Fireball

Marcello Confronts Alexander

Shortly after Fireball returned to the great room, a dragon and several ogres burst through the heavy wooden doors. They carried giant sacks which they dumped on the floor between them and Alexander. Marcello then entered with at least a dozen wizards in front of him and two more dragons on either side of him. He stared hard at Amos and the prince.

"You knew the day would come," said Marcello. "I am the most powerful wizard and you are heavily outnumbered. I have come for the trunk. My trunk! I will have it, and you, Alexander. Don't cause more bloodshed than necessary."

"Marcello," the prince responded, his face flushed with anger. "You have never understood the power of the trunk. It is mine, and I am not able to give it to you. It is in a safe place, waiting for its next owner, and you would do well to heed the warnings I have given you. I cannot let you leave the castle with the trunk. In fact, I cannot let you leave the castle at all. We were raised to be great wizards but not so that we could destroy the world. I was handed down the trunk because the last owner saw the path I would take. We were close once but today I am tasked with defending the world and ridding it of you and your evil plans."

Amos stared at Alexander. He had trained under him and learned so much. He understood the prince once struggled with his own powers, but he had never seen him in such a rage. The depth of power that the prince possessed was palpable.

Two dragons stepped forward and blasted fire at Fireball and his friends. Amos blocked the flames and Roderick retaliated, dousing Marcello with hot flame. The evil wizard neither moved nor blocked the assault. He stood his ground. When the fire was gone Marcello stood there unfazed. Raising his wand, he fired a spell back at the dragon. In a blinding flash, Roderick was gone.

The two evil dragons advanced again, accompanied by several wizards. As the wizards waved their wands, the dragons delivered another intense fiery blast. Fireball flew directly into the flames and emerged on the other side unharmed. He then held nothing back, sending a flame so hot, that Amos, behind him, had to step back. The two largest dragons took the brunt of the blast, but at least a dozen wizards were also hit. Amos stared intently as the smoke cleared and the two dragons were gone, as were dozens of wizards. All reduced to ashes.

Amos smiled, but the prince did not stop. He raised his wand and all the stones that laid on his floor began to dance. The stones flew to the centre of the room, from everywhere. In a split second the rubble was transformed into a 30-foot stone giant. A sweep of his hand wiped out six more wizards and another dragon.

The remaining evil wizards stepped back. Alexander could see they were frightened, but Marcello did not move. Amos and the remaining good wizards engaged the last evil wizards. Fireball attacked the dragons, leaving the prince to take on Marcello.