Rise of the Elementals
Author: Rashad Freeman
Date: 2013-10-09 04:00:00+00:00
Keywords: creature kid aliens wings space dimensions origins shadow of darkness elementals spectrals
Description: The Prequel to the Creature Kid Series…Long before Anthony ever discovered he had wings, long before he quested to find his true origins. A prophecy was made, a prophecy that would thrust two worlds together across the span of centuries.In a different universe on a different plane of existence a city known as Elisia thrived. For more than a millennium the race of elementals blossomed there. When a savage race invaded their gates the elementals were left with no choice. This is the beginning of their story; this is Rise of the Elementals.

RISE

OF THE

ELEMENTALS

THE CREATURE KID PREQUEL

By Rashad Freeman

Copyright © 2013 by Rashad Freeman

Smashwords Edition
www.creature-kid.com
www.rashadfreeman.com
www.rashadfreeman.blogspot.com

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the expressed written consent of the author.

Seeds of Deception

“The high council has spoken Daviathan. Who are we to object?” The rangy man asked, stuffing the last few items into a dingy, old rucksack.

He was a tall man, thick boned with long, brown hair that curled and twisted like a vine. His large hands were weathered, but strong, and his serene green eyes betrayed his true age.

He stood inside of a glowing dome. The black, onyx floor reflected the sparkling blue light that made up the ceiling. To his left was a thinner man, lean and gangly, but no less intimidating. He scanned the other man with his mystic blue eyes and then spoke.

“Who are we not to object Tarian? Whether they accept it or not, war is at our door. We must reinforce the outpost.”

“But Earth! Certainly our talents are better suited elsewhere.” Tarian laughed.

“Come with me or stay Tarian, I am going.” Daviathan began to walk off, grabbing a sack from the floor and slinging it over his shoulder.

“And what of the prophecy does that mean nothing to you?”

“What of it? Should the ramblings of an old woman determine my fate? If the prophecy is true then we are saved, but what if it is not?” Daviathan turned around and raised his eyebrow. “Milicent has not always been right.”

Tarian took a deep breath and sighed. He stepped away from the table and walked towards Daviathan.

“I will go alone.” Daviathan said as he held out his hand, exposing a small sphere of blue light.

“Nonsense!”

Tarian grabbed the blue light and tossed it into the air. It hovered at eye level for a moment then grew into a shimmering blur of energy. It was about the size of a basketball and wavered back and forth in the air. Tarian grinned at Daviathan and took a step towards it. The light rippled as he moved.

“Well, let’s go already.” He said as he touched the light and vanished into it.

Grinning, Daviathan followed him into the portal and disappeared. The floor melted away as he whirled through an empty black space. There was no light, but it was a different than just dark. It was like light had never existed in this place. He felt weightless as he spun through the nebulous void. Pressure grew all around him squeezing the air from his lungs.

Then suddenly with a crash, Daviathan’s feet slammed onto an uneven, rocky terrain. Looking to his side, Tarian smiled at him and headed off. Daviathan scanned the mountain side, and took a shallow breath.

“Earth.” He smirked and then hurried after Tarian.

“So I assume you have a plan, or do you intend to make it up as we go?”

“Tarian you must learn to have faith.” Daviathan said dismissively.

Together they clamored down the mountain onto a narrow goat trail. They moved silently, gliding through the night like ghosts. Ahead of them, the faint lights of a village flickered like a candle being blown out.

“Is it there?” Tarian whispered, pointing towards the quivering lights.

“Yes. We must be silent for I fear the worst.”

Daviathan stepped forward and pawed at the air with his hand. It clung to his fingers like water, slowly rippling as it moved. Pulling his hand back, the air parted and tore.

“Are you coming?” He asked, glancing back at Tarian.

Tarian nodded. Gliding forward, they both moved through the ripple of air like it was a bed sheet, hanging from a clothes line. The mountains, the rocks and the hazardous terrain vanished, giving way to a small clay hut, dimly lit with candles.

Daviathan immediately noticed a woman’s body lying limp on the sandy floor. With Tarian right behind him, he rushed to her side.

“Achima!” He bellowed.

Lifting her head he stared into her empty eyes and knew they were too late. Blood dripped from her ears, forming a muddy pool on the floor. Her silvery hair, which was normally shinning and vibrant, looked dull and lifeless.

“Daviathan.” Tarian whispered. “If they’ve found her surely they’ve found Abrax.”

There was a noise in the next room and Daviathan pressed his fingers against his lips. Gently lowering Achima’s head, he stood up and pulled a bronze dagger from his bag. Tarian did the same and they silently crept forward.

The sound of things breaking and being thrown around rattled on the other side of the wall. As they moved closer the ruckus suddenly stopped. Daviathan froze and pointed at a dark opening in the wall. Tarian nodded and they began to shuffle stealthily across the sandy floor with their backs pressed flat against the lumpy clay.

Inching closer, Daviathan leaned forward and peeked around the corner into the shadowy room. Tables and chairs were sprawled all over the place. The windows had been shattered and the giant oak table that sat in the center was broken in half and partially reduced to splinters.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang and a large shaggy object exploded from the room and slid across the floor. It looked like a cross between a wolf and a lion. Its body was covered in black, spiked fur and a pair of razor sharp horns protruded from its head. Its tail whipped about like a wild lizard as it gashed at the air with bird like talons.

“Ravens!” Daviathan screamed.

He lunged at the animal, his bronze knife slicing through the air. The raven was quicker and slid to the side avoiding Daviathan’s blade. Tarian dove after it, but the raven swatted him to the ground, scraping him across the chest with his savage claws.

