Chapter 11: Duels of Duality - Part 2 (Evil's)
"Shadows! I command you to attack this vulgar village!" Evil Jessica commands, thrusting her hand forward with force.
A swarm of shadows freely fly down from the fountain and scatter beginning to invade the peaceful town. They screech wildly causing total chaos by harassing the innocent townsfolk. Some of the guardsmen, from Arcadia, make an attempt to fight them off using their lances. Some of the monks, stonemasons and martial artists assisted the Arcadia guardsmen to stall these villainous monsters. Majority of the maids, children and chefs retreated for safety by hiding indoors.
The mysterious blue lighting continues to blind it bright light as it shatters across the dark sky, accompanied by the deep thundering sound that howled wildly across the region. Evil Jessica smirks to herself. She was happily perching on top of Dominico's statue chuckling to her own self with delight while observing the horrific scene down below. "Excellent! Now that they are taken care of, finding David will be a snitch for me! He! He! He!"
While this was all happening, Yangus, Eight and Angelo were in charge to fend off the menacing shadows. They also changed their battle strategy (by equipping different weapons) to get rid of the menacing shadows quicker and easier.
"DEVIL CRUSHER!" Yangus smashes his Über War Hammer into the ground managing to catch ten shadows, which happen to be caught off guard inside of the circle. Their shadowy bodies shred apart by the force of the thrilling circle.
"MULTISHOT!" Angelo fires his Cherion's bow as he executes four shadows within one turn. At haste, he whirls round repeating the same action. Soon after, the templar knight used 'Multiheal' to help the rest of his part members.
"Thanks, Angelo!" The Trodain guardsman, Eight, gives thumbs up to the templar knight. He then turns his attention to the group of shadows who draw closer to him. Eight clutches to his Swallowtail Boomerang tight.
"All right then! Take this! STARBURST THROW!" Eight hurls his boomerang in the dark air as the beam of golden light spills down over the shadow enemies erasing them into thin air.
The team manages to vanquish a few shadows. However, there were at least thirty or more shadows remaining. They needed to be wiped out as soon as possible. Sooner of later, the party found themselves separated and although this was unknown, they still proceeded to help this frightful town. They could only hope that they reform the group quickly before things get too out of hand.
Angelo, the templar knight, had to alternate his strategy. Whenever the shadows were far away, he fired arrows from his Cherion's bow. However, whenever the ghastly shadows got too close, Angelo had to draw his Holy Silver rapier using 'Flame Slash' as well as 'Miracle Slash' to fend them off. Soon, there were so many for him to handle. Angelo decided to cast 'Kaswoosh' to blow them up and away from the town to help reduce the numbers. Unfortunately, more and more shadows appeared circling the templar knight in red. Angelo did cry for help hoping that his other comrades would appear to assist him.
However, his other comrades were beginning to have problems of their own.
"Get out of the way!" Yangus barges the innkeeper away so that the shadows fury swipes would not inflict her. The bandit swings his Über War hammer sending the shadow to fly back into the other shadows knocking them down like a stack of dominos. The innkeeper thanked him. The bandit nods in approval before racing ahead to help the Arcadia guardsmen, who were too fighting the shadows to protect the townsfolk. Most of the guards stood near the entrance to Dominico's house to prevent the dark creatures from getting inside.
Eight performed a similar task. He withdraws his Demon Spear (in exchange for his Swallowtail Boomerang) seeing there were some people in need of help. Near the church of Arcadia, there were some shadows tormenting a nun and a small child. The child cowers burying his head into the nun's stomach. The frantic nun whirls her head round trying to find an opening for her to get away but the shadows blocked her path. The wicked dark creatures circled the two victims. Eight draws near to the frightful monsters and called their attention. "Hey you!"
They suddenly stop what they were doing as they turn one hundred and eighty degrees, glaring at the Trodain guardsman. He, in return, glares back, beginning to take the piss out of the monsters. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size? Oh I get it! You're all too scared to face your own shadow, aren't you?"
The shadows quickly glance at each other and nod. They wasted no time as they soon rush for him. Eight smirks, lifting his Demon Spear, twirling it fiercely using 'Clean Swipe' to wash the silly shadows away. The attack did not cause much harm to the creatures but it had enough force to send them over the cliff. The nun, who is protecting the small child, smiles openly praising the young fighter for helping her. "Oh thank you so much!"
