Summons Extract 2

There was a pulse of magic, the Sphinx’s teeth flared from bright red to magnificent gold, and Dragma staggered backwards. I felt a ‘tear’ in the atmosphere. The Sphinx was free. But it wasn’t retreating; it was setting itself to pounce. “Master, look out!” I shouted, instinctively throwing myself in its path.

The Sphinx sprung forward and I brought the sword up just in time, the metal hitting the beast’s teeth with a reverberating clang. The impact knocked me back against the passage wall, perilously close to the Nebula, and pain lanced through my back. The Sphinx shook its head, before re-setting itself for the kill.

Desperate, angry and terrified, I didn’t think, relying on instinct to guide my hand to the Boar shield. Ripping it free, I cast it at the Sphinx, shouting some unintelligible curses as I did so. And with that one action, all fight drained from me. I was a spectator to an inevitable massacre, afraid – a child.
As the shield hit the floor, a vision flashed through my head – a snuffling snout, rummaging amongst bones. I felt a wave of indignation, followed by the hollow sound of hooves thudding through mud. The shield vanished, and in its place was a globe of sickly yellow light, dancing around the tunnel before fanning out in front of me – revealing the Mound Boar, thundering around in a tight circle, three-quarters formed.

The Sphinx dropped back on its haunches, visibly astounded at the presence of a beast similar in majesty to itself, yet its smile remained fixed, causing a paradox of outward calmness with inner doubt. The Boar sniffed the air, faded into view, and fixed its baleful gaze on me – awaiting instruction.

Despite my desperation, I hesitated.

“What are you doing, Teepo?” hissed Dragma. “Command the thing!”

His voice spurred me into action. “Attack!” I snapped, trying to think clearly. “Defend! Er…subdue it!”

The Boar gave me a murderous, disdainful look, before ripping its green gaze away, stamping its flaming hooves, and facing off with the Sphinx.