The Great Book Quest (Old Story At Tibia Forum)

Intro
A couple of years ago, Somebody started a thread on the role-playing forum on Tibia.com. The thread was named The Great Book Quest (rpg for ya all)" (sadly the original thread has been lost in the depths of the forum). It was a so-called "join in", where the creator started to write about what "his character" (Red Un) did, and then anyone who wanted could write what their character did, and then the creator responded with what my character did next, and then they responded... You get the idea. The autor had some people who joined in, and the adventure began. And then it grew.

And grew.

In the end, "The Great Book Quest" had over 150 pages of roleplaying goodness, which was quite the feat. It soon achieved a status as the biggest join-in ever known in Tibia.

But now it's over. The story ended, and there's no reason to continue. The characters moved on to other join-ins, and The Great Book Quest will probably slip into the realms of myth.

Specialy thanks to the eminent Erig (The owner of Erig.net) for his help with compiling the whole thing and making it easier to edit. Thanks a lot! And now...

Enjoy reading!

Chapter 1, in which a band of Adventurers gather, and there is an ominous foreboding
Red Un Red Un was bored. He had read all the books in his library, but still hadn't found out where the Secret Sword of Ultimate Pain laid, or where the Lord of Demons rested, or if a tree made a sound when it fell in the woods and nobody was there to hear it. He did what any bored dwarf (or half-dwarf for that matter) would do. He went down to Jimbin’s pub. He took with him a very old book with unreadable text.

"Let's see now..."

Red Un sat down at a table with a large mug of beer and opened the book.

"They said that this was unreadable and useless..."

He flipped the pages. They were filled with dots, broken letters and strange paragraphs.

"Hmm...if you take this line here...and that dot..."

He took out a pen and started to translate. After a while, he read what he had translated. Then he started to translate again.

After a while, he went to the depot, packed his things and started to go towards Thais. When he finally arrived there, he took out a parchment and put it up on the wall at the crossroads. Then he walked in to Frodo’s place. On the parchment these words were written: "JOIN IN THE QUEST FOR LOST KNOWLEDGE REASONABLE PAYMENT GREAT ADVENTURE BRING YOUR MAGIC AND SWORD Ask Red Un at Frodo’s for more information."

Vodok A dwarf with a big sack over his shoulder walked into Thais. He broke off in a run (though it wasn’t too fast because of his short legs) and he finally reached the depot. He put in his sack in his depot and took out his back pack of beer. ''"Hmmmm... should I go and "acssedently" spill some beer on some people from a roof or should I go to Frodo's and get drunk? Tough question... I'll take both I think." ''So the dwarf went to the crossroads, and spilled beer all over a knight who just came from the island Rookgaard. Then he continued as planned to Frodo's. He entered the tavern where he saw a dwarf in a corner who seemed to be expecting someone. He walked over to the dwarf and yelled right in his ear ''"ARE YEH WAITIN' FOR SUMMIN' TER 'APPEN??? EH?" "What the???" ''became the answer to the dwarf’s question. The dwarf that was sitting at the table didn’t seem to happy about being yelled in the ear from two inches. He took a deep breathe and yelled back two inches from the new-come dwarf:

Red Un "FIRST OF ALL, I'M A HALF-DWARF! AND DAMN PROUD OF IT!"

Red Un calmed down.

"Secondly, yes I am waiting for a good hero (like myself) to come by. If ya see one, let me know." he added sarcastically.

Vodok ''"Wh'ver yeh say, halfy. If yeh'll get rich o' goin' there I'm comeing with yeh. 'K?"  Then before waiting for an answer he started again "Right... Lets see. If I die, what 'appens 'en? Yeh'll pay for me tomb stone an' bury me in Kazordoon, right? An' I want a certain 'mount o' gold even if we dont find no treasure, 'k?" ''Then as before without waiting for an answer he continued. ''"Good, 'en we’ve gotta deal 'ere. Oh yeah, I get 50 procent of the gol', right? Le's just wait for sum more dwarfs." ''

Red Un Red Un was looking out the window.

"Oh, did ya say anything? I'm still looking for a brave hero. If you see one, tell me."

He got an angry look from Vodok.

"Oh, ya wanna join?"

Then Red Un remembered what Vodok had said.

"First of all, you have to sign this contract."

He held out an old piece of paper. It read:

”ADVENTURING CONTRACT By signing this contract I accept that Red Un will always have first pick on any treasures (or books) that might be found during the adventure which I, by signing this contract, promises to take part in. I also know that Red Un cannot be held responsible for any injuries, deaths, or horrible fates that no sane creature should know of. I also promise to never back down, be heroic, brave, friendly and any other things that Red Un will see fit in the future.”

"Sign at the bottom please..."

Vodok ''"Not 'cause I can read or summing but I can read the word "treasure" an' it seems tar have that word in and I can' spell me name so Ill sign it with thar on'y word I can spell, Treasure." ''So the small dwarf ripped the quill from the half dwarf and wrote the word "Treasure" all over the piece of paper. "HEY!!! DON’T RUIN MY CONTRACT!!” the half-dwarf screamed. "An' I signed it di'n' I?” The short dwarf answered calmly.

Lugin Malva was passing through Thais on her way to examine the old lighthouse south of the town. The weather was very bad with rain hammering the cobbled pavement and you could hear a thunderstorm not too far away. This was a perfect day to examine the lighthouse, Malva thought, as it was bound to be someone there who could unlock the door.

As she passed by Sam's smithy she felt an awful smell, and immediately knew that Red Un was close. She stepped into Frodo's tavern and just as she thought her friend was sitting there with beer in his beard. She took of her wet robe and hung it on a chair next to Red Un (the drippings from the robe soon made the floor around the chair all wet), but she remained standing as she was looking on a paper in front of Red Un. She had not read much before another dwarf appeared and wrote some letters that she could not interpret over the entire paper, the dwarf also managed to spill a lot of ink from an inkwell that made the paper unreadable.

”A lot of short people here today I can see. ''What business do you have here in Thais my dear friend, I though you hated this town more then all Goblins in the Femur? Save me from the storm outside and tell me what brought you here''.

Red Un Red Un looked down on what was left of his contract, sighed and threw it in a nearby dustbin.

"Ah, my dear Malva Willow, if it isn't you. Yes, I dislike this city as much as anyone else, but I know that among all the scum..."

He looked over at Vodok.

"...there are a good strong adventurer or two, which I will need in my quest for...well, I will tell what it's about when I have enough heroes here. Maybe ya wanna join? We could use a good healer."

Raydude I slammed the door shut. A sudden storm made me seek shelter. I looked around and saw a Red Un. "HEY I heard you were looking around for someone daring, strong, and full of magic. well I don’t have any of that stuff but my help as an extra sword may come in handy even if it ain't so strong" I said in a very fast voice as I sat down. "So what do I do to join in this fun?"

Red Un Red Un sighed.

"Well, I guess I have to lower my expectations a little."

He looked at Raydude.

"Okay, you're in if ya want to. Just sit down and wait."

Dalafor ...see the group from a corner. A little grin in the beard. -Fun group of dwarves, and m'lady Malva, I can see. Can I join your little party? I heard something bout old knowledge and books, and if there’s a thing I love it’s knowledge (and strange tomes) -So where we need to go to?

Vodok ''"M'kay now we see tar 'ave 'nough people to go to where ever were goin' tar dont we? An' Halfy, ain’t them new guys gonna sign this contract that you just chucked in the dus'bin?" ''

Zacca -walks in- "Hey,mind takin' and elf with ya'? I’m pretty strong and I'll come in handy.

Red Un Red Un looked around at the group.

"Okay, first of all, if Vodok ever calls me 'halfy' again, the others of you will have to hold me down, or there will be violence on a scale you have never seen before."

He took a sip from his beer.

"Aye, this seems to be a good group. Perhaps I should tell you what we are going to do now. I'm just goin' outside to take down the scroll (or what's left of it). Maybe I will find some more good adventurers. You all stay here and have a drink or a meal..."

He looked over at Vodok.

"...or a haircut or something..."

He walked out in the rain to take down the scroll he had put up outside.

Roku Yarit The Sorcerer calmly lights the fireplace in his home in Carlin harbor. With a long silk cloth laid on the floor and four runes holding it down, his eyes travel to Thais. The strange speech of Vodok brings a bleak grin to his cold expression. Picking his staff up off the floor and packing up his runes and cloth, he opens the door and walks out into the fresh sea air. "Captain," he yelled over the squacking of drunks. "Tonight we sail for Thais."

The captain looked at Roku with grim amazement. "Master Yarit? Well ain’t this a surprise to see you walking about in the day. It must be rather important ain’t it?"

Roku rolled his eyes and brushed his beard lightly with his withered hand, quickly covering it up afterwards with his red robes. "Yes, It is important. Now make haste, we leave immediately. Oh and please tell Detlin to keep watch over my household while I am away."

"As you wish, Master Yarit." The Captain rushed off to rally his men from the taverns and send word to the Archer, Detlin, also known as Detlin the Dark because of his constant stern expression and thick black hair.

Roku stood on the deck of the ship and held a blank rune in the palm of his hand. Without muttering a word, it reshaped into a white colour and a insignia appeared on the smooth surface. He placed the rune on the mast and secured it gradually so it would not move out of place. "Journeys end to beggars plight..."

Lugin Malva follows Red Un out to have a little private talk with him. She is almost whispering. "-An adventure you say... is it going to be dangerous?" As Red Un have a few nails (that was holding the scroll up) in his mouth he reply only with a slight nod. "Oh, bummer!", Malva said and looked a bit scared. "I was hoping we could only raid some Goblin- or troll caves. Are you going with on this dangerous quest?" Once again Red Un answers with a slight nod. "Double bummer! Well, I guess I have to come with and make sure you do not get yourself killed again... I did not bring very many runes though, as I was only going to observe the storm from the lighthouse. Are you sure this is a good day to seek adventure on? The rain could prove to be far more dangerous then any pack of wolves ever could be." All of a sudden the clouds seem to vanish and the sun shines though and begins to dry the lands up. "Tripple bummer! I'm out of excuses. I'll be ready to depart when you are." Here Malva returned to her chair with the robe hanging on it. She looks suspicious at Vodok as she checks so that nothing is missing in the pockets. She seems satisfied with the result, puts the robe on and waits for the others to get ready.

Red Un Red Un pulled out the last nail and threw the poster in another nearby dustbin. Then he returned inside to Frodo’s.

"Let's just wait a little more. I can't tell you why, but I have a feelin' that there will be at least one more hero to join our merry group soon..."

Mystical Warrior -walks in- "Aye, you wouldn’t be going out there if I were you"

"there has been reports of the fiendest creatures out there landlubbers"

"if your looking for that ole sword thing, you might want to check at thee cavern of the behemoths or the heroes."

"thee are thee ones who will have this sword landlubbers"

Vodok ''"Yeh say heroes, do yeh? But accordin' tar Shorty, we're waitin' for some of them." ''The very thick dwarf said very thickly. Zacca pushed Vodok out of his chair and started to talk to the knight. "So... What hero or behemoth cave are we talking about? He started casually as though she didn’t really care. "Well it depends..." the knight answered slyly. Then suddenly the dwarf got up and pushed Zacca away, then he took up a platinum coin and held it in front of the knights nose then automatically the knight started to speak. "In Edron" then he snatched the coin and put it in his bag.

Red Un Red Un decided that it was time to tell his group what was actually his plan.

"Everyone, QUIET! Thank you."

He drank the last of his beer and took out the old book he had brought along.

"Ahem. We are goin' on a quest to find the Library of Legends, the great cave that stretches for miles, with shelves filled up with every written word of the past, the present..."

He made a dramatic pause.

"...and the future. But first of all, we need to find the Key to this library. My research..."

He held up the book.

"...has led me to believe that this Key is located in an (until now) unknown cave under the Jakundaf Desert. Therefore, I suggest that you bring along lots of beer, lemonade, water or any kind of drinkable fluid. Some antidotes would probably also be useful."

Red Un got on his feet and walked over to the door.

"You will have this day to prepare yourselves. When you all are ready, we will meet here again. Everyone got that?"

He opened the door. It had stopped raining now, and a new day was coming.

Raydude "man I better get a lot of gold. I’m using up 5 k on this trip" I said as I walked out in order to go buy some runes

Dalafor ...with a hard concentration showed in his face> -Library of Legends. It was just a tale for li’ll students and now seems real We have a lot to do and sure it wont be a easy task. Well, I think I’ll end the book I was reading. Seems I wont have time lately.

Red Un Red Un walked out from Frodo’s and looked at the sun rising. Then he noticed a man standing beside him. The man was very old. He wore a white robe with a rope as a belt, was slightly hunched and had a long, white beard. He opened his mouth and spoke with a thin, raspy voice.

"Aaah, ye 'r lookin' for th' ancint' library eh?"

Red Un looked surprised.

"How did ya know that, old man?"

"Hee hee, I kno' many things...I jest lisn'd at the wind'w...I tell ye one thin' ha'f-dwa'f, ye bett'r not tell 'nyone 'bout it...many ears a' lisn'...hee hee...th' dark star will rise...yes, 't will, Red Un...hee hee..."

Red Un tried to walk away from the strange man, but a bony arm flied out and gripped his shoulder tightly.

"Yeah...ye be sorry...hee hee...th' priests 'll find ye...SINNER!...Hee hee hee! SINNER!"

Red Un got out of the firm grip of the raving old man and walked away quickly. The old man kept yelling at him.

"SINNER!...Hee hee...they'll fin' ya! THEY'LL FIN' YA!"

Chapter 2, in which more Adventurers join, people gets bored, and the half-dwarf gets a warning
Vodok ''"I 'fink we have the time tar spare on yeh so ge' los' in your own robes please. An'way, Shorty, I reckon we should get goin' now since we've got like 5 heroes and a mad old man." The small dwarf said. "Right ya are" Red Un answered. '' Everyone started to back up their stuff and when everyone had packed all their stuff Red Un said "Ill meet ya all here when the sun's totaly outta sight, everyone who ain’t there will be left so get all your stuff you need." "Right." Everyone answered at the same time.'' '' Red Un Later, in a dark alley, the old hunched man walked alone, muttering.

"Damn 'em...sinners...doom of 's all th' be...curse 'em...hee hee..."

Two men in black robes emerged from the shadows. The old man stopped.

"Oh no...no please...I din't tell 'em nuthin'...no...please...I won't tell..."

One of the robed men spoke as the other moved closer to the trembling man.

"It's too late, Grumbart. You have betrayed the brotherhood of the Dark Star. Therefore, you die here."

A dagger flashed in the shadows, and the old man laid dead without a word. The two robed men disappeared into the shadows again...

Meanwhile, Red Un was still sitting in the bar, having another beer. He was mostly packed up and there was still time left before the others would show up.

Danger ''He stared with no emotion at the dead body on the ground. He only wanted to find whatever adventure he could. To take his mind off of... certain people. ''

''The young mage walked into the bar. His black hood hid most of his face.''

"I thought you would like to know" he said in a careless tone. "I found an old man outside. He's been stabbed to death." he stood waiting for a response but could not wait for long. "Do you think you can add one more to your party?" He said looking at the half dwarf's packed things.

Andrune Despite her brothers warning, Andrune wanted to see how Thais looked in the night. Everything was so different from Ab'dendriel, so new, so exciting. The breezy air was filled with the stench of oil from the many light posts. As she walked through the almost empty streets of Thais, encountering only a few wanderers, most of them hooded and in a hurry to get in to their warm homes. At this time in Ab'dendriel, she would have been sitting on one of the wooden platforms above the trees, watching one of the usual ceremonies on the ground below. Suddenly she heard some strange noises from a nearby house. One voice started to sing, but was interrupted with a loud punch. Curious she headed towards the building. She suddenly bumped into a dwarf, who fell down on the cobbled road. - "Oh, I'm so sorry!" she said and tried to help the dwarf up, when she noticed he was sleeping. - "Crazy dwarfs" she muttered for herself as she entered the house, entitled "Frodo's Pub"...

Red Un Red Un looked up on Danger.

"Dead?"

He got on his feet and ran out in the morning sun. Danger pointed to the alley where the old man laid. Red Un ran over there and looked down and the dead man. He seemed to have died calmly, it almost looked like he was sleeping. Red Un got down on his knees and examined the body closer.

On one arm was a strange tattoo. It was a demon of some kind, surrounded by a black star. Right where it was there was also a fresh wound from some kind of knife. Red Un muttered.

"Black star...black star...oh dear, this is far worse than I suspected..."

Then he looked up at Danger, who hadn't heard a word of what he said.

"Yeah, I ran into this poor drunkard before. Probably one of those robbers that disgraces this city."

The two returned to the bar and sat down at a table.

"So, ya wanna join my little group eh? Well sure, I will need all the people I can get and you seem to be a good druid."

He explained to Danger what he had explained to the others. He was finished just as Andrune entered...

Danger ''The young mage grinned, taking off his hood. His green eyes seemed almost soulless.''

"Good? Not hardly..." He said. He had meant that with more that one meaning.

"What’s with the old man anyway and does it have you so rattled?" his voice cold. "Afraid to die? Heh... I'll give my life to anyone who thinks they can take it."

If he only knew how willing I am to die... The young mage thought.

Red Un Red Un laughed.

"Oh no, I would be the last to be afraid to die. That's why I usually get into trouble. Frodo! Gimmie another beer!"

Andrune The voices, the people, the very life of the pub confused Andrune. Everything went so fast, the chatter was so loud... The contrast with the quiet and peaceful elven city was so sharp. She had to take a seat. - "Want anything, milady?" asked a man behind a counter. Andrune looked up. - "What? Ah, no thank you." The man didn't answer as he was too busy conversing with a few knights who had been drinking a bit too much. Thais was not as she had imagined it...

Roku Yarit The ship cut through the waters with ease and the air was filled with the cries of gulls. The White rune on the mast of the ship glowed faintly as Roku stood on the deck, staring out onto the distant city of Thais. "We must move faster, captain. There is something that must be done with haste." The captain nodded and sighed heavily. "Are you implying we use the engine?" Roku nodded slowly. "The gift from the Dwarfs of Kazordoon should prove itself useful in this case." "But sir, it was not tested. It may blow up and kill us all." The Sorcerer turned around and walked directly in front of the captain. "I am quite aware of that but I will not let the fear of your own mortality make me late!" The Captain recoiled an yelled to the crew down below to lower the sails and prepare to fire up the engine.

Roku followed the captain down below and through a series of doors until he stood before the massive engine of the ship. "Beautiful isn’t it?" he asked, motioning to the endless maze of gears and boilers. There was no reply because he knew the men all feared this machine and what it might do to them. Massive smoke pipes pierced the deck and held high above the ship, causing it to sway a bit more violently. "Captain, fire it up." The Captain looked over at his men who all set to work, reading the instructions they had been given. They ran around quickly, watching gauges, turning wheels, releasing valves, until with a giant bang it came to life. The gears moved furiously and steam filled the room. The ship creaked and groaned as the massive blades in the water began to turn. The ship jerked around wildly put it slowly picked up speed, a great deal of speed. The Captain stumbled back and ran out of the room to the safety of the deck. Roku followed silently, grinning at the crewmen’s panic and the captains fear. "Are you alright?" he asked dryly. "I-I am fine. That thing is just so...massive. It is a tool of destruction not one that I would prefer to use again." "Then let us make this last as few moments as necessary." Out of the corner of his sharp eyes he saw the city moving closer with great speed. He was having no trouble standing firm but the Captain was tumbling all over the place and found refuge, grasping onto the mast.

