The Orphan Wars (Book One) (6 page)

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" exclaimed Thanos.  "What are we waiting for?  Teach me that dance move!"

"Listen to me very carefully," said Nemeth.  "I'm going to need you to turn to your left so you are perpendicular to me.  Then, pretend like you are bowing to a king standing in front of you.  That will be your starting position.  Now close your eyes and take some deep breaths."

Thanos followed Nemeth's instructions and w
as now perpendicular to him and bowing to nobody with his eyes closed.  Nemeth jumped forward and stretched his left leg so high it was almost completely vertical.  Nemeth drove his left leg hard over the back of Thanos' neck like an ax chopping into wood.  Thanos fell down face first into the grass and looked like he was unable to move or get up.  Nemeth bent down next to Thanos and lifted his face off the ground to examine it.

"I don't think you're ready to dance at my level," said Nemeth.  "After all, you weren't even able to learn my special dance move.  Also, unless I'm mistaken when I first saw you, your nose wasn't broken and shifted to the right side of your face.  You might want to clean that blood dripping out of there too
.  Now stop following me."

Nemeth darted off towards the lake.  Upon reaching there, he started to walk around it in a counterclockwise di
rection.  He peered across the lake hoping to see his friends.  His inability to find his friends fueled his frustration.  All he needed was one more intoxicated nutcase to bother him and he was going back to his dorm.

"ARIA!!!" shouted Nemeth.  "WHERE ARE YOU???"

"BASTILONE!!!" shouted Nemeth.  "ARE EITHER OF YOU EVEN HERE???"

"Oh, what's the use?" mumbled Nemeth.  "I
'm never going to find either of them tonight.  I'm so stressed out.  I'll just sit here and stare at the lake for a little while and then I'm going back to my dorm room.  If they had only agreed to leave with me when I spoke to them earlier, I could have avoided this mess."

Nemeth grabbed several rocks off the ground and then s
at down with his legs folded.  He placed the rocks in his lap and one by one began to toss them into Serend Lake with his left arm.  He looked at the ripples in the water as each rock sank to the bottom of the lake.  A rush of unusually hot air came blowing in.  He noticed a large Black Orb materialize in the middle of Serend Lake.  The orb would occasionally emit a bright flash of light about every minute or so.  This caused Nemeth to be uncomfortable so he unfolded his legs and stood up.

"Could any of these kids be sober eno
ugh to conjure up that Black Orb?" asked Nemeth quietly.

Nemeth began to walk clockwise around the lake and started to head back towards where he first encountered Ferrin.  The sounds of laughter and conversation continued to fill the air.
  Nemeth tried to do his best to stealthily maneuver past anyone in the area.  Nemeth began to hear a few screams coming from the direction of the lake.

"I'm sure that's nothing to be worried abo
ut," said Nemeth quietly.  "Those screams are probably just caused by bad experiences with Ambrule."

More and more screams could be heard coming from the direction of the lake.  The screams became louder and louder.  Nemeth
was almost ready to cover his ears to block out the noise.  He looked around and began to see strange things happening around Serend Lake.  Plants were growing at a rapid pace from the ground and wrapping themselves around the arms and legs of students making them nearly immobile.  Branches were extending themselves from nearby trees and locking students in what closely resembled wooden cages.  The ground around the area became enveloped in shadows and the grass started to wilt.

Blades of grass and
clumps of dirt shot up from the ground into Nemeth's face causing him to cough heavily and be unable see.  He sat down on the ground and started rubbing the dirt and grass out of his face with his hands.  He spit a huge chunk of dirt out of his mouth.  When he was finally able to open his eyes and see clearly again, there was an absolutely frightening sight.  A giant wolf, about 20 feet tall was only a short distance away from Nemeth.  A sinister looking troll was riding the wolf on a saddle and was holding reigns that wrapped around the giant wolf's neck.  The troll appeared tiny compared to the wolf so it was unclear as to how tall he was.  One thing that was clear though was that the troll was in command of the wolf.

