亚洲综合中美

*Bang, bang,* gunshots fired, a man dressed in a black coat with the eyes bloodshot red pulled the trigger. The cameras reporting on said incident had to be shut off. The violence grew too much to handle, people were hurt. The guards could not but try and disarm the man. In that crowd, the stray bullets hit many. Some fell instantly, no vital organs touched. The true nature of humans came out. Rather than trying to resolve the situation – the ones in control of said event fled. Scott desperately tried to regain the calm but tis was an effort that resulted in naught.

Luckily, after traversing the mob of people, the man in black was apprehended. Not without casualties however, despite saving the lives of many, the influence from the spell and drug made reason a fantasy. The fans assaulted the people trying to help, the medics had to stay away, the violence grew. The unknown gunman was caught but the weapon had been left in the crowd.

“How can this happen,” she stumbled, the shock made the knees weak.

“Come on,” before hitting the ground, Staxius grabbed her arms, “-this is the reason I didn’t want you to come. Not for a security reason but because of this, the dormant violent animal instinct every human has. I haven’t the clue as to why people are acting this way,” he sighed and peeped in turn. “Dealing with so many will be a task almost impossible.” In the corner, a strange van arrived; It held the Order’s crest.

“Alright people, we might have been retired – but mages are still people capable of protecting lives,” a man dressed in uniform; one that S-ranked mages and above used to wear, spoke. A crew of around ten people stepped out, from a muscular middle-aged man to a young girl in her early twenties, they stood in the parking lot.

‘Just sense the aura coming from them,’ Staxius’s eyes closed. “I don’t think there’s a need to worry,” he pointed to the right, Aceline stared. The mages quickly dashed into the crowds; spells were cast. From imprisonment to illusion and spells designed to make one sleepy, every possible non-lethal magic was used. The riot calmed; the guards could not believe their eyes. Mages might have been replaced by more competent fighters, but the control over magic and mana remained impressive.

.....

‘It’s good to see those blue and white uniforms,’ the eyes opened here and there to check on the situation, ‘-brings back a feeling of nostalgia.’ Tempest also wore a similar uniform, one that grew to be bloodstained over the years.

“Scott, you best take Aceline away from here,” the feeling of dread never left. “I think things aren’t as calm as they appear to be,” with a simple motion, Staxius pushed the idol into the manager’s arms. The crowd might have seemed less agitated, the violence never really decreased. Rather, the anger turned into killing intent, the auras changed from white to slightly red.

“Whatever do you mean?” Confused, Scott tried to get an answer, the face showed a multiple of emotions.

“Just get her backstage,” the voice had a sense of urgency, the manager could not but agree.

The short-lived peace was the calm before the storm. Many of the people who fell asleep were harmless. The true terror came from the ones who resisted the spells. “Heh,” in the far-left corner, an old-looking man stood under a tree. The presence seemed as if nonexistent, to which many ignored. “Raise,” the hand held a parchment and a bottle.

The sorcerers quickly took care of the injured. Healing spells were used, the medics had a pathway into the dissipating crowd. “The preliminary tests have been done,” a swift movement of the wrist later, the parchment turned to dust. *Wind Element: Subtle Breeze,* the dust rushed onto the crowd. It looked as if a wave crashing down onshore, it enveloped the people bound by spells.

‘I knew it,’ the eyes remained closed, he monitored the changes in the aura. The spell broke, not due to being stronger than the caster, but due to the lack of consciousness. Imprisonment spells turned the victims’ brains against themselves. They weren’t physically shackled but made to think that they were, without a brain to process what happened – the spell stopped. Gnarls and hisses paired with the growing aggression, the violence began yet again.

This time, not only were clothes torn off, skins were scratched. Many bled, many cried, the sorcerers desperately tried to stop the crowd. They managed to rescue and take ninety percent; the remainder were the ones who turned psychotic.

“Heh, this weapon could have been ours, WHY DID YOU HAVE TO REJECT MY PROPOSAL,” the old man cried, everyone ignored.

“We need to restrict them at all costs,” the leader yelled.

“What do you think we’ve been trying to do,” the others fired back, mana got used extensively.

“Damn, never did I think we would have to try and stop a mob of mindless people without using our best skills,” the leader complained. This wasn’t their lack of strength, but being forced to not cause harm – it grew tougher than expected.

Each mage stood in a circle; they combined their spells to form a barrier. It locked the ones who grew bloodthirsty inside. The only way to limit casualties. A few innocents were trapped inside with the monsters but nothing could be done. Either save a few or let the whole yard get overwhelmed and turn into a bloodbath. The spell hadn’t reached its peak.

*Wind and Lightning Element: Ethereal Paralysis,* a woman bearing red hair jumped into the fray. “Silvester, I’ll take care of those guys – take care of the innocent,” with a nod the leader jumped inside. Around two hundred bloodthirsty men and women stopped moving. The berserker spell from the old scholar slowly reached its maximum potential. It grew harder to contain people.

“This won’t do,” a sluggish voice spoke from behind, “-I need at least someone to die in this battle,” the hands held a gun. All the mages maintained the barrier; the guards evacuated the others, none noticed his presence for they were busy.

“SOPHIE WATCH OUT,” Silvester screamed, she turned. *BANG,*

*Death Element: Absolute Barrier,* a man appeared in a blue mist, “That’s not fair, old man,” he sighed, “-I’ve been watching your actions since the start. I must say that the spell you used is quite impressive,” the voice monotonous, the bullet stopped and hovered.

