Chapter V: A Challenge by Magus

Hamish did not spare a glance for the Magus. He searched the room before his eyes fell on Selene's body.

Without a second thought, he rushed to her side.

Hamish cradled her head in his giant hand. Eyes filled with concern, he asked her softly, "My friend, are you alright?"

"Hamish..." Selene croaked, voice barely a whisper. She reached up to touch his cheek, scarcely believing her eyes. The feeling of his wrinkled skin and scruffy beard brought tears to her eyes, "You're alive."

A soft smile touched his face, "Of course my friend. Promised to keep you safe in this land. Cannot keep promise if dead."

Selene chuckled, letting her hand fall back to her chest. A warmth filled her as she knew now everything was going to be okay.

Her friends were back. They were together once more.

"Can you stand?" Hamish asked.

Selene nodded.

Gingerly, he lifted her to her feet. Then he made sure to stand between her and the Magus. Drawing her daggers, she swiftly cut the bonds on her hands before turning to face Lendrig.

Lendrig's attention, however, was on more important matters.

Ari stood at the center of the room, eyes gleaming an icy blue. She stood proud, iridescent.

Lendrig lifted his hand into the air. The water thrummed and tentacles twitched. His hand descended, pointing at the lone elf woman. The throne writhed from within, jets of water from the deepest depths shot forward, flanked by countless tendrils reaching out from the dark abyss for Ari.

Ari made no move to dodge, standing alone against the tide with arms outstretched.

Selene did not notice at first, but Ari's lips moved wordlessly. Frost grew from her fingertips, her breath becoming visible. As she finished, she brought her hands together with a resounding clap. Ice seemed to grow out of the motion, creating an icy spear, shielding her against the volley.

Ice clashed with ocean tides as though an icy bulwark against the tempest. Water and tendrils both broke against it, cracking the surface of the ice.

Ari screamed out as she brought her hands to her chest, she then began what almost appeared to Selene a dance. She became a blur of motion as her hands moved in intricate motions and her feet slid across the floor in fluid steps.

Ice shifted and frost grew from each step, the air around her froze, creating icicles all over her body as she moved. Her movements held an inhuman grace. Soon, there was no means to tell where Ari ended and the ice began as it flowed from her.

For a moment, Selene swore Ari was another person in that dance. Gone was the olive skin and fiery mane, replaced by a skin white as snow and hair black as night.

In that instant, she appeared a queen amidst the frost, a monarch of ice and snow.

Then she blinked, and Ari stood in her place once more.

The dance ended. Icy winds shot out toward the bulwark she created. It shattered into a thousand shards, freezing every tentacle and drop of water they touched.

Ice grew along the floor, rapidly approaching Lendrig. Lendrig was too focused on defending against her frozen shards, and did not see her creeping frost along the floor. It barely touched the hem of his robe before it froze up to his knees.

Lendrig cried out verbally from the shock, glowering at the elf woman who dared strike him.

My turn, Ice Witch.

Ari's attention was so focused on her onslaught before her that she did not see the water drops pooling behind her. As it congealed, tentacles from the black pool slithered across the ground toward her from her blind spots.

"Ari, look out!" Selene cried.

In a flash, Argent, freed and unbound, appeared by her side. His shortswords were drawn in an instant. The sound of metal sang as he sliced through ancient abyssal flesh.

Jezran was only a step behind him. He rushed to stand by her, standing so they were back to back. He faced the newly formed pool and remaining tendrils.

"ARCUS MAXIM," he bellowed. Torrents of lightning shot from both his hands, hitting tentacles indiscriminately. The shock travelled back through them to the watery portal they rose from, shocking any that avoided his first cascade of bolts.

An animalistic cry rang out as the tendrils retreated to the dark recesses of the pool.

Selene stood mouth agape at the spectacle.

Wait a minute, I should be fighting too! Selene suddenly realized, heat rising to her cheeks. Quickly she searched around for Lendrig, hoping she might be able to get her own payback.

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He stood mere feet away, struggling to free himself from the frost covering his lower torso.

She then caught Hamish's eye, who appeared to be waiting for her word, "Ready, my friend?"

Selene smiled, then nodded, "Yeah. Let's get him."

Hamish grinned back, and the two prepared their sprint. They were not unnoticed, however. Lendrig's head shot back toward them. With a wave of his hand, tendrils once again shot out from the dark throne toward them.

Far too many for Selene to dodge.

Let's see if I can make this work, Selene thought, closing her eyes and centering herself. I have my life.

And they can't take it from me.

She took a deep breath.

Time began to slow as the darkness took her.

There were no lights for Selene to dodge this time, but she could see the lights of her friends glimmer around the room.

