(A/N: Jesus it's been a while. 4 months exactly. I am deeply sorry, but I don't know how often I will be able to post these with school and everything. But for now, enjoy this chapter!)

Gail could only watched as her friend dueled the enemy mage. Sarah caused a whirlwind to form around her that propelled her into the air. Vivian raised her hand and shot streaks of light at her target. Sarah smirked slightly as she dodged the attacks with ease.

Vivian seemed to be visibly upset by this and began to form a small wind around her to force herself into the air as well. As the two mages continued their aerial combat, Aldren made his move. He raised his hand as a magic symbol appeared on the ground. From Gail's modest knowledge in the subject, she could tell exactly what it was. Necromancy!? This guy has Necromancy?!

The symbol glowed brighter as a bony claw reached from inside as a portal opened. Out crawled a dragon the size of the whole corridor, eroded with the passage of time. But given life through the forbidden art. Gail reeled in horror as it let out a roar that shook even the foundation of the building. Torches fell from nearby and splashed to the ground, causing a small fire to erupt from the only means of escape.

Ryan stood his ground, and drew his blade. "Gail...stand back."

"Ryan, you are NOT taking on that thing by yourself." Gail ran forward and readied a tome. Ryan watched and sighed. There's no talking sense to that girl...

The dragon stared then down and Aldren stepped out from behind it. "Surrender now Gailwyn, and the lives of the academy's students may still yet be spared. We are only after you, and you alone."

"But why!? Why do you want me so badly? Isn't killing my father enough? I'm no Queen!" Tears were running down Gail's face as her knees seemed to buckle and the full realization of what had happened earlier hit her. "I'm...no...Queen..."

Aldren gave her a rather somber look as he watched the display. "What we are after we cannot...and will not...discuss. Valen wants you alive, so you should be grateful for that."

Gail shot a look at the necromancer. "Valen really did do this, then?"

Aldren nodded. "Yes."

Gail stood up and pointed her blade straight at the necromancer's heart. "Then...on this day I will swear one thing, and one thing only..." Her father's corpse was burned fresh into her memory, and the thought of what could have happened to Lawrence. "I swear...Valen Heraguard will pay!" A fire she never expected seemed to well up inside of her. The flames around her seemed to change, and bend to her will. They shot out at Aldren, and the dragon blocked it.

Even though the attack seemed to do no damage, Aldren could feel the strain she had just put on his summon. So...that's the power of the Dragon Blood...

Meanwhile, Sarah and Vivian were now on the roof of the academy. Sarah could feel her energy dropping rapidly against her superior opponent. "Dearie, just give up. Soon you'll be too tired to even move. Then, I'll enjoy getting to kill you piece by piece.."

Sarah stared at Vivian with a smile. She could sense a certain headmistress approaching. "Not likely..." Sarah raised her hand and started to chant. "Winds that howl, obey my command and descend upon this battlefield..."

Vivian seemed to be in slight shock. "There's no way a second year like you could.."

"Cyclone!" As she finished, the winds shot at Vivian. She quickly put up a barrier that blocked the main cyclone, causing the smaller winds to shoot off in every direction but herself. Vivian smiled as the spell finished.

"I must say child, you surprised me. I didn't expect a second year Wind Mage to have already mastered Cyclone. I suppose you will be wasted talent then. Goodbye."

Sarah smiled. "I sincerely doubt that." Vivian stopped with a look of confusion on her face before they heard it.

"I who stand in the full light of the heavens, summon thee who open the gates of Hell...come forth, divine lightning! Indignation!"

Vivian had barely time to react before the clouds that had formed above her shot down a huge bolt of lightning. The spell hit her full force, and caused the roof to explode in a flash of light. As the smoke began to clear, Lute stood in front of Sarah, looking down at her.

"Are you hurt? It would do us no good if you fell in this battle."

Sarah looked at Lute with a bright smile. "I'm fine enough to keep going ma'am. But Gail...she needs help."

Lute nodded and turned towards the huge hole that was now visible. "I know. Leave that to me." She jumped down into the hole, leaving Sarah looking after her.

