Chapter 9: Timofee's Appearance
The Criterions gathered outside the guildhouse. They predicted a very busy day for them because Lestat had finally decided to take action in preparation for the war. He divided them into three groups: one for weaponry and armory, the second for recruitment, and the third for extensive battle training (since many were inexperienced). Those under weaponry and armory were led by Racio, and the group consisted of Mamyel, Warlord, and Greenarcher. Those for recruitment were led under Macky, and the group members were Shacklebolt, Miffy, and Totoy Mola (much to Miffy's dismay.). PARC led the rest under the training group.
Most of them proceeded to complete their tasks right away. Macky's group was the first to leave before Racio's. On their mustangs and zostriches, they rode off to Cove territory to recruit those from other Order guilds.
"What's taking Meryl?" Greenarcher asked Lestat worriedly as he packed a few mana potions and a communication crystal in his bag.
"I don't know." Lestat replied. "But I'm sure she's alright."
"Should I search for her?" Greenarcher asked.
But Lestat shook his head.
"No, it's best if you stay with Racio and help with the armory. You're the only one who can find Brimstone. We'll need his help."
"I understand." The archer said.
--
She had mastered it. Meryl was finally able to cast the ninth spell almost perfectly, and it quite surprised Jore'Sal that she could learn to do it at such a short time right before sunset. She had been practicing constantly on summoned chickens. Soon, she practiced on summoned dogs and horses, then finally on polar bears. Meryl had been overjoyed when Jore'Sal commended her, which was something he rarely did. Of course, he did not fail to come up with a statement to infuriate her even after complementing his lone apprentice. It always amused him so much to have her fuming at him.
Jore'Sal decided to demonstrate to Meryl the 10th Circle before nightfall. After a short rest, his apprentice found herself facing him again. The other Heretics were now in the tower, watching from the balcony.
"For now, since you have done well in performing the 9th Circle at such a short time, I will demonstrate to you the 10th Circle magic attack, Holy Light. This is so you would have an idea about what kind of spell it is before I officially begin teaching it to you tomorrow." Jore'Sal said, and Meryl nodded in reply.
"Now, the 10th Circle spell isn't really an attack although it may be used as an offensive. Rather, it is a contrast to the previous spell, the Ethereal Nightmare. The 10th Circle, Holy Light, is used more for defense. It is used to counter or to protect either yourself or someone else from the Ethereal Nightmare."
The leader of the Heretics pulled and held out some reagents from his bag and aimed at his apprentice.
"I will use the spell on you." He said. "Don't even think of running away no matter what happens." He added in such a forceful tone that it made Meryl shudder.
Concentrating on her, Jore'Sal recited another unfamiliar chant. The reagents disintegrated, and a golden white light the shape of a curved stick formed from the hand that held them. He gripped the glowing object, holding it as if he were holding a bow, and he took an arrow from his quiver. The arrow also began to glow splendidly with golden white radiance and it made Meryl watch with awe.
"When the spell is properly casted," The master began, "It takes the form of the weapon of your skill. In my case, it is a bow. For you, since you're a swordswoman," He thought for a moment, "I'd say it's a cleaver!" And he gave his apprentice his usual smile of mockery.
Meryl glowered at him, trying her best to control her sudden burst of anger.
"One of these days, Master…." She muttered. "Just one of these days…"
Her eyes widened when she watched Jore'Sal load the bow, aiming at her. The Criterion's anger faded as unease poured within her. The arrow's glaring light made her take one step back.
"W-What are you going to do?" Meryl asked nervously.
But Jore'Sal gave an answer that did not put her at ease.
"Don't move."
He released the arrow and it traveled through the air at an incredible speed. Meryl, knowing all too well that she had no time to evade it, closed her eyes and held her arms in front of her, shielding herself from the arrow's blinding light. She waited for that moment when it would penetrate her chest and pierce her heart. But much to her surprise, instead, the arrow shattered like a mirror dropped on the ground. The shards glittered around her like magical powder, and the young Criterion opened her eyes just in time to catch a glimpse of the blessed light.
She was suddenly strengthened and relieved of all fatigue, as if she had just awakened from a full night's sleep. It was then that Jore'Sal spoke.
"Yes, the 10th Circle heals all injuries and strengthens the weakened. It can also be used as support, defense, or attack. But as an attack, it can only affect evils and those consumed with darkness. That is why the arrow shattered when it made contact with you. You, being a loyal member of the Criterions, possess a pure and clean soul that my arrow has nothing in you to destroy."
