Tamiko ordered her men to open the chest revealing large amounts of jewelry, rubies, and silver. All of the people seemed on edge since their arrival. Zack knew it had to be related to the missing soldiers. Examining the contents of the chest it was clear it was a collection from the citizens.
"What do you need help with?" Lilith asked.
"A few months ago a small band of mages appeared in the mountains. At first, we weren't concerned since they avoided crossing our border. They were few in number and seemed harmless so we continued our regular lives leaving scouts to watch them. Then one day a small group of villagers disappeared. We sent a small group of soldiers to investigate but they didn't return. Not until a week later at least, but they were changed. They attacked the village kidnapping more people and seemed to be under a trance. We managed to secure a few of them sending for some experts, but they were unable to break it. Each attempt we've sent has failed and cost us more men. They now have enough to wipe us out, and we were preparing to flee, but then your people warned us of the vampires. After seeing your people handle them so easily we regained our hope. We don't wish to flee our land so I beg for your assistance." Tamiko requested lowering her head.
Witnessing this all of her people swiftly did the same. Zack heard of mages powerful enough to force their will on others but it was very rare. It was usually the only form of magic they were proficient in, and using it required immense focus. For someone to control this many people was something new to Zack.
"Do you know how many mages they are in total, and if they were human?" Zack asked.
"We spotted five of them. They had the insignia of the mages guild, but their clothes were ragged. I'm confident they were deserters given their actions and appearance." Tamiko replied.
"Can you point us in the right direction?" Zack requested getting up from the table.
"It was on the northern side of the valley. Does this mean you will help us?" Tamiko asked.
"Just leave it to us," Zack replied as his comrades stood alongside him.
They walked out the door and began traveling north. Everyone had their weapons ready steadily watching the forest. Once they were far enough away from the village Zack stopped as they gathered around him. Zack reached out his hand forming a bright white light that shot towards his comrades marking their foreheads with an Enochian glyph reading clarity. It shined brightly before fading away.
"This should keep you safe from any attempts to breach the mind. Striking the citizens will be okay just aim to disable them, and when the battle ends I'll tend to the injured." Zack announced.
"We need a plan before getting too close. Anyone able to desert the mage guild without repercussions is formidable." Kintaro stated.
"I want you, and Lilith focusing their mages while the others deal with the civilians. Once the battle begins it will become easier to detect who's controlling them. I want you to leave them to me." Zack declared calling his armor.
All of them continued through the forest and came across a clearing. The side of the mountain was visible, and they could see a structure being built atop of it. Zack recognized its foundation as a beacon to absorb mana from the surrounding lands, but it was a different model than he was accustomed to seeing.
While approaching they noticed a group of villagers hauling stone towards the mountain. On their necks was an odd brand radiating magic. When they saw Zack's group they drew weapons charging viciously. Zack extended his hand binding them inside the earth, but their eyes still radiated with the urge to fight.
Not long after restricting them large boulders came barreling down the mountain that quickly ignited in flames. They bounced off the side of the mountain hitting the ground forming a massive explosion. A barrage of rubble was soaring through the air like a meteor shower crashing down. Zack was forced to erect a large wall of bedrock to shield them.
"They already know we're here. Once the barrage stops move out. Everyone staying here needs to stay in a close formation and don't get separated. " Zack ordered waiting for a break in the barrage.
Once it halted Zack formed a sphere of light in his hand shooting it over the wall. Anyone watching them would've been blinded momentarily. Lilith took off into the air as Kintaro ran up the side of the mountain.
Zack was flying over Kintaro watching down for support. Another barrage of boulders was preparing to crash down as Zack activated his grace halting them. He launched them away from their position hearing them erupt at a distance.
Following Zacks's interference came a dragon conjured from lightning roaring his way. Kaya shot a powerful bolt of lightning into the air causing it to detonate prematurely as the sky erupted in chaos. Zack was forced to focus his power to contain it properly. Without his efforts, the lighting would be striking the ground.
Lilith could see a few mages chanting close to the structure. She formed her bident hurling it at the center. One of the mages attempted to deflect it with a blast of wind, but it broke through with ease.
Upon striking the earth purgatory flames erupted forcing them to scatter. One of the mages caught it on his sleeve and his comrade severed the limb without hesitation. The man who did this was the leader of the mages. His name is Elliot and he was kicked out for practicing magic on fellow members. As they struggled to dodge the impending flames he gazed at Lilith with curiosity.
'Why is such a powerful demon here?'
The soldiers from the village began appearing charging down the mountain as Ren got ready with the others. Before they could get close Yu was twirling her staff keeping them at bay with the gust she produced.
A barrage of arrows was flying from the side of the forest as Dyna leaped in with her shield narrowly shielding Yu. Kaya launched a few arrows of lighting into the trees as people fell to the ground. She only initiated enough electricity to render them unconscious, and the only damage they received was from the fall from the tree.
"Stay on her back I'll watch the trees," Kaya ordered Dyna while preparing more arrows.
A few soldiers came running from each direction along with workers. Yu charged one side with Dyna, and Ren took point on the other. Kaya was letting off a barrage of arrows trying to reduce the numbers but there were too many.
Ren realized the numbers would overwhelm them calling her mace to strike the ground. What followed was a series of cracks leading under the incoming assault. The ground beneath them gave way as they fell into a crater of rubble. Another barrage of arrows came flying that Ren narrowly blocked. An arrow managed to hit her shoulder, but couldn't penetrate far enough for concern.
Kaya continued to unleash a volley at the archer's locations as Yu struggled to fend off so many. They weren't sustaining injuries but it was difficult to fight so many without harming them greatly. With Yu's gentle demeanor, she was holding back making it difficult to fight.
"We might have to hurt a few, but Zack can fix them so long as they aren't dead right?" Ren asked throwing civilians into the pit.
"Buy me some time, and I can slow them down," Kaya shouted as she began chanting.