The young mage descended the steps into the dank and musty basement. His footsteps echoed off the concrete walls as he crept into the darkness.
There was a door straight ahead. Opening it, he turned left just like Melvlovian (the science facility leader) had instructed him too.
He had apologized to the young mage profusely for incarcerating his parents but at the start of the fight most were going to have to remove their necklaces and take their normal shapes in order to stave off the threat.
Melvin, as the facility leader is often called, felt that the shock would most likely be too much for his mother and father to bear so he had them placed in one of the prison cells. There were no windows so there would be no way for his parent so see and hear what was going on.
They were informed that facility was under attack and there was an initial panic, but Lilabrun (Lila for short) agreed to sit with them and help talk them through the situation. She is the facilities therapist so they could not have been in better hands.
Kyjus had nodded his understanding of the situation but as he remembered back to the conversation that occurred only minutes ago. He hoped that he did not come across in an unappreciative light to the facility leader after hearing of the situation. With him being so focused on getting to his parents it may have come across that way, so he vowed when his parents truly understood what was going on he would revisit Melvin and let him know how much he appreciated his help.
For now, though he needed to see his parents. He rounded a corridor turning right he was going into the bowels of the facility. He walked past the first two doors, stopping at the third he lifted the key from the outside wall and placed it into the lock. Turning the key, he opened the door.
The voices from within stopped. The young mage entered the room to see three sets of eyes intently focused upon him.
"Kyjus", his mother shouted. "My son is that you," she said as she squinted her eyes trying to make out his shape and facial features in the darkness of the room. It was not totally dark mind you but the one torch that burned near the back middle of the room, where they were sitting, did not project the proper light needed for a room the size of the one they were in.
'It is I mother", he responded fighting back tears of joy.
"Thank god it's finally you," she said as she ran to embrace her son.
His father was not far behind but of course he knew it a folly thing to try and weasel time away from Kyjus' mother. Actually, dangerous seemed more the appropriate word now that he thought about it, at any rate he did the intelligent thing and that was to patiently wait to give his son a hug and to tell him how much he missed him.
Immediately both his father and mother knew that something was amiss. Kyjus knew that they would as he could rarely ever get anything passed them.
His clothes and staff were also most probably a dead giveaway, so he led them both over to the table that they had just left and asked them to have a seat.
Lila nodded in his direction. "Master Kyjus I presume. Always a pleasure of course, well I understand you three have much to discuss and I will only be in the way so I will take my leave. You know where my office is located on the third floor should you ever desire anything please stop in and see me," she said as she made her way to the door.
Both of Kyjus' parents thanked her and indicated they would definitely stop by and visit.
Kyjus paced the room a few short moments before he began. It was not because he was thinking of what to say as this conversation had been played out many times in his mind over the last few weeks.
His delay was simply one of nerve I mean how does one tell their parents that they are no longer on their planet of origin. That they are in fact on another world surrounded by strange looking aliens masked by polymorph spells. And lastly how does one tell them that their son is some sort of freak with superpowers.
Kyjus sighed at the seeming futility in all of it. He then looked to both of his parents; they were watching him curiously.
Pulling a chair from the opposite side of the table he pulled it out in front of them he turned the chair around and sat on it backwards.
It was time he knew, so he spilled the entire recent course of events starting with his dreams of an old man with a grey beard and a large staff.
He told them of his near abduction on earth and how that old man (named Syrus) saved him from a vile evil monster on earth and ported him to a place called Desmonia. Of how he was supposed to be of the blood line of very important lineage and that he was called upon by what is known as the Minlavian Council of Elders.
He told them of the reason for the call and of his training on Desmonia. Of how there were two others a Princess Kelsee and a Prince Skarnum, an elf and a Hybonian.
He told them of the evil that threatened the universe and of his reasons for being on this planet and most specifically of their reasons for being removed from earth.
He recanted the last two weeks abroad on this planet, significantly downplaying the dangerous parts of course.
