healingbonds (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
healingbonds) wrote2021-11-29 12:43 pm
healingbonds) wrote2021-11-29 12:43 pm
Entry tags:
The Bonds We Formed, Like Magic | Chapter 23
Chapter 22 << | index | >> Chapter 24
The seas above which Oz and Mithra battle seem like a scene out of this world.
(Booming explosions)
Raging blizzards, storms, flashing lightning, and tornadoes all collide like different splashes of color spilled across an oil painting.
I can barely even keep my eyes open.
But every time I blink, the battle situation shifts drastically.
Mithra takes position behind Oz, and calls up a door in space.
Countless pillars of transparent ice shoot out from the door and pierce’s Oz’s back.
Or so I thought, but one moment Oz stands within the haze of white icicles, and the next he swiftly takes up another position.
Oz seizes Mithra around his ankle; there are now huge, monstrous talons growing out of one of his hands.
Hanging upside down, Mithra cradles his magic skull with both hands.
Mithra: << Arthim >>
Oz: << Vox Nox >>
Oz brings his staff down on the skull with crushing force as it spews an eerie bluish-white light.
There is a blinding explosion, brighter than the sun. The two of them shoot away from the scene like arrows of light.
(Screeching roar)
The thousands of skeletal warriors rising from the sea give chase to Oz, their bones rattling and cracking.
The army of skeletons shatters under the deluge of Oz’s thunderbolts, tossed into the sea and reborn again and again in the violent swell of the surging waves.
Oz: ...............
Tiny twinkles of blue and purple light flare into life between the clouds, painting the sky behind Oz’s back.
They make little plinks and plonks as they fall into the sea, leaving a trail of comet tails in their wake.
It looks like the meteor rain of lineage has started before nightfall.
Thin, white streaks of light appear and vanish across the sky dyed purple and orange.
Oz looks down at Mithra, paying no notice to the meteor rain.
For some reason, Mithra seems dazzled.
Mithra: Haha.......
Mithra is delighted, his eyes blown wide open.
He looks like a young boy gazing up at fireworks during summer vacation.
He laughs at the scores of stardust drifting across the sky behind Oz.
Mithra: Ahaha!
Mithra’s laughter sounds impossibly innocent.
The two of them look like children playing around in their own secret fort.
Leaving the cramped world of their existence behind them, they run and frolic freely in a storm of blue and purple, where shards of stars rain down all around them.
Where they are free to destroy as much as they want, and soar as high as their wings can take them.
Innocent, invincible monsters.
Oz raises a single eyebrow, baffled as he gazes down at Mithra’s uproarious laughter.
But before long, Oz is laughing too, his long hair whipping around in the gale.
His combative laughter makes him seem every bit as mischievous as Mithra and Arthur.
So this is how they lived.
Oz raises his staff.
Mithra breezily dodges the blue streaks of lightning that run through the dark clouds.
The way he dodges between the lightning strikes reminds me of a fearless dancer’s uninhibited movements.
He might be bleeding and badly injured, but he laughs delightedly as he tosses his magic skull.
Mithra: << Arthim >>
The hordes of skeletal warriors transform instantaneously into a single, gigantic head of death.
Moments before being swallowed by the giant skull’s gaping mouth, Oz vanishes.
Half a beat later, he materializes beside the skull. Suddenly, he turns around.
Bradley: << Adnopotensum >>!
Gunshots cut through the skull’s roaring and reverberate through the sky.
Bullets speeding faster than meteors whizz by the side of Oz’s face.
Laughing arrogantly, the man stands with both feet astride his broom, his rifle hoisted on his shoulder.
Bradley: Hey, Mithra. I’m here to steal your prey.
Mithra: Don’t interfere. Oz’s stone is mine.
Oz: .............
Oz turns towards Bradley. Almost immediately, a giant shadow looms over Oz.
It is Cerberus descending from the sky. Growling viciously, it bares its fangs and howls.
Oz raises his staff and chants his spell.
Oz: << Vox Nox >>
Cerberus howls as the lightning pierces through its body.
For a moment, it looks like Oz might get dragged down by Cerberus’ descent, but he manages to duck and dodge in the nick of time.
But......
