Sami laid on the ground taking on heavy breaths as sweat began to pour down his face. His teeth began to turn back to normal as his dark aura began to turn back into his usual purple.
+++
[Conserving Host Power]
[Purple Shadow Form: Disengaged]
[Recommendation: Be careful, the host will be weak once the power ends.]
+++
Sami's clothes went from the slick armor like outfit back to the now destroyed outfit. The burst energy he had went away as a set of tiredness began to set over him. Thankfully his injuries were healed upon activation of the ability or he would've been in even more trouble.
"Huh your strong aura suddenly dulled", A deep baritone voice said as stood over Sami's down body.
"Oh wow grandfather nice for you to show up after the battle was done", Sami sassed as he looked up at his grandfather.
"A hero is never early, they always show up last minute to save the day", Mercer macked as he bent down to help Sami to his feet.
"If that's your definition of hero no wonder so many of your students have been dying", Sami lashed. His tone full of venom slapped Mercer's hand.
"Sami the world is more-", Mercer began.
"What complicated", Sami finished, slowly climbing to his feet.
All the energy he felt during his transformation was intoxicating, a feeling he could almost get used to. Nah that's not a good way to feel, he worked hard for the amount of skills he possesses so far. No point in relying on a crouch now.
"And you're not listening to anything I've been saying have you?"Mercer asked, interrupting Sami's thoughts.
Sami shrugged, "If you gave me a reason to listen then I might give a shit." he replied.
Mercer didn't respond as he looked at Sami before turning and walking back towards the corpse on the ground. Analyzing the pieces that remained as he could still feel a strong sense of death magic coming from it.
Sami ignored whatever Mercer was up as he proceeded to make his way over to Lyra. She was still laying where she had landed earlier in the fight. Sami moved as quickly as he could.
Letting out a breath that he was holding after seeing she was still breathing. Obviously he doesn't know how much damage she took that he couldn't see, but the fact she was breathing okay was a weight off his chest.
Bending down, he quickly lifted her onto his back as begin to make his way towards Mercer.
"FORWARD MEN!""A voice shouted as multiple footsteps could be heard matching closer.
Sami hurriedly made his way towards Mercer as he panicked. Not wanting Lyra to be caught in the crossfire of an attack.
"Grandfather, we need to move in case another attack happens", Sami hurriedly stated as quickly made it to his side.
Mercer stood up and turned towards Sami. "Calm, the footsteps you hear are from the troops I request to back me up.", he reassured.
"Great help they've been", Sami muttered as he glared at his grandfather.
Mercer just sighed and didn't respond as he waited for the knights he requested to get closer.
"Common you stupid horse we have to move faster", Poke muttered as he spurred the horse onwards, forcing it to go faster.
"Ugh that boy is breaking formation again.", one of the knights shouted as he got angry that Poke kept trying to get ahead.
"Shut up and stick to our formations," Commander Hayes replied. "If it was one of you fighting a monster we know nothing about I would be rushing to save your lives too."
"Yes sir!"The knights chanted before going silence descended over the group.
Commander Hayes was the leader of the thirty-fifth knights battalion. Having graduated some time ago he worked diligently helping people, completing missions. Until eventually he made his way into leadership, gaining his own command.
Poke though didn't care to listen as he pushed his horse harder soon coming over the hill. In the distance he could see the destroyed village and covered the distance quickly.
He was worried that Sami might not be able to protect Lyra, especially it being an unknown monster. Not wanting to lose someone he cares about, Poke decided to join the group of knights, admittedly ignoring the commander when he ordered him around.
Soon Poke made it to the village, seeing the majority of the buildings gone was a weird experience. Just a couple of days prior the city had many people running around and working. Now it's just a ghost town. The ground burnt, ashes everywhere.
"You are the only one to protect Lyra, remember compared to Sami you've been training longer.", a voice echoed in his mind. "He's nothing but a buffoon, a useful one though he's lacking in skill. Remember what you, no we gave up for her."
Poke just nodded along to his inner thoughts. He gave up more than he's willing to admit staying in the school, yet he stuck around for Lyra. Even though plenty of people looked up to him none of it ever mattered to him. It felt empty, hollow every time he got complimented by others.
It was all false flattery,no he didn't care for those people. Why he tried his best to befriend Lyra. She never gave into what others saw, she looked past that.
Soon Poke saw two figures in the distance, holes surrounding them that looked pretty close to a battlefield. Mercer and Sami were standing there, with Sami waving in the distance. Poke sighed, annoyed he missed the battle but hopeful Lyra came out okay.
Sami saw a figure in the distance and waved out. At closer glance he saw the blue hair and realized it was Poke.
"Look at that Lyra, we finally have back up saving us for once.", Sami cheered.
"Can you not be so loud bookworm", Lyra responded with her voice low.
Sami almost dropped Lyra, shocked at the sudden reply. "Hell yeah, you're awake finally! How are you feeling?", he inquired.
"My everything hurts", Lyra whined as she took in a deep breath.
"Yeah that monster did really slam you really hard on the ground", Sami commented.
"Pssh that was nothing you should've seen how he was looking before he threw me.", Lyra bragged. "Obvisouly I was the bigger threat, why else would he try to take me out first."
"Yeah yeah oh great one you did so much damage to the weird creature", Sami chuckled.
Lyra didn't reply to that as she grew quiet, not knowing what to say. Sami was debating on putting her on the ground, but decided against it. Not wanting to move her to much in case the injuries were to severe.
"Where's Lyra?!"Poke demanded as soon as he got close to Sami. Poke's horse was breathing heavily as it came to halt in front of Sami and Mercer.
Mercer had already turned back around and was still examining the remains, he felt like something was off with the entire situation. He could feel how potent the strength was from the pieces yet Sami was able to kill it. Sami doesn't have enough strength.
Sami rolled his eyes at Poke before pointing to his back. Poke looked over and a smile broke out on his face as he saw that she was okay.
"At least you did something right by keeping her okay", Poke snarky said to Sami.
Sami shrugged, "I didn't see you helping us out fighting."
"I came as soon as I heard you uncultured swine, it's not my fault you got sent to work the fields. Though I assume you're used to that now aren't you", Poke argued.
"Says the one that has yet to beat me in a fight", Sami mocked.
"I don't have time for this nonsense, unhand her at once and I can take her back to the hospital", demanded Poke.
"Ugh, to the whinney ass voice to leave! He's making my head hurt.", Ordered Lyra.
"Meh you heard her", Sami chuckled as he stepped back, turning to his grandfather.
Poke just stood there fuming, not really saying much as he clenched his fist. He stayed close to his horse. Soon the other riders came into the distance as multiple loud stomping could be heard.
"Finally they're here", muttered Mercer as stood back up from his spot. A frown on his face. Still having a bad finger but not knowing the reason for it.
Sami couldn't help but look in awe at the thirty soldiers coming into view. All in sync with a banner flying in the distance. The symbol on the banner looked familiar but he couldn't seem to place it for some reason.
"Halt!", a voice commanded as the horses came to a stand in front of Mercer.
Quickly the soldier in front of the group got of his horse and kneeled in front of Mercer.
"I'm Commander Hayes of the Thirty-fifth Battalion sir. I brought with me thirty men as requested.", the man explained.
"Stand, send out a couple to seal the perimeter and if you have someone that can use magic bring them to front", Mercer commanded.
"Yes Sir!"Hayes saluted before quickly doing his task.