Sovereign of Mirage

Magnus felt his heart racing as he rushed to his apartment, praying that Ava was safe. When he reached the door, he paused, his mana-infused eyes scanning for any signs of disturbance. 

Taking a deep breath, Magnus pushed open the door and rushed inside. "Ava!" he called out, panic evident in his voice. "Ava, where are you?"

Magnus checked every single room, but there was no sign of Ava. "Maybe she's out with her friend," he said to himself, with a hint of relief.

But then, a terrible realization dawned on him. If the Sovereign of Mirage was involved, Ava could be in grave danger. Magnus quickly enhanced his eyes with mana, allowing him to see through the walls.

To his horror, he saw three people in black sitting near the table in his bedroom, and there was Ava, tied to a chair with purple mana ropes. Bruises and scratches covered her arms, and Magnus could see the ropes inside her mouth, likely the work of one of the intruders.

Rage boiled within Magnus, but he forced himself to remain calm. He needed to analyze the situation carefully. As he observed the three people, he saw an image of a thin blonde man lying on his bed. But when he turned to look, no one was there.

"Must be my mind tricking me," Magnus thought. He then concentrated and summoned two portals behind the intruders' heads, firing green mana arrows that struck two of them, killing them instantly.

The third intruder, shocked by the sudden attack, had no time to react before another green mana arrow struck them, ending their life as well.

As the illusions faded, Ava looked up at Magnus, tears streaming down her face. "Brother!" she cried, rushing into his arms.

"It's okay now, I'm here," Magnus said, holding her tightly.

Ava explained that as soon as Magnus had left, four people in black had stormed the house, using illusions to make her believe Magnus was injured. Before she could react, she had been tied to the chair.

"Wait, you said four?" Magnus asked, his eyes widening. He summoned two portals behind him with mana daggers ready to come out, determined to eliminate the final intruder.

"Yeah, the last person was a thin blonde man," Ava said.

As soon as Magnus heard that, he shot the two daggers straight at his bed. The daggers shot out from the portals, flying towards the bed. However, they seemed to hit nothing but air, and Magnus felt a chill run down his spine. Ava watched in horror as the daggers embedded themselves harmlessly into the wool and disappeared into thin air.

"What are you doing?" Ava asked, surprised.

"Ava, stay behind me," Magnus said, his voice tense. He knew this was no ordinary intruder. The fact that he couldn't even sense their mana meant that they were really strong. 

It could only be one person... Sovereign of Mirage.

Magnus scanned the room, his mana-enhanced eyes searching for any sign of movement or disturbance. He could feel the air around him shift as if there was an invisible presence nearby.

Suddenly, the air seemed to shimmer, and a figure materialized before them. It was the thin blonde man, his piercing blue eyes fixed on Magnus and Ava. Magnus tensed, prepared to unleash another barrage of attacks.

"Wow, wow, wow, calm your ass down, bud," the man said.

"What are you doing here... Max, was it?" Magnus asked, now holding two daggers in each hand and two portals with a barrage of poison arrows ready.

"Well, I'm known as the Sovereign of Mirage, and my name is Maximus, but sure, you can call me whatever," Max said, eyeing Ava. As Ava met Max's eyes, she froze in place.

"Answer me. Why are you here?"

"Why do you think? To get my revenge, of course. You killed my brother, now I'm going to kill your sibling," Max said ominously.

As Max finished that sentence, an arrow flew right at his head.

Magnus reacted instantly, summoning a swirling barrier of green mana to deflect the arrow. His eyes narrowed, focusing intently on the Sovereign of Mirage.

"You won't touch my sister," Magnus growled, his voice laced with a deadly determination.

Max chuckled, his piercing blue eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, but I already have," he said, gesturing towards the helpless Ava, who was trembling with fear. It seemed like Max had affected her with the fear effect.

"M-Magnus, w-w-what is happening?" Ava said while holding her head.

Magnus felt a surge of rage coursing through him, but he forced himself to remain calm and calculating. He knew he couldn't afford to make any reckless moves against this powerful adversary.

"What do you want, Maximus?" Magnus asked, his grip tightening on the mana daggers.

"What do I want?" Max echoed, his lips curling into a sinister grin. "I want revenge, of course. And I want to torture you. I want to make you feel 10 times the pain that you put my brother through."

Magnus tensed, his mind racing. He knew he had to find a way to protect Ava and stop the Sovereign of Mirage before it was too late.

"If it's a fight you want, then so be it," Magnus said, his voice steady and resolute. "But I won't let you harm my sister."

With a flick of his wrists, Magnus sent the mana daggers flying towards Max, the portals behind the Sovereign's back, firing a barrage of poison-tipped arrows in quick succession.

Max's eyes widened, and he raised his hands, conjuring a shimmering barrier that deflected the attacks. The Sovereign then disappeared from view, his form shimmering and fading into the air.

