An

Noel: 35

Wears his default clothes

Chapter 32

A mage's Ordeal

Fieta Camp

middle of the night

3rd PoV

Elsword mediating on a hill facing to the horizon. He was sleeping when he sudden woke up in a cold sweat and since then hasn't been able to sleep. The only thing that ran through his head was his sister, Elesis.

He entered his inner realm. Regulus was laying on his stomach with his paws crossed to use as a pillow for his head. "Look whose here." He said opening his mouth for words to come out.

"Just thought i would take my mind off my sis." He said and looked around place. The ground was still a dark grey with cracks in it, but still had broken weapons littered all over it.

On the Shrine was Durendal in its sheath standing up right. "Hmph, well what do you want to do now." Regulus eyes him. "I'm sure you know that we will be fighting that wyvern later. Any advice?" He asked and Regulus huffs.

"Wyverns? tch those damn baby dragons. All they have is speed. Compared to a dragon, a wyvern is just faster. You have to catch it off guard first." He says.

"That's pretty much common sense to have a sneak attack to have a higher advantage." Regulus put his paw on Elsword's head and wiggled it. "Well then make it happen. If you really want to win, take out its wings. When those are gone, its flightless and mortally wounded." He says.

"Ah i see. Ah since I'm here, i might as well get toknow you better." Elsword says and Regulus removes his paw from his head and closed his mouth. He stared at him for a while before opening his mouth again to speak.

"I was second of seven. Like i said before, i am the embodiment of Pride and domination." He says laying his head back on his paws. "Is that all?" Elsword rose an eyebrow. "That is all." He said simply.

"I see, well then." Elsword jumped on Regulus's head and sat down. "What are you doing." He asked tilting his head up. "Bonding, we are sharing a body you know." Elsword said laying in the mane. "Tch, whatever." He said and layhis head back down.

"Ah yes. Remember that power i granted to you when you almost died." Regulus says and Elsword nods. "That was me pouring my energy though your body to keep you alive. In simpler terms i combined partly with your body. That is why your body is still changing."

"It may be possible to invoke that power when ever you need. Also you still need to practice the reinforcement technique." He says nudging Elsword's head with his paw. "You sound like a parent." Elsword said and Regulus stirred his head a bit. "You sound like a brat."

"Seems like someone needs you. Go now." He said and Elsword jumped off. "Ok then see you tonight." He said and Regulus clicked his teeth. "Again? you have your friends." He says grumpy. "Also you should take time to craft your own techniques. You can not keep using these simple arts." Elsword nods and then allowed himself to return to reality.

But before he did, he heard Regulus snicker.

Raven's PoV

I found Elsword in a criss cross position on a hill. He must have been meditating. I shook him and he woke and when he opened his eyes, he shot up.

I looked at him and he turned around. "Is it time?" His teeth seemed a bit sharper then when i first met him... What happened now.

"Yea, its briefing time, but you should go shower. You seem, wild." I pat his back and he nods and left to the shower area.

While Elsword showered me and Rena went to go get the info from Lento. They said that they will build magic cannons that will be able take out its wings. The shots will be magical and have ensnaring magic imbued in them.

The only downside is, we will need to find the materials to build seven cannons. So we need something that was strong enough to handle the magic power.

We went back and informed them of it but didn't find anyone in the tent. We checked the back and saw Eve straddling Elsword. She had one hand on his chest and the other on his forehead.

"What are you-" i asked but Aisha shushed me. Eve's eyes were glowing blue and she seemed like she was really focused. After five minutes, she stopped and her eyes went back to normal.

"So?" Aisha asked. "It seems like your change has went up by 4%. It is still unidentifiable however." She says and Elsword opens his eyes. "Ah ok." He says and pats her thigh for her to get up.

Spiraling Corridor

We decided we would try and find Trent's body to use as the material of the cannon. Aisha will fortify it with her spell with the help of Rena.

It was a simple walk since the guards keep the place away from glitters and other anomalies. We just had to extract and retrieve his material on his armor.

