Chapter 027

Flames and Shadows

A kingdom of demons turned silver; it was beauty to his eyes.

Many times had he envisioned the downfall of Esteras but to see the path to its destruction unfold right before him delivered more happiness than he probably deserved. Countless heads screaming and running in a futile attempt to escape the inevitable. When death approached, people tended to show their true characters. Below him, he watched as men shoved past women and elderly. He observed nobles instructing their servants to save the worthless possessions from their homes, even at the cost of their own lives. He saw children, crying for a hero to rescue them, wandering the streets aimlessly. Chaos, that was the only word he could think of to describe the corrupted scene.

And Trevor enjoyed every second of it.

This was what they deserved. It was what every Esteran deserved. To start a war and then issue a peace treaty, why, it was like they were taking credit for fixing a problem they themselves caused. And while the rest of the world did its best to recover from those crimson days and cold nights, they threw parties and celebrated the brave soldiers who participated in the war. They sought to keep the cogs of their corrupted history turning so as to not contemplate the sins and travesties they committed. Why should they be allowed to live their lives with comfort and security, holding their heads high as if they were too good for anyone else.

No, Trevor saw them for what they really were. Beasts who needed to be tamed, to be taught a lesson. With the Day of Zero activated soon the entire country will learn of the wrath of Gyrak. They will look on in fear as their leaders and military headquarters are disposed of like the pieces of excrement they were. An era of change was upon them, and he was the one who had commenced it. The history books of Gyrak would remember him as a legend, the valiant sorcerer that slayed their ignorant oppressors in their sleep. Truthfully, though, he couldn’t care less about his reputation or honor or glory. Watching buildings collapse and corpses turned to frozen statues, he only thought of his family, the shimmering pieces of his heart he had failed to protect. Freya, are you and the kids seeing this? All of it is for you. Trevor smiled. These devils in human clothing, I’ll ruin their brood and cover their homelands with my ice. Trevor’s smile faded. I wasn’t as strong as you needed me to be, I apologize, my family. But with the power of the manites, I’m unstoppable. It was true, the enchanted manites amplified his magic spells, so much so that not even Esteras’ best stood a chance against them. Who was there to stop him? Peering over the ledge of a building, his arms crossed and his multicolored tome floating beside him, he merely relished in satisfaction from a job well-done.

Then, he heard a door open. An unwanted guest had joined him on his altar.

“A smart man would have fled the city by now, or at the very least disappear inside the bedlam. And yet here you are, as discreet as a bull in a flock of sheep. What, are you Gyrakians not fans of subtlety? It's quite the effective tool, in my opinion.” The Esteran soldier, a major by the name of James Griffin, strode to him, hands in his pockets. Despite his snarky comments and aloof demeanor, Trevor didn’t sense the presence of mana within him. He wasn’t gifted by Gala. He was just an ordinary human. “Although, I really shouldn’t complain too much. Now I have the opportunity to pick at your brain before you’re locked up forever.”

“I have nothing to say to you, Esteran.” Trevor looked back at the city descended into madness. “And it matters not if I fall, nothing can stop the Day of Zero. The spell breeds destruction, and it won't end until Savannis is a distant memory.”

“You don’t say?” Jame smirked. Trevor couldn’t put his finger on it but something was definitely wrong. How could an inert afford to act so carelessly in front of a sorcerer? Did he not fear for his life? Or had the soldier lost his wits because of his unfortunate predicament? Regardless, Trevor wouldn’t lower his guard just yet.

“Where are the others? I know this is a trap.”

James lifted his gloved hands. “I came alone. The rest of my team are preoccupied with getting rid of the ice pillars you created, very impressive by the way. Can’t imagine it was a facile feat to accomplish. What an extraordinary mage, you must be.” Trevor frowned at his hollow compliments. As he approached him, albeit with one slow step at a time, the sorcerer prepared for the worst possible outcome.

“You’re bluffing.”

“I never bluff, and I’m not a liar. If my soldiers were here you would’ve heard them when they broke into the building, yes? And as for my mages, go ahead and see if you can detect their essence signatures, or whatever you call them. I can guarantee you won’t find anything.” Trevor did just that, momentarily shutting his eyelids and concentrating on the mana point of any nearby organisms. Like James had told him, he failed to identify anyone or anything. On this rooftop, the two of them were completely alone. “See? What did I tell you?”

