Just so you know there may be a little quote from, "The House With A Clock In Its Walls". I made my own spin on said quote but it was inspired by the film so I take no full credit. At any rate, I hope you enjoy!
Eight years have already come and gone, yet it still seemed like only yesterday when Zorlon had met the two Grimm siblings and took them in as his own. They were all at the astromancer academy, where everyday they honed their mystic skills.
Zorlon became a top level astromancer. He seemed to be much less raggedy than he was from years passed. He still had long, raven hair, only he wore it in a formal ponytail, and his lumberjack-like beard had been trimmed wn to a full goatee. His attire had changed quite a bit as well, wearing a navy blue shirt with a light blue astromancer symbol on the front. In addition, he wore a long, pitch black coat reaching down to his ankles, with some light blue on the shoulders, and black pants with a belt and long leather boots.
Malvaron and Tazma, on the other hand, wore astromancers cloak that was provided to them. Malveron styled his hair into an afro, while Tazma was wearing her hair in a small ponytail. Malveron didn't much care for the cloaks and often thought about changing his attire to be similar to that of Zorlon, whom he always looked up to ever since they met.
Zorlon trained under Nova himself. To say that training with Nova was a pleasant experience would be quite a stretch, as the old astromancer was impatient, domineering, and very harsh. Even still, Zorlon became one of the most, if not the most, powerful astronomers at the academy because of it. After each training session, he would train his young wards, but nowhere near as harshly as Nova would have. He was patient, calm, welcoming, yet wasn't above discipline here and there.
It was time for Malvaron and Tazma to spar with each other once again. Tazma had won the last few rounds, but Malvaron was confident he could win this time. Both of them stood at the center of the training hall on opposite sides of a training circle, staring each other, ready to go at it.
The rule was simple, try to push the opponent out of the circle to win. Zorlon stood firm, looking at his disciples as they wait with anticipation. After a moment of silence, the mighty mage raised his staff high, then slammed it hard in the ground, beginning the match.
Both began firing magic beams at each other, though neither manages to land a hit. Malvaron turned his orange beams into an energy ball, which he fired at Tazma, only for her to create a barrier around her that negated the spell. Malvaron was a little frustrated with that, but he wasn't discouraged, and still proceeded with his spells. Tazma, however had her own battle plan.
Tazma closed her eyes and took a small breath. Her hands were surrounded by a dark, purple aura, surely not like the typical purple aura the other mages used. Then, in the blink of an eye, her hands morphed into two blades of energy. Without warning, she lunged at Malvaron, swinging at him with full force. The poor younger mage was trying, seemingly with his life, to dodge these attacks. He managed blow Tazma away with a wind spell to get some distance, but she just kept coming with her attack.
Zorlon was starting to see the aggression in Tazma's technique. From the moment he met her, he suspected she was quite the trouble maker, and indeed that started to show when she was bullying some of the other starlings back in her younger years. Yet, as the years went by she started to grow more distant and cold, even towards him and Malvaron. It seemed all that bottled up rage was coming to the surface.
After a good deal of narrow dodges, Malvaron managed to gain the upper hand and trip up Tazma did a light spall to blast her out of the training circle. Just like that, the match was over, Malvaron had won. He turned to Zorlon, who smiled at the young pupil, to which Malvaron smiled back.
Tazma could not believe it, had she really been bested by her own little brother? No! then summoned her dark purple tendrils that trapped Malvaron. She then proceeded to squeeze him very hard, to the point where Malvaron could hardly breathe.
"Enough!" Zorlon shouted, banging his staff hard on the ground, canceling Tazma's tendrils, thus releasing Malveron who was gasping for breath.
"What's the matter, little brother? Afraid of a little rematch!" Tazma yelled spitefully.
"No!" Malvaron replied, able to breath enough to form words, "I'm afraid that you've been growing more aggressive during our training sessions! What gives?!"
