Rampage, p.48
Rampage, page 48
part #1 of Land of the Elementals Series
Arbor crashed to the ground, wheezing in pain. He forced himself onto his back, pulling his glaive up and around in a whipping motion, then channeled the white magic up to the point and sent a half-moon blade of white power to collide with the Elemental’s follow-up.
The two energies collided, and shockingly enough, the white power cut straight through the Elemental’s fire, cutting right through its body as well. The monster screamed once again as it was ripped in half, but tendrils of flame poured from both halves, pulling it back together.
This gave Arbor the chance to get back to his feet. Body shaking with the effort, and shoulder burning in agony, he propped himself up using the half of his glaive to keep him upright. He could no longer keep his Perception magic going, and without it, he wouldn’t be able to avoid the Elemental’s massive attacks and powerful bursts of flame.
His white magic still pumped through him, curling off his skin and coating his glaive. Looking around, he couldn’t spot Ramona anywhere and was secretly glad. He watched as the Elemental finished pulling itself back together and turned its burning red eyes on him. He no longer had the strength to so much as move. His mind was a fog of pain and it was taking all his strength just to stay upright.
At least he’d managed to hold the creature for a couple of minutes. Perhaps that would be enough for the others to escape.
“What form of sorcery do you command, human?”
Arbor blinked the weariness from his eyes and looked up to the Elemental, who was staring at him with its head cocked to one side.
Was it talking to him?
“Will you not answer me, human? I must admit that I am curious as to how someone of your race came to possess the Origin, but if you do not wish to reply, I do not mind. You must die either way. No one can be allowed to house such power!”
The Elemental pulled its arm back, gathering a massive ball of fire. Arbor could see the red magic pouring into the attack, knowing that the blast radius would be well over a mile from such an intense attack. He just hoped that Ramona had made it far enough away to avoid it.
He coughed, hacking up a wad of bloody spittle and sending it to one side. Then, gritting his teeth, he forced himself to stand upright. If he was going to die, he may as well do it on his own two feet.
“That’s it, human! Stand and fight to the very end. That is how the bearer of the Origin should act!”
Arbor had no idea what the Elemental was talking about and he couldn’t care less. Forcing his legs to widen, Arbor pulled his glaive back and began channeling as much of the white magic as he could into it. The Mythicallium blade seemed to be able to hold an almost infinite amount of power, so if he was going down, the least he could do was take the creature down with him.
As he channeled his power, he began feeling something strange, an odd tugging from his Core. He wondered if his magic was finally running out when he felt his Origin suddenly expand and new strength flooded his body. What shocked him was that the Origin that had grown was the Core that contained his Perception magic. He’d finally advanced to the 3rd Tier!
Arbor laughed as the power flooded through him, lending him new strength and he began pushing the Core to its limit, pulling the power into his body. He hadn’t expected to advance now, and now that he had, he had another option aside from blasting the Elemental as he was engulfed in flames. Now he could fight back.
“You’re going down, you flaming bastard!” Arbor shouted, using his newfound power to launch himself at the towering construct of flaming magic.
“You gain a few specs of power and believe yourself to be my equal? Do not be delusional, human!” the Elemental boomed, pulling back its arm to launch the nearly ten-foot sphere of boiling flames.
Arbor ignored the monster, closing the gap as he felt his body beginning to strain once more. He might have gained some new power, but he’d already been in pretty bad shape, so it only helped to a certain extent.
He knew this would be his last chance to stop the other-planar being, so he poured all he had into his glaive until it shone a brilliant white, lighting the Flatlands for miles in all directions. The Elemental launched the ball of flames right at him and Arbor brought his weapon around in a mighty swing, screaming his defiance.
He unleashed all the stored power in his glaive, just as it contacted the massive ball of fire. For a moment, Arbor was afraid it wouldn’t be enough. He felt his legs beginning to buckle as he struggled against the mass of power. Then, the white Core in his chest flared and the ball of flames was blasted apart in a brilliant flash.
The attack continued, engulfing the Elemental in a brilliant flash of white light. The creature screamed as it was swallowed up, a scream of such pain and agony that Arbor’s eardrums burst under the pressure.
He staggered, only just managing to catch himself as the last of the power left his body. Finally, the white Core in his chest seemed to be out, for now. He swayed on his feet, watching through blurry vision as a flaming creature emerged from the billowing clouds of dust.
Its body was pockmarked with wounds and steam rose from its body, as though it, a creature of fire, had been burned.
“Well, despite your best efforts, it seems that I have emerged victorious. You may carry the Origin but do not yet know how to use its power. But this is clear meddling of the natural order, and Lord Nilegard will have to be informed. At least I’ll be able to tell him that I finished you off before I go make my report.”
Arbor didn’t even have the strength to move as he watched the Elemental charge another flaming lance.
So, this is it, he thought grimly, watching his death approaching with an idly detached calm. He knew he should be afraid, if not for himself, then for his sister’s sake. But he now knew that even if he died, he had friends who would ensure her freedom.
