Wizard Chronicles 3: Orbs of the Gate of Oban
Chapter 25: Recycling the Order of Life
The ground cracks and fractures as various creatures rise from Ghoraton's graveyards and inch to various locations around the city as the sun rises over the city. Allen rushes into the kitchen and grabs a muffin before making a break for the exit. Hilary emerges from her bedroom noticing her son rummaging the kitchen. She turns on the television in the living room getting his attention.
"Running late again," Hilary warns her son as he rushes to the door, "better hurry or you'll be late."
"I know that mom," Allen grabs his backpack and opens the front door, "so I'm going but I'll probably be with my group so I'll see you tonight."
"Have a good day," Hilary waves her son off as he closes the door. Outside, he sees John, Elizabeth, Danielle and Austin standing on the curbside waiting for him.
"Why are you so late," Danielle pokes at the young man running up to them. "We were going to meet early and discuss everything that's been going on lately but now we'll be lucky if we make it to school on time."
"After what went down in Salvedra a few days ago," John warns the group as they begin walking down the street, "the priests in town are walking on eggshells in fear of being removed."
"I would be too," Liz pulls out her cell phone, "after what that Layla chick proclaimed to the religious world, everyone's afraid of crossing that woman. At least someone recorded her speech and it's on YouTube." She pulls up the speech and shows it to the group.
"She never gave the impression that she's gay," Allen watches the video as Layla shares a kiss with her girlfriend. "Nevertheless, she got the religious world wrapped around her fingers now; especially with this crazy teacher the other leaders and I ran into at the Boros Guildhall. That reminds me – Danielle, have you heard anything from your guildmaster about what's going on with the other guild leaders?"
"Surprisingly no," Danielle answers rounding a corner, "I haven't heard a thing. I did get an email after mine, Liz and John's respective bosses became guildmasters but nothing since."
"She's probably been rather busy," Liz assumes as they approach a group of young kids. "I've been following the news and something big is brewing on Aceleon. The Wizards' Council there has been in a bit of a panic the last couple of days . . ." screams garner the group's attention as a pack of zombies rush out of the graveyard, ". . . so something's up. What's going on in the graveyard?"
"Let's find out," Allen rushes into the area with the rest of his team right behind him.
Samantha walks into the Dimir Guildhall housing the Dimaran Spy Agency. The statues lining the central rotunda begin glowing a bluish-black hue getting her attention. She walks to the statue of Lazav when a bell rings to her left as the elevator doors open.
"About time you got here," Patrick rushes to her with a email he printed out, "there's something going on in Ghoraton on Saldana."
"What is it this time?"
"Reports say that zombies have risen from the graveyards and starting all sorts of trouble."
"Oh great, tell the guilds down there it's their problem. However, keep an ear out for anything suspicious."
"Yes ma'am," Patrick returns to the elevator.
Blackmouth Cemetery is Ghoraton's main graveyard and the largest in Saldana. People constantly come and go due to either funerals or obtain nonliving creatures and insects for mundane activities. Two tall black gates block the only entrance to the cemetery as tall metal fences surround the entire 20,000 square acre property. People scatter from the area as various zombies rise from the graves and chase after those still lingering about. Allen and his team fight the flow of traffic getting a real look at the scene.
"What the hell?" Liz emerges from the crowd seeing the unfolding chaos. "Don't tell me that there's been another breach of contract."
"I'm cleaning this mess up now," Allen's communicator buzzes getting his attention. "What is it Sarah?"
"Zombies are breaking out of the ground in my neighborhood," Sarah turns her communicator to the scene in front of her as a pack of skeletons chase people down the street as three wizards rush towards them. "I don't know where these Rot Farm Skeletons came from, but it's becoming a problem and fast."
"Do what you can and get the insects to deal with the skeletons. I'll find out what's really going on and get back to you." The conversation ends as Allen's communicator starts radiating green and black mana. "What the . . ." he is pulled into a graveyard full of headstones as the tablet rises from one of the stones and both Jarad and Savra appear out of the blue, ". . . hell? Let me guess, this is about the graveyard situation right?"
"You're spot on," Savra admits to the young man pulling up an image in front of her, "the graveyards around the planet are keeling over and hordes of zombies and other various insects climb out of the ground and wreak havoc in the streets. We're sensing dark energy behind it. You need to find out what's going on and fast. By the way, that's your guildmaster trial."
