Wow and update; what a shock! Sorry it took so long, dear Pitters; the holidays were a bit stressful. I take full responsibility for the slower turnaround, and beg your forgiveness.
Many thanks to: Irma 1 (your English is just fine…and I'm flattered to be compared to Picasso); Stormrider 7 (so many compliments…my humble thanks milady); Nemrut (thank you for your compliments); Irma Rokz (get off your knees kiddo; I'm your sister, not your master); Loveline (lovely to hear from you again, my Australian friend); DM (thanks for noticing the connection between Irma and Nerissa); Spyder (your review made me laugh…Kung Fu Oracle); Knight (thanks for getting into the story so much); Nisa (I love popcorn); Zesty (thank you for saying how much you're "feelin" it); Krystal (thanks for being so loyal to the Pit); Prince Vince (ooooo an entire castle!); Guardian of the Water (LOL…ok ok, here's an update. Hehe…); AzT (my Shaft-Sister); and Visigoth (thank you, as always, for your in-depth insights). And here's a shout-out to Nats and Pita…miss you girls!
Now let's give a big HOO RAH for two new Pitters: Robert Teague and ZodiacdragonHatori. Welcome, my friends, to the Whale Pit; here's hoping you will stay a while. Now I've neglected to welcome my friend Charlie1701 to the Pit. Charlie is a regular in the forums and I should have acknowledged him long ago. So Charlie, here is your official welcome. Thanks for haunting the forums.
Donut Club: Robert Teague for using the noodle (pure water…hmmm); Nisa (Luke…I am your father!); Krystal for being suspicious of Nerissa's motives; Visigoth for his insights into the Council, etc.
Now again, I need to thank my glorious editor; without whom I could not create this story. She reads every single word, and disagrees with me about everything. She makes fabulous, enhancing suggestions, and disagrees with me about everything. She painstakingly ferrets out plot holes, and disagrees with me about everything. She holds still when I need to punch something, even inviting me to do so on many occasions…and she disagrees with me about everything. She helps me keep my sanity when my world seems to fall apart…and she disagrees with me about everything. She is my psychiatrist when my head is twisted; she is my confidant when I have to unload; she is my friend when I just want to cry; she is my cheerleader when I feel unworthy; she is my healer when my heart is broken; she is my sister when I need her the most…and she disagrees with me about everything. So thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, dear sister. Words are insufficient to explain my gratitude…even if you do disagree with me about everything.
Alright folks…hope the wait was worth it.
Chapter 24
A shadow fell over the Fortress of Candracar; an oppressive pall of bitterness and pain. The very walls shuddered with terror as Nerissa and her lackeys advanced menacingly on their target. With blood in their eyes and murder in their hearts, the foursome moved unchecked through the corridors.
Arriving at their destination, Nerissa smiled ominously. With a wordless gesture, she directed Gargoyle to execute her malicious bidding. Lumbering forward, the gigantic creature smashed his club-like appendage against the huge double-doors, causing the entire area to quake. Raucous booms echoed across the fortress as the rock-monster clubbed the impeding barrier again and again. With every crash of rock against portal, the doors groaned in pain; but they refused to give.
Nerissa spread both arms out to her sides and began to mutter under her breath. "Velim caput tuum devellere deinde in confinium gulae cacare. Aratiuncula!" A powerful sphere of vivid violet enveloped the sorceress; a shield against the angry elements she knew lay on the other side of the weakening doors.
As Gargoyle continued his relentless assault, Frost shifted impatiently from one foot to the other. The big hunter couldn't help curling his lip at the thought of the dead Guardian in the corridor behind him. The bitch had always spited him and looked down on him, as if he were nothing more than spent chewing gum on the bottom of her shoe. She had laughed at him,toyed with him, insulted him; and he found her lack of respect disturbing to say the least. Well who was laughing now?
"Leave Raythor outside; we will pick him up after we finish," Nerissa instructed, as the doors began to fracture and split
Snapped from his pleasant reverie, Frost laid the injured man against the wall and regarded him with a mixed sense of pity and revulsion. The lieutenant's body showed clear signs of his recent near-death experience. Dried sweat and blood smattered his entire being and his hair was plastered to his skull. Shriveled and wrinkled skin hung loosely from his bones. His cheeks were hollow and his eyes sunken. Cracked lips and a grossly swollen tongue rounded out the henchman's most noticeable maladies. He was shaking and moaning, though from fear or from physical strain it was hard to tell.
Several agonizing minutes later, the doors were unable to hold out any longer as they finally buckled and folded; the Elemental Chamber lay exposed.
A tremendous gust of wind ripped through the smashed doorway, sending all but Nerissa sprawling uncontrollably. Frost yelped as he was pinned painfully between Gargoyle and the unforgiving marble wall of the fortress. He may well have suffocated there, trapped by the mighty gale, had Nerissa not intervened. With a smug grin, the witch extended her purple shield around her lackeys. The strong wind beat futilely against the sphere, in a vain attempt to prevent the intruders from entering the Chamber.
As Gargoyle peeled himself away from his teammate, Frost stumbled shakily to his feet. "Now I know how a Zamballan cornbeetle feels," he grumbled.
Directing the protective orb over the threshold, the witch took a moment to gaze about the Chamber she hadn't seen, much less visited, for many decades. Far from the serene, playful atmosphere she remembered, the Chamber had turned violent and angry. Ivory clouds had become black with enmity, and seemed to swell with increased capacity. Heavy winds whipped about, creating a near-deafening cacophony. Blue-white lightning arced between the ebony clouds, lethally electrifying the air. Nerissa had never before seen an Elemental Chamber in defense mode; now that she had, she found herself impressed with the weapons nature had provided.
Deadly electricity crackled violently around the shielded ball, vainly attempting to strike at the invaders. Had the sphere not existed, the quartet would have been fried to a blackened crisp; so highly charged was the very air in the Chamber.
Nerissa extended her hand, driving the sphere toward the center of the Chamber. As they sped on, the swirling winds twirled faster and faster, forming a giant twister. With naked ferocity born of irascible fury, it charged towards the intruders. When the churning mass struck, the offending orb rocked violently. The four villains were thrown about like boneless marionettes as the sphere careened wildly off-course.
