“It’s not a standard package, ya know?” Taze Fehlam said.
They sat with Kargon and Avant in the observatory. The functionality of the room had changed since the black lightning strikes a few days ago. Intermittent bolts struck a couple times daily. Mentors manned every balcony with a large telescope to quickly assess what settlements were targeted if a summoning occurred on Teprav. Their connections could only reach so far. Thankfully, the light particles of hope continued to inspire people to fight. Casualties were an unfortunate guarantee with such a wide-scale disaster but they were fewer than anticipated.
“I do not disagree,” Master Avant replied. “However, searching for the Hero during this chaotic time will take longer than usual. Instructions to return here would equate to hindering her from protecting Vethyea.”
Taze sighed. “One way teleportation ain’t much good since we don’t know where they are in Ionzel. Hell, they may not even be there yet.”
“They are. I’m sure.” Kargon said confidently. His eyes were trained towards the distant city of Gromsev.
“Best bet would be to head to the city, then. Furthest one of the coins can get us. Then we look for your friends.”
“We will help anyone who needs it. Please,” Kargon insisted.
Taze looked over the healed warrior. Scars across his body made him look more serious than before. A fierce presence emanated from his being even while he calmly sipped tea. The delivery driver had seen their fair share of jaded adventurers but this was different. There was light in Kargon’s eyes. Even with the frantic events happening around him, he remained jovial. Whatever happened over the past few months changed him quite a bit but the honorable hero remained the same. Even Master Avant seemed more amiable after spending so much time with Kargon.
“You just won’t make this any easier, will you?” Taze said with a soft laugh. “Okay, we teleport to Gromsev. We aim for any places that are under attack. I assume your friends will be doing something similar so we’ll cross paths eventually. Though they’re probably pretty far into the continent.”
“That may not be the case,” Master Avant interjected. “My connections say the black lightning summoned some structure deep in Ionzel. I cannot confirm its shape but logic dictates a connection to the demon king. Thus the surrounding continent has received the brunt of demonic attacks. The Hero’s party is bound to defend against any they cross paths with. Assuming that, they may yet be on the outer parts of the continent.”
“How big is Ionzel exactly?” Kargon asked.
“Nearly sextuple times larger than Teprav.”
Taze chimed in with, “But it’s been charted more. And I’ve gone to some of the major cities so we shouldn’t get lost during our search.”
“It’s not us I’m worried about,” Kargon sighed then shook his head. With a sharp exhale he refocused and turned to Master Avant. “I can’t go until you say so.”
The old bird sat silently while staring at an empty cup on the table between the trio. His student was accustomed to the habit and immediately grabbed the teapot. The liquid pouring out should have been room temperature by now. Piercing eyes focused on Kargon’s open hand which lightly touched the bottom of the pot. With minimal effort he wreathed his palm in fire and warmed the tea for his master. While Kargon had always used his flames for convenience, it was not second nature to produce ones of such high quality. But he had not defeated the master in battle. Then again, that was never the goal. The part of Master Avant that wished to keep fighting his student was immature. Hunger for battle was healthy but keeping the Hero’s ally locked away was selfish. Part of it was wanting to keep Kargon safe. But succumbing to his care for the young warrior was detrimental for them both.
“I have little to offer in the way of supplies. Though that may be for the best as you seek your allies,” Master Avant said contemplatively. “Taze, are there any preparations needed for your vehicle?”
“Not a one. I’m good to go when Kargon is,” the speedster replied.
Master Avant rose to his feet and gestured for his companions to follow. “Kargon, you have learned much in the little time you have spent here. I cannot take credit for accomplishments achieved through self-discovery. However, I can acknowledge the vast difference in who you are now versus the man who landed in the infirmary months ago.” He walked down a flight of stairs to the ground floor. The air was colder throughout the sanctuary as the perpetual storm brewed outside. “Expectations are set upon measuring one’s capabilities. The rate at which you evolved makes me thankful I never judged you. As you know, very few students are my direct disciples. Even fewer disciples have the honor of saying that I could not properly gauge their ability. I am proud to say you are one of them.”
The group approached Taze’s carriage parked outside the sanctuary gate. Weights and locks kept it bound to an intricate stone carved out of the ground nearby. Kargon assumed it was made specifically for the delivery driver based on how familiar they were with individuals at the monastery.
“Go with my blessing, Kargon,” he said and patted his disciple’s arm. He fished a coin out of his robes and passed it to Taze. “I will cover the expense of conducting this delivery.”
