Sage Gallian still had much to prepare, and this battle was starting to go much too fast. He looked to the advancing line of Death Beasts and reassured himself by noting that they were very far away still. They were also moving slowly, just like Muertaa had asked, and there was solace in that. He said a quick prayer and kept his focus on his spell.
“Do ye choose not to protect, yourself, swine?” Muertaa asked in a demeaning tone. “I guess you just know that there is no point in resisting so many, especially after seeing what they did to the Sages in here. Of course, most of them were already dead by your hand.”
“It’s too bad, fool Sage. I was hoping for a little excitement today. All this senseless killing of worthless ‘Guardian Sages’ is so boring. And they claimed to be powerful. Of course, you would know all about that, now wouldn’t you?” Shade-Spinner taunted, taking Muertaa’s cue.
But this time, Gallian was not swayed. “Do you foolish Wyvern-Masters forget who you’re dealing with so soon? I am surprised!” There was a tinge of disappointment in his tone. “You say yourself that I am the most powerful Sage, and indeed, I am just that! And to think, you come here with the worthless protection of a simple Death Legion against my awesome power? Your dead bodies will rise and fall at my command! I will wield my limitless, powerful magic at you all, and I will kill each and every last one of you, then I’ll kill the rest of your kind, until nothing is left. All with my awesome power! You will fall faster than I can cleave a piece of Marhej!”
Unlike Sigmonium, Marhej was an extremely weak substance. It was some form of metal that was renowned for falling apart with a simple touch. It was said that it was almost better to go without armor than to use Marhej armor, hence the saying.
I have no idea what I’m talking about here, Gallian thought, trying to figure out why they had claimed him to be so powerful. I’m not the most powerful Sage. Far from it. Why, I’ve barely started. I’m the youngest Sage, but most powerful? Never.
How could they possibly mistake me for the most powerful Sage, anyway? There’s no way they could actually believe that. I haven’t even picked a profession yet, so how could I possibly be so powerful? I think they have me mistaken. Then again, it is kind of fun playing along. I do like pretending, if nothing else.
Then, changing his frame of mind, he thought, Esmerelda, Jheriem, and Miranda, please forgive me for what I must do here. I know I said I would never use the forbidden art again, but the need has arisen, and surely you can see this. If I must die, then so be it, but please, do not let these bad men steal the relics. Surely, that would be far worse.
“. . . Scared of a Sage, are you, Muertaa?” Shade-Spinner was saying when Gallian regained full awareness.
With a quick look, he saw that the encroaching Death Beasts had gotten a good deal closer.
“I would have thought that someone with your level of skill and expertise would have run towards a Sage, not from him,” the warlock teased.
“Shut up, boot-licker!” Muertaa said in response, obviously angered. “If you do not shape up, I will have to kill you as well as the Sage.”
In the midst of their bickering, Gallian made a dangerous move. He raised his hands triumphantly, his preparations finally complete. Both Muertaa and Shade-Spinner stopped and looked immediately to see what would come of it. And yet, nothing did. Though he was ready to cast the spell, he still hadn’t worked up the courage to actually do it. He’d used so much magic power already today that he was afraid the effort would tear him apart.
Esmerelda, the Merciful, please let me have the strength to do this, he silently prayed. This is the only hope the Order of Sages has left. Etan, Weapons Forger, Nivek, Stone-Grip, Jheriem, our Savoir, I humbly ask for the help of all three of you in this impossible task. Surely you could not simply let the Sages die and let the relics be taken, Great Ones. What kind of world would you return to, then? I promise never to forget this act of kindness if you aid me in any way.
“Looks like you’re going to defend yourself after all, eh, Sage?” Muertaa said with a shrug. “Or maybe not.”
“Oooh! The big bad Sage raised his hands. I think I'm gonna wet my pants,” Shade-Spinner added, laughing. “Please, Master, don’t raise your hands at me, I can’t take the torment!”
“Well, if you really want to die with wet pants, then by all means go ahead,” Gallian spat. “I would have thought you were the type to want a much nobler and manlier death, but whatever pushes your cart is fine with me. Oh, and I kind of like being called Master, keep it up.”
“That sounds kind of like a threat, Shade-Spinner. Maybe this thing will get interesting after all,” Muertaa whispered in the other’s ear.
“Good thing. I like to entertain my victims,” Sage Gallian said.
“That’s quite an ego you have there, for a Sage. I thought those were outlawed,” Shade-Spinner remarked, looking high and mighty.
Gallian grinned back at him. “You thought wrong.” He wasn’t, actually – Sages weren’t supposed to overtly show emotion. But that was of little consequence at the moment.
“Perhaps you’re right. Well, I still don’t see anything to be worried about,” Shade Spinner continued, putting his hand above his eyes and looking about in a mock gesture.
Thank Yffum of Anit that those Death Beasts are moving so incredibly slow, Gallian thought with some sense of relief. One wonders why they haven’t jumped me yet. Must be waiting for the command.
As if reacting to his thoughts, the Death Beasts started speeding up and closing the gap between them
