Through Unknowns

Emersyn smiled as she released the mana surrounding them.

The mana around them began to surge into their body and the mages, who immediately noticed the change, began chanting their own spells. The warriors shouted in fervor and charged as they avoided spells that almost hit them. However, the mages predicted this and fired multiple spells simultaneously. Their expression turned into disgust as they watched the warriors struggle under their spells.

"Stop! Stop this!" Yao Yun screamed as he tried deflecting the spells to protect the losing warriors. However, the rest of the Central Marsh people didn't move and just protected themselves. They didn't want to gain the ire of both groups, and whoever survived, they were ready to accept their anger and disregard.

Althas jumped then reached the encirclement of the mages including his group and Alton. They began massacring them as soon as the confusion in the mages spread. Suddenly, a huge fireball descended upon them, disregarding their comrades. A few capable mages immediately ran with their heavy feet and created a dome to protect their comrades. A few of them died when they were pierced with a spear in their stomach that was thrown at them. Althas and the rest of the warriors who reached the encirclement, ran to escape the fireball and suffered a few burns when it impacted the ground and exploded. They were thrown on the ground and ice spikes suddenly erupted from the ground. It created an impregnable wall around their strong mages. The mages that were outside began cursing. After all, they didn't have some form of defense against these brutes and only studied attack spells.

"Abandoned, are we?" Althas smirked.

One of the mages instantly recognized him as he screamed in realization.

"You're one of those warriors under the Elder! What are you doing there!? Protect us this instant! If we survive, we will tell the Elders of your valiant and you'll be raised in rank!"

Althas picked his ear then wiped the earwax on his bloodied undershirt.

"Sure, sure. If you survive, that is."

"What? You're supposed to be the Elders' loyal dogs!"

"Loyal dogs, huh... they are the ones who are dogs. No, worse than dogs. Bahahaha! Did you really believe that we would wag our tails at them forever?"

"The Elders raised you! How can you be so ungrateful?!"

Althas' expression twisted in anger then stomped towards the man. When the man was about to chant his spell, Althas threw a swift dagger through his throat. The man grabbed his bloodied neck then cried as he stumbled down. Althas crouched down as he listened to the screams of the other unfortunate mages that were left out. He roughly grabbed the mage's hair.

"I thought so at first."

Althas' rough hands suddenly turned gentle.

"But when he started ordering me around to collect children that had their families killed, I looked into it. I hid and waited. Then, finally, I witnessed an assassination. I thought that he was doing something great. Rescuing children and taking care of them. Until… I overheard an order. All this time… all this f.u.c.k.i.n.g time, it was his fault that my family died. That those children's lives were ruined. We were thrown into battle outside to repay what he did to us. Now, that the demonic realm is open, we strike. It's revenge; and it's only starting."

Althas cynically smiled then patted the mage's head.

"I don't have a grudge against you, don't worry. You might have some reasons and you might not know. However… you ignored it. So, I will ignore you too, Hernan. You've been betrayed, I saw and I will ignore. Easy," Althas smiled wide then stood up with a grunt. He looked skyward and saw the fluttering pitch black wings and its feathers slowly falling down. The beautiful creature that was its owner; so beautiful, bright and cold. He laughed merrily. He could finally set free of his bottled up emotions.

"What happened?"

Emersyn, who was just watching with a small smile on her face, said with her voice filled with energy, "They teleported out."

The warriors' faces crumbled.

"Their spell didn't succeed though," she muttered then landed on the ground, her boots muddied. When she settled down, they finally noticed a baby on her bosom, looking around with disinterested, cold eyes. Emersyn continued, "Since the mana here is too abundant, they unknowingly put too much mana into the circle. All I know is it might explode once they arrive wherever they are. Who knows what else will happen to them."

She stared at nowhere then whispered, "Oh, they died. Poor souls."

Suddenly, there was a light that appeared behind them. This time, Emersyn felt that the adjustment of power output was perfectly inputted. Then, the mage with gasps leaking out of his mouth, teleported out.

