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

so far. And Tyler knew the moment the duo get tired of exchanging blows, use of immensely powered spells would come next.

And these two stupid beings are going to destroy Eira’s forest in the process! My home! The thought erupted in his mind.

That sudden realization was the final point which made Tyler snap. An abrupt golden glow erupted from the mage’s body, and the orbs of his eyes were replaced by a blinding blaze of incredible energy. The deity beside him jumped back in alarm, calling out the mage’s name to unheeding ears. Kobu stepped back, unable to withstand the magic emanating from Tyler. Then Tyler’s arms rose to the sky even as the companions finally noticed the dramatic change in the First Mage.

The companions were speechless, and watched with dread and fascination as the expression on Tyler’s face changed to one of cold fury. With jaws clenched, the muscles of the mage’s arms bulged with an apparent exertion of strength. The hands reached out in the direction of Gullen and Asag who were single-mindedly focused on tearing each other apart. If they sensed the colossal eruption of power below them, the two gave no sign of minding what it was or what it meant to them.

A stream of dazzling energy burst from each hand and engulfed the two massive airborne creatures, forming two spherical shapes in the sky. A second after, the orbs quickly and noiselessly exploded, and as they disappeared, the human forms of the ancient dragon and dark entity were left hanging in mid-air for a second.

Then the two figures dropped like stones to the ground below.

Epilogue

The Savior of the Mortal and the Divine

Eira looked out the balcony. Before her was a vast forest, just beyond the manicured lawns and carefully tended plants of a spacious garden of the palace. The design of the structure was strange, one the forest spirit had never seen before, she had to admit.

The stone edifice had three levels with numerous large windows and small balconies. When Eira entered the place, an enormous hall greeted her past the huge door. Gold filigree covered the massive columns, and marble statues filled the arrival room, though she could see a raised dais with a simple stone chair at the end of the space, flanked by two wide, hardwood stairwells leading to the upper floors.

It was, despite the unfamiliar design, a dwelling fit for a king or an emperor. The thick carpets blanketing areas of the floor and the richly appointed furniture only emphasized that fact. But it gave the impression of being human in scale and décor, avoiding the sometimes garish and ostentatious ornamentation that accompanied the structural creations of deities. One would have thought a mortal lived in the place.

And now, the garden and an untouched forest greeted her eyes. It looked utterly beautiful, like a magnificent painting made by a god of nature, and yet it looked and felt just like that – a collection of shapes and colors. Eira couldn’t sense any life from the greenery which had attracted her at first.

“Greetings, my Lady.”

Eira knew the voice. It was Iapetus, her captor. She glanced at the ancient being as he entered the room. This time, Iapetus was accompanied by a warrior of an indeterminate age wearing majestic yet frightful armor. The new visitor wore a full and closed helm which hid his features, though two red slits peered out.

“So nice to see a reminder of my present unfortunate circumstances,” said Eira mockingly. “What brought you out from under your rock, old man?

“Such words, my Lady. I am hurt,” said Iapetus, though he had a smirk on his face.

“Why take me? I am but a forest spirit whose mere concern is Fossegrim Forest,” demanded Eira. But she already knew what the answer would be.

“And the wife of a very troublesome human mage,” said Iapetus, whose grin became wider.

“He’ll come for me. You know that.”

“I am counting on it, my Lady. Though I do hope he’ll consider my offer.”

“What offer? What’s on your mind, you horrid little old god?”

“Please, Eira, let’s not stoop to name-calling here. But you’re his wife, and I believe you have the right to hear our assembly’s proposal.”

Assembly. So, it’s not only Iapetus, thought Eira.

The first part of the offer was simple, and she expected it – stop interfering, and Eira won’t be hurt, and the First Mage would even be free to roam Adar, provided he doesn’t involve himself in the ongoing war between Tartarus and the deities of the surface world. Typical bully behavior, thought the spirit. But the second part was extraordinary – if Havard plays his role -merely by not involving himself – then he becomes the First Mage of a new world, overseen by the victors, and Eira will have dominion over all the forests of Adar. The shock must have been evident on Eira’s face as Iapetus chuckled.

“A more than generous offer, don’t you think?” he told Eira.

Eira didn’t answer his question but instead stared at him, confusion apparent in her gaze.

“But why all these conflicts? A lot of deities, even from your side, will be dead and gone by the time your war is over.”

“The cost of the future, my Lady. A future where man will rule supreme over his own fate under our guidance.”

“I don’t think it is as simple as that, Iapetus. Some of your sons might be altruistic, but you are not them,” Eira spat back.

“Ah, a perceptive and thinking deity. Quite the change. The magic of a world doesn’t last forever, Eira. It can regenerate itself, though slowly. Too many deities and magical beings will deplete what is available. The idiotic Divine Wars had affected what was then a plentiful reservoir of magic. A lesser number of gods and magical beings would ensure that what happened in the First World won’t happen here. Those surface idiots fail to realize that after Adar, we have nowhere else to go,” smoothly explained Iapetus.

“But you’re unleashing