Red Un Red Un muttered to himself as he kept sipping on his beer.

"The dark star? ...but it was so many years ago... Dark star..."

Then he shined up.

"Well, I really could use some more food! Frodo! Gimmie some fishes!"

There were screams outside, and suddenly, the sky was blotted out by a huge cloud of silvery fishes. Then they started to fall.

There is an old saying that fishes can recognize the sound of a dwarf steam engine from far away, and usually flees at the sound...

"Well, that was ironic..." said Red Un.

Dragon Hunter ...suddenly enters. He was big, about 1,95. But the only thing you could see under his cloak was the shoulder long silver-white hair. He spoke to Red Un with a cold voice "I heard you are seeking experienced adventurers...If it’s ok for you I wish to follow." And after ending that speech he put up a sword on the table (The blade looked like it was made of well polished silver, the handle was black and the whole sword seemed surrounded by a magical aura). Then he yelled as if he didn’t care about the screams outside "Frodo! Get me a beer!" Frodo passed him a beer and he sat quiet, waiting for an answer from the half-dwarf.

Red Un This seems good, Red Un thought for himself. Now he had lots of mysterious people in his gang.

"Aye, that blade of yours seems useful. However, I cannot take any responsibility if it is broken during our adventure."

Red Un explained once again what his plan was.

Dragon Hunter The mysterious man takes off his hood. He looked like any normal man except the hair and the black armour. "Urish Nagag Erth" he mumbles as he looked at Red Un. Red Un heard a voice in his head saying "I do not only know the art of war". After those words where spoken the connection broke. He put the sword in his belt. They could now also see that he had a bow and a quiver of 10 arrows. And he said "I have no intention of dying". With those words said he finished his beer and inspected the others. He seemed quite interested about the half-dwarf. "By the way, what is your name half-dwarf?" he said. He now awaited an answer.

Red Un "Man, the weirdest thing just happened. I had a voice in my head. Must be all this beer. I need some more to forget it. Frodo!"

Then he remembered the question.

"My name eh? Well, I guess that my real name is Redw..."

He stopped talking as two men in black robes and hoods entered the bar and sat down in a corner.

"This place is a little crowded. Let's wait for the others outside, shall we?"

Then he walked out, trying not to be noticed by the newly arrived men.

Dragon Hunter The mysterious man gives the 2 men a cold look and follows Red out. He mumbles "Urish Nagag Erth" while looking at Red. The connection re-opens "You seemed frightened by those two men, why? I’ll leave this channel open, for some reason I don't think you want to talk in the open. By the way, it’s me who is standing besides you saying this. Just keep eye contact and think and I’ll know" Red heard the voice say. Waiting for an answer, he look into Red's eyes. Red Un Oh dear, I'm going insane thought Red Un. He looked over at the Dragon Hunter.

"Wait a minute, did you...?"

The Dragon Hunter nodded.

Red Un wasn't very good at telepathy.

Don't ye dare to listen to my private thoughts he thought and looked over at the Dragon Hunter.

The message seemed to have got through...

Dragon Hunter He looks at Red and speaks through the link "I think it’s wrong to spy on other peoples thoughts. Telepathy is ok but I don't like spying on potential friends" .He nodded at Red. And through the link again "Want me taking care of them?". He was waiting for an answer.

Red Un Red Un tried to collect his thoughts.

Ahem, who? he thought. I, uhm, just thought it was a bit crowded in there...

Dalafor ...while the two dark men entered the pub and so he saw Red Un going out next to the huge fighter> -Banor can hang me from my fingers if those two are not acolytes of a dark god Seems this will be a good tale to be told And, talking bout dark gods followers, wasn’t that Danger? Danger Hi man! Last time I saw you, you got lost in the Black knight fortress, how in the hell did you got out there?

Dragon Hunter Looks at Red, thinks "No problem, I'll take care of them unless you have any objections. They didn't look like decent people anyways". Starts to walk inside with his hand on the sword and the other one inside the cloak.

Vodok ''"Why were you 'n' 'at other guy lookin' in each other eyes all the 'ime? Was it a conntest?" ''At the same time the small dwarf put his nose an inch from Red Un's and stared at him really hard. Red Un's hand seemed to be twitching in the direction of Vodok's throat but he just said "go drink a beer in Frodo's" In a half mad sort of way. ''"sure!" ''The dwarf answered and ran into Frodo's and took a beer from Frodo and put a couple of gold coins on the desk and drank like a maniac.

Red Un Before the Dragon Hunter could get inside, Red Un grabbed his shoulder and thought.

Don't! Those men are absolutely more than you can handle. We will take care of them later.

Meanwhile, he said "Excuse me, do you have a gold coin to spare?" so that no one would be suspicious.

Dragon Hunter Turns against the half-dwarf and look him into the eyes. "Thank you for informing me. As you wish, we will handle it later. What now?" he thinks. The dragon hunter loosens the grip around his sword and the same with the object he had his hand on under the cloak.

Red Un Let's just wait for the others thought Red Un while he said "Well my good sir, don't look at me like that! If you don't want to give me money, just say so!" Then he turned away while he thought don't try to draw attention, especially not from those two robed guys inside.

Danger The young mage heard his name being called by a familiar voice.

"Dalafor! long time no see." he said extending his hand for a hand shake.

"How did I get out? Heh" He chuckled softly. "With the help of my sister of course! Rhia has secret powers that even amaze me. I guess being half phoenix has its --"

The young mage stops in mid-sentence. "Those two men... I sense powerful magic from one of them." He nods toward the men in black robes.

Pheonix -Rhia was always close to her little brother. Though she could not see him just yet she knew he was near. She could hear his thoughts and the thoughts of those around her.

-"You know, it’s not nice to beg for gold." Rhia said walking to the entrance of the bar. "He's in there? Troubled as usual." She said tossing a bag of gold at Red Un walking into the bar. " And it’s not nice to talk in secret when in public." She thought to the two out side.

-She got in. She made sure not to be seen by Oriel. He would feel like she was babysitting him! Of course she was... because he was always getting into tight spots. Why can’t he be more like Valdearg? He never got in to serious trouble like Oriel did... She just would have to keep her eyes open. Something bad was going to happen. She could feel it.

Red Un Before anyone could react, Red Un grabbed the bag and put it in his backpack with a greedy smile.

Hey, I am a half-dwarf after all, he thought.

Dragon Hunter The dragon hunter looked at Red Un as if he were a pathetic little being, put his hood on and went inside the tavern again and sat down with the others. "Send another beer!" he yelled at poor old Frodo, who quickly sent the dragon hunter a beer. He looked at everyone in the room with a penetrating ice cold look. He seemed to find it amusing when he scared the shit out of Frodo, then he just sat there drinking his beer.

Dalafor ...to be heard and I need to hear the details but, before I forget, when we have some time remember me that we need to go to the King to ask for your reward, ‘cos you was there and fought bravely with us so you also deserve to ask for a prize. But tell me how your life went after we met last time? And yes, those two had a very strange aura round them, even for a Dark follower, no offence, my friend

Dragon Hunter The dragon hunter looked bored as he picked up a couple of throwing knives and throwing stars, starting to cover them with some kind of liquid. He asked the everyone at the table "Do anyone of you got some explosive arrows?". While he was awaiting someone to answer to his question he finished the knives and stars and put them away.

Lugin Malva is not taking a very active part of the discussion as she have fallen asleep on her chair.

"Zzz..."

Raydude "Hey," I mumbled as I walked into the pub. "Yah well guys I’m going to skip out, turns out I can’t get a seller for anything and I’m way too late. Guess my thieving in my past kinda wrecked my reputation. So I’m sorry, hope some thing good happens to ya all" I walked away without truly grasping the scene

Vodok ''"OI!! Red Un!! When are we goin'? We'll 'af'ta go soon 'cause I’m gettin' bored 'ere! Frodo!! Gimme a beer." ''The short dwarf yelled.

Dragon Hunter The dragon hunter falls sleeping from his chair and hits the ground with a big bang. He instantly wakes up shaking his head saying "Huh? Where am I? Oh, Frodo’s...And there are..Aha!" he got up on his legs. Then he said to Frodo "Get me a room! NOW!" Frodo quickly passed a key to him and the dragon hunter went upstairs. He yelled down "Wake me up when we leave!" and went to sleep.

Roku Yarit Explosions start coming from below the deck and giant clouds of black smoke begin to rise from the smoke stacks in the ship. Roku turned his head quickly to hear the screams of the crewmen from below deck. "What is going on?" he yelled to no one in particular. A oil and smoke covered man appeared from the hatch and began coughing uncontrollably as he choked out a response to the Sorcerer. "The engine is on fire " Roku ran to the man’s aid and laid him down on the deck then covered his mouth his the sleeve on his robe as he descended into the smoke filled interior of the ship. There were many people on the ground, apparently dead from the toxic gases that flooded through the rooms. He himself began to cough violently so he moved back out to the deck to get some fresh air. "How bad is it?" the captain asked. Roku was hesitant for a moment. "Everyone is dead. We cannot turn off the engine and unless we do I think the ship is going to collide with the harbour and explode." The Captain looked at him with horror. "You cant stop it?" "Any attempt to would most likely cause the ship to explode and kill both of us, but perhaps that would be a better fate the not stopping it and letting hundreds of people in Thais die by our hands..."

Red Un Meanwhile, Red Un was playing a psychological game with the two hooded men. He drank to his beer and shook Malva gently.

"Hey Malva, I met a very weird man before, talkin' something 'bout a library of some sort, and that I knew of it. Most Thaisans are crazy, eh?"

The hooded men shifted a little, but still didn't remove their eyes from Red Un.

"Anyway, I do of course have a big 'ol library at home. Hmm, these beers make have to do something outside...excuse me."

Red Un rose and walked outside. When he closed the door, the two hooded men rose and also went out.

Red Un led them to an old alley where the old man still laid, just as dead. Most people in Thais doesn't care about a dead body these days.

"Oh, great Durin! How horrible!"

The two men grabbed his shoulders before he could react.

"Listen half-dwarf, we won't kill you now. Would be too many eye witnesses even here. But if you go to the desert, and search for the key, we must stop you. You know why."

Red Un laughed silently.

"Hah, you foolish old priesthood has gotten it all wrong. It's just a library for crying out loud! Stop murdering people who are interested in knowledge."

"Very well. We will just give you a warning then."

Before Red Un could react, a dagger was pushed into his back. Then the two men disappeared again.

"Po...poison...HELP!" yelled Red Un.

Chapter 3, in which the half-dwarf is saved from certain death and talks about preference in drinks
Dragon Hunter The dragon hunter woke up due a scream that sounded like Red Un. He rushed towards the scream and saw Red Un lying on the street. He picked his friend over his shoulder and carried him to the tavern. "Help for gods sake!" he screamed as he wiped the table where they all sat from everything on it and threw everyone out of his way. He shouted "Ashaki Karakh!" and a healing light fell on Red Un. The dragon hunter fainted after the extreme effort of the spell...

Vodok The short dwarf ran into the bar because of the yells and he saw someone trying to loot the half-dwarf. ''"Not to ba' 'dea aculy but I’ll probaly be 'ell paid for savein' 'em." ''He mutterd for himself while punching the looter in the face. ''"Lessee 'ere." ''He muttered for himself as he push some on lookers away. Then he started to heal Dragon Hunter so he woke up with a few ultimate healing runes. "I-I have... Healing runes in my backpack, take and heal" Dragon Hunter barely whispered to the short dwarf. The short dwarf looked in the Dragon Hunter's backpack and found a bag full with ultimate healing runes and some of them lying lose in the backpack. Then the dwarf started to heal like a maniac. First he healed the Dragon Hunter and gave him some mana-fluids, he drank and made some peculiar healing runes and started to heal Red Un too.

Red Un Red Un trembled under the healing. Suddenly, he jumped up, screamed "BEER!", jumped over the bar, opened the tap to a beer barrel and laid down under it, allowing the beer to go right into his mouth. After some seconds of gulping and coughing, he closed the tap and immediately put his hands on his pockets. Nothing was taken.

"Pheew, that was something. You better not use too many healing runes in the future, or you might get me sober. And you wouldn't like to see me sober."

Then he noticed the wound on his arm. It had dried up, and was now an outline of a demon surrounded by a star. He quickly covered it before anyone could see it.

Dragon Hunter "Thank you dwarf" the dragon hunter said as he brushed off the dust from his armour. "What is your name anyways dwarf?" he asked. "You were lucky I have good ears my friend" the dragon hunter said. "Just a shame I lost all my healing runes there, except some others. But they are ABSOLUTELY NOT to be used on a friend!". With those words said he ordered another beer that he started to drink wile everyone inside except Red and the other dwarf who helped was staring kind of surprised at him. After all, he had thrown them all away like toys just to make place.

Red Un "I'm not sure if I should feel honoured or insulted. I guess I should just drink instead. Frodo!"

Andrune After a while, Andrune got used to the noise and stress in the pub, and actually started liking it. Probably because it was so unlike everything she was used too. She noticed the stir around one of the tables, got curious and started to listen carefully to what was said.

- "Demonic... Book... Ancient Library..."

It sounded interesting. Andrune moved closer to the table. Suddenly a half dwarf jumped over half of the room and started drinking directly from a barrel. Well, that's pretty logical. Humans are strange, dwarfs are strange, so a mix would of course be even more strange. From what she heard, the group around the table seemed to be embarking on some kind of quests, and judging from their weapons, it was going to be dangerous...

Dragon Hunter "Well Red, how long will we be forced to stay here?" the dragon hunter said to Red Un. "Frodo pass me a beer!" he said and Frodo passed him a beer. After he finished his beer he picked up a crystal potion bottle filled with some red liquid, too dark for life fluid. He drank some and then quickly plugged it and put it away. In his haste he spilled some on his cape. "DAMN! I hate these stains! So hard to get rid of!" he yelled.

Andrune In her mind, Andrune agreed with the warrior. This was exciting, but what would her family say? The sooner they would leave, the lesser would she had to think about it, should she follow them or not?

Dragon Hunter The dragon hunter noticed that a girl a few tables away from himself seemed interested in the group. He stood up and went to her table, sitting down next to her. "You seem interested in our group, why don't tell me about it?" he said. "You don't seem to try hiding it, so I don't know how that would hurt you." he said now awaiting an answer...

Andrune A bit embarrassed by the fact that she had been discovered, Andrune looked at the warrior. He looked trusty, despite his weapons and armour. - "Ehm... Well, I'm just visiting Thais and... Ab'dendriel is so boring, I'm just tired of it and my boring family... I want adventures! I heard you talking, got curious and so."

Dragon Hunter "If you want you could join us for sure. If they won't let you I'll make them, I know how anoying family can be. By the way, what’s your name?" he said and once again drank from the crystal bottle. He then looked into her eyes and mumbled "Urish Nagag Erth".

Red Un Red Un’s thoughts had trailed away to that day so many years ago...

He muttered.

"I was only looking for a book...a book...just one...I didn't want to harm anybody..."

Then he got back to the real world when the Dragon Hunter spilled some red fluid on himself. Red Un got some on himself too.

"Ooh, looks like I got some of your..."

He put a finger in it and tasted it.

"...blood?"

Andrune - "How silly of me... My name is Andrune. What's yours? " she said. "I'll be happy to join, thank you!"

The warrior mumbled something and looked into her eyes.

- "What did you say?"

Vodok "Ahem. The dwarf said while poking Red Un. "Since I jus' saved yer 'ife whas 'at worth, eh?" He ask the half dwarf. "A beer." was the answer. "Frodo!! Gimme a beer!! Shorty's paying!"

Dragon Hunter "Argh! Busted!" he said to Red Un. "Yes I drink blood.. and yes, it’s human." he said predicting the questions would come. He now looked worried as he didn't know how they would react...

Dragon Hunter He sent a telepathic message to Andrune. "My name is not for your ears my potential friend. Refer to me with whatever name you like". The message seemed to have gotten through. "By the way, it was a telepathic link spell I learned of my father."

Red Un Red Un laughed.

"Heh, ya could have told me that. I have a friend that is...uhm...half-vampire, and I even got bit myself once. Don't look scared, I got cured by an elven herb. I have respect for all this world’s bloodsuckers. 'Cept for those meanies in Darama..."

Then he looked over at Vodok.

"Seeing a dwarf calling someone else 'shorty' always puts a smile to my face."

He threw some gold coins to Frodo.

"Now where are the others..."

Dragon Hunter "Good you feel that way. By the way, I’m no vampire. You couldn't even imagine..." the dragon hunter said. "By the way, who are the others?"

Roku Yarit Roku Yarit was in dire straights now. The ship sped towards the city and he could take his own life or take theirs. He chose take theirs... "Captain I will not stop the shit with my own power but give the Thais people a chance to save their own." Pulled the sleeves off his withered hands he reached into the sky with a rune in his hand. "Adori flam!" The rune turned red and shaped itself. Reaching out further, he let loose the balls of fire, spelling a single word in the skies above the city, DANGER. He was sure someone would see it and notice the pillar of smoke that rose from the ship. The Captain shook his head disobediently. "I’m going down with my ship, Master Yarit." The Sorcerer had no time for the Captains games. "So be it..." Sliding his sleeves over his hands once again, he stood at the side of the ship, held his nose closed, and dove into the water below.

It was not long until he resurfaced, gasping a breath of sweet air. The ship was far past him now, moving towards the city at a slower rate it seemed but still quick enough to reach it in 6 minutes or less. "Goodbye Captain..." he muttered as he began to swim to shore, keeping a unwavering eye on the ship.

Red Un "Well they're...dammit, what is goin' on outside?"

Red Un ran out from the bar, just in time to see huge letters of fire spell the word DANGER in the sky.

"Well thank you, for once I get a warning."

Then he saw the pillar of smoke at the horizon. Then he remembered the fish rain before. He puzzled in his brain, and then...

"HOLEY MOLEY! A DWARF STEAMSHIP ON COLLISION COURSE!"

He ran down to the harbour and yes indeed, there it was...wait a minute, wasn't that a human ship?

"No time to think, just act!"

He jumped into the rolling waves and started to swim towards the approaching ship...

Chapter 4, in which a steamship finally gets treated right, and the Adventurers depart
Dragon Hunter He saw how Red Un ran out and heard him say "HOLEY MOLEY! A DWARF STEAMSHIP ON COLLISION COURSE!" He saw him running away. The dragon hunter followed out immediately and saw a pillar of smoke from the sea and Red Un was running towards the harbour and jumped into the water. The dragon hunter said "Arath Lefeth" and he started to run at over human speed, and if anything got in his way he took a huge jump over it! As he neared the harbour he saw Red Un swimming in the ocean. Hhe quickly took a giant leap against him splashing down 9 feet in front of him. Now he saw that is was a ship, and asked Red Un wile he was swimming next to him "What the hell is a human ship doing with a steam engine?!"

Red Un "No time to for questions!"

Red Un realised that he wouldn't get to the ship in time. Then he got a mad idea. It was a Once-In-A-Million Chance (TM) but it could work.

He took out an old explosion rune while he kept swimming. Then he used it.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!"

He flew away in the distance and managed to grab the mast of the ship just as he flew by...

Dragon Hunter "Orgathar Levimed" the dragon hunter said and fired himself away towards the ship, surrounded by blue flames. As the landed he yelled "What the hell is wrong with this ship!" and ran against the lower deck.

