A Sword For Gold

Chapter 28 - Balin Delvis

Their flames burned ever so powerfully.

Velenya's raging bright orange flames heavily contrasted the powerful reverberations of Alyria's crimson flames, as they began to clash and throw their power at each other, in a duel of sorcery, aiming to overwhelm the other with their very own powers.

Alyria Desolas pushed forward with a ray of crimson fire, sending it blasting towards Velenya Martel, who simply did the same, aiming to cancel out Alyria's ray of crimson fire with her own, hopefully equally powerful ray of bright orange fire.

However, they simply broke even, as their rays of fire merely cancelled out, leaving no trace of blazes or embers in the limited air of the cavern. Both powerful sorceresses took a deep breath as they regained some of their air and stamina after having let loose such power without holding back any of their respective energies.

Velenya was not going to let her enemy catch even a second of air, however, as she darted forward with a Flicker Step, handling the Star Sword tightly, before swinging it at Alyria's throat. However, Alyria Desolas was quick to see through Velenya's attack, swiftly ducking under the slash, before countering with a palmed fireball, aiming straight for Velenya's stomach.

Velenya wisely and quickly dodged, not letting Alyria lay a single finger upon her, as she Flicker Stepped backwards, disengaging and creating an acceptable distance between them, before Flicker Stepping again, this time towards Alyria's backside; her retreat was merely a feint.

Velenya immediately swung her sword right through Alyria Desolas, and like the unstoppable force that it was, the Star Sword felt little to no resistance; perhaps too little. It was then that Velenya had realized that she had slashed the Star Sword right through an illusion, as the mirage of Alyria Desolas faded into thin air, leaving absolutely no trace in the cavern clearing.

"So the Gem of Corruption also creates illusions," Velenya murmured to herself, staying on her toes, ready for Alyria to come out of the shadows and strike at her once again. "This Unwieldable is such a handful, always messing with my head."

Then, Velenya sensed an attack from her flank.

Without looking, Velenya managed to sidestep away from Alyria's subtle sneaky attack with a fireball, before finally grabbing unto her wrist with her left hand, her grip firm and steady. Without hesitation, Velenya immediately pulled Alyria towards her, before swinging the Star Sword at her neck with her right hand, aiming to end the fight with the swing of the Star Sword.

Alas, it was yet another illusion. Velenya cursed, frustrated. It felt so real. She had even managed to hold unto Alyria's wrist, but apparently, even that sensation was part of the illusion; the hypnosis caused by the Gem of Corruption.

"You really ought to check your surroundings, Velenya Martel," she heard Alyria speak, her voice coming from a direction that immediately caused her to widen her eyes in alarm. Velenya immediately realized that throughout the fight, she had been lured away from her sister and the rest of her friends, and as she turned to look back at them and check, there, Alyria Desolas stood, with Vaelia and the others having been gathered up alongside each other, and like Maraxus earlier, were now wrapped up in rocky tendrils that rose from the ground, binding them and keeping them on a short leash that was the difference between them staying alive and their certain deaths.

"Don't move, Velenya Martel," Alyria demanded, "Or all five of them will die... slowly... and painfully."

"YOU WOULDN'T DARE!" Velenya screamed, helpless, unable to do anything but simply stand there, seeing no acceptable, viable choice in that situation any longer, with the ones she had been looking after now being held hostage, so close to the grips of death.