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Into the Moral Darkness: (Now a Completed Story!)
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<blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3576779" data-attributes="member: 35788"><p>Brandt turned to Iscahrus, who was the only one to have waited to leave after Brandt. Brandt began to speak, but Ischarus smiled and spoke first. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Sir, with all due respect, I am used to leading. We’re going to go and fight our own battles, and I’ll fight better knowing that I was last.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt thought about countermanding Ischarus’ advice, but decided quickly that it really didn’t matter. <span style="color: Lime">“As you wish, Ischarus. Just let me summon a few assistants from Reah, if she will spare them.”</span> </p><p></p><p>Brandt looked up to the set of manacles that hung from Master Searthu’s wall. The manacles were a common symbol used to represent Reah as the tools of her staunch pursuit of justice. <span style="color: Lime">“Reah, your servant is in need of your assistance. If you are willing, please send your light to me. Daancrah Pashor Fundar.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt waved his hands in the air, and suddenly three small globes of light appeared just outside of Brandt’s reach. The small balls of light floated in the middle of the air. They sang to Brandt in unison as their summoning came to a conclusion. <span style="color: Lime">“Reah has found honor in your quest, favored one. We are here to help.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt smiled in Ischarus’ direction and commented upon the appearance of the divine agents with a clear tone of humor in his voice. <span style="color: Lime">“Apparently, Reah is in a most literal mood, today.”</span> Brandt could hear Master Searthu chuckling behind where he stood.</p><p></p><p>Master Brandt turned to the glowing orbs and pointed to the crystal ball displaying Jerome’s current position. <span style="color: Lime">“Our goal is to reach this man. He is the premiere servant to the caretaker of the city park in Eberdeen. Our goal is to take him alive, but we should not expect him to come willingly. I would ask that you do not risk danger upon yourself. If you will, protect me and offer assistance to my efforts. But there is no need for you to provide a direct assault upon Jerome. I will do that.”</span></p><p></p><p>The globes did not reply in so many words. Their position of flight altered in the room and the formed a horizontal equilateral triangle which slowly revolved around Brandt’s head. Ischarus couldn’t help but allow a slight smile of pride to appear as he watched Brandt teleport to Jerome’s location. Less than a second later, the glowing orbs vanished, following Brandt into battle precisely.</p><p></p><p>Brandt quickly recognized the new location, and once the orbs realized that they were outside they lifted themselves aloft to a distance of twenty five feet. They continued to stay directly above the servant of Reah who had summoned them, and they also continued to slowly revolve in a flat counterclockwise arc.</p><p></p><p>Brandt saw his mark, and he noted that Jerome had not yet noticed his appearance. The follower of Reah motioned to the small angelic figures to soften their melodic humming before he spoke. <span style="color: Lime">“Jerome of Eberdeen, I have come to confront you about your service to the wizard of the wizard’s college here in Eberdeen. It has been suggested that you follow the wizard while being under the effects of the Arum Dracunculus.”</span></p><p></p><p>Jerome spun around to face Brandt as soon as he heard the voice. At the mention of the Arum Dracunculus, Jerome began to chuckle. <span style="color: Red">“Who do you think told him where to find the plant? I serve willingly; I do not need the drug to convince me of my master’s bidding. What I do, I do by my choice.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt was not completely surprised with Jerome’s statement. After all, Jerome was an assistant caretaker of Eberdeen’s central park. He should know something about the care of plants. <span style="color: Lime">“Then you have willingly enslaved others through your actions?”</span></p><p></p><p>Jerome laughed. His blue eyes grew darker as his laughter became much more ominous and serious. His eyebrows narrowed as he took note of the angelic orbs floating over a dozen feet above Brandt’s head. He extended an arm and pointed a long finger towards Brandt. Years of working in the soil had long since tinted each of his fingernails black. <span style="color: Red">“It was my idea, but my master has the means of making the effect a reality. It would not have been possible without my research, but it is his hand that actually does the work.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt snarled at the confession. <span style="color: Lime">“Association by definition makes you no less guilty. Willingly participating in the enslavement of others is still against the tenets of this land and the teachings of Reah. I will bring you to justice.”</span></p><p></p><p>Jerome grinned, displaying a set of teeth long stained brown from drinking teas made from the leaves and roots of his plants. <span style="color: Red">“Oh? Is that so?”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded. <span style="color: Lime">“I foiled your master’s plans already when he tried to work through Ophee.”</span></p><p></p><p>A look of pleasure passed over his face. <span style="color: Red">“She was weak. She deserved to die. There is no place in the world for those who can be dominated so easily by a plant.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt shook his head. <span style="color: Lime">“I would think that you above all people would value life.”</span></p><p></p><p>Jerome couldn’t help but nod in Brandt’s direction. <span style="color: Red">“I do value all life. Each life has use. Opheiluka’s life taught me to focus on why I struggle every day to keep from being weak. I learned from her life, but she was past her usefulness for quite some time.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt returned Jerome’s gesture. <span style="color: Lime">“Indeed. Now I think it is time to determine if you are past yours. Thin quas Zecka Zhendahl.”</span></p><p></p><p>As Brandt lifted his right hand up from his side and pointed it towards Jerome, a static charge collected along his fingertips. Once his fingers pointed towards the target, the charge jumped off of Brandt’s fingers and formed a large bolt of lightning. The energy danced through the air until it neared Jerome’s position. Without warning, the energy dissipated in midair with a disappointing fizzle. What faint energy remaining drifted dimly towards Jerome and was absorbed by a small gold ring.</p><p></p><p>Jerome laughed at the feebleness of Brandt’s spell. <span style="color: Red">“Did you think you would find me weak and unprepared? Did you think that a spell of the Zhendahl strength could actually harm me? If so, then I think that the slayer of Opheiluka has vastly underestimated the power and protection of the wizard’s other servants."</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt had a sudden moment of fear. Ophee had told the party that Jerome would be the greatest challenge. But if Jerome was challenging him, there was plenty of room for concern that the others would be likewise challenged.</p><p></p><p>Jerome didn’t allow Brandt to dwell in his fear for very long, however. Jerome turned to the plants in the field around him as he stepped back from Brandt’s location. <span style="color: Red">“Soo-ah Celluse Zhendahl.”</span> The grasses underneath Brandt’s feet instantly grew to nearly five feet in height. Visibility was not obscured, but Brandt’s mobility certainly was vastly reduced. Should Jerome wish to get away, Brandt would have a difficult time following without the aid of his divine agents.</p><p></p><p>Brandt extended his hands. Fortunately, he had anticipated Jerome’s ability to use nature against him. When he was asking for his magical power from Reah, he had received knowledge on this very spell. Brandt knew that the counter was quite simple. <span style="color: Lime">“Soo-ah Celluse Zhendahl.”