The village returned to its former manner. So far it had only become Noon, and so much was already going on. Children played in the open fields around the home. Garret ran his shop, ripping and running to supply orders for those who had the money. The librarian watching over those old and young who indulged into the literature of the village.

Nicholai exited his shack, his bag with his favorite books carried over his shoulder, and his staff in his left hand. He continued on, heading towards the large opening within the trees, it was across the field, and the only comfort it provided was the perfect spot for him. A naturally split of shade and sunlight, non-moise grass allowed for perfect resting in all positions, and a small lake of pure water to drink from. Best for when one runs out of ale. Nicholai approached the break, he could feel himself regaining his joy. For this is where his mother and father would take him everyday. He remembered sitting in her lap and reading his favorite stories to him. His father was great with food, and always provided their meals. But that was a long time ago.

He neared the break, yet two men appeared before him.

“Going somewhere boy.” One of the mages asked.

“To my reading spot. Where else?” Nicholai responded in annoyance.

“Not today. Irene doesn’t want you outside the village perimeter.” The other mage spoke.

“Anything outside that barrier is outside the village perimeter.” Nicholai remembered his manner of speech to Irene early in the day.

“Change of rules. You have been placed under probation.”

“So now she is angry with me again. Does she intend to lock me in my own home until I get down and lick her boots?” One of the mages got up into Nicholai’s face.

“You need to learn where you stand here boy. You think we enjoy having to deal with you every time you try to leave. Just follow the rules so all of us can live happily. Now get your ass back over there. Your probation begins tomorrow and will last the rest of the year.” The mages continued past him. Leaving him standing in the grass to reflect on his actions. For now he decided that he might as well return.

Irene sat in her study. A glass of wine in hand, and mentally preparing herself for battle. These days never come often. Usually it’s her demonstrating how one may become in their efforts, but she truly had no one to show them to, or even express them. Then comes a tall, handsome young man weilding a mystery blade.

“I hope he’s strong. He will make a great husband.” Irene said to herself.

“My lady. We relayed your message to Nicholai.” One of the assistants enter the study.

“How did he take it?”

“He put up no resistance. For once he has decided to follow your orders.”

“They aren’t orders. Their rules.” She responded, putting her assistants' misguided words away.

“Rules or not they must be obeyed.”

“Of course. You’re dismissed for now. I have some business to attend to.” Irene put the glass down. She stepped up from her seat, and stretched backwards, then forwards to ease her body. Her staff lay next to her bookshelf. She stood before the massive window that took up a massive portion of the wall, from here she could see the entire village, as well as the young man who has become today entertainment for her, and hopefully forever.

Nicholai leaned on Garret’s shop. Others sitting around drinking and eating with either family or lovers. He gritted his teeth at the sight. Forced to do no other but drink his sorrow away.

“Hey I’m gonna need a stock up. Irene’s got me on probation.” Nicholai said to Garret.

“You know my stock doesn’t come in for the next 3 days. You’ll have to make due with what you have now, kid.”

“Oh Nicholai. Didn’t see you there. It’s starting to get hard to notice you when you stay all by yourself.” Redin, a mage the same age known for his harassment towards Nicholai, sat at on of the table having lunch with his girlfriend.

“Nobody asked for your input.” Nicholai looked down to his bully. Redin began to laugh at him. He moved to Nicholai, and knocked the bottle out of his hand. His expression went into complete hostility.

“You better start acting right. Once Irene takes the intruder as her husband, I’ll be put in as the new headmaster of Fayspell. And I already know who will be my unwavering assistant.” Redin turned back. Taking his love with him. Nicholai rubbed his face. He could almost feel tears coming. After so many long years everything kept repeating itself.

The villagers began to corral down towards the field. Nicholai and Garret caught wind of it. A large crowd had formed and they began muttering on about something. Nicholai spotted two standing in the center. It was Ezra and Irene.

Ezra stood sword on his back, Anabelle standing in the crowd. Some of the children fascinated by her red mane and glowing eyes.