Red Un (postid 660859) Red Un jumped down to the huge engine below deck. It was shaking and banging and groaning. As the Dragon Hunter came down, Red Un yelled "STAND BACK!" over the noise.

Then he walked calmly towards the engine. He looked around, found a small hole and laid his ear beside it.

"Yes...aha...no really? Three times? Oh...I see..."

Then he turned around and looked at the Dragon Hunter with a grim face.

"This engine is depressed. It felt like it was never used, and now, when it finally got the chance, it over-worked itself."

There was a groan from a pipe.

"There there, it can happen to anyone. Let's see now..."

He knocked the boiler. There was a whistle from another pipe.

"This hurts eh? But what if I do THIS!"

He suddenly took out a hammer and rammed it hard into a nearby piston.

A pipe exploded in a shower of hot water.

Then the engine stopped. There was a weeze somewhere.

"Oh, you don't need to thank me."

Red Un looked around.

"Now where is the captain of this ship? I've heard humans captains has the strange custom of goin' down with their vessels..."

Andrune - "I have to get some fresh air, the air is stifling in here." Andrune said.

She walked out to the open streets of Thais, and went south to the crossroads. Suddenly a knight jumped up and cut her in the leg with his sword. Unable to move, more people gathered around her and started attacking. She started to feel numb, the attack didn't hurt her anymore. It was getting darker and…

Vodok The short dwarf had followed Red Un to the harbour and he had also seen when Red Un jumped in the water then one minute later was flying through the air. He HAS to teach me that trick. The dwarf thought.

Dragon Hunter "Well looks like our job is done here, let’s move back to land." the dragon hunter said. He jumped away of sight from Red Un. When he landed on the harbour people stared at him. He guessed they had never seen a man falling down from the sky before. He went to Frodos and sat down in a shady corner and mumbled "Incario Mashith" and became one with the shadows. The people in the bar got frightened and many left as they though that such a big man couldn't just disappear... Red Un Meanwhile, Red Un was teaching a certain captain that dwarves cares for their machines.

"You heard me! Say that you're sorry!"

"But it's just...a thing!"

Red Un laid his hand firmly on the captains shoulder.

"If you were in Kazordoon right now, well, you would wish you weren't there. Now SAY IT!"

" Okay then. Mr.Machine..."

"It's name is Krudar’s Pride!"

"...Mr. Pride, I'm very sorry for not using you until now. I will now sail you back to Kazordoon after letting of this...friendly half-dwarf at Thais. Is that...um...okay?"

There was a groan from the cooling down machine.

"...I take that as a yes..."

Danger ''He noticed Dalafor looking at someone. He turned to see his sister looking back at him with some sort of innocent smile. He looked angry but did not act on it. ''

"I think I'll go see what’s going on out side." he said a bit annoyed.

'RHIA! what are you doing here! 'He thought very loudly. 'Why must you follow me to the ends of the earth?! '

''Despite his mood he seemed perplexed by the ship in the water. He would have to ask the others about it when they came back.''

"Hope no one else heard me..." He said as he realized how loud he was thinking.

Pheonix -Rhia looked at Dalafor with the same serious look. ''What is troubling you and my brother? ''She directed her thoughts only to him. Hopefully Dalafor could at least hear thoughts directed at him if he cannot read them.

-Rhia watched as her brother stormed out. "Hehe, he must have seen me." She got up and sat next to Dalafor. "What is your name? I forget... Can't expect me to remember all 3 of my brother's "friends"" She said sarcastically.

-'' You know brother.... you don't have to yell. All of Thais will be able to hear you if you think that loudly. ''She sighed. She hated having her brother mad at her. She loved him to death. Couldn't he understand that?

Red Un Finally, the ship puffed into the harbour. The steam engine was working nicely now, and Red Un jumped of the ship before it had stopped.

"Now, take this ship DIRECTLY to the underground lake that I showed ya on the map."

The captain sighed.

"Whatever you say. I never want to see that damn thing..."

One of the pistons made a sound like a thousand nails against a blackboard.

"...wonderful invention again..."

And so, the ship puffed away merrily through the sea towards its home.

(it later won the prize "Ship of the Year" by the dwarves and went to become a liner between Kazordoon and Carlin. No one knows for sure what happened to its captain, but there was later a cell in Dwarfcarta Prison Isles that had the words "Human Heretic" written on the door...)

"Right" said Red Un as the last smoke disappeared at the horizon. "I think it's time to go to the bar and get our group together..."

Danger The young mage watched as they came to shore waiting patiently for someone to tell what had happened.

Roku Yarit The Sorcerer was extremely proud of himself. Not only had he warned the inhabitants but caught a nice little show of their strength. They might actually find the Library for him so he would not have to waste his time and magic. "I should travel with them, of course, to ensure they do not find anything they should not be seeing. I am sure they will take pity on a 'old man' and allow him to follow them so he might find some adventure before he passes away." Roku began to laugh madly and quickly began making tears in his robes and throwing dirt all over him so they did not suspect him to be a Sorcerer of great cunning and power. After the necessary modifications were made to his appearance he walked off the beach and proceeded to Frodo's pub where he knew the companions resided for the time being.

He could see the travellers through the window and placed himself right outside the door, hanging his head as if he were tired from much travel and making himself look even more pitiful then he already did. "Perhaps there is hope for them yet..."

Dragon Hunter The dragon hunter saw an old man enter, so he walked out from the shadows, leaving the invisibility. He studied the man from top to toe and then took out his crystal bottle again and drank some blood. He looked how the old man would react to it...

Roku Yarit Roku had no quarrel with anyone who enjoyed drinking blood but was careful not to offend the man as he drank the blood. He showed an obvious disgust that any old person who was stuck in their ways would have. Covering his withered hands carefully with his ragged robes, he walked over to a table near the companions but far as well and carefully slumped himself down heavily. Speaking in a old, creaking voice he said, "Looks like rain..."

Dragon Hunter As he was done the dragon hunter put away the bottle and sat down by the others. "Does anyone of you know who we are waiting for?" he asked the others. "I'm getting really bored of just sitting here and letting my ass grow fat..."

Vodok "Red Un!! The short dwarf yelled from outside the bar. "RED UN!!!! The short dwarf yelled again as he walked in the bar. ''"Say... how did yer do 'at flyin' trick?" ''The dwarf said very in a I-don’t-care-voice. Too much in a I-don’t-care-voice, so Red Un got suspicious. ''"Waved my arms and yelled: IM A BIRD!!!" ''Was the answer. ''"Oh yeah, when are we gettin' goin'? I 'ate it 'ere." ''the short dwarf said to Red Un. "When we want to" became the answer to that question.

Red Un "Ahem, I guess that everyone who wants to go is here now."

He looked over with disgust at the smelly, dirty old man tat had entered.

"Well, there sure won't be rain where we are goin', old man..."

He looked at the rest of the group.

"So, if everyone are ready, we'll be goin'! To the desert!"

And with those words he led the group to the northern gate of Thais. Meanwhile, a group of four hooded men spied on them from the shadows.

"The desert will be hot. Very hot. When they are tired and dry, we will strike" said one of them. Then he threw up a yellow rune-stone in the sky. It dissolved into dust...

Dragon Hunter "So its finally time to depart" the dragon hunter said, "It will be nice with some adventure. How many years was it since the last real adventure? 20-30 maybe?" he thought.

Red Un As the group went for the north gates, Red Un took the lead and started to sing a merry dwarven song.

"Hey ho, hey ho to the desert we go a key we will find and leave no one behind Hey ho, hey ho!  Come on everyone, join in!"

Danger ''The young mage stared at Red Un with horror. ''

"Uh... I think not."

'Rhia, I don't know why you are hiding. I know you are following us. Just join the group. ' He thought waiting from his sister to show her self.

Dragon Hunter The dark warrior quickly put his hand over Red Un's mouth and said "Spare the torture for our enemies!"

Chapter 5, in which the Adventurers fight some cylopses
Roku Yarit The "Smelly, Dirty, Old man" was careful to follow beyond the boundaries of their normal vision, skulking in shadows and alleys as the travellers walked on ahead. People regarded him with disgust and prejudice but he paid no mind to their petty banter and pointing fingers. "Maybe the ship should have crushed this city after all..."

Vodok “'''Ey 'o, 'ey 'o to a dessert we go a key we will fin' an' leave no 'un behin'!!" The dwarf half sang, half yelled. The short dwarf stopped suddenly causing the person behind to nearly bump into him. He stuck his hand in the backpack and took out a beer. He held it in front of himself. "'is is strong stuff yeh know." he said to the group who didn’t seem to give a damn about a beer bottle. Red Un seemed a little interested though. The short dwarf took the bottle and drained it all in one go. Expecting some clapping he said "It aint 'at 'ard if yeh know a trick." he said while swaying around on his feet. "Evar noteiced 'at pigs seems 'o flyin' in a sky tarday." ''he said drunkly while still swaying on his feet.

Red Un Red Un had started to wonder if the group he had gathered was really the best. These thoughts didn't go on for very long when he saw something on the bridge that was the border of the Thaian Kingdom. A large group of cyclopses had gathered. Some of them had picked up large stones, some were holding huge swords in their hands, and others were wearing large armours of steel. One of them yelled out something.

"Hoomans! Y not pass 'ere withoot payink tooll!"

Red Un looked back at the group.

"Alright people, looks like we have a fight on our hands. Since it would be hard even for our...amazing...team to defeat them, we need a strategy before we go any further. Any ideas?"

Dragon Hunter Before anyone could react the dragon hunter had drawn his bow and fired an arrow that penetrated 2 cyc's and landed somewhere behind them. Both cyc's started to burn and where turned to ashes in a few seconds. The dragon hunter put his bow away and drew his sword "Let's teach them not to mess with our group..." the dragon hunter said...

Vodok The short dwarf put down his backpack and took up three great fire ball runes. ''"BURN!!! BURN I SAY!!" ''He yelled as he shot great fire balls at the whole group. Then an arrow bashed into the short dwarf, through his armour. "Ex- Exura vit- Exura vita" he got through his mouth. ''"Exura Vita Exura Vita." ''The dwarf was healed enough to keep on fighting. He took up some heavy magic missiles and threw to some members of the group. ''"FIRE!!" ''He yelled and everyone started to shoot heavy magic missiles. Some of the cyclopses dropped but there where still more left. Red Un Red Un shrugged his shoulders.

"So much for strategy..."

He drew his firesword and ran towards the enemy.

"Hey Vodok! Don't ya dare to take 'em on up close and personal?" he yelled as the cyclopses charged towards the group.

Vodok ''"'ANNA BET???" ''He yelled. He took up about 10 mana fluids from his backpack that seemed to be more like an endless pit since it got all those stuff in it. He drank the mana fluids. "Utamo Vita" He said slowly and clearly. Then he put down his two handed sword and put two sudden death runes in his hands. ''"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!!" ''He yelled as he ran forward sudden deathing like a manaiac. He drew up two new runes while constantly losing mana for the mana shield. He was totally surrounded at the moment. He figured that the only way to survive would be to: Fire bomb himself. He fire bombed himself. The cyclopses around him ran out of the fire while the short dwarf used a destroy field where he was standing. The again he started to sudden death like a maniac. "GAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!! YOU FIENDS!! ''DIE!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA DIE DIE DIE!!!" ''He yelled while some cyclopses was shooting arrows against him, but he still had the mana shield on. He didn’t have too much mana left but most of the cyclopses would be dead when the mana was gone.  Dragon Hunter''' The dragon hunter though he would join the fun and drew his sword and charged. As he reached the cyclopses he made a devastating whirlwind attack that killed several cyc's...

Red Un Meanwhile, Red Un wondered how he always got into these kinds of situations. He swung his sword in a deadly arc, cutting two cyclopses in half by sheer force. Another one started burning when it was hit by the magic flame that was Red Un’s blade. Then he saw that Vodok was in trouble.

"Hang in there Vodok!"

Red Un saw a bunch of cyclopses that fired arrows at the dwarven magician. He ran towards them...

The cyclopses fired...

Red Un was in the arrows path...

He swung his sword in precise arcs, cutting each arrow out of the air before they reached Vodok. Except for one...

Roku Yarit Roku Yarit watched the group do battle with little to no interest at all. This was but a distraction to the quest at hand. "Utana Vid" he muttered, keeping his voice from raising anymore then a whisper. He moved swiftly and silently and made his way around the cyclopses. He pulled a gray rune from his pocket and held it in his right hand. "Adori Vita Vis" the rune changed into the familiar form of the Sudden Death rune. Pointing it towards the closest cyc, It immediately died in a sort of gurgling pain. The last few became confused and made them huddle together. "Exevo mort hur." Energy sped across the ground and stuck the cyclopes dead with little effort. He had wasted too much time already, the invisibility would wear off soon. He began to run back behind Red Un and his companions, not paying attention to the noise he made as he ran.

Dragon Hunter "AARRGGGHH!" and the dark warrior fell top the ground in pain. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!!!" he screamed right after.

Vodok The arrow that kept on going that Red Un didn’t slice caught the short dwarf in his neck. The mana drained away fast but he had time to pick up his healing runes and heal like a lunatic. ''"OUCH!!!" ''He yelled out. The cyclopses where closing in on the short dwarf. He took out two fire wall runes and made sure no one could enter without being burnt. As you know the cyclopses would prefer to be trapped in fire than walk through it. The short dwarf was healed enough to stay on his hands and knees but no more. Now all of the cyclopses were dead. The short dwarf still felt as though he was losing more life. "Exana pox" He muttered and no one else heard it. Someone seemed to be chucking food at him so he ate it though he didn’t have that much energy left. "Exura" he said and it hardly worked since he had so low mana.

Dragon Hunter As he stood up and saw Roku turn visible he stared at his surprised face. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR YOU INCOMPETENT OLD FOOL!!" he burst out assuming Roku where the one who fired the energy wave. "CAN’T YOU AIM! AND A LITTLE TIP! DON’T BARBECUE THE GOOD GUYS!!!!!! AARRGGHHH!!!" he fell to the ground in pain again. He rose up once again and this time he didn’t scream, he mumbled "Ashaki Karakh self" and a healing light fell on him. And he immediately fell asleep...

Red Un Red Un looked at what was left of the group of cyclopses.

"Great. We haven't even gotten outside Thais Kingdom, and already there is trouble..."

He heard a gurgle. One of the cyclopses was still (barely) alive. Red Un walked over to it. The cyclops had a large cut in the chest, and its eye was a pulpy mess.

"Yoo littul oones..."

Red Un bowed over the cyclops as it coughed up blood.

"Lisn' here, one-eye. Cyclopses doesn't gather like this unless someone threatens their mountain with a big army. And even though I have found out that my lill' group is indeed strong, there was no reason for ya to emerge from the mountain in the first place. So, my question is, who made you do it?"

The large beast spit blood in Red Uns face. Red Un stood calmly over him still.

"Tell me, or I will let you suffer some more before you die."

"Noo...'twas......a littul hooman...gave oos aul kinda...stoof to joose..."

"What human?!"

Silence.

"TELL ME!"

Still silence. The cyclops was dead. Damn, thought Red Un. Then he got another thought in his head. He walked over to the cyclops right arm. He removed the armour pieces from it. There was a tattoo that was all too familiar to him now. He quickly covered over the arm with the armour pieces again. Then he returned to where the rest of his group rested.

Chapter 6, in which the Adventurers rest, and almost fight among themselves
Dragon Hunter As he woke up he quickly got up on his feet. He went over to Red Un and said "Why did we have bring that damn ma ge anyways? Look what he did to me!" and he started coughing extremely violently. He put up his crystal bottle and drank some. After he was finished he was in a better mood and said "But his magic sure is strong. It was almost as powerful as the breath of a dragon"

Red Un "Well, we sure are going to need it" muttered Red Un. Then he looked at the rest of the group.

"LISTEN UP! We need to get to the desert before nightfall, so let's get goin'!"

Vodok The short dwarf lying limp on the floor seemed to have been forgotten of everyone. "Exura Gran" He said. "'Very'un 'ere is 'urt some 'ow. Mos' me 'ough... anyway I 'as 'onderin' if summone 'ad 'ass 'ealin' 'ere? The dwarf said from his place in the fire walls. He took up a grey rune, shot it at a place on the fire wall and the fire there dissolved. "Exura" He said.

Red Un It had been so long ago...a memory lingered in Red Uns head. He had just wanted that book...they murdered...

He got back from those old days, and looked at the group.

"Right 'vreyone, we still have a bit to walk, so let's get on our feet!"

Roku Yarit He assumed his crippled stance of a old man once again but paid no attention to the damage he caused to the human. He was the only one who noticed his reappearance so Roku was not very worried. He had drawn too much attention to himself as it was. "Wut ya talking bout son? I’m just looking for a bit ta eat on my way to Thais." Turning around, he walked back to Thais like he was headed there all along. If needed, he could easily catch up with them if they got to far.

Danger ''The Young mage was quite surprised. He had not even need to join the battle. Something seemed odd about the old man though. He ingored it. ''

"That looked like fun..." He said coolly. "Did not want to waste my magic on such weak creature though. Sorry I did not help" ''He grinned looking at the others. Wonder what they were thinking? Rhia would know but would not read them unless she had to... Where was she anyways? Probably not far... ''

"Here" He tossed a backpack at the others "It's full of Healing runes if you need them." He opened it for them. There was a brown bag in it he had forgotten to take it out. "That’s nothing!" He said quickly snatching it up and putting it in his pocket.

Pheonix -Rhia followed closely. She was getting nervous. What was in that bag Oriel had? Could it be the amulet? no he always wore that... she had to figure out what it was.

- "Keep your eye on him." She thought to Dalafor. ''"He may be your friend, but he always has his own reasons for joining journeys." ''She warned. "And watch the others. He does not know them. Therefore he does not care what happens to them. He will only help as he sees fit." Hopefully Dalafor would heed her warning.

Roku Yarit The Sorcerer waited until he was out of their eyes and then crouched over behind a tree, peering at the group through the branches. A slight tingle at the back of his neck had irritated him for only a moment until he realized what it was. "Telepaths..." he muttered to himself. This was a unseen obstacle in his plan. Reaching into his tattered robes he removed a piece of amethyst rock welded to a silver chain. He quickly placed it around his neck, feeling the magic reach its protective shell around his mind, keeping others out of it. If he was taken unto any more consideration by the group the telepath, whoever it was, might find it strange he could not read his mind. At first they may blame it on my age or a shift of the cosmos but suspicions would soon arise. The only person he would worry about right now would be the Mage. Something was strange about him. Could he be seeking the library as well? It made no difference. None posed a present threat to Roku and he doubted they ever would...

Vodok The short dwarf saw a mage throwing a backpack over to the group of people. The short dwarf limbed up to the group of people who were taking out some ultimate healing runes. He snatched a rune from someone, he didn’t really care who and healed himself. ''"That was my rune!!" ''the someone said and took a new one. As last time the dwarf snatched the rune from him healed himself. "'Anks 'or the 'unes. The short dwarf said to the figure he stole runes from all the time. "Exura Gran." The short dwarf said and felt fully refreshed.

Red Un Red Un was getting worried.

"Listen, we REALLY have to get a move on! Let's go!"

He walked towards the bridge, hoping that the others would follow.

