By Richard LeBlanc
Chapter Nine
The sun began its rise into a dark morning sky. All save a few scouts and look outs were fast asleep. One small group of scouts was doing a routine patrol of the area. They were expecting the open tundra to be empty - but it wasn't. On top of one hill - one man was sitting - and watching them.
"Who goes there?" one called out.
"Death." Lord Arachnid replied. At first - they thought him joking - but when they saw a large mutated spider crawl up from behind the hill and stand beside the man - they knew that he was the one that they were sent to kill. One scout slapped another on the shoulder and motioned for him to return to camp.
"You must be the death mage." one of the scouts began. Lord Arachnid slowly rose to his feet.
"Spider Mage would be infinately more accurate. Are you challenging me?" he replied.
"I will save my masters the trouble of dispensing with you." the scout began as he hurried towards the wizard.
"No - no you won't - you are too - weak." the wizard replied. With a wave of his hand - the scout's movements began to slow. The others watched as each step the man took seemed to take Herculean effort. By the time he reached the wizard - he fell to the ground - dead.
"Enchantment - it is an art i am not overly proficient in - but some spells - make the knowledge worth knowing. Do the rest of you wish to test my skill?" he asked seriously. The scouts hesitantly stepped back - then turned and began to run back towards their camp. Lord Arachnid stepped over the dead scout and calmly pursued.
Within moments - back at the camp - alarms were sounding. Soldiers scurried to get their weapons ready. Angels hurried to put their armor on. The Prodigal Sorcerers exited from their tents. The time had come for war - and all would be ready. Lord Arachnid walked over the hill and saw the mass of troops scrambling to get ready. despite the short notice - he had to respect their quickness and sense of discipline.
"If I've come at a bad time - i can come back later." he called out. He got no answer save that of nasty looks. Within minutes - the entire army was amassed - armed and ready. Lord Arachnid watched as the soldiers formed into perfect ranks. He could feel the power that was in the army below. It was not somthing to be taken lightly.
"We of the Order of Serra will offer you one honorable chance to surrender." one angel called out. Lord Arachnid smiled and shook his head.
"I didn't come here to talk honey - i came here to getto your master. If i go through you people - or over you - is of no consequense to me. Step aside - or perish." he replied coldly. The angel screamed out in rage. Battle cries echoed from the unified ranks. The massive army - charged.
"Step one - can't fight what you can't see." he stated coolly. With a wave of his hand - dense fog began to swirl up from the ground. he could hear his would be attackers still charging towards him.
"You people seem so adept in preparing for me death magic - how about we go the other way. I picked this spell up from a desert mage in a land. Sandstorm - strike!" he shouted out. a strong wind blew against his attackers pelting sand at them like small arrows.
"And again..." he continued as he recast the spell. More sand blew against his attackers.
"And again..." he added. Again he recast the Sandstorm spell.
"On more time." he concluded. he recast the spell one last time. He could hear the cries from the hurting soldiers. With a wave of his hand - the fog vanished. Many of the troops were badly wounded but were still able to stand. Lord Arachnid smiled and drew four infisible circles in the air around him. One angel stopped her charge when she saw what he was doing.
"Stop him sisters! He plans to use a pestilence to finish off what his storms started!" she cried out. The angel and the others soared at the spider mage. But it was too late - the spell had been cast.
"Rejoice sisters of Serra - i bring thee the gift - of death!" he hissed. Waves of swickness rippled outward from the wizard. Blisters and sores began to appear on all of the wounded attackers - and the spider mage - and his mutated spider. He then poured more power into the enchantment - the lesser soldiers began to fall. Some were unaffected by the pestilence - but not many. He channeled more power into the spell - more fell - including some angels. Lord Arachnid let out a scream as he channeled even more power into the spell - all save a small continugent of troops were now dead. The living looked at the massive carnage around them - and then looked over at the cause.
"You will pay for this." a weakened soldiers shouted. Lord Arachnid quietly laughed. he was hurting from the sickness that he had summoned upon all living things around him - but he was far from done.
"Tell your master to send me the bill - from hell!" he retorted. With a wave of his hand a powerful cyclone began to swirl in the sky above. Everything began to take even more damage as the spell began to pick up more power and momentum. Within seconds - those that had withstood the pestilence - had perished as well.
"Done." Lord Arachnid stated between weakened gasps. It was then that he was riddled with pain. he was flung back several feet. he hesitantly looked up and saw the small gathering of prodigal sorcerers heading his way.
"No - it is you who are done." one of the wizards muttered.
"Not quite - you did your trick - now it is my turn." he retorted. At first they weren't sure what he was talking about, but then the looked at the spell he had cast earlier - the pestilence! a wave of black power rippled outward. the wizards tried to strike at the severely weakened spider wizard - but the power of the pestilence killed them all before they had a chance. Lord Arachnid gasped and panted. That was one of the most trying bayytles he had ever put himself through.
"Now - it is done..." he strained. His eyes crossed. he then fell back and into deep unconsciousness.
To be continued...
