The castle doesn't even seem to have gotten dusty. With a clang, he hung on
one bow. The centaur, tensing his muscles, opened the heavy door
There was a smell of musty grave rot and dryness from there. Horse
the unicorn of Maziriana, a beautiful animal not driven by spurs
and not by the bridle, but by the order of the wizard’s will, he finally rushed
forward as fast as his strong legs and
magic potion. It seemed that time had stopped, the centaurs froze
in absurd poses, like statues created by an inept sculptor.
A living whirlwind burst into the Cursed Crypt.
If outside, in the corridors of the Catacombs, there was eternal twilight,
then here, in the crypt, darkness reigned. It was slightly illuminated
the persistent dull yellow glow of the walls outside; but the walls
The Cursed Crypt did not glow. It seemed that the primordial
Darkness is present here - something invisible, all-encompassing, very
ancient and very evil. In the far corner of the crypt they guessed
outlines of a huge chest. And in front of the chest two black ones froze
shadows.
It was difficult to discern who they were. But the one who hit me on the nose
the disgusting smell of carrion left no doubt -
vampires! Not those sophisticated killers whom I have called on more than once
wizard Wild animals... fearless, ruthless, intelligent and
therefore doubly dangerous. They were ready to tear anyone apart
the invading daredevil to pieces and probably no longerdid it once
this.
It was difficult to even see the movement. Just a vampire
stood calmly by the chest - a moment, and he was already sprawled in the air,
extending its clawed paws towards the wizard's throat. But Mazirian turned out to be
faster. The enchanted spear met the vampire in a leap and deep
entered his ageless flesh.
Dazzling blue sparks splashed from the spear into everything
sides, momentarily highlighting the crypt, chest and bared fangs
second vampire. It smelled like burnt meat. One spark hitting
the wizard's hand, severely burned him. Stopped in midair
the vampire collapsed on the floor, writhing wildly and squealing shrilly.
Holding the unicorn's mane, Mazirian leaned over from the saddle and
plunged the broad tip of the spear into the throat of the defeated monster
blue sparks flew again. Then he stood up, ready
meet the second enemy.
But the vampire was not waiting for him. Realizing that in a fair fight he could not
to survive, he rushed to the chest, with one deceptively light
movement, he threw back the bound lid, bent down - and straightened up with
bottle in hand. Invisibility Potion!!
The wizard rushed towards the monster; rushed desperately
hopelessly, realizing that he still won’t make it in time. Bloodless lips
the vampire stretched out an evil grin, revealing his fangs...
A trail of ionization flashed in the musty cave air,
marking the path of the flying spell. Flamed dazzlinglyblue-white lightning, highlighting every crack in the corroded
an ancient curse on the walls of the crypt. The scorched vampire was thrown into
side. Mazirian cast the spell again - vampire
he shot up, arched, and sank heavily to the floor.
The unicorn, snorting warily, approached him, and
the beast bared its fangs - defeated, seriously wounded, but still
dangerous. Mazirian raised his spear with both hands and thrust it into
a body huddled against the wall. Sparks started flying again, vampire
convulsed. His flesh melted before our eyes, turned into
nothing, into smoke. The last flash, and the body was covered with a cloud
dirty brown smoke. When the smoke cleared, only
scraps of singed wool, and a sealed bottle with
potion.
* * *
The dwarf was the first to notice Mazirian - in a small cave near
Cursed Crypt. He died immediately, but Elbo managed to watch
his eyes and rushed forward with his entire retinue, possessed
exuberant celebration. "Gotcha! Gotcha, little man!" - rejoiced
he, anticipating a battle and a quick victory.
Of course, Elbo himself did not go into battle - this
extravagance is not characteristic of the servants of Chaos. He sent two ahead
their centaurs and the squat long-nosed troll so that they
took Mazirian in pincers, pressed him to the lava flow that flowed through
cave. Two huge monsters -giant and phantom - slowly
followed them. And Elbo himself watched from a safe distance
behind the battle.
He saw his opponent for the first time now and carefully
looked at him in the dim, uncertain light. It can't be said that
Elbo was particularly impressed. The terrible Mazirian turned out to be the most
an ordinary sorcerer: long, skinny, wiry, narrow, dry face
ascetic Agile, but doesn't look particularly strong. If Elbo could
look into his eyes, perhaps he would change his mind; but
he did not see Mazirian's eyes, and therefore continued to count on
easy victory. For after the death of Pandelum hardly anyone except
Ragaril, surpassed Elbo in magical power. And in a normal battle,
Elbo decided, this little man cannot compare with him.
