Chapter 187: Everyone out in the open
As the tension mounted, the crimson squares etched on Jaegar's left hand flared with renewed intensity, a testament to the ancient magic at his command.
He maintained a calculated distance from Ellamaria, his gaze fixed on her every move, a keen strategist preparing for the inevitable clash.
With an earth-shattering roar, Ellamaria channelled her inner beast, the sound reverberating through the forest. The wooden fragments that held her groaned and creaked under the strain of her relentless assault. Each mighty lunge and each determined effort brought her closer to freedom.
In response to her onslaught, Jaegar's eyes blazed with determination.
In the ancient art of Empyrean Magic, he summoned the crimson squares to reinforce the restraints.
The spectral energy they emitted crackled through the air, pushing back against Ellamaria's onslaught.
The battle of wills continued, with each force seeking to overpower the other. Ellamaria's primal determination clashed with Jaegar's mastery of ancient magic, and the forest itself seemed to hold its breath as the confrontation unfolded.
With a final, mighty surge, Ellamaria's raw strength proved to be her salvation. The wooden fragments, weakened by her relentless efforts, splintered and shattered, unable to contain her any longer. As they crumbled away, she emerged from her spectral prison, her fur-covered form now free.
Jaegar, undaunted by her escape, remained poised and prepared for the inevitable clash. The transformation he had undergone, as well as his mastery over lightning and ancient magic, had granted him power that few could rival. His eyes blazed like molten orbs, and he stood ready to face the formidable opponent before him.
With a guttural snarl, Ellamaria launched herself at Jaegar with blinding speed. Her massive claws extended, gleaming like silver in the moonlight, as she sought to tear her opponent apart.
The sheer force of her charge created shockwaves that rippled through the forest, leaving the ancient trees trembling in her wake.
Jaegar, a master of combat as well as magic, met her head-on. In a display of incredible agility and power, he evaded her initial onslaught, his form a blur of motion. The clash between these two formidable beings sent shockwaves through the night, and the forest itself seemed to resonate with their struggle.
As the battle raged on, it became clear that Jaegar's mastery of magic and his newfound transformation gave him the upper hand.
His movements were precise and calculated, as if he could anticipate Ellamaria's every move.
With each strike, he unleashed bolts of lightning that crackled with raw energy, searing through the air and striking her with devastating force.
Ellamaria, though a formidable opponent, found herself struggling to keep up with Jaegar's relentless assault. Her claws, despite their razor-sharp edges, seemed unable to penetrate his defences. Each time she lunged, he evaded with a grace and agility that left her frustrated and bewildered.
Jaegar, growing increasingly relentless, used his magic to create barriers of lightning, forming a shield that repelled Ellamaria's attacks. The very air seemed to crackle with lightning as their battle reached a fevered pitch.
With a final, devastating strike, Jaegar unleashed a torrent of lightning that engulfed Ellamaria. The electrical energy surged through her fur-covered form, leaving her convulsing in agony. Under the buff of empryean arts, the lightning was more potent and devastating.
Her snarls turned into pained howls as the raw power of the lightning surged through her, her form flickering like a spectre in the moonlight.
Ellamaria, battered and bloodied, found herself in a vulnerable position, her fur-covered form raised from the ground with her hands held on either side. The ground below formed into two grips, holding her.
Her head hung low, and she was clearly worn out from the relentless battle. Jaegar approached her with a steely determination, intent on extracting the information he sought.
He questioned her with a sense of urgency, "Now, do you feel like talking?"
But Ellamaria, despite her injuries, remained defiant. With a bloody, defiant grin, she spat out her words, "Puny little brat, you are still too early to come onto me. Not a word I'm gonna say."
Jaegar's brows twitched in annoyance, and he raised his hand, allowing the purple mist to flow out, coalescing into a long, ethereal blade. He aimed the blade at her neck, ready to make his move and exact his vengeance.