Suddenly, Nemeth's body began to glow just like it had done when Darunda cast her spell on him at the graduation ceremony.  A yellow ball of ene
rgy emerged from Nemeth's body.

"
MASTER NEMETH!" yelled the ball of energy.  "YOU MUST GET UP THIS INSTANT!"

Nemeth rolled a couple of times to his left and did a kick-up off the ground onto his feet.  Nemeth looked at the ball of energy
.  Within the ball of energy was a mysterious image of a young woman's face.  Nemeth had suspected that this was his Guardian Spirit here to protect him.  In the distance, the troll was casting a spell on a nearby sugar maple tree.  One of its medium sized branches snapped off the tree and gravitated slowly towards the right hand of the troll.  The troll was now grasping the tree branch like a club.

"RUN AWAY FROM SEREND LAKE
TOWARD JUSTILE DORMITORY NOW!" yelled the ball of energy.  "RUN NOW NEMETH BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!"

Nemeth began running toward Justile Dormitory.  The wolf-riding troll began to chase Ne
meth.

"It's alright kids!" shouted Ferrin.  "I have the situa
tion under control!  I will kill this foul creature and then the festivities will continue!"

Nemeth stopped to watch as
Ferrin started running toward the wolf-riding troll with his spear positioned overhead.  Ferrin threw his spear at the troll.  The troll cast a spell on Ferrin's spear, causing the metal portion to snap off and fall to the ground.  The wooden shaft of the spear was sent spiraling back towards Ferrin.  The wooden shaft of the spear hit Ferrin in his shins causing him to flip over.  Large black roses with many thorns began to entangle Ferrin's body.  Nemeth's heart began to beat rapidly.

"MASTER YOU HAVE TO RUN NOW!" yelled the ball of energy.

"I don't even know what you are," replied Nemeth.  "All I know is that it's my turn to put up a fight against this thing.  I sure as hell know I can do a better job than Ferrin did."

Nemeth instinctually reached for his sword but soon realized he didn't have it with him.  He would have to battle this creature unarmed.  Nemeth dashed towards
the tree branch that the troll was carrying and leapt onto it.  Nemeth succeeded in balancing himself on the branch and began to maneuver his way towards the troll.  The troll started shaking the branch up and down.  Nemeth stumbled off of the branch but managed to remain hanging on the branch with both hands.  The troll then swung the branch back and forth.  Nemeth showed great persistence by continuing to hold on to the branch for a few minutes.  He tried to pull himself back on top of the branch but to no avail.  Finally, the troll swung the branch so hard that Nemeth released his grip and went soaring backwards through the air about 25 feet.  Nemeth managed to land on his feet safely.

"Alright, now it's time to get the hell out of here," said Nemeth.  "No time to look back!"

Nemeth began to run as fast as possible toward Justile Dormitory in a zigzag pattern.  He was quite a far distance from his dormitory.  Suddenly a bright flash of light illuminated the area as if the sun rose for a moment and then instantly set again.  Seconds later, the ball of energy was floating next to Nemeth.

"What in the hell is going on back the
re?" asked Nemeth.  "And who or what are you exactly?"

"Save your breath for now and continue r
unning toward Justile Dormitory," replied the ball of energy.  "All will be explained once we reach our destination."

Nemeth listened to the ball of energy and continued to run towards his dorm.
  He noticed in the distance the main gates to Lord Dragomir's Academy had been destroyed.  It appeared that the trunks of several red maple trees had been stacked together and were used as a battering ram to smash the main gates and gain entrance to the academy.  Nemeth continued to run towards Justile Dormitory.  He noticed from afar that the building was enveloped with a turquoise glow.  The Spiro Crystal that was mounted on top of the building must have detected danger in the area.  Nemeth looked behind him, but did not see the wolf-riding troll following them.  All around, the grass was wilted just like back at Serend Lake.  Eventually Nemeth had reached Justile Dormitory again.  A smaller but still dangerous wolf called a Blood Wolf was running around outside.  Suddenly a beam of turquoise light shot down from the Spiro Crystal atop the dormitory and completely eviscerated the nearby Blood Wolf.  Nemeth was now huffing and puffing from the long run from Serend Lake.

