ULTRAMagic Babel - Chapter 10
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Buster quickly ran over to one of the great, ornate turbines within the chamber, trying to get a feel for how it worked and what they were dealing with. The blades were spinning, but it was not enough to power the machine in the center of the chamber. “Shoot, and I bet the wind’s about to pick up too…”
“Right you are, but The Unlight’s weather is certainly fickle,” Iudris pointed out. “Radboud, the turbines will work if the wind we produce is consistent enough. Prepare your best spell and cast it on my mark…”
“Here we go…” he said as he began to focus.
Lia went to shut the doors of the chamber, but Cornelius stopped her. “Wait, don’t!”
“What? Why? What if Valdemaras sees us?”
“Possible, but he may become just as suspicious if he sees the doors close.”
Buster nodded, taking a look down the hall. “Good point, Cornelius.”
Lia gave a concerned sigh. “Let’s hope you’re right about that one.”
A light above each turbine lit up once they were spinning fast enough, but it was not an easy task for Iudris and Radboud. The magic required of them was demanding and the chaos of the battle in the library made it incredibly hard to focus. Not helping matters further was Radboud’s arthritis, but he would just have to ignore it. Slowly but surely all four lights were activated, except for the crystal above the center machine. Buster, Lia, and Cornelius began to panic, but as if someone had sensed their plight a strong gust of wind whipped through the chamber, giving the turbines the push they needed to finally activate the beacon. It was a relief to see the crystal begin pulsing with light alongside the successful chimes of the activation alert.
All of the library heard the sound of the beacon, including Valdemaras. His blood turned to ice and he roared in anger as he effortlessly knocked Tusk and Odo aside. “NO!!! NO NO NO!!! BASTARDS!!! ARGH-I’LL KILL THEM ALL EVEN IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO!!!”
“HE’S GOING FOR LIA AND BUSTER!” Odo cried as he scrambled to his feet, racing after the foul rat, with Tusk right behind him.
Lia saw Valdemaras out of the corner of her eye and ran to Buster’s side in a panic, with Ensio cawing wildly in an attempt to alert everyone. “Dear, you wouldn’t happen to have another plan, would you?!”
Buster had a feeling this would happen and began to focus. “It’s a gamble, but I’m willing to take it…” he said as his arm assumed the shape of a cannon again. The scarlet glow beginning to emanate from it was intense, like that of a rising sun.
For Valdemaras it was do or die right then and there. His vision had gone red and his mind was a complete frenzy. In that instance he did not care about the plan, Karnage, or the Sepulcher God for that matter. The rat’s only goal was to kill the prey that had eluded him for so long. Frothing at the mouth and with fangs bared, Valdemaras leapt for it as he was shot at by bullets and magic spells alike. His quarry was right there and he was already imagining the ripping and tearing he was going to inflict. The blinding light from the boy’s cannon that was being pointed directly at him? Completely futile as the taste of his succulent flesh was already tantalizing Valdemaras, the sensation of it melting on his tongue intoxicating him. And then, all was still as an unbelievable silence deafened everything…
In front of Lia and Buster stood a man with a wicked grin on his face. He was of fair skin and glowing, blazing red eyes. Standing tall and proud, he was adorned in obsidian armor with a flowing, crimson cloak. A crown of black and orange metal sat atop his regal head of brown hair, and a strange aura of all that was foreboding and unknown in the Cosmos enveloped his terrifying presence. This was The Vermilion King, and he was accompanied by a powerful dark angel. She had long silver hair, chaotic wings of shadow, and wore fearsome, black and red armor. The king laughed in Valdemaras’ face as he held the helpless rat in the air with an invisible force. For all the huffing and puffing The Eternal Order had done over the countless eons, it was cathartic to see them helpless before his majesty’s righteous might.
“Well well well, what do we have here?” The King mockingly asked. “General Zozena?”
“A slimy, detestable sewer rat, your royal highness,” she replied.
“ARGH, VILE WENCH!” Valdemaras shot back. “I’LL TEAR YOU LIMB FROM…” The invisible force tightened its grip. “Curses… curse you all…” he choked out.
