Academy Rebels, page 26
part #1 of Card Mage Series
Space: 0
Mind: 2
Body: 0
The Air Sphere has always spoken to me. A 2nd degree will open up more powerful spell effects than the 1st degree. The Urth Sphere will help round out my basic elemental spheres so I can stand a chance against elemental magic from other mages and mythical beasts.
Dax pondered on the possibilities as he walked. He lost track of time when a shadow appeared next to him and the sun was well past its zenith. The mage woke from his thoughts and looked over to Nuria as she walked alongside him.
“Congratulations,” the mage said.
Dax looked ahead, “For?”
Nuria’s brow hardened for a moment before it softened. “You have been claimed by Fern and Zarra. You three have a lover’s binding.”
Dax’s eyes widened a hair before he nodded. “I had a feeling that was what was happening last night.”
Nuria looked at him, “You weren’t completely aware of it?”
Dax shrugged. “I was pretty drunk and so were they. But it doesn’t surprise me, not completely.”
Fern and Zarra were looking back. The berserker gave a suspicious gaze. Zarra’s expression was neutral.
Nuria shook her head. “Did you feel our bond, that night?”
The mage said nothing as he recalled the sharp pain in his heart when he and Nuria made love that night, not far from the mana spring.
“We didn’t bond. There was no agreement. There was no asking for permission from friends or family. We simply shared our bodies in a moment of passion,” Dax said coldly.
“They asked Symon and Vance. They didn’t ask me,” Nuria frowned.
Dax shook his head. “Nuria, do you really want to be with us? With me? You betrayed our trust and hoped everything would go away. It didn’t turn out that way and you told us everything much too late.”
The beautiful mage looked away. “I…can’t explain it. My mind is in shreds as I try to hold onto my thoughts. It feels like the real me is trying to swim to the surface.”
Nuria turned her gaze to Dax, “I felt our connection. I know you feel it too.”
Dax looked up to the afternoon sky. “I do feel something, but I don’t know if we can explore it. You’ve been a terrible person for so long and maybe that’s why I’m attracted to you. The pain makes me feel alive, but it’s an unhealthy pain, one I must leave behind me.”
Nuria bit her lip.
Dax continued, “I’m happy we had a chance to explore it, but I think it was not meant to be.”
Nuria nodded. “When you feel it again, that connection between us, we will speak on it.”
Dax watched as the beautiful mage picked up the pace, leaving him behind her.
I never thought my love life would be like this.
Dax marched on as the sun moved slowly toward the western horizon. It didn’t take long before Fern was walking beside the mage, her hard gaze now on Nuria’s back.
Dax smiled. “I wasn’t sure last night was a lover’s binding, but it seems it was.”
Fern smiled, but kept her gaze on Nuria. “I thought you would have guessed it by the talk of gods, goddesses and speaking to Symon and Vance.”
“I’m not complaining. I’m actually relieved. I felt like I was sneaking around with all three of you.”
Fern’s eyes narrowed. “She’s not part of us.”
Dax nodded. “Sorry, didn’t mean it that way. I meant, I felt bad because I thought you might…try to beat up Nuria and Zarra.”
Fern let out a laugh. “You really don’t understand fairies. We bind ourselves to dozens of others if we choose. And Zarra, she told me her people do the same, but it's smaller, more intimate. Dragon relationships are in threes and fours. It helps with caring for the young and each other.”
Dax nodded. “I didn’t have a lot of time for romance in Hydale. Sure, there was the occasional tavern wench, but otherwise, I was much too busy.”
Fern looked up to the mage with an affectionate gleam. “Now you don’t have to worry. Zarra and I talked many times and we agreed, it was best for the three of us. She was always attracted to you.”
Dax looked to the fairy, “And you?”
The fairy flashed and appeared as her eight-inch form, fluttering by Dax’s head. “I was attracted to you the moment I met you at the party. You were distracted and clearly not wanting to be there, but you stayed and we talked for a little bit.
“My parents always told me, you will feel it and know it when it happens. Lucky for me, it happened that night at the party.”
