Published: 22 Feb 2021

Deadly Elements

As the afternoon sun slipped behind a bank of clouds, Quyyn dropped down into the palace courtyard and roared out his challenge. Bram and Stone were here along with who knows how many other Elementals. As he looked around, searching for Bram, Quyyn thought about his mate Sky. He wondered where he was? What had happened in his battle with the fire elemental? If he had lost, he knew he would have felt something. They were so close that sometimes Quyyn could see Sky’s dreams. That meant he must be safe somewhere or on his way here.

[Sky?] Quyyn sent out. [Where are you?]

[Almost there.] He answered. [You worried about me?]

[Of course, I am,] Quyyn stroked his mind with love. [I always worry when you’re not at my side.]

[I’ll be there in a tik,]

Just then, the front door of the palace exploded sending wood chunks and splinters flying. Quyyn turned and let them bounce off his thick hide. When he looked back, Stone in his Golem form came lumbering out and across the drawbridge. Quyyn reared up and growled at the Golem. He was different now. He was much taller and he looked stronger.

[You better hurry,] he sent. [I think I’ll be needing your help.]

[Almost there,]

As Stone stomped his way across the courtyard, Caius and Niro came flying over the palace gate wall. When Caius saw the Golem, he flew around and dropped Niro at Quyyn’s side. Niro pulled his hammer from its place at his side and slapped its head in the palm of his hand. He was ready for a fight. Quyyn roared a challenge to the Golem. Stone stayed silent as he approached. Swinging out with his hammer fist, Stone tried a swat at the gladiator. Niro’s hammer came up and met Stone with a loud clang. Stone moaned as he kicked out at him. Niro jumped at Stone, his feet made contact with the Golems chest. He kicked him square in the nose and leaped out of the way before the Golem could grab him. Stone made a grunting sound and stumbled back away from Niro. As Niro got ready for his next attack, Cutter called out with a message for Quyyn.

[Quyyn,] Cutter’s mind had the sound of pain, he was working too hard to keep the people out of Sorrowdown.

[Stone’s mind is screaming out in pain. Bram did something to make him different.]

[I can’t hear him,] Quyyn sent. [Can you reach him?]

[I can try.]

With searing pain raging through his head, Cutter took a deep breath and focused his thoughts on the voice that was crying in his head, It was a deep baritone of a voice that Cutter had heard once before while he was monitoring Niro’s and Stone’s argument. While still keeping the people out of Sorrowdown, Cutter focussed it on the sound of crying he heard in his head. He could feel the pain and fear emitting out from the Golem as it fought Niro.

[What is your name?] Cutter sent.

[Stone,] was the answer.

[No,] Cutter sent. [Your real name. The name you received at birth.]

[I…I can’t remember,] Stone cried. [It hurts so much.]

[Listen to me,] Cutter sent to the Golem. [I can stop the pain, but only you can keep it from coming back. Bram Thorne did this to you. When I stop the pain, you have to cast him out of your mind.]

[How?]

[Remember who you are,] The dragon sent. [Remember your family and those who you love. Bram can’t break through feelings of love. He can only control you through your hate. Can you do it?]

[I can try.]

[Don’t try, you must do this.]

As Cutter reached into Stone’s mind, he saw a young boy playing Dragonball with his friends. He watched as the red dragon and his friend fought the witch and tore down her tower. They cheered as the witch was defeated and chased off into the forest.

[Joda Kinda,] Stone sent. [My name is Joda Kinda!]

[Good Joda,] Cutter started sending warm feelings of peace and comfort. [Now concentrate on your family. What did your mother look like?]

Cutter watched as the scene in Joda’s head changed. A woman appeared in his mind. She wasn’t beautiful, but you could tell that the woman once was very pretty. Her hair was a dull reddish color with streaks of gray. That’s what it looked like when Joda was fifteen. Joda smiled as he remembered her at a younger age. The dull reddish hair was now a vibrant red with blond high-lights. Her face softened and away went the wrinkles and the worry lines that a hard life had given her. Joda watched as she danced by the fire for Joda and his family. Cutter could feel all the love Joda had for his mother, his father, and his younger sister.

[They are beautiful,] The fear dragon sent. [I can feel your love for them. Hold on to that love.]

With a little more concentration, Cutter sent another burst of love through to Joda,

[How is the pain now?]

[The pain is gone!] Joda sent in surprise. [I am free!!]

[Yes, your free,] Cutter sent. [But only you can keep your mind free from Bram’s magic. If you stay here, he could take control again. Leave here. Go to New Keanna, you’ll be safe and protected there. The dragons will protect you.]

