Authors: Alaina Stanford
"It is not meant to be, child. Puissant has sent you here to free the beast and begin the cycle of his return. He holds only hatred for the Queen." The wizard said.
“Who the Hell is Puissant?” Jack asked.
"Save your whimpering, old man.” Sarah snapped as she turned to Nicole. "I was supposed to do this as a fairy. Dr. Strong said that ancient magic was needed
.
You're a
special
kind of elf . . .”
"Tell me what to say." Nicole took the stone from Sarah.
"No!" The wizard gasped moving forward to have Jack quickly snatch him back from Nicole and shove him toward the tunnel. "It will destroy our world and return Puissant from yours to rule over the few creatures who survive its wrath."
"Do it!" Jack ordered, pushing the wizard closer to the exit.
Suddenly a dark blur knocked Jack from his feet as the dark warrior rushed to stop Nicole. A shout from Sarah gave her the split second she needed to avoid his deadly blow. Diving to the side, she tucked her head and rolled free of the charging warrior
Stopping
instantly as Sarah placed herself between them the dark warrior stood before her, his chest heaving.
As their eyes met the warrior hesitated and said, “I will not allow the beast to be
freed.
"
His voice though calm and even was deep and deadly. "I wish you no harm, but she will die if another attempt is made."
Jack rose slowly, gauging the large warrior's skill. He remembered the force of the blow the dark elf had made in the hollow before Sarah's beast appeared. He was skilled, fearless and incredibly strong. Jack
wasn't
sure he could defeat him.
But then
maybe he didn’t have to. He glanced to where the old man had stood just in time to watch his image fade into nothingness.
Turning toward his foe, Jack stepped forward and offered a challenge. "That’s where you are dead wrong.” He growled, moving closer. "I’m here to see that nothing stands in her way."
Tearing his eyes from the beautiful
sorceress
the dark knight turned to face Jack he said, "You should have listened to the wizard, it would have saved your life."
The sounds of battle reached Hopper’s troll ears in the small cave. The seriousness of his injuries seemed to have activated his troll senses. His sense of hearing and sense of smell were suddenly very acute. Feeling a portion of his strength returning, he pulled himself up and waded through the water, toward the sounds of striking metal. His long legs carried him quickly through the maze of tunnels and caverns the others had searched so diligently. He could smell the scent of Sarah that was what he followed. The sounds of combat grew as he neared.
His head began to pound in his ears as he fought to ignore his failing vision.
He pressed on. Sarah was in danger.
Climbing over the remains of the narrow tunnel, Hopper fell to his knees as his strength left him. Helpless, he watched as Jack fought to keep the dark elf away from Nicole and Sarah as they worked to free the Queen. Sarah whispered the spell of emancipation to Nicole a few words at a time. It was difficult for Nicole to concentrate as her heart went into battle with Jack.
Jack had met his equal. The dark knight anticipated his every move. His agility and power
was
overwhelming. Already exhausted from his experience in the glen and with the serpent, Jack felt the battle turn against him.
Forming the strange words, Nicole felt the magic flow through her into the jewel. The light in the cave started to dim, the pink crystalline enclosure began to hum. It seemed as if the gem was absorbing the magic from the crystal itself. Suddenly, the jewel began to glow. It rose from Nicole’s hands and floated in the air above her as she repeated the words Sarah spoke. The jewel’s aura grew, encompassing the small chamber in its dark purple light.
Something inside Nicole screamed for her to stop. The urgency of it terrified her,
but
she could no longer control the words that flowed from her. In an explosion of darkness, the gem shattered the pale crystal and released what
was imprisoned
inside.
Thrown across the floor by the explosion, Nicole and Sarah untangled themselves and rose in the darkness. The frantic feeling within Nicole still screamed of danger. Sarah called upon the incantation of light and the chamber filled with an eerie soft green glow. The dark warrior, his battle forgotten, turned to face his new foe, one he knew he could not defeat.
The golden-haired Queen floated into the center of the chamber. Her long curling locks flowed to the floor as she landed gracefully on the stone. Her blue eyes sparkled, coldly at the dark warrior. Sarah fought off the shiver that ran down her spine as the lifeless eyes turned to her. Frowning, Nicole moved forward. Jack stepped into her path, unsettled by the icy gaze of the Queen before them.
The dark knight turned to Sarah with death in his eyes. "You've killed us all."
.
He whispered then turned and attacked.
As the warrior's sword rose the Queen's image turned
into
a deep nearly black shade of purple and melted away to reveal a faceless black tar-like creature that rose in stature high above them
.
Without hesitation Jack joined in the assault, fighting beside with the warrior he would have killed only seconds before
.
With one
blow
the creature sent both of them reeling across the chamber, over Hopper's head and into the darkness beyond.
It turned its faceless head to stare at Nicole and Sarah, each frozen by the discovery that the wizard had spoken the truth. Everything had gone horribly wrong. Somehow this world had become very real
.
Without a sound the beast headed across the chamber toward Sarah. Things became suddenly very clear to Sarah. She recalled Dr. Strong's words that the
sorceress
magic would strengthen it, Sarah knew it must take her magic in order to survive. Backing away from the beast, Sarah whispered to Nicole. "It wants me, save you! Get Todd to safety. "
Sarah tried to call upon her magic, Dr. Strong's
hadn't
meant a spell he meant for it to absorb her magic. She doubted she would survive such an occurrence. She had to think of a spell that would stop the creature, quickly! But none came
.
Nicole drew her short sword and stepped in front of Sarah. Hopper sprung from the shadows onto the beast tearing viciously at it with of his one good hand.