Taze knowingly stepped away under the guise of looking over the vehicle. It was only right to give Kargon an opportunity to speak alone. The quick-witted half-elf took a deep breath and stared at his master. Few things ever made the master speak so plainly. Long-winded diatribes and honoring traditions were well-known habits of his. The annual send off of long-term students took so long because of them. Yet he was willing to send off his personal disciple with only words. To be fair, they were long-winded enough. But the lack of a ceremony nagged at Kargon.
“I haven’t proven myself yet,” he blurted out. “You normally make every student prove themself.”
“True. However, that test is often a battle against myself. Consider that we have only conducted this test over the past several months.” Master Avant answered readily.
“Right.”
That still didn’t explain it. Kargon knew something was up but couldn’t put his finger on it. There was no way to get a read on the master with the control he had over his emotions. Not a single feather was out of place even when in the middle of a fight. Master Avant was a completely centered being. But he couldn’t control the world around him. And once it was obvious that Kargon caught on, a twitch of the master’s eye gave away his annoyance.
A silent bolt of black lightning struck the center of the courtyard. Cacophonous thunder shook the monastery. There was no depth or reflection within the void that streaked through the sky. It shifted around the shape of a demonic brute that appeared from within. Spittle and mucus launched from its maw when it roared to make its presence heard. Students screamed and scrambled for the safety of the temple. Most mentors rushed to their aid while a few stayed near the demon to coral it.
“Taze, take Kargon. Now!” Master Avant commanded.
A smooth pivot turned him towards the monster. Other mentors ran at it but the master walked with composure and focus. Kargon didn’t turn away or step onto the carriage. A force attempted to pull at him but failed. Taze was trying drastically to move their friend. Their vast difference in strength was made apparent in an instant.
“We need to go!” they pleaded.
“I’m going to fight,” Kargon said.
“Master Avant and the others will handle it.”
Kargon turned to look at Taze with a fierce gaze. The driver expected to be berated but was met with a calm explanation.
“A lot of mentors here haven’t seen battle in a long time,” the monk explained. “And when they did, it wasn’t against monsters like this. Definitely not ones empowered by the demon king.”
Mentors attempting to fight with astral projections found themselves at a loss. The creature easily batted away ethereal limbs. Thankfully, it had no chance of charging at the fighters. Silver projections effectively goaded the monster and kept its attention. Shimmering reflections of Master Avant were able to do damage but it was minor. Adaptability and constitution would provide the demon an advantage in a drawn out battle.
“I’ve got this,” Kargon said aloud. Though Taze heard the words they knew the statement wasn’t meant for them.
With a concentrated push he leapt through the sky. It crossed half the distance between him and his target. One more bound sent Kargon hurtling on a crash course with the monster’s face. With one hand he strapped on his goggles. The motion intrigued the brute and drew its focus. Flames engulfed the mid-air monk and blinded the beast. Kargon summoned an astral arm twice the size of his own. It appeared like a layer of armor stacked on top of his bindings. The flaming punch threw the monster’s head back and made it stumble. With a heavy thud, Kargon landed a few strides away from Master Avant.
“Why did you return?” he asked.
“If I didn’t protect this place I could never face my friends again.” Kargon grunted.
“Is that all?”
“Yeah, that’s it.” Kargon insisted. “With me.”
Master Avant scoffed as shimmering clones rippled off his form and flew in different directions. The nonchalant stance he had shifted to a focused one as he took to the sky. In contrast, Kargon remained on the ground. Training had drilled into him that some part of him needed contact with a sturdy surface to maximize his strength. A single wild swing in the air was a message but relying on such attacks would be complacent.
As a flurry of silver attacks rained down on the brute, powerful strikes crushed its legs. The beast was too slow to dodge the fully powered strikes. Kargon hadn’t seen the explosion of his flames for far longer than he realized. Maybe it was that they were completely different than before. Either way, the explosions were more devastating than ever. Bruises and burns spread across the monster like a wildfire. Cuts from ethereal talons left dozens of open wounds across its torso and face.
The brute lashed out and immediately destroyed two clones. A grunt of pain sounded from Master Avant. The projections he created were far more connected to him than others. At least that’s what Kargon assumed since the master never explained the secrets of his magic. The continued flailing collided with Kargon and flung him towards the wall surrounding the monastery. Flames extinguished around him just before hitting the sturdy partition. Before checking himself for wounds, he verified the wall was unharmed.
