The great Red Warlock propped himself up into a sitting position. He folded his legs, tucking them comfortably under him. He needed to concentrate.
"I must not be disturbed, yes? I need to concentrate on this mega spell," he called out to the other two Ghost Lords. Quickly he gulped down another two vials before mentally preparing himself for the huge task ahead. He needed the extra Energy.
"No problem," Valentine said slashing his sword in the empty air in front of him.
The milling hounds further up had finally made up their minds. The three Ghost Lords away from the Stronghold were too tempting to give up. Hunters always prey on the weak and the ones cut off from the main herd. They were more vulnerable and easier to kill, just like these three foolish humans. The main orc force was busy battling at the Stronghold. None were within range to help the humans. The packs yipped at each other and rallied themselves.
"I mean it. If I am interrupted, it will backfire on me and the enormous Energy I will be summoning to cast my spell will probably kill me."
Lazarus turned sharply. He noted his friend's serious face as he fussed with his clothes and cracked his knuckles. The ranking gate keeper was all business.
"Constantine?"
The Red Warlock smiled at the worried Assassin. "It is o'kay my friend. I had great fun here in the orc realm, yes? I got to use my stash of melee weapons, kill gazillion of NPCs and do some awesome magic, which no one will be able to replicate for a while," he exaggerated blatantly. "More importantly, you are one hundred per cent cured, yes?"
He looked at Lazarus reassuringly but the Assassin blinked guiltily and swallowed. Was Constantine going to sacrifice his life to help him finish off his side mission with the jaav ukon? It was not o'kay. They were a team, a good solid team. The next moment the nearby Thief voiced what he wanted to say.
"No! What are you saying? Are you going to die?" Valentine's voice rose sharply. "You can't die now!"
"Aiyayayai! Always so noisy," Constantine grumbled. "I said 'if'. That is a big 'if', no? After all I am the greatest, yes? And only if I am interrupted."
"Why are you so upset?" he continued, "If I die I will re-spawn at home, yes? No problem. Both of you can finish up here and come back."
"No one is going to die here," Lazarus said quietly. His clenched his jaw and re-gripped his double blades. "We will guard you while you do your spell."
With that, the Assassin turned away to survey the situation. Constantine knew by the stubborn set of Lazarus' shoulders and his tensed posture that his friend would protect him at all cost, even if meant sacrificing his own virtual life. Didn't Laz realise that he had nothing else to do here? The mission was almost done, yes? He just wanted to have fun. The loyal obstinate idiot! He must complete the spell and stay alive! Ahhhh, the pressure to keep the sentimental fool alive was heavy.
"Right!" agreed Valentine whole heartedly. "Then we will keep those hounds away from you. You must finish this with us!" declared Valentine. "We have lots more to do here! There are tons of wild monsters and Bosses to kill, not to mention all those orc dungeons for Rare Items which we bypassed earlier to save Laz. Now that he is o'kay, we must explore them while we are here! I want to get rich and I don't want to go through all the gatekeeper's Trials!!"
Constantine made a face then suddenly grinned to himself. Val was right, there were a lot of unexplored dungeons here. Imagine what the Bosses could drop? He could do it. After all, he was the greatest, wasn't he?
"We will all go home together!!" The blond gatekeeper wagged his fingers at the Red Warlock warningly daring him to die on his watch before turning to discuss strategy with Lazarus. The gathered lava hounds had started making their way to the Ghost Lords.
Lazarus studied the milling hounds for a while. Their movements were cautious now that whole packs had died. The landscape was actually visible after Laz's and Val's Enrage massacre and the enemy had lots of space to move freely. Why were no new packs emerging to boost their dwindled numbers? A few seconds passed before the survivors parted to allow a huge muscled hound to come forward. He towered over the rest. An Alpha. The low growls, yips and whines were silenced by a single sharp bark. Slowly, the menacing canine faced the humans and tilted his monstrous head as if sizing them up. He snorted derisively before lifting his muzzle in a long challenging howl.
"Oh wow," Valentine breathed. "Just when I thought they couldn't get any bigger or uglier ..."
"Careful, he is ... different," Laz cautioned. His Perception was blaring warning signals to him. It made him edgy and nervous.
The Alpha redirected his baleful gaze onto the Assassin at the sound of his voice, ears perked forward. Sizzling foam dripped from his gaping jaws before he snapped them shut with a loud crack.
Valentine swallowed. "Yeah, he is one of the higher level Alpha males that came through. They are smarter than the rest. I spotted only a handful when they were spawning from the rift."
