Misadventures of F and V

Prologue…

War was in the past and the last few years have been quiet for Viktor and Flik. They have sought out new places and have boarded ship to new territory. Seasoned warriors, they continue to hum with inner drive to fight and protect. They were mercenaries once, it was their life. They had left many friends and foes behind but that was the life of two wandering souls….

Chapter 1…

“Murder!” snapped a shadowed figure to another dark but much taller form on the docks at the harbor.

“It’s the only way,” the tall man with a deep voice said looking up and down the docks, “please keep your voice down.”

“She could just be sent away,” the squeaky shadowed figured whined.

The taller man replied, “If it were only that simple, and Yres you know better than that.”

“But Sir I….”

“Yres you...”

“Please Gabe?”

“NO!” hissed the tall man swishing his cloaks in distain, “the world would suffer and that has to be stopped.”

The shorter man sighed heavily trying to be-rid of a terrible weight, “I’ll let you know when it’s finished.”

A gust of wind slapped Flik’s cold and stinging face as he braced himself at the bow of a great ship. A certain thrill of anticipation chorused through his veins as the ship drew closer to its destination. Where that was he didn’t know and that’s just the way he wanted it. Leaving memories behind was easy, who needed to remember all the heartache. At least he had his one loyal friend with him; Viktor was a man to be reckoned with. Flik had to laugh to himself at the thought of his friend. He and Viktor never asked each other why the stuck together they just knew, they knew that no harm would come to each other while they were watching each others backs. Hey they were famous for being the iron man for many battles big or small.

One thing was for sure they needed to move, on to newer places and maybe one day they would find a place to settle down. Viktor complained about finding a place to call home, since his was pretty much terrorized by that nasty vampire. Flik knew it was important to him and one day he wished it for his friend. But he wasn’t so sure about himself: could he settle down in one place? His broken heart still ached but not as badly as it once did; but none of the less he still possessed vagabond blood.

“Man, what are you still doing up here? Flashing the passing boats,” Viktor chortled slapping his friends cloaked back.

Where does he come up with this stuff Flik thought, replying, “get bent Vic.”

Laughing Viktor retorted, “Always the same, no sense of humor. Don’t you know the secret to living longer is laughter?”

Flik watched his rugged friend shaking with mirth. That was Vic, he seemed so brutish but he really was a soft hearted happy person. Sometimes Flik was jealous, he wished he could be that way. Expect for the fact that Viktor never took care of his tattered golden clothes or the black mop on top of his head and his sword needed a good polishing too. Flik shrugged to himself and brushed past his friend and headed for the bunks for a much needed rest.

Days later Viktor walked into the cabin and found Flik looking at a picture. He noticed the girl in the picture and thought he better announce his presence.

“Don’t you knock, big guy,” Flik barked, stuffing the picture hastily into his top left pocket.

“Just thought you’d want to know there’s land in view,” Viktor told him.

“Really, great I can’t wait to get off this stinking boat,” Flik said with the tiniest smirk. Viktor knew Flik had had it with the small quarters and terrible cooking. He complained about a real bed and a real bath.

“Well gather yourself together and let’s get moving,” Viktor suggested.

Viktor didn’t know why Flik thought the cooking was so bad, that’s what he’d spent most of his time doing: eating. It got pretty boring on these long voyages so he’d thought what else was there to do. Besides he kept busy learning how to knit, which seemed to be giving him a headache lately. It was harder than learning to use a sword he thought, plus Flik was no help he just laughed at him; his voice always reaching a higher octave when he spoke about it. But at least he could make a warm scarf even if it was twice the size of himself and full of holes. Ha!

Up on the deck the land and the port were in view but it was fading fast as dusk fell upon them. By the time they reached the port the surrounding area was shadowed and the few lanterns made it hard to see. They hung around and waited for the crowd to disperse, they didn’t like following the sheep so they waited on the pier. Sniffing loudly Viktor took in the sea air in a whole new country. This would be great he thought new things and people what bad stuff could happen here.

“Well I hope the inn is not far from here this looks like a big city,” proclaimed Flik.

“Are you worried about a little walking?” Viktor tarried.

“If it’s your 10 mile kind of walk around the block, then hell yes I mind,” Flik complained.

“Well it seems to be a little quieter, shall we get moving?” asked Viktor.

“Alright,” countered Flik.

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Viktor took the lead and urged Flik to go down what seemed to be a very dark and ominous path. He didn’t like the looks of this place; oh why did he listen to Vic?

Wait a minute was that whispered voices up ahead he grabbed Viktor by his scarf and leaned against the wall; hiding in the shadows. He listened….

“Why haven’t you killed her yet?” a deep voice asked.

“There are always too many people around her Gabe,” squeaked another.

“You’re sure the men hired to do this are willing,” the deep voice continued.

“Of course, by tomorrow night it will be done, Celeste may god have mercy on your soul,” the squeaky voice said.

