Mystic Faerie War

by James Day

  The company saw the explosion of the green faerie magic being expelled as it ripped into the side of the mountain and a rumbling shook the valley. All of the encampments woke up as Dwarf and Gnome turned west to see the tendrils of magic rip into the side of the mountain. The Mystic Dayven and Dunnganon called the others over to him as they made plans to leave.

  “It is the Dark Fae Warlock.” The Mystic Dayven responded. “He brings something forth from the earth. We must leave now.”

  Jens and Relic got on top of their steeds as horns blew throughout Skydark. The army was called to action as the dwarves and gnomes prepared for battle. The green glow could be seen from Block Dam rolling into the mountain as he sent a brigade to meet the evil Warlock. The Mystic Dayven decided to go. As he instructed the others to head toward Skydark. He would put an end to the faerie magic. The Boy-Mystic would also go with him. Shydrie, Dwarf Assassin Razor and Gnome Assassin Dirk would take the others to safety and wait for the Mystics to return. The Bounty Huntress argued with the group stating that she would be needed, but the others told her to wait and see. If the two Mystics needed them, then they would join forces during the battle.

  A huge green ray of roiling faerie magic extended out of the steel rod staff as Fire Imps appeared at the top of Block Dam. The Dark Fae Wolven Elves had been sent to greet the army of Skydark and would do battle as their master created the monster that would destroy them all.

  The two Mystics and both Assassins rode furiously as they saw the Fire Imps descending into the valley. The army rode forward as another quake struck the valley shaking the very foundation of the fortress. Scaffolding began falling and men with it, as blocks of stone fell down and the workers below scurried to their positions. The brigade was met by Fire Imps and a few Dark Fae Wolven Elves. The battle had begun as dwarves and gnomes cut down the Imps and killed the Wolven Elves. In the process they fought their way up to the top. The Mystics let out blue flames that turned their enemies to ash as waves of creatures retreated in fear. The Staff of Power exploded into side of the steps throwing the minions to their death. Above the Warlock continued to release his power into the side of the mountain. The assassins cut down their enemy as the assisted Jens and Relic while the group made its way to the top of Block Dam. They fought their adversaries as sword and mace clashed. The Fire Imps were fast but confined to the stairs and were hacked by the swords of the others. Dwarf and Gnome reacted, killing the Dark Fae Wolf’s with bow and arrows as a melee slowed and fight ensued up the side of Block Dam. The Mystic Dayven knew he had to get up there to stop the spell before the faerie creature came to life. Blue fire from the Mystic’s incinerated their attackers before they could be reached. Then they were on top of the Block Dam as the Dark Fae Warlock knelt down in a green protective aura and the magic streamed directly into the side of the mountain and rock, tree and dirt began crumbling and something from within was forming. Mystic Dayven and the Boy-Mystic Dunnganon swept the top of the Dam burning the Fire Imps as they jumped and dodged trying to knock the Mystics from their steeds. The brigade of gnome and dwarf were being cut down as the battle broke out on top of the span of the Dam. Now the Dark Fae Wolven Elves attacked from behind while the Fire Imps protected the front. The Dwarf Assassin Razor ripped into one Wolven Elf after another as Dirk joined his side. The slashed and killed the Dark Fae Wolves bringing their enemy on equal ground. Both Dwarf and Gnome spun and twisted left to right fighting and killing as bodies dropped to the ground. They even challenged a few Fire Imps that attempted to leap onto them. They were split apart by the swords of the assassins. The Mystic Dayven got off his horse and turned the legion of Fire Imps to ash as his blue fire rammed the green aura. The fire exploded and sparked red embers and smoke rose into the air. The Mystic Dayven released his power and his father joined him. A white-hot explosion erupted all around the Fae Dark Warlock. It was so bright that they could no longer see the man. His silhouette remained bowed down as the stream of green fire subsided. When the fire began burning the top of the span of the bridge. The others reacted by turning on the emergency pumps which triggered water from the Dam to pour out on the span. The flames were put out and Dark Fae Warlock was gone. But then another earthquake shook the valley as the Dwarves and Gnomes below slaughtered the beasts and Dark Fae Wolven Elves. The army was ready, and casualties were great, dwarf and gnome were dying. Fires burned out of control in the valley. As the army stopped when it saw that the green fire stopped streaming into the mountainside. An eerie green glow developed as the mountainside shook again. Trees and rock went sliding down as a huge cracks in the cliffside appeared and something gigantic broke lose. The rock had come alive, and it had two massive legs with feet and gigantic toes. The torso was made of three huge massive pieces of rock where arms and muscles of rock formed and gigantic hands with five fingers were greyish green. A gigantic head made of one stone with green eyes and pushed in holes for nostrils were above a black maw that spewed green.