Circling the raven, Daviathan glared into its dark purple eyes. It snarled and growled, slowly mimicking Daviathan as they stepped in unison around each other.

Tightly squeezing the hilt of his knife Daviathan clenched his teeth, waiting for an opening. The raven snapped at him and slashed with his claws. Then with another growl it turned and dove out of a window into the night.

Daviathan gave chase, but the sleek animal was quickly consumed by the darkness. He stared after it, narrowing his eyes to focus.

“Daviathan!” Tarian called from inside the hut.

Whipping around, Daviathan darted back inside. Tarian was leaning against the wall, his hand covering a gash that ran from his chest to his stomach.

“I’ve found Abrax.” Tarian grumbled.

Daviathan looked at him; blood seeped through his fingertips and down his hand.

“Age has made you slow my friend.”

He placed his hand over Tarian’s hand and closed his eyes. A soft, yellow glow rose around the wound and then vanished. When Daviathan moved his hand the wound had healed.

Daviathan stepped away, noticing the limp body that was laying at the edge of the room. He was a portly man with thinning red hair. His throat had been torn out and a streak of blood stained the floor where he had been dragged.

“He was in the room…the room with the raven. We were only minutes too late.” Tarian said as he dropped his head.

Daviathan sighed. “Old friend, I hope your journey was not in vain.”

Kneeling down, he swept the fiery locks from Abrax’s face and stared into his dim, gray eyes.

“I’ll need your help with this.” Daviathan said stretching his hand up into the air.

Tarian knelt next to him. He placed one hand on Abrax’s body and grabbed Daviathan’s with the other. Daviathan did the same forming a circle.

They both took a deep breath and flashes of light started to pulse from their fingers. The pulses grew stronger and stronger, lighting up the room like a torch. Abrax’s body began to convulse, his head snapped backwards, his chest arched upwards. Then with a flash their hands were thrown from his body and they were flung backwards.

Daviathan stumbled to his feet first. Abrax’s lifeless corpse was still lying on the floor, but a purplish glow surrounded him. Slowly, a mist wafted from his mouth and rose into the air.

It was a thick purple gas, shapeless, but moving. As Daviathan watched, it morphed into an oblong figure then stretched until the form of a man started to appear. Within seconds, the gas resembled the figure of the man that lay dead on the ground.

Daviathan looked at him with sad eyes and the misty figure smiled and spoke.

“It has been too long my friend.” His voice seemed to come from everywhere, echoing throughout the room.

“Abrax, I am sorry to find you like this.” Daviathan sighed.

“I am sorry I couldn’t do more.” Abrax sadly responded.

“What do they know?” Tarian asked as he stepped closer.

“Everything.” Abrax said grimly.

“Everything?” Daviathan echoed.

“The portals are gone, the protectors are dead. They sent legions of ravens. We weren’t prepared. I held them off for as long as I could, but their numbers were too great. Achima tried to send word back, but…”

His words fell off like the sound of wind tumbling over a cliff. The figure that had been formed by the gas wavered as if it were going to disperse, then came back together.

“Where are they now?” Daviathan asked after a long silence.

Abrax’s misty shape started to break apart again. The purple gas swirled and thinned, wavering in the dimly lit hut.

“Abrax!” Daviathan called. “Where are they?”

“Heading for the master portal.” Abrax whispered and then he was gone.

An Enemy Among Us

“Daviathan! You dare interrupt the high council while in session. We have tolerated your arrogance long enough, you shall be punished.”

Daviathan stood in the center of the great hall. It was an elaborate dome with white, marble floors and spanning ceilings. In front of him was a long table raised ten feet from the ground. Behind it sat several men all cloaked in identical, black robes.

“It is true Theodoros. We shall all be punished, but not for my arrogance, but for the stupidity of this council!”

Theodoros shot out of his seat, slamming his hand onto the onyx table in front of him. He opened his mouth to speak, but a taller man stood and placed his hand on Theodoros’ shoulder.

“You are out of line Daviathan. The high council must be respected.” He said calmly.

“Lupercus, I wish there were time for respect or the normal customs due this council. Unfortunately, time is no longer our ally.”

“Speak your peace then.” Lupercus said. His fierce orange eyes blazing into Daviathan like the sun.

“The spectrals, it is as I have feared. They have dealt us a fatal blow. Abrax and his wife are dead, the portals have been stolen and all the protectors slaughtered.”

Theodoros gasped as the other men jostled to their feet. There was an eruption of chatter, council members turning to one another in outrage.

“Lies!” A younger looking man screamed as he shook his finger at Daviathan.

He removed his hood; his dark, black hair still covering his eyes. His face was thin and angled, his skin dark absent an imperfection.

“It is no secret, your disdain for the council. Now blasphemy has fueled your outrageous claims.”

“Cleonicus, he would never.” Lupercus cut him off.

“Don’t be fooled by his empty acts of valor. This is all a ploy to unseat the council. An attempt at a coup with his aging counterpart.”

Daviathan moved so quickly he was nothing more than a streak of light. One moment he was standing in front of the council table, the next moment he had Cleonicus by the throat. With little effort, he slammed his face into the hardened surface and leaned over him.

“You claim to know much young fool.” Daviathan moved closer. “Know this boy, if your seat is what I sought I would’ve long since taken it…by force!”

“He did not mean to offend Daviathan.” Lupercus said, hesitantly approaching him.

Daviathan sighed and slowly loosened his grasp on Cleonicus’ neck. He took a step back and Cleonicus quickly righted himself as he scowled at Daviathan.

“Apologies to the council, I mean no disrespect.” Daviathan said, clearing his throat. “It is urgency that forces my hand. We performed the contai on Abrax. With his final breath he told us the spectrals seek the master portal.”

