Wizard Chronicles 2: Aura of the Blue Moon

Chapter 7: Zombie Rampage Pt. 1: Dark Reunion

Sirens echo through the night as calls flood the Varayan emergency center with people desperate for help. Operators at the center quickly became overwhelmed as screams can be heard from the callers as zombies attacked causing instantaneous transformations into zombies themselves. First responders became overwhelmed and under fire as more and more zombies infiltrated the various facilities.

"Is there anyone in there?" Officer Brandon McMichael, who's been on the job for eighteen hours, yells out in an apartment complex that has had the most activity at this point in the evening. Searching each apartment, he enters one with three children in a panic. "You kids alright?"

"We're scared," one of the kids responded as they approached the officer kneeling down to check out the children. "Our parents came home and then tried to attack us. We hid in our closet until they ran out of the house after hearing the neighbors."

"I saw the mess when I came into the house. I'm surprised that none of those card players have come through here yet. Get yourselves dressed and I'll take you to somewhere safe." Across town similar events were taking place with desperate calls with grim results and kids being left alone.

The residents in the Oaken Flame area have been in a panic since midnight. The mayhem got Landon's attention getting him into the battle defending his neighborhood from the sudden uptick in zombies.

"Where are these things coming from?" he questions trying to keep several zombies from harming his family. "It had to be in the middle of the night when I can't get a hold of anyone on my team." He sees the situation growing more desperate by the second. "Looks like I'm in for a long night."

Most of the downtown residences remained untouched except the occasional siren going off from an emergency vehicle heading to another area in the city. As dawn approached, the attacks and the number of zombies continued to rise. The enchantment spread into the graveyards causing the raising of the dead as zombies. Oblivious to all that's been going on in the city, Willie has been in a deep sleep the entire night. The clock on his dresser just chimed to signal 5:00 a.m. when his bed starting shaking wildly.

"Wake up," his little brother Max whispers trying to wake him up. "I'm really scared." Willie lazily awakes to his little brother trying to wake him.

"What is it Max?" Willie mumbles rubbing his eyes to get his bearings. Seeing the time, he plops back onto his pillow. "Go back to sleep. Let me get two more hours."

"Mom and dad are acting strange," his brother tells him trying to hide at his bedside. "They came into my room and tried to bite me. I got away and came in here."

"There's no way that mom and Wilson are acting out of the ordinary. They were making sure that . . ." Three loud bangs on his door get his attention and snap him out of his morning drowsiness. "It's open," he calls out figuring it's his parents. The banging continued and Max started to cringe a bit as the knocking got louder. "That door is open. Something's not right." Jumping out of bed, he grabs his deck puts on his glasses and communicator and stands near the window. "Max, stay out of sight until I tell you." Max crouches between his brother's bed and dresser. The front door flies open and in walks their parents turned zombie and looking for blood.

"You two are messed up," he tells them as they charge in for a kill. "I don't want to do this but you threatened my brother and now you're done." Holding out his hand two spells come across on his communicator. "I cast Frozen Solid!" Ice shoots from his hand freezing both zombies in their tracks. "Now I cast Sleep!" he exhales a blue mist that puts them to sleep instantaneously. "That'll hold them for the entire day. You can come out now little brother." Max walks out and looks over what is supposed to be their parents.

"What's going on with them?" he asked his brother as he rummages through his closet for something to wear for the day. "Are they going to be ok?"

"Hopefully," he mentions as he turns around and drops to a knee to look his brother in the eye. "Don't worry about them. Get dressed then go downstairs to watch tv. Let me get dressed and deal with these two then I'll join you." Max heads downstairs Willie turns on his television to get an idea on what's going on:

This is Varayan Morning News: This is Amy Malvestan with the morning report. Unfortunately this is not a good morning for Varayan as zombies continue to rampage the city and have been doing so since midnight according to reports. We now take you downtown where we find our own Donna Carlson reporting on the events. Carla, how are things where you are?

"Things are relatively calm," Donna starts out checking out the scene from atop of a platform in the park. "I'm in Burgundy Park observing the actions of all the zombies in the area. I've seen several wizards try and attack these zombies and some are right now in front of us. Turn the camera." The cameraman turns the camera to the scene where three female wizards are trying to hold back a huge group of zombies in the middle of the park. Watching on his television while getting dressed, Willie is wide-eyed when he sees the scene unfold.

