*31*

"Stay calm!" I called out as panicked voices started to fill the air. "Stay low, and stay calm! It's going to be alright!" I noticed Erixsys had taken up the front, shielding as many people behind him as possible.

Screams reached our ears as another hollow growl sounded. Everyone must be in a frenzy up there. I just hope he can get down here before the other Professors step in and try to kill him.

A large explosion shook the walls. Was that him or the Professors? Will he actually be okay? He hasn't had my blood in a long time. Is he strong enough to defend himself?

Muted shouts could be heard as more smaller booms drew closer. We all cried out in shock as the door suddenly flew off its hinges, landing at the bottom of the steep stairs. The shouts and explosions stopped as heavy footsteps slowly came down the stairs. Each step came with a heavy pant. I gulped as his Demon form came into view.

His gaze landed across the room towards the other Orelie. His pace faltered at the sight of them. With a shake of his head, he turned towards me. His red eyes softened at the sight of me standing there. I trembled in place, not knowing what was going to happen.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ergo and Erixsys guide the others to safety. Startled gasps sounded form the Professors as they ascended the stairs.

My attention was brought back to the Demon as his clawed hand reached for me. I flinched and cowered into the wall. It wasn't a paw that cupped my cheek, but a soft, large hand. I slowly opened my eyes to see an exhausted, physically drained Crae before me. A tired smile slowly spread across his lips.

"Crae..." without realizing, I flung myself into his arms, tears sliding down my face. I don't know if they were tears of fear or joy, but I let them fall anyway.

"I'm so sorry..."

"Don't." I sniffed and pulled away. "Not right now. We have to get out of here. Rodnik was taken by a Witch and has been trapping Orelie down here so the Witches can take from us. We have to go!"

"Rodnik?" Confusion covered his face. "How is that possible? I've known him for years!"

"There's no time to explain!"

"And there never will be!" Crae turned to shield me from the voice. I peaked around to see Rodnik with a wild look in his eyes. "This has been a secret for many years, and now you've ruined it! I can't come back from this one! My cover is blown, and it's all your fault!"

Steam rolled off Crae as he morphed into his Demon form. "You won't touch her!" He roared and charged once he was fully transformed. They collided together with magic and physical attacks. I took this time to get around them and escape.

I stumbled up the stairs a few times, but made it out. When I got to the end of the hall, the whole academy was in a confused panic. A few professors were with the Orelie trying to get the whole story while others escorted the students to safety.

My eyes widened as I spotted a familiar pair. "Myla! Striker!" The stopped and turned.

"Kyrene!" They broke from the crowd and sprinted for me, ignoring the professors.

"What happened? Where have you been?!" Striker demanded as Myla drew me into an embrace, a happy sobbing mess.

"Professor Rodnik is not who he seems." I said.

"I knew it!" Striker cursed. "I knew something wasn't right! Something told me you were in trouble when that lady came by asking for you."

"Mystic came for me?"

"Yeah, her." He nodded. "She asked where you were, and he said you were busy with intense training. That struck me as odd, since he told us you had gone home."

"Let's go! Stop standing there!" Three Professors came over and began rushing us from the academy. "Don't you know you're supposed to leave when a Demon is present?!"

"But I know him!"

"Kyrene?" Professor Ryner stopped us. "Oh my god! Where have you been?! What happened to you?"

"Professor Rodnik was taken by a Witch and has been keeping the Orelie in a secret magic barrier room!" I quickly explained. "Just talk to the other Orelie!" I pointed towards the group. She looked up, her eyes widening.

"By the gods... it's really the Orelie. They've been under our noses this entire time?"

I nodded. "We only managed to escape because the Demon was brought here by me." I showed her the scratched brand. She took up my arm to examine it. "He's only here to protect me. He won't harm anyone else." I was cut off by the floor behind us as it broke and shattered. Everyone in the area cried out in terror as Crae crashed to the floor.

"Do not panic, students!" Rodnik climbed through the opening. "I will take care of the Demon! Just evacuate to safety!"