Gathering herself quickly, Nerissa halted the orb's journey and turned it about. She had not expected the Chamber to be able to conjure a current more powerful than the blast that had greeted them. Dazed from the windy abuse, she retreated from the nasty twister to give herself time to recover. It was then that the blackened clouds opened up and released their moisture. Dense sheets of rain poured forth, engulfing the Chamber in a terrible storm and dropping visibility to almost nil. Gigantic drops of rain quickly turned to enormous balls of hail as the air spontaneously cooled itself.
Great stones of ice the size of softballs pounded the shield, shattering against the magical sphere. The impacts shook the orb, causing the inhabitants to cringe. Gradually the force of the blows began driving the intruders back towards the entrance. Worse, the strain of maintaining the shield against such heavy bombardment was starting to weaken the old witch. She knew she needed another plan…quickly.
She allowed the hailstones to push the sphere back to the threshold, where she landed it on the small platform. The hail continued to fall, but it did not venture into the space Nerissa and her lackeys currently occupied. Satisfied she was safe for the time being, Nerissa withdrew some of the energy that maintained the shield.
Feeling stronger, the sorceress now used her powers to amplify her voice. Raising her chin slightly, the crone called out.
"Yan Lin! I know you're here, dear heart; let's you and I have a little chat."
As the former Keeper waited patiently for a response, her thoughts turned to Yan Lin's betrayal. Of all the Guardians, Nerissa had most expected her best friend to stand by her side at the trial. When the Chinese Guardian had looked her in the eyes and uttered that painful condemnation, Nerissa had been stunned speechless. She had expected Yan Lin to try and understand what had happened; she had always tried to get the others to see things from all sides. Apparently the unfortunate situation between Cassidy and Nerissa didn't apply to Yan Lin's philosophy. Quietly, Nerissa vowed the old woman would pay for her insolence; and she would pay through her upstart granddaughter.
When the small woman didn't respond, Nerissa raised her voice and tried again.
"Oh come now Yan Lin; surely you don't still harbor ill feelings towards your old friend? How about we let bygones be bygones; start over?"
"Bygones be bygones? You think what you have done can be fixed with a wave of your hand and an insincere apology?"
Nerissa turned towards the voice. In the distance, she could see something approaching through the stormy blackness, but couldn't make out what it was. As it drew nearer, a definite shape began to form. A fluffy cloud, escorted by two others, floated towards the entrance to the Chamber. Standing on the cloud, her hands stuffed into the wide sleeves of her robe, was Yan Lin.
"Ah there you are," Nerissa purred, "I've so been looking forward to seeing you again."
The cloud squadron halted and Yan Lin stared down on her former friend.
"Why have you come here? Why have you violated this sacred fortress with your filth?"
"This sacred fortress used to be my home; why shouldn't the Oracle welcome back the prodigal daughter?"
"Prodigal daughter?! Is that what you think you are? You are a traitor and a murderer; that you walk free now is an insult to Cassidy's memory."
"Are you still on about that?" Nerissa replied in a bored tone. "Really Yanni, you need to let it go. What would the Oracle say about it? 'Hate will only tear your soul apart, Honorable One. You must move past the bitterness and despair.' Pitiful old fool; some things are worth hating; wouldn't you agree?"
"I do not hate you…I pity you. You were once a good person with a compassionate spirit and a warm heart. Now your spirit is blackened and your heart shriveled. There is nothing of my old friend that remains in the fiend now standing before me."
"Fiend? You wound me Yanni. What happened to Best Friends Forever?"
Yan Lin stood a little taller and her eyes narrowed. "My friend died many years ago; you are merely a demon inhabiting her form."
"Is that how you sleep at night? By pretending I'm dead? Oh the lies we tell ourselves to make our pain go away."
"And what lies have you told yourself about Cassidy? Have you managed to absolve yourself of responsibility for her death? Have you managed to blame your friends, the Council, Cassidy herself, everyone but yourself?"
"What right have you to judge me?" Nerissa spat angrily. "You were supposed to be my friend, my best friend. Yet you were the quickest to abandon me; you were the quickest to throw me away; you were the quickest to turn on me!"
"You turned on us," Yan Lin shouted. "You murdered Cassidy; murdered her! She trusted you, she tried to help you, she tried to understand; and look what it got her! Is that what friendship means to you?"
"Cassidy was a fool to trust me; and she was a fool to meet me alone that night. Her compassion made her weak; she was never worthy to hold the Heart of Candracar! I did the entire universe a favor by eliminating the weak link in the Guardians."
Yan Lin's mouth fell open; she wasn't sure what she had been expecting Nerissa to say, but it certainly wasn't that. She found herself helplessly speechless.
"Ah yes," Nerissa cooed. "The truth hurts doesn't it Yanni? Only now do you realize that what happened so many years ago was no accident. I knew Cassidy would come alone that night; she cared oh so deeply for the poor, suffering, overburdened, self-destructive leader of the Guardians. The lies I planted when I would cry on her shoulder; oh it was enough to break anybody's heart. I also knew Halinor wouldn't be "listening" that night; after all it was I who convinced her to "turn it off" at night so she could get some sleep."
Yan Lin gasped, her hand flying to her heart as the reality of Nerissa's words struck her like a charged boulder. It couldn't be true, it just couldn't be. Trembling, the old Guardian gazed appallingly into the former Keeper's eyes.
"Kadma was always too wrapped up in herself to notice anybody," Nerissa continued, "and you...why you were too busy 'finding your center' every night to see what was happening." The hag grinned then, sending a cold shiver up Yan Lin's spine. "Oh, I feel so much lighter now that I've finally confessed; thank you for ridding me of such a terrible burden…my friend."
Yan Lin gagged and fell to her knees; the thought that her best friend truly was a cold-hearted killer made her physically ill. "You…" she gasped, "you are a…a monster."
"And you despise me for it don't you…" Nerissa taunted.
"No…," Yan Lin breathed, starting to feel physically ill.
"You lie to yourself old friend; tell me, what will you tell your granddaughter about me now that you know the truth?"
Yan Lin's breath caught in her throat and her head snapped up. "Hay Lin has nothing to do with this; leave her alone."
Nerissa laughed cruelly. "Now why would I do that? After all, hurting your granddaughter will hurt you just as much as you hurt me so long ago."
