ULTRAMagic Prelude - Chapter 27
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“Are you ready, Blood!?” Darkness asked.
“Born ready!”
Darkness could feel the energy in the air. “What say you, Blood?”
“It’s a good day to die! No one can say I went down without a fight!”
“ARE YOU GOING TO LET THE LICH WIN?”
“HELL NO!” Blood-Wraith took on his dragon form and let out a fearsome, bellowing roar.
Everyone else was stunned by this display of tenacity as they approached. “Well, you seem to be in good spirits, Blood,” Desislav remarked.
“Yeah, jeez, where did all this vigor come from?” Dragoslava asked. She was quite impressed.
“Brother and I did some training this morning. I feel great!” Blood-Wraith replied.
Leif approached, but with a word of warning. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it, Blood: We’re up against a wall that’s going to take our best effort to topple.”
Blood-Wraith was not phased. “Then so be it! I’m pretty sure a hundred ton train can easily knock it over with enough hits.”
This caused Leif to let out a hearty laugh. “Blood, never lose sight of that fire within you.”
With everyone present, Deimos created a small platform and stood atop it. “I shouldn’t need to tell you all the obvious, but I’ll say it anyway: This is the final leg of our journey. The Dark Grand Desert is within reach and there is no going back once we go for it. With that being said, is there anyone here who wishes to return to the Unlight proper? This is your final chance.”
Tusk looked at his friends shaking their heads and declining. “Guys? I… I don’t want to die…” There was silence, but it was out of respect.
“Do you want to go home, Tusk?” Desislav asked. “No one will fault you for being honest with yourself”
“...I don’t want to go home a coward, but I also don’t want to fail my people.”
“Tusk, stepping away because you’re worried about your well being isn’t cowardice” Leif stated firmly. “Deimos asked if you were ready and you answered truthfully.”
Deimos felt bad for the worried mage. “Tusk, If you feel you can’t rise to the challenge, you should return home. That self-doubt will get you hurt. It’s better to live to fight another day than to throw your life away…”
Blood-Wraith could see Tusk’s emotions welling up, so he went back to his human form and tried to give him a hug. “Teacher? It’s going to be alright…”
“I’M A TERRIBLE TEACHER!” He wailed as he pushed Blood-Wraith away and stomped his feet. “A HORRIBLE MAGE AND A DAMN COWARD!”
Blood-Wraith shook him. “No you’re not, Teacher! You don’t have to fight with us. Hey, Leif? Are there any archives or libraries in the Dark Grand Desert?”
Leif was surprised by this query. “Oh… well, there should be… Are you suggesting that Tusk should…”
“Do some research for us? Yeah! He can look for information that can potentially help us.”
“Research?” Tusk stammered. “What kind? What do you mean?”
Dragoslava nodded, catching Blood-Wraith’s line of thought. “Yeah… If things go south, Tusk could swoop in with an all-powerful spell he learned!”
“I mean… will I be safe? Sorry if I sound selfish…”
“Of course you will, Mr. Willfort!” A strange youthful man that randomly appeared said. “And don’t worry, no one’s blaming you. Come with me, we’ll have a blast…” He dragged him off by the collar of his armor. “Besides, I need your help with something.” The two then vanished.
Darkness looked a bit terrified. “Dad? What was that? That wasn’t…”
“Yes, son, I think that was The Screaming God…” Deimos looked concerned. “I guess since that is all sorted out, let’s get moving.”
That matter would have to be tackled later, as Deimos had a score to settle. He temporarily set aside his worries as he climbed onto Leif’s back. Blood-Wraith returned to dragon form and readied for take off. The Dark Grand Desert was a sight to behold if one could get past all of the unsettling aspects of it. It was an ocean of sand, dunes rising and falling. Obsidian temples darted the landscape while unknown giants wandered to places only they knew. And above in the sky were the stars that looked as if they were watching everything below them.
Exploring the desert was not much better. The winds blew the sand everywhere, threatening to bury anything that stood still for long enough. Terror set in as the group witnessed wrecked ships rise and sink below the surface. Temples with macabre statues would be revealed and disappear without a trace. One of these left a strange, foreboding book on the surface. Blood-Wraith took it before it vanished, saving it for Tusk.