He’d done all he could, but in the end, he hadn’t been strong enough to kill this beast. It seemed that there were indeed creatures that were well beyond what humans could handle.
The Elemental finished forging the lance, then pulled it back, its eyes gleaming red in the dim lighting of the Flatlands.
Arbor wanted to stand straight, to face his death with dignity and strength, but he was too weak, and his body too thrashed. Even if he wanted to, he didn’t think he’d be able to so much as twitch.
“It has certainly been an interesting experience trading blows with you, human. I’ll make sure to…”
The Elemental vanished mid-speech, taking with it the flaming lance and leaving Arbor staring out at a once more empty but scorched patch of open ground.
He blinked a few times, his exhausted brain not comprehending what had just happened. When it finally began to sink in, Arbor started to laugh. Despite the pain, his body shook with mirth, even as he collapsed onto his back and stared up at the darkening sky above.
He might not have killed the Elemental, but he had managed to drive it off. He had no idea what would happen now, whether the battle would continue or not, but for now, he could rest.
He might not have killed the Elemental, but he had, without a doubt, won.
He could vaguely hear voices shouting in the distance but didn’t have the strength to pull himself to his feet. That was fine, though. He’d fought hard all day, and now all he wanted to do was rest.
Epilogue
Silver watched from his perch atop the wall as Arbor lead the gremlin force away. He stood there, watching them go, until they were lost from sight.
His plans were moving along as expected. Arbor had a dangerous enemy to face, but was now in command of over two thousand gremlins and should come out victorious in the end.
His thoughts were interrupted when a man appeared behind him and walked to lean against the wall next to him. Silver knew him quite well and was not alarmed at his sudden appearance.
“Looks like your plans are moving along well,” the man said.
Silver turned his head to look at the man.
He couldn’t make out his features, as they were obscured by a heavy cloak, but he knew what the man looked like underneath, and could easily picture the disapproving look he knew he was getting.
An easy grin came to his face.
“You look ridiculous with that thing on.”
“This thing, as you so put it, is the only reason I’m still alive,” the man grumbled and folded his arms. “You should consider getting one, as well. You won’t be able to hide from them for much longer if you don’t.”
Silver opened his mouth to retort, but the figure vanished, leaving him alone on the wall once more. He snorted a little and straightened to his full height. His job here was done and there was somewhere else he needed to be.
With a moment of concentration, his surroundings folded in on themselves as he vanished from the wall as well. A moment later, he stood in front of an ancient ruin in the heart of the Endless Wood.
He could hear the distinct sound of a large beast roaring from within and a smile touched his lips. The plan was moving forward nicely, indeed!
***
Two figures appeared in a clearing in the Goldenleaf Forest. One had the distinct bruised skin of an Infiltrator, while the other’s features were disguised by a hooded cloak.
They looked around the clearing for a moment, before spotting what they’d been looking for. A large crater stood in the center of the clearing, with a distinct pattern of cracks radiating outward from the middle of it.
“He was here,” the cloaked figure said, stooping to examine the cracks in the ground.
The Infiltrator was instantly alert. “Where is he? I don’t see him anywhere.”
The cloaked figure rose with a sigh. Infiltrators were great at gathering information, sowing discord, and even killing. They were not, however, the brightest of creatures.
“Do you really think he’d stick around after releasing so much power? Think before you speak, worm.”
“Sorry, sir. I guess I wasn’t thinking too clearly,” the Infiltrator said, quickly bowing his head to the cloaked figure.
The figure looked around the clearing one more time before deciding on a course of action.
The trail was gone now. He’d most likely wiped it clean on his way out, but there was a city not too far from here. Maybe one of the locals had spotted him…
He turned to the Infiltrator and issued his orders.
“You are to go into the city and gather information. Make sure you are well disguised. I will return in a month’s time, and I expect answers.”
The Infiltrator bowed once again, and when he looked up, the figure was gone.
He turned his head right and left, sniffing the air. That way. He began running in the direction of the city.
He only had a month to come up with a lead on their quarry. Otherwise, he would be considered a failure. He shuddered, remembering the last Infiltrator who had disappointed his master. The King was not one to disappoint.
***
Ramson sat in a plush chair and stared up at the ceiling. He was sitting in a lavishly decorated room, hung with rich tapestries, and fine woven carpets. All the finery was lost on him, as he raged inwardly at being kept waiting so long.
A message had been waiting for him once he’d reached Fivora, summoning him to the city of Vergara. One look at the seal was enough. He’d immediately packed his saddlebags and ridden straight here. He was greeted at the gates by a young whelp who’d demanded he hand over his weapons before entering.
Just the memory of that made him want to scream in rage, but Ramson wasn’t a fool. There may be many who feared him, but even he would be an idiot to insult one of the great noble houses of Laedrin. That was why, despite having already been kept waiting over three hours, he didn’t allow even a shred of anger to cloud his features.
