Mark of the Fool

Hart Redfletcher pushed himself up off the ground, then helped Alex to his feet.

That was something. The Champion cracked his neck. Felt like when I first got my Mark, butnot as painful.

Merzhin and Drestra said something similar, Alex replied. I'm glad it didn't hurt muchI mean that fall kinda hurt but

You're breaking our deal, Alex, Hart grimaced. There was no fall. Nobody fell.

Right, right, the General said, sheepishly. Silly me.

Hart simply nodded and began removing his breastplate, pauldrons, gauntlets and shirt to examine the Mark burning on his left bicep.

The Mark of the Championthe horned warriors headglowed white, changed from its former golden colour.

Wow Alex muttered, peering at the empowered Mark. Would you look at that?

Feels strange to see it suddenly look different after Ive had it for such a long time, Hart said.

Tell me about it. Alex glanced at his right shoulder where the Mark of the Fool used to be. Sometimes I look at my shoulder, and Im still surprised that there's no jesters face grinning up at me. So, howre you feeling? Any different?

Yeah, I do, actually. Hart said, flexing each finger on his right hand. I feel stronger, like I got a lot more energy, more power. Wanna test it out?

The Champion turned and strode to a nearby oak tree. He flexed his thick arms, wrapped them around the oaks broad girth, reached to lock his fingers together, but failed, and with a low grunt, planted his feet firmly at the base of the trunk, bent his knees, and heaved.

His muscles bunched up, veins rose on his bare torso.

There came a groaning sound like the earth itself was moaning in pain.

The tree began rising; slowly, steadily, its roots were exposed before Alex's amazed eyes. Hart turned his torso, rocking the tree trunk from side to side, andwith a surge of forcewrenched the oak free.

Alex noticed the Champions fingertips had broken through the tree bark and were digging into the smooth wood beneath.

Damn! the young wizard shouted.

I may not be as strong as Claygon, but this is still pretty good. Hart threw the tree, hurling it through the forest and over the canopy where it landed with a terrible crash in the distance.

And guess what? More strength isn't all I got, Hart said.

He stooped low, took a giant step, and shot across the clearing faster than Alex's eye could follow. He paused and did it again, speeding through the green space, then launching his body through the air while unsheathing his enormous sword.

Flying and striking around himself, his hive-queen blade blurred in a storm of death.

Hart shouted at Alex. Conjure me some forceballs, then send them at me!

You got it! With a slight gesture while uttering two syllables, the young archwizard conjured a swarm of forceballs modified with added mana to maximise their speed.

He kept conjuring, producing at least a hundred forceballs and lobbing them at Hart from all directions. They sped straight for the hulking warrior like an attacking swarm, but he slipped past them, his sword lashing out, bursting every spell before it could touchhim.

Lets see that again! Alex cried, sending two score moreglowing spells from all sides.

Harts sword blurred again.

Not a single forceball hit him.

When every spell had been ruptured, he took a deep breath and began laughing. It's too bad that First Apostle isnt still around. I'd like to see him try the crap he did at Uldars Rise! His laughter turned to a growl.

Theres something else Id like to test.

Hart drew his dagger, stretched out his arm andbefore Alex could say a wordran the blade across his skin.

The skin remained intact.

My bodys tougher, he repeatedly slashed at his arm withthe dagger,until finally, the blade cut a shallow wound on his forearm. Not bad, breaking the skin took a lot of tries, which means if Im wearing Uldars armour, I should be protected from most weapons.

Thats great! Alex applauded, then took his notebook out to make a quick note. So far, each Hero has had their Marks specialty greatly enhanced by its evolution. No new powers though.

Yeah, it sure looks that way, Hart said. What do you think you're gonna get?

Alex shook his head. Who knows if Ill get anything, but even if I do, I have no idea what it might be. I can't imagine how to make my Marks power better. Maybe Ill get more images, quicker, so I can learn faster?

The young archwizard shrugged. Who knows?

Well, I'm real curious now, Hart said. If Merzhin, Drestra and me are so much stronger, I can't wait to see what youre gonna be able to do.

Thanks, Alex said. You're a good guy, Hart.

I kill things, Hart said. I do it for a living. Doesn't mean I gotta be an asshole when I'm not. Anyway, you only got Cedric left to do, right?

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Yeah, Alex said. He's been getting impatientwell, that's not fair, hes been extra eager, understandably, but he's been reasonably patient.

Well, I guess his patience is gonna be rewarded, Hart said. Real soon.

Soon.

Soon the Ravener would have to decide.

The black orb hovered above the water in its murky cave, focused on the body of its creator. All throughout Thameland its spawn were multiplying, some were giving aid to the Thameish, while others were fighting them.

Its Skyfire swarm was nearly complete, and the ancient pathways for producing its most powerful monsterspathways it had not used in millenniawere nearly ready.

Creating another Skyfire swarm would be faster next time.

After that, even faster.

The time after that, faster still.

Soon, it would be able to produce dungeon cores that could make its oldestmost powerful monstersindependently.

It was almost ready for that.

But, it had come no closer to deciding what to do, and time was passing.

The Heroes were changing: it could feel them reverting to their old forms, one by one. In many ways, this set-back was dire, perhaps an omen of disaster: after the General had been removed millennia ago, the Heroes were not supposed to bear their full power ever again, for good reason.

In other ways, the Ravener was inwardly pleased by this turn.

It was almostnostalgic to feel the Heroes returning to what they once were. The change reminded it of older, better days. Days whenUldar was strong, and would speak with it.

Without doubt, it understood that to not try to stop them from returning to their former selves, before Uldar had changed them, was illogical. Dangerous. However, nostalgia was overcoming logic, and was yet another new emotion in the storm of fears, rages, and yearnings plaguing the construct.

