Chapter 311: A Friend In The Dark

Chapter 311: A Friend In The Dark

The moonlight stretched across the Katag villa and blended into the fluorescent light of the Glimmer Grove trees. Maeve Mora stood on the balcony of her room. She looked down over the gardens and inhaled deeply, breathing in the scents of the forest.

It was a beautiful night, almost perfect. Something felt off, a little smudge on a perfect white canvas, a dissonance in a melodic voice.

Maeve furrowed her brow. Something had to be missing.

But what?

Maeve snapped her fingers and smiled, I almost forgot. A night isnt perfect without a bit of wine.

She stepped away from the balcony ledge and headed inside to fetch a bottle. She pushed the balcony door open and stepped into nothingness. Her room was gone, only pitch darkness remained. She turned around and looked back in a panic. The balcony had disappeared, there was only darkness. Yet she could see her own hands and feet as clear as if the sun was shining down on her.

A sickening cold feeling stretched across her back.

This isnt real Im in a dream.

Everything was gone, only she remained, and yet she couldnt shake the feeling. Something was off. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

She needed to know.

Red mana slowly slipped over her arm like an old lovers embrace, the taste of its comfort never far.

Strygs warning echoed in her mind. True Reds Synchrony magic was dangerous. Maeve knew that, she understood it, and yet she still couldnt shake the feeling. The cold foreboding feeling dug into her spine and bled into her very being.

She needed to know.

Maeve reluctantly raised her arm, red mana swirling about her hand, and stretched her fingers into the emptiness. Her mana pulsed with a heartbeat and was abruptly sucked into the void.

Maeve stepped back, confused.

What had she done? She felt drained, her body felt as if it had been dipped in boiling water and thrown out into the snow.

The scent of smoke filled her nostrils. She looked around expectantly, but there was no fire, no light. A white blur fell past her peripherals. She glanced down and frowned. A long silver feather lay at her feet. Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Blood?

Droplets of blood stained the feather. Maeve looked up. Dozens of feathers fell down around her, each coated with more blood than the last.

Congratulations, a voice whispered.

Maeve spun around, Whos there!?

A pale slim leg slipped out of the darkness as if it were an ethereal curtain. A tall, elegant woman stepped out from the void of nothingness. Her bright scarlet hair fell down her shoulders in silky smooth layers. The darkness wrapped around her and formed a dress that floated a hairs breadth above the floor. The womans blood-red lips curled up in a smirk, revealing the sharp fangs of a vampire.

You finally did it, Maeve. You synchronized your magic, soul, and mind together, and expanded your consciousness beyond your physical body, the voice said gleefully. Ive been waiting for you, constantly searching the dark recesses of the dreamscape, hoping that I might just see your flare. And after all this time, you finally used a Synchrony spell of your own accord. The tall vampiress leaned forward with a long smile, Congratulations.

W-what? Maeve unconsciously took a step back.

The strangers bewitching eyes glanced about casually, I like what you did with the place. Its simple, rudimentary, but stable. Not like your previous dream constructs, constantly in disorder.

Who are you?

Oh, weve met before. Although, I suppose we never had a proper introduction. You may call me Ann.

Ann? Maeve frowned.

Yes. Do you mind if I change things up a bit? After all, we are not in the dreamscape just yet, Ann snapped her fingers.

The darkness melted away and Maeve found herself in a small cottage. A pot of steaming hot tea rested atop a long glass table in the center of the living room. Ann casually sat down at the table and conjured up two porcelain cups.

Tea? Ann smiled.

Maeve stepped away from the vampiress until her back was against the wall. She swallowed, Youre it, arent you?

Ann cocked her head to the side, her red eyes lost the warm light they had just so easily held, I dont follow.

Youre the Monster, Maeve whispered fearfully.

Ann licked her lips slowly, Monster?

The Monster in the Dark.

Oh Ann smiled eerily, You seem to have heard stories. Stories that have clearly given you a false impression of Who. I. Am.

Then what are you? she asked skeptically.

