(Chapter Three) A Cornered Rat

Gray stormed out of the keep, his anger growing more furious with each step. His body started putting out an immense amount of wind, pushing Sylphia away. She managed to catch up and got close enough to grab his cloak.

"Master, calm down. If you lose control now, you'll take out half the town. You have to calm down now," The little fairy shouted as loud as her lungs would allow, but to no avail. The strong wind surging from his body drowned out her tiny voice. Gray let out a deep scream and his wind magic got even stronger. Nearby, Jin stood and watched in anticipation. If Gray could learn to control this power properly, he could be a devastating weapon.

"Come on, Gray. I trained you. I, better than anyone, know your limitless potential. You just have to tap into it," Jin spoke under his breath. He tried to reassure himself that Gray could succeed. Gray let out another violent scream and the wind surged violently once more and then died down. Gray collapsed on the ground and Sylphia quickly rushed to his side.

"It's alright, Sylphia. He'll be fine. It took all his strength to suppress his powers, but he succeeded. He's one step closer to becoming the mightest warrior Astoria has ever seen," Jin was bursting with pride for his student, just like a father. He quickly made his way over and sat down beside him. "In his weakened condition, moving him now could put his life in jeopardy. We just need to be patient," Jin informed Sylphia as he removed his cloak. He gently Gray's head and slid his cloak under. All they could do now was wait for Gray to recover.

Several hours passed and the moon had already begun to rise before Gray finally regained consciousness. His eyes slowly fluttered open and he started to look around. He was confused to find himself outside the Castle gates.

Gray reached up and placed his hand on his forehead lightly. "Ugh. My head feels like a bunch of horses are stampeding around in there," He groaned softly and glanced down at his chest. Sylphia was fast asleep on his body and he couldn't help but chuckle. He reached his hand down and proceeded to pat her head affectionately. Even though she was still fast asleep, she smiled because her Master was showing her affection.

Jin had long since retired for the night but had instructed the gate guards to keep watch over him. Gray laid on the cold cobble stone walkway for a long time. He didn't want to wake her just yet, she looked so peaceful. Gray's stomach twisted up in a knot and he quickly rolled a few feet away. Tink! Gray looked over and a small throwing knife now rested where he had originally been sleeping. He wrapped Sylphia up in his shirt and jumped to his feet.

"By my honor as a member of Mystic Shadow, and in the name of King Durgaz, I command you to show yourself," Gray shouted into the dark night. A creepy, spine tingling laugh bellowed out from the shadows.

"King Durgaz? What a joke. His time as ruler is coming to an end. The only obstacle left in our way, is you," The voice was eerie and malevolent, even more so because Gray couldn't see his attacker.

"Only a coward hides and attacks from the shadows," Gray shouted back trying to taunt this figure into the open. He was met with silence from this man.

"Hurry. He's over there," Gray's ears perked up at the voice, it was King Durgaz. "Rouse the other guards. An assassin just attacked and killed my body double. We have to find him," Durgaz shouted once more. King Durgaz came rushing around the gates with at least a dozen men or more behind him. He stopped in front of Gray and then looked down at the knife on the ground. 'This is impossible. Nobody else should know his identity. I kept it hidden so well. We do have a traitor in our midst.' Durgaz thought to himself and looked at Gray.

"I'll find him," Gray shouted and took off running into the dark courtyards alone. Sylphia finally awoke upon being shaken wildly by her Master's jogging. Durgaz could be heard shouting in the distance but Gray had already raced out of earshot.

"Master? What's going on?" Sylphia asked sleepily, trying to figure out why she was inside her Master's shirt.

"Prepare for combat. An enemy has infiltrated the castle. He killed Durgaz's double and tried to kill me. Somebody knows my true identity," Gray ordered and then explained the situation to her. 'I don't know how you know, but you won't survive the night.' Gray thought to himself as he extended his right hand out to his side.

"Gáe Bolg, I call upon you now to seek your assistance. Answer my call, materialize and appear before me now," Gray chanted loudly while he was running after the assassin. A giant, black lance appeared in his empty hand. It was an enormous weapon but Gray could easily wield it with one hand. Sylphia perched herself on Gray's shoulder and began scanning the area.

Gray stopped immediately in his tracks when he heard movement in the shadows to his left. "Oh wicked wind that bellows loudly, answer my call and slice my enemies to ribbons," Gray chanted while coming to a full stop. He took his left arm and flung it at the bushes. Four giant wind blades sliced through the bushes. Not giving the enemy any time to react, Gray charged at the assassin with Gáe Bolg.

The assassin managed to dodge Gray's wind, but he lost track of Gray at the same time. He turned around to see Gray charging at him but it was too late. Gray pierced his right arm with his lance and pinned him to the Castle walls.

"Ow. You're hurting me," He said mockingly as blood trickled down his arm. "You think you've won? You think yourself so smart?" He asked and giggled loudly. "Now you die," He said and bit down hard on his teeth. Gray quickly backed away and formed a wall of wind in front of him to protect them from the explosion.

A loud boom pierced the night and Gray/Sylphia were both sent flying several feet away. The explosion alerted every guard in the city. Durgaz and his men came rushing to Gray's aid after they heard that explosion. They arrived in time to see the assassin blow himself up. Gray managed to shield himself, but he still took a lot of damage.

"Hey Sylphia?" Gray coughed and asked while he lay flat on his back. Sylphia looked over at Gray curiously. "Isn't there a proverb about the cornered rat biting the cat?" He asked out loud and started laughing loudly despite how much pain it caused him. Sylphia laughed along with him as the guards crowded around the two of them.

They all began clapping and cheering for Gray's accomplishment. As the clapping and cheering died down, Gray once again fell unconscious. The guards scooped them up and proceeded to take them to the infirmary.