Dan's Wheel of Magic Ch. 8

"Kill the Orcs! They are driving the Goblins forward," Dan yelled as several, water, dark and fire bolts took out most of the Orcs.

The Goblins, seeing this, turned in mass and started to flee. They actually stomped over an Orc still trying to use its whip.

Down to the last two, Dan's hands went blue, then the last two were encased in a globe of ice. With that, the last of the Goblins turned and escaped.

Dan breathed a sigh of relief as they watched the last high tail it out of there. Dan went to each of his companions to make sure they were alright, then slumped down exhausted.

Dan was amazed that he didn't pass out this time. He then checked all his companions' spells. So far, it appeared that En'tra was in the mid-range spells.

Then his eyes went wide when he saw that Ella had gained her fourth spell. {witch has gained Incinerate}

Dan nodded as he walked to Ella. With a big grin he said, "Have you checked your status?"

Ella said no, then checked as her eyes went large, "Incinerate? Holy crap! Is that the one you used in the woods?" When I nodded, she just stood there with her mouth open.

I then turned to Bell. "Have you checked?" I asked as I saw the message: {witch has gained ice}

Bell's mouth dropped open, "I have never been able to do ice!"

Dan had checked En'tra, seeing that she had:

Shadow Step

Shadow Blindness (Impenetrable Darkness)

Shadow Death

Shadow Shield

Dan had hoped that Shae'ten might go up, though he was just glad that she was with them. At least now they were starting to move into the mid-range spells.

They all took a rest though all of them kept their senses open. No sense getting killed after what they had just survived.

Dan thought that after the Trolls he was glad that they hadn't gone against a bunch of them. Even though he was glad that both he and En'tra had shadow shield he was still being cautious.

They did, after all, have a freaking dragon that was chasing them. God only knew what the Dragons wanted with him. He assumed that they were all after him.

Then there was the Elven king, if he had to guess, the king blamed all humans. According to the others, this seemed to be the case. They also said that he should have memories.

He just shook his head memories. He wasn't that old, how the hell could he have memories of then? The longer this went on, the more mysteries that appeared.

Then there was this pulling compulsion, where the hell was that from? Even now, he could feel it pulling on him.

Whatever was going on, he just hoped that he survived to see it through. He got them together as they discussed what they were going to do.

"As we know, we are moving along the edge of Orc and Goblin territory. The appearance of the Trolls does worry me though, as it took so much to defeat them," Dan said.

"That hopefully shouldn't be that much of a problem," En'tra said. "They don't band together that often."

"I think that something has changed," Shae'ten spoke up. "We have noticed more activity in this area recently. You said that you got here about a week ago? That's about the time that this all started."

Dan stared at her for a moment, then started to nod. "Yeah, that clocks with what we've been hearing. It seems that almost all of this points back to the Elven King. Though the Dragons getting involved makes me think that I am a marked man. Can any of you tell me about this legend or prophecy?"

"I only know bits and pieces. It all comes down to the fact that a human will reappear here in this world. He will right a great wrong and help to make the tyrant see the way. The how and the way though was never told to any of us," En'tra said.

"It is said that the Dragons and the White Elf Royalty know most of it but aren't talking about it. It has been said that the prophecy foretells the end of a great many things. Also, the start of a different world. I believe that this has many scared," Tygan said.

The light and dark elf along with the Harpy then turned to look at Ella and Bell. The both of them shrugged a little confused at them.

"What?" Ella asked. "Why are you staring at us?"

"As witches, you should know parts that we don't," Tygan said.

Ella and Bell looked at each other as they bit their lips. Then Ella nodded to Bell as she took a deep breath.

"Actually," Bell started, "we aren't from here. We are from where Dan," Bell stopped as her eyes went wide. "They are here, I feel them!"

They all immediately came to their feet as all their hands started to glow. Not far in the distance, they could hear the powerful wings of a dragon drawing close.

"Please don't leave, we just want to talk," they heard. Dan wasn't all that sure since the Dragon and Elf had pursued them relentlessly.

Dan spoke up, "the way you two have come after us, does not bode well for peaceful talks. I," Dan started as a bolt of light comparable to a laser hit his shield.

Dan, now mad, shot a bolt of Shadow Blindness to where the hard light spell came from. A scream let him know that he'd gotten a hit.

"I think that this talk is concluded," Dan said as he reached out, opening the shadows and drawing all with him into it. "I'm not sure why the dragons are after me, but I will not submit, so you might as well back off. I will not hesitate to fight if I and they are threatened," Dan concluded, then stepped into the shadows.

