• Chapter 17: The Ingot-Menitsa Festival

    It was about an hour when the five made it to the island of Ingot-Menitsa.
    Ingot-Menitsa City, which was in the middle of the island, was quite large, yet was still a good place to live.
    The city’s major claim to fame was its special way of making light yet very strong steel. The combination of science and magic made the steel extremely lightweight, yet can take a lot of tonnage before beginning to fail. And it was from this steel that many of its own skyscrapers were built.
    Valerius and his crew soon entered the city itself. But soon, the governor of Ingot-Menitsa emerged to greet them, having heard of their victory over the tyrant in Keferrousa.
    The governor was a human with peach skin, almost tan. He had brown hair and dark gray eyes. He wore a light gray leisure suit, but was still quite in fashion. His name was Markos Ingotoni.
    “Welcome, heroes!” said Governor Ingotoni. “I have heard of your victory in liberating Keferrousa Island! I am Governor Markos Ingotoni!”
    “Thank you for your warm welcome,” said Valerius.
    “It is very well-timed, your arrival,” said Governor Ingotoni. “For tonight is the Ingot-Menitsa Festival!”
    “Wow!” said Nauplius. “I hear your festivals are quite the lively ones!”
    “What good festival isn’t?” the governor chuckled.

    The five stayed at the governor’s penthouse, which was just below the roof of the tallest tower—the topmost portion contained a miniature Parthenon.
    The governor then sat down on a part of the couch, and the five took some places around him.
    “I have heard word of that troublemaker Erebus looking for the Forbidden Ritual components,” said the governor.
    “Yes, Governor Ingotoni,” answered Galina. “He is trying to make himself a god in his own twisted right.”
    “It would be terrible if he succeeded in that,” the governor replied. “Ah, but you’ve just gotten here, and already I am thinking troubling thoughts. Let us just get ready for the festival to come!”

    The sun had set, and lanterns carried by various fairies soon were lifted up to the highest points.
    Parade floats and people in silly costumes soon went down the street. After an hour-long parade, the five decided to show some skills.
    Valerius showed some of his skills with a prop sword, and the people applauded.
    Nauplius brought out some large photographs of things he and his Dwarf fellows forged from his town.
    Rouvin and Zanthe danced about, with another elf from Emerald Kavala, who had been visiting the island at the time, playing his panpipes.
    And Galina showed off some of her air magic, using various flower petals and confetti in her small, safe whirlwinds.
    With each showing, the audience applauded.
    However, no one noticed an intruder approaching some of the warehouses.

    In a warehouse with some robots, Erebus transported in, with Delphinia with him. He held her hand tight to ensure against escape.
    “Where are we now, Erebus?” asked Delphinia.
    Erebus chuckled, “We are inside one of the robot warehouses.” After a brief moment, he asked his captive, “Do you hear the cheers and sounds outside?”
    Delphinia replied, “Yes, it is the Ingot-Menitsa Festival.”
    “It sounds cheery, does it not?” Erebus said with obvious sarcasm. “But way too boring for my tastes. That’s why I wanted to come here.”
    Delphinia’s eyes widened. She knew what he had planned.
    “No!” cried Delphinia. “You wouldn’t!”
    “Oh, I would and will!” laughed Erebus. “Let’s just say the festival is going to get even more exciting!”
    Erebus then waved his staff, the orb glowing evilly again, and laughed as he sent out spheres of magic into the robots within that large room. The robots’ eyes, or what one could consider eyes, lit up as the metallic creatures stirred to life.
    One such mechanoid blasted open the front garage door and the robots soon marched out.
    As they metallic monstrosities marched forth, Erebus again warped away with Delphinia.