ORPHEN: Retribution
Chapter 12
Kevin watched quietly as Orphen taught Cleo and Majic. They were coming along nicely with their sorcery. It made him smile to see all of them working together. They were on the outskirts of Alenhatan, but it was late so they camped outside the town. They did not want to wake Stephanie at this time of the night. So, under unanimous vote, this is where they were going to sleep for the night.
Kevin: Aim up a bit, Cleo. You want to hit the target not the bug underneath it.
Cleo: Oh. Ok. Thanks. Wind Dart, Which I do Shoot!
A visible spiraling dart of air formed at the end of her painted fingertips. Her eyes were open and it was obvious she was checking her aim. Her thumb began to come down to the base of her first finger. Then it was lifted again, then brought down quickly working the same mechanics as a pistol's hammer. The dart shot forth and as everyone watched it was as if time had slowed. They watched as it flew straight and true. Not curving even slightly. After many seconds that were drawn out like hours the dart impacted on the target, a glass bottle that lay twenty-five feet away from her. The dart's spiraling motion work like a drill on the neck of the bottle forming a hole going straight through. After it had completely went through the bottle Cleo waved her hand through the air and the dart disappeared.
Orphen: (Clapping) Good job, Cleo!
Kevin: (Walking to the bottle and picking it up.) Yeah. (Looking through the hole in the neck.) You've got a very good aim.
Cleo: I was trying to make it like this one. (Reaches into her pack and pulls out a similar bottle. This one with a hole in the bottom. Only one hole though.) But I couldn't stop the spell fast enough.
Majic: That bottle! Where did you get that?
Cleo: When I was coming back from boarding school. Right before I met Orphen.
Majic: Master isn't that the bottle that you shot on that day before we left Totakanta?
Orphen: Yeah. The one you thought I wanted to blow up. The one you said I missed. (Hitting Majic on the head.) I never miss.
Majic: Ow! Okay Master I get it now. You made a hole in it.
Orphen: Cleo you kept that bottle all this time?
Cleo: Yeah. I didn't know why but I did. (Thoughts: Now I know why I felt compelled to keep it.)
Kevin: I want to try this bottle-shooting thing. We got another bottle?
Orphen: Yeah. We got plenty of them. Majic set one up. And now you know why I told you to keep all those bottles.
Majic: Yes Master. I was wondering about that though.
Majic set a bottle where Cleo's had been. He walked back behind Kevin and Kevin looked around to make sure everyone was at a safe place. After confirmation he raised his hands.
Kevin: Spirit Arrow times 10!
Nothing could be seen but the bottle lifting of the ground and spinning. The sounds of breaking glass could be heard. Then as quickly as it had begun the bottle landed on the ground straight. Majic walked to it. As he saw the bottle he gasped. Hearing him Orphen and Cleo ran up beside him. They gasped as well. The bottle had a design on it. "K.V. (" was cut into the bottle. Kevin had aimed each attack to make his initials and a smiling face. As they stared at the bottle the sound of wood splintering was heard. Orphen turned back to see Kevin with his hands raised toward a tree. Orphen looked at the tree as well. "Have a nice day!" was cut into the bark. Orphen smiled.
Orphen: Very nice.
Majic: Yes, the bottle is cool.
Orphen: Not just the bottle. Look at that tree over there.
Majic: (Reading the tree) Have a nice day. Cool.
Kevin: Simple little spell and the crowd goes wild.
Majic: Where have I heard that before? (Flashes in his head of when Orphen shot the bottle at Totakanta. Orphen: Simple little spell and the crowd goes wild.)
Cleo: As fun as this is, we need to get some rest.
Orphen: (Coughing) Party (cough) Pooper.
Cleo: What did you say?
Orphen: Nothing. I just coughed.
Cleo: (cough) Liar.
Kevin: (cough) Love (cough) birds.
Majic: (Laughing) Isn't that the truth.
Kevin: (Looking at the evil eyes given him by Orphen and Cleo) Isn't what the truth? I just coughed. You're hearing things Majic. Umm.. Let's get to sleep.
Orphen: (Mean tone.) Good idea.
Cleo: Hey! I am the first one that thought of it!
Orphen: (turning to Cleo, sarcastically) You say something?
Cleo: Argh! Whatever. Good night!
Once again Kevin was the first one awake in the morning. He readied his gear on Trigga and waited for the others to wake. A dark figure lurks behind him in the sky. Its wings are spread as it glides through the air. It watches the party as they sleep. It licks its beak. Lunch Time. The beast-like bird swoops down. Opening its beak and taking aim for Kevin. Kevin smiles as Cleo grips Leki tightly and calls out Orphen's name. The smile fades as he hears something behind him. Whatever it is it is close and it does not seem to be slowing down. Kevin leaps into the air just as the bird-monster snaps its beak closed. He flips to where he can see the monster. It looks like a giant crow. It flies into the sky and looks back at him before beginning to dive again. Kevin dodges it again and jumps on its back. Kevin can barely hold on as the bird flies up. It straightens out and tries to shake Kevin off. Kevin holds on tightly, not letting himself slip. He climbs forward toward the head. He raises one hand toward the air.
