The Complete Series, page 83
part #1 of The Hidden Wizard Series
“Must be something up ahead. There have been no other signs of a struggle. Keep your guard up.”
“Don’t worry about that.” The truth was, Alrion couldn’t be more on edge. He continued, looking more closely for any signs of what might have happened. But the town seemed quiet and undamaged. Left just as it should have been. The road curved around behind the town.
“Whatever it is, it’ll be back there.” Lara pointed to where the road went out of sight.
“I hope we’re not too late.” Alrion’s pulse quickened, his heart pumping faster and faster.
You can do this. This will save your friend. Just get the job done.
Alrion walked faster. He needed this to be over already. Lara kept pace, her dagger out. The sounds of their footsteps crunching louder than expected, the still air seemingly amplifying any sound.
“Well, there’s the townsfolk.” Lara pointed. Alrion could see them all. There was a clearing behind the town, and all the people were bunched together. They murmured softly but were otherwise quiet and still. Alrion could see the reason why. Before them stood a creature, one that inspired terror. His first instinct was to look away, but he forced himself to face it.
The creature had Alyx’s frame, although its skin was black and seemed more muscular. It wore a modified black tunic, with light armour on the arms and legs. But its face was unadorned. It was black except for the exposed bones of the skull. And the piercing white eyes. He understood finally.
“The Skull Queen,” Alrion whispered.
“I can’t believe what they have done,” Lara said softly. The Skull Queen reached behind and retrieved a massive black great sword. It was jet black and the edge seemed to ooze with something.
“That’s no ordinary blade. It seems to be somehow infused with the Blight.”
“This is not good. This is not good.” Lara shifted her stance. She seemed to be weighing up her options.
“We just need to engage and get it done. I doubt she’s as fast as Fermur, we should end this quickly.” Alrion took a deep breath and prepared.
It’s time at last. Don’t hesitate. Go.
Alrion drew up his Spark, preparing a spell. The Skull Queen instantly turned and hefted the giant sword. She started to swing towards the mass of people.
“No!” Alrion screamed. He threw out a wave of force to try to knock the Skull Queen aside. But the strike was unusually quick. Instead of carving through the people, a trail of black collected into a cloud and sunk down over them.
“What was that?” Lara said. Her mouth hung open. The Skull Queen stepped aside to show her handiwork. The gathered people started to cough and choke as the black substance infused them.
“This could get really ugly.” Lara fidgeted, spinning her dagger. She looked between the Skull Queen and the transforming people.
“No. No. No.” Alrion muttered. “Not again.” Something was building within him. Frustration. Fury. Pain.
“Don’t forget that Alyx is in there somewhere.” Lara put a hand on Alrion’s shoulder, but he shrugged her off.
“Don’t involve them in this!” Alrion shouted. He gathered everything he had. Spark and Soul Power. And he ran straight at the Skull Queen. He saw a wicked smile form on her face, and she held up the great sword in a ready position.
“Here we go,” Lara said quietly and ran alongside him. She threw out some daggers aimed at the Skull Queen’s head. The creature didn’t move, and they bounced harmlessly off.
Alrion’s focus grew smaller and smaller. He was only barely aware of Lara’s attack. Something was happening, and he wasn’t getting in the way. He was acting on instinct. A part of him thought that maybe he was losing himself, that he should regain control. But he didn’t want to. He had to let this happen.
Alrion continued, travelling faster and faster. Only he didn’t stop and confront the Skull Queen. He headed straight for the middle of the townsfolk. He was amongst the writhing and screaming as they were forcefully transformed into something else. Alrion stopped quite suddenly. And he gave in to the feeling, he let go of the force that had been building up.
It was like an explosion of force and Soul Power. It felt like the time he had attacked Ashra in desperation, but instead of the deadly white-hot power that removed everything from existence, it was like the Soul Power was used as the medium. He lost all sense of time, surrounded by a haze of white gold.
