"Let's go find your friend." Jayden smiled at Ignatius and walked ahead with his scythe resting at his shoulder.
Ignatius stared at Jayden speechless before he gathered himself and followed. A few smaller Umbras dared to snap at his heel, but Ignatius didn't let that bother him. What bothered him was what exactly Jayden is up to, aiding to find Magpie and Nuallis is fine but how he does it, with the help of the Umbras. If he could gain simple control over them, why didn't he do it before? It must have a connection to the strange dark and oily substance. But I sense no special magic from him ...
"Ignatius, keep up. Remember, you need to be on your A-game when wanting to free Magpie and Nuallis." Reminded Jayden and looked over his shoulder.
Ignatius sighed. "Aye, I know. But I want one thing cleared, how did you manage to take control of the Umbras? What did you eat? As a caster, I know some spells require one to eat something to enable or grant greater power, mostly connected to something foul and dark where I come from."
Jayden glared at him and held tighter to the scythe.
Before Jayden could open, his mouth loud gunshots were heard nearby. Quick-witted before Ignatius could remind him, Jayden pulled forth the Vandal doll and spoke to it. "Hello? Vandal! Can you hear me? Vandal! Give me a sign you're alive! Vandal!"
Soon the doll began to glow in blue in Jayden's hands. "This is Talon, we're fine. We've met Ravage along the way, but I think we shook her off our tail for now."
Ignatius stared speechlessly and blinked in awe as he saw how Jayden made the connection with ease. Maybe he has some magic in him, or is it part of Talon's creation?
"What's the update from your side?" Wondered Talon.
Jayden grunted and handed the doll to Ignatius. "I let you handle the rest."
"What?" Wondered Ignatius.
"Hey Ignatius, anything to note from your side we should be aware of?" Asked Talon.
"Erm, no." Gave Ignatius hesitantly. "How are you enabling the connection? Is it done by some spell of yours?" He inspects the Vandal doll closer that Jayden still holds on to.
"No spell, Ig. All you have to do is hold the doll, think of the person, and the connection will be made within moments, the doll will start to glow. Plus the dolls themselves shows somewhat how we are, for example, I would get a small cut on my finger, the cut will appear on the doll too." Talon gave nervous laughter. "Should have given that instruction before splitting up." After that, the doll lost its bluish glow.
Jayden rolled his eyes and held out the doll for Ignatius to take it.
"Why should I carry it, it's yours after all-"
"Just take it, Ignatius." Growled Jayden annoyed.
"I hate doing this, but here it goes." Ignatius sighed. "I'll take the doll if you explain to me about the incident before, meaning controlling the umbras and especially regarding what was it that you ate."
Jayden stared at him surprised but quickly gathered himself and took the doll to himself with an angered grunt.
"I want to know because I want to understand. If you expect me to be in my A-game, how can I when you are holding something back from me and the others?" Remarked Ignatius concerned.
"It doesn't matter and secondly, keep your mind focused on Magpie. I'm sure there are some things you want to clarify with her once she's free and end Shadow." Jayden walked on, turning his back to Ignatius.
Ignatius gave a sigh and followed him. It was worth a try, but somehow I have a bad feeling about this. Hopefully, it has nothing to do with Shadow. In the distance, he spotted the umbras showing Jayden the way. Have they found her? He quickened his pace to catch up. Before he could ask, Jayden noted without turning to him. "They've spotted Shadow and Nuallis at an abandoned hospital, but it's well guarded with Shadow's magic and some further creatures from around here. I hope you know a way how to sneak through unnoticed?"
"I need to see it first before promising anything." Gave Ignatius.
"This way." Jayden paced ahead.
Ignatius did not like it that Jayden is averting eye contact, but he knows, now is not the time. Quickly he ate the last protein bar, knowing to be near Shadow will bring enough trouble as it is. Not to mention Shadow warned him, he would kill Ignatius if they met a second time. Very soon, Ignatius felt the bar's positive effect, giving him new strength and was able to think clearer than before. Jayden halted at a damaged brick wall and peeked over the edges, Ignatius did the same and noticed a strange white building or was once white with many broken windows and doors. The building was right in front of them, but a large open square lay between them and next to the white building stood a strange house where many strange creatures crawled and poured out from the house.
