Many hanks to those who reviewed two weeks ago, and thanks as well to everyone who voted on the poll. I am keeping it up to the end of this week, and them I will be closing it, although I believe that the results are probably set the way that they will stand. Naturally, as it has been with you all, I am surprised at the results, in part, and of course the top pick is one that I have not committed any writing to previously, making that one a touch more difficult, but I will manage, as it was one that was interesting to me. With that said, on with the chapter. ~F
Chapter Thirty Five
Avalon, land of the Feywilds
Draco couldn't believe how quickly Hermione came to the conclusion, correctly, that it was he and the warlocks that had disrupted her precious ritual to located Lord Nobu'tan. Naturally he wouldn't admit it to her face, as that would cause a drastic falling out between their orders, and potentially lead to the first shot of a war that would wage for ages afterward. Somehow, Draco felt that such a falling out was inevitable, but if he could stall it for a year or two more, it would be worth it in the end. The more that they learned that these arcane wielding mages were capable of first; the better they could defeat them when the time came to fight.
Out of the corner of his eye, Draco spotted Professor Snape approaching, with clear intent to break up whatever was going on, and he smirked inwardly. Even though the man was clearly some sort of a traitor, which had to be the case if he hadn't been invited to learn the Fel magic of the Legion by his father, then he couldn't be completely trusted, and from his aura Draco could tell that he had learned the Arcane magic of the mage, probably from Dumbledore himself, which did not bode well to him aiding his Slytherins as much as he had in the past.
"What is going on here, then…" the man said, his usual sneer fixed firmly in place as he loomed over the group of third and younger years, his withering stare making those not of his house step back in surprise.
"Nothing sir," Draco said quickly, "just a friendly debate that might be getting too heated for anyone's liking."
"Well," the professor said slowly as he locked eyes with the warlock, "make sure that it doesn't get out of control. We don't want accidents to happen on the grounds… Madam Pomfrey is booked enough as it is with all the colds."
"Of course, sir…" Draco said, backing off from Granger a step as Severus turned to leave.
With a look that clearly stated that the discussion wasn't over, Granger left with her mages, leaving the warlocks of the Black Harvest to themselves. "Like it or not, Granger is too much of a rule keeper to be a real threat sometimes," Blaise commented from Draco's left, making some of the newer warlocks snicker.
"Yes, but she is growing too close to the truth, and we need to formulate a good united reason for why her ritual failed that will delay her for a good long time, or at least deflect blame from us…" Draco replied turning to lead the group back to the dungeons, and the relative warmth that awaited them in the fires of the common room.
Things had started to change since they started heavy recruitment in Slytherin. Many fourth years and younger had joined their ranks, starting the basic practices of Nether magic, and the common room was abuzz with what their Order was capable of, along with rumors flying of where the Lord Nobu'tan was and doing, not that many outside of the official caste of warlocks from the Order of the Black Harvest knew of his true name or whereabouts.
Draco had been told via letter from his father, that once the Christmas holidays started in a week, they would all be gathering for a ritual to aid Nobu'tan with acquiring yet another of the artifacts that the demon lords had demanded from them.
It was exciting, knowing that they were on the cusp of something extremely new and possibly world changing, but at the same time there were great dangers in what was to come. Lucius, through a code only know to Malfoys in their system of writing, had made mention that there was possibility of Ministry involvement, which could indicate some sort of conflict, and that had Draco nervous with anticipation. While he was not eager to fight against fellow humans, least of all to actually try to kill people, the prospect of being that close to a battle was intense.
It was almost impossible for him to contain himself for the last week that the Order of the Black Harvest laid low at Hogwarts, watching and waiting for the term to end. Keeping his eyes open during mealtimes and classes, Draco noticed that both Professor Snape and Dumbledore seemed as tense and eager for the holiday to begin as the warlock Slytherins were, which added to the concept that something significant was about to happen.
Even Granger, in her ignorance of the topic, noticed that something was amiss somewhere along the line, but her attempts to discuss it were more or less brushed off. Draco was not willing to give her information that she did not need at this time.
