Fan Fiction ❯ The Four Lords ❯ A Heart of Stone ( Chapter 52 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

"Come this way. The Archmage is expecting you." the mage said coldly.
"Do you mean Magnus, or are you referring to the true Archmage?" Alex asked undaunted by the mage's cold reception.
"Magnus is the true Archmage there is no other." the mage replied firmly. Even Brittany could sense that Alex had struck a nerve just by the way the mage spoke. His outer calm was a forced one, trying not to give way to his inner rage.
"Well I'm sure you'd know more about it than I would. Still it's sad to see how easily you have forgotten about Alcadan." Alex stated. Brittany quickly realized what he was doing and joined in.
"From what I can gather from all that Alex had told me the mages were a lot better off when Alcadan and the original demon Lord were alive. For you being so important to Zanatos he doesn't seem to treat you that well."
"How dare you speak the name of the Lord of the north." the mage replied angrily. "The Lord of the north is a good Lord. We were blessed to have him willing to take the burden of being the Lord after the great war. The present Archmage serves him with just as much loyalty and devotion that the original Archmage gave serving his Lord."
"I though the mages used to live in the castle with the original Lord. He valued their presence and their abilities so he made sure they were well taken care of. So if that's true why are you now living way out here?" Alex tried to suppress a smile as Brittany's seemingly innocent question faltered the mage's resolve. Alex squeezed Brittany's hand gently urging her to continue. "The mages used to be loved by all and were well respected. Now Zanatos has made it to where everyone fears the mages."
"I can assure you that those who fear has have a right to be afraid of us. Only those who harbor evil in their hears have reason to fear us."
"That's funny because from what I can tell the only one with any real evil in their hearts is Zanatos." Brittany retorted.
"That is enough!" a voice boomed from the entrance of the temple. Alex and Brittany both instantly recognized the voice with ease as Magnus stood glaring at them from the temple doors. "If you are quite through harassing my mages I believe you have some business that you wanted to discuss with me."
"I'm surprised that you're welcoming us in so cordially. No curses or tricks this time." Alex asked, his eyes staring icy daggers into Magnus."
"And I'm surprised that you and that human wench are still together. This world is just full of its little surprises isn't it."
Alex didn't understand why he felt a sudden urge to rip Magnus limb from limb. Usually Alex didn't allow comments like that to affect him. Still, he didn't exactly mind the sudden urge either. Alex subconsciously tensed when Magnus fixed his gaze on him. I was hoping our presence would take them by surprise, but seeing the way Magnus looks I have a feeling he knows why we're here.
Alex felt Brittany move closer to him, her hand gently squeezing his. Brittany gave Alex a knowing look and Alex nodded slightly. Ever since I gave her that necklace our bond has grown even stronger. There's no point in turning back now we might as well head right into the lion's den.
"Be prepared for anything." Alex whispered.
"I always am." Brittany replied. Alex placed a protective arm around her as the mages escorted them to the temple. Once inside Brittany could literally feel the magical power resonating from within the temple. Brittany's eyes darted back and forth glancing at strange objects she had never seen before. The dark hallways were illuminated by a magical fluorescent. When Brittany looked back at Alex his jaw was set in determination, his eyes locked on the form of Magnus who was leading them through the winding passageways of the temple. When Magnus finally stopped and threw open the doors to a room Brittany was thoroughly convinced that given the chance nothing would please Alex more than to slit Magnus's throat. When they entered the room they found themselves in a place similar to a church on either side of the room stood the remaining mages, their total number only thirty. Magnus walked through the line of mages and sat on a large chair decorated in silver, gold, and jade. He stared at Alex with utter contempt and annoyance before speaking. "Come you wanted to speak with me. I do not have all day."
Alex looked around the room, his eyes sweeping over everything. Finally they fell upon a large stone tablet the size of a large door that was situated directly behind Magnus. Magnus followed Alex's gaze and smirked. "Do you want to talk to me or not? I don't have all day."
"Magnus, does Zanatos have the capability to create wraiths?"
"Creating wraiths was an art that was lost long ago. What's the point of dredging up the ancient past?"
"Because you of all people, should be able to sense powerful magic. Magic needed to create wraiths. Which means you should know that someone has managed to recreate the wraiths."
"I know this and I have been unsuccessful in trying to find the person responsible."
