The Fifth Academy - Fantasy Direction / #Wattys2018

Epilogue

By Max

All the guard-shift was murdered this night. Darks with help of Demons opened the Hot Gates and took orcs unawares – burned their villages and caught poor oafs in the caves. If not for Luxard's kindness and protection, the people of fire could have disappeared from the face of the Earth without a trace or... the rest of the Great Horde could have turned into the dark's allies and gladly help them to concur Magir's. In addition, tonight some middle-level demon had appeared in one of Goldstone's villages, he burned a few houses, killed several dwellers and took one teen-boy with himself. That poor fellow was I... Maximilian Firesteel.

I opened my eyes in familiar round room, decorated with twelve columns and lit by the silver torches with bright green light – the secret Dragonwood's treasury room. Well, perhaps, it wasn't so secret any more – we visited it too frequently... by our will and even against it.

I regained consciousness lying on the cold stony floor – shinning black marble, in the center of pentagram, drown there by gray ash. It was still warm, a few coals were even smoldering. All my body was sore from the beating and heavy from exhaustion, I still wore simple craftsman's clothes – light shirt and dark trousers, although it's were dirty with blood and smelled like smoke. I opened my sleepy eyes... Perhaps, it was my stomach, which twisted with hunger and thus awakened me. However, that wasn't the reason at all...

"...don't you dare lie to me!" snapped a strong girl's voice with irritation, slightly husky with emotions. "I have come here for Max! Tell me at least, where is he! And I'll find him without your help, stupid useless shade!"

"Oh, calm down, my sweet lady! Your little smart friend is all right, he is safe and sound, and... even here! You know, I cannot lie in this state! Set me free, as we previously agreed! Fulfill your part of the treaty! I have already performed your third and the last wish. Your beloved Jason got the enchanted bike, which could feel, talk and think even better, than his bold master does! He even kissed you for that! Now it is time for your part of our deal! Break my chains, Diana! Set me free and you will see Max, safe and sound, right there!"

After such words, I had nearly jumped to my feet, but hopefully stopped myself in the last possible moment. They were spoke in my own high reasonable voice! How?!

I slowly turned my head and saw the most peculiar thing for all my short life. In two pentagrams, drown close to each other and decorated with peculiar orange fire, stood two familiar figures. They belonged to two teenagers – both boys at first glance, but no – a boy and a girl – at second. The girl was very familiar... Ah! Black-haired Diana Ironwill and... me, blonde Max Firesteel. Oh, if you wish – Max Goldstone now.

I didn't recognize the girl at once, because she was dressed in full shining armor with the Firesteel's crimson-red cloak behind her slender shoulders. A tall, strong and brave solder, always ready to fight for her dearest ones. In the fiery circle in front of her stood... I in person. There was a fair-haired slim boy, dressed into the simple light peasant's shirt and dark trousers. Although, it's were much cleaner and fresher than my own. My twin moved, spoke and seemed to be thinking, like me. However, his heart wasn't so kind and opened, like mine. I had recognized in my own voice some false and became nervous. Who was that shade? Shape-shifter or just a Jinnee?

My heart quickened in the rapidly rising and falling chest. Somehow, my gaze fall on the tall ancient mirror, which stood near the wall, exactly opposite of two fiery pentagrams. Its smooth surface perfectly reflected everything, what was going on in the chamber. I recognized instantly the familiar piles of long-forgotten magic items, Diana's raven black hairs and shinning silver armor with blood-red cloak. I saw the reflection of mighty Paladin himself, he was standing gorgeous and proud in his splendid armor, however, the hero had on his head some another helmet and a new sword in his hands. Then my jaw nearly hit the floor. The old mirror showed... something or rather someone unimaginable and impossible, standing in the second circle instead of my exact replica. The shade was huge, tall and muscular, like a golem-guard. His strong body was made of shadows, black puffs of smoke and blazing fire. The peculiar thing was that he had two bright gold handcuffs on his wrists. I couldn't imagine why, but they instantly reminded me the legs of Amadeus Dragonwood's raven, chained into the same golden, but miniature shackles. It wasn't a common Jinnee! It was the great first-ranged demon himself! Shape shifter and turn cloak! Shocked, I had no idea, what was going on. How could the mighty of the mightiest demon get into the Magir's world? How was he able to cross the Hot Gates? Some dark very powerful magician must have summoned him here! What stupid idiot could make such mistake?! ...And that precise moment the great evil was getting speed fast straight to the Earth.