Chapter 16: Ilira and Milovich

Thane and Elara stepped out of the dimly lit interrogation room, their expressions a stark contrast. Thane's face remained composed, his eyes betraying nothing, while Elara's usually radiant features were shadowed with fatigue, her emerald-green eyes clouded by the harrowing experience, and her hands trembled.

"We've managed to extract some information from Kael," Thane said through gritted teeth, his voice tight with barely contained rage. "He admitted to sabotaging the artifact in order to kill you, Roderick. But that's not all. He was also instructed to infiltrate the academy, spread malicious rumors, and attempt to steal the artifact. Furthermore, the Obsidian Institute had a suspicion that there might be a secret level hidden beneath the academy, and Kael was tasked with finding it."

Roderick's brow furrowed as he listened, trying to absorb the new information. "But he never found anything, right?"

Thane shook his head, his eyes narrowing. "No, he didn't. He wasn't able to confirm the existence of any secret level." His anger was evident as he spat out the words, disgusted by the Obsidian Institute's treachery.

Roderick listened intently, concern etching lines on his brow. "We must be prepared for anything. Our progress has painted a target on our backs, and I can't help but feel responsible." He sighed, "If I hadn`t woken up..." he murmured.

Elara placed a reassuring hand on his arm, her touch warm and comforting. "You're doing everything within your power, Roderick. It's not your fault that others view our success as a threat."

Thane interjected, his voice filled with indignation. "It wouldn't have made a difference. Over the years, we've received offers to buy the artifact or even sell the entire academy for a substantial sum. We never accepted any of them, and that wouldn't have changed. According to Kael, if he hadn't been caught, he would've soon started sabotaging our daily operations to force our hand. He might have even caused some deaths." He spat with further disgust.

"And I`m sure he wasn`t the only one, where there is a rat there are always more." He added grimly.

Roderick nodded his resolve to protect the academy and himself. "I won`t just roll over and let them do whatever they want, but first, I need to be able to defend myself better. Do you know where my weapons are?"

Elara looked at him curiously, then recalled his memory loss and gave a small nod. "Of course. Let's go back to your study." She guided Roderick to a hidden chamber within his office, the entrance concealed by a bookshelf. With a wave of her hand, the bookshelf slid to the side, revealing a dimly lit vault, its walls lined with various magical artifacts.

In the center of the room stood a pedestal, upon which rested two swords, their blades gleaming with an inner light. As Roderick's gaze fell upon the swords, Elara asked, "Do you still remember Ilira and Milovich?"

His eyes went unfocused as memories flashed past his eyes. To the day they were sent to the Karthoum front.

The battlefield stretched out before them, a haunting vista of desolation and despair. The once fertile land had been transformed into a web of trenches, carved deep into the blackened earth. The sky above was an oppressive shroud of thick fog and detritus, remnants of the ongoing magical storm that had been summoned by a malevolent sorcerer. The wind howled through the air, its mournful cries reminiscent of ravenous wolves on the hunt.

Roderick, the team leader, and telekinetic specialist led a group of six through this hellscape. Thane, the geomancer, and scout worked closely with Milovich, the vanguard magic knight, to forge their path through the trenches.

Ilira, the rear magic knight, kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, ready to leap into action at a moment's notice. Sera, the artillery archer, and enchanter kept her bow and arrows at the ready. Finally, Kilo, the annoying healer, and cook, provided the team with the sustenance and healing they needed to survive the grueling conditions.

Their mission was as perilous as the terrain they traversed: to assassinate a high-value target responsible for placing the lethal traps that had claimed countless lives. They moved cautiously, Thane using his geomancy to dig the way forward while Milovich, ever vigilant, stood at the ready to confront any dangers that might lurk beyond the passage.

The group moved cautiously through the trenches. As they advanced, they carried on a conversation that had begun earlier, to distract them from the ever-present danger.

"Seriously," Thane insisted, a wry smile on his face, "the Falcons are leagues better than the Griffins. You'd have to be an idiot not to see it."

Ilira rolled her eyes, a smirk gracing her lips. "Oh, please, Thane. The only idiot here is you for thinking that. The Griffins have a stronger lineup, hands down. The Falcons just got lucky because their competition was too busy feeling sorry for them."

Milovich, laughed, "As much as I hate to admit it, Ilira's right. The Griffins are a force to be reckoned with. The Falcons are just overrated, like your taste in pretty much everything."

Sera snorted. "You're all a bunch of morons. The Unicorns are the real deal, not that any of you dimwits would understand."

"Riddle me this," started Kilo, the medic specialist and unfortunately cook for the team. " What`s the difference between the unicorns and a pencil? The pencil`s got a point." He snickered as Sera showed him the middle finger.

Roderick couldn't help but eye roll at their banter, even as he kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. "Alright, let's focus, team. We've still got a mission to complete, and I don't want to be stuck listening to you lot bicker any longer than I have to. It's giving me a headache." He said shaking his head.

As Thane's hands danced through the air, manipulating the soil and rocks to carve another tunnel, he inadvertently triggered one of the very traps they sought to avoid.

