One month later, on December 21st, Mel, Rue, Sera, Caius, and Lumi sat in the carriage teleportation station. "Why are we here again?" Sera asked, shivering as the cold bit at her skin. Caius, his fur-covered arms brimming with warmth, wrapped them around her to help fend off the chill.
"Because my friends are coming, and I want to see them," Mel replied with a grin, as though the cold didn’t faze him in the slightest.
"Good thing I have a built-in heater," Rue teased with a smirk, her tone laced with her usual sarcasm. Lumi, unaffected by the temperature, simply adjusted her posture, the cool air doing nothing to disturb her, thanks to her ice magic.
The first carriage arrived, and Elowen stepped down, her eyes bright as she and Mel immediately wrapped their arms around each other in a tight, heartfelt hug. "I missed you so much!" they said in perfect unison, their voices filled with warmth.
They pulled back, and Elowen laughed softly. "How’ve you been?" she asked, her gaze soft with concern.
Mel ran a hand through his hair, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. "I’ve been good. Just been teaching my new friends the ropes and making sure Rue doesn’t end up with a rock stuck in her wheels," he said, chuckling lightly.
At that moment, Rue, ever the troublemaker, shocked him from behind. “Hey, Elowen!” she grinned, mischievous as always.
Elowen’s face lit up, and she pulled Rue into a warm hug. “It’s been way too long, friend!” she exclaimed, squeezing her tightly.
“Two of your girls hugging, huh? You’re quite the player,” Sera whispered with a sly grin. Mel sighed and rolled his eyes. “They’re not my women,” he muttered, nudging her playfully to push her away.
Sera, undeterred, stepped forward and approached Elowen, her gaze softening just slightly. She extended her hand with a confident smile. “I’m Sera Upan. It’s a pleasure,” she said, her tone warm, but with an edge of curiosity.
Elowen met her gaze, her lips curving into a smile as she took Sera’s hand. The moment lingered a bit longer than expected. "Hell of a grip," Elowen remarked with a teasing glint in her eyes. “I’m Elowen Pendragon. Nice to meet you, Sera.”
The brief silence that followed was thick with unspoken understanding—there was something between them, a subtle connection, though neither of them acknowledged it out loud. Sera’s smile deepened, a spark in her eyes that spoke volumes.
The next carriage arrived, and Jake stepped out first, his face lighting up when he saw Mel. “Oh, Jake!” Mel called out, walking up to him. They exchanged a firm handshake, followed by friendly pats on the back.
Arid hopped down from the carriage next, shivering as he brushed the snow off his jacket. “I’m here too, you know!” he announced with mock indignation.
Mel chuckled, turning back to Jake. “So, you two are friends now?” he asked, glancing between them.
Jake nodded earnestly. “Yeah, Arid’s been helping me work out—and he even stood up to my bullies for me.”
Mel extended his hand to Arid, who clasped it firmly. “Thanks for your help during the Warden battle,” Mel said, bowing slightly in respect.
Arid waved it off with a grin. “Ah, had to back up my new buddies!” Before anyone could respond, he threw an arm around both Mel and Elowen, locking them into a playful headlock.
“You choked me unconscious,” Elowen grumbled, trying to wriggle free.
“And you bullied Jake,” Mel added with a pointed look.
“Details, details,” Arid said breezily, releasing them with a laugh. He strode over to Caius, giving him a nod. “Hey,” he greeted casually.
Caius stared at him blankly, his usual silence making the moment awkward.
Arid raised an eyebrow. “Uh, it’s friendly to say ‘hey’ back, you know?” His voice took on an edge of irritation.
Caius’s stoic expression didn’t budge, which only made Arid throw his hands up in exasperation. “Seriously? Am I talking to a brick wall?”
The group couldn’t help but chuckle at Arid’s theatrics, the tension melting away into easy camaraderie.
Mel barely registered the blow before an invisible force slammed into his nose, sending a sharp jolt of pain through his face. Warm blood trickled down, and he staggered back, instincts kicking in as he dodged a series of rapid, unseen strikes. His eyes narrowed, searching for the source, when a figure stepped forward, emerging from the haze.
