Chapter 27- I don’t know

Chapter 27: Chapter 27- I don’t know

Arthur flew back through the air. Before he could control himself, a blow crashed into his back, sending him flying in the opposite direction. His body spun as his earpiece crackled in his ear, "Arthur! We need you!" He heard Alaric call out to him. He clenched his teeth, "I’m a little-!" He felt his shirt get grabbed as he was stopped in midair. The Valkyrie, Kordra Vex, pulled him close. She then flew at top speed, slamming him through multiple of the decoy buildings.

Alaric was focused on his battle with Jiro, rapidly dodging his lightning strikes. He heard Arthur’s battle in his earpiece, "Arthur!?" He called out again, but no answer. He cursed before launching off his feet, dodging another lightning strike.

Aluxio was blocking attacks from the Minotaur, Valen Emberforge with Excalibur. Its strength made sure he was able to somewhat withstand his powerful punches. His eyes shifted towards Alaric’s battle. He was getting pushed back. He remembered his role, he had to support him if he felt like he couldn’t handle it. He narrowed his eyes as he quickly activated [Dash]. Only a second. That’s all he needs. He needs to give Alaric an opening for just a second so he could turn the tide. He launched off, the ground cracking under his foot. He rushed towards Jiro, who was focused on Alaric. Valen tried to react, reaching out to grab hold of Aluxio’s shirt, but his body froze in place. It was only a second before he broke out, but it was enough for Aluxio to escape his grip.

He raced, lifting his sword for a [Twin Cleave], but when the blade glowed blue, a wall of flames cut off his path. He paused in his tracks, turning towards the source of the barrier.

The ring bearer, Bramor Ashridge. Aluxio felt himself sweat from the intense heat of the flaming wall, as he turned and Valen was immediately on his tail, swinging his arm down over Aluxio. But, when he moved to lift Excalibur, his fist cracked against a bubble barrier, making his fist bounce over the surface. He took the opening and slashed his blade across the armor of his chest. He swung again, but a new flaming barrier erected, the flames seeping onto his exposed flesh. He clenched one eye before jumping back, quickly followed by a blast of fire. He couldn’t react but his weaknesses were covered easily. A thin stream of water roared from the sky, cutting into the flames, steam erupting into the air. Aluxio landed on his feet and let out a short breath. His eyes quickly darted above them, where Clorissa rode a top Skydancer. She gave a thumbs up as Aluxio rushed back into the fight, it was clear Alaric would have to hold his own for now, they guys aren’t going to allow him to help. He took a short glance towards the decaying fire wall, while he could try again, the result would be the same. For now, he just has to focus on taking out the ring bearer, but he’s being protected by the tank. With power strike and strength boost, perhaps he could take them down.

He felt his grip tightened as he gained a red outline, activating [Strength Boost]. He swung the blunt side down on Valen, the blade crashing into his shoulder. He stuttered and Aluxio seized, pulling his blade back and driving it into the ground.

[Raging Tempest]!

The ground glowed and hundreds of blue slashes roared around him. A few cut into Valen’s armor, but a flaming barrier cupped the area around the slashes blocking all of the rest.

Aluxio frowned, and another problem arose. While he might possess the strength to handle the tank after a while... he couldn’t do extensive damage with the ring bearer creating his flaming barriers. This created too many issues. He couldn’t get to the ring bearer because the tank would protect him and make sure Aluxio couldn’t get close.

And he couldn’t successfully take down the tank because the ring bearer would just create barriers to protect him. One of the only possibilities is if the ring bearer ran out of mana... but he couldn’t possibly know his pool, so that was a fact he couldn’t rely on. Not to mention they only had five minutes. While he didn’t know their hidden scores, they also couldn’t rely on exhausting the timer, or else they might lose.

This is bad...

Alaric was blocking and weaving past Jiro’s lightning fast strikes. He was half paying attention to Aluxio’s battle. He noticed his plan based on the use of his abilities. He wanted to come help... He noticed this and tried to help by using [Immobilize] on their tank, but it didn’t seem to help at all. But... it clearly revealed to him their team structure.

And it gave him an idea. If he could quickly go and help him out in taking down the ring bearer, aka their support, then that should help tremendously. Though he wondered what taking his eyes off Jiro would do. As long as he was quick enough, he would simply chase after him. He activated [Dash], and grabbed Jiro’s arm. He pulled him closer and struck the center of his face with a sharp elbow, the crack of his nose echoing through the noise. He pushed past him and raced towards the fight with Aluxio, Valen, and Bramor. He jabbed his staff out towards the ring bearer, who was distracted with his fight against Aluxio, not noticing the incoming strike. It cracked into his ribs and Alaric closed the distance, digging the tip of his staff into the ground and launching off it with a sharp kick to his skull, his body pushed against the wall. He spun and landed on his feet, pulling his staff and continuing on the offensive.

But, time seemed to slow. His eyes drifted to the side towards where Sky and Clorissa were located. But, a bolt of lightning was traveling in their direction, moving so fast time didn’t seem to affect it. His eyes widened.

Clorissa tried to move faster, trying to erect a barrier to block the lightning. But, a small hole was wide enough for it to pass, aimed straight at her chest. No amount of reacting could prepare her. It struck true, lightning dancing against her skin as she fell back against Sky, who rushed to evade another incoming strike.

