Desert Fox: 40,000 Chapter 1

Desert Fox: 40,000

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Des sat on one of the examination tables in the infirmary of the Guild’s headquarters. His ears had recently stopped bleeding, but he still wanted to make sure everything was alright. Arron had gone with him to the infirmary and was standing near the door. Carol, the wolf Eld’ Earin nurse/doctor of the Guild, was busy examining Des’ ears.

“Well, your eardrums aren’t perforated, so honestly, I’m not sure why your ears would bleed.” Carol told Des as she lowered her otoscope. Needless to say, Des was confused.

“Should I still be concerned at all?” Des asked.

“Only if you notice anything change with your hearing in a while after you leave. You know, I got to say, I do love you boys and love helping you out, but l will be honest: you guys have been making a bad habit out of getting hurt recently.” Carol jokingly stated with a smile as she wrote a few things down after putting her instrument away.

Arron chuckled lightly. “Tell me about it.”

Des just smiled and rolled his eyes as he got off of the examination table. “Well, if you’re getting that tired of seeing us, we’ll do our best to keep out of the infirmary.” Des teased Carol back, to which she laughed slightly as well.

Arron spoke again, not as happy as he just was, “We’re going to meet Chris and Mitchel to talk to Shade. Something tells me he’s going to have a hernia after what happened.” Des’ ears lowered at this.

Carol sensed their collective nervousness and sadness. “I’m sure Shade won’t be too angry. After all, didn’t he send you four out this time?”

“Yes, but we still failed.” Des answered.

“Never-the-less, I’m sure you guys will be fine. Good luck with the meeting. And remember Des, feel anything different with your hearing, come right back.”

“Sure thing Carol. See ya.” Des replied with a smile as he and Arron left the infirmary. After she knew they were a good distance away, Carol spoke to herself.

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At their hideout just outside the fringe of Shyder City, Fulvus and Dea were kicking back after the scene they caused downtown earlier in the day. At least, Dea was. Fulvus sat at the desk in her room, still confused with what had happened earlier when she used her magical shout. The power she had felt was on her mind, but not in a good way. She only used it for a fraction of a second, but in that short time, she felt its dark power. It was…

“Hey, Fulvus, you okay sis?” Dea asked as she stood in doorway to Fulvus’ room. Fulvus turned around to her friend with a concerned look.

“Yeah, I'm okay. I'm just thinking about some stuff...” Fulvus answered.

Dea then made a snide little smile and rolled her eyes as she walked to her friend. “Is it still about what happened earlier today? I still don’t get what the problem is. You got those guys off our backs, so what the big deal?” As Dea was speaking, Fulvus saw Thusfar out of the corner of her eye jump up on her bed and sit there, looking at the two of them.

“Dea, when I channeled my magic, something strange happened. Something kind of scary.” Dea was a little shocked by this. Did Fulvus just say something was scary??? “When I channeled, I felt a new, strange power. One that I had never felt before.”

“So?” Dea asked.

“It felt… Evil.” Dea was about to say something else, but Fulvus beat her to it. “Not just dark like most of the other magic I play around with. This one felt PURE evil. Like, more than anything I had ever felt before.”

Dea’s little smile faded. She quickly looked at Thusfar, who simply cocked his head to the right. Dea then spoke to Fulvus. “Do you think we should be worried at all.”

Fulvus responded. “No. Not right now at least. I’ll just have to be more careful I guess. But, I am curious, what was this power I felt? I don’t want to use it again, but I do want to know.”

Dea’s smile returned. “There’s the Fulvus I know. C’mon, let’s go get something to eat. I’m sure that’ll cheer you up.”

Fulvus finally smiled. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.”

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Des and Arron rounded the corner and saw Mitchel and Chris waiting for them outside the Council’s meeting room. The two young men seemed to be talking about something, but stopped when they saw their other friends approaching.

“So, what was the diagnosis this time?” Chris teasingly said, referencing how often Des has had to go to the infirmary lately.

“Nothing you need to concern that empty little head of yours with Chris.” Des teased back earning him friendly punch to the arm from Chris.

Arron spoke up. “What were you two talking about?”

“What we should say to Shade and the others. Like Des said a while ago, they’re clearly not going to be happy that we lost those girls again. Even though we were able to convince Shade to send us this time.” Mitchel answered. Des decided to speak now.

