Halloween, Part I of II
Thick but sparse clouds lazily pace above the multitude of hollers and ravines below; these have long guarded and isolated Dream Master Lake, The Gate to the Seventh Realm, and The Sacred Pillars from each other. The early evening moon hangs cautiously above, paying only a third of its attention to -
Wizard #239, Wizard #4104, with warriors Warrior #12974 and Warrior #9282 at their side, stand at a slightly elevated mountain clearing, facing four heavily cloaked Blue Wizard Spymasters. An enchantment gently rests upon the four Blue Wizards, fluttering with the wind, further masking their identities.
"Give us one good reason why we shouldn't cut all of you down at once." one of the Blue Wizards snarls through his thick cloak and veil.
"And tell the rest of your scum gang to reveal themselves. You're downwind, YOU FOOLS." another utters then yells.
The rest slowly reveal themselves. Warrior #10234, Warrior #2023, Warrior #10975, Warrior #3154, Warrior #12973.
Wild Mage hmphs.
"Let's be transparent here - tell your lackeys to do the same."
They do, and there is even more than Wild Mage expected them to bring.
Everyone present stares straight ahead, but eyes each other without moving their heads.
"We could keep this going, but all of us present with me tonight would prefer we draw this to a ceasefire - for everyone's mutual benefit."
Wild Mage continues, but one of the four interrupts.
"Mutual benefit?" They all chuckle derisively.
"Wild Mage...and his resplendent lance..." they all start laughing even more, "- performing cheap mercenary tricks - for OUR mutual benefit." One of them asks, "Does that sound like a deal, or what?"
"You're pathetic, Wizard #239." One of them spits.
Wild Mage glances at the spit in the dirt, but then rights his frame and gaze.
"Here's my offer. We will leave The Wild be, with the exception of Warrior #7917 and her Chainsaw Guard maintaining patrol of its highways and byways for everyone's benefit. As for the stolen research and development from your fine Bastion, well, I will cut you in and we can use that as a peaceful foothold through which we could develop, at least, a more profitable relationship."
The glares through the veils could be felt.
"No." One of the Blue Wizards takes a single step forward. "Is that all you have to offer, Wild Mage?"
Wild Mage stares forward.
"You don't understand..." Wild Mage adjusts himself, sighs, and then glares, "...what you're doing by refusing peace..."
He turns from the four Blue Wizards standing before him to Larry. Larry's eyes glaze over and he stands at attention, nodding to him.
The Blue Wizards stare on, silently.
"Tell me...how loyal are you and your lackeys to the cause - of refusing us a ceasefire?"
Wild Mage's voice lowers.
"Is it more loyalty - than this?"
Wild Mage turns again to Larry, and makes some quick gestures. Larry salutes him. The skies darken a bit further, despite it already being well enough into the night.
The four Blue Wizard Spymasters all shift their attention to Larry. A couple take a step back. The others in the backgrounds watch intently.
Larry seems to strain and gasp and then step to his right and
Ceases. To be.
Everyone can hear their heart beating as even the Warriors can see that Warrior #9282 has not just vanished. He is null of existence.
Enough of those present, at once, thought of Wizard #1545 - he felt a psychic tug for a brief moment.
Wild Mage bangs his broom's handle end upon the ground, snapping the silence.
"YOU - do not KNOW how many are loyal to me." He points at Wizard #4104. "HE - doesn't even know how many are loyal to me. THAT loyal to me."
Wild Mage sneers, spits on the ground, and then raises his chin.
"I want that ceasefire."
Entered by: 0xFd85…a7D4 and preserved on chain (see transaction)
Halloween, Part II of II
It was at that very moment that Wizard #4104 recalled Wizard #239 telling him about an enchantment he had procured from Wizard #1545 as a means to an end of loyalty for their purposes. His eyes widen as he scans the environment, seeing everyone inching closer to combat with each other.
That's how the "loyalty enchantment" works out then...
