By Richard LeBlanc
Chapter Eight
"I am going to have one chance at doing this - and i will have to do it right. Power of the Stream of Life - come to me!" he chanted. a pool of water appeared on the ground before him. the longer he stood - the more power the more life - seemed to flow into him. He then looked at the powerful creatures that were just waiting for the order to attack.
"What are you waiting for boys? Let's end this!" he called out. the giant beasts roared out and began to charge. Lord Arachnid then cast another fog spell. The creatures charged into the mists. A great deal of noise was made by the attacking creatures - but when the mists finally passed - the spider mage was unharmed.
"My minions - my brothers - attack!" he shouted. His small army of spiders scurried towards the monsters that had gone clear passed them. He watched as one Leviathan was swarmed by his pets. he watched as it spasmed as the massive doeses of spider venom began to set in. he then looked at his Giant Spiders and how they bit at the Polar Kraken. They weren't strong enough to kill the monster - but they wouldn't have to be.
"Here is a spell that i picked up in my travels overseas. The island mage called it a tropical storm. The fool didn't realize that it did him more harm than I." he stated coldly. The dark clouds above began to churn. torrential rains began to pelt at the giant monsters. He could hear the pain in the agonizing cries from the huge beasts. His allies were affected by the rains as well - but it had to be done. when the spell was ended - all of the mighty beasts were no more.
"That just leaves you - and me little puppy." Lord Arachnid began as he turned to face the distant familiar - but the beast had hurried off. Apparently - it and its master had seen enough. Lord Arachnid let out a sigh. It was a costly endeavor - but he had endured - much like he always had.
"That - was unpleasant." he commented. He looked at all of the dead spiders that littered the landscape.
"Don't worry my brothers. I would never sacrifice any of you." he stated. One by one be began to raise each of the spiders from the dead. Once back - he returned them to their home. the whole affair took almost a half a day - but to him - it had to be done.
At that moment - back at the fortress...
"He bested them all. His spiders and spells - actually bested them. Oh well. I guess i shouldn't have sent beasts to to the work of men. Guard!" he shouted out. the door opened and a single guard hurried in.
"The time has come. All of my armies - all of them are to attack this upstart. I don't want him walking away from this as he has before - and the time before - and the time before that. At all costs - that mage is to be killed!" he shouted.
"I will send the order master." the guard began.
"Wait - I have an idea. Brute force - it failed - raw power failed - perhaps what we need here - is some percision." he said to himself. The guard looked at his master and then at the door. Unsure if he was to carry out the previous order or wait for the next.
"Master?" he asked hesitantly. Miseorn looked at the confused guard.
"Send the order to my armies to stop the spider wizard - and notify the Academy - i want all of the prodigal sorcerers - regardless of training - to accompany them. Tell them to target anything that looks important. My familiar will be there with them - so there will be little cause for confusion - now go." he added seriously. The guard nodded and hurried away.
"We shall see if you are so fortunate you truly are spider wizard." he muttered in disgust.
Back where Lord Arachnid was. he was resting from the tiring effects of his previous battles. he looked up at the sky and watched as the sun began to vanish behind the distant mountains. The night was almost upon him. The dark half of his power - would now be at its peak.
"Each day this wizard throws more and more at me. I shudder to wonder where he is ammassing all of these creatures and minions from." he began. Nibbles scurried out from the hood and chirped before his master.
"I know what you mean. He must be powerful if he can control the varatious appetites of such monsters. And despite the losses he fared during those battles before - i can still sense that he has a great deal of mana at his beck and call. Do you think I can handle such a man?" he asked curiously. The spider happily chirped at him.
"You are too kind - as always. Do - do you hear something?" he asked hesitantly. The spider listened and then chirped. The wizard slowly hopped up to his feet. he stalked through the darkness towards the sounds of activity. as he did - he recognized it as armies marching. He looked out from behind a rock and saw hundreds of torches lighting up the plains before him. It was a huge camp.
"Wow. Someone is feeling important." he muttered. He examined the encampments - there were numerous types of troops there from humans to angels. He let out a sigh. That in itself merited concern. When he saw the enchanted banners of previous crusades fluttering in the wind - he began to realize how tricky a fight this would be.
"Crusades. Hoardes are one thing - but those angels - they will be a pain." he muttered. Nibbles chirped a suggestion, but Lord Arachnid shook his head.
"Not an option. if i use that - their master will see it and be ready for it. No - i will have to beat these young ones - the old fashioned way. Come. We will need some rest before this gets too serious." he suggested. The two made their way from the enemy camp to prepare themselves for the approaching war.
To be continued...
