The Third Red 1: The Enemy Within

Margery watched her son’s eyes widen as she told him the truth… or at least part of the truth.

“My magic only appears once every thousand years?” Eric repeated.

“Aye, and it can do many great things,” Margery said.

That was an understatement. Having that red sorcery gave Eric the potential to become the most powerful sorcerer of this age. She wasn’t sure whether she should tell him that but quickly decided against it. She could tell him the full extent of his rare power later. Best not overwhelm him.

“Ha! I think this is just a human fable to make yourselves look impressive in front of we dragons!” Firoar said with a laugh.

Margery only wished it was. Soon all the meat was eaten. Eric ate less than Margery thought he might have. He sat there silently for the most part, as though deep in thought. She understood how he felt. He now knew so much depended on him. She too carried that burden... though she’d known it for nearly fourteen years now.

Once the meal was finished the dragons got to their feet, causing tremors with their steps.

“This has been a fine gathering. I missed you, mother. And you amuse me, humans,” Firoar said before he nuzzled Rubara.

“I love you, son. You’ve grown into a strong dragon that I know can handle himself.”

“Ha! You know it!” Firoar said.

Ametha came up to Eric and Margery. “Don’t listen to my brother. He’s got too much dragon pride. We were once in danger of extinction because of sorcerers hunting us. There are those among your kind that could still threaten us. But I know the kin of Rikar would never do so. I would be willing to help you if you ever need me.”

“Thank you,” Margery said. “But I did not jest when I said you could be killed if you partake in this battle. I will not take the chance that your children might be orphaned.”

“Yes, we must all face our own challenges to take care of our families,” Liteera agreed. “If you do not wish our help then we shall stay out of your way. But if ever you do, simply ask and we will come for Mother, or one of you. Dragon or not, if mother considers you family, then the same goes for me. I wish we could have peace with humans as a whole.”

Eric smiled at them, then thought of something. “Well, I am heir to a Lordship in the Capitol of the Sorcerer Kingdom. Maybe I can put a stop to dragon hunting someday.”

“Really?” Liteera asked.

Eric nodded and Liteera squealed. “Oh, that would be wonderful. Then my children and their children wouldn’t have to be afraid of being hunted. You promise you’ll try Eric?”

“You have my word. If I can stop this senseless dragon killing, someday I will,” Eric vowed.

“Oh!”

Liteera suddenly nuzzled him, pressing the side of her head against him. Eric nearly lost his balance, but he smiled and hugged his Dragon Aunt. After a moment, she backed away as Margery watched her son with a smile. He was growing into a noble man.

“Goodbye, Au- I mean... Mother Sister Liteera,” Eric said.

“Goodbye… Sister Margery and Sister Son Eric.” Liteera pressed her snout against each of them like Rubara did.

The baby dragons swarmed around Margery and Eric. A few climbed up on them in what Margery guessed was a hug. The smaller dragons could give them full contact without fear of crushing them. They still hurt a bit as their claws rubbed against Margery’s skin, causing her to wince. But she managed a smile. This was by far her best day on Dragoran as well as the last. With luck, things would turn out for the better for all of them. If her son could fulfill his promise, they would be a generation that wouldn’t have to fear being hunted. Just like what she hoped to achieve with defeating Corgo.

Tomorrow when the sun set in Sortar, the spell would break and Corgo would be free. Then Margery would be in for the fight of her life. Which could bring about her dream of becoming a famous warrior… or spell the doom of all good.

The baby dragons climbed on the backs of their parents who flapped their wings and took to the air. Eric waved after them.

“Bye! Hope to see you all again someday!” he called.

Margery glanced at Rubara. The dragon wore a smile on her fangs though Margery thought she saw tears in her eyes.

“Are you alright, Rubara?” Margery asked.

“Oh… yes. I’m very happy. These are just… tears of joy,” Rubara said.

Margery smiled back. She’d also cried tears of joy on her wedding day years ago. That was one of the happiest moments in her life. Another was when Eric had been born. The latest was today when she had Rubara’s dragon family come for dinner. Margery had lost her parents, comrades, and Derair. Profound losses that she would carry until the day she too left this world. But she still had family in the form of Rubara and Eric, which made it bearable. Now she had all those dragons, not everyone could say that.

Margery, Eric and Rubara watched until the three massive forms, Firoar, Ametha, and Liteera all vanished into the night.

“Well… we’d best get to sleep,” Rubara said. “We’ll need all the strength we can muster for what will come in the morrow.”

“Indeed,” Margery said. “Come, Eric.”

Her son followed her dutifully into the cave. He wore a troubled expression, Margery waited for him.

“I know this is a lot to take in,” she said, putting an arm around him.

“What if I fail?” Eric asked. “What will happen if Corgo wins?”

Margery hesitated. “Well… he’ll take you alive. He needs your magic to bring about his goal of the millennium long war.”

“And what is that?” Eric asked nervously.

