The rush of Elemental Aura shocked the remaining few Mages. Bryan felt terror stuck him. How could the man still be alive, after getting a knockout from a Valkyrie a few moments ago?!
As the rubble shifted, Kris launched himself towards Rina, who was still trying to heal herself. Neither Ysabeau nor Mavislin managed to reach her. When Rina opened her eyes to see the damage that the opponent dealt, she saw a man standing in front of her in a protective stance.
"Verna!" yelled Rina.
But the two other Mages didn't rush in to help, as Bryan had managed to summon one of his constellations without any incantation. The Stars of the Shield. Kris was thrown off guard as well since Bryan had not unleashed his Magecraft as of yet.
"I had no clue you would be a Mage as well... How rare for me to see human Mages working with the Arks," said Kris, still trying to break the shield.
"You did a fine job of hiding your Elemental Aura and Energy."
The shield may be able to block attacks, but it was weak against opponents like Kris, especially without its incantation. Kris unleashed another Gale Howl onto the shield and that instantly did the shield in, shattering it.
Bryan knew the limit of his spells, they were mostly only for one-shot kills. If he doesn't land the kill, then it would be checkmate for him. But by this time, Rina was back in action. The moment the shield shattered, Rina launched her spear to land a hit on Kris.
It stabbed his shoulder but it didn't do any major damage. The wound got healed instantly and the two resumed battle. Bryan wanted to help out but Ysabeau stopped the eager Slayer.
"This is her fight alone."
Bryan halted. He desperately wants to go against the High Queen's orders. But seeing that his boss was incapacitated, he had no choice but to obey her words. And until Mavislin was back in her normal state, she couldn't do what she had planned.
Bryan hated playing the waiting game. Rina and Kris clashed once more, claws against spear.
"What a sorry person he was... He thought that such a simple poison could do me in... He and the rest of the researchers are all fodder for me!" taunted Kris, pushing Rina back.
"And to think they all died in front of me! How laughable!"
Rina widened her eyes.
"Don't you sully their deaths with that mouth of yours..." bellowed Rina, with her fringe covering her eyes.
"They were stubborn... They insisted that they made a medicinal breakthrough. But I hate people who take credit for themselves!" shouted Kris, pouncing on Rina.
"Rina!" yelled Bryan, taking a step forward.
The Flower Mage was pushed back, but she wasn't down for the count yet.
"They wanted to claim credit for the cure for Mercury. Since they wanted to play with that substance so badly, I thought it would be nice to give them some. Don't you think so, Rina?" asked Kris, with a twisted smile.
"After all, they were all so fragile. A simple rumor was strong enough to blind another innocent life. How pitifully pathetic."
Rina was silent as she kept concentrating on landing a hit. So far, she hasn't laid a single scratch on him yet.
"But I thought I was lucky enough to work with you, Rina. Had you not joined the Arks, I would've kept your son alive. Too bad, you decided to throw his survival away for the sake of your own. Common and selfish. I feel bad for Drake."
Rina stomped her left foot in front of her, breaking the ground that Kris stood from.
"DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME ABOUT LETTING HIM GO! DON'T YOU USE HIS NAME WITH THAT MOUTH OF YOURS! " shouted Rina, as her eyes showed ferocity.
"You made me like this. I was beautiful and gentle, made out of flowers. But you turned me into an angry, powerful and cruel beast of stone and lava. And when I melt the flesh from your bones, my anger will finally be sated!"
She then delivered a powerful headbutt when in close range. Without missing a beat, she gripped the man's neck and threw him onto the ground. This created a giant crater and Rina was still strangling him.
"You have no right to tell me that I chose the wrong choice. You killed him from the beginning!" screamed Rina, punching Kris.
"You told me that so as I did what I was told, my baby would be safe! But you turned him into a human pincushion!"
She gave another punch, this time, on the mouth. She was planning to turn him into a punching bag. Bryan was starting to feel his stomach turn at the sight of Kris' messed-up face.