ULTRAMagic Shadowland - Chapter 10

Previous | First | Next

Master Post - Patreon


    Two days had passed since the group had arrived in Shadowland. Aureolus woke up with energy in his step and was ready to go. The day prior was uneventful due to Barna having to get his plans in order, leaving his son eager to start cleaning things up and flex his magic. Making his way through Claudius’ mansion, which was full of classical, Italian decor from his homeworld, Aureolus walked merrily to the dining hall and took a seat at the grand table. Barna was writing stuff down, Torunn was eating, Albrecht was tinkering with one of his tools, and Dunja was making it clear that she was not a morning person through her slouching and mug of coffee.

    “Good morning, everyone!” Aureolus said, with varying responses in return.

    “Buongiorno, Aureolus” Claudius welcomed as he put some breakfast before him. “You’re quite energetic today.”

    “Yup, cause we’re going to do stuff today, right dad?”

    Barna took off his reading glasses and looked up. “Absolutely, given that there’s reports coming in that someone’s beating us to the punch.”

    Aureolus was curious, as the precedent was unclear to him as the guild he and Blood-Wraith planned to join in the future was not even a thing yet. “Really? What’s happening?”

    Albrecht closed up his tool and set it aside. “Several warehouses have been reclaimed by Sten, with witnesses claiming that crystal people were the ones doing the clearing.”

    “Crystals? That’s bizarre” Aureolus commented as he ate.

    Dunja finally came to, with a realization. “Torunn, refresh my memory: Didn’t Andelin mess around with that stuff?”

    “Yup…” she replied as she sipped from her mug. “Barna, one of the crystal people looked like black obsidian.”

    Barna slowly facepalmed and banged the table. “DAMN IT. What did I tell that boy?! You can’t suppress hexes, only dispel them…”

    “What’s wrong, Dad?” Aureolus inquired. “Who are you talking about?”

    “Weaver…”

    “Weaver? Aunt Dunja?”

    Dunja took a second to recall a specific event. “Yeah, I remember it all too well: Andelin has a deck of cards she got from one of the Discordant Gods that allows her to use her Hex magic. There’s a lot of spells she can use. One time we caught Weaver alone and captured him, with Andelin covering him in crystal as a means of controlling him. It wasn’t really crucial to our plans, just an experiment.”

    Torunn scratched her head. “That brings me back… he gave me a good whack on the noggin before we got him back.”

    Barna got up to stretch. “The problem, Aureolus, is that hexes are self-perpetuating and self-fulfilling. If you don’t get rid of them, they can easily reactivate at a later date. This means Weaver is still under Andelin’s spell…”

    “Huh, that sounds like what Vex is teaching Blood at the moment… Alright! I need to see this magic in action. Let’s go!” He was already marching out of the room and to the front door.

    Scrambling to collect his papers, Barna followed Aureolus out. “Easy, lad. You don’t even know what we're doing today yet…” Both of them trailed off, causing the others to chuckle.

    “Well, quite the spirit in him…” Claudius remarked as he picked up the dishes.

    “It’s probably the ULTRAMagic.” Dunja drank the rest of her coffee and stood up. “So where are we heading?”

    Torunn also got up, along with Albrecht. “Corner of Howler and Bolt street,” She answered. “Saul Bonneville has requested us there. Looks like things got pretty heated.”

    “Right. Is he doing alright? Because I’m pretty sure his brother is…”

    “Saul’s doing fine. Logan on the other hand has been… Well, he’s been out of it for a while. And this hasn’t really changed since you left.”

    “Oh dear…” Dunja thought for a second about how she could help. “Alright, I’m going to slip into my armor. I’ll be with you as soon as I’m ready.”

    Torunn patted her on the back. “Good. We’ll see you there.” She then left with Albrecht.

    Claudius reentered the room. “Dunja, if you’re concerned about Logan, I’m afraid his issue is most likely psychological. I’d even go so far to speculate that it has something to do with Milosh…”

    “That’s not good. We need to find Andelin quickly then.”

    The commotion over the past couple of days had Sten’s knights all over the place. Compounds and bases for The Eternal Church were falling left and right, primed for reclamation. Captain Saul Bonneville was going back and forth between locations, but Warehouse D was of particular concern. It was the main storage facility for the cult’s weapons. An issue had arisen in the form of holdouts. Weaver had done a good job, but some cultists just did not know when to quit. Fortunately the odds were in Saul’s favor as the knight’s armor and tower shields protected them from gun fire and flames.

