Mercy is for the Weak

Suddenly, he threw himself towards her. His fist flew up directly at her. Veretta managed to dodge it just in time. She stumbled back.

" Fight it, Michael! "She cried.

Michael shook his head grievously, " I can't! "

He once more launched another kick. This time it connected. Veretta was thrown out into the hallway. Michael chased after her. Veretta quickly came to a stand with an uneasy breath.

" Use your magic!" Michael implored, " the god of death will protect you,"

He dove at her with renewed speed. His fist went straight into the wall beside Veretta scaving her cheek. The entire wall shuddered and a dent emerged as Michael pulled back his fist. His fist was covered in blood.

"If I use that magic, it will kill you!" Veretta gasped.

" If you don't I won't be able to stop," Michael's fist trembled, " so please, just do it,"

"NO!" Veretta flew past another one of his fists, "you're going to gain control over this. Then you are going to finally tell me the truth! How do you even know about Shallow?"

"I'm telling you, you will be dead before that happens!" Michael entreated, " I can't control it!"

" Then, I guess... you'll have to kill me," This time, Veretta made no effort to avoid. She stood still in the path of Michael's fist.

Michael's fist shot out viciously about to hit her in the face. Just inches from Veretta's face, his fist stopped short. Michael's whole body trembled with the strain. He let out a scream of frustration. Suddenly, his own magic slammed him into the wall opposite. The water began to crystallise into ice pinning him there.

Veretta released a gasp of surprise.

"Please GO!!" Michael breathed, "I can't hold it much longer,"

Veretta inhaled deeply. She ran towards him with haste. She placed her hands on his temple.

"What are you doing?!" Michael entreated.

"Be quiet, I need to concentrate," Veretta returned quickly, "Cora's mage is built on top of the contract you have with Ace. That was originally my spell. There must be a loophole to break it. The blood magic is powerful, but the force which brings life to death is unbreakable,"

Michael stared at her in surprise. The urge to comply to Cora's spell had set his veins on fire. Every muscle contracted painfully against the piercing cold ice. His very soul felt as if it might take an exodus from his body. Then, all of a sudden, there was quiet.

"There," Veretta exhaled wearily, "Do you feel better?"

"I do," Michael's golden eyes remained firmly upon her with an expression of genuine disbelief. Not for her ability, but the feeling he experienced looking into her eyes.

"Can you release your magic?" Veretta glanced down at the ice wall.

Michal gave a rigid nod. The ice instantly dissipated and he fell forward into Veretta's arms.

"I'm sorry," he said beginning to pull back with difficulty.

"As you said, " Veretta met his gaze with resolution," I'm a strong girl. You can lean on me if you need to,"

Michael looked at her with a solemn expression, but said nothing.

"Well," Came a voice from beyond, "What a heartwarming scene, but not exactly what I had in mind when I told you to beat her to death. I don't know how you've broken my spell. We'll have to have a little chat girl to girl, Veretta,"

Cora's dark grinning face appeared in front of them. Within an instance, her overwhelming speed closed the gap between them. At that moment, Michael pulled Veretta out of the way and was hit between the shoulder and chest. A crushing sound pervaded the hallway as Michael stifled a cry.

"Oops "Cora stared down apathetically, "You probably should have dodged that,"

With his good arm, Michael unleashed a tidal wave of magic throwing Cora back. The wall of water turned to ice leaving both sides separated.

"This does not bode well for us," Michael gave a mirthless laugh, " you're too stubborn to run and I'm pretty certain Cora just shattered one of my ribs...so I'm not going anywhere either. This was not the dinner I had in mind,"

Upon saying this, Michael slumped over. Veretta managed to catch him just in time, "The great black wizard giving up so easily? " She breathed, " perish the thought. Let's go find the others and we will find a way to escape","

Michael gave a light chuckle but his face was pale and his expression grave, "Why are you helping me? I betrayed you,"

"It must be a sickness," Veretta smiled ruefully

"In my entire life, no one has ever gone so far to save me," Michael said quietly, "No one ever saved me at all,"

Veretta me his gaze passionately, " You're not saved yet, "

She started moving them forward once more, but Michael stopped her. He placed his hands to her cheeks and looked deep into her eyes.

"Shallow, take her run," he whispered.

