Soon as the others are in question as to what is happening to Handikiz as he is speaking almost nonsense to them. However as they were ask more to him, Handikiz is soon to be engulfed in a bright flames, and his yells cries out to all around the throne room agonizing in absolute pain.
"What is happening!!?"
"I don't know but Jin quick, use your wind" Jin nods and summons a huge burst of wind to blow the fire away, but then the fire suddenly turns black as it cancels Jin's wind magic.
"Jin what happened!?"
"My powers were negated. That never happens?"
"Wait negating a power, no... it can't be, but that power belonged to Vanquish the Vague and his dark flame abilities."
"Are you saying Vanquish is still alive I thought we already defeated him? Isn't that why we haven't see his powers lately"
"no matter we still need to smother the flames like we did last time"
Before they can try to clear the flames away, the black fire suddenly dissipates leaving Handikiz's body nothing but bones.
"Black flames, I thought that spell was forbidden. No other people under magic ever learned, not even Handikiz during his mantle of great mage himself ever tried. All but one"
"Yeah Vanquish the Vague, he was another one of those wanted criminals me, Venny and Dani took down years ago. When we heard he was imprisoned there was a report that there was a break in, but it failed to mention anyone leaving the dungeon."
"The only ones were mostly freed by me to pull off that stunt Jin"
"No Venny that's not what he met, but I did heard the reports on my guards that there were casualties only one though and that's a prisoner"
"So did Handikiz got his grubby hands on him then for his powers"
"No I don't think he is that cold enough to use black flames. Besides we never even seen him used it once."
"Not only that but did you notice the seal on his neck" Ralian telling the others she saw a seal on the back of Handikiz's neck.
"You saw it Ralian?" Gale shocked to see Ralian able to see through the black flames.
"Indeed though black flames are basically fire and covers the victim in darkness, but to my eyes I see through the darkness and when his clothes were burned away, to the back of his neck there was a seal".
Suddenly King Zinch then stumbled towards the others as they quickly notice and quickly stand up straight for respect to the king of Alvera.
"Please no need for the formality you save the kingdom after all, but is everything okay did you defeat Handikiz"
"My king" as Dani quickly kneeled towards King Zinch "arise Captain. There's no need to greet me when the throne room is in ruins"
"I am truly sorry my king I will dispatch a group of repairmen's and fix the throne room stat" and Dani quickly leaves the group as to gather a team to fix the throne room.
"is Dani going to be alright your majesty"
"Not to worry I had already inform the guards about the tragic event of what happened to Handikiz". So they all then explain to King Zinch about the seal on Handikiz's neck being activated and engulfing him in black flame ultimately killing him.
"Black flame that was one of the forbidden spell our first Great Mage Hulthim made when our kingdom was in it's golden age. But was past down to her apprentice Vanquish, though it was a terrible mistake for he wanted power" as he looks towards of what's left of the former great mage of Alvera.
"But then again I must congratulate you five for saving Alvera from Handikiz. Thus I am rewarding you for your efforts"
Then looking towards Jin and Venny "and I must truly apologies to you two though you two did fought Vanquish who was supposed to be the great mage, then taking down Handikiz." As King Zinch then kneels down before them.
"As for my misunderstanding that you stuck with your instincts and fought the great mage with honor. Thus I will be declining your charges of all crimes that were hold against you for many years, and for you Mr. Lensharth I shall ask my finest craftsmanship to build you a new arm"
"Thanks? I guess... you don't have to kneel before us after all we were just doing what we always do"
"And we are honored to help you understand the circumstances".
As King Zinch stands up and bows before them, they were all honored by the King of Alvera they were all soon celebrating their victory in a feast in the tavern as on the table they were eating at had twenty empty cups.
"Hey Ralian you should chill down with the drinks haven't seen you drink this much in, well forever" Gale trying to keep Ralian in check.
"Listen the best thing that happened to me is I proved Jin wrong for my lightning, and if you think you can tell me not to drink anymore then I will prove you wrong." Ralian acting a bit drunk after drinking just one cup as she continues to order more drinks much to Gale's disproval.
As Gale looks over towards Jin, Venny, and Dani as they drink the most and doesn't seemed to be showing any signs of dizziness.
