"Daddy! Daddy!"
Bounce, bounce.
Barking in the background, coupled with claws scraping along the wooden floor.
He opened his eyes, and three sets of eyes looked back. Colmillo, Garra and a little girl stared happily at him.
"Daddy! GOOD MORNING!" The girl shouted, hugging him around the neck.
"Good morning." He replied with a smile, sitting up and hugging the girl at the same time.
Colmillo and Garra sat, looking as though they were about to fight for attention. "And good morning to you too." He pat them both gently on the tops of their heads.
He walked out, little girl in arm, and to his close left, Sungel stood in his Saint armor.
"Good morning, daddy!" He greeted him in a childish voice before tickling the little girl.
"Good morning, Sunshine!" The little girl said to Sungel.
"Good morning to you too." Sungel looked up to him. "Looking forward to this morning's exercise."
"As am I." Garra and Colmillo clawed at Raigel's door, causing the whitish blonde grump to stick his head out and shoo them away with the feather in his pen.
"Didn't sleep again, I take it?"
"Evil does not sleep, and neither shall I." Raigel replied.
"Get some rest."
"Yes, sir." Raigel pulled his head back into his room, locking the door behind him.
He walked down to the first floor, where the Magicians sat at their table, conducting a meeting.
"GOOD MORNING, DADDY!" The Yellow, Blue, Pink, and Green Magicians said in the same tone Sungel had used.
The Red Magician turned around. "Good morning, sir." She said sternly.
"Good morning, everyone. Any good news?"
"Well, the little town in Terra called Briarwood has managed to sniff out a spy mission set up by Infershia…it's promising." The Red Magician spoke in a clear and stern voice.
"Good news." He smiled, then looked over to the fireplace.
"Good morning." The red-haired woman said with a warm smile.
"Mommy!" The little girl said, reaching out to the woman.
"Arwen, mommy is making breakfast for everybody, and I don't want you to get hurt."
"Okay, Mommy." The little girl replied sadly.
The redheaded woman kissed the little girl on the cheek, then kissed him softly on the lips.
"Thank goodness you got up…it's almost time for breakfast…"
Wolzard's eyes shot open, his breath visible and hanging around like a cloud of misfortune. The snow fell lightly around him, covering him like a blanket. He had been asleep for hours, he had assessed from the height of the snow. He shivered and wished to fall back asleep; his dreams, however confusing they were, were more comforting than reality.
He waited for a moment, then got up and brushed the snow off of him. He had to find out where he was…and find some shelter.
"Now boys, as the substitute moderator of this morning's training, I warn you that I attended every one of Bragel's dueling classes, and Master Sorin follows the exact lessons, so if either of you try to do something out of jurisdiction, I will mark it off." Kiran waved his little clipboard and quill around, in case Nick and Chip hadn't already seen them.
Nick and Chip stood facing each other in the matching armor Sorin had given them. They both wore plain brown capes instead of gold ones; Nick had borrowed one of Chip's for the occasion, and both wore heavy wool clothes underneath to keep from freezing to death outside. Kiran stood outside in his normal attire; his fur was thick enough to be all he needed.
Nick's ankle was still injured, but it had been healed enough for him to walk with splints in his boot to support his movement.
"Now, since this is the first lesson of your training, we will begin with an assessment of your current skills. Since both of you are at different levels of training, I would like to give Master Sorin some idea of where you two need to be trained."
"How shall we demonstrate our skills?" Chip asked.
"You shall have a quick spar for five minutes, and I shall grade you accordingly."
"Fine." Chip pulled out his sword that was sheathed at his side.
"Mr. Thorn, haste makes waste. Please sheath your sword." Kiran said, putting on a tiny pair of reading glasses and making a few scribbly marks on the clipboard.
"But aren't we going to fight?" Chip replied, resheathing his sword.
"One of the first rules about these lessons is that you do not prepare for battle until the teacher gives the signal to unsheathe your sword." Kiran said, removing the glasses and putting the pen back at the top of the clipboard. "Now, unsheathe your swords."
Chip sighed deeply and did so, while Nick made no such noise.
Nick took a standing pose, trying to ease off his right ankle as much as he could, and Chip took a crouched position, preparing for a quick leap. "Mr. Thorn, may I ask what that position is for?" Kiran asked, taking out his pen and reading glasses once more.
"For the first move I wish to make." Chip replied, looking over and looking rather annoyed.
"Your first move is predictable. You should take a position similar to what Mr. Russell has done."
"But you can only either take two possible moves from that position; I can take about four or five in my own."
"Oh really? Would you like to demonstrate them to me and your fellow student?"
"If it'll keep you from trying to mark me off for doing something off-color, fine."
"Please begin, then." Kiran said in a flat tone as he scribbled a bit more on the clipboard.
"Ready, Nick?"
"Go easy…my ankle isn't super stable."
"My arms feel like thin plates of rubber, so I don't think I'd be capable of doing much damage." Chip grinned.
Kiran coughed, catching their attention. "Begin." Kiran said, taking a step back.
Chip started off the fight with his little tornado spin which forced Nick to block. Chip had pushed off on his left and landed on his right, then continuing on his spin and slamming his sword against Nick's and breaking his defense. Nick took a few staggered steps back and prepared his own attack.
He couldn't jump off his right leg, as he normally did, so he attempted to leap off his left leg. He didn't jump as high as he wanted, to, but it had given him enough height to come down on Chip with the pommel of his sword. Chip blocked the move by running his sword upwards and letting it slide against the pommel as he stepped back.
Nick anticipated to move, and began bringing the rest of his sword down on Chip, striking the midpoint of his shoulder. Chip replied with a quick jab to the stomach, which wasn't armored.
"Hm…" Kiran said, scribbling. "Three minutes, you two."
Neither of them heard him as they continued on.
Nick kicked him in the chest to distance them, and Chip replied by preparing a block. Neither of them moved for a moment; they were both hoping the other would make the next move.
They didn't move. They didn't twitch. They didn't even blink. Kiran looked between them, seeing only two men who were trying to decide their fates. He knew the outcome of the staredown; men of action stay in action. He made a note and waited for one of them to move. He looked at his pocketwatch; they had a minute left.
He blinked, and Chip had already dashed across the field at Nick, his sword held backwards, the pommel facing outwards.
He spun counterclockwise on his right foot, holding his sword arm slightly bent and pointing the blade outwards, aiming for Nick's left leg. Nick saw the move and jumped back, and as soon as Chip's left arm was closer to him, he grabbed it.
Chip stopped and winced as Nick's amulet began to heat up underneath the armor. He struggled to get away, and Nick let go, unsure of what was going on. Chip tossed his sword as he stepped away and faced Nick, crouched over and clutching where Nick had grabbed him.
"What are you, mad?" Chip asked. "Were you trying to set me on fire?"
"I didn't do anything. My amulet…it reacted…"
Kiran looked up. "Hm? Your amulet?" He looked over to Chip. "What did you do to make it react?"
"You watched the fight! I didn't do anything!" Chip replied, slowly standing up.
"You've used dark magic, haven't you?"
Chip grabbed his sword. "I've used spells that people try to avoid using, if that's what you're asking."
"There's a reason why it's considered dark magic, Mr. Thorn."
"It's not dark magic if you're not using it to hurt people."
Nick stared at Chip. It seemed almost incomprehensible that Chip would use dark magic…but then again, he had been carrying around an awkward and possibly evil book of sorts around, making little notes in it every once in a while.
"The last person to speak like that was Raigel, and you see how he turned out."
"I'm not a Madoushi, if that's what you're trying to insinuate." Chip stood up, looking incredibly insulted. "Madoushi are greedy, power-hungry, narcissistic pansies who couldn't stand on their own two feet if they hadn't sold their souls to Enma. I only ever use magic to prevent people from the horrors I went through. So what if I'm unorthodox, I don't need to have you chew me out for it!" Chip scowled. "What would you know, anyways? You're nothing but a servant."
Chip turned around and walked back to Rootcore.
"Don't take it personally." Nick said, placing his hand on Kiran's shoulder. "He's been through hell, literally. I used to know people like him…vigilantes. The lines of good and evil are really blurred...he just wants everything to be okay, even if he's gotta get his hands dirty to do it."
