and she collapsed to the ground. For a moment she thought she could feel Tyrus trembling in her grip, but it happened so quickly that she thought she had imagined it instead.
“Welcome to my home, little ones," A voice boomed within Sarena’s mind, drowning out her thoughts. “I’m sorry I had to search you like that, but it’s so hard to see anything outside of this forest. You can’t begin to imagine how boring it is in this clearing. Almost as boring as Tyrus’ life has been. Let’s consider my invasion of your privacy the payment for your lives, shall we?” The dragon lifted its head and turned to face directly at Sarena, moving close enough that she could reach out and touch it if she wanted.
“Sarena, run," Tyrus said, his voice shaking. “This thing is too strong. We can’t fight it, we need to escape now!”
“No need to be in such a rush, Tyrus," The dragon spoke again. “I said you could live, not that you could leave. It’s so rare to have visitors, I can’t pass up this chance to have a chat," For a moment Sarena thought she could see a hint of a smile in the jaws of the massive head.
Shifting its huge body, the dragon crossed its front legs, and seemed to settle into place. Its black eyes seemed to latch on to Sarena, causing her to feel a sense of terror that made her completely forget the violation she had felt just moments before. Her mind blanked as the power of the creature poured over her, holding her up as all the strength in her body left her. After a few moments that felt like an eternity, it withdrew its head and relaxed before speaking again.
“How interesting. A human with no power of her own has become so reliant on magic that she can’t even survive without it anymore. And an enchanted sword that holds within it a spirit so powerful that the enchantment binding it is breaking down. I’m very tempted to see how this plays out," The voice in her mind chuckled for a moment before continuing. “Ah, where are my manners. My name is Ankaros. I suppose you could call me the king of this little forest. I would ask what brings you two to my part of the world, but I’ve already spoiled that for myself.”
“What - what do you mean I can’t survive?” Sarena finally spoke after working up the courage to. Her mind was reeling from everything that had happened still, but she couldn’t ignore what it had just said.
“Oh, I think you already know little Sarena. You are just too addicted to the power that you don’t want to admit it. And Tyrus, I know you’ve suspected the truth for some time now. You are in fact a human, and your ascension to the spiritual world was quite spectacular. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a human with so much power bottled up within them. It’s only a matter of time before you break free of your enchantment, and after that your core will travel through that bond of yours to the safest place it can - into Sarena. I doubt she could survive that since your core is simply too strong for her. I wouldn’t give you more than a few days before those bindings shatter," Ankaros explained smugly. “Well done Tyrus. You’ve managed to ensure that you have a body to inhabit once you finally break free." Laughter filled her mind as she sat on the ground.
Sarena was dumbfounded. The rush of power she felt from Tyrus every time was addicting, to the point where she couldn’t imagine living without it anymore. But she hadn’t realized that she was relying on it just to stay alive now. And eventually Tyrus was going to break free from the sword and kill her? She wasn’t sure she could believe that part.
“Is what he is saying true, Tyrus?” She asked quietly.
For a moment Sarena thought he wouldn’t answer. “I think he’s right for most of it. The feeling of constriction on me has been disappearing ever since I woke up. I wasn’t sure what it meant until now...but I knew something was going to happen in a few days. And I’ve been getting flashbacks of what I think was my life before this sword. So yes, he’s most likely telling the truth except -.”
Tyrus’ words faded away as despair washed Sarena. She couldn’t survive without Tyrus anymore, but if she didn’t get rid of him then she was doomed regardless. She looked at the sword in her hand suspiciously. Did he plan this from the beginning? I never asked him for any of this, but it seems like it worked out perfectly for him.
“Sarena I - I never thought this would happen. I was just so happy to finally be free from that black void, I didn’t want you to die and leave me to go back to it. But this isn’t what I wanted to happen," Tyrus said.
“Yes, yes, while I would love to watch the two of you have a falling out, I do have more important things to discuss," Ankaros interrupted. “Unfortunately I will need you two to work together, so it pains me to say, Sarena, that Tyrus has always had your best interests at heart," He paused a moment, letting Sarena process what he had just said. “As for your little problem, I may be able to help. I need a favor from you
two, and in exchange I would be willing to slow down the enchantments degradation, giving you a month instead of three days. When you finish with what I have asked, I’ll even throw in a bonus that will solve all your problems, and you both get to keep your lives. How does that sound?”
