With bated breath, Kyle grappled with his nerves in the cavernous silence of the gymnasium. The examiner's unwavering gaze bore down on him, seemingly designed to rattle his composure.
"I'm waiting, Mr. Detmer," the examiner's voice reverberated through the expansive space.
Kyle's nervous disposition was an unwelcome companion; an incessant umbra that cast doubt and uncertainty over his actions. His brown hair tousled and unkempt, a mirror to the tumultuous thoughts swirling in his mind. His hands would fidget, and his eyes darted around, as if searching for an escape from the invisible weight that bore down on him.
Stammering, Kyle replied, "S-sorry," and wiped his clammy palms on his jeans. He raised his heavy arms and began to weave intricate signs with his hands. "Portam ad planum ignis aperio, ignis, te impero ut exsurgas et furias!" With a resounding clap, he conjured a human-sized portal on the court, its spinning flames a mesmerizing sight.
----------------------------------------
image [https://i.ibb.co/cgYrtbz/92eb3731-505e-4162-9499-30de621229f9.jpg]
----------------------------------------
The examiner observed the chaotic flames with an almost mechanical detachment, scribbling notes on his pad. Despite their frenetic dance, the flames remained contained within the portal's boundaries. Kyle struggled to maintain his focus, his knees trembling as the flames spiraled faster.
"Alright, I think we've seen enough. You can release the spell," the examiner declared.
But there was no response from Kyle. His concentration remained unbroken, and the flames accelerated their dizzying revolutions.
The examiner, now on his feet, began urgently, "Mr. De-"
Then, as abruptly as it had started, the flames ceased, and the portal vanished.
A tense silence lingered, broken only by Kyle's heavy breathing. "I-I'm... Fine," he managed to gasp.
The examiner's stern facade softened slightly as he remarked, "You gave me quite a scare, young man. I thought I might have had to intervene."
Eagerly, Kyle inquired, "How did I do?"
With a hint of approval, the examiner replied, "You performed adequately. You are accepted to Gnostia's University for the Arcane Arts on a full scholarship."
“Thank you so much!” Kyle smiled awkwardly trying to contain his excitement.
The examiner, however, redirected the credit, saying, "Don't thank me, thank yourself. Casting a spell at your age is impressive, but there's always one or two like you around." He jotted down Kyle's name on his list of successful candidates.
Erick Blaze, Federica Martel, Penelope Scarlet, Marcus Oles, Cynthia Marvel, Kyle Detmer - they were the names on the examiner's pad, each representing a succesful candidate for Gnostia's University for the Arcane Arts. After inspecting his list, the examiner muttered to himself, "But six is rare," as he clasped his hands together."Ut spatium aperitur ante et clauditur retro, sit ante ubi volo," he incanted, and before Kyle's eyes, space unfurled, enveloping the examiner and then sealing behind him.
Kyle, still in a state of awe, made his way towards the gymnasium doors. His future seemed to align with his goals, but he couldn't shake the fear of the worst-case scenario. What if he had taken too long to release the spell? The scholarship was his ticket to success, and any misstep could jeopardize it, leaving him with an exorbitant loan for his entry.
----------------------------------------
As he contemplated his future, Amber's voice broke through his reverie. "Yooo, dude, how was it? Did they reject you? You have that look on your face. I'm so sorry," she said, offering him a comforting hug, bringing him back to the present. Kyle hadn't even realized that he had left the gym.
"Uhh, no, it's all fine. I got the scholarship," Kyle responded with a relieved smile.
Amber had a contagious enthusiasm that could light up a room. Her wild auburn hair, a striking cascade of fiery curls, was a perfect match for her vivacious personality. All of this was contained within a petite frame, making her seem like a bundle of boundless energy.
Amber's excitement was palpable. "Oh my god, yesss!" she exclaimed. "How was it? Were you nervous?"
Kyle chuckled nervously, admitting, "Yeah, I did my best not to throw up my morning spaghetti."
