Breaking Light

Chapter 8

The Grand hall was a nexus of the Academy where mages from different schools of the Order came together for some recuperation after spending hours and hours of training. A place of culture where art and science were exhibited infused with magic. A grand bazaar was situated in the center of the hall with Various stalls that hosted vendors from all around the globe selling all sorts of unique items, ranging from the simplest of jewelry to master crafted armor and weapons. Relics from time immemorial put on display. Plants and pets of all the known species, miniaturized with spells, and some of them were even extinct in the world. Aria walked in the familiar streets of the grand bazaar looking at various items here and there, she passed by the pet stall and saw a mini T-Rex in an artificial miniaturized habitat. A glass globe with miniature winged dinosaurs flying inside labeled 'pterodactyls' hung by the stall roof. An aquarium with a variety of Jurassic aquatic creatures was on display. Aria was fascinated by the attractions around her.
Another stall featured perfumes and scents of every possible combination known to be perceived by human and inhuman senses. Her eye caught a glimpse of a bottle marked 'death and decay', why would anyone want THAT, she thought. Stag, who was floating very close to Aria looked at it,

"Ah, a sublime scent considered among the dregs of the inferno. I know a few demons who'd barter a good number of souls for a bottle of that", he said pointing at the obnoxious looking bottle. Aria raised her brow in disgust and the two kept walking taking in the sights.

"It has been long since I walked these streets, everything seems to be the same though. It's surprising how many young ones possess the gift and are brought here." Aria said looking at a group of children in white training robes running around playing.
There was a scream from a distant end of the bazaar, a bright flash of light came from a distance that momentarily disrupted the sky illusion and everything went dark inside the hall. There were more screams and then came a loud rumble. And a roar of something entirely unnatural. It was loud and echoed. Suddenly the ground shook and Aria stumbled to her knees and stood straight immediately, her reflexes kicking in as she took up a defensive stance.
"What was that?!"
"That was what Lady Melissa wanted to show you. I'm afraid we need to move things ahead of schedule right now. Time to show off your skills, Redstone. Get ready, they're coming." Stag swooped up, claws extending fiercely, his eyes glowed brighter. Runes appeared on his blue body that glowed faintly, Aria could see him gather his strength as a faint mist converged around him.
A small explosion set off on a nearby stall, Aria focused her vision and spotted a silhouette of something that had a shape of a huge hound with spikes on its back and its upper body disproportionately large with claws around two feet in length. It strode its way out of the dust and debris and then she saw the creature.
"Shadow hounds. Tough hide. unnaturally fast for their size. impervious to frontal assault. Nasty creatures." Aria said as if recalling from a book. "But not too fond of fire" She took in a deep breath, held her hands in front, left ahead of the right, quick gestures with her fingers. With that, she felt the elemental power of fire gather around her concentrating within her palms. Flames suddenly engulfed her hands. Air swirled around her in an invisible tornado lifting her hair. Her eyes glowed in response to the surging energy. The hound must have noticed the sudden change in energy, it's head turned straight to where Aria and Stag were, it hunched forward momentarily before charging towards the two.
"COME ON YOU UGLY BASTARD!" Aria yelled at the hound, taunting. The hound, incredibly fast, darted forward, its fiery eyes narrowed, sharp long teeth bared, it leaped in the air, claws extended, ready to strike. She dodged the hound with practiced ease and extended her hands towards the hound, a steady jet of orange-red flames shot out and struck the hound. It let out a roar in agony as hot flames engulfed its thick hide, crackling sounds coming from the point of impact, shadows bleeding from it, dripped as a thick pool of black tar. The hound retreated to a short distance and starting encircling Aria and Stag like a predator about to strike with vengeance. Stag extended his claws, all four of his glowing orange eyes narrowed to focus on the hound as it leaped at Aria for a second strike, Stag dematerialized to a thick cloud of blue shadows and materialized right underneath the hound mid-air and sliced it with his long deadly claws. The hound landed on the ground and turned to face Stag who was grinning, revealing sharp canines, thick black blood dripped from the tips of his claws. The hound staggered, black tar oozing freely from its belly and it dropped to the ground before slowly dissolving into a bubbling pool of tar that immediately caught fire.
"Ha, that wasn't so tough" Stag casually grinned looking at Aria who immediately stood back in her defensive stance.
"Not done yet Stag, there are more coming our way."
"Crap, never a moment that is too easy, is there." Stag whipped his claws to clean the black tar.
Many screams were echoing and a flare shot up the grand hall.
"PROTECT THE CHILDREN!!! SENTINELS, TAKE THE RIGHT AND LEFT FLANKS! ALPHA TEAM, TO ME!!!!" Aria turned around as she saw the Sentinel Commander, adorned in gleaming silver armor over his robes, a helm that covered his entire face except for slits for the eyes that glowed blue through the helm,
His battalion rushed in, Hundreds of battle-hardened warriors dressed in deep purple robes, carrying their staves running towards the charging shadow hounds.
Sparks and flames rose high above as the army fought. The sentinels had managed to ward off the attack with a trained swiftness. The Bazaar was left in ruins, bodies lying about, some injured people dragging themselves to safety while some bled to their deaths.
The commander spotted Aria fighting, a hound had stalked behind her, ready to pounce, he immediately materialized behind her, a curved sword in his hand, gleaming with sigils that glowed red, set the blade afire, and sliced the hound clean in half. Aria turned immediately ready to strike and saw the commander.
"Thanks, uncle Adrian." She said panting.
The sentinel commander flicked his sword, tar falling away from it as if repulsed by the blade itself, he took off his helm revealing the face of a man who had seen much bloodshed and battles. His glowing blue eyes simmered, experienced brown eyes regarded Aria in a welcoming manner.

