Tales of Alidaire: The Chase

Ember takes 208 Dmg!

HP: 782/990

Ember takes 24 MP Dmg!

MP: 1251/1275

Ember is Sealed!

Ashes takes 30 Dmg!

HP: 960/990

Ashes is Sealed!

Ashes is in for a terrible time! [Deathfire Chain]

Chapter 03-C: Black Magic Ball

Location: Moraka'el Castle - Grand Ballroom

Objective: Defeat all enemies to remove the Devourer's Blockade!

{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } A
{ } {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} { } B
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } { } {w} { } C
{ } {w} { } {2} { } { } {3} { } {w} { } D
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } { } {w} { } E
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } { } {w} { } F
{ } {w} {K} {E} { } { } { } { } {w} { } G
{ } {w} { } { } {H} { } { } { } {w} { } H
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } {A} {w} { } I
{X} {w} { } { } { } { } {A} {M} {w} {w} J
{ } { } { } {1} { } { } { } { } { } { } K
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9---10

Auza's Doublecast has 1 turn left.

Macha is in Zephyr State for 1 more turn.

Klein's Seal Release has 2 more turns.

Macha's Seal Release has 2 more turns.

Klein's Immunity has 2 more turns.

Macha's Immunity has 2 more turns.

The Party's Expanse has 7 turns left.

Klein's Soul-Eating Blade fades.

Auza's MP Regen has 3 turns left.

Henry's MP Regen has 3 turns left.

Auza's Seal Release has 1 turn left.

Henry's Seal Release has 1 turn left.

Macha's Otherworld Sign has 2 more turns.

Enemy Phase.

Ember is Sealed!

Ashes is Sealed!

{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } A
{ } {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} { } B
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } { } {w} { } C
{ } {w} { } {2} { } { } {3} { } {w} { } D
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } { } {w} { } E
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } { } {w} { } F
{ } {w} {K} {E} { } { } { } { } {w} { } G
{ } {w} { } { } {H} { } { } { } {w} { } H
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } {A} {w} { } I
{X} {w} { } { } { } { } {A} {M} {w} {w} J
{ } { } { } {1} { } { } { } { } { } { } K
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9---10

Ember is Sealed for 2 more turns.

Ashes is Sealed for 2 more turns.

Ashes is afflicted with Deathfire Chain for 2 turns.

Player Phase 6!

Klein (Apprentice Blademaster) *POWER STANCE* *PDO +10%* *CHR +15%* *EXPANSE [6]*
HP: 75/105
MP: 55/55
Atk: 29 ---38
Def: 20
Int: 15
Spr: 15
Move: 3 cells

Henry (Novelist) *HP/SDO +20%* *DMG TAKEN -5%* *EVADE +10%* *EXPANSE [11]* *MP REGEN [5]* *CHR +15%*
HP: 60/60
MP: 34/105
Atk: 3
Def: 20
Int: 32 --- 42
Spr: 20
Move: 3 cells

Vincent (Necromancer) *BOOK*

Spoiler:

Macha (Blademaster) *CHR +65%* *DDO +25%* *EVADE +45%* *BA SURE HIT* *SK HIT RATE +50%* *IMMUNITY* *EXPANSE [8]* *MP COST -50%*
HP: 50/100
MP: 16/80
Atk: 29 --- 38
Def: 18
Int: 8
Spr: 18
Move: 6 cells

Auza (Oblivion Witch) *EVADE +10%* *DOUBLECAST* *EXPANSE [13]* *MP REGEN [6]* *CHR +15%*
HP: 56/70
MP: 69/125
Atk: 3
Def: 15
Int: 24 --- 31
Spr: 25
Move: 2 cells

Vurlin (Devourer Cultist) *KO*

Connor (Devourer Cultist) *KO*

Ember (Black Lantern) *SEALED*
HP: 782/990
MP: 1251/1275
Atk: 10
Def: 19
Int: 32
Spr: 28
Move: 4 cells

Ashes (Black Lantern) *SEALED* *DEATHFIRE CHAIN*
HP: 960/990
MP: 1275/1275
Atk: 10
Def: 19
Int: 32
Spr: 28
Move: 4 cells

{X} - Devourer's Blockade
[No Occupy]
[No Pass]

1 - Dark Tendril
[Attack Count: 2/3]
[Can be destroyed via Light element attack or skill]
[No Occupy]

2 - Dark Tendril
[Attack Count: 2/3]
[Can be destroyed via Light element attack or skill]
[No Occupy]

3 - Dark Tendril
[Attack Count: 1/3]
[Can be destroyed via Light element attack or skill]
[No Occupy]

{w} - Wall
[No Occupy]
[No Pass]

* * *

Klein uses Crimson Edge on Ember!  86 Dmg! CRITICAL!! [Ember evades Burn][Ember's Move is reduced over time][Klein winds up in G5]

MP: 37/55

"Coursing red hot flames, deteriorate!" Klein shouted as a bright red light shone forth from his chest where his heart would be beating, and his blades began to glow with the same energy.  Shouting loudly, he charged the energy rapidly, the air filling with a passionate heat.  The red grew deeper and deeper, and when the energy reached the pinnacle of its charge, Klein directed his blades at the nearby creature and dashed through it leaving a trail of fire in his wake that dissipated almost as quickly as it had been set alight.  A dark energy had been left hovering over the helpless fireball.  It could not move now, but soon the energy would sap away its physical ability to do so, and when it managed to do that...well, there was more to that curse, that was for sure.  It was inspired by a certain witch who had a habit of making things stop moving.  