"My group's already looking into things but based on what you just told me, it sounds like life cycle has gone out of whack."
"That leads to the second part of this situation," Jarad shows an image of the devastation in several other countries. "The same thing is happening in Javista, Croata and Horvatistan. Zombies of the fallen are rising in barren landscapes. Insects are moving the dirt around breathing life into the devastated lands."
"That sounds like a good thing so why drag me into that situation?"
"These creatures are feeding on the life forces of the living in order to survive. The life cycle itself is unraveling at the seams."
"According to the sayings in the guild, there's no break in the cycle between death and life so I say again: what's the problem?"
"Even we had to adhere to certain rules about messing with the cycle of life," Savra tells the inquisitive young man. "Sure we don't let anything go to waste but we don't trash the natural order."
"Alright I get it so where's the main problem area?"
"Javista," Jarad points out on the image to his left. "Ever since the events that transpired there, the zombie population has been running rampant and unchecked and now the natural balance is tilted."
"Now I understand. You want me to check things out and set things straight, that is, in the Golgari way of course."
"He finally gets it," Savra cracks a smile as the energy-filled space begins to dissipate. "If you want to stop this, get to Javista." Allen reappears in the graveyard to the shock of the group. "Well, that was strange."
"What was that all about?" Liz questions Allen reaching for his cell phone.
"I got my guildmaster trial and I'm going to need some serious help," Allen dials a number on his phone as he and the group directs traffic.
Scars and fractured earth decorate the landscape of a once thriving continent of Javista. The smog filters the sun's rays barely lighting up the barren scene of demolished buildings and other various structures. The waters have a brownish-blue tint to them as pollutants and other various substances permeate through the rivers, streams and water filtration facilities still standing. Tia, Alicia, Olivia, Amy, Kali and Willie disembark from Amy's yacht onto a derelict pier and beachfront.
"You sure your guildmaster's trial said to come here?" Olivia looks through the charred landscape of the uninhabitable buildings. "This place is a total wreck."
"I'm not sensing the mana distributor here either," Kali walks off the pier with the group following as her communicator begins to glow erratically, "but I am sensing something."
"I'm with you there," Willie notices his crystal glowing in conjunction with Kali's aura, "whatever it is has the same power frequency as my crystal."
"Something is off here," Alicia observes the scene from the pier. "I'll go with Willie and Kali and see why their powers are reacting here." The three fly out from the pier into the mainland.
"I'll wait here for Danny," Tia notices three figures approach the pier and land in front of the small group of ladies, "didn't expect to see you so soon."
"Well, when you hear about zombies rising up in a dead nation it gets your attention," Allen admits as Layla and Danny land behind him."
"I got my guildmaster's trial to revive the wildlife in this place," Danny looks around in disbelief, "which is going to be damn near impossible in the state this place is in."
"We better get started then," Tia admits as the three leaders leave the pier and head inland.
"I'll go ahead and check on Willie and Kali," Layla hovers off the pier onto the main road still intact.
"I can lead you," Olivia flies in the direction her partner went as Layla tags along. "Something up isn't there?"
"You could say that . . . I've been sensing all sorts of craziness coming from Aceleon in the last few days. I can't explain it, but I'm feeling something sinister and it's messing with the spiritual and natural balances in the world."
"You don't know the half of it."
Deep in the mountainside sits a partially buried ruin hidden within the smoke, char, and smog of a once luscious valley. Mudslides crawl their way down the mountainside facing the valley. Mountain and valley creatures rush to head off the slide from wiping out the ruin and the nearby forests. Willie, Kali and Alicia land at the entrance to the ruin noticing the mudslide behind them.
"The scene around here sucks big time," Alicia notices mud rushing down a hillside as a streak of green light gets her attention. Layla and Olivia land surprising the group. "What brings you to this ruin?"
"I'm sensing this strange dark energy coming from this place," Layla cringes as waves of energy emanate from the ruin, "and strangely enough, I sense even darker energy coming from you Will."
"Don't even ask," Willie sighs pulling a flashlight from his backpack, "it's a long story that I'm not retelling anytime soon. Let's get this over with." He walks inside the ruin.
"I must've struck a nerve."
