The Wielder of Death Magic

Chapter 335: Level-headed

“Settled?” asked Staxius seeing a relieved face.

“Y-yeah,” her breathing stable and mind focused, “-why are you staring me so harshly?”

“Harshly?” shaking the head to move close to the window, “-what you call harshly is my resting face.”

“Really?” scurried behind, they stared out the same window onto the street below. Silent and lesser movement compared to any other day; the incident had many o’ folks intrigued. A crowd, not exceeding about twenty-people, went to and fro. The front line would leave to allow others to have a peak and gossip. Well organized in a moment of crisis.

“I guess so,” he sighed, “-could you explain the reason for thy outburst?”

“Outburst...” turned with an apologetic gaze, “-I felt betrayed after the whole mana control arts. It was as if I never knew who my father was. The more I thought, the clearer that truth became, you and I weren’t that close. It frustrated me, especially since mother would always say that she wanted to know you more. Then, that man came, he turned everything upside down – I don’t know how he looks but it was a heavy presence. One similar to Aunt Viola at time, I can’t put my hands on it.”

“A heavy presence you say,” blankly, ‘-similar to Viola. A being with angelic, demonic, and even godly aura. The mist is slowly fading.’

.....

“Are you sure it’s a man, are you sure that he’s responsible for the things that happened?”

“Not really,” she paused, “-I don’t remember him very well now. This isn’t right, is my memory faulting?”

“Don’t strain yourself,” patting her head, “-it’s not that big a deal.”

“Are you sure?”

“Eira,” startled, she stood straight, “-my daughter. This is very important, words said in anger are often the reflection of what a person thinks inside their heart. And you said that you didn’t think me as thy father,” breathing a sigh, “-which is fine with me. I don’t need you to think of me as a parent-figure.”

“Again?” nervous, “-are you bringing that up again?” spoken as if a girl getting news of a pet’s death, the voice softened and the pitch raised. “D-don’t you t-t-think of me as a family now?”

“Calm down,” he said unbothered by her facial expression, “-this is the truth. I don’t want to force anything onto you. My decision stands firm, choose, Eira.”

“Stop with the drama,” cold, the floor froze all over, “-I’m sick of this bullshit,” eyes changed from red to blue, *Ice Element: Gergusser Variant – Spike,* stabbed straight through the heart, Staxius fell to his knee. “The supposed person that brought all this confusion is no other than Eira herself.” *Smack,* a knee to the face had Staxius dead on the floor. “F-FATHER S-SAVE M-ME,” screams of agony, screams of pain, a cry of help went unnoticed, “-they’ve summoned and I shall go.” Icy-wings sprang out her back, “-before I leave,” *Ice Element: Gergusser Variant – Zero Barrier,* erected in a form of a triangle, the body froze without restraint. “See you,” making a circle in the air, the wall froze to then crack leaving a massive hole.

“MASTER!” hearing the noise, the door bashed into a frozen landscape. The comfort and warmth it once brought were replaced by pure-shiny-blue.

“Over here,” gestured Intherna who spotted the body.

“GOD DAMN IT,” Serene rushed over and knelt, “-this isn’t normal ice,” knocking a few times did naught. “Did Eira do this?” turned to Intherna, she all but shrugged.

“Is something the matter?” came the guild leaders worryingly. “We heard an explosion, what happened?” laying eyes on Staxius, “-MAJESTY,” screamed Haru.

“Assistants,” ordered Mieshre, “-go outside and see who did this!”

“O-on i-it,”

*Thump,* resounding throughout the room, *thump,* a heartbeat, “-why is everyone so stressed,” moved to shatter the prison from within, the stab mark vanished. ‘I knew it,’ stretching, ‘-Eira had to do with Xula’s change. I knew it, she’s the only one who could add ideas into my poor wife’s head without her realizing. Trusting innocent looking girls, especially thy daughter, none would have seen it coming for a mile. The subtle changes in her tone, her eyes, her personality, I had Mieshre keep tabs. The Lady of ice has made her move. Are the ancient dragons plotting their move?’

“Are you ok?” asked Haru who had snuck from out the field of vision and snuggled his arms.

“Guild Leader,” pushing away her head, “-please, this isn’t the time. I wish not to take the price that so many young fellows wish to conquer.”

“Seriously,” shadows hid her eyes, “-are you serious,” cold and monotonous, “-what am I, a quest?”

“Tis a great idea, what about Conquest: Win Haru’s heart or get under her blanket?” coughing a few laughs, the others were distracted on the matter at hand. Side-glanced to Serene, she nodded.

“That should do it for now, please, Guild Leaders, could thee get ready?”

“Ready for what?” Haru asked amidst the laughter.

“Ready for a quest,” spoke Staxius, “-we’re going to Mont Blanc. A supply run as well as to assist the adventurers.”

“You heard the guild master,” exclaimed Mieshre, “-let’s get this journey readied.”

“Yes, ma’am,” resounded across the room.

“Are they gone?” whispered, Staxius’s face turned paler than usual.

“Yeah,” checked Intherna.

“Good,” fell to the knee, “-damn it,” clenched tightly on where he got stabbed, the wound reopened. “This isn’t ideal,” *cough,* blood dripped down the mouth.

“She got you good,” smiled Intherna, “-a daughter betraying his father, what a plot.”

“Oh, shut it,” gnarled Serene, “-this isn’t time for jests,” trying her best to care for the man, her efforts would soon be washed away by an overflow of blood. Frustrated, the girls began to pester one another.

“Shut up,” yelled Staxius with a fist, “-you’re giving me a headache,” stumbled up, “-give me space to breathe. I’ll come back in a few hours, Serene, have my weapons readied. Gather potions, scrolls, and a lot of supplies. We need provisions for at least a village to survive a few months.”