“The Silvers will never know what hit them. They will thank me someday,” the deep voice claimed and then left, leaving the other man behind him.

“Poor Celeste….,” the squeaky voice faded as he strode right past Flik and Viktor.

Minutes past, and when the coast was clear Flik moved.

Sighing he said, “I didn’t want to hear that.”

Viktor replied, “Don’t you think we should do something.”

“What?!”

“We’re not gonna let that poor girl get murdered. I’m not the kind of guy to let that happen,” his buddy swore.

Flik sighed again asking himself how he always got involved in everyone’s problems. He cursed Viktor for being such a sucker and how he always managed to sucker him into these messes along with him.

“Let’s follow the squeaky one then,” Flik said sprinting away in direction of the man went.

Flik caught sight of the man entering a big house in the middle town. He was a stoutly man that was balding on top of his crown; he wore these robes of white with a purple sash tied around his middle to keep it together. Who was he? He knew that if they were going to save this girl that they had to do it tonight. He heard the man say they were gonna kill her by tomorrow.

Together they got past the gate and searched for a side door anything but the main entry ways. What they found was even better because above their heads was a balcony; and from the sounds of it not a girl but a woman’s voice was heard. Hmmm was it Celeste?

“Let’s just go up there,” Viktor whispered.

“You don’t just barge into a lady’s room buddy,” he said.

“Well what you suggest Blue Lighting Flik,” Viktor teased he knew Flik hated that name.

Scowling Flik picked up a stone and tossed it at the glass doors.

Tick.

It only took one try to get the lady to open the door.

Chapter 2

“Hello?” a soft voice asked.

Mesmerized Flik quietly asked, “Are you Celeste?”

A long pause and finally, “Um, yeah, who goes there?”

“We do not wish to harm you, I swear on my life,” Flik told her. “But we have some information that you might want to know.”

“What is it?” Celeste commanded bringing her soft tone to a much stronger one.

“Could we come up there so we don’t alert anyone in the house?” asked Flik.

A pause and audible sigh, “Fine.”

They climbed up the drain pipe that led directly up to the balcony. What Flik saw before him made him forget just about everything for one moment. A beautiful woman with big green eyes and long wavy red hair, dressed in what seemed to be riding gear, plus she wore a band her forehead with a shimmering clear gem in the middle.

Viktor was nudging him, breaking him out of his trance. Oh, right where was he. They recounted everything they heard the two shadowed men talking about.

“What!” Celeste exclaimed with a shiver in her voice.

“I realize this must come as a shock, and coming from two strangers, well,” Flik offered he wasn’t sure how he’d react to news given to him in such fashion.

Celeste started fiddling with a barely noticeable necklace; she seemed in deep thought of her own. Flik gave her moment to let it soak in.

“So you have come here hoping to save me?” she asked.

“I’m afraid it’s in our nature to help ladies in distress,” Viktor volunteered scanning around making sure they were still being unnoticed.

“Do you think you really should help all ladies in distress?” Celeste countered casting her eyes down like she was hiding something.

“Well we have informed you and it’s up to you to make a decision, but you better make it soon,” Flik advised just as faint creak came from the other side of her bedroom door. All three of them looked at one another.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Viktor asked Flik.

“We have visitors,” he replied.

With that Celeste tossed herself over the edge of the balcony and landed safely bellow. Surprised Flik and Viktor followed suit. They could barely keep up as they followed Celeste to the stables were she was already mounting a horse, she yelled, “take one and hurry.”

Aback of horses they rode off to the edge of town and speed after the girl. It was like deja-vu. Just then Flik heard a voice, “ahh were going on a journey. (Pause) Human’s are always in such haste.”

What was that Flik thought but he didn’t have time to ponder it.

Celeste felt her heart pounding in her chest. Why did she leave, didn’t she listen to her dreams at all she questioned herself. She couldn’t help herself she just ran for her life and now what, where was she going to go? She didn’t slow down though nor did she look back, although she heard sounds of the two men behind her. To think they risked their lives to tell her that she was wanted for dead. Somehow they’d made it undetected past the UMS.

The Underground Magical Society is the most ruthless of all groups. Her family has been part of them since before she was born. She rebelled against the very thought of acting in any part of their organization. They said she had some powerful magic, magic that should have been given to someone more deserving they said. She didn’t feel very magical and she didn’t know what they were talking about. As she was the only child born into the family they looked upon her to lead them to some ultimate power. Or this is what they told her: but she knew better for what they were. Nothing but a bunch of bullies that murdered, stole, and abused their power to the hilt. She would never join their forces. Never! But would it all be worth it in the end? The end was an image she had in her dreams every night, but why? Why, what was haunting her?

The sun rose and was and sank and they were again in darkness plus they were beat. Celeste stopped at a creek to let her horse drink and he replied, “Thank you.”

