The forest floor, a tapestry of decaying leaves and gnarled roots, crunched under their feet as the trio moved deeper into the dark woods. The oppressive silence of the forest, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the hooting of an unseen owl, amplified the sense of unease. They were unarmed, their only weapons their own magical abilities.
They found a small clearing, a sliver of light piercing through the thick canopy above. The ground was soft, the air still, a welcome reprieve from the oppressive atmosphere of the forest. They settled there.
"Alright we need a plan," Jacob said.
"We're stuck here," Alex said, his voice flat.
"We're not stuck," Susan corrected, her voice firm. "We're just… temporarily inconvenienced." She looked around, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "We need food and water."
"No weapons, no supplies," Alex stated. "Only our magic."
"And our wits," Susan added, her gaze meeting Alex's. "I know we're being punished, but think of it as a form of training. We can do this."
Jacob snorted. "Easy for you to say. You can conjure a feast out of thin air."
"I can try," Susan said, her eyes twinkling. "But I'd prefer not to. Magic is taxing, and we need to conserve our energy."
"We can forage," Alex suggested. "There are edible plants in this forest, and we can catch small game."
"Something tells me you know more about this place," said Jacob, his eyes scanning the shadows that stretched from trees.
"My mother was here once," he said. "She and a few friends used to train here."
"That's good," Susan said. "At least one of us knows a way around here."
Alex shrugged. "I can identify which plants are edible no need to worry."
"Let's set up camp here," Susan said.
"Yeah you guys do that" Jacob said. "I'll watch our backs."
"Cool," Alex said.
So they set to work, Susan summoning sheets and rods, Alex commanding his shadows to build a tent. Meanwhile Jacob, his silvery eyes gleaming with a cold, calculating light, muttered incantations under his breath, conjuring a shimmering barrier around the clearing. A trick he learned from Miss Melissa, a basic barrier set up. They worked in a comfortable silence, their individual strengths complementing each other, their shared purpose bringing them together. The forest was their training ground, a crucible for their skills, a test of their courage.
"Done," Alex said.
Susan wiped the sweat of her forehead. "I'm tired."
"I'll keep watch.," Jacob said as he finished his incantation. "You two get some rest."
"Thank you," Alex said. As he slumped in his tent. "Just do us a favor, if you see a squirrel, don't attack it."
Jacob smiled. "Oh don't worry," he said. "I'll save the squirrels for breakfast."
Alex chuckled. "Yeah you do just that."
Jacob, his eyes fixed on the shimmering barrier, remained silent. His focus was on the invisible threats that lurked in the shadows, the creatures of darkness that might try to breach their defenses.
He had been traversing the forest for hours, his path a twisted labyrinth of shadows and whispers. He had already dispatched five Oscuros, grotesque, shadowy creatures that lurked in the forest's depths. He had also encountered a four-horned beast, a hulking monster with razor-sharp claws and a primal ferocity. He had dispatched it with a single, precise blast of energy, his movements as fluid and deadly as a viper's strike.
But the forest was vast, a labyrinth of shadows and secrets, and he was lost. His map, a meticulously drawn blueprint of the camp's defenses, was of little use once he entered the forest. He had relied on his instincts, his honed senses, but the forest was a maze of deception, its secrets cloaked in darkness.
"Damn it," Gregory said to himself. "Guess the assignment won't be over in a day."
He climbed, his movements as agile and sure as a mountain climber, up the tallest tree in the clearing. The branches creaked and groaned under his weight, the air growing thin and cold. From his perch, he could see the forest stretching out before him, a vast sea of darkness. As he surveyed the forest, a grotesque monkey, its fur matted and its eyes burning with malevolent light, leaped onto his branch. Its claws, razor-sharp and deadly, swiped at his face. He moved with a practiced ease, his knife flashing out to meet the attack. He slashed at the monkey's throat, it let out a screech of agony before falling into the darkness below.
His plan, meticulously crafted, had fallen apart. He had underestimated the forest, the challenges it presented, the dangers that lurked in its shadows. He needed to adapt, to rethink his strategy. He decided to start looking near the entrance of the forest. He knew the kids wouldn't be dumb enough to venture deep into the dark woods, they'd probably wait till they hit the third day. He smiled, a predatory grin that hinted at the ruthlessness within. He may have been lost, but he was not defeated. He had a new plan, a new strategy.
