"What are your plans Council Leader," Chocc said as he entered the council meeting room.
"The battle at Hummerdell is over and victory is ours. It seems our adventurers were better prepared than even I imagined. It's a good thing too as none of us had any idea that they would be facing a demon from the abyss. And not just any demon a balor, one of the most powerful of all demons," the council leader said with a hint of pride in her tone.
"Yes, admittedly that is quite an accomplishment. It seems from what I heard that you were right in sending the gnomes on this endeavor. I hear the cleric was vital to bringing down the vile beast," responded Chocc.
"Yes, but the cost," the council leader sighed. "To lose one as gifted and as wonderful as General Hawthorne, it was a victory, but it came at a terrible price."
"He was a great warrior and a wonderful Elf it's true. I don't think Hawk would have wanted it any other way though."
This statement brought a look of concern from the council leader, so Chocc continued his explanation.
"Great warriors do not fear death as it is the gateway to the world of promise. To die in battle is a good thing but to die in battle defeating a foe so mighty in an attempt to save those that you love is the pinnacle of an already brilliant career. His gateway into the afterlife will be unblemished," the councilman said with a smile.
"Not all warriors believe that sort of nonsense you know that right. Some just believe their death to be simply that a death. Nothing more," the council leader responded in kind.
She was somewhat irritated at Chocc's arrogance but at the same time she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that if you would have told the general what was too come should he make the trip to Scorched Earth it would have mattered little.
She knew that even if he were to know he was to die, if his death meant saving his friends and winning the first battle of a promised long and treacherous war. It would change nothing.
There were a few brief and awkward moments of silence. "Yet despite whether or not Hawk believed in your gateway to an afterlife, I believe this to be somewhat immaterial for I feel that Hawk would have changed nothing of the battle even if he knew what the outcome would be. He would gladly give his life to help those that were dear to him. To help the cause was worth dying for, he told me this much when I asked him to accompany our adventurers. No, I cannot say who or what he believed but I can say he died a hero and for that he will have a heroes funeral," she said to Chocc who was now smiling a bit.
"Our adventurers plus two will be on their way here, even now they prepare for the long journey back to Chateau Villette. Once there they will activate the transport spell with the help of the gateway chamber. They will arrive here in about ten days. A few days after they return, we will give hawk a proper funeral before we send his body back to the elves," the council leader said somewhat saddened by the entire situation.
Chocc nodded and left the room. It was clear the council leader needed to be alone with her thoughts.
* * * *
"You have questions or concerns for me young master," Syrus said as they cleared the northern gates and made their way around the outer perimeter.
"Yes, after the battle with the demon someone said something about it being banished. I believe it was Deemus. I am confused about that, does that mean that the aberration is not dead," the young mage asked somewhat concerned with the answer he was to receive.
"Regrettably young master yes it means that the balor is not dead. He was simply vanquished back to his own plane of existence."
"Fear not though," the old mage quickly continued as he saw the fraught look upon Kyjus' face.
"He has been vanquished from this plane for at least one hundred years and even then, for the next nine hundred after that he can only return if someone calls his name specifically. He cannot be propelled through a random doorway," the Arch Magi said with a bit of a smile.
"Well, I guess that is something."
"It is indeed young master. Dare I say that his return to the abyss was probably also most unpleasant as he returned very much weakened so any demons that were anxious to move up in stature may have taken a shot at him could they find him soon enough. It's all tough to say but the one thing I am sure of is we most likely will not see that particular demon in our lifetimes," the old mage said with a smile.
The young mage sat back in his saddle and enjoyed the leisurely trot for a bit before going into his next line of questions.
"So, what is next and when will it happen," Kyjus asked failing to mask his curious nature.
"To be honest with you young master I am not entirely sure. We will head for my chateau in the next day or two. From there we will head back to Desmonia. The council leader has a plan I am sure but what it entails she has not yet mentioned so I am a bit at a loss of where things go from here."