“Get Sarah out!” He screamed as the beast's dark form changed and became fluid. It swallowed up Hopper as it transformed. Sarah lunged forward as Hopper disappeared inside the tar-like beast. Flames flew from her hands, into the monster, bouncing off
its smooth
surface. It turned to face
her,
the Queen's icy blue eyes appeared within its faceless features. Jack and the dark warrior reappeared, charging over the rocks. The beast spat Hopper out, slamming the troll into the barbarian.
A shout from beyond and the elfin warriors charge over the rocks to attack.
Nicole and Sarah rushed to where Jack held Hopper's limp, bloody form.
Hopper's
face was ghostly pale. He gazed into Sarah's eyes and shook his head weakly. "The fantasy is over . . .
You
have to finish this.'' He whispered. "We are the bad guys here.”
"Hopper, you're got to rest." Sarah stammered as she watched the life slip from him.
"At least . . . I was able to show you . .
.”
Hopper's words were weak and forced.
"I know, my love . . . you would give your life for me." Sarah sobbed, pulling him to her as he slipped into unconsciousness.
"He's not going to die." Nicole whispered, denying all that had occurred.
Jack took Nicole firmly by the shoulders and forced her to look at him. "This is not a game Nicole. There's no more pretending
!
We're in deep shit here
.
That wizard was trying to tell us. Strong lied to us. He's sent us to some alternate universe, some dimension, whatever you want to call it, to free that beast
.
We're his revenge
!
We are not going home. This is real.”
"No, it's not true! I'm not a warrior
!
I'm not capable I could never,. . . kill anyone
.
Hopper is not going to die! You'll see we'll be brought back any minute!" Nicole pushed him away.
"Face it, Nicole." Jack growled. "We killed innocent, elves who were just trying to stop us from destroying their world and we find we enjoyed it! Denial won’t change that and it won't save Todd." He pulled her to him and held her as she sobbed.
Sarah held Todd sobbing quietly. Then, suddenly Sarah 1aid Hopper down
gently
and rose to her feet. Wiping the tears from her eyes she announced, 'We've got to find the book.”
"The wizard said the beast was more powerful than any sorcerer in existence." Jack cautioned.
"Well I’m no sorcerer, am I.
"
She stared back into the chamber, watching as the elves fought desperately to kill the beast. “Todd’s right, we have to fix this. And maybe, just maybe there’s a healing spell I overlooked.”
"Sarah," Hopper called and she rushed to his side.
"Todd, I'm going for the book, I'll find a spell to heal you." Sarah whispered to him pulling him
closer
.
He managed a weak smile and allowed Jack and Nicole to carry him toward the hollow here they entered. As they reached the tunnels a familiar stench appeared and steadily grew stronger as they moved deeper into the tunnels
.
When it became overwhelming, Jack lay Hopper down on the tunnel floor and waited as Nicole moved to his side. The trolls appeared at the edge of the dim light that Sarah had following them. This time they were quiet and unthreatening as they approached. They moved slowly forward sniffing and grunting as they came.
"Don't hurt them." Hopper gasped through the pain, "They are here for me."
"Well, they aren't going to get to you, Hopper."
Jack sneered and moved forward.
"No, Jack." Hopper managed weakly. "They want to help.”
"No, Todd!" Sarah said, "They tried to kill you!"
"They were protecting their home." Hopper could no longer feel his legs. "I'm dying
.
I'll be dead before dawn, unless you let them take me
.
"
Sarah was in a near panic at his suggestion. "No, Todd. They’re animals, you said so
yourself
and they’re unclean."
"
They're
sick, not unclean and they’re smarter than you think. Otherwise, I would be an animal too. There's more to them than what you see here." Hopper reached up and caressed Sarah cheek. "Sarah, it's my only chance. Let them take me. Your book has no
healing spells, no spells of strength or vitality
.
They were all spells of destruction and pain. There's no help for me there and I’m only holding you back from making this right."
Jack placed his hand on Sarah's shoulder and gently moved her aside. "Sarah, this place is based on instincts. We have to go with them. If Todd
says
he needs the trolls,
then
we have let them take him."
Jack pulled Sarah back away from Hopper slowly. Jack kept one hand on the hilt of his sword, wanting to make certain the trolls would not harm him. Sarah broke away from him and threw herself into Hopper's arms.
"I'm going with you!” She cried.
"You wouldn't survive in the darkness and cold?” Todd managed. "Don't
worry,
as soon as I'm better, you know I'll find you."
Jack pried Sarah from Hoppers arms as the trolls moved forward. Ever so gently two of the creatures picked Hopper up and carried him into the darkness. Sarah's sobs filled the tunnel. One troll remained behind staring at Sarah. It moved slowly forward as she collapsed into Jack's arms then turned back and disappeared into the darkness.
Jack's eyes filled with tears as he held Sarah. He stared at Nicole as he tried to find words of comfort. "He'll make through this, Sarah. I know it." She hugged him fiercely then allowed them to steer her toward the hollow.
"I don’t know how he did this but we are going to find a way to kill that thing and stop Strong from returning." Jack whispered.
“This is
all my
fault." Nicole spoke for the first time since they left the cavern of sorrows.
"We all wanted to come, Nicole. You couldn't have known.
"
Sarah composed herself and called upon her magic to send boulders flying into the thicket outside, clearing a path for them
.
Once outside they searched the darkness for the Book of Conjuration. The fire had died to a soft glow, giving no aid to their quest. The body of the serpent nearly completely decayed by Sarah’s spell lay across the center of the clearing. Jack searched the tall grass beyond the light of the fire as. Nicole crawled into the small bushes that encircled the entrance to the cave.