Tartarus Beckons, Edmund Batara [bts book recommendations .TXT] 📗

Hrun said, but I fear my friend also has to be lifted from such grief, thought the mage. He was Rumpr’s constant companion and would be the most affected by what happened to the earth elemental. But I think I might have a solution. Healing has to start, at least for some.

“I have a ward who’s a helper of the Lady of Fossegrim Forest. I might have to ask her to try her best to care for the forest while my wife is away. But she’s young and would need somebody to protect her while we are on the task of finding Eira. Would you like to take on the responsibility of being her guardian in our absence?” said the mage softly.

“A forest spirit? Rare are those nowadays.”

“A young forest spirit. Her name is Vivindel, and her magic is similar to Eira,” Tyler explained.

“I would be honored to take on the task, First Mage. But first, a duty I have to render,” replied Hrun.

“I know. But I want to see Dionysus and Gullen first. They’re still around?” asked Tyler. He could send a message to the god of wine, though it seemed pointless as he was going to the location where the Titans attacked.

“The wine god and the ancient one are both here. Greatly weakened, they are, and their healing warrants more time.”

“Can you guide us to them?” asked Tyler.

“Of course, my friend.”

The site of the battle was about an hour away from where they arrived. But it was an hour of travel helped along by Hrun’s elemental ability. The companions found themselves walking on flat terrain most of the time. Tyler did notice that Hrun took pains in avoiding hurting the vegetation of the forest, an observation which made the mage hold the Ancients in higher respect. If their subordinates could be that considerate about how they act in the world, then they must be doing something right.

Is it because they were directly created by Adar itself? Compared to First World deities and other magical beings who were born of man’s beliefs and fears? mused Tyler as he walked deeper into Fossegrim Forest. Then he realized something was wrong in the very air of the woodland. The atmosphere lacked the sense and joy of being alive. Before, the very trees glowed with life, now they merely existed.

Eira was indeed the life of Fossegrim Forest, Tyler reflected. No wonder she couldn’t stay away for an extended period. Visiting me in Scarburg was a great sacrifice on her part.

“First Mage,” Hrun called out. “We’re nearly there.”

“Thanks, Hrun,” he replied just as a gigantic winged form suddenly and swiftly swooped down and struck the lagging Asag with an enormous clawed hand, flinging the hapless demon high up in the air.

“Asag! You dare show your face again? Better you stayed dead!” came a loud and furious shout which echoed throughout the area. Tyler looked up and saw a huge golden dragon, deadly horns adorning its head and its body the size of Dionysus’s tavern back in Akrotiri, winging its way after the demon.

Gullen? The startling realization came to Tyler’s mind. She’s got a grudge against Asag? Why?

Hurriedly, the mage consulted his guides, hoping that they’d have some idea of what the ongoing battle was all about. The tone of Gullen didn’t bode well for the demon and the company’s progress. Asag was his responsibility now, and yet Gullen was a friend who even risked her life defending Eira. Add to that the abruptness of the attack and one had a very confused and flustered First Mage.

“We have no idea, sire. Both were ancient beings even during their time in the First World and are very formidable entities. But we surmise that the two had met on hostile terms during the time Asag ran amuck on Adar. The distance between the Norse and Mesopotamian civilizations in the First World was great enough to preclude any assumption that the mutual animosity originated back on Earth,” answered X.

“What do I do now?” asked Tyler, watching as the draken caught up with Asag and hit him again, sending the demon back towards the company.

“For now, separating the two would be the ideal solution. Either one won’t attack you, but their innate powers are too great, even when one considers Gullen to be weakened and Asag to be at a stage where he’s relearning the use of his abilities,” remarked Hal.

“Great. I can’t do anything then,” the mage replied acerbically.

He glanced at the rest of the party and saw that everyone was caught unaware by the sudden attack, though weapons were already being readied and tellingly, glances were being made in his direction from time to time.

Damn. They’re waiting for my instructions, thought Tyler.

As Asag was thrown back by the force of Gullen’s blow, the demon changed form. His mass increased, eldritch clouds of smoke pulsing with flashes of lightning trailed from the changing entity. Then the giant shape, larger than Gullen’s dragon persona, abruptly stopped in mid-air. Tyler saw a winged black lion with the head of a horned demon looking at the golden dragon. The wings were golden in hue, and the clawed feet weren’t the paws of the great beast. Instead, they were the monstrous feet of some bird of prey, and the tail was that of a snake. The mage also saw that the demon’s head wore a golden crown, but he couldn’t tell if it was a permanent fixture or a mere adornment. Tyler settled for permanent, he knew Asag at least that much.

Then the demon’s familiar voice reverberated in his mind.

“I am allowed to defend myself, First Mage, and I get to finish my fight with that horny bitch.”

“Wait, Asag…” Tyler started to say, but the magical connection was cut off.

Looking up, the mage could see why. The mountain of a lion had started its attack, with its wings beating gale force winds toward the advancing dragon. As Gullen floundered in the magical tempest, massive rocks and boulders suddenly rose from the ground and nearby hills, all flying in her direction.

The solid deluge struck the