The Vice Captain of the Crimson Lions

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The air buzzed with tension as Mynx's mana began to swirl and build up around her, the glow intensifying. Yami's eyes narrowed as he instinctively pulled Asta behind him, shouting,

"GET DOWN!"

William opened his grimoire again and raised his hand,

"World tree magic: Dracaena Formation!"

Thick, bark-like vines emerged from the ground, encasing nearby Magic Knights in protective shells to shield them from what was coming. The unfamiliar confinement sparked unease, but they barely had time to react before a pulse of cosmic energy erupted from Mynx, ripping through the battlefield. The powerful wave sent Diamond Kingdom mages and unprotected Magic Knights flying, uprooting trees and tearing through the landscape. But just before it could hit Yami, William, Xander, and Aphi, a shimmering celestial barrier appeared around them, a shield they recognized from years past as Mynx's signature protection spell.

"Cosmic Magic: Comet!"

Xander's eyes widened in desperation. He ran forward,

"MYNX!"

Yami grabbed him and yanked him back,

"Kid! Stop and look at that and tell me it's a good idea!"

They looked back up and saw mana build up around her, William ran over to them,

"We have to save her! That's too much mana!"

Xander's eyes searched the scene frantically, and he felt a tug, He looked up and saw an outline of a wolf standing on their hind-legs right behind her. He felt a pain in his chest and looked down at his chest to see his mark glowing faintly,

"I know what to do,"

Yami narrowed his eyes,

"Something tells me that we won't like it,"

Xander shrugged and winked at him,

"Catch me when I fall,"

He immediately jumped up and landed on his floating card and flew higher to get closer to her. He picked up his Queen of Hearts as it softly glowed,

"Save her. Give her my mana. Show me how to find her."

He lifted his head as he heard a thrum,

"Cosmic Magic: Lunar Release,"

He saw how the mana was draining from her even faster as she grew pale yet she was glowing even more,

"MYNX! Card Magic: Hearts Promise!"

He threw the card and hit her in the arm right as she let out a loud Howl. He gasped when the spectral wolf fully appeared behind her, towering and luminous, mirroring her stance. The wolf's translucent form glowed with the same cosmic aura, as the wolf joined her in howling. He saw the mana release with the howl as he felt his own mana drain. Yami looked at William and pointed at Xander,

"We need to get the kid!"

William nodded and grabbed Yami's arm,

"Come on!"

Using his magic, he created branches to steadily lift them up. Then Xander started falling in time with Mynx,

"XANDER!"

They caught him immediately and watched helplessly as Mynx fell too, William reached out to her but before his branch could catch her, a wall of water surged up from the earth, crashing into his branches and sending them tumbling. Yami shielded them with his body as they hit the ground. When they looked up, they saw Aphi, standing with Mynx cradled in his arms, a dark look of possession on his face.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!"

Yami growled,

"Give her back!"

"LEAVE US!"

He thrust his arm forward, summoning a towering wave of water aimed directly at them. Before it hit them, Asta appeared and slashed it with his anti-magic sword.

"Come on, Shallow."

Before they could react, he was gone. Yami punched the ground,

"NO!"

William put his hand on his shoulder,

"Yami-"

"Don't say ANYTHING! We lost her! SHE WAS RIGHT THERE! WE LET THEM TAKE HER AGAIN!"

Asta slowly backed away from him as his mana grew darker,

"Captain Yami,"

Yami growled and stood up,

"We have to get her back. Now."

William raised his hand,

"I want her back, too. But look around us. We need to regroup."

Yami sighed and rubbed his hand down his face,

"Fine. Let's go,"

Asta winced,

"Hey, Captain Vangeance?"

William tilted his head,

"Yes?"

Asta chuckled nervously,

"I think some of your squad is in cacoons of bark,"

William winced and nodded,

"That is right."

Asta looked around and then at his hands,

"Hey, what was that glowing thing earlier? When the explosion happened,"

Yami sighed and picked up Xander,

"That, Asta. Was the power of the one and only cosmic mage,"

"But didn't she cause the explosion? How did she also make a shield at the same time?"

William smiled softly at Asta,

"Because, Asta. She has a four-leaf clover. She was ranked as strong as Captain Fuegoleon and Mereoleona. She did not wish any harm on us...she lost control,"

Asta's eyes widened,

"Wait...how did she lose control?"

Yami slapped the back of his head,

"Stop asking questions. We have to get going. Actually, you stay here with some of Will's squad to help out Kiten,"

William nodded,

"Yes, until we ask you to come back."

Asta saluted,

"Yes, sir!"

Yami nodded and patted his head,

"Good,"