Jigoku: The Unknown World

Chapter Ten - Reawakening

"My lord!" A knight came bursting through the doors to where the balcony King Harr had been sitting on. One of the things he liked to do in the afternoon was look out over the kingdom, and today he was also reading some of the stuff on when humans had first arrived, since his interest had been piqued ever since Alexander told him what they saw in the library. The balcony was small, the floor was stone like the walls and there were two banners on each side of the door leading back inside that had the kingdom's crest on it. Other than that there was a railing made of stone and a chair with a table in the middle of the balcony. Harr put down the book, surprised by the knight's interruption. 

"Yes, what is it?" The knight got down on one knee. he was sweating and clearly nervous.

"Sir, we have received reports of a ship heading this way. Your court wizard used a spell to look far in the distance and saw the ship. It's on a direct route to Albion, and though no captain was seen on board, there were many that wore the same clothing as those ruffians that attacked the village to the south of here about a year ago."

"What?" Harr was now jumping to his feet. "This is bad. What of the Red Dawn?"

"Their ship is also in the ruffians' direct path."

"Then they will no doubt encounter them. Can we supply support to them?"

"No sir. The wizard claims he has no attack spell capable of that reach, and all of the battle ships are in use on missions."

"Damn! So there's nothing we can do?"

"I'm afraid not my lord." Harr rubbed his chin. 

"Have Fujo use more of that viewing spell to keep an eye on them, and update me on what happens."

"Sir!"

"Shin, best of luck to you..."

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"Fireball!" 

The heat gathered in the palm of my hand, and then shot forward, steam still coming off of my hand. The ball of fire shot directly towards Gau, who was caught off guard.

"What the?"  The fire enveloped him, as his whole body became a blaze. He screamed out as he ran frantically towards the edge of the ship. Jumping overboard all I could do was hear a splash as Gau was now out of the fight. It worked! I forgot that no one else could use magic without spell scrolls, and ok maybe I forgot I had magic in the first place.

"You bastard!" Lieutenant's face was now the complete opposite of his calm look earlier. now he was snarling. "i'll kill you for doing that to Gau!" He began charging towards me, weapon drawn. I raised my hand again. 

"Fireball!" 

The flame shot but Lieutenant somehow blocked it with his knife. Could it be due to whatever his level was? I was backed against a wall now. The spell didn't work and Lieutenant stabbed right for my head, which I somehow dodged, causing the knife to get stuck in the wood next to me.

"A quick little punk aren't ya? No worries, you're little flame is no mach for me, you're useless!" Lieutenant yanked the knife out and slashed for me again. I rolled out of the way, shooting another fireball. He blocked it again effortlessly. What is with this guy? How can he be so strong? I looked around at all my injured friends around me, and at the man in front of me. To be honest, in that moment I felt like crying. I felt like just letting it all out and falling to my knees. This whole thing has been so overwhelming, I don't know if I can go on. Such a cruel world it is, not to mention unforgiving. No, I can't talk like that, not now. I have to protect those I call a friend. They're in need of my help. Is there anything I can use against him at this point? He ran up and I blocked a blow with the pole of my halberd. There's got to be something. That's it! getting some distance from Lieutenant I opened my inventory.