Novels2Search

Chapter 36

Mel and Yaga sat in front of the wand, its diamond-encrusted surface glinting faintly under the dim light. Yaga picked it up, running her fingers over its intricate design. "This wasn't made by just anyone," she said, her tone heavy with suspicion. "This came from someone incredibly powerful. You don't find craftsmanship like this in the hands of ordinary wizards."

She turned the wand in her hand, narrowing her eyes. "I think it belongs to that man who stopped me from checking on the kids—the one by the stage. He knew about the magisterium, which means he knew exactly who I was. That proves it. He didn't just guess; he's heard about me. And the only way he could know is if he got it from the kids." Her voice cracked slightly, but she pushed on.

Mel leaned forward, studying her expression. "So, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying you need to enter that performance," Yaga said firmly, setting the wand down with a clatter. "While you're on stage, I'll use the opportunity to make sure nothing happens behind the scenes. I need you to lay low and not draw attention to yourself. Just... stick to the plan."

Mel nodded slowly. "Alright. But Yaga—don't do anything reckless. I mean it."

Yaga smirked faintly, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of unease. "Reckless? Me? Never."

Mel sighed, knowing full well that her version of "sticking to the plan" often veered dangerously off-course.

The next day, the music festival was in full swing, transforming the Hissing Havens into a vibrant, electric spectacle. Stalls lined the streets, offering everything from shimmering trinkets to steaming plates of exotic food that filled the air with mouthwatering aromas. Strings of lanterns, glowing in every color imaginable, hung overhead, casting a kaleidoscope of light over the bustling crowd. Laughter and chatter mixed with the rhythmic thrum of music that seemed to pulse through the very ground.

A band had taken the main stage, their instruments gleaming under the bright spotlights. The lead singer, a tall woman with striking violet hair, belted out powerful notes that soared above the accompaniment of a growling bassline and a thunderous drumbeat. The guitarist's fingers flew across the strings, producing riffs that sent the crowd into a frenzy. A saxophonist stepped forward, weaving a soulful melody into the chaos, adding a jazzy undertone to the rock-infused performance.

The audience was alive, a sea of swaying bodies, clapping hands, and stomping feet. People danced with abandon, spinning and laughing in time with the music, while others leaned against food carts, nodding their heads to the beat as they sipped on colorful drinks. Kids darted through the crowd, waving glow sticks and balloons, their giggles adding another layer of energy to the already electric atmosphere.

Near the edges of the festival grounds, a group of friends sat on a plaid blanket, sharing snacks as they watched the band. Their faces were lit with awe as the drummer launched into a solo, sticks blurring in a display of skill that earned roars of applause.

Meanwhile, Mel sat across from Nomak, who casually glanced at the clipboard in his hand. "Where's your band?" Nomak asked, his tone smooth but with an edge, clearly testing Mel. He already knew Piper, Tomas, and Leo had escaped the cage.

Mel shrugged nonchalantly, leaning back in his seat. "Not sure. I think they bailed and went home or something."

Nomak raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, he slid a paper across the table. "Fine. Just sign this. You're up next, going against this band. Better be ready."

Mel glanced at the paper briefly, the words blurring as his focus shifted to Nomak's extended hand. With little hesitation, he reached out to shake it.

As their hands clasped, a sharp pain shot through Mel's palm. He hissed and yanked his hand back, inspecting it for any sign of injury. His skin appeared unbroken, yet the sensation of something piercing him lingered. Mel's gaze snapped to Nomak's hand, expecting to see a needle or blade, but there was nothing—just rough, calloused skin.

Nomak's expression remained eerily calm, his lips curving into the faintest of smiles. "Good luck out there," he said, his tone as neutral as ever, as if nothing had happened.

Mel didn't respond. He backed away slowly, his sharp eyes locked on Nomak, who simply watched him go without a hint of concern. As Mel turned and left, his hand throbbed faintly, and a chilling thought crept into his mind—whatever Nomak had done, it wasn't by accident.

A while later, Mel sat backstage, absently tuning his guitar. His fingers moved mechanically over the strings as his mind wandered. The noise of the festival seemed distant as his thoughts clouded over. Why am I even here anymore? he wondered, staring at the instrument in his hands. I came for my friends, but they don't even care about me. Now I'm trying to save the ones I consider family. I went to Caldara to help Caldric, but... nobody's helped me yet. Yaga gave me this map, but she won't tell me anything about my parents, even though she knows something.

He sighed heavily, looking up at the sky. The clouds drifted lazily, indifferent to his turmoil. What was that lightning monster? Who was that woman? Was she my mom?

Just as his thoughts spiraled, he heard Varek's voice booming over the loudspeakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for MELANTHIUS SHADOWBANE!" The crowd erupted in cheers, their excitement palpable.