"And that is pretty much the last six months of my life, except that I missed you both very much," which he said with a half hoping all is well sort of smile.
His dad sort of laughed as he looked at his son. "You honestly expect us to believe that story. I mean come on son, whatever you have done we can talk about it and resolve it as a family just like we always have".
His mom was about to say something when the door opened, and a tall slender old man walked in. His hood was closed about him so that you could only see the gray in his beard.
"I am afraid your son is telling the truth," the figure said as he walked up to Kyjus parents. Slowly he removed his hood.
"You," his father said in an accusatory tone. "You're the one that practically abducted us and brought us to god knows where telling us that our lives were in danger."
"And they were dad, you have to believe me," Kyjus pleaded.
"Right, Right from the Dylonian's or Doppelganger thingies or whatever they were called."
"I am sorry son this is a bit over my head. I do admit though this place is very weird. There are many things here that I have not been able to rationalize or explain to myself. To believe that I am the first earthling to set foot on an entirely different world," his father paused and sighed.
"I am sorry son but that is just more than I can fathom, and you know I am always trying to see the improbable or illogical in situations," his father slumped down upon his chair beaten by the course of events.
"You know young master I find that sometimes seeing is believing, perhaps a demonstration is in order" Syrus said to Kyjus.
Kyjus smiled. "You can't be serious."
Syrus gave him an of course I am look so Kyjus stood to oblige him.
Focusing on the darkness in the room Kyjus enacted his cone of light spell, "Producius Lumiere," he said with some intensity in his voice.
His mother and father were slightly impressed with the light coming from his staff, but you could still tell there were reservations or feelings of doubt that still registered on their faces.
"Still not convinced," Syrus asked assuming they were not convinced.
Both stood there dumfounded not really knowing what to say before Kyjus' mother finally managed to shake her head.
"Perhaps something with a bit more flare," Syrus said with a smile.
So Kyjus went through every summoning spell he knew. He summoned water, wine, bread, fruit, arrows, and many other trivial items. His parents sat through it almost as if it were a magic act, they were astounded but the almost felt it was more illusory then real magic.
Finally, his father posed a question to hopefully end the silliness or so he had thought.
"I am sorry, but our son is crucial to the success of this prophecy, but I really can't understand how his ability to summon these items," he said as he gestured towards the table. "I just do not see how this can be on any use in the war you foretell of occurring."
"Quite right you are good sir. It would appear they are going to need a more commanding demonstration," Syrus said to the young mage.
"You can't bloody be serious Syrus. We are not in an absorption chamber, a real spell could kill us all," he said with a dramatic demeanor.
"Absolutely I am serious, but I am sure we can come up with a something in the middle, now don't be shy. Here let me prep them for what's to come, shall we," he questioned the young mage.
Kyjus nodded not really sure what else to do or say.
Syrus took his parents over to a spot in the wall. He asked them to feel the stone to make sure it was solid. He also asked them to make sure there was nothing around the stone or protruding from it.
Curiously they both did as instructed.
As Syrus was going through his conversation with the young mages parents, Kyjus was going over in his head what spell he was going to decide to try and cast. In the end magic missile won out. It of course was not one of his more impressive spells but using spells of ice and fire in an enclosed space such as the room they were in could be very tricky and potentially dangerous.
Syrus finished his conversation with his parents, moved them away from the targeted area a few feet and then walked over to where the neophyte stood.
"Have you decided on a spell young master," he asked trying not to sound too concerned by the choice.
"Magic Missile," he responded. He waited for a response prior to starting his incantation.
"A most excellent choice, I was hoping we were not going to get too hot or cold with your choice. If this does not work however, I do have a few other tricks up my sleeve," the old mage said as he winked toward Kyjus.
Kyjus began his incantation waving his staff at the target. He visualized the spot on the wall where he wanted the bolts to strike. It was a circular pattern roughly a foot in diameter.
"Arcana Projectilas", the young mage said projecting his voice and stretching his staff until it was pointed directly at his target.
