It had grown so thick that it knocked Azrael flat on the academy courtyard ice like a fly with a swipe. He fumbled, scrabbling his hand toward his side. Jagged pain scratched at his ribs like clutching fingers striving to rip the muscle loose from its anchoring within his meat, but he gripped shut over the moan trying to come out.
"Ahhh!" he gritted the sheer force of dark magic that launched at him, making him shudder.
Before Azrael realized what was occurring, Adam was there beside him, looking inside his face as if trying to determine if everything was all right with him. His hands though, did so on instinctive surety, and he reached out and pried loose the glowing dragon heart still clutched in Azrael's hand. He freed it with swift decision.
"Are you okay?" Adam asked softly, yet firm.
Azrael gasped for breath, his eyes flickering with confusion and pain. "I don't know… but something's wrong… it hurt—like I'm being ripped apart from the inside."
Suddenly, his system chimed in with an urgent, sharp tone.
[Warning! There's a traitor in your midst right now. You're under attack by a very dark magic.]
His eyes narrowed and he stiffened as his vision scanned their surroundings with an acute gaze. Stifled, a whisper slid out of his mouth: "A traitor. here?"
Adam crept closer to him. "What? What are you mumbling about? Azrael, talk to me!"
The glance of Azrael swept the courtyard, his blurred vision brought back into order by fear, made sharp by sense. "Someone is here. a stranger. employing dark magic. We're in danger."
Adam furrowed his brow. "What … what are you even saying? Speak clearly! You're not making any sense!"
The aching did little for Azrael's mood. He clenched his jaw and let out an angry hiss, "Evil is present, you imbecile! What is it that you are not understanding, you sexual deviant?"
A queer light danced within Adam's eyes. His countenance changed as something darker, more malevolent crept upon his face. "So. you caught on," he whispered more to himself than Azrael.
Azrael was blinking in confusion as Adam slowly stood up from where he had been crouching beside him.
"What the hell are you talking about?" he asked suspiciously.
Adam smiled; it was a cold, calculated grin twisted upon his face. "Baka na… You really are a fool, Azrael. For so long, you have blinded yourself. And you know your problem? Pride clouds your judgment and fills your heart with bitter feelings. It seems you never learned rule number one: never underestimate any opponent."
Then darkness spread across his face like ink bleeding into his skin as Adam's eyes turned jet-black. He raises a hand never uttering a single word and each girl around them tumbled to the floor, immobile.
"No!" gasped Azrael and tried to force himself back onto his feet, but pain in his ribs flared with an unbearable intensity, and he crumpled back down again, vision swimming.
Adam's dark chuckle. "Yeah, that's me. Surprised?"
You. You're the traitor? Azrael whispered in horror, his voice barely audible but full of anger.
Traitor? Adam laughed. "No, Azrael. I am not a traitor. I am just. stronger than you could ever imagine.".
A sudden explosion of magic shot out from behind to Adam. Brilliant flash of energy, like a comet, streaked through the air. But Adam turned, raised his hand and with just a simple flick of his fingers the magic dissipated to nothingness.
The All-Mother of the Bene Gassert stood at the origin of the attack. Her eyes blazed with purpose, her hands aglow with power as she readied another strike. Beside her stood Azrael's mother, her face white but fierce.
"System!" Azrael gasped, clutching at his chest. "Help me! Do something!"
[Sorry, Azrael… I can't do much right now. His power is overwhelming. At your current level, I am unable to counter it.]
"Are you kidding me?" Azrael groaned. "If we make it out of here, we are definitely upgrading you!"
[Yes… if we make it.],
Adam floated there now, darkness in his eyes spreading evil. All the spells sent in his direction are absorbed. A deep menacing laughter echoed through the courtyard. "Is that all you have got?" he challenged, his voice thunderous. "Come on. Give me more!"
"Motto da!" he roared, the arrogance dripping off him. "More!"
His heart was racing as he watched his mother and the All-Mother release spell after spell, only to have Adam swat them aside like flies. He clenched his fists, his mind racing.
"Think, Azrael. Think!" he muttered. He must have a plan. Something. Anything. To turn the tide. The dragon heart pulsed faintly in Adam's hand.