This is a cool chapter, or so I think. I hope you like it. It may be confusing in some parts, but all will be explained in due time. I worked really hard on this, and it's really long, so take your time and enjoy it.
Chapter 5: The Attack
Dante stealthily moved down the paved road in front of the Silver Sages HQ. He darted in a zigzagging pattern, hiding behind the nearest trees for a few seconds, and then dashing to the next closest tree. He stayed utterly silent in his mission. He continued to move up the road in this fashion, until he was in the shelter of the last remaining tree. He looked up at the sky. It was dark out, around eleven o'clock. The moon was gone. He had planned this attack for the new moon to ensure he wouldn't be seen. Surveying the area for the final time, he quickly moved to the door. He stood in front of it, examining it. Although he hated to say it, the Silver Sages did have a magnificent headquarters.
The door was rather large, about ten feet tall. It was shaded in a deep blue tone. Silver markings detailed the door in an intricate pattern. There was a large, pure silver knocker placed in the middle. The knocker was in the shape of the head of a falcon. Dante decided not to knock.
He brought his hand down to the djinn pouch at his side. Dante was mastered at the art of djinn; although he was a sub-par swordsmen and Psynergest his skills with djinn were unmatched. He fumbled with the tightly knotted strings, until he finally untied them. He reached his hand inside and grabbed a djinni from his assortment, searching for the right one. At last he got a hold of the one for the job.
He brought out Core, a Mars djinni. He held the creature in his outstretched hand, resting on the palm. Dante said things to the little animal telepathically, sending it signals on how to attack. The djinni nodded to show it understood, and then fluttered out from Dante's hand.
The djinni swirled around the air for a few seconds and then charged at the door. It crashed into the door, full force. Luckily, no sound was emitted. The djinni then began working its powers. The spot where it had struck began to glow a faint red. Hastily the spot intensified in color until it was a searing red. The patch suddenly turned into scorching hot lava. The liquid drizzled down the door, and then shot out in tendrils up the sides and top. The center still continued to produce more and more lava and sending it all over the door until it was time.
The lava began to burn through the door. The metal melted under the sheer heat of the lava, liquefying and dropping to the ground, then instantly evaporated. The metal sizzled as it was burned apart section by section, until there was nothing left. The fabulous door, now gone, revealed the entrance to the headquarters. Core flew back to its master. Dante tossed the little creature into his bag.
Dante kept the bag open, and reached his hand again. He searched around, and then finally grabbed onto the djinni he needed. He pulled Flare out of his bag. Flare actually was very different from all the other djinn. It wasn't made by nature. Dante had been experimenting djinn breeding. He managed to produce Flare, the only successful offspring. By tinkering with the genetics of the parents, he had created a one of a kind djinni- one that doesn't attack.
Sending a quick telepathic message to Flare, he grasped the djinni in his hand and threw him as high as he could. The creature fluttered in the air, flying higher and higher. At the apex of his flight, he burst into an extreme burst of crimson-red light. Dante had to cover his eyes; the light was too strong. After about five seconds or so, Flare hovered down to the ground and headed to Dante, who then put him back in the bag.
"That's the signal!" said a Dark Paladin officer hiding a small distance away from the Silver Sages HQ. "Move out, everyone! We attack NOW!"
The soldiers marched out from their hiding spot. It was a rather small army, about a hundred fighters. The first several rows were comprised of sword, axe, and mace fighters. In a single row behind them was a group of healers. There were two more rows of axe wielders. Behind them were about three rows of offensive spell casters. In the back there was a single row of djinn masters. They marched up the road until they saw Dante.
Dante came running down to his army. He took his spot in the very front of the assault.
"Okay, you all know the drill. Destroy as much as you can. Kill as many as possible. We are searching for nothing. However, if you do come across anything, confiscate it and return to me at the end of the fight. I have succeeded in taking down the door. Officers, command your group and your group only. If you see any high members, such as Auroch or Isaac, take them out as soon as possible."
The entire group nodded, but then Dante spoke again.
"Felix, you wish to assassinate Isaac, right?" Dante said, turned towards Felix, in the front row. "Do so. Only focus on him. Search for him. Kill him."
"Thank you, sir. I have something I must settle with him," Felix said, bowing. He readied his Sol Blade at his side.
"Troops, LET'S DO THIS!!!"
The entire army shouted out in unison, "DARK PALADINS!!!" They charged at the HQ, swords and staves held high. The soldiers screamed liked barbarians.
All the spell casters began to launch spells at the HQ; Fume, Beam, Flare, Fireball were some from Mars, Venus cast Quake, Spire, and Gaia, to name a few. Jupiter and Mercury sent out Plasma, Douse, Whirlwind, and Frost, but that was only the beginning of their terror.
The walls of the HQ began to crumble. The combined might of all the spells, as well as the fury of djinn was too much. Venus Psynergy tore apart the foundation, Mercury liquefied and froze the stone, Jupiter blew it over, and Mars burned the remains to a crisp. The entire attack rallied all the troops, and they began to shout even louder.
Things did not look good for the Silver Sages.
The attackers headed in, killing as many as possible. Many lives were lost to the steel blades. The assault continued on, annihilating the forces. The Silver Sages retaliated as best as possible, but resistance was futile.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Auroch was doing his best to cope with the attacking forces. He hastily sent out his troops, giving them skimpy orders to just satisfy the defense for one more minute. The soldiers headed out into the fray, representing the Silver Sages.
