The Dark Light

Cold Christmas

Then Berserker threw his sword at Rex who was still in the air, making it impossible for him to avoid.

“It’s over” Berserker said grinning.

Suddenly Rex and Berserker swapped places making the sword hit Berserker instead.

“Eh…. What happened?” Rex asked looking around wondering how he got on the floor.

“You guys swapped places….” Ken said.

“One of your abilities?” Rex asked.

“No. I can’t do that”

“That’s a fatal wound, he wouldn’t be able to move for some time” Chris said walking towards them.

“It’s Gopher, that was you! Not bad” Ken said excitedly hitting him on the back continuously.

“It’s Topher” He pointed out.

“Wait…. Does that mean you can see him?” Rex asked.

“I noticed from the duel with this guy earlier that he’s a sensory mage. Maybe that’s why he was able to see him…. I think.” Ken muttered.

“Sensory mage? Don’t make me laugh!” Berserker yelled.

“Uh he heard me?” Ken said confused.

“No one should be able to see me unless they have high spiritual pressure…. Or if they’ve seen me normally before” Berserker said.

“And I sense almost zero spiritual pressure from you…. Who the hell are you? Berserker asked as he pulled out the sword from his gut.

“You know him?” Ken asked staying on guard.

“Yeah I do”

“What is he?” Rex asked.

“He’s the bastard that took everything away from me” Chris answered spleenful.

“Took…. Everything from you?”

“Yeah. Seven years ago…. In a village called Laika.” He sighed.

“I remembered it like it was yesterday….” He said to himself.

One day in a cool afternoon Chris (ten years old) was outside playing with his elder sister in the snow when he tripped and fell and injured his knee.

“It’s okay you can stop crying” his mother said as she treated his injury.

“There you go my little Chris, it’s all better” She said cleaning his tears.

“Hey Chris you sure cry a lot” said his elder sister (Trina: Fourteen years old)

“She’s right Chris, you’ll be eleven very soon, that means you’re going to be a man and men don’t cry” his mom (Diane) said then kissed his forehead.

“I’ll go prepare lunch” She added.

Diane works as a teacher in the village school but is staying home since she’s expecting a baby while his dad is a Merchant.

Together they live in a small house in the outskirts of the village.

“Hey Trina”

“Its big sis Trina” She corrected.

“Oh sorry Trina” he apologized.

“Never mind, what is it?”

“I’m going to be a man on my eleventh birthday so I’ll like you to stop treating me like a child” He said earnestly.

“Ah! I can’t hold it in…. You’re too cute” She squealed excitingly hugging him tightly.

“Trina, I just said not to treat me like a kid” he said pouting.

“Sorry I couldn’t resist”

“That’s always your excuse”

“My bad”

“Hey Trina”

“Its big sis Trina”

“Do you think I’ll become an incredible man like dad” he asked honestly.

“Of course not” she answered bluntly.

“I see….” he muttered feeling down.

“There’s no way you’re going to be like dad because you will even be more incredible than dad” she said cheerfully.

“Really! You think so?”

“Yeah”

“In that case I’ll stop crying over anything and become strong enough to even protect you Trina” he said grinning.

“I can’t help it” she screamed in excitement and hugged him tight again.

“Trina! There you go again treating me like a child” he said pouting, pushing her away.

“I’m sorry my cute little…. I mean sir please forgive my insolence”

“This is the last time okay” he said still pouting.

“Thank you big sis love you” she said as she hugged him even tighter.

After sometime they went inside to have lunch.

As they were eating they heard a knock on the door. Chris rushed to open it and saw it was his dad and hugged him.

“Whoa there. I see you’re lively as ever” He said patting Chris head.

“Welcome home dear” Diane said smiling.

“I’m home darling” he said grinning.

“I’m full” Topher said as he finished his food swiftly.

“Whoa dad you’re amazing” Trina said surprised.

“Naturally”

“Oh yeah , once you’re all done eating come outside I want to show you all something” He said then went outside.

“I wonder what he’s talking about” Trina said.

“Probably something a child like you won’t understand” Chris said as he finished eating.

“Hey! How many times I’ve I tell you not to tease your elders” she said pulling his cheeks.

“Ah it hurts!” He exclaimed

“Trina I’m sorry” He added.

