The Rural Heroes
by Patrick E.



  Phil awoke to find himself in a big comfortable bed, under nice worm blankets. Looking around, he found that no one else was in the room with him and that the light of dawn was coming in a large window. Phil could feel a dull throbbing in his head, but with a little effort he was able to ignore the slight pain. When he tried to move, his whole body ached from the use of his magical anger.
   When Phil climbed up out of bed he found that he was wearing a pair of silk white pants that he had never seen before. Who had changed him? Phil pondered this as he searched for his own clothes in the chest at the end of the bed. In the chest he found all his clothes, belongings, and his sword. After quickly changing into a plain blue tunic over a long sleeved white shirt and a pair of loose black pants, Phil made his way down stairs to the large sitting room.
   �Who is responsible of changing my clothes?� Phil asked, walking into the sitting room where Weber, Eric, and Daerlon sat in large comfortable chairs near a fire.
   �That was me,� Eric said with a smile.
   �Are you serious?� Phil asked arching one eyebrow.
   �Very,� Eric said still smiling.
   �You are a sick man. A sick man indeed,� Phil said taking the free chair next to Weber.
   �Well your secret is safe with me,� Eric told Phil when he sat down.
   �What secret?� Phil asked.
   �You know what I�m talking about,� Eric said looking down at himself, his smile becoming even broader.
   �You are not sick, you are down right nasty,� Phil said shaking his head. Weber burst into laughter while Daerlon let out a little chuckle.
   �How are you this fine morning?� Daerlon asked Phil when Weber stopped laughing.
   �Good, a little sore, but I feel wonderful, almost like a new man,� Phil answered.
   �Can you still feel the anger, the rage?� Daerlon asked.
   Phil had not even realized it until now that he did not feel the magic, the waiting anger in his chest anymore. It was a relief knowing that he did not have to worry about the power coming out and taking him over anymore. It was however a little sad, even though the magic was scary and took control of his will, the power felt good. While in the state of rage, Phil felt practically unstoppable, now though, he felt vulnerable. He knew now he could not let the power go if he was in trouble and slaughter his enemies. Now he had to rely on his own, finely honed skills again.
   �No, it is gone. What happened to it?� Phil asked in amazement.
   �I am not an expert on this, but I think what has happened is that your anger has been sated, you have had your revenge.�
   �Will it come out again, like if someone else died or was in trouble and my anger came out?� Phil asked.
   Daerlon thought about it for a minute before answering, �Well you told me that your mother was a sorceress. Your magic obviously was passed from her and that you are in fact some sort of protector of the people. It will probably come back, but your body will adapt to it better the next time after already having a taste of it. This magic normally eats away at a person, slowly killing them when they use it. The magic almost always takes control and does not let anything get in its path of revenge. It affected you in the same way, except that you were able to hold the magic back and was able to make yourself calm instead of being held by the magic until you took revenge or it killed you. I think that when this happens again you will have more strength over it and in fact be able to call it when you are in great anger and will probably always be there waiting, but it will never affect you like it did. The only reason you were so powerful was because it was the first time, but nearly every time it took control you were not able to stay on your feet for long and it would have killed you had you not broke away when you did.�
   �Well that answers every and all questions I had or would have had,� Phil said looking back to the fire.
   �Now that the discussion of magic is over, when are we going to kill our enemies, the dark elves?� Weber asked.
   �Well first we need to know more about them and this group of dark elves that is showing up,� Daerlon told him.
   �I need to know something first,� Phil said. �What happened to Xion?�
   Daerlon looked Phil sadly, �Do you really want to know? It is quite a noble story and sad for me to tell.�
   Phil nodded that he would like to hear it.
   The old wizard took a deep breath before starting, �Well a hundred and fifty years back Xion and I attacked a dragon den way down south. What we didn�t know was that nearly thirty dragons resided there at the time. After finding ourselves badly outnumbered, Xion and I killed about ten of the huge beasts trying to escape. Much of your magic was used up after that. Luckily though we were able to escape into the outside. Before the dragons were able to follow us however, Xion collapsed the entrance on their leader. Then with all haste we left.
