In a dark cave, deep within the earth, a figure in black sat upon a throne of bone. A skull formed the headrest, femurs the armrests, reflecting slightly the faint red illumination of the room. A rib cage the back, which the figure reclined himself comfortably inside, his wings in the form of a cloak for the present. He was content, or at least content as a being of darkness can be. He held the entire world in his grasp, and could destroy it if he so wished.
The figure, Regnoare, was pleased that he had finally obtained Sol Aurarius. He had done what his forefather, Gazimonus, could not do! And made desolate that scum, Argyros', pathetic village, Vale. Regnoare smiled maliciously. A fitting conclusion to "The Festival of Weyard". He spat, and the acid saliva burnt a crater in the stone floor. Regnoare looked at this imperfection with disdain, and, with a wave of his hand, conjured earth of the same colour and directed into the hole, now indistinguishable from the floor around it.
Suddenly, he decided he was thirsty. He had no real need for drink, not anymore, but it sometimes struck his fancy to drink for old times sake. He conjured a golden goblet studded with rubies, and, glaring at it expectantly, casted Douse.
Nothing happened.
He frowned. "That's odd." He thought. "Why can't I cast Douse?" Trying again, he called the Mercurian power of Sol Aurarius to him and tried to cast Douse, with the same result. He sighed angrily. Going through the proper channels, he tapped into the Alcheminic veins of Weyard and called forth the sea. A cloud appeared above the goblet and poured refreshing water inside.
Yet, he was not satisfied. Meditating, he closed his eyes and reached out to the vast power of Sol Aurarius. He felt its reassuring black power, and tapped it. "Yes." He thought. "Mars, Jupiter, Venus… BUT NO MERCURY!" His wrath knew no bounds… his crimson eyes flashed, and the very cavern began to shake with his rage. "Someone has robbed me of Mercury, and they will pay dearly." He smiled grimly. "I will rip Mercury from their cold, dead, hands!"
He rose and gave a horrible cry. He listened, and faintly heard the answering cries of his creations. He summoned his weapon, and bent the full force of his wrath upon the one thing that could have been responsible for this impertinence.
"Imil."
Maris handed the newly formed Mercury Star to Aleos, for safekeeping in his pack. The Fivefold rested, for the time being, on the aerie, and watched the sun rise. They had lost track of time in the maze of Mercury Lighthouse, and now it was dawn. The glowing light of Sol lit the aerie, its golden warmth slowly trickling up the sheer wall of Mercury Lighthouse and spilling across their feet. A bird soared the skies high above, just a dot marring the brightening sky.
Aleos turned to the Fivefold. "Well, I suppose our work here is done." As he turned to go, a great blast shook the Lighthouse, causing Aleos to stumble as he lost his balance. A keening rose in the air, reverberating.
Aleos shook his head, disbelieving. "How could he discover us that fast! We have to leave. Now." He gathered his possessions and gestured for the others to do the same. "Before Regnoare does something… drastic…"
Maris was horrified. "Oh no! Imil!"
To their misfortune, with the extinguishing of Mercury the elevator was dysfunctional, and they were forced to retrace their steps. As they walked, darkness stole into their vision, and a dim fog crept through the halls of the Lighthouse, obscuring their sight.
"Curse this blasted mischief!" Cinaed exclaimed, waving his hand about in the air in front of him. "I can't see half as well as I should."
Eventually, they came to the Statue Hall. The black fog was thicker than ever now, and they could barely see each other. In the darkness, Cinaed almost crashed into Orior when he suddenly stopped. "Ah… what did you stop for?" Said an annoyed Cinaed, rubbing his head.
"Hush." Orior held up a finger. "Listen." They stopped, and far along the hall the sound of heavy booted feet echoed to their ears.
Aleos glanced around warningly. "Quiet. We should hide until they pass… if need be, we will fight." He a look of steely determination came into his eyes. "We will blend in with the statues. Stay still." He warned.
So the Fivefold arrayed themselves with the statues, hiding in plain sight. Maris and Cinaed stood still between two such statues, Aleos, Orior, and Shamira between others.
Soon, the footsteps grew nearer, and the Fivefold could faintly hear the sound of harsh singing, first in the common tongue, then in a twisted version of the Ancient Speech:
Rip, rend, shred, tear
Gut, kill, walk them to death's door.
For in death we love to share
Reaping lives for evermore.
Giza, schindo, scizo, trei
Grak, iuguolo, ingredior lemma ut nex ianua.
Pro in nex nos diligo communico
Tondeo ago pro infinitio.
The marchers came into view. They wore tall black crested helms, black armour and hide cloaks. Steel chain mail protected their legs, and a steel vambrace their arms. A great broadsword was strapped to each one's back. Yet, the worst thing was the face… for there was none. An absence. Simply twin points of red fire that glowed like hot coals deep in the darkness of malice.