"What gives is that I'm being held back! Valonar is is still out there, and he's holding nothing back, so why should we? Had we been fighting harder we he would be destroyed by now!" Tazma shoved Malvaron back after saying that, much to the younger mage's dismay.
"I said enough!" Zorlon repeated, getting between the two young mages. "We've been through this time and time again, Tazma. Anger is a powerful ally, but also a dangerous one. Accompanied with vengeance, it becomes destructive to you and those around you." He then then turned to Malvaron and placed a hand on his shoulder, then turned again to Tazma. "You both are family. Act as such."
Malveron had his head down, feeling a tightness in his chest. He had always looked up to his sister, all things considered. He never could have imagined she could have turned out so bitter. He reached his hand out, trying to make peace, only for Tazma to turn away and leave in a huff. Malveron was disheartened a great deal.
"What happened to my sister, Z-Man? Don't get me wrong, I miss my folks too, but we at least got each other. Shouldn't that be enough?"
"Your sister has indeed been darkened by vengeance over the years. But in that darkness, perhaps there is still a glimmer of light."
Zorlon gave Malveron a smile after saying that, assuring him that perhaps Tazma will come around. Yet, he could not help but feel that, perhaps, she was far gone and feared she had been diving into the dark arts. Alas, that introspection was cut short when Nova arrived.
"Zorlon, a moment of your time?" The old astromancer asked, with a stone face no less.
"Sure, Starmaster." Replied Zorlon, giving a rather cold look himself. Clearly, these two didn't see eye to eye. "What is it?"
"It seems we have made progress in finding Valonar. Apparently, he has taken refuge in an old cavern, located in the Death Mountains. Your quest, should you and your young disciples choose to accept it, is to find him and destroy him."
Zorlon thought for a moment of whether or not he wanted to bring Tazma on this quest. He was leaning towards no, all things considered. Then again, what might she do if her chance of vengeance were ever denied? The wise mage feared if she didn't come, then she would surely set off to exact vengeance, possibly getting herself killed. There was simply no avoiding it. Zorlon had to make a choice, so he went with the lesser of two evils.
"I accept. And you Malveron?"
"Count me in.", said Malveron, for he owed Valonar a little payback too.
"Good, go get your sister. It's time we stopped Valonar once and for all."
Dark clouds formed over a remote location, known as the Death Mountains. As the very name implied, it was a treacherous location, with light fog.
As if the thirty thousand foot heights weren't enough, they were filled with sharp, almost spear-like rocks along the ravines, and deadly fauna lurked along the corners. The worst of which were centipede-like monstrosities stretching up to twenty feet long, with razor sharp mandibles and eagle-like beaks. These were known as death crawlers.
Zorlon and his young disciples rode on griffin back to these horrific mountains. Zorlon and Malveron were wary, and with good reason. At the same time, Zorlon couldn't help but be fascinated by the sight, as it was magnificent in a way. Tazma, however, paid no mind. She had her mind on just one thing, and that was to destroy Valonar.
They soon found a suitable enough landing area, to which he sent the griffins away until they were needed. Conveniently, the cavern in which Valonar is hiding out, is just within walking distance.
They made their way to the opening of the cavern, which seemed a touch more eerie than the outside ever did. As they made their way into the dark cavern, they could hear the distinct grunts of skeleton soldiers, not too far away from where they were. They hid behind rocks, hoping to avoid detection.
As if on cue, Valonar was standing on a higher rock than the rest of the skeletons. Off to the side, there were eight mages trapped in giant rib bones.
One such mage was brought forth. Valonar then pulled out some sort of dark amulet with a green skull symbol. Chanting words in a dead language, he managed to turned the poor mage into a skeletal necromancer.
"Now that you have been perfected, will you serve the Spectral Hand?" Inquired Valonar.
"Yes", the necromancer said, in a scratchy voice. An eerie green aura formed in the necromancers hand, getting a glimpse of his dark magic.
"Excellent. Now, join the rest of your brethren."
Out of the shadows, at least ten necromancers, all of which were wearing dark green cloaks, and had glowing green eyes.
