Chapter 4

Mission Trouble

Nova sighed as a boar roars and sends Asta flying in the air. He lands on the ground and starts running as a boar starts to chase him. These were huge boars with fire on their fur.

"Well, I found the boar. It's huge!" Asta yelled as the boar continues to chase him. Asta screams. "That's no regular boar, though! This guy's using magic and everything. Asta is sent flying in the air again.

"And there he goes again." Nova said. Noelle sighed. Magna was sitting near a tree leaning against it. "Magna, don't you think we should be helping him?"

"I'm not doing anything until I've rested up a little." Magna said. Nova and Noelle turned to look at Magna. "You know how much work it was flying you two out here? It took a whole freaking lot of magic and muscle. Asta screams as he is sent flying in the air. Nova flinched. "Eh, It'll be okay. Our Rasta's a sturdy guy."

"Yes, but..." Noelle started.

"If you're so worried, then go help him. I ain't gonna stop ya." Magna said. Nova shook her head and turned to watch Asta with her hand on her Grimore. She felt bad for Asta as he is thrown another time. That can't be good on his body. Noelle and Nova ran to help as Asta is cornered. Noelle gets her book ready as she produces a water spear. She sends it flying and it hits Asta instead.

"Why me?" Asta yelled. The boar hits him in the air. Nova's book floats by her as she sends an ice wall at the boar and hits it, knocking it off its feet into the wall.

"Nice, Nova." Magna said. Asta pulls out his sword as the Boar gets up and gets ready to charge the sisters. He slashes at at it.

"I got you now." Asta said. He slashes it again, knocking it out cold. Asta was panting. "Finally finished him off!" Magna came over.

"You got him. Not bad, runt. But. The fun's not over yet." Magna said, pointing. Asta turns and Nova sighs. More boars were standing there. Asta gets ready.

"Ice Magic. Ice capture!" Nova said, bringing ice up and freezing all the boars.

"Good work. Both of you." Magna said. Magna unfreezes them with his fire. "Let's get these boars to the village." Magna lifted one onto his shoulder and Asta carried the others on his shoulder.

"Can you carry them?" Nova asked.

"I'm strong. I can do it." Asta said. They start walking towards the village. Noelle and Nova walked between the two.

"Now that's what I call good hunting." Magna said.

"Another display of your freakish strength." Noelle said as Asta was panting with the boars he was carrying.

"Please! A few of these pigs is nothing. Child's play!" Asta said.

"Show off." Nova said. Noelle nodded.

"You really are something else. And Nova. I like your magic." Magna said.

"Its part of it. But thank you." Nova said.

"Well, if this doesn't please Seihi, I don't know what will. Yeah! Big piggy party tonight." Magna said.

"So, wait. The chief of Saussy Village is Seihi? He's a friend of yours?" Noelle asked.

"Yeah. Me and the old man go way back. Ya see, Rayaka Village, where I come from, isn't far from here. We're practically neighbors. I used to get into all kinds of trouble when I was a kid." Magna said.

"That doesn't surprise me with you. You seem to be a troublemaker." Nova said. Magna gave Nova a wink. Noelle didn't like the attention Magna was giving her sister, but her sister didn't seem to mind.

"When I got my grimoire, the sense of power totally went to my head. I flew into Saussy all cocky, thinking I was gonna take over the place or something. Boy was I wrong." Magna said. He explained how Seihi pinned him to the wall with swords after Magna tried attacking the village. He got a spanking from a sword. Nova and Noelle share looks. "Didn't stop me though. I took him on a whole buncha times after that."

"Did you even learn your lesson after he took you down those times?" Nova asked.

"Nope." Magna said. Nova sighed. "Nobody knew how to put me in my place like he did though."

"Sounds strong." Noelle said.

"Yeah." Asta said.

"Oh, he absolutely is. Matter of fact, I found out later that when old Seihi was young, he had enough power to try out for the Magic Knights. You know, he's actually the one who told me I should think about taking the entrance exam in the first place. No question, it's all thanks to him that I am who I am today. Obviously, I would up passing the entrance exam, and when I did, no one was happier than Seihi." Magna said.