The Fivefold pressed against the wall in horror. These… things… emanated an aura of evil. Only Aleos recognized them, and he was rigid with shock. "Mantrak…" Of old, Gazimonus' dark soldiers forged by him at the height of his Necromantic abilities. Possessing the ability to blend into shadow, and delighted in spreading pain and suffering, Mantrak were one of the main weapons in Gazimonus' army, and Aleos shuddered to see them here. "Has Regnoare revived them…?" He wondered. "He is truly a descendent of Gazimonus."
In the next alcove of statues, Maris and Cinaed pressed against the wall, startled. Maris was filled with revulsion and raised a hand in preparation to use Megacool, but Cinaed restrained her, and held her back to the wall.
"No, let me go! They must- EH?" Maris found herself falling back. Perplexed she turned around, expecting to see the wall. Instead she found herself staring down into darkness. "AHHH!" She screamed, as she fell into darkness, and she heard a cry from Cinaed at her side.
Alerted, the Mantrak whirled around to face the source of the noise, but only found themselves staring at a blank wall. At a guttural order from their captain, the fiends resumed their march.
When the Mantrak had passed, a part of the wall shimmered, the very air rippling. Then, a hand appeared from the air as Aleos opened his palm and disabled his Cloak Psynergy. Orior and Shamira breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was too close." Orior said, warningly. "We should be more careful. Now, let's see how Maris and Cinaed fared." With that, he strode from the alcove, after first listening to the receding footsteps of the army. He checked the alcove to their right, then to their left. A puzzled expression was on his face. He walked down the hall slowly, checking between the statures as he walked. After pausing for a moment at the hall's end, he returned to the others. "I can't find them." He admitted.
Aleos looked up. "That's odd. Are you certain?" He looked at Orior questioningly, and he nodded. "Then let us hope they managed to escape, and are not captives of those demonic creatures." He turned his head and stared down the path to the base of Mercury Lighthouse. "Nonetheless, we must hope for their well-being. For if that accursed army has come here, I fear they are finished with Imil. We must make haste from this Lighthouse and make certain. Come." He walked quickly down Mercury Lighthouse, a resolute Orior and Shamira in tow.
--
Regnoare flew high above the city of Imil, riding effortlessly the rising thermals caused by the burning polis. He smiled as his handiwork. The earth shook, rending the city piece from piece and felling structures. Lightning crackled and struck the peaks of the highest buildings, showering razor debris on the screaming inhabitants. Flames slowly chewed away at the crystal material of the city, having some difficulty melting the proud buildings to molten slag. Two of his Alchemic creations, acting as generals, ravaged the town. A long serpent, hundreds of feet in length, rose from the nearby sea and crushed the town with simple movements. The glitter in its icy eyes suggested it was enjoying itself. Circling at a lower altitude then himself, Regnoare spotted the flying eye, recently wounded in a battle with some rebels, venting his rage and frustration by picking off singular fleeing citizens with his talons.
Regnoare surveyed this, nodding, pleased. Gathering his wings for a dive, he decided he had let the king of Imil enjoy watching his precious city be ruined long enough. Even as he thought this, Regnoare observed the palace doors open and a battalion of armour-clad Imil elite march out. The Mantium wanted to give them the honour of dealing with him personally. With a smile, he dove down to his bewildered foes.
He landed gracefully in front of the scrambling Imilians, and raised his head. The soldiers were secretly horrified at the malice emanating from this demon. Regnoare smiled amiably. "Hello." The soldiers cringed.
Regnoare spread his arms out in a gesture of friendship. "Now, why do you fear me? What have I done to you?"
One of the soldiers spoke up. "You are destroying Imil, and we will stop you!"
Regnoare looked pained. "Now, why would you say such a thing?" His question was answered as a nearby building exploded as the demon eye flew through it, one of the shards decapitating a soldier.
Regnoare frowned. "Oh, I see. Well, I suppose I am your enemy then." The elite guards assumed their battle positions and held their tridents at ready. Regnoare began to smile, the malice returning to his demeanour. "In that case…" He held up his hand, and a dark light grew in his palm. Bringing his hand to his chest, he laughed and threw out his arm as a rapier of darkness sprung from his hand, levitating in the air. Grasping the hilt, Regnoare retracted his arm and spun the rapier in his hand. It was an unearthly thing, black feathers decorating the curved bellguard, also obscuring Regnoare's hand (or claw…). From that mass of feathers sprung a long vorpal blade, long and thin, keen and cruel.
Regnoare snaked the blade in front of him, watching as the guards' wary eyes followed it. With a laugh, he sprung and shattered the first two tridents he saw into shards. Now inside the reach of the prongs, he expertly twirled and spun, hacking the remaining trident heads from their shafts. Reversing the blade, he drove it pommel first into the face of the nearest guard, hearing a satisfying crack as his facial bones shattered. The guard dropped to his knees, moaning.
