Blood trickled from Lucas’s nose as he struggled to stand, leaning on his rune sword for support. The dark mage and Nyx, the assassin, were closing in. Marona lay unconscious, while Silas sat on the ground, too exhausted to recognize the looming danger. Meluis, with a gaping wound on his leg, was barely holding on, and the only fighter still standing was the least likely—the weakest armored knight, who had defied all expectations.
Lucas, gathering his last reserves of strength, forced himself to stand. His grip tightened on the rune sword as he inwardly commanded the AI.
'Scan the enemy.'
The AI beeped in response.
[Scanning...]
[Dark Magus (Age: 140). Strength: 0.7 | Agility: 0.4 | Vitality: 0.4 | Mana: 479 | Rank: Mid-level apprentice magus]
[Nyx Assassin (Age: 47). Strength: 2.3 | Agility: 4.5 | Vitality: 2.5 | Aura: 698 | Rank: Top-level second grade Ember-Assassin ]
Cold sweat formed on Lucas’s back. There was no chance of winning—not with Marona and Silas immobilized. Despite his enemy being only an apprentice, the dark mage had turned the battle through cunning alone.
Lucas fixed his gaze on the mage, his death glare promising a fight to the end.
The dark mage smirked, his voice old and gravelly, “Stand down, boy. You’ve lost. I’d prefer my prize intact.”
Lucas spat blood onto the ground, raising his rune sword in silent defiance. His actions spoke louder than words.
The dark mage’s amusement turned to irritation. “Perhaps you need to be tamed.” With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a spell.
Death Grip
Dark energy seizes the enemy’s throat, choking them with lethal force until death or release.
Mana Cost: 25 mana.
Dark [https://i.imgur.com/uvDsZRe.jpeg]
Lucas’s throat clenched as the dark energy tightened around it. His sword clattered to the ground, and panic washed over him as he gasped for air. He felt death looming—his vision darkened, and despair crept in.
Through his fading consciousness, he saw Silas, who was oddly focused on the knight standing beside him—the same knight who had survived against all odds. Silas’s calm voice cut through the chaos.
“Brother Thoren, how long do you plan to keep up this charade?”
The armored knight sighed and removed his helmet, revealing a man in his thirties with blond hair and striking violet eyes.
knight [https://i.imgur.com/fgw5oEq.jpeg]
“Guess I can’t fool my little brother anymore,” Thoren said, tossing his sword aside with a weary grin.
Seeing Thoren of the Magenthore clan, both the dark mage and Nyx, the assassin, froze in shock. The dark mage immediately cancelled his spell and looked toward Thoren, bowing deeply.
"I didn’t know the great lightning mage Thoren was here!" he stammered, his voice trembling with fear. "My lord, I’ve subdued Marona and captured her allies."
Nyx, equally shaken, bowed in silence, her usual deadly confidence replaced by fear.
Lucas, now regaining his senses, stared at Thoren with a mix of fear and deep resentment. This man—hell-bent on killing his grandfather—had shown up at the worst possible moment.
Thoren, ignoring the mage and assassin, approached Lucas. "You surprise me, kid. How can you wield both mana and aura at the same time?"
Lucas glared at him, hatred burning in his eyes.
Thoren chuckled awkwardly at the silence. "Can’t blame you for staying quiet. After all I’ve done—and what I’m about to do."
He pulled a small vial from his coat—a green potion—and tossed it to Silas. "Give that to Marona. It’ll cure her mana poisoning."
Silas caught the potion, his eyes wide, and hurried to administer it to Marona.
The dark mage, now visibly confused, couldn’t hold back. "Why are you helping her, Lord Magus?"
Thoren’s calm demeanor vanished, his voice turning icy. "Do I need permission from a dark magus to decide what I’ll do?"
Fear washed over the dark mage’s face, his body trembling. "No, my lord, I was just—"
Lightning crackled around Thoren’s body as his anger flared. "Shut your vile mouth! I’ve heard enough."
The dark mage recoiled in terror. "My lord, I only followed your orders."
Thoren laughed, the sound sharp and mocking, his violet eyes gleaming with amusement. "Are you a fool? Did you really think I’d give a large sum of mana stones to a dark magus? Your master is dead—killed by Rank 1 Magus Almer in Almeria. You’re next."
The dark mage’s face drained of color. "What? My master is... dead? And you planned all this... just to kill me?"
Thoren smiled cruelly. "You think too highly of yourself, old bone. Let’s just say you were merely a pawn in my game."
Nyx, listening intently, understood that she was doomed. Cursing herself for aligning with the dark mage, she felt a wave of regret wash over her. Her hatred of Marona had led her down this path to death.
Nyx shuddered, her earlier confidence shattering as the reality of her fate set in.