"Alright we're here now
," said Nemeth.  "Now will you fill me in on just exactly who or what you are and what the hell is going on here?"

"My
deepest apologies master Nemeth," replied the ball of energy.  "Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Jaida, your Guardian Spirit assigned to you by Darunda.  I will explain more, but let's go inside the dormitory so we are fully safe and secure."

"
I notice that you keep calling me master," said Nemeth.  "I like the sound of that!  Anyway, I think that if we try to get through this turquoise barrier, we'll be destroyed just like that Blood Wolf was."

"The barrier will do no harm to either of us," replied Jaida.  "
If the Spiro Crystal had thought we were a threat to the building, it would have attacked us just like it did to that Blood Wolf."

"Alright, that makes sense," said Nemeth.  "Let's make our way inside the dormitory now."

Nemeth ran through the turquoise barrier and opened the main gate into the dormitory.  There was no sign of Crimlore or anybody for that matter on the first floor but Nemeth figured it would be best to check.

"IS ANYBODY IN HERE?" shouted Nemeth.

"There is a strong possibility that this building is empty," replied Jaida.  "However, the Spiro Crystal will make us be perfectly safe from Terazhul, Vulpes and any other harm while we're in here."

"Terazhul?" questioned Nemeth with great curiosity.
  "Vulpes?  Are we speaking the same language here?"

"Master Nemeth,
allow me to explain," replied Jaida.  "Terazhul is the name of the devious troll that was causing all of the chaos back at Serend Lake.  Vulpes is the name of the giant wolf that Terazhul rides on.  Now where exactly is your room?  We need to head there at once."

"I'm on the second floor in room 201," said Nemeth.  "The staircase leading upwards is just right over there in the corner."

"Well then let's head upstairs so I can answer some more of your questions," replied Jaida.  "Let's get you prepared for what's to come."

Nemeth and Jaida made their way upstairs to the second floor.  Nemeth opened the
door to his dorm room and walked in.  He removed his diploma from his pocket and placed it into one of the drawers in his desk.  He then flopped onto his bed.

"What exactly do
you think you are doing Nemeth?" asked Jaida.

"Listen…" sighed Nemeth.  "I've had a long day today and I just want to go to sleep to escape this nightmare.
  Is that too much to ask?  You said we're safe inside here anyhow!"

"Master, I
am shocked at your selfishness!" bellowed Jaida.

"Who the hell do you think you are calling me selfish like that?" asked Nemeth angrily.  "That's no way to speak to someone who you were just calling MASTER a few minutes ago."

"You must listen to me!" cried Jaida.

"No, you don't tell me what to do
!" yelled Nemeth.  "You have no idea what I've been through in my life.  I've wanted to escape from this academy for quite some time now.  All I've been thinking about all day is figuring out whether or not I should try and escape today or wait a little bit longer.  I'm not going to work as a slave protecting some wealthy prince.  I'm not going to be a slave to this academy either.  You're not even human so I wouldn't expect you to understand how I feel.  Maybe Terazhul coming here and causing all of this trouble is actually a blessing.  I can finally get out of here and search for my real family."

"
Do you mean to tell me that you are not concerned for your fellow classmates?" asked Jaida.  "Do you not realize that Terazhul's Forestial Corruption spell is spreading all across the academy and soon will stretch outward into other lands?  You cannot sleep this problem away and you certainly cannot depend on others to handle Terazhul."

"Actually that's where you're wrong," said Nemeth.  "The rest of the students and professors will be returning from their vacations in a day or two
.  Most of them have way more experience and power than anyone who is here now.  They'll figure out a way to get the academy back up and running.  Meanwhile, I'll be on a quest to find my real family."