"Gail...hold out a little longer, alright? Do it for me..." She then collapsed to the ground, her energy completely gone.

The dragon slammed into a column causing another corridor to partially cave in. Ryan and Gailwyn had been running for a full ten minutes since Gail had unleashed that fire.

"Damn it! Why can't I do that again!? Where did that even come from?"

Ryan smiled slightly as a sweat drop formed on the back of his head. "Not to sound disrespectful milady, but shouldn't we focus more on our survival?"

Gail managed to dodge another Flux that was aimed at them. "Right."

Aldren watched from atop his dragon as his target continued to run away. He cursed under his breath as a frown formed on his face. Damn it...the longer she resists...

Ryan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small card that seemed to glistening with the symbol of fire magic. Gail looked with a look of shock. "And where in the seven hells did you get that?!"

Ryan smirked slightly. "I grabbed it from the castle stores one night. Never thought it'd pay off like this!" He threw the car to the ground and shouted. "Eruption!"

A huge pillar of flame shot from the card and knocked the dragon off balance, forcing Aldren to jump off of him. Using this distraction, Gailwyn shot a small fire ball at him. He was hit directly in the shoulder. "Gahh!" He held his robe as it almost caught in flame.

Gailwyn gave a silent victory cheer as she saw what she was waiting for. The dragon looked confused, and began to rampage off in a different direction. Ryan smiled as well.

"Your dragon might need a new leash there, Necromancer." Aldren glared at the two people that had just bested his dragon. From a ways away, the dragon gave one last roar before disappearing.

"You two are rather annoying. I will deal with you myself!" He raised his hand in the air and the symbol for Dark Magic formed in the air. He then began to chant. "From the depths of darkness, let my enemy's sustenance be mine own. Nosferatu!"

Gail fell backwards as the symbol began to form around them. But before the spell could finish, a barrier formed around the pair. The spell hit with no effect, and Lute dropped down in front of them. Vivian then walked up from behind Aldren.

"Sorry Dearie, she's here." Aldren nodded then turned towards Lute.

"Lute. I have a great respect for you, but I will not hesitate to strike you down."

Lute frowned as she looked at the two before her. "Aldren...Vivian. How could you two do this? You were my most promising 4th years.."

Vivian smiled. "Well, Valen offered us a lot more magical power then you could ever give us. Like the Forbidden Arts..."

Lute looked angered. "So Valen promised you that, did he?"

Aldren turned to Vivian. "Vivian dear, in our current state fighting Lute would be impossible. It's time for a tactical retreat."

Vivian frowned, but nodded. He turned back to Lute. "Farewell for now, Lute. But be warned, if you ever leave this school again...it would be a shame to see what could happen to your students..."

Lute raised her hands and began to glow. "Sacred powers, cast your purifying light upon these corrupt souls. Rest in peace sinners!..." Before she finished the spell, they were gone.

She cursed under her breath, and turned to the other two as her barrier fell. "Gailwyn. Ryan. Are you alright?"

Gailwyn nodded, but the redness around her eyes told Lute all she needed to know. Lute bent down and embraced Gailwyn as gently as her mother would. "It's alright dear...everything is going to be fine now. I swear." Gailwyn nodded, and Ryan watched as the remaining students and guards stumbled into the hallways...looking worse for wear.

"Mistress Lute, it might be more productive right now if you help to heal the wounded...I can take care of Gailwyn."

Lute nodded and stood up. "Now Gail, promise me you'll be a good girl and stay inside the school for now, all right?" Gail nodded furiously, and Lute walked off.

Ryan turned towards Gail. "Well...glad that's all over."

"But it's not..." Ryan looked surprised down at Gail. "They were only servants of Valen...and we couldn't even beat them. How are we actually gonna be able to defeat Valen..."

Ryan looked concerned and bent down to Gail. "Gailwyn. Let's not worry about that right now, alright? What's more important is finding your brother. After that we can worry about Valen." Gail nodded, and they could only watch as the wounded were treated.