Chapter 7, in which something terribly evil reveals itself

Vodok
The short dwarf took up new backpack that seemed to be full of great fire ball runes. "'Ese things aint dangouros. Bu' 'ike everything, get too much o' it an' yeh die." the short dwarf said so everyone could her him. "CHARGE!!" the short dwarf yelled and threw a fire bomb mostly to make things light as it was about 3 in the morning. Then he took up two great fire ball runes and just started to fire like a maniac. Then he trapped himself in a fire wall. "'Ese weak creature 'ill die tryin' tar get through that." he muttered grimly. Now he emptied his backpack of great fire balls. They all lay in the fire barrier ready to get fired. A mixture of runes were lying on the floor. He shot a couple of great fire balls in the group of trolls. He also set fire to a lion with a fire field witch was more effective than he hoped. It ran into the main group of lions and some of them also took fire. For some extremely odd reason all the fire suddenly went out and all the bugs swarmed around him. Very suddenly he felt very weak. Time to disappear a while the dwarf thought. "Utana vid" the dwarf said and most of the bugs probably thought that the victim had died. God knows what the rest of the group thought... anyway the dwarf ran while great fire balling his way forward. "Exura Vita" he said and healed fully. The dwarf reached the rest of the group and swiftly pushed himself forward to the middle and kept great fire balling. He had managed to save nearly all the runes when he ran against the group. "Adori gran flam, Adori gran flam, Adori gran flam Adori gran flam." the short dwarf said after drinking the last of his mana fluids. He kept on firing.

Danger
"Stop you fool!" He yelled at the short dwarf. "They are running just as we should be! They are not here for a fight!"

Danger tackled the dwarf just as the scared animals began to charge. They ran right past them.

"See?! he yelled, annoyed. "Do you think that they are big enough to make the ground shake so violently? whatever it is it is huge! even the trees are scared!"

Though the young mage worshiped the God Zathroth he was still a man of nature. He was a druid after all.

Rhia where are you?!

Pheonix
-Rhia fell to her knees. The animals were so scared... she could feel it. It was so overwhelming.
"someone help me..."she called out through her mind. She could barely move. So many animals... so many feelings she was sensing.
"I... c-can't block them out." She said holding her head.

-Then Rhia felt a new feeling. Something out there was bloodthirsty... all it wished to do is kill and destroy. She had felt this before.

Vodok
"Ahhhh..." the dwarf said after the druid had tackled the dwarf. Once again trying to think of a good and logical answer to this the dwarf started "Ummm... well yeh see.. yeh see us dwarfs don'' 'eally 'ike 'em bugs, trolls 'n' lions, 'ight Red Un?" he said while holding a small bottle of beer in front of the dwarfs nose with out anyone else noticing and hoping Red Un was realising the short dwarf was bribing him with beer... "'is is my fave'ot, Flamin' demon.” the dwarf whispered to Red Un out of corner of his mouth so no one else would hear.

Danger
"Adori" The young mage said as he pointed a green rune at the dwarf. A magic missile shot towards him and hit him knocking him back a little. "Will you quit that?" he said annoyed. "I know the nature of dwarves and dwarves aren't afraid of bugs or lions or trolls for that matter. I lived in a dwarven city for 2 years! You maybe afraid but I know most are not."

"Someone help me..." He had heard in his mind. He looked at the others. They had heard it too! "That was Rhia! where is she?!"

Red Un
Well, everyone except for Red Un. His mind was very foggy at the moment. There was something else wanting to have the attention of his thoughts. He had felt this before...

...no, not even they could call up...well, theoretically they could. But if they did, they would be in big trouble...he had to get a plan...stop invading my mind...a plan...to fight...that thing...Oh, yes, of course.

Not noticing that the others had turned their attention to Rhia’s cry for help, Red Un yelled out:

"Everyone! We need to get to Kazordoon!"

Roku Yarit
The Sorcerer, Roku Yarit, lay dazed and confused from the roof of a cave, his things scattered below his head. What had happened? He could not recall. He remembered the thundering of the ground and reciting the spell but after that was a haze of confusion. At first he thought to call out into the cave to see if he was alone but all was dark and no friendly being would have brought him here in the first place.
"So, you are awake old man," a demonic voice that shook the cave called from the shadows. "What business does a beggar have here?"
"P-Please, sir, I was jus travelin’ ta da Elven city for a bit ‘o wine and such. I-I didn’t mean to cause any harm." he pleaded, trying to sound as elderly and pathetic as possible.
"Well, you didn’t cause any harm. I found you in the fields, yelling some words with strange stones in your hand. So I brought you here to inform me about how the world has changed."
"Changed?"
"Since I last walked this place. The Dwarves now have a city and the humans are no longer enslaved. Elves have lost their castle to the orcs and dragons, and you disgusting creatures make up the majority of he population!" The voice became angry and large chunks of rock began to fall from the cave roof, barely missing Roku's head.
"P-P-Please, sir, I dun know what you are talking about. W-Who are you? W-What are you going to do to me?"
The voice laughed, a loud horrible laugh. "Poor beggar, I am going to skin you alive and eat your flesh while you remain conscious to watch it!"


