Deep in the dungeon Ky was fighting for his life. He was bleeding from multiple scars on his body. A dagger was impaled in his right thigh, and he was bleeding out as he used iced magic to hold him up. Before him was the wounded versipellin who was breathing heavily as she casted another fire spell.

Her comrades stood back and watched as the two fought. Ky knew he was at a disadvantage using ice magic, so he was compensating by creating constructs using the mana he was exerting to create magical energy. The downside was he was burning up his mana reserves at an exponential rate.

Though highborns were known to have high mana potential but they didn’t have the largest amount of mana reserves compared to versipellins, Mana was a force of energy the goddess of magic created which flows all throughout the world. The beings of this world all had mana veins which flowed to a mana core which was like a second heart. 

Now not all the beings of this world could cast spells or manipulate the primal and natural forces. Versipellins for instance were a race that could absorb the mana in the atmosphere as well as manipulate it to a certain degree. For them their mana reserves were almost limitless which made this fight even more difficult for Ky. He grunted as he decided to do something drastic to end the fight quickly.

 "Why are you trying to kill me?" Ky asked as he was slowly channeling the mana into his center.

"It's nothing personal Ky, it's just for the gold coins!" Solara said as she threw a giant fireball at Ky. He created a large wall of ice which was reinforced with a barrier of magic energy. Ky gritted his teeth before letting out a deep breath. His icy blue eyes began to glow a more vibrant shade of blue.

"Mana blaze..." He bellowed silently. Steam began to come off his body. He gritted his teeth in pain as he leaped off the ground causing debris to fly everywhere. He burst through his wall barrier and through the flames of fire being thrown at him. Solara looked surprised as Ky came toward her as she hovered in the air. Ky moved so fast she was unable to react. His right hand smashed into her solar plexus causing her to let out a sharp cry of pain. Her body was sent away from him at an extraordinary speed and crashed into the wall causing debris to fall on top of her. Ky turned his attention to the others and darted toward the drake first.

The full blooded versipellin looked surprised as he braced himself for battle. Electricity began to emit from his body as he conjured up magic energy. He let out a bellowing roar as Ky barreled into him. Ky punched him in the throat before he could say a spell. The versipellin fell onto the ground and Ky continued his assault hammering down his fist with all his might. At this moment Ky was in fight or flight. He knew he'd probably die but he wasn't prepared to roll over and take the beatings like he did when he was younger. The memories of the past flooded his mind as he lost control of himself.

The two highborns tried to pull him off the versipellin, but he'd lost it. Ky punched the male highborn in the face and pushed the female highborn to the ground. As Ky began to strike the male Astren he felt his leg give way. The pain was returning to him, but he had to keep going because all he could think about was Saria. He knew Solara said someone wanted him dead and he began to wonder if Saria had something to do with this attack. He hated he was thinking this but the fact she wanted him to come just to find out someone wanted him dead was strange. Blood came out of Ky's mouth as he began to cough uncontrollably. The male highborn looked at him with surprise.

    "Listen, Ky you have to stop, or you'll die. Mana blaze is a deadly spell to use. Those who use it improperly develop mana burn." The male highborn said as Ky held him down. Ky looked at him as he raised his fist to deliver a powerful blow, energy began to spiral around his hand. The male highborn was now frightened because he was aware of the power behind the strike that Ky was about to deliver if no one stopped him. Before Ky could hit him, he was struck in the head. Ky went crashing toward another wall. When he hit the ground the sound of bones breaking could be heard. The versipellin stood over the highborn who was bleeding badly from his face. He breathed heavily as he walked over to Ky who was struggling to get up. The versipellin rolled Ky over on his back.

    "Roll over and die already!" The versipellin said, placing his foot in Ky's chest. Ky groaned in pain as he could feel his ribs cracking. The drake smiled showing his two fangs. "For a peasant you showed some real grit but you're good as dead now." The versipellin said as he removed his foot from Ky's chest. He walked away toward the two highborns. Vesryn and Saria finally arrived, and Saria was confused to see the trio standing before her. She looked around the barren room until she saw Ky lying motionless on the ground. Her eyes widened as she stumbled forward before running over to him. It was clear she was trying to stay calm, but she couldn't keep her composure. She could hear Ky slightly wheezing from a possibly punctured lung. Vesryn stood over Ky as he lowered the bag he was carrying on the ground. Ky glared at Vesryn with a look of rage on his face.

    "Is this why you wanted me to come with you?" Ky managed to choke out causing Saria to look at him surprised. She was slightly offended by his question as she shook her head.

  "Why would you think I'd ever want to hurt you? Saria questioned as she looked up at Vesryn who stood silently behind her. Vesryn was silent as he continued to look down at Ky.

    "Earlier...were you stalling for time?'' Saria questioned as she looked up at Vesryn. He sighed as he shook his head and glanced over at the three that Ky had fought.

    "Saria...there's nothing we can do for him." Vesryn said as he looked down at her. Saria was upset that Vesryn didn't answer her question. Ignoring it spoke a great deal to her and it began to affect how she saw her friend.

    "If you use your spatial magic, we can easily get him to a healer." Saria said as she stood to her feet to look Vesryn in the eyes. Vesryn shook his head as he looked down at Ky in disgust.

    "Look at him, Saria...he probably can't even move." Saria is reaching for the bag on the ground.

  "We have potions to stabilize him and heal him a little, so he'll be okay. Just open a portal to the place you went to for the supplies." Saria said as she began to dig around in the bag. She was placing vials of potions beside Ky as she was preparing to help him. Vesryn sighed as he walked away.

    "I'm going to get the sword.... I'll come back for you but not him." Vesryn said as he walked away with the two highborns and the versipellins. Saria had a look of disappointment on her face as she was cleaning the wound on Ky's leg. His shaky hand reached for her, causing her to notice. She moved closer to hold his hand, appearing worried.

  "Help Solara over there." Ky said as Saria looked across from them to see Solara lying unconscious under a pile of debris. Saria shook her head as she took off her necklace.

  "Isn't she one of them? She helped do this to you so I'm not helping her." Saria said as she placed her necklace on Ky's chest.

    "If you had nothing to do with this like you said...heal her. Versipellins tend to know some form of healing magic.” Ky blurted out in pain causing Saria to look surprised. She smiled as she stumbled away and picked up a vial. She jogged over to where the fairy was and began to move rubble away from her. She was filled with hope and really wanted to save Ky. This was possibly her only chance of saving him since Vesryn was willing to let him die.