Dan's Wheel of Magic Ch. 2

They had to rest another day for Dan to recover. Another day and they had returned the living Golem, Anna, to her home.

Anna hadn't really wanted to stay though her people asked her to stay. Actually, they begged that she stay to help stabilize the village's magic.

Dan had a bit of wanting her to stay, himself, but he recognized that they needed her. With slightly drooped shoulders, he held his comments as they left.

They had turned toward the east as it was the indicated direction of the cat woman Danea's clan. Another two days and they arrived, though the presence of a human shocked and scared the clan. Just like with Anna's village, he had to wait outside the clan boundaries.

Dan could only shake his head as they left after a lot of tears and emotion from Danea. She also had wanted to leave with them. Like with Anna, the clan begged her to stay. They were more afraid of Dan than the Orcs.

Again, Dan shook his head at the huge amount of distrust of him and humans in general. They were just leaving the clan when they heard what, could only be a wailing coming from behind them.

Dan did his best not to turn around, feeling like the world's biggest shit. Like he had with Anna, he had gotten close to the cat woman. Though he felt bad, he felt that the females were better with their own kind.

They then turned more northeast toward the mountains. Though she'd not said much nor showed much of her emotions, Dan could feel the dark elf was upset.

They had entered a cave system the next day and continued on. At the end of the next day, they came to a bend that the dark elf, En'tra, stopped at.

"I am afraid, even with the fact that you saved my life, they won't accept you here. I will send you back to the entrance," En'tra said.

Dan bowed as he looked over the dark elf, a look of sadness on her face. "I," Dan started. "I will not forget you, En'tra."

"Nor did I, as with the others that you returned, felt that we owed you, our lives. It was a hard thing for you to return us, and we should be grateful. Perhaps one day we will be but I, for now? Will not," En'tra said.

She raised her hand as the shadows reached out for the twins, Light Elf and Dan. A few moments later they were standing outside the cave system, Dan shaking his hands.

What the hell he thought as he shook his hands again? All three of the females with him stared almost afraid.

"Dan?" Asked Bell, "What's wrong?"

"Not sure," he said as a small round area of darkness appeared in front of his hand. "What the hell!" Dan shouted as he flung his hands away from himself. The dark ball flew against the mountain side and exploded. "We need to go!" Dan said as they started to run.

They had made more than what Dan estimated half a mile away when he felt something. Not stopping, he had them keep going. Still, he felt something almost racing toward them.

Shit he thought, as they were out in the open. Whatever the hell was after them, it appeared to be closing the distance at a good clip.

Maybe fifteen minutes later, they heard something like the wind drawing close. Not close enough to the tree line, he stopped, urging them to continue on.

What he saw almost had him pissing his pants. Releasing a huge wave of water, it seemed to wash away about twenty of the fifty Dark Elfs that were after them. A second yielded no further results.

It was when Dan released a huge wave of flame that they all stopped abruptly. It also too0k out another twenty-five more.

Suddenly, a dry crackling voice sounded through the air. "Nir thalare? Ael'fel?" (What are you? A mage?)

Dan only looked at the five Dark Elfs that were keeping their distance.

The one in front sighed as it looked back at the others. "Bime i mornië. A hilde man knows vamme? Care- tye sinte hilde?" (By the darkness. A human who knows not? Do any of you know human?)

Dan had tried to bring up the dark ball again. His mouth dropped open as it fizzled out. Trying again, it was stronger but fizzled again.

OK, Dan thought he was starting to get mad. He'd just done this.

"You, come with. No ask," one of the younger Dark Elfs said.

Dan puffed his chest out, "NO!"

This, of course, caused the oldest to point a finger at Dan. This time, Dan was amazed when a dark shadowy patch appeared in front of him and hit all five of the Dark Elfs.

Damn it. Dan thought I wish I could understand them, just as suddenly what they were shouting came through.

{That was as powerful as a priestess! You can't beat that!}

{Silence, we have our orders, now then.} The oldest said.

This time, Dan pointed at the five as the oldest and two others were sucked into the shadows of the last two.

The last two were looking at Dan in shock as they slowly started to back away. {That was shadow step} said one.

{We need to report this to the clans. If a minor priest was dispatched this easily, we have a new powerful enemy.} The second said as they said as they both fled.

Dan looked at his hand as if it had performed a miracle. Tygan leaned to whisper to the twins. "That was dark magic you never told me that he knew of it."

"I'm not sure if he ever had any power before he came here," Ella said, then stopped at the look from Bell.