But for now, he'd rest. He needed all his energy for the assassination. Jacob maybe just a boy, but he killed that female hybrid as easily as a child beating a baby pigeon into a bloody pulp. And if things go sideways, he wanted to make sure if he has enough strength to get the job done or to flee from the area, and go back out the way he came from quickly. Time was ticking, he needed to act fast.
The air hung heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, the only light filtering through the thick canopy of ancient trees was the pale glow of the moon, casting an eerie luminescence on the forest floor. Alex, his dark eyes accustomed to the perpetual twilight, scanned the undergrowth with a practiced ease.
"There," he said, his voice a low murmur. "Wild berries. They're edible, but be careful. The stems are poisonous."
Susan, her hands moving with the practiced grace of a seasoned gardener, plucked a handful of the berries, their sweet fragrance filling the air, a stark contrast to the musky smell of the forest. She inspected them carefully, her eyes alert for any sign of rot or discoloration. To her satisfaction, they were fresh.
"Guess you weren't bluffing when you said you knew this forest," Susan said.
"My mom made sure I would picture everything she told me," replied Alex. "She even had a book that contained information about types of plants and mystical creatures."
"Really?" Susan asked, her gaze fixed on the berries she was picking.
"Yeah."
"That's cool...can I borrow it?"
"Assuming we get out of this alive, sure."
"Three days," Jacob said, his voice turning serious. "That's how long we have."
"Three days," Susan repeated, her brows furrowed. "I wonder if they'll send in their best sorcerers."
"Never mind that," Alex said. "How will we even know if three days have passed? It's always night here."
"Good point," Jacob said. "Did your mother ever told you how to track the time?"
"Nope, watches never worked here."
"Well that's bad," Susan said, as she finished picking the berries.
The trio emerged from the thick undergrowth, their steps cautious, their senses on high alert. The moon, a pale disc in the sky, cast long, eerie shadows across the clearing, illuminating their campsite, a small oasis of light and warmth at the edge of the dark forest.
"I'm kinda surprised we haven't been attacked yet," Alex said.
"Hey," Susan said. "Don't jinx it."
Alex help up his hands. "Sorry."
As they approached their campsite, a guttural roar echoed through the trees, a sound that sent shivers down their spines. The air, thick with the scent of decay, grew heavy with a palpable sense of dread.
"You jinxed it!" Susan said.
From the depths of the forest, a towering figure emerged, its shadow stretching long and menacing across the clearing. It was an Oscuro, a hulking beast of darkness, at least ten feet tall, its body a grotesque amalgamation of flesh and bone, its eyes burning with a malevolent red light.
Alex muttered a curse. "It's a type four."
"Run!" Jacob yelled, his voice ringing with urgency.
Susan, her eyes narrowed, stepped forward, casting a shield. A shimmering barrier of energy, a translucent shield of light, erupted before them, blocking the Oscuro's attack. The beast, its massive claws striking the barrier, roared in frustration. The shield, shimmering and pulsating, held for a moment, but the creature's strength was immense. The shield shattered, a wave of energy exploding outwards, sending the trio stumbling back.
Jacob, his face contorted with rage, unleashed a torrent of purple flames, a blast of pure energy that erupted from his fingertips. The flames engulfed the Oscuro, the beast howling in agony.
The flames, a beacon of light in the darkness, provided a momentary respite. Alex, his movements fluid and precise, guided Susan and Jacob deeper into the forest, their steps quick and determined. They ran, their lungs burning, their legs aching, their fear pushing them forward. The Oscuro, its roar echoing through the trees, was close behind. The flames, dying embers in the darkness, gave them a brief advantage, but they knew it wouldn't last.
As the forest closed in around them, their path a labyrinth of twisted trees and decaying leaves, the beast was gaining on them. They were trapped, their escape route blocked, their options dwindling. Soon after they'd stopped running, they heard a lot of growling as different beasts were alerted by their presence. They had faced the darkness, and the darkness had retaliated. The forest, their crucible, had become their prison.