Kargon breathed a sigh of relief. The impact shook him but it wasn’t too strong to handle. Rising to his feet, he dusted off and reignited. This was taking longer than was advisable. Luckily, the monster’s reaction provided insight. Only unwounded parts were able to move. Pain was a powerful deterrent for the brute. Each step brought Kargon closer but he stopped a sizable distance away. The monster turned curiously but didn’t wait to find out what the monk was planning.
He raised both fists and let out a slow breath. Unmoving blue orbs focused on the charging demon. Kargon sent out a left jab. It was nowhere near its target. However the massive fist that emerged from it engulfed half of the brute’s body. Purposefully leaving it ephemeral allowed it to pass through the creature while causing both an impact and leaving sizable burns. On the other hand, it allowed the monster to continue its charge.
Kargon pulled back his left arm and followed with a right jab. A similar massive astral fist mimicked the first. There was no need to check what effect it had. Rapid punches flew from his stationary position. Astral projections wouldn’t have been as effective. Without his astral extensions the attacks would be pointless. A constant state of rage boiled in his mind but they remained under control. Burns didn’t die out as a steady stream of fire riddled the brute. Patches of fire cropped up all over its body. By the time it finally reached Kargon it had slowed to a weak limp. It crumpled to its knees and growled at him.
The monk steadied himself and let out a long breath. Five fingers slowly curled as individual infernos encompassed them. Kargon pulled back his right arm smoothly. A motion practiced thousands of times before his horrific failure. One Elmud mimicked to taunt the weakened monk. But now it felt firmer. Burned brighter. Deep crimson flames slowed into a magmatic form that empowered the fist underneath. Even on its knees the monster was much too high to reach from the ground. A wide grin cracked on Kargon’s face as he lunged forward, feet planted firmly. The magmatic form grew exponentially as it plunged into the monster’s chest. Roasted guts and viscera erupted through its back. Torn apart bones were all that remained in the large cavity that was once the brute’s chest. The lifeless corpse crashed to the floor to reveal a warrior removing his bifocals.
“Now I can go,” Kargon said confidently.
Master Avant scoffed again. It was all he could do not to admit he was at a loss for words. Once again, his disciple had eclipsed all expectations.
“It’s not a standard package, ya know?” Taze Fehlam said.
They sat with Kargon and Avant in the observatory. The functionality of the room had changed since the black lightning strikes a few days ago. Intermittent bolts struck a couple times daily. Mentors manned every balcony with a large telescope to quickly assess what settlements were targeted if a summoning occurred on Teprav. Their connections could only reach so far. Thankfully, the light particles of hope continued to inspire people to fight. Casualties were an unfortunate guarantee with such a wide-scale disaster but they were fewer than anticipated.
“I do not disagree,” Master Avant replied. “However, searching for the Hero during this chaotic time will take longer than usual. Instructions to return here would equate to hindering her from protecting Vethyea.”
Taze sighed. “One way teleportation ain’t much good since we don’t know where they are in Ionzel. Hell, they may not even be there yet.”
“They are. I’m sure.” Kargon said confidently. His eyes were trained towards the distant city of Gromsev.
“Best bet would be to head to the city, then. Furthest one of the coins can get us. Then we look for your friends.”
“We will help anyone who needs it. Please,” Kargon insisted.
Taze looked over the healed warrior. Scars across his body made him look more serious than before. A fierce presence emanated from his being even while he calmly sipped tea. The delivery driver had seen their fair share of jaded adventurers but this was different. There was light in Kargon’s eyes. Even with the frantic events happening around him, he remained jovial. Whatever happened over the past few months changed him quite a bit but the honorable hero remained the same. Even Master Avant seemed more amiable after spending so much time with Kargon.
“You just won’t make this any easier, will you?” Taze said with a soft laugh. “Okay, we teleport to Gromsev. We aim for any places that are under attack. I assume your friends will be doing something similar so we’ll cross paths eventually. Though they’re probably pretty far into the continent.”
“That may not be the case,” Master Avant interjected. “My connections say the black lightning summoned some structure deep in Ionzel. I cannot confirm its shape but logic dictates a connection to the demon king. Thus the surrounding continent has received the brunt of demonic attacks. The Hero’s party is bound to defend against any they cross paths with. Assuming that, they may yet be on the outer parts of the continent.”
“How big is Ionzel exactly?” Kargon asked.
“Nearly sextuple times larger than Teprav.”
