The crowd cheered as the two teams clashed in a mix of magic and steel. The finals for the second years consisted of Teron’s team, Tower’s Light and, surprisingly, a team called Hope, which consisted of all orphans, three of which grew up alongside Dante and his teammates.
While Teron and his team had obviously trained well and were brutally efficient, they didn’t mock or belittle their opponents as they did during the previous year. Instead, they had taken every match seriously and showed a measure of respect to each team they faced.
Hope was led by none other than Ellis, the timid young boy that became a Beast Mage. Ellis had grown out of his chubby adolescent figure and while he was still somewhat shorter than average, he had become muscular and intimidating. Next to Ellis stood a young Saber, a large catlike predator with over sized fangs that jutted from its considerable maw.
“It looks like everyone has been improving.” Ferris mentioned casually to the group.
Dante laughed. “No kidding. I barely recognized Ellis.”
Dante watched as Ellis and his Saber started glowing. A visible aura of jade light surrounded the two and Dante looked on in awe at what came next. Ellis and his Saber ran forward with amazing speed. Ellis ran circles around his opponents, dodging swings easily as his dual daggers countered thrusts and spells alike.
“So that’s what a Beast Mage can really do.” Dante said quietly.
Kelsi nodded. “He never showed us his beast last year but it’s obvious he created a strong bond. That seems very advanced.”
“It is.” Ferris said quickly. “Sabers are agile and fast. To be able to take on his beast’s aspects in his second year means a lot. The Adventurer’s Guild will push him to become a scout.”
“What do scouts do?” Gretta asked, though she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the match.
“They travel outside the tower.” Ferris answered. “Usually taking weeks at a time. There are pretty big bounties out there. A team could make a fortune just upgrading the maps of the local terrain.”
Jasmi looked over. “I actually miss being outside the tower. Maybe we should head out there from time to time.”
Dante nodded. “I really want to see all the things you told me about. Especially the stars. I can’t even imagine what it’s like.
“You will love it.” Jasmi said with a grin. “It’s beautiful.”
“Yeah. As long as nothing is trying to eat you.” Ferris quipped.
The match was still going strong until Ellis met up with Teron. Teron had countered Ellis’ speed with his Light magic, creating his signature illusion which placed him a step left or right of where he really was. For all Ellis’ speed and agility, he couldn’t land a strike on the Light Mage. When his magic ran out, Teron held his sword at Ellis’ throat but didn’t strike, allowing the safety enchantment to trigger instead. Dante was again surprised at Teron’s actions.
The match was well fought, but once Ellis went down, his team quickly followed. Tower’s Light stood as the second-year champions. The crowd was extremely pleased by the performance as they cheered for both teams alike.
“You all seem to be doing very well.” A familiar voice called out from behind.
The group turned to see Miss Telis smiling at them.
“Miss Telis!” Jasmi said, surprised by her sudden appearance. “Were you here the entire time?”
Miss Telis shook her head. “No, I just arrived. I wanted to show you all the updated enchantments that were put on your armor.”
Dante smiled. “No time like the present.” The crowds would stay in attendance as the next days matches would be announced for the third years, so they could avoid the rush to leave.
The group followed Miss Telis out of the arena while Ferris tried to guess as to what enchantments she had added. She laughed at the boy’s insatiable curiosity and Kelsi teased him at having no patience whatsoever.
When they had passed a set of buildings blocking the view of the arena, Dante felt the Essence stir about him. It was swirling in a panic and he quickly cast an Essence Pulse to search for anyone nearby.
Dante’s eyes widened as his spell came into contact with several people that were waiting ahead in ambush and more that were coming in fast from behind. Before he could shout a warning, a flash of power blinded them and a gurgling scream could be heard ahead.
“Ambush!” Dante yelled as he blinked the white spots from his vision. “Approaching from the front and behind!”
When he could see again, he saw Miss Telis lying on the ground. His heart stilled as he saw her hand clamped around her throat, trying to slow the blood that was pouring out.
Kelsi was already kneeling beside her, healing what she could. That didn’t stop her from calling out orders.
“Ferris and Gretta!” Kelsi yelled. “Take the front. Dante and Jasmi, take the rear! Provide cover and hold out for help to arrive.”
Dante moved quickly, putting the image of Miss Telis’ bloody body out of his mind. He watched as five figures in dark leather armor and masks, hiding their identity, came running around the corner of nearest building.