"This changes nothing, Wild Mage!" one of the Blue Wizard Spymasters barks.
"If you wish to burn the rest of your party out of existence as negotiations..." another mocks.
"Speaking of negotiations..." Wild Mage pipes up, "Are you all too COWARD to admit what you've done with Wizard #5016 and Warrior #9284?"
"They can't hide forever, Wild Mage...but we'll be keeping you alive so that you may watch everyone loyal to you die first." the ringleader of the four retorts.
Kingsley thinks to himself - Could they really not know? A relief! They would surely use them as leverage now if they knew our companions’ whereabouts...
Warrior #12974 takes a step between Wild Mage and Kingsley, brandishing his bat and yelling infernal curses about the general character of Blue Wizards, their mothers, their fathers.
Kingsley’s eyes go wide as he listens to Donley’s stream of obscenities and sees the enchantment is upon him too. Was this in front of my face the entire time?!
Panicked, his sight flickers over the rest of the retinue behind them. Warrior #2023, Warrior #10975, Warrior #3154, Warrior #12973. - all of them except Warrior #10234. He can see it wrapped around their throats and hearts; a numb feeling rises in his chest and a blankness muddles his thoughts as he peers at the enchantments.
Hardly any magic there, really. Just enough to keep their integrity in place. Like a tunic torn and ready to unravel. The rationalization rings hollow. Kingsley has heard of black sorcery before, and yet he was blind to it in plain sight. Wild Mage, I didn't think you would...
Wild Mage raises an arm. "Look. JUST let us continue to keep The Wild safe, we can talk about the R&D notes I've borrowed from you...this doesn't have to go down like -"
The approaching clops of a pony is heard. Everyone's eyes dart southerly.
Emerging from the dark, Wizard #2029 crests a cliff, riding Pony #343.
"Wild Mage! I must report! Wizard #1017 was nowhere to be found! He has escaped his stasis bonds somehow!"
All of the Blue Wizards burst into laughter. It is not joyful laughter.
"You don't get it, Wild Mage." The leader of the four steps forth and starts unraveling his cloak. "You never had ANY control of The Wild and its secrets which the Blue Wizard Bastion did not permit."
This Blue Wizard pulls his veil off, revealing that it is Wizard #1017.
"What..." Kingsley, stunned, mutters to himself. "No..."
Grips upon wands and weapons tighten all around. A deathly silence falls upon the minds of each.
Wild Mage appears rattled. Then Wild Mage appears unrattled. "It's like that, huh, old friend?"
Arch-Magician Ulysse stares hatefully back at Wild Mage.
"It -is- like that."
Rumblings of movement, a few pebbles careening down the slopes of the mountains - these are heard behind Wild Mage and his companions. For a half second, there is a pause until - a voice booms from one of the cavern openings in the background.
"I, too, desire a ceasefire for you both."
Soul #8792, the dark patriarch of Morons, emerges from the mouth of the cave, holding a Blue Wizard doll. A paralysis settles upon everyone present at the sight of the legendary vampire, as everyone present increases dramatically in number.
Warrior #4319, Warrior #5087, and Warrior #9232 emerge from behind scattered crags. Warrior #5083 and Warrior #11671 both leap down from a nearby bluff. Wizard #8418, Wizard #946, Wizard #4896, and Wizard #4351, Wizard #7055 all appear to materialize among the Moron Warriors.
But then the fear on the postures of the cloaked Blue Wizards, it shifts into fury as a single blue wizard walks from around the corner to stand with - Wizard #113.
"Now what was that about who detecting whom being downwind of whom..?" Wild Mage arrogantly picks at his robe for a moment, then looks back to all of the Blue Wizards present.
Nosferatu holds up the doll like a trophy.
"And if there isn't going to be a ceasefire, I'm going to need you Blue Wizards to show me - where on this doll do you want me to hurt you?"
Entered by: 0xFd85…a7D4 and preserved on chain (see transaction)