"The hospital is the white building, Ignatius." Noted Jayden as he followed Ignatius' glance. "Is the house a part of Shadow's doing?"
Ignatius looked carefully at the creatures, there was magic but different. "No, they're not from Shadow." He panned towards the hospital, he saw nothing at first but felt there was something. Ignatius muttered the analytical spell. His eyes glowed bright orange. His sight immediately changed with an orange film and spotted a large red cloak covering the entire hospital. Damn! I can't make out which spell he's used. Quick-witted he looked over to the house, there were various colours cloaked with darkness like smoke from the various creatures. Suddenly an idea popped in his head, giving him and Jayden a chance to enter unnoticed.
"I can't break Shadow's barrier spell, but I know a way how we can get inside, with luck unnoticed." Ignatius faced Jayden, his analysing spell is still active for a few seconds before it faded. He saw a glimpse of something glowing green-yellowish from Jayden's stomach. The same colour and sort of magic like the umbras-
"Right, what's your plan?" Jayden crossed his arms.
Jayden ate an umbra? For what purpose, to control? Or was it Cordis' doing? I must focus when being now so close to Shadow and saving Magpie, alas this problem will have to wait. Ignatius took a deep breath to compose his thought and focus. "Ermm, well, we will use a distraction from the building beside it. You can order the umbras to cause a raucous and lead the other creatures towards the hospital entrance. I can then sense out where Shadow is, and hopefully, we'll get in unnoticed." Ignatius paused as he noticed Jayden's doubt. "I'm aware it's a gamble here unless you have a better plan, I'm all ears." Gave Ignatius calmly.
"Fine." Gave Jayden and walked over to a small group of umbras. Soon the umbras scattered towards the house and agitated the creatures to chase after the umbras towards the hospital. So far, everything is going according to Ignatius' plan. As soon bigger creatures assembled near the entrance, Ignatius procured a large ball of water. He threw it in their midst to agitate to a fight. To his astounding, it worked, and Jayden sprinted ahead while Ignatius followed close at his heel. While running, he spoke the spell for sensing Shadow through the tattoo at his hand, it glowed orange. He sensed Shadow and Magpie standing a few floors above them. They entered without difficulty, and Ignatius instructed Shadow's location and took the stairs. When they reached the floor, both of them felt Shadow's dark presence although he was nowhere in sight, yet. Jayden gripped anew to his scythe while his nose dripped with blood. Ignatius held two spells at the ready in his mind and a hand close to his throwing knives.
Suddenly a sinister snigger filled the air, and a thick fog filled the long hallway. "Damn it!" Muttered Ignatius under his breath while try keeping his eyes peeled in the thick white fog. Soon a pair of red glowing eyes were visible a few meters away from Jayden and Ignatius. "Not the first guest I was expecting, but I will ensure both of you will never leave this place, alive."
Jayden held his ground and scythe at the ready, same did Ignatius and balled his right hand with the tattoo to a fist. Seeing a dark version of Magpie gave him the urge to attack head-on, but Shadow is no fool to meddle with.
"What are you two waiting for, an invitation?" He chuckled devilishly. He rapidly transformed his right arm into a long dark whip and lashed it out between Jayden and Ignatius. Immediately both men sprung away from each other. Jayden began to sprint towards Shadow while spinning his scythe to avoid the large dark shaped whiplash at him. Suddenly the whip wrapped around the scythe and crushed Jayden to the ground. The floor shook, and cracks protruded around Jayden. Ignatius mustered his strength together to cast a complex spell by bending the cement to his will. Making the floor where Shadow stands turn soft and let him sink in so that he is immobile. Shadow gave mocking laughter and started to float in the air. His eyes glowed brighter for a moment and gestured with his free arm towards Ignatius. Soon red lightning bolts shot and zapped him, everything burned in his body agonizingly that he screamed in pain.