“Then you’re an even bigger moron than I gave you credit for. Cornering a sorcerer alone and without the assistance of your magical slaves. Your military must be running low on personnel if imbeciles like you somehow were promoted to the rank of major.”

“A fool, am I? Hm, maybe. Zen can definitely attest to that. But, I assure you, when it comes to strategies, I’m the best in the game,” he claimed, pointing a thumb to his distinguished grin. “Now what sense would it make for me to order them to target one person when an entire city full of people needs to be saved? Especially when our target is at a serious disadvantage.”

Trevor grinded his fangs. “I beg your pardon?”

“Why don’t you tell me the real reason you haven’t fled Savannis, Thatch? This Day of Zero spell of yours, I bet you wanted us to think that the ice pillars and manite crystals were the source of its power. And sure, while they are major threats we have to neutralize, the fact remains that it's due to your magic they still exist. You're a mage, Thatch, and so you aren’t exempt from the rule every magic user obeys. Spells require the essence and the will of their mages, otherwise they would cease to function in reality. Don’t get me wrong, it is possible for particular spells to operate normally without their mages via enchantment, though I’m willing to bet that isn’t the case in regards to you.”

“...You’re not a sorcerer. How are you so familiar with the arts of magic?”

“I’ve worked side by side with combat mages for over fifteen years now. Needless to say, I’ve picked up a few things.”

“So it would seem,” Trevor muttered. “Hypothetically, if your rambling conclusion was right, what do you plan on doing next, aye, Major?”

“Have you not figured it out yet? What other reason would I have for coming here, if not to subdue you?”

“...What?”

“To be more direct, you can say I’m here to defeat you.”

Trevor’s lips cracked into a smirk. Soon after, a whaling series of laughter burst into the world and elevated into the skies. The hilarity of the notion, a sorcerer being bested by an inert, it was simply too humorous of a thought. He couldn’t contain himself, couldn’t restrain the howls rampaging in his stomach. “Thanks for that, I really needed a good laugh. Haven’t had many these days,” he sniggered, wiping the tears from his eyes.

“I fail to note the hilarity in my statement.”

“Be realistic, Griffin. Sorcerers are superior to ordinary humans. It’s a common fact. I may be using most of my mana to maintain the spell, but even I have enough power to wipe out a weakling like you,” he chortled. “What have you got rolling in that brain of yours, huh? Planning on using an enchanted tool? Or maybe you’ve got your hands on some kind of experimental, magic weapon that insane government has cooked up?”

“Such elaborate methods aren’t necessary, I’m afraid.” He retrieved his pistol from his waist. The major carefully inspected it, running his gloved fingers from its hammer and across its slide. “This will suffice.”

“You...you can’t be serious..?”

“I am,” James confirmed, spinning the gun by its handle before pointing the tip of its muzzle directly at him. “One shot is all I’m going to need.”

Jacob Andrew was a mage that shouldn’t be challenged; to do so would be the last mistake a fool could make.

Rune knew exactly what he was getting himself into. In the past, he’d partaken in thirty five duels with his former master. He lost every single one. During each of his defeats, he felt as if he learned something new. That he was getting better at not only understanding his own magical capabilities, but also the strategies and tendencies of the man meant to be teaching him. He kept track of how Jacob defended himself, which spells he used the most, and how he reacted when he lost sight of his target. When the time came for him to leave for the Military Academy, Rune was fairly confident that he had the seasoned combat mage figured out.

But he was wrong. Oh, so very wrong.

Step by step, he strutted further from the enchanted tree, immortalizing a hesitant stare onto the colossal, wooden construction. His master was tough, there was no disproving that. However, never had Rune imagined he was capable of something like this. Studies claimed that as a mage got older, their bodies would become less resilient to magic’s effects thus limiting the kind of spells they could successfully cast. Though he hated acknowledging the truth himself, Jacob wasn’t exactly the youngest of folk. Yet he displayed not a minute drop of weakness, he was as strong as he was when Rune had trained with him. Rune cursed to himself. Glancing behind him, he noticed that the ice pillar he worked so hard at destroying was using the interruption as an opportunity to repair itself. Already were the cracks and craters littering its hull starting to vanish. Additionally, the ice it spread continued where it had left off, creeping over the street and freezing nearby buildings and parked vehicles. If something wasn’t done, there would be no stopping its chilling advance. And so a question lingered: Was it possible for him to stop the spell and fight Jacob at the same time?

