Mark of the Fool

Chapter 537: Teleportation Tactics

In the distance, Baelin and his cabal still battled abyssal knights, greater demons, and their servants, sounding like an earthquake and a tornado brawling in a test of wills.

While a typhoon did the commentary of the struggle.

The loudest explosionswithout doubt the loudest soundsthat Alex had ever heard crashed in the offing, shaking the walls around them, lighting the sky like a dozen suns had suddenly sparked to life.

At times, it fell into a depth of darkness so endless, that all light disappeared from it as though an infinite void had swallowed it whole. Alex kept his eyes ahead and his Planar Doorways flowing.

Within him, Hannahs gift burned, fuelling his teleportation spells as he took his team through the labyrinths winding halls. Planar Doorwaya spell hed just learnedwas as easy for him as his forceball spell.

In some ways even easier.

Each time he spoke the incantation, the Mark would rise, trying to drown his mind in failures, but the Travellers power rose up against it like divine protection driving away a devil.

Her magic helped so much in constructing the spell array, that he had little to do.

In a way, it gave him a taste of what it must be like to be a regular wizardone not limited and obstructed by the Fools Mark, one who didnt have to struggle with the Mark to cast a spell. Yet, it was still there in the background, always trying to interfere.

Hopefully, it wouldnt always be so, hopefully, one day hed be able to wield powerful magic as naturally as breathing.

But, today wasnt that day.

Today?

They had a hell to escape.

Alex teleported his companions through the maze, hopping hundreds of feet along the long, winding corridors. The journey was tense, and they stayed quiet for the most part, but all around, they heard demons making their own way deeper into the labyrinth. Many were also quiet, simply looking out for themselves.

Others?

The mania had hold of them.

Grisly sounds of demons ripping and tearing each others flesh werent uncommon.

Sounds awful, Thundar whispered, noting the screams of something suffering nearby. I almost feel bad for em.

Dont, Ezerak said, his curved sword drawn and held before him. We know that they would do the same to us without a drop of mercy.

With smiles on their faces. Kyembe added darkly.

Agreed, Alex said, glancing at the Spirit Killer. He felt his power beginning to ebb. Alright, lets walk for a while. I need to recover.

That was a lot of hops, Thundar said. A lot more than when we were leaving Kaz-Mowangs place.

Alex threw him a meaningful look. Well talk later, he mouthed.

The minotaur gave him a nod before turning his attention to the path ahead. In the distance, Ripp was scouting the corridors. Hey Ripp, we on the right path?

Peeking around a corner, the swiftlings expression was dark as he zipped back to the party. Well, it sorta looks like it, but the paths are changin almost faster than my hearts beatin. And believe me, thats real fast.

Then we shall need our bearings once more. Kyembe sheathed his sword. Wait here.

With a running leap, he jumped to the wall, gripping the stone surface as though it was a secure ladder, scaling it at speed. Soon, the Spirit Killer was at the top, peering over, and looking around.

Nodding to himself, he clambered back down, landing on the balls of his feet as quiet as a cat. It seems we must take a left, then another left, then a right through the next corridors. That will take us to paths that look familiar, at least they do for now.

You sure? Guntile asked.

As sure as I am that Kaz-Mowang is a filthy bastards son, he said simply.

Good enough for me, Alex said. Lead the way, Ripp.

They started up again, moving at a brisk pace. Claygons thunderous footfalls echoed down the corridor as Alexs attention fell on the Spirit Killer. How is it that you dont burn, Kyembe? he asked. I dont feel any fire magic protection spells on you.

In reply, the mercenary grinned, holding up his hand with the ring that shot hellfire. I am used to far greater fires, my friend, and my mother hails from the dark elves far in the northlands where they live beneath the earth. They dwell in the burning light of under-suns: the heat from even this flame is nothing to them.

Under-suns? Alex asked. Whatre those?

From the stories, they are much as they sound: small suns beneath the crust of the earth. Or something similar. I have not seen them myself yet, though one day I would like to.

They sound like an incredible sight, Alex said.

The world holds many such wonders. Kyembe ran his hand along the burning wall. As do the outer planes.

That they do, Thundar grumbled. Id just like to see more amazing sights when somethings not trying to kill us for a change.

Wouldnt that be nice. Alex smiled, thinking about the Travellers book in his satchel.

In it, shed written about all the incredible sights shed seenboth strange and wonderfulon dozens of worlds that shed visited. Her experiences almost came alive on those pages, calling him to explore thewonders of the universe and the mysteries that lay on far away worlds much like his own, one day.

He vowed that some day, when he mastered her power, he would do just that. Of course, there were the remaining mysteries surrounding Thameland, and the Ravener and Uldar to be solved before he could.

His thoughts returned to his immediate future and plans he needed to make.

Im going to have to get good enough with this power to either transport myself across the sea in one jump, or learn to cast a full teleportation spell, he thought. If Im going to explore both Thameland and the Irtyshenan Empire, I need to be able to teleport. Things wont work out if I have to rely on Baelin to be my teleportation-gondola.

Still, there were other things he could work on, both in his own life andfor someone he owed a lot to.

