Book 4: Chapter 16: A wizards secret

Book 4: Chapter 16: A wizards secret

Heather rounded a corner and then dived back as a ball of fire raced her way. She scrambled away as the ball hit the wall and exploded, the intense heat causing her to cover her eyes. The flames subsided seconds later, leaving a burned ring on the wall.

Alright, he still has magic, and I have this, she said, looking at her scythe. I can sprint but cant close the gap fast enough. She dared to peek around the corner and ducked back before the corner exploded in a cloud of fragments as a bolt of light struck it.

How am I going to do this? she asked herself and then heard a voice in her head. He's too far down the hallway, she replied to Webster. I will be burned to a crisp before I get halfway there. She listened to the reply and shook her head. I can't do that! she yelled. I won't have control, and I can't take it off. Webster shuffled around in her pack, and she felt decidedly uncomfortable as he pushed the crown to the top.What do you mean I can take it off? she stammered as his words continued in her mind. Oh, I hadnt thought of that, do you think it will work?

Who are you talking to? Breanne asked as she came out of the wall.

Where have you been! Heather hissed in panic from the sudden interruption.

I went looking for Frank and Quinny, but they were gone. I followed the tunnel, and it branched so many times, it became impossible to guess where they went.

Heather nodded and took a deep breath. I am out of magic power, and the wizard is too far down the hallway for me to reach before he fries me. She watched Breanne drift closer to the corner, inspecting the damage before looking back with a slight smile.

I will give you a distraction, she said. When you hear my wail, run as fast as you can.

Heather nodded as Breanne passed into the wall and waited, gripping her scythe tightly. A few seconds later, there was a piercing wail, and she bolted around the corner using her dash skill to close the ground as fast as she could. She saw Breanne chasing after the wizard, who was stumbling through an open doorway.

When Heather reached the door, they were already inside, but the situation was dire. Breanne was bound in glowing chains in the corner as the wizard ran across an open room. The floor was made of large stone tiles, two meters on each side, and the walls lined with pillars. As he fled, the room seemed to stretch, the distance between him and her getting further. Dark gaps appeared between the floor tiles as they floated apart, leaving spaces that would have to be jumped to cross. Below was a blackness like ink, devoid of any detail or discernible mark. Heather stood in the door, afraid to enter the room as the wizard cackled from the other side.

Whats wrong? he called. Is your magic not strong enough to cross the room?

Heather looked down and told herself it was just an illusion. The floor was there, and the room was only a few meters across, she would be perfectly safe. No matter how she tried to believe that her heart raced, panic shaking her legs.

Is he in here? Legeis cried, causing Heather to jump again.

Stop sneaking up on me! she shouted and stepped away from the door.

Legeis looked into the room and across the gap to see the wizard preparing a spell.

Woah, what happened to this room? he asked.

I think it's an illusion, but I can't tell, Heather said, daring to lean over the first tile.

Legeis picked a handful of ball bearings from a bag at his waist and cast them onto the floor. They rolled across the tiles to the edge, falling into oblivion.

That looks real to me, Legeis replied as he too stepped back.

Then how do we get across? Heather pressed, knowing time was of the essence.

Legeis looked over the room and at Breanne, who hovered in one corner magically bound. We have to jump the gaps.

All of them? Heather mocked. Look how far away he is.

There isnt any other choice, he said and stepped onto the first tile. He took a breath and ran jumping from the first over a meter wide gap to the next. The tile bobbed like a raft in the water when he landed, causing him to stumble. He got to his feet and ran for the next one, jumping the gap to the third.

Heather saw him crossing and knew she had to follow. She carefully stepped out and focused on the next tile before running. She jumped and cleared the distance easily, but found the landing tricky as the tile moved under her feet. Legeis was two tiles ahead, so she quickly jumped to the next one as the wizard started to laugh.

Brave fools, the wizard called. You two would have been fun to group with. I bet we could have braved the depths of the underneath and come back with grand treasures.

I only play with nice people, Heather replied as she landed on another tile near the center of the room.

The wizard nodded, holding his side where he was cut with one hand and raised the other. Let's make it more challenging then. He snapped a finger, and half the tiles suddenly fell away, falling into the void. Legeis was on a tile that fell, and he lunged back, throwing out a hand. Heather dived for the edge and reached as far as she could, using the scythe to reach further. Legeis barely grabbed the handle, sliding the flowered end to dangle above the nothing below.

Heather expected her shoulder or grip to fail but was surprised at how strong she felt. Legeis should be far to heavy to hold, yet she did, and slowly pulled, yanking him up by the scythe. He scrambled over the lip onto the tile that bobbed and shook as if about to fall. They now floated near the center of the room, unable to reach another tile.

Now, I can deal with you are my leisure, the wizard said.

Heather! Frank yelled from behind. She turned to see him and Quinny in the doorway, looking distraught.

The wizard smiled and raised a hand, chanting a few quick words. Behind Frank and Quinny, a wall of fire sprang up and began to move their way slowly. I will dispose of your pets first, then deal with you, he said, turning his gaze back to Heather.