“Impossible!” Several of the council members stammered in unison.

“It is true.” Tarian pleaded.

“Daviathan we have lived here for centuries. Our defenses have stood the test of time. We have thwarted many a foe, as we will with these inbred mutts.” Theodoros said defiantly.

“Do you hear this?” Cleonicus asked turning to Lupercus. “He would have us believe the spectrals are after a weapon that they know not. And even if they did have knowledge of its existence, they could never use it.”

“Oh, I do believe they know of it Cleonicus and with the proper assistance they could access its power.” He raised his eyebrows.

“Riddles are for fools and children Daviathan. Speak your mind.” An older man known as Iasos demanded.

“It is no secret that many in this council have believed the spectrals had turned an elder.”

“Ha! That rumor died along with its originator.” Cleonicus laughed.

“Indeed it did, but a younger council member, someone like you Cleonicus, could’ve easily picked up the charge.”

“You dare!” Cleonicus raged.

“I do!” Daviathan shot back.

“Enough! Daviathan do you have proof of any of this?” Lupercus asked. He stepped in between them and held out his arms.

“Send an envoy, go yourself. You will see that my words are true.”

“That would suit you wouldn’t it, an empty council, ripe for the taking?” Cleonicus pressed on.

Daviathan didn’t respond. He stared at Lupercus with a determined look in his eyes. Lupercus considered him for a moment.

“Cleonicus, travel with Tarian and Daviathan to Abrax’s station. You yourself can verify if his claims are real.”

“Lupercus, certainly there… there are others that are better suited.” Cleonicus stuttered. “You cannot mean me to leave the council just to indulge his foolish endeavors.”

“Who would be better? I’m sure under your watchful eye no stone will go unturned.”

Cleonicus made to object, but Lupercus held his hand out and a small blue sphere floated across the table. Tarian and Daviathan stepped forward then looked to Cleonicus. Gritting his teeth he joined them as they stepped into the portal and vanished.

A Cowards Betrayal

A familiar smell hung in the air. The smell of death, the smell of a life snuffed out prematurely. It was a rancid, hopeless smell; so thick that it was almost palpable.

Candles lit each corner of the dusty hut. The flickering glow, casting shadows against the bumpy, clay walls. Daviathan and Tarian stood in the main room, watching as Cleonicus pretended to inspect the area.

“There is nobody here. I’ve seen enough.” Cleonicus said, not trying to hide his annoyance.

“That alone should raise suspicion should it not? It was you yourself that sent Abrax here.” Daviathan walked past him and began to look around. “His body was here, you can see the blood trails.”

“Possibly, but none of that suggests the claims you made to the council.”

“You cannot be that foolish Cleonicus. If we do nothing we shall all perish.”

Cleonicus smirked at him and shook his head. Scuffing at the blood marks with his shoes he sighed.

“I grow weary of your games Daviathan.” Cleonicus whispered as he disappeared into another room.

Daviathan grinded his teeth and glanced at Tarian, sharing a look of exasperation. Instead of preparing for battle and awakening the other elementals, they were here with a coward justifying their claims.

“Tarian, come help me with this.” Cleonicus called out.

“Could they have paired us with a more useless councilman?” Tarian said as he turned the corner and headed into the room.

Rolling his eyes, Daviathan walked into the kitchen. Abrax had assimilated himself quite well, he thought. Rows of colorful plates and bowls were stacked on the counters. Paintings and different types of artwork hung from the wall. A century and a half on Earth was bound to rub off.

Elementals weren’t meant for such things. An immortal species, they didn’t adjust well to the finite ways of humans. Prior to Abrax no elemental had lived on Earth for longer than a decade.

A thin layer of dust had accumulated in the hours they were gone, but time didn’t pass here like it did where they were from. Days here were mere minutes back home.

Running his finger across the wall, Daviathan thought of Abrax and his final words. The master portal, even Daviathan didn’t know its location. As an elder he was privy to many things, but the master portal was a heavily guarded secret. Only the guardians and the council members knew where it was hidden.

As Daviathan walked back into the living room, a strange sensation ran through his body. He paused, turning his head to the side and strained his ears. An ominous feeling seeped down his spine and the hairs on his arms spiked. Something was wrong.

“Tarian?” He called out.

He waited in silence, but there was no response. Slowly moving his hand to his back he slid out a dagger and moved quietly to the wall. He called for Tarian again.

When there was still no answer he slipped into the room. Glancing from side to side, he moved purposefully like a hunting lion. Something moved in the corner behind him, but he was too slow to react.

Before he knew it he was on the ground and Cleonicus hovered over him smirking.

“You should’ve stayed back in Elisia.” Cleonicus spat as he raised his jagged sword high overhead.

Daviathan rolled out of the way just as Cleonicus brought the sword crashing to the ground. Jumping to his feet, he slipped and his leg shot out awkwardly. Daviathan glanced down at the floor, streaks of blood were smeared across it and Tarian’s ragged limbs were strewn about.

Horror and rage shot through him like an arrow. Tarian had been his oldest friend and longtime mentor. Now his body lay broken at the hands of a coward.

“Fools you both are really.” Cleonicus called from behind him. “You and your pathetic love for the antiquated ways of the elementals. With your councils and guardians, shepherding the portals when we were meant for such greater things.”

Daviathan’s hands shook with anger. He slowly turned his head, his eyes narrowing into thin slits. Cleonicus stood a few feet away from him, poised to strike. His treacherous hands gripped his sword tightly, the needlelike tip directed straight at Daviathan.

