Chapter Nine Heart of the Lake
Awake and laying on a beach of fine sand Haga could only hear the sound of waves hitting the shore. He gets back to his feet and realizes that he now stands on a large island. Giant ruins covered in algae suggest they were recently submerged. The entire island looks to have been raised from depths of the waters.
Haga begins to wander the shoreline while examining the surroundings. Damage inflicted to the crumbling statues make them unrecognizable. For several hours, he continues to investigate alone. Then he hears what sounds like an argument in the distance. Haga takes cover behind a large stone and just out of sight. Bat like wings can be seen flapping above the rocks.
“Back you vile creature!” Andryr is shouting. He is clearly engaged with whatever is attached to those wings. The knight must have washed ashore after that disaster on the ship as well. His sword wasn’t sounding to be very successful though.
“I’ll rip those damn wings off you!” Andryr threatens. He is struggling to last on his own, but the flying creature doesn’t seem to be threatened by the knight.
Haga positions himself to help the situation. Channeling his mana, the mage steps out from the rocks and unleash his focus. A magical fire erupts from below. Flames engulf the flying creature as it begins to use its wings to shield them. It doesn’t appear to be affected much and simply lands back on the ground softly.
“Apostate?” cries Andryr in a confused tone. “These fiends have a high tolerance for magic!” he shouts. Then a powerful gust of heat tosses them both into the air. Landing on the ground with intense force, they become dazed. However, the creature just seems uninterested in fighting. It was the Seer Karei’s imp with a slight tinge of red and some lingering flames. Akni simply stared off into the distance.
“Wait Andryr!” Haga cautions. “He is on our side. This imp is bound to the Seer.” he further explains.
Andryr had already leapt to his feet, but still keeps his weapon drawn. “You’re also in league with a fiend like this!?” he questions. “Dealing with magic beyond your rank too boy!? We will be going straight to the magistrate when we get to Sothan!” the knight warns.
Akni walks toward Haga with its hand out holding the old Seer’s staff and a small note. “Messsage from Massster.” the imp manages to say in a rough voice. Haga unravels the slightly singed paper to read the message.
“Akni lost the bet, so he promised he would show you where to obtain the heart. I must admit, that was a spectacular wave you caused friend. Nobody has faced a guardian beast like that in an age and you showed us the power of a true Arch Mage. A few people had to lose their lives, but what a finale!”, it was signed, Kerei.
Lifting his head from reading the note, Haga sees Akni is already chewing on a fish. “Are you really that oblivious?” he shouts to the imp.
Then Andryr suggest, “We should leave this thing here and search for survivors.” Haga immediately turns his thoughts to Laline. Searching for her is all he wants to do really.
“Come on apostate, if we are here, then there must be others around as well.” says Andryr. They both gather their belongings and begin to scour the shoreline. Akni following along at a distance.
It appears that the island is desolate. Andryr continues to search the beach for wreckage, however, Haga focuses on the ruins. He believes they could tell a story that he has yet to piece together. The two come across a sand covered pathway and start to follow it further inland. The path leads to a nook among the island. A large stone shrine blocks their way further.
After a few minutes of investigating, Andryr begins shouting insults at Akni. “The both of you continue to be absolutely no help at all!” the knight argues as he catches up with Haga.
Then he stops in his tracks as he notices the shrine. “More Guelstie magic? You deal with very volatile forces far above your understanding apostate. We need to focus on getting off this island and getting some real battle mages here!” Andryr cautions. Akni however, seems excited to see the area and begins to make his way towards the structure.
“This place has to be in the middle of Malamore. We should build shelter, and you can start a fire. I can have a signal out by tonight that would be impossible to miss!” Andryr suggest. Akni was been digging at Haga’s pack though. Reaching in, he finds more berries from Karei that the imp must have sniffed out.
“How can you always be hungry?!” Haga shouts frustratingly. Ignoring everyone else, he begins examining the runes carved in the stones. Though he had never seen such writing, the visions told Haga that the markings were Draconic. Memories of what appeared to be this island in the distant past flooded his thoughts. These runes in particular were used in some sort of binding ritual between lovers long ago.
Andryr is obviously annoyed but continues to gather kindling. “All I know is that those carvings are nothing but trouble!” he implies in one of his grumbling rants. “Did that creature finally tire of following us?” he asks.
