Forced into Fantasy
Chapter 26 - Misandra

Adomis;

“I’ll fucking kill you Ronaar you cowardly bastard! I’m coming for you!”

My angered curses seem to echo inside the room as I kneel helplessly on the floor in the exact spot where she was once again taken from me. I wasn’t fast enough to grasp her hand in time before his blasted magic transported them both to god-only-knows where.

But one thing is for certain, I will kill that prick! Put an end to him once and for all.

But first I would need to locate where he’s taken her.

Zarkin remains standing just inside of the room now, staring at me as if he were waiting for me to give him a command.

“I should have seen this coming.” I announce softly. “Should have been more prepared.”

“You couldn’t have possibly known, my lord. He surprised all of us, myself included.”

Zarkin makes an attempt at assuring me, though it obviously doesn’t work.

“I also shouldn’t have left her alone, not even for the short amount of time that I did.”

I suddenly rise from my knees and begin to formulate ideas, one after the other.

That’s when I notice the faint red glow emanating through the black fabric of my clothing. Reaching my hand inside of my pocket I grasp at the amulet and take it out. Its glow is ominous and yet strangely beautiful, casting across the entire room and almost blinding me.

“What is this thing?” I ask aloud. “And why is it suddenly glowing?”

Zarkin has joined me now and appears incredibly stunned at the sight of this strange amulet, his eyes wide with disbelief.

“It… it can’t be…” he whispers.

“Wait, you know what this is?” I enquire, holding it out for him to get a better look.

He turns to face me, “May I?”

I nod and allow him to reach for the object, taking it from my hand.

“This is incredible. I can’t believe what I’m holding. I thought it lost for so long.” he explains with his eyes fixated on the glowing object in his hands. “Where did you find it?”

“The first day I met Ivy. This was left lying on the floor just beneath where she had been shackled to the wall with the other women. At the time I assumed she dropped it.” I explain.

“We spoke of this very amulet, she and I only hours earlier.”

“What is it?” I demand, feeling somewhat excluded from majority of the information I felt I required as Overlord. I needed to know more about what was going on here.

“This is but one of a set of four ancient amulets forged by the immortal Gods themselves. Each one holds a unique power embedded within its stone. For example, this one is known as the Ruby Amulet and allows one to travel through time and space at will. It explains how Miss Ivy found her way back here in the first place.”

Zarkin seems very excited about this current topic as he continues.

“But I must warn you, if all four amulets were ever joined together as one, they would in turn allow the holder unspeakable power. If Ronaar or anyone else like him found them…”

“Where are the others?” I ask.

“Scattered throughout the lands. I have only heard rumours of the location of two of them, but the fourth to my knowledge remains lost…”

Then an idea suddenly comes to mind and my eyes narrow as I ask him my next question.

“Is there any possible way to perhaps use this amulet to locate where he’s taken Ivy?”

Zarkin frowned, shaking his head.

“Not to locate her, no. But the good news is that once we have located her we can use its power to travel to wherever she is being held within a matter of seconds.”

“Right. So, the question still remains; how do we find them.”

I clasp both of my hands together as I take a moment to think of something… anything.

Once more Zarkin shows excitement in his tone when he replies.

“Actually sire, I may have a way.”

After I locate both General Tabius and Captain Khalan and update them on our situation we decide that it is time to prepare for an assault against Ronaar and his hidden village.

This time I would hit him with everything I had.

While our attack plans are being drawn up and my men are busily preparing for the journey, I accompany Zarkin up towards his chamber located in the highest tower of the castle. Soon enough he is rummaging through several wooden chests and pull-out draws while I stand by and watch with a keen interest.

Zarkin said that he may have a way to locate Ivy and at this point in time, I’m willing to give just about anything a go!

“Ah, here it is!” he announces at last with a triumphant smile spread across his face. “I knew it was here somewhere.”

He holds what appears to be a large rolled up map, bound with leather ties. Clearing the items spread across his desk with one swift swipe of his arm across the surface, Zarkin unrolls the map and lays it out flat. I also move in to get a better look at it.

It is a map of all four Guilds, including mine, the Fire Guild.

“What’s with the map?” I ask him.

“As with all maps, my lord, they show us the locations we desire.” he explains vaguely. “But this map in particular is special…”

My eyes narrow with scepticism.

“How?”

