22 Hey Glasses, Tell Him To Scram.

- 10 minutes before the disaster -

The Duke didn't really runaway from Lance, instead he chased after a hooded man. Who was hidden in the dark.

This man had caught his eye long before the woman was taken hostage. He found it strange but when the person started to dash away, he felt it more suspicious.

He had passed Lance without him noticing and chased the man through the dark. He chased him turning left and right through the alley without taking his eyes off.

Pulling out a few knives, he threw 4 of them at the running man. One landed solidly on his back while the other two landed on both his legs and one more landed at his shoulder. It made the person fall down.

He walked to the man and noticed he was unresponsive and took off his hood. He then approached the man with his black sword ready to cut him down.

"Hahahaha!" the person sniggered at him in a dark way.

The Duke glared at him and watched at the person slowly stood up. All of a sudden his neck twisted backwards. He didn't have a face instead it was a wooden doll.

He frowned when he noticed that a 15 more people had joined him. Some where standing in front of him while others were crawling onto the wall. If it was a normal person they would be scared out of their wits!

They were all dolls and if he wasn't wrong, they might have lured him here. But when did they exactly noticed him? He was pretty sure that he... oh, never mind he deal with it later.

Staring at the one in front of him he slashed the doll down without any thought, splitting it in half. It fell down. He did the same for the others until they were all left in pieces.

"Hahahaha!!" The doll started laughing again and the other started to join it and started glowing weirdly.

"Why you-" he hissed and raised he hand at them.

Boom!

The huge explosions broke everything around them in pieces. Sparks of fire and burning wood were left at the scene. Smoke filled the area and following a few more explosions were let out.

A total a 15 explosions where set off and the small alley now had a massive hole in it while the surrounding buildings had either fallen or there remain of the building parts where burnt to bits.

It place was fill with smoke and barks anything could be scene through the thick smoke. People were alerted and shaken by the sudden explosion.

Some gather around the destroy area and wonder what happen and various questions were thrown around.

"What happened?"

"I don't know, the alley lit up and all I heard was an explosion!"

"Same here!"

The Duke looked at the confused people on top of one of the roofs. Just before the dolls bursted into pieces he used his magic and jump into the air avoiding the damage.

But he did get one thing from this battle. He opened his left hand and looked at the little piece of wood. On it was a rune craving and he was pretty sure it was manipulation magic was involved and that it was multiple casters who used this spell.

'Tch, this was troublesome. Guess I have to call Alina for this.' He had turned back towards the street he left Lance in from the distance he could only make out a few figures of people.

Boom! His eyes widened in surprise. What the-

"RED! CODE RED!....SEND WATER MAGES!!" He heard Lance's panicked voice through the communication orb in his pocket.

He had rushed to the scene while talking to other on the crystal, telling them to hurry up. He also called up Travis who was staying in another part of the town and told him to send some people in.

Rushing towards the scene he looked at the fallen buildings and smoke. Question marks filled his head. There was obviously a fire... but what happened to it?

"Move it you statue!" She snarled at him and subconsciously moved to make way for her.

His eyes help surprised, it was the woman from the alley. He watched her moved from one person to another. Treating their wounds and shifting them slowly to an area away from the fire.

Amazing! He found this woman admirable.

"Hey glasses, is that person over there one of your men? If he is, tell him to scram. I don't want another road blocker here." She said to Lance without looking at him and pointed at man.

Lance looked at where she was pointing and was flabbergasted at the person she pointed to.

Duke: "Sorry, lady. But I am his boss." He retorted and looked Lance. As if he wanted and explanation.

Lance: "....." What? Do you what me to say something? I'm innocent.

"Move it road blocker, I don't care who is the boss. Right now people are here and in danger, leave the god damn problem aside and HELP ME!" She snapped at them.

Lance flinched again and started moving back and forth helping the injured. He was also whining about it how scary the silver haired woman was. She was exactly like his teacher.

The Duke looked at the busy duo and turned his back to look at the damage. He raised his and and soon all the damage debris started floating leaving only people in view.

Those who were buried under the debris were in sight now and it backs much easier to help people now that most of the thing that once buried them came up.

"Thanks for the help." She said to him and brought out her staff. She checked on the people and moved them using her magic to Lance who help with treating them along with a few mages that showed up.

"A witch, huh?" The Duke remarked quietly. Now this was interesting. It's been awhile since he last saw a witch and a powerful one at that. Even through she was using simple floating magic, he could see the spirits around her going crazy.

It was practically sticking to her and she was surrounded by a white aura.

"Interesting." He smirked and his golden eyes flickered in deep thought.