“Jasmi.” Dante said quietly. “You are on crowd control. Delay as many as possible.” Dante couldn’t see Jasmi’s nod but walked forward anyway.
Dante didn’t think they had much of a chance. They had no armor and his teammates only had daggers to fight with. Their magic wouldn’t last very long against such numbers so Dante knew he had to use his ‘ace-in-the-hole’ as Historian Louis put it.
He summoned his swords but kept them invisible. He hadn’t done this since the first time he had summoned them with Historian Louis. Dante walked forward, blocking the emotion that he felt screaming out of his teammates. He couldn’t dwell on their fear or anger. He needed his focus centered completely on his opponents. Before he swung his first invisible blade, he started casting Essence Pulse over and over, seeing his opponents more clearly than he could ever see them with his own eyes. The first Mage to reach him raised his two-handed sword. Dante could see how the Mage positioned his feet and set his shoulders. He knew at that moment that he would swing at Dante’s neck, angled downwards to cut through his chest. Dante stepped aside as the blade fell, missing its target by inches, as Dante’s blade thrust through the Mages neck and out the other side. The other Mages, not seeing the sword, just saw the blood explode out of the Mage’s neck. Dante didn’t pay him a moment more attention than needed as he moved to the next Mage.
Gretta hummed beside Ferris, calming the large Mages nerves. He didn’t have his armor or claymore. He only carried a small dagger but Gretta saw his shoulders relax as her spell took hold. Ferris gave her a nod of thanks and cast Wind’s Call. The cyclone of air exploded from his chest and hit the Mage nearest them. The Mage flew forward, letting out a surprised scream as he hurdled towards Ferris. Ferris drove his dagger into the Mage’s eye. He immediately felt the bile rising in his throat as the dagger slipped through the eye and broke through the skull. Thankfully, Gretta’s humming was helping him maintain his focus as he pushed the dead Mage to the side. Instead of dwelling on it, he cast Dash and intercepted the next Mage as he noticed them hesitate at the quick death of their teammate.
Kelsi was working as quickly as possible to heal Miss Telis. The initial shock at seeing her former teacher laid out on the ground and bleeding had hit her hard but she wasn’t the leader of Serist De for nothing. She went to work repairing the severed artery. It took most of her magic to repair but there was nothing she could do about it. The next step was to repair her windpipe. She had just finished sealing it and Miss Telis had taken a deep breath in and immediately started coughing up the blood that she had unintentionally swallowed. She was still weak and pale. The loss of blood was significant but again, Kelsi could only hope she would be alright. She hadn’t been able to fix her wounds completely and she couldn’t risk giving her a health potion since her throat might not be able to take the strain. It could send her into shock, killing her before the potion had time to work its magic. Miss Telis wouldn’t be talking anytime soon but she would live, hopefully.
Jasmi kept two of the Mages occupied. One with her Death’s Grasp and another with her spirits. The wraith-like beings were growing in size and power as they cut into the Mage near the back of the group. The Mage had tried to fend the spirits off with spells of ice but they didn’t affect the spirits in the slightest. Only Light, Death or Life Magic could banish her spirits. They truly were powerful beings.
With her opponents occupied, she watched as Dante dispatched the second Mage. The Mage’s body fell lifelessly to the ground. She watched in horrific fascination at the young man’s tactics. At first, she noticed that he wasn’t wielding his swords, until the blood flew from the first Mage’s neck. He was moving like he normally would have if he was dual wielding though. When he had stopped the second Mage’s sword with nothing but air, she realized that Dante’s blades were invisible. She had only been watching a moment but in that brief instant, she felt that Dante truly was invincible. However, reality came crashing down as Dante was picked up and smashed into the ground by a large stone hand that burst through the ground. The last unoccupied Mage had not been standing idly by. He had waited for Dante to come to him, setting his trap and executing it flawlessly. Jasmi felt fear stab through her breast as she watched Dante’s body smash into the ground
Dante was dazed and it hurt to breathe. He knew a few of his ribs were broken and he might have a fractured skull. He felt his grip loosen on his swords and they dropped and dissipated. He tried clearing his head, blinking his eyes as he stared at the Earth Mage who was standing a few steps away. The large stone hand was trying to squeeze him but his Essence Armor was keeping the pressure to a minimum. Dante could still breathe although is came in painful gasps. The Earth Mage shook his head and raised his other hand towards him. Dante could only watch as the rocks were pulled up from the ground and slowly turned into a crude spike. He couldn’t move his arms and he couldn’t roll away. Dante watched helplessly as the Mage finished his spell and sent it flying at Dante. He couldn’t help but close his eyes, hoping that his friends and Miss Telis would be okay.