The young mage could see the honesty in the old mages eyes and knew it to be the truth. It would seem they would have to wait for the council leader to make the call for the next wave of attacks against the Dylonian empire.
"Perhaps some Alchemy would take your mind off of things. My stocks are getting low, and I can think of no place better to resupply them," the old mage said with a smile.
Kyjus and Syrus made their way back to the science facility where they spent the remainder of the evening gathering dried herbs, oils, and other reagents to restock their supply of elixirs and potions.
After a brief conversation with the council leader Syrus informed the group that early the following day they would set out via horseback towards the town of Borensia. They would be taking a more southerly approach in an attempt to avoid the Eerikye. There was no point in pressing any good fortune with the birdmen.
All agreed.
Flodius went with the group when they left the following morning. There were well-wishers and many grateful others present to see the group go. The group consisted of the four mages, (Syrus, Magus, Kyjus and Flodius) Princess Kelsee, Prince Skarnum, Deemus, Weemus, Gabby and Kyjus' parents (Todd and Whitney).
Of course, Flodius was not yet well enough to ride all day so a cart was brought so that he may sleep and lie down as often as necessary. Spirits were high as they entered a large section of caves near the Ellstein River.
Weemus knew this area to be plentiful with fish and bears and would be a perfect fit for his large friend. Reigning in his pony, for gnomes are far too short to ride full sized horses, he asked the group for a few minutes.
Confused at first Syrus looked to the little ranger for some answers but when he looked to the long-saddened face of Weemus and the fact that he was leading Gabby up into the caves he had his answer before he ever had to ask the question.
Syrus called for a dismounting and a break. "Take all the time you need little friend," he said to a quickly disappearing gnome and bear.
It was nearly thirty minutes later that the little ranger returned. His eyes were reddened from the sadness of losing so dear a friend. He knew this was for the best though and so did Gabby. In no time she was foraging the cliff sides for food and heading to the stream for a dip in the water and a possible meal of fish to go with the berries she had just eaten.
With the appearance of the little ranger the old mage climbed upon his horse. "Shall we depart", he said to no one in particular. The little range nodded yes in response and mounted his pony.
Deemus, the ever-worrying brother that he was, stopped by his brother's mount. "Here he said as he handed him a sandwich and a canteen of water. We all took a minute to eat while you were saying goodbye. You should eat something as well," he said with a smile.
Weemus thanked his brother kindly for he was truly famished.
The procession of adventurers followed the river until the town of Teresan was in sight. The group then made an immediate turn and headed due east.
This course of action served two purposes. The first of course was to avoid the delay caused by prying guards of the town. And the second was that their destination (Borensia) was still many miles to the north.
They had went several days travel out of their way heading south but since that choice had kept them out of Eerikye territory and any possible thoughts of retribution it was well worth the loss of time.
Besides from what the council leader had said in her last communication they were no longer in any great hurry.
The days went by as the group traversed the beautiful countryside of valley south of scorched earth. There were no signs of the birdmen or any attacks over the next week, nor did any in the party expect there to be.
When the gates of Borensia were in sight there was a collective sigh of relief from all riding near her gates. The soldiers and townsfolk were glad to have their mage back.
Captain Skye saw to it that each of the adventurers was properly outfitted with food, water, and any other necessary equipment. They exchanged their horses for a couple of mules to pull the carts, but the rest of the return trip would have to be on foot.
They stayed that evening at a local inn. The tab was picked up by Flodius and the local Lord. There was a party in the heroes honor. By now the great deeds of the Heroes of Eight, for that is what they were being called, were well known throughout the town.
The party was grand but with the loss of one of the heroes in the battle there was a bit of luster missing. The heroes did their best to not show any disappointment at their loss, but it was still somewhat evident to all who knew that one of the heroes had fallen in the battle with the demon.
The heroes retired around the hour of midnight as they knew they had an early morning. Yet the party still raged on without them. Truth be told the townsfolk looked for any excuse to party and the heroes had given them just the right opportunity.