It was me and Elsword. Aisha, Eve and Rena stayed back to help Allegro with the preparations for the cannon.

When we got to the end we saw a man sitting on a pile of minerals. He was playing his lute while humming to the tone of it.

"Hello?" Elsword said and the man stopped but didn't face us and kept his head down. "Break, Terra Spear." Elsword grabbed me and jumped to the side. The ground where we were standing suddenly shot out spikes. What the...

"Heee? so you can sense it huh, didnt think you were at that level. Guess i under-" He began but Elsword shot a fire ball him. He spun his lute and dosed out the fire.

"So no incantation huh? impressive but that takes out alot of power out of the technique." He says again with a smirk. "Who are you." Elsword asked. "A wandering bard. Noel." He says but i know he was more than that. He has twin blades on his back so he must be a warrior.

"Cmon lets keep going, your interesting. You too." Well if he wants a two v one then i guess he wants an early grave.

"Mold, Rock Hive!" Noel makes a sign with his hand. His index and middle finger were held by his thumb and his rung and pinky finger stick out.

The ground around us began shoot out in pillars and collapse around us. I charged my sword and swung it to create a shockwave. The shockwave destroyed the pillars but then more came.

Me and Elsword jumped out if its range. Elsword clasped his hands. "Sing, scorching lantern!" the flame balls homed in on Noel but he made a motion and the pillars came to block it.

He then practically vanished from our sights and reappears in front of me. "Blind him, Illumination." What the- a bright light came from behind him. Damn it i have to shut my eyes.

I covered my eyes with my arm. I swung my blade behind me and felt it blocked. Seems he wanted to sneak attack. I jumped away to avoid him.

Elsword created a light blade and swung it at Noel. Noel used his lute to block it and smirked. "Your using some goid arts but they can't be used with maximum if you still use those signs." Its like he was teaching Elsword and i was just Elsword's study buddy.

He pushed Elsword off and made that same hand sign from before. "Head hunter!" He slammed his hands on the ground and small quacks traveled to Elsword. I charged him and forced him out of his technique.

"Burn, flame shot." Several fire balls were shot in a straight line. Noel managed to evade all them and landed down. "Seems that hand sign has something to do with your power." I say and he smirks.

"You stay back. I wanna fight this one." He says to Elsword. Seems like he's testing us, but for what.

I charges him and entered a close combat. He managed to parry most of strikes with his lute and had to dodge a few. He then grabbed my arm and slung me over with strength similar to Elsword's.

I landed on the wall and bounced back. He used his lute to block my aerial swing and pushed me away. I landed on the ground and shot another shockwave at him.

He examined it a bit before dodging it by jumping. Perfect. I jumped up with my sword ready to slice his head off. People always dodge linear attacks by jumping.

I swung at his head going for the kill but then, he just vanished. Like he materialized and vanished. I landed down and looked around. "Whew, won't lie you almost had me." He was in front of me. How...

"Well i see now you don't use the sage energy, but almost as strong as Valak and Edan. Not as strong to the point where you could fight them on even terms, but you on the right track."

Huh, i heard of those two back when i used to live in Velder, they were the best freelance knights the kingdom had to boast. I admire them but really Edan since his attacks were always precise and fast.

"Now then. I think i see the gist of this." He says scratching his chin. "Now boy fight me with that sword on your back. No sage arts." He says with a grin. He is underestimating Elsword again.

Elsword slowly pulls out Durendal from its sheath. Although Elsword didn't use swords since he never had one to suit him. He was pretty damn fast.

Elsword charged him and jumped up going for a downward slash. Noel smirked and held up his lute to block. The moment Durendal went into contact with his lute, it instantly broke. Noel saw this and vanished again. But

Elsword jumped to the side and swung his blade down again. Noel appeared in the spot and was surprised and drew his two blades. The blade clashed down and Noel was easily being overpowered by the sheer weight of Durendal. I once tried to lift that thing and i couldn't even lift the handle.

