Alastor casted another spell which engulfed the place in flames. Ash managed to counter the spell by casting a barrier of her own on Duke Phoenix, Trojan and herself.
Ash screamed and pulled back her arm, parts of the barrier too weak to nullify Alastor's spell completely.
Ash's left arm was burnt as she got on her feet, wielding her staff with her right arm. She took shaky breaths.
Ash specialised in psychological magic, which was virtually useless in a fight, especially against Alastor.
Before Alastor could cast another spell, Trojan ran at him and dug his knife deep into Alastor's side while Alastor had been looking at Ash.
Alastor screamed and pushed Trojan aside, the knife falling in the ground.
Projectiles were shot at Alastor, who knocked them aside with a spell. Ash took a deep breath and casted a spell of her own.
Alastor casted another fire spell, but a strong wind from Ash blew it away. Alastor kicked Trojan's hand away from the knife, breaking a few fingers.
Trojan gritted his teeth and walked away.
The city was raging with fire more than ever. Throughout the city, peasants were being killed by the soldiers of Duke Phoenix.
"Where is Domino?" Alastor demanded.
"He has something he needs to do," Ash replied with a forced smile. "So he doesn't have time for you."
Duke Phoenix was passed out.
Trojan glanced up and coincidentally noticed something. Trojan started staring, wondering if what he saw was accurate.
Domino hung in the air, staff in front of him as he rapidly chanted a spell.
Alastor noticed Trojan's gaze and looked up as well. He saw Domino and instantly casted a spell to fly up to him.
"Domino!" Trojan shouted.
The mage did not react, Alastor only getting closer to him.
Eventually, Domino opened his eyes. He disappeared with a gust of wind, appearing beside Ash.
Trojan saw Domino and pointed towards the burning Palace.
"What is the meaning of this? I did not order you to do this!" Trojan shouted.
"It has been a pleasure working for you, my lord," Domino said, looking down at Trojan. "But it appears our time together has come to an end."
There seems to be a pause. Alastor landed once again.
The soldiers that had surrounded them did not move for a few seconds before they all drew their weapons. Trojan watched all around him as they pulled out their weapons or anything that could pass as a weapon.
"More deaths are required," Domino said, looking tired, but his eyes sparked with madness.
The soldiers started attacking each other.
They cut and hacked at each other without stop, fighting each other. Blood started pooling around them as more of them fell one after another.
Trojan watched, but Alastor did not.
Domino looked around before looking at Alastor.
"My apologies, but it was necessary," Domino told Alastor.
Alastor casted a spell, and a wave of flame was directed at Domino. Domino casted a barrier before Alastor staggered, clutching his side.
Alastor's hands were stained with blood, and he was bleeding an awful lot. Trojan reached for the knife, Alastor unaware.
The temperature was rising, it was getting hotter, and Trojan started finding it hard to breathe.
Around him, screams and cries as people were chopped down one after another. The soldiers started killing each other mercilessly as if the devil had possessed them.
Domino had influenced them. Murderous intent was amplified, and the soldiers started attacking each other.
Smoke rose to the sky.
The city was filled with nothing but screams and cries for help.
Trojan stood up and ran at Alastor, driving the knife deep into his back.
Alastor looked back one last time before falling over, dead.
Trojan's clothes and hands were stained with a deep dark red of blood. He looked over to Domino, who was supporting Ash.
"Domino, are you able to stop the Phoenix's summoning?" Trojan asked.
Domino shook his head. "No, I would rather not."
Trojan paused.
Betrayal from Duke Phoenix was one thing, but betrayal from one of his most trusted subjects pained him.
"My lord, I have always had a goal ever since you hired me," Domino started talking. "I have always wanted to created a being which was greater than life, and tonight is the night I achieve my goal."
Domino gestured around him.
"No one knows this except us, the criteria to make something beyond human, beyond beast," Domino continued. "And she is the key to achieving that goal."
Domino gestured to Ash, who was struggling to keep herself standing.
Domino glanced into the distance and faced Trojan once again. He gave Trojan a tired smile and told him, "Thank you, my lord, for everything."
"Wait!" Trojan shouted, but Domino and Ash had already vanished.
Trojan laid in the middle of the courtyard, the city burning everywhere around him. He was struggling to breathe, so he looked around him.
Death, blood, dead bodies were the only thing he saw. Beside him, was the dead body of Alastor.
He stopped himself from vomiting.
He looked up, above the Palace, where Domino and Ash were.
Domino and Ash appeared above the Palace.
"You're not going to kill him too?" Ash asked Domino.
"I owe him too much," Domino explained. "Besides, you didn't kill your contractor either."
"Oh, he's dead," Ash said as if it was a joke. "He died from the pain."
Domino nodded and looked into the distance, where the monsters were approaching them from.
The defence of Ether was overwhelmed. Inner City was on fire, and the other cities were at risk of the monsters.
However, instead of aiming to annihilate the human race, the monsters flew straight towards Inner City, to where the fire was.
The monsters were attracted towards Inner City for some reason, even Domino did not know.
It was soon to appear, in due time, the Phoenix was going to appear, and Domino would have accomplished his goals.
He stared at the bright moon.
A full moon.
"It has been year in the making," Domino said. "Are you ready?"
Ash made eye contact with him.
"Of course I a-"
Ash stopped talking, her eyes widening as blood trickled form her mouth. In her gut, an arrow.
She slowly slipped out of Domino's grasp and down towards the burning Palace. Domino simply stared, too stunned to comprehend whatever was going on.
He turned around.
…
'Thump'