Episode 3: Flight of the Hearth

  Chapter 006 - Nine against One

  “It’s ready!” Sanpries shouted. Magic faded from his palms. What remained was a small stone on the floor, glistening with intricate spirals across its surface. The pattern pulsed with light like heartbeats. He looked toward Rodger. “Boss!”

  Rodger wasted no time. He grabbed the rune and tucked it inside his pocket. He then sealed the empty basket and carried it. The plan completed its first phase, but most of them were frozen in place, unable to proceed to the second phase. Serana’s eyes were locked on Xollor, standing atop the hill. As he gazed straight at her, she clutched the child tighter inside her cloth.

  “We have to hurry!” Rodger shouted. “Move out the back door and—”

  XOLLOR

  Adaptation Path — 1/13 Activated

  Rippling Magic ? Lv. 10

  Dozens of burning veins snaked through the soil, surging from the hill, creeping below the shack, and stretching beyond. Rodger and the others looked down as the glowing strands spread rapidly beneath them. Then the light vanished. Stones and wood began to shift.

  The floor trembled.

  Planks slid apart. The ground expanded. Outside, a ring of debris formed around the shack. Trees were dragged toward it, their roots twisting unnaturally. Earth and stone piled along the perimeter as the hollow circle widened.

  Xollor gritted his teeth, raising a hand and clenching the air. Veins bulged across his face and hand. He groaned and then hurled his arm skyward.

  The earth responded.

  A circular wall of stone rose, surging upward with unrelenting force. A deep rumble echoed across the plain. What was once a field of soil and grass became a fortress of rocks. The shack remained trapped inside. From above, debris rained and struck the rooftop.

  It shuddered under the constant pounding. The shack’s uneven frame groaned under the shifting weight. A final creak rang out before the entire ceiling collapsed inward.

  Serana stared up in horror, watching a crushing weight falling on them. She reached with her hand in an attempt to cast, but her limb instantly fell. Her skin grew pale, on the verge of passing out. Sanpries attempted the same, but his breath came dry and ragged. He collapsed in the process, face down.

  Rodger stood alone, facing the collapse. He raised his hands, eyes narrowing. And the system flared to life.

  RODGER

  Adaptation Path — 1/8 Activated

  Telekinetic Magic ? Lv. 24

  Threads of magic burst from his palms, reaching for the falling planks. They caught the crashing ceiling and halted it mid-fall, leaving only dust and splinters trickling on their faces. Rodger groaned under the immense pressure. The floor bent downward. He forced the mass upward, holding it from falling on them.

  “My Lady!” voices cried from outside.

  The servants outside scrambled toward the shack, shielding themselves from rubble and quickly coming to aid. They activated their own Telekinetic Magic, using threads to lift debris and broken beams. Rodger shifted the weight to the right, and the servants mirrored him, pushing back the wreckage together.

  The pile of rubble slammed to the side, kicking up a thick cloud of dust. Rodger, Serana, Sanpries, and a handful of maidservants were fully exposed to the world around them.

  They raised their heads, seeing a towering wall encircling them. It was nearly five meters high and steep, not something easy to climb and pass over. An escape seemed impossible. But he didn’t stop to dwell on it. He needed to act fast. As he turned to think, his gaze met the one man he feared most right now.

  Xollor.

  He was descending the hill, slow and steady, his eyes locked onto Serana and the child in her arms. There was no mistaking his intent. Time wasn’t just slipping away… It may already have run out.

  Then, a thunderous bang shook the air.

  MINSUER

  Adaptation Path — 1/9 Activated

  Quick Speed ? Lv. 19

  Minsuer erupted from a crater in the ground. His legs coiled, then launched him forward with explosive speed, boosted by the system. One hand to unsheath a sword, one leap to close the gap, and one swing to kill Xollor.

  Xollor whirled and caught the incoming threat. He barely raised his blade in time. Blades collided with a loud clang. The air twisted from the force. The ground shuddered beneath them. Wind spiraled around them like a storm. Sparks flew from the grinding blades.

