The not-so-little crocodile had obviously taken well to Kybas’ concoctions. The last time Alex saw him he’d actually grown quite a bit, but now, he was at least another foot longer than at the summer games, and he was thick like a log, sleek and powerful. His scales were shiny and clean, and ...
2022-09-02 21:45:41 +0000 UTC View PostThe beach on Oreca’s Fall had been transformed in the afternoon light.
When Alex was last there, the sand was thick with the dead: most were demons, but the rest were his comrades from the Grand Battle. Generasian wizards and other competitors had stood shoulder to shoulder, fighting thos...
2022-09-01 21:56:34 +0000 UTC View Post“Hey, Alex, how’s that cake coming over there?” Thundar asked, stirring a pot of goat stew.
“About the same as the last twelve times you asked me,” Alex fired back, carefully measuring out a portion of white sugar. “It’s baking. Cakes bake when they’re put ...
2022-09-01 01:09:02 +0000 UTC View Post“Well, ain’t that real bloody ominous,” Cedric growled, firelight reflecting off his green eyes and the silver on the morphic weapon wrapped about his hand. His fingers clinked as he tapped them together. “Too bad the bloody portal closed.”
“Yeah,” Hart said. “Would’ve lik...
2022-08-30 22:12:12 +0000 UTC View PostThere was no mistaking that up ahead and above the tunnel floor, she could sense another source of the Traveller’s magic. Excitement rose at the thought of another pocket of the dead Saint’s power hidden deep beneath the chamber above it.
This was it.
The kind of secret she, Hart ...
2022-08-28 00:33:41 +0000 UTC View Post“It was the same time the Ravener came back,” Paul said, shaking his head. “Turned eighteen that very day and then—that evening—we heard that the Heroes were marked and a new Ravener cycle was starting.”
“Alex’s eighteenth birthday was the same day the Ravener came back…th...
2022-08-27 01:02:06 +0000 UTC View Post“Is this what it’s like to be in a dungeon?” Peter whispered. “All dark and spooky like this?”
“Oooooo, spooky,” Paul whispered back in a creepy voice. He angled his lamp below his chin, giving himself a ghoulish look. “They’re coming to get you, Peter.”
“Oi, don...
2022-08-26 00:57:42 +0000 UTC View Post“Holy Heroes, it’s good to have you back with us.” The priest bowed to Cedric, Drestra and Hart. “Though…I must say, your presence here is a little irregular.”
The holy man adjusted his spectacles and peered at the three Heroes as though they were obscured in fog. “I see you a...
2022-08-24 23:33:03 +0000 UTC View Post“Oh, do not be such a prude, Alex!” The chancellor rolled his eyes, pouring himself a cup of pineapple juice. He waved the pitcher. “Care for a cup?”
The young wizard shook his head. “Don’t think it’d stay down right now.”
“You do have such a talent for the ...
2022-08-23 22:09:56 +0000 UTC View PostTo Baelin’s credit, he did not twitch, flinch or show any reaction to the demon’s words.
“Indeed, I am one and the same,” his voice was measured. “I gather you are revealing that information as a way of proposing a deal?”
“You catch on quickly, mortal,” Zonon-In said, ...
2022-08-20 23:47:49 +0000 UTC View Post“Come in,” Baelin’s voice boomed through the doors. “But mind your step.”
“Mind my step?” Alex wondered aloud. “Why do I have to mind my—”
His words faded.
Why was it so dark?
But, why could he still see like he was looking through the surface of a deep...
2022-08-19 23:49:09 +0000 UTC View Post“Hey, congratulations on third-tier spells, but uh…no offence, that’s a little light compared to ‘hey, there might be a conspiracy set up by my own god.” Thundar rubbed the side of his face, groaning like he’d aged a decade. “Also, you pissed off the biggest, nastiest demon you’ve...
2022-08-19 00:26:55 +0000 UTC View PostAlex Roth broke through to third-tier summoning spells the very next day.
The day before had been a long, full one with revelations, feasting and new friendships formed.
When they got to the apartment that night, he and Theresa had unpacked their gear, cleaned up and collapsed into hi...
2022-08-17 23:35:51 +0000 UTC View PostThe elder witch floated to the nearby guest table, the cauldron following like a loyal familiar. The witches had gone quiet—all settling down for the ceremony—as were Alex and his companions.
“Let it never be said,” Blodeuwedd declared with deep pride in her voice, “that Witches o...
2022-08-16 21:59:25 +0000 UTC View PostProfessor Jules stepped back, giving Carey space. “What do you mean, Carey?”
The young woman wiped her tears. “I mean…Uldar left for his divine realm cycles ago. He left the holy Heroes—” She looked at Cedric and Hart. “To defeat the Ravener while he watched over Thameland fro...
