Chapter 35
Serpentarius felt like he was looking into the mouth of hell itself, which he considered appropriate. The Raj stood on a platform high above lakes of boiling lava glowing colors from orange-red to a deep golden. Only a few narrow black basalt walkways connected the small islands of rock amid the fire. The heat beat against them like physical force.
"Are we in the Star shaped mountains?" asked Octavia uncertainly.
"The texts describe Atma as being held in a prison of fire," said Julian thoughtfully, "This sure looks like it to me."
"Let's get on with it," said Marcus striding purposely down a narrow staircase.
They worked their way down the twisting paths amid boiling brimstone. After climbing a spiral pathway they reached a large platform. Resting atop it was a monstrously large feline. Its tan-gray body was covered with golden metallic plates and they could see gears mounted on the flanks. It was lying facedown with its blue-clawed paws spread out. A handle protruded from an odd angle out of its forehead in between a mass of curled blue horns. Marcus stepped forward.
"Anyone see the Atma Key?" he asked.
Julian touched the carved wooden handle in the forehead. "This might be it."
Serpentarius pushed Julian's hand away and pulled down on the handle and was surprised that it didn't give.
"Try pulling it out," suggested Octavia.
Serpentarius pulled the handle straight out. They all gasped as they saw the handle was attached to a glowing pulsating narrow blue blade. Energy crackled out from the blades into electrodes mounted on the face of the Atma Weapon. It's eyes opened, revealing yellow eyes deep set in dark sockets. It growled and breathed blue fire, knocking everyone back.
"Who has woken me?" it demanded.
"We're the Raj," said Marcus, "From the Magic Academy."
"We need your help," said Julian.
Atma Weapon shakily got to its feet.
"Have you come to free me or enslave me?" asked the Atma Weapon.
"Free you," said Octavia.
"Enslave you," said Marcus.
They exchanged strained glances as the Atma Weapon glared at them.
"Well, we can free you after you help us win the war," offered Julian.
Serpentarius shook his head and examined the Atma Key resting in his hand. "We can't promise that Julian."
"I will win my freedom then!" it bellowed.
"Great," muttered Marcus, "Another fight."
"I invoke the holy barrier.Protect!" chanted Julian. The Raj were enveloped in yellow semicircular disks that hovered in front of them, shimmered, and faded away.
"Titan, lord of the earth make thy foes shake and tremble.Quake!" chanted the Atma Weapon. A huge chasm erupted between it and the Raj and the ground shook terrifically. They fell over each other in the confusion.
"Damn it!" cried Marcus adjusting his hat.
"Arctic winds, blow through and freeze the blood of my foes.Ice!" chanted Octavia. Ice crystals rained down on top of the Atma Weapon. It didn't seem to notice.
Serpentarius got ready to cast, but glanced down at the Atma Key and swung it at the Atma Weapon, hitting it between the eyes. The Atma Weapon lurched backwards, reeling in pain.
"What the hell?" asked Marcus.
Serpentarius smiled grimly. "This can subdue him. I can feel the power surging!"
The Atma Weapon watched them warily, silver blood flowing down its forehead.
"Please just do as we say, we won't hurt you any more," said Julian.
The Atma Weapon roared and breathed blue flame. The Raj scattered to the sides but Octavia was enveloped by it. She shrieked as her robes caught on fire.
"You bastard!" yelled Serpentarius.
Octavia rolled onto the ground and managed to get the flames out. Julian ran over to her.
Marcus swung his staff into the ground.
"Mighty force of heaven, bring retribution down to the unworthy.Bolt!" chanted Marcus.
A series of bright electric bolts struck the Atma Weapon. It swayed on its feet as Marcus began a second spell.
"Dark poison, flow through the veins of the damned.Bio!" he called out.
A green cloud swirled around the Atma Weapon. It bent its head and sent a howled, sending a volley of energy at Marcus, knocking him over.
Serpentarius slashed it across the face and it collapsed, causing the ground to tremble.
"Is it dead?" asked Marcus.
Serpentarius shook his head.
"No one ever listens to me," said Julian sighing.
