Fate In 13 - Chapter 5

--------------------------- 5.0

They where only three, yet they instilled fear to the students, most of them to afraid to move. Sergei took a step forward, smoke pluming from his cigarette. “Don't worry brats... I deal with this...” He said; though he knew very well that these three were strong. Maybe he could deal with one, but three? But who else would help the brats? As the fucking janitor, did he have a job to do.

“You are a brave man...” The sad looking man leaned against his shovel. “I'm Triste of the Dark Minds, and we are here to kill one person.”

”Kind of you telling your name...” Sergei said as he held his arm up, showing glowing tattoos.

But Sergei understood that Triste's words had affected the students behind him; one whisper led to two and it grew. Who did they talk about? One person they wanted to kill? Many eyes started to look at Bob, as the new one was she instantly the most suspicious one. A hand reached to push Bob forward.

“But I won't allow any killing in my school. No one will die. Understood, brats?” Sergei looked at them, and they seemed to calm slightly. The hand that reached towards Bob froze, and was pulled back. Sergei turned to the trio. “I give you a chance to surrender, or I will break you all.”

Triste smiled sadly, his dark eyes simply showing great sadness. No joy, no fear, just... like he accepted his fate. “I have read about you Sergei. I know your magic, and that your three strongest weapons are locked out...”

“Read about me and my magic? So there is a traitor...”

“Yes, sad isn't? To be stabbed in the back by someone you trust, revealing all your little secrets.” Triste raised his shovel and pointed it towards Sergei. “There is six of us here. And one of yours is a traitor. Knowing this, what will you do?

Even if Sergei looked calm, was it only a facade at this point. Shit... So there is three elsewhere in the school. And one of ours is a traitor... I can't fight these people and look for the others... “You got me...” Sergei said when energy suddenly exploded from his tattoos. Chains erupt from his tattoos into the air.

Suddenly did an huge arm out of green energy appear above Sergei, connected to the chains; as he clenched his fist did the huge arm do it as well. “Iron-fist, rank 1...” With a violent force did Sergei punch, and the arm followed as it struck into the trio. More tattoos was glowing on Sergei's arm as he lit a cigarette. ”Well, first I deal with you three and then I take the others.” He said and turned his head to Bob, Lyndie and the others. ”Get back, I deal with these three... You all get the students back.”

It would be to easy if they listened, but as expected did Bob and Sharken take a step forward. “How about we even the odds instead?” Bob said as the gauntlet formed over her hand. “I'm ready to break some bones.” Sharken grinned and slammed his fist into his hand.

“We will take care of the others Sergei.” Lyndie assured as she and Sly Fox turned to the other students. “Start moving back in calm order, we are getting to the safety rooms!”

Sergei grunted annoyed. “You all gonna give me headache...” But he was glad that they all took responsibilities so quickly, they going to be outstanding Vetus one day.

As the dust settled did Sergei look stunned though, as the thin boy, barely a man, with a helmet had stopped the fist with one shaking hand. ”Idontwantthis—Idontwantthis---Imscared---Scared--SCARED!” it sounded like an echo cause of the helmet, and the man shrieked in fear as Sergei's summoned hand cracked and broke. It was obvious it pained Sergei that held his arm with a grimace. ”That strength... is unbelievable...”

”Sorry for Rabia.” Triste said with a sad expression. ”He is a bit unstable...”

Sharken just took a step forwad. ”Then---” Bob and Sergei looked stunned as Sharken suddenly froze, with Rabia standing in front of him. They hadn't notice him move. ”SCARY!”

A small fist hit the orcasi deep into his gut with the most tremendous force; Sharken gurgled with white blood from his mouth as the power sent him flying into the school-building. Quickly did Rabia follow with a shriek.

”Sharken!” Bob moved but needed to dodge barbed wires and a green glowing shield appeared to protect her. Like the arm was chains connected to Sergei. “Go after him, I take care of these two...”

Sergei took a step forward. “I will show you that no one fucks around with my academy...” Bob nodded and started to run to the school-building when a hole appeared just right under her feet and she feel down. As she went through did the hole vanish. “What the!?”

Though Sergei had no chance to look away, as more barbed wires appeared lashing against him, forcing him to block. “Don't look away from Dolor, or you will have a real painful time...” Triste said. “And don't worry about the woman, I will deal with her... And know Sergei, that whatever you do, the students lives are in danger...”

Slowly did he vanish into the ground, leaving Sergei with the woman of barbed wires, Dolor. “Tsch, wish I could say that I would beat you quickly and help the others, but I have a feeling you won't make it easy...”


--------------------------- 5.1


With a crash did Bob land on some school-benches, and groaned as she got up on her feet. “What the heck... a hole?” She looked up but saw only the roof. Was it one of the attackers?