“I’m sorry for pushing you so hard Ishba,” Celeste said soothingly patting her trusted horse’s fuzzy nose. She watched as the two men caught up and led their horses to drink beside hers; both horses expressed their gratitude for the much needed pit stop. Viktor’s horse wondered why he got the fat guy.

“I’m not fat. It’s muscle!” Viktor barked jumping back and shaking his head. “Where’s that voice coming from?” he asked eyes wide.

Laughing Celeste explained that in the Blue hills outside of Azure City was where the talking horses came from. Of course not all of Agio had them though.

“It was like the words were in my head but I know it wasn’t you that spoke,” Viktor claimed looking at his steed in a whole new light. He had seen talking animals and even a horse once but not the ones they rode, nor did they talk to you by telepathy.

“There were words in your head, big guy?” Flik asked with a mischievous gleam in his eye.

Chuckling Celeste introduced herself, “I am Celeste Silver of the Silver family unwilling member of the UMS.”

“UMS??” asked the man in blue, and then he introduced himself as Flik and the big guy as Viktor.

“Well Flik and Viktor it’s not a group you want to hang around to meet, the Underground

Magical Society may sound harmless but please don’t get in their way.

“We have probably contended with stronger foes than the UMS,” Viktor chuckled as if there could be anything worse here in Agio …well he hoped not anyway. “What ever beast or evil minion, we will crush them!” Viktor growled.

“Calm down Viktor, don’t get your knitting needles in a tangle,” Flik teased he just couldn’t resist working the big guy up.

“Shut up Flik,” Viktor warned his bandana wearing friend.

Celeste watched the two faced off circling each other like some cage lions. Brows furrowed she shook her head and said, “Are you guys always like this?”

Flik realized how silly he must look and straightened up cleared his throat and turned his back to Viktor.

Obviously the big man didn’t stay mad very long cause he laughed and took some food out of his knapsack. He offered to share but Celeste told him she didn’t feel very hungry right now. Flik said he would not eat anything that came from Viktor’s knapsack.

“We should stop,” Celeste suggested as she started the preparations for a fire.

“Let me do that,” Flik offered or rather he took the kindling from her in his hasty way to make nice with Celeste.

“I just want you to know there is no need to follow me, I’ll be fine on my own,” she explained. “It was kind enough that you even came to warn me about….well the mark on my head.”

Flik listened to her tired voice and replied, “Vic and I are new to this land, we have traveled very far because….” His voice trailed off.

“Yes?” Celeste asked looking at the both of them. She had to admit that they seemed the most unlikely sort to be friends with each other. Gosh they were completely opposite. One very bearish and the other well she thought to herself; why did the word playboy come to mind.

Flik couldn’t find the answer he was trying to provide, he just didn’t want to stay in one place where everyone knew his past he thought. But he couldn’t tell Celeste that. Damn. Only here a few hours and already they were running from something. But how could he let this woman be terrorized and not help he would kick himself later for it and he knew it. He made his decision.

“Helping you would be my pleasure,” he offered bowing to a surprised Celeste, even Viktor rose his eyebrows.

“Well that’s settled, I’m catching a nap. Wake me if anything happens,” Viktor told them and within seconds he was snoring.

“I make no excuses for my roguish friend, he has a kind heart though,” Flik explained to Celeste. He was about to ask her more about this country and the city they just left when a searing light flashed before his eyes and………..

Chapter 3

“I think they’ll live,” an old soft voice spoke. “Just keep a watch on them don’t let anyone in accept me ha-ha.” The old man didn’t want to admit it but he feared the time of white magic was coming. This sort of magic either spoke volumes of trouble or in the case of the girl it could be a blessing. Where did they get that kind of power the old mind thought; wondering mostly about the two men? They wore runes that didn’t come from this part of the world that’s for sure. And the girl well he’d heard of power like this from far away lands and old books told stories about old heroes. This magic he feared was older than the stories in the books.

This old man robed in fine blue silk, carrying a gnarled wooden staff with intricate writings all over it kneeled down facing the west and called upon his inner voice. He was in his small hut, where a plethora of herbs hung above his head and fragrant smoke rose from various corners of the room. He let his mind travel, searching for possible answers. This was his gift as a seer. Foggy visions played across his mind until the image of a snake swallowing a rat appeared, he snapped opened his eyes. He couldn’t believe such power resided here in this small village at this very moment. He hurried from his hut in haste to speak with the chief of the village.

Couple of days passed when Celeste opened her eyes, the room spun and she had a searing pain in her head. What happened, she thought. She scanned the room and there on two other beds were Flik and Viktor. How? What?

“I see you have woken, Celeste (pause) Celeste Silver isn’t?” an old man asked her or more like he told her.

“Where am I?” Celeste asked. The old man smiled if you could call a toothless grin a smile; she wrinkled her nose.

“You are in the Valley of Runes,” he told her.

