The flickering light of a big screen television cast long shadows across the faces of the teenagers gathered in the camp. They were huddled around the screen, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief, watching the news reports of the carnage in Manhattan. Everyone was devastated, they just saw that female hybrid kill Elara. Most of them idolized her. A chilling silence hung in the air, punctuated only by the occasional gasp or muttered curse.
Among them stood their teacher, a woman named ANYA, her face etched with concern. She had been teaching them the ways of magic, preparing them for a world where the lines between good and evil were blurred, where the threat of Nightshade loomed ever larger. Now, as they watched the unfolding chaos, she knew their world had irrevocably changed. The other teachers were also present, including Leonard.
"They're out of control," Miss Anya said, her voice a low tremor. "Nightshade is no longer playing games. They're unleashing their full power, and we're only just starting to see the true extent of their ambition."
"These monsters," Alex said, clutching his fists.
Miss Melisa, who was standing beside him, reached out to him, her hand resting on the boy's shoulder. "We need to stay strong," she said, her voice firm. "We're not powerless. We have magic, we have courage, and we have each other. We will fight back."
In the back of the group, Jacob stood apart, his face set in a grim determination. He had been training to be a sorcerer, but he had a different kind of magic, a raw power that he had honed in the shadows, a power that he had used before, a power that he was ready to use again...the might of Sinister Jacob. His inner demon. Even though he was terrified of it, he knew there was no other choice. Elara, the strongest Binder capable enough of sealing the hybrid just died.
Jacob had witnessed firsthand the horrors that Nightshade could unleash. He had faced the hybrid creature, the genetic monstrosities that Nightshade had created by forcibly blending high category Oscuros with human hosts, and he knew the danger they posed. He…well the other him, had killed one before, with his own hands, and he was prepared to do it again. He was prepared to call out his negative self.
Jacob took a deep breath, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and adrenaline. He slipped away from the group, his movements silent and unseen. He knew he couldn't stay here, in this camp, while the sorcerers fought for the sake of the city. He had to act. He moved with practiced ease, blending into the shadows, his footsteps silent on the dusty ground. The camp walls loomed ahead, a barrier between him and the world he was determined to protect, beyond the wall he will find himself in a dark alley.
The moon hung low in the sky, casting long, skeletal shadows across the camp. Jacob, his heart hammering against his ribs, crept along the perimeter, searching for the hidden passage that led out of the camp. He'd memorized its location during countless late-night explorations, a forbidden knowledge he'd tucked away in the deepest recesses of his mind.
Just as he reached the spot, a voice, soft yet firm, cut through the night.
"Jacob? What are you doing out here?"
He froze, his breath catching in his throat. Susan stood bathed in the pale moonlight, her face etched with concern. He knew he couldn't lie to her, it was obvious.
"I'm going," he said.
"To Manhattan?"
"Yes."
"Are you insane?"
"I need to be there," he said. "I can help them."
"You'll be getting in the way."
"No I won't, I killed one before…I'll do it again."
"Even if you were to get out of here through that secret tunnel, it would take you possibly an hour to get there."
"I've a solution for that," came a voice from behind.
Susan and Jacob turned their heads to the direction of the voice, it was Alex. His eyes reflecting his resolve.
"I'll help you Jake," he said.
Susan looked at both of them and sighed, "I'm coming too."
"No you're not," Jacob said.
"You're not gonna stop me purple hair," she said heading towards the secret exit.
Jacob rolled his eyes and followed her through the tunnel, great full and at the same time worried about their friendship.
"So how are we going to Manhattan?" Susan asked.
Alex chuckled for a moment.
"What?" Jacob asked.
"No nothing," he said. "Is any one of you afraid of heights?"
"No," Jacob said. "I can fly over short distances, you know."
Susan remained silent and pushed through some vines, the road continued to ascend and they found themselves in a back alley of a museum.
Seconds later a car which Jacob was sure had wings and jet thrusters parked infront of them. A man with a funny hair stepped out and bowed to Alex.
Jacob and Susan looked at him with mixed confusion. "Who is this guy?" they wondered.
Alex turned to them and smirked.
"Come on guys," he said. "Let's fly."