In the Arena the power aura was unlike anything that was happening across the Belladona Academy, 3GLWM were facing M. Stroika; Emma, Astarte and the Astarte team were out of that battle. At the center of the Arena, where the battle was taking shape, were the three legendary mages facing their mortal enemy.
– Stroika, you had the courage to do many atrocities, but none compares with this daring, you stepped on our sacred home, shed Celestia's blood and even dared to release Ohana, you're very screwed. – shouted Otrera who rushed forward to throw a devastating punch, but M. Stroika barely escaped.
– You will pay for everything you've done, all the destruction you've wrought, and for besmirching Astaroth's sacrifice. – Edward shouted, who launched a firestorm against his opponent, but she managed to defend herself with a steel dome formed by frowns.
– You do not know the pleasure I will have to tear you to pieces. – shouted Morrigan who with her scythe launched a series of waves of darkness followed by some giant snakes of darkness, but M. Stroika managed to get rid of the attacks and destroy the snakes.
– Are you really such crybabies? He died, he died... Now it's my turn to rule this world, believe me there are things bigger than all of us, and I will be the ruler of this new world, no matter who I have to destroy. – shouted M. Stroika who provoked a windstorm that carried thousands of metal scowlsto try to destroy the enemy mages.
The mages were fighting a succession of physical and special strikes in an extremely advanced transition, it was combat on a level the youngsters had never seen; Edward landed a burst of flame that sent Madame Stroika up, then high, Otrera landed a kick that sent the enemy down and finally Morrigan intercepted her with constricting snakes that tried to crush the mage, but Helloise was more powerful than that everyone imagined managing to break through the serpents, she was on the same level of power as the legendary mages.
– Stroika… She managed to become even more powerful than she already was, this power borders on ours. – Morrigan said in surprise.
– Last time I fought her, she wasn't that powerful, but even so, she's very skillful, she can face all three of us individually, besides being able to deal with the situation. – Edward said, from experience he knew how versatile and dangerous the opponent could be.
– It doesn't matter, we're going to finish her, for Astaroth, for everyone who died in battle. – Otrera said, she had hate in his eyes.
– Come on, you know that I am much more experienced than you, and now I am more powerful thanks to the power of the lady Ohana, I will walk over your corpses... Stroika Draconian Devastation. – Conjured Madame Stroika without even trying, three frost leafy dragons emerged from the ground and grabbed the mages with their icy fangs and took them high, but these dragons were not like the others, metal blades came out of nowhere of dragons.
– It's going to take more than that if you're going to finish us assholes. – Said Otrera who punched the dragon tearing him apart.
– Honestly, I expected more, you know? – Laughed Morrigan who consumed the ice dragon with her darkness.
– Spare me Stroika, did you really think this would work? – Said Edward who incinerated the ice dragon that attacked him.
– I'm just warming up. – Shouted M. Stroika who advanced to direct attacks.
The succession of attacks was intense, they used their most varied techniques, that showed the young people of Time Astarte how much they would have to work to reach that level, it was a fight of true legends.
– From experience I know I have to get rid of Otrera first… Frozen and Melt: Twin Beams. – Conjured Madame Stroika who fired a profusion of lava and ice simultaneously in a powerful, direct impact on Otrera that he failed to dodge. Seeing that technique, Apollodro gulped, remembered the combo of his father's twin ice dragons, who would have taught him that.
It was a very powerful spell with spectacular damage, but it was no ordinary mage that had been hit, Helloise would bitterly regret not having killed her in one fell swoop, Otrera stood up with several injuries and severe burns.
– Trust me, you'll wish you'd killed me, you drunk stroikan... Supreme Regenerative Skill: Legendary Mitosis. – Conjured Otrera, her wounds seemed to heal almost instantly, she was no longer the same, several green-green lines stretched across her body crossing at various points, including her face, in the forehead region she had a crown at the level of the skin made of the same energy and in the center of the forehead a star photon.
Otrera surged forward like a bloodthirsty beast landing a terrifying sequence of punches that broke the sound barrier on mach-30 as well as the impact waves.
– I'll take the hint... Pyros Thunder Breath. – Conjured Edward who spat out a blast of flames accompanied by a powerful electric current that transformed into projectiles of Pyros lions emanating from thunder that advanced against his opponent.
