Tales of Eron Sullivan

BATTLE OF THE SWORDS | CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER 4

The ground is rumbling. The Ophiotaurus went berserk. Its serpent tail wagged destroying the walls nearby. Siren of the city sent a warning sound. Specialty shops nearby were ordered to close. Some mage councils started to attack the 10-foot tall monster. Offense-type mages nearby lent a hand in order to avoid more damages.

" Vine Trails," cast the one mage.

" Magnus Frea," cast the other as she threw her card.

" Wyvern," cast the water element mage.

" Static of wavering fear, Sparks of Perun, pulverize the enemy... Lightning c*****e!" chanted one of the council.

A flash of lightning swirled around the Ophiotaurus causing numerous electric shocks. But the skin of the Ophiotaurus is so tough that it received no scratches since their attacks didn't penetrate the skin. Paladins of the Regius Kapital who were reinforcement started to move trying to inflict damage on the monster.

Mages attacked here and there, but the monster seemed invincible. Then, the Ophiotaurus caused a loud anger sound. So loud that mages nearby had their ears covered. It lowered its head thrusting its horns towards the mages and paladins nearby, ready to cause havoc. Lady Ivette and Headmaster Valois made their appearance in the scenario.

" Lock Shield!" cast Lady Ivette amplifying the defense of the frontliners.

" Vine of the Nile, fangs of the Dryad, slain the monster... Turba Vitis!" chanted Headmaster Valois as soon as he threw his magical card.

Then large thistle vines appeared out of the ground and it gripped the horns of the Ophiotaurus.

"Lightning!" cast Lady Ivette. But unlike the other monster, it was useless.

" Clavis Ferum," cast the headmaster.

Large iron girders fell from the sky piling every side of the Ophiotaurus trapping it and making it immobile.

" Threshing Lotus!" cast by one of the Paladin. " Cut".

Lotus-like blades appeared out of magic circles surrounding the huge monster. It fell down the monster inflicting wounds in it. Then, the Ophiotaurus started to move trying to free itself. The thistles and girders are starting to loosen, the Ophiotaurus is struggling to free its way out.

" My blades didn't penetrate its skin, we have to do something quickly headmaster," imposed the Paladin.

" Heavens, such a high-level ability with a deep loathe can summon this type of thing. Perhaps, I need to use a higher level card for it," the Headmaster assessed.

" You don't mean using your created card, do you?" asked one of the magic council.

" Well if this goes on, it could widen the area of damages. Just look at the gravity of destruction. At this rate, we need to retain casualties to a bare minimum," the Headmaster figured out.

" We have mage councils here, they should do it instead," suggested the other mage.

" Just this once," the Headmaster insisted.

The Headmaster pulled two cards in his grimoire.

" Loathe of the Morrigan, Three blades of the Cursed. Revere thy master, Lamina Cruxis!" the headmaster unleashed three-dimensional gigantic cross-like swords, thrusting them in the three vital parts of the monster.

" Headmaster, we need to get a piece of its entrail before you destroy it," suggested one of the Paladin.

" Cut a portion of it and put it inside this," the headmaster handed the Paladin with a flask.

" Sorry for the intrusion but where will you use that?" Lady Ivette interrupted.

" It is used to slay a god," replied the headmaster.

Bleeding because of the amount of damage it received, the weak Ophiotaurus is trying to move languidly kicking its hoof to attack. When the Paladin got a portion of its entrail, the headmaster started to chant creating a large magic circle underneath the monster.

" Flare of Andarta, wrath of the scarlet blood. Burst in despair, Esfera Molecula!"

Particles of acid and magma engulfed the whole monster then it suddenly burst, leaving no remnants of the Ophiotaurus. Lady Ivette just witnessed a mage's own magic spell. She was awed in admiration. The headmaster called for the maintenance team of Regius Kapital to restore the area.

Not far from where the headmaster is standing, one of the mage councils was seen examining the residues scattered near the gutter. The headmaster and Lady Ivette went to investigate.

" Headmaster, this is the evidence seen by one of our witnesses," testified the magic council. " She recalled that she saw a suspicious-looking hooded man this big crumpled a dead branch and summoned the monster."

" Where is this suspicious-looking man?" the headmaster asked.

" He was seen being chased by a black-haired rugged young lad that came out from the Regius Kapital," answered the mage council.

Lady Ivette suddenly thought of Eron as the description resembled him.

" Where did they go?" she then asked.

" They went that way."

" Pardon me for leaving this early Headmaster Valois," Lady Ivette apologized. " The lad that is chasing the perpetrator is my friend. I need to help him."

