The Wielder of Death Magic

Thus ended the meeting, ‘-they were very accommodating,’ the office, a looming shadow on his back, softly faded into the cloudy noon, ‘-or act as if they are...’

“He’s gone,” whispered the secretary.

“Good, we dodged a bullet,” said the manager, “-that man is best kept in our good graces. I value the heritage and prodigy of a person’s backing, he has support from the best; if someone can change the outcome of this pointless war, tis him. For now, keep an eye on the princess, the board of directors was very strict about her situation. We’ll assign a hero to spy, is it clear?”

“Yeah, very much,” she nodded, “-what about the viscount?”

“I told you, nothing. Leave the man be, he knows my motto and won’t get involved unless we probe. I like people like that, they won’t move unless you move. You know me, I hate moving. Time for a break, take care of matters here, I’ll head out.”

Streets bore cracks and fissures, at intervals, burnt cars, broken trucks, toppled buildings, and an overall feeling of misery hid beneath each layer of dust. Currently, the location was in the middle-ish, close enough to treat patients, and far enough to stray the monsters. The layout broke into four zones; starting with Zone One, the outskirts within which rests the office and dormitory. Access to said party is granted, most deliveries are done here. The effect of the invasion begins in Zone Two; at the start of the broken townscape, monsters often roam the area – mainly strays. Here was once a booming market area for the locals, a well-knitted community of old and new traders. Zone Three, the prep-zone before battle, monsters are frequent and unpredictable, some weak, others boss-class, lastly, Zone Four, the land of monsters, also known as the outskirts of town. Here, the only path is forward to Fuda Mountains. Hence was the new layout. On top of Zones, there were Quadrants of which acted like an x and y-axis. Quadrants went from 1 to 5 (1 representing the West, and 5 the East). Together, the separations made area codes, for example, Q3 Zone 2, was the prep zone before the battle area, whilst Q3 Zone 3, was the actual place of bloodshed. Remove the codes, and it just meant the main road from where the battle originated.

.....

The separation was done in necessity, stop needless deaths, and halt the spread if ever the battle goes sour. A makeshift hospice laid to the west, in area Q1 Zone 2. Here, buildings naturally interlock to form traps and empty alleys for the stray. A hero and at least 5 squads would be on standby until recently, the former was replaced by 2 more squads. Vigilantes are free to roam the streets of Zone 1, 2, and 3.

Deployment details were under the manager’s jurisdiction. Funds for the battles have been provided by the AHA for the bitter part of a few months, monster drops make it easier to send men to their death on the slim chance of an artifact being found. That being said, the evolving situation was best left to time and the adjusting fighters.

‘éclair sure has done a lot of research. I underestimated the area, very big. The hospice is to the west,’ he leaped atop a somewhat tall edifice, ‘-the middle portion has been completely locked by barriers and physical walls. There’s a faint outline in the sky showing quadrant and zone. Suppose Alphia has its technological prowess too,’ he sat off the edge, ‘-let’s see,’ a squint enhanced the distant images, ‘-a patrol team seems to have run into trouble. I’ll fall back if I were you,’ they did so with much effort, a single fighter stood strong and fought, ‘-the monsters are very strong,’ they crossed from Zone 2 to Zone 1, where the military was focused, mounted turrets locked and decimated the beasts. ‘A good strategy, lure the uglies to their demise.’

A pair of black-colored pupils locked onto his back; a screech marked the attack. *Woosh,* he moved, the crow-like monster missed the head, ‘-weakling,’ *bang,* brain matter splattered on the opposite building. ‘-Zone 3 has monsters. I guess I’ll take a stand here,’ he walked off the edge and landed on a two-story high building, ‘-should be enough to start,’ he dropped onto the street. ‘For what it’s worth, this will do fine,’ the eyes bleached white, a barrier rose around the building, ‘-restore, be new, and suit my purpose.’ *Snap* broken walls were fixed, the ground floor had four rooms, while the first floor was a big open area. ‘-Got rid of the furniture, a few chairs and beds are enough,’ he ambled along the wooden floor, parted a solemn piece of cloth, and entered the back area. ‘-A decent laboratory sure used up a lot of energy to conjure from memory.’

“EXCUSE ME.”

“Hello, anyone in there?”

“HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR US?”

‘Who’s making all that racket,’- he stormed through the main door, “-what’s the matter?”

“Oh, sorry,” said a trio, “-we heard gunshots and thought someone was in danger.”

“How very nice. Sadly,” he pointed to the right; “-I think you ought to be more careful.”

A horde of turned wolves pelted across the street, “-OH SHIT,” cried one, “-RUN, WE CAN’T TAKE THEM ON.”

“Come on man, let us in,” said another, “-we’ll hide until they go away.”

“No, this property is mine, I’m not keen on having mutts roaming the newly refurbished building...”

“COME ON, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING.”

“Fuck this,” said another, “-I’M OUT!” he turned his back and ran.

“WAIT FOR ME,” cried the lady of the group, “-I’m not in a mood to be devoured,” her short hair flowed into the opposing draft.

“Run, my companions, run, I shall stand ground and fight.”

‘What’s with them, are they newbies?’

