Dan's Wheel of Magic Ch. 5

I looked at Tygan as I said in a very tired voice, "I got a message when I finished, {you have now earned the spell shield of light.}

Tygan nodded to him as they continued to the make-shift hut. "As was explained before, all forms of magic have a shield in the more advanced levels of that aspect."

"I can see now that I am going to have to train a lot more before I use that," I said.

"I agree," Tygan said. "As far as I know, it uses a lot of energy to maintain the spell. I have also heard that it is one of the strongest shields of all the magic aspects.

Huh, I thought so, I'd finally be able to protect all of us. The problem was that if it took a lot of energy, I was going to have to gain far more. No use having it and not being able to use it, I thought.

Yeah, I thought as I felt my body it felt drained. Why, I thought, did I always gain after I was so drained?

Dan wasn't sure just how long he was out. The sun was up, way up, damn how long was he out. A blonde head poked in the door. "Well, about time you got up," Ella, he thought it was, said.

"How long was I out?" Dan asked.

"Not all that sure, it was almost twelve as in noon," Ella said. "Did you use that much energy?"

Dan tried to sit up, then fell back. "Yeah, I think I did."

Tygan and En'tra both entered the hut with something to drink. "This ought to help," both the Elves said.

Dan just stared at the dark-skinned and light-skinned females. He took both the cups offered and watched as the two looked daggers toward each other.

"Enough, if I am going to survive, I am going to need both of you. Actually, I need all of you, so quit the squabbling," Dan said.

Both of the Elves started to open their mouths, then snapped them shut immediately. Dan drank both (they were horrible) then got up to go outside.

The large leader wolf looped up to Dan and slightly bowed to him. "You have given new life to the pack. If you ever have a need of us, you call."

Dan nodded to the leader wolf as the others took down the hut, and they all headed out. They had guides back out to the road as they then continued north.

Dan could still feel the pull he had before, though now it was stronger. He still thought it was wrong to go to it but thought that the twins might have a point.

They had been going for almost a day when they came to the seaside. At a great distance, they saw that there appeared to be someone at the edge of the water. They also appeared to be in trouble.

The closer they got, the more it appeared to be a woman tangled in a net. They were almost to her when she started to hiss and growl at them. That was 'til she got a good look at Dan.

They had stopped several meters from her. She was staring at Dan as if she'd seen a ghost. She tried to speak but only admitted high piercing squeals.

After, they had their hands over their ears 'til she stopped a minute later. They lowered their hands as she started to hum.

"Are you a human?" she asked in a high voice. "It has been a very long time since one was seen."

Dan nodded, "I am, who are you?"

"I am Marlena, I am honored to see a human," she said.

"Your people aren't afraid of humans?" Dan asked.

"No, unlike the Elfs, we are grateful to the humans. Without them, we would not exist anymore. We are always glad to see them," Marlena said.

"Would you like some help, young lady?" Dan asked.

Marlena blushed, "I am only two hundred very young, thank you sir, I would appreciate the help."

He saw that Marlena was a little pale, so he thought about it and changed his fresh to salt water. Splashing her he heard her sigh in relief. Less than two minutes and she was free.

"Thank you, Sir, I will let the kingdom know that there is a human here. I am sure they will want to assist you. Thank you for saving me," Marlena said, then swam off.

Dan just shook his head; he needed to find out what the hell was going on. They then started to follow the seashore further on.

They were a day further when both the twins and the Elves jerked, looking back. "Is your Shadow Shield wearing off?" En'tra asked. "I am feeling that the two behind us are starting to advance faster."

Dan cast the shadow spell again all around them. He wasn't sure if they had time to get away. According to his companions, they were close.

He shook his head as he pulled the shadows around them, as they were vanishing, he saw a huge, scaled reptile flying their way. He almost forgot to step into the shadows as it raced toward him.

They emerged near the wolf pack area. He shook my head as he pulled again, and they were where the three females had been prisoners. The camp was in tatters; the cages were well rusted. En'tra growled as Dan apologized. Again, he pulled, and they appeared outside of Danea's village again.

They were closer than Dan wanted to be. They were moving away as fast as they could when Dan heard a shout. Dan turned to see a huge smiling Danea.

"Each time I see you, I think it is the last time I will. I wish that I could go with you," here, she sighed. "The clan needs me far more than my desire."

Dan looked at the sad look on her face as he wished she could go with them also. "I am sorry we can't stay, we or, rather I, apparently, have a Dragon after me."

