Orbquest II

The Arrival

Chapter One

As evening approached the village of Nire, the wind that had been blowing on the village all day suddenly came to a stop. The sounds of birds in the trees, and small animals ceased. The people of Nire gradually stopped what they were doing, as they noticed that it was almost suddenly silent. Within moments, everyone had gone inside to make preparation for any kind of disaster. After all, Nire's been the sight of many a battle of magic, and other forces of nature. Soon, a light seemed to form out of nothingess. It slowly formed into a ball-shape. Shortly after, it began to expand, and light from it soon touched all parts of Nire. Any place where it contacted a living being, there were bodies strewn about-asleep. A side effect of this spell was that it put many to sleep when used. After about an hour, another shape began to form inside the ball of energy. Within another hour, it had formed the shape of a person, wrapped in robes. The figure began to move, and then it pointed at the edges of the ball of energy. In a bright, sudden flash of light, the ball exploded outward, sending energy in all directions, causing an instant glow that could be seen to the curves of the planet. Fortunately for the people of Nire, they were still asleep under the influence of the spell, so they weren't affected; blinded. As the protective shell of energy disappeared under him, the figure dropped to the ground, landing barely on his feet. When he connected with the ground, he immediately crouched with the contact, to absorb some of the impact. He then rose, and looked about him. Drat! I forgot about the side effects of that spell! Using a string of very impolite words, the man continued to take in his surroundings. This better be Nire. After all the time I've spent in the netherrealms, I know not what's happened in the world of late. I can only assume that Teleszite's been up to no good. I must find Shadowstar!
Arevar begins the walk into Nire. As he does, he sees his reflection in a pond. Who was that that helped me? He; or she apparently wanted me to look...impressive?
Arevar contemplates his appearance. He is dressed in dark violet robes, with a bright red band around the edges of the cloak. A large hood was laying back, unused, from the neck of the robe. The face looking back from the pond was old, and slightly pale, beyond its time. Arevar shook his head sadly, and continued his walk into the village. Within minutes, he was standing at the center of the village, and there was one person sitting on the edge of a fountain. More than the fact that this person was the only person in the town's center, Arevar was surprised that this man was actually awake!
"How...How is it that you are awake when the rest of the village sleeps?" inquires Arevar.
"I, too, am a mage. I know a spell when it starts, and that light show you put on was definitly not natural. I was prepared to shield myself from any effects, or side-effects of a spell. It is quite fortunate that I did, wouldn't you agree?"
"Who are you? And do you know where I might find Celec Shadowstar? I must talk to him--immediately!"
"You talk as if you are not yet talking to him."
"What?!? Are you trying to tell me--"
"--that I am Celec Shadowstar? Yes, I guess I am. Celec Shadowstar, at your service. And you are...?"
"I am Arevar, a wizard from the coast of Laredia. My brother has devised a way to obtain absolute mastery of the world. He is dragging it into one of the netherrealms. I require assisstance to try and stop him from succeeding."
"How is it that he does this?"
"Using and ancient portal. From my time in the nethrerrealms, I learned that it is a tool of Lwarxiate, the god of evil. Teleszite is acting in stead of the god, who along with the others departed from Kiele years ago. I have been gone several months now. We must find the portal, and destroy it, so that Kiele will remain in this plane of existence!"
"Is that the cause of all these disasters?"
"What disasters? Wait--Get down and shield yourself! Now!"
The quiet is shattered with the clatter of hoofs beating on the ground. A knight rides into the village. As he rides up to Celec and Arevar, he slows his horse.
"Is this Nire?" he asks of Arevar.
"...yes, you are in Nire. What purpose do you have here?"
"I have been instructed to find Celec Shadowstar. Do you know where I might find him?"
"I am Celec Shadowstar. Who might you be, knight?" says Celec.
"You?!?" He does appear to be the wizard-type... "I am Krel Siar, Knight of Laredia. There is great trouble ahead!"
"We know." said Celec, with an audible sigh "We know."