One quick glance was enough for Mazirian to appreciate
situation. He raised his hands, his face tensed; swayed
reality, and strangers, crazy people began to appear through it
outlines. An alien cold light blazed, but the door between the worlds was already
was closing. The fabric of reality was stretched again; everything was
still. Only next to Mazirian there were now two
huge flickering phantoms.
The monsters advanced slowly but inevitably. Around them
illuminating the mossy floor, a ghostly halo trembled. Even the soulless
the creatures backed away from the aliens.
But then, obeying a mental order, Elbo’s creation
crowdrushed at the enemies. Phantoms with the stupid tenacity of the invulnerable
fought back; neither claws, nor fangs, nor weapons could hurt
otherworldly flesh. And suddenly... The flickering giant howled, retreating towards
cave wall; blood of a strange bronze hue gushed from
wounds. Phantom Elbo licked the same blood with a long tongue
their claws.
And Elbo himself shouted a spell, and the magic lightning
exploded with a crash in the cave, and the echo began to wander under the arches.
Lightning struck the second Mazirian phantom, scorched him, and
At the same time, she incinerated the centaur Elbo, who happened to be nearby. But on
He didn't care about the centaur right now. It's just a little pity that
the fight came to an end so quickly. He was counting on a stronger one
enemy... But it’s time to finish - after all, we still have to find
treasure of the Catacombs! The Lord gave another silent order - and
a giant, waving a club and laughing like crazy, trotting
ran to Mazirian.
And Mazirian pulled the bow from his shoulder and, without taking his eyes off
giant, fired the first arrow. Almost three-meter shaggy
the monster stumbled when the arrow, scattering sparks, pierced
his chest. The giant didn't laugh anymore. He roared wildly, so that
The walls of the cave shook. Then he raised his club, but then
the second arrow hit. Enchanted arrows left deep
nasty wounds with burn marks all around. The giant was covered in blood,
bloodflowed down his shaggy fur, and with every step he
left red spots on the damp moss. But he stubbornly tilted
head and clutching the club with both hands, walked forward.
Now Elbo Smogg was seriously worried. Hoarse
he cast a spell in his voice, putting almost all of his
magical energy that still remained. Around Mazirian with a wall
An unnaturally yellow magical flame arose. Roared wildly
caught in a fire kindled by its owner, dying
giant Mazirian's riding unicorn neighed heartbreakingly. And
The Lord of Chaos laughed quietly, wondering if the remaining mana would be enough -
magical energy - to personally deal with the wounded
phantoms.
But then Elbo choked on his laughter. Straight out of the wall
A terribly scorched unicorn stepped into the flames. He stepped and fell on
buckled knees. And calmly walked off his back unharmed
Mazirian, holding a sword in his hand and looking into Elbo's eyes. On some
for a moment it seemed to the Lord that only the two of them remained in this absurd
world. He weighed the heavy ax in his hand, covered himself with a shield and
carefully, bending down, he began to approach the enemy.
Shhhh! - a wide ax blade cut through the air. Only
air: Mazirian managed to jump away. Again and again Elbo tried
get it, but Mazirian easily, effortlessly eluded the blows and
already once I almost broke through his defense with a deftlunge He
moved with magical speed. Magical! - it dawned on me
Elbo. Well, of course! It's a speed potion!..
Okay. Now the effect of your potion will end, you
you'll be exhausted, and then we'll dance. In the meantime... Elbo rushed
forward, describing a wide arc with the ax. I'll crush you into pieces!
Are you trembling, sorceress?!
But Mazirian did not tremble. He, having stopped dodging,
took the blow on the shield and, in turn, slashed with a short swing
Elbo. He managed to put up a shield, but his left hand immediately
numb. And before he could parry, the sword came down again.
Elbo could not hold back his scream - the blade cut through the mantle, and the Lord's side
stained with blood. He swung his ax wildly, finally catching
enemy, but immediately the tip of the sword pierced his shoulder, and
the right hand fell powerless. Mazirian, contemptuously
grinning, he raised his sword for the final blow...
What could Elbo do? With all your telepathic power
he silently shouted orders to his army. It's possible with words
It would be translated something like “Drop everything and save me!”
The phantom and the troll, leaving the unfinished victim, rushed to Mazirian,
and Elbo ran away from him as fast as he could. Mighty Lord of Chaos
ran away like a frightened hare, clutching the wound in his left hand
side.