It was Lance Landthug—but not the Lance he remembered. The scrawny, 5’6” boy with a wiry frame had transformed. Standing before him now was a towering 6’4” figure, rippling with muscle, his once-lean physique replaced by sheer power. Lance’s confident grin widened as he approached.
“Master!” Lance’s voice boomed, full of excitement, as he lunged forward, wrapping Mel in a crushing embrace. The sound of bones creaking filled the air as Mel grimaced, his ribs feeling like they might splinter.
“L-Lance!” Mel wheezed, wincing as he struggled against the iron grip. “When did you—ugh—get so strong?!”
“While I was in Omen, I met a lot of elves who were obsessed with my father’s ice cream,” Lance said with a proud grin. “I ended up learning their ways—and they kind of trained me, too.”
He finally released Mel, who collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. “That’s... great,” Mel wheezed, dragging himself to his feet. He dusted off his clothes before a sly smile crept onto his face. “But you know I can’t let you get away with that, right? Caius, give Lance a proper hug.”
Caius nodded silently, his calm demeanor unchanging.
Lance scoffed, crossing his arms. “Yeah, sure, like he’d actually—”
Before he could finish, Caius’s arms shifted, the sinews growing and thickening as they transformed into massive, gorilla-like limbs. Without hesitation, Caius wrapped Lance in a vice-like grip.
The air was filled with the sound of bones creaking and Lance’s startled yelp. “Hey, hey, wait! I was joking!” he stammered, squirming uselessly.
Mel smirked, crossing his arms as he watched. “Lesson one: never underestimate a quiet guy.”
Lance crumpled to the ground, groaning as his overworked muscles throbbed in protest. He shot a weak glare at Caius, who stood unbothered, his arms returning to their normal state.
Before anyone could comment, two more carriages arrived. Renita stepped down gracefully from one, her eyes lighting up as she spotted the group. “Hey, everyone,” she greeted warmly, bowing slightly.
Mel mirrored her bow out of respect before Renita surprised him with a hug. She didn’t stop there, pulling Elowen and Arid into her embrace as well. “It’s so good to see all of you again,” she said with a radiant smile.
Lincoln hopped down from the second carriage, shaking snow from his shaggy hair. He scratched absently at the back of his head, a sheepish grin forming. “Yeah, werewolves like me love the winter,” he said, flicking a small flea off his shoulder. “This is our season to thrive!”
Renita wrinkled her nose playfully. “Well, Lincoln, maybe your thriving should include a bath.”
The group chuckled, the playful banter melting the winter chill around them.
“And now, the only one missing is Dorian,” Mel announced, his voice carrying over the chatter. But as he scanned the station, there were no more carriages in sight. His gaze shifted to the clock mounted high above, and a wave of murmurs broke out among the group.
“Where is he?” Elowen muttered, stepping closer to Mel, her arms crossed tightly against the biting cold.
Rue wheeled up beside him, her breath visible in the frosty air. “Maybe he got lost. Typical Dorian.”
Mel sighed, rubbing his hands together for warmth. “Alright, it’s freezing out here. You guys head to the restaurant and get settled. We’ll wait for him and catch up.”
The others grumbled in agreement, shuffling off toward the promise of warmth and food. As the group dispersed, Mel stayed rooted, glancing back at the station’s entrance with a faint frown.
“Come on, Dorian,” he muttered under his breath.
Mel and Elowen waited four forty five minutes for the final member of their trio to arrive. The cold had only grown sharper, and the two huddled together on the station’s wooden bench, sharing warmth beneath a hastily draped cloak.
“Where is that idiot?” Elowen muttered, her voice muffled as she buried her face against Mel’s shoulder.
Mel exhaled a frosty sigh, his breath forming a faint cloud in the freezing air. “I wish I knew,” he replied, his tone laced with both worry and frustration.
He glanced toward the empty tracks, the silence of the station gnawing at his patience. Dorian’s absence felt heavier with each passing minute.
