[Vita Messorem Telum]

The Arrow of the Life Reaper as Lucifer named his terrifying attack that had once decimated the Anguis Chain. Lucifer held nothing back as the gravity and force of his mighty throw took Messor plummeting into the city below. Lucifer smiled coldly as he saw the magus create a massive Mana shield to try and block [Vita Messorem Telum], they knew not of the true power of the golden warhead. The spell gained its dreadfulness from the tremendous momentum that it gained as it fell through the air, adding the near invincible protection that [Gold Mail] brought. The Light clad Messor created a deadly missile that would transfer all the accumulated gravitational force and the sheer impact of such a thing truly brought forth devastating results.

Leaving nothing to chance, Lucifer began casting another set of spells as he saw Messor about to reach her target. Gathering as much Light Element as he could, Lucifer attempted to create a lesser version of [Vita Messorem Telum]. By mixing the fundamentals of [Elemental Spear] and [Shadow Armoury] Lucifer began to cast a spell that took the long range capacity of the spear and add on the lethality of [Shadow Armoury]. Though his experiment ended in failure, Lucifer was still able to cast a terrifying amount of Light [Elemental Spear]s, a staggering swarm of over 50 individual meter long golden spears covered the space around him before he cast them downwards like a salvo of Heaven’s artillery.

Lucifer looked on as [Vita Messorem Telum] and the salvo of [Elemental Spear] rained down on the city below him. He cared not for the destruction the spells would wrought, he only wished to see the city burn in tribute for the now missing Luna. He knew that it was partially the fault of Zanigan and also himself that led to the current situation, but that mattered little to him only Wrath was present in his mind. And Zanigan was the prime target for his Wrath.

“Let your blood atone for your sins against her.” The grim declaration sounded out in the ears of every soldier present as the witnessed the Mana shield shatter as the golden warhead came hurtling towards them unimpeded by even their strongest spells.

An earth shaking explosion resounded as Messor landed amidst the throngs of warriors on the ground beneath Lucifer. A shockwave wove its way through the earth and destroyed all the buildings in the surrounding neighbourhood like they were houses of cards.Solid brick building tumbled to the ground like straw before a breeze. The ground quaked and gave way to Messor as [Vita Messorem Telum] crashed down like a meteor and refused to let anything stop her destruction laden warpath.

The salvo of [Elemental Spear]s bore straight through everything in their path as the rained down on the few survivors of [Vita Messorem Telum]. They ripped through earth, rock, wood, steel and bodies as if they were never there.

Lucifer’s long ranged assault had utterly annihilated over 10000 lives of civilian casualties, 400 Brown Squire/Apprentice warriors, 300 Red Squire/Apprentice warriors, 390 Knight-Errant and Demi-Magus, 50 Red Knights and Magus, and finally 5 different Yellow Knights and Arch-Magus. Over half of the Zanigan city guard was wiped out of existence by his Wrath filled attacks. While the entire unit under Ragslav, died with their Colonel. A total of an 1/8th of Zanigan’s total population was killed by his anger and hatred. But all this death and destruction only elicited a sneer of disgust and disdain from Lucifer as he dropped to the ground to retrieve Messor.

“Guess it's time to go get the pup now.” Lucifer sighed as fell through the air feet first to the rubble and debris ridden city street below.

Messor stood epicenter of the crater formed by [Vita Messorem Telum], she had bathed in the blood of thousands and she still remained as sharp and keen as when Lucifer first received her. [Gold Mail] obviously did its part in protecting her from any harm that could have damaged her peerless beauty. Lucifer could only marvel at the sight of her, standing loftily in the middle of the destroyed city district like a regalia of a long lost battle. She gave him a sense of mighty prestige and brutal cruelty as she stood amidst the blood and gore of the ruined city.

“Come Messor, your baptism is not yet complete. We have a pup to save and a captor to execute.” Lucifer spoke lovingly to the weapon as he walked towards her pale black shaft. Just as Lucifer was about to leave he caught sight of something moving from under the rubble.

“Oh? A survivor? Messor you are still lacking.”

