Kataklysm:- The Crown of Fury

Chiron XI

"Oh hell." Chiron located the battle cry. It came from a cave to their east. "This isn't going to end well...."

"Plan?" Analize asked.

"Uh."

I think what he means is "don't die". Winter hopped up on top of the pulsing rock. Her feet sunk slightly into it.

"What's the situation?"

Well, I like to be positive buuuut. We're fucked.

Chiron sighed. "Bit of a strong word. How fucked?"

Analize was slightly scowling because she didn't appreciate the use of profanity.

Well... the air started to ripple. A small fireball flew by Winter. About seventy six mages. Oh, and one of them is kinda a big deal.

"Seriously? Seventy six?" Analize wanted confirmation. Blaze nodded.

Give or take.

"Great." Chiron thought about the cold air, yet bone dry ground. "Alright, got a plan. Ana, got a spark?"

She clicked her fingers. Another bolt of energy flew by, Chiron ducked. They were completely surrounded.

Analize nodded. The air was still dry enough for her fire magic to work.

"Sweet. Can y-"

"Will this involve killing people?" The girl interrupted.

"Hopefully not. Now. Anyways. Give us a shield would you? Try get your flames to surround us and the rock in about a ten meter radius, got it?"

"Not sure what your idea is, but okay." She moved her hands, she raised one up above her head and brought it down in a circle around her body. The air started to ripple around them. Dry heat tickled Chirons skin.

The mages closed in, they began to encircle them. Staying back about twenty feet, but not casting any spells.

A man in golden robes pushed his way through the crowd. Chiron noticed him. "Winter." He said, giving her a nod. She faded from sight.

"Well, what brings you heathens to our sacred grounds?" The man dressed in gold asked.

Chiron raised his hand, giving Analize the signal to keep casting. The air was now blistering with heat. She pushed her hands out and knelt down. She finished her spell. The enemy were separated by a faint blue glow.

"Tourism?"

The new guy looked to his side, slightly confused. "Tourism?"

"Yeah, heard this place was pretty nice this time of year."

"I suppose it isn't th-" He realised they were stalling. "No. Really. Why are you here? You are trespassing on Draconic grounds." Chiron began to focus his power on his intended plan.

"Oooooh! So you guys are the Draconic Cult! Always wanted to meet-NOW!"

Analize raised her hand. The barrier collapsed. Condensation fell from the air. Chiron raised his arms, pulling them down swiftly. He directed his energy into the water. He froze it.

Where the fire barricade was stood a circular wall of ice.

There was a shout from the other side of the wall.

"Now what?" Analize questioned.

"Right. This should hold for a few minutes." There was an explosion. A piece of ice flew off the top of the wall and shattered on the floor nearby.  "Blaze? Is it them?"

"Is it who?"

Your thesis was correct.

"Knew it." Chiron rested his hand on the strange stone object, pumping his mana into it.

"Knew what?"

"Just....just prepare another spell, in case this goes badly...."

Analize shrugged but agreed. "If you were anyone else...bossing royalty around like this would lead you straight to the executioners block."

"Yeah sure it would. Winter?"

She's close.

"Better be."

A crack appeared on the wall behind the rock. "Blaze, cover that."

Please.

"Cover...that...please."

Blaze wiggled round to the other side of them. A pillar of flame erupted on the far side of the ice barrier. There was a few screams of pain.

"Why can't you do that?"

I have other uses. Why can't you shut your mouth?

"This is NOT the time for a domestic." Analize shouted, she intercepted a spell that somehow made its way over the wall, sending it back the way it came.

"Whatever, princess."

Chiron started to weaken. He was pumping everything he had into the object, he had to be right or this would be the end of them.

"Chiron?" Analize looked concerned. He was now on his knees, hand still on the stone. It was pulsing quicker than what it was when they first arrived. He shook his head. She understood not to intervene.

The walls around them started to shudder. More and more ice fell from them, cracks appearing. Blaze was holding the lines well enough but his attacks seemed to be getting weaker and weaker.

The stone moved. Some of it sagged to the side. Winter stuck her head out of the gap.

Analize was confused what was going on, as per usual, but was busy focusing on defending.

"How is she?" Chiron asked the fox.

Conscious. The white creature disappeared into the object again.

Chiron slipped. His hand began to shake. His energy was almost gone.

"Chiron! Stop!" Analize protested, she could see he was struggling, she tried to come over. She was intercepted by a leathery limb shooting out of the rock. She took a step back.

Ready?

"As...I'll ever be...." he pushed his energy once more. His vision began to shudder. His eyes closed. He had nothing left.

A roar echoed through the crater.