“It began bouncing around her. Clufa didn’t mind. She was harnessing it, after all, so if it touched her, it would do nothing to her. She peered at the edge and saw the shadowy being.
Clufa didn’t bother to hide a small smile creeping across her face. She faced the man, and from behind her, she felt a cold chill. As she turned, Altzeroil let out a small breath.”
Trigger Warnings
Prologue
“Producat in flamma.”
Clufa walked over to the edge of the cliff, a small flame flickering in her hands.
“Junge currum suum fortitudinem.”
It began bouncing around her. Clufa didn’t mind. She was harnessing it, after all, so if it touched her, it would do nothing to her. She peered at the edge and saw the shadowy being.
Clufa didn’t bother to hide a small smile creeping across her face. She faced the man, and from behind her, she felt a cold chill. As she turned, Altzeroil let out a small breath.
“Facite hoc meum,” Clufa concluded. She grabbed the flame and, with a flick of her hand, an enormous flame appeared above her. She peered out to the edge of the cliff, and in an instant, she threw the flame towards the cliff. An\ huge explosion from the other side was heard, and Clufa could do nothing but grin.
As the smoke cleared, Hana walked over to the edge. A flower came onto her hand. She beamed at it. Clufa groaned, not having much more patience for her easily distracted little sister.
“Hana,” Clufa said through gritted teeth. “The wizard, remember?”
“Oh, um, right.” Hana quickly withdrew her flower. She stretched out her hand, and a large vine came from their cliff towards the other that Clufa had blown up.
Clufa heard a couple of shouts from the cliff, and she knew that they were planning on evacuating.
Altzeroil drew his staff, and instantly, a large trail of ice grew from their cliff to the other, creating two paths. They didn’t really need the paths, of course. Altzeroil was just doing that to be dramatic, because what would life be without that?
Altzeroil levitated from the ground and began floating to the other side. Hana followed on her own vines (she was the only one of the three who couldn’t fly), while Clufa, being the impatient brat she was, flew like a rocket to the other side. As soon as she got there, she found the closest human she could and grabbed their collar.
“Where is Divino?” hissed Clufa, a flame flickering in her hand, getting dangerously close to the human’s head.
“I — I know nothing!” cried the human. “Please, have mercy!”
“Mercy is for cowards,” Clufa hissed, and she dropped the human, letting him fall down through the fog. She faced the rest of the humans. “You have two opportunities: surrender Divino and die together, or I will destroy you all now and give you no chance to bid farewell to your loved ones.”
“Clufa, please!” Hana reached the cliff. “No one deserves to die alone.”
Clufa rolled her eyes. “Hana, just find Divino, and we’ll be over with this.”
Altzeroil reached the other side. He looked across the humans, grinning.
“Altzeroil, NO, we do not have TIME for this!” Clufa spat.
“Please, just one?” Altzeroil asked. “I haven’t tortured anyone in weeks, I want to torment just one of these humans.”
“Oh, Altzeroil, don’t be horrible,” hissed Hana. “These humans are merely trying to protect their home — they aren’t the ones we’re here for.”
“But if we can’t find him, what else are we going to do?” Altzeroil muttered. “We’ve been searching for weeks. I’m not in the mood to go looking again.”
“Then don’t,” a powerful voice echoed from the edge, and the three primordial wizards turned and saw Divino, standing with a strange magical aura surrounding him.
“Finally,” hissed Clufa, and she summoned her staff. “Occidere,” she said, and a blast of fire spewed from her staff and hit Divino… but his aura protected him.
Clufa roared in fury and flew over to him. She tried to manually strike him down, but the second she got too close, the aura around Divino blasted her backwards. She immediately got up.
“How is this possible?!” Clufa screamed. “You’re a MORTAL!”
“It seems we mortals are capable of more than you thought we were,” growled Divino. “Surrender, Shadow Legion, before I’m forced to use this.” He raised a small globe in his hand.
