Not moving an inch as it grazed past their head, they analyzed him coldly.
The bullet grazing the hood of their cloak. It had fallen away to reveal the most hauntingly beautiful woman Allen had ever laid eyes upon. Her skin and hair as white as a ghost’s, the blood on her cheek was the only visible blemish. In stark contrast to her pale complexion, its bright red pigment seemed even more offensive.
However, her striking appearance was not enough to offset her mocking smile and the viciousness hidden behind the fine features of her face. Surprised at first, Allen still perceived the woman to be a monster. Hands steadying on the pistol, he yelled towards his nemesis across the square, “That was a warning shot, next time I won’t miss!”
The barrel of the gun pointing directly at the woman, he was bewildered when she was no longer in front of him. The hair on the back of his neck suddenly standing on end. Allen shivered, as a sweet voice whispered into his ear, “Silver, huh?” Now behind him, she peered quizzically over his shoulder. Dissolving into the air, she had closed the deliberate distance between them in the blink of an eye. The warmth of her breath tickling the hairs on the back of his neck, Allen spun around. “How-” Only able to utter a half question, all that remain behind him was the fleeting dark particles as he spoke. Disappearing again into thin air, Allen warily surveyed the area.
Playfully materializing in another corner of the square out of his reach, he was alarmed at her ability to cross a distance of 30 meters in nearly an instantly. Her tricks, causing Allen to question his sanity momentarily, he wondered a brief second whether she might actually be ghost. However, catching sight of a magic circle fade beneath her as she landed, he knew this was not the case. Much worse than a phantom risen from the grave to haunt him, she was a witch.
Delighting in his confusion, she giggled. The sound tinkling like falling glass in the rain, it made his skin crawl.
“Good shot,” she remarked still chuckling, “but you shouldn’t waste them on me.” The knowingness in her voice making him suspicious, Allen had little time to consider her words. Before a deep growl resounded from a nearby alley.
Barely managing to dodge a pair of massive claws as they swooped past, Allen slide on the wet cobblestones. Avoiding its attack, he regained his footing just in time to regard the werewolf as it entered the square.
Standing as tall as two fully grown men, the creature reeked of the overpowering stench of blood and rotten meat. Drool dripping from its long, yellow fangs, it sniffed the air hungrily.
Possessing a crazed look as its eyes, the werewolf looked like a rabid dog. Unable to focus on its surrounding it circled around the open in agitation.
Swinging wildly, the animal launched a frenzied attack at the place where the Witch had last stood. Cursing once he realized he had lost sight of her; Allen too regarded the area perturbed. Thinking that she must have taken this opportunity to escape, his resentment for her deepened. A feeling, which did not disperse, even when she appeared again in the street opposite.
“There you are.” The Witch said sweetly. The sound of her honeyed voice sending the animal into crazed fit of pained howls, he charged toward her. Fast for its size and deranged nature, the werewolf erased the space between them in a matter of seconds. Exerting little energy to avoid him, the Witch reappeared elsewhere.
Repeating the same actions of chase and evasion for some time, her wicked smile finally faltered. “Were you not satisfied playing with the old man?” she hissed, skidding to a stop on the slick paving stones as she landed.
This remark caused something within Allen, which had previously prevented him from acting, to snap. Although, he could not tell what rouse the Witch was playing by causing a scene here, he was determined to end it. Gritting his teeth, Allen pointed the barrel of his pistol at his target. The tremor in his hands no longer afflicting him, he waited for an opening to appear in their game of cat and mouse. Finger firmly placed on the trigger; Allen followed their rapid movements until chance presented itself and another shot rang out.
