Hello everyone! Kamen Rider Duelist here with another chapter of Silent Magi's Apprentice! Sorry this took a while, but Striberx and I had a bit of discussion about a certain plot in the story, and after talking it out, I thought it would be best to put it here in this chapter, which will be considered a Season 1 finale. I tried to hold it off til way later into the story, for the sake of keeping the audience wanting to know more about that certain plot until the right moment, but in the end, as Striberx and I talked about, it will be put in this chapter. You'll see why as you read near the end of it. So enjoy it guys, the Season 1 finale of this story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! All creative rights belong to Kazuki Takahashi.
Darkness.
An entity of emptiness that one cannot see, feel, smell, or taste. Hearing within the void is limited, as sound can come from anywhere. This space of nothingness is a place of uncertainty and the unknown, where everything around seems virtually endless. If one were to be confined in this prison of negativity, their senses would be overwhelmed and amplified a hundredfold, losing their sanity lost in the process.
And it is in this darkness, that someone stirred.
Kuromu slowly opened his eyes, but what he saw upon awakening… was nothing. Fear already began to sink in as he tried to move, but felt something holding him down. Clinking sounds echoed in the darkness, indicating that he was bound by chains. It was also here that he remembered what happened. Dreadscythe tried to kidnap him, and thought they'd be protected in the Apothecary Lab, but he couldn't be more wrong. Elesia… or rather, her dark side that awakened from her wound, killed La Jinn and was knocked unconscious after despairing.
Whoever hired Dreadscythe to take him? Has gotten what they asked. The question is, who was the one that hired them and for what purpose?
But first he needed to know where he was. And that means he needed light.
"As Source of Thy Power, I Order Thee… Decipher the Laws of Creation… Birth me a star to bring light into the darkness. Luminous Spark."
Soon a small orb of light appeared, bringing some more visibility to his eyes, yet he still could only see darkness all around him. Seems that whoever brought him here, made sure that he can't tell where he's at, or if he's even stationary.
"Where am I? What is this place?" Kuromu asked himself.
His voice echoed out, as if he was in an endless pit. It left the feeling of dread and despair for him, as this could mean he might be in some other pocket dimension, so that he can't escape even if he frees himself from his chains.
"Nia? Mana? Master Endymion?" He called out, but no answer. "Shizuka-sensei…?"
His voice was the only thing he could hear from the echoing. It seemed, nobody was able to save him from this, but he wasn't without hope. He knows they'll free him, he believes in them all, especially Shizuka. All he can do is wait for them.
Chapter 12: Revelation Within Salvation
Meanwhile, at the Magical Citadel…
One by one, magicians from all over the Continent had teleported into the main foyer of the Citadel. Endymion had sent out the Code: Black call, prompting everyone to beckon to his summon. For centuries since the foundation, the Code: Black has never been used. Until now.
It would only be used, should something dire, inquiring the info should a Dreadscythe and its master ever come back. And now, it has been done.
"Thank you one and all for answering the call on short notice." Endymion began once he felt that everyone had been gathered. "As you may know, the reason for this gathering of this many mages was something I had hoped would never happen, but unfortunately has. Our enemy… has returned…"
"What?!"
"How is that possible?"
"Are you sure, it is him, Master Endymion?"
"It is the only possibility. I have been informed that Dreadscythe has appeared and has abducted Silent Magician's apprentice for reasons yet to be discovered." Endymion explained.
"But I thought that poor soul was saved."
"We were all fooled." Endymion grimaced. "Regardless of the reasoning for this abduction, our mission is to find and rescue Silent Magician's apprentice before any more harm could be done to them."
"Do we have any other leads as to where they took the apprentice?"
"It is a tenuous connection, but we believe Chaos Command Magician's apprentice, Krona, is conspiring with the enemy."
Hearing that, made the many other mages turn to the magician, who sulked down into his cloak, feeling ashamed that his apprentice would've done such a thing.
"I don't want to believe it either, but it is possible." Darius sighed sadly.
"Either way, I'm sure that most of you are aware… that many magicians were lost the last time. So it stands to reason that this day may be your last." Endymion reminded, "For those who wish to live, do not be ashamed if you refuse. For those who wish to volunteer, give your wills and last farewells before we depart. We leave within the hour."
With this, Endymion teleported back to his office, leaving the other magicians to debate on who will stay and who will go. With a sigh, he walked over to his crystal ball and waved his staff. Moments later, Selene appeared. "How is Shizuka?"
["Inconsolable I'm afraid. She has been shedding tears nonstop…"] Selene sighed sadly.
"I see. And what of Mahad?"
["Recovering. Mana is trying to comfort Shizuka as much as she can. Though, it's safe to assume Mahad will be joining us on this mission."] Selene informed her husband.
"I see. Have Lady Doriado and her Charmers join."
