…
As the black mist enveloped the entire platform, it spread even wider, encroaching upon the citizens by the gates and the nobility who had initially been calmly enjoying the spectacle under their shade.
All of a sudden, they were taken aback by this unexpected display.
From within the mist, something emerged, bringing with it a portion of the lingering haze that cloaked its form.
"What crazy magic had that man locked himself with, sh*t, I can't retrieve the knife…" that figure cloaked in darkness muttered angrily under his breath.
After the black mist slowly dissipated from the figure shrouded in it, it then foreseeably unveiled Mayor Lucca, who was ensconced in a delicate, transparent membrane, shielding him from the effect of the mist. Yet, upon closer inspection, one could see that his exposed left hand was turning a deep purple, the discoloration rapidly spreading toward his neck, only to be halted by something writhing beneath his skin.
The black mist continued to spread, engulfing more and more of the area around it. It drew closer to the residents of Mirthwater, who were in a state of panic, shoving one another in their desperate attempts to escape. Though they didn't fully understand the nature of the threat that had gotten closer, their instincts told them it was perilous. Chaos erupted as people pushed against each other, and several fell to the ground, trampled by the frantic crowd. Those who had once stood at the front, clapping and cursing the dead rows when they were shot to death – were the first to succumb to the effect of the mist, which was likened to an unidentified lethal poison.
Concurrently, at the side of the nobility, one of the nobles who at first slept with his mouth slightly ajar, leaning back on his chair and with head tilted upward, suddenly opened his eyes wide.
He had dark red mid-length hair that unraveled and fell loosely – covering over half of his face, along with a beard completing his handsome, middle-aged man appearance.
With a stern expression, he rose from his seat. A trace of saliva lingered on the side of his face as he took a few steps toward the very front of the noble assembly. The nobles, frowning and a few already in a state of panic, remained seated despite the tension in the air.
As the threat of impending doom loomed closer, the red-haired noble extended his hand, palm facing the swirling black mist. Subsequently from his palm, a layer of transparent light began to spread, enveloping the entire platform where the noble group sat, watching the execution unfold earlier.
Finding the mist blocked by his magic, he uttered something with a frown. "Bring the mayor here. He is still useful to us."
Then suddenly, out of nowhere, something or someone that couldn't be seen, replied to his order. "Your wish is my command."
A short moment later, there was a disturbance happening at one part of this light membrane, as if someone had passed it to venture into the black mist.
It wasn't long until two figures getting closer, then stumbled back to the inside of the light shield. The figures revealed as the mayor with his purple arm still hadn't healed up one bit, also sporting a pale face that was currently grimacing in pain.
And the one who brought him there by the shoulder was a man with black attire and a black mask covering the whole of his face. On the black mask, there were intricate lines of gold, creating an elaborate pattern.
"Where did this mist come from?" the nobleman demanded, his piercing gaze fixed on Mayor Lucca, who was barely managing to stay conscious. The nobleman cast a glance at the man in black, a silent command passing between them. Understanding his intent, the man in black raised his hand, his palm facing forward. A golden orb materialized above it, shimmering faintly – only to crack moments later and break into countless fragments with a sound akin to shattered glass.
{Silence}
(This Rune Magic creates an invisible area that prevents any vibrations from entering or exiting. It can be adjusted to block sound from entering the space, to keep sounds from escaping, or to do both simultaneously.)
As the mayor used his trembling hands – trying to prop himself up, yet, only managed to kneel, he then spoke with his shivering pale lips. "Sir, danger!!! I think what we're looking for is on the inside of him. It somehow reacts to our knife and amplifies the magic in it."
"… what???" the nobleman exclaimed in shock from that unexpected answer. He then turned to face the swirling black mist that was creeping against the protective light membrane shielding them.
Closing his eyes for a moment, he suddenly opened them wide, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"No mistakes, the black mist consumed the magic. We need to leave now!!!" just as he was saying that – the light membrane that was covering them all suddenly showed signs of cracks at some part of it. It also gradually spreads ominously.
As the man in black canceled his magic, the nobleman then turned around to address the other nobles, who were now in a state of panic as they also noticed the turbulence and cracks forming in the magical shield. They might not have quite a mastery like how the nobleman earlier managed to shield them using magic with ease – but surely, they weren't fool enough to not understand something was amiss from the cracks.
"I apologize, dear Sirs and Madam, but we must evacuate immediately!" he exclaimed politely with a bow.
"Ah, what's happening, Sir Ranec? Is this mist dangerous?" asked one of the nobles, who had been observing the black mist since its first appearance. He was one of the few who hadn't fallen asleep during the irregular execution, which had taken place without any announcement or formal setting, unlike the usual proceedings in The Central. He was also the first one who stood up when the sign of the black mist emerged – spreading from the platform until it reached their place.
"Very much so, Sir Calence. I deduce from its magic traits, that we cannot contain it, no matter how hard and how long we'll go up to try. The more we resist and attempt to shield ourselves, the longer the mist will linger. It'll be dangerous by then…" Sir Ranec replied with a pensive expression.
"I see. You indeed truly are a remarkable person, Sir Ranec. To draw such a conclusion in mere minutes. Truly amazing," Sir Calence acknowledged him with a smile of his.
"Yeah, that's right. As expected from someone born in Valderas. Magnificent sir…"
"Indeed. Handsome and charming. A capable warrior too!? What ladies can't hold their desire upon meeting you, Sir Ranec…"
"Such is an impressive man!!!"
"…"
"…"
"…" the other nobles then chimed in from the sidelines, completing the whole choir of flattery which was directed to Sir Ranec.
…
"Thank you very much, all of you sirs, and madams. But I hope you won't get offended as I need to remind you all, the shield won't last long. So, we must depart at once," he said, maintaining an amiable, charming smile.
…