Forbidden Places
By Richard LeBlanc
Chapter Nineteen: Lokaan
A few tense hours had passed sine the confrontation between Toy maker and Markys. Although Enchanter and Lord Arachnid suspected something was up - they had no inkling as to what had transpired between the two in so short a time.
"Did you feel that?" Tuly asked hesitantly. The others stopped and looked around. Nothing - but then they felt it too. The ground was lightly shaking.
"Looks like our prey has decided to become the predator," Arachnid commented. Markys stepped forward and quietly laughed.
"Please, allow me," she requested in a calculating manner. Red Mana rose up around her in the form of orange flames. The remaining forces of the mammoth army crashed through the trees and charged towards the stationary wizards.
"Have a nice trip," she began. A lightning bolt shot down from the sky and struck the ground between them and the charging attackers. As soon as the mammoths touched that singed earth - they all fell into a yawning fissure. Markys walked over to the edge and looked down at the broken bodies at the bottom.
"They won't be able to warn the master or give us any problems now," She said coldly. Markys turned and walked back to where the others were waiting.
"Nicely done," Enchanter commented.
"I try. So on to find this Lokaan character?" she replied and asked.
"Sounds plausible. Come, I can smell the swamplands from here. We are close," Arachnid stated as he led the way.
"I hope this Lokaan is worth the time and effort we have invested in him," Enchanter muttered as he and the others followed the spider mage through the forest.
Within minutes - the forest around them seemed to wither as they neared the boarder of an eerie looking swamp. Although most swamps had a dark feel to them - this one made all others look cheery.
"One road in," Tuly commented.
"That means we can expect lots of traps," Toy Maker added.
"Only if he knows we are coming," Markys retorted rationally. Just then a skeleton slowly up from the ground and stood before them.
"Its eyes - they're crystal," Tuly commented.
"Spy Spell," Enchanter and Toy Maker said together.
"The controlling wizard can see through the eyes of whatever the spell is used on as though they were his own eyes. He knows we're here," Toy Maker stated as he looked over at Markys. It was then that the skeleton began to quickly grow outwards until it was wholly human with glowing crystal eyes.
"My master bids you welcome to his domain. If you would follow me I would guide you to his citadel," the guide said in a raspy voice. Markys watched as the nude man turned and led the way down the path.
"Kind of cute. Nice to see Lokaan hasn't lost his touch," she commented as she and the others walked a safe distance behind their escort.
"Feel a little more at home here Arachnid?" Markys curiously asked.
"As a matter of fact - yes. Kind of reminds me of home," he replied. A huge lizard rose up from the murky waters and watched the unsuspecting wizards walking by. As silently as it rose - so too did it sink back under the surface of the swamp.
Mere minutes later, a rotted condemned looking castle came into view.
"That's it? I was expecting something a little less run down," Enchanter muttered in disgust.
"Don't be too quick to judge. All things here are not always how they appear," Markys suggested as they approached a rusted looking gate.
"In the name of the master Lokaan - I bid the open," the guide chanted. The rusty gates glowed as the wards and traps were lifted and disarmed. The guide then began to wither back into a skeleton and then collapsed to the ground.
"Temporary spell it would seem," Markys commented as she studied the rotted looking bones.
"Who cares. We came here for a purpose. Let's get it over with so we can finish this mess," Toy Maker said brashly as he opened the gates. As soon as his hand released the gate - a bright light engulfed them all. Almost instantly they reappeared in a hall that was richly and lavishly decorated.
"I've seen kingdom's with less," he muttered.
"I will take that as a compliment Toy Maker,"a voice stated. They looked to the top of a staircase and saw a man looking down at them.
"Lokaan," Markys stated with a smile.
"Markys? My god - it is you. I saw it through the Spy Spell - but I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me," Lokaan replied. He hopped from the tower-sized staircase and landed gracefully before the sorceress. He politely bowed to her and kissed the back of her hand. "Had I known you were among my pursuers - I would not have run so fast," he added elegantly.
"I presume that you are Lokaan? The one known as the Evil Lokaan? I find it hard to believe that one so cheery could be deemed evil," Arachnid stated coldly. Lokaan looked over at the black mage and smiled.
"Some reputations are ill deserved - a fate I am sure Toy Maker can relate to," Lokaan replied eloquently.
"How do you know who I am?" Toy Maker asked seriously.
"Direct and to the point. Fair enough. I did some traveling before I came to find myself in this wondrous place. I heard some stories about a spider mage - that must be you," Lokaan began as he pointed at Arachnid. "I have heard epics - about a man that fits your description - Enchanter?" he continued.