"A Dragon? Perhaps I should go with you after all. I've had dealings with them before it might help," Danea said.

"That would be wonderful though. I know family comes first," Dan said. "Especially as badly your clan needs you."

"Yeah, I know, still if I can leave I will. You obviously need more help," she then stood on tiptoes and kissed Dan's lips with great passion. "I still owe you my life and I pledge that I will pay it," this, Danea whispered, shocking Dan.

Dan could shake his head in shock, why did they think that they owed him a life? He had been happy to free them or help, to him, they owed him nothing.

Far to the north, Gre'ta and the Light Elf assassin could only stare. The place where the human and his companions had stepped into the shadows showed no residual energy.

Gre'ta and the assassin were even more confused; the very weak readings they got were a huge distance away. This was an indication that they were further than a day away.

They talked together for a few minutes, then went aways apart.

Gre'ta concentrated calling the image of Queen Ad'ella. Gre'ta bowed, then waited.

"Arise child," Ad'ella said.

"My Queen," Gre'ta said. "Each time we got close to the party I am after vanished. This last time, I was almost upon them when the human wrapped the shadows around them and vanished."

"Shadow step," the Queen said, "Has the human used any other?"

"Mam, the human, seems to have cloaked his party somehow. We cannot detect them but at very low energy times," Gre'ta said.

"Dear, the human has advanced to the start of the mid-range spells. Now more than ever, we have to proceed with caution. I dare say that his power is approaching being equal to yours," the Queen said. "It appears that it can use the Shadow Shield. "Might I suggest that you try to talk to the human, go in slow and try to get a bead on him."

Gre'ta's eyes went wide, equal to hers? For the first time, she was actually gonna meet a worthy opponent.

"How much damage will I take?" Gre'ta asked.

"As we feared, it is a four caster, though it is not to the point of overpowering you, it is close. Please proceed with care, we haven't lost an agent in almost five hundred years. Let's not add one to break that record," the Queen said.

"I will do my best, my Queen," Gre'ta said as she bowed, then the vision faded.

Gre'ta shook her head as she slightly shuddered in excitement. A caster that is at here level? This assignment was becoming more than exciting.

On the other side of their encampment, the Light Elf was having a harder time of things.

"Why in the seven hells, are you contacting me? You are working with a dragon, not even I, with my power, would attempt to go against it," the Light Elf snarled at her.

"It appears that the human can step into the shadows to escape. No matter how stealthy we are, they seem to detect our approach," the assassin said.

"Shadow step, interesting. Reports say that when he was first seen, he was only a two caster, fire and wet water. It seems that he hasn't developed ice yet. There is still a chance you can kill him. I want this human as dead, as soon as you can. You have never failed me before, assassin, finish this," the Elfen king spit.

"You know the price if you fail, if you do not return. I hope that you remember this," the king said with an almost sneer on his face.

"I remember my family, I know of their plight, sir," the assassin said, then the king broke the connection.

The assassin shook her head; the king was starting to seem more and more insane.

Here she thought that he was acting in a long-forgotten blood feud. No to her, this went far beyond this.

The simple fact that he hadn't a care for her life was even more disturbing. She was starting to think, if the human could free her and those imprisoned? She would follow him 'til such time as she expired.

For now, though, she had to do as the insane-sounding king said. Like every mission she had done for him, this was finish or die, one way or the other.

She started to cast a detection spell that was far stronger than any other most had. Hmmm she thought, they were further south than she had thought. Obviously, the human was far stronger than they had thought.

She stood there for a few more moments as she went through her arsenal. She had already removed and stored all her killing weapons. She had shifted to less lethal, sleep-inducing weapons.

She wanted to know what this human had done to incite the wrath of the king that he had. Perhaps just perhaps, with this information she might have more to use against the king.

Well, that, and if the human was an actual multi-caster? Then he could really help her to freedom more than any that had ever tried.

Gre'ta and the assassin met a few minutes later back in the clearing.

They both had a look of apprehension when they caught sight of each other.

"I take it that it wasn't good news from home?" the assassin asked.

"As I can see that the news from your home is indeed grim," Gre'ta said. "I am sure that you know that I am here to capture the human. Just as if the stories are to be believed, you have been ordered to kill it. I can imagine that this conflict of interests will weigh heavy later on."

The assassin wasn't surprised she had heard that the network the Dragons had. It was far beyond almost anything she had seen. Almost, her own network was just as good, she had even garnered information on the Dragon and the hierarchy.

