Chapter Eleven

Obito flew over the battle below, now that group had fallen back he could tell Grand Magister Rommath was no longer 'holding back'. The forest floor had been all but charred for a quarter mile around the intense fight, flames angrily leapt up into the sky. Urging his reluctant wyvern lower Obito dove through the smoke and ash, raising a hand to cover his face. The heat was almost unbearable; it felt like he was skin-diving into the lava of Blackrock Mountain.

His mount let out a horrifying screech as a fireball slammed into its chest. The attack knocked Obito off its back; luckily he had descended enough the fall only stole the air out of him as he crashed to the ground. Getting back onto his feet he crept toward the sounds of battle, keeping himself low.

"Rater, this has gone on long enough … by the Sunwell, give me a sign you haven't sold your soul?"

"My poor teacher, is that fear I hear in your voice? You have been away from the Prince too long, I believe you've forgotten how truly powerful those blessed by his touch can be!"

Through the smoke he saw the two Magi facing off; Rommath's jet black hair had come lose in the fight and was hanging freely down his back. The robes of both were charred and torn. Obito took an arrow from his quiver and slipped it into place. Drawing back the string he aimed the arrow towards his father and then slowly moved it so it was aimed at Rommath.

"I'm sorry," he whispered as he let the arrow go.

It caught Rommath in the arm interrupting the spell he was in middle of casting and dazing him slightly. The mages looked over at him and his father let out a dark laugh. "I knew you would come around, my son … let's finish this traitor off together."

Obito moved quickly and dropped a trap at Rommath's feet, freezing the Magister in a block of ice. Then turning his back on Rommath he faced his father, putting himself between the two elders, his bow still out and a second arrow was drawn back aimed at his father.

"Where did mother go?" Obito asked.

"Seems I can't trust any of my family," Rater growled as his hands burst into flames. He slammed them down on the ground and dirt beneath Obito's feet split open and fire erupted out. However, the hunter was not his target as Rommath's icy prison shattered from the heated attack.

The Magister let out a grunt wrapping an arm around his chest, but didn't fall. With his other hand he cast an ice shield absorbing a fireball cast his way. Obito stood and quickly moved back between the two mages. "Mother was here a moment ago, where did she go?" He asked again.

"Still trying to save the world, are you?" His father sneered.

"Just Mother," Obito replied.

"There is only one way you'll see your mother."

Obito sighed and nodded his head. "I'll go but leave Rommath and the others alone." He dropped his bow and took a step towards his father. A strong hand wrapped around his wrist as a blast of fire burst out from behind him.

"He's not going anywhere," Rommath growled.

Rater sighed; Obito could tell both men had long since reached their limits. It was only a matter of who had the deeper resolve to see this through.

"That just voided the agreement, everyone but Rommath will live see tomorrow as long as they stay out of my way!" Rater charged his hand a fiery ball of power. Obito was thrown to the ground behind Rommath as he cast a quick ice shield in front of himself. His father's hand passed through the ice without stopping, Obito reached up and grabbed Rommath's cloak pulling him off balance. As the Magus stumbled back avoiding the fiery attack Obito stood, Rater's blazing hand slammed into his bare chest.

Obito wrapped his hands around his father's wrist and twisted it, wrenching the arm hard. As the hand fell away, Obito stumbled and looked down at his chest. A large handprint had been burnt into his skin. He looked over into the eyes of Rater. "You promised …" he said hoarsely.

The fanatical fire in his father's gaze faded as he stepped back cradling his arm. "Obito …" his eyes moved to the other elf. "Teacher … damn it."

"Where is Mother?" Obito asked.

"Amaya?" A painful looked flashed across his father's face. "By the Sunwell …" he whispered. "Rommath get my child out of here, please."

"I cannot leave you here, Rater … you've lost your soul …" Rommath said.

"And now I must go reclaim her," his father replied as he vanished from their sight.

"Damn it … no!" Obito shouted. "I'm so sick of this," the hunter turned his rage to the Magister who was kneeling behind him. "What in the hell is going on? Is my father my foe or my ally … and the same question to you … one day you try to kill me and the next practically give your life to save me."

"You shot me with an arrow," Rommath said calmly as he stood.

"You're making me wish I'd aimed for somewhere other than your arm," Obito growled. His hand moved to his chest. "He promised he'd never burn me again," he said.

"You didn't give him a lot of choice, he was aiming for me. It seems my debt to your family continues to grow." Rommath took out a rune. "Let's go home and try to figure out our next step."

Before Obito could argue his arms were seized from behind and held fast by cool armored gauntlets. "Sounds like a plan, Rommath," Vorat said.

"Don't be so rough with him," Lotheolan scolded as Rommath opened a portal.

"Oh this isn't being rough, wait until I take out the rope and hog-tie him, then you can complain about me being rough." The paladin said shoving Obito through the portal.

The hunter tumbled to the ground and found himself in the mage training room in Silvermoon. He stayed on his knees where he had fallen. "Are we safe?" he asked to no one particular.

"Yes."

"Good …" Obito gave into the pain and exhaustion and closed his eyes.