29 Curve of Sanity (2/2)

Panicking, he tried to cast magic, sending a weak fire ball at the succubus. It connected with her left eye, causing her to flail back in pain. ”Ahhhh!” She cried, holding her face, with bared fangs.

Before Horrifica could rush Zyron, a whirlwind of flames blasted her backwards. Zyron stood, taken by surprise, only to see Inferna warp to her daughter's side. She held her closely in a tight embrace, sobbing hysterically.

”Noooo.... M-My little girl... Sherry....Mommy's here....” Inferna's voice was trembling, as she whimpered, stroking her dead child's hair.

Horrifica laid at a slight distance, trying to get to her feet. This caught Inferna's attention, she placed her daughter back to the ground, approaching the child's murderer. Flames began to ignite around her like wildfire, spiraling a vortex of unsuppressed power from her flaming hair.

”I should have made sure you were dead!” Inferna screamed at the succubus.

The flames roared at Horrifica, like a tsunami of fire. However, the flames were dividing to either side of her, as a templar shield deflected the blast to defend the wounded succubus. As the fire settled, angel wings were visible behind the shield. As it was lowered, it revealed that it was none other than Aoba protecting Horrifica. Blood was dripping down from between her fingers, that covered her left eye.

”Are you alright, darlin'?” Aoba asked to Horrifica, his gaze on Inferna, with a magical sword drawn.

Zyron's memory ceased, hearing Inferna's voice speak further. ”You're lucky I didn't leave you behind, after what happened with Sherry. However, thanks to true Queen, my daughter is alive and well. Hmhmhm. So you can see why I chose to side with them.” Inferna grinned.

”Wait... The Cult? They have that power!?” Zyron was astonished.

”That and so much more. Now, you see what you're dealing with. Times change, and choices must be made. I would have done anything to bring back my little Sherry. Even with the magic I learned, I couldn't save her.” Inferna cackled, with a demented grin.

Inferna began to raise her hands into the sky. ”Souls of the damned, and the shadows who flow across the land. Thou who lived in years since past, I call thee from thine astral plain. I beckon thine will to manifest before me, surrender thine power!” She chanted.

Spiraling in from darkness, the spirits of the dead began to appear from the ground around them, like a black plague. They wailed, while circling around like a whirlwind of horror. The area felt like it was darkening around them, as the apparitions continued to circle closer.

”Goddammit...” Zyron swore, under his breath. He got to a distance, keeping his staff at ready. He knew his fire magic would be useless against Inferna.

”I detect there is another option for you. This shall be your final opportunity to return to your master. Your body and soul belong to me, Zyron. You know that. Hmhmhm. I'm sure that Sherry misses you as well.” Inferna grinned again, to Zyron, with the souls hovering around them.

She began to float up with magic, her flames dancing in the ghostly vortex. The witch's eyes focused right on Zyron, like a hawk.

”I didn't forget my little promise to your friends either. I still plan to pick each of them apart, limb by limb. However, I shall forgive the previous strife on your part, if you bend to my will as you have before. The choice is yours.” She went on.

”You have no power over me, Inferna. It doesn't matter what you say or show me. I am not your Vulpis!” Zyron bared his teeth. ”Where's Solitaire!?” He demanded.

”Is that how it's going to be then? You'll choose the time traveler over the one who gave you a friend, and cared for you since youth? Is that really what you want? I can give you her, if she passes her trial, but only if you choose to obey me.” Inferna grinned, playing with fire magic in her hand.

”What the hell are you talking about!?” Zyron sweated, tensing up further.

”You've always been an intelligent dog, aren't you aware that each and every one of your 'friends' are being appraised? THIS is your trial, and if you succeed, you won't have to endure further suffering.” Inferna grinned like a snake, with her eyes narrowing slyly. ”Can you really count on her to stay allied to a false Queen? Do you really want to risk that?”

”...” Zyron seemed unsure, trying to figure this out, and quick.

”The longer you postpone your decision, the quicker the sands of time will run out. You don't wish to meet with a dreadful fate, do you not?” Inferna's expression was like that of a demon, plotting Zyron's demise.

Zyron hesitated, as perspiration rolled down his cheek. ”Solitaire cares too much, to betray her friends.” His tone seemed unsure, like he was almost second guessing himself.

”Sherry will be so devastated.” Inferna seemed disappointed, as she shook her head in a condescending manner. ”It appears that I have a body to harvest then. I'll bring you back in pieces if I have to. HUHUHUHAHA!” She cackled, like a sadistic yandere that was ready to cut him apart.

The spirits began to grow restless, diving at Zyron like banshees in a storm. Zyron quickly guarded, holding his staff in a defending posture; as the ghosts flew through him like mist. Their ghoulish shrieks were so sharp and loud, that Zyron couldn't see them very clearly. His senses were losing focus, and the souls kept blasting passed him. The amount of forces didn't let up, and several began to stretch out elongated black arms with claws, slashing tears into Zyron's jacket sleeves.

He winced, squinting one eye shut as the cacophony of sirens kept up the heat. Some blood began to stain his clothes from the minor inflictions, dripping to the ground with every shift of his body. Zyron swung his staff, but it failed to ward them away. In desperation, he channeled ice magic from his staff, casting it out at that the attacking apparitions. The feeling of dismay sunk in, seeing that the specters were unaffected by his magic.

He knew he could do this though, changing his magic tactic. Decided to cast wind based spells, he blew through the ghosts, sending them scattering like flies. This caused the spirits let out a shrill cry, before they dispersed into the sky, and vanished off like dust in the wind.