“To bring about a world ruled by the demons of Panarus,” Margery said. “He needs your sorcery to free the Demorian King Zaro. Zaro is a red sorcerer like you, he was born a thousand years ago. And I presume you can guess who the first one was?”

Eric nodded. “Rayzar the Red. I read he had red sorcery.”

Margery nodded back. “First king of the Sorcerer Kingdom, First Red Sorcerer. He united the different sorcerers of the kingdom. Now Zaro seeks to conquer them. Corgo wishes to free him, but he needs your sorcery to do so. If Zaro is freed, he will try to open a great portal to Panarus that will allow countless demons to come.”

Eric’s face filled with horror; he took a few deep breathes.

“That’s… that’s terrible. I don’t want to have that happen!”

Margery nodded again. “When your father trapped Corgo inside me, I thought about taking my own life to make sure that he would never bring about such a travesty. The Queen herself ordered me to… but I didn’t. Do you know why?”

Eric shook his head.

“Because I believe in you. I’ve watched you grow from that baby boy into a skilled young sorcerer.”

“I’m still just a boy,” Eric pointed out. “I won’t be sixteen for another two years and a fortnight.”

“That may be true,” Margery said. “But you don’t have to do this alone. You have me, and Granny Ruby here to help. I’m sure we can defeat Corgo together.”

Eric looked at her for a moment then chuckled and gave a nod. “As long as Granny Ruby’s around, I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

Margery wasn’t so sure.

They entered the cave. As she always did at night, Margery sent out a few fireballs to light the interior for a moment. Her mouth fell open when she saw a huge mess. All her things were thrown into a corner, and the many wooden cups she and Eric carved over the years chewed to bits. Her bed lay in shreds and the ice pile where she’d kept meat frozen was melted.

“Eric! What on Sorceria happened here?” Margery asked, looking at her son.

Eric sighed as his head fell. “Sorry, mother. Those baby dragons were more of a handful than I thought. I managed to save a few things and put them in the back of the cave.”

Margery looked over what her son had kept safe. Her jewelry box, the chest where she kept her collection of dragon scales, her old noble dress, chainmail armor, and daggers. Margery smiled in relief that her son managed to save so many of her things before realizing he hadn’t managed to do save his own.

“Oh… it’s such a shame about your cups,” Margery said looking at the chewed and charred bits of wood on the ground.

“It’s alright. I can make more,” Eric said with a shrug. “I managed to save this at least.”

He held up the shield he’d made yesterday.

Rubara growled. “Rrrr, those little dragons need to be taught to respect their family’s belongings!”

“Well, at least we won’t have to worry about hosting them again. Not that I disliked having them come but if all dragon visits are this destructive, I would not wish for anymore,” Margery said before adding, “No offense, Rubara.”

“None taken. It seems whenever we cross paths with humans it results in some form of destruction,” Rubara said.

“Don’t be silly Rubara. You didn’t get attacked every time you entered a human place,” Margery said. “Well, I suppose this lightens the load of what we will take home with us. Now, let us give the vultures the leftovers.”

“Right,” Eric replied.

They dug into the little ice left covering the meat. There wasn’t much, only a week supply. They left most of it in the jungle but kept a little for themselves for tomorrow and the journey home. The vultures and scavengers would be feasting well! They returned to find Rubara already curled up.

Margery turned to her son. “Well, this is our last night in the cave.”

“Good, I’ve been waiting to hear that for a long time. Can’t wait to get to Sortar so I can meet some other people!” Eric grinned and raised his fists.

“Aye. You’ll make friends soon enough. I can’t wait for you to meet your first girl!” Margery smiled as she thought of her son finding a young lady. She often daydreamed of Eric growing up and getting married.

Eric, meanwhile, made a disgusted face. She knew he wasn’t thrilled about marrying, because he didn’t want to have children. When he did it meant Rubara would leave, and he didn’t want that. But she knew he would outgrow that childish desire.

“We’d best get some rest. It will be a hard battle tomorrow,” Margery said.

Not just a hard battle, the hardest one she would ever face.

“Mother?”

“Yes Eric?” she asked, snapping out of her thoughts.

“This demon. Corgo. What’s it like to have him inside you?” Eric asked. “Is it like me and Clauwing?”

“In some ways yes. Corgo lives in my body. Though he doesn’t speak to me, not anymore at least. I cast spells to prevent him from doing so after Derair trapped him inside me. He is a prisoner like Clauwing, but he is not a mere predator or hunter. He is a monster that enjoys killing.”

She shuddered as she back to what he’d made her do. She clenched a fist and looked down at it. Sometimes she hated looking at her own hands, the hands that had killed her husband. She knew Corgo had been controlling her but that didn’t change the fact that it had been her own hand that ended her husband’s life.

“Like the dragon hunters,” Eric spat.

Margery nodded, snapping out of her thoughts. “Yes.”

There was a moment of silence as she looked back to her son, forcing her sadness down for the moment as she smiled.

“I’m proud of your new goal, Eric. Maybe one day, dragons and sorcerers can be friends.”