"Sounds like a nice guy." Noelle said.

"You bet. I know part of the reason he came to the capital was to make a fortune that he could bring back to help improve his village, but I have a feeling he wanted to see me, too. Of course, in the end, he took me for all I had. I'll never forget that he's the one who taught me about being a real man. I wanna be as good a guy as he is someday. I respect him more than anyone except for Yam..." Magna stopped talking and came to a astop.

"What is it?" Nova said as she came up next to him.. Magna drops the boar to the ground.

"What's up? Something wrong?" Asta said.

"The hell's going on?" Magna said. He took off running. Nova ran after him. They came to a hill of the town to see mist around it. Like it was a dome shape.

"What's going on?" Nova asked as she stood next to Magna. Asta and Noelle soon joined them.

"Its around the whole village." Magna said.

"It's covered in mist." Noelle said.

"They've got some pretty weird weather around here, huh?" Asta said.

"It's not the weather. It's magic." Nova said.

"It is?" Asta asked. They head down to the road to the village. The mist was very heavy. "Wow. A magic mist."

"Trying to make it through that would be about as effective as walking around blindfolded. We'd lose all sense of direction." Noelle explained. Magna walked up to the gates.

"Magic that can completely cover an entire village. A spell this powerful didn't come from an villager. And it sure as hell ain't Seihi's magic, either. Something bad happened here." Magna said. He turned to Asta. "Hey, Asta."

"Sir!" Asta said.

"Use your sword and cut through this mist." Magna said.

"Yes, sir!" Asta said. He started walking towards the mist, but stopped. "Aw, you're just being silly, Magna. You can't cut through mist with a sword." Asta starts laughing.

"He is an idiot." Nova said.

"I'll give ya silly, ya punk! You can cut through magic with that sword of yours, can't you?" Magna asked.

"Oh, yeah." Asta said. He pulled his sword out of the grimore. "That's right." He started to slice through the mist. Magna, Nova, and Noelle followed. Magna told Asta where to go and Asta complied.

"You do know this place well." Nova said, looking at Magna.

"That's right, Princess." Magna said.

"Stop calling me that." Nova said. Magna chuckled. Asta sliced through more mist. Magic hit them, making Nova and Noelle gasp. Magna gritted his teeth.

"You feel that?" Magna asked. Nova and Noelle nodded.

"Yeah. It's magic and it's strong." Nova said.

"Straight ahead now! Be careful." Magna said.

"Right!" Asta said. He sliced through the mist. Magna looked worried as they moved foward.

"We should be in the square." Magna said. Asta slices through the mist. They gasp. Nova gritted her teeth. All the villagers were sitting on the ground. Women were holding kids, some were praying, and others were crying. They all looked like they were ruffed up. The four gasp as they saw ice hanging over the villagers.

"Ice magic." Nova said.

"Kill them." A mans voice said. The ice fell towards the villagers. Magna yells as he ran towards them with a fireball. "Explosive Schattershot!" The fireballs scatter. The villagers scream as the fireballs stop the ice. The Villagers look up as Noelle, Nova, and Asta approach. Look of relief on their faces when they see the Black Bull symbol on the capes.

"Its four of the Magic Knights."

"I can't believe they came to save us!"

"Anyone injured?" Nova asked looking around as they walked.

"No, my lady. We are just ruffed up." A old woman said.

"Magna, is that you?" A villager asked.

"Hey, Nick. What the heck's going on?" Magna asked. A kid was whimpering. Magna gasepd and Nova looked to see an old man laying with blood soaked his shirt. Magna grabs the man by the shirt and shakes him. "Hey, come on! Stay with me, old man!" Nova knelt by him and put a finger to his neck.

"Magna." Magna looks at her. Nova shakes her head with a sad look. Villagers were crying.

"No, please. He can't be gone. He was just protecting us."