At first it seemed like the group was getting nowhere, with there being nothing but dune after dune. This went on for a while until something unexpected happened. The group encountered the ghost of the Lich’s spider from the Metal Oasis. It had the appearance of a wispy specter made of obsidian and guided them to a mostly intact ship. Blood-Wraith thanked it and apologized for their past interaction as the group boarded the vessel. It was comforting to know that the spider bore no malice, agreeing that the Lich was in the wrong.
Desislav manned the captain’s wheel, hoping it would distract him. While he forgave the spider, he was not going to forget their previous conflict any time soon. Sailing on the sand felt like sailing on water. It was a very surreal experience that disoriented all of them. Leif was above, guiding the group to an area that was more solid. It felt like they were docking as the ship came to a stop, despite the nature of the churning sands. The ground in question was made of stone, dirt, and basalt. Vegetation was also present, but it did not resemble anything they were familiar with.
“Where are we?” Dragoslava inquired as she tried to take notes. “This all feels weird…”
“Trying to write stuff down despite the anticipation?” Deimos asked. “Either way, we’re moving into the inner desert.”
“This is a desert?” Desislav was bewildered. “It looks more like a jungle to me…”
Leif landed beside the group. “A strange land indeed. At least we don’t have to deal with the sand anymore.”
Pressing onwards, the group ran into some of the Lich’s soldiers. They looked lost and abandoned. With everyone ready to fight, Deimos halted them. He approached them and said a series of words that caused the skeletons to turn black like him. They were now on their side. Blood-Wraith was amazed and wanted to learn this spell, but it would have to wait for another time.
The next group of skeletons further into the jungle were not so lucky. Desislav made the introductions by grabbing one and electrocuting it. Whatever his armor was, it was allowing him to use lightning magic. Dragoslava wanted to save her rifle for the upcoming bouts, so she began punching with her metal fists. Stronger soldiers with what looked like muscle and organs emerged once the regular skeletons were downed. These ones posed much more of a challenge.
One grabbed Blood-Wraith and tried to slam him into the ground. This was met by him turning into Azure Spider and cocooning the soldier. Blood-Wraith spun his silk so tight that he heard a cracking noise, followed by black ooze seeping out of it. Seeing the others getting cornered, he created a lasso and roped in the remaining enemies. Webbing quickly enveloped the Lich’s skeletons, rendering them helpless. Desislav then hefted them into the air followed by Leif incinerating the cocoon.
“Impressive teamwork, everyone” Deimos and his skeletons clapped.
Dragoslava shuddered. “Jeez, Blood. You’re going to make me arachnophobic next…”
“So that’s a no to sleeping in any hammocks made by me?”
The rest laughed. “Don’t worry, kiddo, I’ll keep that in mind for future adventures” Desislav replied.
“Anyways, is that our destination ahead?” Dragoslava pointed at what looked like a series of temples and pyramids. She then felt woozy and began losing her balance.
Deimos realized something was wrong. “Desislav, support Dragoslava…”
“Oh jeez, Drago, what’s wrong?” Before Desislav could get a response, she began vomiting a metallic liquid.
“Sister!?” Blood-Wraith exclaimed.
“Easy, Blood, give her some space…”
Dragoslava coughed and dry heaved. “Ow, it hurts! Ow, ugh…” She struggled to say. After one last convulsion, she coughed up a key. The metal it was made of resembled her metalized skin.
Deimos picked it up. “What in the Source is this? What is this for… Is it for the gate?”
“ACK! What the Hell!? I thought I was done being a key…”
“Hmm… Let’s see if this works.” Deimos led the group to a giant gateway. The slender key slid into the lock with ease and turned effortlessly. Gears and cogs moved in rhythm as the door gently opened. “A bit unorthodox, I must admit…”
“UNORTHODOX? He couldn’t have just given the key to me! Jeez, if the Unspeaker exists, he owes me a sundae…” Dragoslava coughed again.
“Fair enough…”
“Hey! Who said that?!” She looked around, but saw no one else.