Mel stood up, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips as he walked toward the stage. He raised his hand in acknowledgment, then took a bow to the audience. With a quick glance toward the crowd, he grabbed his guitar, strumming it softly. But as his fingers brushed the strings, something caught his eye—Sera, Lumi, and Caius were standing together, speaking urgently to one another.

His heart skipped a beat as they began running toward him. But before he could process what was happening, the ground beneath his feet shook, and a massive iron shell descended from above, trapping him inside. The heavy case slammed down, its cold metal edges locking him in place, and the audience erupted into chaos.

Screams filled the air as panicked people scrambled to escape the danger. Sera, Lumi, and Caius pushed their way to the stage, trying to pry the case open with desperate force. But each attempt was met with resistance, and they were all violently thrown back.

"That's a wizard case," Varek announced coldly from the shadows, stepping forward with a sinister smile. "No wizards can enter it—or exit it."

He raised his hand, and with a swift motion, he landed a punch on Sera, sending her sprawling backward and causing blood to spill from her nose. Mel's stomach churned.

But Sera wasn't done. With a fierce snarl, she retaliated, her fist engulfed in flames. The air around her heated up, crackling with her fiery magic. She hurled the punch at Varek, but he casually deflected it, sending her crashing into Caius's arms.

Varek stood tall, unshaken, his voice oozing with arrogance. "You can't defeat me. I'm Varek the undefeated."

Mel's hands trembled on the strings of his guitar as he watched the chaos unfold. His mind raced, but the heavy, suffocating case around him kept him from acting. He was trapped. And there was no one coming to save him this time.

Caius's arms swelled, transforming into massive gorilla-like limbs as he swung a powerful punch at Varek. With a swift motion, Varek crossed his arms to block the strike, and the force of the blow sent a sickening crack echoing through the air. Undeterred, Caius reared back for another punch, but Varek's eyes flashed with intensity.

"Temporal Distortion!" Varek shouted.

In an instant, Caius's fist slowed to a crawl, the world around him seeming to stretch and distort. Varek took advantage of the moment, his speed unaffected by the time distortion. With a cruel grin, he drove his fist straight into Caius's face, the impact reverberating through his skull.

Lumi seized Sera's hand, their magic intertwining as a surge of energy pulsed between them. Lumi's ice magic blended with Sera's fiery power, creating a swirling icy-hot fireball. With a synchronized thrust, they hurled the blazing orb toward Varek.

But in the chaos, the attack misfired. The fireball veered off course and slammed directly into Sera's face, the heat and frost combining to scorch her skin and freeze her in a burst of pain. She staggered back, gritting her teeth, trying to shake off the searing frostbite. "Damn it!" Sera hissed, her eyes flashing with frustration.

A few moments later, Varek stood over the kids, breathing heavily, his stance triumphant as he looked down at them. Mel, trapped within the case, furiously slammed his fists against the impenetrable walls. His frustration boiled over, and he screamed, a raw cry of desperation.

He dug into his pocket and pulled out the diamond-encrusted wand, its facets gleaming under the stage lights. "Luckily, I kept this," Mel muttered to himself. His fingers trembled as he flipped open the tiny book, the weight of Merlin's legacy in his hands. "Increulus Pestulso," he whispered, focusing every ounce of his will into the spell.

The wand pulsed with energy, and with a blinding flash, the case shattered into pieces, splintering like glass. The shards clattered to the ground as the protective shell collapsed, freeing Mel with a deafening crack. He stood tall, his eyes locking onto Varek, determined to face the threat head-on.

Mel raised his hands, casting a spell to heal the three of them. The magic flowed, and Lumi, Caius, and Sera sprang to their feet, energized by the healing spell. Lumi chuckled, shaking her head. "You're always the one in the middle of everything, huh, Mel?"

Sera, on the other hand, sneered. "Why didn't you write to us? We thought you were dead or something."

Caius only nodded, his eyes narrowing as he turned to face Varek, who was dripping sweat, his composure slipping.

Before anyone could say another word, Nomak casually strolled onto the stage, his steps deliberate and calm. He approached his desk, flipping through some papers, as though the chaos surrounding him didn't even matter. "Mel," he said, almost indifferently, "you took my wand."

Varek's rage flared instantly. He grabbed Nomak by the throat and lifted him off the ground, his knuckles white. "Why aren't you helping me?!" Varek snarled, his voice full of venom. "You dumb bastard!"

He threw Nomak back to the ground, seething with frustration. Nomak stood there for a moment, eyes lowered, then sighed. "Sorry. What exactly do you want me to do?"

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

"Beat Melanthius!" Varek shouted, his voice cracking with anger.

Nomak paused, then raised a hand toward Mel. With a subtle flick of his wrist, the wand Mel had been holding began to levitate out of his grip. Mel winced as a sharp, piercing pain shot through his hand—the wand ripped from his fingers as if pulled by an invisible force.