“A curse on me?” The King incredulously questioned. “Such a declaration is rich coming from the lackey of the god who killed my father, The Tyrant God…” The Vermilion King laughed again, but this time it was laced with sorrow and a thirst for vengeance. “Valdemaras, do you want to know who killed your father, The Rat God? And his brother, The Decaying God? It was me…”
“You?! YOU!?!”
“YES, ME!” The King answered with a terror-inflicting glee that shook the entire library. “Before my rightful punishment as the hands of God, I made sure I took an eye from The Sepulcher God…” He then brought Valdemaras in close. “My humble advice? RUN. Run as fast as you can and crawl back under the rock you slithered out from. Because when I’m done, there won’t be a single trace left of The Sepulcher God in the Cosmos or the Outer Void. And you? YOU’LL MAKE A NICE PLAY THING TO SATE MY BOREDOM ONCE JUSTICE IS SERVED!”
Valdemaras was sent flying, tumbling out of the library with The Vermilion King laughing as hard as he could as the rat began screeching like a scared coward with his tail between his legs. Everyone tried to watch as Valdemaras fled, but only those at the entrance saw him exit the tower through a blood-like portal with what little remained of his rats, leaving the shadow constructs behind. The remaining constructs were easily finished off by Adriana, Serjiel, and the librarians. Everything then went still for a moment afterwards as everyone collected their bearings, with Iudris going to check on the librarians. After sending away her shotgun and straightening out her beat up uniform, Adriana went to convene the group and make sure Lia and Buster were alright.
“Well that was certainly quite the little shindig,” Adriana remarked as she picked up a knocked over table. “Is everyone alright?” After getting satisfactory answers from the others, she turned to The Vermilion King. “It is an honor, your majesty,” she said with a proper bow.
“Likewise, Captain,” he replied. “I know you had your reservations, but you have my eternal gratitude for seeing this through.”
“Certainly a risky game you’re playing, your majesty,” Serjiel pointed out. There seemed to be ambient anxiety in his voice.
The King sighed, a strong hint of empathy with it. “Indeed, Serjiel. I never bet unless I know I can win at the lowest cost possible, however… hold on.” He snapped his fingers.
“Your majesty?” Adriana wondered.
“Pardon me, just getting Gudrun out of the tower. I don’t want to bring her to my kingdom, if it’s all the same with you. Hopefully Ozymandias and Tereza weren’t caught too off guard by that…”
Tusk laughed sympathetically. “Val! You two made it just in the nick of time.”
“I’m glad you’re all safe, sweetie,” she replied… followed by foot tapping directed at The King. “Of course we would have been here sooner if a certain someone had not felt the need to show off…”
“My apologies,” The King said with a laugh.
“I certainly agree, Valentina,” Adriana added. “Although demoralizing the enemy is certainly an effective strategy and always welcome in my book, despite the life or death situation we were in.”
“Well hey, all’s fair in love and war-wait, is that the phrase?” Yoshihiro questioned. “Aw, who am I kidding? You all know what I mean, haha,” he said with a smile, causing the others to chuckle.
“Well either way that’s a weight off of our shoulders,” Odo said with a sigh of relief as he sheathed his sword. “Buster, were you planning to use that Hyper Cannon spell?”
Buster looked down at his right hand and noticed it was still in cannon form. “Er, yes. And it would’ve worked…” he said as he shook his hand back to normal.
“Buster!” Odo scolded. “You know that would’ve left you wide open! I’ve told you before and say it again, The Eternal Order are a bunch of dirty fighters who won’t give you a moment’s rest.”
Buster groaned, then realized something about the battle. “Hey, wait a second! You used your beast form, the form Barna told you not to abuse!”
“Well yes, but I did it to protect you.”
“And I wanted to use Hyper Cannon to stop Valdemaras once and for all.”
Waramunt laughed as Odo grumbled. “As someone who has spent nearly a hundred years and counting pursuing a vendetta against one of The Eternal Order’s members, I say if the final blow requires an all out attack, go for it.” Everyone in the group looked at him weirdly for that one.