Amber couldn't contain her excitement as she tapped Kyle on the shoulder and exclaimed, "Oh, oh! Look, I can finally do a stable cantrip!" Her fingers danced gracefully in the air before she opened her palm, conjuring a display of small illusory fireworks.
----------------------------------------
image [https://i.ibb.co/mtrkbgv/Designer-4.png]
----------------------------------------
Kyle couldn't help but tease her, "Oh, wow, finally after a year and a half." Amber retaliated with a playful jab to his shoulder and a sly remark, "Wow, I'd never thought I'd see the day when someone could be altered into a literal asshole."
Before Kyle could retort, the school bell rang, ending their banter. "What do we got?" asked Amber, now eager to move on.
"Minor arcana. You can impress Mrs. Potts with your cantrip," Kyle replied, rushing to class. Amber kept pace with him, urging him to stop. "Hey, stop it. I worked really hard to make this."
"I'm being serious; she'll be impressed. Only people in my class can do stable cantrips and there’s only seventeen of us," Kyle reassured her as they weaved past other students.
Amber's enthusiasm was unbridled as she continued, "Oh, man, I've got to tell you about this documentary I watched last night. Did you know that in the Stone age, there could have been some humans who couldn't use Aether at all?"
Kyle looked puzzled. "What? No, that sounds impossible. They wouldn't be able to survive against the animals; our bodies are too weak."
"It's true," she insisted. "We'll ask Matheney; you'll see."
As they approached the arcana wing of the school, Amber unexpectedly followed Kyle into his class.
"Dude, why are you following me? Potts is gonna kill you if you're late," Kyle warned. Amber just grinned and took a seat at one of the desks. Kyle placed his homework on Mr. Matheney's desk, as did several other students, and hesitantly sat next to Amber, thinking that she had finally gone mad.
Cynthia, with a cold voice that sent a chill down Kyle's spine, said, "That's my seat."
Cynthia possessed a visage that resembled a sculpture crafted by Pygmalion himself. Her face had a marble-like quality, with flawless features and an air of perpetual beauty. Her eyes, however, told a different story; They seemed cold and empty, as if they held secrets that her pristine exterior concealed.
----------------------------------------
image [https://i.ibb.co/BrN87jg/672e1501-26d6-4299-9ede-2ce6116acca4.jpg]
----------------------------------------
Amber, with unwavering confidence, retorted, "Oh, sorry, it's my seat now. Plus, I'm saving you from having to sit next to this loser over here."
Cynthia remained unamused, her face like a statue, her gaze piercing through Kyle. He began to panic, fearing that Amber's games would get her into serious trouble. He attempted to speak, but Cynthia's intense gaze silenced him.
"God, you're such a pussy, man," Cynthia finally said with a chuckle. "Amber, congrats on moving up."
"Thanks," Amber replied, beaming with pride. She then glanced at Kyle and said, "At least someone believes in me."
Cynthia's demeanor shifted back to a cold one as she ordered, "Okay, now get out of my seat." Amber jumped up and, realizing that Cynthia was serious, quickly found an empty seat in the back. Cynthia, with grace, took the seat next to Kyle and began meticulously arranging her books.
Kyle hesitated, and Cynthia, with a knowing look, asked, "Did you tell her yet?"
"Tell her what?" Kyle asked, feigning ignorance. Cynthia gave him a withering glare.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're a pussy?"
"Anyone ever tell you that you can be a bi-" Kyle's response was frustrated and cut short by Cynthia's awed expression.
"Wow, you almost grew a pair there." She responded in utter disbelief."
A loud, piercing note filled the room, leaving the students scrambling to plug their ears. Mr. Matheney stood at the front of the classroom, his fingers forming a strange symbol. With a release of concentration, the noise abruptly vanished.
"Alright, let's get started. First, we have a new addition to our class, Amber Griffin, who can now cast a cantrip perfectly like all of you," Mr. Matheney explained, prompting several students to turn their heads toward the back of the classroom to examine Amber.
