Chapter III

Markus wasn’t sure what to expect when leaving the temple. An arrow or spear from the pirates shipmates was a distinct possibility but beyond that he didn’t have a clue. He hoped that it wouldn’t be somewhere too far away from civilization just to limit the chances of him getting lost and wandering around aimlessly. The upkeep on the temple gave him hope that their would be at least some kind of road or path he could follow.

Gathering his focus he walks out into the golden light, his boots tapping softly on the smooth marble floor. The towering columns of the peristyle rise on either side, casting long shadows in the early morning light. His cloak sways gently with each step as he descends onto the expansive patio, where the air is cool and fresh. The peristyle stretches in a graceful circle around the temple, each column standing tall and proud, framing the distant landscape. He pauses for a moment, resting his hand on one of the fluted pillars, its cold stone a contrast to the warmth of the sun on his face.

With no danger in sight for the moment Markus allows himself the freedom to breathe in the sea air and enjoy the view of such a magnificent monument. Enjoying the feeling of the rough pillars against his fingertips Markus slowly circles the temple. His mind filling with more questions about the buildings and how they constructed such a beautiful temple and why they chose this spot for it. If it wasn’t for the worry caused by a band of on the loose pirates and guilt at how his apprentice must be feeling with him missing Markus would have been happy to stay for a long time and decipher every part of this monument and its people. But as it was he really needed to get back home. And he reluctantly supposed he should probably do something about those pirates before they try and rob any more temples while people are in them.

At the rear of the temple a constant rain of salt water pelted against the columns as giant waves break against the stones. Forty feet down the ocean relentlessly bashes itself against the sheer cliff. To be quite honest Markus had never been a fan of the ocean or any large open area but between the smell of the salt air and the warmth of the sunlight he couldn’t help but admire the view from the top of the cliff. The only thing ruining it was the two small skiffs and their larger cousin sitting a small distance out from the shore. He wasn’t one hundred percent sure but he guessed that those must be the friends of the pirates he locked up.

Declining to take the quick way down and chancing a swim out to the pirates boat Markus returned to the front of the temple and the slower but dryer option of a long hike down from this cliff. Sadly the universe didn’t want to be too kind as there wasn’t a helpful sign pointing the direction and distance of the next settlement anywhere to see and the so-called road was quickly swallowed up by a large dense jungle of ferns and palms. Normally this would be the part where he would have his apprentice take over and lead the way under the guise of training but seeing as he was alone he was just going to have to suck it up and choose a direction. And with a ocean behind him all he had to do was go left or right and eventually he would make it to a beach.

Markus’ foot had barely touched the ground before a large shard of ice burst out of the jungle and planted itself in his path. Another icicle burst out of the foliage as he quickly sidestepped to the left, this one missing where his leg would have been and shattering against the steps. Not wanting to be the only one without cover Markus motioned as if he was scooping up dirt in his hand and raising it upwards just in time for the third ice shard to impact the earth wall he had just formed.

That took care of one problem but now he was blind to what his enemies were up to. But that was ok as well since it meant they didn’t know what he was doing either. At least the math evened out in his head. The earthen wall shook as another chunk of ice impacted it and Markus started to wonder if that was the only technique his opponent used. Sadly he didn’t think he would be that lucky. Drawing the power of the wind into his body Markus shot out from behind the makeshift wall and back towards the safety of the temple. Another Markus took off in the opposite direction heading for the furthest part of the cliff and a final version of him, his real body waited for a count of five before leaping up and over the earthen wall and landing with a magical thud sending dust and dirt into the air [Dust Explosion] Markus said as he snapped his fingers igniting the large cloud that stretched from his position to the edge of the jungle.

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Even if that attack didn’t hit his opponent it would at least break their concentration long enough for him to make it most of the way across the open area to where they were hiding. Panting from the exertion Markus held out his hand while running and muttered another incantation [Tenkei- Lightning Lance] a sleek streamlined spear formed out of the ambient mana he had collected. A fiery golden orange with a needle like tip the spear wasn’t his usual go to weapon but the weapons enhancements might come in handy if he was outnumbered.

Before he could enter the treeline a red and gold blur burst from the undergrowth and Markus found himself catching two silver war axes on the center of his hilt. Pulling his spear down and to the side Markus tried to stab at them and push them back with his spears longer reach only for them to dance around his spear like it was a sparring session. Using the excess wind mana he had to put a small bit of distance between himself and the warrior Markus couldn’t believe his eyes, standing in front of him was what could only be described as a goddess. Long auburn hair like autumn woods fell down in waves around what he was sure would be one of the most beautiful faces on the planet if it wasn’t currently snarling at him with anger. And while he couldn’t make out much of the women's figure underneath the ancient style of armor she wore, her exposed limbs looked like they would be the envy of any of the female warriors he had met in the capital.

“Is jumping around and evading all you can do?” The woman said in a disdainful snarl. “I would expect more from someone who dares to desecrate my goddesses' most sacred temple.” The woman launched herself at him again but Markus didn’t take the bait, instead he dodged out of the way again. Now that he could see who he was fighting and knew there was only one of them he could turn the battle into his favor.

Using his spear to keep her at a distance Markus started weaving subtle incantations. Nothing that would set off whatever defenses she had set up to block mental tampering but enough so that all of a sudden his spear seemed just a little bit longer or her swings just a little bit slower. This was the style of fighting Markus was most comfortable with. Misdirection and redirection, why fight the enemy when he can get them to fight themselves.

“Desecrate? No I was the one who stopped the pirates from doing that” Markus said as he attempted to sweep the womans legs out from under her with the but of his spear. Even addled by his illusions she was quick enough to block the sweep with one axe and use it to close the distance to slice at him with the other. Thankfully the distance was slightly more than she anticipated and she found herself overcommitting and falling forward. Markus too his chance and swung his spear in a wide arc in front of him sending a shockwave of pressure that sent the woman tumbling into the stone foundation of the temple.

Rolling over with her back to the foundation the women's fierce expression seemed to only grow stronger. “Only dishonorable warriors and thieves use illusions. You are even lower than I thought” she said “True warriors face their foes with their entire might.” The warrior moved to jump off the ground but found her hands and feet enveloped in the ivy and flowers that had been planted at the base of the temple. Grunting and straining she tugged at her bonds harder this time, her motions getting much more frantic as she felt numbness creep into her limbs.

“True a warrior might but I’m not a warrior” Markus said as he slowly approached her, his spear now acting as a walking stick. “Warriors fight and die for honor. But I’m someone who fights to protect others. Even if that means not always fighting fair.” he said walking up to her and sitting down to face her. By now the vines had wrapped themselves around her body and thin green tendrils could be seen disappearing under her armor to sights unseen while a large green vine slowly wrapped itself around her neck.

“Honorless and a pervert.” The woman grunted as the vines moved seductively over the flesh below her armor. “I should have figured as much from the goddesses' vision.” Markus blushed, he hadn’t meant for the vines to act like a mana-drained tentacle monster. They were just living up to their name and creeping into all the nooks and crevices they could.

“I blame my master.” Markus said as he commanded the vines to back up out of her armor. “She was the one who taught me about using vines to hold people and sometimes her spells have a mind of their own. [Ivy’s Embrace] can have some interesting applications. Now that we aren’t going anywhere for a while how about we try introducing ourselves. Its really the only polite thing we can do after trying to kill each other” Markus said with his most polite smile affixed to his face.

“Fine” the warrior woman huffed. “My name is Jade. And I was sent by the goddess to stop you.”