Valley of Runes she thought but that was only a rumored place from fairy tales and folk lore. Her head was spinning with questions.

“Hush child, I will tell you all you need to know,” the old man said with a gentle tone. He sat in a chair near the cot that she rested on and told her the truth. It took awhile.

“What?!” Celeste demanded. Geez she was starting to sound like a broken record.

“You’re the; what did the old man say? The holy Snake that swallows evil….what does that mean?” Flik asked causing Celeste to jump; she didn’t know he was awake and apparently so was Viktor. For during sometime through Hym’s explanation they woke up.

“He must be wrong, you must be wrong sir I….,” her voice trailed off.

The old man introduced himself as Hym the seer of the village, a village where only the blessed are allowed entering he’d told them. All three looked at the seer with questions.

“Why are we so blessed?” Viktor asked running his hand through his wild slept in hair.

After a long pause Hym said, “You are the people that will bring the power of light especially you Flik.”

“Wait a minute, I what? You got the wrong guy here mister I just got here,” Flik scans the room, “well where ever the hell this place is, I know it’s the Valley of Runes but that doesn’t do me any good.”

“Right Flik and I have a bad habit of getting ourselves into these things…..,” but Viktor was cut off by the old man.

“You were sent here for a reason. I have said enough for now gather your self’s together and join the village in the square,” the old man said sternly eyeing Flik and Viktor.

Flik looked at his buddy and shock his head, Viktor just shrugged and took out stone and started to sharpen his sword.

Flik turned to Celeste and asked, “So what happened last night? I don’t remember anything.”

“Hym said that I caused it somehow with magic inside of me. That it responded because of the threat I felt in my heart, he called it my barrier defense,” Celeste whispered almost to herself more than to Flik.

Well it was powerful and it sure left me with a headache,” he said squinting at the sound of stone on sword nearby. “Doesn’t your head hurt, Vic?”

“Nothing hurts the big man,” Viktor proclaimed.

“Well lets go to the square and find out what we dug ourselves into,” Flik pointed out. He stood and grabbed his cape and picked up his sword that he used with some powerful lightening attacks. The others stood up and together they went to the village square.

They found a crowd surely enough and realized all eyes were on them. They looked around them and took in the village where all the homes were huts and their cooking was apparently done outside. Many seemed to leave behind unfinished crafts like rugs and pots. All wore robes of many different colours: it seemed that the colours represented some level of importance. And it did. The leader was the only one in red, he really stood out. Plus he was taller than most of the people in the gathering but unlike them his head was shaved and his eyes where piercing and wise.

“Welcome men and lady,” the leader spoke looking directly at Celeste. “My family these are the people that will be rid of the UMS! They are our saviors: the bringers of light. There were gasps from the people and some broke out into beaming smiles.

Celeste stopped and in a stricken voice cried, “NO you can’t stop the UMS they will kill you!! NO one can stop them!” Some of the villagers looked shocked at her outburst.

“You are wrong child for they don’t have the power that you have come to believe. They rule only by little magic but mostly by fear and no real power what so ever. Do you know what that band on your forehead is? (Pause) You don’t do you? Well it is the Gem of Existence, the gem that can only trigger the Rune of Existence that’s deep in your heart.”

“I thought it was our family heirloom that got passed down from generation to generation,” Celeste explained in a shaky voice.

“Well it’s not and I think someone told you that so they could keep you from discovering your true power. You my dear have the ability to heal an entire town and the will to swallow evil from the hearts of your enemy. Do you know why Yres and Gabe are trying to kill you?” the leader questioned.

A small no came from Celeste.

“They want to get your rune and use it for evil instead of good. But what they don’t know is that touching that rune would cause them instant death or worse,” the leader said.

“What could be worse than death?” Viktor chimed in.

“Having your soul crushed and all your blood relatives perish along with you,” replied the leader, the crowd gasped.

“oh,” was all Viktor could muster he knew all too well about that stuff. He didn’t have any family left since that vampire killed them all.

“How do you know all this stuff?” Celeste asked.

The leader smiled and said this was The Valley of Runes it was what the village built its self upon. They worked with magic and runes of Agio: runes that fell from the sky when a special star supernova’d and sent runes to the earths. Some came in the form of stones and some in the form of an energy that was absorbed by certain people. He said that some of the energy was absorbed by Celeste. People started to murmur.

Celeste absentmindedly grabbed Fliks hand and held on tight. She noticed the look of surprise on Fliks face, but it softened and he squeezed her hand in reassurance that everything would work out: somehow. His eyes turned back to the leader and he asked, “So what do you want us to do?”

“You are the strength that Celeste needs to save the future of our land. You three will destroy the Underground Magical Society,” the leader claimed.

“But how can they get the rune from me if it’s not if the form of a stone?” Celeste queried.

