I was lying chained to a cold, hard concrete slab. The chains were tight and made it hard to breath. Around me I could see the dark and threatening spectre of Stonehenge. In the shadow of the large stones stirred my dark, hooded captors. They moved slowly and without making a sound. I struggled but the chains held me tight. I relaxed myself but my fears were fuelled when one of the hooded men walked from the shadows. I struggled again and thought I saw a smile appear on his face. I struggled again as he got closer. The folds of his cloak parted to reveal a brightly shinning knife. Upon the knife were carved many intricate runes and symbols that glowed slightly. The hooded figures in the shadows started grunting with approval and the obvious outcome. The figure stopped above me and I stared into it's eyes, then to the gleaming knife that was now slowly rising. Suddenly I realised the figure was putting me under some kind of spell. I pulled away from the gaze which was threatening to get the better of me. The knife stopped above the figures head and I watched as it came down. The knife crashed against the rock slab and the figure stepped back in bewilderment, trying to find the prisoner that had been chained to the rock only a few seconds earlier. From the shadows I watched as the rest of the hooded figures came forward, searching for me. I shaped another spell with my hand and cupped the glowing ball of light that was threatening to give away my hiding position. I waited for a while before releasing the spell towards the figures. It flared brightly for a second and I watched in horror as the figures true identity was revealed. The brown coats turned into torn sheep skins and from the head of the creatures sprouted two horns. The creatures nails extended to become claws and their skin tightened around their bones. Before my very eyes the creatures turned into demons and I was so shocked by their true identity that I didn't notice the earth slipping away under my feet. I cried out as I fell to the ground near the demons and they hissed as they slowly came towards me. I shaped a spell and sent it flying into the nearest demon. The creatures head lit up like a Halloween pumpkin and it slumped to the ground, burnt brains oozing out its ears. I coward on the ground as the other demons approached, growling and hissing as they passed their fallen companion. I started to shape another spell. I let it go just as two demons leapt at me. The first demon exploded, showering me with dried skin and guts. The second demon stopped and looked around as if this was the first time it had seen the world. It stood there for a while before snarling and leaping at its nearest companion, ripping it apart as the others stood staring. I got up slowly and tried to sneak away. I was nearly out of the circle when I heard a snarl and turned to see the remaining demons ripping apart their back-stabbing companion in a bloody show of guts and gore. I was terribly drained from the first few spells and I didn't want to have to face the rest of the demons. I started to creep silently away.
Suddenly, something hit me in the back and before I knew what was happening I was pinned to the ground by a demon. I stared up at the snarling face. A split tongue snaked out from between its teeth and danced in the air before returning to the creatures mouth. I lifted my hand to cast a spell but my hand was grabbed by one of the demons and twisted as it crushed my fingers with its inhuman strength. I cried out as the rest of the demons approached, eager to start dinner.
A flash of silver flew over my head and entered that of the demon on top of me. The demon cried out with an inhuman roar and slumped to the ground, dead, hopefully. The demons turned around to face the new enemy. Upon one of the boulder stood a women in a shining cloak. She was holding a strung bow and arrow. She had long, flowing brown hair and all her features were perfect. Her face was smooth and showed no scars, even though she was a battle hardened warrior. She wore a red, sleeveless shift which was tucked firmly into her jet black pants. Around her waist she wore a narrow brown belt. From her side dangled a highly decorated sword. The sword glowed slightly in the moon light and the gold hilt was encrusted with priceless jewels from a far off land. Her coat was a bright red on the outside and a dusty brown on the inside. She seamed to radiate with beauty and her stance made her seem like some bold young royal princess. But she was no princess. She was my lover, Johanna.
The demons roared and charged at the new enemy, totally ignoring me. Johanna let fly an arrow and two demons slumped to the ground, an arrow piercing the throat of both of them. She discarded her bow and unsheathed her sword. It glowed brightly. The demons roared at the bright light, for they were creatures of the night and hid well away from the sun during the day. Johanna leapt down from the rock, her sword slicing through the air. A demon roared in pain as it was sliced in two. Another demon dropped to the ground, its head hanging from one small piece of skin.
Although her sword was powerful and she was a great warrior, the demons slowly went on the offensive. Although already half their number had fallen the demons were relentlessly coming forward. Johanna was being overwhelmed and I searched my mind frantically, searching for a spell that would help her. I desperately cast a spell that I had not yet mastered and prayed for it to work. I concentrated hard and pointed my finger towards the swarming demons. I prayed the spell would work and said the final word. I bolt of lightning leapt from my finger and I collapsed in pain. But the spell worked and I looked up to see that the demons were being burnt to a crisp by the magic fire. Johanna looked dazed and lowered her sword. I noticed her face was cut in several places and the demons poisoned weapons were keeping the cuts open. The last demon finally collapsed on the ground and I stopped the magical fires with a wave of my hand. The sun was rising and as I watched the demons bones turned to dust and disappeared. I went to Johanna's side and put my arm around her. She dropped her sword and it fell silently onto the soft earth. She faltered and I slowly lowered her to the ground. Her cuts were still bleeding and her face was drained white. I embraced her and searched my mind for a healing spell. It was useless. The lightning spell had drained me so much I couldn't even remember the words for the healing spell, or any spell for that matter. I swallowed hard and hugged Johanna close to me. Her breathing was slowing and I knew she was but a whisker away from death.
Suddenly I was in a shining hall. There was no sign of Johanna. In front of me was a throne of diamond. Upon the throne sat a man I recognised. I skipped a heart beat. In front of me was Kalhn, the god of magic. He is responsible for giving out magic in measured amounts to each magician and sorcerer in the land. "She is beyond hope now" he said. There was no emotion is his voice and it made me angry. My eyes watered and I felt tears flowing down my cheeks. I dropped to my knees and covered my eyes. "How could you!" I cried, "I could save her if only you gave me one last spell! I demand you give me just a little bit of power, just a bit more magic, for it is my only hope of saving my lovers life!" He looked stunned and reeled back as if I had just slapped him across the face. "Here you are, a mortal in the hall of the gods, demanding that I do as you say! It is ridiculous!" I looked at him through tear filled eyes. "Please!" He looked at me and for long moments before sighing. "You do know the price, don't you?" he said. I nodded through my tears and swallowed hard. "Are you sure you want to give up your magic for one last spell?" he said. "Yes!" I cried. "But why?" he asked. "She is my lover, she has brought me happiness no other man has felt before. She is Spring, blanketing out Winter. She is my guide, my heart. To live without her is to live without living. If she died my heart would shatter into a million pieces and my soul would scream forever. If I must give up my magic for my lover, so be it!" With that Kalhn sighed and suddenly I was back in the embrace of my dying lover. I felt my magical essence being sucked away, leaving one last spell. I cried as I traced to runes for my spell. As I finished it I felt Johanna draw one last breath and slump. I cried out in furry and wondered why the spell had not worked. I clutched Johanna's cold body against me and cried. Suddenly a magical light flooded from her and I felt warmth returning to her body. Her eyes slowly opened and she tried to say something. I embraced her and slowly helped her to her feet. Both of us had tears in our eyes. I put my arm around her and with that we walked of into the morning sun. I never looked back.
Tale of Joseph Milhm, Ex-wizard and illusionist.
Told by Wade.Rad.
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