"You have no idea," Kali mentions to the young novice as they follow her man into the building, "his past is coming back to haunt him – literally. I'll tell you more after we find whatever it is we're to find here."
"Don't leave me out of this," Alicia rushes after them as the light fades from the entrance.
"Guess I'm staying here on guard," Olivia admits leaning on the railing on the front of the building.
Tia, James and Danny begin sifting through the wreckage of the town they landed in beginning their joint trials in getting the cycle of life back in sync with the natural order. Danny stares out into the blackened waterways as three cards materialize on his communicator.
"This place is far worse than I imagined," Danny gets a closer look at the water at his feet, "the environment here is trashed beyond belief. Better get a second opinion on all of this – Biovisionary!" The creature appears next to the young man. "What do you think? Can we undo the damage done around here?"
"It's pretty bad," the scientist responds looking at the sample, "and going to take some time . . ."
"I think we have bigger problems," Amy points from the pier as a group of zombies and skeletons approach the group on the beach, "those undead things are going to be onto us."
"It's my problem so I'll handle it," Allen rushes in the direction of the attackers as two cards materialize on his communicator. "It's time to find out what's going on around here – Korozda Guildmage!" the mage emerges out of the ground. "Corral those skeletons and the other creatures."
"Of course," the mage rushes toward the charging mass of undead creatures.
"Now for the sewer system – Sluiceway Scorpion!" the scorpion appears at his feet staring at a manhole cover. "Check out the sewers and see if they're actually still functional. Kill anything that gets in your way." The creature slithers into the open manhole without a word. "At least now we can get some insight as to what's actually causing the undead to rise all willy-nilly. Now for those zombies"
"I'll get to work on the environment," Danny admits reaching into his backpack and pulls out a notebook. "It's going to take some work but I think we scientists can figure it out."
"I'm with you," Tia walks over and looks through his notes. Her communicator starts to glow getting her attention. "What's this," she scans through her features until she notices an Izzet symbol flashing on the other end of town. "Hold on, looks like there's a building across town that may be still standing. Let's check it out."
"I'm good with that," Amy backs up to her fellow leaders along with Allen, "these undead things are more trouble than they're worth."
"I don't get what's going on around here," Allen catches his breath as his scorpion emerges from the sewers. "What did you find out?"
"There's some kind of strange ooze flowing from some building across town," the creature gargles through its slurred speech. "I couldn't get close enough for a look as it's heavily guarded."
Thank you, now return," Allen smiles at his creature watching it leave in a swirl of green and black mana. "That settles that. We need to check this place out and see what's going on over there." The four individuals fly off towards the marker on Tia's communicator.
The inside of the ruin has seen the worst of the passage of time. Missing tiles on the roof are numerous and scattered across the scarred, torn carpeting on the floor. Wood visible from the inside of the structure show signs of rotting and inhabited by various forms of small wildlife. Entering the ruin, Willie shines his flashlight into the room as the glow from his crystal gets brighter. Kali's aura gains density as she enters the building.
"What is this place," Willie shines his flashlight around the room. Alicia and Layla enter right behind the lovers, "some kind of shrine or what?" A white light shines on the floor leading into another doorway. "I think we should follow the light."
"This has me curious," Layla walks down the lit trail ahead of everyone.
"Wait up," Kali grabs Willie's hand and drags him with her as they catch up. "You're not the only one curious about this place." Walking down the lighted pathway leads to a large doorway and beyond sits a circular room perfectly preserved. The room reacts with Willie's crystal bringing light to the entire room. Fifteen tablets line the walls all the way around the room with various kinds of information. "Whoa."
"I know right," Willie looks around at the stone tablets etched around the room, "this is incredible." He pulls out his iPhone and snaps pictures of all the tablets. "I'm sending all of this to Sam to see what she can make of it."
"Look at this," Layla gets everyone's attention standing before one of the tablets, "here's one reacting to your crystal."
"This feels familiar," Willie touches the tablet as it reacts with his crystal. Kali rushes behind him and does the same as a red, white and blue swirls of energy envelop them.
"What the," Alicia rushes after them only to be knocked on her back.
"I thought as much," Layla helps Alicia to her feet. "Whatever that's about is for their eyes only and no one else's. We just have to wait for them to come out of it."
