Time of Change (Emerilia Book 7) Read online

  The Fire mage turned, using the flames on his feet to shift out of the way of the Earthen spear.

  Disguising his movement, the Fire mage raised his good arm. Quickly opening his hand, he released a condensed blue flame toward the Earth mage.

  The Earth mage barely had time to look surprised as he caught the spell in the face and went flying backward. A Mana barrier flared around his body as he crashed on the ground.

  The Fire mage cried out as he landed on his bad shoulder, but it was clear he was still in the fight.

  “The winner is Peter the Red!” a Dwarven announcer yelled.

  The Earth mage was fuming, but it was clear that without the Mana barrier that he would have been killed.

  “What just happened?” Alkao asked.

  “Earth mage got his arse kicked!” Gurren said, coming through the crowd with armfuls of tankards. He handed them out as he explained.

  “All of the fighters are wearing a Mana barrier. It’s made so that people don’t die and they can go full out. Well, most of them. The stronger fighters and group fights are going to be in the Mirror of Communication just because no one wants to pay for those kinds of damages! Once the barrier receives an amount of damage that would be lethal, whether obvious or in the judges’ opinion, they stop the person from fighting. Then, the other person wins. Or, they submit. If you submit, then the other dude wins, naturally.” Gurren shrugged as he drank from his tankard.

  Alkao drank from his tankard as well. A smile appeared on his face. I could get used to this and going full out in the Mirror of Communication. I’m looking forward to those fights. Might be interesting to try that out with the DCA.

  “The problem with fighting in the Mirror of Communication is that you take in all of your skills and relative strengths, but while you’re in there, your physical body doesn’t improve. Just your reactions. In reality, your body is just standing there touching a mirror,” Anna said, as if reading Alkao’s mind.

  “Good for showing off your skills and current abilities without worrying about the damage. Bad if you actually want to grow any,” Lox surmised.

  “Also, really helps with making things that are really dangerous.” Steve sighed.

  “Sounds like you have something on your mind,” Anna said.

  “Let’s just say that I’m happy that Dave has all of his lessons on magical coding in a Mirror of Communication conference room. We’d have quite a few craters in Emerilia with all the experiments people have been doing!”

  Alkao watched the ground as it was refreshed in a matter of minutes. There was different terrain all over the place, allowing any and all Affinities to be used. There was even light and dark cycles.

  Big screens floated in the air, showing off the fight up close even if it moved farther away.

  Alkao had no trouble seeing it with his eyesight.

  “Up next! We have the hidden expert Shoshin from Isefor, a master swordsman known to end his competition in less than ten hits! Facing him will be Al’abir, from Levte! A spearman known for facing down a cave of trolls and holding them still for two days and three nights! Who will last?” The Dwarven announcer’s voice rolled through the arena as gates opened on either side of the arena.

  “Begin!”

  The swordsman left a trail of dust behind him as he ran at his target, his hand on his sheathed sword.

  Al’abir took a running jump, grunting as he landed near the Fire area of the arena. He moved his spear around, but he got in just two turns with it before Shoshin was on him. With a yell, Shoshin’s sword was free from his scabbard, almost too fast for the eye to follow.

  “Shoshin has finally drawn his blade and Al’abir barely escaped the draw strike! What will he do!” the announcer cried out.

  Blade rang out against spearhead. The shaft was made of a bamboo-like material, flexing as Al’abir moved it around his body, as well as back and forth, dodging out of the way of the swordsman.

  His movements were quick and slow at the same time: moving with just enough speed so that Shoshin’s blade didn’t hit, but slow enough that he retained control of his spear.

  Al’abir jumped backward; Shoshin pushed him hard as he made it inside Al’abir’s reach. His spear might be long, but once Shoshin was within his reach, his advantages were cut down.

  “Swordsman and spear fighter—this is an interesting fight!” the announcer said.

  “Need more people who fight with an axe,” Steve complained.

