Splinterlands Fantasy Story and Music Contest // Week 25 - Earth and Fire

Time for another story; hope you enjoy it!

Earth and Fire

The little kid ran as fast as it could. Scared, but without a doubt: the ones that murdered their parents, were coming for him.

Since that horrendous day, he stayed in the citadel, with the guards. He still woke up with nightmares, of the day he saw his parents die at the hands of a group of cloaked strangers, for what seemed a trivial thing. He could still hear his mother scream “RUN!”, as his father charged the attackers… but he wasn´t fast enough. When the guards arrived at his place, only the cold bodies remained. No sign of the attackers, nor anyone seemed to have any idea why two of the most respected members of that community were attacked and killed, and by who… or what.

Plado was sure of one thing thow: some details were being kept from him. He was an incredibly intelligent boy, and both his parents had summoning skills; whoever killed them, had to be powerful… and have a good reason to do it.

That’s why when the nightmares started growing in intensity in the last couple of days, his alertness grew. And when he heard that his great uncle was in the citadel, to take care of his future education, he remember one sentence that his father kept repeating:

ALWAYS trust your instincts.

And his instinct said only one thing, the same his mother told him to do that day: run.

He never knew is great uncle, but one thing he was sure: he was long dead. So whoever was looking for him, was an impostor. And he wasn´t going to wait and see who the impostor was, nor he believed the guards at the citadel could keep him safe. So as swift as he could, he grabbed the few belongings he had there and escaped unnoticed. He didn’t told anyone, not even the friends he had there; he knew they would try and stop him, and that was something he couldn’t afford. He remembered father’s friend, Alric. The ancient, powerful summoner had visited once, when he was even younger, and even at that age he felt the immense power. He knew he inhabited on Azmaré Coast, way beyond the woods that surrounded the city, even beyond the mountain that followed the woods. It was far, but he was the most powerful person he knew, and father trusted him: so that’s where we was going.

He vanished, crossing the small city, into the woods, trying to gain as much head start as he could. One thing was certain: if someone took the risk to enter the citadel to search for him, they would try and find him as soon they found out he was missing. Every minute counted. Albeit his young age, he was lightning fast.

For the rest of the day he ran. He ran as fast as his legs allowed, stopping briefly, and resisting the urge to look over his shoulder to see if he was being followed.

In the first night, he was unable to sleep. The citadel still felt close, and the terror of even the slightest chance of meeting his parent’s murderers was enough to keep him going.
Up until noon of the following day, Plado barely stopped. He arrived at the highest part of the woods, where vegetation was a little scarce. The day was beautiful and sunny, and he decided to rest a little bit longer and eat, to gain some strenght. He sat on the warm rocks, feeling the warm sun on his skin, and after having the closest thing to a decent meal in over 24h, fatigue kicked in.

The little boy awoke suddenly, as the flock of nightingales flew by, in a loud chirping. For a few moments, he was confused. Only then he realised where he was, and how low the sun was now.

Crap! Was his first thought.

The second thought, thow, sent a shiver up his spine.

Nightingales don’t fly at this time of the day.

He wasn’t alone in the woods.

Without hesitation, he started running, even faster than before. His head was racing. How did they found me? Who are they? What if they catch me? Maybe it could be just my imagination?

A few minutes later, he knew it wasn’t.

Whoever or whatever was chasing him wasn't trying to be discrete. Voices were starting to be heard, although he was still unable to distinguish what was being said. Not that it mattered; he knew there was only one thing to do, and that was to gain as much distance as he could. As he was aproaching the denser part of the woods, he was hoping the thick vegetation and the cover of the night would be enough to escape.

But as the small track made a sharp turn, he understood why no efforts were being made to be silent. A few meters down the road, two cloacked figures were standing, blocking the way.

For a few moments, he just stood there, facing them motionless. And as he weighted his options, fear slowly gave way to rage.

Trying to escape through the woods wasn't an option, he was bound to get caught. Going back wasn't an option either, he knew he was being chased. Ony one option remained.

The heat wave that escaped from the little kid caught the two men by surprise, as the two serpentine soldiers appeared from nowhere.
The two figures drawn their blades, at the same time a dark voice was heard all around.

"Summoning at such a young age... we shouldn't be surprised. But it won't help you, nevertheless."

Plado looked around, confused. The voice hadn't came from the two in front of him, nor from the other two that were already seen closing in.

Swift as they were, the serpentine soldiers rushed to the battle. But more enemies were coming.

The hugest serpent he had ever summoned appeared just as the two persecutors were about to reach him. She coiled loosely around Plado in a protective stance, her burning eyes staring at his enemies.

The speed and poison of the Serpents of the flame was enough to make someone thing twice about attacking. The attackers didn't had time to think, thow, as the serpent found offense to be the best solution.

The first attacker was unable to dodge the first blow, and the serpent's fangs found her target. And another battle started.

Plado kept looking back and forth, as his summoned forces battled fiercly. One of the serpentine soldiers had fallen, as well as one of the attackers.
The serpent of the flame was slightly injured, but she was winning the fight, even thow outnumbered. And as the last attacker fell and she rushed to help the serpentine soldier, Plado gained hope. Victory was almost certain!

When he heard heavy steps aproaching, he knew he was wrong.

A one eyed beast came rushing from nowhere, as the last of the cloaked attackers fell, charging against the two fire soldiers. The serpent was able to dodge the attack; the serpentine soldier didn't had such luck. And the fighting begun again.

Plado was staring helpless, as the serpent battled for her life... and for his. He had used almost all his strengths left to summon; escaping wasn't an option now. And a beast that size appearing in such manner only meant one thing.

He wasn't the only summoner in those woods.

With a mighty blow, the beast stunned the serpent. But instead of delivering the killing blow... it turned to him.

Plado closed his fists, refusing to accept his fate. He didn't took his eyes from the beast, as he advanced in his direction, until the massive stone giant bursted from the ground, between him and his sure death.

The blow echoed through the woods as the two giants clashed.

The young summoner's first reaction was surprise. What in the Mother's name was that? But whatever it was, it was on his side. And when a beam of light touched the stunned serpent and her wounds started to close, he knew more help was near.
An Orc with a huge battle axe jumped to the fight with a battlecry. And moments later, the serpent of the flame charged as well, with renewed strength.

"You had never seen a stone golem before, had you?"

He heard the soft voice coming from behind him, as the last foe was defeated.

He turned quickly. A young women was staring at him, smiling.

"My name is Lyanna", she answered before he talked, "and you don't need to worry about your attackers... for now. Whoever was hiding on the woods is long gone."

"But who are you? And how did you found me?"

The woman aproached, and as her hand touched his shoulder, he felt calmer than he had ever felt in the last two months.

"All will be answered in due time. Now, you must come with me. There's much you need to know and learn."

Plado nodded. Whoever she was, he knew she was the reason he still lived. And he didn't complained when the stoned golem picked him gently off the ground as he was weightless.

When he woke up the next morning, an old men was sitting by his bed, with a grin on his face. He had only seen him once, but the long white beard and the inquiring eyes were the same.

Alric was there. And his future seemed brighter that morning.