Chapter 33 - Chances Should Be Taken

--Aaris - POV--

He….. Did he stand up?

Why did I get my hopes up?

Defeating in a single punch, seriously?

"You brat! If only I didn't have the 

[ STOLE - MANIFESTATION ]

[ GUARD BARRIER ]

Of Ilin's Spell, that could've been a trouble for me"

What!? I heard Illusion and Manifestation Trait can give users an ability to use one of the spells of the invaded enemy's mind, but still, it's a high-grade spell for even like him!

Dustin Amused and ticked strode toward us, Serlin was injured, Miss.  Ilin can be barely holding up now, touching the tip of his sword he spoke,

"But, unfortunately, I ain't like you puny and wrenched mages, well then the child play is over, now-"

"Big words coming from a failed drop-out of Academy of Magus, who didn't even last the first year." Serlin held his bleeding chest and mocked Dustin.

Dustin abruptly flinched and gritted his teeth.

Putting his left arm on his neck, he oozed hostility from him and uttered, 

"Say that again old man!"  His eyes went red and were furious.

I did hear in the mansion not to talk about the Academy with Dustin but never knew this was the reason.

"Sir what are you doing?" I glanced at Serlin even in this state, he never lost his smile.

"Just buying me some time to gather some strength, listen the moment you land, don't stop running as fast as can-"

"What are you saying I am not leaving you-"

"Aaris please... save yourself…  go... we will deal with him, you have to leave-" Miss. Ilin pushed her voice, ailing and weakened on her knees and tears in her eyes.

"How can I leave you to fight for my sake, why should you even fight for me? Who are you to me!"

I shouted. 

Dustin stood amused, glared at us. For him, it was just a show to enjoy.

"Aaris what are you-" miss. Ilin breathed startled.

"This was not even your concern from the start! But still, why did you fight? I am just an orphan,

A commoner,

no perhaps worse than them, I am not even a bit of a mage, I carry no relationship to you whatsoever but yet why are you-

Why are you doing this-"

I said I had no intention, to hurt but I regretted dragging them into this mess, they both never looked so miserable, but today because me-

"You really are an idiot, are you?" Serlin said, 

"You think she would let you die just because you are nothing to her? She ain't like that kid, keep this in mind, 

In life who we fight, that doesn't matter, what truly  matters is who we fight for!"

"Well… I hope your drama is over, I don't have forever, but seriously you both are wasted on this brat, now let me end your pain, first you kid…

You must not get an easy death along with that geezer…

[ NIGHTMARE ]

" AARIS MOVE!!" Miss. Ilin cried out.

"Too late brat!"

I tried to run but an abrupt tremor jerked my head, I found myself standing in an old and wrecked room, it had cracks and damps on each wall, a worn-out table in the middle, and a room without a door with a withered bed and kid was sleeping, then I heard her…

"Aaris dear, wake up!"

Mother?

--Serlin - POV --

"Aaris! Snap out of it! It's an illusion!"

Aaris fell on the ground like his soul stranded him. Before the nightmare begins I have to wake him up!

"It's no use!" Dustin swayed his sword, and I barely evaded, damn it! I can't put Aaris in the void in this state, Ilin also had barely any mana left, she is barely conscious, I have to end this-

" Do you think you have time to think and look at others while facing me?" Dustin snuck to my back, I can't dodge this one

"[ CHAIN ARMOUR ]" I wrapped my back in chains, 

"Just DIE!! [ PIERCE ] "

-- Dustin - POV --

Finally! 

"Now tell me, geezer can you feel my sword by your ribs! Ahaha!"

Damn it, I can't stop laughing, this old man really thought he could defeat me!

"You bastard!" Coughing blood from his mouth, yet still spouting nonsense this geezer huh?

I should pull my sword back now, I can let him die this early,  at least let him see, his comrade or that brat dies first!"

"Now geezer look at Ilin don't you think she had enough-"

"Don't you dare touch her!" He grabbed my sword and tried to hold my neck.

I pulled my sword out and he crashed on my feet.

"Best place for you to rest geezer anyways I take this as your last wish! I won't touch Ilin, I shall kill the Brat first!"

"No! Don't you-" he grabbed my foot and tried to pull.

Hmm, I really want to play with him a bit longer!

Ah the despair in his eyes, kinda reminds me of that bitch Cara when we arrested her.

He suddenly released my foot.

"Don't tell me... you still grieve for that!" 

Aha haha….. Are you kidding me! God, I can't stop laughing! Aha haha!

"Damn now I feel sorry for you-"

"I beg you, please spare him… he is just a kid please" is this geezer crying? What?

"Hmm... no!" He will die!

-- Serlin - POV--

"ILIN WAKE UP! AARIS WAKE UP!" Damn it! Both of them can't hear me, Fuck! Move! Only a bit of mana, I can save him…

He slowly walked close to Aaris and picked him clutching his neck, 

"Get your hands off him, you asshole!" It's no use, it's only a matter of seconds until I faint too,  I have to somethin-

"Shut the fuck up!" He kicked my face and stomped on my head, 

"You don't know when to give up, do you?

Now look closely let me show you what will happen if you piss off a Tresguy!."

"Aaris! snap out of it! LISTEN TO ME! AARIS!" no matter how much I yelled, he was quiet as a lifeless body. 

"Mo..ther...Don't...leave...me" Aaris uttered.

"OHo looks like the nightmare has begun already!" Dustin pointed his sword on the Aaris's neck and made a small cut.

"What nightmare?" What was he talking about? 

"I simply hauled his deepest and worst memories out his heart, you know what it is, Cara's death!!"

He started laughing like a maniac, 

"Now let's end this, say goodbye Aaris!"

"NOO!!"

Dustin thrust his sword….

"I...I…KILL YOU!" Aaris clutched Dustin's sword and his arm in his neck but didn't open his eyes.

"What the- how did you break the spell? How did you wake-" when Aaris opened his eyes, Dustin looked spooked and fretting.

For me I felt a chill running down my spine, his Red eyes had a tint of Violet, and on his right hand clenching Dustin's sword, weird markings like veins and spells appeared ignited a glint, in hues of Black, Red, and Violet.

"What the fuck is wrong with him?" Dustin struggled to free his hand and his sword but everything was in vain, 

"Leave me you pest!" He whirled his arm, he was holding Aaris neck and threw him on the barrier's wall.

Aaris' unusual appearance, somehow overwhelmed Dustin?  

It's not only about appearance, I realized this when Aaris stood up again, now a thin smoke was risking out from the marking, it was not mana I was sure but whatever it was, I don't think that was hostile only to Dustin.