"Where are you, coward?" Magnus growled, as he enhanced his eyes and started scanning the room.

Suddenly, Magnus felt a presence behind him and whirled around, only to find the Sovereign standing there, a twisted grin on his face.

"You're not the only one with tricks up their sleeve, Magnus," Max said, his voice dripping with malice.

Before Magnus could react, the Sovereign raised his hand, and a wave of shimmering energy surged toward him and Ava, engulfing them in a blinding mirage.

Magnus gritted his teeth as the mirage wave washed over him and Ava. The world around them seemed to shimmer and distort, making it impossible to discern what was real and what was illusion.

Ava gasped and clung to Magnus, her eyes wide with terror. "Brother, what's happening?"

"Stay close to me, Ava," Magnus said, his voice calm and steady despite the chaos swirling around them. He knew that the Sovereign of Mirage was capable of creating incredibly realistic illusions, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down for a single moment.

Magnus scanned the room, his mana-enhanced eyes searching for any sign of the Sovereign's true form. But all he saw were distorted images and shimmering shapes that seemed to shift and change with every passing moment.

Dammit, why can't my enhanced eyes see through his illusions? Magnus thought to himself.

Suddenly, Magnus caught a glimpse of a figure moving in the shadows. He tensed, ready to unleash a barrage of attacks, when a voice echoed in his mind.

"Looking for me, Magnus?" The Sovereign's voice whispered, its tone dripping with malice.

Magnus whirled around, his mana daggers at the ready, but there was no one there. The mirage was playing tricks on his senses, and he knew he had to be careful.

"Show yourself, Maximus," Magnus growled, his grip tightening on the daggers.

A low chuckle echoed through the room, and Magnus felt a chill run down his spine.

"Oh, I'm right here, Magnus," the Sovereign's voice said, seemingly coming from all directions at once. "But can you trust your eyes?"

Magnus opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, a blinding pain seared through his left shoulder. He cried out and stumbled, blood pouring from the wound.

"Magnus!" Ava screamed, her face pale with fear.

Magnus whirled around, his mana-infused eyes scanning the room, but there was still no sign of the Sovereign. He realized that the mirage was not just playing tricks on his eyes, but on his other senses as well.

"Ava, stay behind me," Magnus said, his voice strained. "I need you to focus and tell me if you see anything out of the ordinary."

Ava nodded, her eyes wide with terror, but she forced herself to stay calm and focused.

Magnus took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He knew that the Sovereign was toying with them, and he couldn't afford to let his emotions get the better of him.

As he stood there, every muscle in his body tense and ready to react, he felt a sudden shift in the air. He whirled around, his mana daggers at the ready, but once again, there was nothing there.

"Ava, do you see anything?" Magnus asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ava shook her head, her face etched with worry. "No, I don't see anything, Magnus. But I can feel mana in the air, like... like a presence."

Magnus nodded, his mind racing. He knew that the Sovereign was out there, somewhere, and he had to find a way to stop him before he hurt Ava or anyone else.

Suddenly, an idea struck him. He closed his eyes, focusing all of his mana on enhancing his senses. He could feel the air around him, the vibrations of the room, the subtle shifts in the energy that surrounded them.

And then, he sensed it – a faint distortion in the air, like a ripple in a pond. Magnus opened his eyes, his mana-infused gaze fixed on the spot where he had sensed the disturbance.

"I've got you now, Maximus," he said, his voice low and deadly.

With a flick of his wrists, Magnus sent a barrage of mana arrows hurtling towards the distortion, the green energy bolts streaking through the air with deadly precision.

The Sovereign's illusion shattered, and Magnus caught a glimpse of the thin, blonde-haired man leaving the bedroom while holding his bleeding stomach before he disappeared again. But Magnus wasn't about to let him escape.

"Ava, stay here," he said, his eyes narrowing. "I'm going to end this, once and for all."

Magnus stepped outside of the bedroom, following the bloodstain on the floor.

As Magnus tracked the Sovereign of Mirage through the apartment, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. This was his chance to put an end to the threat once and for all, to protect his sister and his home.

The trail of blood led Magnus to the front door, and he paused, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. With a resolute grip on his mana daggers, he pushed the door open and stepped into the dimly lit hallway beyond.

His eyes scanned the area, searching for any sign of movement or disturbance. Suddenly, a shimmer in the air caught his attention, and Magnus reacted instantly, summoning a portal to reflect the attack he knew was coming.

A deadly overhead swing of the sword materialized from the shimmering air, only to be consumed by Magnus' portal, which was connected to a portal located behind him. Magnus felt the impact of his slash and screamed out in pain, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Impressive, Magnus," Maximus' voice echoed from the shadows. "But you can't use trickery forever."

