It took a lot of force for Warren to leave the library, as the sight of his Father sitting down and continuing to work had made him hesitant. Why had he stayed there? Was it more than the deal he made with the Earth Mage?
Warren took a step down the hallway. From behind, the same loud bang had now left him alone with Reina. He glanced at the library doors, his stomach churning as he thought of going to see his Father one last time. It couldn't hurt right? I don't have to leave till spring is over.
"Hurry up Warren, we need to get your stuff and leave." The Mage was tapping her boot, anxiety lingering on her words as she spoke. Warren stood confused, "I thought I had till spring?"
Reina nodded, "She stated if she found you in the Manor after spring she would kill you herself. Your Father had sugar coated that part more than I would have liked."
Warren physically grabbed his stomach, swearing he was about to puke his fear out. He glared at the shadows that danced against the white walls, rain fragmenting the ominous moonlight.
"So she has most likely sent someone to get it over with." Reina said with a sigh.
Warren frowned, "Maybe she didn't mean it, Moth- Madam Rain always goes overboard on threats to me and my Father."
Reina blankly stared at him, the hallway thick with unrest. Then, the Mage's features grew soft, as if the intensity she was carrying had diminished.
"I'm sorry Warren I lied just now. She has already sent two assassins. That's why I have stayed here this entire time. You may not have noticed, so I'm… I'm sorry Warren."
Warren's features went dark, just the thought that his Mother had already tried him for his life making his rage boil. His small hands balled into fist. He glared toward the rain, the water droplets reminding him of his Mother.
"When." He said aloud.
Reina raised an eyebrow, "When what?"
Warren gritted his teeth, "When did the assassins show up?"
The Earth Mage shrunk, his words hitting her harder than she would have liked, "The day she left and this morning. Warren I think it's best if-"
He cut her off, "We go. I know."
The boy swirled around and stomped down the hallway. Reina watched as he went, her mind wandering for a second. She had felt for Warren, but in reality she had come from a middle class family that had managed to get her a good tutor which led to her attending the Academies with ease. She had lived a rather normal life, so she understood very little about Houses and their strife. As a result, she wanted to become a teacher, the thing that excited her the most was teaching young Mages how to control their Magic. It was the entire reason Reina accepted the offer Aarin had given her, well besides the ludacris amount of money she was going to get. Plus, she simply wanted to see if her teaching skills would be good enough to help the Fragmented child. It was cold, yes, but she would graduate in a year and be a full fledged teacher from then on. If she could train Warren and his unknown ability, then there was probably no one she could not teach.
However despite her motives, her usual over cheerful self was gone and she watched as the small boy trudged around the corner, his fingers leaving imprints on the leather book he held. Warren was most likely going through many emotions he probably never had experienced before. Or maybe he had, since his Mother had already been rough with him many times before. Reina frowned and hurried after him, if she left him alone his life could be taken any minute. The two assassins that had attacked had Dark Affinites, which Reina had dealt with effectively. Now though, she was sure that next time it would be someone more powerful. Madam Rain most likely sent multiple pursuers that would go at allotted times. It did away with having to wait if one succeeded or not, only then to send another. The idea was solid, but her biggest mistake was thinking her husband wouldn't do anything for his son which he deeply loved. Well, if he didn't Warren would be dead already. Luckily he had employed an Earth Affinity Mage, one of the greatest at defence and power.
Deep down though, Reina had this gnawing feeling that Madam Rain had sent a Shifted Affinity Mage, if that were the case then she would be defeated instantly. They were different breeds, honing Affinites that naturally trumped regular ones. She maybe would be able to defeat a Star Affinity, as they would be practically dealt with if she blocked off any light source. Other than that, she would be in bad shape to defend.
With such tedious thoughts, she decided that leaving the Manor was the first step, well, leaving the manner with Warren more specifically.
"Warren." She called as she saw the boy rushing toward the stars at the entrance. The boy huffed and turned, tears streaming down his cheeks, "What…"
Reina weakly smiled, her fingers snapped and a circle of brown glowing energy floated above her fingers. On cue, a rectangular slot in the marble floor was marked with the same glow. Then, it began to rise, a box of sorts revealed. Within, a leather sack with two shoulder straps was sitting nice and neat. Next to it was a sheathed short sword and winter attire. Since they would be traveling in rain, it would have to do.
"I packed for you since we would have to leave so soon."
Warren sniffled as his stress was gone through witnessing the rare sight of Magic. He was just Attuned, so he had barely been able to see the Magic glow so brightly. Before he could only see ripples in the air.
"Thank you Mrs. Reina, I'm sorry for running off like that."
Reina noted his manners, smiling over how exhausted she was, "It's fine Warren, let's go before anyone bad shows up."
The boy nodded in understanding, "Okay. But I think I should say this now. I don't know how to put a sword belt on."
