Wizard Chronicles 3: Orbs of the Gate of Oban
Chapter 21: A Warrior's Test
A full moon rise lights up the Tuesday night sky and the forests surrounding Livalia providing light for hikers trying to find their way. Various stores in Treevil Outlets begin closing as the evening wears on. Shoppers exit the strip mall heading for their various homes. Amy takes to the skies heading for her home on the south side of town just outside the city limits. A four bedroom home sits amongst the trees as she lands and enters.
"I'm home," the leader of the Gruul Clans announces to the house. A young female and two young males rush to her. "Hey guys."
"It's nice to see you," Amy's mother Valera Laughlin smiles walking to her daughter. She's in her late forties with short, jet black hair. "You're hardly home these days."
"I know mom. With everything that's been going on lately, it's a miracle I even see my own bed."
"How's my girl?" her father Sheldon Laughlin exits a bathroom and walks into the living room. He's in his early forties with dirty blonde hair. "You ready for the Reveler's Battle Tournament this weekend?"
"You know me better than that dad," Amy sits between her parents taking out her deck. I registered for the tournament after school yesterday. No one can wreak havoc on a battlefield like I can."
"You know if any of those other leaders are going to take part?"
"I did talk to Alex Shark, the Rakdos leader, yesterday after I registered and he's bringing a group from his guild to take part in the tournament. He's also the Master of Ceremonies."
"I don't understand why you don't help him with the hosting," Valera questions her daughter getting up and heading for the kitchen.
"I rather get in the trenches and fight it out and prove I'm the strongest wizard in the city. Besides, Melanie Danielson and her partner Lila are also entered and they're favorites to win along with me."
"She's the lead singer of the group Spirit's Wind," Amy's younger sister Iva perks up. She's only twelve and learning the basics of being a wizard. "I love her songs and can't wait to see her."
"Dinner's ready," Valera announces as everyone heads to the dinner table.
Meditating in the darkness of her citadel, Lucille sits in her room amongst the candlelight. Opening her eyes, she lights the room and reads a file about the recent events in Salvedra before tossing the file away in disgust. Two wizards enter her room getting her attention.
"Sorry to bother you madam," a female voice grabs her attention as dark energy gathers under the moon's light, "just so you know, we have confirmation about who's participating in that tournament in Livalia on Saturday," she hands a black folder over to the teacher.
"The leader of the Gruuls is entered in the event," a male wizard steps into the dim light, "we also know for sure that the Rakdos leader is entered and overseeing the entire event. We have no way of knowing for sure if the other leaders will attend the event."
"Thank you," Lucille waves to the wizards as they bow and leave out. "Since Yewll managed to fuck things up with that novice in Salvedra, I'll take a different approach." Mana coalesces in the room as a familiar figure takes shape.
"You better be right about this plan of yours," the figure echoes through the room, "We can't afford anymore slipups."
"I already know. My new plan involves the tournament in Livalia this weekend."
Lava flows through the crevices weaving through Magma Falls as the moon's light peeks through the passing clouds. Creatures battle through the parks and thoroughfares causing people to panic in all directions. Azorius and Boros wizards rush into the battles to restore peace and arrest the instigators. On top of an apartment building in the heart of the city, Alex looks down at the resulting carnage in the city.
"Nothing like chaos in the evening," he admires the scene sighing heavily, "life around here has been much more lively since that creepy ass cracker was hauled out of here." A second wizard lands on the roof behind him.
"Nice evening for some carnage," Dominique garners his attention, "we still need to finalize things for that tournament this weekend on Aceleon."
"Relax. Everything's being taken care of. Our fellow Rakdos wizards are setting everything up and we'll head there Thursday for a final look. I learned that Amy Laughlin, the Gruul guild leader, has entered the tournament."
"That's all good but what about that crazy teacher that's on our asses? I'm more than sure she's responsible for that principal at Layla's school going on that spiritual tirade we saw on the news last night."
"We can't be sure that Barnes woman was the puppet master behind what went down in Salvedra yesterday but remember that Layla, as inexperienced as she is, took care of it and is now the guildmaster of the conclave."
"True but it doesn't mean that she'll be that easy on the rest of you?"
