Chapter 3: Unusual Aid
"Surprised?" Alcaster asked as the heroes were speechless over it. "I found him limping by and he collapsed instantly. So not wanting a frozen corpse to be seen, I brought him in and treated his wounds. Bed rest is what he needs now."
"You think we can speak to him once he recovers?" Evan asked. "Maybe tomorrow. Now, since you came all the way here, I'll get dinner ready for you all including myself." Alcaster left the room as, "I am most surprised that Von Leon is out of his castle." said Shade. "Yeah. Not to mention he's formerly one of the Black Mage commanders." said Aran. "And one of the strongest." said Luminous. "But...what was he doing here? What happened to him?" Evan asked. "I think a great battle took place and he's involved Master." Mir answered. "Maybe. But we'll soon find out tomorrow." said Evan when Alcaster showed up. "I've prepared tomato soup and bread. Come, let's eat together."
"Right. I'm starving." said Phantom as the heroes left the room. Dinner took place and after that, the heroes went to an inn near Alcaster's residence to rest for the night
The next day...
"The inn was pretty comfy." Phantom spoke first. "And that's why you paid the innkeepers handsomely." said Evan. "When you spent your life stealing treasures, you can afford almost anything!" Phantom replied. "Classic." Luminous sarcastically exclaimed as they reached Alcaster's house again. They soon got in as the archmage is seen seated down reading a book. "If you want to see this Von Leon, he's still asleep but you can wait inside for him."
"Thanks Alcaster." Luminous thanked him as the heroes entered the spare bedroom.
Inside, they can see Von Leon sleeping. "Master...his frown is so intimidating." Mir described. "Calm down Mir. We wait." Evan replied.
A few minutes later, "Where...Where am I?" All looked to see him wake up. He then saw the heroes. "What the..." He looked around and, "Ah..."
"You haven't recovered yet from your wounds and Aran has your sword in case you try to make your move on us despite your condition." Evan spoke first. "You were last seen limping and you collapsed. Now, we need to know what happened."
"You're wasting your time. Leave me." Von Leon replied. "Look, we need answers on why you got crippled out of your castle in which we know you never came out right?" Phantom brought up as, "Shut up. It's none of your business! Now leave me!" Von Leon ordered as his cold and heartless behaviour is starting to act up. "How can we leave when we came here to help?" Evan asked. "I don't need your help! I just..." He sighed for a moment. "There's no other option I guess."
The heroes said nothing for a few seconds. Von Leon sighed again. "Someone known as the Black Witch attacked my castle. The monsters defending it were forced into submission by her magic. I attempted to drive her out but she was too powerful especially when the monsters are under her command. I fought my way out knowing I could not defeat her in battle and even though I was struck down many times."
"And that's where you limped your way out and to this village." Shade finished his story. "Once I recover, I'm gonna reclaim the castle and drive that wicked witch out for good!"
"We'll help you." Evan declared. "WHAT?" Everyone exclaimed. "I can't believe you want to help someone who once served the Black Mage!" Phantom exclaimed. "True. With his demise, my connection is no more and thus, I remain in my castle alone and cold-hearted." Von Leon replied. "This is why it's none of your business."
"But-"
"You have what you came for. Now leave. NOW!"
All were speechless for a moment. Then, "Please Von Leon. I know you still want to do as usual but for once, you need our help and..." Evan then could not say it but he can tell something's up, "The Black Witch...did she..."
"She put a curse on one of us. Right now, she's in deep slumber and if we don't save her by sunset...she'll be...no more." The thought of Mercedes made Evan feel emotional as the others watched and, "Wait..." Von Leon sat up as he looked at Evan directly in his eyes for a moment. He then gestured him to come closer. "You love her do you?" He asked quietly.
He nodded as he wiped his tears. "I can see it now. Your love is strong. As strong as mine in the days when Ifia and I were happy and together." He then sighed again. "How did this happen?"