</span> It was a matter of repeating the same magical phrase but with a different tone. The plants underneath Brant’s feet withered. Just to make his point, Brandt reduced the grass to an even lower height than it had begun.</p><p></p><p>Jerome snarled at Brandt’s ability. <span style="color: Red">“So, I see that you have come prepared. Perhaps I will give you some credit. As it is, allow me to bring one of my friends to counter your three divine agents above! Daancrah Pashel Fundar”</span></p><p></p><p>The effect of Jerome’s summoning was immediately obvious. Flames burst from the ground, although the ground was not actually harmed. A ten foot snake with the torso and arms of a man burst through the flames. The creature’s left hand gripped the hilt of a large double bladed axe. The great flame that had summoned the creature diminished once the creature appeared, but smaller flames continued to leap from the creature’s skin and scales and either dissipate as they rose into the air or singe the ground beneath the creature’s unusual body as the creature slithered along the ground.</p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded as the humming of his three companions increased. <span style="color: Lime">“Indeed, my friends. Jerome has given you something to play target practice with. Have at the fearsome creature from the bottomless pit of the earth! As for me, Ythan Shintar!”</span></p><p></p><p>Five identical images of Brandt appeared to surround Brandt at the call of the arcane words. Brandt stepped towards Jerome and the images stepped with him. At times, the images seemed to pass right through one another. At other times, the images passed through Brandt. The effect of the spell was making it impossible to determine exactly which one of the six total images of Brandt the real follower of Reah was.</p><p></p><p>Jerome applauded lightly in appreciation of the parlor trick. <span style="color: Red">“A handy trick, but nothing that is so easily defeated.”</span> As Jerome spoke, the fiery snake-like creature slithered across the ground between Brandt and Jerome. The ground blackened as the creature moved over the grass. The creature hefted the double bladed axe over his head and struck at one of the six images. The blade of the axe passed through one of the images as it popped out of existence.</p><p></p><p>As the fiery creature drew closer to Brandt, the divine entities hovering above Brandt increased the volume of their humming. A small beam of light struck out from each of the small orbs and landed upon the fiery creature. The beams appeared to wound the snake-like being, but the damage was not severe enough to take the attention of the fiery creature away from Brandt.</p><p></p><p>Jerome finished applauding and finished his speech. <span style="color: Red">“Now I shall defeat the spell in one simple gesture. Daancrah Zzat Diast.”</span> The humming of the divine agents was suddenly silenced by the cacophonous sound of locusts. The insects appeared out of the ground and surrounded Brandt and his mirages. As the insects drew closer to Brandt and attacked each one of the images, they popped out of existence.</p><p></p><p>Brandt held out his hand to keep the swarm at bay for a moment. He admired Jerome’s ability to use counter magic as well as he could. Without offering another chance for an exchange of parlay, Brandt lifted up his finger once more and cried out to Reah. <span style="color: Lime">“Smite mine enemy! Thin Kelath Teos Diast!”</span></p><p></p><p>From a point higher than either Brandt, his divine agents, the fiery creature, or Jerome could see, a column of fire descended rapidly. The fire focused onto Jerome’s position and encircled him. The servant of the wizard cried out at the effect that Brandt had called down upon him, but it was not enough to silence his magical energy. When the effect had passed, Jerome turned to Brandt and responded. <span style="color: Red">“You have given your goddess a chance to speak, now feel the wrath of mine. Feel the wrath of nature! Thin quas Zecka Diast!”</span></p><p></p><p>Dark clouds gathered overhead. They appeared so suddenly that it had to be caused by the magical summoning of Jerome. The light of the sun was diminished as though it were night, and the only reason that Brandt could still see Jerome was because of the light radiating from his divine helpers. Now, the battle had extended beyond the two wielders of magic. Now, the battle was encompassing all of Eberdeen. Thunder rolled across the land, and a strong gale blew across the central park and through the city. Jerome pointed to Brandt, who held up his left palm to block the incoming attack.</p><p></p><p>Lightning arced from the sky and followed Jerome’s point. The electric assault slammed into Brandt’s hand and flowed through Brandt’s body. His robe began to smoke, and a dark circle was left behind from where the electricity had landed. Branded breathed deeply as he recovered from the magic within the assault.</p><p></p><p>Brandt was certainly the more powerful of the two as far as the realm of magic, but Jerome’s constant involvement with nature had made him considerably tougher. A battle of pure damage would not bode well for Brandt. Even though Jerome was the weaker of the two in magic, he would outlast Brandt in a simple exchange of assaults. </p><p></p><p>Brandt would need to end this quickly, before all of Eberdeen was consumed in Jerome’s magical summoning. <span style="color: Lime">“Zysh Sooth Shindar.”</span></p><p></p><p>Jerome braced himself for the magical attack, but an attack never came. When he realized that the power of Brandt’s spell would not have been enough to affect him anyway, he smiled. <span style="color: Red">“You have become weak, wizard? Then I will strike you down! Thin quas Zecka Diast.”</span> Another lightning bolt descended and flowed through Brandt’s body and into the ground.</p><p></p><p>Before Brandt could recover, the fiery creature summoned by Jerome slashed hard at him and caught him in the side with his axe. His robes were bloodied, but fortunately his divine agents came to his aid. The humming of one of the orbs increased, and the pale yellow glow of Reah’s healing surrounded his newest wound and sealed it. The other two orbs continued their assault of light upon the fiery creature. It appeared as though they had gotten its attention and it would leave Brandt’s vicinity.</p><p></p><p>Brandt knew that he could not survive another assault of the magnitude that Jerome could bring down from the storm. He was glad that his earlier spell had deceived Jerome. The spell was not a spell of combat as Jerome had assumed. In fact, the spell had heightened Brandt’s aptitude for the coming magical attack. He grinned towards Jerome as he pointed towards his enemy. Only then did he notice that his robe was now singed, and of course still smoking. <span style="color: Lime">“Zysh Umaam Diast.”</span></p><p></p><p>There was no excitement in Brandt’s voice. There was only the recognition of more pain. Jerome was struck by the sheer magnitude of Brandt’s spell. Boils and blisters immediately broke out over Jerome’s face, hands, arms, legs, and feet. His mind instantly blanked as if he had lost all personality, spirit, and intellect. Small strings of drool quickly gathered along his parted lips and slowly dripped out of his mouth. The dark clouds above the city vanished as quickly as they had come now that Jerome was no longer mentally able to contain the magical power that bound them to his location.</p><p></p><p>Brandt stepped towards Jerome. His spell had worked. <span style="color: Lime">“You have given the city quite a show, sir. They will long talk about the day that lightning struck twice and the park grass blackened from fire. But they will not know why. You and your now feeble mind are coming with me.”</span></p><p></p><p>Jerome groaned in horror, but Brandt’s spell now meant that he no longer knew enough words to even try and object. Brandt held out a finger in his direction. <span style="color: Lime">“I can kill you with one word, now that you can no longer defend yourself from my magical assaults. Resist and you will force my hand to kill you. Kneel, and I will spare your life and take you to justice.”