“Guardians of the dimensions, protectors of the gateways. Why do we serve when it is ours to rule?” Cleonicus shook his head like he was scolding a school child. “Don’t worry Daviathan; your death will pass quickly. I cannot say the same for those back in Elisia.”

A bolt of pain ripped through Daviathan. For the first time he noticed the small, shimmering light in the corner of the room.

“A tunnel key. What did you do Cleonicus, what did you do?”

“Isn’t it obvious? As we speak the spectrals are laying waste to your precious city.”

“No!” Daviathan wailed. His voice reverberated through the hut, shaking the entire structure.

Cleonicus surged forward in a flash. He brought the sword sweeping through the air, moving so fast it sung as it sliced through particles.

With a clang the metal crashed into the stone floor, but Daviathan was already gone. He had moved so fast Cleonicus didn’t even seem him.

Raising his sword he spun around, but what he saw behind him was no longer the Daviathan he knew. What stood in his place was something much more than a man, much more than an elemental.

His shirt had been obliterated revealing a blue toned skin, hardened with spikes. His hands were now talon-like claws, sharp as razors. His eyes beamed a fluorescent white and his hair blazed red like fire. His muscular chest heaved up and down with each breath as if he was sucking energy from the air.

“How? It is impossible. Ascension is beyond you.” Cleonicus gasped.

“And yet here I stand.”

Daviathan lunged at him just as Cleonicus swung the sword. He caught it in his hand stopping the blade in his palm. He wrapped his claws around it in a vice-like grip and crushed the metal into tiny flakes of silver.

With his other hand he drove his claws into Cleonicus, pushing him backwards until they slammed into a wall. Cleonicus gasped, splattering blood into the air. He released the crumpled hilt of the sword and brought his elbow crashing into Daviathan’s head.

Daviathan stumbled backwards as Cleonicus slid down the wall. He recovered almost immediately and dove at Daviathan, crashing into him like a battering ram. They both flew backwards and smacked into the floor with Cleonicus landing on top. The impact was so intense it cracked the stone.

“I’ve seen things Daviathan. The spectrals have shown me our true potential.” Cleonicus spat.

He wrapped his hands around Daviathan’s neck as he pressed his knee into his chest.

“They will all die and there is nothing you can do to save them.”

He stared into Daviathan’s eyes as he tightened his grip. His fingers constricted, coiling around his neck like a python. He squeezed with all his might, wanting nothing more than to crush the life from him.

“You’ve always overreached.” Daviathan grumbled.

Suddenly, Daviathan grabbed Cleonicus’ wrist in one hand and began to pry his fingers away. Bucking wildly, he slung Cleonicus overhead and he flew through the air. With a thud he landed on the floor and tried to scurry to his feet.

Before Cleonicus could stand Daviathan had crossed the room. He stood over him breathing heavily, his eyes burning like a wild fire.

Cleonicus sat up onto his knees and glared at Daviathan. He sighed feebly and wiped blood from his mouth.

“Our true power…is beyond your comprehension.” Daviathan said in a dark voice. Then, in a flash, his claws moved like the wind searing through Cleonicus’ neck sending his head spiraling into the air.

Cleonicus’ headless body toppled to the ground. Daviathan stared at it momentarily, tilting his head to the side in mild interest. He’d absolutely loathed him for so long to finally see him parted from this world was almost euphoric.

He quickly snapped out of his trance as the twinkling of the tunnel key caught his eye. He glanced across the floor, searching the room for the remains of Tarian. It wasn’t their way to leave the fallen behind, but this was not normal circumstances.

Daviathan made for the doorway then stopped and turned as he neared the glowing blue portal that they had arrived in. He looked back to the tunnel key that Cleonicus had created. It was a bridge of sorts linking any place back to their home in Elisia. It still sparkled in the corner, but there was no point closing it now. Once it had been opened the access would be completely controlled by the other side.

Daviathan took one last glance into the room that would become Tarian’s coffin. He closed his eyes and squeezed his scaly hands together into fists. Slowly they began to glow red and pulse brighter and brighter. Opening his eyes he unfolded his fingers and a wave of fire shot from them, instantly engulfing the hut in a sea of ravage flames. With one last look he turned and stepped into the portal.

The Lost Prophecy

There was no such thing as night, not in Elisia. Every bit of the city glowed with Zaspar, the same material that was used to create the portals. It bounced from the onyx floors and echoed down the hallways like a lost cry.

This was the world of the elementals. A thriving city built around this powerful substance. Zaspar was a mystical element that could rip holes in the dimensional walls, opening gateways to other planes.

Lupercus moved quickly down the silent halls. He’d sent Tarian and Daviathan along with Cleonicus on a mission to verify what he was certain was true. His only concern now, was the protection of the prophecy.

It had been ages since Milicent had told of the oncoming war. It was the same night that the visions of the rebirth had come to her, the reincarnation of the fabled Proximas along with the Centum. They were elementals unlike any other, far more powerful than the entire race combined.

She’d said dark days were ahead, that their race would be tested. That the very portals they protected may very well be their undoing. Lupercus feared he was seeing her prophecy become reality.

“Brato, Eliana!” Lupercus whispered urgently. “Where are the children?”

“Lupercus, what is it?” Eliana asked as she made her way into the living room.

Eliana was the perfect example of flawless, elemental beauty. Her brown hair flowed like a river rushing to the ocean. Her bronze skin was accented perfectly by the halo of light that danced off the walls. She moved with the grace of a ballerina, but with the certainty of an assassin.

“We need to move the children. I don’t think Elisia is safe anymore.”

“Are you certain?” Eliana asked, the smile fading from her face.

Lupercus nodded grimly.