"They're here just like you said, Grandpa. The Magic Knights showed up. We'll be safe now. Your prayers were heard." A yong kid said. It broke Nova's heart seeing the kid like this and witnessing his grandfather tied. A tick came and Magna turned. Nova looked to see a man sitting on the ground with three hooded figures standing around him. Nova stood up as Magna turned on the man.

"Are you the one who's responsible?" Magna said. The man had a scar down his face. He brought up a pocketwatch.

"You've thrown off my schedule. I don't appreciate that. Ten seconds from now, everyone here will die." The man said. He lifts his hand up and the Gilmoire followed him. A huge ice formed in front of the man. It moved fast towards the villagers. Nova moves to stop it but Asta runs ahead with his sword drawn. He cuts the ice ball in half. Asta lands in front of the man.

"Think again!" Asta said. The man glared at Asta. "Why would you want to do something so horrible? Who do you think you are?!" The man breaths out and Nova saw his breath. The hooded cloaks stood in silence.

'They aren't spies from another kingdom. So what the hell are they doing here?' Nova thought. The pocketwatch was clicking.

"I hadn't heard that any of the Magic Knights were going to be in the area."

"Perhaps they're here on an unofficial mission?"

"Another thing I'd like to know. How did they manage to tear their way through the mist and enter the village?"

"The Black Bulls." The man said. Nova looked at the man. "The roughest, most undisciplined, most heretical of all the Magic Knight Squads. Dealing with this riff-raff would be a waste of precious time. Five minutes." He looks at his watch then looks back up. "Now, we will dispose of these useless villagers in a manner befitting their station, and then we'll find what they came for."

"They are here looking for something?" Nova whispered to Magna. Magna gritted his teeth. "I don't like this."

"Neither do I." Magna said. Asta charges the man, sword ready.

"You really think you can ignore us?" Asta said. A hooded man lifted his hand.

"Mist Magic: Shroud. Illusory Mist." The hooded man said. The mist seemed to thicken, but Asta continued to run towards them. "If you think we will allow you to approach Master Heath so easily, you are a fool. In the mist, be lost." Asta burst through the mist, sword in the attack ready.

"You're the ones who need to get lost." Asta said. The man gasps as the villagers, Magna, Nova, and Noelle came visable again. The man named Heath didn't look surprised. "I asked you why you tried to massacre these villagers, and I want an answer now!" Heath stood up.

"In this kingdom, there are three regions, divided by inhabitants. The Noble Realm, where the nobility reside." Heath said. Nova listened closely, wondering what he was getting at. The Common Realm, where commoners live. And the Forsaken Realm."

"Yeah?" Magna asked.

"What is your point?" Nova asked.

"Saussy Village is in the Forsaken Realm. Most in this realm are of inferior stock. They're capable of performing only a few meager spells to help with the drudgery of their everyday lives." Heath said. Two kids gasp. Nova and Magna didn't look happy at his words. Nova hated when people especially royalty look down on commoners. Solid always called her out on being nice to commoners. Nova just didn't want to act like a spoiled royal. Noelle was starting to respect them but still looks down on them a bit. "They're much like beasts that cannot use tools." Asta gripped his sword tighter. "You asked why I intend to do away with the villagers. I am mearly attempting to dispose of the useless beasts that might waste my time."

"Useless Beasts!" Asta said.

"Consider yourself. You have enough magic power to have joined the Magic Knights. You must attempt to save them because that is your duty. But surely you can see what insignificant creatures they truly are." Heath said. Asta glared at the man. Nova forgot he was a peasent that came from a small village.

"You may think they're nothing but useless beasts." Asta said. He points his sword at Heath. "But I'll do whatever I have to, to protect them." People gasped.

"Intesting. These pathetic little animals are truly that important to you?" Heath said. Ice spears form in front of the man.

"I'll send that ice right back to.." Asta stopped as the hooded people lifted his hand up and steam like columns come flying towards them.

"What is this?" Noelle asked. Villagers scream as it swirls around them. Nova looked up and saw ice spears forming in the air.

