Secret of the Mystic

Raz had said that the road to Zorowan would be long, and it would be harsh. However, he forgot to mention that it would also be beautiful, for the land of Talmactír was the most breathtaking sight of any other place in Origynn. Once they passed the forest on the western side of the castle, the land opened into an endless stretch of emerald hills. All around these soft, grassy hills were snow covered mountains, the ice and snow glittered like rainbow glass in the sunlight. All the forces of nature seemed to be living in joyous harmony within this land. Tai felt as though he was wandering through another dream, though this one much more pleasant than the nightmare he had had a few days before. The sky was filled with layers of clouds, each layer having different forms and shades of grey and white. As they moved quickly across the sky, covering and then revealing the bright sun, the sun’s rays moved about like searchlights over the emerald grass, which glittered like a river of green in the luminance.

The large group had been moving since the first rays of dawn broke over the edge of the horizon line, and the cool day had stretched on into afternoon as they arrived at a small trade market. The market cut straight through the center of a little village, and the town’s people were scattered about, trading goods and services, pulling their wagons and carriages to and fro. Little children and boisterous dogs played along the dirt streets while their parents worked the daylight hours away. The mystics stayed together mostly, only stopping here and there for little things they needed. Tai followed beside Raz, the only mystic he felt comfortable being around much, as he paused next to a long table that was shielded from the sun’s blinding rays by a tarp of thin fabric. The table was covered in large glass jars filled with varying dusts and powders, some dull, some glittering like starlets. An old dwarvish man was sitting behind the table with a grey beard and a wide-brimmed hat. He looked up at Raz and smiled.

“Good day, young fellow. What may I do for you?” The little man asked, a thick Irish accent coating his voice.

Raz smiled back and chuckled politely, not feeling the need to correct the man of his age. “I need one ounce of leigheas powder, per favore.” The Mystic reached into a pocket on the inside of his cloak and pulled out a tiny velvet bag. He loosened the strings and took out three, nickel-sized stones of precious value. Raz glanced at Tai as he placed the shimmering stones on the table.

“Is there anything you need, Tai?”

Tai looked up at him. “No, thank you. What is that stuff?”

Raz smiled as the man handed him a tiny bag of the leigheas powder. “Grazie. Tis healing powder.” He placed the bag in a different pocket inside of his cloak, and continued forward.

“Healing powder… does it really work? It really heals things?” Tai asked curiously, as he quickened his pace to keep up with his giant companion.

The Mystic slowed his stride, thinking carefully over his answer. “Well, in some cases it does. Naturally it cannot heal major injuries on its own… And even with my power, it cannot heal a fatal wound.”

Tai glanced around at the little market place, all of the people seemed so poor, yet, they were so cheerful and friendly even so. “Raz, there’s no money in this world is there? You all just simply trade goods and service to one another?”

Raz looked down at his young elf companion thoughtfully, though a bit of puzzled curiosity was plain in his features. “Eh, sí, we mostly trade. The creatures here prefer to keep things simple, and so we have. Only the nobles and royalty use coins, which includes myself, but I do not always use them. However I am not sure of this kind of money you speak of, I am quite ignorant in the ways of Mirtala for I have been there only once in my lifetime.”

Tai looked up at him. “So you have been there?”

“Si, si… Many years ago. I was only a few hundred years old, off on a training mission, when I was attacked by Shadwyn masters. We were dangerously close to the Rift, you see, so they weakened me and pushed me through… Twas a terrible time for me, landing helplessly in the center of a massive city with automated transports running into me and the soldiers shooting at me and hunting me down… the people thought I was some terrible monster. To make matters worse, one of the Shadwyn had cast a spell upon me to prevent me from using any of my powers. I could not cast illusions to hide myself, nor change form to blend in, I could not even open a portal to return to Aine.”

“That sounds terrible. How did you get back?”

“Oh, tis quite a long story, but I did eventually learn of where the Rift itself made contact with the earth, where I could simply walk through as opposed to making a portal.”

As he and the Mystic rejoined with the rest of the group, Aniki was happily following alongside of Remaliah, who was telling the young elf some story of how Raz apparently rescued him from Lord Svaldio. Rem had a way of adding humor to even the most frightening of circumstances, it seemed.

Still, Tai was quite curious of Raz’s story, and gently tugged at his cloak to regain the creature’s attention. “Raz, what is the Rift?”

