[Cast: Crystal Shard]
Frun frantically stuck his hand out, shooting three shards of crystals toward Julian. But to Julian, it was slow. Easily understood. A simple path of movement.
He jumped over the crystals.
I'm getting used to being able to move like this.
Frun chucked his sword at Julian while he was still in mid-air.
Shit!
It stuck to Julian's chest, as there was not much force behind it. Barely digging into his skin.
[Cast: Crystalize]
"Huh!?!"
From the initial wound, crystals started to grow. Spreading all across his body. He struggled, but he couldn't move at all.
"Haha. Ha, ha, ha," Frun laughed dryly.
"..." Julian quietly fumed.
"I have to give it to you, kid. Slave. You're strong. But that's it? What else do you have? No one just jumps in the air unguarded like that. You lack experience. It's too bad, though. You could've really become something great."
Frun walked toward the sword, pulling it out.
"Brother!"
A voice called out. A voice unknown to Julian, but gratingly familiar to Frun. He groaned.
"Lusha. This is my fight to handle. I know you might wanna be that type of person, but-"
Fwsh!
An arrow cut through the air. Missing Frun.
"Your mind is sharp, but your bow skill is lousy. Lacking. How did you know that it was me? That I was the one working with her, and that I was the one who would kill you?"
".. It makes no sense that you know exactly what Ere Majam looks like. Why, Frun? I know our relationship... isn't the best. But it doesn't warrant-"
"Silence, Lusha! You are nothing but a stain to the Jolen family! It's necessary. Why do you think Father sent you on this mission? It was the sad truth! He didn't want to kill you because you're still his precious little daughter, so he sent me to do the dirty work. Isn't that evil? It's cruel, Lusha. But you're useless! Utterly! Don't tell me you didn't question this, with your smart mind?"
"..."
I had known all along. But a part of me... just didn't want it to be true. Lusha stared at her brother with wet eyes.
"My marksmanship isn't lousy. I struck the wound point. That's how you shatter the crystal, right?"
"!"
Frun quickly turned.
Crash!
The crystals shot around, stabbing Frun. He was sent back.
"Thank you, miss... Lusha!"
"Don't worry about it."
Her voice was solemn.
My brother is strong. Hah... today might be the day I die.
"Keep your head up, Lusha van Jolen. That sorrow in your eyes... is the look of a loser."
"..."
"Raagh!" Frun yelled. Without them knowing, he had pulled a necklace out of his pocket. It was circular, with a strange pattern in it, appearing like a Gothic rose window.
"He's roaring to go!" Julian yelled.
"This... Lusha... is a power you will never be able to obtain. A family heirloom, father says."
The necklace glowed, lifting slightly.
[Cast: Flying Crystal Cascade]
Hundreds of crystals manifested in the air.
Julian quickly grabbed Lusha.
Fwsh!
The shards of crystals shot toward the duo with violent speeds, crashing into the ground. Leaving not a single space untouched.
The dust cleared.
"Eh...?"
"Hiya!"
Lusha jumped at Frun with his sword.
[Cast: Palms of Amethyst]
Purple mineral shot from the ground, stopping Lusha right in her tracks. It held her tight.
"Part two!" Julian yelled!
He threw a violent uppercut at Frun.
[Cast: Palms of Amethyst]
He was also caught right in his tracks.
Fwsh!
The two large hands threw both Julian and Lusha into the air.
"Aghhh! We're gonna die, we're gonna die, we're gonna die! Fuck!" Lusha yelled
"I can survive from here. Hold tight."
They fell. And the quicker they fell, the more momentum they gained. Frun had, of course, noticed this.
[Cast: Bare Rock Coverage]
Thick crystals erected from the ground, curving to form a roof.
Crash!
Even with the necklace, the family heirloom that amplified mana output, Julian was able to shatter through the crystal!
I'm going to die. Frun thought.
[Cast: Crysalis]
Another layer formed, absorbing the damage. But this time, it was not exterior. It was on his skin.
Impossible. At this state, I'm basically.. Immortal, right?
Noticing the lack of damage, Julian dashed away. A dizzy Lusha stood up to regain her balance. The two of them glared at Frun in a new form.
"Hey, slave boy-"
"It's Julian."
"Right, Julian. I've never seen that... whatever that is. It must be an effect of the necklace."
Frun's skin was pale and multicolored, resembling the color of the crystals he had once shot out. They stuck out his body and ripped his clothes, especially a curved shard sticking out of his shoulder.
His eyes grew white.
[Cast: Crystal Assault]
Crystals shot out of his body. They scrapped both Lusha and Julian, leaving cuts in their skin.
"Fast!"
Julian grabbed Lusha.
"Julian... run. At this rate, with regular strength, we will not be able to beat him."
"What...?-"
"I said run!" Lusha repeated, yelling this time. Julian was quick to begin his sprint. As quickly as his sprint began, Frun's assault also ensued.
Shards of crystals shot forward.
Julian weaved through, using the trees as a means to avoid crystals that he could not dodge.
. . .
. .
.
On a quieter side of the outskirts, Ere Majam wandered. She could faintly hear the roars and explosions coming from the camp. But it was merely background noise to her.
"Umilythe? Umilythe dear... I know someone must have made you turn off the cast, and I'm not angry at you. I just need you to tell me..."
She cupped her hands at her mouth, amplifying her sound.
"Umilythe!"
In a bush nearby, Umilythe watched quietly. Riddled with terror. Seeing someone whom she had feared for so long, knowing what she was going to have to do.
Will I even... be able to beat her? And if I do, will I have the... strength to kill her?
Umilythe shook her head, clearing her thoughts.
She stepped forward.
Mother.
No.
"Ere Majam."