– Let's get this over with… Ophidian Dark Twin Spyral! – Conjured Morrigan, she had summoned an ascending spiral of two great dark serpents of thirty meters in helix full of stings through the body, M. Stroika was caught in the trap and being serrated through the center of the helix being constantly hit.
– I expected more from you three. – Helloise said, she was getting up and her wounds seemed to heal.
– Advanced regenerative factor? It's nothing close to the ability of the "O", but the Stroika has never had a regenerative ability like this. – Scored Morrigan.
– It is one of the blessings of the lady Ohana... I already said, I will finish with the three of you, no matter how powerful you are. – Helloise said, who seemed not to be afraid at all. – Come to me Lady Ohana, give me the power to destroy them once and for all. –
In moments Ohana manifested itself shrouded in clouds and mystic thunderstorms, Ohana's astral projection materialized there.
– Otrera, Morrigan and Edward, how long. – Ohana said with a laugh of indifference.
– Please goddess, give me your strength, I may have become more powerful, but they are still the three most powerful mages in this world, I need more power. – Said M. Stroika.
– Her hatred for them is so great that she doesn't have the weight of pride, interesting, because we're going to finish them off together. – Laughed Ohana who temporarily merged with Helloise.
Helloise didn't seem to have changed, just had an aura of power around her, her voice was doubled, her voice sounding like Ohana's voice overlaid.
– Ohana, Astaroth gave his life to seal you, believe me, we will seal you again, no matter what it costs. – Said Otrera determined.
– Let's stop this whining, let's get it over with… Mythical Tamer: Alpha Draco. – Conjured Madame Stroika /Ohana, this spell cast a colossal dragon of 270 meters, multicolored scales in a gray spectrum, face full of thorns and horns, the big and strong, its powerful tail, the roar of the beast made the bases of the arena tremble . It was a typically Western dragon, the beat of its wings titanic.
The young mages were frightened by such power, that beast was the most powerful thing they had ever witnessed; but Emma and Astarte as well as 3GLWM were not so intimidated.
– I missed that little animal of yours… Don't forget we're famous not only for our feats in battle, but also for being masters of sealing and summoning beasts… Mor, Eddy now… Mythical Tamer: Phoenix. – Conjured Otrera who casted a ten meters phoenix, wide flaming wings, her down is scarlet red and others of more yellowish and blue tones, his tail majestic, his name was Firehearth.
– I miss our training... Mythical Tamer: Dark Hydra. – Conjured Morrigan, she summoned a nine-headed black Hydra, her size was a whopping 107 meters, she was the most robust and controlling summoning of the 3GLWM, her black scales transiting indigo, purple, lavender and obsidian, her heads had sides amphibians, their necks very strong and tough, their main body massive and powerful, their name was Obsidian.
– Come on girls, we haven't done this for over ten years... Mythical Tamer: Manticore. – Conjured Edward conjuring a manticore of ten feet tall, a powerful beast, its head was that of a mighty lion with a bronze mane, its body was strong, it was like that of an anthropomorphic lion with golden fur and a tail of obsidian scorpion with red specters, he had extremely voracious claws and fangs that could conduct electricity, his name was Manty.
– Lady Otrera, it's been years since the last time you conjured me. – Said Firehearth that hovered in the air ready for the fight, it was a very majestic bird. – Manty, Obsidian how much I miss you friends. –
– I say the same FH (short for Firehearth), I remember the last time we all fought together. – Obsidian said through their various heads that seemed to have each one, a different personality, but being in the end the same being.
– It's time to put it to break. – Manty said excited for the fight. – I really missed a good fight, and you too, folks. –
– Let's leave sentimentality for another time, we need to destroy Alpha Draco and Stroika. – Morrigan said.
– Okay, let's do it. – They said all the invocations, Edward and Otrera too.
Astarte was worried about the safety of his students, things could get out of hand.
– Come on boys, we can't stay here, we need to go back to where the others are... Things can get out of hand, you have no place in this battle. – Said Astarte.
– And all this... It's something extraordinary, we need to see. – Artemisia said that she was delighted with Edward's manticore.
