Hey ya'll, it's Enderdeath! I hope you're having a great day, and I hope to make it even better with this new chapter! This chapter has 1,866 words. NOTE: I do NOT own Mianite, any Youtubers mentioned, Minecraft, and really, I don't own anything except the idea.
Chapter 9
In all the two hundred and thirty years of his life, Wag never dreamed he'd be sneaking around in the shadows, hiding from his friends.
But there he was, creeping around the statue of Sombrero Syndicate, eyes darting around warily to avoid being snuck up on by his former fellow wizards. He couldn't be too cautious, not with his recent attack on Matt.
Wag jumped, heart pounding when he heard footsteps behind him. He whipped around, wand raised on instinct. The chicken who had startled him squawked, feathers ruffling in indignation. Wag sighed shakily, lowered his wand, and yelped when he turned around.
Standing in front of him like they had appeared from nowhere, was Tom and Phil. The two wizards were standing side by side, their wands not drawn. Phil looked infuriated and was trembling with anger. In contrast, Tom's shoulders were slumped and his eyes were heavy with disappointment. Wag felt a twinge of guilt, knowing that it was his fault the wizards in front of him felt they way they were feeling.
"Hello," Wag said, lowering his wand. If it weren't for Khione, he'd be running away right now. Much as he hated to admit, he could kind of be a coward.
"Just shut it, Wag," Phil snapped, his anger reaching the breaking point. Wag blinked, startled by Phil's harsh tone. "Do you even realize Matt almost died because of you? He was dragging himself along the ground just to try to find someone to freaking help him, smoke curling off of his armour. He just kept muttering "Wag" and "Fire" over and over. He was lucky User found him."
"His armour had gotten so hot that it had almost scorched his skin to the point where he would have died no matter what. As it is, he risks losing the use of arms. He's in a lot of pain right now and can't even move without crying out because your fire burnt him so goddamn much." The note of anger in Tom's voice made Wag flinch in fear. "Did you come to apologize? Hmm? You almost killed Phil's brother and one of our closest friends. Do you really expect us to forgive you that easily?"
"I didn't come here to beg for my forgiveness," Wag burst out. "Khione's wounded and she needs help that I can't give."
"You come here and expect us to help you?" Phil roared. "After what you fu-"
Tom cut Phil off, saying loudly, "No. Wag, you've hurt everyone around here too much. You called me a murderer, saying things that should have been left unsaid. You injured Twisted when he had done nothing wrong. And now, Matt lies on the border to the land of Death and here you stand, asking us to save your horse." Tom's voice turned shaky with anger and his hands trembled with barely contained rage.
"Just help her!" Wag yelled, desperation getting the better of him. "I'd rather you kill me than see Khione die!"
"Then let me be the one to kill you!" Phil screamed, whipping out his wand and pointing it straight at Wag. "You hurt my brother!"
"There will be no killing today," Tom snatched Phil's wand away and swiftly tucked it into his robes. "Just walk away now, Wag, and no one will get hurt."
Wag's eyes stung as Tom turned his back and started to walk away. "Tom," he choked, one desperate attempt to get his former friend's attention. Phil gave him a withering glare and followed Tom.
Wag felt his anger building up inside of him; all the resentment he felt towards the gods for making his life miserable, all the frustration that his friends wouldn't help him, and all of his sorrow over Chase's death was coming together.
Wag screamed, though he wasn't sure if it was in fear, anger, or desperation. He whipped out his wand and immediately, Phil was surrounded in a sphere of silvery magic. Phil yelped and Tom whipped around, drawing his wand when he noticed Wag's anger.
Wag snarled and flicked his wand, moving Phil's prison up into the air. "Higher," he whispered, and like a balloon filled with helium, Phil's Magic Bubble Cage rose up into the sky with rapid speed, and Phil screamed as he floated past their view above a cloud.
"What did you do?" Tom screamed shrilly, but had his breath knocked out as a wave of silver magic washed over him. Wag created ropes from his magic like the day before, and lifted Tom up into the air like he had done with Matt, except this time, his magic wasn't burning hot.
But Tom was still in what some like to call A Very Bad Situation.
Wag made his magic wrap around Tom's neck and with a simple twist of his wand, the tendril starting squeezing the other wizard's throat. Tom let out a strangled cry, but he couldn't move his hands to tear the magic away from his throat.
"This isn't you, James!" Tom choked, thrashing around in midair. Wag's grip tightened on his wand and a fiery light appeared in his eyes.
"Never. Call. Me. James. Again." Wag snarled, punctuating each word by tightening the magical rope around Tom's throat. Tom started to gag and he flailed, going into all-out panic mode.
Wag watched with a steely heart as Tom's struggles grew weaker and weaker until the only thing he was doing was making faint choking noises. Tom's eyes started to close as the lack of air began to kill him.
"Friends," Tom gasped, voice barely audible. "We were – friends." Tom's eyes closed all the way and he fell limp.
Wag's eyes suddenly widened in horror as he realized what he was doing. Tom is my friend!
He threw his wand down to the ground, the magic vanishing into thin air. Tom fell to the ground, limp and lifeless. His eyes were closed and he wasn't breathing.
Wag collapsed on the grass, eyes filled with tears. He was soon sobbing hysterically, and repeating over and over in his head, the words 'What have I done? What have I done?'