Releasing a disgruntled hum, Messor showed her displeasure for Lucifer’s words.

“Fine you win, the fact that this one survived is his own fate. But we cannot linger here anymore.” Lucifer chided as he spoke to Messor. He then gathered the last of his Mana and launched himself into the air and took flight. With large audible flaps his wings carried him southbound towards Az Citadel.

After Lucifer’s departure, a body broke through a pile of debris and showed the sole survivor of Lucifer’s [Vita Messorem Telum].

“What in Hell’s 9th circle was that!” Came the voice of Kain Talcott as his aged and bearded head poked out of the earth.

“Fucking bastard Lucifer! You don’t just start a massacre for no bloody reason. Even going as far as to kill so many fucking innocent lives! Shit, this just got way above my pay grade.” The Demi-Sage continued to curse as he extricated himself from the earth and let his now ragged high quality robe be visible to the world.

“I swear if it wasn’t for Eric, I’d kill the boy myself.” With those words he dusted himself off and leapt out of the giant crater that now was the eastern district of Zanigan and stealthily followed behind Lucifer towards Az Citadel.

Meanwhile in Az Citadel at the same time, Bael and the other two prospects arrived at the Academy’s housing for potential students. Bael could hardly contain his excitement at the moment. First he had found a young Shadow Queen and second he had found a hopeful practice dummy for his stay in Yulrig’s Academy.

“Haha to think that there would be such a treasure in the woods outside of such a place.” He chuckled as he made his way into the spacious suite prepared for him and other talented warriors.

“I only need to bend her to my will and the entire Lupin familia will be mine!”

Bael removed his dark red cloak and his long stark white hair fell over his face. Nothing could be gained about his heritage save for unusual hair that covered his head and the lean yet muscular build that was hidden by the crimson cloak. With a skip in his step, Bael walked towards the darkest part of his room and he slowly became illusory as he walked into the shadows and disappeared into the darkness.

Lucifer knew nothing of what was happening in Az, only an ever growing anxiety for him to find Luna ley in his thoughts as he desperately tried to speed himself along. Messor stayed silent as she could feel Lucifer’s tense thoughts as he gripped her in a near vice like grip. If she wasn’t built from such amazing and precious materials, she would have snapped like a twig in his hands.

After more than an hour of flying as fast as he could, Lucifer finally could scarcely hold on. His stamina that had never failed him before, had reached it’s limit. As he bitterly descended to the ground with a gentle glide, he began to concentrate on his Mana Core. Hoping that he could find some bit of Mana to carry himself the rest of the way to his destination. While his Core still possessed enough Mana to aid his journey to Az, his body could not bear the burden of travel. With a slew of curses Lucifer eventually gave up his rush and sat down to meditate and hopefully regain his strength.

“Deep breaths, feel the Mana around me and bring it into my body.” Lucifer recounted his lessons from Jasmine about Mana gathering.

“Do not force it but urge it gently.”

“As the Mana comes, allow it to permeate through your body and into your Mana Core.” Painstakingly long minutes later the natural Mana in the surroundings began to swirl around Lucifer as he meditated.

“Once the Mana gathers and begins to enter you, let it flow through your veins and arteries just like your blood. Let it feel you, know you, experience you and then gather it in your Core and condense it as much as possible.” Lucifer followed the instructions to the tee. Only urging the Mana with his will and never forcing it till it gathered in his Core. The only difference Jasmine would have seen between her instructions and Lucifer’s actions, was the sheer difference in volume Lucifer was expected to bring in. If she; as an Arch-Magus, could draw in a stream of Mana then Lucifer could draw in a raging river of the ethereal energy.

“Feel the Mana as it condenses and feel the Purity of the Mana. Make it as dense and pure as possible. Only by doing this repeatedly can the Purity of your Mana increase. But only do this with the Mana you bring in from Gaies, if you force your own natural Mana to condense you could forcibly shatter your Mana Core with Mana too pure for it to handle. The process of increasing Mana Purity is long and arduous.” Lucifer recited each and every instruction, warning and word that he was taught perfectly. Lucifer continued to diligently meditate and replenish his body’s Mana for almost three hours before he felt that he could not continue anymore without risk of breaking his Core.