"Now, Miss Griffin, you may have proven your practical abilities, but I have yet to be convinced of your academic ones. So, why don't we start with the basics? Can you tell us the 12 applied aspects of Aethero?"
Amber was caught off guard, feeling the weight of everyone's expectations. She was sure she knew all 12 aspects, but what did they each mean? She decided to start with what she was certain of.
"Umm, there's phantasms, which allow you to create illusions."
She glanced at Kyle, searching for inspiration. "Then there's invocation, which allows you to summon things."
Trying to recall, she continued, "And evocation, which lets you control the elements."
Amber sensed that there was another aspect that was similar but more primitive. "Oh, there's aetheromancy, which lets you control raw aether, and..."
"And there's alchemy, which involves making potions, and runesmithing for crafting runes. Oh, and alteration, which is about changing one thing into something else."
Amber began to stumble as she approached the end of the list. "And... there's necromancy, prognostication, vitamancy, abnegation, bewitchment, but I forgot what they do."
Mr. Matheney, growing impatient, scanned the room and noticed Federica daydreaming, gazing out of the window.
"Miss Martell!" he roared.
Federica was severed from her reveries and looked at Mr. Matheney with confusion. It seemed like he was bothering her again, a routine occurrence. She carried an air of cunning and defiance that set her apart from the crowd. Her demeanor exuded a sense of mystery and strength, as if she were always prepared to challenge the status quo. This intriguing personality was an unusual contrast to her almost violet-like eyes, which held a captivating and enigmatic allure.
----------------------------------------
image [https://i.ibb.co/Qp5HkWh/636f7721-1020-4ac5-8a96-82548d98d47f.jpg]
----------------------------------------
"Care to explain the 12 applied aspects of Aethero?" Mr. Matheny's patience was clearly running thin.
Why did she have to explain something so basic? He knew she already knew all this stuff. No, he was just messing with her at this point.
"I forgot," she said flippantly, hoping to elicit a response from Mr. Matheny, but he didn't take the bait. Instead, he retorted, "Oh, really? Well, it seems your new classmate knows more about the applied aspects than you. Maybe you should be relegated to the intermediate classes."
The tone of the classroom shifted as the other students eagerly awaited her response. Their bickering was a regular occurrence but provided a welcome break from the monotony of the class.
"Yeah, maybe I should. Gods, if only I had a more competent teacher, maybe I might have retained more information," she answered in a sarcastic tone.
In the back of the class, Marcus whispered to Elrick, "Bro, I love your chick; you think she'll run out the clock this time?"
"Nah, bro, Matheny's gonna shut that shit down for sure, but she's gonna be pissed," Erick whispered back in glee.
"Why are you so happy?"
"Because she's gonna be mad tonight, and when she is, she can go on for hours know what I mean," replied Erick.
Marcus snickered a little too loudly, catching Mr. Matheny's ears.
"Is there something amusing, Mr. Oles!?" roared Mr. Matheny.
"Nah, bro, I'm cool, um just," responded Marcus in a cocky voice. However, Erick knew where this was going to go, and while having Federica fed up would be nice for him, Marcus was better company when completely sanguine.
"It's a bit funny that they both didn't know, that's all," Erick interrupted. "Necromancy is about raising the dead and interacting with souls, Prognostication divining the past and future, also the unseen, vitamancy is about manipulating life and allows for healing, abnegation is about protecting, sealing, and countering, and bewitchment allows for the manipulation of the mind."
Mr. Matheny seemed unsure; however, with this opportunity, he could resume the lesson. Federica, however, was furious. How dare he make her look like an idiot? She was so much smarter than him. She was going to make him regret it later, perhaps at his birthday party.
----------------------------------------
During the lunch hour, Kyle and Amber found themselves sitting at an empty table, engrossed in conversation. Unexpectedly, Erick approached their table, not with a tray of food, but with an invitation.