    As for what set off the newest brouhaha, Saul had been out on a patrol the day prior when a strange individual handed him a note from the shadows. If he had not known any better, he would have sworn it was Weaver. Regardless, a golden opportunity had been presented to him. He ran as fast as he could to the barracks and rallied his men. The standoff lasted throughout the night, but things were finally coming to a resolution. The captain watched proudly as cultists were dragged out of the warehouse and arrested. The on looking citizenry cheered and applauded as the criminals were hauled away.

    “Brother, need any help on this fine day?” A man called out to Saul.

    He took off his templar helm and turned to the man. “Logan! Well I’ll be, what’s got you in such good spirits?”

    “I ran into Weaver and some strange fellows with him the other day. The talk we had made me realize I was wasting away and that it was time to get up off my arse. So how goes the operation?”

    “Fantastic. There’s a few stragglers, but we’re in possession of most of the warehouse. Are you feeling up to donning your helm again?”

    “Not quite, but we’re getting there. Besides, my mace is rusty and needs some fixing up…”

    “Captain, Barna and Torunn are on their way!” An officer called out.

    Saul tidied up his hair and straightened out his armor. “Could you look after my post while I go fetch our guests?”

    “Sure thing, Saul,” Logan replied. “Shape up, men! Barna’s on his way!”

    Over at the corner of Howler and Bolt, Aureolus was observing the knights going in and out of Warehouse D. They were a fair distance away, but enough details could be made out. “Dad, how do you think I could help them?”

    Barna stuttered gibberish in bewilderment. “Lad, son; I understand you’re eager to stop the cult alongside us, but you should leave this one to the knights…”

    “Why, is it dangerous?”

    “Very dangerous” someone called out. “It’s no place for children.”

    “Saul, good to see you again!” Barna replied as he shook his hand.

    “Barna, it’s a pleasure to have you back in Shadowland. I take it everything is alright over in The Iron City?”

    “Indeed it is, my boy. And we’re all ready to go. Just tell us where you need us and we’ll be off.”

    Saul nodded in confirmation. “Torunn, how’s your hammer arm?”

    “Good as always, Saul. And the hammer is all clean and ready to go.”

    “Very good. Go join the knights as we still have some stubborn ones giving us trouble. Allan, go with her and make sure no civilians were hurt.”

    “On it,” Torunn replied. “Oh, and his name’s actually Albrecht.”

    “Really? How’d that come about?”

    Albrecht shook his head. “It’s a long story. Suffice it to say it’s been a crazy couple of days…” he said as he walked off with Torunn.

    “Intriguing…” Saul turned to the doctor. “Claudius? We have some injured back at the…”

    “Say no more, I’m on my way” he replied.

    “Excellent.” Saul then turned his attention to Dunja. “Well well, ain’t this quite the surprise, your majesty.”

    She felt some embarrassment, as she was still not used to being referred to by honorifics in Shadowland. “Hello, Captain. Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it...”

    This warranted a sympathetic laugh from Saul. “For now, let’s head back to the others so we can get you up to speed. And thank you for everything you’ve done so far. I knew you’d turn your back on that creep eventually. Logan was skeptical, but I wasn’t.”

    Dunja smiled. “Well I finally had some sense knocked into me. You have no idea how bad I feel…”

    “Don’t fret, your majesty. Keep at it and those bad feelings will go away in no time.” Saul then realized something. “Oh! Barna, speaking of Milosh; rumors are floating around that he’s in the vicinity, if you want to go say hello…”

    Barna immediately caught a whiff of the scent. A menacing grin stretched across his face as his pupils dilated. “Ah, I think I will. Aureolus, stick with Dunja and the Captain… I’ll be back later.” He then wandered off, quickly vanishing into the alleyways.

    “Um, is dad okay?” Aureolus asked.

    Dunja quickly grew irritated. “Barna!” She sighed. “Captain, this is my nephew, Aureolus.”

    Saul looked confused. “Did Barna create another…?”

    “Nope, he adopted me after Blood-Wraith got me out of Milosh’s basement” Aureolus answered.

    “Oh, alright then. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aureolus” Saul said as he shook his hand. He then indicated for the two to follow him.

    “Are you sure I can’t help Torunn and the knights?”

    “Certain.”

    “But I have ULTRAMagic!” Aureolus then manifested his soul crystals.

    “...That he hasn’t perfected yet” Dunja pointed out.