The area inside the walls was known as the Dark Grand City. It was haunting and eerie, full of temples similar to the ones found at The Roaring Mountains. The Lich and his dwindling army was ahead of the group and in plain sight. Once he had caught wind of them, Deimos locked eyes and approached him. The tension from this confrontation was unbelievable as either one of them could escalate the situation at any moment. Deimos looked as if he was about to laugh in the Lich’s face, who looked as if he was about to start screaming at the mere sight of his discarded half.
“Don’t run from your past, Vlad,” Deimos taunted. “It’ll always catch up with you.”
“DON’T CALL ME THAT NAME!” The Lich roared back.
“Why? Because you know I am going to win? This was decided the minute you went screaming and crying to that bastard Milosh…”
“I was right! You were just going to hold me back! I defy you, vile emotions! I will NOT reincarnate and be God’s slave! THE SEPULCHURE GOD WILL NOT WIN!”
Leif roared, having had enough. “SILENCE, YOU SPINELESS COWARD! This is the end of the line for you. ALL of your plans have failed!”
It looked as if the Lich was about to lose it. “NO! YOU HAVE FAILED!”
“Talk is cheap, Vlad…” Deimos snapped his fingers, calling forth a small army of the Lich’s felled soldiers. “Let’s settle this and see who the superior one is!”
Just as the fight was about to start, something halted everyone. A foul yet nostalgic miasma swept through and grabbed everybody’s attention. This was followed by a man walking down the steps of a great temple before them. He wore a tuxedo, ooze bubbled up from wherever he stepped, and his face had a subtle, wicked grin. The aura this being created was terrifying, sending a chill down everyone’s spine. And on top of all of this, his form twisted and warped between all manner of grotesque entities.
“Well now, what do we have here? Wayward guests and unwelcome intruders! Plus we have quite the party on our hands, a showdown for the ages if you will…”
“SPEAK THY NAME, VILE SPAWN!” The Lich barked.
The entity looked quite offended. “I don’t like you. I don't like you in the slightest. I see Deimos has taken your manners… Anyways, I go by many names: The Great Chaos, He Who Speaks in the Unknowable, The Harbinger of Insanity, Messenger of the Void… but currently I go by The Great Unspeaker. And I welcome the majority of you to my realm.”
Dragoslava was hyperventilating, about to lose her mind. “NO! NO! NO! HE’S NOT REAL! HE’S NOT REAL! NO!!” She began chucking rocks at him to no avail.
Desislav was baffled, stopping her to the best of his abilities. “Drago! What in the Sam-hill has gotten into you?!”
She exhaled deeply. “Desislav, he can’t be real!” She tried to throw another rock, but this was stopped.
“Sister?” Blood-Wraith was beside himself in confusion. “What’s wrong?”
Desislav grunted. “Drago, enough. He’s real. We’re just going to have to accept it. Don't let the stories get to you. They’re just stories…”
“You have my apologies, Ms. Raynot. If it’s any consolation, I do take responsibility for the hardships I put the primordial hunters through…” This warranted an angry groan from Leif. “...and I did not grant Milosh and his fools any of their requests…”
“DAMN IT! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH TROUBLE THAT CAUSED MY PEOPLE?!” Dragoslava charged and began trying to punch him… he dodged effortlessly.
Blood-Wraith figured Dragoslava was not going to stop until she calmed down, so he spoke anyway. “Mr. Unspeaker? Why did you stop us?”
“Ah, yes… Simple, Blood-Wraith… I want this to be a good… clean, entertaining fight. Watching after the other gods… ha! Watching after the other gods gets quite boring after a while…”
“ENTERTAINMENT!? YOU POMPOUS SON OF A…” Dragoslava was frozen in obsidian before she could finish.
“Dragoslava, dear, please relax. Now I’m going to leave you in a little time out so you can calm down, okay?.” He then turned to the others. “Don’t worry, she’ll be fine.”
Blood-Wraith looked incredibly concerned. “Was that necessary? Also context?”
The Unspeaker gave a regretful chuckle. “Her people had a period where they saw me as one of their great evils, like many cultures and their beliefs across the Cosmos. I guess Radovan is a bit of a traditionalist.”
Desislav was a bit unsettled. “Right…”
The Unspeaker then clapped his hands. “Now, follow me everyone! We shall head to the grand court where the victor shall be decided.”
Next: Chapter 28
ULTRAMagic Alternate © 2022 William Ford II (ChaoticTempleKnight)
Master Post - Patreon
“Are you ready, Blood!?” Darkness asked.
