Necromancer For Hire- Arc 5

Arc 5, Chapter 29

The Flight

Victor and Seraph fought with new gusto. Spirit flames and beams of light entwined to create a powerful barrage that made Luna and Stella break out into a nervous sweat. The two children stood back to back, relying on each other for both offense and defense.

Victor forced down his exhaustion, battling through the dark haze of tunnel vision and a spinning head. Seraph didn't seem to be in great shape either, his stance weak and face contorted in strain.

Victor forced Stella back with a plume of cold fire, embers scattering across the grass. The spirit lost her footing, collapsing to the ground in a pile of burnt armor and ripped fabric.

Luna gaped at her partner, eyes going wide. "Stella! Get up! Mother commanded that we kill them!"

Stella shouted curses in response, falling into a faint.

Grunting, Luna threw herself back at Seraph, coming in with bare fists. Seraph quickly threw up a shield, hairline cracks appearing where the burly spirit hit the barrier. Victor heard Seraph groan, his body trembling.

With a loud cry of force, Seraph's shield exploded into magical shrapnel, flinging Luna onto the ground and slicing her flesh. Both spirits now lay unmoving.

Victor shakily gave Seraph a thumbs up, smiling. Seraph stared at his hand in confusion, seemingly surprised by his own powers.

"That was new," he remarked bluntly.

"That was awesome!" Victor playfully hit in on the shoulder, "Perfect for combat. Isn't that what you want?"

Seraph's eyes lit up, the spirit clenching his fist. "That is correct."

Victor extinguished his circle of flames, allowing the fire that lapped at his arms to die out. "I think..." he said breathlessly, "I think we're done."

"Should we not finish them off?" Seraph asked, nodding his head at the fallen guards.

Victor's heart skipped a beat. "W-what?! Of course not!" He couldn't kill anybody!

"They were sent to murder us, Victor," Seraph replied, his breathing uneven.

"They're already down," Victor said, feeling his throat to close up, "It's not fair."

A silence settled over them, and the sounds of Esper's battle was finally able to be heard.

----

Esper and Celeste were caught in an endless, bloody tangle. With every limb Esper severed, Celeste quickly restored it. Esper was starting to tire, his magic supply dwindling.

He sensed Victor and Seraph's small forms running his way, and his blood turned cold, temper flaring against his opponent. They were the reason that he was fighting Celeste. He had to protect them. That was his responsibility.

Esper took a deep breath, summoning every bit of his strength. A sea of vines ripped from the earth, aided by a wave of sizzling pink energy. With that last roar of power, Esper attacked Celeste, slamming her into the ground several hundred feet away.

"Kids!" Esper screamed while Celeste was down, "we've got to go!"

A spare vine sliced through the air, a portal opening. It led to a bright, cheery suburb in Alcorith, Michigan, the only place Esper knew his family would be safe.

Celeste struggled to her feet, gritting her teeth. "Seraph Harmony!" she shouted, her child flinching, "From this day on, you are banished! You are dead to me! If you ever return to the Celestial Realm, I will kill you without remorse!"

"Why would I want to go back?" Seraph countered viciously, swaying on his feet, "I finally have someone who actually loves me!" His grip tightened around Victor's arm, the boy blushing.

Esper ran to the children, shapeshifting in mid-air. He was now a mighty stag, with the new addition of his feathered wings and tail.

"Come," Esper urged, kneading his cloven hooves into the ground.

Seraph took a step, only to cry out and crumple. He was clutching his hip, the bloodstains prevalent on his stark white tunic.

"Seraph!" Victor cried, throwing himself to the ground beside him.

"It...It hurts," Seraph whispered through grit teeth.

Victor, feeling tears welling in his eyes, quickly grabbed Seraph by the hand, pulling him onto Esper's back. Esper took off, barely giving Victor a chance to leap on behind Seraph.

As Esper charged into the portal, Victor turned around, offering one last look at Celeste. She was crouched near her children, Stella and Luna, shaking her head and muttering under her breath.

Author's Note- hmm, there seems to some conflicting morals. might come in handy later.

to lighten the mood: favourite joke/funniest part of the series?