Fern fluttered close to the mage and kissed his cheek. “Zarra and I talked some more today. If you want anyone else to bond to us, we should all talk about it or I’m going to have to beat you up.”
“So violent,” Dax smiled.
Fern nodded. “Don’t forget it.”
The fairy zipped ahead and made spirals through the air as the sun sank lower in the sky.
An hour slipped by before Symon called out to everyone to make camp. The group split, falling to their duties. Symon staked out a campsite away from the beach. Dax and Fern collected firewood. Vance, Zarra, and Nuria set up tents and created a fire pit. The sun sank lower in the sky and when it touched the horizon, camp was set and a fire was lit.
Rations were pulled from packs and everyone began eating. Dax chewed slowly, looking up as the last rays of sunlight faded from the sky and stars appeared, one by one. The moment touched him as he admired the heavens.
“Do we have any idea what to expect in Butterpond?” Fern asked as she grabbed rice with both of her tiny hands.
Vance shook his head. “No one really knows. The town is always shrouded in mystery. They don’t like any visitors and the professors told us never to visit or we would be turned away.”
“I heard rumors that it's where they train the Ink Scribes who create our twelve-point star tattoos,” Symon said.
Vance nodded. “It would make sense, since the technique is a closely guarded secret. They wouldn’t want anyone just walking around and visiting.”
“Maybe they will give us new tattoos? I wasn’t fond of mine at first, but now I want more,” Fern said as she stuffed her small mouth.
Zarra stood up, the light of the campfire reflected off her womanly form. The conversation stopped and everyone looked to her. The cleric moved to Nuria and touched her shoulder. The mage looked up as Zarra moved to Dax and touched his shoulder.
“Please, both of you come with me,” the cleric said, turned and began walking.
Symon, Vance, and Fern looked to Dax and Nuria. The two mages said nothing as they stood up, turned, and followed after the dragon in woman form.
A blanket of stars filled the sky as they moved away from the campfire. Dax couldn’t remember the last time he truly looked to them and basked in their ancient glow. He was nearly lost to their light as he stumbled onto the sandy beach.
Zarra walked ahead, her bare feet on the wide beach as waves crashed and rumbled along the surf. The air was cleansing as Nuria took a deep breath, enjoying the moment. When the three of them were about twenty feet from the ocean waves, Zarra turned and looked at the mages, her yellow eyes glowing in the dark.
“I wanted to bring you both here so we could talk,” the cleric said in a small voice.
Dax and Nuria looked at each other and then looked at the cleric, silent.
Zarra eyed Nuria, “I vowed to be your friend so you can find your way from your inner darkness.”
The cleric looked to Dax. “I bound my heart to yours so we may love freely, without deception or mistrust.”
Zarra bowed her head slightly, looking to the sandy floor. “I wanted to give you both a moment to speak with your hearts, my light as a guide to help you both from your pain. There is a rift between the connection that is there. My senses never lie and I saw the connection between you both. Neither of you will be free if you don’t confront the ghosts that haunt your souls.”
“There is nothing to say. I made a mistake asking Nuria to join our coterie,” Dax stated.
“I made a mistake when I didn’t tell the truth,” Nuria bowed her head.
Dax looked to the beautiful mage, “We all make mistakes. No one is perfect, but I can’t have my heart ripped out again. You belong with the elite while we belong to our own, smaller family.”
Nuria looked to Dax, starlight in her eyes. “And, what if I discovered, I want to be part of this family?”
Dax’s eyes sagged. “Why would you want that?”
Nuria kept her watery, star filled gaze. “I want you to be stronger and I want to be strong with you.”
Dax’s eyes widened a little, “Nuria…”
Zarra nodded. “It will take time to see the light between your souls, but it be…” Zarra stopped as a shadow loomed behind her.
The cleric barely turned her head when something whipped from the darkness and struck her back like a hammer against an anvil. Dax and Nuria barely stepped back as Zarra was hurtled sixty feet into the air and crashed down onto the beach by the edge of the road.