"Cry! Samari!" He said and the blades turned red and tried to push off Elsword but was no use. "Hey, hey, hey, hey Ill die ya know!" He said and Elsword jumped off him.

Elsword charged again and it seemed Noel was now ready. They entered a close combat with Noel shaking off Elsword strikes and Elsword blocking and counter Noel's strikes.

They then entered a clash and Elsword began to push back Noel. "...That sword is just...a big...cheat...ya know..." He said smirking. "That's why i didn't use it." He said.

"Well then, lets boost the sweat since i got a bit excited." He said with a dark smirk. "Now roar, Tamari." He says and his blades changed forms. They were now longer rapiers with a crimson hilt and pure white blade with a dark red aura.

He pushed off Elsword and charged him. Elsword waa being pushed back blow by blow. Noel had a sadistic smile on and kept going.

Noel then thrust his blade and it nicked Elsword's neck. Elsword jumped back and Noel swung and slashed his shoulder and chest. How sharp were those? Elsword seemed like he was getting pissed as i could tell he was holding back.

Elsword swung his blade up and thrust his blade into the ground and the whole ground around them crumbled. Noel waa caught off guard and Elsword slashed Noel's chest. Noel quickly jumped and snapped out of it.

"Don't test me." He aimed his sword at Noel with a dark glare. I never seen him like that before. "Ah, sorry about that, i got a bit carried away." His blades went back to normal and he sheathed them. Elsword did the same.

He then turned back and walked away. "Well i see what your capable of, ill see see again soon." He then vanished again like a silent shutter.

Velder

3rd PoV

Inside the Palace

Late Morning

Elesis, Ara and Chung were sitting on the ground exhausted. They spent the whole night fighting glitters and their tanks. It was late in the morning and they had to find a good spot to to rest and build their strength again.

"They really are...powerful yes?" Ara says exhausted. Elesis stood up when she saw shadow forming in front of them.

"So this is the reason why all my soldiers were killed." The shadow formed and it formed. It was a large black shadow with black horns and a muscular build. It then faded and out came a figure.

It was a young man who looked about 17 or 18. He wore full plate of dark grey armor. He had black shirt hair with short bangs and white eyes. His skin was tanned and had a sharp look but calming eyes. On his back was a large sword in a black sheath.

"So your the general of this place?" Elesis asked. "Yes, i am. I am Jahari, The forgiving Spriggan." He says. "Forgiving? so your merciful?" Speka says flying down next to Elesis.

"Hmph." He said and then created a black sphere in his hand. In it, showed Edan and Noah in chains along with Valak in another location."You tell me." He said simply. "Whoa, you must be strong if you can trap those guys." Speka says in amazement.

"You tell me if I'm merciful." He says then sighs. "Anyway i want to have a deal." He says and everyone perks up. "What is it?" Chung asked him.

"Its quite simple really. There is a dog out in Feita that is planning something. I want you to kill him. You kill him ill give you your friends." He said and Elesis walked over to him. "Berthe, you mean." She said and he nodded.

"Why would you request such a thing against your own kind?" Ara asked. "I, honestly could careless for war, but Ran bounded a sinister shade to my body." He says.

"I don't want to be here as much as you don't." He sighs and rubs the back of his hair. "So why do you want him dead?" Elesis asked. "He is plotting something that will prolong this whole ordeal. If i step in, Ran-" He was cut off by Ara.

"Ran! do you know him? where is he?" She bombarded him and Jahari stepped back a bit. "Yes i met him. As for where he is, He was last heard heading for Lanox." He says. Ara lowers her head.

"I beg forgiveness, please continue on." She says and he nods. "Bottom line is. I can't do anything. I want you to kill him and Joaquin." He says and closes the black sphere.

"What about you?" Speka asked and he shrugged. "Ill stay here and wait." He says and everyone looked surprised. "That's it?" Chung said. "I don't repeat myself. I have nothing else to do." He crosses his arms.

"What about that large shade we saw." Speka asked. "That was something sealed in my body. Ran knows i would leave so he sealed it in my body. It is the real general of this place." He said.