Owen: << Cuare Morito >>
Owen appears without warning from Cerberus’ shadow.
With one hand holding onto his hat, he grips a glowing red rapier in his other.
Owen thrusts the rapier upwards, aiming for Oz’s eyes.
Oz: .......!
Oz twists his upper body and dodges the slash.
Owen narrows his mismatched eyes, the cold smile on his face filled with rapture.
He is an entirely different person from when he was eating cupcakes at the center of everyone’s kind smiles.
There’s no trace of his restless unease from back then: the current Owen is alight with bold animation.
We live in such different worlds.
No matter how many times I’m confronted with this truth, my heart still aches.
But Owen keeps a hand pressed to his hat the entire time, even though he’s fighting against a formidable opponent like Oz.
He’s trying not to drop his new hat.
Isn’t that very gesture born from the collision of worlds — when worlds that should never have crossed paths with each other do precisely that?
Owen: << Cure Memini >>
Without taking his eyes off of Oz, Owen drops his trunk into the sea.
Right before it submerges, Cerberus is sucked back into the trunk.
The lid of Owen’s trunk closes with a thump and hits the water.
Oz grips his staff and looks out across the three Northern wizards.
He might have been driven into a corner, but the unwavering, arrogant look in his eyes conveys invincible confidence and dignity.
However.......
(Woosh)
Arthur: Sir Oz......!
Oz: ............
.......Arthur.......
Mithra: Arthur......
Akira: (Arthur.......!)
The moment he catches sight of Arthur on his broom, Oz looks shaken.
He teleports to Arthur’s side instantly, and vigorously swings his staff around them.
Oz: << Vox Nox >>
It is impossible to even compare the intensity of the lightning unleashed here to what I witnessed back in the castle courtyard.
Mithra: .......hh!
Bradley: .......Guh.......!
Owen: ......Aaaagh.......!
Mithra and the others let out anguished moans as they turn away, blue light clinging to their bodies.
Oz seizes the opportunity to thrust his staff above his head.
From the ocean depths, the earth rumbles.
Groar......with a thunderous roar, pillars of white salt burst forth from the middle of the sea.
The pillars look simultaneously like long claws and slender flower petals.
In no time, the pillars have surrounded Oz and Arthur and transformed into an ascending tower, reaching all the way into the heavens.
By the time Mithra and the others liberate themselves, an enclosed tower stands before their eyes.
Besides me, Snow murmurs dazedly.
Snow: ......Have you ever seen such a reckless way of getting some privacy?
I stare at them, swallowing.
Akira: Should we intervene now?
White: No, not yet. It’s still too early. If we stop them now, they’ll remain simmering with resentment.
Akira: But Arthur is.......
White: He’ll be fine as long as Oz is here. He’s put up a solid barrier. I have no doubt he’ll protec—......
(Crash, followed by gunshots)
New thunderous roars drown out White’s voice.
Taking up positions surrounding the tower of salt, Mithra and the others hold out their magic tools.
Mithra: << Arthim >>
Mithra’s magic skull glows blue and spews ghastly flames.
Little by little, cracks start running up the salt pillars.
Following suit, Owen and Bradley also launch their attacks on the pillars.
Owen: << Cure Memini >>
Bradley: << Adnopotensum >>
Creak, creak..... The tower starts to tilt.
I almost forget to breathe, unable to do anything but watch over this spectacle.
✦✧☾✧✦
Oz: Arthur, why did you come here!?
Arthur: I’ve come to take your side, Sir Oz. No, I know very well that such an action is entirely unnecessary for someone of your strength.
Sir Oz. Due to my own negligence, Mithra has seen fit to treat me as a pawn to be played against you.
If this goes on, a day will come when I am marked out as your family or your weakness. I’ll become a burden to you.
So even if Mithra and the others injure me grievously, please leave me behind.
Once you do that, they’ll cease to use me against you. I will no longer cause you trouble, Sir Oz.
Oz: Wh—......
Arthur: I was raised in the North, after all. It would take more than one strike for me to turn into stone.
But even if I did, I would be happy to become sustenance for you, Sir Oz.
Oz: .............
Arthur: Well then, let us go forth.
Oz: Wait!
Arthur: ............
Oz: You must wait.......
Arthur: Yes.