At that instant, the Golem stopped fighting. He turned toward Sorrowdown’s gate and started to walk.

[Aiya my friend,] Cutter sent. [When we get home we will try and lift the Golem spell Bram put on you.]

As Niro and Quyyn watched Stone leave, five Elementals came running and flying out of Sorrowdown castle. Bram stood in an alcove facing the dragons screaming out his rage. They had somehow just taken one of his most powerful weapons from him. But these Elementals won’t be as easy to defeat.

[Here they come,] Quyyn sent up to Niro. [Where is Yarden, Myor, and Hoddie?]

“Here,” Hoddie yelled as he rode in on Cyano followed by Yarden in his Yeti form and Myor in his Phoenix form. “It took us a little while to get through the city, but we’re here now.”

“Split up and attack,” Niro turned toward the Mud thing that was charging down on him. He raised his terrain ring and sent a series of stones flying at the elemental. The Mud thing ducked the first two stones, then the next one hit it in the face and its chest. Hoping to end the battle quickly, Niro jumped in and pounded the rocks into the Mud Elemental. It fell to the ground in a puddle and whined a loud moan. As it tried to re-form, the Elemental staggered up onto its feet just as Niro came in with a tremendous blow splitting in down the middle. Niro dusted off his hands, thinking the battle was over. He turned away to look for his next opponent and heard that moaning sound again. As he turned back to the Mud thing, a blast of mud came streaming at him. He raised his ring hand to send the mud away, but it was too late. The mud blast hit Niro’s chest like a charging bull. He fell back, slightly stunned by the hit. As the Mud thing came in for another hit, Niro rolled away, then jumped up on his feet and smashed his hammer down on its head. Howling in pain, the Mud thing fell to the ground and spread itself into a large puddle of muck. As it lay there unmoving, Niro stood over it with his hammer ready to continue the battle.

As Myor came flying into the palace courtyard, he spotted Niro and the mud Elemental fighting back and forth. One blast of his intense heat would probably be all it would take to finish the elemental. But he couldn’t do that unless Niro asked him for help, and it didn’t look like he needed any help.

As he circled high over the courtyard, Myor watched as Yarden, and Sima came running in to join the battle. Ahead of them, Myor saw five warriors standing in a line. This had to be Bram’s elemental warriors. Myor knew he couldn’t fight all of them. He needed his friends’ help.

[Quyyn, Sky, Bly, and Hoddie. Meet me in the courtyard. Bram’s warriors are here.]

[We’re here,] Quyyn sent. [Let’s finish this here and now!]

Roaring his challenge, Quyyn dropped out of the clouds and streaked down at the Elementals. When he roared, the Elementals looked up and started to fire blasts of their elemental powers. Blasts of heat, ice, water, and energy shot up at him. Quyyn swung himself around between blasts avoiding being hit by their fire. Quyyn rolled to his left. He shot balls of fire down scattering the Elementals all through the courtyard. As the Elementals scattered, Yarden and Sima charged in to attack. With her claws out, Sima leaped on the Elemental dressed in fur. She growled as she tried to sink her teeth into the Elemental’s shoulder. The Elemental was almost seven feet tall with goat-like legs and hooves. It had a huge hump on its back, and it was covered in jet black fur. Arms that were very muscular, ending with two hands that had razor-sharp claws. Its golden eyes glowed with magic as it snarled and prepared for battle with Sima. As the two beasts circled, looking for a place to attack, Sima roared as she felt something tearing at the shields in her mind. With each attempt to control her mind, Sima fought back sending ripples of anger out at the intruder. The pain in Sima’s mind was increasing as the Beastmaster struggled to get a hold of her. With a final burst of strength, the Beastmaster wrapped its mental tendrils around Sima’s mind. The pain from his touch triggered a response in Sima that was totally unexpected by the Elemental. Instead of falling under his spell and losing control of her body, Sima screamed out in pain. Her fur stood up like it was electrified. Sima leaped up, grabbed the Elemental and ripped into its chest. Blood pumped out, spraying all over Sima as she dug her claws into her Victim. With a last swipe of her paw, the Elemental fell, gasping for air. Though her pain had stopped, Sima jumped off the Elemental and looked for Niro. Across the courtyard, Niro, Caius, and Hoddie were battling a score of Bram’s guards that had come out after the Elementals. Niro and Caius were surrounded by fighting men looking to bring them down for their master. In two hops, Sima was right in the middle of the fighting, tearing into the warriors.

Yarden and Myor were just finishing a battle against a water elemental. That left Ranjer and Bly to move in and try and bring Bram down.

As they entered the palace, a chilling feeling crept over them. It felt like someone or something was watching them.

