FIRST PERSON POV
"You want us to fight?" I asked back surprised at the unusual request.
He rolled up the map we had been using to plan the position of the armies and looked at me with his mysterious golden eyes.
"Yes. In order to know your abilities properly and make some adjustments we have to fight against each other" Crinoel said as he handed gloves to me.
"It isn't only my abilities that needs to be adjusted 'Mr. Perfect'. And I hope you noticed the sarcasm" I joked after wearing a glove.
"There's no sarcasm to be noticed when what you called me is the perfect for me" Crinoel said with a smirk.
"You should be the Duke of Comedy or Lies for saying such a thing" I retorted.
Since the past one month and three weeks I've known Crinoel, I guess I can consider him as a friend.
At first he seems cold, but once you slowly get to know him he seems freer than he actually appears.
But that doesn't mean he's free with his enemies. The guy looked like he was ready to kill somebody at a congress meeting.
And I think he actually did….well, it was someone bad, I think.
He's proved to be a good conversation partner that I wonder how he turned out to be twisted and evil.
"Are you going to keep talking or are we going to fight?"
"How exactly are we going to fight with magic?" I asked back not understanding what we were going to do.
He explained and I understood how we'd fight with magic.
Apparently we'd blast each other with magic.
I didn't really understand but now I've got the idea. Like in those magical princess cartoons with fairies, trolls, what not, were magical beams would appear and they'd be like 'ahh' and sometimes dodge.
However the problem in the matter is that I don't know how to do those beam thingy's. But I can't tell him that.
I walked to the private arena with him by my side, trying my best to improvise and change the situation with excuses but he ignored all of them which I think he did on purpose!
So we got there and he took a stance and said "You attack me first"
Holy cow! I have to go first.
I got to the other end and did a warm up while I was actually thinking about what to do.
So I imagined a ball of fire shooting out of my hand that would burn him and just shot forward at him and it actually worked!
Clsh! He quickly dodged the fireball effortlessly, and turned around with his hand that glowed, closing distance between him and the ground and shot icicles at my feet.
Out of reflex and something inhumane I back flipped over the icicles and reflexively touched the ground sending spikes from it.
At the time I first attacked I felt my control over this body leave and something else take over. There's this adrenaline I can feel rushing through my body as each attack comes through.
He cut through the spikes with air that pushed me backwards. The wind carried the sand so my view was blocked as I shielded my eyes with my arms.
My hearing which was very sensitive at the moment picked up the swift sound of something approaching and reflexively I dodged as my butterflies appeared and cleared the wind to reveal Crinoel with a sword made out of something that resembled ice.
"A sword! No fair!" I shouted as he put the sword over his shoulder before smirking then coming to attack me.
"Then make yours" He immediately bent his knees and kicked on the ground. Like a spring, his body was elastic and the sword was sent in my direction.
In an instantaneous raid that narrowed the distance, I immediately raised my hand instinctively and his blade didn't seem to touch me as he bounced backwards.
An orb that seemed to protect me slowly faded away as Crinoel approached slowly.
Come on! I need a weapon! Maybe a saber?
I concentrated and used my imagination which seemed to control my magic. A saber slowly appeared in my hand, made out of what seemed like lava, but it wasn't at all hot in my hands.
The image of Veloryn and Beneditel's fight, replayed in my head. I took note of their movement and key point of attack and concentrated on every move Crinoel made.
The fight with swords began as time seemed to be slower than us and equally our speed seemed to defy the laws of gravity.
Clang. Clang.
Before, I had said I felt like something else was controlling my body, but now I don't even think it's my body. With each move it feels like I'm just someone who's watching everything happen from the sidelines.
It's almost as if, something else has possessed me at the moment.
Crinoel attacked me with speed which I tried to keep up with, but wasn't doing a very good job.
If only I could hold him down.
Then the memory of the day I first spoke to Crinoel and held him down with magical chains passed through my mind so I repeated what I did.
Chains appeared from thin air binding his arms to the ground, and his sword on the floor. He was pulled down by the green magical chains as I stood triumphantly gazing down at him.
However, before I could revel my victory, the chains snapped and before I knew it I could feel the cold tip of his icy sword right on my neck.
"And this, is the end of the game" He smirked as he redrew his sword turning away from me, who was shocked at what had happened.
I slowly regained my senses and ran after him asking a series of questions "How did you break out of the chains? I thought a mage is stronger than a magic user? What is exactly the difference between a mage and a magic user?"
"I am far stronger and skilled in magic than you. A mage is stronger than a magic user, but, it depends on who is the magic user and who is the mage"
My eyebrows furrowed and I frowned in displeasure at how he was indirectly saying he's stronger than me in magic. I was about to speak but shut up as I realized he was actually stronger than I who improvised at each situation.
"And the difference between a mage and a magic user is that, a magic user can only fight with a special kind of power they are born with, which is determined by the kind of person they are"
"You mean like teleportation or super speed?" I asked.
"Yes. Both does powers are rare" He said.
"What's your special power?" I asked with curiosity evident in my eyes.
"That's something you'll know later" He answered clearly not going to answer my question.
"Magic users also possess the skill to use one element of nature. As you saw, I can control ice" He continued.
Ice really matches him.
A mage can use different kind of powers. Like how you also summoned forces of nature. But you also have another power if you imagine it. Mages can also summon magical creatures who can go through different worlds, speak to powerful beings like spirits and other stuff that isn't limited." Crinoel explained as he passed the gates of the arena calling the butler.
"What do you mean by supernatural beings?"
"I mean people who aren't actually 'people'. Like the Demon king, he's called-
"The Lord of Nightmares" I interrupted slowly understanding.
