We both level our gazes on Eaverslaina who is regarding us with thoughtful eyes.
In a swift movement, Fallon attacks her with a blow strong enough to make her lose balance. His sword is laced with mana as the sword holds sentimental value to him.
An item or object holding extreme cases of emotion can turn into magical energy in some cases. Charms, swords, and others can become laced with mana in the day to day world. Fallon is already a skilled warrior. And the combination of two is deadly.
The shock registered on her face quickly turns into anger, and she returns his attack with her own. I block the mind control spell aimed at Fallon. Drawing circles on the ground, I summon my spirit creature at the same time.
It is a white peregrine falcon, and it swoops down before resting on my shoulder. Many magic wielders work hard to get in touch with their spirit creature but are never able to summon them.
Each and every magic wielders have their own specific spirit creature. I just so happen to have got one that has the same ability as myself. The falcon swoops around the air collecting excess mana in the air, feeding it back to me.
Bringing my sword up in an ox guard position, I charge towards her again. Fallon is behind, aiding.
She summons a spear, and I pull back at the last second to dodge the sharp edge. Fallon pivots and he brings his sword up, the blade slicing through the handle.
The shaft of the spear crumbles into a dust, and suddenly a large explosion occurs beside us.
Fallon grabs my arm, and we duck down for cover. Grunting, I land hard on the marble flooring behind thick pillars for protection.
The warriors still alive in our group find cover as well. Little pieces of ruined walls fall upon us, and they clink against our iron armor.
The whole castle shakes, and I hear masculine laughter. It seems that King Maximus has decided to join the party.
The elven king is exactly how I remembered him. Old eyes full of misery, and a tired face. His face lights up when he spots Eaverslaina, and she gracefully tucks a piece of hair behind her ear.
He steps over the dead bodies as if they are nothing, and he lends a hand to Eaverslaina, which she ignores.
Dusting the debris off of her dress, she whips her hand down and grey matter starts to materialize before her. The shape shifter.
King Maximus opens his arms towards our direction, and I cringe.
"Miss Ardele. What a pleasant surprise."
I give him a tight-lipped smile in return. "Unfortunately, I could not say same."
"Such a sharp mouth," he says as he suddenly appears before me, and I stumble in surprise.
What in the world? My eyes could not track his movements, and I instinctively push back against Fallon. King Maximus's limbs have turned into a light grey mist, and my eyes widen. He did not. He could have not.
Fallon grips my shoulder and I bring my sword up in a defensive position. My skin glows bright activating my barrier spell.
His hands break through all the protective spells I have on, and his hands circle around my neck. Crying out in shock, my body lifts off the ground from his strength with my toes barely grazing the floor.
Fallon charges at King Maximus' body, but it wilts into ash. Another version appears behind Fallon, and many of our warriors slash through the empty air. I fight to get out of his ghostly choking hold praying for some aid. Gasping for air, I struggle to get the words out of my mouth. A wind spell.
Harsh winds explode into the room, scattering the light grey particles. The death grip loosens, and I fall to the ground. Choking, I whip my sword out, and I meet the claws of a wolf.
The shape shifter. The crazed look in his eyes is startling, and I shove the blade of my sword into his gut.
The shape shifter mewls, and his form changes into dragon, and pivot on my heel to slice off a wing before he moves. Many of the warriors stab the sides of the dragon, the odd colored blood spilling out onto the pristine flooring.
A large, red scaled wing falls to the ground, and the hoarse sound of a whine echoes through the destroyed room. Fire is his counterattack, but it's not for me.
My feet move quicker than my brain and I immediately I tackle Fallon to the ground, crying out when the flames singes my back.
Spinning on my heel, I place a summoning spell. The spell is a dangerously draining one, but a necessary one very few know.
The church witch of Gallamine taught it to me, as she was appointed to. Where Eaverslaina was the dark, Sister Verlaine of Gallamine was the light.
She was a beautiful creature, inside and out, and had been claimed by a peaceful death many wished to have of their own.
I summon the spiritual black wind to collect its bounty. Half-alive, half-dead state of beings are an abomination, never to be created, and the spiritual wind are the ones that clean those creatures up, delivering them to their final destination.
A black mist falls over the room, and I hear a harsh intake of breath from Eaverslaina. The wretched screams of King Maximus only seals his fate, as the wind eats away at his body that was never meant to be.
Trading souls is forbidden, as it never fully brings a person back. The person who has sacrificed themselves to do such a thing will never fully get their body, mind, and soul back, stuck in a grey area of life. I would not wish that on anybody.
The black mist disperses, and I glance over at Eaverslaina who is staring at me. There is indecision there, and I wait to for her next move. The ball is in her court, and I need her to play first.
Leaning back into Fallon's warm presence, I grateful he is still alive. His stance is still defensive, but he has relaxed a bit. His hands are still clutching to his weapons for dear life. The shape shifter prods his way over and takes his place next to his master, laying down at her feet.