The World Greatest Magician Is A Fraud

The faint markings of the curse on Luke's hands glowed eerily in the dim light. Panic set in as he stared at the sinister symbols etched into his skin. He tried desperately to rub them off, but it was futile. The realization that the curse had transferred to him was overwhelming. The consequences of holding onto that evil heart had come to fruition, and now the very essence of that dark magic clung to him.

Mayor Kingsley, having noticed Luke's growing distress, approached him with concern.

"Luke, what's happening?" he asked, his voice strained.

The once composed and authoritative mayor was now as frantic as the rest of his people. The sight of Luke's trembling hands made his heart skip a beat.

Luke followed Mayor Kingsley to the destroyed main gate, the cacophony of chaos around them heightening his anxiety. He held out his cursed hands, his voice shaky and uncertain.

"It's... it's the curse," he stammered, his eyes wide with fear. "I don't know how to remove it."

The mayor's face paled as he took in the sight of the faint, glowing markings. Even in the darkness, they were unmistakable.

"Can you do anything about it?" he asked urgently, the pressure of the situation evident in his tone.

Luke shook his head, his voice faltering.

"No, I don't know how," he admitted, his nerves getting the best of him. "Can you help me?"

His plea was desperate, his words rapid and uneven. The weight of the curse was more than just physical; it was a burden that threatened to break his spirit.

Mayor Kingsley was at a loss. He did not know magic, let alone curses of this magnitude.

"I don't know what to do," he confessed, his voice heavy with the gravity of their predicament. The Enraged Aerdeich was drawing nearer, and the air was thick with dread. Time was running out, and they needed a solution fast.

The roar of the approaching Aerdeich echoed through the night, sending waves of fear through the city. Luke knew he had to make a decision. He couldn't afford to let his fear paralyze him. The lives of the people of Purewood depended on his actions. The curse was his burden, and he had to find a way to turn it into their salvation.

Taking a deep breath, Luke steadied himself.

"I'll draw the monster away," he repeated, more to reassure himself than anyone else. He turned to Mayor Kingsley, his resolve hardening. "But I need your help to keep everyone safe."

Mayor Kingsley nodded, his expression resolute despite the uncertainty.

"We'll do whatever it takes," he promised. The determination in his voice was a beacon of hope amid the chaos.

With the plan set in motion, Luke felt a surge of purpose. The curse may have marked him, but he would use it to protect Purewood. As the Enraged Aerdeich closed in, he steeled himself for the battle ahead. The fate of the city rested on his shoulders, and he was ready to face it head-on.

Mayor Kingsley quickly began directing the available knights, organizing them into a half-circle formation in front of the city's shattered gate. The grim determination on their faces mirrored the dire situation. Gareth, having descended from the walls, joined the fray, his presence a steadying force among the troops. Each knight clutched their weapon tightly, spears and swords ready for the inevitable clash. They all took a deep breath, steeling themselves for the monstrous foe that loomed ever closer.

In the forefront of this desperate defence stood Luke. He felt the weight of the city's hopes pressing down on him, and his mind raced. The Enraged Aerdeich had no known weaknesses. Luke had once confused a regular Aerdeich with the flicker of his phone's light, but this creature was different, more powerful, and far less likely to be deterred by simple tricks.

Closing his eyes, Luke tried to centre himself. Memories of his life, both old and new, flashed before him. The thought of acting as bait was infuriating, but if it meant buying the knight's precious seconds to strike, then so be it. Yet, anger bubbled within him at the cruel twist of fate. Given a second chance at life only to face death so soon again—it was almost too much to bear. Clenching his fists, he let out a frustrated shout.

"Fuck this!" he screamed into the night.

He was tired of being a pawn to a destiny he didn't understand and had never chosen. The people saw him as a mage, a saviour, and if he was going to die, he would die as the person they believed him to be. Luke pulled out his phone, cranked the volume to its maximum, and quickly searched for a hissing snake sound. If the Ewwga were frightened by such noises, perhaps other creatures in this world shared the same fear.

As the hissing sound filled the air, Luke simultaneously began flickering the torch on his phone. The harsh, strobing light cut through the darkness, adding to the cacophony. Knights gripped their weapons tighter, their eyes darting between Luke and the approaching beast. The Enraged Aerdeich was now so close that they could feel the ground tremble beneath its weight.

