The Wielder of Death Magic

*Bang,* soldiers fell like flies, headshots.

“Get down,” the crowd gasps.

“Our pain...” said the lady, “-IT’S BEEN MANIFESTED!” a heart-breaking howl flashed a shadow atop the stakes, unidentified beings circled.

“Everyone,” a portal split, Alta, and Ulia manifested, “-get back,” the latter conjured a high barrier. Gunfire raged on from above, the stray Kreston uniform-wearing men scurried under the cover of unoccupied buildings. A single volley separated the town from the enemy.

“Feel the presence?” inquired Alta, her arms swirled in symbol to conjure hovering spikes, her aura amplified from body enhancement.

“Yeah, it’s strong,” returned Ulia maintaining the barrier.

.....

*Demon-Arts: Xeal Ragna,* the ground leveled to further give cover, buildings and roads themselves climbed onto a higher stage. Bystanders were left awestruck, ‘-the power to raise buildings and roads, how strong a mage is that?’

“Fellow townsmen of Glenda,” a demon hovered to a graceful stand, the ever-stretching dark wings pulsed menacingly, “-my name’s éclair, I’m the butler to Baron Igna. I’ve come to aid thy escape. Please,” he pointed through the crowd, “-there’s a portal leading to Oda Village. The town will be subject to an absolute bloodbath, there’s no saying how many lives will be claimed. If thee value survival, go and don’t turn back. Hopefully, this situation blows over.”

No questions asked nor hesitance, they dashed for the opening. Oda village would soon be crowded beyond recognition. Back on his step, ‘-looking down on those pitiful servants of the church makes me angry. Master will be here soon, I ought to restrain a few.’

*Here me, o’ servants of the underworld, time is scarce and the enemy is strong. Demon sealed in the farthest reach of Elxnai, the world beckons a rude awakening. Pseudo evil have soiled our repute, the despair reined on by our ancestry shall be realized today, ARISE!* black lightning struck, the streets promptly emptied. Those at the adventuring guild were clueless to the situation, far as was concerned, the weather grew inconvenient. Things were never so simple, especially when the Haggards were involved.

Struck to holes, smooth-surfaced paths spawned countless dips. From in, after an oppressing gust, humanoid figures rose to bear the definition of evil, horns, sharpened teeth, and pointy nose and ears. No care on gender nor ability, the oppression had the men of god cower.

“How cute,” snickered Alta, *Heroic-Arts: Dragon’s Breath.* Scorched into ash, the demons crawled farther. If one died, two took its place, the ashes revived at an astounding pace.

“What now?” shrugged Ulia, “-they’re useless in this battle,” a reference to the officers, “-the monsters are weak, we can easily overpower them. Remove the limiter and ask for god’s grace.”

“Good idea,” sneered Alta, “-holding back never was our style.” Lovely white and rosy-colored chains ripped off their necks, a sudden power surge rose onto the skies.

‘Phew,’ whistled éclair, ‘-look at them go,’ hands to the forehead, ‘-they dispelled my weather control spell. Y-yeah, these girls mean business.’ *Sense Aura.* ‘-Looks they’re ready to march on the path of divinity. I understand now, the hero’s not normal, he’s attained divinity, hence the reason for never being injured, normal weapons and spells could never hope of scratching such an entity,’ he leaped.

“Are you the one who summoned the horde?” inquired Alta, angelic wings sprung, whitened halo sprinkled snow-like particles, “-damned demon, I never thought we’d meet in such a way.”

“Well, well,” stood a few meters apart, “-humans who’ve walked the path of godhood. Quite a rare sight. Tell me, mortals, where did this power originate?”

“Exchanging words before thee dies, how very befitting a demon,” glared Ulia, “-thy kind are always the same. Using others to do the dirty job, what about fighting us?”

“Surely thee jests?” shaking the head, “-why would I willingly partake in a meaningless fight. Are the hero’s companions so wary of a lonesome demon to not spare a chance of parle?”

“Very well,” the wings rested, “-I’ll answer a few questions on one condition, thee answer ours first.”

“Suit yourself.”

“Who do you work for?”

“Baron Igna Haggard,” he returned, “-what sort of query is that?”