"Hey, guys, I'm having my birthday party tonight. Are you guys in?" he asked with a friendly grin.
He possessed a charismatic aura that seemed almost magical, drawing people toward him like a magnet. His presence lit up the room, making it hard to resist his charm. However, this enchanting personality was in sharp contrast to his intense blue eyes, which demanded control and betrayed the underlying determination that fueled his charismatic exterior.
----------------------------------------
image [https://i.ibb.co/0FgzYnk/01452293-1ce8-402e-b1e8-4b75166b8590.jpg]
----------------------------------------
This request puzzled Kyle. Erick had never spoken to him before, so why now? What did he want? It was clear that Erick had it all – a hot girlfriend, good looks, popularity, and great aetheric prowess. Kyle knew that agreeing to this invitation might not be a wise move, but he found himself unable to refuse.
"I-uh..."
He couldn't bring himself to say no to Erick. While Erick had never initiated a conversation with him, Kyle hadn't made much effort either.
"Yes, of course!" Amber chimed in; her eyes lit up with excitement.
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
"Fantastic. Don’t worry about the booze; we've got you covered. No need to bring your own," Erick assured them with a charismatic smile before heading back to his own table.
"That was weird, right?" Kyle asked, his uncertainty clear.
"Dude, it's awesome! I've been wanting to go to one of his house parties. They sound fun!" Amber replied, her enthusiasm contagious.
Kyle grabbed his phone and began texting someone.
"Who are you texting?" Amber inquired.
"Well, first my parents to see if I can actually go to the party, and then my brother to see if he can pick us up because portaling drunk is a bad idea," Kyle explained. It occurred to him that he had never been drunk around Amber before, and this might be an opportunity to gain some much-needed courage.
"Ah, don't worry about me. I'm pretty sure he lives close to my aunt's house. I'll crash at hers," Amber reassured him.
His parents both texted back, giving their approval, on the condition that he had to be back by midnight. However, his brother had other plans for the night, leaving Kyle with a choice to make. He could choose not to attend the party, but the thought of Amber meeting someone else there and potentially jeopardizing their relationship nagged at him.
Erick settled into his seat at the crowded table, surrounded by familiar faces. His girlfriend Federica sat on one side, his cousin Penelope on the other, and his best friend Marcus directly across from him. A subtle sense of relief washed over him as Federica accepted his affectionate kiss, even though he sensed something amiss, right now she should be mad at him, shouldn't she?
"Are you okay?" he inquired; his curiosity piqued.
"I'm fine, why do you ask?" Federica replied, her response laced with a hint of suspicion.
Erick, uncertain of how to navigate this delicate situation, offered a half-truth. "I'm just worried about my girlfriend's well-being, that's all."
Federica's eyes softened as she caressed his cheek, though she couldn't shake the feeling that his words concealed more than they revealed.
Turning to Penelope, Marcus inquired, "You're coming, right?"
Marcus had a dynamic exterior that perfectly complemented his imposing presence. A muscular physique, a testament to his dedication and hard work, which seemed to radiate strength and vitality.
Penelope nodded with a gentle voice, "Yes, of course, but I won't be drinking."
Marcus, eager to persuade her, implored, "Oh, come on, it's your cousin's 18th. You've got to celebrate!"
"I'm sorry, I just need to make sure this doesn't get out of hand," Penelope insisted.
Penelope wore a kind smile that radiated warmth and compassion. Her deep orange hair, a striking contrast against her pale skin, which seemed to shy away from the sunlight, gave her a fragile quality. Her appearance mirrored her tender and timid nature.
Before Marcus could respond, Erick's piercing gaze interrupted their conversation. Their eyes locked for a moment, and then Erick's gaze shifted between Marcus and Penelope. A sly smile crept across Marcus's face, but Erick's slow headshake was a silent signal, met with an eye roll from Marcus.
