Complete the Mission

“Did you forget, Azalea?” The man named Travos made a smug grin. “We still need to get the spellbook from the girl. Now come on and help me out.”

An axe of magical an energy formed in his hands as he lunged for Mira.

Azalea cut off the attack with her own magic dagger, snarling at Travos. “I don’t think so.”

“What’s this? Are you defending that brat now?” Travos kicked Azalea in the side, sending her crashing into the lamppost.

“So what if I am?” More magic daggers protruded from Azalea’s fingers as she got back up on her feet.

Travos clicked his tongue while his magic axe became sharper and more jagged around the edges. “Have you forgotten where your loyalty lies? Though, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I was always suspected you would turn traitor one day.”

He rushed forward, smashing his axe down. Blood flew out from Azalea’s forearms as she shielded herself.

She flexed her fingers and stuck several needles into the man’s pressure points. Travos grunted in pain at that as he swayed from side to side.

Spinning in through the air, Azalea’s foot swept clear across Travos’ jaw. He stumbled back and wiped his bruised lips. “I’ll make sure you pay for that, you little traitor.”

Azalea bent her knees and wiggled her fingers. “Try me.”

He took out small capsules from her pockets and Azalea’s jaw dropped. “Oh no!”

The capsules launched through the air and burst into smoke. Azalea covered her mouth and squinted her eyes, trying to peer through the smoke for Mira.

A shrill scream pierced the ceiling.

“Mira!”

Azalea ran forward in the direction of the voice. Glass shattered in front of her eyes and she saw Travos leaping out the window with Mira in her arms.

“Damn it!” Azalea jumped out the window as well, following after them. She ran through the city streets, keeping her eyes on Travos’ back. She couldn’t lose him.

Magic aura gathered at her feet and she boosted herself forward, her ponytail blowing back in the wind.

“Get back here!” Azalea forced herself to go even faster as he magical burned away the ground under her feet.

She jumped up into the air and flipped through houses and trees until she caught up with Travos. Landing flawlessly on her feet, she struck out her hand full of her daggers. “Put her down, Travos.”

Travos snorted as she carelessly tossed Mira onto the ground with a thud. He kept her spellbook clutched tightly at his side. “You know our orders are to retrieve the spellbook and the girl, right? She needs to be punished for her crimes.”

“I don’t care.” Magical power surged up from around the daggers and Azalea’s feet turned in the grass. “I won’t let your harm a hair on her head!”

She burst forth, chucking her daggers at Travos. Travos swung his axe, deflecting all of the daggers. They landed in the ground, rocks, and trees. He made a mocking laugh as his axe’s magic continued to buzz like a saw.

Azalea twisted through the air, striking her knee right into Travos’ chin. She drilled her fist into his chest and he rolled across the ground.

Travos quickly got up, but Azalea pummeled away at him until his back met with a tree. A swift punch to the jaw sent Travos sliding back.

Blades of grass rose up from the ground as he stopped himself. He brought his hands together and reformed his axe. Azalea shot out her magic daggers, but the axe sliced through them with ease.

Then, Travos slammed the magic weapon into the ground splitting it apart. Azalea leaped into the air. She gasped as geysers of magic energy burst from underneath her.

Azalea screamed in pain as the magic geysers washed over her. “Azalea!” Mira cried out, pushing herself off the ground.

“Sit quiet.” Travos scoffed. “This will all be over in a bit. Then, I’ll take you back to our base. Nix has a lot he’d like to say to you.”

“Leave…Azalea…alone!”

The spellbook flipped open and shone with its usual golden light. Travos gasped as the light started to burn him, peeling off his skin all the way. He yelled, letting the spellbook fall to his feet.

The light continued to shimmer and shot out countless rays at Travos. “What the hell is this?!” He swung his magic axe wildly at the rays to no avail.

Then, Mira bashed him in the front with her shield while Azalea struck him the back with her daggers.

Travos’ face went pale and the spellbook’s glow started to fade. “Damn you brats…” He fell face first onto the grass.

Azalea and Mira both stared at each other for a few seconds. They steadily got closer. And then, they both threw their arms around each other.

“Thank you, Azalea. For protecting me.”

Azalea smiled as Mira rested her head on her shoulder. “Hey, you protected me too.” She glared down at Travos’ corpse. “They’re still after your spellbook, Mira. That means the rest of the Black Moon is somewhere in Aquisa City too. We need to go meet up with Yusato and Saria. We’ll have a better chance if we’re all together.”

***

In an isolated grassy field, near a sparkling lake, Yusato and Saria were surrounded by a horde of hooded men. They stood back to back, readying their fists and keeping a watchful eye on the men.

Ducks sat in the lake, observing the scene while birds chirped in the trees. The babbling of the water usually would be a comforting sound for Yusato if it wasn’t for the current situation.

“We are aware of your connection to the girl called Mira Luin,” one of the hooded men said. “Where is she?”

Yusato narrowed his eyes as he slowly reached for his sword. “As if we’d tell you.”

Saria nodded in agreement. “That’s right. Mind your own business.”

“That spellbook is the business of the Black Moon. We are under orders to retrieve them both.”

“Tough luck,” Yusato said with a smirk.

The hooded men came at him and he drew his sword. He slashed at the oncoming men. One fell down quickly, but another came from behind him, kicking him in the head.

“Yusato!” Saria held up her hands and vines pierced through the man that had kicked Yusato.

Another of the hooded men struck his knee into Saria’s gut. Yusato noticed this and came rushing over to her, cutting his way through the other men.

He slashed at the man in front of Saria and he collapsed onto the ground. His blade met with another sword composed of magic energy. Yusato’s eyes widened a she realized the magic sword was cutting into his own.

“Crap.”

Wood shot up from the ground, striking the man in his chin. “Nice work, Saria!” Yusato took the opportunity to slice the man while he was in midair and he crumpled to the ground.

More of the hooded men came after them as Yusato and Saria kept countering their attacks. One man threw his fist forward as Yusato grabbed his wrist and tossed him over his shoulder.

Saria’s wood and vines wrapped around the others, swinging and knocking them around.

Another one came, swinging his leg and Yusato ducked underneath. A powerful jab to his stomach sent the man falling down like a rag doll.

Soon enough, all of the Black Cloak men were gathered at their feet in a messy circle. Yusato and Saria panted while they rested their hands on their knees. “Well, that was a lot of work.” Yusato wiped some sweat from his brow.

“Yeah, I’m tired too,” Saria admitted.

A slow clap. Light and airy footsteps.

Yusato turned in the direction of the sound to see another man in a black cloak. “Great, another one.

The man kept clapping, an amused smile on his face. “Well done. You took care of so many of my subordinates. I’d ask you to join, if you weren’t affiliated with that criminal.”

“Ask us to join?” Yusato readied himself again, making sure his eyes never left the man’s body. “Are you the leader of this group then?”

“That I am. Name’s Nix.”