The Ancient Ways Chapter 3
"Ouch!" Merlin said as he tripped over a root landing on his wrist. Just as he was standing up, he heard scratching. The same scratching as before? He walked over to the noise. He found a creature, with its back turned to him scratching at what he couldn't see. He stepped on a twig which snapped and the creature turned to face Merlin. It was dark, but he could make out blood shot eyes, a very skinny figure. The creature was tall and in small cloth. A truly disgusting creature. It bellowed at Merlin in a rough growl that turned into a scream. It hit him. Gaius had told him about these creatures. They were known as Wendigos. But it was strange. These only hunt for their pray in northern forests.
Wendigos are creatures that used to be human, but consumed human blood. Human blood was said to give you superhuman powers. But those that drink and keep drinking, become less than human.
Merlin was stunned by the creature. He knew no spells that could handle the beast. Maybe just push him away, but there's nowhere for him to go but forward now. He noticed a small hole, most likely a resting area, and he cast a spell.
"Rasforkudama!" The Wendigo went flying into the hole, hitting its head, stunning it. He dashed as fast as he could, not knowing where he would go. After a while of running, thinking he was safe, he stopped to breathe. He noticed the Wendigo had nicked him. He doesn't know exactly how. Probably because of those freakishly long arms.
"Sishakudamara" Merlin cast a spell to heal the wound. He rested for another five minutes, then set off knowing the creature couldn't be too far behind. After about ten minutes of walking through the caves. He heard footsteps. But they weren't walking on soil, they were walking on what sounded like tile. He cautiously turned around the corner to find a massive room. The walls were surrounded in a light blue crystal. The floor was clean lighter blue, and grey tile. What he had heard were knights walking up and down this massive room, as if guarding. There was a crystal throne up ahead the long path, but no one sitting upon it. Behind him, he heard the horrible scream of the Wendigo. He turned around and used magic to look ahead through the caves to see how far it was. The answer was quick. The Wendigo jumped from around the corner, forcing Merlin to dash towards the knights.
"Cordianus!" He shouted as the knights were swept of the ground. One of them lost their helmets to reveal nothing. Merlin had no time to investigate and ran for his life! Reaching the throne, he looked around to see no exits. As Merlin was about to accept his fate, he hears a woman say.
"That's enough, Mason!" The Wendigo halted, looked up to the right of the room where a woman in a black robe was standing upon the crystal. "Welcome, Emrys"
"Who are you!?" Merlin shouted. He blinked and the lady was no longer there. His attention turned back to the Wendigo, who stopped and stayed like a dog on a leash.
"My name is Eliza, keeper of the crystal eye. You're not here by accident, Emrys." Eliza stated. Merlin turned around seeing she had reappeared on the crystal throne.
"Why am I here?" Merlin asked. "Do you need something of me?"
"All of Camelot will need something of you." Eliza said "A great force of powerful sorcerers are gathering to kill Arthur. They are few, but have the strength to take out an entire army. They are called the Overseers. They know all, what will be, and what is happening. They were supposed to live in peace, watching. But they have decided to use their knowledge and Ancient magic to overthrow the world."
"Why though!?" Merlin shouted. "What have we done!?"
"I am not the one who knows all, young warlock. But I am the one who will be on your side. You do not have the power to fight them though." Eliza stated.
"What am I to do then!?" Merlin shouted.
"You must learn the magic they possess. The Ancient magics." Eliza said
"And how am I supposed to do that?" Merlin said calmly this time.
"There are eight relics, eight Overseers. These relics contain magic that can be used against a certain one. The overseers are magical beings, each belonging to a different element. They are Rose, with the element of Fire. Samuel, with the power of the Earth. Nicolas, with the element of Water. William, with the element of Wind. Stella, with the element of Lightning. Balthier, with the element of Darkness. Vincent with the power of Light." Eliza stopped.
"That's seven, you said there were eight." Merlin said
"The last one controls all of the elements. He is known to be the strongest, and most fearless of the group. His name is Lester. I pray young warlock, that you will be able to find these relics. Tell me, have you heard someone calling you down here?" Eliza asked.
"Yes, screaming more like. I thought it to be you."
"This is great news. It wasn't me, it was the Crystal eye." Eliza said. Merlin remembers her speaking of being the guardian. "Each relic has a guardian, I am the Crystal eyes guardian. I am the most human out of the guardians though, so I'm the only one to tell you which relic will work against who."
After a lot of thought, Merlin said "Which one does the crystal eye work against?"
"Vincent, the light overseer. But do not attempt at going for them until all of the relics rest in your hands." Eliza warned.
"Where do I start?" Merlin asked.