“I hope so,” Eric said.

She wrapped her arms around her son, embracing him in a loving hug. They smiled at each other then she climbed into her torn up bed of animal skins. After this, she could sleep in the feather bed back in Sortar. She drifted off and soon found herself in the world of dreams… or rather nightmares.

For a moment her dream was nothing but simple darkness then a voice spoke.

“You can never defeat me!”

Corgo’s eyes, those bright green eyes of an evil killer, gazed at her through the darkness.

“You will die. As will all who refuse to bow!”

The darkness turned to light as the dream changed. Margery was back in Sortar, she stood on one of the towers of Soyagone which had a great view of Sortar. It was a welcome sight, for an instant. Then an accusatory voice broke the welcome.

“Margery! You killed me!”

Her husband Derair appeared before her, blood on his chest and her hand holding the dagger in his heart.

Margery shuddered. But she knew this was a dream. It happened years ago and she’d lived with this nightmare before.

“There was nothing I could do Derair,” she said.

He looked at her with those same blue eyes she saw in their son. Then vanished. Margery took a breath, hoping would turn better.

It didn’t.

“You betrayed us!”

Queen Razana appeared behind her. She gazed at Margery with absolute hatred then pointed.

“See what you have brought by not taking your life?”

Margery looked, the city of Sortar which had been fine moments ago was now burning. People screamed in the distance. Evil laughter sounded and Margery saw something terrible. Her son, Eric throwing balls of fire at people as they ran in terror. Her son’s eyes had changed into glowing red orbs, he’d been turned into a puppet soldier for the Demorians and was now forced to fight on their side!

“We are doomed!” Queen Razana said. “All because you didn’t die with the demon inside you! You let it out and sold us to evil, you traitor survivor! Now you must feel all the pain you caused. Cut her to pieces!”

A man in black came at Margery, bringing an axe down on her.

Margery woke with a start, gasping in fright. It was just a dream. She looked over her son. Though she couldn’t see him in the dark, she could hear his snores. Rubara also snored, very very loudly. Margery lay back down, thinking of the dream. No. That was her worst nightmare that could very well come true. If they succeeded and vanquished Corgo, then Margery could return with his head. She would be acknowledged for helping to defeat the greatest threat. But if they failed… Corgo would likely kill her and Rubara, then take Eric and use his power to free Zaro, then it would all be over.

By fighting Corgo she was risking so much. Not only her life but the fate of all Sorceria. If she were to take her own life as an honorable person would have in this situation then she would avoid the greater risk. True she would die an inglorious death, but there was no shame if it helped to advance good, save lives, and defeat evil. Margery wanted to live, but she didn’t want others to suffer or jeopardize the fate of Sorceria.

She looked to the side of her bed where her daggers were. The metal shined faintly in the darkness of the cave. For a moment she considered grabbing one of her weapons and using them to do what was necessary to ensure evil was defeated. To stab herself in the heart.

She’d attempted to do so once, only to be stopped by her husband’s brother, her wed brother Chosan. He’d convinced her to leave Sortar and get rid of Corgo when he emerged, reminding her she’d be a hero if she succeeded.

If you can do it, no one can deny your skill. She’d always dreamed of being etched into history, having people centuries from now read of her great deeds. Then perhaps men wouldn’t be able to keep woman in their “rightful” place as weaklings who hid in homes. A woman’s duties were to cook, clean, and bear children. Those lucky enough to be born with sorcery were allowed to heal and shield others but that was it.

Margery stood on the precipice of achieving her dream or dooming the world. She grunted as the two possibilities weighed in her mind. Becoming a hero people would look up to or plunging the world into a dark age. Then she saw a small amount of light entering the cave as the sky turned gray as the sun started to rise. The future would forever be changed today.

Margery’s stomach lurched. Corgo knew he would be able to come out soon. The spell would break by sunset. Margery took a breath.

“I can do this,” she said as she punched her stomach, as if to punch Corgo. “Or at least… my son can. I hope.”

She looked over to him, still uncertain.

Come on Margery, she thought to herself. Eric is an expert in nature sorcery already and he has an opinicus for his inner beast. That can help him resist illusions like Corgo’s. Still, they would need some sort of plan if they were to triumph. Margery thought for a while then came up with something.

When the sun fully rose and Eric awoke, they ate the last of the fruits and vegetables. A while later Rubara woke up and Margery took the opportunity to tell them her plan. She took a stick and found some dry dirt. Using the stick, she traced figures into the ground.

“Eric, you will stay behind Granny Ruby’s legs where you will be safer.”

“You want me to hide?” Eric gasped. “But I thought I would be the one to kill this thing?”

“You will,” Margery assured him. “But you aren’t going to be a match for it head on. You’re not experienced enough. He wants you alive to free King Zaro, so we have to use that to our advantage. If you’re near Rubara then you can protect her just as she can protect you. Corgo can’t use his full power against her without risk of hurting you.”

