Beyond the Pale by Jak Koke

Mister Mercury?” Then she was stepping away from him and examining his aura, no doubt trying to figure out what his abilities were. He had masked the Dragon Heart, but he wasn’t sure if it could hold up under scrutiny.
    “I am perhaps more than I appear to be,” he said. “But my mission here is simple. I agreed to deliver the armor to the elf mage, Harlequin, as per Nadja Daviar’s instructions. Plus I have another errand, given to me by Dunkelzahn, but I can speak of it only with Harlequin.”
    Foster backed away until she reached the narrow archway that led to the main castle. Her face was a mask of anger. “Harlequin was not expecting you,” she said. “I shall have to prepare—”
    Talon’s shout seemed to come from far away. “She’s casting!”
    Ryan yawned suddenly, and watched as Dhin and Talon dropped to the ground next to him. Sleep and fatigue clawed at his consciousness, desperate to drag him under.
    In his disorientation, a force slammed into him—a mana bolt that stung through his body. The impact snapped him out of the effects of the sleep spell.
    Ryan’s awareness returned, and he focused on his magic. He felt the power of the Silent Way come to him and his outline blurred. He masked his physical appearance, using his stealth magic to become harder to see as he bolted toward Foster. He crossed the distance between them in seconds, taking the elf by surprise. He brought the power of the Dragon Heart to bear and hit her with a telekinetic strike, right in the chest.
    The blow never hit, impacting instead on her magical barrier and dissipating. But it disrupted the barrier; the next strike would land home without interference. Ryan didn’t think that he’d need another distance strike; he was already on top of her.
    A spirit manifested in front of him as he sprang toward Foster, ready to hit. that cluster of nerves that would drop her into unconsciousness. The spirit burned itself into existence, a molten shape, like living lava, burning with incredible heat that seared Ryan’s flesh.
    Frag me!
    “Be gone, elemental!” Ryan yelled, channeling his vehemence toward the spirit. At the same time, he pummeled the creature with his fists. It slotted him off that he was giving Foster more time to cast another spell.
    Suddenly the spirit was gone, disrupted from the impact of his attacks, and Ryan stood face to face with Foster. Tiny droplets of sweat prickled on her immaculate forehead, but she seemed frozen. Her mouth set in an unmoving scowl.
    Ryan tried to lunge for her; he wanted to complete his nerve cluster strike before she could get her spell off. But his legs wouldn’t respond, and a heavy weight grew in his chest as he tried to move. He, too, was frozen.
    “Children, children,” came a voice. “You will kiss and make up, or I will be forced to punish you.”
    Suddenly the pressure abated and Ryan fell to his knees, gasping for air. He was marginally satisfied to discover that Foster was in the same condition. He focused himself quickly and leaped to his feet.
    The elf walking toward him could be none other than Harlequin. Despite the heat, he was dressed all in black—jeans and leather jacket. His auburn hair was nearly the same color as Ryan’s, though the elf’s was much longer and pulled back against his head in a ponytail. His face was painted clown white with red diamonds over both eyes, which themselves sparkled green in the sunlight.
    In the astral, Harlequin’s aura was unmasked and frightening. What have I gotten myself into? Ryan thought. This elf’s power is immense.
    “Harlequin,” Ryan said. “I am Ryan Mercury, and it is imperative that I speak with you.”
    The elf laughed. “Ryan Mercury? No wonder you bested Frosty here.”
    “He did not best me,” Foster said.
    Harlequin gave her a condescending smile. “I stand corrected. He was about to best you.” He laughed again.
    She gave him a withering glare, then turned to Ryan. “My apologies, Mister Mercury.