Arcani 25th, 1451. The Inner Sanctum
Taking a runner's stance I began chanting spells like clockwork.
"Enhancement Magic: Greater Vigor... Enhancement Magic: Tortoise Armor... Enhancement Magic: Limit Break..."
"Magic Full Release!"
I pushed off the ground sprinting toward Auberon with Setesh in hand. As I approached the hulking Knight I fired two Arcane Bolts at the floor at his feet. "Get back... Form a phalanx with Zuka until Lady Mana gets the portal ready," I said as I passed by Geru.
Auberon stepped back as the bolts crashed nearby and as he saw me approach he readied himself by holding out the broader side of his blade. Swinging Setesh horizontally from the right my blade crashed into his pushing him back by a few inches.
"Woah now... That's some power you've acquired," Auberon smirked. "You may entertain me yet boy."
"You owe a blood debt Auberon! I'll be taking it now! Arcane Magic: Arcane Chains!" More magical chains sprouted from the ground wrapping themselves around Auberon as tightly as possible. It would only hold him for a few seconds but with my perception being enhanced by my spell that would be all I needed. I jumped up to the roof clawing into it with my new claws and swung right over Auberon's head. As I got behind him I thrusted Setesh toward his back. Knowing his armor could take the blow I also poured magic into the blade. "Elemental Magic: Lightning Spear." A beam of electricity fired off from the blade's tip striking Auberon's armor.
"Arrghh," Auberon cried as he shook off the chains. Spinning around he'd swing his sword somehow fast enough to where if I hadn't enhanced my perception he'd have taken my head off. Throwing up my wrist I managed to save my neck from being cut into and thanks to the tortoise armor I could get away with a bruise. Though the fact that the blade could still bruise me was alarming.
"That almost hurt boy. Can't say I've been hit with lightning so close before."
"If you think that hurt what about this... Elemental Magic: Air Shock!"
Rotating my sword arm forty-five degrees to the left I lightly swung Setesh in that direction. Then a green light flashed in between us and a shockwave of air hit Auberon square in the chest. As the wave hit his body, Auberon only jerked back. He'd become adjusted to the power output of my magic. The ring was slowly being drained of all the magic it possessed which meant in mere moments I'd be overwhelmed. I hoped whatever trick the voice had in mind it would use soon. But for now, I had to use one of my tricks. A spell I'd learned from my Father's book. No time like being locked in deadly combat to try something new.
"Spacial Magic: Trick Switch!"
The area around the two of us became surrounded by a large orb and in that instant, both of our places in the space we took up were swapped. Auberon looked to both sides of him seemingly confused about the momentary switch a moment I could use to my advantage. Bending my knees I jumped backward creating some distance between us. As I landed I aimed my blade at Auberon once again.
"Very Impressive boy," Auberon said, "I'd heard your Father was able to use such powerful magic. But I never actually saw it in practice. No wonder they called him the Archmage."
"On that, we agree... My Father was amazing... Yet you killed him..."
"We shall become one..."
My chest suddenly tightened, I felt as though something was trying to grasp my heart. It was that voice again. The one from Osirian. I only ever could hear it if it was nearby. "No..."
"Well now... That means my time has run out," said Auberon.
Another entered the inner sanctum and as she came around Lord Auberon horror began to fill her eyes. "Ragi?"
"Rory..."
"Ah, little Sinclair... I'm glad you've arrived. I believe I'll require your assistance."
"What is going on Auberon!? Why are all of these sisters dead!? And why do you look like that Ragi!?"
"It's very simple my dear," Auberon answered, "It is because I am fulfilling my duty as a Demigod and as the Grand Commander." Auberon then pointed at me as he bent down to lean close to Rory's ear.
"Ragnakhet has returned..."
Rory turned to Auberon first then slowly turned to me. She examined very changed features I'd had. "N-No... What are you talking about Auberon... That's Ragi... Ragi Sunai?"
I wanted to say that she was right. I wanted to say that I was still me. But I'd known about being Ragnakhet for some time. I also knew that she was smart enough to connect the dots on her own. My transformation became a double-edged sword now that she was here.
"Ragi! The portal is ready," Ophelia shouted.
I didn't know what to do. I wanted to try and convince Rory that I wasn't going to hurt her. I wanted to tell her I was still me. But by the time the words came to my throat, she'd begun drawing Osirian.
"Ragi... Please... Tell it's still you..." Her eyes began to fill with tears as she clenched her teeth. She began to approach me with Osirian in hand though she appeared somewhat reluctant.
Throwing out wild accusations against Auberon would only destroy whatever trust Rory had in me. I had to say something that would only mean something to the two of us. Even if it only caused a slight hesitation I couldn't lose Rory. Not like this. Then it hit me, the memory of my first spell. Only she and I knew about that.
"Arcane Barrier!" I shouted though I didn't cast the spell. It wouldn't mean anything to anyone else but my friends. Even the Goddess seemed confused by my sudden outburst. But Rory stopped for a moment she'd looked at me again as if she was processing what I'd meant. Then she began her advance again. It wasn't until she'd been a few inches away that she stopped again.