"So that's what that scoundrel wants." Malvarlon said. "He's wants necromancers to raise a larger undead army."
"Indeed." Zorlon agreed. "It all makes sense now. How large an army he intends to lead is a question I'm afraid to ask."
"I say we strike now and end him." Tazma said, charging her hand to blast.
"Calm yourself Tazma, I have a plan. Me and Malvaron will create a diversion and hold off the necromancers best we can, meanwhile you can free the captive mages, they can aid us in the fight."
"And miss my chance to get back at that fiend for killing my parents? I'm starting to question your judgement." Tazma gritted her teeth after finishing that last sentence.
"Hey, lay off, Tazma!" Malvaron said in Zorlon's defense
"That's enough!" Zorlon sternly said. "We have no time to argue amongst ourselves. This is the only way this can work."
"Fine." Tazma reluctantly agreed.
"On three" Zorlon said, counting down.
"One… two… three!"
Just like that, they put their plan into motion. Zorlon and Malveron both blasted Valonar back to a wall, to which his army attacked. Tazma did exactly as instructed, freeing the mages, who then join the battle. Malvaron was doing quite well, taking down quite a few skeletons. That was short lived, as Valonar blasted at him with a fireball, which Malvaron narrowly dodged. He was then knocked back to the wall, where the revenant approached, flaming his sword.
"Any last words, boy?" Valonar said as flames charged in his sword.
In the nick of time, Tazma blasted Valonar away from Malvaron. Right there, she engages him in combat. Meanwhile, Zorlon and the freed mages were holding off the necromancers. Amidst the battle, Zorlon noticed the amulet in Valonar's Hand. It was a long shot, but breaking it could turn the necromancers back to normal mages.
"Tazma! Break the amulet!" Zorlon shouted, blocking green magical blasts from three necromancers. With that, Tazma levitated the amulet into her hand, and used powerful magic to crush it, much to Valonar's horror.
The necromancers then revert back to mages, and all were standing against Valonar. Valonar lunged, only to be blasted right out of the air by Zorlon,who then beat him into submission. Valonar could tell Zorlon had grown much more powerful since their last encounter. It wasn't looking good for the vile skeleton general.
"It's over Valonar, you're finished." Zorlon said.
"Yes… it is… for you." Valonar then pulled out a horn, which he blew, sound an an ear splitting call. After a brief moment of silence, out surfaced a death crawler from the ground, then another from the walls, and more soon came. There were too many to fight off. It was time to flee.
"Quick, this way!" Malvaron shouted, pointing to the exit. While he and Zorlon held off the death crawlers as long as they could, the other mages fled. All, except Tazma, who pursued Valonar. Reaching a dead end, Tazma had him right where he wanted him. Upon facing this young mage, Valonar could not help but laugh.
"A child? Ha! Of all the mages a mere child thinks she can beat me?"
"I'm no mere child." Tazma coldly said. "Gaze closely upon this face… for it's the last you will ever see!"
Valonar had humored her long enough. He charged his sword shoot flames at her, only for Tazma to effortlessly shoot it out of his hand. He then extended his two arm blades and charged to her, only to be caught in… shadowy tendrils. Apparently, she had been practicing dark magic.
"You…" Valonar started. "You're a shadow mage?"
"I dabble." Tazma said, wearing a wicked grin. At that moment, Valonar did recognize her from eight years ago. She was that child whose parents he disposed of those years ago. How can such a young mage acquire that power? And this feeling… had Valonar finally realized fear?
"Please… mercy." Valonar pleaded.
"Let me ask you something. Did my parents beg for mercy when you killed them?! If so, did you show them any?! I'll bet not, therefore… you shall have non either."
Finally, she clenched her hand tight, and Valonar's body was encased in a black shadow. And just like that, he was reduced to dust. Tazma chuckled with satisfaction. Yet, she could not help but get the feeling, she was being stalked. Without hesitation, she levitated a skeleton from behind a rock. This skeleton seemed a little different from the others, wearing helmet with ox horns.