The assassin smiled, yes, she had the information, though there was no way to act upon it, yet. "So, Queen Ad'ella still wishes to capture and study the human. I can see that she has informed you that his power is almost as strong as yours."

All this caused Gre'ta to be startled for a moment, a bit unsettling but not unexpected.

The assassin smiled that she had momentarily shaken the Dragon, though only a moment.

"The fact that you are privy to that information tells me that you can only be the Master Assassin, Kim'ta," Gre'ta said.

Kim'ta bowed low, never taking her eyes off the dragon, "at your service," the Light Elf said snidely.

Both the females faced off against each other across the clearing. "So, since we both have nothing to lose, how should we proceed?" the assassin said.

"As far as I am concerned, you aren't a threat against me, except when dealing with the human. I cannot allow you to end his existence, therefore I will end you if I have to," Gre'ta said.

"I will tell you that my oath does not allow me to, not finish this. I therefore cannot allow you to deny me the kill," Kim'ta said, with equal conviction.

Gre'ta got a smile on her face as she nodded, "Then for the moment we can agree to disagree."

Kim'ta nodded her head as the both of them took off farther south.

Dan decided that they needed other directions to go to if and when they had to escape again. They bid a much sadder Danea goodbye again as they turned east.

They hadn't gotten more than a few miles when they saw the trail of something very large. A few more miles and they came upon a cave that was saturated with the smell of death.

The Elves stopped and backed off a bit, then En'tra whispered, "I fear that we have come upon a troll. We need to leave before it detects," it was at that moment that not one but two appeared. They were over twelve feet tall, with yellowish skin, and a smell that had Dan wanting to vomit.

They had a rotting smell coming from them but not as bad as their breath. They were both sniffing the air, then they both turned toward where they were hiding.

The one in the lead started toward them roaring. Dan hit it with all the dark spells, then the fire spells. Both barely slowed the troll. He then hit it with water wave, washing it off its feet.

The troll roared in anger as it jumped to its feet trying to charge them. Dan switched to water flood as an enclosed area of water filled around the troll past its head.

Dan kept an eye on the other troll as it also started to charge. Bringing his other hand up, he also surrounded the other. He kept at it 'til the first stopped moving.

It was at that moment that Dan noticed that the second wasn't slowing like the first. He then started to add pressure as more water went into the same area.

Dan noticed that the second troll had started to try and batter its way out. This caused Dan to increase the pressure of the water, he was holding a lot of water within.

When the troll tried to scream, Dan knew that he'd won. A few moments later he saw the entire troll start to compress into a bloody mass of pulp.

He almost lost the containment when the troll screamed, then there was nothing but a mangled body of pulp. It was a bit difficult to release it as the pressure wasn't that easy to dismiss.

Finally, it dispersed what was inside, falling with a wet splatting sound. Dan had to turn away as he lost what he'd eaten not long ago.

He stumbled back into the clearing, damn he thought I think I, that's when he got another message. {you have now earned the spell ice.}

OK, he thought that was interesting. He'd have thought it would be another aspect. Then he shook his head as he felt stupid ice/water same aspect different forms.

He swayed a few more moments, then sat as he felt his energy start to build. This was new and welcomed. He was tired of being knocked out when he gained a new power.

He saw that the four females were looking at him. "Are you all right?" Ella asked.

Dan was about to speak when he felt a surge of power, suddenly feeling a lot better.

"Ah, I see that your body's self-healing has started. That makes recovering a fair bit faster," En'tra said.

"It appears I gained the spell ice, it also appears to be the lowest of the ice spells," Dan said.

Bell nodded as she said, "that might explain it." Dan had a look of confusion. "it is the start of the second form of my aspect. I believe it is the only one that has two. I am not high enough yet for it."

Dan nodded though, he really had no idea just what the hell she was talking about. All the knowledge he'd gained so far hadn't shown him anything about this.

Dan then tried to walk closer but found that he couldn't reach the mouth of the cave. The odor wafting from inside was far worse than it had been.

Dan had even tried to tie something over his mouth and nose. It hadn't even slowed the permeating smell as he got closer. He thought about it for a few minutes, then tried to cast water wave. It actually helped a bit, but the odor was still extremely strong.

Dan thought about it, then he cast a shield of light. At first, it was in front of him, allowing him to the mouth of the cave. Then the odor crept around the edge, causing him to nearly gag. Back with the others, he cast it again, this time it curved beside and above him.