The chief sighed and with a stern voice he spoke, “The Rune of Existence can tell the difference between good and evil. We believe that runes choose their owners and your rune would not act kindly if someone were to try and steal it. A drop of your blood would hold suffice energy of the rune and could react badly to another rune. Therefore you would have to die in order for the rune to perish as well.”

“Here we go again,” Viktor reminded his buddy with one hand on his sword hilt.

Looking into Celeste’s overwhelmed eyes Flik declared, “I will do whatever it takes to help you.”

Viktor noticed the looks of approval on the villager’s faces. They knew there was a blossoming romance in their midst and they cheered. And Flik broke out into the first real smile Viktor had seen in a very long time. Everyone was happy and the leader announced a celebration. Yeah! He rubbed his hands together at the thought of the feast that they had to look forward too.

Hours later the wine was flowing, music was playing, and Viktor was doing a jig of his own with the town folk: all was well. He felt great for his stomach was full of mulled wine; and he was happy for his friend that seemed to be letting his past go and continuing with his future. And then he noticed her. He shook his head because his eyesight was foggy; was that gorgeous blond woman looking at him. Hmm was she a villager, he wondered, but she didn’t wear robes, instead she had on khaki shaggy pants big black boots and torn sleeved shirt. There were straps crisscrossing her chest with two knives sheathed under both arms and she held onto a deadly looking halberd. She was definitely taller than he was and well she looked tough. He’d only met one woman like that before and she was a turn on. Whoa! She was looking at him too… Yikes! Immediately his cheeks flamed and being the chicken that he was when it came to women, he fled.

Flik and Celeste walked away from the celebrations and sat by the river in the moonlight. Flik didn’t remember feeling this nervous around a woman he thought. Well maybe once but how could he let himself feel this way again. He felt torn inside by the thought of moving forward and letting his past go for he had held on to it for so long. But he couldn’t separate himself from this woman, he sighed heavily.

“Is everything ok?” she asked him.

“Yes.. rr...well…” he stammered.

“I have a feeling you have a lot a skeletons in your closet….but I won’t press you,” Celeste assured him giving him a beautiful smile.

It really ripped out his heart right then and there and before he could stop himself he kissed her with a passion he thought he’d lost.

A few long seconds pasted and they both parted, staring straight ahead into the passing river in silence.

Flik felt like he owed her an explanation he found himself opening up to her. She was the only one that he’d told his story too, even after the many attempts made by that little nosey giggling love struck girl that would never leave him alone once. The thought made him grin now though.

Celeste was stunned she had never heard such a heart wrenching story before. She even felt the tears running down her cheeks but she didn’t try to wipe them away; he’d been doing that for her and laughing at her for the response she had about his tale. But they found love and it felt like nothing bad could happen now.

“Do you think we will really be able to beat the Society Flik?” she asked.

“We will I know it,” he claimed. “I’m not going to let anything happened to you.”

“I believe that, now turn around,” she demanded and waited for him to do so.

There was some rustling, and then quiet so Flik peered out of the corner of his eye he saw a pile of clothes on the embankment followed by a loud SPLASH!

Viktor woke up feeling very uncomfortable; the last thing he remembered was claiming to some villagers that he could sleep in the trees like the birds. He began to move….

AHhhhh!....THUD!!

“&#$!….,” Viktor cursed as he rubbed his head looking back up at the big branch he’d spent the last few hours sleeping. Shaking his head he wondered how he’d gotten up there in the first place it didn’t seem to easy a climb. Just then he heard some faint snickering and heard some young lads say “let’s get out of here before he finds the rope.” Laughing they ran away and Viktor stood tripping over rope and yelled, “You’d better run ya runts!”

A few days past when word came that the Yres, Gabe and a few guards could be seen in the Cloudy Plains. That was only a few miles away. Everyone began rushing around making preparations. The villagers weren’t going to battle but they performed many rituals believed to protect the three warriors they claimed were going to stop the leaders of the UMS. A drumbeat echoed from somewhere and the voices of chanting elders could be heard when passing their huts. There was also a blue grey haze in the air from the countless ritual burning to ward of this or that. The three so called saviors were getting a little nervous.

“It’s like they disappeared from the face of the earth Gabe,” Yres complained shifting in his saddle and rubbing the rune embedded in his right hand. His fifty years was slowing him down and couldn’t figure out where Gabe found the energy he was only a year and a half younger. He didn’t’ stop even once, only to let the horses drink but that’s it. Yres had nothing else to do but think so he recalled the time Gabe told him about the power that lived inside of Celeste, his god-daughter. He told him it was an evil rune that resided in her body and leaving her to grow older would only up the chance she would discover that power. Yres looked at Gabe dressed in his complete amour gear that he insisted on wearing most of the time. He recalled when Gabe took charge two years ago and how Celeste was all he could talk about; he also remembered how much he complained at the last two birthday’s she had. But Gabe was the leader of the UMS and Yres followed him like a little lost puppy. He did Gabe’s bidding when he was told; even when he wasn’t sure he liked the orders. That’s what a trusty assistant did so here he was following Gabe in what seemed to be circles, but he wasn’t about to say open his mouth

“They are here somewhere I know it and it’s not far,” Gabe told Yres in a tight lipped manner. “I will find that child, she can’t hide,” Gabe growled then laughed in a maniacal way.

