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A knee crashed on the hard rocky floor.

The dust and tiny rocked pricked through the fabric and into the skin as Moulin fell on one knee, tiredly panting. He loathed his vulnerable and weak state while gazing downwards as the people behind him rushed forward, relieved molded their expressions as they were finally freed from suffocating anxiousness. Although the situation hasn't completely abated, they had a brief moment to feel safe as sentinels entered the room through the now ruined doorways.

Although the people were sneaking grateful glances at the golden-eyed man, they didn't forget to maintain a safe distance from the man as golden electrifying sparks still crackled around his dominant form. As sentinels began to flood the area, Lord Hadrian stood domineeringly. He sweeps his gaze to the numerous people within the room and finally fixing on the lithe figure kneeling on one knee on the floor. His chest tightened as he clenched his jaw.

Sensing his master's unusual movements, Snow popped his head out from the satchel and curiously gazed at his master's weary form. He whimpered pitifully.

Moulin struggled to steady his breathing as a wave of exhaustion suddenly flooded him. His brows furrowed. Honestly, he had never been so tired before. It was almost suspicious. What was happening to him?

A shadow loomed over Moulin's kneeling frame but the youth didn't bother to look up for he already knew who it was.

"Moulin..." Hadrian's deep voice was filled with concern as he observed the youth's tiresome form. He furrowed his gaze while he looked down. He made sure to withdraw his aura to prevent putting pressure on Moulin.

"You are late..." Said Moulin as he held his head.

"You are exhausted..."

Moulin stood up from the ground with the help of Hadrian's arm. He gnashed his teeth, realizing his weakened knees. This fragile body...

"Something is not right. I feel too exhausted." Moulin was sure he had not overworked himself too much. He clenched his fists as he strengthened his legs and stood without Hadrian's help.

Rowan made his way towards the both of them. His eyes glanced at Moulin briefly. Unknown emotions vanished from his cerulean eyes as he turned to report to his lord. Moulin watched silently as the two conversed. His silver eyes shifted to observed the people around him. His eyes locked on the child drying his tears as a Leonile sentinel stroked the small head.

Moulin stared silently.

"Come, let's go..." Hadrian's voice pulled Moulin's attention back. The youth nodded as he held the strap of his satchel ready to depart with Lord Hadrian and Rowan.

"You have done well, Moulin"

Hearing the praise from the man's mouth, Moulin paused shortly. He rolled his eyes and maintained a calm unreadable expression. Hadrian gave him a worried look as he leads the way. Rowan blinked, unsure of what he had just witnessed. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to witness it.

The safe room collapses the moment everyone had vacated it.

The sentinels escorted the hostages and the princess to the other rooms within the fortress, this time with the healers and several warriors accompanying them. They had to make sure the area was safe for the people before they were taken to the rooms. Moulin had wondered about the situation at the fortress' walls for Hadrian to leave it and rescue them from the safe room.

When they emerged from the building's doors, it was then that Moulin had received the answer. It was the walls of fire rising from beyond the outer curtain walls of the fortress. It was a terrifying sight to see. From a bird's eyes view, overhead the island, one could see a fiery ring of fire enclosed the island. The waters were boiling and bubbling, scalding and burning the skin of every creature beneath the water of the lake within the red barrier. Anything that lived underneath the boiling hot waters was sure to be cooked alive. Anything that would emerge from the waters would sizzle and burn mercilessly from the withering wall of fire that sat on the water's surface.

Standing on the wall walk, Moulin currently finds himself before the battlement, facing the scorching fire, watching the numerous creatures burn on the water. The heat was scalding, waves of unbearable heat brushed his face making him take a couple of steps back.

A hand grasped Moulin's shoulder making the youth halt. The greedy tongues of fire seemed to reach out to Moulin, wanting to drag him in. The beastly cries of the creatures filled the whole island. Moulin swallowed.

"This... Is this what you planned?"

Hadrian who had a hand on his shoulder glanced at him at the corner of his eye. "It was the best way to finish all those beasts... Does it scare you?... " The fiery flames were reflected from those golden eyes seemed to make Hadrian appear terrifyingly ruthless. The lord silently tried to dig out the hints of fear from the young man beside him.

"I... " Moulin trailed off. Fire was his ability's rival. It sickened him to think his ice would unyieldingly thaw before the mighty ambiance of heat. He didn't like it. Standing in front of the wall of fire made him uncomfortable. Making him feel weak and vulnerable.

"You will suffocate us... The smoke in the air... The barrier still stands." Moulin changed the subject. Point out the disadvantage of the ring of fire.

Hadrian gazed at him deeply. "It will be alright... We are not alone..."

As he said those words, laced with open confidence and certainty, several shadows surged above their heads. The youth lifted his gaze. Silver eyes quickly caught the gliding creatures high in the sky, beyond the barrier. It was hard to clearly determine their detailed forms through the red translucent boundary. However, the two large feathers wings on the backs of some four-legged creature were unmistakable. What surprised Moulin, even more, was the riders that skillfully mounted those creatures. They reigned the mounts in the air effortlessly over the red barrier that enclosed the whole island. There were almost twenty riders circling the island. Bird-like screams akin to eagles filled the skies.

