Rising of a Mage: Book 02 - Gods and Magic Page 3

  He read a number of volumes on different creatures that dwelled in the lesser levels of the heavens and had decided on the creature he would first try to summon from there. He had hoped that a creature of good, would not come angrily to the plane of the mortals as the demons did. He laid out no protective runes hoping that he would not offend the creature. He began his spell of summoning, then waved his hands, continued the summoning, and finished with a name; Hyperian. A small mesmerizing being began to materialize before him; it was about three feet tall, with silver skin. It had a long pointy nose that did not take away from the oddly pleasant look of a creature that seemed like it should be hideous. It looked nearly human, but had what looked almost as if it were a golden turtle shell protruding from its back. It smiled at Anwar when it was fully materialized. "What is it that troubles thee mortal wizard?"

  "I hope I have not offended you in bringing you to this plane. I have summoned a variety of creatures from the planes of hell and found them revolting. I hoped to summon someone who might be more enlightening and pleasant."

  "Ah; how refreshing. A mortal wizard who does not seek single-mindedly and selfishly for greatness. It is uplifting to lay eyes on you Anwar Alamira. I can feel the eyes of both of the brothers on you. What is it that you want from me?" "Information I guess, I am not really sure? I know that everyone follows the Gods, what is the purpose though? Are we simply to live a life for the glory of a God, simply to die and arrive on its plane to continue to glorify that God? What then is the purpose of life?"

  “I believe this conversation is quite entertaining to Pyru."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Let me answer your first question; then I will move on to that. As far as the purpose of life and the glorification of the Gods, there is no one purpose in life, each person lives for their own purpose. Many mortals are fanatic; they chose a God to follow and make that there purpose. Others choose what God they will follow for more practical reasons such as a dwarf choosing one of the dwarven Gods instead of one of the elven Gods or even one of the human gods of nature. Their way of life does not fit in with the followings of that God and so they find a God that will guide them in their lifestyle without making such dramatic changes. Others follow Gods for more selfish reasons, such as a wizard who chooses one of the Brother Gods simply because they use magic and want to become more powerful, or want a God to grant them more power than they are able to summon on their own. Coincidentally a number of the Gods such as Dyak focus primarily on power or ability, which brings us to the other question. Pyru is the older brother of the two, he is also more calculating. Dyak is focused on power, he is not evil or even of evil he is simply indifferent to evil. The focus of his followers is to become as powerful as they can in the use of magic. He will aide a murderous destructive wizard as equally as he will one who is helping others. His followers in turn usually have little respect for life, and many are viewed as evil wizards; some truly are. Others simply thirst for power; though they do not kill and conquer, but lives are sometimes forfeited in their quest for power."

  "That still sounds like evil to me, and why are you smiling at me like that?”

  "That is why I said I believe Pyru is enjoying this conversation. Pyru is not so focused on the single minded thirst for power as he is on the progression of magic and knowledge. Unnecessary killing and suffering by the hands of his followers is unwarranted. He wants mortals to be curious and want to learn magic. The more people who are doing magic the more it grows and the more that is learned; thus magic becomes more powerful. So you see why he would be happy with this conversation; where as Dyak may not be so excited."

  "Because the goals of Pyru are closer to my own were as those of Dyak are more opposed to my own beliefs."

  "So you will most likely follow Pyru."

  "But, Who is to say I will follow either of the Brother Gods, or any God for that matter?"

  "I believe the fact that you have summoned me here answers that question. You do not want to follow a God for the sake of following a God, but you have been intrigued by the faith of those around you and so you have begun to seek knowledge to make an educated decision. Again what Pyru would do if he were a mortal wizard I would think?"

  "One day I might find faith in one of the Gods, but I don't believe that I am ready yet. I will continue to do what I think is right, and may I not anger too many of the Gods in doing so." Anwar watched as Hyperian became worried. Hyperian's eyes were closed and he looked to be straining. "Hyperian, are you ok? What is it?"