Quickly she got up and ran out the door from the storage. She needed to help Sergei, Sharken and the others as soon as possible. It was obvious the attackers deliberated split them up, as their numbers would be weaker. Also they seemed well informed, at least about Sergei.

Suddenly did a pillar of dirt launch against Bob, that she barely avoided duo the small corridor. The dirt did seemingly crawl back to Triste that held his hand out. “You avoided it... You are quick. I was told you are strong, very strong. In fact, you shut down the entire magic-grid in the academy...”

“You seem to know a lot.” Bob said with a confident grin, even if she was worried inside. “Why attack the academy?”

“We have access to information, not all, but enough... And we where paid to do this job.” He said and raised his hand, that turned to dirt and flew with high speed against Bob, curving and moving like a snake.

Bob quickly darted up the wall and jumped over it, seeing how the dirt cracked the walls. She clenched her fist, ready to strike. But Daunec's voice was heard inside of her. “Remember Bob, you can't go full out! Or you risk to be---”

Suddenly the gauntlet formed on her fist, and with an burst of power that shattered the dirt-snake, was she in front of Triste that hadn't react. In an instant had her fist slammed into his chest and launched him like a doll through the hall, stopped only by pills of dirt from his clothing.

“BOB!?”

“If I try to hold back, will I never be able to survive this. Under no circumstances can I go easy on this one.” She said with lightning arching from her gauntlet and eyes. “So you are simply mercs, that attack kids?”

Triste slowly got up and the dirt gathered inside the coat, seemingly healing his body. “Such power you have... We are mercenaries yes, but if you follow our rules no one will get hurt... We have no interest in hurting little kids.”

Bob was there again, this time with a strike that cleanly hit him in the head, snapping it and crashed him into the wall. Dirt flew from his cracked face but it didn't seem to kill him. Instead he raised his hand and launched out spikes of dirt that penetrated even the hard walls. Barely able to avoid them does Triste create an distance.

“Rude... Not letting me speak... Then again I rarely get to talk...” He said depressive as his face seemed to repair with the dirt. Instantly was Bob there again, this time he raised a wall to halter her movement.

But such power and speed, even hardened with magic was the earth-wall nothing to stop her, and she struck him in the gut, splitting him in two with dirt flying.

“I'm tired of playing with a puppet.” She said with magic sparking around her. Inside of her was Daunec struggling. “Bob, please, hold back! The gate will open and release her!!”

“Just for a little longer Daunec.” Bob replied in her mind where Triste and no one else could hear them talk. “I... will try. Have you figured out his abilities?”

“Yes.” She said in her mind as Triste's broken face looked at her. “So you realized it...”

“That this is not your real body, yes. And I assume your real body is inside the coffin.”

“Right and wrong.” He replied and the coffin behind him opened up, pouring out of energy and dirt. Slowly a skeleton crawled out, it's empty sockets glowing with green energy. The skull have carved symbols around it like a crown. “This is my body, or what is left of it. Afraid? I'm not surprised if--”

“Wow, what a boner.” Bob uttered with a grin and Triste dropped his jaw before recollecting himself. “Are you... making fun of me?”

“Kind of, but I do have a bone to pick with ya.”

“...... I... no...” He chuckled for a second, just to suddenly get struck by Bob. “That... was rude... Such underhanded technique... Don't you know who I am?”

“You are one to talk.” Bob said and clenched her fist. “And honestly, I couldn't care less about you, I just gonna crush you.”

“Ah... You really are a warrior...” He slowly stood up with earth gathering around him, forming to a person. His massive body covered the hallway, his cloth was old and he had a crown on his large head. Red hair and beard like the wildest fire. “I'm the first emperor of the Veron Empire, Harken the Conqueror! I---”

Once again did Bob attack, her massive gauntlet hitting him in the chest and literally punched the skeleton out of the body, tossing it through a wall. “Gnahr--- You---”

“I said I don't give a fuck who you are. I just gonna kill ya and be over with it.” Bob eyes was glowing and lightning sparking around her fist. Harken slowly formed his body again. ”If you kill me, you won't be any better than me. Are you ready to carry the burden of death on your hands, can you live with it?”

“I can.” More energy pulsed around Bob, and Harken felt his body almost crumble. What was this mad amount of energy? Not only that, it was so strong that it seemed to enter his body and violated his soul. For the centuries he lived, had he only seen this kind of power twice; one belonged to a being that is beyond this world, the other was a god-like warrior. This woman had the same aura, not as strong but it was the same feeling.

Her eyes showed strength and dedication; confidence. Eyes of someone that carried the burden of others lives on her hands. This woman was truly worthy of respect. “Then so live with your burden, warrior. In a different era, would I great you to my table.” He said and created pillars of dirt to crush Bob.

They cracked and exploded to bits by her energy, it was like an infection that penetrated his own magic and made it crumble. He slammed his hands together, and reinforced his magic; like an forged sword can magic be reinforced if made correctly.