XxX
Chase was dead. Chase was dead. The world may as well stop right then and there. Chase was the one who killed Carpmod and in turn, took a poisoned dagger to his stomach, all because of James. Nothing could persuade James that Chase's death wasn't his fault or even distract him from the matter.
Not even the appearance of a goddess.
But she decided to go ahead and appear to the group anyway.
User noticed the silver-haired goddess first and yelped with surprise. The other boys all turned around except for James, who was staring blankly into nothing. Tom shook him away from his thoughts and hauled him to his feet, forcing James to stand beside the rest of them.
"You have done well, young heroes," she spoke with a regal air of confidence, chocolaty brown eyes glowing with pride. "You have defeated an evil in your lives that most would not have to face at such a young age."
"How have we defeated an evil?" James asked dully, eyes fixated on the ground. "Chase died."
"He gave his life for a friend. He will be remembered as a noble hero," the goddess said gently.
"Who are you, anyway?" Phil asked tentatively, as if he were afraid the goddess would blast him with lightning. The goddess smiled reassuringly and she brushed a strand of hair out of her face.
"My name is Khione, daughter of the goddess Ianite, guardian of the winds. I am the one who gifted you your powers."
"You're the one who cursed me then?" James said, too far beyond caring that he was insulting a goddess.
Khione's eyes flashed with sadness. "I never meant for it to appear as a curse, young wizard. I saw you had a great destiny ahead of you but I also foresaw you would struggle through much suffering. I wish I could have eased your burden, but it is against the ways of the gods to meddle in mortal's daily lives; even if you are not truly mortal."
"I guess I understand," James sighed. "It just would have been nice to know that I was never a demon."
"And I wish I could have helped you," Khione murmured sadly. "But I was only allowed to appear to you now, and the other gods were reluctant even for that to happen."
"So what is your reason for coming here?" Tom asked, voice still shaky. Khione smiled again and brought out a small pouch.
"I have brought gifts for all of you. Tom, you have a talent for healing. This ground mukamura has potent healing powers. Use it only in times of great need." She handed the pouch to Tom, who took it cautiously and turned it over in his hands, staring at the blue-dyed leather with wonder in his eyes. "User, though you are younger than the others, you can always see hope. Use these to see hope in the darkest times." Khione handed User a pair of goggles which the ten year-old took eagerly and put them over his eyes.
"Whoa!" he exclaimed excitedly. "These give you night vision!" Khione laughed and then turned to Matt and Phil.
"Phil, you showed everyone today that you would never leave a friend in danger. You will never wear a mask upon your loyalties, but wear this mask for protection against any enemies you might face." A leather mask appeared in Khione's hands and she gave the mask to Phil, who after a moment's hesitation, put it over his head. It had holes cut into it that were in the shape of a creeper's face and Phil grinned, clearly liking his mask. "Matt, you have seen the true extent of physical pain. With this armour, may you never have to feel that pain again." A full set of armour suddenly appeared on Matt's body, perfectly fitting him. Matt jumped a little bit, surprised, but almost instantly after, he smiled, the helmet on his head nearly covering his whole face.
"And finally, dear James. Though you have suffered much, you have endured. Take this emerald, be strong, and live on." Khione's eyes glowed and she gave James a emerald shaped like a perfect star. James stared at it and a small detail caught his eye. He studied it closer and realized it was a message engraved in Rune upon the emerald's surface.
Waglington, James translated inside of his head. In the olden tongue, it meant 'Faith.'
"Khione smiled, a hint of sorrow in her eyes as she gazed at Chase's body, " And now, young wizards, this is where I leave you. You have been granted timeless immortality with the accepting of these gifts. It is up to you know to find your place in the world. Farewell, and good luck."
Khione smiled once more and vanished in swirl of silver wind, leaving no trace that she was ever there.
"James?" Tom spoke, breaking the silence. "Are you okay?"
"My name is not James anymore," he breathed, staring at the emerald.
"My name is Waglington."
Now, before anyone gets mad at me about Tom, I'd like to point out that there's still one more chapter left in this story. A lot can happen in one chapter.
Random Observation: KITTKAZ IS A FREAKIN' POET! READ THIS AND WORSHIP HER WRITING! "Farewell, the Realm of Mianite. This journey and adventure was absolutely amazing and breathtaking. Tears were shed, laughter filled the air, salt would be sprinkled, and joy was spread. We drove up, meeting others; but at times, we went down, losing our close ones. Rules were made and lines were drawn, but balance before was lost, yet now restored. Our journey seems to come to an end, but hopes will not be lost; our adventure will rise on and continue soon enough! Next year, where a new world is created, and a new start will begin. But until then, I bid you all... Farewell." - Kittkaz's review on Chapter 8
Wizard QotD: (Thanks to TheAmazingQwerty for supplying me with this quote!)
Pippin: I didn't think it would end this way.
Gandalf: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.
Pippin: What? Gandalf? See what?
Gandalf: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
Pippin: Well, that isn't so bad.
Gandalf: No. No, it isn't.
TheAmazingQwerty: I think I may have made you a little upset...
DiamondScribe: Thank you! *pretend this is the first part of the heart symbol*3
KittKaz: You're a poet, KittKaz! (get the reference? LOL!)