The Necromancer's Wand: Rise of the Phoenix

As Monday morning came, we all rose early. I stood before my small group of followers to go over the plan. “Many will already be at the conference,” I started. “Posed as citizens and some within Wynonna’s campaign itself.

We will take positions on the roof, of a building, across from the courthouse. When I see the perfect time to strike, I will give off a signal. Upon which, you all will help the others with the guards as I confront Wynonna.

Are there any questions about the plan?” No one seemed to have anything to say, meaning everyone understood. “Good, relax for now...I will let you know when it is time.”

Gemma came up to me as the rest returned to their tents. “May I have a word, alone, my lord?” she asked with a bit of concern in her voice.

“We can speak in my tent,” I replied. We turned and walked together. As we entered my tent, I turned to face her. “Is everything alri...” I started. However, she cut me off by quickly sliding my mask up and placing a kiss upon my lips.

I embraced her kiss, passionately. My heart pounding like drums in my chest. She made me feel like no other. As our lips disconnected, “What was that for?” I asked in surprise with a grin.

“It is for good luck,” she explained.

I now understood the hidden meaning behind the kiss. “You fear you may lose me?”

“I...I do. I must admit...I have never known...”

“Affection,” I finished. “Both of us were abandoned by our parents, never truly experiencing first hand love.”

“Exactly, so it is hard to say if I...love you. But I do know, I care for you immensely.” Gemma stared me right into the eyes. “I would even go as far as to say, I’d happily die for you...my lord.”

“Corvin,” I corrected. “You may call me Corvin...only you.” She responded with her beautiful, flawless, smile. I brought my hand to her rosy cheek, lightly brushing up against it.

“And, worry not about my duel with Wynonna,” I reassured. “The members of the council are past their point of prime. They will be a challenge, there is no doubt in that. In the end though, I shall be the victor.

Return to the others and wait for the order,” I finished as I slid the mask back down my face. “The hour is close at hand.”

“We will speak after your victory.” She walked out of my tent. I meditated for the remaining time we had, focusing myself for the duel.

As noon approached, I gathered them and we started our journey for Wicked City Hall. We formed a circle out front of the warehouse. “The Wicked City Post Office is a street over from the city hall,” I stated.

“We will teleport out front of the post office, make our way through the alley, and take vantage point on the roof of the building across from city hall. Are you ready my friends?” They all agreed that they were. “Good, then to Wicked City!”

We teleported from the warehouse to the post office. The street was free of people, as expected, for cheering could be heard from the street over. “Come,” I commanded as I laid eyes on the entrance into the alley.

As I walked toward the alley, they followed close behind. There was a minor teleporting spell, known as Flickering. It was done by simply flicking your wand at a spot, near or far, and instantly teleporting to that spot.

Flickering was great for hopping, in quick succession, distances to travel from one part of a city to another. However, if someone was one the run from the law, they wouldn’t want to Flicker because of how short ranged it was and it was a traceable spell....meaning your movements could tracked.

As we made our way, halfway down the alley, I aimed my wand at the roof of the building to my left. With the slight flick of the wand, I vanished from the alley in a puff of black smoke. The smoke reformed me on the roof, doing a successful Flicker.

The others appeared, on the roof, in the same way. Not all Flickers were the same though. It all depended on that particular witch or wizard. Ours were of black smoke because our magic reflects the dark path we have chosen.

We walked toward the front of the building, facing city hall. I gazed out, over the ledge, at the massive crowd standing in the center of town. I motioned for everyone to get low, so we wouldn’t be easily spotted.

I kneeled as the others laid flat on their bellies. We stayed in this position until the faithful moment came, when the city hall clock tower sounded that noon was upon us. We watched as Wynonna, wearing a graceful sparkling emerald dress, made her way slowly out of the building.

The cheers of the crowd grew to roars as she made her way to the podium to give her speech. Once the clock tower dinged a twelfth time, Wynonna raised her hand and silence fell over Wicked City.

“Hello citizens of Wicked City,” she started with a smile. “As you know, I have served the council and our great nation for the last two decades...”

I tuned out her speech as I realized it was the perfect time to strike. “Now my brothers,” I said, standing up. They quickly got up to their feet as well. Still holding my wand, I extend my hand out over the ledge toward city hall.

“Alarra!” I cast. The Aura Spell creates the caster’s insignia, typically out of an element. Usually, a royal or noble house member, such as myself, would cast a Aura that depicted the beasts of our last names. Micah’s Aura should be a Manticore like Damien’s is probably a Drake.

A massive green flame burst in the air, a few feet from my wand. The cursed flames swirled about, forming itself into a large Phoenix. My Aura was altered from my dark nature. As the Phoenix let out a terrible screech, civilian screams filled the air.

The Phoenix flew down over the crowd, before dispersing and vanishing altogether. The crowd scattered and began fleeing for safety. I watched as Wynonna started backing away from the podium as my people, down below, opened fire on her guards.

“Help the others,” I demanded. “I have somewhere I need to be.”

I aimed my wand at the base of the stairs that led to city hall. I flickered from the roof, reappearing at the stairs. I made my way up the stairs, hearing commotion coming from all directions.

As I approached the final steps, my gaze was met by Wynonna’s, standing near the main entrance into city hall. Her eyes were filled with fear and shock. However, as I reached the top, she quickly strengthened her inner resolve.

We walked toward one another, stopping a few feet from each other. “Corvin Phoenix, I presume?” she greeted.

“And you...are the legendary Wynonna Wiccen,” I stated.

“Indeed...which means I will not go down so easily.”

She quickly removed her wand, of a jade color that matched her dress. “Decimate!” she cast.

As a green beam of energy shot from her wand, I held mine out firmly, “Aegis!” I chanted. A barrier formed around me just as the beam struck it. The beam was strong enough that the force was pushing me backward, scrapping the barrier along the ground.

Once the beam ceased, I noticed the barrier was surrounded by thick smoke. I halted my barrier, immediately casting Lumis. As the ball of light formed on the tip of my wand, “Nova Supris,” I cast.

The ball sparked as its energy grew out of control. I cast the ball toward, where I remember seeing, Wynonna. As I stepped out of the smoke, I saw Wynonna on the ground. She dove out of the way of my attack, instead it collided with city hall.

As the ball detonated with an massive explosion, the building began to shake as cracks formed throughout its structure. Wynonna looked up from the ground as the building began to cave and crumble.

Chunks of the building started falling all around us. Wynonna aimed her wand in the distance and flickered, in a ray of light, away from city hall. She appeared, standing, further down the street.

I flickered after her, just a small distance behind. “Where do you think your going?” I jokingly asked.

“You are a blight on our world...one that I shall purge myself,” she snarled. She started moving, and I braced for an attack. However, she aimed her wand toward the colossal statue of Amadeus Lockhart, the first member of the 12th Century Elder Council.

Amadeus’s statue is depicted as him holding his Elder Wand over Wicked City. She flickered from the street and I saw as she appeared on the arm of the statue holding the wand. I followed her, flickering and resurfacing on the tip of the statue’s wand.