Vodok
"WHEEEE!! KAZORDOON!! I''s 'bout time summun ´thinks o' goo' ol' Kazordoon. Le''s get goin' 'en. 'Ight! Everyun' pack up! ''re goin' tar Kazordoon!" As though the short dwarf was in charge. The short dwarf didn’t know how everyone would react (especially Red Un). He had a feeling, but just a feeling that no one wouldn’t move a finger before Red Un told them to.

Red Un
"Ahem...yes, we need to get to Kazordoon before whatever it is that is coming finds us."

Stop...invading...my...mind...damn...you...

Roku Yarit
Roku Yarit's head was in a great deal of pain from the constant flow of blood that made his face swell. This was growing tiresome. The cave was filled with the horrible sound of a stone sliding against a jagged cleaver. Whatever this thing was it was definitely sadistic to a sickening extent. He had not yet even seen the creature for it stayed in the shadows and out of sight but his mind wandered to what it looked like. A big, brooding beast, with razor claws and piercing yellow eyes, he imagined.
"Are you comfortable old man?"
Roku did not answer and suddenly he heard the beast sniffing around in the air. It stopped sharpening his blade and the Sorcerer could hear it coming closer.
"I smell manflesh. No wait...Dwarves as well. Ah what a feast. What a feast indeed." Without another word, pounding footsteps that shook the cave trailed off as it moved through what Roku thought must have been the entrance.
Now was his chance. "Exori vis" the blast hit the roof, releasing the hold on his feet and dropping him heavily to the ground. After a moment of rubbing sore muscles and waiting for his face to return to its normal dull grey colour he gathered his things and concealed them in his tattered robes. "He must have smelt Un and his companions. I must make haste if I am to warn them before the beast catches up." Making sure his runes were all intact, he stumbled around in the darkness, not thinking to use Uevo lux, trying to find the entrance.

Pheonix
-Rhia woke. She was in the arms of a tree. What had happened? where were all the animals and bugs?

-"Thank you my friend" She whispered to the tree "You may set me down now."

-The tree obeyed. "I have to check on the others."

-She ran swiftly to the others tracing their tracks.

-"Oriel! You’re alive! She said running in to hug him."

Danger
The young mage was relieved to see his sister alive. "What happened to make you use your telepathy over the land?" He asked concerned. "That... what ever it was. Where is it?"

Red Un
Damn...you...out...of...my...head...

"I fear that I know" said Red Un.

"We can't take it on by ourselves. We will need to get to Kazordoon and warn the Emperor. For I fear that after that thing is done with us, it will go there...again."

I...will...warn...them...stop...out...of...my...mind...

Vodok
"Yeah! Le''s ge' off tar Kazordoon. Follow now or I'll ge' angry!" the dwarf said and walked. He turned around and saw smoke. "Ooo!! Look over 'ere! S'oke!" the dwarf said as though he was pointing out a piece of rare armour. "Anyway le''s ge' going we don'' 'ave time for some stupid 'ires do we, 'Ed Un? the dwarf asked while nudging Red Un on the ribs. "C'mon 'en! The dwarf said happily.

Hezasah
Dwarf...

wait...

Please he...



Pheonix
-"Something troubles you half dwarf. What is wrong?" Rhia reached out to Red Un's mind.

-There was indeed something wrong with the hafling, His mind seemed elsewhere. She did not want to pry in his mind with out permission... She just couldn't see others so troubled.

-Rhia sapling. They were always ready for conversation. She bent down touching the tree.

-"Hi there little one." She said in the tree's language.

-"h.i N.me Ce.de.n ..u?" It responded.

-"Rhiannon of the druma wood. Where is you mother? there is no older tree near you." Rhia asked conerned.

-".he W.lk.n.g Tr.."

"A walking tree?!" Rhia said out loud in the standard language. "I Thought those only lived in Fincayra!"

Danger
"A what!" the young mage spun around. "Are you sure that’s with the sapling said Rhia?" he asked surprised. "Can't be... Those creatures nearly died out! it was thought to only be 5 left! and they all live in my home country... Fincayra." He explained to the others.