And Mazirian, sheathing his sword, extended his arms. From him
palms towards monstersshining rays splashed out. Then he tore
bow from his shoulder, cast the first arrow... What happened next, Elbo already
I didn’t see him - he disappeared around the bend. It seems that he finally felt
contempt flashed through the phantom’s thoughts. However, who
care about the contempt of the undead?..
* * *
The unicorn ran through the damp corridors of the Catacombs. Mazirian
he swayed relaxed in the saddle, his eyes half-closed. He was resting
on the go. His arms and legs were still shaking from the double fight.
speed - there is hardly a more exhausting activity in the world. In
my mouth was disgustingly dry, and my heart didn’t want to move on
usual rhythm.
And behind the unicorn ran a huge squat
brick red demon. His feet splashed evenly on the wet
moss, throwing up streams of water almost to the knees. Long clawed feet
swayed to the rhythm of running close to the ground. The demon was lagging behind
unicorn, but both he and the wizard knew perfectly well: not a single living
creature (except the golden dragon) and no undead
surpass the demon in endurance. He can run the same
leisurely jog for hours, or even days, without stopping. And therefore
Mazirian could only rejoice that the demon was not chasing
him, but simply accompanies him.
After the clash at the Cursed Crypt, the retinues of both magicians
have thinned out a lot. Elbo completely walked away in splendid isolation, and
at Mazirianonly two centaurs and a phantom remained. He sent out
them for reconnaissance, and he himself, jumping on the last unicorn,
headed to the heart of the Myrddin Catacombs - a storage crypt.
Preparing for a battle with an unknown monster guarding the treasure, he
called his favorite partner - the demon.
Having turned once again, the unicorn and the demon found themselves
in front of three tall closed doors. There was a breeze from behind the doors
an incomprehensible threat. Mazirian hesitated, squeezed tighter
grabbed a sword from the Cursed Crypt and opened the middle door.
The heart skipped a beat and began beating evenly again. Behind the door
there was no one and nothing. Only a short corridor and in it
at the end there is another door, also closed. They passed the corridor. And
the wizard and the demon felt that they were just lucky. Danger
hid for the time being.
And finally, the unicorn stopped in front of the door
treasured crypt. The wizard, waiting for the demon, cast a spell on
his weapon and in one gulp, wincing from unbearable bitterness, drained
a bottle of speed potion. The last bottle. Then I threw away the empty one
vessel and leaned back in the saddle, waiting for the moment when his blood
will run through the veins faster. Here it has begun!.. As always, in the eyes
it rippled, and he closed his eyes, clutching the pommel of the saddle. Rolled up
nausea, stuffy ears. Then the unpleasant sensations subsided, and he
opened his eyes. The demon was already nearby, heran improbably
smoothly and slowly, as happens in a dream.
Stopping, the demon only took one deep breath,
stretched - and now he was fresh again and ready for battle.
- Shall we fight, master?
Mazirian had to strain to make out
words. At double speed, normal speech was perceived
in an unbearably slow, deep-voiced mumble.
- You will go first. Once you're inside,
try to distract the guard... whoever it is.
The demon grinned happily in anticipation of a fight... and
suddenly became worried:
- But, master... the door is locked. I don't need such a huge thing
break it...
- Which door?
It was not even visible how the spell flies to the target. Just
Mazirian concentrated for a moment, silently moved
lips - and the door disappeared, flew away in smoke, and in its place a raging
unnaturally yellow magic flame.
The demon grunted in delight and disappeared into the flames. And immediately
from within came a guttural roar and full-bodied sounds of blows.
Mazirian waited until the sounds were a little distant, and spurred
unicorn. A roaring flame closed around them and immediately
parted. They found themselves in a small crypt.
With only one hasty glance the wizard managed to take in
crypto. A miniature resemblance to a fortress moat, only filled
not with water, but with hot lava. On the surfacelava swells
huge bubble. And a massive shackled chest, locked on
padlock the size of a human head, in the middle
ring of fire. Here it is - the treasure of the Catacombs! And next to him is the one who
protects. There was only one guard. But it was a demon.
To the human eye it seemed indistinguishable from
Mazirian demon. The same hefty, horned, all covered
red scales. Well, maybe a little wider in the shoulders. But the wizard doesn't
could confuse them - he felt his own, could even look at him
eyes. Only now these eyes were completely filled with blood.
