Chapter 12

Naci and I landed with a hard thud; I had turned us as we went back in time. For a few moments, I could hardly breathe as I had caught Naci’s full weight on my chest. Then I found that I was in pain as she had also landed partly between my legs. Withering, I tried not to let on as Naci moved off me.

“Toman, husband,” she asked with a look of concern when I winced as I tried to make my feet. “You should rest a bit, husband, before we move again.”

“No, Naci, did you happen to see who that was? The one I hit with several bolts when I took you over my shoulder?” I asked as I finally made my feet. Damn it, I was sore ALL over!

“No,” she replied. “I was watching you as you were flying toward me, though. Now that you mentioned it, the voice seemed familiar.”

I nodded at her as I shuddered, telling her what I had found. Sighing, I nodded. She deserved to know, “I’ve been pulling all the information I could. We are dealing with more than a powerful mage. From all that I have gleaned from those I drain, I’ve discerned that his name is Ukobach, Not Triallas Terrabon, the head of the mage council.

“Wait,” Naci said, shaken. “Ukobach? The Ukobach??! The same demon who stokes the fires of hell!!?”

I was nodding to Naci, who now had a hand in her mouth. “It seems that he assumed the leadership of the council long ago. From what I have compiled, he has been trying to eliminate all the powerful families for decades. Mine was at the beginning of his campaign.” Here, I turned to Naci, whose wide eyes now had tears. “He had the entire council butcher my family while he laughed about it.” I spit out in disgust.

“Toman, husband, this is a demonic force you are talking about! I know that both of us are powerful. This is a power far beyond us!” Here, Naci grabbed my arm to stop me and then grabbed me with both arms, holding me tight to her. I could feel her shaking with fear.

I gently pulled her face up to look at me, “I made a promise to Pops and mother that I’d end him. I intend to carry through with that. If you are scared, I will send you back to the village. I have already hurt him. I know he’s as mad as he can be now. Armed with all I have learned, I feel closer to ending him than he is to ending me.”

Naci’s eyes went large, and then a determined look came over her face. “I don’t suggest you try to get rid of me. You might find that I am far stronger than you think! I am your wife, your partner; if you were to die while I was there safe, then I would die also. Whether or not you realize it, Toman, I love you with all my heart. NEVER suggest, even in jest, that I leave your side!” She looked into my eyes and whispered, “Besides, you might not like the outcome of such a move.”

I backed away as soon as Naci released me. Waving a hand in front of me, I opened another portal. “We need to get away now. I’m sure he’s already alerted all the hunters. This place is about to get crowded.” I pulled a bag from the air, throwing several handfuls of seeds in several directions. With that, I took Naci’s hand with shock and stepped into the portal.

Turning, I was collapsing the portal behind us, right on our heels. Smiling, I thought, let the ass follow us now! Emerging this time, we both gently walked out of the portal. The thing is, as much as I wanted to, I couldn’t seem to make myself let go of Naci’s hand. Looking at her smiling face, I noticed she wasn’t opposed to holding it longer.

Mother, Merlin, and Pops appeared a moment later, each powered up with a look of death in their eyes. Each sighed in relief as they saw it was us. A half-hour later, we were sitting with all four of them (I guess Mother had convinced them). “I found out after this raid just who I am dealing with,” I told them. “It appears that Ukobach has gained control of the council in the last few decades.”

Merlin and Mordaf were nodding as they listened. Pops and Mother were shaking their heads. “How could a demon take control of the council?” Pops asked.

“He had placed others to kill the real mages and assume their identities. Then he and the others killed the real Triallas Terrabon. This allowed him to assume control of the council.” Here I looked at Merlin, “For a time, you were the only one they truly feared with your influence on all the families. That’s when they started to destroy the powerful members of several families. It seems he was also involved in the corruption of Morgan La Fey. Though,” here I smiled. “He has no idea you are now at your full power.”

Merlin’s eyes sparkled as he nodded, a small smile easing across his lips. Then he was in thought for a moment, nodding as I could see an idea forming. “I might have an idea, though it might take a few hundred years.” He said with a smile.

