ULTRAMagic Prelude - Chapter 16
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“Why does it have to be that place?” Dragoslava asked, incredibly nervous.
“I suppose it’s time I told you some more about what the Lich is up to,” Leif admitted. “My brother is planning to craft a dagger that will allow him to enter the Deep Nebula. Within the Deep Unlight is the Basalt Monolith Forest, which holds the gateway in the form of an organic abyss, leading to the aforementioned nebula which further leads into the outer void, beyond the Cosmos. Presumably his goal is The Dark Grand Desert and its ruler. He plans to either rob or challenge The Great Unspeaker. I’m certain he will not succeed, but let’s not take any chances.”
“Why the Metal Oasis though? That place is anything but an oasis!”
Blood-Wraith was growing worried over Dragoslava’s mood. “Sister? What’s the matter? Why are you so on edge over this?”
Dragoslava cleared her throat. “Blood, that place is cursed. Every explorer that’s ever gone there has never returned. There are just some places in the Unlight you never go to.”
“Is it also that nightmare you had? Was it something bad?”
Before Dragoslava could answer, Desislav spoke up. “We’ll have to save it for later. Looks like we’re getting close.”
The Metal Oasis was a very surreal place to behold. Everything was shiny metal and looked like it was expanding outwards. Tall, grotesque metal spires towered over them, spiraling and twisting up towards the sky. Wind howled past pools of liquid metal and effigies that looked incredibly life-like darted the exterior of the metallic forest. A deep red moon loomed in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the entire area. Dragoslava was definitely right about it not being an oasis. Everyone got off of Leif, but were slow to step on the metal ground.
“Good luck to all of you. I’ll patrol the skies and make sure the Lich isn’t hiding his forces somewhere.”
“Thanks, I guess…” Dragoslava mumbled as Leif took flight.
Desislav took a step onto the metal. “Oh jeez, I’m going to need hoof treatment after this…”
“What do you mean?” Blood-Wraith bent down and inspected his feet. “What’s the matter with your hooves?”
“Hooves aren’t meant for hard, solid places like this… Hold up a second! Why is the ground soft now?”
Blood-Wraith noticed this phenomenon was happening as Desislav walked. “Oh wow. Maybe the oasis recognizes your issue?”
Dragoslava sighed. “Let’s get moving. The less time spent here the better… OOF!” She walked into a flexible barrier. “Hey?!”
“I think you hurt its feelings, sister.”
“What the…” She was confused. “Um, sorry? I’m just nervous and on edge…” The barrier went away.
The group began making their way to the center. Strangely Blood-Wraith appeared to be talking to the metal as they walked. It was very happy to meet him as it felt similar to him. The journey was tricky as there were many obstacles in the form of metal mud and flora. Dragoslava and Desislav were also becoming more metallic as they traveled. Eventually they had to stop as the two had become fully coated in a rubbery, metallic substance. None of their features could be made out as they looked like a pair of simple, metal statues. At some point they stopped moving, becoming like the effigies.
“I don’t think we’re supposed to be here…” Desislav said, a little muffled.
“I told you guys this place is cursed,” Dragoslava grumbled as she tried to move.
This would not do at all, so the oasis got to work. Bundles of silver fibers engulfed them, removing excess metal and polishing them. Dragoslava and Desislav were now completely silver and metallic. It felt odd, like their skin was armor now. Through Blood-Wraith, it explained that that was a defense mechanism, designed to subdue intruders. Annoyingly it did not work on the undead (nor Blood-Wraith, due to his strange existence). The Oasis also proposed that the metal coatings should provide them some protection. It could not guarantee the durability of the metal, however.
“This is all levels of weird… also, you look pretty good, all shiny like that, Desislav” Dragoslava complimented with an elbow nudge.
“Hehe, thanks, Drago…” He was blushing.
Blood-Wraith paused. “Hold up! Are you two a… what’s the word? Couple! That’s it. I mean, you two have been hanging out a lot recently…”
“Well actually we’ve been hanging out for a while, Blood,” Desislav answered.