Her aura wasn't anti-magic, it would have nullified his magic instantly; what Bob had was an tremendous amount of energy, combined with an mental strength and fortitude, a charisma that simply was overwhelming.

The only reason why she didn't crush him with her mere presence, was that she used her powers by instincts. Bob didn't know her powers and only relied on her feelings.

The pillars cracked and exploded as she punched through it and jumped towards him, like a flash of lightning. However, Harken wasn't a weakling. He grabbed her hand that was free from the gauntlet and slammed her into the wall, before his hand formed to a spear of dirt and struck against her gut.

Barely did she manage to stop it with her gauntlet. Even if pinpointed was her eyes full of determination, Bob's very soul glowing. I can't let my guard down even for a second. Harken thought as he let go of her hand and slammed his fist into her face repeatedly. Yet her cursed eyes glared at him.

For a mere moment did Bob's aura spike, and Harken just saw death and endless darkness. What was this fear of death? For so long he lived, had he wished for it, but now, when he saw her face did he know that there was only and complete annihilation waiting him.
Quickly did he let go of her and jumped back, creating walls around him. But they weren't strong enough to hold Bob that just walked while her energy made them crumble, even his form of earth started to fall. It just reminded him of the briefing before this mission.

“This woman... are you sure?” A man veiled in darkness asked, as another with distorted voice replied. “Yes, she is dangerous. I couldn't pinpoint her power, it's beyond what I ever seen. If she get to fight at full power, no one here, except you, will be able to win over her.”

“I will fight her.” Triste said with a sad smile. All looked at him. The man in darkness replied; “No. You are to weak, both in power and in mind. There is only one of you that can defeat such power.”

Triste felt tears in his eyes. “But... they will kill everyone.”

“Yes.”

“Killing us all, as well themselves.”

“Yes.”

“.... Why?”

“There is no 'why', Triste. It's simple an order. Or will you betray me? Are you showing ME, your Master, such lack of faith?”

“I... No, Master.”


--------------------------- 5.2


Even if Bob's energy just increased, so did Harkens. The shovel suddenly flew through the air, ripping up a wound on Bob's arm as it passed by, flying to Harken's hand. Dirt instantly forming a new body, and the once mighty Emperor stood up, as the shovel turned to a sword.

“You are strong. Stronger than me. But to spare as many lives as possible on this ship, will I have to defeat you. Or an force greater than anyone will wake up.” He said as earth gathered around him and his sword, like floating rocks around a planet.

Bob glared at him, not answering as she suddenly exploded in a burst of speed, rings on the gauntlet started to spin and started to generate even more power. However, spikes and walls of earth slow her down as he started to chant.

“By thy earth of my family, my wife and children. By thy earth of my people, my companions and friends. By thy earth I was born, and by thy earth I never rest; ORTUS GAIA! (Rise of Gaia)”

The earth around him turned red, as blood from ancient times would resurface. It covered his body, forming an armor of blood-red earth. His eyes glowed green under the helmet and his sword became massive. With one swing did he destroy the corridor, open it up to the other rooms around. However, it didn't stop Bob that avoided the attacks as she got closer to him. With one strike to his chest did he slide back; but it wasn't enough. “BOB! You need to stop, I can't hold it much longer!” Within her did Daunec using his own magic to strengthen the dark chains, but they had started to crack. “Just a little bit more, Daunec.”

“Spheara Gaia.” Harken mumbled in a chant as small rocks around the blade started to move along the blades edges, a speed increasing to becoming like a chainsaw. The sound was terrifying and when the blade touched the walls did they cut through them like if it was air.

“Gaiati, be with me.” He prayed to his blade, as he unleashed full force, cutting down towards Bob that was now in front of him.

Bob raised her gauntlet to stop the blade, but it bounced and created arcs of sparks. Shrapnel of sharp dirt pierced her skin, leaving small trails of blood. Using all his strength and weight, did Harken push the blade closer toward Bob's neck. “Your end is at hand!”

“I... refuse---” She gritted her teeth's as she tried to stop the blade but there was no chance to grip it. Even if her gauntlet was made by some of the toughest materials, was even it taking damage. It reached her skin and she felt it burning as it started to bleed.

“There is no place for you here, Izulu.”

Bob grasped for air as her mind became blank; the chains exploding and her inner filled with a dark cold, an void of hatred. Daurnec became quiet in her mind, and she found herself looking up at herself; an dark and cruel version of her with glowing red eyes. “My time is here...”

The last thing Bob felt was chains piercing her body, and dragged her to the dark gate. Then, there was nothingness.

Harken felt sadness to kill her, but it was needed to. “May your soul find piece in dea--”

Suddenly the spinning stopped, and he couldn't move the blade. “What?” He tried to stand up but saw her gauntlet-less hand held the blade with just her fingers. “I remember you.” She said and slowly stood. With just the pinch of her fingers did he buckle and couldn't hold up the sword.