   �A couple of days ago I was up in my floating palace when magical warnings started to go off all over. I went to the roof to see what had landed up there. Turns out it was none other than the dragon leader and about a score of his kin. That was when I came and took Xion while you and your friends were in the other plane. Xion killed all the dragons, but was badly weakened. I left Xion in my palace while I returned you five home. While I was out that dark elf and three dark elf women somehow entered. When Xion awoke he found them there and decided to kick them out. Well he found that he was outnumbered and used a magical wand to turn himself into a lich.�
   �What is a lich?� Eric asked twirling one of his daggers around his fingers.
   �A lich is an extremely powerful undead wizard. When a powerful wizard turns into a lich his powers are enhanced and he is giving many more abilities such as strength and immunity to almost everything except for powerful magic.
   �As a lich Xion was able to kill one of the dark elf women that turned out to be powerful sorceress themselves. Although Xion was taken down in the end, he was able to stop them. Before he died, he used a powerful spell that seriously injured the elves and sent them running.� When Daerlon finished his eyes were wet but he refused to cry.
   �It is okay to cry when a good friend of yours dies,� Phil said quietly to the wizard.
   �I�m not going to cry, I just have something in my eye,� Daerlon said using a finger to wipe his eyes.
   �I say we attack those murdering bastards tonight,� Eric said standing up and throwing his into the floor.
   �We still need more information on how many men they have. If we don�t have that it would be suicide,� Daerlon told the thief.
   �I have all the information on the Black Blood that you will ever need,� Eric said grinning.
   �What information would that be?� Phil asked dubiously.
   Eric smiled and took his seat. �Well for one they have a leader, which Phil has already met before. From what Rachael told me before she died. He has three female dark elf bodyguards, which are all extremely powerful magic users. If what you say is true then he only has two guards now, but from what I heard one is enough to destroy the city. Besides the nearly one hundred men protecting the home base there is a strike force of six dark elves. Only five are still alive, I had the honor of killing their scout.�
   �When did you ever get the chance to kill one of the dark elves?� Phil asked.
   �While you were napping I had to save your butt and clean up your mess,� Eric said in haughty tone.
   �I myself still have a hard time believing that,� Weber said.
   �I could take both of you right now,� Eric said jumping to his feet.
   �Bring it on,� Weber said coming to his feet, followed by Phil coming to his side.
   �Not right now!� Daerlon said shaking his head. Sometimes he felt as if he was talking to a bunch of little children than master warriors. �Eric, do you know where their base is?�
   Eric thought for a second, �Not exactly. It has to be one of two places. They were extremely tricky and built two buildings exactly the same with guards around both. Only higher ranking members are able to know which is real.�
   �If you were only a member of the guild for a few days, how did you find out all this information?� Phil asked.
   �I�m good at what I do. Unlike someone who faints on the job,� Eric said smiling in Phil�s face.
   The next thing Eric knew he was stumbling backwards from a punch thrown by Phil. That did not end what was about to happen, but only started it. Eric wasn�t about to get hit and then let him go away free. With a short charge Eric tackled Phil, starting the battle. The two men rolled around on the floor, each trying to get the advantage and the top. Neither man was able to stay on top as they continued to fight for a couple minutes. Finally the little match ended with Weber pulling them away from each other.
   Phil then punched Weber in the side while at the same time Eric let him have a left to the groin. Weber went down with Eric and Phil on top of him.
   �Can we get back to business?� Daerlon asked impatiently, not in the least bit amused.
   �I guess so,� Eric said getting off the big warrior. Phil helped Weber to his seat.
   �What is it that we have to talk about now?� Phil asked.
   �Our plans. But first Eric and Weber should get some sleep.�
   �I�m up for that,� Eric said leaving the room.
   Phil helped Weber up and watched as he slowly left the room.
   �Tonight we strike,� Phil announced to the wizard.
   �I agree,� Dearlon said.
   �You hungry wizard, I think that I am going to go get me something to eat.�
   �No thanks, I�ll be fine by the fire.�
   �Alright,� Phil leaves the wizard alone with his battle strategies.

* * * * *

   Darkness was just creeping over the city when three figures slipped into the dark tunnels below the city. Phil, Weber, and Eric were making their way to one of the two hidden bases of the Black Blood. Eric was nearly positive that the one they were headed for was the real base and the other being a decoy. Since they could never be sure which was which they sent Phalanx and Roebuck to attack the other building.
