Splinterlands Fantasy Story and Music Contest // Week 21 - Fire Rain

Fire and water.

An unlikely match. And yet, there they stood: together, fighting for their lives.

Both summoners, young Malric and old Alric, still couldn’t believe how they got themselves in that situation. Two weeks ago, a mysterious message had reached both summoners, regarding and ancient and powerfull artifact, hidden in the border between the Burning Lands and Mortis. The eye of Makrun was said to have immense power, but the legends said if it would ever be found, only the power combined of two opposite and great forces would be strong enough to unlock its potential. Although most of the message was unclear, it had been intercepted from a small group of the dark forces. And if there was a slight chance of the artifact even existing, none of the splinters could risk it falling into the wrong hands.

Five days ago, both summoners met, and off they went to see if the message holded any truth. They travelled alone; Malric was at home, even thow there was a possibility they had to venture into Mortis. And their ability to summon powerful creatures if needed should be enough to keep them safe. Besidse, a group of two can travel quieter than a small army.

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Soon after they started the journey, thow, Alric was already sensing something was not right.

“I feel someone is watching us, Malric”, he said. “This is a mistake, someone is making us fools.”

But Malric dismissed the friend’s concerns.

“We are fine, old man”, he joked, “it’s the distance from your beloved sea that got you imagining things.”

“That doesn’t help, no; my powers are greatly reduced, this place you call home is too dry for the likes of me. Nevertheless… I feel we’re walking into a trap.”

Indeed, they were.

As the journey continued and the paths through the mountains became narrower, and the few trees and bushes that grew in that part of the burning lands became even scarcer, even Malric lost some of the enthusiasm. They were getting closer to the area drawn on the map by the scouts… and too close to Mortis to their liking.

After the fifth day of travel, they reached the marked point. Their path followed the contour of a huge boulder, and as they reached the other side, only a small valley and scattered rocks presented.

Both summoners looked around. The disappointement was more visible on Malric’s face. They advanced to the valley, paying more attention to the surroundings, searching for a possible clue, a passage, something that proved their quest wasn't in vain. But the more they advanced, the more the truth settled: there was nothing there.

“Maybe there’s a hidden passage to somewhere nearby”. He said, “Or maybe we are in the wrong place”.

And then he saw Alric frown. And raise his staff.

“No, we’re exactly were we were supposed to be… or better, where someone wanted us to be.”

Malric followed Alric’s gaze. And he understood his words.

Several bowmen were coming from behind the scattered rocks on the valley, and aiming.

The water summoner stomped his staff on the ground, and the naga windmaster appeared just as a rain of arrows darkened in the sky. He raised its hands, and strong winds scattered that first strike. But more was bound to come.

“Back to the rocks!”

Malric's body was already in flames, and the rage was visible in his face as he turned to the path were they came. But as soon as looked back, he realised that wasn't an option.

“Hobgoblins!”

A group of the famous assasssins were coming from the path they came from, entering the valley too. Meanwhile, the archers were preparing the next strike.

There was no doubt. The quest was a trap. And the two summoners had fell right into it.

---

Fire beetles were already coming out from the crevices and joining the battle, engaging the hogbolins as the windmaster continued to deflect the arrows.

Both summoners knew, thow, that staying there in the open field would be suicide. The two enemy groups were slowly forcing them to the right of the valley, where a huge stone wall prevented any kind of escape. They could see it, but they had no choice: Alric's summmoning abilities were hindered, athough a few of the archers had already fallen victim to the lightning bolts from his staff; Malric continued to summon forces, striking as well and launching bursts of fire to the few hobgoblins that breached the beetle's wall. A giant roc appeared from the skies and was taking on the archers as well. Nevertheless, there were too many enemies and too few allies. The fire summoner knew help would come. The question was... would it get there on time?

A loud roar was heard in the distance, as another foe entered the valley. It was still far, but there was not doubt about what it was.

A Hydra.

At the same time, a strange dark cloud was beginning to form in the horizon... and approaching fast.

“If that Hydra reaches us we're doomed, unless that cloud means a storm coming; and judging by the looks of it, it's not likely. If you have any more tricks up your sleeve, now it's the time to use them, Marlic.”

As Alric spoke, Malric raised his eyes to the sky, for he still hadn't seen the cloud... and a smile came to his face as he did.

“Hang tight, old friend; rain will come... my rain.”

The next few minutes seemed to last for ever.

The giant roc had fallen, not before taking out most of the archers. The creatures summoned by Malric were slowing the hydra, but the beast was too strong , and kept advancing. The naga windmaster still kept the few archer's attacks at bay, but the hobgoblins seemed to be turning the tides to their favour.

When hope seemed to be lost, the dark cloud got close enough for Alric to see what it actually was, and he understood the fire summoner's words.

And then there was rain.

Higher screams echoed in the valley as the rain of fire from the huge swarm of beetle queens fell from the skies and found their victims. In seconds, most of the valley was a field of flames. Powerfull as it was, not even a hydra could survive it. And in few minutes more, the battle was won.

---

The two summoners allowed themselves a couple of hours to rest before starting the journey back. One of the beetle queens had come to the ground a few moments before, with even darker news: on the way to the valley, a group of forces from Mortis was seen, engaged in battle with similar foes such as the ones they had to face. Which lead to even more questions:

If the death splinter wasn't to blame, something or someone had fooled them all. Powerful enough to summon a Hydra, along with dozens of mercenaries to to their bidding.

Mysterious forces were at work. And it was a matter that couldn't be taken lightly. But the summoners knew the day was a victory, for they did the most important:

Live. To be able to fight another day.

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