They arrived far to the north, not far from where they had met Marlena. Dan breathed a sigh, glad that they had escaped.

Much further north Gre'ta watched as Kim'ta writhed in pain. Obviously, it was far stronger than the elf had thought it would be.

"I tried to warn you, though, as always no one wants to listen to the Dragon," Gre'ta said.

"Shut the hell up you damned lizard," Kim'ta hissed between gritted teeth. "If I wanted your opinion, I'd beat it out of you!"

Gre'ta smirked as she watched Kim'ta finally start to stop shaking. She sat as she waited for the elf to finally still.

"I guess that he was far stronger than you thought, eh?" Gre'ta said.

"I thought I told you to shut up. I made a mistake that won't happen again," Kim'ta said, though she had doubts as she was sure Gre'ta did also.

"Well, at least I got to talk to him before he vanished again," Gre'ta said with a sigh.

The human had used a mid-low-end dark spell. He obviously had a whole lot more power than they thought he did. To damage as powerful an elf as Kim'ta would take a lot.

Gre'ta shook her head as even now she had felt as the human had vanished, the other aspect of light was with him.

She shook her head; he had the life aspect and the light? He had both not that good, she needed to report to Queen Ad'ella.

What she had seen and heard from the human the Queen needed to know. She took a step to the side, concentrating.

Queen Ad'ella, she started. I have distressing information. A moment later a vision of the Queen appeared.

Arise my child, what has you so distressed?

My Queen, she thought as she arose. I actually managed to talk to the human for a moment. He said, "The way you two have come after us does not bode well for peaceful talks. I", then the elf tried to hit him with a light blast.

Was the human harmed? The Queen asked, worried.

No my Queen, he had a shield of light that rendered it harmless. He returned her blast with shadow blindness; it was far more powerful than we'd thought it would.

The Queen let out a breath of relief, that is good please if you can talk to him again, just ask.

Ask? Gre'ta asked, what am I supposed to ask?

The Dragons need his help, we, myself included, are in great distress, we need him to alleviate this. Please ask him if he could provide aid to us. Has he gained any more aspects of magic yet?

If, as I suspect now? I believe that he now has six aspects, two of them: life and light. I am not sure how he has gotten them, but I can feel them.

The image of the Queen nodded her head. He appears to be on his way to becoming a grand mage. As it is now, he is powerful.

That's the thing: my Queen, the Light Elf assassin, seems set on destroying him. Though, as she saw, that might not be possible now, Gre'ta thought.

The Queen's visage nodded as she was deep in thought. Was that all?

No my Queen, after striking her, he said, "I think that this talk is concluded. I'm not sure why the Dragons are after me, but I will not submit, so you might as well back off. I will not hesitate to fight if I and they are threatened," he then pulled into the shadows and was gone.

The Queen's eyes were wide after hearing what the human had said. Well, it appears that he was willing before the elf lashed out. Continue on and try to talk to him more, and yes, you can reveal what I said. Also, I believe that the light elf is hiding an agenda of her own, separate from the King.

With that, the Queen vanished, leaving Gre'ta to her thoughts. With a sigh she sat as Kim'ta had finally succumbed to the pain.

Gre'ta knew that it might be a few hours before the elf recovered. Gre'ta set about making a meal of soup. They weren't the best of companions per se, though Gre'ta had been ordered to work with the elf.

Back in the Queen's residence, she watched the last of her eggs. She wiped a tear from her eye, they had to have his help, or the Dragon race was doomed. Her six daughters and son were all that was left of the royal line, she was worried the eggs wouldn't hatch.

She had seen the great promise that Gre'ta showed. She hung her head as she thought of Gre'ta's parents. Her sister and brother-in-law they had perished in the last great war. How she missed the both of them. Gre'ta never knew them her being so young.

All the clan was depending on her far more than the Queen had let on. The hopes of the last of the Dragon race was depending on her. There was no sense in worrying about the young female dragon more than she was at present.

The Queen knelt to pray to the god of the Dragons, that Gre'ta's mission would be successful. Then she prayed for the god to watch over the young female dragon.

Dan was surprised that they had traveled as far as they had. He recognized just where they were. They started to head further north 'til they could return to near the Harpy village.

They had just drawn even with where they had met Marlena, when Dan heard something. A huge male Mer person arose from the water. Next to him, he saw Marlena.

