Lord of Ragnarok

Chapter 2: Magic Duel

Watching the villagers bury their dead I rubbed the golden staff the guild had created. It would easy to resurrect the newly slane, bring them back as they were before their deaths, but doing so might arouse suspicions with a sorcerer who was able to resurrect the dead in a normal state, and not just as an undead. For that reason I left it alone, and instead let them bury and mourn for their dead. Twilight and Rainbow stood near me, neither wishing to leave, but I could see how it was affecting Rainbow.

Sombra the Magnificent had created her parents when he created her, but they had both been guards for the temple. A group of adventurers had managed to get to their posts in the gardens and had managed to kill both of them. From what I could guess the entire grounds around the temple had been brought with us, and that meant that her parents were still buried outside. At the time I didn't have the ability to resurrect them, but perhaps I could now. Well, it would be an idea for later if Rainbow wanted them brought back. Of course performing a resurrection after such a long time would cost much of their life force. They would be incredibly weak for some time.

As I thought about the possible resurrection the sound of pounding hooves caught my attention. Over the horizon nearly a hundred soldiers rode toward the village. I noticed that their armor was far different than that of those who had attempted to wipe the village from the face of the Earth. They neared the village and came to a halt.

"Ho, Villagers, I am Captain Lorica. There has been a string of villages attacked these last few days, and we have traveled from Caput the Capital of the Kingdom of Coronam. We vow to protect this village with our very lives should the need arise," he said.

The chief of the village stepped forward, "Captain Lorica, I am Chief Dux. We thank thee, but we were saved much to the thanks of.." he said before I stepped forward.

"My name is Mannulus, I am a humble sorcerer and adventurer. I happened upon the village and saw their peril. Naturally I felt as if I needed to act."

Captain Lorica gave a nod, "Then you have our thanks."

He dismounted the horse, which looked to be a powerful creature in its own right. He walked toward me and extended his hand. I took it and gave it a shake.

"The pleasure was all mine."

The sound of a single horse was coming toward us, and we turned to see a single soldier. He stopped, his horse breathing hard, and I could see an arrow stuck between the joints of his armor. He dismounted, moving with obvious pain, and like the others his armor was a metallic silver, the symbol of a chimera was engraved on the chests. He stumbled forward.

"Captain Lorica, A great army approaches, less than a day's ride from this very village."

Captain Lorica looked toward the direction he pointed in, and I could see the expression on his face. An entire army, if they were mostly low level warriors and castors, would be well within my power to take care of. After all I had done so after my friends had left Ragnarok. It had been a rival guild, The Mechanized Warriors, that had attempted to lay siege to the temple. Their attack had been about a thousand low level soldiers and three mid level castors. I had used two separate spells on them. The first had instantly killed all of their soldiers, and the second had removed their castor's will to live.

So far many of the abilities that I had in Ragnarok seemed to be here, but I wanted to be sure that I could use them with ease. Not to mention I wanted to see how this army fought. I looked at Captain Lorica again, and I could see his aura. It was powerful, not quite as powerful as Rainbow's but powerful nonetheless. Seeing how he fought would also give me an idea of the potential of humans in this world.

"Lord Mannulus, I wish to hire you."

I shook my head, "And I am afraid that I must decline."

He gave a nod, "Very well, then I humbly request that you continue to protect this village."

I nodded in return, "Of course, I have staked the name of Mannulus upon it. None here will perish by the hands of those attacking."

He gave a smile and then looked toward his own men. Together they mounted their horses, and I walked toward him. I held my hand out to him, and in it I had a single tarnished coin. He looked at me in surprise.

"It's a magical item, and I believe that it will grant you luck."

He smiled, "Thank you, perhaps I won't need it, but I will never turn down any edge that is offered."

With that they rode off, and I felt Twilight near me.

"My Lord, what did you give him?"

I smiled, "Something that will allow me to keep tabs on what is happening."

I closed my eyes, and I could see through his. The coin being on his person was more than enough to allow me to ride shotgun through him. I could feel the horse he was on, see the determined expression of those around him, and then I saw the army. Above them was no less than eight demonic figures. They looked familiar and then I recognized them. They appeared to be Unholy Strikers. Demons that were able to be summoned in Ragnarok and used to attack with fifth level magic. Powerful, for a mid range mage, but nothing really compared to anyone that was a high level sorcerer.

I watched through Captain Lorica's eyes as they rode toward the army.

"Men, punch a way through, and then continue back to Caput. Once there inform the king of the situation and ask for reinforcements."