Blood-Wraith stroked his chin. “Yeah, it all makes sense now. Well no shame here, let’s keep moving!”
After a bit more walking and Blood-Wraith’s conversing, they came across a clearing and hid in the bushes. Footsteps could be heard following them, but they could not identify the source. Once they had their bearings, it became clear that they had found the center of the oasis… and The Lich. He was accompanied by multiple skeletons, several skeletal giants (each around eight feet tall), and a giant skeletal spider.
The Lich was waving his hands in rhythmic motions and speaking a weird incantation as the dagger he needed formed from a pool of glowing, liquid metal. The trio would have formed a plan if they had gotten there first, but it was too late for that. And diplomacy was most certainly out of the question. Whatever they chose, they had to act fast. The group would have been lying if they said they were not scared.
Readying their weapons and spells, the trio leapt out of the bushes and attacked. Dragoslava began brutalizing the undead, Desislav obliterated them with his magic great hammer, and Blood-Wraith used Voidborne as a staff for casting magic (not wanting to play his hand too early). The Lich was mostly unfazed as he finished the dagger, while his minions were pummeled into the ground. Instead of fleeing, he had something else in mind. Just as Blood-Wraith was about to activate his sword staff, time slowed down around him. He moved at normal speed, but everything else was moving slowly.
“What is this?” Blood-Wraith demanded to know, completely caught off guard.
“Parley, Blood-Wraith. I wish to speak with you.” The Lich had a deep, gravely voice that sounded hollow and dead. “I see you’ve embarked on the path of ULTRAMagic. I assumed that wolf form was a fluke last time we met, but I see I was wrong.” Strangely the voice felt familiar, despite Blood-Wraith not being able to place it.
“I’m doing this to stop you.”
“To stop me? And why is that?” The Lich asked.
“Because Leif and Proteus asked me to. They said you’re not supposed to be doing this.”
The Lich laughed. “The Dragon always was a thorn in my side. Also what do you plan to do if you stop me? What then?”
“Uh, I don’t know? Argh, I’ll just keep hunting down people like you!”
The Lich laughed once more. “How childish… Blood-Wraith? Do you like progress?”
“Yes?”
“Would you be happy if something got in the way?”
“No…”
“And how would you react if someone told you that you would have to start over from the beginning?”
Blood-Wraith thought about that for a second. “Well that would be annoying… HEY! Wait a second! You’re doing this because you think you’re better than everyone!?”
“I don’t think, I KNOW!” The Lich shouted. “I learned the answer to life, the cosmos, and everything! I built the Magician’s Labyrinth! I saw beyond The Source! I crafted The Prima Materia Sword! I AM NOT GOING TO THROW IT ALL AWAY JUST BECAUSE GOD CLAIMS I NEED TO REINCARNATE!”
“You are being very irrational!” Blood-Wraith growled.
“And what of you?! Your existence is a mystery and you have no direction. How do you know you’ll even wake up the next day? How long before Dragoslava abandons you? Will King Englehart and Duke Radovan even accept you!?”
“SHUT UP! WHAT ARE YOU EVEN SAYING?!”
“Join me! Not only will I make you strong beyond comprehension, I will grant you knowledge beyond your wildest dreams! Greatness awaits you if you follow me to the Dark Grand Desert!”
Blood-Wraith felt his stomach drop. What if The Lich was right? Was he wrong for wanting to continue his work? It was all confusing and no words could describe the feeling, but then a different feeling built up inside of him. This calmed him, leading to his answer.
“No.”
The Lich paused, greatly offended. That was it. No matter what he did, Blood-Wraith would never join him, no matter what timeline he went to. “FINE! Just like how I have a choice, I present you with one: Either stop me, or save your friends…”
It was at that point when time went back to normal, but all was not well. Desislav had been caught by the spider and was being wrapped up in a putrid, brown goo. Dragoslava ran over to help him, but was sent flying into the pool. The tar-like liquid quickly pulled her under. Desislav tried to call out to her, but was gagged by the goo and fully cocooned. His muffled screaming and crying was truly haunting. Blood-Wraith was at a loss for what to do. He could feel the despair creeping in, gnawing at him. It beckoned him to give up. A strand of brown goo then hit his left arm.