No! she cried and ran to the lip, reaching out as if to pull them to safety. Don't hurt my friends!

You are the ones who came to my home, the wizard remarked. I even gave you a chance to go away.

Heather whirled around, her hands clenched in fists, the anger flaring in her eyes. This isn't your home! she shouted. You are squatting in another player's lair. A necromancer made this.

Partly correct, the wizard replied. A necromancer, a dragon, and myself.

What? Heather asked while glancing back to Frank and Quinny.

We were working together, you see. We were trying to find a way to make use of the magics of control devices. The problem was most players don't choose a physical device. They use a special room or interface to see into the buffer. We needed some examples of the smaller ones to experiment on.

Why not use your own? Heather asked. One of you made this base after all.

We did, and we learned many things, but without more to test with, our research was stuck.

Heather stood tall, going to the edge of the tile to boldly meet the wizard. So, you stole the queens stone to continue your research. Why not find more players with stones to join you?

That is not as easy a task as you make it sound, and our research had to be kept secret. We couldnt simply advertise on a town message board.

Secret from who? she demanded as her gaze went back to Frank and Quinny. The fire was now only ten paces away, coming closer with every moment. Time was running out, and she focused inward, speaking silently to the spider in her pack. Let's try your plan.

Pity you hadnt come here and met me openly, I might have invited you to join us, the wizard said with a nod.

You didn't answer my question, Heather said as she closed her eyes and focused, carefully whispering a few words. Her pack shifted as Webster moved in her pack, pushing something up. She reached over her back into the pack and touched what he was pushing, completing the spell. She felt a sudden weakness knowing her power was overspent and was dipping into essence. Still, she needed this one last spell to turn the tables and prayed she could hold on.

I have no intention of telling you. That you dont know means you are a fool or a liar. To think you did all this just to try and get that stubborn woman her crystal back.

I came here for another purpose, Heather said as she focused on staying alert. The stone was just an extra stop I made to help somebody in need.

What other reason could you possibly have to come here?

Heather smiled as the flap of her pack opened, and a silver band appeared. I came for the egg, she said to stall him as Webster pushed higher.

The egg? the wizard stammered, a look of worry on his face. How do you know about that? Nobody else knows it is here. Only she would come for it, he added as the crown slid over Heather's head. There was a pulse of brilliant green radiance as the wizard shielded his eyes. When he looked, his face went long as Heather smiled with purple skin and blue lips.

You! he stammered with a pointed finger. You're supposed to be dead.

I get that a lot, Heather replied, dropping her scythe and running for the gap between her and her friends. She leaped into the air and was instantly bathed in green light. She arrived in a flash between Frank and Quinny, the fire now only a few steps away.

Heather? Frank gasped as she grabbed them by the wrist.

Hang on, she said with a smile, and instantly they vanished, arriving safely down the hall behind the fire.

Heather, what have you done? Frank asked as he reached for the crown.

She grabbed his hands and pulled them away, looking him firmly in the eyes. We don't have time for that. I have to catch him before I lose control.

What about the other voice? Frank asked. She will have until moonrise to dominate you.

I have a plan for her, she replied with a wink, then ran down the hall. Webster, please tell me you're going to be resistant to fire like you were the cold. His voice squeaked in her head, and she nodded with a smile.

I have no more use for it. The game has changed, and the process begun. I have business elsewhere now, and I have much to get ready.

You're leaving? she asked, unable to believe what was happening.

He laughed. I have no reason to stay. Your back and the egg is your problem now. Do you want me to stay and fight?

No, she admitted finding the whole conversation awkward. She suddenly remembered Legeis and the secret of the golems. Wait! she cried and stepped forward. We wanted to know how you made so many golems.

The wizard floated down and hovered just before her as he nodded slightly. I suppose I should tell you. You helped me discover the secret of it after all.

I did? Heather asked as he pointed to the stone in her hand.

Take that one floor down. There you will find a workshop and the answer you seek within.

Why do I need the heart? Heather asked.

Simple, you need an NPC spirit. The stone allows you to call them from the buffer, he replied. You did help me discover this; after all, you and Vallentis made an excellent team.

If we worked together, why did you drive everyone away? Why make the city a ghost town?

To protect the egg, of course, he said with a bow. After you were gone, I was the only one left to watch over it. I couldn't have a city sending hundreds of players into the swamps in search of adventure. I was run ragged, trying to keep them out of the caves to prevent them from discovering it. Not to mention Gwen sent everyone who would listen after me. It became impossible to get my research done.

You were helping protect it? Heather asked.

You told me too, he replied. Now, I am afraid I have more important things to do. Once I go, the golems that are left will crumble, and my portion of the base will revert to empty halls. Go and find your answers, and we will meet again when the time is right.

Why can't you tell me what is really going on? Heather asked, her mind spinning with confusion.

The wizard smiled at her and bowed. Because you made me promise not to.

