"As you said, you don't really master magic, but it works in a unique way… Each gem holds one element. The spirits that accompany us boost our power whenever they feel like it, and the magic inside us… We can master many elements, but we each have one — or in some cases more — that's truly unique to us, at least for humans. For example, I have two that are really mine. You, I'm guessing you must have four. Magic is then limited by how much we can actually receive, and most humans don't have enough; that's why they rely on technology and gems. But you, Liora, you can take in an enormous amount. You have a huge well of mana — way too much, honestly… It's really incredible."
Liora hides behind a wall, exhausted from fighting someone like Oracio. He has experience, technique, and he knows exactly how to fight mages. The spirits around her draw closer and she speaks to them: "I know how to use illusion magic, but that's it… I haven't even mastered my own elements yet. All I can throw at him is raw magic… I can't beat this guy just by dumping everything I've got on him. And those gems on his body… they're perfectly fused with him. Maven never told me that was possible… Aaaah!"
Suddenly, an energy blade destroys the wall right next to her.
"Little elf girl! If you want to stay alive, keep your focus on me! The world is really disgusting, you know. And you want to become queen of a place like this? That's stupid… It'll bring you nothing but sadness. Living beings are horrible, and humans are the worst of them all! Cruel, vulgar… They're worse than demons and they destroy everything they touch. You're still young, so you should just try to enjoy life… Or that's what you should have done, because now you've got a guy like me who wants to sell you."
Liora steps out from her hiding spot and takes a deep breath. Ever since he realized she can't use lightning magic or enhancement magic at their full potential, he keeps attacking from a distance — and that really doesn't suit her. Even though she knows Oracio's limits, he never lets her exploit them.
"This really isn't fair! Hmm…"
She activates her lightning magic again and moves at high speed. On his side, Oracio uses the gems embedded in his legs to back away before she can get too close. From mid-range, he keeps sending energy blades to stop her from trying anything.
"Change your strategy, little queen elf."
Annoyed, Liora pours way too much energy into her lightning just to close the distance in front of him at extreme speed. It wasn't the smartest move: Oracio smiles, delighted to see she's still just a kid who falls for the smallest taunts. The moment she arrives, Oracio's sword is already raised, ready to come down and knock her out.
"If you grow up healthy, I hope you'll remember this defeat."
Liora panics, but she can't escape anymore. Fortunately, Eishen arrives just in time to save her: he blocks Oracio's strike with his right arm.
"First directive… protect my queen at any cost."
The only thing Oracio feels in that instant is surprise, then the hardness of steel slamming into his stomach. With cold, unrelenting force, Eishen sends him flying.
"Liora, are you okay? Hmm… You look way too fine compared to what I expected, so I guess you managed to give him some real trouble… I'm proud of you, my queen."
Eishen takes up a combat stance. Liora, happy to see him standing in front of her, smiles with genuine joy and moves beside him, a golden flame burning in her hand.
"Eishen, with you here victory is guaranteed! Get ready, Oracio — the Noctaveil family is going to capture you!"
Oracio laughs, then coughs from the pain of the blow. He still isn't moving much — it hurts too badly — but he watches them like a predator.
"Fine… Unfortunately I already decided: it'll be Gamma who takes care of capturing you, kid…"
He looks up at the sky, then remembers the words of the one who saved him… He shouldn't push his gems too hard.
"Looks like I'm an idiot who doesn't value his own life."
He lets out a heavy growl. The gems burn inside his heart. Like someone drugged, he rises again — enraged and ready to destroy everything. His eyes are filled with the urge to annihilate everything around him, others and himself alike.
Outside, Maven surveys all the Gamma members she has defeated.
"Good. Time to join Eishen now."
As she approaches the tunnel entrance, a horrible sensation makes her tremble. She breathes hard… It's not new; she's used to feeling this ever since that fateful day that changed her whole life… ever since she killed her sister. Like a virus that never leaves her, she sees a vision of her sister right in front of her, just as she was back then: an adorable violet dress, pink eyes shining like diamonds, and that arrogant, confident smile. A little sister who — unlike her — was never afraid to say what she wanted.
"You want to save them? Or are you just telling yourself you have to look like you want to save them? You haven't changed at all, big sister… But what are you really after? A pretend family after my tragic — and honestly pretty beautiful — death?"
Maven leans against a wall, hating these moments when she's trapped with this fake sister born from her own mind. She rubs her face, but the vision stays. Sometimes she wonders if it really is her, appearing as a spirit to curse her. In a trembling voice:
"I… I can't just stand by and watch. I have to act… Liora is young and she's fighting a dangerous man… She… she's my family. Yes, my new family… Saria, I'm not going back home. I can't anymore… I can't become the person you wanted me to be… I can't become queen."
She slowly slides down the wall, then stares at her hands as if they were a weapon. Her breathing is heavy. To calm herself, she inhales and exhales slowly until the dizziness fades.
"Okay… okay… I'm good. I'm coming, Liora."
Maven jumps into the tunnels to reach Eishen and Liora. Meanwhile, back at their place, Zirus is drinking coffee with far more pleasure than usual — all thanks to the Tyr-a-nyk brothers who walked right into every single trap that had been so carefully prepared, and apparently no one ever fixed a single flaw in the defenses.
"With these weapons, my homeless past is history… I'll sell the defenses to the city, make enough money to pay back that damn noble… Thanks, kids."
The Tyr-a-nyk brothers stay quiet in their cage, pretty beaten up.
And outside the city, the Empire's forces have finally arrived, ready to capture their two priority targets. But unfortunately for them, they are stopped at the gates by a man with an imposing build, wearing black armor accented with gold that highlights him and proves he's no ordinary soldier. His hair is brown, his eyes too, with no scar to mar his face.
"Your road ends here, travelers of the Empire."
End of chapter.