"Maybe you should try harder." Brittany offered. "It can't be that hard to see that Zanatos is the one behind the wraiths. He even sent them to kill Alex."
"Be careful what you say. Those words you speak hold seeds of rebellion. Do you really want to rage ware against the entire realm that badly?"
"I want only to do what is best for the realm." Alex stated. "The realm is not my enemy. My enemy is Zanatos. His self imposed rule is slowly destroying the realm. If you ever left this temple without following at Zanatos's heels you might could see just how bad everything really is."
Magnus stiffened at the comment and glared angrily at Alex. "You say you want to do what is best for the realm? That's the biggest lie I've ever heard. You just want to do what's best for yourself!"
"What the hell are you talking about? If I wanted do what was best for myself then I'd forget my pride and dignity. I'd leave behind my self respect and free will and suck up to Zanatos. It seems to have worked well for you."
"Do you really think, even if you do manage to defeat the Lord of the north, that the people would allow you to rule them? They will see you just as I see you now. Killing the Lord of the north will just be the same thing as when you killed the Lord of the south. They will not sit by and let some feral warmongering weakling as their Lord!"
"You know that is not the reason. I am doing what no one is willing to do. I am willing to do. I am willing to fight for what I believe in. I'm not going to allow Zanatos to continue opposing this realm for his own personal gain. The people have lost their hope, and have fallen into despair. Too many lives have been torn apart by Zanatos. Too many love's have been lost."
"Hope, despair, love...what does a monster like you know about them? You were once known as the greatest killer of all second to none. You were a monster then and you're a monster now."
"No he's not!" Brittany interjected. "Alex isn't the person you once knew him as. He's changed, he's not just some heartless killing machine."
"Such a pity to see a child as you caught up in matters she couldn't hope to understand."
"Something tells me she understands it better than you." Alex muttered.
"No I might not know all the details, I might not have been born here, but I know what I see. I love Alex and he loves me. You can't be a monster if you share your heart with someone." Brittany stated firmly.
"So do you really believe that with all your heart and soul that he loves you?" Magnus asked, intrigued by Brittany's defiance.
Brittany didn't hesitate to reply. "Yes, with all my heart and soul I know that Alex loves me."
"Your faith in him is truly admirable. Still, I am not so easily convinced that he could change his ways." Magnus said. His lips curved into a malicious smile as he turned his attention towards Alex. "So let's test his love for you shall we?"
Before Alex could react Magnus waved his hand and a blinding light erupted from between him and Brittany. The force from the eruption sent Alex flying towards the far wall. Alex dug his feet and hands into the ground to halt his movement, but it was of no use. By the time Alex had regained his balanced Magnus had already erected a barrier around Brittany. Alex lashed out at the barrier, but he didn't even effect it. Alex could see that Brittany was trying to cast a spell inside of the barrier, but nothing happened.
"I've already silenced your lover with a spell. Can't have her breaking out of my barrier now can we." Magnus said in an arrogant voice.
"Magnus what have you done to her?" Alex growled as he turned to face him.
"The question isn't what I've done my dear Kane. It's rather, what am I about to do?" Magnus replied. He raised his staff towards Brittany and began casting a spell. "Suru tame ni tasukeru anata no shitsui. Hitotsu katachi no ishi anata ishi toru."
Alex paled, knowing what spell Magnus had just cast he turned to look at Brittany whose face pleaded for his help. Alex placed his hands against the barrier as a sense of helplessness washed over him. Alex closed his eyes as tears trickled down them. He knew what was happening to Brittany without looking at her. He couldn't bare to watch it. That spell came from Alcadan's spell book. That must mean that Zanatos gave the spell book to Magnus once Rylus had betrayed us. Dammit and I can't do anything about it!
"Some hero you are. You can't even look at your love when she needs you. Take a look, she has eyes only for you." Magnus taunted. Even though Alex knew what he would he would see, there was no way he could prepare himself for what was before him. When Alex opened his eyes his heart tuned to ice. Brittany was standing there before him her mouth locked in a silent plea, her entire body turned to stone.



Author's Note: Just a little side note here, but all the spells in the story thus far are actual words. I write down what I want the spells to be and then translate them to japanese. The spell used to turn Brittany to stone is "In order to save your hearbreak, a form of stone you shall take." If you want to know what any of the spells actually mean just message me and I'll send them to you. Kudo's for now!


Soulless Wanderer