“Face me in good faith,” he took out a rocket launcher from out of nowhere, “-DIE!” the recoil shook the adjacent pebbles, *boom,* smoke puffed in a shapeless cloud. *Grr,* two of the four leaped, ‘-wait, I thought I killed,’ yellow teeth lain with blood and carcass leaped for his face, an arm rose to counter the attack.

“Face the enemy,” said a monotonous voice, *Blood-Arts: Crimson Threads,* a clean strike through the middle, two became four, and its disgusting inners were opened for all to see, “-the first mistake, cower before death.”

“Did you save me?”

“No, I don’t want someone to be mauled before the building.”

*CRASH,* an unknown explosion echoed from the opposite end, ‘-is that?’ *Mana Control: Wind Element Variant: Flutter,* a bed of air carried the unconscious bodies.

“Harlie, Jonas...”

“Big problem,” cautioned Igna, “-we have a strong foe approaching.” Chains scraped across the road, a siren ran, distress signal went across the channels.

“Run, it’s the chain monster, you have to run...” begged the injured.

“Yeah, about the farewell, you’ll be fine. The injuries are minor,” returned Igna, “-I’m not entertained by the comical relief. Art thou the best the vigilantes can provide?” he crossed into the street, “-children must stay home and playhouse, there’s no place for weaklings on the battlefield.”

“How dare you.”

“Watch,” he snarled, “-the chain monster,” in the distance waddled a behemoth of a figure. Bare-chested and large, the head, a ball of black, held no facial features. The arms, buffed beyond the limitation of what is normal – each step made a crater, the road couldn’t hold its weight. The hands were tied by a chain, each swing brought carnage and destruction.

*Urgent Mission: Available vigilantes, head to Q5 Zone 3, the Chain boss has appeared. Urge it towards Zone 4. I repeat, a boss-level crisis has risen.*

“Did you hear?”

“I did,” exhaled Meza, “-we can’t help even if we wanted,” countless footsteps rushed for the transport trucks.

“First time I’ve seen the masked fighter,” commented Aptha, “-any idea?”

“If only we could join in the fight, the beast has a bounty of five thousand.”

To the east, “-Princess, is it wise?”

“Silence guards, I’ll hear none of it,” she returned,”-we can’t allow it to cross into Zone 2, there are still supplies we can make use off,” a timid hue outlined her body, ‘-I’ll kill you, Chain monster,’ the ground buckled under her feet.

“We’re safe,” said Harlie, “-we’re sorry about the lack of seriousness.”

“It’s the first time we were sent on patrol,” returned Jonas, “-it’s my fault, I wanted to venture into the battle and see the monsters first hand.”

“I guess the building’s going to be destroyed,” said the leader.

“Bunda, it was fun while it lasted,” exhaled Harlie, “-we saw a strong opponent, whatever happens, I’m glad.”

“Can a man get some silence?” shouted Igna, “-what’s the deal, he doesn’t look that strong, does it?”

“How can you be so calm?”

“I don’t know,” he sat atop the surrounding stone brick wall, “-look at him go,” it spun and devastated the closest construction, “-a big baby roaming around town. I say we let him play.” *GRARRRR* rattled the ground, ‘-holy, tis a strong one. Is it a boss class or just an evolution, I’m very interested.’

“Hey, should we not evacuate or something?” suggested Harlie, “-I’m pretty sure the others are on their way.”

“Sit right down,” fired Igna, “-newbies need to see the battle first hand. Here’s a tip, if one is weak and needs battle experience; one must learn to watch and visualize the battle, think while the battle plays out, what would you do, how to counter, how to lure. The battlefield, whether against monsters or humans, is a sacred place where only the strong thrive.”

“Hey, man, are you some kind of hero?” shrugged Bunda, “-you look and talk like the typically underestimated hotshot...”

“Are you daft?” laughed Igna, “-I’m no hero. I’m the Devil.”

“Oh, look, someone has child syndrome...” whispered Jonas.

“Says the man who turned tails before mutts. Do what thee wish, I have furniture to rearrange. Harlie, and Bunda, come with me, Jonas, you stand guard.”

“WHAT WHY?” cried the short-haired Harlie, “-why must we listen to thee...” black eyes and faded pink hair gave impressions of a crazy doll opposed to a sane individual.

“Because I said so,” voiced Igna, “-don’t forget, I rescued thee from the attack. Now, as newbies, you’ll work for me.”

“Dude man,” came from the front, “-I think you need to recheck the priorities,” a shadow flew and stopped shy of the yard, “-the monster’s taken a liking to us.”

‘Found you, wait, there’re people here?’ she dipped to fly faster, ‘-I won’t make it.’

“Watch and learn,” *Ancient spell of the heretics, rise from the depths of hell, burn as thee crawl towards the light, form in the land of the living, and burn all to ash – cherish in the inferno of devil’s lair; Striogna,* a circle drew onto the ground, various symbols expanded to form a complex tapestry, *die,* An outburst of white flames erupted to what seemed to be the heavens – the trapped beast’s charred skin rejuvenated, ‘-oh, I see, the ability to create invulnerability against elemental attacks,’ *GRAAAAAA.*

“Come forth Vengeance, take care of the trash, will you?”

“With pleasure,” it dove into the eruption, white lines soon sliced into various shapes.

*Dispel,* ashes snowed. The princess landed, ‘-what happened?’ they locked eyes.