A wave of stunned silence fell over the battlefield. The light around everyone flickered like a protective shield, dissipating the remnants of Athos's dark magic ball, leaving only a faint echo of its malevolent energy behind.
Rowena, still kneeling, her hands trembling from exhaustion, blinked in disbelief at the sight. Cevic, who had narrowly escaped death, looked up, breathing heavily, his eyes wide in astonishment. The battlefield, moments ago on the verge of complete chaos, was now enveloped in a strange, heavy calm.
As Rowena, still kneeling, struggled to process the chaos around her. Her heart raced as Aro's voice cut through the stillness. "Miss Rowena!!" The urgency in his tone pulled her focus back to the immediate danger. Aro's eyes flickered with a mix of respect and frustration, recognizing her as the strongest mage of Eldoan, but also as a source of hope amidst their dire circumstances.
"Colerio." Rowena uttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Confusion washed over her as she confronted the man she had once trusted. The rumors had spread like wildfire through the kingdom—Colerio saving a beastfolk had shaken her belief in him. How could he ally himself with the very creatures their people had long despised?
Colerio's calm demeanor did little to soothe her apprehension. "Rowena, what is the condition here?" he asked, his voice steady, demanding answers as though he were still a teacher at the academy, rather than a traitor in the eyes of many.
Cevic, still catching his breath from the previous chaos, glanced up at Colerio. He felt a mix of admiration and fear for the legendary mage. The rumors about Colerio's power were well-known, whispers of him being stronger than Rowena echoing in hushed conversations. Cevic gulped, gathering his thoughts as he felt the weight of expectations pressing down on him. "Let me tell you, sir." he said, his voice steadying as he spoke, despite the tumult around them.
Colerio nodded, urging him to continue, his sharp gaze focused intently on Cevic. The tension in the air felt palpable, and everyone around them knew that this moment would shape the future of their fight against the encroaching darkness.
Cevic took a breath, gathering his courage. "Athos was about to unleash a dark magic ball towards me, but Miss Rowena summoned an ice sphere to counter it. The five mages who rushed in to shield me cast the Aquatic Shield spell, hoping it would hold against Athos's attack." He glanced nervously at Rowena, then back to Colerio. "But we don't know if it's enough. Athos is powerful, and his magic is chaotic."
"That's not what I meant." Colerio interjected, a hint of impatience creeping into his tone.
Cevic blinked, momentarily thrown off. "Oh, sorry! That monster right there is Athos, and he is the—"
"Son of Aurathos. I know.." Colerio cut him off, his expression darkening as he focused on the looming threat.
His attention shifted to Ash Minse in the distance, fiercely battling against Kenjo, a turtle beastfolk whose proficiency with the katana was renowned. The clash of blades echoed through the air, mingling with the chaotic sounds of the battlefield.
Colerio's expression hardened as he took in Ash's actions—skeletons swirling around him, each one a remnant of Shen Mort, The former teacher, now transformed into a lich due to Ash's dark machinations. "Ash..." Colerio murmured, his voice barely audible, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on him. Ash, once a respected teacher of the Magux Kingdom, had betrayed them, a revelation that sent a chill through Colerio's bones.
His gaze flickered to Kenjo, who fought valiantly alongside the mages and knights of Eldoan. "Beastfolk?" Colerio mused aloud, his tone neutral. He bore no prejudice against them, understanding their struggles, but he was acutely aware of the Eldoan's bias.
"We still don't trust that turtle, Kenjo," Cevic admitted, a note of reluctance in his voice. "He's a vassal of the King of Beastfolk. But right now, we have a greater enemy to face. That's why we didn't challenge him when he offered his help."
Cevic's eyes darted between Rowena and Colerio, the uncertainty of their alliance palpable. With Athos poised to unleash chaos, their time was running out, and the shadows of distrust loomed large over them.
...
Behind them, the group of students and warriors stood at the ready, a mixture of emotions running through them.
Roki Bilzton, calm and analytical, assessed the situation with an intensity that reflected his deeply focused nature. He remained silent but was already connecting the dots in his mind, drawing crucial links between Ash Minse and the ancient calamity they had studied.
Beside him, Bax Wood seethed with frustration. The hot-headed mage had not forgotten Ash Minse's escape, and the bitterness of their recent failure gnawed at him. "This is all wrong," he muttered, barely able to contain his anger. His fiery temperament made him restless, always needing to act, always needing a solution—yet now, he felt powerless.
Lory Lawen, sharp-tongued and disbelieving, stood nearby. Her anger simmered just beneath the surface as she scanned the battlefield, taking in the destruction Ash Minse and Athos had caused. "Why did it come to this?" she whispered harshly, more to herself than anyone else. She couldn't understand how everything had spiraled so far out of control, how they had failed so spectacularly.
Rika, the emotional and determined knight, stood beside Brando, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword so tightly her knuckles turned white. Tears of frustration and sadness welled up in her eyes as she remembered their fallen comrades. Yet, she pushed forward, determined to protect those who remained.
Brando, the laid-back but dependable knight, rested a hand on Rika's shoulder, offering her silent support. His usual relaxed demeanor was replaced by a rare seriousness as he surveyed the battlefield. He knew they had to be ready for what was coming next, but right now, their priority was survival.
