Chapter Fifty-Two

The figure this time was unfortunate because there were more than four masters in the room. Antonio, Leonardo, Diego, and Edwardo, who had finally materialized from wherever he was hiding, also lent a hand, and, of course, Allessandro, who, though still weak from the earlier attack, made a formidable team. 

Allessandro handed James to his mother, Scarlet, and nudged her through the door, indicating she left with the children, and allowed the men to handle it. 

In the dimly lit chamber, shadows danced across the walls, casting an eerie atmosphere over the gathering of the masters. Antonio, Leonardo, Diego, and Edwardo stood resolute, their gazes fixed on the ominous figures that had entered their sanctuary. Among them stood Allessandro, weakened but determined, his eyes ablaze with a fierce resolve.

The air crackled with tension as the goons of the hooded magician advanced, their movements calculated and sinister. Each step they took seemed to echo with the weight of their malevolent intentions. But the masters, seasoned in the ways of magic, were not afraid.

With a silent exchange of nods, they prepared themselves for the inevitable confrontation. Spells flickered to life, weaving intricate patterns in the air as the room filled with the hum of mystical energy. It was a clash of wills, a battle of magic that was beyond the physical realm.

As the minions launched their assault, the four masters moved as one, their movements fluid and precise. Antonio's earth magic surged forth, entangling their foes in roots and vines that sprouted from the very ground beneath their feet. Leonardo's mastery of water enveloped their adversaries in a swirling vortex, threatening to drown them in its depths.

Diego's flames danced and flickered, consuming everything in their path with an insatiable hunger. And Edwardo, with his command over the winds, whipped up a tempest that buffeted their enemies from all sides, leaving them disoriented and vulnerable.

But it was Allessandro, despite his weakened state, who delivered the final blow. Drawing upon the depths of his power, he unleashed a torrent of pure energy that engulfed the minions in a blinding flash of light. With a deafening roar, their forms were engulfed in a brilliant cascade of colors before dissipating into nothingness.

As the echoes of their victory reverberated through the chamber, a hush fell over the room. The masters stood panting, their chests heaving with exertion, yet victorious. But their triumph was short-lived, for in the midst of the chaos, a figure emerged from the shadows, his hooded cloak billowing behind him like a specter of death.

It was the magician who had tried to kill Alless. Antonio was surprised to see him again since he had securely imprisoned him in the dungeon. How had he escaped? He had been waiting for the right time to tell Leonardo about the attack before taking him to see the prisoners. 

“Did this mean that Lorenzo had also escaped?” Antonio continued to wonder.

The hooded figure was enjoying every minute of the hide-and-seek game he was playing with these two mighty kings. How dare they shame his family? He will never forgive the disgrace, even in the five lifetimes to come. He will make them shed tears for generations to come. For his brother and for the promise, he will haunt them forever.

His  eyes gleamed with malice as he surveyed the scene before him, a twisted smirk playing at the corners of his lips, and just like that, the hooded figure disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving the five men more confused than ever. 

He began to fight dirty as he rendered himself invisible. With a gesture, he summoned forth his dark magics, weaving them into a sinister web that ensnared the unsuspecting masters. But even as they struggled against his bindings, Allessandro and his comrades refused to yield. They fought, and when the hooded figure realized that he would not be able to defeat the men, he materialized again. 

Looking at the men, he said, “No matter how long it takes, I will have my revenge; no matter how many generations, I will haunt you forever.”. 

“Wait, who are you? And why do you want to kill me? What have I ever done to you?” Alless asked with a frown on his handsome face. 

“Hahahaha, ignorant future king, ask your father; maybe he will have the guts to really tell you who you are. Ask him, Before it's too late, tell him Antonio, Leonardo, before it's too  late." The hooded figure said, laughing.

“Wait, who are you? What wrong did we do to you? I can't remember meeting you ever,” Antonio asked the mad figure, who had continued to laugh hysterically. 

“Neither do I know him. Who are you? Tell us clearly,” Leonardo asked in his royal voice.

“You don't know me, King Leonardo; I am too small for you to know, but I will give you a hint since it has been so long. Who have you ever wronged in the past?” He asked them. In a flash, catching the five men unaware, the magician released another set of attacks. 

In a desperate bid to turn the tide, the men pooled their remaining strength, channeling it into a single, devastating attack. With a thunderous roar, their combined magic surged forth, overwhelming goons in a blinding cascade of light.

But as the dust settled and victory seemed within their grasp, a sudden disturbance shook the room, leaving the fate of our heroes hanging in the balance. The magician had disappeared once again. 

Allessandro looked at the men in the small underground space where the fight had just taken place. He was convinced that something that only he was not aware of was going on. He had known that he was not an ordinary person for a long time, especially after he got married to Scarlet, but so many more secrets? 

“Father, father-in-law,” what is going on? How many more secrets are you all hiding from me?” Alless asked. “Edwardo, even though you seem to know more than I do, what's happening? Alless continued to ask with confusion evident on his face.

“All in good time, son, now let's settle this Lorenz and unknown magician’s case once and for all. We cannot be taken unaware anymore.” Antonio said, patting his son on the back. 

“What did I miss, Antonio? Why was I not informed about the attack on Allessandro? And what’s Lorenzo’s part in this?” Leonardo asked Antonio quietly, in a deadly tone. Diego, who had been standing silent beside Edwardo all this while, moved to Leonardo’s side when he noticed his tone. It screamed danger! Placing a hand on his shoulder, he indicated he calmed down and listened. 

Antonio noticed the movement and sighed. “I was about to inform you when you came barging in with your entourage." Antonio explained, and in very few words, he summarized all that had happened and the measures he had put in place. ”The magician was also captured, but I never thought he could be powerful enough to escape our dungeon. Hopefully, Lorenzo is still bound.” Antonio concluded, looking tired. 

"Let's consult Marilo; it's important we get to the bottom of this. We must know who this magician is and where he comes from.” Leonardo decided.

“Okay, I am in. Edwardo, arrange the conclave. Alless, have a rest. We will be meeting in an hour. Bring Scarlet along when we call you. Antonio gave out the instructions.

"Okay, father, father-in-law, excuse me.” Alless left them to do what he was asked to.

"Diego, why are you still here? Get Marilo fast, will you?” Leonardo commanded, to which Diego bowed and exited, leaving the two kings together. 

Antonio and Leonardo looked at each other and were thinking, “Who have we offended?”