Vol.3 Ch.206 Johan, The Illusionist.


    <span ss="aiText">Johan hurried through the woods<span ss="userText">, running through the dense vegetation<span ss="aiText"> with a single-minded purpose.


    ''Please... Let me make it in time. I can''t lose her...'' Johan thought as he dodged a few low branches from a tree.


    <span ss="userText">Johan chastised himself for<span ss="aiText"> not being there for his wife. He should have gone with her to the carriage, but then he might have died in her arms instead. So he set his emotions aside as best as he could. He had to focus on the task at hand ande up with a n quickly.


    ''I''ll be there soon, Tayna. I promise you that I will save you.''


    <span ss="aiText">As Johan moved deeper into the forest<span ss="userText"> the more soaked<span ss="aiText"> he got. But his determination never wavered.


    <span ss="aiText">The rain made the ground slippery, and even with Johan''s high dexterity, he nearly tripped a few times.


    <span ss="userText">''Dammit!<span ss="aiText"> Why does it have to be raining so hard!'' Johan cursed.<span ss="userText"> His anger starts to take hold and his mana channeled throughout his body<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="userText">''If only I could use Shadow Self<span ss="aiText">! <span ss="editText">Then I could save my Tayna<span ss="aiText">!<span ss="editText">... I''m a pathetic excuse of a husband!<span ss="aiText">''


    Johan kept running and his heart started pounding as he thought about Tayna''s beautiful smile. He couldn''t bear the thought of never seeing her again as his anger started taking hold. He thought it was going to be a bad thing to let his emotions run wild. That was until he felt his mana flowing throughout his body. That''s when it clicked, Johan''s mana was in perfect harmony with his mind and body.


    ''Shadow Self... Please! Work! I''ll give anything to save her. So work dammit!'' Johan concentrated on his mana and chanted the incantation.


    <span ss="aiText">*Shing*


    The familiar sound of his mana came ringing in his ears. He remembered hearing the same thing when he sessfully cast Shadow Self that one time by ident.


    <span ss="userText">"Shadow Self," Johan whispered while he closed his eyes<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">He could feel the magic forming around him <span ss="userText">until it felt like something pushed out of him<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"Wha?" Johan was confused a<span ss="userText">nd opened his eyes to see a perfect clone of himself. His illusion<span ss="aiText"> looked exactly like him in every way. Even his clothes were soaked, but one thing that surprised Johan was how <span ss="userText">determined his illusion looked. Johan could feel its conscience<span ss="aiText"> inside his mind.


    <span ss="aiText">''Joha<span ss="editText">n... what''s the n?<span ss="aiText">'' the illusion spoke to him through Johan''s mind.


    <span ss="editText">It took a moment for Johan to register what was going on. It was a surreal experience to have a second consciousness running through his mind. It almost gave him a headache at first but he seemed to<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">gain a better understanding of his spell the more he concentrated on it.


    <span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">''That''s right. You''re a part of me. And together we''ll save my wife,'' Johan spoke mentally to his clone.


    ''But what''s the n, Master Johan?'' The Illusion asked again.


    <span ss="aiText">''<span ss="userText">Well... I think you should take the lead... For some reason the person that captured Tayna wants us... Dalia said there was only one of them but we need to make sure that she''s correct before we make our move to save her... If it is only one perpetrator then I need you to distract<span ss="aiText"> him while I sneak up behind him and <span ss="userText">I''ll save Tayna... I''m sorry for putting you in harm''s way<span ss="aiText">,'' Johan s<span ss="editText">poke through his mind<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">''Don''t be sorry. I''m a part of you, so your emotions are my emotions. <span ss="userText">Being dispelled<span ss="aiText"> is just a natural process. So don''t worry about it. Besides, you need to save Tayna,'' his shadow said.


    <span ss="userText">Johan just smirked and shook his head, "Having two of me is weird... I feel like I would get into an apology loop with<span ss="aiText"> myself... Now, let''s go. Time is wasting."


    <span ss="aiText">The two Johans went deeper into the forest <span ss="userText">with the shadow Johan moving<span ss="aiText"> ahead of his master.


    <span ss="aiText">Johan followed <span ss="editText">about twenty feet <span ss="aiText">behind<span ss="userText">. He could almost see what his clone could see. He was starting to understand what Lady Rya was talking about with him being a formidable<span ss="aiText"> mage.