The air was thick with the smell of ozone and fear. Jacob, panting, glanced back at the monstrous shadow closing in on them. "We need to do something!" he yelled, his voice hoarse.
Alex, his face pale, looked at his friends. "Cover me," he said, his voice low and urgent.
He lowered himself to the ground, his legs crossed, his eyes closed. He began to mutter under his breath, his voice barely audible above the pounding of their hearts. Jacob and Susan stood in front of Alex, knowing that he's about to do something big.
Susan, her eyes burning with a fierce intensity, raised her hands. "Coperta!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the trees. A shimmering barrier of energy erupted before them, a translucent shield of light, blocking the Oscuro's attack. The beast, its massive claws striking the shield, roared in frustration. The shield held, barely, its surface rippling with the force of the impact.
Jacob, seizing the opportunity, unleashed another torrent of purple flames, a blast of pure energy that erupted from his fingertips. The flames engulfed the Oscuro, the beast howling in agony. Susan, her movements fluid and precise, cast a spell, her hands weaving through the air. A multitude of magical knives, shimmering with an otherworldly light, materialized around her, their blades sharp and deadly.
With a flick of her wrist, she launched the knives, each one flying with a deadly precision, piercing the Oscuro's flesh.
Jacob caught sight of an Oscuro wriggling out of a shadow that stretched from a huge boulder that is further from where they were. The beast, its body riddled with the magical blades, roared in pain, its movements hampered, its rage turning to desperation.
Alex, his eyes still closed, continued to mutter his incantation.
"Sorcerers of old, hear my plea," Alex's voice echoed in his mind, his eyes closed in deep concentration. "I summon you from the realm of the dead to aid us in our time of need. Grant us your strength, your knowledge, and your vengeance."
A chill wind swept through the forest, carrying with it the faint echoes of spectral voices. The shadows seemed to deepen around them, as if the very trees were bowing in reverence to the ancient sorcerers. Suddenly, figures began to materialize around Alex, their forms translucent and ethereal. The dead sorcerers, their faces etched with pain and anger, gazed down at the trio with ghostly eyes.
Susan stood there and kept attacking the Oscuro while Jacob ignited the other one on fire, then came back for the bigger Oscuro.
"We hear your call, young one," one of the spirits spoke, his voice a hollow whisper. "We will lend you our aid, but in return, we seek vengeance upon the creatures that brought about our untimely demise."
Alex nodded solemnly, his heart heavy with the weight of their request. "We accept your terms," he replied, eager for their aid.
The dead sorcerers raised their spectral hands, summoning dark energies that crackled with power. The air hummed with magic as they prepared to unleash their wrath upon the creatures that had once ended their lives. Jacob took down the bigger Oscuro by incinerating its head, something he learned from his other self.
Within seconds the trio and the dead sorcerers were surrounded by Oscuros. As the shadows of the forest converged around them, the friends and the spirits fought as one, their combined forces a whirlwind of ancient power and vengeful fury. The creatures that had once haunted the forest now found themselves facing a force far greater than they could have imagined.
With each strike and incantation, the dead sorcerers exacted their revenge upon their tormentors, their spectral forms shimmering with ethereal light. The forest trembled with the intensity of their battle, the very ground beneath them quaking with raw magic. When the last of the creatures lay defeated at their feet, the dead sorcerers turned to Alex and his friends, their ghostly forms fading into the shadows.
"Thank you," one of them whispered, his voice filled with gratitude, he looked somewhat familiar. "Our debt is repaid. May you find peace in your own battles ahead."
As the spirits vanished into the darkness, leaving behind only a faint echo of their presence, the friends stood in silence, their hearts heavy with both sorrow and triumph. They looked at each other, breathing heavily, soaked in sweat.
"Come on," Alex said. "Let's get out of here."
"Back to our camp?" asked Susan, her hands on her knees.
"Yeah," said Alex, he wiped a sweat from his brow. Summoning the dead was a lot of work for him.
"Only this time," continued Alex. "We set up camp on the left side of the entrance."
"Good idea," Susan said.
"Come on follow me."
