Gemini- The Beginning Of The End
Page 29
“Why aren’t you leading them now?”
Rick stared at his hands. “They’re dead. My whole world is dead.”
“How can Gods die?”
“Only fifteen of us were Gods and Demigods, the rest were normal. Albeit with a longer lifespan than your world.”
“Is Taranis from your world?” she asked.
“No, he’s from here.”
“Oh! I didn’t tell you! He disappeared after you left!”
Rick grinned. “That was me. I didn’t want anyone hurting my buddy.”
“Your buddy? He killed Devlin!” Stella yelled instantly full of anger.
Rick’s face dropped. “No, what was inside him killed Devlin. Taranis the man, has been a prisoner in his own body. When he wakes up, I’m hoping he can tell me where my bag is.”
They sat in silence for a time while Stella cooled down.
“Okay,” she said.
Rick leaned in and kissed her. But It was different this time. Sad. Final?
Stella pulled back. “You are not kissing me goodbye!” She said jabbing him in the chest.
“I—”
“No!” She said. “No goodbye kisses. Where do you think I'll be going?”
“Not you, I’ll—”
“You’ll what? Run off on me?”
Rick grabbed her shoulders. “I’m going to Syar, alone.”
Stella folded her arms “And what gave you that idea?” she asked tapping her foot.
“I, uh,” Rick said “What do you mean? I literally just told you about the Celestial army!”
Stella drew in close, their lips almost touching. “I mean, I’m going with you.”
Ricks mouth began to move. Stella pecked him on the lips.
“I’m not going to lose you to death,” he said wrapping his arms around her.
Stella stared up at him. “Selfish,” she said.
“What??”
“I called you selfish,” she said burying her face in his chest. “I can’t lose you too, I’ve lost too many.”
“I’m sorry,” Rick said holding her.
A tear slid down Stella’s cheek.
She smiled. So stupid. I’m in love with a Demigod, and he loves me back.
“What is love to you?” she asked.
“Love?” Rick said. “Love is when you care about someone else’s happiness more than yourself. Love is when you do things just to make another feel good. Love is when you give—”
Stella looked up at him. “How many years did it take you to figure that one out?”
“I read it in some old dusty book,” Rick said straight faced. “What do you think love is?”
“I think love is sticking by someone when times look bleak, and when they’re down on their luck,” she said staring into his bluish green eyes. “Uplifting someone and sacrificing your wants for theirs.”
“I like it.”
He kissed Stella on the forehead. Stella shivered with glee.
“I—” she started.
A fist pounded on the door. “Yo, time to run. You two lovebirds decent?” Flare called through the door. “All I heard was yapping!”
Stella laughed. Oh, that felt good.
“Come in,” she said.
Flare opened the door and walked in.
Still, in Rick’s arms, Stella looked at her. “Yes?”
“Assan is up!” Flare beamed.
“That’s great!”
“Adam brought word from the guild. It’s time for us to get back to work.”
Stella looked back at Rick. His cheeks were redder than red! Now why was he embarrassed? He was thousands of years old! He probably had plenty of womeny moments.
That last thought left a sour taste in her mouth.
“Sorry,” Stella said. “Rick and I are going to Syar.”
Flares eyebrows knitted together. “We’re all going to Syar?” she said. “Adam told me the guild finished the preparations.”
Looking at Rick, Stella could see the wheels turning in his head.
“Don’t even think about it,” she said.
“Wha—”
“You’re trying to figure out how to ditch us.”
Rick stared at her. “How’d you know?”
“Like I said. Don’t even think about it,” she said.
Flare grew somber. “We’ll bury Devlin before we go.”
Stella swallowed fighting back tears and squeezed Rick. It would be okay, but why’d Devlin have to be gone?
“Let's go,” she said pulling free.
Rick grabbed her hand and led the way, but as they reached Assan’s room he let go and walked in.
“Stay here,” he said closing the door.
Stella frowned. What was he doing? A blue glow shown through under the door. A moment later Assan strode out, with Rick behind.
“I feel great!” Assan announced.
Flare rushed over and embraced the man.
“What’d you use? The light was blue,” Stella asked Rick.
“I’ll tell you later,” he said.
“Thank you,” Assan said clasping his arm.
“We’ll meet you at the guild,” Flare said. “I’ve got some catching up to do with my husband.”
With that, she pushed Assan back into the room giving Stella a wink.
“Wait, they’re married?” Rick asked.
Stella kissed him on the cheek. “They try to keep it discrete.”
Wrapping her fingers around his, she pointed her head at the stairs.
Rick shook his head and lead her down the hall at a brisk pace.
“Slow down, will ya,” she said. “My legs aren’t that long!”
Rick slowed to a crawl, painstakingly putting one foot in front of the other.
Stella yanked his arm. “Not that slow, you goof!”
“Right,” Rick said with a straight face.