Rotating the blade, he spun it blade first again and slashed at two charging soldiers, the force of the blow sending them and their comrades behind them into the palace wall, where the hard crystal suffered no visible hurt. Less can be said of the soldiers, though.
Regnoare then agilely danced through the remaining ranks, sweeping the black blade to and fro. Soon, he emerged on the other side and stood still, unharmed. "That," he said slowly, "is the power of Chaos."
He felt a hand grab his leg, and he looked down in surprise. "Oh ho! Still not dead, eh?" He reached down and lifted the struggling elite easily. Using Mind Read, he divined the guard's name. "So, Vishnar, still not dead?" Regnoare looked at the cuts across the man's face and the dents in his armour, then at his broken arm. "Admirable. But, a pity you tried to hurt me." With a single throw, Regnoare launched the hapless soldier into the wall of a nearby structure, which collapsed on the guard, who was too weary to scream as he was buried by tonnes of solid crystal.
Regnoare chuckled as the rapier withdrew into his palm as a black ball, which then faded. "Now, to see what the good King is doing."
---
Aleos, Shamira, and Orior cautiously emerged from the Lighthouse, fearful of what they might see. Their fears were justified: Imil was aflame. Hapless citizens ran past them on their way to the water's edge, seeking the refuge of the Imilian fleet. Demons ravaged the city, burning and looting. The only thing so far unharmed was the Imil castle, but that could easily change. Even now, Mantrak were amassing at the cardinal entrances to nitada aula. All hope seemed lost.
As the trio gazed listlessly on this sight, a patch of snow nearby them exploded, and they watched in shock as a stone door flung up and onto the snow and a swearing Hydros emerged. He dusted the snow off his robe, and looked about. He did a double-take when he saw the Adepts staring at him, and strode towards them, gesturing.
"I never expected to see you starry-eyed scoundrels again," He smiled with relief as he approached them, "but I'm glad. We have… a problem." Orior chuckled at the understatement. Hydros continued. "That blasted Regnoare! We should have expected an attack after you drained Mercury. You did, didn't you?" He looked at them, and Aleos produced the Mercury Star. Hydros nodded. "True power of Mercury. It's a marvel. May I see?" Aleos nodded and reluctantly handed him it. "Flawless." He admired the light of the sun through it, and handed it with great care back to Aleos. "Keep that safe, Regnoare will be wanting that." He smiled grimly. "He shan't get it."
A great gust of wind stopped him from continuing, and brought with it the scent of burning and the screams from Imil. Hydros looked shocked. "I'm to ready a ship for Poseidon! But…" He looked perplexed over Imil, to where the sea glittered serenely, ignoring the destruction of its coastal city. Just then, the black serpent raised its head and crashed down on a structure, flattening it. "I will have to cross Imil…" He drew a long trident from a hidden strap under his cloak. "I will avenge the fallen."
Orior looked on the royal with increased respect. "That is no small task, Imilian. We shall assist you." He bowed with some ceremony.
Hydros, too, regarded him likewise. "Glad to receive your assistance, Adepts," he said cordially. He widened his eyes, and scanned them. "Say… where's Maris and the Proxian?"
Aleos shook his head regretfully, his long silver hair swaying. "I had hoped they were with you. The Mantrak marched through Mercury Lighthouse and we were separated."
Hydros shook his head, doubt in his eyes. "That is distressing… but it will take more than a few soldiers to eliminate my niece." He spoke with paternal pride in his voice. He hoisted his trident in the air. "So, let us move."
They walked through the blasted and pitted streets of Imil, once beautiful, now scarred and twisted. Luckily, they met no immediate opposition, but the sight of so much ruination dampened their spirits more than a hundred battles would. They picked their way cautiously through the fallen arches and debris that littered the path, and more than once they were forced to stop as a cloak or another garment became trapped. Eventually, though, they found a mercifully clear alley between two houses that had fallen upon each other, the roofs preventing the other from falling. They walked through warily, lest the structures should collapse and bury them. Their wariness was rewarded as a large block dislodged and plunged towards Shamira, who, sensing the change in the air, leapt nimbly to the side as the four tonne block dug a sizable crater into the alley. Taking this as a sign not to push their luck, Aleos motioned for them to hurry, and they emerged into the hazy sunlight, choked by black smog that wafted to them from a burning structure.
To the east rose the curving wall of Imil palace, vast and seemingly impregnable. However, as they followed the along the wall, they came to a nitada aula. Here, they were horrified to find the strewn bodies of Imilian elite, their faces contorted in a grimace that suggested a painful death. Most them bore long, jagged wounds that opened them like so much fish, and the buildings around them were shattered, simply so much mounds of rubbish. The Fivefold stood in sadness as Hydros wandered over to one of the heaps and sat upon it wearily. He picked up a crystal shard and threw it away, his expression bleak.
"Shards! Just… shards…" He seemed on the verge of losing control.
