Chereads / BlackMage / Chapter 2 - Losing control

Chapter 2 - Losing control

The death throes of the demonic beast filled the night air as Chron continued to carve a path forward for Zain. Streaks of gold lit up the blood filled battleground as the blonde haired male moved forward. Even so, the resistance of the demonic beast was relentless. They piled up, body after body to stop the two in their maddened confusion. Teeth snarled and claws rained down to crush the bodies of the advancing mages, but all were met with strength to rival their attacks and then some. Bloodied and battered, the two continued onward, fighting against every manner of beast before finally breaking through to the tower. Chron was truly out of breath, panting after such a long assault but still forced a grin on his face.

"Don't worry about me and break in there!" And as his friend suggested, Zain simply ran past him and charged at the black side of the tower. He leapt forward with great speed and reeled back his arm as black lightning surrounded it. The electric shrill pierced the night as he punched through the thick wall and opened up an entrance that the demonic beast couldn't easily reach. Zain rolled in to break his fall and immediately began running up the tower, fury and rage in his one eye. Back outside Chron could only look on in amazement before sighing, a small chuckling leaving him afterwards.

"He actually didn't worry about me…" Shaking off the surprise at his determination to move forward Chron simply leapt up into the hole to follow after Zain.

Rapid footsteps could be heard as Zain ran like a madman up the long stairs, not even trying to reserve his stamina. He was blinded by anger, memories of his past flying through his mind. The death and destruction of those closest to him, his hometown being washed away into flat earth. His lover being ripped away right in front of his eyes. All of this was caused by one sole person, and now he stood before the door that separated him and them.

Without a seconds delay he lunged forward yet again, kicking down the giant iron doors and facing the one responsible for it all. In the center of the large room stood one lone figure, covered in regal garments that flowed to the ground, a mix of white and gold. Their head however was covered by a black face helmet. The mere sight of their clothes sent Zain into an uncontrollable fury as he lunged to attack his greatest enemy.

"YOU BASTARD!!" With a roar Zain unleashed an attack with enough force to shake the entire tower. Dust filled the air up from the sudden force. From below Chron managed to walk through the burst open doors to watch the beginning of the fight, but was stunned at the aftermath of it. Zain's attack had dealt no damage. His fist was implanted on what looked to be a giant shield. Blood spurt forth from his knuckles, but he ignored the damage and pain flowing through his hand now.

"Zain!" Chron cried out in concern for him. He tried to reign him back in, but it was useless. Zain placed his feet on the shield before jumping back to safety. His right hand throbbed as he clenched it tightly, but his eyes never left off the enemy before him. The protective shield soon disappeared as the figure slowly turned around to meet the two. Even behind their mask Zain and Chron could tell they were being judged.

"So, you two are all that's left. The annoying flies that continued to swarm around me for years on end have been reduced to just you two. Once I get rid of you, I can finally recreate this world." His voice loomed over the two of them before they fully turned around to confront them. "The time of your end is at hand."

"The only thing 'at hand', is your demise!" Zain, ignoring the threats of his enemy, continued to attack with reckless abandon. Arcs and bolts of lightning tore through the tower and into the darkened sky, yet it was all futile. The masked man effortlessly dodged out of the way. In his maddened fury Zain continued his onslaught, pushing himself even further to even land the slightest bit of damage he could. The only thing on his mind was how to inflict pain on the bane of his existence.

"Zain! Dammit he's practically lost his mind!" Chron, still standing in the distance, could only watch his friend attack blindly with no real sense or purpose, other than releasing all his pent up anger and emotion. Zain let out a roar as a large ball of electricity formed in his open palm. Wind swept up from the sudden friction in the air and the bricks and floor were stripped up from the ground. With a mighty roar he thrust the attack forward, tearing off the entire top of the tower and piercing the dark clouded skies above. Zain panted, trying to gather as much air in his lungs as possible after exerting so much energy.

"Are you finished yet…?" The same calm voice spoke out from behind the smoke, and there stood his adversary, unphased and untouched from the relentless assault. Soft panting came from Zain as his enemy dusted off his shoulder before turning back towards the two. "If you are, then let's get this over with already."

Before Zain could even react his masked advisory was already at his side, hand raised up as his own lightning formed. A golden white form of energy crackled into his hand as he attacked Zain, but his powerful strike had missed. Zain was on the other side of the damaged room, right next to Chron.

"You really can't wait for backup can you?" Chron had jokingly asked as he managed to pull Zain out from the attack's range. The masked mage was confused as to how they managed to move so fast, but he wasn't allowed much time to process what happened as Zain was back on the move again.

"If you have time to crack jokes, you have time to help kill this guy!"

Zain charged forward, lightning in hand with the full intention to continue his assault as Chron could only sigh and try to help. With full confidence the masked mage stood there as a crimson javelin formed in Zain's hand. The spear was thrown at full force and headed straight for his head. His visage had disappeared from their line of sight as he elegantly dodged and went straight to attack Zain. He grabbed his arm and tossed him to the ground while kicking Chron away in the same fluid motion. Zain's form was implanted into the ground before they changed their attention to Chron who was just now recovering from the attack. The masked mage formed his own spear of lighting in hand and tossed it towards Chron. The speed was blinding, yet he dodged effortlessly by seemingly swapping locations in an instant. Chron ran forwards as the nearby rubble rose to meet his hands. They glowed a golden white hue before suddenly being launched forward at incredible speed.

"Interesting." A single comment came from the masked mage as he threw a flurry of lightning attacks forward, destroying the rubble and causing dirt to fly up.

"You seem to be able to accelerate yourself, alongside with any other object in the vicinity. Versatility seems to be your strong suit."

From the dust cloud Chron appeared and threw a punch, strengthened with mana. A shockwave burst forward from the clash of the attack.

"Or rather, versatility has to be your strong suit."

Another calm remark came forward as Chron was shocked at how easy his attack was blocked. The masked mage stood there with his fist in hand while studying him.

"How you managed to survive this long with a magic type like this is a wonder…"

"Well like you said, I'm versatile."

With his snarky comment Chron and the masked mage suddenly swapped positions as Zain came from behind with a charged attack. The attack landed with a powerful blow, sending lighting coursing through the enemies spine. The masked mage groaned in pain as Zain followed up with a kick to the head, sending him tumbling across the ground.

Using his momentum Zain followed with another attack that sent the masked mage into the air. He leapt after him while holding his hands out to the sky. Three rune circles formed around his hands before he merged them together. The sigils formed into a greater circle as energy crackled and formed in the night. Zain's arms were coated in lightning as he screamed with all his might.

"LIGHTNING CANNON!"

A deafening roar resounded in the vicinity as a large bolt of black lightning shot straight for the masked mage. The attack engulfed him entirely before exploding on contact.