"Ice and Mist Compound Magic: Endless Ice Cage. Do you imagine you can still protect your heard of beasts like this?" Heath said. Nova looked around at the ice. "I have never been particularly fond of doing things slowly but surely. However, this would seem to be most effective method." Ice spears come flying. Asta started to slash at the ice spears as they came, protecting the villagers.

"Asta!" Noelle said.

"Thaw, Ice!" Heath said. The ice disappeared. "So, it can not only cancel magic, that sword of yours can reflect it, as well. But you're a fool if you think that will defeat me." Ice surrounded Asta. "I can create wave after wave of icy fangs." Ice surrounded everyone. Nova and Magna gritted their teeth. "Go on. Let's see you protect them." The ice starts to move. Asta deflected them with one swing. Magna sent fire at the ice.

"Damn this guy!" Magna said. Nova lifted her hands and brought a wall of ice up in front of the villagers.

"Hmm. Another ice user." Heath said as the ice hit the wall. Nova felt a back collide with hers. She looked over her shoulder to see Magna behind her.

"Nova. My magic is starting to run out and Asta is running out of energy." Magna said.

"I know. I get a feeling the leader hasn't shown us everything he can do. We need to be careful." Nova said. Noelle stood by the villagers. Magna looked at the leader.

'This is turning into one hell of a mission for these three. Things are going south quick.' Magna thought.

"But if all that was enough to make me give up." Magna kept Nova behind him. "I wouldn't be a man! Here we go." He sent fire at the ice. Nova put her hand over her face to shield from the heat. "Your fellow commoner is gonna keep you safe and sound." Nova was impressed.

'He might be a commoner, but his magic is strong.' Nova thought.

"Magna." Nick called.

"How long can they hold out?" Heath asked. A water ball comes flying at them and it goes in another direction. Nova looked at her sister. She wasn't gonna stand around when people were in danger. "A Magic Knight who can't even control her magic properly? The Black Bulls must truly be desperate to have wanted this one." Nova and Noelle glared at the man. The ice wall shatters as Ice hit it hard. Nova gasped as Villagers screamed as Ice hit them. "Such fragile beasts, incapable even of protecting themselves. Forsaking them will be your salvation, Magic Knights." More Ice Spears form and start moving. "Go now, and live." Asta jumped in front of the ice.

"And abandon them? Not a chance!" Asta said. Magna sent more fire in front of the ice as Nova put a wall up in front of the villagers.

"A real man doesn't give up on anyone, no matter how bad it gets!" Magna said.

"They are innocent people. They don't deserve this." Nova said. Noelle watched in shock, not sure what to do. Magna jumped in front of Noelle.

"Stay behind us, Noelle! Nova! Protect the villagers." Magna said. More fire explodes as Ice Spears come their way. Noelle goes to back away but a kid grabs her dress.

"Miss Magic Knight, please help us!" The girl said. Noelle looked at her with tears in her eyes. "We need you!" Noelle gasped. Noelle made the decision to protect her and her Grimore opened up and a new spell started to write itself.

"Noelle?" Nova asked, noticing. Noelle looked shocked.

"A new spell?" Noelle said. The sky lights up and Nova watched in amazement as water surrounds everyone. It was a water barrier and the ice was hitting it and desolving.

'Good job, little sister.' Nova thought with pride.

"I will protect them, because I'm Royalty. What's more, I am a member of the the Black Bulls!" Noelle said. The little girl looked at Noelle with amazement.

"You're amazing." Lou said. Noelle jumped as Nova put a hand on her sisters shoulder.

"I'm proud of you. Mother would be also." Nova said. Noelle smiled. More ice hit the barrier.

"Well that wasn't difficult at all." Noelle said. Magna smiled in pride as he turned to Noelle.

"There, see? You'll never know what you're capable of until you're willing to give it a try." Magna said. Noelle gave him a smile.

"That's impossible. How can she have so much power?" Heath said. Asta got in a fighting stance and breaks through the barrier heading right for the enemy.

