The scene in Alnear is bedlam. Swarms of flying insects move over buildings like dark clouds, their nauseating din filling the air. All the while, their gigantic counterparts march through the streets, seeking out stragglers wherever they hide. Nothing about this city resembled the paradise Vesca had come to love.

"H-how could this happen?" Vesca asks, still not fully believing his eyes.

"It was a spellfiend. Again, I'll explain later."

Vesca follows closely behing Fraxinus, making sure not to lose track of the magician again. After reaching the Magician's Guild, Fraxinus places his hand on the floor behind the front desk, uncovering a passage under the marble floor.

[Transmutation: Shape Rock]

image [https://img.wattpad.com/a66d5e823f31ef52b9da2f5bc4bce3c3ad561d41/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f325264446954344d4953696942413d3d2d313434383638393334302e313764326463336137316536623235653938343039313332313930312e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Following the hewn staircase, the pair reach an underground shelter filled with citizens huddling together. Valentiana emerges from the crowd to greet Fraxinus.

"What's the situation?"

"Our worst fears have been realized. It's a spellfiend."

"How is that even possible? What is a spellfiend doing in Alnear?"

"A question best left for when everyone is safe."

Valentiana and Vesca nod in agreement.

"So how are we supposed to beat those things?" Vesca chimes in.

"To be frank," replies Valentiana, "we're not prepared to handle a raid, especially not one of this magnitude."

"I'm afraid I have to concur with Ms. Thunbergia." Fraxinus continues. "Vesca was the only exterminator I managed to rescue. Even if I could handle the spellfiend alone, the three of us would never be able to reclaim the city by ourselves."

"So we've lost Alnear?" A mirthless Vesca inquires.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Only for the time being." Fraxinus's tone suddenly shifts to become very matter-of-factly. "Once we get the citizens somewhere safe, I'll look for reinforcements. Then, our new extermination squad will return to take back the city."

"Gabria is not far from here." Valentiana suggests. "Plus, they have a strong Magician's Guild, so I bet we'll be able to find help there, too."

"That sounds like it's our best bet. Besides, I've been meaning to pay Mr. Ludwigia a visit."

Vesca nods in agreement. Fraxinus stands up straight and pushes past the other two.

"First things first, we need to get these people clear of the city. Fortunately, this bunker is not the only contingency I have prepared."

Fraxinus runs his hands along the walls of the bunker while chanting in a low voice, and at once, the southern wall transforms into floor-to-ceiling double doors which swing open slowly.

[Transmutation: Shape Rock]

[Transmutation: Shape Rock] [https://img.wattpad.com/d61ff51b1744c6582d6e40a5142dbe57f0927459/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f2d6775365a6f373451665f4334673d3d2d313434383638393334302e313764326463333561663030623539663339343337313939363531342e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Led by Fraxinus, the group of survivors slowly makes their way through the tunnel. The luminous orb floating overhead casts long shadows across the gaunt faces of the survivors. The occasional sound of buildings collapsing overhead elicits screams from children, and fearful murmurs from the adults.

[Evocation: Magic Lantern]

image [https://img.wattpad.com/3a37674115d2b4331c893df255bfe709611c3d44/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f416a6468715a35727044726d58773d3d2d313434383638393334302e3137643264393665306235326530363831303031343131393931312e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Valentiana attempts to comfort the schoolchildren, who still refuse to leave her side. "It'll be alright. Mr. Fraxinus will keep us safe. Nothing can get to us down here!"

Though the crying stops, it's clear the children can't handle much more of this.

Valentiana looks at the huddled children, "This isn't fair to you."

"This isn't fair to any of us." Fraxinus calls from the front of the procession.

"Now that we have time," Vesca cuts in, "what the heck was that thing?"

"My apologies, Mr. Fragaria, I promised you an explanation, didn't I?" Fraxinus continues, "Tell me, Mr. Fragaria, did you know that transmutation was not always a school of crafting? In fact, in bygone centuries, rather than create magic items, transmuters would invest magical properties directly into their own bodies. However, this practice carries considerable risks. Ancient transmuters needed to be careful not to interfere with the brain, for if a transmuter's brain changes too rapidly or too often, it strains their sanity and corrodes their mind."

"So the thing that attacked Alnear was a magician who lost his mind, right?"

"That's the short version, yes."

"And it happened because he used transmutation magic on himself?"

"Precisely! When no item is used to bear the burden of the spell, the potential for unintended consequences rises by orders of magnitude. And the results can be... well, you saw the city."

Not wanting to dwell on the matter any longer, the two turned from each other and proceeded down the tunnel in silence. After nearly two hours of travel, the group is exhausted. Many of the smaller children are now being carried on the backs of adults. Upon reaching a dead end, Fraxinus turns briskly and addresses the group.

"Good news, everyone, we've arrived! Now, before we exit the tunnel, I ask that everyone gather around me in a circle."

After the group rearranges themselves into their best approximation of a ring, Fraxinus begins chanting. As he does this, he is bathed in a soft green light. A circle of energy appears on the ground, centered on Fraxinus. The magician closes his eyes and his chanting intensifies, causing the circle to slowly expand. As the circle envelops the ring of survivors, their fatigue vanishes and minor scrapes and bruises begin to heal on their own.

[Necromancy: Vital Emanation]

image [https://img.wattpad.com/142e9e32bdb170b6fd06712d46e1c04d00d011ef/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f3249335f6c3349324437727643513d3d2d313434383638393334302e313764326462386431366137336462353531363133353332303836382e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

When the circle vanishes, beads of sweat roll down Fraxinus's face as he sits down on the mossy patch that appeared around his feet. After resting for a minute, Fraxinus stands back up and addresses the crowd.

"Now that we've all had a rest, let's proceed!"