Yres furrowed his brows with worry. Gabe was acting very strange lately; he actually started to sound dreadfully mad. Plus was it him or had Gabe been eyeing his Snake Rune a lot lately.

Chapter 4

Flik, Viktor and Celeste made their way out of the village and when Viktor glanced back he saw the big blonde woman waving and blowing a kiss good-bye. Flik noticed his friends ruby red face and glanced back spotting the amazon woman immediately: with a devilish smirk on his face he said, “You’ve got an admirer Vic.”

Viktor never replied.

When they moved through what felt like a cold chill they all stopped looked back again and all they could see was a vast grassy plain void of any huts, people or animals. That place really was magical and it would always be special to Celeste as this was a place she had learned the truth about herself and fell for Flik.

A little while later their horses became agitated and complained of a dreadful feeling they were getting.

“What is it Ishba?” Celeste questioned her beloved friend.

He responded, “I feel an evil presence close by, I fear for you my lady.”

“Do not worry my dear friend, all will be well,” Celeste promised.

Celeste relayed the fear that Ishba had and they all decided to prepare themselves for what they knew was coming. Gabe and his evil followers must be close by. They led their horses to a safe and quiet spot and dismounted. They would find their enemy by foot as to not bring harm to the talking beasts. Neither spoke a word but they kept glancing with nervous energy at one another instead. Flik flexed his hands by repeatedly balling his fists. Viktor had a grip so tight on his sword that his knuckles were white and Celeste was fidgeting with her necklace.

They had been following a trail that rose up an escarpment that eventually led them to an overview of the entire valley below. The view went on for miles of just hilly lands, trees and the ocean way out on the horizon. Instinctively they all looked for the small horde of men that would be there foe but none could be seen.

As the three peered out at the vast land below they didn’t hear the approaching footfalls behind them. Too late they were cornered right there on a cliff and up was the only direction they could go. It was no use.

“There you are! Running like that tsk tsk tsk,” Gabe announced waving his finger at Celeste whose eyes were wide with fear. Behind him were a string of guards dressed in similar fashion to Gabe. All had a fine amour on and carried a spear with the UMS ribbon tied at the base of the spear head.

Flik and Viktor jumped in front of her brandishing their swords; teeth gritted together. “You won’t get past us,” Viktor roared.

“Ha ha ha!” bellowed Gabe tossing his head back, making his horse snort. Gabe dismounted and took a few steps closer.

Flik, Viktor and Celeste took a tentative step back; knowing they couldn’t move much further without falling over the escarpment. But then there eyes darted to the balding man that dismounted beside Gabe’s horse.

“Yres!” Celeste cried.

Casting his eyes down Yres didn’t dare speak not even to his own god-daughter.

“That’s right little girl your dear godfather can’t help you now. He works for me and has been a good little servant too,” Gabe boasted laughing heartily again. At that Yres looked sharply at Gabe.

“I am not a little girl anymore,” Celeste pointed out pushing aside Flik and Viktor and standing in front of them now with a pair of stubborn fists on her hips.

“You have always been to much of a tomboy,” Gabe pointed out and continued, “Look at you always wearing that riding habit instead of dressing like a lady.” And with that Gabe reached out and grabbed Celeste by the wrist and brought his sword to her throat. A surprised cry came from her lips and her eyes widened in shock. But Yres stepped forward and demanded Gabe let her go.

“What, are you doing Yres,” Gabe asked pointing his sword at his loyal dog; his arm wrung around Celeste’s neck.

“This do…esn’t have to g…o this way. The..re mu..st beee ann..other wayyy,” Yres stuttered taking an audible gulp.

“You can’t have my rune Gabe don’t you know that?” Celeste said through a squeezed throat and continued, “You will die if you do so, so just lets us go.”

A long pause and everyone thought Gabe hadn’t known this but they where wrong he had a plan in mind he wasn’t so stupid he knew all about that. There were people in Agio willing to share information if one was paid well enough. He also knew that her rune was not in the form of a stone but in the form of energy. He had been given instructions on how to obtain some of that energy. With that he motioned a guard to come over with a very long and sharp syringe. The guard stabbed it into Celeste’s arm and drew out some of her blood; he made very sure not to touch any of it.

“You get away from her!!” Flik cried but not daring to move as Gabe had his sword in such dangerous proximity to her neck.

Gabe tossed Celeste aside laughing at his prize in his hand; moving the blood back and forth in the syringe. Everyone including the guards seemed to look kinda worried. What was he going to do with it? But Gabe’s evil plan got even worse when his eyes leveled on Yres. Gabe walked up to the trembling man and in one fell swoop he’d cut off Yres’s right hand and bent down to pick it up. A blood curdling scream spilled out of the ailing man as he clutched what remained of his arm. He was losing blood fast.

