Whirlpool's Betrayal, Chapter Eight
I am so addicted to watching this icon over and over again.
Chapter 8
Dmitri waited about an hour into the journey before speaking up. He was at the back of the group, with Viranei and Jani. “So, Viranei,” he began, “I mean, you’ve sworn to protect me and all, but I don’t know anything about you really. All I know is that you’re an esper like me, you’re a strong fighter, you need to work on your people skills, and you never take off that ribbon of yours.”
“Not true!” Viranei snapped back. “I take my ribbon off when I bathe and wash it separately.”
“Well, my point still stands. Why don’t you tell us a bit more about yourself?”
“If you insist, I’m yours to ask. What do you want to know?”
“Well,” Dmitri was tempted to ask about the claw incident, but decided against it. “Do you have any control over healing or the elements? I’ve only seen you fight with that blade and axe.”
“Good question. I’m actually quite proficient in all four of the elemental arts, but I’m best at Pyromancy. I don’t like using it though.” Viranei turned and looked towards the bag of supplies she was carrying.
“Why is that?” Jani asked.
“Oh, it’s stupid.” Viranei looked away. “It’s just, I read this book and they talked about this one guy whose soul was burned into oblivion. I just don’t want to cause anyone that pain. Although I don’t suppose slashing them with an axe is any better.”
“I understand, at least I think I do.” Dmitri said. “We all have our things that affect us, and clearly this book struck a chord with you.”
“Yes,” Viranei looked back up at him and smiled, “thank you for your understanding. Did you have other questions?” Jani shook her head, but Dmitri nodded.
“Earlier you mentioned another healer who got upset with you over your recklessness. Why don’t you tell us about her?”
“Him.” Viranei looked down again and quivered. Dmitri could tell it was a painful subject.
“You don’t need to tell us if you don’t want to, Viranei.”
“No, it’s alright guys. You wanted to know about me, and he is important to who I am. His name was Saro, and he was in my class, along with Ren. We were randomly assigned to live in the same room when we were three. He was really kind, and would never had the heart to kill anyone. I tried everything to find a way to save him before we turned fifteen.”
“Why? What was going to happen to him at fifteen?” Jani asked.
“Of course, you wouldn’t know.” Dmitri interjected.
“Know what?”
“How we became demons.” Viranei said with a sad smile. “I suppose I should tell you, since you are traveling with us.”
“Yes, please tell me.” Jani looked a little nervous, like they were about to entrust her with a vital secret.
“Well,” Viranei began, “all demons start out as humans, whether they were born to two demons or to humans. The way a human becomes a demon is to live in the demon lands from when they are three, breathing in the air. Then, they must take a life before their sixteenth birthday.”
“You mean,” Jani gasped.
“Yes Jani,” Dmitri sighed, “Viranei and I both killed before we turned sixteen. When the last person in a class turns fifteen, the students are paired up and forced to fight to the death. Some one like Saro, if Viranei’s description of him is accurate, would have no chance to survive.”
“So what happened to him?”
“I had some friends,” Viranei began, “my teacher’s sister was the one who taught me how to wield an axe, and she had a small rebellion group.” Dmitri froze. Miina, the leader and first knight of the Knights of Nine, wielded an axe , and mentioned there was a girl about Dmitri’s age in the Knights before. “They’re all dead now, my friends, that is.” Dmitri’s heart fell. So Viranei couldn’t be the former ninth knight. “My friends knew a way to save him, but they didn’t tell me the details. I headed to class the day before my fifteenth birthday, the day before we were scheduled to fight to the death. And I found his body. I just lost it. I screamed and demanded to know who was responsible. My classmates treated it like a joke, each of them taking responsibility and describing how they killed him. I just lost it. I ended up killing all of them except Ren, who didn’t have to take the final test since he was part of the royal family, and Myshu, Ren’s friend. Myshu, well, he’s real sweet and simple. I knew he wouldn’t hurt Saro. Our teacher tried to stop me, but I ended up killing her too. I was wounded in the process, but Ren saved me. I don’t know why, I would have rather died. Maybe it was because he knew that.”
“Wait a minute!” Dmitri threw up his hands, “how did you not get executed? You killed your teacher and almost your entire class!” Viranei shrugged.
