Jackal Among Snakes

Five B-rank mages versus two. It was an overwhelming disadvantage, if viewed without knowledge of who they were.

In reality… there was a reason Argrave had confidence enough to talk to Induen.

With the power of the Blessing of Supersession welling within his being, he lapsed into his strategy as though it were a habit. Four royal knights and Induen stood before him—he loosed [Pavise Gale] time and time again from his hands and Garm’s eyes both, preparing [Electric Eels] intermittently. The titanic conjured knights slammed their shields of wind into B-rank wards, chipping them away as quickly as they were placed. Argrave’s Brumesingers remained at his legs to defend him in case of stray spells. The rampant display of power left the royal knights only one option—a frantic defense. Even Induen, reckless as he was, remained safely behind their wards.

They thought to outlast him. It was standard for fighting mages—most B-rank mages could only cast just a few B-rank spells before being drained. That wasn’t an option for them, though. More and more eels joined up in the sky, sparking, waiting for an opening. Durran joined in, dropping his glaive and hacking with the Ebonice axe to aid in tearing down the wards before them. Eventually, they broke past the rightward knight’s ward, and a pavise struck the golden-armored man squarely in the shoulder. He took to the air towards Kin’s End, flying away dozens of feet while half-spinning from the power of the blow. Galamon, who’d jumped down from the walls of Kin’s End, fired an arrow at this knight when he landed, yet Argrave could not tell if it hit.

Induen shouted a command, and in a few seconds the strategy shifted. The royal knights pressed forwards with their wards, pushing Argrave back slightly so they could not draw near. When one ward broke, a knight pushed past with it, conjuring two blades of blood magic—the C-rank [Putrid Paramerion]. He thrust both towards Argrave as fast as Galamon might’ve. Mist warriors conjured by his Brumesingers rose to defend him.

Durran swung the Ebonice axe down before the mist warriors could do anything, catching one blade with the beard of axe. It dissipated in seconds before the magic-breaking axe. The knight was surprised the weapon could contest his own, but all too quickly grabbed Durran’s arm with his now-free hand. The other blade stabbed towards his back.

Yet Anneliese had not been twiddling her thumbs behind them. She cast the C-rank [Skysunder], and a bolt of white lightning struck the knight squarely on the chest. Durran winced as the lightning travelled into him, but he was not as severely affected as the knight. After disentangling, Durran pushed the spasming knight away, and Argrave finally rained dozens of [Electric Eels] on the man. To finish him, Argrave cast one more [Pavise Gale]. The tower shield swung by the knight struck his foe squarely in the breastplate, caving it in and sending the knight far away from the fight.

In a moment of laxness, Induen stepped forth. A guillotine blade of ice formed before the prince far too quickly, likely conjured by an enchanted ring, and hurtled towards Argrave. Anneliese stepped beside Argrave and conjured a ward to block it, yet the spell was powerful enough to shatter the ward in one blow. Though exposed, Argrave only tried to punish Induen for his overextension. His eels in the sky came down, but Induen retreated, replaced by B-rank wards conjured by his knights. Argrave abandoned the attack, and the eels danced gracefully backwards like a splash upon the surface of water without striking the ward.

Argrave suspected the only reason his foes had not fallen was because they used enchanted items to conjure their wards—they were faster and more numerous. Even still, he trusted in the Blessing of Supersession more than their enchanted items.

Argrave resumed his unrelenting assault once more. He felt like a commander of giants and a leader of titans as the countless knights of wind assailed his foes with earth-shattering blows. He was a Roman commander amidst his Legion, each and all battering against a foe that desperately clung to safety. And above it all, like a cloud of divine judgement… his eels grew in numbers by every passing second.

He barely heard an ordered series of whistles. Argrave saw the knight that had been blasted towards Kin’s End running behind Induen and continuing past him, heeding that command. He would be retreating, looking for allies. It’s fine, Argrave thought. Let him run. Anneliese made sure there were no forces for miles. One of his knights is dead or dying, the other is retreating. Fewer foes to contest.

walls to watch this happen. He could not hide what was about to happen from the world. Countless pointed to the eels above Argrave, and yet more watched the relentless battering of conjured knights,

opponent’s desperation was no less intense. Even with Durran aiding with the Ebonice axe, his foes seemed to have an unending supply of wards to block his spells. They were better equipped, without a doubt. He felt like a hammer striking down

refused to fall. He could see Induen desperately struggling to hold back the tide, both casting spells and using the enchanted items

the

his hands held out as Induen waited

me,” Argrave said loudly yet evenly. It felt unnecessary, for his companions and his Brumesingers were already doing that. In time with his command, the [Electric Eels] in the skies came to blanket them, swirling about through the air. They were like divers in the midst of an ocean surrounded by a school of swimming fish. As they were umbrellaed by the eels, the place grew all the brighter. The fountain and grassy hills were illuminated by bright

his hands, solidifying into

on the other side of the ward, the thousands of [Electric Eels] swirling about around Argrave and the whole battlefield like some grim curtain of white death. He barked something—commands, questions, to his knights. He looked around panicked for any opportunity—any escape, any freedom. But escape was out of the question; Argrave would rain lightning upon them the second they were freed from the ward. As Induen looked for options, the dark red arrow on Argrave’s finger grew larger

become

The scene ahead became a great blur of power, shattered golden wards, and white light. The electric

hands off, take his necklace,” Argrave said somberly, knowing Galamon

stood at its beginning. The arrow of blood had struck

persisted, whirling in the air around Argrave as he walked. Induen

bodies,” Argrave commanded loudly. “Take all of their enchanted items, barring the armor—we can’t carry that. After, move to

obey Argrave’s order without a word, still consumed by the rush of battle. Induen breathed heavily, his eyes fluttering as he struggled with consciousness. Death hung

his pocket. Induen tried to

mine. You were useless. A

into the brain beyond. The prince spasmed, his body losing focus, and then he sagged back. Argrave pressed his foot against the back of the ice

size of a fist through his brain…

all the enchanted rings from Induen’s hands, and then moved back to his companions.