The Mystic glanced down at him, ears perked. “Oh, the Rift is a line of space where two universes overlap, in this case it is where Aine and Mirtala come together. Mirtala, of course, is where earth is located.”

Tai was impressed. “So, there is more than one universe? This isn’t just some other planet in the same universe as earth, but a separate one altogether?”

“Indeed. There are many universes, Tai. More than any of us could imagine.”

They left the little village market just as quickly as they came, and traveled onward to the southwestern tip of Talmactír. They kept moving at a steady pace for days, walking from sunrise to sunset. If there was one thing about the Mystic, he used every bit of time that they were given to get them closer to their destination. However, he never pushed his companions harder than necessary, for despite the power he seemed to have over everyone around him, he was always a gentle creature with such a tender, loving heart.

As the day faded away into the darkening shadows of night, Raz had them stop in the protective valley, a forest stretching out from the small hilltop to the east. While the mystics were busy unpacking their things for the night, Aniki felt rather restless. He gently tugged at Raz’s cloak to get his attention, and the Mystic smiled and knelt down beside him. “What is it, little one?”

“Well…” Aniki glanced at the others, a few of which were casually watching them.

“Hmm. Come with me.” The Mystic rose and started off to the forest, and little Aniki followed close by his side. It wasn’t until they were surrounded by trees that Raz paused and again knelt beside his tiny friend, who could now, almost, see him eye-to-eye. “Alright. What is troubling you, Aniki?”

Aniki thought for a moment. “Everything, really.”

“Talk to me about it. Let your feelings go.” Raz gazed softly at him, his voice as smooth and kind as his expression.

“I miss my mother… and the Valr pack. Why did they have to die, just because they were trying to help me? It’s not fair… Now Veinta and Elwyn are gone… And I’m afraid that the same thing will happen to you.”

“Ah… I see.” The Mystic pondered, gathering his thoughts. “I know it is hard to understand, especially for one so young, but you must understand that each of them knew and accepted the risks for getting involved in the war. As do I. Sometimes, you have to put aside your fears and do what you must for the good of others.”

Aniki’s throat began to tighten as tears tried to push free, but he held them back, not wanting to cry in front of Raz. “I wish no one had to do that. I don’t want anyone else to die because of me.”

“We all wish such things. I know how much it hurts to lose people you love… It is the most painful thing one shall experience in life. And true, the pain will always be there, the sorrow too… but it moves further down into your heart so that you feel it less and less prominently, however, only if you accept it. You must let go and allow yourself to move on if you are to heal. Unfortunately, we live in a broken world were evil is allowed to exist, and with that comes death, war, sacrifice… But, that is why we must all pull together, to eliminate the darkness of sin, so that we can again live in a world of peace and justice, a world of harmony and happiness.”

The little elf sighed and looked down a bit. “I don’t know if a world like that is possible…”

Raz gently touched Aniki’s cheek, pushing away the golden curls from his eyes. The touch was so tender and caring, the touch a parent would give to their child. “I do. And I believe with all of my ancient heart that it shall be that way again, one day.” He smiled, and Aniki couldn’t hold it back anymore. A horrible thought of the Mystic’s death pushed its way into his mind, forcing the tears he had been working so hard to hide, to fall. He put his arms around Raz’s soft, furry neck, and buried his face in the scarlet curls.

The Mystic pulled back slightly in surprise, then placed his right hand, the rune glowing softly, over Aniki’s back in a comforting manner. “Ah, it is alright Aniki… Everything will be alright in time.”

For a few minutes, Raz allowed Aniki to release his pent up feelings until he began to calm, then gently touched the little elf’s forehead with his muzzle, and pulled away. “We should probably start back now, yes? The others may worry. And… I am quite hungry.” He chuckled and stood, towering over Aniki again, who laughed at him while pushing away the tears with the back of his hand, and nodded in agreement.

The other mystics and Tai were set around a fire that Pyrros had made, talking quietly until Jurian, the eleven-foot heavily muscled mystic of the bunch, addressed Raz in his deep voice. “And where did you go off to?”

“Just for a walk.” Raz replied casually as he took a spot on the ground, and Aniki sat between him and Tai, as he often did.

“A walk? We’ve been walking all day, don’t you ever get tired of walking?”

Raz tilted his head, a humored smile on his muzzle. “About as often as you get tired of talking, I suppose.”