“Shut it,” fired Ulia, “-what’s your purpose in coming here?”

“Me,” he paused to stare up, “-my purpose was to rescue the people.”

Then and there, the summoned minions vanished, no sign of life, the demi-humans disappeared. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?”

“A simple trick,” winked he, “-I sent my minions to rescue the people. By now, the whole town must have evacuated.”

“Impossible...”

“Lookey here,” he laughed, “-are the heroic companions concerned? Did thee think the power of teleportation extends only to the church?” Palpable anxiety told what was needed, murderous intent spiked.

“Time to die, demon!” cried Ulia, *Conjuration: Blade of Woe,* the handle spawned above her shoulder, a single diagonal motion sent an arc of condense energy.

*Demon-Arts: Reversal,* the strike reflected into a loud crash.

“Be careful,” panted Alta, “-we nearly died,” the wall of dust cleared.

‘Where are they?’ the auras vanished.

*Light Magic: Lighting Rampage.*

‘Behind?’ he spun, ‘-too late,’ a multitude of spikes impaled him to the ground. Vibrant yellowish rods stained per flowing red.

“The application of teleportation in combat,” chuckled Alta, “-don’t drop your guard so easily.”

“Drop my guard?” he laughed; a shadow covered the sun.

‘Insolent creatures,’ a heavy aura of death loomed, ‘-they’ve killed my guards. I promised to share a drink with the boy’s grandfather. How dare they defile my people... seven thousand highly trained fighters.’

“Girls,” grinned éclair, “-don’t let your guards down,” the fist clenched, the spikes shattered, “-here’s the reason why the people never lost faith,” they followed his warning.

Wings flapped to a light entrance, “-who’s this joker?” gritted Ulia. The figure calmly ambled into their personal space, he didn’t pay attention nor dare acknowledge their presence.

“-éclair, are you well?”

“Don’t get cocky,” passed their stead, “-die.” *Heroic-Arts: Dustina’s Will.* An arrow of unproportioned strength fired.

“Same to you,” returned he catching the projectile, “-was that supposed to be an attack?” a murderous over-the-shoulder glare stumped the companions. The walk resumed, “-get up.”

“Good to see you,” accepting the aid, “-are preparations in order, master?”

“Yes,” he patted éclair’s shoulder, “-I’ll leave Glenda’s protection to my trusty companions.” Four portals erected, “-Goddess Gophy, Intherna, Miira, and Lilith, please see to it the people are saved.”

“Will do,” a tsunamic pressure drowned the pretenders. Onlookers from Kreston glued to the floor, looking at the figures felt wrong. Heart raced rapidly, never had they felt so fraught.

“I’ll leave the rest in thy hands, éclair. Aid my friends as is necessary.”

“Quite cold of you,” squinted Lilith, “-I’ll take my payment later.”

“Only if the town and its people are safe,” returned he. “-Draconis, stop flying and get down.”

A meteorite landed with a crater, “-hey pops,” he leaped in for a hug, “-can I come to fight?”

“No,” the head shook, “-you’ll fight beside Lilith.”

“Alright,” no complaints nor tantrums.

“Will you be alright?” inquired Miira, “-going against five-thousand and a potentially god-like entity.”

“I wouldn’t worry so much. Vanesa’s here. Should be a walk in the park.”

*Ancient Magic: Teleportation.* Anxiety hung, the bravado of being angels faded. Real strength had surrounded their stead.

“éclair,” called Intherna, “-who of these two was responsible for killing the guards?”

“The elegantly dressed one,” said he stood at a safe distance.

“Good,” an adorable expression of bliss gave a moment’s rest, “-I’ll kill her,” her fist flamed.

“Please, have mercy,” begged Alta, “-we’re not responsible for the demi-humans maltreatment. Our leader said to take the town without casualties.”

“Believe us,” begged Ulia, “-tis the truth.”

“Gophy,” said Lilith, “-look at this one here,” she held Alta’s chin, “-she has a pretty face and a gorgeous body to boot. What say you, shall I inflict the curse of Akina?”

“Perhaps...” shrugged she, “-I wanted to spring into battle as if a hero. Our presence alone has discouraged the invaders.”