His eyes darkened and his gaze twisted away from the Ring bearer and back toward Jiro, whose hand was outstretched towards their silver lining, their support. He changed trajectory, and launched off, the ground shattering from the force. His eyes glowed red, pouring nearly everything into [Strength Boost]. Jiro’s gaze turned towards the fast approaching white blur. He twisted his body and pulled his staff back, in a burst of speed he swung, and the tip cracked against Jiro’s skull. The power made a shockwave roar around the area and he was sent flying, crashing through a building’s wall. He flipped and landed. He tapped his earpiece, "Clorissa!! Are you alright?!" He cried out, his eyes searching the air as Sky flew around.

"...I’m... alright... I’ll be fine I promise...!" She quickly replied, as if hearing his tone. He blinked and lowered his arm with a soft sigh of relief.

He looked towards the hole as it glowed with lightning. Yeah, he wasn’t done yet. But, that revealed a new problem.

Alaric was wrong. He underestimated him. He figured if he went after the support, Jiro would simply chase him and try to stop him from doing it. But no... he did the same thing he did, and went for his support. Clearly he couldn’t ignore Jiro anymore. Not just for his power, but for Clorissa’s sake. She hasn’t been in danger until he took his eyes off Jiro.

He lifted his arms and blocked a punch from the black hair boy. Alaric grunted, "Arthur-?!"

In an instant, a body flew through the area, crashing into a nearby wall. Clorissa, who was above all the action, watched as someone flew after the body. "Arthur?!" She called out as she recognized him. But she hardly had time to call out again, as Sky shot passed a raging spear.

"Ah!" Clorrissa cried out as the spear rang past her ear. Her gaze shot forward, and the Valkyrie shot towards her. Sky had rushed away, weaving between buildings to avoid her. The sorceress called, "Guys! I-I think they made a com...! This girl is after me!" Sky had lifted, flying directly into the air as Clorrissa tightened her grip on her staff. She narrowed her eyes, glowing a faint blue as water began to swirl and condense into a wave in front of her staff. She pulled back and swiped her staff, as small balls of water rushed out from the veil aimed at the Valkyrie. With quick movements she lifted her shield to block them blasts, but the power forced her back.

Clorrissa felt it... her eyes began to darken as the battle continued, but she shook her head. Now was not the time...! She clutched Sky’s surface as they flew back towards the main fight.

Alaric flew through the air on his staff as his eyes were constantly darting around to his teammates. Arthur had reentered the fight and was trying to help Aluxio. Clorrisaa had come back but was still chased by the Valkyrie. Everything was going wrong.

Yes, Clorrisaa could hold her own, but her support was helping keep the battle somewhat even between Aluxio and the tank. But if she was fighting against that Valkyrie, she couldn’t support them, and they’ll be on the losing end.

This was bad... Alaric had to come up with something and fast. There was only two and a half minutes left on the clock, if they don’t do something they’re going to lose.

Perhaps the best thing for him right now was to try and regroup and split the load. Give everyone different roles. "Everyone! Group up!" He called out as he leapt off his staff to dodge a thunderbolt. He flipped and landed, activating [Dash]. He launched into a sprint as Arthur noticed and tried to do the same. But... the ring bearer was faster, he aimed his flaming ring and cut his battle in half, splitting up Jiro and Alaric, from his team and theirs. Valen rushed and stomped his foot, and the ground shook, kicking up a contained wind storm that threw off their flow. He rushed in and grabbed Arthur, who had come to a slight stop at the flaming wall by the ankle. He swung his body up and slammed him into the concrete. Arthur had the wind knocked out of him, coughing up blood. Clorrissa tried to aim her healing spell, bubbles floating around her that faded to a bright green. But with the Valkyrie on her tail, she would throw her spear, disrupting her focus. Valen lifted up Arthur and tossed him directly into Aluxio, causing them both to fall back.

Alaric clenched his teeth, as he quickly stopped and turned his attention back to Jiro, who was rushing him down. Damn it...

What’s going on? Alaric can clearly see their team composition, and all their members are good at and somewhat what they are not.

Jiro is the powerhouse, he demands all of Alaric’s attention because of his power and strategy. If he takes his eyes off him, they lose.

The ring bearer, Bramor Ashridge, was their support, and basically their entire backbone. As long as he was still up, they couldn’t do any serious damage. But he didn’t seem super strong, if Alaric had the time, he could take him down with ease. But then comes the other issue...

The tank, Valen, who protected the support. While they could take him down, the support isn’t going to let that happen. As long as they’re together, they could never fall. And that’s the problem.

And lastly, the Valkyrie, Kordra Vex, who was currently halting their support in the air. They were falling apart because of her. Clorrissa could take her down but that would distract her from supporting the team. Alaric could probably handle her if he took to the sky with his staff, but then Jiro wouldn’t be handled. Sure, he could send Aluxio to handle Jiro, but then Arthur is left with the tank and support, who could probably move fast enough to fight them, but he doesn’t have the strength to take them down himself.

Pair that with the fact that they can’t successfully regroup without interference, it was like they were destined to lose. It didn’t make sense. They were so coordinated that they shut down any of his attempts and came up with a new plan! What was he supposed to do?! It was like they had no openings!

"A-Alaric! What do we do now?!" He heard Arthur call out from his ear piece.

Time froze. Jiro was coming but he wasn’t worried about him right now. Alaric tried his best. His brain went through thousands of different plans, and yet at the end of it was always one of their team members stopping it. Everything leads back to them...

He had to be honest. He had to be real.

"...I don’t know." He softly said as Arthur’s eyes shot wide.

Everything went slow for him.

He... didn’t know? What did that mean? How did he not know? The Alaric he knows always had an answer in mind, and answer for everything! Was this truly impossible if the guy who seemed to have everything figured out, didn’t know the answer?