Book 3 Chapter 41

Maria sprung forward, racing out of the flames and smoke as she charged towards Reynolds. She ignored her stinging eyes, the heat of her singed robes, and even the three others around him… All her focus lay on the former knight captain.

His hand was already rearing back, a cruel smile on his face as held up a flare larger than any of the previous ones. Reynolds had been careful… Lowering the power of his flares to reduce smoke and residual fire as he slowly waited out the girl’s strength. He knew she would try something at some point and he had been ready for it.

Reynold’s arm started forward, laughing as he thought about blowing the annoying young woman away. Just as he released the flare, the wings on Maria’s back shivered… A gold light sprung up just in front of Reynolds. The flare crashed against it, exploding violently and sending out a shockwave that rocked the room.

The former Knight-Captain was thrown backward, his body crashing into the wall behind him brutally. He forced himself to his feet coughing up blood as Maria reached him, her fist pulled back, muscles taut as she struck.

Reynolds scrambled away, lurching as Maria’s fist crashed into the wall, blowing away a chunk of it and causing the ground to shake. Maria turned in a flash, chasing after him. Reynold waved a hand flames rising, yet they were met instantly with another golden barrier courtesy of the wings on Maria’s back.

As Maria chased, the two assassins and the white-masked figure appeared, their bodies flickering as they recovered from avoiding the blast. Suddenly Jena appeared, her dagger stabbing towards her fellow white mask’s exposed jugular. Her target flickered away and she followed after, blades singing as they waded into their deadly dance.

On the other side of the room, the other two assassins flickered into view. One was slumped holding a dangling and charred arm against his side, caused by the aftermath of the flare. He had no time to rest though as Garm dove at him, his teeth eagerly seeking the man’s throat.

The assassin’s disappeared, deftly avoiding the lunging wolf. They reappeared beside him daggers descending, yet even the razor-sharp blades couldn't pierce Garm’s thick fur. Instead, he whipped around, his mouth reaching out for the broken and charred arm that seemed to lag as the assassin tried to flicker away.

There was a sickening rip as flesh tore and bones splintered. The wounded assassin crashed into the ground screaming, a bloody stump all that was left of his arm. The rest of it cracked as Garm crushed it within his powerful jaws, throwing it away as he crouched. His whole body tensing as he prepared to charge again… He was forced back though as flames sprayed wildly, lightly burning Garm’s fur as he sprung back.

Reynolds found himself on the backfoot as Maria’s continuous swings homed in on him. Each punch moved so quickly that the air seemed to crack, the wind blowing the dust and dirt of the abandoned room about dangerously

Maria gave him no time to prepare another flare, pressing in closely, ignoring the pain as each flame strike scarred her body. Her aspect healed each wound automatically, raising barriers when it was vital. As Reynolds narrowly avoided another vicious strike, he found himself propelled out the room by his own flames.

He rolled to a stop in the hall, forcing one hand up toward Maria as she dashed after him. Maria spotted the circle of flame that appeared under her feet but simply ignored it. She winced as the pillar of flame rose around her. The pain was intense and the dual sensations of burning and healing didn’t make any of it better. Yet she pushed forward, catching Reynolds by surprise as she burst out of the flames, fist cutting upward in a devastating uppercut.

Reynolds cursed, having no other options he raised his arms to block as best he could, anything to lessen the blow. As her fist struck, it shattered his forearm instantly, driving up and into his body. He was lifted off the ground by a foot as his body flew backward, skidding across the stone floor before finally coming to a stop.

Maria felt a surge of elation as she felt herself make good contact for the first time. She stepped forward, intent on finishing the villain off when there was a sudden burst of motion behind her. She tried to turn as the white-masked figure flickered behind her, dagger stabbing directly for the back of her neck.

The dagger stopped before she could react… The white-masked figure let out a gasp as the point of another blade forced its way out of his chest. Behind him, an injured Jena stood, white mask damaged as she frowned down at the now slumping former coworker,

Maria let out a relieved smile, “Thanks…” She started when another scream came from inside the room. Followed by Garm’s victorious howls. Maria didn’t wait for the pup to appear. Turning back towards Reynolds, she approached slowly, intent on finally ending him.

Reynold flipped himself over with a grunt. Facing toward where Maria stood, he let out a laugh, “Beaten by a little girl… Whatever… At the very least I’ll give that god some grief… See you in hell…”

Maria looked at him in confusion as there was a sudden swirl of red energy. The red crystal in his arms was rapidly growing and pulsing as it gathered energy. As Maria started to step back it suddenly cracked…