   Eric was in the lead with a magically enchanted stone that Phil owned. Phil was in the back so that he could use his good elven night vision to watch their backs. Weber just walked in the middle holding his massive war hammer.
   As Phil walked through the knee-high slosh he thought about many things, but the major thing that bugged him was what would happen if Eric or Weber were killed. Earlier that day Daerlon was telling him that should not use his magical rage of protection unless it was of utmost need. Phil could feel his magic just below the surface of his consciousness waiting to be called forth. The only problem was laid in the fact that Phil did not know how to access this power. It wasn�t controlling and compelling like it was before, now it was just a part of himself that reacted. Daerlon had told him that if he were to use the magic it could consume his soul and in the end prove fatal. Phil would like to avoid that if he could, but he had a gut feeling that he was going to have to use the magic survive. He made up his mind then and there that if Eric or Weber was seriously injured or if something went wrong and the magic tried to come forth he would embrace the power. Phil did not fear dieing, he did fear to see Eric or Weber die.
   It didn�t take long before Eric was able to find the marks on the walls that lead to the Black Blood�s place of operations. They reached a solid stonewall at the dead end of a tunnel after following all the signs. After studying the wall for a short time, Eric pushed in one of the bricks towards the time to find that it was in fact a switch. Without much sound the wall slid off to one side revealing a dark, narrow tunnel.
   �I can take the lead from here,� Phil said moving in front of Eric.
   �Fine with me. I would much rather have you meet the enemy head on instead of myself,� Eric said moving out of the way.
   �Let us be off to the fighting already. It doesn�t matter who gets there first as long as you leave some fun for me,� Weber said with a smile.
   Lord Phil just shook his head as he continued on into the dark tunnel. With his night vision Phil was able to see the dark tunnel as if he was in the middle of field on a clear night with a full moon.
   It wasn�t long before Phil was overcome with a sense of danger. It was gut feeling he always had when something dangerous lurked in the area. It was a tingling feeling in the core of his bones that made him stop and think about what he was doing.
   One time a year or so ago when he and Weber were off on an adventure they ran into a bit of trouble. The two were exploring some caves far to the north of Twinrivers when Phil had the same feeling he had now. The feeling he had warned him of danger and he was ready for a stream of arrows left by an ancient group of people as a trap. Somehow Phil was able to deflect most of the arrows with his sword saving Weber and himself from greater harm than the minor wounds that they did sustain instead.
   �I have a pretty good idea that there is a trap nearby,� Phil whispered searching the area for some signs of a trap.
   Eric came up and brought the light stone to see if he could find any sign of a trap. Both Phil and Eric searched the area for many minutes coming up with nothing.
   �Let me try this,� Eric said pulling out a smooth, small sphere of metal.
   With a light toss he through it into the area that supposedly held this trap. With blinding speed a bolt of lighting as thick as Weber�s arm came down from the ceiling to melt the sphere into a puddle of melted metal.
   �A trap of magic,� Eric said with awe.
   �A very effective one that is virtually untraceable to the naked eye,� Phil said without emotion.
   �Used to keep those who are captured from making it out alive,� Eric whispered.
   �So what are we supposed to do? Run through and hope to beat the bolt before it strikes us?� Weber asked.
   �I think that I have a plan,� Phil said turning to Eric. �Give me two of your daggers, it shouldn�t be effected because they are also magic.�
   Reluctantly Eric gave up two of his prized daggers from his wrist sheath. Phil took the two weapons with a smile of reassurance to his friend. Taking one in each hand he threw one to one side of the corridor and the other to the other. Phil was glad when only one bolt came down to strike the dagger on the right when it entered just before the one of the left. It turned out that the lighting did not hurt the dagger.
   �Give me another dagger,� Phil said with a little excitement.
   �Your crazy,� Eric said handing him another of his prized weapons.
   Phil tossed one of his daggers to the left while he quickly followed behind it on the other said. The blinding flash of the bolt stunned Phil though. Hesitating for a second as he moved passed the bolt nearly got him killed. A second bolt blasted down just after the first striking the floor just behind a fleeing Lord Phil. The bolt caught the tip of the young lord�s short cape bursting it into flames.