At long last, the tense week ended, and after hastily packing all of his belongings into his trunk, just in case something happened and he did not end up returning to Hogwarts, Draco joined his fellow conspirators as they boarded the horseless carriages to take them back to the Express in the Hogsmeade station.
The exchange of glances between them as they boarded the scarlet train and took a compartment for themselves were filled with excited nerves, as well as a hesitation to betray anything by accident, almost bordering on paranoia what would make Mad-Eye Moody suspicious or proud, depending on the man's mood.
Speaking of the retired Auror, he had been on the platform in Hogsmeade, watching the crowds of students as they filed onto the train, although to what end, the warlocks never discovered, because although the man looked knowingly at each of them with his crazed blue magical eye, he neither said nor did anything to hinder them.
They eventually put the thoughts of the mad Auror behind them, locked within their compartment, and charmed so that they could not be disturbed, the members of the formal Order of warlocks discussed their plans for what limited amount of time they would possess this holiday, if there was any before they were summoned to Lord Nobu'tan's side for this ritual. They also speculated, in brief, what that might entail, but fear of being overheard kept them from discussing it too much, as even inside their compartment, there was chances for something to have been placed there to spy on them.
Finally, when the train started to slow as it pulled into King's Cross station, Draco could barely restrain himself from dashing improperly from the train with all haste, and he could tell the same urge had crossed the minds of his compatriots. Still, they controlled the desire, and walked with the nobility and class that their pure blood afforded them, greeting their respective parents along the way. "Father," Draco said, smiling as Lucius acknowledged him with a nod, before turning to the apparition point as they normally would. Taking the offered hand, the thirteen year old warlock felt the familiar sense of side-along apparition, but was surprised when they landed not in the family gathering place of the manor, but the spacious front entryway.
They were also not alone for long, as in pairs, or trios in the case of Theodore and his father with Blaise, the other warlocks started to arrive. Macnair and Dolohov were already present, entering from a side room once the others started to arrive "Lord Nobu'tan requested that we attend to him as quickly as time allowed once we were reunited," Lucius explained to the younger warlocks quickly, even as he pulled a small item from his robes. Draco expected a Portkey, but it was some sort of seal with a strange, foreign design upon it, and the Pureblood Lord pressed down upon it with his thumb for several moments, before releasing it and returning the item to his robes.
"We will need to prepare the usual disguises for us all," he explained to the other adults, and they nodded, before withdrawing wands and starting to conjure illusions of both darkness and mist around them, changing from human to strange beings with overlarge teeth and dark green skin. Draco realized that the creatures that had supposedly kidnapped Nobu'tan from their manor were actually these clever disguises, and was eager to accept his when the adults had finished and turned to enchant the younger ones one by one, instructed them on how the changes were woven with both wand and Nether magic, so that even a dispelling charm from a wizard could not remove it.
Sometime after they were finished, and Draco was admiring the work that his father had done, turning him into a shorter version of the same creature, with gleaming crimson eyes and a large under bite, there was a shimmer from the center of the room. Instinctively they all stepped away as half a dozen strange, purple claw-like hands appeared from within the shimmering space, literally pulling open a tear in space, and revealing the black clad form of Nobu'tan, standing on firm soil of some distant location just on the other side of the portal.
"Welcome, my friends," he said as they crossed from the manor to the strange island, "to the isle of Avalon. Everything is prepared for our ritual to bridge the gap from here to the Feyland, but time is short, but even now I can sense our enemies at work to prepare to thwart our efforts.
As Draco looked about, he was surprised to see that the area of land that they were standing upon was encircled about on all sides by a high stone wall, and patrolling just inside this barrier were around thirty massive trolls, at least four of them more massive and bizarre than the others, with two heads and bright blue hues, with runes etched directly into their leathery skin.
"Come," Lucius said, his voice gravelly and coarse due to the enchantments disguising him from casual sight. The warlocks moved as a group, even as the portal closed behind them, toward a circle of waist high stones that were set around the entryway of some ruined building, little more than markers of the ancient foundation now, but clearly and unmistakably some sort of muggle religious building from the outline it presented.
