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Orbquest:
Kiele: The Adventures Continue...
The village of Nire. Known throughout the world as the home of the famed
mage of legend, Celec. In the years following the loss of magic to the world,
the people have adapted. Former mages, now without a craft, have had to adapt.
Many disappeared after the magic left. It is believed by most that those
were mages kept alive only by the magic they had dedicated their lives to
serving. Save one old man, no mages have even claimed their former occupations.
This old man has held residence in Nire for several years now. He is a
storyteller, plain and simple. Or as he'd have the people believe. When asked
for a name, he refuses to give his. The only name he answers to is Sraxx.
Most believe he is just a befuddled old man, whose hero as a boy was the
legendary Sraxx. Unknown to them, they are in the presence of a being older
than they would imagine. For this mage, while stripped of his magical powers,
continues to live on this world by hand of the gods. Or, to be more specific,
Kiel'Tioma. The god of life has a reason for the man to live beyond his years.
This is the same man who ended the magewar. The one who created the staff
KRAHS. The man who guided Celec in his mission. Now, in a local inn, Sraxx
told stories to the local children.
"Aye, kids. I have seen much in my time. Would you like to hear about the
time I--"
"Are you still here, Old Man? I thought I sent you packing last night!" said
a person who walked in.
"Right ye are, lad, but--"
"And don't call me lad!"
"O.K. What do you wish of me?" asked the former mage.
"I want you to leave! You've already filled my kid's head with so much of
your fairy tales that it's all I can do to keep him clinging to reality!"
With that, the man picks up one of the children, and child kicking, stormed
out of the inn.
"Oh, my!" exclaimed the old man. "What rodent crawled up His pants this
morning?"
"We want to hear more!" said one of the children.
"Yeah! you didn't tell us the story of how you met Celec!"
"Aye. But I am tired now. If you'll come back tomorrow, I will tell it to
you then."
The door to the inn flew open, then, and a man clad in the heavy armor of
the Laredian Knights fell more than walked in.
"Help...I need help! My horse...the child! Someone...must help him...I have
failed...So long as the child remains safe...I can die...with honor..."
With that, the Knight slumped to the floor, where he remained motionless.
Several customers rushed to his aid, while several others took a step outside
to see the horse. A child was strapped to the saddle. It appeared to be sleeping,
but they couldn't tell. A man called Rekop walked over, and with tenderness
worthy of his status as a father of four, lifted the child out of its harness.
"He is alive! Someone, prepare a bed for this child. We must get him nourishment.
He hasn't eaten in days, and it's been longer since he could have been in
a proper bed!"
Several people, wondering at the innowner's knowledge of the child hesitantly
went to work. Meanwhile, The knight had regained consciousness.
"Where...where am I?" he asked.
"You are in Nire, good sir. May I introduce myself? I am Devierant, a cleric
of Kiel'Tioma. You are fortunate he decreed you live."
"Is the child O.K.?" the knight asked.
"Yes. He is asleep as we speak."
"You say I am in Nire? I have made it! Quickly, I must see him known as
Sraxx!"
At mention of his name, the old man looked up.
"What is it lad? I can't get my sleep with all the racket you're making!"
"You are familiar with the family Shadowstar?"
At the mention of the name, the inn grew silent.
"Yes. Why bother me with what others could just as easily have told you?"
"I haven't the time for your prattle, old one. I am here because the family
lives! The child--He is the grandson of Celec Shadowstar. I was to bring
him here, where, in the presence of those that knew his family, he could
grow up. He, too must save our world. War is coming, as we have all suspected.
Not magic, but WAR! As we speak, the knights gather at Nillest Keep. We are
prepared to hold off the army for a matter of years, but it is prophesised
that It is the descendant of Celec who will deliver us from this great evil
that threatens to engulf the land."
The patrons milled around in confusion, at this news. A descendant of the
famed Shadowstar family! It was unheard of!
As the crowd began to question the knight, Devierant spoke up.
"My people! It is true! This child...he is a Shadowstar. Kiel'Tioma has declared
that his name be--Silrak...Silrak Shadowstar."
