On the same day, in the great steppes at the foot of the farthest rust-colored mountains and the pass leading to the forges of dark times, it was in the erected tents, wooden sheds, that gathered barbarians, savage warriors and female warriors, wielding powerful weapons, massive swords, axes and shields, and , chain mail red and black armor sparkled in the morning sun and wild hearts broke out into battle, looking forward to the upcoming fights in the west, many of the barbarians today trained to fight, exchanging powerful blows that often broke massive shields and their screams of battle shook the empty land of great across the steppes, chasing away the few herds of wild horses and birds that flew across the sky, this great army seemed to fear nothing but a single force.
Today the wild tribes continued to fight, practice fencing and stamina, many of the warriors and female warriors jostling each other to see who was the strongest, and the few bored barbarians watched the horizon, watching and awaiting the return of their brothers and sisters from the first great battle, until the first sight made ten barbarian warriors clad in brown leather armor shrieked and ran deep into the camp, the barbarians ran through the trampled earth and mud to the very isthmus between the mountains, to enter the great round square where once stood a great rusty mountain and today there was a circle of power covered with runes, with five smaller ones surrounding the central one, and here stood Horgan the golden-haired fugitive from the southern lands of the curved swords waiting for the dispatched troops to return, his black-red plate armor gleaming in the breaking light of the mid-morning sun behind his scarlet sword and shield waiting at his belt and behind his back for a great fight or a recharge in the elemental forge.
Horgan looked back, his blue eyes focused on the ten barbarians and their huge eyes staring at the vastness of the elemental forge, at five black cages of black steel hewn with great magic from a thousand years ago.
- so it happened, my legions are back right. Horgan asked, rubbing his hands together, his steel gloves creaking.
- Yes, our chief, our people are coming back and leading the cages with them. One of the scouts said as a black-haired engineer in black leather armor entered the forge and her blue eyes focused again on the black cages large enough to easily contain even a rock giant in her chains.
- it still impresses, I wonder how they work. Stella said looking at the black cages.
- You'll see in a moment, you have my word my friend. Horgan said, extending his right hand to the barbarian subordinate.
- what, how, they're back. Stella asked, showing a confident smile and great satisfaction.
- yes they are coming back, and now I need to see it with my own eyes soon. Horgan said leading Stella to the right of the camp.
With each passing moment Horgan and Stella made their way through the camp, through the tents and the few wooden warehouses built, the shouts of cheer grew larger with each passing moment, until all the barbarians shrieked cheering at the sight of the four bound elementals, a great bound rock giant led on a great wheeled machine, he knows more in which the spirits of water and air struck in great suctions and a small granite cage in which the flames of a fourth spirit called Bruni were swirling, wanting to free themselves.
The sight of the defeated elemental spirits was joyful for all warriors but not for Horgan, he immediately saw that something was wrong, firstly he did not see the fifth elemental spirit which was Elsa and secondly the arriving barbarians, warriors and female warriors were truly frightened, their fear made the other barbarians stop with cheers, and someone suddenly started screaming of indescribable power and a thundercloud.
Seeing this, Horgan looked for those most familiar eyes, and saw them but only one, it was a black-haired Barbarian with brown eyes but deprived of his massive axes and his bearded face showed an indescribable fear something that in the heart of barbarians was never seen, well none of them he was afraid of nothing, not even death.
- Hatos, tell me what's going on here, where is the fifth ghost, where is my sister, what's going on here, what are the behaviors. Tell me everything. Horgan asked and Hatos looked confidently into his leader's eyes and spoke recalling what he saw during the thunder lord's attack.
- it was indescribable, we had them all in hand, it was enough to finish off the wounded animal until suddenly thunders from the clear sky struck and he appeared, a man who wields the powers of heaven, the powers of thunderbolts!. Hatos said and Horgan, who was listening to him, took a step back and Stella began to tremble slightly because the sight of the power of thunder in human hands was the greatest nightmare for them, unless the thunderer would be on their side, but it was otherwise.
- how is it thunder lord, after all, it is impossible, the sixth spirit, but how. Stella asked in shock as a huge machine without a catapult and a tethered rock giant passed her by.
- it's impossible, I don't believe it, is it the idea of my treacherous sister Ress!. Horgan shouted, expecting a blow to the back, but as he quickly turned around, all he saw were terrified barbarians marching, lugging the suction machine behind them.
- I'm not lying, this man, in unusual clothes, fell on us like a thunderbolt, I hit him, I hit him with my axes, but he came out without a scratch, he has the strength of ten oxen, and these thunders, he still does not shake like remember, he blew us all to dust, we barely managed to escape. Hatos said spreading his hands and his words were confirmed by the rest of the barbarians nodding their heads and mentioning what they saw.
