Mike had felt invincible during the fight, even though deep down, he knew he was far from it. Yet, the power he had wielded while using Blue Dawn was intoxicating. Before, he had felt weak and helpless, forced to flee once again before the might of the Templar Paladin, as Sophia had called him. But after taking up Blue Dawn, Tyragoth was nothing compared to the might Mike had wielded. He had easily dispatched Tyragoth's minions, then took down the Paladin after multiple blows, though he was sure he could have done it in one decisive strike if necessary. Despite this newfound confidence, facing Bellic was a different story. The man exuded power, and fear overtook rage at the thought of confronting such a formidable opponent.
"Look, we just need to get close enough to draw his attention, then we run like hell back to the city like we always do when guards chase us. So calm down, Soph, it's just like stealing fruit. We got this." Mike's words held a confidence he didn't truly feel.
"I trust you, Mike, but I'm still scared. I can't believe you're not, especially after seeing what he did to that kid firsthand. The truth is, you're just more cut out for this world than I am, and I'm scared, Mike. Our life has been rough, but I love it regardless. I don't want to die again; it was so painful the first time." True fear seeped into Sophia's voice.
"I'm scared too, Soph. I may hide it well, but I'm sure you can still feel my fear if you pay attention. But we have to stand tall when these challenges arise, Sophia or this world will strip everything from us, just like the last one. And I won't let that happen again," Mike promised with determination.
"I just feel like I've seen enough violence for a lifetime, let alone two. I don't want to hurt people anymore, Mike. Didn't you hear the way that archer screamed as my flames cooked him alive? It was horrific, and I know it'll haunt my nightmares for years to come," Sophia questioned her brother, her voice heavy with the weight of her conscience.
"I'll never pretend to understand your trauma, Sophia, or even promise we can avoid it. But the one thing we have is that we shared it. Those men were evil and intended to hurt us. As for the village, horrible things happened, but all we can do is ensure monsters like that don't live to repeat it. So other children won't have to suffer our same fate," Mike affirmed, his voice carrying a mix of determination and empathy.
Valicar continued running down the mountain at a steady pace. Speed was crucial; they wanted to be found far from the cave but not so far that they lost their pursuers altogether. After an hour of running, the first signs of the column became apparent when they ran face-first into a Templar scout. The scout attempted to draw his blade, but Mike was faster. In a single fluid motion, he drew Blue Dawn, cutting the man in half vertically from brain to balls. The blade's flames burned away his armor as easily as the steel parted his flesh, leaving two halves of a burnt corpse.
"Jesus fucking Christ, Mike, what did I just say?" Sophia's horror at the graphic kill was palpable, her voice trembling with shock and dismay.
"Sorry, Sis," Mike apologized, trying to placate his sister while recognizing the necessity to continue. "The best I can do is keep your hands clean. With this sword, I don't need your offensive spells for now, so bear with me and keep the strength flowing."
A bolt of searing light hurtled through the air with deadly precision, aimed straight at Valicar's forehead. Time seemed to slow as the lethal energy bore down upon her, threatening to end her life in an instant. But in that critical moment, salvation came in the form of Mike's lightning-fast reflexes, honed to perfection through years of rigorous training, and Sophia's protective spell, woven with desperate urgency.
With a fluid motion, Mike moved, his muscles moving with practiced grace as he wielded Blue Dawn like an extension of his own body. The enchanted blade flashed as it intercepted the incoming bolt, redirecting its deadly trajectory with a shower of sparks that illuminated the darkness. The sheer force of the impact shredded their hood, casting it aside like a discarded cloak, and unleashed Valicar's magnificent mane of blue and red hair, now freed to dance in the chaotic whirlwind of battle.
As the debris settled, an ethereal glow enveloped Valicar, a mesmerizing blend of her sword's blue flames and the radiant golden light emanating from the Templars. At that moment, her figure struck quite the dramatic pose, her hair billowing in the wind like a banner of defiance against the encroaching darkness.
With unwavering resolve, Valicar locked eyes with the culprit who had dared to challenge her, the embodiment of all her fears and adversaries. It was Bellic, his piercing golden gaze meeting her own blue and red orbs in a tense standoff that crackled with the intensity of impending conflict.
"Strange, no one has ever escaped death at my hands, let alone twice, little one. Although, I suppose you wouldn't be worthy of the sword you carry otherwise," Bellic taunted, his voice dripping with self-assuredness.
