Within a dark, warm, huge, cavernous and heavily lava-lit deep-slate-walled cave, Silver trodden wearily as his footsteps echoed. His eyes widened with panic. Scanning the area, gripping his arm lightly, a harsh outcome probably came.
He darted, then spotted Okon a stone-throw away, eyes closed backing a hill. Silver breathed faster.
"They're gone!" He harked in a worried voice.
Okon shot up with a drag. "Damn". He managed, his voice coarse and serious. "Quit playing dead, guys."
Manuel jumped down from a semi tall height then coughed. "Damn, they were strong." He gasped, crouching. "Now they've escaped".
"Not a problem really." Silver smiled faintly from a distance, holding his side. "Baldwin will cook 'em... Round up everyone." He glared mildly at Manuel.
"A war befalls us."
***
ANNOUNCEMENT.
"Larry".
"Yes, Captain".
"The time has come... share the announcement."
"Yes, sir."
DEATH OF OUR HEARTS.
"Loyal Fashola has declared war on all of Ferrum Terra via Arch City.
Anyone who stands in his way now, will see that time to be their last."
Meanwhile, affront a huge wooden framed mansion atop a partly grassy and hilly area, with the grim and shady area and thick black clouds, the freezing cold coated the scene. The tall-roofed building faced a big crowd of knights with men and women in black leather combat gear.
Among the party, Edem stood beside Okon, Jericho and Cecilia in the same attire. Fatimah and her crew joined them as Baldwin, Aldous and Jackson stood ahead of the populace.
Baldwin stepped forth. "I, Baldwin Nova, commands you to leave your premises or I'll leave you in a cemetry... Mathew Craig".
In seconds, eeriness spooked the entrance, before slow footsteps dropped. The quiet pierced their hearts, with the heavy cold to ice it. Tension peaked. Faces stared. A shadow formed.
"CLIP... CLOP." Out paced Mathew to a roughly textured and mouldy balcony, with his classic black cloak but hoodless. The green residue painting the birch planks of his home clothed his threatening aura, as he stood straight. His crimson blood-shot eyes.
His grim face slowly bared fangs, as the silence rested on Baldwin about 20 feet from him. His straight and disgusted face may have hinted at malice. Mathew grinned slowly, eying the leader, stiff and firm.
"Hahahaha... " He hissed. " Your long face... still salty from childhood?"
Baldwin gritted, hands behind him. "Shaming my clan is disastrous as an understatement."
Okon winced, tagging Edem. "Wait, what?"
"Mathew Craig is a corrupted Nova."
The boy gasped.
Mathew slowly stepped down the weary stairs. "I shan't waste energy sparring you if you'd allow it... but I shall become darkness... to cover your light."
Baldwin's scowl grew. Pest!
Mathew smiled watching him. His merry eyes.
Instantly, in a second, his hands outstretched, blurred as thick smoke trailed. With equal speed, he then sped to the man.
"KPOOM!"
***
Hours later, Loyal, clad in his armour, waved, beckoning to Larry in a well lit cement walled and terracotta tiled ballroom filled with diamond armoured knights. Larry approached him as they exited the warm and candle-lit place through a door.
At a smooth andesite and deeplate lined balcony, Loyal and Larry chatted coolly, basking in the morning sun with chirping birds above a thick and lush forest.
Larry folded his arms, stepping firmly a few steps to Loyal, his pose rigid.
"The Second Totem of Fates is at hand." Loyal motioned. "Now it is to use The Dark Stone to its full potential... First, to turn you into an A Class evoker. Secondly, I need you to merge the 1st with the 2nd totem, centre it on the stone, then use this to actually teleport between worlds." Loyal beamed, his fist shaking. "It will be seamless."
Larry smiled as if copying his energy. "Deal." He nodded. "Now all that we need to do is to soar over this country." He raised a spherical and black roughly textured rock. "State by state."
***
Later on, amidst the centre of a cobblestoned city in the scorching afternoon. Tope, the red haired girl who faced Silver Brick, and Derek, both in iron padded leather gear stood firm.
Eying the almost void place with civilians scampering with screams, they looked tall, with their chin up with an ominous aura around them. They paced slowly as Loyal, in his purplish armor set with blade came forth with Larry, swinging his big black sword from half a mile off.
In-between them came Baldwin, Priscilla, Fatimah, Manuel, Okon, Edem and Lord Crawler, stern faced with their signature outfits and gear. Halting with cat-walks, they mirrored stares from their enemies. Priscilla stepped forward, facing Loyal.
