Chapter.11
Return to the Castle of Dark Illusions:
Show Down, Lance or Saturos?
Lance, Christine, and Drake stood at the north wall gazing in amazement at how such a small castle could bring so much evil into the world. Lance looked to Christine and nodded. Then they both turned to Drake and waited for him comply, he did have a new look and was unusually quite. Drake slowly turned his head toward Lance and Christine, and simply said, "Do these clothes make me look gay?" Christine looked at Lance and smiled, "Same old Drake!" They all smiled and began to map their plan of attack. Lance hated any idea that didn't involve just running in and killing anything that moved, but considering what happened to Christine last time he decided to do the smart thing.
"Christine wait here I'll get us in!" Lance ordered drawing his sword running toward the Castle of Dark Illusions.
"Lance you dumbass, wait!" Christine yelled, but it was to late. The Celtic Guardian hadn't taken four steps before hands broken free from the ground and grabbed him, stopping him dead in his tracks.
"What's this shit?!" Lance yelled raising his sword to strike the hands. But before he could the ground began to rumble and his was thrown off his feet, and an army of Giant Orcs. Christine shrieked in terror and raised her magical defensive shield. The Giant Orcs had the group surrounded and out numbered about ten for each of our heroes. "I like them odds," Lance smirked hacking off one of the hands that held him down. He then reached down, pulled out the other hand and threw it at an advancing orc. The hand slapped one of the orcs in the face, letting out a demonic cry; it swung its club in a blind fury striking another orc in the head. The two orcs began to attack each other, but the others continued on their rampage. Lance gripped his sword tightly in his left and dashed forward. "Elven Arcanum!"
Drake stood perfectly still as the Giant Orcs surrounded him. "I don't suppose we could settle this over a game of yu-gi-oh?" One giant orc smashed his club into Drake's face, and it splintered as the magician stood there unaffected. "Alright then I guess it's my turn," Drake said calmly. A powerful shockwave burst from him and knocked all the orcs around him off their feet. His eyes began to glow a dark purple and Drake began shooting energy blasts from his eyes. Spinning quickly in a circle he hit all of the orcs. Drake smiled and winked just as the orcs turned to dust. "Oh, oh now go! Walk out the door! Just turn around now, cause you're no welcome anymore! Aren't you the one who tried to hurt me with your vibe, you think I'd crumble, you think I'd lay down and die! Oh no not I! I will survive. Oh as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive."
As Drake began so sing disco songs and do the electric slide, (old school dance) Christine's barrier was holding, but just barely. "You can't keep this up forever," she whispered under her breath. The orc's clubs struck relentlessly on Christine's shield grew weaker and weaker with every hit. The orc suddenly stopped their attack and collapsed. Christine knew that orcs, no matter how strong, have no endurance. They can only attack for so long before they lose all their stamina, and are left completely helpless. Christine didn't hesitate in lowering her shield and launching her attack, "Mystic Jubilee!" A brilliant flash of lights and crackling explosions swallowed the orcs, in an instant the lights faded and there was nothing left of the monsters. Christine exhaled heavily and fell down. "That could've been worse," she joked.
"Elven Arcanum!" Lance yelled holding his sword high over his head. Disappearing in a flash, the elven warrior appeared and just as quickly behind the orcs. Lance calmly sheathed his sword and closed his eyes; the orc turned around quickly and raised their clubs. Lance opened one eye and shot a glance in their direction. "No," he said. The orcs suddenly paused and exploded in a spray of crimson blood and pieces of muscle flying in every direction. "I'm sorry was I supposed to give you a chance?" Lance smiled his grin more evil than usual.
Christine climbed to her feet and looked around, "Is everyone alright?"
"I use to own a lemon aid stand, it was call black magic brew!" Drake smiled making a peace sign.
"There should've been more!" Lance pouted crossing his arms. Christine giggled at Lance's immaturity, but then was hit with a thought.
"Um, guys?"
"What?" Lance and Drake said in unison.
"How are we supposed to get to the castle? It's floating a few thousand feet in the air…" Both Lance and Drake opened their mouths to answer Christine's question, but realized they didn't know the answer. All three crossed their arms and formed a little triangle.
"BRAIN STORM!!!" The trio shouted, raising their right arms.
