Academy rebels, p.9
Academy Rebels, page 9
part #1 of Card Mage Series
Luthis looked down with knowing eyes. “These goblins are mana phantoms. They have no minds of their own, echoes of what a living creature should be. They obey High Mage Kreed, much like any construct. Do not fret about hurting them, they know no pain or life to speak of. Their weapons will only affect your mana shields. Once you fall, the goblins will no longer notice you and move on to their next target.”
Luthis leaned forward, his long fingers curling down along the edge of the box. “Fighters, your objective is simple, survive the horde. Let your test begin!”
Fighters shouted as they formed up, shoulder to shoulder. Weapons cleared sheathes as they stood in a circle, their weapons out. Sunlight gleamed off helmets as they threatened the snarling horde of goblins surrounding them.
Dax’s heart raced in his chest, watching the intensity of the fighters. Most of them seemed ready for the challenge. A few backed up, fear touching them and their swords trembling. No one would be killed, but the threat of battle still affected some.
Goblins roared and snarled before they charged, all at once. The vile horde came in, easily a thousand of them to just a hundred fighters. The distance closed, screeches and strangled laughter spilling from the phantom goblins. Fighter’s bent their knees, their swords, axes, and shields ready. The crowd hushed and watched as the goblins were within striking distance, bedlam erupting.
Dax winced as he watched the carnage as it unfolded. Fighters cut through many goblins while other goblins launched over their falling brethren. Simple clubs and rusty swords came down. Several fighters dropped their swords and were trampled by the goblins as they showed no mercy. Other fighters roared like they had been waiting for this moment their entire lives. Axes swung, decapitating phantom goblins. Swords stabbed deep into unguarded goblin chests. Some fighters slashed and moved, slashed and moved, bodies falling. The spectacle was over the top, but many fighters pushed against the horde, their roars reaching the gods.
When it was over, twenty fighters stood. The rest lay about, unable to move, some moaning and others laughing. Academy staff clerics rushed into the arena, helping the fallen students. Some had cuts to their heads, trampled by phantom goblins. One student had a broken leg. He was carried off, but he pumped his fist in the air in personal triumph.
Dax sat back; his eyes dry from barely blinking. Most of the students watching also breathed a sigh of relief.
“Paladins and Lancers! Enter the arena!” Luthis projected his voice.
Paladins and Lancers made their way down, the High Dean telling them they had an evil dragon to slay. A phantom dragon appeared as mana shields covered their bodies. When Luthis gave the command, they rushed into battle, the immense dragon lashing out like a wild beast.
Time slowed as class after class entered the arena. Monks fought a real monk hero, Wolf Eyes. One hundred against one should have been an easy test except Wolf Eyes was one of the best champions that ever was. He defeated all of them in a matter of minutes, their bodies hitting the ground, each from one strike. When it was over, the monk smiled and helped each one of them up, giving them words of encouragement.
A large machine with locks and chains rose up in the middle of the arena. The rogues were next, given the simple task of unlocking the machine before it blasted fire across the arena. The rogues moved like shadows, hopping onto the machine while an hourglass on top counted down. Nimble fingers and hands worked, unlocking each section. The speed and teamwork they used was astounding. Dax watched with curious eyes as they moved as one. When the hourglass was nearly empty, the final lock clicked and fireworks shot into the sky.
Spellswords and Clerics were next. Dax stood up and shouted to Symon and Zarra. The spellsword waved back as Zarra smiled in his direction. The two classes made their way to the middle of the arena and waited, side by side. Luthis instructed the two classes that they had to stop the tide of darkness. Mana shields appeared around their bodies as the two classes moved closer to each other.
Dax looked up across the way and didn’t see the necromancer class. Light a lightning bolt, his eyes widened as he stood up, looking for the edge. Necromancer students stepped from the entry ways, hands moving and spells spilling from their lips. The incantations filled the air with gloomy power as a hundred necromancers surrounded the clerics and spellswords, their backs to the walls. Black and green energy poured from their hands and touched the sandy floor. The very amphitheater shook before skeletal hands burst from the sand, boney bodies rising up.
Vance stood up next to Dax, “They are pitting the classes against each other.”
Zarra held her staff, her face blank and indifferent. Symon moved to her side, sword out and his lips moving.
“Stay together!” Dax shouted; his voice lost to the crowd’s cheers.
Luthis spoke, “Light or dark, the one side still standing shall be given extra mana shards before the Trial. Let it begin!”
Necromancers stayed where they were, hands moving and decaying energy falling from their hands. Some leered and others mumbled incantations. Skeletons stood by the hundreds, rusty weapons in hand.
Symon kept his body ready, eyes scanning the growing horde of undead. Zarra remained relaxed.
A skeleton slammed its sword against its own shield three times and the entire horde marched with dark intent. Dax watched, unable to look away as the spellswords and clerics moved into positions. The spellswords formed an outer ring while clerics mixed in their ranks. A majority of the clerics filled the inner circle, white light glowing in their hands.
Zarra stood away from clerics and spellswords, staff in hand.
“What is she doing?” Dax hissed.