In fact, some were still partying when the heroes were departing the following morning. Syrus and Magus chuckled at the sight. They said their goodbyes to the brave soldiers and the lone mage that walked them to the gate.
"May the path of the light shine and give you guidance," Flodius said to the group as they turned to leave on the trail heading to the north.
"Until we see each other again my brother," Syrus said as he hugged Flodius and moved to the front of the party.
Flodius pulled aside Kyjus and looked deeply into the young boys eyes. "Never stop trying to learn, never stop your creative thinking and above all else never ever let anyone tell you what you can accomplish. Your drive and your heart are stuff of legends don't let anyone tell you different," the Arch Magi said with a smile.
The young mage returned the smile glad to hear the kind words spoken.
* * * *
They entered the cave that would take them through the mountain. The cool air that moved through the place was quite a refreshing change from the hot midday sun. They passed the hobgoblin room without incident or without even as much as a sign from the creatures.
Was this because of a communication via crystal from Flodius, Lyla remembering their last encounter, or the hobgoblins vacating the camp? The group really did not know, nor did they care. All simply smiled at the luck.
The party continued on delving toward the bottom of the mountain. Heading down toward where they battled the wyvern and basilisks. Syrus could sense movement from parallel corridors, but he said little to the others. No sense in causing a fuss as it was most likely nothing, he thought to himself.
He was of course wrong he realized this as soon as the group walked into the open cavern. The family of hobgoblins some thirty or so strong now stood blocking their path.
Lyla exited the main cavern within the large cave. "Master Syrus, I was foretold of your coming by the orb. I understand you have slain the master of the beast that stole our home. There is now no longer a chance of something returning to claim it. For this we are eternally grateful. I am sending scouts ahead to make sure your passage through the upper levels goes on without incident. Be at ease knowing that clan Kabikuk is looking out for you," the female hobgoblin said with a gruesome smile.
Syrus nodded his sincerest thanks.
Throughout the entire conversation Kyjus was deathly afraid that his father would say something stupid and cause a war with the clan but to his credit he stood there unfazed by the events going on around him. Apparently, he had finally accepted they weren't on Earth any longer.
True to her word the ascent to the upper levels leading to the outside world occurred without incident. Syrus smiled and bowed to the cave entrance thanking the hobgoblins that were in hiding, watching to make sure the adventurers left their territory.
There were only a few hours left of daylight left but they were on their final leg of the journey so Syrus' chateau would soon be in sight.
The final few miles of the journey also went by without incident. When the party entered the back door of Chateau Villette a large gangly Gnoll sat upon the couch.
"Ahh Oloff so good to see you again," Syrus said to his groundskeeper.
"I think we will bathe, eat and sleep here for the night if that is quite fine with you. We can get started tomorrow morning," Syrus said to the figure sat upon his couch.
The gangly gnoll nodded his understanding.
The evening came and went. The McFadden's attempted to adjust to their surroundings and more specifically to the differences in the people that surrounded them. Had it not been for those not-so-subtle differences this place would have been very much like earth.
They laughed and joked as they talked about past accomplishments. They drank and made merry carefully avoiding the topic of what was too come.
The sun rose and the birds chirped as the adventurers loaded the wagons for transport.
Kyjus returned the books he had borrowed from Syrus. With a smile the old mage accepted them and replaced them upon one of his many shelves filled full of books.
There was some securing and locking of doors and some spells cast to keep out would be intruders. Once done, the party leisurely made their way toward the crystal's launch circle (gateway back to Desmonia).
Hours later the group found themselves being whisked away from Chateau Villette and the place Syrus called home.
* * * *
The group was soon magically transported to the magical gate room on Desmonia. If there was any doubt of the authenticity of Kyjus and Syrus' story it soon fled as the group materialized in the detached gate room. From their current vantage point, they could see what was often referred to as the mechanical or steel planet. One could also see the originating planet's surface of Minlas, it was fairly obvious the group had withdrawn from its gracious confines.