  Hyperian relaxed and opened his silver eyelids. "Ah Pyru is already working to guide you. You will see soon enough. There is something of great evil coming. Your magic will be needed to stop it. Other Gods are sending their champions and they are being guided to you."

  "What is coming and who are these champions?"

  "That is all that Pyru has given me to tell you, but I believe he will show you more as he sees fit. You may call on me again Anwar Alamira I find you interesting and pleasant, but I believe you must take the time to process and figure some of this out for yourself before you can figure out anything beyond what we have discussed."

  "Thank you Hyperian, you have been pleasant and helpful. You have answered many of my questions and left me to ponder over the questions I still have unanswered. I release you back to the heavens." With that Hyperian disappeared in a puff of silver and blue smoke. Leaving the mortal plane, and returning back to the planes of the heavens.

  Anwar walked out of the summoning chamber, and headed across the city toward the little house that he shared with Mariah and Grizzle. When he walked in he found Grizzle drinking dark ale, and throwing a small axe across the room at a large wooden board with circles painted on it. Anwar just shook his head and walked toward the stairs.

  "What are you shaking your head at magic man? Grizzle Thizzle's aim is true. Takes more ta make me miss then a brew or two." He swallowed down the thick dark liquid then slammed the cup down on the table. Just then there was a loud rumble from outside that shook the whole house. Then they heard the horns from the walls. The city was being attacked. Mariah came running down the stairs. Even in her haste and knowing the city was under attack, Anwar couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. Her curly dark brown hair was cut short at her shoulders, she was lean and muscular, but still feminine. The thing that Anwar could never get away from were her eyes. With those big dark brown eyes Anwar felt like she was looking through him and touching his soul. Mariah finished strapping on her swords and grabbed her bow.

  "Well, what are you looking at? Let’s go." Anwar grabbed his staff and took off out the door toward the city’s main gate, Mariah and Grizzle following closely behind. "This is the second attack on the city in two months. What is causing all of these evil creatures to come out of there holes at one time?" Mariah said.

  "Ah you should be excited long legs. We kill monsters and they keep coming to us. Makes our job a lot easier ya ask me."

  "It’s not the attacks I’m worried about. There’s something bigger going on. Evil is brewing. I can feel it."

  "Let the evil brew, bring the monsters too. We’ll throw them all in a bloody stew. Grizzle thizzle axe in hand fighting next to the magic man." Anwar and Mariah both just smiled and shook their heads. The merriment was about to end though. They were a couple blocks from the main gate of the city. Soon they would be fighting for their lives to protect that city.

  Meanwhile there was another group of warriors who were about to enter the battle from a much different vantage point. Jabaal had seen the troll prints coming out of a forest a few miles before the group reached the city of Ambar. Judging by the prints there had to be at least a thousand of the beasts headed straight for Ambar. Following the trail straight for the city Jabaal, Navaeh, and Rundo immediately quickened their pace. Coming over the last hill before they reached Ambar they found the trolls they had been looking for.

  "I was wrong it’s not a thousand." Jabaal stated.

  "What? That’s at least a thousand." Retorted Rundo."

  "More than two thousand," Jabaal responded.

  "I’m a Halfling. This isn't how I’m supposed to die. I'm supposed to go out in a big fluffy bed. The only time that my people are taken violently is if they are caught borrowing a little too freely. "

  "None of us are going to die Rundo." Navaeh's responded.

  Rundo got down off of Bumbo who stayed where he was. A battlefield was no place for a Halfling, and even less of a place for a Halfling pony. Messah flew off of Rundo's shoulder and went to survey the orc army from above. Jabaal, Navaeh, Rundo, and Asser began moving in on the rear of the orc army from behind. Then they saw more than a dozen fire balls fly forth from the city incinerating nearly a hundred of the orcs. As they ran around frantically they caught the others on fire as well. One of the leaders finally took control and had the burning orcs cut down just as another wave of fire balls came forth from the city.