"Reminds me of Fintan…" Kiran said, looking down. "Though he didn't need to insult me…"
"He's had a rough few days."
Chip walked into Rootcore and bolted upstairs without saying a word to those watching on.
Phineas hummed to himself as he walked through the forest outside a small hut of houses in Mysteria. The weather was just right for fishing; the fish at the falls would be leaping joyously, and he could trade the little ones off in the next collection of cabins for some new clothes.
He wandered down an alternate path to the small waterfall, and in the distance, he spotted a figure lying in the snow beside the river. "Well, well, looks like somebody's lost their fishing pole…" He said, cautiously walking over.
He bent down next to the sprawled out figure and touched its shoulder lightly, getting no response. "Heh, must be a heavy sleeper." He said to himself. He then poked the cloaked figure in the shoulder. "Hey there…wake up…"
The figure groaned and moved a bit, startling Phineas. "Hey there, you okay…?"
"Udonna…" He muttered weakly.
"Huh? Are you looking for the White Sorceress? If ya are, well, you've got a long way to go…"
"Where…am I…?"
"You're in central Mysteria, there, Mr. Mystery Guy."
He sat up, and by his deadened gaze, Phineas knew exactly who he was working with. He panicked a bit. "Ah! Don't kill me!" He said, flinching.
Wolzard laughed weakly. "Don't worry, troblin, I couldn't kill you if I wanted to." He sighed heavily. "Can you do something for me?"
"Anything."
"I need you to…ugh…" He sighed deeply as his stomach rumbled.
"Hey, you okay, there, Mr. Wolzard? Need some food?"
"Sustenance…would be much obliged…"
Phineas began to dig into his sidebag. "Let's see, I got a few stickleberries, a couple pieces of snow rabbit jerky left in here…I think that's a jar of pickled pumpkin slices, or a jar of liquid snake…"
"I'll take the jerky." Wolzard said in an awkward tone. Phineas handed him the hunks of jerky, and bit a piece off. "Hm…better than I remember."
"So uh…what is it that you want me to do…?" Phineas asked cautiously.
"I want you…to deliver a message…to Udonna…"
"Why don't I just drag ya to Rootcore?"
"No…no…I have to lay low. They won't be looking for you…I'm not going to put you in danger."
"Alright, fine. What's your message?"
"Tell her I-"
A woman screaming, buildings on fire, Hideacs darting between them…
Wolzard held his head and grimaced. "Tell her that she was right, and tell her where she can find me."
"I'll get right on it."
"Wait!" Wolzard said as Phineas got up. Phineas looked at him. "Tell her I'd like to see her son instead of her. Preferably."
"Got it." Phineas got up and dashed in the direction of Rootcore, and Wolzard did little more than pass back out.
Chip stood outside Madison's door, thinking about what had transpired outside. Madison would have said something if she thought he was wrong, right? He turned to face Vida's door. She definitely would've spoken up if she thought things were out of line.
Kiran had no reason to be rude and disrespectful to him, no reason to question him. He wasn't a Madoushi…besides, he was taught that everything is fair in love and war…and if he wasn't in a war involving love interests, he would've been strict and rigid. He would've been the one scolding those around him if even the slightest touch of dark magic was being used.
Kiran just cannot comprehend the value of my friends that I have, Chip told himself. He then walked softly into his room and removed his armor before going back to bed. He didn't want to be up at this time of day, anyways.
"What do you mean, he's 'gone'?!" Midhat shouted, jumping up from his throne.
"Master Midhat, my men disposed of the body, and not even three minutes afterwards, when they went to show me where they placed it, the body had vanished!" The Hideac general quickly spat out.
"And how did you come to the conclusion that it had just disappeared, and not that your men are just idiots?"
"I studied the area perfectly, just to make sure, Master Midhat. They had dragged him into a somewhat sandy area, and I first looked to see if maybe another team had dragged the corpse off to feed another battalion…only it didn't look like anybody had disturbed the area. His body just…vanished without moving."
"Take me to this place. I shall be the judge of this 'sudden disappearance' ordeal." Midhat said, waving his fan.
"As you wish, Master Midhat."
As they arrived, Midhat froze. There was a resonance of an energy he thought had long since ceased to be…
"Master Midhat…?"
"He's alive…" Midhat whispered in a frightened tone. He then straightened out and looked at the Hideac general. "I want you to find his body. If it's dead, then dispose of it properly. If it's not, then kill him."
"Do you have a particular place we should begin in?"
"I have a feeling you'll find him somewhere in the center of Mysteria, in the wooded areas. It's wide and vast…if anybody wanted to hide his body, it's be there."
So I should send a few battalions out into the center of Mysteria?"
"Have them spread out as far as they can, cover as much area as they can."
"Yes, Master Midhat." He then began to walk away.
"Oh, and can you send a group out to do a bit of raiding to distract those meddlesome Mahoutsukai? We don't need them…sniffing around out there."
"I shall do that as well, Master Midhat."
"Excellent." The Hideac general sprinted for the Spawning Grounds, leaving Midhat alone.
Midhat shivered from the energies surrounding him in the room. "I know not why or how Enma did not destroy you all those years ago…but I will find you, and I will finish my Master's work…" He flipped his fan over to watch Wolzard. "I will destroy the one you saved…and then destroy your little student…I'll draw you out any way I can…I will destroy you, and you'll become one with my Master as you should have all those years ago…I'll make sure of it!" He waved his fan and walked back to the throne room.
Udonna sat at her dais, reading through the Xenotome and feeling generally impressed with the things the Magicians had managed to unlock. She hadn't seen many of the spells since the Marauders had been in Rootcore.
Nick and Kiran marched inside, shivering from the cold.
"I thought Charlie was with you two."
Kiran growled a bit. "He doesn't care for training."
"Why was he upset when he came in?" Clare asked from her place at the stove.
"We had a quarrel." Kiran said bitterly, crossing his arms.
"From the sounds of it, you hit a nerve." A voice called up from the top of the stairs.
"Master! You should be in bed!" Kiran shouted.
Sorin smiled weakly, although not a soul in the room could tell through the bandages he was covered from head to toe in. He had thrown on a navy blue leather tunic and a pair of gold dyed cotton slacks to try and keep himself appropriate for visitation. "I'm getting stiff from lying in bed. Besides, you and Charlie woke me up with your shouting. I'm too light a sleeper and a bit too nosy to keep away from a shouting match like that. Ah, it's my vice, I suppose." He coughed. "Anyways…"
"What was said between you two?" Udonna asked Kiran.
"The Lightfire Amulet hurt him, Udonna…I was merely wanting to know what he had done to set it off."
"The Amulet burned him?" Udonna queried in a worried tone.
"I fear the worst…" Kiran said, biting his lip.
"He's not a Madoushi, if that's what you fear." Sorin said. "I'd never accept a Madoushi to be my squire, that's for sure."
"What about that book? He carries it around religiously…I doubt that he hasn't used some spell or whatever in it before…"
"He's not Raigel, Kiran, he's much like Bragel." The entire room turned to look at him. "He may have been my teacher, my master, my mentor, and my closest friend, but I did not agree with all of his methods."
"Bragel used dark magic?" Udonna asked, a worried tone in her voice.
"He studied it. He wanted to know it all…granted, he wished to find spells, counterspells, antidotes, loopholes, and just about everything else to destroy or counteract every single little Madou trick they had. Him and Raigel spent countless hours seeking out every new little spell the Madoushis cooked up to throw at them…that book had become an obsession to them both…obviously while Bragel's intentions were purely honest, like those of Charlie's…Raigel's were purely selfish. I should have known, the way I felt about him…but he hid himself so well…his light element bent our perceptions like a stick in a glass of water, I guess…" Sorin chuckled. He heard a door shut, and he looked up; he was unsure which door had actually shut.
"Well, Charlie seemed angered that I caught him. I'm worried that he's doing the same as Raigel…pretending to be with us when he's really against us."