A door to his right opened and he sat up straight in his chair, watching as a finely dressed man came into the room.
The man bowed slightly at the waist and motioned to the door.
“He will see you now.”
Ramson nodded and stood, quickly straightening his clothes, and followed the man. He felt his heart rate increase as they approached a large, ornately carved oak door.
There was only one reason he’d been summoned here, and all he could hope was that it wouldn’t cost him his life.
The finely dressed man halted before the door and knocked once.
“Enter,” a muffled voice said through the door.
The man opened the door for Ramson, motioning him inside, and taking one final, deep breath, he entered the room.
Rows upon rows of books greeted him as he entered. There were so many, in fact, that he almost missed the large desk occupying the center of the room. A man sat behind the desk, impeccably dressed in a fine black suit with silver buttons lining the front.
The man had steel gray hair and dark eyes. His face was lined and hard, and a short-cropped beard covered the bottom half of it. The man finished writing something as Ramson bowed at the waist. He didn’t move from his position until the man had finished writing and motioned him to come and sit.
Ramson obliged and pulled out one of the chairs facing his desk.
The man looked at him for a moment, scrutinizing him with a penetrating stare.
“I assume you know why you summoned here.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Yes, my lord,” Ramson said and cleared his throat nervously.
“You had one task. Retrieve the pendant and bring it to me.” He spread his arms to the side as if to ask where it was.
Ramson licked his lips a few times before replying.
“With all due respect, My Lord, the information I received was bad. The man named Darver said he didn’t have the pendant.”
“Did it ever occur to you that he would be lying?”
“Of course, My Lord,” Ramson quickly said. “I held a sword to his wife’s throat, but he still insisted he didn’t know what I was talking about.”
“And I assume that you captured him and brought him in for questioning?” the man asked in a tone suggesting he already knew the answer.
“Well, no. After his wife was dead, he ran at me, so I had one of my men cut him down.”
“How very unfortunate.” The man folded his arms on the desk in front of him. “There was also a son and a daughter, if I’m not mistaken. Did you at least capture one of them?”
Ramson swallowed hard. “Well, we did have the daughter, but she somehow managed to escape. The son is most likely dead. After he took my eye, he begged me to kill him, but I let him live to prolong his suffering.” His mouth twisted into a cruel smile at this.
The man didn’t seem to be impressed by this.
“So, what you’re telling me is that everyone who might know where the pendant is, is either dead or missing. Is that correct?”
The smile slipped from Ramson’s face as he said this, and he slowly nodded.
“Then tell me why I should allow you to leave this room with your life. After all, the reason I hired you is because I can’t exactly have the king’s men raid a village in his kingdom. The people would revolt. That’s why I paid you an absurd amount of money to attack the village and retrieve the pendant. It seems to me that since you failed in this mission, I should have you executed for attacking an innocent village in the king’s lands.”
Ramson shot to his feet at this, anger clouding his features.
“If I go to the gallows, I’ll make sure to take you with me!”
The man only smiled, then picked up a small bell and rang it. One of his bookshelves slid to the side and a woman came out of a hidden passage behind it.
“Calm yourself, Ramson. If I wanted you dead, you would not have received a letter summoning you here. One of your men would have cut your throat and would now be here instead of you. Now sit.” His voice hardened, and Ramson sat back down, trying to compose himself.
“Now I’m sure you recognize this fine woman.” The man motioned the woman over, and she threw back her hood.
It was only then that he got a good look at her. She was dressed in an extremely tight-fitting and very revealing leather top with a plunging neckline, as well as a pair of tight pants with rips and tears all along her long legs. It wasn’t her extremely attractive and scantily clad figure that caught his attention, though. His eyes were glued squarely on her face.
“But… You’re dead!” he spluttered. “I saw you die myself, back at the village!”
The woman smiled at that and turned to the nobleman.
“I told you he’d be surprised.”
“Yes, my dear. You are quite convincing when you have to be.”
Ramson still didn’t know what was going on. He only knew that a dead woman was standing right in front of him, alive and well.
“I see that this has come as a shock to you,” the nobleman said, turning back to him. “This was the source of my information, and I can assure you that she is quite trustworthy.”
Ramson stared at the woman for another minute before looking back to the man.
“So why is she here? Why did you want to see me?”
“Oh, the reason is quite simple. I have heard word that the boy of this Darver was last seen fleeing towards the Jagged Peaks. You will go and hunt him down for me. To make sure you cooperate, she will be accompanying you on your journey. She knows the family quite well, the boy in particular.”
The woman stepped forward and stuck out her hand, a half-crazed and quite terrifying smile lighting her face.
“Looks like we’ll be working together for the next few months.”
Ramson took the proffered hand hesitantly and shook it.
“You may go now,” the nobleman said, waving his hand to dismiss them.
Ramson rose from his seat and headed towards the door. He was stopped as the man’s voice called out to him.