Klein waits.

* * *

Henry moves to H8.

Henry uses Crisis Calling on Macha! [Bestows Bravery][Bestows Faith]

MP: 18/105

Henry walked calmly across the room to where the women were.  Klein would be okay now that Auza had sealed them effectively.  Their lack of movements and struggling against their bonds was all the confirmation he needed that it had worked.  He smiled as he began writing on his parchment.  "Miss Macha, open yourself up to the power of another world--a hidden power held deep within you, right within your grasp for whenever you need it.  Use it to fight these beasts and many more.  I know you can do it," Henry said cheerily, pen scribbling and scratching away.  Yes, this power so unfamiliar--useful in a great time of need.

* * *

"Oh I believe anything that comes out of your knowledgeable mouth, Henry," Macha replied warmly as she easily embraced this new power that Henry had granted her, and what power it was, at that!

Macha attacks Ashes!  3 hits!  54 Dark Dmg! RESIST! CRITICAL!!  36 Dark Dmg! RESIST!  54 Dark Dmg! RESIST! CRITICAL!! (ATK)

Macha lashed away at the creature next to her.  Her mana was slowly regenerating but she did not have enough to stray away from the simple strokes of her dark blade.  Against any other enemy she would be a great threat, but against these creatures born of shadows, she was not as effective.

Macha waits.

Ember takes 67 Dmg!

HP: 715/990

Ember's Move is being reduced over time!

Ashes takes 521 Dmg!

HP: 439/990

Ashes evades Silence!

Chapter 03-C: Black Magic Ball

Location: Moraka'el Castle - Grand Ballroom

Objective: Defeat all enemies to remove the Devourer's Blockade!

{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } A
{ } {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} { } B
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } { } {w} { } C
{ } {w} { } {2} { } { } {3} { } {w} { } D
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } { } {w} { } E
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } { } {w} { } F
{ } {w} { } {E} {K} { } { } { } {w} { } G
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } {H} {w} { } H
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } {A} {w} { } I
{X} {w} { } { } { } { } {A} {M} {w} {w} J
{ } { } { } {1} { } { } { } { } { } { } K
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9---10

Auza's Doublecast fades.

Macha is in Zephyr State no longer.

Klein's Seal Release has 1 turn left.

Macha's Seal Release has 1 more turn.

Klein's Immunity has 1 more turn.

Macha's Immunity has 1 more turn.

The Party's Expanse has 6 turns left.

Auza's MP Regen has 2 turns left.

Henry's MP Regen has 2 turns left.

Auza's Seal Release fades.

Henry's Seal Release fades.

Macha's Otherworld Sign has 1 turn left.

Macha's Bravery has 2 turns left.

Macha's Faith has 2 turns left.

Enemy Phase.

Ember is Sealed!

Ashes is Sealed!

{ } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } { } A
{ } {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} {w} { } B
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } { } {w} { } C
{ } {w} { } {2} { } { } {3} { } {w} { } D
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } { } {w} { } E
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } { } {w} { } F
{ } {w} { } {E} {K} { } { } { } {w} { } G
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } {H} {w} { } H
{ } {w} { } { } { } { } { } {A} {w} { } I
{X} {w} { } { } { } { } {A} {M} {w} {w} J
{ } { } { } {1} { } { } { } { } { } { } K
-1---2---3---4---5---6---7---8---9---10

Ember is Sealed for 1 more turn.

Ashes is Sealed for 1 more turn.

Ashes is afflicted with Deathfire Chain for 1 more turn.

Player Phase 7!

Klein (Apprentice Blademaster) *PDO +10%* *CHR +15%* *EXPANSE [6]*
HP: 75/105
MP: 43/55
Atk: 29 ---38
Def: 20
Int: 15
Spr: 15
Move: 3 cells

Henry (Novelist) *HP/SDO +20%* *DMG TAKEN -5%* *EVADE +10%* *EXPANSE [11]* *MP REGEN [5]*
HP: 60/60
MP: 34/105
Atk: 3
Def: 20
Int: 32
Spr: 20
Move: 3 cells

Vincent (Necromancer) *BOOK*

Spoiler:

Macha (Blademaster) *CHR +35%* *DDO +25%* *EVADE +25%* *IMMUNITY* *EXPANSE [8]* *MP COST -50%* *BRAVERY* *FAITH*
HP: 50/100
MP: 24/80
Atk: 29 --- 38 --- 57
Def: 18
Int: 8 --- 12
Spr: 18
Move: 6 cells

Auza (Oblivion Witch) *EVADE +10%* *EXPANSE [13]* *MP REGEN [6]*
HP: 56/70
MP: 58/125
Atk: 3
Def: 15
Int: 24
Spr: 25
Move: 2 cells

Vurlin (Devourer Cultist) *KO*

Connor (Devourer Cultist) *KO*

Ember (Black Lantern) *SEALED* *CRIMSON CURSE*
HP: 715/990
MP: 1251/1275
Atk: 10
Def: 19
Int: 32
Spr: 28
Move: 4 cells --- 3 cells