"Stop, Kiran." Clare said, setting her ladle in the soup kettle. Kiran looked over at her in surprise. "Charlie isn't selfish at all! He wouldn't sell us out to Enma, not after what Icaryia did to him. You saw how much that hurt him…I doubt he'd be inclined to pass that down to anybody else." She began to stir again, looking down. "Besides, why would he have been so desperate to save Madison and Vida if he was out to betray us?"
"To save face for being caught by you, perhaps?"
"Enough!" Sorin shouted, hurting himself slightly by doing so. "I heard what you said to him, Kiran, and I've tried to nicely say that you were wrong to say that what he's done is wrong…he's suffered enough at the hands of Infershia, he doesn't need us peeling away at him as well." Sorin walked downstairs slowly.
"Aren't you even aware of his actions and the consequences?"
"Yes, I am, but in him I see hope. He's selfless, Kiran. He's given up a great deal to protect the rest of us. I can only imagine what caused him to get tied up in Chronojiel's business, but whatever he did was obviously to save us. Nobody selfish tries to tangle with the Arch-Saint of Time, hoping to come out of it with some sort of reward. Nobody selfish would willingly travel into Infershia to save one person from their demise. Nobody selfish would dare accept my rigid training because I'm sure he knows that I'm stricter than Bragel was, that I don't tolerate Madoushi or offer my training to just any Magician. Just leave him alone, Kiran, and let him have a little peace."
There was a banging on the front door of Rootcore, and Kiran sighed. "I'll get it…"
Kiran opened the door to find a worn out and heavily breathing Phineas at the door. Kiran panicked.
"Hey…I…have…a message…for Udonna…from…somebody…" Phineas said between breaths.
"Let him in!" Clare shouted once she saw who it was.
"Ah! Clare!" He shouted, walking over and hugging her uncomfortably tightly.
"Hi…Phineas…" Clare replied, a bit perturbed at his reaction to her. "What…brings you…to Rootcore?"
"Well, I'm here to deliver a message to the Great Sorceress Udonna, and everybody knows that she lives in the giant oak tree in the forest, so I thought I'd give it a try and look for her here. Looks like I was right." He smiled, finally letting go of Clare.
"What is your message?" Udonna asked, standing up.
"My message is from…you know…the big scary armored guy, only, he's not so big and scary, or armored for that matter."
"What did he ask you to tell me?" Udonna said, walking down to Phineas as she wrung her hands together in a worried manner.
"He asked me to tell you that you were right about what you said, and that he's in a place where you will find him…not quite sure what all of that means, but I figure that you will."
"I shall go then." Udonna said. Clare sighed and handed her the Snow Staff. Udonna looked down and it and smiled. "Dear Clare, I can't take this away from you now…not after all you've done. Keep it."
"You…you mean it, Udonna?" Clare teared up lightly.
"Of course." Udonna smiled. "Besides, I have a spare wand…a Sorceress never goes anywhere without either a spare wand stick or an elemental crystal." Udonna held up a small wand with the crystal she had smuggled into Infershia with her attached at the end.
"Um, well, there's a second part to his message, too, that you should hear…"
"What else is there?"
"That he wanted your son to come and get him instead of you."
Udonna looked over at Nick, who then gave her an odd look before giving Phineas an equally odd look. "Why does he want me to come get him?"
"I didn't ask, but he said a lot about him being in danger and not wanting to put people in it…I think he's just worried that Udonna might be hurt if she tries to go out there. I mean, between you and the Thorn kid, you two have disappeared and reappeared more times than the Saints themselves."
"So why can't she just come with me?" Nick asked.
"Hey, don't get all grumpy with me, I'm just the messenger. He asked for you to go get him, and that's what I'm telling ya."
Nick sighed. "Well…will everybody just fill me in with what's going on?" Nick asked.
"I'll give you a short story, because there's no time to waste." Udonna said, sighing heavily. "I had several visions down in Infershia…one of them being that Enma would forsake Wolzard and leave him for dead…Wolzard refused to heed my warning, and it's now apparent that I was right. If that is true, then he is nearly as vulnerable as a Faithless now. I opened my home to him if this should've happened, and he refused them. It also seems that he's come to his senses on this as well, and, as a woman of my word, I can't just close my doors on him in his time of need."
"So you want me to just go out and drag one of our worst enemies into your house?" Nick asked, glaring at her.
"One good turn deserves another, Conall-"
"Nick!" He shouted, becoming noticeably irritated.
Udonna sighed. "…Nick…he is a helpless, honor-bound person in need of our protection. He knows much about Infershia…if we help him now, he's likely to return it by helping us later…he might even give us important information…"
"How can you say this about him?" Nick shouted, swinging his arm in anger. "How can you open your home to this…this…this monster? He killed your husband, and you're fine with that? You're fine with letting him in here and being nice to him like it never happened? You can be as nice and kindly as you want to him, but I'm not going to pretend he didn't kill my father, and I'm not going to pretend to be nice to him because they wanna kill him! In fact, I hope they fucking kill him! He deserves it for all the pain and suffering he's caused that you seem to be able to wish away!"
"Don't you think it still hurts me, Nick? Don't you think that I wish the same sorts of things? I don't want to save him, but I'm keeping my word. He's asking for my help…your father would've done the same for anybody who asked him for help!"
"Then he was stupid!" The room fell silent, and Nick continued on. "There's a difference between extending your hand to help a friend, and extending your hand to somebody who's been trying to cut your whole damn arm off! You don't help people who don't deserve it! He deserves to be abandoned and left for dead if he didn't listen to you!"
"Nick, for the love of Majiel, shut the hell up!" Sorin shouted, stopping the shouting, and causing everybody to look up at him. "How…how dare you say what you've said! Your father would be ashamed to say you were his son!" Sorin took a few deep breaths, trying to recover from his shouting. He collected himself and continued. "Bragel believed that everyone deserves a second chance; that everybody makes mistakes and that they need help sometimes. They do things they know to be wrong, and they can't escape those mistakes." He shot a quick glance at Kiran, than focused back on Nick. "Wolzard is a Madoushi; he fell onto hard times and made a wrong turn, but he's still human like most of us here. He deserves another chance, Nick. If you were in his shoes, and Wolzard refused to help you because you were his enemy, wouldn't you think that was wrong?"
Nick looked down, thinking of a response. Before he could go on, the crystal ball turned pitch black. A shuffling occurred upstairs, and down ran a disgruntled team of Vida, Madison, and Xander. Vida seemed shocked to see Sorin in his condition, as it was apparent from her staring. Clare and Udonna looked into the ball and seemed a bit disturbed.
"Wha…what is it…?" Xander asked, yawning and stretching.
"It…seems like it's bad." Clare said.
"Very bad, indeed." Udonna replied. "It looks like there's a massive swarm of Hideacs showing up in several different places."
"That's bad…" Xander replied tiredly. "Well, here's to an early morning workout…" He summoned his wand and waited to be told where to go.
"I'll go to the nearest flare up…" Nick began to leave, but Sorin grabbed his collar with amazing speed for his condition.
Sorin huffed a bit and clenched down on Nick's collar. "No, you're going with Phineas to do what was asked of you."
"Like hell I am!" Nick replied. Sorin grimaced and let go of Nick's collar, then suddenly backhanded Nick upside the head and knocked him to the ground.
"You're going to go, whether you like it or not!" Sorin said. "Even if I have to drag you out in my condition, you'll do it!"
"Fine, fine…" Nick said, standing up and sending his armor upstairs to his room. "C'mon…um…whatever your name is."
"Name's Phineas. Pleasure to be helping ya out." Phineas said, extending his hand for a shake as he and Nick walked towards the broom bay.
"Whatever." Nick coldly replied, not replying back to the handshake.
They entered the broom bay and Phineas looked impressed. "Wow, there's six of 'em!"
"Yeah, let's get going." Nick replied coldly.
They left before Vida, Madison, Xander, and Clare could even make it to the broom bay. As they flew away from Rootcore, Phineas turned around. "Hey Nick…something's following us…"
Nick stopped and looked back; Garra was chasing them, barking for attention. Nick descended and waited for Garra to catch up, which wasn't long once Garra noticed that Nick had stopped.
"What is it, Garra?" Nick asked, petting the heavily panting demon. Garra looked over at Phineas and barked.
