Of Fire and Sand

The burning house was eventually put out by a strong water spell cast by Elfin. The poor mage looked at his home, now nothing but embers, and sighed.

"Don't worry, Elfin, I'm gonna get that Black Magic guy..." said Jason sympathetically.

"I think the real question is, who is he? Where did he come from? Who sent him?"

Jason admired Elfin's spirit. Inspite of a very great loss (literally) he still could look on with determination towards his mission. Jason could only nod in response.

"C'mon then, no use moping over spilt milk..." Elfin turned to pick up his fallen Inventi. Sighing, Jason followed the elf out of the compound and into the now-quiet streets. A group of kids, elves and humans, had gathered to steal a peek. They had probably seen the smoke rising from the mansion.

As they exited the gates of Elvinio, Jason could not help but feel as if they were being followed.

*** *** ***

The desert at night was as cold as a winter snowstorm. The giant winds threw sand and dust into their eyes as Jason and Elfin headed east, where Griephon's main operations were being held.

"I think we should stop!" cried Elfin over the roar of the wind.

"No!" snapped Jason loudly. "If we stop now we're dinner for sand worms!"

"We're getting no-ARGH!"

Elfin's scream was cut short as a gigantic worm burst forth from the earth. It was yellow and had large, circular jaws lined with rotten, triangular teeth.

The worm slammed its body, seemingly at Elfin, but the mage had created a force field to protect himself from the blow.

"Elfin!" yelled Jason. His voice was nothing compared to the loud winds. He drew his blade and dashed for the sand worm. The red light glowed in the night sky. Jason leapt just as he was within range. He couldn't see, but sand worms liked to roar. He knew exactly where the monster was.

The sword pierced soft, sticky flesh. A deafening screech erupted in Jason's ear-drums as he dried to withdraw his blade. Next came the shaking. Jason dug his fingers into the worm's moist skin, feeling sick. The worm was trashing in pain. The stab was nothing, but the magical red glow was causing damage along with fireballs from Elfin's side. Jason could feel their heat.

Finally, the trashing stopped. The sword and Elfin's spells had done enough damage. The worm sank back into the sand. Jason grabbed his sword and jumped off just as the monstrosity was sucked into the earth.

"They have a weird way of dying," said the dragon slayer. Elfin merely nodded and looked around. The winds had stopped.

"What the-"

A black shadow, darker than any part of the sand around them, had suddenly appeared below their legs. Before Jason could finish his curse, he found himself falling. He turned to see if Elfin was beside him.

He no longer was.