NOVEL FROG Chapter 91: Fury
I was still shocked about all the senseless destruction. I had seen death and cruelty since entering this world. But against your own people? How could any leader blow up his loyal soldiers? As Elias was getting to his feet, sewage flowed into the crater. I used Chains of Torment on him, so he would not have a chance to escape. He managed to stumble one step before the portals opened.
“You… you ruined EVERYTHING!” Elias shouted as he hung there, immobilised. Then he coughed. It looked like the spell hurt him too.
Suddenly I remembered. The ritual circle! Elias blew it up with his spell. All the energy already collected was detonated. It caused a secondary explosion. I studied Elias with my Eyes of the Fey. There was some demonic energy coursing through him. Was the entire area tainted now? I felt fine, aside from some burns. I studied Lucy, thankfully I did not see any corruption.
Shani looked the worst between us. “Do you want to return home Shani?” I asked.
“What? No, I want to peel his skin off!” She responded.
Torture. Did he deserve it? Did anyone? I looked around at the destruction. Anger rose inside of me.
“We could let him drown in sewage.” Lucy suggested.
The crater was slowly filling and Elias was held securely at the bottom. We were floating a bit above him.
“Are you ok Lucy?” I asked. I should have done so sooner.
She smiled. “It’s fine. I have endured worse. And my skin is already healing. Even the clothes will make it once I push magic into the enchantment for repairs.” Lucy looked at Elias again. “What do we do with him? Are those chains stopping him from using magic?” She asked.
“They will stop him from moving, teleporting or changing his shape. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to stop someone from using magic entirely. But he is in pain, which will make it hard to concentrate. The demonic energy in him should also interfere with his magic. This seemed like his trump card. I doubt that he has anything left we need to fear.” I looked around once more. “And there is nobody else that he could harm…”
Elias screamed. Shani was slowly dragging her scythe across his skin. She did not cut deep but she was channelling some electricity. “Just keeping him from using magic.” She said with a deranged grin. The chains amplified the lighting even further. His skin was smoking at the points where he was restrained.
“People are coming.” Lucy said and pointed towards several flying figures approaching at high speed. It looked like the Empire’s response was arriving.
I did not recognize any of them. I briefly debated killing Elias before they arrived. But before I could make up my mind they were here. Twenty-One people in total. Sixteen royal knights in shining armour, four mages in elaborate robes and a clear leader. The person in charge was covered completely in plate armour. It might have been mithril. His impressive shoulder pads were more for form than function. The cape could have been magical but I suspected it was mostly for style.
“I am knight captain Theo of the royal guard, explain yourselves!”
I sighed. “As you might have noticed, demons were summoned in your city. We helped the garrison fend off an attack and then investigated. We found the source in the sewers. As I was about to safely disable the last ritual the inquisition barged in. We had a liaison from the garrison to vouch for us. The inquisition attacked anyway. Elias blew everything up, including his people. And the ritual. The area might be contaminated with demonic energy now.” I summarised.
“LIES,” Elias shouted. Then he screamed as Shani shocked him, again.
“STOP” Theo shouted. “UNHAND THE HIGH INQUISITOR. We shall take everyone into custody and will take your formal statements. If your story is true he shall be punished by the Emperor, you have my word.”
“No.” I said, closing my eyes. I would not let him get away. I would not watch as he walked free. I did not trust the Emperor’s judgement. I embraced my anger, my frustration and when my eyes opened again, they glowed. I felt my power stir, awaken. Dark clouds formed above us. Rain began to fall and lightning flashed in the sky.
I did not raise my voice and yet it seemed to cover a large area. I spoke calmly. “Elias Richter, you killed your people, you killed the soldiers sworn to you. For the crimes you have committed here, you will die.”
Shani’s eyes sparkled. “MY LADY HAS SPOKEN!” In a swift motion she used her scythe to cut off his head. It fell into the sewage. I dismissed my chains and his body followed. A fitting grave.
I turned my eyes towards Theo and his men. “Leave.” I said. My words were followed by thunder. I could not see his face underneath the helmet but his mages looked properly frightened. After some brief hesitation he turned around and they all flew away.