"You don't have to worry about Berthe, my bro will be there to stop him." Elesis says. "Then go help him. Ill keep the shade and glitters in check. Just leave. Ill make sure your friends are ok. Fed and all that stuff." He said.

Elesia smiled and patted his shoulder. "your alright." She said. "Yea, yea. Ill make a portal to Fieta." He made the portal to the Underground Chapel. "Just go back from the room you were in." He said and they nodded.

"Don't trick us." Elesis warned. "I hate trickery. go already I'm already in trouble just by talking to you." He pushes her in and Chung and Ara nervously went in.

Jahari looked at Speka. "You too." He motioned her to go in. "Nah ill stay with you." She says. "Why.". "Because you are interesting. A demon betraying his kind? I'm not letting you go!" She pulls out her glasses.

Jahari shudders a bit and backs away.

Fieta

Underground Chapel

Chung's PoV

We arrived a strange, ruined library. Guess that guy was telling the truth. We looked back and saw the entrance to another place. "Strange guy, why would he help us?" I asked and only got shrugs.

"Cmon, he said to go this way." Elesis seemed exited somehow. Was she from this region?

We got out and climbed the stairs. When we got up, we saw a black haired man and a red haired boy.

The red haired boy looked about my age and was a spitting image of Elesis but as a boy. "Els!" She yelled and ran over He looked up and widen his eyes. "Sis!" Oh they were siblings.

"Ah this is your is sister? I'm Raven." The man Raven held out his hand and she took it. "Cool, I'm Elesis. Thanks for looking after Elsword." She shakes back. So his name is Elsword.

"Got some friends huh." Elsword said and looked over to us. "I'm Chung." I held out my hand and he took it gladly. I could feel alot of force behind his arm. He also two scars on his chest and shoulder.

"Greetings, i am Ara of the Haan family." Ara bows in front if them. "I am Elsword. You don't have to bow." He says waving his arms out.

"What are doing here?" Elesis asked. "We are gathering materials to create a weapon for our next foe. Its a wyvern and its the last thing that stands in our way to the Shrine." He says. Whoa, they were almost to the shrine already?

"Ok lets help." She said. "Well you can tell us how you got here late-" He was cut off when he spun around by Elesis. "What the- who did this to you!" She looked at the two scars in his body. "Just a little skirmish." He said.

Fieta Camp

Evening

It was a long day today. When we got back to the camp, we found more people. Mainly, girls! jeez it was only three boys out of like eight people.

They were building cannons so i provided them some information on how to make it more stable. Not too much however since my cannon's design was special.

After that, Aisha, Rena, Elsword and Elesis started talking about what they did over the years. Elsword, Rena and Aisha really had alot of things to say on their part.

We now had to go to bed in our own tents now but i saw Rena and Aisha going into Elsword's tent. Whoa, were they all? No its none of my business.

3rd PoV

That Evening

Berthe sitting in the throne looking at the large gateway. He had already took the previous demons souls. He also managed to retrieve Durahan's armor and soul from the humans as well.

All he needed was Stark's and wait for the crew to come and kill Stark first. Then he will take his sould and return to Alter. He will then use the demons souls to reactivate the pillars as a powerhouse to revive the old towers.

The power generated will then be transferred to him. He has been taking Joaquin's risk factor drugs to be able to consume and hold the power that will be transferred to him.

"Soon, Soon i will overthrow Ran. I will rule!" Berthe shouts. His once dark blue fur was now becoming a dull, withered white. His body was also beginning to get weaker as well.

"Wait for me. I will not lose. I will rule. I will!" He roars.

Two Days Later

The Spire

The crew was walking through the spire with the new weapons. Elsword, Elesis and Chung held the cannons. Aisha and Raven were up front with Rena and Ara behind.

They finally made it to where Stark was. Stark was perched on a stone gargoyle statue. The crew got ready to attack but Stark remained still. It seemed he was intrigued by what they had brought to take him down.

He opened his mouth and spoke. "Ah, so this is what you bring to take me from the skies." He flies down in a quick motion and picks one from Elsword's grasp.

