This is a redux of a story i wrote long ago, updates may be slow but rest assured theyre coming. feedback and stuff greatly appreciated
The sun rose, the morning dew evaporating into a fine mist across the valley. Crow slowly stretched, keeping his eyes on the nearby camp. He had been following his target for three weeks, hoping he would be led to the man whom Crow hoped had information on his brother, Raven. He watched as the guards changed shifts, and the inhabitants of the camp slowly came to life. Even as the small camp embedded in the cliffside started to bustle with morning activity, Crow kept his main focus on the large, ornate building with the royal insignia. He was sure Elizah was here, he could feel it in his bones.
About an hour of waiting, with Crow minding his surroundings, and there was no activity in or near the palace. Although he was safe, Crow could not help but feel a sense of uneasiness. He began to survey the area, taking care to make mental notes of guard positions, guard weaponry, choke points, and of course the 'others'. 'Others' are human, and sometimes non-human, lifeforms that possess abilities the normal person could not achieve. More specifically, an 'other', is a person with magical abilities.
Magic was first discovered about a century ago, with its teaching being limited to a select few, but as time progressed, more and more people began showing signs of magical prowess, along with more powerful incantations. Today people who are accomplished Magi are a threat greater than most, and thus are the first targets one must focus on.
Crow continued his survey, and as he was searching for possible bowmen hiding spots, he caught movement in his peripheral near the palace, two people were emerging, and the pain in his bones grew. One of the figures was a Magi, and a powerful one at that.
"Great..." Crow belated, "That could make this complicated... If not interesting." As the Magi shook the other figures hand, Crow noticed a particular item slung across the Mage's back that froze him solid. A dragon longsword. Crow only knew of one person to carry such a destructive and rare weapon, Malachai. Crow smiled, Elizah was here, for Malachai was the only bodyguard Elizah trusted. He also knew this would be a tough fight ahead, for Malachai has never been defeated in battle, and is also a wanted man for the mass murder of the citizens of Falador. 200 souls killed with one strike, a strike in which the dragon longsword glowed bright and singed the air around it. A fateful day nobody who survived would ever forget, Crow absentmindedly rubbed the scar across his chest.
"One day I will have the chance... to avenge all 200 of the innocent people you killed..." Crow began, "Innocent people that were killed, because of me." He stood, gathered his gear , and started walking towards the encampment. "But that day is not today, as I have other business to attend to, and I have a bigger purpose at hand."
Crow strode to the town, the guards giving him a grunt nod as the glanced over him for weapons. He continued to trek towards the palace, slowing to identify possible escape routes. He sighed to himself, he doubted he would survive long enough to use one if it came down to a fight. He reached the palace steps and looked up towards the doors. Two heavily armed guards barricaded the entrance, and more were running patrols across the courtyard. Crow took a deep breath.
"Here goes..." Crow started walking up the steps slowly, so as to not attract unnecessary attention. To the average eye Crow looked nothing more than a peasant on a regular day, but the trained eyes of Elizahs elite guards noticed Crow for what he was, and quickly formed a ring around him.
"HALT Mage!" began their captain, "what business do you have at the palace? Speak quickly, or my men will tear you limb from limb." Crow answered quickly, and calmly.
"I have intentions of speaking to your leader, Elizah Crane, about personal matters that only he and I are informed upon."
"If that is your true intention, then you must hand over your runes."
"I have no runes in my possession." Crow stated.
"I can sense both blood and mind runes on your person, either hand them over, or you will be exhumed forcibly" The captain was good, nobody had ever been able to sense the actual runes Crow was carrying before.
"Very well." Crow handed over the runes to the guard reluctantly, knowing he was now powerless against an attack. The guards lowered their weapons and allowed Crow to pass. He opened the double doors and was greeting by the booming voice of Elizah.
"You know, I was just saying to Malachai how wonderful a surprise it would be if you were to show up upon my doorstep. Come in, don't be shy, I'm sure we have much to discuss." Crow cautiously walked forward, wary of an ambush. He was surprised to see he was alone with Malachai and Elizah. Something was out of place, but Crow couldn't put his finger on it. He stopped with cautiousness.
"What's wrong Crow? You seem disturbed. Perhaps you should RELAX!" A searing pain wrapped around Crow's arms and legs like vines, and we was bound to the ground, unable to move. He was ashamed of having let himself fall into a trap like this, but something wasn't right. The spell didn't come from Malachai, in fact, Malachai hadn't moved a muscle since Crow entered. It was almost as if...