Heather watched as a glowing blue ring formed around him then radiated out like a star filling the room with light.

Oh and, welcome home, he said before vanishing into thin air.

Home? she muttered as she looked at the golden crystal in her hand. It was then she realized the bracelet was changed, a different stone was glowing now. She held up her arm and twisted it slightly, the glow always moving to another stone to point in the same direction.

Its a compass, she said to herself. But to what? The hand?

Heather? Frank's voice cried out, and she turned to see him and the others rushing into the library.

How did you get here? Heather called in shock.

The room was some kind of magical trap. It suddenly ended and was a normal room again, Frank said. Where is the wizard? he asked as they closed on her.

Gone, she said with a shake of her head. He isnt coming back.

Gone where? Legeis asked.

I don't know. He said he had to get things ready, she replied and held out the hand with the golden crystal. He gave me the kingdom heart.

He gave it to you? Frank asked as he scratched his head.

Heather nodded. He told me it was part of the secret of the golems. There is a workshop below us with the rest of it.

He came right out and told you that? Legeis asked. I bet its a trap.

Heather shook her head. He said we worked together once and was trying to help me. Me and somebody named Vallentis.

Vallentis? Breanne asked with a worried look.

I take it you know him, Frank said.

Breanne nodded with heavy brows. He was assigned to researching new ways to animate the dead. He was responsible for what they called skeleton abominations, terrible amalgamations of bones and skulls.

Well, I don't know who that is, Heather said. I don't know why everybody thinks I am somebody I'm not. I am beginning to wonder if I am an NPC.

You're not, Breanne said. But something about you has connected you to this world in a greater story. Maybe it is why you are chosen.

Heather nodded and rubbed at her cheek. I want to go find this workshop.

What about the crown? Quinny asked as all eyes focused on the cursed object.

Heather looked up as if to see the green stone on her forehead. I guess I have to take it off.

Do you? I honestly like how you look, Quinny said. And it gives you more powers.

But she sometimes becomes that other woman, Frank argued. We need to take it off tonight.

Look at what she was able to do with it, though, Quinny argued. Besides, the other woman said she was trying to help when we took it off last time.

Heather reached up and ran a finger over the green stone. Maybe we can come to an agreement?

An agreement with who? Frank asked.

The woman in the stone, Heather replied. She wants to help and says she needs help, but I dont think I can trust her..

This all sounds kinda creepy, Legeis remarked. Why cant you take it off now?

Frank folded his arms as he glared at the crown. It's magically protected so it can't be taken off. It only weakens when it's under the moonlight, and then the women inside fights back.

Oh, I can take it off, Heather said. Webster had a brilliant idea. He is a clever little spider.

You can take it off? Breanne asked with even more concern. How?

Heather smiled and spoke the word of calling she wove onto the crown. It vanished from her head and appeared in her hands in a flash. See, she said, then collapsed as the world turned black.

Heather! Franks voice echoed from far away.

Heather heard a strange hum as she lifted her head from the dark sand. Clouds raced over a sky so thickly they choked the light from above, bathing the world in an eerie gloom. Everything seemed surreal and muted, like viewing the world through a layer of glass. Ahead of her was a pyramid of crumbling stones, standing against a backdrop of jagged hills. She sat up and looked around, the landscape lonely and desolate, the pyramid the only thing that offered any change.

Run! a woman's voice screamed out. Run, they know you are here!

Heart racing Heather staggered to her feet, putting the pyramid behind her as she stumbled across the sand. There was a cliff wall in this direction too, but a narrow canyon was cut in the side. She heard a sound like a trumpet mixed with an elephant call. It was shocking and haunting, causing fear to grip her soul. She glanced back for only a moment to see black tentacles reaching down from the clouds. More reached down further back, and in the distance behind the pyramid, three groups of black ropes dropped from the dark clouds. She turned and ran as fast as her legs would carry her, desperate to get into the canyon.

With heaving breath, she ran into the shelter of the walls and quickly moved away from the entrance. The strange trumpeting noise blared again and was answered by another call in the distance. A rumble like thunder rolled overhead, and she saw a flash of lightning. For just a moment, it illuminated something in the clouds, something massive that reminded her of a slug ringed with writhing arms.

I want to go home! she screamed and ran deeper into the canyon. She pushed herself to struggle across sand and stones, running until her body said no more. With her chest hurting, she settled against the wall and put her head in her hands. Please, I just want to go home, she sobbed. Show me the way home.

A soft hum caught her attention, and she looked up to see the bracelet. The green stone on her arm now glowed blue and pointed back the way she came.

What does this mean? Heather asked as she stood and turned her arm, the light moving from stone to stone to always point in the same direction. She looked up and finally noticed the canyon wall on the other side, the blue light illuminating its surface.

Her eyes went wide as she read the words written in a hundred places. Some were painted, others burned, and some gouged into the surface. All of them said the same thing and floated over an arrow that pointed back to the pyramid.

Home, she read as the world faded away.