The Third Red 1: The Enemy Within

Queen Razana walked to the wounded Taro’s side. She put her hands on the wound, her fingers glowing as she did so.

“Woota hela.” Be healed.

Light traveled from the Queen’s fingers into Taro. The Warlord’s blistered skin returned to normal as his wounds healed. Taro let out several breathes before looking at Eric who was staring in the direction Bloodfeather had flown off with Karia.

“You can’t go after her,” Taro choked out as he got up. “If that demon takes over your body, he’ll join with Corgo… or go after him. Either way, Corgo will use you to free Zaro. Then it’s over, we’re doom. You have to let her go, for the sake of the Kingdom.”

That may have been the logical choice, but Eric’s heart told him something else.

“I can’t do that. I already lost my mother,” he said in a breaking voiceas he recalled that terrible event. “I can’t lose anyone else.”

“But…”

“No, Taro,” Queen Razana said. “The girl must be saved. She is… essential for our future.”

Eric didn’t know what Razana meant… and he didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was that she agreed Karia had to be saved.

“Then I can go, your highness?” he asked.

“Aye. you will need to replenish your sorcery first and get a new sword.”

Eric looked down at the hilt of his melted blade. The only thing useful about it now was the excess sorcery stored in the ruby on the pommel. Eric could use that sorcery to replenish his first core but-

“Even if I get another sword it won’t help against Bloodfeather. He’s like Corgo, all weapons are useless again him.”

“There is one in your castle that might help to defeat Bloodfeather. Lord Chosan?” Razana looked at Eric’s uncle but didn’t say anything further.

“Yes, I understand my Queen,” Chosan said with a bow. “Eric, here. I’ll restore your sorcery.”

He reached for his amulet, drawing sorcery from each gem one by one and putting it into Eric’s chest. Once Chosan replenished all the cores he could, Eric finished by drawing his red sorcery stored in the pommel of his broken hilt. He was back at full strength!

“Take my hand,” Chosan said. “We’re going back to Soyagone.”

He reached out. Eric, realizing Chosan meant to teleport them, obeyed.

“Hey wait!” Dargin called.

Too late. There was a flash of light and both Yagaros were back in the courtyard of their castle. Eric looked at his uncle, remorse now filling him.

“I’m sorry for what I said.”

Chosan nodded sadly. “I’m sorry too. I should have told you the truth. But Zaro must have planted the idea in my head. He used me to create that demon in you.”

“He used everyone,” Eric said shaking his head. “Taro, Tarair, my mother, all so he could get that demon to corrupt me.”

“Well, we have to stop it then.”

Chosan lead Eric to the armory.

“This is the weapon the Queen spoke of.”

It was a sword much like Eric’s first one. It had a curved guard with the Yagaro Y on it and a ruby pommel. There were some differences though. This sword had a wider blade with the edges stretching farther on either side of the silver guard which bore a crown symbol and a gemstone on each side, making it more beautiful. The handle and scabbard were both covered in light gray leather with the image of a red axe crossing with a sword, the symbol of the fabled Scarlet Arms.

“It’s called Sparespell,” Chosan said, taking it off the wall. “This is one of the last of the Scarlet Arms created by Rayzar I.”

He pointed to the red symbol on the handle and scabbard before continuing.

“It has special enchantments you can’t find anywhere else. Rayzar made it for our ancestor, Eric the Merciful, your namesake. It can absorb sorcery by stabbing a sorcerer or cutting through a magic attack. It also paralyzes those it cuts and heals injuries.”

“A sword that heals?” Eric asked taking the blade.

“Aye, Eric the Merciful prided himself on the ability to save lives rather than take them. Of course, this sword is still sharp enough to cut. It only activates the enchantments if you run sorcery through it. Even then it won’t heal injuries like a stab to the heart, bisection, or beheading. The healing also works by putting the flat side of the blade on someone’s shoulder. But just scratch someone with the enchantment on and it will render immobile.”