"I know we could research the Book of Secret Arts for a levitation or even a flight spell!" Christine said.
"I don't think so," Lance cut in, "none of us could hold the spell long enough to get all of us there safely. I know we could use my Legendary Sword and it's magical powers to send the castle crashing into the ground!!" Lance shouted pointing his sword directly at the castle.
"Lance…" Christine interrupted.
"SILENCE!" The elf demanded, "I will topple the Castle of Dark Illusions!!!"
"Lance…" Christine tried again.
"Silence weakling!" Lance yelled.
"WHAT did you call me?" Christine questioned, clinching her fist. Lance lowered his sword and turned his sight to Christine,
"Um………………w-weakling?"
"That's what I thought," Christine said calmly.
SCHMAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!
The force from Christine's Omni-Slap knocked Lance off his feet and left a red handprint on his face. "As I was saying," Christine began, "Lance you have the magical properties of MAYONASSE!!! And the only thing men are stronger than women in is smell!" Drake lift up his arm and took a quick sniff, then walked over to Christine and smelt her neck.
"Hey, she's right, we STINK!" Drake said, as of he was proud of smelling of B.O. and teriyaki sauce.
"Well," Christine sighed helping Lance to his feet, "I guess we can't reach the castle." Drake shook his head and crossed his arms.
"Tsk tsk tsk, if only we had a sack of potatoes," he stated.
"We've got…"
"…Your potatoes…"
"…Right here!" Three familiar voices shouted. The three (Lance, Drake, and Christine) looked around, but the source of the voices couldn't be found. Suddenly three potatoes came flying out of nowhere. Lance caught one and crushed it in his hand, Christine grabbed another and took a bite out of it,
"Hey, It's baked!" And the third one hit Drake square in the nuts. Drake stood still for a moment then fell backward his hands over groin. Three silhouettes appeared and took for as, who else? Everyone's favorite karaoke singing, break dancin', beat boxin', magnetically charged warriors the Magnet Bros.
"Alpha!" Lance shouted as they both drew their swords and saluted each other.
"Beta," Christine said both of them bowing to each other then hugging, laughing happily.
"Grandma?" Drake questioned his vision beginning to clear. Gamma just looked down at the magician, then up to he brothers,
"Hey Alpha, Beta, I owe you 15 power cells. I was wrong it was possible for Drake to look even gayer than he already did!" Alpha and Beta's attention quickly turned to Drake who was now climbing to his feet. And the two magnet bros. Stood in disbelief at what they saw.
"HOLY…" Alpha yelled.
"…SHIT!" Beta finished.
"Yeah, he turned into the Black Chaos Mage. So Drake," Gamma began to ask, "what's with the bondage-type clothing? You downing a walk on role in a hentai series?"
"Yup right after this fic is finished!" Drake smiled. Lance and Christine's jaws dropped as Drake continued to smile.
"Okay," Lance said throwing up his hand, "This is getting us no where! Alpha, Beta, Gamma, did you come here to help or throw potatoes at us?"
"To help of course," Alpha said.
"To aid in your journey," Beta smiled.
"To kick Drake's ass until he fights back…and to assist," Gamma side kicking Drake in the stomach, then joining his brothers.
"So how do you plan on helping us?" Christine asked respectfully. The three magnet brothers turned to each other and nodded back and forth. Then in an explosion they broke into pieces and reformed as the mighty Valkyrion The Magna Warrior! "Oh, I get it! Valkyrion can fly and can give us a lift to the castle!" Christine stated.
"Correct, now we've already wasted most of this chapter on the ground so let's get airborne!" Valkyrion yelled pointing skyward. Christine jumped on the back of Val's neck and Lance sat behind Christine. "Not coming?" Val asked Drake. Drake shook his head and began to fly ahead to the castle. "Hey!" Valkyrion yelled giving chase.
Status: 900 feet and climbing
Drake was zooming through the air at an insane speed and Valkyrion was having trouble keeping up. "What's wrong?" Drake asked, "You can't keep up with me? I thought you where the BIG BAD Manga warrior."
"You dare mock us!?" Valkyrion yelled, picking up his speed.
"Damn straight!" Lance yelled, kicking Valkyrion.
