The Legends of Anigma: Ethiel Archer | ONC 2023

PART XXII

"Can't we get just one easy bridge?" Tifa massaged her forehead. "Now gotta come up with some solution."

"Sure. Then why do you think did that spirit say 'Let the trials commence' in its bloated-with-pride voice?" Red Wings had become more edgy after that bump.

Thoroughly, Ethiel regarded the entire place again. "Energy barrier, a dragon made of pure energy, and no bridge across. Hmm, maybe that dragon can only pass through the barrier; that has to be it. And if that's the case, then we'll have to somehow ride it way over there."

The look on Red Wing's face that followed, it was as if he was horrified and at the same time seriously doubting his sanity.

"What did you just say? I was the one who hit my head not you! The only place that thing will take you to is the afterlife; a way one trip!"

"I think the same," Tifa shocked him even more. "Butttt... we will need to ride in it; nothing else might work, I think."

"You two are crazy is what you are!"

"Are you both sure?" Maya asked, her eyebrows knitted from the discomfort the idea roused.

"I'm afraid that's the only way. But..." Ethiel looked at Tifa doubtfully, "Ride in it?"

"That's right. No need to be worried though, I have just the spells. We'll be fine, trust me. When we get there, I will open the portal 'cause my magic energy is almost exhausted. All of you'll need to fight it if it comes down to it, alright?"

"Just... don't get us eaten." He chuckled, concerned.

"Okay brother!"

After requesting everyone to close their ears and stay close to her, Tifa pointed the staff at the dragon and chanted something short. Ethiel had his ears closed but he still heard the loud eardrum-murdering thunder that roared the dragon awake. It shot a vicious look at them; they had inadvertently made things personal.

Like a flaming smoke it rose from the portal gate and flew towards them – a snaky ribbon of ether swimming ferociously through the cosmos.

Instantly Tifa formed a magical sphere around them and reinforced it with more barriers.

Everything went as planned and predicted. The dragon passed through the barrier and came at them. It opened its mouth wide and took the whole sphere inside. They got swallowed, getting rolled down its broad oesophagus. Just before they got dumped into the stomach, Tifa enlarged the sphere, just enough to jam it. Discomfort took over the dragon, resulting in lack of balance and control, and she pressed on her advantage. She slightly levitated the sphere and steered the direction of flight. The agitated dragon dashed out through the energy barrier and into the space again. Tifa was literally, in a way, riding it to the other portal gate. However, Ethiel was able to see how she was straining herself. Hopefully, they had reached the portal gate rather quickly, and she put all her energy in pushing the sphere forcefully out of the dragon's throat. As soon as it spat them out, Tifa dispersed the sphere; she couldn't bear the strain anymore it seemed.

Ethiel grabbed her in his arms and made a soft landing.

"Good job, Tifa." He put her down. "Now go get the portal."

Behind him, there were intense smashing and exploding noises. Lord Veer and Maya had already begun. He drew out four arrows, used his spirit energy to charge them with frost, and he smoothly spun on his heels to shoot it at the dragon. The arrows exploded into crystallised ice on impact.

Lord Veer's bone-breaking blows drastically enhanced with his fearsome spirit energy, Ethiel's spirit charged arrows, and Maya's algid lightning streaks and orbs packed with explosive power were too much for the dragon to take at once. It didn't get much chance to strike, let alone breath back fire; it was forced into being defensive.

Unfortunately, the only person who was capable of carrying on the fight for long was Lord Veer since Ethiel and Maya were on the brink of exhaustion.

"It's done!" Tifa called out to them. "The portal is open!"

Ethiel didn't turn around; he knew he couldn't, not without dropping defence.

"We are busy here, Tifa–"

"Ethiel and Maya," Lord Veer came to the view in the corner of his eyes, "cease your attacks."

"But Lord Veer–" Ethiel stole a glance at him; his hammer was shining and overflowing with spirit energy.

"Trust me."

Ethiel nodded and they both stopped.

One mighty spring of his leg and Lord Veer leaped high in the air, just above the dragon's head.

"Meteor Hammer!" He roared and swung the hammer down with tremendous force.

A bright wave of energy rippled from the point of impact. A brutal bang spread throughout the place.

Looking at the face of the dragon, Ethiel almost felt its pain and was sorry for it.

It crashed into the ground.

"Run!" Lord Veer landed right in front of it.

The dragon was neither conscious nor unconscious, it was somewhere in between with stars dancing over its head.

Such unbelievable magnitude of raw strength left Ethiel amazed and awestruck, so much so that he forgot to run. Suddenly, he felt someone pulling him.

"Come on! Let's go! It's regaining its senses!" Maya shouted.

He looked at her and blinked; he was in the situation again.

All of them ran to the portal, the dragon rising behind them. In great frustration and excruciating pain, it bellowed, furious for vengeance. Raging flames followed them, nearly engulfing them in their leap through the gate.

The space warped. One blink and they were out of there. Everything changed in a surreal fashion. They were in the centre of a busy town, in the middle of a cheerful crowd that was inanimate, frozen in time. Even the clouds were still.

Architecturally the town was great and sophisticated, and yet so simple when regarded with thorough, appreciative leisure; it wasn't Earth – and maybe not even Anigma. An enormous palace with plenty of spires rose in the distance.

Ethiel rubbed the back of his neck, still feeling the burning heat they had just escaped.

"Now where the hell is this?!" Red Wings cried out.

"Welcome to the third trial," The cave spirit's voice echoed again. "This is the simulated history of an Empire of another realm. Its King will die at sunset on this very day. In this trial, you have to avert that, and if you do, the key to the next trial shall be yours. As you are now, you are mere spirits, unseen and unheard. Only two of you have the opportunity to be materialised in this simulation, thereby gaining the ability to interact with it. One among the two shall have to be the King's guard from the time the simulation begins. As for the other one, it can be anyone at anytime, but only after the consent of others, and he or she can be a spirit until chosen otherwise. The rest of you can freely explore the simulation as spirits. At all times, a telepathic link will be present amongst all of you, and those of you who are spirits can teleport freely anywhere within the simulation. The choice as to who will be materialised and who shall remain as spirit, that rests in your own hands. The one who kills the King is within this Empire. Find him. Stop him. Coordinate wisely for all you get is one chance."

"This is confusing as hell!" Red Wings bowled. "That is a hotchpotch of rules! I demand that you repeat yourself!"

"Let me know which one of you shall be the King's guard, but do make it soon, you have only till sunset. Let the trial commence."

The entire town came to life.