----------------------------------------
image [https://i.ibb.co/BPbQ4Lh/7b22f522-27b1-442e-9289-af5a06759928.jpg]image [https://i.ibb.co/QjfLrKt/56059a92-d360-41d9-9ed6-9e43a093b423.jpg]
----------------------------------------
Changing the subject, Marcus declared, "Anyways, I've gotta go. I'm ducking out early."
Concerned, Penelope reminded him, "But we still have classes."
Marcus waved it off dismissively. "Yeah, but it's not P.E or arcana, so I don't care. Besides, I passed that examiner thingy."
"Are you heading to dueling practice?" Federica asked.
" Yep, which is way more important than was fuckin, what we got next," Marcus responded, checking his phone. "Geography."
Federica leaped from her seat excitedly. "Count me in. Later, losers!"
As they left, Penelope turned her attention to Erick. "Is Uncle Sol going to be back anytime soon?"
Erick's response was curt. "No, and I don't care."
"Have you heard from him?" Penelope inquired.
"He said he'd be exploring the infernal plane for six months, and that was two months ago, so..." Erick explained.
"HE'S IN HELL!" Penelope exclaimed loudly, causing heads to turn toward her in concern.
Erick tried to reassure her. "Infernal plane, not infernal realm. Relax. Besides, he didn't tell you anything?"
Penelope blushed, her voice softer as she admitted, "No."
Erick couldn't help but roll his eyes at his father's neglect. They had taken Penelope in when her parents passed away nine years ago, but his father's obsession with work had always kept him distant. Deciding not to dwell on it, he shifted his focus back to the lively conversation at the table.
As the evening sun cast a warm glow, Kyle and Amber strolled out of school, their playful banter filling the air. A sudden interruption arrived in the form of a car pulling up beside them. The windows rolled down, revealing Kyle's brother, Thomas. He wore a sly smile, leaving his intentions shrouded in mystery behind a pair of mirrored shades. His expression hinted at a mischievous playfulness, and the reflective sunglasses shielded the world from glimpsing the thoughts and emotions concealed within.
----------------------------------------
image [https://i.ibb.co/9qjxwzW/f0dae39e-3971-4bb5-9823-37518be560f5.jpg]
----------------------------------------
"Yo, need a ride, you two?" Thomas asked casually.
"Dude, I need a ride tonight," Kyle replied, his frustration evident.
Thomas couldn't resist a mocking response. "Well, I can give you a ride now, but not tonight. Take it or leave it, dickhead."
Amber offered a solution, breaking the tension. "You can always drop us off at my aunt's, and then you can stay the night there if your parents are cool with that."
"That's a great idea. I'll drop you guys off," Thomas agreed. Kyle reached for his phone, but Thomas advised against it. "Don't ask them; they'll say no. Just tell them you're staying over at mine or something."
"Okay," Kyle replied, sending a text to his parents before getting into his brother's car, with Amber following suit.
As Thomas began driving, curiosity got the better of him. In a hushed tone, he whispered, "Mihi patefac superficiem mentis eorum."
Instantly, Kyle's thoughts were laid bare to Thomas. Worries about the upcoming evening swirled in Kyle's mind. Would he be able to tell her? What if they couldn't be friends afterward? What if she met someone else, leaving him to suffer in silence?
Thomas chose to block out his brother's thoughts, seeking to glean Amber's perspective. Amber's mind raced with concerns about what to wear, her decision to borrow her Aunt Becky's clothes, and her musings on her current outfit. Amid her thoughts, she contemplated a peculiar question: What kind of breakfast would she be? Waffles with maple syrup, perhaps? Then, she wondered if they'd find a suitable guy for Kyle at the party.
Unable to contain himself, Thomas burst into laughter, causing the car to swerve, and he pulled over to the side of the road.
Worried, Kyle leaned out of the car, scanning the surroundings for any signs of bewitchment. "Hey, what's wrong?"
After regaining his composure, Thomas took deep breaths. "I'm fine; just remembered something funny."
"What is it?" Amber inquired.
