Snippet #2165557

Aelianus

"Is he alright?"

Aelianus frowned, turning away for a moment. He couldn't answer, he couldn't bring himself to do it. He was well aware of the grudge Talazar had formed against the boy and knew that no doubt he'd of already been taken away to be dealt with. The thoughts formed a sickly picture in Aelianus' head, images of what Talazar had caused before flashing through his mind, but with Raiyn's face. He turned to the Princess and was grateful as it seemed she had let the question fall aside for now. Quickly, he followed her out the door.

"I don't think we'll be leaving from this level," she said, and Aelianus had to agree. He glanced back to ensure the girl in red was with them, checked himself to make sure he had the scythe, then proceeded down the steps.

What he found was truly a shocker as a massive man was present, currently occupied with dealing with one of the shades. The other was sprawled out on the floor, and the third was outside. Aelianus tilted his head at the man from earlier, finding him now in the vicinity as well. From the looks of it too, he was the one who had executed the shade just outside the doors of the Inn.

The boy was grateful for the two men who seemed to make his job simpler. He couldn't possibly have fought a shade, but he would've had to to prove himself to this group in order to gain their trust. At least now that much in his mind was settled, but considering Raiyn was nowhere to be found, his earlier presumptions seemed to be correct. He still couldn't tell the Princess though as she suggested he was on the other side of the town, but trailed after her again as she dashed off to aid him.

Aelianus came to an abrupt halt as suddenly the Princess stopped, her teeth barred and fists curled into tight white-knuckled balls. "Not now..." she had said, "Someone's using a Demon Jewel." Glancing around, Aelianus knew that either more shades had arrived, or Talazar and Nira were around. He couldn't see them yet, but he knew. Glancing to the girl, he had to do something before she went on another rampage. Without even thinking his sword was suddenly drawn and his arm had whipped around to bring the pommel of the weapon hard against her skull. The blow should knock her out without causing any damage, and it wasn't until after the action was complete, did he realize what he had done.


Talazar

Talazar smiled delightedly as he approached the boy who struggled in vain to escape the entanglement of vines. He would've let him go in order to make it more fun, but it seemed the boy had other ideas. As the green jewel glowed, Talazar readied himself and let out an actual audible sigh as it seemed the only retaliation would be a replication of his own attack. Stumbling back, Talazar took a few paces in an attempt to escape before finally one of the vines caught him, the others acting quickly on this and doing the same. He had to commend the boy, he was strong and persistent, but this definitely wouldn't work.

Talazar swung the hammer out at the vines that lunged at him and nodded in respect to the idea. He made silent note of it and would be sure to utilize the attack later. Deciding this was enough for now though, the man suddenly brought the weapon up over his head, the jewel glowing brightly still, the black seeming warm yet dark at the same time.

This sent the earth below Talazar lurching upwards in the same manner it had done to the boy, though Talazar used this instead to break from his current predicament. Flipping a few times through the air, Talazar flew over the boy who was still trapped in his attack before coming down about three meters behind him. Landing on one knee, with the pommel of the hammer plunged firmly into the ground and both hands clasped around the handle, Talazar smiled. "You're good," he said after a moments pause, "but I'm better..."

Suddenly now, the head of the weapon dropped into the earth and Talazar turned quickly. The massive steel hammer followed him in his rotation until he finally faced the boy. In the same motion, he brought the weapon up out of the ground and swung it far to his left, sending forth a good chunk of the earth aimed for the sword the boy carried. As long as that weapon was out of his grip, Talazar wouldn't have any issues to deal with. He could easily take him out now, even with the sword, but it was more fun to play some games. Besides, he had all night.