A Summoner's Calling Page 21

  Anger overcomes the monster as it looks past Drotonic and Erryn.

  “Another one of you has come. I will surely be feeding well tonight,” it growls.

  “Can you think about anything else but your stomach?” a man walks up from behind with his cane in one hand.

  “Welcome to the party,” Drotonic greets Valedent.

  “Why, thank you. I just couldn’t stand by and let you guys have all the fun,” Valedent shrugs.

  “You sure do have a knack for showing up when things get interesting,” Erryn says.

  He bows and winks at Kiley as she smiles brightly.

  “I’ll have the pleasure of stripping your soul from your body as she watches,” the demon salivates.

  “Hey, you look at me, not her. You don’t have the right to even think of her. You want to devour so bad? Let’s dance,” Valedent runs at the demon with his sword cane in hand. The demon tries slashing with his right claw, but Valedent jumps on its hand, running up its arm and using its horns as steppingstones. The demon strikes with its left claw trying to hit Valedent, only to pierce its upper right arm with its left claws as he leaps away to land on its shoulder. Valedent slashes a X on its face and kicks it in that spot, flipping off its body. After he lands, Drotonic and Erryn shoot it with their fire abilities at its chest.

  “Hm, you’re interesting. I may have some actual fun,” the demon smiles, spitting out a caustic breath which reeks of sulfur. It moves to attack them as Erryn turns to cover Kiley.

  The heat force knocks back Valedent, and the impact hits him so hard that he could only get up on one knee. Drotonic uses his cape as it protects him, but the force slams him into a rock.

  “Erryn, are you all right?” Kiley asks.

  “Ah…yeah…I will….be fine. Go see… Valedent,” Erryn says as she turns to face the demon. Erryn indicates that Valedent should take Kiley into cover. They move to a precarious cover as Drotonic works to regain his mobility and stumbles over to Erryn.

  “Erryn!” Drotonic, seeing the burns on her back, is concerned.

  “You’ve hurt enough people. You’re not getting anyone else for I’m making this your end,” Erryn claims, limping on her heavily wounded side.

  “What could you do, child? Although you do have a delicious scent, you’re just that. A weak child,” He laughs as Drotonic grabs Erryn’s good side to help support her. He glances at her and sees in her eyes what’s to come.

  “Please lend me your power to protect the innocent. Justify the guilty,” Erryn calls out as her eyes invoke embers of flames. Drotonic lets go as Erryn lifts into the air, collecting heat from the rays of the sun. Meanwhile, the demon charges at them. It swings its giant left claws, only to hit a protective barrier surrounding her, forcing him to be pushed back a bit.

  “Erryn,” Drotonic shouts, worried, although it seemed the demon’s efforts couldn’t affect her. The soul collector looks up, mesmerized and bewildered by a red burning aura as she spins and thrusts heat into the snow. After slamming the ground with her knees and fists sending the surrounding snow up in midair, it becomes held in place. The demon lurks closer, touching the flakes as it passes. They move slowly as if gravity had been nullified on the flakes.

  “Is that all? How amusing,” he laughs. Erryn looks up at the demon as an overwhelming warmth steams from her body.

  “You’ve never met a summoner before, have you?” Drotonic suggests as the collector grows with interest.

  “You shouldn’t have caused so much trouble,” Erryn says with a voice not belonging to her own.

  “Zaravarn! How? What? No.” The demon quails.

  “Your transgressions are intolerable,” Zaravarn says. A burst of fire comes out of the ground in front of her as Zaravarn arises in his monk human form from Arthro’s depths.

  “Your punishment for stealing from my brother will be my Sweltering Judgement,” he proclaims. Although the creature couldn’t refuse Zaravarn’s radiating power, it continued to be surrounded by a fiery aura and readied its stance.

  “As godly as you may be, I refuse to submit all that I’ve gained and become,” the Soul Collector says as Zaravarn nods, accepting the creature’s funeral. Charging at each other, they exchange punches which break a sonic wave. A concussive force from the sonic wave throws Drotonic back some as he holds firm while using his staff as a pole in the ground, but Zaravarn’s linked protective barrier remains around Erryn. Zaravarn conjures flames from his fiery gauntlets covering his forearms, equipping himself with blazing claws from his energy.