“After Ren saved me, he ran back to his castle. As you both know, my demon form has wings. I flew to the royal families castle and was able to get in through a window. I wanted to kill Ren, I was positive he was behind Saro’s death. The guards stopped me though, and threw me in a cell. Breeze found out about me, and learned I was interested in stopping the war. He pardoned me in exchange for my help in dethroning his brother to end the war. A few days later, we found out the rest of my friends had been executed for treason. We left the castle a couple weeks after that, and about a year later we met Alaina and the others. The rest of my story you already know.”
“I see.” Dmitri said as he looked towards Jani. He wondered how she would handle knowing one of their traveling companions had killed so many. She appeared fairly unfazed, but they didn’t have time to question the matter further.
“Halt!” The voice came from near the front of the group. Dmitri, as the tallest of the three, was able to see over the heads of the others and spot two men who seemingly appeared out of the trees. They were wearing brown and green colors for camouflage. One of them, the one who spoke, had long red hair, while the other’s hair was short and black. Both of them had bows with arrows pointed at Aric, who was at the head of the group. Viranei started to move forwards and draw out her fan, but Dmitri grabbed her wrist.
“Not now,” he said, “let’s try and solve this peacefully.” She looked up at him and nodded, but kept her fan drawn.
“Greetings travelers!” The one with the red hair spoke again. “Forgive us for our intrusion, but the Lord of the Forest has heard of your deeds in Mius and your mission to Ailex, the capital. He wishes to meet you in person and give you his blessing.”
“Wait a minute!” Saki spoke up. “That information hasn’t been released even in Mius, how would you guys know?”
“A messenger from Mius found his way into our Lord’s lands, and he told us everything.” The other man spoke. “Now won’t you come with us?”
“I suppose it couldn’t hurt,” Trey said. “Let’s just see this ‘Lord,’ I’d rather not be on his bad side.”
“Excellent!” The red haired one exclaimed as they both lowered their bows. “Right this way please. The Lord will be most excited to meet you.” They turned around and started walking into the depths of the forest. The group followed, somewhat warily.
“What the-“ Dmitri gasped as a feeling of dread suddenly overcame him. It was the same feeling he had in the mausoleum, the same feeling he had when he was crossing the border into human lands, the same feeling that had stopped once he had met Viranei. The feeling was so strong, he almost doubled over. Something told him it wasn’t his own feeling, but some one else was feeling it for him. But that was impossible, no magic could do that.
“Dmitri, are you okay?” Viranei stopped next to him and put a hand on his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
“It, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” He replied.
“If you say so,” Viranei said, but she looked unconvinced. The group walked for about an hour more, but the feeling of dread remained. Along the way, they were joined by more men and women dressed in green and brown, all carrying weapons. Soon they reached a clearing filled with tents. There was one in particular that was larger than the rest, and the group stopped in front of it.
“Your weapons, please.” The red haired man requested. The men and women in green and brown walked around the group and took their weapons. The man with short black hair stopped in front of Viranei.
“I saw you draw out your fans when you first saw us, I assume they are weapons of some sort? We will be requiring them too.” Viranei handed over her fans, but she didn’t look happy about it. The red haired man tapped Dmitri on the shoulder.
“Those bracers look rather heavy, they could probably be used as weapons if you knocked some one over the head with them. Would you mind giving those up as well?” Dmitri didn’t like it, but it would have looked suspicious if he protested. He unlatched his bracers and handed them over. The guards took the weapons and threw them together in a pile around twenty feet from where the group stood. More men and women, these all carrying spears, came out of the tents and surrounded the group.
“Please, have a seat, you must be exhausted.” One of the women carrying spears said. The group sat down as Viranei looked over to Dmitri with a nervous glance. Almost immediately, the men and women carrying spears turned them inwards and pointed them at the group. A small figure, about an inch shorter than Aric, emerged from the large tent. He was dressed in mostly red colored expensive looking garments, and had a ring on each finger. He was wearing the same crystal necklace Dmitri and Viranei had. Dmitri recognized him immediately, and judging from Viranei’s loud gasp next to him, she did too.
“Well, look what we have here.” The small man smirked. “Some old friends and some new ones too!”
“What’s he talking about?” Jani asked. “Viranei, do you know him?”
“Of course she knows me.” In a flash his rings turned into short swords. “I’m her old friend Ren, the rightful heir to the throne. And Dmitri knows me too. Don’t you recognize your cousin Dmitri?”
“Cousin?” Viranei asked in shock. “You never told us you were royalty!”
