Dota 2 World: Return of Oracle

Chapter 5: Heart of Eldwurm

The next few days was a whirl of activities, as I started training with Rylai. In preparation of the battle to come, Razzil decided to chip in and started organising the creeps to form a heavily fortified wall around the glacier, with the heart of the glacier at the very centre. Not one to do anything for free, Razzil requested access to the glacier's alchemic store and having no choice, Rylai agreed to it. With access of the alchemic storage, Razzil had managed to recreate the tincture which he brewed while in prison with the ogre. Furthermore, he also brewed two other potions which he said was a 'surprise' for the enemy forces that is to come.

While Razzil was busy, so was I. Training with Rylai proved to be far harder than I thought. Due to her mastery of the Frozen Arts, Rylai's were not some low level magic that you see in shows or concerts. On the first day, Rylai focused solely on using a spell she called crystal nova, which was similar to what she used in the igloo, but of a much larger scale. Apparently when she did not hold back, the area of effect in which her spell can hit increases significantly, and therefore made it that much harder for me to dodge. As she said, the first spells she learnt were defensive ones, before the Ice Wizard taught her the far more deadly ones. So here I am, after surviving the first day (barely), I am training against a skill she referred to as one that can 'never be dodged'.

"This spell is called frostbite, due to the fact that by invoking the icy elements of the earth, I am able to freeze the ground directly beneath the target's feet, rooting them on the spot." Rylai said, amused as if she was also curious how I could pass this test.

"How am I supposed to avoid a spell that cannot be dodged!?" I asked, exasperated.

"Try to use your brain, your abilities are a part of you, I'm sure you'd figure something out." Rylai said as she waved her staff.

Before I could do anything, I feel the ground below me freeze, as icy tendrils wrapped around my foot and rooted me in place. Even whilst wearing my spectacles, transforming into the virtual reality offered no solution to my predicament. Sighing, I admit defeat and Rylai dissolved the trap with another wave.

"Again." She said and waved her staff once more.

Ready this time, I shut my eyes at the same instance as I hear the word A. Time froze and I looked at the ground, which already started to freeze. Curious what would happen, I shifted a little to the left and resumed time, which amazingly did not send me back to the previous position, but rather the one where I was in the virtual world. When time resumed, I dived to the right, and barely managed to dodge the tendrils which sprouted from the ground just seconds later. Sensing that this could be a breakthrough, a few more tries revealed that again, due to some inexplicable reflex action, I can shift a little in my world, which will be brought into the real one. However, any attempt to increase that range seems to simply reset my position again. After finally confident that I can at least dodge most of her spells, Rylai congratulated me and sent me to find Razzil, who's supposed to improve my more offensive capabilities.

"Oh you are so going to love this part. Don't forget who taught you how to fight when you're using it later!" Razzil chattered as he led me towards a strangely foreboding looking circle, made of pure metal. "I call it, The Cage!"

When I entered The Cage, it wasn't hard to imagine where it got its name from. Although the round area is similar to a gladiator's arena, there was no audience, all corners were covered in pure metal, making escape impossible, and right in the centre of The Cage, was the peaceful ogre.

"Now, I want to try and fight my friend over there in the middle." Razzil said matter-of-factly and proceeded to close the door.

"Wait, you haven't told me anything!" I exclaimed.

Then the door was locked, right in my face. Sighing, I went over to the ogre and he just stared at me goofily.

"Incoming!" Razzil shouted from above The Cage, which was opened, at the tip of it, and he threw a purplish concoction down, aiming right at the ogre. Suddenly eager, the ogre reached out and grabbed the potion in mid-air, then proceeded to finish it in one gulp. All of a sudden, it started changing. Its yellow skin gradually turned purple as the ogre reached behind its back and drew two long and extremely deadly blades. And then... uh-oh. Letting out a terrifying roar, the ogre started charging, right at me. Swinging its blade, I managed to use my abilities to avoid each of them, but instead of appeasing the raging ogre, it seemed to only succeed in making it even madder.

"You're gonna have to hit back if you want to stop him!" Razzil shouted through the crack at the top again.

Looking at the ogre, I slowed time as his blade swung downwards. Glancing at his side, I noticed the chink in his armour and threw my fist as hard as I could into that spot. When time resumed, it seemed as if I just did some seriously cool move by evading the blade and striking back against the ogre. However, the ogre simply stared at me for one second, and then resumed hacking and slashing. This exchange went on for quite a while, before the effects of the potion finally wore off, and the ogre became yellow once more. Settling down, it went back to the centre of The Cage and sat down, dozing off yet again. Exhausted, I slumped onto the ground, tired from battling the ogre for almost the whole afternoon.

"Well done my champion." Rylai commented as she entered The Cage.

Looking at her face, I involuntarily blushed yet again as she called me her Champion, which for some reason, made her look away and I could swear I detected a hint of a smile.

"Now that your training has been completed, time is short. All that's left is to gear you up for the battle that is coming." Rylai said as she walked out of The Cage.

I stood up and said, "But I only trained for roughly two days, are you sure it's going to be enough?"

"It will have to be." Was all she replied as she led me towards another igloo in the frozen land.

When we reached the igloo, the interior was orderly lined with weapons and armours alike. The owner of the igloo, was apparently a merchant who seems like human, but have rather unique features (character model was referenced by dota 2 shop owners at secret shop, fountain and side shops). The merchant smiled, and then wordlessly gestured at a hidden backdoor. Rylai nodded and then went over to the door, opening it and leading me further in. Inside, encased in a well, frozen case, was the most beautiful armour I had ever seen. In front of it, buried deep within the ground, was a sword. Moving closer, I noticed that the blade of the sword was oddly unique, shifting its colours every now and then. Its grip was well made, and when I wrapped my hands around its hilt, it felt comfy and smooth.

"The sword you see on the icy floor is known once, as the heart of Eldwurm, since it was crafted with one in its core. Enchanted by the Ice Wizard aeons ago, the sword will be invaluable in the battles to come, and the armour was once worn by him, as he battled foes and any who threatened the blueheart glacier. Gripping the sword in my hand, I realised that lifting it from the ice was easy, and that the sword balanced well in my hands. After that, I went over and donned the armour and I have to say it myself, I probably looked pretty damn badass. All of a sudden, I heard a scream outside, which sounded like one of the creeps. Dashing out with Rylai, it was evident, the army has already arrived.

{Oracle smiled, the army has arrived. It is time then, to initiate the next phase of his plans. Floating across his destroyed lab, he summoned Mogul Khan, also known as Axe. When Mogul Khan appeared, he bowed deeply to the Oracle as he received his command, "Go forth now, and bring me the Seed that Sylla, the Lone Druid has been keeping."}

[Author's note: I hope you guys are as excited as me for this release, the next one would contain a lot more action as the battle begins, do stay tuned! Oh and by the way, the unknown hero from the previous chapter will make his appearance in the next chapter: Battle of Blueheart Glacier. xD]