And with that, the family Shadowstar is seemingly reborn. In the beginnings
of a war, a child has been brought to the village, where he must learn of
his heritage, learn to lead those that will count on him. Most of all, he
must learn that he is HOME. Like his grandfather, here, at home, he will
recieve the help he needs to fulfill his destiny.
Chapter One
"Soreer! Wait up!" called Silrak to his friend.
"And let you dump an extra load of work on me? Not on your life!"
"Hey! I only did that once, and that was months ago! Devierant said I need
to find someone to 'assist' me when I go check on those fires we've been
seeing. You want to come?"
"Are you kidding? My dad'll kill me if he finds out I went running off on
some fool's errand before I finish my work!"
"Does he have to know?" asked Silrak.
"Trust me, he'll know. Don't ask how, but he'll know."
"Not if he's at the inn bothering Sraxx..."
"Yeah, well when you put it that way. Why does he bother him anyway?"
"I don't have a clue. Now let's get going, so we can get back by dark."
"Let me get the horses. Our trip will be much easier that way."
Several minutes later, the two friends left. As they rode out of the village,
they were too busy feeling free to notice something following them...
Devierant watched from his hut. This was to be a test of the loyalty of the
grandson of Celec Shadowstar. They would find a seemingly deserted camp.
They would then be attacked by a goblin, and if the friends worked together,
they would not come to harm. If not, then this would be the last time Silrak
rode out of the village. An hour or so later, the two friends rode into a
deserted camp. A strange glow was coming from the center. They approached
with caution. When they got closer, they saw that it was some kind of gateway,
or portal. There was someone, or something sitting on a stump in front of
the portal. As they watched, the portal grew larger, and its glow intensified.
Then there was a rush of air, and a strange smell permeated the air.
"Ugh! What is that smell?" choked Soreer.
"Hm. Smells like--like goblin. I suppose you want to get out of here?"
"What, you think I want to stick around to meet a goblin? Of course I want
to get out!"
With some persuasion, Silrak agreed to leave "For now." he stated. "But after
it leaves, I'm coming back."
They left. But, they didn't get far when they heard a thunderous crashing
coming from behind them. They heard the sound of boots crunching twigs and
other small objects as the booted feet pushed on through the forest. Silrak
and Soreer cleared the forest, and paused to look back. To their horror,
they saw an army of goblins marching toward them...and Nire! The people of
Nire had never come under attack, and as such were not prepared for battle
of any kind. Silrak yelled "Come on! We have to warn everyone to get out
of Nire--Now, before it's too late!"
Chapter Two
Devierant was the first to hear the sound of the horses charging into the
center of the village. As he moved to leave his hut to see what the commotion
was all about, he sensed rather than felt the presence of one he had sought.
He turned around, and saw Sraxx.
"It begins." said Sraxx.
"What begins?" asked Devierant. Before the old man could answer, Devierant
paled noticably.
"No." he whispered. "Not yet. It's not supposed to start for another year!
Silrak isn't prepared yet!"
"Some other force has intervened. Did you not speak with your god about it?
It is Lwarxiate. After all these years, he once again seeks control of the
world. And what better place to start than the home of he who stopped his
last attempt? You must tell Silrak Now. Here he comes. Remember--no secrets.
In order for the world to have a chance, you must reveal all--now."
Silrak burst into the hut, out of breath.
"Dev--Devierant! Quick! We have to warn everybody! There-there's an army
of goblins heading for the village!"
"I know. But that can wait. There is something that I must tell you."
With that, the cleric turned. As he did, a faint glow began to come from
the walls. Soon it engulfed the entire room. To Silrak and Devierant, it
appeared that everything outside had stopped moving.
"What did you do?" asked Silrak.
"I have slowed time down for everything except us. We have to talk!" said
the cleric with an alarming sense of urgency. "You know of the 'legend' of
Celec Shadowstar, that he was born and raised here in Nire. Do you know of
your family?"
"No. All I know is that someone brought me here when I was an infant, and
you and the others raised me."