"Men and their competitions," Christine sighted leaning back, resting on Lance. "I hope the worst is behind us, I can take much more of this," Christine thought to herself. The quite trip was suddenly disturbed as hundreds of terrible roars thundered through the air.
"Dragons!" Drake yelled slowing his speed so he was flying next to Valkyrion. Everyone looked to the castle and a dark cloud began to descend from it.
"What's that?" Lance said standing up drawing his sword, "Some sort of evil cloud?"
"That's not a cloud, Lance," Christine growled.
"She's right," Valkyrion said drawing his sword, "It's a swarm of dragons!"
The trio and Valkyrion soon got a better view of the coming attackers. Surprisingly the dragons were all Spear Dragons. And leading them was the legendary Dark Blade riding his faithful beast, Kiryu. "Ymir! (Pronounced ee-mere)" Lance yelled. Drake opened fire on the approaching dragons striking them with a terrifying accuracy. Flying off in one direction the dragons followed Drake and the Dark Blade and the Celtic Guardian were staring each other down. "Ymir, never thought I'd see you again," Lance sneered.
"Lance, I never thought I'd see you either. I can see Saturos wasn't able to keep your sorry ass under control. Well, it doesn't matter! I will kill you and revive Saturos. We will go forth and pillaging and killing once again!"
"I WON"T LET YOU!!!" Lance yelled jumping off Valkyrion. Then he realized that there wasn't anything to stand on and tried running back to Valkyrion. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwww…………
THUD!
"Same old Lance," everyone sighed. (Including Ymir) There was a sudden flash like a green lightning bolt that flew from the ground and struck Ymir's Dragon. It was Lance, he'd jumped from the ground sword drawn and sliced through the Kiryu. Lance continued to rocket skyward toward the castle and Ymir fell only to copy Lance's move exactly. Valkyrion followed close behind, Christine holding on for dear life.
Else where Drake was chasing the Spear Dragons that had attacked the others earlier. "Fly faster, FASTER!!!" Drake yelled pointing his staff at the dragons, firing off shot after shot of Chaos Blasts. The dragons were soon all gone (since half the chapter isn't finished), and Drake flew back towards the castle. "Draky, Draky, you're so fine! You're so fine you blow my mind! Yeah, go Draky!"
Lance landed safely at the ledge of the castle, staggering alittle he stood in wait for Ymir. And as Predicted Ymir landed twenty feet in front of him, then drew his sword. "Just like old times, eh?" Ymir said.
"Just," Lance smirked. There was a slight pause then the to warriors dashed forward striking each other, samurai-style. Standing perfectly still, their back facing the other, they both waited. Valkyrion and Christine finally landed on the castle and saw the two warriors. Lance, all of a sudden, felt a powerful pain in his chest and dropped to the ground. The Dark Blade then took the opportunity and lunged towards Christine his sword high in the air. "Christine!" Lance yelled, throwing his sword with all his strength, directly at the blue elf.
Christine put her arms up in defense and waited for the attack. After a few seconds Christine opened her eyes saw Ymir standing in front of her with Lance's sword sticking out through his gut. "S-so, I see what defeated, Sat-ur-os," Ymir whispered to Christine as he collapsed to his knees. Christine didn't hesitate in running to Lance's side to check if he was okay.
"Lance, Lance are you okay?" Christine asked raising his head and resting it on her lap.
"Yeah, I'm fine never been better! Ha ha ha, I'm just pullin' your chain I'm gonna die," Lance said his eyes beginning to close slowly, as his skin started to turn pale.
"Not as long as I'm still breathing!" Christine yelled closing her eyes and placing her hands over her heart. She took a deep breath and leaned over and kissed Lance. His lips were so cold Christine got the chills as her lips met his. Christine sat up and touched her lips as Lance took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
"I'm, not dead?" Lance sat up and looked at Christine, "I'm not dead! Why am I not dead, I thought I was dead, but you're here. Oh God you died too?! Hey then this must be heaven!" Lance yelled, "wait why is m breath minty?"
"You're not dead you where about to die, but I gave you a 'push' in the other direction. Consider it a gift for saving my life," Christine smiled.
"Gift of the Mystical Elf?" Lance thought remembering back to his days when he trained with Neo.