"What the," shocked at what he was seeing. "That's Crystal, Jasmine and Sakita. They're with Alexis's group. This can't possibly end well." The announcer comes back on as the girls get pushed back.

"It seems that no wizard to this point can deal with these zombies. They're all scattered about the town. Wizards everywhere are having a hard time trying to fend back these attacks. Security forces are stretched to the limit in responding to all of these attacks. Earlier I interviewed Officer Brandon McMichael of the Varayan Police Department with his concerns."

"Back around midnight we had a number of calls regarding attacks by parents on their children," the officer recalls a call he had earlier in the evening. "The children there said their parents attacked them before rushing out of the house. Since then we've received hundreds of calls from the station about the same thing. Plus, reports of zombies rising from graves and people literally turning into zombies. It's a mess out here."

"What does it say that many of the city's wizards are out trying to deal with the situation?"

"They're trying but it's not easy. Some of the zombies are from that card game but some are people being turned into those same zombies."

"That's the lowdown from the park so back to you in the studio Amy."

Thanks Donna. I've just received word from emergency services that the city has gone to Level 3 alert status! All city offices are shut down until the threat passes and a citywide curfew is now in effect. Only emergency personnel and wizards are allowed out and about until the danger passes. Turning off his television, Willie grabs his backpack with his cards and makes a call on his communicator.

"Meaning we have to take care of this before our town turns inside out." He presses a button on his communicator before continuing. "Kali," he whispers into his communicator before hearing windows break out from a nearby residence. Looking out his window, he sees several zombies making a break for it being chased by several wizards.

"Yeah," she responds out of breath trying to settle down. "Had some unwanted visitors. If it wasn't for Elena, the family would've been . . ."

"I know. It was the same here with me. If my brother hadn't come and woke me up, there might've been four zombies in this house."

"Any idea on what's going on?"

"I have an idea on that but I called to tell you and your sister that the city has gone to Level 3 Alert. We all know what that means."

"You're telling me that we have to clean up this mess," Melanie blared in her com overhearing the conversation. "I was hoping to get with my band today to get ready for next week's show."

"I know Mel but we've got bigger issues at the moment," Willie responds to her dejection looking out his window as more zombies are on the prowl. He ducks down to keep from being seen. "We're meeting in the park in a few hours. I'll contact the rest of the team and let them know. See you both later and be careful."

"Same to you," Kali affirms as communications cease between them and he sought to get his knocked-out parents into their bedroom before joining his brother downstairs.

Hovering above the carnage unfolding in the city, Damian and Silas enjoy the view of the work they created. Swooping down to continue their mission, they begin to plant up to twenty eggs around the city. The eggs were the size of a walk in closet and were placed on a stand just off the ground.

"What's the point of these things again?" Damian asks his leader as they place another egg at the docks. "We've got more zombies than we can handle at the moment and now we're placing these things?"

"Relax," Silas reassures him as they leave the dock after setting the egg at the dock. "This is for another surprise if those relentless sorcerers decide to come after us. Hatch these babies and see them tremble in fear. Once Natalia finishes setting the rest of the enchantments around the city, it's showtime!"

"Interesting. You're always looking for the next move."

"You know me all too well."

The sun makes its first appearance over the tree-line as Willie leaves his house to take his brother Max over to a neighbor's place to keep him safe with the city in turmoil. Kali and Melanie join him after dealing with their own zombie raid.

"Why can't I stay with you?" Max asks his big brother as they walk up the sidewalk towards the safe house.

"It'll be way too dangerous," his brother tells him as they ring the doorbell. "The city is in way too much chaos to have someone your age in harm's way. We wouldn't be able to do what we have to if that meant making sure you're safe every five seconds." The door opens to reveal a rather average size woman in her mid forties. She is of African descent and a shaman who reads and interprets the auras of wizards across the city.

"Good to see you again," Kali embraces the middle-aged woman as she stepped outside.