"Losing your edge kid? Good to see you back. How long has it been?"

"Too long" Aria replied. They shook hands.
"Adrian, is that you? Damn you look old!!" Stag appeared from behind Aria.
"And you look hideous as ever Stag. Entrails still hanging I see." Snickered the commander.
"Ah you know, makes me look more attractive." Stag said, lifting a gut loop that hung from his midsection.

"I see the blade came to you after all."

Adrian lifted his sword, the silver blade gleaming in the dark hall. sigils still glowing red.

"It chose me at a time I needed it the most."

Stag grinned.
"Aria, where is your mother?" Adrian looked at Aria.
"She said she had some business to attend to. I haven't seen her since I arrived in the grand hall."
"We need to seal the breach now before more shadows breakthrough."
"A breach? inside the Academy??" Aria asked perplexed by the notion. The academy was supposed to be protected by old magics, originally devised by the founding members of the Order.
"That is what's troubling me the most. It has never happened before. And we were never prepared for such an assault."
The three turned their heads as they heard a woman scream and rushed to check what had transpired.
A woman knelt on the ground embracing a child who was not moving, blood had pooled around the woman and stained her clothes. She clutched the child close to her rocking back and forth, crying.
Adrian clenched his fist in anger.

"This can not happen again."

Aria knelt beside the woman trying to console her to no avail. She let the mother grieve and slowly backed away.
There was another bang in the distance, a sentinel rushed towards Adrian,

"Commander, The breach, more are coming through sir!"

Adrian closed his eyes, put his helm back on, Glowing blue eyes shone through the dark slits, he picked up his sword,

"DELTA TEAM, ESCORT THE CIVILIANS TO SAFETY, NO MORE CASUALTIES!! BETA AND CHARLIE TEAM, GUARD OUR FLANKS!!! ALPHAS, WITH ME!" His voice boomed throughout the grand hall and the sentinels carried out their commander's orders.

"Redstone, you're with me. Stag.... do what you do best." the sentinel commander spoke and Stag grinned like the devil. Adrian nodded at Aria and all of them headed towards the breach.