"Ah…good…demon…doggy thing…" Phineas said nervously, pulling away slowly.
"Don't worry…he's fine."
Garra began sniffing Phineas, stopping for a moment at his hands. He then barked and panted.
"What is it, Garra? Do you have daddy's scent? Hm?" Nick asked, running his hand over Garra's mane and talking to him in a tone one normally used on infants. Garra barked back twice, then sat down and whimpered. "Do you wanna help us find him?"
"Wolzard's his…daddy?" Phineas asked, slightly confused. "I know he's a Madoushi and all, but…"
"No, not like that. He used to belong to Wolzard. He followed Udonna back, I guess. Not sure why." Nick replied curtly. "Well, if he can pick up Wolzard's scent, I think it's best that we let him come along."
"How's he gonna fit on the broom?"
"We'll fly there, and if he catches Wolzard's scent, he'll just replot the course for us."
"Sounds fine to me." Phineas replied. "Just glad I don't have to run back to Mysteria."
The trio then continued the trip to find Wolzard.
A few minutes later, Madison, Vida, Xander, and Clare had set off, leaving Sorin and Udonna downstairs alone, with Tsubasa lightly snoring in his corner of the room.
Udonna and Sorin sat at the round table; Udonna taking Nick's chair and Sorin taking Chip's. Kiran had went back into his lamp upstairs, sulking, and Sorin wished he hadn't, since his input would've helped the conversation.
"…I want you to tell me everything. I want you to tell me about that book." Udonna said. "I want to know…he never told me…"
Sorin sighed. "I wasn't supposed to know about it, but Raigel was never one for subtlety." Sorin smiled weakly, then continued. "They were compiling a book of Madou paraphernalia as a research project. They wanted to know everything they could about how the Madoushi operated…they wanted to know every spell, every curse, every poison, every everything."
"Did he…ever use any of them?" Udonna asked.
"I saw them once trying to see the effects of a particular spell, but it proved to be a harmless little thing…" Udonna sighed and looked down. "Udonna…he didn't use it on anybody, if you're worried about that. He never used it in combat, ever. He knew what it did to anybody who used it. He wanted something to have in hand to protect people from Madoushi…to help them if anything should happen to them. For us. A panacea of sorts, I suppose. Unfortunately, doing those sorts of things sticks to you…the Amulet weakened him for his efforts…the darkness was a stain that lasted for a long time…I'd hate to think that it was his downfall…"
"Please…don't even come to the conclusion that it may have been…" Udonna covered her face entirely with her hands.
"So…you think poor Charlie…"
"He has the book now…and I have been watching him since I saw him with it…but I see within him the passion Bragel had…I do not think he shall become like Raigel…his desire to protect others is so much vaster than his desire to make himself happy…it is disheartening to see him with it, it is…but I personally think that he wishes no harm to come from it. He's even added a few little notes and passages to it, too. He's more curious than anything."
"I promised his mother that I would protect him from things like this if anything was to happen to her…"
"Charlie's fine. He does things a bit unorthodoxly, but I've never seen him put others besides himself into any sort of harm. He takes risks, and he prepares for the worst. He's very much like Bragel-"
"I don't want to lose him like Bragel too!" Udonna cried. "He and Clare may not be blood, but they are my children as far as I am concerned, and seeing them in pain hurts me."
"I understand…Charlie and Clare are both very brave children, and we need their courage to see them through the hard times that are to come." Sorin sighed. "If Enma is to be revived as Midhat hopes to accomplish…they will be the ones to stand up to him…they will need to be brave…"
"We will see to it that he doesn't come back."
"We will…" Sorin stood up and hugged Udonna warmly. "We will…"
Xander, Clare, Madison, and Vida dashed around the skies, viciously trying to locate the Hideacs they were chasing.
"Split up." Clare said. "We'll find them faster."
"Good idea." Vida replied. "We should keep an open line between our wands, in case one of us spots them."
"Great idea, Vida." The four of them waved their wands, making the crystals glow. They then placed their crystals together, establishing the open link. "Alright, let's get going. The wind chill, even for me, is freezing." They then flew off in opposing directions, giggling a bit at Clare's joke.
After nearly two hours of flying at top speed, Nick and Phineas spotted the place where Wolzard was last seen. They dropped down, and Garra began whimpering.
"Where is he?" Nick asked. Garra began sniffing at the snow that had recently fallen.
"He was lying against that tree when I left…" Phineas said.
Garra began howling, getting Nick's attention. "What do you want?" Nick growled. Garra barked at him and ran around in a circle. "We don't have time for games!" Nick shouted.
"Uh, I'm not an expert at dogs, demon or otherwise, but I'm pretty sure that he may have found something."
Nick stood up and huffed. "Fine…" He walked over to Garra. "What did you find?"
Garra sniffed the snow and dug a bit, revealing something black and red. Nick picked it up; it was a shred of Wolzard's meditation cloak, spattered with blood. "I think he's in trouble."
"Well, you'd better hurry."
"Good point. You stay here in case he comes back. Garra and I will follow whatever trail we can find."
"Fine with me…I'm starved and the fish're coming up in droves here…" Phineas began looking about for his fishing rod. "Good luck!"
"Thanks." Nick replied in monotone before climbing on Garra's back and letting the demon hound bound off in the trail's direction.
Back at Rootcore, the crystal ball turned black, and Midhat's visage showed up. He searched the room until he saw someone. "Hey! You!" The figure turned around.
"What do you want?"
"Where is Sungel?"
"He is busy. Do you want me to leave him a message?"
"Tell him that I wish to continue our…little meeting from the other day."
"I shall let him know. Have a place in mind?"
"In the valley down near the lake in Mysteria…he'll know where I mean…" Midhat grinned.
"I shall let him know." Midhat's visage disappeared, and the crystal ball went back to being clear.
"I'll go." He said, getting up from his chair.
"No, I'll go." The other voice rang out from the couch in front of the fire.
"I can handle it."
"Are you sure?"
"You won't know I'm gone." He grabbed the rolled up carpet next to the staircase. "Can we talk when I get back?"
"If you're alive."
"I promise you…I'll be fine." He grabbed his sword and smiled.
Wolzard ran through the forest, Hideacs not far behind. The wound in his arm stung, and his respiratory system cried in pain, but he kept running. The tree branches ripped away at his cloak as he dashed past, drawing blood when they could. He ran as fast as his body could take him towards a clearing. The falling snow made the stinging worse, and he feared that he wouldn't make it.
The clearing was like heaven to him, the snow falling lightly and the powder crunching beneath his feet cheerily as he arrived. He ran to the center and took a breather, then turned around.
"If…you're going…to try and take me…I'd like to…see you try…" He taunted them as they arrived.
A single Hideac made it out of the forest first, axe raised in defiance. He shrieked and swung at the stoic Wolzard, but it proved to be a horrid mistake.
Wolzard sidestepped and grabbed the axe's top handle, then kicked the Hideac's leg out from under it, making it kneel. He then forced the axe into the Hideac's stomach, breaking its arm and slicing it open, letting its entrails pour out. He then pulled the axe from the Hideac's grasp, and as the Hideac hung its head in pain and clinged to its wound, Wolzard lobbed its head clean off its shoulders.
"Well, at least you tried." Wolzard smiled.
Several more Hideacs erupted from different sections of the forest, and Wolzard grasped the axe tightly by its main handle. The first Hideac to approach him got the axe slid into its stomach and pulled upwards, nearly cutting it entirely in half. The next two approached him from behind while he was distracted with the first, and while the first one yanked at his cloak, the second one swung at his arm. He managed to move his arm at the last second, taking only a deep wound to his bicep instead of losing the arm entirely. He winced and tossed his elbow back, smashing the Hideac in the face, and he pulled himself out of the cloak, causing the other Hideac to fall backwards. He then turned around and stabbed the Hideac in the chest as he prepared for the next Hideacs to come up to him.
Four of the tried to box him in and cut him in half horizontally, but he curled up into a ball at the last second, causing the quartet to manage to drive their blades into each other and knock each other down.
"This is almost work." He joked.