“H-how, this-- is impossible---”

“You enslaved my people.”

“What?”

With the flicker of her wrist, did she throw Harken and the blade through a wall. The energy that had been pure and powerful, became sickening and twisted. The yellow marks under her eyes started to cover her body and became black, as her eyes now was glowing red.

“You killed thousands of Izulus. Put my people to slavery. Broke us, raped us, destroying our culture. You killed my family, my friends. Everyone.” Bob voice had become darker, more hateful than ever. Her very being emitted of hatred as she walked slowly at him.

Her gauntlet and arm became twisted, covered in dark marks that turned it black and gray, spikes growing out of it as the metal resonated with her energy, forming this vile weapon.

“You---” Harken tried to speak but she was there, in front of him. Instinctively did he thrust the sword into her body, but the blade missed. No, her aura FORCED him to miss. With an dark electric burst from her elbow and gauntlet, did she struck into his head in a upper-cut. His entire body broke to pieces as he flew through the rough and landed in a pile on the academy ground. When he tried to form his body did he realize his entire magical circuit system had been destroyed and there was only enough to sustain his head left.

“Hrng--- This--- impossible---” The skeleton head said as it fell out of the broken helmet that had saved his very existence. Now he understood, that only they could fight this demon.

To fight a demon, you need a demon.


--------------------------- 5.3

“Doesn't it feel great? To have all this power rushing through your body?” The dark voice whispered in Bob's mind, as the chains dug deeper to her flesh. “Now you finally have power to seek vengeance on those that hurt you and took everything from you.”

From the open gate was just darkness pouring out, like cold smoke that made it hard to breath. Her body, no, her mind was breaking in the pain. “I---”

“But you don't remember any of that.” The Dark showed a smug smile as she approached Bob, her long nail, or rather a claw, poked Bob on the chest. “Yet ~ If you willingly give yourself to me, will I make you remember it all ~” Her fingers trailed up over chains and skin, her claws piercing into Bob's head, making her scream in pain. “Just give up and the pain will be over!”

Even in such pain, barely able to control her body, did Bob spit in the Darks face. “F-fuck you-- I refuse-!” She gasped out between short breaths.

The Dark took a step back, drying of the spit. “Shame. I thought you would want to go the easy way.” Her eyes glow red and her smile became wicked. “But to be honest, I'm happy you struggle ~ It will be more fun to break you down, and let us see if you will enjoyed being locked away!”

The chains started to drag Bob back, as she in feeble attempt tried to stand up. She let out a painful scream, feeling muscles being ripped and bones shattered by the chains. The Dark just laughed, empty and hollow. “You can scream and struggle as much as you want, but you won't get free you filthy whore.”

She turned her back against Bob. “I will take over you completely. It's lucky that your children don't see the filth you are.”

Outside on the ground did Harken only see Bob coming towards him in a slow pace; like she had all the time in the world to destroy him. A demon out of hatred and darkness. It felt like his soul was overwhelmed by acid and he wanted to scream but couldn't.

Yet there was still a spark left in him; his friends depended on him. And his burden shall never be easy nor forgotten. To save everyone on this ship, did he need to stop Bob before the true monster came.

Pushing the boundaries, breaking the limits; his soul became an unstoppable flame, regaining control over his lost body. Magic circuits carved into his bones as he stood up with the sword in his hand. Raising his blade did he storm against Bob, against all odds. “WE SHALL NOT YIELD! FOR OUR FAMILIES! FOR OUR PEOPLE! FOR VERON!” He roared an warcry, and it was like figments of history played around him, as if an army followed him, their king.

“Look at this poor fool, so desperate.” The Dark said within Bob, laughing as Harken somehow overcame the fear. “I will kill him slowly and --”

A hand grabbed her neck from behind. “What?!” Glancing back did she Bob, with chains ripping up wounds in her body. Her eyes had started to glow intense as if a new fire had awaken. “I have children?”

“How-- This impossible--” The Dark hissed in pain as the hand squeezed her neck harder as Bob pulled herself closer to the Dark, overcoming the pain. “Like I have time to deal with you bitch. Ìf I have children out there waiting for me, then I will not be stopped by the likes of you.”

Snapping her head around did the Dark glare at Bob. “Think you can stop me now? You are wrong, so wrong.” She said coldly, her arms breaking and turning her entire body around, to grab Bob's wrist. It became a lock between them, and Bob felt her energy quickly drain from her wounds. At this rate would she lose.

With all his remaining strength did Harken run towards Bob with his sword, no grace, no technique. She raised her twisted and massive arm, but then she suddenly seem to freeze; it was then he struck the sword into her gut. Blood gushing over his hands, pulsing of red from the wound.

Had he defeated her?