"Where's my boy, scum bag?" She cut in her voice sharp, deep and loud.
"Priscilla Idris." Loyal paced minutely. "No need for drama."
"Like you know who you speak to!" She quickly reached to her pendant. Rubbing raptly POOF! - In blue smoke, she vanished, an azure flaming sword at him.
"KLANG!"
Priscilla's eyes google hard. A tall, fiery, spectral and blue man, like a beast with fangs and claws, gripped it. The flip!
Loyal's teeth flashed, his green eyes gleaming cyan.
"Impress me."
"SWOOSH!"
The vex flung her by the blade as the rest charged. Baldwin and Lord Crawler, in fight-ready stances glanced down at Derek and Tope. "I alone will face Derek. I shan't have a clans-man die to a foe with another's blood." Baldwin barked.
"No." The hooded man harked. "You-."
"I'll join." Edem cut in from a distance. "We can make something tight. He has my blood."
"Will you stop?!" Baldwin screamed, with fists. Edem just spread wings. KPOOM! - He swooshed, with rapid winds. A swift pound to Derek. For a moment, time froze as he coughed blood, then Tope dashed fire balls at Baldwin.
As Lord Crawler sped toward Edem, Cecilia Fatimah and Priscilla dealt massive hits at Loyal. Larry, meanwhile, swung sharply at Cecilia while the rest brawled with the leader.
The duo leapt high from a pile of barrels as Fatimah clenched Priscilla's legs and flung her at Loyal. Knights decked in stocky, black and winged armor clashed weapons around him. The lady scowled.
Waving arms quickly, a huge crowd of her vexes red zoomed down. Loyal gazed then snarled. Crouching on knees, a massive arc of blue vexes circled him at lightning speed.
Eventually forming a whirlpool of a dome around him, Loyal's allies hissed loudly at once, ripping the red ones swooping to them. The shield cracked as Priscilla swung her blade. Then-.
"POW!"
A heavy punch to her torso. Collapsing, Priscilla choked as Loyal grimly smiled, heaving gleefully. Blade in the air, it spiked.
Alas, time froze. The leader's eyes moved. An onyx turquoise shaded orb traveled straight past his face, gliding orderly. Loyal's brows raised. The heck? It couldn't be...
"An ender pearl?"
"KLINK!"
"KPOOM!"
A sudden blow to his back shock-waved as Fatimah's fists stuck on Loyal's armor, cracking its rigid frame with iron knuckles.
The marvel. How the scene slowed as despair spoke from his mouth. His eyes shook as he reached his sword.
"Derek." He muttered. "Punish those rats."
***
Meanwhile, pushing fast through the winds, eyes closed, backing the ground, Derek's eyes sharpened scanning the sight far above him, high in the skies. It was Edem! Swooping down fast in linear direction, downside up with spear in hand. His face fumed as if to speak his mind.
"It's over Derek!" He barked. "Why not put up a real fight!"
The foe winced, eyes morphing into a hawk's. Then he cackled, growing wings like Edem's. He then threw his spear, zooming toward Derek.
As it dashed, shadows made on the weapon began to darken, vibrating with the air. On closure to him, his face calmed, staring at this, then Derek gaped.
"Mathew?"
"Mathew, now!" Edem screamed.
Instantly, Derek's wings and eyes glowed as the shadow zoomed out, forming Lord Crawler!
"SWOOSH!"
He swiped his spear across where a wing was, as it shortened while glowed as the scene slowed. Vision white, Derek's skin-tone darkened, morphing his face into Japheth Nova's. His eyes widened, studying the glaring crimson-red eyes, gaping mouth and fangs of his opponent.
As sweat raced his head, Derek tried backing away, but in a second, Lord Crawler turned his spear, pushing him with it.
ZOOM! - They flew sharp down the horizon. Currents blasting to the max, Lord Crawler scowled fiercely at Derek, who wore Japheth's rage.
"You are not his uncle." The monarch snarled.
Derek smirked roughly. "I read, bitch."
***
Later, huge waves of fire spread fast across every inch of the perimeter of a wide street, emanating from the hands of Tope, rigid in a combat pose with legs apart. Her face glowed violently with the same flames lighting her pupils.
Then "SWOOSH!"
"POW!"
Flashing through the flames, Fiona lunged a powerful high-kick, smashing Tope's face. Eyes stunned, fire slowly leapt from Fiona's skin as a silent and slicing sound of air whizzed slowly, as her scowl lessened minutely, the moment stayed still... then alas!