“But what about you, Margery?” Rubara asked. “You will be vulnerable if you are so far from us.”

“I know. He may decide to kill me as soon as he comes out. But I must take that risk. Tis the only way.”

There was a silence for a moment. Both of them were afraid for her.

“So, it comes out, I kill it, then we leave for Sortar?” Eric asked for clarification.

“Indeed, that is the plan,” Margery said.

With their strategy laid out, they began to gather their things up and put them in Rubara’s saddlebags. Margery got out her old battle equipment. A set of sormail armor, she changed into it outside while Eric continued to pack everything in the cavern. Though she doubted the armor would offer any real protection against Corgo, wearing it made her feel proud and strong. It reminded her of who she had grown to be. A Maiden of Mayhem, a woman who was strong and capable, not a submissive subject to a stronger man.

The mail consisted of a shirt, long skirt, boots, gloves, and hood. All of which were made of many metal rings woven together. Not the plate armor of knights, but they were the next best thing. Heavily resistant to cutting, only a stab or heavy strike would work. Like sorsteel they had been forged in sorcery to be made resistant to magic. Though unlike her dagger, sorsteel armor wasn’t generally coated in silver except for decoration. Margery had gotten this armor when she’d joined the Maidens of the Mist before meeting Derair.

She’d come across the Maidens in the fogged mountains of the Mystery Lands during her travels to find a new home after leaving the city of Diamare where a family had cared for her until she came of age. She’d joined the Maidens and learned to fight as a warrior in the castle of Maidenhold, until they were slaughtered on the orders of the Lord of Misteah. Only she escaped with the help of Rubara.

Margery donned the armor. The metal chilled her skin as it touched. Once she had the chainmail hood on to protect her head then put on the old gray robe that came with it. Even though she could have gotten something more extravagant as Lady of House Yagaro, she kept this old robe and most of her old equipment as a memento of the Maidens. The robe, armor, and the amulet she kept around her neck, they were all she had left of her time with them. She pulled out her amulet from under the sormail shirt and turned it over to look at the pictures of a hooded girl standing under a cloud with a sword on either side of her, the symbol of the maidens. The robe also bore this symbol on the sleeves and on the back.

Margery sniffled slightly but also smiled as she remembered those days with the other women in the courtyard of Maidenhold. How they would spar and improve their skills, becoming stronger together. How their leader, Lady Gralla Bearborn trained them all to be strong fighters against the dictating traditions. Margery smiled at the thought of her old mentor, Lady Gralla.

She’d admired Gralla so much, her ferocity in battle and her willingness to help her grow strong. She’d found Margery and Rubara wandering the wilderness and took them in. She made the young, helpless Margery strong and capable. Margery often found herself exhausted and panting after long training, but she enjoyed every minute of it as the muscles tensed on her weapon. Then it all ended when the Lord of Misteah and his army came to wipe them out. There were simply too many of them and not enough of the Maidens. The men pillaged the castle and did terrible things to the Maidens. Margery could still remember the fire, smoke, and screams.

Margery’s smile faded as she recalled that last terrible memory of that time. Everywhere she went it seemed tragedy struck her. Her parents, the Maidens, Derair, all those soldiers. She sniffled a bit more then wiped the tears starting to trail down her cheeks, her eyes narrowed as she gathered her resolve for the battle soon to happen.

Just two things remained for her to pick up. Her daggers, the weapons she’d received as wedding gifts from Derair. She bent down to pick them up. As she did so, she recalled her dream once again. The worry that had been haunting her ever since she’d flown here. If she failed, then Sorceria was doomed. Her hands trembled as she picked the daggers up and put them in the frogs of her belt.

If she was going to change her mind, it had to be now, before Corgo emerged. Her right hand stayed on her sorsteel dagger. If she just drew it and took her own life it would all be over and Eric could go home with Rubara. He wouldn’t be happy to lose his mother of course, but if Corgo won many more would lose their parents and that was something Margery didn’t want. She wanted to prevent Corgo from ever hurting anyone again. But she also wanted to live and be known as a hero. She was the last of the Maidens of the Mist, and she had to keep their legacy alive. If she could help to slay Corgo then she would fulfill her dream to be recognized. Then she would begin teaching girls in Sortar to fight as she’d taught Eric. No one would be able to deny her skill if he vanquished Corgo and she helped him somehow.

Her dreams won out, though she still felt selfish knowing she was risking so much for them. If she lost-

“I am Margery Yagaro, Lady of Soyagone and House Yagaro, last of the Maidens of the Mist,” she whispered to herself, hoping to ease her concerns. “I am not helpless. I will fight alongside my son and Rubara. I won’t let them face this burden alone! I will finish what my beloved Derair started… with the strength given to me by my fellow maidens.”

She hesitated, then added. “May the Protector keep us safe.”

That wasn’t her favorite Patron to pray to, for it made her feel like a coward. But if there was a time she needed aid, it was now. She took her hands off her dagger. Margery would fight, for her dream.

