ANAQUARIA, Part 1:
    "The Next Dimension"
    by Rory Mahood







    "Karen, why did you wear shorts? It's not very warm out."

    "It was supposed to get warmer later, but I'm fine. Hey, did you hear what happened in the chemistry lab with Professor Hallerman today? He was showing us this experiment and mixed the wrong chemicals together. The whole thing blew up in his face!"

    Alex laughed. "I thought you were going to drop chemistry, Karen; you said you hated it. I mean, you are majoring in computers. What do you need the course for anyway?"

    "I was going to drop it. But I need a science course and it will hurt my average if I drop it now. Unfortunately, keeping the course will probably hurt my average just as much."

    Karen and Alex continued talking about the day's events as they walked home from the university to the apartment they rented together. The two of them had been friends for over 17 years and were very close. They were nothing more than good friends, however, and their other friends were constantly making jokes about them being something more than that, but the two of them always denied it.

    Karen was 21 years old and majoring in computer science. She was very tall and lean and had long, natural red hair that she kept tightly pulled back and tied in a ponytail. Karen was considered by many to be quite attractive, although she did not have a boyfriend. She was somewhat shy in making friends, but never hesitated to speak her mind when around familiar people, and could be quite aggressive at times.

    Alex, on the other hand, was much more outgoing, but not as aggressive or quick to add his opinion on things. He was slightly shorter than Karen, and always had been, despite being a year older than her. Alex had short, dark blonde hair and was majoring in communications. He did not have a girlfriend, and this fact, along with Karen not having a boyfriend, was the major source of all the jokes about them dating each other.

    The two of them had one, very unique thing in common, which was also responsible for their first meeting. Neither of them had any known family. Karen never really knew her family, as she was abandoned when she was just 3 years old. She was placed in an orphanage and a year later, was joined by Alex, after his parents were killed in an accident. Alex's grandparents were too old to take care of him, so he was also placed in the orphanage. The two instantly became friends and remained together in the orphanage until they were old enough to move out on their own.

    "Almost home. Oh, and don't forget that it's your turn for dinner, Alex."

    "I know, I know. You don't have to remind me. It's not like we're married or something." Alex was about to say more when there was an unexpected rush of wind that almost knocked him off his feet.

    "What's going on?" Karen yelled. Her question was quickly answered with the appearance of a strange red vortex in front of them.

    "What is that?!"

    "You ask me like I actually have some idea. How am I supposed to know what it is?!" The vortex suddenly expanded and created an intense vacuum. Before either of them could do anything, the two were pulled inside, dropping their backpacks in the process.

    Karen and Alex emerged from the vortex and landed face down in the grass. They were lying in a small clearing in the middle of a forest. "Where are we?" a dazed Alex questioned.

    It was then that Alex realized that someone was standing over him. He and Karen looked up to see an old man wearing a light blue robe and holding a coloured rock. He had a grey beard and looked like something out of a fairy tale. The man reached out with his free hand to help them up. "My name is Tolan Fradias. Welcome to Anaquaria."



    * * *




    "Have you found them yet?"

    "N... no Lord Aranax. We have been unable to locate him. We have no way to track him."

    Aranax grabbed the servant by the neck and lifted him off the ground. "I don't want excuses! You find him! Tolan and that magic-using Calem are the only ones who still stand in my way! With them gone there will be no one left to oppose me and I will have complete control of Anaquaria!"

    Aranax let go and the servant fell to the ground, gasping for air. "We will find them my Lord. I promise you."

    "See that you do. Your life depends upon it."

    "Y... yes sir." The servant got up and ran out of the room.

    "You are a fool, Tolan. You should know better than anyone that all who defy me die. Even if you and your friend manage to summon the two 'heroes of legend', you will not have enough time to train them before I find you. And rest assured, I will find you."



    * * *




    "Uh, my name is Alex McKinley."

    "Karen Malenson. Now, what are you talking about? Anaquaria?"

    Tolan remain calm despite Karen and Alex's agitation. "I have summoned both of you here because we need your help. Anaquaria needs your help."

    "Look. I don't know how you brought us here, but we can't help you. Now, tell us exactly where we are so we can go home."

    "I can't do that."

    "What do you mean you can't do that?!"

    "Anaquaria is, well, another dimension, so to speak. I brought you here through a portal formed by the Summoning Rock."