Slowly, his vision returned and he surveyed the scene. All the townsfolk were knocked down and looked unconscious. The ground was clear of dust, and the strange black cloud had been dispelled. Realising his own lack of awareness, he quickly turned to look at the Skull Queen. She was crouched down, glaring at him. Something appeared different.
“The sword. The black edge is gone.” Lara crouched down next to Alrion.
“Good.”
“Are you alright? What was that?” Lara looked worried. But he couldn’t find the words to explain.
“I can’t say, it was something else. I think it worked.”
“It must have.” Lara rose and focused on the Skull Queen.
“She looks relatively unharmed. Do you have any Soul Power left?”
“Not really.” He felt a pang of despair. He had squandered his best chance at restoring Alyx. Even though he had done the right thing.
It’s like I can’t save her. Why?
“Don’t worry, that’s why I’m here.” Lara was turning the Soul Orb over in her hands.
“It might not have enough power.”
“We’ll have to take that chance. But we only get one shot.” Lara’s gaze focused even more. She was planning something.
“I’ll follow your lead.” Alrion stood and dusted himself off. His Spark was still available, and his Soul Power would recover in time. At least the townspeople were out of the picture. It was just them.
The Skull Queen swung her sword and readied herself. She looked from Alrion to Lara. Waiting.
I need to be careful. I need to restrain her, but not kill her. Then we can try the cure.
“Let’s try and shut down her mobility,” Lara said.
“Sure. You distract, and I’ll try and lock her down.” Alrion watched Lara run off and he approached with caution.
How much of you is in there?
Lara ran straight at the Skull Queen, and the creature prepared to engage. At the last minute Lara changed direction, trying to flank. The Skull Queen turned also, doing a short swipe to keep Lara away. Alrion seized the opportunity, manipulating the earth to swallow up and encase the Skull Queen’s feet. She didn’t react initially, just looked down after it was done.
“I hope it holds.” Lara stayed out of range of the giant sword. After a few moments, the Skull Queen casually moved her legs and the ground broke away. Like she was dusting off sand.
“Try again.” Lara darted off, trying to circle around the Skull Queen. She ducked in quickly and tried a slash with her dagger. It glanced off a piece of armour, but Lara managed to retreat safely.
“She’s quite fast, but still needs time to manoeuvre the giant blade. I have some options.”
“Hopefully, you won’t need them.” Alrion started to prepare another spell. He sent a wave of force at the Skull Queen, trying to wrap her up completely. She swung her great sword, the movement seemingly cutting through the waves of force and rendering them useless.
What? That’s not possible.
Taking advantage of their surprise, the Skull Queen launched a sweeping attack at Lara. The young thief only narrowly dodged away and quickly retreated.
“Too close. Your spell failed?” Lara said in between breaths.
“She somehow cut it down. I need to keep trying.” Alrion went back to basics. He launched a small fireball, aiming for the Skull Queen’s head. This time she batted it away like it was nothing. Lara had to dodge the fireball, and it exploded into the ground nearby.
“Her sword, it’s magical somehow.”
“I can see that,” Alrion muttered. He tried again. Drawing upon even more Spark, he raised a cage of fire around the Skull Queen, ensuring the flames rose to twice her height. She used her sword like a giant fan, blowing away a section of the flames and stepping through unharmed.
Is she grinning? This is so frustrating.
He needed something else. Ranged attacks were not working. But he had to conserve what little Soul Power he had. It took a long time to regenerate.
Desperate times. Alrion drew his sword. The diamond on the pommel shone brightly in response to the Skull Queen.
“Alrion, no. That’s too dangerous. She’s an elite fighter.” Lara started to retreat further, approaching him.
“There’s no other way. I can protect myself.” Alrion gripped the sword tightly, then remembered Alyx’s training. He forced himself to relax, although it didn’t quite hold. But at least he had the right idea.