"Truth is, my lady, I'm counting on it. That's why I'm hosting this tournament in this Livalia town on Aceleon. With Amy in the event, odds are that if anyone pulls anything, we'll have more than enough fighters between the Gruul and Rakdos guilds to deal with any threat that may arise. Besides, our guilds prefer to deal with problems with brute force."
"I'll never understand this guild thing," Dominique shakes her head looking down at the street as the wizards disperse and some are arrested. Alex's communicator suddenly radiates red and black energy and he and Dominique are enveloped into a burning landscape. The scene settles as Rakdos materializes in front of the duo.
"Answering potential chaos with chaos," Rakdos crackles under his breath garnering Alex's attention as Dominique looks on, "that's how my cult rolls. You're settling in nicely as leader of my guild."
"Glad you approve Rakdos," Alex cracks a smile to the demon seeing him approach his eye level. "So what's with the sudden powwow?"
"I have two things to give you. First, your guildmaster trial takes place at that tournament you're planning. Good news is you only have one task and that's to keep an eye on the Gruul guild leader Amy Laughlin. She's going to have it rough in her trial and I'm sure the enemy you and the other leaders are facing is planning something against her."
"I was just talking to Dominique here about the threat and I have Rakdos wizards entered in this event."
"Nice to see your confidence hasn't waned. My second thing is I'm giving you a new ally for your arsenal," a creature walks out of a flame and kneels before Alex. "This is Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch. She'll be more than helpful in your tournament."
"The honor's mine," Exava stands being enveloped into a red and black flame, "I'm in your deck when you need me." She streaks into his deck.
"You know what you have to do," Rakdos fades out as the scene dissipates, "make sure Amy Laughlin survives the tournament." Alex and Dominique return to the rooftop as the last of the wizards fighting on the street leave the area.
"Well," Dominique puts her hands on her shoulders, "this complicates things a bit. How does a guild that brings chaos for fun protect another guild leader?"
"I'll wait until the tournament to figure that out," Alex hovers off the roof. "Right now I'm heading home." The pair flies off to their respective homes.
Crowds gather at Livalia's Hovertree Arena in anticipation of the tournament. Concession stands line with people buying souvenirs and other items in support of their favorite. Melanie and her band wonder through the crowds as they approach the entrance for the competitors.
"I'm having serious flashbacks to the tournament we had at school," Melanie looks around at the crowd splitting off from her band. She approaches the registration desk. "Excuse me, I'm here to sign in for the tournament."
"Name and guild affiliation please," the female clerk asks seeing Melanie hold up her communicator. She scans the device as information comes up onto the screen. "Ok Miss Danielson, you're free to enter. You'll be in the B Block."
"Thank you," Melanie nods walking into the structure to the competitor's waiting area. Others already in the room take notice and rush to her. Amy walks into the restroom to wash up when her communicator starts glowing red and green mana enveloping her into a landscape. Borborgymos walks to her as the tablet appears behind him.
"There's my warrior," Borborgymos approaches the leader of his guild, "sorry for the sudden intrusion but I have news."
"What," Amy shrugs her shoulders, "is this about the tournament?"
"Half about the tournament and half about your guildmaster trial which is the main reason I'm here."
"I guess it must be time then. What do I have to do?"
"Simple: win the tournament. Prove that you're the strongest in the guild."
"Not a problem there. I was already planning to do that but I get the feeling there's more to this than just winning is there?"
"Your instincts have gotten a lot stronger. There is a lot going on here. Besides winning, you need to keep an eye on your number 2 in the guild Melanie Danielson. We guardians sense that trouble may befall the event. Alex Shark, the Rakdos leader, is also in his trial involving this event but he has different objectives I'm unaware of."
"Meaning that psycho teacher might try something? Alex is the master of ceremonies for the tournament. He'll be the eyes and ears over everything I suppose."
"I wish you the best of luck and as you young people say: kick some ass!" The energy begins to dissipate around the leader as Borborgymos fades out.
"Believe me I will," Amy notices she back in the restroom when two females walk in. "Hey girl!"
"Hey yourself," Melanie fist pounds her friend, "ready to show these wimps how to conduct a fight?"
"You know it – partner."
"I'll be rooting for both of you from the stands," Kali walks out of the restroom, "good luck."