"It is time you knew the truth, about yourself, your family, your destiny.
You were brought here that you might be raised to defend the world against
spreading evil, as did your grandfather. You have been trained in fighting
methods most are not proficient in. You have been trained to become a knight
of Laredia. You have already been put in their record books as being part
of them. You have, over the years, proven your worth to them. Now it is time
for you to fulfill your destiny. I have the armor that has awaited you for
all of these twenty-two years. You will wear the armor of your family."
With that, the cleric pulled out the armor from a sack in the corner of the
room. Silrak saw it, and saw the symbol on the chestplate. A single star,
with a shadow under it, with a family crest. Silrak gasped.
"That--that can't be my family's armor! That's the armor of...the
shadowstars!"
"That is right. It is your armor. You are a Shadowstar. You are the grandson
of Celec Shadowstar. You have been charged with the defense of this village,
perhaps the world. Now quickly, don the armor. We haven't much time. You
will find the sword out back. You grandfather had no use for the armor, his
being a mage and all. You are the first Shadowstar since your great-grandfather
to wear the armor. And Kiel'Tioma be with you, son. You will find his guidance
reassuring."
Sirak, in shock, began to don the armor. Once everything was in place, he
walked out to the back, and as he stepped through the door, time returned
to normal for him. It was quite disconcerting, he decided, having people
seemingly frozen, suddenly begin moving again. He picked up the antique blade,
and after examining it, slid it into the scabbard he wore at his side. He
looked around, and seeing the first of the goblins enter the village, decided
on a course of action. Grimly, he headed for that part of the village, prepared
to defend the village he called home. Once again, a Shadowstar heads into
battle. The war begins, in the once peaceful village of Nire. And only one
will be able to save this world from the ravages of evil, the ravages of
war as it begins its inexorable onlaught across the once peaceful lands.
Nire. Once a peaceful village. Now it is a battlezone. An army of goblins
has just attacked. The village is ill-prepared for the attack of these wretched
creatures. In many larger villages, and cities, there would be a standing
guard of Knights of Laredia to defend the area against attacks such as this.
The knights follow a code of sorts: law, justice, life. Whenever possible,
uphold the law of the land. If the law would harm the innocent, see that
justice is done. Most of all, preserve all life in need of help. The goblins
abide by no laws, know nothing of justice, and live to kill others. To them,
this village is nothing more than a deserted market, for them to take what
they want, do as they wish. They knew that the village people have no standard
weapons, no defenses. It would be a senseless slaughter. It would be, but
for Silrak Shadowstar, Knight of Laredia. Reaching the first of the goblins,
he whipped out his sword, and weilding it as if he was born to do so, which
perhaps, he had been, charged into battle. The goblins were expecting sniveling,
cowardly people, not an armed knight charging at them. The lead goblin lifted
his battle axe, but before he could do anything else, it fell from his lifeless
hands. Several goblins looked around in confusion, then charged at the knight.
He may be able to handle a single goblin, but they would find out if he could
stand against the fifty-some still left. The sword flashed, and a goblin's
head seperated from its body, and as the body toppled, the sword was already
swinging back around to take out another goblin. A second goblin nearly lost
its arm to the steel. As this battle raged, some goblins began circling around,
to get to different parts of the village. Silrak noticed this, and realized
that he would need help. He was already tiring, and against fifty goblins,
there was no way for him to defend the entire village. He fought off the
goblins' swords, axes, daggers, and what weapons they carried. They were
fifty, he was one. For each one that he cut down, two more filled in the
gap. There were screams of pain and horror arising from different parts of
the village. Some goblin, some human. Silrak struggled to keep the contents
of his stomach down as he rained blow upon blow on the goblins. He had never
faced anything such as this. Before this day, he had never killed except
for food. Now untold numbers of dead and dying goblins littered the ground
around his feet. The screams in the backround died down. Silrak only hoped
it was due to the villagers somehow defeating the goblins that got around
him. Silrak staggered as the goblins that were left charged him. He slashed
and chopped and hacked at them, but it seemed as if there were infinite numbers
of them. Suddenly, as there were only two left, they hurled daggers at Silrak's
face, and as he ducked, charged once more at him. Silrak managed to knock
the first out of the way, but the move cost him dearly. Time slowed down
for Silrak. To him, everything had stopped except for the goblin and himself.
