Helpless

"This can't be... Where is the village?"

"We looked everywhere, Haruki. Are you sure this was the right way?" asks Rai.

"Of course, this is the right way," I roar.

"Then where is the village!!" screams Elsie.

I look around. The smell of the village still lingers in the air, like it's still here. But it's not. What's going on?

"I-It... could be... an enemy's magic..." says Erika, shivering.

"An enemy's magic?" I ask. "But when could we..." A light goes off in my head. "The barrier," I say, "That can be the only plausible explanation."

"But didn't you cast a barrier of your own, Haruki?" asks Rai.

"The enemy's barrier may have been more powerful than mine."

"A barrier more powerful than yours?" questions Elsie. "I find that hard to believe, seeing as you defeated me using my magic before."

"I know many magical spells; however, I do not have experience using them. I may have used too little mana in my spell. It could be that, or..."

"Or?"

"Or we are dealing with an expert in their craft." A crow cries in the sky above us and the wind blows forebodingly.

"What do you mean?" asks Erika.

"The enemy is likely a magician who spent many decades studying one form of magic. If this is true, then we are in trouble."

"How so?"

"Fighting someone who has perfected their magic is similar to suicide. Remember this, magic allows us to defy what is logical. Barrier Magic has potential greater than only blocking attacks or detecting enemies. By applying the right formula, Barrier Magic can easily reflect an enemy's surroundings to camouflage an entire village."

"How is that...?"

"Logic does not apply to magic. What you know of magic is but the tip of the iceberg."

"Like your battle with me," says Elsie. "Your use of my magic seemed illogical. So, you're saying that this enemy is capable of doing things like that?"

"Yes."

"Then why do you not use Barrier Magic's true potential?"

"You know how I said there is a time limit on my Fólkvangr Mode, well there is more to it than just the five minutes."

"And what would that be?"

"I can only use this form twice a day. If I use it more than that, the voice gets louder, and my mind becomes fuzzy."

"Then what should we do?" she asks.

"You," I say.

"Me?"

"Yes. You have a power rivalled by few, Elsie. If you use the true power of concept magic, you can fight against any and every living being."

"My power is that amazing..." she says, looking at her shaking hands with fright-filled eyes.

"Your power is amazing, Elsie. However, if you fear it, then it becomes dangerous. Do not be consumed by fear and accept your gift. Only then can you awaken your true power."

Her hands stop shaking. She looks up at me and says, determinedly, "What must I do?"

"My, my," echoes a voice. "What have we here? Dear black sheep, have no fear. I, your white knight have arrived."

"This voice..." I turn around quickly. Looking left and right; however, seeing nothing but snow. "Where are you, Hafiz!"

"Now, now. Let's not be so hasty, Haruki."

How could I not think of him? Hafiz is a user of Barrier Magic. And he is part of a powerful organisation. He would be capable of something like this. "What are you doing here, Hafiz?"

"Hey, Haruki, did you know? The Heilder Kingdom has the best ale in all of Leagard. I came here to see if the rumours were true."

"Lies," I say.

"Lies?"

"Yes, you are lying."

"Oh, and how can you tell?"

I remain silent. This is all a gut feeling, but I believe Hafiz knew we would be coming to the Heilder Kingdom.

"Who is this person, Haruki?" asks Rai.

"Hafiz is a member of an evil organisation. He is powerful. More powerful than any foe I've ever faced." I turn to Elsie, "Do not attempt to fight against him. If you even try, he will..."

"Now, now. Calm down, Haruki," interrupts Hafiz, appearing in front of me and punching me in the jaw.

My head spins, and I nearly fall to the ground. I force my leg to move and support my body, by stomping hard on the snow. I look up at Hafiz and he glares at me. My body becomes stiff.

"Haruki!!" yells the others in unison.

"I see you haven't grown much since our meeting in Til. I'm disappointed, Haruki." He punches me in the gut. And once more in the face. His punches are powerful. Powerful enough to injure me, a dragon. He continues the one-sided beatdown.

"Enough!!" yells Rai. "Thunder heed my..."

"STAY OUT OF THIS!!!" I scream.

"But Haruki..."

I can't involve those three. I will deal with him by myself.

"How gallant of you, Haruki. Keeping those girls out of our fight was the best choice you could have made."

I smile. "Thanks for giving me time," I say. "Healing Magic: Grand Heal." My wounds disappear.

"Do you think healing your wounds will change the tide of this battle?"

"Of course, I don't. But with the amount of mana I possess, even if you beat me to an inch of my life, I can just heal myself. Then we will repeat this until one of us runs out of mana." I get into a fighting stance. "So, what will it be?"

He remains silent for a short while, before saying, "Yes, that would indeed be tiring..."

"Then..."

"However, that would only be tiring if I give you a chance to heal yourself." He charges forward, wearing a psychotic expression.

I jump back, but he catches up to me. He kicks my legs. As I fall, he punches me in the solar plexus and I fly backwards into a dune of snow. I cough up blood. My body feels stunned, and it's harder to breathe. "G... Grand... Hea..."

Hafiz appears above me and punches me again. The snow blows away by the force of his punch.

My mind is near its limit. "Gran..."

Again, he punches me. And again. And again. My ears are buzzing. I can't even hear those three screaming. My vision becomes blurry, and I soon lose conscience.

"Haruki!!"

"It took longer than I expected to knock him out. You are one tough dragon, Haruki. Now, it's time for you girls to go night-night." I grab Hafiz's leg. He looks down at me. "Why?" he asks. "Why do you continue fighting?"

"I... fight... for... myself..." I say, spurting blood.

He smiles and says, "And here I thought you were going to say something clichéd like 'I fight to protect these girls'." He kicks my hand away and says, "It doesn't matter either way. Your reason for fighting. Your bonds with these girls. I will destroy them all right in front of your eyes."

"No..." I whisper.

He runs towards Rai; however, Erika and Elsie intercept him.

"Do you believe you can get to Princess Rai that easily?" asks Erika.

"We will not heed, even if you kill us," says Elsie.

"Out of my way, peasants." He kicks Erika and punches Elsie. The attacks knock them out. Rai shivers as Hafiz glares down at her. "Now, now, Princess. No need to be afraid. I will make your death a slow and painful one."

"No... Hafiz..." I try forcing my body to move, but it doesn't budge. "No..."

His hand moves closer to her.

"No..."

His eyes are emotionless.

"No..."

Rai looks at me. The fear in her eyes disappears, and she seems resolved. "Goodbye, Haruki," she says with a bright smile.

My heart pounds like a drum. My body feels like the sun. My throat becomes a desert. Red enters my vision, and my mind goes blank as I scream, "NOOOOOO!!!!"