"No problem! Just get to safety!" Eight ordered as he freely spins his Demon Spear (not realising what lies behind him) knocking another stupid shadow down and out of the battlefield.
Soon, Eight joined both Yangus and Angelo in combat. The three of them fiercely eliminated the remaining monsters with the combination of Sword, Spear and Hammer. They violently rushed in chopping, smashing and slicing the phantom figures into thin air. Still the party needed to think fast if they are to save this town in the hands of the possessed Jessica. They must rescue her from the possessive staff. What the party did not know is that Evil Jessica stands a few feet away from them. "Well! Well! What persistent fools we have here! This is my chance to obliterate all of them at once!"
She smirks in triumph as she draws her arm back crossing over her chest. She takes aim having slowly charging her vicious spell. "I have you now!"
Having managed to cast an ice spell to fend of the shadows, as well as her evil form, Jessica decided to return to the long haunting corridor that leads to Rhapthorne's lair. Carelessly ignoring the shadows, which endlessly surround her, she leaps down the staircase and stands before the large doors. Rhapthorne, the Lord of Darkness, is present laughing and commanding order. He was taking full control of the battle. "I have you now!"
"No!" Jessica cries silently. She could only hope that her friends, as well as the townsfolk in Arcadia, were safe. Desperate to end this madness, Jessica uses her body and slams it against the large doors that lead to the throne room. The mage grips her hand round the bars as she makes an attempt to open them but gives up after five attempts because the doors were too strong her. She felt powerless. It was impossible for her to break them down alone.
Suddenly, a tremendous loud thud noise echoes the throne room. Jessica jumps with fright even though no sound uttered from her mouth. A loud dark voice screeches with rage. Jessica pauses but slowly leans her body against the large doors. She presses her ear against it listening hard. She could hear the Lord of Darkness from the other side of the room. He swore. It was then the mage exhales a deep sigh of relief upon realising that her friends were safe and well. "Phew! Thank goodness they are okay!"
"Grah! You little pest! How dare you interrupt this conflict! You bloody mutt!" The Dark Lord screams with fury.
"Wait a minute… Who is this mutt?" Jessica begins to question herself trying to figure out who is this strange mutt Rhapthorne is talking about.
Out of the blue, Evil Jessica magical energy had stopped. She feels something tugging on her left arm. Sir Leopold's jaws latch onto the evil sorceresses sleeve causing her to stumble back. The big black dog then releases its grip and quickly goes for her again now biting her skirt. Evil Jessica casts a confusion spell; hence, the dog shakes its head in pain and lets go ripping a section of her red skirt in the process. It whimpers, as he lies down hapless on the ground. Evil Jessica lowers her weapons as she kneels down to stroke the big black dog's head for comfort.
"Good dog! Now I must find the heir of the sage! I will also need to eliminate them pests who have tried to stop me!" Evil Jessica says out loud as she rises from the floor. She leaves Sir Leopold and begins to march up the small steps past Dominico's mansion alone. The big black dog stares at her in deep thought unsure what to do.
The shadows continue to roam round the town terrorising the humans. They exhale their chilly breaths to slow their victims down so that they can land an easy blow to knock the humans down and out. Evil Jessica strolls along the town frantically scanning left and right. She was desperate to find the heir of the sage. She calls out for them in a jokey like tone. "You can run but you can't hide!"
The party of three had already retreated. Well, not completely, but just far enough to keep out of sight. They had already planned to go towards the end of town to conceal themselves. They needed to place themselves into several hiding spots, behind the houses in conjunction to the Arcadia region, hoping to spring their trap to catch Evil Jessica off guard. Yangus leads the way through the town, up the stairs and round the bend. He races ahead of the party already seeing seven scary shadows looting the weapon shop. "Awright there mates! Ya gotta pay for those weapons, ya know!" The bandit smirked as he clubbed his Über War Hammer in his large palm. The shadows see the bandit but giggle tediously. Without ado, the monsters begin to teleport deliberately to confuse their intruder. Yangus grits his teeth holding his Hammer up ready to whack them down. Before Yangus had a chance to throw an attack, a certain toad, well a cursed king to be exact, appears behind startling the bandit. "I say. These shadows cannot take the heat."