There was a tremor as the full weight of the beast hit the ground. The bullet piercing its heart mid lunge, it had fallen almost instantly. The slain beast clearly behind the Witch when Allen fired, he knew now that he had missed his target. On high alert he rapidly surveyed the square, until nn encircled pentagram glowed on the stones next to the subdued werewolf. The Witch’s form gradually taking shape. She appeared crouching beside it curiously. Allen’s rage withstanding, he quickly closed the gap between them. Leaving no more room for any of her tricks this time, he pressed the gun against the back of her head. Allen had never killed a person before. However, with his body shaking with anger and his vision blurred by the rain and his rage, he thought himself capable of murder in this moment. This realization only caused Allen to hate the Witch even more. “Witch, answer me.” He spat. “Did you kill Harold Pierce?” Feeling the cold barrel of Allen’s
Allen flung himself at the Witch. Landing with a splat as they hit the wet ground.“Say that again.” He snarled, pinning her beneath him. Her face calm, the Witch stared up at him impassively. Jaw clenched and breathing ragged, his face was distorted by the hatred, grief, and disgust that overwhelmed his otherwise naturally charming features. Flashing across his honest eyes, red from tears and sleepless nights, his emotions played like a kaleidoscope before the woman. Holding the young man’s gaze, the Witch observed the depths of his tortured soul. She knew the pain her words had inflicted yet could no longer remain silent about her involvement in Harold Pierce’s untimely demise.“I am responsible for Pierce’s death.” She announced, definitively. Allen’s grip on her arms growing more intense with her confession. The warm blood from her wound seeped between his fingers. Still he sustained his fervent hold on her. “Th
Chiri Krane gasped for air. Trembling on the cold dark marble floor. She was thrown by the shadow like a discarded rag doll at the feet of its master. This was the third occasion she had been dragged into the Abyss by a shadow. Still she thought there would never come a day when it was not insanely terrifying experience. Completely isolated from the outside world, the Abyss was commanded by the magic users of a single family. Darker than a night without stars or the deepest part of the ocean, every second felt suffocating. At times it was silent enough the hear the blood rushing through your veins buzzing in your ears. Then, other times it contained the petrifying screams of anguish from every living thing it had ever consumed, their tortured wails entrapped there for all eternity. “Crazy bastard.” Chiri wheezed. Lifting her head enough to glare intently at the black patent leather shoes of Cazer Krane. “I see this foul-mouthed wench decided to return to us.” He rema
Allen was stupefied. Certain he had just witnessed the Witch being eaten by a monster. He was unsure whether it was actually safe to proceed after following her all the way here. However, Allen soon found his resolve once more. Walking into the shadow of the wall himself, he was admitted relieved when it remained unchanged. Approaching the gate, the high stone walls of the Alliance seemed more intimidating without his guide. His concerns lessened though, as a flash of the card the Witch had given him easily permitted him entry. Waved past the check points stationed at each layer of the outer and inner walls of the fortress. Allen came to find himself standing within a grand hall in a relatively short time. Lined with tall arched windows that stretched to meet the top of its high ceilings, it was flooded with the dreamy pinkish hue of the setting sun. Mixed with the mysterious light of massive glowing crystals adrift in the air, they cast mesmerizing streams of color
Slamming the door behind him, Cazer Krane was seething with rage. The moment she appeared before him disheveled, battered, and dirty he began to rue the day he’s agreed to Chiri’s probation. Uncertain whether to be more furious at his misplaced faith in her or Chiri’s relentless propensity to dive headfirst into chaos at the first possible opportunity. Cazer’s muscles tensed as he fought to regain control over his next physical outburst of anger. The vein in his neck retaliating, it throbbed in agitation under his collar. Alone now in the Director’s private chamber, Chiri reached protectively for her arm. Knowing the injury would only serve to incur Cazer’s wrath further, she did not wish to reveal it to him. However, the defensive action immediately aroused his suspicions. His eyes narrowing on where Chiri seemed so eager to conceal, he backed her into the door. Roughly unfastened the cloak, he yanked the garment from her grasp swiftly. Unveiling the bandages covere
Chiri took her time. The long stick she held leaving a trail behind her as she walked. It had been years since she had taken in the air outside of the Alliance and was in no hurry to return. Distanced from its walls and stifling atmosphere, she experienced pure unfettered contentment in this moment of freedom. Windy and spotted with clouds, it was not a remarkable day. Nonetheless, she was determined to enjoy her limited independence, even if it was to play a game of whack-a-mole. Gradually, Chiri had earned enough of the organization’s confidence to allow for a few menial assignments. Provided, she met the 10pm curfew and was under the constant surveillance of Cazer’s shadows. Any perceived misconduct would result in immediate removal by said shadows. Pausing at the edge of the field Chiri admired her work. The circle encompassed the entire plot of land. Surrounded by ruins, it held a lattice pattern and smaller incircle with intertwined sigils. Dropping the stick,
Everything had fallen apart in Allen’s life since he had met the Witch. He wanted to blame and resent her for all of his misfortune, as she was the only person that remained physically present to account for his grandfather’s death. All of the inconclusive answers he had received until now and his own disturbed memories swirled within his mind, forming murky pools in his muddled thoughts.After the hellish howl had ceased within the prison, a deathly silence had fallen over the cell. Waiting a few apprehensive moments, the old mage finally emerged once more. Announcing, after some struggle, that the werewolf was dead. Obliterated by a precautionary condition of the hex the creature perished abruptly, any clues towards the caster’s identity dying along with it.After this report of the werewolf’s demise. They left the Alliance holdings, with Rika and Chief Guard Brunes accompanied the despondent Allen back to the upper levels. Listlessly he had w
Chiri yawned. Night patrol was not only a lengthy undertaking, it was tremendously dull. Serving time for her rogue actions, Chiri had walked the Alliance campus for weeks. Akin to a vengeful spirit she loitered its halls, lawns and perimeter throughout the darkest hours. During which time, the only highlights of note had been limited to a handful of tasks: including collecting snails from the grounds, moving equipment, and delivering notes to and from various persons.Leaning against the grey stone of the battlement, Chiri watched as the sun crept over the horizon. The rays of its ascent lit the trees far beyond the Ineset boundary. Their leaves taking on a warm glow, which hinted that the season’s eminent change was nearing. Rustled by a crisp breeze they swayed on the backdrop of a pink morning sky. Signaling that her duties were drawing to a close, she paused briefly to acknowledge the view.Completing a final lap of the perimeter wall, Chiri descended the ri