Clufa let out a small scoff. “You plan to trap us in the limbo dimension? Pathetic fool, don’t you know that we are the primordial wizards of the ELEMENTS? We cannot be defeated!”
“Correction — you can’t be killed,” said Divino. “You can, however, be defeated and locked away for millennia to come.”
“Then it seems all we must do is keep you from using that,” Altzeroil said with a grin. “From inside your protection aura, you are unable to use that thing. You must come outside to face us, and to do that, is to risk death.”
“Some things are worth risking,” snarled Divino, “so that you can’t bring out your genocidal apocalypse!”
“Your kind has abused the magic that we gave you,” growled Clufa. “You use it to torment other creatures and even some of your own kind. You do not deserve this power.”
“That’s hardly a valid excuse to destroy and remake everything!” Divino cried.
“Everything will be as it was, with one thing changed: you will no longer have magic,” Altzeroil explained. “Everyone will only be dead for a few moments, so calm down.”
“We can’t trust you, not after what you did,” Divino growled.
“Then get out of your shell and fight us!” Clufa yelled, more fire erupting from around her.
Hana hopped towards them, grinning. A large vine carried her upwards, and she gazed down at her siblings and Divino.
Divino, to Clufa’s slight surprise, chanted an incantation and the aura around him vaporized.
Clufa wasted no time. She raised her staff and an enormous fire erupted from it, and it struck Divino.
However, Divino was prepared, and he conjured another shield to deflect her power as he conjured his item. Altzeroil noticed this, and flew over, attempting to grab it, but in the nick of time Divino grabbed Altzeroil and blasted him with the object.
Altzeroil was highlighted with white magic. He gave a yelp as his form suddenly vanished.
He’s in limbo, Clufa realized. That man… his magic worked!
“Altzeroil!” Hana cried, looking horrified.
Clufa let out a frustrated growl, but as she attempted to attack Divino once more, Divino leapt upward to Hana and attacked her with it too.
Hana immediately vanished as well and all her vines disappeared.
Clufa scoffed. “Looks like it’s just you, and me then. Once I destroy you, I will release my siblings,” she growled.
“If you destroy me,” corrected Divino.
“Or if I do,” another voice came from the sky, and Clufa looked up in time to see a woman encased in blue armor floating in the sky. She gazed down at them.
“TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH, ZADUS!” Clufa yelled.
Zadus came down to the ground. As Divino launched at her, Zadus simply grabbed his arm and held her hand inches away from his neck, holding a spell in her hand. “Surrender, Divino. You can’t overpower me.”
“We cannot let you unleash the titans,” Divino said.
“And you think you’ll be able to stop me?” Zadus questioned, stepping closer. “May I remind you that I have the power of the cosmos?”
“Then your weakness is down here,” Divino said, and he blasted Zadus with the object. Of course, it did nothing, but the second Clufa went to attack Divino, he leapt at her and her magic hit Zadus instead, suddenly encasing her in amber.
“WHAT DID YOU DO?!” cried Clufa. “HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS?!”
“Perhaps it’s destiny,” Divino admitted. “Perhaps the time of the primordial wizards has come to an end.”
With one more blast, a ball of light hit Clufa in the chest. Clufa had the luxury of seeing her spirit shoot up to a space unknown as her body went completely limp.
When Clufa opened her eyes again, she was in some white room. She saw Altzeroil and Hana in the room as well.
“What — what happened?” growled Clufa. “Where are we?”
“We are in the limbo dimension,” Altzeroil answered. “That wretched wizard put our physical bodies in stasis and imprisoned us here… It will take us millions of years to return to the physical realm, if we are able to at all!”
“Then we will wait for millions of years,” Clufa declared. “Zadus has been imprisoned in amber, and she won’t be released until we release her. We will wait until the balance of magic has been altered, and then… we will break free.”
“You know, on the bright side, we have each other,” Hana interjected. “And we can still use our magic here, and it’s just the three of us! So we can be as chaotic as we want!”
“That does sound fun,” Altzeroil admitted. “What do you think, Clufa?”