Looking around, Haga notices the imp is missing. Researching the ruins was to no avail. Andryr wasted no time building a small camp at least. With a snap of his fingers, the mage ignites the gathered logs and sticks with a magical fire.
“You’ve got a real talent boy, it’s a shame you were fooled into this quest rather than joining the proper fight.” Andryr says while they both huddle around the fire. “I know the Magistrate well enough, I can vouch for you if you enlist. Might be able to get you assigned to a high mage on the front lines.” he says reassuringly.
Dusk is settling and Haga is beginning to lose hope of ever reuniting with Laline. Akni then suddenly emerges from the waters. Slowly making his way to the camp, the creature begins to regurgitate. Spitting up various fluids at first, but then a large white pearl. Realizing immediately what the imp brought, Haga grabs the pearl and run toward the ruins.
“By the Goddess, that is disgusting boy!” Andryr cries in shock but Haga does not look back. Upon reaching the shrine he places the pearl upon a recess in the center.
It glows a bright bluish color as if to be affected by some magical spell. Then a low rumbling noise can be heard from deep below. The whole island begins to shake in tune. Dust, sand, and debris from crumbling statues fill the air. For a few moments, the entire island felt like it was shifting. Then the shaking stops after a final and sudden thud. When the dust settles, an entrance to a cave deeper within the ruins is revealed.
“Are you okay boy?” Andryr asks when he finally catches up. Akni the imp trailing behind him. “What is that?” he questions again. A small ring now sits where the pearl once laid. It was the blue pearl but now embedded into a silver ring.
Haga collects the jewelry before whispering, “She has to be in there somewhere.” and rushing into the cave.
Though clearly confused, the knight follows. “Who has to be here?” he asks hesitantly. The entire cave is damp and muddy like it has been submerged for ages. With a tap of his staff, the tip begins to emit a low light. They both attempt to sneak through the cave as quietly as possible. Eventually, the reach a shallow pool that appears to be nestled within a cavern at the center of the island.
Music from deep below the waters can be heard and a sudden blue shining light begins to rise. The surface ripples from the center as a form of a woman takes shape. Its Laline enveloped in pure water.
“Guardian, do you accept this burden?” A melodic voice echoes. Haga attempts to get closer and step into the pool, but the water rejects him. He is violently knocked to the floor.
Rushing to his aid, Andryr says “I told you this was a bad idea.” The knight then helps Haga to his feet. Akni is staring at Laline, then looks back at Haga. It just tilts his head in curiosity. Clearly, they have found the elemental, but it has complete control of Laline.
“I think I’m supposed to offer this ring.” Haga tell the others.
“I don’t know, that sounds like a dangerous commitment we don’t really understand. Can’t you just banish these elementals? This is why you need practical training boy!” Andryr points out. Akni is drinking the water casually, but then he makes his way to the mage and tugs at his robes. It appears maybe it has a plan as well.
Giving into frustration, Haga reaches for the berries in his bag and says, “Fine, I suppose, at the least, you have earned these.” Then he hands them over to the imp. Akni makes quick work of the snack. With a satisfied belch, it walks towards the water while raising a hand. It seems to be writing some strange symbol in the air. Andryr and Haga watch as the mysterious ritual is performed. The imp then lowers its hand and turns back toward Haga with a blank stare.
“Is that it? Are you done?” he asked in a condescending tone. “Whatever you did, it probably didn’t help.” the mage snaps. Unexpectedly, Akni lunges toward Haga and places a hand on his chest.
Severe pain fills Haga’s mind and it feels like his heart is literally in the hands of some dark force. His chest pulls forward and he is slightly lifted from the ground. Mana begins to swirl around him violently. The elemental’s essence flows into him like a sword piercing his torso.
As soon as the mana is completely absorbed, the elemental suddenly becomes inert. Haga falls to his knees and gasp for air. Still reeling from the pain, he notices Laline at the water’s edge doing the same.
Although every bone in his body feels broken, and he struggles to breathe, Haga crawls towards Laline. Reaching for each other, they embrace lovingly.
For a moment nothing else seems to matter to the two.
“Haga.” Laline manages to whisper between gasping and coughs. “You came back for me.” she says before instinctively placing her lips upon his. Andryr and Akni look at each other and quickly turn around. The imp begins to vomit and spitting up more questionable items.
“My sentiments exactly.” Andryr says making his way to the exit. “It all makes more sense now.” he continues to say as they both leave the cave awkwardly.
Chapter Ten Battle for Sothan