"You still do not understand the severity of the situation master," replied Jaida.  "You won't have to worry about the academy because it will be destroyed.
  You'll be free of any forced commitments to any prince of any kingdom because their kingdoms will all have fallen.  Your quest for your family will be cut short because they will be affected by Terazhul's actions as well.  Unless you have the ability to live without any food or clean water, you'll be dead too."

Nemeth began to cry loudly.  He took his pillow and placed his over his head and started to tremble.

"You don't know the horrible way most of the people at this academy treat me!" cried Nemeth.  "If there is one thing I've realized, it's that you cannot fight the whole world by yourself.  I don't want these responsibilities.  I only care about a few of the people that were at the lake anyhow and Terazhul has likely killed them by now."

"So there are still people out there that you ca
re about!" exclaimed Jaida.  "From the information I've retrieved about Terazhul, it would appear that killing them is not his first priority.  He desires to use his magic of the forest to ensnare any life that is in the area and transfer the majority of it to himself slowly over time, making him more powerful.  If Terazhul were to kill anyone at this academy, it would mean that his power would be weakened.  However, you must know that there will be a point when all of the life force from a person will be drained and they will die."

Nemeth removed
his head from under his pillow and looked over to Jaida.

"So
you're telling me that my friends Bastilone and Aria might still be able to be saved?" asked Nemeth.

"Yes!" said Jaida with confidence.  "
As we speak, they are most likely entangled in plants and Terazhul is slowly draining their life force.  However, our window of time is very short.  I estimate that within one full day, those that are already getting their life drained from them will die."

"So they can be saved!
" exclaimed Nemeth.  "I can save them and we can all go on a quest to search for our families."

"Absolutely master," replied Jaida.  "For someone who says they don't want responsibility, I don't believe it.  I sense a burning desire inside of you to help your friends and find
everyone's families."

"I forgot to mention something
Jaida," said Nemeth.  "I don't know if anyone in my family is even alive.  No student at this academy knows if their family members are alive.  We were all told different stories.  Most of us were told that our families were killed and that's why we were brought into the academy.  I was told that my parents are dead but I no longer believe that to be the truth.  I know Guardian Spirits are supposed to be very wise and possess many unique abilities.  Are you able to tell if someone at all is alive in my family Jaida?"

"
No, I do not possess the power to do that," replied Jaida.  "Well, at least not now.  As you grow stronger, I grow stronger as well and gain new abilities.  I will always be by your side when you go searching for your family.  But please believe me when I tell you that quest is for another time.  The Forestial Corruption spell's power is contained within the Black Orb that was created by Terazhul.  For now the quest at hand is for you to defeat Terazhul and Vulpes and to destroy the Black Orb at Serend Lake."

"Alright then," said Nemeth. 
"Terazhul and Vulpes are standing between me and what I want the most.  I'm going to do whatever it takes to defeat them.  When I'm done killing them, it's going to look like a war zone!"

"We must get ready and go soon," replied Jaida.  "Master, do you have any further questions
for me?"

"Yes, there's been something on my mind that I'm puzzled about," answered Nemeth. 
"If Terazhul is so incredibly powerful, then how did we manage to escape from Serend Lake?"

Nemeth wiped the tears from his face and listened closely to Jaida.

"Allow me to explain master," replied Jaida.  "Do you remember the bright flash of light back at the lake?"

"How could anyone forget that?" asked Nemeth.  "I've never seen something like that before.  It was like a bad night turned into a beautiful day for just a moment."

"Get used to seeing that bright flash of light," replied Jaida.  "The bright flash of light is a result of when I cast one of my magical spells called the Sunburst Lullaby.  For most creatures, once they are hit by the spell, they are unable to move for about 15 seconds.  They also become invulnerable to any damage when they are feeling the effects of the spell.  That gave us just enough time to run out of the Serend Lake area away from the Black Orb and Terazhul.  Terazhul is the Keeper of the Forest and thus his magic thrives on anything related to the forest.  There were far too many trees in that area, so I wanted us to head out into an open field.  Out in the open field, Terazhul's powers are much more limited.  We're lucky that we weren't followed because I'm sure that Vulpes would have been able to outrun us.  Also, it didn't look like you were carrying any weapons.  You didn't stand a chance against Terazhul.  I just got assigned to you as your Guardian Spirit.  I refuse to have you die on my watch."