“Sorry,” Dmitri said, “it’s a long story, and I don’t think now’s the time to tell it.”
“Oh, but you won’t have any other time to tell it.” Ren grinned. “You see, with my good friend Rosyre in control of Mius, I would have the foothold I needed to take back my throne. But, according to the messenger that fell into my clutches, she was killed by a group of travelers, specifically a woman with a green ribbon and a man with two different colored eyes. I was so looking forwards to meeting my old friend and my cousin again, I had my men scour the forest looking for you. And here you are! Now, it’s time to teach you a lesson for ruining my plans. Men?” Several more men and women stepped out from behind and inside the tents. These were carrying shackles, and they advanced towards the group.
“No way, I’m not going to let you take me prisoner Ren!” Viranei yelled as she held up her hand and furrowed her brow in concentration. However, nothing happened. “It’s- no!” Viranei stammered in shock.
“What do you think?” Ren asked. I knew you’d try to use your Pyromancy or whatever against me, so I buried magic seals under where you’re sitting now. None of your elemental control will work. Now, men, please shackle the prisoners.” Almost immediately, the men and women carrying spears turned the blunt ends in towards the group and started pummeling them into submission. There were several shouts of pain as the people carrying shackles jumped into the fray. Dmitri flailed around wildly as he felt shackles being slipped over his wrists and locked. A spear butt hit him in the side of the head and he fell over onto the floor, dazed.
“Dmitri, are you okay?” It was Jani’s voice calling out to him. He guessed a few minutes must have passed. Looking around, he saw their entire group was in shackles. All the men and women with spears had their tips pointed inside towards them, except for a few who were whacking Viranei with their spear butts as she struggled against the shackles.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he replied weakly. “My head still hurts a little though.”
“Silence!” Ren called out. “Now, you will have to be punished for killing my friend Rosyre and ruining our plans. Let’s see, should I kill you all at once? No, it would be better if I took you out one by one. But who should be first? Which one, which one?” He smiled with childish glee. “But maybe I shouldn’t kill all of you. No, maybe I can use some of you for my own plans. But some of you need to die today.” He began pacing as he spoke to himself. Viranei was struggling to get up, but Ren’s guards continued subduing her. Suddenly, something, a feeling, shot through Dmitri. Something within him had detected some sort of familiar energy nearby. Then, it happened.
There was a blur that zipped through the guards, appearing to be everywhere at once. The guards seized up and fell to the ground, unconscious. The blur faded and in its place stood a man, looking to be in his early twenties. He had orangey-brownish hair with bangs that almost reached his light green eyes. He was wearing a white shirt with brown pants and boots, and his left hand was encased in ice and in his right hand he held a small key.
“What! Who are you?” Ren’s mouth was wide open in shock as he barely managed to stammer out the words. The man smiled and walked up to Viranei. He dropped the key next to her as he spoke.
“I found this off one of the guards, consider it my gift to you. Free yourself and your companions girl, and run.” When he finished, the ice around his left hand elongated into a frozen blade. “As for you, Ren, The Forgotten have decided we have let you live long enough. They have sent me to dispose of you.”
“The Forgotten? Never heard of them, must be some little group of creeps trying to kill royalty to become famous, or prove a ‘point.’ You’re out of your league here, mister.” As they spoke, Viranei quickly unshackled herself and handed the key to Dmitri. He made quick work of his shackles and passed the key to Jani. As she worked to free herself, Dmitri noticed Viranei stand up and run to the pile of weapons. He sprinted after her as he searched the pile for his glaives.
“What are you doing?” The man turned around and asked. “I told you to run away!” As he spoke, he gave Ren an opening. He charged forwards, ready to slash their rescuer who held up his frozen arm blade just in time to block. As they sparred back and forth, Viranei found her fans in the weapon pile. She changed one into her axe and stuffed the second in her belt and ran forwards towards the fight. More guards carrying various weapons began to spill out of the tents and run towards their leader. Jani had just about finished freeing the others from their shackles.
“I’m not running, I’m never running from Ren.” Viranei told the man as a guard approached her with a short sword. The guard slashed towards her, but she managed to block, throwing him off guard. She then kicked him in the chest, sending him to the floor. As the guard struggled to get up, Viranei ignored him and charged at Ren. Another figure climbed out from the large tent, and Viranei stopped her charge and turned to look at the newcomer. He had messy blond hair and was wearing baby blue robes. He carried a large, heavy looking staff. From the looks of things, it seemed Viranei recognized him.