  Alkao laughed, seeing Steve was entrapped with the display of martial might in front of him.

  “Swordsman without a shield—odd.” Lox’s voice made it sound as though it was downright unnatural.

  “So, stick toucher or the sword-wielding weirdo?” Gurren asked, looking around.

  “Stick toucher.” Anna took a drink from her tankard.

  “You have some odd nicknames.” Alkao shook his head.

  “What do you mean, stick toucher? The sword weirdo is inside his reach!” Lox said.

  “Yes, but dipshit ten strokes is in long pole’s area,” Steve said.

  “He lured the swordsman into the Fire area. Isefor is between swamplands, cold and wet or humid and wet. He pulled him into the desert territory, dry and burning hot.” Krenua looked around. “Shoshin kills people in less than ten hits; he’s quick and fast in bursts. Al’abir stood in a cave, facing trolls for three nights and two days. He lives in the Heval plains—they’re hot all the time and damn dry. Al’abir is conserving his energy. His spear is flexible and allows him more movement and can increase his power with the momentum created at its tip.”

  “Good eye,” Anna said.

  Krenua nodded his head slightly, a small smile on his face.

  Alkao was glad that the two of them got along. Krenua was the closest thing he had to a friend before he had come back to Emerilia.

  They watched the fighters, talking about their moves, what they should have done or what had impressed them. They talked about what they had been up to, what plans they had. For the first time in a long time, Alkao felt a sense of calm. It was as if he had taken a deep breath and as he let out his breath, all his worries had gone with it.

  As Krenua called it, Shoshin started to weaken with time. His Endurance was nothing like his opponent’s.

  Al’abir was like an elusive fly. He might give ground but he turned or avoided every attack with a violent grace that showed off his skill.

  Getting angry and tired, Shoshin rushed inward, screaming as he did so. Al’abir should be at a disadvantage with Shoshin being in his spear range, but he still smiled slightly. Alkao felt the coldness in his eyes—the coldness of a predator. Alkao grinned, hiding his teeth as he drank from his tankard.

  Al’abir jumped backward and spun his spear.

  Shoshin, expecting Al’abir to flee, continued forward, right as Al’abir dropped, planting his spear. The point jutted out in front of Shoshin’s neck.

  Shoshin’s barrier acted, flaring up. If not for the barrier, then Shoshin would have opened his own neck.

  “Al’abir is the winner!” the announcer yelled out. People cheered and groaned; money was exchanged while some people celebrated with slamming their tankards together. Others downed them in regret.

  “This fighting is indeed interesting,” Krenua allowed.

  “Well, when you have a day off, then we’ll show you some real fighting in Devil’s Crater. There are some fun little dungeons we’ve been eyeing for a while!” Lox clapped Krenua on the back. He might be too short to hit the Demon’s shoulder, but the heavy hits still made Krenua tilt forward with the strength behind it.

  “I would like that,” Krenua admitted with the same hunter’s grin that Alkao had shown before.

  “We’ll join.” Anna put her hand on Alkao’s shoulder. It looked odd with the lithe and shorter wolf Beast Kin putting her hand on the dominating Demon.

  If only they knew who was the strongest out of us. Alkao chuckled to himself.

  “The mages m
ight be off doing their thing and Dave is keeping Deia restrained because of the child she bears, but I say it’s time that us melee types had some fun!”

  Just then a screen, appeared in everyone’s face.

  Event: Of Myths and Legends

  3 Creatures of Power have escaped their imprisonment and have arrived back on Emerilia.

  The Event: Of Myths and Legends has begun!

  Kill the Creatures of Power to gain rewards and experience. If you fail to kill the creatures, then Emerilia could be forever changed.

  Creatures of Power located on Emerilia: 3

  Creatures Killed: 0/3

  “Well, looks like you ask and it happens,” Gurren said.

  “Shit,” Anna hissed.

  A pillar of pure Light illuminated the night’s sky.

  “Where was that?” Gurren said.