A sudden flash of light, followed by a loud explosion, the shockwave that would have killed the whole team, instead consumed itself bashing against Milovich`s shield, the mana dampening enhancement resisted for a few moments before shattering together with the shield and part of Milovich`s black iron`s armor.

Milovich collapsed on his knee, injured, but alive. He coughed some blood on the soil that greedily absorbed it and wiped his mouth, ready to request a heal. However, it wasn`t over, with a shrieking laughter, the willowing black smoke of the smoke came alive and assaulted Milovich with its sinister embrace, invading his body through the injuries and spreading inside as dark purple veins.

"No!" Ilira's voice cracked as she lunged toward Milovich, her eyes wide with fear. Her hand reached out, however, she was stopped by an invisible barrier between them.

"Stay back, Ilira!" Roderick barked, his voice a mix of authority and concern. "We don't know if it's contagious."

Roderick surveyed the group. "Kilo!" he called, but the good doctor was already fiddling with his medical pouch. He drew a range of tools, from lenses to needles, poking and prodding at Milovich, his eyes getting darker every moment.

Kilo, his gentle eyes reflecting a deep sadness, shook his head. "I'm afraid this curse is beyond my abilities. We'll have to find another way, otherwise, I`m afraid..." he didn`t voice out his worry, but everyone understood the gravity.

"How long?" Milovich simply asked, getting on his feet after gulping a healing potion.

"One hour." Kilo answered looking away. Milovich instead nodded slowly, at peace with his destiny.

Thane's face paled, guilt etched into every line of his expression. "I-I didn't see it coming... I'm sorry, Milovich."

Milovich glanced down at the web of dark veins around him, then locked eyes with his comrades. His voice was steady, despite the dire circumstances. "It's not your fault, Thane. We knew the risks coming into this."

Sera, who had been scanning the area for any signs of additional danger, now spoke up. "If we can find the one who set these traps, maybe they can remove the curse. It's our only shot."

Roderick nodded. "Alright, team, let's move. We've got an hour to save Milovich's life, we`ve got no time to waste."

The team pressed on, now with a renewed sense of urgency. The explosion had not only inflicted the deadly curse upon Milovich but also alerted enemy forces to their presence. As they advanced through the trenches, a stream of soldiers and magicians appeared, intent on stopping them in their tracks.

Their adversaries were skilled, but Roderick's squad was a well-oiled killing machine, their camaraderie allowing them to anticipate each other's moves and adapt to the ever-changing battlefield.

Thane's geomancy played a crucial role in controlling the terrain. He manipulated the earth beneath and in the trench walls, creating fissures to trip up enemy soldiers and raising walls of stone to shield his allies from incoming attacks. His mastery of the elements allowed him to launch boulders with devastating force, crushing their foes and sending them flying.

Sera, the archer, and enchanter, positioned herself at the back, picking off targets with unerring accuracy. Her enchanted arrows were imbued with various elemental properties, making them versatile weapons. Some exploded in a burst of flames upon impact, incinerating their victims; others released a shocking jolt of electricity that left enemies convulsing on the ground. She also used trick arrows to sow chaos among the opposing ranks, such as smoke bombs to obscure their vision and arrows that released binding vines to immobilize them. Unfortunately because of the violent storm above, she couldn`t use her more devastating moves.

Roderick instead, fought alongside Milovich and Ilira. He used his telekinetic abilities to disarm opponents, hurling their weapons far out of reach or turning them against their former wielders. And unlike Sera he could use the storm to his advantage, simply sending a soldier poking slightly out of the trenches would spell death, as the howling wind would shred and pull at anything in their reach.

Ilira, the rear magic knight, fought fearlessly, her sword a blur of motion as it sliced through the air. She expertly wielded her blade, imbued with anti-magic properties, to disrupt enemy spells and cut through magical barriers. Her swift and agile movements were enhanced by magical buffs, making her a formidable force on the battlefield.

Milovich, though weakened by the curse, still proved to be a fierce combatant. Like Ilira, he wielded a sword that could destroy magic on contact. He parried and countered the attacks of enemy magicians, his blade rending their spells asunder, leaving them vulnerable to his and his team's attacks. His own magically enhanced physical abilities allowed him to move with incredible speed and strength, striking down foes before they could react.

Whenever the two of them reached an enemy combattant, limbs and blood would be seen flying shortly after.

Kilo, the healer, and cook, stayed close to the others, doing his best to keep them fighting fit amidst the chaos. He chanted healing spells to mend their wounds and provided support by creating buffs and barriers to deflect incoming attacks.

The team fought valiantly, forging a path through the relentless onslaught of enemies. At last, they reached the bunker where their target was hiding.

The bunker loomed before them, a sinister fortress of dark stone and iron nestled within the twisted trenches. Its walls were etched with menacing runes and sigils that pulsed with a menacing glow, casting an aura of dread over the subterranean hideout. Despite the storm that raged above, an unnatural stillness hung in the air around the bunker, as if the very earth itself held its breath in anticipation.