    Alex looked around while Karen spoke with Tolan. The small clearing was covered in thick green grass and the surrounding forest was very dense. Numerous strange noises came from the trees that made it sound more like a jungle than a regular forest. A narrow dirt pathway that led into the trees could be seen a few metres away. "Portal?" That weird vortex that pulled us inside itself?"

    "Yes."

    "Why can't you send us back?"

    "The Summoning Rock is one-way only. The Wind Crystal is the only thing that can form a two-way portal."

    "So, where is this Wind Crystal?"

    "A long way from here. Its exact location is unknown."

    "We're trapped here?"

    "In essence, yes."

    Karen's confusion turned to anger. "Just great. This ruins my whole day."

    Alex ignored her comment. "Okay, okay. Let's assume for the moment that what you've just said is true. Can you tell us why we are here?"

    "Anaquaria is in trouble. There is an ancient tale that states when this world is threatened by great danger, the Summoning Rock shall be used to call forth the two legendary heroes, one male, one female."

    "Us? This is some sort of joke, isn't it?"

    "Hold it, Karen. I think we should hear him out."

    "Don't tell me you believe him?"

    "Why not? Look at this place. One minute we are walking down the street, the next minute we're pulled into some vortex and appear here. Can you explain it?"

    "No. But I still don't believe him."

    "I have some more questions if you don't mind, uh, Tolan."

    "No. Go ahead."

    "What kind of trouble is Anaquaria in? How can we help? And who exactly are you?"

    "This could take a while. Perhaps we should head back to my cabin. It's just a couple of kilometres down the road." Tolan started walking down the path with Alex following right behind. Karen stood where she was and didn't move.

    "I'm not going anywhere." Alex ran back and grabbed her arm. "Hey!"

    "You're not going to get home by just standing there."

    "You think that he's going to help us get home?" Karen pointed at Tolan.

    "I think it's better than doing nothing."

    Karen sighed and reluctantly followed them into the forest. "I don't believe this."

    "If you two are finished arguing, I could answer your questions now."

    Alex looked behind him. Karen crossed her arms and stared back angrily. "Continue, Tolan."

    "About a year ago a demon named Aranax appeared and took over. No one knows where he came from. He and his henchmen killed our king and everyone else who opposed him. Aranax is the ultimate example of evil. He kills anyone who stands in his way of gaining more power. Since he has been here the entire land has been in turmoil. Evil creatures roam the land looking for people to attack. People live in fear and never travel outside of their own village anymore. Everyone has all but given up hope of ever living in peace again. I am a scholar and the former court advisor to the king. I took the Summoning Rock and escaped with my friend to these woods. We built a small cabin and have been hiding here for several months. Aranax has no way to find us so we are fairly safe. I had tried unsuccessfully to use the Summoning Rock before, but this is the first time anything ever happened."

    "If this Aranax is as powerful as you say, then how are we supposed to stop him?"

    "There is one item in Anaquaria that is capable of defeating Aranax. The Cube of Light. It is formed from the four elemental crystals which are scattered throughout Anaquaria. Their magic is the most powerful in the land, even more powerful than Aranax."

    "Magic? That cinches it. I'm trapped in a book. I've been pulled inside some fantasy story and I can't get out."

    Tolan whispered to Alex. "Does she ever stop complaining?"

    "Occasionally," Alex replied lightly. Anyway, why do you need us if this magic can defeat Aranax? Why not just go and find them yourself? For that matter, why hasn't Aranax gone out and found them?

    "Aranax doesn't even know they exist. At least, not yet. As for me, I am old and not very strong. I would never survive the trip without help. I barely made it here when I escaped from the king's castle where Aranax currently resides."

    "How are we supposed to fight them? We don't have any fighting skills and we're not exactly familiar with anything around here."

    Tolan stopped abruptly and reached into a small pouch attached to a belt around his waist. "With these." He pulled out two small cylindrical crystals and held them up high. The crystals were identical in shape, but one was dark blue in colour and the other was a light green. "These are the Hero Crystals."

    "More magic?" Karen said sarcastically.

    "Actually, yes." Tolan handed the dark blue crystal to Alex and the light green one to Karen. He turned around and resumed walking as the two looked the crystals over.

    "What do they do?"

    "These special crystals transform you into the heroes of legend, the Knight and the Valkyrie. As these characters, you gain armour and weapons to fight and defend yourself with."