Celeste screamed and Flik and Viktor turned their heads in utter disgust. This big man in armor was pure evil. They had to be careful there was no saying what this beast of a man was capable of. But despite what Gabe had just done Celeste ran over to her god father and rubbed his sweaty brow, he looked to be in shock.

“It’ll be ok Yres, it’ll be ok,” she soothed and held on to the writhing man. But soon Yres stopped moaning and loosened the grip on his injured arm; instead he looked at Celeste who had her eyes closed. He began to feel warmth spread throughout his body like the sunshine on a new spring morning and his senses were heightened to new levels. Why he could even smell the ocean from here and berries that grew down the hill. He felt wonderful, his eyes darted to his arm the bleeding had stopped and the wound had sealed up like it had been that way for ten years. Everyone including Gabe stared on in wonderment. It dawned on Yres that all this time he believed Celeste carried an evil power just like Gabe said, but he was wrong. And now look at the mess they were in.

“Look at that!” one of the guards blasted, “His hair grew back.” So it had Yres realized feeling the strands on the top of his head with his good hand.

Celeste opened her eyes and they were glossy with fresh tears she said, “I never felt that kind of power before look…, look what I did,” she whispered. She just knew in her heart that Yres didn’t deserve to die like that and she had to go to him. At that very moment she felt so strong and sure of herself that she turned on Gabe with pure determination.

“Ha that’s nothing…you..you..can’t stop me,” Gabe said, still holding on to Yres’s sliced of hand and digging at the rune embedded in the palm. He’d never seen magic like that either. Out popped the rune and he placed it on the ground while whispering some incantation; he then added a few drops of Celeste’s blood.

“Sir are you sure you should do that?” one of the guards asked skeptically as Gabe continued mumbling. Many of the guards had already backed up far enough that they weren’t even considered a threat anymore.

“No! Stop him,” Yres yelled getting onto his feet, he’d been too dazed to realize what Gabe was doing. “Run everybody run……”

“What is he doing man, and answer?!” Flik demanded with a puzzled look.

“My rune is called the Snake rune and I’ve heard of terrible things about mixing energy runes with stones,” he said turning to Celeste. “All this time Celeste, I was helping to plan your murder, I’ am so sorry, I am (sigh) a gullible man. But none of that now we must get out of here!” Yres cried. There only moved a few feet with Celeste the furthest away; actually she was too close to the ledge.

“Celeste, get out of there!” Flik yelled about to turn back.

But it was too late for a cloud of dust started to swirl and in it sparks of what seemed to be electricity veined its way through the cloud. It grew bigger, the ground shook with a tremendous power it was hard to kept balance and the sky reverted back into night. And what formed before them took their breath away. There stood a gigantic newly born snake beast, which had the torso like that of a dragon and the head of a viper. It was all black scaled except for a white zigzag going up its back that led to an enormous pair of ruby eyes. Sitting on its hunches it glared at them and hissed so loud it pounded their ear drums.

Celeste stood frozen by the sight of the creature and didn’t react fast enough when it sent its enormous tail her way. It caught her swiftly in the stomach and she was sent sailing over the cliff.

“NO!!” screamed Flik running over to the ledge despite the beast behind him.

Viktor fell in behind him brandishing his sword ready to take on the beast with everything he had. “Come on you fucker let’s dance,” Viktor swore, eyes blazing.

Anger beyond any reasonable limits took over Flik and he stood beside Viktor with more than just spirit; he had pain, which sometimes was even a more of a fearsome opponent. Without a second thought he tore into the thing with his sword screaming out a spell of ferocious lightening.

It hit the creature but it sat unfazed, glaring at them like they were no more than pests. Viktor took a swing laying into the creature with great force with his two handed sword, but again the thrusts were deflected not even a scratch.

“Damn my sword won’t even cut the thing!” Viktor said eyeing the nicks on his weapon. They fought till it felt like they were inhaling fire down their lungs. It was no use. Would they die here?

Somewhere off too the left Gabe stood laughing manically. He couldn’t believe this was the product of such a small rune with an energy one. Ha! Look at them they can’t even kill it. He has all the power he ever needed for what ever wishes he wished. He was unstoppable now he would kill the rest of the Silver family and maybe even some neighboring kingdoms if he so dreamed too, he thought. He was thinking about how he might redecorate his castle when a light shot up from the other side of the cliff, where Celeste fell. He watched it send a beam straight into the heavens, breaking up the dark sky in a pearlescent white array of stardust. Up it went and began to grow outward enveloping the lot of them.

