by Drew Smith
“And my wife was dead, she didn’t make it out of the fire, someone must have trapped them in the orphanage.” Everyone gasped. Zephry finally stepped forward after a long pause.
“Your wife?” Zephry gasped. Scarlette hugged Orson even tighter.
“After I found her body I realized that I had lost everything. My family, my knights, I even lost Scarlette to those demons in Aster Mountains. I was beaten. I lost myself that day. I spent a few months tracking demons and killing them. It was the only thing that made sense to me. One day I left south Twilight, and entered the temple to Dystopia, and that’s when you found me, Lumus.” Orson explained. Zelkem turned away, wiping tears from his face. Zephry had started to cry as she listened to Orson’s story. Jasper sank to the ground where he stood.
“Don took the five children you spoke of. He used them, and last I heard they were trained as his personal bodyguards.” Orson turned, knocking Scarlette off his back. “What did you say!? I left them in a cabin we built together. I don’t believe you.” Orson yelled. Jasper closed his eyes.
“When the fire started we raced out to try to free the children and the woman with them.” Jasper explained.
“My Rose!” Orson shouted out.
“Yes, Rose. She was a kind woman. When we emerged to the surface, Don’s guardsmen slaughtered my people. My elders and my friends…everything that meant anything to me. I set out to learn the summoning magic from my elder’s old tales in order to get revenge. That is why I am here. Unfortunately I have learned that summoning magic has been long lost.” Jasper said, defeated. Orson began to calm down.
“Look at the moons, they’re eclipsing” Lumus interrupted. Frostear sheathed his sword. “This is not right. Being a Drayhelm, trust me when I say this has never happened. At least not in my life time.” Frostear announced. Jasper stood up.
“I heard the purple one say the sky shall turn purple like a poison, and…” Lumus looked down to Jasper.
“And what Jasper?” Brinx asked.
“The light shall fade.” Jasper finished.
“The purple one?” Lumus muttered to himself.
“I don’t see the big deal, the moons will eventually pass each other, and will return to normal. It’s probably just something that happens once every few hundred years or something.” Dyne interrupted. He looked up smugly to the sky, as Zynx stood beside him without making a sound, staring at the sky.
“Maybe it is nothing. We still have to find Cinnus and Geare. We need to get to Sagnet quickly.” Lumus demanded, and walked over behind Brinx, facing Sagnet. He turned to the others, and then without a word continued toward his goal. As the others followed suit, Zelkem lingered and looked over at Orson before following the others.
“Orson, are you okay.” Scarlette stood behind Orson, attempting to smile.
“I have come to peace with Rose’s death long ago. I just haven’t been able to talk about it with anyone. I tried to be strong for everyone.” Orson said with a faint smile.
“Orson you don’t always have to act so strong. Sometimes your true strength will only show when you let everything out. Too much on your mind, means you won’t have full focus on the matter at hand.” Scarlette said before following the others. Orson stood alone with his head down.
(“Scarlette, when did you become so insightful.”) Orson thought.
“So this is Sagnet? Dyne, are you ready?” Lumus stepped aside for him to pass.
“Drinks on you Zynx! See you guys later at the inn.” Dyne and Zynx walked off toward the slums.
“I’ll head to the counsellor hall. If Cinnus is here, chances are he’s held up in there.” Orson said. Zelkem followed behind him without a word. Orson noticed him follow, but remained silent.
“We should head to the inn and wait for them to get back. Where is Brinx?” Lumus added. Frostear sighed.
“He’s a quick guy. Just before we entered the city he jumped off somewhere.” Frostear continued toward the inn.
“I guess that’s kind of his thing.” Zephry said as she smiled and followed Frostear.
“Lumus the money I got earlier from Lady Concy should cover the inn, but I’m afraid we are running low on funds.” Lumus sighed, when suddenly a bag of gold coins landed in front of Scarlette and Lumus. Scarlette picked it up then looked around in confusion.
“Sorry I can’t come out, I’m sure the villagers wouldn’t like to see a Krotin walking around.” Jasper said from Lumus’ bag. Scarlette smiled.
“This is yours Jasper? Thank you, but how did you get this?”
