Chapter 41 -Conviction-

CHAPTER 41 -CONVICTION-

MARSHAL KLYDE 

  The pressure that both fighters released began to burn my body, heavy weight on my whole body almost giving in to falling to my knees from it. They both stood still like statues, not a single movement was made in seconds. Michael, the Star of Angels was in his stance while the kid stood there with his brows forward. 

  But something about the kid has me confused. Most Angels would get nervous, let alone other fighters from different races, but he is as calm as a cloud, no hesitation or regret of what he is doing right now. I get the feeling like he knows what he is doing right now. 

  We Angels live for a long time but, our essence of life is expanded twenty times more than a human's life. During those times as an Angel warrior we gain experience, whether it's life or death. Team's survival or self gratification. Decision or moral reasoning. 

  Whatever it is, we learn more by picking a path. But combat or fights to the death are not in our chapter of learning. Fighting and taking a life of a fellow Angel or any other race without any reasoning is a high crime, worthy of exile or worse… a death sentence. 

  Yet this kid gives off the feeling that he has killed beings similar to Angels or probably even other races. The aura he displays is like that of an old veteran marshal, a Star.

  At that moment the duel between the two Angels had begun. Michael had the upper hand in close combat, in his swings there was a deep sense of urgency. The determination of the duel and his titleholder. 

  "Is that a Star?" Said a womanly voice behind me. When I turned I realized who it was, it was the dragon girl that our Major made us save from the ambush. 

  If I'm not mistaken her name was Pearl Millguard… but her clothes are something similar to what we Angels use. I took a closer look at her clothes when it hit me, the white dress she was wearing was an antique armor dress. 

  But no matter, antiques are not useful to use Angels anymore because of the lack of strength and mana manipulation. "Yes, it's a Star-ranked Angel." I finally responded to her. 

  "And the other… Another Angel?" 

  "Yes, if I'm correct he called himself The Angel of Death…" I trailed off with the attack patterns that the so-called Angel of Death had been using in the first two attacks. He seemed to perfectly grasp what the opponent was doing. Deflecting and dogging while cutting off the unnecessary movement. 

  The two white swords clashed on, both causing sparks that would melt the walls. Some swings would even cause damage to the walls and other structures. 

  But this battle appeared to be finishing. The Angel of Death muttered something as Michael rushed out with a large smile of victory. In that split second, the Angel vanished from sight and a loud explosion shook the building as smoke rose from the ground in front of us. 

  The kid was in the air looking down to where the explosion occurred, the face that the kid wore was that of a man who was tired of seeing needless battles. 

  If he was in the air, then the one on the floor was… my body froze to the realization of our Star laying down on the floor, his weapon disposed of. Michael's eyes seemed to harbor anger, hatred towards this particular Angel. His words then hit me, after striking him down the first time he already knew that we, the marshals are nothing compared to this Angel. 

  His strength is something that not even our Star could take lightly. The mana surrounding the Angel Of Death didn't seem to come from the inside of his body, all mana seemed to circle a specific place. A ring. 

  The ring in his left hand had a strong sense of mana connection, then this means that this Angel didn't have a mana core to begin with but instead is using something else as a source to mana? 

  Something similar to mana, almost like a relic or artifact that has been lost in time. Then whatever The Angel Of Death is using probably is stronger than a mana core? If so he only has one halo… So why him? How can an Angel become a titleholder without any of the Angelic Council members noticing such a feat? His power alone could make him the next Star of Angels if he wanted, but why hide it? 

  Why show it until now? 

  Michael unleashed his second phase of his Angel powers. 'The Angel God's second strongest soldier' is what his form is called in long terms, in short terms it is 'Archangel'.

  This form was bestowed for those who have great potential in being chosen as the right hand of the Angel God. 

  The dragon girl kept a close eye on the two Angels as they began their second round. She began to study their movements as they clashed swords once again, but knowing that the second strongest soldier was already using his second Angel phase made me know that Michael would win once in for all. 

  "The Saint Angel is already using his second Angel phase while the other is not using his." Pearl began to talk, her voice sounded like there was a concerning thing during the fight. "Something feels off… his aura and mana are almost like the Star-ranked Angel. If not, they are the same." I observed the mana around both Angels, but more specifically on Sammael's mana. It's totally different from before, his mana was slightly above mine when I encountered his sword but now his mana is above mine and equal to Michael when he's in his second Angel phase. 

  "Could it be that his mana increases as he fights?!" I said, causing the princess of Ezar to look at me with a puzzled look. Her facial expression betrayed her, even though I could tell that she had questions because of my statement just now. Yet her questions were answered in mere seconds, as Michael, the Saint Angel unleashed a giant orb of Divine mana in the palm of his hand. 