The story is told as, "I see..." Von Leon then looked at the heroes. "Getting to my castle will be difficult. The Black Witch may have used her magic to alter the access points in the castle because while I was fleeing past the castle gates, she shut them close magically. You're gonna have to be smart to make your way to the throne room. This is where I fought her and escaped from the area. And through the vision you saw in Orbis, that spinning wheel is likely hidden in the castle. Tread carefully when exploring, all the monsters under her submission have become more violent and aggressive."
"Anything else?" Evan asked. "If I recall, by the time I left castle, I may have dropped the keys but I don't recall where. It can unlock all the entrances but knowing that she used the magic to alter them, you're gonnna need some alchemy to enchant the keys." Von Leon replied and he spoke to Evan quietly. "That is all. I hope you can save the woman you love, Dragon Master."
"Thanks. We'll also help you reclaim the castle." Evan replied. Von Leon just nodded and, "Now leave. I need to be alone." All nodded with respect and left the room. "Why...Why am I feeling this? For once I'm helping my enemies? Or what if...
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"I have much to ponder..."
Outside...
"Von Leon said he dropped the castle keys along the way during is escape. Right master?"
"Right Mir. We find the key first and then, use alchemy on it. After that, we storm Von Leon's castle and confront Eleanor." Evan briefed the team. "I wonder, what convinced Von Leon to help us?" Phantom asked. "Because you seem to make him see reason in something. I wish I knew..."
"Chill Phantom. As long as he helped us, it's all good." said Evan. "Right. Aran and I will find the key. You guys can sit back." Shade stated as he and Aran nodded at each other and dashed through the snow and out of the village.
A minute later, "They're back!" Luminous noticed as the duo returned and Shade is holding onto a set of keys. "Perfect! Now let's these babies enchanted. The village alchemist, Hana can work her skills on it. I'll go and see her now." Phantom took the keys from Shade and left the group. "He better not take long unless he's being a chick magnet again." said Luminous.
A few minutes later, "All done!" Phantom handed the castle keys to Evan as, "Thanks for the rose Master Thief!" From behind, Hana waved at him and he winked back. "At a time like this..." Luminous groaned as, "We have what we came for. Ready to storm the castle?" Evan asked the heroes. "Oh yeah. Let's do this!" Aran declared as she swung her polearm. "Lively I see." Maha thought from inside the weapon. "We got your back Evan." said Shade. "Yeah. Save the Queen of Elves and defeat the Black Witch." said Phantom. "And we'll do it together as a team." said Luminous. "Great! Let's go!" Evan declared as all cheered and Mir breathed fire melting a snowman that some kids were building. "Was that necessary Mir?" A stunned Evan asked.
Hours later...
"We have arrived master." said Mir as all looked at the castle. Still the same in appearance and with the cold around it. "Von Leon wasn't kidding. The access points sure look different." said Phantom as Evan used the keys and the gate opened right before them and inside, are hordes of monsters. "And they've spotted us." said Luminous as they growled and charged when Aran and Shade jumped forward and unleashed their attacks. Ice and spirits thrashed a bunch of them but there's more to come. "You guys go ahead! Shade and I can be a 2 man army against those monsters!" Aran called out as she unleased a rolling wave on some Reindeers and Blood Reindeers.
"C'mon! We got no time to lose!" said Luminous as he used Sylvan Lance on some Prison Guard Rhinos and Pressure Void on some Prison Guard Boars. Phantom launched magic cards onto some Bearwolves and when a Castle Golem is sent in to battle, Evan and Mir took it down with Mir unleashing his Dragon Breath incinerating the golem to smithereens. "Go guys! We're counting on you to wreck that witch!" Aran called out as she bashed a Grey Vulture with her polearm. "Remember to find the spinning wheel and destroy it so that Mercedes can be saved!" Shade called out as he unleashed spirit attacks on some Crocky Gatekeepers.
"You heard them! Let's go!" Luminous cleared the way using Spectral Light onto multiple enemies. With the way open, they entered the castle while Aran and Shade fought on.
As they went inside, "Hold on Mercedes...we'll definitely save you!" Evan thought as the battle continues...
To Be Continued...