Vel leaned against the cool stone wall of the preparation chamber. The muffled roars of the crowd pulsed through the ancient stonework like a distant thunder. Light from the air vents mixed with the glowing blue of mana torches, casting an ethereal pallor across their faces.
This room had become somewhat familiar over the past weeks, but the tension never did. If anything, this could be the hardest match they'd ever faced. His friends felt it too.
Tomas sat hunched on the bench, his wand clutched between trembling fingers. The amber crystal at its tip caught the torchlight. His face drawn tight with anxiety, but compared to their first match, he seemed more composed. His legs, however, wouldn't stay still—one knee bouncing in a restless rhythm that betrayed his nerves.
Celia tested her blade's balance nearby, her movements measured and precise. She seemed like a master of hiding emotion. Must be her duelist personality getting through—always poised, always ready to face any problem head-on.
Vel returned his attention to his interface—movements that would look like nervous fidgeting to anyone watching. The familiar windows materialized before his eyes.
Should I use this? he questioned, mapping out spell combinations, considering which ones he could potentially use.
Once finished, he leaned forward slightly. "We've come this far, trying our best to hide our best abilities... but..."
Celia turned, her eyes meeting his.
"For strong opponents, it could be too late before we can even use them," she finished his thought, sliding her rapier back into its sheath with a soft click.
Vel pushed away from the wall and stood up. "We've been studying them, but they could be studying us too."
"Would he really? It's Severin." Tomas said dryly.
"It's not Severin I'm worried about," Vel countered. "It's his teammates"
He recalled every match Karsten had fought. The spearman's technique never truly stood out—he did just enough to win, never pushing beyond what was necessary. Just like they had.
"What about the rumor?" Celia asked.
"Yeah, that," Vel said.
Tomas looked between them, confused. "What rumor?"
"Right, I haven't told you yet." Vel's expression darkened.
"Apparently, not all students could continue fighting, which left empty spots in their teams. The officials have been sorting out their situation, and..."
He paused. "Liora. I heard that she couldn't fully recover."
Tomas's eyes widened. "So Severin's team—"
"Might have a new member that we know nothing about," Vel finished. "Can't watch and study everyone."
Maybe she's the one the bishop talked about?
Celia's fingers tightened around her rapier's hilt. "Whoever that is, we cannot back down," she said, her voice hardening. "We've come this far."
"At first, I was fighting for the right to stay at this academy. Then to show Caldwen that skill and hard work can overcome status and privileges."
Her grip on the rapier tightened further.
"But now it's more than that." Her voice grew stronger. "I want to prove that I'm the sister of Clara-neesan, the platinum adventurer who sacrificed herself for the people she cared about. I want to continue her legacy instead of letting it be forgotten."
Tomas looked up, surprise flickering across his face. But then something shifted—a rare confidence settled into his stance as he slowly rose from the bench. Her words seemed to resonate with something deep within him.
"Well said," he began, straightening his shoulders. "I want to fight for the unstable, to prove that we have every right to be treated equally. Not just for me, but for Mira, Enya, Rohen and anyone whose dreams were crushed just because they were wrongly branded."
They both looked at Vel expectantly, waiting for his declaration.
Am I supposed to give a speech too?
What am I here for? Vel questioned himself, the thought echoing in his mind. The Academy? Knowledge? To prove something? To show everyone what "unstable" attunement truly meant?
None of those reasons felt complete.
Their reasons came from their hearts, clear and unwavering.
But for Vel, something clouded his motivation. Ever since academy life started, he'd been going through the motions—getting spiraled into problems, stumbling his way through each challenge. He'd been deep in problem-solving mode, always reacting to things instead of taking action on his own terms.
He took a deep breath, a moment to look within himself.
He looked at Tomas. "I'm here for my friends."
Then his gaze shifted to Celia. "I'm here because I made a promise."
"I'm here because—"
A sharp knock echoed through the preparation chamber, cutting him off. The official's voice followed. "Team Novalance, you're up. Please proceed to the arena entrance."
---
[**]
The extermination force gathered around the crystalline formation at the chamber's center. Landre stood several paces back, staring at what lay within.
Torches had been set in a circle around the crystal cage, but they weren't the only source of light. The cage itself emanated a faint, mysterious glow from within—pulsing slowly in rhythm with the creature's breathing. Each pulse sent ripples of pale luminescence through the translucent facets, illuminating Alukah's suspended form.
