Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2021 21:20:06 -0400
From: Purple Jubliee <purplejubilee17@gmail.com>
Subject: Elias of Eradal: Chapter 9

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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