"There is magic here that I have never experienced before…" Nott Sr. stated in wonder as they approached the spot where Nobu'tan stood, in the exact center of the circle of rune stones.
"Yes," Nobu'tan agreed, even as his appearance shifted from human into that on an orc, hunched and old appearing, with gleaming red eyes and long beard. From Lucius' lack of reaction, it was a form that the more powerful warlock had taken before, and likely the source of what they based their disguises upon as well. Did this mean that they had been disguised as the mysterious orcs of the boy's chosen family?
"One member of the council will stand between two stones, while I remain in the middle to guide and channel the combined energy of us all." Nobu'tan explained, pointing at each location, and Blaise, Theodore, Yaxley, Lucius and Draco all took their places. "The others will assist my clan of ogres in defending this place from whatever threat presents itself while we carve a pathway into Avalon, so that I may travel there and claim the artifact we seek."
"Yes, Lord Nobu'tan," the other seven said, and they fanned out around the outside of the stones, watching the trolls and the stone walls beyond them, waiting for anything. From what Draco knew about, it was likely that the Ministry, or Dumbledore, or even both groups separately would be drawn to the level of magic they were about to unleash.
"These rituals would normally go unnoticed on a world as rich as Azeroth," Nobu'tan commented to them, addressing the very thing Draco was thinking about, "but on a world as magically drained in comparison, such as this one, there will be echoes that sound across the planet with this much magic we shall use. I will be surprised if we go unhindered in our attempts… Let us begin…"
Draco wasn't sure what he was expected to do, but followed the movements of the others around the circle of stones, watching as Nobu'tan raised both his hands to the stone he faced from the center of the circle, and launched beams of green Fel-energy into the stone surface, causing the runs written upon it to flare the same color, and Draco standing to one side of it, felt compelled to reach a hand toward it.
Upon doing so, he felt energy leap from it to his hand, mingling with his own, and he realized what needed to be done. The stones were to be powered by the Nether, as a battering ram to smash down the ancient magic that held Avalon and the mortal world apart.
Calling upon the dark gifts from beyond this world, Draco felt himself fill up to an immeasurable amount of magic, before reaching toward the next stone on his other side, letting that power slip through him like a funnel, pouring it into the stone like water into a bowl. He could feel the emptiness of the new stone, and the warmth as it slowly filled with magic itself, much like he had done.
Once each stone was charged in like manner, beams shot from each, connecting it to every other stone, forming the most powerful symbol that Draco had learned of in Ancient Runes, the pentagram. Magically it was extremely stable, and the foundation for most ritual magic, especially those with potentially volatile results.
Nobu'tan began to chant in a language that Draco did not understand, and briefly he wondered whether it was the language of the orcs, or of demons… But even as he did so, there were thunderous cracks of apparition from outside the stone walls, as well as gasps of amazement and fear, which told Draco that they had been discovered, far quicker than he had expected them to be. A barrier of Fel magic rose up around them, even as Nobu'tan continued his spell to direct their combined magical power, and out of the corner of his eye Draco saw one of the massive, twin-headed trolls waving its hands in mystical gestures, seeming to craft the shield out of excess magic from the ritual, allowing their own power to strengthen their defenses.
It was a clever trick, and not something that Draco would have expected from such a normally brutish creature. It also served to dull the sounds from outside the shield, which allow Draco to focus completely upon channeling his energy for the ritual, and learn as much as he could about what they were doing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Line Break ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Teg'Ramm could sense the approach of other humans from outside the walls. Like an oncoming storm they appeared out of thin air, and swiftly approached the banks of the swampy moat that surrounded their makeshift keep. The high walls prevented them from seeing their peril, as the ogre clan had readied themselves for battle, with armor to cover their exposed weaker points, and massive war clubs that would smash anything to pieces, heavily enchanted by the four ogre magi.
He himself wore large, enchanted robes that were strong for a light moveable cloth, and wielding a branch that he had carved into a makeshift staff, intending to channel his demonic powers through it while they waited for their enemies to arrive, but that time was now and he would have to make do with what he had.