A pierced sound of an arrow to Tope's shoulder from behind. Her aghast gasp worsened her look, as her ashened and cut face turned white. Fiona gaped at her, as tears filled her eyes. Then she gritted sharply.
Landing, the scenes paced quickened. They ebony babe knelt to Tope. Frantically turning.
"No, not you?" She wailed softly. Finally, half a mile away, Priscilla and Fatimah clashed with Loyal.
Her breathe! "Priscilla, over here, now!"
Priscilla winced at Fiona then copied her face a bit. Then instantly, a rub of her amulet then, POOF! - in blue smoke, she popped up beside her.
Panting quickly, her brows raised, as if an idea struck.
"Mirai."
A fiery bird, matching the same make of Loyal's vexes, rushed out after the amulet facing the duo.
"Revival, now." Priscilla pointed, just before the spirit swooped around Tope. The girls backed away, watching the angel work.
Immediately-.
"Gah!"
Tope gasped lightly, facing. On instinct, she swung out a dagger, but Fiona gripped her.
"Not you, or anyone again. "She spoke, her voice sharp. "Normally, this world vanquished our enemies, but not after all the lives I stole."
She gradually broke into a crying tone, as Priscilla watched, her face calm, happy and teary eyed.
Tope just kept her shocked mouth still, watching the beauties, then smiled.
From a distance, Loyal stared, watching the trio, as if sapping in the moment amidst the banging sound of angry men and fighting. He froze, lowering his blade. What the heck?
Fatimah to his left faced him, calm with his sword aimed mutely, her serious face locked.
"This is why I hate what you stood for." She shouted. "Tearing this world apart because we despised your clan was not your call... that's what your heart tells you."
Loyal turned to her.
"Think with it." She continued. "I never trusted Kufre to become so but you're a leader, Loyal... we love you... You helped because they needed love, just all people because they are them, after all." Loyal's look sunken, still unmoved. "How do you give love when you don't show it, man?"
His head moved, staring at his blood-stained blade. Really, what was he on?
He turned to Fatimah, who later smiled.
"You have." His hand raised. "I'm sorry, dear."
"Bah, don't dear me." Fatimah waved, her voice jestful. "Look at you, you're immortal. All we got is a shape-shifter and a big old swinger. Whaddya say?
Extending her hand, beaming, Loyal's brow raised, as if stunned, then he beamed, shaking her.
"Although," he chuckled. "It'll be bullying to face Derek, I suppose... especially with the weight ahead."
He pointed to the horizon, eying the chaos ahead.
"POW!"
Within a wide opening, amidst knights, a sharp blow of light charged. Tumbling far down the ground was Derek, with Japheth's form. From the point of the attack Baldwin, Lord Crawler and Edem stood with poses, triumphant. Silver came by their side.
Baldwin gritted coolly. "Edem, leave at once to avoid cross-fire... go help Fatimah or something." The man just panted. So much for the party.
Derek from a distance stood up, smiling. "You're good." He panted. "Real good.... But here's the thing, you're no better at being a father, Nova."
Derek snickered, wearily gazing, still with Japheth's face. "Remember me, uncle? The thief...? What would Timothy think...? Your own brother." His cackles. "You're an embarrassment with no product of leadership... Any regrets old man?"
Baldwin's face settled slowly then frowned.
"None really." He gravely intoned with glowing eyes. "Why don't I spare you one...? Nothing much really... just wearing the LOOK OF MY KIN!"
"BOOM!" A heavy blast of massive rays of plasma shot from his hands as he screamed. Non-stop, Derek posed in a pushing motion, pressing hard against the power at hand.
His face scowled, like he was going to pop a nerve. Silver and Lord Crawler glanced at each other, grinning sharply. Something probably sparked amidst the raging atmosphere.
Silver stepped forth behind Baldwin, transmitting a giant wave of fire into Baldwin, who already glowed brightly battling Derek.
He in turn began shining like him, the intense and vigorous vibe shaking the scene as Silver's amber flames snaked around him. Eyes wide, he gaped with a look of despair, with agonizing glares.
Alas, despite this, she still strained a grin, lowering his head with locked sight. Baldwin now mirrored his former worried face a bit, still pushing at constant.
As Derek prolonged, thick smoke layered gradually around. The air stiffened. Scent stale, the man glanced. Two hands, ashened and clawed, shot to his head by the sides.
Then - POOP!
A black-out.
Eventually, within the void, Derek stood, crouched with his hands surrounding his face, as if mad, before shrieking.
"Shut uuuuuupp!"
"No."