A few moments later, Elowen’s quiet snores filled the air as she rested against Mel’s shoulder. He glanced down at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Do you want to head to the restaurant?” he asked softly, adjusting her so she could settle more comfortably.
She stirred but didn’t lift her head. “We could wait a little longer…” she murmured, her breath visible in the frigid air as she shivered.
Without hesitation, Mel slipped off his robe and draped it over her shoulders. “Here. This should help.”
Elowen chuckled weakly, pulling the robe tighter. “You’re warm even without it. Must be a wizard thing.” Her cold breath brushed against his chest as she looked up at him.
“Probably,” he replied with a soft laugh.
Elowen tilted her head, her curiosity momentarily distracting her from the cold. “Who were the three you were with earlier?”
“Sera, Lumi, and Caius,” he said. “They’re my family… well, not by blood. Their mom was a friend of Merlin. They’re wizards like me.” His voice dropped slightly. “But don’t tell the others, okay?”
She nodded, her shivering intensifying as a cough escaped her lips. Mel’s gaze darted between her and the empty carriages, a sense of unease creeping in.
“Let’s go,” he said firmly, standing and helping her to her feet. “We’ll figure out what’s going on with Dorian later.”
Elowen leaned into him as they walked, the warmth of his presence shielding her from the biting cold.
They stepped into the bustling restaurant, the warmth and chatter instantly embracing them. The rest of the group was already gathered around a large table, laughing and enjoying their meals. A chorus of greetings met Elowen and Mel as they approached.
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“Still no sign of Dorian?” Rue asked, her gaze shifting to Elowen’s shivering frame.
Mel shook his head, sliding into an open booth across from Rue and Lance. “Nope. And Elowen’s freezing,” he said, pulling her closer as she slid in beside him, her teeth chattering audibly.
“Maybe he’ll show up tomorrow,” Mel mused, wrapping an arm protectively around Elowen’s shoulders to help warm her.
Rue watched the gesture, rubbing her own arm as a flicker of jealousy crossed her face. “So, where’s everyone staying?” she asked, changing the subject.
The group exchanged answers, most mentioning nearby hotels, while Lance casually said, “My house.”
Rue scoffed, her eyes narrowing as she started tapping at something on her wrist device. “Hotels around here are so sketchy. You never know what kind of freaks might be lurking in them.” She glanced at the group with a mischievous grin. “Lucky for you, I just booked us a five-star resort. Skiing, snowboarding, six bedrooms—plenty of space for all eleven of us. One lucky person even gets a private room. You're welcome.”
The table erupted in a mix of surprise and gratitude, though Rue’s smug expression made it clear she wasn’t entirely selfless in her generosity. “Now you don’t have to worry about freezing your butts off,” she added with a wink.
“Wait, hold on,” Renita interjected, raising a hand to quiet the group. “I know we’re all excited about this resort idea, but…what happens if one of Mel’s arch-enemies decides to show up?”
The table fell into a hush, with murmurs of unease rippling through the group.
“No offense, Mel,” Renita added, glancing his way with a half-apologetic smile, “but let’s be real—whenever you’re around, someone usually ends up as a shish kebab.”
The group exchanged wary looks, some nodding in reluctant agreement, while Mel sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Renita,” he said dryly, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
“But she’s right,” Mel admitted, his expression serious. “I’ve been working on a spell to temporarily seal my magic. It’s not perfect, but it should help reduce the risk of attracting unwanted attention.”
“Is that even safe?” Lance asked, his tone tinged with concern. “I mean, I know you’re ridiculously strong physically, but isn’t your magic kind of... essential?”
Mel nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, it’s a big part of who I am. But I’ll manage without it for now.”
Taking a steadying breath, Mel closed his eyes and focused. The room grew quiet as everyone watched his vibrant magical aura dim and fade. His purple pupils shifted to a deep black, and he exhaled shakily. “I think it’s off,” he said, though his voice carried a note of strain.
Mel swayed slightly, and Lance immediately stepped forward, holding out a hand. “You okay, sensei?” he asked, his tone laced with worry.
The moment Lance touched Mel’s hand, a sudden jolt of black lightning surged from Mel’s body, sending Lance flying backward. He crashed into a nearby wall with a groan.
