37 Determined to the End (1/2)

Chapter 37: Determined to the End

The night sky illuminated the castle's grounds, and by the glowing windows from the ongoing festivities of the enchanting ball inside. In the castle magnificent garden, many other guests were enjoying themselves joyfully, with several Templar guards stationed on duty. Some hedge bushes lined the pathway, and lanterns hanging above in a romantic setting. However, a small figure peered out from one of the nearby hedges, eyeing the leashed servants bringing around trays of hors d'oeuvres. It was Grave, and she seemed to be drooling, with her fluffy little tail wagging from the other end of the hedge.

”...There you are.” Came a voice from behind her.

Glancing back briefly, Grave noticed it was Vaugn. ”Master Vaugn! Look! I found food!!” She giggled in excitement.

”Shhh...” Vaugn tried to quiet her down, before grabbing Grave by her fluffy collar and pulling her out of the bush. ”What do you think you're doing?” He asked, in a hushed tone.

”...B-But you said...” Grave pouted, her tail drooping.

Vaugn held his palm to his face in irritation. ”Are you a complete idiot?” He groaned.

”No doofus! So what if there's Templar, don't they think you're dead anyway? I mean, COME OOOOOON!” Grave retorted, clearly more driven by her stomach.

”....” Vaugn was getting fed up, and released his grip on her without a word.

”Besides food, think about HOW MUCH mischief we can cause! This should be fun!” Grave grinned, giggling to herself in an eerie manner.

When there seemed to be no one looking, Grave used magic to poof like smoke from her location, to the open doors of the dining hall. Vaugn seemed taken aback by this, watching her sneak into the party. He was clearly displeased by this, but instead of abandoning the small dog, he begrudgingly decided to follow after her. Quickly and quietly, Vaugn made his way into the castle, only to see Grave sneaking off down some corridor. Without much choice, he gave chase.

The canine leashed had made her way further in through the grand halls, snooping around where the party goers could not see her. She paused for a moment to peer into what seemed to be a kitchen with chefs making food for the kingdom's guests. Clearly whatever was going on here was a big event, and it only made Grave more excited. Suddenly, she heard the echoing of multiple footsteps rushing down the corridor in her direction. As she tilted her head to peer over, Vaugn arrived behind Grave, pulling her out of the pathway into a small crevice of a wall opening. He had covered her mouth, carefully eyeing the corridor. Grave blushed, noticing how close the two of them were, rather than seeing the black clothed figure rush passed them.

Vaugn didn't move just yet, holding til the next two figures rushed after the first. Once they appeared to be gone he turned his attention to Grave, removing his hand from her mouth. She was staring at him with a dumbfounded expression, blushing as red as a person who had completely sloshed themselves with ale. He somewhat gave her a weird look, seeming to be one of disapproval.

”You're going to get us caught if you're not careful.” Vaugn grunted, with a quirked eyebrow. He reached behind his cloak, pulling out a handkerchief with some of the hors d'oeuvres in it.

Grave's eyes seemed to shine with excitement at the food, quickly hugging the tall man. He seemed confused, nearly dropping the handkerchief when she did.

”You DOOOO care!!! Oh master Vaugn! Thank you-thank you-THANK YOU!! Hee hee hee!” She giggled, with her tail wagging.

Meanwhile, the scene transitioned to the Ballroom, where Solitaire and Maxwhyld were observing from the crowd. Solitaire was glancing around, until she noticed Nye begrudgingly dancing with Aoba.

Nye's eyes trailed away from Aoba, which obliged the Grand Master to force her gaze back upon him. ”Don't look away, my darlin'. Do as I say, or your friend won't be the only one to suffer. You wouldn't want me to bruise that beautiful face of yours further, would you?” He inquired sternly behind his whimsical manner, as he stroked her cheek. Nye begrudgingly allowed him, gritting her fangs.

”Is that... Spooky? Max. Why is she dancing with that bloke?” Solitaire pondered, glancing to Maxwhyld with bewilderment. ”We have to do something.”

”Haven't the fainted clue, but no can do mate. We gotta stay bogged here til we get the signal. Don't wanna come a guster, before that tall poppy gets what's coming to him.” Maxwhyld stated, in a serious tone.

”Bugger... Just what's going on?... It's not like her.” Solitaire grumbled.

”If you knew Aoba, you'd get it.” Maxwhyld tried to explain as he observed the dancing. He wasn't bringing too much attention to himself, so the crowd hadn't grown suspicious. ”Just wait for the signal.” He said before glancing upstairs to where Eclipse was.

