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《Sylvaria Online Book 1: Split》Chapter 12: A Wizard's Final Spell

Chapter 12

A Wizard’s Final Spell

-Andrew-

Fear ran through me as the dark-skinned woman raised her hand, full of black fire. While I didn’t fully comprehend the dark flame the drow woman held in her hand, I understood the sense of immense danger coming from her. Using my sense ability, I surveyed the other drow, but was unable to distinguish the difference in danger they posed from any of them. I braced myself seeing her confident smile as she flung the dark flame from her hand towards the wizard. The room brightened considerably despite the color of the flame as it smashed into the wizard’s shield causing it to hum loudly as the dark fire stuck to it. A wave of heat rolled from the shield as it flashed from the strain of repelling the dark fire. The wizard closed his eyes, smashing his staff into the floor with a powerful strike; his shield growing brighter, pulsating outward as he poured more power into it.

“James, I think you should hide just in case.”

“Hide,” James whispered next to me.

I nodded my head to the empty space where I knew James crouched, satisfied that he would be ok no matter the outcome. Thoughts of how to escape began to run through my head as it became more apparent there was no way for me to assist. My eyes scoured the large circular area looking for any other exit; lingering on two large doors, spaced equally apart, leading into the area directly behind the great circular hall. It was not lost on me that hordes of goblins and gray giants blocked our path to either door. Seeing no other path out of the great hall, I looked behind me to the large block of ice now covering the old side entrance, knowing no part of me had the ability to break through this thick and un-melting barrier erected by the wizard.

I turned my attention back to the wizard, white light still pulsating as the fire crept its way around the shield, threatening to cover every inch. Goblins and gray giants alike had long since moved away from the wizard as the black fire emitted waves of unbearable heat, threatening to burn everything in the room. The horde of goblins continued to ebb away from the black fire and anticipation built inside of me, leaving me with no doubt that we would be found once their attention was removed from the wizard.

Without warning, black fire flew in every direction, causing screams and shouts to erupt from the horde as the globs of fire landed all around. Eventually, the shield around the wizard became visible once more, leaving no doubt that he managed to deflect the black fire. As the wizard came into view again, a sense of hope welled up within me. Large cracks were visible in the wizard’s shield, but as the he tapped his staff on the floor, they began to diminish; leaving him pale and panting. My mind raced for any option to help the wizard, but I knew deep down there was little to be done since James and I would struggle against any one of these creatures, let alone an entire horde.

I watched in amazement as the wizard raised his staff, sweat dripping down his brow, yet bright white lightning raced up his staff, sending shimmering waves of light throughout the room. I squinted, raising my arm to block the radiant blinding light, as it began to leave dots across my vision. A resounding thunderclap sent a shockwave throughout the room as the lightning continued to build at the tip of the wizard’s staff, sending all creatures to the floor. Even the drow lost their footing in the presence of such might with only the lead drow seemingly unfazed by this forceful reverberation.

I recovered from the explosive force of the lightning and turned my attention towards the lead drow, anticipation building as I began to sense hope at the wizard’s victory. The drow, seeming to take the wizard more seriously, frowned as she closed her eyes in concentration. A dark black and green sheen of magic sprouted from her feet, quickly reaching towards her upper body. Mere seconds, that felt like an eternity, passed as the entourage of drow recovered and followed the leader’s que, forming magic shields. Their eyes remained closed as the wizard’s face set into one of determination, gripping the staff with both hands while slowly raising it into the air. As his arms extended fully, he gave a loud shout, quickly pointing the staff towards the group of female drow at the entrance. Coruscating white light arced in every direction, starting from the tip of the staff that now glowed with a blinding white light.

Reticulating tendrils of lightning slammed into everything nearby, causing me to duck as rogue strands of lightning smashed into the statue in front of me. A blinding light filled the room as more thunderclaps resounded with the impact of the lightning, which seemed to begin focusing solely on the five drow women. The drow braced against the impact of the lightning, arms raised in front of their faces as the fingers of lightning licked at their defensive shields. Small booms resonated throughout the grand hall as more and more snaking strands of lightning impacted each drow. Sensing impending danger from the effects of the massive spells being thrown back and forth, I began to imagine the most protective version of my shield I could imagine. While not taking my attention from the drow even as they were being pummeled by the unforgiving onslaught of magic from the wizard, I slowly began to let the magic well within myself.

Lightning began to focus on one of the drow as her magic shield began to fail, opening pockets in her defense. The lightning was relentless and unforgiving, finding each hole in the drow guard’s defensive shield; cooking her alive. The magic continued to build inside of me, but I refused to let go as I feared I was nowhere near strong enough to stop even the weakest of stray strands of lightning. A tingling sensation came over my body from the build-up of magic as I watched a second drow fall to her knees, smoke rising from her now unprotected skin. I began to feel a sense of optimism, seeing the wizard beginning to take the drow down one by one.

