The dark forest begins to warp their sense of reality discretely and the dense mist begins to obscure any glimpse of light that they might have been using. Branches begin to slowly shift and create a dense impenetrable barrier near the edges of the path and the entrance they came through. Ethereal whispers flood their minds as they continue down the path. The twisting branches forming macabre figures and seem to draw closer to the four.

“It was foretold… you would return to us...” unknown.

The very air within the forest became thick with malevolence, permeating the senses and sending shivers down the spine of the four. As they continue, the temperature within the forest begins to drastically drop. The breath could be seen floating gently across the darkness in the faint light that was able to penetrate through the tree line. The four are encountered by a dark shadow in the middle of the path. A glow appears around the shadow, and it begins to shift and change in colors drastically.

Clapping his hands together once, Devon takes a step back and inhales deeply and slowly.

“Yep. We’re gonna die.”

“You don’t say, ya fuck?” Tyler saying in a sarcastic tone while looking around for an escape route.

The shadow begins to take shape, beginning to form the appearance of a human. The individual us draped in a dark purple robe. The robe flowed and swayed with an uncanny fluidity, as if it possessed a life of its own. The four notice an energy begins to buckle the ground beneath them. Before they could understand what was happening, the ground beneath the man buckled from the pressure and began to crack below him. A crack shoots out from underneath him like a chain reaction and hurdles toward the four. The rocks explode in every direction into the air in a violent manner and as the explosion reaches them, it sends their bodies outwards like ragdolls. Taylor is violently thrown into the air and in the result, his back slams into a large boulder. The sound of bones cracking is heard as Akshay is thrown directly into a tree, slamming his ribcage forcefully across the base. Dust and rocks are kicked into the air and Devon’s body skids across the ground and begins to lacerate his body from the jagged rocks and debris. The dust begins to settle and the four lay on the ground writhing in pain. The darkness trailed behind the person like a thick smoke and slowly approached Tyler as he was attempting to pick himself up. To no avail, Tyler kept falling back to the ground before he makes any headway. The person finally came face to face with Tyler. He lifted his arm and grabbed Tyler by his collar and began to lift him into the air. A cold presence over took Tyler’s body; paralyzing his body from the energy that surrounded the individual. With the energy that Tyler had left, he groaned and spit blood in the face of the person. It seemed to have no effect on the person.

“Wow… a big strong person, using magic on people that don’t… even know what to do…”

Whispers filled the air when the person opened his mouth. Multiple voices could be heard echoing through the darkness.

“Disgusting…”

“Leaving behind Ecrosetis was a terrible mistake… he was the only one keeping you alive and away from me…”

The unknown persons features become unobscured from the magic that once surrounded it and shows the appearance of a younger man. His fiery red hair resembling that of flames that danced in fires gently shaped his face. His tan skin glowed with a sun kissed hue hinting at the countless hours that he spent out in the sun. His piercing green eyes is what truly stood out to Tyler, because of the combination of appearance that this person had.

“Why does everything want to kill us lately” Tyler groaned as he was still being held out in front of the man.

“To ensure that you never become the new holders of the Whistle.” His tone was much different. It was deep and stern; it commanded authority. “My name is Tephillis and I am the last person you four will see.

Tyler smiled and began to clear his throat. His contorted expression was confusing to Tephillis and he stood there and looked at him as he held him. Tyler begins to make disgusting noises and as he tilts his head back, taking a deep breath to gather strength. His nostrils flare open, and with a forceful exhale he launches a wad of thick slimy mucus filled with blood directly into Tephillis’ face. Tephillis’ not knowing what was going to happen, did not move and the mucus covered his entire face as it dripped down slowly on to his shirt. Tyler noticing his friends slowly creeping up on Tephillis attempts to stall longer.

“Fun fact, you shouldn’t talk so much. You forget what’s happening.” Tyler smiles.

Tephillis’ screams in disgust as some of the mucus gets in his mouth. The texture of slime going over his tongue and the saltiness molesting his senses.

“You disgusting foul obscene creature I will kill you for this!” Tephillis’ drops Tyler to the ground.

Unknown to Tephillis, the other three managed to get behind him with makeshift weapons and they begin their attack as Tephillis wipes his face. Devon swings violently with a large branch into the back of Tephillis’ head. The echo of the branch slamming into the side of his head sounded like a thunder exploding in the sky. He falls to the ground as Taylor follows up with a kick into the stomach. It seems that Tephillis was weaker without the shadows covering his body. Akshay attempts to his best with his broken ribs and drops a large rock onto Tephillis’ head. The rock stops midair two inches above Tephillis’ head as he screams out, sending a force of energy in every direction. The four fly backwards, tumbling into the bushes in every direction.

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“Enough of this! You four are worthless and cannot even fathom the magic that you possess, and you result to primitive weapons!” Tephillis says while pushing himself to his feet.

“And now, being the useless carbon that you are. I will rid this world of you.”