Oz: Wait.
Arthur: I’m waiting.
Oz: .............
Arthur: .......You said this had nothing to do with me — that you had nothing to do with me, Sir Oz.
If so, then please leave me behind. But if I’m mistaken, then answer me.
If I’m not your apprentice — if you won’t call me by anything other than "Central Prince" — then what am I to you?
Oz: Arthur......
(Cracking sounds)
Oz: ......It’s Mithra and the others. They will break through the barrier soon. Withdraw to safety.
Arthur: I’m afraid I cannot do that.
Oz: .......Arthur......
Arthur: To be treated like a burden and a hostage — that is the utmost humiliation for me!
If that’s the case, then I will take on the Northern wizards to prove that I am nothing more than an irrelevant stranger who will not be a hindrance to you!
If you say that I am not nothing to you — if there really is a bond between us, then......
Please grant that bond a name.
Oz: .........
......I do not know.
There has never been someone like you in my entire life.
Arthur: .......Sir Oz........
.............
Sir Oz! Please take me, Arthur, as your disciple in name and in practice!
Oz: ......I cannot.
Arthur: Why.......
Oz: Because......
I do not wish for you to become like me.
Arthur: .............
Oz: The tower will crumble soon. We will break out with the rubble.
............. ......Can you keep up with me?
Arthur: ........Yes!
Mithra: << Arthim >>
Owen: << Cure Memini >>
Bradley: << Adnopotensum >>
The immense tower of salt collapses under the force of their attacks.
With a terrific sound, the broken mass of salt crashes back into the sea.
The dying rays of the sun illuminate the sky.
Snow: This is bad. We have to end this soon.
White: You’re going to get overtaken, Oz.
Arthur: << Pernoctant Nixzo >>!
Arthur’s voice rings out clearly.
I stifle a scream at the sight of him.
Seated on his broom, Arthur holds his grimoire in one hand as he heads straight for Bradley.
He places his other hand on his faintly glowing grimoire, before turning his upturned palm towards the sky.
A giant magic circle appears in the evening sky.
His magic circle closes around Bradley like a net designed to ensnare.
Bradley laughs, cocking his rifle.
Bradley: Pretty smart move to try and take me out first.
Come on. I’ll take you on.
Arthur: << Pernoctant Nixzo >>!
Bradley shoots at Arthur’s magic circle from the front.
The magic circle blocks Bradley’s bullets like a shield, but steadily, it gets pushed back further and further.
Arthur: .......!
Bathed in blinding light, Arthur’s face is drawn, tense as he holds his palm out in front of him.
Bradley readjusts his rifle, ready to take the next shot.
At once, Oz appears behind Bradley.
Bradley: ..............!
Oz: << Vox Nox >>
Oz holds his magic staff to Bradley’s side at point blank distance.
A blue-white bolt of lightning pierces right through Bradley’s torso.
Bradley: Aaaagh.......!
Bradley wrenches his fingers off the trigger as he screams in pain.
He probably did it to avoid misfiring at Arthur. Oz turns Bradley around to face him, covering his eyes with his palm.
Bradley grins, the sides of his lips curving up.
Bradley: .......Looks like you’re pretty worked up. Especially if you’re coming for a marksman’s eyesight like this.
Oz: << Vox Nox >>
Ominous red light spills out from beneath Oz’s palms.
Bradley bends over backwards, his limbs going slack.
Arthur: Bradley.......!
Oz: Pay attention to what is before you!
Oz discards Bradley’s body into the sea, yelling furiously at Arthur.
Arthur forcefully tears his gaze away from Bradley.
Arthur: Yes!
Oz: To your right!
Arthur: .......!
Arthur erects a magic barrier to parry the blade of wind sweeping in from his right side.
Arthur: << Pernoctant Nixzo >>!
Oz: Above you!
Arthur: Ye—....... ........!
Before Arthur can chant his spell, the wizard who tried to cut him down launches a swift attack.
Owen laughs as he opens his trunk.
Owen: << Cure Memini >>
Arthur: Argh.......!!
Cerberus leaps out from the trunk and topples Arthur off of his broom.
Oz: ...............!
Oz turns around to look at Arthur; before him, a door materializes in the air.