Walking down the steps, they exited the tower and out onto the busy street. Vendors were yelling trying to get last-minute sales. Stella frowned looking around. By tomorrow this city would be a ghost town, and this might be the last time she saw this place. A lot could happen in the following year. Besides, she seriously doubted Rick would be able to stay in one place for that long, and she was going with him wherever he went. Life was so full of adventure around him. The guild would be fine without her, and if not, they could deal with it. She wasn’t sure if she could live in the guild without Devlin anyway.
Waiting in line to go through The Arch, Rick moaned and groaned the whole time. As for her? She couldn’t seem to make up her mind. She wanted to smack him for being annoying and kiss him for being kind of cute. Eventually, it was their turn.
“Will you behave now?” she asked stepping through.
“Behave?” Rick asked in mock horror. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Stella stuck her tongue out at him. Walking down the street, she enjoyed the sights, even though she saw them a thousand times. Rick stopped. Not expecting the abrupt change, Stella took an extra step, her arm twisting. Stella grunted taking a step back.
Much better.
Looking to see what was going on, she followed Ricks eyes. A tiny yellow lightning portal floated in front of them.
“Whose lightning magic is yellow?” She asked.
Rick whistled one solid extended note. The portal opened.
“Come on,” Rick said stepping forward.
They exited the portal behind the new blacksmith shop. Taranis waited there.
Stella leapt toward him, or at least, she tried too. She didn’t get very far. Rick had an iron grasp on her arm.
“I was wondering if I’d ever see you again,” Rick said.
“I had to give these back to you,” Taranis said tossing Rick his bag.
Stella tried to pull free, but Ricks arm refused to budge. She glared at him summoning the air.
“No,” Rick said glancing at her.
“She can kill me if she wants,” Taranis said.
Stella turned her glare on him. But for the first time, she noticed the distance in his eyes. He barely looked alive. The fire fled her veins.
You have to remember, it wasn’t him, she told herself.
“When did it happen?” Rick asked.
“After the cave collapsed, the dragon stuck me in a cage,” Taranis said. “I did as you told me. After it entered me, I never shut up.” Taranis shuddered, staring into space. “It killed so many people.”
Rick stared at the ground. “I thought you were dead. I’m sorry.”
Now the haunted look made sense. Stella pulled free and rushed to Taranis.
“Stella!” Rick yelled.
She wrapped her arms around Taranis. Both men froze. Not a sound escaping their lips. The three of them stood there for a time. Suddenly, Taranis started shaking. Looking up she saw his cheeks shining. Tears ran down his face. Rick walked over. Pulling free of her, Taranis embraced his old friend.
“I think all is forgiven,” Rick said and turned his look to Stella. She nodded in agreement.
“If Rick was telling the truth, Devlin's murderer died yesterday,” she said.
But will I ever be able to look at that face and not hurt?
“The Gads will be in the tens of thousands now,” Taranis said. “I’m sorry.”
Rick shook his head. “If Celestials like Justin and Jayden are coming through, I’ll be lucky if that’s all.”
“Look out!” Taranis yelled.
Stella spun to see what he was yelling about.
Zaven!
He lunged at Rick, the Alshak in hand. Stella used the wind to push Rick aside, just before it touched him. Encountering no resistance, Zaven stumbled and grazed Stella with the Alshak. Energy shot through her whole body. She was on fire! The whole world melted away into a stream of color. Every color imaginable whisked by.
Am I dead?
The world solidified around Stella. She stood in the same alley, but It was hot as summer.
Where’d winter go? And where is Rick?
Racing around to the front she stopped, gaping. The new blacksmith shop was replaced with an old rundown general store! The door flew open... and Rick strode out.
“Rick!” she called running over.
A black sword appeared in his hand, pointed at her chest. Shadow Reaper.
“How do you know my name?” he growled.
Stella swallowed. “Rick, it’s me, Stella.”
“Leave the girl alone,” a familiar voice said.
Stella craned her neck to see. Taranis came outside with another man.
What is going on? She thought staring into Rick’s cold eyes.
Epilogue
Rick blinked, trying to wrap his head around it. Stella was gone. Zaven cursed and disappeared. It all happened so fast! He sunk to his knees, a tear escaping. That couldn’t be it, what happened?
“I was going to tell you,” Taranis said sitting next to him. “I swear.”
Rick grabbed his friends coat. “Tell me what?” he hissed.
Taranis choked on his collar pulling back.
Rick released him. “Sorry.”
“The Alshak Zaven stole,” Taranis said coughing. “Allows you to travel through time.”
Rick instantly perked up. “Oh, yeah! I forgot about that.” he said jumping up.
Taranis looked at him. “You created it!”
“Details, details,” he said with a wave of his hand. “Let’s go get her!”
Excerpt from Taranis’s notebook, stored in the secret library.
This is a list of my notes on the magics Rick has told me about. We’re about to go to another world to grab a material called Omeral. I would not be surprised to learn of more types of magic Rick has held back but this is what I have so far.
Elemental
Cost: ten years, energy.