“What is it you need us to do?” Sarena asked cautiously, not fully trusting the dragon, but not having much choice in the matter either.
Ankaros smiled, his upper lip exposing a mouth full of fangs as thick as Sarena’s legs. “Nothing too difficult. I just need you to find a book for me.”
*****
Uckey Ecklofostrum IX, Exalted Chairman of the High Academy of Magic, Chief Emissary of the Kingdom of Stewrix, and the widely renowned Professor of Mana, lay comfortably in his bed. He was running out of time, and even with his gnomish longevity he hadn’t been able to finish his research. It had taken centuries to accumulate. So many had called him insane when he had begun - and had continued to throughout his life - yet he had still persevered, but for the past hundred years it had become obvious that he wouldn’t be able to finish it in his lifetime. For decades he had searched for an apprentice, but in all his travels - which had been quite extensive since he had been an emissary to almost every country in the world during his lifetime - he had never found a pupil that met his admittedly lofty standards. Now he was left with only one option, after being sent as an emissary - technically banished, his detractors might say, but Uckey would never admit that - to the Godwoods for the past twenty two years.
His eyes were closed as he formed a complex matrix of blue lines within his mind, using pure mana to force it into existence. Sweat formed on his brow, and he unconsciously pulled at his long grey beard to keep his thoughts focused. For the past six years he had been devising this spell as his final attempt to see his life’s work continue. The thought of failure never entered his mind - Uckey Ecklofostrum IX never suffered failure, only minor set-backs. After waiting so long that his bladder began to feel like it was bursting again - roughly ten minutes - the matrix began to show a reaction.
“Great being within the forest, I, Uckey Ecklofostrum IX, Exalted Chairman of the High Academy of Magic, Chief Emissary of the Kingdom of Stewrix, and widely renowned Professor of Mana, call upon you. My research has led me to believe that you might actually be more powerful than me, although that sounds very unlikely," Uckey spoke out loud to the matrix, his eyes still closed. “I am willing to offer a trade of favors. You will grant me an apprentice and the time to train and teach them everything I know, and I will grant you one favor of your own choosing.”
A faint and deep laughter rattled the small wooden cabin that Uckey called home. Uckey gave a small jump in surprise, or most likely excitement as he thought of it, and his eyes popped open.
“Done," The deep voice said. The world turned black around Uckey Ecklofostrum IX.
*****
“A book?” Sarena asked. She glanced at the massive claws on his feet, before looking back up at his head. “I didn’t realize that dragons were interested in reading.”
“A grimoire to be exact. It was stolen from me long ago. I have no interest in reading it, I merely want it back in my possession, but unfortunately I cannot leave my home unattended for long enough to retrieve it. Who knows what havoc the children of my forest would wreak while I was gone? You need not worry about bringing it back to me, once you have touched it your task will be complete.” Ankaros replied. “You two young ones are more than suited for this, and I’ll even give you a guide to help you find it.”
Sarena pursed her lips while she thought. Nothing the dragon had said so far made her want to trust him, but at the same time she knew he could kill both of them with a thought. Accepting his request might be her only way out of this.
“We should do it Sarena," Tyrus’ voice intruded on her thoughts. “We’re dead if we don’t, even if he lets us go. He might be wrong about me killing you once the enchantment breaks, but I don’t think we should risk it either way. Even if he only gives us that extra month, we might be able to find a solution in that time.”
The smile on Ankaros’ face lessened at the words Tyrus spoke, and that was enough to convince Sarena. Tyrus may have been the cause of all of her problems, but he was relying on her just as much as she did him. Using all the strength she had left, Sarena stood back up, her entire body shaking and her stomach feeling nauseous.
“We’ll do it. Show us this guide of yours and we will be on our way. You know of our past though, so I hope for all of our sakes that the book is not too far. It will take almost a full month just to sneak across the kingdom," She spoke, fighting the urge to collapse. She had never felt so powerless and weak in her life. If this is what old age felt like then she hoped she would die young.
“I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that," Ankaros’ grin returned in full force at her words. “I will be sending you directly to a location much closer to the book than here. And as for the guide...”
He raised a claw and pointed at the ground to her right. There was a popping sound and suddenly a small child appeared next to Sarena, causing her to stumble backwards and fall in surprise.
