“That was quick,” Rick said turning back to Stella... she was running after them.
“Stella!” he yelled chasing her.
“I saw Mera,” she yelled back.
Rick Stopped in his tracks shaking his head, a forgotten memory trying to emerge. Why is that name so familiar? Stella disappeared around a corner. Running again, Rick flew around the corner. A pit formed in his stomach. The ally split into three different paths, and he couldn’t see Stella anywhere. Slowing he opened a portal. Looking through he frowned. Like I thought, too dark.
He couldn’t see well enough in the dim light to spot the girl. Making a decision, he ran down one of the paths, not sure if it would lead to Stella or not. But after a while, he had to admit to himself he’d picked the wrong path.
“Stupid girl just had to run off,” he said wandering around. Turning the corner, two torch lit buildings replaced the cavern light. “Oh, look Stella, a tavern!” he muttered to himself.
Both buildings appeared to be taverns. Approaching, he saw a man with a knife sitting in front of the tavern to his right. Deciding it wasn’t worth the trouble, Rick entered the tavern to his left. As he stepped over the threshold out of the corner of his eye he saw the man with the knife stand and move toward him.
Well, at least there are people here, he thought.
He looked around the large room. A bar lay to one side, and the rest of the room was packed with tables, but the chairs were, well, unique. Men sat on everything from barrels, to rotting logs. Spotting an open “chair,” he walked to a table filled with three men.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked.
“Only if you got cards and money,” a short man said.
That’s when Rick noticed the cards on the table. Celestials. “Actually, I think I might,” he said patting his pockets.
A grin formed on his face. “They are still here,” he said pulling out a waterproof leather pouch.
“Grab a seat, I’m happy to take yar coin,” a gray-bearded man said.
“What're your names?” Rick asked. Sitting, he angled the chair to face toward the door.
“You can call me Beardy,” the man with the beard said. “And you can call him Shorty, and him Bob.”
“That’s some strange looking pants you got there,” Shorty said.
Rick patted his jeans. “I got these up north in Syar.”
“It’s a silver coin to play, winner takes the pot,” Bob said glaring at him.
“Let's make it interesting,” Rick said tossing a gold coin on the table. Cause gold’s all I got.
Chuckling Shorty looked at his two companions before tossing in another four silver coins onto the table. Bob tossed in a gold coin, and Beardy tossed four silvers in as well.
“How’d you come across a gold coin down here?” Beardy asked Bob.
“By beating you shrimps every night,” Bob said.
“I’m taller than you,” Beardy said.
Shorty glared at them. “Another joke about my height and I’ll cut you.”
“Grab your legend, let’s get this thing started,” Bob said the smile disappearing from his face.
Pulling Taranis out, Rick set the card on the table.
“Nice card,” Shorty said tossing a Legend down with the name of Rand.
The other two placed down their heroes, and everyone shuffled their decks. The opponent to the left cut, the deck of the person to the right.
“I’ll roll the dice first,” Beardy said grabbing up one of the dies.
They each took a turn rolling to see who would go first. Shorty rolled the highest which meant Rick was last, and that suited him just fine, especially when he drew his cards and remembered it’d been forever since he’d actually played. Playing card after card they quickly whittled down his life, making no pretense about attacking each other. With that, the game was over almost as soon as it begun. With the last attack, Rick’s life dropped to zero.
Scooping up his cards, Rick sat back. “Now that you got your coin, perhaps you can answer a question of mine. I’m looking for a man named Assan.”
Shorty looked at him. “Assan serves the Undercity Queen now.”
“Who’s that?”
“The harbinger of the vision!” a rather large man yelled waddling over.
“Can we help you?” Beardy asked.
“Have you sworn to the undercity Queen?”
“Of course,” the entire tavern said in unison.
Rick looked at them and then back at the big man. Shorty signaled someone at another table. I might be in trouble, Rick thought noting how many men there were. “No, I haven’t,” he said. “Maybe you can tell me who she is?”
“Everything will be clear once you’ve seen The Vision,” the man said grabbing Ricks arm.
Twisting free Rick danced away. “Do that again and you’ll regret it.”
“Will I?” He asked shuffling toward Rick.
Sighing, Rick shot a bolt into the ground in front of the man leaving a scorch mark in the wood.
“Not another step,” Rick said. “I’d really hate to kill you.” On instinct, Rick ducked. A log flew over him from behind, right where his head had been a second before. It smashed into the wall with a loud thud. The large man dove at Rick, tackling him. Falling back onto a table Rick struggled with the man. “Gah, screw it,” Rick grunted rolling off the table.
Summoning a lightning chain, he coiled it around the man’s ankle then yanking hard he pulled his feet out from under him. A man with a knife came running toward Rick. Twirling the chain, Rick let it fly striking the man in the face. He collapsed.
“Anyone else?” Rick asked. No one made a move.
After a moment, Shorty stepped forward. “Those two were here by themselves, none of us knew them.”
Like I believe that, Rick thought.
“Perhaps now you’ll tell me about Assan and the Undercity Queen?” he asked.
“I can answer that question,” a girl said from behind.
Turning he starred.
