The Baroness Misbehaves
Chapter 262: I Can’t Do This

Chapter 262: I Can’t Do This

Orson stumbled past the crumbling pillars and rock formations that had been made through time, wisely hiding behind one of the rocks as the ghostly apparitions flew past. He patiently waited until the coast was clear before stepping out of his hiding place, and his next destination was finding Cassian.

"Where the fuck are they?!" The dark clouds rumbled along with Orson’s frustration as he continued to stagger forward, already weak to the bone. A bead of sweat rolled down from his forehead, stopping at his chin and disappearing under his chin.

He was having a hard time catching his breath as the whole perimeter was surrounded by mélange of grotesque creatures, summoned from the darkest corners of the supernatural realm. He knew Cassian would need some assistance since he couldn’t deal with Abbot while being in his human form, but getting to him has been quite a handful.

Inna was safely in the hands of Elian who stayed by her side, so he needn’t worry about her safety knowing she was in good hands.... But Cassian?

"How are they still so many??" Orson groaned in frustration as he shot a sable-eyed demon ghost that lunged from the shadows. Even his nightmares weren’t this horrid, but he understood the plan behind so many armies. It was only an easy distraction to drain them of their energy, whilst Abbot can get to Madeline on time and stop her from creating the barrier.

"Dammit!" Fueling his resentment and turning it to his energy, he shot as many ghostly apparitions he could get his hand on. No matter what, he needed to keep Cassian alive, it was his duty to keep him alive.

Amidst the chaos, Orson finally spotted his best friend who had been holding Abbot long enough to keep him distracted from Madeline. Despite the dust that surrounded the ancient ruins where they battled endlessly, Orson’s eyes stared in full apprehension when Cassian unexpectedly received a fatal hit that sent him bursting through rocks and shattering it in pieces.

"Cassian!" He had screamed through the commotion, but none heard. His heart slowed for a minute when he assumed his friend couldn’t survive that hit, but to his greatest relief, Cassian shockingly got up again. He was a mess and his clothes were covered in dust and sand, he looked wrecked, but with an undying spirit flashing in his Amber-brown eyes.

Watching Abbot’s hold on his blade furiously tighten, as if he’s had enough of Cassian’s tactics, Orson recognized the peril that awaited Cassian, and he dashed forward with a strength he never knew he had.

With a deft movement, he pushed Cassian aside, barely aware of how he made it to his side. The ensuing clash of steel was quick, yet brutal, and everything moving around them seemed to stop. Orson’s facial features contorted into pain as Abbot’s wickedly sharp sword tore through his chest, making him go still in his position, and Abbot’s eyes frantically widened at the sight of who he had stabbed.

"You human?!" He raged.

Blood spilled from Orson’s wound, staining his shirt, but still he didn’t move. He locked gaze with Abbot whose black eyes stared back with unhidden bewilderment, and a slow agonizing smile curved his lips. "I feel more like a guardian angel thanks to you." He breathed out, indirectly mocking Abbot who heartlessly twisted the sword inside of him, and Orson’s mouth immediately spilled blood.

"Weak!" He cursed.

Cassian, who was sitting up with horror-filled eyes, felt the time go slow as Abbot pulled his blade from Orson’s chest in a swift sharp movement, and Orson clumsily stumbled back as he clutched to his bleeding chest, dropping on one knee to the ground.

"Orson." The young lad was too shock-stricken to speak aloud. The unacceptable shock in his eyes hadn’t vanished, and for a completely still second, he watched his friend take the fatal hit that was meant for him.

"Orson!!" A mix of anger and sorrow fueled within him, and his eyes insanely went red with rage. "GET AWAY FROM HIM!!"

Abbot, who was momentarily distracted by the unforeseen sacrifices made before him, failed to sense Cassian’s abrupt strike, and the next thing he knew was the twin blade piercing him straight in the stomach. With a look of pure disdain, he met Cassian’s glinting red eyes that spoke a thousand horrible volumes, and if looks could kill, he wouldn’t die, but suffer endless torments from what he saw in those eyes.

"You. Are. So. Dead!" Came the terrifying whisper from Cassian, and since he had been pierced with the twin blade, a quick brutal blow to the side of his cheeks was enough to make him spit out blood, and there were three claw marks that marked his face thanks to Cassian’s elongated nails.

Leaving Abbot to convulse from the strike, Cassian hurried to the side where Orson laid, sprawled as his wound refused to stop bleeding. The corner of his mouth bled, and Cassian quickly cradled Orson’s head in his head.

"Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!" He could only curse at Orson whilst trying to stop the bleeding from his chest. "I’ll kill you myself if you ever think of trying this stupid bravery again." The worry in his tone only made Orson smile faintly, despite the agonizing pain that he presently went through.

"I’m fine." He said despite having his breath come out heavily, "God, I think this is the worst attack I’ve ever gotten." He said painfully as Cassian tied his wound with a piece of his cloth to stop him from bleeding further.

"Can you manage?" Cassian’s eyes darted to Abbot who was slowly rising to his feet. It was impossible to get rid of Abbot unless the barrier was made, and Cassian’s gaze darted to the top of the hill, wondering if Madeline is alright.

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At the top of the hill where it was quiet and less massacre, dancing shadows cast the graceful silhouettes of a young woman across the vast, dimly lit space. Sparkles of white light danced at her fingertips as she tried to complete the steps she had learned, and her body moved freely like she was floating on water, but whenever she got close, her nerves would take hold of her, ruining her spell and making her start all over again.

Aggrieved, Madeline dropped to the circle with her breathing coming out in short gasps. Her body still trembled from the after-effects, and it was giving her a hard time. She was tired and afraid, and there was no one to assure her that she could do this.

"I can’t..." Hot tears streamed down her eyes as she had failed to create the spell. "I can’t do this, everyone... Everyone is counting on me and I can’t... I can’t even create a STUPID SPELL!" She angrily pounded her fist to the ground and covered her face with both her palms, sobbing quietly to herself as she had failed to protect everyone as promised.