Mithra: << Arthim >>
Bearing the full impact of the blizzard spat out by Mithra’s magic skull, Oz’s arm starts to freeze over.
Oz: ...............!
Mithra: You really don’t have time to be looking away. Oz—.......
Oz releases his staff.
He grabs hold of the back of Mithra’s head, and pulls the incredulous man close against his own shoulder.
With one hand, Oz tears out strands of his own hair and uses magic to twine them around Mithra’s neck.
Mithra turns pale and chants his own spell.
Mithra: ....... << Arthim >>!
Oz’s body continues to freeze over. At the same time, red lines run across Mithra’s neck.
And Oz’s hair easily eats deeper into his flesh, drawing fresh blood.
Mithra: .......hh, << Arthim >>!
Without warning, Oz transforms into a child. He’s barely half of Mithra’s height.
Owen screams at Mithra.
Owen: Behind you.......!
Mithra: ........!
And the staff that Oz discarded earlier pierces through Mithra’s abdomen before he can even turn around.
If Oz had been in his adult form, the staff would have skewered Oz as well.
Oz returns to his adult form and retrieves his staff.
By mercilessly pulling it out of Mithra’s body.
Mithra: .......Agh........!
Fresh blood spurts out, and I instinctively look away.
Mithra looks paler and paler.
Owen: << Cure Memini >>
Owen chants his spell. He drags Cerberus — which leapt out from his trunk earlier — back into the air.
Glaring at Oz, Cerberus’ middle head dangles an unconscious Arthur’s arm in its mouth.
Owen: If you don’t want me to feed Sir Prince to my dog, drop your staff into the sea.
And stay there without moving until the sun sets.
Oz: ..........
Owen: This is punishment, Oz. Once night falls, it’ll be my turn to......
Oz: Try it if you can.
Oz releases Mithra.
Mithra’s limp body plummets into the ocean.
An intense ray of dazzling light surrounds Oz’s staff, and he fixes Owen with sharp glare.
Oz: I’ll turn you to stone before that happens.
Owen: Oh yeah?
Owen’s mismatched eyes dance with a strange light, his face filled with strained murderous intent.
Owen: After I kindly warned you, too.
Farewell, Sir Prince.
Chapter 22 << | index | >> Chapter 24
The seas above which Oz and Mithra battle seem like a scene out of this world.
(Booming explosions)
Raging blizzards, storms, flashing lightning, and tornadoes all collide like different splashes of color spilled across an oil painting.
I can barely even keep my eyes open.
But every time I blink, the battle situation shifts drastically.
Mithra takes position behind Oz, and calls up a door in space.
Countless pillars of transparent ice shoot out from the door and pierce’s Oz’s back.
Or so I thought, but one moment Oz stands within the haze of white icicles, and the next he swiftly takes up another position.
Oz seizes Mithra around his ankle; there are now huge, monstrous talons growing out of one of his hands.
Hanging upside down, Mithra cradles his magic skull with both hands.
Mithra: << Arthim >>
Oz: << Vox Nox >>
Oz brings his staff down on the skull with crushing force as it spews an eerie bluish-white light.
There is a blinding explosion, brighter than the sun. The two of them shoot away from the scene like arrows of light.
(Screeching roar)
The thousands of skeletal warriors rising from the sea give chase to Oz, their bones rattling and cracking.
The army of skeletons shatters under the deluge of Oz’s thunderbolts, tossed into the sea and reborn again and again in the violent swell of the surging waves.
Oz: ...............
Tiny twinkles of blue and purple light flare into life between the clouds, painting the sky behind Oz’s back.
They make little plinks and plonks as they fall into the sea, leaving a trail of comet tails in their wake.
It looks like the meteor rain of lineage has started before nightfall.
Thin, white streaks of light appear and vanish across the sky dyed purple and orange.
Oz looks down at Mithra, paying no notice to the meteor rain.
For some reason, Mithra seems dazzled.
Mithra: Haha.......
Mithra is delighted, his eyes blown wide open.
He looks like a young boy gazing up at fireworks during summer vacation.
He laughs at the scores of stardust drifting across the sky behind Oz.
Mithra: Ahaha!
Mithra’s laughter sounds impossibly innocent.
