With Barone seemingly down, Musa went towards Saya and tended to her wounds. He yelled,

“Moto, Yuulah, call on Yuuno! Tell him Saya is in danger.”

Moto and Yuulah dashed towards the hall, looking for Yuuno.

Looking at his wounded wife, Musa attempted to bandage her wounds. He told her,

“Rest Saya. You’ll be alright. Yuuno’s going to heal you.”

“Thank… You…”, said Saya with a smile.

A clap was then heard from the room. Looking around, Musa saw a wounded Barone covered in blood, standing up and clapping at the sight.

How

“Did you really think, 1 simple attack would be enough to take me down”, said Barone.

Musa, shocked at Barone, lifted his blade. For him, if he is going to fall, he will fall fighting for his life. He stood up and went on a defensive position.

Barone brought out a staff, and chanted,

Gaia, destroy my enemies, give me your power, destroy everyone in my sight

EARTH BULLET

Numerous small orbs of earth emerged from the room, all of those are aimed towards Musa. With a swing of his hand, all the earth orbs hit Musa, who managed to block some of the orbs. However, the rest of the orbs pierced Musa, causing him to bleed.

Barone smiled, ready to deliver the finishing blow, when a large explosion was heard outside the castle. A bandit came running to Barone, he told him,

“Master, the Wizarding Alliance came. We need to go.”

Deciding not to confront the Alliance, Barone blew up a window in the room, opening an escape route for himself. Jumping to the window, Barone gave a wicked smile, aiming his staff at Musa, he yelled,

EARTH MAGIC: ROCK SPIKES

Suddenly, ten rock spikes were formed and levitated around Barone. With a swing of his staff, the spikes flew all over the room, causing debris and damages. Musa decided to cover Saya, preventing the debris from hitting her. Unfortunately, the chaotic movement of the spikes managed to pierce him, causing him pain, and made him flinch, allowing one rogue spike to stab Saya, wounding her even more. With the chaos going on, Barone leapt through the window and escaped the castle.

Seeing that Barone is escaping, Musa tried to follow, when his arm was grabbed. It was Saya. Sensing that she can still be saved, Musa decided not to pursue Barone, but instead, to see to it that Saya would survive.

Looking around, Musa saw that the door to the room was blocked with the rest of the Rock Spikes. Slowly crawling to the door, he lifted all the rocks blocking the area. With all his might, he swung his blade to destroy the blockage, and succeeded. Now exhausted, Musa carried a heavily wounded Saya, ready to bring him to Yuuno.

“Mu…Sa…. Tha… Nk… You…. For…. Every…. Thing….”

With tears flowing from his eyes, Musa begged Saya to,

“Please, continue fighting Saya, I promised to protect you”

“I…. Want…. To…. Be…. Wi…. Th…. You…. For…. Ever…..”

“Don’t Die! Don’t Die!”, said a crying Musa.

With a weak smile, Saya told Musa,

“Every…. One…. Has…. To…. Die… At… Some…. Po…. Int….”

“We still have our lives together. Our future. Please. Please.”, said a tearful Musa.

“I…. Lo…. Ve…. You….”, muttered Saya.

“I love you Saya, please stay alive”, said Musa.

Still carrying Saya, Musa walked around a damaged castle, jumping through the debris, looking for Yuuno. Finding his way into the dining hall, he saw an exhausted and wounded Yuno. Gently placing Saya next to Yuuno, he begged him,

“Please heal Saya.”

Yuuno came to Saya and used as much magical energy as he can. He chanted the strongest healing spell he knew,

Angel’s blessing, give me your strength. Help me with your desires. Provide me your strength. Give forth

ANGEL’S WINGS: RESTORATION

Although it appeared to close some of Saya’s wounds, she still wouldn’t wake up. Her eyes still close, and her body still limp. Try as he might, Yuuno cannot revive Saya. With his remaining magical energy, he tried to revive his former ward, but it was too late.

Saya is dead.

The room was filled with gloom and none of the people inside the castle spoke a word. Suddenly, Musa stood up and banged his head on one of the walls.

“I’m too weak! I’m too weak!”, yelled Musa

Bleeding from his head, he saw Saya’s bracelet. Turning it, he saw a message. It states,

I cherish my time with you

With a loud yell, Musa cried, and shouted

“SAAAYAAAAAAAAAA!”

“Sire, if I may interrupt.”, said Yuuno

Still grieving, Yuuno gave Musa a small note. Containing Saya’s writing it states that,

“If you’re reading this Musa, something bad must have happened. Know that my time with you is the most wonderful time I had. I am glad to be your wife. I am happy to be with you, Moto, Yuulah, Yuuno and sometimes, Yana. I know you have grand desires. You told me yourself during our first meeting. You want to be the greatest wielder in the lands. For the dream, I will always support you. I just have one request for you, please do not forget about me. Take the amulet from my neck, as a reminder that I will always be with you.

Love Saya”

After reading Saya’s letter to him, Musa cried his heart out. Taking her amulet, Musa retreated to their room.

For the next few days, Musa did not leave his room. He would refuse to go outside the castle. Despite this, Moto continued giving him food and some words of encouragement. The only time Musa left the castle during this period was during Saya’s funeral. Seeing her casket, Musa fell to his knees, wishing for this to end.

During the month of Saya’s death, Musa was grief-stricken. He would be inconsolable and refused to talk with anyone. It wasn’t until Yana went back and barged in Musa’s room that everything changed.

“Are you gonna continue sulking around and be sad”, said Yana.

“What do you want?”, said Musa.

“I want to tell you that you are not the one affect by Saya’s death. All of us are affected in a way.”, said Yana

“You weren’t there. You were not the one responsible for protecting her. I made a promise to protect her, but I couldn’t do it. I’m too much of a weakling”, said Musa.