“It’s futile to resist the inevitable, my young apprentice.” Jacob stood on top of a large tree branch extending over Rune’s head. His arms folded and gusts of wind flapping the pony tail behind his scalp, he shouted down, “I urge you not to make such an unwise decision. Leave this place, and that will be the end of it! Shall you choose to oppose me further...and I might have to do something I will later regret.”

Rune frowned. “Your spell is impressive! You sure know how to put on a show! But I won’t allow it to distract me!” The boy turned and made for the ice pillar, not before broadcasting his back to Jacob. “Ignoring how powerful it probably is, it’s a stationary spell. I should be fine if I stay out of its range. And luckily for me, after I melt this ice pillar of yours, I’ll be heading off to handle the others.”

“An accurate assessment, Young Ransford. Though you’ve failed to account for one thing.”

“Oh yeah? Go ahead, enlighten me.”

Jacob raised his forefinger and sniggered. “While you’re capable of evading my attacks, can you say the same for everybody else in the area?”

Rune froze. “...What?”

“I detect approximately twenty three, no, thirty five other lifeforms nearby. All of them humans that don’t possess Ryas’ gift. The branches of my Yggdrasil can reach over a hundred feet. If I will it, I’d easily be able to kill everyone without breaking a sweat.”

Rune spun around to face him yet again. “You wouldn’t dare! Leave the civilians alone! They have nothing to do with this!”

“I’d wager they have everything to do with this, considering they're the kind of scum I despise most in this world. Esteras would be better off without them.” Jacob leered over the edge of the tree branch, placing his hands onto his hips. “Of course, this shouldn’t serve to be a problem for you. Last I checked, you didn’t enlist in the military to be a hero, did you? The mission should be your biggest concern, should it not? So please, don’t let me pester you anymore. Destroy the ice pillar, while I exorcise the demons.” Rune unsheathed a sharpened glare. To his response, Jacob emitted an all too pleased chuckle. “What’s the matter, Young Ransford? Have I struck a nerve?”

“You really are playing dirty, you bastard,” Rune muttered under his breath. “Dammit!!”

Without dwelling on it further, Rune rushed the tree at full speed. “Regaleo!” He shot into the air, a blazing mage powered by the element of fire. His master, on the other hand, retreated within the confines of his creation. The branch he stood on retracted, folding back inside its canopy. Rune followed it. He breached its outer layer composed entirely of vines and wood. He then landed at the center of the forested realm. The smell of ichor and sap glossed whistling billows. Tiny, glowing, yellow sparks of light flitted around him like fireflies. Meanwhile, the evermoving branches and ribbons of wood beneath his boots made it difficult to ascertain a solid stance. They moved and wiggled with little concern for his well being.

“Oh, my naïve apprentice. You’re still so easy to read.” Jacob’s voice echoed throughout the canopy. Although, Rune couldn’t tell where exactly his voice originated. It was as if the tree itself was speaking. “During the war, my Yggdrasil laid waste to entire cities. Those foolish enough to challenge me in my domain, well, let’s just say they weren’t able to return to their families. Not in one piece, at least.”

“Yeah? I’m willing to bet they didn’t practice fire magic like me!” Rune's cupped hands burst into flames, fiery streams of wind flickering his hair. “I’ll burn this place to the ground if that’s what it’ll take to stop you!”

“I love your confidence! But once again, you’re failing to grasp the bigger picture!”

The sound of creaking wood jetted into his ears, and an enormous shadow blanketed him in darkness. Glancing upward, Rune was barely able to dodge a surprise attack from his rear. He leaped out of the way of the giant plank of wood. Had he been a second too late, he would’ve been splattered into a pile or red. He couldn’t afford the opportunity to regarther himself, however. No sooner than he rolled out the way of the previous attack, three branches shot down from above and attempted to skewer the mage alive. Acting on instinct, Rune twisted and contorted his body. He jetted his right shoulder backward to avoid the first of the branches. He then hopped four or so paces to his left, as the second stabbed the flooring. Lastly, the final branch saw fit to aim for his neck, its hardened point releasing a horrid screech as it cut through the air. The fire in his hand danced with aggression. “Ignis Globus!” he shouted, chucking a fast flying fireball. The two spells collided, creating a cloud of smoke.