  “Markolm, the Elves’ island and the Angels’ original home.” Anna closed her eyes, smelling the air as if to try to sense something.

  “Khanundra!” Anna spat.

  “What?” Alkao asked.

  “That aura—it’s Khanundra’s, the matriarch of the Angels, born from the Lady of Light’s very flesh.”

  “Why can’t gods just, you know, do something else? Where is the damn rulebook that says they have to watch over us? Could just go play a round of golf or get a massage. I swear, they’re more tense than the wonky spring in my left leg!” Steve complained.

  “I think that I will need to go to Devil’s Crater. If there are more creatures coming from Bob’s prison, we need to be ready.” Alkao pulled out a healing potion. In a gulp, his warm and fuzzy feeling was replaced with cold logic.

  “I’ll come with,” Anna said.

  “With recent events and announcements, we have decided that we will be hosting the rest of tonight’s games tomorrow! I say again…” The announcer went on, giving his message again.

  Chapter 4: The First of Many

  Josh stood before a large table in the guild’s command room. The table highlighted three areas, places of the event emergence.

  Khanundra had returned in Markolm, but then immediately went into hiding. Melhoun was last seen between Gudalo and Heval. Akatol seemed to have appeared over Ashal, crying out in anger as he stepped forward.

  “We have reports that the Merpeople and the Dragons are responding to Melhoun and Akatol respectively.”

  “The Players in Markolm are looking for Khanundra, but can’t seem to find her. We suspect that the Lady of Light has pulled her into her hall,” Lucy said from where she was working with multiple information screens in front of her.

  “Pass that information onto the other embassy leaders and ask that they send military representatives here to liaise information. Looks like we’ll finally put this operations center to its intended use.” Josh tried to stay calm.

  “How powerful are these three creatures?” Dwayne asked.

  “Enough to change the landscape of Emerilia all by themselves. They’re probably rated as strong as Demigods.” Lucy shook her head.

  “Okay, so what can we do?” Josh asked.

  “Do?” Lucy looked to Josh. “Josh, these creatures are nothing like what we’ve fought before. It would be like a Level 10 fighting a Level 300. They’ve had time to perfect their magic and it is damn powerful. Khanundra was made from a god; Fire created Akatol as the second of his species. Besides being the father of the Dragon race, he wanted to be exalted as a god so he started killing people to show his power. He killed off three of his own children and twelve of his grandchildren before he was imprisoned. When Melhoun lived, nothing could move through the seas. He became bored and started ravaging the coasts of populated lands, demanding tribute to appease his temper. He tortured, killed, and ate those sacrificed to him and then continued on to destroy everything, sacrifice be damned. Water came down to kill him, but Melhoun fled around the world, wrecking everything in his path. At one point, Gudalo and Heval were connected, but he cut through them to escape Water. The destruction went on for three days before Melhoun seemed to disappear.”

  A chill ran down Josh’s spine with a mix of excitement and fear: excited that he might be able to fight such creatures and fear at the loss of his levels, gear, and resources. This is what it means to be a gamer—to fight onward, knowing that you might fail, but determined to do it again and again till you succeed.

  “Well, if we can’t beat them now, then we’re going to have to get stronger!” Josh said with a fire in his soul as he smirked. He looked to the rest of the Stone Raiders in the room.

  “Now you’re talking my kind of language.” Dwayne let out a deep laugh and tapped the hilt of his sword.

  ***

  The Lady of Light opened her eyes; golden light spilling from them. Power seemed to surge through her hall, drawing the gaze of people who had been tending to their tasks toward their goddess.

  With her Endurance, she only needed a few moments of rest to stay awake for months.

  Now, her aura filled the hall and home of her most loyal followers.

  “Daughter,” Light said, a half confused whisper, half hopeful breath.

  She raised her hand and pointed it to the ground before golden light filled the room. The light seemed to grow. It was soft and comforting, but even the lights of the hall couldn’t keep up with its brightness. In the middle of the Lady of Light’s hall, a being descended: a woman with polished golden armor and hair that fell down her shoulders.