“Us Krotins aren’t thieves, we used to mine our own gold in our caves, and when we needed food we would take it and leave a few coins behind.” Jasper added. Scarlette looked at Lumus, still smiling.
“That’s so sweet.” Lumus locked eyes with her, wondering why she was smiling at him. She walked past him toward the inn.
“Are we off to the inn Lumus? There isn’t a whole lot of space in here.” Jasper said. Lumus hesitated, he was watching Scarlette walk away.
“Yeah let’s get some rest, Jasper. Maybe you can tell us more about you. ” Lumus finally replied.
“Master Lears, Lumus, and his followers have arrived in Sagnet. I believe they are searching for the councillor Cinnus.” Coldblood said as he bowed. Lears gazed out toward the moonlit sky, the wind brushed by lightly as he laid his hands upon the window ledge overlooking the scenery below.
“Yes I can feel Lumus’ power in that direction. He no longer concerns me, at least not for now. I can sense something else out there. Whatever it is it has a great power almost equal to Lumus and myself.” Lears turned to Coldblood.
“Have everyone in that area retreat immediately. We shall leave this mess to Lumus. I can use this opportunity to focus on my other plans for Twilight’s future.” Lears demanded. Coldblood nodded, and turned to leave, just before he reached the door he turned once more to Lears.
“Master, what of the councillors our Lords are tracking?” Lears turned to Coldblood in a rampage. His energy radiating off him like a lightning storm.
“Must I repeat myself Coldblood? They no longer matter! We have bigger things happening now. Have My Lords’ return at once. Lumus and his followers have no idea what pursues them. I believe we have just taken Twilight as our own without lifting a finger.” Lears laughed. His laughter and rage combining into something terrible to behold.
“It will be done, master.” Coldblood bowed.
“Before you go Coldblood, I want you to send word. The councillors are not priority any longer. Also send word to Aire. I want him to track Gerald. Best for us to keep tabs on our investments.” Lears closed his eyes tightly as Coldblood left the room. His body covered in a dark aura as he smiled.
“Zynx you would think this place would be a little more energetic? There are three people here, five if you count us? Hmm, maybe they all left town when your ugly mug showed up.” Dyne let out a laugh. Zynx grunted lightly.
“Hey waitress? Care to get us a couple of drinks? Jeez you would think the business would be welcome… take your time love.” Dyne shook his head. This place has to be the worst…” Suddenly Zynx shot to his feet. His teeth bared as he faced the doors, quickly grabbing his spear.
“Whoa boy, down. Down boy.” Dyne looked over to the door to notice some purple smoke coming in through the bottom of the door.
“What in the world is that? Zynx you ready to fight buddy, buddy?” The waitress dropped the drinks she was carrying and quickly turned and ran for the back. The other three strangers followed behind her.
The smoke crept in faster and faster, the wooden door began to slowly expand and split in the middle, then suddenly flew through the bar into the bottles along the back. A strange silhouette entered the doorway.
“Would you two be friends of the one they call Lumus?” Dyne drew his blade.
“Who is asking?” The strange figure stepped into the light of the bar, revealing a man with purple hair and dark purple eyes to match. He wor
e a cloak, and light clothes that matched his hair.
“I am Kontaminate.” Dyne’s jaw dropped, as Zynx raised his spear up a little higher.
“Is this some kind of joke? We didn’t even get our drinks yet. What’s the big idea?” Dyne dropped his guard. Kontaminate had an odd grin on his face.
“You don’t seem to want to help me. Very well, I shall dispose of you insignificant little pests.” Kontaminate raised his hand and a dark cloud of purple energy formed to his hand. Zynx raced at him with his spear. The energy around his body exploded, sending Zynx flying into the back of the pub and into the streets. Dyne raised his sword to Kontaminate once again.
“Hey, you bastard! I’ll kill you for that!” Dyne leaped forward as Kontaminate swung his handful of energy from the air down to the floor. Just as Dyne was close enough he raised his hand to his face shooting the energy at full blast. Dyne flew straight through the pubs roof landing in the streets just pass Zynx.
“Lumus, now I can feel you. It seems your energy is revealed when you sense danger.” Kontaminate laughed.
Lumus jumped to his feet, causing Jasper to fall the ground.