In each of the hooded rider's hands, a massive stone hammer with a long hilt was held within their tight grasp. It looked extremely heavy but the riders seemed to wield them with ease.

Moulin narrowed his eyes. Inquisitiveness seeped into his mind as he curiously watched those riders surround the whole island.

They surrounded the island with their mounts as if examining the strange barrier. There was a banner that fell on their saddles. Dancing against the harsh winds in the sky. The color was unclear because of the red barrier, but it was evident that they came from another Azuran guild.

Moulin furrowed his brows as he turned to Hadrian. How did he send for help? The barrier was unbearable! Its origins were unknown. It feeds on mana. Then how were they able to sent for reinforcements?

Unless... They had already predicted the events and had summoned for reinforcements before the barrier was invoked. Moulin stared incredulously at the lord beside him...

BANG!!!

Moulin abruptly lifted his gaze above on the crimson barrier. The barrier trembled under the pressure of the several massive stone hammers pounding on the thick barrier. Moulin instantly guessed what they were trying to accomplish. If the barrier feeds on mana, it would become stronger, so perhaps physical damage could be able to shatter it. Moulin's could feel his heart thundering inside his chest as hope began to illuminate before them.

The riders hammered on the barrier simultaneously bringing abrupt pressure on the trembling blood-red walls.

...

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!

The pounding became hastily successive. A powerful vibration spreads throughout the domed barrier. It trembled continuously as the hammering became stronger and much faster.

Moulin had the urge to take cover as he predicted the forthcoming shattering of the magical barrier. The sentinels and elves waited and waited as they watched nervously. The vibrations caused an ear-splitting sound throughout the island making one cover their ears.

It was only Hadrian who carefully watched the whole event with a stern expression. Moulin was covering his ears with anxious eyes as he continued to stare above them.

Then in the next second, there was the echoing noise akin to shattering glass. It was loud, brief, and it filled the air.

The barrier above their heads shattered into red shards. Falling down the island like rain. It looked beautiful yet perilous. However, before the rain of red crystals could even touch the roof of the highest tower of the fortress, it disintegrated into the air. Vanishing into tiny bits. Swept away by the wind.

Everyone on the island watched as the barrier disappeared and the freezing breeze of the Rafelon winds brushed their faces. The ring of fire was extinguished and what was left on the surface of the lakes were thousands of burnt monster corpses. Joy filled everyone's hearts as they were finally released from the unbearably hopeless trap.

Snowflakes fluttered as they fell from the grey clouds in the sky. Gradually blanketing the whole ground.

Eagle-like cries filled the air as the riders circled the island. Proudly accomplishing their tasks.

When the frigid breeze brushed Moulin's face, the youth sighed, releasing a chilly breath. His silver eyes gazed at the white lake shores miles away from the island, where the naked forests blanketed the mountains. It looked breathtaking. Snowflakes gently fell on his hair and shoulders.

The hand on his shoulder tightened.

The youth slowly turned his gaze to the man by his side. Bird-like screeches circled resounded as the riders reigned their mounts to circle the island, looking for a place to land. Moulin's silver eyes met deep golden ones. Both stared at each other in silence.

"Everything is done..." Moulin muttered. His hand slowly reached downwards to pat the cover of his satchel. Snow's head popped out and nuzzled against his master's warm palm.

The Lord slightly narrows his eyes, "We are not finished yet..." From his tone, he was referring between the two of them.

Moulin silently frowns.

It took no longer than three hours, to get every single person put down their guards, and proceed to the bailey. The sentries on the battlement of the outer curtain walls stayed to guard and watch. The building was vacated because its structures seemed to be on the brink of collapsing. Everyone crowded to the open space left outside.

Within the crowded tents, Moulin saw Alsander who looked wearier than before. The poor young master seemed to be drained of energy. He was sullen at the idea that his barrier around the fortress was useless when puppets emerged from the grounds within the buildings. Moulin went to comfort his friend only to regret it when Alsander suddenly hugged his waist tightly, almost squeezing Moulin's soul out of gratefulness. Moulin had come to comfort him, how reliable!

The cries of the creatures drew near, strong gusts of winds from the beating winds of the creatures slammed against the tents making anyone curious about what was landing outside. Moulin was one of them. He and Alsander walked out of the tent. Their gaze was welcome with one of the flying mounts trying to land on an open space within the courtyard.

Moulin could now clearly see the extraordinary flying mounts. Four sharp claws scraped on the stoned ground a the creature landed. Its body was furry with a thick mane mixed with feathers around its neck. Its head was of a fierce bird. Golden feathers decorating it's head and its long lion-like tail had long sharp feathers at the tip. Its wings were gigantic and strong.

Moulin raised his brows. A Fire Gryphon...

Eyes brightened, fascinated it the beast's gloriousness and mesmerized by its strength.

What also caught his eyes was the Guild Lord Insignia of The Dragor Guild on its banner. Moulin was too distracted to notice the stern domineering man mounting the gryphon.

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