"Well, you could stop trying to kill me, then I won't have to escape death for the third time and you could save us both the embarrassment!" Mike fired back, a nervous chuckle betraying his attempt to mask his fear with bravado. The tension in the air crackled with anticipation, but Mike refused to let it dampen his spirit.
"A minor error I will correct in due time, I assure you. But first, may I inquire where you obtained that artifact you swing around so brazenly?" Bellic responded, a hint of amusement dancing in his voice as he observed Valicar's jittery demeanor.
"You can inquire all you like, but how about I return the favor first," Mike mocked, seizing control of the situation. Valicar raised her blade high, Sophia's mana surging through it like wildfire, fueling a blaze of epic proportions. With a fierce battle cry, she brought down her sword in a sweeping horizontal strike, unleashing a torrent of fire that surged over the Templar ranks.
Golden light erupted around the center of the column, protecting Bellic and his men from the worst of the inferno, while the flanks were engulfed in a brilliant blue flame. In less than a second, all before her was whipped away, trees and men alike turned to ash in a mere moment.
"Fuck, Mike, that attack took out most of my mana. We got their attention, let's go while I still have some reserves," Sophia said, her voice tinged with fatigue from the exertion of her powerful spell.
"Sure thing, but first, look at that bastard. We didn't even scratch his shield with that attack. At least it seems he couldn't protect all of his cronies," Mike remarked, his voice tinged with frustration at their inability to break through Bellic's defenses.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
As another volley of bolts flew at Valicar, she deftly dodged or deflected them, her movements fluid and precise despite the exhaustion weighing her down. Despite their best efforts, they couldn't quite outrun their pursuers. Mike would have liked to attribute it to his skill in allowing them to trail close, but the truth was, it took everything he had to stay ahead of them.
The gates were closed by the time they made it back to town, a stroke of luck in their favor as it meant the city wasn't yet in a state of alarm. Valicar wasted no time, swiftly scaling the wall with practiced ease, her movements swift and silent despite the weight of exhaustion hanging over her. Once over the wall, she once again donned her hood, tattered though it was, and concealed her sword beneath her cloak as best she could before slipping into her hideout.
Their sanctuary was a small abandoned building nestled in the low district near the outer wall, a humble abode that had served as their refuge for a few years now. While Valicar managed to scrape together enough coin to occasionally stay at a decent inn, lingering there for too long would inevitably attract unwanted attention. Questions would arise about how such a young person could afford such luxury, and they couldn't afford to draw any more attention to themselves than necessary.
"Can't say I'm gonna miss this place," Mike remarked, casting one final glance around their adopted home.
"It kept us warm and out of the snow at least, but I have to agree with you," Sophia chimed in, joining her brother's reflection as they surveyed the small room. Their makeshift bed in the corner, fashioned from blankets and furs, stood as the only sanctuary they had at the end of each day. Despite its humble surroundings, it was warm and comforting, a refuge from the harsh realities of the world outside.
Snatching up their belongings, including Sophia's cherished book and a pouch of coins, they hastily packed them into a go-bag. Adding their map, compass, dagger, and sword to the mix, they assembled a travel pack. Though bulky, it snugly fit beneath their spare cloak, replacing the worn and tattered garment with one more suitable for city life. With a sense of urgency driving their movements, they left once again, the distant tolling of bells echoing in their ears. The entire city was stirred by the commotion, and the clamor of men's shouts soon joined the cacophony of ringing bells, urging them to hasten their escape.
Navigating through an alley to evade the bustling crowds, they were abruptly halted as a figure emerged before them. Tall and cloaked in familiar garb, Mike recognized the figure immediately.
"So, he sent you, did he, Jack?" Mike's voice cut through the tension.
"Sorry, kid. This isn't personal, but your final lesson starts right now," Jack responded, his tone tinged with regret.
"How much did Taylor cut you in on?" Mike inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"Does it matter?" Jack's retort was terse.
"I guess not... I'm sorry, Jack... and thanks for the lessons, but I'm done holding back," Mike declared, his resolve firm.
Both combatants lunged at each other, their movements a blur of steel in the confined space of the alley. Valicar, opting not to draw Blue Dawn, wielded an old dagger with practiced skill. They were well-matched, their clash a testament to years of training together. Yet, as the battle unfolded, Jack soon discovered the formidable addition of magical prowess to Valicar's arsenal. Despite his experience, he found himself struggling to keep up as Valicar deftly maneuvered around him, exploiting every opportunity to close the distance and press her advantage.
