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Elias of Eradal Chapter 9
Once inside, the cave widened considerably. As they squeezed through the entrance, Elias had frightening thoughts of having to crawl through low and uncertain passages with the entire mountain on top of him. These fears turned out to be unfounded though as the cave was large enough for even Kole to walk fully upright.
All the while however, Elias felt a certain gnawing terror at what was to come. It took him some time, but he realized that much of this feeling seemed to be emanating from the Darkblade itself. The evil weapon felt heavier than it had before and was practically singing an aura of misery and strife. It could feel that they were close to its master.
Elias had read that magical and enchanted items were often more potent in the presence of the one that created them. It appeared that the Darkblade was no exception. Maybe that was a good thing, however. If the weapon was to strike the killing blow, wouldn't it need to be as powerful as possible? Regardless he would be glad to be rid of it when this was over.
Another rumbling tremor surged through the cave and Avi whimpered as the walls shook. The three steadied themselves, hoping that the passage did not crumble away around them. Elias could not be sure, but he thought amid the deep rumbling he heard another sound. It was low and guttural and could have just been the echoes of the earthquake. To Elias however, it sounded like the noise of a living thing, far ahead and down in the darkness.
And down they went as they continued on. The passage sloped gently but noticeably, leading them deeper into the mountain's core. Elias kept his flame low. There was no telling what else might live down here in the untouched darkness.
While they continued their descent, Elias noticed the temperature rising, and quickly. It was not long before the three of them were sweating. Elias's first thought was that perhaps they were entering the heart of a volcano, but he dismissed that idea. None of the Koval mountains were known to be volcanic or had ever shown any evidence of it. That would be quite the discovery, he mused. But no, he strongly suspected that something else was generating the heat.
The cave also grew wider as they moved farther in, and taller overhead. It was soon to the point where Elias's light was not enough to reach the walls on both sides. Of course, he could have made the light brighter, but something told him that would not be wise. They stuck to the righthand wall so as not to become separated or lose their way back.
Fortunately, at least from what he could see, there did not seem to be much deviation in the path. There were no sudden twists or forks in their way that would present confusion in finding the way out. Elias hoped that they would not have to make a hasty retreat with something chasing them, but he made sure to keep track of their way just in case. He could tell that Kole was doing the same.
Yet again a violent rumble shook the cave. Small rocks dropped from the ceiling and Elias winced. All the elemental earth magic in the world wouldn't save them if the mountain simply decided to drop on top of them. This time however, as the rumble faded, Elias heard the noise again. It was unmistakable this time. Loud and close. A deep growl that almost made his knees give out. Chills ran all through his body and he turned shakily to his companions with his face ashen.
"W-wot was..." Avi began. Kole put a hand up to silence him. Even the big warrior's eyes showed that he was shaken by the unmistakable proof that they were not alone.
There was no way to tell size of the area they were in. For all Elias knew, the other side of the `room' could be just beyond their vision, or it could be a hundred yards away. It was also impossible to know just how close they were to whatever had made the noise. The echoes of the cave were deceptive.
"Oi, shine yer light this way..." Avi whispered suddenly. "Somefing's on the wall."
Elias turned, bringing the flame with him. As he peered at the wall Avi was touching he saw that the boy was right. The rock was smooth and carved into it were lines of lettering.
Looking closer, Elias recognized it as one of the ancient and long-dead languages he had studied during his apprenticeship. With some struggle he dragged the memory back and tried to decipher the text.
"I think it's... something about the Eight Tribes legend..." Elias spoke quietly. Stepping back and brightening his light just a little he saw that the wall beside them was covered with inscriptions.
"Eight Tribes?" Kole asked, still looking around nervously.
Elias nodded; his attention momentarily captured. "There were at least seven tribes that existed before the Five Kingdoms. Five of them became those kingdoms. One fractured and became several tribes on the Verduin Isles, and one migrated far to the east. Each tribe worshiped a different one of the ancient gods. The eighth tribe supposedly worshiped the god Kordiith, from Avi's book. The story goes that they were exiled when Kordiith was defeated. But this writing must be hundreds of years old, or more..."
