Chapter 9

A ensuing battle is currently taking place in a open road as soldiers fought for their lives against a pack of hungry abyss beasts. Spanning 3 meters in length and 1 meter in height, these abyss creatures sported characteristics similar to wolves and hunted in packs. Due to these similarities to the predatory animal, Scholars have even given these abyss monsters a name due to their large numbers and easy to recognize features.

“Squad leader, the Ravagers got Henry, we must help him!” A Young scout sporting light armor and two swords shouted towards a older man, most likely the leader of the party. Before he could say anything else, two Ravagers attacked him simultaneously with their two lethal canine fangs.

Outnumbered and demoralized, the scouting party was surrounded on all sides, slowly being tackled by unrelenting attacks. Every couple of minutes, the wolf like Ravagers would manage to ensnare a careless defender, dragging them behind the pack. The tactics used were not new; in fact it was quite similar to how dolphins herded their prey in the open sea. But this was much more gruesome as screams of their fallen comrades echoed into the sky while blood splatter around. Nothing would remain after the terrifying carnage inflicted by the Ravagers, the only remnant of the victim’s existence was pools of blood acting as a grave marker for their death.

“Everyone stay close to me, we will charge forward and head to the ruins of Muhindal, there we can use the rubbles to our advantage!” shouted the squad leader. Even in such a dire situation, this seasoned veteran did not give up and ordered his men into formation, readying to break out of the encirclement. It was at this moment, in the covering of the forest trees half a field away; two human shaped beings ran towards the scouting party. From quick observation, the squad leader could make out a young man with short black hair in his prime. The second person was less obvious as a glimmering black robe covered any hint of his identity.

Even from that distance, Garen could make out the defenders were soldiers of the empire. Excited at the prospect of meeting a living human again, his mind pushed all other thoughts of fear or anxiety aside. Brandishing his silver sword, Garen charged forward into the pack of Ravagers as Norzak stood from a distance in observation. With his new found improved strength and bloodlust filled eyes, every strike and slash sent blood and gore flying into the air. Any semblance of order and tactic quickly fell apart for the pack hunters as Garen singlehandedly wiped out one-fourth of the enemies number.

The scouting party was awestruck with their mouth hanging open. Like a gift from the gods themselves, a single man came to their aid and decimated the enemy that has spent day after day killing their comrades. Seeing the chance for revenge, the squad leader knew it was now or never as he gave his orders to everyone, “Everyone attack now, fight alongside that person and get revenge for our comrades!” Upon hearing the long awaited orders, the group’s moral and attitude changed completely as smiles of anger masked their faces. Working as a single entity, they attacked any careless Ravagers that had their backs turned against them. In minutes, the human plated feast has turned into a bloodbath for the Ravagers instead.

By the time the last of the beasts was slain, Garen was covered from head to toe in blood. Calming down, he could see the others were gathered in a tight circle, surprise and confusion on their faces. Tracing their eyes, he saw they weren’t afraid of him but rather staring at Norzak with a guarded position; luckily they were not rash like Garen and attacked without cause. Just when Garen thought he could help smooth things through if he spent a moment explaining, Norzak unleashed a devastating amount of power into the surrounding as he walked towards where Garen stood.

“Wait, stop! Don’t harm these people; they have done nothing to wrong us.” Unnerved by the oppressive air, Garen pleaded towards the undead mage as his grip tightened against his sword.

Without minding the somewhat squeamish plea, Norzak pulled off its hooded robe, revealing his husky dried body for all to see. From the glaring red glow in its eye, Norzak studied each men and women from a distance and seemed angrier with each passing second. Garen felt if he didn’t act immediately to change the situation, another battle will soon follow only because he was too weak willed. But as soon as he took a step towards the group of people he tried so hard to defend, Norzak raised its left mummified arm to block his way.

“Do not go any further and get behind me now,” Norzak instructed with a serious tone, assuring Garen that he wasn’t acting this way without reason.

Remembering the conversation they had that morning, Garen felt he owed this semi dead person a measure of trust. Taking in a deep breath, he resigned himself against his own wishes and did what he was instructed. As he walked around to stand behind the undead mage, Garen masked a face of anguish and pain, knowing the outcome of this encounter will not be a happy one.

“Listen mortals, if you wish to live then heed my words. Spread apart with at least a meters length in distance between each of you. I will not repeat my words!” As soon as the words left its jaws, Norzak summoned forth a unbelievable high tiered spell known only to casters of the highest circle – Magicians are ranked from 1st to 10th circle in rank, the strongest can reach up to 10th circle and was considered unachievable by humans.

Below Norzak’s boots, a red spell circle had formed into the ground as sparks of lightning erupted from the markings. The description of a undead mage could no longer describe this being as it floated into the air. What was once feared across the land as they raised the dead from their graves, the epitome of black magic belonging only to the Liches of ancient times, capable of waging war against all in this world.

Garen watched on with grim determination, knowing he will regret and never forgive himself if he closed his eyes. Unlike the previous coating of black energy that Norzak donned when they first met, this time its entire body was bursting with a dark flame of powerful magic. The grass nearby instantly withered away as if the very life was sucked out of them. With a finger pointing towards the scouting party, the unseen deathly grip of magic shot forth from where they stood, aiming at its intended target.

The squad leader could sense the incoming attack but could not see anything with his non enchanted eyes. Even though he could not see, his instincts told the seasoned veteran unless he did what the undead said, he and his comrades would most definitely die like the withering grass in front of them. “Everyone spread apart immediately!” Thanks to the high level of discipline from months of real combat, each person reacted to the order as if they had spent years performing the exercise.

In mere seconds, the attack had reached the group but instead of harming the soldiers that were spread out, it aimed specifically for only one single person. The target had a tired looking face, standing furthest away in the back of the scouting party. What aroused the attack was the way his attire looked; despite the shambles and dents in everyone’s armor, this lone person did not receive any injuries or a scratch for that matter even after going through all their perils. Nor did he deal any major blows during any opportunities presented in front of him. This had alarmed Norzak in his initial observation of the situation from afar; his conclusion was that this entity is dangerous if left untouched.

Upon impact, a deafening sound erupted as a enormous bloom of smoke and fire spread around like a fog. Everyone including Garen was knocked backwards from the shockwave; the closest to the blast received the brunt of the initial force. Dazed and numb, Garen lay there with his eye squinted, unable to make out a clear picture of his surroundings. As time pass, the wind had slowly begun dispersing the smoke, revealing the aftereffect. Upon closer inspection, a looming shadow etched itself into his eyes, it was Norzak and he was fighting something near him!

End chapter 9