Ashes (Black Lantern) *SEALED* *DEATHFIRE CHAIN*
HP: 439/990
MP: 1275/1275
Atk: 10
Def: 19
Int: 32
Spr: 28
Move: 4 cells

{X} - Devourer's Blockade
[No Occupy]
[No Pass]

1 - Dark Tendril
[Attack Count: 2/3]
[Can be destroyed via Light element attack or skill]
[No Occupy]

2 - Dark Tendril
[Attack Count: 2/3]
[Can be destroyed via Light element attack or skill]
[No Occupy]

3 - Dark Tendril
[Attack Count: 1/3]
[Can be destroyed via Light element attack or skill]
[No Occupy]

{w} - Wall
[No Occupy]
[No Pass]

* * *

Klein uses Blazing Jet! [BA = Holy][BA and SK Hits +1][Move +4][Evade +25%]

MP: 23/55

Klein's swords burst to life with a brilliant energy, and wings sprouted forth filling the ballroom with radiance. It would be necessary if he were to rid this dark fireball from their presence once and for all. A little extra help wouldn't hurt either. "Hey Henry, mind pumping up with whatever you just gave to Macha?" he called out to the boy. With that extra strength backing him, he might just be able to dispatch this thing on his own seeing as how Auza had the other under control--which seemed to be her specialty.

Klein waits.

* * *

Henry moves to G8.

Henry uses Crisis Calling on Klein! [Bestows Bravery][Bestows Faith]

MP: 18/105

"Most definitely, Mister Klein!" Henry exclaimed back cheerily, happy that Klein was calling on him. He moved a bit closer so his magic would reach, and began to write about the hidden power that Klein surely had inside. "Remember, Mister Klein, search deep within yourself and pull that power out. My magic alone will not bring it to you. If you believe, then you will receive, so to say," he reiterated with a giggle.

* * *

Macha attacks Ashes! 3 hits! 54 Dark Dmg! RESIST! CRITICAL!! 36 Dark Dmg! RESIST! CRITICAL!! 54 Dark Dmg! RESIST! CRITICAL!! (ATK)
---Macha links Bloody Gale! 6 hits! 46 Dmg! 69 Dmg! CRITICAL!! 46 Dmg! 46 Dmg! 46 Dmg! 46 Dmg! (ATK) [Chance of Bleeding]

MP: 17/80

"I think it's about time we wrapped this up for good. We're wasting too much time," Macha said with a seriousness that could not be told from the carefree smile on her face. Her form began to solidify and she was no longer one with the wind which was somewhat of a blessing because it grew tiring trying to keep oneself together in that maelstrom. It was a dangerous ability only able to be executed by masters of the blade, for anyone less trained would lose themselves to the wind or whatever element they were trying to become.

Pushing that thought from her mind, Macha slashed out with a triage of blows towards the fireball in front of her before disappearing in a blistering gale that swirled around the creature with her blade striking out from within the gale. Macha was standing in her spot moments later as if she had never disappeared. Time was ticking.

Macha waits.

"Listen, if you want to know what's been a real waste of time, let me tell ya,"  a voice, mighty and full of power filled the ballroom, resounding in the minds and hearts of friend and foe alike.  There, in the center of the floor, was a small wisp of light that blistered outward suddenly in a euphony of bells and chimes, riveting and angelic tones whisking away worries and fears.  The creatures in the room seemed to wail in agony entangled in their shackles.  When the light and sound dissipated, a strange figure was seen standing with a mighty spear outstretched, his brown locks a curly mess.  He wore a dark green polo shirt and rather dressy beige pants with black dress shoes polished to a shine upon his feet.  The spear was a work of art in and of itself consisting of a sleek golden shaft, the butt ornamented with a single golden bell and three slim silver chimes.  The obsidian point caught no light--there was naught but darkness within, and extending from the connection between the point and the shaft were two gilded ivory spines glowing heavenly--a vast juxtaposition to the ethereal pitch of the point.

"This whole statistical shit has been a waste of time," the figure spoke.  Just by standing in the room it felt like the fabrics of reality were going to be unraveled.  "Shall we take care of that?"  The figure swirled his spear overhead and slashed the air causing reality to reverberate with such an intensity that it threatened to throw every living being in the room against the nearest wall.

??? uses Meta Alteration! [Battlefield SHATTERED][Stats ANNIHILATED]

Ember ERASED.

Ashes ERASED.

The creatures did in fact get sent hurdling and became smears on the wall due to the being's awesome power.  He turned to face Auza and the others only to reveal that his face was hidden behind a strange mask, one of a different face made of gold, peaceful and reverent, its eyes closed and mouth portraying a solemn solace.  He placed the spear on his back and walked closer to the group, each step seeming to shake the very foundation of the place.

"It's great to meet you in person, Auza.  You have no idea how awesome you've been.  Same for the rest of you, as you have a special place in my heart, hehe," the being said, scratching at his mess of hair nervously.  "Forgive the Reality Witch.  She talks a big game about this and that, but really she just wanted someone to take care of this situation as she could not directly intervene.  It's kinda my fault--this world doesn't exactly have a hero yet.  That should change..." his voice trailed off.  From within his pocket he produced a small notebook with a black cover, the whole thing bound by spiraling metal wire.  He wrote something within it and tucked the thing back to its original place.