A large red and blue building sticks out through the flattened city like a sore thumb. Zombies and insects sift through the destruction as they move about finding various undamaged items. A red and blue force field surrounds the structure protecting it from all possible harm. Landing on an undamaged rooftop, Danny, Tia, Amy and Allen observe the building from a distance.
"This is going to be difficult," Danny folds his arms in frustration, "especially with those Leyline Phantoms and Terrus Wurms guarding that shield."
"No shit Sherlock," Tia notices her communicator glow in resonance with the building, "but this building has the Izzet symbol and mana configuration on it so I should be able to bring down that shield if you big, tough men can get me to the shield."
"It's about time I get to roll some heads," Danny cracks his knuckles as cards materialize on each of the leaders' communicators. "It's time for a little thing I call demolition Simic style – Vorel of the Hull Clade!" Vorel appears to the young man as he jumps off the roof. "We've got some ruffians to clear out around that building."
"As you wish my liege," Vorel nods as the pair rush toward the building.
"You better wait for us," Amy yells out as she, Tia, and Allen all rush towards the building. "We better arm ourselves – Ruric Thar, the Unbowed!" the warrior appears next to the guildmaster in a dead sprint.
"My turn then," Allen catches up to Danny rounding a corner leading to the building, "this is going to be fun – Varolz, the Scar-Striped!" Varolz appears in front of the leader as the creatures around the building charge after the group. "Let's get them!" Tia makes a charge for the building when three creatures appear in front of her.
"Oh great," Tia mutters under her breath continuing her sprint, "good thing I'm not stopping for them – Melek, Izzet Paragon!" Melek appears in a swirl of red and blue mana in front of the creatures. "Keep them busy," she calls out as she runs straight through the force field and into the building.
The swirls of red, white and blue mana coalesce around Willie and Kali as the light inside the sphere dissipates and a room takes shape. The room is designed with red and blue drapes and the walls are emblazoned with the symbols of the ten guilds. A table materializes in the center of the room with a number of chairs surrounding it. The couple sits at the table as various documents materialize in front them.
"What's going on here," Kali looks around at the absence of the rest of the group. "What happened to Alicia and Layla?"
"I think we're the only ones who are to be here," Willie notices his crystal continuing to glow.
"That's right Azorius guildmaster," a female voice echoes through the mana-scape getting their attention. "Only wizard couples who've created a Serrata Vonlate can be here now . . ."
"Hold on dear," a male voice echoes through the room interrupting the female, "they just got here. At least we can introduce ourselves." Two figures materialize in the chairs across from the guildmasters. "Welcome to our domain."
"The pleasure's ours but who the hell are you two and why are we here?" Willie questions the pair staring at each other.
"Sorry, we haven't introduced ourselves. I'm Volan and this is my lady Serena and we're . . ."
"The original creators of the Serrata Vonlate," Kali remembers. "It's an honor believe us."
"We know you may be in a bit of a time crunch but we have much to tell you about the barrier and its true meaning."
Various creatures patrol the walkways of the building's bottom floor. In the center of the room sits a generator pumping various death and destruction spells into the atmosphere surrounding the desolate country. Mages guard the generator and various undead warriors stand guard at the various doors leading to other sections of the building. Tia slips into the building unnoticed and takes cover behind a stack of crates left of the entrance.
"This just got a lot more complicated," Tia ponders materializing three cards on her communicator. Melek slips into the building and joins the guild leader. "This is an Izzet building but this is ridiculous."
"My lady," Melek whispers in Tia's ear as they duck patrols, "we should take this building. The others outside are getting overwhelmed as more of these creatures flock to the fighting."
"You're right," Tia walks into the open drawing looks from the mages around the generator. "Listen up all of you, this building is now under the control of the Izzet League guild leader!" Tia shows her communicator's symbol to the room and several zombies flee the building. "All of you are to cease and desist immediately."
"Nobody talks to me like that," a familiar voice echoes through the room causing Tia to look around and notices a hooded figure in the rafters.
"You're that crackerjack teacher we ran into on Saldana. What the hell?" Allen, Amy and Danny rush into the building and barricade the door.
"This building is meant to spread the necessary darkness around the world," Lucille yells from the rafters as she moves toward a door on her heft. "And it will aid in the Nemisoul's uprising."
"We're not letting that happen," Allen steps forward, "plus you're outnumbered four guildleaders to one old bitch who thinks she's something."
