Rennan Steps Forward

"What? This cannot be!!"

Lord Falco could only stare with his mouth agape. His face, which had been a mask of furious rage, was now slack with disbelief.

His Head Mage, Mistress Vexia, knelt on the ground before the strange man. She was defeated. Her ultimate spell had been erased as if it were a child's scrawling in the dirt.

The oppressive fog was gone. The clear blue sky of Elowen was visible once more. The only sound was the wind rustling through the trees.

Riku lowered his hand. He looked at the kneeling, broken mage and the terrified, speechless lord.

Riku looked directly at the stunned Lord Falco. "Now, we are going to talk."

Lord Falco flinched as if struck. He tore his gaze from Riku and turned to the two figures who had come with him. His last hope.

"Rudolf! Violet Emissary!" he hissed, his voice a desperate whisper. "What are you waiting for? Help her! Help Vexia!"