  MINSUER

  HP: 298 / 510

  Blood streamed down his face and soaked the collar of his robe. His eyes screamed rage and determination, never bothered by his bleeding scalp and nearly shattered back. Xollor studied him in return, his gaze stirring with something unexplainable.

  Xollor disengaged with a sharp pull, causing Minsuer to stumble forward. He seized Minsuer by the hair and lifted him. He then tossed him down the hillside. Minsuer tumbled, face scraping against dirt and stone. Before he could recover, Xollor raised his blade and swung down at him.

  Minsuer jerked back just in time and dodged. But Xollor was already upon him, unleashing strike after strike. Each successful block gradually chipped his sword. Xollor shoved him with the sword, making him stumble back a step. Then he raised his sword for a destructive swing. Minsuer braced and lifted his sword, blocking the crushing blow.

  The force knocked him from his feet and onto his knees. The ground cratered beneath his body. He clenched his teeth so hard they nearly cracked. Pain flared through every limb. Death loomed inches away, that glowing crimson blade waiting to cut through him. But Minsuer held the strike with muscles trembling.

  Rodger watched the battle unfold and saw their opportunity.

  “This is our chance!” he yelled. “Punch a hole in the wall!”

  He and the servants dashed to the opposite side of the barrier with urgency. Their Telekinetic Magic awakened, and threads of power escaped their hands and began to pry at the stone wall. They tried everything to get it to form cracks—lifting, hammering, scratching, pushing—anything to get out of this. But the wall resisted them. Their pace was frustratingly slow, where one decent-sized rock removed costed a few breaths of labor.

  Serana stood at the center of all the chaos.

  To her right, Minsuer held Xollor at bay. To her left, Rodger and the servants fought to break through the wall. And at her feet, Sanpries groaned, his energy far too gone to even stand. He crawled toward her and stretched his hands. Flickers of magic ignited at his fingertips. A warm glow wrapped around her, and then the weight on her body eased up. Her breath steadied, and her shoulders grew lighter.

  “My Lady,” Sanpries murmured. “Survive. Keep the child alive. We’ve seen the visions. Let this be how I repay you… for saving a man who never deserved a second chance.”

  “Sanpries,” Serana whispered, frozen in place as tears welled in her eyes. “Keep your strength… Don’t make me feel this way. We’re not doing this.”

  “We are,” he replied. “Once they open a path, you must run. I’ll hold off that monster. No matter what.”

  A sudden crash cut through the moment.

  Minsuer hit the ground nearby, skidding hard across the cracked floor. He groaned, his body barely holding together as his system flickered and dimmed.

  MINSUER

  –48 HP

  HP: 201 / 510

  Xollor gathered himself and simply brushed a sweat from his brow. He lowered his blade to his side, and then he extended his palm toward the fallen man.

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  XOLLOR

  Adaptation Path — 1/13 Activated

  Incantation Magic ? Lv. 36

  A searing light burst from his hand, burning brighter than any magic seen since the battle had begun. The beam shrieked through the air, causing the air to burn. The heat pulsed with destructive force. Minsuer reacted just in time, spinning and raising his own palm.

  MINSUER

  Adaptation Path — 1/9 Activated

  Incantation Magic ? Lv. 21

  His arm glowed orange, and a high-energy beam erupted forward. It rushed toward Xollor, only to be met with his beam. The two forces collided—red against orange—flaring outward into a blazing point of impact. The energy twisted into a shape like a flower’s eye. Magic melted upon contact, flaring outward in petal shapes. The ground quaked beneath them, the heat vibrating through the air.

  Minsuer regained his footing, sweat streaking down his face. He watched in terror as the red beam began to push his orange back. His light flickered, being swallowed by the overpowering red. His vision blurred. He grabbed his own wrist, forcing more power forward with everything he had.