" I see, visit the guild once in a while. I'm sure you have a lot of questions in your head regarding your mother," the headmaster said. " I will also send for reinforcement just in case."

" I will."

Lady Ivette immediately headed in the direction that the mage council said. She is worried that something might happen to Eron. Knowing his carelessness and free-spirited aura against a strong possible enemy behind the incidents, she is not sure whether Eron has the advantage. Along her way, she found little clues that directs her towards their direction. A portion of rubbles indicated that a clash had taken place. The citizens were clueless about the attacks but they were vigilant. Passed the LED building of commerce, the digital park, the downtown neon specialty shops, down the concrete pavements with lampposts, and passed a bridge across the city's stream, Lady Ivette followed the trail.

Meanwhile, the perpetrator keep on throwing attacks against Eron while Eron kept on dodging and pursuing the culprit. As they arrived at an open space in Regius Abbey, the perpetrator held his leftover pieces of dead branch and crumpled them to summon monsters.

" Let's see how great you are," as immense hatred of the culprit burst out.

As the dead branches were crumpled, out beneath the ground came a dozen of Undead warriors of different sizes. The Undead monster is known to devour the last flesh it could consume and is known to be immortal if attacked by mere physical skill.

" Kill him!" Commanded the culprit to the Undead warriors.

Eron wasn't terrified nor did he ever feel an ounce of fear towards these Undeads. He had faced many monsters and demons along his travels so instead of fear, he felt a sudden burst of anticipation. Anticipation of that cold, b****y warrior inside him. That dark side living inside him that rooted deep within his soul. That cursed wanderer he kept on avoiding, that when let loose, he lost his partial sanity and inflict havoc and chaos around him.

The perpetrator laughed sarcastically like he has the total advantage, but had yet to see the ability of his foe. He is blinded by his immense hatred towards Eron. Eron can somehow feel that loathe the perpetrator had been keeping inside him. He doesn't remember if he had aggravated someone in the past.

Meanwhile, the Undeads are approaching ferociously towards him. Some carry crude axes while others are carrying tattered swords and blades. Eron intensified his presence, his aura has changed into a presence of a dangerous beast howling for death and despair engulfing the presence of the perpetrator. The perpetrator felt numb and excreted cold sweat. He was moved from his position, his legs trembled in fear but he remained vigilant. When the Undead got near, Eron suddenly gets his blade. A flashing light of purple and black emitted on his left hand causing the blade to turn into a long sword. And with just one swing, all the Undeads were instantly cut down and the culprit's cloth and the hood are almost destroyed, exposing the identity of the perpetrator. The culprit is...

" Who are you?" Eron authoritatively asked.

Fear is gone and anger has stricken the culprit's sanity.

" Erasmus! I will kill you!" Shouted the perpetrator out of great anger and despair. His cunning look embodied a soul looking for vengeance.

The perpetrator unsheathed his two short-handed swords and hastily struck Eron exposing his bare face, close enough for Eron to see.

" You're a lady?!" Eron has suddenly changed his aura.

The short-curled, scarlet hair with a bronze, well-toned skin struck Eron aggressively. Eron countered her attacks with his Hades Mors. The lady keep on piercing him but it was useless, Eron just kept on dodging it. His agility provoked her even more, she needs to land him a blow. Then the lady shifted her body backward. She plans on making a different attack. Eron is cautious.

" Blood Strike," as she created a magic circle and her swords are engulfed by flames and swung it simultaneously towards Eron.

Eron struck it with his sword. The lady kept on casting flames. Her attacks started to penetrate him, when suddenly, one of her attacks inflicted damage on Eron's leg. She got him! She hastily changed her pace and made another attack.

" Reflex Strike," a speed attack capable of inflicting three consecutive blows on the enemy in a second.

Eron was hurt, but he made himself calm and focused to repel the incoming attack. His sword stance is ready to counter her attack. A magic circle appeared beneath him.

" Sullivan Order #12, The Primrose Effect," a powerful three defensive blows and one last hit capable of paralyzing a foe when hit in a primary muscle or organ.

Fortunately, the culprit dodged his last hit. She became fiercer as their swords thrust each other.

" Do you remember this face Erasmus?" she is raging mad. "If not, I will let you remember."

" Who are you? I don't remember your face," he is serious. " Are you an old acquaintance?"

They keep on fighting while thrusting each sword against each other.

" You don't remember or you don't want to remember?" she agitated.

Eron changed his pace trying to evade and make an opening to attack her.

" Erasmus is..."