Eclipse stood on the upper level, peering down to the festivities below. She had the perfect vantage point to keep everyone in sight. Her lavender eyes kept watch on the entire event, spying not only her own forces scattered around, but also Aoba's Templar. She noticed Trigger hurry in, to approach Ayame. They seemed to murmur something between themselves, before Ayame took off running in the direction Trigger came from; leaving Trigger to take her spot on watch duty in the ballroom. Observing more, Eclipse also took notice of six other important templar tucked around Aoba's position like security.

”So if Horrifica, Gaigas, Lyra, Manik, Elliot, Skyletra, and now Trigger, are here... Then that implies Aoba has Flint, Kloud, Dimitri... Merric... Phish and now Ayame scattered around the castle like sentries.” Eclipse spoke softly.

Heath stood beside her, also observing the ballroom event. ”Do you think Aoba's awarethat Hige snuck out the back with Hitomi yet?”

”Aoba is a man of great composure. Believe you me, he knows. It's only a matter of time before his men hunt them down.” Eclipse replied, keeping hushed in tone.

”He'll do the same to us if we fail. We better act soon.” Rocky stated, as he approached.

”Rocky? You're supposed to be on the other side. I'll give the signal when it's time, so get back over there.” Eclipse gave him a stern look. ”You must be patient, if we even slightly make one mistake we risk being comply out numbered.”

”Yeah I get it, I'm just getting hella bored watching all this dancing. Don't keep me waiting now, I'm ready to shoot stuff.” Rocky groaned, before making his way back to his post.

Eclipse sighed, glancing around more to where she spotted Solitaire and Maxwhyld, before peering more around the room as unnoticeably as she could. ”Where is he?” She pondered quietly. ”(We may need to set the distraction up without him, if he doesn't hurry.)”

A loud crash was suddenly heard, as a Templar corpse was sent flying into the middle of the dance floor from the upper level of the hall. The entirety of the guests began to scream and grow frantic at the sight of butchered body resting at their feet, from what was definitely a violent attack. Eclipse's eyes appeared stunned by this, unsure what this act was intended to be. The dancing ceased completely, and even Aoba's attention was locked onto his soldier's corpse, however, he almost appeared as if he were excited.

Leaping from the second floor, descended the Angel of Death himself, casting magic like a demon. Blood magic rose up in a spiraling motion to catch his fall, shifting to allow him to reach the ballroom floor. Most eyes that cast upon him carried complete terror, while some others appeared astonished and confused.

Nye alone had the look of reassurance. ”Jackyn?” She gasped.

Jackyn had a fearless gaze upon his brow, though he appeared to have already exhausted himself to reach this moment. He was panting, but he was determined to rescue the woman he loved.

Shrieks of trepidation began to breakout as the guests flooded as far away from Jackyn as they could. ”IT'S...IT'S-THE ANGEL OF DEATH!!!!” ”WE'RE DOOMED!” ”MAKER SAVE US!! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!” ”SOMEONE STOP THIS MONSTER!!!!” ”GRAND MASTER!!!” Many cried out, shouting with complete dismay.

”So, this day has finally arrived.” Aoba's look of excitement shifted to one of displeasure, yet his composure remained intact. ”Gaigas, would you mind looking after my lady. I believe a proper introduction is in order.” Aoba asked, shoving Nye into the dragon's grasp.

”Get your hands OFF ME!” Nye hissed, struggling to get free. Gaigas kept his grip, getting a bit rough with her while covering her mouth.

Jackyn quickly took notice of this as well as the condition of her wounded hand. In response, he grew more livid, as he rushed Gaigas' way. However, Aoba swooped in to block his path, without even drawing his weapon. ”Get out of my WAY!” Jackyn demanded, slashing his knives at Aoba.

Aoba swayed from each strike, beautifully dodging every one of Jackyn's actions as if he could predict his movements. Unarmed, the King of the Rhyme continued to avoid each slash of Jackyn's knives, almost as if in the method of a dance. His elegance and refined manner was almost breath taking, however the evasion wouldn't last forever. Soon enough, Aoba shoved his boot forward, thrusting Jackyn to a distance, nearly making him lose his footing. Several of the Templar knights and Aoba's generals prepared to withdraw their weapons, however Aoba held his hand up, as if to order them to stand down. They all obeyed without question, as their King turned to Jackyn once again.