"Before he came here from where?" Tygan asked.

"From wherever the humans went to," Ella said, hoping that it would fool the light elf. However, it appeared that she wasn't as gullible as they thought she was.

Tygan shook her head as she turned towards Dan. "I suggest that we depart this area before they send more that have more power. I am surprised that you have dark power. No humans ever attempted to master or use it. There are stories of many that went mad and tried to murder a great multitude."

"I have no plans to go mad or murder a lot of people. At the moment I feel nothing of what you said," a now-worried Dan said.

Tygan nodded as she looked closely at Dan 'til he moved, feeling like she was looking into his soul. They picked up all that they had dropped and started to get out of the area quickly.

Within the Dark Elf clan area, the minor priest wasn't able to do any magic at all. Neither were the other two that were displaced with him.

En'tra the lowest high priestess, was listening to their story about meeting those that had attacked the mountain. The further they got into the story, the more she was convinced that it had been Dan.

She kept her face as close to emotionless as she could. When had Dan developed dark power? This was an oddity to be sure. With the problem that it suggested, the ultra-high priestess would send one of the lower priestesses. She didn't think they'd send her, though she was the lowest.

A few moments later she sighed as all ten of the highest priestesses withdrew to deliberate. The ten lower priestesses would know soon, she thought, as she went to her room to rest.

En'tra thought of the witches, cat woman and the Golem that had been with Dan. She even thought of the Light Elf, though she tried not to. What had been her name? Ah! Tygan, yes, that was its name.

This latest happening, though, was somewhat disturbing, especially if it dealt with Dan. She knew that what she, the cat woman and the Golem had, had to do was necessary. Still, she thought even the few days that they had shared with Dan made separation harder.

A thought came to her mind, perhaps she should go after this new enemy? If it was Dan, then she could reunite with him. Yes, she thought, though it would be a few days before the older priestesses decided. Enough time for her to completely recharge.

Dan had again started to feel the pull that was even stronger than it was before. Reaching out, he again tried to slap or punch whatever was trying to draw him to it or them.

Dan smiled as he thought he felt whatever it was yelling and yelping as the feeling dropped. At least he thought he'd have a rest.

Finally reaching the tree line, they made to disappear as fast as possible.

They had been traveling for three days without incident when they came upon a clearing. In the middle were several human-looking people, well he thought they were 'til Tygan corrected him.

"Those are Zombies we need to avoid," Tygan started, then stopped as several ghosts. No, these were emitting a low whine. Wraiths? Banshees? "Banshees, here," she said as she handed me ear plugs?

Damn, he thought, how am I supposed to talk to Tygan? A giggling, then two gasps sounded in my head, what the hell? This is thought talk, let's try to avoid them.

That's when he saw that, one of the ghostly things. Apparitions? Noticed him at least he thought it did as it opened its rather large mouth. Without thinking, Dan shot flames that engulfed all that were there.

This he thought had worked, then he saw that the wraiths were still there. Swallowing a gulp, he saw that the Wraiths were more than upset.

Dan thought that he was about to die as he opened another dark place behind the Wraith. It seemed as soon as the Wraith started to shriek, almost all of them had shocked looks on their faces.

Of the ten that were there, eight were suddenly drawn into the dark openings. The shreeking sounded far different as they were suddenly quieted.

Almost immediately, the last two moved away, then vanished.

Where did you send them? Came Tygan's shocked thoughts.

Send them? What are you talking about? I was worried, and I just wanted them to go away," Dan's thoughts said.

Tygan's hand came to her mouth as she gasped.

What's wrong came Ella's thoughts.

They... they are gone, they no longer exist. You literally erased them from existence! That is a dark priestess' power, how? Tygan asked. It is a horrible thing to happen even to a Wraith.

Dan lowered his head, "I am sorry. I was afraid that they would harm you or the twins. I will try to not use it again, though I will defend all of you.

Tygan gently raised Dan's head to look at her. I understand I am just in shock. I felt them fade 'til there was nothing. I have never felt that before. Although it was necessary, it was still horrible.

Dan pulled the ear plugs out, "I'd rather talk the thought thing is going to take a while to get used to."

Across the world, an elf king was suddenly knocked off his throne. "NO! What has happened?" He looked at his master at arms.

A magic user came running in at that, "sire they are no longer in existence! I felt them fade; it was horrible!" The mage was panting with tears coming from his eyes.

