The Wielder of Death Magic

1122 Battle of the Academies [Finale] [2]

“Who?”

“Students you killed.”

“Director of Dems Academy,” he strode onto the field, surrounded by the troops and the ever-distant stare of the two generals, “-they died due to their weaknesses. As a proud woman of the demon tribe, don’t you feel the need for growth. Am I the root of your problems, was I the one who ordered their dispatch into war?” he coldly went over the army of students, “-you preach of the students’ safety in vein. You, who stand before me, are nothing short of a liar. If you cared, they would never have been forced to fight. Look behind, Director, they’re also your students.”

“Enough,” she put her foot down, “-I will not be swayed by the word of the devil. I’m not daft nor am I in the mood of entertaining your speech.”

Zalem Odd, the strange entity slithered onto the field. For a fellow of flexibility, a harsh corset held his upper body. Tentacles strewn from oversized pantaloons. “-Director of Lucifer’s Academy,” came a fluent calming voice, “-we hereby order the complete surrender of the Academy, and the return of Teresa into our care.”

“Zalem Odd,” a gentle gust swayed his clothes, “-the battle has been won by Artanos. I dare say, I didn’t expect such level of conspiracy amongst the hellians. No matter,” he rolled his sleeves and snapped, *-I beckon the fa?ade between truth and reality to shatter. Widen the gates to a world of unknown, engulf life, and return to naught- Realm Expansion – State of Void,* nothing – everyone lost sight and sense. Heavy darkness expanded, “-you lost yourself,” a voice resonated from within his temple, the gaspiness of each syllable, each flicker of tone – the echoes tore through their very being. *Behind the veil of darkness rises the truth, and from the truth comes justice. Alas, for when justice comes, none remains, no watches – only death awaits. Death of confidence, death of power, and reduction of one’s ability – Fool’s whim,*

‘My strength, what is happening?’

‘I can’t see.’

‘I can’t breathe.’

.....

‘Am I going to die?’

*Ring,* the void swallowed itself. Worlds hue return, the morose moment of hopelessness instilled the sense of fear, “-the battle is not over.”

“Igna…” ƒ𝚛𝐞𝚎𝑤𝘦𝚋𝓷o𝚟e𝘭.c𝐨𝙢

“I had to bid my time,” he opened his arms and three orbs shot out, “-Fenrir, Elize, and Vengeance. Make haste,” a second, the afterimage, and thus flew heads. The generals, ‘-I can’t move,’ were stuck. A slaughter, true to the word’s definition, set the tint red and brown. Comrades torn beyond recognition spilled guts and darkened soil. The smell of death, *I call forth eternal flames of oblivion, heed my voice, bring forth the blaze that purges gods and demons alike; Abyssal Wrath,* those of stronger mind and body cried – outlines of their faces widen, their mouths and eyes, three dark circles against the pure white of the Abyss’ amber.

“Zalem Odd and Henry Grant,” the restraints unshackled, ” – I forgot to mention,” Orenmir’s edge flashed, “-the number was never an issue. You see, I’m an army on my own,” a haunting skull gathered in a cloud over his head, “-you will rue the day you entered my land.”

Fenrir and Elize returned with bloodied mouths and satisfied expressions, the whiteness of Fenrir and Elize’s fur, their ornate appearance turned vile and oily, “-did you enjoy the meal?”

“I did,” Elize purred, “-master, I’m full. They taste nasty.”

“Fenrir?”

“It’s no fun killing the helpless,” she yawned, “-we took out a third of their forces.”

“As you have wished, my master, I have spared the lives of Dems Academy’s students.”

“Good, very good,” he opened his palms, *Blood-Arts: Crimson Threads,* leaving so much life-essence to a vampire, *Blood-Arts: Bloody Mary,* the lines gathered in condensed orbs as well as forming a bloody halo, “-how about we play a little game?” he turned to Henry, “-you, my friend, look very unassuming. How about we settle the differences through a battle?”

“I’ve spent my years training,” he narrowed his gaze, “-all for the day the time would come where I’d show my skills,” he courageously clambered using a stray spear, “-and today, the day has finally come.” 𝒇r𝙚𝙚𝓌𝙚𝑏𝗻𝑜𝘷𝗲𝘭.c૦𝑚

Igna readied his stance, “-you, director of Lucifer’s Academy,” the pressure from both sides built a heavy tension, “-I surrender,” Henry immediately fell on one knee, “-I’m wise to realize my weakness. Your retainers defeated my army of five thousand like it was nothing. In addition, you used an area-of-effect conjuration spell to manifest a domain for our force. Expanding a realm to suit one’s needs is only viable in one on one battles. You, Director, used it on a whole army – I don’t dare imagine the mana capacity and power hidden beneath thy persona. More shackles are binding thy strength, as such, I would ask for you to take my head. My lord Satan hates cowards more than traitors. I fall in both categories…”

“Fair,” Igna moved his finger, and a razor-sharp line cleanly went across Henry. With a general down, “-Zalem Odd,” he strode forth and leaned into the blob of tentacles, “-comes a time where a corset can’t handle the pressure put onto your body,” he tapped the entity, and they sprang, “-what happened?”

“I see,” Igna paused, “-never mind. Zalem Odd, I welcome thee to a private show,” he clapped, a white line expanded and closed into a dome.

“Teresa.”

The unconscious body lowered into a hovering slab of concrete, “-look here.”

*Watchers, spectators, names ring high and low, us, unknown to the world’s reality, unknown to the world’s knowledge, have lived in utter solemness for millennia to come and go. Watcher of the Shadow Realm, beckons my might to be fully materialized without prejudice, the reality is but my playground, neither god nor demon shall overcome my authority, face me in stride, face me in fear, reality’s what I wish it to be for knowledge is the true strength: Realm Expansion, Shadow Realm Variant – Rantiam,* pure terror gripped their hearts – bravado was the last of the collective thoughts. The canvas-like property of the scene, the noiseless click of the second hand pushing mindlessly into its stagnant position, “-welcome to my domain,” a blade, a surgeon’s scalpel, formed with crystalline blood hidden in the hovering halo, “-bear witness to today’s main event.”