Vance closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat, “She’s powerful and everyone knows it. It looks like she is going to take the brunt of the attack to keep the undead away from her fellow clerics and the spellswords.”
“No, she can’t,” Dax said, his hands vibrating with a need to do something.
The horde shifted as their empty eye-sockets turned to the lone cleric, picking up their pace. Zarra didn’t blink as she looked to the undead. The horde shifted again, the bulk of the undead flowing together and running toward the dragon cleric.
“Umus, I serve,” Zarra whispered as the undead came barreling toward her.
“Open fire!” a spellsword shouted.
Spellswords held up hands, lightning and fire blasting out in all directions. Skeletons were blasted to dust, what’s left of their bodies falling to the sandy ground. It barely slowed down the horde as they rushed along, silent as tombs. Symon stepped forward, lightning streaking from his left hand, sword in his right. Skeletons shattered, but more continued to charge. Necromancers reanimated their ranks quicker than the undead fell. Lightning and fire bashed and blew apart the undead, but it barely slowed them down.
“Zarra! Pull back!” Symon shouted as he lifted his sword and shattered a skull with one strike.
The dragon cleric stood her ground as the swell of undead were nearly on her. Zarra closed her eyes and lifted her staff, the smell of the undead touching her sensitive nose. Bringing her staff down, the end hit the floor and a white light bloomed.
Everyone in the amphitheater raised their hands and arms to shield their eyes. Light blasted the undead to dust. It rippled along striking several necromancers and they were thrown against the walls, their aura vanishing as they fell to the floor, unmoving.
The light faded and half the undead force was gone.
Dax stood up, staring in amazement before his heart skipped a beat. A dozen necromancers pointed their hands at the dragon cleric, black energy swirling before dark lightning bolts flashed. Zarra turned her head slightly before her entire body moved. Black lightning blasted at the spot she was just a moment ago.
The mage watched his new friend as she moved like an acrobat in a hurricane. Black lightning blasted sand and debris into the air as she moved like a ballet dancer. Each strike missed her by inches, but her body flowed, spinning, dodging and jumping, her face blank.
Dax couldn’t believe what he was seeing. The dragon in her busty, humanoid form spun and swung her body away, no attacks connecting. There was no exertion in her serpent eyes as she moved with the grace of a swan. Limbs moved, her feet barely landing and she was airborne again.
A necromancer focused both hands at the spinning cleric when a shadow touched the corner of his gaze.
Symon charged as many necromancers focused their attention on Zarra. The spellsword’s sword gleamed before he whipped it sideways, the flat side slamming into a mana shield. The shield collapsed as a necromancer was hurtled backwards into the wall and he slumped to the ground.
Symon turned and darted for another, as several spellswords rushed to his side before spreading out. Chaos bloomed as necromancers tried to flee, their undead shattered in a blink of an eye before swords came down, on mana shields.
Dax stood up, cheering his friends on when he stopped short.
Zarra was dodging black lightning bolts, body spinning. She stabbed out her foot to land when a bolt struck her ankle. The force of the blow knocked her sideways and she landed hard on the sandy floor. Staff up, she knocked away a black bolt before another one struck her in the stomach. The cleric’s eyes widened as her body collapsed, unable to move.
A necromancer smiled until the flat end of a sword struck him in the face and knocked him to the ground, shield disappearing. Symon stood over him, breathing heavy before he turned his attention to several more necromancers with wide eyes. They began to run as the spellsword lifted a hand and blasted out a lightning bolt.
The battle barely lasted another thirty seconds before many clerics and half the spellswords stood. The crowd cheered and clapped. Symon looked into the crowd and saw Dax, giving him a head nod in victory.
Dax smiled as the spellsword and friend made his way to Zarra’s side and helped her up to her feet. The cleric gave him a small smile before turning her dragon eyes to Dax and then looking down.
She’s embarrassed. She must know that she was amazing, but that look...
Dax tried to not dwell on it as the arena floor was cleared of students, many of them returning to their seats, some with brightness in their eyes and others with dismal defeat etched into their brows.
Luthis stood up and addressed the crowd again, “The exam has been a splendid display of teamwork, innovation and determination. Do not let your victories or defeats define you! You are all Champions in my book!”
The crowd went wild and some of the necromancers smiled.
“We shall continue with the exam. There are four classes left. Let’s begin the next round with the mages. Please step into the arena.”
Dax’s heart thudded in his chest. Standing, he took the first step to the stairs when Clive pushed him back. The large mage didn’t even look at him as he bounded down the stairs, Nuria close behind. Other mages made their way down, ignoring Dax and Vance.
Dax’s brow formed a sharp point before he elbowed his way into the line and down the stairs, Vance close behind. The pair of mages walked out into the arena, their not so fellow mages grouping up and almost trying to keep Dax and Vance out with their bodies.
Nuria took charge, talking to most of the mages and giving orders. Dax and Vance stood on the outside, unable to hear her over the sound of the crowds.
“She’s going to protect her people and let the rest of us die out here,” Vance stated simply.
“I’m not going to let that happen,” Dax said with determined fire.