A foul stench filled the area as Dax and Nuria stepped back in horror. A long-limbed creature stepped forward, its body hunched. A fish-like head stared down with white eyes and a maw filled with jagged teeth. Webbed hands flexed as clawed feet took another step forward. The sea monster was about fifteen feet tall and glared down at the two mages, a bumpy tongue licking along glistening teeth. Even in the starlight, black and green scales covered its body as the monster made a hollow, hungry moan.
Time slowed into instances. Nuria reached for her spellbook, her hand grasping at nothing as her satchel and spellbook were at camp. The mage stared down in shock before looking up, her mind working hard to remember a spell.
Dax was moving, hand diving into his robe and pulling out a card.
Name: Ice Blast
Element: Water
Degree: 1
Ability: Damage/Stun
Special Ability: None
Not thinking, he jumped in front of Nuria, aimed the card and whispered the command word.
A stream of ice shards blasted forth. The monster took another lurching step forward raising its long arm and blocking the ice blast. The cone of frost collected along the creature’s arm as it continued to advance, ice forming sharp points. The creature flexed and the collected ice shards shattered, falling away like snow.
“Get the others!” Dax shouted as he reached into his robe and pulled out another card.
Name: Lightning Bolt
Element: Air
Degree: 2
Ability: Damage
Special Ability: None
Holding both cards, the mage pointed his new card, but before he could whisper the arcane command word, Nuria was at his side, lightning curling around her hands. The pair fell in sync as they unleashed their spells at the same time.
Two bolts of lightning arced up. The monster crossed its arms, both bolts striking true. Electrical energy ran along the creature’s arms as it roared in pain, but it took another step closer.
“Nuria, get back!” Dax said as he overcharged each card in his hands.
The mage channeled 100 points of mana into each card as they glowed with mystical power.
Name: Dax Sage
Class: Mage
Health: Normal
Mana: 800/1000
Mana Shards: 0
The cards blazed bright before a cone of frost and a stream of lightning poured forth. Dax backpedaled, pushing Nuria away as he unleashed magical power.
The mages watched as ice and lightning slammed into the creature, but it didn’t slow down. Arms pulling away, it swiped with its extended reach. Dax pointed a card at the incoming hand when the power petered out of the card. The mage cursed as he threw himself backwards, his body crashing into Nuria and both of them tumbling to the sandy ground.
The sea monster lurched forward, claws reaching down. Dax held his cards, channeling another 100 points into each one when Nuria was on her knees, a fireball forming between her hands. The beautiful mage looked up with confidence as the fireball filled her hands. Pulling an arm back, she hurtled it forward.
The creature slapped the fireball from the air, the explosion sending shards of fire in all directions. Inhuman screams filled the beach as the monster’s black and smoking hand flexed. Nuria’s mouth moved, arcane words filling the air as she prepared another spell.
Name: Dax Sage
Class: Mage
Health: Normal
Mana: 600/1000
Mana Shards: 0
Dax was to his feet, cards charged. While Nuria prepared her spell, the mage held out each of his arms over her shoulders, aiming his cards like spell cannons. The pair of mages slipped into knowing roles as Dax would buy her time and Nuria would unleash another fire spell.
Dax whispered commands and each card blazed with ice and lightning. Streams of cold and light blasted out, striking the monster on the chest. The thing faltered a step, ice crawling along its scales while lightning stunned its senses. White eyes looked down as a new fireball formed in Nuria’s hands and she smirked.
The mage on her knees shouted in defiance as fire leapt from her hands and crashed into the monster. It staggered again, flames burning at wet scales and the creature roaring.
Dax slipped his two cards into his robe and pulled out two new cards.
Name: Fire Stream
Element: Fire
Degree: 1
Ability: Damage/Continuous Damage
Special Ability: None
Name: Troll
Element: Life
Degree: 2
Ability: Damage
Special Ability: Tough
The mage watched as the monster’s scales fell off, charred from flames and putrid flesh underneath blistered and bubbled. Despite the damage, dread filled the mage as he knew they were barely holding back the monstrosity.
