Erik Blarneysson left his rucksack behind with the rest of his comrades. As per James’s plan Erik began the attack on Gloamanthal’s cavern by making his way towards a fracture in the roof of the stone cavern about 100 feet away from the concealed vantage point. As they had hoped, no notice was made of Erik’s movements in the time it took him to reach that point in his climb. However, proceeding past this point would certainly attract the attention of Gloamanthal and his minions. The Dwarf looped the chain on his beloved battle axe, ‘Dora’, around his neck and inserted his left hand into the large crack. He turned back towards James and with his right hand he gave a big ‘thumbs up’ sign.
Next, it was Oakleaf Gilderwood’s turn to act. Withdrawing the Sunstone from his robes pocket, the world’s greatest practitioner of Emerald magic chanted words of power. The gem stone began to glow and Oakleaf set the transparent case into position where it would be exposed to the entire cavern. Its light grew in intensity, first achieving the brightness of a torch, then a whole fire, then something more akin to the brightness of a lightning bolt. All eyes turned towards the glare as each Chaotic soldier attempted to discern the source of the unexpected light. The gemstone brightened further, overwhelming even Gloamanthal’s eyesight.
Chaotic commands sounded the alarm, first from Gloamanthal, then from his Chosen. Screeching, words not understandable to James rang out. Despite being warned of the impending brightness, and having the benefit of looking away from the Sunstone, James’s eyes were overwhelmed by the unaccustomed light. It was indeed, as if the sun itself shone inside the cavern. The first coherent image processable by James’s eyes was that of Erik Blarneysson initiating his climb up the ceiling fissure. Next, James took note of the green clad Arch Wizard, with his scythe bladed staff extended in front of him, striding confidently down the slope. Finally, Celeste also advanced, her glowing war hammer held high. Light emerged from her body, more intensely even than during the cavalry battle. Apparently the light also generated heat, and her camouflaged cloak began to smoulder and disintegrate, revealing the crimson robes of the Sisters of Theodor below. Appearing as a scarlet lightning bolt she charged towards the nearest Chaos warrior.
Elana leaned close to James as the two combat challenged members of the quest remained hidden behind the stalagmites.
A bubble of pure green magical energy rose up around the Emerald Mage. Oakleaf Gilderwood’s voice boomed, “ How dare thee devil spawn enter my domain!” The volume of his words was deafening. Their power was overwhelming, “I banish you from this place. I cast you from this sanctuary of life. I demand you return to the carnal pits that spawned your foulness! There is no place for you here. Begon!” commanded Sir Gilderwood.
Gloamanthal responded to Oakleaf’s theatrics with volume of his own, “Ha! Ha! Ha! You threaten a Chaos Lord! You of all challengers? Oakleaf Gilderwood, Master of plant magic, ArchDeacon of soil wizardry and Lord of pest management! You threaten Gloamanthal? I will destroy you utterly!” Glomanthal cursed under his breath and lifted both arms into the air. A black whirlwind formed between his hands. As it grew the foul cloud seemed to suck light from the Sunstone, narrowing its focus and bringing back darkness to some parts of the cavern.
Oakleaf Gilderwood responded with his scythe staff. Raising the blade high above his head the whole staff began to glow in a faintly green light. Oakleaf swung the staff in the air as a farmer worker would use a scythe to thresh a wheat field, casting a bubble of pure magical energy towards Gloamanthal. The impact was immense, and staggered the Demon lord, causing him to lose concentration, and the black whirlwind was dispelled. The Sunstone flickered and regained its intensity, illuminating the entire cavern with an intense yellow white light which seemed designed to cleanse the cavern of demonic influences.
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Gloamanthal howled in protest and strode forward, drawing his black bladed sword. Clearly he meant to directly challenge Oakleaf.
