EP 102 - FAREWELL.

"5"

"6"

"Divine-Demonic Combat : Mystic Mar."

"Double Sword Doom Strike!"

The force of these two attacks colliding caused a large explosion blowing the two apart. Avyanna stuck her blade in the ground to avoid getting blown off her feet. Her HP was already at 25% so she had to make do with only defensive skills so as not to deplete her energy reserves faster.

'Roll"

"Why are you doing this? Only to spend eternity alone with people who only like you for you powers? What happens if that disappears?" She shouted out to him.

Levi felt the sudden impact of those words as a heavy blow and fell back , clutching his head that was throbbing. "It doesn't matter."

"Yes it does!" She retorted breathing heavily . "Letting go of something precious for what wouldn't last more than a dream!"

"Shut up!" Levi cried angrily releasing bolts of Lightening in her direction .

"Roll"

"4"

"Anti - Magic Defense."

The lightning shards were deflected as the exploded behind her. She moved swiftly towards him and struck him with her blade which he deviated with one of his daggers.

"Roll"

"5"

"Raging Thunderstorm!"

The force of the thunder storm pushed Avyanna off her feet as she plummeted into the ground , her every being aching as she tried to get to her feet.

John rolled.

"6"

"Cosmic Blast!"

Levi threw a gigantic blast of cosmic energy at Avyanna, when a sudden flash of affection for her , once shoved deep down by the Dark things manipulating his mind , tugged at his heart. Avyanna saw the incoming blast and knew this was her end but instead the attack was then reversed and finally reasorbed into Levi's palm. He had stopped the blast and absorbed the cosmic blast back in that moment. He was back to his normal self, his care for Avyanna had stopped him from hurting her and reaching to his full maximum power. But like all moments, it passed as the malignant forces took over his mind again.

"Stop this already! I know you're still in there!" She pleaded getting to her feet holding her wounded arm.

"Do you surrender?" He said distantly as he summoned his blade.

"Never."

'Roll"

"6"

"Arctic Spell - Binding Chains."

Avyanna swung her blade proficiently , meeting Levi on the arm and administering a deep gash. The cut immediately began to freeze up , making the god unable to move the affected arm.

"This isnt you." Avyanna said as she slashed at him. "Something's messing with your head. Can't you see that?"

"Nothing is wrong with me ?" He grinned wickedly . "Maybe it's you that's the problem."

She sighed as she stretched her hand towards him , Her eyes a dark shade of magenta and her hair billowing steadily behind her .

"I am truly sorry for this." She murmured .

"Avyanna..." Levi dissented raucously while trying to break free from the frozen chains that fastened him to the spot. "Don't you dare."

"Roll"

"6"

"Release!"

A huge blast of energy shot out from her hand and enveloped Levi burning out of him the Manipulative forces that had once resided in him. It was agonizing hearing him shout but Avyanna pressed on , knowing it was for his own good.

When it was through , she moved closer to her friend and placed a hand on his shoulder reassuringly.

"You Okay?"

Levi gave a slight groan as he rose to his two feet. "Of course , I'm Okay." He answered as he rubbed his head. "Thanks for getting me out of that one. I owe you."

Avyanna smiled. "I'm glad you're back."

She fainted and fell into his arms .

———————————————

The other three had collapsed into the boat feeling very tired. They had dealt with those pesky people . On seeing Kyra's form , Most if them took to their heels and never looked. The more stubborn ones got a worse type of treatment.

Conrad sat upright as he stared ahead. "Kyra , Percival ...I think I see them!"

Kyra looked out and she saw Avyanna , who was in a very bad shape , leaning against Levi who had some scratches and bruises here and there.

"Finally." She exhaled as they pushed the boat into the water.

"You two look like you've been through hell ." Conrad commented as he held an oar and began rowing out to sea.

"Shut up and keep rowing ." Levi countered with enough biting sarcasm.

"So where are we headed now?" Kyra asked as she rested against the wooden rear looking up the stars.

"Anywhere away from the miserable place." Avyanna replied as she shut her eyes to earn a well deserved rest.

——————————————

But as soon as the adventurers left , a great darkness came over the Empire. A cold wind blew over the land as unusual eerie sounds where heard all over. The people ran towards their homes for safety, thinking it must be the wrath of the gods upon them for letting their messengers go.

The Both Priest retreated back into his temple to figure out the cause of this obscurement of the skies.

Chanting a rite , he danced around an altar of fire as he waved around some incense. "I am the vessel of the gods." He said. "Reveal to me the source of the darkness."

A strong outburst of wind rushed through the temple as scary shadows crept in and passed through the Priest as they loomed over him. The fire flickered frightened man began falling on the names of his gods to protect him , moving the incense back and forth until he was up against the wall.

From behind , a hand reached out and grabbed his shoulder and the John Priest Stumbled forward in fear. In the dim glow of the fire , he could see the features of his assailant. He had a smooth face , with dark brown eyes and a pointed nose. The man wore a long dark crimson robe that glided across the floor as he stood. On his face was a sinister half grin as he looked down condescendingly at the man before him.

"Kilai ! Fubo ! " The High Priest shouted to the guards outside guarding his temple. The two men hurried in and pointed their spears towards the intruder.

The man did not even bother to to look back. The men prodded him with their weapons , taunting him to fight time , when the strange man decided that he had had enough.

The shadows began materialising into solid form taking the shape of a horrifying creature and the guards laid down their weapons attempting to run. The High Priest could do nothing but look as he saw his people being torn apart and gutted alive like animals as some blood splashed on his face.

This wasn't a man.

He wasnt even a god.

He was a monster.

"Now..." The man proceeded holding a picture with the sketch of Avyanna's face over it. "Have you seen her?"

The man shook his head in terror as the man made a disapproving sound. The shadow monster had already finished devouring the guards and stood over its master whose eyes had now turned black. With driving force he stuck his hand in the High Priest chest , only to bring out his heart.

The Priest gaped in horror at the hole in his chest as the evil man squeezed his heart making him kneel before him.

"Who are you?" He stuttered, blood oozing as he placed his hand against his empty chest.

"The Shadow Master." He whispered and vanished without a trace.