Command whispered, a thin torrent of flames shot from one card while white energy blasted out from the other. A phantom troll appeared with a club and the moment it saw the monster, it rushed into battle.
The sea monster groaned as it blocked the stream of fire, unable to see the troll charging with its club held high. Flames burned and the troll brought his club hard across, slamming into an unguarded knee.
The creature roared as both of its spindly arms lashed out. One struck the troll sending it flying back about fifty feet and crashing into the sand.
Nuria’s eyes widened as the other arm flashed and Dax stepped between her and the arm. Pain flashed as Dax and Nuria were hurtled through the air. The mage couldn’t catch his breath as he tumbled uncontrollably. The pair hit the sand, Nuria’s head slamming into a rock.
Dax coughed as he tried to regain his breath. The mage blinked as he tried to move, limbs trembling. Turning to his side, his stats appeared in his eyes as he looked down at Nuria, her eyes closed and bleeding from her head.
Name: Dax Sage
Class: Mage
Health: Critical
Mana: 600/1000
Mana Shards: 0
Dax’s body shuddered in pain as he felt a few ribs were cracked. Gritting his teeth, he tried to sit up and he noticed the cards he was holding were gone.
The troll was up and charging. The troll growled as the sea monster stepped forward, teeth dripping foul saliva. Legs bent, it jumped, club swinging. The monster’s head twisted to the side as the club made full contact. Staggering, it tried to keep its balance as the troll whipped its club against the monster’s ribs.
Grunts, growls, and roars filled the night. The troll pushed on, fighting with every ounce of its power. The sea monster reached out, long fingers grabbing the troll, its club falling away and disappearing.
“Nuria?” Dax whispered as he tried to get up.
The mage grunted loud as he was on his feet, reached down and took hold of Nuria’s arm. Panic flared as the mage had to get her off the beach. They were no match for the creature and his troll construct was only buying time.
The tall creature lifted the struggling troll up before it opened its jagged maw and bit down on the troll’s head. The entire body shattered, turning into whips of smoke and mana.
The sea monster gurgled its frustration as it turned its white eyes to the man pulling the woman by her arm. They were hurt and weakened and the monster roared. Legs moved like thunderous pistons as it charged.
Dax’s hand slipped into his robe, “I need you girl.”
Name: Unicorn
Element: Life
Degree: 2
Ability: Charge/Horn/Trample
Special Ability: None
Whispering the command word, light blasted out and slammed onto the beach. The unicorn lowered its head, horn pointing as the charging monster.
Pain ripped through the mage as he grabbed the unconscious Nuria and lifted her up. The unicorn was about to charge when Dax’s words cut through the inhuman roars as the monster approached.
“Get her to safety! NOW!” Dax shouted as his hand reached into his robe again.
The unicorn glanced back for barely a moment before it turned and charged away, Nuria on its back.
Dax let out a relieved sigh as he turned to the charging monster.
Name: Air Bolt
Element: Air
Degree: 2
Ability: Knockdown
Special Ability: None
I just have to buy enough time for Nuria to get away.
Many of his cards gone, the mage aimed his card and whispered the arcane command. Air swirled together and blasted forward. The monster opened its mouth, ready to swallow the mage’s head whole when an air bolt struck it in the face. The fish-like head snapped upwards.
Dax channeled 100 points into the card, lowered his aim and whispered the command.
Another bolt struck its stomach, the entire creature stumbling back and falling on its misshapen rump.
Name: Dax Sage
Class: Mage
Health: Critical
Mana: 500/1000
Mana Shards: 0
Dax was breathing hard, trying to think up another attack as the monster slowly stood up, an alien fury in its white eyes. Clutching at his side, he only had the one card in hand as he readied to charge it again.
A scream filled the air as light blazed toward the monster. Dax glanced to the side to see Fern, screaming like a banshee with mace in hand. In a blink, the fairy’s mace struck the creature along its jaw. Claws swiped at the air as Fern moved like a tiny comet. Her screams were deafening as her eyes bulged in her head and blood red color filled her hair.