    "You have got to be kidding. You don't seriously expect me to believe this, do you?"

    "Interesting."

    "Alex! You believe him?"

    Alex recognized her tone of voice as one not to disagree with. "Uh, well, it is getting a bit far-fetched. And even if it is true, it still doesn't explain why you need us."

    "Only someone from outside Anaquaria can use the crystals. They do not work on anyone who is from this land."

    "How convenient."

    "All right, maybe this will convince you. Hold the crystal tightly for five seconds and think about your respective titles, Knight or Valkyrie. This is how the transformations are activated."

    "Give me a break."

    "You're in a really bad mood, aren't you Karen?"

    "What do you expect? We've been pulled through some strange vortex, which I admit I can't explain, told we're in some strange land that we're supposed to save from an evil demon, and handed some magic crystals that supposedly give us special armour and weapons. Don't you think that's a good enough reason to be in a bad mood?"

    "Look. Just try doing what I said with the crystals, and I guarantee you that it will be all the proof you need."



    * * *




    "Lord Aranax. One of your scouts has reported a large magical disturbance near the Emerald Forest. The magic matches that which is created by the Summoning Rock that Tolan and Calem stole. It must be them."

    "Excellent! Send out hunting parties immediately. I want those two dead!"

    "Uh, sir, if they have successfully activated the Summoning Rock, does this not mean that they have called forth the heroes of legend?"

    "I don't care. They have to show them how to use their abilities first. I plan on getting them before they do that. Understood?"

    "Yes, my lord.

    As the servant left the room Aranax looked upwards at the ceiling and started laughing. "Your time has run out. Goodbye, Tolan. Goodbye, Calem."



    * * *




    "Okay, I'll try it." Alex held the crystal tightly. "Knight."

    Karen followed Alex and held her crystal tightly. "Valkyrie," she said flatly.

    A whirlwind of energy suddenly appeared around Alex and Karen which dispersed quickly. Alex and Karen looked at each other in shock. Alex was now wearing a heavy suit of black armour with metal gloves and boots, a helmet with visor, and a sword and shield around his waist. Karen was wearing a light grey suit of armour, also with metal boots, but no helmet or gloves. Around her waist was a steel bow, and on her back was a quiver of arrows. "Convinced?" Tolan asked.

    "Well, I'm convinced," Alex responded. "How about you, Karen?"

    "I'm thinking."

    "Give her time, Tolan. She'll come around; eventually. Just how does this work? As I told you before, we don't exactly have many fighting skills."

    "Unfortunately, the crystals don't give you skills. That will take practice. What I can tell you though, is that both your shield and Karen's arrows have magical properties. The shield not only has the ability to block physical attacks, but most magic attacks as well. Karen's arrows are much stronger than any regular arrow, and they replace themselves when used."

    "How are we supposed to practice? Find a bunch of evil monsters and hope we kill them before they kill us?"

    The three had just entered a tiny clearing, much smaller than the one they started in, when a noise interrupted them. "We're almost to my cabin. My friend..." Tolan was cut off by a commotion at the other end of the clearing.

    "Help! Help me!"

    A small humanoid animal, about three feet tall and looking somewhat like a giant mole came running out of the trees into the clearing yelling for help. Chasing it were two much larger creatures, at least eight feet tall and very muscular looking. They had a pale looking yellow skin and a pig-like nose. "Maybe we can start practicing right now." Karen started running toward the three creatures and intercepted the two larger ones. "Leave it alone!"

    "What?! Karen, what the hell do you think you're doing?!"

    Alex's voice quickly brought Karen's mind back to reality. She looked up at the large menacing creature in front of her. "S... something very stupid."

    "Out of my way!" the creature growled, sweeping its hand at Karen and knocking her to the ground. By now, however, the animal they were chasing had disappeared. "You let him get away! I'll have to settle for you, then." He looked down at Karen.

    "Vis telum!" A lightning bolt suddenly shot out of the trees and struck the creature, throwing it several feet backwards.

    Karen looked around in surprise. "Where did that come from?" The second creature stopped running and quickly turned around and ran back into the forest. Shortly afterward, the first one got up and followed as fast as it could with its injury.

