Chapter 6: The Ruins

 

            The ruins were no more than a few piles of deteriorating rubble and a room or two appeared to be intact, huddled together as cold, rickety people do in a storm. The once majestic gate looks as though it rotted away many years ago and all that remain are corroded stubs of silver from the hinges that have long since been plundered from the site. After tying their horses in a secluded spot and then they started in to the ruins.

            “This goes to show that something good and majestic will not survive the evils of the world without goodness to defend it.” said Kawn as they passed through the gate. A moldy smell greeted them at the door.

            Just as they were about to enter the once grand castle a revenant jumped out of the shadows and struck Balder with it's poisonous fist. He lost conscientiousness as the battle started. Roabla started fidgeting with an old rusty brazier while Tolea started treating Balder's affliction. Kawn, in a furious rage, struck the revenant with a tremendous force that knocked it down. As Kawn brought his sword around again he lacerated the revenant’s chest open and removed the right arm of the revenant from the elbow down. The revenant howled wildly as Roabla finally lit the brazier.

            “He is calling for specters! Finish him now!” shouted Roabla. All the brothers that could fight proceeded to hack, slice, thrust and chop until the revenant ceased to move. As the group turned around they saw a huge pillar of fire.

            “What the hell is that?” screamed Dofert to the enchanter.

            “It is a fire…” started Roabla who was suddenly cut off by a booming voice.

            “I am Gregor, the great and all-powerful fire elemental!” replied the column of fire as it took the shape of a man.

            “You are a what?” inquired Dofert.

            “I am a fire elemental and I sense evil approaching so I will give you a small demonstration of my power. I will take the form of a flaming Balrog for this job.” said Gregor as he assumed the form. Everyone quickly ducked behind some nearby rubble.

            “Where are the humans we are to kill?” inquired the specters.

            “Leave here now or deal with my master... THE RULER OF HELL!!!” commanded Gregor in a deep, sincere, chaotic voice. The specters took heed of the false warning and continued on their way looking for other victims. “How was that human?”

            “Excellent!” said Dofert.

            “I am glad you approve human” replied Gregor.

            “Thank you for your assistance, but it is time to go now Gregor.” said Roabla as he dismissed Gregor who sadly returned to his plane of existence.

            “Roabla, come quickly!” said Tolea from a crouched position beside Balder. Roabla hurried over as he fumbled in his pouches to reveal a flask of glowing liquid. He crouched down and opened the flask.

            “Two drops ought to cure him.” said Roabla as he dipped his first finger in to the glowing concoction. “One... Two, There we go. That should do the trick.” He pulled Tolea back away from Balder. His body rose in the air until it was three feet above the ground. The group stared as a green liquid oozed from the wound and was stitched up by magic strands. Roabla quickly placed an open jar on the ground to catch the liquid. After the liquid finished draining into it Roabla placed the cap on it and quickly tucked it away as Balder slowly drifted back down to the ground. When he awoke he sat up and grabbed his head.

            “What happened?” asked Balder when he realized that everyone was looking at him.

            “Something attacked us from behind, it struck you then you just turned around and hacked it to pieces right over there.” said Kawn as he pointed to a butchered revenant.

            “I did?!” said Balder with disbelief.

            “No, we did it. Kawn was just saying that so that you would not feel bad!” said Dofert snidely.

            “Thanks Dofert!” said Kawn sharply as he help his brother Balder to his feet. Taran having knowledge of revenants, dismembered the eye and hands then he smashed the skull under a large rock nearby.

            “What did you do that for? It was dead.” said Kawn to Taran.

            “I had to destroy those parts before morning or they would have become odics.” explained Taran. “Now let us do what we came to do.”

            They entered through the crumbled and well-rotted door into a hall that had a dull brassy door at the end of it. Kawn pulled out the box that Tyrovian had given him and opened it. He removed the scroll and the carved stick from the box. He read the scroll and did what it said. “Locktenatum sebo necro sect in atorum!” said Kawn as he threw the stick. The stick paused in mid air and then drifted towards the brassy door. The group forced the old door open and it creaked as it turned on its rusted, dust covered, ancient hinges. Once they passed through the door they surprisingly found themselves on the other side of the ruins.

            “The door went to nowhere. I could tell that it was just a story when the old man started telling us his story.” grumbled Dofert with dismay. “The whole thing is just a big h...o...a...x?” Another door appeared before them. Once they passed through the door they found themselves in a room with glyphs covering the walls. In the middle of the room was a throne with dais stairs ascending to meet the platform that it rested on. In the throne sat the skeleton of the Lord of Effreti holding the scepter. Kawn approached the bottom of the stairs and knelt before the throne.

            “I have come for your scepter Your Highness.” said Kawn respectfully signaling for the group to kneel.

            “Come forward and receive it with honor brave warrior.” creaked the skeleton with its rotted, toothless jaw. Kawn stepped forward to receive the scepter. As he touched it, he felt its raw awesome power surge into him. “If your heart is pure it will help you.” said the skeleton. Kawn knelt in respect for the Lord of Effreti and turned down the stairs. No sooner had he reached the bottom had the skeleton fell to the ground with a clangor that startled the few solitary bats that dwelled on the ceiling.

            “I wonder what he meant by that?” said Kawn as he grabbed the floating stick, returned it to the box and tucked it in his pocket.

Author's Note

taking suggestions on storyline here to expound upon existing text