CHAPTER THIRTEEN

13.

Alaric cast a barrier made of mist as he fell. He was aware that the barrier was not going to withstand the force of the fall but he felt that it was necessary for some reason. The faint whispers had returned in the morning and hadn't stopped since. He has been quiet.

Mist engulfed his vision as he fell, the platform could no longer be seen. Suddenly the wooden cage crashed into something. Alaric felt a heavy force at the back of his barrier. A wave of exhaustion arose. His body stopped falling. Alaric let go of his barrier. The cage had been broken into pieces around him. He got up to his feet and analysed the floor. Instead of the stone of Versus, he had been standing on something green and scaly. A large head popped up to Alaric's side. It was the large serpent he had seen when he first arrived. "Did you save me?" Alaric asked.

The whispers in his head had become louder. You are trying to communicate with me.

The serpent brought its head close to Alaric. They said your name was 'Slavio'. You forever have my gratitude. Alaric began scaling the giant serpent's head and sat on top of it. The serpent began moving. Instead of going up towards the platform, it went towards the ground and along the side of the stone mountain. Where are you taking me Slavio? Alaric struggled to keep his balance atop the serpent's head. Whenever he was about to fall, the serpent adjusted its head to make sure he did not fall to his death. Slavio stopped at a square opening. The opening led into a room. I guess you want me to enter this room. Alaric made the short jump from the serpent's head into the room. The room had been lit by lanterns. A large mural was drawn onto one of the room's walls. It depicted three Nitio men bowing before a man who had been dressed in a rainbow robe. Behind the robed man was a serpent who had runes carved into its scales. Is that you, Slavio. Whispers once again rang in his head. I need to figure out what you are actually saying. Alaric looked around the room. It had been filled with large tomes. There had been one tome that stood out. It had been separated from the other books. It sat squarely in the middle of a desk. It had gold inscriptions on the cover. Above the tome was a sword that had been sheathed. Alaric picked up the tome and paged through it. The text within the tome had been foreign to him. He almost put the book down until he noticed a few illustrations. The illustrations showcased the same man dressed in a rainbow robe having a fierce fight with a large three-eyed black creature. The final illustration showed the rainbow-robed man being defeated by the creature. Alaric analysed the creature. Why does it look familiar? The creature had red eyes and black tendrils that flowed up towards the rainbow man. Below the illustration, there was one word written in the regular tongue. It read 'Angh'. Alaric flipped through more pages searching for more illustrations. A bit of parchment fell out of the book and onto the desk. Alaric unfurled the paper and read its contents. Take the sword, Alaric.

Is this the reason you wanted me to come here?

No response.

Alaric sighed. He picked up the sheathed blade. There had been a strap attached to the sheath. He strapped the blade to his back when the door suddenly opened. N'gata stepped into the room. N'gata froze. Alaric froze.

"You devil child. I am going to kill you!" N'gata yelled. N'gata was about to cast when he began to hold his head. Alaric grabbed the tome and proceeded to boot N'gata to the face. The old man grunted as he was struck to the floor. His nose had been gushing blood. Thanks, Slavio. He looked at the creature. Are you smiling at me?

"You are going to tell me where I can find my friends and their weapons." Alaric threatened.

N'gata had just been crying in pain. Alaric quickly realised that he was not going to be helpful. Slavio, try to find my friends and protect them. Alaric hadn't known if Slavio would follow his orders but he had to try. Alaric watched as the great serpent moved away from the window. Alaric stepped into the corridor. Far to the left, he saw men rushing down the corridor towards him. He held the tome firmly in his left hand and sprinted down the right side of the corridor. I can't cast with the tome in one hand. I have to get out of here soon. Luckily, most of the rooms he passed had no doors attached, therefore he could glance at them as he ran past. Some of the rooms had people within them who yelled as he ran past. Stairs, need to find stairs. As he turned one corner, he ran directly into a large burly man. They both froze. Alaric reacted first. He kicked at the man's knee. The large man grunted a little but wasn't very fazed. The man prepared to strike. Alaric tried to brace for the impact, however, it never came. The man had been holding his head. Slavio, you are a lifesaver. Alaric used the right side of the wall as a platform as he punched the man in the face. The large man dropped to his knees. Alaric grabbed the man's head with his right hand and pushed it against the walls of the stone corridor. The man grunted as he fell unconscious. Alaric glanced behind him to notice that the other Nitio were very close behind him. No time to catch my breath. Alaric sprinted. The stone corridors were very narrow and winding. Alaric finally reached a staircase. Nitio men were rushing up the staircase. What should I do? Alaric grabbed the blade on his back and unsheathed it. The blade's hilt had been golden with intricate details carved into it. The blade itself was crimson. Bright gold runes were drawn on the flat side of the blade. He could feel the blade sapping his energy as he held it. And his energy was draining fast. The Nitio men suddenly paused. They then screamed and ran away from Alaric. He glanced behind him and the same was happening to the chasing pack. He ran down the staircase. I can't hold this for much longer. He sheathed the blade again. He reached the end of the staircase. He was met with many corridors leading in all directions. He just continued straight. As he ran he noticed something in the corner of his eye. He turned around and headed towards it. A woman stood cleaning a large stone table. She turned around when she heard him enter the room. She froze at the sight of him. She quickly hid behind the stone tablet. Alaric ignored the woman and instead walked over to Ashe's spear. He noticed Thorin's blade and Florian tunic were also situated in the room. He also grabbed the sentz pouch. He looked for Florian's shortsword but could not find it. He nodded to the woman as he left the room. He searched for an exit as he ran. The Nitio he had encountered along the way seemed terrified of him. Was it the sword? Eventually, he arrived at a large stone staircase. Alaric sped through the staircase, skipping steps where he could. He reached an opening but he was surrounded by mist. Which direction should I go? Alaric headed straight. After a while, Slavio's whispers could be heard. This time however it seemed Alaric could hear its origin. He followed the whispers. He could see a hint of green through the mists. You best have found them. As he got closer he could hear Thorin yelling. The large body of the serpent moved as Alaric arrived, revealing Ashe, Thorin and Florian. They were stunned at the sight of him. Ashe ran up to him and gave him a tight hug. She had begun to cry again.

"How?" She asked.

"I will explain everything later, for now, we have to get out of here," Alaric said.

Alaric gave Ashe her spear, he then tossed Florian's tunic and handed Thorin her blade.

"Sorry, I couldn't find your sword. Have this one instead." Alaric said as he took off the blade strapped to his back and handed it to Florian. Florian nodded at him. They were still speechless.

Slavio's head protruded through the mists and came close to the group. Thorin aimed her blade at the serpent's head. Alaric walked up to the snake and rubbed his hand on the serpent's head. Thank you, Slavio. I have one final request. Make sure the Nitio never leaves this place. The rest of the group watched Alaric with confusion.

"Okay, let's head out," Alaric said.

"How will we traverse the mist?" Thorin asked.

"Don't worry, he will show me the way." Alaric pointed at Slavio.

"The giant snake?" Florian asked.

"Yes, it is a bit complicated but he is on our side."

Thorin shook her head. "Death made you crazy."

Alaric chuckled as he walked through the mists.