His demon was defeated. Lightly wounded enemy
sat astride it and with long clawed hands tore at
pieces.
Seeing the wizard, the demon guard roared deafeningly
and, without saying a word, rushed at him. Unicorn menacing
tilted his head, aiming his horn at him, but the demon waved it off as if
from an annoying fly. The blow fell like a hammer. The unicorn flew away to
door and collapsed on the floor, convulsively jerking his legs. But the wizard
moved with the speed of an attacking snake: he managed to jump off and,
before the enraged demon struck again, slashed at
brick red scales sword. Sparks flew and there was a burning smell.
For the first time in millions of years, the guardian faced enemies, and
they dared to hurt him! Spill his precious blood! Demon
wild rage seized me. Heclumsily stomped on the spot, roaring,
It noisily cut through the air with its long paws. Once his claws
hit the wall; There were long scratches on the stone.
For Mazirian, time has disappeared, only a series of
jumps, hits and bounces. He breathed hoarsely and whistlingly;
the enchanted sword grew heavier every second. The wizard was getting ready
to the last attack that would decide everything, and prayed to everyone known
to the gods, so that the spell stays on the sword at least a little longer.
And the wounded demon Mazirian, unable to rise, crawled
towards the fighters, holding with his left paw those dragging behind him
own insides. Behind the demon on the floor of the crypt remained
wide red-brown stripe.
The end came unexpectedly. Just a wizard
was preparing to lunge - and now he was lying against the wall. Left hand
thrown to the side at an unnatural angle, but somehow the shield
It's a miracle he's still holding on to it. And on the left side hanging in rags
a bloody stain swells on the mantle.
The demon stopped roaring. And that's where the worst thing happened
scary - he smiled. His eyes and all flat face now
and they were beaming with joy. Pure, sincere and completely
crazy joy of killing.
* * *
Elbo, looking around carefully, made his way through the damp
dungeon corridors that smelled of mold and death. He's on the move
chewed gloomilyapple. Actually, he didn’t feel like eating, but he saved
strength.
At the Cursed Crypt, the Lord lost almost his entire retinue,
but he had already managed to create a new one. Two giants, a centaur and a demon walked
next to him, ready to close a human barrier at the first danger.
The lord had already felt the call of the portal and was now heading towards it.
He intended to ambush Mazirian there.
Elbo felt with some surprise that he was getting stronger
afraid of the enemy. It was unusual and uncomfortable; that's it by itself
scared myself, instilled uncertainty. And his fear grew even more
because Elbo understood: Ragaril was also afraid of Mazirian.
Long ago, the paths of Ragaril and Mazirian crossed, and
The daring wizard only accidentally left the battlefield alive. But
Elbo was now sure that something special had happened between them
at that old fight. Something that instilled fear in
Ragaril's black heart, and this fear eventually devoured everything
the rest of his feelings, leaving only the one generated by him
hatred. Well, think for yourself - since Ragaril knew that Mazirian
goes to the Forbidden Worlds, why didn’t he meet him in the first
of them? Why did you send Torquemada? Why did you give the enemy a chance?
take possession of the treasures of the Forest and increase your strength?
There can be only one answer - he was simply afraid! Because
and sent his henchmen one after another, threw them at
devouring Mazirian,and all this in the insane hope that suddenly
one of them will kill the hated enemy, suddenly he will be able to avoid
duel.
And if it fails, Ragaril has the last one left
trump card The Third Forbidden World - Castle of Chaos - is not familiar to him
by hearsay. All the secrets of Chaos are an open book for him. And there
he will meet his old enemy; there it will be decided which one
them to die, and who to return.
But now Elbo, in some kind of instantaneous insight, clearly
imagined how this battle would go, if, of course, Mazirian
today he will be killed himself. Ragaril is no longer capable of that
incredible, reckless lightness that brought him so many times
victory. Like a cornered rat, he will snarl,
meeting the blows of Mazirian. Maybe Mazirian will make a mistake and fall
trapped and die, and his bones rot on the stone floor of the Castle.
But Ragaril will not get out of there either - and what will come out will no longer be
Ragaril, Great Lord of Chaos. A wreck, shaking alive
corpse, easy prey for the first magician-adventurer - that's what he is
will become, when the last supports of his black soul fall, long ago
eaten away from the inside - fear and hatred.
But he, Elbo, is not like that! His soul is not undermined!