As Merlin began to outline his idea, my eyes widened, and then he nodded. It was a perfect plan.

Ukobach, aka Triallas Terrabon, was raging in the council chambers, throwing furniture and several of those there. “Heal me, damn it! I know you have the power to!”

“I’ve been trying to tell you, lord,” said the next most powerful one after Triallas. “The power that injured you is beyond my own. I dare say it is as strong as yours!”

“What!? You worthless piece of human garbage!” Slinging his right arm, Triallas smashed the mage against the wall with a loud crack.

“How dare you say such a thing to your Master? Remember, you and your family have been granted riches because you are loyal!” Turning to the rest of them, he snarled. “That can be easily remedied! Your wives and daughters would earn an honest wage in the low brothels! Your sons begging in the street after I break all of their legs! Don’t make me have to remind ANY of you again! I might do it anyway as an example to the others!” Triallas snarled out.

“We have a new member starting on the council today. He is not like you; therefore, I do not want him to feel welcome. I need the members I appoint, so I do not welcome this one. Though he is a full member of the council, he is at the bottom. Remember that.” Triallas said, changing tactics suddenly.

The new member walked in a few minutes later with a look of shock. Triallas saw this, wondering if the mage had guessed his identity.

“Pikon?” Several of the others said they recognized the new mage council member. “What has you so shocked?

“You haven’t heard the news?” The mage said, the shock still on his face.

“News, what news?” Triallas asked, moving to the front of those around the mage.

“I just heard it myself. I can’t believe it after all these centuries!” The mage was saying more to himself than those assembled there.

Sighing in exasperation, Triallas was about to reach back and slap the mage when he blurted out. “It’s Merlin! He was discovered dead! There was no sign of a struggle, and it appeared that he had finally ended his journey. I never thought I’d see the day Merlin was gone!”

Triallas turned to sit at the table. A sad look on his face, though inside, he was happier than he’d been in a long time. It took a supreme effort on his part not to yell out in joy! If the old bastard was dead, the last registered wild magic users would be dead. Narrowing his eyes, he had to make sure. Snapping his fingers, he appeared outside the old home of the Wilbeys. Such a disgusting place where the wild magic users had lived.

Walking past the inspectors, he looked at the body. Nodding, it appeared to be Merlin. Stretching his hand out, he did a quick probe, again nodding. He could feel the rapidly fading wild magic. Flipping his hand over and back, a small sliver of flesh appeared in his hand. Reaching to the cell level, he saw that, yes, it was Merlin!

Hiding a smile, he nodded to the inspector that it was Merlin. Hiding his smile, Triallas appeared near a broken, beaten-down building. “Rigal!” Triallas shouted. “Get your ass out here!”

A thumping sound came from inside what was left of the building. “What do you want, you bastard!” Rigal Shouted back at his father. “Hmph! You’re one to talk! As I see it, you are just a half-demon bastard. You’re not even worthy of my name, let alone what power you have!” Triallas growled.

“Yeah, don’t remind me! What do you want? I’m still trying to heal to full power. That abomination did a number on me. I intend to kill him next time. Especially with the new killing machines I have built.” Rigal sneered out at Triallas. “Don’t try me, boy!” Triallas growled. “I could easily kill you!”

“Oh really? Do you want to go right now? I am almost back to my full power; you are pathetic at half yours. Remember the last time it took decades for you to heal after our fight.” Here, Rigal smirked. “I might kill you right now anyway after what you did to Mother.”

“I need you to heal me. Remember, if I am dead, so are you. I am the only one standing between you and the masses. The many atrocities you have committed.” Triallas said, a sly smile on his face.

“Like I fucking care! Living like this? Living as if I am the lowest form of life? No, I’m done working for you; I’m done working for the council. Most of all, I am fucking done with you! You piece of demon garbage!” Seeing that Triallas was getting extremely mad, Rigal pushed further. “Come on, I know you were exiled from hell. What’s the life of an offspring of yours?” Here, Rigal’s eyes glowed red as his voice grew very deep. “Come on, Father, what’s wrong? Mom cut off your balls?”