People young and old fill the arena at a steady pace as the wait for the festivities to begin reaches a fever pitch. Shades of green, red and black echo through the crowd as the various colors ripple around the arena. Sitting in a VIP area, Kali catches up with the rest of Team Hydroflame as snacks are brought in by the workers.
"Melanie, Lila and Amy are ready for the tournament," Kali sits down next to Willie as the servants walk out of the room, "takes me back to our school's tournament."
"Almost," Olivia leans on her partner's shoulder, "wish we could participate and show these forest-dwellers who truly is the boss."
"Yeah but Alex is running the show," Willie reminds them noticing a male in a black suit march out to the center of the arena floor with a microphone, "he set the conditions that only Gruul and Rakdos branded wizards can play. We're here to support Jesse and Melanie and watch them compete."
"Good day Livalia," Alex announces drawing cheers from the crowd. "Welcome to the Reveler's Battle Tournament!" Cheers rain from the crowd that slowly comes to a peace. "Today we have some good old-fashioned combat that's between two guilds – my Rakdos Cult and Amy Laughlin's Gruul Clans! As an added bonus, both Amy and I will participate in the festivities!" Cheers echo louder form the crowd. "Alright, let's get this party started!" the competitors enter the arena to the cheers of the crowd.
A dark aura gathers under the main bleachers as several wizards dressed in black enter the shrouded area. They join a larger group of wizards and converse as Lucille enters the area wearing a black dress. Wizards gather around her as suspicious eyes notice the aura.
"I'll make this quick," she speaks softly so the people in the stands above her cannot hear her voice, "our target is Melanie Danielson. The plan is to turn her to our side. Kill everyone participating in the tournament if you have to but be weary: there are two guild leaders in the event so steer clear of them. If this plays out how I expect it to, we'll have an inside person to the leaders' activities."
"You got it ma'am," a male responds as they all disperse around the arena, "we'll make sure that girl is alone."
"Now to sit back and enjoy the fireworks," she enters the stands sitting on the front row. Two wizards branding the Rakdos symbol enter the arena.
"Time for their opponents," Alex announces from a podium above the arena floor. He looks to his left as two young ladies exit the tunnel to the cheers of an excited crowd. "On my left we have two of the strongest ladies in this tourney. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the leader of the Gruul guild Amy Laughlin and her second in command and lead singer of the band Spirit's Wind Melanie Danielson!" The girls wave to the crowd as they take their positions on their side of the arena. Both Amy's and Alex's communicators pulse energy. "All right everyone, auras up and let's get it on!"
"Let's rock and roll," Melanie flares her green aura and charges after the males who charge after them, "and I'm ready to win – Volcanic Geyser!" lava bursts from the ground forming a barrier inbetween the charging Rakdos wizards knocking the two guys back. A new card materializes onto her communicator. "Man, it's been a long time since I've been in a fight – Cobblebrute!" the creature materializes in a swirl of red and green mana.
"Better leave some for me," Amy charges in encased in her red aura, "I'll fortify our defenses with this – Kraul Warrior!" the creature appears in front of the guild leader as the girls high-five each other. "Let's see them get through them!"
"Watch us," the male across from them drags his partner to his feet. Two cards materialize onto his communicator. "We've got plenty of that as well – Chaos Imps and Rakdos Ragemutt!" the creatures emerge from a pit of black fire and charge after the girls. "Rough up those chicks."
"You're joking right," Melanie cracks up with laughter as a card materializes onto her communicator, "those thing aren't going to do much of anything but if you want to take damage that badly – Scorchwalker!" the creature materializes and intercepts the imps knocking down the young male. "Care to try again?"
"Now it's my turn," the second male charges into the fray as three cards materialize on her communicator, "try this – Master of Cruelties!" the creature emerges in front of him attacking the scorchwalker knocking Melanie to the turf face down. "How's that little lady?"
"Oh please," Amy stands behind her warrior, "you'll have to do better than that." Two cards materialize on her communicator. "Time to take this up a level – Savageborn Hydra and Skarrg Goliath!" the creatures appear in front of her joining her warrior. Melanie jumps back to her feet.
"Now I'm mad," Melanie wipes dirt from her mouth as two more cards materialize on her communicator, "nobody does that to me and gets away with it – Ruination Wurm and Duskdale Wurm!" the wurms twist out of a swirl of red and green mana and tunnel underground. A new card materializes onto her communicator. "Now I'm going to finish it . . ." a dozen wizards jump out of the ground and surround Amy and Melanie drawing gasps from the crowd. "What the hell is this?"
