The night was still and peaceful, as many days were in the Academy. It was expected for almost all students and faculty to be resting in their beds, preparing for the next day. This day, however, fares differently. Shadows moved in the corners of the open walkways. Academy guards who stood in the way were incapacitated. These agile shades soon gathered on the rooftops of a building. There, four hooded figures stood overlooking the area. They can be described based on their respective roles: Lancer, Fighter, Samurai, and Leader.
โโโWoah, so this is what western forts look like? Everybody looks so carefree!โ Fighter said.
โโโThis is no fort. Our target is an educational administrator. I hope that hooded man was right about this information,โ Leader came in.
โโโItโs not that Iโm worried about. That yellow eye gives me the creepsโฆโ
โโโI wonder why the Mistress aimed for her specifically. I was hoping for a worthy opponent to show up!โ Lancer said. โBah, another boring day.โ
โโโSwiftly and with grace. Our task must be completed. To achieve her goals,โ Samurai versed.
โโLeader looked at them, nodding. โI believe us four can take her on. If not, we will have to come with the others, but judging our capabilities, it wonโt be necessary. Come, Phantoms of Sargata, we shall complete our Mistressโ task! For the mother of Chaos!โ
โโโFor the mother of Chaos!โ
โโAnd so, the four Phantoms of Sargata made their way to the tallest tower. According to the information given by the mysterious hooded man, that was where their objective will be. On the base of the tower, they gathered together as Leader took out a talisman. The inscribed ink glyphs on the paper glowed and a spiritual bird manifested. It carried them all the way to the top with Lancer shattering the windows upon entry. They readied themselves for battle, only to see a woman standing with her back turned. She faced them as if she were expecting them.
โโโYou finally came. I am Gloria Ambrosius and you must be my assailants,โ she said. โHmm, I was not expecting the Mistressโ elite to be all females.โ
โโโYou knew of our arrival?โ Leader said.
โโโOf course. He told me about you, after all.โ
โโThe four looked at each other with confused gazes. Leader turned to Lancer and Samurai, gesturing them to go forth. Lancerโs spear was near Gloriaโs neck while Samurai checked for any weapons. After clearing any signs of conflict, Samurai nodded and assumed stance. Gloria showed no fear as she went behind her desk. She snapped her fingers, opening a drawer. A rusted, cracked ax head levitated and rested on top of the desk. From its presence alone, the broken metal seethed with immeasurable power.
โโโI believe this is what you are looking for. The ax head of the legendary weapon, Ragnarรถk. Wielded by none other than the Hero King himself.โ
โโLeader hovered her hand over the old ax head, attuning herself to the mana surrounding it. After a moment, she nodded and had Fighter collect it. โYes, this is indeed what we are looking for. The Mistress will be pleased with your cooperation.โ
โโโLeave and never come back. I want nothing from a band of cults like you.โ
โโFighter threw her hands down. โWe are not cultists! Do any westerners have any decency calling people sensitive names?!โ
โโโProper their claim is. Cultists of the Phantoms once were. But we changed for better,โ Samurai corrected.
โโโIt doesnโt matter who or what you are, I want you out and to never return!โ Gloria said.
โโLancer raised her spear close to her throat again. โAs pleased as we are, there is one more thing we require: your mana.โ
โโโW-What?! No detail was mentioned about that!โ
โโโAll is well for the Mistress of Sargata. For she will bring upon this worldโs salvation.โ Leader took out a wrapped roped crystal with several talismans attached to it. โMy people used objects like this to trap demons in it. I have repurposed it to take the mana essence from someone without killing them. Do this and I swear upon the Mistressโ name we wonโt return.โ
โโGloria lowered her eyes. After some time, she put out her hand. โSo be it. Upon your Mistressโ name.โ
โโThe front door of the office swung open violently, and Gloriaโs eyes widened. It was the person she last wanted to come through those doors, especially in a situation like this. Her own son, Merlin, had come.
โโMerlin made his way to Gloriaโs personal room. Academy security roamed around the main building, looking for any students out past their curfew and keeping the area secure. He was immune to the curfew rule because of his relationship with the Head Maester, so the guards gave him a greeting nod or said their hellos. After taking the elevator to the Crown floor, he went to the right and at the end of the corridor, her room was in front of him. He did his usual knock, each met without a response at the other end. It was this silence that conjured the thought of her being in her usual office, so he traveled to the special elevator. Two guards saluted and brought him up. He exited the cabin, turning around. The doors close behind him.
โโThere was no turning back now.
