GUESS WHO'S IN TA HOUSE!

Jk. I thought I'd start this part out with a little shout. Hope you don't mind. BTW The response would be: THEO'S IN THE HOUSE! Oh, God, I need to get a life away from this damn computer (Head slams into desk)

Disclaimer. You know the drill. I do not own Magic: The Gathering or its characters. The only things that belong to me are the idea for this story and the made up characters I've added.

WARNING Same thing as before. Do I really have to keep adding these things? Violence, language, sexual situations and other adult stuff.

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Chapter 34 – Closer to the Threshold

Themis studied the map Seton had given him. Past the Pardic Mountains, there was another patch of forest, followed by an open flat land, and then finally, the Cabal Bogs. That would most likely be the place Themis had to go. But the landscapes that blocked his path, did not give him a confident feeling. He remembers all too well the Childhood Horror that attacked him and Astric back in Krosa. This new forest area was much closer to the regions of the undead, which there was a chance to be ambushed by stronger creatures. And furthermore, Izan Vanheight was still out there somewhere. His obsession to become the only Summoner in Dominaria shrouded his crazy mind. His madness could fuel his power, and Themis did not like the idea of having to face him when he's insane. He was dangerous enough when he was sane.

"Where to next Themis? Narkgul have no clue."

The Goblin asked. Themis studied the map a moment longer.

"First he'll have to go through a forest. After that, it's the Plains of the Northern Templar, and finally, the Swamplands of the Cabal."

There was a brief silence, and Themis was sure he could sense his companions fear.

"Neither of you have to go along anymore. You can stay if you want."

"I will not part from you willingly Lord Themis!"

Zyerne objected quite sternly

"I will not allow you to go alone!"

"Nesbit and Narkgul agree with Zyerne. You fed us. We stay."

Narkgul added. Themis smiled. It felt good to have such friends for once in his life…

"Well then. Onward!"

And they began to traverse down the slope that will lead them to the forest nearby.

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Braids walked into the room where the Etched Oracle sat. Inside its circle, the Oracle absorbed mana from the five jars and peered into its prism.

"The day of your guest's arrival will be within the next month."

Her teeth smiled behind skin that was more like sun dried leather.

"Finally! I was beginning to think he would not come."

"Take care however. Two others journey with him. The longer they stay with him, the stronger and more cunning he'll become."

"Which is fine with me. I want our show to be one that will be recorded throughout the land."

She laughed. The Oracle, however shook its head.

"I must admit however, some powerful magic surrounds this boy. Several times now, my predictions have been undone. Something has changed the future concerning this human off-lander."

Braids smile began to wane, which was a dangerous thing.

"What do you mean your predictions have been undone?"

"I see the future. And the future can not be changed until after it had happened. But somehow, I see one future, but another takes place instead. The present can not change the future so easily."

"You better not tell me this boy will win against our sisters."

"That is still beyond my sight. But I will advise caution. He may just bring about your downfall."

"I would like to see him try."

Braids rose and headed for the door. When her hand reached the knob, the Etched Oracle adds.

"He possesses both green and white mana. Both of which are strong against the magic of Cabal."

Braids shoot the Oracle a murderous glare. If she chooses, she could summon a creature from her stomach to devour the artifact creature. The news it shared was not pleasant.

"Tread carefully around me you pathetic construct. I have the power to unmake you at any time, if I'm so inclined."

"You may, but you won't."

"Are you so certain of that?"

The Etched Oracle's head rose up to meet Braids.

"I am. You will still use me to call the victors of your arena."

"We shall see."

Braids threw open the door, passed through it, and slammed it shut in obvious anger. Perhaps watching something get slaughter will lift her mood.

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The gates opened, and the dust blew inward. Silvos stepped forward to the waiting arena, and was greeted by both cheers and curses from the audience sitting in the stands. His expressionless face stared back at the other gates that have yet to open.

"And there he is!"

Braids screamed in her barker's voice to all.

"Silvos, the Rogue Elemental has entered the arena! Who could he possibly be up against? Why, none other than our own armies of undead! Watch and behold the age old struggle of nature against death! Behold!"

The gates swung open and an army of undead emerged. Zombies and skeletons slinked slowly forward. Behind their ranks waited decaying, skeletal wurms. And finally, their own taskmasters, clad in black spiked armor. Silvos would have smiled; if he had a mouth…

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Braids took her seat in the luxury box next to the First. His aura sickened her, but in her current mood, she was able to keep herself from convulsing.

"Tell me little daughter. What is troubling you?"

The First asked without turning away from the fight beneath him. Braids' frowning face was more than enough to tell him that something bothered her mind.

"I was given ill news from the Oracle. He says my Off-Lander guest is stronger than anything we have."

"Surely it jests?"

"I am uncertain. All I know is that when he does come, I'll make sure the show he gives will be one that won't be forgotten easily."

The First smiled.

"That is enough to make me proud little daughter. I look forward to it."

Braids said nothing, but watched the carnage.

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Tendrils extended from Silvos' form and served as additional limbs. One wrapped around a zombie and tossed it like a rag doll, while another shattered the skull of a skeleton. A third crushed a wurms body to dust, and a forth squeezed the neck of a taskmaster. Silvos controlled the battlefield easily. Whatever injuries that was inflicted upon him healed the moment those wounds were cleaved. He was nearly invincible. Zombies gathered around his feet in an attempt to overpower him, but Silvos simply stepped on their corpse, and their brittle forms decayed to nothing. The skeletons charged with weapons swinging, but he simply smashed them effortlessly. The Taskmasters were easily disposed of. The wurms however, were the most challenging. One wurm tried to swallow him whole, however, Silvos large body would not easily fit in the creature's mouth. Its mistake was realized when Silvos grabbed the wurms beak, and tore it from the creatures head.

In mere moments, Silvos stood in the center of the carnage that remained on the battlefield. He stood triumphedly, and the crowd cheered or cursed at his name. But the noise meant little to him. He had discovered his importance. To battle, to fight, and to survive. He would do all to fulfill those purposes. Come Hell or High Water.

TO BE CONTINUED

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Sorry if this chapter seemed short, but I'm running low on inspiration. Hopefully I can get it back REALLY soon.

By the Way…

THEO'S LEFT TA HOUSE!

Until Next Time

Theo