"COR BLIMEY!" Yangus screeches as he does the funny pose, dropping the Hammer in the making. Realising that King Trode was present, Yangus lowers his guard. He begins to blurt out his little rant. "Granddad!? Wot the bloody hell you doing here? Ya gonna get yourself 'urt if you stay 'ere much longer!"
"I'M NOT YOUR GRANDDAD!" King Trode screams back before explaining why he is here. "I came here to give you advice and here you are playing around with weaponry that we already made in the alchemy!"
"Oy! I ain't playin' 'round!" Yangus began to seethe. An argument was about to break out until a large Hammer like weapon smacks Yangus in the face, causing him to go down. King Trode gasps quickly rushing to the bandit's side. Yangus holds his head as King Trode helps him to sit up right.
"Flippin' hell!" Yangus groans complaining about his injured head.
"Watch your manners!" The King scowled as he turns with fright to see the horrifying shadows. The King exclaims in disbelief. "Goodness! What in the devil's name is this treachery? These shadows are not allowed to posses weapons of any kind!"
"Oy! That's mine! Ya thievin' little buggers!" Yangus hollers, shaking his fist with hatred now realising the reality of the situation.
The shadows giggle in amusement, toying with the Über War Hammer. They were teasing each other, playing catch, by throwing the large hammer. Yangus gets up to his feet and shakes his head vigorously. The bandit changed his weapon, yet again, for the Hell Scythe that he brought in Arcadia. Having snatched the item from King Trode, who was holding it for him after being knocked down, the bandit brutally charged in and sliced one of the shadows in half.
"Go to hell, ya bastards!" He screamed as he swings the hellish blade round in a frightful circle. The cruel shadows shatter and evaporate. One by one, they were wiped out. None of them stood a chance against Yangus. The bandit sighs as he retrieves his Über War Hammer from the floor.
"Do you need any healing, Yangus?" The King asked.
"There ain't much time! Go 'n' check if the 'orse princess is safe! Don't worry 'bout us, me, choir boy 'n' the guv 'ave got these wimps! "nd we'll get Jessica back!" Yangus ordered.
"J-Jessica is here?" The King stammered in shock.
"Yeah! Look, if you 'ang 'ere around much longer, you'll only slow us down! Get the 'orse princess, do ya hear!" Yangus prompted.
The King nods frantically and flees as quickly as he could. The large bandit tackles a few more shadows wiping them out individually. He checked to see if King Trode had got to safety for the third time before satisfied. He then turns and creeps through the town to find his friends.
"I must find help fast!" Jessica reminded herself. She couldn't get into the throne room. Time is short. Indeed the mage scrapped the plan as she races upstairs and back into the long haunting corridor of confusion.
"One of these houses must have something useful!" Jessica thought to herself. She tries to open the door but it was locked. Lets try the next one. Locked. Okay. Lets try the next one after that. Locked. Cursing herself, Jessica can hear the voices of the shadows getting louder. She storms towards one of the houses ready to turn the doorknob.
"I swear if this door doesn't open I going to- Whoa!" She gasps and suddenly falls forward into the unknown room. Luckily, she manages not to fall over completely as she catches herself with the help of the table. Surprisingly enough, the door swings itself shut. Finally, Jessica closes her eyes and exhales her breath helping her relax. Well, everything was beginning to go according to her improvised plan until a tenor voice glows the room. "Hello again!"
Who is it!? Jessica opens her eyes but appears to be a little startled to see a small looking elf. Her mouth hangs open dry. Now this elf like creature does look familiar. Regardless of Jessica's reaction, the elf greeted her in a singsong like voice. "You have returned to my wonderful home! How thrilling! Oh ho! This is wonderful! Miss Albert, right?"
"Oh not you again- wait how do you know my name?" Jessica groans but interrupts herself by changing her tone into a light one.
"I know everything! I am the master- off!" He tips having collapsed onto the floor.
The mage moves round the table. She stands in front of him extending her arms ready now questioning the elf with great concern. "Are you alright?"