The two of them look like children playing around in their own secret fort.
Leaving the cramped world of their existence behind them, they run and frolic freely in a storm of blue and purple, where shards of stars rain down all around them.
Where they are free to destroy as much as they want, and soar as high as their wings can take them.
Innocent, invincible monsters.
Oz raises a single eyebrow, baffled as he gazes down at Mithra’s uproarious laughter.
But before long, Oz is laughing too, his long hair whipping around in the gale.
His combative laughter makes him seem every bit as mischievous as Mithra and Arthur.
So this is how they lived.
Oz raises his staff.
Mithra breezily dodges the blue streaks of lightning that run through the dark clouds.
The way he dodges between the lightning strikes reminds me of a fearless dancer’s uninhibited movements.
He might be bleeding and badly injured, but he laughs delightedly as he tosses his magic skull.
Mithra: << Arthim >>
The hordes of skeletal warriors transform instantaneously into a single, gigantic head of death.
Moments before being swallowed by the giant skull’s gaping mouth, Oz vanishes.
Half a beat later, he materializes beside the skull. Suddenly, he turns around.
Bradley: << Adnopotensum >>!
Gunshots cut through the skull’s roaring and reverberate through the sky.
Bullets speeding faster than meteors whizz by the side of Oz’s face.
Laughing arrogantly, the man stands with both feet astride his broom, his rifle hoisted on his shoulder.
Bradley: Hey, Mithra. I’m here to steal your prey.
Mithra: Don’t interfere. Oz’s stone is mine.
Oz: .............
Oz turns towards Bradley. Almost immediately, a giant shadow looms over Oz.
It is Cerberus descending from the sky. Growling viciously, it bares its fangs and howls.
Oz raises his staff and chants his spell.
Oz: << Vox Nox >>
Cerberus howls as the lightning pierces through its body.
For a moment, it looks like Oz might get dragged down by Cerberus’ descent, but he manages to duck and dodge in the nick of time.
But......
Owen: << Cuare Morito >>
Owen appears without warning from Cerberus’ shadow.
With one hand holding onto his hat, he grips a glowing red rapier in his other.
Owen thrusts the rapier upwards, aiming for Oz’s eyes.
Oz: .......!
Oz twists his upper body and dodges the slash.
Owen narrows his mismatched eyes, the cold smile on his face filled with rapture.
He is an entirely different person from when he was eating cupcakes at the center of everyone’s kind smiles.
There’s no trace of his restless unease from back then: the current Owen is alight with bold animation.
We live in such different worlds.
No matter how many times I’m confronted with this truth, my heart still aches.
But Owen keeps a hand pressed to his hat the entire time, even though he’s fighting against a formidable opponent like Oz.
He’s trying not to drop his new hat.
Isn’t that very gesture born from the collision of worlds — when worlds that should never have crossed paths with each other do precisely that?
Owen: << Cure Memini >>
Without taking his eyes off of Oz, Owen drops his trunk into the sea.
Right before it submerges, Cerberus is sucked back into the trunk.
The lid of Owen’s trunk closes with a thump and hits the water.
Oz grips his staff and looks out across the three Northern wizards.
He might have been driven into a corner, but the unwavering, arrogant look in his eyes conveys invincible confidence and dignity.
However.......
(Woosh)
Arthur: Sir Oz......!
Oz: ............
.......Arthur.......
Mithra: Arthur......
Akira: (Arthur.......!)
The moment he catches sight of Arthur on his broom, Oz looks shaken.
He teleports to Arthur’s side instantly, and vigorously swings his staff around them.
Oz: << Vox Nox >>
It is impossible to even compare the intensity of the lightning unleashed here to what I witnessed back in the castle courtyard.
Mithra: .......hh!
Bradley: .......Guh.......!
Owen: ......Aaaagh.......!
Mithra and the others let out anguished moans as they turn away, blue light clinging to their bodies.
Oz seizes the opportunity to thrust his staff above his head.
From the ocean depths, the earth rumbles.
Groar......with a thunderous roar, pillars of white salt burst forth from the middle of the sea.
The pillars look simultaneously like long claws and slender flower petals.
In no time, the pillars have surrounded Oz and Arthur and transformed into an ascending tower, reaching all the way into the heavens.
