In a deep dark cavern a youth named Eheren Dernir woke. He was completely naked laying on dirty furs. Eheren had no idea where he was or how he got there, all he knew was that his head hurt and he was scared. He felt his head and found a sore spot. Someone had hit him and knocked him out. The last thing he remembered was leaving home to get water from the well. He thought he had felt someone behind him then nothing. Eheren sat up and rubbed his eyes. Where was he? Why was he naked? He looked around the chamber and noticed three other boys along the wall. He didnt recognize two of them, but one he knew. It was Wes, a boy from his village. Eheren slowly got to his feet. He almost fell back down he was so dizzy. He put his hand on the wall to steady himself and took a step and refocused his eyes on Wes.
" Wes?" He called. " Is that you."
The boy looked up at him. Eheren could see a large bruise on his face. He went over to him and sat dowm beside him.
" Wes. Are you alright?"
" Whats going on?" Wes asked. " How did we get here?"
" I dont know. I just woke up." Eheren looked over to the other boys. One was blonde like him and the other boy had dark hair. They were all muscular and fit. All were naked.
" We have to get out of here." Eheren told his friend.
"There's no way out." the blonde said. " We've tried. The entrance is blocked."
" How long have you been here?" Eheren asked.
" A week maybe." He said. " There were more of us. But they come and take us one by one. My name is Jess. I saw them bring you two in."
" Who?" Eheren asked. " Who took us? Do you know?"
" I do," The other boy said. " We're sacrifices for Cressca. This is his temple."
Eheren knew who Cressca was. All his people did. They had heard he'd been destroyed but gods never die. He also knew what it meant to be his captive. Many boys and girls had been taken years ago to be his diciples. None of them were every seen again. Eheren had no plans on being one of them.
" We can get out of here." Eheren said. " If we stick together we can fight our way out or die trying atleast."
" Theres no way we can beat all the robed men here." Jess said. " Just give up."
" I dont know about you." Eheren said. " But im not dying down here. You can lay there and give up if you want, but Wes and I are going home. So whats it going to be?"
Dreams are something we all should pay attention to. Especially when our dreams have a way of tell the future. Athene slept soundly in her room in her cottage while Jandar, Rage talked. Being vampires, she, Azeal and Valkar slept better during the day. Deep in her dream she found herself in her garden picking herbs. Suddenly she heard her name called. She look around and saw a tall regal man standing at her gate. She knew the man, it was Baron Valkar. She stood as he walked in with a stern look on his face.
" Baron." She said. " I have been warned not to trust you."
" Im not surprized." He told her. "I have done some horrible things in my life. But im all done with that. Im trying to keep our people from becoming the demons we were meant to be."
" Meant to be?" She asked. " What do you mean?"
"Theres not much I can come right out and tell you. Im under a spell that keeps me from revealing certain things. Things you need to know. But there are ways you can get this information. Places I go, people I see. My mistress."
" I need more then that to make the others trust you." She said. " There has to be something you can tell me."
" I can tell you why the vampires are rebelling." Said the Baron.
" I already know that." Athene walked to a bench and sat down. The Baron followed her." My father is behind that. He's always wanted to rule Yadessa."
" But can your father make loyal servants turn on there king?" He asked. " Is he that powerful?"
" No he's not. Very well." She said. " Im listening."
" Your father has help. Immortal help."Athene looked at the Baron with distrust in her eyes. What was he talking about?
" There are gods involved here Athene. Gods you know of. A god the dragons have fought before."
" What are you saying?" She asked.
" Cressca, the Unholy has come back."
Shock filled her as she heard that name. Cressca has killed so many he's name was feared all across the land.
" Now you understand?" He said. "Warn the Dragons. You must hurry. I can't be here long. Wake now!"
Athene sat up in bed wide awake. She know just what she had to do. She jumped out of bed and quicky made her way into her palor. There she found Jandar and Rage talking.
" Rage." She called out. " We need Mags quickly. Baron Valkar is here and he wants to show us something. He says its important."
Both of them looked up to her in surprize. Neither quite understood.
" And you think we can trust him?" Rage asked her. " Im not sending my father into danger on his whim."
She told them all about Cressca and all the the Baron had said. She believed him.
" Yes. I trust him." She sat down next to them. "I have this feeling that this is important. I had a dream ."
" Call him love. Cressca explains everything thats happining in Yadessa. I cant believe we have to deal with him again. Mags can verify what he's saying." Jandar told his mate. " Her dreams have never failed me."
" I remember that fanged monster and his temple." Rage said. " I can almost still smell it. You say the Baron's still here?"
" Yes." She said. " But he cant stay long. I think theres more, thats why he wants us to see. Something about a mistress."
[FATHER!!]
[Yes Rage.] He answered.
[We have a mission for you. Theres a spirit here. I need you to follow him and see whats going on.]
The golden dragon flew in the window and landed in Rages lap. He layed down and fell asleep and Mags separated from the little dragons body. He floated up into the air. There he saw another spirit waiting.