Marlena tugged on the male's arm and pointed at Dan. The male bent down as Marlena whispered in his ear.

The male nodded after a moment, then spoke. "Are you the human that saved my daughter?" Came his booming voice.

Dan hesitated a moment, then stepped forward, "Yes sir, that was me. Is there anything wrong?"

The male stood there with a stern look on his face 'til Marlena elbowed him in his side.

"Daddy!" she said in a loud whisper. "Stop trying to scare him!"

The male rolled his eyes as he stared at his daughter. Well, he thought, this is more serious than he thought when she had appeared.

"A human something, ugh," the male grunted as Marlena elbowed him again. "It has been a long time since a human was seen here, period."

"I'm sorry Dan. Father can be rather grumpy most of the time," Marlena said.

"Marlena! This is not the time or place," the male said, then cleared his throat. "We felt you were close to this place, so I wished to give you my gratitude, as well as that of the clan."

It was about that time that Dan noticed that the male was wearing a crown. A sudden realization came to him as he suddenly bowed to the male.

"I apologize sir," he said. "I didn't see your crown." All of his companions realized just who the male was as they bowed also.

"Please young man, stand, for what you have done, it is the least I can do. You see, she is the last and only daughter and child I have left. For the last five centuries, the birth rate has dropped to one out of a hundred that survive. The Dragons and the Mer folk have been affected the most," the male said.

Dan reached out to shake the male's hand, who stared at him for a moment. The moment their hands met, the king glowed for a moment, then his eyes opened wide.

"Are you alright sir?" Dan asked, afraid that he had hurt the man.

"I feel, this is extraordinary!" the male said. "I haven't felt like this in a long time! I need to go, Marlena, please help the human."

Dan stared as the large Mer man touched Marlena, who was suddenly standing on two legs. He then dived into the surf and disappeared. He had another female to go with him, Dan thought as he shook his head.

Marlena was just as surprised as she stared at her father, then turned toward Dan. "What in the world just happened? I've never seen father act like that before."

Dan was as shocked as her as he was still staring at the spot where the male had vanished. "I'm not quite sure myself, did he seem in pain?" Dan asked.

"No," Marlena said, "he seemed rather excited, as far as I could tell. More than I have ever really seen."

Dan just nodded a moment, then turned to Marlena to ask. "Why has your father left you to aid us? I thought you were one of his most precious people."

"As you heard father say, the birth rate has dropped to one surviving out of twenty. It has placed the Mer folk and the Dragons in a desperate position. It has actually dropped among all the races. On an average, worldwide only ten out of a thousand survive past the first year," a sad Marlena said.

"So what does this have to do with me?" Dan asked.

"There is a part of the legend that says that a human will appear. At first, he won't have any power, then gradually he will gain it. His touch and a few things he does will help to cure that which has befallen our world," Marlena said.

"This human," Dan started. "Just how powerful will he become?"

"That was never a part of it, though many say that he could become as powerful as the last Grand Master Archmage. He was also the last that could use all twelve aspects of magic. It has been said that he had badly injured the Elfin King. Though the King won and the Archmage vanished, so did the Queen and the King's mother," Marlena said

"Why do the Mer folk have more knowledge of the legend than the rest of the people here?" Dan asked.

"It might have to do with the fact that the Mer folk were the closest allies the humans had. That was followed very closely by the Dragons," Marlena said a worried look on her face. "I hope my father is alright, as I said, I have never seen him like he was."

Dan scratched his head as he went through all that he had just learned. He was apparently some kind of savior. He was also supposed to become even more powerful than he was. Obviously, he was going to have to go against the Elvin King. The one who was supposed to be the most powerful magic user here.

His touch was supposed to be something of a miracle? Why in the hell was everything here starting to become more and more complicated? It wasn't like this when he first got here,

Marlena stopped a moment as she looked at Dan. "It is alright that I am with you, isn't it? I... I can go if you don't want me here," the young Mermaid said sadly.

When Dan didn't answer, hesitating she nodded her head as she turned to head back into the water.

She was so sad that she almost didn't hear Dan, "Malena? Marlena!" Dan yelled, stopping her in her tracks, her silver hair shaking. "I'm sorry, do you really wish to stay with me?"

Without turning her slender body, she said almost in a whisper. "It would be an honor to go with you and assist you in your mission."

Dan stood there with his mouth open, he'd never had anyone wanting to be with him in what he had to do. He turned to the other five, seeing that they were all nodding their heads yes.