“Hello Rick, it's been a long time,” Mera said.
So it is you. That's why the name sounded familiar. Dressed all in black she ran her hand through her long brown hair. The girl he’d last seen ten years ago looked nothing like the woman standing before him. Except for that nose of hers. “I don’t remember saying you could grow up,” he said.
“I think you’re the only person alive that doesn’t age after ten years,” she said.
On this world, yes. Everyone stared at him.
“Would you like to sit with me?” she asked.
“Yes, I would,” he said gesturing toward the table he’d just rolled off. “I’ve got a couple questions for my former apprentice.”
One of the men brought forth one of the few real chairs in the building placing it in front of the table.
Mera smiled at him handing him a few copper coins. “Thank you, can you grab us a couple of glasses of water?”
“Yes,” the man said.
“You still don’t drink?” she asked Rick.
“Right.” Walking over to the table he watched the men warily.
“Quit staring,” she said to the room before sitting down.
The men went back to their own business as Mera sat down across from him. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I’m looking for a man named Assan,” Rick said.
Leaning back in her chair, Mera crossed her arms. “You didn’t come to visit me?”
“I didn’t even know you were in Halven.”
“Where else would I go? You told me to join your old guild.”
The man with the drinks arrived setting one cup in front of each of them.
“A toast, to old friends,” she said raising her cup.
Raising his cup, Rick tapped it against hers. Placing it to his lips, he took a sip.
“Oh, that’s terrible!” he said shuddering.
“The water down here’s full of minerals,” she said grimacing herself. L
ooking at him she leaned forward. “Was it Zaven who brought you back to Halven?”
“Yes,” Rick lied.
“I heard he stole the Alshak.”
“It’s gone. At the bottom of the ocean.”
A malicious smile parted her lips. “Good.”
“Good?” Rick asked his eyes focusing on her.
“The Serpent knew you had plans for it,” she said. “But he didn’t know what.”
Rick shifted in his seat. “So you work for the Serpent? What do you know about a guy who’s calling himself T?”
Mera smirked. “I know who he is. Your enemies have been busy. But you’re asking the wrong question. Poor Stella.”
Standing, Rick glared at her. “What are you talking about?” His head felt fuzzy. The room seemed to spin. I need to use Celestial light, he thought staggering. “What’d you do?” he asked collapsing to the ground.
Chapter 14
S tella stopped running. The girl she chased seemed to of disappeared into thin air. Unsure of how long she ran, she looked around. Rick was gone, and she didn't know where she was. Stella could've sworn that the girl was Mera, the fifth Member of the Element Five, and her friend. Looking up Stella smiled a sad smile. Such a beautiful place, but it was filled with such despair.
Rick should've kept up, she thought to herself. But there was nothing she could do about it now. Walking down a muddy street, Stella's mind began to wonder. He still hasn’t kissed me, she thought pouting. Why’d he kiss Raven? Did he think she was prettier than me?
"Hey pretty lady,” a man yelled. “Why don't you come here and keep me some company."
Stella looked. He leaned against a makeshift railing next to a shack. “Where is everybody?” she called back.
“C’mere and I’ll tell you,” he said moving closer.
Maybe it’s overrated being pretty, Stella thought slipping into an alley.
Walking along, she spotted am older women with a missing leg. The poor woman shivered in the cold cave air. Her sad excuse for a cloak was worn and threadbare. Stella slipped off her own cloak having an idea. "I'll trade you," she said holding the cloak out in front of her.
"I have nothing worth that cloak," the lady said.
"I want your cloak."
"My rags?" the lady cackled.
"Yes."
The lady stopped cackling and stared at her. "Why would you want to trade?"
"I stand out too much."
"Yes missy, you’re a pretty thing and that's dangerous down here," she said. "You have a deal, I'll even toss in me old hat." Taking off her cloak, the old lady tossed it to Stella, followed by her wide-brimmed hat. Catching them Stella handed the cloak to her.
"Thank you for trading with an old cripple," the lady said slipping the cloak on.
Walking away, Stella slipped on the ragged cloak and placed the hat on her head. The cloak hung loosely, providing no warmth. Shivering in the cold air, Stella made her way to the next step in her plan. A puddle of mud. Finding one, she knelt looking around for any possible trouble. Seeing no one, she pulled the hat off and pushed her head into the filth. Running her fingers through her hair she caked it in as much mud as possible. Wiping off her face Stella stood and placed the hat back on top of her head.
"That'll have to do," she said to herself.
Exiting back onto a main street Stella let out a sigh of relief when the man from earlier didn't even look twice as she passed. The yellow glow of torchlight caught her eye. Two buildings marked tavern glowed with firelight instead of the faint blue glow of the cave.
Moving closer, Stella noted that the left tavern had a man sitting on the railing, twirling a knife, and two men were dragging someone out.
Maybe Rick was right. A tavern might get her some information, but she was not going to be stupid about it. She decided to go to the tavern on the right.
Stepping inside, she looked around. It was an open room packed with makeshift tables and chairs. The tables were made from everything from a door to a rock slab. All eyes locked on her. The extra light made her features much more noticeable.