["Are you sure that's wise? The Charmers-"]
"I am aware of their past traumas, but we need all hands available." Endymion pointed out. "Given what we went through last time? Their elemental expertises will be necessary if any of us want to come out of it alive, without losing nearly all of our forces."
Selene sighed at this. She didn't like it, but there was no other option. ["Very well. I shall inform her. Shall I also inform Lady Minerva?"]
"Yes. Employ her assistance as well."
["As you wish."]
Selene's image disappeared and Endymion made his way out of his office to prepare for the fight that's to come. 'Master… if you can hear my prayers, please allow us to rescue Kuromu without delay. Give him the strength to endure until we do…'
Selene sighed as she returned to the Apothecary Lab. And what she saw was sad to see. Mana was consoling Shizuka as best as she could while Mahad was still recovering from his battle with Dreadscythe. As for Nia, she was trying her best to put back together the Mystic Lamp. It truly is a devastating time for them. How could this have happened?
Just when they thought they were safe, the real danger came from within. That danger being Elesia, her injury from Dreadscythe awakened the dark side of herself, the Dark Elf, and subsequently abducted the young man after awakening. Her husband made sure that the seal of her dark side was intact, and yet… Dreadscythe's attack on her made unlocking the seal look like child's play.
Even with skill against the magical arts and knowledge of the spell? It still would've taken her a few days to undo it. Yet the Dreadscythe did it in matters of moments. There was no way that should've been possible! And yet… here they were, treating their wounds before the battle.
"What did Master Endymion say?" Mahad grunted.
"Code: Black is in effect…" Selene murmured. "Everyone is making their preparations."
"I see…" Mahad sighed out, knowing that this isn't good for anyone. "How are you faring?"
"Better than most… though I can't say the same for my student,"
Mahad nodded softly, looking to the room of the Silent Mage, "I'm sure she'll be ready to go, when its time. We know she isn't the type to sit out when something close to her is in danger. After all, you taught her that."
"Yes, you're right." Selene said. "Lady Doriado and the Charmers will have to be involved. Master Endymion also requested that Minerva participate as well."
"This truly is an assault that we haven't seen in centuries…"
"And it will not be the last." Shizuka suddenly said, as Mahad and Selene looked to see the Silent Magician approaching them.
"Shizuka. How are you feeling?" Mahad asked her.
"I have dried my tears. We have to go after my apprentice."
"Please Shizuka, don't act rashly." Selene pleaded.
"Do not worry, I will not… his life is more important than my anger. The one who requested this will be my target, but only after we save Kuromu."
"Good, then be ready. We will be departing soon." Mahad stated to her.
"I'm going too!" Nia sniffled. "La Jinn needs to be avenged!"
"Nia, with how everything is? I don't think it would be best for you to come." Mahad pointed out to the pixie.
"B-But-!" Nia stuttered.
"Your anger is warranted and justified. I won't argue differently." Selene said. "But your emotions are at an all-time high. You're only going on instinct and it's going to get you hurt. We lost La Jinn, we can't let Kuromu witness a second death."
"Plus… who else but you, should greet Kuromu when he comes home, no?" Shizuka smiled softly.
"I… that's… mmmmmm…" Nia pouted. "Alright. But you all better come back in one piece!"
"That we will." Selene smiled with a nod.
*CLATTER! CLANG! CLATTER! CLANG! CLATTER!*
"Come on, come on!" Kuromu growled, rattling and pulling the chains, using the cuffs as leverage to free himself, but to no avail. These chains were indeed strong and won't be broken so easily. After a few moments, he had to catch his breath. As much as he had faith that Shizuka and the others would rescue him, he didn't want to wait for whatever was in store for him either. He had to break himself free then find a way out of wherever he was.
Just as he was about to plan his escape, he heard footsteps echoing in the darkness. While he couldn't see who it was, he could feel someone was there.
"How was your trip, boy?" The voice said to Kuromu.
"Who's there?" Kuromu demanded.
"Who I am is none of your concern. All you need to know is that… well, let's just say, you piqued my interest…" The figure chuckled.
"What are you talking about?" Kuromu demanded once more.
"Oh? You don't even know, do you?"
"Know what?!"
"Hmhmhmhm, hahahahahaha, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You don't even have the slightest clue of what you are!" The figure laughed.
"Huh?" Kuromu was absolutely confused.
"To think, your Master didn't even tell you the truth about what you are! Oh, how amusing!" The figure cackled out. "Now I'm curious as to what would happen if you were told the truth? Would you honestly be with those pathetic mages at the Citadel?"
"What do they have to do with this?!"
"They know what you are, and have been keeping it a secret from you… Maybe they are the reason you were brought here?"
"You're not making any sense! But I don't care about that! What I care about is getting out of this place! So let me go!"
"I don't think I will. Not when you have the one thing I've desired for so long…"
"And what exactly is that?"
A chuckle escaped their lips, soon stepping forward into the small light Kuromu made, revealing themselves to the boy. Fear seeped into Kuromu's body, frightened at who he saw.