– I understand, but I speak from experience, the last time the Alpha Draco and the three mythical summons of the legendary mages faced each other they destroyed an entire region of Kora'q that was the size of a medium-sized country, and the fight it went on for seven days, believe me, we are most needed along with Margareth and the others. – Said Astarte worried.
– She's right, children I know are fighting for their home, but now this fight has become something that is no longer ours, and BA has attacks everywhere, two doctors like Astarte and Polo are needed at the center doctor with Otrera busy here. – Emma said sensible.
– Yes, let's trust them, they'll make it. – Apollodro said confidently.
– But then you have to talk about these invocations for us, they are amazing. – Nathan said excitedly. – I'm dying to get a hydra like that. –
– I knew they would be excited by the invocations. – Astarte smiled.
As soon as they left the arena, the fight between the legendary mages against M. Stroika/Ohana and their respective invocations was intense, with a wing movement Alpha Draco partially destroyed the stands trying to destroy Obsidian and crush Manty; Meanwhile Obsidian released dark energy through its various mouths, Manty was wounded by the dragon's tail, but Firehearth released its healing feathers which invigorated the manticora; Morrigan used her magic to envelop the dragon in darkness, soon Edward unleashed a storm of flames and lightning that was supported by Manty to intensify the attack's range.
– Alpha Draco... Destruction Burst. – Conjured Madame Stroika/Ohana which caused the dragon to release a shot of pure destructive energy, the legendary mages were in the damage field.
– Obsidian, we're going to tank this explosion... Otrera, you kill this beast, the FH has to be ready to help with the cure... Null and Void! – Conjured Morrigan, a wave of shadows and darkness enveloped the front of the explosion, she was using Obsidian as a catalyst for darkness through his shots to amplify her technique.
– Now it's me! – shouted Otrera who rushed forward and received an impulse from Manty to jump high, hitting a concentrated punch that knocked the beast out, throwing it several meters back, falling and destroying part of the edge of the arena that overlooked the forest.
– How much power... And to think that a single mage managed to do this, it doesn't matter... Stroika's Hell. – Conjured Madame Stroika/Ohana which set off a raging ice storm, along with lava tornadoes, rain of metal scowls, and a massive destructive energy emanation that wiped out everything in its path.
– I tank this damage. – Shouted Obsidian that involved everyone in his body taking the damage, his regeneration was very powerful, but the damage was extraordinary with the help of Ohana.
– FH you cure Obsidian, we take care of it. – Said Otrera.
– Yes ma'am! – Firehearth said with her melodious and graceful voice that concentrated her healing abilities to heal the Hydra.
Otrera was advancing with her absurd combat skill and strength, along with Manty who showed himself to be a direct boost with thunder and flame damage, Morrigan with her dark serpents that sprang up as she attacked and Edward attacked with flame combustion. Madame Stroika/Ohana was not passive in this battle, she attacked with her powerful techniques to destroy them, the combat was very intense.
– I will destroy, I will rebuild this whole rotten world... Killing Frost Winter. – Conjured Madame Stroika/Ohana which provoked an ice storm full of icy blasts along with powerful prickly ice nodules and other extremely sharp projectiles.
The blow was wide and powerful, ended up doing damage to opponents, had all the power of M. Stroika and more the power bonus than was freed from the power of Ohana. Edward and Manty ended up being seriously injured.
– Morrigan, you cover, I take care of their wounds. – Otrera said, she used her powers to heal Edward's serious wounds and his summoning.
– Leave it to me... Ophidian Possession Of Darkness. – Conjured Morrigan who corrupted M. Stroika's blow by taking control of the ice storm, turning it into a glacial cataclysm of black ice that backfired on its original summoner.
Otrera was healing her friends quickly and soon they were ready to fight.
– Manty, can you and the other summons keep an eye on Alpha Draco?. If that thing comes back, we could be in serious trouble. – Said Edward who was testing his recovered shoulder.
– Of course, Eddy. – Manty said.
– Come on, classical formation… Morrigan, go! – Otrera said, she was preparing for the attack.
– Let it go… Ophidian Shadow Wall. – Conjured Morrigan who surrounded Madame Stroika/Ohana by three walls in a triangular formation made by columns of thick and powerful snakes of darkness.