“Vi? Is that you? Why are you attacking Ren?” His voice was young sounding, just like Viranei’s.
“Myshu!” Viranei called out. “Go back inside, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Myshu, help me!” Ren was being overwhelmed by the man with the frozen arm as he screamed.
“Of course.” Myshu nodded and raised his staff. A bright light surrounded both him and Ren as barriers of light materialized around them. The man stabbed forwards towards Ren with his ice blade but it clanked harmlessly off the barrier. Some of the unconscious guards started to stir and get up. A few of them ran towards Viranei and the man, with their weapons raised.
“Curses!” The man swore under his breath. “I’m horrible with breaking barriers. What about you, girl? And your friends?” Viranei shook her head as he spoke.
“Myshu’s a prodigy with barrier magic. If I could focus and put all my energy into an attack, I might be able to break the barriers. But not know, when I’m winded, and there are all these guards.” As to illustrate her point, a guard with a spear stabbed it towards Viranei. She jumped over it and hit the guard with the flat of her axe, knocking him out again. Dmitri noticed she was starting to breathe heavily.
“Then let’s retreat for now.” The man turned his iced blade into water, which he flung as a pressurized bolt towards a nearby guard, knocking her back.
“I can’t.” Viranei’s breath was starting to come in short, ragged gasps. “You guys go, I’ll take out as many of these as I can.”
“I’m not going to just abandon you!” Trey and the man both shouted at the same time. They looked at each other for a second, slightly surprised, before Trey ran towards Viranei and picked her up, slinging her over his shoulder with one hand as he held his mace in the other. Everyone else had found their weapons and were fighting off guards. Dmitri changed his glaives back into bracers so he could run faster. He noticed Jani limping out of the corner of his eye, and went to support her.
“Hurry, I’m not going to slow down for you.” The man took off running, and the rest of the group followed. Aric took the rear and shot gusts of wind at the guards following them. As they ran, the man called back behind him. “Enjoy these final days of yours Ren! The Forgotten won’t allow you to draw breath much longer.” Ren watched them retreat from behind Myshu’s barrier. He threw his head back and laughed.
Chapter 8
Dmitri waited about an hour into the journey before speaking up. He was at the back of the group, with Viranei and Jani. “So, Viranei,” he began, “I mean, you’ve sworn to protect me and all, but I don’t know anything about you really. All I know is that you’re an esper like me, you’re a strong fighter, you need to work on your people skills, and you never take off that ribbon of yours.”
“Not true!” Viranei snapped back. “I take my ribbon off when I bathe and wash it separately.”
“Well, my point still stands. Why don’t you tell us a bit more about yourself?”
“If you insist, I’m yours to ask. What do you want to know?”
“Well,” Dmitri was tempted to ask about the claw incident, but decided against it. “Do you have any control over healing or the elements? I’ve only seen you fight with that blade and axe.”
“Good question. I’m actually quite proficient in all four of the elemental arts, but I’m best at Pyromancy. I don’t like using it though.” Viranei turned and looked towards the bag of supplies she was carrying.
“Why is that?” Jani asked.
“Oh, it’s stupid.” Viranei looked away. “It’s just, I read this book and they talked about this one guy whose soul was burned into oblivion. I just don’t want to cause anyone that pain. Although I don’t suppose slashing them with an axe is any better.”
“I understand, at least I think I do.” Dmitri said. “We all have our things that affect us, and clearly this book struck a chord with you.”
“Yes,” Viranei looked back up at him and smiled, “thank you for your understanding. Did you have other questions?” Jani shook her head, but Dmitri nodded.
“Earlier you mentioned another healer who got upset with you over your recklessness. Why don’t you tell us about her?”
“Him.” Viranei looked down again and quivered. Dmitri could tell it was a painful subject.
“You don’t need to tell us if you don’t want to, Viranei.”
“No, it’s alright guys. You wanted to know about me, and he is important to who I am. His name was Saro, and he was in my class, along with Ren. We were randomly assigned to live in the same room when we were three. He was really kind, and would never had the heart to kill anyone. I tried everything to find a way to save him before we turned fifteen.”
“Why? What was going to happen to him at fifteen?” Jani asked.
“Of course, you wouldn’t know.” Dmitri interjected.