His abductor in question was demonic in appearance, having a skull-like face with red glowing eyes and sharp teeth. A skeletal outline framed its entire body of blue flesh as his skull was elongated to look like a mitre. Skull claws were decorated on its shoulders, a purple cape with a hood flowing behind his back, alongside a pair of black wings. He carried a crosier staff, the top of it being a skull.
"You are my key to everlasting life… and the possibility of undoing a curse that was brought upon me…" He chuckled darkly, "Maybe you can even help me become a god."
"I'll never help you!" Kuromu shouted.
"Who said you had a choice?" The dark mage questioned, his staff glowing to cast another sleep spell on him.
"Nooo…! NOOOOO!" Kuromu shouted, shaking his head wildly. "Grahhhhh! State of Emptiness!" He shouted, dispelling the spell the demonic-like bishop tried to cast, like shattering glass.
"Hmngh… Resistance is only delaying the inevitable. Level Area 0." He said, and a powerful weight pressed against Kuromu's body and spirit.
"GAHHHH!" Kuromu cried out. "What… did you do to me?!"
"I made any power you use ineffective." He informed, casting the sleep spell once more. Kuromu's once again, tried to resist, but couldn't do anything as his eyes became heavy and eventually fell unconscious.
"Hmph, lousy brat." The dark figure spat out. "Now… how should I proceed?" He pondered, but then sensed something, as if he expected it. "Dreadscythe."
"Hnnnnnnnnnn…" The dark being in question moaned, coming into the room.
"Deal with the intruders that attempt to rescue this boy."
With a bow, Dreadscythe vanished into the shadows to deal with the intruders.
"If I am to use this boy, I'll need a sample of his magic to study, but even the process of obtaining a sample would endanger his life. But… it does not matter. It is a necessary procedure." The demonic bishop said. "Hmmm… I can give my new apprentice the honors of participating."
A magic circle appeared on the ground before materializing a group of mages, including Master Endymion, Shizuka, Selene, Mahad, Mana, Darius, Doraido, the Charmers, and Minerva.
"We've arrived. Be on your guard. Given who we're dealing with? Traps and more are about. Be careful and stay together in pairs. Never go off on your own." Endymion ordered the mages.
"Yes, Master." They all nodded, before the entire group proceeded with cautions. The landscape they were in was desolate and dark. It used to be a luscious place of life, but has now become a wasteland of death. It was home to some of the most grotesque fiends and undead, ever to have walked the Continent. Thus it was dubbed, The Badlands.
"I didn't expect to be back here again…" Mahad frowned, knowing the last time he was here with the other mages during his youth.
"It brings back dreadful memories." Doriado murmured with disdain.
"If this place weren't so creepy, I'd live here." Dharc commented.
*WAPISH!*
"Ow!" Dharc winced when Hiita bopped him on the head.
"Not now, Dharc…" Hiita frowned.
"Hmph…"
"Eria, be sure to not overexert yourself." Wynn said.
"I know, which is why I'm part of the recovery team." Eria nodded softly. "And besides, Lyna can protect me."
"I-I mean yeah, but who's going to protect me?" Lyna whimpered in fright.
"Still scared of what Dharc did to you, making you scared of this place?" Hiita questioned Lyna.
"I am NOT scared!" Lyna denied.
"Alright, enough all of you." Aussa mediated. "We're all here to rescue Kuromu and not bicker amongst each other."
"Charmers, with how dire this is, we're teaming you with Shizuka, Mana, and Darius to find Kuromu." Doraido ordered her students. "No matter what happens, we must being Kuromu back home, alive. Is that understood?"
"Yes Master." The Charmers said.
"And please… be careful as well…" Doraido pleaded to them, "I… don't want to lose my students again to this place…"
"Halt." Endymion said, causing the group to stop in their tracks.
"What is it, Master?" Mana asked.
"We've arrived." Endymion pointed his staff to what was ahead of them, beyond the horizon. It was a castle, made of bones, blood and gore. A glowing red glow made of magic kept it together as unyielding dread and despair could be felt even this far away. Monsters and zombies alike of the darkest and most vile things in reality plagued this land. Pools of acid and dark essence filled the lands. Blood and death beyond all that could be seen here, and the howls and scream of those trapped within reached to the heavens. This castle was the home to none other than the enemy they thought they had defeated… The Darkbishop Archfiend and his Dark Sanctuary.
"The Dark Sanctuary…" Shizuka murmured.
"Given how it looks? Many bodies of dragons and large creatures were killed and used to rebuild it…" Endymion grimaced. "My master was right… he didn't die the last time we faced him and hid away…"
"That's not the only thing that was built. Look." Mahad pointed. Endymion peered over and surrounding the castle were statues of sorts. But not just any.
"Barrier Statues…" Endymion grunted. "He's fortified his defenses. "Barrier Statue of the Inferno, Barrier Statue of the Torrent, Barrier Statue of the Stormwinds, Barrier Statue of the Drought, Barrier Statue of the Heavens, and Barrier Statue of the Abyss."