"No, I am fine!" He said in a merry like tone as he sits up without any assistance. He was happy. Well a little too happy. He seemed merry as if he had too much to drink or something snorted up his nose. Jessica places her hands together looking with sorrow at the elf as he suddenly begins to cough uncontrollably.
"Goodness... What happened to you?" Jessica asked with worry now moving closer to him kneeling down to inspect him. Thankfully, he didn't have any physical injuries although he did smell very heavy. It must be the alcohol sending him cuckoo, as his eyes were wide and swirly. His speech was somewhat strange having a mixture sound of blurriness and high-pitched squeaks.
"Pretty lady, I had the most fascinating dream! Oh ho! A wonderful dream that I was in a place where elves, monsters and even humans all live together! Not to mention we all... were celebrating for the... anniversary! I got myself laid! Down with all the beautiful ladies a like! Ah ha! Ah oh! Ah ho!"
"So..."
"How was my adventure you ask? The paradise that I was 'IN' was Incredible! Pun intended... Hmmm... I remember that you say strange things..."
The mage rolls her eyes. She quickly frowns at him as if he was completely weird. "Well, at least I don't look strange... Okay then, I trust you are well. I'm just going to leave now to fight Rhapthorne..."
Jessica now stands and turns, on her heel, to leave. Just as she was about to make her exit, the door suddenly slams in her face. The elf throws himself back now being on the floor laughing hysterically. Jessica, still facing the closed door, trembles with rage. Her face heavily frowns, still stinging from the door, as her voice growls. It was clear that she was angry at the elf believing that he had humiliated her. "You think that's funny, huh? Whatever! I haven't got time for this foolishness! I'm leaving and you can't stop me!"
The elf laughs with joy and compassion to amuse himself. "Me!? Stop you!? Ha! Ha! The only reason I can't stop you because you keep running away from me, Miss Albert! Never again will you learn the secret…"
"What secret?" Now having turned her head, glaring at the crazy elf over her tensed shoulder.
The elf tilts his head, looking at the cross looking mage in a playful way. "Ah ha! Now you have reconsidered..."
"Enough playing around! Tell me this secret of yours!"
"How thrilling! That is it! That is exactly what you are doing now! Always to the point! Such an extraordinary girl you are, Miss Albert!"
"Grah! I haven't got time for this ridicules blabbering! Just get out of my sight!" Jessica scowls as she pulls the door open with force. It was then a flash of light causes her to become dazzled.
Just on the other side, things were a little quieter behind the back of the church. Eight manages to locate David, who had wedged himself in-between the barrels. The Trodain guardsman lightly taps the servant on the shoulder. Thus, David jumps but immediately realises the traveler who has been protecting him since they first met. Eight gives a reassuring smile.
David sighs with relief. "Oh its you!"
"Are you alright? You aren't hurt are you?" Eight asks the frightened man as he pulls an emergency medicine herb from his bag.
"Yes, I'm fine, thank you." David politely answers pushing the medicine herb away. He did not want it. Eight was about to protest until the servant interrupts him. "She was going to kill me if you hadn't stepped in. I'm grateful for that! Still, I don't understand why she would want to kill me? I'm no heir of the sage. I am just an ordinary man!"
"I know you're out there!" Evil Jessica hollers out of the blue. The terrifying voice sent chills up the men's spine. At haste, Eight orders David to go and hide. "Never mind that now! Just keep away from her whatever you do! Quick! Go and hide before she finds you!"
David creeps round the barrel that he was hiding behind. Suddenly, he darts of into to open concealing himself into the shadows of the next building. The heir of the sage, David, is safe at present, Eight turns back, leaning to one side to check his side. He could see Evil Jessica in view. She is facing her back to him heading towards the opposite building.
"You cannot hide forever, David and company!" Evil Jessica calls out. She continues to mocked her opponent as she crushed the stoned pavement with her foot.
"We won't fight you!" Eight responded. Evil Jessica instantly whirls herself round in the direction where she believed that the voice. She then sways down the town hall ever so seductively.
"Just give up! The heir of the sage shall come to me! I promise that I'll leave this merry little town if you just hand him over!" Evil Jessica confesses darkly.
"I would like to but, as far as I am concerned, I can't see that happening!" Eight emerges into the light, leaving himself completely exposed. Evil Jessica suddenly spots him and decides to stroll towards him.