Being grateful for each other, they pressed on.
As Gregory crept through the darkened forest, his senses sharpened by years of experience, he could feel the tension in the air. The explosion from afar and the purple glow that followed only served to confirm his suspicions - Jacob was not an ordinary opponent. He killed two hybrids, making him the second enemy, after Thompson, on Nightshade's list. With silent footsteps, the hitman maneuvered through the dense underbrush, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.
As the hitman arrived, a section of the forest lay in ruins, with broken tree branches littering the ground and the scent of ozone hanging in the air. Dead beasts, some of them Oscuros, had turned into shadowy ashes.
"Oh crap," he said to himself as he saw the last part of the type four Oscuro reduced into black ash. "These kids."
He thought he heard of it before, but now he was sure of it. He was being followed, he didn't know by who though. If it was an Oscuro he would've felt its presence, if it was another creature it would've pounced on him hours earlier. What was it then? A forest spirit? A lost sorcerer? A vampire? He hoped it wasn't a vampire. The last time he saw one was twenty years ago. He remembered how beautiful she was, until he smashed her head into a bloody pulp with a metal rod when she tried to eat him.
He decided to ignore it and went back to his initial thoughts. After minutes of careful inspection, he spotted their footprints and made the decision to follow them. Eager to kill Jacob and the kids and get away with it as quickly as possible.
Alex collapsed as he led their way, Susan and Jacob rushed to his side. It was obvious that summoning the dead took a toll on him, his face was pale and his whole body was drenched in sweat.
"Just a little tired," Alex said.
"Don't worry Alex," Jacob said. "We'll rest here for a couple of hours."
Right then, flowers began growing and blossoming all around them, they watched in awe as the dark trees were covered in lush new flowers. TULIP, the forest spirit, appeared in a shimmering light, her presence calming and soothing.
"I can help him," she said, her tone so smooth.
Susan and Jacob found themselves standing on the side while Tulip knelt beside Alex and rested his head on her thigh, she pressed her hand on his forehead. A gentle glow of her hand and Alex felt his strength slowly coming back. He had the best time in his life. He smiled at her and she smiled back. Seconds later they were both on their feet. Alex stood by Jacob's side as he surveyed her. Tulip, the forest spirit, was a whisper of emerald and sunlight. Her hair, a cascade of moss-green tendrils, flowed down her back, each strand glinting with the luminescence of fireflies trapped in amber. Her eyes, like pools of melted jade, held the secrets of ancient trees and the wisdom of the rustling leaves. She was clothed in a shimmering gown woven from moonlight and spider silk, adorned with wildflowers that bloomed only in her presence.
She was like the source of moonlight that illuminated their path all this time, Alex fell in love.
"What is your name," Jacob asked.
"My name is Tulip," she replied. "I'm a forest spirit."
"She smells so good," Alex whispered.
Susan rolled her eyes as Tulip smiled.
"What's your business here?"
"Whoa, Jacob," Alex said. "Be nice."
"We're in a dark forest Alex," he said. "So far every moving thing here has tried to kill us."
"I came here to warn you," Tulip said.
The boys stopped arguing and looked at her.
"There's a man out there who's hunting you," she continued. "He's a dangerous man, and he'd stop at nothing."
The trio exchanged worried glances.
"How did you know?" Susan asked.
"I was following him," she said. "Tracking his every move."
"Why didn't you attack him?" Jacob asked.
"Or maybe seduce him," added Alex.
Susan shot Alex a "seriously" look. To which Alex responded with a shrug.
"I saw him engage with the beasts of the shadows," Tulip said. "He's a force not be reckoned with."
"Who sent him?" Jacob asked.
"I do not know," she replied.
"Nightshade," Alex said.
"Possibly," replied Susan, she turned to Tulip. "Thank you."
Tulip smiled, she pulled something out of her gown, a potion bottle made of wood.
"This is a healing potion," she said as she handed it to Susan. "It's effectiveness depends on the magnitude of an injury. But it won't fail you."
"Thank you," the trio said in unison.
"Good luck," Tulip said.
Before she left Alex cleared his throat, she turned and looked at him, smiling that smile of hers.
