CHAPTER NINE
Fire Against Flame
A faint light filtered through the forest as Tina strolled cautiously. The woods had an eerie atmosphere, shrouded in fog and dampness, and she felt a chill with every breath, visible in the cool air. Tina couldn't shake the confusion as she followed Alivia through the dense underbrush. Alivia seemed different in every way. Tina wondered, "Where is she taking me?"
"We have arrived," Alivia announced as she approached an altar where an old black book rested.
Tina walked over to the book and turned to Alivia. "What is this?" she asked.
"An altar of Galtharos. Only the dead can see it," Alivia said, pausing. "Or someone like you." She looked with sorrow.
Tina approached the altar and reached for the book, but her hand passed through it. She tried again, but the same thing happened. "Why can't I touch it?"
"It does not belong to you, child," a dark voice echoed through the forest.
Tina looked around with anxiety. "Who's there? Show yourself."
"As you wish." The voice said.
Tina glanced behind the altar and saw a man who seemed to materialize out of thin air. He wore a tattered black cloak and had a menacing presence. The hood and the surrounding darkness obscured his face. He floated in the air, accompanied by a swirling black mist that followed him. "What are you?" Tina asked, trying to seem brave.
"I am Azdarmell, the servant of the book. You need not be afraid, young lady," the man said while circling around her. "You cannot touch the book because it belongs to another. For now, at least."
"Why am I here?" Tina asked.
Azdarmell said, "I summoned you."
"Why?" Tina said in confusion.
Azdarmell said, "You will know everything in due time," as he vanished into the darkness. Azdarmell said, "You will know everything in due time," as he vanished into the darkness. "For now, follow the lights. It will show you what you need to understand."
Tina looked at Alivia, who had walked toward the woods. She then looked at the light coming from the nearby mountains. "The light. What is it?" she asked, but she heard no reply from Azdarmell.
"Come." Alivia said. "I'll take you to it."
Tina looked on in confusion and fear but followed Alivia into the dark forest. The light ahead grew brighter, and she wondered what it could be—were they nearing the gates to the afterlife or something more sinister? Looking back at the book, a single question raced through her mind: "What is all this about?"
Kneeling down in exhaustion, Silvara breathed heavily. The battle with the undead was wearing her down. "I'm tired of hearing these things moan and groan."
Dison observed as the lich floated away from the battle down the road. The horde prevented him from chasing it. A piercing light from the Monastery caught his eye. He turned to see Elayne standing at the doors after burning an undead with the flash. She ran and jumped into the circle of ice that was breaking down.
"We need to end this now." Elayne said, breathless. "We need a solution to this. Thankfully, I have an idea. Make your flame."
Rosan raised his sword as it ignited in flames. Elayne touched her staff, causing the fire to glow a golden hue. The warmth of the flames felt comfortable to him.
Rosan looked amused. "You're always full of surprises," he smiled at her, and she smiled and winked back at him. He inverted his blade and stabbed it into the ground, sending waves of flames into the horde, burning them into ashes. Rosan knelt down, exhausted. "Dison, you go after her. You're the only one who can end this."
"Me? How do you know I can?" Dison said in doubt.
"I've witnessed the power of that sword," Rosan said, breathless. "I was wrong. It's not a cursed sword. It's a sword blessed by the gods. Able to cleanse the unholy."
Dison glanced at the sword and then at Rosan, his expression one of consolation. "I'll do it. Kaida, I need you to stay close," he said. Turning to face the direction the lich had gone, he noticed that countless undead still obstructed his path. "How am I supposed to get through that?" he asked. "Let us lend a hand!" Dison heard a man yelling from another street. He looked to see a small army of guards charging into the horde, led by Meldrin, the captain of the guard.
Meldrin walked to Rosan. "We have evacuated most of the surviving civilians, but I'm sure they'd wish to return home once this is all over."
"You did well." Rosan said.
"Take a rest. I know all too well what pushing magic through your bodies can do to us humans. I'm surprised you're still standing." Meldrin said.
Rosan rose to his feet. "We don't have time to rest. This needs to be handled fast."
"I understand, but we can manage this horde for now," Meldrin insisted.
