Tuesday 20 March 2007

Homecoming

Burn!

Hasegawa conjured up a small tornado of black fire and sent it at Roth, the mage Hasegawa was sent to kill.

Coolly, the mage cast a counter-spell and immediately attacked Hasegawa.

Roth sent forth a bolt of pure energy struck Hasegawa full in the chest and sent the battered man from Kamelar flying three feet away. He landed roughly on the dusty ground, causing a storm of dirt to rise around him.

"I told you that this fight will be quick," said Roth. "Your skills are no match for mine."

Shield!

With that, Roth erected a special force field that blocks off any flow of energy into the area covered by the Shield but he himself can open it anywhere he wants to allow energy to flow in for his use. Roth could finish Hasegawa off at any moment he wished.

But let's have a little bit of practise, thought Roth with a smug expression on his face.

Slowly, Hasegawa rose to his feet. His entire body was burned by arcane fire. His left arm was severed, his chest was close to being shattered completely. But for the sake of his divine mistress, he knows that he must prevail. In spite of the mortal injuries, he somehow stayed alive. Painfully, lifted his bloodied right fist.

Roth merely lifted his eyebrows contemptuously.

"Still unwilling to give up?" he sneered. "Sixor must be proud of Her puppet."

With a flick of his hand, a bolt of arcane energy blasted Hasegawa in the chest. But this time, Sixor's avatar didn't budge, and at this, Roth took a slight step back in puzzlement.

With whatever modicum of strength left in him, Hasegawa had summoned energy.

This cannot be, thought Roth. I've already sealed this place up. My fortress is totally devoid of energy and only I can draw in energy from outside the shell. But how did he do it? He wasn't affected by my spell just now.

Roth eyed his opponent. He felt a cold stab of fear pierce him. Hasegawa had a queer aura around him. It made Roth feel uneasy and lifeless. Presently, Hasegawa's wounds were disappearing. Even his missing left arm was reconstructing from thin air. Then, he saw Hasegawa's eyes. At this, Roth gasped with terror. They were blacker than night and in them, Roth could sense great and horrible power. Death was there... Death was standing before him! Roth knew he was doomed. A Reaper was there to collect his soul and to send it to the land of eternal suffering.... Nothing can be done now.

Then, Hasegawa spoke, but not only his voice came forth. The voices of the other avatars also resonated in the dark chamber that was Roth's hideout.

I speak with the words of my gracious mistress who watches over me,
who is just and dutiful. She guides the worthy into Her realm and She leads the newborns into Edenia. May the heavens strengthen Her hand as She strikes those who seek to emulate Her without Her blessings.

Roth, Doom Mage of Tinovu, hear me as I say this. I, with the authority of Sixor, hereby seize your life-force!

Roth feel on his knees, trembling uncontrollably. He watched as Hasegawa slowly advanced on him. Roth closed his eyes and waited for his fate. Religious piety was not his strong point but he said a small prayer of forgiveness to Sixor, hoping his punishment would be lighter. He felt the Reaper's hand on his forehead.

Roth's eyes shot open and his mouth opened in pain. Gasping for breath, Roth clawed at Hasegawa's hand but to no avail. His face contorted into a mask of pure torment as he felt his soul being sucked away from his body. His skin turned green, then blue, then purple, then black. His eyes shrivelled away and his flesh rotted instantaneously. Roth's remains collapsed unceremoniously to the ground.

Then, Sixor's powers left Hasegawa. He dropped to his knees feeling entirely exhausted and fatigued. Hasegawa vomited as the putrid smell of rotted flesh and the sight of Roth's corpse invaded his senses. Also, Hasegawa felt sickened because he did not only take Roth's soul - he drank his life-force. His head was swimming and his vision blurred.

Well done, my loyal servant.

Hasegawa passed out.

***

"Seona!"

The woman immediately dropped her washing basket and rushed out to see who had called her.

Please be him, she hoped fervently. Please be him!

She stopped at the door and tears of joy formed. She ran into his arms and cried her heart out.

"Oh, Hasegawa," she said. "I was so worried."

Hasegawa knew he would have to endure his wife's yelling and screaming later but being home was all that he cared about. For the moment. More duties were bound to come. All the same,
being home was all that he cared about at that moment.

"I am sorry my love," he said simply.

The couple shared a passionate kiss.

"Welcome home Hasegawa."




footnote:

Darn it, not satisfied with this story!! NO NO NO!! It's not good enough... I'll look for what's wrong. Argh, let's face it, writing fiction just isn't my forte.

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