Rise of the Strongest Soul Mage

Chapter 12 Defeat Hix

The skies became darker and the air colder. Roars and laughter from the Hunter echoed through the woods as it shed the body it had dorned. The dark clouds gave way and the Soul Eater within it came forward. Its dark energy terrified Sora beyond anything he had ever felt and he could see Ryo's hands tremble even though his energy surged through them. Never in his lifetime had he thought seeing a soul eater was possible, but here it stood before them. They were indeed living their last moments.

Descriptions had not done justice to them at all.

Soul Eaters were dark creatures known to traumatize even the strongest mages, just from looking at them. Soul Eaters had the same gaunt skull-like face that was slightly bent to the side, almost like they had been hit in the jaw. With black eyes that matched their black exterior, fangs, and claws that seemed ready for action, and dark energy that flowed around them, waiting to draw in its victim.

It was said that the claws of a soul eater could burn through the flesh of their victims, making them scream and wish only their souls had been taken, but Sora was definitely not ready to test out that theory.

He was not a real mage. He knew he couldn't hold even a drop of water against a mage, much less a soul eater, so the first thought that came to mind was to run. Sora wanted to but he couldn't move, he just had to get Ryo first.

As though he knew what he was thinking, Ryo looked Sora square in the face and without hesitation, he yelled "Run!" as the Soul Eater sized the both of them from afar.

"Running is useless." Its voice resounded through the woods with great force.

Sora still couldn't move. His mind listened but his body didn't and he felt trapped.

Ryo however, hadn't thought twice before jumping in between Sora and the Soul Eater. How he had the courage to stay and fight the soul eater was a mystery.

Sora crouched instead.

He always crouched, even when bullied.

It was Ryo who always came to his rescue, but this was no bully before them. This was a death beckoning.

Ryo was also terrified. His eyes showed fear and his voice cracked as he looked down at Sora. He could tell he had gone into shock. He immediately touched Sora with his hands filled with energy and yelled again, "Run Sora! Now!"

As though receiving a shock, Sora got up and ran.

He ran with only one thought on his mind; get help. He barely made it two feet when he heard the snap, the snapping sound that always marked the breaking of a soul. Sora stopped dead in his tracks, breathing very hard as fear consumed every part of him.

He turned slowly to see Ryo dangling by the neck as he shook violently in the claws of the Soul Eater who was sucking out his soul.

Sora ran mad.

He would have bet Ryo would last a few minutes, but this was no ordinary soul eater they were dealing with.

He couldn't lose Ryo, not like this.

Without thinking, Sora charged at the soul eater full of rage at the sight of Ryo dying, but the soul eater slashed at him with its claws, causing blood to spurt from his chest.

The theory was correct. Sora's skin burned as he screamed in mad terror.

Sora fell to the ground, instantly jerking as blood continued to gush from his body. He watched the soul eater drop Ryo as though he was no longer interested in playing with his toy. Sora's blood boiled from the insides.

With a satisfied look on his face, the soul eater looked dead at Sora with a vile smirk before turning away from them and disappearing into the dark clouds.

Amongst the thoughts that filled Sora's mind as he faded away, he thought of Ryo. Ryo died because of him. He had stayed to buy him time to run. If anything, he was glad he would die too. At least he would not have to bear the guilt of knowing he was responsible for Ryo's death.

Finally, Sora faded into unconsciousness. He drifted so far as thoughts erased from his mind until there was nothing left and everything went pitch black.

He died.

Or not?

A frown appeared on Sora's face as he opened his eyes to a bright light that almost blinded him. Something was happening, Sora took in his surroundings. It was familiar, too familiar.

They were back in the woods?

Everything seemed quiet.

Sora sat up and touched his body. It felt real to him. The three slashes across his chest stopped stinging, but he could still feel the blood seeping out of his chest. He didn't feel the burning in his blood, either.

Sora found the strength to stand and adjacent to him was the body of Ryo, same position as it was before but something stood over his body. It was draped in white, but its face was hidden beneath a hood.

With its head bent, as though making keen observations, the creature spoke. "He's not dead." It sounded soft and very feminine.

Sora looked from her to Ryo who was now a dark shade of purple all over.

"H-he's not dead?" Sora's voice had a pleading tone to it.

"You can save him." The creature spoke again, sounding very assertive.

Sora moved closer, still covered in his own blood. "How?"

The creature looked up at him, and Sora noticed its eyes. Its eyes were pure white, maybe filled with mage energy. "Defeat Hix and you will save him."

Hix?

Who was Hix? How would he defeat him with no powers?

He had a thousand questions but he did not want to risk offending the woman, so he gulped.

Nothing else mattered to him as long as Ryo survived. So he replied without thinking;

"I'll do it."

Immediately, the creature disappeared, and Sora fell to the ground with darkness taking over.