Yan Lin found renewed strength at hearing her little one threatened. She pushed herself to her feet and assumed a fighting stance. "I will not let you touch her, nor will her friends the Guardians."
"The Guardians?" Nerissa sneered. "I think the Guardians may be somewhat indisposed at the moment. Your faith in them is misplaced, as was your adopted granddaughter's."
Yan Lin curled her lip in contempt. "Irma's faith was rewarded; her friends rescued her and defeated your minions."
"Her so-called friends waited nearly a week before coming for her. Shall I tell you what the poor girl experienced during those days?"
Yan Lin's eyes widened slightly. "It doesn't matter; Irma defeated you by not giving in. She beat you at your own game when she made contact with Hay Lin. It was her friend's love and strength that enabled her to withstand your evil."
"Withstand my evil? Is that what you think she did?" Nerissa laughed. "She begged me to kill her; begged me to make it stop. She cried like a baby at the thought of spending eternity as my plaything. She even beseeched Frost not to hurt her anymore; but her desperate, frightened, pleas went unheeded. Unheeded by me, unheeded by Frost, and especially unheeded by the Guardians!"
Yan Lin's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing.
Nerissa continued in a low voice. "Oh yes, the little urchin implored us to stop; at the end, she would have done anything I asked, as long as she wouldn't have to endure any more agony. The barest possibility that her suffering would end was enough to make her my slave. The wretched creature was completely broken in body and spirit."
"You delude yourself," Yan Lin shot back. "Irma is recovering and will soon be stronger than ever. She drove you away once already; she will drive you away again."
"She will do nothing of the sort…she is dead!" Nerissa announced triumphantly. "Her shattered body lies in the hallway close by. Not even the Joining can bring her back this time."
Yan Lin grinned slightly. "You must be getting desperate, old friend; surely you don't expect me to believe such a lie."
Nerissa grinned back. "You want proof? Contact Halinor; she witnessed the distasteful event. Reach out with your mind, Yanni; Halinor will tell you the truth of my words."
Yan Lin's smile grew wider as she decided to call the old crone's bluff. Her eyes never wavering from Nerissa's triumphant face, the small woman reached out to her friend. She opened herself until she felt the familiar presence of the former Fire Mistress.
Halinor, can you hear me?
Linny? Linny are you alright? Where are the others? Nerissa…Nerissa is here!
Halinor, I can barely hear you.
I am weak and exhausted, my friend; I did not have the energy to contact you. Maintaining this link is easier, but I cannot keep it up for long. You must warn the others; Nerissa is here.
I know Hali; she has already found me. What has happened to you?
Nerissa…attacked…ughn…
Hali! Hali!
Forgive me…I am…I can't...so tired…
Where are you Hali?
H-Hallway…Irma…
What about Irma?
I-Irma…she's…she's…
She's what Hali?
She's……d-dead, Linny…N-Nerissa…I saw…she k-killed…ughn…
Hali? Hali!!
But Halinor was gone; too exhausted to maintain the mental link. The confident smile vanished from Yan Lin's lips and her almond eyes clouded with grief. Tears began to pool beneath her lashes and her jaw began to quiver.
"Satisfied?" Nerissa asked softly. "Or perhaps you believe Halinor is also lying?"
"How could you?!" Yan Lin growled, her anger rising in her chest. "Was it not enough for you to destroy one life; now you must take another?"
Nerissa studied her fingernails as she replied to her former friend. "I took nothing from your adopted brat; she gave me her life willingly. She chose to die rather than continue to live as a broken shell; and who am I to deny her that wish?" Nerissa lowered her hand and turned her mocking countenance once more to the former Air Guardian. "I believe that makes the score Nerissa two; Water Guardians……nothing."
Yan Lin was enraged; she could feel her anger boiling in her throat. She tasted acidic wrath as her face morphed into an expression of loathing. Nerissa's smile widened as she observed the old woman losing control.
"I had my fun with the Water Brat; now I come for your little Hay Lin. I will break her like I did her friend; I will shatter her bones and crush her spirit."
"You will leave her alone, demon!" Yan Lin spat.
"Do I detect a modicum of hatred?" Nerissa mocked. "Is the great Yan Lin losing her precious self-control?"
"Stow it you old geezer! If we're going to fight, let's fight already!"
"That's the Yan Lin I remember; aggressive, impatient, rowdy. I like that Yan Lin much better than this "centered" lamb I've been talking to. Tell me how much you hate me."
"I……no; I don't hate you."
"Oh but you do. You hate everything about me; you hate that I betrayed you and murdered sweet Cassidy. You despise that I took your adopted child; you detest that I decimated and humiliated her. You rankle at the fact that I've maimed your granddaughter because of your betrayal. And now you quaver to know that I'm going to take her from you; that I'm going to hurt her so badly she will beg for death. And then I'm going to send her body back to you in pieces!"
"No…"
"Tell me how much you hate me!"
"I…
"Say it…"
"I…
"Say it!"
"I…I hate you; I hate you! I disdain everything you are, everything you stand for, everything you've done. I…hate…you!" Yan Lin was breathing hard as she screamed the final words. Her frame was shaking with rage as she thought of that evil monster abusing her little Hay Lin. Her eyes burned with wrathful vengeance; vengeance for a granddaughter she had failed to protect…and for one she would now die to defend.
Nerissa smiled hugely. "Perfect. I have taken the three things that matter most to you: your cherished "foster child," your precious self-control, and soon your own beloved granddaughter. You will die a dishonored failure and a traitor to your own heart."
With those words, Nerissa raised her hand and pushed her palm towards the old Guardian. Yan Lin's eyes widened as blue lightning began to crackle at the wrinkled fingertips of her foe.
"Quintessence!" the witch shouted.
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Althor found Luba busily preparing Taranee's Auramere for transport to the Elemental Chamber of Fire. While she was trying to be careful, the cat's movements were swift and somewhat jerky. The process of removing an Auramere from the Orbit was time-consuming and tedious; every step had to be precise and exact. If even one mistake were made, the Orbit would decay and the Aurameres would be destroyed, their power lost forever. The consequences to the universe would be catastrophic, not to mention what would happen to the Guardians.
