The Dragon Chronicles: In Twisted Time

Chapter 12: The Hunter

It was iDec.

"Well, well, well. What a pleasant surprise! I didn't know you're here, daughter of Seraphim," iDec said, sneering. She had white blond conch hair and poisonous dark green eyes. She's wielding a staff made of ebony, containing parts of hearts of seven ancient dragons of Lagendia. "I thought you're going to hide on your old master's lap?"

"Ah, you've found a way to eavesdrop on us. Excellent," Sabina said coldly. There's a look of pure hatred when she looked at the Sorceress. "Funny you mention my mother's name; after all you've done to her."

"Yes, because she's my dearest friend!" iDec said, laughing insensitively. "And Goddess Vestinel, bless Her. She's helping me a lot these days."

"As if we didn't know that," Sabina snapped, rolling her eyes. "I didn't know you're going to be our receptionist in here.'

"Oh, I'm waiting for this lovely young lad and your interfering elven companion. But as I've said, I have no idea that you made up your mind, that you're going to help Saint Haven. That's not the nature of a Hermit," iDec said.

"And it was not in the nature of a Hunter to wait here and gather forces from Lotus Marsh to throw on us. And I like to see you try and hurt them. You're going to face me before you get your filthy hands on them," Sabina said, her eyes flashing dangerously, her staff ready to cast here spells.

iDec resumes here evil laugh, but this time, it was more horrible as all the monsters around her started to laugh as well.

"Relax! Calm yourself my dear. I'm not going to kill them, yet," iDec said, grinning maliciously. "I'm going to hand them over to my lovely servants," she added, gesturing here vicious monster companions.

"Haven't I told you, you're going to -!"

"What interest me most," iDec said, cutting across Sabina. "Is that why you're here. What made you change your mind? The longer you talk, the longer you stay alive."

"I thought you found a way to listen on our conversation? Why ask us if you already know the answer?" Sabina asked angrily.

"Your master prevented us to catch all the words you're saying. Curse him, even if he's banished, he's still interfering as ever. Never mind that, I'm going to kill your companions now," iDec said, her staff ready and her eyes glowing yellow.

Something sharp run beside Sabina towards iDec. Fritas released her Charged Shot. Meanwhile, RaiRyu charged towards vicious monsters, stomping and making whirlwinds and cyclones with his axe. Sabina cast her gigantic freezing swords, scattering on monsters and iDec, piercing them. Keruru took swipes on monster while devouring others.

iDec released linear rays and nine tail lasers, almost hitting Sabina and others. She also used dark elemental spells like Gravity Balls and Triple Orbs, but Sabina dodged it easily.

"Now!" Sabina shouted, and three of them attacked iDec at once.

"Time Stop!" iDec screamed. Sabina and her companions froze. Every particle of their body stopped. They could not move. Sabina tried to cast without saying it, but it was useless.

"So you guys tried to kill me. Such downright foolishness as I'm a servant of Time. I can manipulate you as I manipulate time. Now it's my turn. Laser Cutter!" iDec said. She summed gigantic lasers from the sky, cutting across the ground.

"Cure relic! Holy Shield!"

At once, a gigantic green relic appeared from the sky, curing Sabina and her companions. Holy shield was also endowed, protecting them from further harm.

"I don't think so, Sorceress. You're not going to hurt them here at my domain. Be gone!" said a quiet but stern voice. "Miracle Relic!"

A gigantic and most powerful relic soared from the sky, dissolving monsters and hurting iDec as well.

"This is not the end, Ice Witch! Goddess Vestinel will give you Her wrath! I assure you your horrible death!" iDec shouted, conjuring a vertical dark portal, step onto it, and vanished.

The gigantic relic vanished, as well as the other monsters left behind. The cleric appeared from the shadows, revealing himself. He was a handsome lad with white blond hair. He was wearing vestment adorned with jewels and gold fabric, and mounted in Snow Breeze Horse.

"Archbishop Code. Such an honor we have you here," Sabina said quietly, bowing her head. Warrior RaiRyu did the same, but Fritas remained standing. It is common knowledge that elves do not bow their head to humans, except for their ruler. Elves regarded themselves equal to humans.

"Sharpshooter Fritas Silvermoon, welcome to our kingdom. Lord Barbarian Rai Ryuzaki, welcome back. General Douglas will be pleased for your return. And this courteous hooded girl who called me Archbishop. Your voice seemed familiar. How do you know me?" Code ask curiously.

"It is not important that I know you, Archbishop. I'm a Hermit from Calderock Village, but it doesn't mean that I don't know things," Sabina answered. "And my name is not important too," she added, as Archbishop opened his mouth, evidently asking her name.

"But Sir, this is Sorceress S-!"

"Be quiet, Barbarian! You're not in the position to reveal my identity," Sabina said, coldly. RaiRyu fell silent.

"You speak as if you're a noble. Tell me, are you an official once removed?" Code asked, with severe incredulity.

"Haven't I told you? My identity matters not at this point of time. This warrior disturbed me at my glade, requesting my help for Saint Haven. Luckily consent his request. Now, badger me with questions, annoy me, and I will change my mind. I'm here to help this infernal kingdom," Sabina said, fiercely.

The charmspeak seemed to work for Archbishop Code, as he remained silent. Apparently, he noticed the power of her voice. "You speak well, Sorceress. I feel the power of persuasion on your voice. Very well, I will not trouble you with any more questions now. At least tell me where you will go, so that I could accompany you. Are you going to the palace now? Code asked Sabina.

"No. We're going to Foothills of Black Mountain, at Cerberus Lair. We need to see Kaiross, the Inquisitor. We think his help would be necessary in defeating those monsters," Sabina answered.

"Kaiross, in Cerberus Lair? We in Holy Order were looking for him for years. We searched every Lair in this Kingdom, much to the residents' discomfort. We even ask for our counterpart Priestesses in Dark Lair for their help, but even they could not find Kaiross," Code said, startled.

"Did you, now? That' very unusual, Archbishop. I thought the Holy Order has means to locate your members?" asked Sabina.

"Yes, but if a power magical barriers shrouded them even in our Goddess Altea, we could not locate them," Code answered.

"Archbishop, you said, that you searched all the Lairs in Saint Haven? What if Kaiross was in Cerberus Nest? Maybe he's just hidden from view?" RaiRyu asked.

"That's possible. Very well, I will accompany you on Cerberus Lair. A party without a Cleric will be a suicide if you want to venture on dangerous quest," Code said.

"All right, Archbishop Code, assist us if you will," Sabina said, and all of them went to Foothills of Black Mountain.