“Know what?”
“How we became demons.” Viranei said with a sad smile. “I suppose I should tell you, since you are traveling with us.”
“Yes, please tell me.” Jani looked a little nervous, like they were about to entrust her with a vital secret.
“Well,” Viranei began, “all demons start out as humans, whether they were born to two demons or to humans. The way a human becomes a demon is to live in the demon lands from when they are three, breathing in the air. Then, they must take a life before their sixteenth birthday.”
“You mean,” Jani gasped.
“Yes Jani,” Dmitri sighed, “Viranei and I both killed before we turned sixteen. When the last person in a class turns fifteen, the students are paired up and forced to fight to the death. Some one like Saro, if Viranei’s description of him is accurate, would have no chance to survive.”
“So what happened to him?”
“I had some friends,” Viranei began, “my teacher’s sister was the one who taught me how to wield an axe, and she had a small rebellion group.” Dmitri froze. Miina, the leader and first knight of the Knights of Nine, wielded an axe , and mentioned there was a girl about Dmitri’s age in the Knights before. “They’re all dead now, my friends, that is.” Dmitri’s heart fell. So Viranei couldn’t be the former ninth knight. “My friends knew a way to save him, but they didn’t tell me the details. I headed to class the day before my fifteenth birthday, the day before we were scheduled to fight to the death. And I found his body. I just lost it. I screamed and demanded to know who was responsible. My classmates treated it like a joke, each of them taking responsibility and describing how they killed him. I just lost it. I ended up killing all of them except Ren, who didn’t have to take the final test since he was part of the royal family, and Myshu, Ren’s friend. Myshu, well, he’s real sweet and simple. I knew he wouldn’t hurt Saro. Our teacher tried to stop me, but I ended up killing her too. I was wounded in the process, but Ren saved me. I don’t know why, I would have rather died. Maybe it was because he knew that.”
“Wait a minute!” Dmitri threw up his hands, “how did you not get executed? You killed your teacher and almost your entire class!” Viranei shrugged.
“After Ren saved me, he ran back to his castle. As you both know, my demon form has wings. I flew to the royal families castle and was able to get in through a window. I wanted to kill Ren, I was positive he was behind Saro’s death. The guards stopped me though, and threw me in a cell. Breeze found out about me, and learned I was interested in stopping the war. He pardoned me in exchange for my help in dethroning his brother to end the war. A few days later, we found out the rest of my friends had been executed for treason. We left the castle a couple weeks after that, and about a year later we met Alaina and the others. The rest of my story you already know.”
“I see.” Dmitri said as he looked towards Jani. He wondered how she would handle knowing one of their traveling companions had killed so many. She appeared fairly unfazed, but they didn’t have time to question the matter further.
“Halt!” The voice came from near the front of the group. Dmitri, as the tallest of the three, was able to see over the heads of the others and spot two men who seemingly appeared out of the trees. They were wearing brown and green colors for camouflage. One of them, the one who spoke, had long red hair, while the other’s hair was short and black. Both of them had bows with arrows pointed at Aric, who was at the head of the group. Viranei started to move forwards and draw out her fan, but Dmitri grabbed her wrist.
“Not now,” he said, “let’s try and solve this peacefully.” She looked up at him and nodded, but kept her fan drawn.
“Greetings travelers!” The one with the red hair spoke again. “Forgive us for our intrusion, but the Lord of the Forest has heard of your deeds in Mius and your mission to Ailex, the capital. He wishes to meet you in person and give you his blessing.”
“Wait a minute!” Saki spoke up. “That information hasn’t been released even in Mius, how would you guys know?”
“A messenger from Mius found his way into our Lord’s lands, and he told us everything.” The other man spoke. “Now won’t you come with us?”
“I suppose it couldn’t hurt,” Trey said. “Let’s just see this ‘Lord,’ I’d rather not be on his bad side.”
“Excellent!” The red haired one exclaimed as they both lowered their bows. “Right this way please. The Lord will be most excited to meet you.” They turned around and started walking into the depths of the forest. The group followed, somewhat warily.
“What the-“ Dmitri gasped as a feeling of dread suddenly overcame him. It was the same feeling he had in the mausoleum, the same feeling he had when he was crossing the border into human lands, the same feeling that had stopped once he had met Viranei. The feeling was so strong, he almost doubled over. Something told him it wasn’t his own feeling, but some one else was feeling it for him. But that was impossible, no magic could do that.