Eric looked at it. The paralyze and absorb sorcery enchantments could be useful. He took the scabbard and sheathed the blade, then tried to put the sword into his belt. But it wouldn’t fit, Eric struggled for a moment in vain.

“Here,” Chosan said, handing him a belt near the rack whereon the sword had hung. This belt had a wider loop which fit the sword perfectly.

Eric put on the belt then looked at him. “Thanks… Uncle.”

Chosan put a hand on Eric’s shoulders. “Good luck. I hope you save her.”

“I hope so too.”

Eric turned and walked down the steps back to the middle courtyard, where he found Dargin and Morum.

“How’d you two get here so fast?” Eric asked in surprise.

“I can teleport as well, you know,” Morum said, gesturing to the gems on his own leather breastplate. “We’re coming with you, Lord Eric. I can’t leave a helpless girl to a demon.”

“Aye, there be fight, I not leave you either.” Dargin agreed, brandishing his poleaxe. “I yer bodyguard.”

Eric looked at them for a moment then managed a small smile, glad his friends were willing to stand with him. But he couldn’t allow it.

“Sorry boys. But you heard Bloodfeather. I have to meet him in the Gold Pine Woods alone or he’ll kill Karia. I can’t take anyone with me. Besides, Bloodfeather and I can fly. Neither of you can, and he’s immune to weapons!”

There were soft footsteps behind him. Eric turned and saw Myra, she looked at him in a mixture of fear and curiosity.

“What’s going on?” she asked. “Someone’s going to kill Karia?”

“I don’t have time to explain,” Eric said as he looked away from his youngest cousin. “Gotta go!”

He spread the wings he’d grown out of his back earlier, flapping them and taking off. Eric ascended above the wall of Soyagone then headed south, toward Gold Pine Forest. Within moments his wings carried him along the entire length of the white walls of Sortar, over the bridge connecting the island to the mainland and finally he was above the pines.

He focused sorcery into his eyes. “Viset soron!” See sorcery.

His sight sorcery lit up, allowing him to see energy within other living beings. Through the foliage of the trees below, he saw several gray shapes belonging to non-magical animals. There were many deer, he even saw a bear like the one that attacked him during the recent hunt. But since he was up here was no need to fear that massive creature.

“Let’s get some!” Clauwing’s voice said in Eric’s head.

“Not now, the demon is our prey today,” Eric told his inner beast.

He flew above the forest looking for any trace of sorcery and sniffing for a scent. For a while the young sorcerer neither smelled nor saw anything, and that caused him to grow worried. If he had to keep this up much longer, he’d be too late. Bloodfeather would dissipate… but not before he dropped Karia from up high. Eric had to find them before the demon did anything to her.

Then, he caught it. Eric sniffed and changed course, his beast sorcery allowing him to pick up the repulsive evil scent of the demon, as well as the sweet one of Karia. He heard something flap behind him but didn’t look. It was probably just a bird.

Soon enough he found them, two figures that gave off light in the eyes of the eyes of his sight sorcery. One orange, the other red and black. It was them. Eric ceased the flow of sorcery into his eyes, his vision returned to normal and he stopped, looking down at them.

“I’m here Bloodfeather!” he called down at the manifestation of darkness in his heart. “And I’m alone!”

“Good,” Bloodfeather replied, getting up. “Come down.”

Eric landed on the forest floor filled with dried branches and pine needles. They crunched as his boots fell on them. The young sorcerer stood several paces from his inner demon.

“Let Karia go!” Eric demanded, looking at the girl. She’d been bound with ropes and gagged. Her golden eyes gazed at him fearfully.

“I think not!” Bloodfeather said. “I think I’ll play with her after I’m done with you!”

