The Dreamer's Fall

Chapter 20 - Hindsight

A circle of blue light appeared before Arthur's hand, shining in arcane brilliance. After forming, Aetherin characters of matching light swirled around the edges inside, making them seem like a whirlpool of ancient script.

As the Aetherin filled in, geometric shapes appeared around strings of characters, sectioning them off from the rest and giving order to the circle. In contrast, other lines of Aetherin disappeared entirely, replaced with new arcane symbols and shapes.

There was no obfuscation in this spell, which shortened its casting time by half a second and allowed anyone quick enough to read its contents. However, it didn't require obfuscation as it was the most commonly found spell on Nithe.

A spark appeared before the circle as a flame manifested from thin air. It grew in size as it rapidly swirled about, creating ominous whooshing noises and giving the small inferno a spherical shape.

Arthur tracked the abyssals movement with his hand, patiently waiting for Foster's attack as the fireball grew. Finally, when the creature was only ten feet away, Foster executed the magic circle he had prepared.

The earth gave way below the abyssals hands right as they made contact with the ground. It was as if a three-foot-deep sinkhole had formed below it, tripping the abyssal and sending it into a catastrophic roll.

The abyssals speed while running on all fours acted as its executioner as loud cracking noises shot out from its body. It sounded as if a tree had begun to give way and fall as many of the long bone spikes decorating the abyssals back shattered and snapped while it tumbled forward.

As its momentum stopped, the abyssal lay on its back, violently floundering to get back to its feet as its head flopped limply due to a broken neck.

Arthur didn't wait for it to recover. Instead, he completed the spell, sending the fireball barreling forward. The moment it was free from his control, he sent the blade hidden within his sleeve behind it for good measure.

He had read that the abyssals mana core lay in the center of their chests, about four inches deep through tough sinew and bone. So that's where he aimed the blade, hoping to end the battle quickly.

The moment the fireball made contact with the abyssals chest, the pressurized flames burst out wildly. Its pale flesh blackened and bubbled as the ensuing inferno incinerated the creature's body.

Yet, despite the critical damage, the abyssal only appeared angrier as it slammed its scythe-like fingers into the ground and attempted to push itself up.

The blade Arthur had shot out was less than a foot from its chest, but right before impact, the abyssal shifted its body, turning itself around and forcing the blade to hit one of the cracked bone spikes on its back. The blade pierced the bone as if it were wax, but only for a moment before it became stuck near the base of the spike.

Arthur tried to free it but realized he didn't have time. The abyssal shot forward and closed the distance to Foster in a flash, swinging its deadly claws at him wildly.

Foster ducked as he swung Arthur's sword toward the abyssals swinging arm, but the thin sword had little weight and only sank a few inches deep before the attack's momentum sent the pair tumbling.

With them so entangled, Arthur couldn't use a spell such as a fireball that would explode on impact and put Foster at risk. However, thanks to his family's specialty in telekinesis, he didn't have access to many spells applicable to the situation.

In hindsight, he regretted not pursuing more spells, but even if he had, his funds were limited, as was his access to such markets due to his age and need for secrecy.