In the search of Orichalcum 5 – Duel of Mages

If he wouldn’t have to conserve his strength Uklag would probably have burned every single tree that was doing as much as dare to grow where he would walk this day. “Hello, neighbours.” He shouts at the duo already awaiting him outside the cave entrance. He throws a bloody sack at their feet. “Good day, Uklag.” Tarzana greets him while Kay peeks inside the sack. He finds the severed head of the leader inside and makes a grimace. “How barbaric.” He says.

Uklag gives them the sweetest smile he can muster, but his eyes reflect rage. “I heard you already have the Orichalcum back.” The duo shifts slightly. “Now, confirm my theory please. I assume you were planning to stab me in the back after using me, because you do actually have a purpose for that stuff and don’t want to give it to me, right?”

Tarzana laughs. “Yeah. Thanks for doing part of the dirty work.” Uklag’s smile vanishes. “Oh?” “There is no way you could kill all 30 of them, probably just got one of them while she was pissing or something.” Uklag clutches his staff harder. “But you proved slightly useful, so I will give you the chance to walk away now, neighbour.” She says that last part with such sweetness that Uklag wants to throw up.

“I have a different idea.” Uklag says, “How about we have that duel? If you win I will give you my staff, if I win you give me the Orichalcum and maybe I will let you live.” Tarzana looks at his staff with greed and sure of her victory she agrees. They take a distance from each other and Kay counts down.

At zero magic explodes in the air. Fights based on Evocation always have something of a firework, lightning and fire crash into water and ice over and over again as the mages try to not only neutralize the opponent’s attacks but also sneak in a successful strike of their own. But this fight is not solely based on Evocation but also Alteration and Conjuration, making up for quite a spectacle as the two of them make illusionary strikes to confuse the opposition. Meanwhile Imps flying at each other and disappear again as their energy is rapidly depleted.

Tarzana smiles while Uklags face is an empty mask. “You talked so mighty and look where you are now.” With her spells slowly but surely pushing forward the witch is sure that victory is but a matter of time. “You mean bored out of my mind?” Uklag says and Tarzana raises an eyebrow. “I mean yeah, your Evocation is pretty good but besides that you are no way close to me.” He continues. The empty mask crumbles with a sinister grin. “Besides I have one more thing you thoroughly lack.” He points his staff at her. “Enchantments.”

The small blue flame begins to swell and flies at the opposing witch. She manages to erect a shield of water that protects her from the resulting burst of fire but not the shockwave of the explosion. Lying on the ground she looks disbelieving as Uklag steps closer, “Not that I would need them to kill you.” He says and throws the staff into the smouldering ash that has been grass a few seconds ago.

“Now get up, playtime is over.”

The fight is a repeated scene, Tarzana attacks ferociously and pushes Uklag back bit by bit but then the warlock throws a single overpowering lightning strike and she is on the ground again. “Give up.” He demands and grabs his staff again. “You can’t win.”

A moment of silence. “I give up, Kay show him the Orichalcum.” The Incubus nods and guides Uklag to another nearby cave that is guarded by cultists. Tarzana follows them. The cultists let the three pass and soon Uklag looks at a big chunk of ore. He picks it up and is satisfied to find out that it has the typical lightness affiliated with the metal. “Thank you.” He says and turns around, he had expected to see the Incubus hold a knife at this throat or something, but instead he found two patiently waiting people.

“Seems like you two have some manners after all.” Back to his jollier persona Uklag chuckles a bit, “You can visit me, but be nice. I might kill you for real next time.” “Did you really kill all 30 of them?” Tarzana asks, “Nah, I killed like 7. The demons did the rest.” He describes the way to the campsite to them.

“I will be on my way then, neighbour Tarzana.” He has put the chunk of ore into a sack that he grabbed from somewhere along the way out. “We will see you around, neighbour.” Uklag walks away but turns around one more time, “One more thing, the people of the shelter are under my protection now.” And continues his path south.