"If you um…" Alex struggled with his words. "Maybe we can hang out sometime."
Susan held a laughter while Jacob shook his head.
"I'm a forest spirit," she said. "My purpose is to guard nature and stay true to it."
Alex sagged. "Okay."
Tulip gave him a smile and nodded to the other two, then vanished.
Right after she vanished, Susan let out a huge howl of laughter.
"You do know forest spirits can't mingle with humans right?" Jacob asked, he couldn't help but smile.
"I know," grumped Alex. "Figured it was worth a shot."
"Come here you hopeless romantic," Susan said, still laughing. "Don't cry."
"Shut up," he said. "Come on Jacob, I have a bad feeling that the Oscuros and the hit man will track us while she's laughing."
Susan cleared the tears in her eyes only to see the boys heading off without her.
"Hey!" she shouted, running after them.
And the three teens were at it again, watching behind their backs if the hit man found them. Ready to fight and survive as long as it took.
Gregory was following the footprints left behind by the three teens. He was close, he knew it. Like a viper, his hand shot out and grabbed something by the neck and slammed it against a tree, his silenced pistol in one hand.
"Why are you following me," he rasped. "You…" his voice trailed off.
It was a forest spirit, she wore a grayish silver gown made of silk, she had deep grey eyes and a tiara made of thorns.
"Not here…to hurt you," said the forest spirit, THORN, as she struggled to breathe.
He believed her and his grip loosened, she fell on her knees gasping for air. He waited till she finished, his gun still in his hand. She stood up.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"You're looking for three children yes?"
"Yeah, what's that gotta do with you?"
"I want to help you."
"Oh yeah?" he said as he raised his pistol a bit higher. "Why should I believe you, you might be on their side. Or better yet, you might be working for White-clad."
Thorns laughed, it was a good laughter he had to admit. These forest spirits were something else.
"No," she said. "An enemy of mine is helping those children."
"So it's about getting to your enemy huh?"
"Yes, I help you, you'll kill them and I get to see my enemy sit and watch in despair as she couldn't do anything about it." Her lips curled into a cruel smile.
"I see," he chuckled as he holstered his gun.
"So we have a deal?" she asked.
"Deal," they shook hands.
Alex was leading them though the dark woods, they stopped every time they heard something. Jacob felt tiered, he looked at Susan and she too was tired. Alex's eyelids felt like lead. He doesn't remember the last time he slept, he wished it was beside Tulip. He smiled dreamily at the very thought. As they turned around a corner, they saw green mosses cover tree branches, followed by flowers that bloomed had thorns that glinted in the dappled moonlight, a stark contrast to their delicate petals.
Just as they were expecting Tulip to guide them further, a vine suddenly snaked out from the underbrush, jagged with thorns, and swiftly ensnared each of them, pinning them separately to the trees. Panic surged through Jacob, Sarah, and Alex as they struggled against the unyielding grip of the vines.
Seconds later, another forest spirit emerged from the shadows, her presence commanding and regal. She was adorned in a flowing grey silk gown that billowed around her like mist, and a tiara of thorns adorned her brow. Her eyes held a mixture of sorrow and determination as she approached the trio.
"I am Throns, guardian of the forest," she said.
"What did we do?" Susan asked, her eyes watery in response to the pain on her wrists.
"Nothing," she said. "You just received help from my arch nemesis."
"Tulip?" Alex said, struggling to get rid of the vines.
"Yes," she replied. "It was because of her that I got sent here to protect-" she made a quotation mark with her fingers. "-this disgusting forest."
"Then what does this got to do with any of us?" Jacob asked, his eyes watery.
"Anyone who receives help from her is my enemy as well," Thorns replied. "And so I'll hand you over to your demise."
Before the trio could respond, a figure emerged from the shadows behind Thorns. It was the hitman they had been warned about, his eyes cold and calculating as he raised his silenced pistol, ready to shoot.
"Gotta say spirit," he started. "You were true to your word."
"As promised," she said.
"Fifty meters east from here," he said, his eyes fixated on Jacob. "You'll find your spirit friend tangled up on some basic barrier sigils I inscribed."
