*sweat drop falls to his eye and momentarily blinds his left eye. He resist the urge to wipe it. The raging power requires his whole concentration and distraction now could prove to be deadly. He needs all his attention to balance the power flow, the boy is young but strong, there is no room for mistakes. On the street, few meters away, the you mage drops the direct fire flame blast he tried to use and switches to fade step to break his shielding. "Idiot" he thinks, "powerful but idiot". As soon as the boy becomes translucent Ukki invokes repulsion field with mana cleanse. The pulse meets the fast traveling young man halfway and sends him stumbling across the street towards the cheering crowd.
Without a pause he tries to capture the boy in death hex with paralyze. Boy is momentarily distracted but can deflect most of the effect with dispel magic. Ukki switches his tactics and goes through series of elemental attacks bombarding the boy with fire, stone, ice and lightning. Several layers of protective shields appear on the boy, he can see at least fade, arcane and spell shields turn on at the same time. "Powerful indeed, boy has a lot of strength to spend" he thinks with a bit of admiration, "but not powerful enough".
He gestures fast and the land beneath the boy starts to shake violently causing him to fall to the ground. He casts haste on himself and moves few steps away for the next move. His accelerated status grants him a faster casting which gives him time to shower the young man with several hexes to drain him from his power. The boy seems to struggle to control his power and has obvious problems on getting back on his feet.
He decides it is time to stop this spectacle and finish the boy. Suddenly a really powerful dispel magic spell falls on him followed by a disorienting spell. With a gently blow all his coherent thoughts fly away like a flock of sparrows. For a few dangerous moments he doesn´t know who and where he is. Then it strikes, a arc of lighting penetrates his weakened shield layers burning its way through his robe setting it on fire and burrowing into his skin. His body starts to twich and convulse. After a few fumbling steps he falls paralyzed on his back hitting his head on the decorated marble road with a sickening thud.
Somewhere in the background, through the cheering of the crowd, he hears Nazlik scream. Stars flicker in his eyes as the pulsating pain both in his body and back of the head requires all of his attention. Dazed he turns on his stomach. He feels nauseous and fights the urge to vomit. Blood drips between his lips as his tries to stumble on his feet but is only able to get on all fours. "Get up! Get up! The boy is still there!" his mind screams but his body doesn´t respond.
It started as a beautiful day, in the morning he surprised Nazlik by taking her to carriage ride in the Imperial park, where they had a long breakfast by the lake. She fed some bread crumbs to the swans nesting there. Those little baby swans made her happy and her dazzling smile brightened the day. She was glowing. He gave her a jewel ring, he had their names carved into the inner arc. Her kiss was long and warm.
Unfortunately he had to visit the Senate and there was some problems with Monkeys business deals with Nevarrans. Though that was all settled for now.
Afterwards he took her to a see a orlesian silk merchant. The merchant had some new fabrics he wanted to show him and they took measures for a new dress for Nazlik. When they were leaving a handsome young dashing looking mage blocked him in the street and challenged him to a duel.
First he was not sure if the boy was joking but a stone fist cast at him changed his mind.
His confused eyes wonder through the crowd. The onlookers really got their money worth. A Magister is about to fall to a young rising mage, what a spectacle!
His wondering eyes see a familiar face in the crown he did not expect. Then he sees her, the one he was looking for. Nazlik stands there, terrified look on her face. Hands on her abdomen. Those hands... cold feeling creeps into his stomach.
And then power lifts him up in the air and slams to the ground. He falls through the ground and travels a few meters distance underground appearing right next to Nazlik for the shock and surprise of the growd. Good thing he took the time to learn that dalish spell, stone´s throw.
The young mage looks stunned at the place he where was supposed to be laying broken. Ukki charges fast and strong disregarding the pain in his battered body. A powerful dispel spell followed with the hemorrhage. The boy screams and smoke rises from his ears, mouth and eye sockets as his blood boils. Ukki increases the power and watches as the boy falls to the ground scratching his skin and eyes. After for a while his twiching stops.
He takes a few tottery steps and Nazlik runs to support him. "Take me home" he says, "I think we are done here". The crowd cheers and claps as they climb aboard the carriage.
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