Mage And Wolf

"What do you mean, ’what I did’ you little Demon?" The councilor asks, barely coherent through his rage. "When our auras clashed, yours traveled through the link between Slave collars and drove everyone in the city wearing one berserk. Because they were clashing at the time, mine got dragged along, and brought the dead back to life for a while, until the effects faded."

"Right about the time we deactivated them all to see if it stopped the mayhem?" The other Councilor asks.

I nod in agreement, the effect had already started to fade, but removing the collars ended the unusual effects, leaving only the naturally pent up anger of the oppressed.

"No wonder the Oracles couldn’t decide what the new prophecy should be. It was you, me, and a slave revolt all at the same time." Mr Angry says, finally coming back to his senses.

A handful of uniformed soldiers run into the house holding scrolls and looking just as battered as the Councilors. They each take turns reading the messages and passing them along while I patiently wait. I tried standing beside the Mayor with my hand out for the scrolls, but he wasn’t falling for it this time and simply threw them in the fireplace when they had been fully read.

"The insurrection has spread through the city. Portals have opened everywhere, thanks to those with travel techniques and fugitives have taken them anywhere they lead. Millions have fled and millions more on both sides are dead." The Head Councilor informs me once all the news has been passed on to them.

"Well, it would seem that the prophecy no longer matters then. I should go before more trouble arrives." They’re all giving me a knowing look, like I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. The collar is off though, and I’m pretty sure after that last clash that within the limits of this world, they can’t take me except by surprise.

That’s when I hear the marching. Three different sets of forces. One Titan, one that sounds as if it’s mounted on a hoofed animal and one on foot. No, there is a fourth force. Something with paws and claws. They’re harder to hear, but a group of each is approaching the house.