“Dmitri, are you okay?” Viranei stopped next to him and put a hand on his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
“It, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” He replied.
“If you say so,” Viranei said, but she looked unconvinced. The group walked for about an hour more, but the feeling of dread remained. Along the way, they were joined by more men and women dressed in green and brown, all carrying weapons. Soon they reached a clearing filled with tents. There was one in particular that was larger than the rest, and the group stopped in front of it.
“Your weapons, please.” The red haired man requested. The men and women in green and brown walked around the group and took their weapons. The man with short black hair stopped in front of Viranei.
“I saw you draw out your fans when you first saw us, I assume they are weapons of some sort? We will be requiring them too.” Viranei handed over her fans, but she didn’t look happy about it. The red haired man tapped Dmitri on the shoulder.
“Those bracers look rather heavy, they could probably be used as weapons if you knocked some one over the head with them. Would you mind giving those up as well?” Dmitri didn’t like it, but it would have looked suspicious if he protested. He unlatched his bracers and handed them over. The guards took the weapons and threw them together in a pile around twenty feet from where the group stood. More men and women, these all carrying spears, came out of the tents and surrounded the group.
“Please, have a seat, you must be exhausted.” One of the women carrying spears said. The group sat down as Viranei looked over to Dmitri with a nervous glance. Almost immediately, the men and women carrying spears turned them inwards and pointed them at the group. A small figure, about an inch shorter than Aric, emerged from the large tent. He was dressed in mostly red colored expensive looking garments, and had a ring on each finger. He was wearing the same crystal necklace Dmitri and Viranei had. Dmitri recognized him immediately, and judging from Viranei’s loud gasp next to him, she did too.
“Well, look what we have here.” The small man smirked. “Some old friends and some new ones too!”
“What’s he talking about?” Jani asked. “Viranei, do you know him?”
“Of course she knows me.” In a flash his rings turned into short swords. “I’m her old friend Ren, the rightful heir to the throne. And Dmitri knows me too. Don’t you recognize your cousin Dmitri?”
“Cousin?” Viranei asked in shock. “You never told us you were royalty!”
“Sorry,” Dmitri said, “it’s a long story, and I don’t think now’s the time to tell it.”
“Oh, but you won’t have any other time to tell it.” Ren grinned. “You see, with my good friend Rosyre in control of Mius, I would have the foothold I needed to take back my throne. But, according to the messenger that fell into my clutches, she was killed by a group of travelers, specifically a woman with a green ribbon and a man with two different colored eyes. I was so looking forwards to meeting my old friend and my cousin again, I had my men scour the forest looking for you. And here you are! Now, it’s time to teach you a lesson for ruining my plans. Men?” Several more men and women stepped out from behind and inside the tents. These were carrying shackles, and they advanced towards the group.
“No way, I’m not going to let you take me prisoner Ren!” Viranei yelled as she held up her hand and furrowed her brow in concentration. However, nothing happened. “It’s- no!” Viranei stammered in shock.
“What do you think?” Ren asked. I knew you’d try to use your Pyromancy or whatever against me, so I buried magic seals under where you’re sitting now. None of your elemental control will work. Now, men, please shackle the prisoners.” Almost immediately, the men and women carrying spears turned the blunt ends in towards the group and started pummeling them into submission. There were several shouts of pain as the people carrying shackles jumped into the fray. Dmitri flailed around wildly as he felt shackles being slipped over his wrists and locked. A spear butt hit him in the side of the head and he fell over onto the floor, dazed.
“Dmitri, are you okay?” It was Jani’s voice calling out to him. He guessed a few minutes must have passed. Looking around, he saw their entire group was in shackles. All the men and women with spears had their tips pointed inside towards them, except for a few who were whacking Viranei with their spear butts as she struggled against the shackles.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he replied weakly. “My head still hurts a little though.”
“Silence!” Ren called out. “Now, you will have to be punished for killing my friend Rosyre and ruining our plans. Let’s see, should I kill you all at once? No, it would be better if I took you out one by one. But who should be first? Which one, which one?” He smiled with childish glee. “But maybe I shouldn’t kill all of you. No, maybe I can use some of you for my own plans. But some of you need to die today.” He began pacing as he spoke to himself. Viranei was struggling to get up, but Ren’s guards continued subduing her. Suddenly, something, a feeling, shot through Dmitri. Something within him had detected some sort of familiar energy nearby. Then, it happened.