Eric had finished getting the last of the books into the saddle bags and put his own dragon tooth dagger into the side of his loincloth.

“That’s everything,” Margery said. “Now we just wait till-“

“Now.” A terrible voice said in her head that made her shake.

It was his voice. Corgo. A terrible pain filled her stomach and she clutched it.

“No. It can’t be!”

Her body went numb and she fell to the ground.

“Mother, what’s wrong?” Eric exclaimed, she heard his feet hit the ground as he jumped out of the saddle and ran to her side.

“He’s… coming!” Margery choked out.

But it wasn’t sunset! Morning came only hours ago! Then she remembered what Queen Razana said the last time she’d met her.

“Corgo will be freed when the sun sets in Sortar a fortnight from your son’s fourteenth Aging Day.”

Sortar was nearly half a world away! When the sun was high here, it was low there. She silently cursed herself for being so shortsighted before her body emanated a dark aura, an evil laugh filled the air.

“Little one! Get behind me!” Rubara called as she heard the laugh.

Margery heard the dragon’s voice, quickly followed by running footsteps that had to belong to Eric. She managed a smile through the pain as she realized her son would be safer near Rubara.

The voice spoke as the dark aura flowed from her body. “You think he is safe? Ha! No one is safe from me!”

From the dark cloud escaping her body, bones materialized, then muscle and finally skin. She saw him looking down on her. Corgo, the most terrible demon of all. A giant bat taller than almost any man, his night black skin nearly blended into the darkness of the cave, while his bright green eyes glowed. But the most terrifying thing about him were the set of fangs in his mouth that formed an evil grin. Sharp white teeth. That color usually meant goodness and purity but looking at him, it reminded Margery of bones. Of death. Very soon… her own death could very well occur.

Margery grunted as she tried to get up. But Corgo froze her with his mere presence. Just like before, her body refused to move as though her blood was frozen.

Corgo laughed. “Ha! You thought you could destroy me? How foolish!”

Come on, Eric. Margery thought. Shoot him with a sorcery blast.

It would just take one blow of Eric’s red sorcery, then it would all end. Margery expected it to come as soon as Corgo appeared. But there was no sound, not a hiss or boom like there always was when sorcery was released.

But there was a growl. Margery recognized it as Rubara’s. Thanks to the fire that burned in her body, the dragon was immune to Corgo’s paralyzing presence. Margery wished she could just move her head and see what was happening, but all she could see for the moment was the roof of the cave and Corgo’s terrible face looking down at her.

“Little one! Get ready!” Rubara said to Eric with determination. “Little one?”

The determination in Rubara’s voice turned to concern.

Margery felt more fear enter her heart. Not for her own life, but for her son. Then she was able to move her eyes just enough to see. Her son stood stationary, like a statue. He was in the same condition as Margery, paralyzed.

No! Margery thought. He should be resistant to this! His beast sorcery…

Then she remembered Eric wasn’t on good terms with his inner beast. That must have left him unprotected! He could not move!

Corgo laughed again mockingly. “It seems the boy destined to destroy me can’t bring himself to move. Well. Taking him shall be easy… once I get this big lizard out of the way!”

Rubara bared her teeth and snapped her jaws at the bat. He laughed once more and flapped his wings, flying above the teeth that would have sunk into his flesh.

“You bit me once, remember dragon?” Corgo taunted as he flew about the cave top. “It made you ill!”

“Grrr! For a few hours yes. But it was far from life threatening! Grrr!” Rubara spoke through her ferocious snarls. “I will gladly suffer that to protect my little ones! Rarr!”

She let out a mighty roar as she tried to bite him once more. Corgo flew over her head and pointed a clawed finger at her back, shooting a small blast of dark energy at her from behind. Unable to fly in the cavern due to her immense size, Rubara could not dodge the attack. She yelped in pain as the dark beam struck her. It might as well have been a wasp sting for her, her scales possessed strong resistance to both magic and physical attacks. But Corgo possessed enough magic to easily penetrate them and land a serious or even fatal injury if he wanted to, Margery had seen it before. Yet he hadn’t used his full power against her… because Eric was right underneath her and Corgo couldn’t risk hurting Eric, whom he needed alive.

Rubara growled and began flapping her wings, creating an immense whirlwind that sent Corgo flying against a wall. He smirked and struck Rubara with another blast from his finger. He laughed, clearly enjoying himself as Rubara roared in fury and pain again.

“Is that all your power? Pathetic. So big, yet so weak.”

Growling even more menacingly, Rubara opened her mouth and unleashed a stream of flame at him. Corgo vanished in the inferno, not bothering to dodge it. He was immune to even dragon fire, but it did accomplish something. Margery felt the heat pass over her, the numbing cold in her body vanished like ice melting. She flexed her fingers, able to move again. The dragon fire negated the effects of Corgo’s presence. The bat, completely unscathed, became visible a moment later as Rubara’s fire vanished.

