The Riddle Of Magic

Chapter 70 - Ascension of Wishes

As his beloved vanished and the Ink Overlord's portal disappeared before his eyes, the Radio Demon's antlers branched so fast a headache jolted through his temples. The hallway lights dimmed, and as he turned back to snarl at the other magician, it was only the commotion of the others that kept him in check.

Vaggie and Cherri were only just being restrained by Husk - the demonesses shrieking treachery, convinced that Laurence had betrayed them, and the cat demon's wide red rings were spread wide to hold them back. "Shut the fuck up! I'm the one who paid for it, I'm the one who's getting upset here!" he snarled.

Vox was yelling at the other magician to get another portal open, keeping himself between his fellow Overlords - as if he might have a chance at stopping the elephant demon from being torn to shreds. "What was all that about wanting her to be safe?" the teal deer demon demanded. "And you just sent her off on her own?!"

Alastor didn't even listen to Laurence's reply, which was cut off by all the clamoring in the hallway, focusing on pulling the arcane energy for his own Gate. "Forget squabbling or spellcraft, I'll go to her myself!" He had plenty enough strength remaining - he would just have to be cautious during the fight with Charlotte.

Strategic. Efficient. Take advantage of every millisecond of distraction and the burden of the demoness' own magic.

"Following Charlie won't save this kingdom!" Laurence insisted.

"Fuck off," the Radio Demon hissed. He'd get to his partner, and together they'd take care of Charlotte, then Blue, and then he would personally take care of this infuriating waste of time. He would show him every last one of his spells, and make the other magician rue ever hearing of the concept of the arcane.

"I didn't terminate the portal," the other Overlord defended. "That must have been her father's magic. She went to the palace, you saw the King right there!"

"And now she's there, alone, with a menace about to descend on her!" He pushed the energy of the spell into the air beside him, the green runes carving into the space as a gate of darkness bloomed amidst the arcane script.

"And with her partner about to fulfill her designs! If you don't stop him he will return to her side and you will lose this chance to defeat them!" Laurence shouted, his poise lost as his enormous ears flailed in his agitation. "Shall I tell you what happens to this world when they win? What happens to her?"

"I won't have her used as your weapon for future-skrying-"

"Then she'll be used for another purpose!" the Ink Overlord snapped back, his tusks extending in his anger. "A far darker and depraved purpose!" he snarled, his voice rumbling with all the knowledge of a true prophecy. "If you go to the palace you'll be destroyed! She will not have that luxury - though she will wake every day wishing she did! Her pain will be unending, her torment complete in every conceivable fashion - to be made the Radio Demon's dear, darling battery until every last fiber of her essence is bled from her!"

The lights in the corridor shattered in a wave as the weight of the darkness shook the hallway. "I won't be controlled by your prophecies!" the deer demon vowed. "I will go to her, and once this threat is dealt with, you will be dealt with."

"Alastor, wait," Vaggie whimpered, her spear wobbling as she clutched it in a fitful grip.

"I'm not listening to another second of this folly," he snarled, turning and storming to the Gate, so close now he could feel the tug of arcane energy bowing toward the liminal space.

"I saw it too!" the moth demoness shouted.

The deer demon paused, slowly turning back; and saw that the others were looking at her as well with similar looks of shock and surprise. Even Laurence's gray eyes were stunned, and he waited quietly for her to elaborate.