"I know what your thinking Crow, and yes Malachai is also under my spell. You see I have become an accomplished mage myself, and I am rather liking the power." Elizah walked around Malachai, running his hands over his body, as if he were inspecting a piece of furniture. "The problem I face, is that my power is, limited. This cannot do." Crow struggled against the binds, desperate to free himself. He kept thinking something is about to go wrong, and he wanted to be as far away from it as possible.
"Resistance is futile, young Crow, and your right. Something terrible is about to happen. Terrible for you, amazing for me." Crow stared at Elizah, confused. How did Elizah know what Crow was thinking? "To answer your question, Crow, I have gained the ability to read ones mind. One of the many new things I can do, thanks to your brother. He came to visit me several days ago, warning me of your arrival, saying I need to ready myself. He gave me a little help in that department..."
Elizah withdrew a small knife, tore off Malachai's shirt, and began carving a pentagram. Crow instantly recognized the illustration. It was the same one that appeared just before Malachai killed those people in Falador, and the same as his brother used the day he betrayed his village. Crow began frantically trying to escape, knowing what was coming, but eventually gave in to the impending disaster.
"Yes Crow, your brother taught me his secret technique, and along with it the ability to draw ones own magic power into my own body. He taught me this in hopes of dispatching you, a task I will thoroughly enjoy completing." With that, he thrust his palm into the center of the pentagram, blinding Crow with a white light accompanied by Malachai's screams as his soul left his body. As the light faded a new one grew, a much darker, sinister light emanating from Elizah's body.
"I am feeling generous today Crow," Elizah's voice now had a deeper, demonic tone to it. " I will allow you to retrieve your runes, so you do not bore me as I kill you." Crows satchel of runes appeared in front of him and his bonds released him. He picked it up and quickly dived out of the way of a massive fireball Elizah had conjured. The floor where Crow had been two seconds before was gone, nothing left but a crater of molten rock. He barely had time to catch his breath before another wave of fire came hurtling towards him.
Crow dodged a second time, this time his clothes caught fire. He was put on the defensive, dodging and rolling unable to launch a successful counter. Elizah chuckled as he watched Crow skate around the palace, dodging his attacks.
"Practicing your dance move are we Crow? At this point it seems as if your should find a new hobby!" Crow dove behind a pillar, panting and desperately searching for a weakness.
"I've gotta do something," he said to himself, " If I don't do something quick this guys gonna rip me apart before I even have a chance to retaliate." He kept thinking of ways to break Elizahs line of sight, but every hiding place Crow found was temporary, as not long after he took cover, it was melted by another of Elizah's Fire waves. Crow had fought powerful Magi before, but this was something else. It was as if someone, or something had taken over Elizahs body. Crows gaze glanced at Malachai's body. The pentagram was... glowing... Crow hurled a quick water bolt at Elizah hoping to distract him long enough to investigate the pentagram. The spell merely made Elizah flinch.
"That puny pinprick spell was the best you got? I thought you were stronger little baby mage." Elizah laughed and sent another fire wave at Crow, realizing too late where he was standing. Crow quickly dove away as the fire wave eveloped Malachai's body and the pentagram with it. Elizah howled with rage. "You impudent little cockroach you! You have interrupted my transformation!" Crow smiled.
"Next time look before you throw blunderhead." Elizah howled and charged Crow headlong, bloodlust clouding his vision. Crow side-stepped just barely avoiding the onslaught. As Elizah screamed with rage the entire building shook. Rocks and debris began lifting off the ground as Elizah began to slowly glow bright red. Crow realized he could not defeat what was about to happen, turned tail, and ran as fast as he could away from Elizah.
"You cannot defeat me Crow, I am too powerful for you! And I shall make you, and everyone in the village, pay for your ignorance!" The ground beneath Crow's feet began to melt, and people in the village started to scream and point into the sky. As the mushy ground prevented Crow from running further, he turned and glanced towards the sky. As he stared he froze in fear. A massive ball of fire, so large it blocked out the view of anything else, was hurtling towards him and the village. Crow only saw the ball for a few seconds, wondering how such a thing was possible, then a intense wave of heat overcame him. And everything went black.