(Flashback)
"Lance, have I ever told you about the legend of the 'Gift of the Mystical Elf'?" Neo asked.
"No, what would that be? A lap dance?" Lance joked.
"No, it's not a lap dance," Neo sighed slapping Lance in the back of the head. "The Gift of the Mystical Elf is one of the most sacred things in the world. What it is, is the gift of a binding heart. A Mystical Elf only gives you this when she loves you with all the love in her heart. It's a promise of an eternal love."
"Sound corny," Lance said bluntly.
"Dumbass. If you honor that gift then you will live with that elf forever and never part, neither in heart nor soul. But if that gift is taken for granted and abused, the two will part. Never to see each other again, and they will both never know love again," Neo explained.
"Well that's both corny, and stupid," Lance said walking off.
"Lance you will receive this gift you day, but what you decide to do with it is your choice," Neo said to Lance.
(End Flashback)
"Christine!" Lance yelled jumping back. Drake suddenly appeared between the two elves and smiled,
"So are we gonna lay siege the to castle or just sit here and talk about how Lance may have doubts about the 'Gift of the Mystical Elf'?" Christine's eyes grew wide and she placed her hands over her mouth, "Oh my Goddess, I, Lance? D-did I just…?" Christine asked nervously.
"We have time to talk about this later," Lance said drawing is normal sword (the legendary one's stuck in Dark Blade, remember?) pointing it at the castle. "We have business to attend to first."
"R-right! We've put this off for too long, lives depend to us," Christine said going to Lance's side.
"Yes, let us go forth and punish those who hunt elves!" Drake said walking the Lance's other side.
"Let's go!" They all shouted breaking into a dead sprint towards the castles front door. Dashing through patches of Man-eating Plants, and insect monsters they didn't slow till they reached the castle doors. Drake blasted a hole through the door and Christine sealed it with a Spellbinding Circle as Lance looked around for any guards. The entered into the castle and to their surprise the main hall looked exactly like Demi's mansion, the Spencer Estate.
"Welcome one and all!" Announced a familiar voice. A lone silhouette appeared at the top of the connecting bridge. "Allow me to introduce myself I am Celestin (pronounced Cell-i-steen)." said the figure.
"So it's you who's behind all this!" Lance yelled.
"That is correct, my friend and I am afraid this is as far as you go." Celestin announced.
"No!" Christine shouted, "We three have come too far and gone through too much not to stop you now!"
"Well, my dear, I'm afraid you're wrong again. For you see our plans are already over 87% complete and even if you could manage to stop me you can't stop HIM," Celestin laughed, and now I bid you good day." Three dimensional holes appeared on the ground under each of the three and they began to fall plummeting into the unknown. "It begins…"
Lance opened his eyes and found himself in the middle of an empty stadium. The walls where all lined with mirrors, but everything else was as normal. Walking over to one of the mirrors looked into it and saw himself for the first time. "Wow, so that's me, huh?" Lance said touching the mirror, "I'm so use to seeing Saturos. But I'm glad he gone and that's behind me."
"Oh, but you are seeing me!" Lance's reflection chuckled.
"What?!" Lance yelled, "Saturos!? But how? You where sealed away since I have a new crystal!"
"Yes, but there is a very LARGE difference between sealed and silenced, Lancy boy." And with those final words all the mirrors exploded and the shards flew to the center of the stadium. But not a single shard touched the ground they spun as if they were in a tornado and piece-by-piece they began to talk a shape.
"You gotta be shittin' me," Lance groaned holding his sword in his right hand and putting his left hand in a ready-to-counter position (see the card for better picture). The shape finally became whole and a man made of solid glass took shape. The glass then evaporated into the air and Saturos in all his infamy stood there grinning evilly as he drew his sword from his sheath.
"So, if you can't hear it turn it up higher, let's all set this roof on fire! The roof, the roof is on fire!" Saturos yelled stretching out his arms. "Hoo, damn you know how cramp it is to live in mirrors?"
"Frankly Saturos, I don't give a flying fuck! I don't know how you managed to break the bonds of my crystal, but this time I will put an end to your existence FOREVER!!!!" Lance cried jumping into the air.