Something snapped Blood-Wraith out of his daze, however. A blue flame went into him, giving him the will to fight on. With a burst of unexpected strength, he wound some of the goo around his arm and began swinging the skeletal spider around. This took out all of the skeletons before he swung the arachnid onto a spire, impaling and killing it. Blood-Wraith then turned to the stunned Lich and called upon his weapon. He charged forward with all of his might and rammed the blade right through the primordial. The Lich was truly beyond words as he was flung across the clearing.
A man’s voice laughed as Blood-Wraith then went to free Desislav.. “Give him what for, kid…”
“YOU LITTLE BRAT!!!” The Lich screamed. “YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS!!!” Bone and muscle rapidly engulfed him, releasing great amounts of steam and heat.
With the Oasis’ help, Blood-Wraith was able to uncover Desislav’s face. “BLOOD! BEHIND YOU!” he shouted. A sinewy, skeletal giant was approaching them. Each step shook the ground as it walked.
After doing the best he could to heft the cocooned satyr into the bushes, Blood-Wraith turned to the Lich. “You won’t stop me, Uncle!”
“THEN I’LL JUST HAVE TO GET RID OF YOU, NEPHEW!” The Lich proclaimed as he tried to pulverize Blood-Wraith. He missed and got his fist stuck in the ground.
“Nice try! Now it’s my turn!” Blood-Wraith said as he ran up the arm, going straight for the head.
Dragoslava was in trouble as she sank deeper and deeper. She was drowning in the sticky, gooey metal. Her lungs were giving out and her body was in immense pain. The agony was so great that she could feel herself going cold. Her vision darkened more and more as the feeling set in: She was going to die. Was this her fate? To be lost in a bottomless pool of metal? Eventually she stopped struggling and just gave up. There was no point anymore, she was too far down. As she drifted off, something changed.
The liquid metal was gone, replaced with a fancy, Victorian room. It felt like a rainy day that would never go away in there. Dragoslava walked towards a table in the center of the room and took a seat. It was better than drowning after all. She then noticed a cup of tea… was it for her? Figuring so, she took a sip. It was very good, much like what her sister made. After some waiting, a robed entity entered the room and took a seat across from her. Their face could not be made out as the black robe was like the darkest night imaginable. It also felt like the entity was dead, but not dead.
“I did not expect to find one of the Descendants here at this moment” The entity stated in a raspy, yet golden voice.
“Where… am I?”
“Death, but not quite yet. You have been given a choice. It also appears the Oasis does not want you to die.”
“A choice? So it’s not my time yet?” Dragoslava asked.
The entity shook his head. “Not in the slightest. Quite frankly even I’m not sure when your time is. Now what is troubling you child? You wouldn’t be here specifically if something wasn’t weighing on your mind. It is the other thing that is preventing you from passing on.”
Dragoslava paused and took a deep breath. “EVERYTHING! Dear God, it has been a wild ride recently. I thought my career would be a simple one! BUT NO, IT WASN’T! I fell in love, I met Sir Odo, found Blood-Wraith, I reunited with my sister, and then the whole deal with the Primordials… It’s driving me nuts!”
The entity chuckled sympathetically. “Understandable. I certainly would be frustrated if I was in your shoes. Is it all a bad thing though?”
“Well no…”
“There’s something else bothering you, isn’t there? The death of someone else?”
Dragoslava rested her head on her hand, looking down. “I don’t want to talk about it…”
Not wanting to push the subject, the entity moved on. “I have been watching you for a bit now. You may not realize it, but you have a great responsibility to maintain now. I don’t mean that in a bad way, I mean that as a boon to you and all you encounter. You are a leader and a fighter. You need to keep going for you, your family, and your friends…”
“You sound like my father.”
The entity chuckled again. “He’s very wise and knows what makes a man a man and what it takes to keep pushing forward. Personally I am happy he was appointed to dukedom by Englehart.”