"Elias..." Kole used his full name in a deadly serious tone, the pieces falling into place in his mind. "Are we here to kill a god?"
A shiver ran down Elias's spine as Kole spoke his fears aloud. The inscriptions seemed to confirm it. Scanning other sections of the wall writing, he recognized several variations of Kordiith's name when he knew what to look for. This cave, lost to history, must be a record of those ancient battles. If only he had more time. He could spend days or weeks reading through all this text. This alone would be a discovery that placed his name in the history books of the Five Kingdoms.
Elias was brought back to reality when another spasm shook the cave, followed by another half-growl half-roar. The sound was so powerful. It made him want to turn and run. But if Kordiith did exist and he was freed, what force could possibly stop him? The ancient gods no longer walked among them the way the legends suggested they once had. Without the help of powerful deities on their side, what hope would the Five Kingdoms have?
There were other factors that had contributed to the fall of Kordiith according to the legend, but Elias was hazy on the details. He wished now that he had taken the time to re-read the book that Avi carried, but he had so desperately not wanted to believe that this was their ultimate purpose.
Taking a trembling step forward into the cave, Elias produced the Darkblade from his coat but did not dare to draw it yet. If Amarack was to be believed, the moment the blade was pulled from its sheath, the master, Kordiith, would recognize its power and the danger he was in.
Elias hated the way the vile object felt in his grip. It was so close now to the one that created it and it was as if the weapon could feel it. The dark energy and malice poured from it, but Elias set his jaw in determination. This was what he had been chosen for; to make the killing blow on an ancient evil once and for all. All the Five Kingdoms and beyond would be safe after this.
Knowing that he had to risk more light, Elias whispered the words and sent the ball of flame floating a little way up and ahead of him, brightening as it moved.
And there it was.
Elias stopped breathing. Avi gave a quiet squeak. Kole's hand instinctively flew to the hilt of his sword.
"Gods..." Kole whispered, unable to hide the terrified awe in his voice. Elias remained speechless.
Several dozen yards from them, in what seemed like the center of the cave, lay a creature larger than any Elias had ever seen. It made the swamp drakes seem like lapdogs. It would have made the great raptor Gwynoc look like a sparrow. It had scales that looked black as night covering most of its body, but its underside was a deep milky white almost identical to the stone in the pommel of the Darkblade.
Great muscular wings were folded to the thing's back, and a row of sharp spikes ran the length of its spine leading all the way up to its massive head. The beast's mouth was closed, but it could easily have devoured the largest man in a single bite.
"I don't believe it..." Kole breathed. "It's a dragon..."
Elias, shaking from head to toe, only started breathing again when he realized that the great creature was obviously asleep. It's eyes were shut, and it had not reacted to the light at all. A dragon? That was impossible. They had gone extinct hundreds of years ago in the age of the Dragon Slayers.
A little piece of information clicked into place from Elias's memory. The god Kordiith was a known shapeshifter. He could take any form for the purposes of deception or intimidation. This was a form meant to frighten away would-be heroes. And Elias had to admit it was working. Even now, everything in his body was screaming at him to turn and run. His hand tightened around the hilt of the Darkblade.
The great beast took a breath in and out, making the cave shake around them and creating the terrifying rumbling they had been hearing. It stirred slightly, looking as though it might wake, but then settled once more. Elias turned to look at his companions, his face ghostly white. Avi was half-hiding behind Kole.
"I... need to do this..." He forced out. "I don't know if one strike will bring him down but..." He looked Kole in the eyes. "Finish it for me if I can't. Everything depends on it."
Kole met his gaze with the determination of a soldier and nodded once. "We're behind you to the end."
Inching his way out of hiding, Avi swallowed hard then nodded as well. "Be careful, El..."