The perpetrator rushed towards him when suddenly, Lady Ivette came out of nowhere and countered the two swords of the perpetrator with her bare two blades. The culprit was shocked and her senses made her move backward as a defense. She is measuring Lady Ivette's strength by her looks. But before she knew it, Lady Ivette opened her grimoire to get a card and cast a spell.

" Zephyr Sphere," an orb of violent wind pushed the culprit backward as it exploded and gusts of winds inflicted bruises on her.

On the spur of the moment, the culprit immediately made her counterattack. She poked Lady Ivette's abdomen using her right sword's pommel and stab her using her left sword.

" Death Strike," as the culprit plan to unleash one of her deadly moves.

Unfortunately, she missed because Eron immediately run and pulled Lady Ivette in order to avoid the offensive attack. The perpetrator followed them. It was a race of endurance. Lady Ivette unable to prolong her stamina, asked Eron to leave her. It was a dire situation so Eron have to make a choice. Eron needs to fight her seriously even though his opponent is a lady. They suddenly stopped and Eron let go of Lady Ivette's hand to face the perpetrator. Without any hesitation, Eron concentrated his aura and cast a magic circle. Lady Ivette is behind him leveraging the possible outcome. The culprit is heading towards him as she aggressively positioned her swords. Eron patiently waited as the enemy is approaching. Suddenly...

" Sullivan Order #28, The Sullivan Glitter!" a hieroglyphic insignia appeared on his right hand and it emitted a radiant light causing flash blindness to anyone nearby.

The radiance created a vision impairment to the perpetrator causing her to lose her momentum. Eron immediately and freely made his next attack.

"Sullivan Order #3, Monk Fist!" A single blow that is capable of stunning the enemy.

The culprit is indeed strong. She is able to withstand Eron's attack without getting stunned but her body suffered from severe heaviness. Upon coming from the realization of the black mark etched in his left hand, she has gotten confused. Accepting defeat, she retreated.

" Come to Fort Seriphos at the Dracoon Isle, I am Hestia Esha'al from the tribe of Finn-Gall," she immediately disappeared out of thin air.

" I will!."

Eron suddenly lost his balance. He fell to his knees. Lady Ivette gets a card.

" Panacea!..."

Eron is in between two magic circles. A green luminous light slowly covered him and partially healed his wound but energized his stamina. There is no healing card available in Regius Gevalia that can fully heal or restore someone not unless it is crafted by a high-leveled support type mage. Eron lost consciousness in the process.

" Heracles Sphere," a healing orb capable of partially healing minor wounds of the caster.

Lady Ivette partially healed the cuts she received from Hestia. The Regius Kapital reinforcement arrived. Lady Ivette decided to go back to Regius Kapital, she brought Eron with him.

Eron has awakened, his wounds already recovered. Looking in the unfamiliar bedroom, he saw Lady Ivette sleeping at the edge of the bed. Trying not to waken her, Eron slowly lifted himself up avoiding not to make any sound. Unfortunately, his slightest move awakened her. She caught Eron staring at her while she is yawning. She suddenly felt embarrassed while Eron blushed.

" Where is this place?" he started to inquire.

" We are inside the House of Regius Kapital," she replied. " You have been sleeping for three days now."

" Really? Have I gotten that many wounds to fully recover this long?"

" Perhaps?" she was unsure. " You looked terrible when I brought you here."

" The last thing I knew, Hestia had retreated," he remembered. " I am grateful that you accepted my invitation to come along with me, your aid is so much appreciated."

Lady Ivette blushed, she didn't expect his compliment out of a sudden. The door entry opened and the headmaster appeared together with one of the mage council.

" Good day! How are my guests?" greeted Headmaster Valois.

" I think I am perfectly fine right now. I apologize for the trouble we caused," Eron apologized.

" I should be the one to apologize for dragging you in the problem of our territory. How many years since the last time our city was under attack, I can't even recall," the headmaster apologized. " And how is our lady here who keep on watching you while you were sleeping?"

" My wounds are already healed. Thank you for the potion," Lady Ivette is blushing.

Eron suddenly felt something weird in the situation. His eyes glance at the four corners of the room. The presence is familiar to him. Something he is avoiding for the past years. The presence of the person next to Headmaster Valois caught his attention. He looked at this man with black and white long hair.

" And who might he be?" Eron asked the headmaster pointing to the man next to him.

" He is Chancellor Raflin Wolf-Child," the headmaster replied. " He is one of the mage councils of Regius Kapital."

" It is my pleasure of meeting you mister and her majesty Lady Ivette Sans Louvre from the Sovereign State of Sans Louvre," Chancellor Raflin lauded.