Six bolts of electrical energy shot forth from the young mages staff. Each bolt was followed by a slight whoosh sound, a crackle, and a very distinctive thud as they slammed into the wall.
Kyjus parents stood awestruck unable to move. Kyjus lowered his staff as he and the Arch Magi moved in to see his handiwork.
His parents also moved to get a closer view.
On the wall in a very near perfect circle (perfect to an untrained eye) the bolts were embedded into the wall.
"Is this the pattern you were going for young master," Syrus asked a bit excitedly.
"Yes, I was trying to get them in a circle," was the response.
"That is amazing son, I mean that is a really neat trick," his father said, and his mother nodded her agreement.
His father tugged on the bolts, and they would not budge. He studied the stone looking for something he may have overlooked earlier. All that he could see were scorch marks that were not there earlier and of course the bolts.
"Well, I can assure you sure it is no trick. That spell is quite deadly. I would also like to say young master that you performed it most excellently. It takes some mages years upon years to get a perfect circle and although yours is off by a percent or two that is still quite remarkable," Syrus said as he patted his young friend on the back.
"As for you two I can see that you need more convincing so I guess I am going to have to see what we can do about that," Syrus said as he pulled a communication crystal out of his pocket.
Kyjus' mother and father simply looked at each other not knowing how to respond.
"Lady Czelak, are you there.? The old mage paused before he continued, "if you are there can I have please have a moment" he said into the crystal.
A few seconds later a light sphere formed over the device and a second or two after that a holographic projection appeared in the spheres middle. Syrus then replaced the device in its holder that sat upon the table.
"Yes, Syrus I was hoping I would hear from you soon," the projection said to the old mage that stood in front of her.
"What is that" Kyjus father interrupted.
"Todd", Kyjus' mother said as she hit him in the arm. "Use your manners, I don't care where we are and what's going on there is no excuse for that.
"For your information I am Czelak the Leader of the Minlavian Council. Who might you…," the council leader paused as she now realized the confusion of the situation?
"Ah yes I am guessing you are our up-and-coming mages parents. My apologies for my outburst but I am not accustomed to such insolence from my subordinates," the council leader said with only minor disdain
With that Kyjus' father simply squirmed and said nothing but Kyjus mother got a chuckle out of the whole encounter. Kyjus father was a good man but sometimes he simply needed to be put in his place she smiled as she thought it.
"Well, I am sure you have questions so hopefully I can answer some of them and quell the doubts you are now feeling. Kyjus himself was quite skeptical a little over six months ago but I think that his doubt has all but vanished," the council leader said as she and the whole room looked toward Kyjus.
Kyjus affirmed the statement with a nod of his head.
The council leader continued. "As I was saying I think I can help but first a few questions I have will need answered."
Kyjus parents looked at each other and then to Kyjus. This was a weird situation they were in and getting weirder every minute. But perhaps for now it was best if they just went along with it, they both thought to themselves as they nodded toward the image.
"Todd and…." The council leader let the statement hang.
"Whitney," his mother responded in a kind tone.
"Ah thank you, now as I said I think I can help but I have some questions about your lineage or ancestry if you will.
"Mr. McFadden if you don't mind me asking how far back can you trace your ancestors," the council leader asked with mild curiosity?
"Since right before Jesus Christ was born, much before that it gets confusing and unreliable," he responded.
"Interesting, OK same question for you Mrs. McFadden."
"Not quite so far back but I believe I have tracked it to around the sixth century before the lineage seems to just stop," Kyjus mother responded.
"I thought as much, it stops at a lady by the name of Guinevere Ambrosia with no father or mother listed for her if I am correct in my observation."
"That's amazing, did you research my family? How do you know this," she asked curiously?
"No, I did not look but I know the story only too well. I learned it from a firsthand source not something I had to read about let me assure you. It all started around the year 516 AD near the Battle of Annales. King Arthur and his friend since birth Merlin were at war with the Saxon."