As Maximus spoke, he conjured illusions of himself, filling the hallway with duplicates of the Sovereign of Mirage.

Magnus narrowed his eyes, his grip tightening on the mana daggers as he surveyed the array of illusory figures surrounding him. He knew that Maximus was a master of deception, and he couldn't afford to be fooled again.

"Come out and face me, Maximus," Magnus demanded, his voice resolute. "I won't be fooled by your tricks."

A chorus of sinister laughter echoed through the hallway, the Sovereign's voice seemingly coming from everywhere at once.

"Oh, Magnus, you're so determined to end this," Maximus taunted. "But more importantly, can you even discern real and fake?"

As the Sovereign spoke, the illusory figures began to move, circling Magnus with predatory grace. The mage tensed, his eyes darting from one duplicate to the next, searching for any subtle differences that might betray the true Maximus.

Suddenly, all of the clones jumped at Magnus, their swords raised to strike. Magnus reacted instantly, summoning portals and firing a barrage of mana arrows, but the illusions continued to press their attack.

The mage felt the sting of the blades as they sliced through his flesh, and he cried out in pain. His calm composure began to crumble, and he could feel the fear and uncertainty taking hold.

"Finally giving up, Maggy?" Maximus taunted, his voice dripping with malice.

Magnus gritted his teeth, the agony from his wounds burning through him. He knew that he couldn't let the Sovereign's taunts shake his focus. This was a battle for his and Ava's very survival.

As Magnus struggled to speak, blood spilled from his lips, making it difficult to form words. Maximus seized the opportunity, raising his hand and uttering the words "Secret style: Mirage Recursion."

Suddenly, the very fabric of reality began to distort around Magnus, the hallway shimmering and shifting as if he were trapped in a kaleidoscope.

"What is this?" Magnus rasped, his mana-enhanced senses overwhelmed by the cascading layers of illusion.

Maximus let out a sinister chuckle. "This, my dear Magnus, is the true power of the Sovereign of Mirage. Welcome to my Phantasmal Dominion, where reality bends to my will."

Magnus tried to push himself to his feet, but his battered body betrayed him. The illusory figures of Maximus continued to swirl and multiply, creating a dizzying array of duplicates that surrounded him.

"I can't..." Magnus muttered, his grip on the mana daggers wavering. "I can't even tell which one is real..."

"Exactly," Maximus purred, his voice echoing from everywhere and nowhere at once. "In this realm, nothing is as it seems. I control every facet of your perception, from sight to sound to touch. You are helpless, Magnus, lost in a maze of my creation."

Magnus felt a cold chill run down his spine as the true gravity of his situation sank in. Maximus had trapped him in a world of pure illusion, a place where the Sovereign's power was absolute. He could feel his mana reserves being drained with every passing moment, as the complex layers of the mirage demanded an ever-increasing toll.

"Ava..." Magnus whispered, his heart sinking as he thought of his sister, alone and vulnerable back in the apartment. He couldn't fail her, not after coming this far. With a surge of determination, he focused his remaining mana, channeling it into his senses.

Closing his eyes, Magnus shut out the disorienting visuals that surrounded him, instead reaching out with his other perceptions. He could feel the subtle shifts in the air, the faint traces of mana that lingered in the environment.

And then, he realized something. The Ava he had seen earlier was not real – it was another illusion created by Maximus. Magnus opened his eyes, his mana-infused gaze fixed on the figure before him.

"Shut up," he said, raising his dagger and firing it straight at the false Ava. "I know you're not Ava."

The illusion shattered, revealing Maximus standing there, holding his wounded stomach. The Sovereign let out a maniacal laugh, impressed by Magnus' deduction.

"HAHAHAHAHA YOU FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT, HAVEN'T YOU!?" Maximus exclaimed.

Magnus stood his ground, his eyes narrowed as he faced the Sovereign of Mirage. "Now tell me, how did you find out?" Maximus asked, his wound already starting to heal.

"When I asked Ava if she could sense anything, she said she could feel mana. She hasn't ascended, she can't feel mana," Magnus replied, his voice steady.

Maximus let out a low chuckle. "Ah, I should have researched more then. Just so you know, Magnus, those illusions that you fought in the hall? That was not me. You got injured by those lowly clones. Do you still think you can defeat me?"

Magnus remained silent, his gaze fixed on the Sovereign of Mirage. He knew that he was severely drained of mana, and the thought of facing Maximus in his full power filled him with dread.

Before Magnus could even blink, Maximus suddenly appeared at his left side, his fist slamming into the side of Magnus' head with devastating force. The impact sent Magnus reeling, stars dancing in his vision as he struggled to regain his composure.

"What's wrong, Magnus?" Maximus taunted, his voice dripping with malice. "Out of mana, are we?"