Still trembling slightly, Elias turned back to where the beast lay. It had shown no signs that it knew of them yet. He did have certain misgivings about stabbing a sleeping enemy, but he knew that this might be the only chance. Very slowly, he forced his legs to move, stepping closer and closer to the behemoth. While he moved in, Elias recited some warding spells, both as a means of distracting himself with the rehearsed mantras and also to offer some small protection. His little ball of flame hovered overhead, casting a dim light on the carved walls.
It felt like it took hours to cover the gap between them and every step was a challenge. At this distance, the creature could kill him even accidentally if it decided to roll over in its sleep. Elias held out the Darkblade, one hand on the hilt and the other on the sheath. The beast grunted again almost knocking Elias off his feet with the force of its exhale.
Recovering his footing, Elias looked over his shoulder at Kole and Avi. They seemed so far away. Kole gave him a solemn nod. Turning back to his target, Elias tried to clear his mind. Sleeping or otherwise, this was the most dangerous being in all of history and legend. Even if it meant his death, this was what he was destined for.
With as fluid a motion as he could manage, Elias pulled the Darkblade from its sheath, letting loose its full aura.
Instantly, the great beast's eyes flew open. A deep rumble began in its throat as it lifted its head. As it came awake, the color of its scales began to ripple and change. Elias screamed with all his terror and determination and thrust the weapon at the base of the dragon's throat.
Elias's aim was true. The Darkblade pierced the beast's flesh and stuck there. The dragon roared in pain and fury. One of its forelegs kicked out at Elias, giant sharp claws scratching at the rock floor. Elias had only just enough time to dive backward to lessen the impact. The heel of the claw still struck him and sent him flying across the cave. His wards absorbed the initial attack, saving his life, but as he landed on his back, his head hit the rock and his vision swam.
The next thing he knew, Kole was kneeling over him, hauling him into a sitting position. The roars of the dragon escalated in volume and the mountain began to shake. Elias was certain it would crumble. Disoriented, he tried to make out what was happening around him.
At his semi-conscious will, the tiny light he created had brightened, bathing much of the cavern in its flickering light. Elias could clearly see the creature he was bent on slaying as Kole helped him less-than-gently to his feet.
The dragon raged at the far end of the cavern, scratching its talons at the Darkblade lodged in its shimmering scales. Fully roused now, the black scales had shifted, brightened to a brilliant sapphire-blue, and the pale white of its underside was now shining silvery-white. White save for one black spot where the Darkblade was stuck.
The creature roared again, its tail slamming into the walls of the cave, sending a shower of small stones raining down from above. Elias watched in horror and fascination as tendrils of black spiderwebbed out from the wound. The beast's eyes locked onto Elias and the other two. In those giant pools of blue Elias saw an ancient anger so fierce that it rooted him in place. There was something else in those eyes too though. Something that disturbed him. They bore behind the fury an air of regal nobility. A fierce pride that demanded respect.
The dragon started forward, determined to have its revenge. It took one long stride but then its leg gave out. The blackness seeping from the Darkblade was shooting across its whole body now. It roared again, weaker this time, and tried to rise.
The creature was dying. Slowly. There was no mistaking it. It looked on Elias with eyes full of hatred, and yet... Elias sensed no evil there. Was this some trick? A magical veil to hide the being's true nature? What would be the purpose of such a spell now?
The Darkblade continued its work. The dragon's royal blue scales faded away once more. The shining white dulled back to a sickly pale. Grunting a defiant breath, the great beast tried to crawl its way forward. Heavy claws sank into stone but did not rise again. The massive eyes that had, for a moment, sparkled clearer than the open sky now softened to an icy cold blue that continued to fade as the dragon died. Its movements stopped, it's great maw opened one last time in a snarl that shook the cave walls. Then it was over.
Immediately Elias felt it, deep inside himself. Something was terribly wrong. It was the unmistakable feeling of a catastrophic oversight or miscalculation. The same feeling that he had experienced when Avi was in danger and Elias had failed to save him.