Serpentarius felt like he was looking into the mouth of hell itself, which he considered appropriate. The Raj stood on a platform high above lakes of boiling lava glowing colors from orange-red to a deep golden. Only a few narrow black basalt walkways connected the small islands of rock amid the fire. The heat beat against them like physical force.
"Are we in the Star shaped mountains?" asked Octavia uncertainly.
"The texts describe Atma as being held in a prison of fire," said Julian thoughtfully, "This sure looks like it to me."
"Let's get on with it," said Marcus striding purposely down a narrow staircase.
They worked their way down the twisting paths amid boiling brimstone. After climbing a spiral pathway they reached a large platform. Resting atop it was a monstrously large feline. Its tan-gray body was covered with golden metallic plates and they could see gears mounted on the flanks. It was lying facedown with its blue-clawed paws spread out. A handle protruded from an odd angle out of its forehead in between a mass of curled blue horns. Marcus stepped forward.
"Anyone see the Atma Key?" he asked.
Julian touched the carved wooden handle in the forehead. "This might be it."
Serpentarius pushed Julian's hand away and pulled down on the handle and was surprised that it didn't give.
"Try pulling it out," suggested Octavia.
Serpentarius pulled the handle straight out. They all gasped as they saw the handle was attached to a glowing pulsating narrow blue blade. Energy crackled out from the blades into electrodes mounted on the face of the Atma Weapon. It's eyes opened, revealing yellow eyes deep set in dark sockets. It growled and breathed blue fire, knocking everyone back.
"Who has woken me?" it demanded.
"We're the Raj," said Marcus, "From the Magic Academy."
"We need your help," said Julian.
Atma Weapon shakily got to its feet.
"Have you come to free me or enslave me?" asked the Atma Weapon.
"Free you," said Octavia.
"Enslave you," said Marcus.
They exchanged strained glances as the Atma Weapon glared at them.
"Well, we can free you after you help us win the war," offered Julian.
Serpentarius shook his head and examined the Atma Key resting in his hand. "We can't promise that Julian."
"I will win my freedom then!" it bellowed.
"Great," muttered Marcus, "Another fight."
"I invoke the holy barrier.Protect!" chanted Julian. The Raj were enveloped in yellow semicircular disks that hovered in front of them, shimmered, and faded away.
"Titan, lord of the earth make thy foes shake and tremble.Quake!" chanted the Atma Weapon. A huge chasm erupted between it and the Raj and the ground shook terrifically. They fell over each other in the confusion.
"Damn it!" cried Marcus adjusting his hat.
"Arctic winds, blow through and freeze the blood of my foes.Ice!" chanted Octavia. Ice crystals rained down on top of the Atma Weapon. It didn't seem to notice.
Serpentarius got ready to cast, but glanced down at the Atma Key and swung it at the Atma Weapon, hitting it between the eyes. The Atma Weapon lurched backwards, reeling in pain.
"What the hell?" asked Marcus.
Serpentarius smiled grimly. "This can subdue him. I can feel the power surging!"
The Atma Weapon watched them warily, silver blood flowing down its forehead.
"Please just do as we say, we won't hurt you any more," said Julian.
The Atma Weapon roared and breathed blue flame. The Raj scattered to the sides but Octavia was enveloped by it. She shrieked as her robes caught on fire.
"You bastard!" yelled Serpentarius.
Octavia rolled onto the ground and managed to get the flames out. Julian ran over to her.
Marcus swung his staff into the ground.
"Mighty force of heaven, bring retribution down to the unworthy.Bolt!" chanted Marcus.
A series of bright electric bolts struck the Atma Weapon. It swayed on its feet as Marcus began a second spell.
"Dark poison, flow through the veins of the damned.Bio!" he called out.
A green cloud swirled around the Atma Weapon. It bent its head and sent a howled, sending a volley of energy at Marcus, knocking him over.
Serpentarius slashed it across the face and it collapsed, causing the ground to tremble.
"Is it dead?" asked Marcus.
Serpentarius shook his head.
"No one ever listens to me," said Julian sighing.