   �Oh crap!� Phil quickly rolled onto his back when he noticed that his back was getting awfully hot. After rolling on the ground a few times the fire was extinguished only to leave Phil with a ruined, burnt up cape that wasn�t much good. In frustration he ripped off the ruined cape and throw it on the ground where he stomped on it in anger.
   �Wow! Calm down buddy,� Weber said from on the other side of the lightning trap.
   �Yeah man, why you so upset?� Eric asked.
   Phil stopped stomping on the cape in anger and looked to his two friends, �This was my favorite cape. My father had given it to me when I was only ten years old before he left on a crusade against Sandlan to the south. He never returned from that battle even though Twinrivers was very successful in helping the Turgons turn back the tide of nomad invaders.�
   �Oh man, I�m sorry,� Eric said softly.
   �Yes, well, I�ll get over it. You two should hurry up and get across that trap without getting yourselves killed. I want to hurry up and getting this thing over with,� Phil stepped away to let Eric cross.
   After being forewarned of the danger of letting yourself be blinded, both Lord Weber and Eric made it past the trap easily using Phil�s dagger trick. In no time the three men were off to finish their dangerous mission.
   At the end of the long tunnel the three men came to a pair of huge wooden double doors. The small tunnel had emptied into a small, high ceiling roomed that was completely plain and unadorned except for the pair of doors. Weber only came up to about half the height of the large wooden doors. The only way it seemed to open the monstrosities was by pulling on the huge golden pull ring that was placed into the center of each door.
   �Well what is after this?� Phil asked Eric while examining the large plain doors.
   �I have never actually been here, but from what I here the room after this is pretty much a tavern for the members of the Black Blood that are on duty at the hide out. At about this time there could be anywhere from ten to sixty men in there at one time.� Eric ran a hand over one of the golden rings, appreciating the work that went into it.
   �Well let�s hope that we get one of those times when everyone is hungry,� Weber said bringing his hammer to ready.
   �No, lets hope that there isn�t many in that room or we are going to have some trouble killing that crazed dark elf,� Phil said taking hold of the left door�s ring. �It�s now or never and I would prefer that it was now.�
   With a good pull the door slid open on silent hinges. Past the doors was a huge room spread out before them. The floor had been cut down so that all the tables were in the center while a wide walkway went around the outside as a border. Four small steps led from the outside walkway to the tables in the center of the room. To the left side of the room the wall was pulled out so that a bar could be put in and so that men could go and receive meals.
   Phil only got one step into the room when a pair of hands from each side roughly took hold of each arm.
   �What is your business here?� one of the men holding him asked.
   Phil hadn�t noticed when he walked in that a pair of guards was watching the doors standing on each side of the doorway. Now what was he supposed to do? He hadn�t made it more than a step into the place and he was already captured.
   �I am looking for a certain dark elf, about this height,� Phil lifted his hand to about his shoulder showing the men about how tall the elf was. �He carries a black sword and has white hair, maybe you have possibly seen him?�
   The guard on his right pushed him into the arms of the man on the other side of him quite rudely. This was the first time that the young lord was able to get a good look at the two men who had apprehended him.
   Guarding the door must be a hard job because both men wore heavy steel plate armor that covered nearly every inch of their bodies. They were big, nearly as tall as Weber, with shoulders almost as wide. Both men carried a large axe in one hand, but they seemed to carry the weapons as if they were small hatchets. On their heads they wore fully enclosed helmets that only allowed someone to see their mean looking eyes.
   �What do you want with the boss?� The man standing in front of Phil asked.
   �To be honest, just because you look like a couple of nice guys, we are going to kill him. He will be pushing up daisies in a few moments if you two kind gents would just let me go,� Phil said with a calm friendly voice.
   The big man in front stared down at the young lord, �You are going to do what?�
   �Umm�I am pretty sure that the man just said he was going to kill your master. Dark elf, about this tall,� Eric said using his hand to measure a height that was close to his own, but shorter. �You wouldn�t be able to tell us where he is would you?� Eric�s tone was casual, like Phil�s.
   �Well we can�t let you do that,� the man holding Phil said, tightening his grip on the young lord.
   �Have it your way then,� Weber said slamming the man standing in front of Phil right in the face with his war hammer.
   When the hammer hit the man�s helmet an echoing sound came from the metal resounding the sound inside it off the broken skull that the big fellow sustained. The big man stumbled back a few steps, his helmet dented from the hard hit.