"Maybe taking a brief break would benefit us in battle," Elayne said, but she paused as she heard armor clack behind them. She and the others turned to see fires consuming the street behind them. An ominous armored figure slowly walked out of the flames toward them. His presence sent chills down Elayne's spine.
Rosan gazed at the figure before him. "I was wondering where you were," he stated, raising his sword. "Dison, you need to go after the lich. We'll handle this. You can do this, prove you're ready to be a soldier."
Dison nodded in agreement. "Right. I'm on my way."
Meldrin approached Dison and said, "Come with me. We'll create a path for you to follow that monster." He ran in, sword drawn, attacking the undead as Dison and the other guards cut their way through.
Rosan kept his eye on The Dishonored. "Are you ready?"
Rosetta looked at him with a smile. "You know I am," she said. As Rosetta turned, The Dishonored swung his cleaver at her face. Shocked, she watched as Rosan blocked the attack, pushing him back. "How did he get to me that fast?" Rosetta exclaimed, surprised.
"Stay alert. This is a Wyrmguard of the Flame, and it won't be easy," Rosan commanded.
Rosetta regained composer. "Won't happen again."
The Dishonored threw his cleaver at Rosan, who deflected it and attacked with a flaming sword. They exchanged precise strikes, each trying to outmaneuver the other. Rosan found it difficult to land a good hit on The Dishonored, who skillfully countered every move.
Rosetta wanted to assist but felt she would be in the way. "The Fire Knight and a WyrmGuard of the Flame," she thought as she watched every movement like a dance of battle.
Silvara launched ice spears at The Dishonored, but he spun around and countered with a wave of fire that instantly melted them. The cleaver hurled through the battlefield and back toward Rosan's head. Rosan quickly dodged, keeping his eyes on The Dishonored as the weapon surpassed him. The Dishonored ducked to avoid the blade as it flew toward Rosetta. She barely evaded it in time, hitting the ground to prevent the attack.
Rosan thought, "They're too tired to keep this up. No matter how tough Rosetta acts, I can tell she's at her limit. I also can't say I'm any better off right now." He was on the defensive as The Dishonored's glaive came closer with every strike. Sweat beaded on his forehead from the heat generated by the colliding flames. But he pushed on without a choice.
Silvara dashed in with her Urumi, striking at The Dishonored. As she avoided the cleaver hurled toward her, the Dishonored caught it with his glaive, spun around, and flung it back at her. She evaded it once more, but barely.
"We can't keep this up," Silvara thought to herself. "His defenses are incredible, and his attacks are devastating. I can't even imagine the full might of someone like him. I always believed I could handle a Wyrmguard if necessary, but I can't even hold off a dead one that's slowed down." She flew into the air and relaunched ice spears to slow the Dishonored attacks against Rosan. "The blue cape, though, means he was a Wyrmguard captain. He's as powerful as two Wyrmguard. If I can give Rosan an opening." She thought.
Rosan continued to attack whenever he had the chance, as they dashed through the streets, their weapons colliding, creating sparks in the distance. "Dison, I'm counting on you. We'll try to survive for as long as it takes," he thought as he glanced at the others. "It would be simpler if I could use my other ability." Rosan tried to lead The Dishonored away from the others. The sounds of the blades meeting rang down the street as they crashed through houses.
The Dishonored stopped, allowing Rosan to catch his breath for a minute. "For a human, your skills are commendable. To think of a mere human wielding magic of this magnitude?" He said with frustration. "You humans truly disgust me. Destroying the very fabric of nature. I can not believe Lord Culvarion allowed such a travesty to exist."
Rosan took a deep breath. "Tell me your name, fallen one. I wish to know who I am fighting."
"My name?" The Dishonored looked with a grievance as he let out a sigh. "I see. My failure led them to erase my name from all records. They inflicted a cruel punishment on me." He lowered his head. "Tell me. What do they have me listed as?"
Rosan looked with pity. "The Dishonored."
"A fitting name for someone that failed as I did. Then you shall call me by my failures. I am Dishonored."
Rosan readied his sword. "Fine. I'll respect your wishes." They charged in at each other and continued the battle.