--------------------------- 5.4


Sergei grunted in pain as blood dripped from his right arm. Deep lacerations went over the arm after been struck by sharp vines of barbed wires. Her attacks where fast and precise, and could come from anywhere. Dolon had only stood in one place, her own body pierced by barbed-wires that she sent out for her attacks, through air and ground.

It was a fools hope to think he could deal with her quickly so he could help the students. “You're making this hard, shit-face...” Sergei mumbled to himself as he raised his left hand, forming it like a gun pointed at Dolon. A tattoo started to glow on his finger as he shot magic bullets towards the woman. However they where not near as fast as real bullets and she started to move away from them with ease using the wires. “If you could stand still, that would be great...”

Obviously full of sarcasm did Sergei keep shooting the bullets that she avoided. Landing on a pillar did she once again launch hundreds of thin barbed-wires from her skin, making a bloody mess as she cried out in pleasure. Some of the wires vanished under ground, others went through the air and the sides towards Sergei.

There was no real tactics behind her attacks, it was simply about overwhelming her opponents. Once again did Sergei create a shield, chained to his left arm to block the wires. But once again did they seemingly with ease break through it. However it gave him time to avoid some of the wires and lessen the extension of damage from the others.

“Magic-breaker in only the sharp points... Clever girl...” He backed and avoided as good he could, but he wasn't fast enough to avoid them all. Bleeding from his wounds did he slowly stand up and light a cigarette. Magic focused on breaking magic is rare and hard to use, and most of all dangerous. But limiting it to only the sharp points of the barbed wire, did Dolon reduce the strain and danger massively. If it was intended or just out of instincts he didn't know, but she was in her own way a genius.

He blew out some smoke. Blood was everywhere around him on the ground. “Did you know... that there is people that have a bit different blood than others?” He said and flickered the cigarette. More wires came at him, through the ground, through the air.

The ember of the cigarette landed in the blood; it started to burn like it was oil and spread around the ground. In an instant had it formed a huge circle with symbols within, formed by his blood and footsteps to connect them.

An massive arm of energy was summoned from the circle, rising up to the sky. The shots he fired before had been stuck in walls and and ground, would suddenly vibrate and send small chains into the arm that anchored it to the world and Sergei.

Duo the immense magic from the seal, had the barbed-wires been knocked back. And now with his arm glowing did the chains attached to his arm. “Iron-fist, rank 3... Only thing I could manage at this rate... But it would be enough to deal with you...”

Dolon didn't think much, her mind was in pain and she sought to bring more pain, to her and everyone. A new storm of wires came flying against Sergei; he moved his arm and so did the arm. It moved just as fast as he did even with that size, and it punched right through the wires and right into Dolon. Nailed between the fist and the barricade did blood gush from her mask of wires.

“It's over...” Slowly did he pull away the hand from Dolon that slowly fell to the ground. The arm raised. “I will eradicate anyone that try to harm this place...”

Though the burning in his neck, the nagging of pain he felt in his back would just grow as he soon could feel more clearly the vile energy erupt. In the moment of worry did he do the one thing you never should do in a battle; looking away from your opponent.

Dolon body was partly crushed, but the pain hadn't stopped her. With a jolt of her fingers did wires burrowed in the ground rise up and started to spin like a drill. Realizing it to late did he block with the massive arm but duo the drilling effect did the wire break through a hole in the arm and struck into Sergei's chest.

“Fuck, I did a beginner thing... I'm an idiot...” He trembled a bit and took a step back. The arm fell to the ground, shattering in magical fragments that vanished to the air. With a hand against his wound did he stumble back, but feel to the ground. There was blood, and there was silence.


--------------------------- 5.5


With a turmoil did Sharken crash through the walls, followed by Rabia feared scream. Barely had the Orcasi landed in a mix of rubble and furniture's before Rabia was there in front of him. Just with mere margins did Sharken block the uppercut, that still sent him up in the air into the roof.

“Chaulek--” He cursed in Orcasi as he pushed away from the roof and struck with his own attack. Rabia didn't move and was hit, crashing to the floor with Sharken on top. Without holding back did he start a rain of destructive punches at Rabia that seemed to get burrowed into the floor.

A muffled scream was heard and a thin hand suddenly stopped Sharken's massive punch. It was beyond him how a person so thin could be so strong. Rabia trashed Sharken, throwing him around and out of the room as he got up from the damaged floor.

Quickly did Sharken get up on his feet and ready to attack again. His eyes seemed to glow more intense and when Rabia shriek and attacked with a flurry of punches did Sharken counter. The Orcasi were warriors by birth, and Sharken was no different. Among his kin was even he hold in high regards, even at his young age.

“Sharken, drop down and eyes shut!” A voice shouted and Sharken throw himself to the floor as a blinding light appeared in the hallway. “Fairy Axe – Flying Wings!” Oberon stood in the hall with his goggles protecting his eyes from the intense light that was emitted from the axes. He threw them together and it was like a dance of light. The axes got faster, impossible to see duo the light and speed, bouncing and cutting up the walls in it's way to Rabia.