"How di-, sigh, yes the 'Lord of Nightmares' if he wanted to speak to you, it would be in the form of a nightmare just as his title states. It would be when you're in the state of sleep or meditating. I was thinking of telling you to speak to him"
***
In the dead of knight, a figure moved swiftly past guards. The figure was dressed in all black.
They wore a scarf which covered the whole of their face, except for their eyes which peaked out a bit. Dodging everybody that came and hiding their presence.
The person had only one destination. But it was heavily guarded with knights standing in front of the door.
The mysterious figure approached the guards with gentle steps.
"Don't come further. No one is allowed into this place" A guard said threathingly to the mysterious person.
"Under whose orders?" The mysterious figure, who was deemed to be a female by their voice, asked.
"It's under the order of the Empress"
'Hmm, the Empress' orders huh? What connection does she have with them'
"Open the gate for me, pretty please" The female said with a hint of pleasure in her tone.
The guards all unsheathed their swords then pointed it at the individual.
"I wanted to do it with you guys nicely but if you want a fight that bad, I'm afraid I can't give it to you now.
You see, there are 9 bastards that are not allowing my freedom and time is off the essence, so for now, good night~" The guards looked at the individual with strange expressions when they suddenly felt their hold on conciousness loosen, then they all suddenly collapsed to the ground.
'Since I've used the spell now, I might not be able to use for the next few months...'
The person walked past their unconscious bodies then opened the huge metal door and closed it as they entered.
The moment the person entered, they took off the scarf revealing a lady with silver eyes and red hair.
She turned towards the room the had entered which was filled with shelves carrying numerous nooks. This place was a library.
"Reveal to me anything that is hidden, under my name, Harlyn" Harlyn turned around but couldn't feel any magical presence after the chant.
"Hmm. It seems there are only normal books here. Where to start." She mumbled to herself.
She looked through all the shelves one by one but did not find the book in particular.
Her hands drifted to her pockets searching for something, then redrew her hand as she found the piece of paper.
The piece of paper was a very important clue to stop all of this. The content was short and obviously written with haste.
Duke Garcia of Blue.
Duke Landon of Red.
Duke Exion of White.
Duke Elbry of Black.
These families on the piece of paper were the 4 great families who supported the imperial famaily, but, except for the Dukedom of Garcia, they had all fallen during the time of the previous Emperor.
She suddenly recalled the short story her 'holder' had told Arin. If her 'holder', had talked about the 4 families, they must have had a connection to them.
Even though she despised her 'holder', she had to admit that the person was an amazing genius. Her 'holder' was an evil schemer who was merciless to all their enemies. That was why she was a bit anxious of siding with Erionella, who her 'holder', for some unknown reason, was set out on destroying.
But if Harlyn truly desired her freedom, Erionella was her only hope. Because only after all of this was over, could she be free.
'If there's no magical presence here, so the Empress' library isn't it? So were exactly is it?'
"I see you're off from probation, Harlyn" Harlyn turned around at the sound of a male voice.
Her eyes met with a young man who had blonde hair and brown eyes.
"Looking for the book too, Simeon" Harlyn said with a smile which tried to hide her annoyance.
"It's probably for 'master' right?" Harlyn once again turned around. But this time to a female voice which came from deep inside the library.
From the voice and the persons foot steps, Harlyn could tell who the person was.
"So you were already in the library, Arin" Her eyebrows furrowed at the fact that she hadn't sensed Arin's presence. It meant she was already getting weaker.
Arin ignored Harlyn then turned to Simeon then continued. "As you can see, the book isn't here. Not even a single magical presence"
"Have you done a thorough check. 'Master' really needs the book
"Aww, Simeon, I don't see your leash. I guess loyal dogs don't need one" Harlyn said mockingly.
"Save it, Harlyn" Arin said before Simeon could say anything. An unreadable emotion was on her face, as she spoke "The three of us here, have the same 'holder' who I and Simeon call 'master' but you rather serve that Erionella. Why? Because you talk about this freedom thing"
"Arin is right. Unlike you, we look at the bigger picture; Every universe ruled by the thrones. Those pathetic humans are destined to die anyways" Simeon said with no emotion in his eyes.
He then added. "It is your fate, Harlyn. You should embrace it without a second thought and serve our magnanimous master.
All because Erionella or Leilan, or whatever her name is, was part of the prophecy, remember it did state that she will die.
A prophecy gotten from the thrones always manifests"
With those words, Simeon turned around and left the library. Leaving onky Arin and Harlyn. Arin then turned around but stopped when Harlyn spoke.
"I know you want one of the thrones. Now that the 10th, 11th and 12th are vacant. But wagging your tail to your so called master, won't earn you your place, Arin. So I advice you to think wisely" Harlyn thought to herself, that she had to start driving a wedge and dividing everyone in order for her to find out her 'holder's" plans.
Arin was silent for a minute but spoke to Harlyn with her back still turned. "You're telling me to think wisely? Practice what you preach"
"It may seem stupid to you all that I care about human lives. That I want to, for once in a long time, not get blood on my hands. To not take innocent lives under someone else's control. To not be someone else's puppet. To not be...sigh. You wouldn't understand. You're used to this life. But I, desire my normal life. My human life." Harlyn's emotions started slipping, but she quickly regained her composure as she turned around to scan the library. Ending her talk with Arin.
Arin continued walking away, with her pink hair blown ny the wind and her blue eyes holding an emotion. Sadness. "I'm not as used to this life as you think. I know how you feel" She mumbled to herself. Low enough for only her to hear.
Harlyn looked up at a window in the library, then sighed quietly. The full moon shined brightly through the window and she started reminiscing about the past.
It was on a night like this, that everything changed for her. And it was also on this night, she made a resolute decision.
'Erionella is the only one that can end all of this. Because, she is the greatest evil to ever exist. But only when her true evil self is awakened, can she avoid her destiny. Which is to die very soon'