Danger ''The young mage followed Red Un. ''He seems to be very proud of his race despite being half human. He thought to him self. '''And that old man... What was he doing in an area like this? he seems a bit senile... The old fool... oh well. '''

"It's getting dark..." He said out loud.

Pheonix - "That is to be expected Oriel. He is after all Half Dwarf. All dwarves are proud of their race. As to the old man... I felt his aura... He has been following us... Though I shall not invade his mind. Would be rude. You on the other hand..." Rhia explained. "Tell me what’s in that in the bag."

- I guess I will join the group... she thought to her self. Waiting for her brother's answer.

-"Shhhh crack shcrack" she said in a swishing language. A tree suddenly grabbed Rhia pulling her up in to its branches, throwing her towards the group. She landed on top of the dwarf.

-"Oh my... I am so sorry!" she said getting up off the dwarf. "I guess my friend cannot aim to good..." Or maybe it was right on target she thought glaring at the tree.

Danger "STAY OUT OF MY MIND!" ''He yelled just as Rhia landed on top of the dwarf. ''"What is in my bag is of no concern to you!"

"Aesh Ye Tal!" He swore in Fincayran.

"I will not be treated like a little child." He pulled out a rune ready to fight his sister.

He had not noticed what she said about the old man. "If you wish to keep following me you must beat me in a duel."

Vodok While Red Un walked hoping for someone to follow the short dwarf followed him ''"GETTA MOVE ON!!" ''He yelled to the rest of the group. The short dwarf went up to Red Un and started to talk with him. "Whats your fave'ot beer?" ''He asked to Red Un. '' Red Un Red Un got on his feet and was about to answer Vodok when he saw that a fight was about to start in the group. Even though he realised that the two fighters were probably quite powerful, he decided to step between them.

"You will have to do that after the adventure. As Danger said, it is getting dark, and we need to get to the end of the Northern Jakundaf River before nightfall."

Roku Yarit Things were going as smoothly as they could under the circumstances and the Dwarf was showing an incredible sense of leadership considering he barely knew his companions. They were rather far ahead of them but he could see them fine. Cracking his knuckles and neck out of stiffness, he began to follow the travellers at a steady pace that would not allow them to see him for some time. They were approaching the bridge now. Dwarfs would most likely be roaming the lands but with two of their own kind with them, they would not endanger the people who would do all the work he had once considered doing himself.

Pheonix -Rhia was not surprised her brother had acted that way... He is short tempered most the time. "It is alright... Um what is you name?" she jestered to the half-dwarf.

-"Anyway please kindly move. I will handle this." she said calmly. She began speaking in a splashing language. Water shot out of the river knocking the rune out of her brother's hand. "Surely brother, you do remember that a fight against me is also a fight against nature?" She smiled at her brother's frustration.

- Rhia turned her back, not accepting the challenge. "I will not fight my blood Oriel." She said walking away. "I will leave." ''"You may not see me but I will always be near." ''she thought to the half-dwarf. "Just tell the trees if you need my help. They will tell you my name."

-as she left into the woods the trees began to sway. Their clicking and swishing began to form words. "Rrrrrhhhiiiiaaaaa, Rrrrhhiiaaaaa"

Vodok The group was walking slowly but steadily up to the Jakundaf River and nothing special happened. "So whas your fave'rate beer 'en? I 'ike the Flamin' Demon, Jimbin says 'e 'imself invented it." Now it was really getting dark and you couldn’t see that far "Utevo Gran Lux" ''the short dwarf muttered and then the scene got light again. They were very close the northern Jakundaf River. "Im s'eepy now. Can we s'eep now? I 'af'ta sleep. ''the short dwarf asked very sleepily.

Red Un Red Un was still thinking about talking to trees. He had done that when he was a child. I hope that girl wasn't around when I was young, he thought. Then he realised that he was very tired. To the south he could see the River, so they were at least on the right way.

"Alright people, we set camp here for the night."

He picked up the small stone he used as a pillow.

Yeah! He used a rock as a pillow! How hard isn't that?

Well, okay he had a soft cover around it...

Roku Yarit Sleep... He hadn’t had that in alone time. There was no need. He never felt tired and had only felt it necessary to rest himself under extreme circumstances. A rather unwelcome delay by his perspective. He would move ahead to the bridge and clear out any more delays. When he returned, they would be awaking and the journey would continue as planned.

Vodok ''"Yeah!! Sleep!!" ''The short dwarf half yelled and fell asleep before he hit the ground. The short dwarf had slept in about half an hour when a wolf licked his foot. "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!! He screamed in a very scared sort of way and woke everyone up. The short dwarf ran around the camp like a maniac. ''"Take 'em!! Take 'em!! No' me!! 'Ake 'em just let me live" He yelled as he ran around the camp "Utevo Lux" a sleepy voice muttered and the short dwarf saw it was a wolf. "Heh heh... ''The short dwarf said and thought: Right I need to lie myself outta this, I can’t stand have running three times 'round the camp yelling to spare my life and kill everyone else instead. Then he started to talk "Um... Well... You see... Ummm.. You know that... Um... I was joking! Yes that’s what I was doing, I was joking Ahahaha dont ya all geddit? the short dwarf said nervously. A small stone hit the short dwarf in the face and someone yelled " PIPE DOWN WILL YOU?!?!"

Danger ''The young mage could not sleep that night... He never slept good a night. He stared at the small dwarf in annoyance. He really wanted to cut that beard off his face! Could he be any louder? He smiled. Not an evil smile you usually saw on his face. But a sad one. " I'm sorry Rhia... please come back " He thought hoping his sister was listening. He waited... No answer. " At least sing me a song like you did when I was little. "''

The trees began to wave violently. "There's something wrong..." He said staring off in to the forest. "Wake up!" He said sharply. "Something is coming."

Pheonix -Rhia listened to the trees. Something troubled them. She placed her hand on a trunk of one of them. ''"A ho'r'ble mon'ter i. co'ing! R.n! RUN!" ''Rhia's hand recoiled. "Never have the trees been so scared! what could it be? I have to let the others know!" she said, taken back.

-Rhia let her thoughts wonder over the land. ''"You must leave. My friend say there is a monster coming. One they have never seen in these lands. Leave quickly before it reaches you!" '' She hoped at least someone in the group would hear her thoughts.

Roku Yarit Roku lost his footing and stumbled to the ground claudishly. The ground was shaking rather violently that he found it difficult to even sit still without being thrown all over the place. "No monster that inhabits this area could possibly be doing this," he mumbled to himself. Dwarves lay all around him, a possible delay in the travellers quest. He gathered his tattered robes and stood up, keeping low to the ground so he would not fall again. Birds were vacant, as were any other form of life. Roku was scared, but not of the monster. He was afraid that the battle he would wage to spare the lives of the adventurers might cause irreversible damage to the land itself. He materialized runes with a mere flick of his wrist and began to arm himself. "Adori vita vis, Adori vita vis, Adori vita vis..."

Dragon Hunter As he didn't sleep and usually just looked at the stars all night he noticed something was wrong, and there was something coming from the forest. He drew his sword and stood ready to fight...

Red Un Red Un stood in the old cave, griping a book firmly in his hand.

"NO! You can't! He's just an old man!"

The hooded men laughed. Red Un drew his sword and ran screaming towards them.

"It's just a book! Just a book!"

Then he dropped the book, and a huge flame erupted from its pages...the ceiling came crashing down...

...and he woke up. It had been that dream again. Then he noticed that the ground was shaking violently. Was he still dreaming? He looked around. The others had gotten on their feet and seemed to prepare for battle. Then he saw the forest.

Thousands of red eyes glowed in there, and a sound from thousands of growling mouths reached his ears.

"Lions. Thousands of 'em."

He drew his fire sword. Then he heard another sound. Then one of thousands of muttering and humming creatures. And then the clicking of a thousand small feet.

"Trolls. Bugs. Millions of bugs."

Chapter 7, in which something terribly evil reveals itself
Vodok The short dwarf took up new backpack that seemed to be full of great fire ball runes. ''"'Ese things aint dangouros. Bu' 'ike everything, get too much o' it an' yeh die." ''the short dwarf said so everyone could her him. ''"CHARGE!!" ''the short dwarf yelled and threw a fire bomb mostly to make things light as it was about 3 in the morning. Then he took up two great fire ball runes and just started to fire like a maniac. Then he trapped himself in a fire wall.'' "'Ese weak creature 'ill die tryin' tar get through that." ''he muttered grimly. Now he emptied his backpack of great fire balls. They all lay in the fire barrier ready to get fired. A mixture of runes were lying on the floor. He shot a couple of great fire balls in the group of trolls. He also set fire to a lion with a fire field witch was more effective than he hoped. It ran into the main group of lions and some of them also took fire. For some extremely odd reason all the fire suddenly went out and all the bugs swarmed around him. Very suddenly he felt very weak. Time to disappear a while the dwarf thought. "Utana vid" the dwarf said and most of the bugs probably thought that the victim had died. God knows what the rest of the group thought... anyway the dwarf ran while great fire balling his way forward. "Exura Vita" he said and healed fully. The dwarf reached the rest of the group and swiftly pushed himself forward to the middle and kept great fire balling. He had managed to save nearly all the runes when he ran against the group. ''"Adori gran flam, Adori gran flam, Adori gran flam Adori gran flam." ''the short dwarf said after drinking the last of his mana fluids. He kept on firing.

Danger "Stop you fool!" He yelled at the short dwarf. "They are running just as we should be! They are not here for a fight!"

''Danger tackled the dwarf just as the scared animals began to charge. They ran right past them. ''

"See?! he yelled, annoyed. "Do you think that they are big enough to make the ground shake so violently? whatever it is it is huge! even the trees are scared!"

''Though the young mage worshiped the God Zathroth he was still a man of nature. He was a druid after all. ''

'Rhia where are you?! '

Pheonix -Rhia fell to her knees. The animals were so scared... she could feel it. It was so overwhelming. "someone help me..."she called out through her mind. She could barely move. So many animals... so many feelings she was sensing. "I... c-can't block them out." She said holding her head.

-Then Rhia felt a new feeling. Something out there was bloodthirsty... all it wished to do is kill and destroy. She had felt this before.

Vodok ''"Ahhhh..." ''the dwarf said after the druid had tackled the dwarf. Once again trying to think of a good and logical answer to this the dwarf started "Ummm... well yeh see.. yeh see us dwarfs don 'eally 'ike 'em bugs, trolls 'n' lions, 'ight Red Un?" he said while holding a small bottle of beer in front of the dwarfs nose with out anyone else noticing and hoping Red Un was realising the short dwarf was bribing him with beer... "'is is my fave'ot, Flamin' demon.” the dwarf whispered to Red Un out of corner of his mouth so no one else would hear.  Danger "Adori" The young mage said as he pointed a green rune at the dwarf. A magic missile shot towards him and hit him knocking him back a little. "Will you quit that?" he said annoyed. "I know the nature of dwarves and dwarves aren't afraid of bugs or lions or trolls for that matter. I lived in a dwarven city for 2 years! You maybe afraid but I know most are not."

''"Someone help me..." He had heard in his mind. He looked at the others. They had heard it too!'' "That was Rhia! where is she?!"

Red Un Well, everyone except for Red Un. His mind was very foggy at the moment. There was something else wanting to have the attention of his thoughts. He had felt this before...

...no, not even they could call up...well, theoretically they could. But if they did, they would be in big trouble...he had to get a plan...stop invading my mind...a plan...to fight...that thing...Oh, yes, of course.

Not noticing that the others had turned their attention to Rhia’s cry for help, Red Un yelled out:

"Everyone! We need to get to Kazordoon!"

Roku Yarit The Sorcerer, Roku Yarit, lay dazed and confused from the roof of a cave, his things scattered below his head. What had happened? He could not recall. He remembered the thundering of the ground and reciting the spell but after that was a haze of confusion. At first he thought to call out into the cave to see if he was alone but all was dark and no friendly being would have brought him here in the first place. "So, you are awake old man," a demonic voice that shook the cave called from the shadows. "What business does a beggar have here?" "P-Please, sir, I was jus travelin’ ta da Elven city for a bit ‘o wine and such. I-I didn’t mean to cause any harm." he pleaded, trying to sound as elderly and pathetic as possible. "Well, you didn’t cause any harm. I found you in the fields, yelling some words with strange stones in your hand. So I brought you here to inform me about how the world has changed." "Changed?" "Since I last walked this place. The Dwarves now have a city and the humans are no longer enslaved. Elves have lost their castle to the orcs and dragons, and you disgusting creatures make up the majority of he population!" The voice became angry and large chunks of rock began to fall from the cave roof, barely missing Roku's head. "P-P-Please, sir, I dun know what you are talking about. W-Who are you? W-What are you going to do to me?" The voice laughed, a loud horrible laugh. "Poor beggar, I am going to skin you alive and eat your flesh while you remain conscious to watch it!"

Vodok "WHEEEE!! KAZORDOON!! Is 'bout time summun ´thinks o' goo' ol' Kazordoon. Les get goin' 'en. 'Ight! Everyun' pack up! re goin' tar Kazordoon!" ''As though the short dwarf was in charge. The short dwarf didn’t know how everyone would react (especially Red Un). He had a feeling, but just a feeling that no one wouldn’t move a finger before Red Un told them to. '' Red Un "Ahem...yes, we need to get to Kazordoon before whatever it is that is coming finds us."

Stop...invading...my...mind...damn...you...

Roku Yarit Roku Yarit's head was in a great deal of pain from the constant flow of blood that made his face swell. This was growing tiresome. The cave was filled with the horrible sound of a stone sliding against a jagged cleaver. Whatever this thing was it was definitely sadistic to a sickening extent. He had not yet even seen the creature for it stayed in the shadows and out of sight but his mind wandered to what it looked like. A big, brooding beast, with razor claws and piercing yellow eyes, he imagined. "Are you comfortable old man?" Roku did not answer and suddenly he heard the beast sniffing around in the air. It stopped sharpening his blade and the Sorcerer could hear it coming closer. "I smell manflesh. No wait...Dwarves as well. Ah what a feast. What a feast indeed." Without another word, pounding footsteps that shook the cave trailed off as it moved through what Roku thought must have been the entrance. Now was his chance. "Exori vis" the blast hit the roof, releasing the hold on his feet and dropping him heavily to the ground. After a moment of rubbing sore muscles and waiting for his face to return to its normal dull grey colour he gathered his things and concealed them in his tattered robes. "He must have smelt Un and his companions. I must make haste if I am to warn them before the beast catches up." Making sure his runes were all intact, he stumbled around in the darkness, not thinking to use Uevo lux, trying to find the entrance.

Pheonix -Rhia woke. She was in the arms of a tree. What had happened? where were all the animals and bugs?

-"Thank you my friend" She whispered to the tree "You may set me down now."

-The tree obeyed. "I have to check on the others."

-She ran swiftly to the others tracing their tracks.

-"Oriel! You’re alive! She said running in to hug him."

Danger ''The young mage was relieved to see his sister alive. ''"What happened to make you use your telepathy over the land?" He asked concerned. "That... what ever it was. Where is it?"

Red Un Damn...you...out...of...my...head...

"I fear that I know" said Red Un.

"We can't take it on by ourselves. We will need to get to Kazordoon and warn the Emperor. For I fear that after that thing is done with us, it will go there...again."

I...will...warn...them...stop...out...of...my...mind...

Vodok "Yeah! Les ge' off tar Kazordoon. Follow now or I'll ge' angry!" ''the dwarf said and walked. He turned around and saw smoke. ''"Ooo!! Look over 'ere! S'oke!" ''the dwarf said as though he was pointing out a piece of rare armour. "Anyway les ge' going we don 'ave time for some stupid 'ires do we, 'Ed Un? the dwarf asked while nudging Red Un on the ribs. ''"C'mon 'en! ''The dwarf said happily. '' Hezasah Dwarf...

wait...

Please he...

Pheonix -"Something troubles you half dwarf. What is wrong?" Rhia reached out to Red Un's mind.

-There was indeed something wrong with the hafling, His mind seemed elsewhere. She did not want to pry in his mind with out permission... She just couldn't see others so troubled.

-Rhia sapling. They were always ready for conversation. She bent down touching the tree.

-"Hi there little one." She said in the tree's language.

-"h.i N.me Ce.de.n ..u?" It responded.

-"Rhiannon of the druma wood. Where is you mother? there is no older tree near you." Rhia asked conerned.

-".he W.lk.n.g Tr.."

"A walking tree?!" Rhia said out loud in the standard language. "I Thought those only lived in Fincayra!"

Danger "A what!" the young mage spun around. "Are you sure that’s with the sapling said Rhia?" he asked surprised. "Can't be... Those creatures nearly died out! it was thought to only be 5 left! and they all live in my home country... Fincayra." He explained to the others.

Roku Yarit Roku was getting frustrated. He could not find the entrance even with light. The cave was barren with only stones littering the floor. He was taking too long. The creature would find Red Un and his adventuring band if he did not get out of here quickly. "Adori gran." The rather basic spell seemed to be the only one that could help him. Taking careful aim at what he had thought to be the thinnest cave wall. He let loose the charges, spraying gravel and dust back at the Sorcerer but this did not stop him. He kept firing, digging deeper and deeper into the wall until he saw a beam of sunlight go through a crack. The rune was gone and he began to pry at the hole with his staff, making it large enough to fit his arm through. Try as he might, it would not grow any larger. He got an idea, one he had used before. Pulling another blank rune from his robes he put it in his left hand and reached it through the wall, aiming into the sky, he could not see so he did not know for sure. "Adori flam" Closing his eyes and guiding his hand carefully, he attempted to spell the words "Help" and "Danger."

Red Un Head...out...not...again...

"Aye, we sure could use one of 'em talkin' trees right now" Red Un muttered.

Oh...power...will...not...succumb...

"Now...hey wait a minute, what's that in the sky?"

There was words of fire written in the sky.

"Well, I haven't seen something like that since...oh well, we haven't go the time. We MUST hurry to Kazordoon!"

They had arrived at the bridge.

Vodok "Emmm... Why's 'ere someone who seems tar be asleep on me feet? the short dwarf said. He picked up a stick from the ground and poked him in the tummy, once, twice, three times... "hmmmm..." the dwarf muttered. The short dwarf kicked the limp figure on the ground. "I think 'is fella 'as fainted." the short dwarf said wisely. "Alas I don’t have any healing runes on me" the dwarf said as even if he did have some he wouldn’t use them. He stood there thinking. I could loot his body. I could nick a ultimate healing rune from some druid and make sure I get a reward for saving him. Hmmmm... the dwarf said in deep thinking. He came around to that nicking a rune off a druid would be best since if he was caught find looting a body he would probably be kicked out of the group. The dwarf went up to Danger the druid. ''"LOOK!! A DRAGON!!” ''the dwarf yelled in his ear. But would the druid fall for the trick?

Red Un Must...focus.

It looked like Vodok was doing something stupid (again). Meanwhile, small blue sparks was coming from Red Uns arms.

Use...its...powers...against...it...

He picked Hezasah like he was a bag of air.

Focus...do...not...succumb...

When he spoke, Red Uns voice sounded like it came from far away.

"Ah...soldiers."

Two dwarven soldiers stood with their crossbows ready.

"Well, if it ain't Red Un, that 'ol outcast."

"Have not...time."

Red Un threw down the two dwarves from the bridge with no difficulty at all.

Use...power...

"To Kazordoon! Now!"

Danger ''The mage followed. There was something seriously wrong about the half dwarf. Though he was not willing to ask, he would find out.''