  An eerie blue luminescent pulsates in the Soul Collector’s claws. His veins throb all over, increasing his power. They charge once again as Zaravarn dodges his attack and slashes searing claw marks, as souls leak out of the collector.

  “The souls,” Drotonic watches as they escape into the ether.

  The creature roars with anger, hitting Zaravarn with his claws. Sending him flying against the mountain wall, the demon absorbs a fiery essence from him. However, as the essence is consumed, Drotonic sees the faint fiery aura protecting Erryn disperse.

  “So, you think you can take a piece of me?” Zaravarn says as the creature laughs. Turning to Erryn, he spits another caustic breath attack.

  Neither Drotonic or Zaravarn could reach her in time, but a faint blue light protects her, and the breath attack goes around her.

  Struggling to move from the caustic burns, Erryn witnesses an ethereal majestic woman holding her hand in front of her. She stands still as a glimmer shines on the tips of her fingers. Drotonic stops in his tracks, seeing her wondering, That couldn’t be Froztia, could it? She hasn’t even connected with her yet.

  “How dare you inflict those that I treasure. Never mind stealing from my protected lands,” she says as Zaravarn stands, taking the energy from his gauntlets and forming it into a condensed ball.

  “But you’re supposed to be dormant.” The demon senses Froztia with suspicion.

  “Yes, hence the mess from my absence that I must purify,” she says as Zaravarn walks over, standing next to her.

  “Sorry for your disturbance. I’ll finish this,” He sends the Sweltering Judgement power in the concentrated ball, enveloping the demon in a singular funneled tornado. It strips its power by ripping its flesh like his claws did prior. Drotonic couldn’t believe his eyes as he glanced towards Erryn. Her back was still burnt from corrosion. He scurried to look for another vial in his robes.

  The woman turns to Erryn, touching her shoulder, restoring her energy and healing her burns, whispering, “I await all of you.”

  While she whispers, her eyes wander towards Drotonic. He notices a tear rolling down her face before she vanishes with the snow falling back in its place. After the tornado singes out, blackness envelopes the demon’s body. A pile of bone encompasses it, dragging it below.

  “He won’t be bothering anyone from now on,” Zaravarn says.

  Erryn stands as her back finishes healing. Zaravarn turns into pure flames, flickering away as Valedent comes out with Kiley. They stand in front of the runic realm entrance.

  Froztia’s Realm : Valedent

  22

  Valedent regains himself from the caustic breath attack. He picks up Kiley, taking her around the corner out of danger.

  “Brother, I’ve missed you so much,” Kiley cheers, tearing with glee and hugging him tightly as they sit.

  “I’ve missed you as well,” Valedent rubs her head with a smile and notices tiny singe marks from the demon’s attack which Erryn attempted to block. Those burns. Will she be okay? he wonders. They sit, waiting as she cuddles with him while refusing to loosen her grip.

  “Kiley, why did you come up here all by yourself? Liza was scared and sad when she couldn’t find you,” Valedent asks.

  “I’m sorry. I wanted to talk with Froztia,” she says.

  “Kiley, I know what happened.” At Valedent’s words, Kiley trembles. “Jax told me.”

  “I’m sorry, I can explain,” she plead with him
.

  “There was a reason I told you to keep it to yourself. You can’t just assume that everyone listening cares or let alone, if they can even accept your truths,” Valedent explains as he hears Drotonic yell something about souls. He gets up, peering around the corner to see Erryn kneeling on the ground in pain. There’s an enlarged demon, and a new character with flaming hair. What the hell? Where’s her paranoid friend? he wonders, looking around to see him move back.

  Then as he looks back, the flaming haired guy punches the demon, creating a sonic wave. It rushes down the mountain path’s edge as Valedent rolls back behind the mountain wall. He looks back to see that Erryn was still somehow unmoved and okay. How? he wonders.

  He walks back over, sitting next to Kiley who says, “I understand, but I thought he would be happy to know you’re alive. But all it did was make him mad at me.”

  “I knew he would be,” Valedent nudges her.

  “You did?” Her face registers her surprise.

  “Yep. It’s one of the reasons why I didn’t want you to say anything,” Valedent says.