“Zozena and I know who he is, but we’re not saying for the sake of the Flow of Time,” The King put in. “Just know that there is merit behind his words.” That certainly caused Waramunt to go wide-eyed for a moment, with Ensio nervously stepping back and forth on his shoulder.
“Right…” Adriana noted, knowing nothing else was going to be said. “Now we should probably get a hold of Ozymandias…”
The Vermilion King checked an imaginary watch and nodded. “Actually he should be here in 3… 2… 1…”
“Is everyone okay?!” Ozymandias said as he entered the library with Tereza. He hurried over to the group while Tereza tended to the librarians. “Gudrun annoyingly found The Agony Codex and… hold on a second…” Ozymandias went right up to The Vermilion King. “You know something I don’t, don’t you?”
Odo had a bad feeling and stepped over to them. “Your majesty, why did you let Gudrun get away?”
“I have an angle…” he answered as he put his fingertips together.
“What angle?” Ozymandias questioned, confused.
“Now there will be some friction…” The King noticed Valentina giving him a very disapproving look, tapping her foot again. “Okay, a lot of friction-but if my plans work, not only will we get rid of Karnage, but we’ll also have a massive advantage against The Eternal Order.”
“And you’re sure about this?”
“Er, mostly…”
Odo growled a little as he never liked it when people kept secrets from him. And he did not like that last bit of uncertainty. “Will Buster and Lia be safe?”
“Absolutely,” The King reassured. “Or at least no worse than what they just went through.”
“Fine…” Odo groaned in concession. He then went over to Lia. “Lia, in case the worst happens, can I trust you to look after Buster?”
“It would be an honor, Odo,” she answered with an almost motherly pride. “My parents and I will make sure nothing bad ever happens to him.”
“Thank you,” he said with a hug. “Welcome to the family, sister.”
Lia was caught off guard by this. “Wait, you really mean it?” A hug from Buster confirmed this.
“You did help save Buster’s life, Lia,” Waramunt pointed out. “Despite your past with The Eternal Order, you’ve done more for the brothers than most others would.”
She felt a tear well up in her eyes, but held it back. “I suppose you’re right, Waramunt.”
“Also hey, Ash and Ascher!” Yoshihiro pointed out. “It works, aye? Aye?” This made the others laugh.
Tereza then approached the group, holding some books. “Odo, Iudris says the library should be back up and running soon. Would you like to begin your research?”
“Actually I would,” he replied, accepting the books he was handed.
“Then allow me to help you, son,” Radboud offered as he took the lead. “I know this library like the back of my hand… Well, for the most part, haha.”
As the two headed off into the library, Cornelius turned to Ozymandias. “With your permission, Tower Arbiter, I’d like to go and join the ULTRAMagic Guild.”
“Permission granted, Cornelius,” he answered. “With the tower heading to Somnium and becoming static, it would be ideal to have the guild’s presence here.”
Tusk laughed again. “Then we’ll definitely have to put Audawakrs and Gebhard on the case given their quests for knowledge.”
“Audawakrs joined the guild?” Lia questioned.
“Yeah, remember how he went turncoat on you back in Droomopolis?”
Lia thought about it and then it came back to her. “Oh right, I remember now.”
“You’ll even get the chance to speak to him as he lives in The Iron City now,” Adriana pointed out. “Despite his upbringing, he’s turned into quite the royal alchemist.”
“And hey, maybe he can teach you a thing or two,” Tusk concluded.
Lia could not help but chuckle to herself. “Goodness, it’s going to be quite the reunion isn’t it?”
“No question about it,” Ozymandias said. “Now then, I’d dare say a feast is in order to celebrate this victory of ours.”
“After all of that, I could eat an entire field of clovers,” Tusk remarked.
“Clovers, Mr. Willfort?” Wramunt playfully questioned.
“Yup, clovers. They're great for growing saplings and a good snack in general… for me and my people, not you guys, ha.” The others chuckled in response.
“Don’t worry either way, Tusk,” said Ozymandias. “The Tower Chefs are some of the best in the Cosmos.”