"Well then, I guess that we have a sixth member of my group," Dan said as he watched Marlena closely. What he wasn't expecting was for Marlena to turn and sprint to him, taking him down kissing his face.

"Thank you, thank you!" Marlena was almost shouting between kisses. "I will not fail you sir."

Dan had hit the ground hard as she landed on him. Damn he thought as dangerous as it would be she was this happy?

When he was finally able to get off the ground, he noticed a few tears from the others. Then he noticed that Marlena was smiling ear to ear.

Obviously, her emotions were infectious as her happiness spread to the rest of his companions. Truth be told, it spread to him as well.

He shook his head as he looked within to see what he'd gained. :

Light

Light blast

Extreme detection

Shield of Light

With a shake of his head he figured he'd get all the same, so just one was a surprise. He'd have to get used to them later he thought, as they moved further south.

They were making good time 'til they heard a loud screeching coming from ahead. They stopped short as there appeared to be a type of soldier with a pig's face and body.

At first, the pig soldiers ignored them as they stopped to see what was going on. The soldiers were trying to stab a woman with curled horns on her head. She had dark black hair and was hardly wearing anything.

Dan could see that the female was growing weaker by the moment. "What has she done that they are trying to kill her?" Dan asked.

"She's a succubus," Ella whispered in Dan's ear, "Best we leave them to it."

Dan heard her and grew angry. "Leave off with her," Dan said, the ten soldiers stopped and turned toward Dan.

The leader laughed, "This be a criminal, she's to die here,"

"What proof do you have," Dan said as he slowly drew his sword.

"Look at her, that's proof enough though, if you want to interfere? Then ya can suffer the same fate," the leader said.

"Hmm well," Dan said, seeming to think about it. "I could use a workout," he stated as he had the sword completely out.

"Look boys, we got us a live one, you three kill him, then we'll take his females to use," the second said.

Dan growled as the three approached, laughing at him. At least they were 'til the sword started to glow with a white light that grew brighter. Dan swung it at the three, causing them to scream, then fall as ash.

Six of the seven left just stood there with their mouths open. The leader just spit as he drew a huge sword.

"It looks like play time is over, boy," he said as he swung the huge double-edged sword at Dan. Dan met it with the human sword of power, where they met there was a huge shower of sparks. The shock seemed to reverberate through the both of them.

The pig soldier smiled, "So not as weak as I thought, oh, this is gonna be good! Especially when I take your head!" He swung this time as hard as he could. Fortunately, more power had flowed into the sword as I heard a metal crack.

Fortunately, more power had flowed into Dan's sword, when his hit mine, his bounced back, nearly taking his head. "So, the boy has a few tricks, good, your death and that legendary Sword will elevate me in hell's guards," he grunted.

Dan watched as the reverb from the swords traveled up the guard's arms. "Ah! That makes one feel alive right before I take your head," the guard said, he started to laugh, a truly evil laugh.

Dan smirked at him as he said, "You might find that far harder than you think." Then flames started to slide inside the white light that was covering the sword. Concentrating harder, a dark light also slid up the sword.

"Ah So, a powerful mage. Triple aspects on your weapon. Though I wonder if you can truly handle the power and the sword as well. We will see, shall we not," the guard said as his speed started to increase.

Dan smirked as he also started to increase his speed as well. A slight smile came to Dan's face as a light wind started to wind around the sword.

"As I said, you are going to find that I am far more dangerous than you think," Dan said as the swords clanged against each other again. This time the guard cringed a bit as several razors cut hs arms in several places.

"Hmmm," the guard said as he stepped back. "Four aspects, it will mean great honor," the guard was saying. Then Dan swung again with several daggers of ice, leaving the sword.

The pig guard tried to block them but missed two that pierced his chest. With a loud grunt, the guard tried to take advantage, thinking that Dan was distracted. The guard missed as Dan took his left arm.

A look of supreme surprise and shock showed on the guards's face. He slid to the floor, his blood pumping out of the stump. "Five aspects and you were able to combine them as one. Ha! Never had a damn chance, good on you."

Dan looked at the other six who had watched. They immediately turned and fled. Dan turned and walked to the Succubus. "Do you need further help?" He asked, then was shocked when she swiped at him and hissed.

Dan just shrugged and collected the others as they all walked away. The Succubus watched them all closely as they grew further away.

She shook her head as she got up, heading in the general direction Dan and party had gone.