"You are to come with us at once," the female leading the group steps toward the girls, "my master has asked for your presence Miss Danielson."
"Not a chance. You weirdoes aren't coming anywhere near me – wurms attack!" the wurms inch toward the wizards only to be stopped in their tracks.
"How pathetic – Sword of Vengeance!" the sword forms in her hand and takes out both wurms with one swing. The mana shock recoils onto Melanie who drops to a knee.
"Stop where you are," Alex jumps from the podium landing in front of the ladies, "I was warned that somebody might pull something like this," he opens his communicator and presses a button. "Attention all Rakdos wizards participating in this tournament, you are needed in the arena immediately. Time to raise some hell!" a dozen wizards rush out the tunnel and take positions around the arena floor. Alex jumps to the floor as a card materializes on his communicator. "Now I'll ask you politely to leave at one or I'll force you out myself."
"No way," Lucille appears in front of the young man, "we're here for the Danielson girl; now move it."
"What do you want with her?" Amy walks in front of her creatures.
"That's for me know and you to be destroyed by. It's as simple as that."
"I'm not joining that punk ass group of yours," Melanie wobbles to her feet walking next to Amy, "so you can forget it."
"You don't have a choice in the matter," Lucille crackles as cards materialize on her wizards' communicators. "Kill the leaders and capture the girl." Creatures pop up charging after the two guild leaders.
"I'll handle the wizards," Alex informs the girls flying up to get a better view, "I'm leaving the old bitch for you two – Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch!" Exava appears in a pool of fire taking shape next to the leader.
"Thanks Alex," Amy waves as she and Melanie turn their attention to the leader of the invaders. Three cards materialize on her communicator. "Now it's my turn; get her out of here!" Her Savageborn Hydra attacks Lucille who cracks a smile.
"Poor thing," she holds out her hand as dark mana collects into the form of a ball, "you think you can stop me – Death Pulse!" several orbs leave her hand hitting Amy's warrior and hydra destroying them causing recoil damage knocking Amy onto her back. "Now that she's out of the way; I can bring you to my side – Arrest!" Energy erupts from the ground enveloping Melanie restraining any movement.
"Assassin's Strike!" Alex yells out flying into a dodging Lucille. Explosions are heard and several black-dressed wizards are sent flying in all directions suffering severe shock. "Your so-called followers are gone Barnes. Now you have to deal with me – Exava!" the creature lands in front of the leader.
"As you wish," Exava raises her whip. "I'll finish her with . . ."
"Wait Exava," Amy struggles to her feet barely able to stand and two cards materialize onto her communicator, "she's mine. Let me do this."
"If you're sure," Alex lends a hand to help her but she brushes it away, "alright then. We'll make sure the other wizards don't interfere. Let's go Exava."
"I'm going to get rid of you myself – Ruric Thar, the Unbowed!" Ruric appears in a swirl of red, green and golden energy surprising Lucille. "Normally I wouldn't summon this one but you've pushed me to this point."
"Well, I guess I underestimated you," Lucille smirks as dark mana gathers around her, "I guess if we're going to take it that far then . . ."
"Stop it Lucille," two orbs land in front of Amy and her creature and take the form of a male and female. The dark-skinned male is in his late thirties and the dark-skinned female is in her early forties. Both wizards have different communicators branding the Azorius symbol. "This has gone way too far."
"Well, I wondered when you two would finally show up." In the VIP booth above the stands, Willie takes a curious look to the situation.
"What's this all about?" Kali looks on as her sister struggles against the restraints. "You know those wizards? They have the Azorius symbol on them."
"I know you issued a no-involvement edict to your guild before the tournament started," Tia recalls looking at the female next to the male facing Lucille, "but I think I recognize one of them.
"I have no idea who these two are," Willie operates his communicator and finds the frequency to the devices belonging to the strange wizards, "but I'm going to find out. I told members of my guild that there was to be no interference from anyone. Unidentified Azorius wizards, you are in direct violation of the no-involvement edict I issued for this event. Identify yourselves and leave now!" The male's face appears on his communicator shocking the young leader.