“Alright, I am going to be frank: Would death be the wrong choice?” Dragoslava asked.
“It would be your choice to make, and one I cannot say yay or nay to. Just know that your family, Desislav, and Blood-Wraith would be very sad if you left them…”
That last bit hit Dragoslava hard, causing her to cry and bang the table. “Damn it, you’re right…”
The entity got up, went to Dragoslava, and gave her a hug. “It’s going to be alright, Drago. You are destined for great things. Just know that no matter how much turmoil afflicts you, we will always be here for you…”
“Th-thank you…”
“Besides, you gave your brother a piece of your soul. It would be impolite to not let him return the favor.”
“Oh okay, just rub it in, why don’t you?”
The entity laughed. “Don’t worry, everything will be alright, I promise. Now hurry, Blood-Wraith needs your help.”
Dragoslava was already out the door. “I’m already on it. Thanks for the talk and tea, stranger!”
“Good luck, Dragoslava Raynot.”
Back at the Oasis, Blood-Wraith was getting battered around by the Lich. “Blast it all!” He grunted as he struggled to get up.
“I’m hesitant to give you another chance, but I’m feeling generous: join me or perish! Last offer…”
“I’D RATHER DIE!”
“THEN SO BE IT!” The Lich’s first rocketed towards Blood-Wraith.
Just as he braced for the worst, something stopped the attack. “NOT TODAY!” a familiar voice declared.
It was Dragoslava, who had stopped the fist with her own. Something was different though, as her skin was a black metal with silver, shining veins all over. Her eyes also glowed a fiery red. Once the Lich realized who it was, Dragoslava grinned and punched with her other fist as hard as she could. This caused the giant arm to explode as the Lich recoiled backwards, screaming in pain. The arm was utterly destroyed.
“SISTER!” Blood-Wraith exclaimed, overjoyed to see her.
Dragoslava helped him back up. “Come on, Blood. Let’s kick this bone bag’s ass!”
Next: Chapter 17
ULTRAMagic Alternate © 2022 William Ford II (ChaoticTempleKnight)
Master Post - Patreon
“Why does it have to be that place?” Dragoslava asked, incredibly nervous.
“I suppose it’s time I told you some more about what the Lich is up to,” Leif admitted. “My brother is planning to craft a dagger that will allow him to enter the Deep Nebula. Within the Deep Unlight is the Basalt Monolith Forest, which holds the gateway in the form of an organic abyss, leading to the aforementioned nebula which further leads into the outer void, beyond the Cosmos. Presumably his goal is The Dark Grand Desert and its ruler. He plans to either rob or challenge The Great Unspeaker. I’m certain he will not succeed, but let’s not take any chances.”
“Why the Metal Oasis though? That place is anything but an oasis!”
Blood-Wraith was growing worried over Dragoslava’s mood. “Sister? What’s the matter? Why are you so on edge over this?”
Dragoslava cleared her throat. “Blood, that place is cursed. Every explorer that’s ever gone there has never returned. There are just some places in the Unlight you never go to.”
“Is it also that nightmare you had? Was it something bad?”
Before Dragoslava could answer, Desislav spoke up. “We’ll have to save it for later. Looks like we’re getting close.”
The Metal Oasis was a very surreal place to behold. Everything was shiny metal and looked like it was expanding outwards. Tall, grotesque metal spires towered over them, spiraling and twisting up towards the sky. Wind howled past pools of liquid metal and effigies that looked incredibly life-like darted the exterior of the metallic forest. A deep red moon loomed in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the entire area. Dragoslava was definitely right about it not being an oasis. Everyone got off of Leif, but were slow to step on the metal ground.
“Good luck to all of you. I’ll patrol the skies and make sure the Lich isn’t hiding his forces somewhere.”
“Thanks, I guess…” Dragoslava mumbled as Leif took flight.
Desislav took a step onto the metal. “Oh jeez, I’m going to need hoof treatment after this…”
“What do you mean?” Blood-Wraith bent down and inspected his feet. “What’s the matter with your hooves?”