Most disturbing was how that rhythm matched perfectly with the synchronized breathing of the villagers outside. As if they were extensions of the same organism.
Landre took one step closer. Dark tendrils writhed from the creature's form, confirming everything Vel had warned her about void-tainted creatures.
"What's our plan?" Sarvin whispered from behind, his voice barely audible.
Helyns, the Guild Master, studied the creature with narrowed eyes. "We need to end this fast. Overwhelm it before it can retaliate."
"What about the villagers?" Sarvin asked. "They might come rushing in the second it wakes up."
Landre closed her eyes briefly. What would Vel do? Her brother had ways of thinking that often surprised her back when they were together in Elnor.
"Think ahead, Lan-neechan. Not just what you'll do, but what they'll do. And remember—you're not alone."
Her eyes opened slowly. She turned back toward the entrance where dozens of entranced villagers stood motionless, yet ready to surge forward at their master's call.
"We can stop the villagers from entering," Landre stated firmly.
Commander Varius frowned. "That means trapping ourselves with this creature."
Landre drew herself up, summoning the confidence she'd learned to project as a Saint. "Not if we can control it. A magical barrier that can be dismissed should we retreat."
She turned to face the assembled group, noticing how they looked to her for guidance despite Commander Varius's higher military rank. The weight of her position settled on her shoulders.
One of the Inquisitors—a thin man with sharp features—stepped forward. "I'll do it, it's better you save your strength for the creature, Saint Landre."
Landre nodded, grateful for the offer. She needed to conserve her energy for what lay ahead. The Inquisitor moved toward the entrance, his hands already tracing intricate patterns in the air as he began the barrier spell.
"What about the creature itself?" Commander Varius asked, his experienced eyes never leaving the crystalline formation.
Landre looked down, her gaze turning inward as she recalled the doctrine of Light's overwhelming force against darkness.
She looked up, determination displayed on her face. "The Inquisitor and I will prepare our most powerful spell. We'll try to end the fight before it begins."
"And if it wakes up, we have enough manpower to surround it," Commander Varius finished with a nod.
The cavern's depths were shrouded in darkness, lit only by their torches and light magic. Landre had lost track of how long they'd been down here.
"How much daylight do we have left?" she asked, keeping her voice low.
Commander Varius considered for a moment, calculating based on when they'd entered. "About half a day."
Landre nodded, her fingers unconsciously finding the amulet at her neck—the one she'd carved with Vel's dagger so long ago. "Hopefully it will be enough."
Guild Master Helyns motioned to her three adventurers, all seasoned veterans with faces hardened by countless battles. "We'll form one party," she announced, checking her bowstring. "We can adapt should a fight break out."
Commander Varius nodded approvingly. "Saint Landre will stay back ready to assist us." He turned to her with a firm but respectful gaze. "Your light magic will be our lifeline if things go wrong."
"The rest of us will engage the fight," Varius continued, drawing his sword. The blade gleamed with enchantments meant to enhance its cutting power.
The force moved into position.
Paladins and Royal Guards formed the front line, shields raised and locked together.
Templars flanked both sides, their weapons drawn and ready.
Helyns and her Guild adventurers stayed together as one cohesive party, positioning themselves where they could adapt to the flow of battle.
Behind them all, the remaining Inquisitor stood near Landre, wand at the ready.
Landre clasped her hands together, closing her eyes as she began to chant. The words were both prayer and incantation. Her voice carried through the chamber, steady and unwavering.
"Sacred light, heed my call.
By Shizka's grace, cast back the darkness.
Through my will, through my faith—let light be made manifest.
Let shadows flee. Let evil crumble.
Let light claim victory.
In Shizka's name.
Luximus Divini Sanctus Aeghis!"
At these final words, the chamber itself seemed to exhale. The light between Landre's clasped hands expanded outward in a gentle wave, washing over the extermination force.
Their bodies began to glow with intense tendrils of fiery light. The blessing settled into their skin, weapons, and armor—a protective layer of divine radiance that would shield them from the darkness to come.
Landre felt the familiar warmth of Shizka's power flowing through her, different from regular magic. This wasn't just channeling energy; it was communion with something greater. The light responded to her faith, not just her will.