Scrapes and cuts adorned Jack's form as Valicar's relentless assault wore him down, gradually eroding his reach advantage. With a flurry of attacks, she unleashed a combination of offensive and defensive maneuvers, each blow fueled by arcane might. Jack found himself hard-pressed to deflect her strikes, his defenses barely holding against the onslaught.
After narrowly escaping several close calls, Jack spoke, his voice tinged with admiration amidst the chaos. "You're a lot faster than you led on, kid," he remarked, a smile gracing his bloodied visage.
Valicar, weary but resolute, replied, "You're pretty fast yourself, Jack. So how about you get out of here and tell Taylor if he wants my head that bad, he can come to get me himself next time." Despite their fatigue, neither twin harbored the desire to kill the man.
Jack chuckled, a mix of exhaustion and relief evident in his expression. "Yeah... I don't think I could live with myself if I lost to a little girl, mage or not. How about we call it a draw?" With a nod of agreement, he sheathed his blade. "Get on out of here, kid. The guards will be along soon. Remember what I taught you, and good luck." And with that, he vanished, scaling the nearest building to disappear into the rooftops above.
As they approached the Red Wolf Inn, a roar pierced the air, accompanied by the thunderous sound of boots pounding against the cobblestone. Bellic emerged down the street, his presence radiating power as he sprinted towards them, each step causing the stone beneath his feet to crack and splinter. Clad in golden light, his armor and blade shimmered with holy magic.
"Damn it, Soph, we need to move fast!" Mike exclaimed, his hand instinctively reaching for Blue Dawn. With a swift motion, he drew the sword, unleashing a wave of concentrated heat directly at Bellic. The intense slash melted the very stones beneath their feet, engulfing the approaching Templar in azure flames.
Sophia, her mana depleted from the earlier exertion, sighed in frustration. "It's kind of hard to keep up when you throw my mana away like that. Look, just keep him busy and try not to level the city while I work my magic."
Bellic's stride momentarily faltered as the blaze engulfed him, but he quickly brushed away the flames with unwavering resolve. Wielding the golden Hallberg, its divine aura both deadly and magnificent, he brought it down in a high arc towards Valicar's form. Mike, controlling Valicar's body, attempted to block the blow, only to realize his mistake as he was sent hurtling backward through the air.
Valicar's momentum came to an abrupt halt, her body jolting with a sickening crack. Mike collided with the far wall of the tavern, the impact sending shards of wood and debris scattering around them. As he struggled to his feet, a sharp pain shot through his side, confirming that something was broken.
"Ouch, yeah, that's definitely a broken rib. Ugh, maybe a few," Mike grunted through clenched teeth as he fought to regain his footing.
"Almost done, Mike. Just try stalling, maybe consider talking for once!" Sophia urged, her voice strained with pain and urgency as she continued to channel her magic.
Bellic maintained his steady approach, his weapon held aloft without a hint of hesitation. "Hand over the Sword and my compass, and your death will be quick, little one. It's not your fault you were born with this curse, after all."
"Why do you want this thing so damn bad anyway?" Mike steadied Valicar on her feet, his grip tightening on Blue Dawn as he braced against the pain in their ribs.
"I'm sure you already know the answer, little one," Bellic replied, his tone carrying a sense of ominous certainty. "The fact that you possess such a treasure means you already know about the vault. That damn sword is one of many keys to the Evil Demi-Humans' sacred vault, and I will have it." With each word, Bellic's advance on Valicar seemed to carry the weight of inevitability.
"Can we talk about this some more, usually villains like to monolog a bit, you know?" Mike mocked, his voice tinged with a mix of nerves and bravado, as he narrowly evaded a swing aimed at his legs.
"Ok!! Soph, we are out of time!" Mike shouted urgently, raising Blue Dawn just in time to block an incoming blow. But before he could react further, Valicar slipped and landed on her back, leaving her vulnerable.
"MINERVA ET MORI!" Sophia screamed, her voice echoing with desperation as she unleashed her final spell. As Valicar's hand hit the floor of the inn, a magic circle appeared, glowing with a fiery red hue. With a surge of power, it drained the last of her mana, and in a flash, she vanished, leaving behind only a shimmering afterimage.