Chapter 43: The Black Wizard

"This is impressive," Ace remarked looking down.

Errik was kneeling against the floor making the last markings on the ground. Having used up the last of the ground up red flower, a spiralling rune had taken over the length of the bedroom. There were various crystals and totems lain at each protruding edge of the circular markings. Errik pulled back inspecting it closely in its entirety.

"You were able to memorise all this just from looking at her notes," Ace glanced down at the complex spiralling pattern in astoundment, "I guess you were the grand wizard for a reason,"

"It's done," Errik said quietly.

"Perfect," Ace smiled, "Start the spell,"

"I want to see Veretta first," Errik replied stiffly.

Ace let out a sigh. He glanced at the window. Though the curtains were drawn, the light was already filtering in.

"There's no time,"

"Well make time!" Errik snapped, "I won't do anything else till I see her,"

"Fine," Ace conceded with annoyance, "but make it quick,"

He led Errik back to the study, but there was no sign of Veretta. Ace pushed down a book upon the shelf and a latch extended from the bookcase. He pulled it back revealing a locked door. Taking the key from his pocket, he unlocked it then gestured inside.

"You have 10 minutes, then we're finishing the spell. I'm going to be right here," he said glancing back at Errik.

Ace then turned to the fireplace. It was close to death with the embers retreating under the black ash. Nevertheless, he took a seat beside it and began to wait. Errik rushed inside the backroom. He found a small bed upon which Veretta was lying still passed out. Her mouth was gagged and her hands bound to the bed.

"Veretta?" he nudged her lightly.

She did not stir. He tapped her lightly again and she started to come to. Her green eyes widened startled as she surveyed the room. She pushed herself up and attempted to speak but only weak sounds came out. Her eyes pleaded with Errik to remove the bindings.

"I'm sorry, I can't do that," Errik replied sadly. "I just need you to listen for now. I know you think that I've been lying to you and...you were right. But I didn't lie for the reason that you think. I need you to know that I never wanted to hurt you by keeping secrets. I just couldn't bear for you to know the truth.

You were right, I did remember something. I got a glimpse of who I used to be. Like this shadow on my soul and tried so hard to push it down. You think you know the black wizard from your books but you don't. I was wicked. Truly wicked. I tried not to let it resurface again. I wanted to push it out. Be cured of it.

You made it seem like it was possible. All I had to do was be in your arms and I felt...calm. But then you wanted more and ...I couldn't give you that - not without giving you him. I thought if I gave you your revenge, it would fix everything. But I see now, as long as I am at your side, I'm only going to keep weighing you down. And I don't want you to die. I can't let you die because

...I love you, Veretta.

So I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I couldn't give you your revenge. I'm sorry that I couldn't love you like you deserved to be loved. I'm sorry for everything. Forgive me or don't, but please just remember me. As I am, not as I'm going to be,"

Veretta's eyes widened full of tears. She leaned forward towards him, but Errik immediately stood. He looked down with tearful eyes and turned quickly out of the room. He closed the door behind him with an unsteady breath and remained pressed against for a moment in silence.

Ace was sitting staring into the dead fire with a forlorn gaze. He waited a moment till Errik had calmed then stood.

"Time to go," he said quietly.

Errik met his gaze with an exceedingly vicious glare, "I hope you never find who you're looking for,"

Ace met his gaze with a blank expression, "I probably won't," he returned, "but if you were me, would you ever stop looking for the person you loved?"

Errik stared down bitterly and said no more.

They went back out to the bedroom where the spell was set up. Tomas was kneeling down on the ground with Yona lighting the last of the candles.

"So what do I have to do?" Ace asked as Errik stared down silently.

"You need to mark your blood on the runes," Errik answered.

Ace strolled up to the alter that had been laid out. He took the blade that had been placed upon it and drew it across his palm. Then he held out his fist. Drops of blood fell upon spiral and they shuddered out invigorating the runes with a red glow. Errik placed his hand on them. They began to contract from the ground and peel from the wood boards. Errik let out a small gasp as they twisted around his forearm and crawl up his skin.

"Errik!" Tomas exclaimed, "Errik, are you okay?"

Errik didn't answer. He pulled his hand back from the ruins but they followed even without his touch embroiling in ferocious red markings. He let out a stifled cry as he forced himself across the threshold of the circle. Within, the ruins coated him entirely in red. He fell to his knees with an agonising scream.

