This is our third place winner from our Fantasy Contest!
Enjoy! Three days. That’s all he needed to complete his plan. He smiled with amusement at himself. His plan would be in full blow and nothing could stop him. His power would be known. He stood up and smoothed out his black hoodie, then he grabbed his sword and placed the blade portion into the sword holder at his side. “I’m telling you, you can’t do this.” “Watch me,” he smiled to himself. “I’m not kidding. The Master will kill you, Nicholas. Think about this again,” he pleaded. “If I was afraid of The Master, I wouldn’t do this in the first place,” Nicholas ran his fingers over the edge of a sword blade. “Nick, I’m begging you. Betraying him is like suicide!” “It’s Nicholas,” he replied, his eyes narrowed. “I don’t care, man! Just tell me you won’t go through with it!” “I’m doing what I want. I don’t want to be blood bound to that freak for the rest of my life. I’m taking back my life, whether he, or you like it or not,” Nicholas narrowed his eyes. “You’re absolutely insane! Crazy, not just insane! You can’t do this! Nicholas, stop. Rethink what you’re about to do,” he protested. “I appreciate your concern, Mike, but this time I’m not stopping for anything,” Nicholas turned to face his friend. “Nicholas, I’m not kidding, leave this whole betrayal thing. Stay with The Master. He won’t do anything to you as long as you stay in line,” Mike sighed. “The Master can shove a chicken down his throat, I don’t care what he cares about. Got it?” Nicholas brushed past him, but he paused at the doorway to see what Mike had to say in response. “I’ve said all I can, but for now, good luck, Nicky boy,” Mike smirked. “Thanks. I don’t need luck though, I need skills,” Nicholas started walking out of the door. “By the way, swords are ineffective. Use throwing knives too,” Mike suggested. “I’ll keep that in mind,” Nicholas held a thumbs up. “You better,” Mike sighed. Nicholas sneaked down the hall. The Master had eyes everywhere, and Nicholas wasn’t in the mood to make that freak notice him. I will succeed. I will. I will. The Master won’t win this time, not now, not ever. It’s my day. Nicholas turned his head towards the windows. The night was streaking over Paradise Bay, California. The lights from the clubs and skyscrapers reached the heavens, but that’s what it only seemed. Nicholas scoffed and walked past the window. He didn’t care for the stupid lights, or the stupid town. The Master was all he cared about. He was going to win. The Master placed his long and thin fingers on the piece of paper sitting at his desk. He was trying to figure out what he was going to do that day, and the only way to keep track of his long list and growing thoughts was through paper and pencil. The Master knew it was a cliche thing to do, but that was the last of his concerns. He stood up and walked towards the large double doors of his office. His long green silk jacket flowed behind him, as if it was on air. “Something’s wrong,” he raised his hand up to the air. Nothing. He wasn’t getting a signal. Good, I thought something was up. Must be my mind going crazy with thoughts again. He then felt a sour taste in his mouth. He gagged and made a face. He knew that only happened when he was in danger, but danger by whom? He placed his hand on the door handles, but the sour taste only grew stronger. He was on the verge of throwing up. The Master ran back to his desk and grabbed the trash can. He threw up and gagged on the sour flavor. “Disgusting,” he spat. Nicholas climbed out the window. It was only a short drop from his position to the tree below. He sighed and let himself fall, the wind carrying him as his only safety precaution. He figured The Master already knew something was up. He just had a feeling. Then, the tree branches met his arms, scraping him and tearing part of his hoodie. He cursed out loud as he smashed through the branches and fell onto the grass covered ground. The grass was wet, and instantly his pants got soaked. He closed his eyes and screamed in his head. He didn’t want to wake anybody up and have them act all goody goody and tell The Master. He patted the side of his pants to make sure his throwing knives were in there, then he checked for his swords. Everything was accounted for. Nicholas stood up and limped towards the edge of the lake that separated Paradise Bay from The Master’s base. The lake acted like a magic barrier. Nobody could see anything beyond it, nor be able to touch the hideout. Nobody. Well, only the followers of The Master. The Keepers, he called them. “What are we even keeping?” Nicholas asked himself. He stepped into the lake and felt a shivering feeling in his spine. He stiffly walked through the freezing cold water. He, unfortunately, had a severe allergy to the cold. He knew he’d instantly get hives and his fingers would turn twenty times the size they already were, but that didn’t deter him from completing his plan. Paradise Bay actually had one of the largest magic sources in the entire world. The Master chose well. All Nicholas had to do was complete his magic training there in under three days, and then he would be ready to face The Master. He looked back at the base, then ran as fast as he could through the water. It was getting deeper as he passed the magic barrier. He was shaking violently at that point. When he finally made it out of the lake he let out a huge sigh. He rocked on his bottom back and forth. The pain was pulsing through his bloodstream at that point. Well, not literally, but that’s what he felt. He stood up, but then collapsed instantly. Severe. Mike laid down on his bed. The Master was the man of his nightmares. Everytime he pictured the bony old man with the long white beard and deep set eyes, the long green silk robe and the white tunic, he felt electrocuted in his spine. “Just turn back, Nick. Just turn back,” Mike whispered to himself. His roommate was probably close to death. How would he pass the freezing cold lake? He would probably die because of his allergies. Mike jumped out of his bed and ran to the window. He couldn’t see Nicholas at all. Please be alive! Oh God, don’t take his life now. He’s got a good heart, he doesn’t deserve this. Mike sat back down on his bed and waited. He didn’t know what for, but he was waiting. Nicholas was covered in hives on his legs. He scratched at them constantly. The pain seared through his bones. His teeth chattered and he could barely feel his fingers. “Crap, I’m gonna get frostbite,” Nicholas stood up and started to hobble towards the