A/N: I attached a picture of what magic circles look like so you can have a better grasp on the things I write.
Credits and Ownership goes to Yuanlong Dai on Artstation!
Song is "As the World Caves In" By Matt Maltese in a slowed and reverbed version. You can listen to it for a better reading experience and I'll tell you when to play it.
---
The collision produced so much energy that the magic circle Pier created shook violently.
"W-What is happening...?" Pier asked as he watched Gideon from afar.
"He's developing his own self, Guardian" Melfar spoke but this time, it was calmer.
The huge magic circle that covered the entire palace's sky protected them from the energy that was being released from Gideon's body.
Pier was in a state of confound.
He cannot take his eyes away from the knight that was currently being struck by the lightning.
"Developing himself...?" Pier asked aimlessly.
"T-This is all too sudden!" Pier shrieked in concern because Gideon looked like he was not well.
Pier wanted to go and save Gideon.
He wanted to remove the gigantic magic circle that he created and just go towards the knight.
However, he knew if he removed the magic circle, the entire palace would probably burn by the lightning and the energy Gideon was releasing.
"Correct, I have seen a few of these incidents where humans who wield the sword undergoes the phase of magic diversion" Melfar explained which confused Pier even further.
"M-... haah... magic diversion?" He asked and he can imagine the phoenix nodding its head.
"The human like the knight up there converts the magic present in the air into his own. He will absorb them and create a foundation suitable for his own use" Melfar continued to explain.
"Haaah..." Pier breathed in deep. His chest hurt and his entire body felt like it was being twisted in all the wrong directions both inside and outside.
Pier wanted to ask questions further and help Gideon.
However, he could not really open his eyes anymore.
His entire magic was consumed once he created the single magic circle.
"Will the magic circle hold?" Pier asked
"It will. My magic is able to withstand magic diversions from humans so you do not have to worry" Melfar assured which calmed Pier down as well.
"Will he be alright?"
"In most of the cases, yes. However, the knight seems to be somehow different considering it was too late for me to notice his casting of magic diversion. He will still need some time to stay up there and continue the magic diversion"
"I want to be awake when he finishes that magic diversion" Pier spoke in his half consciousness.
Melfar was silent for a second.
The phoenix wanted to grant its guardian's desires but there will be repercussions if it did so.
"You will come to slumber for a long time if you desire to stay awake amidst the magic depletion you are experiencing, Guardian" Melfar warned but Pier did not care.
The sudden turn of events was unexpected and he did not know if his knight would be alright.
His eyes observed Gideon inside the wind barrier that he had created.
Even his wind magic that was already strong was at the verge of disintegrating from how strong the lightning that Gideon was currently immersed in.
"I don't care. I want to stay awake until I can assure he's fine" Pier spoke between deep breaths and Melfar contemplated its Guardian's thoughts.
Pier was fighting his own self right now.
His consciousness was starting to fade and his entire body was at the point of becoming void of any magic power.
The magic circle he had casted surpassed what he can normally handle and the consequences were now showing.
But the mythical creature also knew his guardian's resolves.
"I understand, I will supply your body with my own magic until you can assure that the knight is fine" Melfar spoke and Pier breathed a sigh of relief.
"Cast the flame bubbles on yourself" The phoenix instructed and Pier followed.
Fire magic manifested on his palms and it slowly started to engulf his body.
There were now two magic types surrounding Pier's body.
One was the wind barrier and the other was the flame bubble. The glowing crown on his head became even brighter once Melfar's magic started to course in his body.
Under normal circumstances, such level of magic was already applaudable. It was astounding to an extent that many would be baffled and awed but right now, no one could really do such thing.
Pier was maintaining the gigantic magic circle above the palace as well so he can prevent the energy from Gideon passing through.
---
"IMMEDIATELY ASSIST THE YOUNG MASTER!" King Henry spoke as he also went out of the throne room and towards the room on the palace's highest point.
"Your Majesty! We need to evacuate immediately!" A horrified mage spoke but King Henry was thinking otherwise.
The scenario that occurred right before their eyes was an unprecedented event and it caused chaos within the entire Capital and Palace.
"FOLLOW MY COMMANDS! ASSIST THE YOUNG MASTER!" His breath was uneven and his entire body was trembling.
It was so immense.
The energy that came from the knight was too much that he felt overwhelmed.
It was even more overwhelming when he saw the young master's magic.
He got the shock of his life when he saw the young master's capability.
'A magic circle big enough to cover the entire palace's skies' He felt shivers creep up his spine.
Even a small magic circle befitting for a single person can only be manifested by mages who were proficient in handling their own mana!
'What happened to them...?' He asked himself as he hurried to run up the stairs.
He never saw someone who had no experiences in using magic produce such high quality magic circle that was able to stop an expert swordsman's magic diversion.
His thoughts then drifted towards the War Commander.
'A magic diversion...' How powerful can the knight be?
He knew the knight was stronger than the Crown Prince who was on his way in becoming a swordmaster.