"It's killing him," Tomas turned to Ace apprehensively. Ace gave no response. Tomas moved towards the circle. It was then Ace pulled him back with a rough shove.

"If you touch him now, you'll be killed as well," he said in a low voice.

"But.." Tomas looked back with trepidation.

Errik had stopped moving. The red coating his skin began to ooze with a strange black smoke. It was thick and opaque concealing the entire sphere upon which Errik was standing.

"What's happening?" Tomas's voice trembled.

Terrible malevolent energy rippled across the room. Finally, the fog began to clear. Errik was standing upright once more. He was once more coated in black from head to foot. His eyes appeared glazed as they once more came into view. A flicker of awareness lit up his eyes in a most vicious and merciless shade of yellow. He looked up to the others in the room and Tomas felt a chill go down his spine. It looked like Errik, but his instinct told him at once that it was not.

"What have you done?" the black wizard stepped towards them, but paused. He glanced down at the altar by his feet and let out a chuckle.

"What kind of vile scheme have you carried out this time?" his severe eyes came up to Ace.

"Hi, master," Ace smiled, "it's a been a while,"

"Not long enough," the black wizard sniffed. He cast an inspecting eye over the room, "where am I? Why am I unable to leave this circle?"

"You see," Ace went on with a smirk, "you can't leave it unless you make a deal with me,"

"A deal with you?" the black wizard's face stretched into a cruel grin, "you must have lost your mind. Why would I ever make a deal with you, you pathetic, worthless brat?"

"That's not very nice," Ace laughed, "I thought you would be happy to see me. I'm offering to bring you back to life after all,"

"Back to life?" the wizard's brow creased. A startled expression passed over his dark features and his hand came to his neck. His eyes came up with Ace wild and indignant.

"She stabbed me...I died?" he demanded in a feral tone.

"Yes," Ace answered, "you remember?"

The wizard's looked in deep thought for a moment, "we were in the demon world. We went to the palace of the demon lord. I found her there. We fought and... she killed me," he let out a startled breath.

"Who killed you?" Tomas asked quietly.

The wizard's eyes turned to him sharply as if he had just noticed his presence. A curious expression came over the wizard's face.

"Who are you?" The wizard interrogated.

"You don't remember me?" Tomas's brow creased.

"Remember you?" the wizard looked at Tomas closely, "Come closer, let me look at you,"

Tomas began to step forward, but Yona stuck out her hand, "don't," she shook her head.

"It's okay," Tomas frowned. He went towards the circle apprehensively, "he can't hurt me while he's inside, "

"Errik, do you remember me?" Tomas looked up hesitantly.

The black wizard's eyes narrowed. Tomas once more recalled the vicious desert snake with its savage yellow eyes set upon its prey, but he didn't falter.

"Errik?" he pleaded.

"Why do you keep calling me that?" the wizard stared down with a look of contempt. He looked past Tomas to Ace.

"What kind of game is this?" he demanded.

"I guess if you want to know, you'll have to agree to my terms," Ace stepped forward with a smile.

The wizard gave a derisive snort, "You're even more arrogant than I remember," he muttered, "what are your terms?"

"I need you to find Clover like you did before," Ace answered.

The wizard's face drew up in revolution, "You insipid little fool!" he spat, "Every time. Every time always with Clover! CLover! Clover!"

"Well, don't you want to find them too? For your revenge?" Ace replied undeterred.

"My revenge?" the wizard's let out an egregious laugh, "my revenge will be to see you two separated for the rest of time,"

Ace stared down with dark eyes, "Ah, now I remember why I hated you...well, let me put it this way - If you want to live, you have to agree,"

"Who says I want to live," the wizard tilted his head back with a smile, "I have nothing to live for,"

Ace pulled out a necklace from his pocket and held it up to the wizard, "do you remember this?"

The wizard's callous indifferent smile was replaced by wide fervent eyes, "you got it back?"

"That's right," Ace grinned darkly, "You want it? Then you gotta come out and play,"

"Hmm," the wizard gave a frown, "All I have to do is find Clover?"

"Well, provided you protect me until we find them, " Ace answered, "You get the necklace and you get to live. It's quite a bargain. Couldn't be any easier,"

"Nothing is ever easy with you," the wizard retorted, "but since I have nothing better to do with my undead eternity, I suppose I'll play along,"

Ace held out his hand, "Then we have a deal?"

The black wizard stared down coldly and took his hand.

"Deal."