    <span ss="userText">''I wonder what other illusion spells<span ss="aiText"> I can learn. But that will have to wait. For now, I need to concentrate on saving Tayna,'' Johan thought.


    <span ss="userText">With that, the clone Johan<span ss="aiText"> and his master walked for five more minutes beforeing upon a clearing.


    <span ss="userText">***


    <span ss="userText">Remy held Tayna at knifepoint, watching the surrounding woods, trying not to move, so that his prey couldn''t find him.


    <span ss="userText">''Where the fuck is that pathetic excuse of a noble<span ss="aiText">man? <span ss="userText">Or maybe he doesn''t care about his wife''s life<span ss="aiText">...'' Remy thought as he waited.


    <span ss="userText">Tayna was trying her best<span ss="aiText"> not to move. She didn''t want to anger her captor; her life depended on Johan''s rescue.


    <span ss="aiText">"P-please, let me go," Tayna whimpered.


    "Shut up! You''re my bargaining chip!... If things work out the way I want them to then I might show pity upon you and let you go free once this is all over. So, don''t talk..."


    <span ss="aiText">"Wh-why are you doing this?"


    "You''re not worth my time. And if you speak again," Remy pulled the de tighter against her skin, "Then I will slit your fucking throat and watch you bleed out," Remy whispered in a threatening tone.


    Tayna whimpered as she stood there trying not to move while the de was slightly cutting her skin. She had toply with this man''s demands or she will never get the chance to see Johan again.


    <span ss="aiText">The two stood there for another minute, and Remy was growing impatient.<span ss="userText"> But then he heard someone<span ss="aiText"> moving through the bushes.


    ''Damn bastard took long enough... Now, it''s time to kill a noble and get out of here,'' Remy thought as he saw Johaning out of the bushes and into the clearing. He looked around and saw Tayna being held at knifepoint.


    <span ss="aiText">"J-Johan! Don''te closer! Please! Save yourself!" Tayna begged.


    <span ss="userText">Remy pulled Tayna and himself<span ss="aiText"> back a step.


    <span ss="aiText">"I told you to shut up, bitch!" Remy shouted and then he put the knife back on her throat.


    <span ss="aiText">Johan stopped about thirty feet from them, looking scared, but his expression was still determined.


    <span ss="userText">"Ah? So, the coward has finally decided to show himself," Remy spoke, "I hope you didn''t bring your friends, because that would be a bad decision for her," Remy grinned.


    <span ss="userText">"Don''t hurt her, I''ve done as<span ss="aiText"> you asked and came alone," Johan said.


    <span ss="editText">Remy looked around to ensure no one else was there, but he was still cautious. After a moment of looking around and not seeing anyone else,<span ss="userText"> he was satisfied that they were alone<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">.


    <span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">"So, I''ll ask it again. What do you want from me?" Johan demanded.


    <span ss="userText">"<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">What I want is very simple<span ss="userText">... I want you to drop your weapons and surrender... I''ll let your bitch live if you do as I say<span ss="aiText">," Remy ordered.


    <span ss="aiText">"Please, Johan... Run! Don''t let him take you too!" Tayna pleaded.


    <span ss="aiText">"Silence!" Remy shouted.


    <span ss="aiText">"Stop it!"<span ss="userText"> Johan yelled out as he dropped his<span ss="aiText"> sword and dagger and put his hands up, "Please... Just let her go..."


    Remy smiled at how easy everything was going. But this could be a ploy to let his guard down. He needed to make sure this idiot didn''t try to do anything funny. Nothing was more annoying than someone thinking they were a hero and trying to be smart. Luckily for Remy, this fool was mana-less and even if he did try to do something, he could easily handle him.


    <span ss="aiText">''Pathetic. He''s just like all the other nobles. All talk, and no bite,'' Remy thought as he <span ss="editText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">watched Johan standing there defenseless<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"That''s better. Nowe to me... Nice and slow-like," Remy ordered.


    <span ss="userText">Tayna watched<span ss="aiText"> Johan walk towards her and Remy. She couldn''t believe that he would throw his life away for her.


    <span ss="aiText">"Please... Johan, run..."<span ss="userText"> She whispered.