โโIt perplexed him to how he would approach her. It wouldnโt be easy to walk in and act like nothing happened. Merlin thought about what Aren would do and with some contemplation, he believed his teacher would go with the flow than to conjure a plan. His heart raced as he anxiously ambled to the middle section of the corridor. Before he could progress further, goosebumps arose from the back of his neck. Instinctively, he turned, seeing a mysterious figure looming some distance. He wasnโt able to distinguish any noticeable features other than a black hooded robe with a yellow right eye glowing underneath its shadow. The figure raised their head slowly, revealing a strangely comforting smile.
โโโWe finally meet, Merlin Ambrosius,โ they said. The pitch of their voice was low, so Merlin assumed it was a man speaking to him.
โโโW-Who are you? How did you get here?โ
โโโDo you desire power?โ
โโโโฆ What?โ
โโโYou want to be strong so others can recognize you as their equal. Perhaps even more.โ The hooded figured showed his palm. โItโs the reason you worked so hard to obtain it. Though you cannot notice, you already have what you seek.โ
โโโI already haveโฆ power?โ
โโโWithout the intervention of the Head Maester, you would have strength beyond imagination. Your gift has yet to awaken, young Merlin. With my help, it shall fully wake.โ
โโMerlin gazed with a confused look. It took him some time to realize what he was referring to. โMy demon side is the source of my strength? But everyone saysโฆโ
โโโThey fear for what you will become.โ The hooded man lent his hand. โReclaim what was yours. Take my hand.โ
โโMerlin reached out slowly, but pulled back in hesitation. โIโฆ I canโt. As much as I want to be strong, it wonโt be in means of evil. Iโm sorry.โ
โโโHow unfortunate. I sought for your approval, but it seems I have no choice. Destiny demands it.โ
โโA gust of wind passed by Merlinโs hair. The hooded figure in front of him disappeared. Before he could make any reaction, his muscles tightened around the back of his neck. His body ached and jolted, as if lightning struck him. Seconds passed, and he fell on his knees, gasping for air. An unnatural sensation came over him: hatred and the need to kill those who wronged him. Despite the pain all over his person, he perceived no physical harm done to him. He looked around, observing the fact that the hooded figure disappeared. Though there was no presence, he heard his voice resonating in his mind.
โโโIf you truly believe you can cast aside your demon persona, then the upcoming trial shall be your test. I trust in our future endeavorsโฆโ
โโHe ran to the Head Maesterโs office, forcing the front doors open. There, he saw Gloria being held at spear point, along with four different hooded individuals. Unlike the mysterious figure from before, he could somewhat distinguish their facial features. They were all women!
โโโMerlin, get back!โ Gloria said.
โโโHead Maester, what is this? Who are these people?!โ
โโMerlin felt something sharp near his throat. He looked to his right, seeing a blade being held close to his neck.
โโโIf you move, you die,โ Samurai warned.
โโโGenโtch, Samurai, stop. You are only making things worse,โ said Leader. She turned to see a glowing aura around the Head Maester. โAnd it has gone worse.โ
โโGloria tightened her hands into a fist as her aura continued to glow brighter. Fissures erupted on the ground beneath her, and she glared at them with raging eyes. โYou dare threaten me and use my son as hostage?! Youโll regret being alive when Iโm done with you all!โ
โโShe manifested arcane circles, and the room exploded. Merlin was knocked back, his ears ringing and vision disoriented. He got back on his feet, vigorously coughing as his eyes waited for the smoke to settle. Everyone in the office was gone and there was an enormous hole in where the desk used to be. He limped his way there and saw the battle unfold in the Gardens. The Head Maester and her opponents were moving faster than his eyes could keep up with besides the constant metal sparks, lightning-based attacks, and constant explosions.
โโThe Academy Guards were quickly dispatched to eliminate the threat, though each one was swooped away like rag dolls. Bodies of the guards were scattered all over and blood painted the walls and the grounds. Gloria pointed at a group and though Merlin couldnโt hear what she was saying, by the gestures alone, she most likely told them to stay away. She tried to lead the assailants away, only for two out of the four to follow her. The other two hooded women slaughtered the remaining guards with no mercy.
