The Virtues' Magecraft

Page 24: Land of the Vanir

Alexander and Gabriel almost crashed into the ground. Just inches from the ground, they suddenly halted, remaining in the air just to be released and let down.

Alexander fell face-first into the dirt. As he does.

"Get up," Gabriel said, swallowed his saliva.

Alexander spat out a sigh, still on the ground. "We haven't even been here for an hour," he said, his tone shifting to anger. "So why... Why the hell-"

"Alexander, you gotta get up," Gabriel repeated. "Now."

He slowly looked up. An armored warrior stood before Alexander, with a blade in his hand.

"Oh, God."

Alexander quickly jumped up and dashed back. The knight slammed his blade down, crashing into the ground and cracking it with vicious power.

He began to look around. Alexander and Gabriel appeared before a massive marvelous palace. Standing before them were dozens of armored soldiers, completely covered in the same silver plate armor, glistening in the sun. They each were carrying swords or spears and shields, armed, all ready to fight.

"This is not good," Gabriel muttered, grabbing hold of the holy sword on his belt.

"Well, I'm glad we can finally agree on something," Alexander said with a dry smile, unsheathing his own sword.

They both inched back as the countless knights began their approach. For a moment, their backs were pressed against each other.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Alexander asked, twirling a bronze blade in his hand.

"Fight like hell?"

"I was gonna say climb up the trees so they can't catch us. But, y'know what? I like the sound of that."

Gabriel placed his hand on Excalibur's azure hilt. "Get ready," he mumbled, his eyes fixated on the warriors before them.

"Go!" Gabriel shouted. A vertical arc of water shot out from the silver blade, slamming into the knights at the front. He dashed forth, jumping upward, before cleaving the sword down at the knights.

From there, they started.

They dashed into the ranks, slashing and cleaving with their blades.

With speed and precision, they broke through the formations. They swung their weapons with everything they had. One slip-up... and they could both die.

They had no time to think. Not about what was going on, nor even about the other Virtues. They only had to fight. Win. Live.

Alexander cut and cleaved at the armored soldiers with his thin bronze blade. Sparks flew as steel rapidly slashed against steel.

Even so, a pole of metal was slammed into Alexander's gut.

Saliva spewed as he coughed. He gripped his chest, just above the wound, struggling to breathe as he fell to his knees. Even so, he continued to slash.

He continued to cut against the armored attackers.

Still... Again... Nothing had happened. Even as he slashed against their ankles, he was barely cutting through.

Alexander stared at his blade. Of course, swords can't go through armor. Much less a sword of that quality, against armor this thick.

And so...

"The weak points!" Gabriel reminded him.

That was all Alexander needed to hear. He smiled to himself. How could he forget?