Next Mage
53.Last Battle-2

"Ollie!" Marilla shouted frantically. "Behind you!"

I whipped around just in time to see a Ragnarok mage with a terrible clash of scars on her face running towards me, her ax raised.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Marilla throwing out her hand and throwing what looked like ice in a desperate attempt to save me.

Fire spread onto my arms and I blocked my head, waiting for the painful blow that I was about to get hit with... Nothing happened.

Looking up, I realized the hilt Ragnarok mage's ax was stuck, rather, frozen, to the ground, the mage tugging and pulling at it in a somewhat distressed way. I punched the mage hard in the cheek, and she fell to the ground, her red eyes rolling back into her head as she was rendered unconscious.

A wave of guilt and self-consciousness hit me, and I turned away from the body.

"Help! Hel--" Emma cried out, faltering as a burly looking Ragnarok mage pushed her to the ground, sword raised to deliver the final blow. Emma held up her arms and fire began to trail down her fingers until they covered her whole hand. Just as the mage brought down the sword, Emma threw her blazing hands onto the Ragnarok mage's arm, causing the rough, pale skin to blister and burn. He yelped, letting go of his sword, which fell to the ground with a dull clang. I took the chance to run.

Hurling a fireball at the wincing mage who was attempting to stagger back up and reach for his sword, I simultaneously kicked the weapon out of the fallen mage's range.

Emma caught it triumphantly and threw it into the bushes. I tracked the sword as it flew into the undergrowth, and then realized the Ragnarok's shadowy form slinking back into the forest. "No! Everyone, follow me!" I cried, chasing after the Ragnarok.

The foul creature broke into a run. I pursued it determinedly, the wind rushing past my ears and ruffling my hair. Footsteps resounded behind and beside me as my teammates appeared.

Behind us, Ragnarok mages screamed and charged after us mindlessly, waving spears and clanging swords. Loud screeching and clicking joined the cacophony, as if the animals were screaming for us to run faster. The forest of thin, spindly branches became a blur of black leaves and red eyes. I kept my eyes on the Ragnarok's bony, fleeting form as it bounded between the bushes and leaves skilfully, weaving it's way through the undergrowth as if it had memorized the whole forest.

I grunted as I felt the adrenaline pump through my limbs, searing hot and powering me forward. We ran faster and faster, not missing a beat, my sights set on the Ragnarok, dashing through the trees-- Then, all of a sudden, it ceased.

My arms pinwheeled to keep me from crashing into a tree as I faltered to a stop, others yelping behind me as they bumped into each other. I regained my balance and looked behind to check on my friends. The Ragnarok mages had disappeared.

My stomach dropped anxiously as I wondered where they could've gone, but I forced my gaze to move forward as I searched the clearing in front of us. Someone gasped.

Stark black turrets towered above us intimidatingly. Two giant gates were shut tight against thick, ink-colored walls; thin windows were fixed into the bricks, glass panes misty and full of grime; a pungent green moat brewing with bony-looking creatures with sharp teeth surrounded the building and one giant, blood red word was embossed above the gate with letters that were curved and slanting like devil's horns:

Ragnarok

A fortress, I felt unspoken words push at the edges of my mouth, but my throat hitched, dread creeping down my spine and seeping into my thoughts like ink spreading onto paper. Then I gagged as a rancid smell filled my nostrils.

All around us, bones and skulls of both animals and humans were scattered here and there, and reeking piles of flesh filled the air with their rotting smell. I gazed at all this in horror as I tried not to think what unfortunate human or creature had ended up the Ragnarok's dinner.

Bile filled my throat, sweet and sour and bitter, and I choked as I held my nose and forced the vile liquid back down my throat.

"Welcome to my humble abode," a guttural voice simpered snidely. I peered weakly at the one who spoke, trying not to faint from the stench (it felt like it was burning my nose hairs), but then I narrowed my eyes in hatred.

"Do you like the embellishments?" The Ragnarok pointed at the human heads that were speared onto the gate's sharp, spindly points.

Their rotting, dismembered faces were mutilated and contorted into strange expressions, like they were screaming. Their eyes had been dug out of their sockets, their teeth black and rotting, parts of their flesh flaky and falling off their faces, revealing the shiny white skull underneath.

"I quite fancy them myself," the Ragnarok cackled. It's red eyes leered at us from the shadows as it grinned.

"Quit joking around, monster," I thundered, animosity and hatred rising in my chest for the atrocious beast that stood before us. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I felt a stinging pain as I drew blood.

I looked around at my companions, adults and children, friends and family, everyone's eyes hard and their mouths a thin line. I drew a determined breath.

Glancing at Terra, we exchanged grim looks. She nodded slowly, readying her fists and raising her head, courage flaring up in her green eyes.

I raked my gaze over the Ragnarok, who sneered.

"Okay," I declared, my voice cutting.

The Ragnarok didn't flinch.

"Let's fight."