"Yo, it's been great but I've got a lot of shit to do.  This was only the first stop of many and I'd hate to keep the others waiting.  But I have one question, specifically for you, Auza.  Remind me, again, what is it that you hope to accomplish here in Berbatu?  For what reason do you fight?"

CURRENT OBJECTIVE: Answer the mysterious being's question.

Auza held up her hands and braced herself as everything in the room seemed to go flying with just one swing of that spear. She was able to stay her ground, thanks to a rooting magic in her legs. When it was done, she felt strange. Not a bad strange, just different somehow. Like all her inhibitions had just...faded away. She felt stronger, her movements felt smoother, and she didn't feel so heavy. How long was she unable to run in combat for? And how did it come to be that her powers were limited to begin with?

That's when the stranger finally addressed her. What was his objective, Auza wondered. Why did she fight for Berbatu? A stranger's land to her, by all accounts. It was not her home, and this place certainly wasn't where she belonged. She never even wanted to come here but because of some forsaken witch's whims she was brought here anyway.

"I was actually looking forward to sealing away that king's magic for good," Auza said, mostly to herself. "I take it you're able to send us back to Berbatu? We've been gone for far too long." She didn't answer his question though. "Demons should not be left alone, else they will grow and fester and become uncontrollable. I can't let that happen again. Not when I have the ability to stop it."

"It seems my realm is in perfectly capable hands," the being smiled in reply, but frowned slightly as Auza mentioned being sent back to Berbatu. "If you were looking forward to settling things with the king, then by all means. As I said, while Tentai'tal is alive, this realm is in immense peril--one that cannot be solved immediately. My intervening would not make for a good end. It is my wish that you settle this one matter, after which the Witch will return you to Berbatu, granted she will likely not speak with you after doing so, something I'm sure you'll be happy to hear," he explained with a laugh keeping in mind Auza's immense distaste for the Witch at this point. It was probably best that those two not cross paths again, and if it took giving the Witch a stern talking to then he would do what he must.

The being outstretched his hand and the barrier leading to the A/V deck vanished. "Go forth, heroes. Up those stairs lies your purpose in this world for now. It's...a bit of a fall back to the banquet hall. Do be sure to be ready. Until next time, my brave friends and heroes!" In a blinding flash of light the being was gone and all was quiet within the ballroom once more.

"My word what a stunning fellow," Henry finally gasped, placing a gentle hand on his heart which was beating rapidly. What had him all in a tizzy like this? And why did he feel so different--like a weight was lifted from his shoulders?

"Heh, stunning is one word for it, I guess," Macha chuckled before rushing to the stairs. "I guess we should thank him for the assist, and for whatever he did to make me feel so...powerful again. You guys feel it too don't you? But let's not linger. You heard the guy. The sooner we dethrone this imposter king, the sooner we can get back on track to deal with our own demons." With that, Macha rushed up the stairs to a room that possessed some interesting technology. There were gadgets in there that she didn't fully understand with strange knobs and switches. The left side of the deck was lined with glass which overlooked the banquet hall just as the possessed guard they saved had suggested. Sitting down there upon his throne was none other than Tentai'tal looking just as worse for wear as he had before he opened the vortex beneath them. Macha heard footsteps which would presumably be her allies.

Klein was the first one to the deck out of them. "I mean do we have a game plan? He might look like a skeleton but like...the guard said he could still use magic. What if he just sucks us up into another vortex that puts us in the dungeon again? It'd be back to square one."

"There's no need to worry about that, Klein," Auza said as she raised her hands. There was a slight change in the air as her magic started to work on them. The pool she took the magic from seemed to be...almost endless. It was such a huge change she hesitated for a split second before going through with the protection for all of them. "I've placed wards on your bodies to prevent magic from touching you. The barriers will work against magic up to a limit before breaking, and I won't be able to reapply them while we're fighting. Do be careful how you use it."

Auza looked down at the false king on his throne. They hadn't noticed them so far, not yet at least. Once they went down there would be no going back. She had to remember the possibility he might be able to absorb her magic, so she had to cast in such a way to make doing so either impossible or poisonous. Preferably impossible.

"I'll take his magic head on," Auza said. "Henry, I need you to provide support to Klein and Macha dispose of his guards. Stay out of sight as long as you can, and be careful not to get hit by stray magic you two. If he summons another portal, I'll be ready to counter it with my own magic. If all goes well, I'll be able to seal away his magic. Got it?"

"I understand completely, Miss Auza. After my preparations are complete I may trade places with Vincent. Whatever goons that appear to aid Tentai'tal will likely be no match for an empowered Macha and Klein. Though likely not necessary at all, he may still serve to lighten your burden even by a miniscule amount by helping subjugate and possibly even redirect the demon's magic, or so he says," Henry explained calmly with his cheerful grin, clearly slighting his brother but it was nice to know Vincent was so eager to help. Maybe they could be more efficient now that things had changed....whatever changes those might be.

"All right, we got our plan, so let us begin. As the man from before said, it is a long drop. But don't fear. I'll plunge first and leave a gale behind. The winds will catch you. Here goes!" With that, Macha shattered the glass to the side of the deck and leaped over the edge, landing wistfully on her feet and dashing forward leaving a soft swirling zephyr behind her that would catch the others when they leapt. Her eyes darted around the room, meeting the "king's" eyes for a moment. He didn't seem in the least bit alarmed.

