The Forsaken Arts

Chapter 41: Ascension

Mikhail, who had maintained a watchful eye on Krinx since his startling arrival, could see the truth behind the clever façade. His understanding of his role in all the madness was continuous, instilling confidence as he calmly walked past both his brother and Dai.

"I know for a fact that Krinx could have avoided those attacks." he said as if to challenge his authenticity.

The Legion stood in disbelief of his bold move, was this youthful ignorance? Dai raised an eyebrow while accessing and wondering what the young scholar knew that they didn't.

The sound of her son's voice awoke Cecilee from her trance as she quickly procured her sword in time to see Mikhail approach them.

"Stay back." she said while extending her arm to guard him and block his path.

Never once did he break his stare or stride from the evil that stood before him as he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay mom. He won't hurt me." he replied while gently moving her aside.

Krinx's lip curled as he locked eyes with the now confident youth.

"No, I guess I should rephrase that... He can't hurt me." Mikhail proclaimed just as he came face to face with the dark assassin.

Cecilee always pushed her youngest to focus on his studies rather than combat from the moment he was old enough to understand. Mikhail had always remained behind the scenes of the wars and battles that Rendarg had over territories with neighboring kingdoms.

Although he was confident, his cautious and calculative nature would never have warranted such bold moves, and all who stood atop the fourth floor knew his behavior was out of character. They all watched with uncertainty to what would happen next.

He smirked, then lowered his head while closing his eyes, "So tell me, where's Krinx?"

Everyone was in disbelief and didn't know how to take the question as they all looked around to one another, anxiously awaiting a response.

The man before him smugly replied, "Well aren't we the perceptive one?"

What does he mean? What's going on here? Dai wondered, trying in his own way to figure out these cryptic clues.

"Not....Krinx?" the dragoon murmured to himself.

Mikhail's grin quickly faded as he once again met with the eyes of the enemy, "You can't win, you should know that by now."

Everyone abruptly brought their guard to the ready as Krinx's eyes let out quick a burst of light, opening a rift behind him and blocking off the stairway.

Mikhail glanced back at his mother. He wouldn't flee, not now with me so close to his grasp.

"Step forward young one, and save the lives of those you love." he said while gesturing towards the rift.

Cecilee quickly stepped forward shouting, "No! Mikhail, you get back here right now!"

"Silence!" he boomed angrily, "This does not concern you woman!"

"Get ready." Dai said, cutting his eyes over to Naitosai.

That was the wrong thing to say, she's gonna be pissed. The dragoon thought, clearly agreeing with Dai's notion.

Infuriated by his comment, her eyes again radiated with that divine light as the air around her became distorted.

"Mom no, don't!" Mikhail pleaded.

"Does... not... con...cern....me..." she grumbled while dropping her sword back to the floor.

Dai began to slowly move over to Naitosai as Cecilee's blood began to flow heavily from her wounds.