</span></p><p></p><p>More drool dripped from Jerome’s mouth as he leaned forward to kneel. Brandt had once again beaten one of the wizard’s servants. Like the last battle, this one had nearly cost him more than he was able to give.</p><p></p><p>Brandt turned to his divine agents. <span style="color: Lime">“Drive the fiery beast back to the center of the world from which it came. Make sure that it does no harm to any person living in Eberdeen. Then you may return home and give my greetings and word of my devotion to Reah.”</span></p><p></p><p>The orbs began to slowly circle around the fiery creature and assault it from every side. It wouldn’t take long for the creature to be defeated. Their combined mobility and ability to fly kept them safe from the attacks of the creature.</p><p></p><p>Brandt turned back to Jerome. <span style="color: Lime">“Oh, one more thing. Ophee hasn’t passed her usefulness. In fact, she isn’t even dead. She is the one who sent me after you. Thank Reah that I value life and not only its usefulness. Your current state of drooling and your inability to think and speak doesn’t give you a very high rating on the current scale of useful life forms.”</span></p><p></p><p>[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]</p><p>Brandt turned to Iscahrus, who was the only one to have waited to leave after Brandt. Brandt began to speak, but Ischarus smiled and spoke first. “Sir, with all due respect, I am used to leading. We’re going to go and fight our own battles, and I’ll fight better knowing that I was last.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt thought about countermanding Ischarus’ advice, but decided quickly that it really didn’t matter. “As you wish, Ischarus. Just let me summon a few assistants from Reah, if she will spare them.” </p><p></p><p>Brandt looked up to the set of manacles that hung from Master Searthu’s wall. The manacles were a common symbol used to represent Reah as the tools of her staunch pursuit of justice. “Reah, your servant is in need of your assistance. If you are willing, please send your light to me. Daancrah Pashor Fundar.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt waved his hands in the air, and suddenly three small globes of light appeared just outside of Brandt’s reach. The small balls of light floated in the middle of the air. They sang to Brandt in unison as their summoning came to a conclusion. “Reah has found honor in your quest, favored one. We are here to help.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt smiled in Ischarus’ direction and commented upon the appearance of the divine agents with a clear tone of humor in his voice. “Apparently, Reah is in a most literal mood, today.” Brandt could hear Master Searthu chuckling behind where he stood.</p><p></p><p>Master Brandt turned to the glowing orbs and pointed to the crystal ball displaying Jerome’s current position. “Our goal is to reach this man. He is the premiere servant to the caretaker of the city park in Eberdeen. Our goal is to take him alive, but we should not expect him to come willingly. I would ask that you do not risk danger upon yourself. If you will, protect me and offer assistance to my efforts. But there is no need for you to provide a direct assault upon Jerome. I will do that.”</p><p></p><p>The globes did not reply in so many words. Their position of flight altered in the room and the formed a horizontal equilateral triangle which slowly revolved around Brandt’s head. Ischarus couldn’t help but allow a slight smile of pride to appear as he watched Brandt teleport to Jerome’s location. Less than a second later, the glowing orbs vanished, following Brandt into battle precisely.</p><p></p><p>Brandt quickly recognized the new location, and once the orbs realized that they were outside they lifted themselves aloft to a distance of twenty five feet. They continued to stay directly above the servant of Reah who had summoned them, and they also continued to slowly revolve in a flat counterclockwise arc.</p><p></p><p>Brandt saw his mark, and he noted that Jerome had not yet noticed his appearance. The follower of Reah motioned to the small angelic figures to soften their melodic humming before he spoke. “Jerome of Eberdeen, I have come to confront you about your service to the wizard of the wizard’s college here in Eberdeen. It has been suggested that you follow the wizard while being under the effects of the Arum Dracunculus.”</p><p></p><p>Jerome spun around to face Brandt as soon as he heard the voice. At the mention of the Arum Dracunculus, Jerome began to chuckle. “Who do you think told him where to find the plant? I serve willingly; I do not need the drug to convince me of my master’s bidding. What I do, I do by my choice.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt was not completely surprised with Jerome’s statement. After all, Jerome was an assistant caretaker of Eberdeen’s central park. He should know something about the care of plants. “Then you have willingly enslaved others through your actions?”</p><p></p><p>Jerome laughed. His blue eyes grew darker as his laughter became much more ominous and serious. His eyebrows narrowed as he took note of the angelic orbs floating over a dozen feet above Brandt’s head. He extended an arm and pointed a long finger towards Brandt. Years of working in the soil had long since tinted each of his fingernails black. “It was my idea, but my master has the means of making the effect a reality. It would not have been possible without my research, but it is his hand that actually does the work.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt snarled at the confession. “Association by definition makes you no less guilty. Willingly participating in the enslavement of others is still against the tenets of this land and the teachings of Reah. I will bring you to justice.”</p><p></p><p>Jerome grinned, displaying a set of teeth long stained brown from drinking teas made from the leaves and roots of his plants. “Oh? Is that so?”</p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded. “I foiled your master’s plans already when he tried to work through Ophee.”</p><p></p><p>A look of pleasure passed over his face. “She was weak. She deserved to die. There is no place in the world for those who can be dominated so easily by a plant.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt shook his head. “I would think that you above all people would value life.”</p><p></p><p>Jerome couldn’t help but nod in Brandt’s direction. “I do value all life. Each life has use. Opheiluka’s life taught me to focus on why I struggle every day to keep from being weak. I learned from her life, but she was past her usefulness for quite some time.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt returned Jerome’s gesture. “Indeed. Now I think it is time to determine if you are past yours. Thin quas Zecka Zhendahl.”</p><p></p><p>As Brandt lifted his right hand up from his side and pointed it towards Jerome, a static charge collected along his fingertips. Once his fingers pointed towards the target, the charge jumped off of Brandt’s fingers and formed a large bolt of lightning. The energy danced through the air until it neared Jerome’s position. Without warning, the energy dissipated in midair with a disappointing fizzle. What faint energy remaining drifted dimly towards Jerome and was absorbed by a small gold ring.</p><p></p><p>Jerome laughed at the feebleness of Brandt’s spell. “Did you think you would find me weak and unprepared? Did you think that a spell of the Zhendahl strength could actually harm me? If so, then I think that the slayer of Opheiluka has vastly underestimated the power and protection of the wizard’s other servants."</p><p></p><p>Brandt had a sudden moment of fear. Ophee had told the party that Jerome would be the greatest challenge. But if Jerome was challenging him, there was plenty of room for concern that the others would be likewise challenged.</p><p></p><p>Jerome didn’t allow Brandt to dwell in his fear for very long, however. Jerome turned to the plants in the field around him as he stepped back from Brandt’s location. “Soo-ah Celluse Zhendahl.” The grasses underneath Brandt’s feet instantly grew to nearly five feet in height. Visibility was not obscured, but Brandt’s mobility certainly was vastly reduced. Should Jerome wish to get away, Brandt would have a difficult time following without the aid of his divine agents.