Our world’s magic. Once you use it, ten years to the date you die. He said it’s similar to his world’s magic, but ours is weaker and at a meaner cost.
Also, the elements are reversed in strength. There are seven elements in ours, and they are split into three groups: Unique, Elements, spirit.
Unique: Lightning belongs to this and is considered the strongest. It is also next to nonexistent. As far as I know Rick and I are the only Lightning Elementalists alive.
Elements: these are Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. They are the most common because they are slightly stronger than spirit.
Spirit: Light, and dark. Considered inferior.
Celestial
Cost: memories, energy.
His magic. He said a weak Celestial is stronger than most adept Elementalists
The Lightning Element doesn’t exist.
Light and Shadow are considered the best and are the most common elements.
The four Elements aren’t considered inferior but are less common.
Enchantment
Cost: unknown.
He’s mentioned it. But that’s all.
Bonding
Cost: unknown.
This is the magic that lets him make his swords appear out of thin air. He didn’t tell me the cost.
Modi
Cost: read below.
The people who use this magic use it increase or decrease certain physical attributes while vastly increasing or decreasing its cost. The example he used was sprinting verses jogging. Run incredibly fast or for incredibly long. He uses it mostly on his magic’s.
Magic Acquisition
Cost: murder.
I don’t know what he calls it. All I know is it involves murder.
Luxer
Cost: Energy.
The home to this magic apparently is so far away he can’t use it at all here.
Luxer magic can be split into two groups: Offence and defense.
Offence: create a coating of energy around a weapon to enhance its power or you can create attacks of lux.
Defense: encase armor or yourself with a protective shield or make a shield of pure lux.
Different people have different levels of aptitude for each type.
Binding
Cost: unkown.
Not to be confused with bonding. He also has called it tethering. He can attach an invisible line in between him and another object. The line shrinks in on itself and either he or the object goes flying toward the other point. Depending on what weighs more. He apparently can create two bindings at a time.
Essence
Cost: Souls.
He can absorb the souls of living things and use it to animate objects or as a powerful force of magic. Humans and animals have to of recently died. Plants die in the process. He said this world is a rocky waste land and that they like killing babies.
Potion
Cost: ingredients.
He has a whole pouch of viles. Mostly healing potions. He said it’s created by mixing different magical ingredients together.
Alchemy
Cost: ingredients, a tablet, and “fuel”.
He said it was like money. You trade one thing or multiple things to create something else. He keeps a tablet in his bag to perform this magic.
Crystal
Cost: crystals.
Crystal magic is the art of filling different crystals with different attributes. Healing, speed, wakefulness, are a few examples. He said that on this world Imbuers fill the crystals and then they are sold at a hefty price. To use a crystal it must be shattered.
Spirit Hoping
Cost: unknown.
He said this world is too far away for him to use it but that he can temporarily possess someone’s body.
Dream Hoping
Cost: unknown.
He can travel in-between peoples dreams and talk with them.
Mental
Cost: headaches.
This magic can edit what your senses tell you, Alters your emotions, or erase your memory. On our world he has to touch your forehead and it gives him a migraine.
Illusion
Cost: unknown.
Necromancy
Cost: unknown.
I do not want to visit this world. He said they kill for the slightest of reasons and turn you into an undead slave.
Blood Magic
Cost: blood.
Take blood. Draw a symbol. Magic happens.
Attribute
Cost: souls.
Like Essence he can absorb the souls of living things. But with this magic he can transform it into a certain trait of the animal. A soul can only be used for either Essence or Attribute, not both. I asked if he could fly, he said yes.
Animal Call
Cost: unknown.
He can talk to birds.
World Hoping
Cost: unknown.
Rick told me there is two ways to travel from world to world. The first way is through the gates. Each gate connects to six other gates which then in turn each connect five others. That is, that’s how all the other gates work. Apparently our gate only connects to two, his world and one other, which we are about to visit.
The second way he alone can do and he said it’s a pain… that’s it
Dream World
Cost: unknown.
All he said about this magic is that if you die in the dream world you die in real life, and that it’s different from Dream Hopping.
Rune Etching
Cost: unknown.
He said it was similar to blood magic, but was only used on talismans to grant them unique properties. He didn’t explain what properties.
Crafting
This is not a real magic, but items that Rick has created through combining different magics and elements together. The barrier rods are an example of this.
Sneak peak
Sam shivered in the corner of her cell. The faint glow of the moon her only light. The door clicked.
The doors never click, she thought looking up. Crawling over, she pushed her matted blonde hair out of her eyes. The door was slightly ajar. Pushing it open she held her breath.
The hallway!
She only saw the hallway once before when they took her out of her parent’s cell. Crawling out she held her breath. No one yelled. Standing on her wobbly legs, Sam started to walk. Not a soul stopped her. She came to a door with a handle! She’d never seen one before, but her mother told her about them. She glanced back. She was told her parents were moved, but maybe.