Lightning begins to collect around him, and it cracks and explodes faster every second that passes. It begins to extend further and further into the area. A surge of energy shoots through the air and the atmosphere crackles with an electrifying intensity as he delved deep into his magic. His eyes glowed with an intense blue light, reflecting the sheer power coursing through his veins. He lifts his hands to the sky, and readying his attack, he throws his hands forward and releases the lightening towards the four in all directions. It hurdles towards the four, and as if they are ready to accept their fates they close their eyes and wait for the inevitable. Out of the darkness Ecrosetis stepped forward and with a swift movement, he slams the bottom of his staff onto the ground. The energy exploded towards the lightning, reflecting it back towards Tephillis. Golden wisps of light danced around Ecrosetis, swirling and intertwining in every direction, following every motion he did. The magic began to form a barrier around the four in an attempt to deflect anymore attacks. Tephillis raises his hands and flicks them upwards as he deflects the lightning sending it upwards into the sky.

“This has gone on long enough, Tephillis. Still acting out of anger and malice because you were dismissed.”

“Dismissed by a bunch of imposters who say they wield their best interests for all magic users.” Tephillis lowers his arms and crosses them against his chest. “You speak of enough, but you and your wife Leia saw to that, didn’t you? If it isn’t your way, it shouldn’t be done. You’re old and useless and it’s time for someone else to take hold of Theghist and Eliditia.”

Ecrosetis disappointed with how Tephillis is reacting attempts to reason with him.

“We never said you couldn’t come back to us; you chose not to come back. Your ideals are obscured by your father, and you allow it to cloud the truth.”

Being done with what Ecrosetis had to say Tephillis threw his hands forward and release a dark shadow. The shadows rushed violently towards the five and began to consume everything living in it’s path. As the dark wave approached Ecrosetis extended his arms, his palms radiating a warm golden glow. The barrier he had conjured expanded rapidly, enveloping the area in a shimmering light. The dark wave crashed against the barrier and began to push into the opposing magic. Ecrosetis defenses held firm, repelling the malevolent force. The clash of energies created a spectacle, illuminating the surroundings with a display of contrasting lights. Sparks and tendrils of darkness battled against their opposing magics. Seeing that he had the upper hand, Ecrosetis pushed the barrier further into the darkness causing Tephillis to falter slightly. The golden energy creeps closer to Tephillis and begins to consume him. As the magic become too much for him, it violently explodes around Tephillis, and slowly dissolves the darkness that was once around him. As the light fades, so does the shadows.

Ecrosetis lets his staff down gently and lets out a sigh.

“I’ll have you know he wasn’t here. That was merely his image projected. It is tangible like a real person, but he cannot die in projection form.”

Ecrosetis taps his staff against the ground and the energy that was once surrounding the four begins to slowly dissipate into the air. He turns around and looks to the four as he takes in a deep breath.

“Is there any reason why you had left? Each one of you could have died and this would have been all for nothing.”

The four gather themselves and dust themselves off as they adjust their clothing that had been torn and battered from the fight. Looking towards the sky, the light begins to trickle into the forest. Devon shrugs his shoulders searches for his phone on the ground. Leaning over, Devon snatches up the phone from the ground and inspects for any damages.

“Well, you also didn’t have to fall asleep mid-sentence when talking to us. We got bored waiting on you to wake up because you were asleep for four hours.”

Tyler stretching his back, he lifts his hands into the sky and lets out a loud groan. “And what do you mean all for nothing?”

Ecrosetis sighs and begins to walk towards exit of the forest. “Come with me.”

The four stumbling behind Ecrosetis, and the pain being all that they can think of eventually make it out of the forest. The warm sunbathes their faces in warmth as the view of city comes into sight.

“I will you take you to my wife. She will be able to mend this pain for you.” The sound of Ecrosetis staff tapping against the ground. The pebbles making a metallic ding every time one is hit. Distant music can be heard coming from the town as they get closer. Devon and Taylor help Akshay stay right side up by having both of his arms pressed against them their backs as they slowly drag him a long by supporting his weight. Akshay was a bigger guy, not fat, but stockier so it was a feat for them to hold him up this long. Upon reaching the walls of the city, Ecrosetis yelled out to the guards to open the front gates. The front gates slowly open from the pully system and the wood creaks and moans as the chains pull against the levers. The sound of metal slapping together as the gate finally reaches the locking mechanism. A guard walks out and rushes over to Ecrosetis. The guards metal uniform rubbing together in a harmonic tune.

“Please bring the medical cart and wheel these gentlemen to wife for mending.’

The guards gave a quick nod. “Right away, sir.” The guard trails off to grab the cart. The four look towards Ecrosetis noticing the authority being commanded. Tyler squats down and fixes his shoe, while looking up at Ecrosetis.

“You have a wife?”

Turning around he looks towards Tyler. “Yes, her name is Leia. She also wields magic, but she is what your people call Doctor. She has healing magic.” Tyler stands back up and as he was about to ask another question, the guards return with the cart and hastily assist the four on to the cart. With the cart rolling forward, Ecrosetis trails behind them slowly looking in multiple directions. An uneasy feeling casts over him and he makes quick haste to inside the gates. The gate slowly begins to go down as Ecrosetis passes by the threshold of the gate. The chains and mechanisms creaking as the sheer weight of the door pulls them down. A large thud echoes through the city as the gate falls int place. As the four lay on the cart the feeling of ease washes over their bodies and they slowly trail off into a deep sleep.