“Lumus? What’s wrong?” Scarlette rose from her bed. Frostear entered the room from the sounds of Jasper hitting the floor.
“What happened?” He asked. Lumus closed his eyes.
“Something is here. Something powerful. It is coming from the slums. How did I not sense this sooner?” Lumus shook his head, opening his eyes as he raced out of the room with Frostear close behind him. Scarlette turned to Jasper, and said.
“Stay here, this could be dangerous.” She ran off leaving Jasper alone. Lumus stopped in the street. He closed his eyes once more, and quickly facing toward the slums once again.
“This way!” Lumus shot off down the main street, and Frostear hastily turned to Scarlette. “Zephry left to the councillor’s mansion to check on Orson and Zelkem. Go back tell them what is happening now!” Frostear yelled. He turned his attention back to Lumus.
“I don’t even know what’s happening…” Scarlette whispered, she ran toward the mansion.
“That’s right Lumus come to me. It shall all be over soon.” Kontaminate stood peering into the main street waiting for Lumus. Dyne and Zynx lay unconscious nearby. Neither of them were moving. Lumus came to the top of the hill, and he glared down seeing the pub in ruins, then to his comrades lying face down in the street. Lumus turned back to the pub to notice a figure walk out toward him from the shadows.
“What is this? Lears? No this… is someone else.” Lumus said in confusion. Lumus walked slowly down the dirt path from the top of the hill to meet face to face with this strange figure who looked just like him.
“So you finally showed. I have come to end your existence. You are an unnatural being. A poison that must be remedied. Lumus stared Kontaminate in the eyes
“A poison, you say? All I see from you is destruction and pain. Look what you have done here and yet I’m the poison? What does that make you?” Lumus replied. Kontaminate shot Lumus a grin.
“A simple answer, I am Kontaminate. I am here to poison this world. Infect it to cleanse it. I will enter the bodies of all living entities to kill everything you have altered. That is my purpose.” Kontaminate smiled as he stared at Lumus. Lumus clenched his fists.
“Who sent you? Why do you look like me? Were you born like Lears and I were from the planet’s core too?” Kontaminate laughed.
“No I was built with purpose, with a plan. You are an accident, a miscalculation in human actions. The one responsible for everything you see sent me to correct this world. Because of you, the people have come to harm and they have been thrown into a world that never should have come to be. For the crime of existing you have been targeted for disposal. I will use any means necessary to eliminate you. Even use the lives of others against you.” Kontaminate glared at Lumus. Lumus stepped forward.
“I understand but I have too much to live for now. I will fix all of the wrong my existence has brought. Then and only then will I willingly be taken to the other side.” Lumus replied. Kontaminate hesitated for a moment.
“There are two? There is another like you in this world? I must investigate this being. My master only knew of one. Two brings more questions that I alone cannot answer. You have not yet seen the last of me. When I return you and I will fight, and I promise you my masters’ desire to make the world as it should be will come to be.” Kontaminate then suddenly lit up with a bright purple light and with a flash he flew off into the sky.
“He can fly?” Lumus stared off into the sky until Kontaminate became a distant spec. He finally gave his head a shake and looked back over at Dyne and Zynx. Frostear was already with them. Brinx had appeared from the shadows, the hood of his cloak shadowing his face, but his eyes still glowed from within its depths.
“Lumus!” Scarlette called out. She came running down to the ruined pub with Orson Zelkem and Zephry behind them.
“What happened?” Orson seemed out of breath.
“It’s difficult to say. Looks like Lears is not the only copy of me after all. I wonder if he was the one that spoke to me before.” Lumus said with little certainty.
“Let’s head back to the inn. We shouldn’t stay out in the open, and Zynx and Dyne are in very rough shape.” Frostear pointed out. Scarlette and Zephry made their way up the street. Zelkem and Frostear picked Dyne and Zynx up, and carried them up the street. Zelkem hung back with Brinx and Orson. Lumus stood still without a word.
“I know everything is all unclear right now, but we don’t have much choice. Let’s go back to the inn and regroup.” Zelkem said with a hint of worry in his voice. He waited for Orson and Lumus to move before he started toward the Inn.