Pheonix - Rhia had happen to look up at the sky, There were words!? She would have to investigate. She slipped past the other heading toward the source.

-"Huh? that aura... it’s familiar." she said noticing it was the old man. "Was he the one writing in the sky?"

- "Who are you" She thought her mind trying to reach the old man. "Strange... His mind is completely blocked form me!" She suddenly felt a new presence. IT was the same bloodthirstynes she had felt in the woods... IT was almost overwhelming. "It can't be... He's banned... Dadga he banned him... how could he be here?!"

Roku Yarit Roku was quick to get into his role as the old man. "Words in the sky ya say?" he yelled through the hole. "I’ve never heard of such a thing but I’ll be sure to thank whoever made them, but ya must be quick. There’s strange things abroad. It might be back quick and by that time I’d like ta be on my way." Concealing his runes and other tools in his tattered robes, he reached a hand through the hole and waved at the young woman.

Vodok ''Hmmmm... this didnt work. But! I know what I can do! ''the short dwarf thought. He took up one of his fire bombs and shot it right in front of the druids feet. He seemed distracted a moment so the short dwarf snatched a healing rune and ran back to the limp figure. He used the rune on the figure. The figure seemed to be waking up a little bit but the short dwarf wasn’t sure.

Red Un "Don't...heal...yet..."

Oh no...must...focus...

They were over the bridge. Then they all heard it. Especially Red Un. He dropped the unconscious man and screamed out in pain while holding his head.

"NO! YOU CAN'T BE! DAMN YOU! DAMN..."

In his pain, he remembered the effects of a dramatic pause.

"P'FAARD, THE DEMON OF THE SCROLLS!"

A thundering laughter echoed over the mountains. Then a huge shape came crashing out of the forest. It was a blood-red creature, with enormous, twisted horns on its head. Its eyes glowed yellow and when it spoke, it sounded like a voice from a thousand hells.

"YES LITTLE HALF-DWARF! I, P'FAARD, CALLED UPON BY THE FOLLOWERS OF THE DARK STAR, SHALL END YOUR LIFE HERE!"

Red Un suddenly collapsed into a pile.

"Damn you...that power...was too...much..."

Then, he screamed out.

"QUICKLY! Run to Kazordoon and warn the emperor! I'll hold that thing back here...now, RUN!"

Then he started muttering ancient spells directed towards the towering beast.

"Y'GAHH, F'TAGHN FOOR'T!"

Chapter 8, in which a demon causes some trouble, and dwarves chants ancient spells
Vodok ''"Will be done. An'y las' wishes?" ''the dwarf yelled as he ran against the entrance to Kazordoon. "YOU SCUM COWARD!! He heard someone screaming at the dwarf who hadn’t gotten that far because of his short legs. He turned around and grabbed a random rune and shot against the beast. It didn’t hurt him that much, it just annoyed him that someone had the guts to shoot something at him. So he directed a great fire ball at the short dwarf and the short dwarf flew several feet away from the blast. "Don 'ave time for 'is" he yelled and took up another rune and shot at the beast and ate a fish and made an intense healing rune at the same time. What happened was that a sudden death hit the beast, he choked at the fish and didnt get intense healed. "Gak. Ak. Ick" the dwarf got from his stuffed up mouth. Finally he managed to shoot up the piece of fish before it killed him. Killed by a fish... wouldn’t be able to stand that shame if I choked on it. He intense-healed, even though he hardly had the strength to short after he healed another great fire ball hit him so with his last effort he dived down into a nearby hole.  Pheonix - She reached the hole seeing the old man. "Stand back!" She yelled pulling out her fire sword. She used it to make the hole big enough for the old man to get out. "How did you get in there?" She said grasping his hand and picking him up nearly with one arm. "You are indeed a strange old man. She said trying to read his mind and failing.

Danger ''The young mage never ran from anything. and he was not going to start now! ''

"If you think I am going to leave all the glory to you, you have nothing coming!" He said trying to sound like he did not care what happened to Red Un.

"Here, this will help. Utamo Vita!" he yelled shielding him and Red Un.

Roku Yarit "I don’t really know. I woke up here." Roku looked around quickly. "Wait...were is the half-dwarf? Did he make it to Kazordoon? What about Oriel?" The Sorcerer was confused. This was not how he had foreseen it...well how Detlin had foreseen it...

Red Un "No...you don't...understand...this is no ordinary demon. Only the spells from ages past can stop it. I need someone to warn the Emperor! He knows what to do!"

Red Un got up on his knees and kept mumbling the mysterious words.

"G'NYAH R'TAFH ZOOKUTH R'LYEH!"

Vodok After the short dwarf had dived down he saw a figure. He couldn’t really see what he looked like. ''"What brings you here short one?" ''the figure asked in a misty voice. "I... I... Ummmm... Look... Ummmm... I'm sort'a wounded 'ere" the short dwarf said to change the subject. "So I see. I know what evil haunts this land. You must go to the Emperor and warn him at any cost.” the figure said, then ultimate-healed the dwarf two times and threw two backpacks to him. "Thanks" the dwarf said. "I have saved these runes for important... YOU SHALL DIE!" the misty figure said and drew a dagger from somewhere. The dwarf was stunned and scared and didn’t dare move. He closed his eyes waiting for the blade to fall, but it didn’t. "Demon... taking over me... run... YOU SHALL DIE NOW!!!” the figure yelled. The dwarf opened his eyes and saw the figure holding a dagger in his hands a few inches from the dwarfs neck. His hand seemed to be trembling to stab him but he wouldn’t do it. ''"Beast... full control of me... take my runes and warn the dwarf lord. Old man’s last wishes." ''He seemed very sane when he said this but the short dwarf wondered what he meant with "last wishes". "I... kill... self... for you... warn emperor now. Run... take my runes... YOU SHALL DIE NOW!!” the figure yelled. The blade was one inch from the dwarf’s neck when the man said his last sane words: “Remember... my wish will be done... fates of many... in your hands... bye... take my runes.” The dwarf didn’t understand a thing at the moment. ''"YOU SHALL DIE NOW DWARF!! YOU WONT STOP ME FROM TAKING OVER!!” ''the demon said through the man. The man took a swift swing at his own neck making sure he wouldn’t stop the dwarf saving Kazordoon. He seemed to have been in the Demons power and killed himself so he couldn’t act for the Demon. Right... this seems to make a lot of sense... the dwarf thought sarcastically. He found a candle and lit it. The candle made so that the whole room was light. He could see everything. He took all the backpacks and bags that he could carry. He threw out all his meat and fish to some more backpacks. He roped himself out of the hole with magic rope and ran towards Kazordoon.

Danger ''The mage merely stared at the demon. ''

"Look you cannot take him alone! And I will not let you." he said coldly. "Besides if I have to I will invoke the spirit in my amulet..." His face seemed to show a little fear. Was it because of the demon or the amulet?

Pheonix -"Who are you?!" she yelled at the "Old Man" "How do you know my brother's name?"

-She could not read his mind and he knew more than an old man should! He was not normal...

-"Tell me, why have we been running into each other over and over again?"

Roku Yarit "Well...uh...I read it somewhere. Yes, that’s it. I just guessed his name was Oriel and maybe you’re the one who keeps running into me?" He couldn’t keep people guessing forever and right now there wasn’t time. He would have to change the subject. "We must make haste, child. The Dwarf needs out help."

Red Un "Alright...you...crazy...people...I said in the contract...that I wouldn't pay...for burials..."

Red Un was thinking hard of more ancient spells to hold back the horrible demon.

"V'GANH! FOROTH! B'TAH!"

Vodok The short dwarf was running, now he came to some wolfs who attacked him. The dwarf simply sliced all the wolfs with his two handed sword and was still running. He remembered he could use haste on himself to go faster. The dwarf used great haste and reached the roping place to Kazordoon. He fumbled in his backpack for his rope and found it. He climbed up the rope with some difficulty. Rope climbing has never been my strong side the short dwarf thought as he finally reached the edge. He slaughtered a spider and ran on. He jumped down the hole and ran as before. His haste ended and he ran pretty slowly now. He finally reached the staircase into Kazordoon and went down it. There he saw someone running from a murderer. Since he couldn’t think clearly after all that running and he was pretty dizzy he said "'Eep 'e good 'ork goin' on" He ran on and got a little lost on purpose and "happened" to come into Jimbin’s bar. "Gimme a Flamin' demon. NOW!! Jimbin slid a beer over and the dwarf cut it open with a knife he always had. "Ahhhh... Gimme another 'un of 'em... Ahhhh... Another 'un... Ahhhhhh..." The dwarf was brick red in his face when he started to sing a little song that didn’t exist. "What're you doing here, Vodok?" Jimbin asked, he knew the short dwarf’s name since he came here and drank a lot of beer as a child (yes, as a child.) ''"'As 'un o' 'ings yah know anyway 'ere 'as 'is weird 'ing I 'pposed tar say to some stupid emperor. Summing 'bout some legendary demon comin' tar life or summin'" Jimbin yawned since he didn’t believe a word of what Vodok was saying. He just said "Take this ring on" as he gave Vodok a ring, a dwarven ring. Vodok put it on and remembered everything. "Oh dear... 'Otta run 'ow" and the dwarf ran away with out paying for the beer. "COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!! ''Jimbin yelled after the short dwarf.

Danger ''Crazy? him crazy? hah that wasn't the half of it. ''

"Fine. Here, let me show you." The young mage closed his eyes. his amulet began to glow. Then the three gems of destruction began to move. First the brown one. Then the black one, then the grey one. They began to swirl on the amulet faster and faster slowly getting closer to one another. Then they combined into a single white gem. "Salshme maralat toa" the young mage chanted. But... The voice was not his?

''A green light came from the amulet. It focused into a ball and shot toward them demon hitting him, only knocking him back a step. ''

"My my, he is powerful..." the other voice said. "Who exactly is this demon?"

Red Un As the demon laughed, Red Un tried to explain.

"P'faard is the Demon of The Scrolls. He usually guards books of great evil, but this time...someone...has summoned him to destroy us. Your magic won't work against him. Do as Vodok does and get the Emperor! I will hold the beast back!"

Then he yelled the old spells again.

"YME-LOG! YOG-SOTHOT! F'TAGHN!"

Vodok The short dwarf had come to the emperor. "Look... 'Is demon is comin' tar Kazordoon. Some'un said... you could 'ill it... with some weir' kind'a magic. So c'mon.” the dwarf said through all the spaces of his sentence he panted since running around was hard business for a short dwarf. "Errrmmm... How do I know you’re not bothering me." the emperor asked the short dwarf. The short dwarf answered: ''"'Cuz if there ain’t no demon 'ere I'll give ya 500 gold. So get 'ere now! 'Ope yeh 'ave 'aste..." "I'll come since I could use 500 gold." The short dwarf and the emperor both did haste with their dwarf guards trying to keep up but couldn’t. At last they reached the plains and they heard someone yelling "ARNOR HUR-STOR ANKOR TRORKOR!" It sounded like the demon. It was the demon. "EEEEEKKKK!!" The short dwarf screamed in fear. The emperor looked at him almost saying "You coward!" "Errmmmm... you see... that’s the ummm... it’s... it’s our family war cry! Yeah! Family war cry.” "Wha ever you say..." ''the emperor answered.

Red Un "Oh, our most benevolent...ungh...Emperor...It's P'Faard, the Demon of the Scrolls."

The Emperor of Kazordoon looked up at the towering beast. Then he looked at Red Un who kept mumbling formulas.

"We'll talk about where you found those top-secret formulas later. First of all, we will need more magic power."

He took a deep breath and yelled out over the plains.

"WE NEED ALL THE MAGICIANS WE CAN FIND AT THE BRIDGE NOW!"

Pheonix - Rhia stared at the old man for a second. "I have no time for this!" she said frustrated. “Hurry up, we must go... oh for christ’s sake... "She picked up the slow moving man and began to run into the forest. She made a swishing noise and a tree leaned over to pick her up. She made another command and the trees tossed her from tree to tree.

Danger "Now who do you think I am halfling?" The voice said to Red Un. "I believe you have mistaken me for the body I inhabit. My magic comes from the earth itself. I need not worry about the demon. But I will tell Pheonix to tell your king."

'''" Good evening lady Pheonix. You must not worry about your brother, he is safe at the moment." '''the voice said. Te seemed to be extremely wise. "you must find the small dwarf that was in the group and help him.“

Roku Yarit Roku Yarit, The Great Sorcerer of Carlin, was being carried around like a child. He felt ridiculous. "Alright, that’s it! I’ve had enough," he yelled, motioning for the woman to stop. He dropped out of her grasp and onto the ground below as the tree's threw her forward.

Not taking the time to see if she was out of sight, his body burst to life with a blue flame. His once tattered and dirty robes were now blue and red without a spot on them. His beard and hair lost its grey and uncombed look and became smooth and black. His eyes went a deep grey and the flames faded. He looked and felt as he rightfully should. "Ahh, much better." Throwing away his walking stick, he took off at great speed, moving faster than his legs should carry him. In the distance he could see the demon. One he could not remember from his books. And Oriel was at his side, actually fighting along side what looked to be the half dwarf. "Well I’ll be damned..."

Red Un Meanwhile, the Demon had had enough of amusement, and decided to end it all.

"TAKE THIS LITTLE MORTALS!"

He held out his clawed hand and started to materialize a fireball in them. It kept growing. Meanwhile, some dwarven sorcerers from Kazordoon had gathered among the defenders. The Emperor sighed.

"We need more magicians!"

Vodok ''"GAAAAAR!!" ''The short dwarf yelled as he took up a rune and shot at the demon witch happened to be a sudden death.

Another elven mage seemed to have heard the plea for help from someone. He ran towards where he heard the yelling. When he reached the plain he was awestruck at the sight of the demon standing with a growing fire ball in its hand. The elven mage drew a heavy magic missile in each hand and started to fire at the Demon. The demon hardly seemed to notice.

Danger "...Waltti Vitso Lamarta" The voice came from the amulet this time? A black orb surrounded them, quickly getting smaller until it disappeared. It reappeared behind the demon. "Quickly... hit him from behind. It may catch him with his defences down!"

Pheonix -Rhia had to get to the dwarf fast! That voice said he was in danger. She was fixing on his aura...

"Ah found him!" she said taking off in that direction. "Good, he is not far... should be able to get to him in only a few seconds!"

Red Un The Emperor sighed.

"Alright lads, get some soldiers back there while we prepare the frontal magic assault."

The fireball in P'faards hands was steadily growing...

Vodok The short dwarf put his backpack down and the elven mage seemed to be throwing some magic walls in order to trap the demon a little while. Vodok found a backpack totally full with sudden deaths. ''"'Is beauty 'ill kill the demon!!" ''the short dwarf said even though he knew it would take much much much more to take down a demon. The short dwarf started to fire his sudden death runes. Soon the fireball seemed big enough to blast off the whole dwarven bridge. Was the demon just going to stop the dwarf troops from coming or simply blow the small troop to smithereens?

Roku Yarit Roku was no surprised to see a giant ball of fire ahead of him and would be even less surprised if it suddenly came hurling towards him. In all the battles Roku had been in he was surprised he still had his eyebrows.

The Sorcerer was getting close now, his legs moved swiftly and silently. The grass did not make a noise from his steps until he was already gone. His blue and red robes flailed about in the wind but he kept his arms straight and his back arched.

Red Un The Emperor spied Roku at the distance.

"Ah, another magician it seems. I think that we have all we need when he gets 'ere."

The fireball in P'Faards hands was taking on huge dimensions, and some of the dwarves covered their eyes so that they wouldn't be blinded.

Vodok The short dwarf yelled ''"'Urry up!! 'Our our 'ast 'ope!! C'mere!! 'Urry!!" ''The elf was out of sudden deaths and they needed to buy some time.

Red Un The dwarf soldiers had gotten behind the demon and started to fire crossbow bolts in its back. Red Un sighed.

"That is never goin' to work."

It did. The demon roared in pain, the fireball shrunk a bit and he turned to face the brave dwarves.

"Now he's distracted. Quickly!" yelled the Emperor. "'Vrey magician 'ere get each others hand!"

Roku was almost there.

"Hurry up, Mr. Magican!" yelled the Emperor.

Roku Yarit Roku hear the yelling of the dwarf but had other matters to attend to first. Fire was an element easily tamed by water but the Sorcerer had no experience with natural magic such as that. "Woman?" he called, looking around for Rhia. "God damnit, Where are you?" If she was quick to listen he would neutralize the beast’s temporarily and have enough time to join the mages on the bridge but where was she?

Danger The spirit in the young mage's amulet watched from afar.

"I really should help them..." He said teleporting over by them.

"May I be of some use?"

Pheonix -Rhia followed the so called old man... "He has the same Aura... Who is this guy?"

Roku Yarit "You, woman" he said, pointing to Rhia. "Can you control the rivers and lakes?"

Vodok The short dwarf connected his hands with the emperor, dragging him around to hold hands with everyone else. Some of the people were a little doubtful to this idea but the dwarf got their enthusiasm back by yelling ''"'OLD 'AND 'ITH EACH OTHER OR ILL GO 'EALLY GRUMPY!!" ''And most people didn’t need telling twice after that. ''"We still need one more powerful mage to perform this magic." ''the emperor said and sighed. ''"'URRY UP!! C'MERE!!!" ''the short dwarf yelled across to Roku. Then suddenly the Demon turned around against the mages holding hands. He preformed one powerful spell on the elven figure who had just come. He was sent flying away and crashed against the mountain and fell from 20-30 foot up. He landed, then the demon did a not too powerful spell, but it still killed the elven figure. The emperor started cursing in a high voice and then said "We need a really powerful mage now to take this thing down.”

Red Un Red Un stood up.

"I guess I'll have to be the heroic guy again" he muttered. Then he ran towards the towering demon with its growing fireball.

"Hey P'Faard! Over 'ere!"

"WHAT IS IT, PUNY MORTAL?"

"I have something 'ere that ya might be interested in..."

"HAH! I HAVE NO INTERESTS IN MORTAL THINGS!"

"Well, how about..."

Damn, I am good at dramatic pauses thought Red Un.

"...The Key to the Ancient Library?"

"THE LIBRARY?"

Red Un smiled. He tried to buy time so that the Emperor could prepare the spell... Pheonix "I do not control them... They are my friends. They do what I ask because they care for me."

-Rhia stared at her brother... "That is not my brother..."

Roku Yarit "Quiet Dwarf!" he yelled at Vodok, turning to Rhia. The Sorcerer took hold of her hand firmly. "Call them here then, Woman. Leech what magic you need from my body and I will take care of the rest."

Red Un The Emperor sighed.

"Alright me lads, let's get over to those two and start the spell."

The whole group started to run for Roku and the woman. Meanwhile, Red Un was playing a dangerous game with P'Faard.

"LITTLE MORTAL, GIVE ME THE KEY, AND I MIGHT SPARE YOU!"

"Can you promise me that?"

"I PROMISE YOU!"

"What do you promise on?"

"I PROMISE ON THE SCROLLS!"

Dammit, get into place thought Red Un.

Roku Yarit "Bah, forget it. We have no time now and it seems the Dwarfs aren’t going to give us much choice in the matter. Dragging the women behind him, Roku joined the Dwarfs and Mages alike. "Alright, what do you want me to do?"

Red Un "Just get into the circle and hold hands."

