The Hedge Wizard

Hump’s heart pounded as he watched Bud race for the lake in a frenzy, the knight’s blade sweeping out and unleashing streaks of Frostfire at some invisible attackers. To Hump’s Spirit Sight, Bud was a silhouette of icy blue, blazing with a furious aura. Beyond him, the lake was alight with a storm of power, the entire body of water swirling and shifting constantly, yet Hump could not make out their enemy. With every moment, Bud fell farther into the mist, cut off from the rest of them through illusions of shadows, explosions, and a constant cacophony of booms and shouts.

Focusing, Hump activated Distant Whisper. Get back, Bud! You’re chasing illusions.”

Bud didn’t seem to notice. He fought, his blade a whirlwind of fire, flashes of Frostfire piercing even the veil of the mist.

Hump turned to Celaine, his voice strained with urgency. “Bud’s been lured forward. He’s not listening to me.”

“Where?” she asked, her eyes scanning the swirling fog.

Hump pointed at the knight, then watched as Celaine’s eyes filled with green light, bright specks of essence dancing within like stars. “I see him. I’ll go. You wait here.”

She dashed forward, propelled by Spring Step, vanishing into the mist. All Hump could see was the trail of essence that she left behind like crackling lightning. She reached Bud swiftly, stopping his advance. For a few seconds, all Hump could see was their aura standing there, unmoving.

The fog stirred around them, morphing into shapes and figures that flitted in and out of view. Hump smelt blood in the air, tasted its metallic tang at the back of his throat. There was a deep, rumbling growl in the distance, followed by a piercing scream in his ear. Hump jumped and whirled around to face it, his staff ready, the crystal radiant with essence. Anara’s party was on that flank.

Just another illusion, Hump told himself, confident that Anara and the rest of her party would never fall so easily.

As he turned back to Bud and Celaine, a shadow lunged at him. Nisha was before him then, her body hunched, fire brimming in her throat. Red heat erupted upon the enemy, the shadow fading into nothingness beneath its blaze. The dragon took a step back and huddled close to Hump defensively, snarling at the shadows and sounds. He cautioned her to remain at his side and wait. She sent him a glimpse of the world as she sensed it—the mist thick and opaque, but the scents of many demons nearby, coming from both the forest of demonic trees and the lake.

“Help me, Hump!” came a pained whisper in his ear. Hump’s heart pounded as he recognised Celaine’s voice. Amidst the cries and shouts in the mist, her agonised scream suddenly rose above it all. He watched with wide eyes as she appeared before him, her face pale as a ghost, her face splattered with blood. She staggered forward and collapsed, a spear through her back.

Anger boiled in Hump as he raised his staff and prepared to unleash the full force of his essence, only for his senses to return to him. He looked at the body again, finding a form made of shadows and essence—it wasn’t her. The veil wasn’t just affecting his senses, it was affecting his mind.

Piercing pain lanced through his eye as Spirit Sight started to fatigue him. Hump fought to maintain his focus. There was simply so much going on that it overloaded him, but without it he would be helpless. He focused on what he could truly see. Bud and Celaine were getting closer, Dylan and Emilia were together on one side, backing up to Hump. Anara’s party held firm on his right, Owen’s on the left, and Marcela’s at the rear. Figures appeared in the mist, pouncing, slashing, lunging at them before vanishing into nothing—a nightmarish blend of sound and shadow, impossible to tell what was real and what was magic. But their formation held.

Gathering essence drew his attention as spells filled the mist beyond Bud and Celaine—dense balls of colour spread across the lake, radiant with power. They were too far away for Hump to disrupt using a Shield, so instead he went on the offensive. His staff came alight with bronze essence as he stepped forward, swinging it at the ground and heaving up stone that he launched at the projectiles with Rockshot. Explosions shattered the air as his spell found its mark, but still more made it through.

Green light shattered the mist, breaking through like the sun through storm clouds. Hump felt the warmth of Dylan’s essence on his skin, a comforting heat that made him realise how cold the mist had felt. He watched in awe as Dylan’s magic tore through it, pushing back the mist like a giant bubble forcing water aside.

Dylan stood before him then, his staff firmly planted in the ground, his face a mask of calm determination. “Aspect of the Guardian.” His voice was a low, resonant hum, emanating from him as his power grew in intensity. The essence of Krioc pulsed from him in a holy aura, a tangible force that radiated outward. His skin began to harden and crack, transforming into the texture of bark.

Light exploded from him in vibrant waves, each pulse pushing the mist farther back. The ground rumbled and split as an ancient tree erupted from below, its roots twisting and spreading like serpents. Leaves materialised from the thick, knotted trunk, unfurling to form a vibrant canopy. The tree pulsed with life; each beat a vivid green glow that seemed to purify the air. The mist recoiled, retreating in the face of such overwhelming power until a bubble of clear air surrounded Hump and the rest of the squad.

“Hump, can you hear me?” Emilia called.

Relief flooded through Hump, a warm certainty that he was hearing a real voice now. “I can hear you.”

“Bud got away,” she said. “We lost him, Hump. I think he fell for one of the illusions and ran off, but I couldn’t see anything.”