Zyron gripped to his staff, changing his target to Inferna. He attempted to cast wind in her path as well, gusting up a tornado. However, with Inferna's precision and speed, it was easily evaded. The witch merely laughed, as she appeared in Zyron's face, sweeping her body backwards to a distance, with flames roaring from her hair.

Zyron hurried to cast an ice shield, deflecting the incoming flames. He wasn't strong enough however, resulting in the ice melting rapidly. The fire magic sent him flying back into a tree, singed from the intensity of Inferna's magic power.

This left an opening, as Inferna dove at Zyron, her hand outstretched, preparing to grab him. Then, from seemingly no where, a broad sword was flung in, like a boomerang. It impaled the ground in front of Zyron, forcing Inferna to clash with it.

To her surprise, Inferna's engulfing fire magic didn't appear to be ineffective against the weapon. She thrusts herself away to gaze upon a figure, that descended to the ground beside the blade. Red dragon wings folded behind the man's back, as this armored assassin pulled his blade from the rubble.

”A witch of the wilds. Isn't this a treat.” The Terra turned to Inferna, his eyes locked onto her.

Inferna seemed annoyed. ”Are the Templar truly such cowards, that they chose to send in their special task force Terra?”

”Something like that.” The Terra spoke seriously, from behind a mouth guard.

”The only Templar to ever give me a challenge, is your King. A mere armored dragon cannot stop such a powerful spell caster, like me.” Inferna scoffs, rushing at him on her broom.

She shot off like a rocket, before spiraling into a flaming tornado. The Terra pulled Zyron out of the way, as Inferna came flying their way. The tornado curved, but the massive sword quickly deflects her attack, knocking away the tornado. Inferna crashed to the ground, rolling briefly.

Zyron was unnerved, seeing the Terra approaching his former master. Inferna was beyond angry now, rising up like a hell-bound demon. Her hair was now igniting with stronger flames of rage. The blazing fire casted at the masked man once again, but he quickly slashed them all in half, letting the debris crash to his sides.

Pulling down his mouth guard, the Terra was revealed to be Heath in his battle gear. He kept his grip on his mask, casting ice breath from his lungs. It struck Inferna hard, forcing her out of the sky, once again. Parts of her were frozen over with ice, and some blood was dripping from her mouth.

From behind where she laid, a red vortex of eyes emerged, with Sclera stepping through. She knelt down to pick up Inferna's injured body, with a menacingly deranged look in her eyes, as she gazed at Heath and Zyron.

”S-Sherry?” Zyron was stunned, he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Sclera's eyes panned to him with a twisted grin stretched across her lips. ”Our name is... Sclera... Ehehehehhe...” She chuckled with a jarring tone, before fleeing into the vortex and warping off.

”Wait!” Zyron scrambled to his feet, with his staff returning to the pauldron state. ”Where's Solitaire!?” He demanded, in a panicked voice.

Heath placed his sword in the holster on his back, looking to Zyron. ”If I may, who might this Solitaire be?” He inquired.

”She's...” Zyron's eyes were shaking as he tried to think quickly. ”She's my master, alright!?” He snapped, harboring further anxiety about this encounter.

”Settle down, I mean no harm. If you want, I can help you find her. I'm Heath, and you are?” He tried to calm down Zyron.

Zyron crossed his arms, with a huff. He didn't even want to look at this guy. ”Thanks for the assist, but no thanks. I don't fucking work with Templar.” He was so tense, that he was not realizing how rude he was coming off.

Heath scratched his head, with a sigh. ”You can relax. I'm no longer affiliated with the Templar. I was sent to investigate these woods, under the order of the Lady Spymaster. We're in the process of becoming a resistance group, to overthrow the Templar, and keep the People of Desdemuna safe. However, we need to keep Aoba from figuring out that we're turncoats. That is why I'm on this mission.” Heath approached Zyron, looking to him. ”How about you join us? You seem to have a good understanding of magic.” He offered, seeming pretty serious.

”Not interested.” Zyron scoffed, pushing passed Heath.

”Very well, but at least allow me to aid you in locating your master.” Heath spoke up. As Zyron turned to look at the Terra; Heath had withdrawn some old technology, that appeared to be a communicator of sorts. It perplexed the dog, but he watched as Heath pulled the radio to his lips. ”Rocky. How goes things on your end? I may need your help with something post-Mission related.” He spoke.

The area transitioned to an island with a volcano in the background, surrounded by the ocean. There was a clearing at the base of it, where Heath's brother was.

Rocky took out his radio, replying to Heath. ”Bit busy at the moment, bro. Real lady troubles, if ya know what I mean.” He replied, with a snarky tone, dropping the radio to his feet.

”This is no time to be fooling around.” Heath's voice came from the radio.

Rocky was facing off with what appeared to a very tall female fiend, who had blue skin. He had a pistol aimed at this prudery dressed, monstrous woman, who was holding a classy cigarette.

”You said your name was what again?” Rocky looked to her, with an unamused gaze.

”How many times must I reiterate? My name is Madam Coffin Nail.” She snapped, as she exhaled smoke, with it forming into magic around her.

”Sounds more like a title, if you ask me.” Rocky teased, crudely.

”Enough of this. No proper gentleman would keep an aristocratic lady waiting, good sir. Do hurry it up, will you.” She retorted, in a pompous manner, casting out her smoke based magical power.

”That's cause I ain't, ya stuck up broad.” Rocky provoked, beginning to fire off bullets in her path.

Rocky continued unloading rounds at the stagnant woman, as he was weaving to dodge the smoke magic that was rushing his way. The fiendish woman was swaying from bullets like a slippery snake, before slamming Rocky into the nearby water with a burst of magic. A splash was heard before the radio cut out, on Heath's end.

”Rocky? What's going on over there!? Respond!” Heathtried to get through, but the audio had went silent.