Catching his breath, Rune’s danger senses kicked in. It felt like an entire army had set his sights on ending his life. “Do you get it now, Young Ransford?” inquired Jacob’s voice. “This is my world, I control everything. The moment you stepped foot on Yggdrasil was the moment you forfeited your life.”

“Don’t underestimate me, you bastard!” Rune shouted.

Leaves glued to the branches rustled, but there was no wind. Sharpening his vision, Rune watched as nearly hundreds upon hundreds of the leaves abandoned their posts and, much like bullets, launched at him. It was a barrage of emerald nature. Rune shut his eyes. Draken flipped its pages. Ribbons of fire spiraled around him. Gathering his strength and magic, he unveiled his eyelids and roared, “Anguis Impetum!”. Launching from his body set ablaze was a collection of five bolts of fire, for the mage had unleashed a barrage of burning missiles. They painted trails of orange, scorching the air. The blazing comets lusted for a burning catastrophe. In a flash they bolted at the leafy ensemble releasing monstrous roars. Upon their collision they sparked to life a chain of fireworks above Rune's head. Smoke as well as shockwaves pulsated throughout the canopy. Rune wouldn’t be able to see the outcome of his counterattack, however, as an eruption of pain would materialize onto his ribs.

He felt oxygen gush out his lungs and burst from his gaping lips. While he wasn’t looking, a tree branch had struck him on his side, devastating his rib cage. The stealthy spell knocked him across the floor of the canopy. His back slammed against tree bark and he slumped to the floor. Out of his fractured lenses, he spotted more of the branches shooting at him. He transferred essence to the muscles in his legs. Rune sprung out of the way of the spells. Once they struck the walls of the tree, splinters of wood were flung everywhere. Landing in a crouch, Rune released a moan as another serpentine branch rose ascended, arched its head, and lunged towards the fiery intruder.

“R...Regaleo...” he spat.

Bursts of fire jetted him skyward. The base of the enchanted base churned with rage like a famished predator eager to make its kill. All at once a cluster of wooden limbs bellowed. They loosened and unfolded, shifting their bodies into a snake-like formation prior to launching into the air at the fire mage. Rune cursed. Using his propelling flames he dodged the winding woods as they attempted to smack and squeeze him to an early grave. They were everywhere, Rune almost losing sight of his trajectory. At the center of the commotion, he zipped between currents of wind, barely keeping out the reach of the greedy tree. Amidst his hasty retreat, he failed to notice a branch that lowered itself from the tree top. Rune’s cranium slammed into the arching structure. His world, for a fleeting handful of seconds, became shrouded by a darkened haze. And when he finally returned to his senses, ignoring the pain radiating into his skull, one of the branches beneath him wrapped around his legs.

A shriek escaped him as the branch pulled the mage out of the air and slapped him back onto the base of Yggdrasil. The impact from the attack reinforced by the pulling of gravity was enough to shatter his bones. Stinging agony catalyzed on his stomach and waist. By his ankle, the branch suspended him upside down, Rune staring at the ground with a swollen eye. Blood seeped from the edges of his mouth and collectd on his forehead, dripping of blonde strands. “What a pathetic sight to witness. Truly, you deserved a better fate than this. Ryas won’t be willing to forgive me for what I’ve done here today,” said Jacob’s voice.

Rune spat out a ball of blood. “Shut...up...this isn’t...enough to stop me...”

“You don’t know your limits, Rune. Then again, you never have. Cease your resistance and accept defeat, my apprentice. This wasn’t going to end any other way.”

“Stop...calling me that!” he groaned. “You’re a filthy traitor...just like my father...I refuse to acknowledge you as my master!”