“Whoa,” the group murmured in unison, eyes wide.
Mel staggered and shook his head, the dizziness evident on his face. “Okay... so maybe I need to work out a few kinks.”
Lance sat up, his hair slightly singed and his expression a mix of pain and bewilderment. “Sensei, you really gotta warn people before you turn into a human lightning rod!”
“Wait, Mel,” Rue interjected, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. “That looks like the same kind of energy you used when you went all purple smoky man and fought the wardens. Throw one of those... uh, hidden cloud attacks or whatever.”
Mel sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I keep telling you, that’s not the name... but fine.”
Rue grinned and tossed a nearby glass in his direction. Without hesitation, Mel threw a punch, unleashing his hidden cloud technique. But instead of the usual streak of misty energy trailing his fist, a crackling arc of black lightning shot out, obliterating the glass mid-air.
The room fell into a stunned silence.
“Uh oh,” Mel muttered, his eyes darting nervously as he saw the unease spreading among his friends.
“Mel,” Elowen said carefully, her voice steady but concerned. “That wasn’t a cloud. What’s going on?”
“Yeah, what gives, sensei?” Lance asked, inching further away from Mel just in case.
Mel winced, flexing his fingers as faint blue sparks crackled across his knuckles. “Looks like sealing my magic didn’t exactly seal everything... I think I might’ve unlocked another magical ability.”
Elowen’s eyes lit up as a thought struck her. “Wait—remember the Wild Storm Spider? You ate its leg, right? Maybe you absorbed some of its abilities. What if you can conjure webs using its DNA?”
Mel sighed, shaking his head. “Elowen, I doubt I can just summon webs with the flick of a—” He flicked his wrist mid-sentence, and to his shock, a shimmering string of blue lightning-web shot from his hand, forming a cage-like structure in mid-air.
The room went silent for a beat.
“Okay…” Mel said nervously, staring at his hand.
“WHERE IS HE GETTING ALL OF THIS MAGIC FROM?!” Lincoln screamed, his voice breaking the tension.
Lance rolled his eyes and slapped the back of Lincoln’s head. “Pull yourself together!”
“I can’t! He’s got cloud magic! Wild Storm Spider magic! And now this random black lightning magic!” Lincoln gestured wildly, his panic escalating. “Not to mention he’s freakin’ Merlin’s son!”
Mel started fidgeting with his fingers, trying to calm his nerves. “Okay, let’s just all take a breath. I’m still the same—” His voice trailed off as he realized he’d absent-mindedly conjured a tiny house made of his lightning webs. He blinked at it, surprised. “Huh. That’s... cute. A little web house.”
“Mel! Focus!” Renita snapped, pulling him back to reality. “What are you going to do now? Maybe it’s time to turn off at least two of those powers. This could get out of hand, and we’re heading to the resort.”
Mel nodded, trying to clear his mind. “Right. Right. I’ll keep the webs.” He concentrated, feeling the pulse of magic inside him. Slowly, he turned off the black lightning magic, feeling the energy drain away.
His mind wandered, and a lingering thought gnawed at him. “Was that black lightning the same as the monster from my vision? Is it... somehow connected to me?”
He stared at his hand, feeling the weight of the question settle on him. It was as though a part of him had always been tied to that darkness, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that the answers were out there—waiting for him to understand them.
The rest of the night was filled with laughter and energy, the atmosphere warm and carefree. Everyone gathered around the large table, enjoying delicious food and each other’s company. Mel, despite his earlier worries, found himself distracted by his newfound powers, absent-mindedly crafting intricate web-woven action figures of everyone at the table. He laughed softly as he shaped each one, seeing tiny versions of his friends come to life in his hands.
Lance, ever the bundle of energy, was in his own world, bench pressing tables for fun, his muscles straining as he laughed at his own strength. But when it came time for an arm wrestling competition with Elowen, he found himself defeated with a surprised grunt, his hand pinned to the table by her determined grip.
