This is part one from a story I was writing a long, long time ago.

The material contains reference to copyrighted material owned by TSR and now Wizards of the Coast. Disclaimer, blah, blah, blah.

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The Creature shifted its weight from one scaly lower appendage to another. It was getting nervous, for the height of its existence was approaching rapidly. Its many-eyed head rested in two of its hand-like upper appendages. He had been in this form for many centuries, and that was long, even for this beast. One of its followers approached, trembling uncontrollably. The creature smiled, drooling on its throne.

“Master, I, uh, that is…”

“SPIT IT OUT!” thundered the gruesome beast. The blast threw the measly ogre mage into the wall with a bone-shattering thunk. When he fell to the floor, his imprint was left in the wall.

“The Greyhawk dragon has been destroyed,” the mage managed to gasp. He feared the worst from his master.

“So?” The honey-sweet voice of The Creature floated down to greet the ogre mage.

“I know that he was a bit player in your scheme, O Great One, but he was destroyed by eight mortals, one with the Time Reaver.” The injured mage got up and painfully brushed off his oriental armor.

“Time Reaver.” The one crystal sword that had eluded the Creature. The sword obviously knew something of its plans, because every attempt to capture it had been thwarted neatly and efficiently.

The Creature smiled, silently casting a spell. The ogre mage relaxed, completely trusting the disgusting Creature. The Creature heaved itself off its throne, lurching toward the ogre. A gesture in the air opened a panel in the wall, revealing five glowing crystal weapons, each of a different color. Four were swords, and one was a staff. Each was held up by a glowing metal thong of the
same color that pulsated inside each crystal blade.

“You see, you miserable excuse for a mage, that these swords, when put in these holders, became interconnected.”

“I see,” whispered the ogre.

“SILENCE!” Another roar from the Creature instantly killed the pitiful ogre, shattering any glass or crystal that he possessed. Yet the crystal swords were untouched.

*****

“Well, I don’t care what you say, I am not going any deeper into this damn hellhole!!”

Illent felt that this Star Rider was far too emotional. Every five minutes he burst forth with a forceful string of vulgarities. Illent thought it to be strange because on the trek here, over flat plains, he had been calm and composed.

“Look, I know that you’re under a lot of pressure, but that’s where Time Reaver says that the source of the evil is.” Illent had explained this many times before.

“Well, are you all sure that we’re supposed to go right to the source? I mean, I don’t think that we’re ready for that just yet.”

It annoyed Illent that the water cleric made so much sense. “Where are we supposed to go then?” As the rest of the party shrugged, he drew his sword, finally at the end of his patience. The others cowered back at the sight of the crystal weapon. Its sheer power instilled fear deep in their hearts. But more than that, an aura of destiny surrounded it and its bearer.

“We will decide, NOW!” Illent brought his sword down in a sharp arc in front of him to emphasize his point. A great tearing sound filled the cave as a gash opened up in the air in front of him. Through the gash, they could see an image of shifting smoke. Unbelievably, the smoke did not billow into the room.

“Well, forward it is.”

The squat gnome trotted right for the gash. “Wait, Zet. We don’t know what that,” he gestured at the tear, “is.”

“I don’t see anywhere else to go,” Zet remarked ignorantly.

The whole party nodded their heads like sheep waiting to be butchered.

“Well, then go right ahead!” Illent was tired of trying to protect the group of idiots. He gestured to the gash and moved out of the way. Expressions of fear and hesitation crossed the group’s faces, followed by expressions of determination.

“Fine!” Zet was the first through the gash. As soon as he stepped through, he disappeared. One after another stepped through the gap in time. Illent sighed as he stepped through the tear.

*****

“They just stepped through the time teleport,” remarked the first voice.

“I know. Do you think they’ll make it here?” queried the second voice.

“Yes. Time Reaver will soon be joining us,” replied the first.

“The Creature believes that he can control us,” stated the second.

“He will not,” assured the first.

“He will be surprised,” answered the second.

“He will,” assured the first.

“Why did Time Reaver let the mortal use the time teleport?” wondered the second.

“I believe that he is bonding with his holder,” whispered the first. It was as if he was trying to deny his own statement.

“Impossible! That hasn’t happened since the Creation,” gasped the second.

“It is happening,” assured the first.

“That could change everything,” pondered the second.

“Yes.” The reply made by the first was barely audible.

“That means…”

“That means that anything could happen!” blurted the first.

“The future hasn’t been unknown to us since the Creation! This is all wrong! This could change the course of planned future history. For the love of Cerin, what will we do?” The second voice was frantic.

“Calm down. Everything will sort itself out. We still have our intellect. For instance, take a look at the party. What do you notice?” The first voice was soothing.

“Well, the Star Dwarf is considerably shaken. He doesn’t realize what is happening to him. He views the magic forces to be harmful instead of helpful. But, with this change in events, they could be either.” The second
voice had calmed down.

“Correct. He will release the power when the time is right.” The first voice gained assurance and calmness.

“When will the time be right?” the second was still a little shaky.

“That, I do not know,” the first said with a sense of finality.