"It's going to be hard getting through any of that…" Mana frowned.
"...Not unless we destroy it with their weaknesses." Dharc said.
"What do you mean?" Darius asked.
"It's simple. Fire is weak to Water, Water to Earth, Earth to Wind, Wind to Fire, then Light and Darkness counter each other separately."
"But aren't they positioned to where not even an inch of magic could get through?" Mana pointed out as the statues made a hexagram together.
"Maybe so, but even the strongest defenses have an extra set of weaknesses." Dharc reminded her. "All we have to do is time our magic right and it should destroy the barrier."
"Let's give it a try." Wynn said. "We have to- LOOK OUT!"
Everyone moved out of the way as something crashed landed to where they were, dust plumeing from the impact. When it settled, a pair of red eyes glowed, revealing themselves to be Dreadscythe, primed and ready with their scythe.
"Dreadscythe!" Shizuka hissed, "Where is my apprentice!?" She demanded answers from the enemy.
"Hnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn! Hnnnnnnnn!"
"It's no use. They will not answer." Selene said.
"I'll handle this one. You keep going." Endymion offered, stepping forward.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. The other Masters and I will handle Dreadscythe. Minerva, Doriado, please ensure that Shizuka, Mahad, Mana, Darius, and the Charmers get to their destination as swiftly as possible."
"Of course." They said.
"Now go! All of you!" Endymion ordered. With another nod, the team made their way towards the castle. "The rest of you, with me! We shall smite this Dreadscythe!"
"Yes, Master!" The others shouted in unison, ready to help Endymion with Dreadscythe as their readied their staves or tomes.
"It will not conclude as the last time we faced each other." Selene said, readying her bow and arrow.
"HNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!"
With a war cry, Dreadscythe charged towards Endymion and his army.
Once more Kuromu stirred awake from his apparent slumber that was cast onto him by the demonic bishop, slowly opening his eyes. He was in a new place, but he quickly realized he was strapped to something, as he attempted to struggle to break free quickly.
What he was strapped to, was some kind of torture device. There were spheres and lumps of metal with spikes on them, sparking with dark electrical magic and finally a small tube that led to a beaker that was empty. His arms were stretched out while cuffed and a collar with spikes was around his neck.
"Hm? Awake already? Hmph, at least your screams will be entertaining." A familiar voice noted with low interest as he was setting everything up.
"Krona?" Kuromu gasped, then growled. "Where am I?! W-What is this?!"
"Why, this is the Byser Shock. A banned magical item that is meant to siphon out someone's inner magic." Krona informed his so-called nemesis. "And you will be its first test subject in many years."
"Like hell I am!" Kuromu growled. "More importantly, why are you here?"
"Why? Simple… I told the Darkbishop Archfiend about you."
"Darkbishop Archfiend?"
"Hmph, as I thought, you're as dumb as you look." Krona huffed. "Not that you would care, the Darkbishop Archfiend is the Demon Mage that fought the Progenitor. You could say that he is the reason dark magic exists?"
"Then why are you siding with him?!" Kuromu demanded.
"Why? Because as the reincarnation of The Progenitor, I want to remain for all time! I want immortality! And he promised to help give that to me… by delivering you." He then went over to a magical circuit board, ready to flip the switch. "And besides… this is a perfect way to exact my revenge on you."
"For what!? I didn't do anything to you!"
"Silence, you filthy mudblood!" Krona snapped, "You don't deserve to be recognized! You are filth! Scum! Nothing but an ant! Yet you tried climbing up the ladder and 'learn' magic and earn the Master's approval, claiming what is rightfully mine… For that? You will pay."
"What kind of an excuse is that? Sounds to me that you're jealous and being petty!" Kuromu countered.
"I am the reincarnation of the Progenitor! I am a magical god!" He howled with rage, "And someone like you, doesn't deserve to have it…"
"I never wanted something like godhood in the first place! Are you that stupid?!" Kuromu snapped.
"I only told the truth… You don't deserve to have magic… And this machine will make sure of that." Krona glared as he marched over to the large switch on the wall, ready to flip it and activate the machine. "Better gird yourself, this might tingle or make you scream. I don't care which. As long as you die." He said, before turning it on. Soon, the machine whirred to life as the electricity on the machine went erratic, before all of it shot towards Kuromu.
*BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!*
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Meanwhile, Shizuka, Mana, Mahad, Darius, Minerva, Doriado, and the Charmers made their way towards the Barrier Statues. However, the moment they stepped foot near the vicinity, the ground shook and skeletons with purple robes emerged out of the ground, crawling from beneath the earth. These were Skull Servants, the henchmen of the Darkbishop Archfiend. While weak, they are dangerous when gathered in huge numbers.
"Oh great, these guys?" Wynn whined.
"It'll be okay! We can use light magic!" Mana said, holding out her wand.
