The Heroes of the Elemental Academies Book 2: Dragon's Breath

Chapter 8 Capture

Katie

Only minutes after the battle had started an explosion rocked the West gate. Katie who's unit had been stationed there immediately went on high alert. But instead Manning the walls they stayed in the street ready to ambush anything or anyone who attempted to come over the wall. And over the wall they did come an armies worth roughly four hundred demons swarmed over the wall. Katie and her Battalion opened fire launching streams of bolts at the dark fiends. But like always the demons pushed through the attack regardless of their losses. Katie already knew why the demons were there but it really drove it home when she spotted the black hooded figure Seth had described coming over the wall. It was then she turned to Oscar a small twelve year old agent who was still in training at the academy.
"Oscar I need you to do something for me okay." The little boy who's face had gone pale as the demons came running down the staircase towards them. Their cruel faces filled with excitement as they tore into the first of Katie's men.
"Oscar I need you to do something for me okay?" Oscar nodded.
Now this is really important I need you to go to the north wall and tell my son Lord Malcovitch that I need help. Can you do that?" The little boy nodded.
"And this is the important part. If when you come back, and I'm not here tell my son to go to see Barbratoss. That it's very important. Got it?" Once again the little boy nodded"
"Alright get going." Katie instructed.
The little boy turned to go but then stopped.
"What about you?" he asked. Katie smiled at him and then stood to her full height.
"Well," she said drawing her sword I'm going to go do my job." She said calmly blocking a Demon claw as it descended toward her face. Without much thought she flicked the claw away from her and then brought her sword back around and cut down the demon. All without looking away from the boy.
"Now you go okay." The boy didn't say anymore he simply turned and ran.
Katie took a deep breath as she turned to face the enemy in front of her. Her silver katana flashed and the demon in front of her was cut in twain it's challenge roar cut short as he fell in two pieces. Black blood splashed on Katie's armor as she continued her onslaught. The next demon charged slashing at her with a spear made of darkness. Katie responded, she jumped up over the spear lashing out with her sword at the same time to take the enemies head. More blood spattered her armor as she moved steadily toward the black figure. She cut down everything in her path as she moved foraward many of her agents rallying around her. The black swordsman raised his head to look at her but Katie realized he wore a mask a silver mask with the face of a ghoul the mask had black etched designs in it that sent shivers down Katie's spine.

"So you must be the black swordsman?" Katie called raising her sword in a challenge. The hooded figure didn't respond he simply readied his sword and closed with her. Katie's last thoughts as she closed with her enemy was of her son and if he would be up for the mission that would surely ensue.

Seth

As Seth was led through the streets of the Academy towards the west gate. He was frantically, trying to rack his brain to figure out why the demons had targeted his mother. But the more he thought of it the more he couldn't understand why it was to be her. Sure she was a powerful fighter and a leader in the academies but to attack the entire academy just as a distraction to get her. What had his mother done to warrant such attention? Just thinking of it sent shivers down his spine.
"Just got to make it to her before it's too late." Seth kept repeating to himself as they ran down the street. It was only a few minutes later when the horror of what was happening hit home. A black cloaked man was attacking most likely the same swordsman that killed Isbis, Seth picked up the speed. His mom could handle herself in most situations but this, this was something on a whole other level. Seth had to get to her...now!

As they rounded the last corner following young Oscar what they saw made Seth stop immediately. Agents lay wounded up and down the street, demons still dissapating lay dead surrounding a small group of heavily wounded but still standing agents who stood in the middle of the street. Oscar who obviously recognised one of them took off toward a tall man in his mid thirties with a viking style braided beard.
"Lutinent Carthway I brought Master Malcovitch here are you guys doing okay?" Oscar yelled as Seth focused on trying to check the agents laying around him for the face of his mother. Not seeing her he ran to the Lutinent.
"Lutinent! Where is my mother!" Seth exclaimed frantically. But the immediate look of guilt that darkened the man's face told Seth everything.
"They took her sir." Those words hit Seth like horse and all the air rushed out of him as he collapsed onto his knees, the horror evident on his face.
Scenarios ran through Seth's mind of all the things the demons could and might do to his mother.
" I... I have to find her," Seth stammered stumbling to his feet. " If i go after them now i can catch up to them and..."

"And what?" The Lutinent asked. "There was at least a platoon of them. I don't care how skilled you are you won't come away from that unscathed. and neither will your mother.

"So what do you expect me to do!" Seth shouted for the first time in a while true anger had washed over him. The Lutinent sighed and put a had on Seth's shoulder. Before Seth could push him away he said.

" Look, you mom will be safe for now." Looked at him sharply

"And how do you know that?" He asked.

" They came here for your mom right? So she must have something they want and since they didn't kill her before they took her you can assume that they need her alive to get it." At those words Seth felt himself relax a little. The man was right, if it was intel they wanted they would have to keep her alive, which gave Seth time to find her. Seth felt someone tap him on the back and he turned to see Oscar standing there.

"Master Malcovitch?"

"Yeah?" Seth asked, "What is it?
"I have a message for you,"
"For me? Can it wait?" The little boy looked down at his boots.
"Well uh, um... It was from your mother the commander." Seth's anger escaped from him and he turned on Oscar
" Well why didn't you tell me before! Spit it out!" The kid shuddered like he was being jabbed with a needle.
   "W...well Sir she said for you to go see master Barbratoss if something happened to her.
   "Barbratoss?" Seth asked
   "Yes sir!" The kid said. "She said it was very important." Seth thought for a moment. If his mother had left this message knowing she would probably be captured then there had to be a reason. Perhaps it was related to the reason she had been targeted by the Demons.

   "Okay!" Seth said "We have a battle to finish, but after we are done i'm going to go have a little chat with Barbratoss and then go save my mother." Seth stared pointedly at the Lutinent.

   "One way or the other,"