– Now that I enter… Firebreathe Storm. – Conjured Edward who spat an absurd amount of flames in the fenced and concentrated area.
– I finish! – shouted Otrera who came from above with her projected fist hitting the enemy surrounded intensely and she released all her strength at that moment, the entire arena had been reduced to rubble as a result of the impact, sinking the arena in almost a hundred meters into the ground in an area of almost a square kilometer.
– You won't stop me this time, this world will bow to me… Blazing Scowl Fall. – Conjured Madame Stroika/Ohana causing the fall of countless extremely heavy metal scowls that were filled with lava that soon afterwards spread out in furious shots.
– Morrigan, Edward is now or never. – shouted Otrera who punched the ground raising a gigantic earthen plate to protect them from the lava.
– Yeah! Pisces: Dark Deep. – Conjured Morrigan, her Pisces mark glowed brightly, she seemed to flood the place with dense black waters that culminated in a tidal wave of dark snakes attacking the target and over time the snakes were joining into larger snakes still causing impact damage. until it became a single colossal serpent of darkness with almost five hundred meters that went down hard against M. Stroika/Ohana.
– This one is for Astaroth… Leo: Flaming and Electrifying Roar Of The Jungle King. – Conjured Edward, his mark of Leo gleaming with power, and then a lion's head formed by a firestorm and gigantic thunder fangs formed, so he projected her onto her opponent, she was snatched and the leonine-featured storm it was consuming and tearing her apart leaving her with electrical, burn, and impact damage to the floor.
– His sacrifice won't be in vain... Libra: Perfect Swing. –Summoned Otrera, her Libra mark flashed strongly, punching the ground and making it appear several eruptions of cosmic energy that hit the enemy.
As soon as the three invocations of the legendary mages joined them, Alpha Draco had returned to his mythical invocation dimension, it was the six against M. Stroika/Ohana.
– Stroika, don't be silly, we need to retreat, unfortunately we can't destroy them yet, but our time will still come. – Ohana said, manifesting mostly.
– Unfortunately I agree... Listen to legendary mages, you can have this victory, but remember, this war is far from over, take what happened here today as a warning, I will bring all my fury on this nation and re-build the empire. – Screamed M. Stroika who soon after was removed from there by the power of Ohana.
The legendary mages tried to stop her, but they couldn't, the three legendary mages with their invocations were now witnessing all the destruction that occurred in the arena, they reflected on all the damage that had occurred.
– That woman, after all this time, she dares to return, causes all this destruction and mocks the sacrifice of Astaroth bringing that monstrosity back… I swear I will kill that bitch. – Said Otrera who was crying with rage.
– I know "O", but we have more to worry about, we have to see the kids. – Edward said.
– Eddy is right, especially as Grand Mistress, you have to take care of these boys, there is no doubt that there were deaths, and there must still be some enemy, we need to end all this chaos, give some peace to these boys. – Morrigan said, she was the most insensitive of the three, but even she was worried about the young, at least the five or four in which she saw potential, besides the nobles could have died in droves she wouldn't care.
– You're right... Firehearth take a flight to the Academy and see where there are people in need of healing... Manty and Obsidian could you patrol around to see if everything is clean? – Said Otrera worried about the students.
– Yes, Otrera! – Said the three invocations that they had a lot of respect for her.
– Now that the worst part comes, we may have learned to deal with death, but knowing that young people in their prime will not even have the chances of achieving their dreams and potentials. – Edward said sadly.
– As if we had never received extermination orders, this is a political game Eddy, we have to protect ours, and exterminate the threats. – Morrigan said, she had a very realistic view of things.
So the three legendary mages were leaving the obliterated arena, their invocations were to carry out their orders, that situation was very tragic.