green tipped mountains in the distance. He didn’t have anything close to a car, but he calculated if he attempted his teleportation spell, he might make it within two hours. That would give him time to finish his training. He placed his right hand on his heart and weakly spoke the chant to teleport him to the mountains. He felt himself being pulled into a burst of light as he was transported from his position to the mountains. It felt like two seconds to him, but in real life, it took hours. He didn’t prefer to use it, but it was much better than walking. He finally emerged on the top of the mountain, where the Bright Stone was placed. He sighed, but it was still cold up there. He shivered and rubbed his arms like there was no tomorrow. The Bright Stone was where the ritual binding The Master and The Keepers together happened. He despised the Bright Stone for that very reason, but it was the only way to complete his training. He pressed his hands to the Bright Stone and he felt light pour out of his eyes. The pain the Bright Stone gave was worse than any allergy. He clenched his teeth and then the light show ended. He blinked and backed away from the Bright Stone. Blood trickled down his chin and he quickly wiped it away. “Just let me complete my training!” Nicholas shouted at the magical rock. He let out a burst of light from his fingers and it blasted the top of the cave. Shards of crystals poured down from the top. His eyes went wide. He had never noticed that. He created a ball of light and shone it up to the roof. The crystals dangled from the ceiling like grapes on vines. He marveled at it, but then directed his attention to the Bright Stone. Two days was all he needed. The next day, Nicholas awoke on the floor of the cave. His back hurt terribly and his hives were finally gone. “Note to self, never sleep on rocks… Again,” he laughed faintly to himself. The Bright Stone glinted in the sunlight that was pouring through the mouth of the cave. He placed his hands on it again, and the light came back, this time it poured out of his mouth. He closed his eyes. His training was almost done. One day. One more day was all he needed. The Master had felt the sour taste in his mouth all day since it began. The pain in his mouth was spreading to his lungs and heart. He felt something, but he couldn’t tell what it was. The sky wasn’t giving him any hints as to what the danger was, but he knew that there was a threat of danger on his life. Someone was missing from the base, and he knew it. That was it. Nicholas was done. The Bright Stone had given him all the magic it could. It was enough to challenge The Master to a duel of swords. It was enough for a magic duel as well. He began the teleportation spell and appeared at the lake where the magical barrier concealed the base. He sighed and stepped into the water and crossed the barrier. He emerged at the entrance to the base. The Master was outside, almost as if he was expecting someone. “You left? Didn’t you?” The Master flashed a smile. His yellow teeth made Nicholas cringe out of disgust. “Yes, I did.” “Why’d you come back?” “Because I’m here to challenge you,” Nicholas unsheathed his swords. “Challenge me? You must be drunk,” The Master roared out of laughter. “I thought you loved to fight,” Nicholas smirked. “I do, that’s why I accept your challenge. Let’s fight, Nicholas,” The Master unsheathed his swords with a satisfying hiss. Nicholas gulped and gripped the hilts tightly. He held his breath, then let out a battle cry and blasted a beam of light at The Master. He ducked under the beam and shot one back at Nicholas. The Keeper charged at him with his swords. He didn’t forget the throwing knives, they would come in handy later. The blades clashed against each other like savage beasts. Nicholas flipped over The Master and ran up the wall. He flipped in mid air and blasted a bolt of lightning as he did so. The Master held his hand out and the lighting stopped its attack. “The source of my misery, that’s where,” Nicholas landed on his feet. “The Bright Stone? You sneaky animal,” The Master narrowed his eyes. “Listen, Master. I will no longer be bound to you. From this day forth, I want freedom from this cursed place. I’m done with being a Keeper. I’m going to end you right here and right now,” Nicholas spat. “You’re a fool. Nobody has left my bind, and nobody ever will. You are no exception,” The Master hissed. “Then let’s find out,” Nicholas raised his chin up. “What an ego,” The Master whispered under his breath. Nicholas whipped out a gun and fired two shots. One shot hit into The Master’s arm. He wailed in pain and collapsed on his knees, clutching his arm. He shook angrily and shot a huge ball of fire at Nicholas. The Keeper ducked under the ball and charged at The Master. “It’s over!” Nicholas shouted. “Never,” The Master stood up and thrusted his sword into Nicholas’ chest. Nicholas’ eyes went wide and his arm fell down to his side. He gasped for breath. The Master slowly pulled out the sword, the pain exploded through Nicholas. He let out a small groan as he fell to his knees. “I don’t like traitors, and you are the stupidest person ever,” The Master laughed tauntingly. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think you were clear enough, could you repeat that?” Nicholas spat. “What?” The Master snapped. Suddenly, the old man felt a huge shot of pain in his heart. He looked down and saw a magic propelled knife stuck straight through his heart. “I’m not dying without you dying too,” Nicholas pressed his hand on his wound. “You little-” The Master began choking for air. He felt the life slowly slip out of him. The wind was knocked right out of him. “Goodbye, Master,” Nicholas crawled away from the dead body of what used to be The Master. Nicholas laid down on his back, his eyes looked at the sun. He let out a small laugh and a smile spread on his lips. He was dying, but he still won. He knew it. Mike ran to his friend’s side. “Nick! Speak to me!” He felt tears stinging at the back of his eyes. “I did it. You doubted me,” Nicholas laughed weakly. “Nick, dude, don’t die on me,” Mike frantically looked around. “I’m gonna die, face it,” Nicholas looked up at his friend with a triumphant look in his eyes. “You did good, Nick,” Mike wiped the tears that were now flowing. “I did, didn’t I?” “Yes. You beat him. You beat The Master,” Mike choked on his sobs. “Goodbye, buddy,” Nicholas sucked in a final breath of air. “Nick? Nick?” Mike checked his pulse. Nothing.
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