Footsteps echoed down the street as Dramus ran toward the northern gate. With no one around, he anxiously looked around in panic. A cat's scream startled him as it raced down the street. He gave a look of anger, but then relief. His breathing was heavy, and Dramus listened to the voices echo through the streets. He ran into a nearby house to hide as he continued listening.
The Lich floated down the street, calling out. "Dramus, darling, we just want a kiss, my love. We know you're here," she said in her raspy, simultaneous voice. A screeching sound came from her as she groaned.
Cautiously, he crept up the stairs, each step creaking under his weight. When he reached the top, he walked past a mirror, but suddenly stopped as something caught his eye. He backed up and looked into the mirror, only to see his reflection was that of a pale, lifeless monstrosity. Breathing heavily, he turned away and found The Lich screaming at him. In his panic, he stumbled backward and fell down the stairs.
The Lich laughed as it watched Dramus hobble out the door back onto the streets. "Come, now, sweaty. How long do you wish to drag this out? " Its voice echoed down the streets as she floated out the door. "Accept your retribution."
Dramus turned to see that The Lich had vanished. Breathing heavily, he hurried away as quickly as he could. Dramus hobbled, glancing down at his ankle, growing impatient with himself. He looked up just in time to see The Lich grabbing him by the throat.
"Hello, darling." The Lich floated him into the air with an evil grin. "Do you like some tongue?" It stuck its tongue out, growing longer as it waved around like a snake.
"No! NO! Stop you crazy bitch!" Dramus shouted in despair as its tongue went into his mouth. He fought hard until he could fight no longer. As The Lich's tongue went through his body. Finally, it came out of his eyes, popping one out and the other eye in as it re-entered it. He moaned as he could do nothing else before the tongue ripped him apart from the inside out.
As what remained of Dramus—blood and guts—hit the ground, the Lich retracted its tongue. It smiled as it turned to see Dison, Kaida, and Meldrin. "You're here to kill me, Dison. Aw, and I thought you were my friend."
Dison knew Kaida was afraid, so he maintained his composure. "Whatever you are now, you aren't my friend. Not anymore. The Eliza I knew was gentle and one of the friendliest people I ever met. I don't recognize the monster that stands before me now." Dison kept his eyes on the Lich as it floated around, taunting them and keeping Kaida behind him. "Is there an Eliza anymore?"
The Lich let out a menacing chuckle. "We are both here and not here. Both are dead, but both are alive. We are reborn."
"Whatever that means. I just see a monster." Dison ran at The Lich with Meldrin following.
"Why am I stuck with an egomaniac who charges in blindly?" Meldrin complained aloud.
Dison swung at the Lich but missed as it soared high to evade his attacks. Anger coursed through him as it mocked him from above. "If I can't get close enough to that damn thing, what's the point of this sword?" he thought. A slash suddenly tore through the Lich as Dison saw Urision landing before him. Talbis and Rivera ran up beside them all. Talbis still limping.
"What did we miss? Hey, fancy pants, I thought you'd be hiding away in the barracks," Talbis taunted Meldrin.
"I am in charge of protecting this town. A captain of the Aardocian guard. Hold you tongue." Meldrin responded.
"Well, I gotta say your town is kinda of burning." Talbis said.
Meldrin looked disappointed at first, but then his expression changed to anger. "Then I shall execute the one responsible for this terrible deed."
"Will you two be quiet? This isn't the time for mindless chatter," Urision commanded, glancing around at everyone's positions. He observed the Lich healing its wound. "We are at a disadvantage here. It would seem that magical weapons can not kill this creature like the others. Rosan sent Dison because that sword can destroy curses, but he doesn't have Ultrament crystals embedded in him like we do."
Urision turned his attention to Dison, deep in thought about their strategy. "We can use the wind to jump long distances and soften our landings thanks to the crystals on our feet. Dison doesn't have that option, but he is the only one who can wield that sword." Urision looked puzzled, trying to come up with a plan. "We have to get it within Dison's range of attack." He thought.
The Lich let out a furious roar at them. "You dare attack me, the new queen of this world." It descended closer to the ground. "I'll show you pain like you've never felt."
Talbis laughed. "Getting a little full of herself, isn't she?" He readied his sword. "Let's remind this bitch who we are."