Kyjus' father was in awe at the site as he exited the glass room from whence, they had arrived. There were many more and many different types of races on the space station they called Desmonia.
He gathered his wits about him enough to fetch his things and follow the others. They put their things in one of several of the wooden carts that were made available. After their things were secure on the cart, they fell in behind the vehicles to follow them to their intended destination.
Each arrival was introduced or reacquainted with their servants which was more than difficult for Kyjus who now knew the truth about his little gnome friend. But to their credits both resumed their prior roles without question or concern.
An hour or so had gone by when there was a knock-on Kyjus' door. He had just finished unpacking and proceeded into the main forum when he overheard Weemus. "Aye, we will head their immediately."
Minutes later they were making their way down the stairs out of the main chamber area. Syrus, Magus, and his parents were gathered in the chamber's foyer.
This is a walk the young mage had made before. In a matter of ten minutes or so they were standing in front of the main chamber of the Minlavian council.
Two dwarves stood guard. They parted to allow the group to enter the chamber. In the middle of the room sat Council Leader Czelak. She motioned for them to have a seat.
"So good of you to join us," she said to Kyjus' mother and father.
"I did not think we had a choice," his father responded in a somewhat solemn tone.
"True enough," she responded with a chuckle. "Yet seeing how we are deciding on your sons involvement and thus fate in our upcoming war and also what to do with you and your lovely wife during the war I thought it would be nice to include both of you."
"And we appreciate that truly we do," his mother said sincerely.
"Let's start with a history lesson and an explanation, shall we." The question was rhetorical in nature as the council leader immediately started a dissertation on the prophecies foretold by the oracles. She spoke of the earthen boy (which now they had no doubt whatsoever was Kyjus), of the female Elven child of royal blood, and of the Hybonian Prince.
She also spoke of the war and the great evil that was too participate in it and of how their world would be ripped apart if the chosen did not gather to stop it.
She then discussed how the battle on Scorched Earth was just the first part of a long campaign. Although the victory over the demon and the Eerikye was a wonderful step, it was in fact the first of what was to be a long journey.
The council leader elaborated as much as she could on what they were to expect. There was a long pause and then she continued.
"We have gathered intel on the Dylonian's. I will not get into the details at this point, but we believe that the final battle will not be for another year as the lizard men will be spending much of the next year training there seers in the spells of the ancients," she said as she glanced around the room.
"I believe our recent defeat on Scorched Earth has put a damper in the plans of the one who is perpetuating this war against the council, but I in no way believe it will delay the war above the training of their army. In essence we have about nine months to a year before we need to worry about an invasion. This will give us plenty of time to strike out against the allies of the Dylonian's."
The council leader paused.
Syrus spoke, "you have a plan then."
"Of course, friend, I would be remiss if I did not," she responded with a smile.
"We will spend a week or more formulating the attack strategy that is too take place in Mylok. I know we had an impromptu strategy, but I feel that given we have more time we can definitely come together and create a better plan. Don't you think," she asked to know one person in particular.
Both Syrus and Magus nodded their agreement, however.
"During that time Kyjus can spend some time with his family seeing our world and talking about what the next year or two will bring. After that week or so I am afraid we will have to move his family to a more secure out of the way location. For security reasons there location will be known only to those in this room. We will be moving them to Tiberius Island. Eventually there will be someone there who can look out for them but until that happens regrettably, they may be on their own. The good news is that this island is a good deal out of the way and will not be in any immediate line of fire," the council leader said with a smile.
"And what of our son," Kyjus mother asked the council leader, fearing any answer she was to receive.
"Your son is a chosen. He is and has already been an integral part of the success of our earlier missions. With continued training he will continue to become a more formidable force. I would suggest you take some time to get to know this new side of your son," Czelak said in a somewhat stern voice.
"And if we refuse to let our son participate in this war," Kyjus' father asked somewhat disgusted by having little say in his sons life.