“Brato, bring the boys! It’s time.” Eliana yelled.

Emerging from the backroom was a tall, bushy-haired man with a broad chest and deep hazel eyes. Like Eliana there was a glow to his skin, but where she moved with grace he hurled forward with determined purpose.

“Lupercus.”

“Brato.”

They both nodded at one another.

“The boys are playing Eliana. What could be this important?”

“I’m sorry old friend.” Lupercus interjected. “The time we have all feared may be upon us.

“Lupercus you swore…”

“There will be time for that later. We must move the boys now.”

Brato paused for a minute and then disappeared back into the room. When he returned, he was followed by a tangled mess of wings and red hair. Standing not much higher than his waist, was a trio of young boys that looked more like dragons than humans.

They were all roughly the same age. Their eyes glowed like flashlights as they snapped and clawed at each other with eagle-like talons. Their wings, enormous in relation to their size, beat powerfully blowing chairs across the room.

“They…they have ascended this early?” Lupercus asked in shock.

“Weeks ago. They’re just starting to control it.”

“This is amazing!” Lupercus elated.

Suddenly the walls shook violently and Lupercus was thrown backwards into a table. A chandelier swung and then fell from the ceiling, shattering into millions of pieces.

Eliana darted forward swooping all three children into her arms. “Lupercus, where do we take them?” She gasped.

“The council has a portal. We will make for Earth.”

“Why not create one here?” Eliana asked in confusion.

“It is feared that the master portal has been taken. If that is the case the sister portal is the only way out. Besides that, they are too young to travel through one of our own. We must make it to the great hall. Follow me!”

Quickly scurrying to his feet, Lupercus tore off into the courtyard with Brato and Eliana on his heels. The looming pillars and clusters of Zaspar crumbled to the ground all around them. Cracks shot through the onyx flooring, jarring the ground apart like splinters of wood.

Ahead of them a fire ravaged the walls as it spread down the corridors. Screams and cries of panic echoed in the distance.

“Lupercus, what is this?” Eliana screamed as she pulled at her children’s hands.

“Spectrals!” Lupercus responded grimly.

“In the city? That can’t be!” Brato exclaimed.

“Eliana, hide here with the children. Brato and I will clear a path and return for you.”

Eliana was lost in his words. She stared up to the dimming ceiling as dying Zaspar disintegrated and fell to the ground. It was their legacy, the very life blood of their beautiful city. To see it all decaying into nothing was mind numbing.

“Eliana!” Lupercus yelled.

She jolted from her trance and turned to him. His orange eyes flared like the fires ahead of them, flickering wildly like a horde of angry dragons. There was a sense of urgency, a look of unwavering determination on his face.

Eliana nodded and huddled the children back into their home. They no longer looked like little creatures, but scared little boys, cowering in their mother’s arms. Brato knelt in front of them, patting the tallest on the head as he cleared his throat.

“Be calm and keep an eye on your mother for me.” He smiled at the boys trying to reassure them.

Turning to his wife he winked, then stood up and joined Lupercus back in the courtyard.

“What is this?” Brato asked.

“Daviathan tried to warn us. He said the spectrals were trying to invade the city. We sent him back to get proof.”

A ballad of screams suddenly rushed down the halls into the courtyard. A thundering rattle shook the walls. Lupercus’ eyes flashed. He looked towards the screams then turned back to Brato.

“I know you laid down your sword in trust of the prophecy. But Brato if we don’t do something now, it will all be lost.”

“What hope does the city have now? The only protectors we have are spread across the universes safeguarding the portals. There’s no time to call them back.” Brato declared.

There was a loud pop and a sudden vibration in the air. Brato and Lupercus spun around simultaneously and found Daviathan charging across the room towards them. In one hand he gripped a shimmering bronze dagger in the other a decapitated head.

“He’s right Lupercus. We’ll never assemble the few protectors we still have in time if any are alive. And our armies have been sent to slumber for years on the orders of this fool.” He slung the head towards them and it slid across the floor coming to a stop at Lupercus’ feet.

“Cleonicus.” Lupercus whispered. “Daviathan what have you done?”

“What have I done? What have I done? Lupercus your protégé has doomed us all. He opened the portals, the spectrals are here.”

“No! Cleonicus loved this city. He would never do it harm.” Lupercus shook his head in disbelief.

“Wouldn’t he? His desire for power has always outweighed his ability to see reason. He was in allegiance with the spectrals. I think he intended to merge our kind.

“Blasphemy.” Brato stammered.

Lupercus looked on in disbelief. He wanted to deny it all, but the dawn of reality was slowing etching across his face.

”He killed Tarian, and was responsible for the deaths of Abrax and his wife. We can only hope that the master portal is still safe.” Daviathan went on.

“Abrax never knew its location.” Lupercus finally spoke again.

“He…he was charged with its safe keeping, was he not?” Daviathan asked with a puzzled look.

“Many at the council thought a traitor may be in our midst. I hid the portal and let it known that Abrax would protect it. Only I ever knew its true location.”

A loud explosion suddenly blew a wall apart and smoke spiraled into the corridor from the gaping hole.

“We must get the children out of here. They are the only ones that can retrieve the master portal and awaken the guardians.” Lupercus began to head into the corridors ignoring the fire.

“Brato, get them to the portal. We will hold the spectrals off as long as we can.” Daviathan yelled as he followed Lupercus into the raging flames.

The War Has Begun

Bodies littered the ground like trash. The charred floor smoldered as smoke drifted into the air, making it almost impossible to see. Lupercus and Daviathan moved like ghosts through the fog, undaunted as they headed into the fray.