"You lying cockroach!" Kriela shouted as she shot fire directly at Rodnik. "I've been wanting to do that for so long! That felt amazing!"

"Hurry! Get out!" Professor Ryner called out. "We will explain everything once we get you all to safety! Let's move!"

"Wait! Crae!" I reached for his unmoving body as we were all pulled outside.

At the Earth training ground, Professor Ryner expanded the area so we could all fit inside. While she prepared the safe room, I somehow managed to slip away to go back for Crae. I used my staff to easily push my way through the still panicked students as they fought to get to the front.

"Hey! Get back here!" I raced past the professors taking up the rear. I didn't have time to wait. I have to get to Crae. I slid to a stop and covered my face as a large object flew through the wall of the academy. It landed hard, then rolled to its feet, facing the academy.

"Crae!" He turned, then ran for me.

"Protect the students! Protect the students!"

Just as I jumped towards him, he shifted back to his human form and caught me. He held me tightly as the professors gasped at the sight.

"Let her go, Demon King Coroncrae!" Rodnik rushed from the academy towards us. "Let my student go!"

"Drop the act, Witch!" Professor Ryner and the Professors the Orelie spoke to stood before us. "We know what you've done! We know what you're doing! You've been holding the Orelie captive right under our feet this whole time!"

Rodnik stopped a short distance from us. "And where is your proof? I'm not a Witch! I was never taken by one. I am myself!"

"You are not Rodnik!" Professor Ryner shouted. "Enough with the act! We know the truth! As the saying goes, when in doubt, you can always trust an Orelie."

"Well..." Rodnik adjusted his cloak. "If that's how it's supposed to be, then I might as well go down fighting for what I've accomplished." He raised his arms, black orbs appearing near him.

Fear surged through me as Witches walked through the orbs. Have they just been waiting for him to do that? Was he aware that one day the Orelie might escape?

Whatever the case, I knew Crae and the Professors were no match for the Witches coming through. There were too many. The students can't fight, because they're supposed to be kept safe. No doubt the Orelie are with them and the rest of the professors.

"Kyrene, you need to get out of here," Crae said softly as he began pushing me back. "You can't stay here and fight. It's too dangerous."

"Crae, you're in no condition to fight." I held on to him tightly. "You need... you need my... my...."

"I can't do that to you." He grimaced. "It wouldn't be right. Not after everything that happened."

I stepped away and pulled my sleeve up. "Just do it. You need your strength!"

He pushed my arm back as the professors began fighting the Witches. "Kyrene, I can't! I know you're trying to help, but I just can't bring myself to-"

"Just do it!" I thrust my arm up to him. "Just take some! Then, I promise I'll go with the other students to safety."

"You promise?" He asked hesitantly.

I gave him a weak nod and squeezed my eyes shut. I flinched as a rough paw gently grabbed my wrist. It was raised up a bit and brought to his mouth. The second his fangs went in, I bit down hard on my cheek until I tasted blood. I'd forgotten what the pain was after that night. It's excruciating.

Just as I was getting dizzy, Crae pulled away and licked the wound. I gasped and pulled my arm back, clutching it to me. My eyes opened to see Crae standing up straighter, taller, and stronger. His lips pulled back over his teeth as he growled and charged right for Rodnik.

Once I had my bearings, I started running for the safe area. Professors gently pushed me in the right direction as they came to help. My arm still ached a bit as I ran, but I did my best to ignore it. My top priority is getting to safety.

I gasped and slid to a stop as a black orb appeared before me. A Witch slowly walked out, grinning madly as she locked her gaze on me.

"Hello, Orelie." She wagged her finger at me. "Come here so we can play. I wanna see how loud I can make you scream!" I turned and sprinted the other way as she charged.

The safe area is now out of the question. I have to get as far away as possible. I ran around the main fight back towards the academy. Soon, my lungs and legs began to ache. If I was only a bit stronger... If only I hadn't been taken in the first place...

I tripped over something and landed hard, my staff flying from my grip. "Now I've got you!"