"Who has done this? They were only acting on orders. They didn't deserve to pass on, their punishment wasn't complete," the king said.

"Sire, I am unsure the last sight I had was of a human, but... but that's not possible! You yourself pushed the last few hundred thousand out," the Elfin mage said.

"I am well aware of what happened five centuries ago. I was there, you damnable twit!" the king snapped. "Leave me!" He shouted, clearing the throne room.

This was bad, he thought, could the humans have regained their magic and were coming back? Was this a precursor to an invasion? The king started to pace, he wished his queen was still here to help center him.

He had to have intelligence about this supposed human. If it was a human, and he had defeated a squad of his Wraiths? This was a powerful entity, he pulled up the last sights of the Wraith.

He watched in disbelief as what appeared to be a human incinerate a squad of zombies. Then he turned to decimate a squad of Wraiths. Wait, was that fire, great fire damn. A second attack? Was that dark destruction? This was no Dark Elf, and he was sure that they didn't impart their magic to others.

He rapidly called up his spy master, this needed to be addressed as soon as possible. A few moments later a female elf appeared cloaked in dark robes. Not much could be seen of her but her intense, glowing eyes.

"You called me sire?" she asked.

"I have an assignment for you, first watch this," the king said as he replayed the last sight of the Wraith.

At first, the spy master didn't react, that was 'til the human came into view. "A human?" she softly said, then her eyes rose in surprise when she saw the second attack.

"As you know, I drove the last of the humans through a portal. It had weakened so badly that I knew not where I sent them. Only that there were many humans there, primitive humans," the king said.

"You believe that they have regained their magic and are coming back?" the spy master asked.

"Yes, I want you to find out if this is a scout in preparation for invasion. After that, you may dispose of him as you see fit, hopefully extremely painful," the king sneered.

The spy master nodded, then seemed to vanish as if she were smoke. The king smiled, the spy master had never failed him, nor he felt she would now.

The spy master was already outside the palace, moving far faster than any other elf could. A beam of dim light beneath her feet would have her there in a day rather than almost seven days.

Dan was still confused as to why the twins came after him. The whole time they had been returning the other three, they hadn't said a word, for that matter, neither had Tygan. The worst thing about all of it, was that it was starting to bug the hell out of him.

He had already decided that as soon as they could, he was going to have a discussion with them. Why had they tried to kill him? What in the hell was Tygan here after that display about her brother?

No, something was up, and he was being kept out of it. That, of course, had him angry about all of it.

They finally stopped after almost constantly moving. He hoped that they were far enough away to be safe. Safe, he thought, that was something one could only dream of here. It seemed as if everything and everyone was out to end his life.

With a sigh, he finally sat to try and get a few answers. A turn toward Tygan had her somewhat flinching away from him. Damn now what he thought.

"Alright, I need answers. I'm starting with you. I feel that you are going to be far easier than my friends will be. Even though with them trying to kill me? I'm not so sure now," Dan said.

Both of the twins lowered their heads in what appeared to be shame. Ells and Bell started to open their mouths but stopped when Dan held up a hand.

"What can I help you with, Mister Mage," Tygan said, which almost infuriated him. This had her flinching away even more.

"Stop that," he almost yelled, then stopped. "After that display you made about your brother, I have to wonder why you are here?"

"Well Mister mage," Tygan started, then stopped at Dan's raised hand.

"Dan is my name, please use it OK?" Dan asked.

"I will try, Mister Dan," Tygan said, causing Dan to sigh. "I found out that you did a masterful job healing Elven. The healer had nothing to do, she said you did a very deep healing. Her words were truly masterful. I therefore pledge to aid you in what you have to do. I felt that you were a good soul, worthy of helping. I owe you a life as he would not have survived to seek healing."

Dan had to blink at Tygan's long explanation, then he had to shake his head. "You owe me a life? What does that entail?" Dan asked.

"For as long as I can, I will aid you in your endeavors. I will fight and, if necessary, die for you," Tygan said nonchalantly.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! I didn't mind helping your brother, I therefore don't require that you do this," a shocked Dan said.

Both the twins and Tygan stared at Dan, though for different reasons. The twins because of what she'd said, Tygan because that was just how things were.

"How in the hell can it be like that? This is nothing like," Dan stopped as he saw Ella making a slashing motion across her throat.

He frowned at her for a moment, then sighed again. "There's no way I can talk you out of it? I don't want you sacrificing yourself on my account," Dan said.