"The battle raged for a long twenty years with Merlin and King Arthur fighting off the evil traitor Mordred and the Saxons. In the end around 536 BC after both King Arthur and Mordred were killed in what was deemed an epic battle. It was then that Merlin's reasons for staying in England diminished,"
"A young King Lancelot took up the battle for the kingdom at the point and with Mordred dead and his dragon vanquished, the need for Merlin and his magic was all but nonexistent. Truth be told Lancelot feared what he did not understand so Merlin was banished," with me so far she asked of Kyjus' mom.
Kyjus mother nodded but had a concern, "my ancestry comes from Scotland though not England."
"I am getting to that part. It was at this time that Merlin went to Scotland," the council leader said continuing her story. "Not long after arriving in the new land he married a Scottish girl. He was getting close to seventy, but his wife was but half his age. His wife's name was Isla, she was said to be beautiful. They had one child, a girl."
"Merlin was happy, but he missed the thrill of battle and the use of magic and felt as if he was quickly becoming an old man. He was approached by a several men sent by the Minlavian council. He was afforded the opportunity to be relocated to a place where he could use his talents. Actually, I am getting a bit ahead of myself. Let me back up a bit," the council leader said a bit flustered with her current situation.
"I guess it really started some thirty years prior to that when Mordred and his red dragon were wreaking havoc with the realm of Camelot. As I mentioned Merlin was a great wizard and he managed to vanquish the dragon from your world. Well as you can very well imagine this banishment did not sit well with Old Musky (the red dragon). Without a powerful wizard to remove the banishment spell or to call him into your world the dragon was helpless to exact any personal revenge." The council leader paused as it looked as if the father had a question.
"Yes" she said to Todd trying not to sound too irritated.
"So, you are saying at one time magic, and dragons were once on my planet, the planet Earth," he asked more than a little concerned by the information he was being presented.
The council leader nodded indicating this is indeed what she meant.
"You realize how crazy you people sound," Kyjus' father said trying to not sound hysterical but failing miserably.
The council was about to get firm with her guest but luckily for Todd, Kyjus stepped in to try and help diffuse the situation.
"Father I can understand your hesitancy and disbelief as I too was much the same way some six months ago. Let me assure you though with what I have seen over the last six months this is all quite real. There are many other races, monsters, spells, and wizards and the like and yes let me assure you there are also most probably dragons," the young mage said trying to sound as convincing as possible.
"Most probably" his mother responded concerned.
"Well yes mam, while I have not actually seen a dragon, but we did see and fight a Wyvern which is a creature that is most assuredly in the dragon family," he said with some excitement.
Of course, this did not produce the result that Kyjus was hoping for as his mother turned to Syrus. "You let my son battle a Wyvern", she said scornfully as she repeatedly smacked the shoulders of the old mage.
"Well yes madam but I felt it the better option of the two as the only other option would have been to let it eat us," he said frantically as he tried to avoid the frantic smacks of the somewhat hysterical women.
"It would have been better not to be in that situation at all," Kyjus' mother said frantically.
"Well yes mam I quite agree but let me assure you it was quite necessary if were to complete our quest," Syrus said choosing to not bring up the fact that this quest was in fact secretly given to them by the council.
Kyjus' mother was going to say something else but again their son interrupted. "Mother, Father I can understand your concern but you're just going to have to accept some things on faith and know that they are beyond all of our control. Now if we can get back to the Council leader and the task at hand," the young mage said to his parents.
His mother smiled. While she did particularly like what her son had said to her, she could not deny the bravado with which it was said. Whatever happened to her son over the last few months it certainly helped his lack of confidence issue.
The council leader nodded her thanks to the young mage and then continued. "Now where was I, oh yes now the dragon could not get back to Earth with the banishment spell himself but that did not mean he could not open the portal to your world and send others through. With the animosity he felt towards Merlin that is exactly what Ole Musky did."