***
The battle was over, the moon was high in the sky, all the survivors had gathered near the building, 75% of the students survived the battle, but casualties were inevitable, many first, second and third year students died in battle, you bodies had been retrieved as far as possible for a dignified burial. Everyone was devastated, the members of Team Alek were mourning the death of their master supported by their colleagues, Trent was hugging Malik who was suffering both from the loss of his uncle and boyfriend; Jack was crying over his younger brother being comforted by Thea, Melody and Kadmo were supporting each other in that difficult time, they lost their master and teammate at the same time, Rick and Jason would be sorely missed by them; Rizzi and Elana mourned the death of Vernona and Tatiana, and in the case of the young Seed who had died there was still Drusilla and some other Seed who were devastated by that perch; Teresa hugged Leila tightly, she couldn't hold back her tears of pain at seeing her lifeless niece Ingrid there on the floor; Harley and Suiji were mourning the death of Ingrid and Antonio, perhaps their only solace was that they died together holding each other's hands; Ethaniel and Sabatella were very saddened by the death of Steven and Craig, Nora was trying to comfort Sabatella and her student, but the situation was very tense; Rachel, Harry and Jaden were heartbroken at the time with the loss of Yan, besides them, Keith seemed very sad for him, his teammates were there to support him, Henri was helping some other students who had lost teammates; the Derek team, the QAN lineup and Anitta were the last to return, Erick and Thiago were happy for the opportunity to have fought together, they were behind Damian and Terrence, but this father and son joy would soon give way to a desolate sadness, that when they see Terrence, devastated, crying on Gregory's shoulder, with Phillip and Fafi sad at his side, with a body covered in a white shroud, Thiago soon approaches with some hope.
– Love, please tell me no… That he doesn't… – Began Thiago, who didn't even have the courage to finish that sentence.
Terrence couldn't even answer, just shook his head in denial and hugged his husband as if he didn't want to let go of him anymore; Thiago had then understood that his son had died, so Erick also dropped.
– No, no… Not him. – Cried Erick.
– Erick… We're here with you, for whatever you need. – Declan said, he hugged his friend in shock.
– Friend, we're sorry. – Eve said, she didn't want to leave her friend, she understood how he felt.
Adriana and Maurice were devastated, each other's children were as if their own children were, they then went to console Terrence, Thiago and Erick, however Adriana noticed something intriguing, she saw Morrigan with the Ophidian Scythe, and then it was her who was helping some students to settle down, the damage for many had been near fatal, the medical mages were doing their best to heal everyone, especially Otrera, Astarte and Apollodro.
– Morrigan, that scythe, is what I'm thinking? – Adriana asked.
– Yes, Fernanda was here and unfortunately I had to kill her, she was working for Stroika, I'm sorry. – Morrigan said, but actually did not care a bit, she would kill Fernanda as many times as needed, and even for fun, Morrigan was really sorry to have her sickle stolen.
– I understand, she wasn't a good example anyway, if it's to be a traitor, it better be dead. – Adriana said, she was sad, not because of the death itself, but because of the dishonor of her sister's attitude.
Margareth was with Emiliana and George, both were crying next to Aron's body.
– Old friend... I can't even imagine how you must be feeling, I know how much Aron was like a son to you, and how I thought he was dead. – Margareth said.
– Meg, it was terrible, seeing him die in my arms, even though he's a traitor, I can't help but think that I failed him, just as I failed Ava, I should have looked for more. – George said, devastated.
– Master don't talk like that, you did everything you could, we did everything we could to look for him, we were in the middle of a war... Ava died a heroine and left a wonderful son who will be as good as her one day, you were a great teacher and I am proud to be your student, as is Ava and even Aron's ungrateful one. – Emiliana said, hugging the master, she knew how tense that moment was.
– Emiliana... Honey, it's going to be difficult, but let's finally move on, now we'll be able to bury him for good. – George said with a half-smile.
Anitta who was consoling her student who had lost her child, had gone to see George, it was a difficult situation, she was trying to bring comfort to everyone.
– George, I'm sorry… I know you must be feeling very bad, believe me, you were a unique mentor to all your students. – Anitta smiled trying to comfort him.
– Thank you so much Anitta, and it's even a tragic situation, since it was Aron who killed young Damian, you have every right to hate him and yet he's here. – George said with a half-smile, he was emotionally shaken.
– George, I'm here for you, and I know Damian went down fighting, wanting to defend BA, Aron got lost in a path of tragedy and revenge, but it was partly our fault, our generation, the fact that we not having changed so much what he carried in his chest. – Said Anitta. – Both were victims. –
– Yes, as always wise words, my love. – Said George kissing the hand of Anitta.