The Grand master smiled in that eccentric way, as he withdrew a shining blade from his sheath. ”Can you not see, that it is I, Grand Master Aoba Zephos, the Hand of the Maker; who is your true opponent? Wielding the holy sword Excalibur, I shall not falter in the darkness. Mark me, with the Maker as my witness, today the feared 'Angel of Death' will finally perish. Come at me foul demon, it is time for your reign of terror to meet it's end.”

Ashewyn and Miles arrived at the top of the staircase, in the very instance Jackyn dove at Aoba again in combat. Both appeared stunned at the scene, not yet noticing the others who were awaiting Eclipse's signal. Blades clashed in the center of the ball room, as Jackyn rapidly slashed his daggers countlessly at Aoba, with great ferocity. Aoba didn't even seemed phased, deflecting each strike of his blades. Aoba shifted from a defensive stance, whirling his large sword around him before having it slash downward. Jackyn stumbled backwards, just barely evading the strike. Once more Aoba swung his sword, but his range was much closer this time around. Jackyn quickly casted blood magic in the form of a shield, to deflect the attack. The knife Jackyn held in his left hand was sent flying from his grasp, landing far out of reach.

Blood trickled around like sprinkles of rain, as the magic shield broke apart. Jackyn however managed to side roll out of the way, while avoiding injury as the sword crashed through. Jackyn was struggling to parry Aoba's attacks, shifting towards Aoba's left side while raising his free hand higher in the air. Blood flowed around their feet, as several bloodbone archers rose Jackyn's will around Aoba. This caused many gasps and shrieks from the onlookers of the ballroom. The Blood bones shifted to draw their bowstrings, but before the arrows of blood could be fired, Aoba swayed his sword to the side. Without any hesitation, Aoba performed a spin motion, obliterating every single Blood bone archer in one fell swoop.

The onlookers could see the battle was getting heated, but no one seemed able to move. Jackyn was getting frustrated however, and he withdrew another dagger from his coat before charging at full force in Aoba's direction. Abruptly, Jackyn's blades came at Aoba in a cross-slash fashion, only to have his attacks countered swiftly, before he was knocked off his feet and thrown to the ground. The majestic blade angled down, pointing right to Jackyn's face, as Aoba gazed upon him in a superior manner.

”This is the power of the so-called 'Angel of Death'? Your skills completely lack discipline, it is as if you've been fighting entirely on blind luck. Hahah! Take notice my loyal subjects, for this man is nothing more than slovenly capricious imbecile.” Aoba mocked him, pressing the tip of his blade closer to Jackyn's throat.

”With how easily you've taken this bastard off his feet; I believe the Maker wills you the power necessary to vanquish him, Aoba. A villain shall never overcome one who fights in the name of the Divine.” Lyra spoke up, some distance behind him. Her icy demeanor could send chills up anyone's spine.

Some of his other followers seemed to chatter in agreement, as Skyletra crossed her arms carrying a displeased expression positioned at Nye. Nye however was too focused on trying to break Gaigas' hold to get to Jackyn, but without her Wraith-edge or magic the attempts proved futile.

”A truer statement has ever been spoken, my dearest Lyra.” Aoba smiled, his eyes keeping focus on his prey. ”Now that he is in my snare, what ever shall I do with him? What say you, my devoted followers? However shall we decided this monster's fate? Is a beheading in order, or perhaps something far more agonizing?” Aoba called out to his people, in such a commanding way.

The surrounding crowds of Aoba's people began to rally, chanting together as if his fate was predetermined. ”AGONY! AGONY! AGONY!” They chanted in unison, like a scorned mob.

”Max, we have to do something quick here!” Solitaire gasped to the male centaur, in a panic.

Nye struggled more in Gaigas' grasp, urgently deciding to bite down hard on his hand. As he angrily pulled his hand away from her fangs, Nye was finally able to speak. ”Don't you DARE touch him!!” Nye shouted out to Aoba, in desperation.

The room suddenly grew silent, as the Grand Master slowly turned to focus his attention on Nye. ”Did my ears just deceive me, or did YOU just make a demand of ME?” Aoba responded, refraining from breaking his whimsical tone the best he was able; however, his anger was beginning to surface once more.

This caused a chain reaction with his followers, as almost every single one of them appeared to grown far more unnerved than they already were. The higher ranked officers however kept serious expression, knowing all too well what was about to occur.

”In fact, I did. You want me to comply, don't you? Then keep your hands off him!” Nye insisted, in a harsh tone.

The king approached Nye's position of restraint, taking grasp of the hair on the back of her scalp, to force her face close to his. ”Don't tell me you're in love with HIM?” Aoba growled, still clutching his sword in his other hand.