Jurian and a few of the others laughed pleasantly, then re-engaged in their conversations. Raz said little as he happily ate biscuits and drank a cup of tea. Though Aniki felt better than he had before, an ache in his heart still troubled him. He hated the thought of something happening to the Mystic, this kind and loving creature that had watched over him and his brother since before he was born. He felt a powerful connection to him that grew stronger with each day that they were together, much like the deep and needy love a child has for their parent. Tai, on the other hand, had a deep respect for the Mystic. He looked up to him as to a mentor, greatly admiring his vast knowledge and wisdom.

After everyone else had gone to bed, aside from the Mystic, who stayed awake to keep watch for any sign of danger, Aniki found that he just could not sleep. He laid on his blanket and gazed up at the stars, watching them sparkle and wink at him. That is, until a sudden, overpowering scent of roses and incense caught his attention. He glanced beside him and jumped slightly, for Raz had moved right beside him without even making a sound. He has some really strong cologne, Aniki thought to himself.

Raz tilted his head and smiled. “You should be sleeping.”

“What about you, Raz? You never seem to sleep… do you not need to?”

He chuckled. “Of course I need to. And, I do sleep… but only after I feel it is safe, and even then, I sleep lightly so that my senses can still be alert. Being that I am the leader and alpha, it is my task to keep watch and protect all of you, to keep you safe.”

Aniki thought for a moment, then frowned a bit. “Then, who watches over you?”

“My Father, of course. The Creator of all things, of all the universe. He is always watching over me, and everyone else as well. For unlike me, his eye sees all, and misses not a thing. So… you need not worry about me…”

The Mystic was about to move away, but Aniki questioned him. “Raz… are we almost to Zorowan?”

Raz looked back down at him. “No. Many weeks of travel have we yet before we reach the kingdom.”

“What if we don’t get there in time?”

“You have to believe that we will, Aniki.”

“I try… but I’m still afraid.”

“Hmm…” The Mystic reached into one of the pockets inside of his cloak, and gently took Aniki’s tiny hand in his large, fuzzy hands, placing a quarter-sized stone in his palm. It was a quartz stone, cloudy white in color. “Aniki… whenever you feel afraid, or worried, hold tightly onto this stone with both hands, and tell all of your troubles to the Creator. You can do so mentally if you like, then ask him for help and comfort. He may not speak an answer, but always know that he has heard you, and will give you an answer in some form when the time is right… Now, go to sleep. Not another word.” Raz smiled softly, and moved back to his spot to keep watch.

Despite the group’s decent progress, the kingdom of Zorowan was still many weeks away into the distance. They traveled through a deep valley, thick with tall stalks that bloomed with violet flowers. The stalks were so high that Aniki and Tai had to take their wolf forms to keep from becoming lost amongst the flowery abyss. Once beyond the purple fields they climbed high upon a snowy mountainside, and into its icy cavern. The entrance of the cave was much like a dark corridor, black as ink. Though Raz himself could see enough to continue, he knew that the creatures following him could not, not even the other mystics. He held out his staff, the gemstone alight, to allow the bright glow to flood the area. The walls of the corridor were decorated with little paintings and carvings. Many were of wolves and perytons, humans hunting them and fighting amongst one another. Tai glanced at most of them, then paused to look carefully at the largest painting on the right wall. There was a creature, half human and half wolf, standing at the top of a mountain. The creature had huge feathered wings like an angel, spread out so that he could soon ascend into the black clouded sky. Jagged lines were drawn from the sky to represent lightning. At the foot of the mountain were many humans and other creatures, bowing before the angelic being. Tai stared at the creature, with its silver fur and scarlet hair, until the light from the staff was beginning to fade into the distance ahead of him.

The long and narrow tunnel walls finally opened into a very wide and open area that stretched out far into the distant shadows. The area was dimly lit by the glow of the ice that lined the walls and floor, and hung from the cavern’s high-domed roof in the form of icicles and stalactites.

Raz lead his companions carefully through the cavern, distancing them slightly from the icy floor’s plummeting edge. The floor ended abruptly at the right of them, a drop of nearly 120 feet, and flowing gently against its rocky side was a deep river, which welled up from far beneath the mountain and eventually flowed out from its great side. Aniki glanced around in slight awe at the dimly glowing ice surrounding him. The red wolf raised his muzzle to sniff the crisp air, catching a strange scent that seemed to drift off of the river far below. He stepped curiously over to the floor’s jagged edge, walking gingerly along the side, and gazed down at the river’s calmly rippled surface. His eyes caught a smooth rippled movement as it cut across the river’s wide center. Distracted, the young wolf faltered and slipped, landing hard on the frozen floor. The force of his fall caused the floor’s weak edge to crack all around him, and though he struggled to escape the crumbling edge, the poor creature tumbled down with the ice and rock and plummeted into the river below with a sharp howl of terror. The others all paused as the sound pierced the atmosphere.