"So it was yours," Mel muttered through clenched teeth. He glared at Nomak, realization dawning. "Guess your magic has something to do with diamonds... am I wrong?"

Nomak's expression remained unreadable as he stepped forward. Without warning, he stabbed the diamond-encrusted wand deep into Mel's shoulder. Mel let out a shout of pain as the sharp point punctured his flesh, before being slammed violently into the ground. Nomak pressed his weight onto him, and with a brutal twist of his wrist, he threw a diamond-encrusted punch directly into Mel's face. The impact sent a shockwave through his skull, blood trickling from his lip.

Varek stood by, watching with an almost gleeful smile, as Nomak delivered the crushing blow.

Mel's fist shot out in a blur, landing a hidden cloud punch squarely to Nomak's face. The force sent Nomak flying off him, tumbling backward. He lay on the ground, completely unmoving, an exaggerated sigh escaping his lips. "Oh no, I lost," Nomak said, his voice lazy and almost bored, as though this was some sort of joke.

Everyone stood frozen, confused by his nonchalant demeanor.

Varek, unable to contain his fury, screamed at Nomak in disbelief. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" His voice cracked. "I was only able to tap into this strength because of your magic—now turn it back on!" Varek's voice was desperate, almost pleading.

Nomak didn't move, his eyes fixed on the sky as if lost in thought. He didn't seem to care, his gaze detached.

Mel couldn't tell whether Nomak was being genuine or playing some twisted game, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. The four of them—Lumi, Sera, Caius, and Mel—slowly approached Varek, who was now crumpled on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. His face was streaked with tears, and he looked like a child throwing a tantrum.

Sera raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Is he serious?"

Varek, in a fit of unhinged rage, began throwing wild punches at Mel. But they were clumsy and desperate, easily dodged by Mel as he weaved effortlessly between them.

"GIVE IT BACK, NOMAK!" Varek cried, his voice cracking with each word, his frustration bubbling over into full-blown hysteria.

Mel kicked Varek in the face and he fell to the ground crying.

Nomak's gaze shifted up, his expression unchanged as he looked at Varek. "You're here. Boss," he said simply, as if his words had just clicked into place.

In an instant, everyone felt a surge of overwhelming magical energy—a wave of raw power that threatened to crush them under its weight. The air seemed to thicken as they all turned, eyes widening in shock.

Standing before them was a towering woman, her presence commanding and oppressive. She was draped in glimmering diamond armor, and her long, light blue hair cascaded down her back like an ethereal veil. Her eyes glinted with arrogance, and every step she took seemed to radiate an unshakable confidence.

Her aura screamed dominance, the kind that made the ground tremble beneath her feet and the air itself bend to her will. It was as though she was the physical embodiment of arrogance and power.

Varek's sobs stopped abruptly, replaced by an unspoken understanding as he looked up at her.

Mel squinted up at the imposing figure and muttered, "Does anyone know who she is?" His voice wavered as the woman towered over them. She didn't acknowledge his question, instead pulling out a crumpled piece of paper.

"Nomak, your handwriting is atrocious," she muttered, squinting at the paper before continuing. "Melanthius Shadowbane is here, boss." With a flick of her wrist, she discarded the paper and scanned the group. Her gaze was sharp, piercing. "Which one of you is Melanthius Shadowbane?"

Without hesitation, Sera, Lumi, and Caius all pointed at Mel. His eyes widened in panic. "Uhh, actually, my name is Elowen—"

Before he could finish, the woman moved faster than anyone could follow, slamming her foot into Mel's face. The sheer force of the blow knocked him out instantly, and his body hit the ground like a sack of bricks.

"I'm Leonardo, one of the Renaissance Kings," she declared, her voice cool and laced with disdain. "Merlin Shadowbane defeated us a long time ago, and now I'm here to settle the score with his son. But first, I have some questions for him." She grabbed Mel by the leg and began dragging him unceremoniously across the ground. Nomak trailed behind her like a loyal shadow.

Sera, Lumi, and Caius were frozen, rooted to the spot by the crushing aura of Leonardo's presence. It was as if the air itself weighed them down.

Sera's voice broke through their paralysis, a desperate cry. "We need someone! Please, anyone!"

Leonardo chuckled, her laughter cold and mocking. She stopped suddenly, her attention caught by a new presence. Standing before her was Baba Yaga, her frame radiating power that matched Leonardo's. The two women were eye-to-eye, each exuding an aura of overwhelming strength.

"That's my nephew in your hands," Yaga said, her smile deceptively warm, though a glimmer of fury simmered beneath it. "Let him go, please?"

Leonardo tilted her head, smirking. "And if I don't?"