But a weak voice spoke from underneath him. "Hy… Hyd… Hydros?"
Hydros leapt to his feet as if the mound burnt him, and turned to stare in amazement at the mound. Then he recognized the voice. "Vishnar!"
Hydros bent down to the pile and immediately began excavating it in a frantic effort to free the trapped Imilian. He threw the jagged shards aside, working his way deeper to where he hoped Vishnar was. Feeling lackadaisical, Shamira, Orior, and Aleos crouched down and set to shifting the debris on each side. Eventually, Hydros spied the broken and battered hand of the buried man and grasped it, trying to ignore Vishnar's scream of pain as Hydros pulled him from the rubble. The Fivefold exchanged surprised glances that the Imilian was alive at all.
His skin was toned a sickly grey, his left arm broken in multiple places, and his face was shattered and bruised. He bore long cuts across his chest and arms, and his armour was battered and broken.
Shamira leaned over to Orior and said quietly, "He looks like his been through a meat grinder." He agreed.
Hydros offered Vishnar his arm, who took it gratefully. "Vishnar… what happened?"
The stricken soldier gasp out the words, "Regnoare… he came… he burnt the city… utter chaos… we tried… to stop him…. but he destroyed us easily… then he threw me into a building… and it collapsed on me…"
Hydros shook his head, regret evident in his eyes. "We'll stop him. Where's the King?"
Vishnar blanched. "I don't know! He was healthy when we left but Regnoare must have advanced into the palace by now…" The Imilian's voice trailed off as he fainted, exhausted.
Hydros did his best to make the unconscious man comfortable. "Now…" He turned to the Fivefold. "We go to the northern port to arrange a ship for the King, who has a good friend captaining his ship. Let's move."
---
The famous dock of Imil was in chaos. The storage facilities on the docks where the days catch of fish and other sea bounties were stored lay in ruins, but the Imilian fleet was bustling with citizens eager to escape. Mercury Adepts collected goods for the ships while woman and children boarded into the ship's hold. Many coloured sails adorned the blue port, and the ships swayed gently in the sea.
But the Fivefold were not deceived by this seemingly ordinary. Mantrak oversaw the workings, talking and laughing in their harsh voices and destroying the occasional civilian, which further incited the people to haste. And the black serpent swam lazily in the open sea, sinking every ship that tried to escape without Regnoare's consent.
Hydros led them to a large and proud three-masted ship, its navy sails bound tight. The ship itself was made of a dark wood ("Probably Morgall Wood," Aleos thought), glossed to a soft shine with fish oil. On its prow was the figure of a sea serpent, Imil's insignia. Hydros inclined his head respectfully to the figure leaning calmly on a spare mast.
The figure wore a navy blue captain's hat, tipped jauntily to one side and bearing the badge of two leaping fish. He had a grizzled face, worn by years of being out in the harsh brine-stained air of the sea. His slowly greying black hair was unruly but somewhat tamed by the confining effect of the headwear. His eyes were a hazy grey, used to scanning down to far-off horizons, and he wore a navy officer uniform: a close-fitting tunic bound with small silver buttons.
His face lit up as he noticed the approaching Hydros, and his eyes crinkled as he smiled. "Hydros! Good ta see ye, ye scurvy dog! What bring ye ta my 'umble ship?"
Hydros grinned dryly. "Well, Desaeis, because our city is being destroyed, the King will need transport."
Desaeis nodded. "Ye hav' a point. In fac'," His eyes twinkled. "I have the ship ready."
Hydros chuckled. "Do you? Anticipating as always, Desaeis."
Out of seeming nowhere, a tall, clocked figure sidled up to the conversing Adepts, who tensed. "It is I." The strong voice issued from beneath the hood, and its wearer lowered it just enough for the others to see his face.
The Adepts bowed. "Your Majesty!"
Desaeis grinned. "Ye a sly ol' dog, Poseidon. Ye need me ship?" He cocked his head at a querying slant.
Poseidon nodded, replacing his hood as he did so. "Indeed. Live to fight another day, as they say."
The sea captain's grin broadened. "Then let us board."
Poseidon held up his hand. "Half a moment." He looked sideways, at Aleos and the rest of the Fivefold. "Where is my daughter? And the Proxian?" He looked sternly at Aleos.
Aleos averted his gaze. "After the Mantrak army marched through Mercury Lighthouse, we were separated. I have not seen them since." He sighed.
The King looked pained, but recovered his composure. "She will be fine. She is my daughter, and a great Adept." He seemed to be reassuring himself as much as them.
Hydros clouted his brother on the back, who tried to look shocked at such familiarity. "That's what I told them, brother. Never you mind. Let's just worry about getting out of here alive."
Desaeis nodded agreement, and gestured impatiently for them to board.
So it was that King Poseidon, Chancellor Hydros, Admiral Desaeis, and the Fivefold boarded the ship to escape the wretched city of Imil.