Mind: 2
Body: 0
The Air Sphere has always spoken to me. A 2nd degree will open up more powerful spell effects than the 1st degree. The Urth Sphere will help round out my basic elemental spheres so I can stand a chance against elemental magic from other mages and mythical beasts.
Dax pondered on the possibilities as he walked. He lost track of time when a shadow appeared next to him and the sun was well past its zenith. The mage woke from his thoughts and looked over to Nuria as she walked alongside him.
“Congratulations,” the mage said.
Dax looked ahead, “For?”
Nuria’s brow hardened for a moment before it softened. “You have been claimed by Fern and Zarra. You three have a lover’s binding.”
Dax’s eyes widened a hair before he nodded. “I had a feeling that was what was happening last night.”
Nuria looked at him, “You weren’t completely aware of it?”
Dax shrugged. “I was pretty drunk and so were they. But it doesn’t surprise me, not completely.”
Fern and Zarra were looking back. The berserker gave a suspicious gaze. Zarra’s expression was neutral.
Nuria shook her head. “Did you feel our bond, that night?”
The mage said nothing as he recalled the sharp pain in his heart when he and Nuria made love that night, not far from the mana spring.
“We didn’t bond. There was no agreement. There was no asking for permission from friends or family. We simply shared our bodies in a moment of passion,” Dax said coldly.
“They asked Symon and Vance. They didn’t ask me,” Nuria frowned.
Dax shook his head. “Nuria, do you really want to be with us? With me? You betrayed our trust and hoped everything would go away. It didn’t turn out that way and you told us everything much too late.”
The beautiful mage looked away. “I…can’t explain it. My mind is in shreds as I try to hold onto my thoughts. It feels like the real me is trying to swim to the surface.”
Nuria turned her gaze to Dax, “I felt our connection. I know you feel it too.”
Dax looked up to the afternoon sky. “I do feel something, but I don’t know if we can explore it. You’ve been a terrible person for so long and maybe that’s why I’m attracted to you. The pain makes me feel alive, but it’s an unhealthy pain, one I must leave behind me.”
Nuria bit her lip.
Dax continued, “I’m happy we had a chance to explore it, but I think it was not meant to be.”
Nuria nodded. “When you feel it again, that connection between us, we will speak on it.”
Dax watched as the beautiful mage picked up the pace, leaving him behind her.
I never thought my love life would be like this.
Dax marched on as the sun moved slowly toward the western horizon. It didn’t take long before Fern was walking beside the mage, her hard gaze now on Nuria’s back.
Dax smiled. “I wasn’t sure last night was a lover’s binding, but it seems it was.”
Fern smiled, but kept her gaze on Nuria. “I thought you would have guessed it by the talk of gods, goddesses and speaking to Symon and Vance.”
“I’m not complaining. I’m actually relieved. I felt like I was sneaking around with all three of you.”
Fern’s eyes narrowed. “She’s not part of us.”
Dax nodded. “Sorry, didn’t mean it that way. I meant, I felt bad because I thought you might…try to beat up Nuria and Zarra.”
Fern let out a laugh. “You really don’t understand fairies. We bind ourselves to dozens of others if we choose. And Zarra, she told me her people do the same, but it's smaller, more intimate. Dragon relationships are in threes and fours. It helps with caring for the young and each other.”
Dax nodded. “I didn’t have a lot of time for romance in Hydale. Sure, there was the occasional tavern wench, but otherwise, I was much too busy.”
Fern looked up to the mage with an affectionate gleam. “Now you don’t have to worry. Zarra and I talked many times and we agreed, it was best for the three of us. She was always attracted to you.”
Dax looked to the fairy, “And you?”
The fairy flashed and appeared as her eight-inch form, fluttering by Dax’s head. “I was attracted to you the moment I met you at the party. You were distracted and clearly not wanting to be there, but you stayed and we talked for a little bit.
“My parents always told me, you will feel it and know it when it happens. Lucky for me, it happened that night at the party.”