“Let’s just get this over with. I’ll take most of the fall for it. It is mostly my fault they got away anyway.”

“Don’t say that Des. It’s not your fault that Fulvus knocked you against a wall.” Arron assured his friend. “Besides, we’re a team. I’ll take just as much flak for the failure as you.”

“As will we.” Mitchel interjected. Chris grumbled at this idea, but nodded his head in agreement. Des felt better knowing his friends had his back.

Just then, a voice from a small intercom next to the double doors that led to the meeting room spoke. “Are all four of you boys there?”

Mitchel answered, “Yes.”

“The Council will see you now.”

With that, the four friends looked at each other once more, and stepped forward while Arron opened the door. Inside were four humans, seated around a large meeting table. At the opposite end, sitting with his hands forming an arch in front of him and an irritated look on his face was the head of the Guild and a powerful mage at that, Shade. He was a man who had the appearance of a leader. He had neck long black hair, and three red lines on his face, one beneath each eye, and another running down his chin. Too his left was a blind man with long dark hair. This was Dexion, a powerful psychic, who like Shade, did not look to happy either. To Shade’s right was Broder, a mountain of a man with blonde hair, who had an expression that said both “this should be fun” and “how sad.” He seem fairly nonchalant about the issue. And finally to the Broder’s right was Alura, a blonde woman wearing a mask over the lower part of her face. Due to the mask, it was difficult to determine her expression. After Des and his friends entered the room and closed the door, Shade finally spoke in an authoritative and commanding voice.

“Take a seat you four.” To which the four did as they were told. Shade continued, “So, the three fugitives got away from you again?”

Mitchel answered. “Yes sir, but you see—“ Shade held one of his hands us to signal to Mitchel to stop talking.

“Explain from the beginning. With every detail.” After that was said, the four of them took turns explaining their failed attempt at apprehending Fulvus and Dea. All the way up to when Des woke up from his unconsciousness with his ears bleeding. All the while Shade, Dexion, and Alura listened intently, while Broder put his feet up on the table and folded his hands behind his head.

When the four boys were done explaining what had happened, Dexion decided to speak.

“What made the four of you think that it was at all a good idea to split up after the last time you simply tried to apprehend the human girl alone?”

Des answered. “There were two ways they could have gone, and we didn’t want to take any chances on all of us going the wrong way.”

It was Alura’s turn to speak. “You should have been more careful not to lose sight of them in the first place. If you had done that, they most likely never would have tried to take an alternate route to escape.” Shade sat there quietly, much to the surprise of Des and his friends.

“I still can’t believe that two teenage girls and a minor dragon are always able to beat or escape the four of you.” Broder said. “I’m not sure if I should find the situation sad or hilarious.”

“Broder!” Shade said sternly. Everyone’s attention snapped to him. He finally decided to speak to the boys.

“It was my fault to have agreed to send the four of you to handle the situation this time.”

“But sir –“ Arron tried to speak.

“No ‘buts’! This was a mistake I will not make again in the future. Because I was the one who sent you out, I will not punish you severely. However, once I think of a proper form of punishment for this problem, I will let you know. Until then, the four of you are dismissed.”

All four the friends said “Yes sir,” in unison. They all stood up and left the room.

“Wow, we sure got of easy on that didn't we.” Chris decided to say after they walked a little ways away from the meeting room.

“What do you think he’s going to do with us?” Arron asked with slight concern.

“Gods only know guys,” Des answered. “I wouldn’t be too worried about though. He’ll probably have us do KP duty at the worst.” Des was trying keep a positive attitude, and it was kind of working.

“Des is right. Anyway, let’s call it a night tonight guys. We’ve had enough adventure for one day.” Mitchel said as they reached their rooms.

“Yeah, I’m beat.” Chris said as he yawned. “See you guys tomorrow.”

“See ya Chris. You to Mitchel.” Des said to his friends as they left. He then turned to Arron. “I really do hope Shade won’t be too harsh.”

Arron chuckled. “You and me both bro. See you tomorrow.” He then placed his fist out.

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Not long after Des, Arron, Mitchel and Chris left the meeting room, Broder made to stand up.

“Broder, wait.” Shade told him. “There is something else I need to discuss with you three before you all go.”

“Sure thing boss.” Broder said as he sat back down.

