The Aether surged and pulsed.  The Hellspawn was summoning huge amounts of energy.  His Thread strained as he coaxed more and more energy from the surrounding skies.  The aura around him was so charged that it was almost opaque instead of the usual translucent sheen.  Eilis was sure to feel the power but should not feel fear by it.  Instead, at this moment, he was akin to the power of a tornado or the magnificent of lighting.  

Arn could feel the fear that emanated from his protégé not only because of his current connection to the Thread but also because of their own.  He wanted to comfort her.  To tell her that it would be ok.  That he would protect her and no harm would come to her.  In his mind, he saw the dark shadow of Tourmanaline.  Even now, he could remember how the ancient mage’s power had felt.  It had drawn him in.  What sort of feats would he be able to do if he could tap into that power?  What sort of awe inspiring feats would the dark mage be able to do through Arn?

Even amidst the chaos of the sky battle, though it was beginning to tell that the small pockets of resistance were slowly becoming less and less, the master mage found himself alone.  Much like the way Eilis sensed spiritual energy like dots of light, currently, Arn could sense the tug and pull of those he was close to.  Not far off, he could sense the battle raging on the deck of the mighty Viemese Imperator.  Tobi’s bright energy seemed to be heading towards the red hot warrior energy of Tyrhallan. 

At least the little fool was trying to follow his orders, The master mage thought.  Eilis voice seemed to speak directly to his mind.  The din of battle would have drown out her soft voice.  Was this something to do with the fact that he felt closer to her due to the spirit communion with the dark being inside her?  Was their Thread that much more intertwined.  A sudden dark thought crossed his mind.  What if the connection that had first drawn him to the lovely lady was not that of a soul mate but rather, the magnetism of the powerful entity inside her?

The Master Mage shook his head and closed his glowing eyes.  He had to concentrate, already, his body was beginning to strain much the same like that of his young charge.  The muscles of his shoulders, hands and fingers began to feel as if he had been digging through pebbles.  However, the master mage was sure that his current pain was nothing compared to what the poor girl felt.  This knowledge raised a need in his soul to free her from experiencing such pain again. 

[color=ec008c]“You can’t fight if you have to do two things at the same time that are equally as taxing. I’ll guide Umbra, so you’ll be able to do whatever you have in mind.”[/color]

 Arn nodded to the offer by the lovely blonde and relinquished the reins.  On his left he saw the young female knight and close behind her the dusty hair of his young squad mate.  In front of his, he saw Tyrhallan and the black armored brute fighting.  It was now or never.  Gritting his teetch as if he was trying to lift a great weight and letting out a roar as the energy was released from his hands like an avenging bolt of lighting.  The energy surged forward in a zig zag pattern breaching the gap between Arn and the main bridge of the flying hulk.

The blue white energy that was released positively crackled and popped terrifyingly.  The Master Mage’s body trembled as he fed more and more energy to the long column of electricity.  The ozone became charged and hot.  With a thunderous crash, the bolt of wild lighting hit the hull of the ship and made it groan.  It even made it list slightly to one side.  The unlucky occupants of the bridge were cooked alive as pure raw energy coursed through their bodies.  Equipment and gear fared worse as they lost all power.  The ship suddenly started to veer towards it port and down.  Not even alarms sounded as the great metal hulk began to plummet. 

Arn sank into the saddle behind Eilis utterly spent.  He took ragged breaths as if he had just ran a great distance.  His arms wrapped around the waist of his protégé seeking not only an anchor but also protectively.  [color=0054a6]“I hope that is enough to pull the captain from the frey….If you see an opening Eilis, we must head out.  I will not be much help for a little while.”[/color]

Tobi and Alexa had managed to land on the deck of the ship moments before the Hellspawn had released the fearsome bolt.  Tyrhallan was doing well and the young mage hoped that the fight would soon be won.  A shriek rang out to his left where Alexa had landed her wyrm.  With an athletic hop she had gotten off her mount.  Her pretty face was twisted in what looked like pain and horror.  Being unable to just leave the flying vehicle he had commandeered, the dusty haired lad instead followed the path of her line of sight.  

Suddenly, the reason for her distress was obvious.  The elder knight who had inspired such vigor from the troops at the start of the battle was on the floor unmoving.  A credit to his profession, the elder man had sunken down only to his knees and not fully succumbed.  As Alexa reach the body and lifted up the grey head calling out desperately the old man’s name, it was obvious that little life, if any remained in the body of the elder Venray. 

[color=ed145b]“General!  GENERAL!!”  [/color]

The wails came from the blonde lass.  Suddenly, the electric bolt struck as if trying to avenge the death of the commander of the Belesian forces.  The ship rocked and Fate Bringer began to slide off.  The young knight made a grab for it, letting go of the General’s body that fell to the ground just as Tyrhallan looked back.  Alexa’s hand closed on the grip of the sword as if the weapon was possessing her.  It was believed, that the soul of a warrior rested on their weapon.  With tears in her eyes, she propelled herself forward.  “You dammed bastard! I’ll kill you!”  Her voice called in challenge as she had to put effort in lifting the Venray blade over her head aiming to cleave Ravos from head to toe taking advantage of the slight opening caused by the sudden jerk.  

The sword came down just as the ship began its downward descent.  The anti-grav engines fleeting in and out of power.  Hopefully, the Viemese knight would have to make a choice in either letting go of Tyrhallan and evading the blow or meet the sharp edge of the ancestral Venray blade.