With a blast did they hit into the wall. “Sharken, are ya okay bro?!” Oberon shouted as he raised his hands, symbols emitting a light from his palms; the golden axes vanished from the wall and appeared in his hands again.

“Yea. Though this guy is tough as a mountain.” Sharken got up and moved out of the rubble towards Oberon, both keeping eyes on Rabia that was shaking and crawling on the floor. “Saw that. So what's the plan?”

“Try to minimize the damage and keep him down here until we get support.” They looked over their shoulder to see a woman walking towards them, dressed in a combat gear, helmet and harness, with a steam-blastrifle in her hands. Ezi made a pumping motion to load the rifle with a magic shell. “I've been trying to contact the outside and got through, they are trying to break down the barricade and have contact the Rector. We need to hold the attackers down as long as we can.”

“Easier said than done.” Sharken grunted.

“I know, but we must try--”

Like an arrow did Rabia jump towards Ezi. Damn, he is fast! She barely got to think as Rabia got inches to her, just stopped by Oberon and Sharken, both together blocking him. Instantly did she raise her rifle towards Rabia's face. “Flame Shell.” A magic circuit from her fingertips changed the loaded shell into an shell of fire type; her magic was shell magic. An version from arrow magic, that imbue different properties into the arrow.

With a blast of fire did she hit him point blank in the head, making Rabia fly back into the wall. “Fairy Axe – Blink!” Oberon threw the axes towards Rabia that jumped to avoid them; however the axes suddenly vanished before they struck the enemy in the chest.

“Smart move.” Sharken grinned a bit. Because the light is so strong, when the light vanish your eyes take time to adjust and it looks like the axes vanished, when they still were there.

Once again did the marks on Oberon's hands glow and the axes returned to his hands. “I don't wanna brag, but totally agree.” He laughed a bit, before he suddenly got hit by a big chunk of a wall.

“Keep up your focus! He is still alive and moving!” Ezi snapped at them, Oberon grunting in pain. Sharken stood up ready to intercept Rabia. Something was different with him, and Sharken hissed. “His helmet is off.”

“KILLLLLLL!”

Rabia screamed, his energy was unstable and like a crushing vortex as walls, roof and floor seemed to crush under it. Sharken and Oberon flinched, and only Ezi reacted. Quickly did she shoot two shells into the ground, and from it did a barricade rise like a wall to block of the energy.

“Snap back boys! Either you're ready or not, will he come!” Ezi shouted at them and loaded her blast-rifle again. “Listen to me and we will be fine!”

Faster than before did Rabia jump at them, punching through the barricade; instantly did Sharken elbow down in Rabia's back and threw him to the floor. With an explosive shot did Ezi create distance from Rabia, that got up just as quick again.

With axes flashing in light did Oberon jump in to distract and confuse Rabia with quick strikes and agile movement, ending with Sharken grabbing Rabia's feet as he jumped and threw him back into an ice shot from Ezi.

“Fuck yea we are awesome!” Oberon shouted and high-fived Sharken. “That for sure, but we have lots left before he is down.”

They looked at Rabia, that once again stood up. The energy healed his body, leaving trails of smoke. “Scary.... SCARRRRYYYY!!!”


--------------------------- 5.6


Solomon took another step backward and Vasilisa formed a new barrier to block a beam of alcoholic acid that Ebrio was breathing out. They had not gotten any second to rest, and the room had more and more been filled with fumes of alcohol.

It was sickening and Vasilisa struggled to block the attacks from Ebrio, that seemed fine just standing in place and bomb them with attacks.

Lufia had tried attack again, but the air around Ebrio was now thick of alcohol, making it impossible to attack. Standing still also rendered Solomon's trap useless.

“You kids can give up if you want.” Ebrio said after sipping from her bottle. “I have no intention of killing children anyways.”

“Oh, I believe you.” Solomon uttered with sarcasm. “Attacking us and then proceed to say 'I will not kill you'.”

Ebrio eyes where dim and cold for a second. “If I wanted to kill you, you already been dead.” She said as she started to emit a pulsing energy. The alcoholic vapor seemed to get heavy and it nearly became impossible to breath. “I could kill you all in a single moment...”

For a moment did Solomon look down, trying to breath. Even through such pressure did he seem to keep his calm and he smiled. “You think so? What if I said you already are dead?”

“What?”

With a burst of all her might did Lufia suddenly attack, jumping to Ebrio's side. Under the short moment when they talked had Lufia moved, and struck at her left side with a powerful kick. Even if the aura and energy seemed to affect Lufia, burning her cloth and skin, did she proceed with a roar, kicking Ebrio's hand holding the bottle.