"So that's where you've been hiding! Not the exact person I was looking for but I'll gladly dispose of you as it would save me the effort of cleaning you up afterwards! Luck won't last forever!"
"You want me so lets talk!" Eight throws his arms aside as if he were beckoning Evil Jessica to come to him. He is was unarmed.
"Wot's he doing?" Yangus whispers angrily upon seeing the two confronting each other. Indeed this is not the plan. The bandit as about to jump in, armed with his Hell Scythe and the Über War Hammer but, instead, a voice orders him to stop.
"Wait a minute, Yangus!" It speaks. Suddenly, a glove settled on the bandit's bruised shoulder. Yangus looks up to see that Angelo was assessing the situation.
"Wot kept ya?" The bandit queered.
"Monsters! They won't go away!" Angelo protested.
"Tell me 'bout it! They nearly nicked me flippin' Hammer! I only just made that in the alchemy a couple of days ago! Dirty bastards!" Yangus complained. He then glances back at the scene ahead with a worried look on his face. "But never mind that, choir boy! It's the guv! We gotta help 'im!"
"We will intervene if situation gets out of hand!" The templar knight reassured in an assertive manner.
Angelo is also worried of what the outcome would be. Either Jessica would stab Eight in the chest in the same way Dhoulmagus killed the Abbot or Eight would deduce her unexpectedly. This is a fifty/fifty chance that he could not play on his card on. Indeed he knows that the Trodain guardsman would not break his promise to kill her. Paradoxically, there are some promises that cannot be kept even if it means striking her down.
"Goddess! I pray thee to help us all! Boy, I hope he knows what he's doing!" Angelo mutters under his breath with anxiety witnessing the climatic scene.
A mysterious powerful wave knocks Jessica off her feet as she tumbles into the room once again.
The elf pokes fun at her again. "Oh ho! You fell down again. Ah! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ah! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
Jessica climbs to her feet and immediately begins seething at the comical elf. "You find that pretty funny, huh? Well, I regret to inform you that I will be the one to wipe that silly smile off your face!"
"Silly smile? Oh ho! Ho! You bloody suck! Ah! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
"Shut UP!" Jessica ominously roared throwing her arms down with frustration. Out of the corner of her eye, she discovers a Thorn whip that was located underneath the table. How strange. Regardless, she retrieves it very quickly rapidly coiling it.
"Screw this baloney I'm going to stop Rhapthorne even if it means I am going to whip his fat ass literally!" She hurls the whip towards the elf several time but misses. The elf screeches into a high-pitched laugh.
"AH! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!"
"Stop laughing at me!" The mage growls heatedly. Her Thorn whip (which she technically stole) wildly snaps cleaning the pots, which were on the work top, in two. Irritated and humiliated, Jessica scowls violently at the elf. "You stubborn beast!"
"You stubborn beast!" He chants back in the style of her voice before cracking up into another ridiculous laughing tantrum.
The mage's face was so angry that her temperature had raised rapidly. She just had enough energy for her to scorn the elf with her fiery magic. "Look! My patience's is wearing thin! I have literally had it up to here with you and your silliness schemes!"
"The Lord of Darkness is too powerful for you to handle, Miss Albert. I fear that you will lose." The elf said calmly all of the sudden having given her advice. Jessica gives a confusing glance wondering how or why the elf changed his personality. He carefully chooses his words to keep the mage's attention. "Before you can proceed to confront the Lord of Darkness you must first get rid of that wicked woman, who has been tormenting you!"
"What are you trying to imply on exactly?" Jessica scowls with fury feeling as if she had been insulted, again.
"I've seen you in action!" The elf reminded her in a thoughtful way. "Yes! Yes! I've seen you two fighting like cats and dogs over spilt milk. I take that you are losing dramatically, no? When you first came here, to my home, I believed that you were calling for help. Now that I am here to assist, you run away from me! If I am not mistaken, your greatest fear is your own self!"
"I don't need to hear your pathetic thoughts! I'm going to stop this madness once and for all!" Jessica snapped having lost her patience. With haste, she turns on her heel now facing a few feet away from the door. She withdraws her hand back ready to throw the stingy Thorn whip round the door and pull it open in attempt to not repeat the same mistake pervious.
