Teruki In Trouble

Late that night, Teruki walked out of the inn. Everyone were asleep and Teruki wanted to see the clouds. She couldn't sleep and needed to clear her head. She heard a weeping sound and she walked to the source. The moons were out in their glory. She saw a boy. Although she couldn't see the face, the back suggested it was a boy. She went and touched his shoulder. "Hey kid, why are you…." She suddenly felt massive headache as she turned his face to her. Emotions skyrocketed into her head and she got migraine. She also felt dizzy and fell. Three men walked over to her, gagged her and took her away. A letter was pinned at the front door of the inn.

A young girl watched them go.

The next morning, Tsuoma woke to the sound of a knock. He went to the door, opened it and saw the innkeeper holding a letter. He collected it and his face fell as he read it. He got enraged and the inn began to crack at the sheer will of Tsuoma. The others woke to the tremors. Agnolia asked Tsuoma what happened. "They took Teruki. These damn mages. I will go and obliterate them". "Calm down Tsu. We need to figure out what they know. We don't even know what powers they possess." Agnolia tried to pacify Tsuoma. The team walked out of their rooms ready to go to the location but a young girl stopped them. "I can help you find her without you falling to their tricks but I will need your help." Agnolia looked at the girl and saw she was haggard but not smelly. "Okay kid, what can we do for you?" Agnolia took charge since Tsuoma wasn't in his right mind.

"Please follow me." The girl replied.

"How do we know she is not leading us to a trap. I trust nothing in this city." Tsuoma grumbled. Agnolia ignored him. "Let us go little one. Let us save your father.'' Agnolia spoke caringly. Tsuoma looked at the girl after hearing that. He appraised her.

[ True, she is half drained of energy. This is like a vampire's attack but it's her energy I can feel is drained not her blood. If her blood was drained, she would be dead by now. This is an attack prominent to the Energy Suckers.]

Tsuoma put his hand on his chin. He was lost in thought and didn't notice Agnolia waving to him. He stopped the negative thoughts in his head. "You guys remain here. I and Agnolia will follow her. There is something strange about this girl. And I bet it has to deal with whatever is happening in this town. He touched his sword to reassure himself. "I am coming for you Teruki, just hang tight."

"Eser tumi eks sulu aantorn mite koriatu." A masked man is chanting an incantation in a strange language and another man, a burly red haired man comes to meet him.

A young lady can be seen on a flat board. She was outstretched. She was also blindfolded. Her black hair was also pinned down with a peg. Her feet and hands were tied to knots and her breathing can be heard faintly. The burly man walks over to the girl and sniffs. "She truly is a virgin." By this night's full moon, we shall feast on her and the other strangers. Burlick continue the spell. After all her powers are drained, feasting on her would be a great delight."

Tsuoma, Agnolia and Estela got to Estela's home and in there saw a wizened old man. Tsuoma using his appraisal skill found out about the man. "He was bitten and his energy sucked out just like the girl." Tsuoma said like one forced to deliver a bad news. "I didn't want to believe it but now that I can see for myself, this was done by the clan of energy suckers." Agnolia replied gloomily. "They are actually a clan." Tsuoma was surprised. So there were clans in this world. He thought everything would operate by families alone. But why had they taken Teruki. The old man looked towards his daughter and the visitors she brought. "Whatever my daughter did you, I am truly sorry. I will find a way to pay you. Please do not harm her." Agnolia looked at the man with pity. "Can you tell us what happened? Maybe we can help."

The man was helped up by Estella and he coughed, before speaking, Estella rushed to get him a glass of water, he spilled a bit and apologized to his guests. He was happy they were not of evil intent. He hoped they could help.

"I am Saban Teed, I am an humble blacksmith, or I was before the energy suckers arrived in mage city. They were too strong, our mages couldn't fend them off. The governor of the city was killed ten years ago. Estella was only a baby then. I was captured and I was forced to make weapons of destruction else Estella would be killed. I did as they asked. This city became lonely. No one could leave and no one could come in. We live in fright each day, taking each day as our last. Soon they began siphoning our energy. Mostly our magic energy. They can also take life energy but they were keeping us alive although half dead. Most tried to kill themselves but they manipulated energy and brought the dead back to life and still feed on them. They took me also and it was like I was dead. My mana was drained. They took my daughter too and I was powerless to do anything. Her mother died when she was born. I pleaded with the leader of the clan but he wouldn't listen. He said virgin energy, that is energy from a pure maiden was nutritious and grants them massive powers. Especially during a full moon on Sangrethorn Day. Today is Sangrethorn Day and they will get another unlucky soul, tonight." At this, Tsuoma and Agnolia looked among themselves. One name in their heads. Teruki.

"I can heal you with a restoration spell. But you must not leave your home. You and your daughter, until we take away the plague of the energy suckers." Agnolia spoke reassuringly and Tsuoma decided to watch her.

[ Someone is watching us Tsuoma, it is one of the energy suckers. ]

Tsuoma heard his system. He opened his geographical eyes to check for the person's location and found the person. It was a young man and Tsuoma saw he was also a member of the clan. He whispered a silent light spell to make the man see illusions. He didn't want to directly attack. He also placed a tracking spell on the individual. Tsuoma's spell and skills could work even if the victim was far away. The individual could see Agnolia killing the man and his daughter and he went to report to his clan leader. Tsuoma heaved a sigh. He would find out later. Meanwhile Agnolia had drawn up a magic circle and began to chant a restoration spell.

"Renewed and refreshed, the spirit is free, the body restored, this spell I decree. Restoration!"

Tsuoma was in awe of her spell. She was a chanter. He thought being supreme didn't need for chanting. Agnolia looked at him and understood his questioning eyes. "Chanting is more than just words, Tsuoma," Agnolia said, "it is a ritual. It is a practice that taps into the deepest parts of the mind and spirit, and it can be used to channel energy and intent. Without chanting, magic is like a river without a source. It is powerful, but it lacks focus. I think I need to teach you more about this world and magic."

Tsuoma was silent for a moment, considering Agnolia's words. She was right, he realized. His power was great, but it was untamed, like a force of nature. He needed to learn how to focus and direct it. The lights began to swirl around Agnolia, and she directed them towards the man. As the lights touched him, he began to stir. His eyes fluttered open, and he let out a weak moan.

"How do you feel?" Agnolia asked gently.

The man sat up slowly, taking stock of his body. "I feel…I feel better. I feel whole again," he said, sounding surprised. "I didn't think it was possible, but I feel…new. Thank you so much mages. If only you were here earlier, you could have saved our mages."

Estella hugged her father tight and wept. Agnolia also healed her.

"Like we said, do not leave your house. We will come back for you." Tsuoma said smiling.