- so, it changes a lot, but how, why now, why us, no matter, take the cages with the spirits of the elements, I will do the rest to the forge myself and you tell Hatos. Horgan said, and the barbarians, carrying the last cage with a little fire spirit burning inside, entered the camp heading for the pass.
- I, I still can't understand it, he smashed us, he summoned great black clouds himself, I've never seen anything like it in my life, and what's worse, the way he fought, his eyes were full not of anger or madness, but something indescribable to me, not yet I fought someone with eyes like that, it's like he's fighting himself, countering himself and countering his own counters but I didn't see any fear in him, he wasn't afraid of anything or anyone, if he could he would attack everyone if he didn't already, I'm afraid that this madman, as I can call him, will destroy the whole world!. Hatos shouted and his words shocked even the leader of the barbarians and at the same time a fugitive from the far south.
- it's impossible, like him, where would he come from, why now. Horgan asked.
- maybe it was our action, our war, that caused something so terrible to awaken from deep sleep, maybe it was the emperor or one of his children, I don't know. Stella said as her hands trembled under her brown vest.
- Nonsense, Hatos, tell me where is my sister, somehow I don't see her here. Horgan said as he searched for his sister but to no avail.
- your sister, from what i hear she tried to fight the thunder lords, he reached into the black clouds and hit with a thunderbolt so strong that it blew up everything and broke a big rock, probably your sister was swallowed up by the collapsing rocks, no one knows what happened after that, no one does not know. Hatos said, and his words caused the listening barbarians and Stella to take a few steps back again, trembling at the thought of what might happen to them today, but not to Horgan.
Strangely, Horgan showed no fear or anger, although he probably lost his sister forever, his blue eyes showed only joy, the first beginnings of a smile appeared in the corners of the barbarian chief's mouth, until suddenly Horgan laughed softly but enough for everyone to see.
- how I feel sorry for my sister, but on the other hand, as they say, there is nothing bad that doesn't come out for good, true cha cha cha cha, anyway today I lost a competitor and that changes a lot. Never mind, today we have more important problems, until we get this girl from the north machinery, the forge is worthless. Horgan said, and the sudden croaking made most of the barbarians jump in place, expecting another attack from the heavens, but it was nothing but a landing black raven.
Horgan stretched out his right hand, the raven landed in front of his wrist, and Horgah calmly and slowly pulled a letter from the south from under his gold ring, but as he handed the raven to Stella and began to read the letter, his blue eyes burned with unimaginable anger and incomprehension.
- it's impossible, no!. Horgan shouted, crushing the letter in his right fist.
- but what happened. Stella asked, expecting everything and the worst.
- is it him, thunder lord. Hatos asked anticipating the words of his leader.
- yes, damned madman, he destroyed half of our fleet and helped the enemies to escape, now they have united and the two fleets are at Arendelle that's what my agent Stengard wrote to me, this madman defeated Borus and half of his fleet, goose kick it all. Horgan said all his fury, unleashing the heavily trampled leaves from the south.
- so what do we do. one of the barbarians asked, but he quickly regretted his boldness as Horgan struck him in the throat and knocked him down, and the choking barbarian rolled on the ground trying to regain his breath.
- I know what we're going to do, now we have to change tactics, find out everything about this madman, one thing I know for sure today, he's on the enemy's side!, let the slime flood him!. Horgan shouted.
- I wouldn't be so sure about it, one of my soldiers said that a great thunderbolt that destroyed everything, including breaking the rocks, consumed not only your sister but also a girl with the powers of ice and then this elemental lord of the sky captured this girl and flew away into the unknown, according to one of my subordinates, chubby if he was their friend then why did he free me the other elemental spirits, I think he's playing with all of us and his goal if he has it must be very twisted. Said Hatos constantly trying to find out who their new opponent is, but even now he couldn't tell who Anders Malinowski was to them.
- who is this cursed madman, who are you, let him be swallowed up. Horgan said, thinking hard about the unknown madman and his motives until suddenly Horgan looked back at the rust-colored mountains and the only chance to even the odds.
- no matter who the madman is, this man, if he plays with all of us, we have to outplay him on his field, and yet we are very close today to reach for the same power, what the emperor from a thousand years ago failed we will soon behind me, because today the hope of victory is so close, ahead of us, behind me. Horgan said as he led his two subordinates, smiling again at the possibility that his sister Ressa wouldn't be an obstacle to his absolute power today.
Horgan walked confidently and calmly through the barbarian camp where the warriors and female warriors talked among themselves about what had happened in the west, and a wave of fear swept through the camp, the barbarians had always been afraid of only one thing, thunder, and now their worst nightmare had come true in front of their eyes and on a day of great victory came a man of indescribable powers, powers that had once devastated them and spread them across the battlefield, here and in the far south in a naval battle, now their nightmare was being fulfilled before their eyes, but not Horgan, he wasn't afraid of that, he was only afraid of the motivation, who the unknown stranger was, what he wanted and why he had hit them, him, but ahead of him beyond the pass was the only chance, the only possibility to defeat the enemy.
