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healingbonds ([personal profile] healingbonds) wrote2020-06-11 07:24 pm

Prelude to the Festival and Justice | Chapter 10

Chapter 9 << | index | >> Chapter 11


The second Arthur raises his voice, the sand that had been the people of Mesa convulses with a thunderous roar.

(Whoosh)

It swells up like a huge wave, and attacks us at the speed of a beast.

Arthur: << Pernoctant Nixzo >> !

We soar up into the sky, narrowly missing the attack.
Cain holds me on his broomstick as I let out a scream at the sight on the ground.


Akira: There......! That mountain of bones covered in sand......!

Cain: .........! There’s brand new traveling equipment in the mix..... It might be the travelers who went missing......

Arthur: They could have been entrapped by Mesa. We have to lift the curse on Mesa, and purify the souls of the people. Cain, I’m leaving Sir Sage to you.

Cain: Arthur! Weren’t you listening to what I said just now! I won’t let you act recklessly!

Arthur: There’s no one I can entrust Sir Sage to other than you! I don’t know if I can guide this many wandering souls, but.....



Arthur: This is my role.

Arthur looks straight ahead, as if he’s already made up his mind.
His gaze — usually so gentle — is suffused with strength, like a sharpened ray of light cutting through the darkness.
A face befitting a Central wizard; a wizard who guides the people and saves them. In the face of their duty, they fear nothing.
Even Cain, who always smiles like a friendly older brother, takes on a fierce expression, and firmly adjusts his grip on his broom.


Cain: Akira, hold on tight for me. I’m going to cover Arthur.

Akira: Got it.

Flying as though he’s slicing through the wind, Cain draws out his magnificent sword and chants his spell.

Cain: << Gladius Procella >> !

Cain’s sword slashes into the sand monsters that surge and swell like serpents.
But no matter how many he slashes and scatters into pieces, the rest of the monsters continue attacking at an incredible speed.
Without stopping for even a moment, the cursed sands of Mesa pulsate, scatter, and erupt with a deafening sound.


Cain: Arthur, watch out......!

Arthur: .........!

In an instant, the airborne sand swirling around Arthur envelops him on all sides, attacking simultaneously.
The moment the volume of sand swallows Arthur, he opens his grimoire.


Arthur: << Pernoctant Nixzo >> !

In the midst of the terrifying sandstorm, Arthur’s body radiates with a faint glow. The sand loses its momentum, and falls to the ground.

Akira: Thank goodne...........!

My relief is short-lived: countless pillars of sand erupt into the sky, attacking Arthur with the ferocity of a dragon.

Arthur: .........!

Cain: Arthur......!

Arthur is, in an instant, swallowed up by the pillars of sand.
In the blink of an eye, he is dragged underground amidst the roaring of the sand.


Akira: Arthur......!

The next moment, his figure vanishes from our sight.

Cain: ......Arthur......! ......Tch, how dare you......!

Cain grits out in a low, angry growl, bringing his broom low and skimming the ground.
Swiftly dodging the attacking sand, Cain thrusts his sword at the spot where Arthur vanished.
He tries to clear away the sand on the surface with magic, hoping to find Arthur.


Cain: << Gladius Procella >> !

The sands soar up and twist around Cain’s glowing sword like a tornado.
No matter how much sand he clears away, Arthur is nowhere to be seen.
In that moment, black shadows begin advancing on us. Sand monsters, baring their fangs like serpents, come charging at Cain.


Akira: Cain......!

Cain: ............!

✦✧☾✧✦

Rutile: << Ortonik Setomaouge >> !

A soft light wraps around the heads of the sand monsters. Their fangs crumble slightly and their movements stop.
Seizing that brief window, we ascend to a safer vantage point. There, in front of our eyes, are Rutile and Mitile.


Akira: Rutile, Mitile......!

Rutile: You really surprised me! I thought my heart was going to stop when I saw those sand monsters attacking the two of you.

Cain: Rutile, you saved us!

Rutile: Are you all right, Sir Sage!? Where are the rest of the Central wizards!?

Akira: Arthur...... Arthur was dragged into the sand......!

Rutile: Prince Arthur!?

Cain: I’m going to save him! Can I leave Sir Sage to you two!?

Rutile: Of course..... Is what I’d like to say, but these might not be opponents that we Southern wizards can fully protect Sir Sage from......



Mitile: We got this disgusting lizard as an amulet from Mister Mithra, but it hasn’t shut up for a while now....!

Mithra's amulet: NopeNopeNopeNopeNopeNopeNope.
RunRunRunRunRunRunRun.

As the lizard spews warnings in Mithra’s voice, we hear a deafening roar, and the regenerated sand monsters from a moment ago start attacking again.

(Whoosh)

The attacks don’t stop at one; countless monsters, wearing the faces of wolves and bodies of serpents, turn towards us in unison.
Even if we attempt to fly upwards to escape, their numbers are easily enough to blot out the sky.


Akira: (There’s nowhere to escape......!)

Cain lifts me into his arms and tosses me in the direction of Rutile’s broom.

Akira: Woah......!

Rutile: Sir Sage.......!

Cain: I’ll take on the curse! In the meantime, you escape with Sir Sage! Find Oz for me!

Rutile: What are you saying!?

Cain: Please help Arthur! I’m counting on you!

Chapter 9 << | index | >> Chapter 11

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