Taze chimed in with, “But it’s been charted more. And I’ve gone to some of the major cities so we shouldn’t get lost during our search.”
“It’s not us I’m worried about,” Kargon sighed then shook his head. With a sharp exhale he refocused and turned to Master Avant. “I can’t go until you say so.”
The old bird sat silently while staring at an empty cup on the table between the trio. His student was accustomed to the habit and immediately grabbed the teapot. The liquid pouring out should have been room temperature by now. Piercing eyes focused on Kargon’s open hand which lightly touched the bottom of the pot. With minimal effort he wreathed his palm in fire and warmed the tea for his master. While Kargon had always used his flames for convenience, it was not second nature to produce ones of such high quality. But he had not defeated the master in battle. Then again, that was never the goal. The part of Master Avant that wished to keep fighting his student was immature. Hunger for battle was healthy but keeping the Hero’s ally locked away was selfish. Part of it was wanting to keep Kargon safe. But succumbing to his care for the young warrior was detrimental for them both.
“I have little to offer in the way of supplies. Though that may be for the best as you seek your allies,” Master Avant said contemplatively. “Taze, are there any preparations needed for your vehicle?”
“Not a one. I’m good to go when Kargon is,” the speedster replied.
Master Avant rose to his feet and gestured for his companions to follow. “Kargon, you have learned much in the little time you have spent here. I cannot take credit for accomplishments achieved through self-discovery. However, I can acknowledge the vast difference in who you are now versus the man who landed in the infirmary months ago.” He walked down a flight of stairs to the ground floor. The air was colder throughout the sanctuary as the perpetual storm brewed outside. “Expectations are set upon measuring one’s capabilities. The rate at which you evolved makes me thankful I never judged you. As you know, very few students are my direct disciples. Even fewer disciples have the honor of saying that I could not properly gauge their ability. I am proud to say you are one of them.”
The group approached Taze’s carriage parked outside the sanctuary gate. Weights and locks kept it bound to an intricate stone carved out of the ground nearby. Kargon assumed it was made specifically for the delivery driver based on how familiar they were with individuals at the monastery.
“Go with my blessing, Kargon,” he said and patted his disciple’s arm. He fished a coin out of his robes and passed it to Taze. “I will cover the expense of conducting this delivery.”
Taze knowingly stepped away under the guise of looking over the vehicle. It was only right to give Kargon an opportunity to speak alone. The quick-witted half-elf took a deep breath and stared at his master. Few things ever made the master speak so plainly. Long-winded diatribes and honoring traditions were well-known habits of his. The annual send off of long-term students took so long because of them. Yet he was willing to send off his personal disciple with only words. To be fair, they were long-winded enough. But the lack of a ceremony nagged at Kargon.
“I haven’t proven myself yet,” he blurted out. “You normally make every student prove themself.”
“True. However, that test is often a battle against myself. Consider that we have only conducted this test over the past several months.” Master Avant answered readily.
“Right.”
That still didn’t explain it. Kargon knew something was up but couldn’t put his finger on it. There was no way to get a read on the master with the control he had over his emotions. Not a single feather was out of place even when in the middle of a fight. Master Avant was a completely centered being. But he couldn’t control the world around him. And once it was obvious that Kargon caught on, a twitch of the master’s eye gave away his annoyance.
A silent bolt of black lightning struck the center of the courtyard. Cacophonous thunder shook the monastery. There was no depth or reflection within the void that streaked through the sky. It shifted around the shape of a demonic brute that appeared from within. Spittle and mucus launched from its maw when it roared to make its presence heard. Students screamed and scrambled for the safety of the temple. Most mentors rushed to their aid while a few stayed near the demon to coral it.
“Taze, take Kargon. Now!” Master Avant commanded.
A smooth pivot turned him towards the monster. Other mentors ran at it but the master walked with composure and focus. Kargon didn’t turn away or step onto the carriage. A force attempted to pull at him but failed. Taze was trying drastically to move their friend. Their vast difference in strength was made apparent in an instant.
“We need to go!” they pleaded.
“I’m going to fight,” Kargon said.
“Master Avant and the others will handle it.”
Kargon turned to look at Taze with a fierce gaze. The driver expected to be berated but was met with a calm explanation.
“A lot of mentors here haven’t seen battle in a long time,” the monk explained. “And when they did, it wasn’t against monsters like this. Definitely not ones empowered by the demon king.”