The dwarf watched quietly as the Caretaker made subtle adjustments to the powerful orbs. It wasn't simply a matter of removing one powerful sphere from the Orbit; the others had to be realigned in order to fill the void left by the absent orb. Harmony was essential to maintaining the powers of the Aurameres; removing one entirely would throw everything out of accord. Thus the need for gradual removal and essential realignment. Only Luba had the affinity necessary to perform such a delicate task; no other being in the universe, with the possible exception of the Oracle, had the ability to understand the tiny procedures involved with such an undertaking.
Althor knew very little of the actual process, but he did know it required Luba to listen very carefully. What she was listening for, the small man didn't know; but common sense told him this wasn't the time to ask. He had no idea how the feline could distinguish between the constant melodic humming in the Chamber and any other sounds the Aurameres themselves might emit; he was just glad she could.
Luba's eyes were closed and her face passive as she listened to the songs of the Aurameres. She paid heed to every subtle change in pitch, every variation of rhythm, every alteration of melody. When such distortions occurred in the music, Luba would gently shift an Auramere to compensate. In this way, the beautiful melodies remained in harmony with one another; thus allowing the other Guardians to retain their powers, even without all of their members present. True, the four would not be as strong without the fifth, but it was the best the Caretaker could do; and in this case, Luba didn't think it was going to matter much.
Luba sensed a presence in the room and opened her feline eyes. Althor was leaning quietly against the wall, waiting for her to finish disengaging the Auramere of Fire. Already irritated at having to perform the task at all, Luba ignored the dwarf-man and continued her duties. What Halinor was asking was reckless and unnecessary; the Fire Guardian would recover on her own, given time. In Luba's opinion, it wasn't worth risking an entire Auramere just so the child could recuperate faster; but Althor and Halinor hadn't agreed. The Caretaker realized she could force the issue by simply refusing to detach the Auramere, but her sense of duty prevented her from doing something so vigilante. So she listened to the beautiful melodies of the powerful orbs; and stoically ignored Althor.
Several minutes later, Luba succeeded in removing the Fire sphere. It floated a foot above her cupped hand, the energy crackling around its shiny, orange surface. Satisfied the small ball of dynamism was stable, the cat turned at last to Althor.
"What is it you need?" she asked stiffly.
Althor pushed himself away from the wall before answering. "Not a thing; just came to see if I could help."
Luba sniffed and glared at the smaller man; as if she needed anyone's help to perform her duties. She had been guarding the Aurameres longer than Althor had been drawing breath; she was more than capable of seeing to things by herself.
"I do not require your aid in this matter, Althor; as you can see, the task is finished. All that remains is to meet Halinor in the Elemental Chamber of Fire."
Althor raised an eyebrow at her chilly tone. "Luba, I know you're upset about this, but Halinor and I both feel…"
"It is done, dwarf," Luba snarled. "How I feel is no longer relevant to the situation at hand. Let us see to it quickly so that I may restore the Auramere to the Orbit; I will not feel secure until I have done so."
Althor nodded. He knew she was miffed, and he should just leave it alone; but he just couldn't resist. "Tell me Luba; are you always this sunny, or did a larvek spit in your catnip this morning?"
With a growl, Luba turned on the grinning dwarf. In one fluid motion, she extended the claws of her right paw and cocked it back. She bared her teeth at Althor's surprised face as he raised his hands to defend himself. There most certainly would have been blood in the Chamber of the Aurameres had not a loud boom echoed through the fortress at that moment.
The two would-be combatants ceased immediately and began frantically staring about the Chamber. The boom sounded again, and both Council members ducked instinctively. Two pairs of eyes met, neither one knowing what was going on. Althor reached a placating hand towards Luba and moved to the door of the Chamber. He opened it slightly and peeked out. Almost immediately the dwarf pulled his head back and swiftly closed the door.
"It's Tracker, Miranda, and Sandpit; they're attacking the fortress."
Luba raised her eyebrows. "Just those three? Where are the others?"
Althor shook his head. "I don't know; they may be out there, I just didn't see them."
Luba began to growl low in her throat. "I must replace the Auramere, immediately. We cannot take the chance of it being injured or destroyed."
"Agreed; I will hold them off while you see to it." Althor drew two switchblade Kamas from his belt and checked to be sure his kukri knife was securely attached at his back. He tested the Kamas' weight briefly then looked back at Luba. "Seal this Chamber as best you can and work quickly."
Luba did not answer the dwarf-man; she had already begun the process of reintegrating the Fire Auramere. Althor took a deep, steadying breath and exhaled slowly. He practiced a few elementary moves with his Kamas to help center himself. When he felt ready, Althor yanked the doors open and strode out of the Chamber.
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He wandered through meadows of colorful wildflowers, inhaling the sweet aroma of springtime. It had always been his favorite time of year, when new life defied the winter snows and sprung anew. Everything was vivid hues of greens, yellows, purples; the occasional light rain sprinkled the new plants with much-needed water.
He stopped and inhaled deeply, smiling as the scent of wild flowers and lavender filled his nostrils. He felt totally at peace here among untainted nature; away from responsibility, away from good versus evil.
The Oracle loved to fill his mind with pleasant images whenever he meditated or rested; and today was no exception. Though uncommon in its own right, what with Nerissa and her Knights of Vengeance wreaking havoc on the fortress and its inhabitants, this day still held opportunities for mind-cleansing reflection.
The bald mystic inhaled again, expecting the delicate fragrance as before; but something was different this time. Holding his breath, the Oracle snapped his eyes open and listened carefully. His piercing blue gaze slid to the left and narrowed slightly as his mind sensed a bitter feeling of dissonance; malevolent, repugnant, and sordid in nature. Exhaling slowly, he closed his eyes and bowed his head. The ancient man rose to his feet and turned to Tibor.
"There is trouble, my friend; we must go."
Tibor glared protectively at his charge. "But Oracle, you have only just begun your recuperation. I fear you are not strong enough."
The Oracle smiled at the larger man. "I am well enough, good Tibor. We must defend Candracar."
"Oracle," Tibor pressed softly, "I fear for your safety should you go."
"This is not the time for fear, old friend," The Oracle answered gently. "Though fear is an appropriate emotion at times, it will only divide us now. We must turn back the evil that has invaded this place of Harmony. We must now protect those to whom we have always turned for defense. Will you now come with me, dear friend?"