    <span ss="aiText">"No, I''m not leaving you. You mean everything to me. I''m not going anywhere. Just don''t hurt her," Johan pleaded.


    <span ss="userText">Tayna felt a pit in the middle<span ss="aiText"> of her stomach. She was terrified for him but she also couldn''t believe how brave he was.


    <span ss="userText">''I-It''s my fault... If only I<span ss="aiText"> wasn''t kidnapped, then Johan would be safe...'' Tayna thought, ''I''ve been such a terrible wife. He''s so kind and selfless, and I''ve <span ss="userText">treated him<span ss="aiText"> horribly. I''ll do anything to protect him.''


    <span ss="userText">Remy was getting impatient with how slow Johan was being, "Enough of this! Come here! Or I''ll cut her throat if you try anything funny!"


    <span ss="aiText">"Ok, ok," Johan said and slowly walked toward Remy and Tayna.


    <span ss="aiText">Tayna wanted to shout, but she couldn''t move her body. All she could do was watch as her husband walked towards her captor.


    <span ss="userText">When Johan was within range of Remy''s dagger<span ss="aiText">, the rogue <span ss="userText">moved and stabbed him in the stomach.


    <span ss="userText">"Johan!" Tayna screamed as she saw the knife getting twisted in Johan''s stomach.


    <span ss="userText">Seeing the pain written<span ss="aiText"> on his face made her heartache. But she couldn''t do anything to help him.


    <span ss="userText">''NO!''<span ss="aiText"> Tayna cried, and her tears streamed down her cheeks.


    <span ss="userText">"All too easy<span ss="aiText">. I didn''t think a nobleman would be so weak," Remyughed.


    <span ss="aiText">Tayna struggled to break free from Remy''s grasp, but his grip was tight.


    <span ss="userText">"You better say yourst<span ss="aiText"> words<span ss="editText"> to your wife<span ss="aiText">. You have a few seconds left," Remy said<span ss="userText"> with a smirk as he twisted<span ss="aiText"> the dagger more<span ss="userText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"No! No! NO! PLEASE!" Tayna cried as her world came crashing down.


    <span ss="userText">"Arghh... I... Love... You..." Johan grunted and then his body disappeared in a puff of smoke.


    "Huh?" Remy was confused as the nobleman disappeared right before him. While he was in his stupor the real Johan was able to nk Remy from his right side. Johan didn''t waste any time as he swiftly sliced off Remy''s arm, which held the knife.


    The Rogue screamed out in pain and let go of Tayna, "AAAAARRRGGGGHHHH!!!"


    <span ss="aiText">Tayna fell to the ground as she watched her husband cut off her captor''s arm.<span ss="userText"> Johan made sure to stab him in the chest<span ss="aiText"> as well<span ss="userText">.


    <span ss="userText">Remy looked<span ss="aiText"> at Johan with a mixture of fear and rage, but he couldn''t move, because of the pain.


    <span ss="aiText">"You bastard!" Remy hissed as he stared at his wound.


    "I wish I could torture you more for bringing my wife into this, but she needs my attention more than me getting my revenge. So I''ll do you this favor if you tell me why you tried to kill me and kidnap my wife... Maybe I''ll let you live if the information is good enough... Although, I''ll need a little bit of assurance," Johan said as he lifted up Remy with his sword still stabbed in his chest.


    <span ss="userText">Remy didn''t know this was how strong<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText"> a nobleman could be. This wasn''t just some ordinary noble, he was like a battle-hardened warrior.


    <span ss="aiText">"AHHH!" Remy screamed.


    <span ss="aiText">"Now, who sent you?"


    <span ss="userText">It was at this moment that the rogue realized that this noble had a mana vein. No one could<span ss="aiText"> have that much<span ss="editText"> strength without one<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="userText">"Y-You clever bastard... You had a mana vein all this time<span ss="aiText">. H-How did you hide it?" Remy asked, "You... Are not who <span ss="editText">they<span ss="aiText"> say you <span ss="editText">are<span ss="aiText">," he gasped.


    <span ss="userText">Johan may not have all the details but what this rogue said was more than enough for him to guess<span ss="aiText"> the reason behind the attack<span ss="userText">. So he didn''t waste any more time and he swiftly pulled his sword out of the rogue''s chest and sliced his head off before his body hit the ground.