He flapped his wings and sprang at Eric. The young sorcerer flung a spell at his foe. Bloodfeather raised a clawed hand and put up a shield of red and black sorcery. It blocked Eric’s attack, preventing damage. But in the air, Bloodfeather had nothing to brace himself against and was knocked back several feet. The demon put his feet back on the ground, now running at Eric with his shield still raised. Eric sent another sorcery beam out, maintaining it to break through his enemy’s shield. But Bloodfeather added his other hand to the mix, making the barrier too strong for Eric to break with one hand alone. He was getting close to his quarry, Eric tried to create a sorcery blade for close combat, but too late. Clawed hands wrapped around his wrists again, he yelped as he felt them digging into his skin.

Bloodfeather grinned. “Now you’re mine!”

The air around them began to fill with dark sorcery. Fear gripped Eric as he knew the battle was lost. He was going to become not only a servant of evil, but a creature of it. He would take the physical form of this demon and go to Corgo.

“I think not!” a familiar voice called.

Something huge rammed Bloodfeather from the side. The demon lost his grip on Eric, his claws cutting into Eric’s arms. The young sorcerer grunted at the stinging pain before he saw Dargin. The goblin stood unarmed and began punching the demon with metal clad hands.

“You may melt piercing blades and axes, but any demon can be hurt by good bash!”

Bloodfeather groaned as blow after blow hit. Then Dargin let out a yell and lashed out with his foot, knocking the demon off his feet.

“Dargin?” Eric asked.

“That right!” the goblin grinned at him. “You think you leave me out of fight? I think not!”

Bloodfeather growled at them as he got to his feet. “I told you to come alone!”

“I meant to!” Eric said. “He followed me without me knowing!”

“We follow!” Dargin corrected.

“We?” Eric repeated.

“That’s right Lord Eric!”

Eric gazed in the direction of the other voice. Morum had appeared out of nowhere. He stood near Karia who still lay on the forest floor.

“Morum!” Eric looked from the lion man to the goblin. “But how?”

“Easy, got your grandmother to give us a ride. We had time to catch up to you while you were looking for him.”

Eric then remembered the flapping he’d heard on the way here, that must have been Rubara.

“It matters not! I told you what would happen if you weren’t alone!” Bloodfeather stated, turning toward Karia and Morum.

The lion man put himself between the demon and the bound girl. He drew his dagger in a reverse grip and said, “Capa graka!” Head grow.

The lion head pommel of the dagger grew into a large warhammer. Morum raised over his shoulder and looked at Bloodfeather. That weapon wouldn’t melt since it wouldn’t cut, so it could hurt Morum but wouldn’t kill him. Bloodfeather frowned and raised his hands.

“Litar!”

The demon sent a spark of lightning out from each hand. Morum tried to block with a sorcery shield but the two bolts broke through it and went onto hit him. Morum collapsed with a scream, Eric saw he was still alive, just knocked down, the lion boy pushed himself up. But now Karia was now wide open! The demon ran at her as she struggled against her bonds. He bent down and pulled her to her feet as she let out a muffled but clearly frightened cry.

“Let her go!” Eric yelled.

Both he and Dargin sprinted at them as they uttered, “Grito kodu suprere velos!” Grant me superior speed.

They both used their Greater Body to increase their speed, but even so were too slow to catch them. With a single flap of his wings, Bloodfeather took to the sky with his captive. He held Karia around the waist. She screamed through her gag.

“No!” Eric flapped his own wings and soared after them.

Bloodfeather rose above the treetops with Karia. He flew until they were high in the air, then let go of the girl. Karia plummeted past Eric toward the ground, giving a muffled scream.

Eric redirected himself and dove after his falling friend. He reached out desperately, hoping to catch her before she hit.

“You won’t get her! But I’ll get you!” He heard Bloodfeather say from behind.

Eric knew the demon was right. He would grab Eric and hold him in place before he could reach Karia. A sudden urge to turn around and attack the demon filled Eric, but he couldn’t look away from the terrified eyes of the girl falling to her inevitable death.