Hm, Ann smirked and calmly poured herself a cup of tea. I am not your enemy. I have no intention of harming you. Quite the opposite. I wish for us to be friends.

Ughhh, mmm, ~Stryyyg~, da door Feli mumbled, half-asleep.

Fine, Stryg grumbled under his breath. He hopped off the bed with a heavy thump and dragged his feet across the bedroom.

Who is it? Stryg yawned.

Stryg, open the door! the voice yelled urgently.

Strygs pupils narrowed to thin slits. Whatever spell sleep had cast on him had suddenly faded away. He recognized the voice behind the door and the tone it carried. Something was wrong.

Stryg yanked the door open, not even bothering to unlock it. The lock snapped off its hinges with a metal screech and the door slammed open wide. Maeve stood on the other side, breathless.

Maeve, what is it? he asked in a grave tone.

Maeve wrung her hands anxiously, Something is coming. I dont know what, but it's dangerous. I know it sounds crazy but please, trust me

Stryg had already turned around and walked back to his bed. Feli, wake up.

Hm. Wha Why? Feli mumbled with closed eyes.

Alright, Stryg shrugged and scooped her up into his arms.

Feli blearily opened her eyes, H-hey, w-what are you doing!? Stryg, dammit! She yelled and tried to kick her way out from his grasp but he held her tight.

We need to leave, now, Stryg said seriously.

O-oh Like now, now? Feli asked.

Stryg glanced at Maeve questioningly. She nodded, ...Yeah, now.

Hey, whats up with all the damn noise? Gale stepped into the doorway. She glanced at the broken lock and frowned, And what happened to the door?

Master Gale, good, youre here, Stryg said.

Obviously. I sleep next door. Gale spotted Maeve and bowed her head, Lady Mora, what is a daughter of Veres doing here this late?

Uh, t-thats Maeve stammered.

Were under attack, we need to leave quickly, Stryg said.

Gale reached for her blade and nodded coldly. Take the window. Knowing Lysaila she should be drinking with Rhian in the gardens right about now. Find them and head to the forest, Ill find you all as soon as I can.

Miss Gale, why dont you come with us? Maeve asked hopefully.

I cant. I have to find the other students and get them to safety. Theres no time to waste, Ill see you soon, Lady Mora. Stryg, move them quickly, Gale bowed and left without another word.

Maeve smiled worriedly, Take care of yourself, Miss GAgh!

Stryg threw her over his shoulders and ran straight to the rooms open window. Feli closed her eyes and hugged him tightly.

W-wait! Wait a sec, ah shit! Maeve screamed.

Stryg leaped out the window and dropped like a rock twenty paces down. His bare feet landed on the grass with a hard thud and sunk a few inches into the ground. He quickly looked over his tribemates and made sure they werent injured before he ran across the backyard.

Let me down, I can run! Maeve said frustratedly.

Not fast enough, Stryg said and channeled orange mana into his legs. He dashed across the field and reached the gardens in a matter of seconds.

Rhian and Lysaila were drinking from a barrel of ale as usual. Lysailas innate resistance to poisons and Rhians large size made it difficult for either of them to really lose in a drinking contest, yet try they did.

Lysaila heard Stryg before she saw him. She rose from one of the gardens stone benches and stared at the edge of a bush expectantly. A few seconds later Stryg ran past and rushed to them.

Ey, Stryg and Feli! Care to finally join us! Rhian raised her mug.

Stryg let the woman down and walked over to a nearby tree.

Oh, Maeve youre back! Ready for round seven? Rhian asked happily.

Not tonight, Maeve smiled weakly.

Somethings wrong, Lysaila whispered. Isnt it, Mortem mage?

Stryg scrambled up the tall tree with ease and looked out from its highest branch.

What is this? Stryg muttered, stunned.

Dozens of pillars of smoke rose throughout Undergrowth. The glow of burning homes stretched across the horizon. Even from a far-off distance, Stryg could make out the swarm of valley warriors marauding through the streets.