Knowing they had but moments before the wizards decided to blast a section of wall apart on their own, or just fly over on their contraptions, the ogre mage lord led the other three magi around in a quick march, preparing their warriors for battle, using the dark magic of the Fel to inspire a deep and insatiable bloodlust in each of the most veteran of their warriors, watching as the powerful warriors started to froth at the mount in their desire to crush bone and flesh beneath their clubs.
At a mutual signal from the others once complete, Teg'Ramm looked toward the nearest section of the wall to the main force of wizards, and focused his magic, channeling it through his staff to focus the destructive magic into a single sphere of dark flame. The master had spent time crafting these walls for them, but a door was the one thing they lacked to be able to meet their enemies in battle. This had to be rectified immediately.
A great plume of flame shot out from his raised hand, blasting the section of wall outward with great force. If the falling rubble didn't crush some of the attackers, then they would at least be startled into respectful fear as the ogre warriors charged out, leaping across the water to engage them as they roared in their magically induced madness.
Teg'Ramm and the other ogre magic filled the hole that he had made with their bodies, casting magical shields around them to protect from spells of these wizards, while conjuring flame and shadows to try and pick off attackers from afar.
Lord Nobu'tan would have as much time as he could give, Teg'Ramm owed the warlock that much of his loyalty at the least, until they arrived safely at this new world that the young human had promised for them all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Line Break ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alastor was part of the initial group of Aurors called into action by Madam Bones when the Unspeakables in the Ministry had detected a great deal of dark magic being used in the region known around the Wizarding World as the fabled isle of Avalon. For such a sacred place to their world, and British wizards specifically, to be the location of such a perversion of magic was unacceptable. Ever eager to be seen in positive light, Minister Fudge had loudly and public called for action to be taken, and ordered the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to take her Aurors and stop this, and whatever dark wizard was behind it.
Alastor already knew that he, Albus and Snape were well aware of whom the cause could be, due to Snape's scouting of the location nearly a week previously, but he feigned ignorance just the same. The Order of the Phoenix was not prepared to deal with such a threat, especially if there were any of those creatures that had 'taken' the boy with him.
Arriving with twenty other Aurors at the shores of the swampy lake where the isle lay in mist, Alastor glanced at the font of magic that was pouring out from within the stone walls that seemed to have been hastily placed by magic around the island. His magical eye, now enhanced even further by the powers of the Arcane, thanks to Dumbledore, he could easily see the forty or so figures inside the circle of walls, as well as the multitude of literal flying eyes, wreathed in flame that looked down at the advancing force.
"They are aware of us already," he muttered in an undertone to the leader of the company, an Auror that was significantly Alastor's junior, but the scarred man was not about to start stepping on anyone's toes until the fight started.
"Are you sure?" the man said, but movement within the camp told Alastor all he needed to know. "Shield's up!" he called, not caring if the younger man was in charge or not, their safety was more important.
Shouts of "Protego," went up all around them only moments too soon, also, as with a thunderous crash one section of the walls exploded outward, the shrapnel alone lancing right through their clusters. Anyone who failed to comply with the order would have been shredded by the onslaught of rock, or crushed from above by the larger boulders.
Only after the initial shock subsided did they realize however, that the attack from the wall was merely a cover to unleash a new monstrosity upon them. Over a dozen trolls charged from the new hole in the wall, leaping across the swampy moat and swinging their clubs madly, roaring in some sort of war cry. Leaping out of the way of one of the clubs, Alastor could feel the ground shake from where the wooden branch dug deeply into the soil.
Many others weren't so lucky, screaming as their bodies were pulverized by the sudden appearance of so many foes. "Fire! Use fire!" Alastor heard the leader shout, and he was thankful that Amelia had at least chosen someone with a brain. Gouts of flames started to fly, the one great weakness of the troll, but even as they did so, Alastor saw a pair of Aurors caught up in a blast of pure darkness, that originated from the fortifications.
His magical eye whirling to look, Alastor felt his blood run cold as he spotted a squad of new creatures, similar to trolls, but extremely intelligent looking, wielding staves and sporting multiple heads as well as glowing runes etched onto the leather hides of their bodies.