"If it isn't my favorite wizards," the woman, named Justine Kendall, responds looking at the three sorcerers in her doorway. "Please come inside." They all go into a rather beautiful home full of charms and amulets decorating the walls. In the center of the living room, about seven kids are playing with various toys. "I take it that you've brought Max here to keep him safe."

"I know this is a bit short notice," Willie confirms as he let Max go to play with the other kids, "but the city is in Level 3 alert and unfortunately the authorities have put this mess on us and the rest of our group."

"By what I've seen on the news, you all are going to be busy today." Sensing the auras of the three, Justine heads towards her wall of amulets and searches behind a bar.

"How come I've never seen or heard of this woman before?" Melanie asks looking around the house admiring all of the amulets and charms decorating the walls.

"That's right," Kali remembers that her sister hasn't been here yet. "You've never been here before. You have nothing to worry about." Mrs. Kendall returns with a green colored amulet with a symbol of a beast.

"I sense your imbalance," the shaman speaks directly to Melanie holding out the amulet. "Your friends have done what they could for you. This amulet should help further keep that hostile spirit you have under wraps." Melanie takes the amulet and puts it on around her neck. Its energy immediately connects responding with her aura. "I also sense a fierce battle ahead."

"No need to tell us that," Willie responds as they turn to head out. "We need to get going and stop this madness. Thanks again Mrs. Kendall."

"Not a problem," she responds waving her hands as the three head out. "Good luck with everything." Walking back into the house and observing the kids, she sighs sitting in her chair. "Those kids have their hands full today. I have a feeling this is going to be an eye-opening day for all of them.

Burgundy Park is a nature lover's paradise with trees and beautiful scenery as far as the eye can see. Many wizards can be seen honing their skills along with their friends and normal individuals just hanging out enjoying the view or watching the younger ones play in the park's three playgrounds. Several streams weave through the park giving the area its nostalgia. At the park's largest bridge connecting the parking lot to the trails, Crystal, Sakita and Jasmine are at their limit trying to keep a large pack of zombies from getting into the park."

"I don't think that I can go much further," Jasmine pants holding onto the railing to prop herself up. "Where are these things coming from?"

"That's something we all need to know," Crystal staggers back holding several cards in her hand. "We need to keep these things back and I've got just the creature to do it with."

"Are you sure you have enough energy to summon another creature?" her sister asks as her Defiant Elf is destroyed allowing the zombies to advance. "The three of us are all but tapped out. We can barely keep going anymore."

"We have to hold out until Alexis gets here," Crystal answers turning to the pack of zombies. "I summon Wirewood Guardian!" The creature appears in front of her causing the zombies to stop in their tracks. Crystal staggers from the lack of energy only to be caught by her sister. "Okay, maybe you were right about the energy thing. Attack!" The creature storms in and eliminates the weaker zombies. The elf disappears as fast as it appears after the skirmish.

"At least we can finally relax," Jasmine finally admits leaning against the railing on the bridge to try and relax. "How long were we battling those things anyway?"

"Since before sunrise, I think." Turning around, she sees Alexis and the rest of their team walking right up to them. "About time you showed up."

"Sorry we took so long," Alexis smiles as they help the girls to a park bench. "With the whole city under attack it took us a while rounding up everyone and helping those in our neighborhoods." As the conversation continues, two figures appear at the bridge overlooking the carnage from the battle.

"So this is the group that defeated the zombies we summoned here," one of the voices mentions to the other getting the group's attention. Looking up, they see the individuals on the bridge. "They're cockroaches compared to us."

"Relax, Damian," Silas smirks sensing the energy of the group as a whole. "They did defeat the zombies that were unleashed when the enchantment was cast."

"What enchantment?" Alexis demanded to know standing for her group. "It's against the law to use enchantments on the city."

"I don't care for your useless laws. The enchantment is something no one can stop. I'll get rid of you all and then the one I want will show up."

"That's not going to happen," Landon retorted as he and Alexis powered up to defend their group. "We will make you pay for causing pain all over the city." Silas and Damian look at each other and burst out laughing.

"These weaklings think they can take us," Damian laughs maniacally reaching for his deck only to be stopped by Silas. "Why don't we just crush them and move on?"

"Not just yet," Silas slows his overeager friend while pulling four cards of his own. "Let's have a little fun with them first. I summon four Thorn Elementals!" One by one the creatures appeared in front of Alexis and her group freezing them in their tracks."