Then a small swarm from everywhere leaped out in surprise, attacking him from all angles. A Hideac jump kicked him from behind, thrusting him into a group of Hideacs who caught him and tossed him about, hacking away at him. Wolzard managed to block some of the more critical blows, but they managed to hack away at him. Once they decided to finish him off, they knocked him to the ground, where the Hideac who drop kicked him prepared to finish him off. Several Hideacs moved in and pinned him to the ground as the executioner prepared to drop his blade down on Wolzard's neck.
"Any last words, traitor?" The Hideac asked as he began adjusting his swing. Wolzard closed his eyes and prepared for the end.
"Maaji Maji Majiiro!" A voice called out from the trees. Wolzard opened his eyes and looked over in curiosity, just as the Hideacs were. Garra and Nick leaped out from the trees, transforming in mid-air. Garra gained red-tinted armored plates on its limbs and paws, a neck guard made of red hued steel, a reddish chest plate with a fitted saddle, and a red steel faceplate with reddish plumage flowing backwards. They landed and began tearing through Hideacs; Nick with his sword, and Garra with its long armored claws. The Hideacs let go of Wolzard and charged at Nick, but for them, they were better off staying near Wolzard.
Some picked him up and carried him off, but Garra caught up to them and tore their legs off before Nick hacked them to pieces.
Wolzard got up slowly and dusted himself off, then winced from the stinging pain of the snow. "Thank you, Red Magician." He said softly. "I was sure that, by now, you weren't going to come."
"Well, it's not like I wanted to." Nick replied.
Wolzard turned around and softly smiled. "I'm guessing that Udonna forced you to. She is very strong-willed."
Nick took off his helmet and looked Wolzard over. The worn out knight's clothes were blood-stained with various kinds of blood, both his and the Hideacs, but he could tell that his long quilted and insulated leather tunic was an aubergine-violet sort of shade with gold and red stitching, his wool undershirt was black, and his long and baggy pants were also black. His skin was a paled out copper tone and his eyes seemed glazed over and cold, and his long black hair was pulled back and tied in a short black string. He looked to be quite a bit older than Sorin by the scattered and thin grey streaks. "I expected you to look much more intimidating than you are."
"I'm tired, cold, hungry, and wounded. I'd be more intimidating otherwise." Wolzard replied. He then bent down and patted Garra. "I see my good little girl here has a new friend…"
"Garra led me here, so you should be thankful to have something so loyal to you." Nick replied in a vicious tone.
Wolzard looked up and stared at Nick, who looked back down at him. "I'm sorry I inconvenienced you, Red Magician. You obviously don't want to be here."
"I'm only here because Udonna's merciful." He replied venomously. "I don't understand why she's doing so, but she's my mother…" He huffed. "It's her house. If she wants to let somebody like you in it, I really have no say."
"I see." Wolzard said, standing up.
"Why did you want my help instead of hers, anyways?"
Wolzard sighed. "I didn't want her to be hurt, to start. She may still have her magic, but she lost a lot of it because of our fight…" He nodded. "and secondly…because I need your assistance."
"Why do you care about her so much? You killed her husband!"
"Because even though our deal is off, I cannot reasonably let harm come to her in her weakened state…even though I myself cannot protect her from those who wish to destroy her."
"…What deal?" Nick asked.
"…She didn't speak of it…?" Wolzard smiled. "I'll give you a minute to collect yourself."
"Oh, this aughta be interesting…" Nick replied.
While Wolzard had been chased into the clearing in central Mysteria, Midhat had been waiting for Sorin to arrive at the edge of the lake. He didn't have to wait long; Sorin rode in on his magic carpet wearing his Solar Knight armor. "Oh, you wizened up and got a new suit, I see?" Midhat commented. Sorin laughed softly and got off the carpet, which flew off a distance to avoid being hit during the fight.
Sorin lightly knocked his cape back, letting it reflect a bit of light from the sun off of it, then grabbed the hilt of his sword. "I see you want your death to be quick…" Midhat replied. Sorin stood silently. "No words are needed, I see."
Midhat converted his fan into a staff and charged at Sorin. Sorin unlatched his sheath from his side and held it at eye level to Midhat, then unsheathed it slightly, reflecting the sun's light into Midhat's eyes and temporarily blinding him. The move gave Sorin enough time to charge Midhat and drop kick him. The move caused Midhat to drop his fan staff and roll around on the ground. "What a cheap shot. Douza Mezaara." His fan emitted several bolts of dark lightning towards Sorin, and although he managed to dodge most of them, the last of the bolts knocked him back. He got back up and brushed himself off.
"Ready for more?" Sorin merely nodded. "As I thought." Midhat summoned his staff back to his hand.
Meanwhile, back at Rootcore, Xander, Clare, Madison, and Vida arrived back with disheartened looks on their faces.
"I can't believe they disappeared after such a long time..." Xander griped. "If they wanted to just play Hide and Seek, they could've just done it in the forest…"
"They disappeared?" Udonna asked.
"Yeah, just vanished into Madou Circles. They just ran around and did nothing!" Clare replied, throwing her arms up in anger.
Xander's face lit up, as if the little lightbulb went off inside. "Maybe they didn't want us to fight them…" Xander looked up to Udonna. "Did anything happen here?"
"No. In fact, it's been mostly quiet here. I was upstairs reading until I heard your brooms."
"Hm…something's going on…" Vida said. "Maybe they didn't want us to all go out looking for Wolzard."
"Or maybe they wanted to wear us out a bit…" Madison replied. Clare grabbed her dust broom and began sweeping the floors tiredly to start her morning chores.
"Who knows? Infershia's never been predictable…" A voice spoke up from the couch in front of the fireplace.
"But still…" Xander sat down at his chair at the table. He then noticed a black book sitting on the table. "Hey, isn't that-"
The crystal ball turned black, causing everyone to look at it. A transmission came in staticy, like one from a far off station feeding to Nick's television. It finally focused on the image of Midhat's face. Off to the side, one could tell that Sorin was being choked tightly. He made noises of struggling as Midhat laughed. "Oh good, you're all there…"
"Sorin!" Vida shouted. "That son of a bitch!" Vida lunged at the screen, but Madison held her back.
"Oh, Pink Magician, your caring demeanor makes this so much sweeter…" Midhat laughed. "I just thought you could all day your goodbyes to your beloved Solar Knight before I killed him off." He then looked over at Sorin. "Have any last words to say? Any little spells to try and save your pitiful life with?" Sorin stopped kicking and shook his head no. "So silent…as if prepared to die…" He then pointed the mirror outwards, towards the field in front of him. "I was thinking of dumping him in the lake and electrocuting him to death, but…not dramatic enough." He tossed Sorin out into the field. "Mezaara Zazaado!"
From beneath Sorin before he fell, a Madou Circle opened up beneath him and began to swirl, kicking up snow. Sorin screamed something inaudible as everything turned white from an explosion.
"No!" The voice shouted from the back, sitting up. Vida looked up and saw Sorin sitting up, his face contorting into a look of horror.
"…Sorin…? Then…who…?"
A shattered yellow hunk of metal flew at the fan, partially shattering the mirror and causing the image to distort slightly. Suddenly, a flash of auburn and peach resting atop a mountain of gold, yellow, black, and brown shot out towards the mirror, knocking it over and onto the ground.
"Vanity and pride, they both are sins, and they both aim to do their pretty victims in." Chip said, pointing Sorin's sword at Midhat's throat.
"Well, amen to that." Xander replied.
"Charlie!" Udonna shouted, catching his attention.
"Sorry kids, this's a two-man show…" Chip said softly, smiling. "It'll be over soon." He then crushed the mirror entirely under the heel of his boot, ending the transmission.
"Charlie!" Udonna shouted. She then looked at Sorin. "What have you done?"
"He told me that he would be fine, and he pretty much proved it right there!" Sorin replied.
"Midhat's gonna kill him!" Madison shouted, grabbing her cloak.
"Madison, don't!" Sorin shouted. "He'll be fine…Charlie's a fine swordsman, and a damn good fighter. I wasn't sure if he would be alright, but he managed to dodge Midhat's killing move and counter it. I trust that he'll come back alive."