"That would be me," Enchanter admitted. Lokaan then looked over at Toy Maker.
"And - I have heard - horror stories equal to his epics - about an artificer - named Toy Maker," he concluded rationally.
"Traveling - perhaps. But you know us by name and reputation because you have had spies watching our every move. That puts us at a disadvantage with you - you have flooded the land with rumors and hearsay about yourself. Only you would know what is true," Toy Maker replied. Lokaan quietly laughed and reluctantly nodded.
"Fair enough. I know all about you people - and have since you set foot on these islands. My influence and knowledge of the happenings here are second - only to one - and she is your guide,"Lokaan replied as he subtly pinched Markys' rear. She hopped to the side and pointed at him.
"I see you are still all hands," she stated calmly.
"As I recall - that was what you liked about me," he stated nonchalantly.
"Now, now. I am sort of seeing someone,"she whispered. Lokaan stepped away and held his hands up defensively.
"My most humble apologies. I was unaware. But enough about me, what brings you happy questers out hunting for little old me?" he asked curiously.
"Answers," Toy Maker replied seriously.
"Answers about people, places or things? All of the above perhaps?" Lokaan asked in return.
"Each seeks a secret that is hidden within these lands," Markys clarified.
"Ah, what brought me here - had brought others it would seem. Any friend of Markys - is more than a friend to me," Lokaan stated in a stately manner. He clapped his hands. Upon doing so, dozens of exotic looking, scantly clad female servants entered the room.
"What is mine is of course yours. Ladies, extend to these weary travelers the hospitality of my house and see that none want for nothing," Lokaan politely ordered with a bow. He then rose and began to ascend the stairs.
"Where exactly are you going?" Arachnid asked untrustingly.
"You seek secrets of this land. All I know I keep in my library. You needn't worry, I will return once I have what you seek," he answered without stopping. Markys looked over and saw five of the servants flirting with Enchanter.
"Looks like Enchanter is up to his usual tricks," she began. Arachnid grabbed her by the wrist and led her into an adjoining room.
"What?" she asked hesitantly. Arachnid closed the door.
"You were involved with that man?" he asked lowly.
"I was. A long time ago. Is - that a problem?" she asked curiously. Arachnid turned his back to her.
"Oh, my - past - it bothers you. I never claimed to be a virgin. I thought you," she began but stopped.
"I'm sorry. I thought that you knew I had past lovers. How else could I have pleased you had someone not taught me?" she asked. Arachnid looked over at her and leaned against the door behind him.
"Have there been others?" he asked curiously.
"Yes," she answered - lowering her eyes.
"How many?" he asked seriously.
"I - I can't remember. My lord - my power is my curse. I have lived so long alone. Some - used me - much as Enchanter would like to - some - took me by force. Others - I fell in love with. . Please do not hate me. It would break my heart if you did," she requested timidly with watering eyes. Arachnid walked over and gave her a gentle hug.
"I'm - sorry. I should act so - irrationally," he whispered. Markys placed her arms around his waists and hugged him back.
"It is okay. The heart can do funny things to us. As for Lokaan - you needn't worry about him. He sought to control me. when he realized he couldn't - he let me leave. He and all of the others - they are in the past. You - my love - are my future," she whispered - as an evil smile crossed her face. 
Back in the main area where the others were, Toy Maker and Tuly watched as Enchanter was escorted out of the room by several servants.
"I am sorry to intrude, but is there any way I can be of service to you two?" a servant asked.
"I'm fine," Toy Maker replied.
"Are you hungry from your travels? Some food or wine perhaps?" she offered.
"Tuly?" Toy Maker asked.
"It has been ages since I ate human food," she commented.
"It shall be done mistress," the servant concluded as she and three others hurried away.
"Tuly, what do you make of all this? I know that most of what you know may be false - but from what you do know - is he acting in character?" he asked quietly. Tuly sighed and looked around.
"Yes and no. I had the misfortune of being here. I was - lured here by his agents. I was a hawk at the time. I was still confused. He was so nice at first - but then he turned on me. He trapped me in a - cage. I don't know how I escaped - but I did," she began.
"Then he is trying to lull us in," Toy Maker commented.
"Most likely. I don?t know where he went, but I doubt it was library," she replied. she walked over and saw a tiny - palm-sized rat scurrying around in a golden cage. She walked over and looked at the innocent looking creature.
"It's so cute," she began. She looked over at the odd look Toy Maker was giving her. "For - a rat that is," she continued. She cleared her throat and made her way over to where Toy Maker was standing.