---
"Hoist the sails, ye scallywags!" Desaeis' grizzled voice boomed over the length of his ship as they drifted out of port. "I want te be in the sea by noon!" The sailors under Desaeis worked swiftly to prepare the ship. One climbed nimbly up the rigging and unfurled the sails, which billowed down until they caught a breeze, whereupon the ship raced out to port.
The Fivefold stood at the prow, their hair streaming out behind them as the ship raced forward, barely touching the waves in its speed. The other captains stood, mouths agape, as the mare tempestas blew past them, a grinning Desaeis at the helm as he funnelled Mercury Psynergy into his ship. All too soon, they launched from the port into open waters.
"Eat that, Regnoare!" Hydros cried as he shook his fist behind them. "Uh oh…" The black serpent had noticed them, and was slowly undulating and rising to watch their progress. It cocked its head as if listening, and then gave a great roar and dove into deep. At the same time, a blue light blossomed far away, but the serpent at hand was more important. It raced quickly, winding its body as it wove through the water with unnatural speed. The Fivefold moved to the stern of the ship to track the serpent.
Desaeis turned to watch and frowned. "As fas' as we ar' travellin', tha' thing is catchin' up quick." He turned to his crew. "Pump yer Psynergy to te ship! Let's move!"
The ship lurched and doubled in speed, tearing through the waves like the north wind. Yet…
"It's gaining…" Shamira whispered, awe and disbelief her expression.
The serpent roared as it breached the surface and leapt through the air to survey its surroundings, then plunged neatly back into the water, its strong muscles and dark magic propelling it so quickly it was merely a black blur. All too soon, it was merely a few ship lengths behind them. Acid saliva dripped from its jaws as it neared its goal.
"No!" Orior cried, and casted Spire. The strong stone spike merely bounced off the creature's impervious shell, and, angered, it roared in outrage.
A crackling bolt of lightning blasted into its face, with much the same effect. Shamira stood, her palms outstretched and her face grim. "Its no use…" She said, and dropped her hands. Turning, she shouted to the ship, "It's no use! Brace for impact!" As she turned back to face her enemy, the last thing they saw was a gaping black cavern armed with man-length teeth blanketing the sky.
---
Maris was awoken by plunging into ice-cold water. There was little light, and the dark depths of the water beckoned to her as she was dragged deeper still. Suddenly, she was aware of the massive Proxian, Cinaed, in the water with her not four feet away. Maris looked around, and saw the surface some fifteen feet away, and receding quickly. "No… I cannot die." Maris thought. "I must save Imil… and the Fivefold must not be broken." Spinning upright, Maris gathered her element and commanded the water to gather beneath her. Feeling the positive response of its energy, she swelled it up and casted Geyser, launching both her and Cinaed through the barrier of the surface into the air beyond. Taking the chance to spare a glance about, Maris scanned the cavern. They were suspended above a deep underwater lake, still roiling from their hasty departure. They were in a damp cave, stalactites reaching down from the ceiling and dripping water into the lake. The cave funneled up into a dark tunnel above, where Maris assumed she and Cinaed had fallen from. Below them, Maris could see a sandy island rising from the deep, and upon it a steady blue glow that illuminated the cavern.
Cinaed chose at that time to wake up, and it did not escape his notice that he was suspended above a deep lake, or that he was underground in a cave. With a yell of surprise, he and Maris both fell back into the water.
Cinaed rose to the surface, sputtering, and beside him rose Maris, at ease in the water. Maris tapped his shoulder, and gestured that they should swim to the island. Cinaed nodded, and they began to swim, leaning on the other's shoulder from time to time for support. Cinaed had the disadvantage, of, while being stronger, being weighed down by his armour.
Soon, Cinaed felt sandy ground beneath his feet and stood. Shortly after, Maris reached land. She drew a deep breath, panting slightly. "Well, we made it. Let's see what that glow is." Shaking some of the water from her robe, Maris walked forward to the glow. Standing straight after taking a small rest, Cinaed sighed and followed.
The sand rustled beneath Maris' feet as she proceeded, and the light beckoned her. As she drew near, she raised her hand to shield from the light, but slowly lowered it when she discovered she could bear it. She stopped, and waited for Cinaed to draw up beside her, then walked into the light.
A faint pulsing sound filled her ears, and the light seemed to be in synchronization with the pulse, and it slowly enveloped her. Soon, a straight shape phased into her sight. She stepped forward and, hesitant but extremely curious, she reached out for the object. When she grasped it, multiple sensations flashed through her hand. It felt wet, then cool, then burning, then hard and cold. She tightened her handhold, and felt some resistance as she drew it from the sand it was embedded in. The light blazed brightly, then began to fade. As her eyes adjusted, Maris just caught the last of the light being drawn into the object in her hand. She examined it closely.