Jayden quickly found his strength and stood up, but blood dripped from his nose, and a throbbing pain pounded in his head. He blinked as his vision turned blurry for a moment and felt how one side stung with every breath he took. He picked up his scythe and held on to it, his other arm throbbed with a pulsating pain at the shoulder and couldn't move it properly. It was dislocated from the shoulder. Shadow turned to Jayden with a mocking smirk. "You're like a cockroach, hard to kill. That makes it all the more entertaining." He licked his lips and lashed out the dark whip at him. Jayden jumped aside to avoid it and swung his scythe as Shadow attempted to lash out anew. Quickly Jayden pierced with the scythe into the dark substance and sprung with all his strength straight at Shadow, holding the scythe blade at shoulder level and aimed to cut Shadow or rather Magpie's shoulder. His blade went through Shadow's body like a ghost. Shadow burst to deep evil laughter. "Was that your best shot? Magpie would not appreciate this. Any harm caused on me will be transferred to her as well and tenfold." He placed a hand on Jayden's chest, and his eyes glowed brighter red. Rapidly Jayden got pushed by an unseen force from Shadow's red glowing hand, it came so sudden and strong that he was knocked out of breath. He soon found himself sailing down the long hallway and had far from a soft landing.
Ignatius couldn't see Jayden anymore but heard his tumble and the clanking sound of the scythe blade from the fog. Ignatius had to remind himself not to throw any knives, or he will harm Magpie too. "Damn you!" He cursed angered while staggering to his feet before pronouncing the spell to produce water, glowing orange waves shot out from his palms. Shadow blocked the large waves away with a gesture of his arm. "Ignatius! Is that all you can do as a caster?" Rapidly followed the whip. Ignatius dodged it by leaping away from it.
Suddenly a voice made him blink and face Shadow. "Ignatius! I'm here! I'll try to hold off Shadow as long as I can!" Called out Magpie.
"Magpie!" Called Ignatius and began to smile. Seeing her true self without any dark appearances or red glowing veins, her turquoise eyes were filled with life and spirit.
The moment Shadow left Magpie alone, everything turned back to what was before. Magpie had her short hair and her black and white clothing from the modern world. She pulled up her knees while wrapping her arms around herself and rocked slightly to and fro for a while, letting fear cloud her mind. Tears streamed from the corner of her eyes. She yearned for Ignatius' voice, his embrace and comfort. Slowly her mind wondered to further pictures of him smiling and laughing back in the days in her world and home. What teamwork they made when it came to stealing, avoiding trouble and gamble in pubs with coins, ale and songs.
Suddenly Magpie remembered a special song she's locked in her heart and what inspired her to call herself Magpie. Softly she began to hum the tune, and over time her voice grew stronger and soon sang out the song.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bNnAiFHVb
"One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl and four for a boy. Five for silver, six for gold, seven for a secret, never told." Magpie knows that Shadow knows her secret, but she won't let him seize her. She's held on to her promise but did Shadow? There were moments he nearly didn't, but he did hold on to so far. What's his game?406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7qCGtadTb
"Ignatius!" Magpie heard Shadow snarl angered in the distance.
An urge grew in her to now stand up and fight since Ignatius would never give up on her. She drew in a deep breath to muster her strength and mentally force her way through to regain control of her own body. Suddenly she found herself floating, and her eyes met Ignatius'. He looked exhausted, but a smile began to form upon his lips, and his eyes glowed with new energy. "Ignatius! I'm here! I'll try to hold off Shadow as long as I can!"
"Oh no, you won't, sweetheart! But I'm just as glad seeing you've regained your spirit!" Pealed Shadow in evil laughter in Magpie's mind.
"No! This is my body!" Remarked, Magpie determined. She clenched her teeth as she felt Shadow's strong dark force and fought with all her strength. At times she saw flashes of Ignatius and then Shadow's face. He sniggered. "Yes! You've grown indeed stronger, but no human can match a spirit." He kissed her.
Magpie rapidly pushed him away and wiped the horrid feeling from her lips away with the back of her hand. "You're going to pay for this!" She hissed.
Shadow smirked. "I'd like to see you try, Elyza."
Suddenly Magpie's appearance switched back to the dark version with glowing red veins and eyes. An icy inhuman voice cackled from Magpie's slender throat. "That fired you up, Ignatius. Now's let's fight!" He smiled maliciously.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdQ0L6Zib7
Ignatius snorted angered and balled his hands to fists to contain his fury. Knowing letting his emotions lead the fight is a bad strategy, especially against Shadow, who possesses Magpie. He started to walk around Shadow, keeping a distance from him while glaring. "What have you done with Magpie?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2sUKlw15o
Shadow scoffed. "Tch, you should know." He flexed his left hand with the tattoo, the ink within began to glow red like his eyes.