Jacob sighed. “So it would seem.” The branch whipped its body backward and flung Rune across the canopy. He crashed into a barrier of bark before falling face first onto the ground. His vision and bones alike trembled. Rune struggled to return to his feet. What he could only manage was a hesitant crouch. Even in this deterioriated state, Rune pinned Jacob observing from an overhanging branch. Looking at him with a pitiful, almost sympathetic expression. “Just because we foster different beliefs, doesn’t mean this isn’t difficult for me. You think I want to do this? Want to hurt an old friend’s descendant? No, it’s almost too cruel! But for the sake of Esteras, I won’t let anyone get in my way...not even you.”

“You’re going to destroy Esteras...and I can’t let that happen,” Rune spat, crouching on his bruised knee. “I’ll fight you until my last breath, you hear me?!”

Jacob lowered his chin. “Loud and clear,” he muttered. Colossal tails of wood sprouted into the air on either of the Arbor Mage’s sides. Jacob acknowledged them, exchanging a slow glance at both his creations. With quivering lips, he pointed a palm at Rune. “It’s been an honor, Rune Ransford.”. The wooden serpents hissed, descending to close the curtains on their duel.

Launching out of the ground in the blink of an eye, there was a burst of dark energy.

With a single slice, solidified blades of blackness chopped the giant tree branches into secluded hunks of wood, splattering amber staining the canopy. Rune mirrored Jacob's bewildered expression, eyes wide and jaw hanging. Appearing several feet in front of him was none other than the shadow mage herself. She emerged from a geyser of bubbling murk, first her head followed by her torso, and finally, her legs and feet. A ring of shadows flooded out the soles of her boots. Her black hair blew with the wind. Her left eye of crimson brightened with the flow of essence. Lifting her hand, she summoned five more of the shadow tendrils into existence, challenging Jacob with a frozen scowl. Ryas had truly blessed him, for she had sent a savior to come to his aid.

“...Ebony,” Rune uttered.

Glancing over her shoulder at him, the girl responded, “Looks like I was right to follow my instincts.”

“But what about the civilians?”

“Don’t worry, they’re safe,” she confirmed, removing a fraction of Rune’s concern. “I escorted them to a squadron of soldiers, they should be departing Savannis as we speak. I was about to go search for more until I detected a violent surge of magical energy. I figured you could use a hand.”

“And so another mage enters the fray,” grumbled Jacob, atop his tree branch. “This quarrel doesn’t concern you girl. If you value your life, I strongly suggest leaving while you still can.”

Ebony glared. “Colonel Andrew, for betraying the trust of the military and allying yourself with the Gyrakian threat, it is my duty as a combat mage to bring you in so that you may answer for your crimes.”

Jacob’s eye twitched. “Insolent brat,” he muttered. “I know you. You’re the dishonored noble who had her sins hidden by money and nepotism. False heroes like yourself are the main cause for the poisoning of our government. Fret not, child, I’ll take it upon myself to provide you with a suitable execution.”

“You don’t get to decide who lives and who dies! And to make light of my abilities will only spell disaster for you.” Ebony glanced back at her fellow combat mage. “Rune, I want you to...” Cutting off her order, with a scorching fist, Rune struck himself square in the jaw. “Wh...What are you doing?!” she gasped.

“You were gonna tell me to take cover because of my injuries, weren’t you? Well, I’ll be fine.” Rune gave her a broken smile as well as a thumbs up, blood marathoning out of his right nostril. “I just needed a little bit of adrenaline to get the blood pumping. This pain is nothing. So long as I’ve got essence and a tome, there’s no duel I won’t be able to finish.”

Ebony batted her eyes plainly. “I...was only going to tell you to stay on your guard.”

“...Wait, really?” he blurted, equally as astonished.

“It would serve to be impractical to try and convince you to leave. You’re just too stubborn for your own good. So instead, I’ll be counting on your support for this duel,” she smiled. “We started this mission together, let’s finish it together as well. We’re partners, aren’t we?”

Rune fixed split lips into a snicker. “Yeah, I like the sound of that,” he happily replied, trotting towards her. Standing at her side, he pounded a flaming fist into his palm, scattering incubated sparks. “Let’s show the dear, old colonel the combined might of the next generation. My fire, and your shadows. Together, we won’t be defeated!”

Jacob contorted his face into a distinguished frown. “I see she’s as hopelessly impulsive as you are. Well then, shall we continue?"