But he had done everything right! He traversed the swamps. He defeated the sorcerer. He climbed the mountain. He slew the beast. Every step the gods had laid out for him, he had succeeded in.
The cavern suddenly lit up in green fire. High overhead where Elias had not been able to see before was a ring of stone sconces set into the walls that now flared to life in the unnatural color. The whole of the cave was illuminated so brightly that the three had to shield their eyes from the sudden burst.
Looking around, Elias saw that the cavern was enormous. Every inch of the walls was covered in similar inscriptions to the one Elias had read from before. They were too far away for him to read clearly, but with that much space Elias guessed that an entire history of the land could be written.
Elias and Kole both stood ready for action. The feeling of imminent disaster had only grown when the sconces were lit of their own accord. Elias searched the cavern frantically for some new threat.
From the far end of the cave came another flash of greenish light. Suddenly Elias saw the only smooth section of wall in the entire cave begin to move. A vertical slit of green appeared in its center like a crack and slowly began to widen. The walls themselves were separating, moving apart with a grating sliding rumble that made the mountain tremble. As they parted, Elias was able to see past the two sliding monoliths into what looked like a vortex of that same eerie green light.
"Elias, son of Sylus!" A voice boomed from the swirling light. It was strangely familiar. "You have done well."
As the two sections of the wall completed their separation with a resounding crack, the vortex, no, the portal between them shimmered and a dark-clad figure emerged. He was tall and broad, and as he stepped around the body of the dragon and unceremoniously yanked the Darkblade from its throat, Elias gasped in disbelief.
His hunch was gone. His wiry frame was now packed with healthy muscle. The rags were replaced with an elegant robe as black as night. The beard was groomed and well-kempt, and he looked about thirty years younger. But there was no mistaking the tattoo-covered face or the eyes filled with malice. It was Amarack.
The sorcerer chuckled wickedly as he examined the Darkblade. "It worked even better than I could have hoped. And you played your part perfectly."
"You're dead..." Kole passed a hand across his eyes as if expecting or perhaps hoping that he was seeing things.
"Yes, though you'd be surprised just how temporary such a thing can be." Amarack gave Kole an amused smile.
Pieces were beginning to fall into place in Elias's mind and he didn't like the picture they were creating. Amarack's voice was stronger now, deeper than it had been in the swamp, and Elias recognized it for a different reason.
The truth hit him hard in the gut as he remembered the deep booming echo from his vision that had set him on this quest. "It... was you..." He could tell by the wicked grin and the glint in Amarack's eyes that the sorcerer knew what Elias was struggling with. "It wasn't a vision from the gods at all... It was... you..."
"Well done, boy." Amarack nodded. "Though you're not quite correct. The vision was a message from the gods. Well, a god, to be specific. My master singled you out for this task years ago."
"Your master..." Elias repeated as realization seeped into him. "No..."
"And now that the last of the dragons is dead," Amarack continued, casting a disdainful look back at the body of the huge creature. "Lord Kordiith's resurrection to flesh is... imminent." He gave a twisted smile. "Such a shame you didn't brush up on your history. I was worried when you found that book that you may put two and two together, but you never even looked." Amarack laughed maniacally.
The sorcerer gestured toward one of the walls inscribed with the ancient stories. The markings began to glow red.
"Then the gods and the sages bound Kordiith in the realm beyond time." Amarack read aloud. "For as long as the first masters of earth, sky, sea, and flame abide, the dark god's spirit will languish in exile from his body."
Elias felt numb. "The first masters... The dragons."
"Correct again!" Amarack agreed gleefully. "Their strength is what has locked my master away for millennia. Fortunately, your "dragon slayers" did most of the work in the pursuit of their own glory. Much the same reason we knew you would be perfect for this task. I would have taken care of it myself a hundred years sooner, but the beast would have sensed my master's presence if I approached."
Kole's sword was in his hand and he swung for Amarack at lightning speed. Amarack seemed to float backwards across the ground but made no attempt to fight back.