Thorns opened her mouth wide, she never expected him to do anything nice. She bowed and vanished. Leaving the teens with their hunter.
"Jacob, Jacob, Jacob," he said, savoring the moment. "Gotta tell you kid…you sure can make a lot of enemies."
Jacob didn't respond, instead he kept struggling. Gregory chuckled, then he turned his gaze towards Susan and approached her, his gun steady. He smiled as he ran the tip of his silenced pistol along her waist, to her belly button, her breasts, slowly coming up till he reached her nose.
"You stay away from her!" Alex said.
"Oh?" he stood in front of Alex. "What are you? Her boyfriend?" He laughed.
Jacob kept tugging at the vines, its thorns digging deeper into his skin.
Gregory looked closely at Alex. "Come on baby," he said to Susan. "You could do better."
"He's not my boyfriend!" Susan said.
"Your mom could've done better," Alex said.
Gregory smiled then collided his knee into his gut, Alex struggled to breath. He gave him a few short kicks to the stomach. Meanwhile Jacob was trying harder.
"What's wrong…" continued Alex as he gasped for air. "…was I right?"
Gregory hit him in the head with the butt of the pistol and Alex hung there, unconscious. Susan wriggled, trying to jump at him. Gregory just looked at her while he chuckled. He was about to approach her when she casted a spell that sent him flying backwards until he hit a tree. He quickly rose, angry this time. He aimed at her head and was about to pull the trigger when a bright fire erupted beside Susan.
It was Jacob, he freed himself from the vines and was now standing between them. Gregory, held a silenced pistol in one hand, a gleaming knife in the other. His face was a mask of cold determination.
"I know you're strong," he sneered. "But playing with fire is not gonna save you kid." He aimed his gun at Jacob and fired three shots, narrowly missing Jacob's head.
Jacob, adrenaline coursing through him, dodged the attack and retaliated with a blast of his own. The purple flames erupted, engulfing the ground around Gregory. But the hitman, blurred to him and threw him back against the opposite tree. He could've stabbed him.
"I don't think finishing this fight quick will be fun," he gleamed. "Let's see what you're made off."
Meanwhile, the vines that bound Susan and Alex to separate trees began to writhe. Susan, her face etched with determination, whispered a spell, and a glint of silver materialized in her hand. A throwing knife, imbued with her magic, shimmered in the moonlight. She slashed through the vines with a practiced efficiency, freeing herself.
Alex hung limply from the tree, his eyes closed. She rushed over to him and started cutting off the vines.
Meanwhile Jacob and Gregory clashed, Jacob throwing fireballs and the hitman dodging while trying to shoot him. Seconds later Susan was at Jacob's side, she casted a spell that rippled the air surrounding Gregory, throwing him off his feet. He smashed through a tree branch and landed with a sickening thud.
He rose from the ground slowly, blood trickling from his lips, he licked them. Gregory, realizing the fight was taking longer than he anticipated, decided to end it swiftly. Orange energy bolts erupted from his fingertips, each blast aimed with deadly precision. The forest floor crackled and hissed as the beams struck the ground, leaving charred craters in their wake. Jacob, dancing and weaving through the attacks, felt the heat of the energy blasts licking at his skin.
Susan retaliated by casting a row of knives and hurtling it at Gregory. He evaded most of them, but one caught his thigh. He grimaced in pain as the knife faded into nothing, leaving his wound open. He rolled to one side and released a bigger blast, giving him time to bandage his thigh with a piece of clothing.
He had to find a way to end this. His eyes scanned the battlefield, searching for an opening, a weakness. His gaze landed on Alex, laying on the ground unconscious. He saw his chance. He launched himself forward, dodging another fireball and a bunch of knives, and headed for Alex.
"No," screamed Jacob as he prepared to shoot himself straight at the hitman.
Gregory seized his chance to hold Alex as hostage. But something was wrong. Alex, his eyes closed, was smiling. A hand erupted from the ground and caught Gregory by the wrist, yanking him down to the ground. Gregory grunted in frustration as he pointed his index finger at the rotting hand, freeing himself using his energy blast. But Alex wasn't done. He caught Gregory with a kick, sending both boots into Gregory's face.