“You little runt---” Ebrio hissed, switching the bottle to the other hand before she struck back into Lufia's stomach, launching her back with a grunt of pain. “Lufia!” Vasilisa quickly formed barriers to soften Lufia's flight into the wall.

“And so we win.” Solomon grinned and snapped with his finger. A rune suddenly glow on Ebrio's hand holding the bottle, exploding. The bottle cracked and the magic alcohol exploded in a fierce fire around Ebrio. The thick atmosphere of alcohol caught fire and the room exploded in an inferno, and only thanks to Vasilisa's barricades did they get out of it unharmed.

Suddenly water surrounded Ebrio and she held another bottle. Her skin, cloths and hair was charred from the fire, and her right hand was mostly blown off. “I think I get it... when that girl attacked me first time, did you transfer a trap over from her to my hand? And you waited until I held the bottle with that hand to detonate it?”

Solomon stood up, showing an euphoric smile on his thin lips. “Yes! All this have just been a game for me. You are all just pawns in the hand of a King!”

“I didn't want to kill any kids, but I might make an exception of you...” Ebrio held up the bottle to her lips. She took one sip of it; and she changed. The smelly alcoholic energy was gone, and instead it became clean and soothing like water. But it quickly turn to cold and crushing and Solomon found it hard to breath, like his organs was getting crushed.

It was paralyzing and felt like they were dragged down to the bottom of the ocean. Lufia and Vasilisa was stuck in place as well, not able to move an inch. “This---” Solomon found himself about to fall on his knees.

“Pathetic.”

A voice he hoped to never hear, echoed in his mind. It tore his soul and his fear turned to an fury. “Like hell I will bow to you!” He took a step and managed to keep himself standing under the pressure. Though for a second he couldn't see her, as she appeared in front of him with a hand emitting of energy like an vortex. “Deep Sea, Crush!”

The wall crumbled behind him, as she struck beside his head. It felt like the world crashed, as his hearing was lost in one ear. Losing balance did he fall back, barely breathing as Ebrio took a step back. “Still don't have it in me to kill you boy.” She said and pulled up a chair and sat down. “I will wait here until further notice from my allies.”

“Y-you're--- mocking--- ME!” Solomon tried to get up, but there was no strength nor balance for it, but his eyes, they were furious. Even through the pain that threatened to make him unconscious. He refused to be looked down upon!



--------------------------- 5.7


“This way everyone, down to the safety rooms!” Lyndie shouted, directing the stream of students through the hallways. “Keep calm and move in pace everyone!”

Sly Fox was crouching on a locker, giving him view above the sea of students. Since the attack had he felt multiple energies around, but much was dampen cause of the walls. If they wanted to attack and kill us, then they should attack us here. He thought for himself. But they don't. Why?

While Lyndie and some of the more composed students were leading the way, did Sly Fox watch over them. His gut-feeling told him something was wrong, and however much he hated to rely on just his gut, had his master told him to trust it. Even if something don't happen, a gut feeling can many times also save you and others. So trust it Sly Fox, it's your secret friend! His master laughed in his memory. However childish and stupid it sounded, it somehow made him feel a bit calm.

“What happening here?” From a room did they see Lovha appear; one of those that worked on the exam and a senior Vetor. Lyndie sighed in relief. “Thank the Greatest that it's you Lovha. The academy have been attacked by unknown assailants. We try---”

“Why do you smell of blood?” Lyndie looked surprised at a young man, small and thin in body, with large fluffy ears sticking out of the fluffy purple hair. “Nimrod? What are you talking about? Blood?”

“I can smell it, a lot of blood!” Nimrod pointed at his nose. Like most half-beasts did he have a great sense of smell and senses. The massive Broghan took a step forward, now holding the large stone-sword. “I got a bad feeling about this. So please spill the beans lady.”

Lovha first looked confused at them and then she sighed. “I guess washing away the blood with perfume wasn't good enough for some of those bastard beasts.” When she opened her eyes had they gone from blue to red. Her face twisted in an awful smile and suddenly she held a blood-red katana, in a flash did it pierce against Lyndie, that already pulled her sword and parried it. “Thank you Sly Fox!” She shouted as vague threads was visible around Lyndie. Behind them did Sly Fox fingers play in the air, orchestra the threads that helped Lyndie react faster.

“19.” Lovha said with the most wicked grin as she started to push Lyndie back. “19?”

“19 people have I killed.” She licked her lips, and looked feverish at them. “You are so young and tender, your flesh will be a delight to slice. Your blood pumping so lively... I can almost ejaculate just over the thought of it!”

“Shit, she is fucking nuts!” Broghan raised his stone-sword and slammed it towards Lovha. Sly Fox realized the danger but was not fast enough. “BROGHAN! NO!”

