Still continuing their way through the underground tunnels, both Kyleas and Alicia started to pick up their pace to make up for time lost during their fight with Anders' mirror image. Meanwhile back inside the cave, Adran, Irina, and Rosa were left to themselves by Anders without any supervision.
Even though they were left alone, there was nothing they could do but look at each other wondering what would happen next.
"Adran, are you okay? He seems to hit and kick you pretty hard back then", asked Irina, looking concerned.
"This is nothing. I've been worse, but thanks for your concern, Irina", answered Adran.
"I'm sorry, Adran... Because of me-", said Irina before being cut off by Adran.
"How many times I have to tell you, Irina. Don't beat yourself over all this, it's not your fault", he replied.
"Of course it is! You know full well that this is all my fault!", shouted Irina.
"I've been nothing but a burden to all of you... All of you had to constantly protect me and this time, look where I got ourselves in!", she added.
"Rosa, I'm sorry that I got you roped into all this. You've been through horrible things in your past, and now here I am causing even more bad things to happen to you", she said to Rosa.
"Lady Irina...", said Rosa.
"And Kyleas, I know that he is a powerful mage... But I just can't stop myself from thinking and worrying about him", she added.
Irina dropped her head low and took a deep breath. Rosa and Adran glanced at each other, Rosa very gently shook her head to let him know that both of them should let Irina to herself for a moment.
Meanwhile, Kyleas and Alicia arrived at yet another large room covered in vines. Right in the center of the room, there sat Anders, on what seems to be a throne made up of vines. Kyleas and Alicia approached him.
"Welcome, welcome! I assume you are the renowned Grand Archmage of Radlanovia?", asked Anders.
"Oh you got the wrong person. I am but a gambler who somehow kept getting mixed up with this Grand Archmage you're looking for", replied Kyleas.
"Very funny. I'm sure you've met that handsome devil that looked exactly like me, right? So there's no need for me to reintroduce myself", said Anders.
Anders takes a quick look at Alicia.
"Heh, no wonder you were able to defeat my clone... You've brought a friend! How stupid of me not to include this in my calculations *laughs*", he said.
"Care to introduce yourself, Radlanovian Sorceress?", he added.
"Alicia Nordmeier, and that's High Sorceress for you", replied Alicia.
"Ah I've heard that name before, the botanist community in Althenia seems to adore you so much that they gave you the nickname 'the Lady of the Forest'. Pleasure to meet you", responded Anders.
"Wish I could say the same about meeting you", she replied.
Anders suddenly stood up from his seat. The throne turned back into just a pile of vines.
"Listen, Archmage. You can surrender yourself and no one needs to get hurt", said Anders.
"Nope, not gonna happen", replied Kyleas with a smile.
"Are you sure? You might be able to defeat my clone, but I won't go down so easily even with the two of you fighting me", added Anders.
"How about this then, why do you need to capture me in the first place? Maybe I can reconsider my choice", asked Kyleas."
YOU ARE READING
Caught in Time
FantasyArchmage Kyleas, a former magical prodigy, was once a highly respected mage from a prestigious wizarding school. But one day, for no apparent reason, he left his past life behind him and started making easy, dirty money. Things changed quickly when...