โโโMerlin, Merlin!โ someone called him. He turned to see Layette running with an escort. โGodsdamnit, we were too late!โ
โโMerlin shook his head. โN-No! I got to be down there to help! My mothโI mean, the Head Maester is in danger!โ
โโโNo, it is too unsafe. You two, get him to safety. Gods, whereโs my father when all this is happening?!โ
โโโB-But surely I can doโ!โ
โโShe flared her eyes. โYou would not be able to do anything! Please, for the sake of your life and everyone elseโs, stay out of this!โ
โโMerlin gritted his teeth and he lowered his face. The guard patted his shoulder, urging him to leave. Layette unsheathed her new sword. She leaped from the tower, leaving a shock-wave in her former place. Within a blink of an eye, her blade was near one of the assailantโs neck. The foe responded with equal speed, deflecting her blow and came down her with a strange sword. They exchanged blow-to- blow as gusts of air violently churned around them. The combatants backed off after releasing their arrangement of attacks, both in awe of each otherโs skill.
โโโI see, impressive. You excite me, westerner. Come, let us fight more,โ the Samurai said.
โโโYou are not bad yourself. For such a frail-looking blade, it has not broken yet. That is pure technique, for sure,โ Layette said. โHave at it, fiend!โ
โโShe charged at her opponent. Instincts warned her of an impending attack, so her body shifted, dodging a stabbing blow from her left. After evading several lunging strikes, she created some distance to evaluate the situation. The other Phantom, Lancer, twirled her spear and let out a prideful laugh.
โโโSorry, I couldnโt help myself. Are you even trying? Thereโs only one person in the world that could last that long against you. Of course, I am talking about myself. Leave this one to me,โ Lancer came in.
โโโFool, you take my prey? Truly dishonorable. You owe me one, yes?โ
โโโHeh, if you insist. If she lives, sheโll be yours the next time you two meet.โ
โโโI see, very well. Good fortunes, my friend.โ
โโSamurai sheathed her blade and disappeared into the night. Lancer twirled her spear around and assumed her stance, and Layette did the same.
โโโOne does not get a chance to fight against a member within the infamous Divine Circle of Damore. It is most regrettable I get to fight the weakest among them,โ Lancer said. โIโm talking about you, by the way, Phoenix of Damore.โ
โโโSays the person hiding behind their hood. You act confident, yet your demeanor shows otherwise.โ
โโLancer chuckled and with no hesitation, she unraveled her hood. Long blonde hair fell down to her shoulders, strands smooth as silk. At the ends, they curled in a swirl-like shape. Her green eyes fluttered with grace and with it, a cocky grin. Layette did not expect someone that beautiful to exist on a battlefield like this. The amount of makeup and styling was absurd, especially when such would be ruined in the heat of battle. Still, it did not help her confidence at all.
โโโAha, is that jealously I spot? Of course, no woman could ever compare against me. Iโm just that good, arenโt I?โ Lancer prattled.
โโโI-I-Iโm not jealous! Grr, Iโll show you one better!โ
โโLayetteโs blade ignited in flame and with several slashes, she sent waves of fire to Lancer. Her opponent dodged with ease, stepping side to side as if she were dancing. Layette closed the distance between them and the two traded blows. It was one-sided at first with Layette at the offensive, but with Lancerโs superior range, the tables had turned. It became difficult to get an opening as the fight progressed and Layette could not leave any openings. Lancer picked up her speed, knocking her all over the place. She almost became a blur, and it was pure instinct that kept Layette alive. After getting some distance between Lancer, she raised her sword in the air. Fire swirled from the blade like a tornado, manifesting a giant bird from its tip. The intense heat was enough to ablaze the surrounding area around her.
โโโBLAZING INFERNO!โ she yelled. With a downward slash, she sent the flaming bird to her. Everything was burnt to a crisp in its path.
โโLancer twirled her spear and her weapon radiated a mystical blue energy. The flaming bird was an arms-length away, opening its jaws to swallow her whole. โAlmรกttigr Lรญflรกt!โ
โโWith a thrust, a yellow beam of light shot out from her spear, instantly killing the fiery bird. The death of the creature caused gale winds to surge all over, engulfing the entire area in flames. Layetteโs right pectoralis had a gaping hole and when she noticed it, she writhed in pain. Lancer let out a sigh, twirling her spear and resting it on her two shoulders.
โโโSo, you live. Had I wanted to, you wouldโve been dead before you knew it. Thank my compatriot for her mercy.โ Lancer turned her back. โI admit, you made me get serious there. Get strong and maybe next time, youโll be a worthy opponent. Farewell, Phoenix of Damore.โ
โโLancer jumped into the night sky, leaving a crater behind. Layette was determined to give chase, though her injuries got the best of her. This was not the first time she had been inflicted with such wounds, but this one was different. It was as if the agony etched itself within every fiber of her body. As the pool of blood formed, darkness was taking hold. A silhouette appeared, calling her name. The raging fires were the last thing she heard before fading into her subconsciousness.