"How exactly are we going to deal with them?" Landon nervously looks up at the monstrosities. "We don't have enough power among the six of us to take on one much less four of them."

"You'll have more to worry about in a second," Damian adds holding up another card in his hand. "I'm replacing the zombies you destroyed with this: I cast Army of the Damned!" Thirteen zombies appear and surround the underpowered wizards as Alexis and Landon stand desperately to protect their friends. "They aren't fighting back?"

"Their powers are too weak and they're paralyzed with fear," Silas smirks as he points directly at Alexis. "Take them apart one by one starting with the girl." The four creatures he summoned inch closer to the standing lady when voices echo through the mid-morning air.

"I cast Slice and Dice!" a female voice rings out as daggers and knives cut through each creature destroying the zombies.

"I cast Choking Tethers," a familiar male voice calls out getting Silas's attention as his creatures are enveloped by chains unable to move. Six streaks of energy fly pass the two and eventually settle right in between the bound creatures and Alexis. The dust settles to reveal the newly named Team Hydroflame with auras full ablaze.

"About time you showed up to save your friends," Silas smiles darkly looking at his former apprentice. "I was about to stomp them into dust."

"Do you ever shut up," Willie snaps looking directly at him. "Your voice is nails on a chalkboard. I figured you were behind all of this. I could smell the stink of your power across town." The group stares down the pair as Damian glances to his right causing Evelyn to glance in the direction he's looking. Her eyes go wide-eyed when she sees the egg.

"Look at that," she calls out getting everyone's attention pointing to the large egg propped up next to the stream. Realizing what it is, Nick dials up a card and faces down the egg.

"I'll handle it," Nick mentions as he holds out his communicator, "can't let that thing hatch – I cast Profane Prayers!" Energy surrounds the egg but quickly fades out. Emerging from the other side of the egg, Natalia emerges to the shock of Alexis.

"You're not harming this egg," Natalia motions to Nick as she stands tall in front of him. "I cast Meddle so your spell is canceled out."

"I can't believe you're mixed up in this," Alexis shakes her head talking to her 'friend'. Natalia ignores her and pulls another card.

"Whatever. I cast Zombie Apocalypse!" More zombies appear around the much larger group and with the Dawn of the Dead enchantment still in use zombies began rising from the ground seeking revenge. "Don't you dare touch this egg or else." Everyone began to notice the increasing number of zombies.

"I think we're about to be surrounded," Melanie notices the zombies encircling the bridge. "Anyone have any ideas?"

"I'm taking out that egg," Nick retorted as he holds out his communicator again. "I summon my Blastoderm!" The beast appears next to him ready to strike. "Destroy that oversized eyesoar!" The beast attacks utterly destroying the egg into oblivion. "That'll take care of that. Return." The creature disappears much to the chagrin of Natalia.

"So you destroyed one of my pets," Silas comes back noticing the destruction. "I still have fourteen more set up in the city so you'll never destroy them all."

"Are you out of your damn mind?" Willie snaps hearing about the eggs. "Those things can't be controlled. There's a reason that card has a limit on it."

"What card is he talking about?" Kali leans in asking him as the back-and-forth continues. As Willie turns to answer her, Evelyn steps forward realizing what the conversation is about.

"They're talking about Ludevic's Test Subject," she worriedly answers her as the jarring continues. "That card is restricted to one per individual because of the power of its transformation into Ludevic's Abomination."

"If you all will excuse me," Silas interrupts as he turns to fly out, "I have business to attend to." He takes off towards the residential areas in the city.

"Where do you think you're going?" Willie flies off after him only to be cut off by Damian in mid-flight. "Get out of my way Damian. My business isn't with you – yet." Damian laughs holding out his hand.

"The master is not to be disturbed," he responds with a laugh as he reveals the card in his left hand. "I cast Barbed Lightning!" Focusing the energy in the palm of his hand, he lets loose a bolt of lightning that strikes Willie in his left shoulder causing him to retreat to the ground landing on his feet. "You want him then you'll have to go through me."

