I drew my sword and threw the table away. I was at Jurya's side in a blink and raised Eversharp in the air. I couldn't see anything around Jurya, but I could sense a malicious force as if someone was glaring at me. Eversharp glowed dimly gold, and the holes filled with translucent blue as I swung the sword down and nearly grazed Jurya's cheek.

Even though it didn't feel like I cut anything other than air, the malicious force was gone. Jurya went limp, and BD became a German shepherd to catch the dryad. At the same time, Mindplay slid down the wall, holding his head and wincing in pain. He waved away any help and instructed Elen to help Jurya.

Elen checked Jurya's vitals and confirmed she was still alive.

"I will take her to the infirmary," she explained, wasting no time leaving Jurya cradled in her arms.

Once the door closed behind Elen, Mindplay yelled as quietly as possible, "Damn it! I miss the days when reading people's emotions was the most I did."

"What happened?" asked Raya.

"I don't know, but her memories were tampered with. It was when I tried to fix things that something 'attacked' me."

"I felt something, too," I explained while sheathing Eversharp. "Something, a spell, I think, was killing Jurya."

Mindplay continued. "I have no doubt this is the wizard's work, but I couldn't get any details about them."

"It's the jinn all over again," Raya complained. "Only this time, we are dealing with someone with the skill to break a prison that took 12 wizards to make."

"It might be worse than the jinn," said BD. "A jinn has predictable strengths and weaknesses, while a wizard can have a library's worth of spell knowledge. If we can't find out who this person is, it will be impossible to counter his magic."

"Then it's good that Claymore will be with us," I said. I started to remember a moment when Claymore and I were in a fight together, but I brushed the thought aside. "Come on. There's nothing else for us here."

As I approached the door, BD asked, "Where are you going?"

I looked back at her, confused. "To the portal gate," I said slowly.

"Did you not remember that you can use Eversharp to teleport now?" I looked down at the hilt of my blade as BD continued to explain, "Eversharp has the potential to cut the fabric of dimensions. You're still not good at controlling your powers, and that skill requires a lot of energy, so I'll support you."

"Why can't we use the portals normally?" I asked.

"Like I said before, the portal gates are connected to specific points, and Eversharp can put us right next to Claymore."

I wish I knew that sooner, I thought.

No, you don't.

It would have been too much for me to handle, and, at the time, I didn't want more power. Now, I needed it if I was going to bet Shadow Fang and do it promptly.

I drew Eversharp as BD nestled on my shoulder like a small dragon. I tightly gripped the hilt of Eversharp and raised it in the air. A buzzing sound came from the sword, resonating with BD and me. The sword was draining energy from me as I began to picture Claymore standing before me. It was like reaching into a jar and sifting through packing peanuts for a ball. BD helped me focus and allow her own energy to be taken by Eversharp when I started to grow tired and disoriented. Eventually, the image of Claymore became so real that I could smell him, and then I brought down Eversharp, creating a portal.

Unlike the uneven oval the knife made when it ripped into reality, there was no sound produced, and the shape of the portal had a smoother outline. I turned to Mindplay and Raya to see if they were ready. Once they confirmed that they were, I walked through the portal.

Walking through the portal this time around didn't leave me feeling as sick as it would before. BD suggested that I wouldn't get motion sickness because I created it with my own energy. Mindplay was elated to be back, raising his hands to the sky and taking long, obnoxious breaths of air.

My eyes still needed to adjust to the new scenery, but what I eventually saw made me question if I had teleported us to the right place.

Stonehenge was still on a hill, as I had seen in pictures, with a cloudy sky as a backdrop. What once was a marvel of mathematical ingenuity stood crumbling to time while still retaining an echo of its original purpose. The difference was that it had beech trees surrounding it.

Claymore had his back to us. He was wearing the same tux combination as he did when I first met him at my school. The difference now was that Claymore was leaning against his staff. He was staring at Stonehenge as two groups of people were arguing with each other. The group in black padded armor was clearly the United Kingdom law enforcement, but I didn't know who the group in white cloaks was. The cloaked individuals stood in front of the trees surrounding Stonehenge, almost like guards, as law enforcement tried to remove them.

