Chapter 24 - 23: Happy Birthday (3)

"Well it seems Clara has gotten stronger since the last time I saw her." said Deon as he looked at the red streak that Clara left behind as she rocketed through the air.

"Well of course she has, after all growth is key. However I'm more interested in how strong you've become my dear brother." Damien said with a smirk on his face.

"So do I." Deon replied caressing the hilt of Excalibur.

"But let's put aside our curiosity for now. Deon do you know about the naming of the next Cardinal?" said Damien almost whispering the last part of the sentence.

"Cardinal? Wait do you mean to tell me that after a century there are finally granting someone the Cardinal title?" Deon said with a shock filled face. But after a few seconds he finally came back to his senses.

"Not that it matters anyway Damien. We all know that out of all the Arch-Bishops Ariel of 'The Caliburn' is the strongest by far. Not even the Arch-Bishop of Destruction 'The Durandal' can defeat him." said Deon with a hint of displeasure in his voice.

"Brother I fail to believe that the Supreme Being created any of the Four Holy Swords superior or inferior to another. It is simply a matter of who has mastered theirs the most. That is to say that the other Arch-Bishops could never reach our level. After all the Holy Swords are the most powerful divine artefacts." said Damien musingly.

"Damien you've -" Deon was interrupted by the sound of his amulet.

"You're holiness some scouts have discovered a mana signature on the outskirts of Draquerth. It's several times weaker than that of the Ice-witch but the mana signature is that of an Ice-mage." said Amana calmly.

"An Ice-mage? Those aren't common and what are the odds of there being an Ice-Mage this far south. She's probably just masking her mana signature." said Deon

"Amana prepare to head out. We're going to investigate this." said Deon as he closed the amulet and flew off leaving cracks on the ground.

"Clara." said Damien into his amulet.

"Yes master I have already pin pointed the location of the Ice-mage." replied Clara.

"Good, lets show them just how much we've grown." said Damien with a wild smile on his face.

Meanwhile on the outskirts of Draquerth

Everyone surrounded the table where Arya's birthday cake was placed. After singing the Merrum equivalent of the happy birthday song all the elders present blessed him. "May you overcome every obstacle you're faced with." said Raul touching Arya's forehead. "May the spirits guide you." said Luna as she touched his forehead.

After them many other elders of the community blessed Arya with words such as "May you be successful in the future." or "May you be happy for all your days.". It was finally Neels turn. He began saying something in a very low guttural voice most there couldn't hear it because his voice was covered by the sound of excited children singing.

After Neel gave Arya his blessing Lillian picked up her baby. As she began whispering in his ear a tear rolled down her left cheek. After a while Lillian put Arya back on his tall chair and began cutting the cake.

Although simple one could tell that a lot of effort was put into making this cake. Every kid was given a slice of cake and they ate it happily. At this point the atmosphere was festive. Many adults were drinking together exchanging stories. The children ran around playing tag, some kids swarmed around Arya trying to touch his white hair or trying to have a conversation with the newest addition to the community.

Lillian was setting out more drinks when she saw Neel rush for Arya. "Wha-" Lillian was interrupted by the sound of an explosion. When the dust settled the bodies of the once happy kids could be seen sprawled on the ground. The people who managed to survive didn't move a muscle. Although it was natural for people to start running and screaming in such a situation no one did. And how could they? The bodies that lay sprawled on the floor belonged to the kids they had raised, watched grow or had grown up with. Tears rolled down the eyes of many while some just sat there with their eyes wide open in shock.

Some parents kept muttering "It's just a bad dream." as they held their remaining children in their arms rocking them. Lillian didn't waste any time and began looking for Ava and Luca. She found them safe with Raul and Luna. "Thank yo-" Lillian was about to say when another explosion interrupted her.

This time even less people survived. Those who had survived began praying to any gods they knew. Arya's house was completely destroyed, all the memories Arya made in the past year clouded his mind as a wave of sadness went over him. This scene reminded Arya of the day he died. Neel looked to the sky and saw four figures floating there looking down on the people of the outskirts. Neel was enraged, these people threatened the lives of his family not once but twice.

Neel didn't care if anyone saw him in his quasi-dragon form or not. In the blink of an eye he appeared right in front of Lillian and handed Arya to him. "Take Arya and go far away. I'm not sure who they are but based off their power alone it's probably the inquisition. I can take on four of them alone, just take the kids and go." said Neel urgingly as he changed into his dragonic form. His skin changed into black scales and two horns came out of either side of his forehead. His eyes turned black and his iris went from hazel to raging red. His pupil became a black slit and two humungous wings came out of his back.

The people although surprised couldn't care less at this point. After all the world as they knew it was crumbling. Neel shot off into the sky and in the blink of an eye he hit a red-haired girl to the ground.. Before any of the other three could respond he shot hot white flames at them from his maw.