The chancellor handshake Lady Ivette's hand then Eron's hand. When the chancellor and Eron's hand meet, Eron noticed a dark glow in the chancellor's eyes. The presence he felt confirmed that it was coming from the chancellor. Eron acted as nothing happened.

On the other hand, the chancellor now knew who this lad is even without asking. He sensed the aura coming from Eron.

" So, you are Eronicus Sullivan," the chancellor spoke. " It is rare to finally meet someone like you."

" How did you know him?" the headmaster is hesitant. " You seemed so certain."

" Of course, who wouldn't know someone like a Sullivan. Haven't you noticed?" Chancellor Raflin was complacent.

" Well, the lady told me about him but I don't think he is a member of that family," the headmaster pointed out. " But he is the famous wanderer."

Eron laughed it off.

" I am Eron Sullivan from the Hunter Valley. Yes, I am the famous wanderer but I am not part of the Sullivan family you mentioned," Eron is in denial.

" Yes, he is indeed the famous wanderer," Lady Ivette added.

" Well, actually, no one knew if the bloodline of the Sullivan family is still existing as of this time," the headmaster stated. " The Sullivan Empire had long disappeared many years ago. It was a sudden disappearance like they were suddenly wiped out completely overnight."

" If that's how it was. I might be wrong then," the chancellor with a cunning look on Eron.

Eron awoke from a bad dream after it had passed midnight. The darkroom is being illuminated by the lampshade. Droplets of cold sweat stream down his cheekbones. His mouth is parched. He is thirsty. So he got up to drink some water near his bed. He is still aware of the presence; it followed him after he met Chancellor Raflin. Then, all of a sudden, that presence moves on the ceiling, as if a small creature is watching over him. He looked up at the ceiling and couldn't see anything. He wanted to get rid of the presence, so he grabbed the knife on the table near the water jar and threw it at the ceiling. Arachne appeared out of nowhere. Eron's attack inflicted damage on it. The Arachne entered the dimly lit, slightly opened room. As Eron approaches, he overhears someone speaking in the room. As he continued to investigate, he noticed inside a figure of a well-known person conversing on electronically holographic gadgetry. On the holographic screen, he saw Chancellor Raflin conversing with a familiar voice.

" But the situation is dire because he was with a mage," Chancellor Raflin speaking to the other line. " Not just an ordinary mage but the only heir of the House of Feodor."

" I see, we could deal with her later. What's important is you found Eronicus, my....."

As Eron was prying to see the other person in the conversation, Chancellor Raflin detected his presence.

" My Lord, I sense someone is prying on us," Chancellor Raflin interrupted. " For the meantime, we should end this conversation."

Eron immediately hid. Luckily, the Arachne appeared and Chancellor Raflin thought it was Eron. Seeing it wounded, Chancellor cast a spell and a magic circle appeared turning back the Arachne to a dead branch. Eron went back to his bed. Someone knew his identity so they have to leave immediately.

The next day, Eron talked to Lady Ivette about leaving the city. They will head to St. Maghrebis at the Dracoon Isle to be reunited with his comrade and proceed to Fort Seriphos to meet with Hestia and clarify an important matter. Eron knew his life is threatened so they need to leave the city before the day ends. It was a sudden decision. The headmaster didn't agree at first but later on, agreed because of Eron's alibi. Eron was quick enough not to let Chancellor Raflin see through his plans. Because the Chancellor attended a personal engagement, he will use that situation to immediately leave the City. Meanwhile, Lady Ivette prepared her belongings and went to the Artisan Shop for the last time.

The Regius Kapital clock chime is heard mostly inside the city. But even in the outskirts of the city, people could still hear its fainted sound. Waiting for the one o'clock trip to Trafalgar Port, there is no magical trip for the said place. The magical train trips are only bound to Regius Gevalia. Trips going outside the Magi City takes a normal ride. It will take them two days to reach their destination.

Eron and Lady Ivette woke up from their sleep. They could almost smell the fresh air coming from the sea. It's the second day since they left the terminal in Regius Gevalia. Eron looked out the window and saw the crisp-blue ocean as the tidal waves are dancing with the cold breeze. Soon, the steam engine stopped at its final destination- the Trafalgar Port. Though its area is small, it is one of the busiest ports located at the outskirt of Arctopolis. Fisheries and other marine creatures are the primary tradings in this port aside from the trading of magical stones and adhesives use for crafting. As they stepped out from the entry of the train, they found themselves in a crowded port full of yelling vendors, loud hoots of floating shipping lines docked within the harbor, seagulls' cries, the sound of the ocean waves, and the noisy patrons. Trafalgar Port is indeed a busy port.

