Studying Abroad, Part 20

• Posted by Genkami August 4, 2013 - 1,011 views

  Studying Abroad, Part 20

  By: The Orange Mask

              “Who are you?” I asked the question almost rhetorically, as I was nearly certain who had talked to me. Its energy was unmistakable.

              “Hello once again, mage. It is I, Vodahmin. Do you not remember I am housed in my containment vessel?”

              “I remember, Vodahmin.” I forced a smile on my face despite the pain I was in. “I was just startled. I didn’t know that you could stop time.”

              “You forget that energy is shapeless; it can be commanded to do anything, using…” Vodahmin said something unpronounceable. “…spells, that is.” I was fascinated; I would have to have a long talk with Vodahmin later on about this.

              “So why exactly did you stop me in the middle of a fight? It’s not exactly the best time to-“

              “I understand, but I see your situation is dire. I apologize for my interruption, but I haven’t much time.” I could already see Tullius begin to move again. “You will never defeat this vampire in your current state; he is too powerful. I can offer to heal your wounds, and do what I can to help you. I can act as your… manawell, as it may be.” Given my current condition, I truthfully didn’t have much choice in the matter.

              “I accept your help Vodahmin. Thank you.” Without any response or warning, my wounds were healed almost instantly, a painful process with deep wounds. I grunted in pain, then realized my right shoulder was healed, as well. I looked around to see very slow movements begin to happen; a vampire, trapped in midair for nearly two minutes, began to crash through a wall; Tullius finished his stride, and began another.

              I quickly stood up and grasped my war axe, readying an ironflesh spell in my other. When time returned to normal seconds later, Tullius stood before me, astounded.

              “But… how!?” Tullius looked frustrated, but he was obviously intimidated by the fury in my eyes now that I was healed. I looked over at Claudia; she was wearing down fast, and the vampires were still coming at her. I’d have to finish this quickly.

              I rushed at Tullius as he hurredly went to draw his sword. Before his hand found the hilt of his blade, mine had cut deep into his right shoulder. I spun to the right; my next blow landed across his broad chest. Tullius staggered back, stunned from the ferocity of the blows. Almost instantaneously he recovered and retaliated with his own fierce blows.

              I parried an overhead blow, but my sword arm was no match for hundreds of years of practice. He swung a second time across my neck, twisting the blade at the last second so as to hit near my collarbone. I started bleeding profusely, gasping for breath. Tullius grinned a twisted smile, then his eyes went wide with disbelief as the wound healed before his very eyes.

              “Be careful; I cannot heal that which is not living.” Vodahmin’s warning was more than enough.

              Claudia called for help, and I rushed to answer, only to be blocked by Tullius.

              “Out of the way, Tullius!” I screamed, knowing he wouldn’t oblige.

              “To get to her, you’ll have to go through me. I’d hurry, too; she doesn’t look like she can hold out much longer.” Tullius faked worry, then grinned and cackled. I was at my limit, even with Vodahmin’s help; I couldn’t fight him in close range, but there was nowhere to go to use my magic. I looked up at the midday sun, and sighed. I put away my axe.

              “What’s wrong? Finally come to your senses?” Tullius kept his weapon out, almost flaunting it in my face, daring my to attack him. My fury started to overrule reason, and I nearly rushed at him bare-handed. Instead, I warned Vodahmin of my intentions.

              “Vodahmin, you know what I am going to do.”

              “Yes, mage, I know. You cannot do this alone, though, and I am nearly drained.”

              “Lend me what you can; I’ll take it from there.”

              “Understood, mage. Be careful; you must maintain complete control and focus.”

              I shot a glance at Claudia, and she seemed to understand. She kept fighting, more furiously than ever. Anger pent up in me as I once again stared into Tullius’ bleak, unforgiving eyes. I realized once again that I was doing this for Wuunferth, and Tolfdir, and the caravan, and Claudia, not Tamriel. As long as they were happy, I was happy. I took a long moment to catch my breath, and smiled.