“I think this will be a long prison sentence.”
Chapter 1
That was the end.
I guess not the end of the story, because, well, you’re still reading.
But that was the end of the reign of the Shadow Legion… at least for now.
See, my name is Ash. I was a sorceress who lived about three million years after the reign of the Shadow Legion and have lived for about two thousand years since. Lucky me, right?
Not exactly. Since apparently I was violating the rules of “disrupting connection between magic, risking releasing ancient beings, blah blah blah,” I was imprisoned… no, not in an alternate realm, but in my own house.
Exactly how humiliating can a defeat be, especially for a powerful sorceress? I personally can’t see how it could be any worse than this.
But I’ve been wrong before, so I really don’t know.
Anyway, you’ve probably read a bunch of other stories about stuff like heroes saving their world from some kind of big threat that’s going to cause catastrophe, and the heroes are flawless and perfect snowflakes who are never questioned and always save the day.
And you probably find that annoying, don’t you?
Well, if you do, I have good news for you! I’m not biased towards the winning side. If you really want to know why books are always so biased towards the heroes, it’s because they’re the ones who won. But here I am, someone who lost, with no hint of bias towards those who’ve won!
Why?
Because, as you can guess, I’m a little irritated with how my life has turned out!!!
You know, trapped in my house, forced to give anyone who wanders here some blessed magic powers so that they can think they’re some precious little snowflake who has done no wrong.
But anyway, enough of that. I did my research, I stalked the limbo realm… and I know about the Shadow Legion. And I can tell you about them because I’m sure you’re wondering: what exactly happened to them? And is there any chance that they could come back?
In short, they were trapped in limbo to keep them from becoming titans and remaking the Fantiverse, and yes, there’s a very good chance that they’ll come back because a magical connection was severely altered in another world.
If you want a more detailed explanation of what’s happened, well, that’s what I’m here for.
So yeah. The Shadow Legion.
Clufa, Altzeroil, and Hana started by redecorating the limbo realm, at least the part of it they were imprisoned in. I guess they figured if they were going to be imprisoned there, they might as well make it just a little bit hospitable.
They each stuck to their own corner most of the time (except Hana, who had literally no regard for personal space, and honestly, I respect her for that) but had meetings in the center and often could temporarily break the connection between their plane of existence and the physical realm by communicating with those below.
Yes, limbo is above the physical realm. Don’t ask me why, I have no idea.
Anyway, so a couple of things happened in the million years they were imprisoned — namely that they did a LOT of manipulating.
And I mean, A LOT. All of them, even the temperamental Clufa, were pretty much experts by the end.
Perhaps I should give a couple of examples?
Well, here’s one.
(Please pardon the way it’s written, I was just taking notes on what was happening, so it’s written in script form.)
FREIZA
Daemones magnanime nomini tuo me benedicite mihi scientiam.
A large pile of smoke appears, and from it, a shadow that is shaped like CLUFA appears. The shadow is orange, with a redhead and yellow limbs.
CLUFA
Greetings, young wizard, and thank you for communicating with us. It’s been so long since we’ve had contact with those from the world below.
FREIZA
It’s an honor to meet you, master of the flame.
CLUFA
The flame is an art anyone can learn, but it is true that I am the creator of it.
CLUFA bounces around a couple of flames in her shadow form to show what she’s doing.
FREIZA
I’ve summoned you to ask: how may I topple the Wizarding Committee?
CLUFA
(scoffs) So there’s a wizarding committee now? Love that these pathetic humans pretend they’re the ones in control of the magic and try to hide that they have primordial wizards lurking over them right now.
FREIZA
Indeed; I wish to topple them, and take control of this world.
CLUFA
I can help you, and I’d rather you than the Wizarding Committee rule. But may I ask just why do you think you’re worthy of this?
FREIZA
Because I’ve studied magic for far longer than they have, and I work hard to learn it for myself rather than greedily taking it from others.