The group of magicians stood in a circle, each holding hands.

"Alright people, let's see now."

The Emperor took out an old dusty book and opened the page. He squinted with his eyes.

"Oh, right!"

He took out his small looking glasses and pinched them on his nose. Then he read.

"Right, just say after me:

OGTHROD AI'F GEB'L-EE'H YOGGOE-SOTOTHE 'NGAH'NG AI'Y ZHRO!"

Pheonix -"It takes no magic!" Rhia said.. She began making a splashing noise. The wind picked up... dark clouds circled over head. The rivers, lakes and streams began to flood over making their way over to Rhia. They surrounded her and engulfed her, making a giant creature around her. it was a creature purely made of water.

-"Now we shall see how the demon deals with something that cannot be killed."

Danger ''The young mage joined the circle.. well perhaps it was the spirit that has now taken over him... He began muttering the chant with Red Un. ''

"OGTHROD AI'F GEB'L-EE'H YOGGOE-SOTOTHE 'NGAH'NG AI'Y ZHRO!"

Red Un Red Un was looking up at the demon as the spell took effect. There came a great shiver through P'Faard.

"NOOO! NOT THAT SPELL!"

His red skin changed into black.

"DAMN YOU, MORTALS! I SHALL CRUSH YOU NOW!"

The Emperor looked up at the demon.

"He's weak to physical attacks now! GET 'IM!"

Red Un wasted to time and drew his sword. the demon swung out with its claw and threw Red Un away like he was a puppet. He hit the ground hard...

"Ow...this seems familiar..."

Roku Yarit Roku broke the circle and took up a position on the other side of the water giant, who was doing battle with the demon, however futile its swings were. "I am not one to use my fists but I can call upon someone who can." He drew up his sleeves quickly, exposing his bony but muscled arms. "Utevo res Palin!" Whistling softly, in a gleeful tune that echoed across the hills, a great shadow formed in front of the sun.

The great green dragon, Palinthalasa, barrelled down upon then, casting his shadow over the dwarfs and mages. Palin came down with a rumbling crash that almost knocked Roku to his knees. The dragon stood as tall as the water giant and both stood around the demon. "Prepare for fiery death, demon!" the dragon bellowed, drawing his head back and exposing his razor teeth, stained with blood.

Red Un Red Un got on his feet. Then he saw the dragon. Not understanding what was happening, he muttered "damn, now there's a big fire-breathing lizard to take care of too. But first, the demon."

He picked up his firesword and ran towards the battle.

Meanwhile, the dwarf guards had taken position and fired bolt after bolt from their crossbows. P'Faard roared with each it and swung out with his huge claws, sending dwarves flying all over the place...

Vodok A crossbow went flying 30 feet above then dwarf then landed on his helmet. Lucky I had this trusty helmet or I'd be dead the dwarf thought as he took it up. The dwarf bent down to a dead dwarf soldier and looked in his bag. ''Ooooo!! Bolts. I'm not the bolty type but I think I’ll fire some bolts. I never got to do this in Kazordoon, most dwarfs there said I was a danger to me and everyone else with in 100 feet. ''The dwarf started to fire and he got the demon in his toe. The demon didn’t seem to notice the small dwarf that couldn’t hit him even if the demon would be one foot from the dwarf. The short dwarf dropped the crossbow on his toe. ''"YAOW!!" ''the dwarf yelled since his boots only were of leather. ''"'UPID 'ING's TRYIN' TAR KILL ME!!" ''the dwarf yelled. He took the crossbow and threw it with all his might against the demon’s face, not on purpose though. The demon let out a yell of pain. ''"A FEW MORE BOLTS SHOULD TAKE THIS DOWN!!" ''The dwarf guards threw down their crossbows and drew the hammers and charged the Demon. The demon was dying.

Red Un Red Un saw that P'Faard was soon to return the realm where demons live. He quickened his pace.

"Don't wanna miss out on the figthin'."

Roku Yarit Palinthalasa's jaws clamped down on the demon’s arm, tasting its bitter and foul blood. The demon was livid in pain and was quick to strike the Dragon across the side, causing him to loose his balance and topple over. Palin quickly drew his head up and let loose a blazing inferno on the demon.

Roku tore off the necklace he wore to keep the telepaths out of his head and put on a dragon necklace to protect him from the flames. Amplified a thousand fold, the fire sizzled and burnt the ground but not him.

Red Un Red Un finally arrived at the fight. P'Faard was groaning, and as he saw the half-dwarf that had caused all this (in a way), he swung out with his claw again. Red Un made another beautiful arc in the sky and landed far away again.

"Aaaw dammit!"

Vodok The short dwarf took up a rune. It was a fire bomb. Since he saw the demon was made mainly out of fire he assume it was immune to it. The short dwarf took up a heavy magic missile and shot at the demon. The demon seemed to be in pain mainly from the dragon and a little bit from the dwarf guards. Everyone who stood around could see how fireblood flowed out of the demon. ''I've heard these things use very powerful items. It's probably only Demon's who use them. I've also heard how very valuable those things can be ''the short dwarf thought. Hellloooooo... The dwarf was hatching a plan that almost anyone at this point would have come up with. Or at least every greedy person like Vodok. Vodok went closer the Demon from behind in order to jump onto the demon and take everything worth something, then blame it on anyone near by. The short dwarf noticed other dwarfs who seemed ready to pounce onto the demon once it died. If I do an energy wall in front of them... The short dwarf thought. Then he heard somebody. ''"Hey!! Look!! It's Vodok the Bad-shot!!" "Well I'll be darned!! It is!! Hey!! Bad shot!! Going to take a crossbow and shoot your own dad in the leg by mistake again?" ''another dwarf yelled and those who heard this burst out laughing. The demon didn’t care about this since he was having a problem with a dragon in his arm. Suddenly one of the dwarfs that had been teasing Vodok threw a crossbow and 5 bolts to the short dwarf. ''"Here's your chance to kill me! I'll step out with no armour from 70 foot range, you have my permission to shoot a bolt at me! Everyone watch out!! Vodok the Bad-shot's got a crossbow!" ''The short dwarf took a bolt and loaded his crossbow with some difficulty. I was good at axe throwing, but I'm NOT good at crossbow shooting the dwarf thought. Suddenly the dwarf got another plan. The short dwarf raised the crossbow over his head and threw with all his might towards the teasing dwarf. It hit him right in the nose and he started to bleed violently. ''"YOU UGLY LITTLE... LITTLE... LITTLE... LITTLE BIG FATTY!! WE ALL HATE YOU!! AFTER THIS DEMON’S DEAD WE DUEL TO DEATH!! THE WINNER GETS ALL THE LOSERS STUFF!!" ''The dwarf did some quick thinking now. ''"SURE!!" ''Vodok yelled back.

Red Un Red Un got on his feet once again and started running for the almost dead demon.

Meanwhile, on a hill further away, two persons in black robes looked down at the scene below.

"We failed. This time."

"Yes. But they will go into the desert soon. And they won't leave it."

Roku Yarit "Palin, stop playing around and get up!" Roku shouted over the bellows of dwarfs, apparently teasing the funny little Vodok. But that did not concern Roku. Taking out his broken and withered hands from his robes, he began to weave blue strands into a sort of net in front of him. Chanting and weaving, the net grew in size, much size. This was the delicate part. Roku crept up behind the demon slowly and silently, suspending the net of magic in the air. He got close enough that he could smell the seething flesh and the rope sped forth from his fingertips, wrapping around the demon several times, causing it to topple over with a thundering bang. "A creature such as this should not go to waste. Palin, take this thing to my castle. Tell Detlin to take care of the beast with utmost care. I do not want such a delicate prize damaged anymore then it already is," he said aloud, casting a angry glance to the dwarves. Palinthalasa was reluctant to move towards the demon at first but he had faith in the Sorcerer’s magic and the net that bound it. "As you wish," the dragon muttered, if a dragon could mutter. Motioning for the rest to stay back he yelled over the hills, "Your battle is won. I will dispose of this thing."

Red Un P'Faard struggled in the net, and laughed mockingly at the mortals below.

"IT'S NOT OVER YET!"

There was an amazing flash that made everyone shut their eyes, and when they dared open them again, the net was empty. A faint echo of a voice could be heard.

"I SHALL RETURN!"

Finally, Red Un got back.

"Hey 'vreyone, did I miss something?"

Chapter 9, in which a lack of alcohol causes some minor trouble, and some dragons causes some major trouble
Rhiannon Datwood -Rhia woke... What on earth had happen? Had she been knocked out?

Danger ''The spirit laughed... ''

"I must leave now..." He said his voice fading.

"I... remember every thing." The young mage said surprised.

Roku Yarit "Damnit!" he cursed out loud. "I revealed myself to these people and I lose the one thing of interest in this damned place!" Kicking a large rock across the ground out of anger. He heard a loud, but stifled. snicker from behind him and he span around to glare at Palin. "Oh be quiet, Dragon! Or you’ll be the next one to disappear!" Palin was not one to be yelled at by anyone, especially not the broken handed sorcerer. "Listen, human", he practically spat the words. "Do not blame me for your misfortune or you will find your beat in between my teeth!" The ground shook underneath his feet from the dragon’s raised tone and he knew it was not smart to continue the argument. Turning to face the others and fumbling around for that damned amulet to protect his mind from these telepaths, he scratched his head casually and straightened his robes. "Well, uh, hello there..."

Rhiannon Datwood - Rhia looked around... "That Aura..." she said surprised... "I remember now. He has the same aura as the old man!"

-Rhia walked up to him slowly at first seeing the dragon... He had looked so familiar, that dragon...

Red Un The Emperor gave Red Un an angry look.

"RED UN! You have used illegal spells, dragged a demon over here and almost destroyed Kazordoon!"

Red Un swallowed nervously.

"Yeah...but on the bright side, I held it back for quite a while."

The Emperor laughed.

"Very well, I'll make it even this time. No reward, no punishment. Just get goin'!"

"Right. HEY GROUP! We're goin' to the desert!"

Vodok "I 'ot 'ome business 'ere at 'e momen'. I'm jus' gonna kill some'un then we can get going" the short dwarf said to Red Un since he happened to be beside him. The other dwarf that challenged Vodok to a duel was walking against Vodok. ''"PREPARE FOR YOUR LAST MINUTE IN THIS WORLD!!" ''The taller dwarf yelled against Vodok. ''"ERRR... OH YEAH...??" ''The short dwarf yelled back since he couldn’t think of a snappy comeback. The taller dwarf drew his war hammer. "Beat yeh up now, Vodivir!!" The taller dwarf apparently called Vodivir started to charge at Vodok. Vodok took up a sudden death rune and fired it. Vodivir though was only stopped by the blow and some blood flowed. Then he charged at Vodok. Vodivir got a nice clean swing at Vodok, luckily he got his two handed sword in the way by mistake. Vodok took another rune and tried to fire. Alas it was a blank rune so it didn’t effect Vodivir too much... Vodivir though got a chance to swing his sword at Vodok and this time his hit came through. It pierced Vodok's armour and lots of blood came out from the wound. Vodok quickly got down and got his hands on two sudden death runes. That old guy must have spent all day long making these things Vodok thought but didn’t think about it too much since he had to kill Vodivir. Vodok fired the rune and quickly bent down for another one. Vodok felt a war hammer go past his ear an inch from him. Vodok fire the other rune he had in his hand. It held him up a second or two. But after that time Vodivir got a fairly good hit at Vodoks helmet. Since the helmet already was broken by flying crossbows the helmet split and Vodok was dying. Vodok lay down on the floor. "I'm going to stand here and watch you bleed to death" the dwarven knight said as a matter of factly. But since the dwarf was a knight he had forgotten certain healing methods... "Exura Vita... Exura vita... Exura Vita" The dwarf said. Before Vodivir got to know what spell Vodok had used, Vodok took a dagger and stabbed Vodivir right in the armour’s weak spot. Vodok couldn’t handle daggers that good but he did know that he was in the lead of this duel. Vodok pushed Vodivir to the floor and got some runes. They seemed to be one explosion and one energy bomb. The short dwarf shot the energy bomb and the explosion and the dwarven knight was in deep pain. Vodok now had time to look for the useful runes. He lay another energy bomb on the floor in case the dwarf got the strength to move then he took out a few sudden deaths. Vodok shot them until he had no sudden deaths left and Vodivir’s life was hanging on a very weak thread. ''"Spare my life and you will have my service and all of my things I own." Vodok had forgotten he would get all his stuff if he died so he healed him with one of his last healing runes and then said "If yeh break yar promise I 'are say 'at 'e emperor 'ill kill yeh with 'is men. Gimme my 'ings now.”  Red Un' Red Un sneered.

"Pah, magicians. There's nothin' like a good sword in the hands of a good dwarf."

Roku Yarit It was about to fall apart. The woman recognized him. She would ask who he was and what he was doing there. He would lie of course but until he found the amulet she could pry into his head. See the truth for herself. She would see that he was only there so they could open the door to the library that Roku could not lay his hands upon. She would hear what Detlin had told him about the books inside. She would know that he cared nothing for them and would sacrifice their lives to save his own. And Roku could not let that happen. He searched his robes but it was not there. He looked up. It was lying across the grassy field, a few feet from Red Un’s stubby feet...

Red Un Red Un saw Rokus eyes move to a spot at his feet. He looked down.

"Hey, 'tis looks like a neat li'll trinket."

He picked it up and looked at it with critical eyes.

"Hmph. Barely worth bendin' down for."

He threw it into the river...

Pheonix - Rhia looked at the amulet that that red un had picked up. Ahh so that’s it... now's my chance!" she thought, quickly looking through the Unknown Sorcerer's mind...

Danger ''The young mage saw the amulet as it was thrown in the water... ''

"What manners... that could have belonged to someone..." he said in his cold voice.

''Even though he seemed to be himself he felt a presence in his amulet... Not the evil one he usually felt... but a new one. One of hope and wisdom. Could it be? Had he really combined the gems?''

Roku Yarit Roku went livid. "YOU STUPID, BEER-SWILLING, MIDGET!!!" He tore past Red Un, nearly knocking him down in the process. He stopped at the river, getting on his knees to search around in the faint hope he could catch it in between his twisted fingers. He could feel nothing. Standing quickly, he drew up his sleeves. "Bend the River! Scorch the Air! Raise the Water! Before my Stare!" There was a brief flash of light and the ground shook terribly. Slowly but surely, the water before him was cut off from the rest of the flow and raised off the ground. He felt its weight deep within his bony frame but held it high, staring through it for the amulet. And there it was. The Amethyst stone was burning brightly in the translucent waters. Twisting a broken hand, the water dropped slowly, leaving the amulet dangling in the air and drifting towards Roku, almost in his grasp. Almost, almost, closer, that’s it, got it! His bent fingers wrapped around the amethyst stone but something was wrong. The stone was fading, its magic drifting up into the air and disappearing, never to return. It was now useless...

Pheonix -Rhia looked in alarm... The river!

-"Stop!! Your hurting it!" She yelled. She charged at the sorcerer knocking him down. The river fell back into place. "You... How could you be so selfish! May Dadga have pity on you!"

Danger ''The young mage drew his staff as he watched his sister tackle a unknown sorcerer. ''

"What’s going on Rhia!" He said in alarm. "What did he do?"

Roku Yarit Roku rose to his feet quickly, still clutching the useless amulet. "I am not so in tune with the spirits as you. Do not take my actions for selfishness if I cannot hear their cries." He was lying and he knew she knew that now. He smoothed out his robes gracefully and turned on his heel, walking towards Palin. "May Dadga place her pity on those who care..." he muttered under his breath.

Palin was eyeing the woman suspiciously, ready to defend the Sorcerer if necessary. He knew all too well what Roku was capable of but also knew that in a battle of physical strength he could lose. His hands were a testament to that...

Red Un "...raise the water...before my...stare...heh, that's a classic. I gotta write it down."

Red Un took out another piece of old paper and scribbled down Roku’s spell. Then he noticed that perhaps a fight was about to start in his party.

"Hey people! We need to get to the desert now, before there is another hot day."

Nobody except Red Un had noticed that the sun was settling again.

"So, let's get movin'!"

Vodok ''"'Ait a 'econ' Reddy, I gotta get some stuff. 'Odivir! You owe me 'uff! What d'yeh 'ave??" ''the short dwarf yelled. Vodivir walked up a little closer Vodok with a sly smile on his face. "I just gave all my stuff away to a friend.” Then he thought but only untill you're gone... Then he started to speak again. "So you won’t get any gold or anything" Vodivir said. "Bad shot goes stuffless into the desert!!" some nearby dwarfs yelled. "'ONT 'ALL ME BA' SHO'!!!" Vodok yelled. "Or what?" a dwarf answered calmly. "Or, Vodark, Ill b'ow yer 'ead of with an explosion!!" Vodok said back in a threatening voice. "Bad... Shot” Vodark said. ''"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!" ''Vodok practically dived into his backpack in order to find an explosion rune to blow Vodark's head off but he didn’t find a single rune in his backpack. Vodok did some fast thinking. "I'll let yeh off 'is 'ime. Red Un, Les ge' goin'."

Red Un "Aye lad. EVERYONE LET'S GET GOIN'!"

He started to walk once again, hoping the rest would follow...

Roku Yarit Roku heard the dwarfs instructions but ignored them for the time being. His eyes looked ahead but his mind looked over his shoulder, watching the young mage as he walked towards his dragon. "Put your weapon down, Oriel."

Rhiannon Datwood - Rhia stared at the Sorcerer then to the dragon... Wait a dragon? In this part of Thais? This was interesting.

-"Why do you pretend, you know I already know the truth?" Danger "Rhia... What are y--" The young mage paused in mid sentence. "How do you know my name?!" He demanded from the Unknown Sorcerer.

Roku Yarit Roku did not answer Rhia. Anything she wished to know she could just take from his mind. "As for you name, Oriel." He paused to lay a calming hand on the Dragons head as it laid on the ground to receive it. "He told me..." ''You listening to my thoughts yet, Follower of Dadga? You know why I’m here and that I meant that Dadga can take yer pity to someone who gives a damn! Don’t get in my way. You or your brother. Understand?''

Vodok The short dwarf set off to follow Red Un. ''"C'MON 'VERY'UN!! WE'RE GOIN' TAR THAR DESERT!! 'URRY UP!!" ''The short dwarf yelled while trying to catch up with Red Un.

Red Un Red Un stopped as he saw that some kind of argument was going on. He decided to wait for them to finish, and sat down. Then he looked up at the sky...

...was the sun growing larger?

Pheonix - "You have no idea who you are up against sorcerer! Would you dare take on the wrath of a half phoenix?" she directed in to his mind

-Rhia considered the odds... The sorcerer and dragon could easily be overpowered by everyone in the group, but where was the honour in that?

-"We will not fight now but I am going to keep my eyes on you."

Danger ''The young mage was still baffled by what happened. He decided to drop the subject and join the others. ''

'''Rhia... What are you doing? The man's magic... It rivals mine! are you trying to get yourself killed? '''

Red Un "Right people, if that's the end of that, let's get goin'!"

Red Un started walking and looked up at the sky again.

Nah, he had just imagined...

Roku Yarit You have no idea... Roku quickly hid the smirk that had appeared on his face and turned his back to Rhiannon. "I suppose you want to know my name then?" he said to Red Un. "I am Roku Yarit of the Seventh House of Chelestra." A light shove from behind made the Sorcerer continue. "And this," motioning to the Dragon, "Is Palinthalasa. He belongs to...a friend of mine." With a wide grin, if you could call it a grin, the Dragon bowed and stood straight and tall over all who gazed on his green scales.