Hannah is probably gaining divinity through faith, he thought. And the stronger she gets, the more of a chance she has of permanently travelling back from the afterworld as a minor deity. And hells, Ive heard of gods and goddesses whore a lot less deserving of worship than she is. She needs more worshippers. But how

As his mind worked on the problem, Ripp suddenly shouted from ahead. Hey, back you bastards! Back!

The swiftling was looking around a corner.

Alex touched Claygon, teleporting them beside the swiftling; his face screwed up in an absolute image of wrath.

Around the corner, a pack of mortalswealthy ones judging by their damaged silken clothingwere stalking toward Ripp with weapons in hand and mania gleaming in their eyes. Symbols of Ezaliel adorned torn garments, their expressions as fierce as a starving dogs.

They froze in place when the hulking wizard and his towering golem suddenly appeared beside the swiftling.

Whatre you doing? Alexs voice boomed, his eyes cooly scanning the threat before them.

As hed assumed earlier, most were of the patrician class and were accompanied by their personal guards. Warriors of broad shoulders and vicious looking blades ringed them, shielding their masters against threats from all sides.

They watched Alex fearfully.

Were hungry! a skinny man cried from the midst of Kaz-Mowangs desperate guests. His arrogant tone and bejewelled robes of silk and fur, gave Alex the impression that he was the leaderor someone who thought of himself as their leader. We wont trouble you as long as you share any food you have with us!

In moments, the rest of Alexs companions were beside him, Ripp, and Claygon. The demeanour of the cultistsor whoever they wereabruptly changed. They didnt seem as menacing; their eyes shone with anxiety, hunger and mania.

But the mania was what pushed them on.

Food please, now, the man said, though his tone was more demanding than requesting. Share with us and youll be on your way and well be on ours. No trouble. No problems. He nodded toward a bearded man near him, one sheathed in mana. Algernon here is a battle mage. Even with that golem, a fight against us would be costly, I sugges

Alex began casting before the man had even finished his sentence.

He was trying something inspired by the Traveller.

And if a fight was going to happen? It paid to strike first.

The spell array for Planar Doorway completed before the attackers knew what had happened. Alex jumped through a whirling tunnel in space across the planes, materialising behind the battle mage and clapping a hand over his mouth.

He immediately cast Planar Doorway again even as he channelled flight magic from the aeld staff. The battle mage struggled in his grip, but Alex held firm, completing the spell again.

Teleportation magic flared, reaching out for the battle mage as well. His will rose, pushing outward to banish the spell, but the Travellers power flared in Alexs core, wrapping itself around the mage, holding him tight like the coils of a massive serpent.

His will broke beneath the magic and the mage was yanked through the Planar Doorway with Alex gripping him like an iron manacle.

They materialised in mid-air, just below the top of the maze walls.

Alex held on, twisted his body, and launched the battle mage through the air like a ball, sending him soaring high above the maze.

With a choked cry, he shot through the air, spinning end over end, causing the sky to vanish as the labyrinth folded on itself with a shudder and snatched the terrified wizard up, carrying him well away from where he just was.

Alex glared down at the cultistsor what was left of the cultists.

As soon as hed grabbed the mage, his companions were on them, hitting them hard before they could retaliate. Most were now dead and the living were in full flight, running down the passageway.

With a grim smile, he slowly floated down to join his party. Well done.

Im through with bullshit, Ripp grunted. Im glad we jumped them first.

Yeah, Thundar was staring at the sky. Neat trick with that teleportation. I thought it was really hard to take someone with you against their will using Planar Doorway.

Normally It is, Alex winked at his friend. But I think Ive got a bit of aknack for travelling, lets say. And on that note, I think my manas recovered enough to keep us going. Everyone grab on.

The young wizard teleported his companions through the passages using a number of Planar Doorway spells. Each time they teleported, their surroundings grew more familiar.

And then

Thundar sniffed the air as they appeared at a junction. I smell something rotting. He sniffed again. And monkey fur.

Then were almost out, Alex sounded relieved.

Hold now. Kyembe raised his hand, cocking his head and pointed-ear toward the nearest wall. His eyes narrowed as he listened intently. Do you hear that?

Hear what? Guntile asked.

It sounds like a group, the Spirit Killer mused. Like an army on the movebut what is strange is that they are trying to move with the stealth of sneak thieves, but there are too many of them to make such a silent approach with success, at least to my ears.

Alex frowned, listening and soon hearing what Kyembe had: the sound of scores of feet creeping through the maze in relative quiet. It sounded like there were a lot of them.

Lets not stay to find out who they are, he suggested. Grab on.

Again, he cast Planar Doorway, bringing them through the winding pathways of the maze, ever closer to the portal. The sound of the army grew louder and closer.

Yeah, theyre definitely coming our way, Ripp said darkly, drawing his blades.

Be ready for a fight just in case, Alex warned. But lets try and make it to the portal, Id rather not start boxing an army if we dont have to.

They kept going, at last reaching the crossroads.

Alex was about to cast Planar Doorway again when

Fatherwatch out!

An arrow cut the air, clattering on Claygons stone torso as he stepped between it and Alex.

A horde of demons poured Into the portals crossroads.

Kaz-Mowang was in the lead, his footsteps grinding stone beneath them, his eyes filled with hungry wrath.

He levelled his gaze on the group. Where is Hannar-CiWaitI know you! The Troupe of the Gargoyle!

The demon raised his trident.

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