Both brothers responded in unison, "You wouldn't get it." Kyle leaned over to Amber and whispered, "He says that every time."
Arriving at their destination, Amber stepped out of the car, but Thomas had a final piece of advice for Kyle.
"Dude, she thinks you're gay," he blurted out.
"What... wait, you read her thoughts!?" Kyle exclaimed; his anger evident.
"Yeah, unethical, whatever, bullshit" Thomas replied dismissively. "Just listen to your big bro—you've got to go, get drunk, make a move, and you're set."
"But..." Kyle began, only to be cut off by Thomas. "But nothing. Look, I read your thoughts. Trust me, if you don't do it tonight, which is your best shot, you're going to regret it for the rest of your life."
Resigned, Kyle replied, "Okay."
Thomas added, "If you don't do it, I'm not covering for you."
"Fine," Kyle agreed, his tone more assertive.
"That's the spirit. Oh, and did you pass the spell casting exam?" Thomas asked, changing the subject.
"You read my thoughts; you should know," Kyle replied.
"I would if you thought about it," Thomas quipped with a sly grin.
Kyle, embarrassed, admitted, "Yeah, I did," as he readied himself to exit the car.
As Kyle prepared to leave, Thomas reached into his glove compartment and handed him a vial. "Use protection."
Blushing, Kyle accepted it and tucked it into his bag. "Okay, bye now," he said as he stepped out of the car. Thomas drove off.
Amber, puzzled by the exchange, asked, "What was that about?"
Kyle shrugged, offering a simple explanation. "Just my brother being a dick."
----------------------------------------
The night descended, and as anticipated, the grand celebration commenced at Erick's opulent residence, a house that seemed to defy categorization, leaning more toward the realm of a mansion. From Aunt Becky's house, Amber and Kyle could already discern the rhythmic beats of music and the kaleidoscope of lights illuminating the mansion's façade.
Amber opted to retain her attire, seemingly content with her choice, while Kyle had no alternative attire. Their entrance was a calculated one, an hour after the party's commencement, Amber's endeavor to ensure they weren't too early. With palpable excitement, Amber pressed the doorbell, and it was Erick, slightly inebriated, who swung the door open.
"Heyyy, guys, glad you made it. Come on in," Erick greeted, his speech slightly slurred.
As Kyle and Amber crossed the threshold, they were greeted with the expansive interior that exceeded their expectations.
----------------------------------------
image [https://i.ibb.co/cQfsj6M/9bfc532f-d815-4e32-8419-90a74f5f63a1.jpg]
----------------------------------------
"You have spacial runes, did your dad arrange for this?" Kyle inquired.
"Nah, he doesn’t know shit about rune smithing; he just hired a contractor," Erick replied, with a hint of pride. A sudden bolt of fire soared perilously close to Erick, causing him to startle. "Hey, who threw that!?" he exclaimed, momentarily diverting his attention from Kyle and Amber.
Kyle, worried, muttered, "We're going to get killed here."
In stark contrast, Amber exuded enthusiasm. "Yay, it's going to be fun. Come on," she exclaimed, grabbing Kyle's hand, and leading him into the bustling kitchen, where Cynthia and Penelope were engaged in conversation, with drinks in hand.
"You're here?" Kyle addressed Cynthia.
"Oh, hey, Kyle, you're going to need this," Cynthia said as she handed him a bottle of vodka.
Kyle hesitated, "Uhh, I'm not sure. Aren't you supposed to, you know, mix this?"
Cynthia's tone turned frigid. "Goddamn it, Kyle, don't make me say it again."
To expedite the process, Kyle decided to drink directly from the bottle, feeling the fiery liquid burn his throat. The crowd cheered, while Penelope couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Kyle. The events that followed blurred for Kyle in his intoxicated state.