They rode toward the group, and his men did as he asked. Riding ahead, rushing through, killing as many of the foot soldiers as they could before riding past. I felt an odd feeling of kinship with him. In truth I would do the same most often. Saving those that fought with me and allowing them to recoup. I watched as he summoned skills that he had developed over time and through them he destroyed much of their ground forces, and then moved toward the casters only to receive an attack from the Unholy Strikers. Two of them lanced him with their tails, holding him up, causing mortal wounds, and I held another coin, similar to his, and smiled.

Before I could say a thing I heard him speak.

"Know this, when the man in that village comes for you, all of you, it will be a slaughter."

The leader of the opposing army laughed, "Ha! Be a good dog and die. If you stop struggling I promise it will be a quick death, but those villagers won't have it so easy. No, we will slaughter them all. Choosing to mate with Demihumans, they all deserve death."

"I believe it is time we trade places."

Suddenly I appeared before the group. I stood there, looking them over, and I could see their expressions of confusion.

"Now, I believe that we shall deal with this." Behind me a portal opened and both Twilight and Rainbow stepped through.

"Twilight, Rainbow, neither of you are needed for this."

Twilight looked at me, "My lord, we will not stand by and let you fight without having us here. Besides, if any challenge you they should be strong enough to face us first."

"Pathetic demihumans! Fear for your very lives! We shall cleanse your filth from this land, and paint our armor with your blood!"

"Please give me the command to deal with him," Rainbow snarled.

"Perhaps in a moment," I replied, "Now, you threatened that village, and those villagers are under my protection. You're threatening them has angered me."

They stood there, and I glared at them, "To put it simply, you have invoked the wrath of something far more powerful than you, and you will pay for your mistake with your lives!"

Without warning one of the casters threw a fireball at me, and it struck, doing nothing. And then without warning it redirected itself and the caster screamed as he was engulfed in flames.

"Ah, good to know that my magic redirect still works," I said.

The leader growled, "Unholy Strikers, end this fool's life!"

Three of them rushed toward me, and I held out a hand, stopping them. Before I could do anything Twilight cast a blinding flash that destroyed the three of them. There was a collective gasp from the remaining members of the opposing army. I stepped forward and looked over the remaining casters and their leader. Straightening up I watched their reactions, gauging that they weren't expecting their trump cards to be dealt with so easily. I lifted my hand, and pointed toward their leader.

"What was it that you told Captain Lorica? Oh yes, Be a good dog and die. If you stop struggling I promise it will be a quick death. I make the same promise. Stop struggling now, and I promise you a quick and merciful death. However, should you continue your attack then your suffering will be legendary even in hell."

He brought out a large summoning crystal. I recognized it from Ragnarok as well. It was shaped like a small mouth of a cave, the center a swirling black mass, and he laughed at us.

"I didn't think I would need this, know that you truly are remarkable to cause me to use it! Behond, the very powers of gods are to be cast upon you now!" he threw it and crystal broke releasing a huge demonic presence. Like the Unholy Strikers it was fitted with a metallic tail that could slice through most common armor, but unlike them it was nearly thirty feet tall. A swell of demonic energy surrounded its black frame, and its glowing red eyes looked at me with hatred.

"Unholy Inquisition! Rise up and destroy them!"

I looked at it, and I felt the power. Back when I had just joined with the guild it would have been a problem. It was easily a level seventy monster, but now I shook my head.

"Speechless aren't you! Unable to fathom your folly at the very presence of such power aren't you?!"

I shook my head, "This is it?"

"Incredible isn't it?! Consider yourself lucky! You have the chance to die at the hands of such power!"

I glared at him, "This is so stupid and weak, please tell me that this isn't the best you brought with you."

He looked stunned, "You lie!"

The Unholy Inquisition flew toward me, it's black batwings bating in time as it lifted its hand and drew a sword from the air around it. It swung it down, and I held my hand up again taking the blow. The power of the sword, done in a more physical attack, wasn't bad at the slightest. I waited for a moment and then I laughed.

"So, that's what it's like to be hurt!" I laughed, "Now, I'll defeat this summon of yours with a single blow."

I looked at it, "Cavum Nigrum," I said the basic spell, and suddenly a pinpoint of black energy formed. It began sucking the Unholy Inquisition into it, and after a few moments there was nothing left. I watched as it disappeared completely, and then looked at the remaining casters.

"No...Impossible! Cast everything you can!"