  …

  Incantation Magic ? Lv. 16

  Incantation Magic ? Lv. 14

  Incantation Magic ? Lv. 18

  Incantation Magic ? Lv. 16

  Then, from the top of the hill, four new beams streaked toward Xollor’s back.

  The blasts struck him hard, his body staggering. He reeled forward under the sudden impact. Trying to see who was attacking him, he turned and saw four slaves standing shoulder to shoulder. They were bloodied and bruised, but their palms glowed with desperation. Their eyes locked on the Matron, their eyes narrowing back to him with greater rage.

  XOLLOR

  –62 HP

  HP: 451 / 532

  Xollor snarled, activating his Telekinetic Magic.

  XOLLOR

  Adaptation Path — 2/13 Activated

  Telekinetic Magic ? Lv. 42

  Incantation Magic ? Lv. 36

  From his back, four magic threads crept outward. They slithered like snakes, gradually thickening into arms. At the ends, hands were formed. Fingers uncurled as each one caught a beam midair.

  The magical limbs pulsed, absorbing the attacks with frightening precision. Each hand locked onto a beam, stabilizing the onslaught with equal force. The slaves stepped back in disbelief, watching as Xollor battled five opponents at once and held his ground without faltering.

  Minsuer did all he could to remain steady, realizing that support had arrived. He couldn’t mess this up and cost everyone their lives. His muscles strained, but Xollor’s beam stopped advancing, put in place as if in equal stance. With every ounce of energy, he poured more force into his own. Slowly, the tide began to turn. The orange beam pushed forward, overtaking the red.

  Then a sharp crack split the air.

  On the far side of the wall, huge chunks of stone and debris began collapsing. Dust exploded and fogged the area as boulders toppled away, revealing a gaping crater carved straight through to the other side. Serana’s eyes widened. Her legs, now standing with ease because of Sanpries, were ready to move.

  Rodger turned toward her, face pale and drenched in sweat, and screamed, “GO!”

  Clutching her child, Serana ran. She gained her footing and turned around, hoping to see Sanpries on his feet trailing behind her. But when her eyes met the man, she saw his head facing the ground.

  Her throat hitched, but she forced herself to keep going.

  Rodger followed close behind, along with two servants. Four others stayed behind to help Minsuer.

  Now that Serana and the child had escaped, the remaining servants focused on the threat behind them. Their faces were twisted with grief and rage, tears streaking down their cheeks. They spun and rushed to aid Minsuer. “Do not lay a hand on our Lady!”

  …

  Telekinetic Magic ? Lv. 14

  Telekinetic Magic ? Lv. 18

  Telekinetic Magic ? Lv. 15

  Telekinetic Magic ? Lv. 14

  Threads lashed out from their palms and reached for the earth. Grabbing large chunks of dirt and rocks, they hurled them skyward and slammed them down on Xollor. Each hit cracked the chunks apart. His knees bent from the blunt force, repeatedly crashing him to the point that the armor was dented.

  XOLLOR

  –26 HP

  HP: 425 / 532

  Attacks came from every angle—front, back, sides. Nine against one. A boulder struck him square in the shoulder. Then one of his threads slipped. A beam pierced through, landing directly on his body.

  XOLLOR

  –57 HP

  HP: 368 / 532

  Xollor’s gaze darted across the battlefield. The odds were turning fast. Minsuer’s beam surged forward. The slaves’ attacks were overwhelming his magic threads. Stones rained down in constant waves. He was boxed in.

  Pivoting on his heel, he shut his eyes for the briefest moment, took a deep breath, and moved.

  XOLLOR

  Adaptation Path — 1/13 Activated

  Quick Speed ? Lv. 37

  He deactivated his magic and put his energy into his Quick Speed. His legs pulsed with heat and magic. Then his body blurred into motion. In one explosive leap, he dashed to the side, crashing into the ground and skidding in a low slide.

