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– Why are you asking? – asked the Guardian. – What have you forgotten on my lands?
«I believe that it is they who are to blame for the revival of corpses, Sylvia,» Sienna grinned maliciously, looking at the prisoners.
– Search them! – the mistress of the castle commanded.
– Oh, the coin is the key to the prison. You are in cahoots with the prisoners. Let’s get to know those you are trying to save.
«Everything is lost!» – thought Eleon.
Sylvia took the round object and held it up to the mirror. As one would expect, the old man looked at those around him through the looking glass.
– Greetings, Master Sylvia!
– Avinius! What are you doing in prison?
– Troubled times have come. Again Evil is trying to envelop our world in intrigue, and again I don’t even know his face.
– Who is this guy that carries this key?
– Eleon. He conjures Light and Darkness, and perhaps it was about him, and not about Della, as I mistakenly thought, that was spoken of in the ancient Prophecy. It is he who is destined by Fate to destroy Evil at its roots forever.
– Or Good. If we misinterpreted the Prophecy like we did last time. Tell me, Avinius, if they didn’t awaken the dead, then who? After all, this may mean that another prophecy will also be fulfilled.
Sylvia handed the coin to Eleon. And then she turned to the servants.
– Free them.
– But shouldn’t they be punished? – Sienna was indignant.
– You heard my order! Free them!
When the order was carried out, Sylvia called the White Wolf to follow her.
– I’ll tell you the story of this strange Forest. He’s been cursed for a long time…
– But why don’t you leave him? After all, we encountered so many dangers on the way here.
«We are forced by oath to live next to danger. Every evening I perform a ceremony to prevent the Ancient Evil from awakening. You know, here the lines between worlds are much thinner than in other places.
Once upon a time, elves lived here. They hid their existence. Until one day a general who got lost in the forest, hiding from the enemy, found this village. His army was destroyed, but he himself escaped in the wilderness.
The elves could not leave a person in trouble. They did not know human meanness at all. They knew no one but their own kind. The elves were strong – after all, any word spoken in the ancient language became a law of nature. All their words were fulfilled. The spell of the High Elf, Herberolden, was especially strong. It is rumored that the elves on earth were the descendants of the High Elves, who were deprived of their wings. After all, the High Elves, who swore allegiance to Zeymond, were overthrown after his defeat, and no one knows where they went.
The general was a simple guest for a long time, but a vile thought was ripening in his soul that would never have occurred to a naive elf.
– But with such power as yours, you can take over the whole world! – he once said to the king of the elves. But Herberolden did not heed his words and drove away the careless guest. Although there were also elves who liked this proposal. And then a split occurred in the ranks of the forest inhabitants. Some of the elves left after the general. The general managed to learn the basics of the language, and even compiled a dictionary with a translation from his native language into Elvish. And, of course, he asked the priests to make themselves a staff covered with elven runes. He personally taught many warriors elven magic.
The general went first of all with the new army against the soldiers who killed his soldiers. The magic was stronger than the sword, and he won. Then again. And then an empire appeared, which had no equal in this world.
But he did not forget that in one of the forests those elves who did not join him still live. Of course, his army had long possessed ancient magic, but not as masterfully as the elves.
– What if they decide to overthrow me? – said the new emperor. – He who is not with me is against me.
The elf village was burned to the ground, and the forest will never forget this betrayal. Gerberolden, together with the surviving elves, found opponents of the new government. But in this war, as they say, none of those who knew the elven secrets survived. The elven race was exterminated, but along with them the elves also took the treacherous man who had corrupted their people. All the elven staves were lost, the dictionary compiled by man was burned.
Centuries passed, but the cursed place made itself known again – the center of the new Antimonian Empire arose here. Antimonik was the strongest magician who ever lived on Earth, but, unfortunately, he chose the path of Darkness and destruction.