It was a beautiful staff of purest sapphire. An opal served as the pummel, and an ornate crystal shape twined about the length of it. She fingered it, and found it to be rough. Looking on it as a whole, she realized that it was a serpent that wound the whole length of the weapon, ending with a dragonhead from which a blade emerged. The blade glittered with a cruel edge, in shape and form like a crescent moon.
As she realized what she held, Maris' knees grew weak and Cinaed lunged to support her as she fell. Leaning on the staff for support, she said in a low voice, "As Aleos has the Masamune as the weapon of his ancestor, this is the heirloom of Imil, the staff Leviathan. It was forged long ago, but by whom our tales do not tell. It was wielded in the Great War by Pelagius, hero of Mercury, who allied with Argyros when Gazimonus slaughtered his family." She held it aloft, the staff still faintly glowing. "And now, it must be used again, to protect Imil." As she spoke, or maybe because of it, the water around them frothed, and slowly began to recede. As Maris and Cinaed stood still in awe, the passing waters revealed them to be on a high peak, from which a worn trail led down to the damp floor, and along the cavern into a dark tunnel in the side, into which the water flowed into. Maris turned to Cinaed. "I think we should proceed," she said, and tied Leviathan about her waist with a ribbon.
Cinaed nodded, and spoke for the first time since they fell. "As you wish… Star Magician of Mercury."
Maris and Cinaed walked side by side through the winding tunnel, hand-in-hand so as to not be separated in the darkness. As the path switched back and forth, Cinaed thought in his mind, "The Imilians seem to be big on winding tunnels…".
He chuckled, and he could sense Maris stare at him, "What?" She said, rather sternly.
"Nothing," he said, still chuckling. "Hey." Cinaed sniffed. "Fresh air. We're almost out. There's the exit." Light began to filter into the darkness.
The two Adepts picked up their pace, walking hurriedly. Suddenly, they fell as the ground became slippery.
"Whoa!" Cinaed cried as his feet flew from beneath him, as he and Maris began to slide on the wet earth, eliciting a similar cry from the Imilian. They accelerated as the tunnel sloped downwards and soon they were hurtling at breakneck speed.
The crying of seabirds barely reached their ears over the sound of wind, which meant they were nearing the end.
"Seabirds…" Maris thought. "Oh noooo…" Her heart sank. "CINAED! IT'S THE OCEAN! A CLIFF!"
"WHAT!" Cinaed cried, and dug his heels into the earth, slowing himself down, and Maris did the same. But not slow enough.
They were blinded by a bright light, and found themselves suspended hundreds of feet in the air above a raging ocean. Behind them, a dark shadow marked the dank cave they emerged from, and the jagged cliff surrounding them and jagged rocks below.
The Adepts screamed as they began to plunge. As they fell, Cinaed reached out with his arm, hoping to find something to slow his descent, and grasped a protruding ledge. With his other arm, he caught Maris as she plummeted past him, straining the muscles in his arm. He hoisted the small Imilian up onto the ledge, which was about five paces long and wide, then lifted himself up and collapsed, exhausted.
Maris just sat silently, wide-eyed. "Cinaed… you saved my life…"
Cinaed opened one eye to look at her, and seemed to consider what she said. "So I did…"
"Cinaed…" Maris began, "I owe you my life now. But for now let's focus on escaping this cliff. And… thanks." With that, she quickly embraced Cinaed and began to scale the cliff. Cinaed nodded slowly at the ascending Imilian and climbed up after her.
-
"Nearly there…" Maris gasped out, as she took yet another handhold on the cliff. Her and Cinaed were now over a thousand feet above the writhing ocean, the summit merely ten feet away. Determined, Maris renewed her efforts and was rewarded by a speedy, if risky, ascent to the summit. She then collapsed gratefully into the cool snow, and shortly after heard the thud of the Proxian beside her as he, too, collapsed. Then Maris raised her head and stared with disbelief at Imil.
Her hometown, the city where she was born and raised, was in chaos. Dark figures walked the streets and buildings were destroyed or in flames. The docks were filled with frantic ships trying to escape, watched over by a flying eye (the same one from before, she remembered) and a great black serpent. Of course, Imil was still many miles distant, but that did not lessen the pain she felt in her heart.
She vaguely heard Cinaed stand and felt him place a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Come on," he said, and Maris turned to face him when she heard the edge in his voice, and his eyes were a smouldering fire. "There's only one thing left now: destroy the bastards who did it."
"Wait," Maris responded. She shaded her eyes and looked closely at the port. "See that ship just setting out, with great blue sail studded with stars? That's the Admiral Desaeis' ship. He's a former pirate, and Father give him command on account of his immense knowledge of the sea and his experience. He usually conveys Father on his ship…" She started. "And that must mean he's escaping with the King! Hurry, let us go to them!" She began to walk forward, but Cinaed tightened his grip on her shoulder.
"It's no use." He said, and shook his head. "The most we can do from here is watch." Maris reluctantly subsided, and observed.