“Pray the portal is still there my friend.” Daviathan whispered.

Lupercus nodded, his eyes surveying the damage to his beloved city. Elisia was the home to all elementals. They had thrived there for centuries. It was a place inaccessible to all except those that could manipulate the dimensional portals they protected. No other race had stepped foot within its gates since the Relusian Détente’, more than a thousand years ago.

The corridors were expansive dome-shaped labyrinths that spiraled throughout the city. In the center, connecting them all like a nucleus, was the great hall. Now that the city gates had been breached it would be nearly impossible to make it there.

Daviathan slowly peered around the corner before waving Lupercus on. The walls around them slowly crumbled to ash as chunks of the ceiling crashed to the floor. Something long and shadowy slithered by and disappeared into the smoke.

“We have no time for this.” Lupercus said with an exhausted voice.

Before Daviathan could question what he was talking about, Lupercus spun around and took off, deeper into the black cloud of destruction. Breathing hard, Daviathan followed after him. Running at full speed to keep up, he dodged holes and falling debris, trying not to choke on the rancid air.

As Daviathan emerged from the thick smoke, something grabbed his ankle and he tripped. His face slammed into a wall before he crumpled to the ground. The warm trickle of blood pooled under his gums and he spit onto the floor.

“This is my kill!” A crackling, demented voice called from behind him.

Daviathan rolled over just in time to evade the double sided axe that hacked into the floor. Jumping to his feet, he staggered back until he was pressed against the wall.

In front of him stood two creatures that were almost indescribable. Dead, empty eyes swirled like tiny black holes. Long, muscular necks rose up from broad shoulders, casting a shadow over Daviathan with their enormous frames. Their heads were more animal than human, long dog-like snouts with gnarly teeth jutting out from their black gums. Their ears stood erect, turning like satellites picking up any sound.

“Spectrals!” Daviathan snarled. “You don’t belong here.”

He curled his fists and gritted his teeth. The air around him started to shimmer as he focused all of his energy. His skin crackled, turning to a blue spiked armor. A white glow emanated from his eyes, piercing through the smoke like a spotlight. His hair shot upward like flames turning into a brilliant red. As he unfolded his hands, deadly claws gleamed under the faint light.

“A challenge?” One of the spectrals laughed.

Daviathan made to move, but before he could, a hand much like his own shot through the spectrals chest from behind him. The spectral collapsed to the ground and Lupercus rose up from the smoke, gripping the spectrals beating heart. The other spectral turned to attack, but he was too slow.

With one swipe Lupercus tore out his throat and he dropped to the floor as well.

“I told you we don’t have time.” Lupercus spat.

Turning on his heels he stormed off. Daviathan stared down at the dead spectrals for a moment and then followed after him. They emerged from the smoke-filled corridor into an open area and froze.

Ahead of them a furious battle ensued. The spectrals were enormous, powerful creatures and they flooded the streets. They descended upon anyone they saw like a swarm of angry hornets.

The people of Elisia were ill prepared. They were not warriors, but peaceful folk. Mostly scientists and philosophers, the vast amount of the residents were unable to defend themselves.

Hordes of angry spectrals dragged people from their homes. They ripped children from their beds, butchering their parents’ right in front of them.

Metal clanged in the night as a few of the men attempted to fight back. A small group of elementals clamored forward swinging their swords wildly. Untrained and ineffective, they were quickly overrun and torn limb from limb.

“This is where we must meet our end.” Lupercus said grimly.

Daviathan stared at him through narrowed eyes, glowing white with power. “Then let us take these filthy dogs with us!”

Together they sprinted forward, diving head first into the sea of death. Lupercus grabbed one of the spectrals, slinging him into a wall before driving his fist through another one. Daviathan swirled through the mass of creatures spinning his sword like angry tentacles.

“This way!” He screamed as they fought through the spectrals clearing a path for any that could still walk.

The Last Hope

Brato crept through the empty streets, his wife and children close behind. He stopped and leaned against a wall. Craning his neck he peered around the corner.

“I can see the hall across the courtyard.” He whispered. “It looks clear, keep the children and I’ll make sure it’s safe.”

“No!” Eliana responded. “We go together.”

Brato glared at her and sighed. “Fine.” He mumbled. He knew there was no sense in arguing.

With his jaw clenched he turned and looked back to the great hall. The courtyard was nearly demolished. It was once decorated with ornate sculptures and artifacts that had been gathered from across the worlds. Now nothing but rubble remained.

Brato gripped her hand tightly and stepped into the courtyard. He looked to his children and smiled then pressed his forefinger against his lips. Together they scurried across the ruined grounds and stopped near the entrance of the great hall.

Enormous, ivory columns towered on both sides. Marble steps led into the entryway that opened up into a giant dome. This was the heart of Elisia, the most sacred place in the whole city.

“Quickly.” Brato whispered as he placed his hand on the small of Eliana’s back.

They moved swiftly up the steps, their feet barely making a sound. As Brato crossed into the great hall he slid to a stop and fell to his knees.

“No!” He screamed, banging his fists into the ground.

A shinning blue liquid streamed across the floor. It swirled and began to evaporate before his eyes.

“The portal…the portal is gone.” Eliana mumbled, tears pouring down her cheeks.

There was a sudden rattle outside and Brato swung around and jumped to his feet. For a moment his eyes flashed white until he realized it was Daviathan and Lupercus followed by a flood of people.

“Why are you not…” Lupercus cut away as his eyes met the dissolving blue puddle. “How…how could they have known?”

“Cleonicus!” Daviathan growled.

“We can open our own portals!” Lupercus stammered as he stormed further into the hall.