Tibor puffed up his chest. "Of course Oracle; I would never leave your side."
The Oracle smiled again. "I thank you for your devotion, Tibor." With that, the bald man strode towards the doors of his Private Chamber. Tibor followed close behind, struggling not to grumble too loudly.
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Althor's Kamas flashed once and again, and Tracker retreated out of range. The dwarf was like a man possessed, as he darted and flipped from one attacker to the next. With inhuman speed, he repelled his foes again and again, keeping them from the Chamber of the Aurameres. He didn't know how long he had been fighting, but it seemed like hours; worse, he was starting to tire. Mounting such an aggressive defense drastically hastened the effects of fatigue, and the monk didn't think he could keep it up much longer. Nevertheless, he continued to slash at any opponent unfortunate enough to come within range of his deadly sickles.
His eyes darted between Miranda hanging from the high ceiling above, to Tracker swinging his glowing mace menacingly against the walls. Sniffer was pacing back and forth in front of his master, growling and slobbering. Sandpit was hanging back for now; which was good because Althor had no way to harm the creature.
Miranda hissed at the dwarf-man and spat her sticky webbing towards his body. The monk dodged it easily, spun and drew his kukri knife all in one motion. With a small hop he hurled the blade at the strand of webbing supporting the spider-creature. With a growl of surprise, Miranda crashed to the floor as the blade severed her tether.
"Ha! Take that you overgrown hairball!" Althor taunted, slashing his Kamas through the air in celebration. Miranda, having landed on her back, kicked her feet in futile frustration.
Sniffer charged then, bearing down swiftly on the small man. Althor held his ground, crossing his weapons over his chest. As Sniffer sprung, Althor threw himself backwards to the ground, extending his feet upwards. The foul canine hit the monk's feet and was immediately launched through the air. He yelped as he hit the wall beyond.
Rolling to his feet, Althor charged Tracker. The fiend whipped his mace towards his attacker. Althor dove to the side and rolled to avoid the deadly weapon. Taking two steps, he dove into a classic baseball slide and sent Miranda squealing into the wall. Flipping back onto his feet, he turned to reacquire Tracker. He ducked just in time to save himself from a facelift and immediately backflipped away.
Breathing hard, Althor noticed his kukri on the ground to his left. He rolled and grabbed his knife, looking up just as Tracker swung his mace again. The chain carried the lethal spiked ball towards the tiring dwarf with astonishing speed. With a grunt, Althor tucked himself into a somersault and dodged the glowing weapon. As he completed the maneuver, his hand blindly released the deadly kukri towards his opponent. The blade sank deep into Tracker's right shoulder, deadening nerves and shredding muscle. With a howl of pain, the big Knight dropped his mace and staggered back.
Althor grinned and muttered, "Let's see Luba top that."
A movement caught his eye and he saw Sandpit begin to move towards the Aurameres' Chamber. He glared at the walking beach, having no idea how to stop him. Physical attacks did naught but annoy him, and Althor possessed no special magics beyond his increased speed and endurance. Nevertheless, he wouldn't just stand by and watch an enemy of Candracar stomp around the fortress; not while he still drew breath.
Gripping his Kamas tighter, Althor prepared to throw himself at the sandmass. That's when Sniffer charged. Althor barely had time to twist his body and cross his weapons in front of him to block the attack. Sniffer's momentum pushed the dwarf awkwardly to the ground, pinning his left leg underneath. The monk cried out as he felt something in his knee snap. Sniffer pushed against the sickles with all his might, desperate to rip his foe's face to shreds.
Althor pushed against the canine as best he could, but he was injured and fatigued. His arms started to feel heavier and heavier, as he fought against Sniffer and gravity. He twisted his head to the side as Sniffer's deadly jaws drew closer and closer, showering the dwarf's round face with gooey slobber.
"Oy, you're worse than Luba when she's eating uglifruit," Althor growled, straining to shield himself from the deadly fangs.
In spite of the little man's efforts, the dog opened his disgusting mouth wider and prepared to clamp tightly around the dwarf's head. Althor's eyes widened as he stared into the gaping maw, then those eyes squeezed tightly closed as he felt razor teeth brush his head.
Suddenly, he felt the dog's weight lifted off his body. He chanced opening one eye and what he saw caused him to open the other eye. Luba was holding a yelping Sniffer around the middle, his muscular back pressed against her chest. He was squirming and flailing his feet violently, but the Caretaker had a firm hold on the diabolical canine. With a powerful yawp, she heaved the pooch over her head, sending him hurtling into the wall behind her. The impact echoed thunderously throughout the room. Sniffer slid down the wall and lay still.
Luba extended her hand to Althor and pulled the dwarf to his feet. He grunted as his injured knee took his weight. He doubled over and grabbed the distressed joint, fighting not to collapse from pain. Luba noticed the reaction and caught the small man by the shoulders. Althor looked into her feline eyes and shook his head.
"It's nothing; just a minor annoyance. I'll be fine."
"A minor annoyance would not have you doubled over like this, Althor. You are injured and must rest now; I shall finish this battle for you."
Though it irked Althor to admit defeat, especially to Luba, he knew he would be unable to move around effectively enough to battle multiple foes. His pride felt worse than his knee, but that didn't change the fact that he would be more hindrance than help right now. So he swallowed that pride and nodded to Luba.
"If you will assist me to the doors, I shall plant my ample backside against them and guard the Aurameres as well as I am able."
Althor could have sworn he saw the cat smile, but then thought better of it. Luba nodded and helped Althor over to a corner.
"My apologies, but you must remain here for now. Sandpit draws too close to the Chamber. I shall return when I have dispatched him."
Althor grunted. "And how precisely are you planning to do that?"
"I do not know, but I must try." With that, Luba rushed towards the walking dirtbag, claws fully extended. She had nearly reached her target when she was blindsided by Miranda. Both combatants toppled to the floor, rolling over and over.
Luba was first to recover and she scrambled to her feet. She stole a quick glance over her shoulder at Sandpit. He seemed to be taking his time getting to the Aurameres' Chamber. Luba narrowed her eyes and wondered why he was moving so slowly. She turned her attention back to Miranda just in time to catch the leaping creature as she sprang for the cat's neck. The stronger Caretaker held the shapeshifter between her paws for a few seconds before burying her claws into Miranda's hairy form.