Roku Yarit
Roku was getting frustrated. He could not find the entrance even with light. The cave was barren with only stones littering the floor. He was taking too long. The creature would find Red Un and his adventuring band if he did not get out of here quickly. "Adori gran." The rather basic spell seemed to be the only one that could help him. Taking careful aim at what he had thought to be the thinnest cave wall. He let loose the charges, spraying gravel and dust back at the Sorcerer but this did not stop him. He kept firing, digging deeper and deeper into the wall until he saw a beam of sunlight go through a crack. The rune was gone and he began to pry at the hole with his staff, making it large enough to fit his arm through. Try as he might, it would not grow any larger. He got an idea, one he had used before. Pulling another blank rune from his robes he put it in his left hand and reached it through the wall, aiming into the sky, he could not see so he did not know for sure. "Adori flam" Closing his eyes and guiding his hand carefully, he attempted to spell the words "Help" and "Danger."


Red Un
Head...out...not...again...

"Aye, we sure could use one of 'em talkin' trees right now" Red Un muttered.

Oh...power...will...not...succumb...

"Now...hey wait a minute, what's that in the sky?"

There was words of fire written in the sky.

"Well, I haven't seen something like that since...oh well, we haven't go the time. We MUST hurry to Kazordoon!"

They had arrived at the bridge.

Vodok
"Emmm... Why's 'ere someone who seems tar be asleep on me feet? the short dwarf said. He picked up a stick from the ground and poked him in the tummy, once, twice, three times... "hmmmm..." the dwarf muttered. The short dwarf kicked the limp figure on the ground. "I think 'is fella 'as fainted." the short dwarf said wisely. "Alas I don’t have any healing runes on me" the dwarf said as even if he did have some he wouldn’t use them. He stood there thinking. I could loot his body. I could nick a ultimate healing rune from some druid and make sure I get a reward for saving him. Hmmmm... the dwarf said in deep thinking. He came around to that nicking a rune off a druid would be best since if he was caught find looting a body he would probably be kicked out of the group. The dwarf went up to Danger the druid. "LOOK!! A DRAGON!!” the dwarf yelled in his ear. But would the druid fall for the trick?

Red Un
Must...focus.

It looked like Vodok was doing something stupid (again). Meanwhile, small blue sparks was coming from Red Uns arms.

Use...its...powers...against...it...

He picked Hezasah like he was a bag of air.

Focus...do...not...succumb...

When he spoke, Red Uns voice sounded like it came from far away.

"Ah...soldiers."

Two dwarven soldiers stood with their crossbows ready.

"Well, if it ain't Red Un, that 'ol outcast."

"Have not...time."

Red Un threw down the two dwarves from the bridge with no difficulty at all.

Use...power...

"To Kazordoon! Now!"

Danger
The mage followed. There was something seriously wrong about the half dwarf. Though he was not willing to ask, he would find out.

Pheonix
- Rhia had happen to look up at the sky, There were words!? She would have to investigate. She slipped past the other heading toward the source.

-"Huh? that aura... it’s familiar." she said noticing it was the old man. "Was he the one writing in the sky?"

- "Who are you" She thought her mind trying to reach the old man. "Strange... His mind is completely blocked form me!" She suddenly felt a new presence. IT was the same bloodthirstynes she had felt in the woods... IT was almost overwhelming. "It can't be... He's banned... Dadga he banned him... how could he be here?!"


Roku Yarit
Roku was quick to get into his role as the old man. "Words in the sky ya say?" he yelled through the hole. "I’ve never heard of such a thing but I’ll be sure to thank whoever made them, but ya must be quick. There’s strange things abroad. It might be back quick and by that time I’d like ta be on my way." Concealing his runes and other tools in his tattered robes, he reached a hand through the hole and waved at the young woman.

Vodok
Hmmmm... this didnt work. But! I know what I can do! the short dwarf thought. He took up one of his fire bombs and shot it right in front of the druids feet. He seemed distracted a moment so the short dwarf snatched a healing rune and ran back to the limp figure. He used the rune on the figure. The figure seemed to be waking up a little bit but the short dwarf wasn’t sure.

Red Un
"Don't...heal...yet..."

Oh no...must...focus...

They were over the bridge. Then they all heard it. Especially Red Un. He dropped the unconscious man and screamed out in pain while holding his head.

"NO! YOU CAN'T BE! DAMN YOU! DAMN..."

In his pain, he remembered the effects of a dramatic pause.

"P'FAARD, THE DEMON OF THE SCROLLS!"

A thundering laughter echoed over the mountains. Then a huge shape came crashing out of the forest. It was a blood-red creature, with enormous, twisted horns on its head. Its eyes glowed yellow and when it spoke, it sounded like a voice from a thousand hells.

"YES LITTLE HALF-DWARF! I, P'FAARD, CALLED UPON BY THE FOLLOWERS OF THE DARK STAR, SHALL END YOUR LIFE HERE!"

Red Un suddenly collapsed into a pile.

"Damn you...that power...was too...much..."

Then, he screamed out.

"QUICKLY! Run to Kazordoon and warn the emperor! I'll hold that thing back here...now, RUN!"

Then he started muttering ancient spells directed towards the towering beast.

"Y'GAHH, F'TAGHN FOOR'T!"