Dozens of spells hit me, fire, lightning, ice, and all of them redirected killing the casters leaving only their leader. He shook as he stood there.

"No, please I… I can make you wealthy! I can give you untold riches!"

"Rainbow, you may have your fun."

She smiled and He screamed as his right arm flew off in a wave of blood. She sped off again and his left arm suffered the same fate. He turned to run and suddenly he found his legs gone from the knees. He screamed as he lay there, and she stood over him. Her hooved foot on his hips.

"The world will be purified with you gone," she said as she pressed down crushing his hips, causing him to scream again. I walked toward him, and cast magic to heal his wounds.

She looked confused at me, "Lord?"

I smiled, "Rainbow, while entertaining this isn't the legendary suffering I had in mind. We want him to know his mistake. Let us take him back to the temple. I believe there is Pinkie's new trap that he can be introduced to.

Twilight shivered as she heard that.

"Wait, please no!"

Rainbow bowed, "Of course," she said.

I opened a portal and watched as she stepped through it carrying him. Once she was gone I walked with Twilight back to Oppidum Village. Once there Lorica was sitting against the wall. From what I could see he had a purple vial next to him. I neared him and pulled a red vial from the small portal where my items were kept. I handed it to him, and I could see his confusion. I gave a nod to the vial.

"It's a healing potion, and it should completely heal your wounds. Although it may take a few hours for your strength to fully return."

He drank it down, and I watched as the visible wounds closed. He stood and neared me.

"Your magical item was a switch place item, wasn't it?" he asked.

I gave a nod, "Yes, I believed that should the worst happen the best way to save the village would be to end the threat."

He smiled, "Thank you. Should you ever find yourself in the kingdom of Coronam consider yourselves honored guests."

I gave a bow, "Thank you."

After watching the villagers speak to Captain Lorica for a moment I began to walk out of the village with Twilight. We exited the village itself and soon I used the portal again, and instantly I felt the burning sensation of the runes as it activated. We stepped through and together we were standing outside of the Temple. Already I could see dozens of trees that Applejack had transplanted. She stood near a section of them, her hand touching the ground, and a moment later I watched as new trees began to sprout.

"Applejack, how goes the transplanting of the trees?"

She looked toward me and smiled, "Purty good. The trees are taking well ta the soil, and that's a blessing. Gotta say that I should have most of the Forest grown within a couple of days, but we should be hidden in the next three or four hours."

"Very good, Keep me informed." I walked into the temple with Twilight and looked at the welcoming sight.

As we walked I heard a sound and looked up to see Lulamoon as she rushed toward us. Her cape was flowing behind her, the wizard's hat on her head was cocked to the side, and her magicians suit seemed to be flaring out as she rushed forward.

"Lord Mannulus!" she shouted as she ran toward me, "I the great Lulamoon have heard that you visited a village outside of the Temple without your most trusted Illusionist!"

Twilight rolled her eyes, "Lulamoon, we didn't need someone to hide our forms, and honestly your other magic is pretty clumsy."

She narrowed her eyes, "Lulamoon the grrrreeeeeaaaaat and powerful Is more than able to deal with you!"

I knew what was coming, and I held my hands up, "No, there is no need for this at this time. Should you want to duel you may do so in the arena."

Lulamoon straightened herself up, "Very well, Lulamoon shall duel with Twilight at a later date!"

I shook my head. Trixieisagoddess had helped in creating Lulamoon, and she had practically poured all of Lulamoon's counterpart into her personality. That meant that Lulamoon tended to be dramatic. Normally, if some of the guild disagreed with one another we would hold a duel between one another. The rules were simple, the first to be bested and fall lost. Perhaps it would be a good idea to have the guardians do the same when they disagreed with one another.

Yes I could certainly see this being used as a way to handle internal disputes. Although it might be easier to simply declare my word as law. As I walked through the first floor I came to the realization that it could be that was what they wanted. The problem was they were alive. Each and every one of them were no longer just digital characters in a game, but instead they were living breathing beings. That being the case I needed to step up and be the leader my guild mates believed me to be, but at the same time I wanted them to think for themselves.

We stopped and I held out my hand toward Twilight, she took it, a soft giggle escaping her, and then I focused on a ring I wore on the hand that was missing a couple of fingers. As I did the ring glowed, and suddenly we were standing in the throne room. I walked toward the throne itself, and I took a seat. Twilight walked next to the throne, and knelt beside me.