The Lich smiled as she put her hands forward, looking like she was casting a spell. The wind and dust swirled together, forming a whirlwind. Four figures walked out of the dirt, wielding sickles and wearing hooded torn cloaks. The lich laughed with an evil grin. "These are creatures like me. Neither dead nor living, they serve their masters' will. The Wraiths of Other Realm."
The wraiths approached Dison and the others, then vanished like phantoms before their eyes. Dison looked around in surprise. "Oh, no." Dison rushed to Urision and blocked a sickle aimed at Urision's head as the wraith appeared, then disappeared again."
Urision looked in shock. "These things can travel between realms," he thought as he relied on his instincts and blocked another one. But how did Dison perceive it?" he asked himself. "Luckily, they have to appear before attacking. It's a small window, so we have to be quick."
The group stayed on guard, ready to be attacked at any moment. Dison ran to Kaida and protected her from an attack. "Stay away from my sister." He looked around after it disappeared. "I can hear the footsteps. I don't think the others can," he thought. "I have to help them. Urision to your left. Strike now!"
Urision swung his weapon, hitting one wraith in the face as it vanished in pain. He glanced at Dison with curiosity and nodded. "Thanks!" Urision remained alert, keeping his guard up. "We can hurt them, but I don't think we can kill them. The only way to end this is to eliminate that lich. That won't be easy, considering she stays too high for Dison to strike. Damn it," he thought.
Talbis barely blocked an attack. "This would be so much easier without a crushed foot." He said out loud. A sickle nearly struck him in the face, but he was blocked by Meldrin's sword.
"Oh, come now. You're the big, tough guy. A little injured foot won't stop you, will it?" Meldrin teased, and Talbis smiled back before Meldrin was struck in the side by a sickle.
Talbis struck the wraith with rage. "Damn it, fancy pants! Why'd you go getting all noble on me?" Talbis covered Meldrin as he leaned over, coughing up blood.
"Can't let you all steal the show. You're just visitors, after all," Meldrin said.
Rivera looked at Talbis. "Urision cover me. We have to get this creature to the ground!"
"Please tell me something I don't already know!" Urision dashed to Rivera's side, shielding her as she transitioned from her short sword to her bow, drawing an arrow back. "We get it down, and we end this," He said.
"Then let's end it here." Rivera said, releasing the arrow and sending it flying into the lich.
"I definitely felt that one," the lich said sarcastically. The arrowhead glowed inside the lich before exploding into flames. The lich collapsed to the ground, engulfed in fire, screaming.
"Dison, NOW!" Urision ran toward the lich as fast as he could, while four wraiths stopped Dison. "Damn it."
Kaida rushed to Meldrin, who rest on the ground, and touched him, desperately trying to invoke her healing magic. "Come on, work! Why aren't you working?" Tears welled in her eyes as she struggled to channel her magic, frustrated that it didn't work for Meldrin as it had for Dison.
"It's ok. I shouldn't have been here, you know? I'm a coward." Meldrin said.
"Don't say that fancy pants. You saved me; that takes guts," Talbis said as he kept a lookout with Rivera. You hang in there. This is nothing, you hear me?"
"When Rosan approached me with this situation, my priority was to ensure the safety of my wife and kids. I was ready to leave with them, but I couldn't." Meldrin gasped as his breathing slowed. "When the bells rang, I looked back and had to return. I shouldn't have tried to play the hero. I was never cut out for the battlef…" His last breath escaped him."
Talbis looked at him with anger. "Damn it, fancy... Meldrin. You should've just left with your family. Fuck! I'm going to kill you all!" He said, charging in at the wraiths.
Dison and Urision fought the wraiths, trying to reach the lich, but it rose back up and flew over the buildings again. Urision knew everyone was on their last legs. He looked at Dison. "Dison, don't be reckless!"
"I'm going to end this!" Dison replied as he slashed through a wraith and knelled down to jump on top of a house.
Urision felt pressure coming from Dison. "What are you doing? You can't jump that high, Dison!" He looked at the lich hovering over a two-story structure. He watched Dison launch himself in disbelief.
Dison landed on the building and ran toward the lich. "I can do this!" He again launched himself and slashed through the lich, but then he crashed through a window of another house.
The lich screamed as it emitted a bright light. Eliza and Imryll separated, causing Eliza to plummet to the ground. Imryll screamed as she burned to ash, and then there was silence.
