While the squad leaders discussed a plan, Hump sat atop a rocky outcrop, taking the little time he had to recover his strength. He scanned the wasteland. The expanse stretched endlessly in all directions, an unforgiving landscape of red sand and jagged stone. He wondered what might have been here before the realm had been destroyed. The rolling hills could have once been flower meadows, farmland, or forest—hells, the temple may have been part of a city. Now, there was nothing but dust.

Hump spat, trying to get the dryness out of his mouth. He took a swig of water, swished it around, and spat again. The air was unpleasant, his body hurt, and gods, he was tired. He took out a small bowl from his potion pouch and poured some water into it for Nisha, who wormed her way from his lap and plopped down with it between her front paws, lapping it up. She looked up at him, images of the vast sky in her mind. Fly.

“Not yet,” Hump said. “Once we’re on the move you can fly as much as you want.”

Hump’s party sat beside him. They were just out of view of the temple, other than Celaine who peeked over the hilltop to watch it down below.

“Is Nisha okay?” Dylan asked.

Hump nodded. “She seems in high spirits.”

“And you?” Dylan asked. “It must be difficult being back here.”

Hump smiled, appreciating the druid’s concern. “It’s not my favourite place, but the company is much better than when I was last here.”

Dylan chuckled. “I’m glad to hear that. I’m sure nobody would mind if you sat out of the next attack though. I can’t imagine these warlocks putting up much of a fight with General Korteg and Count Daston with us. There’s no shame in it.”

“We’re all tired,” Hump said. “I’ll take it easy, but I don’t intend to be left behind. Besides, I’m probably the only one here that has ever been inside a temple of the Remnant Realm, even if it wasn’t this one.”

“We’ll look out for you anyway,” Emilia said. “Right, Bud?”

“Hmm?” The knight looked up. “What?”

Emilia frowned at him. “They’ll be fine.”

“Oh, I know they will. It just pains me to leave them behind. They’re my company, and I was the one that brought them to Nordric. It just doesn’t feel right to leave them in a dungeon.”

“A vanquished dungeon,” Emilia said. “And I’m certain they’d rather be there than here.”

“Seconded!” Dylan said, raising a hand.

“Henrietta looked like she wanted to come,” Bud said.

“That’s because you Chosen of Kelisia are all insane,” Hump said with a laugh. “I swear, you’d walk through fire if it was evil.”

“I’m a Frost Knight, Hump. Fire isn’t exactly a concern.”

“Bad example, but you get my point! Imagine extremely hot fire then.”

“I suppose in that situation, then yes, I would walk through the extremely hot evil fire.”

“Exactly.” Hump nodded. “Insane.”

Bud laughed.

“Do you see anything, Celaine?” Dylan asked.

She turned, sliding down the hill slightly so that she was back out of sight. “Suspicious figures in black robes. They all look human—no demons so far. And they don’t look like they’re prepared for a fight at all. I think this should be easy.”

“Not the kind of place one would expect to be attacked,” Hump said.

There was shuffling down the hill, and Hump saw the squad leaders splitting up from their discussion. Anara made her way over. Her own party, Marcela’s, and Owen’s were already waiting nearby.

“There’s only one element of concern that we have,” Anara said. “The temple may be reinforced by magic, but if it is, it likely won’t be activated all the time. We’ll attack under the veil of illusions and be inside before they have a chance to react. Any questions?”

There were none. Everyone moved into position, the other squads lining up on the hill, just out of sight of the temple. When they were ready, a few Chosen of Lady Light stepped out in front and worked together to veil the force. Light glimmered overhead, the sky became hazy as their blessing surrounded them. Beyond, the world appeared like Hump was viewing it through a drinking glass, the curves of light slightly distorting everything beyond.

Once the blessings were ready, the Chosen gave a nod to General Korteg who waved them forward. They marched ahead in their squads, lined up in two rows of five. Stepping out over the top of the hill, Hump felt exposed in the wasteland. He gripped his staff tightly, a spell ready on his lips. Nisha had a hop to her step, excitement rushing through her as they marched on the temple. As they went further down the hill, Hump peered through the open temple doors to see the black robed figures Celaine had described inside. Even from a distance he counted at least a dozen. Some walked around, others were seated at tables inside, reading. Bookshelves obscured his view. It looked more like a library than a warlock stronghold.

Hump’s heart raced as they drew nearer, but he found that it was more anticipation than nerves. That feeling before battle never quite went away, but he was growing accustomed to it. It was a dangerous thing really. Such a thing could make a wizard lax.