“Born ready!”
Darkness could feel the energy in the air. “What say you, Blood?”
“It’s a good day to die! No one can say I went down without a fight!”
“ARE YOU GOING TO LET THE LICH WIN?”
“HELL NO!” Blood-Wraith took on his dragon form and let out a fearsome, bellowing roar.
Everyone else was stunned by this display of tenacity as they approached. “Well, you seem to be in good spirits, Blood,” Desislav remarked.
“Yeah, jeez, where did all this vigor come from?” Dragoslava asked. She was quite impressed.
“Brother and I did some training this morning. I feel great!” Blood-Wraith replied.
Leif approached, but with a word of warning. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it, Blood: We’re up against a wall that’s going to take our best effort to topple.”
Blood-Wraith was not phased. “Then so be it! I’m pretty sure a hundred ton train can easily knock it over with enough hits.”
This caused Leif to let out a hearty laugh. “Blood, never lose sight of that fire within you.”
With everyone present, Deimos created a small platform and stood atop it. “I shouldn’t need to tell you all the obvious, but I’ll say it anyway: This is the final leg of our journey. The Dark Grand Desert is within reach and there is no going back once we go for it. With that being said, is there anyone here who wishes to return to the Unlight proper? This is your final chance.”
Tusk looked at his friends shaking their heads and declining. “Guys? I… I don’t want to die…” There was silence, but it was out of respect.
“Do you want to go home, Tusk?” Desislav asked. “No one will fault you for being honest with yourself”
“...I don’t want to go home a coward, but I also don’t want to fail my people.”
“Tusk, stepping away because you’re worried about your well being isn’t cowardice” Leif stated firmly. “Deimos asked if you were ready and you answered truthfully.”
Deimos felt bad for the worried mage. “Tusk, If you feel you can’t rise to the challenge, you should return home. That self-doubt will get you hurt. It’s better to live to fight another day than to throw your life away…”
Blood-Wraith could see Tusk’s emotions welling up, so he went back to his human form and tried to give him a hug. “Teacher? It’s going to be alright…”
“I’M A TERRIBLE TEACHER!” He wailed as he pushed Blood-Wraith away and stomped his feet. “A HORRIBLE MAGE AND A DAMN COWARD!”
Blood-Wraith shook him. “No you’re not, Teacher! You don’t have to fight with us. Hey, Leif? Are there any archives or libraries in the Dark Grand Desert?”
Leif was surprised by this query. “Oh… well, there should be… Are you suggesting that Tusk should…”
“Do some research for us? Yeah! He can look for information that can potentially help us.”
“Research?” Tusk stammered. “What kind? What do you mean?”
Dragoslava nodded, catching Blood-Wraith’s line of thought. “Yeah… If things go south, Tusk could swoop in with an all-powerful spell he learned!”
“I mean… will I be safe? Sorry if I sound selfish…”
“Of course you will, Mr. Willfort!” A strange youthful man that randomly appeared said. “And don’t worry, no one’s blaming you. Come with me, we’ll have a blast…” He dragged him off by the collar of his armor. “Besides, I need your help with something.” The two then vanished.
Darkness looked a bit terrified. “Dad? What was that? That wasn’t…”
“Yes, son, I think that was The Screaming God…” Deimos looked concerned. “I guess since that is all sorted out, let’s get moving.”
That matter would have to be tackled later, as Deimos had a score to settle. He temporarily set aside his worries as he climbed onto Leif’s back. Blood-Wraith returned to dragon form and readied for take off. The Dark Grand Desert was a sight to behold if one could get past all of the unsettling aspects of it. It was an ocean of sand, dunes rising and falling. Obsidian temples darted the landscape while unknown giants wandered to places only they knew. And above in the sky were the stars that looked as if they were watching everything below them.
Exploring the desert was not much better. The winds blew the sand everywhere, threatening to bury anything that stood still for long enough. Terror set in as the group witnessed wrecked ships rise and sink below the surface. Temples with macabre statues would be revealed and disappear without a trace. One of these left a strange, foreboding book on the surface. Blood-Wraith took it before it vanished, saving it for Tusk.