"The year was 522 BC, and the place was somewhere near the borders of England and Scotland. The great wyrm had sent many a force through the gateways he had been projecting. For how long he did this we do not know. Our dear Merlin met with some resistance one day he was out on a picnic with his beloved wife and daughter. He was able to port his daughter to a safe location, but his wife gave up her life so that their daughter could live," the council leader said with a shaky voice as telling this story always made her sad.
"By all accounts Merlin provided the Orcs and Dylonian's with another epic fight destroying all but a small contingent of the scum. His plan was to follow them back to the gateway into whatever world they came from for the old wizard knew beyond a shadow a doubt that they were not from his planet. It was then that a small contingent from Minlas met with him and proceeded to talk to him into coming back with them. For years Merlin helped the cause including once again banishing the same evil red dragon from Minlas. It was a glorious day indeed for all races when the dragon war was over.
"In regards to your Ancestry line, Isla's child was cared for by a couple in the village where Merlin and Isla had chosen to live. You mustn't feel too sorry for the child as she was treated most excellently by the couple as they had longed for kids for so long but were unable to have any of their own. Her name was Guinevere Ambrosia. She was named after King Arthur's delightful wife." The council leader paused at this point and waited for a response.
"So, you're saying," Kyjus' mom paused for a second to think about what she had just been told.
"I am saying that your family is a direct descendent of Merlin Ambrosia. Your blood, his blood," she said as she pointed at young Kyjus, "is descended from one of the greatest mages of any time."
"I always thought Merlin was a wives tale or just a story that was added to the tale of King Arthur to make it more interesting," Kyjus father said somewhat confused as to what was going on.
"No, I can assure you that he was quite real," the council leader Czelak responded.
"Wait a minute Merlin died a little over one hundred and seventy-five years ago. How could he do what you have described, he would have been almost two thousand years old," Kyjus said now very curious at the recent events.
"Excellent question young master and the answer is quite interesting let me assure you. When Merlin was summoned to our world, there was a destabilization spell placed upon the gateway that was used to pull Merlin from Earth so when his group ported through the gate they ended up coming back to Minlas in Earth year 1683 AD. He died in 1852 AD and although he was more than twenty-three hundred years old technically, he had actually only lived two hundred and twenty-seven of those years," the council leader said with a charming smile.
Only!!!, How in the world did a human live to be two hundred and twenty-seven years old, that is not possible according to Earth standards," Kyjus father blurted out a bit impulsively.
"Magic and potions make many things possible. I would think you are learning that" she said as she nodded toward his son and Syrus
She then continued as if her recent declaration was no big deal "Merlin kept to Minlas after the end of the dragon wars and went on to doing all of those wonderful things you read about. He never knew what happened to the daughter that he was forced to orphan, and there was no way to get back to her time to find out.
He did manage to research his young child and found out that his daughter had gotten married to a local lord and lived happily in Scotland," the council leader's voice was breaking up a bit, so she eased up on the details.
"There is one final thing. There is a letter penned by Merlin himself and addressed to his ancestors. He was quite the show –off prognosticator and knew that you would all be in this cell someday. Syrus if you could go to the far corner. There is a loose stone there pull it out and hand them the envelope that lay behind it."
Syrus did as he was told appearing quite surprised by the council leader's request.
He brought the letter back to Kyjus' mother and handed it to her.
She was shaking a bit as she opened the letter.
Dear Future Ancestors,
"I hope this letter is finding you in good health. I apologize for the spot you have been put in and more importantly I apologize for abandoning our family oh so many years ago.
It was selfish of me to leave Scotland in pursuit of my dreams, and I hope that somewhere deep in your heart you will someday be able to forgive me of the wrongs I have committed.
I have placed a document in the care of the council leader, and she will get this to you when you are safe on Desmonia.
This document will detail our family history from almost one thousand years prior to the birth of our lord up until the birth of Guinevere.
She also has a few spells for the mage among you. They were personal to me but hardly any use in battle yet still they were amusing to me, so I include them in my gift.
The prophecy is near I am told and one among you has just tested your worth if my prognostication is worth anything.
Congratulations on a job well done and many more to come, I hope.