There was a blur that zipped through the guards, appearing to be everywhere at once. The guards seized up and fell to the ground, unconscious. The blur faded and in its place stood a man, looking to be in his early twenties. He had orangey-brownish hair with bangs that almost reached his light green eyes. He was wearing a white shirt with brown pants and boots, and his left hand was encased in ice and in his right hand he held a small key.
“What! Who are you?” Ren’s mouth was wide open in shock as he barely managed to stammer out the words. The man smiled and walked up to Viranei. He dropped the key next to her as he spoke.
“I found this off one of the guards, consider it my gift to you. Free yourself and your companions girl, and run.” When he finished, the ice around his left hand elongated into a frozen blade. “As for you, Ren, The Forgotten have decided we have let you live long enough. They have sent me to dispose of you.”
“The Forgotten? Never heard of them, must be some little group of creeps trying to kill royalty to become famous, or prove a ‘point.’ You’re out of your league here, mister.” As they spoke, Viranei quickly unshackled herself and handed the key to Dmitri. He made quick work of his shackles and passed the key to Jani. As she worked to free herself, Dmitri noticed Viranei stand up and run to the pile of weapons. He sprinted after her as he searched the pile for his glaives.
“What are you doing?” The man turned around and asked. “I told you to run away!” As he spoke, he gave Ren an opening. He charged forwards, ready to slash their rescuer who held up his frozen arm blade just in time to block. As they sparred back and forth, Viranei found her fans in the weapon pile. She changed one into her axe and stuffed the second in her belt and ran forwards towards the fight. More guards carrying various weapons began to spill out of the tents and run towards their leader. Jani had just about finished freeing the others from their shackles.
“I’m not running, I’m never running from Ren.” Viranei told the man as a guard approached her with a short sword. The guard slashed towards her, but she managed to block, throwing him off guard. She then kicked him in the chest, sending him to the floor. As the guard struggled to get up, Viranei ignored him and charged at Ren. Another figure climbed out from the large tent, and Viranei stopped her charge and turned to look at the newcomer. He had messy blond hair and was wearing baby blue robes. He carried a large, heavy looking staff. From the looks of things, it seemed Viranei recognized him.
“Vi? Is that you? Why are you attacking Ren?” His voice was young sounding, just like Viranei’s.
“Myshu!” Viranei called out. “Go back inside, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Myshu, help me!” Ren was being overwhelmed by the man with the frozen arm as he screamed.
“Of course.” Myshu nodded and raised his staff. A bright light surrounded both him and Ren as barriers of light materialized around them. The man stabbed forwards towards Ren with his ice blade but it clanked harmlessly off the barrier. Some of the unconscious guards started to stir and get up. A few of them ran towards Viranei and the man, with their weapons raised.
“Curses!” The man swore under his breath. “I’m horrible with breaking barriers. What about you, girl? And your friends?” Viranei shook her head as he spoke.
“Myshu’s a prodigy with barrier magic. If I could focus and put all my energy into an attack, I might be able to break the barriers. But not know, when I’m winded, and there are all these guards.” As to illustrate her point, a guard with a spear stabbed it towards Viranei. She jumped over it and hit the guard with the flat of her axe, knocking him out again. Dmitri noticed she was starting to breathe heavily.
“Then let’s retreat for now.” The man turned his iced blade into water, which he flung as a pressurized bolt towards a nearby guard, knocking her back.
“I can’t.” Viranei’s breath was starting to come in short, ragged gasps. “You guys go, I’ll take out as many of these as I can.”
“I’m not going to just abandon you!” Trey and the man both shouted at the same time. They looked at each other for a second, slightly surprised, before Trey ran towards Viranei and picked her up, slinging her over his shoulder with one hand as he held his mace in the other. Everyone else had found their weapons and were fighting off guards. Dmitri changed his glaives back into bracers so he could run faster. He noticed Jani limping out of the corner of his eye, and went to support her.
“Hurry, I’m not going to slow down for you.” The man took off running, and the rest of the group followed. Aric took the rear and shot gusts of wind at the guards following them. As they ran, the man called back behind him. “Enjoy these final days of yours Ren! The Forgotten won’t allow you to draw breath much longer.” Ren watched them retreat from behind Myshu’s barrier. He threw his head back and laughed.