Ekhros (English version)

Chapter 3 - Storm Clouds (Part III)

Amidst the entire army of soldiers and assassins, Isayri was reveling in her moment, facing off against Urquel. Her spells were powerful, and Urquel had never before faced a sorcerer.

The confidence with which he had begun to face those assassins had evaporated with the sorceress's surprise attack. Now, with hardly any strength left, he couldn't believe that he, a Kums, would be so easily defeated by someone insignificant.

With great effort, he tried to stand up, his body beginning to numb, and soon he wouldn't be able to move.

At the start of their fight, Isayri had used a sword coated with poison. She managed to cut the arrogant prince, causing him to weaken. Her strategy was low, but she knew she could never defeat him with her current powers. She still didn't have enough strength, so she decided on the easiest way.

"What's the matter, prince? No strength left to fight?" the mockery was clear in her tone.

"I have enough to finish you," he responded, running towards her with his sword in hand.

Isayri raised both hands in front of him and invoked the spell Importius. It was an accumulation of wind orbs, which she hurled with force, striking Urquel in the chest, lifting him off the ground. He spun through the air before crashing face-first into the ground. The air left his lungs, and while he struggled to breathe, Isayri approached him, raising her sword. Urquel gave her a look full of disdain, but she curved her lips into a triumphant smile and quickly plunged the tip of the sword into Urquel's chest.

Urquel let out a strangled scream and, with his last breath, whispered his wife's name. He closed his eyes, and his body disappeared into small sparks of light, leaving only a trail of his blood.

Isayri sighed with satisfaction. As she stood, she felt a small pang in her chest. She lifted her head and looked around desperately, searching for the presence she had just sensed. A few meters away, she found her former master.

She saw the old sorcerer fighting against some Garluts. Seeing him stirred old memories from her past, memories that amused her.

She smiled and extended her hands towards the old sorcerer, exclaiming the spell Importius again, but the impact she expected didn't happen.

Ternon waved his staff, and the wind orbs that should have hit him dissipated. When there were no more Garluts to fight, he turned to her, frowning.

"Do you think that spell will stop me?" he said in a rough voice. "Have you forgotten who taught you everything you know?"

"Of course, I haven't forgotten..." she said, frowning with displeasure. "It's good to see you again... master."

"I am no longer your master... and I can't say the same for you."

Isayri raised her hands again and invoked the spell Improcubus. Blasts of voracious fire, like those from a dragon's mouth, shot towards the sorcerer. But Ternon, with quick reflexes, raised a magical barrier that absorbed the flames. She didn't stop there, though.

She cast the spell Impror, causing chunks of earth to rise and form pointed spears. Ternon raised a curtain of earth just as the spears impacted.

***

Both sorcerers simultaneously cast the spell Improcubus, their blasts of fire colliding with immense force. The ground shook, and those fighting nearby fled from the searing impact. Though they seemed equally strong, Isayri found it impossible to counter her former master's spell. The force of the spell made her stumble before striking her down, causing her to fall backward onto the ground.

"Your power is no match for mine!" he shouted confidently.

Isayri stood up with a smile on her pale lips, quickly rising and attacking him again. This time, Ternon couldn't dodge quickly enough, and the power of the spell hit him, causing the sorcerer's knees to buckle and hit the ground. Even though he could feel

Isayri's strength was weak, the spell's impact was strong enough to momentarily bring him down.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," she exclaimed.

With the help of his staff, Ternon stood up again and, without giving her a chance to defend herself, cast the spell Andrustorm. Lightning descended from the sky above her like giant claws, trapping and immobilizing her.

"You are no match for me, Isayri."

***

The archers on the wall unleashed a rain of arrows at the approaching enemies, preventing them from breaking through the protective field of the gates and entering the city. However, even though they shot arrows at those attempting to break down the gates, they couldn't stop them. The arrows struck a protective field of some sort. Meanwhile, Vyrkon, with his light armor and natural agility, quickly climbed the wall. His hands and feet found support in the small cracks and protrusions of the massive structure. The arrows shot at him and his group were deflected by the protective shield Isayri had cast over him. He needed to reach the top as quickly as possible, as the spell wouldn't last long. As he neared the top, his eyes met Corman's, and they both felt the tension of the moment.

Corman, taking an arrow and aiming at Vyrkon, shot it. The arrow flew through the air mercilessly but never hit its target.

Vyrkon smiled, and when he reached the top, Corman greeted him with a sword strike. The sword rebounded, and the protective shield shone one last time before disappearing—just in time. Vyrkon thought. He drew his own sword and launched an attack.

Corman met the strike with his sword, and this time, there was no rebound. Their swords clashed repeatedly with force and skill.

Corman launched a series of powerful attacks, trying to knock Vyrkon off the wall.

Despite not wielding a sword in ten years, Vyrkon kept up with the fight, dodging quickly and with agility. He counterattacked with precision, seeking an opening in his brother's defense. The sound of metal against metal filled the air as the two fought with everything they had.

***

Although it had been a long time since Komram had fought, it didn't pose much of a problem for her. Facing the soldiers guarding the Dark Island was almost effortless, but fighting against Prince Urquel's son proved to be a bit annoying. The boy was skilled, and defeating him quickly wasn't possible. The longer the fight dragged on, the more it delayed Derkno's plans. So when she managed to entangle her arms and legs around the boy's body like a rope, preventing him from moving, she began to absorb his mana. Aclistu struggled to break free from her grip in vain. His mana weakened, and he was terrified of what she was doing, never having seen such power before.

Soon Aclistu stopped struggling, feeling that this was the end. He had no strength left, and his knees gave way, causing him to fall to the ground, immobile. Komram released her grip while absorbing the last of the boy's mana.

When there was nothing left to absorb, Aclistu's body dispersed into small fragments. Komram stood up, took her sword, and hurried towards where Derkno was, finally about to get the revenge she had always desired.

***

Escaping a spell is easy, but without experience and strength, it wouldn't be simple. Isayri had the experience, but her strength was reaching its limit.

"Sis... procos!" she stammered, launching a paralyzing mana orb. The mana orb struck Ternon's head, freeing him from the spell.

Ternon couldn't move while Isayri panted with exhaustion, recovering from her attack. She lifted her head to look at the old sorcerer and, between gasps, said:

"Never underestimate me again," she attacked him with the same spell he used on her to trap him. Ternon couldn't avoid the spell and took the hit without the ability to move. The impact was painful, and his scream tore through his throat, but Ternon managed to maintain his unyielding will. "Your time has come, old man!"