Chapter21: A Near Disaster

Natar was waiting for them, and they were swiftly air borne, making a beeline for Eternos City. Orko chatted almost non-stop about his friends, and the sights, and how he couldn't wait to show then how his magic was supposed to work.

He'd get his chance, as fate would have it. As they drew nearer, Dregan suddenly leaned forward a bit, eyes locked on a field near the city.

"Something's moving in the grass," he observed. "A lot of somethings." All squinted, but saw nothing. Dregan dug out a few crystals that glowed with a pale pink-white radiance, and used a spell. His ruby eyes widened. "Whatever they are, they're evil." Zentarou used a spell as well.

"True sight," he explained as he studied the scene, right before he gasped. "It's an army of demons!"

"We've got to warn Adam and the others." Orko clutched the emerald. "Natar, pass low over the city, get their attention." Natar obeyed, swooping so low his belly came within a few feet of scraping the tallest tower, then he glided over to the army and made a few passed over it. Dregan grinned.

"Vivi, shift as your reflect will hit them." Vivi did, and Dregan used a light green gem streaked with purple. "This is a Storm Soul Jewel, very rare, and very, very powerful. I'm going to try ad dispel the entire army, but Vivi, if I cast it on you it might backfire and dispel your reflect. At the speed they're moving, I have only one shot before they reach the city. Aim at your reflect, or at them?" Each one looked at the others.

"One shot..." Orko echoed. He looked at Vivi, knowing that it was the Black Mage who took the risk. "Vivi?" Vivi nodded.

"At me." Dregan took a deep breath and casted...

...The red arc appeared, and a ripple of air creased the sky to crash wave-like over the army, and the demons became visible. Realizing where the anti-magic spell had come from, they pointed, shouted, and some fired arrows or threw spears that fell far short. They were frightening demons, black-skinned with horns at random places on their body and wicked claws and teeth, with spiny manes of hair - or something - on their heads and going down the back of their necks. Soldiers of Eternos City poured out, along with a man, bare-chested, on the back of what Dregan would call 'a green and gold striped legendary tiger.' The army began battling their demonic foes, but numbers were against them.

"Lets even the odds," Dregan commented, seeming to the others to get a wicked expression on his face. "Orko, have Natar put us down, then attack their flank." Orko nodded, and Natar glided low enough for the elf and cat to hover to the ground, swords drawn, where they joined the defenders. At Orko's command, Natar swung to the demon's flank and began the attack. Vivi used his reflect to full effect, and Orko took advantage of it, casting even spell in his repertoire, thrilling in the feel of the magic flowing again, yes, not as powerful as on Trolla, but flowing nonetheless. Natar inhaled deeply, and unleashed his breath weapon. A gout of pure magical power raked the demons, and they shrieked as they vanished, banished back to the hells they had been summoned from. Within a matter of minutes, not a single demon stood upon the field. The mages still airborne saw their fellows wave from the ground, signifying that they were all right, as a few of the Eternia natives approached them. Orko watched his friends from above and smiled, as Natar landed nearby to the other Bretheren. The Trollan was the only one who saw the tiger-riding man discreetly slip away, but by this time Zentarou and Dregan had company.

"Who are you?" the Trollan heard, recognizing the voice as that of Duncan, a.k.a. Man-at-Arms. Looking over, he recognized also Teela, King Randor, and, running from around the side with his sword out, as if fighting over there, Adam and Cringer. Before Dregan could answer, Orko called out,

"Adam! Teela!" He floated to the ground and Vivi followed, sliding down carefully. All looked seeming very much surprised, then rushed to meet their missing mage friend halfway. Soon Orko was surrounded by the friends who had become his family.

"Orko!" Teela embraced him.

"What happened to you?" asked Adam, placing a hand on Orko's shoulder, his expression one of delight to see his friend again. "You just vanished. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. And, Trolly-molly, it's a long story, but I've only got a little time."

"What do you mean?" asked Duncan.

"Lets go home, and I'll tell you everything." Natar lowered his head to the mages.

:Eight hours.: And he vanished, as the group headed into Eternos City.