“What is wrong Shade?” Alura asked. Shade stood up and started to pace around.

“I sensed a strange surge of magic earlier today. Around the time when those four were on their little escapade. It was brief, but it stood out like fire in a lake.”

Dexion interjected. “How so?”

Shade continued. “Remember when Des was kidnapped around seven months ago?”

“Yes. When you sensed another magical surge. Was this one similar to that instance?”

“No. This one was worse. Not necessarily stronger per say, but worse. This surge was darker, more sinister, more wicked than that instance. In fact, this one felt pure evil to put it simply.”

Alura spoke. “So, what do you think it could be?”

“Probably some kids messing around with arts that they shouldn’t.” Broder said matter-of-factly. Alura gave him a mean look while Shade just rolled his eyes. Shade then spoke.

“I severely doubt that Broder. This power was something I had never felt before, and I am sure that –“ Shade was interrupted by sudden and strong headache. So strong, that he fell to his knees. Alura was up in an instant and at his side. Broder also shot up from his seat while Dexion shot his head in Shade’s direction.

“Shade! Are you alright?” Alura asked him, her voice filled with worry.

Shade replied through grit teeth. “It’s here again! That energy! It’s stronger, more potent this time!”

Alura, Dexion and Broder all shared a nervous look. What could be so powerful and so evil that it would cause Shade to nearly collapse from pain?

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Ahriman stepped through the portal. He felt the magic of this world all around. While not as powerful as the magic of the Warp, it still felt glorious. Ahriman smiled a wicked smile as he looked around the landscape.

(30 minutes earlier, within the Warp)

“What is your bidding my lord?” Ahriman ask Tzeentch.

Tzeentch spoke to his loyal servant who was still bowing to him. “I am aware that you have been wanting a new apprentice since Zinak completed his training with you and became a High Champion of Chaos. Well, this assignment may very well grant you your wish.” He quickly glanced back at his brothers and sister, all of whom were smiling wickedly, except for Attikan. Tzeentch looked back at Ahriman.

“Not too long ago, someone, from a world unknown, channeled power straight from the Warp.”

Ahriman shot his head up, dumbfounded at what he had just heard. Tzeentch continued.

“We know not who this person is, but we do know the location of it. As I said, it is an unknown planet, at the farthest reaches of the galaxy. It is populated by fairly advanced humans and a sentient species of anthromorphic beings. This world, seems to be the only other place besides the Warp that has magical energy flowing through the air. And whoever caused this disturbance is clearly skilled in the arts of magic and sorcery. The assignment we have for you is as goes: Go to this world, hunt down this usurper, and turn him or her to the side of Chaos. Do this, and this magic user shall be your new apprentice.”

Ahriman was overjoyed to hear this, but still remained bowing. “You are to kind Lord Tzeentch. But I must ask, how will I know when I encounter this target, and is there anything else you wish for me to do while I am on that planet?”

Khorne interjected. “Yes. In addition to tracking down the usurper, we want you to gather information about this world and its inhabitants.”

Tzeentch waited until Khorne was finished, then said. “As for recognizing the one responsible, I am sure you will recognize who this troublemaker is. As the greatest sorcerer of Chaos and one of the greatest of the High Lords of Chaos, I trust you will easily identify your target. Also, when the troublemaker drew power from the Warp, I sensed its power as well. I will gladly grant you this memory of mine to use in your search.” Tzeentch outstretched his hand, pointing to Ahriman. Ahriman then felt what Tzeentch was talking about. He could feel the incredible power that his target possessed. He then became even more anxious and excited to begin his search for his future student.

“I shall complete both this tasks with a single stroke my Lords. I look forward to my arrival to this world. When shall I go?"

Tzeentch smiled evilly. “As soon as you wish, Ahriman.”

With that, Ahriman also smiled evilly and said, “I wish to depart now if I may.”

Tzeentch then gave the gesture for Ahriman to stand. Ahriman then opened a Warp portal behind him, one that lead to his destination. Tzeentch then said, “Good luck Ahriman.”

“Thank you my Lord. I shall not fail.” Ahriman said, right before he stepped through the portal. And now here he was, on this strange but fascinating planet, searching for a strange and fascinating being to make his apprentice. With his plans in his head, he began his long walk towards a large city.

Shyder City.