He reaches into his robe pocket and pulls out a small brown leather satchel, the size of his palm in width. Opening it up carefully, his gloved fingers reach in, pinch at the pouches contents and then move to hover over the top of the map as he speaks his reply.

“Watch and see.”

With those words, Zarkin begins to sprinkle the powder-like substance down over the surface of the map, before standing back and watching himself.

My frows furrow in disbelief at what I am now seeing.

The ink that had been drawn onto the surface of the map slowly lifts from the map’s surface and into the air just above it, hovering until all the ink has lifted.

Then the thick, dark liquid suddenly moves into a circular shape and within seconds it has formed what appears to be the shape of a face staring back at us!

And the face is blinking!

Instead of taking a step back in fear I take one in closer towards it, crouching down to get a better look at this mystical act occurring right before my very eyes. It’s incredible!

Zarkin remains standing where he is, beside me but with a massive grin of satisfaction spread wide across his face.

“What in the world is this?” I ask with my mouth agape and my finger moving in to try and touch the liquid, just out of curiosity.

A strange voice startles me as it suddenly replies.

“I am not of your world, Overlord Adomis…”

Shocked I stumble backwards and land flat on my ass, my eyes wider now as my Mage can’t help but let out a deep chuckle at my reaction.

“And I’d prefer not to be touched, if that’s alright with you.” the voice spoke once again.

Looking around the room for the one who is speaking, I slowly help myself back up to stand beside the Mage who places his hand onto my shoulder with a smile.

“My lord, may I present to you the Lady Misandra.”

He gestures with his other hand towards the strange face made of ink hovering just above the map in front of us and the face then smiles!

It bloody smiles back at me!

“What the f-”

“-Please, Overlord, I do not care for your offensive profanity.”

I watch as with every word I hear spoken aloud the face’s mouth moves in perfect sequence along with it, as if somehow the ink face is the one speaking aloud to us? But that makes no sense!

I turn to face Zarkin and demand, “Start explaining, now!”

“Forgive me sire, I meant no disrespect. It’s just always entertaining to see one’s reaction to meeting Lady Misandra for the first time. I couldn’t resist.”

“What is that?” I ask, pointing down at the moving map. “And why is it speaking to me?”

“Excuse me, I am right here!” she warns, her tone harsher now. “Zarkin, who is this buffoon?”

“WHAT?”

My eyes grow to the size of saucers now at the disrespectful comment and I turn to lunge at the map, but Zarkin is quick to intercede and holds me back.

“Please, my lord. Pay no heed to her comment. She’s been locked away for a very long time and is not used to having visitors. Perhaps I should have explained a little more before introducing you to her.”

“Her?” I ask. “I don’t understand.”

“It may seem hard to believe sire, but bear with me. Over a hundred years ago a young priestess named Misandra was tricked by someone she trusted. He entrapped her within the confinement of this magical map where she has been forced to remain for almost two centuries now…”

Zarkin’s explanation leaves me with more questions now as I glance down at the floating ink face which appears to be staring right back at me.

“This… this here is a two-hundred-year-old priestess?” I ask in disbelief, pointing at the map.

“One hundred and eighty-two, actually.” she compliments herself with a smile. “Though I don’t look a day over twenty… And you are?”

My mouth is open, but I can not seem to formulate any words from it. Maybe I’m in shock or something?

Zarkin chooses to speak on my behalf.

“This is Adomis, Overlord of the Fire Guild. He and I have come seeking your assistance with a matter of locating someone of great importance.”

Her liquidy eyes continue to stare directly at me, as if she is sizing me up or something.

“Can you, in all your great wisdom help us?” Zarkin adds, lifting both of his brows in an effort to show his seriousness.

“There’s no need for you to kiss up to me, Zarkin…” Misandra replies dryly. “You and I both know you’re rather terrible at that!”

Before I know what I have said, the word escapes my lips.

“Please…”

Lady Misandra’s inked expression suddenly changes, showing what I believe to be concern now as she looks me up and down.

“Please help us.” I add.

“You care for this person, don’t you?” she asks me.

Swallowing my pride, I nod and almost whisper my answer. “Yes. Very much.”

She then takes a moment to deliberate silently as her face hovers just above the empty map laid out beneath her.

I have no idea of what she will say, if she will choose to assist us or merely turn us away. All I know is that I want Ivy back and I will travel to the ends of this world to find her.

Finally, I hear her speak her decision aloud.

“Well then, what are we waiting for? Give me the details and I’ll see what I can do for you.”

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