The Inn door was shattered into splinters, the windows broken with glass everywhere. The torches on the walls were all burnt out. The darkness within the inn made Zephry uneasy. Lumus and the others all gathered outside.
“Lumus, who do you think would do this? None of the other buildings are damaged except this one. Was someone looking for us?” Zelkem said. Scarlette felt a cold chill in the air.
“Orson come with me, everyone else wait here.” Lumus powered up to emit a soft light around himself. He made his way into the inn with Orson behind him.
“Jasper was still inside wasn’t he? I told him to stay here. If he is hurt it would be my fault.” Scarlette’s eyes began to tear. Zelkem walked over to put his hand on her shoulder while he still carried Dyne on his back.
“I’m sure you did what you thought was best. None of us would have guessed the inn was going to be attacked.” Zelkem looked over to the inn once more. Zephry stepped forward and cleared his throat.
“When we ran by the inn earlier it looked fine. We couldn’t have been gone from here for more than ten minutes, right?” Zelkem moved his hand from Scarlette’s shoulder.
“I would have heard the glass shatter; I don’t know how this could have happened.” Zephry said with worry. Brinx removed his hood.
“Look they are coming out!” Zephry called out.
Lumus came walking toward them from the inn. The light was gone from his body, and his face looking down as he carried Jasper in his arms. He was bloody, and beaten. There was no life left within his body, and Lumus knew it. He walked past everyone to the main street. Behind him was the pub far down the road they had just come from; in front was the way to the town’s cemetery. Orson followed Lumus up the trail, as everyone followed behind.
“He was a good soul. He only meant to protect his people. For that Jasper you have my respect. Although our journey together was brief, I still call you my friend. ” Lumus said as he kneeled down, and laid Jaspers body into a hole Zelkem had been digging.
“I will be sure your people will be revenged for this Jasper. I promise you.” Orson stepped back. “I promise the one responsible will die for this.” Orson turned with his face down as he spoke. Scarlette cleared the tears from her face with her sleeve.
/> “We should plan our next move.” Brinx said with his cloak back on. Zynx woke up under a tree just inside the city gates where Frostear, and Zelkem had set him and Dyne down. Zynx reach down, and gave Dyne a slap on the face.
“Ah the heck was that for?” Dyne managed to open an eye enough to see he was okay. “Look buddy I’m not as tough as you, I can’t just pounce back up like you. No pun intended.” Dyne laughed himself back to sleep.
Lumus stood over Jaspers grave with Zelkem, Orson, and Brinx to his right. Scarlette, Zephry, Frostear were on his left. They all looked at Lumus.
“Orson, Cinnus was okay right?” Orson stepped forward.
“Yes, and I asked about his Tilza. She had fled to Capaz. With Kontaminate around we need to be a lot more careful. We need to assume Geare is okay. I have asked Cinnus to send word of what is going on. The knights will be able to take things from here. It is obvious Lears is somehow involved. Brinx shook his head.
“I know. Kontaminate flew off toward the North.” Brinx added.
“Across the Twilight Lake.” Zelkem interrupted.
“Correct. What is on the other side of that lake?” Brinx asked. The group went silent. “There is my hometown!” Zephry blurted out.
“The Aster Mountains are also over there. They overlook Capaz.” Scarlette said faintly. “Then it can’t be helped, we head back to Capaz. It will be another three days back.” Lumus added. Zephry sighed.
“Maybe we can save some time if we swam across the lake.” Zephry blurted out again. Orson laughed.
“That isn’t a bad idea.” Orson added. Zephry sighed again.
“I was kidding, we can’t swim that far…” Zephry replied. Orson turned toward the lake. “No Zephry. We can take a boat. This is a fishing town is it not? All we need to do is find a captain to take us. When we were down in the slums I saw plenty of boats. There has to be someone to take us.” Orson explained. Lumus walked over to the street, and peered toward the lake.
“That would save us about two days. Orson, go see Cinnus tell him we are taking a boat. Zelkem you, and Scarlette find us a captain. Everyone else stock up on supplies we need to move now.” Lumus ordered. Orson bolted off toward Cinnus’s Palace. Zelkem and Scarlette headed toward the destroyed pub. Lumus looked up to the sky to see the eclipse moons high in the sky.