Focus, he told himself, catching his mind wandering.

The temple was right in front of them now and still the warlocks had not noticed them. Essence stones shone inside, illuminating the temple in bright white light. The people within seemed at ease.

Hump remembered General Korteg’s orders—only Count Daston’s squad was to focus on prisoners, the rest of them just had to kill. Ambushing the enemy like this left an odd feeling in Hump’s stomach, as if he were killing in cold blood, but there could be no hesitation. The warlocks certainly wouldn’t. And he had seen the kind of evil they committed.

There was no time left to think. General Korteg stepped through the veil of the Chosen of Light, sword drawn, and let loose a furious shout.

“I am General Korteg of Alveron. Lay down your weapons and you may yet live.”

The warlocks turned in shock from where they were seated, and then essence surged. Many leapt from their seats, reaching for their magic or weapons. As more of the Chosen poured in, Hump saw many widen their eyes in fear at the overwhelming force.

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

Hump stepped into the room at the rear of his party, sending off blasts of essence with Focused Beam at any warlock he saw gathering magic. Nisha dashed ahead of him, pouncing on someone and barrelling them to the ground where she tore out their throat. It was vicious fighting, but he could sense the excitement in the little dragon even as she tore through people.

Explosions of magic went off all around Hump, but they could do nothing against such a force. Alveron’s elites were gathered, and these warlocks were so far in over their heads that there was nothing they could do. They were torn to pieces. Those lucky enough to survive were quickly suppressed and captured.

“Kill them!” a shout echoed from the upper level.

Hump’s eyes darted up to a circular walkway on the second floor, where a woman in black robes stood, her wand aimed directly at their group. A spark of fire ignited at the tip of her wand, starting as a small, sizzling orange flame. It quickly grew, transforming into a blazing orb of red before erupting into a fierce, roaring blue. The air around it shimmered with intense heat, warping like a mirage.

Fascinating, Hump thought with wide eyes.

“Searing Doom!” she shouted, and the fireball surged forward, leaving a trail of heat in its wake.

Less fascinating.

“Allow me,” Bud said calmly, stepping forward to intercept the attack. He raised his sword, and Frostfire erupted along the blade in a brilliant display of pale blue light. With a sweeping motion, he carved through the air, channelling the power of Kelisia. A shimmering wall of ice manifested before him, its surface crackling with Frostfire.

The fireball collided with the ice shield, fiery blue flames meeting the icy blue of Kelisia’s power. The two forces battled, heat and cold clashing in a hiss of steam and sparks. For a moment, it was unclear which would prevail, but then the flames started to fizzle out against the icy shield.

As the blaze subsided, Bud’s eyes shone. Essence surged around him, and wings of flame sprouted from his back. They flapped, propelling him into the air, soaring upward to the second level.

“The rest of you go and help him,” Hump said to his party. “Nisha and I will be fine here.”

The others nodded and quickly ascended to the second level, where Bud’s aura cast a blue glow against the walls. Hump shifted his focus back to the fight, channeling his power as he aimed at a distant warlock preparing to unleash a spell. “Rockshot,” he barked, sending a sharp stone projectile hurtling through the air.

Beyond the warlock, a larger group had gathered around an artifact embedded in a pedestal. Dark essence gathered to it as one of the warlocks worked rapidly, channelling their power, while others formed a protective half-circle around them. If Hump had to guess, it looked a lot like the method the gorger had used to create a portal between this realm and his own. And if that warlock knew how to do that, they needed to capture them.

Hump sent a Blast in their direction, only for it to break against a strong barrier that surrounded the group. He’d need something stronger. Or someone stronger.

Hump searched for Count Daston then activated Distant Whisper to communicate with him directly. “It’s Wizard Hump, Sir. Warlocks at the back are activating a portal. Capture them. I’ll cover your squad’s approach.”

The count turned to Hump and gave him a nod in response, then directed his squad toward the warlocks. As they approached, Hump stepped into the middle of the room and reached for the broken stone and sand all around him, his spellbook whirling in his hand. “Ward of Earth.”

Essence lashed at everything around him, stone floating in the air, dancing to his will. It shifted before him, a wall of bronze, sand, and stone shifting in the air, the sound of churning echoing through the temple. Then using Shatter Shield, he sent it exploding forward with a wave of essence, a storm of stand and stone bombarding the group of warlocks. It broke against their Shield but did not breach it, instead, obscuring their view as Count Daston and his squad closed in.

