Episode I — The Great Awakening Test

Chapter 2: The Fae (Part 3)

***

The crash grabs the attention of the guests waiting in the mansion’s lounge.

“What’s that?” Julie wonders aloud as the house shakes, her brow furrowing in concern. Perseus and the members of the council turn their accusatory gazes towards Nyx. Despite the unfolding chaos, Nyx remains composed in a wingback chair, calmly sipping tea.

“Yes, Nyx, what’s going on?” Perseus inquired suspiciously.

“A small quake,” she answers calmly, keeping her composure even as a knot of unease tightens in her chest; something about that tremor does not feel right.

“Is that so? Because Gebmar has quite a reputation when it comes to earthquakes,” Perseus replies, taking a sip of champagne. Nyx glances aside, contemplating whether she should head to the ballroom or not.

***

In the ballroom, tensions escalate as Rigel swoops down to attack Gebmar, only to be struck by a comet conjured by Michael. The impact momentarily staggers the dragon, but he swiftly recovers. Rigel ascends into the air, soaring towards the ceiling. As he spreads his wings wide, sparks crackle and dance around him, foreshadowing the power he’s about to unleash.

“Alright, Archmage Heir, let’s have a cosmic battle if that’s what you want!” Rigel taunts, as a meteor shower descends upon Michael and his sister.

Michael conjures a protective barrier, and the meteors slam into it, but the shield is too weak. It shatters in a burst of force that blasts Michael and Ember backward while the meteors crash into the floor around them.

Gebmar comes to an abrupt halt, concerned for Michael and Ember’s safety.

“Are you two okay?” Gebmar asks, oblivious to the fact that Rickiemer is creating a giant slimy fungus beneath him.

Gebmar rushes forward to help Michael and Ember, but he slips and crashes to the floor. The dagger slides from his grasp and tumbles to the ground.

Sensing an opportunity, Rigel swoops down triumphantly to snatch the dagger. But before he can secure his victory, Ember, fueled by anger, pushes over the crystal podium behind the dragon, crushing his tail.

Rigel screams in agony and releases the dagger, which lands on the floor next to the Sah’s Pyramid.

“Stupid gecko!” the girl cries out, her breathing deep and labored. She turns to her brother, who is slowly standing up, and asks, “Mike, are you okay?”

“I’m fine- The dagger!” Michael exclaims, rushing to grab it. As he approaches the Axis Mundi, Rickiemer angrily launches himself towards Michael, two sharp blades in his hands. Before the dwarf reaches him, Michael quickly creates a pile of stardust and throws the powder into Rickiemer’s eyes, temporarily blinding him.

“Bloody mage!” Rickiemer falls to the ground, clawing at his eyes in uncontrollable agony.

Gebmar stands, his eyes glowing fiercely as he summons two enormous chunks of marble. With a powerful gesture, he crushes the dwarf between them like the filling in a sandwich. The marble disintegrates into a cloud of sparkling dust while Rickiemer falls to the floor, dazed and groggy. Michael picks up the dagger.

“Nice job!” Gebmar praises Michael, who nods shyly.

At that moment, Rigel frees his tail and lunges toward Michael. Michael recoils and stumbles back, trying to dodge the dragon’s attack. His heel catches on the Sah’s Pyramid, and he comes down hard on its tip with his full weight, causing it to glow ominously. Rigel and Rickiemer hastily leap off the stage in terror, but Gebmar, Michael, and Ember are unable to escape in time. The three of them are sucked into the pyramid, along with the Axis Mundi Dagger.

A hushed silence descends upon the ballroom.

Rickiemer and Rigel cautiously emerge from their hiding spot, their expressions filled with curiosity and uncertainty as they approach the glowing pyramid.

“What the hell just happened? Where is the dagger?” Eris demands from within the crystal sphere as it comes flying down from the mezzanine, her voice edged with fury.

“Well, my lady . . . You see . . .” the dwarf replies with a stammer

“Get to the point!” she shouts impatiently.

“Gebmar and the dagger just got sucked into the pyramid-” Rickiemer nervously replies.

“What? How could you morons allow that to happen? Bring that thing to headquarters now!” Eris’s furious scream echoes in the ballroom and the crystal sphere abruptly goes black.

***

The guests seem to enjoy their time networking and chatting in the lounge, while Nyx quietly sits in her chair, attempting to conceal her anxiety. Despite her efforts, she cannot help but notice how Perseus and the members of the Mage High Council stare at her apprehensively. Suddenly, an explosion coming from the ballroom rocks the building, taking everyone by surprise.

“That was no earthquake. Nyx, tell me what’s going on right now-” but before Perseus can finish, Nyx swiftly spreads amnesiac powder on him and the guests. The room falls into silence while everyone stares at each other in confusion.

“What—what was I saying?” Perseus asks Nyx.

“You were being flattered by everyone for the ‘inspiring speech’ you gave for your grandson’s Great Awakening,” Nyx replies calmly.

“Oh, right!” the Archmage exclaims excitedly as he turns around to resume chatting with his acquaintances.

While everyone is distracted, Nyx seizes her chance and heads towards the ballroom. The Fae are already fleeing as she approaches, leaving the ballroom of the opulent mansion in ruins. Rigel flies as fast as he can, the Sah’s Pyramid in his hands, Red Cap Rickiemer in close pursuit.

“Was it necessary to use your meteor attack? We could have used the back door to escape. Now everyone knows something’s up,” Rickiemer scolds his colleague.

“Too slow!” Rigel answers back sharply.

The dragon flies effortlessly over the mansion’s fence, while Rickiemer struggles to climb it. The Fae run into the forest and vanish from sight.

Thank you for reading Chaos’s Key.

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