Mentors attempting to fight with astral projections found themselves at a loss. The creature easily batted away ethereal limbs. Thankfully, it had no chance of charging at the fighters. Silver projections effectively goaded the monster and kept its attention. Shimmering reflections of Master Avant were able to do damage but it was minor. Adaptability and constitution would provide the demon an advantage in a drawn out battle.
“I’ve got this,” Kargon said aloud. Though Taze heard the words they knew the statement wasn’t meant for them.
With a concentrated push he leapt through the sky. It crossed half the distance between him and his target. One more bound sent Kargon hurtling on a crash course with the monster’s face. With one hand he strapped on his goggles. The motion intrigued the brute and drew its focus. Flames engulfed the mid-air monk and blinded the beast. Kargon summoned an astral arm twice the size of his own. It appeared like a layer of armor stacked on top of his bindings. The flaming punch threw the monster’s head back and made it stumble. With a heavy thud, Kargon landed a few strides away from Master Avant.
“Why did you return?” he asked.
“If I didn’t protect this place I could never face my friends again.” Kargon grunted.
“Is that all?”
“Yeah, that’s it.” Kargon insisted. “With me.”
Master Avant scoffed as shimmering clones rippled off his form and flew in different directions. The nonchalant stance he had shifted to a focused one as he took to the sky. In contrast, Kargon remained on the ground. Training had drilled into him that some part of him needed contact with a sturdy surface to maximize his strength. A single wild swing in the air was a message but relying on such attacks would be complacent.
As a flurry of silver attacks rained down on the brute, powerful strikes crushed its legs. The beast was too slow to dodge the fully powered strikes. Kargon hadn’t seen the explosion of his flames for far longer than he realized. Maybe it was that they were completely different than before. Either way, the explosions were more devastating than ever. Bruises and burns spread across the monster like a wildfire. Cuts from ethereal talons left dozens of open wounds across its torso and face.
The brute lashed out and immediately destroyed two clones. A grunt of pain sounded from Master Avant. The projections he created were far more connected to him than others. At least that’s what Kargon assumed since the master never explained the secrets of his magic. The continued flailing collided with Kargon and flung him towards the wall surrounding the monastery. Flames extinguished around him just before hitting the sturdy partition. Before checking himself for wounds, he verified the wall was unharmed.
Kargon breathed a sigh of relief. The impact shook him but it wasn’t too strong to handle. Rising to his feet, he dusted off and reignited. This was taking longer than was advisable. Luckily, the monster’s reaction provided insight. Only unwounded parts were able to move. Pain was a powerful deterrent for the brute. Each step brought Kargon closer but he stopped a sizable distance away. The monster turned curiously but didn’t wait to find out what the monk was planning.
He raised both fists and let out a slow breath. Unmoving blue orbs focused on the charging demon. Kargon sent out a left jab. It was nowhere near its target. However the massive fist that emerged from it engulfed half of the brute’s body. Purposefully leaving it ephemeral allowed it to pass through the creature while causing both an impact and leaving sizable burns. On the other hand, it allowed the monster to continue its charge.
Kargon pulled back his left arm and followed with a right jab. A similar massive astral fist mimicked the first. There was no need to check what effect it had. Rapid punches flew from his stationary position. Astral projections wouldn’t have been as effective. Without his astral extensions the attacks would be pointless. A constant state of rage boiled in his mind but they remained under control. Burns didn’t die out as a steady stream of fire riddled the brute. Patches of fire cropped up all over its body. By the time it finally reached Kargon it had slowed to a weak limp. It crumpled to its knees and growled at him.
The monk steadied himself and let out a long breath. Five fingers slowly curled as individual infernos encompassed them. Kargon pulled back his right arm smoothly. A motion practiced thousands of times before his horrific failure. One Elmud mimicked to taunt the weakened monk. But now it felt firmer. Burned brighter. Deep crimson flames slowed into a magmatic form that empowered the fist underneath. Even on its knees the monster was much too high to reach from the ground. A wide grin cracked on Kargon’s face as he lunged forward, feet planted firmly. The magmatic form grew exponentially as it plunged into the monster’s chest. Roasted guts and viscera erupted through its back. Torn apart bones were all that remained in the large cavity that was once the brute’s chest. The lifeless corpse crashed to the floor to reveal a warrior removing his bifocals.
“Now I can go,” Kargon said confidently.
Master Avant scoffed again. It was all he could do not to admit he was at a loss for words. Once again, his disciple had eclipsed all expectations.
