ANGEL OF JUSTICE (2014 revised)

Chapter Seventy Four - A Great Prize

A Great Prize

Charaz sat cross legged within a pentagram of magic in the master's chambers. His concentration was immersed in the Book of Spells on his lap as he continued the powerful incantation. Sweat beaded the thin boned sorcerer's forehead and the veins of his neck bulged dangerously yet he did not waver. Arbinn stood just outside, watching with great interest as a hand size ball of mist rose up out of the book on Charaz's lap. It hovered in the air between them, before clearing to portray an image of a lush valley deep within an ancient volcanic chamber. The green was split by a meandering river glistening beneath the tall trees along its banks like molten silver and tainted by the orange sky above. In the distance three people were walking towards a white cottage. The ward protecting the valley shimmered slightly at the intrusion, revealing the foundation of Keltin's ward.

"It won't be long now, Charaz." Arbinn stated with growing excitement at the recognition of his brother in long blue robes.

"I can see the time shift over Keltin's valley failing as you pull it apart. Once it is obliterated, I shall be free and my long awaited reign shall resume! I shall watch when they tremble before me as they fall to their knees begging for mercy. And first to feel the might of mercy will be my brother for aiding the Cardinian Prince who thinks to thwart my plans by returning from the dead!"

Neither sorcerer could see the skies above the Silver Isle palace being split apart by bolts of fierce lightning as the universal power Charaz called upon was being delivered.

"We are close, Charaz!" Arbinn stated with sheer exhilaration, his blue eyes wide with madness as his freedom beckoned on the edge of Charaz's fingertips. "I can feel the power of the gods in the very air around me! They finally answer our summons! See they have not forgotten the power of the Destroyer! No longer will they name me the black hearted Keeper! But for their millennium of insolence I will make them all pay!"

Charaz could feel the rush of power coursing through his veins like a river, giving his body a strength he had never possessed. He soaked it up with a lust born of greed and continued drawing on the Book of Spells to channel the power of the gods into him. His cruel thoughts quickly turned to the destruction available at his choosing and he smiled inward at the chaotic myriad of images that flashed within his mind. He glimpsed giant fireballs destroying towns and villages, colossal tidal waves wiping away every fishing village and human from the shore in a single heartbeat. Death was everywhere and Charaz's twisted soul soaked up the delightful sight of so many corpses and the thousands of wounded that wandered the battered island trying to make sense of the catastrophe that had torn their lives apart.

All the power of the universe is all at my fingertips!

Charaz blocked what he imagined was their death screams from his mind and returned to undoing the threads of Keltin's ward. It was all so much easier than he had expected and in that momentary throe of power, Charaz knew he held the power to destroy anything and anyone he wanted to and he planned on using it. For there would be time to play with the new found power later when he had finished his master's bidding. Little did Charaz realise that the Book of Spell's ancient call was heard and was being answered. The skies above the Silver Isle darkened ominously before the heavens spewed forth the giant balls of red fire upon its helpless inhabitants, just as he had envisioned.

Arbinn felt the sudden shift. He subconsciously knew something was happening and he began to pace in agitation before the pentagram. He did not however realise what it was that had caused the change in his mood but accepted it as the anxiety of watching someone else dabbling with his Book of Spells. Its power was vibrating on the air, the sensation left every cell of his body tingling with longing and anticipation of meeting a long lost lover. Feeling envy and anger rising, Arbinn stopped and closed his eyes to centre his thoughts on the image of Keltin he had seen in the sphere a moment ago. Anything to put aside the overwhelming need to touch the deadly pulsating power of his Book!