Black Magic

"Where to now?"

"You're the adventurer. You tell me."

"Yeah well my first priotiy after training up the past ten years was to find you...then I suppose get more allies and kill Griephon."

Elfin shook his head. Obviously Jason had little of a plan. They were still at the mansion, stocking up. Elfin would put his house under tight magical security while he was gone, and if he were to die finding Griephon, the house would be sold and the money given to charity.

Jason was amazed at the different magical items Elfin possessed. There was a special bag that always remained as small as it was no matter what was placed into it. Elfin called it an Inventi. Other items included smoke bombs, dust that could explode, everliving-flame, summoners and so on. Elfin took as many things as he could. Of course, that would mean everything, for the Inventi never seemed to be full.

"Let's go," said Elfin finally. They were at the door when a sudden tingle of magi energy hit the mage. He signaled to Jason not to touch the door. Jason backed away slowly, sword drawn.

"Spellbinder!" announced Elfin, his staff pointed towards the handle. Immediately the door clicked open and burst backwards with immense force. Tapping the end of his staff onto the ground, Elfin walked out the doorway, warily looking left and right.

"We're being watched..."

Suddenly, a black ball came flying into the house, scraping Elfin's ear as he tried to duck unskilfully. The ball landed on the couch, and started ticking. Jason's eyes widened.

"Get outta here, Elfin!" he cried, diving onto the mage and pushing them out of the house as it blew into debris. Elfin's Inventi rolled onto one of the stone platforms of his pool, right next to a pair of black feet.

"Name's Black Magic, and I'm a shadow goblin," announced the creature as Elfin and Jason scrambled to their feet.

"Nobody asked!" spat Jason as he drew his sword and charged at the goblin. Leaping onto the stone platform, he took a quick swipe, only to find his opponent had disappeared. Cursing, he sliced the empty air in vain.

Elfin, meanwhile, was staring helplessly as his house became nothing but burning debris and smoke.