The frightful abominations stood guard over the gateway that had been blasted out of their defenses, chanting and throwing spells into the ranks of Aurors with deadly accuracy, the sheer destructive power being magnified by whatever else was going on just inside those walls.
Alastor knew that with the forces that had at this moment, they would be overrun and driven away with ease, but just then the sharp cracks of apparition sounded, and another wave of Aurors appeared, led by Scrimgeour, the dour man with a mane of hair flying wildly as he overlooked the scene momentarily, before shouting the order to attack and sending a great blast of flame at the quad of blue-skinned trolls.
One of the heads of the closest two-headed troll turned, and with a slight gesture extinguished the fireball as though it was nothing to it, before returning to its work of destruction. "We can't fight in these conditions," Alastor said, falling back to Scrimgeour's position nearer the rear of the battle, tagging a troll with a powerful jet of flames, which caused it to howl in anger, and somehow start fighting even more ferociously.
"I agree, we need more of a strategy than to simply wade in and presume that our magic would be sufficient to win the day." The man said, agreeing.
"Perhaps we can help!" said a voice from the woods, and the two men turned to see Amelia, leading a fresh regiment of red robed Aurors, each carrying sacks on the shoulders. "Start transfiguring stones and trees into projectiles to hurl at those walls." She ordered, "I want those troll wizards to think twice before coming back out to support their forces!"
The men and women hastened to obey, and were soon banishing boulders and massive logs at the walls and nearby trolls, just as a pillar of magic flared into existence on the far side of the walls. "Alastor, what in Merlin's name is going on in there," Amelia asked, a trace amount of worry in her voice.
"I cannot tell," Alastor admitted, his eye becoming overloaded just looking in that direction. Just then, from atop the walls, more trolls appeared, hurling more boulders and other hefty projectiles into their ranks, returning fire for what the wizards were giving them. The magical trolls, for their part, had not moved, but two of the behemoths worked defensive magic, obliterating anything that flew in their direction, while the other pair continued to unleash fire and shadow spells into the melee, taking down Aurors with extreme precision.
Alastor knew that their magic wouldn't be enough to contend with those blue-skinned monsters, but perhaps the Arcane could challenge them enough to turn the tide. Limping forward, Moody drew from the wellspring of power that lay thickly around the sacred isle, empowering him far more than the lines at Hogwarts ever did.
Flames surged from within Alastor, forming spheres in his hands. Hurling them with his might at the trolls, again the brutish mages shielded, but Alastor could tell that this time, the impact of the Arcane magic taxed their strength far more than anything up to that point.
Only barely registering the gasp of shock from Amelia and Scrimgeour, and smirking to himself, Alastor gave in to the desire of flame, jets rocketed from his one real foot, propelling him forward into battle, while magical fire flared up his arms, being propelled with little more than thought and mild gestures, sending gouts of flame at the various trolls that were hampering the wizarding force outside the walls, even as he cut through the melee, heading for the four magi-commanders that were blocking their path inside the fortification.
The trolls fell back against the onslaught of fire, their weakness revealed as the wizarding force took the advantage. Several of the brutes were brought down in short order due to the surprise change of the flow of battle. The magi on the other hand, seemed prepared for the surprise attack, and changed tactics, three of them falling back into the compound while the last, carrying a staff and clad in flowing robes, raised one monstrous arm high and let loose a barrage of the most warped, chaotic magic that Alastor had ever experienced, forming great draconic heads upon the missiles that flew at him.
Quickly changing course, Alastor dodged out of the way as the spells crashed into the ground he had previously occupied, leaving massive craters that smoked with green flames. But the time it took to evade the attack allowed the troll to escape into the fortification. The other trolls were scattering into the woods on all sides, opening the way for the Auror force to press to the fort.
Alastor was the first to reach the wall, but he was smarter than to enter immediately. Now that he was closer his eye could pinpoint what lay just beyond the physical barrier much better, and he knew that lines of demonic creatures waited just inside to ambush whoever was foolish enough to charge in. catching the next Auror hard in the chest with a thrown out arm, Alastor prevented the eager young man from running straight to his death.