"Sorry for the intrusion son," Davis Johansson smiles looking at his son, "we have no intention of interfering in this but we have to talk to Lucille." The conversation cuts off.
"Damn it. Tia, we need to get down there – now. Those two wizards are your mother and my dad. Let's go everyone. The group rushes out of the room heading for the confrontation.
"Let's go Lucille, leave these kids alone," Rhonda Tomlin pleads to their old friend. "We still have unfinished business."
"That we do. Since you two are here, I have no further business here. Let's go my children," she flies out of the area along with the wounded wizards able to move. Authorities move in arresting black dressed individuals still lying about in the arena floor. Alex and Amy recall their creatures and Melanie is freed. Willie, Kali, Evelyn and Tia reach the arena floor as the two adults turn to the gathering kids.
"Sorry for the intrusion kids," Rhonda rubs the back of her head with a chuckle, "we should've timed our appearance a bit better."
"You can say that again," Tia hugs her mother for the first time in 12 years, "but it's nice to have you back."
"Too bad we can't stay in this dimension for too long," Davis reminds Rhonda as he shakes Willie's hand, "but we had to see our kids and confront Lucille for what she did to us."
"Unfortunately you interrupted two guildmaster trials dad. No telling what's going to happen now." Amy and Alex's communicators radiate golden entrails mixed in with their respective guilds' colors. Rakdos and Borborgymos emerge standing tall over everyone in the arena.
"Didn't expect this turn of events," Borborgymos folds his arms looking at Rakdos with a frustrated look on his face, "but what's to become of the tournament?"
"The final battle never really got started when this mess happened," Amy admits fixing her hair back into a ponytail, "my trial still isn't finished."
"I have a separate question," Tia looks at the red, white and blue streaks echo through the sky, "why didn't the Serrata Vonlate put a stop to that woman when she interrupted the event?"
"That would be my fault," Alex chuckles drawing attention from the rest of the group, "rules of chaos tournaments like this one prevent any interference from outside forces – the barrier spell would've had no effect in this arena. I knew about it but it was part of my trial to use chaos if necessary."
"Right and you did a good job watching over the Gruul leader," Rakdos scoffs triggering Alex's communicator to envelop him in golden energy with red and black entrails. "Since you know a thing or two about raising hell, I now have the displeasure of naming you, Alex Shark, the new guildmaster of the cults." The energy changes Alex's appearance to a red suit with a black tie before quickly returning him to his black jeans and shirt he changed into to compete.
"Congrats," Amy smiles as energy radiates from her communicator enveloping her in golden energy with red and green entrails. "What the hell? I thought I had to win the tournament."
"I declared the tournament over when the invaders entered the arena," Alex admits drawing a look from the warrior leader, "basically the tourney's over."
"On that note," Borborgymos cracks a smile holding out his hand, "since you reached the end of the tournament like I wanted, I now crown you, Amy Laughlin, guildmaster of the clans." Amy's outfit quickly changes into a green jumpsuit with a red belt and undershirt before changing back to her blue jeans and red and green shirt.
"Thank you," Amy and Alex bow to their guardians as they leave in a swirl of their respective colors.
"Congratulations you two," Melanie walks to the new guildmasters giving Amy a fist-pump, "so what's next?"
"Don't you have a concert to prepare for?" Kali points her younger sister to a side exit as workers roll out a makeshift stage.
"Oh shit," Melanie runs to the locker room in a rush, "with all of this madness I nearly forgot about the after-party."
Darkness quickly descends over the country as the citadel lights up. Wizards line the beds in the citadel as healers tend to their various injuries. Those with minor injuries head to their separate rooms and relax for the evening. Lucille enters her room only to notices a figure standing near her window.
"Today was a total bust," Lucille scoffs sitting at a desk near the window, "If I even had an inclination that Davis and Rhonda would return, I would've set up a better defense."
"As angry as I am with today's missive," the figure grumbles looking out the window, "now that those two have returned, it's time to kick the next phase of the plan into action." Noises start echoing from downstairs as blue and red lights flash through the window. Police vehicles and vans surround the citadel. "We'll have the law do us a favor."
"I like it. Getting the group together will rock those guild leaders; especially when they have to release their old foes. Ha, ha, ha . . ." Lucille walks out of the room and into police custody.