Chapter 4 – Part 4 – Real Power
Even among the mists and the lightning, the two carved an awesome path against each other, primal rage meeting incredible focus – but none could say which of the two embodied what. The Gault chief’s sword was a blur of black steel, meeting the massive sword of light at every turn and -
- the assassin paused, uncertain, its glowing blue eyes locking with the approaching form of Rhayd Khalenn -
Chimecleaver feinted, twisting about Anrui’s legs as the Regulator spun, before spearing the indigo killer through the chest, its momentum carrying the Regulator against the demon’s shoulder and sending both to the ground.
A cloud of dust. One last, eccentric flash of lightning.
Anrui stood slowly, the last bits of Moar Gault’s body settling about his feet, staining the white bed sheet grey and purple.
The remaining assassins, few that there were, faded. Flickering shadows worked their way back to the dark mass on the beach, and away into the darkening night. Only the light of Chimecleaver remained, along with some mage flame created by the Accord Council and, far down the breath, the great candle of Rhayd Khalenn’s sword.
“Tomorrow,” Frost intoned evenly, “we’re working on defence. Stamina later. There’s no excuse for this. Sahren.”
Sahren jumped, forcing herself to look up at Anrui, meeting his eyes and the cruel ice therein.
“You’re going to help me teach these people what real shielding means.”
Without any other response available, Sahren simply nodded. She had no idea how she would manage to teach what little she knew, but he had asked, and she would help.
Anrui turned, to look back at the remaining children. Seven score, roughly. Of those, only three Blackcards remained standing. He smiled at those, noticing the girl was wearing Rhayd’s coat.
“I’m impressed. No Seasonal Exam could have approximated this. We’ll done, all of you. I’ll be speaking with the Accord Council about cancelling the exams. You,” he said quietly, pointing the smoking sword at one of the Redcards. “In the morning, you will report to the office of Calenhad Firehand. I see that blood on your arm.”
The boy started to speak, to cover the wound he had made with his own quartz knife. But he had no words, and simply bowed his head, exhaling heavily. The Regulator nodded, finishing the debate even before it had a chance to begin.
“Now… I need some sleep.”