No one could refuse the Prince of Antimony. The strong-willed either voluntarily served him, becoming officers of a countless army, or died. The weak in spirit became zombies: the living dead, subordinate to the ruler in everything. Cannon fodder, without thoughts and the meaning of life… All Antimonians became combat dark magicians, recruiting more and more new soldiers. From the ashes of the fires of rebellious cities and the fear of those who submitted, the Antimonian Empire arose, absorbing more and more new territories.
But there were also those who decided to resist the magician: this is how a military order arose – our ancestors called themselves Monians. In contrast to Antimonik, the master called himself Claudius of Monia. The swords were covered with silver and many ancient magical symbols and runes. Killing a magician is difficult. But he is not able to resist such a sword.
It seemed incredible, but Claudius’s army burst into the abode of evil. Antimonikos fell from the sword of Claudius. But that wasn’t the end. Claudius died of an unknown illness. Then our ancestors decided to destroy the city to the roots so that the curse would not return to our lands.
Many years later, when many had ceased to believe in the veracity of the stories about the black magician, his spirit returned to this forest, where the line between the worlds is so thin. The Monians defeated him a second time.
Since then, I have been guarding these forests to prevent the Ancient Evil from returning again.
But there is a prophecy that the Chosen One of Fate will be able to destroy Evil forever, so that for many years it will not be able to return to our lands. But there is another prophecy.
Once upon a time, even before the arrival of the elves, some of our ancestors took an oath to the higher elements. They became Lords. The Light Lords healed people from any disease, the Dark Lords brought destruction and anger with them. Lords could bend the will of the people. And one day a fierce war broke out between the Lords of both colors, in which all the Lords died, and with them tens of thousands of people. But legend says that another Dark Lord will appear. And his appearance will be the end of everything. And only a Lord of a different color can stop him.
– Are the Lords really omnipotent?
– No, what are you talking about, Eleon! Lords are only Lords. But no one denies that the Lord will be able to bring the Prince of Darkness with him. Or even the King. And this is already worse.
But you don’t need to think about sad things, so as not to invite trouble! Come on, Eleon, let’s join the feast!
The guests ate and drank. Beer flowed like a river, the tables were laden with food. And only Dorian was sad in the corner, looking at the photo of his beloved, which he took out of his breast pocket.
– Can I have a look? – Sienna asked to dispel the guest’s loneliness. – Beautiful. Is it your wife?
– No, this is Angel. She is my girlfriend, but we were planning to get married soon. Who would only know how much I miss her!
Sienna touched his cheek with her lips, but Dorian pushed her away.
– No. I have a favorite.
Siena lowered her eyes. But no one loved her so much. And she remained callous to all signs of attention from the guys.
Dorian was consumed by memories of the past.
But he wasn’t always like he is now.
When the father was taken away, accused of conspiracy, he was left as the sole breadwinner for his mother and younger brother. Jobs were not easy to find on his home world, so he became a member of one of the gangs that ruled the city at night. He robbed stores and random passers-by, defended the local drug lord. Later, his brother also started down this slippery slope. Together they became a stronghold of evil, which everyone they met was afraid of. The government turned a blind eye to the gangs’ activities. After all, it is better to let them fight among themselves than, united, to become a force that can deprive them of power. But soon a new Senator came to power, and he decided to carry out a grand cleaning of the streets. This time, soldiers of the Government Army came to the aid of the patrolmen.
In one of the shootouts, Sam, Dorian’s brother, was killed. And Dorian himself had to give up his dirty profession, since now this crime was punishable by death.
Dorian went to university. Studying never interfered with sports: he attended the volleyball section regularly.
For a very long time he was unlucky in his personal life. Dorian tried dating a good dozen girls, but many attempts to find happiness ended in betrayal by the girls and subsequent breakups and quarrels. He had already become disillusioned with his weaker half when he met Angel. She was perfect for him. She became the core of his life. He broke off all old connections, stopped seeing friends, and even gave up sports. If only I could have more time with her.
So they lived in perfect harmony for several years. Dorian graduated from university and found a job.
But his personal life began to crack more and more often. Maybe before he was so carried away by his beloved that he did not notice her shortcomings. But now not a single day passed without quarrels. Dorian began smoking again, and very often quenched his grief with whiskey, which, of course, did not make the relationship stronger.