    <span ss="editText">Tanya''s emotions were a mess. She had neve<span ss="editText">r b<span ss="editText">een so scared in her entire life when she thought he<span ss="editText">r husband was killed. While at the same time, seeing him saving her life gave her joy that she never knew<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText"> was possible. But now that the danger was gone, she was crying uncontrobly.


    <span ss="editText">Remy''s dead bodyy there on the ground turning the mud<span ss="aiText"> a dark crimson color<span ss="editText"><span ss="undoDeletionText"> as the rain continued to fall.


    <span ss="editText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">''It''s over...'' Johan thought before he looked over to his wife and saw the bloodied rope still wrapped around her wrists. He rushed over and began untying the binds.


    <span ss="userText">"Tayna! I''m sorry... I didn''t mean to make you<span ss="aiText"> worry," Johan spoke in a soothing voice, but his wife wasn''t listening.


    <span ss="aiText">"I... I thought I lost you," Tayna sobbed.


    <span ss="aiText">Johan pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and holding her tightly.


    <span ss="userText">"You''re real<span ss="aiText">... right?" Tayna asked, still crying.


    <span ss="aiText">"I am, my love. I promise," Johan said and hugged her tighter, "Everything is fine."


    <span ss="aiText">"Johan<span ss="editText">... I''m sorry... I''m the worst wife<span ss="userText">—" Tayna was interrupted by Johan''s lips


    It took a moment before Tayna kissed him back. It felt so good to feel his warm body against hers in the cold rain.


    <span ss="aiText">"Shh, you''re perfect," Johan whispered and wiped her tears away, "<span ss="userText">Let''s get back to the others and get you out of this<span ss="aiText"> rain."


    <span ss="aiText">He helped her stand up and led her through the forest, back towards where the others were waiting.


    <span ss="aiText">When they got closer, <span ss="editText">Percy<span ss="aiText">, Nieren, and <span ss="editText">three of Johan''s personal guards <span ss="aiText">were already on the way towards them.


    <span ss="userText">"Do you need any medical aid, my Lord?" Asked one of the Guards<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"No. Just some dry clothes<span ss="userText"> for my wife. Please take her to the carriage<span ss="aiText">," Johan replied and turned to <span ss="editText">Nieren<span ss="aiText">, "We''ll discuss what happenedter. For now, please <span ss="userText">apany my wife. She needs<span ss="aiText"> someone she trusts by her side<span ss="editText"> while I go see the prince.<span ss="aiText">"


    <span ss="aiText">"I understand<span ss="editText">. I''ll have my mother and Dalia join her<span ss="aiText">," Nieren bowed and took Tayna to the carriage.


    <span ss="userText">Tayna looked back at<span ss="aiText"> Johan and smiled at him before the three went into the carriage.


    <span ss="userText">''I-I need to carry his children. He''s too good to me and I need to make up for all the lost time... He''s my soulmate and I will never take him for<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText"> granted ever again. I need to be a good wife for him,<span ss="aiText">'' Tayna thought as she was brought inside the carriage.


    <span ss="userText">Johan looked to his guards, "You three protect her<span ss="aiText"> at all costs. Do not leave her side. Am I understood?"


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, sir!" They answered.


    <span ss="userText">Johan and Percy waited till the guards were gone.


    <span ss="userText">"Lady Tayna is a strong woman... You were lucky to have been married to<span ss="aiText"> her," Percymented.


    <span ss="aiText">"I know. <span ss="userText">Not that many nobles get married to<span ss="aiText"> a girl they actually love," Johan replied.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Well, you two deserve it... Anyway, did the culprit get away<span ss="aiText">?"


    <span ss="aiText">"No... he''s dead<span ss="editText">..<span ss="aiText">. <span ss="userText">I think this whole ambush was an attempt just to kill me,"<span ss="aiText"> Johan exined.


    <span ss="aiText">"But why would anyone want you dead?" Percy asked, confused.


    <span ss="aiText">"I <span ss="userText">have an idea, but I need something concrete<span ss="aiText"> before I can prove my theory."


    Percy was curious, "What is your theory?"


