Rise Of the Arcane Tower

The rumblings got louder as the Arcane Tower emerged from the ground. The Citadel of Magic arose from its grave, thick stone walls, grimy windows and towering crystal spire complete as if it had never been ruined nine years ago in the climactic battle between Nerva and his devious ex-mentor Lothair.

When the tower emerged completely, the giant violet orb at its very top, where Nerva was standing, gleamed and let out a very strong magical field. This impact, seen by everyone as an awful, violet light, echoed and swept throughout the burning city-state.

"YOU SHALL NOT PASS THROUGH GEFFEN!" Nerva shouted, lifting his staff to the sky. "I SUMMON THE ANCIENT POWERS OF THE ARCANE TOWER! SEALING OF EVIL SPIRITS!"

Great pillars of light erupted around Geffen, forming a giant pentagram. The Undead were trapped inside. Panic swept through their ranks quickly. Vampyre rose to the air and made to attack Nerva, but even before she got near the violet orb Nerva was standing on generated a powerful bit of ancient magic and blasted her away.

Vampyre crashed to the ground, writhing and twisting. Violet purple sparks coursed through her body, destroying her mercilessly and surely. Blood began to squirt from her, until finally, she gave a final scream before her body exploded into flames.

The Ghouls, Skel Prisoners, Zombie Prisoners, Raydrics and all drew a shuddering breath together as Vampyre burned before their eyes. Dark Priest lifted his red eyes to Nerva.

"We will not be able to get out" said he.

Stormy Knight refused to believe that a puny little Wizard sealed them effectively. He drew his spear.

"I shall skewer you, human!" Stormy Knight boomed. "PREPARE TO DIE!"

The monster used his spear and hurled it toward Nerva.

"Napalm Beat!" said Nerva, destroying the spear even before it got to him.

Stormy Knight was taken aback. Baphomet could not take this any longer. Roaring, he spun his scythe above his head and made to cut down the tower with it. He brought it down with great force that a large section of the Undead rank surrounding the Arcane Tower was obliterated in a flash.

But the Towers foundations were unharmed. Before the blade of Baphomets scythe came contact with it, a strong barrier had already formed and deflected the blow effectively. Baphomet was shocked. No building from before could stand his blow.

Meanwhile, Nerva was laughing mockingly at the top of the Tower.

"No matter what you do, the Arcane Tower will not fall!" Nerva guffawed. "Youre trapped!"

For the first time, a frown appeared on Dark Priests face. "Your arrogance makes me lust for your soul, human. Seal us, we will wait! The Dark Lord will come and smash this Tower of yours, and we shall march to Prontera unhindered! We will truly enjoy killing you!"

Nervas laughter died. He suddenly grew wary, even afraid. Dark Lord?

The Wizard made to speak, but his head exploded in pain. Nerva fell to his knees, one hand clutching his head. His vision became blurred. He had used the last drop of his strenght and magic by summoning the Arcane Tower from its ruins. His breathing became ragged.

"Damn, not now!"

He lost his balance and fell. Nerva was crashing to the waiting Ghouls beneath.

"The fool has used up all his strenght!" Stormy Knight boomed. "He shall pay gravely for his pomposity!"

But Nerva had no plans of dying. Not as food for these Ghouls, that is. He summoned the last drop of magic at the corners of his brain and pointed his staff at the ground.

"WarpPortal!"

The Ghouls jumped backward in alarm as a new Warp Portal popped out of the ground. Nerva plunged straight into it, swallowed by the pillar of white light. Both Stormy Knight and Dark Priest gave cries of outrage.

And Nerva was transported to Prontera in a whirl of colors.

Theodoric was not ready to believe Altairs story, not until the Blacksmith shoved Osiriss crown under his nose. Theodorics eyes went wider than dinner plates as he ran his hands through the priceless set of stones embedded into the gold.

"But thats impossible" Wealthow spoke after a long silence. "Wizards seals are very powerfulUndead cannot destroy it just like that"

"I know, okay?!" Altair grumbled impatiently as he paced around Wealthows study for the nth time now. "It was really alarming! And you know what? Those who died with bites and scratches from the Mummies turned Undead themselves! The transformation was horrible, Wealthow!"

Wealthow looked up. "That is preposterous! In all my years of studying Theology and Demonology Ive never encountered anything like that!"

"Can I keep this, Altair?" Theodoric asked absent-mindedly, still stroking the gems of Osiriss crown.

"Suit yourself." Altair replied.

