Rise of the Elementals

  RISE

  OF THE

  ELEMENTALS

  THE CREATURE KID PREQUEL

  By Rashad Freeman

  Copyright © 2013 by Rashad Freeman

  Smashwords Edition

  www.creature-kid.com

  www.rashadfreeman.com

  www.rashadfreeman.blogspot.com

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the expressed written consent of the author.

  Seeds of Deception

  “The high council has spoken Daviathan. Who are we to object?” The rangy man asked, stuffing the last few items into a dingy, old rucksack.

  He was a tall man, thick boned with long, brown hair that curled and twisted like a vine. His large hands were weathered, but strong, and his serene green eyes betrayed his true age.

  He stood inside of a glowing dome. The black, onyx floor reflected the sparkling blue light that made up the ceiling. To his left was a thinner man, lean and gangly, but no less intimidating. He scanned the other man with his mystic blue eyes and then spoke.

  “Who are we not to object Tarian? Whether they accept it or not, war is at our door. We must reinforce the outpost.”

  “But Earth! Certainly our talents are better suited elsewhere.” Tarian laughed.

  “Come with me or stay Tarian, I am going.” Daviathan began to walk off, grabbing a sack from the floor and slinging it over his shoulder.

  “And what of the prophecy does that mean nothing to you?”

  “What of it? Should the ramblings of an old woman determine my fate? If the prophecy is true then we are saved, but what if it is not?” Daviathan turned around and raised his eyebrow. “Milicent has not always been right.”

  Tarian took a deep breath and sighed. He stepped away from the table and walked towards Daviathan.

  “I will go alone.” Daviathan said as he held out his hand, exposing a small sphere of blue light.

  “Nonsense!”

  Tarian grabbed the blue light and tossed it into the air. It hovered at eye level for a moment then grew into a shimmering blur of energy. It was about the size of a basketball and wavered back and forth in the air. Tarian grinned at Daviathan and took a step towards it. The light rippled as he moved.

  “Well, let’s go already.” He said as he touched the light and vanished into it.

  Grinning, Daviathan followed him into the portal and disappeared. The floor melted away as he whirled through an empty black space. There was no light, but it was a different than just dark. It was like light had never existed in this place. He felt weightless as he spun through the nebulous void. Pressure grew all around him squeezing the air from his lungs.

  Then suddenly with a crash, Daviathan’s feet slammed onto an uneven, rocky terrain. Looking to his side, Tarian smiled at him and headed off. Daviathan scanned the mountain side, and took a shallow breath.

  “Earth.” He smirked and then hurried after Tarian.

  “So I assume you have a plan, or do you intend to make it up as we go?”

  “Tarian you must learn to have faith.” Daviathan said dismissively.

  Together they clamored down the mountain onto a narrow goat trail. They moved silently, gliding through the night like ghosts. Ahead of them, the faint lights of a village flickered like a candle being blown out.

  “Is it there?” Tarian whispered, pointing towards the quivering lights.

  “Yes. We must be silent for I fear the worst.”

  Daviathan stepped forward and pawed at the air with his hand. It clung to his fingers like water, slowly rippling as it moved. Pulling his hand back, the air parted and tore.

  “Are you coming?” He asked, glancing back at Tarian.

  Tarian nodded. Gliding forward, they both moved through the ripple of air like it was a bed sheet, hanging from a clothes line. The mountains, the rocks and the hazardous terrain vanished, giving way to a small clay hut, dimly lit with candles.

  Daviathan immediately noticed a woman’s body lying limp on the sandy floor. With Tarian right behind him, he rushed to her side.

  “Achima!” He bellowed.

  Lifting her head he stared into her empty eyes and knew they were too late. Blood dripped from her ears, forming a muddy pool on the floor. Her silvery hair, which was normally shinning and vibrant, looked dull and lifeless.

  “Daviathan.” Tarian whispered. “If they’ve found her surely they’ve found Abrax.”

  There was a noise in the next room and Daviathan pressed his fingers against his lips. Gently lowering Achima’s head, he stood up and pulled a bronze dagger from his bag. Tarian did the same and they silently crept forward.

  The sound of things breaking and being thrown around rattled on the other side of the wall. As they moved closer the ruckus suddenly stopped. Daviathan froze and pointed at a dark opening in the wall. Tarian nodded and they began to shuffle stealthily across the sandy floor with their backs pressed flat against the lumpy clay.

  Inching closer, Daviathan leaned forward and peeked around the corner into the shadowy room. Tables and chairs were sprawled all over the place. The windows had been shattered and the giant oak table that sat in the center was broken in half and partially reduced to splinters.

  Suddenly, there was a loud bang and a large shaggy object exploded from the room and slid across the floor. It looked like a cross between a wolf and a lion. Its body was covered in black, spiked fur and a pair of razor sharp horns protruded from its head. Its tail whipped about like a wild lizard as it gashed at the air with bird like talons.

  “Ravens!” Daviathan screamed.

  He lunged at the animal, his bronze knife slicing through the air. The raven was quicker and slid to the side avoiding Daviathan’s blade. Tarian dove after it, but the raven swatted him to the ground, scraping him across the chest with his savage claws.

