"Lesson number two," Alister said. "Learn to spark a simple flame. You have the blood of an elemental in your veins. I did study elemental magic for a while. What I do know is that if you think of fire and snap your fingers, you'll create a ball of fire that floats just above your hand. When you wanna put it out, clasp your hand around it. Better do it quick. The longer we spend getting a light, the less time we have to get the Staff of Rowan before Grimm does." Dagon nodded and did as he was told. It wasn't the brightest of flames, but it sufficed.
After walking in the dark, tripping on rocks, tripping over nothing, chasing away a few bats, they finally reached the dead end.
"Well, the Staff is supposed to be here..." Alister muttered.
"But it's not," a voice remarked in the back. A figure slowly took shape to reveal a skeleton with a half-mask on. It was in black chainmail armour and held a blood-stained silver axe. Alister turned and studied the figure. "Baron Masque. How delightful to see you," Alister remarked mockingly.
"If I do say so myself..." Masque said as knife-like claws began to grow. Slowly, the whole cave was engulfed in darkness. Alister and Dagon were disoriented. Alister shouted for a flame but Dagon couldn't focus. Suddenly, Masque sprang towards Alister but he barely dodged it. Alister sparked a flame and manipulated it to set all the surrounding rocks on fire.
A bright wave of light shone across and Masque could be seen hanging on a overhanging rock. He pounced down at them, tendrils of shadows surrounding him, ready to pierce anything. By instinct, Dagon formed a bubble of protection, fending off Masque's attacks and sent him flying. Alister took his moment of confusion and controlled a giant boulder to drop on Masque, but he disappeared into the shadows. Unfortunately for him, his haste made him drop the Staff of Aegis.
Dagon smiled as he picked it up. "Hey, we did it!" Alister was not amused as he dusted his coat and took the Staff away from him. "No," he said. "You did it." As he walked towards the cave opening.
YOU ARE READING
The Collection
FantasyThrough centuries, many have told tales, tall tales, of the feared Grimm. Some say he roams at night, targeting victims to drain blood. Others say he's a paid mercenary. But who, or what, is Grimm? An epic battle between what's perceived as Good and...