Theodoric gave a wan smile and put the crown on his head, where it clashed horribly with his messy, dirty-blonde hair. "WowI feel kingly"

There was a brisk knock on the door and Sibyl, followed by Signy, entered the room. Upon seeing the crown on Theodorics head, Sibyl stopped dead on the doorway. Signy bumped painfully into her back.

"What are you stopping for?!?" the Huntress demanded angrily, clutching her nose.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Sibyl demanded, pointing at the crown on Theodorics head.

Altair and Wealthow rolled their eyes.

"Sit down, please." Wealthow ordered curtly. "We have an urgent meeting here."

The two ladies sat down on chintz armchairs. Sibyl kept throwing looks of lust on the crown on Theodorics head.

"Something happened in Morroc, and you wouldnt believe!" Altair began.

He repeated his story for Sibyl and Signy. Their reactions were the same with that of Wealthows and Theodorics when they heard it firsthand. Signy was shaking her head with disbelief and Sibyl was gaping like a monkey.

"What?!?" they both burst out in perfect unison.

"Thats impossible!" Signy blurted.

"Unbelievable!" said Sibyl. "No way!"

"You wouldnt be saying that when you were there yourselves!" Altair snapped.

Altair opened his mouth to speak some more when a loud boom came from outside the Pronteran Sanctuary. Wealthow and Signy were quickly on their feet.

"What was that?" the Priestess asked.

They could hear screams and shouts. Wealthow moved to the window and pushed back the curtains. She saw countless Warp Portals popping out on the street one after another, spitting out people who were injured and clutched bundles of house things.

"Geffenese" said Wealthow in wonder. "What the-?"

The door burst open, and Alexander alThor came into the room. Nervas younger brother, Alexander bore strong resemblance to his elder Wizard brother. He had the same red hair and yellow eyes, only his hair was longer-it grew past his waist and he always kept it in a ponytail.

"Hey, Alex!" said Altair brightly.

"What was that, Alex?" said Wealthow, whipping around to face the young Priest.

"I dunno." Alexander replied. Then they all noticed how pale and peaky he looked. "Mass warping from Geffen, Wealthow! The magics going haywire! The other Priests and Acolytes are all outside-sounds like Geffen was attacked-"

"Geffen, attacked?" Signy asked at once. "By whom?"

Alexander shook his head and grabbed Wealthow. He led the way out of the room. Altair, Signy and Sibyl followed them outside. Theodoric was left in the study, still looking dreamy as he felt the crown on his head.

It was a mess outside the Sanctuary. Countless people, all of whom were injured, were popping out. Priests and Acolytes ran like crazy, trying their best to Heal anyone who needed healing. To make the work easier, Priests used the power of their Sanctuaries.

Wealthow and Alexander joined the healing. Everyone was mumbling about the same thing:

There was a slight commotion when a young Novice girl who had been wounded by a Zombie Prisoner died and transformed. The Priestess who tried to save the girl on the last minute shrieked and blasted it with Turn Undead. A murmur arose between the Acolytes and Priests.

What on earth was that?

"Its the same thing back in Morroc!" Altair burst out. "Theyre all transforming! What the hell is going on?"

A last Warp Portal popped up, and three people came bouncing out of it. Lilian, Avaris and Maximilian were pitched headfirst onto Pronteras paved streets.

"LILIAN! LILIAN!" said Altair, spotting his sister and going to her side immediately.

"Brother! Oh-brother-it was-terrifying!" Lilian choked as she wrapped her arms around Altairs neck. Then she started sobbing her heart out on his shoulder. "There was too many of them! It was scary! But-he-he didnt come with us! I was shouting for him but he didnt listen-! Oh brother, do something!"

"Who are you talking about?" said Altair incredulously. "Not-him-?"

Lilian nodded mutely. Then she turned to Maximilian and Avaris. "Help them, brother, please!"

"Im here!" Alexander said, skidding to a halt beside Maximilian and Avaris. "What has happened to her?"

"She crashed." Maximilian spoke anxiously. "She banged her head, I think"

"I can fix that." Alexander said confidently, rolling his red and gold trimmed sleeve. He placed his hand on Avariss forehead. "Heal!"

At once, Avaris stirred feebly and opened her eyes. Then she sat up so quickly that even Altair jumped. She looked around, her eyes wide. "MASTER NERVA! MASTER NERVA, WHERE ARE YOU-!"

"Its okay, Ava!" said Maximilian. "Calm down, please! Calm down!"

Altair stood up. "Id get her some water! Wait here!"