"You can't stop me, NO ONE CAN!" Saturos yelled jumping into the air to intercept Lance. The two collided in mid air and exchanged blows until they hit the ground. The two's swords where pushing against each other's. "You know what I'm gonna do when I kill ya?" Saturos questioned.
"What?" Lance growled.
"I'm gonna take your wallet!"
"Never! It was a gift from…Hey wait!" Lance paused, "I don't have a wallet!"
"Oh," Saturos paused. They lowered their arms for a second and gave each other weird looks. After noticing the other's guard was down they both swung their swords with all their might. The blades shattered on contact and the shards of the blades flew everywhere. One hit Lance's left eye and stuck in about two inches. Lance shouted in pain as he placed his hands over his bleeding eye. "What a shame I was aiming for both of them!" Saturos yelled, winding up his arm then landing a punch in Lance's gut.
"Argh!" Lance grunted spitting up blood. He dropped to his knees and yelled a painful cry as he ripped the sword piece for his eye. The eye was now completely red and continue to pour blood. Lance opened his left eye, and could see, but everything was Crimson. "You bastard!" Lance growled, grabbing his helmet and breastplate. In one smooth he threw them into the air and as they crashed to the ground they broke the ground and cause small quakes. "Armor's only good if you're willing to be hit," he said clinching his bloody hands. Saturos stood in an attack stance ready for Lance's attack when something tapped him on the shoulder.
"What?" Saturos said turning his head to see Lance standing there.
"Boo," Lance said elbowing Saturos in his face. Saturos was sent crashing into the stadium walls. Shaking his head Saturos looked up and Lance was gone. "Up here smiley," Lance said. Saturos looked up just in time to see Lance's foot come slamming down in his face. Jumping off of his evil half face Lance landed striking a pose.
"That isn't possible!" Saturos roared jumping to his feet. I can't even move that fast naked! What are you!?"
"I am gifted," Lance side running like lightning toward Saturos. Saturos was on the defensive, which was a new experience of him, since he was as powerful as he was. Delivering a maelstrom of fierce attack Lance questioned Saturos, "Tell me Saturos. How does it feel to be rendered helpless by something that isn't even a whole being? Tell me how it feels to be less than a lesser being! TELL ME!" Lance demanded, landing a direct hit to Saturos' rib cage. Lance could feel each and every rib that broke as his fist pushed deeper and deeper into Saturos chest. Saturos fell to his knees and grasped his chest, not making a noise. "It's over Saturos, I don't know what you where planning for this world, but as long as I have any strength in me I will fight you," Lance announced standing over Saturos, looking down on him.
"Powerful words for a fake! But do you really think that Christine will ever care for you the way you do for her?" Saturos said looking up. "Ha! You'll never have her and I will come back and the world will SUFFER!" Saturos yelled, laughing evilly.
"Well, until then. Welcome to the Promised Land! DRAGONIC PUNCH!!!" Lance yelled striking down Saturos for the final time. "Never again," Lance whispered as Saturos lay motionless on the ground. Lance suddenly collapsed, blacking out.
To Be Continued…
So ends another chapter of, Of Elves and Magicians, and the End is drawing closer and closer. With only four chapters to go anyone can guess what'll happen. Half of them'll be wrong, but no one said you won the gamble. Anyways, next time on of Elves and Magicians: Drake wakes up in a deserted city with Demi at his side. But not to comfort him, Demi wants Drake dead! Next time on of Elves and Magicians: "Return to the Castle of Dark Illusions: Demi and Drake, Together for Never"
And as with tradition an ending song,
This is Lance's Favorite song so enjoy
Take your courage
Stormy night
Crazy wind is blowing to your heart over and over
Don't be worried
Painful days like this are good for you
Gloomy sights
But remember, night time is not going on forever
Don't be sorry
I think maybe happiness is close to you
Anyway, if you want to escape, I can't say anything for your way
But this is your precious life, can't repeat, besides it's once and for all
Don't wanna cry
Just keep on, keep on going
I go forward whenever, I never scare
Don't wanna stay
Just keep on, keep on trying
I'm just afraid of regret without doing my best
Lonely night
You can imagine, your dreams come true in the near future
Don't be worried
Waste of only depends on you
Be in flight
You can choose whatever and whenever you can go everywhere
Don't be sorry
Courage is sleeping inside of you