Ignatius did the same with his right hand, the tattoo began to glow in orange. He took a deep breath and silently muttered the arcane words for a spell. Immediately behind him from a small trolley, a handful of sharp instruments and scalpels floated up. Rapidly Ignatius stretched out his left arm towards Shadow and shouted the final word of the spell. Almost simultaneously, the scalpels flew straight at Shadow. Before he could deflect them with a spell or dodge, the sharp instruments pierced at the clothes and pinned him against the wall. He gasped but soon sniggered as he tore his way out while Ignatius came charging at him head-on.
Shadow ran up close and held his hands against Ignatius. Dark brown and glowing red eyes glared at each other. Soon both hands began to glow, a loud bang and a strong force separated them, it even brushed away a part of the thick white fog. Ignatius' hands burned and throbbed with pain of Shadow's powerful magic. They were slightly reddened, and the band-aids were gone without a trace.
"You've grown stronger. Your hands should have blasted, but apparently, you cast a strong spell that deflected it." Shadow smirked with crazed delight.
Ignatius didn't let Shadow's words falter. Having seen his past and malicious acts he's done over the centuries was no surprise. He clenched his teeth as he looked Shadow in the eye. Ignatius shouted the arcane words to cast a strong spell. His eyes began to glow orange and soon from the air and ground large masses of orange glowing water gathered. With a set of gestures of his arms and hands, Ignatius controlled the floating water and made it engulf Shadow in a large ball of water. In a steady pace, he made the water ball shrink so that Shadow is restricted of his moves, very soon he felt Shadow's defence and the colour of the water began to change continuously between red and orange. Soon Shadow began to roar, and the water started to shape ripples into sharp spikes. Before Ignatius knew what was happening the water turned red like blood and exploded. Sharp little spikes flew in every direction, many hit and cut Ignatius. One got close to his heart. The pain and the exhaustion of the previous spell made him fall to his knees. He panted while trying to ignore the pain as he pulled it out and drops of sweat dripped from his forehead. The weight of exhaustion and pain is nearly crushing him, but his will is strong. No! I must free Magpie! He pulled out the dagger at his boot. His hands burned and trembled while drops of blood dripped to the floor.
"Do you need respite?" Shadow sniggered as he floated closer with a broad grin. Ignatius tried to stand up but his knees buckled at the attempt. Rapidly Shadow transformed one arm into a long dark whip and lashed on Ignatius. He held up his arm with the dagger to defend; however he could deal with what energy he had left, but the whip cut bluntly into the skin and suddenly at one lash, it wrapped around his wrist. Shadow pulled with considerate force. Ignatius got pulled and dragged on the floor. He tried to liberate from the whip, but he was too weak, quickly he took the dagger into his other hand and cut.
Shadow cried in agony but soon began to cackle. "Do you think Magpie will forgive you for that?" With a gesture of his hand and conjure the spell in his mind, Ignatius began to float. His arms held up at shoulder height, Ignatius gripped tightly to the dagger as he floated closer to Shadow. He tried to move, but he was restricted due to the spell. Shadow hummed content while looking at Ignatius and crossed his arms after morphing the whip back to Magpie's arm. "Never thought I'd get to choose how to kill you since you've always been clever and obnoxious. There are so many options how I can do this." He chuckled. "To be honest, I don't even know where to start, but I'll guarantee it'll be slow and painful, just how I always like it."
Ignatius still struggled to liberate himself, but he was too weakened, and the wound at his chest began to take its toll on him. He knows he doesn't have much time before he blacks out. I can't give up now! I'm so close in freeing Magpie! I promised her. I promised! Ignatius mustered all his strength and thought the arcane words in his mind to liberate himself. His eyes glowed orange, and Shadow's spell vanished within a blink, but Ignatius kept floating in the air. Without thinking, Ignatius gave Shadow a firm headbutt against his forehead. The dagger in his hand glowed white and quickly seized the moment while Shadow was gasping surprised and cut with the blade across the eye. Shadow cried in agony while Ignatius used the blood on the blade and smeared it across Shadow's tattoo on Magpie's left hand. Soon the tattoo began to glow red. "No!" Roared Shadow while clasping his bleeding eye.
Ignatius made space from Shadow. "Now Magpie is free like I promised!"