    "Calem!" Tolan shouted as a person appeared from the trees at the lightning bolt's point of origin. "Everyone, this is my friend, Calem Garice. He is one of the most powerful mages in Anaquaria." Tolan pointed to a man across the clearing. He looked to be in his late thirties and was wearing similar clothes to Tolan's. In his left hand was a large wooden staff with a glass ball imbedded in the end. As with Tolan, Calem also looked like someone had pulled him out of a fairy tale.

    "What kind of creatures were those?"

    "Namerids," Calem answered. "Strong and aggressive, but not very intelligent. They scare easily."

    "Could have fooled me," Karen responded, still sitting on the ground. "He didn't seem very scared to me."

    Alex laughed. "Not of you, anyways."

    "You save me. Thank you."

    Everyone turned around to locate the source of the voice and saw the animal that had been chased emerge from the forest. "You help me. In your debt."

    "Uh, no problem," Karen said, looking at the three foot tall animal. "Who are you?"

    "Name Kaldor. Me earth gnome."

    "Well, that clears that up."

    Calem spoke up. "Earth gnomes are friendly creatures that live underground. They rarely come out, and are generally fearful of most other things. Despite their inability to talk very well, they are actually quite intelligent."

    "Tolan, how do we change back? Since our first encounter didn't go so well, perhaps we should revert back to normal before Karen thinks of doing anything else that might get her killed."

    "Excuse me! I didn't see you doing anything."

    "Which is why I'm still standing."

    Karen finally stood up. "At least I tried."

    "Do I sense that you're beginning to believe all this?"

    "Um, no," she answered hastily.

    "Are you two finished?"

    "Yes, go ahead, Tolan."

    "Changing back is simple. You don't even need the crystal. Just think about your original forms and you will revert back to normal."

    Karen and Alex did what Tolan said and were soon wearing their regular clothes. "Much better."

    "Perhaps we could go back to the cabin now."

    "Kaldor come."

    A wave of surprise swept across everyone's face. "You want to come? Why?"

    "Kaldor owes life to you. Me must stay."

    "Let him come, Tolan," Alex pleaded. You said they are friendly and intelligent. And personally, I think we need all the help we can get. Even if it is from a three foot gnome."

    "All right. The cabin is just through those trees." Within minutes the five of them had arrived at Tolan and Calem's cabin. The structure was a small wood and stone building and it had a very medieval look to it. Inside, the cabin looked even smaller than it did from the outside. There was only one room, which was comprised of two beds at the far end, a shelf with numerous books on the right, and two chairs and a table with papers, stones and various other unidentifiable items on it to the left.

    "Nice place," Karen said sharply.

    "It suits us." Tolan answered back. "Calem and I must discuss something, first. We'll..."

    "Fine. You discuss all you want. I'm leaving. I'll find my own way back home."

    "Karen? You still don't believe?! What does it take to convince you?"

    "Look. I'll admit that those creatures and transformations were pretty impressive. And I can't explain how we got here. But I still do not believe in magic. They're just elaborate tricks and illusions."

    Karen was about to exit the cabin when Calem held his staff up high. "Percutio confuto!" The ball at the end of the staff glowed a bright blue colour and emitted an energy field from it which fired across the room and hit Karen, causing her to fall to her knees.

    "Ow..." Karen responded in a drawn out, almost sarcastic fashion.

    "Do you believe us now?"

    "I believe! I believe! Now, do you think you could you turn this damn thing off?! It is quite painful."

    Calem waved his staff in front of him and the blue glow disappeared. Karen fell backwards onto the floor. "Calem, I think that was a little harsh." Tolan said as Alex helped Karen stand up.

    "It worked didn't it? Besides, it's just a stun field. It won't do any permanent damage.

    "Except a headache. This just isn't my day."

    "Are you sure you're okay?"

    "I'm fine, Alex. And I'm convinced now."

    "Good. Calem and I are going to take a short walk. We need to talk about our situation with you two; and about our friend here." Tolan pointed to Kaldor. "There's also something I need to get. We'll be back soon. Just stay here. Kaldor, I think you should come with us."

    "Okay."

    Karen and Alex watched as the three left the cabin. "So what do you think, Karen?"

    "About what?"

    "About everything. Anaquaria, Tolan, magic, strange creatures, being the `legendary heroes`, fighting an evil demon to save the land?"

    "It's... it's pretty overwhelming. It's certainly going to be different than reading textbooks and writing exams."

    Alex smiled. "Do I hear a hint of enthusiasm? I think you're actually enjoying this."