Miss Telis took another ragged breath. She was very proud of Kelsi being able to repair the damage she had, especially as the students were now fighting against several Mages. She watched as Kelsi moved away and helped Ferris and Gretta. Her ex-students were fighting with only daggers and she felt impotent rage at whoever had dared to attack them.
She struggled but slowly managed to stand. She couldn’t speak so her spells were limited but she set herself and charmed two Mages to sleep instantly, but even that had sent her stumbling back to the ground. With her severe injury, she couldn’t use anymore magic. She looked up to see the Mages Dante and Jasmi faced. She was just in time to watch Dante being slammed into the ground by the enormous stone hand. She felt the tears well up in her eyes and struggled to help him.
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The promise she had made so many years ago flooded her mind. Her friend’s voice, Dante’s mother, called out to her. She moved along the ground as quickly as she could. Her vision was blurry but she kept crawling forward, following the call of a friend long since passed. She watched as the Earth Mage looked down at Dante. He raised his hand and the spike started to form. Miss Telis tried to move faster, her blonde curls matted with blood, her hands covered in cuts. She pressed on with sheer willpower, all pain forgotten. As the spike formed into hardened rock flew towards Dante’s skull, Miss Telis pushed herself once more, falling into its path as the spike stabbed into her heart. She didn’t feel pain, but instead a rush of relief. She had saved him.
Dante heard the thud of the spike hitting, but he didn’t feel the impact. He opened his eyes and to his horror, saw blonde curls matted with blood lying in front of him. A scream shouted out behind him and he felt the stone hand crumble and give way. Suddenly able to move, he crawled over and grabbed the body, turning it over. He knew what he would find but a part of him pleaded that it wasn’t her. As his savior turned over, he could feel something break within him as he looked down at Miss Telis and the spike that was meant for him, sticking out of her chest.
“No, no, no please, no…” Dante quietly pleaded as hot tears streamed down his cheeks. He thought his prayers had been answered as he saw Miss Telis’ eyes open before him.
“Miss Telis! Your okay! You will be okay!” Dante assured her as he pulled out a health potion from his storage ring. Before he could uncork the vial, Miss Telis lifted her hand weakly and stopped him. He stared at her, confused, as she pointed to his necklace. Understanding what she wanted, he focused on her and activated the enchantment.
He was suddenly in her thoughts. He could see a whirlwind of ideas, hopes, dreams. What he felt though confused him the most, he felt acceptance and peace.
“You can’t die Miss Telis!” Dante shouted.
Her voice entered his thoughts.
“Everyone dies, Dante. It’s okay, I can accept it and one day, you will too.”
He choked as he tried to breathe in. His ribs were still flaring in pain but he didn’t care. Miss Telis was his mentor, his friend, his only connection to his parents. He couldn’t lose her too.
“Please…” He said softly. He was begging her not to leave him. He wanted to wake up, for this all to be a dream, a horrible nightmare. He didn’t need to be an Essence Mage. He didn’t need to be a Mage at all. He just needed her to not leave him.
She smiled as she looked up at him.
“Dante, you look so much like your parents. I wish you could have known them but I can give you one last thing…they’re last name, your family name, is Velis.”
Dante watched as her life slipped away. The Essence that was her magic lifted up in a pink mist and faded to nothingness before him.
“NOOO!” He screamed. He picked her up and held her to his chest, screaming, pleading. His lungs hurt with every breath but he screamed louder. He didn’t know when his voice stopped but after a time, he was pulled away. He fell into darkness and the pain faded away with the light.
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“Dante.”
“Go away.”
“Dante.”
“Leave me alone.”
“She was a wonderful person.”
Dante turned to see the glowing ball of silvery light float before him. He hadn’t seen Essence in a long time, but at the moment, he wanted to lash out. Anger flooded him and he wanted to push the world away.
“How could you possibly know?”
If Essence was offended, she didn’t show it. The ball of light floated peacefully, emanating the calm certainty of a being that had been alive since the beginning of time.
“How could I not know, Dante? She was a part Essence herself. Part of me. I knew her from the moment she became a Mage.”
Dante tried to hold on to his anger. It was his shield against the guilt he felt, but he couldn’t. Essence wouldn’t judge him, wouldn’t berate him or despise him and he soon felt his anger crumble away, his true emotions laid bare as he fell to his knees, overcome with loss.