"Come on. Let's see if your `master' can bring you back without a head." Kole challenged.
Amarack smiled patiently. "There is a chance that if we battled right now, you might win. Resurrection is a draining thing. But I am not here to fight you." He turned his gaze back to Elias who stared straight ahead unseeing, paralyzed by his own whirling thoughts. "You have served the dark god well, knowingly or not, it doesn't matter. My master rewards his own."
Amarack let the implied offer hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "Nothing now can stop Kordiith's return. Already the portals have opened." He gestured back at the swirling green vortex behind him. "Kordiith's faithful that were exiled with him will swarm from these mountains. My master's kin, the other gods, are long gone and forgotten. The dragons are dead, and human magic is weak. There are none that can oppose him."
Could it be true? Elias heard the words Amarack spoke, but it didn't seem possible. The entire world undone, and nobody but himself to blame.
"But you, Elias of Eradal, could be useful to him. Lord Kordiith can give you power and glory beyond your imagination. And only he has the power to spare the ones you care about from the coming darkness."
Still Elias said nothing. Even Kole seemed at a loss for words, stranded somewhere between shock and disbelief.
"History is written by the victor." Amarack spoke again. "And against the power of Kordiith there can be no resistance. You will have all the knowledge of the ancient sages, and your name will live on forever. This is what you were meant for, Elias. This is your destiny."
Powerful emotions hauled Elias back into his body out of his stupor. Raw burning anger bubbled up from within him at this trickery. Maybe the smart decision was to accept Amarack's offer, but Elias knew it was no real choice.
"I killed you before." He growled, balling his hands into trembling fists. "I'll do it again. This time there won't be any coming back." Elias reasoned that if he destroyed the portal, killed Amarack, he might be able to stop or delay Kordiith's return. Gathering up every reserve of strength he had, he prepared to bring the entire mountain down on top of them. Sparing one sad look at Kole and Avi, he mouthed "I'm sorry..."
Amarack's lip twisted in disgust. "So be it. Know that everyone you love will soon join you in death."
A whistle of air was suddenly followed by a dull thud. Amarack staggered backwards with a gasp as a feathered shaft appeared protruding from his chest.
"What have you done!" A voice shrieked from behind them. This one too was familiar.
Amarack gave a pained laugh, clutching at the arrow in his chest before he simply faded away like a wisp of smoke.
Turning to look, Elias saw the boy Dain step into the greenish light of the cavern. His bow was drawn with another arrow pointed at them. His eyes were wild with anger and confusion, the stark opposite of the calm and collected youth they had met in the swamps.
"What have you done!" Dain demanded again, voice cracking. "Do you know what you have caused!?"
Elias had no answer to this. Obviously, Dain knew something of what had happened, and Elias had no excuse. "I..." He shook his head, numb with shock. His face hardened. "I have to destroy the portal." Elias gave Dain an imploring look. There was no time to even wonder where the boy had come from. "Get them out of here?" He nodded towards Kole and Avi.
Slowly, Dain lowered his bow, looking at the angry vortex of green. "It will not stop him..." His voice was quiet now, clearly at a loss. Then abruptly he nodded. "But it might slow him down. I will help. This mountain is old, but with your strength and my words, it might listen to us."
Elias hesitated. "None of you deserve to die here. Just me. I can do it on my own."
"No way, El!" Avi piped up. "Yer `avin' a laugh if ye fink we're goin' wivout you."
"Your friend is right." Dain agreed. "We may need their willpower as well if we want to succeed."
Elias did not have words to describe the emotions that were rising in his chest as he looked at his companions determined faces. Finally, he relented. "Kole. Take this." Pulling the second dose of the potion he had brewed long ago out of his pack, he handed it over. He had been saving it for an emergency, and this certainly qualified. "When it starts to come down, drink it. Get Avi out of here no matter what. Him too if you can." He nodded towards Dain.