Eron and Lady Ivette wouldn't miss the opportunity to explore the port so they went to the stalls to find goods. Both of them were busy sightseeing that they didn't notice that they had parted ways. Lady Ivette went ahead trying to look for a cosmetic while Eron is left on the food stall. He bought a piece of pear, bite a portion of it while walking towards the shore to look for a seagull. Meanwhile, as Lady Ivette is busy looking for something, she accidentally saw at the edge of her eyeball an image of a familiar lady. She looked in the mirror and it was no doubt her accomplice, Lotis. Lady Ivette approached her.

" Hi there Lotis!" as she tapped her back to get her attention.

" Oh, it's you, my lady."

" I am so happy to see you here, how is everything there?" Lady Ivette referred to Sans Louvre.

" Everything is great! Despite knowing your father is against it, he was relieved that you are together with Eron," Lotis replied. " You looked quite a bit different? How is your magic."

" I see, I am relieved that he is doing fine without me," she sighed. " I have improved a lot since then. We went to Regius Gevalia and I learned how to properly use my magic there. Anyway, what brought you here?"

" That's great news! I'm sure your father, the baron, will be proud of you when he hears this," Lotis commended. " I am researching about a rejuvenating potion that I will soon create, some of its ingredients can be found here."

" We're both learning our own abilities. I'm sure we will both grow and enhance in our field someday. Give my regards to him and tell him I'm okay."

" I will your majesty," her accomplice assured. " By the way, I came across this little Artisan Shop at the end of the road. The old lady is selling a rare card at a cheap price. I thought it might interest you."

" Really? I'll be leaving then and check it for myself," Lady Ivette waved goodbye to her.

Soon, she was in front of an old-wooden stall, an Artisan Shop. As she opened the glass-window-with-wood door, an old woman greeted her.

" Good day young lady! What brought you here?" the old woman asked. " You seemed to be a mage, aren't you?"

" Yes, I am! Actually, a friend told me about this shop and I am interested in your rare card," Lady Ivette honestly told.

" Oh, perhaps your friend is talking about this card?" the old woman handed her the card.

" Kremaria Lullaby?!" Lady Ivette out of curiosity." What is the use of this spell?"

" It's the song of a Kremarian virgin," the old woman replied." I am not sure how the spell works but it has something to do about a maiden's slumber."

" How much?"

" Thirty shekels."

On the other side, Eron is busy capturing a seagull within a flock.

" Sullivan Order #37, Bestia Eximerono."

A small magic circle appeared below a seagull and created a cage enclosing the bird inside. Eron carried it and looked for paper and a pen. He reunited with Lady Ivette along the way. Eron wrote short Sullivanic scripts and tied them on the right foot of the seagull.

" Sullivan Order #38, Bestia Exertia. Go to this person!" His eyes glowed in black hypnotizing the bird while relaying a vision of a man to it. Afterward, he released it in the open air.

" What did you do?" Lady Ivette couldn't help herself not to ask.

" I sent a message to a comrade across the sea, at the Dracoon Isle," he replied." We will meet him there once we reached St. Maghrebis."

" Is he an ally?" She wanted assurance.

" Yes! We've been together since the time I can remember," he whole-heartedly assured her." Did you get anything?"

" Yes, I got this," showing something inside a paper bag. " By the way, I saw Lotis around. She's also here in Trafalgar Port searching for some recipes for her potion. I'm sure she will be a great alchemist someday."

" Then you must also do your best to be a great mage," he is enthusiastic. " So, how is your old man?"

" He is doing great. Actually, he is relieved that I am traveling with you."

" I'm sure he will be a great father-in-law someday, don't you think?" he winked at her.

" Beats me! Dream on Mister Sullivan!" raising her left eyebrow while pouting her lips.

Eron suddenly got closer to her....face to face. Lady Ivette's green eyes widen and her mouth opened.

" You see, no women resisted this charm," he slowly uttered while flirting at her. " Eron Sullivan is irresistible you know."

Eron looked straight into her eyes. She was frozen for a while there while blushing. After a minute or two, Eron changed his pace. He stared at the blue cloudy sky leaving Lady Ivette dumbfounded.

The cold breeze sent a little chill in the skin as the northeast wind is blowing the St. Maghrebis terrain. The crash of ocean waves is soothing. The seagull cries while flying in circles. A tall man in his twenties is silently looking at the seagull flying around atop him. As he raised his arm towards the sky, the seagull gently flew below landing on his arm. He untied the small paper on its right foot and read the message.