"NO!" Maris cried suddenly. The black serpent had uncoiled form where it was resting, and was regarding the fleeing vessel intently. It raised its massive skull and roared, the fearsome sound reaching them across the miles. It leapt into the water and pursued the ship with unnatural speed.
"No… I cannot stand by. Not this time. As long as I draw breath, I will defend Imil and its King, my father. And my father is Imil's greatest hope now…" Maris thought, and suddenly she felt an inexplicable power surge through her. "I! WILL! NOT! STAND! BY!" She screamed, and a blue light blossomed at her side. She drew Leviathan form its ribbon and held it aloft, the blue light emanating form it growing stronger. Cinaed stared at her in amazement, then cried in surprise as the cliff around them began to crumble. He waited for the inevitable plunge… but it didn't come. He looked up, surprised, and found himself and Maris surrounded by a surreal blue glow, suspended by elemental energy hundreds of feet in the air.
Maris, with Leviathan in her hand, was the source of that glow. The trailing edge of her robes fluttered slightly in the pulses of her power, and her normally tranquil aquamarine eyes glowed bright and stormy. In a strange and powerful voice, Maris pointed Leviathan towards the fleeing ship and pursuing serpent and said, "Let's go."
The glow launched forward, and the stunned Cinaed and concentrating Maris travelled forward at blinding speed, hurtling toward the serpent and ship.
In almost no time at all, they were hovering above the ship and keeping pace with it. The serpent, its black scales glittering in the water, roared and sped forward until it was nearly to the ship. Suddenly, it was hit with a large stone spire and blasted with bolts of lightning. Three figures stood at the stern, facing the approaching serpent.
"That's Orior, Shamira, and Aleos!" Cinaed shouted, and Maris nodded, she swung the staff to the right, and they floated to the right side of the serpent.
Maris turned to Cinaed. "Brace yourself." The serpent gained on the ship, and with a triumphant cry, lunged forward, mouth open to consume. "Now." Maris added, and dropped the staff and pointed it at the serpent.
The blow glowed, and formed a glowing shield. It swooped down with preternatural speed and crashed sideways into the serpent's head, diverting its course and stunning it into immobility.
Maris guided the ball onto the ship and landed. The Fivefold, Hydros, Poseidon, and Desaeis rushed forward to greet them joyously. "Maris!" Poseidon cried, and embraced his daughter.
Maris returned it, and then pulled away to address them all. "Desaeis. Take this ship as far away as possible. Cinaed, you stay here. A Mars Adept wouldn't do well in what I'm planning." She smiled grimly, and noticed Hydros' inquisitive glance at the staff. "Leviathan." When she noticed his look of awe and open mouth, she raised her hand to forestall any questions. "Can't talk. Must leave. Everyone," she turned to face them all. "Good luck. May Mercury be with you." With that, the blue glow surrounded her again and she floated up into the sky.
Cinaed leaned over to Poseidon and whispered in his ear "Your daughter's really something. You should be proud of her."
"I am." A slightly shocked Poseidon responded.
---
Maris floated serenely over the just recovering serpent, who began to hiss and sputter with rage. "Well," Maris thought, regarding Leviathan, "Let's see what you can do." In response to this silent challenge, the light brightened to a pure aqua light. Words unbidden came to Maris' mind:
"WRATH OF THE SEA!" She shouted, though later she could not tell if it was her or her weapon that cried these words.
The weapon glowed still brighter, and blue beams lanced down into the water around the serpent. There, they circled swiftly around the bewildered creature, swirling faster and faster, dragging the water with it. Soon, the serpent was being constricted inside a giant whirlpool, the roaring waves drowning out the serpent's own cries as it was tossed about like a rag doll.
More blue bolts lanced from Leviathan and struck the water about one hundred feet away from the struggling demon, impacting the water with great force. From these points arose great waves, half a mile high, dwarfing the draconic creature. Maris slashed with Leviathan, and the tsunamis crashed onto the sputtering serpent, battering it as the immense water crushed it. The remnants arose high into the air and formed a waterspout, a twister of pure water. The serpent screeched in pain as its scales were rended from its flesh.
Maris raised her staff, and said in a clear voice "Leviathan". The weapon, in response, crested its brightness and flashed as bright as Sol. From its tip a great avatar burst forth, length upon length. Maris blinked in surprise. Suspended in the air before her was a ghostly dragon, an ethereal pale blue that regarded her with glowing white eyes. Its flesh was mailed in a million sapphire scales, the whole being faintly translucent. Long pearly white horns spiralled from its massive skull, and long teeth overlapped its lower jaw.
"Leviathan…" Maris whispered, and the great phantom serpent nodded. "I am honoured…" Maris bowed.
The dragon regarded her intently, and, to her surprise, Maris heard a deep, powerful voice, as calm as the sea and as ancient as the ocean, resonate in her mind. "Imil has been ravaged, and it is only natural for its avatar to assist. I will vanquish the demon snake; the rest is up to you." Maris asserted her fervent thanks.