Teresa had been taken to a corner by Nora, Maeve and Kristen, they knew how hard it was being for their friend.
– You can put it out friend, I know it hurts, if I had lost William or the Baron I don't even know what I would do, she was a brave girl, she died trying to help the master in combat from what I heard. – Maeve said emotionally and welcoming the Capricornus mage who was crying in pain for the loss.
– Thank you friend, and I know she died fighting, but it's hard to accept, a girl so young, full of life and now she's dead, this life is hard, we all knew what we were getting into, but like it or not she's from a generation that has only known peace, they were not truly ready for such an offensive. – Teresa said, crying.
– In that you're right, but now after that, we won't let it go, I think about Kadmo, if he had died I would have hunted the person responsible to hell to kill him, Guilherme is lucky Alister killed him, I wouldn't have been so kind. – Kristen said mourning her colleagues.
Let's help them, let's prepare them, let's make them mages who will wipe M. Stroika off the map, we promise, the death of Ingrid and everyone else will not be in vain, my friend, it will not be in vain. – Nora said with tears in her eyes, she was very sensitive and empathetic.
– Girls, thank you so much, thank you so much for being so kind and loving, I'll do my best, I'll do everything in my power to avenge Ingrid, nobody messes with BA, do the damage they do and get away with it, she's picked a fight that won't win. – Teresa said, she would avenge her niece's death by striving to destroy M. Stroika and all her plans, even if it cost her life, she would serve the Royal Guard with honor and determination until her last breath.
When Alister and Ethan saw each other they ran to hug each other they were so afraid that the other would die, the emotion was such that they couldn't contain their more sensitive and romantic side, but respecting the weight of the situation.
– My bull, I was so scared, but I should have known that you are tough in the fall. – Ethan smiled as he ran his hand over the lava wounds on his skin.
– I'm fine, my prince. - Alister said with a tone of affection and intimacy. – I am thick skinned, I would come back to you anyway, no matter how strong the opponent is. –
– After we finish here I have to go see my mother with Emma, things are going to get very tense. - Said Ethan.
– The Valtor? – Alister asked.
– Yes… I'm afraid for Gale, I don't know how she's going to react. – Ethan said, he had a lot of affection for his niece.
Edward was passing by and hugs them both.
– Boys, I'm very glad to see you're all right... You really are great master mages. – Edward smiled.
– It's an honor coming from you, Eddy. – Alister smiled.
– Yes, we would do everything to defend the Academy, even with the losses, we will not give up. – Said Ethan resigned.
– This is a difficult time, it reminded me of the war, we lost many friends in it, but they all died doing their duty, we must live to honor their memory... I live trying to honor the memory of Astaroth, the greatest man ever I knew. – Edward smiled, who wanted to cheer up his colleagues.
– You're right… Alek, Rick, Xande, Guinevere, Lacerda, Margory and Yugo were some of the most painful losses on the side of our generation colleagues, they fell taking care of Belladona. – Ethan smiled remembering his colleagues fondly.
– What about Ethan's brother, any news? – Alister asked.
– It's already surrendered, the king was almost killed and the queen stopped him, I worry about Gale, it's going to be difficult for her, and to think that Valtor helped Stroika to an absurdity like that, this goes beyond all limits of rancor and of envy, is betrayal. – Said Edward furious.
– I'm honestly not so surprised... Stroika manipulated him, I'm not saying she was controlling him, she only manipulated his emotional instabilities, he has psychosis, in addition to schizophrenia, he interprets things according to his logic and this is the only one that counts, for him, he should be the king, I knew about this psychosis, but it manifested itself in the subconscious, in the externalization he showed some small episodes of envy, rancor and fixation for power, but I never thought he would cross that line , I always thought that with all that intelligence, he could have some sense. – Ethan said, he was an impressive psychologist.
– Shocked... What absurd intelligence, it makes sense, but even that doesn't justify his actions, he will be judged. – Edward said.
– Really, it does not justify their acts, but it is easier to understand how a member of the first class of royalty was corrupted to such an extreme act of betrayal. – Alister said.
Gale, Sandy and Adam walked over to Nathan and Emma, the princess looked so relieved to be there with her son; Gale was very happy that his aunt and cousin were doing well, he soon hugs them both.
