Wizards Always Win
This is the Summer 2023 BlackSand Lore Contest Entry from Leif Dojang.
The Fight
Just outside a small village on the Western border of the Fey, warriors Radna and Romney stood as opposing forces, their weapons poised to rend the air with lethal intent. Radna gripped his trusty sword, its hilt worn and weathered from countless battles, while Romney brandished a fearsome chainsaw, its teeth gleaming menacingly in the dim light. The strike of steel against steel reverberated through the vast expanse.
As they danced, the world seemed to shrink around them. Radna's every move was fluid and precise, his muscles honed through years of rigorous training. Each swing of his blade carried immense power. Romney wielded the chainsaw with an unnatural grace, its menacing growl filling the air, threatening to devour anything that dared to stand in its way.
Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, showering the ground with a fiery rain. The intensity of their confrontation drew the attention of those nearby, their eyes fixated on the spectacle unfolding before them. The chainsaw's teeth gnashed hungrily, resounding with a deafening roar. The sheer weight of the weapon required both strength and finesse to wield effectively, and Romney proved to be a formidable adversary, matching Radna blow for blow.
In the midst of their violent clash, fate tipped the scales. An old man nearby let out an unseemly, unnatural scream. Radna, sensing a momentary lapse in Romney's defense, seized the opportunity with a lightning-quick strike. His sword found its mark, severing the ties of life that bound Romney, who crumpled to the ground in defeat.
As Romney's lifeless body lay upon the blood-soaked earth, Radna stood tall, his chest heaving with exertion. The battlefield fell silent, the sounds of conflict replaced by a haunting stillness.
The Old Man
Radna surveyed the scene, his eyes tracing the scars etched upon the battlefield.
He caught sight of the old man watching from a distance. Sensing the unease in the old man's movements, he swiftly closed the gap between them, determined to uncover his intentions. With a firm grip on the old man's shoulder, Radna halted his attempt to flee, revealing an expression of both fear and curiosity upon his face. It was then that Radna realized the old man, known as Legatus, posed no immediate threat.
Drawing upon his instincts, Radna offered a reassuring smile and extended a hand of friendship. The tension dissolved as Legatus cautiously accepted the gesture. Inviting Radna to share a meal, Legatus showcased his hospitality.
Seated together by a crackling fire, the aroma of ale and food filling the air, Radna began to unfold the tapestry of his life story. He spoke of the treacherous landscapes he traversed, where mountains loomed high and forests whispered ancient secrets. He described the formidable opponents he sought out, renowned warriors whose names were spoken no more.
Legatus found himself captivated by Radna's unwavering passion. The warrior's tale resonated, forging a bond between the two men. As the night wore on, they continued to share stories, their voices intertwining with the crackling of the fire, a symphony of camaraderie amidst the vast expanse of the world.
As the embers glowed, Legatus' weathered voice recounted the tale of Imperium, a magnificent city that once stood proudly on the coast, thriving with life and culture. The city had been a vibrant hub of trade, adorned with splendid architecture and bustling markets. Its streets once echoed with the footsteps of scholars and artists, their minds teeming with ideas and creations.
But the splendor of Imperium stood in the shadow of an imposing presence—the towering volcano named Sceena, which lay dormant for centuries... until that fateful day when the earth trembled and the skies darkened, announcing the fury that was to come. Sceena erupted with unimaginable force, unleashing torrents of molten lava and suffocating clouds of ash upon the city.
The devastation was swift and merciless. The once magnificent structures collapsed and crumbled. Their charred remains smoldered, releasing tendrils of smoke into the desolate air. The sandy shores, which once looked like glistening grains of gold, turned ashen and black.
Radna sat in contemplative silence for a moment. Legatus walked into another room, and returned with a meticulously hand-drawn map. The aged parchment depicted a winding path through treacherous terrain, leading to the long-forgotten Ruins of Imperium. Radna accepted the map, bid farewell to the old man, and set forth into the night.
The Walk
As he stepped into the darkness, the moon's gentle glow illuminated his path, casting long shadows that danced in rhythm with his determined strides. The air carried a hint of mystery and anticipation, whispering tales of forgotten glory and shattered dreams. Radna's eyes lifted towards the heavens, seeking guidance among the celestial tapestry.
There, amidst the twinkling stars, he sought out the Kitsune constellation, its celestial foxes forming a map of their own. Radna traced the familiar pattern, allowing it to guide his steps. Under the starlit canopy, Radna pressed on, guided by the constellations that marked his path. The world seemed to hold its breath.
Through the passing days, the landscape underwent a gradual transformation. The dense forest, with its towering trees and verdant foliage, gradually gave way to open lowlands, stretching as far as the eye could see.
The Ruins
As Radna trudged onward, signs of civilization grew scarce. The scattered houses and humble dwellings that once dotted the countryside became a memory. Finally, in the distance, the imposing figure of Sceena emerged from the horizon, its volcanic form casting an ominous shadow over the surrounding landscape. As Radna approached, the air grew heavy with the scent of sulfur, permeating every breath he took. The ground beneath his feet radiated with an unforgiving heat, a testament to the volatile forces that lay dormant beneath the surface. The Ruins of Imperium came into view, an ethereal sight that seemed both haunting and awe-inspiring. Devastated structures stood like skeletal remains.