It especially made the monster sheik like a banshee; it lashed out furiously as if trying to rid its self of pesky flies. Fire erupted from the zigzag stripe on its back and its eyes turned a watery blue, and its gaze landed on Gabe. It started to pound over towards him. Eyes wide with terror he ran, but the creature spoke in a hissed voice, “The stench of evil lives upon you, you are the rat.”

Flik, Viktor and Yres (god only knows where the guards went) watched on in amazement. As fast as the threat that was their foe the monster soon became their redeemer; it simply struck Gabe opened mouthed and swallowed him down; alive. With that the earth rumbled again everyone took cover; and just like that the creature burst into a billion stars that evaporated like fireworks. Gabe was no where to be seen.

Viktor and Flik didn’t even notice how good they felt for they were still in wonderment. But their fatigue was gone and Yres walked over to were the creature was a picked up his Snake rune, running his thumb over the stone. All walked over to the ledge and looked down knowing that the white magic came from Celeste. Was she alive?

There was nothing but the canopy of trees and no girl; it was a pretty long drop. They sighed and began to make there way down the trail that they first came up. When they reached the river there were the guards petting their horses by the river, they broke out in cheer at the sight of them. Yres stooped down to wash his face with his good hand, followed by Viktor. But Flik wandered off down the embankment disappearing into the woods, they sighed.

Flik felt his heart in his throat and swallowed hard. There was tightness in his chest that was choking him of air. He never felt as betrayed by fate in his life as he pictured himself jumping over that cliff and joining Celeste in blissful death. Hrmph, it couldn’t be so bad he thought.

Snap.

Looking up sword drawn by pure instinct he strained his eyes into the thicket. A white rabbit bounced out from inside a bush. Hrmph. Just a damn rabbit getting the best of you he told himself. But there were about a dozen white doves perched on a branch on the right and over there a white elk pawed through the bush. What the hell?

Off in the mist came a cough and a curse. Spirits soaring with hope Flik ran over to the sound and sure enough there stood a weak looking Celeste; with a furry white creature at her heels. She was all tattered, hair a mess, scratches covered her body but a humming white glow encircled her making her look angelic, Flik guessed that’s why the animals followed.

Frozen with surprise his throat now tight with emotion he scooped her up and brought her to the camp that was being set up by Yres and Viktor. When their eyes caught sight of Flik their mouths dropped.

Flik placed her on a sleeping mat and gave her some water to sip. She coughed but welcomed the cool liquid whispering, “It was just like my dream.”

Rested and revived the party made there way back home. Well to Celeste’s home, back to Azure City. Neither Flik nor Viktor knew what they were going to do next; they figured they’d stay in the city for awhile. They sat on their horses and with much calm in their souls their moved onward.

Even Viktor’s horse didn’t complain about his heavy companion, he was thanking him instead for helping Miss Celeste and offered his service anytime. “Um… thanks,” Viktor said.

Finally reaching the city was great; for everyone wanted to find someplace to just relax after all this hardship. And they did just that, after the welcoming party,the food and a little too much wine they fell into their beds content people. Even Yres was forgiven.

The Silvers were falling over with gratitude for Flik and Viktor’s help and were angered at their own blindness. For their help they gave them a place to live in the city a cozy little home complete with furnishings. They welcomed them to there home anytime and even asked Flik what his intentions were with their daughter.

“Well I would like her to live with me and be married,” he offered without hesitation, believing in his heart like he’d done so much in the past but this time would be different.

With that the Silvers clapped happily and replied that they should have a home of their own here in the city. But before they could say anything further Viktor came forward and said, “You know I’m not much of a city guy anyway, I think I’d be just as happy living in that tiny place by the water.” What he didn’t tell them was he’d already paid for it.

“You mean that place all by itself on the edge of town, but it’s run down,” Mrs. Silver wrinkled her nose. “I’ve heard that it’s haunted.”

“Ha, ha I’ll enjoy the company,” Viktor replied grinning like a fool. With that he stood up bowing his thanks and left winking at Flik.

“I guess if you want you could have the place we gave him, but we had a much nicer one as a gift for you both,” Mr. Silver claimed.

“No daddy the small place is just fine,” Celeste chimed in slinking her arm around Flik giving him a naughty look that said “let’s get out here.” He smiled and gave his thanks and ran off with Celeste to their new home, laughing with mischief.

Upon entering the walkway of his very own place Viktor jumped when his front door opened. With no one in the way he tentatively walked to the open door way and noticed a pair of knitted mitts hanging on the door. He peered inside. Stepping over the threshold he glanced in the sitting room when someone grabbed him from behind. He felt his back being pressed against a firm set of bosoms. The blood rushed to his head, no way he thought.

Clearing his throat he said, “put me down… please.”

Feet connecting with solid ground he turned and faced the woman from the mysterious village. Wow she was formidable and she’d come looking for him. Yippee. She was all women and as strong as he and with that she said deeply pointing her halberd under his chin, “tonight you will make Velinda very happy.”

With a booted foot she shut the front door.