Reina lost her smile, a sense of worry set across her eyes. Had his Mother not trained him in anything? Most at his age either decided that picking up the sword was a good way to fancy their development. It was common sense that eventually mages ran out of mana, so being keen with a sword was never frowned upon. In retrospect, Reina was rightfully frowning right now, unsure how she was going to turn the boy into something worthwhile.
Her thoughts were dispersed as the gravity of today's danger came crawling back into her mind. She shook her head a motioned for Warren to hurry up. The boy agreed in silence as he raced down the stairs.
"I'll show you but we must hurry, I have a feeling we only have a month before we are pursued." Well, that was going off the notion that there was three weeks in between the first two assassins. If they were lucky, they could reach Murrowsbrime in two days time. Although, that was factoring in her own speed. With a ten year old that had probably never dealt with hard times or poverty, traveling for him would be horrendous. Reina hushed her wild thoughts and helped the boy put on his bag. After, she squatted down and hugged the boy, the belt being tightened to fit him snugly. The entire time, Warren had his eyes in disarray, trying his hardest to find any shadows that looked off putting. The act was pointless, as anyone who had a Dark Affinity could blend in rather easily. Warren could never know this, and as Reina rose to stand, she noted his worried looks.
"Don't worry, I have my Mana Zone up, no one can get to close without me knowing."
Warren bit down on his curiosity, simply deciding that she knew what she was doing. Reina did, and she pushed the boy toward the big doors. Without looking back, she snapped her fingers, a small glowing circle appeared above her palm again. The marble glowed and her Magic slowly let the box slide downwards until it was aligned with the floor. If someone were to look, or even walk over it, not a single soul would notice.
The big doors slowly swung open and as soon as it did, moonlight hit against the floor and heavy droplets of rain raced to drown the carpet. Warren blinked confusingly, his mouth moving before he could stop it, "Why are we going through the front, if we are trying to run then shouldn't we sneak out?"
Reina patted the boy's smoky gray hair, "Good that you noticed, but it's best if we leave where we can be seen easily."
Warren's eyes widened at the statement, "Why?"
The Earth Mage narrowed her eyes as the darkness of outside took up the entire entrance, "Because I do not want to be hunted as we travel. If someone is here right now, I want them to confront us so we can get it over with."
She quietly watched as the rain roared with more life, the lanterns set in the gardens outside blurred and a few even being ripped from their posts.
"On that note, if we do encounter an enemy, run away. Having to protect you and fight won't help me even if I am an Earth Mage."
Warren swallowed hard, "And where do I run too?"
Reina grimly smiled as she noticed a fluctuation in the rain outside. She may have honestly made the wrong choice of showing herself and Warren, but it was the best strategy she could muster. Having an Earth Affinity meant she had a limited amount of stealth options, plus if she used her Magic anyone in the vicinity would take notice. Earth Mages weren't exactly the quiet kind. Even if she was more on the gentler side, taking a chunk out of a mountain was far easier than she would have liked to admit.
She stuffed her stray thoughts to the back of her mind, glancing at Warren who was sweating like he had just run a mile. Is he that nervous, maybe this wasn't the best idea. She bit her lip and decided she didn't really have much of a choice anymore. She had already crippled two assassins sent to take Warren's life. Until he was properly trained and could defend himself, she was going against Madam Rain on her own. For three years.
"Are. Are we going?" Warren asked with a rasp undertone.
Reina nodded and grabbed the boy's hand, his winter coat going well past his wrist. They exited the doors, and they both had their breath taken away as the cold, wet, dark, and overwhelming winds slammed into them. Reina could have sworn that if she hadn't been holding Warren, the boy might have been swept away.
They took only a few seconds to register the raging winds, their boots quickly pressing against muddied grass and small puddles. The duo had only been walking, but soon they found themselves galloping into a sprint. Reina had her gaze set straight, watching as the giant wooden gates seem to swirl in distortion. She grimaced, seeing as a shadow was moving toward them. It had looked just like a simple bush's shadow, swaying wildly with the wind.
Reina knew better however, that the shade was a little too perfect, its rhythmic sways too on tune. Her best friend had been a Dark Mage afterall, so she had seen many Spells that befitted them. Reina gritted her teeth and cut to the left, a row of shrubbery rising to her chest. Warren had taken a moment to adjust to the sudden change in direction, but he stayed on her heels. Well, he had little choice as Reina pulled him along.
The wind was now hitting their faces, and Reina raised her hand in annoyance. Two soft glowing brown rings formed over her palms, and a cross symbol appeared in the circle's center. Then, an oval appeared and layered itself on top of it, slightly larger than the cross. Both the symbols glowed the same brown.
"Rook."
Her words lunged with power, Mana flowing out of her smooth and steady. The two ringed Spell glowed brighter and then dissolved into the air. Her skin sizzled with power, and its texture hardened as a new layer had formed just above it. Her entire body shimmered despite the darkness, and the winds no longer bothered her. She had cast Rook, an effective barrier that helped defend against attacks and ward off unwanted weather. It wasn't a waste of Mana ethier, as it let her see better and prepare for battle.
