Dragis opened his eyes to the pitch black area within the rock dome he had created. His body was in the exact stance from the casting of the spell

“How much time has passed while I was in that trace?” He thought to himself standing straight and walking to the edge of the dome stroking his chin. As he neared the edge he could hear the voices of those who were outside.

“Young lord Aquila! Was that a soul cage spell? You know that spell is forbidden to be cast on people during a sparring match.” The enraged voice of elder Josha sounded.

“I just overestimated him. If he was even as half as smart as all you elders seem to think he is then he would have been ready with a counter before it hit him.” Aquila retorted without a single trace of respect for his elder.

“This kid has truly been raised to think he is above everyone. Well, I guess with the rare spirit magic he was probably papered and given everything he wanted. The main branch probably was raising him as a counter to Lyzric.” Dragis started to fiddle with his beard as he thought. “Actually maybe I should let him fight Lyzric to see what a true spiritual master could do. On second thought I do not want to scare him too bad so nevermind.” Dragis shivered as he thought of the outcome that would be from those two fightings.

“So what do you guys think of your so-called master now? What is he going to teach you from a soul lock?” Aquila gloated and laughed “Now if you losers kneel and beg I will let you serve under me again.”

“Aquila does not go too far we are all from the main family. Also, even you will not get off without a scratch if you hurt Dragis. Even if the main branch will not do anything then Lyzrac will.” Thia pleaded with Aquila fear creeping into his voice.

“Yea even though you are a spirit mage as well he has those black flames of Hades!” Maxum said his voice just shy of yelling.

“What you two believe those rumors? So what if he has that hybrid flame he has only used it on someone once and no one except the prime elders got to see what it did. For all, we know they overstated its strength and he is all theatrics, just like Dragis so-called intelligence." Aquila stated then pointed to the elder who was remaining quiet, "See even Josha is not commenting because he knows it is true.”

Dragis could feel the air go cold “NOT GOOD!! This is not good if he is here. I have to find a way to lower the wall even with my low magic reserves.” He pounded on the wall sending earth magic into the dome trying to create a hole and yelling. Even with this effort sadly no one outside could hear him.

“Oh? So you managed to trick my lazy brother with a soul cage hmm?” A dark voice came from the entrance of the training area as a man dress clothes walk in.

“Sir Lyzrac please do not be mad at them. They are just kids.” elder Josha pleaded as he bowed

“Kids, you say? Since when do children know the soul cage that locks people in a loop of there strongest or worse memory?” Lyzrac said as he started to walk forward eyes looking at the children and a strange aura disrupting the air.

“Ha! Just because your branch trash cannot easily get that spell does not mean that I can not. I can learn any spirit magic I want” As Aquila said these words all of the other kids stepped away from him with shock on their face.

“Does this kid have a death wish?” Dragis could just shake his head at the stupidity.

Lyzrac looked straight into Aquila’s eyes and stopped walking. “So you are the great brat I have heard about.” As he said these words black flame starts to lick at his feet. “If you are so great then how about try my flame?” He brings his hand up causing a fireball to form as even his eyes turned black “I will give you two choices. Either you release my brother and receive light punishment or I break your will turning you into a puppet and do it myself.”

Black tendrils start to reach out from the fireball almost as if it could since its creator's fury and wanted to get at the source of that fury.

“HA! you like to appear as a daemon to…” Before Aquila could finish his sentence elder Josha moved as fast as possible to him covering his mouth.

“If you value your sanity shut your damn mouth.” Josha said to Aquila “Now release your spell before this gets worse!”

Aquila forced Josha hand away “Who do you think you are! Anyway even if I wanted to I have not learned the release spell. Serves him right for underestimating me.” He crossed his arms lifting his head up.

Suddenly the fireball went out and cold laughter filled the area.

“Please magic returns before I have to explain why my brother mentally crushed someone of the main branch!” Dragis pleaded as he constantly tried to cast a spell to reshape the dome “Wait instead of the whole thing just an area will do!” He focused his little magic he had gathered on one area and then cast a push spell to open a hole.

“WAIT!! I got out of the spell myself!” Dragis yelled as soon as the small piece fell out causing everyone to look that way.

Relief filled everyone's face but Aquila’s as if they had just escaped a demon.

“Maxum, please use your magic to make me a door please and then reseal it behind me,” Lyzrac says with a slight smile as he walks towards the dome.

Maxum mindlessly follows his instructions allowing Lyzrac to enter.

“Now bro it was an accident. Anyone could have made that mistake.” Dragis says backing away from the new door.

“O really brother? Maybe I should teach you the true fear of spirit magic so you will not be careless again.” Lyzrac said with a grin as he slowly walked forward.

“Have you two forgotten I am here! How did you break my spell you are a lowly branch dog!” Aquila yells towards the brothers.

“This one is the pure definition of stupid it is like no one ever taught him how to respect others or gave him a reason for self-preservation.” Lyzrac smile faded as he looked at Aquila

“Thank you for my scapegoat. I mean Aquila!” Dragis thought before walking outstanding by his brother. “If you must know a soul cage is only effective when there is a large power difference or true hatred is filling it. Unlike the other types of magic, spirit spells are changed drastically by emotions. All it took for me to break your spell was to follow the memory to the end.”

“Why must you waste your time explaining to someone who will never understand?” Lyzrac asked annoyance clear on his face.

“True this one is rather slow. I know why don’t you cast your Cage of Limbo on him so he can learn from experience.” Dragis grinned

“Why brother I have never heard you say a better idea,” Lyzrac said his smile returning and a black flame square forming “I will give you five seconds to put up a defense. 1...2...3”

“Like I need to defend against you.” These were the last arrogant words Aquila spoke before the cube of black flame hit his chest and disappeared into him and his consciousness faded.

“What did you do to him?” Elder said as he raced forward to catch Aquila before he hit the ground “ If you do permanent harm to him none of us will escape without some sort of punishment from grand elder Gawain.”

“So what if he is Gawain’s grandson! No one messes with my family without some sort of payment. I am not as kind as my brother to let slights slide. Every debt must be paid to be it good or bad.” Lyzric stated to the elder with black flames starting to admit from behind him causing the air to warp. “Had my brother not broke out would he have been punished for killing him or would he have been let go because we are members of a mere branch family?”

Elder Josha's eyes filled with fear seeing the black flames grow and this young man’s famous rage started to show. “I meant no harm Lyzric. I just wanted to know what spell you cast on him.”

Without the flames fading, Lyzric responded with spite clearly on his face. “I cast the exact same spell he did just with the intent for him to live through his worse nightmare to get out.”

Suddenly a great pressure fell on those in the arena, causing the weaker people to fall to their knees and Lyzric, Dragis, and Josha fighting to stay up, as the magical barrier around it was broken. As the outside scenery filled the area a man entered their vision.