Klein came tumbling down, the wind catching him easily. He dashed towards the entrance of the banquet hall, checking around pillars for enemies but it seemed as if there were none.

"After you, Miss Auza," Henry said back up on the deck. "You can rest assured I'll be writing as I fall."

Auza nodded and jumped over the ledge, using her own magic to slow her fall rather than relying on Macha's wind. She watched the king on his throne as her feet touched down, a silence growing. She could see no guards, but that was likely to change. What then, were they going to face? Golems? Demons? Some morphed creature? It didn't matter, whatever they were going to fight would rue the day it decided to test itself against her magic.

Auza took the beads from her pouch and wrapped them around her wrist. She also pulled a knife with a gnarled hilt and bared it forward. The weapon fit her hand perfectly, as if it were made for her. She had nearly forgotten about it, but then again she had forgotten what her power felt like long ago. Now she could feel it. The ocean of magic welling up within her. It was more than she ever dreamed of achieving, and even now she could feel it grow.

Violet magic oozed from her fingertips. "You've made me your enemy," Auza said. "And you brought down this kingdom with your own hands. You will show your Purpose: Crumble!" The ceiling above the king cracked and broke apart, rocks crashing down upon the throne.

It would be a bad joke if that were enough to kill, though. Auza fortified her barrier and prepared for the counterattack.

"Is this a joke?" The king waved a skeletal hand overhead suspending the debris in mid-air. He waved his other hand opening a vortex the size of the entire floor beneath them, but he noticed that it was failing to suck them in so he closed it. "I see you predicted that outcome. That...is truly a shame." He lifted a hand into the air and balled it into a fist as if he were crushing something in his grasp. The debris that Auza had sent tumbling down upon him glowed with a brilliant and blinding light and started to morph and configure together. The floor quaked as something heavy landed upon it. The light dissipated to reveal...

"Oh, well that's not fair."

Bulging muscles quivered beneath short coarse fur that looked like the cosmos itself. The beast that had been born from the light and debris was none other than the Cosmolith...or at least a Cosmolith, seeing as how there could apparently be more than one, and this Devourer was capable of spawning them at will. It reared back and let off a devastating roar that rattled the room.

"Looks like we've got our work cut out for us. Klein, at attention, let's begin!" Macha shouted out to her apprentice.

CURRENT OBJECTIVE: Defeat the Cosmolith and Tentai'tal the Devourer!

Henry had come down in time to see the Cosmolith spawn, but as he said, he had been writing from the start of his fall. Auza would feel her casting hasten allowing her to sling spells a bit faster. Meanwhile Klein and Macha would likewise quicken, his pen scribbling upon parchment furiously to bolster their speed.

Auza felt herself swell with pride as the portal failed. She clapped her hands and laughed, "Yes, what a spectacular failure that bit of magic was. It's just you and me, novice." Auza slammed her foot on the ground before her and raised her hands up. The floor below them shook until several bits of rock sprung to life, unfurling into miniature golems. The creatures raised earthen spears and ran at the Cosmolith to stab its legs or otherwise hinder its movement. They were clearly meant for no greater purpose than to annoy, and took such little energy they were hardly a burden on Auza. But they were made of stone, and would't be easy to knock away with so many of them there.

A direct assault would likely be nullified, Auza knew. So she had to attack in creative ways. She felt Henry's magic coursing through her and dug into her pouch yet again. A pinch of ashes, a whisper of a word, and a simply forward motion. A violet spear shot forth from the ashes, hurtling straight towards the king. Even if it didn't collide with his barrier, she still fired a beam of concentrated energy at him. She kept up her assault even after the beam collided with his magic.

She fingered her knife in the meanwhile, waiting for the right moment. It had to be just right. A blade that cuts through anything wasn't something that was meant to be thrown away.

The Cosmolith roared in anger, drawing in particles of light from all around.  The little annoyances by its feet were about to receive a harsh lesson along with anyone else who was caught up in the blast.

"Klein, strike the right flank and I'll get the left.  We have but a few moments, make it quick, then pull out and seek cover!" Macha directed as she vanished in a blast of wind, appearing next to the monster's left side.  She hopped on one of the small golems using it as a stepping stone to get some better height, and she harnessed the wind to keep her aloft as her dark blade sliced at the iron muscle of the beast.  She could see her cuts appearing but they were not deep.  This monster could take a beating and it would be hard to take it down.  

Meanwhile Klein darted forth, feeling the speed granted to him by Henry charge him up.  He skidded to a halt and used the force of his momentum to plunge upwards, striking at the beast's right flank as instructed with his blades.  He vaulted off of the beast's side and dashed for its rear legs, striking once before darting quickly over to the front right front leg and dealing another blow, leaping up and slashing the monster's face for a final blow, but by that time it was time to go.  Solid wings of light formed at his back and he flew away, dodging behind a pillar.  From behind his cover, he saw Macha had long since sought shelter behind a pillar of her own.

The violet spear hurtled towards Tentai'tal but there was no barrier.  Instead the image of a bestial mouth appeared and ate the spear, a dark aura briefly flickering to life around the skeletal figure upon the throne before dissipating.  He took the energy beam with a groan.  It was stronger than he had expected but certainly wasn't enough to get him out of the game.