Kevin: Dragon Blade, Which I was Given!
A sword appeared in his hand. It was shaped as a flying dragon and flame covered its form. Kevin brought down the sword into the crow's neck. It glowed a greenish color as the crow's eyes did the same. The crow was under his control. He guided it down to the ground then slashed through the rest of its head. The head made a loud thump noise. Orphen, Cleo, and Majic woke up because of the sound. They looked around to find the cause of the noise. Kevin holds up the crow's head on his sword.
Kevin: Ready for breakfast?
Orphen: I think I'm going to hurl! Majic: What is that?!
Kevin: Breakfast.
Cleo: You've got to be kidding.
Kevin: I am.
Orphen and company walked into Alenhatan. The whole town was hysterical. They were saying something about flying birds. Kevin wondered if it was the same he had just killed. His question was answered as he looked in the air and saw two more of the giant crows like the one he had killed. Also gargoyle and tigers roamed the streets.
Kevin: What happened here?
Orphen: I don't know but we've got to do something.
Kevin: I agree. Let's teach them some manners.
Majic: O Fire!
Cleo: Wind Dart, Which I do Shoot!
Orphen: Light's Blade, Whom I do release!
Kevin: Meteor Dragon, Which I Summon!
Their spells lit the sky taking out many of the beasts at once. But more kept coming.
Kevin: Damn! Where are they coming from?
Orphen: (Looking around) From the stonework. They're the gargoyles from the posts and fountains.
Kevin: That means someone is activating them. We got to find that person. Orphen: Kevin, you and I will look for him. Cleo and Majic protect these people.
Majic: Yes master.
Orphen turns to run but a hand grabs his arm. He spins to see the worry on Cleo's face.
Cleo: Be careful, Orphen.
This was not the first time she has said that too him but this time he felt moved beyond what he thought was his limit. He pulled her into his embrace and held her tightly.
Orphen: I'll be fine. It is you who needs to be careful.
Orphen let her go and ran to catch up with Kevin. Majic fired a spell then turned to her.
Majic: Don't worry Cleo. He'll be fine. He has Kevin with him.
Cleo: Thanks Majic.
Kevin decided to talk as he ran.
Kevin: Touching moment back there.
Orphen: Oh shut up.
Kevin: Ok. Hey wait. What is that guy doing by that fountain.
Orphen: Praying.
Kevin: Let's check it out anyway.
Orphen: Ok.
As Orphen and Kevin came near the kneeling teenager one of the giant crows came screeching down at him. The teen looked up and began to run. He knocked Orphen and Kevin to the side and continued running. As mad as Kevin was for being knocked over he knew he had to save the teen. He chased that crow down the street and when he was close enough he jumped in front of it. The crow was startled but only for a second. That was long enough though. Kevin aimed.
Kevin: Guiding Rays, Dragon Bolt!
A hole ripped open in the crow's head and covered everything near it in blood, including Kevin. Orphen caught up at this time and spotted the blood-soaked Kevin. The sight of Kevin covered like that with an evil glint in his eye was enough to make Orphen scared but he got over it. He ran to the teen that was on the ground sacredly trying to get as far from Kevin as he could. As Orphen neared him the teen went insane.
Teen: I am sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean for this to happen!
Orphen: Hold up, what are you talking about?
Teen: I am the one who let the gargoyles loose. I thought I could control them.
Orphen: story later! How did you activate them?
Teen: With this. (Holds up a ring with runes on it) Two dwarves sold it to me. They told me I could control the gargoyles with it. It activated them but I could not control them.
Orphen: Give me that! (Takes the ring from the teen.)
Orphen takes off back to the fountain that he saw the boy kneeling by. He puts the ring on and his body begins to glow.
Orphen: Avis Hervvine takom solicisti!
All at once the flying crows and gargoyles crumble into piles of rubble. Orphen walks back to the teen angrily. He grabs the teen's collar and lifts him off the ground.
Orphen: What is wrong with you!? This is a sorcerer's ring. Not just anybody can use it!
Teen: I'm sorry. I was an apprentice to a magician. He died a few days ago. I though I could handle it.
Orphen: Sorry about your master but you just shamed him in heaven. All you had to do to control the gargoyles was read the inscribed runes.
Cleo and Majic run up.
Cleo: Orphen! Are you ok?
Orphen: Yeah. No thanks to this guy. (Throws the teen into a wall.)
Kevin rejoins the group. The blood is gone from his clothing and he looks like the nice guy that he is.