Purple flames erupted as Jacob propelled himself at Gregory, he flew straight at him, head butting him. Gregory's head rocked back as Susan went in, she casted a spell and Gregory's left hand was set ablaze. He shrieked and thrashed, trying to distinguish the red flames, a futile effort. He then punched through a plant resembling a cactus, fluid leaked out of the hole of the cactus as it distinguished the flames.
Jacob came from above, his fists engulfed in flames. Gregory, alerted to the sudden movement, reacted instinctively. He fired his energy beam, but it was too late to change course. The blast tore through the air, aimed at Jacob's descending body.
But Jacob wasn't alone. Alex, had scrambled to his feet and instinctively thrown himself in front of his friend, taking the full force of the energy beam. He cried out in pain, a gaping wound opening up on his side, as he tumbled back to the ground, unconscious once more.
"No," Susan cried, as she rushed over to Alex. Casting a spell that shoved the hit man a few steps back.
She was getting tired and her magic was getting weaker. Good. He turned his gaze towards Jacob.
The sight of Alex's mangled form, the blood staining the sand a dark crimson, sent a wave of rage crashing over Jacob. His eyes, usually filled with youthful exuberance, turned a blazing purple, reflecting the flames that now burned hotter than ever. The darkness within him, the primal fury he had suppressed for so long, surged to the surface. The inner, Sinister Jacob was now in control.
No longer the playful, carefree boy, Jacob was consumed by a burning vengeance. He stood tall, his body radiating an almost palpable heat, his eyes glowing with an ominous purple light. The air around him crackled with energy, and the cacti swayed as if caught in a sudden gust of wind. His glowing eyes fixated on Gregory, is he really that powerful? He wanted to find out.
Without a word purple flames erupted as he blurred to him, threw him through a row of tree branches. He was on him again, holding the hitman above himself as he launched upwards. He smashed him through more tree branches, each one seriously damaging the hitman. There Gregory broke free, impaled his cheek with the knife he was holding by his damaged hand and wrenched it out. Sinister Jacob spat blood on to his eyes and threw him higher into the sky. The world spun as Gregory was sent high into the dark sky. He wiped the blood and looked down. Sinister Jacob flew like a bullet, arms down at his sides his body bellow the chest was on fire, he looked like a human rocket.
He curled his hands into fists and flew straight into him, catching him in the gut. Gregory took a peak at his cheek, it was healed, like the wound never happened. He reached to him, his knife seeking his face. Sinister Jacob allowed him to try. The tip of his knife burst his eye and Sinister Jacob shrieked. He twisted in midair and dropped Gregory. He realized he was still screaming. When the pain was too much, he numbed his pain before calmly pressing the remains of his eye back into its socket. So this is pain. What an interesting sensation. He blinked. The vision in his bad eye returned to normal. Then he realized he dropped the hitman towards his death.
Gregory opened his eyes as he was falling towards the dark forest, saw sinister Jacob coming for him. His shoulder slammed into his belly, arm encircled him, he was impressively strong. They hurtled downwards through the tree branches, their rate of descent decreasing. Eventually they reached the ground, that's when Sinister Jacob threw him across the ground, into the opposite tree. He landed with a thud.
"Damn those trees," he muttered.
His body was battered, his feet felt like lead. All of this spinning in midair, he wanted to vomit. Sinister Jacob was standing a few feet away. He was watching him. Observing his pain. Gregory slowly raised himself, grimacing. He looked at the teen standing before him.
"Guess they weren't kidding when they wanted you dead," he said. His voice sore. "You're strong."
Sinister Jacob smirked.
"I wonder," the hitman said. "Am I talking to Jacob?"
Sinister Jacob's smirk fell. "Are you not?"
"I don't know," he replied. "You look a lot different five minutes ago."
"What's wrong with my face?"
"Your eyes," he replied. "They weren't purple. I thought that was only your hair."
"Right," sinister Jacob replied. His eyes caught something, then he looked back at the hitman with a huge grin.
"What's so funny?" he asked. "Go ahead and finish me already…what are you looking at."
