Zengo Nevada had a bad feeling about today. When he woke up he was facing south, something he almost never does. When eating breakfast he spilt salt. When he finally went outside a group of birds flew from left to right. As always no one was able to remember him, so at least that was right.
He just couldn't place his finger on what's going to happen. Entering Saints Hands office, he was stunned to see he was gone. A note on his desk read.
Dear Zengo.
I have been called upon to deal with a great threat. I hope you can understand. Anyways please be a good head teacher and take care of the school in my absence, if trouble arises don't be afraid to ask for help from Grant.
Love and kisses.
Saints hand.
Why today of all days, was the thought that echoed through Zengo's head. He didn't even begin to wonder if this was the off feeling. He knew it was something more. And so he marched his way into Grant's classroom.
The students have yet to arrive and Grant stands before the chalkboard with a dumb grin on his face. When he saw Zengo he bowed. "Well if it isn't Zengo Navada."
This left Zengo truly stunned. "You," A fierce smile creases his face, "you remember my name!"
Grant looked confused. "Is that such a big deal?" He asked.
"You don't even know. I can't believe I found another person I can talk to. I'm finally done with that cranky old man."
"What are you talking about?"
"It's the cost, the cost for my spells."
Zengo's statement was true, his spells have one of the worst costs of all, the more he uses them the less people can remember him. It got to such a point that his own mother forgot she even had a son.
"That." Grant didn't know how to respond to that.
"I know you might think I'm being weird, but this is so invigorating." Zengo was so excited his glasses slipped off his face. Underneath are milky yellow eyes, with runes cut into them. "Don't look at my eyes." He said in a rush, but it was too late.
Grant slumped to the ground, foam leaking from his mouth, and eyes rolled back into his head.
Zengo couldn't believe it. He took this as another sign, he still couldn't figure out what it meant. He sat Grant into Saints Hand's chair within his office.
"Now what?" He asked himself. And it came to him. His student was as good as anyone. So he went Marching back through the halls when he finally sensed something. Something he was way too familiar with, death magic.The very essence of magic changes when you die, it becomes stale. Although it isn't the easiest thing to notice, some of the more attuned people can sense it. And it was like that, that his walk turned into a sprint. He could feel they were strong. As the halls were cleared it only took a minute for him to arrive at the second head teachers office. He bursted through the door, catching Marcis off guard. Marcis spat out the coffee he was drinking in surprise.
"What?" Marcis screamed.
"Danger, this is really bad. Collect the teachers, and don't allow the students to leave their rooms."
Marcis nodded in confusion, but he knew if something was happening there was no time to waste.
They both sprinted out of the room. Zengo jumped out the nearest window breaking the glass on the way down. Zengo was sure these undead were strong, and the town guard stood no chance. Hell he didn't even think he would win, yet he needed to stall them. When Zengo ran down the street it put the whole town on guard. He moved so fast the guards struggled to keep track, before they knew it he was out of the gate, racing in the direction of the undead. What he didn't know was that someone is following him in the shadows. It didn't take long for him to come face to face with the three undead who were riding skeleton horses.
The one in front had a butchered face with half of its jaw missing, but it was the two in back who let out the most power. Zengo knew one of them was a Death Guard, a truly scary sight. Death Guard have long claws and are capable of using curses. Just that one alone would be a problem not to mention the heavily armored Dread Knight next to it, the one Night Witch in front was child's play compared to the other two.
Riken stepped off his horse and looked Zengo in the eyes.
"Human, have we met before?" Riken asked.
Zengo opened his mouth, but before he could answer a claw was lunging towards his face. Zengo fell on his butt barely avoiding the attack. The Death Guard began to laugh.
Zengo really never wanted to use a spell ever again but it looked like he had no choice. "Iarraim ort, mór agus láidir, toghairm na n-uachtanna, úinéir na cinniúint, na geataí fiosrúcháin, na caisleáin bhána, is mise an duine brandáilte a ghlaonn ort." Zengo chanted.
A hole in the sky gaping with light appeared before the group. The undead couldn't help but stare in amusement, until they realized what power was coming from the hole, it was holy magic. Zengo looked visibly tired after casting that spell, but he still forced himself to his feet.
Wisp who was following just behind, felt a wild sensation go through her mind, and then she couldn't remember why she followed this man. That was wrong, she knew there was a reason, but nothing. Even still she couldn't let these undead leave, so she took her chance. Aiming for the back of the Dread Knights neck she leaped forward slashing with all her might. At that moment the dread knight grabbed her hand out of the air. That should be impossible, she thought to herself. Wisp tried to struggle free but his grip was too tight. Zengo looked shocked at her arrival. And then it happened emerging from the rip in the sky came a hooded humanoid being with six wings holding a flaming sword. It was an angel, more precisely it was a Nuntius.
"Pax welcome, I Praise thy.".
Pax spoke with power. "I will forever answer your call contractor. But is my holy power truly necessary against such lowly foes?"
As undead are natural enemies of all things holy, they felt true hate build up in their bones, and as the weakest minded Nikolai was the first to react entering melee with the angel.
The angel attacked with perfected swordsmanship, well Nikolai hit with brute force. In the speed and power department Nikolai is faster, but overall there battle was a stalemate.
Qortez, who had a hold of Wisp, frowned. "Riken, let's retreat."
"Yes, we only came to scout after all. Come on Nikolai."
And like an obedient dog Nikolai followed after the retreating Riken. Zengo sat down, he was happy to have driven them away. But he realized the woman from before was gone, he had no strength left to give chase.
"Pax, how long do you have left?" Zingo asked.
"About half a day, maybe more if I consume my own holy power."
"Do you think you can beat them by yourself?"
"I can't believe I have to say this, but not the three of them, if just one then yes."
"That death guard is that strong?"
"I'm afraid so."
Zengo looked into the sky.
"Two hours until my magic recovers. But the gods know they will be long gone by then."
"What about that friend of yours, Jorge was it?" Pax asked curiously.
"Like always he's never here when you need him."
Pax placed a hand on his chin. "What of the other summons?"
That question scared Zengo, he reasonably didn't want to cast any more spells, and some of his other contractors are far less agreeable. Pax wasn't a true angel, not at least to heaven. He was no longer able to return when the world he was stationed on fell to demons. Hence he has little relations with any of the gods. Overall Pax was just happy to be with another sentient being.
"How's life in that world?" Zengo changed the question.
"You wouldn't be able to understand. I'm barely holding on, I'm just lucky none of the stronger demons haven't come hunting me down."