Chapter 557: A Butler (2/2)
”Fucking hell,” the view over the battle didn't inspire courage. 'Novices are fighting the monsters, our true might were dealt with in the first engagement. This is a well-coordinated attack. The fast-regeneration, a battle of attrition, don't think we'll last. Stamina is running low; our magic users are stuck healing fallen comrades.”
A flash of red burst into an explosion, a lonesome swordman sliced the limbs, effectively halting the advance. ”Everyone, retreat,” screamed he, ”-unless you have a cursed weapon, there's no way to deal damage.”
”Igna?”
”Frost, get back, protect the rest,” said he jumping into battle. As quickly as he took off the limbs, the monster regenerated staggeringly fast.
”Anna, you heard the man,” cried Frost, ”-order a full-scale retreat.”
”Go,” screamed she at the others, ”-I'll summon a barrier!”
'Good, they're backing off.' Three Earth-walls erected, '-how does she have so much strength left. Anyway,' holding one of the orbs, '-don't have to waste time on you, ugly,' *crunch,* the presence exploded into a whirlwind of crimson. Senses heightened, the eyes closed, mana-lines flowed to and fro, the weak-spot shone in black. '-Over,' a thrust ended the fight. 'You're not getting away,” *Blood-Arts: Bloody Mary.*
The halo hardened to reflect the moonlight; '-the real fight starts now.' *Woosh.*
”What happened?” wondered the veteran, ”-where's the monster?”
”Defeated,” said a messenger, ”-a single swordsman defeated it. The wall's free of the uncommon. What now, Sergeant Appy?”
”My orders were to protect the Outpost and not leave under any circumstances. They must have figured its weak spot.”
”Report from Stonegrove and Ground-zero, they've cleared the way and are beelining for us.”
”Good,” leaping onto the grassy hill, ”-everyone, retreat. We've won the battle.”
Meanwhile, Igna scaled the wall and made for Viola who defeated three on her own. The numbers increased; her stamina ran dry. Going all out would mean more harm than good. ”Over here,” screamed he in mid-air, ”-leave these two to me!”
”Alright,” she faced the other two. Weapons drawn, they vanished before making contact.
'Is he toying with me?' glaring the tree, the butler stood grandly and waved. 'Annoying.'
”Igna,” exhaled Viola, ”-I'm falling back. There's no one to evacuate.”
”Could you contact Cousin Julius?”
”How do you?”
”Long story,” said he, ”-tell him to dispatch supplies and soldiers to aid Reforge. We've taken a massive hit, there's no telling if there could be another attack.”
”Alright, take care then,” she ran off into the dimming night. Clouds grew to hang before the moon. The cold breeze didn't help but sway the bloodied weeds.
”Commendable, I see you're not weak. The aura's changed very much so. How very delicate.”
”Drop the act already,” he breathed, ”-let's fight.”
”First,” the pet imploded into a rapier, ”-a contract is in order. If you manage to defeat me, I'll grant any wish. However, if you lose, I'll claim this girl's soul as mine.”
”Deal,” a seal hovered above each party.
”We may be revered as devils, cruel beings who care for devouring souls of others. All is true. The only thing binding us is our unfaltering will of upholding contracts. I hope you understand what this means?” the tall upright figure lowered into an unorthodox stance; ”-I'm going to claim her soul.” *Woosh,* a combination of thrusts had Igna in a defensive position. Out of five, he parried one, narrowly dodged two and the remainder landed. 'Fucking hell,' injuries flared up left, right, and center, the battle turned into a one-sided onslaught.
”What is this?” laughed the Butler, ”-can you not fight off a lowly Butler?” The movement grew faster than he could react.
'Damn it,' forced to consumed another orb, the burst of aura made some distance.
”Oh, getting strong, are we?” he smirked, ”-not to worry,” the aura around him increased to match and surpass Igna's, ”-don't leave the back so open,” not even a second, the presence stood at his back. The ghastly white visage licked his lips with blade nearing Igna's heart.
*Blood-Arts: Crimson Threads,* dropped to the floor, the forward's momentum of the Butler led into the sharped cage of threads. Besides, Igna had Orenmir ready to thrust.
”Smart, very smart,” the body grew heavier, ”-leaving an open spot as a trap. Sadly, there's something you ought to know, I have power over Gravity, *Snap,* four black balls dropped onto the feet and arms. ”And now,” smirked the Butler, ”-the weight increases every time you struggle, the more one moves, the more it crashes.”
”If you have power over Gravity, I have power over Blood,” the halo broke into massive spikes.
”Well, good try,” he conjured a vortex to swallow the spikes.
”Don't get so cocky,” crystals broke into splinters that soon made for the Butler's neck.
”What is that going to do?” he smirked, ”-you cut me only a little.”
”That's the whole point,” *Blood-Arts: Extria!*
The smallest of cuts gave an advantage, blood ruptured the skin into a fountain.
”Good,” he laughed and held the wound, ”-sadly,” a giant ball materialized up on ahead, ”-blood or not, once someone's under my control, there's no way to fight back – gravity is unbeatable.”
Panic set in, the four orbs formed a circle below his body, the ball above broke into countless runes. ”What happens when someone is crushed to death?” coyly ambling around, ”-it's been a pleasure, Igna.” The symbols activated immediately pushing him onto the circle, ”-there's no escape.” Each minute, the pressure heightened.
'-Can't move,' Blood-Arts failed, he could no longer control blood. The Death-element spurred to only go dormant. Out the corner of his eyes, the demon made for Ling, lifting her chin and cackling at his win.
'-Can't hold out for any more,' the skin tore, the pressure grew beyond the body's limit. 'Losing consciousness.'
”Her soul is mine,” runes formed on her forehead, ”-watch, inheritor, this is the truth of those who are weak.” Her consciousness returned, a dragger was drawn, ”HELP ME!” she screamed, ”-I DON'T WANT TO DIE, IGNA, HELP ME!” the cries of help stung deep, her face, the demon, it all blurred.
'don't…Don't… DON'T' *Crack.*