Darkwind Chronicles: The Second Act

By Christopher Michael Cifelli

Continuing where the First Act left off, Magnetin and Delphine must depart ways in order to gather enough information and recruit enough allies in order to end eons of suffering brought onto the world by a parasite that was responsible for inciting the Orcish Horde, infecting Aeternum and leading to the

• Language: English
• Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC
• Release date: Jun 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9781684861859

Christopher Michael Cifelli

Christopher Cifelli was born and raise in Philadelphia, PA, and attended the former Edward Bok Vocational High School. While Christopher has been writing for a while, Darkwind Chronicles: The First Act is his first attempt at publishing a book.

Book preview

Branching Paths and Inciting Wraths

Episode 18

New Duties, New Trials and New Oppressions

The sun rose on a brand new day as the group just got finished with the culling and cleansing of the village people of Wraith’s influence and returned to Stonworth Castle. Umbra decided to join them, while Francis went to gather up the remaining werebeasts that were still alive and able.

The group was waiting in the throne room, where Queen Johanna sat her eight-foot body down onto her throne.

Now that this unsavory deed has come to pass, we can now get down to the matters at hand. Her majesty announced. Magnetin, I am truly proud that you’ve become a full-fledged Dragon Knight. Your mother would be proud as well, if she was still here.

Grandma, what of my father? Magnetin asked. His posture and the sound of his voice had changed to someone with complete confidence now that he’s conquered the darkness in his heart.

Queen Johanna smiled at this satisfaction before speaking: Magnetin, the truth about your father is… that he may still be alive.

He’s alive!? Where is he? Magnetin questioned, hoping his grandmother could answer. Francis came into the throne room, just finishing up with his fellow werebeast brethren.

Hey, what’d I missed? Francis asked.

Unfortunately, no one has been able to detect him. He was last seen going underground with some of the other draconians hiding underneath the surface.

Your majesty, may I ask, why is a race as powerful as draconians so afraid of traveling above the ground? Delphine asked with the utmost respect.

It’s because of Wraith. It seeks to control us because of our connection with Aeternum and we begin to react differently upon breaching the surface as we try to resist its influence. We all get a piece of jewelry, like a pendant or tiara, which can resist Wraith’s influence, however, there is a way to cleanse it completely by having a gemstone in your possession.

Sounds something like Birthstones.

Yes and no. Actually, any draconian can have any gemstone in their possession, though some are passed down from their parents. Magnetin examined the ruby and remembered that rather it just appeared in his pendant when he became a Dragon Knight. Though, it is quite interesting that both the leaders of the Maritian Werebears and Moltenstone Trolls are able to become Dragon Knights. No other race had made such an attempt before. Queen Johanna pondered this for a moment. It is as if Cinder and Zero merged with them.

So how were you two able to become Dragon Knights? Delphine asked.

"It was shortly after you left my village. I could feel Zero call out to me through the cold mist. I sailed to the iceberg and approached the spot where he once stood. His staff was all that remains, and without realizing what I was doing, I pulled it out of the ice.

At that moment, I felt immense power flowing through the staff into my own body, and I turned into an ice draconian. I was overwhelmed with joy at this achievement. I went to tell my people what had become of me. They were all thrilled as well. But that’s also when I felt trouble heading your way.

I gathered my most elite warriors and we embarked to Stonworth. I’m just glad we were able to make it in time. Esk told his story. I call this staff Absoluta Ciphra."

"I was the same as the Maritian Chief, where I also felt Lavaguard callin’ out to me. I found the polearm floatin’ in the lava and jumped in to grab it. I then felt the mojo of fire burning inside of me.

I told my tribe and they praised me. Then, I also felt voodoo conjuring in the distance. Val’jin showed that the spear has now become a halberd. Even this polearm has changed for me. I call it Estuans Pervenire. Everyone noticed Val’jin was speaking proper grammar and pronouncing more clearly than before.

So, the three of us had turned draconians, Delphine thought to herself as she came to the conclusion. But we had to lose what we were as a result.

Well, I’m glad that both of you made it. Magnetin smiled at Esk and Van’jin.

The two leaders never saw the young draconian so happy when they first met him, almost as if he was a different person, this made Esk chuckled with joy. Think nothing of it.

Okay, Draco nodded, now with Delphine, Esk and Van’jin, all that’s left is for four people to obtain the powers from Fulmina, Rex, Rudra and Umi.

I’m sure Andrea should have reached where the Earth Trial was by now and emerged as an earth draconian, Delphine stated. Hopefully, both Andrew and her made it safely.

Why? Francis asked. If it’s Andrea you’re talking about, then I pity any fool who tries her.