“A-are you sure?”

“Do I look like I’m playing?” serious, black-feathered wings sprouted out the back. “Intherna, come to my shadow.” Obliged, her body transformed into a beam of light that shot at him. “I’ll be back,” a flap of the wings later, the room turned upside down from the gust. ‘Mont Blanc, I’m certain that Eira is going there. I should have kept my guard up. Underestimating her is a bad idea, Eira, sorry, but I won’t think of you as my daughter. Depending on what decision that persona inside thee makes, you might die. I’ll do what I possibly can to stop that from happening. Last case scenario, I’ll take thy life and take mine afterward. It’s only fair, killing the father who has failed you over and over again.”

Landed at the entrance, “-majesty, are you ok?” said the guards who saw the blood drip.

“Yes, I’m fine, where’s Queen Shanna?”

“In her chambers,” said a maid with a bow.

“Thank you,” limped across the castle, many o’ servants came in hopes of aiding.

“I’ll be fine,” he said to push them away. Expression of sadness and regret was plastered across the faces, not ones concerning his, but ones that were caused by a differing reason.

“Majesty,” stood Rosetta in the hall leading to the royal chambers, “-please, don’t go in,” she begged with Lizzie in hand.

“Why,” sharp, “-why can’t I do so?” he asked.

“I’m sorry, but the queen has ordered us to not allow anyone passage.”

“Why is it that she has left Lizzie out to the elements?”

“I- I,” turned to the floor, “-it’s cruel.”

“I see,” cold, “-Intherna, come to me,” ordered, the girl materialized.

“This is my first order; I know I’m breaking my promise but this is dire.”

“No need to say anymore,” smiled, “-I’ll kill if that is what you’re wondering.”

‘Xula, I really hope that you haven’t betrayed our loyalty. If that is indeed the truth, may God have mercy on thee.’

*CLICK,* the door opened, “-I TOLD YOU TO NOT LET ANYONE IN,” on the bed partially naked with another lying beside. “S-Staxius?” her face froze.

“Xula,” shut, he walked, “-care to explain?”

“I-it’s not as you think,” she covered up with a blanket.

“Ryul,” he said whilst staring the duo, “-I see,” paused. “I suppose, this is my fault, isn’t it.”

“W-what d-do you m-mean your fault?” perplexed, her face turned into one filled with sadness.

“A husband with a devoted wife must have been more diligent. The blame lays squarely on him for he couldn’t provide and return her feeling. Xula, my wife, thou whomst has broken the vows of marriage, thou whomst has disgraced the secret ritual of marriage, I forgive thee. Not out of pity, not out of respect; I do so to take responsibility. I came to say one thing, Eira has been captured by a dragon. I’m getting ready for her rescue,” heavy thumps had the chest tightened, the wound reopened once more. Blood flood down the mouth and the chest. “If thou find solace in the company of another, then do as thee pleased. Thou art a monarch, a lady filled with beauty and passion. Do as thou wish, however, from this instant forth – don’t consider me thy husband. Farewell, I’ll be taking Lizzie,” headed for the door, “-Intherna, sorry, but I’ve changed my mind.”

“Not succumbing to emotions, I applaud the restraint. You’ve scored another point in my books.”

“Thanks,” patting her head, “-I suppose that I’ll make do with what is there.”

*CLICK,* “-HOLD ON.”

*SLASH,* the door handle sliced in half.

“A fight?” he turned; “-do you want to fight?”

“Yes, actually,” said Xula with a grin, “-I want to fight.” Stood beside was Ryul.

“I don’t see a reason why we should fight. I told you, you chose your path and I’ll choose mine. Let’s part ways without any harsh feelings. Let me keep the sliver of love I feel for you, please, don’t let it turn to hate. I’m tired as is, having to tear away another from my heart is harder than expected.”

“Why, don’t you have Intherna, why not love her?” her tone turned bitter.

“This isn’t about me,” smiled calmly, the back rested against the door, fatigue had drowsiness invade the mind, “-it’s about you, and your decision. As for Intherna, I love her, I do love her, I love her as I love my companions. I love her as I love Eira, I love her as I love the people who care about the castle, I love her as I love the people of Arda. Yet, the love I speak of is nothing but a feeling of wanting to protect, a feeling of wanting to ensure their peace and quiet. A feeling to not let the world around break into chaos.”

“What about you Intherna?”

“I have no reason speaking to someone weaker than me. I came to this plane per request from the God of Death. I’m a mere observer, if he says that he loves me, then I say that I love him back. Or rather, I hate him back as well – strong, and level-headed. I have sensed his thirst-for-blood, he loves killing, but even more than that, he knows what killing and fighting will bring. That is why I admire him for the short amount of time we’ve known each other.”

“Staxius,” walked over with a blanket over her head, “-you’re seriously the worst person one could ever fall for.”

“Is that right?” tired, the legs gave and he fell to the floor leaving a trail of blood on the door.

“I didn’t break our vow of marriage. Ryul came to me earlier and explain what you had done and what you had said,” stood close behind was Ryul, the face changed to Prophecy who waved as if a child. “I’m bound to forever be loyal to you, my dear husband. Things went amiss, a family spat I suppose. Despite my countless attempts at provoking a reaction that would give me a reason to hate you – all I received was either a blank stare or a kind smile. I thought that you see me in bed with another man would have thee see blood,” holding his finger, “-I’m sorry, I needed someone to lash out at.” Cold to the touch, “-Staxius?” her face froze, “-wait...” *Bam,* the head hit the floor without warning. A puddle had the blanket soiled, “-why didn’t regeneration kick in?”