Leviathan inclined his head. He turned swiftly, and roared, the sound seeming to come from a far distance. He dove at the struggling demon, who looked up with awe and fear. Leviathan opened its ethereal jaws and its fanged mouth rended the serpent. There was a flash of dazzling gold, and the demonic serpent screamed. As Leviathan took another bite, there was a flash again, much brighter than the last. A great curtain of water sprung up around the two battling serpents, obscuring them. There was a blinding, all-encompassing flash of purest gold, and when the water collapsed, nothing remained of Regnoare's serpent. Leviathan hovered calmly, serene, and flew to where an awestruck Maris floated. "I only arrive in direst need." The avatar told her. "It may be a long while before we meet again. It has been a pleasure meeting you, Princess Maris."
Leviathan inclined his head and vanished. Maris caught a glimpse of a faint blue trail disappearing into her staff, and smiled. "Well met, Leviathan. Well met."
Maris gently floated over to the ship, and landed amidst cries of congratulations. The glow dissipated, and Maris landed gracefully.
Aleos congratulated her. "Excellent performance, Maris. I see you've learned to tap the power of your weapon?" He indicated her staff, and she nodded.
Hydros and Poseidon stood before her, smiles on their faces. Poseidon placed a rough hand on her shoulder. "I am pleased, daughter." Maris smiled.
---
High above them in the air, a black figure flew on great leathery wings, Regnoare. He cursed. "HOW!" He raged, "Did that sorry excuse for an Adept defeat my creation!" His mind struggled with this thought. He had forged that serpent, given it life, only to have it defeated so easily. And now, his quarry was escaping. "But I'll be damned (more than I already am) if I let them do it. I'll just have to stop them…"He thought.
He placed his right claw over his left and swept them both to his right side and held them, as if holding a sphere. He hung in the air, hovering with slow, steady, wingbeats, and concentrated. The power of Sol Aurarius surged into his arms and he channelled it into his palms… a golden spark flickered between his hands, then another. Sparks arched in the hollow he had formed, flickering with mindless intensity. Golden energy swirled from the air around him and gathered into his palms, where a small golden orb had formed, giving off the occasional flare.
As he tracked the moving ship he thought, "Personally."
---
Shamira, with her far-sighted eyes, was the first to spot the golden point. She shaded her eyes, and pointed. "That doesn't look too good."
Aleos followed her line of sight and agreed. "Most likely Regnoare about to blast us into oblivion."
"Yep."
"Damn."
"Indeed."
"Should we move?"
"No point, really. Together, he can kill us all with one shot."
"What about Leviathan?"
"Still resting. He's done more than enough."
"Then… are you suggesting we abandon ship?"
"Yes."
"Unfortunate, really."
Slightly amused by this conversation, Cinaed grinned, and then raised his voice. "Everyone! Abandon ship if you want to live! It will shortly be destroyed."
Most of the sailors sniggered, and resumed working. Desaeis, however, stepped forward. "Do as the lad says. Get off!"
The sailors, hesitant to abandon their captain, reluctantly saluted and turned to dive. One sailor stepped forward. 'Its been good sailing with ya, capt'an."
Desaeis nodded. "Give me regards to me daughter." The sailor nodded, and jumped ship, swimming strongly through the sea.
The Fivefold and Hydros were reluctant to depart. Aleos stepped forward and bowed. "You are a great man of the sea, Desaeis, and I speak for all of us. May we meet again." With that, he and the others turned and dove over the railing, looking back. Maris lingered for a moment, and looked questioningly at her father, who nodded. Maris bowed, and followed the rest of the Fivefold.
Desaeis turned to Poseidon. "Coming down with the ship, are ye, ye scurvy dog?" His words were companionable, yet his expression sad.
Poseidon nodded, and clapped his friend on the shoulder. "We should leave the future to the young." As he finished his sentence, the gold light in the sky suddenly crested and a great golden beam lanced down, sweeping them into oblivion.
---
Maris couldn't believe her eyes, and her mind screamed denial. "We were supposed to escape!" She thought. "Was everything for naught?" She treaded water in despair. All that remained of the once-proud ship was a few scattered boards, which the survivors hung from. There was no sign of Regnoare, Desaeis or her father.
Maris stared around in dismay. Suddenly the water twenty feet in front of her swirled and convulsed, becoming a whirlpool, but strangely she was not drawn in. Form the whirlpool emerged a majestic figure. He had long and pointed ears, brilliant white hair and his well-muscled chest was bare. Maris caught the sight of fins keeping the figure afloat, and saw that he was half-human, half-fish. The figure raised its head, and Maris saw familiarity in them.
"Father…?" She said tentatively. The figure nodded, and seemed to smile. With that, he turned and dove into the deep. She was unhappy, but at the same time felt at peace.