Chapter 1576 - Nightmares And Reality (Part 2) (1/2)
Frey and Filia could hear the death throes of their magical beasts as they disappeared in a burst of flames that filled the air with the smell of barbeque, sending pieces of burned flesh and fur slapping against their faces.
”Volgun!” Frey screamed at the top of his lungs as his best friend disappeared in an explosion.
The blast was so powerful that its heat reached his face despite the fact that they were moving at high speed away from the battlefield and towards his home.
”Please, mister, go back and save Brionac! She's going to die!” Filia's plea was answered by a strong slap that twisted her face sideways.
The man had used chore magic to conjure a strong wind that hit the kids, striking fear in their hearts and putting an end to their begging. Only then did they raise their eyes to meet those of their savior, finding no warmth nor compassion in them.
As the battlefield became too far away to see and the agonizing whines of the magical beasts were swallowed by the strong winds surrounding the flying mage, the kids froze in terror recognizing the man carrying them.
Fallmug, their violent and allegedly dead father was now in front of them, dressed up like an Archmage. His gaze was cold and full of rage as they remembered it, making them squeal as the memories of the past abuse resurfaced, erasing the last few happy years as if they had never happened.
The kids still remembered Fallmug and his face would often haunt them in their nightmares. The fear would make them shiver even during the hottest summer mornings until they realized to not be in their old house in Xylita and went to breakfast.
'Volgun is dead and Dad is back. This must be a bad dream. Please, gods, let this be just a bad dream.' Frey closed his eyes, but when he reopened them, Fallmug was still there.
He started to cry between hiccups until a second slap hit him.
”Is this how you thank me for saving your life, you ungrateful brat? With tears and complaints?”
Between the pain from his cheek and the traces of fur between his fingers, Frey understood that once again the gods had ignored his plea. He looked at Filia who gestured him to shut up to avoid being beaten more.
'Thank the gods one of Verhen's friends was nearby and must have heard our request for back up.' Locrias thought while dodging a blade, unleashing a stream of bolts of lightning that killed two mercenaries, and being hit on the chest by an earth spike that squeezed the air out of his lungs.
'Wait a second. There are only so many Archmages and most of those affiliated with Lith received a Balkor card. I checked their position right before the attack and none of them was close. Who the fuck is that guy?'
A sword pierced his side, making the Captain bleed profusely. Locrias cursed his moment of distraction, but it was too late. Outnumbered and now outmatched, he suffered wound after wound until a mace broke his neck, putting an end to his life.
The mysterious Archmage flew straight in front of Zinya who was still standing in front of her house. Even in the chaos of the battle, she hadn't lost sight of her children nor had she stopped calling for help through the communication amulet.
The man threw the kids at her before pushing Zinya inside and locking the door.
”Thank you so much.” She said amid tears while kissing the children's heads and making sure they were alright. ”Don't worry about us and go help the others. The arrays around this house are weak but they will hold long enough for-”