She then faced what should be Lendrig's light, but it was quite strange. It almost appeared bleeding, as red lights dripped from its sickly green glow.

Undaunted, she raced toward it in the dark.

She felt tendrils reach for her, but they passed through her harmlessly. Tentacles can't grasp shadows, after all.

The world returned as she stood mere inches from the sickly glow. In a flash, she drew her daggers and plunged them through his chest.

Lendrig audibly gasped and cried out in pain as black fluid pooled from his wounds. Then the tentacles, dripping from his face, lunged for her. Caught off guard, she was too slow. Unable to react in time as they wrapped tightly around her throat.

So you are one of her servants. Lendrig said, bloodshot eyes filled with malicious intent.

Selene gasped and sputtered, she felt her face burning as her hands struggled against the tentacles in vain.

I wonder if she'll feel it as I wring the last vestige of your life from you. Break you apart piece by piece until there is nothing but a mangled husk remaining. By the time I'm done with you, even the birds won't feast on your corpse.

Tears welled in her eyes as she kept gasping.

Then a large arm gripped her round her waist, pulling her free.

As she took a desperately needed breath, a kiai broke out from Hamish's lips as his fist slammed into Lendrig's skull.

Bone gave way to Hamish's strike as the body slammed to the floor with enough force to break the floor beneath him.

The body bounced back up a few feet.

"NOW MY FRIEND," Hamish thundered, his foot slamming into Lendrig's stomach, sending him hurtling through the air.

Argent appeared on cue.

A flash of steel met Lendrig's neck as the body tumbled to the ground. The head, cleaved from his shoulders, bounced a pace before stopping a few feet away from its torso.

Its tentacles flailed wildly, as if it were still alive. But eventually, the struggles faded and they collapsed on the floor as the eyes grew dark.

The great throne of Lendrig collapsed. Its waters faded into mist as it spread across the floor.

Argent, his blade sheathed once more, drawing his morningstar. Once firm in hand, he approached the head to deal the final blow.

"Wait," Selene called out, "Let me do it."

He hesitated, his eyes guarded.

He's still upset about what happened with Lendrig? But I– Selene swallowed, this was not a time to plead her case, nor would it likely sway the elf.

"Please?" Selene whispered, eyes welling up as she pleaded. She was hopeful this would get across her point, I don't know what's going on, but please trust me.

After a moment's deliberation, he placed it in her hands. Okay, his eyes told her, I trust you.

She smiled.

Selene walked over to the dying head, then smashed it with the morningstar.

It was quite gross, but for once, incredibly satisfying.

Silence fell, and the tension faded from the room. Relief washed over Selene as she handed the morningstar back to Argent.

"Thank you," she said, giving him a tired smile.

He gave her a small smile in turn, "You're welcome."

Conflict at an end, the group gathered at the center of the room where the throne once stood.

A tired Ari quickly wrapped her arms around Selene, "I'm so glad you're okay."

Selene returned the gesture, holding the elf woman tightly.

Argent turned to the wizard, placing his hand on his shoulder, "How are you doing?"

Jezran, still clearly shaken, tried to appear nonplussed. He shrugged, "I've...been worse. Glad that that's–"

Jezran was cut off as Hamish wordlessly grabbed Argent and him with both his hands and pulled them around Selene and Ari. Soon they all found themselves at the center of a group hug. Although, it could also be described as Hamish hugging everybody with Selene trapped in the middle with Ari.

Selene fell into a fit of giggles as she imagined how silly they all looked, Ari soon followed, then Hamish. Eventually, they all shared a quiet laugh, more from relief than humor.

There was no excitement in this reunion. Every struggle to get to this moment was so hard fought. Now, they all began to feel the fatigue of the last few days fall upon them. The laughter died down as they all shared in a quiet moment.

Selene closed her eyes, feeling a peace fall over her.

It's over. Finally, I'm not alone anymore.

Malevolent laughter echoed in their minds.

Dread. Palpable, suffocating dread fell over the party.

A brilliant show, all of you. I am most impressed. It seems the younger generation does not disappoint.

They searched around, but could not find a soul in the room with them.

How? Selene's mind raced, searching for answers, How can he—-

"Still. You are fools." Lendrig continued, cackling all the while, "My followers draw near, from all angles. Five chosen, over a dozen merrow, and eight thralls. A mere fraction of the force I wield, but enough. You will all be crushed, I will paint my throne in your blood. Then, I will destroy your disgusting Hollow. Before this week is done, the Igryss will feast on fresh souls plucked from a thousand cities. It is inevitable, but go ahead and fight, if you must."

The last part came in a whisper, as if it was only meant for Selene, "The futile struggle only makes your suffering all the sweeter."