   Eric whistled at the force of the blow that Weber just dished out, before taking care of his own business. Pulling a black short sword with his left out he ran the man holding Phil through the middle. Surprisingly the sword tore through the steel plate like it was paper. The man went down in a lump, realizing his grip on Phil. With his right hand, Eric grabbed two daggers from his wrist sheath and put them into two men charging from their seats in the eating area. Both of the men dropped, a dagger in each man�s throat and blood pouring out of their mouths. Eric smiled in satisfaction of his work.
   As soon as he was free of the big man�s grip, Phil had his sword out and was running into the small crowd that was gathered to eat. The men eating had watched what had transpired between their guards and the three men. All had their weapons out and were ready to kill the intruders. The odds were about thirty to one, nothing Phil and his friends could not handle.
   Leaping over the nearest table, Phil dove, sword leading, into a man standing on the other side. After driving his sword into the man, Phil continued his motion by rolling under the next table between a pair of stools. With the momentum of the jump, added to a quick off the floor, Phil pulled his sword free of the body.
   On the other side of the table Phil was on his feet running his sword through man on his right while at the same time dodging a slash from a short curved blade on his left. With the use of his quick speed he was able to get his sword out of the man on his right and put a clean cut across the other man�s throat.
   A big man carrying a black mace came running at the young lord from the next row of tables over. With a quick flick of his foot, Phil put kicked a wooden stool up into the man�s face. Not expecting this kind of attack the man wasn�t able to put a good block in time, so he just threw up an arm in defense. While smacking the stool away, the man didn�t even notice as Phil quickly ran by, cutting him nearly in two with his white long sword. Phil quickly glanced around to make sure that no one was really close to him to look over and see how Weber was doing.
   After taking down the big guard, Lord Weber into a small group of men that planned on trying to surround him. Weber let out a grunt as he caught the man out front in the chest with a great, powerful swing of his hammer. The man went flying off his feet, knocking over two of his fellows behind him.
   The other four men of the group, two on each side, thought to continue with the old plan of surrounding the big warrior. Weber had other ideas. While swinging at the first man on his right, Weber caught the man off guard on his left with a huge fist that blasted him under the chin. He dropped to the floor unconscious. With the Weber distracted on his left the man on his right thought to be a sneak and make a quick thrust to the open flank. While watching the little sneak the whole time, Weber simply side stepped the attack, dropping the man with a hammer hit to the back of the head. With a quick swing to the man at the right, Weber was able to drop him when his hammer found its target between the man�s legs. A quick spin to the man now behind him allowed the big barbarian to put more force in a backhand swing of his hammer. The two men that Weber had dropped the first guy on were now getting up. While one man was on his hands and knees still Weber promptly kicked him in the face, completely smashing every bone in that area. The other man Weber simply smashed the side of his head in with his big war hammer.
   While taking a breather from smacking all those men around, Weber was completely caught off guard when a dagger whizzed by his head. He looked over in that direction in time to see a woman throwing another dagger at him. Luck and reaction was the only thing that saved Weber from getting a dagger in the eye then. Weber quickly spun to the side as the dagger flew by his face, still narrowly missing him. The woman drew two more and in one graceful movement threw both weapons at the same time. As Weber watched her he knew that there was no way he would be able to avoid both daggers. He in fact he knew he was going to die.
   Weber was totally shocked to see that the daggers were deflected. Deflected by a pair of daggers coming off from Weber�s side. Looking over to see where they came from he saw Eric standing on a table with a bloody sword in one hand and spinning one of his throwing daggers in his other hand. Weber noticed that his little friend had a huge grin on his face.
   Eric stood defending himself on a table using his black short sword in his left hand while he used his right to toss daggers into anyone who got near. About seven people lay dead near where he stood on his high ground. Most people had just given up on the little thief when they watched their comrades� fall to his magical daggers that were at an endless supply.
   Watching as a man came running up towards his table that he was defending, Eric flipped his sword so that the tip pointed down in his grip. As the man came up onto the table, Eric put a dagger into his leg. The man roared in pain and swung wildly. Using his agility, Eric ducked under a slash and drove his sword into the man�s side, under his ribs, and into his heart.