As Lucas listened, the pieces began to fall into place. Thoren must be the one who provided the map of the Death's Hand guild, the one who orchestrated the guild’s attack on Marona. He had weakened them, using the opportunity to teach Marona a lesson for defying him. Thoren was far more cunning and dangerous than Lucas had ever imagined.
The old dark magus and Nyx could sense their deaths approaching. Panic flared in Nyx’s eyes as she tapped into her top-rank aura, vanishing in a blur of shadows. She bolted for the dark crevices of the cave, hoping to escape Thoren’s wrath.
But Thoren only chuckled, his voice cold and mocking.
“Running? How predictable.”
He raised his hand and conjured a Lightning Sphere, crackling with volatile energy. The sphere whizzed through the air, faster than Nyx could flee. In seconds, it struck her retreating form. A violent flash lit up the cave, and Nyx’s charred body crumpled to the ground. She was dead before she hit the stone.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Lightning Sphere
Description: A rotating sphere of electricity that can be hurled at a target, detonating on impact with a chain reaction of smaller lightning strikes.
Effect: Deals massive damage and sends out smaller bolts, striking nearby enemies.
Mana Cost: 150 mana.
fs [https://i.imgur.com/ziQIzcD.jpeg]
The old dark magus, now alone, understood his fate was sealed. Desperation crept into his voice. “You might kill me, but before I die, I’ll make sure you suffer.”
His hands trembled as he conjured a high-level Dark Arrow, a pulsating bolt of dark energy crackling with malevolent intent. With a cry, he unleashed it towards Thoren.
Dark Arrow
Description: Fires a bolt of dark energy, draining life force and weakening the target's vitality.
Mana Cost: 70 mana.
The arrow slammed into Thoren’s Mana Shield, but it barely made a dent. The shield shimmered, absorbing the impact without a crack.
sheild [https://i.imgur.com/i2U12gU.jpeg]
Thoren’s eyes flashed with disdain as he watched the futile attack. “You think I’m just an intermediate magus?” His voice echoed through the cave, cold and filled with authority. “I’m on the verge of becoming an advanced apprentice magus. You are nothing.”
The dark magus’s fear deepened. He hurled more spells—each one deflected, each one more desperate than the last.
Thoren grew tired of the spectacle. His voice boomed through the cave as lightning crackled at his fingertips. “Enough.”
He conjured another Lightning Sphere, the electricity dancing wildly as it grew in size. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the sphere hurtling toward the dark magus. The sphere collided with the magus’s hastily raised shield, shattering it like fragile glass.
The impact tore through the dark magus, his right arm and shoulder obliterated in an instant. He collapsed to the ground, blood pooling beneath him. His breath was ragged, and he coughed, splattering blood across the stone.
“Tho…ren… I…” His last words choked off as the light faded from his eyes.
Lucus stood frozen, shock coursing through him as he beheld Thoren. He radiated power—like a thunder god descended from the storm. Meanwhile, Marona, barely conscious, felt her heart race at the sight of the man she had once loved. He looked unchanged, untouched by time, a ghost from her past. Silas helped her to her feet, both of them trembling with the gravity of the moment.
"Where did he come from?" Marona's voice quivered, urgency spilling from her lips.
Silas wasted no time explaining, his tone steady but laced with concern. As Marona absorbed the news, a blush crept onto her cheeks at the mention of the mana poisoning potion Thoren had once provided. But that moment of warmth quickly dissolved into panic. "He’s here. That means you’re in danger, Silas. I hope you have a plan."
Silas nodded, confidence etched across his face. "Yes, don’t worry."
With each step Thoren took toward them, Lucus felt dread coil tighter in his chest. The air thickened, heavy with unspoken tension. When Thoren spoke, his smile was disarmingly bright. "Oh, rise and shine, Marona."
Marona rolled her eyes, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Stop this, Thoren. You paid the Death's Guild to attack and harass me? I've lost all my men, all my fortune!"
Thoren shook his head, irritation flickering in his eyes. "I did this for your safety, Marona. The clan leader demanded your head for harboring a Magenthore family’s keen slayer. I bargained hard for you; for old times' sake, this is the best I could do."
Her frustration boiled over. "You did your best? I was almost killed!"
"You were never in trouble," Thoren retorted, his voice firm. Lucus watched the exchange, confusion clouding his thoughts. This man, a supposed killer, was conversing as if reminiscing about old days.
Marona crossed her arms defiantly. "Now what, Thoren? Do you want to fight with us?"
Thoren laughed, the sound devoid of humor. "Fight? No, Marona. If I wanted to attack, it wouldn’t be a fight—it would be slaughter."
Silas, who had been silent, finally spoke up. "Stop teasing us, brother."
Thoren's gaze softened momentarily as he looked at Silas, a flicker of melancholy crossing his features. "Time has changed you, little brother. The last time we fought, I thought I would never see you again." His tone shifted, anger simmering just below the surface. "But now, when you're at death’s door, you crawl out of the shadows."