She opened her eyes as the prayer faded, seeing the awestruck expressions on the faces around her.
"By the gods," one of the Royal Guards whispered, staring at his glowing hands. "I've never felt anything like this."
"They said Saint light magic was the purest," Helyns murmured, her bow now wreathed in golden flames that didn't burn. "But wear it like this..."
"It's like wearing the sun," another adventurer added, flexing his fingers as if testing the new power coursing through him.
"Prize of Shizka's sect," Commander Varius said quietly, the words carrying weight. "Now I see why the Church holds you so tightly."
Landre felt a flush of pride at their reactions, quickly tempered by humility. This power wasn't truly hers—it was invoked through her devotion, channeled through her faith.
"Let us begin," she said, her voice carrying quiet authority.
The remaining Inquisitor began chanting as well, joining his voice with Landre's. Their combined prayers resonated through the chamber, faith and power intertwined.
Magic circles began to form below the crystal formation. Glowing sigils etched themselves into the stone floor, lines tracing across the ground with increasing speed as they spiraled inward. The air above started to glow, gathering power ready to unleash.
Commander Varius moved forward, stepping past the front line with his sword ready. He approached the crystal cage slowly, his attention fixed on something within.
He stopped directly in front of the creature, close enough that his breath fogged the crystalline surface. His head tilted slightly as he leaned in, examining something in its chest—some detail that had caught his eye.
"There's something in—"
Without any warning, the creature's eyes snapped open.
For an instant, they locked gazes. Predator and prey, neither knew which was which.
No one moved. Hearts seemed to stop mid-beat. Every person in the chamber was paralyzed by the same uncertainty—Scream? Attack? Brace?
Then the creature's gaze darted wildly—left, right, up, down—searching, panicked.
Reality crashed back in an instant.
With a shriek of crystal and sinew, its wings spread wide, breaking free from the crystalline cocoon. Shards exploded outward, slicing toward nearby soldiers. Cries rang out as shields were raised in reflex.
Some soldiers weren't so lucky.
Landre instinctively threw up her arm, channeling a small barrier of light that deflected several crystal fragments aimed at her face. The shards shattered against hexagonal patterns tinged with shades of rainbow, turning to dust particles that scattered through the air.
Inside the barrier with Landre, the Inquisitor quickly released the spell. A massive beam of holy light surged up from the circle below, engulfing the creature.
But with nothing to hold Alukah down, the creature twisted violently, wings flaring, and shot backward. Smoke and smolder clung to the body parts that had been caught by the spell.
It staggered midair, then let out a piercing, guttural scream. The sound tore through the chamber, a sonic wave that nearly knocked the closest soldiers off their feet.
Landre braced herself against the cavern wall, her ears ringing painfully.
The creature flew—erratic, unpredictable—zigzagging through the air like a wounded wasp.
"It's disoriented!" someone shouted. "Engage now!"
"Luxetahn Solis!" "Ignis Sagitta!"
Flashes of white magic arced through the air. Fireballs launched upward from multiple casters, forming a barrage of searing heat and flame.
The creature veered away from each one, its movements increasingly frantic. It searched for an opening—for any escape.
Landre channeled another burst of light magic, focusing it through her outstretched palm. The beam struck the creature's wing, eliciting another shriek of pain.
Then, from outside, came a sound. A low rumble in the distance, followed by another. The chorus of inhuman howls rose, growing louder. Closer.
The horde was coming.
Landre's heart beat faster as Alukah recovered its bearings. The initial disorientation from their ambush was fading quickly—too quickly. Its eyes narrowed with predatory focus, no longer darting wildly but calculating.
With a powerful beat of its leathery wings, Alukah shot upward, hovering for a moment before spinning into a dive. The movement was so fluid, so precise that several soldiers barely had time to raise their shields.
It plummeted toward a young Royal Guard who had overextended himself during the initial attack. The man tried to backpedal, but Alukah was too fast.
The creature's circular, tooth-ringed mouth latched onto the soldier's shoulder. The momentum pulled the guard off the ground, lifting him for a brief moment before Alukah released him. The man's scream pierced through the cavern, a sound of pure agony that made Landre's skin crawl. Blood sprayed as he hit the ground, and the creature was already selecting its next target.
"It's feeding!" Helyns shouted, loosing an arrow that narrowly missed the creature's wing.
