Encounters (part 3)

There was a huge explosion as soon as Rhald entered the castle. The mana shockwave permeated through the walls which buckled immediately. The magically infused colossal castle door slammed against Rhald's back. The impact rendered him unconscious while protecting him from further harm. The other nearby soldiers and castle attendants weren't so lucky. Most were pelted with shrapnel beyond recognition.

By the time Rhald woke up, a significant amount of time has passed. Drawing from his A rank strength, he was able to lift the door enough to squirm his way through. He checked to see if anyone survived the blast but couldn't find any. He rushed to the inner sanctum of the castle. There, he found the Royal family and the Elite guards surrounding the Crown prince who was at death's door. He wanted to come closer but Prince Rian was already surrounded by the best healers and doctors in the kingdom. Beside them, King Eldric is comforting the distraught Queen Malika. The second Prince was also there. He was a young man perhaps a couple of years older than Rhald himself. Rhald dared not come closer. Instead, he tried to find the beasts.

Their trail led him back to the castle wall but the barrier was still clearly intact. Whatever the Spiderlady did was enough to distort the mana barrier. But now that she is gone, it has resealed itself. He quickly changed tactics and followed the wall. There is a path that directly leads to the Grand Magical Academy, if only the barrier led it close enough to the school. He could check in to see how his friends are doing.

Dragnar, who was still in his dragon form was laying waste to the unending number of beasts and gargoyles that threaten the academy. Kuart and Nue are positioned to the left and right side of the principal. Most of the magi have had a chance to regroup and are now leading the front line slowly beating the enemy back. The magicians in action were truly a sight to behold! Group spells, ritual spells, and coordinated attacks that never seem to end.

Bryce has broken the front line of the enemy and has taken advantage of the chaos to Flicker back and forth. He focused on the gargoyles who resisted most of the magic damage, but were cut by his sword like butter. Meanwhile, Althea's Light chains skewered many of the beasts that try to fly over head. She could control up to 10 chains now and that allowed her to kill many of the monsters.

Fan stayed in the academy war zone to serve as the primary Battle medic, giving medical treatment and Healing to the injured magicians. She also oversaw the procedures and spells of student healers in the medical tent. Many of the Healers spent their time in the hospital and were trapped there once the barriers around the Capital came up. This was actually fortunate since most Healers had little to no battle experience and there were many injured and dying being funneled into their care.

Vane was out of breath, looking around trying to determine how many more werewolves remained. Lest was just in the next street using her fan to make quick work of the lycanthropes. But it has been over an hour and their stamina and mana pool has dwindled to dangerously low levels. There were only 2 more, Vane thought. He could do it. Though, the cracks in his Earth armor is telling a different story. As the grey werewolf lunged at him, Vane slid out of his armor. The beast slammed into it with such ferocity that the armor turned into a pile of rocky earth. It did damage the beast and was trying to stand with a limping right foot. Vane took advantage of this and hurled a spike straight through the lycan's head.

A sharp pain exploded in Vane's torso. The last werewolf has bitten him. He used the last of his strength to punch the beast's chest and it crumples inward. The wolfman rolled like skipped rock over water. By the fourth time, the werewolf touched the ground, it lay limp and still. Lest had dispatched the last of her foe's but was too late to save Vane from being bitten.

"We need to get you back to the Academy or to Althea. They must heal you before the venom's effects becomes irreversible." Lest proclaims with much concern in her voice.

"This... is nothing." Vane lied through gritted teeth but did not protest more. They limped slowly towards the direction of the academy.

Terrick and the Mist girl had been battling for a while. Terrick was finally getting the upper hand when the girl frowned.

"I'm sorry pervert, but I have to go. I hope we can play again some day!" With these words, she blew him a kiss and began jumping towards the buildings in the academy. The mist began to dissipate and, finally, Terrick's Blue Flame could destroy enough of the remaining pink cloud allowing him to enter the school grounds. From a distance, he could see that the girl has joined what was left of the Arachne's retinue. Around them, the world is still in utter pandemonium from the battle between the monster army and the academy's staff and students. But, they walked through like the scene did not affect them in the least. Within seconds, Bryce and Althea has reunited with Terrick once they saw the Arachne and her generals. The gargoyle general was carrying an egg-shaped sac in his back made of spun spider silk.

The group tried to follow the generals but were slowed down by more monsters. A group of magicians led by Kuart broke through and allowed them to follow the generals once more. As soon as the monster generals were outside the threshold of the Capital, the Arachne opened a portal. One by one the generals disappeared into the void. Just then, Nue arrives with Vane and Lest in tow.

"Where are you guys going?! We are in a middle of a battle." Nue asks incredulously.

Before anyone could answer. Althea screams leading everyone to stare at her. With sweat on her brow and fear in her eyes, she says:"They have Ellie!" as she points at the silk-spun sac of the gargoyle that just entered the portal.