Irene had her staff in hand, it was crafted from the same wood as the trees surrounding the village. A green crystal lay center on the blooming wooden tip, and vines curled around.

“Guess this is really happening.” Ezra said to the towering woman. “Before we start. Just how much fun should I anticipate being your husband.”

Irene smiled, letting out a child like giggle to the young man. “I’ll make sure you never get bored of me. Plus you have tons of more fierce battle to look forward too.” Irene subtlety let her intentions be known. “Everyone. Today, I face the intruder of our village. He calls himself Ezra. If he wins, he shall have his freedom. However should I win, he will remain here as my husband. Long with that. I will be resigning as headmaster of this village.”

The people began to murmur to each other.

“Finally. She doesn’t deserve to be our headmaster.”

“Maybe Redin will be a better choice after all. He’s actually liked by us.”

“She should just find a husband instead of forcing it on someone else.”

“Should have left with Evangelos.”

As Anabelle listened, her mind sensing first the peoples distaste. Then Irene's sorrow.

“How could they think like this to someone so strong?”

“I told you. Irene isn’t very liked around here.” Nicholai came to her side.

“Yet how did she become headmaster if she’s so distasteful.”

“The headmaster is always the strongest in the village. However many wanted my father, Evengelos, to be Headmaster. Yet he left right before the previous headmaster died. Thus Irene was selected next.” Nicholai informed Anabelle.

Ezra unsheathed his blade. Irene planted her staff into the ground. The battle was ready to begin.

Ezra lunged himself at her, the staff glowed green, and a massive thick vine grew and erupted from the earth. Striking his torso and sending him back to where he started.

“Damn.” Ezra grunted from the single attack. He took a defensive position, pointing the sword edge to Irene. He did another lunge, yet he performed a swinging slash that would take the blade to her head. Another vine erupted, and Ezra finished the swing with a downward slash that cut the vine in two down to the root. This allowed for a forward thrust, he pierced through the wind. Irene was unable to see the attack coming. Her reflexes protected her. A miniature version of her barrier was casted right where his sword landed, and at the right second. Upon contact, it shattered, forcing her back.

Ezra brought back numerous wide slashes. All that were either blocked with small barriers, or vines. Irene initiated her first counterattack, she swung the staff to Ezra’s head. He evaded the sweep, and was forced to jump back. Before he could even land Irene had replanted her sword into the ground. A magic glyph summoned on the ground. Ezra began to sense movement under him. Several vines erupt from beneath him, yet these had spikes protruding from the side. Ezra jumped in time, and only a bottom piece of his robe was damaged.

“Okay. You’re pretty impressive.” Ezra complimented Irene, looking at the tear on his robe. He took his blade and centered it to his face. In a flash, the sword ignited. Flames had been produced on the sword. Irene immediately could tell what it was for.

He began to slowly walk towards her, his sword now running on the ground, burning each piece of grass it crossed. He lifted the blade and took it with both hands, and went for a diagnol slash, he wasnt done, immediately following with an upward slash and another going down with one hand. Irene lost a little balance, yet managed to evade them. Ezra’s aggression didn’t cease. He jumped into the air, spinning around generating a flame vortex, he continued upwards and went back down with a slamming slash. Irene moved back, however the slam created a small explosion. The impact of it knocked her off her feet, and burned some of her clothes.

“How can someone so big move so fast?” Ezra thought to himself. Irene stood back up, and while her clothes took damage, it seemed she remained unfazed by his attack. The two continued their assault on each other.

“This guys is really something. Are there really fighters liked him out there?” Nicholai said to himself, gazing beyond the trees that acted as their gate.

Ezra plunged his sword into the ground and sent it flying up, a burning stream flew towards Irene. She erected a wall of thick vines to shield herself. The vines then extended quickly and grabbed Ezra restricting his movement. More vines began to rise, and they all struck him from different angles. Irene stood emotionless.

“This has been quite the duel. But I don’t see why you believe you ever had a chance in beating me. You have impressive strength. Yet your attacks are simple. And you don’t even seem to possess a tome.” Irene said walking up to her opponent.