"Who are you?!" Tazma demanded
"Go ahead mage, blast me! You'll alert the rest of the death crawlers." The skeleton replied. Tazma set him down. She could somewhat sense a proposition from him.
"What do you seek of me skeleton?"
"My name is Colonel Tibian. I must say, I'm glad you disposed of Valonar, I've been under his shadow for too long! You have great power mage… perhaps you're the kind of mage my liege, Baron Dreadbane has been looking for."
Tazma seemed intrigued. She knew a little of this Dreadbane and his allegiance to the vile Lich Queen herself, yet she never thought he was alive, much less looking for a powerful mage. Perhaps she could join the spectral hand… to satisfy her own ambitions.
Yet that would have to wait, she could hear the others calling her name.
"Quick, hide!" Tazma said, to which Tibian hid behind another rock. Out of the corners came Malvaron and Zorlon, who escaped the death crawlers by the skin of their teeth.
"Are you alright?" Asked Zorlon
"Yes… Valonar… is no more."
"You destroyed him?!" Malvaron asked, very surprised indeed.
"Yes… listen… master… I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I have no excuse for my actions."
Zorlon was caught off guard by her sudden apology. As was Malvaron, whom she approached, and gave a firm hug, seemingly forming tears.
"You too brother… please… forgive me."
Malvaron couldn't help but hug back. He felt things were still unresolved between them, but at least it seemed they took a step toward patching up old wounds. Zorlon was glad to see them hugging, though he felt something was off. Perhaps it was his imagination.
"Let's set a course for home. Nova will be pleased by our success." Said Zorlon.
"Ha! When is Nova ever pleased?" Replied Malvaron. Both chuckled while they were on their way.
Tazma hung back, and wiped away the tears, and gave an evil chuckle. Clearly, those those were fake tears. She signaled Tibian to come out once the coast was clear.
"Now, Tibian… about that proposition."
Three years had already passed, and for the moment at least, things seemed peaceful. Tazma quickly rose through the ranks and became a top level astromancer, becoming rather strict but noble… or so she wanted the others to think.
Malvaron became quite a strapping young man, standing about 5'10". After some consideration, he traded away the tacky robes for a more casual look. He wore a white jacket with some red patches, and underneath it a dark red t shirt with the astromancer symbol on the front.
Poor Malvaron could not help but be slightly jealous of Tazma. He was typically laid back but he always sought to improve his skills. It seemed Tazma was a natural at the mystic arts, hence how she rose through the ranks so quickly. Malvaron was pretty talented himself, yet how could he ever measure up? Zorlon happened to be passing by, hardly changed at all over the years.
"Yo, Z-Man." Malvaron called, to which the wise mage stopped.
"Yes, Malvaron?"
"I know I've been training under you for years now. You taught me so much, I don't know what I'd be with you… but be honest, will I ever be as good a mage as you are?"
Zorlon wore a smile on his face. He distinctly remembered asking his own father that question when he was in his late teens like Malvaron. And just like his father before him, Zorlon had this to say.
"Never try to be a mage like your peers, always be your own brand of sorcerer. That said, will you be a great one? I know this much. I can teach you all the right spells, give you all the right books, and teach you all the right techniques. But, there is one thing you have to find on your own… dedication. If you are truly dedicated to your goal, you may indeed become an even better mage than me."
That really put a smile on Malvaron's face. Once again, Zorlon knew exactly what advice to give. But both immediately turn to face Nova as he suddenly appeared.
"Zorlon" Nova began. "I'm afraid that I have a rather… iffy task for you and your young ward here. You are to go to the Royal Palace, immediately."
That caught them off guard, why would they ever need to go to the Royal Palace?
"What's wrong starmaster?" Zorlon asked, concerned.
"The Dragon Disk… It's active."
Well that's it for this story. I may be slow on the rest these days with classes going on and all, but I'll try to finish the rest as soon as I'm able. As always, feel free to review and share your thoughts, thank you for taking the time to read.