"Can you still fight?", Atrius noticed Stellan hobbling, as they trudge through the prairie. He hears Stellan's muffled grunts, clutching on the left side of his abdomen. Immediately, he and Jac placed Stellan's arms over their shoulders, helping him go through the grasses.
"Apart from my injuries being dragged by the demon? The paladin magic… it's protecting Stellan's body from my celestial power", Stellan admitted. "It's taking a toll in my vitality everytime I use it", he almost tripped, but Atrius was able to break his fall.
"I thought your body is just an illusion magic?", Jac poked Stellan's cheek, and grabbed his arm muscles as they go.
"Somewhat like that. Freya had to do her tricks to keep our souls switched with this ring containing our essence. Since Stellan's a paladin, his blood in the ring affects my entire being.", Stellan clearly said.
"Now that's some crazy ass withcraft", Jac answered.
"Helena", Atrius sighed clutching on Stellan's waist. Despite the outer looks, he still sees Helena in Stellan's eyes. He have never been so utterly protective of Helena. At this moment, he had learned of a soft spot for her somewhere in his heart.
"Atrius", Stellan replied with a distinct tone. With the hope to end Galen's lunacy, Stellan orchestrated a plan without endangering more lives further… and that of Helena's. He insisted Freya to dive deep into the Wiccan's abilities until she managed to whip the magic of body morph after long hours and sleepless nights. However, to keep their souls attached in the body morph, Stellan and Helena both needed to wear a pair of rings that contains their blood essence to maintain their forms, and use an eye potion that changes their eye colors. A little drama had to be done, so no one would get suspiscious of their morphed physique. It was a difficult decision for Helena to make. She was too hesitant and anxious at first. Putting Stellan in line against the Galen never crossed her mind. But, Stellan was beyond question certain to protect Helena with his life. In the end, Helena gave in. By the time that she learned of Umbriel's death from Freya… Helena realized that she made the right decision. A soul traveler like her cannot do much, after all.
"Remove the ring, Helena", Atrius suggested with an immense worry thinking that Helena could cling to her life against the dark healer, but not against the paladin's magic.
"Absolutely not!", Helena flinched in utmost disapproval. "I won't endanger Stellan while he's in the palace".
"Well then, let's just go back. As soon as you switch bodies with Stellan, we can perhaps… just come back for the dark healer", Atrius groaned at Stellan's heavy weight leaning against him.
"No…", Stellan refused. Helena didn't wanted to sit pretty and wait at Hesam as what Stellan imposed. She wanted to be of purpose, and useful. "We're already here. Have you seen the dead bodies? The burned villages? How much more deaths would there be if I don't kill the dark healer now?".
Jac could only listen to their argument. He knew that no matter what they say, Helena will be as stubborn as she always have. "Where is Freya when you need her?", Jac mumbled thinking Helena cannot fight at this rate.
"I think I can wield a few more magic.", Stellan hissed in the indescribable pain that runs all over his body. His skin feels like stretching and tightening, and some gravity pulls his insides down.
Treading through the grass on the marsh terrain, Atrius is constantly clouded with his fleeting thoughts of worry for Helena. Jac keeps getting distracted by the random movements following their trail. Apart from the rambles of the knights engaged in a fight that can be heard from where they walk, they could also hear a constant creeping sound swiftly crawling in. Despite all that, they just moved on.
At every tick of the clock, they traversed the the grasses for cover… mapping through the dark as if Stellan knew exactly where to go. Shortly, Stellan paused as he feel his hairs stand. A familiar feeling that ignited the flames of his courage, boosting the edginess scratching his spine even more. He recognized a slight fear, that have become more of a guidepost now. "It's here", he whispered as he look up.
Then, a loud explosion blew off towards them, that purposely threw the three away. It was followed by series of dead bolts coming in. Up and ahead, the dark presence hovered over them. Just like always, every blade of grass that it come across withered like moths to flames.
"That was solid!! Atrius?You okay, man?", Jac uttered as they both get in shambles together on the ground.
"Yea… move!", Atrius gasped, pushing Jac away as the dark bolt head towards them.
Floating across the prairie, the dark healer unleashes more of its dark orbs. Jac, Atrius and Stellan restlessly dodge every blast of the enemy in pursuit by jumping through the grasses and hiding behind some boulders. The acrid burnt smell became still in the air. In no time, Stellan waltzed through the valley, reducing every ounce of hesitation that have bottled up to his throat. Done with being chased by death, he stood visibly in the withered patch of the field, beaming the light of the stone on his staff. Trying to gain the attention of his aggresive foe, he prepared for the much awaited inevitable duel.
He called in the strongest winds that captured the dark healer at once. It was incredibly stronger than the others that he have encountered before. The bursting winds became rougher, almost howling and raging. The grasses sway heavily, as the wind circles. Everyone kept their heads down.
The dark healer shrieked as it try to escape the driven winds. Straining, Stellan gave all of his might to contain the dark healer with his unforgiving eyes fixed on his target. Being caged in a different shell of a body, Helena's celestial powers are too controlled. Blood started to trickle out of Stellan's nose. His knees become unsteady. Still, he continued to push himself more. The growing intensity of Stellan's and the dark healer's sheer powers was a tug-of-war. A rough competition pouring with strength and impeccable timing.