Chapter Two

Krel is filled in on what's happened in the last months--the fight with Telezsite, the activation of the portal, the effects of the portal on all parts of Kiele.
"So that's the reason this is happening? Yet another wizard after ultimate power?" asked Krel.
"If it were only that simple. My brother is working for Lwarxiate. Once the world is teleported, Lwarxiate will have the ultimate power. There must be a way to stop it--Him, before it's too late." said Arevar.
Celec, paying little attention to Arevar, as he's heard it already, is the first to notice the small craft gliding swiftly towards the shore, towards Nire. Celec stands from his seat, and quietly moves to investigate the craft.
Who, or what, is that? No one's scheduled to come to Nire for a week...Unless that's one of the ones who must gather in Nire?
Celec heads to the dock, and when he reaches it, finds that the craft has already docked. The sight that greets him is one he was not expecting. A very pale dwarf standing on the dock, running in circles to catch flying gear, that's being tossed off the boat.
"Just get off the boat and give me my gear!!!" screams the dwarf in rage.
Celec, not wanting to alarm the dwarf, quietly casts a spell of cloaking around himself, and moves silently to the dwarf's side. When a piece of gear came flying at Celec, he reached out over the dwarf to catch it. When it stopped suddenly in mid-air above the dwarf, he froze, wondering what manner of sorcery this was. Then, before he could even open his mouth in astonishment, a final piece of his gear came flying at him, and hit him in the face, knocking him sprawling to the ground.
"What...who?..." the dwarf surrendered to the darkness, the calm peacefulness of oblivion.
Celec, seeing that the dwarf was unconscious, gathered the gear that was strewn about the dock, then, using his magic, carried the dwarf, gear and all, back to the center of Nire.
"Where did you go?!?" inquired Arevar.
"I saw a craft docking. When I got there, the dwarf was standing on the dock, catching flying gear. He was knocked out before I could reveal myself to him."
Krel lifted the dwarf off the magical 'bed', and laid him gently on the ground. Soon, the dwarf regained consciousness. The reaction to the battle-experienced knight was not expected. The dwarf jumped up, and darted away in sheer terror. A moment later, he was back, carrying a pail that was left outside a hut, filled with water. The dwarf hurled the contents of the bucket at Krel, then pitched the empty pail.
"May your sword break and your armor rust!" he shouted, before turning to stomp off towards the dock.
"I must've been off my rocker to believe that I was supposed to actually meet people here in this village to try to help stop the world from being destroyed by and evil sorcerer! All I find is a couple of village folk and a blasted Knight of Laredia! Save the world indeed!" muttered the dwarf as he stomped off.
Krel, angered at the insult, bounded after the dwarf, caught him, and lifted him over his shoulder, and carried him back to the others. Dropping him unceremoniously at their feet, Krel turned his back on the group, mumbling about the world today and the nuts you meet in the strangest places.
"Why, you uncultured...show respect to your elders! I'm at least four times your age, and you're tossing me around like a sack of potatoes...! I just might stick around and see that you learn respect!" blustered the dwarf.
"Tell us your name, for one thing." stated Arevar.
"And who might you be?..." inquired the dwarf.
"I am Arevar."
"That's it? Arevar? I was told I'd be meeting two powerful wizards. You don't sound like a wizard. You sound like an innkeeper. I'm Doomstop Battlehagen. Can I buy you a drink? Maybe that'll ease the tension."
"Doomstop. We must wait. Two others will be joining us. They are to meet us here. We will wait until then." said Celec.
"You mind if I nap until then? I didn't sleep on that boat..."

Chapter Three

He has traveled many miles to reach his destination. After being told that he must travel to the village of Nire, Seigoff Zengute prepared and departed. Now, as he nears the village, he is engulfed in a bright light. Yet, as he looks around himself, he notices that nothing else appears to be affected by the intense light. The world fades away from him as the light completely absorbs him. Seigoff, mildly wondering what is happening to him, then notices that he is not alone. He senses the presence of another. Yet, he can't see this other person. As he puzzles over it, he hears a voice.
"Hurry. You are the fifth. The sixth will arrive shortly, then the time of change will be at hand."
Then the light fades, and Seigoff is back where he was, outside the village of Nire.
I heard some noise farther in the village. Would that be the ones I'm supposed to meet?
Seigoff makes his way carefully to the village center, where he sees a knight, a dwarf, and two men standing over the dwarf. The dwarf is asleep, Seigoff decides. It was easy to realize, seeing as the dwarf snores. And this dwarf snores LOUDLY. As Seigoff approaches the group, the knight looks up, and quickly draws his sword.
"Put that thing away!" says Arevar.
"But-"
"But nothing! This is a druid. Of the Zengute forest, if I'm not mistaken?" says Arevar, turning to look closer at Seigoff.
"You are correct. I am Seigoff Zengute, son of the Zengute Mother. I hope you can be of some help. I am looking for the wizards Arevar and Celec." says Seigoff.
"Then you have found them, druid." says Celec, moving towards the druid.
"You must be one of the ones we're waiting for. Perhaps you can shed some light on the details of our gathering here?"
"I'm afraid I can't. All I know is, is that I have been sent here as a result of the many tremors that have occured in the last weeks. Perhaps this involves the gods themselves?"
"That's ridiculous! The gods all left us, many years ago." says Krel, crouching down into a sitting position, as much as he could, under his armor.
"Not all of the gods left. The goddess Larctuen remains. She is currently the guardian of Kiele." states Seigoff.
"Look. We don't need an argument over what is and isn't. Seigoff, make yourself comfortable. We're going to be here a while. I currently have a spell over the village, keeping the residents asleep. I cannot, and dare not keep it up much longer. The sooner this sixth person reaches us, the sooner I can release these people from the spell." says Arevar.
"I still don't understand why we must gather here." says Seigoff.
"Because of my half-brother. Telezsite is working with, or for, Lwarxiate. He has activated an ancient portal. That portal, even now as we speak, has begun to transfer Kiele into the netherrealms. That is why we must gather. As to what we could possibly do about it, that I have yet to discover." says Arevar.