"Constant Vigilance," he said, much less of the usual barking madness in his voice as he fixed his gaze on the foes just before them. "We need to circle around, this entrance is a trap."
The man nodded, even as the others came to a skidding halt around them. "What are your orders?" the boy he stopped asked, speaking for them all.
Alastor didn't respond, but pointed upward, indicating at a group of Aurors to take to the top of the wall, try and get an advantage over their enemies. The leaders of Scrimgeour's regiment nodded, gathering their troops and preparing to apparate.
"Heavy shields in the front; be prepared for a barrage," Alastor ordered, conjuring fire into his hands once more. He would apparate to the top first and become a distraction for the demon forces to give the other aurors time to get into position.
"Yes Sir!" the Aurors said, and Alastor turned, with a heavy crack of magic appeared on the top of the wall. Even as he let loose with more fire, and heard the other wizards appear all around him, his magical eye alone was what guided his attacks. His real eye was stuck, transfixed on the circle of magical stones at the far end of the fortification, where a half dozen of the strange green creatures stood, channeling powerful magic into one of their own, which seemed to be on the verge of something massive.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Line Break ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nobu'tan could feel the great power welling up before him, the immense magical strength that so many warlocks could achieve together. The battle raging around them was of no concern, as their shield was directly linked to the amount of power they were generating, protecting them from outside and those outward from any mishap that might happen within.
Not that the orc-raised human would allow such a thing. He had already pinpointed the exact spot in space that the portal was still somewhat open, a relative pinprick in the universe that connected these two planes, and he was prepared to use this immense power to bore that gap in reality even wider.
"Now is the time!" he announced to the gathered warlocks, "I shall entered the land of Avalon, and claim the prize that waits there for us, trapped in the mist that boarders our realms."
And he reached forward, manipulating the stored funnel of energy forward, until it shaped into a wedge and pierced into the space where Fey magic leaked into the world. Magical discharge flared in all directions, as the portal started to form. So long as the warlocks kept channeling, the portal ought to remain open, long enough for Nobu'tan to enter, find the relic they sought, and escape.
As soon as the portal was wide enough, Nobu'tan divided the power to holding the edges of the rift apart for him, and marched purposefully into the breach between earth and Avalon. The first thing he recognized was that most of the stories and legends he had read of this place were all merely in part true, or more accurately they were true only if you took them all together.
The land was green and verdant, looking much as the island he had just left, but wild and untamed, with great trees that he had never before seen growing in all directions. Then one had to consider the massively strange magic that wafted in the air like a wild creature, incredibly powerful but elusive.
"Impressive, isn't it…" said a voice behind him, and Nobu'tan whirled to face a older man, probably around the age of Lucius Malfoy in appearance, clad in a simple brown robe and carrying a walking stick, other hand gently stroking a fine brown beard. "The Fey Wilds of Avalon are truly a sight to behold… but who are you, we haven't had visitors in many an age."
Instantly on edge, Nobu'tan realized that he spoke directly with the man who was guardian of this world, positioned here in Avalon to guard his prize, the fabled master Merlin himself. "I am a great sorcerer, who seeks a relic said to be lost in these wilds, perhaps you could help me in my quest stranger… I have limited time to search before I have to go back." he said persuasively, looking back at the gateway.
"Perhaps I might be of help," the Guardian said, "We here in Avalon have little need for these sorts of artifacts, so with few exceptions we could part with whatever you might have need of. From you garb and look of earnest need, I presume it's some sort of emergency. Walk with me…"
Nobu'tan followed the man, knowing that they in fact walked very little, but the scenery seemed to change radically regardless, despite them never truly leaving the massive forest. He suspected that it was world-wide in this land. With Merlin in his company, it seemed that the natural denizens of the plane were less afraid to reveal themselves, and the warlock saw many strange and altogether fascinating creatures. Tiny winged fairies fluttered around reflective pools, and occasionally flying up to Merlin himself to chatter in some unknown language, mostly which made the man laugh.
Other creatures, that seemed to be half woman and half deer leapt through undergrowth as Merlin led Nobu'tan to a forest clearing where a massive tree stood, with many trinkets and other items hanging from the branches like metallic fruit.