Brato grabbed his arm and slung him around. “The children Lupercus, you know they cannot travel that way!”

Lupercus sighed and looked into Brato’s eyes. He glanced past him to Eliana and then to Daviathan. He looked at the countless faces of people that swayed back and forth near the doorway. All lost, all shattered, hoping that he could find a way to save them.

“We…we will have to retrocile the children.” Lupercus said feebly.

“What?” Eliana exclaimed. “No…no! That will kill them!”

Eliana lunged at Lupercus, slapping him across the face before Brato could grab her.

“How dare you!” She yelled.

“Eliana calm down.” Brato wrapped his arms around her and pulled her away.

“You know they won’t make it Brato. We can’t let him do this.”

“Eliana, there is no other way.” Lupercus pleaded.

“He is right.” Daviathan said as he stepped forward. “A legion of spectrals are headed this way. Ravens have demolished our home, what you see before you is all that is left. There is no other way out of the city.”

Eliana looked into Daviathan’s eyes and then fell to the floor. She cried silently into her hands as the crowd of strangers looked on in confusion.

“We need three. I only see two here that could hope to complete the retrocile process.” Brato said grimly.

Lupercus made to respond, but there was a loud explosion outside that shook the entire hall. Daviathan ran to the door and glared out. A giant fissure had opened in the middle of the sky. The air around it swirled and twisted as light was sucked into the void.

Daviathan turned back to the hall, his face amiss with panic. “They are bringing the others!”

“We have no time. Brato we must do this now!”

The Last Stand

The walls rattled and the ground shook and split apart. Outside of the great hall the sky ripped open and a storm of spectrals poured into the city. Inside a sense nervous hesitation loomed in the air.

Brato stood in a circle holding hands with Lupercus and Daviathan. His children were in the center, their eyes fluttered skittishly as they tried to maintain contact with their father.

“You’re doing so well.” Brato smiled at them.

Eliana knelt to the side, her face covered in dried tears. She wanted to hold them, to kiss them and tell them everything would be okay; but she didn’t know if it would. The truth was, no one had ever survived the process.

Retrociling was a dangerous thing. It could only be attempted on the young. It was an age reversing process and the only way an immature elemental could travel through a spawned portal.

“I didn’t know you’d reached ascension.” Brato glanced over to Daviathan.

“Few did.” He smiled back.

“We must hurry.” Lupercus grunted.

There was a scream from the onlookers and they shuffled away from the door. Scampering further into the hall they ran over one another as a raven leapt through the entrance and slid across the floor.

“We cannot break the circle now!” Lupercus yelled.

Eliana looked to her children then jumped to her feet and charged at the raging animal. It was still lumbering in the doorway, snarling at the crowd of trembling elementals.

“Eliana no!” Brato screamed.

“Brato finish it, finish it now.” She yelled back.

Eliana tackled the beast, wrapping her arms around its head. The raven reared up and drove one of its horns into her shoulder. She bellowed loudly and dug her fingers into its eyes.

Brato turned to run to her side, but Lupercus squeezed his hand tighter.

“Brato we can’t. If you break the link now the children will certainly die.”

Eliana staggered backwards as the raven pulled away. It growled at her and dove forward again. This time she side stepped its horns and punched her fist through its throat. The raven flew into the wall and crumpled to the ground. Blood gushed from the hole in its neck and swirled onto the white, marble floor.

“What are you waiting for?” Elaina stammered as she turned back to Brato.

“Concentrate!” Lupercus exclaimed.

Together they closed their eyes and focused. In order to perform the retrocile it would take an almost unbreakable meditation. With the city falling apart around them and a horde of spectrals and ravens right outside, this was nearly impossible.

Minutes passed as the other elementals looked on with a confused silence. Eliana smiled at her three sons, her hand squeezing the bleeding hole in her arm.

“It’s okay.” She whispered to them.

The boys huddled closer together, their legs trembling with fear. Their eyes flashed white then back to their normal hazel color.

Daviathan, Brato and Lupercus didn’t move. Their hands were locked together, their eyes closed, their bodies as still as statues. Then with a sudden rush of heat, all three of they were all engulfed in ravaging blue flames.

The other elementals gasped and a few of them cried out in shock.

“The children, the children they’re going to burn.” A woman yelled.

Eliana glared at her and then turned her attention to the boys. “Stay calm. It’s almost over.”

The flames rose high into the air, licking at the ceiling of the dome. Brato and the others hadn’t moved and even more they seemed totally unaffected by the blazing fire.

Without warning the flames shot from the circle and covered the inside, spreading over the boys like a wave. Eliana shrieked and ran forward. She reached for the circle trying to save her boys from the inferno, but was thrown backwards by an invisible field that enclosed them all.

“Brato! Brato!” She screamed over and over.

Then, as suddenly as the flames appeared, they vanished and Brato and the others fell to the floor. In the center of the circle where the boys once stood were three glowing blue spheres.

“It…it worked.” Daviathan mumbled as he staggered to his feet.

Brato scampered forward, scooping the three balls into his arms. Eliana ran to his side. She slid to the floor and wrapped her arms around him, ignoring the stinging sensation in her shoulder.

“Are they safe…are they safe Brato?”

“Not yet.” Lupercus stammered.

He pulled himself to his feet and walked to the back of the hall. Holding his hand at eye level he rolled his fingers into a ball and snapped them back open. A shallow, blue light swirled in his palm. It flickered dimly like a dying flame.

“I…I am too weak. Daviathan…”

“I am here.” Daviathan said as he stepped next to Lupercus.

Squeezing his hands together he created a light of his own much brighter than Lupercus’. Together they placed their palms flat against the wall and it rippled like water.