“Your fire, fangs, and claws. It matters not what you use! You cannot kill me, dragon!” Corgo said.

Margery managed to look just in time to see the enemy throw himself at Rubara. He hit the joint where her wing connected to her body, and Margery heard bones cracking as Rubara roared for a third time in pain.

“No!” Margery screamed in horror.

Her oldest companion, the one like a mother to her since she’d lost her natural parents, was hurt. Fear and concern filled Margery as she saw Rubara in terrible pain and unmistakably danger. Corgo was toying with the dragon. Demons like him fed off negative emotions like pain, sadness, or fear. Rubara was in pain, and Margery felt both sadness and fear at that sight.

Corgo made a sucking sound, as though he were drinking something.

“Ah how delicious! I have not tasted dragon fear in… well, as long as I’ve been trapped in your body!” He pointed at Margery before making a sucking sound in her direction as well. “Mmm. Human fear tastes good as well, and you feel sad to see your dragon get hurt!”

“And you! The boy destined to destroy me!” He landed on the ground to get a good look at Eric who still hid underneath Rubara. He sucked yet again. “Ah, you are full of fear right now! You can’t believe I am hurting your Grandmother. Yes… I can read your thoughts when I suck out your feelings.”

“Silence, you monster!” Rubara shouted, rising up on her hind legs and bringing herself back down to smash Corgo with one of her front legs.

Corgo didn’t jump or move at all. To Margery’s disbelief, he raised his hands and stopped the enormous paw. He then flew forward and rammed into Rubara’s long neck throwing his foe back despite her large size. Rubara hit her head before collapsing.

“No!” Margery screamed again as the strength of Rubara’s fall caused a loud thud and a tremor that ran through the cavern.

“Oh, the thrill of battle and causing misery to those foolish enough to face me! I’ve so missed it!” Corgo laughed.

He then turned back to Eric, who didn’t move. He shook uncontrollably, unable to face the foe that just crippled his grandmother.

Corgo walked towards Eric, bending down so they were eye to eye. “Now… I have a delivery that is long overdue. Soon you shall be serving me… and my king. Together we will conquer the Sorcerer Kingdom and bring about the Age of Panarus!”

With a mere touch of his finger to the boy’s forehead, he put Eric to sleep. The boy fell to the ground. Margery’s teeth clenched, fear filling her again. Her son would be used as a weapon for evil just like other poor souls that got captured by the Demorians.

“No!” she shouted, this knowledge filling her up with renewed determination.

Margery got up and drew her secondary dagger, the sorsteel one that she instinctively knew to use against demons like Corgo.

The bat sniggered at her. “Sorsteel does not affect me as it does lesser demons!”

Margery, who had been about to charge, held back. The sorsteel dagger given to her as a wedding gift by Derair would not help her. Nor would the enormous amount of sorcery she had stored in the sapphire on the pommel. Only Eric’s red core could destroy Corgo… and her son couldn’t move. It was all up to her. She had to do something. There had to be a way to save her son!

“Come at me!” Corgo called, gesturing with his finger. “Sink your blade into my flesh it shan’t do a thing!”

Margery snarled like Rubara. Corgo still played his sadistic game, drawing the battle out when he could have crushed her this moment like an insect. She didn’t know how, but she was going to make him regret that.

She took a step forward, holding her dagger in front of her to defend against an attack. It wouldn’t work of course, Corgo would easily get through her defense no doubt. But the bat didn’t move. He looked at her with a smirk as she drew nearer, waiting for her to inevitably fail. Then an idea clicked in her mind and she broke into a run. But not in his direction, she went for Eric. Corgo’s smirk vanished, replaced with confusion.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

Margery reached her unconscious son, dropped her dagger, then bent down and put her both hands on his chest.

“Don’t tell me you intend to kill him and prevent me from using his powers?” Corgo spread his wings, his voice entering a slight panic.

Margery scoffed this time. She grinned at her foe. “Of course not! I’m too selfish to sacrifice my son for the good of the world. I couldn’t even sacrifice myself even though it would have been the most honorable thing to do.”

“Oh good. Because I’d have to wait for another thousand years for the next red sorcerer.” Corgo looked relieved then waved his hand casually. “Embrace him. Make what little peace you can then I shall end you. Think of it as a mercy.”

Now Margery smirked at him. The tables were about to turn.

“I think not. I think I shall end you myself,” Margery said as her body suddenly glowed red.

“What?” Corgo’s eyes widened as he looked from her to Eric. “You’re… you’re absorbing his sorcery!”

“That’s right. If he cannot move to fight you, I shall use his sorcery on you instead.”

Margery rose to her feet and directed her hands at Corgo as they glowed with Eric’s red sorcery. She saw to her absolute pleasure that… for the first time, the bat seemed frightened. She now wielded the one magic that could end him herself.

“Your terror ends today, Corgo! By my hand, by my son’s sorcery. I will make you pay for all you have done!” Margery declared. “For my husband, for all the soldiers at Soyagone you killed, and everything else! Be gone, foulest of all demons!”