"Okay, okay, you're stronger than you look," Lance admitted, rubbing his arm, and everyone burst into laughter. Elowen grinned triumphantly, clearly enjoying her victory, while the others clinked their glasses together in a celebratory cheer.
As the evening wore on, they shared stories, joked around, and reveled in the rare moment of peace. Even Caius, usually silent, cracked a smile as he watched the chaos unfold, while Rue couldn’t help but chuckle at Lance’s antics. For that one night, everything felt right, the weight of the world lifted for just a while, as they all enjoyed each other’s company without a care in the world.
The next day, the group of eleven gathered at the bustling carriage station, which was crowded—unsurprising given it was Christmas weekend. Amid the lively chaos, Mel stood to the side, focused, as he crafted a long, thick whip from his webs, testing its weight and flexibility with deliberate movements.
Lance approached, raising an eyebrow. “Sensei, what are you doing?”
Mel glanced over his shoulder, a small smile forming. “Since I’ve got this new magic, I thought I’d start working on a martial art for it—like I did with my cloud magic.”
Lance’s jaw dropped, his eyes wide. “You’re what?!” He clutched his head dramatically. “Gah! No wonder Lincoln lost his mind! You’re not just casually using new magic—you’re inventing an entirely new martial art! You’re an actual genius… but also terrifying.”
Mel chuckled, twisting the web whip experimentally. “It’s just about figuring out what works. I’m still me.”
“Yeah, but most people can’t just wake up one day and say, ‘Hey, let’s make a second martial art!’” Lance groaned, gesturing to the others. “Does anyone else think this is insane?”
The group chuckled, clearly unfazed by Mel’s brilliance. Rue, leaning against a post, smirked. “It’s Mel. This is his version of normal.”
“Exactly,” Elowen added with a playful grin. “Get used to it.”
"Will you teach it to me too?" Lance asked eagerly, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
Mel didn’t answer right away. Instead, he conjured a few shimmering webs, tossing them above his head. As they hovered and shifted, he began to move, mirroring their fluid, unpredictable motion. Each movement was deliberate, his focus intense.
"I haven’t even mastered it myself," Mel finally said, his tone light but determined. "But yeah, I will."
With a quick flick of his wrist, a thread shot out, striking a nearby wall with pinpoint precision. The impact left a small crater in its wake, the sound of the hit echoing faintly. Mel stood still for a moment, breathing heavily, before a grin broke across his face.
"Found it," he chuckled, his tone a mix of satisfaction and exhilaration.
The group stared, slack-jawed, their expressions a mixture of awe and disbelief.
"Did... did that just happen?" Renita murmured, breaking the stunned silence.
"Yep," Rue said, crossing her arms, her eyes narrowing playfully. "And of course, it was Mel."
Lance, still wide-eyed, could only grin. "Sensei, you’re ridiculous."
Arid growled with obvious jealousy, his gaze flicking toward Jake. Without a word, he hoisted Jake over his shoulder and marched up to walk beside Mel. “I have a student too!” he declared with smug satisfaction before setting Jake down.
Jake staggered, looking bewildered. “I’m not your student... I just asked you to train me…” he stammered.
Arid silenced him by placing a finger to his lips. “Shush, my dear pupil. I shall now teach you the legendary Vine Strike!”
With an exaggerated flourish, Arid conjured several vines, sending them writhing into the air above him. He began moving in sync with the vines, his motions exaggeratedly fluid. Then, with a dramatic flick of his wrist, one of the sharp vines lashed out and struck a nearby wall, leaving a small crater. He turned back to the group and struck a theatrical bow. “Voila!”
A beat of silence hung in the air before Elowen crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that just... a copy of what Mel just did? But, you know, with vines?”
Arid’s face flushed, and he spat indignantly. “Shut up! I’m trying to teach my pupil something!”
He turned back to Jake, only to notice the boy had disappeared. A quick scan revealed Jake standing beside Mel and Lance, listening intently as Mel demonstrated how to replicate the move without relying on magic.
“Traitor!” Arid growled, pointing dramatically at Jake, who gave an awkward shrug and returned his focus to Mel’s instructions.
