United (Magics AU - Part 1)

Chapter 40 - Marcus

Terrified panic and anger shot through Marcus's veins like lightning, and he immediately flew into action. As the first Shadowbeast charged straight for them, Marcus whirled around and slammed his shoulders into Aaron and Ruby, shoving them sideways as the huge beast sailed by, its teeth glinting. Out of the corner of his eye, Marcus saw Ezekiel rush past, his sword flashing, to stand as a shield between everyone else and the attacking Shadowbeasts. He and Tartarus vanished behind the wall of wings, shadowy flames, and teeth.

Aaron grunted in pain and surprise as he, Ruby, and Marcus collapsed to the ground from the force of Marcus's tackle. Almost immediately, Marcus was on his feet again, pulling his wife to her feet quickly. Ruby grabbed Aaron and hauled him up, dragging him toward the cafeteria doors.

Falte was near the doorway, pushing Linda and Amy inside. When they stumbled into the cafeteria, Falte quickly turned back around and grabbed the two guards that had been standing on Tartarus's either side, yanking them toward the doorway. 

Marcus forced Ruby and Aaron toward Falte, barely managing to again dodge an oncoming Shadowbeast. Falte quickly whipped around and grabbed Aaron's arm, yanking the former king inside and reaching for Ruby. 

Suddenly, Shintaro flew past Falte and out of the cafeteria, the blur of his white hair being the only thing Marcus saw before the guardian had passed. Almost immediately, a bright light illuminated the hall behind Marcus, and several roars of pain indicated that Shintaro had inflicted some serious damage. 

Just as Falte reached for Marcus, a dark shadow loomed over Marcus; and before he could twist away, a Shadowbeast slammed into him, beating its large wings and wrapping its dangerous claws around Marcus's torso. 

Crying out in shock and pain, Marcus abruptly kicked the beast in the stomach with all the force he could throw into his foot, and thankfully it stalled the Shadowbeast long enough for Marcus to wriggle free. He collapsed away from the monster, pausing only for a moment to grimace in pain, before he scrambled to his feet and rushed toward the cafeteria doors again. 

As Marcus twisted sideways and raced toward the doorway, another Shadowbeast appeared in front of Falte. For a moment, all Marcus could see was the beast's back, and Falte's alarmed cry reached Marcus's ears.

"Falte!" the king screamed frantically, charging toward the beast in panic. 

But a second later, a voice rose in an outraged war cry, and the Shadowbeast let out a shrill screech of pain, stumbled backward, and collapsed. Marcus veered sideways to avoid the falling beast, and when he looked back up, he saw something he wouldn't have expected. 

Kai was standing in front of Falte, his arms outstretched and his fingers crackling with a dark substance. His face was panicked and angry as he stared at the fallen beast. But he didn't hesitate long - he threw one hand to the side, and a sheet of Dark Magic erupted from his fingers, knocking another charging beast back into the wall behind it. 

"Marcus, get inside!" Falte yelled from behind Kai.

Falte's shout snapped Marcus back into action, and he darted forward again, leaping over the fallen Shadowbeast. He skidded past Falte into the cafeteria, breathing a short sigh of relief when he saw that everyone but Ezekiel and Shintaro was inside. The slam of the cafeteria doors filled Marcus ears, and he whipped around again. 

"Shintaro and Zeke are still out there!" Marcus said frantically to Falte, who had assisted in the shutting of the doors. 

"They won't be for much longer," Falte returned breathlessly. "Aaron, are you all right?" 

Concern immediately marched into Marcus heart, and he turned around again. Aaron was sitting in the nearest chair with Ruby at his shoulder as he rested his head in his hands and gulped in wheezing breaths of air. The former king didn't seem to hear Falte, or he chose not to answer, because he didn't lift his head or move to make a reply. Ruby, her expression overwhelmed and worried, had her hands on his shoulder, as if she was trying to lend him some of her breath through her palms.