  "At least the city has strong defenses." Stated Rundo.

  "Stronger then you think. Those fire balls are all coming from one person. Wait till the other wizards in the city show up. I guess this is close enough. Better make our presence known before we catch a fire ball or a bunch of arrows coming our way."

  Lifting both of his swords, he crossed them above his head. "KALIME AQUIDA," a bright burst of light shot forth, and then his body and weapons began to glow with a blue essence. He heard Navaeh saying a prayer to her Goddess and then he watched as the ground in front of them ripped itself loose into a huge being, four paces tall it bent over near two large boulders picking up the first and throwing it a hundred paces to the back of the troll army, smashing the first few under it, and then rolling steadily for another thirty paces smashing a dozen more of the beasts. They we
re dead for the moment, they would rise again, however. It would take a long time before an orc returned from being smashed.

  After the second boulder was thrown by Navaeh's earth golem they began their own assault on the rear of the army. The earth golem charged into the hoard of orcs swinging his six foot long earthen arm smacking orcs back and forth. He could take them out of the fight, but he was unable to kill them. The only real way to kill them was with fire. Asser entered the fray leaping off his powerful rear legs, the wolf leapt into the battle. Landing on the back of the first orc he tore out its throat leaping away before it even fell to dig its claws into the back of another. Another orc clumsily swung his sword at Asser who quickly leapt away. The orcs slash was already cleaving to the wolfs previous prey in half.

  Jabaal was the next to enter the fight. He spent much of his time training with his best friend Grizzle, and so much of his fighting style was similar to that of the dwarf. Instead of rolling into the fight however he leapt to the rear line of the trolls, landing in the midst of them he immediately shot both of his blades out to his sides dropping down to a knee and spinning. His tactic proved successful, and he quickly brought down six of the monsters who were now unable to rise, and quickly being engulfed in the blue flame of Kalime. Leaping away he prepared to repeat his attack again.

  Navaeh chose a less dramatic approach, moving straight toward the army she moved up behind the orcs who were distracted by a huge earth golem; a wolf, and the glowing paladin of Kalime. She went to work with her blessed staff, taking two of the orcs in the back of the head quickly they immediately burst into flame. Spinning around them she ducked a club aimed for her head slamming the end of her staff into its owner’s knee; dropping him to the ground and setting his body aflame. She continued working her way around to the rear of the army, making sure she would not be surrounded.

  Rundo chose another approach. He was no warrior and had no intention of charging in and dying a warrior’s death; he helped where he could from a distance. Staying about twenty paces behind the huge earth golem he began letting loose his daggers. Keeping eyes on his companions and sending his daggers into the face of any orc who looked like he might take one of his companions from behind. He was feeling quite safe in his current position, then something changed; one of the orcs leaders slammed its sword into the earth golems leg, as the leg collapsed the orcs saw their chance to charge forward. The golem threw its arms around frantically taking out a number of the orcs, but they succeeded in taking down its other leg, the golem fell. Orcs brought their makeshift weapons down as fast as possible, then giant earth golem was gone.

  The orcs turned on Jabaal and Navaeh. Boosted by the death of the giant golem they charged the humans. Navaeh being on the outside of the orc line was able to be pushed back striking at openings but focusing on defending. Asser leapt to her side and began attacking those who got to close. Rundo's daggers kept her in the fight. Jabaal however was slowing down he had killed dozens of the beasts but his arms were getting heavier and their fear of burning had been laid low, by the destruction of the golem. He couldn't simply back up, he was being attacked from all sides and they kept attacking in every direction. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep it up much longer. He leapt over the orcs toward the back of their line when he came down and was surrounded again. Unable to leap away he would have to fight his way out, he said what he believed would be his last prayer before he was summoned to Kalime.