He saw the goblin's blade glint in the sunlight that was left this evening,
and tried to yank his sword into any kind of defensive position against the
goblin. He was a heartbeat too slow. The goblin's dagger, poisoned, no dought,
slid into the crevice between Silrak's armor, and pierced flesh and bone.
Dimly, Silrak was aware of a scream of horror at the sight, and a high pitched
whine. As he fell to the ground, Silrak saw a bolt of lightning streak down
out of the cloudless sky, and the goblin exploded. Silrak heard Soreer's
voice as he crouched down by his friend, and Silrak whispered
"Don't let it end with me! Save...the people...I'm...finished..."
Silrak blacked out.
The next thing he was aware of, he was lying on a cot, in the inn. He'd recognize
the Majinn ceiling carvings anywhere! But, was he alive? He rolled over,
and as he struck the floor and a flash of pain jolted him, he knew beyond
a dought that he was alive.
"Sil? Are you alright?" sombody asked.
"I...don't know. The last thing I remember, A goblin got through my
defenses...and then it exploded! Tell me-am I going crazy?"
"No, son, you are not. You saved Nire's people. Most of the village was destroyed
during the battle and the resulting fire, but we only lost four villagers
to the goblin raid." Silrak recognized the voice then.
"Devierant! You said...we lost four. Who were they?"
"Do not concern yourself with that at the moment. You nearly died from the
poison that dagger was doused in. You must conserve your strenth."
Silrak had managed to haul himself back onto his cot, and now Sraxx walked
over too him.
"And how are you doing now, lad?" he asked.
"Fine...I think. Where...where is my armor...my sword?"
"Outside. Listen to Devierant. Get your rest. You're going to need it."
Sraxx left. Silrak tried to sleep, but to no avail. He stood up wearily,
and hobbling over to the door, staggered out. Where he was promptly knocked
flat by a person running straight at him.
"Sil! Sil, you're alright!" shouted Soreer. "I thought we had lost you for
a while there."
The next morning, Silrak stumbled out of his tent that had been set up. I
must be up early he thought. I'm the only one up.
Suddenly, his head felt like it was on fire. The world became a hazy mist
to him. Then it refocused. Only, this wasn't where he had been! He heard
thoughts in his head. Yet, he wasn't the one thinking them. He saw "his"
hands lift a staff with a black crystal attached to it. He heard the sounds
of magic. How do I know the magic language? The staff was thrown into the
air, where it hung suspended. There was a glowing wave. It engulfed him.
His head felt like it was on fire again. This time, when his vision cleared,
and he was where he was supposed to be, he collapsed on the ground. An hour
later, he was found by Devierant who had searched for him when he didn't
show up at his tent on schedule. He was carried in, and laid on a cot.
"What's wrong with you, my boy?" asked the cleric in a shaky voice. "Kiel'Tioma
cured you of the poison. What could be causing this?"
Chapter Six
"What if I don't accept it?"
"Then it quite possibly could mean the end of the world as you know it."
"Why me?"
"Because you have proven yourself worthy. You help others in need, even when
most wouldn't. You are an attentive studier, you appear to want to make a
difference in the world. You are the only one strong enough to handle the
power I control."
"Does it have to cost you your life?"
"It's the only way for the transfer of power to be successful. It is time
my power was passed on. The fate of Bel-Akim'Sre, perhaps the fate of the
world rests on your survival. I trust that you will do your best. That is
all that matters-That you try your hardest. You may yet alter the face of
the world."
He sees an old man appear before him. That's Sraxx!
"Only in the darkest of noghts shall the true power be revealed. You are
the hope this world has sought. It is yor destiny..."
The visage disappears. A shockwave of magic how could it be magic? hits him
full force. He disappears.
"Silrak! Silrak, wake up!"