“She died.”
“She saved you.”
“Why? Why did she save me? Why couldn’t she have lived?”
“As with all mortal beings, she chose. She chose to save you.”
“Why? Why me? Now she’s gone and I’m alone.”
“You are not alone, Dante. You have Kelsi and Ferris, Jasmi and Gretta. You are not alone. As for why, it is simple. She loved you, just as she loved your mother and father.”
“I couldn’t protect her.”
“You are not infallible or all powerful. Essence Mages are rare, but they are still Mages. You will not save everyone, Dante.”
“Then what can I do.”
“Save those you can. Morn those you can’t. And don’t blame yourself for the things you can’t change. Accept.”
“It hurts so much.”
“Accept. You have friends that will need you to lean on. Remember Dante, they lost someone as well.”
It was true. Kelsi, Ferris, Jasmi and Gretta. They would all be feeling the pain he felt. The other kids from the orphanage. Even students from the Academy. Family. Friends. Dante wasn’t alone in his loss. It was selfish to think he was the only one who was affected by the world losing Miss Telis. Dante stood, his strength returning. The pain didn’t recede but it was no longer a weight to bare. It was the price of loving someone. A price worth paying.
“Thank you, Essence. I will try.”
“Yes. Always try. It is time to wake, Dante.”
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Dante woke slowly. The surrounding white walls and the antiseptic smell greeted him. His breathing was tight but no longer painful and he lifted his head to see his upper body wrapped in gauze.
“Hello?” Dante croaked. His throat was dry and hurt.
“One moment.” A voice called out. A man Dante barely remembered loomed over him, placing a cup to his lips. “Drink some water, but slowly. You damaged your vocal cords quite a bit with the screaming you did.”
Dante drank slowly. His thirst was overwhelming.
“Where is my team? What happened?” Dante asked weakly.
Oliver Bramby, known as Olley, smiled. “They are all alright. You nay worry ‘bout that. Lemme grab the Instructor. They be the ones to tell ya.”
Olley hurried out of the room. It wasn’t long before the Historian walked in. The look on her face betrayed that she would tell him what he already knew.
“I know Historian Louis. I know Miss Telis is gone.” Dante said quietly. He could feel the tears welling and didn’t bother holding them back.
The Historian breathed out. “I’m sorry boy. I wish I could tell you there was a miracle we could have preformed but she was gone when we arrived.”
“Could you tell me what happened? Are my friends alright?” Dante asked.
The Historian settled down in the chair next to his bed.
“Every teacher has an emergency enchantment. When Instructor Telis activated hers, a call was sent out. It only took minutes to reach you but when we found you all, half your team lay unconscious. Jasmi stood over you and Telis, keeping your ambushers at bay. What really saved you is that the two groups that attacked you were sent from different factions. They started fighting each other, giving us enough time to capture them. Once we could manage, we pulled you away and you passed out.”
Dante felt the cold hatred in his stomach build but he pushed it away as best he could. He needed a clear head.
“Did you find out who sent them?” Dante asked.
The Historian shook her head. “Sorry boy. They didn’t know. The Academy is on alert again. You and your team will be escorted from now, until you are safely at the Guild. You have a few days before the Tournament ceremony. After the champions are awarded, you and your friends will go be announced as victors of the Advancement Trials. There is a bit of pomp involved but you will choose your names and be counted as graduates of the Academy.”
“Names?”
The Historian sighed, rolling her eyes in annoyance. “Yes boy, names. You all will choose your family name. And don’t be like that lot that tries to be all fancy like, Lightfoot or Firebeard or some such nonsense.”
Dante laughed. It hurt. His throat was still sore and his ribs were tender but the Historians cranky attitude was a welcome familiarity. She gave him a small smile and patted his arm.
“It’s good you can smile. Now drink this healing potion. It should help you heal up now that your conscious. You need to talk to your friend Ferris who is dead set on calling himself Windbreaker. Maybe explain to him that a fancy name for flatulence still stinks.”
Serist De was released from the hospital the following day. They had missed the ceremony of passing for Miss Telis so they headed to the dorms, surrounded by a group of Instructors and Guards.
They were all relatively quiet. Each of them dealing with the sudden loss in their own way. Dante showered, changed and headed into the dorm common room, not really sure of what to do. He was surprised to see Ellis waiting for him.
“Ellis? What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the Tournament?” Dante asked.