Red Un "Great, 'nother magician..."

They were almost at the end of the Northern river. There was a gleam far to the south as the last rays of the descending sun hit the billions of sand corns in the desert and reflected back the light.

Vodok Vodokn who hadn’t had a beer in at least one and a half days, was starting to get a little bit grumpy. The more drunk he is, the happier he is and the drunkness had passed by now. Now Vodok was getting very desperate. ''"I'm 'irsty... 'ust 'ave beer..." ''the short dwarf went around saying to everyone in the group of people, even if he had lots of water, but he needed beer. The short dwarf was getting big time grumpy. When the dwarf tripped over a heap of sand he stood still yelling at the sand for at least 15 minutes and he could barely talk since all his voice went to yelling at the sand. When he had gathered some strength he yelled with all his might ''"GIMME BEER!!!" ''

Sooner on Vodok could have sworn he saw people in black capes in the desert. But he thought he was only seeing things.

"We strike soon. They are a threat to the secrets. They know too much" said a figure in a black cape to another person.

Roku Yarit "Damnit Vodok!" Roku walked over the river and filled a empty flask with it. Holding it in one hand he let it fall but quickly cause it with his magic and held it in the air. Positioning one hand on either side and saying not a word, the blue liquid turned dark and then lighter, then green, then blue, then brown. "There, you happy now?" he asked, throwing the flask over to Vodok as he followed Red Un with the Dragon trotting loudly behind him.

Pheonix -"What’s the matter brother, do you not trust my judgement? Did you forget I can now read his mind?” she thought calmly to her brother. "I know what he is going to do as he thinks it."

-''...I fear that you may follow his way's my dear brother. You heart has be blackened with so much hatred... ''she thought to herself.

-She frowned at the thought of her brother caring only for him self... He already pretends not to care.

-Rhia was so busy reading all of Roku's next moves she did not notice the new aura's in the area at first..

-"Strange..." she said quietly, people could only hear if the were listening closely.

-Who else could be in this desert? she thought to her self Red Un "Hey Roku, you gotta learn me that beer-creating spell some day."

Finally, they reached the desert. The last rays of the sun made it glow like a ghostly landscape.

"Great, we're just in time."

Red Un had walked this place before, and knew that the best time to move through it was in the cold night, not in the burning heat of the day. He took out the old book that had started their whole adventure and looked up a map on one of the pages.

"Kinda hard reading in this darkness..."

Suddenly, there was light.

"Ah, thanks for that spell, whoever did it."

Then he raised his eyes from the book. He looked at the horizon.

The sun was...coming up?

"Hmm...something is not right here. Well, I guess we'll have to get goin' anyhow..."

He put back the book and started walking.

Vodok ''"BEER!!!" ''the short dwarf yelled and snatched the bottle from Roku. Vodok drained the whole bottle in one single try. ''"EWWWW!! What is 'is stuff?! Whateva 'tis I 'ate it." ''The short dwarf threw the bottle away into the sand.

Some of the members in the group had started to sing some song about a desert. Not Vodok though... ''"99 bottles of beer on a wall. 99 bottles of beer. Take one down and drain the beer. 98 bottle's of beer on a wall. 98 bottle's of beer on a wall." ''And so on. He sang in a very clear voice that the short dwarf only used for making runes and singing. ''"OI!! Any'un 'ere gotta 'une I can 'ave??" ''the short dwarf yelled.

Suddenly the short dwarf felt fresh blood trickling down his neck and everything was fading away. Luckily the dwarf didn’t have a blank rune to waste his mana on, so he could heal himself a little bit. "Ex... Exur... Exura... ''Exura Gran." ''The dwarf could just press through his mouth. He had been struck by a throwing star. Whoever or whatever that threw it, was gone now.  Red Un''' Red Un swung around as a throwing star came flying and hit Vodok.

"What the heck was that?"

He walked over to Vodok and picked up the star. It was...star-shaped. And black. Red Un looked over at some nearby dunes.

"Well, I guess we have been ambushed...Get your weapons ready, we might face some opposition soon..."

The sun had risen again...and now Red Un was sure that it was growing.

Roku Yarit "Palin!" With that single word the Dragon leapt into the air, scouting out the lands with deadly accuracy. Anything he couldn’t see behind was doused in flames but not a scream was heard. "There is no one here," the Dragon bellowed from the air, circling a few more times to be sure. "Looks like our attackers can either move at incredible speed or disappear entirely. I think since the sun was risen rather oddly we should travel by air across the desert. He can carry all of us...even if some would rather walk," he added softly, looking down at Rhiannon.

Pheonix -"I heard that!" She thought annoyed. "I can fly on my own!"

-"Shhh whosh sh" Rhia said in a rasping language.

-The air began to blow violently under her. If she were a full blooded human the wind would have hurt her, but lucky for her she was part Aletha.

-"Do you wish to ride that thing? Or do you want to fly with my brother?"

Roku Yarit ''Playing people against their fears, Rhia? Tsk tsk tsk how low you’ve sunk.'' Roku shrugged, "Do what you wish. I prefer to trust my safety with something tangible that won’t disappear from underneath me." Raising his hand, Palin came down to the ground softly and hastefully. He climbed up onto the Dragon’s back.

Red Un Red Un looked at Palin with distrust.

"Hmph...well okay then, I'll ride the dragon."

He took out the book again and checked the map one last time.

"Okay, I'll say where we go, someone else steers."

Meanwhile, on a dune far away, two hooded men used magic to see a long distance.

"It was unfortunate that they had a dragon."

"Yes, we must take care of it, or it will affect our plans."

"They mustn't find the ruins of the Key."

"Do not worry, they will get into trouble before then."

One of the hooded men turned around and made a strange cry. From behind the dunes rose two enormous dragons with black scales and red, burning eyes...

Vodok The short dwarf who had enough problems hanging on to the dragon with his short arms and legs gave out a very scared scream. ''"EEEEEEEEP!!! Those're 'agon lords!! Me ol' dad said how 'ey look like!! 'Ike a dragon bu' red an' more desstrucktive!!" ''The short dwarf didn’t have any runes and even if he did have some he wouldn’t be able to take a hand off the dragon because then he would fall off it. The dragon lords let out a threatening roar and it scared the lights out of Vodok. "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!! G' DOWN G' DOWN G' DOWN!! DOWN I SAY!! The short dwarf yelled in panic. The dragon lords were now less than 60 feet from Palin. The closest dragon lord let out a spell which hit the dragon. Vodok couldn’t hold on anymore and he first flew up, then he started to fall very fast. I’m doomed. Im gonna die here if not suddenly someone catches me in the air. "SAVE ME!!” the short dwarf yelled.

Roku Yarit "Damnit Vodok!" Roku acted quickly, turning Palin around and weaving the same net he had used to trap the demon. The net found its way behind Vodok before he hit the ground and ensured him a safe landing. "Let’s see about these damned Dragons." Drawing up his sleeves, leaving no hand to grab the dragons back to keep himself on, he began to chant. "Scorching lands of burning soil, break the bonds with shadows toil. Let Chelest grant us a shield, to stop our foes and make them yield!" Blue, sparkling, dust erupted from his hands into the air, casting their radiance over Palin, Roku, and Red Un. The small grimmering particles were warm to the skin and would prevent a good portion of physical damage done to either, but not all. The Dragon Lords snapped and clawed at the mist but in between the blue dots were a wall of magic that could not be broken by strength alone. "Begone, Dragons!" Roku bellowed, firing a bolt of lighting from his finger tips. "I will not warn you a second time!"

Danger ''Obviously Rhia was using her telepathy so the young mage could hear Roku's thoughts. "Playing people against their fears, Rhia? Tsk tsk tsk how low youve sunk" he heard.''

"If you don’t mind the company Sister then I'll be happy to join you. Utamo Vita" he said grabbing his sister's hand. He has done this before, It was extremely fun. It fell as if you yourself were flying. Their hands connected and they both began to float.

As he got into the air he saw the others being attacked by dragon lords!

Rhiannon Datwood -Rhia had not seen the dragon lords coming, but obviously the wind had. It blew violently at the dragon lord knocking it out the air.

-"Graaaor hisst Gra?!" Rhia yelled questioningly to the dragon lords. They did not respond.

-''"Why are you here! Why do--" They are being controlled! ''

-"Do not kill them! They are being used to fight against their will!" She yelled to her brother and the others.

Roku Yarit "I’ll give you a chance to restrain them then Rhia, but if you fail I’ll take it into my own hands. Palin let’s go." Roku held the dragon as he began to circle through and around the dragon lords, the shield protecting their bodies from harm. He did not have to hang on very tightly, his magic bound him but he couldn’t turn around to be able to see if Red Un was having such a easy time.

Red Un Red Un got an idea. He yelled out a quite unused spell.

"Exani Hur forward!"

He made a magical jump from Palin’s back, flew through the air with a blue sparkling trail behind him and grabbed hold of the neck of the nearest dragon lord.

"Bein' controlled eh?"

The dragon lord tried to shake him off, but he grabbed on harder and looked over at the distance. There...far away...was it just a mirage? Or did he see two hooded men? There was no time to think. He took out his firesword.

"Right me friend, you may be controlled, but if ya don't do as I say, you'll be dead."

Red Un knew that dragons could be controlled. But if their life was in danger, instincts would take over again.

"Now, fly me to those two people over there."

The dragon lord swung around in the air and made some impressive sweeps with its wings that carried it towards the distant couple. Meanwhile, Red Un took out his rarely-used crossbow...

Pheonix - Rhia began to speak in the language of the wind. The clouds began to swirl.

-"I hope this works!" She yelled.

-The winds gushed towards the dragon lords, trying to shoot them out of the sky.

Vodok The short dwarf saw what Red Un did and was impressed. Bet I can do the same thing the short dwarf thought. The short dwarf did the levitate spell but alas... all that happened was that he flew up and struck Palin in his belly with his helmet. ''I’ll start counting how many times this saves me now... if I was a decent counter. "CAN SOME'UN GEMME OUTTA 'ERE??" ''Vodok yelled.

Roku Yarit "Palin, follow that Dragon Lord," he yelled, pointing to the dragon Red Un had hold of. Palin darted off, not moving around a lot to let Roku turn around to watch the other Dragon Lord get tossed around in the wind. "Coming, woman?" he yelled sarcastically back at Rhia who hung in the air. Red Un Red Un put a bolt in his crossbow. He wasn't good at it in the best of conditions, and now he was on the back of an angry dragon lord, his target was very far away and hidden behind the dunes, he was very thirsty and he thought that something tried to invade his mind again.

"C'mon, think positive!"

He fired.

...

The two hooded men stood at the distance and studied the battle. Suddenly, one of them fell, grasping a crossbow bolt that was in his neck. The other one looked down at the twitching body.

"You failed in your duty. The Brotherhood of the Dark Star does not need you anymore."

Then he made a gesture, and disappeared.

...

"WOOOO! I got 'im! I got 'im!"

The two dragon lords realised that the controller had left them. Their instincts told them that the little beings on the ground (and the one clutching to the neck of one of them) was the cause of this. They had to die!

Red Un realised that the dragon had changed attitude and was now trying to get him off with all its powers.

"See ya 'round!"

He jumped...

Vodok "Erm... I 'eckon is time far us tar go now a'in' it?" ''Vodok asked seeing that the dragon lords seemed to be deciding if they should kill them for meat or if they couldn’t bother. '' Roku Yarit Palin didn’t want to give them that chance. The wind was thrashing his prey around, keeping them distracted. Roku yelled directions from his back as he swerved and dived and span. Catching up to the smaller of the two, Palin tore his claws into its flesh and bit down hard on its neck, tearing out its throat and letting him fall to the ground. Spitting out a mouthful of blood and the bits of dragon scales between his teeth, he chased after the second. "Palin, where’s Vodok and the other Dwarf?"

Pheonix -Rhia frowned... She knew that if she did not kill the dragon lords they would kill everyone else...

-"I'm sorry." she said in the dragon tongue. She made a booming noise calling thunder and lightning to help her. The lightning struck some of the dragon lords leaving a few left. She heard there cries as they broke out of the spell only to die. Her heart ached. She was tied with the creatures and elements. Being part phoenix, she could feel their pain...

Roku Yarit "Oh come now, Rhiannon. You saved those who might have fallen in battle. Cant you at least be happy about that?" Feeling it useless to argue with the woman, Roku turned Palin around and began calling out Vodok’s and Red Un’s names.

Red Un "Wait a minute, I don't need to be saved. This is just sand I'm landing on, right?

He landed.

"Oh FER CRYIN' OUT LOUD! The only cactus within miles, and I just HAVE to land on it!"

As he jumped down onto the sand, he heard the distant yelling. The heat was getting worse. He tried to yell back, but realised that his throat was dry.

"'Amn, I 'eed a 'eer..."

Chapter 10, in which there is a pile of adventurers, and a lot of running and jumping
Vodok The short dwarf seemed to be flying around in the net. Vodok made an attemt to yell something but alas... "UGHY ELPY MEEE" was all the dwarf could blurt out of his mouth since he was bouncing around a net. It was probaly supposed to mean something along the lines of'' "I'M HERE HELP ME!!" ''Suddenly the dwarf got a bright idea again. He did the levitate spell and shot up. He could catch one of the threads that weren’t thick but still extremely hard to break. Then he could yell something.'' "I'm 'ere and I'm 'ery sick o' bouncin' round ne's!!" ''the short dwarf yelled. Then he threw up on the dragon since it dived down just that moment.

Red Un
Red Un sat down. It was too hot to stand up. He took out a bottle from his backpack. There was still some beer left in it. He emptied it.

"Aah. Now I just need to find the others."

He took out his ancient spyglass and looked around.

"Ah, there they are."

He got on his feet and started yelling.

"OVER HERE! OVER HERE!”  Roku Yarit "Thats disgusting..." Roku muttered, using his magic to force the wind to throw Vodok onto the back of the dragon, who glared at Vodok with a harsh glare of anger. "Alright now sit tight, little one." Roku pulled out another bottle of water and began to wave his hands around it until it turned a bright green color. "Here, drink this. It will taste horrible but it will soothe yer stomach so ya don’t end up between Palins teeth next time." Turning around to look ahead of the dragon, Roku steered him towards the jumping and waving shape of Red Un in the distance. The magical net dematerialized where they left it, its magic dispersing into the air.

Pheonix -Rhia frowned, She really did hate to kill.

-"Funny Roku, You try to cheer me up yet when I last read your mind you cared for no one. Or has being around actual human beings softened you?"

Danger ''The young mage stared at his sister in shock! He hadn’t seen his sister kill in 2 years!''

"Are you ok Rhia? Don't be upset, you did what you had to do." he said trying to cheer her up.

Roku Yarit ''Kill all you want then Rhiannon. It makes no difference to me. These things are animals and are not worthy of my compassion unless they share the same opinion of humans. Ive been around plenty of human beings for my liking and if you all die your of no use to me. And if Vodok vomits on Palin I wont be able to save his life.''

Palin landed and lay down on his stomach, waiting for the dwarf to get on so they could cross the desert already.

Vodok The short dwarf took the cup and smelled it. He was about to put it away when he started to feel that he was going to puke again. Then he rememberd Roku saying he couldn’t save him if he threw up on Palin again, so just before he threw up he grabbed the cup and drained it. He feelt alot better. "No 'orse 'en drinkin' 'at other 'ing yeh called beer 'ack inna desert" the short dwarf said.

Red Un Red Un got up on Palins back. He took out a map from his backpack.

"Hmm...from where we are...we would have to fly...this way!"

He pointed westwards.

"Now let's go!"

Roku Yarit "Vodok, if you would have let the beer set for a few minutes it wouldnt have tasted so bad, mensch." Rolling his eyes as the dwarf proceeded to smile at him like an idiot, Roku ordered Palin into the sky again. Turning him westward, as the Dwarf had commanded, Palin took off with great speed. "What exactly are we looking for?" Roku asked, keeping low on the dragons back to prevent the wind from tearing him off.

Red Un Red Un grinned.

"A rock. Not a carved rock, not a huge rock, not a shining rock, just the rock that is most likely to not be of interest to adventurers. But under that rock..."

His voice trailed away as he thought of the long, dark caves that would lead them to the Key. The Key that would open the Library...For good purposes! It was for good! Damn those Dark Star cultists, he didn't mean to harm the world! He just wanted knowledge, just as that day so many years ago...

Vodok The short dwarf was getting extremely bored of flying around. And he needed runes. He felt he needed runes if he was to survive in the desert. The short dwarf drew a bottle of water from his backpack and crawled forward to Roku. "Make 'is tar beer an' gimme some runes" the short dwarf commanded in a very bossy sort of way. "Oh, an' gimme some food tar" the dwarf said in a causal voice.

Roku Yarit Roku turned around slowly and glared down at Vodok. He smacked the bottle out of his hands and grabbed him by the collar. "Dont ever give me an order again. Do you understand Dwarf?" he said, not raising his voice at all.

Red Un Red Un didn't want a fight to break out this far above the ground.

"Uhm...look! There's those 'ol ruins where that Cropwell guy disapeared so many years ago. Wonder what happened to him..."

Roku Yarit "Maybe he found the key" Roku joked. "Wait a second where are Rhia and Oriel? I dont see them behind us."

Danger Rhia and her brother watched from afar... keeping an eye on Roku...

Roku Yarit Sighing, Roku commanded Palin to land at the ruins. The sand was hot and the sun was not very merciful but he still hopped off the dragons back and walked over the dunes towards the rocks. "Checking this out is more stomach settling then having the dragon get bored and start doing barrel rolls," he muttered to himself. "Red, those two obviously don’t trust me," as they should. "But yet you chose to travel by the dragon. Or do you not like flying of any sort and Palin seemed more comforting then riding on nothing?"

Vodok The short dwarf hopped off the dragon for a small walk around the dragon. He took a bottle of water and drained it. ''"Is 'ere any beer in 'is 'ace were goin' tar??" ''the short dwarf yelled to Red Un.

Red Un Red Un looked around.

"Hmm...I wonder...aha!"

He looked down on the ground where a small rock laid. He kicked it away.

A huge hole opened beneath his feet. Red Un had broken many laws, but never the laws of gravity. Therefore, he fell.

Roku Yarit "Oh no...he fell through a hole," Roku said with sarcastic enthusiasm. Sighing heavily and rolling his eyes, he pushed Vodok into the hole then followed himself. Before he hit the ground he did not think any eyes were on him so he used his magic to reseal the hole, leaving it undetectable from the outside.

Pheonix -Rhia watched as Roku sealed the hole.. She had come out from hiding to help the others.

-As she stepped in the area the hole reappeared. She feel in lading on top of Roku. "Thank you for breaking my fall...

Roku Yarit "Get off me!" he yelled, pushing Rhia away from him. "Watch where you’re going!" Dusting himself off, he threw his ponytail back behind his head and took a few steps into the darkness. "Vodok? Red? Where in blazes are you bloody dwarfs hiding?"