"Yeah, ladies, you're all so…emotional. Take a seat. Nick and Chip will be back momentarily."
Madison slapped Xander and walked upstairs. "…What?"
"You are quite the escape artist, Mahoutsukai." Midhat said to Chip with a smile. "Tell me…I really must know how you survived. Nobody has ever survived that before…you must explain it all to me…when I kill you, I want an epic novel to write about you."
"Reflection." Chip replied. "I bounced the dark energy back on itself with my sword. It shattered the circle, stopping the energy."
"How did you fool me?"
"Same as you did many years ago…my inner light reflected my true self…but more in a literal sense than in your case."
"Bending light energy through magic like water in a glass…very impressive…" Chip let Midhat up. "I must say, you're squandering your exceptional talents on your useless cause."
"I wouldn't call caring for the lives of others useless." Chip replied, taking a few steps back.
"Everyone brings you down, boy…I've seen you with my old hobby…you love it as much as I do. You obsess over their pages, you write in your own little pieces…why do you waste such potential on being a hero? You could be a Saint…you could be better than a Saint!"
"I don't want power like you. Besides, Madoushi are selfish; they care only about themselves, and to hell with everyone else! I would never let myself be like…her." Chip's face contorted in a mix of pain and anger. "Being a Madoushi makes you destroy everything you love and care for…and even though I have little…there isn't enough power in the world to ever make me reconsider having it."
"With power, boy, you could have whatever you wanted."
"I wouldn't have Madison!" He shouted. He then recomposed himself. "I wouldn't have her, or Tsubasa, or Vida, or Clare, or anybody else that I cared about!"
"This seems to be a touchy subject…" Midhat smiled as he used his fan to brush away the snow. "I like this."
Chip sighed heavily, retaking a defensive stance.
"I rather like your attire. You tried really hard, but you've only come off as a sort of peasant version of your sempai." Midhat laughed.
Chip had his normal Mystic Armor underneath the gold Knight gauntlets, shin guards, and chestplate. Gone was his normal epaulets and cape, and in was his brown cape from earlier that morning.
Chip looked down and shrugged. "It fits the criteria needed."
Midhat sighed. "Well, enough babbling. I say we fight."
"Agreed." Chip went to charge Midhat as the decaying ex-Saint grinned happily. With a flick of his wrist, several dozen Hideacs shot up out of the ground, creating a large barricade between Chip and Midhat. "We fight when you get here."
Chip exhaled and began planning through his crowd control method.
As Chip prepared his run through, Wolzard stood patiently for the few moments Nick took to prepare himself for the tale of Udonna's deal with him.
"Tell me. Why didn't you kill her?"
"Her deal was very simple, Red Magician. I didn't understand why she had done it, but for the sake of my Master…I agreed. It was too tempting." Wolzard grinned. "She agreed to let me capture her and I would help her fake her own death, and she would remain my prisoner and stand back as I took your lives to satiate Enma."
Nick blinked a few times, trying to understand what was just said. "…What?"
"We agreed that if I helped her fake her death, that she would remain a prisoner in my cells and be my slave while I destroyed her new little children…the five of you."
Nick gave him a doubting look. "Udonna wouldn't agree to something like that."
"I'm afraid that it is true, Red Magician." Wolzard kneeled beside Nick. "Do I have a reason to lie to you? I am at your mercy…"
"…Did she say why, at least?" Nick asked, still confused.
"She said that she believed that she would get the better end of the bargain…but of course, this was our first encounter. She had no clue how I ran things in my prison…she cried much during those first days…" Wolzard seemed to gaze off as he stopped speaking.
Nick huffed. "So…she willingly gave us up like that?"
"She did. At first, even I was amazed at her willingness to give up…I believed that she was trying to feint, as she had been losing our fight at the time. I laughed and questioned her offer…but it stayed the same…I couldn't resist…Enma's very wish, being offered to me with no catch. I worried about having a sorceress of such prestige as Udonna within my prison walls, but she kept to her word. I loosened up my grip on her…I guess I can say that I was glad. Doing so gave her time to escape her demise…"
A surge of pain surged up Wolzard's spine, ending around the crown of his head. He growled and clutched his head in pain.
The doors shut tightly behind him, a red light filled the room.
"I feel the Light within you…" The voice ahead whispered. It was barely audible, the gender indeterminate. Long vine-like ropes shot out around him. "I must have it…must devour it whole…"
"You won't-" A thick blade sunk into top back of his shoulder and pulled upwards, the warmth around his throat slowly sliding to the floor as the bond was severed. "Agh!"
A sinister laugh rang out, loud and bellowing. "I won't what?" The ropes surged forward, pulsating in a chaotic dance of excitement…
Wolzard opened his eyes, and Garra had her face to his, making sure that he was alright.
"Are you…okay?" Nick asked.
Wolzard sighed a bit and groaned. "I…ugh…" Garra helped him up to his feet. "I suppose I should be fully honest. Should we be making our way back?"
"Hop aboard." Nick said, getting up. "I can walk."
"How kind."
"I know." Nick replied coldly. He handed his helmet to Wolzard. "You carry it."
"Agreed."
"C'mon, Garra. To my broom, then to Rootcore." Garra barked happily, and Wolzard ran a gentle hand over her mane.
"She looks well taken care of."
"Thank you. Mostly Udonna's doing." Nick replied curtly. They began their walk down to the water's edge, and Nick decided to make conversation. "You wanted to be fully honest. What do you have to say?"
"Well, I have a reason for asking for your help besides keeping my promise to protect Udonna."
"That is?"
"The Amulet."
Nick grimaced. "Oh, that again. Hell no."
"Hear me out, please."
Nick sighed. "Fine, but make it quick."
"The Amulet…I know that its power is great…but I've…had a conflict…"
"What kind of conflict?"
"Ever since the Marauders damaged Enma's Eye, the jewel that was in my shield…I've been having these…visions…of a life of something I never had…people I've never seen…things I've never done…"
"And you think the Amulet's gonna fix you?"
"Every time I try to find a solution to this problem, it's the only answer."
"I see." Nick dispelled his armor. "So…you think that if you had the Amulet's power, it would make sense of these broken thoughts?"
"The Amulet's power is legendary…one of its qualities is to drive away the cloudiness of the mind…I suppose you've been thinking clearer yourself lately?"
"Now that you mention it…" Nick grabbed the Amulet and stopped.
Wolzard stopped Garra and looked back at Nick. "Thinking of something?"
"…You know, you're a Madoushi, magic or not. If I decide to play your game and use the Amulet on you…I could kill you."
Wolzard smiled. "So many things could happen…I could die because of the Amulet…I could die by your hands…I could die by Infershian hands, or I could spend whatever amount of life I have left in me and live in fear and agony, slowly going insane until I die. Honestly? If I want death, I'd like it to be searing hot and bright." He chuckled lightly.
"Don't try and be smart with me…I'm the cop here, you're the con. I ask you questions, you answer them."
Wolzard looked away. "Are you trying to use the bad cop demeanor on me? I expected you to look much more intimidating than you are." Nick huffed and crossed his arms as Wolzard smiled slyly.
Nick looked down at the Lightfire Amulet for a moment, then looked back up. "So…you'd do this, even though you could die?" He asked, holding up the Amulet.
"I want to know what all if it means…I'd rather die than not know. Some of the visions are so peaceful…if it is something I could have now, I'd like to know…"
Nick nodded. "Alright…" Nick took the Amulet off and let it bunch up in his hand. "How should we do this?"
"It would work the best, I believe, if it was around my neck. It would clear my mind more without sacrificing what little power I have left."
"…Right." Nick said. Wolzard stood up, making Nick feel a bit short. Nick had always believed that he was a reasonable height, even though he was shorter than everybody but Madison, but Wolzard towered over him. Wolzard's chin was even with his eyes. "Um…okay…"
"Need me to bend down a bit?" Wolzard joked. Nick glared. "Alright…I cannot take the suspense…are you ready?"
"Ready if you are."
Nick slowly slid the Amulet's chain around Wolzard's neck and locked it. He took a deep breath and let go of it. Wolzard seized up and gasped as the Amulet began its work. His mind slowly opened up, and after a minute or so, it reset, dropping Wolzard to the floor, unconscious.