"I'm up, I'm up! Don't yell in my ear!"
"What's happening? You were glowing, as if you had some magic in you!" said
Devierant with a strange feeling.
"I saw it! I saw Him! Celec...my grandfather...I saw him destroy the magic...I
saw his teacher give him his magic. It was as if I were there!"
Suddenly the tent began to glow. Then it disappeared all together. Devierant
was stunned. The figure that stood there was Sraxx. He was wearing ancient
robes of mages long past.
"The time has come, Silrak. The time to claim your destiny. You will be the
first ever to weild both steel and spell. I am but a conduit of the power.
It is the will of Kiel'Tioma that the magic return...Immediately! The forces
of darkness sweep across the land. Only a user of magic and steel can even
have a hope of stopping it."
"And if I don't accept the responsibility?" asked Silrak, fearing he knew
all too well the answer.
"Then it quite possibly could mean the end of the world as you know it."
came Sraxx's reply, with a strange echo.
"And there's no other way?
"No, there isn't. You will be the first. You will then find others you trust
and teach them also to use the power. Know this: Kiel'Tioma has twice removed
magic from the world due to its corruption. Now there is a price to pay.
You will have to gather ingredients to cast your spells. For each spell cast,
you will be weakened. After so many spells, you will have to rest to replenish
your energy. Now, give me your hand."
Silrak clasped Sraxx's hand, and a bright glow erupted from them. To onlookers,
it appeared that the two had been swallowed up by a magic portal of legend.
The glow faded. Silrak now wore not only armor, but also the dark robes with
a familiar symbol on them-the symbol of the family Shadowstar. The magic
had returned. The power to save the world was now at Silrak's fingertips.
"Don't worry, Sraxx. I will attempt to stop evil from running rampant across
the land."
To the villagers, it was a rebirth of hope. Most had lost hope when their
homes were destroyed. Now they saw that out of the ashes of their village
arose the hope of the world-The descendant of the savior of the world past,
Celec. There was once again hope across the world of Kiele.
O.k. I am a Knight of Laredia, a savior of a village, the first
mage on the planet in years, and I find out that I'm descended from one of
the greatest heroes to ever set foot on this world. I have not only the many
people of Nire counting on me, but most likely the people of the world are
counting on me to "lead" them to victory against the spreading evil that
threatens to engulf this land. I'm okay with that, aren't I? Oh, who am I
kidding? I'm no hero! I was just plain old Silrak of Nire until last week!
How can these people put so much trust in me? I just don't
understand!
"And perhaps you never will, lad. Who's to say what the people will think?
To them, you are the hope for a better world they've waited for. In the years
since the magicdestruction, the land has still drifted towards war. It is
upon us now, and you have been chosen to lead the forces of 'good' into battle.
With your magic powers and armor and sword, you will be an invaluable weapon
for us in this war. Hopefully, we can minimize the loss of life. I like this
as little as you, but it is beyond our control. Sraxx was right. It is the
will of Kiel'Tioma that you have the magic, that you lead the people. I came
to wish you good luck on your voyage ahead. Goodbye, Silrak..." said Devierant.
...my...friend. If only you could know how it hurts me to see you go, knowing
that I'll never see you again...
The caravan leaves from Nire. It travels south-west, to the city of Majjinncl.
There, they secure provisions for the trip ahead of them. They hire some
guides to get them safely to Bak'Racik, and they meet up with some Laredian
Knights who will stay with them the rest of the trip. After two days spent
in the city, they leave. Silrak distances himself from the others. He feels
that he doesn't belong anymore. Some of the men with him are people he's
known since he could remember, yet now he felt like an outcast. To have such
a burden on one's shoulders! The group reached Bak'Racik a week later, where
they promptly arranged for a boat to take them to Xyrc Tsolaria. It was rumored
that the next strike of goblins would be on the port city. If they could
make it there in time, they could warn the people of the immenent attack,
and possibly prevent the complete destruction of the city. While on the boat,
Silrak practiced using the power to cast his spells. By far his most favorite
of all, skunksmell promptly got him barred into his cabin, and everyone would
try to avoid him. After all, who wanted to be around someone who had a tendency
to "test" a spell on you that would make you smell like a skunk? Finally,
someone was able to "aquire" the ingredients used in the casting of the spell,
and they just happened to fall overboard...