Again, my sincerest apologies.
A joyful life to you and yours.
Merlin
Kyjus' mother looked at Syrus and then to the council leader and then back to Syrus. She did not really know what to say as she was still somewhat unsure as to what just happened. The letter was old and obviously had sat unmoved behind the stone for quite some time.
"Well hopefully that helps clear things up a bit," Syrus said to both of the young mages parents.
It was all too real for Kyjus' mother as she for whatever reason, always suspected something grand from her family ancestry albeit she did not anticipate something quite so grand. Her son was to be a powerful mage. That was astonishing in itself but that he had gotten this from her bloodline just seemed impossible.
Kyjus' dad was not convinced however and regrettable as it may be his demeanor was one that still showed it. "I am not sure what you mean by clear. Things just don't make sense to me. I mean I am supposed to believe that my son is to be a great wizard and that we are not on earth anymore and that the beings around us are not really human. That is all a bit much for me I am afraid."
"Actually, your son is to be a great mage. There is a difference you know. Your confusion is understandable; perhaps a tour of the facility would be in order. Maybe you can meet some of the folks you already think you have met," the old mage asked with a bit of a smile on his lips.
This met with confused looks as they had been here a month or more already and had seen most of what the facility, inside the gates, had to offer. And what did he mean by meet the folks we think we met, Kyjus parents pondered its meaning.
The old mage then proceeded to talk into the gem on the table. He said something that Kyjus' parents could not quite make out and then he disappeared out the cell door.
They followed him down two long corridors and then up the stone steps. Opening a heavy door, they entered the main lobby of the facility.
To their surprise they were now seeing a lot of various creatures that were not there before. They were in the same place but now seeing a human among the crowd was rare. Instead, there were various different races in all different shapes, styles and sizes.
"How is this possible," Kyjus' father asked but the question was directed to no one in particular.
"Their true appearance was masked by spell inserted into a magical gem that they wore around their neck. It sent a signal to the bracelet they fashioned to your wrists which I am only assuming but I guess they can be taken off now," Kyjus said as he peered towards Syrus.
"Right, you are young master of course that will have to wait for Rena our facility manager as she has the keys. Perhaps we will see her on the tour," Syrus said as he navigated the McFadden family through the facility.
They once again met all of the people that they had already been introduced too. Kyjus' mother was surprised at how many folks persona's better fit their new appearance versus that of their human holograph.
Of course, Kyjus' father was just genuinely surprised. This left Kyjus feeling confused as he had always thought his dad would be better prepared for this type of news but instead it was his mother that fully embraced it and his father was left dazed and confused about the recent events.
It was several hours later when the tour was done that the group found Rena. She was very pleased to hear that the bracelets could be removed as they were no longer necessary. Rena was one of the few humans at the facility, so her appearance did not change but she felt better removing the bracelets, nonetheless.
The night waned as did the morning, afternoon, and evening of the following day. There were no occurrences at the facility, nor did they expect one with the demon banished.
This brought a thought up to Kyjus as he approached Syrus. "Would you have time for a question sir?"
The arch magi paused and looked around as if looking for someone or something.
"My father is off helping the herb gatherers dry the herbs and perform some basic alchemy on some of the simpler potions and elixirs. I think he has finally adjusted to the fact that we are not on Earth and to be honest I think some small part of him already knew this but refused to admit it," the young mage paused.
"As for my mother she is helping Rena and a few of the facilities mages care for some of the injured of the battle. Which reminds me, I was told to tell you that Flodius is doing well and will be able to return home soon," the young mage said with a smile as this information pleased him.
Syrus smiled. "Thanks, that is good to hear, young master," he said as he motioned for the Kyjus to follow.
They headed out the front door and down the steps. Heading to the left they passed the side of the building and made their way over to the stables.
There were two horses there already mounted and ready to ride. "I anticipated the need for us to converse and I can think of no better way to do it then riding out in the forest. I am sure we will be safe," Syrus said with a smile.
Kyjus did not doubt a word of it.