She released all the energy she’d taken from her son in a single beam of red light. It flew at Corgo who went silent as a hole blasted through his chest above his heart. He let out a gag and fell onto his back as Eric had.

Victorious, Margery leaned over her son, touching his cheeks. She had to undo the illusion which had put him to sleep.

“Soron eku camenta…” Sorcery come out.

Margery almost finished her incantation when…

“You dare injure me!”

She felt a chill run down her spine. It couldn’t be… she looked over her shoulder and saw… to her absolute horror, Corgo was back on his feet. For the first time his face bore a look of fury as the hole in his chest closed. Then he vanished, returning to the dark vapor form. Before Margery could react, the vapor traveled into Eric whose eyes shot open. He took hold of Margery’s hands and drove them upwards to prevent her from casting a spell, then delivered a kick to her stomach. Margery fell back, the wind knocked from her lungs. She saw her son rise to his feet and draw his own dagger, the dragoon tooth, and point it at her.

“How does it feel to know you shall be killed by my hand, mother?” Eric’s voice asked.

He didn’t fool her. Corgo had used this trick all those years ago when he’d possessed her body and stabbed Derair. He’d made her kill her own husband.

“Corgo, I know it’s you!” Margery spat out even as she realized the terrible truth.

It was over. She’d doomed the world by staying alive.

“I should have taken my life while you were trapped inside me!” she yelled. “I should have ended you!”

Corgo’s evil laugh sounded from Eric’s lips before he said in his own voice, “You thought you could have destroyed me by taking your own life while I was trapped inside you? Well think again!”

Eric (under Corgo’s influence) turned his dragoon tooth around in a reverse grip, then pointed at his own chest. Margery gasped and put her hands up.

“No, don’t!” she cried.

Corgo drove the dragon tooth into the location of Eric’s heart. But instead of the tooth piercing skin, skin melted tooth. Eric’s chest glowed as though his insides were suddenly made of lava. That was what happened to any weapon that was not sorsteel or enchanted when it was used against other demons besides Corgo, who destroyed even those.

“You see? Had you tried to take your own life while I was inside you it would have done naught to me or you! Nothing you do can destroy me!” Corgo stated.

Margery watched in disbelief. So, she couldn’t have given her life for the greater good even if she’d tried? That meant she’d lost no honor by living. But her son was still in danger. She had to get Corgo out of him, then escape. But she would need help… and there was only one person she could possibly receive help from now. Someone half a world away… but could be brought instantly if she were hurt badly.

“Enough of this charade,” Corgo continued. “Time to finish you.”

He walked over to her casually, dropping the handle of Eric’s now useless dragon tooth dagger. He reached out with Eric’s hand. Margery’s own dagger flew from where she’d dropped it on the floor. It flew into Eric’s waiting hand and Corgo took at it as he stood directly in front of her. Margery’s instinct told her to fight, but instead she stood still and allowed him to do what he would. Little did he know, his next move would be his undoing!

“Hmm, sorsteel. Pretty thing that slays pitiful demons. But not I.”

Then he stabbed her in the stomach with her own weapon. He left the dagger inside her.

“It’s over for you.” Eric’s voice spoke again. “Goodbye mother.”

Margery groaned in pain for a moment, then grinned and laughed as blood spurted from her mouth. It wasn’t over for her yet. Eric’s eyes widened as Corgo felt surprised at her reaction for the second time. She smiled at the demon watching through her son’s eyes.

“I shan’t die just yet. You’re not the only thing that could have saved my life if I’d been stabbed,” Margery said, pulling her dagger out and raising her right hand.

The sapphire of her enchanted wedding ring glowed brightly as its healing enchantment took effect. A warm feeling spread over her arm and down to her belly. She felt the stab wound heal. Then the second enchantment in the ring took effect, bringing the person wearing the other ring to help.

Chosan Yagaro materialized, summoned by the other enchantment on the ring. He wore the same clothes Margery remembered, an open purple robe trimmed in gold over a black shirt, yellow silk pants, and black boots. Atop his head lay a Sorcerer Lord’s hat laden with jewels, his belly stuck out more than Margery remembered. Three gold badges pinned to the chest of his robe, marking him as a master of those three powers. In his hands he carried a sorcerer’s staff, and a dagger on his belt.

“Margery!” Chosan exclaimed, able to somehow move. “Where’s Corgo?”

“He’s inside Eric,” Margery said getting to her feet. “We need to get out of here! Quickly, you must heal Rubara! I will deal with Corgo!”

Chosan nodded and ran to Rubara, Margery, meanwhile, stared Corgo down. She put her hands on her amulet where she had the five gems filled with extra magic. All of them glowed as she drew on all her extra sorcery. Corgo raised Eric’s hand and summoned a great amount of his demonic power. It flew out as a dark mist, and Margery threw up a five layered sorcery shield that shined with all common sorcery colors. Blue, green, orange, yellow, and purple. It went from one end of the cave to the other, blocking the mist, but Margery felt the immense pressure from Corgo’s strength. Even with five cores, blocking his attack was not easy. A small crack formed in her shield.

