Surprise Attack

"NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

Nervas eyes snapped open as he bolted upright, taking in huge gulps of air. His hands reached up, grabbing hold of his neck. He was gasping for breath, his eyes bigger than dinner plates. Then he realized that he was soaked with sweat.

It took a while for Nerva to calm down his shocked heart. He took a long, drawing breath and ran a shaking hand through his wet red hair. He looked around in his bedroom. The curtains were drawn around his four-poster bed but he could see well beyond them. Nobody was there except for his abandoned books and robes.

Oh god, what was that?

He buried his face into his hands and strained his mind to remember his nightmare.

A battlefield, where thousands upon thousands were dead. Everyone was dead. Novices, Swordsmen, Archers, Merchants, Mages, Acolytes, Thieves, Knights, Hunters, Blacksmiths, Wizards and Priests were all lying on the ground, dried eyeballs staring blankly at the blood red sky. Undead were standing on the cliffs around the cluttered battlefield. He, Nerva, was shouting in vain for the other members of Firnheild. Then a Knight in black armor came charging toward him-and cut off his head.

After that he woke up

Nerva threw back his beds hangings and got up. He started to dress absent-mindedly until the sound of merrymaking caught his ears. Curious, he walked toward his window and opened it.

Geffen, City of Magic, was alive as ever. Bright lights gleamed everywhere. Magicians, Sages, Wizards and Commoners were all shouting merrily and taking part in the nights dance. Children were running around the street, luminous sticks waving happily in their hands. Colorful banners and standards were being waved gaily for the crowds enjoyment. There was dancing, drinking and happiness everywhere.

A slight frown siezed Nervas face. As an Izludian he found peculiarity in these parties. He thought of it as impractical and a total waste of time. But he was also Geffens doge, so he had to extend his patience and put up with these nightly noises.

"Master Nerva! HEY-MASTER NERVA!"

Nerva blinked slowly and gazed at the street, where a Wizard, a Mage and a Sage were waving madly at him.

"Good evening, Maximilian." He nodded toward the Wizard who called him.

"Join us, Master Nerva!" called Avaris, the Sage. "There is wine and food for everyone! Join us please! Youve been locked up in your study for months!"

"I dont want to!" Nerva answered. "You go enjoy yourselves!"

Avaris rolled her eyes and willed herself to the air. A few children and commoners gasped to see the Sage float toward Nervas window. But the Mages, Wizards and Sages who saw this did not pay any interest; it was just too common a sight to be greeted with gasps.

"Come on, Master Nerva!" said Avaris. "Join us! You need fresh air!"

"Give me a good reason." Nerva countered. "And I mean G-O-O-D."

Avaris blinked. Uh-oh, her mentor was playing mind games with her again.

"Ummbecause air is good for your health?" she said.

Nerva threw back his head and guffawed. Avaris grimaced; duh, what a dumb answer! Maximilian and the Mage were getting impatient.

"HEY COME ON DOWN! THE WINE WONT WAIT FOR YOU!" the Mage called.

"Shut up, Einhard!" Avaris snapped.

The Mage pouted and Maximilian laughed loudly, clutching his belly. Avaris returned to Nerva.

"Please, Master Nerva!" she pleaded. "Your students want you to join them! Is that request hard enough to grant?"

"All right then." Nerva smiled at last. "Get out of my way, please."

"Yippee!" Avaris whooped and cartwheeled in mid-air. "Hes gonna join us!"

"All right, Ava!" said Maximilian.

Avaris floated back down to the street. Nerva jumped from his window and landed silently and gracefully like a cat. Einhard squeaked like a mouse.

"I wish I can already float and glide." Einhard said enviously.

"Well, you wont!" said Maximilian. "You spend so much time killing off those Porings you dont level-up quick enough! You, Avaris and I graduated from Midgard Academy at the same time! And look at us! Im already a Wizard, and Avaris is a Sage! And you? Still a Magician!"

Nerva, Avaris, Maximilian and Einhard soon joined Geffens partying crowd. The cool winds from the mountain did not cheer Nerva up, or neither did the colorful banners, lights and the dancing crowds. He walked on with his hands in his pockets, eyebrows knitted in a frown. His students did not seem to notice his glum expression, as they were busy talking about which wine would they sample first.

Nerva shook his head. No matter how hard he tried the nightmare kept repeating itself in his head.