As I sat there I began to wonder what else I had access to. There had been a special book that we had created for the game. It had been designed from a fan story of the characters we loved so much, and together we had grinded the materials to make it. I closed my eyes, focused on the book, and reached forward into the small portal that opened. I pulled it out, and as I did a chill ran through me. The book was black, with red stripes pulled taunt across it. There was a form a face on the front, and I could feel the intense dark power inside of it. I opened it to see strange glyphs that seemed to move on the pages. Each one drew in crimson red, and finally I heard the voice from the book. Promises of absolute power, promises of invincible armor for my guardians, promises that if I was willing to learn would make me far more powerful than I was now.

I closed the book, something that took more will than I even knew I had, and Placed it back into the void. I had seen something already, the power it showed, and that was the power to split a soul into pieces. I shook my head, no, the book would not be called upon unless there was no other choice. The door opened and a gray winged equis came into the chamber. Her golden walleyes looked excited, and her postal carrier uniform looked to be in a half hazard state.

"Lord Mannulus! I brought you a message from Rainbow Dash!" she said happily as she handed me a scroll.

"Thank you Ditzy," I said.

She blushed, "aww, you remembered my name!"

I smiled, "Of course I did. I remember all of your names. Each of you are precious to me."

She gave me a bow and then she fluttered up and away from me. I opened the scroll to see it burn and produce an image. The image was of Rainbow with the leader of that opposing army. He was screaming as he was being lowered into a pool of slime. As it devoured him she would give him a healing potion, ensuring that he was going to feel every single second of it. I knew the reason she was doing it.

Her parents had been killed by a rival guild, and specifically by two mages that claimed that all demi human characters were trash. From what I could see Rainbow, Twilight, and all of the others had memories of when they were in Ragnarok. Since that seemed to be the case, and honestly the only thing that made sense, then I could see why she was doing what she was doing. Facing him had been like facing those two monsters again.

I considered that. By Ragnarok's standards I could be considered a monster. I was an equis, specifically one that just a step away from being a lich, and on top of that I was a powerful necromancer. All of that together was more than enough for many in the game to think of my character as a monster. Yet, I wasn't nearly as evil as those two human characters. Even now, with what she was doing, I wouldn't consider Rainbow one either. That man needed to pay for what he was prepared to do, and if what Captain Lorica had said was true they had slaughtered hundreds already.

Unnecessary death like that was unforgivable.

"My Love?"

I looked at Twilight. She leaned toward me, a soft kiss touching the edge of my lips, "You look unsettled."

I smiled, "You have read me well Twilight. I just considered the actions of the man who is enjoying the tender mercies of the temple right now."

She closed her eyes, "Whatever is done to him isn't enough."

I nodded, "I agree. He reminded me of the ones that stole Rainbow's parents from her."

She shook with anger, "Windy Whistles and Bow Hothoof were excellent guards, and both were supportive of every single guardian. Yes, he was cut form the same cloth, and again, what is happening to him is too good for him."

"It is," I agreed, "There is something else I could do. Something that would hurt him on a level far above what he is suffering now, but doing so has risks."

"Would it harm you my love?" she asked.

I shook my head, "No, but it could destroy his physical body. However we would have his eternal soul trapped here forever. Doomed to roam with no peace, no rest, and in eternal agony."

She looked into my eyes, "Lord Mannulus, my love, I believe such a punishment is fitting, if I may be permitted to say so."

I nodded, "I believe you are corrected." I closed my eye and focused on the ring again. I appeared in the room where he was screaming and looked at Rainbow. She brought him back out of the slime, allowing it leave him, and fed him another potion.

"Please stop! I beg you, let me die!" he screamed.

I neared him and thought of what I had learned from the Black Book. I envisioned his soul before me, glowing in a sickly hazy green, and I used my magic to form a spectral dagger. It ran down the length of his soul, causing him to scream in pain, and I split it in half. He wailed in agony as his soul was split into two halves. I took one half and reached into the void again. This time bringing out a blank spell book. I forced the soul into it, and watched as the book began to write itself. Thousands of chapters began to appear in crimson blood as the words form. Chapters speaking about his place, how he was selected to cleanse the world, and then I looked back at him to see his frame curled upon itself.

"Now, you may die," I said as I used my magic to shove him into the pool and let him sink.

Rainbow looked at me. She neared me, and before I could say a word she kissed me deeply. I felt her arms around my waist, her tongue entering into my mouth, and then she pulled back slightly.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Get away from my beloved!" Twilight screamed.

Rainbow let go and I watched as she faced Twilight.

"No, I loved him first!"

I sighed, "both of you, calm down."