The pointed ears twitched and swivelled towards the Thief.
"Val, I think he understands us. Don't say another word out loud," Lazarus instructed keeping his eyes on the intelligent blazing eyes. "Anya ...?"
"Chosen!" came the immediate reply.
"Make a mind-link. Val and me ... oh, and tell Xico Constantine might need his strength. He is attempting a complicated mega spell."
"Done. Xico is talking to his Chosen and so is Tania."
A four way mind-link was formed; Lazarus, Anya, Valentine and Tania.
"That was fast," Valentine threw a quick glance at Lazarus. He was keeping an eye on the big Alpha who seemed to be giving orders of his own. He stood slightly apart as the lesser dogs rearranged themselves and started moving. "I swear he is planning something. New hunting strategy?"
"They are spreading out ..." Lazarus caught the Alpha's hateful stare. He did not bother looking at the two guardian Heroes. No, his flaming eyes were focused solely on the muttering warlock. Lazarus tensed. The Alpha was targeting Constantine.
"Val, cover Constantine's left. I'll cover his right. Protect him."
"Wow, he knows who the MVP (Most Valuable Player) is," Valentine breathed. "So their main target is Constantine? No problem. Bring it on!"
"Fight well Chosen or I will bite you if you leave Xico and Anya's Chosen there!"
"No worries Tania. He is just a puppy," he sent mentally and gulped.
"Incoming!"
The Heroes stopped talking as the lava beasts attacked in unison.
-----
Constantine regarded his friends as they turned away to plan counter-measures to the recovering enemy. He rolled his virtual eyes at Valentine. Seriously, the Thief was getting to be just as dramatic as he was. Settling down he drew in a deep breath. He trusted Lazarus and Valentine to keep him safe while he worked.
It was time.
The Red Warlock's mask of confidence faltered behind his friends' backs. He wondered if his carefully crafted customised spell would actually work. After all it was his first time manufacturing an advance spell after unlocking the Warlock's Lost Spell Book at level 90. It allowed the Hero to create new spells based on their experience in the game. He had made a few basic ones to get a feel of spell crafting. So far, some worked and some did not. He had just managed to Level up the Book to level 3 after some trial and errors. If this one failed, Laz and Val would just have to kill all the monsters manually. A quick smile graced his handsome face. They could do it too he had no doubt but ... he had promised them an awesome brilliant spell.
Time to make it happen then! He could do it. After all, wasn't he still the ranking Hero in Orc Wars?
He focused, drawing on his inner Energy. This time Thalasis was not by his side to help him.
"Chosen!! I am here!"
"Xico?"
"You forgot me again!!" came an angry chirp.
Constantine felt a mental peck and winced.
"No, no but I am busy. A little longer and I will return to you, yes? Then we will go hunting together like we used to."
A wave of love hit the Hero making him smile.
"Do not come back so soon. I will help you. Anya's Chosen said you need my strength."
Ahhh! So Xico contacted him because of Laz? Cool! He was wondering what prompted his familiar to seek him out. Usually the Hero would initiate interactions with his familiar not the other way around. Brilliant! Sometimes he underestimated Laz. He knew how to adapt and use available resources in surprising ways.
Hmmm, he could really use Xico's magical strength. Constantine had also levelled Xico up as he rose in ranking. His familiar was strong and could provide essential magical support.
"Like we practiced?" Xico asked excitedly. His raised his crimson plumage and flapped his majestic wings. He could help his Chosen even when not together!
"Yes, like we practiced."
Closing his eyes, Constantine took a deep breath. He could hear the incoming hounds; the pounding of their clawed paws and their heavy breathing. He couldn't hear Lazarus or Valentine. They were probably communicating silently. It was more efficient. Ahhh, they were moving to his left and right, effectively covering him. What wonderful trustworthy friends! They had placed themselves in between him and the lava hounds. Their tense silence after that lasted only a few moments. Then chaos ensured as the waiting Ghost Lords clashed head on with the ravenous canines.
O'kay. He will leave the fighting to his friends.
The Red Warlock got to work. Trying to ignore the exciting battle around him, he recalled his customised spell invoking it as he tuned his magical senses upwards and outwards. His consciousness soared up searching for his clouds. Where were they? He had started the spell to rally them before confronting Mallarg. It should have been enough time ... Ahhh, there they were. Yes, the light Cirrocumulus and Cirrus clouds which he had so painstakingly tracked down earlier had gathered, dark and rumbling overhead. His earlier cast had encouraged evaporation and condensation. As they travelled to the appointed place, they had absorbed moisture becoming heavier and darker as they passed lakes, ponds, streams and moisture from the atmosphere. Good.
