A Stroke Of Originality

Victor ran through the tunnel, using his magic to push the horde of undead back. Using a spell to cloak his presence, he leaned on the wall to take a breather. The soulless had her grasp over the undead, making them more magic resistant, which forced him to use more magic than anticipated. As he rested, the horde came storming back. They stopped near him, but none could see him. Victor made sure not to move a muscle as he stared the undead down. Suddenly, they all fell to the ground and stopped moving. Their eye sockets began emitting a green aura, and an image of the soulless appeared.

“Oh, where is my darling Victor?” cooed the soulless as her image floated through the tunnel.

Silent, he stayed as he ignored her attempt to sway him out of his spell.

“I know you’re here!” Her voice went dark as she shouted. “It’s okay, I have something you want.” she continued.

She held up a hand, welcoming a green flame that showed glimpses of Victor’s wife in its reflection. Before he knew it, he unconcealed himself and unleashing an array of spells upon her. She dodged everything he threw at her until he cast a binding spell to prevent her from leaving the tunnel. Her aura dissipated, giving life back to the undead. They rose quickly and honed in on Victor. He shielded himself as best he could, but his magic started wither. He tracked the Soulless location as his magic shield slowly disappeared. Victor opened a portal with his last bit of magic and quickly jumped through. When he looked up, he saw her. The Soulless Queen in her original body, staring back at him. Victor’s magic was nearly depleted, and he only had enough left to use one more spell. This time he was going to have to fight her the old fashion way until he got a good enough shot to use his final spell. Unsheathing his sword, Victor charged at her. She quickly summoned more undead and sent them charging back at him. Surrounded, Victor took them out one by one, until he started to drain himself.

“You going to keep using them to do your bidding?” jabbed Victor as he panted.

“Poor Victor, the great shaman, has resulted to such insults.” quipped the Soulless Queen.

“Still can’t fight your own battles, so scared of just one Shaman. No wonder you lost your kingdom. I wouldn’t fight for a coward like you either.” he insulted.

“I’d choose your next words wisely, shaman.”

Victor finally got her to display some of that anger she was known for having. Now it was time for him to pull out his trump card.

“Or what? You just going to send more undead towards me? Like your dear Agatha?” Victor pulled out a skull with golden hair still attached to it.

He could see the fury begin to creep up in her eyes. She charged at him, knocking the undead out of the way, shooting a wave of energy hitting Victor back into the wall.

“You’ll die for that!” she chided as she hovered before him.

A smile creased Victor’s face, he finally had her right where he wanted her.

“Look behind you first.” he insisted.

She turned and saw his sword stuck in the ground with a green aura around it. Victor began chanting words, and her body slowly moved towards the sword. Clawing the floor didn’t help her, Victor’s spell was too powerful. The binding spell had consumed her, ridding the world of her. Victor flopped to the ground and let out sighs of relief. In the corner of his eyes, he noticed his sword started emitting the green aura once again. Victor wasn’t controlling it this time. He went over to try and dispel the magic, but something came out. He struggled as it squeezed him.

“You’re coming with me!”