"But you're the Dark Magician Girl." Wynn pouted.
"Doesn't mean, I don't know such spells." She winked. "A true magician can go beyond what elements they're assigned to." She then raised her swirl-tipped wand and holy light emitted, blinding the Skull Servants.
Shizuka, Darius, Minerva, and Mahad took no time to swiftly use their physical weapons to bring down the Skull Servants, knowing fully well that in this land, just beating them will cause them or more to resurface.
"Dry up and die!" Hiita shouted, waving her staff and flames shot out of it, burning several Skull Servants of her own.
"Give us Kuro, back!" Wynn demanded, using her wind staff to send the servants flying.
"Return to the earth from whence you came!" Aussa said, as she pointed her staff and caused a fissure to crack on the ground, sending the Skull Servants down to their doom before closing it up.
Dharc was silent, using his dark elemental magic to spawn small black holes to send more servants into it and remove them from the field.
"Take this!" Lyna shouted, raising her staff to shine more light and burn away the Skull Servants with its radiance.
"Looks like your charmers are all ready for this." Mahad noted to Doriado.
"Indeed they are." Doriado nodded.
"Torrential Tribute!" Eria announced as she waved her staff and a large wave of water washed away the remaining Skull Servants in their way. "That should do it! Hurry! We must get to the Barrier Statues and destroy them!"
The mages nodded as they went to each statue with the proper Charmer as they attacked it with the opposite element to destroy the Elemental Rejection Glyph made from the statues. Eria used her water to douse the Barrier Statue of the Inferno, Aussa covered the Barrier Statue of the Torrents with mud, Wynn used her wind to scatter the Barrier Statue of the Drought into dust, Hiita burned the Barrier Statue of the Stormwinds starving it of air, Lyna bathed the Barrier Statues of the Abyss with its light melting it, and Dharc enveloped the Barrier Statue of the Heavens with darkness.
In moments as the statues crumbled, the glyph below soon faded away, as many of the Skull Servants and other undead dropped to the ground, finally put to rest.
"That should do it." Minerva said. "Doriado, you and I, with Mahad will hold the line here while the Charmers, Mana, and Shizuka make their way inside."
"B-But master…" Dharc tried to interject, wanting to be by Doriado's side, but the mage stopped him.
"Dharc, I know you mean well… But you are more needed with them than me." She responded, as she patted his head. "I trust you to keep their backs well protected… Okay?"
"V-Very well."
"Come! We must make haste!" Shizuka said, before moving in, with Mana and the Charmers following her in.
"Now, I suggest we make as much commotion and noise to draw their attention." Mahad suggested, "This way, they'll have an easier time to find Kuromu and save him."
"I'm right with you." Minerva said, as she looked to her owl who hooted in agreement before flying off to make the distraction.
Meanwhile…
"HNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!" Dreadscythe roared, swinging their scythe against Endymion, only for the latter to easily repel the strike with a magical barrier, bouncing the attack away.
"If you thought my precious students were easy and thought I'd be just as easy, then you are sorely mistaken. You'll just see why I have retained being the Master of Magicians, for hundreds of years…" Endymion reminded.
Selene used this opportunity to aim her bow and arrow at Dreadscythe and fired.
*WOOSH!*
A stream of light whizzed across towards Dreadscythe. The latter noticed and split the arrow of light in half down the middle, only to not realize that Selene intended for the arrows to split in half, as it now turned around and honed in on Dreadscythe again.
Dreadscythe blocked it as it went towards Selene, only to flinch and respond to the arrow once more. It seemed it was truly honed on it, and just deflecting or grounding it wouldn't be enough to stop it continuously targeting it.
"Diffusion Wave Motion!" Endymion shouted, raising his staff and sending several waves of energy consecutively, towards Dreadscythe. The dark reaper shivered from the DWM as it attempted to fight back, but it was forced to one knee, the attack doing its job.
"We have it on the ropes!" One mage shouted.
"Now's our chance!" Another added.
"Let's end this!" A third replied.
Yet something happened as Dreadscythe howled, letting out a powerful dark wave that struck and flung many mages away or to the ground with its force. The dark energies from this attack surrounded and enveloped Dreadscythe, giving them more power.
"What are they doing now?" Selene murmured worriedly.
"This will be more difficult than we thought." Endymion gritted.
"ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH! AAHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Kuromu screamed in pain as the dark electricity continued coursing through his body. Krona watched with satisfaction, savoring every moment of this thing's suffering. As he watched, he kept his eye on the beaker nearby, slowly being filled with magical liquid. The color of said liquid was rainbow in color, as if all the colors were trying to merge into one yet stayed separate.
"Yes… good, savor the pain well. I can't wait to use this against that foolish wench who dared become a 'Master'." Krona spat out. "I wonder how she'll react, knowing about your death and my ascension?"
"RAAAAAAAGH! GAHHHHH! DON'T… YOU… DARE!"