              I turned and bolted up the staircase leading to the beam of light. I was halfway up before Tullius realized what I was doing and shouted. He ran after me as those vampires within earshot did the same. In the longest second of my life, I reached out my hand to touch the beam of pure energy as the sun’s edge touched the top of the pillar. Then I was blinded by a flash.

              When I could see again, I turned around to see that all the fighting had stopped; there was total silence. Tullius was standing at the top of the steps, seething with rage. I stood emotionless as he shouted at the top of his lungs and swung his sword down towards my head. My body was enveloped in a green aura, and I literally stopped his blade with my bare hand. While he was stunned, I ripped the blade from his grasp and threw it behind me. It landed with a crash. Before Tullius could react, my body was covered with intense flames, and Tullius was thrown back from the force of the air hitting him. The other vampires moved out of the way as I approached Tullius, who was crumpled against a wall, mostly unhurt, but paralyzed with fear. I picked him up and stood him on his feet. Tullius’ rage suddenly resurfaced.

              “I am the favored of Molag Bal! I will not stand for this! I am to dominate, not be dominated!” With a cry of fury, Tullius swung at me with his left hand. Using my right, I blocked, then punched him in the stomach so hard it blew him through the stone wall. The dust cleared, and the other vampires set on me. Knowing that I wouldn’t be able to fight all of them, I made a split-second decision.

              “Claudia, duck!” I screamed, as both my hands became engulfed in fire. I didn’t look to see if Claudia had obeyed; there wasn’t enough time. I smashed my hands into the ground, causing a fiery explosion that incinerated anything within 10 feet of the blast center, and severely burned or threw back anything else. When the flames had cleared, I saw that Claudia had been burned, but was otherwise fine.

              “Go!” she cried. “Finish off Tullius! I’ll be fine!” I nodded as I heard a thud on the ground as Claudia collapsed from exhaustion. Once again, my emotions were fighting my logic; my emotions wanted to go help her, even though I wouldn’t be able to finish off Tullius if I did. I continued through the hole in the maze and into a darkened tunnel.         Tullius was still sitting against the wall, coughing up blood. He winced in pain as he stood up, preparing for the worst.

              I found myself chanting in a lost language, one that I’ve never heard before. I could feel the knowledge that was rushing through my head, and I sensed Vodahmin’s presence. I began to panic until he explained.

              “Relax mage; I am keeping the energy from overwhelming you. You must find an outlet for it soon; I cannot… control it much longer.” Vodahmin sounded strained. Turning back to the situation at hand, I suddenly noticed that Tullius was no longer where I had last seen him. I looked around, and saw a trail of blood leading through the maze. I breathed a sigh of relief, and released the Ebonyflesh spell. It was over.

              I walked back into the light, and saw Bjorn and Kharjo still laying on the ground, somehow unaffected by the firestorm I had unleashed. They were still alive; I saw Bjorn breathing. Immediately I cast a Grand healing spell, healing everyone not incinerated by the blast, including the vampires. Everyone stood up and looked at me in awe.

              “Vampires, leave now or don’t leave at all.” That’s all I had to say to send them packing, most scurrying out of the hole in the maze I had made. Claudia just stood there, smiling contentedly. Bjorn and Kharjo just looked confused. I made my way back to the pillar of light, followed by my friends. I looked up to see the sun just about to leave contact with the pillar.

              I reached my hand out, and sent the massive amount of energy back where it came from. I felt a sigh of relief as I turned around. The pillar disappeared in an instant, and I suddenly felt weary. For the first time in a few days, though, I felt as though I could rest easy. I stepped down from the staircase and into my circle of friends, and we silently walked out of the ruins of Labyrinthian, absorbing and comprehending the fact that we had been involved in a part of unmarked history.

              To be continued… but, later.

  Thanks to everyone who's been following and supporting the blog so far. Believe me, this will continue, but I'm not sure about when. Perhaps next week, or next month. Either way, I'll be posting plenty of stories for you all to read. All current parts of Studying Abroad are now on my page in the story corner; if you missed anything, now would be time to catch up.

  Best regards, The Orange Mask