They watched as the Blacksmith ran to the nearest store. Alexander was looking at Avaris in a mystified way.

"Do you know my brother?" he asked softly.

Avaris gave a start and looked at him. She was so struck with Alexanders resemblance to Nerva that she even touched his face to check if he were solid.

"Youre his twin?!" she said, thunderstruck.

Alexander shook his head. "Noyounger brother, me. Do you know my brother?"

"Of course we know him!" Maximilian said. "Hes our mentor! Hes-!"

Before Maximilian could elaborate further, Lilian punched him straight in the face to shut him up. Avaris and Alexander blinked at this.

"Sorry" Lilian said hastily. "Lost control of my hand"

Altair returned with three bottles of water and Signy. Lilian, Avaris and Maximilian drank hungrily. All around them the Priests and Acolytes were doing their best to pacify the shocked Geffenese. Soldiers from the castle were coming with aids and provisions from the king.

"What happened, Lilian?" Signy demanded.

"I was in Geffen, meeting with my new friends." Lilian replied, gesturing to Maximilian and Avaris, who both nodded quickly. "They were having their regular nighttime party. We were busy having fun when BOOM, Undead all around us. We couldnt fight them offthey were just too many"

"Did he warp you all here?" Signy pressed on.

Lilian nodded. Alexander was looking from one face to another, his confusion increasing.

"Listen to me, the three of you." Signy continued, nodding to Lilian, Avaris and Maximilian. "Oath of Secrecy, all right? Not a word of him to anyone. Yes, we know about it. So shut up."

Avaris, Lilian and Maximilian understood. Alexander frowned and opened his mouth.

"What are you talking about?" he asked. "Who is that he exactly?"

"Nothing a young Priest need concern himself about." Altair replied shortly.

"I have every right to know the truth!" Alexander insisted.

"Ah, Alex, dont make me punch you." Altair shook his head.

Avaris jumped to her feet. "But wait! Hes warping here! Hes coming here!"

No sooner than those words left her lips that another Portal erupted just a few inches beside Signy. An unconscious Nerva popped out of the Portal and onto the street. Alexanders eyes widened. Altair and Signy were quickly beside Nerva, shielding him from view.

"Nervy! Nervy, wake up!"

"Nerva, what happened?"

Alexander was fast on his feet and quickly pushed Signy and Altair out of his way. They were unable to do anything. Alexander couldnt believe what he was seeing. He took his brother into his arms.

"Itshim!" said Alexander, his eyes starting to cloud with tears. "Its-my-brother-! But-but-but-!"

"Im alive. Happy?" said Nerva, opening his eyes. "If you cant spare a Heal for me, youd better look for some blood-replenishing potion. Ive just been bitten by a vampire, if you must know."

Alexander gasped. Signy grinned broadly and so did Altair.

"Nerva, you prat! You had us worried!" said Signy.

The Wizard sat up, reaching to feel the puncture wounds on his neck. He winced with pain. "Lilian, Avaris, Maximilian, you three okay?"

"Alive as ever, sir!" Maximilian replied. "But-we couldnt save Einhard"

Nerva made no answer to this. He looked up at Signy and Altair.

"Time is running against all of us." He told them. "This is a serious matter. I was able to keep them sealed at Geffen by summoning the Arcane Tower from ruins. Weve to tell the king. We need all the preparation we can get."

"Brother, " said Alex. "Tell me-this miracle-how did you-?"

"Shut up, Alex, I dont want to talk." Nerva snapped. He turned to Avaris. "You couldnt conjure some water for me, can you?"

Avaris beamed, and a glass of water materialized in her hands. She gave it to her mentor, who drank all the contents in one large gulp. Alexander was trying to catch Nervas eyes, but the latter would not look at him no matter what.

"But Nerva, you know what this means." said Signy.

The Wizard nodded. He looked around. At least he was able to save some of his people.

"Theyre heading this way, Nerva." Altair warned.

Sibyl and Wealthow were coming.

"I dont know what is going on here," Sibyl was saying. "But heck, Altair, this has a connection with what happened to Morroc-"

Sibyl stopped her babbling, eyes wide. She was staring at the soot-covered and wounded man sitting at the ground, blinking those eyes that she loved. Wealthow drew a great gasp beside her.

"Hello," said Nerva. "How are you, Sibyl and Wealthow?"

Wealthow fainted on the spot. Sibyl, however, managed to keep her wits about her. She clapped her hands to her mouth.

"You know, Nerva," said Altair. "I dont think theyre happy to see you."

But Sibyl felt the exact opposite of that.