United (Magics AU - Part 1)

Chapter 46 - Shintaro

Shintaro had guessed that Thorn wouldn't carry out the orders he'd been given, so when Thorn had snapped the binds on his wrists and whirled on Shintaro, the guardian had been completely ready for it. Shintaro had teleported the two of them to the top floor of the castle, where hardly anyone went unless the king or queen was making an announcement to the court below. Shintaro knew that no one would be there, which allowed the two to battle without the risk of injuring bystanders. 

As the Shadowbeasts continued raging through Ariel, Shintaro and Thorn fought relentlessly. Though Shintaro's intent was to knock the Shadow unconscious and somehow trap the hundreds of Shadowbeasts, he was busy trying to defend himself against Thorn's ruthless attacks. Though Shintaro didn't know the Shadow well, he figured that if Thorn was toying with the guardian, the battle would be easier. Thorn wasn't messing around - he was raining down blows that would have been fatal if not blocked by Shintaro's magic. The guardian had hardly landed a hit on Thorn, and the Shadow's strikes were as quick as a snake's. 

Neither of them had managed to injure each other, but Shintaro knew that they weren't finished yet. Though the guardian knew that they would both run out of energy eventually, he wondered how long the battle would last before one of them broke under the exhaustion. Thorn didn't look even in the least bit tired, but Shintaro was already beginning to feel the exertion crawling up his spine. 

Shintaro shoved his rising fatigue to the back of his mind, and just in time. Thorn appeared in front of him, his red eyes alight with fiery hatred. He lunged forward and slammed his claw-tipped hands into Shintaro's Light shield, driving the guardian back even though he pushed his heels into the floor. The Dark flames whirling around Thorn's body caused Shintaro's Light shield to flicker once, but Shintaro pressed forward with an enraged yell. 

Suddenly, Thorn launched himself away from Shintaro. The inferno of Dark Magic that surrounded him spiraled about his body like a whirlwind, encasing the Shadow in a smoky haze. A moment later, Thorn burst out of the shadowy vapor, this time with more determination than before.

And this time, with sharp fangs, dangerous claws, enormous wings, and a long, whip-thin tail. It wasn't the same form as a Shadowbeast, but it was close enough that Shintaro was momentarily confused. 

The guardian, overcoming his fleeting stupor, leaped to the side just before Thorn's jaws swiped at him. Shintaro landed on his shoulder and tucked immediately into a roll, springing up at the last second and spinning around to face Thorn again. He'd learned never to keep his back turned to Thorn, because the Shadow had nearly taken off the guardian's head three times now. 

Thorn was two times larger than he had been before, and although the ceiling was high above their heads, the Shadow was crouched slightly with his claws brushing the floor underneath him. His huge, webbed wings unfurled behind him, and with a roar, he jumped at Shintaro again. 

For a moment, Shintaro considered throwing a blast of Light Magic at Thorn; but he quickly decided against it and whirled to the side to avoid the oncoming Shadow. There was no way he had enough magic built up at the moment, because he'd been using it nonstop during the fight. 

He would have to keep avoiding Thorn - and somehow deflect the Shadows attacks without his magic - in order to have the time to store up enough magic. If the blast was strong enough, it would either completely exhaust the Shadow, or it would knock him clean out.

Either worked for Shintaro. 

"Stay still for one moment, you arrogant little prick!" Thorn yelled angrily as Shintaro leaped away from his attack for the third time. Indeed, Shintaro was beginning to smirk as Thorn missed him time after time, and it was obviously annoying the Shadow.