By the time Mithra and the others liberate themselves, an enclosed tower stands before their eyes.
Besides me, Snow murmurs dazedly.
Snow: ......Have you ever seen such a reckless way of getting some privacy?
I stare at them, swallowing.
Akira: Should we intervene now?
White: No, not yet. It’s still too early. If we stop them now, they’ll remain simmering with resentment.
Akira: But Arthur is.......
White: He’ll be fine as long as Oz is here. He’s put up a solid barrier. I have no doubt he’ll protec—......
(Crash, followed by gunshots)
New thunderous roars drown out White’s voice.
Taking up positions surrounding the tower of salt, Mithra and the others hold out their magic tools.
Mithra: << Arthim >>
Mithra’s magic skull glows blue and spews ghastly flames.
Little by little, cracks start running up the salt pillars.
Following suit, Owen and Bradley also launch their attacks on the pillars.
Owen: << Cure Memini >>
Bradley: << Adnopotensum >>
Creak, creak..... The tower starts to tilt.
I almost forget to breathe, unable to do anything but watch over this spectacle.
✦✧☾✧✦
Oz: Arthur, why did you come here!?
Arthur: I’ve come to take your side, Sir Oz. No, I know very well that such an action is entirely unnecessary for someone of your strength.
Sir Oz. Due to my own negligence, Mithra has seen fit to treat me as a pawn to be played against you.
If this goes on, a day will come when I am marked out as your family or your weakness. I’ll become a burden to you.
So even if Mithra and the others injure me grievously, please leave me behind.
Once you do that, they’ll cease to use me against you. I will no longer cause you trouble, Sir Oz.
Oz: Wh—......
Arthur: I was raised in the North, after all. It would take more than one strike for me to turn into stone.
But even if I did, I would be happy to become sustenance for you, Sir Oz.
Oz: .............
Arthur: Well then, let us go forth.
Oz: Wait!
Arthur: ............
Oz: You must wait.......
Arthur: Yes.
Oz: Wait.
Arthur: I’m waiting.
Oz: .............
Arthur: .......You said this had nothing to do with me — that you had nothing to do with me, Sir Oz.
If so, then please leave me behind. But if I’m mistaken, then answer me.
If I’m not your apprentice — if you won’t call me by anything other than "Central Prince" — then what am I to you?
Oz: Arthur......
(Cracking sounds)
Oz: ......It’s Mithra and the others. They will break through the barrier soon. Withdraw to safety.
Arthur: I’m afraid I cannot do that.
Oz: .......Arthur......
Arthur: To be treated like a burden and a hostage — that is the utmost humiliation for me!
If that’s the case, then I will take on the Northern wizards to prove that I am nothing more than an irrelevant stranger who will not be a hindrance to you!
If you say that I am not nothing to you — if there really is a bond between us, then......
Please grant that bond a name.
Oz: .........
......I do not know.
There has never been someone like you in my entire life.
Arthur: .......Sir Oz........
.............
Sir Oz! Please take me, Arthur, as your disciple in name and in practice!
Oz: ......I cannot.
Arthur: Why.......
Oz: Because......
I do not wish for you to become like me.
Arthur: .............
Oz: The tower will crumble soon. We will break out with the rubble.
............. ......Can you keep up with me?
Arthur: ........Yes!
Mithra: << Arthim >>
Owen: << Cure Memini >>
Bradley: << Adnopotensum >>
The immense tower of salt collapses under the force of their attacks.
With a terrific sound, the broken mass of salt crashes back into the sea.
The dying rays of the sun illuminate the sky.
Snow: This is bad. We have to end this soon.
White: You’re going to get overtaken, Oz.
Arthur: << Pernoctant Nixzo >>!
Arthur’s voice rings out clearly.
I stifle a scream at the sight of him.
Seated on his broom, Arthur holds his grimoire in one hand as he heads straight for Bradley.
He places his other hand on his faintly glowing grimoire, before turning his upturned palm towards the sky.
A giant magic circle appears in the evening sky.
His magic circle closes around Bradley like a net designed to ensnare.
Bradley laughs, cocking his rifle.
Bradley: Pretty smart move to try and take me out first.
Come on. I’ll take you on.