“It’s big sis Trina!!” She screamed.

“Come on no fighting” Diane said smiling.

“Okay Chris let’s go outside” Trina said holding his hand.

They got to where their dad was and saw him standing in front of a big Christmas tree.

“Tada!”

“Whoa! It’s big” They said astonished.

“Told you I’ll get a big one this time” He said as Trina and Chris rushed to hug him.

“I’m pretty awesome aren’t I” He said laughing.

“You are…. You really are” Diane said gazing at him.

“Uh! What’s with you today? You always change the topic anytime I talk about how awesome I am. But…. Today…. You’re….” He said bashful.

“Oh my, you haven’t change at all…. How cute” She said giggling.

“I’ll say the same to you. You haven’t change too” he said avoiding eye contact.

“Hmmmm What do we have here?” Trina said looking at her dad.

“What’s wrong?” He asked.

“You guys always flirt like that whenever you have the chance” She said.

“Uh! I’m not flirting or anything…. It’s your imagination” he said flustered.

“Makes me want to know how you guys got together” She added.

“Really?”

“Yes”

“Well there’s no choice…. Since you want to know that badly I’ll tell you…. When the next baby comes” He said.

“Wait a minute! That’s just another excuse to run away from telling us” She said.

“Busted” Diane said laughing.

“Hey darling help me out here” he said to his wife.

“Okay. Tomorrow during dinner we’ll tell you all about it” She said grinning.

“Yay!” Trina and Chris exclaimed excitedly.

“Wait a minute!!” Topher screamed.

The next day, Chris woke up as early as seven and excitedly jump out of the bed to look at the window.

“Its snowing” He said in glee and rushed to the kitchen to see his mom and Trina busy in the kitchen.

“Merry Christmas Mom” he said in high spirits.

“Ah you’re awake. Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday sweetie” She said smiling.

“Oh hey Trina” he added.

“Where’s my Merry Christmas uh?” she asked pulling his cheeks.

“Ah it hurts. It’s my birthday so you’re not supposed to hurt me…. And hug me” he said.

“Fine” she said pouting.

“You’re so cute Trina” he said teasingly.

“Merry Christmas to you too…. I guess” he added.

“You little…..” she said pulling his cheeks pissed off.

“How many times have I told you not to make fun of your elders?” she asked pulling his cheeks even harder this time.

“I’m sowwy” he said.

“Sorry won’t let you if this time. I’m going to make sure I….”

“Merry Christmas Trina. I love you” he said grinning.

“Ah!” she squealed excitingly.

“How cute…. I love you too” she said hugging him.

“So easy” he said to himself in a low tone.

“Did you say something or it’s just my imagination?” She asked smiling angrily.

“Nothing it’s your imagination”

“You guys sure are lively this morning” Topher said as he entered the kitchen.

“Of course after all it’s Christmas day and Chris eleven year old birthday” Diane said.

“Uh dad you’re at home by this time? That’s rare” Chris said surprised.

“I’m going to spend Christmas with my lovely wife and kids of course I’m going to be at home” he said patting Chris head.

***Later in the afternoon***

“Oh no we’re almost out of firewood” Trina said.

“Yeah it won’t be enough” Diane said.

“If only I know two handsome and dependable kind men that can help us fetch firewood” She added.

“Hey dad, do you know anyone like that?” Chris asked in a low tune.

“Who knows?”

“Good luck finding one” he added.

“Mom is obviously talking about you two” Trina yelled.

“And what’s with you Chris? Didn’t you say I should stop treating you like a child?” she added.

“Uh! Us? Fetch fire wood? That’s tiresome” Chris and Topher both said.

“Get your lazy asses into the woods and get lots of wood” Trina screamed as she pushed both of them outside.

“Good grief…. Those two” Trina muttered.

“Would it hurt to read the room” she added.

“Well that part of them is also what makes them special” Diane said smiling.

“I know you will say something like that” Trina said as she locked the door.

“Alright we’ve been gathering for more than thirty minutes. I think it’s enough, let’s head back” Topher said.

“Not yet dad. It’s not enough”

“Eh!”

“We need to gather many or mom will get mad at us” Chris said remembering a past event when his mother was pretty mad.

“That’s right your mom is scary when mad” he said shaking.