"Please Ragi," she whispered. "Come with me. You can explain all of this."
"I can't," I whispered back. I couldn't say too much due to Auberon's presence but I could at least warn her. "Auberon is only right about one thing. I'm sure you know... But do not trust him otherwise."
Rory appeared confused but that was fine. I couldn't say any more to put her in danger. She raised Osirian and before she swung she tearfully whispered, "I'm sorry." Bringing the blade down I raised Setesh blocking the slash as it came on top of me. For a few seconds, we exchanged sword strikes. Where she slashed, I parried. Where I'd swing, she'd just deflect.
I wished I could say this had been like we were sparing but with every second we'd spent fighting she became closer to stabbing me. I'd even gotten cut in the arms and legs. I came so close many times during our exchange of blows to believing she didn't think of anything I said as truth. But I had to keep believing in Rory. Nothing not even Auberon's black heart or even the fact that I am the Demon God would change that.
"Boy... At this rate, the girl will kill you. It's time. On my mark speak this incantation..."
The words of the incantation filled my mind and I hoped that It would save me from this situation and not be something horrible. "Arcane Magic: Arcane Smog!" A small orb of arcane energy was generated between us and then popped creating a large black cloud of smoke. It gave me the opening I needed to jump back once again toward the stairs. Sheathing Setesh I held my hands out toward Auberon and Rory's direction.
"Great Warrior born from my flesh. Heed my call from beyond the bounds of space-time and appear before me. Summoning Magic: Abraxi"
A large purple sigil appeared before me and a small portal opened from it. Something began to light up the room with a furious orange as the sound of clanking metal echoed through the room. As the sigil disappeared I could see the back of a giant man clad in mismatched silver armor and wielding a blazing sword. The knight's armor was cracked and tattered all over the place. It'd even been rusted in certain areas. But something about him was familiar, nostalgic almost.
"Little Sinclair! Get back now!"
Auberon charged forward with his blade in both hands. As he swung the blade the man in armor raised his sword and completely blocked Auberon's attack. Auberon then swung his sword in a myriad of attacks. It seemed impossible how fast he'd been attacking given the sword's size. But the Man in armor blocked every attack with the slightest movement and didn't even seem fazed by the power of his blows.
The Man in armor finally parried one of Auberon's attacks and then swung his sword aiming for Auberon's stomach. The sword managed to carve away a piece of Auberon's armor and even nicked him a bit as blood dripped onto the floor at his feet. Auberon stepped back getting some distance between himself and his foe.
It was an appalling sight. Auberon was trying to catch his breath for a moment. "Abraxas..." Auberon coughed as he tried standing to his feet.
Abraxas? The Hero-Slayer!? That's who I summoned.
"He was the only foe I could think of that could get us out of here," The voice said.
"Won't he kill us all!?
"Not unless you command it."
Abraxas was the stuff of nightmares. The Hero-Slayer he was called. Mother used to scare me with stories of the man to get me to behave. A blazing knight that had the strength to slay Demigods. None who faced him in battle would survive his onslaught. "Beware an orange glow in the night," Mother would tell me. "For if you cross paths with Abraxas it'll be the last night you draw breath."
Abraxas raised his sword and it became consumed in flame. He swung it and it changed shape into a curved blade. He then charged Auberon and swung the sword horizontally from the right. Auberon raised his own blade to block but was pushed back. Abraxas then raised his blade and swung it diagonally then back upward again creating a flurry of quick swipes until Auberon's poise had been broken. He then raised his boot and buried it deep into Auberon's exposed stomach sending the larger man careening into the opposite wall. What'd been seeing was unbelievable.
As Abraxas had seen he'd pushed his opponent back he then turned his gaze to Rory.
"No... No! Don't you dare kill her!"
Abraxas stopped for a moment. He then raised his blade transforming it into its original straight sword form. He leaped toward Rory and she braced for an attack as she held Osirian up to defend.
"No!" I yelled as I readied to cast Arcane Chains. But I was too late. His sword crashed into hers sending her flying through the door causing her to hit her head and making Rory go limp.
Little Sinclair!" Auberon shouted as he struggled to get to his feet. He then rushed over to her side and lifted her up. He'd checked her head then her chest and his shoulders were only slightly relaxed. "She still lives... That's fortunate."
Even though it did come from Auberon, it was a relief to hear. I guess I wasn't too specific with my order though.
"Come on Ragi! We're getting out of here!" Lady Mana shouted. The vile magic that coursed through my body began to disappear. My limbs returned to normal and now I could run. I didn't want to leave Rory behind but I had no choice. I took solace in the fact that Auberon would have to deal with the Hero-Slayer for a while.
As the Twin's phalanx opened I could see Ophelia still waiting for me. I then followed her into the portal after looking at Rory one last time.
"I'm sorry Rory... I didn't want you to find out like this..."