But now he was so sorry for all the words he said out of emotion. After all, she remained the only possible center of the Universe for him. Every evening, as now, he again and again took a small photograph from his breast pocket.
Chapter 6. Ghosts of past mistakes
Gloomy sky. It had been raining for several hours now, and only a lone lightning dared to disturb the darkness of the extinguished torches. Even she was afraid of the upcoming events. And the mysterious smell of rain, gently cooling the summer heat of the tired earth.
And in the castle no one wanted to share the worries of nature. The sounds of the ball thundered and could be heard many miles away. So a candle was burning in the queen’s chambers. It is this small piece of wax that will ignite the flame of betrayal, which will incinerate innocent souls for many years to come. After all, a good deed dissolves like a drop in the ocean of evil and falsehood, which, like a chain reaction, digs into more and more hearts.
Two people in a room upholstered in golden silk. The red-haired woman was reclining on the bed. She is not tall. Long hair flowed in fiery waterfalls to his toes, and you could drown in bottomless green eyes. And this heady aroma of lilac. The dark-haired man looked to be no more than thirty years old. But he was already wearing the uniform of a general, and under the sleeve of his rich outfit there was a tattoo that showed the title of head of the royal guard. His youth was hidden by a neat mustache on his clean-shaven face.
– You said that you love me, Simon! – said the woman, lowering her face onto the golden pillow, unable to hold back her tears.
– Yes, Mistress! I still don’t go back on my words! – the man answered angrily.
– These are just words, my young friend! And when it comes to the real deal… – she quickly looked around from head to toe. There was not a single trace left of the tears in the eyes.
– Anything! – Simon fell to his knees. He covered the pale skin of the beauty’s hands with gentle kisses; but she did not want to see him, so she pushed the admirer away.
– I already asked you for something, but you refused me so cruelly! – the woman said, lowering her head into the pillow.
– Ask for anything except this!
– But why? – the girl said without raising her head from the pillow.
– Treason to the Motherland goes against my honor! This is a violation of an officer’s oath. I made a vow to protect the ruler, and you ask me to take his life with my own hands!!! Never!!! – With these words, Simon easily rose from his knees.
– But you swore an oath to protect not only the Supreme, but the queen too! – the woman said with a hint of resentment in her voice and with an imperceptible movement she opened her shoulder; there was a tattoo on it in the form of a crown.
– My husband is a tyrant! He will lead me to the grave, and it seems that no one will protect me,» she buried her head in the pillow again. The man hugged her.
– But how can I kill him? No one is capable of harming me, and the strongest can heal themselves even better.
– Ah, so that’s the whole problem! Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it! – The queen’s eyes lit up with demonic fire for a moment, but she immediately pulled herself together. She went to the closet. The magic word opened the door, and the girl took out a bundle of fabric, which a moment later was in the hands of the law enforcement officer. Simon unwrapped the black velvet, drawing out a dagger. The blade was handmade, made of silver; There was a gem on the tip of the handle.
– It’s just a dagger! – Simon twirled the blade in disappointment. – Yes, it’s beautiful, but a weapon made by man is nothing in a battle with a sorcerer, and especially against the lord of magicians! You know it yourself. And you want to send me to certain death.
– Still, this weapon is perfect! After all, you did not notice the witchcraft. One of my friends, a dark magician, tried! Now the wounds caused by the blade will be fatal!
The conversation between the two conspirators was interrupted by a knock. Someone kindly said in a soft voice:
– Darling, you stayed too long in your chambers! Delight my eyes! How can you be alone in this room on such a beautiful evening?
– It is he! We’re lost! Decide, Simon! On one side of the scale is the king’s life, on the other – mine and yours!
***
Simon clutched in his hand a portrait of his beloved queen. He regretted the mistakes he had made. He killed the king! And it was he who could not save the queen either!
But everything will change soon. Dell promised that when he came to life, he could bring her back to life.