Ellamaria, however, seemed unyielding in the face of impending danger.
keke-ke-ke
She laughed with a stuttering breath, her defiance unwavering. But just as Jaegar was about to deliver the final blow, an unexpected turn of events unfolded.
Suddenly, Jaegar felt an intense and chilling killing intent emanating from the nearby woods.
A figure, shrouded in a full robe with a hood over the head, emerged from the shadows, holding a sphere-tipped staff.
In an instant, she materialized right in between Jaegar and Ellamaria, her presence commanding and enigmatic.
With the swiftness of a seasoned warrior, the figure held her staff aloft, and a brilliant, blinding light erupted from it.
Jaegar, reacting quickly, summoned a barrier of protection around himself.
However, the sheer force of the sudden appearance and the ensuing light were overwhelming.
The shockwave from the encounter sent Jaegar hurtling through the air, and he landed at a distance from the scene.
Ellamaria was propelled down to the ground, but she didn't fail to notice the person who came. she grunted, "Agatha, why did you come?"
Agatha, her hood casting her features in shadow, turned to Ellamaria with a solemn expression. Her voice was filled with a sense of understanding as she addressed her fallen comrade.
"Ella, I had to. I can't just stand and watch as you get killed."Agatha's words held a weight of responsibility and purpose. She had acted with determination, but her intentions remained a mystery to those who witnessed the dramatic turn of events.
Headmaster Ashfield and Isadora were left even more perplexed by the unfolding events.
The appearance of Agatha had added another layer of intrigue to an already bewildering situation.
Their questions multiplied as they sought to understand the motives and loyalties of those involved.
Ashfield muttered under his breath, his concern deepening. "What have you got yourself into, Jaegar?" His voice held a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
Isadora, worried for Jaegar's safety, turned to Ashfield, her eyes reflecting her concern. She voiced her worries with urgency, "Headmaster, shouldn't we do something right now?" The situation was becoming increasingly volatile, and action seemed necessary.
Jaegar, having regained his footing, observed Isadora and Ashfield with surprise upon seeing them in the clearing. He was momentarily caught off guard by their presence.
Isadora, seeking answers, questioned Jaegar about the unfolding chaos.
"Jaegar, who are they? Why are they trying to attack you?" Isadora's voice held a mix of concern and curiosity as she turned to him for an explanation.
Jaegar, his expression a blend of confusion and frustration, responded, "I don't know. She just attacked me out of nowhere." His own bewilderment mirrored that of the others.
"What were you doing here in the first place?"
As the tension in the clearing grew, Agatha's perceptive gaze detected a new presence. She warned those present with a cryptic statement, "Looks like we have company."
Ellamaria seemed to gain herself back up; her injuries were gone. One of the traits of emberwolves is that they have pretty quick healing abilities. So, once again, Ellamaria was up, and she was menacingly glaring at Jaegar.
"Brat, I will skin you alive." Ellamaria hissed, her voice dripping with venom.
Jaegar smirked in response, undeterred by her threat. The tension between them reached its peak, and then she said, "You have pretty interesting ability, I wonder if your limbs can grow back if they were cut."
Agatha and Elllamaria were standing the opposite to them. Her gaze on the three of them seemed like she was gauging them.
As Ashfield and Isadora turned to face Agatha, their wands drawn and ready, a tense standoff unfolded in the moonlit clearing. The trio of powerful individuals—Agatha, Ashfield, and Isadora—stood at a crossroads, their intentions and allegiances shrouded in mystery.
The night air was thick with uncertainty, and the ethereal glow of the moon added an eerie ambience to the scene. The forest, once a sanctuary of serenity, had become the backdrop for a confrontation fraught with enigma.
Jaegar, still somewhat disoriented from his earlier encounter with Agatha, watched the standoff with a sense of caution. His instincts were on high alert, and he remained prepared for whatever might transpire next.
The seconds ticked by in silence as the tension in the clearing mounted. The moon, an impartial witness to the unfolding drama, cast its radiant light upon the gathering, as the fate of those present remained uncertain.