"The creatures of the wilds being them here if they have no use for them, and if you see what you need, feel free to take it. But for the sake of the world's balance, I expressly need you to only take one," Merlin said, gesturing at the relics that adorned the tree like baubles.
Nobu'tan was stunned by the absolute lack of care that the man was giving these items, as some felt quite powerful magically, to his senses. But he had a mission, and was pressed for time. Searching quickly, he did not find the Torque for some time, until, eventually, he came across a warped knot in the tree, which seemed to be a tiny window into the inside of it. Looking within, Nobu'tan saw that there was the figure of an elegant woman inside the tree, with more relics adorning her body, and the Torque around her neck.
"I want the necklace that the woman has," he said innocently, acting as though he had no clue as to who the woman could be.
"Alas, her and the items she wears are those that we cannot permit to return to the world of men," Merlin said, shaking his head, "I cannot allow any to open this tree and reawaken her, as there is no knowing how much damage she could do before recaptured. I am sorry. Please choose another…"
"There is no other artifact I need, but the Torque of Morgan le Fey," Nobu'tan declared, starting to look for a way to open the tree. But even as he reached a hand toward the little hole, vines shot from the ground and ensnared his wrist. Turning back to Merlin, the man had a hand raised, controlling the vines, "I cannot allow you to inadvertently release that witch into the Fey Wilds, even less so with a portal to the mortal world open."
"Then I shall not ask you you're permission, Guardian!" Nobu'tan seethed, unleashed Fel fire to burn the vines away, "but shall take what I desire by force!"
Whirling on the man, who seemed less than prepared for the sudden escalation, Nobu'tan unleashed a small wave of fire, hoping to push Merlin away from the tree, and give the warlock the time he needed to lay waste to it. The ancient druid and wizard dodged, with quick motions of his hands summoning forth blasts of sunlight, "Rise up defenders of the Wild!" he cried, and from the nearby trees Fey creature burst forth, angrily charging at the warlock.
"I sensed your darkness, stranger, but I had hoped to placate you and send you on your way without a fight. I see that I was wrong…" Merlin said sternly, all effects of his grandfatherly demeanor gone in a flash. "But you are alone here, and outnumbered. I suggest you leave this place, and never return."
"I am not alone…" Nobu'tan snarled, calling out to the powers of the Fel in the Twisted Nether.
Demons burst forth from his summoning, Ikzilgoril the Felguard leading the charge of wild imps that surged in packs of raving madness. The druid and his natural allies fell back at the sudden rush, even as the sky of the Fel Wilds changed to a darker hue, affected by the surge of dark magic in the air.
From behind him, Nobu'tan felt the prisoner stir in her tree, and now knew the method of releasing Morgan le Fey. Calling upon all the power of the Fel that he possessed, Nobu'tan transformed into his demonic form, claws grasping a pair of fairies as they tried to rush his, crushing the life from their tiny bodies.
Fel flames leapt up upon his whim, spreading in all directions to create a barrier between him and the other creature of the Wilds, even as he turned to the prison of the most powerful witch in existence. Plunging both claws deeply into the bark, Nobu'tan fed demonic energy into the living prison, feeling the tree itself recoil in horror as it started to die from within.
One of the deer creatures leapt over the flames, brandishing a spear made from vines and branches of trees, but the warlock swung one powerful clawed hand, catching her midsection and sending the creature flying back, even as he pushed more Fel magic through his body.
"No, you mustn't allow her to awaken!" Merlin called from beyond the flames, even as Nobu'tan felt the tree shudder from within. It was close, so very close, and the Torque would be within his grasp.
The flames were momentarily buffeted aside, causing Nobu'tan to turn, even as Merlin charged through, all aspects of a gentle old man gone as the magical giant stormed at the man-sized demon, eyes aglow with fierce purple Arcane magic. Within himself, the warlock smiled. He knew that the magic of the Arcane had to have existed on this world at some point.