Veretta's expression remained confused for a moment. Her effervescent green eyes suddenly turned purple.

"Do not forget what you promised me, human," Veretta replied with an emotionless stare.

She unshackled herself from Michael and took off running.

Michael covered the passageway behind her in another wall of ice, enclosing himself inside. At the other side of the wall, Cora was pounding incessantly. Cracks were beginning to show. Michael looked down at his bloody hand. He knelt to the ground and began sprawling a bloody sigel.

Cora's fist plunged through the ice. With another blow, the wall shattered and her menacing shadow appeared before Michael. He was sat across from her leaning back with a dark lifeless eyes. His complexion cool against the ice on the otherside.

Cora at once propelled forward but halted abruptly. Her legs seemingly incapable of moving from that position. She stared down contemptuously at the symbols below her feet.

"Well," Michael her gaze cold-bloodedly, "let me elaborate on that revenge I mentioned,"

Cora gave a cold smile, " Come on, I was just playing around, "

"Then let's play, Cora," Michael came to a stand.

"What can you do to me?" Cora sniggered, "Silthus won't want you to kill me,"

"Hmm, and here I thought you had realised...I don't care what Silthus wants," Michael replied viciously, " I only care what I want. And right now, I want you out of my way,"

"So, you're going to kill me?" Cora smirked.

"No," Michael walked up to her, "that's too good for you,"

"I am a blood witch, "Cora giggled, "How long do you think this little circle will hold me?"

"Not long, I suppose, " Michael knelt down once more with a contracted breath, " you will either break free or..."

"Or what?" Cora sneered.

" I had a little experiment I've been thinking about for a while. It's never been tried but that's what makes it fun," Michael said as he began to extend the markings at Cora's feet. Her calm facade began to quiver with rage.

"What are you doing?!" She demanded viciously.

Michael rose. He had been using one hand to write, but now pulled his other hand from his shoulder with a grunt. He leaned across the circle, hovering just at the barrier. He drew in a breath and began murmuring some incomprehensible words. Cora's agitation grew. She threw out her fist to no avail. The bloody inscription began to churn.

"This isn't blood magic! " Cora screeched.

"No, it's demonic magic," Michael watched her expression grow wilder.

Cora's body began to seize. She screamed wretchedly, thrashing from side to side, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?!!"

"Do you know what happens to a human who has no magic?" Michael responded apathetically, " it used to be they would become a demon. But there's no demon world anymore. What do you think will happen? "

"LET ME OUT!!" Cora screamed.

"It wouldn't be a very good revenge if I did that, "Michael smiled cruelly.

Cora began to throw herself against the barrier mercilessly. Her body contorted in pain. She fell to knees, with tears rushing down her cheeks.

"Please Michael! I was wrong! Please release me!" She begged, "HAVE MERCY!!"

"Mercy is for the weak," Michael turned from her repulsed.

Across from him, his wall of ice was melting. His magic fading with his strength. As the wall receded, a crowd of cloaked figures flocked inside. Darius was at the helm, he rushed towards Michael, taking hold of him. He stared down at his blood drenched figure grievously.

"Gods! What happened to you? "Darius asked hesitantly.

Behind Michael, Cora gave one final cry and slumped to the floor. Darius' eyes widened apprehensively.

"Did you kill her?" He faltered.

"Who knows, "Michael replied flatly.

Darius pushed past him and knelt down at Cora's side. She was pale and unmoving, " she's alive..." he breathed unsteadily.

He turned back to Michael with trepidation. Michael was still staring into the distance, his face covered in darkness, "Then, I'll leave the rest to you,"

"Yes. I believe some explanation is in order," came a voice.

Silthus stood blocking Michael's path.

"Cora and I had a little disagreement, " Michael replied drily.

Silthus grabbed Michael by the jaw with merciless searching eyes, "The time of joking has passed, "

"That hurts," Michael met his gaze unrepentantly, "and I am very close to my limit tonight...I suggest you unhand me while I'm asking nicely, "

Michael was instantly rendered unconscious by Darius who swiftly chopped him the back of the neck. Darius caught hold of him, lowering his head to Silthus.

"Please allow the healers to see to him first, lord Silthus," he asked quietly, " I will bring him when he wakes,"

"See that you do that."