“Quickly, this way!” Daviathan turned to the other elementals, beckoning them to come.

One by one they rushed forward and stepped towards the wall. Lupercus helped them enter the portal as Daviathan ran to Brato and Eliana.

“We must take them now.” He said, pulling Brato to his feet.

Suddenly there was a thunderous explosion at the steps of the hall. Daviathan looked up and panic gripped his heart as the largest spectral he’d ever seen loomed in the doorway.

It was an enormous creature, nearly nine feet tall with a raven on either side of him. His head swept left and right as he seemed to suck in the room with hollowed, black eye sockets. A forked tongue jutted from his mouth, licking his razor sharp teeth.

“Ah Daviathan, of course you would be here with the women and children.” The spectral snarled, tracing a grin across his monstrous face.

“Nordus?” Daviathan said in confusion. “You…you would bring them here. After all we’ve done to shepherd peace between our kind?”

Nordus leaned his head back and laughed. It was a high pitched cackling that made the hair on Daviathan’s arms stand.

“We are not your pets Daviathan. You wouldn’t even treat us as equals, yet we are so much more.”

Several more spectrals began to line the steps behind Nordus. The ravens started to pace back and forth anxiously as he spoke. They growled and snapped at the air.

“Always one step ahead, always plotting, always planning. Oh, but now we know your secret don’t we.” Nordus grinned as his eyes settled on Brato and the three spheres he held.

Eliana gasped. She turned to Brato and placed her hand on his cheek. “I love you…keep them safe.”

“What?” Brato tilted his head.

Before he could move, Eliana surged forward in a blur. Nordus lunged at Brato, but he was too slow. Eliana collided with him and together they tumbled down the steps and into the darkness outside.

Daviathan spun to life. He moved swiftly across the marble floor, slashing the heads off both ravens with his bronze dagger. The other spectrals charged into the hall and he flung himself at them.

“Eliana!” Brato screamed.

Lupercus rushed to his side. “We must get the children into the portal.”

“Take them, take them Lupercus. I can’t leave her.”

“Have you forgotten your charge? There is nothing more important than the safe keeping of the children. Nothing!” Lupercus said furiously.

Brato stood to his full height. He looked down on Lupercus his eyes blazing like a dying star. He pushed the glowing spheres into Lupercus’ arms.

“Keep them safe. I cannot leave her.” Brato said forcefully.

Turning towards the door, he clenched his jaw tightly and squeezed his fists. His skin darkened as his arms grew and ripped through his shirt. Like a bolt of lightning he surged forward, tearing through the crowd of spectrals and landing outside.

Daviathan drove his dagger into the heart of another spectral and then stared after Brato.

“Lupercus, get them through the portal! I’ll get Brato and Eliana.” Daviathan yelled.

Lupercus grunted and let out a deep breath. He gripped the spheres to his chest and turned on his heels. Running full speed he dove into the wall and vanished.

Daviathan quickly dispatched the remaining spectrals and rushed outside. In the middle of the street Eliana and Brato stood back to back surrounded by an army of spectrals and ravens. They were both severely injured and bleeding heavily onto the floor.

“Just give us the children and we will end your suffering.” One of the spectrals heckled.

Daviathan started towards them. The shadows hid him well now that nearly all of the Zaspar had been depleted. He inched closer and closer, clenching his dagger tightly.

All of a sudden a voice exploded inside his head, it was Brato.

“We are done for my friend. Please protect the boys, see the prophecy through and return honor to our people.”

Brato held Eliana’s hands in his own and smiled at her. “There is no place I would rather be.” He whispered.

She smiled back at him. “Do it.”

Brato turned to the spectrals. His eyes were the most intense white Daviathan had ever seen. His entire body and Eliana’s seemed to glow and radiate a power that shook the air.

“We will end our own suffering you cowards. But know this, you will never find the children!” He shouted.

“Brato, no!” Daviathan screamed, but he was too late.

With a shrill and an ear splitting whoosh, the city lit up. Light poured out of Brato and Eliana overwhelming the spectrals, engulfing them like a radiant cloud. Daviathan covered his face and knelt down. The light rushed over him, blowing him into a wall and knocking him unconscious.

He was only out for a few minutes, but when he came to, the streets were empty. Brato and Eliana were no more and any trace of the spectrals was gone. Daviathan stumbled around trying to collect himself. He could hear the rush of footsteps and knew that the other spectrals must be on their way.

In a daze, he staggered back into the hall and ran for the portal. He was almost through it when a spectral leapt up the stairs and landed with a crushing thud. Daviathan dove into the wall just as the spectral hurled an axe towards him. The gleaming, double sided blade buried itself into Daviathan’s back and he fell into the portal and vanished.

Daviathan was sucked off of his feet and spun through the weightless void. He felt the familiar sensation of being in a vacuum, but also a deep burning feeling in his back.

Suddenly his feet slammed into the ground and he fell forward onto his face. He tried to stand, but couldn’t. Lupercus quickly ran to his side and closed the portal. He pulled the heavy axe out of Daviathan’s lower back and tossed it to the ground.

“You’re okay my friend.” He whispered as he placed his hand over the wound.

As it started to heal, he rolled him over and sat him up.

“Brato and Eliana?”

“They did not make it.” Daviathan responded.

He looked into Lupercus’ eyes and then to the other elementals who were now refugees in a foreign world. His eyes caught the gleaming spheres sitting on the ground in front of him and suddenly a sharp pain jolted his heart.

“Lupercus. Where is the Centum? Where is the third sphere?”

“I…I lost it in the portal.”

Table of Contents

- Rise of the Elementals

- Midpoint