Kevin: Let's go see if this Steph is ok.
Kevin watched quietly as Orphen taught Cleo and Majic. They were coming along nicely with their sorcery. It made him smile to see all of them working together. They were on the outskirts of Alenhatan, but it was late so they camped outside the town. They did not want to wake Stephanie at this time of the night. So, under unanimous vote, this is where they were going to sleep for the night.
Kevin: Aim up a bit, Cleo. You want to hit the target not the bug underneath it.
Cleo: Oh. Ok. Thanks. Wind Dart, Which I do Shoot!
A visible spiraling dart of air formed at the end of her painted fingertips. Her eyes were open and it was obvious she was checking her aim. Her thumb began to come down to the base of her first finger. Then it was lifted again, then brought down quickly working the same mechanics as a pistol's hammer. The dart shot forth and as everyone watched it was as if time had slowed. They watched as it flew straight and true. Not curving even slightly. After many seconds that were drawn out like hours the dart impacted on the target, a glass bottle that lay twenty-five feet away from her. The dart's spiraling motion work like a drill on the neck of the bottle forming a hole going straight through. After it had completely went through the bottle Cleo waved her hand through the air and the dart disappeared.
Orphen: (Clapping) Good job, Cleo!
Kevin: (Walking to the bottle and picking it up.) Yeah. (Looking through the hole in the neck.) You've got a very good aim.
Cleo: I was trying to make it like this one. (Reaches into her pack and pulls out a similar bottle. This one with a hole in the bottom. Only one hole though.) But I couldn't stop the spell fast enough.
Majic: That bottle! Where did you get that?
Cleo: When I was coming back from boarding school. Right before I met Orphen.
Majic: Master isn't that the bottle that you shot on that day before we left Totakanta?
Orphen: Yeah. The one you thought I wanted to blow up. The one you said I missed. (Hitting Majic on the head.) I never miss.
Majic: Ow! Okay Master I get it now. You made a hole in it.
Orphen: Cleo you kept that bottle all this time?
Cleo: Yeah. I didn't know why but I did. (Thoughts: Now I know why I felt compelled to keep it.)
Kevin: I want to try this bottle-shooting thing. We got another bottle?
Orphen: Yeah. We got plenty of them. Majic set one up. And now you know why I told you to keep all those bottles.
Majic: Yes Master. I was wondering about that though.
Majic set a bottle where Cleo's had been. He walked back behind Kevin and Kevin looked around to make sure everyone was at a safe place. After confirmation he raised his hands.
Kevin: Spirit Arrow times 10!
Nothing could be seen but the bottle lifting of the ground and spinning. The sounds of breaking glass could be heard. Then as quickly as it had begun the bottle landed on the ground straight. Majic walked to it. As he saw the bottle he gasped. Hearing him Orphen and Cleo ran up beside him. They gasped as well. The bottle had a design on it. "K.V. (" was cut into the bottle. Kevin had aimed each attack to make his initials and a smiling face. As they stared at the bottle the sound of wood splintering was heard. Orphen turned back to see Kevin with his hands raised toward a tree. Orphen looked at the tree as well. "Have a nice day!" was cut into the bark. Orphen smiled.
Orphen: Very nice.
Majic: Yes, the bottle is cool.
Orphen: Not just the bottle. Look at that tree over there.
Majic: (Reading the tree) Have a nice day. Cool.
Kevin: Simple little spell and the crowd goes wild.
Majic: Where have I heard that before? (Flashes in his head of when Orphen shot the bottle at Totakanta. Orphen: Simple little spell and the crowd goes wild.)
Cleo: As fun as this is, we need to get some rest.
Orphen: (Coughing) Party (cough) Pooper.
Cleo: What did you say?
Orphen: Nothing. I just coughed.
Cleo: (cough) Liar.
Kevin: (cough) Love (cough) birds.
Majic: (Laughing) Isn't that the truth.
Kevin: (Looking at the evil eyes given him by Orphen and Cleo) Isn't what the truth? I just coughed. You're hearing things Majic. Umm.. Let's get to sleep.
Orphen: (Mean tone.) Good idea.
Cleo: Hey! I am the first one that thought of it!
Orphen: (turning to Cleo, sarcastically) You say something?
Cleo: Argh! Whatever. Good night!
Once again Kevin was the first one awake in the morning. He readied his gear on Trigga and waited for the others to wake. A dark figure lurks behind him in the sky. Its wings are spread as it glides through the air. It watches the party as they sleep. It licks its beak. Lunch Time. The beast-like bird swoops down. Opening its beak and taking aim for Kevin. Kevin smiles as Cleo grips Leki tightly and calls out Orphen's name. The smile fades as he hears something behind him. Whatever it is it is close and it does not seem to be slowing down. Kevin leaps into the air just as the bird-monster snaps its beak closed. He flips to where he can see the monster. It looks like a giant crow. It flies into the sky and looks back at him before beginning to dive again. Kevin dodges it again and jumps on its back. Kevin can barely hold on as the bird flies up. It straightens out and tries to shake Kevin off. Kevin holds on tightly, not letting himself slip. He climbs forward toward the head. He raises one hand toward the air.