– For you, master, I betrayed all principles. I became a necromancer, and summoned many ghosts from the world of the dead. But she is not among them!
– I am stronger than you, as a necromancer, so when I return to life, I can help you. The darkness will be with us!
Have you found my brother?
– No.
«You know there’s a lot at stake.» We can’t take that risk. Find my brother. I haven’t seen him for so long, I miss him so much.
Simon knew that the reason was not at all love for his brother. After all, it is the brother who can interfere with the Dark Lord’s secret plans.
– Why are you so sad, my faithful student?
– Sorry, but sometimes it seems to me that taking the path of evil was my worst mistake.
– Good… Evil… You know how conditional this is all. Mistrust and betrayal put me on this path. You know my story. I think you know Antimonikos, the Greatest of magicians. They tell scary stories about it, they scare naughty children with it. So, in the Dark World I met his restless spirit. And he personally told his story. And, you know, he faced more injustices than he did to others. In fact, his entire path is revenge for the pain caused.
Fragments of a manuscript about Antimonica 1. The birth of a magician.
– Quickly, call the midwife! My wife is giving birth!
The servants rushed back and forth until a local healer was brought to the residence of Viscount Corwell. There were rumors that she owned something, some said various absurd things about the fact that she could spell the weather. Everyone was afraid of her, but neither day nor night she had no end to guests: either a girl wants to bewitch a guy, or a man in his twilight years wants to regain his heroic power, or to cure someone from the plague or the evil eye. The plague was raging everywhere at that time, but thanks to the efforts of the old sorceress, this village was spared.
A storm was raging outside, the downpour interspersed with hail, decorated with a crown of lightning.
The old woman approached the woman in labor and drove away all the men. They called the owner of the house (it was difficult to call this place a castle – the viscount’s father lost most of his fortune at cards. Thank you, at least he didn’t drink the village away and didn’t lose!). The midwife raised the child above her head and said proudly:
– Boy!
– Son! I have an heir! Tell this good news to all residents of the settlement!
– A great destiny awaits this child! – the old woman wheezed, raising her index finger. – Yesterday a shooting star flew by, and today there is a thunderstorm. This boy is the Chosen One of Fate! He can change this wrong world.
Soon they forgot about the strange words of the witch. The parents doted on their child, the mother never left his side. But one day a man in a black cloak came to them. When he arrived, the candles went out. He just burst into some kind of sinister laugh.
– They say you have a son! You promised to give me your first child to raise!
Viscount Corvell raised his sword to kill the insolent man. But his wife looked down and said:
– Sorry, my love, but I gave him such an oath. You know I couldn’t have children. We are about to have another son. And we must give this as payment for a service.
The child was taken away when he was four years old, and his parents never saw him again.
Hallon had a whole school. He collected gifted children from all over the world and taught them black crafts. No one knows what his goals were, but the children were taught necromancy and other forbidden areas of black magic. Children were deprived of their real names, instead they were invented by the old sorcerer. They say that the dead can take revenge for depriving them of peace, but if they do not know the name, then they are powerless.
– From now on you will be Antimonik! – Hallon said to Corvell’s son. – It means «Against the Light» in Ancient Elvish.
Antimonik was the best of the students; he carried out all the old man’s orders. But his heart never knew peace. Every night he cried for his parents. He had only one dream – to see them again, to ask them why they were handed over to the villain, to forgive them.
And then one day such an opportunity presented itself. Antimonik was not liked at school, since he was Hallon’s favorite. But there was only one girl who was closer to him than the others. He then told her:
– Come with me! We will be free, we will be free from the sorcerer. Let’s escape!
– But Hallon sees everything! You know how strong he is! They’ll catch up with us!
– Need to try!
– No. Sorry. I’m afraid.
That night he ran away on his own. Antimonik arrived at his home. He shouted:
– Mom, dad, I’m home!
But silence was his answer.
«Your parents are no more,» said one of the locals.
– Where did they go?
– They are no longer there. Not at all. And you’re not here anymore, that’s what people say.