Chapter Four

Ghuainal Inowe. Prince of the Majinn. He has undertaken this journey at the wishes of his father. Why he listens to his father in these kinds of situations, he doesn't know. Perhaps it is the fact that his father is king of the Majinn that live on Kiele. Or-and he shudders at the thought-perhaps it is simply because he shares his father's concern about the Majinn. Whatever the reason, he no longer has the time to ponder it. He has arrived at Nire. He looks down on the village from a hill. He sees a small band of villagers standing in the center of the town. As he looks closer, he notices a dwarf lying, asleep on the ground by them. He sees a knight looking around, obviously bored, looking for some action.
That must be the group I'm supposed to meet. Well, no point in keeping them waiting any longer. After all, the sooner this business is concluded, the sooner I can return home, to some semblence of peace.
Inowe walks through the village, heading for the center where he saw the group. As he approaches, one of them moves towards him. In a low voice, obviously trying hard not to be overheard, he says: "You must be Guainal Inowe. We have been expecting you. Try not to wake the dwarf just yet. If you do wake him, I will leave him in your hands. Frankly, I don't want to hear any more of his stories right now."
"And who might you be, if I may ask?"
"I am Arevar, a wizard. It was my projection that guided you through that last stretch. Now, come meet the others."
Arevar half drags the Majinn over to the group, who stares at him. Before any can speak, a loud snort is heard. The dwarf rolls over, and continues to sleep. Celec steps forward, to greet the prince.
"I am Celec Shadowstar, of the family Shadowstar. You must be the prince of the majinn I've heard about."
"You are correct. I am Guainal Inowe. I have traveled to this village in search of answers. Our land was rocked by a tremor of sorts. Is the answer to the cause found here, or have I just wasted my time in coming here?"
"This is not where the cause is found, elf, rather, it is where we were 'ordered' to meet. Now, if you might, keep it down so you don't wake the dwarf" says Krel.
"I am not an elf. I am Majinn. The elves are descended from our race." says Guainal. (This, of course, may or may not be true. Depending on who you talk to, the elves are descended from the majinn, or the majinn are descended from the elves.)
"Hey--both of you! We don't need arguing. The villagers will be waking up soon, and we should be out of sight by then. Now come on--We'll take refuge in Celec's hut." says Arevar. Then, turning to his fellow mage, he adds: "There is room for us all, isn't there?"
"Just so long as no one tries to stretch too much. And, if we can keep it down. If we make too much noise, I may be asked questions I cannot answer."
"Well, does that mean it's time to wake up the dwarf?" asks Krel.
"Yes, I suppose it does." said Celec.
"Excellent..." says Krel, slowly pulling out his dagger. He then pulls a small pan out of one of the dwarf's packs, and holds it near the dwarf's head. Krel then proceeds to beat on the pan, raising a horrible racket that could arguably have woken the dead. As it was, the dwarf sat up with so much force that the movement startled the pan out of the usually immovable knight's hand. The air was then dirtied with the combined cursing of the dwarf and the knight.
"What are you trying to do to me? Kill me?" sputters Doomstop in rage. "I probably won't even be able to hear as much because of you and that darn dagger of yours!" With that, the dwarf dives at Krel's feet, and wrapping his arms around the knights legs, pulls sharply away from the knight. With a surprised yell, the knight topples over backwards, and lands with a heavy crash on the ground.
"There! That'll teach you to wake me like that!" the dwarf heads towards the hut that Celec indicated as his.
"Beating on a pan?! Of all the ways to wake me, he had to beat on a pan?" mutters the dwarf.