*Come forth: Box of Souls.*

*Mana Control: Light Element Variant – Astro Krona,* shards of light frosted in hexagons across her skin, *tap, tap,* “-wake up, Teresa.”

“W-w-where am I?” she lazily turned her head.

“Don’t bother with the location,” he pointed forward, “-the rescue party’s here. Why not give them a warm welcome.”

A relief grin, “-Zalem,” she said, “-you came for m-”

“My princess-”

A butcher’s ax fell made of crystal red fell in between her head and torso. Blood sprayed, “-a clean cut,” he casually held her still conscious head by the hair, “-look,” it dangled before her comrades, “-don’t you see the lovely sight a head. Your comrades are most gracious to have to the rescue. I wish I had that kind of support,” came a rather sarcastic remark, “-am I speaking alone?” he tapped her cheeks, “-this is real.”

“AHHHHHHHHHHH.”

“Right, enough of that,” the grip eased, her head dropped, *Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, from when you were born and till you die, I, the god of death, hold in my hands the strings which binds you to this world, by my authority, I order thy chains to be severed, spell, Tactus Interitus.* her whole being faded into mist. *Living or dead, I invite all to the realm of absurdity, serve me and my companions, and be one of a greater family. Forgo the past and look towards the future, one in which thou art be immortal and without regret. Box of Soul: Shadow Realm Transmigration.*

“And there she goes,” he hopped onto the slab and sat, Teresa’s soul, a purple orb was swallowed by the Box, “-look at you all,” he lit a cigarette and puffed, “-my word, such an attentive audience. Viatnah, Zaleem and the children of Dems Academy. Allow me a soliloquy,” he puffed “-not as you can refuse. Dems Academy, are you aware of the connections between the Kings of Hell and the Heavens? Were you aware Leviathan swore himself to Artanos, the god of wisdom, just to have the opportunity of invading Ragno? Lucifer’s academy is predominantly fallen angels. They share morality and a somewhat strange sense of right and wrong. Dems Academy must surely have a moral compass, or so I had thought. Sadly, the teachings, from what I’ve heard, are based on the seven cardinal sins. Employ desires, manipulate others and make you stand at the summit. Tis all good in word… that’s the thing, it’s good in word alone. In practice, utilizing the sins is a grave mistake,” he jumped off the slab, turned and snapped – various magical symbols glowed, “-lest one’s resistant to their temptation, a deal with the devil shall and will remain a fair trade.” *Mana-control: Threads of Life,* he fashioned an empty humanoid body from the air, “-living beings can be controlled with ease. Immortality is only granted to the strongest… a matter of fact, immortality is not real. More on that lesson in another class.”

*Knowledge known to only the watcher, I, master and inheritor of Origin, beckon thee; Mantia, Library of the all-knowing.*

*Book of Rue, on the first day of the devil’s awakening – the ancient art of creation falls, for the conjurer is a priest sworn to the gods but led astray by evil. The anti-god, the devourer of angels, the embodiment of evil, cursed King Alfred, reaches the heavens and swallows Creation’s heir, gaining the powers of Creation. Fashion into life a perfect replica, grant the symbol of Creation; Yeve,*

The humanoid took shape, it articulated with pseudo movements, *I beckon the souls of the Shadow Realm, be free,* he snapped, *Release.* Teresa’s soul darted from box to hassle, *Order of the Adjudicator – a symbol of Pride, Lucifer’s wings, from one host to the next, under my contract, I seal the pact and grant Teresa L. Leviathan – the position of Jury and instate her as a Princess of Hell,* a tempest of pure power shot outwards, the whole realm trembled, *-Release,* a flash of bright white took their consciousness far beyond their minds. A checkered room of white and black split down the middle, where a bicolored chair, black and white, waited.

‘Where am I?’ Teresa blinked, ‘-wasn’t I just killed?’

“Welcome,” echoed an all-powerful voice, “-you have been chosen by the master. Teresa L. Leviathan, from this day forward, you are one of Igna Haggard’s blood. You are his daughter for he has fashioned thy body and thy soul. The heart in thy chest beats for his service. As the Representative of Pride, the strongest force amongst the Cardinal Sins, you are to serve him with respect. Betrayal will not be tolerated. If you choose to go against the master, you will answer to me,” a transient form meandered about the chair. By a, it felt more like they, as multiple people could be felt.

“Who are you?”

“I am the one who protects and the one who attacks. I go by many names, I have many names and I have taken the names of many. I am, as all thing is in this world, my master’s blade. I am, the one known as Orenmir, I am, the Devil’s will and his whim.”

*Clap, clap,* “-wake up,”

*Cough, cough,* she gasped, “-where am I?”

“Ragno,” he moved about the courtyard, “-Zalem Odd. Hear this, Teresa L. Leviathan will forever be known as Teresa of the Lilith Household. She is the daughter of our queen, as such, her position and responsibility are true. Take my words to your leader, take it to Leviathan, I ask that the kings of Hell meet.”

“Understood,” the blob faded into a green vortex, leaving Igna, the students, the director of Dems academy, and Teresa.

“My little sister,” Viatnah trembled, “-what has he done to you, my precious?”

“Sister…” she covered her mouth, ‘-I can’t tell her what I feel. My feelings towards my family are gone, I feel like I could kill her if Igna ordered. What has he done to me?’

“DIRECTOR, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY SISTER!”

“Nothing much,” he winked, “-just the usual.”