Next: Chapter 11
ULTRAMagic Alternate © 2022 William Ford II (ChaoticTempleKnight)
Master Post - Patreon
Buster quickly ran over to one of the great, ornate turbines within the chamber, trying to get a feel for how it worked and what they were dealing with. The blades were spinning, but it was not enough to power the machine in the center of the chamber. “Shoot, and I bet the wind’s about to pick up too…”
“Right you are, but The Unlight’s weather is certainly fickle,” Iudris pointed out. “Radboud, the turbines will work if the wind we produce is consistent enough. Prepare your best spell and cast it on my mark…”
“Here we go…” he said as he began to focus.
Lia went to shut the doors of the chamber, but Cornelius stopped her. “Wait, don’t!”
“What? Why? What if Valdemaras sees us?”
“Possible, but he may become just as suspicious if he sees the doors close.”
Buster nodded, taking a look down the hall. “Good point, Cornelius.”
Lia gave a concerned sigh. “Let’s hope you’re right about that one.”
A light above each turbine lit up once they were spinning fast enough, but it was not an easy task for Iudris and Radboud. The magic required of them was demanding and the chaos of the battle in the library made it incredibly hard to focus. Not helping matters further was Radboud’s arthritis, but he would just have to ignore it. Slowly but surely all four lights were activated, except for the crystal above the center machine. Buster, Lia, and Cornelius began to panic, but as if someone had sensed their plight a strong gust of wind whipped through the chamber, giving the turbines the push they needed to finally activate the beacon. It was a relief to see the crystal begin pulsing with light alongside the successful chimes of the activation alert.
All of the library heard the sound of the beacon, including Valdemaras. His blood turned to ice and he roared in anger as he effortlessly knocked Tusk and Odo aside. “NO!!! NO NO NO!!! BASTARDS!!! ARGH-I’LL KILL THEM ALL EVEN IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO!!!”
“HE’S GOING FOR LIA AND BUSTER!” Odo cried as he scrambled to his feet, racing after the foul rat, with Tusk right behind him.
Lia saw Valdemaras out of the corner of her eye and ran to Buster’s side in a panic, with Ensio cawing wildly in an attempt to alert everyone. “Dear, you wouldn’t happen to have another plan, would you?!”
Buster had a feeling this would happen and began to focus. “It’s a gamble, but I’m willing to take it…” he said as his arm assumed the shape of a cannon again. The scarlet glow beginning to emanate from it was intense, like that of a rising sun.
For Valdemaras it was do or die right then and there. His vision had gone red and his mind was a complete frenzy. In that instance he did not care about the plan, Karnage, or the Sepulcher God for that matter. The rat’s only goal was to kill the prey that had eluded him for so long. Frothing at the mouth and with fangs bared, Valdemaras leapt for it as he was shot at by bullets and magic spells alike. His quarry was right there and he was already imagining the ripping and tearing he was going to inflict. The blinding light from the boy’s cannon that was being pointed directly at him? Completely futile as the taste of his succulent flesh was already tantalizing Valdemaras, the sensation of it melting on his tongue intoxicating him. And then, all was still as an unbelievable silence deafened everything…
In front of Lia and Buster stood a man with a wicked grin on his face. He was of fair skin and glowing, blazing red eyes. Standing tall and proud, he was adorned in obsidian armor with a flowing, crimson cloak. A crown of black and orange metal sat atop his regal head of brown hair, and a strange aura of all that was foreboding and unknown in the Cosmos enveloped his terrifying presence. This was The Vermilion King, and he was accompanied by a powerful dark angel. She had long silver hair, chaotic wings of shadow, and wore fearsome, black and red armor. The king laughed in Valdemaras’ face as he held the helpless rat in the air with an invisible force. For all the huffing and puffing The Eternal Order had done over the countless eons, it was cathartic to see them helpless before his majesty’s righteous might.
“Well well well, what do we have here?” The King mockingly asked. “General Zozena?”
“A slimy, detestable sewer rat, your royal highness,” she replied.
“ARGH, VILE WENCH!” Valdemaras shot back. “I’LL TEAR YOU LIMB FROM…” The invisible force tightened its grip. “Curses… curse you all…” he choked out.