Luthis spoke, his voice filling the amphitheater, “There are many fine mages within our class this year. It is understood that mages can be a support class or a leader class, you just need to have the right circumstances. Discipline, knowledge, and speed is crucial to a mage. That is why mages will be tested under extreme circumstances.
“Berserker Class, please make your way down to the arena!”
Dax and Vance looked over with wide eyes. The barbaric berserkers began to file down the stairs and enter the arena on the other side. Fern flew over them, shouting orders. When the class was on the sand, they all looked in the direction of the mages, mad snarls along their collective faces.
Fern flew above them, her eight-inch form nearly vibrating until she saw Dax, her expression softening a hair.
“Shit,” Dax cursed.
Eight
Dax slipped his hand into his robe, feeling the several cards in an inner pocket. The card’s energy tickled against his fingers, but the mage’s attention was on the hundred berserkers.
From what Dax could remember, Berserkers tapped their mana to become stronger, faster and madder. They were like rabid animals in battle and their ferocity had a stun or flee effect on their enemies. Many battles turned because they unleashed berserkers into battle. During the Void War, the spawn didn’t take kindly to such attacks and were often put off by such an animalistic fighting class. Where Fighters, Spellswords, Lancers and Paladins used tactics, Berserkers simply kept killing until they were dead or all their enemies were dead. There was no middle ground. Kill or be killed, take as many as you can with you.
Mages on the other hand, needed distance and time to cast spells and rituals. A wild horde of berserkers would route any group of mages if they didn’t have a defensive line. This test was about skill and speed for mages and brute force for berserkers.
Vance stepped to Dax’s side. “We should take turns. I’ll cast and then you can cast. If we find our rhythm, we should be able to help slow them down.”
Dax’s eyes hardened. “No. Stay behind me and I’ll win this day.”
Vance looked over to the mage, “I’m not trying to be rude, but how are you going to accomplish that? They’ll cover the distance in seconds before you can get a spell out.”
“Remember the small spells from the other night?” Dax said and took a few steps forward.
“This isn’t a time to experiment. Those small spells exploded when they were cast. It will just generate chaos on our side since no one else in our class knows about it.”
Dax turned his head and spoke over his shoulder to Vance, “I think I perfected it. Just stay close and we can come out on top.”
Vance stood, seeing and feeling Dax’s confidence coming off in waves.
Clive looked over and saw Dax standing before all the other mages, his gaze on the berserkers. “You fool, get in the back or you’ll get killed.”
Dax ignored him.
Nuria looked up and shook her head. “Let him get killed. The faster he falls, the quicker he can be sent home.”
Dax heard the words, but didn’t look back. Instead, he stared across the medium distance to the berserkers as they unsheathed their weapons. Clubs, maces, and short poles filled their ranks as demonic eyes stared at the gathering of mages.
Light engulfed Fern before she landed on the sand, her five-foot frame standing up and her almond shaped gaze connecting with Dax’s gaze. The fairy’s hair turned a blood red but no points of light appeared over her head. Pointed ears twitched as her rune covered mace was in hand and pointed to the floor.
“I won’t hold back,” Fern shouted.
Dax smirked. “Neither will I,” he shouted back.
Fern nodded. “We will drink to our victories or our defeat!”
“We will!” Dax smiled.
Clive shook his head, “The fool doesn’t even have his spellbook out. He wants to go home.”
“Stop giving a shit about him and stick with the plan,” Nuria growled.
Vance stood, hand digging into his satchel and pulling out his spellbook. Pages flipped until he found a spell he could use. The mage glanced to Dax, the young man standing like he was ready to take on the world.
Luthis looked down at the two classes, a small smile on his elven lips. “Students, prepare!”
Berserkers began screaming, howling and slathering at the mouths. Foam began to appear from several of them, their bodies primed and ready.
Dax stared down the mad berserkers, fingers flexing at his sides.
Don’t slow down. This is a battle of power, speed, and cunning. They have brute strength, speed, and madness. They can be slowed and stopped. Just keep going until none of them are standing.
Dax called up his stats.
Name: Dax Sage
Class: Mage
Health: Normal
Mana: 500
Mana Shards: 0
Spheres of Magic
Air: 1
Water: 1
Fire: 0
Urth: 0
Life: 1
Decay: 0
Light: 0
Dark: 0
Time: 0
Space: 0
Mind: 2
Body: 0
Dax looked it over before the ghostly words and numbers faded away. He was at full mana and the cards in his possession were charged the night before. It gave him an advantage the other mages didn’t have, extra mana to pull from if things grew desperate.
Fern jumped into the air, light engulfing her body and turning back to her eight-inch form. From Dax’s point of view, the mace seemed to change with her, matching whatever size she was.
“Alright mages!” Nuria shouted. “Stick with the plan and we will win the day!”
The mages gathered around her and nodded.
Mana shields appeared around all of their bodies.
Dax’s hands slipped into his robe and pulled out two cards. One was between two fingers on his right hand and the other between two fingers on his left hand. He glanced at them before holding them down to his sides.
Name: Unicorn
Element: Life
Degree: 1
Ability: Charge/Horn/Trample
Special Ability: None
Name: Air Bolt