- What's your plan. Hatos asked, looking at the confident leader from the south.
- tell us if you want to use the forges for this. Stella asked, holding a black raven on her left hand.
- oh yes and this is my idea, after all the emperor was aiming for the same, this is our chance and this man is a test. Said Horgan as he entered the pass between the great rust-colored mountains walking towards his goal where four cages and traps were gathered.
- but how, you want to use the power of the forge. Hathos asked.
- just like, after all. Stella said looking at the introduced traps collected in front of the big open black cages.
- I know what we are missing, the fifth element, for this we will have to change strategies, our agent will take care of it, we need to know what this madman did with this girl. Horgan said, looking with a big smile at the open black cages and the four traps, at the four captured elemental spirits from the largest rock giant to the smallest now extinguished flame spirit, a small gray salamander called Bruni.
- yes, so much depends on him and if he, you know, drowned. Hatos asked and quickly regretted his words because Horgan hit him with a powerful blow in the face, Hatos grabbing his nose fell on a hewn rock full of runic writing.
- never say that, he's playing with us, that's for sure, and he won't drown her, she'll come back. Horgan said.
- unless he takes her to a place inaccessible to us. Stella said, and she was the only one who wasn't afraid of her chief today, because Horgan was sometimes brutal, he never raised his hand on any of the girls, he usually left this duty to his sister, but still the sharp look of the chief made Stella take two steps back.
- she definitely won't do it, come on, everything can be expected from such a madman, don't even think like that, I know that she will come back, she must, now soldiers, open the cages and see how the power of this place works today, and don't be afraid. Start with the giant first, then move on. Horgan said.
In accordance with the order of their leader, twenty barbarians in plate armor and chain mail broke the security, the great giant suddenly stood up enraged and full of anger, everyone started to back away and the giants raised both paws wanting to crush the barbarian leader but Horgan stood unmoved with a big smile watching as the giant suddenly froze in place.
The giant started screaming and beating on the spot, unable to move his arms or legs, suddenly some invisible force began to pull him to the first black cage, the giant rattled his whole body and the invisible force pulled him deep, suddenly the mechanism automatically set itself in motion, machinery full of the gears creaked and the great bars of black steel surrounded the giant, putting him into a state of complete sleep, the bars united above the giant's head and melted into one, the runes on the ground lit up with a living golden light that marked the first and a strange sound resembling the collision of tectonic plates was signaled by first complement.
- What is this. Stella asked, hiding behind Hatos who was massaging his forehead and a visible bruise.
- this is how the power of the ancestors is realized before your eyes my friends. Horgan said with great pride, watching as the first of the elements was caged and his power was already at the disposal of the forge.
- open the remaining trap cages. Horgan added, and the barbarian soldiers, warriors, and warrior women strung the mechanisms of the two great blowers, releasing the spirit of air first.
Gale's magical spirit whirled in a mad dance, but the power of the black cage did its job from the very beginning, Gale was unable to turn on, unable to break away from the strange invisible force that was drawing him to the open cage of black steel, barbarians staring with ever-increasing they watched his pitiful struggle with bigger smiles, savoring his suffering until the cage suddenly and resoundingly closed and melted where the black bars were connected, and another second spirit was put to sleep.
The barbarians stared with great admiration at the next lights in front of the cage, they watched as more golden runes shone on the ground and a strange sound similar to that from the edge of the cyclone's eye shook the rocks for a moment.
- it really happened, this air spirit was captured, ha and to think I didn't believe it, after all, something like air should come out of the bars and here you go. said Hathos.
- yes, the wind, it will always find a way out unless the cage is perfect and this cage is perfect, draws power from it, binds it with a magical unbeatable barrier, come on, next. Horgan said delighted, looking with great satisfaction as the emperor's plan was being implemented and with his hand.
The barbarians pressed another blower and another spirit, the water spirit bursting from within, Nokk quickly took the form of an angry steed striking hard with its hooves, but on the second stroke he was unable to do anything but squeal in pure fear to the satisfaction of the savage barbarians.
The barbarians were so delighted with this sight that they began to cheer loudly, laugh, scream and the terrified Nokk squealed even more until he was consumed by the power of the black trap, the cage closed and the next runes glowed with a golden glow revealing the realizations of the third element, Nokk fell asleep in a deep dream and the strange sound of crashing waves gave everyone a sign that the power of the water spirit is fully assimilated and the forge is still waiting for the last two elements.