“Hooves aren’t meant for hard, solid places like this… Hold up a second! Why is the ground soft now?”
Blood-Wraith noticed this phenomenon was happening as Desislav walked. “Oh wow. Maybe the oasis recognizes your issue?”
Dragoslava sighed. “Let’s get moving. The less time spent here the better… OOF!” She walked into a flexible barrier. “Hey?!”
“I think you hurt its feelings, sister.”
“What the…” She was confused. “Um, sorry? I’m just nervous and on edge…” The barrier went away.
The group began making their way to the center. Strangely Blood-Wraith appeared to be talking to the metal as they walked. It was very happy to meet him as it felt similar to him. The journey was tricky as there were many obstacles in the form of metal mud and flora. Dragoslava and Desislav were also becoming more metallic as they traveled. Eventually they had to stop as the two had become fully coated in a rubbery, metallic substance. None of their features could be made out as they looked like a pair of simple, metal statues. At some point they stopped moving, becoming like the effigies.
“I don’t think we’re supposed to be here…” Desislav said, a little muffled.
“I told you guys this place is cursed,” Dragoslava grumbled as she tried to move.
This would not do at all, so the oasis got to work. Bundles of silver fibers engulfed them, removing excess metal and polishing them. Dragoslava and Desislav were now completely silver and metallic. It felt odd, like their skin was armor now. Through Blood-Wraith, it explained that that was a defense mechanism, designed to subdue intruders. Annoyingly it did not work on the undead (nor Blood-Wraith, due to his strange existence). The Oasis also proposed that the metal coatings should provide them some protection. It could not guarantee the durability of the metal, however.
“This is all levels of weird… also, you look pretty good, all shiny like that, Desislav” Dragoslava complimented with an elbow nudge.
“Hehe, thanks, Drago…” He was blushing.
Blood-Wraith paused. “Hold up! Are you two a… what’s the word? Couple! That’s it. I mean, you two have been hanging out a lot recently…”
“Well actually we’ve been hanging out for a while, Blood,” Desislav answered.
Blood-Wraith stroked his chin. “Yeah, it all makes sense now. Well no shame here, let’s keep moving!”
After a bit more walking and Blood-Wraith’s conversing, they came across a clearing and hid in the bushes. Footsteps could be heard following them, but they could not identify the source. Once they had their bearings, it became clear that they had found the center of the oasis… and The Lich. He was accompanied by multiple skeletons, several skeletal giants (each around eight feet tall), and a giant skeletal spider.
The Lich was waving his hands in rhythmic motions and speaking a weird incantation as the dagger he needed formed from a pool of glowing, liquid metal. The trio would have formed a plan if they had gotten there first, but it was too late for that. And diplomacy was most certainly out of the question. Whatever they chose, they had to act fast. The group would have been lying if they said they were not scared.
Readying their weapons and spells, the trio leapt out of the bushes and attacked. Dragoslava began brutalizing the undead, Desislav obliterated them with his magic great hammer, and Blood-Wraith used Voidborne as a staff for casting magic (not wanting to play his hand too early). The Lich was mostly unfazed as he finished the dagger, while his minions were pummeled into the ground. Instead of fleeing, he had something else in mind. Just as Blood-Wraith was about to activate his sword staff, time slowed down around him. He moved at normal speed, but everything else was moving slowly.
“What is this?” Blood-Wraith demanded to know, completely caught off guard.
“Parley, Blood-Wraith. I wish to speak with you.” The Lich had a deep, gravely voice that sounded hollow and dead. “I see you’ve embarked on the path of ULTRAMagic. I assumed that wolf form was a fluke last time we met, but I see I was wrong.” Strangely the voice felt familiar, despite Blood-Wraith not being able to place it.
“I’m doing this to stop you.”
“To stop me? And why is that?” The Lich asked.
“Because Leif and Proteus asked me to. They said you’re not supposed to be doing this.”
The Lich laughed. “The Dragon always was a thorn in my side. Also what do you plan to do if you stop me? What then?”
“Uh, I don’t know? Argh, I’ll just keep hunting down people like you!”
