Chapter 145: The Brave One

Chapter 145: The Brave One

Loh dashed to Kyriils side. The Black Amber spell granted her incredible bursts of speed and reflexes. But the arch-mage spell had its price. Her bones creaked, her muscles spasmed in pain, and her vision was beginning to blur, yet her will was unbroken.

She kicked the ground underneath her and propelled her body forward, like an arrow cutting through the wind. Kyriil threw himself to the ground. He was too slow. Loh swung her fist at his neck. A wave of light echoed out of the elfs body. Loh flinched, her fist missed its target, and caught Kyriils shoulder instead.

The speed of impact still pushed Kyriil several feet away. He landed on his back, he rolled and quickly got back on his feet. With his good arm, he spell-casted healing magic over his injured shoulder.

Youre fast, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, Kyriil grinned. Beads of sweat ran down his face.

Loh wasnt listening, her body was refusing to answer her. Her knees buckled beneath her. Shadow tendrils shot out from her body and kept her from falling. She wouldnt last at this rate.

Kyriil finished healing his shoulder and opened his arms wide. Two orbs of light formed above his palms, twin beams of light shot out. Loh jumped up high, her body flew up to the ceiling of the ballroom. The twin beams followed behind her.

Lohs shadow tendrils whipped out and latched onto Kyriil below. The elf flung his arms around, the orbs beams shifted and seared through the shadow tendrils. But, Loh only needed a moment of respite. She kicked down from the ceiling, twirled in the air, and came down with a dropkick to Kyriils head.

He jumped away and moved the light orbs to intercept. Loh was a blur, her foot landed on his shoulder with a satisfying crack. The elf screamed in pain, before his face smashed into the floor.

Loh tried writing a cantrip, a quick single-symbol curse spell, but her hands couldnt stop shaking. Kyriil tried rolling over with a painful grunt. Lohs shadow tendrils wrapped around his body and held him tight.

Wait, a sec- Kyriil gasped.

Lohs hands curled around his throat. She couldnt put any strength behind her grip, but she didnt need to. Grey mana flowed into her hands. She casted a drain spell, specifically aimed at not just draining, but absorbing his life force.

Loh grinned maniacally, she could feel his life energy flow into her body and begin to mend the menagerie of wounds that ailed her. A single body would be far from enough to heal her injuries, but it would be enough to keep her standing a little longer. Kyriils skin began to grow pale, his body shook and his eyes rolled up.

Let go of him, a strong yet quiet voice resounded throughout the ballroom.

Loh sighed, she wasnt finished draining the elf. Her bodys heat levels were reaching their limits fast. She would die of internal overheating if she didnt end this quickly.

Loh released her hands from around the unconscious elfs neck. Her shadow tendrils faded away. She pushed herself to her feet and turned to face the new intruder. Her muscles tightened and her eyes widened.

A tall blue-skinned man, wrapped in white robes, stood in front of her. His grey hair was short and fell right above his purple eyes. His features were rugged, his pointed ears did not droop in the slightest, his irises were dark, not pale, and his pupils were round without any undulation, but the resemblance was nonetheless uncanny. He reminded her of Stryg.

Who are you? Loh asked.

It does not matter, Vaughn said calmly.

You dont look like one of Moras men, she narrowed her eyes.

Neither do you.

Loh bolted past Vaughns line of vision and attacked with a high kick to his temple. His arm shot out and caught her foot. Pitch-black veins covered his body. She gasped.

You are not the only one who can cast Black Amber, Vaughn pushed her foot away.

She jumped back and raised her hands in a battle stance.

Vaughn shook his wrist. That agility spell is quite powerful. Few are capable of casting it. You are not one of them. Your body cannot keep up with the arch-mage magic and is breaking down. Your spell is imperfect, it makes you slower than me.

Im fast enough, she sneered.

His figure blurred. Loh wheezed in shock and pain. The world spun around her. Her cheek smashed into the marble floor as her body skidded across the ground like a skipping stone. Her vision was a smudge of black and red, her left eye began swelling shut.

Vaughn stood above her. No, you are not.

Loh tried to breathe, every breath felt like a dagger was being driven into her chest.

Theres not enough time to explain, nor could I if I wanted to. Your grandfather should have all the answers you seek. Most importantly, he should know where to find Holo.

Loh swallowed, she could still taste blood in her mouth. Who is Holo?

A friend or so I hope, Vaugh whispered.

Wait, you dont even know!? Loh tried standing, but she stumbled and fell to her knees.

Many years have passed, much information has been lost. I only hope your family has not shirked its duties.

I dont know what any of this means, Loh frowned.

That is what worries me.

If you werent an arch-mage I would hit you for your god damn confusing message, Loh clenched her fists.

I was told you Noirs had fire in you. Good, youll need it, Vaughn nodded to himself.

Vaughn released the healing spell, Done, your companion should be strong enough to make the journey to the docks. Be wary of enemies along the way. Lord Marek has sent many of his warriors to burn down the ships.

He placed his index and middle finger on Maximus forehead. Vaughns fingers glowed purple for a moment. He stepped back as the centaur began to wake up.

W-where? W-what happened? Maximus pushed himself to his feet.

You live another day, brave one, Vaughn smiled.

Maximus looked around for his ax. He found it, grabbed it, and took a battle stance.

Stop, Max, Loh held his arm. We need to get out of here now.

Youre okay? How? Maximus furrowed his brow.

Ask him, Loh shook her head and tried to get on the saddle.

Maximus helped her up. He glanced at Vaughn but said nothing.

Do not mention anything we spoke of to anyone else, for both our sakes, understood? It has many ears and many eyes throughout the Realm, Vaughn said sternly.

Loh bit her lip, Who is this It you keep talking about?

...The Monster in the Dark, Vaughn whispered.

Loh felt a shiver crawl up her spine, What? Who are you?

Vaughn stared at his own hands, Someone trying to be brave for once.

I hear people coming this way, Maximus glanced at the doorway.

Vaughn turned towards the door, You need to get out of here, quickly. Find Holo, no matter the cost.

Loh surveyed the ruined ballroom one last time. She would find Marek, one day. For now, she needed answers. She needed to find her grandfather.

Run, Max, she said.

Maximus jumped out the shattered windows and onto the snowy courtyard beyond.