The Ice Crystal (Published)

Chapter 29

****Thoron****

"I thought I'd find you here." A familiar voice wakes me up, "Get up and fight me!"

"I'm sorry Iceor," I stretch, "but I'm not dying today."

"We'll see about that!"

The ground begins shaking and the air grows frigid. I'm used to the cold and the heat, but this air is subzero. It's an ice showdown he wants, I'll give him an ice battle then. I begin charging up my power as well. When Iceor finished charging up his magic, his hands begin to glow an icey blue. I quickly gather my power and wait for his attack.

"My old student won't defeat me today!" He says charging me with his iced fists, "I won't lose to you ever again!"

I block the blow. He has gotten more powerful since the last time we faught. I started my ice magic training under the teachings of Iceor. We had a falling out and I nearly killed him. I gave him mercy and let him live, but he had to leave the capital and never return. Now he's found me somehow and has gotten even stronger since our last fight.

I dodge his fists as he slams me against the wall with a swift quick to the chest. My back slams against the hard rock and I scream out in pain. I nearly dodge a spike as it slams into the wall next to me. I roll past him and slam my fists into his back. He wasn't even affected by it! He turns and faces me with a feral look in his eyes. He's been taken to the dark side of magic. He's using ice to form some type of armor around him. I can't touch him.

"You can't touch me now!" He says slamming a fist into my face. The ice cuts my face and blood sprays the ground staining the white and grey ground scarlet, "I've mastered my magic unlike you!"

"That's where you're wrong." I say stumbling to my feet and wiping the blood off my face, "I did master fire magic!"

An aura of fire circles me as I call upon my forgotten magic. I never wanted to use the attack spells that I learned from Fiore, but if I have to, I will. I will see Rias again! I won't let her down! I will live! I ready the most powerful spell I know: A physical attack, but my hands and feet will be enveloped in fire that can kill in one punch. It's dark magic that I thought I'd forget, but this is the only way I can win.

"So that's how you want to play it then?" He says with a fierce look in his eyes, "Then I'll use the forbidden ice punch."

He sacrifices his armor and focuses all his energy into his hands and feet just like I did. We charge at each other and both of our fists connect.

I'm sorry Rias. It seems I won't be there to help you through this journey. Then I hear her scream from the top of the mountain. I have to get to her.

I open my eyes in a pool of my own blood. I stand up weakly and stumble out of the cave nearly tripping over Iceor's dead body. He has a smile on his face like he wanted to die. I cough and cover my mouth. I look down at my hand. Blood covers it, but I won't die here! Not until I reach Rias and save her!