The Arch-Mage

Chapter 8

Sylvia, Miran, Laxy and Hestia were wondering through the forest in the dead of night. They were about to destroy Malik's household. They were about to attack his home town. When the four saw the walls, they slowed their approach. They decided to skulk around the town until they reached the back entrance. Since Malik's family home was in the town, they would have to sneak in. On that count they were unlucky. On the other hand however, there were no prominent mages in his family making him an easy target. Sylvia grabbed him by the shoulder to stop him. When the other two were far enough ahead, she hugged him tightly and whispered "Don't worry, we'll get him" in his ear. This helped him calm down a little. They were staging a rescue and an assassination at the same time. They would slaughter Malik's family while saving Brune from the dungeons. Risky but efficient. The reason Miran was most worried is because he wouldn't be saving Brune. Lyxa and Hestia would do that while he and Sylvia would eliminate their targets.

When they reached the other side, Miran cast and illusion over he and Sylvia while making his other two companions invisible. To everyone, themselves included, they looked like normal humans while the other two were completely invisible. The guards asked them their reason for visiting. After a short yet convincing conversation, they were granted access to the town. The four of them separated. Sylvia and Miran looked around in surprise. It looked like a festival was going on. The dark-mage quickly thought of any possibilities. Only one came to mind. The execution festival. Once every two years, they would execute every prisoner who committed a serious crime. Brune's crime was part of that category. Quickly, they ran to the centre of town. He had guessed correctly. Dozens of prisoners were lined up in front of a guillotine. Among them stood Brune and Helen. If it wasn't for Sylvia who was holding him by the arm, he would have blown up the execution stand. Slightly calmer then he was a minute ago, he told Sylvia that he would stop this ceremony and that she should kill any guard who attacked him. From the shadows of course. Quickly, she disappeared onto the roofs. Now that she was gone, Miran stopped his illusion spells and walked straight into the circle. Malik's father and Malik, who was standing beside him, were announcing the executionees and their supposed crimes. Miran knew that most people didn't do anything wrong, they just stood up to them. Miran pushed his way through the crowd which, after a while, started moving out of his way. It seems the citizens of this town still remembered him. Noticing the commotion, the two nobles looked towards him. Malik suddenly broke out in a grin.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the adopted nightmare. How have you been criminal?" Exclaimed Malik.
"Watch your tongue or you won't have one anymore."
"What can you do. There are dozens of guards here and we have your father. So let me ask you again, what can you do?"
"Fair point."
"Good. Now why don't you come up here? My family and I have been dreaming of this day for a long time." He explained while waving towards what was supposedly his family.
"Ah Malik. You just made my life so much easier. I needed to see the rest of your family so you just saved me some much needed time. See, me and my associates are here to destroy your family. And I must say, I am looking forward to see you squirm."
"What associates? You're a lone wolf. You work alone and I don't see anyone with you. You're just bluffing."
"There's something you seem to have forgotten about me Malik. I don't lie. IF YOU WOULD DO THE HONOURS, SYLVIA!"

Arrows of wind rained down on the guards. They hadn't even seen it coming. Now panicking, people ran away from the square. Blood was flowing in the streets. The matriarch had given them explicit orders not to harm the civilians. If peace was to be rekindled among their people, they should not hurt anyone nilly-willy. So Miran was basically useless at this time. Slowly, he walked towards Malik. He had summoned his guards around the nobles and ordered them to kill them. They never saw it coming. The only people left were Malik and his father. He wanted to hurt them as much as he could but decided against it since that would ruin his image even more. In the end, he just took all of their mana and life force. With renowned purpose, he freed the prisoners. Helen helped Brune walk to Miran. When the two got there, he signalled to the rest of his team that the mission was complete. Now that he was finished, he turned to his charges. Helen was pretty bruised up and hadn't taken a shower in god knows how long. Next was Brune. He was covered in bruises, looked like had been starved and dehydrated for a long time. When the rest of his team got there, he teleported them all back to the infirmary at Sylvia's home. When they got there, nurses helped Helen to a bath while 3 others lifted Brune to a nearby bed where they would treat him. Miran stayed by his side for at least an hour. Sylvia holding his shoulder the whole time. Later that night, he learnt that Brune was lucky to be alive. He also learned that he would be back to his usual self in a few weeks or so. He wouldn't be as strong as he used to be but still. Relieved, the two walked back to Sylvia's room .