The Dark Paladins conquered on.
"Auroch, what the hell are we supposed to do?!?!" Isaac screamed out. Everything was in turmoil. Everyone was panicked.
"I don't know! I don't know! Nobody was expecting this!" Auroch screamed back. He was extremely worried about everything.
"Well do something, YOU MORON! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!"
"But what? THERE'S A FREAKING ARMY OUT THERE!!!"
"YOU IDIOT!!! SUMMON IRIS! YOU MORON! YOU IDIOT!!! SUMMON THE FREAKING SUMMON!!!!" Isaac screamed out. Veins began to pop out of his neck.
"What the… oh yeah… I do have Iris! I'll go summon it now," Auroch said calmly, as if nothing had happened.
Isaac wore a face of disbelief. He slouched, and couldn't believe how stupid Auroch was acting. He shrugged.
Auroch ran out, the entire building crumbling. He had to dodge the falling stones. Everywhere he went he saw soldiers fighting. Some Dark Paladins tried to take Auroch out, but he easily fended them off with his sword. He then came to the battleground.
It was pure hell.
Blood and body parts were flying everywhere. The two sides were fighting viciously. The spell casters were casting the most terrible spells, killing large masses of people. Physical fighters on both sides were hacking everybody up. The djinn users were wreaking havoc, destroying insurmountable lives.
Auroch stayed back. He began to untie his djinn pouch. He then took out four of his Mercury djinn and nine of his Mars. Dante saw what Auroch was doing. Dante ran as fast as he could, but his troops continued to fight. Dante was now gone.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I've finally found you… Isaac."
Isaac turned around. His jaw dropped in disbelief at what he say.
"F-Felix?" Isaac said, slightly trembling.
"Yes. It is me," Felix said. He slowly unsheathed his Sol Blade. "I've got something to settle with you."
"What? What? Felix, what's going on? What did I do?" Isaac said. He had now pulled out his weapon, the Gaia Blade [NOT the Legendary one] and was holding it by his side.
"You know what you did. I will never forgive you," Felix said. He had now crossed his sword in front of his body, in a fighting pose.
"No I don't! Just tell me what the hell is going on!" Isaac got into a fighting pose as he spoke, sword crossed in front.
"Saturos… Menardi…" Felix said softly. Isaac could not hear him. Felix had his head bent. He suddenly snapped his head up. His eyes glared at Isaac with a look of hatred. Without warning, he charged.
Felix dashed at Isaac, his sword outstretched high in the air. He brought it down on the unsuspecting Isaac. With pure instinct, Isaac managed to parry the attack. The two metal blades clanged, sending a chill through the competitors. Felix quickly spun to the left and tried to strike Isaac, but Isaac had mimicked Felix. Felix's sword met Isaac's, creating another clang. They were engaged in fierce combat. The sound of metal on metal filled the room.
Felix pulled at stab at Isaac, but Isaac pulled a back flip off. He landed a few feet back. Felix charged at the crouching Adept. Isaac valiantly jumped straight into the air, causing Felix to trip and fall. He angled his sword so it was pointing straight down. He would pierce straight through Felix. Luckily for Felix, he regained his senses and rolled out of the way.
Again, the two clashed weapons. The duel became more and more intense. Isaac and Felix had now locked swords. They were pushing with all their might to overcome the other. Isaac had prevailed. He pushed Felix onto the ground. Before Felix could retaliate, Isaac ran up to the downed Felix. He pointed his sword right at Felix's throat. He gently pushed down.
"Don't move," Isaac said fiercely. He was burning with rage. Felix just stared back. They stayed silent for minutes.
Then Felix made his move. He snaked backwards slightly and bucked out, like a disturbed donkey would kick at the victim. He managed to knock Isaac's sword out of his hand. Felix followed up and punched Isaac strong in the face, knocking him down. Felix ran out of the building.
Isaac lay on the ground, his face bloody and bruised.
"What the hell?" Isaac said. He could not believe what was happening.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Auroch released his djinn. The creatures flew to the sky right above the battleground. The djinn combined their powers and collided. Iris was being called.
The area where the djinn had combined turned into a small ball of light. Beams of intense, white light began to flow from the sky and crash into the ball of light. The ball increased rapidly in size. Auroch had to squint to see what was happening.
The ball transformed into a magnificent girl. She had a long dress bursting with colors. Her beauty was unmatched. All the fighters stopped and looked at the outstanding sight. They looked in awe as she began her attack.
Iris called upon a huge number of white beams. They struck all the Dark Paladins in the area. The soldiers screamed as they were floating high into the sky. The maiden ascended higher, brining her prey with her. Within a matter of minutes she was deep in space. She was a very short distance away from an extremely bright star. Focusing her energy, she sent her victims flying straight towards the star. They hurtled towards the ball of fire at an extreme speed. Upon impact red shockwaves were created, along with massive explosions. Every single one of the once alive Dark Paladin in the battleground was now dead. Iris had worked her offensive magic, now she needed to tend to her defensive side. She fluttered down to the battleground and looked solemnly at the fallen and wounded soldiers.
She raised her hands and sang a prayerful song. Her voice was truly stunning. As she sung, she moved her arms in patterns. A golden light had been brought force. The light swept across the area, fully healing and reviving every Silver Sage in the vicinity.
Then she disappeared.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The entire Silver Sages headquarters was in ruins. Auroch was thankful all the lives that had been lost were regained, but there was the matter of location at hand. Where would everyone go?