“A curse on me?” The King incredulously questioned. “Such a declaration is rich coming from the lackey of the god who killed my father, The Tyrant God…” The Vermilion King laughed again, but this time it was laced with sorrow and a thirst for vengeance. “Valdemaras, do you want to know who killed your father, The Rat God? And his brother, The Decaying God? It was me…”
“You?! YOU!?!”
“YES, ME!” The King answered with a terror-inflicting glee that shook the entire library. “Before my rightful punishment as the hands of God, I made sure I took an eye from The Sepulcher God…” He then brought Valdemaras in close. “My humble advice? RUN. Run as fast as you can and crawl back under the rock you slithered out from. Because when I’m done, there won’t be a single trace left of The Sepulcher God in the Cosmos or the Outer Void. And you? YOU’LL MAKE A NICE PLAY THING TO SATE MY BOREDOM ONCE JUSTICE IS SERVED!”
Valdemaras was sent flying, tumbling out of the library with The Vermilion King laughing as hard as he could as the rat began screeching like a scared coward with his tail between his legs. Everyone tried to watch as Valdemaras fled, but only those at the entrance saw him exit the tower through a blood-like portal with what little remained of his rats, leaving the shadow constructs behind. The remaining constructs were easily finished off by Adriana, Serjiel, and the librarians. Everything then went still for a moment afterwards as everyone collected their bearings, with Iudris going to check on the librarians. After sending away her shotgun and straightening out her beat up uniform, Adriana went to convene the group and make sure Lia and Buster were alright.
“Well that was certainly quite the little shindig,” Adriana remarked as she picked up a knocked over table. “Is everyone alright?” After getting satisfactory answers from the others, she turned to The Vermilion King. “It is an honor, your majesty,” she said with a proper bow.
“Likewise, Captain,” he replied. “I know you had your reservations, but you have my eternal gratitude for seeing this through.”
“Certainly a risky game you’re playing, your majesty,” Serjiel pointed out. There seemed to be ambient anxiety in his voice.
The King sighed, a strong hint of empathy with it. “Indeed, Serjiel. I never bet unless I know I can win at the lowest cost possible, however… hold on.” He snapped his fingers.
“Your majesty?” Adriana wondered.
“Pardon me, just getting Gudrun out of the tower. I don’t want to bring her to my kingdom, if it’s all the same with you. Hopefully Ozymandias and Tereza weren’t caught too off guard by that…”
Tusk laughed sympathetically. “Val! You two made it just in the nick of time.”
“I’m glad you’re all safe, sweetie,” she replied… followed by foot tapping directed at The King. “Of course we would have been here sooner if a certain someone had not felt the need to show off…”
“My apologies,” The King said with a laugh.
“I certainly agree, Valentina,” Adriana added. “Although demoralizing the enemy is certainly an effective strategy and always welcome in my book, despite the life or death situation we were in.”
“Well hey, all’s fair in love and war-wait, is that the phrase?” Yoshihiro questioned. “Aw, who am I kidding? You all know what I mean, haha,” he said with a smile, causing the others to chuckle.
“Well either way that’s a weight off of our shoulders,” Odo said with a sigh of relief as he sheathed his sword. “Buster, were you planning to use that Hyper Cannon spell?”
Buster looked down at his right hand and noticed it was still in cannon form. “Er, yes. And it would’ve worked…” he said as he shook his hand back to normal.
“Buster!” Odo scolded. “You know that would’ve left you wide open! I’ve told you before and say it again, The Eternal Order are a bunch of dirty fighters who won’t give you a moment’s rest.”
Buster groaned, then realized something about the battle. “Hey, wait a second! You used your beast form, the form Barna told you not to abuse!”
“Well yes, but I did it to protect you.”
“And I wanted to use Hyper Cannon to stop Valdemaras once and for all.”
Waramunt laughed as Odo grumbled. “As someone who has spent nearly a hundred years and counting pursuing a vendetta against one of The Eternal Order’s members, I say if the final blow requires an all out attack, go for it.” Everyone in the group looked at him weirdly for that one.