    "Well, I'm not. It's just that... well... uh... that is... we don't have much of a choice. We're stuck here." Karen lowered her voice and whispered to herself. "Maybe just a little fun."

    "What was that? Did you say something?"

    "No. Nothing."



    * * *




    "What's your impression of them, Calem?"

    "The female seems a bit resistant, but they both appear to have potential. But it's not going to be easy."

    "No one ever said it was. By the way, she might not appreciate it if you call her `the female`."

    "You haven't told me their names."

    "I think they mentioned them to each other."

    "Sorry. I wasn't paying attention.

    "Oh. Their names are Karen and Alex."

    "Strange names. But I guess they are probably quite common where they come from."

    Tolan looked down at the Kaldor, who was quietly walking behind them. "What about him?"

    "It's your call. You're in charge here."

    "I don't see any problem with him staying." Tolan paused a moment. "Kaldor, what were you doing in the forest? I thought that gnomes usually stayed underground."

    "We do. But Kaldor banished from underground world. When Elder agreed to side with Aranax to avoid war, Kaldor opposed. Me say that it is important to fight for our freedom. Elder say me disturbance to natural order so me banished to overworld. Those who supported me refuse to disobey Elder, so me alone in my punishment." Kaldor looked sadly at the ground. "Me normally hide, but needed food. Namerids find and chase me. You save me. Want to come. Kaldor do lots of exploring before banished, me know terrain well. Be very big help."

    "Aranax strikes again. I'm sorry about what happened to you. If you wish, you may come with us.

    "Thank you."

    "Ah! There it is." Tolan ran over to a large rock with a stout wooden pole leaning against it. "My staff."

    "That's what you needed to get?" You forgot your staff the last time you were out here and you left two people who know nothing about this land alone together so you could go and get it?"

    "It's important to me."

    "At least mine has a function."

    "This does have a function. It provides support. And it can act as a weapon, if need be."

    "My apologies. I just don't think we should leave them alone, yet.

    "I disagree. Nevertheless, let's get back to the cabin."



    * * *




    Karen and Alex had stopped talking for a few moments when the rustling of leaves broke the silence. "Did you here that? Do you think Tolan could be back already?"

    "Well, let's go see." They left the cabin and looked around. Out of the bushes emerged a tall humanoid figure wearing a black cloak and hood. "Nothing to worry about, Alex. It's just the Grim Reaper."

    "Of course. But where's the sickle?"

    "Grim Reaper?" the creature asked.

    Karen and Alex jumped back, startled. "Uh, nothing, just a joke. Who are you?"

    The creature removed the hood. Underneath was a young human female with medium length brown hair and pale green eyes. She looked older than Karen and Alex, but not much. "I am Erris LaMede. Are you the legendary heroes?"

    "Uh, yes, I think that's what Tolan called us. Right, Karen?"

    Karen glanced nervously at Alex. "I believe so. What do you want?"

    "I have come..." Erris was interrupted by the sound of more rustling as Tolan, Calem and Kaldor appeared behind Karen and Alex.

    "What are you two doing out here?" Tolan then saw Erris and his eyes opened wide. "Get away from her, now!"

    "Huh? Why? What's wrong, Tolan?"

    "This is no ordinary person. She is a Shadowmorph. Evil beings that came with Aranax when he first appeared. They have the ability to change their shape into that of other animals. There is nothing redeeming about them, they are almost as evil as Aranax himself."

    "You old fool, Tolan. If I was really sent here by Aranax, they would already be dead. I have left Aranax." Erris gave Tolan an icy stare. "Not all the Shadowmorphs are evil. Aranax is concerned only with power and doesn't care how he gets it, just as long as he gets it. He's willing to destroy the very land he controls if it means more power. I have come to warn you that he knows where you are and has sent out hunting parties with orders to kill you and any others who are with you."

    Calem readied his staff. "Why would you help us?"

    "Aranax is insane with power. He is going to kill us all as soon as he gets what he wants. Most follow him because they are too afraid to confront him. The remaining few follow him because they are just as evil as Aranax himself. I do not agree with him. So I left. And I'm not the only Shadowmorph who feels this way. I am just the only one who decided to do something about it."

    "Another traitor."

    "What do you mean, Tolan?"

    "Never mind. I'll explain later. Anyways, Erris. Assuming that this isn't some elaborate trick, how does he know where we are? I've been out here for months and Aranax hasn't even come close to finding me."