"Speed your casting will you?  Hahaha!"  Tentai'tal became shrouded in a golden light now which also dissipated quickly, but as it did it revealed him waving a hand above him in a circle opening a vortex of space above him out of which flew a huge hunk of rock trailing towards Auza at high speeds leaving a blistering tail of light behind it--a comet.  Another jetted out of the portal aimed for Henry and a third went to join the first targeting Auza again.

The golems were blown away or incinerated by the Cosmolith's power. That was fine, they were there only as a temporary distraction. She was more surprised by the lack of a barrier protecting Tentai'tal. Which means he suffered the brunt of her magic, yet still managed to survive it. The beams were extremely efficient vaporizers, they practically paid for themselves with all the leftover magic in the air.

An expert level spell. Cast by a novice. Auza spread her hands through the air, tearing the comet spell apart before they could even reach her or Henry. "This isn't spacial magic," Auza said, "THIS is!" She hit her foot on the ground and raised her right hand, projecting her barrier outwards to absorb the force and energies of the comet, letting it sink right into her barrier's field. The energies swirled around her and converged, spitting the comet back out in the king's direction.

"I am the most powerful mage in your world!" Auza declared. "And don't you forget it!" Violet chains shot up from beneath the king's feet, interlocking in the space around him before collapsing to capture him. Auza prepared two more glyphs at her sides, firing more concentrated violet energies from them. She intended to overwhelm him with power while using as little as she could bear. Even with the ocean of mana available to her, she might need to use all of it.

The Cosmolith exerted its power in a blinding flash of light that disintegrated the golems pestering it in their entirety. Fortunately for Macha and Klein, they were quite far enough from the beast to avoid any damage whatsoever. Macha wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. The area of the monster's ability was a lot smaller than anticipated for the charge time it required, but she was positive that the damage it would have dealt was immense. They could not get caught up in that.

"Away from cover, Klein! Follow me, let us strike it quickly!" Macha ordered her apprentice as she dodged from behind her pillar and disappeared in a blistering zephyr, reappearing atop the beast's back, hacking away with precise strikes at its neck--easily a vulnerable spot for it. It roared in pain as she attacked, its body quivering beneath her.

Klein zoomed through the air with his wings of pure light, his blades coated in the same energy as he flew around the beast, striking its sides and haunches. Its thick hide was hard to pierce and slice, but even the small nicks would eventually prove too much for it as they increased in number. He flew circles around the monster, much faster than it could keep up with granted it was already quite debilitated from Macha's vicious attack.

Henry meanwhile winced as the comet drove towards him, but when he realized the impact had not come, he glanced over at Auza to see that she had taken care of it easily as was expected of her. The Devourer might be a powerful magician, but when it came to magic, it was hard to top Auza's. Putting pen to parchment, Henry wrote about the troublesome magic the Devourer had cast but how Auza's inner strength allowed her to conquer it. With his magic, the words would evoke power within Auza's soul, bolstering her offense and defense.

The Devourer himself sat upon his throne, smirking. The comet was sent back at him but again the spectral visage of the bestial mouth appeared again and the comet became food for it. The chains, however, were not halted and he became bound to the throne making him a prime target for the violet energies that Auza fired away at him. They struck him full force drawing another loud groan of pain from his lips. He lurched forward in his bindings panting. On the surface it seemed as though Auza's strategy was working, and quite well at that.

"Keep in mind that I am not of this world, foolish child of man!" Tentai'tal retorted, his words separated by labored breaths. He could not move his limbs but there was an awful gleam in his eye as if something were reflected in it. Behind the group at the actual entrance to the room, a suffocating heat began to emanate from a large sphere of brilliant fiery light.

"Prepare to be burned away!!"

Auza glanced back at the heat wave encroaching on them. She felt the magic vibrating in the air. He spent so much energy creating this heat to kill them. Auza just stood and waited for the heat to wash over her barrier. Violet energies shimmered and sparkled from contact with the barrier - she could feel bits of the heat. Auza raised her hands and turned about to face the Devourer. The barriers she put in place would hold against this for just long enough.

"All of you," Auza said. "Get behind me and stay there. Now."

Auza pressed her fist onto her open palm, holding her arms out in front of her. Black smoke leaked from the cracks in her fingers, falling over her fist and her palm and pooling onto the floor like liquid smoke. It advanced slowly, gently, like crawling babes upon the floor. The smoke expanded, grew, and rose from the floor. The heat magic began to fade near the Blight, but it was not absorbed nor was it smothered. It simply ceased to be.

"First of the Three Curses," Auza said, loudly and firmly so the mad king could hear her voice. "The Blight. There was once a man who believed he could control it, tame it, use it. He was erased from existence. Let us see if you are truly worthy of the magic you wield."

The Blight continued to crawl towards the Devourer, never stopping or resting, and never satisfied with what it devoured. It crawled towards the Cosmolith and erased whatever it touched. The few remaining golems, broken and struggling, crumbled to dust as the black touched it. Auza felt the magic drain from her, both from her barrier and from the First Curse. The devouring magic he used would not be able to consume the Blight. It would destroy his magic the moment the Blight touched it.