Before anyone could reach the fallen guard, Alukah had already pivoted midair, diving toward another victim. This time, a paladin managed to deflect it with his shield, the impact sending him staggering backward.
Landre's heart pounded as she saw the creature change direction again—this time heading straight for Commander Varius.
"Commander!" she cried out, already gathering light magic in her palms.
Varius stood his ground, his face set in grim determination. He raised his sword skyward and called out in a commanding voice:
"Moon Crescent!"
An arc of blue light shot out from his blade, curving through the air toward Alukah. The creature twisted midair, narrowly avoiding the deadly spell.
But as it dodged, Landre saw her opening. She thrust her palm forward, channeling her power into a concentrated javelin of pure light.
"Luxetahn Lumi Solis!" she called, her voice ringing with divine authority.
The Light Javelin streaked through the air, nearly impaling Alukah's arm as it twisted away at the last moment. The creature shrieked as the light grazed its wing, leaving a smoking furrow in its flesh.
"Keep it up!" Varius shouted, already preparing another attack. "Don't let it recover!"
Landre could see the creature was feeling overwhelmed. Its movements became more desperate, less calculated. It clearly hadn't expected to face an army in its nest.
From the side of the battle, healers were attending to the bitten soldier.
A cry rang out. The soldier began convulsing—skin graying, veins spreading black beneath the surface. His body arched violently, eyes rolling back to show only whites.
His comrades backed away, uncertain how to help.
"Someone hold him down!" Helyns shouted.
One of her adventurers raised his crossbow, loading a specialized bolt from his quiver.
The adventurer took aim and released.
The bolt flew true. Above the soldier, it split into two halves, revealing enchanted rope within. Its purpose was clear—the rope moved on its own, wrapping around the soldier's thrashing limbs and torso. The two halves pinned themselves firmly to the ground on either side, securing him to the cavern floor.
"Artillery formation!" Commander Varius bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos.
The vanguards responded instantly, their shields clumping together into a protective wall. They moved with practiced accuracy, creating a human barrier that left enough space behind for the royal mages to operate.
From this protected position, the mages unleashed a barrage of light and fire spells. Beams of radiance shot upward alongside streaks of flame in rapid succession, forcing Alukah into constant evasive maneuvers. The creature shrieked in frustration as it darted between the attacks, unable to find an opening to counterattack.
Landre glanced toward the entrance and felt her heart sink. Dozens of villagers had gathered at the magical barrier, their vacant eyes fixed on the battle within. They pounded their heads and fists against the shimmering wall, mindlessly trying to reach their master. The Inquisitor stood with arms outstretched, sweat beading on his forehead as he maintained the barrier against the growing pressure.
Alukah suddenly changed tactics. As it flew in an erratic pattern to avoid the light spells, it began shooting something toward the ground—dark projectiles that exploded on impact. Where they struck, crystal formations erupted violently, jagged spikes protruding upward in all directions.
One crystal formation surged toward the royal formation, threatening to impale them from below.
"Watch out!" someone cried, but their warning came too late.
The platinum-ranked adventurer—a burly man wielding a massive mace and shield—leapt into action. He jumped high into the air, his weapon raised overhead. With a thunderous battle cry, he slammed down directly in the crystal's path.
The impact was deafening. The shockwave he created clashed against the wave of deadly crystal formation, shattering it into fragments that flew in all directions. The force of the collision sent him skidding backward, but he maintained his footing, creating a defensive gap between the crystal and the royal squad.
"Protect the Saint!" Sarvin shouted in the distance.
Landre whirled around to see Alukah diving straight toward her, maybe it had finally recognized the highest threat. Its circular maw was wide open, revealing rows of needle-like teeth. Time seemed to slow as the creature closed the distance, its eyes locked on her with predatory intent.
Drawing on her faith, Landre thrust both hands outward. "Lux Santorum Aeghis!"
A circular wall of pure light materialized around her—a sanctum of divine protection. Alukah slammed into the barrier at full speed, then began flailing its limbs wildly, as if trying to drill through the light. Its skin smoked where it made contact, flesh searing against the divine radiance, but Alukah didn't relent.
Landre poured more energy into her sanctum, the wall of light humming with divine power. Her arms trembled with the effort of maintaining the protective barrier as the creature's fury intensified. One slip in concentration, those teeth would find her throat.