“Aniki!” Tai rushed to the edge where his brother had fallen from and gazed down as Aniki lifted his head out of the frigid water. Fear rushed through Tai’s mind as he stared into the deep water far below, freezing him like the icy air, his heart pounding at his dark memories. Raz felt the fear from him, somehow realizing what the fear was of, and quickly climbed down the cliff’s edge to help Aniki, the other mystics gathering beside Tai in tension.

“It is alright dear, Raz will take care of him.” Vesper said softly, and placed her dainty hand on his shoulder. Tai glanced up at her, but remained silent in worry. When Raz had reached the bottom of the ravine, he stepped gracefully onto a thin, rocky platform that jutted out from the side. Aniki, shivering out of cold and fear, paddled furiously towards him.

“There’s something here, in the river!” The young wolf whined fearfully.

“Tis alright, little one. Move calmly, you do not want to draw attention to yourself.” The Mystic’s voice was soft and soothing. His ears were perked forward as he listened attentively for the slightest sounds, and he stepped carefully to the edge of the platform as Aniki clambered onto it and crawled next to him. Raz’s ears twitched as the river’s surface was parted in the center by something moving quickly below.

“Raz, it’s coming!” Aniki whined and rushed past him, then struggled to claw his way up the side of the ravine. Raz glanced at him for a moment, then turned back to the river as an enormous serpent thrust its horned head high out of the water. The Mystic stared up at the vicious creature and drew his sword, not a trace of fear in his expression. The beast opened its powerful jaws, the sound of its roar thundered throughout the cavern, as it struck like lightning at Raz, the movement so quick that even he had no time to move. The serpent caught him but slammed its head against the side of the ravine before trapping him within its jaws, and Raz barely escaped the creature’s jagged fangs by jumping into the icy water. Aniki had finally made his way to the top, and climbed over the edge next to Tai, shivering and whimpering. The red wolf looked over the edge behind him and sighed in relief as Raz climbed out of the water and back onto the platform. The serpent, recovering from its faulty move, glared at the Mystic, who posed nobly in preparation to confront its savage jaws. Raz smiled in amusement, and the others watched in horror as the beast lunged at him. He grabbed ahold of its gaping jaws and held them open as they both fell into the frigid river, delving deep into its murky abyss. Tai, Aniki and the mystics waited in fearful anticipation as the river’s surface fell still and silent, tension holding thick in the atmosphere around them.

Nervous, Tai glanced at the mystics, hoping for an answer from any of them. “Shouldn’t we do something to help him?”

It was Deveras, much to his surprise, who answered. “No. This is more than effortless for Raz to handle. If any of us were to go down there, we would only be in his way.” His deep voice was cold and hollow.

Tai sighed. Deep within the dark waters, Raz stabbed the roof of the creature’s mouth, and the blood clouded up to the river’s surface. The serpent writhed in agony as Raz broke away from its bleeding jaws. He swam quickly to the surface and jumped out of the water onto the side of the ravine. The Mystic was nearly half way up the side when the serpent burst through the surface, jaws parted wide with blood dripping from its fangs. Raz bared his own fangs for a moment, and with his free hand pulled a seraph blade from his studded belt. He paused for a moment to focus, and Tai thought the Mystic’s pose was so brave and heroic, something he never expected from the strange creature. Raz finally threw the seraph blade with perfect aim, it lodged itself deep into the beast’s burning eye, cutting through the socket and penetrating the creature’s skull. The serpent screamed in agony as it slid back into the water, death taking hold of it. Raz sighed and climbed to the top of the ravine and walked to his companions. Vesper hugged him, and he smiled at her and stepped next to Aniki.

“Are you alright, Aniki?” The Mystic asked softly, his voice lined with concern at the wolf’s petrified trembling.

Aniki hesitated. “I am... Thanks to you, Raz... ”

Raz smiled gently. “Very good. Be a bit more careful, per favore. ”

The young wolf bowed his head in shame, but Raz chuckled lightly.

“It is alright, you are young and still have much to learn. That is the greatest thing about being young, you know...” The Mystic paused and smiled. “Come, away from the edge everyone.”