Yana went to Musa and grabbed him by his clothes. Raising her hand, she slapped him. She told him,

“I know how you feel. When I heard of the Barone’s attack, I tried to rush back to Kuldro, but I was fighting rogue sorcerers with my guildmates. I wish I was there to help you and Saya, but I can’t.”, yelled Yana.

Musa still feeling intense sadness, could do nothing but listen to what Yana has to say.

“Be strong. Your brother needs you. Moto needs his big brother. You still have something to live for.”, said Yana.

She then left the room and left with a parting message.

“Think about what Saya would feel if she sees you sulking around.”, said Yana.

Thinking about Yana’s words long and hard, Musa closed his eyes. Still thinking about Saya, he screamed in agony. Remembering his times with her, he knew that there is still one family member that he can protect. With this resolve, Musa slept throughout the night.

On the next day, Musa is finally out of his room. Greeted by Yana, Yuulah, Yuuno and Moto, he ate with them. During the dinner, he told Moto,

“Moto, if you are to train, stay on this castle or just limit yourself to Kuldro. You will not leave unless I’m with you”

“But…”

“This is for your own good.”, said Musa sternly.

“Brother…”

“That is final.”, said Musa.

After leaving, Musa retreated to his room.

“I hope he will be ok”, said Yuuno.

From this point onward, Musa got more distant from his brother Moto. And would only talk to the rest of the staff in a formal manner. Musa himself decided to shoulder the protection of Kuldro to himself, to prevent others from getting hurt.

AT THE PRESENT TIME…

Musa is dashing towards the encampment of Barone, wanting to get revenge on the death of his wife. Yesterday, he overheard one of the bandits mention the ruins of Toghasto. Finding a lead, he decided to go and venture there on his own.

I’m going to kill you Barone.

With unyielding resolve, he arrived at Toghasto. Meeting a group of bandits at the area, he raised his runeblade, and shouted,

RUNE MAGIC: SHADOW STRIKE v3

Striking down the bandits, he knocked them out, one-by-one. Shouting,

“Where are you Barone!”

Eventually Barone with his bodyguards showed up. One of them, Finnessee told his Master that he will take care of the intruder, when Barone simply stopped him.

“Who are you to be so brazen as to challenge me?”, said Barone.

“You don’t remember, you were the one who attack Saya’s castle. You were the one who killed my wife.”, yelled Musa.

“I can’t recall. After all, a man cannot remember every insect that he squashed.”

Angered, Musa charged towards Barone, his eyes full of rage and ready to kill him.

Gaia, provide me protection, grant me your sturdiness,

EARTH BARRIER

A large barrier of earth covered Barone, protecting him from any attacks. This did not deter Musa. With his strength and fury, he struck the barrier with fury and anger, eventually breaking it.

Barone simply jumped and said,

Fury of Gaia, give me your weapon. Allow me to destroy my enemies with your strength

BLADES OF THE EARTH

There was a clash between the blade of Musa and Barone’s Earth Blades. The clash between the two blades echo throughout the hideout sending shockwaves to the area. The furious attacks of Musa clashes with the calm yet disturbing disposition of Barone. Unable to break his defenses, Musa pulled off his attack.

Switching the position of his sword, now with the hilt pointed towards Barone, Musa yelled,

RUNE MAGIC: SHADOW STIRKE REVERSE

Quickly dashing towards Barone, Musa swung his sword, barely hitting him. Enraged at that, Barone yelled,

“Blooood! I remember you, you were the one who wounded me 2 years ago!”

Barone raised his staff, and yelled,

EARTH ORB LEVEL 5 TIMES 10

10 Large Earth Orbs appeared, all of them aimed towards Musa. With a wave of his hand, he directed the orbs towards his opponent. Musa, full of determination, simply cut the Earth Orbs with his wave, none of which were able to hit him. With his resolve as strong as ever, he went on the offensive.

RUNE MAGIC: SHADOW STRIKE LEVEL 2

Pouring even more energy into his strike, Musa charged towards Barone, managing to slice him with a strong attack.

With blood pouring from his wounds, Barone himself got angry. With eyes glowing, he yelled,

EARTH BULLET

Multitudes of mini orbs arrived, and immediately stabbed Musa, wounding him.

Furthermore, he also chanted,

Earth spirit, provide thee with strength. Give us your fists. Strike all those who stand in my way

EARTH FIST

After flinching from the Earth bullet attack, Musa was unable to dodge the second attack of Barone. With the force behind the attack, Musa was sent back a few meters away from Barone. With his opponent down, Barone made an incantation. He chanted,

Gaia, provider of life, give us your arms. Turn our opponents into dust

EARTH MAGIC: HAND CRUSH

Two hands emerged from the ground and attacked Musa. Anticipating this, Musa sliced one of them, but was unable to evade the other, which pinned him to the ground.

Once again, directing his staff towards Musa, Barone said,

Gaia, provide me your blades, your strong and steady will and your blessing. Stab my enemies

EARTH MAGIC: EARTH SPIKES

Wary of this attack, Musa sliced the remaining Earth Hand and attempted to evade this attack but one of the spikes managed to hit his leg, pierced him, leaving him wounded. Struggling to stand, he aimed his sword towards Barone.

Looking at his wounded opponent, Barone laughed. He then turned his back and told his bodyguards,

“Finish him”

“Gladly sire”, said Finnessee.

RUNE MAGIC: ICE BLADE

A fresh Finnessee went on the offensive, ready to attack Musa when someone shouted,

FIRE ORB LEVEL 2

It was Fil’Gharn, Morgana and Zidros. They finally arrived at Barone’s hideout.