Urision approached Eliza with his sword back in hand. He looked at her with first anger, then pity.
Eliza watched as Imryll disappeared. She looked at Urision, who raised his sword to finish her. "Dison. You were always so nice to me. Juliana, why didn't you take me with you?" Tears ran down her face as she looked past Urision to Azdarmell behind him, who looked at her with disappointment as he faded away. "Wait. I want to go with you." She reached her hand toward him. She felt a blade piercing into her chest as she noticed Urision's sword inside her before her eyes closed.
Urision jerked the blade out of her and sheathed it. "Unfortunately, you didn't suffer longer for your actions," Urision remarked as he approached the house that Dison had fallen through. "Foolish girl." He sighed with relief as he watched the wraiths fade away. "The dead can return to rest now."
Rosetta punched through an undead as she and Kale assisted the guards. She looked to Rosan, as he fought The Dishonored, worrying about Rosan being brought to one knee. "Come on, Dison. I know you can do it."
"I spoke too soon earlier. Is that the best an Aardocian Knight can offer?" The Dishonored said as he walked toward them. "What a poor excuse for a warrior."
Rosan stood up, panting. "You don't know the half of it. I'm not done."
Elayne noticed the undead falling to ash. "Look." She smiled with relief. "They did it." She looked at The Dishonored, who was unaffected. "How?"
Rosan looked at The Dishonored. "Seems your master is dead."
The Dishonored looked at the undead falling all around the town. "Seems to be." He looked at Rosan. "It does not matter. I broke the curse on myself already a little while ago."
Rosan looked with amazement. "Full of surprises. Didn't think it was possible for an undead of any kind to continue without their master."
"Do not tell me what is possible, human. I am a WyrmGuard of Lisorin. We are the ones who wiped out the necromancers all those years ago; or have you forgotten your history?" The Dishonored said. "Breaking curses was part of our training."
"How could I forget? The elves of Lisorin are the ones who purged the world of necromancy, the cursed creatures, and even dragons." Rosan said. "But how is he still here if they broke the curse?"
"You wonder how I hold myself together without the necromancer's spell?" The Dishonored said with a smug voice. "It is simple. I am using my magic to sustain myself."
"What will you do now? Continue to kill innocents?"
The Dishonored looked around at the destruction. "They are but mere humans. Perhaps if I continue to kill, then maybe another Wyrmguard will end this torment and humiliation."
"You think little of us humans. I have no other option; I must end this here." Rosan gripped his sword with both hands and said as more intense flames shot out of it. The fire slowly turned blue. "Let's end this now!"
"You are arrogant. I have been playing with you all the entire time," said The Dishonored. He threw his cleaver at Rosan, who struck it. The cleaver disintegrated before The Dishonored eyes. "What flames are these?" he brooded.
"This is my power!" Rosan proclaimed. "The Sword of Aldaric!"
The Dishonored spun his glaive and readied it. "Let us see whose flame prevails. Come, human!" His glaive's blade ignited with fire as he leaped into the air, soaring toward Rosan.
"We'll see!" Rosan shouted as the sword and glaive clashed. He unleashed a blast, consuming The Dishonored's flames and body.
The Dishonored screamed in despair as he turned to ash. "Defeated by a human! My shame is truly endless." His voice drifted.
Rosan smiled at the others as they ran toward him. He felt a calm wind blow past him as he looked at the three moons in the sky. Then an interruption came from behind him. Smiling, he turned.
"You reckless idiot," Elayne said as she saw Dison, Rosetta, Urision, Rivera, and Talbis walking toward them. She smiled at them as they approached. "I think we've had enough fun for one night."
"Nope! I need a beer." Talbis said.
"I second that." Rivera added.
"Oh, come on. After all of that?" Urision said. "I just need a bed." They all walked down the street.
Dison noticed Rosetta was not with them. He turned to she her standing over the ashes of The Dishonored. She looked like she was brooding. He approached her. "Hey. Is everything alright?"
Rosetta looked at Dison with failure on her face. "Yeah, I'm fine." She said as she turned and looked at Dison. 'Let's go rest." She gave an unconvincing smile.
Dison smirked with concern. "Okay."