“I know,” facepalmed Intherna, “-I wanted to burnt stuff, let’s give these two a taste of what power feels like, they’re close to being demi-goddess.”

“Hold it,” interjected Miira, “-don’t leave them.”

“I agree with lady Miira,” nodded éclair, “-they’re strong. However, haven’t done anything against the demi-humans. The real enemies are the guards littered around town. If not for the remote portals, we’d have a tough situation.”

“They’d have taken hostages,” said Miira.

“No matter the reason,” said Gophy, “-they dared invade our trusted companion’s territory.”

“Yes,” nodded Lilith, “-I agree,” they stood shoulder to shoulder, “-goddess or not, they harmed the people he vowed to protect.”

“Pops said to kill them,” giggled Draconis, “-mother, let’s fight, I’m bored already.”

“Wait a moment,” said éclair, “-Lady Gophy and Intherna, mind heading to the adventuring guild. A strong being stands like as watch. Should be an entertaining fight.”

“Understood,” they vanished.

“Leaves you and me, Miira,” she licked her lips, “-let’s exterminate them.”

“War is crude, foolishness is cruder. Let the genocide begin.”

Meanwhile, the guarded guild slumped into depression, their situation gave no sliver of hope. A companion of the hero’s party watched beside the chief inquisitor. Black lightning of a few minutes ago didn’t once bother their psyche.

The sound of crumbling bone rattled the room, “-is this the place?” nonchalantly wondered Gophy.

“I guess so,” *Phoenix’s flame,* columns of fire consumed soldiers. The helmed one’s body fell forward.

“CHIEF INQUISITOR!” cried Inesa, blood poured.

“Was he supposed to be the stronger fighter?” she held his heart, “-the stench of his presence annoyed my nose,” the grip tightened.

.....

“HOW DARE YOU,” she pulled a gun, ‘-my friends, they’re all dead...’ charred corpses fell, *bang, bang, bang,*

*Wall of flames,* gestured Intherna, the projectiles melted.

“Don’t bother fighting,” whispered Gophy, “-we’ve won.”

“Screw you,” *spat,*

*Snap,* a kindle vaporized the insolent attack.

“My word,” she giggled, “-how dare you?” her laughter grew, *crack,* an effortless lock broke the lass’s arms. *AHHHH.* “-don’t scream yet,” the eyes watered, “-we still have the legs,” foot on her knees, “-watch this.” Her index curled as did the girl’s leg, it broke from the joint, the screams amplified. “-I’m bored...” *Snap,* a gust sent her across the room.

“Adventurers,” facing the crowd, “-we’ve come to help. Anyone remotely able in the healing arts, kindly tend to the vixen’s injuries.”

“No,” refuted a hostage, “-no way I’ll help someone like that. Damn bitch killed my comrades,” an upward glance showed beheaded cranium on spikes, “-they deserve every ounce of pain,” fired another.

“They destroyed my village; I don’t care for the Imperial savages. I call bullshit on their cleansing, my wife and children were stripped and molested in front of everyone, I’ll be damned if I ever forgive them.”

“Everyone,” said Ling, “-heal her. Dying like so would be too simple,” the cheeks drowned, “-even though I’m new here, you guys accepted me and my party. How can humans be so cruel, they killed the friends we made. Heal her so she can suffer, please, I’m begging you.”

“You heard the lass...”

Footsteps echoed around the guild, “-Lady Inesa, Chief Inquisitor, we heard gunfire, is everything ok?”

“Our time to shine,” added Intherna, “-Guild Master Haru, a butler will be here soon. Have the fighters evacuate, we from Baron Igna’s party shall rectify the injustice.”

A ball of fire exploded out the building with Gophy and Intherna in tow. The duo’s unmatched combat prowess thinned numbers at a frightening pace. Interrupting would slow their fight.

‘When it rains, it pours. Woe carried by the demi-humans materialized into human form. A devil spawned off their anguish and torment, the Baron of Glenda. The world will soon understand how fearsome the Haggard Dynasty truly is,’ thought a humble chronicler. ‘-the age of retribution begins at last.’