Yet he did not anticipate the knight would undergo his magic diversion early.
It only meant one thing.
Once a swordsman undergoes magic diversion
'He's bound to become a swordmaster soon'
In all of his years in training the sword, not once did he experience getting near the occurrence of having a magic diversion and he was stuck on a wall he cannot surpass.
Yet a knight who looked like he was in his twenties was currently undergoing such phenomenon.
'How powerful would they be...' King Henry asked himself.
A knight is on his way in becoming a swordmaster
And that knight was serving the young master, someone who can easily produce a magic circle that can cover the entire palace.
No to mention he also saw Pier's other magic abilities.
He shuddered, unsure of what to decide with anymore.
When King Henry reached the highest point of the palace, he immediately saw what was happening from above them.
The young master's magic circle was stopping the knight's release of energy from his magic diversion.
"Your Majesty!" The Taron Kingdom's Magic Division arrived.
Mages with different rankings had shown up beside the king and each were holding staffs to channel their magic powers.
Noah Huxley was one of the individuals who came in the Magic Division.
The young mage's gaze turned towards the young master.
'Such power!' He was amazed with the giant magic circle floating above them and at the same time, he was even more surprised to see that it was the young master whom he met at the Southern Wall was producing it.
"CAST THE MAGIC CIRCLES IMMEDIATELY AND ASSIST THE YOUNG MASTER!" King Henry ordered and they did not waste any more time.
Every single mage pointed their hands up in the air and magic manifested in each of their hands.
---
Pier coughed as blood poured out from his mouth.
He was maintaining multiple magic spells at once and he was completely drained. It was the phoenix's magic that he was using and it's starting to damage his own body.
But he did not care. Not now when Gideon was up in the sky continuously getting struck by lightning.
'I'm so tired I feel like I'd die any second from now' He thought as another handful amount of blood came out of his mouth.
His nose also had a small nosebleed.
He was a mess, but he could not afford the time to rest nor think of anything else.
"Guardian, I recommend you should rest now. Your body cannot handle the magic depletion" Melfar tried to convince Pier.
However, the latter's resolve was firm.
"If... cough... I cannot assure Gideon is safe... cough... I will not rest" Pier spoke and his breaths were loud.
His heart was beating so fast in his chest and his head was spinning.
It had been an hour now after Gideon started his magic diversion but it still showed no signs of calming down.
The phoenix could not understand its guardian's resolve.
Why was the young master very persistent in staying awake when his body was at the verge of collapsing?
Melfar did not know.
Humans are complex creatures. Their intelligence allowed them to grasp many thoughts and form their own actions based on their judgments. Most of the times, the phoenix could see greed and contempt in every human.
However, what the mythical creature can see right now was a display of care and trust.
Pier was willing to let himself get damaged just so he can stay awake until Gideon finishes his magic diversion.
It was then, Pier noticed that there were some individuals beneath the palace.
'The King?' He saw King Henry with many mages surrounding him.
"They seem to be doing something" He spoke weakly.
One by one, the mages raised their hands and their magic manifested.
A white beam was produced from each of the individuals present until it condensed into a small magic circle right below the giant one Pier had created.
---
It had been three hours since Pier and the War Commander were up in the sky.
Asher did not know what he can do.
Everyone from nobles until servants were all evacuated from the palace.
"Brother... I'm scared..." Nicholas spoke as he hid his face on Asher's shoulders.
The enormous magic circle and the blue lights clashing were a magnificent sight to behold but it also brought them fear.
The two forces created a sense of intimidation among them especially to those who cannot wield magic.
It was a catastrophe.
An unexpected event that almost annihilated everyone in the palace.
"Pier..." Asher whispered as he can see a faint figure up in the air and right below the magic circle.
His hands clenched and as the sense of helplessness coursed throughout his body.
What can he do right now? He did not have any magic that could allow him to levitate and go beside Pier but if he did what benefit would he give to the young master?
It pained him so much.
Pier had just been training his magic for months and now he was up in the sky saving everyone from an unprecedented catastrophe.
Tap
He quickly turned his head when he felt a light tap on his shoulders.
"Headmaster!" Asher had a tone of urgency and at the same time, relief in his voice when he saw Ronnovian.
The Headmaster had a hard expression on his face as he observed the scenario in the sky.
"I went to the Belmaid Empire for a business and this is what I get when I came back" Ronnovian spoke.
"P-Please help Pier-"
"I will, it's my duty to guard my son and the war commander" Ronnovian interrupted as he did not waste any time.
Magic manifested on his body and he started to rise towards the skies as well.
--- (Play the music I attached in the media) ---
Something dribbled down Pier's eyes as he continued to stand still while maintaining his magic.
Cough!
"Haah..." He wiped the blood off of his face and it smeared in the process.
He also wiped away the tear that he did not want to come out.
Pier felt like his body was about to burst.
Everywhere he tried to look, each part of his body was aching so much.