</p><p></p><p>Brandt extended his hands. Fortunately, he had anticipated Jerome’s ability to use nature against him. When he was asking for his magical power from Reah, he had received knowledge on this very spell. Brandt knew that the counter was quite simple. “Soo-ah Celluse Zhendahl.” It was a matter of repeating the same magical phrase but with a different tone. The plants underneath Brant’s feet withered. Just to make his point, Brandt reduced the grass to an even lower height than it had begun.</p><p></p><p>Jerome snarled at Brandt’s ability. “So, I see that you have come prepared. Perhaps I will give you some credit. As it is, allow me to bring one of my friends to counter your three divine agents above! Daancrah Pashel Fundar”</p><p></p><p>The effect of Jerome’s summoning was immediately obvious. Flames burst from the ground, although the ground was not actually harmed. A ten foot snake with the torso and arms of a man burst through the flames. The creature’s left hand gripped the hilt of a large double bladed axe. The great flame that had summoned the creature diminished once the creature appeared, but smaller flames continued to leap from the creature’s skin and scales and either dissipate as they rose into the air or singe the ground beneath the creature’s unusual body as the creature slithered along the ground.</p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded as the humming of his three companions increased. “Indeed, my friends. Jerome has given you something to play target practice with. Have at the fearsome creature from the bottomless pit of the earth! As for me, Ythan Shintar!”</p><p></p><p>Five identical images of Brandt appeared to surround Brandt at the call of the arcane words. Brandt stepped towards Jerome and the images stepped with him. At times, the images seemed to pass right through one another. At other times, the images passed through Brandt. The effect of the spell was making it impossible to determine exactly which one of the six total images of Brandt the real follower of Reah was.</p><p></p><p>Jerome applauded lightly in appreciation of the parlor trick. “A handy trick, but nothing that is so easily defeated.” As Jerome spoke, the fiery snake-like creature slithered across the ground between Brandt and Jerome. The ground blackened as the creature moved over the grass. The creature hefted the double bladed axe over his head and struck at one of the six images. The blade of the axe passed through one of the images as it popped out of existence.</p><p></p><p>As the fiery creature drew closer to Brandt, the divine entities hovering above Brandt increased the volume of their humming. A small beam of light struck out from each of the small orbs and landed upon the fiery creature. The beams appeared to wound the snake-like being, but the damage was not severe enough to take the attention of the fiery creature away from Brandt.</p><p></p><p>Jerome finished applauding and finished his speech. “Now I shall defeat the spell in one simple gesture. Daancrah Zzat Diast.” The humming of the divine agents was suddenly silenced by the cacophonous sound of locusts. The insects appeared out of the ground and surrounded Brandt and his mirages. As the insects drew closer to Brandt and attacked each one of the images, they popped out of existence.</p><p></p><p>Brandt held out his hand to keep the swarm at bay for a moment. He admired Jerome’s ability to use counter magic as well as he could. Without offering another chance for an exchange of parlay, Brandt lifted up his finger once more and cried out to Reah. “Smite mine enemy! Thin Kelath Teos Diast!”</p><p></p><p>From a point higher than either Brandt, his divine agents, the fiery creature, or Jerome could see, a column of fire descended rapidly. The fire focused onto Jerome’s position and encircled him. The servant of the wizard cried out at the effect that Brandt had called down upon him, but it was not enough to silence his magical energy. When the effect had passed, Jerome turned to Brandt and responded. “You have given your goddess a chance to speak, now feel the wrath of mine. Feel the wrath of nature! Thin quas Zecka Diast!”</p><p></p><p>Dark clouds gathered overhead. They appeared so suddenly that it had to be caused by the magical summoning of Jerome. The light of the sun was diminished as though it were night, and the only reason that Brandt could still see Jerome was because of the light radiating from his divine helpers. Now, the battle had extended beyond the two wielders of magic. Now, the battle was encompassing all of Eberdeen. Thunder rolled across the land, and a strong gale blew across the central park and through the city. Jerome pointed to Brandt, who held up his left palm to block the incoming attack.</p><p></p><p>Lightning arced from the sky and followed Jerome’s point. The electric assault slammed into Brandt’s hand and flowed through Brandt’s body. His robe began to smoke, and a dark circle was left behind from where the electricity had landed. Branded breathed deeply as he recovered from the magic within the assault.</p><p></p><p>Brandt was certainly the more powerful of the two as far as the realm of magic, but Jerome’s constant involvement with nature had made him considerably tougher. A battle of pure damage would not bode well for Brandt. Even though Jerome was the weaker of the two in magic, he would outlast Brandt in a simple exchange of assaults. </p><p></p><p>Brandt would need to end this quickly, before all of Eberdeen was consumed in Jerome’s magical summoning. “Zysh Sooth Shindar.”</p><p></p><p>Jerome braced himself for the magical attack, but an attack never came. When he realized that the power of Brandt’s spell would not have been enough to affect him anyway, he smiled. “You have become weak, wizard? Then I will strike you down! Thin quas Zecka Diast.” Another lightning bolt descended and flowed through Brandt’s body and into the ground.</p><p></p><p>Before Brandt could recover, the fiery creature summoned by Jerome slashed hard at him and caught him in the side with his axe. His robes were bloodied, but fortunately his divine agents came to his aid. The humming of one of the orbs increased, and the pale yellow glow of Reah’s healing surrounded his newest wound and sealed it. The other two orbs continued their assault of light upon the fiery creature. It appeared as though they had gotten its attention and it would leave Brandt’s vicinity.</p><p></p><p>Brandt knew that he could not survive another assault of the magnitude that Jerome could bring down from the storm. He was glad that his earlier spell had deceived Jerome. The spell was not a spell of combat as Jerome had assumed. In fact, the spell had heightened Brandt’s aptitude for the coming magical attack. He grinned towards Jerome as he pointed towards his enemy. Only then did he notice that his robe was now singed, and of course still smoking. “Zysh Umaam Diast.”</p><p></p><p>There was no excitement in Brandt’s voice. There was only the recognition of more pain. Jerome was struck by the sheer magnitude of Brandt’s spell. Boils and blisters immediately broke out over Jerome’s face, hands, arms, legs, and feet. His mind instantly blanked as if he had lost all personality, spirit, and intellect. Small strings of drool quickly gathered along his parted lips and slowly dripped out of his mouth. The dark clouds above the city vanished as quickly as they had come now that Jerome was no longer mentally able to contain the magical power that bound them to his location.</p><p></p><p>Brandt stepped towards Jerome. His spell had worked. “You have given the city quite a show, sir. They will long talk about the day that lightning struck twice and the park grass blackened from fire. But they will not know why. You and your now feeble mind are coming with me.”</p><p></p><p>Jerome groaned in horror, but Brandt’s spell now meant that he no longer knew enough words to even try and object. Brandt held out a finger in his direction. “I can kill you with one word, now that you can no longer defend yourself from my magical assaults. Resist and you will force my hand to kill you. Kneel, and I will spare your life and take you to justice.”