“Yes.” Tom groans
“And there you have it.” Nick laughs
“I now own
One of your partners.
Don't worry though,
You can keep him on loan
Until we need him.
Well, Tom, a deal's a deal.
Now, look at my eyes and heal.”
“Don't!” I call
As their gazes lock
Suddenly, Tom's pain subsides
As he stumbles in shock
Along with all his agonizing cries
“Up you get.” Nick says locking his eyes
“Remember that you belong to me.
I'll one day collect your debt to be.
Well, I suppose I've toyed with you all long enough.
Troah!” He calls upward “She can't be that tough!”
Suddenly, the siblings come crashing in
As a blast of flames spark and singe
Troah now has Leigh pinned
“You, little girl.” Nick says with malice
“You've yet a part to play.
But I can't tell you about it today.”
“Give me back my brother!” Leigh screams
Knocking Troah away with a bluish gleam
“I'm afraid I can't.” Nick replies
Scrambling to her feet, Leigh's flames thrive
Not the usual red but a brilliant blue blaze
“I have had enough of these games!
You will give me my brother!
Or so help me I'll burn you to ash!”
“Give it your best shot!” Nick laughs
With intense rage Leigh lets loose
Setting the platform ablaze
And cooking Nick like a goose
The fire melting his flesh from the bone
He lets out an eerie agonizing tone
As the flames dissipate
A skeleton stands
Melted flesh and organs bland
He takes a step
But he should be dead
Instantly, his body heals
As if nothing happened
As if he's made a deal...
“What the hell?” Tom calls
“You shouldn't even be breathing.”
“That actually... really... hurt.” Nick's malice seething
“I can't die, until I take your life.” Nick points to me
Rage in his eyes
“Well, I've lingered here long enough.
Here's a parting gift, nephew.
Full of love.”
In his hand materializes a vial of ash and blood
Identical to the one that my brother used back...
Back then
“No!” I cry as he breaks it on the floor
“No one likes it,” He taunts “When losers are sore.”
And just like that they're both gone
Nick and Troah
Both fading beyond
In this moment I can't worry about them
There's something more pressing
With scaly skin
The basilisk begins slithering, wrapping the tower
Big enough to smother Eiffel's power
“Oh no.” Tom calls “Not again!”
I look to my partners, my friends
I feel the mana swelling in my head
And with a momentary burst
It's as if my sight has been fed
It's almost like steroids for my eyes
Time stands still while it's passing by
Stronger than before
I feel like I could do almost anything
Looking to the crowd, I will them to sleep
And just like that they all collapse in a heap
Well, that's one problem solved
Now to handle the snake
It's bigger this time
No way for a reptilian bake
Plus I can see it feeding on the mana
Of the Sins power
In comparison, for a regular snake,
It is the equivalent of a sauna
It's growing and getting stronger as the moments pass
If I'm gonna do this I've got to do it fast
Scrambling to the upper floors
I hear Leigh's cries, her heart still sore
“What are you doing?!” She calls
“You idiot! Don't!”
My partner and best friend – Of course she knows
She knows exactly what's running through my head
And she knows in all likelihood I'll end up dead
But this is the best chance we have
With the mana exploding in my eyes
This is our best chance to thrive
Scaling the beast
Coming face to face
Locking our eyes
Foregoing the chase
I can feel his magic trying to kill me
But right now my sight and what I see
It's like an impenetrable shield keeping me safe
The question is how long will it take
Taking a page from uncle Nick
With just a look I inject the beast with pain
And not a mere prick
I'm injecting 50 times more than any human could take
It's hurting the beast
But also me – The pain
It's excruciating
As the snake roars loud
Wriggling, losing it's grip and sliding down
Which one of us goes first?
Only time will tell
As the snake goes limp
I'm pretty numb myself
Tumbling down the tower
Getting banged on the iron
The last sight I see is Leigh's beautiful smile
“You idiot.” She sobs
I hear her last words
As she holds me close
I feel her warmth
Then everything goes dark
And a vision takes hold
This one making me feel afraid and cold
Trial 18: What was lost
The vision I see
It fills me with pity
Sorrow and tears for the children locked in cages
Not human or mage
Nor goblins, sirens, or dragons filled with rage
Half breeds – Born of mages and other races
They cry out in terror as he approaches
The sight making me sick to my stomach
Seeing my mirrored reflection with crimson eyes
Seeing his terror and malice thrive
Seven - seven children locked away
When was it they last saw the sun?
More than days
As he, my brother with a twisted grin
“One step over.” His voice deep with sin
Not my brother
Simply his body
As Death's aura emanates
The children's health shotty
As Death berates
“Seven of the twelve.” Death's voice burns
Looking to Nicholai
Making my stomach churn
“A good start.
Now acquire the rest.
We need all twelve
If we wish the results to be the best.”
“Their mana is stunted.” Nick warns
“They barely have enough left to keep warm.”
“Why do you care?” Death's question bites
“Why let yourself be troubled at the sight?
You wish to die, no?”
Nick looks away
“Then do