The monstrous deer's grotesque form emerged fully into view, more horrifying than they had imagined. Its once majestic antlers were now twisted and malformed, and its eyes glowed with a malevolent red light. The creature's mutated limbs moved with a terrifying agility, crushing anything in its path.

As the hissing sound and flashing light reached the beast, it paused, its head jerking in confusion. The Enraged Aerdeich let out an ear-splitting shriek, and for a moment, the knights dared to hope. Luke continued his desperate ploy, heart pounding, praying that it would buy them the time they needed.

The Enraged Aerdeich recoiled, momentarily disoriented by the light and sound. It was not enough to stop it, but it was enough to slow it down. Mayor Kingsley barked orders, and the knights moved in unison, ready to strike at the first opportunity.

Luke kept his focus, spamming the light and sound, feeling the weight of his role in this battle. He was no mage, but he had something none of them had ever seen before—technology from another world. And in this moment, it was their best chance.

The hissing sound filled the air, and the Enraged Aerdeich paused in its tracks, its twisted head jerking towards the source. Seizing the opportunity, Gareth shouted.

"Attack!"

Spears flew through the air, aimed at the beast's exposed flanks. The knights watched in dismay as their weapons bounced harmlessly off its thick, armour-like skin. Undeterred, the swordsmen rushed in, slashing and stabbing with all their might. Yet, each blow glanced off the creature, leaving it unscathed. The Enraged Aerdeich's hide was unlike anything they had encountered before, impenetrable and unyielding.

Realizing it was under attack, the Enraged Aerdeich let out a deafening roar. With a swift motion of its massive antlers, it began to thrash about, sending knights flying in all directions. Those who managed to dodge the initial assault scrambled to retreat, while the spear-throwers continued their futile efforts until their quivers were empty. The beast's strength and resilience were legendary, and now the tales seemed all too real.

Luke's frantic tactic of using sound and light had lost its effectiveness. The Enraged Aerdeich, having recovered from its initial confusion, was now enraged and more dangerous than ever. Desperation clawed at Luke as he watched his friends and allies being overpowered. He couldn't let them be slaughtered; he had to act.

"Hey! Over here!" Luke shouted, waving his cursed hand to catch the beast's attention. The faint markings glowed ominously in the moonlight, a stark reminder of the evil heart's lingering power.

The Enraged Aerdeich's eyes locked onto him, a sinister gleam in their depths. Luke's heart pounded in his chest as he realized he had succeeded. The monstrous deer snarled and growled, its focus now entirely on him. With a deep, guttural roar, it began to advance, its massive hooves pounding the earth with each step.

Luke turned and ran, his legs feeling like lead. The ground trembled beneath him as the Enraged Aerdeich pursued, its rage palpable. He pushed himself harder, each breath burning in his lungs. Behind him, he heard the roars of the beast and the shouts of the knights, desperately trying to regroup and mount another attack.

The streets of Purewood blurred as Luke sprinted, his mind racing for a plan. He couldn't outrun the creature forever, and he had to find a way to lead it away from the city. His eyes darted around, searching for any potential escape routes or hiding places. The buildings around him, once proud and sturdy, were now reduced to rubble, offering little in terms of shelter.

"Come on, think!" Luke muttered to himself, pushing his body to its limits.

The weight of his situation pressed down on him, but he refused to give in to despair. The people of Purewood were counting on him, and he couldn't afford to fail them now.

As he ran, he noticed a narrow alleyway up ahead. It was a long shot, but it might be just enough to buy him some time. With a final burst of speed, he veered into the alley, the walls closing in around him. He could hear the Enraged Aerdeich's heavy footsteps growing louder, echoing ominously off the stone.

Luke's lungs burned, and his legs ached, but he forced himself to keep moving. The alley twisted and turned, and he hoped it would confuse the beast long enough for him to find another plan. The roars behind him grew more frustrated, and he dared to glance back, catching a glimpse of the monstrous form barreling through the narrow space.

The outcome was uncertain, the danger far from over. But as long as he had breath in his body, Luke would fight. He would fight for his life, for the people he had come to care for, and for the hope that somewhere, somehow, they would find a way to defeat this monstrous foe.