When the first explosion sounded, the only thing which came to Esme’s mind was Cahira. She sprang to her feet and ran towards the courtyard, the sight of which absolutely terrified her. The air was riddled with dust and smoke making it impossible to see anything clearly. Bodies were thrown here and there, and people running and screaming. There was a horrendous sound of grunting and swords clashing with each other. She had to find Cahira and do something fast.
Oh, how she wished she could cast a locating spell but the castle and its grounds were a sanctuary where many spells were banned. She saw Rochelle, high witch of Scilium coven, firing spell after spell at a humanoid figure and ran to her. She touched Rochelle to form the link and willed her power to move through it. Rochelle was startled but she immediately accepted the link and channeled the extra power, infusing it with her fire magic and throwing an enormous flame at the figure. The humanoid screamed at the attack and was soon reduced to ashes.
“Esme” Rochelle sobbed and fell into Esme’s arms “I couldn’t save them, Esme, I couldn’t...I tried but.” She sank to her knees and sobbed loudly in a heart wrenching way that brought tears to Esme’s eyes but they couldn’t waste time grieving, not yet. She grabbed Rochelle and hauled her up shaking a little “ Rochelle pull yourself together, It’s not over yet. We need to find our wards. You cannot grieve now, please come on.” Esme pleaded with Rochelle tears flowing out of her eyes and seeing bodies of young trainees and servants thrown around.
“Yes, yes” Rochelle dried her tears and looked around “we should restore the shield. We can create a barrier here temporarily but we need Astoria.”
“Astoria was inside with her coven younglings. Let’s go”. Esme pulled Rochelle towards the castle where they found Astoria and several youngling trainees fighting against another demon. It was a grotesque-looking creature with red skin and it was throwing balls of fire here and there all the while successfully defending itself from witches’ attacks. Esme once again created a link with Rochelle and both fired together making the demon groan and hiss and fly away.
“Astoria are you ok? Are your younglings safe?” Esme asked frantically. we need to erect a temporary barrier. Where are others?”
Outside the screams had stopped but the sound of the fight was increasing.
Astoria replied “All non-casting Oni’es are out there fighting and I don’t know where Tidore or Simon is. I have managed to gather most of the younglings and hid them inside the Portal room. Esme, there are demons.” Astoria’s voice was full of fear and despair. “Lessor Demons Esme, what are we supposed to do? These grounds are supposed to be safe, sacred, and warded. How did they even get in? I tried to open the portal but it’s jammed. I could not even get a message to my coven. Jason and Troy have managed to get words to their packs but with the portal down they won’t be here in time. We are doomed here.”
Her words brought another wave of fear in Esme. She desperately wanted to go and find Cahira but right now erecting a barrier was more important.
Rochelle gripped Astoria’s hand and spoke urgently “Astoria, listen to me. This is not the time to ask questions or get hysterical. We saw the demon outside but if we form a link and channel the power to you, you can create a temporary barrier, can’t you?” Rochelle nodded a yes “But what will that achieve, it will be only temporary and I don’t see any way of getting help or getting out. It will be a waste of energy which we could use to defend ourselves.”
Rochelle was about to answer when Esme Spoke authoritatively “No, we have to do that. Once the barrier is created we will have enough time to get to the royal suite and obtain the teleportation stone there. That will be enough to transport all the younglings out.”
“Teleportation stone? What’s that?” Both the witches spoke simultaneously.
“It’s an emergency stone kept solely for use of royalty in any dangerous situation but I think we can safely assume this to be an exception. I think it will teleport us to Royal City not sure but we need to find it first. The only problem is Royal Suite is at the west corner where all the fight is happening so we need to erect that barrier now.” Both witches nodded and everyone ran out to find Tidore and Simon for all available power that will be needed to erect a barrier that big.
Both the wizards were outside fighting a demon. Rochelle and Rochelle fired fireballs while Astoria levitated it and threw it away. Both the wizards turned around and were relieved to see their friends.
“Esme, Rochelle, and Astoria thank god you guys are Okay. These demons came out of nowhere and they are not alone. I saw a group of rogue werewolves and two Elves attacking too. They tore apart 2 girls. We tried to stop them but it happened in mere seconds. I have never seen werewolves do that Esme, never.” Tidore’s voice was heavy with fear and pain. Both of them were bleeding in many places and their clothes were full of dust and soot.
“Tidore, Simon we must create a barrier. Simon, we four will link ourselves together and form a chain lending our power to Astoria who would create a temporary barrier. As soon as it is in place run to Royal Suite and go to the small room next to the kitchen. You will have to cast the revelation spell of ancient. Do you remember it?” Esme spoke carefully. She was scared everything will go wrong but she had to try so she composed herself and fished out instructions.
Dae Bong had shown her many years ago the hidden runestone of Faes. She only hoped it was still there. On seeing the nod which Simon gave she turned to Tidore and said “Lend your power rune to Simon, he will need it.” Simon tried to deny it “No you people need it more than me” but Esme spoke in a strong voice “No you will need it. The ancient spell is very hard and required a lot of power. Once you open it a golden red stone will be there somewhere, you will know when you see it.” Simon nodded and took the power rune stone from Tidore. He turned to leave when Astoria laid a hand on his shoulder and whispered “As fast as you can Simon, I won’t be able to hold it for long.” Simon gazed at each one of them and ran off towards the Royal suite.
Esme looked around to see the dust has settled and most of the fight was moving out of the castle grounds. She saw the royal soldiers, pixies and other Oni’es fighting. She also saw Sukaya and Rohan kneeling on the ground over someone and hoped it was Cahira and she was Okay. She pointed to Astoria the place where the Shield was damaged and all witches and wizards arranged themselves in v formation and chanted the spell of power lending.