“Myor,” Yarden reached over and grabbed his warm arm. “Do you feel that? There’s something watching us.”

“More of Bram’s Elementals I bet,” Myor said. “Be careful and watch where you’re walking.”

With their eyes open for traps and the Elementals, Yarden and Myor moved on down the hall. They passed from the front alcove into the entry hall of the castle. There were torn down symbols of the Puis family, broken and scattered all through the hall. Pieces of broken armor lay crushed in a pile just off to the side. Palace furniture and housewares, broken and discarded, littered the floor all through the palace. Yarden and Myor started in through the hall past the stations where guards usually stood waiting to announce all visitors.

As Yarden entered the dining hall, something grabbed him and threw him into a pile of broken tables and chairs. Yarden scrambled to get back on his feet. He looked around and found a man of ice standing just beyond the dining-room door. Yarden made the shift to his Yeti form and leaped out to attack. Raising his fist, the ice Elemental sent a blast of cold at Yarden, Jumping high to avoid the blast, Yarden grabbed at the chandelier and swung himself out into a dive. He dropped down with his claws extended to rip into the Elemental. As his claws dug deep scratches down the Elementals chest, Yarden flipped over its head and kicked it in the back. The Elemental fell forward on its stomach, but it didn’t stay down very long. Back on its feet, the Elemental sent an ice blast low under Yarden’s feet. The Yetisian slipped and fell to his knees. As he tried to get up, the Elemental aimed an ice blast at Yarden’s chest. Thinking fast, Yarden dropped down through the ice and swam deep down into the ground.

As the Elemental searched the room for the Yetisian, Myor in his Phoenix form came soaring into the room. He raised his hand aiming to send a thermal blast at the ice Elemental when a sudden burst of flames rose up right between them. As Myor shrugged off the flames, Furious came flying in through one of the windows high in the wall.

“Greetings Phoenix,” Furious said as he hovered over the room. “Why don’t we leave those two to play while we get acquainted outside.”

There was no way Myor could attack the ice Elemental with Furious overhead. Though he wasn’t sure if the fire Elemental could hurt him, there always was the chance he could stab him in the back with an enchanted blade.

[Go Myor,] Yarden sent. [I can handle the Iceman.]

[You’re sure?]

[Count on it,] Yarden sent as he rose up out of the floor. [He won’t be a problem.]

As Ranjer climbed the stairs heading for Bram’s throne room, Bly flew in and sat herself down on his shoulder.

Ranjer had a grim look on his face. He was tired of running around all over Taggitia looking for those damned rings just to have them turned over to Bram. it was time for this all to end and for Bram to go back to his place in the Underworld. Bly could feel the tension in Ranjer’s shoulders. She could tell how bad his mood was right now, but she knew that wouldn’t help.

“Ranjer,” She ran her tiny hand down the side of his face. “You have to relax. Going into this battle angry could get you killed. I don’t want to see anything happen to you.”

Ranjer stopped right there in the middle of the staircase. She was right. Anger could cause him to make really stupid mistakes and he couldn’t afford that. Bram Thorne was one of the most powerful Warlocks to ever threaten Taggitia. It would take a clear head and a lot of power to defeat him. Ranjer wasn’t sure if he was powerful enough to pull this off.

As Bly listened to Ranjer’s thoughts, she knew it time she cut in on his train of thought.

“If you’re not powerful enough to fight Bram,” She said into his ear. “Then we need Quyyn and Sky there.”

“Can you go and find them?” Ranjer asked.

“Yes,” She took off and flew circles around his head. “Stay here. Don’t go any further until I get back with Quyyn and Sky. We go in together.”

“Just go,” Ranjer said. And hurry.”

As Bly flew off, Ranjer continued on his way up the staircase. Once he reached the top, Ranjer looked around the hall. This part of the castle hadn’t been ravaged like the ground floor. Paintings of past Sorrowdown emperors hung in gold frames on the marble and gold etched walls. There were statues of the Taggitian gods and paintings of a few of the prominent citizens of the past. As Ranjer stepped onto the floor, he saw a gold case setting on a small table. He walked over to examine the artifact housed there. It was a crown made of gold with a circlet of vines and leaves. It had to be one of the older crowns worn by emperors in the past.

As Ranjer looked around, he heard hysterical laughter coming from all around him. Ranjer stepped back and got himself ready for an attack. As he gazed around, a bright flash of light exploded down the hall. Ranjer shielded his eyes from the illuminessence. When he looked back down the hall, Bram Thorne was standing there cackling like a mad man.

“Stand fast son of Valkar Zlenka,” Bram said as he held his hand out to point at him. “You should not have come here.”