</p><p></p><p>More drool dripped from Jerome’s mouth as he leaned forward to kneel. Brandt had once again beaten one of the wizard’s servants. Like the last battle, this one had nearly cost him more than he was able to give.</p><p></p><p>Brandt turned to his divine agents. “Drive the fiery beast back to the center of the world from which it came. Make sure that it does no harm to any person living in Eberdeen. Then you may return home and give my greetings and word of my devotion to Reah.”</p><p></p><p>The orbs began to slowly circle around the fiery creature and assault it from every side. It wouldn’t take long for the creature to be defeated. Their combined mobility and ability to fly kept them safe from the attacks of the creature.</p><p></p><p>Brandt turned back to Jerome. “Oh, one more thing. Ophee hasn’t passed her usefulness. In fact, she isn’t even dead. She is the one who sent me after you. Thank Reah that I value life and not only its usefulness. Your current state of drooling and your inability to think and speak doesn’t give you a very high rating on the current scale of useful life forms.”</p><p></p><p>[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nonlethal Force, post: 3576779, member: 35788"] Brandt turned to Iscahrus, who was the only one to have waited to leave after Brandt. Brandt began to speak, but Ischarus smiled and spoke first. [Color=LightBlue]“Sir, with all due respect, I am used to leading. We’re going to go and fight our own battles, and I’ll fight better knowing that I was last.”[/Color] Brandt thought about countermanding Ischarus’ advice, but decided quickly that it really didn’t matter. [Color=Lime]“As you wish, Ischarus. Just let me summon a few assistants from Reah, if she will spare them.”[/Color] Brandt looked up to the set of manacles that hung from Master Searthu’s wall. The manacles were a common symbol used to represent Reah as the tools of her staunch pursuit of justice. [Color=Lime]“Reah, your servant is in need of your assistance. If you are willing, please send your light to me. Daancrah Pashor Fundar.”[/Color] Brandt waved his hands in the air, and suddenly three small globes of light appeared just outside of Brandt’s reach. The small balls of light floated in the middle of the air. They sang to Brandt in unison as their summoning came to a conclusion. [Color=Lime]“Reah has found honor in your quest, favored one. We are here to help.”[/Color] Brandt smiled in Ischarus’ direction and commented upon the appearance of the divine agents with a clear tone of humor in his voice. [Color=Lime]“Apparently, Reah is in a most literal mood, today.”[/Color] Brandt could hear Master Searthu chuckling behind where he stood. Master Brandt turned to the glowing orbs and pointed to the crystal ball displaying Jerome’s current position. [Color=Lime]“Our goal is to reach this man. He is the premiere servant to the caretaker of the city park in Eberdeen. Our goal is to take him alive, but we should not expect him to come willingly. I would ask that you do not risk danger upon yourself. If you will, protect me and offer assistance to my efforts. But there is no need for you to provide a direct assault upon Jerome. I will do that.”[/Color] The globes did not reply in so many words. Their position of flight altered in the room and the formed a horizontal equilateral triangle which slowly revolved around Brandt’s head. Ischarus couldn’t help but allow a slight smile of pride to appear as he watched Brandt teleport to Jerome’s location. Less than a second later, the glowing orbs vanished, following Brandt into battle precisely. Brandt quickly recognized the new location, and once the orbs realized that they were outside they lifted themselves aloft to a distance of twenty five feet. They continued to stay directly above the servant of Reah who had summoned them, and they also continued to slowly revolve in a flat counterclockwise arc. Brandt saw his mark, and he noted that Jerome had not yet noticed his appearance. The follower of Reah motioned to the small angelic figures to soften their melodic humming before he spoke. [Color=Lime]“Jerome of Eberdeen, I have come to confront you about your service to the wizard of the wizard’s college here in Eberdeen. It has been suggested that you follow the wizard while being under the effects of the Arum Dracunculus.”[/Color] Jerome spun around to face Brandt as soon as he heard the voice. At the mention of the Arum Dracunculus, Jerome began to chuckle. [Color=Red]“Who do you think told him where to find the plant? I serve willingly; I do not need the drug to convince me of my master’s bidding. What I do, I do by my choice.”[/Color] Brandt was not completely surprised with Jerome’s statement. After all, Jerome was an assistant caretaker of Eberdeen’s central park. He should know something about the care of plants. [Color=Lime]“Then you have willingly enslaved others through your actions?”[/Color] Jerome laughed. His blue eyes grew darker as his laughter became much more ominous and serious. His eyebrows narrowed as he took note of the angelic orbs floating over a dozen feet above Brandt’s head. He extended an arm and pointed a long finger towards Brandt. Years of working in the soil had long since tinted each of his fingernails black. [Color=Red]“It was my idea, but my master has the means of making the effect a reality. It would not have been possible without my research, but it is his hand that actually does the work.”[/Color] Brandt snarled at the confession. [Color=Lime]“Association by definition makes you no less guilty. Willingly participating in the enslavement of others is still against the tenets of this land and the teachings of Reah. I will bring you to justice.”[/Color] Jerome grinned, displaying a set of teeth long stained brown from drinking teas made from the leaves and roots of his plants. [Color=Red]“Oh? Is that so?”[/Color] Brandt nodded. [Color=Lime]“I foiled your master’s plans already when he tried to work through Ophee.”[/Color] A look of pleasure passed over his face. [Color=Red]“She was weak. She deserved to die. There is no place in the world for those who can be dominated so easily by a plant.”[/Color] Brandt shook his head. [Color=Lime]“I would think that you above all people would value life.”[/Color] Jerome couldn’t help but nod in Brandt’s direction. [Color=Red]“I do value all life. Each life has use. Opheiluka’s life taught me to focus on why I struggle every day to keep from being weak. I learned from her life, but she was past her usefulness for quite some time.”[/Color] Brandt returned Jerome’s gesture. [Color=Lime]“Indeed. Now I think it is time to determine if you are past yours. Thin quas Zecka Zhendahl.”[/Color] As Brandt lifted his right hand up from his side and pointed it towards Jerome, a static charge collected along his fingertips. Once his fingers pointed towards the target, the charge jumped off of Brandt’s fingers and formed a large bolt of lightning. The energy danced through the air until it neared Jerome’s position. Without warning, the energy dissipated in midair with a disappointing fizzle. What faint energy remaining drifted dimly towards Jerome and was absorbed by a small gold ring. Jerome laughed at the feebleness of Brandt’s spell. [Color=Red]“Did you think you would find me weak and unprepared? Did you think that a spell of the Zhendahl strength could actually harm me? If so, then I think that the slayer of Opheiluka has vastly underestimated the power and protection of the wizard’s other servants."[/Color] Brandt had a sudden moment of fear. Ophee had told the party that Jerome would be the greatest challenge. But if Jerome was challenging him, there was plenty of room for concern that the others would be likewise challenged. Jerome didn’t allow Brandt to dwell in his fear for very long, however. Jerome turned to the plants in the field around him as he stepped back from Brandt’s location. [Color=Red]“Soo-ah Celluse Zhendahl.”[/Color] The grasses underneath Brandt’s feet instantly grew to nearly five feet in height. Visibility was not obscured, but Brandt’s mobility certainly was vastly reduced. Should Jerome wish to get away, Brandt would have a difficult time following without the aid of his divine agents. Brandt extended his hands. Fortunately, he had anticipated Jerome’s ability to use nature against him. When he was asking for his magical power from Reah, he had received knowledge on this very spell. Brandt knew that the counter was quite simple. [Color=Lime]“Soo-ah Celluse Zhendahl.”