Without thinking, I turned and flung a massive amount of fire right for her. Her shriek filled the air as she stumbled back, trying to stop the ever growing flames. I took this time to get to my feet and get my staff.

Something dropped onto my lips. After a quick check, I concluded that it was blood. I didn't have time to stop and clean it. I wiped my nose with my sleeve and kept going towards the academy. There has to be a safe place I can hide there.

Before I had time to react, a solid earth wall flew up in front of me. I crashed into it, falling back. My vision was rolling and fuzzy from the sudden stop. Am I even laying down?

All senses rushed back to me as I was suddenly lifted up by my neck. I came face to face with Rodnik, a wicked snarl on his lips.

"You've ruined everything." He spat. "Everything was perfect. Nothing could have stopped us! We were supposed to use you Orelie for years! But then you just had to show up, get stronger, and call that damned Demon here!"

"Where... is he?" I grunted as I dug my nails into his wrist.

"My girls are taking care of him." He threw me to the ground. "This gives me all the time I need to take care of you. I may not win this fight today, but we will be victorious in the long run! Come at me with everything you've got!" I ducked and rolled out of the way from the fire he shot at me.

I gripped my staff and scrambled to my feet. "We don't have to do this!"

"Oh, but we do!" He shot more fire and earth shards at me. I quickly got out of the way and countered by pulling water from the air. Just before it reached him, I froze it. He easily knocked them away.

"Is that all you got?!" He taunted. "I want you to go all out! Use all your magic! Fill your blood with it so that I can take it all!"

Tears pricked at my eyes as I shook my head. "I thought you were a good man! I thought I could trust you! You've been playing this twisted game of emotions for everyone! What is wrong with you?"

"I saw an opportunity, and took it." He clenched his fist.

I glanced down as I started to sink. I stabbed the ground with my staff, rising on a platform into the air. I yelped as it began to crumble under me.

"I'm stronger! Faster! And more advanced with my magic than you are!" Rodnik shouted up at me. "You have no chance at defeating me!"

When I was able to, I jumped off my platform to safety. Right as I turned, I clenched my own fist. Instead of him dropping slowly like he did to me, I buried him up to his neck. He grunted and struggled, giving me time to escape.

I didn't get too far. Something sharp wrapped around my ankle, pulling me to the ground. I clawed at the ground as the thorny vine pulled me back.

"You're mine!" I twisted my body and swung my staff. It smacked against the side of his head, disorienting him. Again, I got up to run.

"I've had enough!" I lost all my breath as something slammed into my back. "This is proving a bit more difficult than I thought. It's time I just start extracting your blood as you fight against me." I was flipped over, earth cuffs covering my wrists and legs.

Rodnik stood above me, knife now in hand. "Have fun trying to escape this." He knelt down and began dragging the tip across my exposed arm. I bit my lip to keep from screaming.

"Oh, come on." He teased as he began collecting my blood. "I know you can let out a scream. Let's hear it!" I couldn't stop the cry of pain as he suddenly stabbed my thigh.

At my scream, a deafening howl sounded. "Ah, I nearly forgot about that Demon. Wait here." He stood, leaving the knife in my leg. I let out strained breaths, every movement making the knife move and hurt more.

"I've got you!" A familiar voice suddenly said. "I'm going to pull it out, and begin healing you." I nodded weakly as tears flowed freely down my cheeks.

"Ready?" I didn't get to answer. I couldn't stop the coughed gasp as the knife came free. Soon, I was filled with a soothing energy. The pain dulled away to nothing, but my leg still had a slight ache.

"Come on!" Erixsys helped me to my feet and began bringing me towards the safe place.

"Stop!" We were knocked off our feet and flung away from each other by a sudden gust of wind. "You won't touch that Orelie! She's ours!"

A Witch stepped between us. "You Orelie can be such pests. Good thing we'll capture you all after this is all done. You will never get out of our clutches again."

I took a deep breath and stood. "So you think." I held my staff out before me and concentrated. The wind ruffled around me, making my clothes and hair billow. Slowly, I began to float in the air.

"Impossible..."