2022-08-13 22:02:33 +0000 UTC View Post“This is such a wonderful place,” Carey’s eyes couldn’t stay still as the group trudged through the village. “It’s like something from bedtime fairy tales my nursemaid told when I was little.”
She looked a little brighter, gawking like a sightseer.
Professor Jules was do...
2022-08-12 23:10:09 +0000 UTC View Post“How is Ffion?” Alex asked Drestra.
“Mmf,” came the Sage’s muffled reply.
She was turned away and held up her index finger—indicating that she needed a moment—as she chewed a morsel of food.
“Take your time.” Alex reached for another serving.
The late mor...
2022-08-12 01:03:50 +0000 UTC View PostSome would have gloated. Some might have paused for effect. Alex, however, wasted no time.
‘Stab her!’ he thought.
Before the demon could reclaim her spear—Claygon thrust its tip into Zonon-In’s side. Something tore, the demon’s scream could have shattered glass as his power...
2022-08-10 23:23:57 +0000 UTC View PostIt overwhelmed his senses.
His ears rang and his skin crawled. White light flared in his vision. The scent of ash clung to his nostrils, the taste of it filled his mouth. Nausea boiled as his mind reeled.
‘What is this?’
‘Focus!’ The young wizard’s thoughts were scatte...
2022-08-09 22:51:02 +0000 UTC View PostScreams and roars filled the air as the Champion of Uldar met the cult with maximum violence.
To Drestra, though?
It was music to her ears.
The Sage dove under water and gave Angharad an enthusiastic thumbs up, letting him know that Hart was in position.
He nodded, turned ...
2022-08-06 23:56:25 +0000 UTC View PostZonon-In’s goading had worked better than she’d expected.
This ‘Chosen’ was tearing through the sky shadowed by the other two flying mortals, the giant clay soldier, and a horde of air elementals. Below them, walking trees were coming from the swamp, wading toward her.
The res...
2022-08-06 00:14:37 +0000 UTC View PostScreams rang out over the Skull Pits.
Armies clashed in a storm of magic and death.
In the sky above, Alex battled demons.
He weaved past the sticky tongues of green-feathered demons and dodged the barbed claws of imps; the sky was filled with screeching monsters, snapping and c...
2022-08-05 01:34:49 +0000 UTC View PostDrestra’s Orb of Air and spell of warming surrounded her as she felt her way through the murky swamp. Sounds were distorted. Visibility low. In some places, she could only see a few feet in front of her, but—as nerve wracking as that was—she was glad for it.
If she was having trouble ...
2022-08-03 22:16:01 +0000 UTC View Post“Here they come,” Theresa whispered from the belly of the boat.
Ahead—through pines and willows—the enemy army came. Cultists—rowed like their lives depended on it—powering strange boats of bone and hide around tree trunks and through thick, sandy bogs. Each vessel carried at le...
2022-08-02 22:55:51 +0000 UTC View Post“Now?” Zonon-In demanded. “You are sure?”
“Yes, leader,” one of her higher ranked demons growled from two crocodilian snouts. Its voice was like gravel. “Sniffers find mana scent: dungeon core near.”
“Where?” The leader leaned forward, her eyes bla...
2022-07-30 22:31:59 +0000 UTC View Post“What are your names?” the elder asked.
“Llyworn,” the young woman said, her tone distant.
“Rhodri,” the male witch spoke without emotion.
Both were now freed from their gags—but their hands and feet were still bound. They were sitting in the middle of the chamber,...
2022-07-29 22:37:41 +0000 UTC View PostImages of the carnage he’d just seen filled Alex’s mind as he and Claygon flew back to the boat. He’d seen violent deaths before, he’d even helped cause some; Hive queens, Mana vampires, monsters in the Barrens, even demons, but this was different. Mortals and monsters dying with such vio...
2022-07-29 00:46:31 +0000 UTC View PostThe biggest man Llyworn had ever seen came surging from the murky depths, seized the edge of their dugout, and pulled hard, before she could even react.
The boat shifted violently to the left, groaned then capsized like a toy boat in a storm. With a strangled cry, the witches hurtled over t...
2022-07-28 01:15:40 +0000 UTC View PostThe seven companions hid beneath a mud covered tarp in the belly of Baelin’s boat, moving stealthily toward unknown voices.
The cloth was draped over the sides, blending with their surroundings, and if they maintained a snail’s pace, they shouldn’t draw any more attention than the low...
2022-07-27 01:01:34 +0000 UTC View Post“And look who I found!” Baelin said breezily as he reappeared in Crymlyn village.
Beside him was the familiar figure of Theresa Lu, looking ready for war. She carried an immense pack over one shoulder, and both of her great-grandfather’s blades were sheathed at her hips. In one gloved...
2022-07-23 22:38:32 +0000 UTC View Post