After fair seas, the ship made it safely into the harbor of Xyrc Tsolaria.
As soon as he was able, Silrak was off the ship and heading into the nearby
forest to get ingredients for his spells. Dhroje followed him. She had kept
her eye on him the entire voyage. He had been acting strangely, she thought.
She didn't feel that it would be a good idea for him to know he was being
followed, so she kept back. Silrak found a spot that was rich in plants that
would serve well for the spells he needed to be able to cast. Dhroje decided
it was payback time. She just had to have her revenge on him after his several
uses of skunksmell on her. She carefully scooped up several stones, and tossed
them to go over Silrak and into the bushes behind him. As he turned to
investigate, she leapt out of cover and charged him. She thought she had
caught him off guard, when suddenly she was frozen in place. Her body had
ceased to do what she wanted it to! Rats! I forgot about that spell. Maybe
I'll get him next time.
"What are you doing here?" asked Silrak.
"Why? Are you going to cast another spell on me?" inquired Dhroje.
"No."
"Okay, then. I was going to take your pouch and "ransom" it back to you...for
a modest fee."
"Look. You've been driving me nuts the entire voyage. What do you want? I'm
tired of guessing with you! What is your 'game'?"
"Fine. You want the truth, you get it. Here goes: I've heard about you. I
think it'd be an honor to fight at the side of the grandson of the greatest
hero to ever live. If you'll let me?"
said Dhroje.
"Okay, okay, whatever. Just leave me alone to gather my ingredients, and
we can talk when I get back, o.k.?"
"Sure...whatever you say. Just remember--you promised."
Silrak released her from the spell, and turned back to the bushes. He patted
the hilt of his sword to remind himself that it was still there, should he
actually need it. Intermittently, he heard twigs snapping. He paid no attention
to it, thinking it was just Dhroje. Then, when the noise got closer, he realized
that it wasn't Dhroje. He turned, and came face to face with a goblin wielding
a battle axe. The axe fell, and scraped along Silrak's chainmail. Silrak
quickly yanked his sword out of its scabbard, and moved in position to battle
the foul-smelling creature. The combatants parried, thrust, and drove their
weapons home. Finally, Silrak chopped the axehead of the handle, and hurled
it away from the battlesite. The goblin then rammed the wooden bar that remained
into Silrak's chest. The chainmail absorbed much of the blow, but it knocked
the wind out of Silrak. The goblin stood over Silrak and spat on the ancient
robes/armor he wore. Then it raised the pole, sharp end down, and drove it
down, at Silrak's exposed back, where the armor had been jarred loose. The
stake drove deep, and thunked into the semi-hard soil. No blood. The goblin
screamed in rage. He had been fooled by a common illusionist's trick. As
he realized this, the goblin spun on its heels to face the opposite direction.
About one second to late. Silrak buried his sword handle-deep into the goblin's
chest. The beast dropped to the ground, sword embedded deep within it. Silrak
grabbed several leaves needed to cast his spell. In seconds, the spell was
done, and the goblin was no more. Silrak quickly decided he had enough
ingredients, and headed back. Had he looked behind him, even once, he would
have known he was being followed...
Tomorrow, they would go into the heart of the city, where they would meet
with the head cleric of the followers of Kiel'Tioma. They would present their
evidence showing that the city would soon be invaded. If they couldn't, then
one more city would fall to evil. Silrak couldn't; wouldn't let that happen.
He promised all that he would do what he could to convince the people of
the dire situation they were in.
Chapter Ten
The forest by the harbor was semi-tropical in temperature. It also had enough
water, as several rivers flowed into it from the ocean. Unfortunately, It
also had many places for someone to hide. It hid a follower from Silrak.