The Lich laughed once more. “How childish… Blood-Wraith? Do you like progress?”
“Yes?”
“Would you be happy if something got in the way?”
“No…”
“And how would you react if someone told you that you would have to start over from the beginning?”
Blood-Wraith thought about that for a second. “Well that would be annoying… HEY! Wait a second! You’re doing this because you think you’re better than everyone!?”
“I don’t think, I KNOW!” The Lich shouted. “I learned the answer to life, the cosmos, and everything! I built the Magician’s Labyrinth! I saw beyond The Source! I crafted The Prima Materia Sword! I AM NOT GOING TO THROW IT ALL AWAY JUST BECAUSE GOD CLAIMS I NEED TO REINCARNATE!”
“You are being very irrational!” Blood-Wraith growled.
“And what of you?! Your existence is a mystery and you have no direction. How do you know you’ll even wake up the next day? How long before Dragoslava abandons you? Will King Englehart and Duke Radovan even accept you!?”
“SHUT UP! WHAT ARE YOU EVEN SAYING?!”
“Join me! Not only will I make you strong beyond comprehension, I will grant you knowledge beyond your wildest dreams! Greatness awaits you if you follow me to the Dark Grand Desert!”
Blood-Wraith felt his stomach drop. What if The Lich was right? Was he wrong for wanting to continue his work? It was all confusing and no words could describe the feeling, but then a different feeling built up inside of him. This calmed him, leading to his answer.
“No.”
The Lich paused, greatly offended. That was it. No matter what he did, Blood-Wraith would never join him, no matter what timeline he went to. “FINE! Just like how I have a choice, I present you with one: Either stop me, or save your friends…”
It was at that point when time went back to normal, but all was not well. Desislav had been caught by the spider and was being wrapped up in a putrid, brown goo. Dragoslava ran over to help him, but was sent flying into the pool. The tar-like liquid quickly pulled her under. Desislav tried to call out to her, but was gagged by the goo and fully cocooned. His muffled screaming and crying was truly haunting. Blood-Wraith was at a loss for what to do. He could feel the despair creeping in, gnawing at him. It beckoned him to give up. A strand of brown goo then hit his left arm.
Something snapped Blood-Wraith out of his daze, however. A blue flame went into him, giving him the will to fight on. With a burst of unexpected strength, he wound some of the goo around his arm and began swinging the skeletal spider around. This took out all of the skeletons before he swung the arachnid onto a spire, impaling and killing it. Blood-Wraith then turned to the stunned Lich and called upon his weapon. He charged forward with all of his might and rammed the blade right through the primordial. The Lich was truly beyond words as he was flung across the clearing.
A man’s voice laughed as Blood-Wraith then went to free Desislav.. “Give him what for, kid…”
“YOU LITTLE BRAT!!!” The Lich screamed. “YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS!!!” Bone and muscle rapidly engulfed him, releasing great amounts of steam and heat.
With the Oasis’ help, Blood-Wraith was able to uncover Desislav’s face. “BLOOD! BEHIND YOU!” he shouted. A sinewy, skeletal giant was approaching them. Each step shook the ground as it walked.
After doing the best he could to heft the cocooned satyr into the bushes, Blood-Wraith turned to the Lich. “You won’t stop me, Uncle!”
“THEN I’LL JUST HAVE TO GET RID OF YOU, NEPHEW!” The Lich proclaimed as he tried to pulverize Blood-Wraith. He missed and got his fist stuck in the ground.
“Nice try! Now it’s my turn!” Blood-Wraith said as he ran up the arm, going straight for the head.
Dragoslava was in trouble as she sank deeper and deeper. She was drowning in the sticky, gooey metal. Her lungs were giving out and her body was in immense pain. The agony was so great that she could feel herself going cold. Her vision darkened more and more as the feeling set in: She was going to die. Was this her fate? To be lost in a bottomless pool of metal? Eventually she stopped struggling and just gave up. There was no point anymore, she was too far down. As she drifted off, something changed.