"Aw, are you mad little mudblood? Good. Because this is your punishment for daring to be in the same league as us real mages." Krona then cranked up the electrical current of the Byser Shock.
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"
Krona cackled, with delight, seeing the pain on Kuromu's face, ecstatic to see him suffer and for the mage to get stronger from it. However, he looked disappointed when Kuromu suddenly passed out from the pain. "Oh no. You don't get to pass out. You will suffer until your last breath is drawn." Krona frowned as he marched over, only to hold up a pin and slamming it into his shoulder.
"GAHHHH! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kuromu yelled, as he was conscious once more
"There… much better." Krona grinned with delight from hearing and seeing his pain. He then walked over to the controls and cranked up the output even more.
"EYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Shizuka's complexion turned pale. That bloodcurdling scream. There was no doubt about it. Her apprentice was screaming in pain and calling for help. It was so loud that it echoed throughout the entire castle the group were walking in.
"KUROMU!" Shizuka shouted, running towards the source of the voice.
"Shizuka, wait!" Mana called out, "Doh! C'mon everyone!" She said to the group, following after the Silent Magician.
"I hope we're not too late." Darius gritted his teeth as he followed them, the Charmers not far behind.
Shizuka listened to the sound of her apprentice wailing and yelling in excruciating pain. As much as she hated to hear her dear apprentice being tortured, she had to use the sound of his pain to locate him. She could only pray that she would make it in time.
As they continue onward into the castle, they soon come across a large door frame, as the mage wasn't waiting any longer as she blasted it open with her magic. As Shizuka came to a stop, her face became horrified when seeing her apprentice, strapped to the banned magical item. The rest of them followed suit, and were just as horrified. Case in point, Lyna hugged Wynn tightly, burying her head in the Wind Charmer's chest.
"Ah, finally you arrive." Krona chuckled, turning off the machine, allowing Kuromu to slump, his body sizzling from the intense electrical treatment he was administered.
"KRONA!" Darius shouted, coming to the front.
"Master Darius…" Krona sneered.
"What have you done?!"
"What have I done? Simple. I've secured my place in not only being the reincarnation of The Progenitor, but a magical god!" Krona said with unease delight.
"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!"
"Lost my mind? No, 'Master' I am quite aware." Krona responded before he pointed his staff at them all, "You on the other hand, are no longer needed. If you wish to live? Bow before me and plead yourself to my ascension."
"Never! Release my apprentice, now!" Shizuka demanded.
"Well, if it isn't that abomination?" Krona huffed, "Sorry, but he must remain until the last drop of his magical power is gone. Lifeforce included."
"Bastard!" Hiita shouted, ready to send a fire spell.
"Ah, ah, ah. I wouldn't do it if I were you." Krona mocked as he was ready to flip the switch again.
"Hiita, no. If we attack, he's going to kill him." Aussa said worriedly.
"But we can't stand around and do nothing!"
"And we won't… But we must find a different way to do it." Darius pointed out.
"There is no other way." Krona said. "Don't you see? I've won! No one will stand in my way towards greatness and my destiny!"
"Krona… I thought for sure, you would be a great mage…" Darius shook his head, "I see now… your delusion was just another problem for you… I should've left you in those slums…"
"So you finally admit the truth. You thought I was worthless to begin with." Krona spat.
"You were dangerous! Dangerous when you stole that book of The Progenitor…" Darius responded, "The moment you said you thought you were related to him? I shrugged it off as a childish dream… But it has become so twisted, you honestly believed that you were The Progenitor. If I took the book back, you wouldn't become another menace…"
Kroan hissed in rage, pointing his staff as a shard of obsidian shot out, piercing Darius's chest as it shocked everyone.
Darius could only stare in shock, slowly looking down at his wound before looking back up, and then falling over on his back.
"DARIUS!" Shizuka shouted as she rushed over to his side.
"Heh.. Heh.. Hehehe… HAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Krona cackled out with delight, "That's what you get! That's the fate for all you scum who dare defy me!"
"Alright! THAT'S IT!" Dharc shouted as he rushed towards Krona and waved his staff, sending his dark energy at Krona. The Doomstar Magician merely deflected it, before both staves clashed with each other, sparking magical electricity from the impact. "Your fight's with me now!"
"Oh? Think you can defeat me?" Krona said. "And here I thought you hated that thing too."
"I do… but when its unnecessary death like that? I will not stand by for it!" Dharc glared, for once feeling enraged over the arrogance of the fallen mage.
"Well, at least you have backbone… Though… what about that little one?" Krona questioned, turning his attention to Lyna.
*SMACK!*
"GAH!" Krona staggered back when Dharc smacked him with his staff.
"Don't you dare get her involved!"
"You insolent little- fine. You will be the next to die!"
"Don't leave me out of this!" Hiita said, joining her brother. "I'm gonna burn you to a crisp!"
"Fine, the both of you will die together!" Krona said, before the three of them engaged. Meanwhile, Eria and Lyna were desperately trying to heal Darius as well as pull the obsidian shard out.