"I don't have a single drop of Magic Power." Asta said. He hit Heath with his sword. "But that doesn't matter. I'll still destroy you." Heath was knocked off his feet and he spit out blood.

"No! Master Heath!" THe men yelled.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Magna said.

"Did.. he get him?" Noelle asked. Heath smirked and Nova gasped seeing Asta had slipped on the ice.

"That sword of yours may be able to nulify magic, but that can only go so far when it's wielded by an ordinary human." Heath said. He landed on the ground. His grimore moved pages. "Now it's my turn to take a stab at you." Nova gritted her teeth as a huge ice column hit Asta in the chest. Asta spit out blood.

"Asta!" Nova yelled as Asta hit the ground. Heath walked towards the water barrier.

"Sleep, little fool. For all eternity. The ice shattered. Magna walks back and Nova stopped him from running into her.

"Asta." Magna said.

"There is tremendous magic power behind this spell." Heath said as he gets closer. Noelle put her arm out to protect the kids. "Still, it's just a matter of time. Lou clung to Noelle. Magna felt Nova's hands on his arm as Heath touched the water. "I ought to be able to create an entrance wide enough for at least one person to pass through. Ice formed on the water. This should take approximately 25 seconds." Heath looked at his watch. "You pesky creatures certainly do enjoy wasting my time, don't you?" Nova shiverered at the cold as the air got cold.

'Damnit. 25 seconds. That should be enough time.' Nova thought as Heath talked.

"I don't have much magic power left." Magna said as he breaths out and Nova saw his breath. Asta appeared behind him.

"I'm not done yet." Asta said.

"Too late." The Man said. Ice sheet goes flying, but Asta jumped out of the way.

"Asta!" Magna yelled.

"So, that last strike didn't kill you off. You're a tough little idiot. However, your wounds will make swinging that sword difficult." Heath said. Asta struggled to his feet. Heath had his back to Nova. Nova's grimore moved in front of her.

'Ice Magic. Ice dragon!' Nova thought. Villagers gasped as ice began to form. Noelle knew what her sister had planned as The ice formed a head.

"Uh. Master Heath." One of the followers said.

"Asta move!" Noelle yelled. Magna watched as Nova moved her hand forward. The Ice Dragon burst through the water barrier and hit the man in the back, knocking him down. It swirled but an Ice spear destroyed it. Heath turned to see Nova standing out the water.

"You use Ice against me. You know it's pointless. Why not accept that and give up?" Heath said.

"I'm a Royal. I never give up." Nova said.

"And if I gave up now, then who would protect them?" Asta asked. The villagers gasped. "I realized something. Sooner or later, I'm going to be the Wizard King. But it's not just about keeping a promise. It's about keeping people safe."

"You think you'll be the Wizard King? What an utterly ridiculous dream." Heath said. He looked at his watch. Nova was starting to get annoyed that he kept looking at the watch. "Especially considering that you'll be dead in one minute."

"That's not gonna happen, Frosty." Nova turned to see Magna come out of the water barrier. Nova's eyes widen. He was surrounded by fire. "If you wanna go after him, just try it. I'll give ya fair warning, though." The flames disappear. "In order to do that, you gotta go through me!"

"Magna. What are you doing?" Nova asked. Magna laughs.

"You and me, we're the real men here, Asta." Magna said.

"Reckless, fool. Going out of your way to die an early death. You have 30 seconds." Heath said. His men got ready. Magna grabbed Nova's arm and pushed her behind him.

"What are you doing?" Nova whispered.

"Trust me, Princess." Magna said. He looked at Heath. "Bring it on! You ready, Asta?" Asta gasped. "Time for a baptism." His grimore came up. Magna threw his arm to the side. "Here we go." Fire surrounded him. "All the magic power I've got left." A ball of fire appears in his hand. "Now, my Soul Ball." He gets ready to throw it. "Flame Magic. Prison Death Scattershot!" He throws a whole bunch of fire.

