Epic Of The Demonic Sage

The Viscountess and Mad Blade went back and forth, his sword and dagger meeting her shield and baton.

It was at a speed that left many of the Inanis Guards in awe as they all tried to force themselves up to their feet and rejoin the fight.

For all the increasing effort and anger that Viscountess Blackshield extended, however, Bordeaux managed to gain an upper hand. The taunts and jeers that the Mad Blade shouted were enough to make the Viscountess lose concentration, and in a fight where they were of mostly equal terms, the tiniest slip ups had devastating consequences.

'If I get close, I can still probably make an impact. Corner him with the rest of the guards.' Kiana thought as her gaze swept up to the Inanis guards who all looked ready to engage once more.

While Kiana's Sting Sniper was most effective as projectile range, she could still make it grow into her palms and function like daggers to a certain degree.

'Let's see how he'd like to get stabbed too.'

With only a quick glance that communicated her intentions, Kiana and the Inanis Guards quickly moved up to their feet and ran for the Mad Blade.

"Ahaha, everyone wants a piece of me!" Bordeaux barked a loud laugh but then gestured towards Kiana and the guards. "Wait your turn!"

Right before they could approach Bordeaux, Viscountess and Young Lord Asher, a sudden dome and barrier extended from the Mad Blade's hands and cast out Kiana and the rest from coming close.

"AHH!" Kiana shot out several projectiles at the barrier and watched each one shatter at impact. She continued to do so in frustration and turned to the guards. "Break it open!"

All of the guards moved forward and those who had the apt gifts that could attempt to destroy barriers were used, with little to no success.

"This is… it's too strong, Miss Kiana!"

"Keep on trying then! It still has to break, there are limitations to it!" Kiana ordered as she continued to use her projectiles. The Aether in her body was reducing rapidly at the rate she was going through the projectiles, so she forced herself to slow down and grit her teeth.

'If I use all my Aether up, then I'll be completely useless if an opportunity comes. Asher is… Asher hasn't done anything yet and is calm.' Kiana looked beyond the barrier and stared at Asher standing a couple of feet away from Bordeaux and Viscountess Blackshield.

If one was unaware and was unable to see it, they could have easily presumed or mistaken the barrier for the man's gift, but Lucius noticed the sudden glow of something in Bordeaux's hand.

It was another Artifact. The first had been the armor able to withstand the Epic Ranked Gift of Kiana's Sting Sniper, the second one was actually the boots that Bordeaux wore on his feet.

Even if the Mad Blade was incredible with his sword and dagger due to Blade Fury, he was not supposed to be able to move so quickly on his feet if it weren't for the boots.

And last but certainly not least was the third artifact that allowed a dome barrier to protect Bordeaux from the others…

'Or it's far more likely that he uses this to prevent his victims from escaping more than anything else.' Lucius thought.

While he had mostly left Viscountess and the others to do their best in protecting him, Lucius was more or less ready to give his aid.

'Kiana cannot come close with the others now due to the barrier, and while I do have the Fireball Spell with me, I cannot use it in close range of the Viscountess being around, nor do I plan to expose my ability to use spells. Instead, there is only one thing that I can do right now… well a couple of things, but the most available to me right now is this.' Lucius thought as he concentrated his mind on Bordeaux.

The Veil of Terror activated and wrapped itself around the Mad Blade. Visions of terror and haunting swam in the man's mind and Bordeaux actually slowed down for a moment.

Viscountess Blackshield's baton smacked harshly against Bordeaux's armor and knocked him back several steps.

"Argh. Thank you!" Bordeaux said as his gaze concentrated on Viscountess Blackshield. He charged towards her again. "I'll keep my eyes on you!"

Viscountess Blackshield's expression hardened. All of the earlier taunts were beginning to lose their effectiveness on her so it seemed like the Mad Blade was now just saying nonsense to keep her mind affixed on them to keep her distracted.

The Viscountess didn't say a word in rebuttal and met him head on.

Lucius's gaze narrowed slightly. He used Veil of Terror on the Mad Blade, but somehow he was able to distinguish enough between fiction and reality to continue fighting the Viscountess.

'If its normal base form can be shrugged off, then an overpowered one will at least manage to ensnare his mind and lead to his downfall at the hands of Viscountess Blackshield.' Lucius thought.

The amount of Hell Energy used to power up the spell increased drastically and its effects on Bordeaux were bound to increase. Whatever the man was seeing before was kicked up to a great notch and yet Bordeaux didn't even falter this time.

The Mad Blade spat at something and continued to fight without breaking into any cold sweat and Lucius's gaze hardened, albeit there was a little bit of impression on him as well.

'With how the man is able to move even after everything, it's clear that he is on another level. His own madness somehow makes his mental strength stronger than anyone I've witnessed before and that's in comparison to clergy and priests in the Church of Etara.' Lucius thought as he shook his head in disbelief and then glanced down at the sword that was sheathed at his side. He went and pulled it out in one swift and smooth movement and took a measured breath. 'I suppose this is what it all leads to.'