“It’s me you want!” Alrion yelled. He strode forward in a defensive stance, closing the gap. He stared her in the eyes. Those pure white eyes on a ghastly face. He tried to picture Alyx within.
There’s no way a bit of Soul Power can fix this.
The Skull Queen closed in. Alrion stepped forward, launching into the most common sword routine they had practised.
Remember. Remember, Alyx.
The Skull Queen parried easily, anticipating each strike. Alrion kept pushing, going faster and faster. A strange unearthly laugh came from her. Despite his upping the intensity, she wasn’t even slightly challenged. As he prepared the final strike he stopped suddenly and dropped his sword. The Skull Queen had already begun to swing to counter him. However, the strike extended further out putting her slightly off-balance but sending the great sword hurtling at Alrion’s chest.
“No!” Lara screamed. Alrion could sense her running in. Two knives bounced harmlessly off the Skull Queen. As the blade came in, Alrion used the remaining Soul Power he had to infuse into his hands. He caught the blade with his hands and threw it towards the ground.
The swing in momentum threw the Skull Queen off balance, and the sword clattered away as she lurched forward. Alrion threw himself forward, tackling her, and they both fell to the ground. He found himself on top of her, staring into her ghastly face. Lara joined them immediately, helping to pin the Skull Queen to the ground.
“You’re crazy,” Lara whispered.
“Yes.” Alrion could say nothing else. He just stared into the eyes of his friend.
8
The Fall of Hurdenor
The initial rally was heartening. The captain and the remaining guards defended the makeshift gate that Vincent had constructed. And initially, it worked. But Vincent could see a looming problem.
Now that they’re in the gates, they can reinforce much faster and swarm us. Where’s the relief?
Vincent sliced through a Blighter’s arm and kicked it to the ground. He turned quickly to look for his wife.
No sign yet. Hopefully, she’s found something.
Vincent returned to the fight. He was slowly draining his Soul Power, trying to keep his body from tiring too quickly. It was unfortunate that he had exerted himself so much in the frantic rush to build some fortifications. And they were paying dividends. But he was tiring way too quickly.
How are we going to win this? Where’s Alrion?
The battle raged on. Vincent pushed forward to the front line. His Runesteel was working wonders, quickly and efficiently slicing through Blighters. But he was just one man, and he was not a young man. Despite his level of activity and proficiency, the blade could have done more in the hands of an elite fighter. Vincent was not that man, although he accounted well for himself.
The assault slowed, and the Blighters started to hold back.
“Hold!’ the captain shouted. Vincent nodded at him. The man knew when to keep the men in line. The guards waited, a strange silence falling over them. The Blighters parted, and a man walked out. He was dressed in black armour, with white trim along most of the edges. He had a sword and shield strapped to his back.
“I wondered who I would find here. I so wanted to meet Alrion, but I knew that the bait was just too tempting.” The man spoke loudly, to no one in particular. The guards murmured amongst themselves.
“Blacksmith, show yourself. I would speak with you.” The guards looked amongst each other, then noticed Vincent. Vincent checked again for Celes, but there was no sign.
Play along for now.
Vincent sheathed his sword and slowly picked his way through the defenders until he was alone in front of the Blight horde. The man regarded him.
“I don’t believe we have formally met. I’m Darvin. I…”
“I know what you are.” Vincent interrupted him.
“Good, that makes things easier. Your name is… Vincent?”
“Yes.”
“Well, not your true name. But, you see, I can play along with everyone.”
“I appreciate that.”
What is he playing at?
“You are probably wondering where your son is. He’s with the Skull Queen right now. I gave him a choice, you see. Come here and save a city or go there and save one person.”
“I see.”
“Not very good at arithmetic, is he?” Darvin laughed.
“There are different ways to save people.”
“How interesting. I’m so glad that you came, this was going to be quite a bore otherwise.” Darvin started pacing around. Vincent watched him with caution, hand on his sword hilt.
“That’s a nice blade you have there. But it’s not enough.” Darvin paused his pacing and regarded Vincent. A cruel smile came across his face.
