48 Chapter 48: Consolation

Veretta threw a bolt of lightning directly at the wizard. Michael sidestepped the attack with ease.

"That's more like it," he grinned.

Veretta lowered her hand slowly, "Why don't you use your sword?" she gestured to the sword at his waist.

Michael glanced down and back to Veretta, "Very well," he smiled. He turned back to Ace, "give the girl your sword,"

Ace shook his head in displeasure but conceded. He handed Michael the sword with a frown. Michael thrust the sword to Veretta's feet. He watched her pick it up with an inexplicable smile.

"Do they teach mages to use swords these days?" he asked curiously.

"No," Veretta said raising the sword.

"Then how did you learn?" he questioned.

Veretta didn't answer. She flew at him at lightning speed. The blade was bright with electric energy. She threw out her hand and they exchanged furious blows.

"You could be a knight!" Michael breathed with an ecstatic grin.

He caught hold of her wrist as she flew forward and tossed her to the ground.

"But you need a few more years," he grinned darkly.

Before Veretta could stand, a whip of water slashed through the hand. Her sword fell to the ground and she fell back with a cry of pain. Michael came running with his sword drawn. Veretta held up her good hand and shot another bolt of lightning. He ducked to the side with a jump and let out a laugh.

"What a shame I have to kill you,"

Veretta brought up her blade just as the sword came down. Her hand trembled against the intensity of his sword. With a swift kick, she unbalanced him and he flew forward into the ground where his sword was impaled in the earth. Michael turned back just as a bolt of electricity hit him directly in the stomach. His eyes widened in disbelief, but he did not fall.

"I see who taught you the sword," he said soberly, "if I wasn't using mana to protect myself, that would have killed me. But I suppose you knew it wouldn't work,"

He held out his hand and the water began to whirl around them. They were both swallowed up in a tornado of water. Veretta could feel the edges of the water spinning so fast, it cut through her flesh. She remained with eyes on Michael waiting for the final blow.

"Isn't this where you beg for your life?" He stared down with an unreadable expression.

"Beg to whom?" Veretta smiled weakly, " If there were any gods of mercy, Silthus would be dead and my parents would still be alive,"

Michael stared down with curious expression, "if it's any consolation, you would never have been able to kill that man, "

"I know, but I would have died trying," Veretta met his gaze with a sad smile.

"Revenge is a noble pursuit," Michael smiled, " it's worth dying for,"

"No, " Veretta eyes welled with tears, " seeing you now, I finally realise...it isn't, but better to die at your hands than his,"

Outside the tumultuous spiralling water, Silthus flew out of his seat eagerly.

" What destructive magic!" He stared up at the violent waters in awe," it's beautiful, "

Behind him, Tomas suddenly burst forth and ran towards the water. Yona immediately threw him back with a shove. He opened his mouth to speak but before he could Ace came in front of him. He shook his head gravely. Tomas's eyes widened in outrage and he came to his feet. He threw back his hand to attack but stopped short.

In front of them, the water abruptly fell with a splash to the floor. From behind the perilous walls of water, Michael was standing staring down coldly. Veretta was lying very still on the ground. Her body was covered in slashes.

Silthus began to clap excitedly. He came up behind Michael and stared down, " I'm impressed! Come let me pour you a drink, my friend. Tell me how you came to be such an impressive wizard,"

Then just like that, they began to walk up the stairs to the house, leaving the other three staring wordlessly behind. Tomas fell to his knees with a sob.

" You promised..." his voice trembled, " you promised nothing would happen to her!"

" No, he wouldn't have..." Ace went quickly to Veretta's side and placed a finger on her pulse.

He pulled back his hand slowly before turning to Tomas stiffly.

" Well?" Tomas looked up with wide watery blue eyes.

" I'm sorry," Ace replied in a low voice, " she's dead,"

Tomas let out a horrified gasp. He doubled over with a gut-wrenching cry.

" Tomas?" Yona knelt down beside him, placing her hand on his shoulder. He immediately scrambled to his feet. He pushed her hand aside and crashed down at Veretta's side. Her body was soaked in blood and water. Tomas threw his face upon her chest and let out a stifled scream. Ace watched with a grave expression. He brought his hand to his mouth and his jaw clenched. A dark look came over his eyes.

"Yona," Ace said softly patting her on the shoulder, " get him out of here. I'm going to do something, I'm probably going to regret, "

He turned back to the house and briskly walked inside. He could hear Silthus' laughter from the drawing-room. The general stepped into the room, eyes as dark as night. He took a seat silently without saying a word.

"Ah, Ace! Michael was just telling me a delightful story about your time in the mage's college, "Silthus smiled," Why do you never tell me such stories? "

Ace's eyes slowly panned up to Silthus glowing bright red, "ENOUGH!"