"Son of a bitch," Willie snaps holding his shoulder looking directly at Damian, "you are going to regret doing that. If it's a fight you want then so be it." Turning to the rest of his group, he gives them their instructions. Alicia begins working to heal his shoulder. Seeing this, Natalia pulls another card from her deck.

"I summon Zombie Cutthroat!" she whispers as the zombie appears next to her in a dark mist. "Take out their healer and the leader before he's recovered." Understanding the order, the zombie stealthily jumps into the air and prepares to strike with its weapon. Looking up, Alexis sees the incoming threat.

"Watch out," she yells at the top of their lungs getting the group's attention. Closing in, the creature prepares to swing when it's intercepted by another creature destroying the attacking zombie. Landing amongst the group, the creature faces them all standing firm between them and Natalia. "Who or what is that?"

"I think that's a Lord of Lineage," Landon recalls the card list he saw several weeks back looking at his communicator to be sure. "That's it. It's a transformed vampire. Wonder who summoned it?"

"I do," Willie answers knowing who summoned the creature. Taking a deep breath, he looks towards the tree line. "Come on out Olivia. I can sense you're out here somewhere." She emerges from the nearby trees wearing skin-tight blue jeans and black heel boots along with a blue shirt. "What are you doing here?"

"I had a photo shoot today but thanks to our former boss everything's been cancelled," she tells everyone with a wary eye for Kali who's getting anxious. She turns and points directly at Damian. "So I came here after seeing the news and to my disbelief I see this fool and Silas harassing those wizards over there," she turns to Alexis and her team. "Good thing you showed up before I decided to act." The zombies started inching closer to the large group.

"So the gang's all here," Damian retorts landing in front of the group halting the zombies' advance. He stares intently at Willie and Olivia with a dark smile on his face. "Wish the master would see all of us."

"Don't get your hopes up. You still owe us for what happened in Kaborn City."

"I seriously hope you're not still hung up on that?"

"You must be out of your mind," Willie snaps back recalling the events from the past. "After what you did to us you're lucky you only got sent to jail. You're not walking away this time."

"Oh really?" Damian scoffs yanking cards from his deck and reveals them as they start to glow. "Just for that I cast three Fireballs! Try and stop this barrage." A whole stream of fireballs emerges from the cards and straight for the sorcerers and the rest of the group.

"He's really pushing it," Willie sighs stepping out and holding out his left arm as a card materializes on his communicator, "I have a little surprise for him: I cast the enchantment Grip of Chaos!" A swirling vortex emerges from the card and envelops the fireballs into its core. "Now, for the fun part . . ." the fireballs start firing erratically from the vortex causing everyone to scatter. Five of the fireballs destroy half of the zombies surrounding the group while another three hit Damian directly knocking him back causing some shock. The rest of the fireballs released fall harmlessly to the ground only hitting the ground. "You're going to have to do better than that!"

"Where did you get a card like that?" Kali asks him shocked that they weren't touched by the attack.

"I have cards you all haven't even seen yet. Now we take care of business. Nick."

"What ya need?" he walks up to him keeping his eye on Natalia.

"You and Jesse go and destroy the rest of those eggs. If any of them hatch it's going to be messy."

"Consider it done," he nods confirming as he and Jesse fly off to find the other test subjects in the city. Natalia heads off after them to make sure that the eggs stay safe.

"Melanie, I need you to find and eliminate the enchantments planted around the city. That'll put a stop to those zombies."

"You got it," she waves as she flies off towards the docks to begin her search.

"What do you want us to do?" Evelyn whispers in his ear as he continued to stare down Damian.

"You and Kali hold off the zombies while I deal with my former teammate. Olivia will back me up as the three of us have some unfinished business. Alexis and her team will watch as all of this goes down. This way they can see how we take care of unwanted business."

"You think that you can take me all by yourself after what I did to you at that school of yours?"

"You were always a two bit fool. You have no idea what power I really have and I promise you: When I'm done with you, you're going to regret crossing my path for the second time."

"That goes double for me," Olivia adds flaring up her dark red mana joining her ex for the battle. "You will pay for what you did in Kaborn City one way or another."

"Bring it on you two," Damian backtalks as his dark blue mana flares to its brightest point. "I can take you two apart with one hand tied behind my back. Ha, ha, ha . . ."

To be continued . . .