Chapter 22: Confrontation

Seth It didn't take long for Strat and Jack to catch up with the rest of them But Seth still was curious what the two said to each other. Seth wasn't really worried about Strat dying but he was concerned. He had never met this Zach before but from what everyone was saying he seemed like a real piece of work. Still as the day progressed Seth and his friends moved forward in silence. The only time there was any sort of conversation was when they stopped for a rest before continuing on. The air became even colder and the winds picked up. Before Seth knew it instead of lush grass snow could be seen everywhere. The trees became fewer and the path they were on narrowed until at times Seth could no longer see it. However Oliver never seemed lost he would always lead them up the winding path without so much as a pause to check where he was going. To Seth it seemed like Oliver had taken this path many times before and knew every part by heart. If this was the case then it would make since why Strat would choose him to be their guide. As the air thinned the amount of breaks they had to take increased as their bodies tried to overcome the difference in air quality. But it only took them about two hours to reach the outskirts of the village where the portal. When they were about half a mile still from the village according to Oliver, Oliver held up his hand quickly. He turned his head to the side as if he was listening intently for something. Seth closed his eyes and tried to sense something through the earth. But he couldn't feel anything. Seth opened his eyes and looked towards Oliver wondering if the dwarf was hearing things.  Then he heard it to, the thumping sound of a steady wing beat. It was clear and repetitive, a smooth rhythm. Soon, it was followed by another set of flapping, then another, and another.  "Quick into the brush!" Strat exclaimed as they scrambled for cover. Seth dove behind an outcropping of rocks just as an entire flock of dragons flew overhead. The wind from their wings shook the mountain as they flew over head. The dragon's were exactly as Seth remembered them. Midnight black scale and blood red spikes mad up their natural armor, but what really sent a chill down Seth's spine every time he saw one of these monstrosities was the blood red eyes. They seemed, so lifeless and murderous, like the only thing they cared for was how many they could kill. Seth crouched down trying to make himself smaller as he tried to estimate the number of dragons in the flock, but he lost count at forty two. It seemed like it took forever but eventually the shadow dragons disappeared from sight and Seth and his friends began to relax.  "Damn I hate those things," Travis said and there were a lot of chorusing agreements from the group.  "Well," Strat started. "We are close enough to the village that I can make my way from here i want all of you guys to follow Oliver and why i'm distracting Zach try to sneak through the portal."  No one tried arguing, mostly because they new it was pointless but also because they knew it had to be done. Seth stood and before Strat could protest Seth pulled him into a hug. Seth wasn't sure why he did it and he wasn't particularly emotional he just felt that if Strat didn't come back Seth would regret not saying goodbye in some form. Strat seemed shocked as he didn't react right away he simply stood there. Seth quickly let go, not trying to make Strat feel awkward and stepped back smiling. "You got this master Strat," Aria called. "You can do it," Matt said "Show him who's boss!" Mike shouted. "Come back Safe," Rylee said with a smile. "Don't die," Michelle said stiffly. " Teach him a lesson," John said in his deep voice. Seth couldn't believe the support everyone was showing for Strat. It was more than just some encouragement everyone there truly believed that Strat would be just fine. It was a moment Seth knew would stick with him for the rest of his life. And it was also a moment Seth silently gave thanks to God that he had been able to make such good friends. Seth could tell that Strat was overwhelmed because he gave everyone a curt nod and then turned and began walking up the slope alone. Strat. Strat couldn't say anything. Was there really anything he could've said. He wondered if everyone thought he was weird for just walking away. But, it was too late to go back now. Strat steeled his nerves as he boldly walked forward the pathway becoming familiar he had been here once a long time ago so he knew what the village looked like but even his memory hadn't been good enough to lead his friends reliably up the mountain.  