Rapidly Shadow arched back, and thick grey smoke rolled out from Magpie's mouth. As the smoke rolled out, the dark film and red veins retreated. Shadow's smoke circled at the ceiling. "This isn't over! I will have my glory, and you all will perish!" His icy inhuman voice boomed and floated rapidly away through the stairway.
Ignatius glared but soon turned to Magpie and spoke the spell to hold her afloat, slowly and gently placing her on the ground. She was relaxed as if asleep, but from her closed left eye, he noticed red tears, blood. As he wanted to near her, he suddenly fell to the ground. Still gripping onto the dagger and it shimmered faintly in its white light. The exhaustion from magic and pain from his chest is crushing him, pulling him towards the darkness. Ignatius tried to crawl closer to her, but the last thing he saw was reaching out for her and barely felt her warm fingers meet his.
As Ignatius opened his eyes, he found himself staring down at his own body lying limb on the ground near Magpie while Jayden slowly approached from the fog. Ignatius's body shimmered faintly orange. He tried calling out to Jayden, but it made no difference and felt forced to fly to an unknown direction, away from this place. The speed grew so great that he found himself facing bright white light and had to close his eyes to avert the stinging pain.
Suddenly Ignatius heard nearby a fire crackling along with the warm smokey smell of charred logs. As he opened his eyes, he found himself sitting in a chair in the winter cabin that was their (Magpie and his) home, during the harsh cold winter years before they began venturing on in the year of spring. He was alone, and the deep silence was only disturbed by the crackling from the fireplace and faint howls of the cold northern winds that came from the door and windows. He blinked as he tried to recall how he got here and stood up to stretch the kinks. His body felt sore. He suddenly noticed horrid looking burn marks littering his hands even though he felt no pain forthcoming. Where did this come from? He wondered while inspecting his hands. Ignatius immediately recalled as he noticed the tattoo at the back of his right hand. He fought against Shadow and liberated Magpie. Where's Magpie and Jayden? Why am I here? I need to get back to the others to stop Shadow!
"There is no need to rush, caster. You're not going anywhere." Spoke the hauntingly familiar voice of Shadow, nowhere to be seen as Ignatius looked around worriedly.
"Show yourself!" Shouted Ignatius angered.
The reply was preceded by a loud snigger. "No need to act brave, when in truth you fear me. You've seen my memories and powers, you have seen what I'm capable of. You have every reason to be afraid of me."
Ignatius fell silent but clenched his hands into fists.
The mocking tone did not hold back. "If you hadn't doubted your powers while casting the entrapment spell anew, I wouldn't have fled, I wouldn't be possessing Magpie, and you wouldn't be here in the first place," whispered Shadow from everywhere around Ignatius. "It's all your fault! You've always been obnoxious; relying greatly on dear Magpie, when in truth she needs, you." Suddenly steps out from the darkest shadow with glowing red eyes and a malicious smile plastered across his face. He stood there as a spitting image of Ignatius himself under the possession of Shadow. "You dared to peek into her nightmares, her dark past. It cost her a lot of strength to even mention them which shows how much she cares about you and trusts you. But what did you give in return? You ran away and put her in grave danger by letting me possess her! Not that I'm complaining, since a part of your emotions for her were transmitted to me. Your darker side, Ignatius."
Ignatius grunted, eyes gleaming with hatred as the glare became even more pronounced. "You took her for your own gain since you saw my memories. Knowing she has the talent to become a caster!" He hissed while trying to hold his rage at bay along with the urge to deck Shadow.
Chuckling, Shadow crossed his arms, "All thanks to you for doubting your own powers.”
Without thinking, Ignatius charged at Shadow, a fist cocked back and ready to release at the face. Still, instead of hitting the intended target, a grey nose, the image in front of Ignatius cracked like glass. The small splinters flew off in every direction. Ignatius gasped of surprise while Shadow cackled menacing laughter resonating through the air. "This is a special mirror, caster! It shows your true nature and desire." As Shadow spoke, half of his body morphed and was soon replaced with Ignatius' reflection. The final image consisted of one half being the dark version of Ignatius and the other being his current state.
Soon appeared beside him, Magpie. She was floating up-right but with closed eyes and relaxed expression. Larger and larger fragments of the room started to float, slowly revealing a dark void that made Ignatius dread of its inky depths. He stepped back, trying to gather his fading courage, "No! You're trying to fool me!" He spoke the arcane tongue and pointed his hands towards Shadow to produce a bolt of lightning but nothing happened.
