The Archmage panted. The battle had raged on for hours, their tower having acquired major damage due to their spells and the surrounding area having been slowly turning into a desolate warscape.
How come an assassin has so much energy, so much fight still left in them? The exhaustion that should've overcome them from evading so many area damage and tracking spells never seemed to get to the hired slayer. One after another, the spells cast never seem to have an effect.
Maybe... That's when the Archmage started to wonder. It is not possible for a mortal to have survived for so long, not without something powering them. There are many energies that could have such effect, but one last this long without being depleted. Maybe, it's not just an energy, but a circuit of it, an enchantment.
They should've tried Dispel long before the battle caused that much destruction, but no one is immune to pride.
Especially pride in being one of the most powerful magic-users in the whole kingdom.
The Archmage focused. If they were right, in order to use Dispel they would have to layer and overpower it, whilst letting the assassin get close, lethaly close. It's a risk, an enormous one and they had to make sure the outcome wasn't their death.
The mage carefully cast his next spells, defensive and impairing, helping the assassin ever so slowly to get closer.
Just when they were 10 meters away, the Archmage started preparing Dispel.
The assassin immediately noticed what appeared to be their targets lapse in attention and r a n
9 meters. The Archmage started the Dispel circuit
8 meters. They watched the assassin with eyes of a hawk.
7 meters. The first layer of the spell formed. A white shroud appeared in the mages hands.
6 meters. The assasin noticed the forming spell, but having used all their throw weapons, couldn't do anything about it
5 meters. The second layer formed, encasing the shroud in the magic-users hands.
4 meters. The Archmage started to sweat, only one chance.
3 meters. The assasin took out their dagger, aiming for the heart.
2 meters. The final layer of the spell finally formed.
1 meter. The Archmage cast Dispel.
The battlefield was silent.
No footsteps, lighting strikes or shouts could be heard.
The Archmage, having closed their eyes after completing the circuit, opened them and saw...
A young adult, if not a child, laying in the dust and dirt.
Their face unobscured, the spell having burnt away the mask that kept the assasins identity hidden.
The uniform torn everywhere due to the spells endured and underneath...
On their- her body a multitude of gashes, rips, punctures and rot. The left arm is missing a hand, on the right leg a wound so deep you could see the marrow of her femur.
Half of it torn to shreds, no eye seen underneath the blood. The other one, open and showing awareness, is tracking every movement of the Archmage. Her lips are open, as if preparing to say something.
The magic user started at the young woman, conflicted, if he should end her or keep her alive to extract information. With their focus fully on the woman, they heard a faint whisper
Well, it seems they'll have to prepare a guest room for their would-be killer.
The mage, with the last whisps of their energy, cast a stasis spell on the assasin and carried her towards the ruins of their tower. Whilst the tower itself may be destroyed, the basement should still be intact.
"The future sure is going to be interesting"
The woman tried opening her eyes, only managing to do so slightly.
This isn't the doctor's workroom.
This isn't Othylium at all.
The woman forced herself to fully look the the chambers she's inside of, futilely. Her arms were bound to the bed.
She decided to focus on her surroundings. The space she occupies seems to be underground, based on the slight dirt marks on the ceiling stones and lack of windows. The shelves around her were full of potions, most of which she could identify as recovery potions. The doors to the room were in front of her bed, wooden without a window. Her bed itself is in the middle of the room, with two tables on the sides of it. The room itself was quite bright due to blueflame lanterns and clean.
Again, she focused on her bindings. They made of leather, with runes carved into them.
Guess she wasnt getting out.
Everything is better than being even a second longer under those gods damned enchantments.
I could sleep... There's nothing else to do in here...
The womans eyes instantly landed on the figure next to her bed.
The figure, Archmage, had deep red, graying hair that was held in a loose bun. Their clothes were flowing, deep blue robe with a white undershirt and black pants.
The woman looked at the mages blank face, into the magic users seemingly dull eyes.
"Thank you for releasing me of those control spells." She said sincerely. It was expected, she wanted the mage to know how grateful she is for giving her freedom, for however long that may be... " I do not care what you decide to do with me, I just wish for you to know my gratitude and my regret of having been forced to hunt you."
Their face lost the blank façade, leaving a warm expression.
"No need to thank me and although your apologies are welcome, they are not needed. You were forced, a puppet for the real perpetrators." They stated, releasing your bindings in the meantime, and hesitated...
" If I may know, how long were you kept under those enchantments?" They inquired with worry clear on their face.
Indeed, how long was it since you experienced free will?
How long ago were you taken, to be raised a weapon for Othylium?
The Archmage made a concerned face.
"Then If I may, could I perform some exams on you? To see if there were any side effects?"
"I don't think I have a choice, you captured me, didn't you? You can do anything you want with me." I pointed out, averting my eyes.
"Gods no! I would never, you are a victim of manipulation and control magicks. You may do anything you want here as long as you won't harm anyone, destroy anything and steal." They explained
"Then go ahead, I wish to know of any damage. And dot worry about me being a bad guest, at this point, the only people I'll kill are the ones who imprisoned me." I said darkly.
The mage looked at me with mirith in their eyes.
" Well, if that's your goal, you'll need to stay here a little to recover. I'll gladly help you with your task, I don't let my enemies off easily."
This is going to be interesting.
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