[/Color] It was a matter of repeating the same magical phrase but with a different tone. The plants underneath Brant’s feet withered. Just to make his point, Brandt reduced the grass to an even lower height than it had begun. Jerome snarled at Brandt’s ability. [Color=Red]“So, I see that you have come prepared. Perhaps I will give you some credit. As it is, allow me to bring one of my friends to counter your three divine agents above! Daancrah Pashel Fundar”[/Color] The effect of Jerome’s summoning was immediately obvious. Flames burst from the ground, although the ground was not actually harmed. A ten foot snake with the torso and arms of a man burst through the flames. The creature’s left hand gripped the hilt of a large double bladed axe. The great flame that had summoned the creature diminished once the creature appeared, but smaller flames continued to leap from the creature’s skin and scales and either dissipate as they rose into the air or singe the ground beneath the creature’s unusual body as the creature slithered along the ground. Brandt nodded as the humming of his three companions increased. [Color=Lime]“Indeed, my friends. Jerome has given you something to play target practice with. Have at the fearsome creature from the bottomless pit of the earth! As for me, Ythan Shintar!”[/Color] Five identical images of Brandt appeared to surround Brandt at the call of the arcane words. Brandt stepped towards Jerome and the images stepped with him. At times, the images seemed to pass right through one another. At other times, the images passed through Brandt. The effect of the spell was making it impossible to determine exactly which one of the six total images of Brandt the real follower of Reah was. Jerome applauded lightly in appreciation of the parlor trick. [Color=Red]“A handy trick, but nothing that is so easily defeated.”[/Color] As Jerome spoke, the fiery snake-like creature slithered across the ground between Brandt and Jerome. The ground blackened as the creature moved over the grass. The creature hefted the double bladed axe over his head and struck at one of the six images. The blade of the axe passed through one of the images as it popped out of existence. As the fiery creature drew closer to Brandt, the divine entities hovering above Brandt increased the volume of their humming. A small beam of light struck out from each of the small orbs and landed upon the fiery creature. The beams appeared to wound the snake-like being, but the damage was not severe enough to take the attention of the fiery creature away from Brandt. Jerome finished applauding and finished his speech. [Color=Red]“Now I shall defeat the spell in one simple gesture. Daancrah Zzat Diast.”[/Color] The humming of the divine agents was suddenly silenced by the cacophonous sound of locusts. The insects appeared out of the ground and surrounded Brandt and his mirages. As the insects drew closer to Brandt and attacked each one of the images, they popped out of existence. Brandt held out his hand to keep the swarm at bay for a moment. He admired Jerome’s ability to use counter magic as well as he could. Without offering another chance for an exchange of parlay, Brandt lifted up his finger once more and cried out to Reah. [Color=Lime]“Smite mine enemy! Thin Kelath Teos Diast!”[/Color] From a point higher than either Brandt, his divine agents, the fiery creature, or Jerome could see, a column of fire descended rapidly. The fire focused onto Jerome’s position and encircled him. The servant of the wizard cried out at the effect that Brandt had called down upon him, but it was not enough to silence his magical energy. When the effect had passed, Jerome turned to Brandt and responded. [Color=Red]“You have given your goddess a chance to speak, now feel the wrath of mine. Feel the wrath of nature! Thin quas Zecka Diast!”[/Color] Dark clouds gathered overhead. They appeared so suddenly that it had to be caused by the magical summoning of Jerome. The light of the sun was diminished as though it were night, and the only reason that Brandt could still see Jerome was because of the light radiating from his divine helpers. Now, the battle had extended beyond the two wielders of magic. Now, the battle was encompassing all of Eberdeen. Thunder rolled across the land, and a strong gale blew across the central park and through the city. Jerome pointed to Brandt, who held up his left palm to block the incoming attack. Lightning arced from the sky and followed Jerome’s point. The electric assault slammed into Brandt’s hand and flowed through Brandt’s body. His robe began to smoke, and a dark circle was left behind from where the electricity had landed. Branded breathed deeply as he recovered from the magic within the assault. Brandt was certainly the more powerful of the two as far as the realm of magic, but Jerome’s constant involvement with nature had made him considerably tougher. A battle of pure damage would not bode well for Brandt. Even though Jerome was the weaker of the two in magic, he would outlast Brandt in a simple exchange of assaults. Brandt would need to end this quickly, before all of Eberdeen was consumed in Jerome’s magical summoning. [Color=Lime]“Zysh Sooth Shindar.”[/Color] Jerome braced himself for the magical attack, but an attack never came. When he realized that the power of Brandt’s spell would not have been enough to affect him anyway, he smiled. [Color=Red]“You have become weak, wizard? Then I will strike you down! Thin quas Zecka Diast.”[/Color] Another lightning bolt descended and flowed through Brandt’s body and into the ground. Before Brandt could recover, the fiery creature summoned by Jerome slashed hard at him and caught him in the side with his axe. His robes were bloodied, but fortunately his divine agents came to his aid. The humming of one of the orbs increased, and the pale yellow glow of Reah’s healing surrounded his newest wound and sealed it. The other two orbs continued their assault of light upon the fiery creature. It appeared as though they had gotten its attention and it would leave Brandt’s vicinity. Brandt knew that he could not survive another assault of the magnitude that Jerome could bring down from the storm. He was glad that his earlier spell had deceived Jerome. The spell was not a spell of combat as Jerome had assumed. In fact, the spell had heightened Brandt’s aptitude for the coming magical attack. He grinned towards Jerome as he pointed towards his enemy. Only then did he notice that his robe was now singed, and of course still smoking. [Color=Lime]“Zysh Umaam Diast.”[/Color] There was no excitement in Brandt’s voice. There was only the recognition of more pain. Jerome was struck by the sheer magnitude of Brandt’s spell. Boils and blisters immediately broke out over Jerome’s face, hands, arms, legs, and feet. His mind instantly blanked as if he had lost all personality, spirit, and intellect. Small strings of drool quickly gathered along his parted lips and slowly dripped out of his mouth. The dark clouds above the city vanished as quickly as they had come now that Jerome was no longer mentally able to contain the magical power that bound them to his location. Brandt stepped towards Jerome. His spell had worked. [Color=Lime]“You have given the city quite a show, sir. They will long talk about the day that lightning struck twice and the park grass blackened from fire. But they will not know why. You and your now feeble mind are coming with me.”[/Color] Jerome groaned in horror, but Brandt’s spell now meant that he no longer knew enough words to even try and object. Brandt held out a finger in his direction. [Color=Lime]“I can kill you with one word, now that you can no longer defend yourself from my magical assaults. Resist and you will force my hand to kill you. Kneel, and I will spare your life and take you to justice.”[/Color] More drool dripped from Jerome’s mouth as he leaned forward to kneel. Brandt had once again beaten one of the wizard’s servants. Like the last battle, this one had nearly cost him more than he was able to give. Brandt turned to his divine agents. [Color=Lime]“Drive the fiery beast back to the center of the world from which it came. Make sure that it does no harm to any person living in Eberdeen. Then you may return home and give my greetings and word of my devotion to Reah.”