The Sealed Warrior

⇺20⇻

A huff passed Kalabhiti's lips, which soon turned into hysterical fits of laughter. "You all put up a good fight. But you'll never defeat me now!"

"Not on my watch. Gninthgil Tlob!"

It all seemed to happen in slow motion. As the bolt of lightning catapulted through the air a black cloud engulfed Kalabhiti causing the spell to ricochet back. Lilyanna felt the hairs on her back rise when the lightning hit the ground in between Marai and herself. The force caused both of them to fall to the ground. Lilyanna quickly rolled back on her feet. She stumbled as a jolt went through the building. Blurriness swarmed her vision. She knew what was happening, but she couldn't get to him in time.

The black cloud was drawing energy from her, drawing magic from her. It was trying to gain enough power to bring him back. She can't let that happen. But there was nothing she could do.

"NO! STOP!" Lilyanna screamed. "No.."

But Marai already had a plan. Her energy was draining quickly, so she had to be quick.

"Emit Esaeler," the dark cloud roared, "Esaeler Em."

"Finally." The palace quaked at the sound of his voice. "Finally free. It has been far too long." As the cloud began to evaporate Kalabhiti was revealed. He was standing in front of the throne-like chair, dazed and frozen in confusion. Behind him a shadowy figure was sitting on the golden chair. It was the shape of a man crossing his legs and leaning against the armrest. "It feels good to be out of there." His mouth didn't move as he spoke.

"Akuji, 'dead and awake'. That's your name," Lilyanna said quietly.

"Was that the best you could think of?" Akuji stood up from the throne and began to walk toward Kalabhiti. "Oh well, there is nothing I can do about it, but believe me it will change. Soon it will be 'alive and powerful.' Or better yet my original name Ha-"

He was caught off guard by a yell and he turned to see Sylva flying through the air, her short-sword held above her head. The shadow easily dodged the attack. And to the astonishment of Sylva, Akuji turned into a shadow of a bear and tried to attack her. Sylva rolled out of the way and the shadow became even more furious.

At one point Lilyanna thought they were winning, but not everything went to plan. After about a minute of being attacked, Akuji decided he had enough. He quickly sent a wind burst toward Marai and Lilyanna, forcing them back to the ground and making sure they wouldn't be able to help. Then, if only for a moment, he seemed to become solid long enough to kick Sylva in the gut. The shadow then turned to the still frozen Kalabhiti.

A hail of arrows rained down on Akuji. If he had eyes, Akuji would be glaring at the young man atop a pillar. Another arrow catapulted its way toward Akuji, but he merely side-stepped and watched the arrow wizz past him. He extended his arm. Ethan barely had time to react before the pillar he was standing on began to crumble from underneath him. When the dust cleared, Ethan was trapped underneath the pillar that split in half on the landing. As a last minute diversion, Sylva threw herself onto the shadow somehow taking him with her to the ground. She threw punches and yelled profanities at the shadow trying to stall him long enough for help to arrive.

Now furious, Akuji threw Sylva at Ethan, who had just managed to free himself, and they both tumbled to the ground, landing in a heap.
"No one will get in my way," he growled, before launching himself at Kalabhiti. As soon as Akuji's fingertips touched his arm, a blast of dark power ricocheted through the air; causing everyone to cover their heads as pieces of the castle came down on top of them. Ethan bit his tongue as a piece of the rock fell down on top of his right shoulder, his eyes began to water from his aching arm. He quickly pushed down the pain, they had bigger problems to deal with at the moment.