44 Battle at the Eternal Chamber

"That's enough, Duke." High Magistrate Thoran warned.

"Just think about it.", Duke Elethorne persisted. "If we look at the Surge, it wasn't all bad. It has given us magic and advanced our research capabilities beyond our dreams. I think that this 'Rapture Event' will not be the end of us but a great step into becoming a more advanced species. We might even get the chance to call ourselves gods!"

High Magistrate Thoran has had enough. He was about to silence the other High Magistrate when a strong gust of wind blasted through the room.

"So this is how magic has turned us into." Everyone turned to see Lord Magistrate Juron on his feet and walking to the center, a white fluffy creature perched on his shoulder. "I had thought that by creating the Arcane Watch, we would be humbled not to abuse the use of magic. But it seemed others are already in over their heads. To even think of becoming a god…" Juron could not even get the words out. Distress was clearly written all over his face.

"You're the one who is in over your head, Lord Magistrate." Duke spat the words.

He had already positioned himself a distance from them, and some among the crowd started to rally behind him.

"So this is how it's going to be?", Lord Magistrate looked at them, sadness in his old eyes. "I was upset when I learned a magician was responsible for some of the horrifying happenings around Stormfall. I was intending to deal with it discreetly. But seeing you all now… it grieves me deeply."

"What's going on?", the other Conclave members stood behind the Lord Magistrate, clearly shocked by this revelation. The others left in the crowd are also unsure of this turn of events.

"Juron Althemor! I, Duke Elethorne, leader of the Clandestine Order, hereby denounce you as Lord Magistrate of the Arcane Watch. Step down without resistance and no one will get hurt. Our Order will take over the Watch and all who resist us will be severely punished.", the man behind the this treason slyly grinned. "Your move, Arcane Watch."

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*

Now it was Juron's turn to applaud. He allowed himself to laugh for a bit, and then turned very serious. "To think you would have to guts to come to my home and have your way around it. You are a damned man, Duke Elethorne. I would rather die than see the world run by the likes of you."

"Arcane Watch! To me!"

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The Arc Tower thundered and flashed, as a great battle commenced from within. The Arcane Watch was divided as they battled the Clandestine Order. The subversion, led by the traitor Duke Elethorne, was a group that started as black magic users. They had grown in number ever since and were only waiting for an opportune moment to strike. After their assault on the Arcane Watch, their numbers had grown much larger. A lot of the Watch members have switched sides turning the tides in the Clandestine Order's favor. Now, the wounded remnants of what once was the Arcane Watch are trapped inside the Eternal Chamber as the renegades siege them outside the doors.

"Is everyone accounted for, Thoran?"

"Yes, Lord Magistrate. High Magistrate Elaina is a little bit shaken but she's fine. I couldn't say the same for High Magistrate Kiri. She was badly wounded saving one of the apprentices. The healers are tending to her wounds now. We have roughly at least thirteen Watch members still in fighting condition. All the others are in a bad shape or unconscious."

"What of the Nullifier?"

"The last I saw of it was at the assembly area. I'm afraid that's all I know."

"Thank you, old friend. Go get some rest now. Those doors won't hold for much longer."

"Lord Magistrate. It has been an honor, fighting by your side.", Thoran saluted the Lord Magistrate and went on to recuperate.

"Yes. It has.", Juron smiled to himself, and closed his eyes, relaxing himself to meditation.

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Juron Althemor was finishing up with his meditation when the doors of the Eternal Chamber buckled. A loud explosion sucked out the air inside and splinters where thrown about. It was at the last second that the Lord Magistrate was able to raise a protective field around his people. The Clandestine Order stormed inside throwing spell after spell trying to break down the barrier.

"You know, Juron. I thought of you as a senile old man, but you do still have much fight left in you. I've heard rumors that you have a daughter. Maybe after I'm done with you here, I'll find her myself and give her the love you never did.", Duke tried to get through Juron's head.

At the mention of his daughter, Juron got furious. "Do not involve her into this fight, Duke. She chose a better life, leave her be."

"Ah. Well. Too bad I don't answer to you anymore.", Duke mocked. Concocting his signature spell, the ex-High Magistrate chanted words from a forbidden language and wrapped his magical lightning bolt with a green demonic aura. He focused it on to the Lord Magistrate and threw it with his full strength.

Juron had been waiting for this moment, and as the menacing bolt approached him rapidly he quickly cast a spell that caused his hands to glow bright gold. They absorbed Duke's lightning bolt and Juron immediately directed his fingers at his opponent. The lightning bolt reemerged and shot forward, impaling Duke Elethorne directly in the neck.