Kole handled the small vial gently, looking enigmatically at it, then pushed it into his belt and nodded.
The four approached the swirling portal. The feeling of evil had tripled since the death of the dragon and Amarack's appearance. It hung like a thick oppressive fog over the cave, almost tangible. As they drew near, Elias realized that the swirling green was semi-transparent. Through it he could see not the cave wall as he might have expected, or even a continuation of the cave. On the other side of the portal was what looked like an open plain with long grey grass and occasional dead twisted tree trunks. There was no color at all save for the tint that the portal provided.
The scene on the other side was haunting, dreadful, evil. And yet something about it called to him. Inviting him towards the portal.
"Don't look for too long." Dain cautioned. "The dark world was never meant to be seen by mortals."
Reluctantly, Elias tore his eyes away, forcing them down to the ground.
"The magic of the elements that mainlanders practice is not the right tool for this job." Dain drew Elias's attention. "We need to work with the mountain's will, not against it. You are stronger than I am, but I have to be the conduit. Focus your power in me and I will attempt to make this contract."
Elias was in no state to argue. His mind was so fragmented that it even took him a moment to begin channeling his magic. Dain inhaled deeply, feeling the borrowed energy moving in him. Then he began to speak.
It was not any of the magical tongues that Elias was familiar with. It was an almost song-like chant, rising and falling, flowing perfectly with Dain's unique accent. At first nothing happened. Elias let Dain have more of his strength and slowly a faint rumbling sound began deep in the heart of the mountain.
This was not enough though, Dain continued to chant and to draw on Elias's reserves. It was an alien feeling to be the one feeding the energy into another. Usually Elias was the one that drew the power for his spellwork. Admittedly deep down in his inherent nature he did not like the feeling, but he was not about to let his pride complicate the situation any more than it already had.
The ground underneath them was beginning to shake but Elias could feel himself weakening. Through their simple connection he could tell that Dain's strength was waning as well. It didn't matter. Elias wasted no time in attaching the tether to his lifeforce, meaning that even if he passed out Dain's spell would continue to take whatever energy it needed from him. Until he had none left to give.
It was not a noble way to go, he thought. Slowly drained away to nothing. But what right did he have to a noble death? This was probably better than he deserved, he reasoned. Once he lost consciousness it would be peaceful and painless.
His vision flickered and he dropped to one knee. The rumbling was louder now. Debris began to rain from the ceiling. Dain's voice was weakening, and Elias could tell he was drawing heavily on his own magical energy now as well. Kole knelt next to Elias, supporting him gently. The thought of dying while being held by Kole was strangely comforting though Elias did not know why.
A resounding crack filled the cavern and several large chunks of rock came crashing down nearby. Dangerous cracking noises seemed to come from every direction. Several of the wall sconces flickered and went out. A split appeared in one of the two slabs of rock that made up the portal and the green vortex faltered for a moment.
"Come on..." Kole encouraged, still supporting Elias, and placing a hand on Dain's shoulder.
Elias fought to keep himself awake but more and more it seemed like a pointless and losing battle. Blinking became a chore, with longer and longer spans of darkness between.
With a thunderous sound, the cracked slab fell in two. The upper half crashed to the cavern floor, shaking the mountain. The portal wavered, distorted, then abruptly blinked out of existence. The cavern continued to crumble around them. Elias collapsed backward into Kole's arms and Dain dropped to the ground as well.
Maybe getting crushed by the mountain wouldn't be quite as pleasant as simply fading away, but at least they had accomplished their task. "Go..." Elias whispered weakly up at Kole.
The big swordsman looked around at the collapsing cave, then at Avi, then at the two drained spellcasters on the ground. Pulling Elias's potion from his belt, he unstopped it and drained it in a single swig.
Elias's head swam as he felt himself being hoisted up. Briefly he saw Dain being slung over Kole's other shoulder, the two of them like dead weight. His sight failed him.
"Tibbs knows the way out!" He heard Avi shouting before he fell into blackness