Age of Darkness

Chapter 24: Zirkon's Wrath

I struggle to sleep again tonight, though this time, it's worse than ever before. Not one minute of sleep. Not one second...

Despite the recent, surprisingly joyful events, my night is riddled with nightmares.

First it's just little thing: Laughter, voices, little images, all involving Zirkon.

Then I get a nightmare... A real one...

He's there. Zirkon. Talking to The Oracle. At first I think they're making a plot of sorts. An old master and his apprentice. Then I notice that The Oracle is fighting with him.

''Tell me where the boy is, old man!''

''No. Never.''

''I am capable of more than you think, and not even you can predict what I will do, should you not answer my questions.''

The Oracle remains silent.

''The lives of many outweigh the lives of one.''

Zirkon chuckles.

''You would give your life for this pathetic cause? Die so the boy can survive just a little longer? Even you know it. The boy will die.''

''It is more than you think, Zirkon.''

''Do not play with me, old man. You must want death, no? Knowing as much as you do, I probably would, too.''

Then Zirkon strikes. But The Oracle is surprisingly quick, and sends his own blast of magic at Zirkon. Both are as black as night. Zirkon, in shock, breaks the two off, and backs away.

''Who are you?!''

''You know who I am, Michael...''

''Get away from me! You're dead! I killed you!''

''You did not kill me! I disappeared!''

''How? Why?''

''I could do it no longer. I regretted my actions, and those I had hurt. I turned away from my past, and tried to correct it. Though, nothing I guess, can correct my past. I deserve death, Michael. Strike me down. I have done what I can.''

Zirkon, still shocked, suddenly makes a weak smile. With a yell, he hits The Oracle with death magic, and he vanishes.

The look on Zirkon's face is grim, and furious...

The scene changes...

Zirkon is walking along the road in the town. Bodies lie on the ground, some dead, many injured.

''You will all pay for the boy's actions. His foolish decisions. Now tell me, where is he?!''

''He will stop you! You won't get him!'' Yells a man. Soon, he too is lying on the ground.

''Do you know who I am?! Do you know what I can do?! Tell me! Now! Where is he?!''

A man limps forward. Clearly wanting to keep his life, he speaks.

''I saw them. They went to the mountains...''

A smile forms on Zirkon's face, and on the man's.

''You coward.'' And the man is dead as well.

The scene changes...

Zirkon is still on the road, speaking to James. Seeing him fills me with anger, my hatred boiling as I remember my grandfather.

''I am going to the mountains. To track the boy. I shall kill him.''

''But master, should we not instead get the army after him?''

''No. I will take care of him myself.''

The scene changes...

This time, it is only Zirkon, on the edge of the town. He frowns suddenly, and turns toward my viewing point.

''Still intruding, DreamWalker? What did I tell you?''

He senses me...

''You did this to these people, boy. Because of you, they have died. And I will do the same to many more, unless you give yourself to me. Come to die.''

I use the tactics the now-dead Oracle taught me. Zirkon cringes.

''Learned some tricks, did you? From the old man, my old master, yes? I have killed him too... This time for good.''

I force myself to wake, and am suddenly back in my uncle's house. I turn to Elizabeth and wake her.

''We have to go! Now!''

Yes guys... I am terribly sorry for my absence. I've been really busy lately. So I made a good chapter to make up for it! I hope I can update my other stuff soon. So jumbled up!