Yaga's smile didn't falter. "Then I'll just have to make you let him go." She pulled a ladle from her side and twirled it casually, as if it were a sword.

Leonardo's smirk grew wider. "Do you really think you can beat me, Baba Yaga? You're way past your prime."

"I mean, one of my students took the four of you down years ago." Yaga chuckled. "You're also out of your prime."

"Maybe," Leo replied, her tone playful. "But I'd bet you're still underestimating me."

Before Leonardo could respond, a loud bang shattered the tension. Both women turned toward the sound.

There stood Mel—or rather, a version of him transformed. His eyes glowed with a haunting purple light, smoky tendrils of darkness swirling around him. His aura was oppressive, dangerous. In one hand, he gripped Nomak by the hair, lifting him off the ground with ease.

Without hesitation, Mel drove his knee into Nomak's face, the impact echoing like a thunderclap. A chilling silence followed as everyone processed the sudden turn of events.

Nomak gripped Mel's wrist with crushing force, the sickening snap of bones echoing through the air. Without hesitation, he delivered a powerful punch, sending Mel hurtling upward. But Mel twisted midair with eerie precision, using the momentum to launch a brutal kick that smashed Nomak's face into the ground. The impact cracked the floor beneath him.

"Is that your student?" Yaga asked, her tone casual, though her eyes never left the fight.

Leonardo chuckled, crossing her arms. "Damn straight. He'd been wasting his potential working for Varek, searching for someone worthy to lead him. That idiot never stood a chance—Nomak belongs with me."

Meanwhile, Nomak was being forced backward under Mel's relentless assault. A flurry of hidden cloud kicks struck his face, each blow landing with precision and force. Mel followed up with an elbow strike aimed at Nomak's temple, but Nomak intercepted it with his wand, the clash creating a flash of energy.

With a growl, Nomak drove the sharp tip of his wand into Mel's cheek, leaving a streak of blood before slashing it viciously across Mel's chest. The force of the strike sent Mel staggering back, but the dark aura around him flared even stronger.

"I'm so tired," Nomak muttered under his breath, his voice weary but his stance unyielding.

Still lost in his clouded, uncontrolled state, Mel grabbed a loose floorboard with one hand, snapping it free from the stage. Without hesitation, he swung it like a weapon, striking Nomak down with a resounding crack.

Leonardo smirked, still watching the chaos unfold. "So... are we going to fight or what?" she asked, her tone dripping with amusement.

"Maybe later," Yaga replied, settling into a seat with a knowing smile. Her eyes stayed locked on the combat. "This is too entertaining to miss."

"A fight between my student and your student's son." Leonardo grinned, her tone laced with smug satisfaction. "How poetic."

Mel shoved Nomak backward with a final, brutal kick that dislocated Nomak's shoulder. Nomak crumpled to the ground, his body battered and broken. Mel stood over him, breathing heavily, his dark aura flickering like a storm.

Suddenly, Varek appeared behind him, wielding a chair. With a loud crash, he struck Mel in the back. "You bastard!" Varek screamed, his voice shaking.

Mel turned slowly, his glowing, smoky eyes locking onto Varek, who froze in terror. "W-Wait!" Varek stammered, raising his hands in a feeble plea.

Without a word, Mel grabbed Varek's wrist and unleashed a flurry of hidden cloud kicks, each one striking with devastating precision. The final blow slammed Varek into the ground with bone-cracking force.

Varek coughed, tears streaming down his face as he whimpered in pain. For a moment, his vision blurred, and his mind was transported to a memory that had haunted him for years.

Flashback

Varek knelt on the ground, crying in frustration, his fists pounding against the dirt. Above him stood Merlin Shadowbane, draped in a majestic robe and crowned like a true monarch. In one hand, Merlin held two gleaming tonfas, while his iron gauntlets glinted ominously in the light. His presence was overwhelming, a king and conqueror in every sense. He looked like an older, battle-hardened version of Melanthius, exuding an air of unstoppable power.

"Look at you," Merlin said coldly, his voice dripping with disdain. "Crying like a pathetic little whelp at my feet. Maybe—just maybe—you could've beaten me if you didn't cry." He leaned down slightly, his smirk sharp as a blade. "Nah. Even without the tears, the best you'd get is a win for your dignity. But now? You've got nothing."

Around Merlin, the bodies of fallen wizards lay sprawled across the battlefield. He raised his hands, and a surge of magical energy crackled in the air. The surrounding magic from the defeated wizards flowed toward him, spiraling into his grasp as he absorbed their power.

Varek's cries of anguish echoed across the scene, his hatred and humiliation burning into his soul.

Back in the present, Varek whimpered on the ground, staring up at Mel. "You're just like him," he whispered hoarsely, tears pooling in his eyes. "Just like Merlin."