Behind her, Margery heard Rubara speak, “What? Chosan? Did-we win? Ouch!” Rubara felt her broken wing.

“Sorry! Hold on. I’ll heal your wing.” Chosan scrambled up Rubara’s nose, neck and back until he stood on top of the broken wing. Rubara roared at the immense weight of the fat man.

“Sorry!” Chosan said again.

Corgo continued to hammer away at Margery’s shield, the crack getting bigger.

“Give it up! You can’t defeat me,” Corgo said lowering Eric’s hands.

“But I can hurt you!” Margery said.

She lowered the shield, taking advantage of his lowered defense and pointed both hands at him.

“Egu Pala!” Feel pain!

Whatever enhancement Zaro had given Corgo long ago, it didn’t prevent him from feeling pain. That was clear by the fact that he had gone numb and collapsed after Margery hit him with Eric’s sorcery. Both Corgo and Eric screamed as Margery’s spell hit them. Then the dark essence of Corgo’s spirit left Eric’s body. Margery released her spell on her son’s body, Eric collapsed, grunted and looked around, awake and free from Corgo’s control. Relief filled Margery as she ran over to him.

“Mother, what happened?” he asked as she bent over him.

“No time to explain we have to get out of here!” Margery said.

She looked back and saw Rubara getting to her feet. The dragon spread her wings, Chosan climbing frantically up the ladder, letting out heavy breaths as he threw his staff into the saddle. Margery turned her attention back to Eric and grabbed his wrist. She then teleported herself and her son up into the saddle.

“Rubara, get us out of here!” Chosan ordered.

The dragon flapped her wings and was out of the cave in an instant. But they were far from out of danger.

“We need to get Sortar fast!” Chosan said.

He was right. Even as fast as Rubara was, Corgo would catch them. There was only one chance for escape. Teleporting all the way back, but the distance was so great, and it would require a great amount of sorcery to get them all there and they needed to include Rubara as well. Teleporting a large object or creature took even more sorcery. Margery had already used up much of her reserves fighting Corgo. But she still might have enough left to help.

The black smoke of Corgo’s corporeal form rose into the air after them. He was gaining fast. They had to do something! All Sorceria depended on Eric getting to safety. Margery looked at her body which was still glowing with the enormous amount of sorcery she’d absorbed from the gems. She then looked at Chosan’s own gems which he wore on the Mitra hat.

Margery extended her hand to him. “Here, use this sorcery with your own to teleport us to Sortar!”

Chosan let out a relieved grin at the prospect of salvation. He drew the sorcery from her with one hand then put the other on his amulet. He gathered the enormous amount of sorcery and spread it between the four of them. Margery, Eric, Rubara, and himself. Margery felt warm as the practical sea of magic flowed through her. Then a mad voice came from behind.

“You shan’t escape me! I have waited too long to let the red sorcerer slip through my fingers!”

Corgo was back in his terrible physical form. He was gaining on them! His right hand forming a spear of dark energy. His eyes focused on Chosan as the Sorcerer Lord prepared to teleport them. If he slew Chosan, Corgo would prevent the teleportation, then he would have them!

The bat pulled his shoulder back to throw the spear.

“No!” Margery screamed, placing herself between the path of the projectile and her wedbrother as Corgo threw it. Intense pain shot through her chest while at the same time the blue sky vanished, turning into a whirlpool of light as Chosan teleported them using all the sorcery he’d gathered. Then the whirlpool vanished, darkness surrounded them as they were instantly half a world away. Day on Dragoran was night in Sortar.

But it was her last day and night. She looked down at her pierced chest.

“Margery!” she heard Chosan call her name.

A thud sounded as Rubara landed. Margery felt someone wrap their arms around her. She caught a glimpse of Chosan, his face filled with horror.

“No!” Rubara hadn’t screamed like that since Margery’s parents had fallen.

“Mother!” Eric’s cry was even worse as he looked upon his mother.

Margery knew it was over. She could feel blood running down her chest. Her ring would not save her this time. She’d taken the spear intended for Chosan.

“Margery no! There has to be something I can do!” Chosan screamed. “There has to!”

“Chosan… it’s alright.” Margery smiled through the pain. It was nothing compared to what would have happened if Corgo took her son.

She turned her head to the side and saw the massive wall of Sortar. People there would view her as a traitor for not taking her own life. Perhaps when Eric learned spirit sorcery and could summon her, she could tell them that it would not have worked. But she didn’t care about what everyone thought… as long as her son was safe. She’d managed to ensure that at least.

Eric suddenly blocked the view of the city. He wrapped his arms around her as well.

“Momma! Don’t leave me!”

Margery’s vision faded, as did the pain.

“I… love you.”

She gave her son one last smile as the darkness consumed her sight and she passed. Her hand hitting the ground.