None of the fighters bothered to look up. They did not notice the congregating clouds blocking the sun. The lava hounds seem to glow brighter and more ominously in the darkening atmosphere. The combatants were too busy fighting the burning enemy right in front of them.
Carefully Constantine compact the already heavy moisture leaden Cumulus clouds making them into real thunderheads. The clouds were primed and ready. Now for the next step ... He drew on more Energy for the arduous task ahead.
"Watch your back!!" Laz warned Val.
"Thanks!"
A string of explosions around the Red Warlock heated up the air. Someone must have thrown some melee bombs. He tried to tune out the loud booms and concentrate.
"Incoming!"
"To your right Laz! There's a pack sneaking up."
"I see them."
Although Constantine did not hear their silent communications, he heard the loud grunts, scuffles and the distinct sounds of weapons as his friends fought valiantly to protect him ... and the frustrated howls and barks as the lava beasts died. He trusted them.
He drew a breath and continued his spell casting. He was almost done.
"Arrrghhh!!"
Constantine winced and paused when he heard Valentine's verbal cry of pain. His friend was hurt but the brave Thief got back up to continue his fight almost immediately. The responsible hounds died moments later as the two Heroes fought back. Lazarus too had hissed in pain, the smell of roasting flesh assaulted Constantine's senses. The two gatekeepers were getting burnt and injured by the sea of magma demons. Pieces of flaming hide and red hot coals flew in the air as bodies exploded without pause. It was impossible to avoid all the airborne hot debris.
The Warlock relaxed and refocused. He tried to ignore the heat waves when the hounds got too close and the cooling atmosphere when Val and Laz killed them to maintain the safety perimeter around him.
His conscience rose back up to the dark thunderheads above. Carefully he lowered their temperature, making the already cranky cumulonimbus crankier. Their low complaining rumblings became louder and louder. They were ready to burst. Constantine started sweating. Now, to whip up some serious hail and wind.
The gatekeeper exerted more Energy. The atmosphere above the blistering hot fighters became frigid. Hot and cold air met. No longer calm, strong cold breezes displaced by the rapid change in temperature blustered around the Hero. The clashing forces blew strongly erratically against him, changing directions every other second. Constantine's hair whipped wildly stinging his exposed face, his clothes slapped violently against his body. He ignored the uncomfortable sensations. Now for the final push to materialise his hard work, invocation by crystallising purpose and intention with words.
I summon thee, so hear my call
With inner strength, I give my all
Hail and sleet, snowstorm and rain
Gale and thunder, strong hurricane
Wind of fury, cold and sharp
Drown the hounds, make it dark
Nature's fury, unleash your might
My spell to end the Overlord's plight ...
Corny, thought Constantine cringing internally but as long as it worked, who cares, yes? It was more the intention and mental vision coupled with the right combination of gestures. The words were just to embody and direct the Spell. He would streamline and improve his spell casting Skills after this, he promised himself. There was still much to learn from the great Lost Book. The Orc Wars website had updated a whole sub-site of it.
The next second, the Red Warlock almost yelled in triumph. It worked! It WORKED!!
Bright forks of white lightning streaked across the darkened sky. Thunder boomed in its wake over and over again warning of the downpour to come.
He had just uttered the last syllables when he felt dirt and small stones hit him. The stinging sensation of the hard missiles pulled his consciousness back roughly into his physical body. Intense heat assaulted him.
"Oof!! What ...?" Constantine's eyes flew open and he stared in horror at what he saw.
A huge Alpha was just two meters away from him. He had leapt from a distance to land near Constantine. Waves of heat washed over Constantine. The motionless stunned Red Warlock was obviously his target. He had been in a trance.
But now, the great monstrous head swung to refocus on the annoying Assassin. Lazarus had hurled himself bodily at the monster, knocking it off course and steering it away from Constantine. It glared balefully at the human and snorted. This Ghost Lord was all that stood between him and his prize.
Lazarus' leather armour was smoking where it had touched the Alpha. Carefully the Assassin repositioned himself to stand before the Alpha ensuring that Constantine was behind him.
The legendary Ghost Lord stood at high alert as the strong winds blustered around him. His beautiful silver eyes were narrowed as he stared back intently at the enemy. The strong winds whipped his long coal black and frost white hair behind him giving him an ethereal look. Casually, Lazarus flicked his long double blades and settled into combat stance. He was ready.
"You will have to get past me if you want him."
The Alpha snarled at Lazarus and attacked.