The forest grew brighter than before as Tina and Alivia walked in it. They approached a plateau featuring a giant, glowing crystal orb the size of a house floating above a large platform. Tina saw the lights she had seen floating towards them disappear into the orb, confusing her. "What is this?" she asked.
"The book shields me from this fate, but others are not so fortunate," Alivia said.
Tina placed her hand on the orb, feeling the sorrow around her and hearing the screams of the souls trapped within. "This isn't right. How...?" She paused as she heard her father's voice. "Alivia, I'm sorry. I know I promised to be there for you." His voice echoed in her mind. She looked on in shock. "Daddy..." Tears filled her eyes.
Alivia looked on with sadness. "This is an otherworldly magic. The souls trapped in this orb will never find rest."
Tina picked up a rock and slammed it into the orb, but it didn't leave a scratch. "This isn't right," she thought.
Alivia grabbed Tina's arm and pulled her into a nearby thicket. Tina did not resist but was curious about the reason for Alivia's sudden action. From their hiding spot, they watched as a portal opened and three figures emerged. Delcres, Veltress, and Kaltros strolled toward the crystal. Tina listened to them intently, eager to understand what they were discussing.
Delcres posed dramatically. "Alas, today we lose a sister of the brotherhood, for someone has taken her from us like a coin plucked from our purse."
Kaltros glanced at Delcres with irritation. "Do you always have to be so theatrical?" He sighed dramatically.
"It's cute and adds to his charm," Veltress commented.
"But it was interesting to see my champion fight today," Delcres excitedly stated. "Get strong, Rosan of the Aardocia. I long to see you on the battlefield."
"The battle is over. Let's gather the energy and return to the sanctuary. I'm sure Drakonion would want to know what happened here," Kaltros suggested.
"Oh, Kaltros, you need to lighten up. Our fruits need to ripen before we take our leave. We shall give our tribute with the utmost care," Delcres dramatically said.
Kaltros rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say."
"But, alas, my soul is withering at this very moment. Veltress, my dear, would you be so kind?" Delcres paused with his hand raised.
"Are you saying you're bored?" Kaltros said, clearly irritated.
Veltress created a portal. It moved with her hands as it engulfed them and the orb, then vanished. The forest was dark once more, then Tina returned to where the orb was located. She looked around in confusion, then turned and looked at the burning town from so far away.
"What am I to do? I need to get back home." Tina looked worried, but Azdarmell overtook the sight rising from below the plateau.
"So you now understand what is happening to the souls of this world," Azdarmell said in his deep voice. He extended his hands toward her, offering her the black book. "This now belongs to you if you choose to accept it."
Tina looked at the book with concern. "What is this book?"
"The Hellgrim. It's known as the book of the dead. It serves as a connection between your world and the realm that exists between the living and the spirit realms," Azdarmell said while circling Tina.
"There's a world between them?" Tina asked.
"Yes, Acaorith. It is the world of the forsaken," Azdarmell said with a smirk. "Take the book, and you will find all of your answers."
Tina looked at Alivia, and she knew she was sad. "If I do, I want Alivia to come with me."
The sound of Azdarmell's breathing disturbed Tina. "As you wish. She would make a fine protector."
Alivia looked on in confusion. "But how is that possible?"
Azdarmell smiled and extended his hand. A cloud of smoke and dust enveloped Alivia, causing her to panic. "Tina, what's happening?" When the cloud dissipated, Alivia had vanished, and a white wolf with six legs and the size of a bear stood in her place. The wolf looked around, whimpering and confused. "She owes you a debt for trying to kill you, after all," he said with a chuckle. "I've made her suitable."
"What have you done?" Tina asked angrily.
"She is now an Echo wolf, capable of moving between realms to protect you when necessary. Will you take the book and allow me to guide you?" Azdarmell asked again, handing the book to Tina. "A baron of Acaorith needs his scribe."
Tina took the book. "What do I do now?"
Azdarmell glanced at Tina with a smirk. "When the time is right, I will seek you out. Do not ignore my calling or you will suffer the same fate as the last one. Now go back home." Azdarmell disappeared before Tina's eyes, and she stood with Alivia, watching the burning town from a distance, with Alivia panting beside her.