Once Claymore was done spectating, he turned to us with a trickster's smile and said, "Took you long enough."

"We were trying to get the wizard's identity, which is most likely working with Shadow Fang," I said, "but what's happening around Stonehenge?"

"Not sure," Claymore admitted. "The trees are likely a means for Shadow Fang's group to get from here to his base via druidic magic. It would make sense since there are a lot of druid tribes in this area. That's one of the tribes in the white cloaks."

"Do you know if they are working for Shadow Fang?" Asked Mindplay.

"Can't say for sure. I was waiting for things to calm down so I could ask, but they'd been going at this for almost an hour. More people started to show up, and I suspect some are members of the Order of the Eye." As Claymore spoke, his face gave nothing away.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"I don't know, per se. The people who showed up looked like journalists, nature researchers, and anyone who could help remove the druids. Given the increase in activity around Stonehenge, I would be surprised if the Order didn't show up. They may have noticed me by now, but that's unimportant."

"Can you use the trees to get us to Shadow Fang's base?" asked Raya.

"I'm not an expert in druid magic, but even if I were, tree traversal isn't the same as portal travel."

"It's the difference between driving on the road and taking a train," BD explained when Claymore didn't elaborate.

Claymore continued. "I'd ask these people if they know anything strange happening, but I suspect they know less than we do."

"What about Shade?" I asked suddenly.

"What about him?"

"He helped us once and seems to be good at gathering information. Isheram's report stated he came here, and I don't think he would be opposed to helping us again."

Claymore considered the idea before saying, "There's no reason to think he would refuse. So be it. Go to the crowd to see if they spotted anyone moving around with a suit of armor. Be careful around Stonehenge," Claymore said to me. Your powers could break the magical bindings."

For a moment, I didn't believe him. Stonehenge was supposed to be an unbreakable seal that could only be undone by a spell of equal power. Was I really capable of such a feat?

Then again, was that not the reason Shadow Fang risked exposure to find me? There was no way of knowing, so I put the question behind me and approached Stonehenge with Raya and Mindplay. Once we were out of earshot of Claymore, Mindplay whispered a question to Raya.

"What will you do if we run into Order members?" When Raya didn't answer, Mindplay asked again.

"I don't know!" she snapped under her breath. "It's bad enough I teleported within viewing range of Silver. I doubt I'll run into anyone with the authority to question me, but this may be where our partnership ends."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Once we got close enough to the law enforcement, Mindplay held up his private investigator badge for one of the officers to read. The officer looked at Mindplay skeptically.

"An American?" he asked in accented English. "Are you with the Watcher Organization?"

Without missing a beat, Mindplay responded, "I am, and the people behind me are my superhero assistants." Mindplay pointed a thumb at Raya and me. We believe this phenomenon is related to a criminal last seen in the States."

The officer looked back at Stonehenge. "You mean some ascendeit was behind this?"

"That's what I'm here to figure out. Have there been any reports of someone walking around in a suit of armor?"

"Stand by. I'll check."

The officer walked away, speaking through his coms. Mindplay walked back to us with a smile on his face.

"And that is the kind of influence you can have if you work for me," he said smugly.

"I almost forgot about the deal we made," I said.

"I didn't make that deal," Raya responded dryly. "Besides, I can already do that with the Order."

"Speaking of, is the Watcher Organization the Order's alternate name? Who would have thought they were secretly monster hunters this whole time."

"I've never heard of the Watcher Organization," I admitted.

"Never heard of them? They are one of the oldest companies, dating back 1000 years, focusing on what we now call ascendeit augmentations. Then again, their main branch is stationed in Jordan, so it isn't too shocking you haven't heard of them.

"What do you mean by 'augmentations'?"