After his son was kidnapped, Corvell was unable to forgive his wife. He started drinking and beating the unfortunate woman. But when she hanged herself, there was no point in remaining on this sinful earth either.
– You didn’t save them…
His life’s dream turned out to be a lie. This was the first lesson taught to the Chosen One by Fate; we are all in Her hands. But far from the last.
Hallon found the unlucky student. But who, besides his girlfriend, could know where he was? His beloved betrayed him. Hallon was a master of torture. But does it really matter?
Antimonik was returned to school, the days ran as usual again, but everything could not now be as before. The teacher did not say a word to him, but the one born under a shooting star noticed that the other students were watching his every move. And the beloved… once upon a time, but not now… lowers her eyes when their gazes intersect. Traitor!
But one day he decided to change his life again. He entered Hallon’s room when no one was there except the teacher.
– Let me go. I can no longer live like an animal in a cage.
– Do you think I’ll just say goodbye to the best of my students? Never. You will still give me power over this world! Do you think I taught you in vain? I spent my entire fortune to feed you!
And again a lie. After all, didn’t they help Hallon rob the people? Didn’t they send curses and plagues on villages, which they then rented… for gold, of course.
– Let go voluntarily, I ask you!
– Are you threatening? – Familiar ominous lights sparkled in Hallon’s eyes. – You will be punished for these words!
The sorcerer reached out with his consciousness to the young man’s head, and he, like many times before, fell to the floor, writhing in agony. But he was strong. The guy moved his hand as if holding a small bag in it, and Hallon grabbed his heart.
– We played around and that’s enough! Stop it now!
– Did you play?! Is that what you call it? You deprived me of my childhood! I warned you. But since you refused to voluntarily let me go, die!
Antimonik pulled his bent hand towards himself, and Hallon’s chest turned red. He tore out the teacher’s heart with spells. Then he took the necklace from the sorcerer’s chest and put it around his neck.
– I’m your new teacher! – he said to his comrades. – Join me – or follow Hallon to hell!
***
This time he returned home as a winner, not as a fugitive. The headman recognized his right to power (did he have a way out?)
From now on, Antimonik and his order began to control the weather. One day a midwife came to him, who was used to being the queen of enchantments in these parts.
– You told Hallon about me! – the count shouted.
«Moreover, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be on earth.» After all, I told your mother about Hallon!
– Die, old woman! – the witch grabbed her heart. And she lost it. This was the beginning of dark times.
Chapter 7. Gold coin
«Sienna, lead our guests to the exit from the forest,» Sylvia said. – So that they don’t encounter any more trouble.
Siena looked at the travelers with hatred, but remained silent. So they walked silently for some time along the winding forest path.
– Why do you hate us? – asked Esmeralda. «After all, we didn’t do anything bad to you at all.»
– Why should I love you? The owner trusts you. But not me.
– Is it our fault that the dead killed your comrades?
«My brother was among those killed!» Therefore, it will not be good for you if I suddenly find out that you are involved in this death!
– I also lost my brother, so I understand your suffering! Antimagi killed him.
– It’s okay, daughter, the time will come when the League will pay for its mistakes! He will wash himself with blood! This is what I promise! – the Herald said angrily.
The herald suddenly stopped: his legs were entangled in vines. Siena whispered something, and the shackles fell.
– Hide your hatred in this forest! He can smell everything. Evil here causes greater evil. So be careful.
«Sienna, it seems to me that at the end of the road we will find the secret of the living dead,» said Eleon. «Come with us and you can take revenge.»
– My place is here, Wolf. I took an oath to protect the Forest, and this is more important than anything else.
The aroma of blooming myrtle and olive did not weaken, nor did the constant feeling of someone’s presence disappear. Occasionally, strekkili, huge dragonflies that were found here everywhere, flew out of the bushes.
– Angel will never believe that I was here! – said Dorian. – This forest will never end. But in my home world there are almost no forests left! Only cities with their constant smog and noise. And there is absolutely no room for anything new and unusual.