“You’re even more scared than I am” Chris said surprised.

“Can’t wait to hear about how you and mom was like before you got together” Chris said smirking.

“Ah! I totally forgot about that and why the hell are you smirking the exact same way your mom does it?” he screamed panicking.

“Hey Chris…. Do you smell something?” Topher asked looking around.

“Yeah smoke. Maybe the restaurant across the street chefs are at it again” Chris said smiling.

“I’ll go check it out” he said as he went up a hill so he can see the village clearly from a bird’s eye view, only to see smoke coming out from different area in the village.

“What is this?” he said surprised.

“Hey Chris we’re heading back” he said then took of grabbing Chris hand.

“Dad what about the fire wood?”

“Never mind that!” he said looking intense.

“Uh what’s going on…. I’ve never seed dad like this before” Chris said to himself.

When they got to the village, the sight that welcomed them was something unbelievable. Fire almost everywhere.

“What’s happening here?” Chris muttered shaking.

“Quickly let’s get Trina and Diane out of here” Topher said as they dashed to their house.

The entrance was covered with fire but Topher then summoned a cloud that poured water in their house quenching the fire.

“Good thing dad’s a water mage” Chris sighed I’m relief.

“Trina! Mom! Where are you?” Chris screamed as he opened the door.

“Chris” Trina called out from one of the rooms.

“Ah you guys are okay…. Thank goodness” He said in relief.

“Let’s get out of here” Trina said then they left the house heading for the Forest.

“What’s going on…. Who on earth did this….” He muttered thinking deeply.

“Hold on a sec. Let’s not be hasty” A loud voice from behind them spoke.

They turned back to see who it was only for them to see a brawny man about two hundred and eighty centimeters tall with the facial features of a beast: sharp pointed teeth, the mane of a lion, the eyes similar to that of a snake, sharp claws and two big swords equipped on his back.

It is none other than Berserker.

“What’s with this guy…. He’s magic pressure is abnormally high” Topher muttered.

“Who…. Who are you? Are you the one that did this?” Mr. Topher asked blocking his family from Berserker.

“Be quiet insect! I’ll ask the questions here” Berserker said in a firmly intimidating voice.

“Where’s the starry fragment? I know it’s in this village” Berserker asked.

“Starry fragment? Don’t know what you’re talking about”

“Don’t take us lightly, we can feel the presence of it in this village” Berserker said.

“Us?” Diane asked.

“Yeah. I’m not alone” Berserker said.

Suddenly someone landed beside Berserker with full force destroying the earth there.

“This is bad…. This guy is on another level” Topher said shaking.

“Darling….” Diane held his hand looking worried.

“It’s okay” he said faking a smile.

“Any luck Sitri?” Berserker asked.

“They are all useless and annoying. All of them keep saying the same thing which pissed the hell out of me” Sitri complained.

“See it’s better you start talking if you know something cuz my friend here is not the patient type” Berserker said.

“What’s this? So you’re going to say you don’t know too uh?” Sitri said with an intimidating aura.

“We’ve never heard of anything like the stony fragment” Trina said shaking.

“It’s called the starry fragment for crying out loud!” Sitri yelled angrily making them tremble.

“So spit it out if you don’t want to turn to ash like everyone else” he added.

“We’re the only ones remaining…” Chris muttered.

“Yes! Every single one of the lowlifes living in this village are dead” Berserker said.

“You bastards how can you take people lives so casually? Are you even humans?” Trina screamed with tears rolling down.

“Humans? Don’t make me laugh” Berserker said.

“Do we look like humans to you?” Sitri asked.

“Uh…. The presence is getting stronger” Berserker said.

“Yeah. I sense it too” Sitri said

“Anyway I’ll go check the house” Berserker said.

“Trying to get ahead of me uh”

“Shut up for a bit flame brain” Berserker said.

“Uh!”

“You always talk about how awesome your so called flames are but this house is still standing” Berserker said.

“Shut up I’ll fry you”

“Go ahead and try it”

They kept arguing until they got inside the house.

“Okay listen up” Topher got their attention.

“This is the only chance we’ll have so you guys use it and run into the woods, I’m sure you’ll loose them there then you’ll go to the village up ahead” Topher said.