"This decision will be unwise and unsuccessful!" The wise elf says calmly all of the sudden.
"Huh!?" Jessica questions the elf, hissing through her teeth. She was a taken back by his sudden change of personality from someone who was laughing at her now remorse into a wiser creature. The elf closes his eyes, with his chin held high full of hope. "There is only one way to defeat the evil girl alone and to stop Rhapthorne at the same time."
"... And that would be?" Jessica prompted as she draws closer to him as she coils the Thorn whip neatly and holds it in her hand.
"I would be happy to answer your question and to assist you when you bring a wonder to experience!"
"YOU WHAT!?" Her voice screeched.
"It is a favour after all!" The elf shrugged in amusement.
"A bloody favour!? You're kidding, right? Where am I going to find a wonder to show you in a place like this? How can I possibly do that?"
"It is simple. You just have to tell me about yourself. All you have to do is confess and only then you can unravel your secret!"
"But I don't HAVE any secrets!"
"Oh but you do, Miss Albert! Indeed you do…"
Back to the difficult battle...
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Evil Jessica laughs with joy. She sexually walks towards him licking her lips. It was clear that she enjoys Eight's company. "I knew that's what I liked about you! You're courageous, imaginative and daring! I'd love to stay and chat but I'm afraid that we're done with our little conversation! This battle will be over and there will be no more interruptions this time!"
"You said that you were to be the greatest magician of all time but I am still standing right here for you! Surely you should have killed me by now! Come on then! Give it all you got! I haven't got all day!" Eight challenged in an aggressive tone. He is desperate to deliberately drive Evil Jessica up to the point where she would go out of control. That was part of his plan but sadly the possessed mage wasn't buying it.
"Luck won't save you here once I'm through with you!" Evil Jessica snarls lightly as she lunges for the guardsman face.
Eight leans back avoiding the sceptre's range, grabbing the middle part to hoist his body up. Evil Jessica slams her pale hand on top of Eight's hand trapping his wrist. Eight endeavours snatching Evil Jessica's other hand but she is too quick pulling it away, turning round for a spinning back fist. Eight let's go of the sceptre, cowers his body and manages to block the incoming back fist. He then makes a transition from the block into a wrist grab as he plummets his other hand on Evil Jessica's bicep to throw her round. During the throw, Evil Jessica pulls herself closer to Eight performing a sharp elbow that digs into his arm. The spinning motion comes to a halt as Eight moves away to recover. Evil Jessica takes her opportunity, at her peril, to redo the lunge attack, once more, but this time Eight steps back catching it with both hands. Evil Jessica then pulls down twirling the sceptre round in a circular motion and drives the weapon down at Eight's head. Luckily Eight scoops and swings his leg to the side to sidestep dodge the overhead strike. Immediately, Evil Jessica resets to her guard and attacks from underneath, following it up with a back kick. Eight jumps back twice to avoid the sudden fast movements.
"You've gotten strong!" Eight commented keeping still and solid to the ground.
"Impressed that easily? I'd take that as a compliment!" Evil Jessica bows still keeping her demonic eyes on the guardsman.
"This isn't a joke!" Eight argued, sticking his chest forward and bends his leading leg into an aggressive stance.
"Likewise this fight isn't over either!" Evil Jessica swiftly takes the sceptre. Eight takes a huge risk by knocking the sceptre away with his bare hands. Evil Jessica immediately swings the sceptre back horizontally. Eight ducks the attack hastily skipping backwards. Evil Jessica continues on the attack, shattering a piece of stone work in the process.
"Oh great! More shadows behind us!" Angelo cries suddenly as he fends of the shadows with his Holy Silver Rapier.
"Cor Blimey!" Yangus follows suit but exchanges his scythes for his Bandit axe. The two of them had to stop witnesses the fight, between Eight and Evil Jessica, as they have their own quarrels to deal with. The shadows emerge behind delivering a surprise attack against the duo.
This fight just keeps getting complicated by the minute.
"Well then?" The mage scowls again.
"Oh grieving soul... You must simply tell me your wonderful secret! Please enlighten me?" The elf sings in a merry tone.
Jessica sighs in aggravation having chanted an aggressive fireball in the air shattering the concrete structure in the making. The elf takes notice of her magical abilities. "Oh, the art of black magic! Excellent for display, not so good for people!"