"It is an Evolving Porcupine Rat - last of its kind. Very rare actually. They grow - at an abnormal rate. The only thing that keeps him so tiny and as you pointed out - so cute - is the fact that he is trapped in that gilded cage," Lokaan stated from the top of the stairs. "And for the record - you were wrong - see? Book?" he added as he displayed the book in his hands.
"How long were you ease dropping?" Toy Maker asked.
"This is my home. I am allowed to listening to those that would plot against me. Tuly, you were the Tithian Hawk? I should have seen the resemblance. And you didn't escape - I let you go. You weren't the rare creature I mistook you for," he replied as he slowly descended the stairs.
"How about we cut to the chase? You weren't running from us - you were leading us here. Why?" Toy Maker asked seriously. Lokaan smiled at the artificer.
"Markys told me that you suspected her true nature before most. I see why. You possess a treasure I desire. You know it as the Golden Heart of Growth - some call it the Empower Stone. Either or - I want it. With it - my precious creatures and I will have enough power to rip control of this place - away from that stupid bitch Markys," he answered calmly.
"Creating it was a mistake - one that I can not undo. I can not and will not let it fall into unworthy hands - and yours look as unworthy as they come," Toy Maker replied seriously. Lokaan quietly laughed and hopped up onto an empty table.
"Defiance - every time I encounter it - it soothes me like a fine wine. I was willing to just take the one artifact at first and let you and your lady leave. Now I will take all that you are - all you possess," Lokaan hissed. Green mana began to fog around the wizard. Toy Maker grabbed Tuly and leaped to the side.
"I don't think so!" Toy maker exclaimed. Red mana exploded outward from his gauntlet towards the green wizard. But much to his horror - the spell fizzled out.
"Try again," Lokaan goaded.
"I encountered a similar problem with a blue dragon. I shall resolve this problem the same way!" Toy Maker replied. A quiver of serrated arrows appeared in his hands. Without the use of a bow - one flew at the unworried green wizard. The arrow turned to dust before it could harm its target.
"A ward protects him from being targeted," Tuly muttered.
"So it would seem," Toy Maker stated.
"Surrender now - I will not give you the choice again," Lokaan warned.
"Hmph. In you - there is an arrogance equal to Enchanter. Both of you have lived so long untouched that you believe yourself to be above harm," Toy Maker began. The green mana faded away from the intrigued green wizard.
"As we speak - my minions are weakening him - making him more susceptible to my - subtle powers. The spider mage - Markys can have for all I care. His death magic is of no use to me. But your devices - and Enchanters powers - they will make me invincible!"  Lokaan said triumphantly.
"That - would probably be so,"Toy Maker began. The artificer's calmness unnerved him.
"That - is so," Lokaan corrected.
"I disagree. You claim that you have traveled. Have you heard of a man - called Lord Nevenrile?" Toy Maker asked coyly. Lokaan tensed up and watched as an oddly shaped disk appeared in the artifice's hand.
"Known by some as the author of destruction. You are bluffing artificer. You unleashed power such as that before at terrible cost - the screams still haunt you. You wouldn't open such a gate - and risk such - carnage again," Lokaan stated seriously. Lokaan watched as the disk floated up and secured itself to the floor.
"You - are bluffing. Such power - it would destroy us all. Your precious Tuly included," Lokaan warned.
"No - it won't," Toy Maker replied coolly. With a wave of his hand - both he and Tuly were enchanted. "As for the screams that haunt my nights - they are the screams of the innocent - your screams - will not bother me at all," Toy Maker concluded. With a wave of his hand - the disk on the floor began to pulse energy. Lokaan looked up at the artificer and watched as the two began to vanish.
"This won't stop me!" he shouted out. The talisman slowly began to grow into the size of a drinking well. Lokaan watched as thorny vines grew out from the disk. Everything that the vines touched they crushed and destroyed.
Moments later - both Toy Maker and Tuly reappeared back outside of the gate.
"What was that thing?" Tuly asked. The sound of rumbling interrupted her answer. She turned around and saw thousands of thorny tentacles smash out from every corner of the ruined castle and drag it down to the swampy ground on which it stood.
"A Nevenrile's Disk,"he answered.
"Are the others?"she began.
"I doubt that we would be so fortunate,"he replied as he motioned for her to follow him towards the mountain of debris. Once there - he sat down on a moss covered boulder and waited.
"What are you doing?" Tuly asked.
"Waiting,"he replied. it was then that the debris exploded away from where Enchanter was buried.
"Someone - opened a Nevenrile's Disk," he said sourly. Toy Maker hopped from his perch.
"That - would be me," he replied coolly.