“Uh! What about you?” his wife asked with tear filled eyes.

“I’ll buy you guys some time to escape” he said smiling.

“No! Let’s go together” Chris said crying.

“That’s impossible those two monsters destroyed Laika easily by themselves. Them turning their back on us like that shows we’re not worth their time, so….”

“Let’s go together!” Chris insisted.

“Chris! Be quiet and do what dad says. You said you’re not a kid anymore so don’t act like one” Trina said unable to hold back her tears.

“You’ll come back to us right?” Diane asked hugging with tears dropping.

“Yeah I’ll catch up with you guys…. I promise” he said grinning.

“Okay dad, you better keep your promise…. That’s what men do” Chris said as they ran out of the compound to the woods.

He watched them run into the woods in relief.

Then he bit his hand until he started bleeding and drop a blood to make a magic circle and screamed “Void: Water Vortex”

Then something like a big waterfall covered the house to prevent coming in and going out.

“Nothing is inside…. But why did the scent come from here” Berserker muttered as they came out.

“I bet one of those Starry bitches are just making fun of us” Sitri said annoyed.

“Uh! What’s this? What are you trying to do now” Berserker asked looking around.

“Now that you two are inside my void, I’ll have you surrender” Topher said staying on guard.

“Surrender? Big talk coming from a human” Berserker said.

“You piece of s**t! Seems like you don’t know your place” Sitri said as he burned the house down in an instant.

“Uh! How can you use magic inside my void?” he asked surprised.

“There’s no need trying hard when you know your death is certain” Berserker said.

“Let me show you how futile your actions are” Berserker said as he levitated high, remove one of his sword from his back and throw it with full force to the direction the forest.

The sword went through the vortex and landed on Diane’s back and piercing her.

“Diane!!!” He screamed as he rushed to her.

“Mom! Mom!” Trina and Chris called out to her wailing.

“Run….” She struggled to talk then passed away.

“Diane!” Topher cried in despair.

“You”re pretty good at aiming” Sitri said to Berserker.

“Naturally. Kings are good at everything” Berserker said.

“Shut up shitty king”

“Uh! just now two presence disappeared even though you aimed at one” Sitri said confused.

“Maybe she was pregnant” Berserker muttered.

“You…you demons! I’ll f*****g kill you” Topher said as his magic pressure increased.

He looked at his kids crying trying to wake their mom and forced a smile.

“Trina I have one last request…. Will you listen to me?” He asked hugging them both.

She nodded.

“Take Chris and run as fast and far as you can away from this place”

“But….but….” She tried to speak still crying.

“You will do it…. Won’t you?” he asked patting her head“

Y-yes.... Father”

“Good…. Chris always listen to what Trina says and try to be a good boy okay?”

Chris nodded.

“Alright” then he summoned something like a round bubble that carried them away from there.

“Are you done wasting your time?” Berserker asked as his sword went back to him.

“Void: Wave vortex” Topher said loudly suddenly the whole village and part of the forest was shielded with eight big waterfall, preventing going out and coming in.

“That’s some incredible mana for a human but too bad it’s a double-edged sword” Berserker said.

“What are you….”

“Its obvious. It’s taking a ton out of you”

“I fail to understand why humans are like this. Even knowing you will die you’re still trying hard….”

“That’s what differentiate us from freaky monsters like you” Topher forced a smug still panting.

“I see. You want to join your wife badly uh”

“What….”

“Don’t worry your kids won’t be left out, once I’m done with you they’re next” Berserker said.

“You bastard” then he turned some of the water to ice and shot it aiming for them but melted before making contact.

Then Topher started coughing blood.

“That’s what happens when you drain your life force. You will die” Berserker said.

“So what”

“What?” Berserker said surprised.

“I just have to take you down with me” Topher said then spat blood on the floor.

“You bastards stop acting like I’m not here!” Sitri screamed pissed off.

“Oh Sitri you’re still here?” Berserker asked.

“I’ll pulverize you” Sitri warned.

Berserker then brought out a dark red stone and throw it aiming at Topher.

“You think you’ll be able to hit me in my void” Topher said smirking.

“I’m everywhere” he added as multiple clones of him appeared everywhere surrounding them.

“Pathetic” Sitri snapped his fingers, instantly the whole village and the forest got engulfed in flames.