"This is the final spell of your pathetic life." Heath said. He puts up a ice protection to protect him. The fire hits it. "What a complete waste." Magna collapses to the ground. Nova ran to him and knelt next to him.

"Magna." Nova said.

"Your time is up!" Heath said. Nova looked at Heath. Ice falls towards Magna and Nova.

"You Wish." Asta said, as he jumped in front of the fire and got ready. He hits the flames and sennds them flying at Heath. Nova helped Magna to his feet as the fire explodes at the enemy. Magna and Nova saw water barrier around them and Nova smiled at her sister. Noelle pushed her hair out of her face.

"You can thank me for it later, lowely street punk." Noelle said. Magna chuckled.

"Never can keep your mouth shut, can ya?" Magna asked. Heath sat up. The flames surround them. Heath stood up. Ice came out of his chest. Asta jumped in front of him, sword ready.

"I'm not done yet." Asta said. Heath gasped. "As long as I can still move, I'm not done!"

"No. You can't." Heath said.

"Like hell!" Asta said. He brought the sword down and knocked him to the ground. Heath collapsed. Flames wrapped around the men as in a chain like hold on them. Nova looked at Magna, who had a huge smile on his face.

"What started as Flame Magic: Prison Death Scattershot, will now become Flame Binding Magic: Flame Bondage Formation." Magna said.

"You're better at this than you look like you'd be, I can give you that much, anyway." Noelle said. Magna shot her a glare.

"How about you shut that Royal mouth of yours and quit looking down on your superior!" Magna growled. Nova kissed Magna on the check surprising her and Magna both.

"Well I thought that was amazing." Nova said with a blush on her check. Magna turned red.

"Thanks. Least someone appreciates it." Magna said.

"Magna, Sir!" Asta called. Nova watched as one of the men seemed to turn into fire fluid and disappear.

"That was weird." Nova said. The water barrier comes down, causing rain and puts out the flames.

"I can't believe one got away. How'd that happen? Dammit!" Magna said. Heath laid on the ground with Asta pointing a sword at his chest.

"How did you like that? I may be a commoner, but I won! Yeah! How do you like that, huh?" Asta yelled. The villagers gasp. Asta collapses to the ground. Magna ran to him.

"Hey, man, are you all right?" Magna asked. Magna stopped when he saw Asta was snoring.

"Looks like his energy was spent." Nova said. The villagers gathered and were talking about how Asta saved them.

"Thanks Magna. And both you ladies. For everything." A man said.

"Sure, that's why we're here." Magna said.

"We're simply doing our duty." Noelle said, pushing hair off her shoulder.

"Still, we'll never forget what you did for us." A villager said. A bird came out from Asta's cape.

'An anti-bird?' Nova thought. The bird flew off. The villagers set Heath and the two men in front of the church. Magna stepped in front of them. Noelle, Asta, and Nova stood behind Magna. Heath opened his eyes.

"Hey, about time you woke up, you sadistic jerks." Magna said. He pointed at them. "And now... We just gotta wait till my power comes back. When it does, Crazy Cyclone's hauling you to the capital."

"Hmph." Heath said.

"You're gonna pay, I promise you. You'll spend the rest of your lives making up for what you did today." Magna said. Heath looked at the flames. "Just wait, you're gonna spill everything. Who you people are, what you're after. The Magic Knights will get every last scrap of information out of you."

"They will not." Heath said. Magna gasped. "The end times are upon us." A purple light glows in the chest of Heath and the other two.

'A Magic item?' Nova wondered.

"Engage Ice Magic: Ice Burial." Heath said. Nova's eyes widen as ice surrounds the three. The ice shatters destroying the bodies and the grimores disappear, confirming they were dead.

"They were willing to go that far?" Magna said.

"Must've sworn some serious loyalty to someone." Nova said. Magna nodded. Nova looked as the ice disappeared.

'End times? What does he mean by that.' Nova thought. Nova didn't like that. Something wasn't right.

AN: I'll end it there. Till next time.