She paralyzed the entire room with that single move. Everyone was afraid to speak, mutter, move, do anything. She wiped out more than 10 guards with a simple move such as that. Then, that's when I realized the root of that was nothing more than Spirit Magic.
Long ago, way back in the earlier days, there was a collaboration event. Or well, was planned for within the video game. It never took off, but rumors had it that Spirit Magic would've played a big part. This was around the same time that Spirit Elves were still reigning as number one within the game.
But the collab never took off, but some of the magic spells were still left within the game files. There's no way you could've gain those spells unless you were a tester or straight up a dev.
So you could only picture, and see the pure shock on my face as Vaniti managed to pull out an event-only move, [Dark Spirit Choke]. This only led to think even more, that everything within the game would just eventually reveal itself sooner or later.
And that's not even mentioning the greater problem here.
That…
That Vaniti just decided the guards should no longer breathe.
If that's not fear imposed.
I don't know what is.
Vaniti's anger was still there, but not in the way a hot-headed berserker would betray it. No, it was just like her Spirit Magic. Tranquil. Silent.
She hid it amongst her speech well, because even if those three never wanted to admit it. It was there.
Panic.
Sheer panic.
Her arm dropped to her side again, and it felt like we could all breathe even thought the attack was never targeted towards us. Cloudjumper, who was unfazed for the most part, even had slight worry and shock on her face as well.
"I don't have to touch you, to end you." Her message was clear, defining. She was composed more than Sultan, had more pride than Cloudjumper, and was…far better than Koga in more ways than one.
She looked back at me, "Despite every bone in my body telling me to end you all now, I will grace you with my mercy."
Then, Vaniti threw her arm across.
"Release my Sovereign from these chains, immediately."
That was her proposal.
But I looked at Sultan, and his face grimaced. Even this was something he didn't want to do.
He wasn't going to throw out Cloudjumper or Koga to fight Vaniti, he wouldn't dare. Not after what he had just seen. Despite the those two being Ascendants, and maybe now Vaniti bordering on the edge of high-tier Apex, it's not the power equation that makes it seem those two should win.
I think Sultan realizes it.
The eventual "risk" he would be taking.
And the statement that pairs alongside with it.
The what if statement.
Just…what if it doesn't work?
What if Vaniti does win?
Then he's defenseless, he just seen Vaniti snap the necks and strip breathing permissions away from his gaurds. No matter how many he sends after her, it will result in the same thing.
He tapped his staff on the floor several times, no reason to, just did. Nobody understood it. Vaniti's head tilted slightly, as if it was corresponding to her.
He hung his head low, his fist clenched, and the other gripping tightly on the golden staff. Then, he raised it with his open palm.
"Go ahead, Cloudjumper."
She looked shocked, disappointed…and disrespected. Her fangs flashed, "Wh-what…?! You aren't bending down to some…some elf!"
Cloudjumper said it with such disdain, you would've thought she had a special…hatred for elves themselves. She looked towards her, lips curled, fingers clenched. Her wings spread out entirely with such speed.
Vaniti shifted her foot, just once. A slight movement, and Cloudjumper flinched. Easily, too easily. Even she was on edge. Once the Chancellor looked at her, she sighed, her face scrunched with irritation.
Slowly but surely, the magic surrounding the chains became undone. Her concentration was breaking, it's grip no longer had it's hold on me. I could slowly slither out of them, and begin to stand up.
I stretched my body first, kneeling for hours is not the best thing you would want to do. Vaniti didn't look at me yet, was still tense, but not as much as before. I saw her left out a breath of relief. As if she was the one holding her breath for the longest since she got here.
I stumbled a bit, however. Wasn't entirely set on my feet, balance of my tail threw me off. Vaniti made sure I stood upright, however. She was just right in the swing of things to make sure I was. I hung my arm around her to straighten myself out.
Cloudjumper's damn poison…making me sluggish and whatnot. She looked on, would've been ready to cast a spell and blow away this entire estate to high noon if she wanted to.
The chains awoke before my feet, recoiled around her arms before seemingly blending into her armour. Explains how she got me with that in the first place…it seems.
"Sultan…you had your fun, but it's over. Entirely," I tell him.
"Now, everyone will know. Your dealings with the Underworld, your ulterior motives behind merging the State and the position of Chancellor. Even your influence behind your own nation's natural disaster."
His head was hung low, still. Vaniti and I only stared.
"This is it for you, Chancellor. And I'm not sorry it had to come to this."
He chuckled. Weirdly.
"Me either."
Huh?
Before I knew, a rushing stampede of footsteps came. More guards, more than ever. Sultan gave away cocky smile before disappearing amongst the crowds alongside Cloudjumper and Koga.
Vaniti instantly readied herself, and I did as well. He stalled for time, and waiting until more of his legion got here. He's buying himself time, but for what exactly? Vaniti could do the same move here again, but there's more, I estimate of 50…no—over that.
Sultan, what are you planning?