  Anwar stood on the wall sending fire balls into the oncoming army of orcs. The other wizards would spend their time crying and coming up with a plan before they took any action. To Anwar anytime orcs were involved the plan was simple, send lots of fire at them. Mariah stood on the wall with her bow dipping each arrow in the oil before igniting it with a torch and sending it flying into the orc army. Vats of oil were being poured over the walls onto the invading army, and torches followed. The orcs were dying by the hundreds, but they brought thousands.

  Grizzle continued to complain. "Freaking long legs. Let’s open the gates, and have a real fight. They have me pushing over ladders and all sorts of nonsense, this is no way for a dwarf to fight." Anwar saw the blue flash of light that signaled that Jabaal had entered the fight hundreds of feet from the wall. Judging by the huge earth elemental he brought some friends. Then he saw the elemental fall and when he saw Jabaal's blue form leap away only to be surrounded again he knew it was time to take action.

  "Jabaal's in trouble" was all he said and then he teleported away.

  "Jabaal's in trouble the wizards said, time for Grizzle to crack some heads." With that Grizzle leapt over the wall falling twenty feet to the ground.

  "Grizzle NO!!!!" It was too late though, Mariah knew her only option was to follow him. She slung her bow, drew her swords, and leapt over the wall, altering her path slightly to catch up with grizzle. She followed his berserk trail protecting him from the rear as he sliced a path through the orc army.

  Jabaal had spun on his knee, and taken off an orcs leg, his sword had cleaved cleanly through and stuck into the thigh of the orcs other leg. Defending with one sword while he tried to free the other, he was unable to gain any ground and had to continue to fight from his knees. Finally the flames of his blade burned through the bone and he was able to free his blade. He brought both of his blades up just in time stop a huge club from slamming down on his head. Having both of his swords above his head he was unprotected from the sword that slid through his ribs and opening his lungs. Then he saw something appear in front of him and he was surrounded by a ring of fire that incinerated all of the orcs within fifteen paces. Anwar picked him up and carried him to where Navaeh and Rundo were fighting off the orcs. Navaeh slammed her staff into the ground and the earth opened a ten foot wide hole for thirty feet in front of her; swallowing all of the orcs in that area. She lifted her staff from the ground and the earth came back together closing itself. Anwar set Jabaal down, he could see where Grizzle and Mariah were, and they weren't going to make it in time. He disappeared, appearing in front of Mariah and behind Grizzle. He grabbed the back of Grizzle and took Mariah's hand in his, they disappeared and appeared and reappeared next to Jabaal and his companions.

  Thizzle appeared still swinging his axe. "Bloody wizard always keeping me out of the fight." He looked down and saw Jabaal. Mariah helped him. Filthy green blooded pigs poked my best friend. Grizzle's gone, get you for that."

  Mariah bent down and said a prayer to her Goddess. She placed her hands over the wound; the blood poured out of his lungs and then the wound sealed. "He'll be fine but he's going to be out for a while, we need to get back inside the walls." Anwar nodded.

  "Follow me." An eight foot high wall of flame stood up spreading eight feet wide in front of him. Mariah picked up Jabaal and they all followed Anwar as he walked back toward the city.

  "There you go again taking all the fun out of the fight long legs."

  Grizzle and the others held off the orcs that charged in from the sides as they all ran toward the gate. Rundo was in the back with Navaeh, Grizzle was running back and forth from side to side taking down every orc he could get close too. "Here piggy piggy."

  Rundo was letting his enchanted daggers loose in all directions, but he didn't see the one that came up right behind him. As the mangled weapon that would best be described as some kind of poorly made war hammer came in to smash the little Rundo the orc was slammed to the ground by a tiny pony who was fast in pursuit. Another orc came charging in at the pony, but its eye was taken out as Messah swooped down to save its friend. The group made its way to the gate where Anwar was about to turn his wall of fire around when he saw that Grizzle had leapt out away from the group and was spinning in a wild frenzy taking down orc after orc none were getting past him. The gate flew open and they all ran in while Grizzle continued his frenzy and Anwar threw a couple last balls of fire.