Arcanum - Chapter 147

“Deputy Headmistress…” Paul said letting himself known to her that he’s arrived.

“Finally come to help?..” She asked not even turning to acknowledge him.

“Yes… I’ve come to discuss about my next step.” He replied to her talking in a very serious tone and manner.

“What did you see on the outside?..” She asked him.

“I sensed many Dark Elves easily enough to overwhelm a larger city….. But for some reason no siege creatures or weaponry…. but they also have a small force of Priestess and a High Priestess….” Paul notified her.

“Alot of female warriors?…” She carried on questioning.

“The male forces alone are enough to easily overwhelm our combined forces…. not even counting a battalion of female fighters.” He answered.

“What do you think is our best move?..” She asked.

“Show them a force of overwhelming destruction they have no other option but to retreat.” He answered.

“You’re not gonna use ‘His’ Spell are you?..” She asked in shock.

“No…. I can barely control that spell myself….. And I’m in no condition to use it right now.” He answered.

“What do you suppose then?..” She asked.

“Bombard them with non-magical projectiles… so the priests won’t be able to counter me.” He answered.

“What do you need?..” She asked seemingly accepting his proposal.

“I need to send a message to a friend.” He answered.

“Eric do as he says.” The deputy head ordered a student.

A student beside her nodded and took a step forward to Paul, Paul pulled out a note….. “Send this message to High Admiral Yurika and Ruri… and ask them how long it will take.” He asked handing him a piece of paper.

“Yes sir..” He saluted and began casting a spell.

“And you sure they will help?…” The Deputy Headmistress asked.

“Yes we are good friends…. Plus they owe me a favour or two.” He smiled.

“Okay what do you need me to do?..” She asked Paul.

“Seal off the bottle necks…. we can’t have any gaps… I don’t want to cause any more damage then I already have to.” He answered.

“And the rest of the student?” She asked.

“Have them on standby….. But take cover if they are stationed on the wall….” He answered.

“Very well… this better work.” She said to Paul.

“Umm Sir…. they said 10 minutes…” Eric reported as the sounds of smoke and thunder boomed behind us.

“Damn…. thought we would have more time….” The Deputy Headmistress said looking back making the rest of us look back seeing retreating and injured Guardsmen exiting the teleporter runes.

“THEY’VE SCALED THE WALLS!” A guard shouted towards us.

“How long do we have before they get here?…” The Deputy Headmistress asked.

“Approximately six or seven minutes…” A girl student beside her answered.

“Well that’s a problem… we have ten bottlenecks across the defensive line….. It takes me three minutes at best to make a runic barrier at best.. Not including the time to get to the other….. And I guess you’re also pretty spent.” She explained to Paul.

“At most I can make two barriers myself…” He answered.

“And I can make two maybe three but that’s the limit…” She answered.

“Sven how strong are your strings?..” He asked Sven…

“I Might be able to cover one up… but it’s gonna be nasty….. I’m gonna need students to hold off the attacks while I weave it.” He answered.

“So we need five hopefully four more….” Paul pondered.

“Umm I can make one with earth and vines…” Helen hesitantly offered.

“We’ll take it…. make it as strong as you can… and stand away from it when you see my portals….. In case it fails.” He answered.

“My guardsman will help barricade an opening with whatever we can find.” The Guard captain offered entering the conversation.

“So we need two more… any one got any idea?…” Paul asked hoping for solution but no one came up with any ideas….. “Damn looks like there’s gonna be more collateral damage…” Paul sighed.

“I’ll Go set up my runes now…. I don’t have much time if I need to set up three.” The Deputy Headmistress said leaving quickly with a group of five students.

“Okay…. Sven, guard Captain and Helen…. you three setup your blockades the furthest three bottle necks in the other direction… you’ll probably meet less resistance on those sides.” Paul ordered.

“Eric. I need you to reroute the strongest students to that side…. they will need to buy enough time to set up the blockade and retreat at the last moment…..I’ll take command of the central four bottle necks….” He ordered Eric.

“Yes sir.” He replied.

“Ohh and tell everyone to take cover on the 10 minute mark or when they see my portals open in the sky.” He added.

“Yes sir.” Eric nodded.

“You four stay with Helen but do not engage unless you’re forced to!….. Let the more experience Students hold of the Dark Elves.” He ordered….. “Emilia you’re with me…..” He instructed.

Everyone nodded knowing what job they had….. Sven quickly began making his way to the wall… followed closely with Jay, Grace, Helen and Daisy. The Guard captain retreated to his solider issuing orders.

“Let’s go Emilia..” He instructed me.

Quietly following him we made our way to the wall, “Umm why did you ask me to come with you..” I asked quietly.

“Because that way I know you’re safe.” He smiled.

“What’s going to happen with the openings?..” I asked curiously.

“Most likely the blow back will cause extra damage to the city. That I’ll probably have to pay for.” He sighed.

“Are you really gonna be okay.. killing that many people?…” I asked worried for him.

“I’ll be alright…. it’s the only choice I have… Dark Elves don’t negotiate and will only accept utter surrender.” He answered a little upset.

“There must be another way..” I pleaded with him.

“There isn’t….. But don’t worry I’ll be okay… alot has changed over the years.” He smiled.

“……for the better?…” I asked worried for him.

“Some better… some worse… I’m not that innocent naive person no more…. This world needs me to be a little heavier handed… It’s different to home” He answered.

“Do you wanna go out for food after all this mayhem?… catch up on things?…” I hesitantly asked him quietly.

“Are you asking me out on a date?…..” He chuckled at my offer.

“You’re so infuriating!!!” I yelled at him kicking him as hard as I can in the shin.

“Ouch….” He smiled pausing for a second and began walking again…”You know…. I’ve kinda missed those.” He laughed.

“You was such a perv….. You always tried to find a reason to hold me close….. and refuse to let me go… so I had to kick you all the time.” I reminisced the days we were in school together.

“Yeah… that’s probably why my shins are so banged up.” He laughed, “By the way….. I’m sorry you got hurt ealier..” he sincerely apologized.

“I’m sorry you risked your life saving the refugees…… and it was my fault…. I left myself open and defenceless…” I replied.

“I’m sorry I haven’t spent much time with you since you came….” He apologized.

“No need to apologize….. I understand you have duties and stuff… Ashley and Scarlet explained it a little…” I answered, “Besides I’m the burden. Always asking for your help…. firstly helping Jays Family…. then Asking you to risk your life for some refugees.” I added.

He paused ignoring the urgency of the whole situation and turned to me, “Don’t you ever think that way….. You will never be a burden to me…. you make me whole.” He smiled placing his palm on my cheek with the most genuine honest smile. “I truly am sorry for everything…” He said giving one last rub on my cheek with his thumb and began walking towards the wall again.

Quietly following him….. Our excessive apologizing felt like we were making up for all the hurt we did to each other when we broke up and the years following….. Finally being able to alleviate a little the pent-up feelings and build up regret.