    <span ss="aiText">"I can''t tell you now.<span ss="userText"> But if we can capture someone else<span ss="aiText"> from the group who tried to a<span ss="userText">mbush<span ss="aiText"> us. I''ll let you know," Johan answered.


    <span ss="aiText">"Ok<span ss="userText">ay... I think Lady Rya is trying to capture the leaders as we speak... She sent out her golems into the woods to get the stragglers,"<span ss="aiText"> Percy replied, "Now, let''s go see the Prince and exin what happened."


    <span ss="aiText">They went to the front of the <span ss="editText">convoy <span ss="aiText">where the Prince was waiting for them<span ss="userText">. Rya was standing underneath the earth canopies with the protection of four Royal Knights, the two Ironside dwarven soldiers, and Sir George.


    <span ss="userText">The sounds of fighting in the distance were starting to die down<span ss="aiText">. The rain was still pouring down heavily, but the thunderstorm had subsided.


    <span ss="aiText">"Are you alright, <span ss="editText">Johan<span ss="aiText">?" Quinus asked.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yes, <span ss="userText">your Highness. I was able to get Tayna back<span ss="aiText"> safely," Johan replied.


    <span ss="aiText">"I''m d. I didn''t expect an attack <span ss="userText">this coordinated<span ss="aiText">. This must have taken some time to n," Quinus mused, "<span ss="userText">It has my uncle''s name<span ss="aiText"> written all over it. If my hunch is correct, Duke ric was behind this assassination attempt."


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">I wonder if they were really after you, your Highness<span ss="aiText">. Or if it was a trap set for <span ss="editText">me<span ss="aiText">?" <span ss="editText">Johan<span ss="aiText"> suggested.


    <span ss="userText">Quinus raised his right brow<span ss="aiText">, "Why would the Duke want you dead? You haven''t offended h<span ss="userText">im<span ss="aiText">, have you?"


    <span ss="aiText">"No<span ss="userText">t to my knowledge. Unless..."<span ss="aiText"> Johan muttered.


    <span ss="aiText">"Unless?"


    "Sorry, your Highness. My thoughts are running wild. I need to confirm a few things first before I can say for certain," Johan exined, "If I may ask, how is the General faring? Were there any casualties on our end?"


    Quinus turned to Rya as she began to speak.


    "General Dous and his men are fine. They cleared the road, and I''m taking care of the rest of the stragglers," Rya said while her eyes were closed.


    She did this so she could see through the eyes of all her golems. It also made it easier to take direct control of one of them if needed.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">My Lady... If you find the leader can you bring them here alive<span ss="aiText">?" Johan requested.


    <span ss="editText">"Sure. I can do that. Just give me a few minutes," Rya nodded as she continued<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText"> to work on eliminating the enemy.


    "She''s an amazing mage. I''ve never seen someone with such high magic affinity and control. It''s like she doesn''t even need to chant the spells, and yet her magical attacks are more powerful than the average spell," Johan muttered to himself.


    <span ss="userText">Quinus smirked at his friend who<span ss="aiText"> was impressed with the Dark Elf mage, "Jealous, Johan?"


    <span ss="aiText">Johan chuckled, "<span ss="userText">Maybe a little, your Highness... But I won''tin. I''m an Illusion Mage thanks to her. And that''s more<span ss="aiText"> than enough for me," he replied.


    <span ss="aiText">Quinusughed, "<span ss="userText">Well, you''re just ate bloomer<span ss="aiText">."


    <span ss="aiText">Johan rolled his eyes, "Whatever you say, your Highness... You know... You''ve be more yful since <span ss="userText">you took Lady Rya as your fiancee<span ss="aiText">."


    <span ss="aiText">Quinus smiled and blushed slightly, "Well, she has a way of bringing out my true nature. It''s almost like she''s a part of me now."


    <span ss="userText">Johan couldn''t help but agree. He felt the same way about Tayna<span ss="aiText">, too.


    <span ss="aiText">"Anyway, we should check on your wife," Quinus said.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing," Johan agreed and turned towards the carriage.


    <span ss="userText">"I''ll send someone to inform you<span ss="aiText"> once the area is clear," Rya said as she <span ss="userText">continued<span ss="aiText"> her search.


    "Thank you, Mdy," Johan said as he turned to leave.


    <span ss="aiText">After a few moments, Rya found the leader of the attack<span ss="userText">.