  “It’s an Elemental Rock Creature,” The Mystic Dayven yelled as it began slowly moving toward the valley below. “Send word to keep it away from the Dam,” he ordered Jens and Relic as they left the top of the Dam. The Mystic Dayven raised the Staff of Power as blue fire erupted into the creature hitting the chest and exploding into the monster. It roared and was nearly thrown back. “It’s too big, we need more power,” he said to his father.

  “I will attempt to help. Focus all of your energy on the head,” the Boy-Mystic told his son as he let out wall of fire striking it in the head.

  The monster rolled back as it began walking and crushing the tents and trees beneath its feet. Small pines cracked as the army scattered in defense letting a force of bow and arrow strike the creature. Then a wave of fire arrows pummeled the face of rock giant as it roared bending down to sweep the ground beneath it. A few of the men were slammed and thrown to their deaths as the army scattered and regrouped around it.

  “They’re keeping it busy,” the Mystic Dayven said as the two assassins watched in horror. “We need to focus our Mystic fire now!”

  The Staff of Power glowed blue as the Boy-Mystic Dunnganon extended his fingers. Blue fire exploded into the things head as it reeled in pain and began turning. They both knelt down as the Mystic blue flames heated up the head and it began glowing red. The monster thrashed his giant hands trying to grasp the blue fire and block it. The entire valley lit up as if the sun had come out for a moment. The army watched as monstrous elemental roared and fell down into the valley floor as gnome and dwarf dispersed as the rock giant crushed everything beneath it. A few men were caught underneath, but the fighters rode around it. They watched as it sat up, rocks grinding and cracking. The elemental rose up again and began walking.

  “There must be something that can stop it,” the Dwarf Assassin Razor implored.

  “It’s much too powerful,” the Gnome Assassin Dirk responded as the two Mystics stood there in silence. “You almost had it, now think Mystic.”

  Then a rider appeared at the top of the Dam as the others turned to see the Prince and Princess of Shannon. Noleann the Bounty Huntress jumped off her horse as the Prince followed from behind.

  “Noleann, go back!” Dayven ordered as she came face to face with him.

  “No, I am here to help. Tell me what I can do.”

  The Prince stood behind her with Sword of Shannon unsheathed while it glowed bluish-green. “I can keep you safe while you do your magic on that thing,” the Princes dark features watched it lumbering around the valley swiping at the defenders.

  “We work as a team. I have an idea,” Dayven said as the others nodded. “Razor and Dirk, get back to the group. Ride as fast as you can. I want them protected.”

  The two assassins agreed and got on their horses and rode down into the valley. He watched as they moved, dodging around trees and boulders.

  The Mystic Dayven stepped forward as he watched creature attempt to squash the two assassins. Giant fingers took a swipe at the Gnome and D
warf, but they were out of reach. The army rode around and from what the company could see, they were getting tired.

  “I call upon the Dragons Breath,” the Mystic Dayven waved the Staff of Power.

  Suddenly in the valley below a white mist roiled in and stretched across the forests and streams. It rose as the army retreated in a fog of white. Campfires could be seen burning out of control as the monster stopped and knelt over as the mist rose. Then the white vapors twirled up and around the creature creating a cloud base from the shoulders down. The mists crawled up the side of the valley and toward Block Dam.

  “Aim your Mystic fire blood at the head, turn it red hot and I will do the rest,” Dayven said.

  Noleann and Dunnganon agreed as Prince Grandur turned Noleann around and grasped her by the arms.