He eyes and puts it back down. "Bind magic eh? hmph you truly want to pass eh." He says and flaps his wings and take flight.

"You...could let us pass?" Chung suggested but Stark shakes his head. "I am a Guardian Not gatekeeper." He goes back to his statue. "I was summoned to guard this place. Until death, I cannont let any pass. Understand will you not?" He says and Aisha steps up.

"Why were so, animalistic before then?" She asked. "I was doing my duty. But i did not think you would be able to escape." He answers.

Aisha summons her staff and aims it at Stark. "Well then today we will relieve you of duty. You will be my familiar!" She declares and Start widen his eyes. "Hah! interesting. Yes if you can subdue me, i will yield to you. But only you will fight me. Set your cannons. Have your friends operate them but you will fight me." He says and Aisha nods.

"Ar-are you sure?" Chung asked. "Shut up! you don't know me." She snapped at him and Chung with drew. "Well sorry for worrying.." Chung said lowly.

They set the cannons where Aisha said she would need them. They were spread behind her. "Ok, im ready." She says. Stark nods and flies to her. He held out his leg in front of her. "What?" She asked. "This is a gesture my kind uses for spar to ensure no hard feelings will ensure after the battle." He says. Aisha places he hand on his claw and nods.

Stark glowed and then changed the platform. Elsword, Rena and Elesis were operating the cannons.

"Now let us begin!" Star roared and flew around in circle before charging Aisha.

Aisha's PoV

Stark charged at me and jumped out his way his way. He fly upward and opened his mouth to charge a magic attack.

"Rising Current" I switched to wind and swing the staff to create a vortex of wind. Stark flew out the way and swallowed his magic sphere before shooting out a blast of magic energy.

"Storm Barricade!" I switched to water and water spouted from from the water dragon head. The water formed and created a circular sphere around myself.

Stark then flew down and strikes the barrier. Ok i still have three more switches before it takes its toll on me. I have to make these next ones count. Ill stick to water for now.

I jumped away and used my fortify spell. I need to lure him when i know he will come!

He roars and sends several magic spheres at me. "Now!" I yelled and they spared no time in firing the spears. Stark dodged one but the other two got his leg and lower body.

I aimed the staff and a torrent of water came from it. It got Stark right in the stomach. Lets see if it will work now.

"Lightning stream!" I put my hand on the lightning dragon head and the lightning ran through the water. Star roared in pain and tried to get out. "Now!" I yelled and they fired again.

Stark opened his eyes and and glowed a red aura. A bright light then came. When it died down, Stark was in a red aura shield. One spear managed to get his lower wing but the other two were deflected.

The barrier dissipated and Stark landed in front of me. "Impressive. I must say." He the charged at me with his mouth open. I jumped up and activated a fire magic spell. "Meteor rain!" The fire balls came and Stark took to the skies. "Again!" i yell and two got his back.

Stark opened his mouth and created a blue magic circle. Several blast then came from it and i created another water shield.

"Lets change things up." He says and rears his head back. "Have a taste of true sage arts! Wind Style! Great windstorm Devastation!" He shot his head forward and a great wind storm came from his mouth. Damn i have to dodge somehow!

I activated my teleported my spell and teleported onto a gargoyle statue. I crouched down to brace for the impact. Oh my El...

The whole platform i was standing along with the trial we came from was gone. The whole hall was destroyed, no it was practically annihilated. Gone. No trace. If i was hit by that, i would have been gone. Even the walls have wind scratch marks on it.

I looked at Stark, he looked nervous somehow. Looks like he was scared that had hit me. Guess he does have some care.

Raven, Eve, Chung and Ara were floating up in the air. It seems he lifted them before the attack. "I did not know you possess space time magic. I apologize for my insolence." He says. He lets them down near Elsword and Rena.

"So, how are going to finish this. i can't fly..." I say. The whole place was gone. Stark thinks for a moment. "Then we will end this in one attack. Choose one attack to use in the clash. I shall use my Lightning style." Oh what a coincidence.