  On her hip, she wore a sword; the other hip held a shield’s handle. On her back, bright white wings were curled up. Although they looked soft, their brightness had an oppressive feel, making it hard to look at her for any extended period of time.

  Her feet touched the floor. The golden auras of Light and the angel dominated the room.

  “My Lady of Light, I have returned.” The Angel’s voice seemed to calm all those who heard it and made them feel drawn to her. It flowed with grace, but was precise in its pronunciation.

  “Khanundra, the leader of my Angels. I have missed you,” Light said softly.

  She had created the Angels as tools, a way to defeat the Demons and tear power from the rest of the Pantheon. She had amassed a great power when she sent her Angels on a holy war to cleanse Emerilia of those who did not worship her.

  The Angels had been torn from the world and held prisoner by the Grey God. Now, with Khanundra’s return to Emerilia, it was only a matter of time before the rest of her Angels returned.

  “I am honored by your words, my lady. However, I do not sense the rest of your legions,” Khanundra said, confusion in her voice.

  “It has been many years since you last walked Emerilia, Khanundra. The Angels were captured by the Grey God, but soon all of your brothers and sisters will be returned to us. We will tear down those who took you from me and then I shall ascend to my position as the matriarch of the Pantheon,” Light said with complete confidence.

  Khanundra prostrated herself on the floor. “Command me and I shall carry out your will,” Khanundra begged, complete confidence and faith in her creator.

  A cold smile formed on Light’s lips. “Go, and clean yourself up. Learn from my people what happened to Emerilia in your absence. In three months’ time, the remaining Angels will join us and we will be prepared.” Light’s voice was firm and sure.

  “As you command, my goddess.” Khanundra got off the floor and backed away out of the hall, bowing the entire time.

  It seems that she is looking to come back onto my good side. She feels as though she has let me down. That will be useful to me in the future. A creature wanting to prove its worth will do much more than one that simply does it to gain more power for themselves. Light relished in the power that Khanundra fed her from the moment she was returned to Emerilia.

  She briefly closed her eyes, imagining the power that she would feel with all of her Angels returned. She had not felt that strong in centuries.

  ***

  Fire appeared at her balcony and lo
oked down at her gathered Dragons.

  Due to their shared bond, they could faintly tell what the other was thinking. It seemed that Akatol’s return had not gone unnoticed.

  “Where is he?” Fire looked to Denur, who was perched on her own ledge next to Fire’s home.

  “Opheir; it seems that he took over Quindar and Fornau’s old home.” Denur let out a snort, her nose flaring.

  “We will set for the mountain immediately. We need to put him down before he restarts his blood rituals and subjugation of the People of Emerilia,” Fire said.

  “I will go, but you will remain here,” Denur said.

  “Denur,” Fire said, her tone dangerous.

  “Fire, you might be my mother, but right now you’re pregnant. There is no way I’m letting you go into battle while carrying a child,” Denur said.

  Fire could count on one hand the times when her Dragons were angry with her and as she looked out upon them, she realized that Denur had the support of all her children.

  Fire knew that she shouldn’t be going, but she was the one who had given Akatol life, given him power. She had hoped that he would grow out of his delusions. Instead, he fell into them more. She felt responsible for him and his actions. She felt a kick in her belly and her hand moved to it.

  She sighed and closed her eyes. “Fine, but if you’re going, I’m going to make you my Champion.” Fire looked to Denur.

  “I accept.” Denur lightly jumped from her balcony. As she descended, her body became smaller and shifted into a Human. Just before she landed, her large wings were the last thing to combine into the cloak that she wore. She knelt before Fire, her head lowering.

  “Denur, mother of Dragons, and my daughter, I offer to you the position of my Champion, to go forth and protect those who seek the path of knowledge and punish those who use that knowledge for nefarious uses. Do you accept?” Fire asked.

  “I do.” Denur looked to the ground.