Raz lead them through the frozen cave and finally out to the mountain’s snowy side. The sun was nearing the horizon’s edge, its tired rays of lovely orange and red glittered beautifully against the snow. Raz paused and gazed out across the land, the other mystics continuing down the slope into the forest. Aniki hesitated beside him.

“Raz...”

The Mystic looked back at him, his expression so soft and gentle. “Sí, Aniki?”

“I... I wanted to thank you... That thing, it could have killed you... But you protected me, I mean, if you hadn’t been there I never would have made it up the ravine in time... Thank you...” The red wolf gently rested his head against Raz’s shoulder.

Raz hesitated, not knowing what exactly to say to the young creature. Just as he was about to reply, Aniki spoke again.

“You know, when I first saw you, I thought you were kind of scary… So tall and quiet and serious… And even from all the stories I had heard about you, I never expected that I would ever be able to be close to you. But… I’ve learned that you’re actually really nice, and well, I really like you…” Aniki frowned as he struggled to find the words to tell the Mystic how he felt, but Raz smiled and spared him the struggle.

“Grazie, little one. I am quite fond of you as well, more than you know.”

The young wolf smiled and whined, his tail wagging. Raz chuckled and nodded once to him, then followed their companions down the snowy slope.

Darkness fell thick between the forest trees, and peaceful shadows danced across the enchanted land to the rhythm of the earth’s ancient melodies of the night. Fireflies, with neon glow of various colors, appeared from their hidden slumber to shed their light across the earth, like grounded stars. Tai gazed up into the sea of ink, watching the kesaran as they floated peacefully among the shafts of moonlight that fell upon the forest floor, streaming between the darkened leaves. He leaned back against a tree near Aniki, who was lying on the ground attempting to catch the fireflies that hovered and zipped around his muzzle, however the little creatures were a bit too quick and clever for the young wolf. Aniki quite liked his wolven form, it made him feel stronger and less small and fragile in this dangerous world.

The mystics were gathered around the fire, talking and laughing with one another, all except for Raz, who stared silently into the heavens of night. As Tai watched and listened to the mystics along this journey, he began to notice that they always seemed to be split, those that adored their gentle leader and one another, and those that simply tolerated him. The mystics that followed Raz like informal disciples were quite friendly and similar to him, though not as mature and wise. They were all much like teenagers, some eager to learn, others more rebellious and aloof. Yet, despite this strange division amongst them, they remained together and remarkably obedient to their leader.

Of all the mystics, Pyrros was by far the most talkative and outgoing, and seemed to view Raz as more of a father than a brother. His features were somewhat similar to the Mystic’s, though not nearly as handsome. He had fur of dark orange, and light blond hair that hung in slight waves passed his shoulders. His bright eyes were such a dark indigo blue they appeared almost black from afar. Pyrros was often a bit hyper and enthusiastic, and the thought of adventure and danger thrilled his adrenaline. To him this journey to the dark kingdom of Zorowan was exciting and wondrous, for it was the farthest he’d ever been from the castle up in the mountain valley.

Tonight he was spreading his excitement to his companions when he suddenly turned to Raz.

“Raz, you should tell us one of your stories!”

The Mystic broke his tranced gaze toward the moon and smiled at Pyrros. “Ah, but you have heard all of my stories, some more than once. You could likely recite them yourself.”

“I know, but they’re the best! Always filled with action and adventure... And really Raz, I could never tell them as well as you.” The orange-furred mystic gazed hopefully at his older brother.

Raz chuckled softly. “Oh... Alright. What kind of story would you like for me to tell, brother?”

Pyrros stared up into the sky thoughtfully, then looked back to Raz. “Tell us a story of pirates and high-sea adventure!”

“Alright, alright, give me a momento per favore...hmm...” The Mystic gazed into the firelight as he searched through his endless thoughts and imaginative ideas. He smiled as he remembered one of his most favorite stories to tell, and one of his family’s most exciting to listen to. “How about the one of the blacksmith’s son, who sailed the seas to unknown lands in search of his father’s ship that was lost in a storm?”

Pyrros smiled with excitement. “Perfecto! That one is one of your best!”