Kevin: Dragon Blade, Which I was Given!
A sword appeared in his hand. It was shaped as a flying dragon and flame covered its form. Kevin brought down the sword into the crow's neck. It glowed a greenish color as the crow's eyes did the same. The crow was under his control. He guided it down to the ground then slashed through the rest of its head. The head made a loud thump noise. Orphen, Cleo, and Majic woke up because of the sound. They looked around to find the cause of the noise. Kevin holds up the crow's head on his sword.
Kevin: Ready for breakfast?
Orphen: I think I'm going to hurl! Majic: What is that?!
Kevin: Breakfast.
Cleo: You've got to be kidding.
Kevin: I am.
Orphen and company walked into Alenhatan. The whole town was hysterical. They were saying something about flying birds. Kevin wondered if it was the same he had just killed. His question was answered as he looked in the air and saw two more of the giant crows like the one he had killed. Also gargoyle and tigers roamed the streets.
Kevin: What happened here?
Orphen: I don't know but we've got to do something.
Kevin: I agree. Let's teach them some manners.
Majic: O Fire!
Cleo: Wind Dart, Which I do Shoot!
Orphen: Light's Blade, Whom I do release!
Kevin: Meteor Dragon, Which I Summon!
Their spells lit the sky taking out many of the beasts at once. But more kept coming.
Kevin: Damn! Where are they coming from?
Orphen: (Looking around) From the stonework. They're the gargoyles from the posts and fountains.
Kevin: That means someone is activating them. We got to find that person. Orphen: Kevin, you and I will look for him. Cleo and Majic protect these people.
Majic: Yes master.
Orphen turns to run but a hand grabs his arm. He spins to see the worry on Cleo's face.
Cleo: Be careful, Orphen.
This was not the first time she has said that too him but this time he felt moved beyond what he thought was his limit. He pulled her into his embrace and held her tightly.
Orphen: I'll be fine. It is you who needs to be careful.
Orphen let her go and ran to catch up with Kevin. Majic fired a spell then turned to her.
Majic: Don't worry Cleo. He'll be fine. He has Kevin with him.
Cleo: Thanks Majic.
Kevin decided to talk as he ran.
Kevin: Touching moment back there.
Orphen: Oh shut up.
Kevin: Ok. Hey wait. What is that guy doing by that fountain.
Orphen: Praying.
Kevin: Let's check it out anyway.
Orphen: Ok.
As Orphen and Kevin came near the kneeling teenager one of the giant crows came screeching down at him. The teen looked up and began to run. He knocked Orphen and Kevin to the side and continued running. As mad as Kevin was for being knocked over he knew he had to save the teen. He chased that crow down the street and when he was close enough he jumped in front of it. The crow was startled but only for a second. That was long enough though. Kevin aimed.
Kevin: Guiding Rays, Dragon Bolt!
A hole ripped open in the crow's head and covered everything near it in blood, including Kevin. Orphen caught up at this time and spotted the blood-soaked Kevin. The sight of Kevin covered like that with an evil glint in his eye was enough to make Orphen scared but he got over it. He ran to the teen that was on the ground sacredly trying to get as far from Kevin as he could. As Orphen neared him the teen went insane.
Teen: I am sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean for this to happen!
Orphen: Hold up, what are you talking about?
Teen: I am the one who let the gargoyles loose. I thought I could control them.
Orphen: story later! How did you activate them?
Teen: With this. (Holds up a ring with runes on it) Two dwarves sold it to me. They told me I could control the gargoyles with it. It activated them but I could not control them.
Orphen: Give me that! (Takes the ring from the teen.)
Orphen takes off back to the fountain that he saw the boy kneeling by. He puts the ring on and his body begins to glow.
Orphen: Avis Hervvine takom solicisti!
All at once the flying crows and gargoyles crumble into piles of rubble. Orphen walks back to the teen angrily. He grabs the teen's collar and lifts him off the ground.
Orphen: What is wrong with you!? This is a sorcerer's ring. Not just anybody can use it!
Teen: I'm sorry. I was an apprentice to a magician. He died a few days ago. I though I could handle it.
Orphen: Sorry about your master but you just shamed him in heaven. All you had to do to control the gargoyles was read the inscribed runes.
Cleo and Majic run up.
Cleo: Orphen! Are you ok?
Orphen: Yeah. No thanks to this guy. (Throws the teen into a wall.)
Kevin rejoins the group. The blood is gone from his clothing and he looks like the nice guy that he is.
Kevin: Let's go see if this Steph is ok.