  Minsuer collapsed with loud gasps. His limbs trembled with exhaustion, already pushing over his limits. The slaves and servants deactivated their spells and turned to Xollor, preparing for close combat.

  But they realized Xollor wasn’t focused on them. His eyes locked onto the tunnel in the wall. His Quick Speed remained active.

  The servants froze.

  “No—!”

  Xollor surged toward the breach with his sword tightly gripped. Nearing the entrance, he scanned for Serana and the baby. But he’d forgotten someone.

  SANPRIES

  Adaptation Path — 1/8 Activated

  Quick Speed ? Lv. 10

  Sanpries lifted his head to meet the oncoming figure. Watching him pass by, he activated his final AP, the last of his magic going to his legs. He dug his heels into the ground, and he launched himself forward and intercepted Xollor’s path at a sharp angle. His body crashed into the elite—his arms too exhausted to catch himself. He dug his teeth into the man’s shoulder plate to hold onto him.

  Xollor grunted, stunned. The impact tumbled him to the ground. Together, they skidded across the dirt at high speed, Sanpries’ back grinding against the stone. His cloak shredded, and the weight of Xollor crushed him.

  SANPRIES

  –192 HP

  HP: 5 / 380

  Blood spilled from his mouth as his flesh tore against the earth. His body failed him, but in his seething jaws, he didn’t let go. He held on tight and refused to drop to the ground. His eyes met Xollor’s, their faces inches from each other.

  “For the glory of our lord,” he whispered, coughing thick blood that splattered across his face.

  MINSUER

  Adaptation Path — 1/9 Activated

  Quick Speed ? Lv. 19

  Minsuer wasted no time. He charged forward and his sword raised. With a grunt, he hurled his blade through the air, aiming straight for Xollor.

  He turned sharply, hearing the air being cut by the incoming blade. He raised his crimson sword just in time. Clang! Steel rang against steel. The sword rebounded, spinning erratically in the air. But before the blade hit the ground, Minsuer closed the distance. He snatched the sword mid-fall and brought it down in a fierce arc.

  This time, Xollor barely blocked the strike. Still pinned by Sanpries, he braced against the blow. Monsieur ground his teeth, his veins protruding with all the effort he put into his sword.

  The servants sprang into action. They rushed past them and ran to the far side of the wall. When they made it outside of the enclosing wall, they activated their magical threads and began tearing down the entrance piece by piece.

  Dirt and debris fell, starting little and eventually collapsing in on itself. The tunnel disappeared as the structure groaned, and the entire barrier gave way with a thunderous crash. Dust particles spiraled into the air, catching in their throats as they coughed and staggered back.

  The four stood in silence, chests heaving. The two other servants were long gone, hopefully enough to escort Serana and the child to safety.

  They waited.

  A long stillness stretched out. They could hear more clashings on the other side. Faint howls from the Bareground far in the distance carried their way to their ears—the battle still raging. But then, the clangs and grunts faded. Their hearts dropped, realizing the fight had stopped.

  Suddenly—blast!

  The collapsed entrance reopened. Debris burst outward like an explosion. Stones fragmented in midair, launching outward like shrapnel. The servants barely had time to react.

  A rock was launched straight onto one of them, straight into their skull. They crumpled instantly. Another servant screamed as a boulder the size of a torso rushed to their knee, twisting it effortlessly with a loud crunch, and they also fell.

  From within the cloud of dust, thick purple threads slithered out into the open, scanning the area like tendrils. Then they retreated into the fog.

  The servant with a broken leg groaned on the ground and crawled away. Her eyes locked in terror on the tunnel that should have remained closed. The other two, who fortunately remained unscathed from the blast, rushed to help the one servant, the first one already gone.

  Right as they pulled her up, they froze. Xollor emerged.

  His armor shimmered in the hazy fog, followed by his crimson-black blade piercing the air. It throbbed in the gloom like a heartbeat, like a ragged, furious heartbeat.

  And there was no sign of Minsuer or Sanpries. Only the elite soldier remained.