Fern fluttered close to the mage and kissed his cheek. “Zarra and I talked some more today. If you want anyone else to bond to us, we should all talk about it or I’m going to have to beat you up.”
“So violent,” Dax smiled.
Fern nodded. “Don’t forget it.”
The fairy zipped ahead and made spirals through the air as the sun sank lower in the sky.
An hour slipped by before Symon called out to everyone to make camp. The group split, falling to their duties. Symon staked out a campsite away from the beach. Dax and Fern collected firewood. Vance, Zarra, and Nuria set up tents and created a fire pit. The sun sank lower in the sky and when it touched the horizon, camp was set and a fire was lit.
Rations were pulled from packs and everyone began eating. Dax chewed slowly, looking up as the last rays of sunlight faded from the sky and stars appeared, one by one. The moment touched him as he admired the heavens.
“Do we have any idea what to expect in Butterpond?” Fern asked as she grabbed rice with both of her tiny hands.
Vance shook his head. “No one really knows. The town is always shrouded in mystery. They don’t like any visitors and the professors told us never to visit or we would be turned away.”
“I heard rumors that it's where they train the Ink Scribes who create our twelve-point star tattoos,” Symon said.
Vance nodded. “It would make sense, since the technique is a closely guarded secret. They wouldn’t want anyone just walking around and visiting.”
“Maybe they will give us new tattoos? I wasn’t fond of mine at first, but now I want more,” Fern said as she stuffed her small mouth.
Zarra stood up, the light of the campfire reflected off her womanly form. The conversation stopped and everyone looked to her. The cleric moved to Nuria and touched her shoulder. The mage looked up as Zarra moved to Dax and touched his shoulder.
“Please, both of you come with me,” the cleric said, turned and began walking.
Symon, Vance, and Fern looked to Dax and Nuria. The two mages said nothing as they stood up, turned, and followed after the dragon in woman form.
A blanket of stars filled the sky as they moved away from the campfire. Dax couldn’t remember the last time he truly looked to them and basked in their ancient glow. He was nearly lost to their light as he stumbled onto the sandy beach.
Zarra walked ahead, her bare feet on the wide beach as waves crashed and rumbled along the surf. The air was cleansing as Nuria took a deep breath, enjoying the moment. When the three of them were about twenty feet from the ocean waves, Zarra turned and looked at the mages, her yellow eyes glowing in the dark.
“I wanted to bring you both here so we could talk,” the cleric said in a small voice.
Dax and Nuria looked at each other and then looked at the cleric, silent.
Zarra eyed Nuria, “I vowed to be your friend so you can find your way from your inner darkness.”
The cleric looked to Dax. “I bound my heart to yours so we may love freely, without deception or mistrust.”
Zarra bowed her head slightly, looking to the sandy floor. “I wanted to give you both a moment to speak with your hearts, my light as a guide to help you both from your pain. There is a rift between the connection that is there. My senses never lie and I saw the connection between you both. Neither of you will be free if you don’t confront the ghosts that haunt your souls.”
“There is nothing to say. I made a mistake asking Nuria to join our coterie,” Dax stated.
“I made a mistake when I didn’t tell the truth,” Nuria bowed her head.
Dax looked to the beautiful mage, “We all make mistakes. No one is perfect, but I can’t have my heart ripped out again. You belong with the elite while we belong to our own, smaller family.”
Nuria looked to Dax, starlight in her eyes. “And, what if I discovered, I want to be part of this family?”
Dax’s eyes sagged. “Why would you want that?”
Nuria kept her watery, star filled gaze. “I want you to be stronger and I want to be strong with you.”
Dax’s eyes widened a little, “Nuria…”
Zarra nodded. “It will take time to see the light between your souls, but it be…” Zarra stopped as a shadow loomed behind her.
The cleric barely turned her head when something whipped from the darkness and struck her back like a hammer against an anvil. Dax and Nuria barely stepped back as Zarra was hurtled sixty feet into the air and crashed down onto the beach by the edge of the road.