A familiar roar sounded from down below, ahead of Eric. Rubara seemed to materialize out of thin air like Dargin and Morum had. Eric looked at his grandmother for a split second, catching a glimpse of a girl with a silver flower in her hair. Myra was on Rubara’s back! She’d come too! Eric realized that she must have made the others invisible. Quickly putting that aside, he flapped his wings with all his might, passing Rubara who moved to block Bloodfeather. Now he could reach Karia! He was almost there, but so was so she as she fell! She went past the treetops, quickly followed by Eric who outstretched his arms.

And he caught her!

Just in the nick of time. He grunted and pulled up, avoiding the ground that Karia would have hit in another second. Eric flew a few feet then landed safely, both of them breathed a few breaths of relief as Eric removed Karia’s gag.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

She breathed for a moment, shaken by the near-death experience but nodded. “Yes. Thank you!” she said and hugged him.

There was the sound of metal clad footsteps as Dargin and Morum approached.

“You caught her!” Morum said. “Thank Spirakus!”

“I glad you safe Karia!” Dargin said.

“Thank you for coming for me, all of you.” Karia said gratefully as she looked at them with tears forming in her eyes.

Eric smiled for an instant, then a roar above snapped his attention back to their dire situation. He looked up and saw Rubara spray fire at Bloodfeather who didn’t bother to dodge. He vanished for a moment then reappeared once the inferno cleared. Just like with Corgo, it had no effect. If this were any other creature Eric was sure Rubara would have a much bigger chance. The demon flapped in place, and coiled his clawed hands where Eric saw crackling lightning building up as he faced Rubara. Eric gritted his teeth in fear.

“Granny Ruby look out!” he called.

But Bloodfeather shot the dragon with a bolt of lightning… the weakness of her race! It caused Rubara to roar again in pain. Eric gritted his teeth.

“I have to help my grandmother and Myra!” Eric said.

“Myra’s here too?” Karia asked, now in concern. “Quick bring me over there!”

Eric almost took off without her but remembering that she had been trained in healing sorcery, couldn’t afford to leave her behind. Picking the sorceress up in his arms, Eric spread his wings and flew up as Bloodfeather hit Rubara with a sustained bolt of lightning. Eric thought he heard Myra scream. Rubara went down, her massive form falling on top of trees and bending them over.

“Granny Ruby! Myra!” Eric yelled.

“Oh no!” Karia exclaimed as she held onto Eric.

The red sorcerer uttered another incantation. “Viset distaka!” See farther!

Eric’s sight sorcery activated in a telescopic manner. He saw Rubara as though he were directly in front of her. Some of her scales had been charred by the lightning, but she was breathing at least. Eric couldn’t see Myra.

Bloodfeather put his hands together for a finishing blow. “Let’s see how much light is left in your heart once your grandmother is gone is well!” He shouted.

Even from this distance Eric could hear him. He flapped his wings hard as he could but knew they wouldn’t get there in time. There wouldn’t be anyone else coming to help… or so he thought.

A beam of yellow light hit Bloodfeather from behind. It didn’t harm him, but it did cancel his attack. The demon looked around for the source. Eric did as well, and his mouth fell open when he realized who it was. Tarair Volk had grown himself a pair of griffin wings and flown to their aid!

“Tarair!” Eric exclaimed in complete surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“Getting revenge on the demon that injured my father and preventing your grandmother from being killed,” Tarair said.

Never thought I’d be so happy to see a griffin. Clauwing said in Eric’s head. Eric had to agree. He’d never thought he’d be so happy to see a member of the Volk family.

Bloodfeather wasn’t so glad. The humanoid demon flew up at Tarair who flapped in the other direction.

“Help your dragon! I can hold him off for a while!” Tarair shouted.

Eric hesitated, but as he looked back down, he saw the saddle on Rubara’s back pressed against a tree.

“Myra!”

He landed on Rubara’s side, setting Karia down.

“Myra!” he yelled again.

“Eric! Help! I’m trapped!” the girl’s voice came from inside the large seat of the saddle.

“Hang on Myra! Granny Ruby, can you… can you roll over?” Eric asked, his voice in a slight panic.