  “Oh, sorry. I promise to do better.” She snuggles into his chest as he notices the noise became quieter.

  “Well, we have to figure a way down this mountain. Come on,” he says as they begin to walk a few steps down the incline.

  “Don’t we want to say bye and make sure they’re okay?” Kiley asks.

  Then, as if fate demanded it, Valedent hears Erryn, “Come on, Valedent.” It gains his attention as Kiley becomes excited and runs back, forcing him to only follow.

  “Wait, what?” Valedent hears Drotonic inquire.

  “I second that. Why me?” Valedent asks.

  “Because Froztia said so,” Erryn says, continuing up the path as Kiley jumps with excitement. Her and Drotonic sighs, walking up to the stone structure.

  “Shall we?” Erryn asks as Drotonic helps her activate Froztia’s portal.

  “We shall,” Drotonic replies.

  “I don’t see a reason to answer the demands of a goddess that’s done nothing but ignore our prayers,” Valedent says.

  “Not like you can utilize the portal which was open in her old temple. The bishop sealed it after sending us through unless you were going to climb down, I suppose,” Erryn shrugs and enters the iced-over portal as Kiley takes her hand. Drotonic gives him a stern glare, and they walk through the portal one after another.

  After everyone walks in, Kiley checks out the beautiful ice flowers lying along the path her face filled with wonderment. A rushing stream of crystal blue water keeps refreezing on the shores. It borders rocks over-layered with ice as it touches them adjacent to the path. Valedent inhales the brisk air as its weight is awkwardly lighter, but clearer in comparison to Arthro’s air.

  “The air is so light here. Try and not lose your breath,” Drotonic says to Valedent as he catches up to Erryn.

  What the heck is this guy’s problem? Valedent wonders, working his way up to Kiley.

  “Valedent, look how pretty this place is. It’s like an ice wonderland from a picture book,” She spins in circles with arms out, expressing her excitement and putting a smile on his face.

  “It sure is. You really think this goddess is going to help us?” Valedent asks.

  “Why not? Isn’t it her job to protect and guide those of Pinya like Zaravarn does for Nija?” Erryn says as they approach her tower which becomes bigger with the closer they get. On arrival, they come to an outside spiraling stairway. They ascend until they reach a plateaued floor that’s as smooth as glass. Recognizing an archway with crystal ice doors, they enter as the doors open on their own and close once everyone steps through.

  “How do you like, as little Kiley called it, my ice wonderland?” a woman’s voice asks.

  “It’s beautiful,” Kiley reacts, still smiling.

  “Someone want to tell me who’s talking?” Valedent rubs his brow.

  “If you had half a brain, you’d know given the area we traveled. It could only be the Ice Goddess, Froztia,” Drotonic says.

  “Psst. Yeah, right. I stopped believing in that back when poisonous spores were exposed during the opening of a new cavern inside the mountains. Sorry, but if she couldn’t even help the innocent, then how she going to help us now?” Valedent asks as they stand in a small room.

  Erryn finds another wall with antique artwork all over it and places her hand on it. It opens, revealing an entrance which they enter. But Valedent spins around as the door seals behind them freezing over.

  “Hey, wasn’t that the way out?” Kiley asks, running back to touch the now iced wall.

  “Dear young one, don’t fret. That’s not the way you’ll return to Pinya,” Froztia says, walking out of the darkness as light blue crystals illuminate the room one by one. Standing before everyone is a woman with an icicle crown and a slim regal dress that which connects around her neck, formfitting to her curves and draping to the floor. It starts white on top, fading to a frost blue with an under lace dark blue in the front with a snow cotton train attached by her hips.

  “Your Greatness, how pleasant of you to greet us with your presence,” Drotonic bows down to one knee, and Kiley’s jaw drops as she steps forward. Froztia closes her mouth with a smile.

  Kiley touches her jaw and breathes out cold air, “So cold.”

  “So, what? You just sit on your throne all day?” Valedent asks as he looks around the dome-shaped room. A giant ice crystal slowly turns on the ceiling, and across the way is a crystal throne fitting for a queen filled with snow as a cushion.

  “If that’s all my day required. Now, I take it you’re the young Lady Summoner, Erryn. And you’re her Divine Sage?” Froztia answers Valedent and turns to the others.