– Aunt… Nate… I'm glad you're all right… And my father, grandfather, grandmother? – Gale said, she was worried, if Emma was taken hostage, she imagined that her father could have been targeted too.
– Gale, dear, we need to talk about this. – Emma said a little embarrassed, as much as she was furious with her brother, she couldn't blame Gale and didn't want to hurt her.
– Aunt, please tell me, my father, is he alright? – Gale asked, who was now scared.
– Gale, please be strong, but... Your father caused all this, this invasion was part of the Stroika's plan in collusion with Valtor. –Emma said she felt very bad for her niece.
Gale turned pale, stunned.
– No, no, no… Aunt, please say this is a bad joke, Daddy wouldn't be able to do it. – Gale said with tears in his eyes.
– Unfortunately it's true Gale, he helped Madame Stroika, he wanted to finish off Grandma and take control. – Nathan said with sadness in his face and voice.
– Gale, I'm sorry... Friend know that Adam and I are here for you, if you want to spend some time at home to cool off and recover. – Sandy offered, Gale was one of his best friends, he wouldn't let her down at a time like this, then he also hugged her.
– That's right friend, I also have open doors for you, no matter what has happened, you are our friend, companion in battle, sister-in-arms. – Adam smiled hugging his friend.
– It's a lot to process, but thanks guys. - Said Gale tearfully.
– Gale, I know it's a lot to process, but you don't need to leave the palace, what your father did won't spill over on you, Ethan and I wouldn't let anyone harm you, least of all your grandparents. – Emma said worried.
– I know, only if this is true, I just want to disappear for a while, stay at Sandy's house, wait for the dust to settle... I saw my Academy mates die today, give their lives for this place and in the end It was all my dad's fault... I just need some time, forget I'm a Gallard, I need to keep to myself. – Gale said, devastated.
– Gale, calm friend, we'll be here for you, whenever you need it. – Sandy said that comforted her friend.
– Gale, all this time, you and I were like brothers, and that's not going to change our relationship, cousin… Even though I'm with the Storms, call me whenever you want, and I'll go. – Nathan said, he was sad for his friend too, he hugs her tenderly.
– Thank you Nate, you all are very important to me and I will need you more than ever. – Gale said that he was inconsolable.
Otrera seemed to have finished with the wounded along with the other mages, she would speak up, everyone seemed to pay attention to her, the master mages were standing close to the Grand Mistress.
– Listen everyone, what happened here today will not go unpunished, we will take revenge, we will extirpate Madame Stroika from this world... Great mages gave their lives in this battle, and I promise, none of them will sacrifice in vain , and in recognition of everyone's courage and with Mrs. Margareth's permission, all third-year students are approved, there is no greater test than defending BA for us from the Royal Guard, including the dead, those who died will have a burial with honors of members of the Royal Guard, because in death they proved themselves... We also said goodbye to great experienced mages who gave their lives... Besides, I want the 3GLWM statue in the hall of this building to be destroyed, I want it not to place there is a monument of the heroes who fought for the Academy, a monument with the names of all of them, an eternal recognition of those brave mages and mages who died for us to stay here, standing in our beloved school. – Otrera spoke, she was very sad for the perch.
– I completely agree, and what's more, all first year students will be promoted to betas and second year students to alphas, have demonstrated exceptional courage and bravery. – Margareth nodded.
– Get ready children, and you neophytes, paladins, captains, sages and Master Mages too, some of us are old enough to remember previous wars and their signs, make no mistake, a new war knocks at our door, and Madame Stroika made the first move... We will need to train more and more, strengthen and crush everyone who gets in Celestia's path, let's not accept this insult as we never did. – Morrigan said cold, analytical and calculating about the situation.
– Remember, we will be doing this for everyone who gave their lives for this country, for the Royal Guard, for the honor of BA, let's make every sacrifice count and especially the sacrifices of the last war that allowed us this decade of peace, not having been in vain. – Said Edward.
All mages felt inspired, felt encouraged to move forward, to become stronger, honored their dead and those who died to protect the Academy, but even so it was still a time of loss and grief, many were saying goodbye to your loved ones. Right after her proclamation, Otrera went to check on Astarte and her team, she then hugs her nephews.