    "A scout detected the vortex created by the Summoning Rock. That's how I found you and that's how he knows where you are."

    "Well, we weren't going to be here much longer, so he's not going to find us."

    "That's what you think, Tolan." Everyone spun around to see the origin of the voice. Out of trees, five armour-clad humanoids appeared in front of them. Each of them had a sword and shield in their hands and were poised to strike.

    "Who are they?"

    "We follow Lord Aranax!" The leader of the group diverted his attention to Erris. "Unlike some others who would defy him. You are a traitor, Erris. Therefore, you must die with the others!"

    Tolan turned to Karen and Alex and whispered to them. "Perhaps this would be a good time to transform."

    "Uh, right. Knight!"

    "Valkyrie!"

    The leader laughed as the five warriors watched the two transform. "Do you really think that these two are going to save you?"

    Calem pointed his staff at the leader. "Try attacking me! Vis telum!" A bolt of lightning shot out of the staff and struck the leader's shield, doing no damage, but hitting with enough force to knock him to the ground.

    "Kill them!"

    Calem stayed with Tolan as everyone else scattered throughout the tiny clearing in front of the cabin. One of the warriors remained with Tolan and Calem while the leader and another warrior went after Erris. The other two split up and went after Karen and Alex.

    Alex drew his sword and shield and raised them in a defensive posture as one of the warriors charged towards him. "I really don't know how to fight like this," he thought to himself. The attacker raised his sword and slashed at Alex, hitting his shield. The warrior slashed a second time, again hitting Alex's shield. "Perhaps we could negotiate?"

    "Shut up!" he yelled as he hit the shield a third time.

    Nearby, Karen was having her own problems. Without a shield, she was forced to rely on her agility. This was not a problem, however, as the warrior was much slower due to his heavier armour. "Hold still!" the fighter shouted as he sliced the air with his sword.

    "Why does the bad guy always say that? Does he really expect me to comply with his demand?"

    "Yes, I do!"

    "Too bad." Karen responded as she dodged his sword. She ran a short distance away, giving her enough time to ready her bow. Karen quickly drew out an arrow an fired at her advancing attacker. The arrow missed by several metres and imbedded itself in a tree. Karen sighed. "I hate archery."

    "Watch it!"

    "Oops, sorry." Karen glanced at the arrow, which had hit the tree just inches above Alex's head.

    "We're on the same side, you know!"

    "I said I'm sorry!"

    "Apology accepted. Now if you don't mind, I am rather busy here!"

    Karen dodged the warrior yet again, and drew another arrow. "Let's try this again." She raised the bow and fired at the warrior. The arrow missed him again, although it was closer than the first one. Karen watched the arrow sail into the bushes. "I really hate archery."

    "Now you're mine!" The attacker charged at the distracted Karen and slashed at her.

    Seeing him at the last second she jumped out of the way and landed in a bush. "Very stupid," she cursed to herself. "That was close." Karen suddenly felt a sharp pain and looked down at her right hand which was bleeding. "Too close."

    Not seeing where she had landed the warrior stopped moving and scanned the area. "You coward! Where are you?!"

    Karen started to draw another arrow then decided against it. "To hell with the arrows!" She jumped up out of the bush and swung her steel bow around like a bat, hitting the startled warrior in the face and knocking him out cold. "I like baseball, though." Karen held her injured hand and turned to see how Alex was doing, just in time to see his opponent throw him to the ground.

    "I have you now!" the fighter growled, knocking the shield out of Alex's hand. He raised his sword in the air, ready to strike. At that moment Alex realized his opportunity with the warrior's shield out of position. He thrust his sword upwards, hitting the warrior in the midsection. The fighter dropped his sword and collapsed on the ground.

    Alex got up and looked down at the prone soldier. "No. You don't."

    Karen rushed over to Alex. "That was amazing! Especially since you've never used a sword before."

    "Just careful observation... and a bit of desperation. You fared pretty well yourself." He pointed to the other warrior who was lying on the ground. Alex then noticed Karen's hand. "Your hand! You're bleeding!"

    "It's nothing. I'm fine. And I'm not the only one who took a hit, either. I'm sure you'll have a few bruises from that fall.

    "Probably. Nobody ever said that fighting an evil demon and his henchmen would be safe."

