Crimson stepped forward, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Sebastian, listen—this isn't you. We can fix this another way—"
Before he could finish, Lilith smacked the back of his head with a sharp thwack. "Crimson, are you out of your mind? That's not Sebastian!" she snapped, glaring at him. "The sword wouldn't react to him like that if it were!"
Miles tilted his head, his expression shifting into something sinister. "Congratulations," he sneered, a mocking edge to his tone. "You guessed—wait." His lips curled into a wicked grin. "You actually thought I was Sebastian?" A soft giggle escaped him, but it quickly turned to a low growl. "Guess again!"
His eyes ignited with fury, the flames on his sword roaring brighter as he crouched low, ready to pounce. Without another word, he dashed forward, the fiery blade slicing through the air with a searing hiss.
"Wait—look! Whoever you are, we're—" Crimson stammered, but Miles wasn't interested in apologies. His body blurred as he closed the distance, his sword blazing like a comet streaking toward its mark.
Crimson grabbed Lilith's arm, pulling her close. Their hands intertwined, and both closed their eyes, bracing for the inevitable—
"What are you two still doing there, standing on my books?" a gruff voice boomed. "I can't hold him for long, you know!"
Crimson and Lilith's eyes snapped open to see the mage they encountered when they entered Willow Haven standing before them, his hands glowing as thick iron chains shot from the ground, binding Miles mid-strike. The fiery blade sputtered, its flames dimming as the chains tightened.
Lilith scrambled to her feet, wiping dust off her cloak. "Thanks for the save!" she called out, her voice tinged with both relief and amazement.
The mage snorted, barely sparing her a glance. "I don't need your gratitude. Just get moving. In the enchanted forest, there is a cave. There is a damned witch in the cave. Take care of her, and you will free Willow Haven.
"What did you just say, old man?" Miles snarled, struggling against the chains. His voice was venomous, his eyes ablaze with malice. The chains rattled as he strained against them, and cracks began forming in the stone floor beneath him.
"Go, now!" the mage barked, his voice sharp with urgency. "Or you'll wish those chains had held him longer!"
Crimson and Lilith quickly exited the library as the heavy doors slammed shut behind them.
Panting, Lilith remarked, "I didn't know Miles was that strong."
Crimson frowned and replied, "His physique is impressive, and he's in great health. Rigour can't claim him as a vessel, and most importantly, Miles himself doesn't realize his potential."
Lilith tapped his shoulder and said, "I know that, but right now, let's focus on the task ahead."
The chains binding Miles cracked and shattered with an explosive force, embers and smoke swirling around him like a storm. He stepped forward, his movements slow and deliberate, his fiery sword casting an ominous glow across the room. A smirk tugged at his lips as he locked eyes with the mage.
"Just you and me now, old man," Miles sneered, rolling his shoulders as if loosening up for the fight.
The mage didn't flinch, his eyes narrowing with defiance. "You damned witch," he spat, his voice sharp with contempt. "Those kids are gone—and they'll find where you're hiding. They'll put an end to this madness."
Miles tilted his head, exhaling a weary sigh as though the mage's words were an inconvenience more than a threat. "You really think they can stop me?" he asked, his voice dripping with disdain. "I've got millions of Dream Walkers under my control, ready to act when I command them."
His smirk deepened, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "And don't think for a second that I'm trying to kill anyone. I want to save the pain for the ones who deserve it—Gale, and those two kids you just sent running."
The mage raised his hands, his movements deliberate and powerful. A radiant glow enveloped his fingers, spreading outward like crackling lightning. Chains erupted from the ground with a metallic screech, weaving themselves into a shimmering cage around Miles. Undeterred, Miles swung his fiery sword with deadly precision, severing the chains with sparks flying in every direction.
"Step aside, old man," Miles growled, his voice low but filled with menace. His fiery blade flared brighter, casting an ominous glow on the mage's determined expression.
"Silence, witch!" the mage retorted, his voice booming with authority. He thrust his hand forward, and a single chain lashed out like a whip, coiling around Miles' leg. With a sharp pull, the mage yanked Miles high into the air, the sudden force twisting him mid-flight.
Miles gritted his teeth, his mind racing. Another chain surged toward him, aimed to ensnare him midair. With swift reflexes, he raised his sheath, blocking the chain. The enchanted metal wrapped around the sheath, tethering him like a marionette to the mage below. The force of the pull slammed Miles into the ground with a thunderous crash.
As the dust settled, Miles' eyes darted to the mage, standing firm with his glowing hands holding onto the enchanted chains. His blade lay embedded in the stone floor a few feet away. Calculating his next move, Miles grasped the sheath firmly in one hand. His lips curled into a grin.
"I like enchanted weapons, you know," Miles said, his voice calm yet charged with a sinister energy. "They're more than just tools—they're alive."
With that, he shouted, "Inazuma!"
The sheath crackled to life, surging with bright arcs of electricity. The current raced along the chain's length, travelling back to the mage. The mage's eyes widened in shock—literally—as the surge struck him. He convulsed and fell to the ground, his glowing hands dimming as he collapsed, unconscious.
Breathing heavily, Miles pushed himself to his feet, brushing dust from his torn coat. He retrieved his sword from the floor.
"Sorry, old man," he muttered, his tone almost regretful. He cast a lingering glance at the mage's prone form before turning toward the exit.
"Finally, we've made it," Lilith said, her voice tinged with relief and awe as they stood before the entrance of a cave deep within the glowing, enchanted forest. The iridescent trees around them shimmered faintly, casting ethereal light on the jagged rocks framing the cave's mouth.