The spider screeched in pain and struggled to dislodge the offending barbs, but to no avail. Luba growled angrily and began to rapidly spin in place. After several full turns, she retracted the claws that held her enemy against her paw. Miranda went sailing through the air at a frightening speed. She impacted the far wall with tremendous force and lay unmoving in a broken heap.
Luba turned immediately to find Sandpit. What she found instead was Tracker reaching for her throat. She tried to knock his hand aside, but she was too late. Powerful fingers closed around the cat's neck and began to squeeze. Luba's air supply was instantly cut off, and she started to gag. Gripping his wrist with her paws, she struggled to break his vice-like grip. Tracker pushed her roughly against a wall and lifted her effortlessly into the air. The frightened Caretaker buried her claws into her assailant's arm, but he only laughed and tightened his already unbreakable grasp.
Luba's eyes began to roll back in her head and she could feel herself fading into blackness. Then she felt herself falling and hitting the floor. Coughing and wheezing painfully, the cat raised her head; Althor was pulling his Kama out of Tracker's left knee. He was just raising the other weapon to plunge it into his foe's exposed chest when Sandpit buried all three combatants.
The sandy fiend swirled faster and faster, slowing only long enough to carefully dislodge the badly wounded Tracker. Althor and Luba felt their lungs fill with grit as they swallowed and inhaled copious amounts of sand. Both victims coughed and struggled to breathe, even as their bodies vehemently protested the tremendous G-forces exerted against them. It was a race to see what would be ripped apart first; bodies or lungs.
All of a sudden Luba and Althor were hurled clear of the swirling sand, landing hard on the floor and rolling to the wall. Althor grabbed his knee painfully as he coughed; Luba rubbed her throat, the coughing straining her already injured neck. Neither defender knew why Sandpit had suddenly disgorged them. Both feline and dwarf coughed heavily as they furiously rubbed their sand-encrusted eyes.
After several seconds, Luba pushed herself to her feet and stared back at Sandpit. The walking sandmass was still twirling, and seemed to be gathering speed as the seconds ticked by. Luba wondered what the Knight was waiting for; why didn't he attack?
Then suddenly she noticed Sandpit was glowing. A soft golden aura had suddenly appeared around his body, creating a spiderweb of light. Not only that, but sand was starting to hurtle all around the room. Luba moved her body to shield her injured companion from the furiously flying fragments. After what seemed an eternity, Sandpit emitted a plaintive howl as the last of his personage was dispersed and he ceased to exist in humanoid form.
Silence filled the room, and Luba chanced raising her head. Twisting around to gaze behind her, the cat gaped at the scattered remains of her foe. Coarse sand rested on the floor and in the corners, the eerie glow still present. Miranda and Tracker had been bathed in the brown flecks, as had Luba herself.
Standing fully upright, the Caretaker could hardly believe what she was seeing. Sandpit had been completely torn apart. Luba shook herself violently, drowning Althor in the sand that fell from her fur. Spitting furiously, the dwarf covered his head against the assault. As if just remembering he was there, Luba extended an apologetic paw and pulled Althor off the floor. Still expectorating a mouthful of dirt, the small man brushed himself off as he observed the carnage around him.
"Wow," Althor whistled, "what happened?"
"I do not know, my friend," Luba responded softly.
"Well whatever it was, it has impeccable timing."
Luba nodded, still stunned at the recent events. Whatever thoughts she may have been thinking at the moment were suddenly interrupted.
Luba, Althor, are you alright?
Althor recovered first. We're fine Oracle. I'm surprised to hear you awake.
We are making our way towards the Elemental Chambers; I believe Nerissa will strike at the Guardians in their weakened state.
Althor is injured, Oracle, Luba responded. But I shall join you immediately.
No Luba, I have another duty for you. But first, what is Althor's condition?
Althor is fine, the dwarf growled. Luba is just overreacting.
Our too-modest friend has injured his knee in battle with Nerissa's henchmen, Oracle, Luba interrupted. I believe he will find it nearly impossible to walk.
Althor stuck his tongue out at Luba and was about to plead his case, when the Oracle responded.
Friend Althor, I thank you for your service; but I must ask you not to risk further injury. May I request that you guard the Aurameres in Luba's absence?
Althor growled under his breath, but knew there was no arguing with the Oracle. If Luba would be kind enough to plant me by the doors over there, I shall be happy to watch over things here while the rest of you boot the unwanted guests.
I thank you, my friend, the Oracle answered.
Luba half-carried her friend to the doors, where she helped him sit down. Then she gathered his Kamas from the floor where he had dropped them and pressed the deadly instruments into his hands.
"Ah perfect," Althor sighed. "Now if you could just fetch me a glass of guava juice and give me a foot massage, I'll be all set."
Luba glared down at Althor and snarled quietly; Althor chuckled softly, knowing that snarl was Luba's way of showing affection without showing affection.
"Give that bitch my regards," Althor growled, his gaze boring into his old friend.
Luba nodded resolutely and started for the exit. As she did so, the Oracle's voice again sounded in her head.
Is Althor settled?
He is
Thank you Luba; now I must ask a duty of you. I have been unable to reach Halinor, and I fear for her safety. Please find her and see to her well-being.
It shall be done, Oracle.
Again I thank you, my friend. I dearly hope she is alright.
With that, the Oracle broke the mental link, and Luba pulled open the doors to carry out her mission. The cat glanced back at Althor and held his gaze for a moment; she then growled softly and inclined her head. The little dwarf graced his friend with a two-fingered salute. Turning then, the cat rushed through the doorway in search of Halinor.
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The silent corridors echoed with a solemn foreboding as tangible as a frigid rain. Luba, feeling a sense of urgency, trotted on ahead. The hairs at her nape rose to antsy attention as she rounded another corner. There, in the distance, Halinor floated in a violet-hued sphere. Luba's feline eyesight noted the former Guardian appeared to be slumped over and wasn't moving.
The cat rushed to the purple prison, calling her friend's name. When Halinor did not respond, Luba pounded heavily on the old woman's prison. Slowly, the former Guardian began to stir. With a groan, Halinor raised her head to meet the Caretaker's eyes.
