Chapter 48

Daedalus’s Plan

“You shouldn’t soil your hands, darling,” Katarina whispered, biting her lower lip. Her heart clenched as blue flames wrapped the boy’s body. Her ears and cheeks flushed from extreme anger that she could barely contain. “Let granny take over.”

The boy didn’t pay her any mind, however. “Dangerous,” he flatly said, unaware that he was burning himself under his flames. Immediately he turned to Daedalus and leaped while swinging the serpent staff obliquely. “Must eliminate… dangerous entity ahead.”

Light emanated from the gemstone as Arthur dashed forward. Before he reached the man, Katarina followed suit and hugged him from behind. With her mana almost gone, his flames began to burn her as well. Still, the older lady persisted. Her embrace tightened while a magic circle appeared on the staff where a bolt of powerful lightning blasted ahead.

Katarina let out a painful groan as Daedalus dodged in reflex. The electric current also flowed from the staff to the boy, and ultimately to her. It sucked almost all her remaining power. Her grip loosened, causing the boy to slip away.

With his lips slightly parted, Arthur panted while giving Daedalus and Pasifae a blank stare. Blood dripped below his nose, which immediately turned dark as it burned. He then stretched his staff over his shoulder as another magic circle emerged. A series of bluish fireballs and bolts of lightning rained above the twins, which Daedalus dodged with ease.

“Daedalus,” Katarina called darkly, her fingers sinking on the frozen floor. “You said you would protect Arthur! Such audacity to say that when you can’t even protect him from your sister.”

Pasifae laughed mockingly despite her helpless state. Her confidence rose again as Daedalus carried her like a bride and supplied some mana. Even if the boy attacked again, she wouldn’t die, or so she thought.

A loud thud echoed as Pasifae howled in pain. She almost passed out when her back crashed on the ground. “The hell are you doing-”

Before she even finished, the boy sprinted towards her. Another magic circle appeared on the tip of his staff, where a bolt of lightning rose from its open mouth.

Daedalus stepped forward and unsheathed his sword. As the projectiles entered his range, he swiftly swung his sword multiple times. So fast that even Vlanca couldn't see the blade. Then without a trace, the boy's attack vanished.

Daedalus gently tilted his head and looked down on his twin. He frowned, his eyes narrowed and sharpened like daggers. “I always overlooked your cruel games, Pasifae, but this will be the last time...” Ice emerged from the tip of his weapon as he pointed it on her neck. “If the boy dies here, you shall suffer the same pain you’ve inflicted on others.”

As ice engulfed Pasifae, Arthur engaged them one more time. He leaped and aimed to pound his staff on her now frozen body. The Arisens also sprinted towards them, their armors clad in bluish flames. Daedalus easily parried Arthur’s attacks as he kicked his twin to the side.

To Daedalus and Katarina’s surprise, Arthur wasted no time and jumped towards Pasifae, who’s sliding to a corner. Even with Katarina’s command to stop the enchanted armors, they continued their pursuit and launched their attacks on Pasifae. The boy, as their secondary monster, seemed to have overwritten her will with his power alone. His pulsating energy sent shivers down her spine. Arthur hammered his staff downward as it glowed in bluish flames, the back of his right hand beginning to turn dark. Beside him were Pirro, Garo, and Servo, their fist readied to pound on the frozen lady.

Immediately Katarina blinked in front of Arthur and thwarted his attack while Daedalus pinned him in place with gravity magic. The dark-skinned man also landed before the armors, barely stopping their blows with his fist. The boy fought, but the pull was so strong that he eventually fell on the ground. The Arisens also collapsed not too far from him.

Katarina did her best to harden her heart. She looked at the boy, who’s flailing his arms and legs helplessly. His irises reflected nothing, and not even a single whisper of pain escaped his mouth as he struggled. It was as though the boy had become devoid of anything - feelings, sensation, memories - everything. His goofy grins, playfulness, curiosity, and determination were gone.

The older lady wiped the tears as soon as they accumulated under her eyes. Yet, the stream continued to fall. Her knees trembled. Soon enough, she also fell on the ground despite not being affected by Daedalus’s gravity spell. ‘Not again,’ she muttered to herself, staring at Arthur in despair. Her heart clenched in utter fear. ‘Not again,’ the same words echoed behind her ears until she felt a gentle tap over her shoulder.

“Calm yourself, human,” the dark-skinned man said with a warm smile. Katarina turned to face him, her face a mess. “He hadn't completely fallen to despair yet. You still have-”

“How long are you going to weep, Katarina?” Daedalus interrupted. “The boy isn't dead yet…”

“You cold-hearted demon,” Katarina answered grimly as she wiped her tears. She stood up and faced Daedalus, their eyes leveled. A few more seconds and her lips curved into a half-smiled, filled with pain, resignation, but ultimately, hope. “But it’s good you’re here. Even though I don’t trust you enough, you’re still better than nothing.” She sucked a deep breath. “I’ll entrust my Arthur to you. Please, raise him well-”

Bam.