Shadow scoffed with a smirk. "You're all out of magic. As a matter of fact, you are on the brink of death." Shadow laughed as he saw Ignatius charging at him head-on with a furious shout. Ignatius wanted to grab him by the arms but missed at the last second and ended up stopping next to Magpie. His eyes gained a bit of warmth as he checked if she was fine, thoughts moving a mile an hour.
"Once you're dead, she's mine," broke the voice full of evil excitement.
Ignatius grunted and charged at him with renewed vigour. His anger made him forget all about his magic and unleashed his primal side. He grabbed Shadow by the waist and bowled both of them over. Drawing Magpie's dagger from his boot, he pressed it against Shadow's throat as a hand forcefully stopped his momentum by a centimetre, thus preventing the fatal slash.
Pearls of laughter filled the air. "Look at you go! Do you really think it was all my fault? You suppose to have a clever head between your shoulders so use it, Ignatius. Who's fault is it really? Or must I chew it out for you since you're driven by your emotions?" Shadow leaned forward, struggling against Ignatius' force. "Think Obnoxious, who brought you here in the first place?"
Ignatius blinked to Shadow's words as he realized. He did it himself, he used up nearly all his strength to fight against Shadow. Now that Magpie is free he can't be beside her and protect her while she is unconscious.
"Don't tell me you're that blinded by your emotions?" Scoffed Shadow and knocked now loose dagger out of Ignatius' hand. His eyes reverting to their gleaming red state as the possessed form of Ignatius stared back at him. "If you need to play the blame game, like a little child, then it's all on yourself if you hadn't doubted and asked for help when you needed it the most…" the rest being left unsaid but understood.
Ignatius swallowed while his hands and lips quaked in anger and denial at Shadow's words. If only- if only, but it all happened and it can't be undone- He blinked as he realized.
Suddenly, Shadow gave him a firm headbutt, shocking Ignatius so much that he fell back and had to hold a hand to his pulsating forehead. "Took you long enough to get the message." Shadow stood up with a broad smirk. "All the credit goes to you for putting Magpie and the others in danger. As you are aware, everyone is preparing to fight and willing to go home. And what do you do? You fought against me with little remaining magic you have left, and now you're dying. Some worthy sacrifice!" Shadow chuckled as a firm punch landed on Ignatius' cheek. "You're pathetic! You don't even lift a finger to defend yourself. What kind of a human do you think yourself to be?" Shadow lifted him by his collar. "For now on you're Obnoxious to me as that name proceeds your true nature." Shadow punched him again as he let go of Ignatius' clothes.
Ignatius let himself slump to the ground, blood staining his immediate surroundings and covering his face and nose. He fell silent and was lost deep in his thoughts for a long moment before he looked up. Eyes brimming with acceptance, he looked straight into Shadow's eye. "You know what? You're right If I hadn't doubted myself all of this wouldn't be happening, but it did. It is my fault for doubting my own powers and thinking I can handle all this on my own. Magpie wouldn't have minded if I asked, but I am a stubborn fool." Ignatius paused, feet slowly pushing him up as he spat the leftover blood in his mouth.
Shadow blinked at him, surprised.
"Magpie's strength and spirit made me want to become stronger, and since figuring out these feelings I have for her, I want to be there to protect her, fight for her, catch her when she falls, comfort her, cherish her and above all, love her." Ignatius took a deep breath. "Despite her dark past and aggressive tendencies, I love her for who she is and I will rectify my mistake by keeping her safe, from you!" A battle cry left his lips as he charged at Shadow without thinking. Letting rage fuel his body, he pushed beyond everything to get that extra speed and strength. Catching Shadow with a haymaker into his solar plexus, he momentarily lost his rage. He gasped as he noticed his right hand. It was a large tiger's paw with its sharp claws, drawn and ready to pierce. Rapidly he noticed how Shadow remained folded, holding onto his stomach contents and also trying to stop the bleeding from where the claw pierced the skin.
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Ignatius shook his head in disbelief as he recalled that Shadow's true form was made of smoke. Hence, blood was almost impossible to draw physically. Is-is it all in mind? wondered Ignatius, taking a couple of steps back. He looked at his changed hand and felt it was his own magic enabling it. His paw was glowing faint orange and with some concentrated effort, he managed to morph his right hand back to normal. What is this? Am I dreaming?