This time he made it to the cave mouth and a foot inside. He was backing out as he started to cough deep in his chest. He was again back with the others.

"You almost have complete control, though, as I warned you, it takes a lot of energy," Tygan said.

Dan cast it a few more times 'til it completely enveloped him. He had to sit as the spell drained him quickly. A moment later he received a new message.

{congratulations your magic mana has almost tripled} Dan's mouth dropped open as he re-read the message a few times.

All four of the females were concerned when Dan's face twisted into concern them surprise.

"Dan?" Ella said. "Something happen?"

At first, Dan nodded, then looked at all four of them. "The message I just got says that my magic mana almost tripled." He looked in and saw that it had gone from 150 to 400. He still had to figure out how long he could hold the shield.

He looked at the four females, then tried to cover all of them. He sighed when he and two others were covered.

"I'm going to leave the two of you here," he said to Bell and Ella. "I am sure that there are items that the other two will know what they are. Plus, we need to move as quickly as we can."

Both of his friends nodded then kissed him, shocking him. "Be careful," the both of them said.

"As we said before, we like the power, but we'd still like to go home," Ella said as they both then hugged him.

"If you see anything that is important, guide me there, grab it, then we move on quickly," Dan told the Elves as they nodded.

Dan cast the shield, then they moved in. Dan saw that his mana was dropping, though not too bad.

The horror of mangled, rotten bodies piled on each other, almost turned Dan's stomach again. They started going through weapons that were thrown against the walls.

En'tra was shocked to find a dark prism weapon that responded to her. Tygan found a Light Elf sword as well as two magic staffs for fire and water.

Both Elves gasped as they discovered a sword that, knocked both of them on their asses when they tried to grab it.

"I believe that it is meant for you Dan," En'tra said.

Dan looked at the sword as he gingerly touched it. The sword immediately seemed to be sucked into his grasp. Immediately a message appeared {you have gained the indestructible human sword of power.}

Both of the females gasped as Dan started to glow with an almost ethereal look. Dan shook his head as he thought, I can't use a sword.

Oh, but you can, Lord Dan. I can feel the nobility that flows through your veins. For a very long time I have languished here awaiting you. You are the destined one to right the wrongs that were perpetrated against humanity and your family.

Dan held the sword back from him as what the sword had thought to him hit. Nobility? Him? He was nothing never had been, nor would he be.

You are the destined one. I am only to allow those of royalty; those destined to touch and use me. I have felt that within you, though I can see that we have a lot of work before we are ready. Believe me, Lord Dan, all the suffering that you endured has made you perfect.

Dan could only shake his head as he thought about all the shit he had gone through. He was destined for some greatness, was that the pull he even now was feeling?

He then looked at his mana, which was still falling though it had definitely slowed. He motioned to the elves to hurry, they both nodded, then they were walking out.

He saw that Bell and Ella had been worried 'til they walked out. Both rushed to him, hugging and kissing him. OK, he thought this was different.

He looked at En'tra when she put the prism on her head. (Power has increased by half.}

Tygan's sword had increased her power as well.

Both staffs, when handed to the twins, caused their earth staffs to appear. Then both the new and old staffs fused together.

They then settled into both of the twins 'hands, {both of the witches' power has doubled.}

Both the females' mouths dropped open as their new staffs throbbed with power.

"I have never felt this much power," Ella said, then bowed to Dan as did Bell.

"We thank you, Lord Dan. We will do all that we can to protect and aid you in your mission, whatever that is," Bell said.

"Never have we seen anyone take out one but two trolls as easily as you did. We will follow you to aid you in your quests," both Elves said.

Dan was still a little confused as he looked at the four females that were kneeling before him. He then thought to the sword, were they privy to our conversation not long ago?

Yes Lord Dan, as they are servants to you, the sword started.

Let me stop you there, they are my companions, not my servants. I'd appreciate it if you did not call them that, Dan thought.

Yes, Lord Dan, I did not mean to make them less than they are. I can see that they indeed mean more to you than that. I apologize to you and them.

"Alright, please get up. I feel bad with you there and me up here," Dan said. That's when he noticed that all four of them were staring at his crotch. Damn it, they didn't have time for that!

Dan sighed, then motioned for them to follow as they left the area. For the moment, Dan really didn't trust what he might say, especially after their looks at him.

They were out of sight of the cave when two more trolls walked nearby. Seeing the mangled body, they sat to start eating.