Ellis looked down at his feet. The boy had grown and become a good leader and a talented Mage but it seemed some things hadn’t changed at all.
“I wanted to thank you.” Ellis said quietly. “I heard what happened, how they had to pull you off Miss Telis when they arrived.” Ellis choked up and tears fell to his cheeks. “She was always there for us, you know? Always looking out for us. We all went to see her for advice from time to time.” He smiled through his tears at the thought. “I don’t even know how she had time for us and her students. She meant something to all of us.”
Dante nodded. “I wish there was something else that could have been done. I will miss her but I know she is with us. Remember, she was part of Essence, just like all of us. She is always here.”
Ellis smiled and nodded. “Yeah. That’s right. Thank you, Dante. I didn’t- I wasn’t sure if I could handle the loss. She was like a mother to us all. I like that she is still here. Still part of us.”
Dante asked Ellis about the other orphans. He hadn’t had any time to talk with them so it was refreshing that Ellis could tell him. They discussed his new team and his beast Saber which Ellis had named Toothy. After a while, Ellis excused himself and Dante sat alone in the common room. He felt like his heart had been broken but that it was mending together as well.
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Days later, the Tournament Ceremony came. Serist De followed Instructor Perez and Williams and Historian Louis onto the arena floor. The Champions of the tournament, as well as the crowd, stood in silent confusion as the procession moved forward, setting themselves before Dean Marcus and the rest of the Senior Instructors.
“What have you come here for?” Dean Marcus announced, his voice echoing through the arena.
Senior Instructor Williams stepped forward. His voice was also echoing through the arena.
“I present Serist De. They have completed the Advancement Trials and have been witnessed by myself, Instructor Perez and Head Historian Louis.”
Excited whispers went through the crowd and the Dean waited a moment for them to settle.
“I see.” Dean Marcus said. “So, they have delved into Kobal Dungeon. What exploits can you share with us?”
Williams stood straight. “First, they have completed their task of retrieving Essence well above what was required. Second, they showed all the aspect and skill needed of seasoned Adventurer’s. And Third, they defeated Kobal himself.”
That sent the crowd into a fit. The Dean let the crowd play out for a moment but called silence soon after.
“That is high praise indeed. The Academy must see these students gifted appropriately.”
When the Dean finished his sentence, another procession came forward, carrying a large chest decorated in gold and silver. Four Mages carried it forward and set it down before Senior Instructor Williams. He opened the chest and held out four beautiful bracelets. The silver and gold intermixed and the Serist De emblem was embossed in the metal.
As Williams handed the bracelets out, the Dean explained the gift.
“These are storage bracelets. They are a rare and valuable gift. Each one contains enchanted armor and weaponry befitted to gifted students such as yourselves. The emblem of Serist De has been set in them as well, to remind you of your trials.”
The crowd started buzzing again but the Dean cut them off quickly.
“These bracelets are the final work of our very own Stephanie Telis.” That caught Serist De by surprise and an involuntary tear fell from Dante’s eye. “She gave her life to protect these students. Sacrificing herself against the greed and selfishness of those who would perpetrate such acts. Know that we will never stop hunting down those who would seek power for powers sake.”
The arena stood quiet. The heads of several students could be seen bowed and a few sobbed at the loss of their mentor.
Dean Marcus broke the silence after allowing them a moment to grieve.
“As you are now graduating from this Academy, you may choose a family name.”
Kelsi stepped forward as Senior Instructor Williams held out his hand, revealing a sphere-shaped crystal. She placed her hand on the sphere and spoke, her voice enhanced throughout the arena.
“I choose the family name Seraph” Kelsi announced to the crowd. She stepped back and Ferris stepped forward.
Ferris placed his hand on the sphere.
“I choose the name Stormfront.” Ferris announced and stepped back allowing Jasmi to step forward.
“I choose the name Telis.” Jasmi announced. The crowd as well as Dante stood in stunned silence. Dante felt his emotions blur with shock and pride as his friend took the mantel of their former teacher. She stepped back as Gretta stepped forward.
“I also choose the name Telis.” The crowd started to cheer and more than one set of eyes welled at the announcement of two students carrying on their mentor’s name.
Dante stepped forward as the crowd hushed. They all knew of the new Essence Mage by now and he had decided to carry the name secretly carried by his mentor.
“I choose the name Velis.” Dante announced. The Essence around him surged with acceptance, the silvery mist covering the arena floor in mere seconds. Dante would carry his family name once again.