“Tome?” Ezra confusily asked.

“A tome is a book containing a magic users spells and abilities. My tome. Is called Liberator.” Irene explained. The tome had patterns the same as the vines on her staff. Ezra guessed it had to be planted based. “Tomes can be passed down from one person to the next. This was the tome my father gave me long ago. I’d be happy to share it with you. If you surrender.”

Ezra started to chuckle. “That’s really misleading. Liberator. Yeah right. You keep everyone in this village locked behind a door you're too scared to open. Your first instinct when you meet someone is to just force them to marry you. I mean. You’re pretty good looking, but if you want me or anyone else.” Ezra’s eyes changed from it’s shining gold, to a bright crimson. “You’ll have to do better than that.” Ezra broke the vine with his bare strength, His sword igniting even stronger. Irene flinched, and Ezra sent a upward slash that hit her and sent her flying back.

She landed heavily, her clothes now ripped, partially revealed her bra hiding her large breasts. The sorceress returned to her feet rather quickly. Her staff replanted into the ground. This time she let it go, and more vines wrapped around it, turning it into a beanstalk. She removed a bundle of grapes and ate all of them at once. Her wounds started to heal.

Anabelle sensed compassion within Nicholai. He stared in awe at Ezra as he stood before his unsurmountable enemy.

“Guess there’s more to these magic tomes than meets the eye. I’ll have to get one.” Ezra said.

“Yeah. You really should.” Nicholai had stepped forth next to Ezra. Everyone in the crowd gasped as he walked on.

“Nicholai. What are you doing?” Irene asked in complete shock.

“Gaining my freedom. I refuse to stand by as my life continues to go on this way. I see now that the only out isn’t through that barrier. It’s through you.” Nicholai proclaimed.

“Please. You don’t know what you're doing. Why do you think I’ve sat here all these years and taken so much shit from everyone here? Don’t you think I want to leave this hell hole as well?” Irene started to form tears. “But if you refuse to listen, then I will make you!”

Her hair buns became undone. A green aura formed around her. Changing her hair from blue to green.

“You have a plan.” Nicholai called on to Ezra.

“Of course. I knew I couldn’t beat her. Hell the both of us can’t. You sure you want this? From here there is no turning back.” Ezra reminded him.

“I know. From here. I’ll find my father, and become even stronger. So that no one can hold me down.” Ezra felt his conviction. Together they would now fight as one.

“Alright here’s my plan. You distract her, while I bust us a way out of here.” Ezra informed. Nicholai made no hesitation.

“Got it.”

Ezra ran upto Irene. He started to slash around her. She continuously erupted vine after vine. So much that the watching villagers had to start stepping back. Nicholai took his staff out and pointed it towards Irene.

“Muse 6: Geometry!” A glyph appeared under Irene, the ground started to shift around her similar to her vines. She created spiked vines to pierce through them. She managed to evade both Ezra’s sword and Nicholai manipulation of the area around her. Yet she began to lose her balance. This was Ezra’s chance.

He lunged himself back, and threw his sword towards Irene’s head. She quickly dodged by bending backwards. However his blade was never meant for her. It continued until flying into the break between the trees and hitting the barrier. The force of it shattered a piece of it, making a hole large enough to move through.

“Now Anabelle!” The mare started to dash right for the break. “Nicholai jump on!” The young mage caught the words and acted quickly. He jumped onto Anabelle’s back. And started to ride towards the break. Yet Ezra still needed assistance.

“Muse 6: Geometry.” Nicholai manipulated the ground beneath Ezra to lunge over Irene and onto Anabelle as well. Now they both started to make their breakthrough. Defeating Irene was never Ezra’s intentions. Escaping in one piece was. The best thing to come out was Nicholai. Someone else he could help in their own efforts. Maybe one day he could come back and fairly fight her.

Nicholai turned back to get a single last look at the village. Irene had recomposed herself. Her expression projected sorrow and envy.

“My lady. Should we go after him?” Redin asked, coming up to the headmaster.

“No. He finally got what he wanted. Now let’s see if he can handle that responsibility.”