Raz chuckled cheerfully and began to tell his story. The story took place at the western edge of Talmactir, in a village that rests at the heart of what is known as Baistach Coast. There lived a man, a blacksmith, with his wife and son. However the man had a secret, for he was more than just a blacksmith, but also one of the most respected pirates. He had a beautiful ship, the fastest ever known, and his crew was the toughest bunch to be found amongst the seas of the realm. One stormy night his ship and crew became lost amidst the rain and the waves, disappearing without a trace. The man’s son was young at the time of his disappearance, and was always told that his father was lost at sea on a fishing boat, never knowing the secret his father had kept from him. By the time the boy, Willoughby was his name, was 16, he left the coast on a fine ship with a questionable and mysterious crew, to find his father and his ship. They sailed across the seas to far off lands, islands that had never before been mapped where enchanting, and sometimes fearsome beasts roamed untamed. They found legendary citadels, teaming with the subjects of ancient myths. Will traveled to every corner of the Origin Realm with no trace of his father or his magnificent ship, until he and his crew landed on the coast of the island of Scathain. Upon the island lived many strange creatures with metallic fur and feathers, and at its center stood a great fortress designed from stone of aether. Willoughby and his men explored the fortress, its halls were lined with magic mirrors that revealed one’s true self within their reflection, and it was then that Will finally knew that the crew he was with were actually fearsome pirates, and he wondered why they hadn’t killed him along the way. Deep within the fortress, hidden within its largest chamber, was a mirror that could show one truth to any man who could slay the beast that guarded it’s entry, the terrible and blood thirsty manticore. There, Will faced the powerful beast and though it was a bloody battle indeed, the young man succeeded in destroying the creature, for he knew the secret of its only weakness. He doused his sword in alcohol and thrust it into the flame of a torch along the wall, then stabbed it into the throat of the manticore. With the task completed, he stepped before the mirror and asked it to show him what had happened to his father. The mirror showed the man and his crew, and to Will’s amazement, they were the same men that he himself had been traveling with for so long now. Inside the mirror the men fought a massive maelstrom in a vicious storm. Deep within the waters, it’s coils writhing in anger, was the leviathan, eager and hungry for the blood of a man. Will watched as his father bravely dove into the maelstrom and into the serpent’s gaping jaws. The leviathan was satisfied with the blood of the brave pirate, and sunk into the void of its undersea chamber, leaving the ship and the remaining crew to live on another day. The mirror darkened and the young man felt a bittersweet peace in knowing that his father, a pirate, had given his life to protect the lives of his friends, who now waited for Will outside the fortress chamber. And so, together they set sail once again, no destination, to travel the seas and discover lost treasures forever more.

Tai watched Raz in amusement as the Mystic told his story. His enthusiasm and vigor seemed to thrill the very atmosphere around him, that strange contrast of youth in his secretly ancient body shining as brightly as the fire that tarnished his fur. Tai had never before met a creature like Raz, a creature so wise and brilliant, brave and heroic, yet so gentle and understanding. He was beginning to admire the Mystic, and spent much of his time listening to and observing the unique ways of the strange creature.

The following day the large group found themselves scaling yet another stony precipice. The cliff’s rising side was harsh and steep, a false move from high upon it could send one plunging into their death. Aniki struggled to reach many of the stones and ledges for which to pull himself further, and having even more difficulty maintaining his grip upon them once he did. He glanced at Raz, who stayed close by him to provide assistance if needed, standing perfectly posed upon the precipice as though he were standing on level ground. Aniki sighed.

“How do you do that, Raz?”

“How do I do what, young one?”

“Climb these cliffs so well. You make it look like nothing, but it’s really hard...” Aniki took a breath of relief as they reached the top.

Raz chuckled. “Aniki, I have climbed cliffs and mountains since I was old enough to walk. I would say I have certainly had my share of practice, and my share of falls as well.”

The little elf stared at his companion. “You’ve fallen off of things like this?”

“Of course. I may be skilled but I still lose my balance now and then, just as anyone else, you know.”

Aniki gazed down at the massive stones below him. Though he wasn’t entirely too far from the ground as of yet, it still made him nervous. “But Raz, how could you survive such a thing? Landing on stones like those below...”

“That I’m afraid I have no answer for. Sheer blessing of the Creator I would say. However, I have terribly injured myself in doing so before, broken bones and such... Nothing too extreme.”

“Right, falling off the side of a mountain, landing on sharp rocks below, feeling your bones break and shatter... Not extreme at all.” Tai broke in, having been listening to their conversation for a bit.

The Mystic laughed in pleasant amusement. “Apparently my definition of extreme differs a bit from yours, then?”