"Well ill use my lightning as well." I say and charge my magic. I put away my staff and held out my hands. Ill fight with my power!

""Scream! lightning Surge!"" We used the same attack and a electric beam came out of my hands and his mouth. Stark's lightning was a light blue and mines was a dark purple.

The beams clashed and Stark's beam was overpowering mines. Damn i should have studied up more on my arts.

The statue was starting to break under me. How am i going to win! I'm not strong- wait. Elsword once said to me when we were training once. "If he's stronger than me, then be smarter than them" lets hope his advice works.

I dissipated my attack and jumped forward. Stark widen his eyes and was going to stop his attack. Cmon work!

"Guys Now!!!" I screamed and they fired the spears. Everything felt like it was going in slow motion.

I teleported and the it fazed right though me. I landed on Starks head. "Lightning stream!" I used it on his head. The shock traveled from his head through out his body.

The spears his wings and he he stopped flying. We started falling down and Stark was trying to fly back up. I deactivated the spell."Submit! or we both die!" I yell to him.

He roars before speaking again. "I The flying menace Stark yields to you!" He says and our bodies glowed yellow.

3rd PoV

Everyone was looking down with anticipation. Rena was holding onto Elsword in fear. They heard a roar and then a shadow flew upward.

Stark now had a more smoother appearance. He only had two horns on his instead of row on his back. His scales went from blue to a dark purple. His body became slimmer but his chest grew broader and his wings were sharp similar to bat wings.

All his wounds had been healed and he had a X like symbol on his head. Aisha was standing on his head with a large smirk.

"Hahaha!" She laughed proudly. Rena ran over and Stark lowered his head for her to get on. Rena hugged Aisha and swung her around. "Why do you two always give me minor heart attacks." She says with a smile.

"Jeez, you guys are something." Raven wipes his head. "Agreed." Eve says after. "Thanks Stark." Rena pets his head gently. "Ah,i..." Stark was speechless. "Now how do we get up to the Alter?" Raven asked. Stark laughed a bit.

"Its funny, the only way to go further, is to fly up. This was the end if this section." He says.

Everyone climbs on his head and he roars before flying up.

"A whole dragon...whoa." Chung says but Stark roars. "I am a Wyvern not Dragon. I am not that old!" He says grumpy. "I'm sure your young enough." Elesis says. "Hey Stark. Why did say wind style? before using that wind spell."

"There are three stages of Sage arts. Stage one requires a short incantation. Second require a hand sign along with a incantation. Third is reserved for power arts that requires a long incarnation." He says.

"Whoa and your a stage 3?" Aisha said in amazement. "Each being has a different set of stage sage arts. But yes i would be considered a 3. He says and flies out the tower.

"So now, we go to Berthe." Elsword says looking at the tower. "Yea. Ready?" Elesis asked. "I am, what about you Rena." He asked her. She had a determined look in her eyes. "Im ready." She then looks to Aisha. "How about you Ai?" Aisha gives her a thumbs up.

Now for the old reunion.

ElsewhereSpeka and Jahari were looking out through a black sphere. "So, this is Ran huh" Speka says as she observes him.

Ran had dark purple plate armor with black chain mail under. He had a blood red sword by his side. He had White hair with red eyes and his skin was grey.

"What happened to the last ruler?" Speka asked. "Im not sure." He closes the black sphere. He leans back in his chair and closes his eyes. He opens them to see Speka observing his face.

"Don't you want to go see your friends." He suggested. "I can see them if i want. And only one of them is my friend." She says poking his face.

"Why are still here." He asked. "Hey serious question." Speka asked. He looked straight at her since he knew for the short time he met her, knew when she was serious, she was serious.

"Why do look more human than demon. Were one of your parents human?" She asked. "That is a story for another time." He says simply.

AN

Yea i decided to make a OC, i hope y'all like him. He is based on one of the bosses in the velder dungeons in game.

I gave him a real body and he will be reappearing though out story and revealing more of his back story.