“Ah, I have it. I am going to give you a choice as well.” Darvin chuckled. Vincent tightened his grip on the sword.
Where is Celes?
“Everyone, pay attention. If this man here accepts a one-on-one fight with me and wins, I will spare this city. If he runs away, or if he loses, then you all die.” Darvin watched the crowd. Murmurs ran through the guards. The captain walked over to Vincent.
“Are you going to accept?”
“Likely. Although I have no chance.”
“We have no chance of winning this battle. Any chance is better than that.” Vincent nodded.
“I am sorry this falls to you, although you seem to have some connection to this. Perhaps you can perform a miracle this day.” The captain clapped Vincent on the shoulder and started to walk away.
“The name’s Douglas by the way. We should call you Vincent?”
“Yes.”
“Good luck, Vincent.”
“Thanks.” Vincent looked again for a sign of his wife but found nothing.
I’ll try and drag this out as long as possible.
“I accept your challenge. What are the terms?”
“We duel, and the loser loses.”
“To the death?”
“I’ll see how I feel about that.” Darvin laughed and started to arm himself.
I need to be careful, he could do anything. I don’t even know what his real strength is.
Vincent unsheathed his sword and took a ready stance. He felt within himself for his Soul Power. There was very little remaining.
I need to save it. Use it for an advantage.
Darvin was ready, his shield strapped to one arm and his sword in the other. He banged the shield with the sword, and the dread shield reverberated through the space.
“Let’s see what you can bring.” Darvin started advancing. Vincent took a deep breath.
Here we go.
Vincent struck first, stepping into a sequence of blows, alternating low and high. Darvin led with his shield, blocking the strikes easily. The Runesteel bounced harmlessly off. Darvin then parried the final attack and lashed out with his shield. Vincent noticed just in time, tumbling to the side and quickly scrambling back onto his feet.
“You are resourceful. But as you can see, your weapon does nothing. I can withstand your blows all day.” Darvin advanced again, looming in front of Vincent. The general was of average height, but he had a huge presence.
Just focus on the basics.
Vincent stepped back and waited. Darvin became inpatient and launched into an attack of his own. He led with his sword, opening with a criss-cross pattern of slashes that forced Vincent to parry, dodge, and retreat. Darvin grew bolder, launching another series that interspersed his shield seemingly at random. The clangs of sword on sword, sword on shield rang out through the space. Vincent was holding his own but couldn’t press Darvin. The general’s defences seemed impenetrable.
I need to create an opening. But even if I do, how would it work?
Vincent felt within for his Soul Power. It sat there, waiting. He could try to use it for a burst of speed or strength. But neither seemed like enough. There had to be more he could do.
Purely by instinct, Vincent started channelling the Soul Power into his hand. But then further. He tried to force it into his sword. He could sense the resistance. Then it started to give way.
It’s working.
It was a slow progress, but it seemed to be holding. Darvin hadn’t seemed to notice, and as the blows continued Vincent didn’t notice any difference in the clashes between blade and shield.
It’s almost like I need to have more, or I need to activate it.
Vincent dashed back and found more space. He continued the slow infusing of the weapon.
“I’m getting bored, Vincent. You started with a bit of fire, but now you’re just playing for time. I won’t put up with that. Let’s get this really going.” Darvin charged forward.
I need to be ready.
Vincent waited cautiously, gauging the right time. With every shield block, he did his best to notice the way the shield had been constructed. Gradually, he built up a mental map of the shield’s formation and potential weak spots.
It’s clearly special, but it was still built. I can do some good here.
Vincent let the last of the Soul Power go. He was ready. Launching a flurry of blows, he took Darvin by surprise. Again, and again Vincent moved forward, seeking the advantage. At the end of each strike, he pivoted and found another angle. Vincent could sense the frustration in his opponent and built on it. More and more he pushed. Finally, the blacksmith had a good opening.