“Celaine has him,” Hump assured her. He pointed, just as Bud and Celaine burst out of the mist and into Dylan’s domain of protection, the knight clutching a wound in his side. “There.”

Emilia turned and let out a sigh of relief, then her eyes returned to the mist. It appeared like a wall of fog, doming them in. The relief was short lived as Hump glimpsed shadows of creatures in pursuit. Spells took form, flickering in the mist, brimming with power.

“Get behind me!” Bud shouted, Frostfire erupting from the knight.

Celaine ducked behind him, her entire body sheltered behind his suit of armour and ice. Bud extended his left hand toward the magic, a crystalline wall of ice materialising before him, gleaming with a cold sheen. The enemy spells collided with the barrier, shattering into a cascade of sparks and booming like thunder. The ice shook with each impact but it held firm.

More spells followed, streaking toward them from every direction, a relentless barrage of fiery blasts and arcane bolts, and gods knew what else. The ice wall crackled under the pressure, essence leaking out with each strike.

Hump was a flurry of motion. His staff thrummed with essence as he swung it again, bronze tendrils lashing at the ground. Through sheer strength of will he shaped his intent to drag rocks and debris from the earth and form them into sharpened spikes. Using Rockshot, he launched the sharpened stones into the mist beyond Bud and Celaine, each projectile cutting through the mist like a dagger. He was rewarded with the pained cries of monsters, adding to the sounds of battle—the crashing of spells against ice, the guttural cries of monsters, the shouts of the other parties as they gathered in closer to Dylan’s sanctuary.

Bud and Celaine retreated back to the rest of the party, Celaine vigilant behind Bud, her bow ready and a barrage of shadow arrows filling the air around her, ready to shoot at anything that followed.

Hump glanced at Bud’s wound—his armour was pierced, and blood stained the gap. Dylan’s essence was already going to work at healing the damage.

“Are you good?” Hump asked him.

“I’ll be fine.” Bud looked at them all and frowned. “I was following you. Should have known better than to think you’d charge in like a madman like that. What do we do now?”

“Get rid of this bloody mist for a start,” Hump said.

He turned to look around. Anara strode amongst a patch of flowers at her feet, spreading to fill the entire bubble under Dylan’s protection. Strength filled Hump with a rush of energy, clearing his head and getting rid of the headache Spirit Sight had given him. Anara seemed relaxed as she watched the parties at work. Theron and Garris of her own party worked together to easily hold down the right flank, utilising a mixture of blood magic and well placed artillery-sized crossbow bolts. The shadows of demons approached all around them, yet they were slowing down. It seemed they’d realised that getting too close meant death.

“Finally, we can see each other again,” Anara said. “Good work, Dylan.”

“I can’t hold this for long,” Dylan said, glancing back. His eyes glowed with an emerald fire, brimming with untamed energy. He towered almost twice as tall as Bud, appearing like a walking tree. Around him, more trees were sprouting, adding to the thick layer of essence that held back the mist.

“What are your orders?” Marcela asked.

“We can’t do anything until this mist is gone,” Owen shouted. The was a loud clank as his hammer collided with a monster that lunged from the mist, sending it flying back to where it had come from.

“I can slash it apart for a moment,” Marcela said. “I only need a target.”

“A mist this thick and powerful is likely powered by an artifact,” Hump said. “We find that, and we can be rid of it.”

“Allow me,” Marian said, manifesting a portal in the ground. “I’ll take a look from above.”

Marian, wait.” Owen reached for her, but she dropped into the portal before anyone could stop her, gone in a moment.

“It’s fine,” Anara said. “We need information right now more than anything. Focus on defence and stay within the circle. The enemy are coming.”

“Yes!” Tamsin said, twirling her axes. “Come, demons of the dungeon. My axe hungers! Watch me, Emilia!”

Fire exploded behind Hump. He ducked, raising his staff with a Shield ready for the barrage of spells to come, but there was no need. A thick wall of essence took form, towering to the sky like one side of a castle, rich with pure blue essence. Hump recognised the barrier as one of Len’s blessings. The spells of the enemy broke against it effortlessly, leaving the wall unscathed. Hump wasn’t sure how long the Chosen of Avaroth could maintain it, but while the barrier still stood their rear was protected. They wouldn’t get a better opportunity.

More attacks came from the lake, bombarding Dylan at the centre of his domain. Emilia carved through spells and projectiles alike with her rapier, her figure a blur that Hump could hardly follow. He raised his own Shield, staggering beneath the onslaught of attacks. There had to be hundreds of demons pinning them down, and he couldn’t see a way out.

Hump scanned the mist, searching for the one behind it but finding nothing. To his Spirit Sight, he saw an ocean of essence, surging constantly with magic. Either an artifact was behind this mist or an incredibly powerful spellcaster. Had the imp lord found them already?

His eyes were drawn to essence gathering on the ground nearby. Marian reappeared, leaping from her portal and landing next to him.

“Not the best news,” Marian said, her face grim. “We’re surrounded. Demons in the forest and demons in the lake.”

“What do you mean they’re in the lake?” Owen asked.

