Another Life in The Grand Library

Chapter 8.5. Disaster

The battle began once again!
Papers flew around them, several shelves cut down or even fell, books scattered over. The battle made everything in chaos as if a tornado had passed through the room.

Lesath was taken aback by the sudden attack. They were unpredictable! He quickly got to his feet and stood slightly in front of Sir Alvard, ready to defend his master and himself. He glared at the attackers, trying to assess the situation.

He took a step forward, ready to engage the mysterious attacker. He must defeat them before things get ugly.

The shadows strike again, but Lesath swiftly moved out of the way. He countered with a powerful strike, aiming for the enemy's chest. However, there was something strange. His attack only passed through the opponent's body, only hit the thin air.

"What the...?" What kind of power is this? Lesath was confused, but nevertheless he continued attacking relentlessly, determined to defeat his opponent.

Even though his attack passed through the shadow's body, when the shadow launched an attack towards him, it hit him hard.

Lesath knocked back by the attack, stumbling backwards. He groaned in pain as he tried to regain his footing.

"Virgil!!" Sir Alvard looked at him worriedly, slightly distracted. He was also busy with his own opponent.

"I'm fine, Master!" Lesath answered briefly before dashed towards the shadow again.

It was quite hard, Lesath was fighting with all his might yet they were quite fast! Too powerful! The first shadow attacked him and slashed at his face. Lesath was quick and managed to block its claws but was forced to crouch down. The second shadow pounced on him. He was outnumbered and overpowered. He roared almost in frustration.

The black shadows all let out a roar as well, trying to drag Lesath away from Sir Alvard. Lesath tried to break free from the shadows' grasp but he couldn't.

"Master! Master!!" Lesath trying desperately to reach Sir Alvard.

On the other hand, one of the shadows held Sir Alvard tightly, pinning him to the floor. Two others grabbed his arms and legs. When Sir Alvard muttered another verse, the shadows only flinched a bit, but still held him down. They remained firm!

Sir Alvard tried to resist the shadow's grip, but he can only move his head as he is now controlled by the black shadows. The battle was turning into a losing side for Sir Alvard.

Sir Alvard was a powerless human against thousand year demons, and he could only stare at Lesath. "Virgil... I'm sorry for this..."

Lesath broke into tears as he realized that he was not strong enough to protect his Master, "No.., I am sorry."

Lord Vlad laughed and walked closer , "You sure know your spellcasting skills well, Alvard?" he spoke in amusement, watching Sir Alvard struggling to escape the binds that bound him.

Lesath growled in anger as the other two shadow's grip on him only got tighter, "Damn you!!" he shouted, trying again to break free. He was unable to watch his own Master being harmed.

Lord Vlad chuckled at the sight, he glared at Sir Alvard and stated, "Now you know... you don't have the strength to fight back even if you want, so I think that the best way out of the situation is... surrender."

Lesath bared his teeth and snarled, "Don't you dare lay a finger on him!!"

"Or what?" He laughed. "Are you willing to die for him?"

Lesath growled once more when other shadows appeared and held him even tighter, almost torturing.

"Vlad, release him," Sir Alvard ordered. "You've done enough already. He's.. ugh.." he stopped in the middle and looked down, feeling a sudden sharp pain that rose from his chest, spreading throughout his body. A gasp escaped his lips. His eyes widened when he realized something was very wrong.

Lord Vlad chuckled in amusement. He let out a small bottle from his pocket and showed it to Sir Alvard. The transparent glass was thick and sturdy, revealing a soft green liquid inside. "Know what's this?"

Sir Alvard looked at the small bottle. He felt a sense of dread as he recognized it, "It's... an antidote..."

"Correct! But who might I have poisoned? Can you guess?"

As Lord Vlad laughed, Sir Alvard felt another wave of pain. The poison had spread. But since when?? Something struck his mind. Could it be... from the tea that was served by the maid?

Sir Alvard kept his composure and asked, "You're poisoning me?" He frowned, "why...?"
Blood seeped through his lips as his vision dimmed. He started coughing up blood and his breath was getting weaker. His body slowly lost its strength. He could only stare at Lord Vlad in disbelief.

"Master! No!! You alright?!" Lesath called him then turned his head at Lord Vlad, "What have you done?!" He shouted desperately.

Vlad smirked at his question and turned his attention to Sir Alvard again, "so pity... but fear not. It's not a strong poison. Though, it still feels really painful, doesn't it?" he kneeled down before Sir Alvard so that they were at the same level. He chuckled, almost like the devil himself.

Master Alvard was gasping for air. His vision began to blurry even more as the poison started to affect his organs. He felt like he could die any second now. "Vlad..." he muttered.

Lord Vlad spoke again, "Don't worry. I will not let you die along with your secret. Not just yet. Tell me where the grimoire is, then I will spare you by giving this antidote. Sounds like a fair trade?"

Sir Alvard shook his head weakly, refusing to give him a hint.

Vlad was getting impatient and his face started to become more sinister. He grabbed Master Alvard's hair with force. "I don't have time for this! Answer me!!"

Another silence followed.

"No? It seems like you aren't scared of your own death. What about... your friend's death?" Vlad spoke, then snapped his finger. Soon, seven shadows who were holding Lesath united, became one big shadow. It grasped Lesath's neck and lifted him slightly to the air. Despite in pain, Lesath managed to say something,
" No.. Master! No! Don't tell... him... anything!"

The black shadow tightened his grip on Lesath's neck, he started to feel weak. Master Alvard tried to break free from the shadow's grasp again but was still unable to do anything.

"Mas...ter... don't say... a thing.." Lesath said, "don't...mind me..."

"But.. Virgil..." Sir Alvard uttered with difficulty. Torn between his will to help Lesath and his responsibility of keeping a secret. However... Leaking the secret would mean an end to mankind.

Lesath smiled in return, and continued,
"Master... you... still... call me... with that name?"

The black shadow's grip was becoming tighter and Lesath's consciousness began to fade. He tried his best to hold on but he could only manage a weak voice, "master..."

Lesath slowly turned into dust as his life fading away...

Vlad laughed at the sight of Lesath's death.

Sir Alvard stunned, silent with sadness and horror while watching the scene play out in front of him. Tears flowed from his eyes and his mouth hung agape as Lesath died so suddenly.

"Now let's end this, shall we? Give me back my grimoire! Tell me where that damned thing is?!" Vlad demanded in anger, his face twisted in fury.

Sir Alvard felt drained and he fell to the floor. His whole body shook violently while coughing out a stream of blood.

Vlad sneered, "Oh please...You must be tired of living. Why not just spill the beans?! Give me what I want!"

Lying down, Sir Alvard only stared deadly at Vlad's eyes. He still refused to speak. Lord Vlad stood and glared at his minions.

"Take him to another realm!! Torture him until he speaks!!"

Vlad then dropped the bottle of antidote to the floor, feeling that it has no value for him whatsoever now.

All the black shadows didn't hesitate to do what they were ordered. They immediately took Sir Alvard and dragged him away into a dark portal. He screamed in pain as he was being dragged into the darkness, but his voice slowly faded away as if he was getting further from the library...