Grunting, Rubara shifted to her side. Eric flapped his wings and lifted Karia up to avoid the both of them falling off. Now the inside of the saddle was visible, Eric looked in and saw Myra. He and Karia got inside with her, inspecting her injuries. She had some scratches but wasn’t badly hurt. Rubara was worse.

“Hang on,” Karia said. “Eric, can you undo my sorcery suppression?”

Eric nodded. He put a hand on Karia’s chest, drawing the sorcery blocking her core into his body. She tested her sorcery to make sure it was working, running orange light out of her palm. Eric cast a glance upward and saw Tarair meet Bloodfeather’s red-black sorcery attack with his yellow one, at least managing to hold Eric’s inner demon off. But despite all his skill with sorcery, Tarair was unable to deliver a blow that could have destroyed Bloodfeather.

Tarair’s beam was pushed back like when Eric beat him the first time. It would have been fatal if not for the Sorsteel mail Tarair wore over his body. The armor prevented the worst, still, Tarair was knocked out of the air and fell toward the ground.

“No!” Eric screamed, and reacted without thinking.

He flapped his wings, and reached Tarair just in time. He managed to catch his rival by the arm and prevent him from taking what might have been a fatal fall just as he had Karia. Eric grunted, Tarair was much heavier than Karia, being bigger and more muscular, Eric envied that. He flapped his wings just enough to slow the larger boy’s fall and they plopped harmlessly to the forest floor.

Bloodfeather landed on the ground with an amused grin as he looked at Eric.

“Even willing to save your enemy. How noble, your father would be proud. Mine would be disgusted.”

“Time to finish this!” Eric growled as he drew Sparespell.

“Yes, I believe so!” Bloodfeather said as he extended a hand toward Tarair. “Levras!”

The blade in Tarair’s belt flew out of its scabbard, soaring into the demon’s hand. He grasped it with both, putting his left hand on the sorsteel pommel. Only to wince and drop the sword.

“Argh!” Bloodfeather growled, shaking his hands.

It seemed even though he could melt sorsteel, he couldn’t touch it without feeling pain. Eric’s mouth fell open as he saw an opportunity. Bloodfeather had taken his eyes off his opponent… now was his chance!

“Grito kodu suprere velos!”

Calling sorcery into his legs as he again uttered the incantation for superior speed, Eric ran at his inner demon with the full intention to destroy him. Bloodfeather looked up, the fear in his eyes obvious.

“Lord Eric, no!”

Morum’s voice sounded as he and Dargin both appeared from out of the forest nearby. Eric stopped short of Bloodfeather, the steel blade inches from the demons neck.

“You need to put sorcery into the blade!” Morum shouted out.

“Oh Panarus!” Eric swore.

Had he followed through with his attempt to behead Bloodfeather, it would have been the same result as before. He needed to have his red sorcery channeling through the sword in order for it to work.

Eric’s distraction, though brief, gave Bloodfeather the opportunity to counterattack.

“Gustas!”

The inner demon sent a blast of wind at Eric who flew back, his sword and shield falling out of his grasp.

“Litar!”

Eric looked up just in time to see Bloodfeather unleash a bolt of lightning. But he didn’t react in time. The bolt hit him and he screamed.

“Arrgh!”

“Eric!” Karia screamed from atop Rubara who she was now healing.

“No!” Myra shouted as she looked at her cousin.

“Little one!” Rubara shouted.

Eric groaned, smoking slightly and unable to stand.

“Now you’re mine!” Bloodfeather said as he advanced.

Dargin was suddenly in front of the demon’s path, protecting Eric, he’d left Morum and ran forward to guard his other friend.

“You want him, you go through me!” the goblin said confidently raising his fists.

He’d not brought his weapons he’d know they were useless against Bloodfeather. The demon growled and swung his claws with a ferocity and skill Eric had never had had in unarmed combat. Dargin blocked but was sent stumbling back in front of Morum. The lion man roared and charged at the demon. He didn’t bother with his battle axe or dagger, he struck at Bloodfeather with sorcery packed punches and claws from his fingers. That worked, Bloodfeather cried out in pain at each hit. Even if they couldn’t destroy him, they could hurt him.