Katarina’s eyes widened as her face tilted to the side. Her wrinkled cheek turned reddish.

“You damn coward,” Daedalus growled, hardly able to stop himself from slapping her again. “Don’t you dare use that spell in front of me. Leon died protecting you and that child. And that child is fighting against himself to stay alive! And you…” He took a massive breath, trying to calm himself. “You were trying so hard to beat me before despite being at a huge disadvantage. Now you’re just going to throw all that away? Give me a freaking break, Katarina.”

“You’re very emotional, Daedalus.” The old lady scoffed once both of them calmed down. “I can only imagine that you have a different plan from what I’ve thought.”

Daedalus returned the gesture and beamed a mocking wry smile. “That's one thing I like about you. You catch on pretty quickly.”

Her gaze sharpened still as she looked back to Arthur, then back again to Daedalus. “We've adventured for more than a decade, Daedalus. I may have grown old, but I wouldn't forget you’re too cunning for .”

“Didn't I learn that from you?” His lips curved into another wry smile as he turned to the demon girl and then to the dark-skinned man. “Kaleb,” he called out. “No… Kasheda. Bring that girl over here.”

As soon as the Kordoza did, Daedalus spoke again, his voice filled with authority. “I don't know how you get a hold of a Pyloxian Hero’s body, Kasheda, but I expect your full cooperation to save this boy.”

“Even if I refuse, human, I know I have no other choice,” the Queen said in a deep husky voice, very different to her usual gentle feminine sound. “I can only assume that if the boy dies, you and this lady will engage in another fight, and then most likely suffer the same fate.”

“I don't particularly need a reason.” He then met the demon’s gaze. “Vlanca, dispel your barrier. Make sure-”

“Hold on!” Katarina interrupted. “You're going to-”

“We don't have time for leniency, Katarina,” the volume of his voice rose as he glared at the old lady. “You and Kasheda have very little mana left. Even if I have a lot to spare, my mana is poisoned. We need you alive for this to work.”

Katarina took a deep breath, not saying anything for a second, while she briefly glanced again at Arthur. She now understood the plan even without the man explaining it. A lot of mana was needed too for it to work. Still, wrinkles aligned on her forehead as she frowned. “This is still too dangerous for Art-”

“It isn’t.” Daedalus raised his arms and stripped his robes and long-sleeved white shirt. He then turned around, revealing a dark dragon wings crest on his back.

Her eyes widened for a second. “That crest-”

“Human…” Kasheda stomped her foot, causing the ice below her to shatter. Her dark brown eyes flared in anger. Vlanca, who’d been silent all this time, jumped away from her in reflex. “That ancient magic isn’t-”

“I dare you to defy me.”

Kasheda stepped forward, but Katarina immediately stopped her. “I see,” the old woman said. “Then, I’ll simply make a similar enchantment.”

“Create an inheritable ancient enchantment? Sure, you jest, humans.”

Katarina and Daedalus’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t a deal, Kaleb—” “Yes or extinction is your only option, Kasheda—” they said in unison.

The queen sucked a deep breath as she gently closed her eyes. “I’ll do it in one more condition. You-”

“Granted,” Katarina said. “We don’t have much time to hear it, but so long as it will never endanger the boy’s life, I’ll grant it.”

The response surprised Kasheda briefly before she agreed, “Alright. Then what should I do?”

Immediately Daedalus turned to Vlanca. “Dispel your barrier spell, Vlanca. Make sure not to put any resistance. And you,” he paused, looking back to Kasheda. “You're adept in wave magic. Just drain three-quarter of her mana and pass half of it to Katarina.”

“That’s all?”

Daedalus shook his head. “Once Katarina begins putting a Sealing Enchantment on top of the Ancient Spell, we’ll be unable to move or cast any magic, or else the ritual will be interrupted. So you and the demon girl are to engage the boy in battle once that happens. Make sure not to hurt him further or knock him out.”

“That’s easier said than do-”

“That’s why I encased my sister in ice. She’s alive, though barely.” Daedalus’s lips trembled slightly. “The boy is only attacking her. No one else. You are to take her and let the boy run after you.”

“It’ll be hard to keep him alive, but I’ll try.”

“You won’t try. You will do it,” Daedalus emphasized every word.

“You're too rough, human. But I see you in a different light now.” Kasheda couldn’t help but laugh. “Then shall we start?”

Silence. A deafening silence echoed as all their eyes turned to the boy. Different in color, maybe, yet all ignited in resolve to save the boy. As for Kasheda, Katarina and Daedalus may never know why she cooperated so quickly, but who knew? Perhaps, Vlanca and Arthur would find out in their journey— only if they prevailed in this dire moment.