Forced into Fantasy 2

Chapter 18 - Power

Adomis;

With the threat apparently neutralised and the room having turned back to its normal state, I finally let out a sigh of relief as I look around at the soldiers doing the same beside me.

‘f**k, that was close!’

I’m startled as the sword in my hand instantly extinguishes itself, returning to its former appearance of mere silver steel.

The blade looks slightly singed around the outer edges and it sizzles softly as I lift it up and take a closer look at it. Other than that, it pretty much looks as it had before.

“What strange magic is this?” I whisper to myself in disbelief.

Zarkin quickly appears beside me, he too admiring the sword as I hold it up, examining it, then turn my attention to him.

“Zarkin, you saw all of that, right? How did this sword somehow manage to burst into flames? And what the hell was that thing that attacked us? Will it return for another attack? Should we have the men prepare?”

I unload a series of questions directed at the Mage, one after the other as they all come flooding out of my mind all at once.

It would appear that there is no controlling the floodgates that have now opened.

Zarkin quickly raises his hands out in front of him, in a form of surrender, signalling for me to stop and listen for a moment. I give him a moment to explain.

“My lord, I’m afraid that there is a lot I need to fill you in on.” he announces with a sigh.

“Fine...” I command sternly.

“Start talking.”

-

Ivy;

Dinner was rather lovely if I do say so myself.

There had to be more than fifty of the Noridians in attendance there that evening, all gathered around several long tables built and carved from a dark kind of oak.

I think they may have carved the tables themselves!

And the food… oh, the food…

‘OH… MY… GOD!’

It was so good!

I probably ate more in that single sitting than I had in weeks! Not that it was a problem, there was certainly plenty to go around.

Even Prince Ronaar, now the Noridian’s prisoner, was able to attend which was rather kind of them if you ask me!

Although he was still under a strict guard the entire time. But he got to eat and enjoy himself just like everyone else, before he was eventually marched off towards his cell again shortly afterwards.

Once dinner had finished, I was surprised to learn that Lynnoma had secretly arranged for a special form of entertainment, in honour of my visit.

I had to admit, I was very excited.

They presented some sort of a native dance for me, which needless to say, was out of this world.

So beautiful, stunning actually. They have such a natural way with movement when their kind dance.

It looks effortless.

Using flame sticks and spinning them around their bodies, my eyes were tantalised by the exciting display of skill mixed with obvious danger.

Not long afterwards, I retired for the night and returned to my hut, promptly climbing into the bed and pulling the thick covers up over my body as I snuggled down into sublime comfort.

But as comfortable as the bed was… something was missing.

And I knew what it was almost immediately.

My heart sank.

Adomis… how I miss him.

His voice, his scent, his touch...

Blinking slowly, I feel as a warm tear escapes from the corner of my eye and rolls down my face, onto the pillow beneath my head.

I let out a long, saddened sigh.

“I miss you, my love…” I whisper softly.

-

Adomis;

Zarkin took the time to update me on our current situation and I have to say, I am extremely concerned for Ivy’s safety!

Now with the newest threat of this so called Dark One, otherwise known as Balzard, who is also seeking to locate my woman, I decide it is time to make our move and transport ourselves to her apparent location.

The longer I leave it, the bigger the chance that the Balzard finds Ivy before we do.

And I will not risk that!

King Varrus and a small group of his most trusted warriors are here to accompany us on this quest.

I have decided that Zarkin and Captain Khalan will journey with me in case we run into any potential issues along the way.

The Mage’s power will come in use if we run into Balzard, and Khalan is a skilled fighter for any other form of attacks.

Now comes the obvious issue, activating the amulet’s power.

I honestly hadn’t even thought about this until now.

As I stand here holding the delicate-looking trinket in my hand, I look to Zarkin for a moment, an expression of uncertainty appearing on my face and alerting him to my dilemma.

‘I have no f*****g idea how to make this thing work!’

He steps forward to speak with me, guiding me away from the others for a little more privacy as he initiates our conversation.

“Overlord, is everything… alright?”

I lean in so that only he can hear my words, a wave of embarrassment washing over me as I admit the truth to him.

I feel foolish.

“How do I… activate this thing?” I ask him softly, nervously.

“Wait… you don’t know how?” he seems shocked by my admission.

“I’ve never needed to until now.” I admit, dumbfoundedly.

He seems to think this over for a moment before holding out his hand.