    Saul chuckled. “Sorry lad, but no-can-do. I appreciate that vigor though. It’s a good quality to have for our line of work.”

    “So it really is that dangerous then?”

    “Unfortunately. If it’s any consolation, some of our reserve mages are getting pretty bored. You could train with them if you like, keep them on their toes and what not. Would that be fine with you?”

    Aureolus thought about it for a second. “Sure. Thanks, Captain. And Aunt Dunja? Can you teach me some void magic while we’re at it?”

    “I don’t see why not,” she answered. “It’d get me ready too.”

    Barna was weaving and maneuvering his way through the dirty alley’s, tracking his quarry with unyielding focus. He was sure to stay as quiet as possible, although that did not stop him from knocking into a few trash cans here and there. Eventually he came across a dingy, rundown-looking building and snuck in. It was dark, so it was easy to keep to the shadows. He soon found a room lit with dull, yellow light and peered in carefully. It was host to at least twenty people with one in particular making his blood run hot. Milosh Proch was right there, about to address his audience. It was so tempting to walk up to him and wring his neck until he stopped moving, but Barna held back. He wanted to see what he was up to first.

    Milosh was something else, and not in a good way. He was a tall man, yet had a scheming posture with his hands clasped before him. His hair was silver and he had dull, brown eyes that were sharp and focused… for the most part. A beat up tuxedo adorned him, but this show of refinement and dignity was a facade. Just looking at him told one he was nefarious. It was also important to be cognisant around him, as his admittedly handsome appearance could fool the unaware.

    “My blessed children, it is another momentous day for we are yet again one step closer to ascension. The thundering Lich awaits our arrival with the holy blood of the beast that my dear son has acquired for us…”

    “Oh brother…”

    Milosh snapped his head to a bearded fellow in the front row. “You have something to say, Sir Wolfgang?” His voice was passive aggressive, yet lacked the violence it once had.

    He gave a low growl and got up. “Yeah, I got something to say…” Wolfgang looked Milosh dead in the eye, with the intent of speaking to everyone. “WE JUST LOST OUR WEAPONS STOREHOUSE.” The rest were shocked and gasped.

    Milosh’s head twitched in an uncomfortable manner. “A minor… minor setback, I assure you…”

    “MINOR!?!” Wolfgang exclaimed as loud as he could. “Minor, ladies and gents! Completely minor! It’s just minor that all of our munitions just got seized!” The others were beginning to whisper and mutter.

    “Silence! This shall all be taken care of…” Milosh was starting to lose it.

    Wolfgang scoffed. “With what? The guns we just lost?” Some chuckled, even Barna (albeit quietly).

    “Sir Wolfgang, have you forgotten about our secret weapon?” Milosh asked, trying to do a soothing voice.

    “You’ve lost it… you’ve completely lost it,” Wolfgang said in disbelief. “Alright, let me elucidate all of you, clue you all in on a little something: The Lich is DEAD! Blood-Wraith killed him!”

    “THE LICH IS NOT DEAD! SEIZE HIM!” Milosh ordered… but nothing happened.

    “Pathetic…” Wolfgang lamented. He then began to leave the room.

    “WHERE ARE YOU GOING, HERETIC? STOP HIM!” Milosh shouted… again, nothing happened.

    “Give up, Milosh. You’ve lost Torunn, The Lich, Dunja, and Andelin. Gratiana is probably planning to leave and Gummi is going to stab you in the back…”

    “HA, and where do you plan to go? The execution block!?” Milosh hissed, expecting laughter. The group remained silent.

    “No, I’m turning myself in. I’d rather die in chains than be a fool mindlessly following a madman. Thanks for nothing.” As Wolfgang left, he noticed someone in the shadows: Barna, who looked infinitely more menacing with the darkness obscuring him. Once his blood finished running cold, Wolfgang smiled and gave him the go ahead with his thumb.

    Back in the meeting room, someone spoke up. “Your greatness?”

    “WE. DO. NOT. NEED. HIM” he seethed. Milosh was beyond furious.

    “That’s not it…”

    “THEN WHAT IS IT?” He snapped.

    With a big, evil grin on his face, Barna quietly approached Milosh from behind. “Hey, Milosh. It’s been a while…”


Next: Chapter 11

ULTRAMagic Alternate © 2022 William Ford II (ChaoticTempleKnight)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

ULTRAMagic Alternate Legal Disclaimer

ULTRAMagic Prelude - Cover

ULTRAMagic Interlude (BC) - Cover