CLUFA
You’d be a step up from them, I’ll give you that, little cat. Just what kind of animal are you?
FREIZA
Tiger, technically, though most just call me a cat.
CLUFA
Yes, I can see that.
HANA
OH MY GOSH, THERE’S A CAT???!!!
CLUFA
Hana, shhh, I’m TALKING to someone, and we have to make a good IMPRESSION. PLEASE go back to your corner and… play with plants or something.
HANA
But… but it’s a CAT!
CLUFA
Just summon a cat of your own! Can’t you do that?
HANA
No…
CLUFA
Well… can’t you make a sculpture of one?
HANA
I’VE ALREADY MADE NINETEEN THOUSAND FIVE-HUNDRED SEVENTY-SIX, I WANT TO SEE A REAL CAT!
CLUFA
Ugh, fine, come on.
HANA’s shadow appears in the smoke. Her’s is green all over with a few lighter shades of green in her limbs and head.
HANA
OH MY GOSH HIII!!!
FREIZA
Um… hello I guess.
CLUFA
Okay, you saw the cat, now please go.
CLUFA pushes HANA away, and her smoke disappears.
CLUFA
Hi. Sorry. My sister’s crazy about cats. Runs in the family, I guess, since cats are one of the only species my brother doesn’t like torturing.
FREIZA
That is… um… quite alright. ANYWAY. I’ve been told that you can bless others with your power.
CLUFA
You’ve been told correctly.
FREIZA
Well, I want to know if you can do that. If you can give me that power.
CLUFA
Can I? Yes. Will I? Maybe. It depends on what you do for me.
FREIZA
What can I do for you?
CLUFA
I am currently in the limbo realm, and I need an external force to help me escape. That’s where you come in.
FREIZA
Oh?
CLUFA
Yes. You must alter the balance of magic so that the barrier between limbo and the physical realm is shattered — only for a brief moment, mind you — but enough for three demigods to escape.
FREIZA
You’re demigods?
CLUFA
Well, we call ourselves that, but, technically we weren’t born to a god or a human, so… JUST LISTEN TO ME!
FREIZA
Yes, of course, um, sorry.
CLUFA
Now, I will bless you with some of my flames, and you may be my host. With this power, you must destroy the Wizarding Committee.
FREIZA
Hold up, hold up, what do you mean, ‘host’?
CLUFA
I mean, the Shadow Legion can use any willing sorcerer as their host if they’re in limbo, to shatter the barrier between worlds. That is what I plan on doing with you, but I need two others.
FREIZA
Fortunately, I know where to find two others. But why should we believe you?
CLUFA
How else do you plan on getting this power?
FREIZA
Hmm. Very well. Grant me your strength.
So yeah.
That’s all I remember from that scene because a bunch of humans came and asked for a bit of magic, and of course, I had no choice but to say yes because of this ANNOYING CURSE THAT KEEPS ME HERE FOR ETERNITY.
Anyway, I suppose that leads into a little of what happened, right? Clufa eventually possessed Freiza and used her to start creating havoc in the Wizarding World (the planet in which that was located).
But there is a lot more to this story. Why? Because many unexpected things happened on the journey.
For one thing, the Wizarding Committee was, in fact, toppled, but not because of Clufa or Freiza. It was because of the citizens of Tulgey Wood, who waged a massive attack, allying with Gnome and Cat Island in order to achieve this. It resulted in two major casualties (not counting the Wizarding Lord, whose death was the goal).
As you can imagine, it caused some shaking of the realms, but not enough.
It wouldn’t be until several weeks later that a true shaking would occur…
Chapter 2
Ah. You again.
You certainly are hungry for more information?
Greedy human.
Assuming you’re human, of course. I really don’t know at this point. Last week I heard that a strange creature with purple eyes and black fur was the one who struck down the Wizarding Lord at the cost of his own life.
Guess that means more than just humans have large intelligence now?
Not that humans are very smart, of course.
Anyway, I won’t jump to any conclusions, and I’ll just give you what you came for.