At first it seemed like the group was getting nowhere, with there being nothing but dune after dune. This went on for a while until something unexpected happened. The group encountered the ghost of the Lich’s spider from the Metal Oasis. It had the appearance of a wispy specter made of obsidian and guided them to a mostly intact ship. Blood-Wraith thanked it and apologized for their past interaction as the group boarded the vessel. It was comforting to know that the spider bore no malice, agreeing that the Lich was in the wrong.
Desislav manned the captain’s wheel, hoping it would distract him. While he forgave the spider, he was not going to forget their previous conflict any time soon. Sailing on the sand felt like sailing on water. It was a very surreal experience that disoriented all of them. Leif was above, guiding the group to an area that was more solid. It felt like they were docking as the ship came to a stop, despite the nature of the churning sands. The ground in question was made of stone, dirt, and basalt. Vegetation was also present, but it did not resemble anything they were familiar with.
“Where are we?” Dragoslava inquired as she tried to take notes. “This all feels weird…”
“Trying to write stuff down despite the anticipation?” Deimos asked. “Either way, we’re moving into the inner desert.”
“This is a desert?” Desislav was bewildered. “It looks more like a jungle to me…”
Leif landed beside the group. “A strange land indeed. At least we don’t have to deal with the sand anymore.”
Pressing onwards, the group ran into some of the Lich’s soldiers. They looked lost and abandoned. With everyone ready to fight, Deimos halted them. He approached them and said a series of words that caused the skeletons to turn black like him. They were now on their side. Blood-Wraith was amazed and wanted to learn this spell, but it would have to wait for another time.
The next group of skeletons further into the jungle were not so lucky. Desislav made the introductions by grabbing one and electrocuting it. Whatever his armor was, it was allowing him to use lightning magic. Dragoslava wanted to save her rifle for the upcoming bouts, so she began punching with her metal fists. Stronger soldiers with what looked like muscle and organs emerged once the regular skeletons were downed. These ones posed much more of a challenge.
One grabbed Blood-Wraith and tried to slam him into the ground. This was met by him turning into Azure Spider and cocooning the soldier. Blood-Wraith spun his silk so tight that he heard a cracking noise, followed by black ooze seeping out of it. Seeing the others getting cornered, he created a lasso and roped in the remaining enemies. Webbing quickly enveloped the Lich’s skeletons, rendering them helpless. Desislav then hefted them into the air followed by Leif incinerating the cocoon.
“Impressive teamwork, everyone” Deimos and his skeletons clapped.
Dragoslava shuddered. “Jeez, Blood. You’re going to make me arachnophobic next…”
“So that’s a no to sleeping in any hammocks made by me?”
The rest laughed. “Don’t worry, kiddo, I’ll keep that in mind for future adventures” Desislav replied.
“Anyways, is that our destination ahead?” Dragoslava pointed at what looked like a series of temples and pyramids. She then felt woozy and began losing her balance.
Deimos realized something was wrong. “Desislav, support Dragoslava…”
“Oh jeez, Drago, what’s wrong?” Before Desislav could get a response, she began vomiting a metallic liquid.
“Sister!?” Blood-Wraith exclaimed.
“Easy, Blood, give her some space…”
Dragoslava coughed and dry heaved. “Ow, it hurts! Ow, ugh…” She struggled to say. After one last convulsion, she coughed up a key. The metal it was made of resembled her metalized skin.
Deimos picked it up. “What in the Source is this? What is this for… Is it for the gate?”
“ACK! What the Hell!? I thought I was done being a key…”
“Hmm… Let’s see if this works.” Deimos led the group to a giant gateway. The slender key slid into the lock with ease and turned effortlessly. Gears and cogs moved in rhythm as the door gently opened. “A bit unorthodox, I must admit…”
“UNORTHODOX? He couldn’t have just given the key to me! Jeez, if the Unspeaker exists, he owes me a sundae…” Dragoslava coughed again.
“Fair enough…”
“Hey! Who said that?!” She looked around, but saw no one else.
The area inside the walls was known as the Dark Grand City. It was haunting and eerie, full of temples similar to the ones found at The Roaring Mountains. The Lich and his dwindling army was ahead of the group and in plain sight. Once he had caught wind of them, Deimos locked eyes and approached him. The tension from this confrontation was unbelievable as either one of them could escalate the situation at any moment. Deimos looked as if he was about to laugh in the Lich’s face, who looked as if he was about to start screaming at the mere sight of his discarded half.