“So you know who I am,” Ranjer smiled. “Then you know what I can do.”

Bram hopped around laughing, spit sprayed everywhere.

“I don’t fear you Vampire,” He said. “You are nothing compared to my power.”

“Then you are a fool Bram Thorne.”

“I am many things leetch,” Bram smiled. “But I am not a fool.”

“Then face me Mad man.” Ranjer took a step forward summoning power into his hands. “If you dare.”

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!”

As Bram’s laughter rang out, Ranjer launched his attack. Energy balls fired out from Ranjer’s hands. Bram threw them off with just a twitch of his finger. Next, Ranjer tried lightning. Lightning bolts crashed down out of the sky. Bram smiled and moved his finger from left to right casting the bolts away. Reaching out, Ranjer formed a number of green streaks of energy. As he threw his hands forward, he sent them flying at the Warlock. Bram held up one hand and shook it like a rattle. A shield appeared in front of him to deflect energy darts. Ranjer was using a lot of power in his attacks, and Bram hardly moved a finger. Ranjer was losing and he knew it. He didn’t know how long he would be able to keep this up. He needed Quyyn and Sky’s help fast.

“No one’s coming to help you,” Bram said. “You’ll be dead when they get here.”

Sweat ran heavy down Ranjer’s face. He had to find a way to stall Bram until Quyyn and Sky could get there. He lifted himself into the air and cast out with force bolts at Bram. Blue bolts of force shot out at the warlock. Like snowflakes he sent them back to Ranjer. Surprised, Ranjer tried his best to get out of their way, but he was too tired and not fast enough. The last two bolts slammed into him knocking him out of the air. As he fell, Ranjer called out to his cousin Quyyn.

[QUYYN!!!]

As Ranjer fell, Bram cast a spell that sent the young Vampire into a state of suspended animation. Frozen in time, Ranjer fell like a rock to the floor right in front of Bram. bram threw back his head and laughed at the Vampire.

[Quyyn, help me.]

As Bly, Quyyn and Sky flew into the hall, they spotted Ranjer lying prone at Bram’s feet.

“Get away from my cousin!!” quyyn screamed.

“Come and get him little Dragon,” Bram moved back away from Ranjer. Sky flew in and grabbed him in his talons and took him to a place by the staircase where he laid him down. Bly flew down to land next to him and shifted to her full size.

“Is he alive?”

“I don’t know,” Sky said. “There’s no heartbeat.”

Bly sat down and pulled Ranjer up into her lap. She energized her hand and put it on Ranjer’s chest.

“Go help Quyyn,” She said. “I’ll do what I can for him.”

Sky nodded his head then turned and made the shift to his Phoenix form and took off to join Quyyn.

As Sky rose up to join his mate, Quyyn roared out a Dragon challenge.

[Your rein ends here Monster.] Quyyn sent. [You are going back to the Underworld where you belong.]

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!” Bram bellowed. “I’m not afraid of you Dragon. It will take a lot more power then you have to beat me!!”

[Then add the power of an Ice Phoenix,] Sky sent as he flapped his frigid wings. [One way or another, we will bring you down.]

“Don’t bet on it.” Bram cast out sending a blast of heat at Sky, then a blast of frigid air at Quyyn. As the two lovers split up, Quyyn flew off to the left and sent a barrage of flame down to cover Bram. Bram laughed at his effort. Flame was useless against the Elemental Warlock as were most of the other elements. Sky circled to the left, then swooped down shooting ice spears down to rain on the Warlock. Bran sent up a shield to keep Sky’s ice rain from hitting him. As he dropped down, Sky used his icy breath to send a torrent of cold at the Warlock. As the cold hit his shield, cracks appeared and Bram had to send more power to re-enforce his barrier.

With his flame being useless, Quyyn dropped down and shifted to his human form. He cast out with a force bolt and sent Bram flying down the hall. As he tried to get up, Quyyn slammed him back down breaking two of his ribs. Bram screamed out in pain and sent out his own force barrier that threw Quyyn back against the wall.

As Bram climbed back on his feet, he looked down to where Quyyn was lying and hammered him down into the floor. Sky screamed Quyyn’s name and swooped down to attack the Warlock. His freezing talons grabbed Bram and tried to rip into him. Bram sent a current of electricity out into the Phoenix electrocuting him, sending frailing to the floor.

As Quyyn tried to stand up, he knew Bram had beaten him. There was only one thing left he could do.

[FATHER HELP ME!!!]

Our authors deserve your support. The only payment they receive are the emails you send them. Let Jandar know you are reading: Jandar dot Tyr at CastleRoland dot net.

15,540 views