    "Definitely not." Karen laughed, then abruptly stopped when she noticed Alex smiling strangely at her.

    "You are enjoying this."

    Karen turned away from him and looked out across the clearing. "I wonder how the others are doing."



    * * *




    The leader of the hunter group turned to face the other warrior with him. "Go back and help your comrade against Tolan. That mage friend of his seems to be giving him trouble. I want Erris myself." The leader continued searching through the trees on the edge of the clearing. "Erris, you traitor. Stop hiding and come out and face me. Or are you such a coward that you run away from your fights?"

    "I'm right here."

    "Now you die!" The leader spun around to face the sound, but the only thing he saw was a huge claw as it streaked across his face. He screamed and fell to the ground.

    Erris walked calmly out of the trees and back into the clearing. "I never run away from my fights."



    * * *


    Tolan was standing behind Calem, who was using his magic to keep the attacker at bay. "This is getting us nowhere."

    "Aranax has re-equipped his warriors with magic-blocking shields. I can't get a clear shot."

    "I have an idea." Tolan whispered something to Calem as the warrior made yet another attempt to get in close to them.

    "Got it." Calem responded. "Vis telum!" The warrior waved his shield to block the lightning bolt as Tolan took a step backwards and aimed his staff upwards. Charging forward, he threw his staff into the air like a javelin.

    "Is that the best you can do?" the soldier mocked as he brushed the staff aside with his shield.

    "Infligo everbero!" A white beam of energy suddenly shot out of Calem's staff. Unable to react in time after deflecting the staff, the energy beam struck the warrior, throwing him backwards and killing him instantly.

    "That worked nicely."

    "Yes, it did." Tolan went over to pick up his staff, which had landed on the edge of the clearing. Bending down to reach it, he failed to notice that the final warrior was slowly walking up behind him.

    "Tolan! Behind you!" Karen yelled as she and Alex joined up with Calem.

    Tolan whirled around to see the warrior bearing down on him. "In the name of Lord Aranax, you must die, Tolan!"

    "Erris!" Tolan shouted as the Shadowmorph stepped out of the trees behind the warrior.

    "Aranax is the one who should die!" Erris suddenly transformed into a massive creature that looked like a cross between a lion and a rhinoceros, but was larger than an elephant. The creature let out a deafening roar and swept a paw at the warrior, tossing him twenty feet across the clearing. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the creature vanished as Erris transformed back into her normal form.

    "Thank you, Erris."

    "Do you trust me now?"

    "Yes. I think I can trust you."

    "Calem?"

    "If Tolan trusts you, I trust you."

    Karen and Alex ran over to Erris. "Just when you think you've seen it all. Erris, can change into anything?"

    "No. Only other animals. I'm also limited by complexity. Some Shadowmorphs are better than others, as well."

    "Must be very useful."

    "It serves me, but enough of this. What now, Tolan?"

    "Since Aranax knows where we are we must leave here as soon as possible. First, however, I would like to congratulate you on your first victory."

    "Thank you." Alex looked around. "Where's Kaldor?"

    "Here." The nervous looking gnome emerged out of a nearby bush. "Me not good fighter. So me hide when warriors come. Safe now?"

    "Yes. It's safe."

    "Where do we go from here, Tolan?"

    "There is a small village about a half day from here. We need to go there for supplies. After that, we must visit an old friend of mine who knows a great deal about the element crystals that we need to find. From there, who knows? Anaquaria is a vast land with many undiscovered secrets."

    Calem looked at Kaldor and Erris. "Are you both with us?"

    "Me come."

    "Aranax must be stopped before he destroys us all. I'm coming."

    Tolan smiled at the others. "Looks like we have ourselves a formidable group here. Together, Aranax doesn't stand a chance!"

    "Why are you looking at me like that, Karen?"

    "That armour looks really good on you, Alex.

    "Thanks. You look pretty good in armour, too."

    Karen blushed slightly, which was unusual for her. "You know, as much as I hate to admit it, apart from almost losing my hand and not being able to come within a metre of hitting anything with an arrow, I am having fun. This is a unique experience. It may get us all killed, but we'll deal with that when the time comes." She looked down the dirt path that travelled into the forest. "One thing is for sure, we have a long adventure ahead of us. Let's go get Aranax!" A chorus of cheers accompanied Karen's statement, and with that, the six of them started out on their long journey.