Fireball

Morbid Curiosity

'Krack! Boom!' A deafening noise could be heard throughout the room, as flames exploded out of the trunk. A second explosion occurred a split second later, unleashing flames more than 20 feet in every direction. Several nearby tables burst into flames. Fireball could no longer see either wizard. He had seen flames attacking Marcello, who had been right in front of the trunk, but he was unsure about the prince who had been at the side of the trunk. Although he and Amos did not see Alexander get hit with fire, neither believed he could have avoided the fiery explosion.

Moments later, the fire receded back into the trunk and the lid slammed shut. No wizards could be seen. Just a lot of charred wood still smouldering encircling the trunk. Fireball flew forward as the invisible barrier was gone.

As Amos and Fireball approached the trunk it was clear both wizards were gone. Amos bent down and picked up part of a chain that he recognized as Marcello's. It was partially fused together but he was sure it belonged to the evil wizard. Fireball noticed something partially sticking out of the trunk. Closer inspection revealed it was fused to the clasp that secured the lid. Amos reached over to open the trunk, but fireball flew back twenty feet, fearful of another fiery blast. As the wizard opened the trunk, there was nothing. He stared into the trunk. It was empty but staring at the clasp he could now see the metal fused to it was a ring. He knew this as it was still attached to Marcello's hand. Then as though the air caused a reaction, the hand just disintegrated.

Nothing remained of the two wizards as they looked around the room. Then Amos spied a wand. It was Marcello's wand.

"That's not possible." Amos said out loud.

"What?" asked Fireball.

"That is Marcello's wand. When a wizard dies, his or her wand dies with them. It disintegrates immediately."

"So, do you think Marcello is still alive?" asked Fireball.

"No." replied Amos. "I'm sure he's dead. I think the barrier Alexander created must have shielded the wand when it became embedded in it. We must get it and destroy it. The last thing we need in this world is an evil wizard's wand with that much power falling into the hands of another evil wizards'."

As the two went over to the wand, it began to vibrate. Before Amos could pick it up the wand soared out the open door at the other end of the room. For a moment Amos wondered if Marcello could have survived, then he remembered the intense fire that hit Marcello directly and his remaining hand that disintegrated in front of him. No, he was sure Marcello and the prince were both dead. But, now Amos had to track down that dangerous wand.