The count launched himself ahead, leaping through the air as his hand glowed silver with the power of Avaroth. He shattered the warlock shield with a single punch, then barrelled through the ranks of wizards to reach their leader. The moment he did, the essence that had been gathered erupted. There was a great blast, but the count absorbed it with ease, his defence impervious to such attacks.

***

Bud landed gracefully on the second-floor walkway, shrouded in the power of Kelisia. Heart of Frostfire expanded around him, enveloping him an aura of icy energy, while Armour of Ice coated his form in a glimmering layer of protection. He strode confidently toward the group of five warlocks, their eyes widening as they stumbled back, confusion etched on their faces. They clearly hadn’t expected that attack to have been dealt with so easily.

His gaze hardened beneath his helmet of ice. He felt strong here, and anger bubbled up inside him. These warlocks—corrupted and evil—needed to be cleansed.

A man unleashed another spell from his staff in an effort to slow his advance—a quick burst of water lashed out like a dart. At the same time, the woman that had attacked before unleashed fiery projectiles. They slowed as they reached his icy aura, their spells weakening from the sheer cold and will that surrounded him. What remained burst over his armour with dull thuds, barely a nuisance. Bud did not falter, pressing forward with unrelenting purpose, his sword held casually at his side. One appeared in a flash of shadow to the right, throwing a dagger at the gap in his visor. He leant to the side, letting it pass harmlessly by, then lashed out with his blade in a great sweep.

Frostfire arched through the air, catching the assassin and sending him screaming backward, clutching at his arm as ice coated it, steam rising from the wound. He launched himself toward the remaining five, his blade slashing through the first warlock like he was nothing. The man’s eyes widened as he crumpled, crystalised in his death.

Three of the remaining four twisted at their sight, their faces transforming grotesquely under the corruptive influence of their powers.

“This is what I expect from you beasts,” Bud snarled. “Look at you! Look at what you have done to yourselves… and for what? You call this power?” His wings blazed behind him, the ground turned to ice at his feet as he marched forward. “What you have is not power. It is a curse, and I shall cleanse you of it.”

Snarls and growls erupted from the three that had shifted. Two brandished swords while the third a spear. Only the fire warlock remained fully human. She launched six tendrils of arrows of flame at him, each curving to come around at his back, while her companions attached from the front in a savage frenzy.

Leaning forward and bending his knees, Bud launched himself forward with Frostfire Surge. Flames erupted at his feet, leaving a trail in his wake as he was propelled forward. He slashed at the closest one with a sword. The man met his blow with steel, only for the force of Bud’s attack to throw him backward. The other two attacked together, sword and spear moving quickly to try and break Bud’s defence, but while Bud sensed power in their blows, they were far slower than Emilia. It was almost like fighting two large children that had not yet come to understand their strength.

“You were a fool to come here,” the woman hissed.

“Unfortunately for you, I am not alone,” Bud said.

Before she could react, Dylan flipped through the air and landed behind her. His face was stoic as he clubbed her over the back of her head with his staff. Her eyes rolled back as she crumpled to the ground, unconscious before she hit the floor. Dylan’s vines sprang forth, quickly binding her hands and legs.

The remaining warlocks stood back-to-back, all four back on their feet, though two were injured. Emilia and Celaine had closed in on either side now. Celaine’s bow was drawn, her arrow aimed with precision from where she perched on the banister, while Emilia’s sword gleamed red against the wall of the building.

“I’ll give you one chance to surrender,” Bud declared, his sword held out toward them, the Frostfire casting an icy glow over his face.

The warlocks responded with roars of defiance, charging in a frenzied rush. Celaine’s arrow flew, striking one in the chest. Emilia’s blade met the assassin, killing him with a thrust through the heart, before slicing the throat of a second. The last warlock lunged at Bud with his spear, but he was too slow. Bud’s sword pierced him through, and Frostfire surged, the blue flames consuming the corruption in his body. As the light faded, the warlock’s twisted features were human once more, frozen in his death.

“May you find rest in the afterlife,” Bud murmured, pulling his blade free and letting the warlock collapse to the floor. His eyes then went to their prisoner. She had seemed powerful enough—that magic must have been equivalent to a Rank 4 wizard, even if it lacked much of the control he expected from Hump.

“Come on,” Bud said. “We should go help downstairs.”

“I’m not sure we’re needed,” Celaine said. “They look like they’re almost finished.”