Battle Together

Resting against an empty wall, consumed in webs, the heavy crackle resounded just outside the camber that resided Zireael. It had been a few hours, maybe even less, but everyone was now up and ready.

Standing completely healed with the help of Ella. Sionn gripped his shield that was covered in gashes. Scrunching his solemn sword-like brow, a tense air pressed against his bones.

"Ready?" He asked, looking ahead to the barricaded door.

"Ready!" everyone confirmed, with excitement pulling at their tiny hearts.

Picking himself up, Zireael waved his hand as all the various furniture magically flew away. Sending the boy a deep look, Drilon frowned. Telekinesis was only found within a very few sorcerers, especially those his age. It was a powerful tool that was said to be a defining quality of a rising monster.

Leading the charge with his shield pressing against his arm. The camber doors shot open by the invisible pull of Zireael's intent. Crashing into whatever laid ahead. The young protector roared with a sword and shield in hand. Shattering the bones that stood in his way, the silver flicker of sword light protected Sionn as ZIreael appeared by his side like a phantom.

Breezing through like a reaper, a determined gleam filled the young lord as he grew a little serious. His technique was perfect, but beneath each swing, Zireael released a breath hiding the twisting anguishing pulling at his body.

His skills were at a monstrous level, but his child-like body could never handle the intricate techniques he held.

Blazing through the hoard of Skeletons and whatever laid ahead on the glint of silver light became visible as the Silver devil swept through the battle without end.

To his rear, Aurelia shadowed his movements, picking off any that attempted to harm her or Zireael. Her sword was not anything like the young lord that could only be desired as perfect or orderly. Aurelia blade followed the path of simplicity. One the young lord had to lead her upon.

He understood none could follow his path, so he wished for her to follow her own. And what was the best if not for the path of simplicity where one would learn to grow on their own? It was a stepping stone. There were no fancy techniques, but simple slashes thrust, parries, and various other simple techniques.

However, even with the simplicity, Aurelia's path was becoming entangled with the arts of Acana. Whether she was aware of it or not, with each strike, her staff would have at least two sigils ready to cast at any moment. None the less Aurelia's form was growing by the second becoming solid, and mysterious.

"How much further?" Sionn shouted, lifting his shield to defend Drilon, who did not wish to battle.

"I can see a strange gateway in the distance!" Zireael shouted, leaping into the air severing the heads of two skeletons while his leg blasted another into dust. "Hold your position! Ella, start casting Force Blast!"

Not needing to be told twice, Ella stepped upon Sionns shoulder, leaping into the air covering enough ground to land safely next to Zireael and Aurelia. Narrowing her emerald eyes, a largely invisible blast shook the walls pushing everything away.

Taking their chance, the group rushed ahead, while Ella began constantly chanting force blasts, giving them a fast path ahead. However, with each blast, the young girl's expression began to pale, and sweat began to trickle from her brow.

"Switch!" Zireael commanded, noticing the perspiration beginning to grow.

Taking over Ella's role, Aurelia tore apart the entire crypt as the echoes of battling began to grow stronger in the distance. Despite a large gate blocking their path, something strange began to occur the closer they drew towards the sounds of battle.

The number of skeletons and ghouls began to grow less and less. Till all that was left was dust beside a large iron gate.

"Ella, are you good?" Aurelia asked, noticing her silence, heavy breath.

"Just a little break," She hummed with trembling legs.

However, such a request did not seem to register within the cold mind of Lord Blackwater. He could feel the divine energy deep within the door. It was overflowing destroying any evil creatures.

Pushing the iron gates open, his eyes fell upon a large tomb with a large statue depicting a seven-headed dragon. The dragon itself was a masterful depiction of art at its highest level, detailing every crevasse down the overlapping scales and crystal-like eyes. That seemed to be watching all who intruded.

Feeling their very lives were being held within the crystal-like eyes of the seven-headed dragon: a resounding snap awakened Aurelia and the others.

"Do not stare," He grimly said, cuffing his hands, "But do make sure you show your respect. Not for the man that was buried but who is watching us.

Following in suit, the kids all began to cuff their hands while Drillon shot towards the Red Priest alongside the two other students battling a large spider towering over them like they were ants. It held eight hairy legs, the size of a whole Horse, and thirteen eyes glistering a venomous light. Its entire body was a yellow, green pigment with a faint inscription of a skull upon its exoskeleton.

"Are we going to—"

"No," Said Zireael coldly, cutting Sionn off. "All of you are going to die if you battle that thing. It is a guaranteed death sentence if I do not help."

Holding his hand high, Drilon, who was charging to help, was pulled back by a powerful force, "Your payment." He ruthlessly said, casting an evil shadow over the young warriors behind him.

"Are you mad!" Drilon shouted, "These are lives we are talking about."

"The Red Priest will live. But I am not sure about you." He said with a half-smile, "Now pay us. We finished your job and delivered you to the Red Priest. We cannot allow you to die and not get paid."

"Zireael," Aurelia hastily announced but was blocked by both Sionn and Ella, who remained quite indifferent.

"A deal is a deal. Father taught me that." The Young Noble said, with a heavy trickle in her voice. Holding back the tears threatening to fall, she remained hard, knowing what she needed to do—a price for a price.

"I agree," Sionn added, "Humans cannot be trusted. Pay first!" He demanded, carrying a vicious stare.

"what if I pay you double!" Drilon shouted, struggling against the mighty force pulling at his body.

Scuffing at his words, Zireael lifted his hand, pulling the scholar towards him with a powerful, attractive force. "Or I sever your legs and let you bleed out. I will not endanger the lives of my people. They may be naive, but I am not. Do not overstep."

"It's fine!" Said the Red Priest, with a half-smile. Arching his staff high, a large barrier appeared, blocking the Valmitotarmis Spider's strike, sending a powerful shockwave. Creating tremors throughout the crypt, he turned to Zireael with his eyes still closed. "I thank you for delivering our man. We have been searching but found nothing. Pay them, Drilon. They will be our students soon anyhow."

"Oh, quite a confident, aren't ya." Zireael commended, reflecting the red priest within his cold silver eyes.

"Indeed. I was contracted as a third party to hold a treaty for the two kingdoms of Ferrum and Broma. After your little intervention with the prince. I am quite sure we will see more of each other."