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Malum

Part 9

By: Razial Drakken

Rysirix unleashed his energy in a dark purple and sickly green mixture, launching it at Thamas and Gen, who raised their hands in defense. Thamas waited for the pain to spread across his body, but after waiting a few moments, he opened his eyes to see the blast inches from his face. Gen and Thamas backed away quickly as they noticed the energy of the magic being absorbed by nodes at various points in the tower.

"Heh, I forgot about that feature with this library. The Five Prime Races protect this library. Not even I can override their protection spells and technology. But that still will not save you from me," Rysirix said as he pointed at Gen and Thamas. "SOLDIERS! DESTROY THEM!"

Gen and Thamas turned into a row of shelves and fled for their lives. Gen led the way, turning this way and that. Thamas lost track after the first dozen turns but kept following Gen.

"You think you can hide from me? You are gravely mistaken!" The necromancer said as the soldiers fired pulse rifles at Gen and Thamas. Nearby books exploded as the beams of light made contact, causing Thamas and Gen to jump. They turn another corner, fleeing down a long narrow row of books, and pass through an archway.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in this section became still. Thamas noticed the cold chill as he wrapped his arms around himself. This section of the library looked destitute as cobwebs decorated the walls, and a thick layer of dust lay over everything.

"What...what is this place," Thamas asked, trying to catch his breath.

"It should...look familiar," Gen said as Thamas wondered what he meant by that.

Thamas picked up a book, brushed away all the dust, and read the cover titled Project Earthing: Developing Highly Intelligent Primates. Thamas felt slightly confused, but the sound of soldiers yelling nearby distracted him. He ducked down beside the shelf and crept closer to Gen.

Thamas grabbed the wall for support but felt something come loose in his hands, causing him to fall onto his back. He yelped slightly as he landed and looked at the object in his hand. It was long and slender, with a jewel of unknown origin still at the top. The entire rod was silver, with constellations engraved over the surface that seemed to glow with shimmering light.

"Gen, what is this?" Thamas asked as Gen's eyes grew wide.

Suddenly, a blast hits the wall next to them, cutting off Gen's response as Thamas quickly rises and follows Gen down a row of books.

"THERE THEY ARE! AFTER THEM!" A soldier shouted as they chased Thamas and Gen.

"Head for the door!" Gen shouted as Thamas looked up and saw a door at the far end of the library. They ran out from the cover of the shelves, and Thamas noticed a soldier aiming at them. Again, time slowed for Thamas as the soldier fired the pulse rifle, and Thamas closed his eyes. He waited for the searing pain, but it never came. Several things happened at once.

Thamas felt and heard the ground behind him thump, accompanied by the sound of tiles on the floor breaking. Next, he saw a massive figure with an energy shield absorbing the pulse rounds. After that, he felt something wrap around him and noticed a blue tail picking him up and throwing him toward the door. Thamas skipped across the ground and crashed next to the door, narrowly avoiding Gen.

"GEN! GET HIM OUT OF HERE! NOW! I WILL HOLD THEM OFF!" The figure said as Thamas recognized the voice.

Thamas looked up to see Ryax with an energy shield and what looked like a laser version of a Gatlin Gun. Ryax was laying down suppression fire to cover their escape, and Thamas was angry that he once again had to be rescued by his abductor.

Gen pulled Thamas back to his feet as they ran through the door. Thamas noticed they were on top of a plateau with remnants of a once beautiful school around them. The structure resembled an ancient Grecian villa of kings. Now the place was vacant and overgrown with vegetation. Thamas looked out at the horizon and noticed more ruins of a city that existed long ago.

Suddenly, the door to the library exploded as Ryax flew past them into a wall that crumbled down on top of him. Thamas looked back towards the library and noticed a gaping hole with green eyes glowing in the darkness.

"Try as you might, brother, but I was always the better fighter," Rysirix said as he exited the shadows with his hand extended. "Now, die!"

Thamas felt himself react before a single thought entered his mind. He launched himself between Ryax and Rysirix holding out his arms wide. Gen yelled after Thamas, but at that moment, Gen's voice was drowned out by Rysirix launching his attack. Thamas once again waited for the end, but something odd happened.

The rod in Thamas' hand exploded with a prism of color and extended itself around his body. Rysirix's blast hit, causing the two energies to crack like thunder. Thamas struggled as he pointed the rod at Rysirix and pushed back the sickly green energy.

"That silly rod cannot compare to my power, boy!" Rysirix said as he intensified the blast and pushed the energy back to Thamas.

Thamas felt the strain on his body to maintain the effort. He felt blood leaking from his nose as the sheer effort was too great for him. However, he continued to hold, fearing the worst possible outcome.

Suddenly, a lightning bolt hit Rysirix in the side, launching him into the air and sending him flying back into the library. Ryax was leaning against a wall for support, blood running down his face from a nasty gash on his head and panting as he held his pistol outstretched.

"Don't underestimate me, brother," Ryax said as the soldiers surrounded them.

Ryax spun the revolver chamber to orange and pulled the trigger. Suddenly, a flame thrower shot forth from the gun, incinerating all enemies it touched. Thamas let the energy die as he fell to his knees, barely able to move.

After a few moments, Thamas felt an odd warming sensation and looked up to see Mika standing there, offering him her hand. Thamas took it and instantly felt himself speeding through a tunnel of light. Thamas landed on what looked like a soft bed and saw nothing but pure white light.

"Am I dead?" Thamas asked.

"No, my dear. You are very much alive. Although you were close," said Mika as he felt her hand on his forehead.

"Why is it so bright?" Thamas asked as Mika giggled.

"Maybe you should open your eyes, Thamas," Mika said as Thamas slowly opened his eyes and noticed the sunlight coming through an open window.

"Where are we?" Thamas asked as he slowly sat up.

"We are in the one place Rysirix can never find. I was able to preserve this place as a last haven in case my tower was ever compromised. It's...where I was raised," Mika said as Thamas nodded and looked around the room.

Ryax was sitting in a corner, looking out the window as Gen read the book he found in the library of the Kobold families. Thamas could not help but admire the situation.

"For a human, you are braver than I thought," Ryax said while still looking out the window.

"I didn't even think. I just reacted," Thamas said as Gen looked up from his book.

"Quite foolishly, I may add, human," Gen said with anger in his voice. "When will you stop jumping into situations greater than you can handle?"

"Not any time soon. Look, when someone needs help, I will always help. It is just who I am," Thamas said as he looked at Ryax and noticed the bandages around his head. Gen looked a little defeated, but before he could say anything, Ryax spoke.

"The Kobold is correct. It is foolish to risk your life senselessly. However, perhaps the council was right about you," Ryax said as Thamas looked confused.

"Right, about what?" Thamas asked as Ryax turned from the window to Thamas.

"That maybe you are the one who cleans up this shithole of a planet," Ryax said.

To be continued...