Macha pounded the back of the Cosmolith with one foot allowing her to vault into the air after which she swiftly disappeared in wind, reappearing safely near Auza. Klein gave his teacher an affirming nod when he met her gaze and he flew through the air, grabbing Henry up with ease and rushing over to where the others stood.

"If I knew we were due for a heat wave I would have dressed down," Macha quipped as she wiped several beads of sweat from her brow, avoiding glaring into the massive sphere of bright light. Instead she focused on Auza's efforts to extinguish it, and extinguish it she did.

Tentai'tal's eyes opened wide as Auza's Blight erased his Solar Flare and even the Cosmolith with no discrimination. Being a magical beast, a Cosmolith was especially vulnerable to this type of curse. However, what provoked him the most was her idea that he could not eat this particular magic which set him into a fit of hysterical laughter.

"You, who do not even know how my ability works, would declare that I could not devour this Blight?!" the demon guffawed, his body trembling in his magical binding. "I have eaten entire WORLDS filled to the brim with magic good and evil, openly used and forbidden, weak and powerful. This will be NOTHING. Watch me."

The Blight would continue to creep along to the false king's throne and as soon as it drew near enough, the image of the bestial maw appeared to devour it, a horrid wind drawing in all of the smothering smoke until not a speck of it remained in the chamber. The mouth vanished and Tentai'tal began to laugh again, tears brimming in his eyes from the hilarity.

And then there came a stifled silence. The demon's face contorted into an expression of anguish and he let out a loud yell, his body violently convulsing against the throne. He could feel the power of the magic surging through him. With this he could definitely regain all of his strength and assume his true form, but sadly, the Blight began to tear away at the walls of the organ within him that contained whatever magic he devoured. It was slow going, but there was no stopping the Blight. By the time it ate through its temporary prison, his magic would be gone...

...and so would he.

"Rrrrraaaggggh!!" Tentai'tal shouted, eyes gleaming with a brilliant light. Jagged fangs shot out of random surfaces of the chamber--out of the pillars, walls, and floor.

"Scatter!" Macha shouted and called the wind to push the group out of the way as a particularly sharp fang pierced upward from the floor upon which they had just been standing.

"M-Miss Auza, what's going on? Did he lose to your curse?" Henry inquired, taking a deep breath as he regained his footing from Macha's forceful wind-powered heave.

Auza watched, listened and heard the Devourer's declaration. The whole while she merely shook her head and lowered her hands. There was enough of the Blight around, even if he was swallowing the magic. She understood his powers - he couldn't resist gobbling up her magic wherever she threw it, and made it his own. But the Blight was something else, something different. Something even a devourer of worlds could not consume.

"The Blight is not magic," Auza said. "It is a promise. A curse. It has Purpose, and even by devouring it you cannot change its Purpose if you do not know what it is."

Tentai'tal lost this fight, his body was already being rejected by the physical and spiritual world. His magic drying up, slowly but surely, and the last remnants of his power acting randomly and violently around him. Macha saved them from a reaction just in the nick of time and Auza pulled up to her knees. She dipped her finger in ashes and wrote solid runes on the ground, the magic barrier coming up not a moment too soon to deflect more wild magics.

"He will soon be erased," Auza answered Henry. "But it was pride who defeated him, not my curse. The Blight is simply doing the dirty work." Auza pressed her head to the floor and sighed, lying there for a moment. The Blight was still draining from her pool of magic, even after cutting off the flow. Auza measured it perfectly, she would have enough left to spare to keep her conscious. "It takes a lot out of me, though."

"You've done wonderfully regardless, dear," Macha commended Auza, scooping her up easily and holding her as the barrier surrounded them. All around them the fangs were piercing through the chamber with increased frequency and it occurred to the blademaster that there was no longer any exit. There was nothing but teeth barring their way. They had to get out of here immediately. Auza said it herself--the Blight was taking a lot out of her. It was best to cease the necessity of keeping it around. It would do its work, they just didn't know how long, and the time they had to hold out was likely too short.

"Henry, might you be able to do something to allow us to get to safety?" Macha asked after pondering what turned out to be only one option. Henry had the power to alter things in his own way. Perhaps he could put his own spin on this particular tale?

"Absolutely, Miss Macha," he answered with a smile, happy to be of service. "My mana reservoir is a little low right now, but I should be able to write one last tale. We must be swift, however." That said, he took his parchment and began scribbling them safe passage essentially, writing about how some of the fangs crumbled before them, leaving them a clear path to the outside, and praising whatever beneficent force that was keeping the fangs from obstructing their path once more. He put a period on the last sentence and watched his tale become reality. The path was set.

"Grab Henry, Klein, and do keep up," Macha chimed, her sense of urgency fading back to her normal playfulness with ease now that their emergency exit had been paved in words and magic. She disappeared in a blast of wind, surging through the openings in the hallways until she finally came to a halt with Auza in the plaza outside the castle's entrance. She set Auza on the ground and took the time to look up as more fangs shot outwards through the walls. Of course they would all crumble when Tentai'tal's magic finally dispersed, but it was astonishing at how rampant his wild magic had become in the meantime.

Klein appeared moments later, flying through the air and landing next to where Macha and Auza stood, letting Henry down from his arms.

"You do know keeping up with you is like chasing wind right??" Klein sighed, exasperated, only to receive a teasing look from his teacher.