“Impossible….” Topher went on his knees gasping for breath.

“That settles it”

“Aren’t you going to turn him to a pawn?” Sitri asked.

“I intended to use him kill his kids but I’m sure your flames already got them”

“Tch. Hey have you heard of anybody named Sirus or Altair?” Sitri asked lifting Topher.

“Give it up flame brain. Like I’ll tell you bastards even if I know them” Topher said smiling.

“I see…. Then burn” he said calmly but pissed.

In an instant Topher was burnt to ashes.

“Looks like we couldn’t find it or them in this place either”

“Those god-damned bitches! I want to burn them so badly!” Sitri screamed as he engulfed himself with flames.

The water bubble that was carrying Chris and Trina popped due to the enormous heat from Sitri's flames making them crash to the ground.

“Chris are you okay?”

He nodded.

“Let’s hurry before we get caught up in it” She said then carried Chris on her back and started running.

The trees in the forest started falling due to the flames.

“Trina look out!” Chris yelled pointing at a falling tree.

Trina narrowly avoid it but tripped on a stone and lost her balance making both of them fall to the ground.

“Are you okay?” She asked worried.

“I’m fine”

“Thank goodness” she sighed.

“We’re almost out of the forest but….” she said to herself looking at her twisted ankle.

“Um…. Chris you can keep going I’ll catch up with you, I need to check….”

“Liar” Chris said holding back his tears.

“Eh what are you talking….”

“Liar! Trina you liar. Same with Mom and Dad…. You’re all liars” Chris yelled with tears rolling down his cheeks.

“Chris….”

“Mom said she’ll tell us the story of how she and dad got together, dad said he’ll stall them and come back to us. Now… you’re saying I should go ahead, alone” he fell on his knees.

“Chris….” Trina crawled crawling to meet him.

“Please don’t leave me… don’t leave me alone. I’ll not tease you again, I’ll stop making fun of you, I’ll do whatever you say from now on so… don’t go…. Big sis” Chris said crying wailing.

“Chris!” Trina hugged him tight.

“I’m sorry Chris…. I’m sorry” she said with tear filled eyes.

“You’ll be with me forever?”

“Yeah”

After sometime of crying in her bosom Chris stood up relieved “okay let’s go”

Then Trina spotted a burning tree about to fall close to them and immediately pushed Chris away.

“Um Trina…. Chris said confused of why she pushed him like that and wanted to ask what was wrong then heard her say “Guess I’m also a liar like mom and dad”

“Uh”

“Sorry, bye-bye and I love you” she said smiling.

Then the tree fell on her followed by another.

“Eh…. What just happened” Chris muttered unable to believe what he just saw.

“It can’t be…. This is a bad dream right?” he ran to where Trina was and tried to move the trees but they were to heavy and hot to move.

Then an explosion occurred which sent him flying.

“Hey there’s a kid over there” a voice from behind said.

Chris turned back and saw two people running to where he was.

He ignored them and continued moving forward slowly to where Trina was.

“Trina wait I’m coming” he said as all the times they’ve spent together keep popping up on his head.

“Wait that’s dangerous”

“Who are you?” Chris asked looking hopeless.

“I’m Aran and….”

“Move!” Chris screamed.

“Get away from me. Trina…. Big sis is calling me. I have to be a good boy and obey so that she will not leave me” He said still staggering to meet her.

“That’s enough! You’re just going to die” Aran shouted.

“Aran that’s….”

“What is it Charlotte? I should just watch him get killed”

“No… I didn’t mean it that way….”

“I said get out of my way” All of a sudden a big magic circle appeared around him then all the trees in that area disappeared.

“Big sis Trina….” He said loudly then passed out.

Aran caught him as he was about to fall.

“It’s okay now…. You fought well” Aran said.

“Poor child. If only we were here earlier” Charlotte said to herself feeling sorry for Chris.

“So how did it go…. Tristan?” Charlotte asked

“Everyone in Laika is gone. Everything completely burnt” Tristan said.

“The person must be very powerful for him to burn a whole village and forest down” He added.

“I don’t care how powerful the person is…. All I know is that what he/she did is unforgivable” Aran said angered.

“Let’s head back and report this” Tristan said and they left.