As Lucifer got his strength back, Bael stood in a rocky terrain next to the same Beast that had destroyed the woods near Zanigan.

“Good job Prime Infernal Ape. You brought me exactly what I wanted!” Bael exclaimed as his white hair danced wildly in the wind and rain that hammered the rocks around the unusual pair.

Rmmmmmgh

Came a deep guttural rumble of acknowledgement from the hulking behemoth that was the Prime Infernal Ape. A beast that was reputed to be the most volatile and savage of the Ape familia, Infernal Apes possess the highest natural affinity to the explosive Fire Element which only adds to their insanely aggressive temperaments.

“Hahaha if Natasha could see me now, I wonder what she would say?” Bael continued to laugh almost manically as he sauntered over to the prone form of Luna who lay on a large flat rock with the rain soaking her cold and unconscious body.

Huuumph

The Infernal Ape snorted at the mention of the name, Natasha. It showed obvious fear towards the mention of that name as it began to pace and shift uncomfortably. Crushing the rocks beneath its dark red fur covered hands and feet. The fur of the Ape was almost black it was such a deep shade of red. Even the large protruding tusks were as black as obsidian, the Prime Infernal Ape looked more like a Beast of the Dark Element than it’s natural Fire attunement.

“Why in Gaies name would I give such a treasure to her!” Bael screeched as he replied to the giant Ape.

“This is my Shadow Queen and she shall not have it!”

“Are you sure about that?” Answered a dark and sultry voice, to the near hysterical ravings of Bael.

A shiver ran through Bael as he stood still as a statue. ‘How can that vile witch be here!’ He screamed in his head as he felt the terror that the almost intoxicating voice gave to all who knew of it’s owner. Natasha.

“Tell me why you wouldn’t give me such a delicious pet dear cousin? Aren’t I your most lovable cousin, please tell me that you wouldn’t be so cruel as to keep her from me?” The voice interrupted Bael’s racing thoughts.

“Lady Natasha, I truly was caught by my greed and lust for such a precious treasure. Please disregard what I said before in my flight of lunacy.” Bael stuttered in between the trembles that wracked his body. Whoever Natasha was, she inspired true fear in his heart and caused even his soul to quake with only her voice.

“Oh you said something earlier dear cousin? Silly me I heard nothing! Heheh but please tell me you will give me that beautiful puppy. I want it oh so badly!” Natasha’s sweet and intoxicating voice giggled from just behind Bael’s still shivering body.

“Of course Lady Natasha, you are the heir of our clan of course the Shadow Queen pup would be yours. I am only the deliverer of the Beast.” Bael said as he shut his eyes and began to prostrate towards the sound of Natasha’s voice.

“Oh cousin, thank you thank you!” Natasha squealed like a small child after receiving Bael’s would be ‘gift’.

“Ugly monkey! Bring that puppy to my uncle and tell him I want her to be all fixed up!” Natasha exclaimed to the trembling Prime Infernal Ape that had buried its head in the ground upon the sound of her voice.

“And you cousin, I hear that Zanigan has been attacked by a royal draconian. Do you know anything about that?”

“Lady Natasha, there was a royal draconian that I met in the Zanigan Trade building. He had dark golden wings and a long tail. Height of 6’1” and was cloaked, Alchemist and Demi-Sage Kain Talcott took his requisition for a weapon personally. The draconian called himself Lucifer when I introduced myself to him. Apparently he will be joining the Academy as a student.” Bael rattled off all the info he had on Lucifer, who was the only royal draconian he had seen in the entirety of Zanigan.

“Hmm. Interesting, hopefully he has no connection to the puppy. I would hate to make enemies with a royal draconian, right cousin?” Natasha said idly as she thought of the timings of both the Shadow Queen’s appearance and the draconian attack on Zanigan. If the pup was truly his, then even her uncle would force her to return it back to the draconian or else they would have to abandon their entire operation in Farror to escape his and his family’s search for the priceless wolf.