Lord Crawler's voice rang, like a broken signal. The echoing voice. That brain-tearing sound.
"Just, fuck off!"
"What did I tell him?"
Derek heaved. His cheeks and eyes stained like he shed blood.
"I..." The master cracked. "Will and and can... cover your light with my darkness."
The man just wailed, vibrating with rigor. Glitching with almost whites, face momentarily frozen, crouching to the ground, he kept this going. Scream after scream, until finally...
"POOF!"
Another black out.
Eventually, in the same spot Baldwin brawled Derek, the defeated fell to his knees and atop his head, with rolled back irises.
Baldwin raised his head before watching Lord Crawler smile, walking to him.
"Not dead." He waved, laughing. "Just caged him... Sadly he will have to assume this form till we get him back to his spineless self."
He then noticed Baldwin's solemn and concerning gaze at Derek. Following it, he must have read the scenario, smiling mildly."
"Look, man." He turned, shrugging. "You're no bigger a mess of a dad than I'll ever be, no matter what that bloke said... I killed my nephew and his cousin hates me for it... I'm just a single and spoiled Nova with a distant family."
He stared at Baldwin. "But you... you gotta stop sulking cuz Japheth loves you... Deep down, the evil of our hearts may stay, but there we hold love that's immortal... Take care, brother."
With that, a short platonic hug followed before Cecilia, Japheth and Edem sprinted up to them, heaving. The duo gazed as Baldwin pocketed hands.
"Any problem??"
"A lot." Edem's eyes were bloodshot. He panted. "It's Larry... He just kept throwing us into a pocket dimension before we broke out but before we knew it..."
"He vanished."
***
Much later, atop a smooth, mildly rough and dark-oak table, a chocolate, darkskinned hand cradled a white and big feather dipped in a black leather pouch, pulling with dripping ink toward the parchment.
From there, words formed.
Dear Kufre,
"Good day, old friend."
"I myself deem it a bit funny I would call you that, but what do you know? I've loved you all the same. That's if in your universe we end up being friends."
"We had a dream together, Kufre. Larry joined us for the love of Ferrum Terra, at least most of it. I hoped he would live for it without copying our enemies, but I was purely disappointed by his approach, the bloodshed. I thought I would be above it until that child ripped him in 2, sparking my time for a violent revolution."
"Funny enough, the same girl, and her friend have shown me we have our own demons with limitless goals, but my war efforts to vanquish them almost killed their hearts, ever pure with no life span, out to only teach us."
"I was a scared man. On the verge of being my most hated dictator and their. The wicked hardly saw it but there was always time to pardon our evil ways. Of course we couldn't believe that the rage we get from losing our loved ones provokes impatience."
"I don't know who you are over there, but I hope this heals you if it's out to do so. It better do so really, for we have no time at all, to be honest. We have war to fear!"
"Larry's escaped. He has the Totems of Fates conjoined with The Dark Stone. He will travel to worlds including yours, waging the fights I made for control and greed. The lapis lazuli robbed will be used to empower weapons with supernatural abilities. Timothy and those Derek's from 2 worlds are gone, but he's working with a man named The All-Known to break him out. That's the creator of that speedster."
"Despite this, fear not, Kufre, for I, Loyal Fashola with coordinated rule over Jericho Smith, Cecilia Granger and alongside the elemental troupe called The Division; Silver Brick, Temitope Ajewale and Okon Osuofia, will seize that man, so all will know peace."
"For I am the most powerful S-Class evoker to raise men in Ferrum Terra."
Take care, champ.
,Loyal Fashola.
WORD OF THANKS
I would like to stop just at this to thank with sincerest gratitude all who have read with me through these pages. The story was hard to write and hard to enjoy, yet it is senseless without you the reader who decided to walk into this world.
All the words I ever wrote were lured along by the promise of your presence in every battle, feeling the stab of a betrayal, and seeing the light that shines even in the darkest caves. Provided you can laugh, smell, breath, or even shed a tear as you read it, then this work has accomplished its purpose.
I owe you immensely, I owe your time, I owe your imagination and an obedience to go with Fatimah, Loyal, Baldwin and the rest of the company through the hurlyburly of Ferrum Terra. Your encouragement is what brings life to these characters and it reminded me why stories are so important to me, they have their ability to connect us, inspire, and in some cases heal us.
So thank you for the turning of these pages, thank you for giving your mind free reign to wander into this universe, and thank you, upon closing the book, to carry a piece of it with you. Be it the flame of imagination never leave your heart.
With gratitude,
Edem A. Hogan.