A foul stench filled the area as Dax and Nuria stepped back in horror. A long-limbed creature stepped forward, its body hunched. A fish-like head stared down with white eyes and a maw filled with jagged teeth. Webbed hands flexed as clawed feet took another step forward. The sea monster was about fifteen feet tall and glared down at the two mages, a bumpy tongue licking along glistening teeth. Even in the starlight, black and green scales covered its body as the monster made a hollow, hungry moan.
Time slowed into instances. Nuria reached for her spellbook, her hand grasping at nothing as her satchel and spellbook were at camp. The mage stared down in shock before looking up, her mind working hard to remember a spell.
Dax was moving, hand diving into his robe and pulling out a card.
Name: Ice Blast
Element: Water
Degree: 1
Ability: Damage/Stun
Special Ability: None
Not thinking, he jumped in front of Nuria, aimed the card and whispered the command word.
A stream of ice shards blasted forth. The monster took another lurching step forward raising its long arm and blocking the ice blast. The cone of frost collected along the creature’s arm as it continued to advance, ice forming sharp points. The creature flexed and the collected ice shards shattered, falling away like snow.
“Get the others!” Dax shouted as he reached into his robe and pulled out another card.
Name: Lightning Bolt
Element: Air
Degree: 2
Ability: Damage
Special Ability: None
Holding both cards, the mage pointed his new card, but before he could whisper the arcane command word, Nuria was at his side, lightning curling around her hands. The pair fell in sync as they unleashed their spells at the same time.
Two bolts of lightning arced up. The monster crossed its arms, both bolts striking true. Electrical energy ran along the creature’s arms as it roared in pain, but it took another step closer.
“Nuria, get back!” Dax said as he overcharged each card in his hands.
The mage channeled 100 points of mana into each card as they glowed with mystical power.
Name: Dax Sage
Class: Mage
Health: Normal
Mana: 800/1000
Mana Shards: 0
The cards blazed bright before a cone of frost and a stream of lightning poured forth. Dax backpedaled, pushing Nuria away as he unleashed magical power.
The mages watched as ice and lightning slammed into the creature, but it didn’t slow down. Arms pulling away, it swiped with its extended reach. Dax pointed a card at the incoming hand when the power petered out of the card. The mage cursed as he threw himself backwards, his body crashing into Nuria and both of them tumbling to the sandy ground.
The sea monster lurched forward, claws reaching down. Dax held his cards, channeling another 100 points into each one when Nuria was on her knees, a fireball forming between her hands. The beautiful mage looked up with confidence as the fireball filled her hands. Pulling an arm back, she hurtled it forward.
The creature slapped the fireball from the air, the explosion sending shards of fire in all directions. Inhuman screams filled the beach as the monster’s black and smoking hand flexed. Nuria’s mouth moved, arcane words filling the air as she prepared another spell.
Name: Dax Sage
Class: Mage
Health: Normal
Mana: 600/1000
Mana Shards: 0
Dax was to his feet, cards charged. While Nuria prepared her spell, the mage held out each of his arms over her shoulders, aiming his cards like spell cannons. The pair of mages slipped into knowing roles as Dax would buy her time and Nuria would unleash another fire spell.
Dax whispered commands and each card blazed with ice and lightning. Streams of cold and light blasted out, striking the monster on the chest. The thing faltered a step, ice crawling along its scales while lightning stunned its senses. White eyes looked down as a new fireball formed in Nuria’s hands and she smirked.
The mage on her knees shouted in defiance as fire leapt from her hands and crashed into the monster. It staggered again, flames burning at wet scales and the creature roaring.
Dax slipped his two cards into his robe and pulled out two new cards.
Name: Fire Stream
Element: Fire
Degree: 1
Ability: Damage/Continuous Damage
Special Ability: None
Name: Troll
Element: Life
Degree: 2
Ability: Damage
Special Ability: Tough
The mage watched as the monster’s scales fell off, charred from flames and putrid flesh underneath blistered and bubbled. Despite the damage, dread filled the mage as he knew they were barely holding back the monstrosity.