Their combined power flew into Astoria whose eyes turned white and she raised her hands chanting the spell of the barrier. A shimmery blue screen arose and started covering the gap in the shield stretching beyond the damage and strengthening the shield. Fortunately, Most of the demons and rouges were outside the barrier fighting the royal guards. Few which were left inside were quickly disposed of by other adults and younglings. By the time Simon appeared with the stone Esme was just about to fall. She broke the connection and gave instructions to Simon on how to create a portal after which she ran toward Cahira.
On reaching there, one of her worst fear came true. Cahira was lying unconscious on the ground, with Sukay chanting a healing spell that stopped the bleeding on the side but the bleeding from her head. Instinctively Esme chanted a healing spell which stopped the bleeding but the gaping wound was still open.
Sukaya leaped up when she saw Esme “Esme thank God you are here. I couldn’t revive her,” she said pointing at Cahira. “You both run to the portal room, I will meet you there,” Esme spoke while still running a hand over Cahira chanting spells.
" but Esme...” Sukaya sobbed “Don’t waste time. I will bring Chaira. Go, both of You. Rohan takes her.” Rohan grabbed Sukaya and both ran toward the castle. Esme cast a few more spells and Cahira woke up with a jolt. She was disoriented for a few seconds and tried to move but her body was aching everywhere. “Esme, what.....what happened” Esme hugged her lightly trying not to aggravate her wound. “Baccha thank god you are ok. There has been an attack, let’s get inside.” She cast a levitation spell and dragged Cahira’s limp form inside.
Astoria was still holding the barrier with Rochelle while witches were helping in disposing of the enemy.
Once everyone was safely inside, Astoria broke the connection and ran inside. The barrier would hold for the time being. Inside the castle, everyone including the servants was huddled in the domed Portal room. The runestone was placed in the middle of the portal and every witch surrounded it forming a link and channeling their powers to Esme. As soon as the power hit her, her eyes glowed and her hair rose as if flying in some unseen wind. She cast the spell to awaken the runestone and it lit up in bright light. The runes were burning bright in golden light and a circle formed near the base which started expanding slowly. It reached the edges of the circle where Esme was standing when a crack like a whip sounded and something sailed past her ears, hitting the runestone making it explode in pieces. Everyone was thrown away by the power surge and explosion hitting the walls on all sides.
An eerie laugh sounded which gave goosebumps to everyone. “Witches....” it tsked “ bane of my existence since the start of time always thinking they are very smart with little power they have.”
The voice was very frightening and chilling. Everyone gathered and huddled into one corner with all adults taking a protective stance in front of the younglings.
“ Who are you, show yourself,” Rochelle shouted.
They cannot see anyone but the door to the room was obscured in darkness and it felt like a figure was standing there. The fear was so tangible in the air that one could almost spell it. Esme cast a look towards Cahira who had woken up and she sighed in relief. At least Cahira was ok, sukaya and others will take care of her. She focused on the voice again all the while thinking of how to get out of this mess.
“You cannot come in. This room is thickly warded with blood magic and no demon blood can cross it.” Esme said hoarsely all the while working with Astoria silently to erect the barrier once again.
“Ahh yes how can I forget? This is the room where that bitch witch of yours fled to all those years ago. Hmm, but I can kill each one of you one by one and still I will get what I want."
There was a moment of tensed silence.
"Oh....OHHH” that creepy laugh once again filled the room bouncing against the glass and echoing chillingly.
“You scums, you created a barrier. Ha ha!!!”
“What the hell do you want,” Tidore shouted.
“Ohh you wait. This flimsy barrier of yours won’t hold for long and once it shatters I will pick each one of you witches and burn your skin off one by one but First I will pick those children and melt off their tiny bodies and make you all watch.” The voice threatened angrily and attacked their barrier in a flurry of red blows.
“Esme, the barrier outside is broken. I can feel many rouges coming in. They will be able to cross the wards of this room.” Terror was visible on her face but she bravely held up the barrier with help of other witches who had once again joined.
Esme did not know what to do. She was hurt in her shoulder which was paining and she could feel the blood dripping down her arm. Her forehead was throbbing due to a nasty cut and she was sure her right leg had twisted in a sprain. All of them were tired and most of their energies and powers were spent on forming the link and holding the barrier. She was hurt due to the earlier explosion and the channeling of powers had left her weak. She didn’t know how Astoria was even standing holding off another barrier.
“There is nothing we can do but hope that barrier holds long enough for help to come. Break the connection Astoria, preserve your energy.” Esme voiced dejectedly accepting their fate.
She laid Cahira’s head on her lap who was still dazed and disoriented and smoothed her hair from her face. Her forehead was burning but Esme couldn’t do anything.
Everyone huddled with each other watching the demon or whatever continuously attacking, joined with another two and cracks showed in the barrier.
They all were going to die.
Just as the barrier was about to shatter, they heard it. A heavy and deep growl accompanied by the flapping of wings just above them. Everyone’s eyes turned to the sky to see a gigantic shape flying above them. It was awe-inspiring and majestic-looking beings with wings so enormous that they covered the whole area above the dome.
It made a circle and swooped toward the woods.
The demons outside screeched and ran away leaving them alone. At first, no one moved but suddenly someone shouted and everyone cheered. Esme didn’t know who or what has come but the tears of relief which were flowing from several eyes were proof enough that they were saved. She hugged Cahira tightly who hugged her back both of them crying, relieved to see the end of this horrible Ordeal.
ns 15.158.61.20da2