"Why?" Enchanter asked - trying to remain calm.
"Lokaan - was setting us up. Wards protected him from being targets by spells or my artifacts. Had I not acted when I did - he would have taken you down," Toy Maker stated calmly.
"You could have taken us all down - or was that your initial plan?" Enchanter asked lowly.
"I wouldn't be so foolish to believe that so simple a tactic would be rid of the lot of you. I knew that - you would find a way to evade the dark hand of fate. That wretched spider wizard probably found a way to survive as well," he rationalized.
"So - I am just to accept your word - that all of this is the way it is?" Enchanter demanded.
"My word is my bond. Accept it or no - the choice is yours," Toy Maker retorted seriously. Enchanter was going to speak again when hundreds of spiders swarmed over one section of debris. They looked over and watched as Arachnid pulled an unconscious Markys out from the swarm of spiders.
"Who - was responsible for that?" he demanded lowly.
"He was. Hey - you should thank him - he saved our lives," Enchanter added sarcastically.
"You - uh - are actually right - Enchanter," a weakened voice strained. They looked over and saw Lokaan pulling himself up from the debris. He looked more dead than alive - but the look in his eyes was one a thousand times more intense than hate.
"Had he not - uh - done what he did - I would have enslaved you all," Lokaan strained.
"That has yet to be seen," Enchanter stated as he cast a spell at the wizard - but much like Toy Maker's attempts - the spell failed.
"Weakened though I am - I still have enough power - to summon Serpentius - my venomous reptile," he muttered. Green fog began to swirl around the wizard. It was then that the large lizard that had been watching them earlier emerged from the fog. "Grow - grow in power - grow in strength," he chanted. The others watched as the lizard doubled in size so that it was as large as a dragon. "With my breath - let yours be poison - with my life - take theirs," he continued. A fine white mist escaped from his mouth and flowed into the large dragon. Lokaan staggered and fell against one of the few standing portions of pillar.
"That - doesn't look pleasant," Tuly muttered.
"One touch of this monster's skin - will kill you - avenge - me," he slurred as he fell lifelessly to the swamp.
"Suggestions?" Toy Maker asked.
"You brought the house down! You deal with him," Arachnid said bitterly as he tended to a cut on Markys' head. Toy Maker looked at the oozing slime that coated the dragon's skin and knew that the wizard wasn't joking when he said that it was toxic.
"Then deal with it - I shall,"Toy Maker muttered with a wave of his hand - dozens of human sized Toy Soldiers appeared around him. "Turn that slimy beast into luggage," he continued as the soldier marched towards the roaring dragon.
"We might have another problem,"Enchanter commented. Tuly looked over and saw a decaying creature slowly crawling out from a puddle of ooze.
"I'm busy!" Arachnid retorted.
"Same here,"Toy Maker added. A portal opened above him. dozens of giant metal wasps flew at the roaring dragon that was having its way with the artifact creatures.
"That might be trouble - that is a Deathwalker Zombie - much like the skin of that dragon - it is diseased. Whatever touches it - grows weaker and makes the zombie stronger," Tuly stated calmly.
"Get down!" Toy maker exclaimed. He leaped over and knocked Tuly to the ground just as the dragon's tail whisked over their heads. Toy Maker looked over and saw the tail knock the Deathwalker into two pieces. The two pieces then began to grow into two separate zombies.
"I never knew you cared," Tuly teased. The two quickly moved in time to avoid being stepped on by the dragon.
"This isn't working! My soldiers and wasps are having no affect on this dragon," Toy Maker stated seriously. It was then that Arachnid got up and glared at the artificer.
"Enough of this madness! By the ancient tomes - let demonic destruction cleanse this madness!"  he called out. Black mana exploded outwards from the spider wizard. A pentagram appeared on the ground where he was standing.
"Hold on!"  Toy maker warned. With a wave of his hand - both he and Tuly vanished. Seconds later a rift between dimensions opened up - a mist like, demonic apparition appeared. It let out a battle cry and slammed its fist into the area where the fighting was happening. A tremendous explosion rocked the area. When the smoke finally began to settle - the venomous reptile - and the Deathwalkers were dead and in pieces. Around the dead reptile were the parts of all of the decimated artifact creatures. Moments later - the two reappeared.
"Wrath magic - tell me that wasn't wrath magic," Enchanter muttered.
"What is he talking about?" Tuly asked.
"Wrath magic - dark magic - packs with demons - stuff like that," Toy Maker stated as the demon made of mist took on form and laughed a bone chilling laugh.
"Free - at - last!" it echoed.
"Arachnid - you brought that thing here - get it under control" Enchanter shouted.