Roderick surveyed the structure, his eyes narrowed in determination. "This is it. We have no time to waste. Thane, see if you can find us an entrance."

Thane nodded, his hands weaving intricate patterns as he called upon his geomancy to probe the bunker's defenses. Moments later, a section of the wall shifted, revealing a hidden doorway that led into the heart of the enemy's lair. "That was... too easy." He commented, worried.

Roderick grimaced but seeing no alternative ordered to continue.

As the team moved into the darkened interior, the oppressive atmosphere intensified. The air was thick and stifling, with the faint scent of sulfur tainting each breath. The flickering light from enchanted braziers cast an eerie luminescence, casting sinister shadows that seemed to dance and twist along the walls.

As they navigated the narrow corridors, the group's banter ceased, replaced by a tense silence. Each of them knew that their window of opportunity was rapidly closing. They had to find the magician responsible for the traps and secure a way to remove the curse from Milovich before it was too late.

Ilira led the way, her shield ready for an ambush, guiding them through the maze of passages that snaked throughout the bunker. Finally, they reached a large chamber where their quarry awaited them, the room was completely dark except for a candle in the man`s hands.

The magician, a tall figure draped in tattered robes, sneered at their arrival. "So, you've come for me, then? I must say, I'm impressed you've made it this far."

Ilira gritted her teeth, her sword held at the ready. "Enough talk. Remove the curse from Milovich, or we'll end you where you stand."

As they cornered their target, a sinister grin spread across his face. "You want a cure?" he sneered, his eyes locked on Milovich's. "The cure is... tell him to keep you a nice spot in hell!" With a maniacal laugh, he made a move to detonate a hidden explosive, intent on taking them all down with him.

But Roderick was faster. In a split second, he focused his telekinetic power and crushed the man like a ripe tomato, silencing him forever.

The team barely had time to catch their breath when they realized they were surrounded by a massive, elaborate trap, the walls lined with explosives, and more enemy forces closing in. The sound of approaching reinforcements echoed through the narrow corridors, a grim reminder of the dire situation they were in.

As the dust settled around the crushed body of the magician, something didn't seem right. The corpse started to twitch and convulse, revealing itself to be a remotely controlled puppet, designed to deceive them. Their true target was still at large, and they had fallen for the trap.

"Ptui!" Thane spat on the puppet.

Milovich, weakened by the curse and acutely aware of the limited time he had left, made a fateful decision. With a resigned sigh, he drew a symbol over his sword, preparing to activate his last resort, a spell that would massively enhance his fighting potential, at the cost of his life. He knew that it would ultimately kill him, but in his eyes, there was no other choice.

Roderick, recognizing the symbol and understanding the implications, immediately tried to stop him. "Stand down, soldier," he commanded, his voice firm but filled with concern. "We're all getting out of here together."

Milovich, his expression resolute, locked eyes with his team leader. "Not this time, Roderick," he replied, his voice heavy with the weight of his decision.

Before anyone could react, Ilira also drew the symbol on her sword, shocking everyone.

As she met Roderick's gaze, she spoke with a quiet determination. "Where

he goes, I go. In this world and the next." Her smile was bittersweet, but

her eyes held an unwavering resolve.

Roderick and the rest of the team hesitated, torn between their loyalty to their comrades and the knowledge of the sacrifice they were about to make. The air in the bunker felt thick with tension, each heartbeat seeming to last an eternity as the group processed the impending loss.

Finally, understanding that there was no changing their minds, Roderick nodded solemnly.

"Make it count," he said, his voice cracking ever so slightly.

With that, Milovich and Ilira charged forward, their swords alight with the combined power of their life forces. The forbidden technique transformed them into living weapons, their movements faster and more powerful than ever before.

As they engaged the enemy forces, their allies could only watch in awe and sorrow as their friends cut a path through the swarm. Each swing of their swords felled multiple foes, their bodies disintegrating under the sheer power of the technique.

If before the two were already like adults playing with kids, now they were like divine beings, descending on earth to dole out divine retribution.

The rest of the team, their hearts heavy with grief, knew they couldn't let their comrades' sacrifices be in vain. They followed in the wake of Milovich and Ilira's rampage, fighting their way through the remaining enemies to reach the escape route that had been opened for them.

As they retreated, Roderick couldn't help but glance back one last time at the two figures, their bodies now glowing with an otherworldly light as the forbidden technique reached its apex.

Miraculously, they managed to make it out of the trap-laden bunker and enemy territory just as their life forces were completely drained. A sea of bodies was left in their wake. As the team emerged into the open, Milovich and Ilira exchanged one last glance, their eyes filled with love and understanding.

With the last of their strength, they staggered toward each other and collapsed into a tender embrace, their bodies entwined as they drew their final breaths. In their final moments, they found solace and comfort in each other's arms. The glow disappeared from their bodies, like a film being slowly lifted.

Roderick and the remaining members of the team watched in somber silence, their hearts heavy with grief. Though they had lost two of their own, they would not forget them.