Episode 14: The Entralian Council

While Lidya’s battle unfolded in the arena, Peter was on the outside fighting along with the guards against a battalion of Damien’s troops. When they were finally driven away a woman he instantly recognized ran past him. It was someone he thought long lost.

Peter – “Impossible… Eliza! Is that really you?”

Eliza – “Who… speaks?”

Peter – “Turn around Eliza, it’s me Peter.”

Eliza – “Why are you here? You fight with that wench Lidya?”

Peter – “Of course, but, does this mean you fight for Damien?”

Eliza – “I do, as such, we have nothing else to talk about.”

Peter – “Unbelievable.”

Eliza – “You would have joined me before, I won’t question why you decided to side with her. If we meet again, know that we are enemies.”

Peter – “Not looking forward to that.”

Eliza – “Goodbye Peter…”

Eliza faded away in another shadowy mist. She sounded the retreat and the remaining soldiers from Damien’s army left.

Peter was lost in thought remembering that interaction he had with Eliza. On their way to the council chambers the group talked about the recent event.

Lidya – “Are you ok Peter?”

Peter – “Oh, uh, yes. I’ll be fine.”

Lorenzo – “We just had another brush with Damien’s forces, it is not to be taken lightly.”

Lidya – “After speaking with the council and before setting off again we should take a good rest. It’ll help to heal our wounds and recover from all the fighting.”

Marx – “Indeed, at least for the moment we should be fairly safe. I doubt Damien would risk another attack on Balancor.”

Although they were in relative safety now, it was imperative that they discuss their next steps with the council. As soon as they arrived they were greeted by the members.

Genus – “Welcome to the council chambers. May I introduce you to Aldus, Cain and Carla. Together we compose the main leadership of the council. The remainder of the members have left to rest for the night. Most of them will be apprised of whatever we discuss tonight.”

Aldus – “Greetings.”

Cain – “Your skill in battle, both against the challenge masters and the forces of Damien, is impressive. I do wonder though, will it hold? Will it be enough?”

Lidya – “I will make sure it is.”

Carla – “You seem quite confident, I like that. We should test your loyalty next though, we’ve been burnt before.”

Genus – “Now, now. They have proven they work for the better of Entralia, or else they would not have taken the trials they have so far.”

Cain – “I shouldn’t have to remind you that this same council once had faith in Damien as well and look where that has gotten us.”

Marx – “Wait, the same Damien we’ve fought?”

Aldus – “Sadly yes.”

Lorenzo – “How is that possible? What happened?”

Genus – “A hundred years ago Damien was part of this council. By that time he was a master of the elements. One of the greatest heroes to ever arise in Entralia. During those times rumors began to spread about a betrayal against the council. Many suspected that Damien’s power had become too much to control. In our judgment at the time it was deemed necessary to banish him. Obviously this led to further conflict.”

Aldus – “War broke out shortly after. Damien’s supporters wanted him back on the council and argued for its eventual dissolution. That’s when things got worse. A great many people banded together to defend the council. Fear drove us to push Damien to a precipice he could not turn back from.”

Cain – “In retrospect, we were arrogant in our decision. When we saw his power would be too much of a threat we opened the forbidden portal to Cythia and sent him through.”

Carla – “To avoid it being discovered again, the portal was destroyed. Then we made sure that history would remember us as the ones who saved the worlds and every book on Cythia be either destroyed or sealed.”

Lorenzo – “So, you are the cause of our ignorance about all this.”

Genus – “A shame we have carried.”

Aldus – “And that now haunts us.”

Cain – “The council has changed over the years, but we haven’t. We altered our longevity to make sure we could one day face him.”

Lidya – “Wait, how old are you?”

Genus – “I am well over one hundred years old Lidya. My appearance is a result of heavy experimentation with magic and spells.”

Aldus – “Despite such powerful magic we still do not possess the tools needed to face off against Damien. The very nature of Cythia allowed him to remain unchanged by time.”

Marx – “Does that mean he remains at his prime?”

Genus – “Yes. Even with our best efforts, time still took its toll. We may look like we’re in our fifties, but such tampering has made us unable to restore the balance of magic within us.”

Lidya – “So the balance is much more than just light and darkness.”

Carla – “Ah, you’re more observant than I thought. Yes indeed, the balance is a power of magic that also affects the other elements.”

Cain – “Damien was surely counting on us being long gone. At the very least we can teach someone else about our mistakes and hope you do not repeat them. You must find a way to defeat him. To counter his power, you will have to gain your own.”

Genus – “Damien’s idea of being some long lost deity stems from other ancient texts. Whether these were actually referencing him is a mystery.”

Lidya – “Deity or not, we can’t just sit by and let him take over Entralia.”

Genus – “Yes, this is why I had originally asked Marx to search for warriors. Sadly, there was no way to predict how Damien would proceed.”

Marx – “Sealing the world portals left us with few pickings.”

Lidya – “Hey, despite our low numbers I think we can still deal with him if we plan this properly.”

Genus – “That is what we’re counting on. You must continue to take the remaining trials. If at least one of you can master the remaining powers then you can stand against him.”

Cain – “As such, Lidya, you are our best bet. So far you have been the only one to skillfully navigate the trials and learn the elements.”

Marx – “I would add that her skill with the Twins of Power is unparalleled.”

Genus – “Lidya, Lorenzo, Peter and Marx, thank you for what you have done so far. I ask that you continue your journey. You should go to the north. There you can take the trial of water at the Frigis Isles.”

Carla – “The element that directly opposes the first element you learned will prove difficult. This will be an ample test of your abilities.”

Lidya – “I’ll take it and get through it, no problem.”

Peter – “Ever the optimist. I too will do my best and help wherever I can.”

Genus – “Be careful out there. Damien’s forces have surely spread beyond the area of his arrival.”

Lorenzo – “We will be on our guard.”

Lidya – “We should head out soon.”

Aldus – “Remember to rest here before leaving.”

Marx – “We will, let’s head to the inn. Thanks for everything.”

Genus – “We will do our part to continue to defend Balancor and the council.”

The group retired to a nearby inn. They rested what remained of the night and headed out at first light. Along the way to the Frigis Isles they would stop at hidden locations to rest some more. The challenges ahead meant that they needed to keep their energies up and their minds focused.