"How... how are you not feeling under the weather"
"Well Dani trained herself keeping her mind stable, Venny has his blood magic to negates the affects of alcohol, and I... I don't know about me"
"I'm pretty sure you mentioned building some sort of endurance you made from handling harsh weather."
Suddenly Gale notice someone from the window waving at them. "Hey guys can you watch over Ralian if she goes too far" They all nodded, as Gale heads towards the exit of the tavern as Gale looked to the left then the right only to notice someone familiar again.
"Hello, knight we meet once more" it was Ezrael greeting Gale once again.
"Ezrael, I thought you already left?"
"I know but I had heard of your victory and wanted to commend for your efforts. Azulen"
Gale's eyes suddenly widen in surprised as Gale has never heard anyone said their name since getting the armor. "How did you know my name?"
"Remember when we first met, like I said I have been eyeing the both of you two for months. Though months may have been a lie which I do not like."
"Never thought someone as calm as you would ever lie"
"I only used it once to avoid your suspicious towards me. But that thought will soon come to play later"
"What do you mean?"
"As some might say that is for me to know and you to find out" before Gale could ask another question to Ezrael, he bows his head to Gale and walks away, but Gale still trusts him despite his secrecy. But Gale then heads back into the tavern only to see Ralian passed out after having another cup and the others still drinking not showing any signs of the affects from the alcohol.
"To all our hard work and dedication to save Alvera from a terrible tragedy" As the three toasted their drinks and continue celebrating till next light.
Soon morning came again and they all soon gather towards the gates of Alvera as Gale and Ralian are ready to say goodbye to the Crusaders, though Ralian does feel a bit dizzy after last night.
"We both know its been fun, but us adventurers need to keep going or the gold will soon run dry"
"We understand, and if you ever come to Alvera again, the three of us will greet you with open arms"
However as Dani and Venny were saying their goodbyes to Gale and Ralian, Jin started to tiwddle his thumbs as he takes a deep breath before something he will say for no regrets. "Actually I got a proposal" everyone soon turn toward the attention to Jin.
"What is it now Jin, I know that face. You're up so something" Jin snickers a bit "I know Venny. But I just don't feel comfortable living in Alvera after what I been through all these years"
"Then what are you proposing Jin?"
"I think it would be fun if I adventure with Gale and Ralian for a while"
Everyone was surprised by Jin's proposal, leaving Alvera and joining with Gale and Ralian on their adventures.
"I know those were the face I was expecting. But the day of being a crusader was long past, and I think its time that I should move on"
"But is that really what you want"
"Listen guy I known Jin for a long time, and he is very persistent when making a proposal. So I suggest you take him with you. Beside someone need to keep him in check if he does something reckless"
"Wait your not coming too"
"Of course I am not coming. Look, I've had my fair shares of adventures, but I think its time for me to retire from that position and also move on. Besides a renown assassin needs to take a break once and a while"
"Well we do need someone who can transport us easily with ease"
"Gale we've been using my tree gates for months, and now I am getting replaced?!"
"Of course not Ralian you'll always be the one making the reasonable choices"
"So that means I am in the group now. Also I been wondering what was you group called anyways"
"Well it used to be the Night Spell crew, till... well everyone disbanded" Gale nodded with Ralian correcting her.
"Well how about you revive the only name, it actually make sense with a group that some of us can use magic and also your last name is Night. Make sense don't you"
"Well I guess it could work once again maybe we could do some changes to the name, I now realize that using my last name may be confusing"
"Also hey buddy"
"Yeah?" Before Jin could act he was caught off guard by Venny and Dani hugs Jin as he quickly embraces the sudden hug he hasn't felt in years.
"Please be safe okay"
"And don't just don't get any of your limbs sliced got it"
"I understand. I guess its also fare well to me now"
"Remember when you ever visited Alvera, just expect I'm going to ambush you when you get here"
"That's a promise" Jin chuckled at his two best friends in the whole wide world. As he will soon now depart away them, thanking them for the wonderful they have gathered throughout the years. But soon heard the voice of his new friends calling out to him
"You ready" Jin nods and walking towards Ralian, and Gale while waving goodbye to Dani, and Venny, as they also do the same. As he summons the wind and starts to levitate himself and the others as they fly off towards the directions to Rawardia, and ready to start a new adventure with a wind caster now on their side.
(End of chapter 20)
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(End of book 1)