Chapter Five

The six gather in Celec's small hut. There is little in the way of furnishings in the hut. Celec usually doesn't spend that much time in his hut. He is usually out and about, around the village, helping where it's needed, practicing his wizardry when it's not. The six stand in a small semi-circle, looking out one of the windows in the hut.
"...A pan?" muses Doomstop, shaking his head.
Celec sits in a chair off to the side, looking at these people who have entered his life, literally overnight. He wonders why he feels a sense of kinship with them, even though he barely knows any of them. He looks at the knight, calm, cold, and indifferent. He sees the knight as Krel would have the world see him. Impassionate. Celec looks farther, to see the knight as he won't even see himself: in pain, inner turmoil, memories tearing through him, emotions running on high, confusion in much thought. Needing to forge a completely different person of himself, to wear as a mask on the outside world.
Celec looks next to the dwarf, Doomstop Battlehagen. He sees a relatively young dwarf, someone who yearned for freedom from the constraints of home, now wondering if he might not be better off at home.
Celec sees the druid, and sees an image of one who wants nothing more than peace in the world. One who would give anything or everything to maintain and restore peace to the world that he loves so dearly.
Celec calmly watches Guainal Inowe, prince of the Majinn, as he looks out the window. The Majinn are excellent at remaining unreadable emotionally to others. Celec can only wonder what has made this man what he is today.
Celec thinks over what he knows of Arevar. Someone who lost his mother when he was no older than six passings of the summer. One who then had a half-brother who was always trying to be better. One who retains little trust in others, after too many betrayels by those who were close to him.
Celec reminisces on his own life. Learning that he, too, has a mastery of the ways of magic. Of learning of his heritage, of those in his family who came before him, and literally met Kiel'tioma himself, and helped save the world.
The group gradually drifts away from the window, as the village awakes. Celec, as he contemplates the near future, falls asleep. He dreams. A ball of energy crackles across the horizon. It is coming straight for him! He turns to flee, but is rooted to his spot. The energy comes closer, and he feels it as it burns at him. He is engulfed in crackling energy. He cries out in agony, but whether anyone hears, he doesn't know. The energy fades, and he is whole again. He has knowledge he didn't even know he should have. Perhaps it has something to do with the energy? He raises his left arm above him, and energy crackles around and through him.
Celec awakes. As he fully regains consciousness, he glances out his window, and sees the unbelievable. He sees lightning where there are no clouds. He stands quickly, and strides quickly towards the window for a better view. Suddenly, his foot catches on something, and he falls forward. He lands on what feels like a small body, and a suit of armor.
"What do you think you're doing?!?" sputters the dwarf. "Sheesh! you people around here! Can't a dwarf be politely woken up, instead of being kicked, sat on, and deafened?"
"I must agree with the dwarf. What are you doing?" asks Krel.
"I-I don't know. I saw lightning, but no clouds. I wanted to see that I wasn't just dreaming, and I must have tripped over you two. No matter, now, though. I no longer see anything."
Then, to the complete surprise of the entire village, The air is split with an enormous burst of lightning, and the ground trembles with the force of the resulting shockwave of sound. The huts in Nire tremble, but stand. Everyone in Celec's hut is now wide awake.
"What is that?" asks Seigoff.
"It is Larctuen. She has arrived." says Arevar, very matter-of-factly.

Chapter Six

Celec's hut begins to glow. Energy crackles around it, threatening to engulf the hut and its contents. A brilliant light flashes, lighting up the dawn. Those in the hut are blinded for a moment, and when their vision returns, they are no longer in the hut, nor Nire, for that matter. They stand on a barren landscape, overlooking a sea. As they look around themselves, they see a small fire coming from a ring of rocks some distance away. They walk over--Arevar in the lead, Celec close behind. Seigoff and Guainal following, and Krel hurrying to keep up, dragging Doomstop on his heels.
"Let go, you blasted dwarf!" says Krel, in exasperation.
The group reaches the fire, and they see someone sitting on the other side, away from them. In the dim light around them, and the brightness of the fire, they can not make out a face. But, that does not prevent them from hearing.
"Please...sit, but do not try to see me. I should not be here, but events of late have forced me to intervene, on the behalf of the gods. Most of you know me as Larctuen, the goddess who was left behind when the gods departed so many years ago. I was appointed guardian of the world, not to intervene, just guard. But, as I said, events of late have forced me to intervene. I must make sure the balance is continued. Were the forces of darkness to gain control of the world, if it is shifted into the netherrealms, the balance would be destroyed--forever. That is why I have gathered you. You six will be the salvation of this world. For without each and every one of you, the world of Kiele can't possibly survive in its current state. Before I tell you any more, I must know--Are all of you here willing to give your life for the world? Will you give it your all and more in the suppreme effort to stop Telezsite? For without absolute dedication, on the parts of all involved, the mission is doomed from its start."
Celec looks quickly at those around him, then quietly nods his head. "I am prepared to fight, and die, if need be, to save this world we all call home."
"As am I." says Arevar.
"This is a human problem, but I, too, shall help." states Doomstop.
"I cannot stand by and do nothing, while the world I have already dedicated my life to dies around me. I will help, with all my heart." says Seigoff solemly.
"I will help, also." states Guainal.
"Law. Justice. Life. The code of the knights will force me to help. But, as a human, one who is not a knight, I now pledge my life to the destruction of this evil that attempts to enslave the world." Krel's words finalize it, then.
"The coming months will not be easy for any of you. You will face death many directions you turn. As of this moment, you are all linked by a bond of a magical nature. You will be able to sense each others prescence, when even great wizards can't. You are all shielded from searching spells."
The air gains a charged feel, and hairs stand on end. The figure across the fire rises, and energy crackles around her. She is lifted into the air.
"To all mortals, I am known as Rien. If you should require assistence, I now grant you all the ability to summon some of my power--once. Any more than that, and you would be destroyed by the great power you would try to command."
The figure takes an energy form, and begins to fade.