Silrak reached the inn where his people were staying. He asked where his
room would be, and went to it. Once inside, he took time to realize what
had actually happened to him. He was becoming practiced in combining his
magic with his sword. He also thought about all the lives he'd taken in the
past weeks.
I still feel guilty about it. Good! The day I become used to it, the day
killing comes easily/naturally to me is the day I lose my humanity!
Silrak soon fell asleep on the floor, using his pouch of ingredients as a
pillow. He just couldn't make himself use the bed.
"...I refuse?" "It could be the end of the world." "It is time the power
was passed on..." "Why me?"
Silrak awoke with a start. He had a nagging feeling that he had just discovered
a way to stop the war, only he couldn't recall it! He went downstairs to
await the others in the lobby of the inn. While down there, he thought about
the visions he'd been seeing. He thought they were a message of sorts. Perhaps
his grandfather hadn't died that night, after all! It was a lot to think
about, and Silrak decided not to dwell on it for now. Soon, the others came
down, ready to go. They paid their bill in silver pieces, and Silrak performed
an illusionist trick for the innkeeper, who promptly gave them a discount.
No one had bothered to entertain him and his customers for a long time. As
he said:
"It's the least I can do, lad."
They walked out into the street. They quickly dove for cover under overhangs.
"Why did we have to walk out with those getting ready to hit?" asked
Dhroje.
"Come on, Dhro. They're just birds! They don't know any better." replied
Silrak.
"Like I care." she muttered. "I got hit by one of their 'bombs', you didn't."
An hour later, Silrak was in a conference chamber of the Temple of Kiel'Tioma,
talking to the cleric they were trying to warn.
"I know what happened. There is a solution that you have not yet seen. With
what you've told me, we could end this war, or at least minimize the loss
of life. That is, you and Celec could."
"Wh-what? You know that he is dead. How would..." Silrak stammered.
The cleric just nodded.
"You can't be serious! That would destroy all of us! I can't make that descision
for millions of people!"
"Bring your friends into the next chamber. I'll explain there."
Silrak got the others, and they walked into the other room. There was a huge
glowing disk in the center. It began to glow harder as Silrak approached
it and the cleric.
"We are but one of infinite worlds, on infinite planes of existence." he
began. "With each action that occurs, infinite planes form, each being the
result of what would happen with each possibility. For example: what if Celec
had not died? All we know is that he disappeared at the beginning of the
magicdestruction. We have great need of his power now. We have the means
to go back in time to that moment, and intercept him as he teleports. We
can bring him to our time. That would explain his disappearance years ago."
"Wh...what are you saying? That we were, or will be why Celec is not seen
for years? That we yank him into a time he doesn't know?" asked Silrak.
"He will understand. From what we know of him, he was willing to do anything
to help his world. I've started the disc. In a matter of moments, Celec
Shadowstar himself will stand before us."
Everyone became silent, as they watched the disc glow brighter, until it
hurt to look at it. Then a human figure appeared in it's center. The figure
grew, and then, in front of them, a figure appeared. It glowed bright white
and blue, then gradually solidified into the colors of the clothes worn by
Celec Shadowstar the night he purged all magic from the world.
"It...It is him!" said Silrak.
Celec stood up. He looked around confusedly. Then he asked of Silrak
"Where am I? Who are you people?"
"You are in Xyrc Tsolaria, fifty years in your future. We have great need
of your assistence at this time. You must assist us in saving the world from
war." said Silrak.
"Well, what do you expect me to do? I've just lost my best friends, a legacy
of power. I've lost everything. I had barely enough strength to cast the
teleportation spell that seems to have brought me here. I don't know what
use I'll be to you, but I will help in whatever way I can."
And with that, two generations are united. Two men who should be many years
apart in age stand together, the "younger" seemingly older than the other.
They stand ready to face the upcoming war together. Without it needing to
be spoken, they both know that whatever happens, they are in this together.
The only two mages in the world now continue an adventure began so long ago.
An adventure that began in Nire. It continued from Nire to Xyrc Tsolaria.
It would end somewhere in the world of Kiele. But for now, the adventures
continue...
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