These are the last two chapters (The other one has an epilogue too) So I just wanted to warn you. They're short for the lack of me being able to write a decent fighting scene, especially a magic one. And, /*Cowers*/ Please don't kill me! I'm cowering in advance. And for that fact that I have a brain and don't want to be killed, this one I'm posting with the last chapter. Well, enjoy. (Or actually, most likely not)
The Mage's Tale
Chapter 8- For Never Was a
Story Of More Woe
When Rowen awoke, it was in a place that he was pretty sure that he had never been in. He stood in front of an alter set deep within a tall chapel. He glanced around and noticed to his relief that he was not the only one of his friends here. Sage, Kento, Ryo, and Cye were all resting in the peaceful oblivion of unconsciousness.
"Sage! Cye! Ryo! Kento!" He called out as he ran over towards Cye. But he was stopped in his tracks by a sudden bolt of lightening flying in front of his face. He froze to prevent himself from being struck as it whizzed by his head. He jerked around to face his attacker, and realized that it was, in fact, Talpa.
"What is the meaning of this? I am not 16 yet? Why was I taken here?" Rowen demanded as he leapt out of the way of another take, taking to the ground with a graceful roll.
"Rowen! This is a different plain! Her you are 16!" Rowen turned to see Kento up, wide-awake and helping.
"Well, what about the fact that we don't have all the things that the Summoner need?" Rowen felt something slam into him, knocking him out of an oncoming fireball.
"Prince, you really should be more careful." Ryo stated with a grin, as he crawled off of Rowen and helped the other boy to his feet.
"Actually dear boy, I do believe that you have all that you need." A highly feminine voice claimed. Rowen turned in confusion to the owner of the voice.
"Sage?" Rowen asked as the boy who was knelling on the ground glanced up with bright, baby blue eyes.
"Actually, Marieh. Pleasure to meet you." She/he stood up, stretching thin limbs.
"It feels so good to have a body once more. Though it is a man, so I guess I can't say that it is that great."
"Who are you and what are you doing with Sage?" Rowen demanded as the woman laughed in her high-pitched voice.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I needed to use him. Oh, by the way, hope you aren't too attached." Rowen glared at her at the moment he was yanked to the ground and out of the way of yet another bolt of magic.
"Rowen, friend, you really need to get better about that. You're the White Mage, not us. Now just tell me when you'll need me, and I'll get on the summoning." Rowen smiled at the Brit that had just saved him.
"Thanks Cye." Cye smiled.
"This is the battle for humanity. Anytime." Rowen grinned as he jumped back to his feet. Though curiosity was killing him about what this thing possessing Sage was, he had more important things to do, such as save the world. He focused all his energy, his strength, anything of the smallest amount of power that he could muster, into his magic. He had never used magic before, and this was a new experience for him. Suddenly, something flashed deep within him. Fire, Water, Wind, Earth… Light. With outstretched hands, he sent a beam of pure white light hurdling towards Talpa. He watched as the armor-clad man was sent reeling backwards, with a surprised cry.
"Cye! Now!"
"But I don't have the earth…" Sage smiled as he/she tugged of the emerald ring that he had received from King Trieze in what seemed like an eternity ago. With a laugh, she tossed it to the boy.
"There you go boy! That was what was keeping your friend from casting magic. Poor boy." She mused as Cye fumbled to catch the ring. After regaining control of himself, Cye closed his eyes.
"Poison blow,
Winds of fate,
Breeze of the dead,
Breath of hate,
Fear of destruction,
Dragon of Strata,
I summon thee!"
"Blazing Inferno,
Fire of death,
Daughter of danger,
Doll of deceit,
Flame of oblivion,
Dragon of Wildfire,
I summon thee!"
"Liquid substance,
Pure as gold,
Translucent glass,
Aged since the old,
Virgin and fresh,
Dragon of Torrent,
I summon thee!"
"Life and death,
Old and new,
Foliage surroundings,
Green and blue,
Mother Nature,
Dragon of Hardrock,
I summon thee!"
Cye fell to his knee's panting. With the strength he had left, he brought his head up to watch the arrival of the dragons. Never had he seen creatures of such beauty and grace. One by one they came, first the one of the Firmament, who stood tale and proud as he waited for his companions, deep azure scales covering his form.
Next was the Dragon of Fire, who was smaller and younger then the other, bright blue eyes filled with curiosity, red scales brighter then even a normal crimson dragon, hinting that he was but a hatchling.
Next was the coming of the water dragon, who seemed almost more a serpent then a dragon, scales bright blue, wings long and slippery. He was the largest so far in size, not necessarily in height, falling short of the Air dragon. He seemed to be the eldest, which showed in his calm behavior.
The last one to arrive was the earth dragon, who though they seemed to be older then the Dragon of the flame, was much smaller in size. Though most of its body was green, true to its element, shocks of hair that ran down the scaly back of the creature were bright orange. They watched as Sage perked up, and ran over to the dragons. They looked on in disgust as she/he sighed.
"I'm sorry, but I am in a guys body. I know I smell weird, all guys do, but you're just going to have to live with it, OK?" With annoyed sighs, the dragons complied.
"Well, I guess this is my cue!" The others watched as he/she knelt on the ground, face twisted in concentration. Suddenly, with a giant leap, she/he went flying into the air, long, feathery wings sprouting out of his back just bellow the shoulder blades. Light shimmered around the figure, as the silhouette became clear. With eyes sealed shut, hair billowing behind him, though there was no breeze to do it, Sage stood tall, fluttering above them. With a deep breath, he/she began to speak.
"Four Elementals there may be,
But the deepest power flows within me,
My body is sacrificed but my soul lives on,
The world keeps going, day turns to dawn,
Water as pure and virgin as I,
Fire as strong and sure as me,"
"Don't do it!" Rowen called out, but Sage continued speaking.
"Race through the endless winds of time,
Earth as green as the freshest trees,
Light course through my veins,
Give me strength and guide my WAY!"
Rowen watched in horror as Sage's body gathered strength from the dragons, and their powers flowed into him. With a pain-filled scream, the light that had filled him only moments before shot out from deep within his chest, strait at Talpa's crumpled form. A crystal prism formed around the armored man, each color shining in the glass. Finally it shrunk into a tiny orb, rolling to Cye's feet.
"SAGE!" Rowen screamed as the wings dissipated and Sage's body was falling. He ran towards the falling boy, and managed to catch him before he was crushed on the ground.
"Sage! Talk to me!" Rowen exclaimed, clutching the body to him. Sage's eyes were sealed shut, his body limp and drenched in blood, the wings disappearance having left along gashed along the boys back. Rowen pressed his face to the boy's chest, tears pouring down his narrow face. And then it dawned on him. Reality struck in harsh ways.
Sage was dead.
To be continued…
/*Ducks flying, pointy objects*/ don't kill me! Keep reading, keep reading! Ahhhhh!!!!!!! /* Is chased away by angry readers*/ HELP!!!!!!!!