If he survives today, if he defeats Mazirian, isn’t he
then will he be the strongest? Doesn't he thereby rightfully deserve
title of Great Lord? Willjust send it fair
Ragaril returned to the Darkness from which he came. And then there won't be
the limits of the power of the Great Lord of Chaos Elbo Smogg! Will lie at his feet
the whole world!
"If you kill Ragaril, you yourself will become Ragaril. And you will end
the same as Ragaril,” Elbo suddenly whispered an inner voice from
some distant corner of the soul. But he whispered very quietly. And right there
fell silent
And Elbo continued on his way. He didn't stop being afraid; but
discovered that he could quite get along with his fear and even
draw spiritual strength from it. It may very well be that this is exactly what
and that was his first step towards the coveted black throne.
* * *
Mazirian crouched in the corner of the crypt. He left his left hand completely
didn't feel it. The right hand clenched the hilt of the sword, slippery with blood.
He managed to sit up, but he could not get to his feet. Wizard from
strained the trembling muscles of his legs with his last strength, rested his back against
wall, leaving bloody streaks on it, and did not take his eyes off
the demon hanging over him.
The monster raised its right paw - scratches from the enchanted
the swords on her parted from the tension and bled again. Demon
was trying out how to finish off Mazirian more skillfully, as if in front of him
a crushed insect swarmed. disgusting insect
which can still sting.
And then the cruelly wounded demon Maziriana, only by force
will continue to live, crawled toenemy. Bloody
broken paws grabbed the scaly
muscular ankle.
The demon guard was dumbfounded. Then he started slowly
turn around as if he couldn’t believe such impudence. A
Mazirian - where did the strength come from - rose to his feet.
Bleeding and staggering, he stood on the collapsing
legs. The left hand with the shield hung limply. But the right one
remained solid. The enchanted blade slashed across the thick
the demon's neck and cut through the scales. Dazzling blue rained down
sparks, beautifully illuminating the gushing stream of brown blood. Demon
He blinked his eyes blindly. He wanted to roar, or maybe
maybe howl, but the cut throat made only a whistle and
gurgling.
For a moment they froze like this: the wizard raised his sword to
a new blow - and the demon was stunned. Then the demon with all his weight
attacked the enemy, mad with rage, remembering only one thing:
break, crush! But Mazirian was ahead of him: he substituted his sword,
resting the handle on his thigh, and the demon impaled himself on the magical
the point is like a butterfly on a pin. The walls shook from
a scream that escaped. The huge red carcass swayed,
disincarnating. Mazirian, with difficulty pulling out his sword, struck again -
the last flash, and the demon went to his home world, where
was already probably a million years old.
And the otherdemon - bleeding demon of Mazirian -
smiled approvingly. He also began to disincarnate and
held in the Forbidden World only by force of will; the words were given to him
with difficulty. But still the demon spoke:
- Not bad, Muzzy... In a thousand years you... call
again... Total...
And he was gone.
And Mazirian sank helplessly to the floor. The sword fell out
weakened hand. Just a moment he could fall into unconsciousness;
the wound in his side kept bleeding, and he would simply bleed to death.
From somewhere beyond the boundaries of the field of vision, darkness was already creeping in.
But then he tried to lean on his broken left arm.
The flash of pain sobered me up a little. The wizard looked with dull eyes
on a huge chest. He remembered something very important connected with
this chest. But the outlines of the chest were barely discernible
an incomprehensible, annoying fiery curtain. And the wizard rose
to his feet and, staggering, walked towards him, clutching the key from the
Cursed Crypt.
The merciful memory has preserved what happened next
only scraps.
...He takes a step forward and immediately plunges knee-deep into
boiling lava. It hurts, it hurts terribly, and he screams. Screams
senseless and pitiful, like a wounded animal.
...He wanders through the liquid fire, writhing in pain. Step,
one more step... It seems that the flesh on his legs is already charred and now
will fall off the bones. But here it isfinally the flames are left behind. He
falls face down. The fingers of the hand extended forward touch the rough
the sides of the chest, and it is calming.
...He tries to insert the key tightly held in his hand into
keyhole, all the while slipping in a puddle of his own
blood. My fingers are cramped and they don’t obey me well. Finally
the lock clicks open and falls with a loud clang. He's poking around
hand under the lid, pushing something long and leather away; fingers
close on the cool neck of the bottle.
Strange, but the neck wrinkled slightly under my hand. By hand
it was as if a discharge ran through him - life-giving energy poured into him.
The pain from the burns immediately subsided and my head became clearer. Darkness
retreated, although it continued to loom before my eyes.
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