"Hey, you’re pretty cute, you can come sit with me," a massive man said standing.
Tapping into her Elementia, Stella got ready to fight. A young blond man stood in between her and him.
"Only if you want to deal with me," he said.
The blond man was tall and built, but he looked like a kid compared to the man he was challenging.
He's going to get himself killed.
"She's all yours Taranis," the big man said stumbling over his feet to back away.
Taranis turned to face her. He was cute, but he had a nasty scar running along his forehead. "You don't need to channel here, no one will harm you," he said.
Stella just stood there.
"Yes, I'm an Elementalist too," he said.
"Then you know I didn't need your protection," she said.
"It was quicker this way. Would you like a drink, Stella?"
"How do you know my name?"
"I've met Mera and Assan, and they’ve filled me in on your guild."
"You’ve seen them?"
"Yes, I have,” Taranis said, “I also saw Rick earlier."
"You know Rick too?" she asked.
Grimacing Taranis sat back down. "Unfortunately. Grab a seat and I'll tell you where Assan and Mera are, and the history of Rick."
I’ll humor him. He looks exactly like the Taranis portraits in our guild, she thought taking a seat.
"Nice disguise," Taranis said staring at her muddy hair.
"It really makes my eyes pop," she said.
Laughing, Taranis slapped the table. "I like you.”
“Your name, is it the Taranis from history?"
"Yes, he's exactly where my name comes from."
"Did you know he was the founder of my guild?"
"I had heard that,” he said smirking. “Tell me, was the secret room ever found?”
"Are you talking about the council room?"
"No, there's another room in the guild that only his cofounder knew about."
"If he's the only one that knew, how do you know it exists?"
“He told Taranis, my great-grandfather.”
“You look just like him,” Stella said tracing a circle in the table. “If you’re related then why aren't you a member of the guild?"
Taranis leaned back. "Do you know the fate of Taranis?"
"He died slaying a dragon."
"No,” he said leaning forward. “Would you like to know the real story?"
"Oh?” Stella said getting drawn in. “I love history."
"He and a close friend traveled to another world filled with mythical creatures. They arrived there by using a similar portal as The Arch used to travel to the tournament."
"The Gateway in Syar," Stella said.
"Yes. It wasn't the first time they'd been there. But it was the last. They traveled to the southern edge of the continent, where the dragons lived. They weren't there to slay a dragon. Instead, they were after material harder than anything, Omeral. Besides of course whatever the Waystones are made of,” he added.
Smiling Stella rested her hand on the table.
"Dragons create Omeral to protect their soft underbellies. It's stronger than their very own scales. But that's not a surprise. It’s made out of dragon’s scales and demons blood, forged by a dragon's breath.
The first dragon they came across didn't have enough Omeral to completely cover his chest. You see, Omeral is rare and hard to make, most dragons can only acquire enough by killing others. The second dragon was willing to part with some Omeral on one condition. We deliver a message to her ex."
We? She thought and missed the next several words.
"After that, the third dragon they reached didn't even speak to them. He kept breathing fire until they fled. The days passed with only minor luck. A dragon gave them a single scrap piece. Worth a fortune, but they needed more to forge what they needed to create. Eventually,
they decided that the only way to get enough Omeral was to steal it from these dragons or find another world with dragons that might be willing to help. The problem, of course, was that a Dragon’s magic can be powerful enough to obliterate entire armies.
“Deciding to steal the Omeral they needed, they chose the dragon which had refused to talk to them. According to other dragons, this dragon had hoarded extra from his victims. During the day dragons sleep in the sun. They crept into his cave at noon, and loaded up their sacks. But on their way out of the cave, they heard an earth-shattering roar. The sky darkened as a shadow fell across the entrance. Flames danced down toward them. Taranis using his magic shot out of the way back down the cavern, while his friend created a white dome around himself. To Taranis’s horror, the cave was crushed, collapsing on top of him. The pain of falling rocks and breaking bones knocked him unconscious.
“He awoke to stare into the eye of a dragon, inches from his face. Gold bars lay in between him and it. He was crammed into a small cage. Even worse, inside that cage, he couldn’t sense his magic. His friend was gone having escaped with a bag of Omeral, leaving him behind. He yelled at the dragon for days but not a word escaped the dragon’s lips. All It would do was give him food and water once a day and watch him with that eye. Eventually, Taranis also grew silent. Time passed, the days blurring into weeks, and the weeks blurring into months.
“One night, Taranis woke to a new face staring at him, the face of a woman. She watched him and licked her lips. Speaking in a tongue Taranis did not understand, she spoke with the dragon. Nodding the dragon left. Alone with this woman, Taranis was unable to stop what happened next. She transferred a vampire into him, and once she was done she unlocked the cage, and left laughing.
“That day Taranis died and something else took his place. While here in this world, he faded into history and legend.”
Stella sat thinking in the silence that followed. “Interesting story, but you forgot one thing,” she said.
“What would that be?”
“If Taranis died on another world, how do you know what happened?”
A smile appeared on his face. Slapping his thigh, he laughed. “You’re a smart one. But it made for a great story didn’t it?”
Gemini- The Beginning Of The End Page 16