[ Greeting.] He sent. [ I am Magnus Tolon. You may call me Mags.]
[ I am Baron Valkar the First. We must hurry. Ask no questions and once we arrive keep out of sight from my mistress. She will be able to see you. We go.]
Off they flew from the cottage.
Eheren woke up and all he heard was someone screaming. He turned and saw Jess being dragged towards the entrance by two men. Jumping to his feet he rushed to Jess and kicked one robed man in the stomach.
" Wes!" He called. " Help me!!"
Wes and Bruz the other boy came over and grabbed the other man. They threw him to the floor and kicked at him. The man Eheren kicked tried to grab Jess again. Jess moved behind Eheren as he pushed him away and back to the floor. The three boys stood together ready to fight for there lives. Battered the two men backed out of the chamber and closed it back up.
" Next time there will be more then two." Jess said.
" Then we'll fight harder." Eheren said. " Im not gonna let them take either of you."
The three sat down together, Wes and Jess was scared to death. Eheren was defiant. He knew he'd die before letting them take any of them away. Minutes later the entrance was uncovered again and another boy was thrown in. Bruz and Jess ran over and pulled him back with them. The boy was still unconscienous. A robed man pushed back his hood and laughed.
" You think you can protect yourselves." He said. " You belong to us now, all of you. Fight all you want, it wont matter in the end."
"Anyone that trys to touch us will see what matters." Eheren told him. " If you dont believe it, come a little closer and see."
" Your day is upon you." He said. " My Lord will love your strength and vitality."
" Come and get it." Eheren told him as the entrance was covered again.
As they came down to the temple, Mags looked around and saw the dead city right beyond the crevice. He could sense no life there, but there was something else. He wasnt sure what it was, but it was dark.
[We are here. Again I warn you. Stay away from my mistress. She is very powerful and will detect you if you are in her sight.]
[ How am I to report on her if i cant get near her?]
[ You will feel her. That I can promise you. keep well behind me as you enter. Then you are on your own. Do not call out to me. She will hear you. Meet me there in that small house in six hours. If you have to flee,then go. Dont worry about me.]
[ I understand.]
With that the Baron sailed into the crevice and into the caves. Mags waited a few minutes then followed him. He went from chamber to chamber searching until he found Cressca high above his altar froze like a statue. Mags knew right away something was wrong. Cressca out in the open? That was not like him. He usually wasn't visible to his disciples,visible only to his head priest. Mags moved up to the altar and closer to Cressca. Still he didnt move. Was he dead? No, he couldnt be. Mags probed for his mind. He felt nothing. Then he's not in control of himself. Someone else is. Mags know he couldn't probe the temple. Whoever this Mistress is she would feel it. So he moved on. He saw all the robed men and woman. He could tell from there feel they weren't alive. Atleast there was no heartbeat coming from them. Mags knew then they were vampires. And not like Valkar and Azeal. These were the dark kind that fed on humans. Nightwalkers. That sickened Mags, especially when he saw the children. they had also been turned. As he moved around he began to feel something powerful. It must be that Mistress that the Baron talked about. He could feel she was a vampire to, ancient and a very powerful. No vampire of this time could amass that much power. He knew he had to stay clear of her. He decided to go deep down to see what he could find there. There he found many dark chambers all inhabited by vampires. Then he felt something else. Humans. Captives, Food for her of course. Mags kept moving until he found the chamber they were in and slipped through the slab that covered the entrance. There he found four young boys naked and cold, covering themselves with the furs from the floor. There was no food here for them to eat. Mags guessed they didnt expect them to be here long, so why feed them. The four boys huddled together for warmth and protection. Suddenly the slab began to move. The four boys jumped to there feet and grabbed rocks. Two vampires came in barring there fangs. One blonde boy stepped forward and readied himself to fight. A vampire charged him. Down came the rock, smashing into the vampires mouth. Blood and teeth flew in the air. Eheren kicked out at his legs and it fell to the floor. The other boys had fashioned a long stake like spike from rock. Two held him down while one plunged the spike into the vampires chest. It died there on the floor screaming while Eheren stood there waiting to see what the other would do. The vampire backed out the door and pushed it back in place. Mags knew then he couldnt let these boys to die here. He had to do what he could to save them. Everything he could no matter what.
A freezing wind blew down through the caves of the temple of Cressca. Frost began to cover everything. Icicles formed from the ceiling like stalactites as a cold white haired man walked in. A cloud of frozen air sworld around him as he walked. Robed vampires rushed out to stop him but none could get close enough to touch him. Hands reaching for him were frozen, fingers just snapped off. This was Kearn,the winter god. And he was here to see Cressca. He had killed and made vampires of all his followers in the city Grish, just outside of the temple.This angered him beyond belief. Grish and all the surrounding areas was his territory. It was an insult to him that they had come and settled there. He would make them pay for their insulance. From each side, two groups of two vampire charged at him with raised swords. Kearn swept out his hands and sent a blast of cold it them. Ice and frost coated them as they froze in place. With another swept of his hand he smash them all to bits.