Warren watched silently as the power of Earth Magic was shown to him once again. He had rarely seen any Runes or Spells, as his Mother insisted he not learn of them. He couldn't help but frown when they dissolved away. He would learn to do such things, he promised himself that.
No, he promised his Father.
His body suddenly jolted to the left, and many things transpired within a mere second. Reina had tossed him aside, more circles forming on her palm that made the earth shake below them. At the same time, a long tendril of darkness had erupted from the shadows. A gravitus bang ringing his ears as he fell on his rear. He glared forward, only his vision cut off by a wall of dirt. He followed it up ten feet, the backside of Reina visible as she stared ahead.
"You almost got me there, but your Shadow Walk needs more work. My friend does it better."
Warren blinked as she spoke in an arrogant tone. Reina had never used it before, or at least not when she conversed with him and his Father.
She crossed her arms as she stood atop the ten foot wall that formed, the chunk of dirt and rock molded to form a perfect thick square that stood between Warren and the new found enemy.
"Do not speak as if you know of the Dark, Earth Mage."
Reina scoffed, "Ha, be glad I took the time to learn of such underhanded tactics. How could a grown man such as herself hunt down a mere child?"
The voice came from the darkness once again, "Does it matter, money is money, a job is a job." Another tendril of darkness snaked out, only, Reina leaned away, a whip like crack sounding next to her ear, but still missing.
"And Madam Rain pays the best."
Reina sighed, "Then, let's get this over with."
Another brown circle formed above her hand, and her Mana Zone expanded an extra ten feet, its invisible dome now able to sense the enemy. A shiver raced down her back, the familiar feeling of someone else's Mana Zone reaching her. She bit her lip, jumping off the wall and landing next to Warren with grace.
"Go." was the only thing she said, Warren's eyes widening in surprise.
Reina cursed as the boy only sat in mud, looking as if he was witnessing his own death. It seemed she was going to have to fight while protecting him, which would make things ten times worse. At the very least it was a Dark Mage. She could handle that.
Three circles formed above her palm, a cross of light appearing within its center, then two diamond shapes layering on top of it. The three circles fused together creating one larger circle. She thrust her hand toward Warren, the same brown glow encasing his entire body.
"Earth Lock."
Suddenly, Warren couldn't move, and his chest seemed to almost collapse. He felt heavy, and suddenly he could no longer focus on anything. Well, he got the glimpse of himself being lifted off the ground. He gritted his teeth and tried to move, but it seemed he was fighting against a massive weight on his body.
Reina glared up at him, "Don't fight it, just breath!"
Warren tried to nod to no avail. Steadying his heart beat, he focused on just himself, letting the storm rage on out of focus. Reina started to craft more Runes when she felt the ground shift, and her feet sunk a foot into the mud.
She gritted her teeth, knowing Abyss like the back of her hand. The Spell would make shadows eat at her Mana core, syphoning it to the wielder. She was not going to let that happen, answering by slamming both palms against the mud.
"Crater"
The ground suddenly caved in, and in a mere few seconds a twenty foot wide crater formed underneath her. The mud now compact and no longer able to be affected by anyone else but her.
"Not bad Earth Mage." a male voice came from behind, followed by a wall of blackness that formed out of thin air. Blind Wave, Reina cursed as she saw the Spell. There was no counter with her Affinity, so all she could too was lift Warren higher into the sky, pushing him past the Manor's second floor. The black wall hit her, and suddenly the entire world went dark. How long was it going to last? Will Warren be okay? Am I already dead?
A plethora of questions raced across the Earth Mage's mind, and if not for the fact she could think, she might have just given up. The Spell she was hit with took away all her senses, and there were hundreds of stories about those hit by the Spell who thought they were fine, only to realize they had been decapitated.
There was hope though, as she had managed to charge a single Rune before falling under by the enemy's Spell. With just a thought, she released it, and the ground shook again.
Suddenly, Reina could see again, and the scene before her sent chills down her spine. A blade of darkness had made it past the wall she erected, the long blade inches from her nose. Lucky.
She back pedaled and chanced a glance up toward Warren, the boy still hovering in the air with his eyes closed. Good, he was still fine. Instinct grabbed her as she began to form another layer of Runes. The assaultent was no longer hidden, racing around her wall clad in smoky black mist. Reina began to cast, but her voice died as another figure of black smoke appeared from the other side of the wall.
Now, two black silhouettes came rushing toward her, long blades of black itching for the kill. There was just a single moment before they leaped, allowing Reina to cast her Spell in time.
"Shatter"
One black figure plunged its blade into her thigh, while the other blade hit her shoulder like a cannon. She was blown backwards, and the world spun as blood began to flow like a river.