  “Are you sure?” he asked her.

  “Yes, I can do this my love,” she whispered and kissed him on the cheek.

  The trio let lose the Mystic blue aura blood fire as it slammed into the elementals head. Once again, the creature went to fight it off as it began moving at the Dam. Everything below was enshrouded in a white mist. The army had retreated as the two Mystics and Princess of Shannon wage war against the faerie magic.

  The head began to turn red and glow as the blue aura surrounded the creature. It roared and moved forward to crush them on the Dam. It brought down a fist, but Prince Grandur was there as his Sword of Shannon glowed green. The hand hit the sword and rebounded off the fingers and pieces of the fingers rolled onto the Dam. The elemental roared in pain and its injured finger rose with a few fingers missing. It then used the other hand as the head began glowing red hot. The three Mystics knelt, their faces in pain as the blood fire roared into the creature. Prince Grandur was there again, thrusting the Sword of Shannon up into the rock. It penetrated as green ooze poured out. The elemental rock giant withdrew its hand. The Prince looked up as the Mystic Dayven watched the head turn white hot. It glowed from the fire as if it were going to melt. The monster raised his damaged hands and cuffed the side of his ears as if he were in agony.

  “Keep up the Mystic fire,” he told the other two as he could see they were weakening.

  “Cousin, I cannot maintain this,” Noleann screamed out.

  Dayven ordered them to stop as she and the Boy-Mystic collapsed onto the ground. Then the Elf waved the Staff of Power as a silver streak exploded into the head. It was an ice spell which he summoned. The creature roared in pain as the freezing cold erupted and the rock head began cracking all over. It roared looking up into the sky. Then the head shattered, and the rock body crumbled downward into the valley. A rumble echoed as the mists subsided and the army cheered. The elemental giant had been defeated.

  Dayven and Prince Grandur helped Noleann to her feet as Dunnganon rose put his arm on his son’s shoulder.

  “You defeated the monster. I was waiting for you to figure it out,” he uttered with a grin.

  “You knew what to do and you did not tell us?” Prince Grandur said with some anger.

  “Hold your anger Prince of Shannon. Dayven must think for himself. He must learn to use his mind as well as his powers. We all made a great team.”

  “Is the Warlock dead?” Noleann managed as she got onto her horse and the others joined her.

  “No,” her cousin, Dayven answered. “He escaped. He is challenging opponent. He has lost this encounter but will continue to hunt us down until he has destroyed us. We need to regroup at Mayens Hall.”

  As they turned their horses to stride across the bridge Fire Imps leapt onto the span and moved like a wall of fire. Then Gnome Assassin Dirk appeared cutting them down with Dwarf Assassin Razor. They fought the oncoming Imps and began killing them with ease. Blue fire erupted across the span as the Imps attempted to dodge the wall of flame but were swept up in it. Gnome Assassin Dirk was surrounded as the company attempted to make their way to him. There were to many and the Bounty Huntress was knocked off her horse as used her Mystic blood fire to kill the creatures. The Fire Imps were on Dirk as they burned him alive and Dwarf Assassin Razor let out a battle cry, slicing and chopping to get to his friend. The Prince of Shannon released his magical sword which cut them down in quick blows. The faerie clan feared the sword and began to withdraw as the Prince challenged them. The Fire Imps scattered as the dead body of Dirk lay on the ground, burned and torn to shreds.

  Later that night, the dwarves and gnomes built a pyre of wood and put the wrapped body of the Gnome on the fire. Dwarf Assassin Razor lit the wood and watched the fire burn in a blaze.

  Shydrie and Llyendrie watched with remaining company. They spoke in their ancient Elven language as light circled above the flames and went into the night.

  “We commit his spirit back to his people,” Dwarf Assassin Razor spoke. “He was a friend and confidant and fought valiantly to save us. He will not be forgotten.

  The company now turned east and was heading toward Mayens Hall.