It desperately needed guidance, though, in watching Uldars still form, it knew such guidance would never come.

And time was also short.

Once the Heroes regained their full power, it knew they would seek to destroy it, unless it could make peace with themif that was what it decided to do. On some days, peace seemed like the right path to take, but on others, it seemed disgraceful to even consider: an abomination to Uldar.

But if it did not make a choice soon, that choice would be made for it.

Perhaps it could seek help from

no.

Not yet.

To do so, would mean tying itself to one who was not its creator.

If it sought counsel, it must be secure in its own independent thought. It was not created to have another master, none but Uldar.

Certainly not this General.

And he was what it feared most.

It knew thata General existing should be impossiblebut Uldars death should also be impossibleyet, he was dead. And should this General be able to craft a means to control it? Uldars work would fall into the hands of one who should never have been able to exist again, by itscreators own divine decree. That would be the ultimate blasphemy.

No, such a thing could not happen.

Even if the other Heroes were permitted to live, the General must die.

And there was a sure way to ensure that hedid.

The Ravener reached into its deepest processes, and began crafting another Skyfire swarm. Then another.

These would be ready much faster than the first.

Yes.

Three swarms to overwhelm: to easily kill this General.

The Ravener remembered how, for a brief moment, the Generals mind had touched it.

Violating.

That would not happen again.

Its weapons would soon be ready.

Right, then, Alex! Cedric shouted. They say save th' best fer last. Well, I's both best an last, so I guess they was right!

The Chosen of Uldar stood in the clearing where Alex had trained the other Heroesshirtless, as usualdespite the chilly springtime drizzle.

Technically, I'll be last. The General of Thameland pointed out. My theory is thatif I get a boost in powerit's only going to be after you four have gotten yours.

Aye, I suppose that makes sense, Cedric scowled. Well then, theyd best change that expression tsave th best fer second last!

The Chosens cheery laughter boomed over the forest.

Alex rolled his eyes. Ugh, dont make me regret training you already.

Oh you're gonna, friend, Cedrics cheer faded, somewhat. I aint the quickest when it comes tlearnin complicated things. So, by the time you an mes all through, youre gonna be tearin out great tufts o yer hair. Believe me.

Oh, Im not worried, youre no fool, Cedric, no matter what you say, Alex told him.

Whatcha gonna be teachin me anyway? Cedric asked, smiling, revealing his gold tooth. Despite his concerns, there was a great deal of excitement in his body language. Dancin? I hope it's dancin.

No and yes, Alex said. You're going to learn everything Drestra, Hart andMerzhin did.

The Chosens smile faded.

Dead away.

What, why? he demanded, sounding a touch hysterical.

Because you're supposed to be a fusion of the three of them: some divinity, some magic, and some fighting, Alex pointed out. Merzhin gets stronger by mastering his inner peace, his faith and his soul. Drestra gets stronger by learning new spells and techniques to cast them with. Hart gets stronger by Alex paused. well, by getting stronger. But he also gets stronger through learning new combat techniques, and other techniques that can enhance hisfighting styles.

An Is gonna be gettin stronger by learnin all three? Cedric paled.

Alex shook his head. You're going to get stronger by combining all three into one perfect fighting style. Different dances will let you dodge and move in new ways in battle: and youll also be learning how to convey meaning. A twitch of a muscle can cast a spell: a complex dance can mean more than a single spell being cast at once. While you're dancing, youll be fighting at the same time, and by using a breathing and grounding technique, you'll be able to concentrate on everything at once.

Oh Cedric winced. So that's it then, Ill be takin everythin they learned, an mashin it all together?

Yes, Alex said. That's exactly right. And in a way, it's a good thing you went last: you're going to take the longest to train. But when we're finished, you're going to be a nightmare in a fight. You're already a nightmare, but you have one big weakness.

Aye? An whats that? Cedric asked.

You have access to three different disciplines that allow you to destroy your enemies, but you only use one at a time, Alex said. Most of the time, you're fighting with your morphic weapon. Then you pause to cast a spell. Usually, its a big spell to blow up a bunch of enemies at once, or it's some sort of enhancement spell that makes you stronger. Then you go back to fighting with your morphic weapon.

An I only use divinity t heal or make mself a bit stronger. Cedric nodded. Aye, I don really flow from one thing t thnext, do I?

No, Alex said. And if you think about it, you should. Imagine this. With every strike, youre casting a spell. With every step, youre casting a spell. That frees up your mouth to utter prayers. While you're doing all that, you could be grounding yourself in the moment, calming your soul whichll keep a lot of strain off your soul-gate and allow you to focus on regenerating your mana at the same time.

Cedrics jaw dropped. Ywants me tdo all that? Me?

Sure! You can do it, Alex pushed. You're a really coordinated guy, and your Mark enhanced your agilitynot as much as Hartsbut it did. Learning the movement part isnt going to be a problem. Breathingsbreathing. It's going to be easier than you think. Casting spells? Well, once we beat casting nonverbally into you, itll be second nature in no time. Trust me.

Doin all that sounds like it'll taka long time! Cedric grumbled.

Im thinking itll take less time than you think, but longer than the others took, Alex said. What well do is start you off with one thing at a time. Something easy first: probably the breathing technique. Once you can ground yourself, you'll be able to concentrate better on the next thing: probably the dances. Then, after that, non-verbal casting and mana regeneration. Well probably have to take a bit of a break between lessons, though.

An whys that? Cedric asked.

I'll be getting my exam results soon, Alex grinned. And, if things went well, Ill be graduating.

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