“It’s another part of the illusion,” she said. “Hundreds of demons are inside. There’s a big monster thing with some sort of artifact on its back too—I think it might be controlling the mist.”

“Can you get to it with your party?” Anara asked.

Marian nodded. “Definitely. Need to do something about the demons first though or we’ll be monster food before we can help.”

“So what we need is destruction,” Anara said. “Wizard Humphrey, I believe this is your area of expertise.”

Hump looked at her, suddenly feeling the pressure. There was only one spell he had that could reap destruction on such a scale, and it was one he had not yet succeeded with. But here, in the dungeon atmosphere rich with essence, surrounded by enemies, he felt a surge of confidence. It had to be done.

There were imps everywhere, and only one thing Hump could think to clear them. He was there for his ability to target an area. An ability that few could match him in, even amongst a powerful party like this. When it came to slaughtering large hosts of enemies, that was his job. And he intended to do it right.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Hump said. “I just need some time. Marcela, I’ll need you to clear the mist for me once it’s ready.”

“Just tell me when,” Marcela said, coming to his side.

“We shall give it to you. Take this.” Anara tossed him a flower, its petals a brilliant red.

It spiralled through the air and landed in the fold of his robes. Immediately, Hump felt a surge of awareness of his essence. His body brimmed with power, his mind cleared, and his focus sharpened. Every sense felt heightened, every part of him boiling with raw energy.

“What do we do if the imp lord has already arrived?” Marcela asked.

“I shall handle the imp lord,” Anara said.

Hump stepped back, his heart pounding with anticipation as he withdrew his spellbook and opened it to the spell. The others formed a protective circle around him, guarding against the relentless assault of the demons. He fixed Transform Earth to the end of his staff and began inscribing runes on the ground. His allies fought fiercely around him, carving apart enemy spells and facing down illusionary foes. Monsters lumbered closer—fellspawn of some sort, corrupted into hulking beasts that resembled the twisted creatures they’d encountered at the Sapphire Docks before. Despite their imposing size, they were cut down. Arrows enhanced by blessings flew constantly, each shot true and deadly. Faelor, with his arcane bow, loosed bolts of energy that exploded amidst the enemy ranks. Anara’s blossoms danced like a blade on the wind, making minced meat out of the enemy.

But Hump’s attention remained on his markings—on his magic. This was the moment he had to seize. Failure wasn’t an option. As he carved the runes and channels, he poured his commanding intent into the earth. The dungeon’s own intent tried to worm its way in, but it only sharpened his resolve. Each line he inscribed pulsed with his purpose, shining clear and brilliant with the essence of fire and earth.

When he finished, a wave of golden power surged through the air around him. The runes glowed with intense light, and power flowed through Hump so richly that he could barely contain it. He knew, with absolute certainty, that this spell would not fail. His blood boiled. He heard the dragon in him roaring, awakened by the essence. He was Ignarok, blooded of the dragons, his magic would obey him.

“It is ready.” Hump’s voice resonated, infused with essence. Vapour misted before his mouth, his vision transformed by the magic coursing through him. “Marcela! Clear the way.”

The Chosen of Sumi stepped forward, sheathing her sword. She adopted a stance, knees bent, one hand on the hilt of her blade. Hump sensed the power building within her, her entire body taut like a bow. All at once, she unleashed it, drawing her blade with a speed that might even match Emilia. A blade of water swept forward, carving apart the mist and granting Hump a view of what lay beyond. There, he caught a glimpse of a horde of demons gathered together—imp’s, fellspawn, bloodhorrors, and unspeakable monsters.

He pressed his staff into the base of the spell and fixed his gaze ahead of him, toward the lake. “Rivers of Lava.”

The ground beneath him trembled and then melted away as fire erupted from below, turning the earth to molten red. Lava surged forth, splitting the ground apart with a violent roar. Hump’s staff blazed with a brilliant light, a beacon of raw power. He felt the urge to laugh, exhilarated by the sheer force of the magic he commanded. He could sense the fire beneath the feet of the demons, a seething ocean of destruction eager to be unleashed.

The molten tide surged up, pierced through cracks in the ground and spilling across the battlefield, blazing through the demon forces and the illusionary lake. The intense heat radiated outward, and Hump’s cloak billowed behind him, caught in the draft.

As the mist started to close in once again, the enemy erupted into movement, their ranks shattered by the sudden onslaught. The fellspawn’s twisted forms melted away with agonised screams. Magma erupted in violent explosions as superheated lava hit cold air, sending shards of molten stone spewing in all directions in a titanic display of volcanic might. Imps screamed and fled, but many were too slow to escape the fiery tide. And then the mist closed, hiding the devastation from sight, but Hump could still feel his magic at work, sweeping across the land, reaping death wherever it went.

In his hand, the Book of Infinite Pages started to glow. The pages turned, and a new entry appeared.

THE BOOK OF INFINITE PAGES

The Secret Arts

Before the entry could complete, the book snapped shut. Hump tried to open it, but he sensed the powerful aura of Glyndaril within, blocking his access.

A problem for later. Now, they had a battle to win.