Meanwhile, Federica found herself in the secluded library, a sanctuary she rarely visited in Erick's house, for reasons extending beyond her control. Here, she immersed herself in her specialization—his father's invocation books. The volume she currently perused contained intricate instructions for summoning a greater demon, However, this spell was a nine-circled spell, spells she could manage to cast right now were only with two circles, unlike cantrip spells are written down in book in arcane circles showing the mechanism of the spell, and each circle needs to be remembered perfectly. The idea to perform the spell brewed from a combination of pride, anger, alcohol, and an unwavering belief in her superior intellect. This would be a wonderful way to get back Erick she thought, summoning a demon that would ruin his party.
Back in the midst of the boisterous party, Erick began to worry about Federica's whereabouts. Although he assumed she was in the library, he decided to leave her undisturbed and enjoy his birthday for the time being, knowing that he could tease her amongst other things later when the other guests had departed.
Amid the revelry, Kyle, in a drunken stupor, slouched on a couch, and Amber, equally inebriated, checked on him.
"Heyyy, are you okay?" Amber inquired with a tipsy lilt.
In that moment, Kyle's thoughts were fragmented, his senses dulled. He staggered to his feet and impulsively kissed her. Amber reciprocated for a brief moment before gently pushing Kyle away.
"W-wait, you're drunk," Amber protested.
"We both are," Kyle retorted.
"But I thought you were gay," Amber expressed her confusion.
"Well, obviously not," Kyle responded, his irritation palpable.
In the midst of the disorienting moment, Amber's words hung in the air, leaving Kyle in a state of uncertainty. "Wait, hold on, I need some time," she articulated with a touch of hesitation. Stepping away from Kyle, they seemed to drift into a realm where time itself wavered.
In an inexplicable instant, the room's warmth dissipated, replaced by an eerie cold that felt as though it had never experienced the embrace of heat. It was as if time had momentarily ceased to exist, leaving everyone present suspended in an eternal second. A collective awareness swept through the room, for each individual had experienced this peculiar sensation before, like a fleeting glimpse of an elusive memory.
Yet, questions lingered in the hushed room. When had they felt this sensation before, and how? The enigmatic passage through portals haunted their collective memory, but the details remained elusive, buried within the recesses of their minds. It was a surreal awakening, and the room's occupants grappled with a sense of déjà vu that defied explanation. However, Kyle soon realized what was happening they were passing through a portal.
In the chilling stillness of that eternal second, a nightmarish figure materialized before Amber, a black, shadowy entity with grotesquely serrated teeth that sent shivers down her spine. With one swift, grotesque motion, it lunged at her, tearing her upper torso from the rest of her body. The room was instantly bathed in a gruesome cascade of blood and entrails as Amber's life force was violently extinguished.
----------------------------------------
image [https://i.ibb.co/4PZMMtt/Screenshot-2024-07-08-224518.png]image [https://i.ibb.co/WBfwH0p/a7b94169-da0d-4696-b3d0-7e8eb8d58bd6.jpg]
----------------------------------------
Kyle, a witness to the horrifying spectacle, found himself immobilized by terror, unable to react or even process the unspeakable horror unfolding before his eyes. As the echoes of Amber's demise reverberated through the room, a mischief of malevolent imps materialized, their gleeful, malicious intent palpable in the air.
With uncanny speed and malevolence, the imps descended upon the students like a school of voracious piranhas, their jagged teeth ripping through flesh and bone with sadistic delight. Those unfortunate souls who couldn't escape in time were torn apart, their agonizing cries of pain and terror mixing with the cacophony of chaos as the imps reveled in their gruesome feast.
Amidst the chaos and bloodshed, Cynthia's world transformed in an instant. The jarring experience of passing through the portal acted as an abrupt sobering agent, clearing her mind of the intoxication that had blurred her senses just moments before. With quick, alarming clarity, she surveyed her surroundings.
Her gaze darted to the nearest window, and her heart sank as she beheld the nightmarish vista outside. It was a realm of unimaginable horrors, a place she could only describe as Hell itself. The landscape was a fiery, nightmarish wasteland, where rivers of molten lava twisted and writhed, and the air itself seemed to burn with searing intensity. Demonic creatures, their forms grotesque and malevolent, roamed freely, while ominous, otherworldly structures pierced the blood-red sky.