“Zozena and I know who he is, but we’re not saying for the sake of the Flow of Time,” The King put in. “Just know that there is merit behind his words.” That certainly caused Waramunt to go wide-eyed for a moment, with Ensio nervously stepping back and forth on his shoulder.
“Right…” Adriana noted, knowing nothing else was going to be said. “Now we should probably get a hold of Ozymandias…”
The Vermilion King checked an imaginary watch and nodded. “Actually he should be here in 3… 2… 1…”
“Is everyone okay?!” Ozymandias said as he entered the library with Tereza. He hurried over to the group while Tereza tended to the librarians. “Gudrun annoyingly found The Agony Codex and… hold on a second…” Ozymandias went right up to The Vermilion King. “You know something I don’t, don’t you?”
Odo had a bad feeling and stepped over to them. “Your majesty, why did you let Gudrun get away?”
“I have an angle…” he answered as he put his fingertips together.
“What angle?” Ozymandias questioned, confused.
“Now there will be some friction…” The King noticed Valentina giving him a very disapproving look, tapping her foot again. “Okay, a lot of friction-but if my plans work, not only will we get rid of Karnage, but we’ll also have a massive advantage against The Eternal Order.”
“And you’re sure about this?”
“Er, mostly…”
Odo growled a little as he never liked it when people kept secrets from him. And he did not like that last bit of uncertainty. “Will Buster and Lia be safe?”
“Absolutely,” The King reassured. “Or at least no worse than what they just went through.”
“Fine…” Odo groaned in concession. He then went over to Lia. “Lia, in case the worst happens, can I trust you to look after Buster?”
“It would be an honor, Odo,” she answered with an almost motherly pride. “My parents and I will make sure nothing bad ever happens to him.”
“Thank you,” he said with a hug. “Welcome to the family, sister.”
Lia was caught off guard by this. “Wait, you really mean it?” A hug from Buster confirmed this.
“You did help save Buster’s life, Lia,” Waramunt pointed out. “Despite your past with The Eternal Order, you’ve done more for the brothers than most others would.”
She felt a tear well up in her eyes, but held it back. “I suppose you’re right, Waramunt.”
“Also hey, Ash and Ascher!” Yoshihiro pointed out. “It works, aye? Aye?” This made the others laugh.
Tereza then approached the group, holding some books. “Odo, Iudris says the library should be back up and running soon. Would you like to begin your research?”
“Actually I would,” he replied, accepting the books he was handed.
“Then allow me to help you, son,” Radboud offered as he took the lead. “I know this library like the back of my hand… Well, for the most part, haha.”
As the two headed off into the library, Cornelius turned to Ozymandias. “With your permission, Tower Arbiter, I’d like to go and join the ULTRAMagic Guild.”
“Permission granted, Cornelius,” he answered. “With the tower heading to Somnium and becoming static, it would be ideal to have the guild’s presence here.”
Tusk laughed again. “Then we’ll definitely have to put Audawakrs and Gebhard on the case given their quests for knowledge.”
“Audawakrs joined the guild?” Lia questioned.
“Yeah, remember how he went turncoat on you back in Droomopolis?”
Lia thought about it and then it came back to her. “Oh right, I remember now.”
“You’ll even get the chance to speak to him as he lives in The Iron City now,” Adriana pointed out. “Despite his upbringing, he’s turned into quite the royal alchemist.”
“And hey, maybe he can teach you a thing or two,” Tusk concluded.
Lia could not help but chuckle to herself. “Goodness, it’s going to be quite the reunion isn’t it?”
“No question about it,” Ozymandias said. “Now then, I’d dare say a feast is in order to celebrate this victory of ours.”
“After all of that, I could eat an entire field of clovers,” Tusk remarked.
“Clovers, Mr. Willfort?” Wramunt playfully questioned.
“Yup, clovers. They're great for growing saplings and a good snack in general… for me and my people, not you guys, ha.” The others chuckled in response.
“Don’t worry either way, Tusk,” said Ozymandias. “The Tower Chefs are some of the best in the Cosmos.”
Next: Chapter 11
ULTRAMagic Alternate © 2022 William Ford II (ChaoticTempleKnight)
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