I know the twins can take care of themselves, that’s not what worries me, the paladin said as she placed her hands on her hips. I’m referring to that assailant that grievously wounded Magnetin shortly after completing the Wind and Water trials. He’s still on the loose! Some of us should go find him!

By then, the prophet approached Queen Johanna and whispered something to her. Umbra caught wind of this and approached Delphine. We’ll find him in due time, but we still have work to do.

But who should go to where the trials of Lightning, Wind and Water were? Anita asked.

Ms. Anita, Queen Johanna said, I’m sure as you left the tower, you felt something calling for you, right? To which the elf nodded. Then you know what needs to be done.

And I felt the same thing before leaving the area where the trials of Wind and Water took place, Cinghiale stated.

That just leaves Wind, Van’jin said before turning to the werebeast.

The werebeast looked to see that all eyes were on him. Wha- Me? Francis asked as he pointed at himself with his thumb.

Are you seriously considering him!? Cinghiale exclaimed. After what he’s done!? Francis’ brow furrowed.

Cinghiale, Francis wasn’t the one who killed your crew, Anita said. It was a robot from Plant. Which is something I should look into when I get there.

I still don’t trust him, Cinghiale snorted before walking away. The orc was clearly still upset over losing his crew and was throwing blame onto someone else. Magnetin, Delphine and Anita either sighed or shrugged. Francis just shrugged.

Regardless of what we do, we still need to deal with that assailant, Delphine said, before he kills anyone else.

We’ll deal with him in due time, Draco said as he watched the whole situation. Lyndis gritted her teeth before she looked away.

I’d still like to check up on Andrea, Delphine reminded him.

Seeing that this conversation was going in circles, Queen Johanna stood from her throne to her full height of eight feet. You needn’t worry about that, Miss Lightwind. I’ll see to it myself.

This caused everyone in the throne room to chatter upon hearing that. But your majesty, one of the advisors showed his concerns, with all due respect, you can’t just travel into a desert by yourself. Let the royal guard accompany you at least.

You forget, I was among the party that emerged from the surface, ended the Mad War, challenged the Mad Queen for the throne and became queen of Stonworth, and I am a fully grown wyrm. So the royal guard won’t be necessary. Besides, if you were to accompany me to Oceanus City, it might draw some suspicion and attract the attention of the wrong kind of people, which is what we don’t want. I shall travel to Rummi myself, besides, I can’t just sit here and let my only heir and grandson risk his own life for our salvation. And, my grandson, I’ll put the entire command of the royal guards in your hands. The guards were a bit uneasy.

But, your majesty, even though he may be a full-fledged Dragon Knight, he’s still a whelp and inexperienced to command an army of our size, the head of the royal guards said with concern.

Then this will be the perfect opportunity for him, plus Draco and Lyndis will be able to help him. Queen Johanna then looked towards Draco and Lyndis. Won’t you?

The two bowed. As you wish, your majesty.

Good, it’s settled then.

But, your majesty… An adviser spoke up with some other concerns.

I already said my peace on the matter, but you may speak.

It’s about— He was interrupted as voices of the guards were heard from outside the throne room.

Wait! Stop! You can’t go in—! The guard pleaded as the throne room doors suddenly opened up as a rather shrew and really obese human entered. He had his hair slicked back.

What is the meaning of this, mother!? I was to be next in line for the throne! The obese man said in an outrage.

Edward, we’re in the middle of a meeting! Queen Johanna scoffed. The obese man was named Edward Stonworth. Draco groaned in agony, crossing his arms.

And just who the hell does Sparkles think he is doing by barging in here? Francis asked out loud. Edward glared at the werebeast in disgust, showing a large amount of glitter on his face.

Edward Stonworth, he’s the adopted son of Queen Johanna. Draco said with no interest whatsoever.

GOOD GODS! HE’S FAT!!! Magnetin mentally exclaimed in disgust at the sight of this human. HOW ARE HIS LEGS NOT BUCKLING UNDERNEATH ALL THAT WEIGHT RIGHT NOW!? All that lard can’t be good for his heart.

Mother! And I am the head of the military of our kingdom, so this command ultimately falls into my hands. Edward turned to Magnetin. Need I remind you that this ‘prince’ left the kingdom for the past twelve years.

Magnetin can sense animosity coming from the shrew, obese man. I take it that you were around sometime after I left Stonworth. And you’re one to talk, you really let yourself go. Addressing Edward’s obesity. I mean, look at you, you look like an over inflated balloon. How can someone as obese as you become the head leader of a militia is beyond me.

I was the one who trained this militia, respect my authority!

Respect is earned, you fat, bald bastard!

Good one! Francis laughed.

"How