"Luba," she whispered, her considerably swollen eyes beginning to moisten immediately. "Luba…"
"Friend Halinor, what has happened?"
"She…she…" Halinor gasped. "She killed her, Luba; N-Nerissa…k-killed…"
"Who?" Luba asked desperately when her friend faltered. "Who did Nerissa kill?"
But the former Guardian only wept harder, her tears falling freely from her eyes.
"Halinor!" Luba demanded. "Who did Nerissa kill?"
"I-Irma," the old woman wailed. "Nerissa killed Irma!"
Luba stepped back as if she had been burned, her eyes flying wide and her jaw dropping open. Her head swiveled back and forth, her eyes finally lighting on the motionless Guardian lying near the end of the hallway.
"Irma," the Caretaker whispered, using the Guardian's proper name for the first time. "No…"
Luba rushed down the hall, slowing as she drew closer to the young woman. She halted by Irma's side, gazing down at the unmoving figure on the floor. As if in a trance, the cat fell to her knees. She reached a shaking paw towards the girl's pale face; it felt so cold. Luba brushed the girl's auburn locks behind her ear, her paw sliding gently down Irma's jawline. The Caretaker's face dropped in dismal grief as she stared, transfixed, at the inert form before her. She began to mew softly and buried her face in her paws.
The cat knew she should see to Halinor, but she could not bring herself to simply leave the child there on the blood-stained floor. She carefully rolled Irma onto her back and pushed her hairy arms underneath the young woman. Gently she cradled the fallen Guardian in her arms as she rose to her feet. Irma's head fell back, and her arms and legs hung limply in the Caretaker's powerful grip.
Grief-stricken, the dazed feline carried the lifeless girl back to Halinor. Staring into Irma's pallid face, Luba struggled to control her anguish. Her eyes never leaving the Guardian's ashen face, the Caretaker addressed her imprisoned friend. "I just…I cannot leave her here; I cannot."
"Where will you take her?" Halinor asked gently, struggling to control her quavering voice. She understood Luba's feelings, for her own heart felt ready to burst.
Luba thought for a moment. "To her Chamber," the cat finally responded, swallowing a lump in her throat. "I…I think she would have liked it there."
Halinor nodded and gazed at the motionless girl in Luba's arms; seconds later she turned away, fresh tears forming underneath her eyes.
"I shall return for you, Noble Halinor," Luba choked out. Then she quietly turned on her heel and walked slowly around the corner towards the Chamber of Water. In her heart, she knew nothing would ever again be the same.
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"Quintessence!" the witch shouted.
Yan Lin's eyes widened as a bolt of lightning screamed towards her chest. In her Guardian days, the Air mistress could have flown circles around that bolt; but Yan Lin was now an old woman, and no longer as spry as she used to be. She would never dodge the deadly attack in time, nor would she be able to summon enough power to shield herself from the blow; but she tried nonetheless. She only hoped her painfully inadequate shield was strong enough to at least deflect a fraction of the damage.
The Chamber responded instantly to the aggressive action and rose to defend the two Guardians. The cloud upon which Yan Lin stood folded itself around the old woman and dragged her into its fluffy center. The lightning bolt sailed harmlessly overhead.
A rapidly-spinning twister advanced swiftly on the attacker, while lightning flashed through the sky, electrifying the air. Nerissa was caught off guard by the speed at which the Chamber reacted to her attack, and she desperately fed more power to her protective sphere; but she was too late. The twister slammed into the purple orb, mercilessly driving it into the wall behind. Jarred by the impact, the sorceress fell prone, the wind knocked out of her. Frost was thrown from Crimson's back and immediately found himself smashed by the toppling Gargoyle…again.
The heavy winds weren't finished; they swirled the sphere around faster and faster, the increasing G-forces ravaging the inhabitants. Nerissa felt herself about to black out; she knew now how severely she had misjudged the defensive capabilities of the Air Chamber. She abandoned all thoughts save those of escape.
Her energy waning, she knew she would be unable to muster enough power to teleport herself and her thralls all at once. She groaned as she reached with her mind to touch Tracker, Sniffer, and Miranda. She noted with dismay that she could not feel Sandpit, but there was no time to puzzle out the mystery. She teleported the three henchmen away; she couldn't take the chance they would be captured by the denizens of Candracar. Who knew what information the Council would glean from their weak minds? If they revealed the location of her hideout, all would be lost.
Nerissa's head began to spin; the cost of teleporting her lackeys and maintaining the protective sphere was heavily taxing. There was only one chance; she had to drop the shield and teleport at the very instant the sphere vanished. This was a feat Nerissa could easily have accomplished had she been even at half her best; but weakened as she was, the prospect seemed frustratingly daunting. It irked her to have to flee so early into the invasion, but the witch had no choice.
She was just beginning to gather her remaining energy when she felt herself hurled into space. The protective orb had vanished, literally shaken into purple particles by the winds of the Chamber. The sorceress screamed in frustration as she was buffeted by powerful winds and soaked by an angry rain. Below her, Frost and Crimson had been flung towards a knot of clouds. Even now, Nerissa could hear their panicked shrieks as they were each pulled slowly into a cloud; there to be suffocated to death. Gargoyle was being bombarded by hail the size of cannonballs. Already great pockmarks had appeared on his "skin," and he was roaring in rage and pain.
Nerissa struggled to gain command of the situation, but she was dizzy and nearing exhaustion. She wasn't ready for the searing pain of the lightning that struck her. Her screams of annoyance turned to screams of pain as the bolts surrounded her body with white fire. The winds held her suspended and helpless before the lightning's wrath. Bolt after lethal bolt slammed against the aged body, searing flesh and bone. The old witch knew she would die if she didn't do something drastic. So she did the most drastic thing she could think of.
"Yan Lin," Nerissa cried, her voice laced with agony. "Yanni, help me. Please!"
Yan Lin, who had emerged from her protective cloud in time to watch the lightshow, gazed up at her former best friend. She had heard the screams of pain, seen the helplessness of the evil hag, witnessed the decimation of her henchmen. She was somewhat horrified by the awesome display of wrath before her; she knew without a doubt that the Chamber meant to kill the invaders.
"Yanni," Nerissa called again, sounding much weaker than before. "Yanni, please; they're going to kill me! You…you can stop them. Help me…please; I'm begging you."