- Perfect, so close. I wonder how this place will react with the use of the fourth element, maybe it will be enough. said Stella, her face showing great fascination and impatience.
- Well, what's so slow, faster to open this cage. Said Hatos also wanting to see the result of the four elements collected.
The last frame was thrown under the big black cage, the granite was cracking and Bruni jumped into the air burning like a living torch but his flight was completely stopped, suddenly the little innocent lizard looked at the furious and full of wicked laughter faces of the barbarians, the gray Bruni went out and himself in spite of his horror and attempts to fight was pulled deep into a black cage.
The last mechanism was set in motion, the black steel rods joined together and the fourth power was activated, Bruni fell asleep and golden runes glowed around the black cage, and another jolt made the moment tremble, first everyone heard a sound like lava crashing into the sea and after all, four circles glowing with sheer power illuminated almost the entire forge, but the last piece was still missing.
Horgan stared disappointedly at the central circle where the last of the elements was still missing, and because of its absence the sixth central circle, the circle at the heart of the forge, was not radiant with full power.
- the last element is still missing, the forge without the fifth element will not be able to activate all its power, you need to locate this girl as soon as possible, let our agent find her, Stella follow me. Horgan said, leading his subordinate behind him, while Hatos with big eyes was still looking at the great power, shining runes of power and four closed cages where their essence of power was drawn. From the largest giant to the smallest salamander.
Horgan brought the subordinate holding the raven over Newym's arm, walked over to the wooden table, took a pen and a white sheet of papyrus and began to trace and write, while he glanced every now and then at the engineer.
- so what is your opinion on this, you are also such a skeptic, you think that he took away from us forever the chance to reach for the sixth power. Horgan asked.
- it's hard to say, I can't say anything about it, since we are dealing with an unknown, perhaps a madman, nothing is certain here, maybe he will want to play with us and if so, he will certainly look after this girl personally to make us angry, or on the contrary, I don't know. Stella said stroking the raven and feeding it grain.
The raven croaked and Horgan continued typing an important message but paused for a moment planning many plans and possibilities, one for if Elsa were to return to Arendelle, one for if Elsa were captured by a madman, and another for gathering the necessary knowledge about an unknown man and what he might care about, Horgan finally finished three pages.
- and what do you think is most possible here, I leave it to your judgment, Stella, go ahead and tell me. Horgan asked.
- I don't know, it's impossible to see what someone like that will do, if he's that crazy then I don't know, it's like breaking chaos and harmony, it's impossible. Stella said but her eyes shone for a moment and she poked her own head and her black hair lashed Horgan across the face.
- but something must have made him who he is, if someone else, family, friends, then we have a chance, but if he did it to himself, I don't know, my head hurts from thinking about it. Stella said.
- it's not for me, I usually invent siege machines, it's a simple job but this, it's too much, please. Said Stella give the chief of the barbarians a black raven.
Despite all the possibilities, Horgan did not lose a certain conviction, the conviction that the madman would eventually make a mistake and that his biggest mistake would be letting Elsa go, but now so much would depend on one man, the agent from the south, Stengard, on whom Horgan now based the second part of the plan emergency, on it and the fleet commander Borus.
Horgan, taking the raven on his left hand, put a rolled-up letter under his wedding ring, then left the tent and released the raven, and it quickly flew to the far south and a certain conviction and the notion of certainty gave new strength to the ruthless barbarian ruler.
- if it were otherwise, he would have liberated my prisoners, he would have hit us today, he no, he may be crazy but he is human, he is human and only human, nothing surprises me, not him. Horgan said to himself, looking at the raven receding over the horizon.
The raven finally disappeared from the eyes of the barbarian ruler and he himself, walking through the camp where many barbarians were whispering about the thunder lord, did not lose his own certainty.
- could destroy us all. Horgan said to herself walking faster and faster.
- you could have freed the prisoners, but you didn't. Horgan added, shoving two female warriors off the road.
- You kidnapped that girl. Horgan added, looking at the great horizon, at small rocks and huge steppes stretching to the horizon.
- and you got rid of my sister on top of that. Horgan said, stopping at the edge of the camp.
- you do it for a specific purpose, so you're not that crazy, you can be approached, you must be approached and I will do it, soon I will surprise you, I will win, I will reach for a power equal to you and I will defeat you!, I will stand on top world!, I will do what the former emperor did not do, I will do it for him for myself, and I will not share power with anyone. He said Horgan's last words, whispering that the last words were only for him.
L
The forge of the dark times works as designed, now the barbarian ruler is missing one element, it must be said that Horgan is the embodiment of real human evil and the world we usually live in, he is the antithesis of the visitor from another world, but who is the visitor himself, Anders, is it is constantly unknown, because what his crazy mind decides remains to be seen.