Chapter Seven

Arevar. You will search out the orb of air. It will give you control over the air, the wind. It is guarded by the Windbeast. You must deafeat the beast to reach the orb, but do not kill it. To kill it would unleash power undreampt of by mortals.
Doomstop Battlehagen. The orb of earth is yours to find. But beware of the earth elemental. It controls the power of the ground. It will try to trick you, but if you believe, you can defeat it. Your power, granted by the orb, will equal you with the elemental.
Krel Siar. Knight of Laredia. You will find the orb of fire. One whose heart is so fiery will be of perfect match to the firebird who guards the orb. Do not unleash the full power of this orb, or the world will surely be lost.
Arevar, you, Doomstop, and Krel will travel together. Go first to the Orb of Air. Next to the Orb of Earth. Finally, search out the Orb of Fire.
Guainal Inowe, prince of the Majinn. You must find the orb of the seas. It is guarded by the mighty leviathan. It will give you control over all the seas of the world.
Celec Shadowstar, mage of Kiele. The orb of magic is the orb that you must find. It is guarded by the elder dragon. A dragon who has lived since the dawn of time, silently moving through the generations, observing, thinking. Harm not this gentle soul, rather, befriend him.
Celec, you and Guainal will search out your orbs together. After you have found and retrieved them, meet back in Nire, with Krel, Doomstop, and Arevar.
And you, Seigoff, you will travel alone, as is your nature. You will be tested in all you know, your very sanity, your faith. You must find the orb of life. For without this orb, the powers of the others cannot be harnessed to stop the power of Telezsite and Lwarxiate. This orb is guarded only by the faith by which you live. To fail in your faith, will block your reaching this orb.
You must all return to Nire in seven months. It is then that the powers of all six must be combined, to stop the portal from shifting the world, and to put an end to the threat of Telezsite. To send you after the orbs unprepared would be foolish and cruel of me. Therefore, I shall now arm you for your quest.
Doomstop--you recieve the guantlets of earth. They grant you limited control over the ground upon which you walk.
Doomstop's face lights up at this. Then, a mischievious grin on his face, he turns to face Krel.
"Don't even think about it...!" begins Krel.
The ground below Krel lifts and collapses quickly, in one movement. The knight loses his balance, and for the second time that day, comes crashing down, raising a racket in his battle aromor.
Krel--You recieve the guantlets of flame. They will allow you to contain living things, but they do no harm to living flesh. Use them wisely.
Arevar--I grant you the ring of wind. It will allow you to summon brief bursts of wind. It has a limited charge, so use it sparingly.
Guainal--to you, I give the ring of water-breathing. It will allow you, and you alone, to travel underwater to retrieve the orb of the seas.
Celec, you get the ring of lightning. It will enhance your own abilities, and allow you to summon the power of the storm to your command. It, too, has limited power.
Finally, Seigoff. I have nothing that I can give you, as the guardian that you will face is formed from your faith. However, I can grant you the powers of a cleric, if you choose to accept it. It will allow you to call on me for guidance.
"...I accept, my goddess. Should it be your wish, I will be one of your clerics, until the day that I die."
It is your choice, and yours alone.
"It is my choice to become a cleric of your order."
Done.
The air begins to pick up in speed, and soon the group is engulfed in swirling air and dust. The charge increases, and they again feel the sensation of the electricity sweeping over them.
I now return you to Nire, mere moments after you left. You will all be known to me as The Questiors. Now the quest begins. Now begins the...Orbquest.

T o B e C o n t i n u e d . . .

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