In the quiet solitude of the library, Federica's casting took a toll on her. A surge of aether coursed through her being, and the uncontrolled, excessive magic manifested in the form of brilliant blue flames that erupted from her body. The incendiary energy consumed her, causing parts of her physical form to transmute into a translucent, crystalline blue, a stark contrast to her previous self.
The spell she had dared to invoke had proven too formidable, and the consequences were dire. Lightning danced in wild, unpredictable patterns around her, amplifying the chaos. Tears streamed down her face as she grappled with the overwhelming power she had unleashed.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, it ceased. All that remained was a partially transformed, lifeless Federica, a haunting testament to her audacity. An ominous dark mist, thick and nebulous, hovered over her lifeless form. Within this nebulous enigma, barely audible whispers emanated, chilling to the core.
"An interesting development," the ominous mist hissed, as if sentient and malevolent.
----------------------------------------
image [https://i.ibb.co/FVMBMWD/1ce186fb-e0f3-4043-86e6-4926101f9362.jpg]
----------------------------------------
Diana's apartment had become a sanctuary, a refuge from the chaos of her demanding job. She had just returned, drained and exhausted from a long day. Without bothering to change out of her work clothes, she surrendered herself to the welcoming comfort of her bed, her shoes flung haphazardly across the room. She craved the sweet embrace of slumber, hoping to momentarily escape the relentless demands of her profession.
However, as she nestled into her mattress, her sanctuary was disrupted by the persistent ring of her phone. She groggily reached for the device, casting a drowsy glance at the caller ID. It was her captain; she knew that ignoring this call was not an option.
"Hello," she mumbled, her voice still heavy with drowsiness.
"Detective Esposito, we have an urgent situation. All hands-on deck. I've forwarded you the location, be there as fast as you can," the captain's voice crackled through the phone.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll be there," Diana replied, her reluctance evident in her voice. She dragged herself out of bed, feeling the weight of her choice of vocation pressing down on her.
Diana had soft features that perfectly mirrored her gentle and kind-hearted personality. Her face exuded warmth and approachability, making her easy to connect with. However, these charming traits were often overshadowed by the profound fatigue that her eyes carried, as if they bore the weight of the world's worries.
The tired detective made her way to the kitchen, reaching for the familiar morning potion. As the dark liquid coursed through her veins, she felt herself becoming alert and focused, the sandman's allure slowly dissipating. Yet, she couldn't ignore the intense nausea that accompanied her fourth cup of the day.
Driving to the scene, she couldn't help but notice that this was an upscale neighborhood. Her captain's urgent tone and the high-class location suggested that they were dealing with a significant case, possibly the murder or disappearance of someone important. When she arrived, the area was swarming with police officers, anxious residents, and a persistent press presence. Diana flashed her badge to navigate through the crowd, and the uniformed officers reluctantly let her pass.
What she encountered left her perplexed. There was nothing there but a massive, gaping hole. Diana assumed that a substantial residence must have once stood in its place. Two other detectives from her precinct, Richard and Angela, as well as Captain Connors dealing with the press, were already on the scene.
"Detective Esposito, nice of you to show," Richard greeted her.
Diana surveyed the scene with a furrowed brow. "What the hell happened here?" she asked, her confusion apparent.
"It's our job to find out; it's kind of the whole point of being a detective," Angela replied with a hint of sarcasm.
----------------------------------------
image [https://i.ibb.co/b73PMB9/8217791b-7812-4d80-ae1d-732e80ca4c80.jpg]image [https://i.ibb.co/YtZJ5cq/8d99061c-f2d5-4922-a3a5-50a66fa42757.jpg]image [https://i.ibb.co/k99m7Z8/839ad5ef-1045-4188-939e-5c9711c09b96.jpg]
----------------------------------------