Gregory spun his head to the dark trees, where a group of shadowy figures emerged from the shadows, they were all around them. They were tall and gaunt, their skin ashen and their eyes glowing with an eerie inner light. The Oscuros, creatures of the night, embodiments of the darkest shadows, had arrived. His eyes darted back to sinister Jacob. He saw the cruelest smile he'd ever seen on a human.
"No…" he gasped. "Come on…kill me already!" he demanded.
But sinister Jacob was already preparing to leave, grinning. "Rest in pieces."
Gregory's eyes widened in fear. "No…no, no, no, no!"
He left Gregory to the mercy of the Oscuros, and flew into the night sky. The sound of Gregory screaming loud and clear in his ear.
Sinister Jacob landed behind a cluster of gnarled, ancient trees, a silent shadow against the moonlight. He had left the hitman to the Oscuros. His eyes, still glowing faintly purple, scanned the scene, searching for Susan and Alex. He saw them, lying amongst the sand, their forms illuminated by the soft glow of the moon. Alex lay slumped against a tree, a gaping wound on his side still oozing blood, despite the rough bandages Susan had managed to apply. Susan, her face etched with worry, was crouched beside him, her hands trembling as she tried to staunch the flow.
He watched as Susan, tears in her eyes, reached for a small vial hanging in her pocket. A healing potion, Tulip's gift. She uncorked it gave it to Alex. He drank deeply, the potion a sickly green in the moonlight. As the liquid coursed through his body, a ripple of energy pulsed through him, and the bleeding from his wound suddenly stopped. The skin around the wound, however, remained pale and lifeless, a stark reminder of the near-fatal injury he had sustained.
"You're weak", he addressed Jacob. The return of his normal consciousness, the fading of the dark power he had unleashed, brought with it a wave of exhaustion. Jacob felt a deep weariness wash over him, a physical and emotional fatigue that left him drained. He sank to the sand, his limbs heavy, his mind still reeling from the battle he had just fought. He looked at his friends, their faces pale and drawn in the moonlight, and a wave of guilt washed over him. He had nearly lost himself to the darkness, nearly become the very thing he was fighting against. He knew he needed to learn to control this power, to understand the darkness within him. He had survived, but the battle was far from over.
Susan caught sight of Jacob and called him. He came slowly and sat beside Alex.
"Don't worry," Susan said. "He'll be alright. The potion stopped the bleeding."
Alex slowly opened his eyes. "Hey man," he said.
Jacob was in tears. "I'm sorry."
Alex frowned. "What? It's okay man."
"No its not," Jacob said as he wiped his tears. "You almost died."
"I know," he replied. "But I'm still alive. Now you understand why I loved Tulip." He smiled.
Susan chuckled. "You're an idiot."
Alex tried to laugh, but the pain on his side was too much. "And besides, we're all alive aren't we?"
"What happened to the hitman?" Susan asked.
"Left him to the Oscuros," Jacob replied. The memory of his flight with Gregory still fresh in his mind.
Jacob's gaze drifted to Alex's forearm, the moonlight reflecting off the intricate silver sigil etched there. It had been a silent mark of their punishment, a binding oath, a reminder of their transgression. As he watched, the sigil began to glow, a faint luminescence that pulsed with an inner warmth. It wasn't the harsh, cold glow of the Oscuros, but a soft, comforting light.
Susan, her eyes wide with surprise, gasped. "The sigil... it's glowing!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with awe.
Jacob looked at his own forearm, where his own sigil mirrored Alex's, and saw the same soft glow. It was like a beacon of hope, a promise of release. The weight that had burdened their souls for so long, the invisible chains that bound them, were loosening. The glow intensified, a warm, comforting energy emanating from the sigils, spreading through their bodies, chasing away the lingering fatigue and the residual fear. The warmth enveloped them, a gentle embrace that promised solace and renewal.
Jacob looked at Alex, who was slowly resting himself straighter, his eyes fixated on his forearm. He saw Susan, her face etched with relief, a smile slowly blooming on her lips. He felt a surge of gratitude, a wave of hope washing over him. He had nearly lost himself, but the darkness had been pushed back, for now. He had survived, and he had learned a valuable lesson.