The Arcane Guardians Chapter 29: Chapter 25: Guardians (Part Two)

Read chapter 29 of The Arcane Guardians by Mercynarie on NovelPedia.

The two boys sneaked pointlessly to the ring of candles under the generous cover of everything going on around them. Despite the chaos, the candles were somehow still lit. Felix and Gaius stood by the edge of the ritualistic circle, just far enough so that Gaius would not be pulled into its centre again. The Sorcerer looked around; the Guardian Council was still keeping Cleric Nerva busy. Good. “Once I get in, be prepared to receive the Arcani leaking out of the spell!” Gaius shouted over the commotion. “Take in as much as you can, but don’t push yourself too much.” Felix nodded. “Will do, my friend. Good luck.” Gaius sucked in a deep breath to steady himself. The orange glow returned to his eyes once again as the magic of True Vision took over his instincts. He could feel the magical force guiding the movement of his lips, lighting up the impossibly complicated paths for his Arcani to funnel into. His eyebrows furrowed in concentration. And he ran into the circle. The magical lull from the other tomes enticed the energy within him to merge with theirs, although Gaius pressed his own will onto his magic. This power had been an invaluable gift, but he was not about to return it now. Light burst from his orifices as his fingers made contact with the two other books. Magic surged through his entire being as pure instinct took over. He relinquished his hold over his sanity, letting his magical precognition guide him entirely. The Sorcerer’s lips parted and began babbling an unknown incantation. Arcani churned around him violently, almost to the brink of chaos. But he was still in control, even if he did not know what he was doing. The first wave of Arcani flared outwards. Gaius’s eyes darted to the figure barely visible against the glaring light. He watched as the energy flowed into his friend as though he were some sort of whirlpool that left no trace behind. The Sorcerer smiled internally. It was working. He continued the counterspell, praying that Felix would be able to take all of the Arcani. ~ ~ ~ “Watch out!” Kleopatra grunted, pushed aside by her sister just before a huge fist made of energy swept in between them. She stood up aggressively, her staff flaring with power as she blasted another wave of criminals away. “Guh!” she yelped, clutching her side where a beam of light had struck her without warning. The Necromancer raised his wand again, but a golden chain wrapped around him and froze the man in place. Cybele rushed to Kleopatra’s side, closing her wound with a warm healing touch. The sisters yelled together, casting Eldritch Blast at their enemies simultaneously. A blinding thunderbolt hurtled her way, and Kleopatra found herself engaged in another war of attrition yet again. But Elpis’s power was far greater than Benedictus’s, and the spell pushed through her counterhex, striking her cleanly. The girl writhed in pain, rolling on the floor uncontrollably. “I’m still… not strong enough,” Kleopatra panted as a mere fraction of control returned to her body. She watched her sister charge at Elpis with an anguished scream, only for her spell to be blocked easily and blasted back with a powerful force. Cybele collapsed to the ground motionless as an Arcani nullifier fell out from her robes, sliding on the floor. “No…” she groaned, willing her body to fight back against the weakness still plaguing her. Her vision was blurred. Her breaths quickened with desperation. She had to move. Elpis was charging magic in her staff for the killing blow. She had to move, now . “No… no… no… NO !” Kleopatra screamed, mustering as much concentration as she could. Time seemed to slow down as a green beam of light sped towards her sister. Arcani flooded into Kleopatra’s staff. “ BREAK! ” The Warlock let out an uncontrollable groan as she felt most of her energy drain from her body in an instant. The green light dispersed, and Elpis stumbled back from the sheer power of the dispelling charm. “Impressive, you dispelled one of my most powerful c