Chip charged into the group of Hideacs, hacking through the first four or so like a hot knife through butter. The fifth one tackled him to the ground, but he quickly pushed it off and stabbed it through the spine before getting to his feet. He went from a crouched position and spun around counterclockwise until he was standing up straight; the move knocked three Hideacs back a bit, giving him a chance to strike. "Goo Lujuna Gojika!" The sword gathered light energy and static electricity in the air and created a yellow-tinted beam of light that, once Chip swung the sword, knocked the unfortunate Hideacs in its path all the way back to Midhat. Midhat stepped back and magically flung the now lifeless bodies of his failed lackeys back at Chip.
"Feeling a bit understaffed, Madoushi?" Chip mocked.
"Feeling a bit tired, Mahoutsukai?" Midhat replied as he noticed how heavily Chip was breathing.
"I'll get a good rest once this is over with."
"I'll give you a good rest, all right, a permanent one once you reach me." Midhat smiled.
"Better leave the name off the tombstone for now…you're counting me out too early…" Chip replied, continuing his path towards Midhat.
He found an opening in the wave, and he slid his way in, only to have several Hideacs jump in front of him. He tried to back up, but several Hideacs blocked his rear exit before he had time to get out. Half a dozen more Hideacs finished the circular blockade, trapping Chip and preventing him for going any farther.
"I grow tired of this…" Midhat raised his fan upwards. "Zazare Mezaara Mejira."
Chip looked upwards as a Madou Circle formed up above him. He recognized the curse at hand and quickly countered. "Majiine Lujuna!" He held the sword above his head and formed a repelling shield just as the bolt of Madou energy crashed down towards him. He reflected the blast back upwards, shattering the Circle and negating the curse.
"Ah! You bastard! Can't you just let me steal your soul like a good little brat?" Midhat shouted, throwing a fit.
Chip's shield was once again attacked, but this time by the Hideacs. They tried to hack him in half around the waist, but the shield repelled their attack and knocked them back. Chip dropped the shield and stuck his sword in the ground. "Jiruma Gojika Lujuna!" A Saint Pentagram appeared below his feet, the center of it forming around the sword's blade. The Pentagram then began releasing arrows of light energy outwards that pierced through the Hideacs and mowed them down as if a circle of gatling guns had sprung up around the Yellow Magician. He pulled his sword out of the ground and kicked the final Hideac in the stomach as it charged, knocking it out.
"Dying isn't all that fun, Madoushi. I'd rather be alive for the moment."
Chip grinned and charged at Midhat, sword pointed straight at Midhat's heart. Midhat blocked the attack and slammed the back of his fan against Chip's face, slightly stunning him.
"Hit me all you want…" Chip said, recovering and quickly swinging the sword at Midhat. "All the pain I've suffered because of you numbs the blows…"
"Oh, are you upset about your little friends? They seem fine to me." Midhat replied, parrying the blow and summoning up a little gust of wind to push him back.
"Everything…everything you stand for…it's all a lie! You betrayed your friends! Your family! You gave them up for servitude?" Chip jumped forward slightly and swung more towards the waist.
"Servitude?" Midhat countered the move with a slashing arc, deflecting the blow and slicing at Chip's armor. "You make being an instrument of Enma's judgment sound so…gauche!" Midhat laughed, throwing up a sealing spell and locking Chip in place. Chip began shoulder-ramming the wall, but he ended up only with a sore shoulder. "Friends? Family? When you have power, you don't need any of them. Serving Enma brings me more joy than anyone I ever knew or cared about. Boy, you've too much potential to be fighting this silly little war against Enma…"
"Enma is the reason I fight!" Chip replied, trying to use his sword to pierce the shield. "As long as Enma and vile beings like you exist, I will fight!" He snarled as Midhat walked closer to him. "I will fight until there is not a Madoushi left on this planet!"
"What an ambition you have…" Midhat said. "But your soul will serve Enma's cause much better if untainted, I suppose…" He released the sealing spell, and Chip grinned.
Chip went to swing his arm to attack, but Midhat grabbed it and swung him about, tossing him far off towards the trees. Chip landed hard and slid a bit before Midhat teleported over, grabbed him by the throat, and slammed him against a tree.
"You know that you will die in your efforts…why do you care? In the end, it's only you."
"Death…means…nothing…" Chip replied slowly as he gasped for air and struggled to break free of Midhat's iron grip.
"Oh please…your death means that Enma shall return faster…but even if you manage to survive this…tell me, how do you plan to kill every other Madoushi on the planet?"
"I won't…on my own…I know that…" Chip replied, trying to tighten his grip on the sword that was slowly sliding out of his hand. "This will go on long after us…but I can…guarantee…that you…will not see my end…" Chip focused the rest of his magic into the sword, creating an electric field. He raised his arm to the side, and drove the blade into Midhat's hip.
Midhat winced and smacked Chip's hand with the fan as hard as he could, making Chip release the sword. He then levitated his fan in the air and grabbed the sword. "If I remember correctly, you were one of those pesky 'Wind Scouts'…let's see if you still fly." Midhat hammer tossed Chip into the air, then teleported up above him as he flew. He summoned the sword and tossed it as hard as he could.
He perfectly arced the toss, as it struck the chestplate with perfect aim, driving itself through the armor and shot its way through his back. The force drove Chip to the ground, where his body bounced against the ground, knocking the sword partially out until he lied flat on his back, the sword still driven into his left breast. Midhat teleported down and walked to Chip's side. "It's a pity that the only time you were wrong was when it counted…" He then summoned his fan and teleported back to Infershia.
Nick stood over Wolzard and watched as the Amulet began to dim a bit; Wolzard's skin darkened out as the paleness of the frigid darkness lifted from him. He opened his eyes slowly, adjusting to the light around him. He saw Nick's face and smiled. "My thoughts…they're so clear…thank you, Conall."
"…Nick." Nick replied flatly with a frown.
"My apologies…Nick." Wolzard said as he sat up. He slowly frowned as he began to think. "All I've done…I've done such monstrous things…" He sighed and began to tear up. "I was so weak to stop myself…"
Nick watched as Wolzard began to sob. "I destroyed every bit of joy I had…and I was helpless to stop myself…everyone I love has had to suffer endlessly…my children…my wife…my friends and associates…"
Nick bent down beside him. "You said that there were cheery things you remembered."
"It might be too late to relive them…"
"You can start over if it's too late, then. Make happier memories than the ones you have. I'm sure those who love you will forgive you for the things you've done."
"…Do you?" Wolzard asked. Nick bit his lip. "I'd understand if you don't. There's not much between us that's cheerful."
"I feel sorry for you, that bad things happened to you. But whatever you did to end up where you were…" Nick shook his head. "I'll bring you to Udonna. Maybe she'll help you out."
"I would love to see Udonna again." Wolzard said with a smile. "Let us not waste another moment talking."
"I agree. The quicker, the better." Nick replied. They both climbed on Garra's back and dashed off towards Rootcore.
After a few hours, they arrived safely at Rootcore. Sorin had slowly walked back upstairs nearly an hour before, and most others were asleep. Xander himself was passed out and drooling at his place on the center table. Udonna was fixing herself tea when Garra happily let her riders off and howled a greeting. Udonna turned around and smiled.
"Hello Gar-" She spotted Wolzard and dropped her teacup and coaster, letting them shatter at her feet and splash hot tea everywhere. Her eyes watered up as Wolzard smiled and approached her.
"Seeing you at home like this…the lighting does you justice." He replied as he embraced her. Udonna started crying heavily and buried her face in his chest.
Nick watched on in confusion as Udonna grabbed his jaw in wonder. "I don't want to believe you're alive…"
"But I am. Safe and sound. Bleeding a bit, but I have had worse."
Udonna looked at his neck. "Oh, you have a bad wound…"
"It is old…it is not going to heal. Do not worry about it."
Udonna sniffled as she tried to find the words to say. She then exhaled as she teared up again. "I've missed you so much…I thought you were dead…but you're here…" Udonna then buried her face in his chest again and let herself cry a bit more.