At the back of the group, Petra Haws, the history and magic expert, stood with a composed expression, though her eyes reflected a deep empathy for those around her. She had long sided with Colerio, understanding that the events unfolding were part of something larger—something that went beyond simple good versus evil. She had tried to help Aro see this, but his anger blinded him. Now, all she could do was watch and hope that they could all see the bigger picture soon.
Lerona Everdale, the knight instructor, was as tough and unyielding as ever. Her focus remained solely on survival and protecting the students. She had her doubts about Colerio, but the magnitude of the threat they faced forced her to set them aside, at least for now. Her priority was the academy and its people.
Darkin Vlen, the silent and conflicted half-beastfolk warrior of the Raven Squad, stood beside Colerio, his loyalty clear despite the lingering tension. The academy had always viewed him with suspicion, and Aro's presence only made it worse. Yet, it was Colerio who had saved him from persecution, and for that, Darkin remained fiercely loyal. He glanced at Aro, sensing the man's disdain, but he stayed silent, knowing this was not the time for personal grievances.
Darkin Vlen stood quietly beside Colerio, a silent sentinel amidst the chaos of battle. His half-beastfolk heritage marked him as an outsider within the academy, a reality that had carved a deep trench of suspicion in the hearts of many. He felt the weight of Aro's disdain like a palpable force, yet he refused to let it fester. Colerio had been his shield against persecution, and for that loyalty, he would fight to the bitter end.
His sharp, amber eyes swept across the battlefield, catching snippets of conversation. When Cevic spoke about Kenjo, the turtle beastfolk vassal, Darkin's ears perked up. "You said he's a vassal," he interjected, his voice low but firm, cutting through the tension. "Which means he's strong."
Cevic nodded, acknowledging Darkin's insight. "Yes, he is indeed strong." he confirmed, his gaze shifting to meet Darkin's, filled with a mix of respect and understanding. Cevic had always admired Darkin, the legendary warrior known for his prowess and dedication, despite the stigma attached to his bloodline. It was a source of pride for Cevic to stand beside someone of Darkin's caliber.
As the chaos of battle raged on, Darkin glanced at Aro, who stood rigidly on the periphery, his disdain palpable. "Your opinion of Kenjo is irrelevant if we're to survive this fight." Darkin said quietly, his voice steady, though he felt the tension in the air. Aro's expression hardened, but he remained silent, unwilling to provoke further discord.
.....
Meanwhile Darius Borne stood at the edge of the battlefield, his arms crossed and his brow furrowed in thought. The chaos of the ongoing fight swirled around him, yet his gaze was fixed on Ash Minse, whose dark magic seemed to twist the very air. "Boss, is that Ash?" Darius called out, his gruff voice cutting through the din of clashing steel and cries of battle
.
Colerio turned his head, following Darius's gaze. The weight of his past experiences settled heavily on his shoulders as he nodded. "Yes, that's Ash." There was no mistaking the fake innocent figure in the distance, surrounded by an army of skeletons, each one a testament to his fall from grace.
Darius narrowed his eyes, skepticism etched into his rugged features. "I can't believe he'd go this far. A teacher turned into a monster, commanding the dead. It's a damn shame.." he muttered, shaking his head. The practicality of his nature urged him to focus on the battle ahead, but the betrayal of a once-respected figure stirred a mix of anger and disappointment within him.
Colerio regarded Darius, appreciating the warrior's dissapointment but also recognizing the value of collaboration in their fight. "Keep your eyes sharp, Darius. If Ash makes a move, we'll need to respond quickly."
With a curt nod, Darius refocused on the battlefield, determination set in his jaw. "I'm ready, Boss. Let's take him down before he can unleash whatever dark plans he's cooking up." The warrior's instincts kicked in, his senses honed for the impending conflict as he prepared to defend their ranks against the encroaching darkness.
...
Meanwhile Elara Moon remained a pillar of calm. Her sharp eyes surveyed the scene, taking in every detail with a tactical awareness that few possessed. She had always been one to assess situations carefully, and this was no different. The Raven Squad relied on her strategic mind, especially now, with Ash Minse and his dark magic looming over them.
Nearby, Lucy Greay lingered in the shadows, her thoughtful demeanor contrasting sharply with the frenetic energy around her. As a fellow mage who had fought alongside Roki, Bax, and Lory, she carried the weight of their shared trauma, but she remained resolute in her commitment to the fight.
Catching Elara's eye, Lucy hesitated before speaking, a nervous excitement dancing in her voice. "You are the famous Phantom Moon." she said, her admiration evident.
Elara turned to her, a small smile gracing her lips. "Oh my, someone still knows my nickname." she replied, her tone light yet serious.
Lucy chuckled softly, a hint of shyness creeping into her demeanor. "Hehehe, I'm a big fan of the Raven Squad, especially you, sister.
Elara raised an eyebrow, her expression softening at Lucy's praise. "That's nice to hear coming from a fan, but..." She paused, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. "Our role here is to defeat Ash Minse and this so-called Athos. We can't let our admiration distract us from the task at hand."
Lucy took a deep breath, feeling the weight of Elara's words. "I'll do my best."
Elara's expression softened further, impressed by Lucy's resolve. "That's the spirit. Trust in your abilities and stay close. We'll face whatever comes our way together."
To be continue