"You'll regret saying that to me – get them!" the creatures rush after the teens as Vorel, Varolz, Ruric Thar andMelek jump in front of their respective leaders.
"No harm is to ever come to the future leaders of the world order," Melek stands firm and forces back the mages charging in his direction. "We will not faulter."
"Keep them busy," Tia rushes toward the machine spreading the darkness, "I'll shut off the machine."
"Stay away from that lever," Lucille jumps from the rafters landing right behind Tia and grabs her arm, "that machine is off limits."
"Stay away from her," Allen tackles the teacher forcing her to let go of the Izzet leader allowing her to pull the lever shutting down the machine. "Destroy that thing!"
"Allow me," Amy rushes up to Tia as she steps aside, "this is for what you did to me in Livalia – Scorchwalker with Primal Visitation!' the flame creature engulfs the device in flames disintegrating it. "That'll take care of that. What else ya got?"
"You stupid meddling guild leaders," Lucille is enveloped in a purple mist as the leaders look on, "your pitiful attempt to stop the Nemisoul will be in vain – ha, ha, ha!" she vanishes without a trace.
"She got away again. It's so damn frustrating."
"I know but we can't worry about that right now," Danny dials up the overall scene of the country as his creature comes on screen. "What did you find out?"
"Now that the dark pump is off, life is already being restored to the area," the human wizard notices color returning to the waters off shore. "We do have the capability to speed things up quite a bit."
"I'm on it – Biomass Mutation, Unexpected Results, Breeding Pool and Mystic Genesis!" Mana pours from Danny's communicator into the surrounding area as the thick layer of smog hovering over the country slowly dissipates. Rays of sunlight pierce through the thinning smog lighting up the countryside as grass begins to grow. "It's going to take some time but this place will be lively again in a few months as the mana around Javista begins to regenerate and energy is restored to the mana distributor."
"Well done so I'll take my leave," the mage disappears in a wave of green and blue mana. Zegana and Savra appear in the middle of the room.
"Well done my child," Zegana nods as Vorel walks to her side, "you have completed your trial in getting Javista back on track. Now for your reward," mana radiates from Danny's communicator in green and blue swirls with golden entrails surrounding the young wizard, "I now have the pleasure of naming you, Danny Lehane, guildmaster of the Simic conclave." Danny's appearance changes into a green lab coat over a blue outfit before returning him to normal.
"Thanks I'm honored," Danny bows out of respect for his new status.
"Now for my turn," Savra steps to Allen as green and black mana radiates from his communicator with golden entrails. "Allen Carline, you found the source of the chaos from the rising undead. As we speak, zombies and insects from around the world are returning to normal returning to their eternal resting places or working for their living masters. Those around here have begun breathing life into the lands around here. Therefore, I can safely christen you guildmaster of the Golgari." Allen's appearance changes to a black hooded cloak with green entrails before returning to normal.
"Thank you," Allen nods his head stepping back into the group.
"We will now take our leave," Zegana and Savra exit the way they came in a swirl of their respective colors.
"Congratulations you guys," Amy high-fives the newly named guildmasters. "That's nine down and one to go."
"That, unfortunately, leaves me," Tia sighs realizing she still has yet to complete her trial.
"You'll get there. What do you have to do?"
"Part of my trial was this situation and now that's done so that leaves . . . helping Willie with his situation."
"What situation?"
"That's a long story but it involves Barnes and something I recently found out about."
"By the way, where is he?" Danny questions scanning his communicator, "I haven't seen him since we left Aceleon."
"Last I saw, he went with Kali toward the center of the continent and Olivia took Layla and went after them. "Amy opens her communicator and dials a number. "Layla, you there?
"Yeah," Layla confirms resting against a wall opposite the orb of light surrounding Willie and Kali, "I caught up to Willie and Kali an hour ago at a ruin northeast of your location but they're encased in some orb of light."
"Huh?"
"Take a look," Layla turns her communicator's screen around to the orb of glowing red, white and blue light, "that's what I'm talking about. I figure it's something that concerns them and the Serrata Vonlate."
"We're on our way." The conversation ends and Amy walks to the exit. "Our work's done here so let's go see what's going on with our friends."
"I agree," Amy and Allen nod as the four of them walk out of the now quiet building.
To Be Continued . . .