"I see." Meryl said, now understanding why her master had released an arrow at her.
Jore'Sal gave his apprentice a warm smile.
"Come. Tomorrow will be another busy day for you." He said as he walked to his tower.
Meryl grinned back and followed, looking forward to tomorrow's practice.
--
The sun's rays disturbed her. Though her eyes were closed, Meryl could still see the golden light through her eyelids. It took a while before she finally opened them and she glanced out the window beside her bed. It was sunrise.
Meryl got up from the bed and listened hard if any of the Heretics were awake. She was satisfied with the silence and glad that she had awoken before Jore'Sal, or else he would have been the one waking her up by throwing a tub of cold water over her. Changing into her Rose armor, she prepared her bag and packed a few more mana potions and reagents. She left the room and strolled down the stairs as quietly as she could.
Meryl left the tower and felt herself relax as she inhaled the cool, morning air. It had been a very long time before she felt this kind of peace.
"IN POR YLEM!"
A fiery arrow coursed through the morning air and knocked the Criterion off her feet. Meryl looked up to see who had attacked her, and found Kyo, in Bloodrock armor, chuckling a few meters away.
"Good morning, Meryl!" He said, smiling mischievously.
Meryl stood up, dusting herself off, and grinned back sarcastically at her attacker.
"You've been around Jore'Sal for too long…" She said.
Kyo laughed.
"No," he said, "You're just someone I find amusing."
"Is that so?" Meryl replied, returning a mischievous grin.
She gripped the hilt of her sword.
"Then prepare yourself!"
Meryl charged towards Kyo, unsheathing her weapon. Kyo reacted just in time and blocked her attack with his battle axe of Force. Backing away, Meryl swung her sword again, but her opponent quickly evaded it. He countered with his axe but the Criterion was lighter and quicker, and she dodged the blow as she pulled out some of her reagents.
"Des Mani!" She chanted.
Kyo felt the weight of his axe and armor pull him down, making him slightly more vulnerable. But he held on tightly to his axe and fiercely swung it diagonally at Meryl. She parried his strike with her sword and spun behind him, kicking him at the back. Kyo stumbled and fell to the ground.
"Having fun?" Meryl asked, smirking.
Kyo sneered as he stood up.
"I'm just getting started!"
He held up his axe and charged towards Meryl. Using her sword, Meryl blocked the attack, but the force of Kyo's blow made her take a few steps back. She held on, keeping the axe from making contact with her, but the Heretic was slowly overpowering her. There was a sudden whisper that traveled through Meryl's ears and made her blink.
"Did you hear that?" She asked.
"Hear what?" Kyo gave her confused look.
Both warriors suddenly felt themselves freeze and they dropped their weapons. They were caught in a paralyze field.
"ARGH!" Kyo yelled.
"Paralyze field!" Meryl cried.
"Well, I didn't expect to catch both of you there." A deep, cold voice said. "I must be fortunate this time."
Kyo and Meryl looked around for the one who had spoken.
"Who are you? Show yourself!" The Heretic yelled.
"As you wish…" The voice replied.
A shadow platemail armored man on a zostrich appeared in front of them. Meryl and Kyo's jaws dropped when they recognized their attacker. It was one of Urumi's trusted ally; a notorious murderer in Britannia: Timofee.
"You!" Meryl exclaimed.
"Release us at once!" Kyo said furiously. "It's only daybreak and you're already up to your murderous antics!"
Timofee smiled evilly.
"We're at war here. And we'll do whatever it takes to make sure we emerge victorious. Besides, worry about your own life. I came here for the Criterion's head."
"What!" Meryl exclaimed.
Timofee let out a small, malicious laugh.
"A Criterion lost is a moment of joy gained." He replied coldly, and drew his weapon.
Meryl struggled to be free from the field but failed. She glanced up at Timofee, who prepared to give her a finishing strike. But before he could swing his sword, an arrow zipped through the air towards him. He jumped away in time and the arrow exploded when it hit the wall of the tower.
"Lord Jore'Sal!" Kyo exclaimed with relief.
Meryl turned her head and found the shooter, the fierce leader of the Heretics. He glared angrily at Timofee.
"You will touch her with not an inch of your filthy blade!" He growled. "And you have a lot of nerve showing yourself here without any comrades!"
Timofee chuckled in amusement.
"Do you take me for a fool?" He said. "I did not come alone."