Auza glanced to Klein, then to Macha. "One day you'll have to catch that wind, Klein," Auza said. She straightened her back and took a deep breath as the draw on her magic halted. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, focusing inside herself to assess the damage the Blight caused her. The pool of magic available to her at the start felt so large - fathomless, even. But the Three Curses were hungry ones. She had just enough for one more good spell before she had to tear down her own barrier to stay alive.

"It is done," Auza said, reopening her eyes and looking towards the fangs piercing up through the ground. "The Blight will have devoured the Devourer, and left nothing behind. There is nothing more for us here, so where is this promise to return us?" Auza looked around, searching the area for any sign of the witch or her magic. There was something scratching at her mind. Auza furrowed her brow and brought her hand to her head.

Splitting pain shot through her temples, immediately blinding her until all she could see was white. Auza gasped and fell to her knees, unable to even scream. Her barrier shattered as her concentration did and she dropped to the ground. Her ears rang, deafening bells echoing in her mind and the crackle of something familiar and terrible. Red and orange flames danced in the white blindness. She could hear its laughter.

In an instant, it was over. The ringing in her ears was gone and her vision returned, though slowly. She lay on the ground, clutching her head and curled into a ball on the ground. Auza didn't move. Only breathed.

"Rise, Auza Nanami, she who rightfully holds the title of Witch," an enchanting voice rang out through the area. The air began to distort, swirling colors running through the vicinity threatening to swallow all. The last things the group would see was the fangs jutting out of the tower crumbling to dust before they found themselves in the Fields in Transit, the plane upon which they were first transported by the Reality Witch, who appeared before them now, a rather pleased look upon her face.

"This is no shape for you to be in, Auza," the witch said, tapping her closed fan against her waist. "You were triumphant. Please know that I was chastised heavily for relying upon you and yours to save this world, and also know that I am greatly appreciative of it regardless of the fact that it was involuntary, at least initially."

Both Henry and Macha had knelt down to aid Auza, not knowing what had happened. She was fine that one second and on the ground the next. Had the magic taken too much out of her?

"You know, you really put all of us through quite a bit, lady," Klein shot at the woman, both swords drawn. He slowly entered a battle stance.

"Klein, don't," Macha said to her pupil.

"Quite. Put those things away before you hurt yourself," the witch chimed and snapped her fingers. Both of Klein's blades began to crumble, the shards taking the forms of colorful butterflies which flew into the endless expanse behind the witch.

"Miss Reality Witch...do you know what's wrong with Auza?" Henry asked sheepishly. It was hard trying to address someone when they hadn't even given their true name.

"True names hold a lot of power, boy," the witch responded, unfazed by the surprise on his face. "As for Auza, she will agree that I have already said far too much about her situation. It is her tale to tell you if she so desires; it is not my place. However, for her to be able to do that, first she must...

...rise."

Auza scowled. Again with the stupid, self-proclaimed Reality Witch. Weren't they promised they wouldn't have to deal with her again? What kind of man breaks the oaths he makes? And there goes all that respect she had for the man who appeared from nothing and disappeared back to nothing. Stay as nothing, then. Auza pushed herself to her feet and glared at the witch.

"Shut up," she growled. "Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong. I've tried to hold true to that for years and then you come along and decide to screw with me and use my ideals against me. I don't ever want to see your face again, do I make myself clear?"

Auza took a breath and lightened her expression and her voice as she turned to address her friends. She still frowned, though. "I'll tell you everything, as soon as we have a chance to rest. It's...a long story. There is nothing to worry about. I still have plenty of time left."

The Reality Witch's expression melted into one of discontent. She snapped her fan open and swiped it to the side that created such a powerful gale forward that it threatened to send the group hurtling into the far reaches of space. The winds howled and tore apart the surroundings with each tear in the time-space revealing a familiar environment. It was the one in which they had been before being spirited away. It was the outskirts of the Sihirian settlement.

"Listen here you impudent brat. To think I could call you Witch with this being the way you act, forget it. Do not insult Him. I visited upon you of my own volition to congratulate you and thank you for I was sincerely appreciative for your acts. But you can forget that." The Witch's form began to waver, bending and fading.

"I'll tell you one thing though, Auza Nanami. When your actions threaten MY reality, it is MY business, and if you're too weak to deal with things in the end, I'll be wrapping up this story."

Her form completely disappeared but the last words echoed strongly.

"Now THAT is a promise."

As the words finally faded from the air, everything returned to normal as if they had never went on an otherwordly trip at all, but the scars and weariness of battle were ever present.

Klein had been shuddering and looked down to see that his swords were back in his hands. He sighed and sheathed them both, turning around to Auza. Looking at her, she seemed even more displeased than the Reality Witch at the moment.

"Quite the talker that one, eh?" Macha purred. "Pseudo-leaders, dragons, thieves, and witches. What's with all of them and their petty words?"

"It would be weird if they were silent, Miss Macha," Henry chimed in with a nervous laugh. "How about we get that rest? I don't know what awaits us in the settlement but we'd best be on guard, though I'm sure we'll be okay."

Ever the optimist even when things are this tense? Pathetic.

"Yes, staying on guard would be prime," Macha affirmed. "Shall I carry you the rest of the way, Auza? I know the previous battle took a lot out of you. I do hope we're not set upon as soon as we arrive. We'd live but it would be troublesome."