“May I have a look at it, sire?”

I nod once, handing the amulet over to him and watching on as the Mage inspects it closely for a moment in silence.

Everyone in the room goes quiet, as if a single sound would break his concentration.

I can feel my heart thudding over and over within my chest as I pray that he can figure this thing out and that we can head off to find Ivy soon.

‘Come on Zarkin… don't let me down here.’

I need my beautiful Ivy in my arms once more. I need her to feel whole again.

Suddenly, his voice breaks through the awkward silence and everyone turns to face him, including me.

“Overlord, tell me how you activated the sword’s flame.” he asks me, his eyes narrowed only slightly.

I think for a moment and then shake my head.

“I honestly have no idea. It just… happened. The damn thing burst into flames as if by magic.” I announce as honestly as possible.

Zarkin seems to take this on board as he nods his head slowly.

“It seems that your fire powers come from within, we merely need to identify the trigger allowing you to activate them at will.” he thought aloud.

“What about your emotions, Overlord?” King Varrus suddenly called out from where he stood.

I frown.

“My emotions?”

“Yes, how were you feeling when the sword burst into flames? Did you experience any sadness or excitement, rage perhaps?”

Instantly a light bulb flicks on in my head as I suddenly realise the missing connection.

“Anger.”

I look to meet my fellow King’s eyes now with a grin.

“I wanted to rip the bastard’s head right off. I could feel the pulsing fires burning from within my veins at the time it happened.”

“I see. So, your trigger is your anger then.” Varrus nods his head.

“I don’t understand. What does this have to do with using the amulet?” Zarkin asked, clearly puzzled by all this talk of emotions.

Varrus begins to explain as best he can.

“You see, the amulets link with their user through their emotions. Some require happiness to allow the amulet’s powers to activate, while others require sadness. I myself need to be in a state of complete and total calm before the Sapphire Amulet will activate…”

“The Sapphire Amulet?” Zarkin enquires keenly, his eyes almost bugging out of his head.

“Are you saying you the Sapphire Amulet, your highness?”

“Of course.” Varrus shrugged casually.

“On you right now?”

The Marine King chuckled as he nodded his head in response.

Zarkin came closer as he spoke with intrigue.

“May I… may I see it?”

Varrus smiles, reaching down beneath his shirt and pulling on a long linked iron chain to reveal the stunning amulet attached to the end of it.

The gemstone glistens in the light, glowing a bright blue hue. Within seconds all eyes are on this magical trinket as Varrus speaks.

“I was given this when I was born, it was passed down from my father, and from his father before him. The Sapphire Amulet has protected the Marine Guild’s people for centuries, as it will continue to do for centuries to come.”

“It’s incredible!” Zarkin muses.

Noticing that our focus has moved off topic now, I decide to speak up and get us back on track.

“So, from what you’re saying, if I get angry the amulet should work? Right?” I reiterate hesitantly.

Varrus hides his amulet away beneath his shirt once more as he replies.

“That’s the theory. Give it a try. But remember, you have to be thinking of the person you want to travel to when you activate it.”

‘Right… so all I have to do is get angry and think of Ivy… no problem…’

I let out a long exhale of air from my lungs, focusing on blocking out everything else going on around me as I hold the Ruby Amulet within my closed fist.

Closing my eyes, I think of what comes naturally.

I imagine Ivy in pain, her crying, those who would do her harm…

I feel as my blood begins to heat up from the inside and my heart pounds faster and faster within my ribcage.

Within seconds I feel as though my entire body is on fire as the fury and rage pulses throughout my veins.

My top lip lifts into a snarl as I grit my teeth and allow the hatred and anger in.

In it floods and suddenly I feel the amulet begin to burn from within my palm.

A mystical wave of heated power surges through me, rippling outwards as the amulet is suddenly activated, sending a tantalising hum outwards for all to hear.

The wall before me suddenly bursts into flames, causing everyone around me to gasp and step back in fear.

Opening my eyes, I feel the heat radiating out of me as I look at the fiery doorway in front of me.

It beckons me to walk through it.

I feel as if I can hear whispered voices speaking to me as I stare into the heated flames while they dance across the wall.

“Overlord, you did it!” Zarkin announces excitedly.

I turn and look to both him and Varrus.

“What now?” I ask.

“Now, we travel through your portal as planned, my lord.” Varrus replies with a satisfied smile.

“And pray that we reach Miss Ivy in time.”