"Darius, stay strong! Do not leave us!" Shizuka said.
"D-Don't…" Darius panted weakly, "Go… save your apprentice while he's distracted…"
"But…"
"Please." Darius pleaded. "You and your apprentice have much to live for. This… is my atonement for not… keeping better track of my… failed apprentice…"
"Do not say that!" Shizuka shook her head. "You have always been a worthy Master in your own right and in my eyes! Do not sell yourself short! You need to live!"
"No Shizuka. My time has come." Darius sighed softly. "My last will… my final wish… May you… and your apprentice… be… hap… py…"
Darius, the Chaos Command Magician, slowly closed his eyes as his head went limp. He has passed on into the afterlife.
"Darius! No! Darius! Open your eyes! DARIUS!" Shizuka shouted.
"I'm sorry, Lady Shizuka…" Eria shook her head sadly. "He's gone."
While all of this was happening, Lyna and Aussa were working on freeing Kuromu from this torture contraption. Krona was distracted, giving the Wind and Earth Charmer the opportunity to go over and uncuff his arms and legs.
"Dang it, these… things are… tight- ow! And spiky!" Wynn winced.
"Shush! He's going to notice us!" Aussa hushed her sister.
"Dharc and Hiita got him distracted anyways."
"Just hurry it up…!"
"Wynn… Aussa…" Kuromu wheezed softly, his eyes slowly opening, his vision being blurry, but was able to recognize the shapes in front of him.
"Save your strength, Kuromu. We'll get you free in just a moment." Wynn smiled, trying to reassure him.
"Sensei… where is she…?" Kuromu barely whispered.
"She's here, just stay with us." Aussa said to him, trying to keep his attention.
"RAGHHHH!" Hiita shouted, throwing fireballs at Krona while Dharc sent dark spheres at him as well.
"You two are so boring… Only know your elements? Talk about a low class of idiots." Krona taunted and insulted the two. He waved his wand and a black hole appeared, absorbing the attacks… before sending it right back at them, sending them flying.
"GAHHHHHHH!" Hiita and Dharc cried out, tumbling to the ground.
Krona then turned his attention to see the two other Charmers, attempting to free Kuromu. A growl of anger escaped as he sent a thunder bolt to the two, flinging them to the side.
"Wynn…! Aussa…!" Kuromu wheezed out, but then when his vision cleared, he saw Shizuka kneeling next to a dead Darius.
The young mage's eyes widened in shock. Laying there was Darius. Someone, while he didn't have much time to understand from, knew he was a good mage. He began to process that if Darius was killed… So would Mana, Wynn, Aussa, Hiita, Eria, Lyna, Dharc… Shizuka.
He couldn't go through with that. He couldn't see them being more hurt than they already were!
He….
HE…..
…Needed to save them all….
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Kuromu yelled as a huge surge of magical energy suddenly erupted from his body, his eyes glowing silver as it did.
The silver light caught everyone's attention, stopping them all in their tracks. Everyone was stunned, frozen in fear and confusion.
"NO! He needs to remain weak!" Krona shouted, pointing his staff at Kuromu, ready to attack him. But-
"DARK BURNING ATTACK!"
A wave of dark and pink energy crashed against Krona's staff, flinging it right out of his hand. The Doomstar Magician looked to see that Mana was the perpetrator.
"Stay out of this!" He howled, aiming at her next. But a flash of silver struck Krona, sending him through the several walls of the castle until it reached the outside, tossing the mage out of the area and on the ground, right in front of Mahad, Doriado, and Minerva.
"What in…" Mahad gasped.
"This power…" Minerva murmured with surprise, seeing the silver light shoot up into the sky as it pierced through the top of the Dark Sanctuary. Beams and balls of the same light falling down and striking many of the undead and enemies around the area, including where the mages were at, destroying the enemies.
The group looked to see Kuromu, now floating as he basked in the silver light. Shizuka realized he was scared and sorrowful from seeing Darius's body. He was in a panic and needed to calm him down. As the Silent Magician stood up, she walked over to her apprentice.
"Kuromu, I am here…" Shizuka said, but the force of the silver light caused her to slide back if only briefly.
Kuromu was whimpering with sadness and fear, unable to respond, yet his emotions were very clear to everyone. Shizuka smiled softly as she got closer to him, despite how much force he was pushing out.
"Shizuka! You're going to get hurt!" Mana called to the Silent Magician.
"You have nothing to fear, Kuromu." She continued, ignoring Mana's warning.
"S-S-Sensei…" Kuromu whimpered, tears of white magic running down his face.
"It is not your fault. None of this is your fault." Shizuka said softly, as she was able to wrap his arms around him. "Shhh… it will be okay… I am here for you, my darling apprentice… My dear, Kuromu…" She whispered, combing his hair with her hand.