A new voice responded to my question. "Weapons, inhibitors, enhancers, and so on. Anything and everything to keep the world in check." I turned to the voice and saw the same guy who was with Raya back in Paradise as he dismissed the officer. He was wearing a white ball cap and a guitar case on his back.

When Raya turned to him, he asked her, "Why didn't you let me know you would be here? And what's he doing here?" The guy pointed his finger at me almost accusingly.

Raya seemed shocked to see the guy but still answered his questions calmly. "I'm here looking for Shadow Fang. I'm guessing our people are here because of a spike in monster sightings in this area?"

The guy looked at me and then back at Raya. "Must we speak so openly around this thing?" When Raya didn't answer, the guy answered her question clearly frustrated.

"You'd be correct as to why we are here, but are you implying that Shadow Fang is behind all this?"

"Without a doubt," said Mindplay. "It appears the vampire is trying to release something powerful hidden under Stonehenge."

The guy stared at Mindplay, confused. "And who are you?"

"Mindplay, private investigator superhero from America." Mindplay pulled out his ID as proof and held his hand for a handshake. "And you are?"

Hesitantly, the guys shook Mindplay's hand. "Code name: Crucible. Why are you mixed up in all this?"

"Enough with the pleasantries," Raya complained. "We must find Shadow Fang's base within the area and take him out."

"That's what we've been trying to do," explained Crucible, "but the druids won't let us get close enough to investigate the area. They're saying we are violating their religious rituals."

"Are the druids a part of this somehow? "I asked.

Crucible clearly didn't want to answer me but did anyway to avoid getting scolded by Raya again. "Possibly. When we arrived, we didn't know what was happening, much less its relation to Shadow Fang."

"So, you wouldn't know anything about a base run by monsters?" asked Raya.

"I can start the search immediately if that's what you want."

"We were actually looking for someone," I said. "We asked the officer if you guys spotted someone in armor."

"Why? Is he a suspect?"

“An informant,” said Mindplay. "We believe he can find the base effortlessly if we can contact him."

"My team and I will get right on it."

"No," Raya asserted. "We will remain here if one or more of Shadow Fang's forces appear. I will brief you later. These two will find the informant, flush out Shadow Fang, and hopefully deal with him."

"Putting your trust in monsters now, are we?" Crucible's words were harsh and caused Raya's irises to constrict.

"Do I smell insubordination, 'rookie'?"

"We are the same rank. Equal partners."

I got between the two monster hunters. My eyes glowed blue, and BD made a low growl. "We are here to stop Shadow Fang. I promised Raya that you guys could have the vampire once we captured him. If we fight, Shadow Fang will escape like last time."

Crucible quickly backed up from me, looking sorrowfully at Raya. He clearly didn't mean to get angry at Raya. Confusion and worry clouded his perception of the situation, and perhaps he didn't expect his partner to take the side of someone he thought was the enemy.

Raya was just as taken aback for what I assumed were similar reasons.

I continued to speak to Crucible. "Do you know anything about the armored man?"

Crucible cleared his throat before he responded. "The officer said someone who fit that description was heading towards Amesbury." He paused, then said, "I'm trusting this one time. Don't make me regret it."

I turned to Raya, who had recovered from my intervention. Her expression was cold and gave nothing away. It was beginning to dawn on me that the journey I was on was coming to an end. I was more relieved than anything. Finally, Shadow Fang would be defeated, and I could go back home with no worries that a foe from my past life wouldn't bother my current one.

Silver's past life.

Even now, I was attempting to keep the two identities separate. I had to get used to it since part of my plan was to rid the world of monsters and magic.

But there was something else beneath my relief. Sadness. I still had my promise to Mindplay, which I intended to keep so I would still see him again. But what about Raya, Claymore, or Isheram? If I was removing myself from the magical world, wouldn't that mean I wouldn't see them again?

At that point, I had no way of knowing, but I knew that I would still be on good terms with Isheram and Claymore. Raya, on the other hand, would be closer to an enemy. I didn't want that, but it was outside of my control.

