Chapter 48: The Mage
The rocky walls of the cliff's base that surrounded the foot of the mountain range was filled with deep, magma-framed holes. Some were produced by the massive fireballs that exploded on impact and some were drilled by the destructive energy of light magic.
Massive spikes of ice were stood all around the base of the cliff, and on their sharp tips were impaled giants. Dead bodies of Thevon's soldiers mixed in with all the demons that he had killed.
For three days, without sleeping, drinking, eating or even resting, Thevon Luxier had been fighting all alone. Several high-ranking demons were taking turns to wear him out to finally be able to kill him.
The scion of light extended an arm once more, his palm facing the enemies.
His blood dripping from his forehead, down to his eyes and then to his chin, covered his face. His pristine white robe was stained and tattered. The sun and moon had risen three times, but the battle was far from ending.
From his palm, a raging fire that condensed itself into a bright burning sphere manifested. It spun like a wild miniature sun before shooting forward, turning into a streak of light that traced a straight path.
A demon draped in a dark robe, holding an ancient staff, summoned a barrier. The transparent dome of darkness that enveloped him and his demon allies blocked the raging sunfire, but as it exploded, the barrier shattered into smithereens.
Before the formidable human mage could cast his next spell, the demonic wizard executed his own. Born from dark magic, several ominous spears manifested in the air, all pointing at Thevon. These shadow spears then shot forward with lightning speed, threatening to put holes through his body.
Rocks bulged from the earth, tall and wide enough to block the flying spears. But when Thevon realized that these deadly spears could pass through objects to reach their target, it was a bit too late.
Thevon's eyes glowed brightly before he turned into a streak of lightning that dashed to the side, attempting to dodge the spears. Several of them grazed his skin, tearing his robe, and one pierced him on his right shoulder.
The spear vanished, letting the blood spill out of the open wound. Using light magic, Thevon healed himself, but the blood that gushed out was already lost, weakening him even more.
His pale skin turned even more ghastly pale. Cold sweat trickled down his face and his breathing was heavy and uneven. His eyes with dark circles under them were begging to close, but he knew the price for even blinking.
Thevon was nearing his limits.
Not giving him even a moment of respite, a massive four-legged beast lunged at him. Thevon pushed himself up using wind magic. The beast chomped on nothing but air.
As he was levitating, dark orbs capable of drilling a hole through his body travelled towards him. Without much time to react, he could only brace himself and form an ice barrier that shattered easily. Once again, he sustained deadly wounds.
Thevon fell down, holding himself up desperately with one knee to the ground.
The four-legged beast accelerated towards him only to meet sharp icicles stabbing its eyes.
The mage didn't have time to heal himself.
Gritting his teeth, the scion of light used the fifth tier Sea of Death. The surface the beast was standing on turned into water, deep enough to drown it.
To make sure the demonic monster wouldn't swim up, Thevon shot a powerful laser of white light. Unable to dodge, the attack left a gaping hole in the beast's chest.
A demon with armor full of spikes suddenly appeared behind Thevon, whispering:
"You've killed twenty of us."
Without looking, Thevon sent the demon flying by raising the surface the demon was standing on, like launching via catapult. He then turned around, pointed his palm towards the demon and then shot another devastating fireball. The moment it hit, Thevon followed it up by summoning a lightning strike from the sky.
As the demon fell, a set of sharp icicles was waiting on the ground. He landed straight to it, meeting his demise.
"Twenty-one now," Thevon muttered.
He turned to the remaining demons. Their looks alone indicated that they were among the ones higher in the chain of command. Standing there and watching Thevon, the formidable human mage finally was able to rest his mind and body for a few seconds.
Using this opportunity, Thevon healed all of his wounds.
"You vile grass," a tall, slender hunchback demon muttered softly. His voice, though calm, had palpable rage seeping through.
"We trapped you here and prevented your allies from reaching you, but you just wont die. At this point, we've lost much more than we can gain."
Thevon scoffed.
"You assumed I needed their help. I am more than enough for you. I will kill you all right here by myself."
The hunchback retorted:
"You say that, but you're near death's door. I can tell it's only a matter of time before you crumble."
They laughed.
And then, the mage responded.
"That's true, but I still have a weapon I haven't used all this time."
Thevon lifted his hands and reached for the ring on his left middle finger.
The demons paused in anticipation.
"You wouldn't dare..." they whispered.
A smirk tugged at Thevon's lips.
"Where did your confidence go?" he asked.
"I've been holding back all this time. Don't talk to me like we're equals, it's disgusting to even think."
A forced smile of desperation crossed the demon's boney face.
"What about the consequences of unleashing your power? Even you will be affected by that!"
Thevon answered.
"Yes, but I'll make sure you die."
This silver ring, as a part of many others, acted as a suppressor for a fraction of Thevon's overflowing mana capacity. These artifacts were the first of its kind. Usually, a wearer would need something that would amplify their mana capacity. In Thevon's case, he needed something that would suppress it.
They were created by the combined forces of all the five clans. The Theocheiróses called the angels and borrowed their powers. The Hemmethes crafted the materials strong enough to host celestial energy. The Wixorns borrowed the wisdom of spirits. The Luxiers provided the magic enhancement. And the Uthalonicas were the ones who risked their lives trying to put the suppressors on Thevon.
Because before these suppressors existed, the four hundredth scion of light was like a living beacon of death. His mana was too immense that it had affected how the elements in the world behaved.
It was how his mother died.
'Might as well put this curse to good use,' he thought to himself.
But as he was about to pull the ring off, a beastly voice of a demon rang across the air.
"ALL OF YOU, RUN!!!"
The demons and Thevon turned, they saw two middle-ranked demons running out of a tunnel.
They were screaming:
"THE SCION OF DIVINITY IS HERE!!!"