  EIGHT

  Just on the outskirts of the ancient city of Mayens Hall, in the valley where a single mountain spiraled up with snow glistening all over it and giant rock structures strutted up and out with over extended stone covered by woods, the Dark Fae Warlock stopped on the Fae Wolf and dismounted. He moved toward a cluster of trees which rested quietly in the shade. Hundreds of feet above him the outer rocks jetted out like giant ledges. Streams flowed filling the lands with ample water and fresh greenery. It was midsummer and the Mystic Dayven was getting closer to achieving his goal, retrieving the Hearthstone Sword. He had used the faerie magic to whisk himself off Block Dam to a place where he was safe. One thing had been accomplished. The Gnome Assassin had been killed as planned, but he had wanted both assassins dead. He settled for the losses and realized that the Mystics were more powerful than he anticipated. In the distance he could see the city of Mayens Hall built into the land with its cobblestone roads and houses which now housed dwarf, gnomes, man and other some wayward elves who had broken free to the Elven Homeland. Humankind had reestablished the city and claimed it for the Mystics. His defeat of Skydark was only a minor setback. Rock buildings from the city reached into the sky as a main fortress was protected by the Mystics. There were underground streams and heating systems that drew lava from the earth to warm the fortress. Mayens Hall had been one battle the Crimson Seekers had won by releasing the Destroyer. It was a faerie creature that wiped out everything, a green living mist that killed. That tendril of magic had forced the Mystic Allenor and Dayven to retreat, but it was dormant now. The Dark Fae Warlock understood that he did not have the power to call up the monster to defeat them once again. Only the broken blade of the Hearthstone Sword had been able to do that. Back then he was slave to the Crimson Seekers power but made their leader to enslave and claim waste to the Kingdom of Shannon for Sovereign Lord of Darkness. In the distance he saw a small green creature flapping wide wings as it landed near him. It was Nightshade. The dragon had grown in a few days. He spoke to it with his magic, making him the father of her brood. She would be big enough in a couple of days and would lay eggs and care for the hatchlings until they were the full size of a female Dragon. He watched as a rabbit darted down the path along the thick vegetation and dragon took to the air like a hawk and snatched its meal up. The dragon landed as claws tore the animal in pieces and it feasted on the prey it had caught. Nightshade would grow to become a powerful Dragon and his alone to rule. The steel rod staff gave him the ability to speak with it, but the female dragon was still learning. It then launched in the sky and took off like a large bat flapping away from the city and the inhabitants. A singed Dark Fae Mound sat beneath the trees and his staff glowed a green fire as something smoldered and came out of the fire. It grew as it climbed out. It was the size of a man and covered in green hair with fangs and elongated arms. Two extended legs gave it the power to leap and run on all fours. The faerie creature was fast and dangerous. One bite and it would kill the intended victim. It was a Dark Fae Demon and it had a name,
Jyckarune. It snorted the air with a muzzle that was flattened and two green eyes that examined its master. The creature grunted and howled and made heavy breathing noises as the Mystic gave it instruction to find a way into Mayens Hall without being discovered. The Jyckarune ordered not to kill anyone unless it was discovered. The beasts primary purpose was to get inside the Mystic stronghold and destroy all of them except for Dayven. The monster understood the order and was quite intelligent as he turned toward the forest and scampered away on all fours. The Dark Fae Warlock would wait until it retuned at night with a way into the fortress. Then he would move with it through the secret passageway and kill them while they slept. Above the Dragon circled and came into view as it dove down at an eagle snatching it up, killing it with sharp talons. It flapped to an overhang on top and fed for a second time. In time the dragon would feast on large livestock which it would find in the valleys of Mayens Hall. It established a temporary feeding ground and would lay the eggs in this serene place filled with wildlife and plenty of water to drink. This was the perfect place for her to grow and become a true ally. Nightshade would come to his aid and she would sense when he was in trouble. Once she became big enough, she would allow him to mount her back. The plan was coming along in pieces, but he felt impatient concerning the battle with the Mystics. Only if he had come to wage war with them on his terms, with his magic, but he had been spent calling forth the elemental rock giant. The sun was traveling west as he sat down and ate some rations. This would be a perfect place to wait. Soon the Jyckarune would return and their plans to infiltrate the Mystic Hall would come.