"I am not sure what this account you are talking about, but if you have another way out without it, then yes," Tygan said.

Dan could only shake his head; he really didn't have any idea what he was going to do with her.

He then turned toward the twins, which actually made them flinch. Damn, what the hell was actually happening?

"Now the two of you, why the hell did you two follow me? I left after you both tried to kill me. I got the message. I wasn't wanted, so I left, then I tried to disappear. The next thing I know is you show up while I am trying to rescue those three. Explain," Dan said, his arms crossed on his chest.

"We are under orders to wipe the memory of those who know we are what we are. The coven is extremely strict about that, though you were too strong to wipe. I panicked, I am so, so sorry. It wasn't long after you left that we discovered that we couldn't get back," Ella said.

Bell then took over, "We couldn't feel anything of home, nothing. That's when I felt home from you, or rather the doorknob. I remember that you put it in your pocket. As far as I know from what I felt. You are the only one that can use and manipulate it.

"That's when we decided to follow you, you are the only known way home. As much as we like it here and as powerful as we are, we want to go home," Ella said.

"You're still our best friend. Please believe us, we had no choice," Bell said in near tears.

"Here I thought that the magic coalition was strict. Your coven is tighter than anything I have ever heard of. Where are you from exactly?" Tygan asked.

"Not far from where Dan is from," Ella said before her sister or Dan could say.

"Well," Dan started, "it might be a while before we can do that."

"Why do you say that?" asked Bell.

Dan pulled the doorknob from his pocket, stuck it in the air and turned it. Absolutely nothing happened.

"It appears that we are stuck here 'til we or I accomplish whatever it is that we have to. At the moment though, I have no damn idea what the hell that is," Dan said.

All three looked at Dan as they saw a look of defeat. The twins could see that he was at a crossroad as he tried to figure things out.

It was three days later that En'tra was called before the senior priestesses. She stood there as the elders looked her up and down.

"We have decided that since you were recently outside that you should track and destroy this abomination. According to the minor priest, you are after a dangerous, what is this?! A human! Be wary as they were notorious for their trickery and filth. This was a sight, thought, of the alleged human," the head elder said.

En'tra bowed to the elders, doing her best not to smile. It was indeed Dan as she had thought several days ago. Still, she had to wonder how Dan had learned shadow step?

A smile came to her face as she thought of Dan. She forgot to hide her emotions as the elders thought she was eager to get started. "I will do my best or not return," En'tra said.

"As it should be, success to you priestess," the elder said as En'tra was gone in seconds.

En'tra felt the wind as she flashed across the landscape. Hmm, she thought, the trail was old and cold just how she liked it. She took after them as fast as she could go, a huge smile on her face.

Many miles from where the Elfin king was, a stirring in the mountains revealed a huge cave. Inside, a blue-scaled lizard with wings shook her head.

A look back saw another smaller lizard. "Gre'ta I need you to investigate the huge power and abrupt stoppage of life. Well such as it was."

The smaller red Lizard stretched her wings, "I will do all that I can to discover whatever it was. Do you wish me to eliminate it if it proves to be dangerous?" Gre'ta asked.

"No, this power and the abruptness of life cessation is far beyond your power; observe only," the larger Lizard said.

"It will be, as you say, Queen Ad'ella," Gre'ta said as she opened her wings to fly.

Taking flight, she signed the first mission she had for the Red Dragon clan, and she was being watched. She almost felt insulted. She had been training for over three hundred years, and they still treated her like a baby.

As she gained altitude, she wondered what was going on. This was the most worried that she'd ever seen the queen be. A smile crept on her face, perhaps they weren't babying her after all.

She headed in the general direction that the queen had given her. Another thought came to her: If the queen was that worried? Then it was perhaps the most dangerous mission they had ever given her.

As high as she was, she could see the area she was heading to. Even flying it was still quite a few hours away.

Below her, she saw the streak of something moving extremely fast. Though at the moment she was unconcerned, still, it appeared to be a Drow. Out here? What was going on?

Another look at the area she was heading to, she saw another quick movement, something. Huh, she thought, strange things were occurring today, the second she couldn't, as it was still far off.

They were just starting to finish the meal when all three of his companions sat up. "Shit, this is bad," Ella said.

"Yes, I am feeding two heading this way, not with good intentions. They have a great deal of power," Tygan said. "Against one of them you'd have a chance, not both, What?" Tygan turned skyward. "Dear goddess a Dragon." She looked at Dan and the twins, "where in the name of the goddess are you from?"