Xander perked up and sleepily looked around, one eyes still mostly closed. He wiped the drool from his mouth and blinked a few times. "'Ey…what's go'n on 'round 'ere?" He slurred out, still obviously half-asleep. He then spotted Wolzard, recognized the purple color, then nodded. "Ah, y're 'ere. Welcome, Mistah 'olzahd." He yawned loudly. "Sorry I'm not…good ta go…I'll say more in tha morn'n. 'Night." His head then swiftly dropped back to the table, and he once again charged off into Dreamland.
"He's not quite Oliver…but he's…interesting." Wolzard said.
"Xander is a wonderful Magician…Vankyuria loves him so much…he may not be the brightest, but he's the one with the most charm and grace." Udonna replied softly.
"As a Green Magician should be." Wolzard joked. He brushed a few strands of hair from Udonna's face. "You look as lovely as I remember…"
Nick coughed, catching their attention. Udonna's eyes lit up and she smiled. "Oh! Oh, Nick, come here…"
"I'm…a bit confused. Mind filling me in? I'm just slightly disturbed."
Udonna laughed. "Come here, Nick…I just want a big hug…the three of us, under one roof…"
"Would've been four if it wasn't for him!"
Wolzard looked down and Udonna looked up. Wolzard let go and took a step back, giving a sorrowful look to Nick as he turned around.
"Exactly! Fess up! My sister's dead because of you and your greedy bullshit!"
"Oh Majiel…" Udonna backed away towards the staircase to walk up to the dais.
"Udonna…"
"You…you killed Arwen…"
"I had no control over my actions! I didn't even know it was her until after it was said and done! She's safe with Crystal now, where nothing will happen to her."
"Why?" Udonna shouted, now standing by the dais and getting closer to the stairwell.
"Because he's a Madoushi!"
Udonna's eyes widened. "You…Sorin said…Sorin said you didn't do any of that…"
"I wasn't a Madoushi by choice…I was in fighting, and I was attacked from behind…and…the Amulet…" He showed his scar. "I had no protection. I was defenseless…it wasn't my choice to surrender."
Nick stared, trying to make sense of their fight.
"Oh Majiel…" Udonna looked at Xander, then to Nick, then back at Wolzard. "Oh Majiel…" She booked for the stairs, but not before Wolzard grabbed her arm. "Get away from me, Fintan! Get away from me!" Udonna dashed up the stairs crying. Wolzard sighed heavily.
"…What?" Nick asked, taking his own step back.
Wolzard turned around and sighed. "Nick, it's okay…"
"No, tell me what's going on. I wanna know EVERYTHING." Nick seemed entirely upset. Wolzard sighed and walked downstairs, approaching Nick cautiously.
"Nick…I know that you were so young…that you wouldn't know…"
Nick could practically say the rest of it himself. As Wolzard reached out to grab Nick's shoulder, he stepped back. "No." Nick took another step back. "Don't start that with me. You can fool Udonna, but not me."
"Nick, I know that this is hard for you…I wouldn't forgive me either." Wolzard winced slightly. "But how everything became this way was not my fault…Nick, I-"
"You're not my father, you're Wolzard, the most feared Madoushi in all of Infershia…" Nick sounded less like he was stating fact than he did sound as if he were convincing himself that it was all true. "You…you killed Sylvie, and you made a deal with Udonna so that she'd let you kill us…"
"That was me, I'll admit. It was my body, my power, my personal morals and logic…being used as a puppet for Enma. I wish you would believe me, but I doubt that you will."
"No!" Nick took a step back. "Sylvie told me you died…that you were a brave soldier, and you died in a fierce battle…" Nick began to become misty-eyed.
"I was, and still am, a brave soldier, Nick. I…my real self…died that day I became Wolzard. But I'm alive again…you brought me back." Wolzard smiled and hugged Nick, who was more interested in concealing his misery than trying to get away from Wolzard. "I have you to thank…I really do. My little baby boy…I regret leaving you behind…there wasn't a moment during that fight that I didn't worry about all of you…"
Nick cried. "Get away from me…" He mumbled through his tears.
"How many times have people told you that you look like me?"
Nick tried to think. He sniffled as he counted…Sorin, Sylvie, some of the Marauders, Udonna… "A few." He replied softly.
"Then look at me…" He replied. "Tell me that when you look at me, you don't see yourself." Nick wiped his eyes and slowly looked up. "Tell me that you don't see it, and I will just leave you alone forever."
Nick blinked and looked hard. Little features here and there, the skin tone was slightly darker, and his eyes looked similar to Sylvie's. Nick's eyes widened and he panicked.
"I'm sorry that it had to happen this way…"
Nick pulled away from him completely and shook his head. "I…I need to go…" Nick then ran out the back door and bolted as fast as he could.
Wolzard sighed and moped over to the couch in front of the fire. Garra joined him and lied her head on his lap, and he gave her a few loving pats on the back. "Well, at least somebody welcomed me home…" Garra looked up and licked his face, making him smile. "Glad somebody in my family still loves me…"
From upstairs erupted a scream that shattered the rests of everyone in Rootcore, including Xander's. The rapid dash of feet caused Wolzard and Xander to look up.
"Maddie, what's…wrong?" Xander asked, rubbing his eyes and standing up. She stopped for a moment, showing off her tear-stricken face. "Maddie, are you going outside? You don't even have slippers on…"
She dashed outside, crying hysterically. Wolzard, Garra and Xander followed her, and Udonna, Sorin, Vida, and Yuri all followed.
Madison scrambled outside through the snow in nothing but her nightgown to flag down Sorin's flying carpet.
She embraced the semi-hidden cargo and continued to cry. "Charlie!" The wind whipped about and revealed the sword sticking straight up out of Chip's torso. Sorin covered his mouth with his hands, as did Udonna. Vida ran over to grab Madison.
"Charlie, wake up…" Madison shouted, shaking his shoulders. Vida checked his wrist for a pulse, finding nothing but the silky feel of his Mystic Armor coupled with the coldness of the weather seeped into the skin below. Blood soaked the poor carpet, and Madison continued to shake him, hoping for any sort of response.
"This is my fault…" Sorin said, collapsing to the ground out of grief. Wolzard stood back, watching the entire scene. He hardly knew Chip, but on the few occasions that they had been partners, he saw his burning desire for justice burning within the young man. He grieved with the rest; he really had hoped to get to know Chip better.
"Maddie, c'mon inside, your feet must be freezing…" Vida said softly.
"Charlie…he's cold…we…need to help him…" Madison said through her tears. Vida grabbed her shoulders as Xander slowly approached the scene.
"Maddie, you're shaking. Wanna come inside for some hot cocoa?"
"I don't want anything!" Madison said, shaking Vida off. "I just want him to wake up…" She continued to cry heavily, then wrapped her arms around Chip's waist and lied her head against his icy chestplate. The tears quickly froze upon the surface, leaving thin icicles as mementos.
Xander and Vida both grabbed her and tore her away from Chip's body. Sorin got up slowly to retrieve his sword when Xander spotted Wolzard in the back. "Oh, hey…" He said. "Sorry…" Udonna and Sorin looked back. As soon as Sorin saw Wolzard, he blacked out from pure shock. Udonna did little more than wrap her arms around him and cry.
"It will be fine…"
"I'm so sorry…" She replied.
"We have other things to think about." He replied, watching as the carpet came closer.
Wolzard removed the sword from Chip's chest and looked at it in wonder. "Hm…" He then grabbed Chip's right arm and closed his eyes. He smiled widely and slowly slid Chip's Archer Brace off and looked at it. "I can bet Midhat is a very unhappy person right now…"
Midhat glared at the yellow crystal. "Glow, dammit!" He stared as he tried to tie up the wound that Chip had created. Even hours after the fact, a few drops here and there dripped out steadily, a little shock of pain shot through the wound, reminding him of the fight that had proven to be fruitless. "Master…I killed him! I killed him with Sungel's sword! How could this be?"
He got up and screamed for a moment, then calmed down, realizing that his tantrum would not get him what he wanted. "All this power…and I still manage to let him slip through my fingers…" He sighed. "There must be another way…"