Arthur: << Pernoctant Nixzo >>!
Bradley shoots at Arthur’s magic circle from the front.
The magic circle blocks Bradley’s bullets like a shield, but steadily, it gets pushed back further and further.
Arthur: .......!
Bathed in blinding light, Arthur’s face is drawn, tense as he holds his palm out in front of him.
Bradley readjusts his rifle, ready to take the next shot.
At once, Oz appears behind Bradley.
Bradley: ..............!
Oz: << Vox Nox >>
Oz holds his magic staff to Bradley’s side at point blank distance.
A blue-white bolt of lightning pierces right through Bradley’s torso.
Bradley: Aaaagh.......!
Bradley wrenches his fingers off the trigger as he screams in pain.
He probably did it to avoid misfiring at Arthur. Oz turns Bradley around to face him, covering his eyes with his palm.
Bradley grins, the sides of his lips curving up.
Bradley: .......Looks like you’re pretty worked up. Especially if you’re coming for a marksman’s eyesight like this.
Oz: << Vox Nox >>
Ominous red light spills out from beneath Oz’s palms.
Bradley bends over backwards, his limbs going slack.
Arthur: Bradley.......!
Oz: Pay attention to what is before you!
Oz discards Bradley’s body into the sea, yelling furiously at Arthur.
Arthur forcefully tears his gaze away from Bradley.
Arthur: Yes!
Oz: To your right!
Arthur: .......!
Arthur erects a magic barrier to parry the blade of wind sweeping in from his right side.
Arthur: << Pernoctant Nixzo >>!
Oz: Above you!
Arthur: Ye—....... ........!
Before Arthur can chant his spell, the wizard who tried to cut him down launches a swift attack.
Owen laughs as he opens his trunk.
Owen: << Cure Memini >>
Arthur: Argh.......!!
Cerberus leaps out from the trunk and topples Arthur off of his broom.
Oz: ...............!
Oz turns around to look at Arthur; before him, a door materializes in the air.
Mithra: << Arthim >>
Bearing the full impact of the blizzard spat out by Mithra’s magic skull, Oz’s arm starts to freeze over.
Oz: ...............!
Mithra: You really don’t have time to be looking away. Oz—.......
Oz releases his staff.
He grabs hold of the back of Mithra’s head, and pulls the incredulous man close against his own shoulder.
With one hand, Oz tears out strands of his own hair and uses magic to twine them around Mithra’s neck.
Mithra turns pale and chants his own spell.
Mithra: ....... << Arthim >>!
Oz’s body continues to freeze over. At the same time, red lines run across Mithra’s neck.
And Oz’s hair easily eats deeper into his flesh, drawing fresh blood.
Mithra: .......hh, << Arthim >>!
Without warning, Oz transforms into a child. He’s barely half of Mithra’s height.
Owen screams at Mithra.
Owen: Behind you.......!
Mithra: ........!
And the staff that Oz discarded earlier pierces through Mithra’s abdomen before he can even turn around.
If Oz had been in his adult form, the staff would have skewered Oz as well.
Oz returns to his adult form and retrieves his staff.
By mercilessly pulling it out of Mithra’s body.
Mithra: .......Agh........!
Fresh blood spurts out, and I instinctively look away.
Mithra looks paler and paler.
Owen: << Cure Memini >>
Owen chants his spell. He drags Cerberus — which leapt out from his trunk earlier — back into the air.
Glaring at Oz, Cerberus’ middle head dangles an unconscious Arthur’s arm in its mouth.
Owen: If you don’t want me to feed Sir Prince to my dog, drop your staff into the sea.
And stay there without moving until the sun sets.
Oz: ..........
Owen: This is punishment, Oz. Once night falls, it’ll be my turn to......
Oz: Try it if you can.
Oz releases Mithra.
Mithra’s limp body plummets into the ocean.
An intense ray of dazzling light surrounds Oz’s staff, and he fixes Owen with sharp glare.
Oz: I’ll turn you to stone before that happens.
Owen: Oh yeah?
Owen’s mismatched eyes dance with a strange light, his face filled with strained murderous intent.
Owen: After I kindly warned you, too.
Farewell, Sir Prince.
Chapter 22 << | index | >> Chapter 24