"Is there a point to this, and if so, can you make it a little quicker!"
"Forgive my fascination. They say that curiosity killed the cat, so how strange to see a cat, who's killed her curiosity. What did poor curiosity ever do to you?"
Seriously, what did 'cats' come into the equation? What does this have to do with Jessica's secret? Regardless, the elf gracefully takes the young lady's hand in his. He then glances his wise black eyes at her soft brown ones. "Tell me... What are you holding in your hand?"
"A Thorn whip..." Jessica answered carefully.
"Now..." He then peels her fingers open to reveal her small hand. "What do you see?"
"... My hand!?"
"Anything else?"
"What different does it make? Its just my bloody burnt hand! What is noticeable?"
"WRONG!" He growls in a dark monstrous tone. Thus startled Jessica now having gone quiet. The elf forcefully points his finger repeatedly gesturing towards her small damaged hands. "Are you blind? Those burnt marks that you use to cast spell after spell clearly resemble your actions! The rest of you hand is free but now these burnt marks are full of importance! That is what is noticeable! You are the true cause of it all!"
Closing her eyes, Jessica frowns as other random children approach towards her. Her vision is now flooded with memories of Alexandria. The landscape is dark and gloomy except the strange blaze that raged through the afternoon sky. She examines her hands once more witnesses the last moments of haunting voices surround her until she is eventually consumed by the long wails. Jessica starts breathing heavily. She then closes her eyes tightly. "I…"
She stammers and sighs in annoyance and defeat. She storms over towards the dark corner of the room.
He walks over to sulking Jessica. "The stoic Miss Albert displaying total and utter vulnerability." He grabs her arm and starts jumping with excitement. "Ooh, a rare and precious wonder indeed! Very good! Now, your question?"
She opens her eyes and looks at the elf. "How can I defeat my own nemesis?"
"Splendid! First you need a incy-wincy little magical... wand!"
"A... wand?" Jessica gives a confusing look in her hazel eyes.
The elf nods delightfully as he rushes over to the chest. He opens it and holds out something thin but powerful. The mage cautiously tip toes over to the elf and takes the thin item. It was a little wand that she once held and played with ever since she were a little girl. It had a brown stick attached to a blue circle. She cautiously examines the little wand in deep thought.
Seriously, how could something so small like her childish wand defeat anything?
"AXES OF EVIL!" Yangus swings the mighty axe. He quickly snatched his axe from the floor and wields it wildly.
"BEGONE!" Angelo shouted as he strikes down a shadow with his rapier.
Evil Jessica spins her weapon. She cast 'Kacrackle' out of the blue. It flies down from the radiant sky plummeting onto the stone ground. Eight avoids it as he lands a few feet in front of Evil Jessica.
"Ha! You missed!" Eight confidently smiles in triumph. Evil Jessica folds her arms, still holding the sceptre, smirking at the Trodain guardsman. Eight's face changes into a perplexed one. He could not understand why she was so amused. He carefully thinks about the spell she casted.
Hey where did the ice go?
Eight's mind wondered. He turns his back, now his body shaking realising what she had done. The cold spell creates a frozen barrier that blocks the back entrance. Eight, still in shock, cries out in realisation. "WHAT!?"
Evil Jessica laughs as she cast 'Kasizzle' all of the sudden. Trails of orange and yellow flames rush through the dark sky. Again, deliberately missing the town's folk and aiming for the main entrance, in line with the northern checkpoint. It now ignites as the soaring flames races to the peak of the landscape.
"What are you doing?" Eight cries now facing her.
"He! He! Do you honestly think I was that stupid? If you dare try to flee from me then think again!" Evil Jessica wickedly howls with laughter. Eight could only watch in horror realising the consequences: the party is now trapped.
The whole town was surrounded. The frozen ice barricading the northern region of Arcadia. The blazing fires scorch in the south. The crashing dark teal sea rushes below the town. The radiant sky rings a mystery of hallucination with some assistance of the blue lighting streaking across the region. The stone work slowly crumbling away as time passes by. It was the only source to keep Arcadia alive. The town itself engages in a frightful battle. Humans verses monsters a like.
Either way, the only way out is through death itself...