" Where are you?"He yelled out. " You have tresspassed and taken what is mine. I am here to claim my rights. Come out now!!!"
From all around vampires charged him. He gathered his breath and blew out blasting everyone with his cold. A frigid icestorm filled the room freezing everything. The walls,the floor and anything that moved froze solid. All around there were frozen vampires still in the position they were in while attacking covered in ice and snow. Walking on Kearn made his way to Cressca's Altar. There he found him hanging from the ceiling.
" So we meet animal." Kearn shouted. " You have much to pay for."
" Yes we do cold one." Kearn heard the sweet voice coming from behind him. He turned and saw Muerte, her beautiful blazing hair flowing in the wind.
" Who are you?" He asked.
" His master." She pointed up to Cressca. " Now yours."
Quickly she called out the words for Ganon's book. Within seconds Kearn's powers went out of control and the temple began to shake. Kearn felt all his will wiped from him. He no longer had any control over himself. Cold raidated out from him and froze everything except Cressca and Muerte. The cold was so intense, it weakened the walls making them brittle. They be began to collapse in.
" You are mine now winter god." She said. " Were done here. Time to move on. Come Cressca, Our children can survive without us. They will grow and make our army."
Cressca flew down and stood with Kearn. Muerte cast a shield over there heads protecting them from debris.
" You two would be better off like the Baron. More out of sight until I need you. Wait for me in the underworld. Go!"
Together Cressca and Kearn faded out and did as she told them. As the temple fell she walked out laughing, on to her next task.
Down below all hell was breaking loose. Robed vampires rushed around trying to reach the floors above to protect the God. Eheren and the rest of the boys could feel the cold seeping down from above. Then hugged each other for warmth as they stood there and shivered. Mags had been above and seen what was going on. He wasnt sure exactly what Cressca could do about the cold god. And the Baroms mistress was still a mystery. He had to find out more about her. Who was she? What was her objective? The battle up above was tearing the whole temple down. Pieces of the walls and ceiling fell all around. Bruz was hit and fell to floor. Jess ran over and tried to protect him by covering him with his body. Wes went to the entrance and tried to move the slab again. It was no use, the slab was to heavy for him. He began to beat on the door calling for help.
"Stop!" Eheren told him. " No ones coming to help us. We have to get out of here!!" He yelled.The new boy huddled in the corner crying for his parents. He was scared to death. Mags knew he had to get them out. If he still had his dragon body it would be easy. He would just blast the wall, grab the boys and fly them out to safety. But that wasnt possible, his body was back with Rage. He didnt have time to go for help. The boys would be crushed, frozen or vampires when he got back. If only he had his own body. A simple spell would get them all out. if he only had hands, or a voice to cast spells with. He wished he could tell one of the boys the proper words to speak. But then they didnt have the magic needed to cast those spell. What if he could take over one of them? Then he could use there voice. He had the magic, they had the means to use it. Could it be that easy? Could he do it? He'd never tried before.A large piece of the ceiling fell and almost hit Jess and Bruz. Eheren dived over and pulled them closer to the wall. Mags didnt have time for any more debate with himself. He had to act now. One of these boys had to accept him in order for this to work. Mags rushed down to Eheren and settled his spirit on his chest. He had to make contact now.
[I am here to help you. My name is Magus. If you can accept me and my magic, I can get you and the rest of the boys out. Will you accept me?]
Eheren looked around, he thought he was hearing voices. This must be making him mad. There was no one here but him and the others.
[No!!] Mags sent to him. [Listen to me! I am a Mage and I want to save you all. I can do this but I need you to let me in. Please Eheren, Let me help you Now! We dont have much time before this place comes crashing down on you all!!]
The back wall fell in pushing them all together closer to the front entrance.
[ It has to be now Eheren!!]
" Yes!!" He shouted. " Help us please!!"
Mags moved into him and took over his body. He could feel the blood moving through his body, his breathing, his pulse. Mags could feel the small pieces of debris hitting him. He had hands now, and a voice. He had a body again!!
NOW I'M HERE, NOW I'M GONE.
TAKE US AWAY, AWAY FROM HARM.
TAKE US OUT. THESE BOYS AND I.
MAKE US SAFE, NOW WE FLY.
Magic gathered around them and in a flash of bright light they disappeared as the ceiling came crashing down.They reappeared outside of the temple with the ground shaking beneath them and Eheren hugging them. He looked around and saw the temple falling.
" Run for the city!!" He told them. Fast as the could the boys took off running. The city wasnt very far away. Their chest rose and fell as there legs pumped moving them away from the ground crumbling under there feet. Soon a they were safe. All the boys fell to the ground in exhaustion. Their ordeal was over, they were safe for now. Eheren looked back and saw her emerge from the cavern. She looked over towards them and laughed, then faded away. She was gone. That had to be her he thought. He could still feel her evil presense in the air.
[Yes, that was my mistress. Fear her, for she has plans for this world. We must stop her or all is lost. Tell the others.]
The Barons voice faded away into the distant and Eheren sat down and rested. He knew trouble was on its way.
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