"Guardian, please rest now-"
"I won't" He replied.
The energy Gideon was producing through his magic diversion was now getting weaker but it was still a considerable amount that he could not carelessly remove the magic circle.
"You're going to die at this rate, guardian!"
"I SAID I DON'T CARE! WHETHER I DIE OR NOT I DON'T CARE!" Pier screamed as his tears continued to stream down his face.
But those were not normal tears.
He was crying blood.
His nose, mouth, and his eyes were pouring out blood.
The young master's breath hitched and he felt his heart stop beating for a few seconds before it started to run again.
'It hurts, it hurts, it hurts so much' Pier thought as he closed his eyes and he took deep breaths.
He continued to wipe the bloodied tears away from his eyes and he turned his gaze back on Gideon.
Why was this happening?
Why now?
He had been wanting to rest and sleep a few hours ago but right now, he was at the final drops of his vitality.
But he could not blame himself nor Gideon.
None of them expected such thing to occur.
Pier chuckled when he saw the energy starting to subside.
"He's going to blame himself when he gets on his right mind back" Pier commented.
Why was he going this far for Gideon?
He can just leave the knight whom he knew for just a few months and pretend he did not know anything.
Pretend that he cannot use magic.
Why? Why was he protecting the people inside the palace?
Pier was tired, too tired to keep his body upright.
"GUARDIAN!" Melfar spoke in his head, the phoenix's voice was laced with worry.
Pier did not want innocent people to get caught in the aftermath of Gideon's sudden changes.
There were many servants and nobles that were clueless of what was happening and he did not want them to die.
He also did not want Gideon to die.
Pier lightly laughed as he looked up the sky where the clouds were rumbling.
Gideon was the first person to be by his side, the first person who trusted him.
He felt as if he would be doused in so much sadness if he were to see Gideon suffer and die.
Drop
Another blood tear dropped from his eye.
The once crystal clear eyes that held the beauty of the oceans were now dyed red.
"I don't want to experience sadness anymore..." Pier spoke as blood now started to pour out of his ears.
"I'll save Gideon and be happy" He continued.
"Pier" Ronnovian called when he reached Pier but the latter did not have the energy anymore to turn his head and look at his father.
"Father..." Pier called and Ronnovian stayed silent.
"If Gideon comes back to his senses, tell him it is not his fault... cough... can you please do that?" Pier asked and Ronnovian saw his son's conditions.
Even amidst the powerful spells he was casting, Pier was rugged.
His coat and his clothes were drenched in his own blood but he was still smiling.
Ronnovian did not waste any second as he casted another magic circle.
This time, compared to the other mages who were putting up their own magic circles, Ronnovian's was bigger and larger.
It was almost half the size of Pier's magic circle.
"You're the one who will tell him that" Ronnovian spoke as he advanced his magic circle slightly further than Pier's.
He was now the one blocking the energy coming from the knight and the rest that his magic circle could not defend were caught by Pier's.
"You need to tell me everything" He continued to speak as he heard Pier laugh.
"Is Gideon okay?" Pier asked his father.
The blood fully stained his eyes and he cannot see anything clearly. It was blurred.
Ronnovian looked at the knight enclosed in a broken wind barrier.
His eyes were still glowing while the lightning was still striking down on him but Ronnovian felt it is subsiding.
"He will soon stop" That made Pier smile in relief.
"I'm glad" Pier spoke gently as he lowered his head.
Meflar's voice was constantly ringing in his head but he did not listen.
One minute
Ten minutes
Thirty minutes
Forty minutes
An hour
Pier felt that the energy being released from Gideon was now on its weakest.
"Father, can you lead me to him?" Pier asked as he now removed the magic circle he made.
Ronnovian was silent as he watched his bleeding son.
His eyes were now a streaming red liquid and same goes to the other parts of his face.
He gently grabbed Pier's hand and he pulled the young master towards Gideon.
The lightning was no longer there.
Mages were exhausted from keeping up their magic circles for a few hours and they felt themselves get weakened.
Noah was catching his breath. His eyes were wide and his entire body was shaking.
'How much... did the young master suffer...' He thought. Keeping his own magic circle defending against the strong energy made him suffer internal damages.
What more could have happened to the person who placed a barrier that protected everyone from the direct hit of the energy itself?
As Ronnovian continued to bring Pier towards Gideon, he felt his heart tighten at the sight.
The faint crown on Pier's head was starting to disappear but it was still there.
When the two reached Gideon, Pier smiled as he recognized the blurry image of the knight.
Gideon had his eyes closed while he was still loosely holding on his sword.
Pat
"You did well, my knight" Pier spoke as he ruffled Gideon's hair.
He was now satisfied. He knew Gideon was fine and unscathed.
There were also no one who died in the process.
He was glad.
The final drop of blood from his eyes cascaded down into his clothes.
"Melfar, I'm sorry. I will rest for now" He whispered under his breath.
After hours of fully fighting his own self,
The young master finally closed his eyes.