Chapter 182: The Shield

Chapter 182: The Shield

Marek hefted the steel spear over his shoulder and glanced at the two youths, Well make this quick.

Ill deal with the tall one, Nokuti pointed her ax at Clypeus.

He brandished his swords in return, I am the Shield of Veres. Be it monster or man, here I stand proud and I shall not falter!

You are a Gale? Marek said in surprise.

You know of my House?

Of course, House Gales ancient legacy is famed throughout all the Ebon Realm. It is an honor to fight one of its warriors, Marek bowed his head.

There is no honor in two powerful magi slaughtering two novices, Clypeus said grimly.

Marek nodded, ...Youre right. Then let me make it more even. I will face you both myself.

Nokuti blinked, Marek, wha-

Marek raised his hand, They are only novices, still they face us alone while their friends try to escape. Bravery is a trait rarely seen in Hollow Shades people, yet one our people value highly. Tomorrow is the summer solstice. I will not stain the most glorious dawn of the year with cowardice and dishonor.

Nokuti bit her lip, As you wish, my lord.

May Bellum bless you, young Gale, Marek said. Brown mana flowed through him, the vigor spell arose through his body, a bronze sheen darkened over his skin.

And may Bellum damn all of you! Stryg stepped behind Clypeus.

What he said, Clypeus grinned shakily.

Mm. Marek bent his legs and kicked off the ground, tearing the grass behind him.

The young vampire paled as the hulking warrior charged them. Durability scales of yellow light wrapped around Clypeus body as he raised his swords to block. Marek swung his steel spear like a polearm. Clypeus blades were pushed back at the force of the strike, the spears shaft smacked into his chest.

The vampire gasped in pain, his yellow scales cracked, unable to withstand the blow. Stryg caught his friend from the back and steadied him.

Marek didnt give them a reprieve. He swung his spears shaft down on the vampires head. Another spear stabbed out from below at Mareks thigh. He jumped back, narrowly dodging the surprisingly swift attack.

The spear disappeared once more behind Clypeus. The warlord noticed the little goblins piercing eyes staring at him from behind the vampire.

Marek laughed, A shield and spear formation, interesting.

Unlike mine, his spear is entirely made of metal, the force behind his strikes will be much heavier, Stryg noted.

I dont know how many more hits my scales can take before I run out of mana, Clypeus muttered under his breath.

Remember the plan. Ill keep him off you, just keep backing to the cliff edge, Stryg whispered.

Are you sure you can swim? Clypeus whispered.

Something like that. Stryg didnt know how to swim, but he was a blue mage, that was enough.

Marek dashed at them and thrust his spear in quick jabs. Clypeus blades flashed, he caught the spears edge and turned it away. He went for a low lunge, the vampire sidestepped the attack and retreated back a step.

Marek frowned, how is he blocking all my attacks?

The Gale is a swordmaster! Hes reading your moves! Nokuti called out.

Heh, a master at his age? I haven't even managed that. You Gales really are something, Marek whistled. Luckily, I dont need refined attacks.

He spun his spear like a staff and swung a wide arc at Clypeus. The vampire cursed, he couldnt divert a horizontal strike so easily. The steel pole smashed into his shoulder, Clypeus stumbled in pain.

Marek closed the distance and swung again. Strygs spear stabbed up high in a blur, slicing across Mareks shoulder. The Cairn chief gritted his teeth and backed off.

Marek narrowed his eyes, the goblin can use agility magic.

Gods, Marek, stop fucking around and kill them already! Nokuti yelled.

He smiled wryly, Where is your sense of excitement?

It died when I was forced to take care of you, now end this already! She scowled.

Fine, fine, Marek sighed.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Whats going on? Clypeus whispered.

I dont know, keep your eyes open, Stryg whispered.

Yellow scales wrapped over Mareks bronze skin, he smiled.

Double enhancement spells? Thats not possible, Clypeus said in shock.

Marek ran at them. Stryg stabbed at him, the spearhead bounced off the dire humans scales.

I know, Stryg grimaced. But I cant hold this for long.

Whats the plan?

Im going to try something thats never worked.

And if it works? Clypeus asked.

It was your idea, remember? We talked about it after our fight with Tauri. No matter how powerful a mage is, they are still flesh and blood. A stray arrow through the neck kills an arch-mage just the same as it kills a commoner.

Yeah I see, got it. Surprise has always been our greatest weapon, arrogance and lack of caution have always been their greatest weaknesses, Clypeus whispered.

He released his durability spell and placed his hands on the ground, channeling green mana into the earth.

Stryg recalled Kithinas words; it wasnt about splitting ones will or focus. It was about trying to double it, the rest was on you. Stryg didnt understand what she meant then and he still didnt now. All he knew was what he needed right now, it was simple yet the most important desire of all, survival. A single multicast was all he needed.

Stryg stared at Marek and his constant attacks. The red dome flared each time he struck with his spear. This dire human, no matter how large, strong, and fast he was, he wasnt a spear-master. If Stryg focused, he would be able to see it, a moment, a lapse in Mareks attack pattern. An opening.