I smiled at Raya and said, "Well, it was fun while it lasted."

At that moment, I saw Raya's iris turn from that of a cat's to a goat's and back again. She quickly turned away and refused to look at me again. Mindplay and I went back to Claymore soon after.

Upon reaching Claymore, we explained that Shade was seen going towards Amesbury.

Mindplay added, "They should have basic surveillance technology, so I'll use that to pinpoint where Shade could be."

Claymore looked back to where Raya was and asked, "Is your other friend not coming."

"She's staying here in case someone comes through the trees," I explained.

"Good idea. Hopefully, your mess of metal boxes can do the job."

Before Mindplay could question the odd description, Claymore raised his staff and slammed it to the ground, teleporting us inside Amesbury. Although we didn't move in the traditional sense, Mindplay and I almost tripped over ourselves, trying to reorient our positioning.

"What did I tell you about warning me before you did that?!" I yelled.

"Keep your voice down," was Claymore's reply. "We still don't know where Shadow Fang's group is. The less attention we draw to ourselves, the more time we have to look before Shadow Fang starts mobilizing."

Once Mindplay was situated, he pulled out his phone and started tapping the screen. "Shouldn't be more than a few seconds."

As Mindplay worked, I looked around to get a better understanding of where Claymore had put us. Cars drove past us on newly paved roads. People walked around us, unbothered by the fact that three random men appeared in front of them. The buildings were either brown or white, making it hard to know what anything was without reading the signs. Somehow, it gave the area an old feeling, contrasted with modern light fixtures and cars.

No one stood out as out of the ordinary. People would use their ascendeit powers to get around, but that wasn't anything new. A gray raven was perched on the top of one of the buildings--

Gray raven?

Is it staring at us?

The raven's orange eyes looked back at me with recognition. It tilted its head, motioning in one direction, and flew in that direction.

It wants us to… follow?

"Guys," I announced to the group. "I need to do something real quick. Don't wait for me."

"Where are you going?" Asked Mindplay.

"Alright then," said Claymore, speaking over Mindplay.

I didn't think to answer Mindplay's question and followed the raven. As the bird flew, I noticed it left behind trails of mist-like down feathers. Not the most shocking thing about it. It would land on trees or anything low to the ground to make sure I was following before it took off again. While trying to mark the scent of the bird, I realized it smelled like the air before a storm. It wasn't a flesh and blood creature.

Soon, the bird led me to a church made of gray stones, the grass around it decorated with gravestones. I continued to fly around the side of the building that didn't face the road.

On the other side, standing in the shade, I found the raven perched on a suit of armor, leaning on the wall with its arms crossed. Once I was in view, the raven turned to mist and was absorbed into the armor. When the armor shifted, it sounded hollow. I could smell the same smell that came from the raven, but there were no signs of anything "alive." It could be a construct, but why did the raven enter the armor?

"Who are you, and what do you want with me?" I asked the stranger. I knew who it was, but I had no evidence it could be Shade.

I could feel the stranger's eyes on me even when I couldn't see them. Suddenly, the armor looked down on itself and banged on its chest plate, causing it to ring hollow.

"Ok, ok," came a male voice from inside the armor. It also had an echo, and my ears perked. I recognized the voice, but the distortion kept me from pinpointing the last time I heard it.

Soon after, mist flowed out of the armor as the armor continued to stand cross-armed. The fog came together to form a humanoid shape until the details became clear. What came together was a male human around the same age as me. His skin was light brown, and his curly hair was cut with a high top and a temp fade. His attire was similar to that found in South Africa, where I originally came from, but his shirt was sleeveless. He had tattoos on his arm with a similar art style to mine but resembled wings with what looked like talons on his knuckles. Like the raven, his eyes glowed orange, like mine glowed blue when I used my powers.

Even before he spoke, I took steps back as I noted the similarities I had with the stranger. It was proving challenging to call the person a stranger even though I hadn't seen him in years.

"Hello, brother. It's me, Shade."