– Boys, are you all feeling well? – Said Otrera.
– Yes, yes, just a dizziness… – Apollodro said, who soon after faints from exhaustion after having helped to cure so many mages, was exhausted.
Nathan caught Apollodro before he fell.
– Polo doesn't hold back, when it comes to saving others he gives his all. – Nathan said.
– This boy, he really has a vocation and commitment. – Otrera smiled as she placed her hand on her nephew's forehead restoring his vigor, she knew that Apollodro had a lot to improve.
– All three are great warriors and brave, breasted the Stroika without fear for Nate's mother. – Astarte smiled.
– Yes, we would have done anything to save Nate's mother, the same way we would have done everything to help each other... But Stroika, she is more than anything we've heard in the stories, and those invocations, we have a lot what to train. – Artemisia said with a mixture of enthusiasm and fear, she felt helpless.
– Really, but better train then... You said you wanted to be like me, know that days like these are child's play compared to the battles I went through in war, get ready to sacrifice what is most precious to you , it's not easy, but if you really want to be like me one day, I'm warning you that the trail has many days of loss like this one. – Said Otrera with a severe tone, as in a tone of encouragement. – At first I didn't want you to enter the Academy, but seeing the performance of you two, and yours too Nathan, I'm impressed, it was really like seeing me and the boys back in the Academy years, they showed bravery facing the Stroika itself I don't stand a chance, so I'll support you if you want to persist, but I'm also not going to judge you if you want to leave. –
– Quit? Aunt, I've never given up on anything in this life and it won't be now that I will, you can write, I'll be as powerful as you and I'll have a manticore as cool as Mr. Edward's. – Artemisia said excitedly and seemed to be unshakable.
– She is right, aunt, we gave our all, and we are not ready to give up, our place is in the Belladona Academy and in the Royal Guard, and we will honor until the end the legacy you left us. – Apollodro said with a gentle and sincere smile.
– Exactly that, Ms. Otrera, today's fight only served to reaffirm this, we will give our lives to serve Celestia, give our best to the Royal Guard, we will keep this world of peace that you ensured in the past. – Nathan said bravely.
– Astaroth would be proud of the example you have become, and the Grand Mistress you are. – Astarte smiled.
– And he would be proud of his sister, you are an amazing teacher, you are training fantastic students. – Otrera smiled.
– All this because I had a great mentor. – Said Astarte, happy for the compliment.
– And you also invoke something? – Nathan said excitedly.
– Yes, yes, I learned the technique of summoning the mythical beasts, Mrs. Otrera taught me, it is one of the 15 divine techniques, something difficult to achieve, it needs a very high level of magic, the mythical animal that is invoked has a lot to do with her animal spirit and skill... I summon a phoenix like Lady Otrera. – Commented Astarte.
– Don't worry about it for now, it's not something simple to do, we went through a very rigorous training to be able to use this technique... What matters for now is that you rest, you served the Royal Guard with honor... And that the Daedalus and Katherine are going to have to renovate this entire place after this mass destruction. – laughed Otrera trying to mask the pain and responsibility he felt for every mage and mage killed in that battle.
– And the palace, how are things there? – Asked Astarte.
– Valtor is in custody, my mother has killed one of the generals, another has fled, the queen is incarcerated with a broken heart, the betrayal of a son is a hard blow. – Said Otrera.
– Grandma must be devastated, Gale is very sad, she said she's going to live with the Storms for a while. – Nathan said with a sad look.
– We're all going to help her, it must be hard, but Artê and I know better than anyone what it's like to have a "traitor" father. – Apollodro said.
– Believe me, at this moment, staying together is more important than ever, things will get more and more intense, Mor wasn't exaggerating, we may be on the verge of a new war. – Said Otrera.
– Well, we'll be here, aunt, we'll be here to face her and win. – Artemisia said with a lot of courage in her eyes.
The invasion of Belladona Academy was a very hard blow for the Royal Guard, many young and even experienced mages died in that battle, but they wouldn't fall for it, they would come back on top, no matter what M. Stroika and Ohana were in arming, they would not surrender, they would go to the last and destroy those who dared to defile their most sacred place.