Chapter 147: The Wizard's Warning

Ariadne sat on her throne, infuriated and frustration tapping her fingers against the throne. Her first minister, Finley, was the first to return. As he entered, he bowed deeply to the queen. "Your Majesty, I have done as you asked," he said flatly. "The wizard you wished for has arrived." Ariadne sat straight, her cool eyes fixed on the tall double doors to the hall. "Bring him in," she said shortly. With a groan, the heavy doors on their swung open, and tall figure in a cloak strolled in. This sorcerer had a scary appearance. In his hand, the gnarled staff seemed to clasp power from some utterly different age altogether. "Queen Ariadne," he greeted her as a queen, his head moving deep in a bow. Speaking of commanding presence in low rumbling tones, he told her, "I am Maldrak. You summoned me." "I know," Ariadne said, leaning herself towards him from her throne. The scary gigantic red-robed figure fills others with fear. "I have heard of your greatness among magicians. I need your services." A weak smile curled up in the curves of Maldrak's lips as he stared back into her eyes. "And what is it you wish for, my queen? Ariadne stepped down from the throne. "I want to kill Reika-that witch Luna-she humiliated me, destroyed my army as if they were nothing. And I won't let her go unpunished for her defiance. You'll help me to become stronger and powerful enough to end her once and for all." Maldrak tilted his head on one side; his eyes slanted in a narrow. "You want to handle this Luna yourself? That is. ambitious." "I am not here for your opinion, wizard," Ariadne snapped. "I summoned you to take my orders. Name your price, and I'll see you are rewarded handsomely." The man chuckled low, a shiver of a sound that stroked around the room, smiling. "Very well, Your Majesty. My price is not a high one: I need three things-an obsidian stone from the Shadow Caverns, the blood of a pure white stag, and a vial of your essence." Ariadne frowned. "My essence? What do you mean? "Your magic," Maldrak explained. "A small shred of it, to bind our work together. Without it, my efforts will fail." Ariadne hesitated, just for a moment, and nodded. "You will have it all. Finley to that immediately." "Yes, Your Majesty," said Finley and with a bow scrambled on from out of the hall. The moment they were out of earshot, Maldrak finally turned to Ariadne. "Before I start, let me warn you, Your Majesty; this path is not without its dangers," he warned softly. "Reika might look weak and inexperienced Luna, but mostly dangerous." Ariadne snarled, her lip curling in a sneer. "Deceitful? She is no better than a child who stumbled upon a fray. Her powers are raw. I shall crush her well before she learns the better control over them."   Maldrak shook his head. "You don't understand Reika may now be weak, you think; she is destined, however, to become the strongest force against anything." Ariadne's face flared, flashing in anger. "You dare question me, wizard? You think that I am too weak to deal with her?" "I think," Maldrak said calmly, "your obsession over Reika will blind you from the real dangers ahead. The prophecy speaks of her for a reason. She is no ordinary Luna, and underestimating her will cost you dearly." Ariadne closed the distance between them. "I called you to make me strong, not to preach about prophecies and fate. You will train me, Maldrak-teach me all you know; then I take down Reika. Are we clear? Maldrak watched her for one silent, stretched moment before he nodded. "Very well, Your Majesty. If such be your will, so be it. But mark my words-there will come a day when you shall rue this decision." "Nothing will break me" Ariadne said firmly, convinced, turning on her heel to walk back to her throne. "Now, tell me how we begin." "We start with the basics," he said. "Your strength is incredible, but raw. I will teach you how to harness it, how to focus it into a force against which nothing can stand. Step into the circle, and let us see what you are really capable of." Ariadne stepped into the circle, her head held high, and suddenly something happened. A surge of energy pulled through her body as her hands fisted hard at her sides, the power wrapping itself around her like a second skin. "It is only the beginning," Maldrak called out "I am prepared for anything," Ariadne replied Maldrak smiled, his lips curled, "Excellent, Your Majesty. Now let us see what you can do." Araidne gave it all her best, with Reika's image in her mind. She didn't want to know defeat. If she can't have Alpha lleus then no one will." It was hard training. Every day, Maldrak would test Ariadne at the most extreme of her limits: And Ariadne wouldn't be swayed; to each trial she came with fire in her soul, her anger for Reika driving her for greatness. Later that night, after one of the more exhausting sessions, Maldrak brought up his warning once more. "You do well, Your Majesty," he said, his voice near reverence now. "But I would have one question-what drives you against Reika?" Ariadne stared coldly at him. "It is about respect. Reika disgraced me, d, destroyed my army, took away my command. I will not let anyone come against me and survive to tell about it." Maldrak regarded her in silence for a second, before he nodded. "Very well. Just remember-power is a two-edged sword. Handle it well, lest it destroys you." "I don't need your riddles, wizard," Ariadne said coldly. "I need results. Now, set up the next trial. I will not stop until I am unstoppable." "As you will, Your Highness," Maldrak said, rising. He waved his staff, and once more the room was filled with humming magic. Ariadne didn't blink her eyes but deep inside, She shrugged away every traces of doubt. She would conquer Reika, come what may.