In an instant had Broghan pushed Lyndie into the pile of students as Lovah was making a fast and powerful cut. It went through Broghan's sword before the blade sudden turned and cut through his arm and leg. He stood for a second, before he fell back; his left arm and leg perfectly cut off from his body. Blood gushed and he was shaking in shock.

“I don't like your types. To much muscles...” Lovha held the blade to her mouth and licked the blood. “And your blood taste boring. But you girl...”

Her eyes turned to Lyndie that for a second froze. Another attack from Lovha and Lyndie parried it thanks to Sly Fox. “Lyndie, snap out of it!” He shouted as Lyndie came back to it. All the students counted on her and she bit together. “Nimrod! You and all take Broghan to safety! I take care of this bitch!”

“Oh, such bite, I like that ~” The woman grinned as she started to attack with a flurry of strikes, that was parried by Lyndie. While she could parry them, barely, could she not attack or let go of her focus for a split second.

Sly Fox helped by letting his threads connect over Lyndie's body. But he had an awful feeling about this--- He jumped forward, but he still got a deep cut into his leg. Looking back did he just see a huge mark over the wall from a powerful cut.

Another student cried in pain as a spear with golden blade pierced through his back from the third hallway. Sly Fox got up on his leg and like everyone, was he shocked to see Lovha appear from the hallway. And behind them.

“Impossible... They are... three!?” Sly Fox saw all three; identical to the very hair except their weapons and eyes. Blue wielding a large axe, Red a curved sword and Yellow a long spear. Though his fingers hadn't stopped moving, not for a second.

“Cute net you spinning, little spider ~” The Yellow Lovha said with an awful grin. “You try to block me out? To bad I have no problem dealing with that.”

“Senses... Mind... And Body.” He looked around. “You have split yourself to the three cores of magic, haven't you? That mean each body represent the strength's of that core.”

“Oh, aren't you a smart one ~” The Mind grinned just as wicked as the others, resting the axe against her shoulder. “Yes, we are one and the same, yet split. We wield the strenght's of the cores.”

“But that means you also have their weaknesses.”

“.... I think I really like you ~”





--------------------------- 5.8



The room was trembling as the massive drill was working against the bottom of the barrier. Around the large machine was technomages working on powering up the drill.

“Damn, this barrier is stronger than I thought.” Shakunta sat in the drills hut and was controlling the system. It had cables connected to her mechanical arm, allowing her for more direct control over it; a machine she herself built.

“The system is threatening to overload, Shakunta-Gri!” Modo, a thin and old dwarf was reading the system from his monitors outside. “At this point the machine will break, and so you!”

Shakunta knew it to well, while connected to the machine like this had lots of benefits, was it also dangerous. If it got to damage, it would risk to transfer to her. She took a deep breath. “I...”

“If you don't break this shit, I will pee on your machine.” Petr said as he put his hand on one of the generators. His aura started to glow around him as he poured his energy into it and the machine. He looked at the others. “Come on boys! Let us show that the mechanic-squad is the best! PUMP IT!”

“PUMP IT!” the other shouted and seemed to burst of more energy into the generators. Shakunta just shook her head and smiled. “If you pee on my stuff, I break your dick in two.”

Petr just grinned back as blood started to drip from his nose; burning to much energy in such short amount of time drained them and hurt their bodies. “Then break that fucking barrier, Dux Shakunta.”

“You don't need to tell me that, Pee-man. Modo, release the safety locks, level 3!”

Modo looked at the screen. By doing so would she pour all energy into a five second window, and it could have severe side-effects as it not been fully tested. But he knew more than well to trust her orders. “As you order, Shakunta-Gri, the Stone be with you!”

His fingers tapped over the screens, as alarms started to shout. The air started to tremble even more, the sound getting almost painful to hear. Magic started to pour out around the drill that started to glow intense of purple.

“PUMP IT!” Shakunta and everyone screamed, putting their last energy into it as the drill suddenly started to crack the barricade. And suddenly they where through, breaking a large area in the roof. For a second did they look almost in shock, before Petr laughed and fell back, not able to stand anymore. “Guess I don't need to pee on it...”

Shakunta slowly fell back in her set, sweating heavily and looked at her mechanical arm that had melted to an unrecognizable mess. “You are awesome guys, thanks for the push.” She said, barely able to speak. With her last energy did she pick up a crystal. “This is Dux Shakunta, we have breached the barricade. You can go in.”

Chains rattled as Kedja entered the room after the more silent Lady Bird and Imp. “Shameful we got blocked out by the barricade.” Imp said with a snarl. Lady Bird sighed. “Truly so. Thank you for breaking the barricade, Dux Shakunta. We take over now and evacuate the students through here.”

Shakunta just nodded. “Good, keep'em coming.”

“And kick some asses.” Imp slammed her fist into the opened hand, generating fire doing so. Kedja rattled his chains. “Students first?”

“Yes, students first.” Lady Bird said as she jumped up the hole. “Let us hurry, we don't have much time.”