Soon the white light quickly vanished, causing Kuromu to drop but Shizuka caught him in her arms. The soft noises of him showing he was asleep to recover now. His outburst of his magical power had been quelled for now.
"Extraordinary…" A dark voice chuckled. Everyone turned to see the Darkbishop Archfiend in their midst, Dreadscythe already at his side, while holding the beaker of magical liquid.
"Darkbishop…" Shizuka glared at the evil archfiend.
"I knew his bloodline was strong… But this was beyond what I was expecting…" Darkbishop noted as he looked at the multicolored beaker. "Beautiful…"
"Where is Elesia…?" Shizuka asked.
"Oh fear not… She is alive. She will return where she belongs." The evil archfiend chuckled, "Back at the forest that left her to the wolves."
"She's… returning there?" Shizuka gasped.
"Yes… I promised she will get her revenge on her people, and she will be heading there to do so." Darkbishop informed. "Oh, but you can't leave your dear apprentice alone now could you, hmhmhmhm…"
"You…" Mana growled.
"You may keep your apprentice… for now. I have what I need."
And with that, Darkbishop Archfiend and Dreadscythe vanished into motes of dark light, leaving them all… and the Sanctuary shuddered and rumbled.
"Crap! This place is gonna go down!" Wynn panicked.
"I-I think we should run now!" Lyna said.
"Ya think?!" Hiita grunted, helping Dharc up. "C'mon, on your feet, bro!"
"Don't tell me what to do…!" Dharc grunted.
"But… Master Darius… we can't leave him." Eria said.
Wynn groaned and waved with her staff. A gust of wind blew beneath the dead mage, following them as they raced out of the Sanctuary. Luckily, thanks to Kuromu, they had an easier escape plan. By the time they escaped, the dark castle had collapsed into rubble.
"You're all safe!" Mahad gasped, as he, Minerva, and Doriado rushed towards them, but then gasped, seeing Darius's corpse. "Darius… he's…"
"We… couldn't save him." Eria said sadly, shaking her head.
"Sad as it may be, at least 'he' will receive his just desserts." Selene walked over, Endymion following behind with the surviving Masters, and tossing the now trapped Krona to the others.
"Master Endymion…" Shizuka murmured, approaching him with Kuromu in her arms.
"I'm glad to at least see, he is breathing." Endymion noted, "I take it, you also encountered the Darkbishop?"
"Yes… he escaped with Dreadscythe."
"Hmm… that is troubling…" The master mage nodded in agreement.
"He also took some kind of magical liquid with him in a beaker." Mana pointed out.
"Beaker…?" Selene noted, "Endymion… That must mean they used a Byser Shock."
"Hmmmm… so that was his plan."
"What I don't get is, why go through all that trouble torturing him to get rainbow liquid?" Hiita frowned.
The master mages looked at one another, only to nod in unison as Selene turned back to the Charmers.
"It is because of Kuromu's bloodline." She responded to them, "He… is a Sleigh Beggy."
"A… Sleigh Beggy?" Eria got out.
"This must be a bad joke." Hiita said. "The last one was like what? Eons ago?"
"We thought so too… But it seems one bloodline remained. And Kuromu is the last one to possess it." Endymion informed, looking at the unconscious Kuromu. "We do not know how or where it happened. The boy appeared in this world and we've been doing our best to keep his bloodline a secret… Otherwise what you saw? Would be a constant daily battle with those who want his blood and power."
"In other words, if everyone knew his secret, it'd be an all-out war…" Dharc grimaced.
"Which is why we're only revealing it to you all. We trust you over it, compared… to a lesser extent." Selene glared at the fallen mage.
"What's going to happen to him?" Lyna asked.
"He will stand trial… and his sentence will be given by The Magic Council." Endymion said. "Most likely we will have to alter his memories and give him a new identity."
"I hope he gets sentenced to be sacrificed to Obelisk." Mana huffed angrily. "He won't be able to catch those hands…"
"Remind me not to get her angry…" Dharc whispered to Doriado, the Elemental Mistress giggling at that.
"So~ what now?" Wynn asked.
"We head home. All of us deserve some rest before Krona's trial, and Darius's funeral. Speaking of home…" Endymion turned to Shizuka. "We may need you to relocate."
"That… would be for the best…" She nodded softly.
"But where exactly?" Aussa inquired.
"I know a place that will offer more protection." Selene offered. "The Secret Village of the Spellcasters."
"No fair! I still wanna go there!" Wynn pouted, as she has yet to be accepted by the village to visit.
"You won't get it if you keep pouting and whining like a child, Wynn." Doriado reminded her, the Wind Charmer pouting with crossed arms.
"We should head off… especially you, Shizuka. I expect a response once your apprentice is healed and awakened." Endymion stated to the Silent Magician.
"…Yes, Master."
With a wave of the wands, the group of mages vanished into motes of light, transporting them all back to their homes. This was, for some, the end of a troubling incident. But for the young mage at the center of it all… This was the beginning of his destiny and future.