Magnus tried to push himself up, but his body refused to obey his commands. The pain from his wounds was overwhelming, and he could feel the throbbing in his head.

"Y-you..." Magnus rasped, his voice weak and strained. "You won't... get away with this."

Maximus let out a bone-chilling laugh, his piercing blue eyes glinting with triumph. "Oh, but I already have, my dear Magnus. I've broken you, stripped you of your precious mana. Now, you're nothing but a pathetic shell, powerless to stop me."

The Sovereign of Mirage loomed over Magnus, his shadow enveloping the fallen mage. Magnus tried to summon a last-ditch effort, to call upon the remnants of his mana, but it was no use. He was spent, his reserves depleted, and he knew it.

"Ava..." Magnus whispered, his heart sinking as he thought of his sister, alone and defenseless back in the apartment.

Maximus seemed to read the anguish in Magnus' eyes, and a cruel smile spread across his face. "Ah, yes, the lovely Ava. Don't worry, Magnus, I'll be sure to visit her... after I've finished with you."

Magnus closed his eyes, bracing himself for the final blow. But the strike never came. Instead, he heard a familiar voice, laced with fury.

"Get away from my brother, you monster!"

Magnus' eyes snapped open, and he saw Ava standing there, her hands glowing with a brilliant purple aura. Her expression was one of pure determination, and Magnus couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and relief.

The purple aura around Ava's hands quickly spread throughout her body, and a wave of mana exploded from her, pushing Magnus back with its sheer force.

Maximus, however, simply flicked his hand, and the wave of purple mana dissipated into nothing.

"Interesting... you managed to ascend while being tied by my ropes?" Maximus said, his eyes gleaming with a twisted fascination.

Before Ava could react, Maximus rushed towards her, grabbing her by the chin. "Let me go!" Ava cried out, struggling against his grip.

Just then, a loud sound of shattering glass interrupted the confrontation. Magnus looked towards the source of the noise and saw two figures emerging through the broken window – a woman with long, dark hair, and a familiar face.

"Sarah?" Magnus exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise.

The dark-haired woman stepped forward, her expression calm and resolute. "Thank god you're okay, Magnus," she said, relief evident in her voice.

As the woman approached Maximus, Magnus noticed the powerful aura that surrounded her. "Max, put her down," the woman said, her voice laced with authority.

Maximus turned his gaze towards the newcomer, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Ooohh, long time no see, Alice. What are you doing here?"

"I have had my eyes on their family for a while. Do not touch them," Alice replied, her eyes narrowing.

Magnus watched the exchange, his mind racing with questions. Who was this Alice, and what was her connection to the Sovereign of Mirage and his family?

Maximus let out a low chuckle, his grip on Ava tightening. "Don't interfere, Alice," he growled. "Even if you are the 3rd strongest Sovereign, you are still young. You don't have the experience to face me."

Magnus turned to Sarah, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Sovereign? Who is she?"

Sarah placed a reassuring hand on Magnus' shoulder. "Alice is the Sovereign of Spirits, Magnus. She's my master."

Magnus' eyes widened as he processed this new information. The Sovereign of Spirits – a being of immense power and influence in the spiritual realm. He couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and hope at the thought of having such a formidable ally in this battle.

Alice met Maximus' gaze, her expression unwavering. "You may be more experienced, Maximus, but that doesn't mean you're stronger." She raised her hand, and the spirits beside her tensed, ready to strike.

On her right was a magnificent Blue Phoenix, its feathers shimmering with an otherworldly glow. And on her left, two-headed snakes hissed, their forked tongues flickering in the air.

"Sigh, it's sad that this room is so small that I can't summon Drago," Alice said, her voice tinged with regret.

Maximus let out a low chuckle, his piercing blue eyes glinting with amusement. "We'll see about that, my dear Alice. You may have the backing of the Sovereigns, but I have the experience and power of the Sovereign of Mirage."

The air around them began to shimmer and distort, and Magnus felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that Maximus was about to unleash the full extent of his illusory powers, and he braced himself for the onslaught.

But then, something unexpected happened. The shimmering air suddenly dissipated, and Maximus was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the four men in black who had accompanied Alice appeared, swiftly apprehending the Sovereign of Mirage.

"At your command, Miss Alice," the men said in unison, as they dragged the struggling Maximus away.

"You will pay for this, Alice!" Maximus shouted, his voice laced with fury. He turned his gaze towards Magnus, his eyes burning with hatred. "Don't think we're finished. I will get my revenge for my brother."

Magnus was too stunned to respond. He watched as Maximus was taken away, his mind reeling from the events that had just unfolded. How did Alice and Sarah know about the Sovereign of Mirage, and what did they mean when they said they had been watching his family?

Before Magnus could even ask questions, the world around him suddenly started to spin. A wave of dizziness and fatigue washed over him, and he felt his body begin to sway.