  The Angel Of Death didn't change, nor did his expression when he witnessed the most powerful attack that could destroy this flying temple and leave a crater below us, appear before him. Instead he raised his aura including his mana around him and the stray mana commenced to shake in fear. I knew that mana had its own will but to scare off mana or even have it at your fingers was something I deemed not possible to do. 

  Mana would always grace those who had the potential of using it, whether for good or evil. Divine mana has its own will too just like Demonic mana, though, elemental mana does not. Elemental mana has no will or personality of some sorts, being used as the wielder pleases. 

  "You seem like you can stop this attack o' Angel Of Death!" Michael let out, charging his magic attack and getting ready to let go of it. Ignoring everything around him, the Angels, Men and Women. Michael didn't seem like himself, his expression and decision were different from his normal self. 

  The Saint Angel appeared to be hell's bent to kill The Angel Of Death, ending his farce lie of being an Angel power than himself, destroying once and for all the possibility of another Star joining our ranks than to admit his defeat. 

  His pride didn't want that, the only thing that mattered in the world to him right now, in this moment, was to win against Sammael. 

CHARLOTTE BAMFORD

  "Charlie, Ava, go on support! Grace, get the rear! Noah and I will go on offense!" I yelled out, looking at the performance of the team that we had now. Drakons rushed to us like a swarm, coming from the front. Some were in the grounds running like horses while others were crawling on the sides and on top of the cave. 

  Their jagged teeth that were covered in saliva gave me the creeps, but more than that was anger. Since the dungeon incident, I haven't encountered any of this. The atmosphere of the dungeon was almost the same as before, yet I couldn't put my finger on it. 

  The army of Drakons continued to block our path, this meant more training for the new recruits that my grandfather—Leader of the rescue team picked up in the last few weeks. Two mages; Charlie and Ava. Three swordsmans; Grace, Noah and I.

  Wait… we are missing a member, our tanker. Getting distracted by our lost member, a Drakon two times bigger than myself launched Noah across the open cave and landed on the wall. 

  "Noah!" Grace yelled in concern of our teammate. The huge Drakon aimed at me next, using his big arms as weapons and shields. I used my mana affinitis to my disposal, wind, water and earth. I ordered Charlie and Ava to assist Grace and Noah while I took care of the Gigantic beast myself. 

  The Drakon didn't waste time, it ran towards me like an angry beast. Swinging his arms with power that when it missed me and landed on the floor it would create craters and make the ground tremble. 

  I injected as much mana affinities as I could into my rapier, with this I should be able to endure his attacks, I thought. Continuing to dodge the large pillars of two arms it had, waiting for an opening while getting pushed back. 

  The roars of the frustrated Drakon became hurtful to the ears, the screeching noise made my vision wobble and my body unbalanced. A spell? I said in my mind, holding my head with my left hand trying to get myself together. 

  My grip on my weapon became weaker as the spell began to take more effect on me. The elemental affinities I inserted in my rapier started to disappear, the bright light that came from it no longer seemed to be in sight. 

  Then I noticed that my connection with mana was getting weaker, to the moment where I no longer could feel mana. My heart sank as I had always thought that I would always, at any moment, have mana at my disposal. I thought that I would be useless without it. That I couldn't live in a world where it didn't exist. 

  I was in shock that I didn't notice the Drakon attacking me already, its wide left arm came to me at the speed of light. If I still had mana, I would've easily evaded the attack but I did not, not one single pressense. 

  As I closed my eyes and accepted my death just like that, regrets flooded my mind along with memories. Memories that were filled with people I'd met in the past, people like, the Espions, Juliette, Luna, Grace, Noah. 'Are you yielding to death?' 

  'Was me saving you a mistake?' 

  Who?

  'Does your power amount to this much?' 

  No…

  'Does your conviction and dedication amount to this much?'

  "No!" I yelled out loud, barely picking up my weapon. 

  'Then strengthen your grip, let go of the doubt your heart has and fight that Drakon!' A very familiar voice said as its appearance formed behind the giant Drakon, looking back with his brown eyes with a smile before walking forward, turning his back to me. His long black curly hair was swifting as the wind passed by. Next to him were his disciples and everyone else. 

  "Don't worry, I will catch up to you and the others. So don't wait for me, instead have the preparations for the party when I arrive." 

  With the help of mana, I was able to pick up my rapier with one hand. Now I had to use both to even lift it up a little but that was all I needed. With this conviction that is burning intensely inside of me, I would kill this monster myself with my own power. Mana or not, I would still see it to the very end until I see this Drakon's life force leave from its eyes.