  Circling the raven, Daviathan glared into its dark purple eyes. It snarled and growled, slowly mimicking Daviathan as they stepped in unison around each other.

  Tightly squeezing the hilt of his knife Daviathan clenched his teeth, waiting for an opening. The raven snapped at him and slashed with his claws. Then with another growl it turned and dove out of a window into the night.

  Daviathan gave chase, but the sleek animal was quickly consumed by the darkness. He stared after it, narrowing his eyes to focus.

  “Daviathan!” Tarian called from inside the hut.

  Whipping around, Daviathan darted back inside. Tarian was leaning against the wall, his hand covering a gash that ran from his chest to his stomach.

  “I’ve found Abrax.” Tarian grumbled.

  Daviathan looked at him; blood seeped through his fingertips and down his hand.

  “Age has made you slow my friend.”

  He placed his hand over Tarian’s hand and closed his eyes. A soft, yellow glow rose around the wound and then vanished. When Daviathan moved his hand the wound had healed.

  Daviathan stepped away, noticing the limp body that was laying at the edge of the room. He was a portly man with thinning red hair. His throat had been torn out and a streak of blood stained the floor where he had been dragged.

  “He was in the room…the room with the raven. We were only minutes too late.” Tarian said as he dropped his head.

  Daviathan sighed. “Old friend, I hope your jo
urney was not in vain.”

  Kneeling down, he swept the fiery locks from Abrax’s face and stared into his dim, gray eyes.

  “I’ll need your help with this.” Daviathan said stretching his hand up into the air.

  Tarian knelt next to him. He placed one hand on Abrax’s body and grabbed Daviathan’s with the other. Daviathan did the same forming a circle.

  They both took a deep breath and flashes of light started to pulse from their fingers. The pulses grew stronger and stronger, lighting up the room like a torch. Abrax’s body began to convulse, his head snapped backwards, his chest arched upwards. Then with a flash their hands were thrown from his body and they were flung backwards.

  Daviathan stumbled to his feet first. Abrax’s lifeless corpse was still lying on the floor, but a purplish glow surrounded him. Slowly, a mist wafted from his mouth and rose into the air.

  It was a thick purple gas, shapeless, but moving. As Daviathan watched, it morphed into an oblong figure then stretched until the form of a man started to appear. Within seconds, the gas resembled the figure of the man that lay dead on the ground.

  Daviathan looked at him with sad eyes and the misty figure smiled and spoke.

  “It has been too long my friend.” His voice seemed to come from everywhere, echoing throughout the room.

  “Abrax, I am sorry to find you like this.” Daviathan sighed.

  “I am sorry I couldn’t do more.” Abrax sadly responded.

  “What do they know?” Tarian asked as he stepped closer.

  “Everything.” Abrax said grimly.

  “Everything?” Daviathan echoed.

  “The portals are gone, the protectors are dead. They sent legions of ravens. We weren’t prepared. I held them off for as long as I could, but their numbers were too great. Achima tried to send word back, but…”

  His words fell off like the sound of wind tumbling over a cliff. The figure that had been formed by the gas wavered as if it were going to disperse, then came back together.

  “Where are they now?” Daviathan asked after a long silence.

  Abrax’s misty shape started to break apart again. The purple gas swirled and thinned, wavering in the dimly lit hut.

  “Abrax!” Daviathan called. “Where are they?”

  “Heading for the master portal.” Abrax whispered and then he was gone.

  An Enemy Among Us

  “Daviathan! You dare interrupt the high council while in session. We have tolerated your arrogance long enough, you shall be punished.”

  Daviathan stood in the center of the great hall. It was an elaborate dome with white, marble floors and spanning ceilings. In front of him was a long table raised ten feet from the ground. Behind it sat several men all cloaked in identical, black robes.

  “It is true Theodoros. We shall all be punished, but not for my arrogance, but for the stupidity of this council!”

  Theodoros shot out of his seat, slamming his hand onto the onyx table in front of him. He opened his mouth to speak, but a taller man stood and placed his hand on Theodoros’ shoulder.

  “You are out of line Daviathan. The high council must be respected.” He said calmly.

  “Lupercus, I wish there were time for respect or the normal customs due this council. Unfortunately, time is no longer our ally.”

  “Speak your peace then.” Lupercus said. His fierce orange eyes blazing into Daviathan like the sun.

  “The spectrals, it is as I have feared. They have dealt us a fatal blow. Abrax and his wife are dead, the portals have been stolen and all the protectors slaughtered.”

  Theodoros gasped as the other men jostled to their feet. There was an eruption of chatter, council members turning to one another in outrage.

  “Lies!” A younger looking man screamed as he shook his finger at Daviathan.

  He removed his hood; his dark, black hair still covering his eyes. His face was thin and angled, his skin dark absent an imperfection.

  “It is no secret, your disdain for the council. Now blasphemy has fueled your outrageous claims.”

  “Cleonicus, he would never.” Lupercus cut him off.

  “Don’t be fooled by his empty acts of valor. This is all a ploy to unseat the council. An attempt at a coup with his aging counterpart.”