Marek raised his spear high, prepared to stab down on the red dome. Stryg released his ward spell as the spear reached its highest point. Marek froze for a brief moment, shocked at the sudden disappearance of the wards. Strygs shadow erupted in a burst of black mana, surrounding the three of them in darkness.

Marek kicked back and tried jumping outside the shadowy dome. As he tried backing further away, vines suddenly appeared under his injured foot and held him tight. His upper body was outside the shadows, but his lower body was stuck inside. He was exposed.

Marek panicked, he quickly released his brown vigor spell and casted yellow durability scales over his body again. Enhanced by his orange agility, Marek swung his spear in front of him in extreme rapid arcs.

Stryg emerged from the shadows with a burst of speed, his body crouched low, under Mareks spear. He shouted angrily and stabbed down at Stryg. The goblins body exploded in a blast of purple dust.

Mareks eyes widened, Illusion!?

The real Stryg pierced the shadows from above and landed on Mareks shoulders.

Try putting scales on your eyes, fucker! Stryg clawed at Mareks face and dug his fingers into the humans eye sockets.

Marek screamed and squeezed his eyes shut. He dropped his spear and tried ripping Stryg off, but the goblin held tight. Stryg released the shadow spell behind him and summoned forth his grey mana. He casted the drain spell over Marek and focused solely on draining the humans yellow mana.

Marek tottered back and forth. His focus entirely on the sharp claws trying to dig into his eyes, his spells wavered. Marek yelled in frustration and threw all his will and focus into casting stronger durability scales over his face.

Now! Stryg yelled.

Clypeus dashed silently behind the struggling Marek and raised his blades. Nokutis ax swung down and cut deep into Clypeus ribs. He sucked in a breath of pain and coughed out blood. The swords slipped out of Clypeus hands, he fell over, blood pooling beneath him.

Did you think Id let you kill Marek? Nokuti hefted her ax.

Strygs world fell deaf as he saw Clypeus body collapse. The painful screams of Marek faded away. Nokutis smug voice stifled into silence. The breeze was choked to a mute whisper. The soft rasp of Clypeus lungs as they filled with blood was all that echoed in Strygs ears.

Stryg felt numb, his body stiffened. The vines under Marek loosened as Clypeuss flora spell collapsed. Marek pushed the stunned goblin off him and stumbled away. Stryg fell down motionless, his head banged into the stone with a hard thud. Stryg didnt notice, all he saw was Clypeus pale face. Blood stained his lips. His eyes darted in panic. His breath was short as his lungs drowned in his own blood.

Nokuti stood over Clypeus and lifted her ax once more.

The air vibrated in a deep echo. The tall grass flattened all around them. Strands of Clypeus hair curled towards the sky. The blood pooled around him rippled, bright red droplets rising into the air. An inner light leaked from Strygs lilac eyes.

The world felt slow as if time had forgotten to run. Strygs mind noted the ax that was slowly coming down on Clypeus. He tried grasping at what it meant... Death. Unbridled rage. Pure seething fury. Sound sang into his ears, time rushed back into the world.

Strygs scream pierced the air with a vindictive shriek of agony. Nokuti grimaced in pain, her ax missed, and struck stone. Stryg threw himself atop Nokuti with blinding speed. She fell over with a gasp and covered her body in durability scales. Stryg slashed his hands over her chest, his claws sliced through her yellow scales with ease and carved open her rib cage.

Nokuti cried out in pain. Stryg hated her voice, he had never hated something so much. He opened his mouth wide and clamped down on her neck. The yellow scales shattered underneath his teeth. He ripped out her throat in a bloody splatter.

A sudden pain pierced Strygs back, his body lifted into the air, spun, and landed in a tumble of limbs. He tried to stand but stumbled. He looked down, a steel spearhead protruded from his chest.

Ill fucking kill you! Marek roared.

Stryg knew he needed to move, to fight back, but his body refused. The strength in his limbs drained away as blood poured over his shirt.

Marek grabbed Nokutis ax and swung it down on Stryg. Clypeus dove between them. Yellow scales wrapped around the vampires arms. The ax slammed down on his forearm, the scales cracked but did not shatter. He fell to his knees.

Stryg pupils went wide, ...Cly.

Youre still alive!? Marek pulled the ax back for another swing.

Clypeus eyes were dull, his body swayed. His head lolled to the side and caught sight of Stryg behind him. Faint recognition crossed his crimson eyes, he smiled, teeth bloodstained.

Clypeus looked up at Marek, I

The warlord held the ax high above him, yet the look in the vampires eyes gave him pause.

Clypeus breathed heavily, he swallowed a mouthful of blood, I am the Shield of my friend.

Clypeus released the durability spell. The last of the yellow mana flowed into his hand. He pointed his trembling fingers at Stryg, a gust of wind slammed into the goblin and pushed him towards the cliff edge.

No! Marek screamed.

Stryg watched the grass pass underneath him in a daze, nothing seemed real. Clypeus knelt in the distance, his arms hung limp, and his head sank down to his chest.

The world blurred by, the wind howled in his ears, Stryg tumbled off the cliff.