Free The Tower of Endless Worlds by Jonathan Moeller

himself up. His eyes blazed like twin stars. “Hear me! I Prophesy, Marugon! You shall fall, one day. There is a last hope that even you cannot extinguish. And it is Lithon Scepteris, the son of the King, who will bring about your downfall.” His voice rang like thunder, the words echoing over and over in Liam’s mind. 
    The old Wizard had the gift of Prophecy. His predictions came true. If he said that Lithon would overthrow Marugon…
    Marugon’s voice dripped scorn. “Lithon Scepteris? The son of the King of Carlisan? He is a three years old, yes?” 
    Alastarius looked up, and Liam felt a shock as the Wizard looked right into his eyes. “Lithon will be kept safe, Lord of the Warlocks. He must be.” Liam stiffened. His old friend had just spoken to him, and laid this charge upon him. “And one day he will overthrow you.”
    “I think not,” said Marugon. “It is you who are overthrown, old fool. The White Council is destroyed. There is nothing that can save the High Kingdoms. I shall march to Carlisan, and I shall kill every last man, woman, and child.”  Marugon’s lips pulled back in a snarl. “Lithon included…”
    Alastarius yelled, gesturing in a spell, and the white sphere dissipated. “Run!”
    The cowering women and children sprinted for the doorways as the winged demons leveled their Kalashnikovs and opened fire. Liam yelled in fury as blood spattered over the pavement and bodies fell to the earth. The thin young man with the sobbing girl dashed through a doorway. Alastarius shouted a word and thrust his palm at Marugon. Blazing white light, so bright Liam had to look away, burst around the Warlock.
    The light dimmed and faded in a swirl of shadow. Marugon stood untouched. “So you think to contest your powers against mine, old man? You know it is futile. You know what I am. You know what you tried to make me. Now you shall pay for your failure.” He yelled a word and traced a circle in the air. An icy chill filled the courtyard, and Alastarius staggered back. Shadows fell over him, a keening shriek filling the air, and frost formed on the ground around the old Wizard. Alastarius growled and waved his hands. The shadow vanished, and light blazed around Marugon. 
    Liam watched in awe and horror as the Warlock and the Wizard battled. Light and shadow flashed, and thunder rumbled over the courtyard as ghastly specters formed and faded in the air. Alastarius’s eyes blazed like stars, while Marugon’s seemed like pits into eternal nothingness. The Council Guards stood behind the old Wizard, their pikes clutched tight, their faces slack with awe. 
    The winged demons watched, cradling their guns.
    Liam frowned. Why hadn’t the demons shot down the Guards?
    Marugon crossed his fists, black lightning crackling up his arms. “Rembiar! Now!” 
    A scar-faced Council Guard in the tabard of a captain leapt forward and stabbed his pike. 
    “No!” Liam screamed. 
    The pike plunged into Alastarius’s back. The old Wizard twisted in pain, his fingers clutching at the air. The other Council Guards howled in fury and turned on the captain, but the winged demons opened fire, and the Council Guards fell in a spray of blood and flame. The traitor thrust his pike again, and Alastarius staggered, blood soaking his white robes. Marugon made a chopping gesture. Alastarius screamed and crumpled, a web of shadows pinning him to the ground.
    The scar-faced Guard captain tossed aside his pike and swaggered to Marugon’s side. “My lord Marugon. It is good to see you again.” 
    “Well done, Rembiar,” said Marugon. Alastarius groaned in agony. “Well done, indeed, my friend. We shall discuss your reward later.” Marugon turned to Goth-Mar-Dan as Alastarius trembled, his blood spilling across the pavement. “Goth-Mar-Dan, my friend. This old fool has caused us much grief. Repay him.”
    Goth-Mar-Dan chuckled and took to the air, his great wings beating. He landed besides Alastarius.
    “Marugon!” said