Command whispered, a thin torrent of flames shot from one card while white energy blasted out from the other. A phantom troll appeared with a club and the moment it saw the monster, it rushed into battle.
The sea monster groaned as it blocked the stream of fire, unable to see the troll charging with its club held high. Flames burned and the troll brought his club hard across, slamming into an unguarded knee.
The creature roared as both of its spindly arms lashed out. One struck the troll sending it flying back about fifty feet and crashing into the sand.
Nuria’s eyes widened as the other arm flashed and Dax stepped between her and the arm. Pain flashed as Dax and Nuria were hurtled through the air. The mage couldn’t catch his breath as he tumbled uncontrollably. The pair hit the sand, Nuria’s head slamming into a rock.
Dax coughed as he tried to regain his breath. The mage blinked as he tried to move, limbs trembling. Turning to his side, his stats appeared in his eyes as he looked down at Nuria, her eyes closed and bleeding from her head.
Name: Dax Sage
Class: Mage
Health: Critical
Mana: 600/1000
Mana Shards: 0
Dax’s body shuddered in pain as he felt a few ribs were cracked. Gritting his teeth, he tried to sit up and he noticed the cards he was holding were gone.
The troll was up and charging. The troll growled as the sea monster stepped forward, teeth dripping foul saliva. Legs bent, it jumped, club swinging. The monster’s head twisted to the side as the club made full contact. Staggering, it tried to keep its balance as the troll whipped its club against the monster’s ribs.
Grunts, growls, and roars filled the night. The troll pushed on, fighting with every ounce of its power. The sea monster reached out, long fingers grabbing the troll, its club falling away and disappearing.
“Nuria?” Dax whispered as he tried to get up.
The mage grunted loud as he was on his feet, reached down and took hold of Nuria’s arm. Panic flared as the mage had to get her off the beach. They were no match for the creature and his troll construct was only buying time.
The tall creature lifted the struggling troll up before it opened its jagged maw and bit down on the troll’s head. The entire body shattered, turning into whips of smoke and mana.
The sea monster gurgled its frustration as it turned its white eyes to the man pulling the woman by her arm. They were hurt and weakened and the monster roared. Legs moved like thunderous pistons as it charged.
Dax’s hand slipped into his robe, “I need you girl.”
Name: Unicorn
Element: Life
Degree: 2
Ability: Charge/Horn/Trample
Special Ability: None
Whispering the command word, light blasted out and slammed onto the beach. The unicorn lowered its head, horn pointing as the charging monster.
Pain ripped through the mage as he grabbed the unconscious Nuria and lifted her up. The unicorn was about to charge when Dax’s words cut through the inhuman roars as the monster approached.
“Get her to safety! NOW!” Dax shouted as his hand reached into his robe again.
The unicorn glanced back for barely a moment before it turned and charged away, Nuria on its back.
Dax let out a relieved sigh as he turned to the charging monster.
Name: Air Bolt
Element: Air
Degree: 2
Ability: Knockdown
Special Ability: None
I just have to buy enough time for Nuria to get away.
Many of his cards gone, the mage aimed his card and whispered the arcane command. Air swirled together and blasted forward. The monster opened its mouth, ready to swallow the mage’s head whole when an air bolt struck it in the face. The fish-like head snapped upwards.
Dax channeled 100 points into the card, lowered his aim and whispered the command.
Another bolt struck its stomach, the entire creature stumbling back and falling on its misshapen rump.
Name: Dax Sage
Class: Mage
Health: Critical
Mana: 500/1000
Mana Shards: 0
Dax was breathing hard, trying to think up another attack as the monster slowly stood up, an alien fury in its white eyes. Clutching at his side, he only had the one card in hand as he readied to charge it again.
A scream filled the air as light blazed toward the monster. Dax glanced to the side to see Fern, screaming like a banshee with mace in hand. In a blink, the fairy’s mace struck the creature along its jaw. Claws swiped at the air as Fern moved like a tiny comet. Her screams were deafening as her eyes bulged in her head and blood red color filled her hair.