Only, he didn't have long to appreciate the discovery of Merlin the Archmage and Guardian of the Earth, as he was literally face to face with the angered mage and his volatile wrath. Purple arcane bolts assaulted him, but the Fel magic that infused his new form protected the warlock completely.
Still, he was forced away from the tree momentarily as the Guardian leapt to press his attack. With a gesture, more demons were summoned to deal with the Fey creatures that continued to charge from the ethereal woods all around, and Nobu'tan set his focus completely on the wizened druidic mage.
They began to trade spell for spell, Fel bolts and Arcane missiles flying through the greenery, flames flaring up all around the clearing. every attempt that Nobu'tan made to close distance or reach the tree were rebuffed by the very plants of the grove, forming a wall of greenery that he had to burn through, if he had been given the chance by Merlin.
"All I have worked for will not be undermined by the likes of you, Dark one!" the man declared. "Not by you, nor your demon masters!"
With a roar of rage, Nobu'tan rose up a wave of Fel flame, which the mage dispelled from around him; however, Merlin had not been Nobu'tan's target. The wall of foliage blazed around the prison tree of Morgan, slowly creeping toward it, and setting the upper branches alight.
Suddenly the tables had turned, and it was Nobu'tan pressing the attack to keep Merlin from stopping his fire from burning the prison away. Reeling back, Merlin used his staff to bat away volley after volley of Fel fire and Void bolts, but he was being pressed away from the tree. Summoning another pair of imps, Nobu'tan set the little creatures on the old mage, turning and leaping through the air with aid of his demonic wings to the tree.
There was a burst of magic, and the artifact ridden prison was torn asunder, revealing the beautiful form of Morgan le Fey, still hovering in her prison, bangles and artifacts around her.
All he desired was the Torque, all else be forgotten, and with only the briefest of glances at Merlin, long enough to launch a few choice spells at the man, Nobu'tan reached a clawed hand forward and seized the collar-like necklace.
The moment the necklace was removed, there was a shuddering quake, and Nobu'tan saw the ancient witch open her eyes, vibrantly purple with flecks of Fel green. Morgan smirked widely as she glanced around her before raising one hand, decked with golden rings and bracelets. A brilliant ring of flames exploded around them both, raging outward to drive away both demon and Fey alike. Merlin was hurled bodily against the nearest tree, crumpling at the base, unconscious or dead, Nobu'tan didn't care.
Morgan le Fey eyed him suspiciously, with a small smirk on her face. "Might I see the true face of the one who freed me?"
Nobu'tan paused, realizing that this woman was probably the most dangerous mortal that he had ever encountered, easily rivaling the power of a Nathrezim on her own. Therefore, he obeyed, shedding the skin of his demonic form, and even dispelling the illusion of an orc warlock, so that he did not seem to be attempting to deceive the powerful witch.
"Ah, what a sweet innocent face, to disguise such raw destructive power…" she cooed, patting his face in a motherly fashion that sent shivers down Nobu'tan's spine. This was a level that Sartai could never hope to achieve in the methods of female wiles and dangerousness.
"Come, we must leave," he said, glancing at the form of Merlin, that had yet to recover from being blasted with Fel magic from his age old rival.
"Yes, it will be good to return to the real world once more, after so many years imprisoned here by that snake…" Morgan agreed.
She took him by the hand and led Nobu'tan with purpose, somehow knowing right where his portal was. The warlock guessed that the powerful ancient witch could sense the pulsating magic seeping from the bridge between worlds, and was drawn to it naturally.
Even as they arrived, she was already talking again, "As reward for releasing me, you may keep that artifact that was once my own. I suspect it was your original intent for coming to this sacred place, wielding what powers you have received from the dark masters of the Burning Legion."
Somehow, it did not surprise Nobu'tan to learn that the great Morgan le Fey knew of the Burning Legion, seeing as she wielded a portion of their fel magic.
"I thank you, Lady Morgan…" Nobu'tan responded, even as he led the way through the portal back to the real world.
As he stepped back into the real world, he was momentarily blinded by the bright colored flashes that flared around the shield, but he held the Torque high in victory. "We must leave this place now, and continue the operation." He declared, even as Morgan breathed the free air again.