James winced, knowing that a 340 year old Emerald Wizard could not possibly hope to defeat a Chaos Lord in hand to hand combat. Even with the temporary advantage of the Sunstone providing the Taubra necessary to power his Wizardry, Oakleaf was no match for Gloamanthal. James cast his vision up towards the ceiling of the cavern. Sure enough, Erik Blarneysson was swinging his way, from hand hold to hand hold, approaching closer and closer to his objective.
A cry rang out, and James’s attention was called to Celeste, whose charge impacted one of the Chosen demon warriors. Blue sparks flew, as Celeste’s gleaming war hammer struck once, twice and a third time with impossible force. Each time the blow was parried by the ensorcelled shield borne by the demonic soldier, but the fourth time the hammer struck home, crushing his breastplate and lifting her opponent from his feet, tipping him over the edge of the rock ledge. Beneath the ledge, the refined Blue Stone pile steamed and radiated heat. The tumbling warrior lunged with his battle axe, in a desperate attempt to save himself, but the axe failed to arrest his fall. The Chaos warrior fell into the pale blue sludge. His flesh seemed to melt as he was absorbed into the pile.
Celeste strode forward to engage the second demon warrior. He was taller, even more powerfully built, and armed with an ensorcelled two handed halberd. The black armoured servant of Chaos swung first chopping hard from right to left. Sparks flew, as Celeste barely parried the blow. Even so, the impact was enough to stagger Celeste and push her perilously close to the edge of the rock ledge. She swung back, but short of the target, as the reach of the halberd exceeded that of Celeste’s war hammer.
The Demon warrior swung again, this time from left to right, and Celeste’s hammer failed to prevent its impact. James called out in dismay as the halberd cut through her crimson robes, and her armored breastplate, staggering the Theodorite Sister. Celeste stepped back towards the metal scaffolding, and a second Chaos warrior stepped forward to enter the engagement, striding forward to take advantage of her weakness. ‘What can be done?’ thought James in desperation.
As Elana began to chant softly, an area of brightness from the Sunstone seemed to specifically target her while she sang words of magic. The illumination rose from her body and flowed down the slope towards Celeste, appearing to be absorbed directly into her body. Celeste immediately stood taller, visibly strengthened by Elana’s actions, and swung outward with her glowing war hammer. Celeste’s weapon struck home, crushing the helmet of the Demon soldier. He too, collapsed into the blue mud, disappearing in a blue mist, as he was digested by the pile.
But two more Chaotic soldiers took their place at the sides of the halberd wielding warrior. Now it was three against one and Celeste began to back upwards, towards the top of the scaffolding.
The sound of a massive impact drew James’s attention away from Celeste. Gloamanthal and Oakleaf were fully engaged. Gloamanthal held the jewel encrusted pommel of his Demon possessed sword, and swung it at Oakleaf with the full force of a Chaos Lord. Black lightning erupted as Lord Gilderwood met the blow with his staff. Green sparks showered the combatants and the smell of ozone began to penetrate the protection afforded James by Emerald Wizardry. Again Gloamanthals blade struck the scythe bladed staff, and again. Surely the ensorcelled weapon of Chaos would prevail.
A fourth blow landed, and this time Oakleaf Gilderwoods knees buckled, sending him to the ground. He was still able to defend himself with his staff, but clearly the ancient Wizard was weakening. James could not help but lament the unfairness of the battle. In the forest, Oakleaf would surely have been able to call on the services of the vines and trees and the rest of the natural world. But Gloamanthal had cleverly maneuvered the Wizard into a conflict where Emerald magic was at its weakest. How long would the Sunstone’s energy last? And even with the light from the Sunstone how could Sir Gilderwood survive such an attack? James felt impotent and useless as he watched his patron struggle.
The Emerald Wizard cast another defensive spell and the energy which strengthened his staff was renewed. With great effort Gilderwood once again returned to his feet but the blows from the Demon possessed sword continued to rain down. Explosive impact after explosive impact was clearly weakening the structural strength of the Emerald Wizard’s staff. It began to visibly flex with each additional blow. ‘How long could it last?’ wondered James.