Faraway from the palace, in the land of Alcheria stood hundreds of anthills, the earthen structure humid yet pulsing with energy. The occasional outpour of cold mist gave the place an eerie vibe.
The thick green forest had it well hidden from plain sight, but some people could still sight it.
However they steered clear as soon as they saw it. Alcheria was a land of magic and things that would seem normal in other kingdoms could be something very deadly or associated with witchery.
It was common knowledge that anthills were the witches habitat. Indeed it was a gamble, as one could either stumble upon a completely regular anthill or one that haboured witches.
As time passed the rate of disappearing mortals increased, causing a wave of panic accross the whole kingdom.
To keep the people and it's kingdom safe the crime squad had recruited mages specifically to deal with sorcery involved crimes.
Every full moon, a severe and thorough inspection would take place within the kingdom. A dangerous situation that had to be done only during the time of the night, as it could put the mortals in danger once inspection begins.
Witches once found out become desperate and wild, using anything or anyone insight whichever way they can to escape from being killed off.
Every anthills would be searched and destroyed once traces of sorcery was involved. However destroying any anthills in sight wasn't an option —these anthills were like powerhouse for the land of magic. The one and only stations that feeds the rare and important plants in the kingdoms.
Plants powerful enough to be used as a weapon, to kill or to save a life. To draw power or to transfer power, one that could trap souls or release them. Alcheria was filled with all kinds of powerful plants—explored and unexplored. This alone was one of the many reasons the kingdom was the most feared out of all four kingdoms.
Infact these plants can't exist without natures help from the anthills so it was the kingdoms responsibility to protect these things. However it posed as a never ending problem whenever witches manage to carve their own space into these powerhouses, tainting and sucking it dry.
This has been a problem the kingdom has been facing for centuries, as they couldn't destroy the anthills their kingdom became a base for witches. With active mages on patrol they managed to surpress those vicious race overtime but there were witches more powerful than the others or better still who had mixed with mortals and had birthed a mixed breeds who could take the form of humans without suspicion.
One of these witches included seraphina. She wasn't just a witch, she was one that could blend in with mere mortals without suspicion. Of course as it had become an habit for witches to dwell in anthills she had made herself at home.
She wouldn't stay here for too long, infact she knew of the mages from the crime squad and had made sure she would complete her mission before the full moon.
That was the period were witches were at their weakest.
After every thing, after performing a spell that almost drowned out all of her powers. Creating a tracker, a shadow that hunts whatever it's creator speaks or names aloud. That spell took a toll on her but she was so sure it would successfully find what she wanted, but something or someone had captured and concealed it.
Rage like never before had consumed her, she knew how dangerous it was if her tracker was captured. It would only leave the master in endless pain and thirst for blood. That night, she had gone on a killing spree—taking the form of mortals and attacking any victim in sight.
Apart from the chain of deaths caused by her tracker, she had also managed to take multiple lives gnaring the attention of the local inspectors.
But the storm covering her tracks, was a huge disadvantage for the mages on the case.
This wasn't what she wanted but she had no choice else she would have become a dust of nutrients for the powerhouse.
The rain wasn't going to stop in a while and she couldn't create another tracker in a short while but the moment she felt a shift as though fresh air hit her. She immediately knew the tracker had been released.
Immediately she had gone after her target without thinking much, only to find out it was without it's stone.
' A pureblooded mystic without it's stone '
A bloodcurling scream pierced the forest, the anthill shook greatly but the clap of thunder drowned out the noise.
The red glowing orb before her suddenly exploded, the glass shards flying past her grazing her cheek sparingly.
She just stood frozen, as blood lazily rolled down the cut on her cheek. Her hands clenched tightly and shaking in fury.
' How dare they destroy all of her hard work ' she gritted, her small pupil holding a hint of red glow.
Someone had destroyed her tracker which resulted in the explosion of the orb, Putting an end to all of her plans.
With a pulsing rage, she flipped the earthen moss she had been using as a table. Rage almost consuming her whole rationality, her small fist curled tightly emitting a red glow with which she directed a wave in every direction.
She was destroying the anthill.... another wave of blow filled with rage and the anthill came crumbling down with the growls of thunder accompanying it.
The harsh rain hit her directly, with no shelter from the rain she was now caught in the storm, but it was the least of her worries..... She had sighted a prey she could vent on.
A devilish smile graced her blood red lips as she sprinted out of the large nest of anthills, Hot on a mortals tail.
The wind and harsh rain swept past her with force as she sped through the night, tearing open her mortal appearance and all that was left was now the true form of a witch.
Molten skin and sharp teeth, eyes fury red with wisp of smoke oozing out of her form.
She sped forward like a crazed, rouge witch driven by anger.
She was already gaining on her prey but as soon as she leapt, another figure tackled her and they both tumbled to the ground.
She leapt back on her feet immediately, swiping her clawlike nails against the figure, but he grabbed her wrist slamming her viscously against a tree.
A small whimper slipped out as she remained pinned in that position, hands locked behind her back with the figure behind her.
At first her initial thought was that She was doomed, but a familiar Aura accompanied with his distinctive scent hit her and she smiled.
Thunderclaps accompanied her wicked cackle that filled the air. This was because she knew who it was.
Ryles.
" You sure like it rough.... " She bit her lips sexily, her gaze seductive. Her mortal form slowly covering her up again and within a heartbeat—she was no longer a witch but a beautiful harmless lady pinned down.
Ryles only glared at her tightening his grip on her locked hands.
She was a dangerously sly one and releasing her was the same as courting trouble.
" Where is Raven? " His voice was dangerously low and serious. He definitely wasn't here to play but seraphina had other plans.
She had been raging before but the moment she saw him her mood improved. Her pupils dilating.
" I'll tell you.... " She purred, her voice soft and melancholic but her legs were slyly crawling towards a certain area...