The liquid metal was gone, replaced with a fancy, Victorian room. It felt like a rainy day that would never go away in there. Dragoslava walked towards a table in the center of the room and took a seat. It was better than drowning after all. She then noticed a cup of tea… was it for her? Figuring so, she took a sip. It was very good, much like what her sister made. After some waiting, a robed entity entered the room and took a seat across from her. Their face could not be made out as the black robe was like the darkest night imaginable. It also felt like the entity was dead, but not dead.
“I did not expect to find one of the Descendants here at this moment” The entity stated in a raspy, yet golden voice.
“Where… am I?”
“Death, but not quite yet. You have been given a choice. It also appears the Oasis does not want you to die.”
“A choice? So it’s not my time yet?” Dragoslava asked.
The entity shook his head. “Not in the slightest. Quite frankly even I’m not sure when your time is. Now what is troubling you child? You wouldn’t be here specifically if something wasn’t weighing on your mind. It is the other thing that is preventing you from passing on.”
Dragoslava paused and took a deep breath. “EVERYTHING! Dear God, it has been a wild ride recently. I thought my career would be a simple one! BUT NO, IT WASN’T! I fell in love, I met Sir Odo, found Blood-Wraith, I reunited with my sister, and then the whole deal with the Primordials… It’s driving me nuts!”
The entity chuckled sympathetically. “Understandable. I certainly would be frustrated if I was in your shoes. Is it all a bad thing though?”
“Well no…”
“There’s something else bothering you, isn’t there? The death of someone else?”
Dragoslava rested her head on her hand, looking down. “I don’t want to talk about it…”
Not wanting to push the subject, the entity moved on. “I have been watching you for a bit now. You may not realize it, but you have a great responsibility to maintain now. I don’t mean that in a bad way, I mean that as a boon to you and all you encounter. You are a leader and a fighter. You need to keep going for you, your family, and your friends…”
“You sound like my father.”
The entity chuckled again. “He’s very wise and knows what makes a man a man and what it takes to keep pushing forward. Personally I am happy he was appointed to dukedom by Englehart.”
“Alright, I am going to be frank: Would death be the wrong choice?” Dragoslava asked.
“It would be your choice to make, and one I cannot say yay or nay to. Just know that your family, Desislav, and Blood-Wraith would be very sad if you left them…”
That last bit hit Dragoslava hard, causing her to cry and bang the table. “Damn it, you’re right…”
The entity got up, went to Dragoslava, and gave her a hug. “It’s going to be alright, Drago. You are destined for great things. Just know that no matter how much turmoil afflicts you, we will always be here for you…”
“Th-thank you…”
“Besides, you gave your brother a piece of your soul. It would be impolite to not let him return the favor.”
“Oh okay, just rub it in, why don’t you?”
The entity laughed. “Don’t worry, everything will be alright, I promise. Now hurry, Blood-Wraith needs your help.”
Dragoslava was already out the door. “I’m already on it. Thanks for the talk and tea, stranger!”
“Good luck, Dragoslava Raynot.”
Back at the Oasis, Blood-Wraith was getting battered around by the Lich. “Blast it all!” He grunted as he struggled to get up.
“I’m hesitant to give you another chance, but I’m feeling generous: join me or perish! Last offer…”
“I’D RATHER DIE!”
“THEN SO BE IT!” The Lich’s first rocketed towards Blood-Wraith.
Just as he braced for the worst, something stopped the attack. “NOT TODAY!” a familiar voice declared.
It was Dragoslava, who had stopped the fist with her own. Something was different though, as her skin was a black metal with silver, shining veins all over. Her eyes also glowed a fiery red. Once the Lich realized who it was, Dragoslava grinned and punched with her other fist as hard as she could. This caused the giant arm to explode as the Lich recoiled backwards, screaming in pain. The arm was utterly destroyed.
“SISTER!” Blood-Wraith exclaimed, overjoyed to see her.
Dragoslava helped him back up. “Come on, Blood. Let’s kick this bone bag’s ass!”
Next: Chapter 17
ULTRAMagic Alternate © 2022 William Ford II (ChaoticTempleKnight)
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