[/Color] The orbs began to slowly circle around the fiery creature and assault it from every side. It wouldn’t take long for the creature to be defeated. Their combined mobility and ability to fly kept them safe from the attacks of the creature. Brandt turned back to Jerome. [Color=Lime]“Oh, one more thing. Ophee hasn’t passed her usefulness. In fact, she isn’t even dead. She is the one who sent me after you. Thank Reah that I value life and not only its usefulness. Your current state of drooling and your inability to think and speak doesn’t give you a very high rating on the current scale of useful life forms.”[/Color] [Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section] Brandt turned to Iscahrus, who was the only one to have waited to leave after Brandt. Brandt began to speak, but Ischarus smiled and spoke first. “Sir, with all due respect, I am used to leading. We’re going to go and fight our own battles, and I’ll fight better knowing that I was last.” Brandt thought about countermanding Ischarus’ advice, but decided quickly that it really didn’t matter. “As you wish, Ischarus. Just let me summon a few assistants from Reah, if she will spare them.” Brandt looked up to the set of manacles that hung from Master Searthu’s wall. The manacles were a common symbol used to represent Reah as the tools of her staunch pursuit of justice. “Reah, your servant is in need of your assistance. If you are willing, please send your light to me. Daancrah Pashor Fundar.” Brandt waved his hands in the air, and suddenly three small globes of light appeared just outside of Brandt’s reach. The small balls of light floated in the middle of the air. They sang to Brandt in unison as their summoning came to a conclusion. “Reah has found honor in your quest, favored one. We are here to help.” Brandt smiled in Ischarus’ direction and commented upon the appearance of the divine agents with a clear tone of humor in his voice. “Apparently, Reah is in a most literal mood, today.” Brandt could hear Master Searthu chuckling behind where he stood. Master Brandt turned to the glowing orbs and pointed to the crystal ball displaying Jerome’s current position. “Our goal is to reach this man. He is the premiere servant to the caretaker of the city park in Eberdeen. Our goal is to take him alive, but we should not expect him to come willingly. I would ask that you do not risk danger upon yourself. If you will, protect me and offer assistance to my efforts. But there is no need for you to provide a direct assault upon Jerome. I will do that.” The globes did not reply in so many words. Their position of flight altered in the room and the formed a horizontal equilateral triangle which slowly revolved around Brandt’s head. Ischarus couldn’t help but allow a slight smile of pride to appear as he watched Brandt teleport to Jerome’s location. Less than a second later, the glowing orbs vanished, following Brandt into battle precisely. Brandt quickly recognized the new location, and once the orbs realized that they were outside they lifted themselves aloft to a distance of twenty five feet. They continued to stay directly above the servant of Reah who had summoned them, and they also continued to slowly revolve in a flat counterclockwise arc. Brandt saw his mark, and he noted that Jerome had not yet noticed his appearance. The follower of Reah motioned to the small angelic figures to soften their melodic humming before he spoke. “Jerome of Eberdeen, I have come to confront you about your service to the wizard of the wizard’s college here in Eberdeen. It has been suggested that you follow the wizard while being under the effects of the Arum Dracunculus.” Jerome spun around to face Brandt as soon as he heard the voice. At the mention of the Arum Dracunculus, Jerome began to chuckle. “Who do you think told him where to find the plant? I serve willingly; I do not need the drug to convince me of my master’s bidding. What I do, I do by my choice.” Brandt was not completely surprised with Jerome’s statement. After all, Jerome was an assistant caretaker of Eberdeen’s central park. He should know something about the care of plants. “Then you have willingly enslaved others through your actions?” Jerome laughed. His blue eyes grew darker as his laughter became much more ominous and serious. His eyebrows narrowed as he took note of the angelic orbs floating over a dozen feet above Brandt’s head. He extended an arm and pointed a long finger towards Brandt. Years of working in the soil had long since tinted each of his fingernails black. “It was my idea, but my master has the means of making the effect a reality. It would not have been possible without my research, but it is his hand that actually does the work.” Brandt snarled at the confession. “Association by definition makes you no less guilty. Willingly participating in the enslavement of others is still against the tenets of this land and the teachings of Reah. I will bring you to justice.” Jerome grinned, displaying a set of teeth long stained brown from drinking teas made from the leaves and roots of his plants. “Oh? Is that so?” Brandt nodded. “I foiled your master’s plans already when he tried to work through Ophee.” A look of pleasure passed over his face. “She was weak. She deserved to die. There is no place in the world for those who can be dominated so easily by a plant.” Brandt shook his head. “I would think that you above all people would value life.” Jerome couldn’t help but nod in Brandt’s direction. “I do value all life. Each life has use. Opheiluka’s life taught me to focus on why I struggle every day to keep from being weak. I learned from her life, but she was past her usefulness for quite some time.” Brandt returned Jerome’s gesture. “Indeed. Now I think it is time to determine if you are past yours. Thin quas Zecka Zhendahl.” As Brandt lifted his right hand up from his side and pointed it towards Jerome, a static charge collected along his fingertips. Once his fingers pointed towards the target, the charge jumped off of Brandt’s fingers and formed a large bolt of lightning. The energy danced through the air until it neared Jerome’s position. Without warning, the energy dissipated in midair with a disappointing fizzle. What faint energy remaining drifted dimly towards Jerome and was absorbed by a small gold ring. Jerome laughed at the feebleness of Brandt’s spell. “Did you think you would find me weak and unprepared? Did you think that a spell of the Zhendahl strength could actually harm me? If so, then I think that the slayer of Opheiluka has vastly underestimated the power and protection of the wizard’s other servants." Brandt had a sudden moment of fear. Ophee had told the party that Jerome would be the greatest challenge. But if Jerome was challenging him, there was plenty of room for concern that the others would be likewise challenged. Jerome didn’t allow Brandt to dwell in his fear for very long, however. Jerome turned to the plants in the field around him as he stepped back from Brandt’s location. “Soo-ah Celluse Zhendahl.” The grasses underneath Brandt’s feet instantly grew to nearly five feet in height. Visibility was not obscured, but Brandt’s mobility certainly was vastly reduced. Should Jerome wish to get away, Brandt would have a difficult time following without the aid of his divine agents. Brandt extended his hands. Fortunately, he had anticipated Jerome’s ability to use nature against him. When he was asking for his magical power from Reah, he had received knowledge on this very spell. Brandt knew that the counter was quite simple. “Soo-ah Celluse Zhendahl.” It was a matter of repeating the same magical phrase but with a different tone. The plants underneath Brant’s feet withered. Just to make his point, Brandt reduced the grass to an even lower height than it had begun. Jerome snarled at Brandt’s ability. “So, I see that you have come prepared. Perhaps I will give you some credit. As it is, allow me to bring one of my friends to counter your three divine agents above! Daancrah Pashel Fundar” The effect of Jerome’s summoning was