Ethaendra: Rise of the Storm Mage

Chapter 6: Anarchy

Valley of the Storm
Ruins of Goblin Camp
Arlon
Sunrise

I trekked my way out of the fissure, gaping the aftermath of the goblin camp one last time. I must hurry back to Youngwood City, despite my tardiness, yet I am left without any cull. I endeavor for Abigail's safety.

According to the storm mage, my talent is limited to my aptitude. I shall attempt an action, aspiring to arrive in time, but what?

"Do remember," said a voice surprisingly.

"Heavens!" I reacted. "I need assistance. Any method I can jaunt back home?"

"Thy powers are not limited to offense," replied the voice. "You have the ability to call upon storms, generate electric barriers, even ride a mobile cloud. As I stated, your omnipotence relies on your intellect. Heed my final advice. Go forth, for that damsel you cherish is facing distress."

"ABIGAIL?" I asked in surprise, but the voice faded away. "Wai--- wait! Ughh..."

Now I am pumped. I hastily came up with a solution, spinning my Lightning Rod until it charged.

"Help me get to Youngwood," I prayed to the lightning rod.

I swung the scepter and a bolt struck the ground, conjuring an uncanny cloud. I jumped on top, assuming a ride. Initially, it was difficult to maneuver. I swooped above the fissure, glancing down at what seemed like a bottomless abyss. This felt nervous, although successful.

I can hover on a storm cloud, easily controlled by leaning on any direction. I struck it with lightning, empowering with sparks, speculating this could accelerate my travel. I settled on a soar through the Ethaendran skies.

I passed by many cities, I have never observed Ethaendra from such a viewpoint. Regular human eyes could barely see the people in this distance of perception.

Chaotic Youngwood City
Arlon
Afternoon

I knew that premonition would come true. I debarked at roof of my residence and scrutinized the city, slowly devastating itself in helpless entropy and riot. This is far worse than expected. We are facing real life inferno.

Strife between innocent lives occurred as blood spilled across the streets. The atmosphere and ambiance has a strange, greenish color, although odorless, and I am unaffected for some cause. I cannot yet confirm the main reason for all this turmoil. I leaped across rooftops in search for my lambkin.

Her laboratory's roof was blazing. People were shouting all around, mindlessly throwing rocks and large chunks of wood, desperately trying to force out whoever is inside. I never expected the people who raised me, became my friends, gave me supplies, supported me in life; will turn out like this.

"FOOD, FOOD, FOOD!" screamed the mindless people.

Abigail's life is on the line, and this started to agitate me. I jumped off the roof and the people dazed. An insane man armed with a dagger ran furiously towards me without warning, babbling words no man can even understand.

"Back off!" I warned him, as I began charging my lightning rod.

The insane man seemed to heed my warning. I had no choice but to fight back. A bolt of lightning emitted from my scepter, staggering and knocking him away, leaving him temporarily paralyzed as he fell to the ground.

"ORDER!" I shouted, yet it appears no one cares as they have their eyes glare at the laboratory.

This provoked me. I can no longer hold my dander, and I furiously slammed my charged Lightning Rod into the ground, striking an immensely powerful thunderbolt, forming a titanic crack across the ground. Sooner, the bright sky turned dark. I have called upon a lightning storm throughout Ethaendra, wiping away the strange, gassy ambiance.

The heavy downfall extinguished the flames all over the city. Everyone came back to their minds, shaking in fear as they witnessed my power, then my rod spoke to me.

"Caution destined one," said the Lightning Rod. "Do not commit the mistake of murdering an innocent life with thy power."

I shall take note of that.

My legendary endowment is the key to discipline all of disorder in Ethaendra. I made my way to the heavily locked laboratory entrance, and the people stood back and gave space as I moved through the crowd.

"You all," I said. "Go back to your normal lives while I figure out the cause of this."

Everyone left

I knocked at the iron door.

"Abigail?" I said. "It's alright, it's me, Arlon. Please come out, it's safe now."

Abigail slid the small opening and saw me. She opened the tightly locked door, came out, and gave me a hug.

"Arlon!" she said and smiled. "Where have you been? The kingdom is facing doom."

"I know," I replied. "I never expected such allotment it took, yet on the bright side, I became an all-powerful being! I also have wiped out the green ambiance all around Ethaendra. What happened while I was gone? I need explanations."

"Long story," she said. "A few weeks ago, a massive gas cloud spawned above Arvendana, the capital city and center of all Ethaendra. This was not considered a threat, instead, as a natural phenomenon, as it did no harm in the first place.

Days passed, and people started going hungry, and eventually insane because of gas exposure. Due to this erroneous law on the economy, their messed up minds probably gave them thoughts of misdeeds, in order to sate their hunger.

Luckily, Wartha City was aware and citizens drove off the gas with a massive turbine. It could mean end to our kingdom if Wartha became flaunted, enfeebling the defensive forces and leading an open way for the goblins.

This chaos went on and on throughout Ethaendra. The only way to avoid the insanity driven by the gas is to wear a mask or cloth all over your head and avoid exposure. Those unfortunate ones who lost their minds caused this tragedy. The city guards were not able to fight back, as everyone is armed and cannot risk to lose innocent lives.

I locked myself inside my laboratory for quite a time. I did research, and can confirm this is a goblin attack. News have come that Wartha City successfully defended against two goblin invasions, although two warships were lost.

Now you came, the savior of Ethaendra. This storm you summoned brought back the people's thinking. You have done your first heroic deed, you restored order in the kingdom."

"Gods save us," I said.

"You are a god," replied Abigail. "And you are destined to save us."