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Suddenly Shadows laugh permeated the air as the body stood upright. The bleeding had stopped but the wound was still there. "Is that all you can give? Are you really feeling that guilty that you find yourself unable to kill me?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cLPIfNsxe
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"I know what Magpie would do, and I'll do the same." Ignatius hissed. "I won't kill you because you can't be killed, but I will entrap you as Ussb did!" Ignatius walked over and picked up Magpie's dagger. "And you aren't really in my mind even, you're just a leftover imprint of him." He quickly let the tip of the blade puncture his thumb as it soaked the steel before he threw it straight at Shadow. Shadow dissolved into a thick white smoke as the dagger pierced straight through him into the wall and was stuck there.
The smoke rapidly filled the room, and soon Ignatius couldn't recognize his environment. He didn't know where he was. He found himself walking aimlessly in a thick fog. No matter where he turned, he found no end of the thick mist. It was so thick that he can barely make out his own hands.
Suddenly he heard whispers but Ignatius couldn't make out what was said nor whose voice it was. They drifted and wandered around him until one voice was closer, clearer and Ignatius recognized it immediately.
"You have come far, Ignatius."
"Ussb! Where are you?" Called out Ignatius, eyes darting back and forth rapidly.
"You have also fallen deep, my son." Suddenly Ussb appeared before him with narrowed white eyebrows, lips pressed to a thin straight line. Holding in his right hand, a long wooden staff, his elbow long, grey and worn-out, cape fluttered as if standing against a breeze. Ussb's long white hair moved along. "I'm glad to see you, Ignatius." His smile pierced the chill with its warmth warmly; his curly white beard gave way to his upturned lips. "But you've come too soon."
"What-what do you mean?" Stuttered Ignatius stepping closer to him.
"This is the land of the endless mist. A world, a bridge to be precise, connecting the two worlds. You must return to your own body soon, or I fear, it will be too late."
"Ussb." Ignatius wanted to place a hand on his shoulder, but it fell through. He gasped as shock made him take a step back.
"Ignatius, my devoted apprentice. You're soon passing over the threshold to the realm of death, and there is no return after that. Go now while you still can! You need to capture Shadow before he can cause more chaos and mayhem."
Ignatius stared at Ussb, mouth hung open, speechless.
"You are slowly dying. You've used more of your energy than your body could handle to force magic. Have you forgotten the first lesson I taught you?"
"Use magic wisely and sparingly however possible." Ignatius and Ussb spoke in a chorus.
"I know." Sighed Ignatius annoyed.
"Apparently you don't, or you wouldn't be here." Ussb admonished with a frown.
Ignatius smiled at him. "Just like the old days."
Both burst out laughing and soon embraced. "I'm proud of you, my son." Spoke Ussb, content.
"Even when I made mistakes such as letting Shadow possess me?" Wondered Ignatius and opened the embrace while quickly wiping away the few tears from the corners of his eyes.
"We all make mistakes. The important thing is that you intend to correct it and learn from it." Ussb paused. "I've taught you everything that I know as a caster. Whatever comes next is now up to you. In order to tread a path, you must make it yourself."
Suddenly Ignatius' right hand itched and held it up to see, the tattoo remained the same as before but it glowed brighter.
"It looks like your magic is growing stronger as we speak, trying to liberate you from Shadow's tainted magic." Ussb paused in thought absentmindedly stroking his beard. His blue eyes glowed, Ignatius knew that Ussb was using a spell to analyse. "It would appear that your strength in magic will be in transfiguration."
Ignatius blinked in utter surprise. "Are you sure? Usually, any form of transfiguration or shapeshifting requires a large amount of both energy and magic. I am strong, but I'm not that strong."
"Oh ye of little faith, apprentice. You have come this far, and you are becoming stronger." Ussb grinned and placed a hand upon his shoulder.
Before Ignatius could remark, Ussb pushed him. Ignatius gasped hoarsely as he fell into the thick white fog, reaching vainfully after Ussb. Soon, his back met water and he found himself submerged in its cold, icy depths. The urge for air made him swim to the surface but as he reached out for it, he felt thrust into a dark spot filled with familiar voices. He gasped and soon was able to see...406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfqLMqJM75