"I am afraid that is your son's choice, and he has already made it. We have and will continue to prepare him as best we can. He will have the maximum protection that we can provide him at all times. Can I guarantee his safety? Of course, you know that I cannot. We will surround him with people who will give their lives so that the chosen can live and fulfill the prophecy," the council leader retorted with equal vigor.
"Prophecy this, prophecy that, we are talking about my son here. As his father, I am the one that decides what he will or will not do."
Things were getting a bit heated at this point, so Kyjus' mom moved to step in to calm her husband down.
"Todd, they did not have to even include us in any of these decisions. Kyjus made the choice to help their world and any other these Dylonian's would decide to wage war against. They could have left us back on Earth possibly to die but they did not. Yes, it was at our sons request they removed us but they did not have too. I say we observe our son over the next week and see what it is he is doing and more to the point just what he is capable of. At that point we talk to our son as a family and see what we can discover," Kyjus mother said in a soothing voice while holding her husband's hand.
He calmed down visibly and merely shook his head. The frustration was still evident, but he let it lie.
The council leader nodded her appreciation at the young mages mother.
"Perhaps these are discussions we should have had earlier but for fear that we would encounter resistance we elected not to choose that path. We instead elected to sway your son to our side first and then perhaps involve you at some point much later down the road. Unfortunately, your son's fears for your life were too great and his demand to retrieve you from earth was too strong to ignore. So here we are what approach was right and which was wrong is difficult to say," the council leader paused as Todd appeared to have a desire to say something.
It is difficult to say if he changed his mind or rather his wife's long cold stare changed it for him. At either rate nothing was said so the council leader continued.
"I think you will find that your son is a formidable opponent in battle. He has surpassed even his teacher's expectations," she said as she extended her hands toward Magus Shepplin and Syrus.
They both nodded their agreement.
* * * *
Nothing more was said about Kyjus and the plans for him in the upcoming war. His parents knew nothing good could come out of these conversations for no parent ever really wants to send their child off to war. And let's face it this war was going to happen and Kyjus was going to be involved and there was little his parents could do about it.
Truth be told since the fate of this planet and perhaps even that of Earth, rested on the job the council and the chosen did in the upcoming months or possible years, it seemed wrong to Kyjus' parents to even question their son's fate.
For they knew this battle to be real, as they were outside at the initial stages of the attack on the science facility and laid witness to the weird creatures that attempted to lay siege to the facility.
This was before several of the science facilities occupants noticed and had them rushed down to the holding cell.
At that time, they had no idea that their son was going to be outside fighting in this, or their cooperation would have been much shorter lived. In the end they both decided to let the entire matter drop and hope for the best in the upcoming weeks to come.
* * * *
The following evening Kyjus and his parents entered a large chamber following the directions given them by Arch Magi Syrus. It was a marvelous room with high arching pillars and marble flooring. There was a large, centralized dais on the eastern wall of the great room. The entire middle portion of this wall was made of glass. On the other side of glass was the vastness of space.
On a rolling sort of rack was a large wooden box. The box and the rack were on the dais located in the middle along the wall.
Kyjus did not have to wonder what was in the box for he knew the occasion for which they had entered the room.
They were celebrating the crossing (falling) of a hero. It seemed weird to celebrate death, but he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Hawk would have wanted this way.
First and foremost, he was a fierce warrior but under that brandish exterior were many complicated layers. He was after all a free spirit, a teacher, a thinker, and a philosopher and this was as they say just the tip of the iceberg.
There were many flowers surrounding the box casket. There was an extremely large montage of opaque drawings intermingled amongst the flowers.
To Skarnum's surprise his father, General Gaclave and several other Hybonian's made the trip from his homeland. There were MouHyb and rock-hyb dignitaries from the Supreme Council also in attendance.
Luckily for all who attended this was a very large room as the Hybonian's in attendance took up quite a bit of space.
Of course, the entire Minlavian council was in attendance as were all of the adventures that set out on the journey to Scorched Earth.