“Princess Ruuuueee, isn’t there any way we can get there faster?” Lumi whined, sprawling dramatically across one of the benches.
Rue glanced at her with a raised eyebrow, then shrugged. “Sorry, my carriage teleporter can only transport four people at a time, and it doesn’t have enough charge to keep making trips back and forth.”
Lumi groaned and covered her face. “Ugh, this is torture.”
Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she turned to Mel. “Wait, Mel! Fly us to Vrada—it’s where our resort is. It’s this gorgeous city in the Auroria Dominion! You’d love it!”
Mel burst out laughing, shaking his head as he started to move in slow, deliberate motions, his webs swirling around him like an impromptu tai chi routine. “Fly? I can’t do that anymore. The only reason I could before was thanks to my cloud magic. Now?” He flexed his fingers, and blue lightning sparked between them, weaving into strands of webbing. “Now, I’m just a ball of lightning webs—no flight.”
Elowen approached Mel, her brows knit with concern as he paused his fluid movements. “Have you heard anything from Dorian?”
Mel let out a weary sigh, shaking his head. “Nothing. It doesn’t make sense. He was the one who suggested this winter get-together, and now he’s missing all of it?” His gaze lingered on the carriages, scanning them one last time before sighing again, frustration evident in his posture.
Before either of them could say more, a sharp voice cut through the air. “Melanthius! Sera! Lumi! Caius!”
All heads turned to see Shenelle Upan—secretly known as Baba Yaga—storming toward them, her eyes blazing with authority. The four of them immediately snapped into a line, as if facing a drill sergeant.
“What is this I hear about you all going to a resort? King Percival just informed me!” she barked, arms crossed in disapproval.
“O-oh, hey… Mom?” Sera stammered, fidgeting nervously. “Princess Rue invited us to a resort in Vrada. We… uh, kinda forgot to tell you, but we figured it’d be fine… you know, since it’s just a short trip.” Her voice wavered, betraying her unease.
Shenelle’s piercing gaze flicked between them, her silence more intimidating than any words. The group braced themselves, unsure what her response would be.
Shenelle let out a shriek of delight, sounding more like a proud mother at a graduation. “My kids are finally making friends with other children!” She practically tackled Lumi, Caius, and Sera into a bear hug, squeezing them tightly as they squirmed in her grip. “This is a monumental moment!”
“Mom, we can’t breathe!” Sera wheezed, struggling against her iron embrace.
“Oh, nonsense!” Shenelle chirped, finally releasing them and straightening her posture. “Now, there’s no way I’m missing this trip. I will be your chaperone!” Her tone left no room for argument.
She turned her sharp gaze to Mel, stepping closer and scrutinizing him with a mix of concern and curiosity. “Melanthius, what on earth happened to your magical power? It feels so… diminished.” She pressed a hand to his neck, then his forehead, her brow furrowing. “Are you sick?”
Mel sighed and patiently explained. “I disabled my cloud magic temporarily to avoid drawing too much attention. But now I’ve discovered a new magic—black lightning—and it’s… complicated. Oh, and apparently, I inherited some magic from the wild storm spider DNA.”
Shenelle’s expression shifted from worry to intrigue, her lips pursed in thought. After a moment, she exhaled and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Well, I suppose it makes sense. Except for the black lightning. That… you’ll figure out soon enough.”
Her cryptic tone hung in the air as the group exchanged nervous glances, unsure whether to be comforted or more worried.
A few moments later, two carriages rolled up, their polished exteriors glinting under the winter sunlight. The group visibly perked up at their arrival, the chill in the air momentarily forgotten. Rue clapped her hands together with an air of authority, gesturing toward the carriages as she counted heads. With Shenelle now included, the group’s numbers balanced perfectly.
“An even twelve,” Rue noted, dividing the group into two equal halves. The kids, brimming with energy, eagerly climbed aboard the carriages, their chatter and laughter filling the crisp air. Shenelle followed with a composed but watchful demeanor, her presence commanding respect even in the lighthearted atmosphere. Within moments, the carriages were alive with the hum of voices and excitement as the journey finally began.