Vodok ''"Nph... Mph gnth hnph!!" ''Which probably meant something along the lines of "Get off... You’re on top of me!!" Then a scorpion came along and stabbed Vodok on the armour. Of course it didn’t have any effect. Vodok started to panic and didn’t have time for Roku to get off him. Then he felt as though one more person had jumped on top of Roku... It was hopeless to break free. But then, the scorpion hit Vodok in the hand. The short dwarf felt the poison flowing around his body. The scorpion kept on trying to hit Vodok. The short dwarf knew he had to free his mouth and say the antidote spell. Alas two people above him in full armour who were nearly double the size of the short dwarf. Vodok had no time to be a gentleman. Vodok got his hand out the way and punched Roku in the face. This just made Roku angry and he couldn’t move because of the person on top of him. Now Vodok had one chance left... He did the magic rope spell. Hopefully the person on top would be roped up, or himself. But would it work?

Red Un Red Un looked around.

"Humm, this seems to be the right place. Let me just risk a little more light...utevo gran lux!"

He shined up with magic light.

"Ah, that's better. Now what's that pile of people over there?"

He saw the scorpion. In one move he drew his firesword, cut the scorpion in half and put the sword back again.

"Okay, is everyone here?"

Vodok Now that the dwarf wasn’t petrified with fear he could roll away from Roku. If it wasn’t for the dwarf's armour he would have suffocated because he wouldn’t be able to move his lungs then. ''"'Orry 'bou' 'e punch inna face but. But... errmm... bu' 'twas an accseden'!! Yeah, 'twas an accsedent." ''This was one of the first times the short dwarf was apologizing but he had seen the sorcerers power and something told him he didn’t want to upset him. And telling the truth hadn’t occurred to him since he was used to lie himself out of those situations. ''"Anyway... where are we atta momen'??" ''the short dwarf asked Red Un. The magic rope trick hadn’t worked since he didn’t have enough mana. Vodok felt he didn’t have that much mana left. He dug in his backpack and found his fish place there. He took them all out. ''"EEEEEWWW!!! I 'ink 'ey rotted inna 'eat!!" ''But nevertheless... The short dwarf ate as many as he could until he felt filled up.

Roku Yarit Roku took deep breaths, trying to prevent himself from killing the dwarf where he stood. "Don’t ever lay a hand on me again. I don’t care if it was a accident or emergency. The next time you won’t live to drink your next beer. Understand?" Examining the walls, Roku held his hands at the small of his back, where his ponytail just reached. Putting his hands on the walls, the cracks began to glow a light blue, illuminating the cavernous regions. "And the key is down here somewhere?"

Kelia The Elf was sort of confused. 3 or 4 people just landed in the desert with a giant flying lizard and disappeared into a hole. Picking up her bow and arrows from the sand, she trudged off over the dunes to investigate the intruders with swift grace.

"What do these people want?" she muttered to herself. "And what are you staring at?" she asked the lizard, resting her fists on her hips.

The Dragon immediately turned his head and rolled his eyes.

"That’s right, you be ashamed of yourself. Eyeing such a young girl at your age. Shame on you!" she scolded. She was almost 75 but she was sure the Lizard was much older. And Elves don’t age like humans do. She would look beautiful and youthful till the end of her days. "Now where did they disappear too?"

Red Un "Yeah, somewhere."

Red Un took out the old book and read a few pages in the magic light.

"Humm...If I'm not mistaken...there should be a door...over there!"

He pointed. And a door there was indeed. It was a door made of rotten wood, covered in seaweed and it smelled of rotting fish (or was that Vodoks breath?). Red Un walked over to it and grabbed the old, rusty handle.

"Damn, it's stuck."

Roku Yarit "Not for long. Move aside, Dwarf." Roku drew up his sleeves once again, his broken fingers together with his thumb folded across his palm. A bolt of lightning sprouted from his fingertips and blew the door apart. Chunks of charred wood and seaweed scattered across the floor and the hallway was temporarily filled with dust, blinding Roku from what lied behind the door.

Red Un Red Un looked into the shadowy hole where the door had been. The smell of rotting fish was even worse now, and there was a sound of dripping water.

"Hmm... I guess that the book is right. PEOPLE! May I have your attention, please. We are about to enter another, alternative universe, where the laws of magic will not work. I therefore suggest that you do not in any way use any runes or spells, tough your weapons will probably function as usual."

There was a great moaning somewhere deep inside the cave ahead.

"And please try to avoid the sea-demons. 'Vreyone ready?" Vodok The short dwarf tried to breathe as little as possible, since the less he breathed the more bearable the smell was. "Utevo Lux" the short dwarf said out of habit but alas, all that happened was that a few sparks flew out of the short dwarf. "Oh yeah... 'ese 'ing don work do 'ey... Bu' if 'e're lucky I migh' 'ave some 'orches lef' from my las' demon skeleton 'unt... Yep. 'Ere 'un is." ''The short dwarf said and lit the torch. The group had walked a little bit under the leading of Red Un and nothing had gone wrong so far. But some people didn’t think that mankind was ready for the thing's that lay ahead... People like those who throw throwing stars... '' Red Un Red Un took the star out of the air. Everyone looked surprised.

"Hmph, looks like we've got company..."

Roku Yarit Before Roku took a step through the door he summoned to him a wooden staff, completely oblivious to any magical enchantments of any kind. It was a primitive weapon but effective none the less. Still, he was hesitant to walk through the door. He hadn’t been without his magic in a long time. Without it he would be defenceless against the beasts that wanted to kill him. He figured if he didn’t go through the woman would push him so there was little he could do but to take a deep breath and step forward and join Vodok and Red Un in the torchlight with staff in hand.

Red Un "Ah Roku, glad ya could join us."

Red Un looked into the shadow where a robed man stood.

"Listen, I only want to look in the library. Just for the knowledge."

The robed man laughed.

"Hah! You foolish half-dwarf, that library is way more than you can handle. We will always follow you, always try to stop you."

He drew a long, black sword.

"If you do not turn back now of course..."

Red Un drew his firesword. It didn't shine up. It was just a regular blade in here.

"I will never turn back!"

He swung his sword. The robed man parried it with ease. Then he swung his sword back faster than lightning. Suddenly, Red Un felt the world slow down. Everything moved like it was stuck in glue or something. He dodged the swing with ease. The speed returned to normal...

Roku Yarit Roku was quick to react, sticking his staff in the ground hard and using it to support his weight as he ran up the side of the wall and swung around, his feet connecting with the robed mans head. Despite the force of the blow the robed man was barely shaken where as Roku was already fatigued.

Vodok Vodok quietly drew his sword and backed away trying to keep out of trouble when another throwing star came flying through the air. But it felt as though Vodok could move ten times faster than the throwing star, so he caught it in his hand after throwing down his two handed sword. The short dwarf had seen plenty of these after his long career of demon skeleton-hunter so he knew how to use it even if he wasn’t good. But the short dwarf got another good idea... The short dwarf held it over his head in two hands and threw it like an axe. It hit the figure and caused a few drips of blood to come out, but nothing more. Then Vodok got another good idea and ran as fast as he could back through the cave until he passed the door. ''"COWARD!! TRAITOR!!" ''some of the group member's shouted. "Utevo res "Monk" the short dwarf said. Now the short dwarf ran back to the fight with his monk...

Red Un The robed man was dazed by Rokus blow. Before he could react, Red Un jumped into the air. Everything slowed down. He seemed to be hanging in the air. Then he kicked as hard as he could. The robed man flew into the nearby wall. And got up, laughing.

"You cannot defeat me, half-dwarf!"

"Not in here perhaps...Roku! Go down the passage and get the key at the end of it! I'll..."

He jumped out of the way of the robed man sword.

"...hold this guy back in the meantime…"

He swung his sword and made a scar on the cheek of the robed man.

"...and if you come to any holes, jump over them! No matter how large they are! Trust me!"

Kelia The Elf hid in the shadows, watching them through the door. And there he was. Roku Yarit, the Chelestran Sorcerer. Descendant of those who first locked her people in the Labyrinth. She was free now. A Patryn. One who hunts the last remnants of the Chelestran people.

Pulling the rune-covered arrow from her quill, she carefully fit it in her bow and took aim. She knew the magic would fade as soon as it past through the wall but while it was effective it would propel itself too fast for the Sorcerer to react to without his magic to guide him.

"Bite the arrow tip, jailer..." she muttered beneath her breath, letting the arrow fly through the air with a piercing whistle.

Red Un As time slowed down again, Red Un saw the arrow come flying towards Roku. It made ripples in the air behind it. Red Un jumped away from the robed man and cut the arrow in half. Then he swung around and parried another blow from the robed man.

"Run Roku! Run! Find the key!"

Vodok The short dwarf stood there making his Monk attack the robed man. Vodok himself stood there making some pathetic attempts to hit the figure. When Vodok was tired he backed away 20 feet from the fight, still making his monk attack the figure. The he bended down over his backpack. What was this?? A hidden pocket in his backpack?? Yes. The short dwarf emptied the hidden pocket. It was full with blank runes. ''Just what I needed. Tons of blank rune's in the only place in the world where runes don’t work ''the short dwarf thought to himself. ''"'ANG ONNA 'ECOND!!" ''the dwarf yelled out. ''"I 'ink I've 'eard o' a spell 'at makes it poss'ble tar use magic in ANY 'ace forra short while..." ''the short dwarf muttered to himself. "I' Requires two darn 'rong 'age's 'ike myself, I guess Roku'll do assa second 'un. " the short dwarf muttered to himself. Suddenly the figure seemed to have changed target to the short dwarf as the half-dwarf seemed too good. ''"Yuh oh..." ''the short dwarf said before the figure did a 9 foot high jump against the Monk and killed it in one hit. Now the figure was advancing on the short dwarf. The short dwarf once again felt as if though he could move ten times faster as anything else, as he could too. The short dwarf started running around like crazy then he did an impossible jump he couldn’t do over the figure. The figure seemed to be a little frustrated of the fast movement of the dwarf. The dwarf now thought of other ways he could use his speed except panicking. He drew his sword and went into close combat with the figure. Now both moved extremely fast so the blades were just a blur of metal. Then the dwarf did something very unexpected: He stamped the figure with all his might on his toes.

Red Un "Ooh...I thought all dwarves fought honourably" muttered the robed figure. Then he swung around and parried another blow from Red Un.

"But if that's how you want it..."

The robed man took out a huge pile of throwing stars and started to throw toward Vodok...

Vodok ''"M'ye oh..." ''The short dwarf said. Then it started... Vodok started some sort of complicated step dance and break dance dodging throwing stars coming all the time. For the third time in a very short while he felt as if he could move ten times faster than anything. The short dwarf shot away throwing stars back with his sword and caught one throwing star and blocked another throwing star with it and then threw the throwing star back. The star missed big time. The throwing stars still were coming faster and faster. Now the short dwarf was moving faster than he ever had done in his life, depending a lot on his luck. One of the throwing stars came at the short dwarfs head and the short dwarf ducked and it cut the helmet clean off. Wonder why my helmet broke but not my sword... Ah well... this place is inhuman so it probably has some good reason the short dwarf thought while dodging more throwing stars. The short dwarf now started walking closer as he jumped over a series of throwing stars while in the middle of the air ducking from another one. The short dwarf was pretty close when the figure finally realised it. The figure started walking backwards steadily while still throwing. This continued a little bit when the figure couldn’t walk any longer. He had come to a wall. Now the figure quickly drew his sword while stopping throwing lots of stars. "Oh god... no' 'is again" Vodok said as they went into close combat. "If I could use me 'ell's I'd blow yeh tar smitherines!! Smitherines I 'ay!!” the short dwarf said as the swordfight continued. "'Ed Un, 'Twould 'elp if yeh 'elped me a lil' bi'" the short dwarf said as-a-matter-of-factly. ''"An' by 'e 'ay I've gotta new theori 'bout 'is place. 'tis 'at as 'oon as yeh step into 'is place yeh'll some 'ow turn un-'uman. Like I 'eliesed I can move 'eal fast aftar I 'alked in 'ere. An' you seemed tar know exacly what tar do 'n' saw exacly where the 'it's were comin'. I be' i''s got somethin' with my theory tar do. Is on'y a theory 'ough." 

Red Un "Good theory! And quite correct too!"

Red Un started battling the robed man again. The robed man suddenly gripped Red Un’s shoulders and ran towards the other wall. Red Un hit hard. The robed man smiled.

"I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Undersoor."

Red Un looked surprised.

"Howd'you..."

Then he was thrown into the roof. As time slowed down again, he muttered "dammit Roku, hurry up!"

Roku Yarit Roku could see it now, a silver key on a stone slab. Leaping over broken pillars and gaping holes, the Sorcerer was grazed by the arrows, cutting his skin but not piercing it. Ducking behind a black coffin, he looked back towards the doorway. "Must be a Elf if she’s almost hitting me in here." He took a deep breath, burning his lungs with air that stung like needles. Supporting himself on his staff, he moved towards the key until he felt a blinding pain in his back, stopping him completely. He looked down slowly, gasping for breath. An arrowhead, drenched in dark blood, protruded from his chest. His eyes widened as he sank to his knees and fell face first on the black rock.

Red Un "Must...remember...the power..."

Red Un was thrown into another wall and now the robed man started hitting him with his fists so fast that they were just a blur.

"The power...of this...place..."

Time slowed down. Then it went backwards. The fists flied backwards, he flied away from the wall. Then time returned to normal.

"Roku! Watch out! An arrow!"

Kelia Grinning widely and putting her bow across her back, Kelia stepped through the door. The tingling sensation quickly passes as she ran swiftly towards Roku when she noticed it. The silver key ahead of him. The dwarfs were busy with whatever the hell lived here so she walked towards the stone that the key laid on and picked it up, examining it closely. Putting it into her chest pocket, she hunched down in front of Roku, tilting his head towards her so he could see her.

"I want to hear the words, Roku. Tell me you’re sorry for imprisoning us. Tell me you should have been sentenced there instead. Tell me you’re not worthy of being a Chelestran!"

Red Un "Dammit, that key is MINE!"

Red Un grabbed the robed man and threw him at Kelia...

Vodok The robed man put his feet to a wall and ran up it the jumped down. He charged against Red Un but the short dwarf jumped out from behind him and swung his sword against the robed person. The person seemed to have heard the sword swing since he ducked and tripped the short dwarf. The figure drew his sword and quickly walked against the short dwarf with the sword over his head. Just before the blow came the short dwarf rolled aside and the sword hit the stone. The short dwarf hit the robed person with his sword. It was far from fatal but it wounded the robed figure. The figure didn’t seem to feel that much pain, he just seemed extremely humiliated that a dwarf had wounded him. The robed figure changed target and walked against Vodok. Guess what happened? Ill give you a clue, it’s got something with speed to do. Since you've heard it so much I'm not gonna write it down. The short dwarf started to wave his sword in an X shape and shortly after lost control of his sword. It was now flying around in random directions in the dwarfs hand so fast it was barely visible. Any way he saw Roku was wounded so he ran as fast as he could, which was pretty fast because of the movement thing. He reached Roku and finally got control of his sword. ''"Were gonna 'af'tar make 'is ancient spell an' 'en we cen use our magic a shor' while. So 'elp me out 'ere." ''The short dwarf said as he shoved Roku's hand in his hand. "'Ow supply me 'ith 'ome 'ower now 'cause iffa spell fail's I'll both die" The short dwarf demanded. The short dwarf started to mutter words. The spell was working but the dwarf was getting weak. The life was draining out of the short dwarf. After some yells of agony the short dwarf said ''"Yeh 'af'tar supply me 'ith power... I'm gonna die 'ere..." After a few seconds when the short dwarf had gained power he yelled "'Omeone 'as to connect 'ands with me or I'll die a very painful death!!" ''The short dwarf yelled that then he blacked out. It was now all hanging on that someone connected hands with Vodok. He just needed a little more power.

Red Un Red Un realised that time seemed to warp weirdly.

"Hmm, Vodok dying a painful death? I'm not sure if that's a bad thing, but oh well..."

Red Un ran over to Vodok and grabbed his hand. Meanwhile, the robed man, brutally cut, stood up. Then he ran out through the door...

Vodok The short dwarf got enough power to finish the spell. ''"Righ'. Wha' yeh haf'ta do is keep 'at guy from me 'n' Roku an' still have yar hands tar mine." ''The short dwarf informed Red Un. The spell didn’t need that long time more to work. ''"The 'ell's cone now... Any minute now were gonna be able tar use spells in a short while. 'Opefully Roku'll be alive 'en so he an ultimate heal himself." ''Said the short dwarf after some tense moments. Kelia She ducked with grace as the robbed guy flew over her head. "You’re wasting your time, Dwarf. Roku is dying already. My arrows secret a very powerful poison that infects the body then the mind." She then sped off, heading towards the door out of this place, the key in her pocket.

Red Un The robed man met Kelia at the entrance.

"Nobody leaves with that key."

He drew his long black sword.

"I might not have the power of the alternate dimension, but I am still the greatest swordsman of the Dark Star."

Meanwhile, Red Un noticed the arrow. With no afterthought, he pulled it out.

"Hmph, magic arrow."

He broke it in two. With his free hand, he took out a torch from his pocket and lighted it. Then he burned the arrow.

"That should do it, if I know the power of magic arrows right."

Roku Yarit Roku cried out in pain as Red Un pulled it from his body. He had lost a lot of blood and the laws of this universe prevented him from healing himself. His vision was blurring, the poison was beginning to paralyze his nervous system. He could still hear though but when he tried to speak, he found himself out of breath and unable to utter a word.

Kelia Kelia looked at the robbed figure and smiled innocently, extending her hand towards his chest. At first the robbed figure recoiled, preparing to strike her but her hand passed right through his body, followed by the rest of her. She looked whole and had no traces of translucency but she walked right through the person who blocked her path and took another few steps towards the door.

Vodok The short dwarf felt as if he could use magic now. He tried. "Utevo Lux" The first second only sparks came but then a light struggled through the darkness. ''"Roku, yeh can ultimate 'eal yehself now. I aint got any 'ealin' runes so yeh gonna have to heal yehself. Or Red Un's gotta ultimate 'ealin' rune if yar lucky." ''Now the short dwarf stood up, took his sword up, made sure he could move fast and charged the robed man with his sword over his head. But... the robed figure jabbed with his sword. But... Vodok was too fast; he blocked the blow and started swinging his sword violently. The robed man backed away a little to wait for an opening to use. The short dwarf went closer to the figure and the figure was against the wall so he was just going to block the blow if needed. "Exori vis" the short dwarf said. It worked very good. The figure was either forced to crush himself against a wall, or stand and take the strike. He stood and took it. ''"Exori vis." ''The short dwarf said again. The figure knew he would be dead if he didn’t escape. He jumped over the dwarf, which was very dangerous since his sword was out of control.

Red Un "Alrighty, we’ve got magic powers up an runnin'!"

Red Un took out an old blue ultimate healing rune he had carried around for a while and used in on Roku.

"There. Now, for that key-thief..."

Red Un realised that Vodoks spell had made the alternate dimension get normal physical laws, so there was no slowing down time now. He drew his sword, which bursted into flames. Then he ran toward Kelia.

"Do what ya want, but you won't get away with that key!"

Meanwhile, the robed man realised that he was done for.

"Damn you, may the Dark Star take you!"

Then it was like he heard a voice in his head.

"No... I did all I could...please...NOOO!"

His robes burst into flames. Soon there was only ashed left.

Comment by the uploader
This storry was a legend for some time, it was lost somewhere deep in the forum. Now somebody found it and uploaded it to unoficial page.

But that made it imposible to link it from forum, so i uploaded it here. Enjoy reading!