As Radna stepped into the heart of the ruins, the atmosphere became almost surreal. Shadows danced upon the broken walls, casting eerie silhouettes. The air hung thick with a suffocating heaviness, tinged with the acrid taste of decay.
Undeterred by the unforgiving environment, Radna decided to embrace the challenges of the Ruins of Imperium. He resumed his routine of physical and mental training. Among the dilapidated structures, Radna would test his strength, lifting heavy pieces of rubble. In moments of tranquil solitude, he delved into the depths of meditation, seeking inner peace amidst the echoes of a fallen civilization. The absence of companionship and the deafening silence amplified his determination, steeling his resolve to become the warrior he aspired to be.
The Creature
After some time spent in complete seclusion, Radna's senses were suddenly awakened to the presence of another living being. His gaze was drawn to a figure slowly approaching—a curious alpaca, its serene countenance betraying an unusual wisdom. The creature stopped a short distance away, its eyes fixed upon Radna, as if peering into his soul.
Radna and the alpaca’s eyes were locked. In an instant, he knew that the alpaca's name was Victor de la Sierra, a revelation that sprung forth effortlessly. Was he succumbing to the grasp of madness? It was as if the alpaca's presence itself was a testament to the existence of something beyond the realm of the mundane. In the face of uncertainty, Radna decided to embrace the extraordinary.
Victor remained composed, emanating an aura of tranquility. Through his unspoken communication, Victor revealed the truth behind his extraordinary abilities. He was a magical beast—a singular entity gifted with the power of telepathy. It was a rare and exceptional trait. With each passing moment, Radna's understanding deepened, embracing the notion that what he was experiencing was neither madness nor the machinations of a sorcerer. Instead, it was a manifestation of the extraordinary world that lay hidden beneath the surface of the ordinary. With a newfound sense of trust, he ventured to ask Victor about the existence of other living creatures in the vicinity.
Victor's countenance shifted ever so slightly, a subtle indication that their solitude within the ruins was not absolute. With a telepathic resonance that reverberated within Radna's mind, Victor conveyed the knowledge of a single entity—a being who dwelled within the desolation but held no amiable intentions.
A deliberate stride carried Victor towards Radna, but instead of halting in front of him, he continued onward. Instinctively understanding Victor's unspoken intention, Radna fell into step behind the magical beast, venturing deeper into the ruins. The path they traversed led them through winding corridors and crumbling structures, until finally, they reached the edge of the coast. A towering cliff stood before them, offering a breathtaking vista of a rocky lagoon stretching out below. Its black sands shimmered with an eerie allure against the pale moonlight. Together, Radna and Victor stood on the precipice, their gazes transfixed. And there, amidst the somber backdrop, they observed the distant figure of Silas, the Black Hat Wizard.
The Wizard
Victor had previously used his telepathic abilities to gain insights into Silas' twisted ambitions. The nefarious Black Hat sought to sow seeds of discord and ignite a devastating conflict between the Blue Hats and the Red Hats. Silas had orchestrated a deceitful plot within the Blue Wizard Bastion, creating a fabricated narrative that the Red Wizards harbored intentions of attacking and claiming the Bastion for themselves. Within the walls of the Blue Wizard Bastion, fear had taken hold, fueled by Silas' insidious manipulation. It spread like wildfire, with whispers and rumors of the Red Wizards constructing a deadly rocket, capable of launching an attack from afar, threatening to obliterate the Bastion in a single strike. Silas had conducted numerous rocket tests in secrecy. From the depths of the lagoon, he launched these projectiles, each one ascending into the night sky before erupting into a fiery spectacle upon the towering heights of Sceena.
The revelation of Silas' destructive plans ignited a fierce determination within Radna. The warrior's heart burned with resolve as he firmly made up his mind to confront the malevolent Black Hat Wizard. Stepping away from the cliff's edge, Radna descended with a cautious yet purposeful stride, his movements shrouded by the cover of darkness. With a keen sense of strategy, he charted a circuitous route. The rhythmic sound of crashing waves provided a soothing backdrop to his determined march.
The lagoon, now within reach, lay before him like an enigmatic portal. Radna, undeterred by the peril that lay ahead, pressed on with unwavering focus. He traversed the beach towards the ominous silhouette of Silas' rocket workshop. From behind a cliffside wall, Radna watched Silas manipulate his sinister machinery, the rhythmic cacophony of metal striking metal and cauldrons sizzling with arcane energy filling the air. Gripping his sword tightly, Radna felt a surge of determination coursing through his veins
Radna suddenly lost sight of Silas. He blinked and looked again, just as he felt a cold blade pierce his back and protrude from his chest. He gasped, stumbled, and fell down on the warm black sand. As Radna stared up at the endless sky, the looming shape of Silas’ Black Hat came into view. Silas shook his head as he looked down on Radna taking his last breaths. “Wizards always win”, Silas said, as he turned and walked away.