He walked closer to the scholar, “but still, that doesn’t give you the right to kill someone under my watch.” *Snap,* the bullet flew past the bald-head.

“W-who are you?” struggling to stand, the man knelt.

“No one particular,” *Dark-Arts: Mana Cancellation,* a giant black circle engulfed the entire stage and spectator area. Every single spell stopped; the flow of mana blocked. The berserkers fell, the mages stumbled.

“What is happening?” one of the mages yelled, no longer could magic be used. Complete darkness, the circle felt as if the void had risen onto the world. *Snap,* it dispelled, the symbol underneath the left eye glowed.

“Now then,” Staxius crouched with Tharis kissing the scholar’s forehead. “Trying to ruin an event most were happy to participate in. That little stunt you pulled could now effectively stop the whole festival. Do you have an idea of how much time and effort the artists here have spent trying to entertain?” the voice subtly oozed out anger and hate.

“Don’t do anything rash,” Silvester rushed and grabbed the man’s arm.

“Unhand me,” Staxius mumbled.

“Let go of the weapon and I’ll consider,” he fired back, the voice not fatigued from the cancellation of mana.

“Do you think you have a choice in the matter?” the voice felt unthreatened, he pulled the trigger. *BANG,* the head flew back, the victim fell over.

“WHY WOULD YOU DO SUCH A THING,” the leader yelled and pulled on the arms. This forced Staxius to turn around and stand.

The eyes looked emotionless whilst Silvester’s eyes burnt with anger, the teeth gritted. A tear could be seen rolling down his cheeks. The hands immediately grabbed onto the collar. It looked dire, Sophie after having recovered a little bit rushed over.

“Please stop this madness,” someone requested, the grip lessened.

“Why did you intervene,” he sighed and faced Aceline who stood beside Scott.

“Did you forget that we’re a team ?” Scott asked in a smug tone.

“A team of complete idiots,” he replied in jest.

One after the other, the mages regained their strength. The public service rushed in to help the injured. “Staxius?” fatigued, Sophie leaned on Silvester.

“Instructor Sophie, what are you doing in these parts?” the tone formal, he acted as if he didn’t know her. The eyes looked nothing from what they were in the past. It had a small glimmer of hope, a glimmer of love and compassion. “You’ve changed,” she added in a smile.

“I’m sorry, but who has changed? I’m afraid I barely know you,” the reply formal and unfaltering, the other two stood behind. “Who’s this?” Scott asked. “An instructor who teaches my daughter,” the tone unimpressed.

“STAXIUS,” she screamed, “DON’T YOU DARE IGNORE ME,” she stumbled and grabbed on his collar.

“Sophie calm down,” the husband tried to stop, “don’t you interfere,” a glance backward, he nodded.

“Hey, that’s no way to treat someone,” Aceline jumped in but Staxius shook his head.

“I don’t know who you think you are, Instructor Sophie; but if you don’t unhand me now,” a metallic rod poked her stomach.

“Go ahead, SHOOT ME, I DON’T CARE,” the voice filled with sadness and compassion. “I can’t believe you’ve forgotten about me,” slowly, her grip lessened, the eyes teared up.

“Big sis?” out of curiosity, he mumbled two words.

“YOU DO REMEMBER,” her eyes lit, the same one as the crimson princess.

Gently, he stepped back and straighten the now wrinkled shirt. “I don’t know what happened, but this isn’t a place to converse,” Scott jumped in,”-if you wish to discuss, please head to this restaurant later in the evening, we’ll be having dinner. Nothing beats a pleasant conversation around good food.” Without another word said, the trio left.

“WAIT,” Silvester yelled. “No, let him go,” Sophie pointed at the ground, the scholar lived.

“My dearest wife, care to explain why you lashed out at that man earlier. And also, what has come over you, this fierceness, this vigor; are you well?” he asked. The mages gathered in a circle.

“I’ve been asleep for far too long, dearest husband. Just know that the crimson princess has had a reawakening,” she winked.

“Who were they?” the car approached.

“People from my past,” he sighed, “-people that are better left alone and not to be trifled with.” Her change in personality didn’t add up. Staxius had already given up on trying to get Sophie back in his life, the final farewell was said weeks ago. This change wasn’t appreciated, digging up things from the past only brought about regret and misery. ‘If her memories have come back, I’ll need to make sure that she doesn’t get in the way.’

“A change in plan, we are headed to Star Tower. Staxius, you have been called in by Akhtar – apparently, there’s something he wishes to discuss. It concerns Aceline and the concert.”

The riot ended with a lot of casualties and no deaths. There needed to be an explanation, the public didn’t want to stand by and watch. Phones rang across the kingdom; the prince was needed urgently. The incident could potentially turn Iqeavea upside down. A rumor about God’s ale spread; with that, the Dark guild’s secrecy could be jeopardized.

“Emperor Paradus, I’m sure you know what will happen if ever our organization is brought to light,” Renaud spoke, the voice menacing, the television displayed images from the riot. “-I’ve got no qualms with getting a bit of exposure. But you see, I’m afraid that the godfather controlling masked murderers isn’t going to stand by and watch. If you know what is best, do turn this whole charade into something believable. Our contacts are already on the move, you better thread carefully – the Overlord is watching. A single misstep and you can kiss the title of Emperor good-bye,” the phone hung.