"That man will certainly come back with a few forces behind him."

Alton stepped forward, kneeled before her as he announced, "I chose to serve you. Please accept us!"

The surviving warriors immediately kneeled down and said in chorus, "Please accept us!"

"What can you do for me though?"

"We will revive the demonic realm! Reforge the world!"

"Mama," suddenly, Yvri w.h.i.n.ed as he tilted his head upward to look at Emersyn.

"Yes?" She lovingly responded.

"Hungy…."

"Alright. We'll go home and I'll prepare your food. What do you want to eat?" she asked as she settled Yvri on her bosom.

"Nana en cado!"

"Alright. Banana and avocados. I received my son's order, I shall serve.'"

"Uwaaaah," Yvri cheered, then buried his face on her c.h.e.s.t.

"But you have to eat veggies later."

"Ung...," he mumbled, then closed his eyes.

She turned around then carefully walked towards the castle grounds.

"Emersyn," someone suddenly called.

Emersyn looked back and Yao Yun entered her sight. She tilted her head with a questioning gaze. "Why are you still here? Don't you want to protect your family? Go. Report what these people did since you have an eye witness that came from Tamel. Settle there until the feud is resolved."

"The rest of you," she turned towards the band of warriors still kneeling before her and continued, "Follow me."

"Yes!"

Yao Yun reached out at the receding back of Emersyn, never uttering a sound.

***

"Gasp."

Hernan kneeled down as soon as he arrived at one of the teleportation circles of Tamel. The guards that were in station, flinched at the sight of the bloody man. One of them immediately ran towards the tower to seek out medical help, and one of them approached Hernan.

"Sir Mage, are you alright?"

Does this look alright to you?!

"Just for a few moments, sir. The healers will arrive soon. Hang in there," noticing how dumb his question was, he immediately said, his cheeks flaring red.

However, only one of their healers arrived and checked Hernan's throat. She nodded then immediately pulled the dagger out as she chanted a spell. The healing was taking too long that a lot of blood gushed out. He was so close to passing out, if not for his persistence to stay awake. Soon, Hernan's wound closed up then he quickly touched his throat and felt its every crevices. He sighed in relief when the female healer smiled softly and helped him up.

"Sir Hernan, right?"

"I'm sorry. Who are you?"

"It's Melody, sir. We've been classmates since we took up magic lessons."

"I'm sorry for not remembering."

"No, sir. I should be the one apologizing. I couldn't heal your wounds faster…."

Hernan waved his hands as he shook his head. He stared at the blood soaked white robe of Melody and his brows furrowed deep.

"You're only a newbie at this. How about the other experienced healers?"

Melody blushed as she fiddled with the sleeve of her robe. She mumbled, "They… don't want to…. They said… uhm… that they have… something more important to do than to heal some… whelp."

Hernan gritted his teeth then nodded at her words.

"I understand. I will be going now."

"Sir?! You still need rest, I implore you!"

Hernan shook his head at Melody's words.

"This is no time for rest. I need to report to the Elders about the team they sent out days ago."

"Ah! I will come with you!"

"Why?"

"That… uhm… if something happened to you, I would be really worried since I am the one who healed you, sir. You are also my responsibility! Yes, that's right! I healed you! So, please, let me extend my services," she said as she bowed down. When no answers came, she glanced up and saw the twisted expression of Hernan and it scared her. She felt that her heart would escape from her c.h.e.s.t.

"You…."

"Yes?!"

"Are you sick of this world?" His sudden question elicit a confused expression from Melody.

"Pardon?"

"The unfair treatment to us, and us getting thrown away."

"Well… I am not particularly angry at them. They are humans too, after all. They make mistakes and we are imperfect, so it is natural for people to do something bad. Though these bad things will pass someday! I am hoping for that…."

"What if they betrayed you?"

Melody smiled weakly.

"I have no choice but to forgive them. After all, I wouldn't be able to live peacefully. Where would I go?"