"NERVA!!! NERVA!!"

He and his students looked up in surprise. A female Knight wearing Fin helm, Helm and Iron Cane was fast approaching them. The Knight screeched to a dusty halt.

"Lilian! Is that you?" Nerva said incredulously.

Lilian was bouncing on her heels excitedly. "It is ME! Oh I knew Id see you here! I just got inaugurated! Im a new Knight! Time flew by very fast! Its as if I didnt even become a Swordswoman!"

They hugged each other tightly. Avaris, Maximilian and Einhard were exchanging quizzical looks.

Nerva pulled away and beckoned his students forward. "Pleasethese are some of my students. Avaris Blair, Maximilian Fogg and Einhard James. This is Lady Lilian Thorne, everyone."

"Thorne?" Maximilian repeated, eyes widening. "You arent related to the great Blacksmith Altair Thorne, are you?"

Lilian giggled. "Hes my brother."

Einhard whistled. Avariss mouth dropped open and Maximilian whispered, "Wow!" with deep awe.

"This is so cool!" said Avaris, looking at Lilian from head to toe.

Nerva smiled appreciatively. He turned to Lilian. "And may I ask what the great lady is doing here in the outskirts of Geffen?"

"Got separated from my party in the mountains." Lilian answered. "So I decided to visit you for a while. Surely Im not bothering you?"

"No, not at all." Nerva grinned.

"Since we have another company," Einhard piped up. "Why dont we go drink, right, Master Nerva? Lady Lilian, would you give us the honor?"

"Sure!" Lilian answered brightly.

Maximilian, Avaris and Einhard led the way to the nearest pub. Lilian and Nerva doubled back a little to chat by themselves.

"How is Altair?" Nerva asked.

"Hes doing fine." Lilian replied. "But he and Signy are having a harder time now, you know, because of-well, your secrecy. Wealthow keeps on pouncing questions at them in unexpected times in the hopes of them letting something slip. But you know my brother and Signytheir tongues are completely under their control."

"Did Wealthow ever question you?" Nerva pressed on.

"No, I rarely spend my time in Prontera." Lilian scratched her nose. "She did try to summon me, though, but I said I was too far away and too busy"

Nerva was silent for a while. He turned around to see his students still buying drinks. He returned his gaze to Lilian.

"Shall we?"

He offered her his hand. Lilian held on tightly.

"Teleport!"

In the blink of an eye they were already standing outside Geffens western gate. The cheering sound of the crowd became oddly muffled. The breeze was lot sharper and colder, and the forest was thick and black with shadows.

"Brother asks when youd show up." Lilian continued. "He also said that he and Signy cant keep your secret for too long."

"Yes I know that." Nerva said heavily.

Lilian sat down on the blades of grass. "What I like most here in Geffen is the breeze. The winds here are fresher and sweeter than anywhere else."

"Its because of magic." Nerva told her. "Magic is what keeps Geffen alive. Everyone, even the commoners and their children, have magic in themselves. That magic affects everything inside and around this city-state. For example, it makes our air fresh and sweet."

Lilian smiled. "You are something of a marvel to me, sir."

"And why is that, my Lady?"

"Because youre the only Wizard who can ride and control Peco-pecos effortlessly, wield staff, spear and sword and at the same time, protect people with Kyrie Eleison."

Nerva laughed. "Yes, I suppose so."

Lilian stood up. "I think we should go backthey might be wondering where we wentand peoples tongues are so ill-natured"

Nerva bowed deeply. "May I lead the lady back to the city?"

"Of course!" said Lilian, giving him her hand.

They were just about to go back inside the gates when Nerva, sensing something, stopped dead. Lilian raised her eyebrows.

"What is it?" she inquired.

Nerva reached up and placed a finger on her lips. He was looking around, his eyes narrowed into slits.

And then a sudden quake shook the grounds. Lilian had to grab on to Nervas cloak just to stop herself from falling. A sudden hush swept throughout Geffen. Nervas instincts went haywire.

"What was that?" said Lilian, her voice suddenly high.

Nerva squinted in the darkness. Then he saw a flicker of red light.

"What the-?"

Hundreds upon hundreds of Ghouls, Raydrics, Skel Prisoners and Zombie Prisoners erupted from the darkness.

A shrill scream pierced the silence.