“I’d hate to see your definition. Better yet, I’d hate to feel your definition...”

“So would I, Tai.”

Raz’s ears perked suddenly and he stared up to the cliff’s level summit, frozen as the stone around him while he listened. The mystics below them paused as well, watching their leader nervously. A slight tremor vibrated through the rocks as three massive scorpios demons crawled over from the other side of the cliff. The mystics quickly descended to the bottom of the precipice, Tai and Aniki not far behind. Raz however stood his ground and drew his sword, only one demon met his challenge while the other two crawled past him to the fleeing creatures below. The scorpios snapped at him with its deadly vice, catching nothing but air as he leapt back, miraculously maintaining his balance. Tai and Aniki had just reached the bottom when one of the demons swung at Tai with its claw, striking the rocks beside him and shattering them to bits with its power. He struck the demon with lightning from his palm, though its thick armor protected it mostly from the shock. The mystic family fought together against the third demon, their combined power being nearly at the level of their leader’s single-handed skill.

The Mystic stabbed the scorpios demon between the pincers of its jaw, it drew back slightly and struck at him with the side of its claw, sending him tumbling down the side of the cliff. Raz landed hard against a large stone below, and the demon was there before he could even regain his breath. With nothing but brave confidence, he watched the scorpios carefully as it launched forward its poison stinger, judging when and where to move, and also preparing himself for the consequence if his judgment is wrong. Just as the savage tip neared its target the tail was shot by an arrow, the force of the blow causing the stinger to strike the stone beside the Mystic. With blinding speed he drew a seraph blade from his studded belt and sliced the stinger off of the demon’s tail. As it screamed and writhed in agony, Raz glanced in the direction the arrow came from to see a young hwervag running swiftly to aid them. He smiled in recognition of the creature, and picked up his sword to end his fight with the wounded demon.

The scorpios demon trapped Tai and Aniki between two stones, striking at them with its guillotine claws. Tai tried to fight the demon as best he could, but his magic was useless against the thick scales shielding its body. Now that he was trapped within this small space, he could not shift to the form of the wolf. Faron soon arrived and shot an arrow at the stinger, cutting off the tip from the power of close-range. The demon recoiled just enough for the boys to escape the enclosure, and Tai quickly shifted to his wolven form to tear apart the scorpios with his fangs. Simultaneously, Pyrros used his blazing magic to engulf the last demon in flames, its piercing scream filled the air as its flesh burned alive.

Once all had calmed, Aniki quickly rushed to greet his hwervag friend. “Faron! How did you find us?”

Faron sighed with relief. “It wasn’t too much work. I was searching for you and Veinta through the forest when I came to a place with your’s and Tai’s scent, so I followed that to what I discovered to be the Mystic’s legendary castle, I knew it had to be the one when I noticed those spires. I walked around the place for a while to get a good knowledge of their scent, and followed it from there. It is great to see you my little friend, and Tai as well! And, how exciting, traveling with the Mystic and his followers!” Faron smiled.

“It is. I’ve missed you though, Faron!”

The young hwervag looked to his left at Raz, who was silently watching them. “And you must be the great Mystic, what a pleasure to meet you.” Faron bowed before him.

“Call me Raz, per favore. You need not bow to me, consider me to be a friend rather than a king.” Raz smiled pleasantly.

Faron looked up at him and smiled in surprise. “Well, that I can do, Raz! I suppose you would rather be greeted like this, then.” He stepped forward to shake hands with the friendly Mystic.

Raz chuckled. “Perfecto, Faron. And, it is a pleasure to meet you again as well, the last time I actually met you, you were only a pup. You have grown strong, young one!”

“Oh, well thank you.” Faron nodded shyly.

“Of course. However I should be the one saying grazie to you for helping me there.”

“Oh, that? Nah, I think you would have gotten that thing anyway, a warrior of your skill, from what I’ve heard. That thing signed its will the moment it challenged you.”

The Mystic laughed in amusement, and Faron laughed with him. Aniki smiled, glad that the two seemed to get along quite well already.

“You will be joining us then?” Raz asked hopefully.

“If that is alright with you. Where are you heading? Do you know where Veinta is?”

“We are two weeks away from the dark kingdom of Zorowan, where we hope to find and rescue Veinta and Elwyn.”

Faron’s expression became lined with concern. “So they have been taken by the Dark Forces, just as I feared...”

Raz nodded once to him. “It will be alright. Come, let us move then while we still have daylight.”