   The five men left took off running after watching all their comrades die. It was not common for three men to walk in and then kill score of men without being hurt. They weren�t about to give up their lives for nothing. They weren�t being treated that well.
   Two doors led from the room, one was large and ornate, and the other was plain. The men running went through the ornate one. Probably to go warn their master and seek his protection. It would do them no good however; they would all die just the same.
   �Shall we follow them to their leader?� Eric asked cleaning off his sword.
   �I think that would be the wisest move,� Phil said similarly cleaning his own sword on the clothes of the dead men lying around him.
   The three men went through the ornate door to find a long hallway with doors on evenly set on the walls. Each door was plain and the same as the one that preceded it. At the end of the hall was a pair of double doors that were rimmed with gold but made of the same plain wood that each of the other doors had been made from.
   �I think that the doors at the end of the hall lead us to our goal.� Weber said in a whisper pointing.
   �When did you figure that out?� Eric said loudly.
   �Well I was thinking that sense that room has two doors instead of one it is probably because someone important is owns it,� Weber explained.
   Phil just shook his head before continuing his way to the doors at the end.
   Behind the doors they found exactly what they were looking for. The room was pretty big, not as big as the first room, but still quite large. Like everything else the walls, ceiling, and floor were all stone with huge lamps on the walls for light. The room itself was still pretty dim however. On the other side of the room from the door was a large stone throne in which a certain dark elf leader now sat. A thick crimson rug led up to the throne. Standing protectively on either side of the dark elf were two sorceresses. Phil had to admit that the sorceresses were definitely two of the most beautiful women he had ever seen with their glowing red eyes and smooth black skin. Behind them stood the five still living dark elf strike team.
   As Phil looked upon that dark elf on his throne, he could suddenly feel the magic within him. The power was not forceful; it did not try to be released, to take over like Phil thought that it might try to do. Instead it sat content in waiting, but still letting Phil know that it was there, ready to come at a moments notice. Phil knew however that if he was to use this power he may very well be consumed by it and most likely killed.
   �Well if it isn�t a certain noble warrior who has finally come to see me,� the dark elf on the throne said calmly.
   �I do not think that we have properly introduced. I am Lord Phillip Odura,� Phil said using his whole name and giving a deep bow. �This here is my friend Lord Weber,� Phil motioned towards the big barbarian with his hand, �he doesn�t have a first name, Weber is his last.� Phil then motioned towards Eric on his other said, �And I think you already know my good friend Eric here.�
   The dark elf on the throne smiled and stood up, �I am Moraycuis Nightflower, youngest of the Nightflower royal family of Sirra.� To the surprise of everyone Moraycuis took a low bow to the three humans.
   �Well that we have established names, let us get down to business,� Phil said his voice hardening.
   �What is it that you came here for, revenge?� the dark elf said with a laugh. �Revenge is a pathetic emotion that most often is the ruin of you lowly humans.�
   �Actually that is not why I am here. I am here because you have been a thorn in my side for five days too long. And I friend asked me to take care of you as well,� Phil said taking a few steps forward. But stopped when the dark elf magic users lifted slender steel rods towards him.
   �I am sorry that you have came all this way for nothing, but in fact you have,� Moraycuis said retaking his seat. �Kill the two, but leave Lord Phil alive.�
   Each sorceress pointed her metal rod whispering its command word. Blue lighting blasted from the wands into each Weber and Eric sending them flying off their feet into and out of the doors behind them. The light from the magic�s sudden burst blinded Phil momentarily.
   When the young lord could see again he was shocked at what he saw. Daerlon stood in front of Phil with his arm�s spread out wide in front of him. The old wizard was holding back a huge roar of flames that was coming from one of the dark elf�s hands. The other sorceress was quickly shifting her hands through precise movements.
   As Phil watched Daerlon holding back those roaring flames he knew that it had to be a powerful spell when sweat started to drip down not only his brow but the elf�s as well. Daerlon was an extremely powerful arch wizard that had lived for many centuries. Anyone who could do this to someone with his power and experience had to be pretty good. Phil could see now why Xion was not able to defeat three of these women.
   When the other woman finished her hand movements about a dozen golden darts streaked from her hands toward the old wizard. Phil watched in disbelief as the darts hit the wizard, burning, cutting, and stinging him where they hit. Daerlon dropped his hands after the magical attacks and the torrent of fire blew over him. Quickly Phil jumped off to the side, trying to get away as fast as possible. When the burning fires went past, Phil could feel the incredible heat on his face.