"I can't! But I can weaken it!" Arachnid stated as the bulging muscles on the demon began to wither as the enchantments began to set in.
"Weakened though it is - it is still huge," Tuly muttered.
"Fools! Spells cannot bind me!" the demon roared as the enchantments fizzled. The demon returned to its normal form and mass.
"Allow me," Enchanter offered. Blue mana swirled around the demon. They all watched as strange mutations began to warp and twist the shape of the monster before them.
"That - is your idea of helping? You made that damn thing stronger!" Toy Maker stated as he waved his hand. Tuly vanished as a demonic tentacle slammed down where Tuly was standing.
"IT is an unstable mutation. Just hold out - the spell will kill him," he justified.
"Easy for you to say," Toy Maker muttered as he evaded two tentacles, three arms and a huge talon.
"I'll speed the process up then," Enchanter retorted. Three more swirls of blue mana encircled the beast. It wailed out as its body began to twist and contort even more. Now the beast was twice as large as the dragon he was facing.
"Are you trying to get us killed?" he demanded as he hid behind a living wall. The multiple attacks of the beast effortlessly shattered the wall - but prevented the hits from hitting him.
"Trust me Toy Maker - trust me," Enchanter added coldly. It was then that Toy Maker saw parts of the deformed demon beginning to decay. The unstable part of the mutation were setting in. Just then - the enchantments that were cast vanished - the demon began to return to its normal form.
"I live!" the demon roared - it tensed up as the effects of the mutation kicked in - the demon staggered and then collapsed to the ground and began to melt into a puddle of smoldering ooze. Tuly reappeared a few feet away from where the demon fell. Toy Maker looked over at Arachnid and Enchanter - both were glaring at him.
"I had my doubts that you both were working for her - but this pretty much clears any of that," Toy Maker muttered in disgust. Markys slowly sat up and took note of the confrontation that was building.
"What are you talking about? You almost killed us,"Arachnid pointed out.
"I was trying to deal with Lokaan! The two of you were trying to do away with me!" Toy Maker interrupted. Arachnid hopped down to where the artificer was.
"Your actions - could have gotten Markys killed. She is our guide. Without her - we will not find," he began - but stopped himself.
"I don't care what the hell you are looking for - either of you! I don't trust - no - I can't trust either of you any more than I can Markys," Toy maker angrily shouted.
"Leave - her - out of this," Arachnid hissed.
"Make me," Toy Maker retorted.
"Nibbles! Arttack!" Arachnid hissed. The huge spider leaped from its master's hood. Toy maker hopped to the side to evade the attack.
"Remember the desert?" Toy maker asked lowly. Arachnid tensed up. He watched as an artifact replica of the spider wasp in the desert appeared in his enemy's hands.
"No,"he muttered in disbelief. Before Nibbles or Arachnid hand the time to react - the artifact creature shot over and attacked Nibbles. Arachnid watched in horror as Nibbles tried to fend off the attacks of the construct - but nothing seemed to work.
"No!" he screamed he ran over and stomped his foot down on the device - shattering it. He knelt over the twitching spider.
"Don't die,"he muttered. he waved his hand over the spider to feed the regeneration enchantment - but it wasn't working. Nibbles let out a weak chirp and then went limp in Arachnid's hands.
"The venom on the claws and fangs of the wasp were made from that of the real spider wasp. Your powers - cannot bring him back. And if you try to raise him from his grave - I will thwart your every effort. You called this dance Arachnid - and by god - push me further - and we will see who is left standing," Toy Maker warned. But none of the words reached the spider wizard. All he could hear was the last bit of life leaving the spider - the creature that he had known as a brother and a friend. He clenched his fists and screamed out in rage and in pain. he then looked over at the wizard that had killed Nibbles.
"I swear - I swear by all I hold holy - I swear by all I possess and hold dear - I will make you pay for this," he said as tears streamed down his cheeks. No emotion showed on the Toy Maker's face.
"Finish it now if you are able," Toy Maker goaded. Arachnid glared at the man but turned and walked over to where Markys was.
"I'm leaving! Whatever use you imagine them having is moot. Are you coming with me - or staying with them?" he demanded. Markys looked over at the other two wizards and then at a spider wizard that was trembling with rage.
"I - I - uhm, I'm coming," she reluctantly muttered. she walked over to where Enchanter was and handed him the map.
"It will work for you now. I must go with him - in the state he's in," she began timidly.
"Go - do what you must,"Enchanter whispered. He watched as Markys walked over to where Arachnid was standing and watched as the two slowly made their way away from them.
To be continued...
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1