Silas's expression turned somber. "I owe you a great debt, brother. But for my grandson, I must risk my life."
Thoren’s eyes darkened as he turned to Lucus, sorrow etched on his face. In an instant, he cast a Stun Bolt toward Lucus. The world blurred around Lucus as he instinctively tried to evade the spell, but it struck true. Pain shot through him like lightning, and his vision faded to black.
Level 1 Lightning Spell: Stun Bolt
Description: A basic lightning spell that temporarily stuns a target.
Effect: The spell releases a quick bolt of electricity that disrupts the target's motor functions, causing them to become momentarily incapacitated.
Mana Cost: 50 mana
"I don’t want this boy to suffer," Thoren murmured, his voice distant as Lucus lost consciousness.
A moment of silence stretched between the three as Thoren continued, "Little brother, you were one of the few I loved in this family. For the last time, out of that love, I told the clan leader you may be dead."
"But now you’ve resurfaced in Almera, a stain on the Magenthore family," he said, his voice filled with resignation.
Silas managed a faint smile. "Thanks for your love, brother. If you must kill me, know that I will never hate you. I’ve committed heinous acts, and for that, I deserve to die."
Marona interjected, her voice trembling. "But Silas, you had a plan, right?"
Silas chuckled softly, though the sound was tinged with sorrow. "Do you think any plan will work in front of the throne?"
With a heavy heart, he turned to Thoren. "Before you kill me, do one thing: let Lucus go. Don’t pull him into my past transgressions."
Thoren nodded solemnly, the weight of their shared history hanging in the air. "Sure, brother."
As he stepped closer, Thoren enveloped Silas in a tight embrace. Sadness lingered in their eyes, unspoken words binding them together in that fleeting moment—a bond forged through pain, love, and an impending farewell.
Thoren nodded solemnly, the weight of their shared history hanging heavy in the air. "Sure, brother."
Silas approached to unconscious Lucus, his face a mix of kindness and sadness. Gently brushing Lucus’s cheek, he whispered, "I did my best for you, Lucus. I wish we had more time together. I hope you achieve all the dreams I've had for you. Farewell, my child." Tears streamed down his face as he pressed a kiss to Lucus’s forehead.
sleep [https://i.imgur.com/yn5TEqe.jpeg]
Standing tall, Silas turned to Thoren. "I’m ready, brother."
Marona felt an urge to intervene, but deep down, she knew Thoren was merely following orders.
Silas looked at her, his expression earnest. "Take care of him, Marona. Help him overcome this trauma."
With a heavy heart, Marona nodded, sadness etched across her features.
As Silas approached Thoren, he drew closer until Thoren enveloped him in a tight embrace. Sadness lingered in their eyes, unspoken words binding them together in that fleeting moment—a bond forged through pain, love, and an impending farewell.
"Goodbye, brother," Thoren whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
In an instant, Thoren conjured a lightning knife and pierced Silas’s heart with swift precision, ensuring that his brother would not suffer. Silas faltered, clutching his heart, his gaze lingering on Lucus as his life slipped away. Soon, he took his last breath.
From a distance, Meluis observed the scene unfold. He knew he could not defeat Thoren, yet he was determined to fight until his last breath. With a severe gash on his leg, he stumbled forward, sword in hand, his vision blurring. As he reached the spot, he saw Silas dead and Lucus unconscious. Struggling for breath, he rasped, "You... will pay." But the words faded as he collapsed to the ground.
Thoren, overwhelmed by sadness, turned to the half-dead Meluis. "If it were any other day, I would take great pleasure in killing you. But not today." He conjured a lightning spear, but before he could launch it, he noticed Meluis stop breathing. With respect, he murmured to himself, "At last, you found some honor, Meluis."
Turning his attention back to Marona, Thoren said, "I will honor my brother’s wishes and keep Lucus away from the Magenthore. The death of his grandpa will break the boy. Marona, tell this kid that I brutally killed his grandpa and his mentor"
"But why?" Marona asked, confusion swirling in her mind.
With a sad expression, Thoren replied, "At least revenge will give him a reason to live and strive."
"I will collect my mana stones from the Death's Hand. And remember, don’t cross the line with the Magenthore again. Next time, I won’t help you."
Marona nodded, absorbing the weight of his words.
Thoren cast one last glance at Silas’s lifeless body before departing.
Exhausted and overwhelmed, Marona surveyed the battlefield, realizing this was a day she would never forget. Among the chaos, she spotted the last aura swordsman standing, paralyzed by fear. She knew they needed to escape with Lucus and return later for Silas and Meluis’s bodies.
Worry gnawed at her as she thought about how Lucus would react upon learning of his grandpa and mentor's deaths.