I opened my eyes and swung my arms. Gale force winds knocked the Witch and Rodnik far from the battlefield. I scanned my gaze over the fights and began blowing away the Witches that were giving the Professors a difficult time.

When I finally found Crae, I swung both my arms to fling every single Witch off of him. When he was free, he looked up to me, his eyes widening. He had told me a while back that flying was impossible with Wind magic, but here I am.

As I floated back towards the ground, I helped those who had fallen back on their feet so they could tend to the others. The second I was back on the ground, strong arms embraced me. I flinched, but quickly relaxed as I wrapped my arms around Crae. Lips touched the top of my head.

"Are you alright?" He asked as he pulled me away a bit.

I nodded. "Yes, I am. My leg just hurts a little. Erixsys!" I pulled completely from Crae's arms to find him. I didn't have to go far. He was helping the Healer treat those who had been injured. I ran for him, calling his name.

"There you are, child." He grinned at me as he healed someone's head wound. "That was spectacular, but the fight isn't over yet. No doubt they'll be getting back up soon. Until then, we have time to tend to our numbers. Care to help out?" I nodded eagerly and began healing anyone who came to us.

The Witches I hadn't knocked away were already dealt with. We were concerned when the others would get back up. We worked quickly to heal all those we could.

Just as I finished healing a deep gash, I glanced up and gasped. "Erixsys!" I raced forward, shielding him as a beam of dark energy came at me. I held my hand up, absorbing it. I grimaced, remembering what was to come next.

"Kyrene!" "Child!" Crae and Erixsys shouted for me at the same time. The beam just kept coming, and I knew the pain in my heart would follow soon after.

"You lack practice in this art." Rodnik slowly walked towards me. "Whereas I am more skilled. I can do this all day! Can you?"

I looked down to my staff, seeing the obsidian giving off a faint glow. I grinned to myself, remembering that Rodnik had helped me install it a few days before I was taken to his barrier room.

"I may not be able to go all day, but I can go for a while!" I took a step forward as my heart thudded painfully. Ten seconds. One year gone every ten seconds. The obsidian is helping more than I thought it would.

"That's about five years off your life!" Rodnik shouted towards me. "How much longer can you go?"

"You've also lost that amount of time!" I shouted back as I counted to ten a second time. "You may be a quarter Elf, but you're getting up there in age as well! Every two to three seconds you use this magic, one year of your life is taken."

I grunted as I reached my third set of ten. "You've lost fifteen years! I've only lost three!"

"Impossible!" He snarled as he used his other hand to add to the beam. My feet were starting to slide back. "How is that possible?!"

"My obsidian." I replied. "The stone you helped me add to my staff! It's absorbing the magic so I don't take as much damage!"

The beam suddenly stopped. Rodnik panted heavily as he glared. "I almost forgot about that stone. Very clever. But what are you gonna do with all that Dark magic still inside you?"

Something trickled down my nose. He may have stopped his attack, but I could still feel the Dark magic swirling around inside me. "What I have to. I need to finish the spell." I gripped my staff with both hands, tapped the activation stone and the obsidian, then swung my staff in a downward arc.

A three second beam shot forward directly at Rodnik. His eyes widened for a second before he raised his own hands. The force of my beam shoved him back a short distance, but he still managed to absorb it all. I hissed in pain as my heart thudded once more before returning to normal. Four years...

"Cute trick." My eyes darted back to Rodnik. "My turn." He held his arms up, summoning a dark energy roughly three times his size. My eyes widened in horror. I can't absorb that.

I braced myself and prepared for the worst, hand extended. The world seemed to move in slow motion as Rodnik cast his spell, sending it directly for me. My fear grew as it came closer, but I stood my ground.

Wait, this seems familiar. I gasped as I slowly turned to see Erixsys push his way towards me. I shouted at him to stop, to run away. He ignored me just as time resumed normal speed and shoved me to the ground, taking the full force of the spell.

He didn't scream. He didn't cry out in pain. He stood there, arms extended, as the darkness consumed him. I watched in mute horror as my Vision unfolded right before my eyes.