  Daviathan moved so quickly he was nothing more than a streak of light. One moment he was standing in front of the council table, the next moment he had Cleonicus by the throat. With little effort, he slammed his face into the hardened surface and leaned over him.

  “You claim to know much young fool.” Daviathan moved closer. “Know this boy, if your seat is what I sought I would’ve long since taken it…by force!”

  “He did not mean to offend Daviathan.” Lupercus said, hesitantly approaching him.

  Daviathan sighed and slowly loosened his grasp on Cleonicus’ neck. He took a step back and Cleonicus quickly righted himself as he scowled at Daviathan.

  “Apologies to the council, I mean no disrespect.” Daviathan said, clearing his throat. “It is urgency that forces my hand. We performed the contai on Abrax. With his final breath he told us the spectrals seek the master portal.”

  “Impossible!” Several of the council members stammered in unison.

  “It is true.” Tarian pleaded.

  “Daviathan we have lived here for centuries. Our defenses have stood the test of time. We have thwarted many a foe, as we will with these inbred mutts.” Theodoros said defiantly.

  “Do you hear this?” Cleonicus asked turning to Lupercus. “He would have us believe the spectrals are after a weapon that they know not. And even if they did have knowledge of its existence, they could never use it.”

  “Oh, I do believe they know of it Cleonicus and with the proper assistance they could access its power.” He raised his eyebrows.

  “Riddles are for fools and children Daviathan. Speak your mind.” An older man known as Iasos demanded.

  “It is no secret that many in this council have believed the spectrals had turned an elder.”

  “Ha! That rumor died along with its originator.” Cleonicus laughed.

  “Indeed it did, but a younger council member, someone like you Cleonicus, could’ve easily picked up the charge.”

  “You dare!” Cleonicus raged.

  “I do!” Daviathan shot back.

  “Enough! Daviathan do you have proof of any of this?” Lupercus asked. He stepped in between them and held out his arms.

  “Send an envoy, go yourself. You will see that my words are true.”

  “That would suit you wouldn’t it, an empty council, ripe for the taking?” Cleonicus pressed on.

  Daviathan didn’t respond. He stared at Lupercus with a determined look in his eyes. Lupercus considered him for a moment.

  “Cleonicus, travel with Tarian and Daviathan to Abrax’s station. You yourself can verify if his claims are real.”

  “Lupercus, certainly there… there are others that are better suited.” Cleonicus stuttered. “You cannot mean me to leave the council just to indulge his foolish endeavors.”

  “Who would be better? I’m sure under your watchful eye no stone will go unturned.”

  Cleonicus made to object, but Lupercus held his hand out and a small blue sphere floated across the table. Tarian and Daviathan stepped forward then looked to Cleonicus. Gritting his teeth he joined them as they stepped into the portal and vanished.

  A Cowards Betrayal

  A familiar smell hung in the air. The smell of death, the smell of a life snuffed out prematurely. It was a rancid, hopeless smell; so thick that it was almost palpable.

  Candles lit each corner of the dusty hut. The flickering glow, casting shadows against the bumpy, clay walls. Daviathan and Tarian stood in the main room, watching as Cleonicus pretended to inspect the area.

  “There is nobody here. I’ve seen enough.” Cleonicus said, not trying to hide his annoyance.

  “That alone should raise suspicion should it not? It was you yourself that sent A
brax here.” Daviathan walked past him and began to look around. “His body was here, you can see the blood trails.”

  “Possibly, but none of that suggests the claims you made to the council.”

  “You cannot be that foolish Cleonicus. If we do nothing we shall all perish.”

  Cleonicus smirked at him and shook his head. Scuffing at the blood marks with his shoes he sighed.

  “I grow weary of your games Daviathan.” Cleonicus whispered as he disappeared into another room.

  Daviathan grinded his teeth and glanced at Tarian, sharing a look of exasperation. Instead of preparing for battle and awakening the other elementals, they were here with a coward justifying their claims.

  “Tarian, come help me with this.” Cleonicus called out.

  “Could they have paired us with a more useless councilman?” Tarian said as he turned the corner and headed into the room.

  Rolling his eyes, Daviathan walked into the kitchen. Abrax had assimilated himself quite well, he thought. Rows of colorful plates and bowls were stacked on the counters. Paintings and different types of artwork hung from the wall. A century and a half on Earth was bound to rub off.

  Elementals weren’t meant for such things. An immortal species, they didn’t adjust well to the finite ways of humans. Prior to Abrax no elemental had lived on Earth for longer than a decade.

  A thin layer of dust had accumulated in the hours they were gone, but time didn’t pass here like it did where they were from. Days here were mere minutes back home.

  Running his finger across the wall, Daviathan thought of Abrax and his final words. The master portal, even Daviathan didn’t know its location. As an elder he was privy to many things, but the master portal was a heavily guarded secret. Only the guardians and the council members knew where it was hidden.

  As Daviathan walked back into the living room, a strange sensation ran through his body. He paused, turning his head to the side and strained his ears. An ominous feeling seeped down his spine and the hairs on his arms spiked. Something was wrong.