Morum forced Bloodfeather back as Dargin recovered and joined the brawl. Eric struggled to get up as Karia was suddenly at his side.

“Hold on, Eric! I’ll heal you!” Karia said putting her hands on his chest.

“Granny… Ruby?” Eric choked out.

“She’ll be okay,” Karia assured him as her hands lit up with sorcery that matched her hair.

“Where’s Myra?” Eric asked.

“I told her to hide,” Karia said. “She’s too young to fight!”

Eric nodded. As Karia’s sorcery flowed through him, he felt the pain lessening. Soon Eric was healed. He pushed himself back up and saw Bloodfeather flap his wings, retreating from Dargin and Morum’s punches. The demon shot another bolt of lightning at the two. Morum put up a shield of sorcery to protect himself and the goblin knight, but it shattered. Dargin and Morum both screamed and dropped to the ground. Bloodfeather than began charging an enormous amount of sorcery to deliver the killing blow once again.

“No!” Eric shouted as he sprinted out and placed himself in front of his friends.

Bloodfeather, unwilling to harm Eric, who he needed to possess to survive, sheathed the sorcery he’d gathered. Karia meanwhile, tried to run toward Dargin and Morum. She put her hands on both of them as Eric faced his inner demon.

Without a physical sword, the young sorcerer had to use his last resort weapon. He pressed his thumb to his hand, forming a red sorcery blade from it. This was it, the defining moment. One way or another, this would end in the next few seconds.

“Enough of this!” Bloodfeather shouted, all patience lost.

He lunged at Eric again. The Yagaro Heir raised his sorcery blade, but Bloodfeather was too fast! He took hold of Eric’s wrists again, but instead of disarming, the inner demon held on. Eric grunted as he felt a great hatred course through him. He went into his own mind, saw the memories of his mother. Her pained expression as she lay dying, Corgo’s evil grin, everything began to fade to black.

“Eric!” Karia shouted out.

Her voice broke Eric’s trance. He narrowed his eyes at Bloodfeather in determination. He was not going to give up. He was not alone, so many came to help him, Dargin, Morum, Myra. Karia had helped as well by healing all of them. He’d only known them for just over a week now. But he knew who they were. His friends, they’d been through a lot together in such a short time. At long last, Eric didn’t feel alone. Even Tarair had come to help, Eric didn’t consider him a friend, but he was grateful.

Their faces all appeared in his mind’s eye. He pushed against the darkness, then Clauwing joined in, together the sorcerer warrior and his inner beast drove their enemy within out of their mind. A shout escaped Eric’s mouth, along with a shockwave of energy from his body. It pushed Bloodfeather back and he hit a nearby tree with a grunt.

The demon growled as he got up on his knees. Sighing, he spoke. “You may win today, but your light can’t burn forever! Night always comes sooner or later. Darkness can still consume your heart. You’ll do things you’ll regret, and I will feed on it. Someday I will become stronger than both you and your beast! Just wait… I will…”

He broke off as a blast of orange sorcery hit him. A hole appeared in his chest like when the Queen attacked him.

“I’ll be there for him if he ever needs someone to help him carry on in dark times!” Karia said as she lowered her hand.

Bloodfeather groaned, clutching the wound Karia had somehow inflicted. Eric at her in surprise.

“How did you-“ Both of them started to ask.

“Eric do it!” Clauwing shouted. “Slay the demon!”

Eric’s head snapped back to attention. “Right!” He thought back.

Eric ran forward, swinging the sorcery blade. It cut through bone with a swish, going through the neck. Bloodfeather’s head fell from his body which fell down after it, both turned to smoke as they hit. The smoke then traveled to Eric, vanishing as it went back into his heart where it would remain safe, he hoped.

Eric watched the darkness retreat, letting out several deep breathes. “It’s over.”

He then fell to his knees, completely exhausted.