My magic flows seamlessly as I envision my next spell. No matter how much of my power I draw on, there seems to be no limit. I am now three times stronger than I was an hour ago.
Working my craft on the dagger, I set it down on the kitchen counter, then get myself dressed. All in black. The dagger and my levitation balm are the only things I bring with me as I leave the house, walking over to the hotel.
La Casa di Neve the House of Show is one of the few Italian places in this city. On the outside, it looks like a building one might find in Vegas, full of color and flashing lights.
Ling is waiting for me here, wearing a thick jacket, standing in the middle of the road. The cars seem to be ignoring him, not a single one close to hitting him.
"What are you doing here, sir?"
"Just reminding you of the talk we had"
Consider me reminded," I snap, pushing past him.
Lightning strikes the water filling the room, convulsions taking over immediately. Burned patches of skin start spreading across the remnants of the crowd, the men unable to fall as the electricity keeps causing spasms.Once the spell ends, they are all dead, and a fire is starting to spread across the floor. Good. I've always wanted to play with fire.I land on the upper part of the ruined staircase and take my shoes off, tossing them away. Slowly, I stroll forward, a fiery footprint left behind with each step I take.The men of the second layer are prepared for a fight. It's plain as day these are the cold-hearted killers the ones who make the tough decisions. Each and every one of them is more dangerous than anyone who was dancing downstairs several minutes ago.The fire spreads from behind me, slowly tracing the edges of the balcony, to make sure no one thinks of jumping off I'm sure the fall wou
"You killed my brother. Say it." I shatter his elbows, but he still only screams, not letting a word out. I blind him, but still he says nothing."SAY ITI SAY WHAT YOU DID" He did it! I know it! He knows it! The whole fucking world knows it! Even the police knew! They said nothing could be done, but they knew! "SAY IT!"A wave of power surges out of me with my scream, the windows of many of the buildings around me shattering, the glass raining down on the ground. The whole city starts to shake, cracks spreading across the building below me.Giovanni's skull caves in, his blood covering me entirely. It gets in my eyes, in my nose, and in my mouth.I push it to the ground and start stabbing. Over and over again, I bring the dagger down on it."Say it! Say what you did! SAY IT!"I don't know how long it takes for me to get tired a minute, maybe ten, maybe an hou
Except there had to have been. Otherwise, Ling would've done it on his own, rather than influence me. It would've been easier for him, too. He didn't bother trying to hide his involvement, so he must have known he'd be caught. Why use a cat's paw then? Why not do it alone?The teachers must be limited in what they can and can't do. They might have had seals placed on them, similar to the one I used to have.Ling suddenly screams, the power of his voice sending ripples through the air, powerful enough to stop me in my tracks. The second sound he releases is more of a roer than a scream, two voices leaving his throat at the same time -one human and in pain, the other animalistic and angry.And something else feelings I've never felt before. Something takes a hold of me, mind, body and soul, and prevents me from moving. For a moment, I see a large snake tightening its coils around me, looking me in the eye as it flicks its
The outer barrier shatters, Damon quickly rushing to replace it. Before he can, a second bolt of lightning strikes the ground at his feet, rupturing it and sending him flying.Nen catches him before it's too late, a pair of black wings on his back as he sets the vice-dean down.A third bolt destroys the barrier of green light, allowing us to see Ling now has runes covering his entire body. They weren't drawn on it, either but carved. Drops of blood are slowly trailing out of the many, many wounds, not a single part of his body unmarred.His mouth starts opening, getting wider and wider, his lower jaw extending further than a person's ever should There's a loud crack as it shatters, the corners of his lips cut open as if by a blade, a wide grin carved onto his face.A single, small, elegant, pale hand reaches out of his throat. No one makes a sound, incapable of doing anything other than watching, the
In the morning, I wake up before the other two. Well, I get up. Couldn't really sleep a wink. Not after all that.Diana should be waking up right about now, heading to the library. I head out to meet her, not bothering with the school uniform.The girl is like clockwork. Emergency or not, she keeps on ticking the same way. She'll try to remain calm, and go about her day as always a picture of sophistication and grace. Anyone who bothers to look will be able to tell she's out of it.She clearly hasn't slept, the bags of her eyes proof enough. Hasn't bothered with her hair and make-up, and her skirt hasn't been ironed, which for her just might be a first.I sit at her table so that we're facing one another. Without a word, she closes her book, making eye contact."How much did the teachers tell you?""That the man from last night was the one who killed Erik the first time, too. Other than that, nothing."Bastards. Even when it's this serious, they're keeping secrets. I understand not wa
lan shoots her an angry glare, wrinkles covering his forehead from how hard he's scowling "Easy for you to say. Not everyone gets to be a prodigy. You'll probably be safe no matter what."The girl walks into the room, her footsteps soft and barely audible. "Excuses. You're plenty strong. We're both aware of that. You're choosing to run.""Fine" he finally snaps, raising his voice. "I'm choosing to run. Have fun dying. Don't expect me to moum you"It takes him a few seconds to put on a pair of pants, and then he's storming out of the room. Not the outcome I was hoping for, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't expecting it.Diana has no time for my personal life, however, her brother being her only focus at the moment. "Can we do it without him?"Maya and Erik are out of the picture, lan is not doing it, and Rosa is cross with me. Who else can I ask? Can the four of us do it on our
Nobody answers, because nobody does. Diana was probably searching for clues in the library, but clearly found nothing. If a creature powerful enough to possess a teacher exists, I doubt the school has made it easy to obtain information about it"Seriously? None of you?"Wait, what? He's surprised?Does that mean he actually knows something?Sighing, Antoine adjusts his sitting position, making himself more comfortable. "The teachers mentioned The Pull That's the first stage of being contacted by that thing. His name is Choronzon, one of the creatures residing in the tree of Qliphoth."Qliphoth? That's related to the studies of Aleister Crowley, a famous occultist. I should've guessed some of that stuff was real or rather, that it created symbolism for real magic."What does he want?" Maria asks. "And what is he? A demon? A ghost?"Demons live in Gehena, while ghosts live in our world. Not surprised she doesn't know that."Beings from Qliphoth and Sefira are their own thing, as far as
ANASTASIAWe all feel it the moment it happens. The Silent One is here! He has joined our world once again!Oh, but it isn't permanent. His power is quite limited great, but limited. It will take some time for him to be his true self again.His voice, soft as a nightingale's, whispers in our ears in our hearts speaking of nothing but the truth. The glory of his presence makes me fall to my knees, an unworthy insect before his great might."Oh, Silent One! We have been patient! I have been patient! I knew you would be with us again! They all called me mad but I knewAnd you have never wavered?"Never, sir!" I cry out. "I would never! I am a true believer! I knew you would come! I knew!"Then why were you not there? Why were you not there to defend my host?I throw myself at the ground, hanging my fists against it. "I am sorry, my Lord! I could not get there in timel I didn't have the means if only I could, I would have! I would lay down my life for you!"Then do so.I pull my dagger ou