immediately obvious. Flames burst from the ground, although the ground was not actually harmed. A ten foot snake with the torso and arms of a man burst through the flames. The creature’s left hand gripped the hilt of a large double bladed axe. The great flame that had summoned the creature diminished once the creature appeared, but smaller flames continued to leap from the creature’s skin and scales and either dissipate as they rose into the air or singe the ground beneath the creature’s unusual body as the creature slithered along the ground. Brandt nodded as the humming of his three companions increased. “Indeed, my friends. Jerome has given you something to play target practice with. Have at the fearsome creature from the bottomless pit of the earth! As for me, Ythan Shintar!” Five identical images of Brandt appeared to surround Brandt at the call of the arcane words. Brandt stepped towards Jerome and the images stepped with him. At times, the images seemed to pass right through one another. At other times, the images passed through Brandt. The effect of the spell was making it impossible to determine exactly which one of the six total images of Brandt the real follower of Reah was. Jerome applauded lightly in appreciation of the parlor trick. “A handy trick, but nothing that is so easily defeated.” As Jerome spoke, the fiery snake-like creature slithered across the ground between Brandt and Jerome. The ground blackened as the creature moved over the grass. The creature hefted the double bladed axe over his head and struck at one of the six images. The blade of the axe passed through one of the images as it popped out of existence. As the fiery creature drew closer to Brandt, the divine entities hovering above Brandt increased the volume of their humming. A small beam of light struck out from each of the small orbs and landed upon the fiery creature. The beams appeared to wound the snake-like being, but the damage was not severe enough to take the attention of the fiery creature away from Brandt. Jerome finished applauding and finished his speech. “Now I shall defeat the spell in one simple gesture. Daancrah Zzat Diast.” The humming of the divine agents was suddenly silenced by the cacophonous sound of locusts. The insects appeared out of the ground and surrounded Brandt and his mirages. As the insects drew closer to Brandt and attacked each one of the images, they popped out of existence. Brandt held out his hand to keep the swarm at bay for a moment. He admired Jerome’s ability to use counter magic as well as he could. Without offering another chance for an exchange of parlay, Brandt lifted up his finger once more and cried out to Reah. “Smite mine enemy! Thin Kelath Teos Diast!” From a point higher than either Brandt, his divine agents, the fiery creature, or Jerome could see, a column of fire descended rapidly. The fire focused onto Jerome’s position and encircled him. The servant of the wizard cried out at the effect that Brandt had called down upon him, but it was not enough to silence his magical energy. When the effect had passed, Jerome turned to Brandt and responded. “You have given your goddess a chance to speak, now feel the wrath of mine. Feel the wrath of nature! Thin quas Zecka Diast!” Dark clouds gathered overhead. They appeared so suddenly that it had to be caused by the magical summoning of Jerome. The light of the sun was diminished as though it were night, and the only reason that Brandt could still see Jerome was because of the light radiating from his divine helpers. Now, the battle had extended beyond the two wielders of magic. Now, the battle was encompassing all of Eberdeen. Thunder rolled across the land, and a strong gale blew across the central park and through the city. Jerome pointed to Brandt, who held up his left palm to block the incoming attack. Lightning arced from the sky and followed Jerome’s point. The electric assault slammed into Brandt’s hand and flowed through Brandt’s body. His robe began to smoke, and a dark circle was left behind from where the electricity had landed. Branded breathed deeply as he recovered from the magic within the assault. Brandt was certainly the more powerful of the two as far as the realm of magic, but Jerome’s constant involvement with nature had made him considerably tougher. A battle of pure damage would not bode well for Brandt. Even though Jerome was the weaker of the two in magic, he would outlast Brandt in a simple exchange of assaults. Brandt would need to end this quickly, before all of Eberdeen was consumed in Jerome’s magical summoning. “Zysh Sooth Shindar.” Jerome braced himself for the magical attack, but an attack never came. When he realized that the power of Brandt’s spell would not have been enough to affect him anyway, he smiled. “You have become weak, wizard? Then I will strike you down! Thin quas Zecka Diast.” Another lightning bolt descended and flowed through Brandt’s body and into the ground. Before Brandt could recover, the fiery creature summoned by Jerome slashed hard at him and caught him in the side with his axe. His robes were bloodied, but fortunately his divine agents came to his aid. The humming of one of the orbs increased, and the pale yellow glow of Reah’s healing surrounded his newest wound and sealed it. The other two orbs continued their assault of light upon the fiery creature. It appeared as though they had gotten its attention and it would leave Brandt’s vicinity. Brandt knew that he could not survive another assault of the magnitude that Jerome could bring down from the storm. He was glad that his earlier spell had deceived Jerome. The spell was not a spell of combat as Jerome had assumed. In fact, the spell had heightened Brandt’s aptitude for the coming magical attack. He grinned towards Jerome as he pointed towards his enemy. Only then did he notice that his robe was now singed, and of course still smoking. “Zysh Umaam Diast.” There was no excitement in Brandt’s voice. There was only the recognition of more pain. Jerome was struck by the sheer magnitude of Brandt’s spell. Boils and blisters immediately broke out over Jerome’s face, hands, arms, legs, and feet. His mind instantly blanked as if he had lost all personality, spirit, and intellect. Small strings of drool quickly gathered along his parted lips and slowly dripped out of his mouth. The dark clouds above the city vanished as quickly as they had come now that Jerome was no longer mentally able to contain the magical power that bound them to his location. Brandt stepped towards Jerome. His spell had worked. “You have given the city quite a show, sir. They will long talk about the day that lightning struck twice and the park grass blackened from fire. But they will not know why. You and your now feeble mind are coming with me.” Jerome groaned in horror, but Brandt’s spell now meant that he no longer knew enough words to even try and object. Brandt held out a finger in his direction. “I can kill you with one word, now that you can no longer defend yourself from my magical assaults. Resist and you will force my hand to kill you. Kneel, and I will spare your life and take you to justice.” More drool dripped from Jerome’s mouth as he leaned forward to kneel. Brandt had once again beaten one of the wizard’s servants. Like the last battle, this one had nearly cost him more than he was able to give. Brandt turned to his divine agents. “Drive the fiery beast back to the center of the world from which it came. Make sure that it does no harm to any person living in Eberdeen. Then you may return home and give my greetings and word of my devotion to Reah.” The orbs began to slowly circle around the fiery creature and assault it from every side. It wouldn’t take long for the creature to be defeated. Their combined mobility and ability to fly kept them safe from the attacks of the creature. Brandt turned back to Jerome. “Oh, one more thing. Ophee hasn’t passed her usefulness. In fact, she isn’t even dead. She is the one who sent me after you. Thank Reah that I value life and not only its usefulness. Your current state of drooling and your inability to think and speak doesn’t give you a very high rating on the current scale of useful life forms.” [/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
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