The trees suddenly rustled and from their shadows emerged creatures most warriors feared. Each of the green, scaly lizardmen hissed as they stomped their way towards the field, carrying spears and maces. They hungered for flesh and blood, drooling at the sight of Kyo, Meryl and Jore'Sal.
"Lizardmen?" Kyo exclaimed.
"They're not just any lizardmen! They look tamed!" Meryl followed.
Kyo and Meryl could not believe it. No one they know could tame lizardmen. These types of creatures were too wild to tame even for one of the greatest animal tamers, Totoy Mola.
"How do you like our new army, Jore'Sal?" Timofee snickered.
The leader of the Heretics did not move but he continued to glare at him.
"Now you're the one who's outnumbered." Timofee said evilly.
"No." A deep, feminine voice said firmly.
Behind the paralyze field, three Heretics stood with their weapons drawn: Smoke, Xylotyl, and Nightflame.
"This is an even fight." She added.
"Amusing..." Timofee said with a malicious grin and turned to his reptilian soldiers. "Kill them."
The lizardmen hissed and waved their weapons in the air before charging towards their prey. Jore'Sal withdrew his bow and unsheathed his sword, readying himself for battle. The paralyze field was about to fade, and Meryl struggled to be free as Timofee dashed towards her with his weapon raised. But before he could reach her, Jore'Sal intervened and both were soon engaged in battle.
Smoke, Xylotyl, and Nightflame were not having an easier time. Wherever they turned, a lizardman charged towards them.
"Xylotyl!" Kyo yelled. "We could use a little help here!"
Xylotyl turned to Kyo and Meryl, who were still struggling to be free from the disappearing paralyze field, while a lizardman approached them, preparing to strike with its mace.
Quickly pulling out his reagents, Xylotyl aimed at Kyo and chanted, "In Por Ylem!"
A fiery arrow struck Kyo and threw him out of the paralyze field. As he landed on the ground, he grabbed his own reagents and chanted while aiming at the lizardman.
"An Ex Por!"
The enemy froze on the spot, hissing and cursing Kyo for preventing it from killing the Criterion.
"Thanks, Kyo." Meryl said.
"Don't mention it!" He replied as he charged behind her and tackled her out of the paralyze field. She fell forward at the feet of the frozen lizardman.
"Sorry about that." Kyo apologized with a grin. He held up his axe and struck down the nearest lizard.
Rolling her eyes, Meryl picked up her sword from the ground and stood. She faced her paralyzed foe and held up her weapon. The lizard hissed as she glared at it with rage and she thrusted her sword through the reptile's chest.
"One down…" She said as she pulled out her now bloody blade. The lizard fell to the ground, dead, and its blood flowed from the wound.
Another lizard with a long spear came dashing towards her from behind. Sensing this, Meryl moved with agility and evaded the lizard's attack. Her foe quickly turned and thrusted its spear a few times, trying to stab her, but Meryl also dodged each of the blows. She parried the last attack with her sword and swiftly spun forward. She cut the lizard through its belly with her sword and blood spurted on the ground.
"Two down." She said.
Timofee noticed the decreasing number of his lizardmen, much to his surprise. Blocking all of Jore'Sal's attacks, he parried the last and kicked Jore'Sal away.
"You're fortunate this time." He said sharply. "You may have won the battle but the war isn't over yet."
With that, he called the rest of the lizardmen and pulled out his reagents.
"Vas Rel Por." Timofee chanted.
A moongate opened before him, and he and the lizardmen entered it. Before long, all of the invaders have gone and the moongate closed.
Jore'Sal took a deep breath and sighed.
"Cowards…." He said.
He turned to the rest.
"Is anyone hurt?"
"No problems here, Lord Jore'Sal. Just a few light injuries." Nightflame replied.
"I'm fine here, too." Kyo added.
"Meryl?" Jore'Sal asked as he turned to the Criterion.
Meryl pulled out a piece of cloth and wiped the blood clean off her weapon before sheathing it.
"I'm alright." She replied with a small smile.
"Good." The leader of the Heretics said. "Everyone, I have made a change of plans."
Meryl and the rest of the Heretics looked up at him, alarmed.
"We will leave immediately for the Criterion base. Prepare yourselves now, and contact the others."
"Yes sir." The Heretics replied and entered the tower.
Meryl remained where she was, confused.
"I haven't learned the 10th Circle yet." She said.
"There's no time. It is best for you to return to them now. The Criterions will need you and Urumi's forces are getting stronger. The longer the delay, the weaker we become against her."
Meryl hesitated, and then nodded.
"Alright."