“What in name of Nurazor is going on!” A loud high-pitched voice screamed, making Sarena want to cover her ears. “Where am I! How did I get here?”
“QUIET!” Ankaros’ voice boomed throughout everyone’s mind. “We have a deal, gnome, in case you’ve forgotten already. You have your apprentice, and you’ll have plenty of time to teach him while repaying me the favor that you owe.”
“You mean it worked? Of course it did! It was a spell cast by myself after all!” Sarena stared at the tiny being, and only upon seeing the grey beard that stretched to the ground did she realize that it was no child. Barely two feet tall, he looked as if he was a grown man that had shrunken down to a third of his size. He wore deep blue robes with gold trim all over, with what looked like various medals pinned everywhere, including his back. He looked at Ankaros and fell over backwards, doing a full somersault before coming to rest.
“Seven hells! A dragon is it? I’ll have to append some of the books in the library. I thought your kind was extinct," The gnome, as Ankaros called him, looked at Sarena and back to Ankaros. “That’s my apprentice? A bit large, and looks more like a girl to me. I doubt it can even grow a respectful beard. What’s this favor you would ask of the great Uckey Ecklofostrum IX?”
“Not the girl, the sword. And all I need you to do is take these two to the grimoire within the library of Stewrix," Ankaros said.
“Stewrix! You expect me to make that trip through the mountains! Look at me you dimwit! I called on you because I needed time, not exercise! I’m on my last legs as it is. I can’t make a trip to Stewrix!” Uckey yelled indignantly. Sarena was starting to think that was his normal way to speaking.
Ankaros sighed, blowing hot air directly at Uckey and sending him rolling even further back.
“I hate dealing with gnomes. They never stop talking," he said. “But fine, if your body can’t handle the trip then I’ll find something that can."
Turning his head to look at the forest to their left, everyone followed his gaze. Within moments a young glow horse stepped into the clearing, its eyes glazed over. It moved in front of Uckey and stopped, while within a heartbeat Uckey had disappeared. The glow horse suddenly lifted its head and shook its hoof at Ankaros.
“What did you do?” Uckey’s voice sounded throughout their minds, just as high-pitched as before. He eventually stopped and turned his head so one eye was facing Sarena. “Interesting. You seem much smaller now. I’ve never seen a race that could change sizes like that so quickly," The glow horse turned its head and looked back at its body. “Wait...YOU TURNED ME INTO A HORSE!”
“You’ll grow used to it I’m sure," Ankaros chuckled. “It’s a far stronger and younger body than yours was. Making the trip to Stewrix should be no problem for you now. You’ll even have the time to train your apprentice on the way. Now go, I’m
tired of this already.”
Before any of them could speak the world around Sarena faded away. Her body felt as if it was being pressed on from all sides, until a heartbeat later the pressure was gone and the world popped back into place.
*****
Ankaros couldn’t hold back any longer, and his deep booming laughter reverberated throughout the forest. The memories of that girl had been interesting. She actually thought she might have doomed the world because she killed that foppish prince. He couldn’t help but huff at that. Humans were so short-sighted they didn’t realize it. Had they all forgotten that the founder of the church was the one who had created the seal in the first place? All they had to do was make up a prophecy about a hero, give him the means to repair the seals, and suddenly they would have a puppet on the throne that was revered by the people.
What had truly drawn his interest though, was the fact that they were bonded to each other, and the raw power within the sword was even outside of his expectations. The sheer number of coincidences needed to lead to such an occurrence was staggering. Ankaros had sent champions to unfamiliar lands before, but this might be considered his crowning achievement. The waves created by those two will almost assuredly throw the world into chaos, and even his Sight couldn’t predict how it would end. His dragon form faded away as his laughter continued to resound, reaching so far that even the creatures at the edge of the forest could hear it.
Chapter Seven
Tyrus was only able to feel the auras around him begin swirling in a circle around him, as if he was the center of a whirlwind. The edges of his binding that he couldn’t even sense two weeks earlier were now covered with cracks, and as the whirlwind spun about he felt the cracks spreading even further, to the point where the enchantment felt like it would shatter at the slightest touch. Suddenly, the whirlwind began to slow, and as it did the cracks began to flow in reverse, growing smaller until Tyrus could no longer feel any of them at all. He knew they weren’t gone entirely since Ankaros had said he would delay it for one month, but they would have to hurry if they wanted to keep him from breaking free.
