Hero of Ranora

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Flora turned to face Derrik and Sharelle. "If you are going to face Neyom, you will need to learn how to counter magic attacks. The palace is swarming with mages, and the only way to get to Neyom is to take them on," Flora explained. "The only way to learn to deal with a mage is to actually face a mage," Flora said, while motioning to the far side of the room.

Sharelle gasped as smoke filled the room, making it nearly impossible to see anything. Derrik stepped protectivly in front of Sharelle. As the fog lifted, a floating figure made it's way to the ground. Whoever it was wore a dark blue cloak that seemed to be made of thin air. As the figure touched down to the floor, he hissed one phrase.

"Chosssssen oneeee," It hissed, it's eyes on Derrik. It stood up, removing it's robes as it rose, revealing themself as a woman. She was dressed in tight, sleveless leather, leaving more room for better mobility. She was completely bald, her head engraved with shadowy designs.

"My name is Eilyan," The woman said. "and I am your doom!" Eilyan swept her hand through the air, screaming as she did so. Derrik felt the air grow thick and cold, as the woman cried, "ICHALA!"

Derrik felt Sharelle stiffen beside him, as well as his own body. He realized what the woman was doing; she was casting their bodies in ice, so they would become easier targets. Eilyan sprinted towards them, pointed shards of ice jutting from her arms.

She attempted to impale Derrik straight in the heart, when she heard a voice radiate from the ground. "Leave the boy alive," The voice moaned. "The girl, however, is useless to me. Do as you please with her," The voice echoed.

Eilyan gave a sickening grin, pulling her icy blade away from Derrik's heart. "So, the little lady is mine to slaughter, is she?" She asked cockily. She walked away, causing Derrik to sigh in relief. It turned out to be a false hope, however, as Eilyan turned around and thrusted her freezing blade into Sharelle's hip.

Sharelle screamed a blood-curdling scream, echoing throughout the entire room. It was at this time that Derrik had his first regrets about bringing her along. The dark mage cackled in delight as Sharelle's cries rang through her ears.

Derrik struggled against the ice that held him captive, wishing that he was anywhere but there. As he struggled against his bonds, Sharelle felt the life slowly slip away from her, as if she were just moments from her death.

"Derrik!" Sharelle shouted. Derrik turned around and saw Eilyan's blade against Sharelle's throat. Eilyan gave a crafty grin just before swiftly changing directions, and plunging the dagger into Sharelle's shoulder.

Derrik pushed harder against the ice, hoping it would give way and crack. Eilyan walked towards him, smirking. "Now, what to do with you, Chossssen one, what to do," The mage screeched. Derrik stared at her right in the eye, hoping that his body was not too weak to expand energy.

In just seconds, he felt his body grow weaker, the energy leaving it all at once. Eilyan looked at him in confusion. "You claim to be the chosen one, yet you just slump over in defeat. How can that be?" Eilyan asked, clearly not understanding what was happening.

Derrik took her confusion as his cue to take action. "Sharelle! Now!" Derrik shouted. Right as the words left his mouth, Sharelle leaped into action, running up behind Eilyan and holding her in place. Derrik expanded more energy to melt the ice around himself, and then joined Sharelle.

"Never underestimate the power of a provisioner," Derrik said coldly, summoning a sword as he spoke. "I can end your life of evil right now, mage," Derrik said, drawing his sword near Eilyan's thigh. Eilyan let out a faint growl.