   After the sorceress stopped the assault of fire everyone was surprised to see the arch wizard still alive. The man was red from the heat and had many burns from the golden missiles, but other than that he looked fine.
   Daerlon grinned at the two dark elves before rapidly starting his own spell. The two sorceresses quickly followed the arch wizard in his casting. When he was done his body glowed blue for a second before going away. The man smiled even more when the sorceresses� unseen spells melted off of this protection. Daerlon again began to cast, this one being longer than the first. When he finished lighting started to spark in his hands. Not waiting for one of the dark elf�s to finish her own castings he threw it into her face. The woman fell back in pain, but was not affected much by the overall spell. Phil knew that they probably had some powerful shields. The second ball of lighting knocked her to one knee and stopped her casting. Phil could tell that Daerlon was stronger than one of these women, but most likely would be over fun by the other one.
   Wishing to help his friend, Phil made a run for the sorceress still casting. Phil found though that his feet were frozen to the floor. He tried everything he could think of to try moving, but every muscle was stone stiff.
   Phil was forced to watch in horror was two large stone fists appeared in the air and threw Daerlon across the room where he slammed into the wall. Phil wanting anything to go to the man, where he was slumped on the floor.
   He was the only one left. He was frozen in place and was captured by the enemy. His friends were died and he was as good as dead. Phil knew that Moraycius would hurt many good and innocent people if he were not killed here and now. Phil knew that he had no other choice. To take the magic and stop his enemies was better than to allow himself be tortured to death and let this wicked elf be allowed to run free.
   Taking every bit of consciousness that Phil had left, he plunged himself into the dark center of himself. It was a place that Phil did not know was inside him, but he now understood what it was. This was himself, it was a gift passed to him from his mother. It was his power to use for good. It was his love for others, his love of protecting those who were unable to protect themselves.
   It felt so good to Phil as the power swept threw his whole body. He could feel the warm tingling of the energy as it swept through every part of his body. Everything seemed to slow down as if time itself had been turned back. Phil watched from his own eyes as his body went about without thinking, but by reflex and instinct. No longer was he paralyzed and he could see the fear in everyone there as his eyes became white and the fire of his magic surrounded him in a comforting embrace.
   Taking up his now flaming white long sword Phil cut down the two sorceresses before they even knew what was going on. Both women had layers of protections, but none of them were enough to hold back the power that had Phil had become one with. Phil was already turning away from them before their bodies had even hit the floor.
   The five dark elves that stood behind their leader were quickly surrounding him. One of them was dead before the other four even took positions around the glowing warrior. Phil watched as the elves started to attack. Everything seemed to be moving so much slower for him that it was for them.
   Phil was no longer in reality though; he was in a place between time and space. He was in a place where the things that normally slowed one down, such as gravity, did not affect him.
   Just to prove his point, Phil leaped from the center of the group just before he would have been impaled. The young lord spun around in the air just before hitting the ceiling and kicked off of it. Phil came down faster than anyone else could have noticed. Sword leading, Phil plunged right into Moraycius on his throne. Everything exploded as Phil�s sword tip cut into the prince and came out of the other side of the stone throne. White energy blasted from the sword as it cut threw all the enchantments and protections on and around the royal dark elf. Everything within a ten-foot radius was disintegrated. Everything but the great Lord Phil.
   Phil turned his attention back to four stunned dark elves as they turned to see Phil look at them. They all ran for their lives. All four were dead before they reached the double doors.
   After everyone was dead, Phil turned his friend Daerlon. Kneeling down beside the arch wizard, Phil could tell that he was still alive, barely. Without even thinking, Phil reached down and laid his hands on the sides of Daerlon�s head. White power flowed from the young lord into the wizard, completely healing everything. Daerlon would still be unconscious from a time; Phil did not want to wake the brain.
   When Phil finished healing the wizard he did the same for his two friends who had followed him into this mess in the first place.
   After he had helped his friends, Phil laid his sword down between Eric and Weber. Turning away from them Phil vanished into the thin air, leaving only his sword behind as he was consumed by the magic of his love. He now understood how his mother died; she gave herself to the magic to give him life.