"
This is starting to make more sense now," replied Nemeth.  "Terazhul is the troll who must be decimated.  Check!  Vulpes is the giant wolf who must be slaughtered.  Check!  The Black Orb is the source of the corruption and needs to be crushed into oblivion.  Check!  But why did you want to bring me all the way back here to my dorm?  We were so close to the main gate which was smashed in already.  We could have escaped through there.  Oh hey wait, couldn't we just go to the Black Orb now and destroy it?"

"Allow me to explain master," said
Jaida.  "I wish it were that easy to destroy the Black Orb.  Even if you managed to get back to Serend Lake without being entangled by some sort of plant life like the others, you would still have to swim across the lake.  Serend Lake is probably filled with monsters now.  Now, even if you managed to reach the Black Orb, you still wouldn't be able to destroy it.  You must first destroy Terazhul since he created the Black Orb with his magic.  Finally, the Black Orb can only be destroyed by a weapon that is forged from Estrellium, a rare and precious metal that came to this planet from the stars above. You were ranked number one so I figured the academy provided you with the finest weapons that we'll be able to use to defeat Terazhul and destroy the Black Orb.  I'm sure you have them stored here in your room.  Please show me your weapons master."

Nemeth gave out a big sigh and then pointed to the wo
oden sword on his wall.  He then pointed to a small wooden shield that was peeking out from under his bed.  Jaida floated over to the sword on the wall to examine it.

"This is not what I expected
," said Jaida with a disappointed tone.  "I was expecting you to already have a weapon forged out of Estrellium.  It will be difficult to kill any of the monsters that we are going to encounter with a wooden sword.  As Keeper of the Forest, Terazhul can also easily control or destroy existing objects made out of wood, so we will need to find a metallic weapon that you can use to defeat him.  Bring both the wooden sword and wooden shield with you for now.  It's better for you to have these with you than nothing at all."

"There are
several shops located around the academy," replied Nemeth.  "I'm sure they are abandoned now and we can just take whatever we need.  Hopefully we will find a weapon made out of Estrellium."

"
Master, remember that the Forestial Corruption spell continues to spread in all directions," replied Jaida.  "It would not be wise to head back toward Serend Lake.  I believe the only safe places in the academy are the areas protected by the Spiro Crystals such as the dormitories.  I also sense that Terazhul has begun retreating back to his home at the Great Temple of the Forest."

"
We should just smash open every door in this dormitory!" said Nemeth excitedly.  "We can search every kid's room!  We're bound to find enough weapons that are powerful enough to take on Terazhul!  Someone must have a weapon made of Estrellium!  But how can we tell if the weapon is made from Estrellium though?"

"Master, we do not have the t
ime necessary to do such things," replied Jaida.  "Also, you would get in much trouble taking such a drastic approach.  Estrellium isn't needed to kill Terazhul, only to destroy the Black Orb.  After Terazhul is defeated, the Forestial Corruption spell's effects will quickly start to fade.  The Black Orb must be destroyed in order to make sure the Forestial Corruption spell does not get reactivated again.  I can detect whether or not something is made from Estrellium.  It is rumored that there is at least one weapon made of Estrellium in the Great Temple of the Forest."

"You just ruined my fun little plan," said Nemeth with disappointment.  "
We need to get out of the academy and visit some of the shops outside.  If they aren't abandoned though, we're going to need money.  We don't get to keep much money here at the academy.  You would think that I would have some silver but I don't have any.  The same thing goes for gold.  Oh, and you can forget about me having any diamonds!  I have no money whatsoever!"