The former Air Guardian stared at the defenseless victim and listened to her desperate pleas for aid. As a Guardian, Yan Lin had been taught to show mercy even to her greatest enemies. Nerissa herself had even embraced that philosophy once; and now she called on Yan Lin's sense of honor and duty to save her wretched life. She must have known the small Chinese woman could never deny a soul in need; which is why she was so surprised when Yan Lin clasped her hands behind her back and said nothing.
"No," the hag whispered desperately, her eyes widening in shock and horror. "No…"
"Enough!" A voice cut through the air like a saber, sharp and commanding. Instantly the lightning died and the winds ceased their buffetings. The clouds disgorged their nearly suffocated victims. The rain halted as did the giant hailstones.
The Oracle floated himself, along with Halinor and Tibor, to stand next to Yan Lin as the Chamber calmed. He used his powers to hold Nerissa in the air as he gazed impassively at the former Guardian. She was wheezing and her eyes were glazed with pain; but those eyes still held the familiar glint of disdain.
"You are no longer welcome on Candracar, Nerissa," the Oracle stated calmly. "I will not allow you to hurt anyone else. You will again be imprisoned for your crimes, where it is my hope that you will reflect on your deeds. Let the mercy of Candracar heal your heart."
The old witch laughed deep in her throat; a mirthless sound of mockery. "The mercy of Candracar? It was your mercy that made me what I am today, fool! You are responsible now for the deaths of two of your beloved Guardians. And yet you would still hope for my redemption?"
"I would hope to once again find the young woman who led the Guardians of the Veil long ago. You were once worthy of that title, Nerissa; you were once worthy to hold the Heart of Candracar and to command its power."
"That woman is dead," Nerissa snarled. "She died in that cave on Mount Thanos years ago. This is what she left behind, and I spit on the mercy of Candracar!"
"No one is irredeemable Nerissa," the Oracle said. "You used to believe that more than anyone. I believe your soul will one day rediscover itself; when that day comes, you will again be welcomed back into Candracar. But until then, you will return to Mount Thanos and there remain a prisoner of your own corruption."
With those words, the Oracle floated the sorceress towards the destroyed doorway. Just before her feet touched the platform, Nerissa called forth all her remaining energies. She directed them outward, like a sound wave, towards the group standing on a fluffy cloud. The force of the magical energies slammed the Council Members into the folds of the cumulus. The Oracle's hold on Nerissa collapsed; she was free.
She landed on the platform and immediately teleported her remaining henchmen away from the fortress. She couldn't resist throwing one final barb.
"Your pathetic mercies have failed to capture me, and they have failed to protect your precious Guardians. There will be other times, Oracle; you and your pitiful sheep will never be free of me."
The hag raised her hands and was about to teleport away when she felt a stabbing pain in her back. She cried out in pain, her spell aborted. She twisted her head around and came face-to-furry, snarling face with Luba.
"Unless I kill you here and now," the feline Caretaker snarled, retracting her claws from Nerissa's back. With a growl, she hurled the sorceress out of the Chamber. Nerissa slid across the floor to slam into the wall beyond.
Pure adrenaline forced the sorceress to her feet, where she immediately tried to teleport again. But Luba was too quick and her flying sidekick smashed Nerissa against the wall again. The witch crumpled to the ground with a moan of pain. Luba was far from finished as she allowed her rage to consume her.
The cat kicked the old woman in the ribs again and again, her growls and snarls becoming more and more pronounced with each blow. She grabbed the evil woman by the hair and dragged the screaming bitch to her feet. The enraged Caretaker delivered a knee to Nerissa's midsection, but refused to let her fall back to the floor. Twice more furry knee met battered stomach, and Nerissa felt blackness descending.
Luba performed a textbook shoulder throw, dashing Nerissa painfully to the floor. Moving quickly around in front of her victim, Luba straddled the badly injured witch and extended her claws.
"How does it feel Betrayer?" she taunted as she buried the claws of her right paw into Nerissa's left side. The sorceress screamed in agony.
"How does it feel to be at the mercy of your foe?" Luba snarled, slashing the wrinkled flesh of Nerissa's right arm.
"How does it feel to be helpless beneath the onslaught of a crazed lunatic?" Luba cried, pushing her claws deep into the hag's chest. Nerissa's eyes rolled back in her head.
"Beg Defiler!" The cat shouted, raising her claws above the wrinkled face. "Beg for mercy!"
"Luba, stop!" The caretaker turned her head and bared her teeth dangerously at the Oracle's command. Then she returned her gaze to her unfortunate victim. With a thunderous howl, she drove the claws of her right paw towards Nerissa's unprotected jugular.
A powerful force threw the cat away from the sorceress, hurling the Council Member to the end of the long corridor. Luba landed on her back and lay still, the wind driven from her lungs. The Oracle lowered his hand and turned to assess Nerissa's injuries.
To his horror, Nerissa used the momentary distraction to weave her spell. Before the Oracle could stop her, the severely wounded sorceress teleported away from the fortress.
Halinor, Tibor, and Yan Lin crowded onto the platform behind the Oracle. Three pairs of eyes searched the corridor in confusion.
"Oracle, where is the sorceress?" Tibor finally asked.
"She is gone, my friend," the mystic replied. His blue eyes stared down the hall at the figure of Luba, still lying on her back. He proceeded down the corridor until he was standing near the Caretaker. He knelt at her feet and extended his hand.
Luba regarded the man with barely suppressed rage and completely ignored the proffered hand. She rolled to her stomach and pushed herself upright. Then she turned to face the Oracle, her teeth bared, her eyes dangerous. It took every ounce of self-control not to slash the naïve being across his placid face; but eventually she managed to retract her claws without harming the Oracle. Snarling once, the cat turned swiftly and stalked away.
The Oracle sighed heavily and hung his head. Tibor arrived behind him and placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Nerissa was right about one thing," his low voice rumbled, "there will be other times. That means we'll have other chances to put her away Oracle."
"Yes, but how many more must suffer before we do?" the Oracle replied sadly as he watched Luba disappear around the corner.
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And there we have it kiddies; the long-awaited chapter 24. I appreciate all reviews and thank everyone for indulging an old woman (grin). And once again; thank-you to my editor…who loves ya Bitch?! Thanks for reading folks.