  “We are. Thank you for rescuing me twice,” Erryn nods stepping forward as Drotonic stands.

  “Twice?” she asks.

  “Well, you got just now. The other was when I first entered Pinya during the attack by shadows and skulls,” Erryn reminds her.

  “Oh, you’re meaning about the encounter with Abyss. Yes, don’t hold ill towards him. After all, I didn’t think there was someone that could steal the souls he ferries. He’s kind of the caretaker of the dead, after all. You could call him the underworld overlord,” Froztia smiles as she takes Erryn’s hand.

  “An underworld overlord? Just about how many of you gods are there?” Valedent asks.

  “Pardon my rudeness, but we have come here for a reason,” Drotonic says.

  “Oh, yes. I can’t have someone going back unprepared, now can I? Shall we connect?” Froztia looks to Erryn as she nods.

  “Unprepared for what?” Valedent asks, but Froztia doesn’t answer. She takes Erryn’s hand, leading her to the center as it transforms to rising stairs. Erryn walks up to the top, stepping onto a platform.

  “Where’s she going?” Kiley asks Valedent, tugging at his long jacket.

  Erryn stands with a relaxed and calm mind, letting any tensions go as it becomes silent. A cold wind picks up around her, turning Erryn’s hair to a frosty blue while lifting her in the air.

  “Yo, Drotonic. What’s going on?” Valedent asks.

  “She’s accepting the power of Froztia,” Drotonic says.

  Once at a high enough level in the air, she extends her arms. A white coldness gets pulled into her body. Then Erryn tilts her head back as five balls of ice energies impale her body, causing her to curl up from the intense impact as they form into one energy within her.

  Erryn glides downward like a feather, lying on the floor instead of the platform with the power of the goddess now living within her. Curiosity gets the better of Valedent, and he moves to stand behind Kiley and Drotonic. Erryn’s eyes open, as she looks at Kiley first and then at Valedent.

  “Is something wrong?” Erryn asks.

  “I don’t know, you tell us,” Valedent scratches his head.

  “You okay?” Kiley asks.

  “Yeah, I’m okay,” Erryn smiles, touching Kiley’s
face to relieve her nerves.

  “That’s good, because I think my brother was worried too,” Kiley says as Valedent turns, hiding his blushing face.

  “That’s not true. We only came because you said there was a way back to Pinya through here,” He tries to play it off.

  “Not like she needs you to worry for her. Anyways, I’m here. Plus, you’ll be back to town shortly and can be on your way,” Drotonic speaks up while helping Erryn to her feet.

  Then, on a side wall, a blue runic inscription begins to inscribe onto the ice, revealing an opening to a platform. Valedent is the last to get onto the platform, not trusting anything from a god. The platform descends along the waterfall and Valedent looks out to see the entire overview of the realm.

  It reaches the bottom where the waterfall connects to the river. A crystalized bubble surrounds the platform, protecting the occupants from the freezing effects of the river. Then after a few moments of darkness, they surface in a cave with a dome-like area leading to a portal. After getting off the platform as it brushes the shore, they head to the portal. It looks like an ice-reflecting mirror. One after another, they walk through and teleport to the temple.

  Erryn and Drotonic get thrown off balance into the bishop back at the temple as Valedent catches himself, grabbing Kiley and blending into the crowd.

  “Oh, thank the Goddess you’ve returned to us,” the bishop smiles, gripping his hands in joy.

  “I told you we would be back,” Erryn smirks.

  “I presume it’s time to initiate your temple’s connection with her and rejuvenate the bond to the town,” Drotonic says as Valedent looks around and sees Jax in the hall.

  Valedent signals with a finger over his lips to Kiley, and he waves Jax over. “Hey, Jax, how’s it going?”

  “Just working, what are you up to?” Jax asks as he notices Valedent hiding something behind his back.

  “I need you to do something for me. You think you could hide something I hold dear till I can get past the good old bishop? He can’t see this little treasure till I get it home first,” Valedent says as he moves slightly. Kiley makes a small wave to Jax as Drotonic shoves past Valedent into the prayer room. What’s this guy’s problem? He’s lucky I’m so preoccupied, Valedent thinks.