And lastly there was a rather large contingent of Briar Elves in attendance to support the celebration of one of their legacies passing.
It was a magnificent celebration even though the occasion was one of sadness. All drank, ate and made merry with stories of the hero and his passing. At the appointed hour the king of the Briar Elves (Kelsee's father) made his way to the podium that now stood at the front of the dais.
He gave a magnificent speech about life and living each moment to the fullest. He told many stories of his and Killian's (Hawks) days at the academy some two hundred plus years ago. The stories were lighthearted but still the pain of a heroes passing was felt by all.
The king then took out a large carafe of oil and poured this on top of the box. "This oil represents the blood of Tunare. We pour it willingly as she gave it willingly. Much the way you did as you lived your life old friend," the king said that last part in almost a whisper.
He then pulled out what appeared to be a foot long match. "With this fire stick we burn the blood of Tunare to open the gateway to the afterlife. She has requested your presence there and we shall not tarry," he said as he took the match and ignited the oil.
The King then nodded to two Elves that stood at a black glass sliding door. The platform the casket rested upon did not stop at the black doorway but instead continued onto a second glass doorway.
The two Elves opened the black glass door.
The king then nodded to General Gaclave, who had requested to be a part of the ceremony. The General picked up a long metal rod. At the end the rod was attached a prong that perfectly encased the end of the box.
The General placed it on the end of the box and gave a slight push. The casket rolled on the rack passed the black glass door and into the chamber on the other side. The black glass door shutting as the casket disappeared inside.
The casket was now inside a vacuum tube so it could not be seen. One of the elves went up to a panel with three buttons. Hitting the red button there was a noise as the door on the outer side of the vacuum must have opened.
Hitting the second button produced a whoosh as the casket was delicately shot out into the open recesses of space. It was a great ball of fire to be seen by all in attendance. The Elf then hit the third button closing the doorway that was opened to release the hero.
"May Tunare bless him and guide him," the King finished with a slight bow. Typically, he would have added "and may we all see him soon" but since not all in attendance gave patronage to Tunare he thought it best to omit that portion of his speech.
More mingling occurred after the ceremony, as each chosen introduced their parents to the other chosen and the other chosen's parents.
Things went surprisingly well given the mishmash of races confined within the tiny room. Most likely it was everyone's refusal to disgrace the memory of one who had left such a valiant mark on the world. At least that is what the council leader had told Kyjus when he questioned her about that very thing during the prior day's rehearsal.
In fact, several of the people in attendance hit it off rather nicely. Kyjus' parents were quite fond of the elegance of the King and Queen of the Elves and Kelsee's parents were quite curious of the human race from Earth in general and Kyjus' parents seemed like quite decent folk.
It was decided that a short vacation was in order so all of the McFadden's were invited to Minlas. They would see the Elven homeland and most likely answer many questions about Earth. This was of course subject to council's approval.
With the council leader to be busy in the upcoming weeks planning the next phase of their war strategy she thought how much smoother things would go without Kyjus, his family, and the princess constantly barraging her with question, so her consent was immediately granted.
The small group rejoiced.
In the end new friendships were promised as they all left the funeral assembly. Kyjus had not forgotten the reason for the assembly, but he couldn't stop thinking about how happy Hawk would be if he knew that his death not only saved his friends but quite possibly started the forging of many new friendships.
This after all was what General Killian Hawthorne was all about.
He cast a sideways glance as he exited the assembly hall. Skarnum was looking in his direction, so he politely nodded and waved to the warrior, who had most probably saved his life only a week before.
The warrior smiled, snapped to attention, and proceeded to salute the young mage before he turned to walk the other direction.
Kyjus new the first battle of the war to be over but there were many more battles to follow. He smiled in spite of himself. He was glad that Skarnum, Kelsee and the other members of his party would be with him in those battles.
It should be interesting he thought as he turned and jogged to catch up to the young princess and his parents.