So a few things happened in the three weeks before they were released. Some external things involving Clufa manipulating her way into getting out with her siblings, but I must say, much to my surprise, observing these demons actually turned out to be a really interesting character study!
I almost feel like I’m watching a movie when I’m watching Clufa, Altzeroil, and Hana all together (maybe a horror drama sitcom? I don’t know), because their interactions and clashing personalities are just delightful.
Take one night, for instance.
Clufa was conjuring some kind of magic aura that was causing tension in limbo. Guess she thought that would lead to some magic misconnections, but if she actually read the books like her brother did, she’d know that would be pointless, as nothing that happened in limbo impacted the world below.
As she was doing this, she was suddenly interrupted by a large bush that took the shape of a cat, that suddenly pounced on Clufa, and bounced off her, destroying her incantation.
Clufa growled in frustration.
“Sorry!” cried Hana, running by Clufa, chasing after the cat. “Lost pet!”
“Hana, what did you do?!” Clufa barked.
“I finally learned how to bring things to live!” Hana answered enthusiastically. “I created a cat, made of leaves! He’s now my best friend ever and for all eternity!”
“Well, can you please just take it away from here?” demanded Clufa. “I’m trying to cause balance shifts from here!”
“You realize that’s pointless?” Altzeroil questioned sassily. “Nothing that happens here impacts the physical realm. We can cause an earthquake, and the physical realm will be untouched.”
“Well, it’s worth a shot, since no one else is trying anything!” Clufa responded irritably. “Now, WAIT.” She closed her eyes and spread her arms out. “Omnis virtus mea, et adducere magicae.” A yellow string appeared between Clufa’s hands. She began circling her hands around each other, as the string began vibrating. “Utere ea ut conteram nos.” She began levitating, and when she opened her eyes, they were glowing. She looked down and brought her hands inches apart. The string turned into a ball. “Claustra perrumpere!”
Clufa threw the magic ball down the limbo barrier, but it simply bounced off and hit Clufa in the head as though it was a basketball. Clufa fell down, clutching her head, as the ball evaporated. Her eyes stopped glowing.
“Clufa!” yelped Hana, hopping over to her sister. “Are you alright?”
“I’m… I’m fine,” Clufa answered, shaking off the pain in her forehead.
“As I said,” muttered Altzeroil, levitating down, “that was pointless. It got you hurt, and it could have gotten one of us hurt.”
“What have you been doing?” Clufa demanded, getting up. “I’ve been trying to get us all out of here, you’ve just been floating around your precious ice palace and reading stuff, being a nerd!”
“That’s a compliment,” Altzeroil replied with a sly smile.
“IT’S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE!” Clufa roared, losing her temper again, and a bunch of fire erupted around her. She levitated into the air, glaring sharply at Altzeroil.
“Clufa, calm down,” Altzeroil told her. “You’ll burn Hana’s things, which isn’t very polite.”
Clufa muttered as she levitated down and the fire died away. Clufa walked away to sulk her magma fortress.
“Um… was it something I said?” asked Hana, nervously clutching her cat.
“No, dear,” replied Altzeroil, floating back to his ice palace. “It’s no one’s fault.”
Fun, right?
Clufa was constantly throwing temper tantrums, yet at the same time was the most productive of them all, Hana had the IQ of a rat while she was probably the nicest of them all (not saying much), and Altzeroil was the sassy best friend who thinks he’s better and more chill (get it?) than everyone.
It was almost like being in limbo brought the best out of these people, which is interesting, because personally, I became a lot more insane while in this prison. I used to be much more level-headed, I guess you could say (though the people who imprisoned me here will probably tell you otherwise). Now, I’m pretty chaotic, so yay. They’ve gotten a lot closer and developed more antics. I guess not being alone definitely served a role in it.
Anyway, guess you’re done with all this “FUN FUN” stuff and want to get to the actual interesting stuff.
Fine, you cranky person.
Later, though. I need to get my sleep. Goodbye.