Strat was in plain sight so he knew that he had been detected by the demons. The demons wasted no time coming after him and Strat immediately became aware of a 50 person group of demons headed his way. Their heavy footfalls making it nearly impossible for Strat not to sense them through the earth. "Alright," Strat said to himself. "It's time to get started." Strat drew upon the light and created a simple unadorned longsword from light. As soon as the platoon of demons saw him the didn't hesitate they attacked. They must've been told to attack on sight," Strat mused as he stepped forward and swung his sword horizontally. It was a simple swing with minimal effort behind it but Strat willed a wave of light to follow the path of his sword and slash outward. The wave of light grew in width quickly covering the size of the entire platoon. The wave of light ripped through the ranks of demons cutting down every single one. Strat knew he had to do it but it still felt... well unfair when he used his full power like this. It was one of the reasons he didn't like to put his abilities on display. As Strat walked past bodies of the dissipating demons he felt a sadness, but he continued on.  It wasn't long before another group of demons came across him. This one didn't attack him at first sight, which confused him a little bit but he decided to just watch them. A bigger demon stepped out if front of the group of demons. This demon was over nine feet tall and unlike the other demons this one had a pair of demon wings on it's back. The wings at least thirty feet in length. Having wings on the back was a sign of a high ranked demon. Unlike other demons this one had intelligence. "Hmm a high rank, What's your name demon?" Strat asked. He was in no mood to get into a long fight, if he could get them to surrender or better yet not fight it would be ideal. The demon seemed to be in no mood for a conversation because he simply ordered one command.  "Kill the Destroyer!" The demon roared as it brandished it's black great sword and charged toward Stratos.  Strat sighed as he inwardly cringed, "The Destroyer really?" He asked. "That's what you guys are calling me." As the Demons charged toward him Stratos reached out to the nature and earth around him. Taking a step forward the earth ruptured in front of the demons advance causing most of them to lose their footing and fall, right onto the thick roots that had just emerged from the ground. These roots took the form of giant spears as they exploded from the ground impaling the demons on them. Strat raised his sword and after a flash of light it changed form. It became a five foot long bow staff made with intricate designs. Strat willed fire and lightning to appear on either end of the staff. Strat twirled his weapon as he rushed to meet the demons who numbered roughly a hundred. Strat blocked the lead demon's attack and then letting the blade slide off his staff to the right Strat stepped past him. Twirling it around he stabbed the end of the staff that was caught on fire into the back of the demon. Strat will the fire to extend and a red hot blade of fire pierced through the demon's chest. Strat heard a sizzling sound and the burnt smell of leather as the demon died. The demon doubled over it's eyes dimming. Stratos dodged a demons spear by jumping backward on the back of the dying demon.  Twirling his staff once more Strat jumped forward over the demon who had just tried to attack him. He brought the staff down lightning end down into the ground. Lightning discharged into the ground and spread out in every direction jumping in and out of the earth, like a fish in water. Every demon within the group was hit by this wave of lightning. With in seconds the entire small army had been eradicated. Strat stood up and looked out at the carnage that he had caused. He never particularly loved this part of his job, but he couldn't argue it's necessity.  "Time to go!" Stratos said to himself.  Strat wasted no time, and in only about fifteen minutes he arrived at the outskirts of a run down village. This village had once been prosperous but after years of people fighting over the portal the village had been destroyed and the town was never rebuilt. As Strat entered the town he became aware of just a single figure standing in the middle of town. Behind this figure was oval shaped frame. The frame was made of silver and intricate designs were etched into it. In the empty space of the frame seemed to be empty air but if Strat focused he could see the air warping and blurring occasionally. This was a clear sign that the portal was on but not active. And there was a simple reason for that. Only a member of the Academies could activate the portal. This was the reason why the man standing in front of the portal instead of going straight into it.  As Strat entered the village he took note of the fact that the destroyed building were aligned in a circle surrounding the portal. And that the entire village was empty except for the man standing in front of the portal. Strat approached the man. Of course Strat knew who this man was, and a second later the man broke out into a smile. He raised both hands toward Strat in an open gesture as if to welcome him. Once again Seth sighed, it was time for the long awaited confrontation