This misplaced hope faded as quickly as it appeared as the wizard’s lightning spell ceased suddenly, causing him to drop to his knees; only being held up by his hands that barely maintained a grasp on his staff. He panted heavily, staring at the floor, appearing as if he lacked the energy to do anything else. Doom crept into my chest as I watched the remaining 3 drow prepare their counterattack. The wizards shield blinked slowly, eventually fading into nothingness.

“It seems you’ve used the last of your magic in a futile attempt to extend your life, wizard.” The lead drow said, smiling.

Saying nothing, the wizard continued to stare at the ground, panting as he struggled to regain his composure. The lead drow summoned another fist-full of black fire, letting it build as her guards put their arms behind their back, ignoring their fallen comrades. The feeling of magic swelling within me became almost too much to bear as I stared wide-eyed anticipating the final attack. As I felt the growing strength with each passing moment, I watched, horrified as her dark magic flame grew even larger than last time. As the magic within me peaked, I became nervous; knowing I would cause unwanted attention by releasing all of my magic, even if just for a shield.

“Once I have taken back Lloth’s gift, I will end this poor excuse for a city before sunrise. Know that you struggled in vein. I do so love you humans and your struggling attempt to resist our might.”

The drow lowered her hand towards the wizard as she finished her taunt, releasing an epic torrent of black fire in his direction. There was no doubt that I would be found once the wizard’s life ended. With the pain of my pent-up magic being more than I could bear, I released every ounce in hopes that I could somehow help the wizard and extend the last moments of both of our lives.

You Have Learned A New Spell: Major Shielding

I ignored the new indication, simply relishing in the relief and newfound exhaustion as all of the built-up magic left my body, forming an iridescent dome around the wizard. The shield snapped into place, continuing to draw from every part of my body, causing me to focus as darkness crept in around all sides of my vision. An endless wave of dark fire spread around the new shield, immediately causing cracks to appear. Surprised, the wizard turned his head in my direction; a look of determination on his face as we made eye contact. The three drow women immediately turned their heads towards me, anger apparent on their beautiful faces. My heart sunk as more of the various creatures in the room followed their gaze; their eyes now resting on me.

One of the gray giants nearest me turned his body in my direction slowly, with an expression as if it were the last to learn of something important. The giant roared defiantly, having noticed that there was another human present for it to smash. Pounding footsteps grew closer, sending vibrating waves as it neared my position.

“Seek!” James yelled, surprising every creature nearby.

James’s stealth spell dropped as he landed on the giant’s foot, stabbing as fast as his small arms would allow. A roar burst from the giant’s mouth as he bent forward, grasping at the small elusive boy. Horrified, my attention split between James and the wizard as we both viewed the unexpected turn of events. The wizard stood as the cracks around my shield spread rapidly; giving off a fading light with every new crack. He dropped his staff, raising both arms above his head as he closed his eyes. Waves of force spread through the entire hall, emanating from the wizards up-raised hands; immediately shattering my shield and blasting the dark fire away.

A globe of fire spread heat throughout the ranks of goblins and gray giants alike, sending waves of heat unlike anything I had ever felt. I raised my arm to block some of the scalding heat from my face as the globe grew in size, raising the intensity of the heat with each passing second. Spent of all magic, I collapsed to the floor, holding myself up with the smallest amount of strength left in my body. My attention moved back to the gray giant as James continued to run around its legs, dodging every grabbing attempt. The goblins nearby did nothing to help the giant; fearing only for their safety as the giant used both hands to swing in wide arcs around itself.

“Fools! Don’t just stand there! The wizard is using his soul spell!” The lead drow screamed, as all of the drow flung various magic at the wizard desperately.

The entire horde of goblins and giants who previously shied away from the wizard’s power began to rush forward, in small groups at first. I watched as the giant orb diverted all of the drow’s magic towards it, rendering it useless. As I struggled to keep my eyes open, I winced as the first group of goblins to reach the wizard were incinerated, not having the chance to touch him. The wizard seemed relaxed, void of all emotion as he closed his eyes and continued to pour whatever strange magic he had left into the now enormous orb of fire; now looking eerily similar to a star. While my eyes did not want to leave the wizard and all of his glory, I forced myself to look back towards the giant and held my breath.

James, ever fearless, was now using his daggers as picks to climb up the massive creature’s back. My eyes, threatening to pop out of their sockets, bulged in horror as James swung each time the giant reached behind his back; narrowly missing the massive arms. Knowing my magic was completely used up, I could only watch in horror as James reached the neck of the massive creature.

“I..am..the..best!” James yelled, stabbing the massive giant’s neck to the beat of each word.

I stared, dumbfounded as the giant let out a desperate roar; quickly turning into a gurgle as it choked on its own blood. The giant leaned forward slowly, dropping its arms as it fell forward; creating a dull thud as it smashed into the floor. I stuttered like an idiot, unable to comprehend whether I should yell at James or praise him. I settled for resting my head on the cold marble floor silently, dumbfounded and out of energy. Darkness crept into the middle of my vision as James ran towards me, smiling like an idiot.

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