The Sorcerer's Game

8. First kill

"Hello there," The man smiled, showing off his teeth, his sinister face observing Azriel and Keith, who was he was seeing the first time. "You are new here." He commented. "But you will soon be gone from here." The man raised his palm and twisted it with a mischievous smile on his face. Keith immediately dropped to the ground, howling in pain. However, Azriel stood still, his eyes widening, seeing Keith's situation. 

But more than him, the monster before him was horrified to see Azriel stand in his place without flinching, even though he was using his sorcery on him. He observed him scurry towards the man who was groaning in pain and hold him. With narrowed eyes, the monster held both his palms facing one another, and after accumulating all his energy, he directed it towards the young man he was seeing for the first.

But nothing happened. The young man was not even fazed by his powers, and he was still intact. Fury took over him, unable to believe what he was seeing. It was impossible to evade sorcery for it was the most powerful ability, even fiercer than the skill of fighting itself. However, the young man before him had evaded his power, not once but twice, and this was something the monster could not digest.

He was just about to unleash his ultimate spell on him when he was struck back, the force rendering him immobile. "Hellion, back off," Walter growled, controlling the man and his body. 

Hellion smiled at him, licking the small amount of blood that was oozing out of his lips after he was struck by Walter's spell. "Walter, you know you cannot kill me. You are not as strong as I am." He chuckled, his voice sending tremors down Azriel's spine. He was still tending to Keith, who was had not stopped groaning in pain. His voice held something baleful and demonic in it that made one run for their lives. However, to Azriel, it held provocation, a challenge, and unable to himself anymore, he looked up to see him.

"Walter, how long has it been since we last met?" Hellion tilted his head, raising his head in obvious mockery. "And who are these puny men? Are these the recruits you have hunted and brought here?" He queried, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Walter did not speak a word, narrowing his eyes slowly. His power was diminishing as he tried to control Hellion. It had been a long time since he had trained his body and revived his high level of sorcery. So, he was losing his energy as time passed by. Walter gritted his teeth when he felt drained and his control over Hellion slipping.

"Walter," Hellion chuckled, seeing the man crumble slowly. "Give it up. You can never defeat me. I am stronger than you, and I am more powerful."

"Never," Walter spat, forcing all the energy left in him to keep the man in check. But he knew he would not last long. "Even if I die, I will die giving a good fight. I will never surrender."

"Ah, you are still the same. Stubborn and extremely foolish. If that is what you wish for, I will grant it to you." Hellion forced his arms, stretching them on either side, while he maintained his eyes on Walter, who groaned in despair. With a final push, the control snapped, and Walter fell, his energy completely drained. "I told you mate, to give up. It was you who chose this, and I am just helping you get what you wish."

Azriel was beyond stupefied to see the man, who he respected and admired, lying so pitifully before the devil. Though he had no idea what was happening, he had to help him, for he was still his Chief. Leaving Keith to himself, he pulled out the knife he had hidden in his sleeve. 'I should thank Mr. Glenn for asking me to carry a knife with me. I hope this will help me save Chief.'

Azriel sneaked in on the man who was slowly sauntering towards his Chief, who looked pale and weak. However, before he could take a step toward Hellion, the demon turned to him, raising his eyebrows at him direly. "Sneaking up, are we?" He queried, his smile slipping. His eyes darkened in anger, and he glared at him. But Azriel was not spooked by it. Instead, there was unbelievable courage coursing through him, compelling him to kill the man.

Hellion had long realized that the young man was not simple, for he had not been affected by his sorcery. His power did not work on him, and the only way to take him down was by fighting him. As prideful as he was about his skills of sorcery, he was even more conceited about his fighting skills, for he had been trained by one the best fighters among all the sorcerers.

Since he was already caught, Azriel did not hesitate anymore to attack the man. With renewed energy, he bolted towards him. Meanwhile, Hellion too charged towards him with a roar, loud enough to attract the attention of the other people, who were fighting far from them. 

Walter stared at the duo in shock, his eyes pleading to Azriel silently to not be foolish. Though he had seen how Hellion's sorcery had not affected the young Inspector, he was still unsure what would happen during the fight. Hellion was considered one of the best fighters, and not many could rival him, especially with swords and knives.

Azriel held his weapon tight in his hand, and he attacked Hellion the moment he was at an arm's distance. However, the man ducked right on time, rendering his move useless. But Azriel was not done yet. He was ready with his next attack, and he kicked the man hard just a few inches above his knee and Hellion staggered back in pain. 

Hellion stared at Azriel in shock, for this was the first time someone had managed to kick him. His fury had reached its peak, and he charged towards him again, ready to crush the man's skull with his feet. Azriel was waiting just for this moment, and when Hellion reached him, he swung his knife, which was now in his left hand. The weapon slashed Hellion's shoulder, and he was now bleeding, staining his dark grey robe.

Hellion was too lost trying to decipher what was happening to notice Azriel's swift move. He bellowed, gritting his teeth at the man, who had injured him. Blinded by his anger, he pulled out his sword, ready to slice the man into half. Azriel had to scamper back to escape from the man's repeated attacks. 

At one time, Hellion's sword did grace Azriel's bicep. But the cut was not deep enough to hurt him, much to Hellion's dismay. Having had enough of the game they were playing, Azriel waited for the right time and plunged his knife through his thigh, making the man howl in agony. Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, Azriel quickly stabbed the man in the chest, pushing the knife deep inside as blood trickled down. Immediately after, Hellion fell to the ground, his body twitching in agony. In no time, his movements stopped, his dead eyes staring back at Azriel.