"Now Ace," Michael warned," don't lose your temper. He was just asking a question, "

Ace's blood-red eyes went to Michael sharply, "Keep out of it,"

"Michael, that's okay," Silthus grinned, "what is it that you want to say, Ace?"

"Give it to me," Ace said in a low voice, "now,"

"Are you threatening me?" Silthus titled his head back smugly, "After all this time, you'd throw away everything we've built together?"

"In a heartbeat," Ace said coldly, "now, give me what you promised,"

"How cruel," Silthus rejoined mockingly, "you're such a heartless demon. Well, it matters not. I don't have it with me. So what will you do?"

Ace gave a cold smile, "you were never going to give it to me, were you?"

Silthus gave a shrug with an unrepentant smile. Upon this act, the entire room shuddered with deadly demonic energy. Ace let out a whisper of a laugh under his breath. He stood, staring down at Silthus with savage red eyes.

"I hate humans so much," he uttered.

Within an instant, his hand came around Silthus' throat. Silthus stared down with a grin and caught hold of Ace's arms tightly. The flesh began to sizzle, but Ace didn't relent. His eyes were wide with rage as if the pain had no effect. A flicker of unease crossed Silthus' face.

It was then Michael came between them and shoved Ace back.

Michael tutted, "Calm yourself. This is not how you get what you want,"

Silthus coughed bringing his hand to his throat. His eyes went to Ace darkly, "You dare lay hands on me?"

"Let's all calm down," Michael smiled, "I think we can work this out peacefully. You said you don't have the book with you here, Silthus? Why don't you go and retrieve it? We will wait here for you,"

The look of rage remained oppressively in Silthus' eyes but his lips drew up in a smile, "that is a good idea. Is that what you want, Ace?"

The red in Ace's eyes abated and he turned away from Silthus with his arms crossed, "Whatever. If I discover it is a trick, you will regret it, Silthus,"

"Then I will pack my things immediately," Silthus rose, "I'll return as soon as I can,"

The moment, he left the room. Ace charged at Michael. His fist connected and Michael's face was turned to the side. His hand went to his lip and he stared down at the blood splashed across his fingertips.

"Ungrateful brat!" Michael snarled.

"I will never have that chance again!" Ace snapped, "why did you stop me?"

"You revealed your hand too early," Michael scoffed, "You haven't got what he promised you. Killing him wouldn't have solved anything. This isn't like you. You don't lose your temper. Why did you do that?"

"You killed her!" Ace exclaimed, "why?! To get on Silthus's good side? He doesn't have one! You think you're so clever. Playing us against each other. You're gonna be the one that regrets it. He's never going to return with that book! You don't know what kind of man he is. Now he knows that his magic doesn't hurt me, he's going to come back here with an army to take his revenge on me. SO. GET. OUT. of my way. I have to kill him NOW!"

"You may not feel the pain of his magic like other demons, but that doesn't mean it doesn't affect you. His magic will still kill you," Michael dismissed.

Ace let out a painfilled laugh, "You are...such a hypocritic! You don't care if I die! You want to see me fail so you can get the satisfaction of knowing that I can't live my life without you or the others!"

"What about Clover, you don't want to see them again?" Michael said quietly.

Ace shook his head with a bereft, "I know you have no intention of leading me to Clover! You hate Clover and you hate me. If you had the necklace you'd already be plotting my death! Maybe you already are. Well, guess what? I'd throw that necklace into the sea before I hand it over to you now!"

Michael leant back against the wall with a smile. He held out his hand and the chain slid through his fingers, "you mean this necklace? Good thing I already took it then,"

Ace stared at him in disbelief, "How the hell did you..."

"I told you I always get what I want," Michael grinned arrogantly.

Ace gave an incredulous scoff, "I can't believe this. So what are you still doing here? I'm sure you've already figured out a way to break the spell binding you to me,"

"Maybe," Michael shrugged, "not that it matters. I'm in no rush to break the spell. Just look at the mess you've made, somebody has to clean it up," he sighed.

Ace's brow furrowed in genuine bafflement, "Are you for real? Why would you do that? You hate me. You've always hated me,"

"I dislike you, but I never said I hated you," Michael answered, "And since the others are gone, I do feel somewhat bad for you,"

"I don't need your pity," Ace retorted.

"Good because I don't have any," Michael smirked, "now, stop pouting and go get that girl outside. Bring her around the back,"

"Why? You killed her?" Ace hesitated.

"You really think I would kill a woman just for the fun of it? Don't you know me at all?" Michael retorted sardonically, "The woman is alive. I just damaged her mana points. It mocks the symptoms of death. You better hurry though. Her cuts are real, she needs to be healed. When you're finished, go play nice with Silthus and tell him you'll wait for him. You've sufficiently shaken him up. He will leave without a fight,"

"Michael, I..." Ace blinked utterly stunned.

"You're welcome," Michael cut in unceremoniously, "Now piss off and go do what I tell you for once,"