“Don’t run from your past, Vlad,” Deimos taunted. “It’ll always catch up with you.”
“DON’T CALL ME THAT NAME!” The Lich roared back.
“Why? Because you know I am going to win? This was decided the minute you went screaming and crying to that bastard Milosh…”
“I was right! You were just going to hold me back! I defy you, vile emotions! I will NOT reincarnate and be God’s slave! THE SEPULCHURE GOD WILL NOT WIN!”
Leif roared, having had enough. “SILENCE, YOU SPINELESS COWARD! This is the end of the line for you. ALL of your plans have failed!”
It looked as if the Lich was about to lose it. “NO! YOU HAVE FAILED!”
“Talk is cheap, Vlad…” Deimos snapped his fingers, calling forth a small army of the Lich’s felled soldiers. “Let’s settle this and see who the superior one is!”
Just as the fight was about to start, something halted everyone. A foul yet nostalgic miasma swept through and grabbed everybody’s attention. This was followed by a man walking down the steps of a great temple before them. He wore a tuxedo, ooze bubbled up from wherever he stepped, and his face had a subtle, wicked grin. The aura this being created was terrifying, sending a chill down everyone’s spine. And on top of all of this, his form twisted and warped between all manner of grotesque entities.
“Well now, what do we have here? Wayward guests and unwelcome intruders! Plus we have quite the party on our hands, a showdown for the ages if you will…”
“SPEAK THY NAME, VILE SPAWN!” The Lich barked.
The entity looked quite offended. “I don’t like you. I don't like you in the slightest. I see Deimos has taken your manners… Anyways, I go by many names: The Great Chaos, He Who Speaks in the Unknowable, The Harbinger of Insanity, Messenger of the Void… but currently I go by The Great Unspeaker. And I welcome the majority of you to my realm.”
Dragoslava was hyperventilating, about to lose her mind. “NO! NO! NO! HE’S NOT REAL! HE’S NOT REAL! NO!!” She began chucking rocks at him to no avail.
Desislav was baffled, stopping her to the best of his abilities. “Drago! What in the Sam-hill has gotten into you?!”
She exhaled deeply. “Desislav, he can’t be real!” She tried to throw another rock, but this was stopped.
“Sister?” Blood-Wraith was beside himself in confusion. “What’s wrong?”
Desislav grunted. “Drago, enough. He’s real. We’re just going to have to accept it. Don't let the stories get to you. They’re just stories…”
“You have my apologies, Ms. Raynot. If it’s any consolation, I do take responsibility for the hardships I put the primordial hunters through…” This warranted an angry groan from Leif. “...and I did not grant Milosh and his fools any of their requests…”
“DAMN IT! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH TROUBLE THAT CAUSED MY PEOPLE?!” Dragoslava charged and began trying to punch him… he dodged effortlessly.
Blood-Wraith figured Dragoslava was not going to stop until she calmed down, so he spoke anyway. “Mr. Unspeaker? Why did you stop us?”
“Ah, yes… Simple, Blood-Wraith… I want this to be a good… clean, entertaining fight. Watching after the other gods… ha! Watching after the other gods gets quite boring after a while…”
“ENTERTAINMENT!? YOU POMPOUS SON OF A…” Dragoslava was frozen in obsidian before she could finish.
“Dragoslava, dear, please relax. Now I’m going to leave you in a little time out so you can calm down, okay?.” He then turned to the others. “Don’t worry, she’ll be fine.”
Blood-Wraith looked incredibly concerned. “Was that necessary? Also context?”
The Unspeaker gave a regretful chuckle. “Her people had a period where they saw me as one of their great evils, like many cultures and their beliefs across the Cosmos. I guess Radovan is a bit of a traditionalist.”
Desislav was a bit unsettled. “Right…”
The Unspeaker then clapped his hands. “Now, follow me everyone! We shall head to the grand court where the victor shall be decided.”
Next: Chapter 28
ULTRAMagic Alternate © 2022 William Ford II (ChaoticTempleKnight)
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